SitcomsOnline Digest: IMDb Launches Free Streaming Service; Brooklyn Nine-Nine Sees Ratings Increase on NBC

Saturday, January 12, 2019

SitcomsOnline Digest: IMDb Launches Free Streaming Service; Brooklyn Nine-Nine Sees Ratings Increase on NBC

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning about a new (free!) steaming service from IMDb, learning of the death of a pioneering sitcom actress, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

IMDb has launched Freedive, a new free streaming service this week, and although it isn't heavy on TV series right now, you can catch some series on there, including every episode of Dallas and Gilligan's Island. (Gizmodo)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine saw a huge ratings boost as it debuted on NBC this week, but will it last? (Entertainment Weekly)
In 2019, almost nobody remembers who Mary Kay Stearns was, but she was actually one of the first ever sitcom stars, even pre-dating Lucille Ball. This week, she has died at age 93. (Deadline)
It's almost beginning to look like it'll last forever, as NBC has renewed Days of Our Lives for season 55. (Entertainment Weekly)
Megyn Kelly is officially walking away from NBC with every penny that was in the remainder of her $69 million contract. (CNN)
WGN and other Tribune stations are back on Spectrum after a nine day blackout. (Chicago Tribune)
Adult Swim is launching a live-action sitcom next month, but don't worry, it still looks like a cartoon. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 12 - JANUARY 18)

Wiseguy is the binge on Decades this weekend.
The second half of the final season Teachers debuts Wednesday on TV Land.
Also on Wednesday, Comedy Central has new seasons of Drunk History and Corporate.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, December 13

Happy's Place - "Dear Jack" (NBC, 9:15PM ET/PT)
When Bobbie catches Isabella doing a slow-fade breakup with her long-distance boyfriend, she convinces her to send a Dear John letter; Steve brings in a review praising Chef Emmett's cooking and acknowledging the tavern's bartender, "Abby."

Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Dateline" (NBC, 9:45PM ET/PT)
When George's controversial new appliance turns up dead, he mounts a true-crime investigation; Chance tests the bounds of honesty with his family.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Splitting the Hairs" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob, Douglas and Christina try to get Dottie to make a will; Abishola and Kemi's friendship is tested after Abishola catches Kemi in a lie.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "There's My Nigerians" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While Bob and Abishola struggle to pull Dottie out of her depression, Auntie Olu and Uncle Tunde come over to lift her spirits.

Children Ruin Everything - "Bedtime" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When James finds an old game console, he and Astrid attempt to find free time to play; but a bedtime routine threatens to eat up all the time between when the kids are supposed to be in bed and when Astrid and James have to go to bed themselves.

Children Ruin Everything - "Drama" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Astrid and James struggle to hold onto their identities while raising their two young children in the city.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 9)

Friday, December 13

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy appears on repeats of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC and on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kristin Chenoweth (Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Milana Vayntrub (Other Space), Jessica Lowe (Wrecked) and Jason Ritter (Another Period/The Class) - Milana, Jessica and Jason are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Richard Kind (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Spin City/Mad About You) and Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - NBC's Today catches up with Richard and Fred in the 9am hour.
Zosia Mamet (Laid/Girls) - Zosia talks about Laid on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Christian Slater (Breaking In) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Christian and Sarah are sitting down with Drew to talk all about working together on Dexter: Original Sin on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Lisa Kudrow (No Good Deed/HouseBroken/Web Therapy/The Comeback/Friends/Mad About You) - Lisa talks about chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Tom Selleck (The Closer) and Donnie Wahlberg (Return of the Mac) - Tom and Donnie discuss the series finale of Blue Bloods on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Nancy McKeon (The Facts of Life/Can't Hurry Love) - Nancy will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.