SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Cancels The Franchise; Alice Actress Linda Lavin Dies

Saturday, January 04, 2025

SitcomsOnline Digest: HBO Cancels The Franchise; Alice Actress Linda Lavin Dies

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're still in that slow Christmas week of news, but we still have a few headlines, including the cancellation of an HBO series and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

HBO has canceled The Franchise. (Deadline)
Remember when cable companies used to offer free preview weekends of movie channels? Apple TV+ is doing something like that this weekend. (Cord Cutters News)
Linda Lavin died earlier this week, and she had already finished 7 of the 10 episodes of the upcoming Hulu series that she had a role in, Mid-Century Modern, making it unclear how they will proceed now. (TheWrap)
Catchy Comedy has a new Saturday lineup, which features a recreation of the 1970s CBS lineup at night. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 4 - JANUARY 10)

You can catch an Alice marathon as a tribute to Linda Lavin this weekend on Antenna TV.
Catchy Comedy debuts a new Saturday lineup this weekend, which includes a recreation of the CBS Saturday night lineup from the 70s, today, followed by a Night Court binge tomorrow.
The crossover event that features the cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Abbott Elementary airs Wednesday on ABC.
Shifting Gears also debuts Wednesday night on ABC.
CBS brings back a new version of Hollywood Squares on Thursday night.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, May 14

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Splurges and Secrets" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A financial windfall leads Georgie to make a questionable purchase. Meanwhile, Audrey and Jim butt heads over old secrets.

Ghosts - "Polar Opposites" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When a Hollywood producer comes to scout Woodstone as a filming location, Sam is prompted to take a creative leap that draws unexpected support from the ghosts. Meanwhile, changing roles among the ghosts spark a heartfelt effort to honor someone special.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 11)

Thursday, May 14

John Mulaney (Mulaney) - Catch John on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Geena Davis (The Geena Davis Show/Sara/Buffalo Bill) and Nathan Fillion (Two Guys and a Girl) - Andy Cohen interviews Geena and Nathan on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo. Geena also talks about The Boroughs on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa chats about ABC's Abbott Elementary on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Lena Waithe (Master of None) - The Chi Creator Lena Waithe alongside stars Jason Weaver, Jacob Latimore, Birgundi Baker, Hannah Hall and Luke James join the Tam Fam on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings. The cast sits down to reflect on the show's cultural impact, their journey together, and what viewers can expect as the final season begins.
Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - NBC's Today catches up with Mariska sometime between 7-9am.