Hallmark Channel Upfront: New Podcast; ABC Gets 2nd Season of The Conners

Monday, March 25, 2019

Hallmark Channel Upfront: New Podcast; ABC Gets 2nd Season of The Conners

Highly passionate Hallmark Channel fans, Jacklyn Collier and Shawlini Manjunath-Holbrook, have been tapped as hosts of the network's new podcast, Hallmark Channels' Bubbly Sesh, the company announced at its annual Upfront celebration in New York City's iconic Rainbow Room late last week. The dynamic duo is known for its own Hallmark Channel-dedicated podcast, which they began two years ago when they discovered their shared love for the network's programming. The weekly program will debut in April, with "Jacks" and "Shawl" offering sneak peeks at upcoming programming, exclusive talent interviews, and behind-the-scenes production scoop.

Jacks and Shawl's The Bubbly Sesh podcast began just before the network's annual programming franchise Countdown to Christmas in 2017 as a direct response to their love for everything Hallmark. The program quickly became the most popular Hallmark movie review podcast on the market, featuring fan-favorite Hallmark talent guests such as Candace Cameron Bure, Danica McKellar, and Alison Sweeney, as well as screenwriters, producers, set designers, and more. The duo has since hosted and produced over 150 episodes, drawn in a substantial audience of 50K+ downloads, and earned the backing of the loyal Hallmark fanbase, otherwise known as "Hallmarkies", that has utilized the platform to share the bond of how the networks' content has enriched their own lives and provided comfort during challenging times.

The Conners

The ABC Television Network has ordered a second season of freshman hit comedy The Conners. Ranking as television's No. 1 new comedy this season in Total Viewers (9.5 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.2/10) in L+7 data, the self-starting ABC freshman led Tuesday's 8:00 p.m. half-hour in Adults 18-49 by 16% over its nearest competitor. During its first season, The Conners improved its time period by 33% in Total Viewers and by 22% in Adults 18-49, posting 5-year highs for ABC in the half-hour.

In The Conners, this iconic family grapples with parenthood, divorce, dating, aging and financial pressures in working-class America. Through it all - the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns - with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails. The spinoff has also received critical acclaim. The series stars John Goodman as Dan Conner, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy and Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy. Additional cast to be announced at a later date. The freshman season boasted a star-studded lineup of guest appearances, featuring Matthew Broderick, Juliette Lewis, Katey Sagal, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Long, Jay R. Ferguson and Sarah Chalke, among others. Additionally, fan favorites from Roseanne reprise their roles including Estelle Parsons as Beverly Harris, Natalie West as Crystal Anderson and James Pickens Jr. as Chuck Mitchell.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Monday, April 19

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Hero" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Dave earns Calvin’s respect when he thwarts a robbery at the barbershop, until the recognition goes to his head and he starts exaggerating the truth. Also, Marty invites an anxious Gemma to give his new stress-busting hobby a try.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "A Tough Old Bird" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Bob and Abishola try to help a sad and volatile Kemi who, after being dumped by Chukwuemeka, struggles with the possibility that her happiest days might be behind her.

Breeders - "No Choice" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Ally is under huge pressure, but no one seems to want to listen to her; Jim and Jackie are excited about a possible move to the coast and, much to Paul's surprise, so is he.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 19)

Monday, April 19

Michael Strahan (Brothers) - Watch Michael on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Ron Funches (Hoops/Final Space/Powerless/Undateable) - Ron is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick will be on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Ted Danson (Mr. Mayor/The Good Place/Help Me Help You/Becker/Cheers) - Ted appears on a repeat of Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Debi Mazar (Younger/Entourage/Working) - Debi talks about the final season of Younger on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Olivia Holt (I Didn't Do It/Kickin' It) - Olivia will be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Michelle Buteau (First Wives Club) - Michelle appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
John Stamos (Fuller House/Grandfathered/Jake in Progress/Full House/You Again?) - John will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Cristin Milioti (Made for Love/A to Z/How I Met Your Mother) - Cristin appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry and his wife Rebecca discuss their memoir detailing secrets of their marriage, Stronger Together, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) - Danica discusses her new Hallmark Channel movie Matchmaker Mysteries: The Art of the Kill on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 11am ET/PT.
Ed Helms (Rutherford Falls/The Office) - Ed talks about Peacock's Rutherford Falls on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.