Saturday, July 28, 2018

SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots of Norman Lear Shows in the Works?; Disney and Fox Merger Approved by Shareholders

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It seems that Sony is interested in some reboots of classic Norman Lear series, although we'll see how far that goes. Also, we're hearing about a new role for Judith Light in a Facebook Watch series, a major update on the Disney and Fox merger, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • To add to the current era of reboot fever, Norman Lear has signed a deal with Sony in which some of his classic series such as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, and Maude could be reimagined into new series. (Entertainment Weekly)
  • Nashville has been sort of forgotten since ABC cancelled it and new episodes began airing on CMT, but the final episode of the series recently aired, and Connie Britton returned to be part of it. (Vulture)
  • Judith Light has been cast in Queen America, an upcoming Facebook Watch series. (Deadline)
  • CBS has been known for the drama programming that they have aired over the years, but lately, the drama has spilled over into the leadership. This week, there are sexual misconduct allegations against Les Moonves, which may potentially lead to a total restructuring of CBS and Viacom. (The New Yorker)
  • Meanwhile, shareholders of Disney and Fox have both approved the merger of the two entertainment companies, though there are still a few more hurdles to go through before everything is finalized. (Variety)
  • We're almost convinced that she is doing something new every week so that we'll cover her at least once a week, but Roseanne went on Hannity this week to attempt to explain things yet again. (NPR)
  • Married... with Children and The Steve Harvey Show will be joining the getTV lineup in the fall. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

  • This is definitely not a release that we would have anticipated, but ClassicFlix is bringing all 26 episodes of the 1957 TV series Blondie to DVD in Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series, which will arrive on September 18.

WEEKLY PLANNER (JULY 28 - AUGUST 3)
  • Hunter will be airing on Decades all this weekend.
  • The reality competition show Making It debuts on NBC on Tuesday.
  • Casual will return to Hulu on Tuesday with the final season.
  • The second season of Alone Together arrives Wednesday on Freeform.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, November 2

St. Denis Medical - "He Ain't Noah Wyle" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alex clashes with Ron's self-righteous replacement as he recovers; Matt and Serena define the relationship; Joyce collects votes for a hospital administrator award.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "We Keep the Kisses" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Reggie and Monica struggle to capitalize on new opportunities; Carmelo's secret relationship with their rivals' daughter threatens to tear the family apart.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 2)

Monday, November 2

  • Bill Hader (Barry) - Watch Bill on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Sam Rockwell (F Is for Family) - Sam is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Daniel Radcliffe (The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins/Miracle Workers) - Daniel appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Paula Pell (The 'Burbs/Girls5eva/Mapleworth Murders/A.P. Bio) - Paula is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also talks about The Cat in the Hat on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Megan Hilty (Sean Saves the World) - Andy Cohen interviews Megan on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
  • Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe) - Andy talks about Elf Unwrapped on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA3 at 1pm.
  • Tracy Morgan (The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins/Crutch/The Last O.G./30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Tracy talks about season two of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Tituss Burgess (Schmigadoon!/Central Park/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - NBC's Today catches up with Tituss in the 9am hour.
  • Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland/Frasier/Throb) - Jane is a guest on New York Living at 10am on WPIX in New York.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray) The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

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

11/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 2, 2026)
10/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Criminal Minds Coming to an End; Baywatch Premiere Date Set
10/30 - VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart
10/29 - Peacock's Dig Trailer and Artwork; The CW 2026 Holiday Programming with A Very Brady Christmas, A Flintstone Christmas and More
10/28 - ABC 2026 Holiday Programming; Remembering Susan Saint James of Kate & Allie
10/27 - Fox's Baywatch Premieres January 6; aspireTV's First Sitcom Premieres January 7
10/26 - COZI TV's Halloween Schedule with Roseanne, George Lopez, The Munsters and More; Chloe Radcliffe: Eyes Down Here Stand-up Special
10/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 26, 2026)
10/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots in the Works for Coach and Glee; Saturday Night Live Sets November Hosts
10/23 - Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life
10/22 - Abbott Elementary Returns Big After 7 Day Viewing; BET Renews ComicView: Rooftop Series
10/21 - Charmed Joining Hulu This Huluween; Prime Video's Comedy Variety Series Hosted by Nick Kroll
10/20 - Hulu's Phony Premieres Today; Janelle James Netflix Comedy Special Drops November 10
10/19 - Lil Kev Season 2 Premieres December 9; It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2026 Schedule
10/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 19, 2026)
10/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Picks Up Reboot for The X-Files; Roseanne Self-Produces New Sitcom
10/16 - Christa B. Allen in Night of January 16th Play Through Sunday; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernie Orenstein
10/15 - Guest Stars for Peacock's Comedy Dig; Apple TV Renews Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Season 2
10/14 - HBO Brings Back Girls for 5 Episodes; Hulu's The X-Files Picked Up to Series
10/13 - Full Cast for Three's Company Live Reading in New York City; High Potential to Air After Super Bowl on ABC
10/12 - Bob's Burgers Holiday Special on Hulu; The Rookie and The Rookie: North Wednesdays on ABC in January
10/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 12, 2026)
10/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Colin Jost and Danny Chun to Launch Free Streaming Comedy; Paramount/Warner Merger Completed
10/09 - Apple TV Comedy Stick Returns November 4; News from New York Comic Con 2026 Day One
10/08 - FETV Acquires I Dream of Jeannie and The Bionic Woman; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 3, Before Season 2 Launch
10/07 - More Live Three's Company Readings; Lucy Hale is Scarlett Holmes for Roku in 2027
10/06 - NBC's Happy Place Season 3 Trailer; Apple TV's Imperfect Women Renewed for Season 2
10/05 - A Different World to Return for Season 2 on Netflix; Prime Video's Barbershop Comedy Series Premieres February 10
10/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 5, 2026)
10/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: A Different World Renewed for Second Season; A First Look at Ted: The Animated Series
10/02 - Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head Season 4 Launch; Anthony Anderson Returns to Soul Train Awards
10/01 - Ted: The Animated Series Premieres December 17 on Peacock; Trailer for Apple TV's Small Prophets