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

Wednesday, April 14

The Goldbergs - "Who's Afraid of Bree Bea?" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After realizing there may be trouble in lovers’ paradise for Erica and Geoff, Beverly involves herself in their relationship as well as Barry and Joanne’s to make sure everyone stays together. Meanwhile, Adam and Brea are cast opposite of each other in the school play, but their excitement for one another’s success grows dim when one starts to outshine the other onstage.

Home Economics - "Mermaid Taffeta Wedding Dress, $1,999" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The Hayworth family is invited to the wedding of longtime family friend Spags. When Connor enlists Tom’s help to write and re-write a wedding toast, things take an unexpected turn between the brothers. Sarah realizes Denise is upset they never had a real wedding, while Marina meticulously plans her drinking schedule for a night out without the kids.

The Conners - "Regrets, Rehabs and Realtors" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Dan encounters a surprise visitor who shares some unsolicited advice, leaving him feeling guilty. Meanwhile, Darlene welcomes a new employee to Wellman Plastics.

Call Your Mother - "The Prime of Miss Jean Raines" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Before Sharon leaves town, she and Jean decide to plan a trip to Vegas. Meanwhile, Celia and Freddie have a serious conversation about whether or not they want kids.

United States of Al - "Pilot" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Marine veteran Riley, home at last after serving in Afghanistan, is happily reunited with his friend Awalmir, who goes by Al, the interpreter with his unit, after a long struggle to get him a visa to travel to the United States from Afghanistan.

United States of Al - "Repair/Tarmim" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Al uses his skills as a translator to try and repair the tense relationship between Riley and his estranged wife, Vanessa. Also, Lizzie is heartbroken when she is at a party and loses her late fiancé’s dog tags.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 12)

Wednesday, April 14

Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Watch Terry on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) - Allison appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Mary Lynn Rajskub (How to Be a Gentleman/Veronica's Closet/The Larry Sanders Show) - Mary is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Margaret Cho (All-Americna Girl) - Margaret will be on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Topher Grace (Home Economics/That '70s Show) - Topher chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Dylan McDermott (No Activity/LA to Vegas) - Dylan appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Jonh Corbett (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/United States of Tara) - John talks about Rebel on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason will be on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Kyra Sedgwick (Call Your Mother) - Kyra appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Emma Kenney (The Conners/Roseanne) - Emma talks about Shameless on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Nicole Byer (Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Nicole talks about Netflix's Nailed It and TBS' Wipeout on Access Daily, so check your local listings.