SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Passes on Sue Heck Spinoff of The Middle; What's Next for TV Land?

Saturday, November 24, 2018

SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Passes on Sue Heck Spinoff of The Middle; What's Next for TV Land?

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Thanksgiving weekend is in full force, and we hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving... and that you're prepared for Christmas, for better or for worse! This week, we're hearing some news about the proposed Sue Heck spinoff of The Middle, a potential change in direction for TV Land, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

What the heck? It seems 2019 may not be the year of Sue Heck after all, as ABC has passed on the spinoff featuring the character of The Middle. (Entertainment Weekly)
TV Land’s last original scripted series, Teachers, has been cancelled, and there is some speculation that the network (which has fallen significantly in ratings from their heyday of the late 90s and early 00s) may be shifting more back to its classic TV roots. (Deadline)
We only pick on Alec Baldwin because we want to see him back on Saturday Night Live where he belongs, and he may be getting closer to that, as this week, a rerun of Shark Tank did double the ratings that his talk show previously did in the same timeslot on Sunday night.(Hollywood Reporter)
Four decades later, the "Turkeys Away" episode of WKRP in Cincinnati still stands out as one of the best Thanksgiving episodes of a series. (Vulture)
Just for a little holiday weekend fun (and since it's a slow news week), here's a list of some interesting things about some classic sitcoms that you may not necessarily know. (Screen Rant)
Laff and Escape have some new series coming for the new year. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 27) HOME MEDIA RELEASE

What I Like About You - The Complete Third Season (DVD, $29.99): Warner Archive brings the third season of the former series from The WB to DVD in this release.

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 24 - NOVEMBER 30)

Decades has a binge marathon of Streets of San Francisco this weekend.
Antenna TV still has Growing Pains going all weekend long, until the final episode.
NBC gears up for the Christmas season on Wednesday night, with the 86th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special as well as A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy (featuring John Legend and Chrissy Teigen).
ABC kicks off the Christmas season on Thursday night with three hours of Christmas programming, including Olaf's Frozen Adventure, Toy Story That Time Forgot, and the two hour special, Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration.
CBS isn't going all out like ABC and NBC are with any all-night Christmas specials next week, but they do have what is perhaps the biggest classic favorite on Tuesday night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

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.