SitcomsOnline Digest: Busy Week of Cancellations and Pickups Ahead of Upfronts; 2 Broke Girls and Last Man Standing Cancelled

Saturday, May 13, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Busy Week of Cancellations and Pickups Ahead of Upfronts; 2 Broke Girls and Last Man Standing Cancelled

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week and next week are probably the two busiest weeks of the year when it comes to news, so bear with us as we try to give some of the major highlights to you today, and stick with us throughout next week as we bring you complete details (including the lineups, which will inevitably last less than a month before shakeups) for each broadcast network. It's a busy week, so let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Next week will be a very busy week of learning what is in store for the new fall season, which means that this week, we've learned a lot about which shows (a mostly unsurprising list) that we will be mourning the loss of. (Variety)
Not making the list (since it came after the list was published) is a surprising cancellation from CBS, which has decided to cancel 2 Broke Girls. (Deadline)
ABC made a surprising decision to cancel Last Man Standing this week, and while some are jumping to the conclusion that it was for political reasons, there are a number of other plausible reasons for the cancellation. (Vox)
There's a new girl in town (well, technically a familiar face from a popular late 70s/early 80s sitcom) as CBS has picked up the Mark Feuerstein comedy 9JKL, which will feature Linda Lavin in a starring role playing the mother of Feuerstein's character. (TV Series Finale)
While we talk a lot about surprising cancellations, NBC had a surprising renew (given that it hasn't been a breakout hit and the network hasn't really seen how the ratings trend yet), with Great News getting a second season. (Deadline)
It probably won't include the big hair or shoulder pads, but it seems a pretty safe bet that it'll include the cat fights: The CW is rebooting the series Dynasty. (New York Times)
Just because a series has been "officially cancelled" doesn't mean that a network can't change their mind, and NBC has demonstrated by cancelling the series Timeless before changing their mind literally this morning. (Hollywood Reporter)

Moving away from the new fall season (for just a brief moment), getTV, known for airing the long lost and obscure classics that many people have never even heard of, is bringing another long lost classic to the air with Dan August, which starts May 21. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (MAY 16) HOME MEDIA RELEASE

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete Series

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete Series (DVD, $139.62): You can join Will, Carlton, Uncle Phil, and two different Aunt Viv's (including one who continues to make at least monthly Facebook rants filled with profanity about Will Smith almost 25 years later) in this DVD collection.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Mark Feuerstein (Twitter), "Raising three kids with my amazing wife, Dana Klein, in LA while writing, directing, acting and telling stories however I can."

Claim to Fame: Mark Feuerstein has been acting since he had a role on the ABC soap opera Loving over two decades ago, and he is probably best known for his starring role in the series Royal Pains. But he has had some sitcom roles, including starring in the short-lived series Conrad Bloom as well as Good Morning, Miami. Now, with Royal Pains having come to an end last season, he's headed back to the sitcom world with the CBS comedy 9JKL, which actually brings him back full circle to Conrad Bloom. In Conrad Bloom, Linda Lavin played the role of his mother, and now she will be playing his mother once again in 9JKL.

Pick of the Tweets: "Happy Birthday @hwinkler4real Not only the greatest TV dad of all time, but an amazing friend, advisor, and human being. Have Best Day Ever!" (October 30, 2016)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Tuesday, December 7

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes - (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
In this one-night-only event, an all-star lineup of talent will tackle the roles first portrayed in the iconic television sitcom “The Facts of Life,” including Jennifer Aniston playing the role of Blair, Gabrielle Union taking on the role of Tootie, Allison Tolman who will play Natalie and Kathryn Hahn recreating the role of Jo. Previously announced “Diff’rent Strokes” cast member Ann Dowd is also set to appear as Mrs. Garrett in this recreation of “The Facts of Life.” The Sony Pictures Television special can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

The live special event will feature reenactments of the hit series “The Facts of Life,” created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and “Diff’rent Strokes,” created by Bernie Kukoff and Jeff Harris, and will reunite executive producers Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows. Previously announced cast members taking on the famed “Diff’rent Strokes” roles include John Lithgow, who will play Mr. Drummond; Kevin Hart, assuming the role of Arnold; and Damon Wayans and Ann Dowd, who will play Willis and Mrs. Garrett in “Diff’rent Strokes.”

Abbott Elementary - "Pilot" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

The Last O.G. - "Know Thyself" (TBS, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Amira attends college presentations, and her quick decision surprises Tray, who then works to guide Amira toward a better understanding of her identity; while cleaning out Roberta's storage unit, Shahzad makes a discovery about her past.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Wondering Prince" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Lisa helps Miranda set up her online dating proﬁle.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "What the Wellness" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown vows that he's finished eating meat until he's left alone with a lot of soul food.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 6)

Tuesday, December 7

Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Catch Brandy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
J. B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Mapleworth Murders/Bent/'Til Death) - J. B. guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) and Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Kristin and Cynthia are guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. Kristin also talks about And Just Like That... on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jane Levy (Suburgatory) - Jane appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Whoopi Goldberg (Harlem/Whoopi/Bagdad Cafe) - Whoopi talks about her new holiday collection on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.