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

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, December 22

Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion Pt. 2 (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
CBS is gifting viewers an extra special holiday present this season, the brand-new EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION PT. 2,” airing Monday, Dec. 22, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.*

This one-hour show gives viewers who loved the first special another opportunity to reminisce and revisit the laughter and joy from the original CBS series. The brand-new broadcast follows the success of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION, which originally aired Monday, Nov. 24, with an encore presentation Friday, Nov. 28, garnering 10.08 million live plus 7-day multiplatform viewers across both broadcasts and streaming.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor Ray Romano and series creator Phil Rosenthal, this fresh hour brings fans closer than ever to the original series, with exclusive stories and heartfelt memories shared by beloved cast members gathered together to honor one of TV’s most iconic sitcoms. Ray Romano and Phil Rosenthal share their thoughts on the magic of being back on set and reuniting with the cast. Additionally, viewers can enjoy never-before-seen content, outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Plus, guest stars, writers and producers will provide unique insights into the creation and legacy of this beloved series.

St. Denis Medical - "Get Me in the Pod, Brother" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alex and Ron spar over the wisdom of open communication; Joyce brings in a body scanner that proves overly distracting.

The Paper - "I Love You" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Marv camped out in the newsroom while his office is painted, Ned and the staff find their unresolved attitudes toward authority bubbling up; Esmeralda and Ken plot a betrayal that leaks.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 22)

Monday, December 22

Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Watch Kenan on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Tony Shalhoub (We Are Men/Stark Raving Mad/Wings) - Tony appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ron Funches (Loot/Powerless/Undateable) and Jeff Garcia (Mr. Box Office) - Ron and Jeff are guests on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Andy Cohen interviews Kate on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo. She also talks about Song Sung Blue on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee talks about Ella McCay with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu talks about The Copenhagen Test on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Hugh Jackman (Human Resources) - Hugh talks about Song Sung Blue on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Kyle Richards (Down to Earth) - Kyle gives Sherri a sneak peek at the 15th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Paul and Jack Black are telling Drew all about their hilarious adaptation of Anaconda on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Odessa A'zion (I Love LA/Fam) - Odessa tells Drew about her role in new movie Marty Supreme and hit series I Love LA on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Melissa Gilbert (Stand by Your Man) - Melissa is guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:10am.