Saturday, December 23, 2023
SitcomsOnline Digest: Another Major Media Merger in the Works?; Digital Network Dabl Shifts Focus to Sitcoms
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're heading into Christmas week, but surprisingly, we have lots of news, including another possible media merger (that we imagine will face a lot of scrutiny), news about a programming format change for a digital broadcast network, and more. Let's get going!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- It seems that there are talks to merge Warner Bros and Paramount, though it is likely to face a lot of scrutiny. (Deadline)
- In related news (and probably something that would be necessary if the two media companies were to merge), it looks like BET (and related assets, including VH1) may be up for sale again, with Byron Allen interested in purchasing. (Variety)
- If you liked Run the Burbs when it aired on The CW, you won't be losing the chance to see it, as Hulu has now picked it up in an unrelated deal. (Deadline)
- The reboots never stop, and this week, there are talks of one for The X-Files. (Deadline)
- The network has remained quiet and refused to comment on it, but a major schedule change is coming to digital TV network Dabl (will it even still be called Dabl?) next week, and it includes nothing but episodes of mostly old UPN (and a tiny bit of The WB/The CW) sitcoms, including The Parkers, Half & Half, Moesha, Girlfriends, One on One, Sister, Sister, and The Game. (Cord Cutters News)
- John Stamos is remembering Bob Saget as the anniversary of his death approaches. (Deadline)
- Since the approach that The CW was taking to air international sitcoms turned out to be a huge disaster, they're now turning to airing reruns of American broadcast network sitcoms that are still airing in primetime, or at least doing it in one case with The Conners. (SitcomsOnline)
- Three's Company is back on DVD again, and this time, it includes every episode of both spinoffs. (SitcomsOnline)
WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 29)
- Night Court begins season 2 in January, but if you can't wait for a new episode, NBC has a Christmas one tonight, along with a sneak preview of the new sitcom Extended Family.
- South Park: Not Suitable for Children is now streaming on Paramount+, and it really isn't suitable for children.
- Catchy Comedy has a "Christmas Carol" this weekend, with a binge of Carol Burnett and Friends.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Sunday, January 18
Animal Control - "Bear Cubs and Broncos" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tensions erupt when the two rival animal control precincts are forced to merge due to budget cuts; Frank and Templeton clash during a bear cub rescue as they fight for control; Emily and Shred try to hide their romance from the team.
Going Dutch - "The Laser's Edge" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
An intense battle of laser tag combat; Captain Maggie avoids third-wheeling Major Shah and Celeste.
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "Pilot" (NBC, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Twenty years after a career-ending scandal, former running back Reggie Dinkins enlists filmmaker Arthur Tobin to make a documentary he hopes will rehabilitate his image.
St. Denis Medical - "A Waste of time and Marble" (NBC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With the threat of a nurse walkout, Alex is caught between her colleagues and Joyce; Ron and Bruce go above and beyond to help an unexpected patient.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 12)
Friday, January 16
- Denis Leary (Going Dutch/No Good Deed/Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/The Job) - Watch Denis on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jodie Foster (Paper Moon/Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice/The Courtship of Eddie's Father) - Jodie is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones/The Unicorn/Vice Principals) - Walton talks about Fallout on Live with Kelly and Mark (check your local listings) and with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim talks about The Upshaws with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Belissa Escobedo (Happy's Place) - Belissa talks about Happy's Place 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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