Monday, July 31, 2017

TCA Summer 2017 Press Tour: Cable Days 4 and 5 - Lifetime, Hallmark Channel

Lifetime

Lifetime ups its premium scripted content with new season greenlights of the critically-acclaimed drama series UnREAL for a fourth season and freshman drama Mary Kills People for a season two. The renewal of UnREAL comes ahead of its much-anticipated third season, which will debut in early 2018 alongside Mary Kills People. Lifetime's scripted fare also includes the straight-to-series psychological thriller from Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, YOU, starring Penn Badgley and Elizabeth Lail, which begins production this August. In line with Lifetime's Broad Focus initiative, more than 50% of directors for these series are female, and are predominately produced and written by women.

With three original cable movies ranked in the top four in women 25-54 this year, Lifetime furthers its supremacy in long form storytelling with greenlights of Faith Under Fire and The Simone Biles Story (working title). Grammy® winner Toni Braxton, whose Lifetime biopic Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart was the #1 rated cable movie of 2016, makes her return to the network to star as Antoinette Tuff, a clerical worker who talks down a school shooter in Faith Under Fire from Sony Pictures Television. America's most decorated gymnast with 19 Olympic and World Championship medals, Simone Biles also signs on for a Lifetime biopic revealing the sacrifices and dedication it took her to become one of the greatest and most celebrated athletes in the world.

Lifetime also sets airdates for its fall movies: The Watcher in the Woods (Oct 21) starring Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston and directed and executive produced by Melissa Joan Hart; Flint (Oct 28) starring Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Marin Ireland and Betsy Brandt from executive producers Neil Meron, Craig Zadan and Katie Couric; The Lost Wife of Robert Durst (Nov 4) starring Katharine McPhee and Daniel Gillies and I Am Elizabeth Smart (Nov 18) featuring Elizabeth Smart and starring Skeet Ulrich, Deirdre Lovejoy and introducing Alana Boden.


Hallmark Channel

Crown Media Family Networks, home of Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and cable's leading provider of family entertainment, announced today the introduction of a third linear cable offering, Hallmark Drama, which will launch October 1, as the company continues to register revenue and ratings growth across both its existing networks. Featuring a wholly distinct lineup from Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama's programming will evoke the rich legacy and spirit of Hallmark Hall of Fame, the most award-winning and longest-running primetime series in the history of television. In addition to spotlighting movies and series from Crown Media's vast library of original dramatic content, plans are underway for new, original programming to be produced exclusively for the network. More news certainly to come on this in the coming weeks!

Further solidifying its position as the ultimate destination for holiday entertainment, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will light up audiences' homes with a record number of 33 new, original holiday world premiere movies in 2017. Hallmark Channel's annual, top-rated holiday event "Countdown to Christmas" and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' beloved "The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas" will gift viewers with more Christmas content than any other network. Along with 33 new, original movies across the two networks, holiday specials will also be part of the programing extravaganza including the "National Christmas Tree Lighting," "Holiday Homecoming with Jewel" and "A Very Happy Yule Log" featuring Happy the Cat and Dog. The annual round-the-clock holiday programming tradition begins Friday, October 27, 2017 and continues throughout the season until Monday, January 1, 2018. Stars include Rachel Boston, Catherine Bell, Candace Cameron, Danica McKellar, Alexa & Carlos PenaVega, Alison Sweeney, Lacey Chabert, Lori Loughlin, Jack Wagner, Julie Benz, Autumn Reeser and more.

Hallmark Channel has renewed its two-time Daytime Emmy(R) nominated, original lifestyle series Home & Family for a sixth season that will begin September 11, 2017. Home & Family will continue to air 260 original episodes this season, with new episodes premiering Monday through Friday at 10am. Season five of Hallmark Channel's original, primetime series When Calls the Heart returns with a two-hour sneak peek during the network's annual, popular programming event, "Countdown to Christmas." In February 2018, the saga of Hope Valley will continue with 10, one-our weekly episodes. In the wake of ratings growth in its third season that concluded July 2, Hallmark Channel has renewed its hit, original primetime series Good Witch for season four.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

And finally, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries inks a development deal with award winning TV personality and author Al Roker. The mystery movie brings to life Roker's celebrated novel The Midnight Show Murders: A Billy Blessing Novel and will star famed actress Holly Robinson Peete (21 Jump Street). The movie is set to premiere in 2018. They also announced a development deal with world-renowned strategist and crisis communications specialist Judy Smith. The new mystery movie, The Adjuster, is loosely based off her real-life experiences and professional work. And the network's movie freanchies returns with new installments. Viewers will be treated to more of their favorite mysteries with new installments of Garage Sale Mystery starring Lori Loughlin; Aurora Teagarden starring Candace Cameron Bure and Marilu Henner; Gourmet Detective starring Dylan Neal and Brooke Burns; Signed, Sealed, Delivered starring Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Crystal Lowe and Geoff Gustafson; Hailey Dean Mysteries starring Kellie Martin and Fixer Upper Mysteries starring Grammy Award nominee Jewel and Colin Ferguson. News films include Darrow & Darrow (working title) from Emmy Award (R) Winner Phoef Sutton starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Tom Cavanagh and Wendie Malick.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, October 10

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire - "First Final" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Vee leaves Transylvania for boarding school to chase her musical dreams. As she keeps her vampire identity a secret, unexpected obstacles threaten to return her to the shadows.

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire - "First Holiday" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Vee leaves Transylvania for boarding school to chase her musical dreams. As she keeps her vampire identity a secret, unexpected obstacles threaten to return her to the shadows.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 6)

Friday, October 10

  • Seth Rogen (The Studio/Platonic/Undeclared) and Aziz Ansari (Master of None/Parks and Recreation) - Watch Seth and Aziz on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Carrie Preston (Crowded/Happyish/Emeril) - Carrie is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Rose appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also chats about If I Had Legs I’d Kick You with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT and on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Bill Bellamy (Mr. Box Office/Men, Women & Dogs/Cousin Skeeter) - Bill is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Michael J. Fox (Family Ties/Spin City/The Michael J. Fox Show) - Michael discusses his new book Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Kenzi Richardson (Vampirina: Teenage Vampire) - Kenzi talks about Vampirina: Teenage Vampire on ABC's The View at 11am ET/10am CT-PT and on GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris sits down for a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE to chat about the Season 2 premiere of Watson on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Maya stops by the studio to discuss Loot on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Greta Lee (HouseBroken/Russian Doll) - Greta talks about Disney's Tron: Ares on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Dermot Mulroney (The Righteous Gemstones/Four Weddings and a Funeral) - Dermot is a guest on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Idris Elba (Turn Up Charlie) - Idris and Rebecca Ferguson talk about A House of Dynamite on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) - Aubrey talks about her new book Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party on NBC's Today in the 10am hour and on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl stops by to chat with Sherri about the new season of Abbott Elementary on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - TV legend Henry shares details about his 40th book, Detective Duck: The Mystery at Emerald Pond, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Teri Hatcher (The Odd Couple/Sunday Dinner/Karen's Song/The Love Boat) - Teri and her daughter Emerson Tenney talk about the Desperately Devoted podcast on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Jeremy Piven (Entourage/Ellen/Pride & Joy/The Larry Sanders Show) - Jeremy is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

10/09 - Rachel Sennott's I Love LA Comedy Series Trailer; Kaley Cuoco Heads to MGM+
10/08 - Prime Video's Kevin Details; Trailer for Crutch with Tracy Morgan
10/07 - The CW's TV We Love Docuseries; Happy's Place Season 2 Trailer
10/06 - Dancing with the Stars Surging in Viewership, Especially Among Younger Viewers; Remembering Kimberly Hébert Gregory of Vice Principals
10/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 6, 2025)
10/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels The Great North; Everybody Loves Raymond Cast Set to Reunite for 30 Year Anniversary
10/03 - MeTV Acquires Everybody Loves Raymond; Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Trailer
10/02 - CBS Presents Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion; Apple TV+ Renews Peanuts Specials Through 2030
10/01 - The CW's Six Brand New Movies Starting November 16; Hulu's Family Guy Halloween Special Details
09/30 - Sarah Sherman HBO Comedy Special in December; Huluween Programming for 2025
09/29 - Netflix Renews Haunted Hotel for Season 2; Christmas Comedy Series Sicilia Express
09/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 29, 2025)
09/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Cast Comes Together for First Table Read for Reboot; Monopoly Game Show Moving Ahead
09/26 - Netflix Adds to Cast for Running Point Season 2; Stiller & Meara Apple TV+ Documentary
09/25 - Adam Pally HBO Comedy Special; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Returns with Huge Ratings
09/24 - Weigel's Newest Diginet WEST Launches Monday, September 29; New Baywatch Coming to Fox in 2026-27
09/23 - DMV Trailer for CBS; Mo Amer Returns to Netflix
09/22 - SNL Season 51 Guests for First Episodes; Prime Video's Bat-Fam Series
09/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 22, 2025)
09/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Paper to Get Linear Run on NBC; Saturday Night Live Announces New Hosts
09/19 - NBC Schedules The Paper and Stumble in November; Remembering Patricia (Pat) Crowley of Please Don't Eat the Daisies
09/18 - UPtv Acquires The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Camp Rock 3 Coming Soon to Disney
09/17 - FETV Acquires The Munsters Effective September 29; Apple TV+ The Morning Show Renewed for Season 5
09/16 - Disney's SuperKitties Adds to Voice Cast; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 2
09/15 - 77th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Letterman TV Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 15, 2025)
09/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Looking to Merge with Warner Bros. Discovery; Samsung TV+ Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/12 - Emmy Awards to Create Special Moments; Ricky Gervais Netflix Animated Comedy Alley Cats Coming in 2026
09/11 - Remembering Polly Holliday of Alice and Flo; Prime Video's Overcompensating Renewed for Season 2
09/10 - Netflix Renews Leanne for Season 2; Hazbin Hotel Returns October 29
09/09 - HBO Comedy The Chair Company; Trailer for Disney's Vampirina: Teenage Vampire