SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Gives Presentation Order to Animated Alaska Comedy; Time-Life Brings Lucille Ball Collection to DVD

Saturday, September 29, 2018

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Gives Presentation Order to Animated Alaska Comedy; Time-Life Brings Lucille Ball Collection to DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We've gone through the first week of the fall season (and getting reactions to some of the new series), and we're already hearing what may be coming in the 2019-2020 season. Also, we're hearing of a new Lucille Ball DVD collection from Time-Life and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Great North, an animated sitcom from some of the same people behind Bob's Burgers and featuring voices such as Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate, Meg Mullaly, Will Forte, and others, has been given a presentation order from Fox. (Deadline)
The season premiere of Murphy Brown included a surprise cameo by Hillary Clinton, and there is word that another surprise cameo from somebody else is to come as well. (Deadline)
Last Man Standing did rather well in ratings when it debuted on Fox last night. (TVLine)
With Bill Cosby now in prison, words that we never imagined we'd be seeing, one journalist has gone back to watch the pilot episode of The Cosby Show and given his thoughts of watching it with this new image of Cosby. (Washington Post)
With Julie Chen gone from The Talk, the show needs a new co-host. Could Rosie O'Donnell be the one? (TVLine)
Fox has already ordered an animated comedy for the 2019-2020 season, with Bless the Harts. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Time-Life has pulled off a surprise release this week with Lucy: The Ultimate Collection, which features selected episodes (though not a complete series of any of them) of I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and even Life with Lucy.
Warner Archive has more Alice on the way, with Alice - The Complete Eighth Season arriving on October 23.

HOME MEDIA RELEASES (OCTOBER 2)

The Beverly Hillbillies - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $29.98): It has been a long and bumpy ride to getting this series out on DVD, but the Clampetts return with the fifth season of the series in this DVD release.

WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 4)

The season premiere of Saturday Night Live, with Adam Driver and Kanye West (and probably Alec Baldwin and somebody playing Brett Kavanaugh, we're willing to bet), will air tonight.
Decades is airing My Three Sons all weekend long.
The Fox Sunday night lineup returns on Sunday, with new episodes of The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, and the second episode of Rel.
The Neighborhood and Happy Together debut Monday on CBS.
Thursday night marks the return of NBC's sitcoms, with Superstore, The Good Place, Will & Grace, and I Feel Bad.
ABC brings back TGIF... sort of... on Friday, with the season premiere of Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 5

The Conners - "Driving, Dating and Deceit" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mark is anxious to get his driver’s license when a job opportunity presents itself across town. Darlene attempts to teach him to drive, but her frantic energy sends him running to Ben for help. Meanwhile, Harris meets a new guy online, whom Becky recognizes from her past.

The Golbergs - "Jenkintown After Dark" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Despite promising to keep distance from Brea so they can each establish themselves at college, Adam calls her, sending Beverly into a tailspin. Meanwhile, Joanne lands a coveted job at a posh Philly law firm and Barry takes full advantage of the perks of her new gig, blinding him from the reality of the situation.

Abbott Elementary - "Story Samurai" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A traveling storytelling troupe Jacob used to be in visits Abbott Elementary for a day of education and entertainment. Jacob can’t wait to share this part of his past with his colleagues; but when he realizes they think the performers are corny, Janine does her best to help him embrace his nerdy side. Meanwhile, Melissa struggles with the new normal of her combined second and third grade class.

Home Economics - "Sushi for Twelve, $482 Plus Delivery" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
With a house full of Hayworths, nothing is off limits for discussion – including Tom and Marina’s lives in, and out, of the bedroom. Connor’s patience as host is running thin so as a thank you, Sarah and Denise strategize a creative way to show their appreciation.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 3)

Wednesday, October 5

Kevin Nealon (Man with a Plan/Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Watch Kevin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) - Kelly appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space), Ana Fabrega (Los Espookys) and Julio Torres (Los Espookys) - Fred, Ana and Julio are guests on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Lena Dunham (Girls) - Lena is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 3:30am on Bravo.
Lea Thompson (Caroline in the City) - Lea is a guest on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men/How I Met Your Mother) - Kal discusses his impressive journey from former White House staffer and actor to author, and why he chose to share details about his engagement to his fiancé, Josh, in his book, You Can't Be Serious, on Tamron Hall, so check your local istings.
Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts/White Famous) - Utkarsh talks about Ghosts on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about Death of a Salesman on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Tamera Mowry-Housley (Sister, Sister/Roommates) - Tamera talks about You Should Sit Down For This on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.