Thursday, June 25, 2020
CNN and HLN Announce Slate, with History of Sitcom; Lil Rel Set to Host NBC Game Show

CNN and HLN revealed their Original Series slate for 2020 and 2021 as part of WarnerMedia's ongoing efforts to communicate powerful and flexible ad solutions for advertising partners. Adding to the brand's successful portfolio of premium nonfiction content, CNN will debut two new Original Series for 2020, The Story of Late Night (previously announced) and First Ladies (previously announced), and seven new Original Series for 2021, including Searching for Italy with Stanley Tucci (previously announced), Lincoln: An American President (working title), Diana (wt), History of Sitcom, Jerusalem (wt), Reframed: The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe (wt), and The Woman Who Took Down the KKK. In addition, the Emmy Award-winning series, United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell, will return for its fifth season this summer and the seventh season of This is Life with Lisa Ling will return this fall, with new seasons of both series airing in 2021.
Coming in 2020: The Story of Late Night (summer) - produced by Cream Productions, is an eight-part series premiering this summer, that takes viewers on a journey back in time through present day of late-night television's most memorable moments. Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Chelsea Handler, Trevor Noah, Conan O'Brien, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, Whoopi Goldberg, George Lopez, along with many other industry insiders, give first-hand, behind-the-scenes accounts of a beloved art form that changed the face of television forever.
Coming in 2021: History of Sitcom - produced by Cream Productions, is an eight-part series that explores the most memorable moments and characters in television history, and the way sitcoms inform and reflect our social, cultural and political landscape.
NBC has named dynamic comedian, actor, writer and producer Lil Rel Howery (The Carmichael Show, Get Out) as host of the new game show, Small Fortune. Howery, who will also serve as executive producer, joins the pint-sized series that will offer contestants the opportunity to amass large sums of money on the smallest of scales. Small Fortune will see teams of three friends compete in the tiniest of challenges for a chance to win big money. In order to win, players must face heart-pounding tasks set in real-world destinations that test their precision and technique. From a shrunken sushi conveyor belt with tiny chopsticks ("Shrunken Sushi") to a mini Ellis Island ("Statue of Liberteeny"), each team must prove their skills on miniature playing fields. Challenges will require considerable dexterity and intense focus because with games this small, there's no room for error as the slightest miscalculation or tremble may result in elimination. To take home the ultimate Small Fortune, teams that make it to the end must tackle one last teeny-tiny but epic game. If players can control their nerves and avoid the slightest mistake, they will walk away with a big cash prize. Small Fortune is set to go into production later this year for air in midseason or summer 2021.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Tuesday, January 19
Call Your Mother - "Pilot" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jean, an empty-nester mom, wonders how she ended up alone while her children live their best lives thousands of miles away. She decides her place is with her family, and as she reinserts herself into their lives, her kids realize they might actually need her more than they thought.
The Conners - "Protest, Drug Test and One Leaves the Nest" (ABC,
10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Harris’ job is in jeopardy after joining a protest she strongly believes in, leading to tense discussions within the family. Jackie makes a visit to Wellman Plastics only to realize the company is instituting supervised drug testing, inspiring Becky to lead her own protest.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 18)
Tuesday, January 19
- Dakota Johnson (Ben and Kate) - Catch Dakota on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Our Friend on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Yara Shahidi (grown-ish/black-ish) - Yara appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) - Jason is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Craig Robinson (Ghosted/Mr. Robinson/The Office) - Craig will be on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
- Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) - Aubrey appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
- Iain Armitage (Young Sheldon) - Iain chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Big Day) - Leslie talks about the film One Night in Miami on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Tommy Davidson (Between Brothers) - Tommy will be on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
- Cole Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody/The Suite Life on Deck) - Cole appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Kyra Sedgwick (Call Your Mother) - Kyra talks about Call Your Mother on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy is a guest on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-January)
09/01 - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 14
09/01 - What We Do in the Shadows - The Complete Second Season
09/01 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray)
09/15 - Mom - The Complete Seventh Season
09/15 - South Side - Season 1
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Second Season
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Third Season
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Fourth Season
09/22 - Man with a Plan - Season Three
09/29 - The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete Series (2020 Release)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
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