SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Mulls Future of Animated Comedies; Saturday Night Live Season Premiere Date Set

Saturday, September 11, 2021

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Mulls Future of Animated Comedies; Saturday Night Live Season Premiere Date Set

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a slow pre-fall season week (with the big "beginning" of the season coming on September 20), but we've got news about the future of some animated Fox comedies, the premiere of Saturday Night Live, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The Simpsons and Family Guy have stuck around long enough to define Fox (one since 1989 and the other since 1999, albeit with a hiatus for the latter), but with the network no longer owning either series and effectively being the one responsible for much of the costs without much to show for it past the original airing of the episodes, how much longer can they last? (Deadline)
A date for the season premiere of Saturday Night Live has been set, but it's still not clear which cast members will return and some long time members could be gone as the series seeks to retool in a post-Trump era. (Deadline)
Judge Judy's return in Judy Justice has been set for November 1. (Hollywood Reporter)
Steve from Blue's Clues made a return online this week to talk to his fans from 25 years ago. (CBS News)
Irma Kalish, a writer and producer who was involved in several Norman Lear series among others, has died at age 96. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 11 - SEPTEMBER 17)

Decades has a binge of Family Affair this weekend.
New seasons of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! debut next week, complete with the new host of Jeopardy! Mike Richards, who is already fired (but already had episodes taped before being fired).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, March 6

Happy's Place - "Dart to the Heart" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie tries to help Emmett and Isabella reconnect by forcing them into a darts tournament; Steve celebrates killing a spider until Takoda informs him about Iktomi, the Lakota trickster spirit.

Stumble - "Making Mat" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Courteney must cut one of her Buttons from making mat at Daytona; each of the team shares why Daytona is so important, but Courteney operates with her head over her heart and, after grueling tryouts, renders a heartbreaking decision.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 2)

Friday, March 6

Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Trophy Wife) - Bradley appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Rose talks about Broadway's Fallen Angels on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Robby Hoffman (Hacks) - Robby is part of Joy’s Comedy Corner (comedy special, “Robby Hoffman: Wake Up”) on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Dennis Quaid (Merry Happy Whatever) - NBC's Today catches up with Dennis in the 9am hour.
John Slattery (Maggie/Ed) - NBC's Today catches up with John in the 9am hour.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Drew is joined by Valerie and UFC's Laura Sanko to hit the headlines at the news desk on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.