SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Max Developing Comedy Series Based Upon Vacation Films; Beverly Hillbillies Mansion Sells for $150 Million

Saturday, December 14, 2019

SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Max Developing Comedy Series Based Upon Vacation Films; Beverly Hillbillies Mansion Sells for $150 Million

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning about a new sitcom for HBO Max based upon a classic film series, a revival of Steve Harvey's daytime talk show, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

We're surprised it took this long for it to happen, but it looks like the National Lampoon's Vacation film series may be on the verge of becoming a TV series, called The Griswolds, with Johnny Galecki (who actually played Rusty Griswold in Christmas Vacation) as executive producer. (Entertainment Weekly)
The mansion from The Beverly Hillbillies has sold for $150 million, to one of the sons of Rupert Murdoch. (CNN)
Carroll Spinney, who played Big Bird on Sesame Street, has died. (NY Times)
Philip McKeon, who played Tommy on Alice, has also died at age 55. (People)
Steve Harvey will never go away, and now, he is reviving his daytime talk show as a Facebook Watch series. (Variety)
Reno 911 is returning with new episodes. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 14 - DECEMBER 20)

FXX will begin airing an end of the year marathon with almost all of the episodes of The Simpsons (so far) starting Tuesday night, but it will be missing the episode "Stark Raving Dad," which featured Michael Jackson.
Last weekend it was Facts of Life, and this weekend, Decades has a binge of Diff'rent Strokes.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, December 25

Ghosts - "A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 1" / "A Very Arondekar Christmas Part 2" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A leaky water heater mishap threatens to ruin holiday plans as Sam and Jay prepare to host Jay’s hard-to-please dad, Mahesh (Bernard White), difficult-to-impress mom, Champa (Sakina Jaffrey), and sister Bela (Punam Patel).

Ghosts - "It's a Wonderful Christmas Carol: Part One" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam’s big Christmas Eve TV interview with Walter Storm (Larry Wilmore) takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Trevor and Patience bond over their mutual disinterest in celebrating Christmas.

Ghosts - "It's a Wonderful Christmas Carol: Part Two" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam gets a glimpse of what her life would be like if she could never see the ghosts.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 22)

Thursday, December 25

Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Watch Kate on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
John Stamos (Palm Royale/UnPrisoned/Fuller House/Grandfathered/Jake in Progress/Full House/You, Again?) - John appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Jason talks Zootopia 2 with Chris Connelly on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - George talks Jay Kelly with Michael Strahan on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Michael J. Fox (Family Ties/Spin City/The Michael J. Fox Show) - Michael opens up about his career with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana talks about Wicked on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.