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

Monday, October 13

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the new Normals" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Johnsons and Butlers face big changes and unexpected challenges as Tina discovers a new passion, Malcolm navigates work and family boundaries and Courtney takes a major step with Marty. Meanwhile, Dave’s tech experiment backfires and Gemma’s parenting plan goes awry.

DMV - "Pilot" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
East Hollywood Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving examiner Colette pines for her coworker Noa while enduring teasing from colleagues Gregg, Vic and Ceci. Also, new manager Barb rallies the crew to save their branch from government shutdown.

TV We Love - "I Love Lucy" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A deep dive into "I Love Lucy," widely regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time; exploring the groundbreaking partnership of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, whose comedic brilliance and bold business moves forever changed television.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 13)

Monday, October 13

Kat Dennings (Shifting Gears/Dollface/2 Broke Girls/Raising Dad) - Watch Kat on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building), Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building/Mulaney/I'm a Big Girl Now/The Associates) and Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building/Wizards of Waverly Place) - Steve, Martin and Selena are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu and Alex Winter are guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Jason appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Laverne Cox (Clean Slate) - Andy Cohen intervews Laverne on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
Patricia Arquette (High Desert) - Patricia talks about Murdaugh: Death in the Family on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Trophy Wife) - Bradley talks about The Diplomat on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces) - Colin chats with the hosts about John Candy: I Like Me on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Michael J. Fox (Family Ties/Spin City/The Michael J. Fox Show) - Michael discusses his new book Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Ayo Edebiri (Big Mouth/The Bear) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Ayo and Julia Roberts on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Tim Meadows (DMV/Schooled/No Activity/Son of Zorn/Mr. Box Office/The Bill Engvall Show) - Tim talks about DMV on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
Brian Baumgartner (The Office) - Brian talks about the We Need A Fourth podcast on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri talks about The Sunshine Queens on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jaleel White (Family Matters/Grown Ups) - Jaleel joins Sherri to talk about the new season of his hit game show Flip Side on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa and Nick Lachey talk about Netflix's Love is Blind on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Cristela Alonzo (Cristela) - Cristela talks about Netflix's Stay Classy on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie is showing Drew how to make the perfect pumpkin spice meatballs on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.