SitcomsOnline Digest: Modern Family Close to Ninth Season Renewal; Second Season of What I Like About You Coming to DVD on Tuesday

Saturday, March 04, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Modern Family Close to Ninth Season Renewal; Second Season of What I Like About You Coming to DVD on Tuesday

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're finding that Modern Family is very close to renewal for a ninth season (though lots of details still need to be worked out), we're hearing of Arnold Schwarzenegger quitting or being fired (we don't really know) from Celebrity Apprentice, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Modern Family is still doing well and very close to being picked up for a ninth season, but getting the details worked out for a show that is only a short-term investment for broadcaster ABC and a long-term investment for distributor Fox is becoming a bigger challenge every year. (Deadline)
There is no word on whether or not Celebrity Apprentice will be back, but if it does return, it will be without Arnold Schwarzenegger. And while Schwarzenegger claims that it was his choice to quit, somebody on Twitter (we'll let you guess who that is) is claiming he was fired. (Hollywood Reporter)
Logo's flagship series, RuPaul's Drag Race, is returning for a ninth season, except episodes will debut on VH-1 before airing on Logo this time around, leaving some to wonder what this means for the future of Logo. (AV Club)
If you enjoy made for TV movies, particularly those involving reunions of TV series from the past, the digital broadcaster Decades has a solid week of movies coming up next week. (SitcomsOnline)
We already mentioned that Antenna TV would be featuring a Three's Company 40th anniversary marathon a few weeks ago, and it seems that Logo is getting in on the 40th anniversary action as well. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

It's very short notice, but What I Like About You - The Complete Second Season arrives on DVD on Tuesday from Warner Archive.
TVShowsOnDVD.com is reporting a release of the series It's About Time (which has been airing on Antenna TV) sometime this spring.

TUESDAY (MARCH 7) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Mama's Family - Mama's Favorite Collection

The Jamie Foxx Show - The Complete Second Season (DVD, $29.99): It has been over a decade since we saw the first season of this sitcom on DVD (released at the time when Warner Home Video was aggressively releasing the first season of several series just in time for the 50th anniversary as a television studio), and now Warner Archive is finally releasing the second season.
Mama's Family - Mama's Favorites Collection (DVD, $69.95): If you just want some of the "best" episodes of the classic Vicki Lawrence series, this set is for you, although we would personally recommend spending just a little bit more to purchase the entire series.
That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Flashback Edition) (Blu-ray, $99.98): Mill Creek re-releases the series on Blu-ray in this release.
What I Like About You - The Complete Second Season (DVD, $29.99): Another seemingly abandoned series from Warner Home Video arrives on DVD in this release from Warner Archive.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Brock Ciarlelli (Twitter), "Brad Bottig on @TheMiddle_ABC, Tuesdays, 8pm/7c! Im a big advocate for iced coffee, alternating between being the big and little spoon, and children on leashes"

Claim to Fame: Brock Ciarlelli is not at all a household name to TV viewers, but if you watch the long-running ABC sitcom The Middle, you'd know exactly who he is: he plays the role of Brad, one of Sue's friends (and a former boyfriend of hers, even though he was gay and everybody seemed to notice except Sue). As the series has progressed, his character actually did "come out" in the seventh season. It's worth pointing out, though, that acting isn't his only skill set. While playing on The Middle, he has also managed to find time on the side to begin and finish a college degree in mathematics at Chapman University. He also has sort of a side project going, as he will be appearing in the second season of the YouTube shorts called Valet, which will debut tomorrow (if you've got a half hour to spare, you can watch the first season, which did not include him, here). We have no idea what will be next for him after The Middle (which we assume he'll continue to play his recurring role on as long as the series continues, and it has already been renewed for next season), but it seems like he may have a future in comedy in some form.

Pick of the Tweets: "My new fave hobby might be arriving early at LAX & people watch at the airport bar. I used to do it w/ coffee but beer makes it a lot better" (November 23, 2016)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 5

The Conners - "Driving, Dating and Deceit" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mark is anxious to get his driver’s license when a job opportunity presents itself across town. Darlene attempts to teach him to drive, but her frantic energy sends him running to Ben for help. Meanwhile, Harris meets a new guy online, whom Becky recognizes from her past.

The Golbergs - "Jenkintown After Dark" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Despite promising to keep distance from Brea so they can each establish themselves at college, Adam calls her, sending Beverly into a tailspin. Meanwhile, Joanne lands a coveted job at a posh Philly law firm and Barry takes full advantage of the perks of her new gig, blinding him from the reality of the situation.

Abbott Elementary - "Story Samurai" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A traveling storytelling troupe Jacob used to be in visits Abbott Elementary for a day of education and entertainment. Jacob can’t wait to share this part of his past with his colleagues; but when he realizes they think the performers are corny, Janine does her best to help him embrace his nerdy side. Meanwhile, Melissa struggles with the new normal of her combined second and third grade class.

Home Economics - "Sushi for Twelve, $482 Plus Delivery" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
With a house full of Hayworths, nothing is off limits for discussion – including Tom and Marina’s lives in, and out, of the bedroom. Connor’s patience as host is running thin so as a thank you, Sarah and Denise strategize a creative way to show their appreciation.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 3)

Wednesday, October 5

Kevin Nealon (Man with a Plan/Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Watch Kevin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) - Kelly appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space), Ana Fabrega (Los Espookys) and Julio Torres (Los Espookys) - Fred, Ana and Julio are guests on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Lena Dunham (Girls) - Lena is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 3:30am on Bravo.
Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) - Lea is a guest on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men/How I Met Your Mother) - Kal discusses his impressive journey from former White House staffer and actor to author, and why he chose to share details about his engagement to his fiancé, Josh, in his book, You Can't Be Serious, on Tamron Hall, so check your local istings.
Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts/White Famous) - Utkarsh talks about Ghosts on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about Death of a Salesman on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Tamera Mowry-Housley (Sister, Sister/Roommates) - Tamera talks about You Should Sit Down For This on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.