Saturday, June 02, 2018
SitcomsOnline Digest: So Now What for Roseanne?; ABC Contemplating Sue Heck Spinoff for The Middle
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Well, it's been a fascinating week of sitcom news this week (normally the week of Memorial Day is the kick off to our slow season, but not this time!), to say the least. This week, Roseanne made history by dethroning Bridget Loves Bernie as the highest rated series to ever be canceled. We're also hearing about potential replacements for Roseanne, including a spinoff of the series as well as the spinoff of a completely uncontroversial ABC sitcom about a midwestern family. We promise, nothing that we're reporting this week is being reported under the influence of any sort of prescription sleep medication, so let's get going!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- We're sure everybody knows the whole story about Roseanne by now. But is anybody seriously surprised that Roseanne ended up going down because of a controversy with the star, or are we just surprised it happened so soon? (People)
- Meanwhile, it seems that a Roseanne spinoff starring Sara Gilbert's character of Darlene may be under consideration, although there are some obstacles, including concerns that Roseanne would still receive residuals. (Vulture)
- If a spinoff about Roseanne's daughter doesn't work out, could 2019 finally be the "year of Sue Heck?" Maybe, as ABC is contemplating a spinoff of The Middle starring Eden Sher. (Deadline)
- Speaking of The Middle, that series recently ended after nine seasons, and Vox is asking the exact same thing that we've been asking all of these years: why didn't the series ever get the level of love and attention that it deserved? (Vox)
- It seems that the TV adaptation of Heathers has been talked about forever, and was even given a premiere date on Paramount Network (after originally being planned for TV Land), but now it seems it has been scrapped completely. (Deadline)
- Antenna TV is going to celebrate Father's Day with a Silver Spoons marathon. (SitcomsOnline)
HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
- Warner Archive is stepping it up on the TGIF shows, and here is one that we seem to have overlooked last week: Perfect Strangers - The Complete Fourth Season will arrive on June 19.
HOME MEDIA RELEASES (JUNE 5)
- South Park - The Complete Twenty-First Season (DVD, $29.98; Blu-ray, $39.98): All of these seasons later, and Comedy Central is still cranking out more seasons of the popular Comedy Central series.
WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 2 - JUNE 8)
- Every channel that was airing Roseanne has pulled the series, but if you absolutely need your Roseanne fix, it seems it is still streaming on Amazon Prime for the time being.
- While we're at it, The Cosby Show (side note: why is it that Carsey Werner has this sort of luck with their stars?) is still on Amazon Prime too.
- Younger and Teachers both return to TV Land for new episodes on Tuesday.
- This weekend's binge on Decades is Here Come the Brides.
- The last half of the final season of Nashville begins Thursday on CMT.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, February 11
Shifting Gears - "Friend" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt’s reunion with a high school friend stirs up more than nostalgia when he meets their equally opinionated spouse. Meanwhile, Riley spirals when Klatch gets a negative Yelp review. Tuc Watkins, Jim Rash and Jesse Williams guest star.
Shifting Gears - "Toys" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley’s new relationship feels perfect until Matt crashes in, throwing some unexpected obstacles her way. Meanwhile, Matt’s toy car project is derailed when he and Gabe are tasked with working together. Jesse Williams and Maria Bamford guest star.
Shifting Gears - "Uncle Sam" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt is thrilled to show off his military-hero son Sam, but a shift in Sam’s career could finally give Riley a chance to be the golden child. Meanwhile, Andy’s singing hits all the wrong notes for Riley. Jesse Williams and Luke Macfarlane guest star.
Shifting Gears - "Surprise" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt revs his love life back up only to find the road rockier than expected. Meanwhile, a chance romantic moment has Riley and Gabe questioning the nature of their relationship. Jenna Elfman, Jesse Williams, Angela Kinsey and Mookie Betts guest star.
Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "A Payne Family Portrait" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Payne family sends Ella on a rampage. Malik must learn a valuable lesson.
Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "The Power of Prayer" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The facility embarks on a manhunt for Judge Reginald, who is nowhere to be found; Sandra, Phillip, Vinny, Mr. Brown and Cora post flyers around the neighborhood and online.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 9)
Wednesday, February 11
- Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Watch Nick on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Elon Gold (Stacked/In-Laws) - Elon is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Halle Berry (Living Dolls) - Halle joins Drew for a candid conversation about her menopause experience and why she founded Respin to help other women on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda talks about her movie Undercard on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and 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)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete 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)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
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