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

Wednesday, January 22

The Goldbergs - "Game Night" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Geoff struggles to keep his living arrangement with Erica and Barry a secret from Beverly during game night, while Adam goes to his guidance teacher for a lesson in being cool so he can get closer to a new girl in chemistry class.

Schooled - "FeMellor" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Principal Glascott and Lainey struggle to agree on what is an appropriate dress code, while Coach Mellor struggles with his relationship with Julie as she does not enjoy sports like he does.

Modern Family - "Dead on a Rival" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Mitchell learns a valuable life lesson when Murray (Paul Dooley), a former resident of the house, shows up unexpectedly. Meanwhile, the Dunphy’s old neighbor-turned-tech-titan, Kenneth (Josh Gad), comes to visit with a big surprise for Phil. Then, Manny’s dad, Javier (Benjamin Bratt), shows up with a big opportunity for his son.

Single Parents - "Chunkies" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After Angie decides it’s finally time for Graham to meet his dad, Derek (Adam Brody), sickness overtakes the household. Derek is forced to either step in and help or head back out to his van. Meanwhile, when Sophie overhears some big news about Will and Tracy, she takes it upon herself to intervene; and the twins face their first professional failure.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 20)

Wednesday, January 22

John Mulaney (Mulaney) - Watch John on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Fortune Feimster (Bless the Harts/Life in Pieces/Champions) - Fortune visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She will also be on Watch What Happens: Live at 9pm on Bravo.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He will also be on the BUILD Series at 12pm.
Charlie Hunnam (Undeclared) - Charlie is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse drops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers) - Steve appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk) - Patrick chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. He also talks about Star Trek: Picard on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
Ashley Tisdale (Carol's Second Act/Merry Happy Whatever/Clipped/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Ashley appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Finesse Mitchell (Outmatched/A.N.T. Farm) - Finesse is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
Ilana Glazer (Broad City) - Ilana drops by The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jackée Harry (Tyler Perry's The Paynes/The First Family/Sister, Sister/227) - Jackée appears on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris gives the hosts a workout on E!'s Daily Pop at 12pm.
Erinn Hayes (Medical Police/Kevin Can Wait/Guys with Kids/Worst Week) - Erinn is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
BD Wong (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens/All-American Girl) and Lori Tann Chinn (Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens) - BD and Lori will be on the BUILD Series at 1pm.
Abby Elliott (Indebted/Odd Mom Out) and Jessy Hodges (Indebted) - Abby and Jessy are guests on the BUILD Series at 5pm.