SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Welcome to our 12th annual Sitcoms on DVD and Blu-ray Preview, where we look at what is on the horizon for 2017. We also have our wish list of sitcoms that we hope to see on DVD this year.

Some highlights include the return of The Love Boat, with the third season being released in two volumes. This is the first release of The Love Boat since August 2009. The short-lived police comedy-drama Hooperman, which starred John Ritter, will be available on DVD for the first time on January 24. The hit Netflix series Fuller House makes its debut on DVD on February 28. Returning favorites include Girls, Broad City, Ballers, So Little Time, Grace and Frankie, Newhart and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Read our weekly SitcomsOnline.com Digest for all the latest news and rumors on upcoming releases.

The links below go to Amazon.com, where you can pre-order these titles at some nice discounts. We're an affiliate of Amazon.com and receive a commission for each sale. Please consider ordering through our links. Thanks for your continued support!

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2017 SITCOMS ON DVD PREVIEW

January 2017:

01/03 - Girls - The Complete Fifth Season (Blu-ray)

Before the highly-anticipated final season kicks off this winter, check out the "spectacular" (Vulture) fifth season of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning HBO comedy Girls. Starring and created by Lena Dunham and executive produced by Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner, the hit series follows the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their mid-20s-each facing new challenges in life and love. GIRLS: The Complete Fifth Season will be available on Blu-ray and DVD January 3rd, 2017. The Blu-ray and DVD sets both feature a free digital download of all 10 episodes, plus exclusive bonus content including more than two dozen never-before-seen deleted and extended scenes.

As Season 5 begins, Hannah (Lena Dunham) has put her writing ambitions aside and is teaching alongside Fran (Jake Lacy), her new boyfriend. Marnie (Allison Williams) realizes that she needs more space after her honeymoon with Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). While working towards becoming a therapist, Jessa (Jemima Kirke) also manages a budding relationship. And Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) is thriving at her new job in Japan, flirting with her boss despite her long-distance relationship with Scott (Jason Ritter). Honest and uproarious, with unexpected surprise turns, the fifth season of Girls promises to maintain the series' place as one of the most talked-about shows on television.

Other GIRLS stars include Alex Karpovsky as Ray; Adam Driver as Adam; and Andrew Rannells as Elijah. Returning guest stars for Season 5 of Girls include: Rita Wilson as Marnie's mother; Peter Scolari (2016 Emmy Winner, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role) and Becky Ann Baker as Hannah's parents; Jon Glaser as Laird; Gaby Hoffman as Adam's sister, Caroline; Aidy Bryant as Abigail; and Jason Ritter as Scott. New guest stars this season include: Corey Stoll as Dill; Lucy Liu as Detective Mosedale; and Frank Wood as Oscar.

01/10 - Broad City - Season 3

Critically acclaimed Comedy Central series from executive producer Amy Poehler! Broad City Season 3 brings back TV's baddest BFFs for a whole new set of adventures. Join Abbi, Ilana and a lineup of special guests as they find true love (or one-night stands), get high on life (among other things) and show New York City how it's done. Includes all 10 episodes from Season 3, uncensored with exclusive special features. Guest stars include Melissa Leo, Vanessa Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Alda, Tony Danza, Susie Essman, Bob Balaban, Seth Green...and Hillary Clinton!

Special Features:

Disc 1
Hack Into Broad City
Deleted Scenes

Disc 2
Extended Scenes
Behind The Scenes: Match of the Century
NOMO FOMO: An Art Show About Broads In The City

01/17 - I Love Lucy - Superstar Special #2 (Colorized)

The laughs never stop with the I LOVE LUCY Superstar Special #2, starring John Wayne, as broadcast on CBS (5/20/2016). Also included are the full-length versions of the two featured episodes ("Lucy Visit's Grauman's" and "Lucy and John Wayne"), both colorized and in original black and white.

01/17 - The Love Boat - Season Three - Volume One
01/17 - The Love Boat - Season Three - Volume Two

CBS/Paramount sets sail with the return of The Love Boat on DVD!

All aboard everybody's favorite guilty pleasure vessel, The Love Boat. Join Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod), Doc (Bernie Kopell), Gopher (Fred Grandy), Issac the Bartender (Ted Lange), Julie your Cruise Director (Lauren Tewes) and a shipload of guest stars in the Third Season that will keep you laughing all the way back to your cabin.

Includes 25 episodes (including 3 double-length episodes) of this lighthearted anthology series featuring tales of romance and comedy aboard the Pacific Princess Cruise ship. Nominated for multiple Golden Globe & Primetime Emmy awards including Best Television Series, Best Actor (Gavin MacLeod) and Best Supporting Actress (Lauren Tewes) in a TV Series.

01/24 - Hooperman - Season One
01/24 - Hooperman - Season Two

Available for the first time on DVD, the classic 80s TV series Hooperman stars John Ritter (TV's Three's Company) as plainclothes police detective Harry Hooperman. When he inherits a building from his former landlady, he also gains ownership of her dog, a feisty Jack Russell Terrier named Bijoux. Comedy and drama ensue in equal measure as Hooperman juggles the pressures of his job, his newfound pet, and a romantic entanglement with the building manager he hires. The series co-stars Barbara Bosson (TV's Hill Street Blues) and Felton Perry (RoboCop) and includes guest appearances (throughout the two-season run) by Don Cheadle (TV's House of Lies), Norman Fell (TV's Three s Company), Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Barbara Rush (Bigger Than Life), David Paymer (Mr. Saturday Night), Joanna Kerns (TV's Growing Pains), Jane Leeves (TV's Frasier), Dan Lauria (TV's The Wonder Years), Lorna Luft (Grease 2) and Shannon Tweed (Hot Dog... The Movie).

Bonus Feature: Poochinski pilot episode

01/31 - Ballers - The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray)

Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and his boys are back to "ball out" in Season 2 of the hit HBO comedy Ballers from the team behind the HBO classic Entourage. Johnson showcases his "movie-star charisma" (The Hollywood Reporter) in the series that looks at the whirlwind lifestyles and real-life problems of former and current football players in sun-soaked Miami. Ballers: The Complete Second Season will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on January 31, 2017 and includes "Inside the Episode" bonus segments that give the play-by-play on all 10 episodes, featuring interviews with executive producer Evan Reilly, star Dwayne Johnson and more. DVD and Blu-ray versions also include a Digital Download.

In Season 2 of Ballers, things are getting more competitive and complicated for retired football star turned financial manager Spencer Strasmore. As the lines between professional and personal blur in his pursuit of lasting success and glory, Spencer must face demons from the past when he goes head-to-head with the biggest business manager on the scene. Meanwhile, Spencer's closest friends and clients struggle to find their footing. A humbled Ricky (John David Washington, former pro-football player) explores his options as a free agent, while getting to know the father who left him behind; Charles (Omar Miller) tries to balance a new baby and his future in the game; and Vernon (Donovan Carter) deals with the consequences of his life off the field.

Returning to help Spencer juggle lucrative deals and big personalities are his outrageous business partner, Joe (Rob Corddry), level-headed agent, Jason (Troy Garity) and girlfriend/sports reporter, Tracy (Arielle Kebbel). In a business where it's go big or go home, Spencer and his crew are about to learn that having it all means being ready to fight for more dollars, deals and respect.

Executive producers of Ballers include Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Peter Berg, Evan Reilly, Rob Weiss, Julian Farino and Denis Biggs. In addition, the series features high profile pro-athletes and sports journalists such as Ndamkong Suh, Terrell Suggs, Anthony "Spice" Adams, Jared Odrick, Mark Schlereth and Jay Glazer.

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February 2017:

02/07 - Sabrina, the Teenage Witch - Sabrina Down Under

While on vacation in Australia, Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart in her iconic role as everyone's favorite teenage witch) discovers a mermaid colony in need of her magical protection. But when Sabrina loses her powers, things really get flipped upside down! Also starring Tara Charendoff, Scott Michaelson, and Nick Bakay, Sabrina, Down Under is a hilarious comedy the whole family will love.

The TV movie aired on September 26, 1999. This is the first time it has been available on DVD.

02/07 - So Little Time - Volume 1 - School's Cool - Boy Crazy
02/07 - So Little Time - Volume 2 - About a Family - Hangin' Out

Warner Brothers re-releases these long out of print titles in two volumes.

For young teens Riley and Chloe Carlson (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen), high school is a lot of work: besides dating, partying and shopping at the mall, they have to go to classes too. In this collection of episodes from the hilarious TV, series So Little Time, Riley and Chloe roll up their sleeves to take on the unglamorous workaday world and learn their family will always be there for them...which isn't always a good thing. Featuring hip music from cool bands, So Little Time is one series your whole family will enjoy.

02/27 - 227 - The Complete First Season (Mill Creek)

Mill Creek Entertainment re-releases the first season in a 2-disc set.

It's a hilarious look at family life in a Washington, DC, apartment building. 227, one of the most popular Saturday night sitcoms of the '80s, revolves around housewife Mary Jenkins and her close-knit circle of friends and neighbors, dishing about life, family and each other in this first season collection of twenty-two hysterical episodes.

Starring Marla Gibbs as Mary, Hal Williams as her hard-working husband Lester, Regina King as their teenage daughter Brenda, Alaina Reed as Mary's best friend Rose, Helen martin as crotchety busybody Pearl, and Emmy Award-winner Jackée Harry as they sexy, "man-wise" Sandra Clark. Also appearing in the first season's 22 sidesplitting episodes are such familiar faces as Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Haysbert, Whiteman Mayo and Fran Drescher.

02/07 - Vice Principals - The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)

If your New Year's Resolution is to laugh more in 2017, you won't want to miss out on Vice Principals: The Complete First Season, available on Blu-ray and DVD (both with a free digital download copy) February 7, 2017. Created by Danny R. McBride and Jody Hill (creators of HBO's Eastbound & Down, along with Ben Best), this acclaimed new HBO comedy series tells the story of North Jackson High School and the two people who almost run it, the vice principals.

McBride and Walton Goggins star as the school administrators, who are in an epic power struggle to become school principal. Heralded by Rolling Stone as "the summer's best new comedy," Vice Principals: The Complete First Season is loaded with exclusive new bonus content, including a hilarious blooper reel, never-before-seen deleted scenes and laugh-out-loud audio commentaries with the cast and crew for all nine episodes.

In the "must watch" (Entertainment Weekly) new comedy series Vice Principals, the longtime principal of a suburban high school steps down, leading ambitious vice principals Neal Gamby (McBride) and Lee Russell (Goggins) to both set their sights on the vacated top spot. But when new rival Dr. Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hébert Gregory) enters the picture, these bitter antagonists must form an unholy alliance to bring down the outsider by any means necessary. The series also features Georgia King, Busy Phillips, Shea Whigham, Sheaun McKinney and guest stars Bill Murray and Susan Park.

02/14 - Beavis and Butt-Head - The Complete Collection

The 12-disc set will contain all 4 volumes of Mike Judge's iconic animated series and the Special Collector's Edition of the movie, Beavis & Butt-Head Do America.

02/21 - Grace and Frankie - Season Two

They've been through a lot together, and odd couple Grace and Frankie have bonded. But they still drive each other crazy on a regular basis. After learning their ex-husbands plan to marry one another, lifelong rivals Grace and Frankie have bonded in an uneasy friendship.

The second season of this acclaimed comedy series brings more laughs and surprises as Grace and Frankie tackle the challenges of family and relationships - while driving each other crazy on a regular basis! Cast: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston, June Diane Raphael, Brooklyn Decker, Ethan Embry, Baron Vaughn.

02/28 - Fuller House - The Complete First Season

Feeling nostalgic for one of television's best-loved family comedies? The Tanner clan is back and they're bringing laughter and good times to all Full House fans with the release of Fuller House: The Complete First Season, available on DVD on February 28, 2017, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE). Twenty years have passed and the Tanner sisters are all grown-up. They've returned to their San Francisco home, where they're joined by family and friends as they raise the next generation of Tanner kids. Fuller House: The Complete First Season is comprised of all 13 episodes from the show's first season and will retail for $24.98 SRP. Individual episodes from Fuller House: The Complete First Season are also available to own on Digital HD via purchase from digital retailers.

On Fuller House, eldest daughter D.J. Tanner (Candace Cameron Bure, Full House, A Christmas Detour) is now a veterinarian and recently widowed mother trying to raise three boys on her own. She is joined by her sister Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin, Full House, Walt Before Mickey) and best friend Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber, Full House, The Skateboard Kid 2) and Kimmy's teenage daughter Ramona (Soni Bringas), who move in to lend their support and help raise D.J.'s kids. The Full House original cast, including Bob Saget (Full House, Entourage), Lori Loughlin (Full House, When Calls the Heart), John Stamos (Full House, Grandfathered, Scream Queens) and Dave Coulier (Full House, Robot Chicken), make guest appearances throughout the series.

The original Full House, which centered on three grown men raising three girls in San Francisco, premiered in 1987 on ABC and became an instant hit with viewers. The family friendly series became a pop culture phenomenon. It was praised by fans for its wholesome comedy, lovable characters and valuable life lessons. It aired for eight successful seasons and later aired in syndication. Fuller House premiered on Netflix in February 2016 and has already been renewed for a third season.

Fuller House earned two Teen Choice Awards in 2016. The series won in the "Choice TV Show: Comedy" category. Candace Cameron Bure earned the "Choice TV Actress: Comedy" award.

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March 2017:

03/14 - Newhart - The Final (Eighth) Season

Shout! Factory releases the eighth and final season of the popular series, which featured one of the best series finales ever.

03/14 - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Season Two

She's back, she's only slightly more informed, and she's ready to take life by storm! From the executive producers of 30 Rock (Tina Fey and Robert Carlock), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt returns for a second season that's "as ridiculous and fun as ever" (Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter).

As Kimmy (Primetime Emmy nominee Ellie Kemper) continues to learn the ways of New York City, she's got her roommate Titus (Primetime Emmy nominee Tituss Burgess) and socialite Jacqueline (Primetime Emmy nominee Jane Krakowski) by her side to tackle all social matters that are hashbrown: relevant. Own all episodes of Season Two on DVD today!

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Other Sitcoms Expected on DVD and/or Blu-ray in 2017:

Best of the West - CBS/Paramount is expected to release Best of the West - The Complete Series as part of Amazon's CreateSpace MOD (manufacture on demand) program. The short-lived series starred Joel Higgins, Carlene Watkins, Meeno Peluce, Leonard Frey, Tom Ewell and Tracey Walter.
The Big Bang Theory - Amazon is already taking orders for The Complete Tenth Season on DVD and Blu-ray.
The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Dick Van Dyke Show - Now...In Living Color will be released on DVD and Blu-ray.
The Goldbergs - The Complete Third Season is expected to be released on DVD in May.
How to Marry a Millionaire - CBS Home Entertainment is expected to release How to Marry a Millionaire - The Complete Series as part of Amazon's CreateSpace MOD (manufacture on demand) program. The series starred Barbara Eden.

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Special thanks to the fine folks at TVShowsOnDVD.com for the artwork and information in compiling this preview. Thanks also to our own Skees for our weekly SitcomsOnline.com Digest. Preview compiled by Todd.

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2017 Wish List:

This is my wish list for 2017. Some of them probably have slim to no chance of ever being available, but I still have hope for them someday. None of these titles have been officially announced.

According to Jim - Seasons 3-5 were released in 2011. Could we see the final 3 seasons finally released in 2017?
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - A fundraising project by Sam Nelson to get the show restored and complete on DVD raised over $32,000. Updates are on their Kickstarter campaign page for backers only. The restoration process has continued apparently.
Alice - The third and fourth seasons were released in 2013, but there have been no releases since then. Some good news is that the series is coming to Antenna TV in 2017.
Archie Bunker's Place - Mill Creek re-released Season One, but we're still waiting for the complete series to be released (Shout! Factory are you listening?).
Baby Daddy - This series is still not out on DVD. It's very popular on Freeform. Hopefully they release it at some pint.
Benson - Seasons One & Two were re-released in 2014, but no further seasons have been released.
The Beverly Hillbillies - Seasons 5-9 are still needed. The Official First Season was released on April 26, 2016.
Blossom - I'm surprised that it hasn't been available as a Shout! Factory Select title like Mr. Belvedere. Seasons 1-2 were released way back in January 2009. Mill Creek released a "best of" set in October 2010.
Brooklyn Bridge - There were rumors of a release in 2010 by the show's creator Gary David Goldberg, but it never materialized.
California Dreams - Only Season 5 remains to be released.
Checking In - One episode was included on Shout! Factory's release of The Jeffersons - The Complete Series. The original press release stated that all four episodes of the Marla Gibbs' spin-off would be included, so hopefully we see them available someday.
Chico and the Man - Only 6 episodes have been released on DVD.
Coach - Season 4 was released in March 2011. Maybe we will see another season of this underrated sitcom this year. Seasons One and Two were re-released in 2016.
Dave's World - Only Season 4 is left to complete the series.
Dear John - Antenna TV is airing the series.
Diff'rent Strokes - Shout! Factory released The Facts of Life - The Complete Series in 2015. It would not be surprising to see the parent series as one of their next complete series boxed sets. Let's hope we see it sometime in 2017!
8 Simple Rules - We're still waiting for the third and final season.
Evening Shade - It was announced in November 2015 that the Complete Series was being worked on by VEI, but a release date was never announced.
Fish - Shout! Factory included the first season in the Barney Miller - The Complete Series release. It would be great to see the second season as well.
Green Acres - How great would a complete series boxed set be? Green Acres is the place to be!
Happy Days - Seasons 5 and 6 were released in 2014, but there have been no further seasons.
Head of the Class - It hasn't been seen in syndication for years. It would be nice to see again. Some good news is that it's coming to Antenna TV in 2017.
Hello, Larry - It could be included with a complete series boxed set of Diff'rent Strokes.
The Hogan Family - Music clearance issues seem to be the reason for no DVD releases at this point. Some good news is that it's coming to Antenna TV in 2017.
Hope & Faith - Season 1 was released way back in 2009, but we're still waiting on Seasons 2-3.
I'm Dickens...He's Fenster - We're still waiting for the second volume of this lost gem.
It's Your Move - It would make an ideal 3-disc set from Shout! Factory. A cult classic that would be a popular release.
Less Than Perfect - Season 1 was released in September 2010. Hopefully this underrated series will have more seasons available at some point.
Melissa & Joey - Only the first season of the popular ABC Family/Freeform sitcom is available on DVD. They ended a successful 4-year run in August 2015.
Mr. Belvedere - Season Four was re-released as a retail release in 2015, but we're still waiting for the final two seasons. At least it's airing on Antenna TV.
Murphy Brown - Only the first season has been released on DVD. The series is coming to Antenna TV in 2017.
My Three Sons - Only Seasons 1-2 have been released. Unfortunately, many CBS DVD/Paramount series have been stalled for years.
My Two Dads - Only the third season remains to be released to complete the series. Some good news it that it's airing on Antenna TV and UP TV.
My Wife and Kids - Only Seasons 1-2 have been released.
One Day at a Time - Only the first season was released way back in 2007. It would be ideal for a complete series boxed set. At least Antenna TV has brought back the series.
Out of This World - Volume 1 was released in Germany in November 2011. Will we see a U.S. release at some point? RIP Joe Alaskey.
Parker Lewis Can't Lose - Seasons 1 and 2 have been released. We're just waiting on the third season to complete the series.
Perfect Strangers - We're still waiting for the third season. We desperately need more Balki!
Petticoat Junction - Seasons 4-7 are still neeeded. RIP Mike Minor.
Please Don't Eat the Daisies - As we reported in October 2012, Warner Archive hopes to bring it to DVD once some music issues are cleared and the episodes are remastered.
Rhoda - Season Five has yet to be released to complete series.
The Ropers - The Three's Company spin-off has never been released on DVD, but it does air on Antenna TV.
Silver Spoons - It would make a nice complete series boxed set from Shout! Factory. It currently airs on FamilyNet. Antenna TV will be airing the series at some point.
Small Wonder - Seasons 1-2 have been released. Seasons 3-4 are still needed to complete the series. Antenna TV airs the series.
Three's a Crowd - A one-year wonder which would be nice to see on DVD. Antenna TV airs the series.
227 - Mill Creek is re-releasing the first season on February 7. The series is also coming to Antenna TV sometime in 2017.
Webster - Only the fifth and sixth seasons are left to complete the series. Antenna TV airs the series.
What's Happening Now!! - Only the first season was released in 2007.
Who's the Boss?) - It remains popular in syndication, but only the first season was released way back in 2004.

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What are your predictions for 2017? Which new releases are you most excited about? What are your most wanted unreleased sitcoms? Post your comments on our Facebook page.