SitcomsOnline Digest: Girl Meets World Cancelled (Or Not?); More of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to Arrive on DVD

Saturday, December 31, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Girl Meets World Cancelled (Or Not?); More of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to Arrive on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This is the last time we'll be here for 2016 (we'll be back for 2017, of course) with news of a Disney Channel sitcom that may (or may not) be cancelled, some opinion pieces on how DVD and Blu-ray are keeping classic TV alive, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Girl Meets World might be cancelled following the completion of the third season, or it might not be, as it isn't really clear based upon conflicting information from producers and cast member Rider Strong. (Entertainment Weekly)
Last Man Standing is the sort of show that a lot of people forget even exists and has only been a moderate success (successful enough to be renewed each year, but not a show that defines the network) on ABC's lineup, but it has been surprisingly successful in syndication. (Deadline)
Greta Van Susteren has spent 20 years anchoring cable TV news programs on CNN and Fox News, and there is speculation now that she may be completing the trifecta by coming to MSNBC. (Mediaite)
We know that many of our readers still love and collect TV series on DVD in addition to (or even instead of) online streaming, and Vox has an insightful piece on why TV on DVD still has the ability to thrive for the time being. (Vox)
That isn't all Vox had to say to defend DVD and Blu-ray this week, as they also had a piece on the benefits that physical media manages to provide over streaming media. (Vox)
The past year has been a year that seems to have had more deaths of classic TV stars (and musicians as well, such as David Bowie, Prince, and George Michael) than usual, and we've compiled a tribute of what is hopefully the final draft of the list for 2016. (SitcomsOnline)
Although the new era of binge watching means you can make your own marathon of almost anything at any time you want, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is the time when TV networks everywhere bring back the classic tradition of binge watching. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

The Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt returns to DVD on March 14 with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Season Two.

TUESDAY (JANUARY 3) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01MSX5322/happydaysonline5-20

Bones - The Complete Eleventh Season (DVD, $39.98): As the long-running Fox series prepares for one final season (debuting Tuesday evening on the network), the most recently aired season comes to DVD for viewers to catch up.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Caitlin Barlow (Twitter), "I used to be a teacher in Chicago. Now I write, act in and produce Teachers on TVLand with The Katydids, where I pretend to be a teacher in Chicago. LIFE"

Claim to Fame: Caitlin Barlow has found her success in entertainment almost exclusively through Teachers, her TV Land series that she stars in. Originally a teacher herself in Chicago, she wasn't getting much satisfaction from the job and began working in improv and sketch theater. This ultimately led to becoming part of a comedy group called The Katydids, and with internet fame, one of their projects evolved into a TV Land comedy series, which will return for a second season on January 17.

Pick of the Tweets: "Congrats to the @TeachersSeries show runners Jay @mrjaymartel and Ian Roberts for their @KeyAndPeele @TheEmmys nomination!" (July 14, 2016)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 20

The Goldbergs - "An Itch Like No Other" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Beverly’s encouragement, Mr. Glascott moves in next door to the Goldbergs and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive. Adam and Murray become increasingly disgruntled while Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy Mr. Glascott’s time with a new friend, Mr. Woodburn. Meanwhile, Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area – his rear end. Erica and Geoff are called to task to take care of Barry and his ridiculous demands – inadvertently testing their parenting skills and patience with one another.

The Wonder Years - "The Lock In" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience -- East Coast" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lights, Camera, Action: “The Conners” is going live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. This iconic TV family continues to deal with the current pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

Home Economics - "Giant Jenga, $120" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom spirals when Connor dates a woman who broke his heart at summer camp. Then, family game night becomes an all-or-nothing competition between Marina and Denise.

Superstar - "Robin Williams" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The new episode recounts his life through Robin Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind. It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014. “Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18)

Wednesday, October 20

Rami Malek (The War at Home) - Watch Rami on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace/Ned & Stacey) - Debra talks about her latest project: how self-care can change the world on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) and Clint Howard (Gung Ho) - Ron and Clint discuss their new book, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Sedaris (No Activity/BoJack Horseman/Strangers with Candy) - It's a TV exclusive with sister and brother duo Amy and David Sedaris appearing together for the first time on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy talks about FBI on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
David Eigenberg (Sex and the City) - David talks about NBC's Chicago Fire on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick talks about Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.