Tuesday, March 02, 2021

Freeform Spring and Summer 2021 Updates; discovery+ Gets Back to the Future Expedition

Cruel Summer

At Freeform’s virtual TCA presentation, Walt Disney Television's young adult network announced that Single Drunk Female, from Simone Finch and Jenni Konner, has been picked up to series. The network also announced the highly anticipated series premiere of new drama Cruel Summer and unveiled a first look at the Jessica Biel produced thriller. Freeform also announced the premiere date for the critically acclaimed comedy Everything's Gonna Be Okay and unveiled key art for the new season. The newly announced premiere dates add to Freeform's slate, which includes signature hit The Bold Type, premiering this spring, and Motherland: Fort Salem, premiering this summer. Fan-favorite original series Good Trouble and grown-ish are currently airing all-new episodes and will return with additional episodes this summer, premiere dates to be announced soon.

Freeform has ordered comedy Single Drunk Female to series. After a spectacularly embarrassing public breakdown, irreverent alcoholic Samantha Fink is forced to move back home with her "Smother" to sober up and avoid jail time. But when her childhood BFF reveals surprising news, Samantha starts to learn there is a fine line between party girl and walking disaster. Single Drunk Female stars Sofia Black-D’Elia, Ally Sheedy, Rebecca Henderson, Sasha Compère, Lily Mae Harrington and Garrick Bernard. The series comes from 20th Television and is written and created by Simone Finch (The Conners), who will executive produce along with Jenni Konner (Camping, Girls), Phil Traill (Good Girls) and Nora Silver. Leslye Headland (Russian Doll, Star Wars: The Acolyte) directed and executive produced the pilot. From creator, writer and star Josh Thomas and produced by Avalon for Freeform, the second season of the half-hour comedy Everything's Gonna Be Okay will premiere Thursday, April 8, at 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT with two back-to-back episodes. In addition to Thomas as Nicholas, the series stars Kayla Cromer as Matilda, Maeve Press as Genevieve and Adam Faison as Alex. Thomas, Stephanie Swedlove and Kevin Whyte serve as executive producers, with David Martin, Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner executive producing for Avalon. After the series premiere, new episodes will air Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. EDT/PDT.

Freeform’s highly anticipated psychological mystery, Cruel Summer, will premiere with a two-hour event on Tuesday, April 20, at 9:00 p.m. EDT/PDT. From executive producer Jessica Biel (The Sinner), Cruel Summer is a psychological thriller that follows two young women: Kate Wallis, the popular girl with a charmed life who one day goes missing, and Jeanette Turner, the nerdy wannabe who is accused of being connected to Kate's disappearance. All signs point to Jeanette’s guilt, but is Kate really who she seems to be? Set over three summers and told through shifting points of view, the series challenges perception and follows how one girl can go from being a sweet outlier to the most despised person in America. The series stars Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Michael Landes, Froy Gutierrez, Harley Quinn Smith, Allius Barnes, Blake Lee and Brooklyn Sudano. Cruel Summer comes from studio eOne and was created by Bert V. Royal. Tia Napolitano serves as showrunner. Executive producers include Napolitano, Royal and Iron Ocean Productions' Jessica Biel and Michelle Purple. Max Winkler directs and executive produces the pilot. After the series premiere, new episodes will air Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT.


Expedition: Back to the Future - Josh Gates and Christopher Lloyd

Josh Gates, avid explorer and host of Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown has spent his career traveling the world investigating history's greatest legends and mysteries. Now, he's setting out on the journey of a lifetime in search of the most iconic car in Hollywood history - The DeLorean Time Machine from the classic sci-fi trilogy Back to the Future. Together with screen-legend Christopher Lloyd, Josh travels across the country and through the history of one of cinema's greatest franchises on an epic search for this timeless vehicle all in hopes of delivering and donating it to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The special four-part series, Expedition: Back to the Future streams Monday, March 15 on discovery+. Josh Gates has taken viewers on thrilling global adventures, but none quite like this. Scouring iconic Hollywood locations in search of their coveted prize, Josh and Christopher soon realize their quest is full of unexpected turns and will extend beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, so they enlist the help of some familiar faces including Michael J. Fox, Donald Fullilove, Lea Thompson, James Tolkan, and Harry Waters Jr. But, first they must meet with the man who started it all, co-creator of the Back to the Future trilogy, Bob Gale.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, July 2

Shifting Gears - "Restoration" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, is confronted with his most unexpected and challenging project yet when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her adolescent children come crashing back into his life.

Shifting Gears - "Accommodations" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt joins Riley at Carter’s high school open house, where he’s unsettled to learn about the “accommodations” made for his grandson’s anxiety. Meanwhile, Riley reconnects with Caitlin, a former classmate, and sets her up with Gabriel.

Shifting Gears - "Grief" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Riley discovers a closet filled with her late mother’s clothes, she insists Matt hasn’t processed her death and urges him to see a grief counselor. Meanwhile, Gabriel faces a crisis of confidence when he’s put in charge of the shop for a day.

Shifting Gears - "Valentine's" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A Valentine’s Day visit to his late wife’s grave sparks an unexpected connection for Matt in an unlikely place. Meanwhile, Riley is thrust into the spotlight for a promotional video at the dance studio.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Protector in Chief" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Speed Demons" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After losing his job, Jeremy decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to help his grandfather, who has purchased a rundown home for the elderly.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)

Wednesday, July 2

  • Will Arnett (Murderville/Arrested Development/Flaked/The Millers/Up All Night/Running Wilde), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) and Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Watch Will, Jason and Sean on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Monica Barbaro (FUBAR) - Monica appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Owen Thiele (Overcompensating), Amita Rao (Deli Boys) and Malik Elassal (Adults) - Owen, Amita and Malik are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Glen Powell (Scream Queens) - NBC's Today catches up with Glen in the 10am hour.
  • Casey Wilson (The Righteous Gemstones/Black Monday/The Hotwives/Marry Me/Happy Endings) - Casey talks about The Great American Baking Show on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Barrymore Show has a repeat their skincare show and Drew and Valerie Bertinelli are talking all things moisturizers and hydration with board certified dermatologist and TikTok sensation Dr. Shereene Idriss.
  • Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Joe talks about Netflix's Nonnas on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


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)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

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


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