Thursday, October 19, 2017
Freeform Announces Comedy Block for Wednesdays; The Simpsons Documentary Airs on Fox Sunday
Freeform, Disney's young adult television and streaming network, announced the premiere dates for its highly anticipated comedies grown-ish and Alone Together. Starting Wednesday, January 3 at 8:00pm EST, catch the one-hour debut of grown-ish from executive producer Kenya Barris and starring black-ish actress Yara Shahidi reprising her role as Zoey. The following week on Wednesday, January 10 at 8:30 p.m. EST, catch the premiere of Alone Together, the irreverent buddy comedy from executive producers Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone, starring comedians Esther Povitsky and Benji Aflalo. The network announced an expanded lineup with four branded nights of original series. In addition to Freeform's Wednesday night comedy block, the network will roll out various programming blocks over the next few months as outlined below:
• Monday nights will consist of unscripted originals kicking off with the series premiere of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings in the spring.
• Tuesday nights will be dedicated to original dramas beginning Q1 with The Fosters, leading into Shadowhunters on April 3. The Bold Type and Famous in Love will carry out the drama block for the remainder of the year.
• Thursday nights will exclusively consist of genre programming beginning January 18 with the two-hour season premiere of Beyond, leading into the March 29 premiere of Siren. Thursday nights will also be home to Marvel's Cloak & Dagger later in the year.
Twenty-five years after The Simpsons' "Homer at the Bat" originally aired, America's favorite family once again forays into America's favorite pastime. In advance of the network's 20th year broadcasting the World Series, Fox Sports announced that a comedic "Simpsonized" documentary, Springfield of Dreams: The Legend of Homer Simpson, will air adjacent to regional NFL broadcasts on Sunday, Oct. 22 on Fox. The World Series, presented by YouTube TV, begins Tuesday, Oct. 24 on Fox. The one-hour special celebrates the legendary episode "Homer at the Bat," in addition to Homer Simpson's induction into The National Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year. A satire of Ken Burns' epic documentary, Baseball, the special features interviews with eight Major League Baseball players appearing in the original episode, along with baseball historians, sportscasters, and iconic personalities, such as Fox Sports' Joe Buck, sports announcer Bob Costas, author George Will, Dr. Oz, fashion consultant and television personality Tim Gunn and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio. Current Yankee slugger and Major League Baseball AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge also appears in the special.
Additionally, the feature contains six minutes of never-before-seen original animation from The Simpsons, including character "interviews" with Homer, Moe, Chief Wiggum and Apu, voiced by Dan Castellaneta and Hank Azaria. Fox Sports features live regionalized NFL coverage at 1:00 PM ET and 4:05 PM ET with NFL broadcasts available in both competing teams' home markets, as well as select additional cities around the country. Viewers with an NFL matchup airing at 1:00 PM ET get to watch the documentary at 4:30 PM ET; viewers with an NFL matchup airing at 4:05 PM ET get to watch the documentary at 3:00 PM ET. Springfield of Dreams: The Legend of Homer Simpson also airs on Friday, Oct. 20 at 6:00 PM ET on FS1.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, January 30
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Pit Stop, How May I Help You?" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Calvin takes Dave’s suggestion to try a new method of promoting his business, he soon comes to regret it. Also, Gemma recruits Tina to rescue her struggling after-school music program.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Bibles to Brothels" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob reconsiders his future at MaxDot and seeks advice from an unexpected source (Joel Murray), while Abishola questions Bob’s erratic behavior.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 30)
Monday, January 30
- Salma Hayek Pinault (30 Rock/The Sinbad Show) - Watch Salma on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She talks about Magic Mike's Last Dance on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
- Austin Butler (Ruby & the Rockits/Zoey 101) - Austin appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Murray Bartlett (Physical/Looking) - Murray is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Christopher Meloni (Happy/Surviving Jack/Misery Loves Company/The Fanelli Boys) - Christopher will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place/Barry) - D'Arcy appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Emma Roberts (Scream Queens/Unfabulous) - Emma is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Paul Walter Hauser (The Afterparty/Reno 911!/Betas) - Paul will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- D. L. Hughley (The Hughleys/Double Rush) - D. L. guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm. He will also be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Christa Miller (Shrinking/Cougar Town/Scrubs/The Drew Carey Show) - Christa appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Hilary Duff (How I Met Your Father/Younger/Lizzie McGuire) - Hilary is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face/Russian Doll) - Natasha talks about her new show, her partnership with Maya Rudolph and whether she would do an American Pie reboot on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Sam Jay (Pause with Sam Jay/Bust Down) - Sam appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-January)
10/04 - Mr. Mayor - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/04 - The Munsters - Marineland Carnival with The Munsters TV Cast
10/18 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete First Season
11/08 - Frasier - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/08 - Young Rock - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/15 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Seven / The Complete Season Eight
11/22 - That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Mill Creek)
11/29 - Ghosts - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/06 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection
12/13 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season
12/13 - Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
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