SitcomsOnline Digest: Joe Dirt Animated Series in the Works at Fox; First Look at The Varnell Hill Show

Saturday, August 08, 2026

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have news about a Joe Dirt animated series, a Martin spinoff, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

A Joe Dirt animated series is in the works at Fox. (Deadline)
Apple TV is developing Bad News Dads, a mystery comedy starring James Marsden. (Deadline)
We have our first look at the Martin spinoff (yes, a spinoff coming 30 years after the original series ended), The Varnell Hill Show. (Entertainment Weekly)
A celebrity version of The Voice is in the works, but Carson Daly won't be hosting it (but he also won't be leaving the regular version either). (Variety)
Patricia Richardson is sharing a recent photo with her "other boys" as she reunites with her two non-incarcerated Home Improvement sons. (Deadline)
It's apparently not too early for networks to start developing sitcoms for the 2027-2028 season, and CBS is doing just that with Hilda! (In Lights!). (Variety)
Football is one of the main things keeping the broadcast networks alive, and although nothing will change for the next few years, it looks like there could be some shakeups coming there. (Variety)
CBS is putting Byron Allen into primetime to celebrate 20 years of a show that mostly serves as background noise for people fall to sleep to. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (AUGUST 8 - AUGUST 14)

Although it started on Monday, The Beverly Hillbillies has returned to FETV every weekday, though now unlike when they previously aired the public domain episodes, they have licensed uncut remastered versions of the entire series.
Antenna TV has a Sunday Special of I Dream of Jeannie this week.