Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Comcast to Launch 2 New Networks; Disney Sitcom Launches Jan. 25
Comcast Corporation announced it has selected two new African American majority owned independent networks to be broadly distributed on Comcast Cable systems beginning in January 2019. After a thorough evaluation of dozens of proposals, Comcast selected AFRO and CLEO TV, both of which will provide quality entertainment that highlights and features TV and movie content about African American and black communities. AFRO, a channel from Afrotainment, is a 24-hour polycultural black network mainly broadcasting top-rated Nollywood and black movies, dramas, sitcoms, music, talk, and late night comedy shows. CLEO TV is a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. Derived from the name Cleopatra, one of the most powerful, trendsetting, rule-breaking and iconic women in history, CLEO TV will offer quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women. The network promises a unique and diverse offering of short-form and long-form content including travel, home design, cooking, talk shows, movies, docu-series, sitcoms and much more.
AFRO and CLEO TV will join over 100 diverse networks available across Xfinity platforms, which offered over 14,000 hours of diverse on demand and online programming in 2017. In 2011, as part of Comcast’s commitments made in connection with the NBCUniversal transaction, Comcast agreed to launch 10 new independently owned and operated networks by 2019, including eight that are minority-owned or -operated. Six minority-owned networks have already launched, including BabyFirst Americas (2012), El Rey (2013), Kids Central (2017), and Primo TV (2017) which are primarily Hispanic American owned and operated; and ASPiRE (2012) and REVOLT (2013) which are majority African American owned. AFRO and CLEO TV will be the next two networks to launch as part of this commitment.
Sydney to the Max, a sitcom introducing 13-year-old actress/musical artist Ruth Righi (Broadway's School of Rock The Musical) in her first leading role, is set to premiere Friday, Jan. 25 at 8:300 p.m. EST/PST, on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. Created by Mark Reisman (Frasier, Wings, The Exes), the series is geared for kids ages 6-14 and families. It also stars Ian Reed Kesler (Suits), Caroline Rhea (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Phineas and Ferb), Jackson Dollinger (Puppy Dog Pals), Ava Kolker (Girl Meets World) and Christian J. Simon (The Amazing World of Gumball).
Set in the present day with flashbacks to the 1990s, the comedy revolves around outgoing middle schooler Sydney Reynolds who lives with her single dad Max in the house he grew up in, along with her progressive grandmother Judy - three generations under one roof. As Sydney's preteen pursuits begin to expand with unexpected and funny twists, Max tries to get a better sense of the guidance, perspective and support she needs. Grandma, full of both parental wisdom and wisecracks, has a razor-sharp memory that proves Max's own teenage antics parallel Sydney's. Flashback scenes to a young Max and his best friend Leo juxtapose the funny predicaments invented by Sydney and her vivacious friend Olive. Caroline Rhea plays Judy in both eras. Ian Reed Kesler is adult Max, Jackson Dollinger is young Max, Ava Kolker is Olive and Christian J. Simon is Leo.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, March 8
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Dad Band" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Dave’s amateur band loses its lead singer just before a gig, Tina offers to fill in, however her high standards are out of tune with the rest of the group. Also, Marty quickly regrets letting his needy boss, Jerry (guest star Samm Levine), crash at his new place.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "
I Did Not Raise Him to Be a Teenager" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Abishola puts her foot down about Dele not going to Nigeria with his father, Dele rebels against her for the very first time.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 8)
Monday, March 8
- Seth Rogen (Undeclared) - Watch Seth on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - Amy appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Netflix's Moxie on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Eddie Murphy (The PJs) - Eddie is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Fortune Feimster (Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune will be on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
- Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Arsenio chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood/New Girl/Modern Men), Sheaun McKinney (The Neighborhood/Vice Principals) and Marcel Spears (The Neighborhood) - Max, Sheaun and Marcel are guests on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends) - Jill will be on The Real, so check your local listings.
- Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Sarah is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts) - Jermaine helps Drew surprise some real-life queens who go above and beyond to serve their communities on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse talks about his cookbook Food Between Friends on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-February)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
01/22 - Corporate - Season 2
01/22 - Corporate - Season 3
02/02 - Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - The Complete Series (2021 Retail Release)
02/16 - Fam - The Complete Series
02/23 - Betty White's Pet Set - The Complete Series
03/02 - Blue Mountain State - The Complete Series
03/02 - Happy Together - The Complete Series
03/02 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-4 (DVD) (Blu-ray)
More TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest
Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts
