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

Friday, October 24

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire - " First Heartbeat" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Vee reconnects with Billie (from Wizards Beyond Waverly Place) and gets a surprise visit from the Vampire Council. Meanwhile, Britney is mad at Elijah for forgetting their plans.

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire - "First Power Trip" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Vee, Sophie, Elijah and Britney compete to be Millie Eyelash's opening act. Meanwhile, Demi is forced to protect Dean Merriweather.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 20)

Friday, October 24

Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Watch Tom on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jennifer Lopez (South Central) - Jennifer appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Bette Midler (Bette) - Bette is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Tim Meadows (DMV/Schooled/No Activity/Son of Zorn/Mr. Box Office/The Bill Engvall Show) - Tim appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Reneé Rapp (The Sex Lives of College Girls) - Reneé is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Christian Slater (Breaking In) - Christian appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Roy Wood Jr. (Sullivan & Son) - Roy talks about The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Brie Larson (United States of Tara/Raising Dad) - Brie and Courtney McBroom tell Drew about their new cookbook – and make a delicious dish for her in the kitchen on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer chats about his Starring: Desi Arnaz & Wilmer Valderrama podcast on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.