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, May 19
The Simpsons - "Bart's Brain" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bart makes a new friend.
Krapopolis - "Remedial Archeology" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Tyrannis buys a magic shell; Shlub takes Deliria to a monster wedding.
The Great North - "Fifty Worst Dates Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Carissa's friends tell Beef he needs to be more romantic, he takes her on a full day of consecutive dates; Honeybee and Judy plan their second annual opening of "The Tobin Family Pool."
Bob's Burgers - "Butt Sweat and Fears" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tina is determined to get some upper butt action at Chelsea's party; Teddy tries to get in on the family's competition of building objects from the basement trash.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 13)
Friday, May 17
- Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary) - Watch Chris on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Cedric the Entertainer (The Neighborhood/The Last O.G./The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) and Rachael Harris (Surviving Jack/In the Motherhood/Notes from the Underbelly) - Brooke and Rachael are guests on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Will Forte (MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Will talks about his new show Bodkin on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - Howie talks about America's Got Talent on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Bailee Madison (Trophy Wife) - Bailee talks about Pretty Little Liars: Summer School on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Jane Seymour (B Positive/Modern Men) - Jane talks about Acorn TV's Harry Wild on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Ilana Glazer (The Afterparty/Broad City), Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) and Pamela Adlon (Better Things/King of the Hill/The Facts of Life) - Ilana, Michelle and Pamela talk about Babes on of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Trevor Jackson (grown-ish) - Trevor discusses his career transformation, from his role in grown-ish to transitioning into a successful solo music career. He is here to perform a medley of two new songs, Heads Up and He Don't Know on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/21 - Frasier (2023) - Season One
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