Thursday, July 16, 2020

Hallmark Channel Announces Renewals and Slate for 2021; Michael Che Coming to HBO Max for Improv Series

When Calls the Heart

Following unprecedented success across its 2019-2020 programming slate, Crown Media Family Networks unveiled new casting announcements, Original movies, and renewals of hit series and movie franchises on its two flagship networks, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries for 2020-2021. The news comes 100 days prior to the launch of Christmas on Hallmark's channels, the most anticipated holiday program event on any network. Crown Media is working with some of its most compelling talent in a development capacity. The company is currently in development with network stars Ashley Williams and Kimberly Williams- Paisley on a two-part movie about real sisters, with each of them playing the lead in one of the films. In addition, the company is developing projects with Holly Robinson Peete and Tamera Mowry-Housley. Hallmark Channel's upcoming slate includes the return of seasonal events, Fall Harvest and Countdown to Christmas, as well as new seasons in the network's three scripted dramas and daily, lifestyle program, Home & Family. Additionally, Crown Media Family Networks has renewed Hallmark Channel's pet-centric specials, Kitten Bowl, American Humane Hero Dog Awards and American Rescue Dog Show.

With several more announcements in the coming weeks, Hallmark announced new talent joining the Hallmark family, including: Aaron Tveit, Alvina August, Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan, Krystal Joy Brown, Lucia Micarelli, Mallory Jansen, Marisol Nichols, Rochelle Aytes, and Ronnie Rowe. They join returning favorites that include Alexa & Carlos PenaVega, Alicia Witt, Candace Cameron Bure, Chaley Rose, Jesse Metcalfe, Jill Wagner, Julie Gonzalo, Lacey Chabert, Merritt Patterson, Rachael Leigh Cook, Rick Fox and Sarah Drew. And finally, returning for new seasons in 2021, are Hallmark Channel's three original scripted programs, which are some of the longest-running and highest-rated series on cable television. When Calls the Heart, Hallmark Channel's longest-running series, will soon go into production on Season 8. On the heels of its recently concluded successful sixth season, Good Witch has been greenlit for Season 7. Multi-generational family drama, Chesapeake Shores, is set to return for Season 5.


Michael Che

HBO Max announced a six-episode order for Untitled Michael Che Project (wt), an original sketch comedy series starring Michael Che (Saturday Night Live, Michael Che Matters). Each episode follows a theme or incident, (police brutality, unemployment, falling in love, etc.), and uses sketches and vignettes to illustrate what it feels like to experience this from a black vantage point. It's less about being "right" and more about being honest, even at the risk of being controversial. Untitled Michael Che Project is produced by Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Broadway Video, with Che, Lorne Michaels, and Erin Doyle serving as executive producers. 


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, August 21

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Ladies Love Brunch" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie tries to juggle his mom, his mother-in-law and Mandy on Mother’s Day. Meanwhile, Audrey wants to meet Connor’s girlfriend. Young Sheldon stars Zoe Perry and Raegan Revord guest star.

Ghosts - "The Not-So-Silent Partner" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay are forced to cover when Mark demands to meet the silent investor in Jay’s restaurant who has been holding up construction.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 18)

Thursday, August 21

  • Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - Tiffany guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She will also be on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Catch Jessica on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • William Shatner ($h*! My Dad Says) - William is a guest a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show) - Jerrod appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Gillian Jacobs (Love/Community) - Gillian is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Terry Crews (Everybody Still Hates Chris/Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry joins Drew at the news desk and receives a surprise phone call from former costar on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, Terry is giving Drew love advice and dishing on 35 years of marriage and faces off with Drew in a competitive round of ping pong.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

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07/26 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount/Skydance Merger Approved; CBS Orders New Comedy From Producers of Ghosts
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07/24 - Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Premieres September 9; Apple TV+ Stick Renewed for Season 2
07/23 - Apple TV+ Ted Lasso Season 4 Details; NBC Orders Stumble to Series
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07/21 - Hallmark Channel Acquires Gilmore Girls; Freida Pinto to Star in Netflix Series