Monday, January 15, 2018

TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour: Cable Roundup of IFC, AMC, Hallmark, Pop and More

IFC

Saddle up, it's time to give you the most noteworthy news from this past weekend for the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour for many cable networks. IFC announced that horror-comedy series Stan Against Evil has been picked up for a third season slated to air in Fall 2018. Created by Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation) and starring John C. McGinley (Scrubs) and Janet Varney (You're the Worst), Stan Against Evil has grown its dedicated fan base since originally debuting in 2016, with The New York Times calling it a "gruesome, deadpan delight." IFC's critically acclaimed comedy Brockmire is returning for its second season on Wednesday, April 25 at 10PM. Starring Critics' Choice Awards nominee Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) as Jim Brockmire, the boozy baseball announcer trying to make a comeback in the major leagues, Brockmire is produced by Funny Or Die and written and developed by Joel Church-Cooper (Undateable). Returning to star alongside Azaria are Tyrel Jackson Williams (Lab Rats) and Amanda Peet (Togetherness). Season 2 will consist of eight episodes, airing weekly on Wednesday nights.

AMC

AMC made a number of announcements related to The Walking Dead, including the series is being renewed for a ninth season, to premiere in late 2018. FOX and National Geographic announced the highly anticipated return of the Emmy Award-winning worldwide phenomenon Cosmos, from executive producer/writer/director Ann Druyan (who won an Emmy Award for writing the 2014 series and a Peabody Award for producing it) and executive producers Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga and Jason Clark. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the famed pop-culture icon, astrophysicist and host of the Emmy Award-nominated StarTalk, returns as host of the series, scheduled to premiere globally in Spring 2019. SundanceTV announced that it has picked up the acclaimed modern day psychological thriller Liar for a second season. Golden Globe(R)-winner Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey) and BAFTA's Sian Phillips Award recipient Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four) will both return for season two of Liar.

Hallmark Channel

On to Hallmark Channel, Good Witch returns for more magical adventures in the bucolic burb of Middleton when season four premieres Sunday, April 29 (9 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel. Hallmark Channel announced it has renewed the network's hit, original series Chesapeake Shores for a third season. Airing on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Chesapeake Shores was one of Hallmark Channel's most-watched original series. Production on 10 episodes for season three is scheduled to commence this year for a season three premiere Summer 2018. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network further solidifying the network's compelling mystery line-up with the addition of Psych, long-running dramedy starring James Roday, Dule Hill, Timothy Omundson, Corbin Bernsen and Maggie Lawson. The series follows young police consultant Shawn Spencer (Roday) who solves crimes with powers of observation so acute that Santa Barbara PD detectives think he's psychic. Beginning today (Monday, January 15), three episodes air every weekday from 6-9 p.m. ET/PT, leading out of three episodes of Monk.

Pop

Finally, Pop went yesterday. The Demons of Dorian Gunn, Pop's supernatural comedy pilot executive produced by Krysten Ritter and JAX Media, will star Jeffery Self (Search Party), Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect films), H. Jon Benjamin (Archer), Lateefah Holder (Disjointed, Transparent) and Kyle Harris (Stitchers, High Maintenance). The pilot follows disgraced New York socialite Dorian Gunn who discovers he’s descended from a long line of demon hunters and is forced to abandon his life of leisure to protect humanity from monsters as they emerge from the gates of hell. Pop also announced a Wednesday, April 18, 2018 premiere date for the second season of Hollywood Darlings starring Jodie Sweetin, Christine Lakin and Beverly Mitchell. In addition, the network also unveiled a trailer for the one-hour scripted drama Clique from the creative team behind the cult smash hit Skins, as well as a season two pick-up of the provocative series. A co-production between Pop and the BBC in the U.K., Clique will premiere on Pop in Summer 2018. The series will go into production on its second season this Spring.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, January 7

Shifting Gears - "Dog" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Matt refuses to let Carter bring a dog into “his” house, Riley starts to wonder if it’s time for her and the kids to find their own place. Meanwhile, Gabe seeks Riley’s advice amid second thoughts about moving in with Amelie.

Abbott Elementary - "Mall" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Abbott Elementary returns from winter break at their new temporary school: an abandoned mall. The teachers deal with unique challenges that come with teaching in the new location.

The Golden Girls - 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship

The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship -- A Special Edition of 20/20 (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A behind-the-scenes look at the beloved sitcom's enduring impact on TV and culture, including interviews with superfans Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kelly Ripa, Laverne Cox and former guest star Mario Lopez.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 5)

Wednesday, January 7

  • Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Watch Alan on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Jodie Foster (Paper Moon/Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice/The Courtship of Eddie's Father) - Jodie is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Matt Braunger (Up All Night) - Matt is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Andy Cohen interviews Jenny on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Gael GarcĂ­a Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle) - Gael talks about Magellan on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Retta (Parks and Recreation) - NBC's Today catches up with Retta in the 9am hour.
  • Matt Rogers (No Good Deed/I Love That for You) - Matt co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • John Mulaney (Mulaney) - NBC's Today catches up with John in the 10am hour.
  • Chevy Chase (Community) - Chevy talks about his documentary I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Emily in Paris) - Philippine chats about the exciting new season of Emily in Paris on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly/Yes, Dear) - Billy tells Sherri about his “The Less Is More Tour” comedy tour on Sherri, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series (DVD)
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two (DVD)
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season (DVD)
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 (DVD)
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 (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)

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

01/06 - Emily in Paris Renewed for Season 6; Audible's New Comedy Series Starring Jenifer Lewis, Cedric the Entertainer, and Niecy Nash-Betts
01/05 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; Season 3 of Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal on Adult Swim
01/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 5, 2026)
01/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Premiere Date Set for Malcolm in the Middle Reboot; NBC Pulls The Paper
01/02 - Bridgerton Season 4 Details and Live Premiere Event; NBC Pulls The Paper from Mondays
01/01 - Happy New Year; Shrinking Season 3 Trailer
12/31 - In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2025
12/30 - Antenna TV and Rewind TV's New Year's Eve and Day Marathons; Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair Premieres April 10
12/29 - COZI TV Postpones The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch; Netflix Releases Free Bert Trailer
12/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 29, 2025)
12/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Chevy Chase "Hurt" By Not Being Invited to SNL 50th Anniversary; New Lineups for Antenna TV and Rewind TV
12/26 - GET Acquires Psych for January 2026; Details on Netflix's A Different World Sequel
12/25 - Merry Christmas from Sitcoms Online; Interviews from 2025 Christmas Con in Edison, NJ
12/24 - 2025 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day TV Marathons
12/23 - Antenna TV January 2026 Schedule; Rewind TV January 2026 Schedule
12/22 - The Ms. Pat Show Returns January 7; According to Jim Christmas Day Marathon on Laff
12/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 22, 2025)
12/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Historical 19th Century Comedy in the Works at CBS; Bowen Yang Leaving Saturday Night Live After Tonight
12/19 - The Muppet Show 50th Anniversary Event in February on ABC & Disney+; Adult Swim Renews Haha, You Clowns for 2 More Seasons
12/18 - The Oscars Moving to YouTube in 2029; Celebs for Hollywood Squares Season 2
12/17 - MeTV Remembers Rob Reiner with Tribute Marathon; MGM+ to Make New The Magnificent Seven Series
12/16 - The Rob Reiner Story: A Hollywood Tragedy – ABC News Special; Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion Part 2 on CBS
12/15 - Remembering the Legendary Rob Reiner of All in the Family; Trailer for Netflix's His & Hers
12/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 15, 2025)
12/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner/Netflix Merger Gets Complicated; Steve Carell Comedy Rooster Coming to HBO Max in March
12/12 - Survival of the Thickest Final Season Guest Stars; Ted Season 2 Returns in March
12/11 - The Upshaws Final Season Premieres January 15; Mike Epps Gets 5th Netflix Special
12/10 - HBO's Rooster Premieres in March; Fox's Updated Winter 2026 Schedule
12/09 - 83rd Golden Globe Nominations; Paradise Returns on Hulu in February
12/08 - First Look at Bert Kreischer Netflix Comedy Free Bert; School Spirits Season 3
12/07 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 8, 2025)
12/06 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair; Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery