SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Halloween is past us, so that means we're officially into sweeps month (which may not be quite the huge deal it used to be in the streaming media era, but it hasn't been totally diminished) and before you know it, we'll be talking about Christmas programming and marathons. In fact, Hallmark Channel is already there! Today, we've got news about the renewal of a Netflix series, more Step by Step on DVD (side note: DVD releases have slowed down so much this year that this appears to be the only older sitcom that will be released on DVD for all of November and December, months that used to be very busy), and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

YouTube showcased its upcoming Original series and announced renewals for 2018/2019. From ambitious projects and compelling documentaries showcasing YouTube stars, to inventive comedies, bold dramas and live events featuring from some of the biggest names in Hollywood, YouTube continues to offer innovative programming that engages its audience. Since the launch of YouTube Originals in 2015, Original content has been viewed more than 650 million times. There is even a comedy series1 Every rapper has a crew he can't live without... and vice versa. In this new comedy starring Adam Pally (Happy Endings, The Mindy Project), Sam Richardson (Veep, Detroiters) and guest starring Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live, Ride Along), we see how long the crew can survive without being in the limelight. This Untitled Pally/Richardson comedy will debut exclusively on YouTube Red in 2019.

Other items of note include Weird City, a half-hour comedic sci-fi anthology co-created by Academy Award and Emmy Award winning writer Jordan Peele and Emmy Award nominated writer Charlie Sanders (Key and Peele). The six-episode series is an anthology set in the not-too-distant future metropolis of Weird. Each episode is an exploration of issues that pertains to present day life, stories that could only be told now through the prism of sci-fi and comedy. Special guest stars include: Sarah Gilbert, Ed O'Neill, Dylan O'Brien, Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, LaVerne Cox, and LeVar Burton, among others. The wildly-popular and critically-acclaimed hit series Cobra Kai from Sony Pictures Television and Overbrook Entertainment returns for season two. And Foursome: five months after they return from Beach Island, the seniors have already graduated and its the last summer that the Foursome is going to be together. Foursome stars Jenn McAllister (All Night), Rickey Thompson (Betch), Cameron Moulene (Faking It), Monica Sherer (Betch), Rahart Adams (Pacific Rim: Uprising), John Milhiser (Saturday Night Live), and Maddy Whitby (Betch).

Freeform announces its programming schedule for August 2018, which includes the season two premiere of the Freeform comedy Alone Together and the summer finales of the critically acclaimed series Marvel's Cloak & Dagger and The Bold Type. In addition, Hit Hulu Original series Marvel's Runaways will also air an encore presentation of its first season premiere on Thursday, August 2, following the season finale of Marvel's Cloak & Dagger. Additional programming arriving to Freeform this month includes the Freeform premieres of Disney's Cinderella (2015), Daddy Day Care, and The Bourne Ultimatum.

Freeform's buddy comedy Alone Together returns for its 10-episode, second season on Wednesday, August 1, with all-new back-to-back episodes at 8:00-8:30 p.m. and 8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT. The Lonely Island executive produced series will run for five weeks with two brand-new episodes debuting each week. The second season will feature a roster of stellar comedic acts as well as continuing to follow the platonic, dysfunctional co-dependent, best friendship of series executive producers, stars, and writers Esther Povitsky and Benji Aflalo. Despite their sometimes contentious relationship, when push comes to shove, Esther and Benji have each other's back ... and they have nobody else to hang out with. In season two, their odd friendship continues to baffle everyone around them, as they continue to find their place in Los Angeles, juggling odd jobs, their love lives, and aspirations of social status. Freeform will give viewers a sneak peek of the first four episodes across all Freeform digital platforms and Hulu beginning July 25, and then will make the full season available starting August 1.

Joining the cast as guest stars in season two are Fran Drescher (The Nanny) as Mary, Esther's perfectly coiffed, tastefully made up, Mom; Carmen Electra (Baywatch) as Tia, a beautiful and mysterious woman who seduces Benji; Natasha Leggero (He's Just Not That Into You) as Nora, a poised and successful woman that Esther meets at the gym; Hana Mae Lee (Pitch Perfect) as Gigi, a wild partying goth who meets Benji at a concert; Danny Pudi (Community) and Abby Elliott (Saturday Night Live) as husband and wife Chris and Megan, whose boringness is thrown off by Esther and Benji’s eccentricity; Nicole Sullivan (black-ish) as Becky, a writer that has to work with Esther and Benji; writer, director, and actress Kay Cannon (Blockers) as television AD Danielle, who displaces Benji; Maz Jobrani; Andrew Santino; Seth Morris; Erik Griffin; and more. Punam Patel (Adam Ruins Everything) also joins season two for a recurring role as Tara, Esther’s friend from acting class six years ago.

Returning for season two are appearances by Chris D'Elia (Undateable) reprising his role as Benjis older brother Dean; Ginger Gonzaga (Wrecked) as Benji's older sister Alia; Edgar Blackmon (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) as Benji and Esther's friend, Jeff; and Nikki Glaser (Note Safe with Nikki Glaser) as Annette.

Sony Crackle announced that the network's upcoming original comedy series Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy will debut on Thursday, August 23, with a special advance debut on Amazon Fire TV through the Sony Crackle app starting Monday, August 13. In addition, the free streaming network unveiled additional guest stars joining the series, including Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding), Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore), Noël Wells (Master of None), David Arquette (Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, Cleaners), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos), Jamie Chung (Big Hero 6), Haley Joel Osment (Future Man, Silicon Valley) and more. The ensemble joins previously announced guest stars Paul Scheer and Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin. The network also released new photos from the highly anticipated eight-episode summer series.

In this Sony Crackle original comedy series, celebrity patriot Rob Riggle, who is mostly known for his legendary ski master movies, has invested all of his money and reputation into an Academy celebrating America's truest art form…personal watercraft riding. Rob, his legendary stunt man commandant Dirk Hamsteak (Billy Merritt) and their entire staff of instructors spend a semester defending their beloved Academy at all costs. No matter how many people criticize it... go missing…or die!

Freeform, Disney's young adult television and streaming network, announced the premiere dates for its highly anticipated comedies grown-ish and Alone Together. Starting Wednesday, January 3 at 8:00pm EST, catch the one-hour debut of grown-ish from executive producer Kenya Barris and starring black-ish actress Yara Shahidi reprising her role as Zoey. The following week on Wednesday, January 10 at 8:30 p.m. EST, catch the premiere of Alone Together, the irreverent buddy comedy from executive producers Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone, starring comedians Esther Povitsky and Benji Aflalo. The network announced an expanded lineup with four branded nights of original series. In addition to Freeform's Wednesday night comedy block, the network will roll out various programming blocks over the next few months as outlined below:

• Monday nights will consist of unscripted originals kicking off with the series premiere of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings in the spring.
• Tuesday nights will be dedicated to original dramas beginning Q1 with The Fosters, leading into Shadowhunters on April 3. The Bold Type and Famous in Love will carry out the drama block for the remainder of the year.
• Thursday nights will exclusively consist of genre programming beginning January 18 with the two-hour season premiere of Beyond, leading into the March 29 premiere of Siren. Thursday nights will also be home to Marvel's Cloak & Dagger later in the year.

Twenty-five years after The Simpsons' "Homer at the Bat" originally aired, America's favorite family once again forays into America's favorite pastime. In advance of the network's 20th year broadcasting the World Series, Fox Sports announced that a comedic "Simpsonized" documentary, Springfield of Dreams: The Legend of Homer Simpson, will air adjacent to regional NFL broadcasts on Sunday, Oct. 22 on Fox. The World Series, presented by YouTube TV, begins Tuesday, Oct. 24 on Fox. The one-hour special celebrates the legendary episode "Homer at the Bat," in addition to Homer Simpson's induction into The National Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year. A satire of Ken Burns' epic documentary, Baseball, the special features interviews with eight Major League Baseball players appearing in the original episode, along with baseball historians, sportscasters, and iconic personalities, such as Fox Sports' Joe Buck, sports announcer Bob Costas, author George Will, Dr. Oz, fashion consultant and television personality Tim Gunn and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio. Current Yankee slugger and Major League Baseball AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge also appears in the special.

Additionally, the feature contains six minutes of never-before-seen original animation from The Simpsons, including character "interviews" with Homer, Moe, Chief Wiggum and Apu, voiced by Dan Castellaneta and Hank Azaria. Fox Sports features live regionalized NFL coverage at 1:00 PM ET and 4:05 PM ET with NFL broadcasts available in both competing teams' home markets, as well as select additional cities around the country. Viewers with an NFL matchup airing at 1:00 PM ET get to watch the documentary at 4:30 PM ET; viewers with an NFL matchup airing at 4:05 PM ET get to watch the documentary at 3:00 PM ET. Springfield of Dreams: The Legend of Homer Simpson also airs on Friday, Oct. 20 at 6:00 PM ET on FS1.

At Freeform's upfront presentation opened by Iliza Shlesinger (Truth & Iliza) held in New York yesterday, The Walt Disney Company's millennial-focused television network announced a bold and robust programming lineup built around top talent, premium original content and prominent Disney properties including Marvel, ABC Studios and Disney theme parks. Coming in early 2018 is Alone Together, a half-hour, single-camera comedy starring Esther Povitsky (Lady Dynamite) and Benji Aflalo (Not Safe with Nikki Glaser). Esther and Benji are platonic best friends who want nothing more than to be accepted by the vain and status-obsessed culture of Los Angeles. Next up, Marvel's Cloak & Dagger is the story of Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph) – two teenagers from very different backgrounds, who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers which are mysteriously linked to one another. Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to engulf others in darkness. They quickly learn they are better together than apart, but their feelings for each other make their already complicated world even more challenging. The network has ordered 10 one-hour episodes slated to debut early 2018.

Coming in summer 2018 is new drama Siren takes us inside Bristol Cove--a coastal town known for its legend of once being home to mermaids. When the arrival of a mysterious girl proves this folklore all too true, the battle between man and sea takes a very vicious turn as these predatory beings return to reclaim their right to the ocean. The series stars Alex Roe (The 5th Wave) as Ben, a bright marine biologist who finds himself drawn to Ryn, a mysterious new girl in town played by Eline Powell (Game of Thrones), who is a strange young woman with a deep dark secret. Fola Evans-Akingbola (An American Exorcism) stars as Maddie, also a marine biologist who works with Ben, and is highly suspicious of Ryn. Ian Verdun (Life's a Drag) stars as Xander, a deep sea fisherman on a quest to uncover the truth; and Rena Owen (Star Wars Episodes II and III) as Helen, the town eccentric who seems to know more about the mermaids than she lets on. Moving on, Marvel's New Warriors is a new comedic live-action adaptation of the popular Marvel comic featuring young adult heroes. This marks Marvel's first foray into comedy for a television series. The comedy is about six young people with powers living and working together. With powers and abilities on the opposite end of the spectrum of The Avengers, the New Warriors want to make a difference in the world ... even if the world isn't ready. Not quite super, not yet heroes, the series is about that time in your life when you first enter adulthood and feel like you can do everything and nothing at once – except in this world, bad guys can be as terrifying as bad dates. The network has ordered ten 30-minute episodes slated to debut in 2018.

Among the other items of note is a Christmas movie starring Tyra Banks called Life-Size 2 and new drama The Bold Type will have a special two-hour premiere on Tuesday, July 11, at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The series stars Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, Meghann Fahy, Sam Page, Matt Ward and Melora Hardin.

Backpedaling just got harder...Flaked is back! In this season of Flaked, Chip can't get out of his own way. Find out how his love interest, bromance, recovery and lies come to fruition on June 2 only on Netflix. In the new season of Flaked, Chip returns to Venice after a short exile and finds that he is no longer welcome. People have not forgotten that he sold out the local community. And for what... ? Chip's lost everything: his store, his friends, his reputation, his bicycle... he doesn't even have a guest house to live in. All he's got left is London, and she's beginning to look elsewhere - spiritually, if not physically.

Chip starts to claw his way back into the affections of the community, first asking Dennis to be his sponsor, then helping his friend in a new business venture, and even doing an honest day's work... But the lies are never too far behind, and just when it looks as though he's won back his friend and stabilized his relationship, everything splinters again and he slips back into the bottle... It becomes clear that he needs to make a choice: his best friend or the love of his life. Lies or sobriety. Flaked is created by Will Arnett and Mark Chappell and executive produced by Arnett, Chappell, Ben Silverman, Peter Principato, and Mitch Hurwitz. The series stars Will Arnett ("Chip"), David Sullivan ("Dennis"), Ruth Kearney ("London"), George Basil ("Cooler") and Lenora Crichlow ("Rosa").

Freeform continues to grow its roster of original series, by picking up scripted comedy Alone Together to series. Alone Together, is a half-hour, single-camera comedy starring Esther Povitsky (Lady Dynamite, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Benji Aflalo (Not Safe with Nikki Glaser). Esther and Benji are platonic best friends who want nothing more than to be accepted by the vain and status-obsessed culture. Despite their sometimes contentious relationship, when push comes to shove, they've got each other's back...and they have nobody else to hang out with. In addition to Povitsky and Aflalo, the pilot episode features guest stars Chris D'Elia (Undateable), Ginger Gonzaga (Wrecked), Edgar Blackmon (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), Hayley Marie Norman (Adam Ruins Everything), Kamilla Alnes (American Horror Story), Jim O'Heir (Parks and Recreation) and Justine Lupe (Younger). More info is to come on this series, with of a course premiere date to be announced. Stay tuned.

The second season of You Me Her, the original comedy series from AT&T* AUDIENCE(R) Network and Entertainment One (eOne), will premiere on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. The 10 half-hour episodes will air exclusively on AUDIENCE Network, which viewers can watch on DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse and the new streaming service DIRECTV NOW. Season 1's cast, featured Greg Poehler (Welcome to Sweden), Rachel Blanchard (Clueless, Fargo) and Priscilla Faia (Rookie Blue). They will return for season 2, along with Ennis Esmer (Blindspot, Miss Sloane) and Jennifer Spence (Travelers, Continuum) as neighbors Dave and Carmen. Melanie Papalia (Suits, Endgame) will also return to play Nina, Izzy's roommate.

Season 1 of You Me Her was a contemporary classic rom-com that just happened to involve 3 people, from meet cute straight through the iconic race to the airport. Now that grad student Izzy, (Faia) is moving in with suburban couple Jack and Emma, (Poehler and Blanchard), season 2 is about the complex realities of polyamory and "throupling." What happens when this peculiar rom-com fades to black? Can they prove their best, truest, happiest lives really are together, even when more conventional alternatives beckon? They stood up to the outside world but now they have to face something even more formidable: themselves. Taking the leap was just the beginning. Season 2 is about holding on when letting go seems so much easier.

getTV gets you through the dog days of summer with a September lineup of cinematic favorites featuring award-winning dramas, side-splitting comedies, and beloved stars. The month includes a special In the Heat of the Night Labor Day Marathon; as well as a final salute to The Judy Garland Show; a new Monday Night Variety Block featuring the addition of Sonny & Cher at 8 p.m. ET; and modern classics starring Sylvester Stallone, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford and Matt Damon; among others. Spend the day with the brave law enforcement officers of Sparta, Mississippi, in this special In the Heat of the Night Labor Day Marathon starting at 6am featuring every two-hour episode from the acclaimed series starring Carroll O’Connor, Alan Autry, Howard E. Rollins Jr., and Carl Weathers. getTV’s Monday Variety Block bids farewell to Judy Garland with a trio of unforgettable episodes of The Judy Garland Show on Sept. 5 at 8pm.

getTV continues its tribute to The Merv Griffin Show, putting the spotlight on some of the groundbreaking talk show's most classic episodes from the '70s and '80s every Monday at 10 p.m. ET beginning Sept. 12. This month boasts a trio of star-studded episodes, kicking off with singer-songwriter Barry Manilow in an early appearance, as well as comedy power couple Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara (September 12); followed by The Golden Girls stars Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty (September 19); and folk icon John Denver (September 26).

Production started last week in Los Angeles on the new Freeform comedy pilot Alone Together by The Lonely Island team of Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. In addition to series stars Esther Povitsky (Lady Dynamite, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Benji Aflalo (Not Safe with Nikki Glaser), Freeform has cast guest stars Chris D'Elia (Undateable), Ginger Gonzaga (Wrecked, Mixology), Edgar Blackmon (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), Hayley Marie Norman (Adam Ruins Everything), Kamilla Alnes (American Horror Story), Jim O'Heir (Parks and Recreation) and Justine Lupe (Younger).

Alone Together is a half-hour, single-camera comedy about two overlooked millennial misfits from different backgrounds trying to make their way into the vain and status-obsessed culture of Los Angeles only to find salvation in their male/female strictly platonic friendship. Esther Povitsky, Benji Aflalo and Eben Russell (Last Man Standing) serve as writers and executive producers on the pilot. Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Billy Rosenberg and Hunter Covington also serve as executive producers. Daniel Gray Longino (Lady Dynamite, Portlandia) will direct the pilot.