SitcomsOnline Digest: Amazon Buys MGM; This Is Us Star Cast in ABC Comedy Pilot

Saturday, March 19, 2022

SitcomsOnline Digest: Amazon Buys MGM; This Is Us Star Cast in ABC Comedy Pilot

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning of a new acquisition of MGM (but is it real this time?), the renewal of an ABC comedy favorite, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Amazon has purchased MGM, or so we think, as previous "sales" of MGM to Turner in the 80s and Sony in 2006 have turned out to not be what they seem. (NPR)
With the NBC series This Is Us coming to an end, cast members are in high demand for other new series, and this week we're hearing about Chris Sullivan being cast in a pilot for ABC. (Deadline)
Although a Quantum Leap reboot is in the works for Peacock with a whole new cast, Scott Bakula is looking to return to the NBC primetime lineup as star and executive producer in a series in which he will be playing a much different role. (TVLine)
With all of the reboots that are in the works (including many that don't quite make it to TV), it's easy to forget what is being worked on, but there is an Early Edition reboot in the works and it now has an actress attached to the starring role. (Deadline)
The executive producer of Dancing with the Stars is out, and former host Tom Bergeron (who was fired by the same executive producer) had something to say about it. (Deadline)
In maybe one of the most unsurprising renewals of the season, ABC has renewed Abbott Elementary for a second season. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MARCH 19 - MARCH 25)

Atlanta returns with a new season on Thursday on FX.
Although it isn't a rare thing for them to do, E! is having a Saved by the Bell marathon this weekend.
Decades has a binge of feature films (and two part episodes of hour long series) this weekend.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, September 29

Young Sheldon - "Four Hundred Cartons of Undeclared Cigarettes and a Niblingo" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
George Sr. bails Meemaw and Georgie out of jail. Also, Sheldon and Missy meet Mandy (Emily Osment), and Mary feels unwelcome at church.

Ghosts - "Spies" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam enlists the Ghosts to help secure a good review from an overly critical couple staying at the B&B. Also, Isaac tries to integrate Nigel into his friend group.

Welcome to Flatch - "Welcome to (Barb) Flatch" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Kelley is changing diapers; Cheryl and Joe are raising baby chickens; Shrub is courting Beth; Barb Flatch makes a triumphant return to her hometown to shake things up.

Call Me Kat - "Call Me Ken Jennings" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Kat is seated next to "Jeopardy!" contestant Ken Jennings on her flight home; Kat discovers some significant changes have been made to the cafe by Randi and Phil; Max has returned home from his time in Nashville.

Atlanta - "Light Skinned-ed" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
My family is so crazy we need our own reality TV show. How you still got beef from the 70's? Whew. And y'all need to stop flirting with people's daddy.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 26)

Thursday, September 29

George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - Catch George on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Billy appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS. Billy appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Kelly Ripa (Hope & Faith) - Kelly is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 10pm on Bravo.
Alfonso Ribeiro (In the House/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/Silver Spoons) - Alfonso will be on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Jim Rash (Community/Help Me Help You/Thanks/Katie Joplin) - Jim appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
MC Lyte (Partners in Rhyme/Half & Half) - MC shares her journey from rapper and entrepreneur to actress in the new sitcom Partners in Rhyme on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Nick stops by to chat about his new stand-up comedy special, Little Big Boy, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jurnee Smollett (Wanda at Large/On Our Own) - Jurnee talks about her new film Lou on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew talks about The Price Is Right Anniversary on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs), Bette Midler (Bette) and Kathy Najimy (King of the Hill/Veronica's Closet) - Sarah, Bette and Kathy talk about Hocus Pocus 2 on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.