Saturday, February 09, 2019

SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Orders Pair of Comedy Pilots; NBC Cancels Hair Musical

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's been a really busy week of news this week, and we've got some of the highlights for you here (but check out some of our posts from earlier this week for more!). We're hearing about some new comedy pilots at ABC, the end of a sitcom era as another ABC sitcom is renewed for a final season, and even a marathon of Redd Foxx's last sitcom that is airing on Decades today. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • ABC has ordered a pair of comedy pilots, including one starring Katey Sagal. (Variety)
  • Modern Family is coming to an end after next season, which may not seem like a big deal since it isn't the show that people talk about anymore, but the end of this series (along with that of The Big Bang Theory of this season) signals the end of an era where broadcast network sitcoms were a dominant force. (Fortune)
  • Fox recently aired a musical version of Rent, and it seems that in light of the disappointing ratings of that musical, NBC has cancelled their planned May 19 musical version of Hair. (Business Insider)
  • The proposed reboot of Bewitched at ABC won't be coming in the fall, but the idea isn't completely dead just yet. (Variety)
  • A pair of musical episodes is in the works for American Housewife. (Deadline)
  • Neither The Simpsons (which was legitimately in danger with the Disney acquisition of the production company) nor Mom are going anywhere anytime soon.. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA RELEASES (FEBRUARY 12)
Step by Step - The Complete Fourth Season
  • Step by Step - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD, $29.99): We've been in a major drought for TV series on DVD (and sadly, it likely won't improve as many series have been completely released and streaming media has cannibalized DVD), but Warner Archive is still throwing us some bones, including the continuation of this TGIF classic on DVD.

WEEKLY PLANNER (FEBRUARY 9 - FEBRUARY 15)
  • Decades has a very rare treat for viewers on their weekly Binge this weekend, as they will be airing a marathon of Redd Foxx's last sitcom, The Royal Family from 1 PM today through 7 AM tomorrow morning, followed by a Binge of The Facts of Life all day Sunday.
  • The sixteenth season of American Dad! debuts Monday on TBS.
  • The TBS comedy Miracle Workers debuts on Tuesday.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, March 30

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to the Things We Do for Love" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Marty meets Courtney’s intimidating father to ask for his blessing, but Clancy’s (Anthony Anderson) cryptic response sends Calvin and Tina digging for answers. Meanwhile, Gemma and Dave are stunned by Grover’s tattoo.

DMV - "Gilbert" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Colette and Gregg convince Vic to foster a dog and help him clean up his act to meet the dog rescuer Howie’s (Thomas Lennon) high standards. Meanwhile, Ceci tries to repay Barb by boosting Noa’s processing time, mainly by toning down his hotness.

St. Denis Medical - "Here a Righteous Woman Comes" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Joyce hosts a ribbon-cutting for the birthing center; Matt and Serena take on an awkward assignment; Ron tries to knock out a quick physical before his fishing trip.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "The World Is Full of Beaks" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Tobin tries to keep his personal life separate from the documentary, but Reggie doesn't make it easy for him; Monica helps Brina with her music career.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 30)

Monday, March 30