black-ish Heads to Syndication in Fall 2018; Ellen's Coming Out Episode on ABC Throwback

Monday, May 01, 2017

black-ish Heads to Syndication in Fall 2018; Ellen's Coming Out Episode on ABC Throwback

Disney/ABC has sold the off-network syndication rights for ABC's critically acclaimed comedy series black-ish by licensing it to broadcast syndication along with cable on BET Networks in a shared window with FX Networks. black-ish will launch on all three in fall 2018. The show has been cleared in 90% of the country so far for broadcast syndication with Tribune Broadcasting (WPIX, KTLA, WGN, etc) as the core station group. But wait there's more, Hulu recently picked up black-ish's SVOD rights. black-ish is currently in season three and is certain to get a fourth-season renewal by ABC. On the cable front, the comedy can air on BET Network's BET or Centric and FX Network's FX or FXX. We will know soon.

Andre "Dre" Johnson and his physician wife, Rainbow, are living the American dream: great careers, four beautiful kids and a home in an upper middle class neighborhood. With a little help from Pops and Ruby, Dre sets out to establish a sense of cultural identity for his family that honors their past while embracing the future. Loosely based on show-creator Kenya Barris' life, the series tackles a wide array of timely social issues with humor and humanity. black-ish stars Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laurence Fishburne, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Jenifer Lewis and Peter Mackenzie.

Ellen

Yesterday (Sunday, April 30) was the 20th anniversary of the historic coming-out episode of the Ellen sitcom on ABC. All episodes of the series are available now to stream for free/no sign in required in the Throwbacks section of the ABC app for desktop, mobile and connected TV devices. In "The Puppy Episode - Parts 1 & 2," Ellen senses a kindred spirit when she meets a gay woman who enlightens her to her own sexual identity. Confused by this startling self-discovery, Ellen seeks the guidance of a therapist and braces herself for yet another moment of truth: telling her friends. "The Puppy Episode" features special guests Oprah Winfrey, Laura Dern, Demi Moore, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam and k.d. lang.

Ellen, which aired on The ABC Television Network from 1994-1998, featured DeGeneres as Ellen Morgan, a single woman whose day-to-day routine wouldn't be complete without checking in with her extended family of equally single friends. This close-knit group of spirited individuals looks out for each other but they are not above butting into each other's business when it's for their own good. The series was produced by Carol Black, Neal Marlens and David S. Rosenthal and co-stars Jeremy Piven, Joely Fisher, Clea Lewis and David Anthony Higgins.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, April 15

St. Denis Medical - "Listen to Your Ladybugs" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Joyce launches a women's health initiative to unexpected results; Ron treats a patient who has all the answers; Bruce has an existential crisis.

Night Court - "A Little Night Court Music" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
At the behest of producer Sy Hoffman, Dan and Abby work together to turn Dan's memoir into a musical; Wyatt tries to help Julianne stay cool when her ex-lover turns up at the courthouse.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Houston, We've Got a Problem" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Calvin struggles with Tracey's decision to relocate Calvin Jr. to Houston; Malik hosts an impromptu election night watch party with a nervous Councilman Dustman.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Bye Bye Bye" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After losing his job, Jeremy decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to help his grandfather, who has purchased a rundown home for the elderly.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 14)

Tuesday, April 15

Randall Park (Young Rock/Blockbuster/Fresh Off the Boat/Veep/Supah Ninjas) - Catch Randall on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
David Oyelowo (Government Cheese) - David appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Nick is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Britt Lower (Ghosted/Man Seeking Woman/Big Lake) - Britt appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe) and Tien Tran (Mr. Throwback/How I Met Your Father) - Andy and Tien are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster/Sabrina the Teenage Witch) - Soleil talks about Paramount+'s The Carters on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
Lake Bell (Bless This Mess/How to Make it in America/Childrens Hospital) - Lake talks about All About Brains: A Book About People on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
James Brolin (Life in Pieces) - NBC's Today catches up with James in the 9am hour.
Mindy Kaling (Running Point/The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy talks about Running Point on a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts/Young Sheldon) - Danielle talks about the new season of Ghosts on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her hit new movie One of Them Days on Sherri, so check your local listings.