SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 3, 2025)

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 3:00 PM

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Labels: Talk Shows, This Week in Sitcoms

SitcomsOnline Digest: Little House on the Prairie Reboot Headed to Netflix; George Sr. Set to Return on Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have news of a reboot of a series that brings fans back to the 1800s, a new digital broadcast network for those who like police chases, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A Little House on the Prairie reboot is headed to Netflix. (Entertainment Weekly)
• The character of George Sr. is set to make an appearance on Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage. (Deadline)
• The most binged title of 2024 probably isn't too surprising: The Big Bang Theory. (Deadline)
• Free TV Networks has been a bit slow at rolling out some of their promised digital broadcast channels (we've been primarily waiting on the announced VCR Haha, which promised comedy movies and series from the VCR era, but it has yet to materialize) but they are about to launch BUSTED, a network dedicated to police chases and prison documentaries. (Cord Cutters News)
• Fresh out of prison in 2005, Martha Stewart was given a chance to host Saturday Night Live, but her parole officer said no. (AV Club)
• The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends has been abruptly pulled from MeTV Toons at the request of the distributor, but it isn't exactly clear why. (Cord Cutters News)
• We mentioned last week that The Righteous Gemstones was coming to an end in the upcoming season, but now we have some more details on that final season. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (FEBRUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 7)

• Norman Lear's final comedy series, Clean Slate, debuts Thursday on Prime Video.
• To follow up on last the Happy Days binge from last weekend, Catchy Comedy has a binge of Laverne & Shirley this weekend.
• The new FETV weekday lineup, featuring almost all unedited series and the premiere of My Three Sons, starts Monday.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Clean Slate, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Laverne and Shirley, Little House on the Prairie, Rocky and His Friends, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest

Final Season of The Righteous Gemstones; Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell's Audible Original

Created, written, and executive produced by Danny McBride, who also stars, the nine-episode, fourth and final season of the HBO Original series The Righteous Gemstones debuts Sunday, March 9 (10:00–10:40 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The Righteous Gemstones tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work. Despite constant bickering, Gemstone family ties run deep, and this season, the family’s codependence is tested as they attempt to move forward without letting go of their storied past.

Season 4 cast: Danny McBride as Jesse Gemstone, Adam Devine as Kelvin Gemstone, John Goodman as Eli Gemstone, Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone, Cassidy Freeman as Amber Gemstone, Tim Baltz as BJ, Tony Cavalero as Keefe Chambers, Greg Alan Williams as Martin Imari, Skyler Gisondo as Gideon Gemstone, Walton Goggins as Baby Billy Freeman, Jennifer Nettles as Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, James DuMont as Chad, Jody Hill as Levi, Troy Hogan as Matthew, Valyn Hall as Tiffany Freeman, Kelton DuMont as Pontius Gemstone, Gavin Munn as Abraham Gemstone, Megan Mullally as Lori Milsap, Arden Myrin as Jana Milsap, and Seann William Scott as Corey Milsap.

The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell, an intimate and illuminating Audible Original that offers listeners unprecedented access to the minds of the world’s most extraordinary individuals and their distinct paths to success, premiered yesterday (Thursday, January 30), exclusively from Audible. In this interview series from award-winning writer, producer, and director Kenya Barris and The New York Times bestselling author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell, the duo impart their own expertise and experiences during candid conversations about reaching the pinnacle of success with icons from entertainment, sports, business, politics and beyond.

Barris and Gladwell bypass pleasantries and promotional banter to deliver raw, unfiltered conversations with today's most influential figures. Guests reveal their unique and often non-linear journeys to the upper echelons of their craft and careers. The series features in-depth interviews with WNBA superstar and legend Sue Bird; Grammy Award-winning rapper and producer Dr. Dre; Ursula Burns, former Xerox CEO and the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company; renowned chef and founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, David Chang; acclaimed writer, director and producer Ava DuVernay; Jimmy Kimmel, comedian, writer, producer, and host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!; and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the state’s first Black governor.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Audible, HBO, The Righteous Gemstones

Netflix's New Little House on the Prairie Series Coming Soon; Sabrina Brier Gets Awesomeness TV Series

Little House on the Prairie, a reimagining of the Laura Ingalls Wilder book series, is coming to Netflix! Part family drama, part survival tale, and part origin story, the series will offer a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the American West. More details still to come!

Awesomeness TV has acquired the rights to That Friend, the debut audiobook created by rising comedian Sabrina Brier. Set against the vibrant, Gen Z-driven energy of New York City, the upcoming series will follow a 20-something aspiring influencer as she navigates the chaos of building her podcast while balancing life with her three best friends, coping with a dwindling bank account, and chasing her dreams of making it big. That Friend, the series, is based on Brier's audiobook, released recently by Simon & Schuster. Awesomeness TV serves as executive producer and the studio for the project.

Sabrina Brier is an actress, writer, and comedian known for her wildly popular internet content (her top TikTok video nearing 15 million views). Brier has been named on The Hollywood Reporter's "The Creators A-List," Vulture's "Comedians You Should Know", Variety's "Power of New York" list, Rolling Stone's "Creators You Need to Know" and has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and graced the cover of Paper Magazine. Brier recently appeared on the Emmy Award-winning series Abbott Elementary and has performed her live comedy in some of New York's most iconic venues. The multihyphenate recently performed as part of Netflix's It's a Joke Festival in Los Angeles. Previously, Brier served as a writer's assistant for Hank Steinberg on the ABC Drama Series he created, For Life. She also worked as both writer's assistant and actress on Steven Soderbergh's web series COMMAND Z. Her original pilot, Divine, was recognized as Top 25 Best Pilots of 2021 by Roadmap Writers. A native of Connecticut, Sabrina Brier attended Smith College.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Awesomeness TV, Little House on the Prairie, Netflix, That Friend

MGM+ Orders Comedy Series; Peacock's Amanda Seyfried Series Premieres March 13

Premium linear channel and streaming service MGM+ announced an eight-episode series order for American Classic, a half-hour comedy series from co-creators Michael Hoffman (Soapdish, Restoration, The Last Station) and Bob Martin (The Prom, Slings and Arrows). The series, which will debut with eight episodes, from FIFTH SEASON as the studio with Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story, and Anonymous Content producing. Kevin Kline (Disclaimer), who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in A Fish Called Wanda, will star as "Richard Bean." Jon Tenney (The Closer, Scandal) will co-star as "Jon Bean," and Hoffman will direct the pilot episode.

Hoffman, Martin, and Ellen Fairey serve as executive producers alongside non-writing EPs Kline, Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, and Miriam Mintz, David Levine and Garrett Kemble for Anonymous Content, and co-EP Tenney. Kevin Cotter will serve as co-producer. The series is scheduled to go into production in 2025 in New Jersey. American Classic centers on Broadway star and notorious narcissist Richard Bean, played by Kline, who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns to his hometown and the family-run theater where he first became aware of his own brilliance. When he arrives, he is shocked to discover that his father, the former artistic director, has lost a step and that the once-respected theater, now run by his brother Jon, played by Tenney, and his wife (now the town's mayor) has become, by necessity, a low-rent dinner theater serving roast beef and murder mysteries. He decides to save the town, the theater, and the world by presenting a great American classic on the dinner theater stage, directed by and starring, of course, Richard Bean.

Peacock has released the premiere date and key art for the upcoming limited series Long Bright River, from Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director and Writer Nikki Toscano (The Offer, Hunters). The series premiere on March 13 with an 8 episode binge.

Based on the #1 New York Times bestselling novel by Author, Executive Producer and Writer Liz Moore, the series stars and is executive produced by Academy Award(R) nominee and Emmy(R) award winner Amanda Seyfried. Long Bright River is a suspense thriller series that tells the story of Mickey (Amanda Seyfried), a police officer who patrols a Philadelphia neighborhood hard-hit by the opioid crisis. When a series of murders begins in the neighborhood, Mickey realizes that her personal history might be related to the case. Long Bright River also stars Nicholas Pinnock, Ashleigh Cummings, Callum Vinson, and John Doman. Recurring Guest Stars: Dash Mihok, Britne Oldford, Matthew Del Negro, Harriet Sansom Harris, Patch Darragh, and Perry Mattfeld.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: American Classic, MGM+, Peacock

Ellen Pompeo's Hulu Series Gets Premiere Date; The White Lotus Season 3 Launches February 16

Hulu debuted first look images from the upcoming Original Good American Family starring Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy). The eight episode series premieres March 19, 2025 with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly. Told from multiple points of view, as a means to explore issues of perspective, bias, and trauma, this compelling drama is inspired by the disturbing stories surrounding a Midwestern couple who adopts a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believe is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.

The series stars Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass and Imogen Reid. Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue and Jenny O'Hara are recurring guest stars.

HBO has released the official trailer and key art for the Emmy(R)-winning original series The White Lotus. The eight-episode third season, from Mike White, debuts Sunday, February 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The social satire is set at an exclusive Thai resort and follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week.

Season 3 cast: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood. Additional cast include Nicholas Duvernay, Arnas Fedaravičius, Christian Friedel, Scott Glenn, Dom Hetrakul, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Julian Kostov, Charlotte Le Bon, Morgana O'Reilly, and Shalini Peiris.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Grey's Anatomy, HBO, Hulu, The White Lotus

Hulu's Deli Boys Adds Tan France; Joel McHale Taking Over The 1% Club

Tan France is set to join Onyx Collective's upcoming comedy series Deli Boys alongside series regulars Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, Poorna Jagannathan, Alfie Fuller and Brian George — marking a career-first role in scripted television. France is set as the guest star role of Zubair, a British Pakistani South London gang leader. He is smart, intimidating and dressed to kill. When their convenience store-magnate father suddenly dies, a pair of pampered Pakistani American brothers lose everything and are forced to reckon with their Baba’s secret life of crime as they attempt to take up his mantle in the underworld.

The half-hour, 10-episode series was created by Abdullah Saeed and developed by Jenni Konner and Nora Silver under Jenni Konner Productions. Michelle Nader, who also serves as showrunner, is an executive producer alongside Saeed, Konner and Silver. Nisha Ganatra is executive producer and director on the pilot, with Vali Chandrasekaran as a non-writing executive producer on the pilot. The series hails from Onyx Collective and is produced by 20th Television.

Fox Television Network today announced that Joel McHale -- star of its hit comedy Animal Control and culinary sleuth series Crime Scene Kitchen -- has been named the new host of its popular entertainment format The 1% Club, which has been renewed for a second season. The hit series of the popular international format is produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions and Magnum Media. It originally premiered on Prime Video last season in the U.S. and Canada and will now move exclusively to Fox for its new season airing in 2025-26.

The 1% Club is a unique, compelling and funny entertainment show that tests the nation's intelligence, based on a scientific survey. It's a chance to test how your brain works through a series of questions that all have a right answer but can also lead to a series of entertaining wrong answers along the way. Whether you're a contestant vying for the cash prize or a viewer playing with your friends and family, answer enough questions correctly, and you could earn yourself a place in the 1% Club: an elite group of people who can honestly say they've outwitted 99% of the population.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Animal Control, Deli Boys, Fox, Hulu, Onyx Collective

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 27, 2025)

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 3:30 PM

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Labels: Talk Shows, This Week in Sitcoms

SitcomsOnline Digest: The Righteous Gemstones to End After Upcoming Season; Mid-Century Modern to Pay Tribute to Linda Lavin

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing of the cancelation of an HBO series, we're learning about how Linda Lavin will be written out of her upcoming series, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The Righteous Gemstones is coming to an end after the upcoming fourth season at HBO. (Variety)
• Linda Lavin, who had recently filmed 7 episodes for the upcoming new Netflix series called Mid-Century Modern before dying a few weeks ago, has been written out of the series with an episode titled "Here's to You, Mrs. Schneiderman." (TV Line)
• Amidst the fires in Los Angeles, we're getting a look at some of the TV locations that no longer exist after burning down. (Deadline)
• Byron Allen has made a lot of enemies in recent weeks as his Allen Media Group local TV stations have been laying off local meteorologists with plans to replace them with satellite feeds from The Weather Channel, but it looks like they are canceling those plans now. (Cord Cutters News)
• Presumably they want us to forget that they already tried this and shut it down before even trying to make it work, but CNN is building a new streaming service. (The Verge)
• We've got some Fox Animation Domination lineup news, and it seems to suggest that the rumor that The Simpsons was moving to Wednesday was wrong. (SitcomsOnline)
• Rewind TV is making some schedule changes, but unfortunately, as has been the case for a lot of the retro TV networks for the past few years, we aren't getting any new additions to the lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 25 - JANUARY 31)

• Tomorrow's Catchy Binge on Catchy Comedy is Happy Days.
• The CBS Sherlock Holmes inspired series Watson debuts tomorrow night.
• The CBS sitcom lineup returns with all new episodes this week.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: CNN, Happy Days, Mid-Century Modern, Rewind TV, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Righteous Gemstones, The Simpsons

Prime Video George Lopez Special; Netflix Renews The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 4

Prime Video announced the premiere date for George Lopez: Muy Católico. The one-hour special will premiere on February 18 on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. In an interview last year, Lopez announced that Muy Católico will be his last stand-up special. In Muy Católico, which was shot live from the Dolby Theatre last year, George Lopez brings his reflections on aging, Latino family dynamics, and cultural quirks in his final stand-up special. He hilariously embraces the challenges of getting older and touches on generational clashes and Latino superstitions. Bold and personal, Lopez delivers his comedic voice to stories that capture both the humor and heart of his journey one last time.

Lopez's illustrious and multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, stand-up comedy, and late-night television. Lopez has broken ground for Latino comics by embracing his ethnicity, confronting racial stereotypes, and fighting for his community on and off the stage. In 2024, TIME Magazine selected George as one of their 2024 Latino Leaders. He stars in and executive produces his multi-camera comedy series for NBC, Lopez vs Lopez, featuring his real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez. The family sitcom, recently renewed for its third season, stars father and daughter in a fictionalized version of their real-life relationship, exploring dysfunction, reconnection, and all the pain and joy in between.

Netflix announced it has renewed The Lincoln Lawyer for a fourth season, with production set to begin in February in Los Angeles. Season 4 will consist of 10 episodes and will be based on the sixth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly, The Law of Innocence. Fan favorite Manuel Garcia-Rulfo will return as Mickey Haller, alongside Becki Newton (Lorna), Jazz Raycole (Izzy), and Angus Sampson (Cisco). Neve Campbell (Maggie McPherson) is also set to return for all episodes of the new season.

The Lincoln Lawyer continues to be one of Netflix's most fan-beloved series to date. Season 1 set the tone for the show's global success, spending 12 consecutive weeks in the Netflix Global Top 10, reaching the Top 10 in 90 countries. Season 2 also saw much success both on the charts and behind the camera as it quickly climbed the Netflix Global Top 10 securing 40 million views and reaching the Top 10 in 81 countries. Season 3 continued the trend, dominating the Netflix Global Top 10 with 6 consecutive weeks on the charts and also debuted with a perfect 100% score from Critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The series also made strides in moving the needle on gender-balanced hiring, earning a ReFrame Stamp for its second season.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:05 PM

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Labels: Amazon Prime, George Lopez, Netflix

Tubi's New Comedy The Z-Suite Launches February 6; The White Lotus Renewed for Season 4

Generations clash when the award-winning C-suite at Atelier Ad Agency is canceled and pushed out and the Gen Z social media team is put in charge. New comedy series The Z-Suite starring Lauren Graham, Spencer Stevenson, Madison Shamoun, Nico Santos, Anna Bezahler and Evan Marsh premieres February 6 on Tubi! The Original comedy series will premiere with two episodes and new ones to follow each week.

Advertising maven Monica Marks (Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls) and her loyal right hand executive Doug Garcia (Nico Santos, Superstore) have long been at the top of the Madison Avenue world. But after a record scratch blunder, they are suddenly canceled, pushed out and replaced by the agency's rising Gen Z employees led by social media manager, Kriska Thompson (Madison Shamoun, The Lake). Refusing to go quietly, Monica launches her biggest campaign yet- getting their careers back and taking down the eager team of Gen-Zers who are just getting comfortable in their new roles. May the best generation win.

The Emmy®-winning HBO Original series The White Lotus, from Mike White, has been renewed for a fourth season, ahead of the season three debut. The eight-episode third season of the Emmy®-winning HBO Original series The White Lotus, from Mike White, debuts Sunday, February 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The social satire is set at an exclusive Thai resort and follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week.

Season 3 cast: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood. Additional cast include Nicholas Duvernay, Arnas Fedaravičius, Christian Friedel, Scott Glenn, Dom Hetrakul, Julian Kostov, Charlotte Le Bon, Morgana O’Reilly, and Shalini Peiris.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: HBO, The White Lotus, The Z-Suite, Tubi

Fox Announces Animation Domination 2025 Schedule; Abbott Elementary Renewed for Season 5

Fox announces Winter return dates for its iconic Animation Domination favorites Family Guy, Grimsburg, The Great North, Krapopolis and The Simpsons. On Sunday, February 16, all-new seasons of Family Guy (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), Grimsburg (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and The Great North (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) debut, followed by new episodes of Krapopolis (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox. Then, starting Sunday, March 30, all-new episodes of The Simpsons return (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), followed by Family Guy (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT), The Great North (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and Krapopolis (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). Additional scheduling information to be announced.

We caught up with the cast of Grimsburg at New York Comic Con in October. We spoke with Jon Hamm and Rachel Dratch along with Alan Tudyk and showrunner Chadd Gindin. They told us what to expect this season, some great guest voices and much much more! Check out the videos!

No surprise, but Abbott Elementary will be back for a season five in 2025-26 on ABC! ABC also has renewed breakout hit drama High Potential for a second season, after a strong fall and even stronger start in January. In Abbott Elementary, the workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers - and a slightly tone-deaf principal - are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do - even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

Abbott Elementary stars Emmy(R) Award winner Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson and Emmy Award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, ABC, Animation Domination, Family Guy, Fox, Grimsburg, Krapopolis, New York Comic Con, The Great North, The Simpsons

Fox Renews Murder in a Small Town; O.J. Simpson Netflix Docuseries

Fox Television Network renewed its psychological "cozy crime" series Murder in a Small Town for a second season. Based on the Edgar Award-winning, nine-book Karl Alberg series by acclaimed novelist L.R. Wright and originally optioned by Soapbox Productions, the drama stars Rossif Sutherland (Reign, The Handmaid's Tale) and Kristin Kreuk (Smallville, Beauty and the Beast).

Murder in a Small Town follows Karl Alberg (Sutherland), who moves to a quiet, coastal town to soothe a psyche that has been battered by big-city police work. He quickly learns that this gentle paradise has more than its share of secrets, and he will need to call upon all the skills that made him a world-class detective in solving the murders that, even in this seemingly idyllic setting, continue to wash up on his shore.

The crime of the century. The hunt for the truth. Watch American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson on January 29th, only on Netflix. This four episode docuseries takes an in-depth look at the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman and the trial that dominated the news cycle in the mid-1990s, from the chase on LA freeways to the riveting court proceedings.

Featuring new and candid interviews with key individuals - including Goldman's sister Kim, O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden, L.A. police detective Mark Fuhrman, O.J. Simpson defense attorney Carl Douglas, and key witness Kato Kaelin - informed by 30 years of reflection, the series reexamines the true crime story that changed American culture. From director Floyd Russ (American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing, Untold: Malice at the Palace) American Manhunt: OJ Simpson offers a fresh perspective on a case viewers only think they know.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Fox, Netflix

Rewind TV February 2025 Schedule; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Score Big for Premieres

After seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, ABC's acclaimed new comedy Shifting Gears has revved up a total cross-platform audience of nearly 17 million Total Viewers, representing a 173% lift over the show's initial Live+Same Day delivery (16.95 million vs. 6.20 million). Excluding linear encores, Tim Allen's triumphant return to ABC as Matt, the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, garnered 12.45 million Total Viewers and 2.94 rating in Adults 18-49, growing 101% in Total Viewers over the show's Live+Same Day audience (12.45 million vs. 6.20 million) and +339% in Adults 18-49 (2.94 rating vs. 0.67 rating). Shifting Gears stood as ABC's strongest series debut in over six years - since 10/16/18 with The Conners, and marks the most-watched ABC series premiere on streaming to date, based on views in its first seven days on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

On linear, Shifting Gears earned an impressive 7.82 million Total Viewers becoming one of the most-watched broadcast series premieres of the season and growing markedly over the show's initial Live+Same Day Audience, where it topped the night in Total Viewers (+26% - 7.82 million vs. 6.20 million). Among Adults 18-49, Shifting Gears earned an 0.87 rating, standing as the strongest premiere of the season in the key Adult demographic, excluding NFL-inflated lead-ins. Meanwhile, Abbott Elementary returned for its winter premiere with a highly anticipated crossover event, featuring FXX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, reaching a series high in Total Viewers (8.05 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.57 rating) in multiplatform viewing, excluding the show's post-Oscars(R) episode (3/10/24).

On linear, the Abbott Elementary midseason return scored 4.90 million Total Viewers and a 0.90 rating in Adults 18-49, rising nicely over the show's initial Live+Same Day audience (+28% - 4.90 million vs. 3.82 million) and Adults 18-49 (+32% - 0.90 rating vs. 0.68 rating), topping the night among Adults 18-49. The midseason debut scored an all-time series high for episode views on streaming, based on the first seven days on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. Hulu is the streaming home to both Abbott Elementary and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, making this crossover episode a must-watch for subscribers.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, ABC, Dear John, Head of the Class, Hogan Family, Hulu, John Larroquette Show, Rewind TV, Shifting Gears

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 20, 2025)

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 4:00 PM

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Labels: Talk Shows, This Week in Sitcoms

SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Canceled at Paramount+; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming to MeTV Toons

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! After a few slow news weeks, we have more than we can even fit in here this week, including the cancelation of a reboot, a spinoff of a popular CBS show, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The reboot of Frasier has been canceled after two seasons, though it is possible that new episodes may land elsewhere. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is headed to MeTV Toons. (Cord Cutters News)
• If anything can bring an audience to broadcast TV, it's nostalgia, which makes it no surprise that Tim Allen's new show Shifting Gears is setting records for ABC that haven't been seen since the premiere of The Conners (another show with a nostalgic connection). (Deadline)
• The Neighborhood may be getting a second spinoff. (Deadline)
• St. Denis Medical has been renewed for a second season. (NBC)
• Sally Struthers has had an interesting week, and we now know that she really didn't like Norman Lear or Betty White. (New York Daily News)
• There have been a lot of television related deaths this week, including Bob Uecker and David Lynch, among others. (SitcomsOnline)
• FETV has a new lineup coming that will feature uncut episodes of their series, and My Three Sons (no word on which seasons, as it is rare for any network to air all of them) will be part of that lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 25)

• The Jeffersons is 50 years old today, and Antenna TV will celebrate that with a 50 hour marathon starting tonight at 8:30 PM ET.
• Tomorrow's Catchy Binge on Catchy Comedy is Gilligan's Island.
• Saturday Night Live is new tonight, with host Dave Chappelle.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Frasier, Gilligan's Island, MeTV Toons, My Three Sons, Shifting Gears, St. Denis Medical, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Jeffersons, The Neighborhood

Remembering Bob Uecker of Mr. Belvedere, Punky Brewster Creator David W. Duclon, and Others We Recently Lost

Hall of Fame broadcaster, professional baseball catcher, and actor Bob Uecker, who starred as George Owens in Mr. Belvedere, has died. He died in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on January 16. He was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer in 2023. Mr. Uecker was 90.

Uecker starred as sportswriter George Owens in the 1985-1990 ABC sitcom Mr. Belvedere. The series is based on the Lynn Aloysius Belvedere character created by Gwen Davenport for her 1947 novel Belvedere, which was later adapted into the 1948 film Sitting Pretty. The series follows posh English butler Lynn Belvedere (Christopher Hewett) as he struggles to adapt to the Owens household in suburban Pittsburgh. It also starred Ilene Graff, Rob Stone, Tracy Wells, and Brice Beckham.

He appeared as himself in episodes of Who's the Boss? in 1986, D.C. Follies in 1987, and LateLine in 1998. In 2002, he was the voice of the "head of Bob Uecker" in the Futurama episode "A Leela of Her Own". He voiced a parody of himself named Bob Yucker in an episode of the 2021 Disney+ series Monsters at Work.

Uecker hosted two syndicated television shows, Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports and Bob Uecker's War of the Stars. He hosted Saturday Night Live during its 10th season on October 13, 1984. He was a ring announcer for Wrestlemania III (1987) and the ringside announcer, commentator, and interviewer at WrestleMania IV (1988).

He became a regular fixture on late night talk shows in the 1970s and 1980s, facetiously dubbed "Mr. Baseball" by TV talk show host Johnny Carson. He made more than 60 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Uecker appeared in a series of Miller Lite commercials starting in the 1980s. In one commercial from that decade, Uecker was seen preparing to watch a baseball game when an usher informs him he is in the wrong seat. Uecker pompously remarks, "I must be in the front row", which became another of his catchphrases.

He starred as play-by-play announcer Harry Doyle in the film Major League (1989) and its two sequels, Major League II (1994) and Major League: Back to the Minors (1998). He coined the popular sports catchphrase "Juuust a bit outside", to downplay an extremely wild pitch from Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn (played by Charlie Sheen).

Uecker played backup catcher for the Milwaukee Braves (1962-1963), St. Louis Cardinals (1964-1965), Philadelphia Phillies (1966-1967), and Atlanta Braves (1967) for six seasons from 1962 to 1967. He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1964.

He served as the primary broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB) for 54 seasons from 1971 to 2024. He called games for ABC in the 1970s and early 1980s and NBC in the 1990s. He was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame with its 2003 Ford C. Frick Award in recognition of his broadcasting career.

Mr. Uecker was a national treasure. He was a comedic genius with his self-deprecating wit and deadpan delivery. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his legendary career. Mr. Baseball will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Mr. Belvedere message board. View photos in our galleries.

Television writer and producer David W. Duclon, who created Punky Brewster, has died. He died in Franklin, Illinois, on January 15, after a long illness. Mr. Duclon was 74.

Duclon created the 1984-1986 NBC and 1987-1988 first-run syndicated sitcom Punky Brewster. The series is about a young girl (Soleil Moon Frye) being raised by a foster parent (George Gaynes) in Chicago. The cast included Cherie Johnson, Susie Garrett, Ami Foster, Casey Ellison (seasons 1-2, guest star season 3), Eddie Deezen (season 1), Dody Goodman (season 1), and T.K. Carter (season 2). He was the maternal uncle of Cherie Johnson.

He served as an executive producer for the 1984-1988 series and the 2021 Peacock revival. He directed four episodes of the original series in 1987. He provided the voice of Spirit Voice in a 1988 episode.

Duclon developed the 1979 CBS sitcom Working Stiffs, which starred James Belushi and Michael Keaton. He developed the 1982-1986 NBC and 1986-1987 first-run syndicated sitcom Silver Spoons with Ron Leavitt and Michael G. Moye. Duclon, Robert Illes, and James R. Stein created the 1984-1985 NBC sitcom Double Trouble. He and Gary Menteer creted the 1987-1988 Fox sitcom Second Chance (later retitled Boys Will Be Boys), which starred Matthew Perry. He created the 1994-1995 ABC sicom On Our Own.

Some of his other sitcom writing credits included The Odd Couple (4 episodes), Happy Days (2 episodes), Busting Loose (4 episodes), Laverne & Shirley (4 episodes), Makin' It, Working Stiffs (9 episodes), The Jeffersons (8 episodes), Diff'rent Strokes, Silver Spoons, Built to Last (2 episodes), Family Matters (27 episodes), Malcolm & Eddie (4 episodes, also 1 episode as a director), Yes, Dear (2002), and Eve (5 episodes).

Some of his sitcom producing credits included The Ted Knight Show, Makin' It, Working Stiffs, Laverne & Shirley, The Jeffersons, Silver Spoons, Second Chance/Boys Will Be Boys, On Our Own (1994-1995), Family Matters, Guys Like Us, Malcolm & Eddie, and Eve.

As an actor, he appeared in three episodes of The Odd Couple and a 1976 episode of Laverne & Shirley.

Mr. Duclon was a prolific sitcom writer and producer from the 1970s to 1990s. We thank him for his work creating, writing, directing and producing many sitcoms. He will be missed.

We also remember filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor David Lynch. He co-created Twin Peaks and the short-lived 1992 ABC sitcom On the Air. He died at his daughter's home on January 15, of complications from emphysema. Mr. Lynch was 78.

Lynch and Mark Frost created the 1990-91 ABC surrealist mystery-horror drama Twin Peaks. He was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. He co-wrote and directed its film prequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), and a third season on Showtime in 2017. He directed six episodes of the original series and all 18 episodes the reivival series. He also portrayed FBI agent Gordon Cole in both series.

Lynch and Frost created the short-lived 1992 ABC sitcom On the Air. The series follows the staff of a fictional 1950s television network, Zoblotnick Broadcasting Company (ZBC), as they produce a live variety program called The Lester Guy Show—often with disastrous results. Lynch directed the pilot episode. ABC aired only three of the seven episodes filmed, but the first and only season was broadcast in its entirety in the United Kingdom and several other European countries. The series starred Ian Buchanan, Nancye Ferguson, Miguel Ferrer, Gary Grossman, Mel Johnson Jr., Marvin Kaplan, David L. Lander, Kim McGuire, Marla Rubinoff, and Tracey Walter.

He provided the voice of Gus the Bartender in 23 episodes of the Fox animated sitcom The Cleveland Show from 2010 to 2013. He voiced Gus in a 2010 episode of Family Guy and himself in a 2016 episode. In 2012, he appeared as Jack Dahl in the three-part "Late Show" arc on FX's comedy-drama Louie.

Some of his film directing credits included Eraserhead (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), Dune (1984), Blue Velvet (1986), Wild at Heart (1990), Lost Highway (1997), The Straight Story (1999), Mulholland Drive (2001), and Inland Empire (2006).

Mr. Lynch was awarded numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2006 and an Honorary Academy Award in 2019. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

Actress Leslie Charleson was best known for her role as Monica Quartermaine in the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. She died in Los Angeles on January 12. She had experienced several falls, which caused problems with her mobility, and had been hospitalized from one of them the week before her death. Ms. Charleson was 79.

Charleson's career began on the short-lived ABC daytime soap opera A Flame in the Wind in 1964. In 1966, she joined the cast of As the World Turns as Alice Whipple. She starred as Iris Donnelly Garrison in the CBS daytime soap opera Love Is a Many Splendored Thing from 1967 to 1970.

She joined the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital in 1977. She was a series regular from 1977 to 2010 before becoming a recurring cast member from 2010 to 2023. For her role, she received four Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominations: in 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1995. She appeared as Monica Quartermaine in 27 episodes of Port Charles from 1997 to 2001.

Charleson guest starred as Mrs. Dorothy Kimber in the 1975 episode of Happy Days titled "Get a Job". She played Katherine in a 2001 episode of Dharma & Greg. She appeared as herself in a 2004 episode of Friends.

Some of her other television guest appearances included N.Y.P.D., The Wild Wild West, Mannix, Adam-12, O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1972), Search, The Rookies, Emergency!, Medical Center, Ironside, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby, M.D. (2 episodes), Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (2 episodes), Kung Fu, Medical Story, Cannon (3 episodes), Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco (2 episodes), McMillan & Wife, The Rockford Files (2 episodes), and Diagnosis: Murder.

Ms. Charleson was the longest-serving cast member of General Hospital. We thank her for her work on television. She will be deeply missed.

Actor Robert Machray had a recurring role as Captain Dobbins in Cheers. He died of complications from dementia and two strokes at his home in North Hollywood, California, on January 12. Mr. Machray was 79.

Machray appeared as Captain Dobbins in four episodes of the NBC sitcom Cheers from 1990 to 1993. Captain Dobbins is a fire marshal who is often the victim of pranks at Cheers. He appeared in several "Bar Wars" episodes, in which the Cheers gang thought he was an agent of Gary's Olde Town Tavern, only to be proved wrong.

He had a recurring role as Magistrate in three episodes of the short-lived 1999 CBS sitcom Thanks. Some of his other sitcom credits included Operation Petticoat, Three's Company, Down Home, Roseanne, Love & War, Sister, Sister (1995), Maybe This Time, Suddenly Susan, Townies, The Drew Carey Show, Titus, That's My Bush!, Girlfriends, Kitchen Confidenial, and Parks and Recreation.

Mr. Machray was a familiar face in many sitcoms. We thank for his work on television. He will be missed.

Character actress Gwen Van Dam guest starred in many sitcoms. She died in West Los Angeles on December 19, 2024. Ms. Van Dam was 96.

She played Mrs. Watson in the 1971 episode of The Brady Bunch titled "Her Sister's Shadow". Some of her other sitcom credits included Maude, House Calls, Who's the Boss?, 227, Doogie Howser, M.D. (1991), 227, Bakersfield P.D., Malibu, CA (1999), Joey, Wilfred, The League, New Girl, Angie Tribeca, Modern Family, Workaholics, Insecure, and Grace and Frankie. Her final appearances were two episodes as Hazel Carrey in the 2024 Hulu action comedy Interior Chinatown.

Ms. Van Dam was a veteran character actress for 70 years. She had 140 television and film credits during her career. We thank her for work on television. She will be deeply missed.

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:45 PM

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Labels: Cheers, Family Matters, Mr. Belvedere, Obits, Punky Brewster, Silver Spoons