SitcomsOnline Digest: Grey's Anatomy Potentially Headed Toward Another Season; Lorne Michaels Looking to Retire

Saturday, December 25, 2021

SitcomsOnline Digest: Grey's Anatomy Potentially Headed Toward Another Season; Lorne Michaels Looking to Retire

Merry Christmas and welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a slightly slower news week this week, as COVID-19 is starting to cancel things in ways that it hasn't really done since March 2020, but we're here with news about another renewal of a long-running ABC drama, some Saturday Night Live news, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

If you're waiting to see what that Grey's Anatomy series finale will look like after 18 years, don't get prepared to see it yet, as talks are underway for it to continue for yet another season (and ABC would like more than just one more season). (Deadline)
Aside from a few years when he left the show in the early 80s, Lorne Michaels has run the day to day operations of Saturday Night Live since 1975. Now, he is potentially eyeing retirement, but don't worry, he wants to wait until the 50th season. (Hollywood Reporter)
Saturday Night Live didn't quite make it through the annual Christmas show this year, as a sudden uptick in COVID-19 kept much of the cast and crew at home, but a pre-recorded show featuring two of the cast members, Tina Fey, and host Paul Rudd went forward anyway. (PBS)
On that same note, televised New Years Eve specials are planned for next Friday night, but Fox has already been forced to cancel theirs and final plans are still up in the air for the other networks. (Deadline)
Comedian Jay Johnston, who voiced Jimmy Pesto Sr. on Bob's Burgers, has been fired from that role over his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot. (Deadline)
Hallmark and MeTV have plans for Betty White's 100th birthday. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31)

It's a "Christmas Carol" with a binge of The Carol Burnett Show on Decades this weekend.
Next weekend's binge on Decades actually starts a little earlier, on Friday, with a binge of The Twilight Zone.
FXX has a Family Guy marathon 185 hour marathon that lasts until New Years, and includes (we think) every episode from the first 19 seasons.
There are a lot more Christmas marathons that you can read about here.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, January 21

Shifting Gears - "Toys" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Riley’s new relationship feels perfect until Matt crashes in, throwing some unexpected obstacles her way. Meanwhile, Matt’s toy car project is derailed when he and Gabe are tasked with working together. Jesse Williams and Maria Bamford guest star.

Abbott Elementary - "Mall Part 3: Heroes" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After the faculty finds surprising success operating the school in the mall, they quickly realize they are being taken advantage of. Meanwhile, a new custodian arrives to join Mr. Johnson.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Wednesday, January 21

Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building/Mulaney/I'm a Big Girl Now/The Associates) - Watch Martin on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Jane is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Bert Kreischer (Free Bert) - Bert appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also chats about Unfunny Bunny and Saturday Night Live with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan share details of his new children’s book, Unfunny Bunny, and more on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A./Scrubs) - Scott talks about Will Trent and It's Not Like That on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah discusses her love of reading and protecting her vision with Lara Spencer on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Jennette McCurdy (Sam & Cat/iCarly) - Jennette talks about Half Her Age on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Arden Myrin (Free Bert/Working/Still the King) - Arden dishes about her new Netflix series Free Bert on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) and Meaghan Rath (Children Ruin Everything/Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life/The Assistants) - Jason and Meagahn talk about their film Untitled Home Invasion Romance on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim talks about Netflix's The Upshaws on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.