SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Orders Pilot for Sitcom Starring Carol Burnett; Lou Grant to Wrap Up on DVD

Saturday, February 18, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Orders Pilot for Sitcom Starring Carol Burnett; Lou Grant to Wrap Up on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning (a little bit) about the pilots for the fall, some news of a big renewal that is supposedly in the works for The Big Bang Theory, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

ABC has ordered a pilot for Household Name, a sitcom that would star Carol Burnett and has a little bit of a similar idea to Hot in Cleveland. (TVLine)
James Burrows isn't any closer to retirement, as he will be directing an upcoming pilot for NBC, and another one for CBS. (Deadline)
The Big Bang Theory remains a powerful and dominant force on the CBS lineup, but every show has a bad day, and this week, the ratings for the latest episode (though still better than anything else it was competing against) hit a low not seen since the first season. (Hollywood Reporter)
The ratings decline for The Big Bang Theory, however, probably isn't worth worrying about, as it is close to receiving a renewal for two more seasons. (Variety)
Netflix has set May 19 as the date for the premiere of the third season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. (Deadline)
Three's Company is turning 40 years old next month, and Antenna TV is ready to celebrate. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

We're honestly a little surprised to see that it is being completed on DVD before Rhoda (which has been stalled with no sign that the final season will ever be released), but Shout! Factory will be finishing up another successful spinoff of The Mary Tyler Moore Show with Lou Grant - The Final Season on May 9.

TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Grace and Frankie - Season Two (DVD, $29.98): The Netflix series returns to DVD in this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Tim Conway (Twitter), "I used to be Tim Conway: co-star of The Carol Burnett Show, McHale's Navy & The Kardashians. I am 6'-2, the camera shortens me."

Claim to Fame: Tim Conway first became known to TV audiences on The Steve Allen Show and eventually made his way over to a regular role on McHale's Navy. His next role (which was one his biggest ones) came in 1975, when he was added to the cast of The Carol Burnett Show. Even though he was only a regular for the final three (out of eleven total) seasons, it was in that role where he gained some of his greatest fame and earned five Emmy Awards. Since then, he has done more along the lines of guest roles, with prominent ones including playing Peggy Bundy's father on Married... with Children, a recurring role on Yes, Dear, and to this day, he continues to do the voice of Barnacle Boy on Spongebob Squarepants. His role in Spongebob Squarepants allowed him to reunite with his McHale's Navy costar, Ernest Borgnine, until Borgnine's death.

Pick of the Tweets: "My partner in crime in animation, TV and life. Ernie Borgnine would have been 100 this week, I miss you my friend and your way of life. (pic)" (January 26, 2017)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 9

Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.

Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.

Abbott Elementary - "Volunteers" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott; however, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.

Abbott Elementary - "100th Day of School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
During Abbott’s 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter. Melissa, Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary" (FXX and FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Months after the Gang visited, Abbott's Principal Ava walks viewers through some of the unseen footage of the Gang's volunteerism and reveals their true intentions.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank Is in a Coma" (FXX and FX, 9:33PM ET/PT)
The five stages of grief set in for Dee as Frank lies on his deathbed; the Guys plot their new path forward by pitching their business ventures to Philadelphia's elite.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)

Wednesday, July 9

Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Watch Salma on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Cole Escola (Human Resources/Search Party/Mozart in the Jungle/Difficult People) - Cole appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Richie Moriarty (Ghosts), Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed/Animal Practice) and Punam Patel (Ghosts/Return of the Mac/Kevin from Work) - Richie, Betsy and Punam are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Tika Sumpter (mixed-ish/Final Space/The Game) - Tika sits down with the Tam Fam to talk about her new children's book I Got It From My Mama a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Isabela Merced (100 Things to Do Before High School/Growing Up Fisher) - Isabela chats about her film Superman on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Anna Camp (Perfect Harmony/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/The Mindy Project) and Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers) - Anna and Justin discuss their film Nuked on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) - Simon talks about Peacock's Poker Face on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.