SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Acquires Even More Series; The Simpsons to Finally Continue on DVD

Saturday, July 29, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Acquires Even More Series; The Simpsons to Finally Continue on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're getting some highlights from the TCA press tour, we're hearing about even more (for the third week in a row) acquisitions for Hulu, The Simpsons is finally continuing on DVD after all. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

If you've been following us this week, then you've heard that Hulu has been trying to become truly competitive with (and is on the verge of actually being even better than) Netflix on vintage TV, and has acquired five classic TGIF series (including three that cannot be seen in full on DVD) and will be adding those series to the service in September, but that isn't all, as Variety reports that the streaming service is also in talks with Warner to acquire another series from the same era that aired on a different network, but would have fit right in on TGIF had ABC aired it: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. (Variety)
The broadcast group Tegna is adding a daily news and entertainment show called Daily Blast Live to their lineup this fall, and among the contributors, Tracey Gold of Growing Pains fame will be included. (TVSpy)
Katie Couric seems to not stay in any job too long since she left NBC a decade ago, and now, she's leaving her current position as an online news anchor at Yahoo. (Hollywood Reporter)
June Foray, who did the voice of Rocky in Rocky and Bullwinkle (among numerous other cartoon voices), died Wednesday at age 99. (ABC News)
Voice artist Patti Deutsch, who was also known for her role on Laugh-In and frequent appearances as a panelist on Match Game, died Wednesday at age 73. (Deadline)
Curb Your Enthusiasm is set to return to HBO for a ninth season in September, following a hiatus of over five years. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Two years ago, it was announced that DVDs for The Simpsons would no longer be released, but a surprising announcement came late last week with The Simpsons - The Eighteenth Season coming to DVD in December. Additionally, it seems that extras such as commentaries have already been completed for both seasons 19 and 20 (it is worth noting that season 20 was previously released, but it did not include any special features). Unfortunately, it seems Blu-ray releases are done for the series.

TUESDAY (AUGUST 1) HOME MEDIA RELEASE

The Secret World of Alex Mack - The Complete Series (DVD, $19.97): It wasn't quite something that we were ever really expecting to see on DVD, especially from Mill Creek, but the entire series arrives on DVD in this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: John Roberts (Twitter), "I'm a comedian. I voice Gene on @BobsBurgersFox. Get my 9-volume album now!"

Claim to Fame: We're continuing an unofficial Bob's Burgers again, and this time, we have John Roberts, who distinguishes himself from the Fox News correspondent @johnrobertsFox with his own similar sounding @JohnRobertsFun. Like many of the cast members of the series, he too has worked with H. Jon Benjamin elsewhere, including on Archer. On Bob's Burgers, he does the voice of Linda Belcher, the wife of Bob.

Pick of the Tweets: "Off to the @FOXTV party at @Comic_Con with @kristenschaaled (pic)" (July 22, 2017)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 2

Shifting Gears - "Restoration" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, is confronted with his most unexpected and challenging project yet when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her adolescent children come crashing back into his life.

Shifting Gears - "Accommodations" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt joins Riley at Carter’s high school open house, where he’s unsettled to learn about the “accommodations” made for his grandson’s anxiety. Meanwhile, Riley reconnects with Caitlin, a former classmate, and sets her up with Gabriel.

Shifting Gears - "Grief" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Riley discovers a closet filled with her late mother’s clothes, she insists Matt hasn’t processed her death and urges him to see a grief counselor. Meanwhile, Gabriel faces a crisis of confidence when he’s put in charge of the shop for a day.

Shifting Gears - "Valentine's" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A Valentine’s Day visit to his late wife’s grave sparks an unexpected connection for Matt in an unlikely place. Meanwhile, Riley is thrust into the spotlight for a promotional video at the dance studio.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Protector in Chief" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Speed Demons" (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 June 30)

Wednesday, July 2

Will Arnett (Murderville/Arrested Development/Flaked/The Millers/Up All Night/Running Wilde), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) and Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Watch Will, Jason and Sean on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Monica Barbaro (FUBAR) - Monica appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Owen Thiele (Overcompensating), Amita Rao (Deli Boys) and Malik Elassal (Adults) - Owen, Amita and Malik are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Glen Powell (Scream Queens) - NBC's Today catches up with Glen in the 10am hour.
Casey Wilson (The Righteous Gemstones/Black Monday/The Hotwives/Marry Me/Happy Endings) - Casey talks about The Great American Baking Show on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a repeat their skincare show and Drew and Valerie Bertinelli are talking all things moisturizers and hydration with board certified dermatologist and TikTok sensation Dr. Shereene Idriss.
Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe talks about Netflix's Nonnas on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.