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
Wednesday, January 14
Shifting Gears - "Friend" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Matt’s reunion with a high school friend stirs up more than nostalgia when he meets their equally opinionated spouse. Meanwhile, Riley spirals when Klatch gets a negative Yelp review. Tuc Watkins, Jim Rash and Jesse Williams guest star.
Abbott Elementary - "Mall Part 2: Questions & Concerns" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Growing pains hit Abbott Elementary as the PTA pressures Janine and Gregory for answers. Meanwhile, Jacob and Barbara become suspicious of Mr. Morton.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 12)
Wednesday, January 14
- Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - Watch Laura on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about The Traitors on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Monique Coleman (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Monique discusses the 20th anniversary of High School Musical on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim discusses The Upshaws on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan can be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
- Kyle Chandler (What About Joan?) - Kyle talks about The Rip on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
- Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - NBC's Today catches up with Sarah in the 10am hour.
- Ken Jeong (Dr. Ken/Community) - Ken tells Sherri about the ever-popular The Masked Singer on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Valerie and Ross Mathews are joining Drew for a memory bank segment reflecting on their biggest moments on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Kumail Nanjiani (Bless the Harts/Silicon Valley) - Kumail tells Drew about his comedy special Night Thoughts on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jackie Hoffman (Only Murders in the Building/Starved) - Jackie is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
- Anissa Borrego (Stumble) and Jarrett Austin Brown (Stumble) - Anissa and Jarrett talk about Stumble on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
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