SitcomsOnline Digest: What Does Disney and Fox Merger Mean for The Simpsons?; New Step by Step DVDs

Saturday, January 26, 2019

SitcomsOnline Digest: What Does Disney and Fox Merger Mean for The Simpsons?; New Step by Step DVDs

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing some speculation about the future of The Simpsons that fans may not want to hear (though it's still way too early to speculate too much). Additionally, we finally have news of some new sitcom DVD releases, something that we haven't had in over a month! Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Simpsons has had a long run on Fox, but soon, it will be a Disney show airing on a network owned by a different company, and the strange economics may mean that Disney will need to cancel the show to maximize the profitability. (Variety)
Viacom has acquired the free streaming service Pluto TV, but it remains to be seen how this will change the service. (Deadline)
A lot of naysayers said that continuing Roseanne without the lead actress was never going to work, but things seem to be going fairly well for The Conners in ratings. (Hollywood Reporter)
The Jerry Springer Show is done, but he will be returning to the air with his courtroom series in the fall as that show has reached 90% clearance. (Deadline)
NBC has scheduled a premiere date for sitcom Abby's. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Warner Archive is moving ahead on Step by Step, with Step by Step - The Complete Fourth Season arriving on February 12.
That isn't all from Warner Archive, on February 26 they'll be releasing What I Like About You - The Complete Fourth Season.

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1)

Decades is airing 77 Sunset Strip all weekend long.
Fox debuts their live musical version of Rent on Sunday night.
New episodes of Will & Grace return Thursday on NBC.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, January 21

Young Sheldon - "Freshman Orientation and the Inventor of the Zipper" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
College orientation does not go as Sheldon planned. Also, Mary is invited to a party when she’s mistaken for a university student, and George Sr. helps Pastor Jeff set up a children’s nursery.

B Positive - "Open Heart Surgery" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Gina needs to keep herself together to pass a psych evaluation while dealing with the news of an ex’s engagement.

Mom - "Woo-Woo Lights and an Onside Kick" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Bonnie and the ladies indulge Jill when she goes to extremes to get her relationship with Andy (Will Sasso) back on track.

The Unicorn - "The First Supper" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Wade decides to introduce Shannon to his friends, the get-together quickly takes an awkward turn. Also, Noah tries to fit in with the older kids since he’s tired of being one of the babies.

Call Me Kat - "Therapy" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Sheila comes to stay with Kat to avoid being home alone, Sheila's lack of boundaries leads them to try therapy; Phil and Randi make a road trip to buy Phil's mother medicinal marijuana.

Last Man Standing - "Jen Again" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Mike surprises Vanessa with a visit from Jen that might last longer than expected; Ryan asks Chuck for advice to impress his new corporate boss on the golf course.

Mr. Mayor - "The Sac" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A special assignment forces Jayden and Arpi to get to know each other; Neil sets out on a mission to reconnect with Orly after she gets into a little trouble.

Superstore - "Biscuit" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After returning from quarantine, Glenn enlists Cheyenne and Bo's help to get Dina to relinquish control; Jonah and Mateo have second thoughts about helping Sandra with her cat's medical needs; Garrett struggles with customer returns.

grown-ish - "Public Service Announcement" (Freeform, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After dropping out of Cal U and diving into her dream job, Zoey balances the demands of her work life and her personal life.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 18)

Thursday, January 21

Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) - Catch Allison on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Alison Brie (GLOW/Parks and Recreation) - Alison appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Regina King (The Boondocks/227) - Regina is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Jane Krakowski (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/30 Rock) - Jane will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Francia Raisa (grown-ish) - Francia appears on The Real, so check your local listings.
Yara Shahidi (grown-ish/black-ish) - Yara talks about grown-ish on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace is a guest on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris talks about The Resident on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Sara Gilbert (The Conners/Roseanne/Living Biblically/Bad Teacher/Twins) - Sara talks about The Conners on a repeat of Access Daily, so check your local listings.