SitcomsOnline Digest: Friends Reunion Coming to HBO Max; IMDb TV Acquires Free Streaming Rights to Lost, Malcolm in the Middle, and More

Saturday, February 08, 2020

SitcomsOnline Digest: Friends Reunion Coming to HBO Max; IMDb TV Acquires Free Streaming Rights to Lost, Malcolm in the Middle, and More

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing of a Friends reunion, new series for IMDb TV, the death of an actor who has appeared on TV for decades, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

A one-hour Friends reunion is happening on HBO Max, and rumors are that it will likely be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. (New York Post)
IMDb TV is a completely free streaming service that flies under the radar, but they have now acquired several Disney TV titles (which includes some Fox series as well), including Lost, Ally McBeal, Malcolm in the Middle, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Ugly Betty, St. Elsewhere, and L.A. Law.
Chris Wood has been cast in the lead role of thirtysomething(else), ABC's sequel to thirtysomething. (Deadline)
Actor Orson Bean, who has had a long career in television and remained active in acting as far back as 1952 and was still consistently working recently enough to appear on an episode of Grace and Frankie that was added to Netflix just weeks ago, has unexpectedly died at age 91 after being hit by a car. (NY Post)
Casting is coming together for NBC's new L.A. mayor comedy starring Ted Danson. (Deadline)
Tyler Perry's House of Payne is coming back, it seems. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA RELEASES (FEBRUARY 12)

Warner Archive moves forward on a TGIF favorite with the release of Step by Step - The Complete Sixth Season.

WEEKLY PLANNER (FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14)

Love, American Style is airing all this weekend on Decades.
The Academy Awards air tomorrow night on ABC.
For Life, a new drama series, debuts Tuesday on ABC.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, November 22

Happy's Place - "Happy's House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie agrees to take Isabella to Happy's house in search of a connection to their late father, leading Bobbie to worry about what they may find; Gabby hopes to strike it rich by searching through Happy's penny collection looking for a rarity.

Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Orlando" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Rosie's spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie's cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work, but, instead, helps him create a toxic work environment.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Whacking the Mole" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abishola has a romantic dream about Bob, she tries to suppress her feelings for him and pays the price.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ralph Lauren and Fish" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob and Abishola finally go on a proper date, which is interrupted by Dottie's medical emergency.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Tough Like a Laundromat Washing Machine" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob hires Abishola to take care of Dottie in his home while she recovers; Dottie has a hard time dealing with her limitations and takes it out on Abishola.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Useless Potheads" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abishola only helping part-time, Bob, Douglas and Christina struggle to take care of Dottie.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Wiz-Taken Identity" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - " Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)

Friday, November 22

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Lopez vs Lopez/Search Party/Corporate) - Andy, Thomas and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Drew is joined by the hilarious Andrew to celebrate all things Thanksgiving on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie tells Sherri about her new Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.