TCA Winter 2019 Press Tour: ABC and Freeform, Includes Modern Family Getting 11th and Final Season

Wednesday, February 06, 2019

TCA Winter 2019 Press Tour: ABC and Freeform, Includes Modern Family Getting 11th and Final Season

There were tons of updates from the TCA Winter 2019 Press Tour from ABC and cable network Freeform yesterday. Currently in its 10th season, ABC announced today that it has picked up the Emmy(R) Award-winning series Modern Family for an 11th and final season. This wonderfully large and blended family will continue to delight audiences for the 2019-2020 fall schedule with its honest and often hilarious look into the warm and sometimes twisted embrace of the modern family. Produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television in association with Steven Levitan Productions and Picador Productions, the series airs Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. EST on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand. ABC announced that it has renewed the hit drama The Good Doctor for a third season, A Million Little Things for a second season and Shark Tank for an 11th season. American Housewife will air two special music-themed episodes this spring. The American Idol episode, airing Tuesday, March 19 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, includes special appearances by music industry forces and the superstar judges of ABC's American Idol, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy(R) Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest. The season finale, "A Mom's Parade," will air Tuesday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The extraordinary musical episode includes four original songs by renowned composer Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen) and Glenn Slater (Tangled, School of Rock-The Musical), as well as choreography from famed choreographer Ashley Wallen (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).

ABC will air a special first-look episode of Videos After Dark, a new comedy reality series hosted by comedian Bob Saget and featuring home videos with an edgier twist, Tuesday, March 12 at 10:00 p.m. EDT), following the epic conclusion to the two-night season finale of The Bachelor, on The ABC Television Network. Avoiding a sophomore slump, critically acclaimed series grown-ish has been picked up for a third season on Freeform. Starring Yara Shahidi, Trevor Jackson, Francia Raisa, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Luka Sabbat and Deon Cole; the series is a contemporary take on the issues that students face in the world of higher education. Freeform announced that Jordin Sparks (Sparkle), Matt Shively (The Real O'Neals) and newcomer Brooks Brantly have been cast in the highly anticipated new comedy series Besties (working title). Sparks will play Becca; an ambitious overachiever from a hard-working, conservative African-American family, who learns that her birth mother is actually white. Shively will portray Matt, a former athlete and current bar manager, who can't completely let go of his glory days. Brantly will portray Becca's brother Todd, a mama's boy who still lives in their parent's basement. Set in Los Angeles, the series will follow Becca and her newly discovered half-sister Jesi, as they're thrown into each other's lives by an online genetics test and have to figure out how to go from strangers to sisters. Ranada Shepard, Casey Johnson and David Windsor serve as creators and executive producers. Kenya Barris also serves as executive producer.

Critically acclaimed series Marvel's Cloak & Dagger returns Thursday, April 4 and is the story of Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph) - two teenagers from very different backgrounds who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers, which are mysteriously linked to one another. The only constants in their lives are danger and each other. Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to control the power of darkness. They quickly learn they are better together than apart. The latest headline from Scarlet Magazine - The Bold Type returns for season three on Tuesday, April 9, at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST. Picking up right after the heartbreak, romance and uncertainty from the season two finale in Paris, The Bold Type is back in New York City where Jane, Kat and Sutton are all dealing with the aftermath of some major decisions. Meanwhile, Scarlet Magazine is undergoing some changes, with new staffers brought on board who bound to ruffle some feathers. Freeform announced the premiere date of the highly anticipated spinoff series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. As Freeform's session came to end, the network lined up a group of women in iconic red trench coats to pay homage to the groundbreaking series that defined a generation. Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists will premiere on Wednesday, March 20 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST. And finally, At today's Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, Freeform President Tom Ascheim surprised the cast members of Good Trouble with a season two pickup of the critically acclaimed series, which is currently airing on the network.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, October 20

The Goldbergs - "An Itch Like No Other" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
With Beverly’s encouragement, Mr. Glascott moves in next door to the Goldbergs and slowly goes from friendly neighbor to cluelessly intrusive. Adam and Murray become increasingly disgruntled while Beverly comes up with a plan to occupy Mr. Glascott’s time with a new friend, Mr. Woodburn. Meanwhile, Barry lands in urgent care with a case of poison ivy in a compromising area – his rear end. Erica and Geoff are called to task to take care of Barry and his ridiculous demands – inadvertently testing their parenting skills and patience with one another.

The Wonder Years - "The Lock In" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean is reluctant to attend the annual church lock-in until Kim tells him it’s where she got her first kiss. He enlists his friends to help him pair up with Keisa, but his plans are thwarted when he instead gets paired up with the pastor’s daughter, Charlene.

The Conners - "Trucking Live in Front of a Fully Vaccinated Studio Audience -- East Coast" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lights, Camera, Action: “The Conners” is going live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. This iconic TV family continues to deal with the current pandemic while navigating breakups and newfound sobriety, all while planning an upcoming wedding.

Home Economics - "Giant Jenga, $120" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom spirals when Connor dates a woman who broke his heart at summer camp. Then, family game night becomes an all-or-nothing competition between Marina and Denise.

Superstar - "Robin Williams" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The new episode recounts his life through Robin Williams’ own voice, describing “the spark of madness” which defined his life. From his early days in the San Francisco Bay Area comedy scene to his meteoric rise on “Mork & Mindy,” the one-hour special explores the experiences that made Williams into a one-of-a-kind talent and reveals what gave voice to the characters in his mind. It also chronicles the creative force driving critically acclaimed films like “Good Will Hunting” and “Dead Poets Society,” as well as fan favorites such as “Aladdin.” The special explores his personal struggles, including substance abuse and depression, and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia before his tragic death in 2014. “Superstar: Robin Williams” features interviews with famous comedians and actors who knew and admired Williams, including Margaret Cho, Howie Mandel, Lewis Black, Jimmie Walker, Paula Poundstone, Gina Hecht and Pauly Shore, as well as Barry Levinson, director of multiple films starring Williams including “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The program also contains interviews with Williams from the ABC News archives, in which he opens up about his life and the highs and lows of his distinguished career.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18)

Wednesday, October 20

Rami Malek (The War at Home) - Watch Rami on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Debra Messing (Will & Grace/Ned & Stacey) - Debra talks about her latest project: how self-care can change the world on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) and Clint Howard (Gung Ho) - Ron and Clint discuss their new book, The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Sedaris (No Activity/BoJack Horseman/Strangers with Candy) - It's a TV exclusive with sister and brother duo Amy and David Sedaris appearing together for the first time on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy talks about FBI on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
David Eigenberg (Sex and the City) - David talks about NBC's Chicago Fire on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick talks about Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.