Saturday, December 03, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: FXX Sees Ratings Records Thanks to The Simpsons Marathon; Betty White to Guest Star on Young & Hungry

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's been another busy news week, but we've got just a little bit of what is going on, including FXX seeing ratings success from their (still ongoing) marathon of The Simpsons, a Betty White guest appearance on a Freeform series, news of Fuller House DVDs, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • FXX may just want to consider becoming a 24/7 network for The Simpsons (or at least consider doing extended marathons once or twice a year), because just like the last time they did a marathon with every episode of the series, they are breaking network ratings once again with the current marathon which started on Thanksgiving and is still on-going through most of next week. (Forbes)
  • Betty White, who broke the record for longest career in television years ago, is making sure that record stands as she continues to score more guest appearances on TV series, including her latest one that was announced for the Freeform series Young & Hungry. (Deadline)
  • Trae Crowder, who has developed the persona of "Liberal Redneck" through his comedy, is looking to do what a famous conservative redneck (Jeff Foxworthy) did, specifically getting his own sitcom, and this week it was announced that Fox has given a script commitment to the idea. (Deadline)
  • Celebrity Name Game was one of the few original ideas among syndicated game shows in recent years that sort of caught on with viewers, but it didn't catch on enough, as the series will not be renewed for a fourth season. (Hollywood Reporter)
  • Decades, the TV network that was supposed to be about some theme everyday, seems to be finding even more accidental success in their weekend "binge" marathons, and as a result, will be continuing doing half day binges every weekday in December (much like they did with police dramas in November), this time emphasizing sitcoms. (SitcomsOnline)  
  • Ron Glass, who was best known for his role on Barney Miller, died this week at age 71. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

TUESDAY (DECEMBER 6) HOME MEDIA RELEASE
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01FL1TW74/happydaysonline5-20
  • Family Guy - Season Fourteen (DVD, $29.98): While the other animated comedies from the Fox Sunday night lineup (including even The Simpsons) seem to be abandoned on DVD, this one continues on with another full season of episodes on a three disc set.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Andrew Rannells (Twitter), "Actor in New York. Sometimes LA. But mostly New York. And I was born in Nebraska."
Claim to Fame: As his bio on Twitter says, Andrew Rannells was born in Nebraska and considers himself an actor in New York (and sometimes Los Angeles). It's no surprise, then, that as an actor in New York, he can most frequently be seen on stage on Broadway. In fact, to date, his biggest role anywhere was probably his role of playing Elder Price in the original run of the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon (which, of course, has a TV comedy connection of its own in a way, as Matt Stone and Trey Parker of South Park fame are two of the three creators of that show). Most recently, he spent a few weeks playing a role in Hamilton. But Broadway musicals are not the only talent Rannells has, as he also does television as well. He starred in the NBC sitcom The New Normal immediately after his Book of Mormon run, but that only lasted one season. More recently, he has found success in the HBO series Girls. It was recently announced that series will be ending after the sixth season (which hasn't debuted yet), so
Pick of the Tweets: "I'm a little late sharing this, but I'm very excited. Girls, season 6! February 12, 2017! @girlsHBO" (November 23, 2016)


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, March 9

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to the Baby Proofing" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
While Marty heads to San Diego for a tech convention and Courtney is away for the weekend, Tina’s insistence on babysitting Daphne sparks a baby-proofing fiasco that leaves Calvin and Dave unexpectedly locked inside the bathroom.

DMV - "The Fourth Wheel" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The DMV welcomes a new driving examiner, and Colette’s excitement fades when she realizes Robin (Anna Camp) may be trying to push her out. Meanwhile, Noa helps Ceci manage her toxic relationship with Brent.

St. Denis Medical - "Happy Birthday, Matty" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Matt's first birthday party gets crashed by a rival; Joyce decides to "get back out there."

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "Save the Cat" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Reggie thinks finding his former coach's lost cat will help him get into the Hall of Fame; Monica gets back in the dating game.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 9)

Monday, March 9

  • Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - Watch Olivia on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Love in the Time of Corona/Big Day) - Leslie appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Hilary Duff (How I Met Your Father/Younger/Lizzie McGuire) - Hilary is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Christina Applegate (Dead to Me/Up All Night/Samantha Who?/Jesse/Married... with Children) - Andy Cohen interviews Christina on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
  • Michael B. Jordan (The Assistants) - ABC News' Chris Connelly’s interviews Michael and director Ryan Coogler on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Zach Braff (Scrubs/Alex, Inc.) and Donald Faison (Scrubs/Extended Family/The Exes/Clueless) - Zach and Donald talk about Scrubs on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm. Donald also talks about the revival of the hit sitcom Scrubs on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle joins the chat on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer talks about her new off-Broadway show on Sherri, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

03/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 9, 2026)
03/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Returns to Big Ratings; New Garfield Series Coming to Paramount+
03/06 - The Four Seasons Returns on May 28; More Details on I Suck at Girls
03/05 - COZI TV Pairs Up Al Bundy and Hondo at Last; ABC Renews Abbott Elementary for Season 6
03/04 - ABC's Scrubs Returns Big; Netflix's Little House on the Prairie Renewed for Season 2
03/03 - Prime Video's Kevin Premieres April 20; Fox Renews Best Medicine
03/02 - Running Point Returns April 23 on Netflix; A Different World Sequel Starts Production
03/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 2, 2026)
02/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Now Set to Merge with Paramount, Not Netflix; X-Files Reboot Given Greenlight
02/27 - The Comeback Returns for Final Season on March 22; Animal Control Renewed for Season 5; Remembering Lauren Chapin of Father Knows Best and Robert Carradine of Lizzie McGuire
02/26 - AspireTV Gets First Ever Original Sitcom; Sullivan's Crossing Returns for Season 4 in April on The CW
02/25 - Scrubs Returns Tonight, Sneak Peek at Title Sequence; Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Reveals Odessa A'zion as Nikki Baxter
02/24 - Netflix's Wednesday Season 3 Adds to Cast; Wonder Pets: In the City Returns March 20
02/23 - Celebrities for ABC's Celebrity Jeopardy! All-Stars; Hallmark's Mistletoe Murders Renewed for Season 3
02/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 23, 2026)
02/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Orders New Adult Animated Comedy From Creator of Bluey; Casting News for Upcoming CBS Comedy Regency
02/20 - ABC Wednesday Comedies Find Valentine's Magic; Netflix Announces Dang!
02/19 - The Golden Girls Coming to MeTV in March; Adult Swim Announces My Two Cars
02/18 - Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special Coming to Disney+; Fox Spring 2026 Schedule and Finale Dates
02/17 - New Animated Comedy from Big Mouth Creators Coming May 22; Scottish Comedy Returns to Hulu February 25
02/16 - Saturday Night Live Returns Following the Olympics on February 28; Fox Pays Tribute to James Van Der Beek on Wednesday
02/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 16, 2026)
02/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for Scrubs Reboot; Tubi to Add 100 Cartoon Series from Warner and Cartoon Network Library
02/13 - Remembering James Van Der Beek of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23; The Way Home Returns for Final Season in April on Hallmark
02/12 - ABC's Scrubs Revival Trailer and Details; XO, Kitty Returns April 2 on Netflix
02/11 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Post Saturday Night Live Encore; Chris Fleming HBO Special
02/10 - Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars Premiere Shifting by Two Weeks; Virgin River Season 7 Trailer
02/09 - Shoresy Returns with Season 5; HBO Max Acquires Schitt's Creek
02/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 9, 2026)