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

Tuesday, January 31

Night Court - "Dan v. Dating" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Abby's encouragement, Dan attempts to venture back into the dating world, but reigniting his love life proves more complicated than anticipated; Gurgs and Olivia search for a new office and find something they weren't expecting.

American Auto - "Most Hated CEO" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Ian and Sadie attempt to rehab Katherine's image from the pawl controversy by staging a phony video with Katherine's family and a visit to "Late Night with Seth Meyers."

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 30)

Tuesday, January 31

Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Catch Pamela on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Sarah appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Christ) - Terry is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Sally Field (Gidget/The Flying Nun/The Girl with Something Extra) - Sally will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Scott Caan (Entourage) - Scott appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
D. L. Hughley (The Hughleys/Double Rush) - D. L. guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm. He talks about taking over the responsibilities as guest host of The Daily Show on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Kal Penn (The Santa Clauses/Sunnyside/We Are Men) - Kal gives all the details about the upcoming ABC special Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Tia Mowry (Family Reunion/The Game/Sister, Sister) - Tia will be on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect) - Sherri talks about her new talk show on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
Jennifer Grey (Red Oaks/It's Like, You Know...) - Jennifer talks about her Lifetime film Gwen Shamblin on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on NBC's Today in the 10am hour..
Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat/The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder/Let's Stay Together/One on One) - Kyla talks about the new Disney+ series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Harry Hamlin (Movie Stars) - Harry talks about AMC's Mayfair Witches on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Reyn Doi (That '90s Show) - Reyn will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 8:50am.
Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Drew appears on NBC's Today some time between 7-9am.
Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!) - NBC's Today catches up with Nathan in the 9am hour.