SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Reveals Plans for Kevin Can Wait Recast; Will & Grace Reboot Renewed for Season 2

Saturday, August 05, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Reveals Plans for Kevin Can Wait Recast; Will & Grace Reboot Renewed for Season 2

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're getting even more highlights from the TCA press tour, we're learning that NBC is really, really interested in reboots, and we're finally hearing about a DVD release for a short-lived 70s sitcom that we were promised years ago. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Erinn Hayes is leaving the CBS comedy Kevin Can Wait and Leah Remini is joining the cast, and CBS has now revealed how that will happen, but unless you want a spoiler, we don't suggest reading how characters will be written out and added in. (LA Times)
While it was never explicitly stated, the Will & Grace reboot at NBC was thought to be a "limited" series, but it seems that NBC has fully evolved into making it a regular series, having already renewed it for a second season this week before the first season could even air. (Hollywood Reporter)
The reboot list just keeps growing, with Miami Vice being added to that list this week by NBC. (Variety)
On the topic of reboots, it seems that NBC thinks that they may be the key to success for the network, with the network chairman saying that he'd like to see reboots of The Office, 30 Rock, The West Wing, and we're guessing pretty much any show that was ever successful on the network (though we don't expect to see The Cosby Show on that list). (Deadline)
The Law & Order: SVU episode that was somewhat based upon a Donald Trump type character who ran for president and was accused of rape (originally scheduled to air on October, then postponed following the release of certain Access Hollywood tapes) is destined to be a "lost episode" for now, as NBC says the episode will likely never air on the network. (Deadline)
It is probably a good thing that they're doing it before it gets old and tired, but it was announced this week that the upcoming ninth season of The Middle will be the final season. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

VEI is always slow to get things released, but when they announce that they'll release something, it eventually does get released. Now, two years after originally announcing it, they're finally making plans to release the sitcom Angie, with Angie - The Complete Collection. No details regarding a release date are known yet.

TUESDAY (AUGUST 8) HOME MEDIA RELEASE

Portlandia - Season 7 (DVD, $19.95): The IFC series returns to DVD for a seventh season in this release.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Nicholas D'Agosto (Twitter), "A curious fellow from Omaha, NE. Watch for Season 2 of @TrialAndError @NBC and http://NBC.com . #TrialAndError #UnhistoricalSkype. Charity @LifeYouCanSave."

Claim to Fame: Nicholas D'Agosto has been acting on screen for nearly two decades, but he didn't start getting regular TV roles until recently, with Masters of Sex and Gotham. Most recently, though, he was cast in the starring role on the NBC Trial and Error, which a lot of people (myself included) sort of assumed would be a burn off series that was thrown on the network mid-season. But it was actually a good series and did well enough to be get a late renewal for a second season. It's not entirely clear which cast members will return for the second season, as each season of the series revolves around a different character and case, but D'Agosto and some of the others are sure to return.

Pick of the Tweets: "My first rodeo: Buffalo Bill's Rodeo in North Platte, NE. Like all true cowboys I had my makeup artist with me. #NLD2017 #TrialandError @nbc (pic)" (June 17, 2017)

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 20

The Goldbergs - "An Itch Like No Other" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Beverly’s encouragement, Mr. Glascott moves in next door to the Goldbergs and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive. Adam and Murray become increasingly disgruntled while Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy Mr. Glascott’s time with a new friend, Mr. Woodburn. Meanwhile, Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area – his rear end. Erica and Geoff are called to task to take care of Barry and his ridiculous demands – inadvertently testing their parenting skills and patience with one another.

The Wonder Years - "The Lock In" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience -- East Coast" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lights, Camera, Action: “The Conners” is going live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. This iconic TV family continues to deal with the current pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

Home Economics - "Giant Jenga, $120" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom spirals when Connor dates a woman who broke his heart at summer camp. Then, family game night becomes an all-or-nothing competition between Marina and Denise.

Superstar - "Robin Williams" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The new episode recounts his life through Robin Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind. It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014. “Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18)

Wednesday, October 20

Rami Malek (The War at Home) - Watch Rami on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace/Ned & Stacey) - Debra talks about her latest project: how self-care can change the world on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) and Clint Howard (Gung Ho) - Ron and Clint discuss their new book, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Sedaris (No Activity/BoJack Horseman/Strangers with Candy) - It's a TV exclusive with sister and brother duo Amy and David Sedaris appearing together for the first time on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy talks about FBI on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
David Eigenberg (Sex and the City) - David talks about NBC's Chicago Fire on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick talks about Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.