Tuesday, November 26, 2019
New Ted Danson NBC Comedy Gets Holly Hunter; Mel Brooks Gets New HBO Comedy Special

Holly Hunter, an Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress who recently had a critically applauded recurring role in HBO's drama Succession, will star alongside Ted Danson (The Good Place, Cheers) in NBC's new untitled comedy written and executive produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. The series is about a wealthy businessman (Danson) who runs for mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons. Once he wins he has to figure out what he stands for, gain the respect of his staff and connect with his teenage daughter, all while humanely controlling the coyote population. Hunter will play Arpi, a longtime liberal councilwoman. Having dedicated her life to the betterment of Los Angeles, she makes no secret of her disdain for the newly elected Mayor Bremer, whom she considers unqualified, sexist, and too tall to be trusted. In addition to Danson and Hunter, Saturday Night Live vet Bobby Moynihan was previously announced in the cast as Jayden, the interim director of communications in the newly elected mayor's office.
From the groundbreaking TV series Your Show of Shows to landmark films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks has been one of the most influential voices in comedy. Now, this entertainment legend looks back on his remarkable career in Mel Brooks Unwrapped, debuting Friday, Dec. 13 from 9:00-10:10 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on HBO. The special will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners' streaming platforms.
The HBO comedy special features award-winning actor, writer, producer and director Mel Brooks in interviews past and present with Alan Yentob, former creative director for the BBC. Since 1981, Yentob has filmed the inimitable Brooks for a number of candid conversations and mock interviews, many of which showcase a more reserved Alan as "straight man" to Mel's high-energy, quick-witted, unsparingly sarcastic persona. Combining Yentob's archival material with present-day interviews and verité footage of the now 93-year-old Brooks, the special is filled with the venerated comedian's hilarious anecdotes about his life and illustrious career.
Mel Brooks Unwrapped also shows Yentob following Brooks in his day-to-day life, including a visit with long-time friend and collaborator Carl Reiner - who dubs Mel "the funniest human being in the world" - to share some spaghetti and meatballs and watch some iconic clips from Brooks' 60-plus years in showbiz. The special marks Mel Brooks' fourth appearance on HBO in recent years, following 2011's Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again, 2012's Mel Brooks Strikes Back! and 2014's Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen, all of which have been nominated for Emmy(R) awards. To celebrate the new special, Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen and Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again will return on HBO GO and HBO NOW for viewers.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Thursday, March 20
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 17)
Thursday, March 20
- Adam Scott (Ghosted/Veep/Parks and Recreation/Party Down) - Catch Adam on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building/Wizards of Waverly Place) - Selena appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jon Hamm (Grimsburg/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and Emily Spivey (Bless the Harts) - Jon and Emily are guests on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Carmen Christopher (English Teacher) - Carmen is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Annaleigh Ashford (B Positive) - Annaleigh stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11pm on Bravo.
- Bill Burr (F Is for Family/Townies) - Bill chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Brian Tyree Henry (HouseBroken/Atlanta) - Brian talks about Dope Thief on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on ABC News Live Prime at 7pm.
- Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom is a guest on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Lauren Ambrose (The Return of Jezebel James) - Lauren talks about Yellowjackets on CBS Mornings Plus sometime between 7-9am.
- Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Ben Falcone (God's Favorite Idiot/Nobodies/Joey) - Ben talks about What Is Scarier Than Thunder on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Wendi McLendon-Covey (St. Denis Medical/The Goldbergs/Rules of Engagement/Reno 911!) - Wendi is hitting the headlines with Drew and telling her about her hit comedy show St. Denis Medical on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings
- Jay Ellis (Running Point/Insecure/The Game) - Jay is talking about working with Kate Hudson on the hit show and playing basketball in high school and college on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Cristela Alonzo (Cristela) - Cristela is a guest on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
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