Saturday, September 16, 2023
SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This would typically be a busy and exciting week where we tell you about all of the brand new fall series that debut this week, and we're so excited about that... but no. There are still two entertainment industry strikes, and we have almost nothing to offer in this respect. But, it's still a busy new week anyway, with a lot of questions about the future of ABC as well as their cable networks. Let's get going!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- The Wonder Years reboot on ABC got a lot of attention when it started, but after a very disappointing second season in the ratings (ABC's worst show of the year), it has been canceled. (Variety)
- We've got our first look at the Frasier reboot. (Deadline)
- Bill Maher has decided he is returning to the air next week despite the strike, but will other late night talk show hosts look for a loophole to return too? (Deadline)
- If you have Spectrum, the second largest pay TV provider in the nation, you now no longer have cable channels such as Freeform (and never will), as the provider worked out a deal with Disney that brought back ESPN, Disney Channel, and FX, but includes the permanent removal of many other channels, leaving many to wonder if Disney is going to shut them down in the near future. (Hollywood Reporter)
- Meanwhile, Nexstar has been having exploratory talks with Disney about buying ABC, and entertainment mogul Byron Allen has went a step further to make a $10 billion offer to purchase ABC and several of their cable networks (including FX and National Geographic). (Reuters)
- While Byron Allen is trying to buy ABC, his syndicated late night series Comics Unleashed is coming to CBS on Tuesday, as they need strike material to replace the already ended Late Late Show with James Corden. (Hollywood Reporter)
- TBS has acquired Modern Family. (SitcomsOnline)
WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 16 - SEPTEMBER 22)
- Catchy Comedy is going very old this week with a binge of Our Miss Brooks.
- American Horror Story returns to FX on Wednesday.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, October 5
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank's Team: A Dark Day for Baseball" (FX and FXX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
In an effort to clean up their image, Paddy's sponsors a local Little League team; but when The Gang spots softness in their franchise, they impose a radical new culture: win no matter what and do whatever it takes to get ahead.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 5)
Monday, October 5
- Anna Kendrick (Love Life) - Watch Anna on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris) - Chris appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also talks about Misty Green on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Doug Benson (You're the Worst) - Doug is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Pride & Joy) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Caroline and Tommy will be on a repeat of Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
- Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) - ABC's Good Morning America has part one of Diane Sawyer's interview with Michael discussing his new memoir One Helluva Ride sometime between 7-9am.
- Jamie Foxx (The Jamie Foxx Show) - Jamie discusses new comedy special Take Care of Yourself on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Sarah Chalke (Scrubs/Roseanne/Mad Love/How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)) - Sarah talks about Scrubs on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - CBS Mornings has a new installment of Beg-Knows America featuring Howie sometime between 7-9am.
- D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys) - NBC's Today catches up wit D.L. in the 9am hour.
- Teyonah Parris (No Good Deed/Survivor's Remorse) - Teyonah talks about Matchbox the Movie on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Sharon Horgan (Youth/Bad Sisters/HouseBroken/Catastrophe) - Sharon tells Drew about her new show Youth on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Tim Bagley (The Great North/Teachers/Grace and Frankie/Web Therapy/Strip Mall) - Tim appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York.
- Ming-Na Wen (The Single Guy) - Ming-Na is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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