SitcomsOnline Digest: Spike TV Prepares to Rebrand as Paramount Network; Netflix Continues to Evolve

Saturday, April 01, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Spike TV Prepares to Rebrand as Paramount Network; Netflix Continues to Evolve

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning more about Spike TV's 2018 rebranding as Paramount Network, some popular shows are leaving Netflix, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Spike TV is rebranding as Paramount Network next year, and with it comes some new original programming, including some that was previously planned for TV Land. (Variety)
The cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunited this week and took what seemed to be a touching cast reunion photo, but that reunion was overshadowed by Janet Hubert (the original Aunt Viv, who was not part of that reunion) returning to Facebook to do what she spends plenty of time doing: to slam the cast, and to call Alfonso Ribiero a few names that we won't repeat here (but you can read them in the article). (Entertainment Weekly)
Several popular TV series that were added to Netflix back in 2010 (when streaming TV series was relatively new) are leaving Netflix, and it looks as if this may be the true beginning of Netflix moving much more into original programming and further away from older TV series. (Vox)
On the surface, it may seem inconsequential that the FCC has auctioned off blocks of airwaves currently used for TV broadcasting to other interests, but in reality, it means that there will be less room for broadcast diginets such as Antenna TV, This TV, or MeTV. While those three would be strong candidates for survival, there are dozens of others out there that probably will not survive, at least not as broadcast networks. (Deadline)
The late night talk show wars have taken a surprising shift in recent months, with Stephen Colbert overtaking Jimmy Fallon in total viewers (though Fallon still holds the edge in viewers age 18-49). (Variety)
The Mindy Project will end after the sixth season, which begins in September. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (APRIL 4) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Fifth Season

Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $19.97): The series has been stalled on DVD for years, and it seemed to be abandoned, but Shout! Factory has returned the series to DVD with this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Adam Pally (Twitter)

Claim to Fame:Adam Pally was born in New York and knew he wanted to act early on. He got his first role in 2011 on the ABC series Happy Endings, where he played Max Blum. As soon as that ended, he was able to immediately hop over to The Mindy Project, where he played another regular role, as Dr. Prentice. As we mentioned today, that series is also coming to an end soon, but he is safe for now, because he now stars as Dan Chambers in Fox's new series, Making History.

Pick of the Tweets: "Y'all like the early 90's? I didn't but now I dooooooooo and you will tooooooo (pic)" (March 26, 2017)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, June 5

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A House Divided" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Audrey and Mary go to war over CeeCee and Georgie, and Mandy can’t help but take sides.

Ghosts - "Thorapy 2: Abandonment Issues" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Thor returns to therapy to work through his angst over being abandoned by his Viking shipmates. Also, Jay’s sister, Bela (Punam Patel), attempts to help him with the restaurant.

Bob's Burgers - "Snackface" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tina, Gene and Louise strike it rich in the illegal snack business at school, but the addition of a new member to their "cartel" threatens to destroy it.

Grimsburg - "The Undies" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
In order to win this year's Undies Award for best undercover operation, Flute infiltrates the Preggo crime family.

Family Guy - "Martian Meg" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Fed up with feeling like she doesn't belong, Meg enlists in a training program for a mission to Mars.

The Great North - "Reservoir Dad Adventure" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Beef discovers the thrills of stunt fishing.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 1)

Thursday, June 5

Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy/American Dad!/The Cleveland Show) - Catch Seth on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) and Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Nick and Andrew are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Dakota Johnson (Ben and Kate) - Dakota stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite/Benched) - Maria is a guest on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Mario Cantone (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Mario appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That.../Second Time Around) - Nicole talks about And Just Like That... on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie talks about The White Lotus on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Brianne talks about Ginny & Georgia on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am, on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour, and on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Drew-crewer Valerie is joining Drew with chef Bobby Flay to whip up something amazing in the kitchen on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Kerri Kenney (The Four Seasons/Maggie/Superstore/Reno 911!/The Ellen Show) - Kerri is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.