SitcomsOnline Digest: Which TV Series Isn't Getting a Reboot, Anyway?; CBS Orders Three (Fresh) Comedy Pilots

Saturday, January 27, 2018

SitcomsOnline Digest: Which TV Series Isn't Getting a Reboot, Anyway?; CBS Orders Three (Fresh) Comedy Pilots

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Reboots and revivals? Tell us the name of one show that isn't being rebooted or at least being considered, and we'd be shocked at this point, as we have a ton of new ones being tossed around this week. If you're not in the mood for reboots, CBS has some sitcom pilots in the pipeline. And we're hearing of the death of a 105 year old actress that you may not recognize the name of, but if you've been watching sitcoms, you've seen her. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

We feel like at this point we'd might as well just say "it's official, everything in the history of television is about to be rebooted," as this week, we're hearing about reboots of Murphy Brown, Magnum P.I., Cagney and Lacey, Greatest American Hero, Charmed, and most likely more that we're not even aware of or missed (we'll probably still never see that aborted Coach reboot, however). (Entertainment Weekly)
If you're not in the mood for reboots, it seems that CBS (which also is the one who seems to be going the heaviest on these reboot pilots, ironically) has some comedy pilots that are fresher ideas in the pipeline as well. (Deadline)
Even people who aren't soap opera fans are aware of the importance of the characters Luke and Laura on General Hospital, and even though the characters have come and gone over the years as the actors have chosen to pursue other interests, it seems producers are reducing Laura's character to a recurring role, and not by the choice of Genie Francis, the actress who plays that role. (Entertainment Weekly)
Connie Sawyer, who was recognized as Hollywood's oldest actress and made guest appearances in TV series as far in the past as The Donna Reed Show and Dr. Kildare, as well as series as recent as The Office and New Girl (and plenty in between) and also has been cast in generic roles like "old lady" going as far back as 1975, has died this week at the impressive age of 105. (People)
February 27th (i.e. 2/27) is coming up next month, so what's more appropriate for that date than a marathon of 227?. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2)

All fifteen seasons of the popular NBC medical drama ER are now available to watch on Hulu.
Speaking of Hulu, if you enjoy Scrubs and don't own the DVDs (and we still strongly recommend and collect DVDs for this very reason, you never know when streaming services will pull the plug), you may want to start binge watching that now, as it is scheduled to leave Hulu on February 7 according to Hulu's official Twitter account (barring any renewals).
The new NBC sitcom, AP Bio, makes a special preview debut Thursday night.
You can catch a binge of The Rookies all weekend on Decades.
Will Ferrell returns to Saturday Night Live tonight as host, along with musical guest Chris Stapleton.
The Grammy Awards air Sunday on CBS, and they have one slight sitcom connection, as Childish Gambino (known to sitcom fans as Donald Glover of Community and Atlanta fame) has five nominations.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, December 26

Ghosts - "The Christmas: Spirit One" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
In part one of a special one-hour #Ghostsmas episode, Jay’s sister, Bela (Punam Patel), visits Woodstone Mansion and brings along an adoring male friend, inspiring Sam to spark a romance between them in the spirit of the holiday rom-coms she loves. Meanwhile, the ghosts have conjured up a very different holiday plan for Trevor and Bela. Also, Isaac has an awkward encounter with Nigel that forces him to look back on events in his life.

Ghosts - "The Christmas: Spirit Two" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
In part two of a special one-hour #Ghostsmas episode, Sam and Thorfinn get caught in the crossfire as the scheme Jay’s sister, Bela (Punam Patel), and the ghosts have conjured up goes awry. Also, Isaac’s marriage to Beatrice sheds light on how apprehensive he has been in communicating his feelings to Nigel.

Ghosts - "A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 1" / "A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 2" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A leaky water heater mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans as Sam and Jay prepare to host Jay’s hard-to-please dad, Mahesh (Bernard White), difficult-to-impress mom, Champa (Sakina Jaffrey), and sister Bela (Punam Patel), on a one-hour GHOSTSMAS special.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 23)

Thursday, December 26

Jenny Slate (The Great North/Big Mouth/Married/Bob's Burgers) - Catch Jenny on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Paul Feig (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/The Louie Show/The Jackie Thomas Show/Dirty Dancing) - Paul is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Luke Wilson (No Good Deed/Englightened) - Luke is joining Drew for a round of "Behind-the-Scenes" with tidbits from his roles in movies like Legally Blonde on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. He's also telling her about his role in the thrilling new show, No Good Deed.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney is chatting with Drew about joining her on Hollywood Squares, going back to work in comedy after becoming a mother, and hosting her new trivia show about Friends on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle appears on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Sanaa Lathan (Family Guy/The Cleveland Show/LateLine) - Sanaa and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor talk about the enduring power of friendship in their new Hulu film The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Carol Kane (Taxi/All Is Forgiven/Amerian Dreamer/Pearl/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Carol chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Lamorne Morris (Woke/New Girl) - Lamorne sits down for an interview on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
Jay Pharoah (White Famous/Champaign ILL) - Jay talks about his new virtual reality series Soapstone Comedy Presents on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.