SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

That '90s Show Trailer, Premieres Jan. 19; Catch Up on American Auto on Peacock for Holiday Binge

Netflix has released the official trailer for That '90s Show, premiering globally on January 19, 2023. Additionally, Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama will appear as special guests on the show. Hello, Wisconsin! That '90s Show is coming to Netflix on January 19. It's 1995 and Leia Forman is desperate for some adventure in her life or at least a best friend who isn't her dad. When she arrives in Point Place to visit her grandparents, Red and Kitty, Leia finds what she's looking for right next door when she meets the dynamic and rebellious Gwen. With the help of Gwen's friends, including her lovable brother Nate, his smart, laser-focused girlfriend Nikki, the sarcastic and insightful Ozzie, and the charming Jay, Leia realizes adventure could happen there just like it did for her parents all those years ago. Excited to reinvent herself, she convinces her parents to let her stay for the summer. With a basement full of teens again, Kitty is happy the Forman house is now a home for a new generation and Red is, well...Red.

That '90s Show stars Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Donovan, Reyn Doi, and Sam Morelos. Also returning to Point Place are creators Bonnie and Terry Turner - this time with their daughter Lindsey Turner - showrunner/executive producer Gregg Mettler, and executive producers Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner. Joining the show are executive producers Jessica Goldstein and Chrissy Pietrosh. Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama will appear as special guests in That '90s Show. Netflix also teased that Jay (Mace Coronel) is the son of Kelso and Jackie!

'Tis the season to catch up on NBC's dynamic workplace comedy American Auto ahead of its 2023 Season 2 Premiere on Tuesday, January 24! Catch up on season 1, all episodes are streaming now on Peacock. Spend some time with the crew in their workplace while you take time away from yours. The dynamic workplace comedy American Auto is back for a second season and ready to take the wheels off the automobile industry. We return to Payne Motors as the executive team finds themselves embroiled in a recall scandal and Katherine is fighting to keep her job as CEO. With stock issues, comeback attempts, and the entire team juggling complicated personal lives, the Payne Motors staff are in for a bumpy ride. The cast includes Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Happy Holiday Binging!

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

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Labels: American Auto, NBC, Netflix, That '90s Show

NBC Announces Sitcom Hosts for Rose Parade; Chris Rock Is Live on Netflix on March 4

NBC will continue the tradition of ringing in the New Year with a live broadcast of the 134th Rose Parade Presented by Honda. The parade will also be livestreamed on Peacock. Access Hollywood and Access Daily with Mario & Kit co-host (and former sitcom star Saved by the Bell), Mario Lopez and American Auto star Ana Gasteyer will take the reins for this year's telecast from Pasadena, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 2 from 11:30-1 p.m. ET (8:30-10 a.m. PT). Most NBC affiliates will also carry the optional coverage of the parade from 11-11:30 a.m. ET (8-8:30 a.m. PT). NBC is celebrating its 96th year broadcasting the Rose Parade, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the annual event beginning in 1954. Headlining the annual event this year is former Arizona congresswoman and gun violence prevention advocate Gabby Giffords, who was recently announced by the Tournament of Roses as the 2023 Grand Marshal. Giffords' heroic recovery from traumatic injuries epitomizes this year's optimistic theme, "Turning the Corner."

On March 4, comedy icon Chris Rock will take the stage in Baltimore, Maryland for the first-ever Netflix live streamed global event, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage. The historical show will stream live at 10pm ET/7pm PT. Additional details will be announced soon. This is Rock's second Netflix stand-up special. His first, Chris Rock: Tamborine, debuted in February 2018. The live event builds on Netflix's legacy of leadership in live comedy. Netflix is a Joke: The Festival was the biggest live, in-person event in Netflix history, taking place in Spring 2022. The unprecedented event sold more than 260,000 tickets, featuring more than 330 comedians performing 295 shows across more than 35 venues in Los Angeles. The festival also featured the first-ever stand-up show at Dodger Stadium.

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

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Labels: American Auto, Chris Rock Show, NBC, Netflix, Saved by the Bell

NBC Midseason 2023 Schedule; Apple TV+ Renews Bad Sisters for Season 2

NBC heads into 2023 with the launch of an all-new Night Court, the debuts of dramas Found and Magnum P.I. and an extension of the world's most successful reality format with America's Got Talent: All-Stars. Launching right out of the holiday season, America's Got Talent: All-Stars premieres Monday, Jan. 2 from 8-10pm. On Tuesday, Jan. 17, court is back in session when Night Court debuts with a two-episode premiere. Melissa Rauch plays the late Harry Stone's daughter and takes the gavel, sparring with new public defender and Night Court legend John Larroquette. A week after Night Court airs back-to-back episodes, the critically acclaimed Ana Gasteyer-starrer American Auto returns to create an hourlong Tuesday comedy block beginning Jan. 24.

Sunday, Feb. 19 will mark the premiere date for the broadcast return of Magnum, P.I. at 9pm and series premiere of Found at 10pm, starring Shanola Hampton and from executive producer Greg Berlanti. Magnum P.I., starring Jay Hernandez as the suave title character, will be beginning its fifth season. A week later on Feb. 26 will be the Season 10 premiere of The Blacklist at 8pm, the ultra-compelling drama starring Emmy Award winner James Spader as Red Reddington. The Voice returns Monday, March 6 from 8-10pm with new coaches Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan alongside Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. A day later on Tuesday, March 7 at 10pm (following The Voice at 9pm), first-year hit That's My Jam, with host Jimmy Fallon, returns for more games, performances and musical impressions, expanding to 10 episodes in season two. In addition to their curated linear timeslots, all shows will be available to stream on Peacock. Previously announced shows that have been ordered to series but not yet dated include Grand Crew, The Wheel and L.A. Fire and Rescue. View the full winter premiere dates, including other dates such as New Amsterdam's series finale and winter returns of current series such as Chicagos and Law & Orders.

Apple TV+ announced a season two renewal for Bad Sisters, the global hit, darkly comedic murder mystery series from Emmy Award nominee and BAFTA Award-winning executive producer and star Sharon Horgan. In Bad Sisters, the tight-knit Garvey sisters have always looked out for each other. When their brother-in-law winds up dead, his life insurers launch an investigation to prove malicious intent - and set their sights on the sisters, all of whom had ample reason to kill him. The "Bad Sisters" ensemble cast is led by Sharon Horgan, Anne-Marie Duff, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene and Eve Hewson as the Garvey sisters. Claes Bang, Brian Gleeson, Daryl McCormack, Assaad Bouab and newcomer Saise Quinn round out the ensemble cast.

The series is executive produced and written by Horgan with Brett Baer and Dave Finkel, who adapted it from the Belgian version of the series Clan, which was created by Malin-Sarah Gozin. Horgan, Faye Dorn and Clelia Mountford executive produce for Merman; and Gozin, Bert Hamelinck and Michael Sagol executive produce for Caviar. In addition to Horgan, Baer and Finkel, the series is written by Karen Cogan, Ailbhe Keogan, Daniel Cullen, Perrie Balthazar and Paul Howard. Dearbhla Walsh, Josephine Bornebusch and Rebecca Gatward serve as directors. Walsh also serves as executive producer. Bad Sisters is produced by Merman Television and ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios.

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

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Labels: American Auto, Apple TV+, Bad Sisters, Magnum, NBC, Night Court, The Blacklist

NBC Renews 3 Sitcoms, Cancels 2; CBS and The CW Hand Out Orders & Pink Slips; Remembering Mike Hagerty and Sitcom Producer/Writer George Yanok

NBC has ordered renewals for three of its comedies: Young Rock for a third season and American Auto and Grand Crew for their respective second seasons. Young Rock stars Dwayne Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila, John Tui, Fasitua Amosa and Matthew Willig. American Auto stars Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Grand Crew stars Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Grasie Mercedes and Carl Tart. Separately, NBC has passed on new seasons of Kenan and Mr. Mayor along with freshman drama The Endgame.

Meanwhile, CBS has canceled three sitcoms and two dramas. Sitcoms United States of Al, How We Roll and B Positive have been canceled. Dramas Magnum P.I. and Good Sam have also been canceled. They have ordered three new dramas so far: Fire Country, East New York and So Help Me Todd. Stars for Fire Country: Max Thieriot, Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro, Diane Farr, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway, and Jules Latimer. East New York stars Amanda Warren, Kevin Rankin, Jimmy Smits, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Kind, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Lavel Schley and Olivia Luccardi. And So Help Me Todd stars Marcia Gay Harden, Skylar Astin, Madeline Wise, Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann and Rosa Arredondo. CBS potentitally will pick-up one more new drama for midseason consideration, but they have passed on all of their new comedy pilots.

The CW made a lot of cancelations. Newbies 4400 and Naomi along with vets Charmed, Dynasty, Legacies, Roswell New Mexico and In the Dark. The latter two still has to air a full new season of episodes starting in June. Batwoman and DC's Legends of Tomorrow were also canceled a few weeks ago, while All American: Homecoming has been renewed. The CW has picked-up three new dramas. Gotham Knights, starring Anna Lore, Fallon Smythe, Misha Collins, Navia Robinson, Olivia Rose Keegan, Oscar Morgan, Rahart Adams and Tyler DiChiara star. Walker: Independence, a prequel, starring Katherine McNamara, Matt Barr, Gabriela Quezada, Greg Hovanessian, Justin Johnson Cortez, Katie Findlay and Lawrence Kao. And finally, Supernatural prequel The Winchesters stars Drake Rodger, Meg Donnelly, Bianca Kajlich, Demetria McKinney, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid also star while Jensen Ackles narrates as Dean Winchester.

ABC and Fox have not announced new series orders yet, however ABC has canceled current freshman dramas Queens and Promised Land. Stay tuned for the upfronts next week!

Actor Mike Hagerty (sometimes credited as Michael G. Hagerty) has died. He was known for playing comedic blue-collar workers, including his recurring roles as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on Friends and the manager of a muffler shop on HBO's Lucky Louie. He died on May 5 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering from a seizure. His seizure was caused by an adverse reaction to antibiotics he was taking for an infection in his leg. Mr. Hagerty was 67.

Hagerty starred as Finley on the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Building. Finley is a one-time firefighter who runs the nearby bar/hangout called G&L Fire Escape in Chicago. The series also starred Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kuhlman, Don Lake, Tom Virtue and Holly Wortell.

He starred as Frank MacNamara on the short-lived 1994-1995 FOX sitcom The George Carlin Show. Frank MacNamara is a working-class regular at The Moylan Tavern. He is a good-natured drinker with a beer belly to show for it. The cast included George Carlin, Alex Rocco, Anthony Starke, Paige French, Christopher Rich, Susan Sullivan, Matt Landers and Phil LaMarr.

Hagerty starred as Mike, the manager of a muffler shop and Louie's (Louis C.K.) employer and friend, on the 2006 HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. The cast included Pamela Adlon, Kelly Gould, Laura Kightlinger, Jerry Minor, Kim Hawthorne, Rick Shapiro and Jim Norton.

He had recently been filming and starring as Ed Miller on the 2022 HBO comedy-drama Somebody Somewhere. Ed Miller is Sam's (Bridget Everett) father and a farmer. The cast includes Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Murray Hill, Jane Drake Brody, Jon Hudson Odom and Heidi Johanningmeier.

Hagerty had a recurring role as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on five episodes of NBC's Friends from 1995 to 2001.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Married with Children, One of the Boys, Murphy Brown, Dear John, Sydney, Get a Life (2 episodes), American Dreamer, Drexell's Class, The Wonder Years, Martin (2 episodes), Seinfeld (as Rudy in "The Raincoats"), Good Advice, Kirk, The Home Court (6 episodes as Leo Blount), The Drew Carey Show, The Faculty, Union Square, Grace Under Fire, Arli$$, The Michael Richards Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nikki (2 episodes), Life with Bonnie (2 episodes), Complete Savages, American Dad! (voice), Entourage, 'Til Death, Good Luck Charlie, The Mindy Project, Happy Endings, Community, The Goldbergs, Marry Me and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (3 episodes as Captain McGintley).

Some of his drama guest appearances included Crime Story (2 episodes), Mann & Machine, Civil Wars, Star Trek: The Next Generation (2 episodes), Sisters, Ally McBeal, Angel, Dead Last, Deadwood, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Ghost Whisperer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Medium, Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Shameless.

Hagerty's film credits included Doctor Detroit (1983), Brewster's Millions (1985), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Red Heat (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), V.I. Warshawski (1991), Wayne's World (1992), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1992), Stuart Saves His Family (1995), Space Truckers (1996) and Speed 2: Cruise Control. He was in a deleted scene in Uncle Buck (1989).

He is survived by his wife Mary Kathryn, his sister Mary Ann Hagerty, (and) her wife Kathleen O’Rourke, and their daughter Meg.

Mr. Hagerty was a talented and dependable character actor who was known for his mustache and thick Chicago accent. He was a familiar face in more than 100 TV series and films. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his career. He will be sorely missed.

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Emmy-winning producer and director George Yanok, who worked on Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He died on April 29 in Nashville, Tennessee. He suffered from lung cancer in the 18 months leading up to his death. Mr. Yanok was 83.

Yanok was a producer on Welcome Back, Kotter from 1976 to 1977. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976 for his work. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included The Kallikaks, Tabitha, The Stockard Channing Show, Teachers Only, Too Close for Comfort, What a Country! and Out of This World.

He was one of the original writers of Hee Haw. Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Bob Newhart Show (1972), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Sanford and Son (2 episodes), The Practice (1976), The Kallikaks, Welcome Back, Kotter, (8 episodes - he also appeared as Mr. Ferguson in "Career Day"), Tabitha (2 episodes), The Stockard Channing Show (5 episodes), Teachers Only (4 episodes), 1st & Ten, Too Close for Comfort (8 episodes), What a Country! and Out of This World (3 episodes).

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Laura, his stepdaughter Katie Hill and his stepson John.

Mr. Yanok won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy, Variety or Music and Outstanding Comedy Series in 1974 and 1976, in recognition of his work on the comedy special Lily (1973) and The Lily Tomlin Special (1975). We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

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

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Labels: American Auto, B Positive, CBS, Charmed, Dynasty, Grand Crew, How We Roll, Kenan, Magnum, Mr. Mayor, NBC, Obits, Roswell, Somebody Somewhere, Supernatual, The CW, United States of Al, Walker Texas Ranger, Young Rock

Fri-Yay: Renewal Decisions Await for a Strong Freshman Class of Sitcoms; Apple TV+ Announces Bad Sisters; Remembering Scoey Mitchell

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

As we enter the spring, it's getting closer and closer to the time where networks will decide whether or not shows will be canceled or renewed for the next season. As we look at a strong freshman class of comedies - in my opinion, the strongest in the past 10 years - it begs the question, which sitcoms will stick around for another season? Some sitcoms have already been renewed - breakout hits ABC's Abbott Elementary and CBS' Ghosts. However, many remain on the bubble.

The sitcoms still waiting on a renewal decision include ABC's The Wonder Years, which premiered to solid ratings and some hype but has seen much of that dwindle over the course of the season. Still, it seems like a good bet that ABC will give the fledging reboot another shot next season. On NBC, critically acclaimed American Auto and Grand Crew are still awaiting decisions as they have performed just OK. While they have been well reviewed, they haven't gotten the hype and commercial success of Abbott or Ghosts, and they seem like true bubble shows. Here's to hoping NBC sees their potential and gives them another shot. On Fox, newbies Welcome to Flatch and Pivoting haven't captured the same amount of attention as other freshman comedies this season. Still, I could see Fox giving one of them a chance at Season 2, particularly Pivoting which was well-reviewed despite low ratings. Welcome to Flatch has only aired two episodes (but the first 7 or so are available to stream before the Fox premiere), but the reviews aren't very good and its ratings have been even lower than Pivoting. Still, in the streaming age, you can never count any series out. Either way, let's hope some of the other sitcoms join the success stories of Ghosts and Abbott Elementary and make it to a second season.

Apple TV+ announced the title and cast, and unveiled a first-look at Bad Sisters, its highly anticipated 10 episode series from Emmy Award-nominee and BAFTA Award-winning star and creator Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe, Shining Vale) which is set to debut later this year. A delicious blend of both dark comedy and thriller, Bad Sisters follows the lives of the Garvey sisters bound together by the premature death of their parents and a promise to always protect one another. In addition to Horgan, the series will star Anne-Marie Duff (Suffragette, The Salisbury Poisonings), Eva Birthistle (Brooklyn, The Last Kingdom), Sarah Greene (Frank of Ireland, Dublin Murders) and Eve Hewson (Behind her Eyes, The Luminaries) as the Garvey sisters.

The ensemble cast also includes Claes Bang (Dracula, The Northman), Brian Gleeson (Frank of Ireland, Peaky Blinders), Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to you Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders), Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent, The Pursuit of Love) and newcomer Saise Quinn (Monster). Bad Sisters is produced by Merman productions and ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios. The series will mark Horgan's first project to premiere from a first-look deal with Apple TV+ and her Merman production company.

Actor, writer and director Scoey Mitchell (usually credited as Scoey Mitchlll), who starred on the 1970 sitcom Barefoot in the Park and had a recurring role on Rhoda, has died. He died of kidney failure on March 19 in a hospice-care facility in Torrance, California. Mr. Mitchell was 92.

Mitchell starred as Paul Bratter on the short-lived 1970 ABC sitcom Barefoot in the Park. The series was based on Neil Simon's Broadway play of the same name that was later a 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. It was the the first American television sitcom since Amos 'n' Andy to have a predominantly black cast (Vito Scotti is the sole major white character). Paul Bratter is a newlywed attorney for the law firm Kendricks, Keene & Klein living in lower Manhattan with his wife Corie (Tracy Reed). After Mitchell was fired due to "differences of opinion" with the series' producers, the series was canceled after 12 episodes. It also starred Thelma Carpenter, Nipsey Russell, Harry Holcombe and Vito Scotti.

He had a recurring role as Justin Culp, Joe Gerard's (David Groh) wrecking company field employee, in nine episodes of the CBS sitcom Rhoda from 1974 to 1976. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, The Mothers-in-Law, Here Come the Brides, That Girl, The Odd Couple (uncredited), Doc, Taxi, Stockard Channing in Just Friends and A New Kind of Family.

Mitchell created and produced the short-lived 1986-1987 NBC sitcom Me & Mrs. C. He also directed four episodes and wrote five episodes of the series, which was about a sixtyish white widow (Ethel Conklin - Mrs. C) taking in a young black girl (Gerri Kilgore) as a boarder. He appeared in two episodes as Reverend Kilgore. In 1984, he co-directed and wrote the TV movie Me & Mrs. C. The series starred Peg Murray, Misha McK, Gary Bayer and Ellen Regan.

He created and produced the short-lived 1989-1990 NBC sitcom 13 East, which was set at the nursing station of Ward 13 East, at a large hospital. Mitchell also directed seven episodes. The series starred Diana Bellamy, Jan Cobler, Barbara Isenberg, Ellen Regan, Timothy Wade, Marie Denn, Wayne Powers, Rosemarie Jackson, Eric Glenn and Philip Proctor.

His career began on the CBS comedy/variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show six times from 1968 to 1970. He was a regular on the 1969 ABC comedy/variety series What's It All About, World?.

Some of his television drama guest appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man, Joe Forrester, Police Story (2 episodes), Baretta (2 episodes) and Lou Grant.

He frequently appeared on game shows in the 1970s, including The Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, Password Plus, Match Game, Match Game PM and Super Password (1988).

Mitchell played Richard Pryor's father in the 1986 film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Warren, and brother, jazz pianist Billy Mitchell of Pasadena, California.

Mr. Mitchell was a talented and funny actor. After retiring from the business in the 1990s, he collected and refurbished classic automobiles. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us an actor, writer and director. He will be greatly missed.

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

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, American Auto, Apple TV+, Bad Sisters, Fri-Yay, Ghosts, Grand Crew, Obits, Pivoting, Welcome to Flatch

Tom Bergeron Guest Stars on American Auto on March 1; Russian Doll Returns This Spring on Netflix

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Labels: America's Funniest Home Videos, American Auto, Dancing with the Stars, NBC, Netflix, Russian Doll

Fri-Yay: American Auto Is Possible Worthy Successor to Superstore; Raven's Home Returns for 5th Season in March

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

A few weeks ago, I highlighted a series I was really enjoying a lot, Abbott Elementary. In my opinion, Abbott Elementary is easily the best new sitcom. But frankly, it's been a really good year for network sitcoms. And American Auto is another example of this seasons surprisingly great batch of new network comedies.

American Auto comes from Justin Spitzer, who was the showrunner of Superstore. It has a great cast, including Ana Gasteyer, a hilarious TV comedic veteran. And the joke writing is sharp, fresh and funny - and frankly, a bit more biting than many other network comedies of recent times. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend it. The ratings have been fairly low, unlike the solid breakouts of Abbott Elementary and Ghosts, and I'd love to see it continue to grow and evolve. In some bit of news, Tom Bergeron is guest starring on the show very soon - stay tuned!

Raven's Home, the long-running hit comedy series starring and executive produced by Raven-Symoné, will return for its fifth season on Friday, March 11, at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. A spinoff of the iconic Disney Channel comedy That's So Raven (2003-2007), Raven's Home follows the hilarious adventures driven by somewhat psychic Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné) and her son Booker (Issac Ryan Brown), who has inherited his mom's gift to catch glimpses of the future. In season five of Raven's Home, Raven and Booker move back to San Francisco to help take care of her dad after a mild heart attack. Now Raven finds herself parenting her parent, raising her young cousin, and settling into life in her old hometown. Meanwhile, Booker is "the new kid" at Raven's old high school and has to keep his visions a secret from a new group of friends.

Joining the cast for season five are Rondell Sheridan, who reprises his role as Raven's easygoing and loveable dad, Victor, from That's So Raven; Mykal-Michelle Harris (ABC's mixed-ish) as Raven's young cousin, Alice; Felix Avitia (Disney's Gamers Guide to Pretty Much Everything) as Neil, Victor's neighbor and Booker's high school classmate; and musician and singer Emmy Liu-Wang (Andrean Players' Annie) as Ivy, a young neighbor who babysits Alice. Adrienne Bailon-Houghton (The Real), who portrayed Raven's arch-nemesis Alana in That's So Raven, will return in a recurring role as a grown-up version of the character, who is now the principal at Bayside High. Also joining in a recurring role is Marissa Reyes (Spirit Halloween) as Cami, a popular and ambitious girl with a rebellious streak.

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

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Labels: American Auto, Disney Channel, Fri-Yay, NBC, Raven's Home, That's So Raven

Fri-Yay: Are Network Sitcoms Back…Again?; More Details About Betty White NBC Special

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

After a few off years, the network sitcom might be back. This season we have several solid new sitcoms garnering both critical acclaim and even solid viewership numbers. CBS's Ghosts, ABC's Abbott Elementary, and NBC's American Auto and Grand Crew are all really good sitcoms with the potential to grow into something even better. And all of these shows feel like the type of shows that still could only exist on network TV, which shows that - despite the fact that broadcast is a far less relevant medium than it was even 10 years ago - it may still be the place to be for sitcoms.

All of these sitcoms combine solid characters, quick joke writing and interesting premises. They may not have the experimentation of streaming or cable sitcoms, but sometimes, that just isn't what you want. You want a good, relaxing and funny sitcom to disappear into for a few episodes. And that's exactly what these shows prove network sitcoms can still provide.

President Joe Biden, Drew Barrymore, Valerie Bertinelli, Cher, Bryan Cranston, Ted Danson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Goldie Hawn, Vicki Lawrence, Jane Leeves, Jay Leno, Anthony Mackie, Wendie Malick, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Jean Smart, Mary Steenburgen and more will come together to pay tribute to the late actress and animal advocate in NBC's primetime special Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl. The special airs Monday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. on NBC and will be available the next day on Peacock. Co-stars, friends, admirers and those who shared special moments with White recount their favorite memories and reveal untold stories to commemorate the life and legacy of the trailblazing television star. The telecast will include clips and never-before-seen footage that best capture White's irreverent tone, spirit and impeccable comedic timing that are a hallmark of her decades-long career.

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

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, ABC, American Auto, Betty White, CBS, Fri-Yay, Ghosts, Grand Crew, NBC

Fri-Yay: Networks Have a Few Promising Comedies for 2022; Betty White Tribute Marathons on CMT, MeTV, TV Land, Decades, Hallmark, etc.

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay (but today it's on a Monday to open up 2022)! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

This TV season, there were a handful of new sitcoms on network TV that I was looking forward to. However, nearly all of them (with the exception of CBS' Ghosts) were held for mid-season, as the networks seem to be prioritizing unscripted shows over sitcoms again. That said, there are two sitcoms that I'm interested in: NBC's American Auto and ABC's Abbott Elementary (both had special preview premieres in December).

American Auto technically already premiered (in a preview role), and the first two episodes have been entertaining. The show is very much in vein of Superstore (which it shares a creator with), and like that show, I expect a few episodes for it to really find its voice. I still miss Superstore and felt it really had another good season or two left in it, so if American Auto can take after it, I'd be very happy. The show does need to find its own identity beyond just being "the new Office/Superstore," but solid performances from its promising cast make it one to keep an eye on.

I'm also very interested in Abott Elementary (which also had its preview premiere in December, that encores tonight at 10pm, episode two premieres tommorow at 9). There have been few sitcoms to take place in elementary schools, so it seems like an interesting new setting for a workplace comedy. It also has gotten really solid reviews and seems to have a very talented cast. With so many sitcoms having ended in the past 2 years, there really haven’t been many new sitcoms to step up and fill their shoes. Let's hope the spring 2022 class can reach that goal.

Betty White tributes started on Saturday, with TV Land airing the first marathon titled "Celebration of Betty White" with marathon blocks of The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland rotating all weekend starting 6pm on Saturday and continuing to 6am this morning. TV Land Sitcoms channel on Pluto TV has been airing non-stop Hot in Cleveland all weekend. NBC re-aired Betty's SNL guest host appearance from 2010 on Saturday at 11:35pm. The Hallmark Channel aired a tribute last night titled "The Lost Valentine: Remembering Betty White," an encore of their Hallmark Hall of Fame movie from 2011 from 8-10pm, followed by a The Golden Girls block from 10pm-1am. But there are much more tributes and marathons to come! Today (January 3) all-day from 9am-4am ET, CMT will celebrate the iconic Betty White with The Golden Girls All-Day Marathon featuring back-to-back episodes of some of the best Rose Nylund episodes of all-time. DECADES airs the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Betty White on Friday, January 7 at 9pm ET and select episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and encore presentations of her Celebrity Roast all weekend long beginning Saturday, January 8 at 12pm ET.

MeTV will air a Sunday block for Betty White with four episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, two episodes of Mama's Family and a guest appearance from The Love Boat on Sunday, January 9 from 2-6pm ET/PT. There were planned 100th birthday marathons already scheduled, as we mentioned a few weeks back, but MeTV has moved those Mary Tyler Moore Show episodes to Jan. 9 instead and will no longer do a 100th birthday salute on the 16th. As of now, Hallmark Channel is still airing the Golden Girls marathon from Jan. 15-17.

This Saturday, January 8 starting at 9 a.m. ET, Game Show Network will air an 8-hour marathon of Match Game episodes featuring the golden girl of game shows and America's sweetheart, Betty White. Buzzr will begin their celebration of Betty White on Saturday, January 8, at 10:30 am EST with episodes of Match Game and Match Game PM. They will feature more game shows on January 16 and 17. Keep it right here with continued updates as we get more information from other TV networks/services.

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

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, ABC, American Auto, Betty White, BUZRR, CMT, Decades, Fri-Yay, Golden Girls, GSN, Hot in Cleveland, Mama's Family, Mary Tyler Moore Show, ME-TV, NBC, Superstore, The Love Boat, The Office, TV Land

NBC Winter Midseason 2022 Schedule; And Just Like That... Premieres Dec. 9 and Airs Thursdays

NBC rings in the new year with a prestigious lineup of new series and returning favorites, all amplified by the spectacle of the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics. Launching right out of the holiday season, two new series join NBC's storied comedy brand on Tuesday nights. January 4 marks the arrival of the workplace comedy American Auto from Justin Spitzer (Superstore) and Grand Crew, a show about a group of Black friends navigating life and love in Los Angeles, from Phil Augusta Jackson and Dan Goor (Brooklyn Nine-Nine). The comedies will air from 8-9pm. Jan. 4 will also see the return of the award-winning This Is Us at 9pm, which heads into its sixth and final season. A trifecta of returning comedies will also debut in 2022 with Kenan doing double duty on Monday nights starting Jan. 3 from 8-9pm, and pair of hits in Young Rock and Mr. Mayor coming back for their own second seasons following the Olympics on Tuesday, March 15 from 8-9pm.

The conclusion of the Olympics will also usher in bold new dramas, including the gripping heist series The Endgame on Monday, Feb 21 at 10pm and the flagship Law & Order on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8pm, which will return to the air after a decade for its 21st season with its now iconic classic format. Ordinary Joe ends its season on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10pm, while The Blacklist will move from Thursdays to Fridays at 8pm starting Feb. 25. On Tuesday, March 8 The Thing About Pam joins the schedule at 10pm. A six-episode limited series inspired by some of the most popular episodes of Dateline NBC, the true-crime inspired drama is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Big Picture Co. and stars Renée Zellweger. On Tuesday, April 19, following the six-episode run of The Thing About Pam, veteran drama New Amsterdam will return to the Tuesday 10 p.m. timeslot through the end of its season.

A duet of unscripted series will also hit the stage midseason, beginning Monday, Jan. 3 when Jimmy Fallon expands his network footprint onto the primetime schedule as the executive producer and host of music and comedy variety game show That's My Jam at 9pm. Then following the Olympics on Monday, Feb. 21, the all-live event series American Song Contest debuts, featuring original musical performances representing all 50 states, five U.S. territories and our nation's capital, with artists competing to win the country's vote for the Best Original Song in a grand spectacle. Previously announced shows that have been ordered to series but not yet dated include The Wheel, L.A. Fire and Rescue, AGT Extreme coming later this season and the revival of Night Court, which will now air in 2022-23 season.

The ten-episode Max Original series And Just Like That..., from executive producer Michael Patrick King, will debut with two episodes on Thursday, December 9 on HBO Max. The following eight episodes will premiere weekly on subsequent Thursdays. The Max Original And Just Like That..., the new chapter of the groundbreaking HBO series Sex and the City, from executive producer Michael Patrick King, follows "Carrie" (Sarah Jessica Parker), "Miranda" (Cynthia Nixon) and "Charlotte" (Kristin Davis) as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s. The series also includes previously announced cast members Sara Ramírez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson, and Evan Handler.

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

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Labels: American Auto, And Just Like That..., Grand Crew, HBO Max, Kenan, Law and Order, Mr. Mayor, NBC, Night Court, Sex and the City, This is Us, Young Rock

NBC Slates Comedy Previews in December, Including American Auto & Grand Crew; It's Always Sunny to Surpass Ozzie & Harriet for Live-Action Comedy

As a holiday gift to its comedy fans, NBC will air original episodes of all five of its comedy series - three returning and two new shows - during the week of Dec. 13-17 to whet the appetite of viewers looking forward to the network's highly anticipated 2022 comedy slate. All three of NBC's sophomore comedies - Young Rock, Kenan and Mr. Mayor - are returning Dec. 15, as previously announced, for holiday-inspired special episodes before they make their return to the primetime lineup in the new year to begin their second seasons.

NBC's two new comedies will also air on the network in December, and then be available on digital platforms leading into its timeslot premiere early next year. American Auto - from Superstore executive producer Justin Spitzer - will air its first two episodes in a special preview on Monday, Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. following a live two-hour telecast of The Voice. Then, on Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 8-9 p.m., Grand Crew - from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Insecure writer Phil Augusta Jackson - will preview its first two episodes as well before The Voice finale. Premiere dates and times for all five comedy series will be announced shortly as part of NBC's midseason scheduling release.

American Auto, a new workplace comedy that takes the wheels off the automobile industry, stars Ana Gasteyer, Jon Barinholtz, Harriet Dyer, Humphrey Ker, Michael Benjamin Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Grand Crew, a new comedy that proves life is better with your crew, stars Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Grasie Mercedes and Carl Tart.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's record-breaking 15th season will premiere Wednesday, December 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FXX, and stream the next day on FX on Hulu. The premiere will include the first two episodes of the 15th season, which makes Sunny the longest-running live-action comedy series in television history, bypassing The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. Sunny's remarkable run has also racked up more than 1.8 billion hours viewed since its premiere in 2005.

The record-breaking 15th season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is its most ambitious yet. In the seismic wake of Covid-19 and all things 2020, The Gang stands at a crossroads in this strange new world. The rules are changing quicker than anyone can keep up with, despite herculean efforts from "Mac" (Rob McElhenney), "Charlie" (Charlie Day), "Dennis" (Glenn Howerton), "Dee" (Kaitlin Olson) and "Frank" (Danny DeVito) to continue business as usual. Now, they must face the music and decide who they'll become in the cultural upheaval that is 2021. Across the span of eight episodes - and the Atlantic Ocean - we find them answer in a way only they could think to. Like a fine Irish whiskey, Sunny's distinct flavor has gotten richer and intensified through the years. First barreled in 2005, the show has become a landmark for dark comedy and American satire, uniting the most devoted of fans from all over the country and abroad, and this monumental 15th season is truly one to crack open and celebrate. Continuing to deliver some of the hardest laughs on television while tackling society's most pressing issues, Sunny turns its fearless focus both outward and inward: to a national and international level but also to a deeply personal level. This is a season that sees The Gang try to exploit pandemic aid, sidestep cancel culture, evade criminal justice, reflect on their origins, and reconcile their identities and homeland roots.

Oh, and did we mention this is season 15? Sunny now breaks the record and becomes the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time. The show is executive produced by McElhenney (creator), Day, and Howerton, along with David Hornsby, Megan Ganz, Rob Rosell, Nick Frenkel, and Michael Rotenberg. None of this could be possible without the unyielding faith and courage of FX, who took a gamble on a small, homegrown show and now have cultivated one of the most vital, boundary-breaking comedies in American history. So, raise that snifter and cheers: To Sunny! Yes, it burns a little, and that's what you want.

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

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Labels: American Auto, FXX, Grand Crew, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kenan, Mr. Mayor, NBC, Ozzie and Harriet, Young Rock

Fri-Yay: First Look at the 2021-2022 Sitcom Slate; NBC Books Eighth and Final Season Premiere of Brooklyn Nine-Nine for August 12

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

This week was Upfronts week for broadcast TV, and it was a particularly notable Upfronts season given the turbulence of the past year. Last season's new shows were limited due to the pandemic, and the few freshman series we had were greatly effected by production delays and shutdowns. This year, we hate a sitcom slate that looks a bit more "normal." Although most comedies have been held for midsession, there are a handful of shows I'm interested in seeing. In fact, I'm looking forward to this upcoming sitcom slate more than any new sitcom slate in recent years. There's quite a few trailers of new series that caught my eye.

Of the new comedy trailers, there's four that really stood out to me: Welcome to Flatch on FOX, Abbott Elementary as well as the The Wonder Years reboot on ABC, and American Auto on NBC. Welcome to Flatch, which stars Aya Cash of You're the Worst, is a new mockumentary series that chronicles the life of a silly small town. It looks from the trailer like a mix of The Office and Schitt's Creek, and likely is trying to capitalize on the streaming-borne popularity of both series. Abbott Elementary looks to be a solidly funny workplace sitcom with a talented cast, and American Auto (created by Superstore creator Justin Spitzer) seems to be the same. The Wonder Years, meanwhile, is a show I am very interested to see rebooted with its comedy-drama mix that should fit nicely with ABC's family lineup. In general, many of these shows seem more interesting than most current network comedies, and more tailored towards young, streaming-hungry audience. Perhaps networks have finally started thinking long term about producing shows that can have long, Office or Schitt's Creek esque streaming lives. It would be a smart direction, and I hope these promising shows can live up to their interesting trailers and premises.

The eighth and final season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine will premiere on NBC on August 12 at 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. It will air back-to-back every Thursday at 8:00–8:30 and 8:30–9:00pm ET/PT through September 16, except for September 9 when they will air the NFL Kickoff.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows the exploits of hilarious Det. Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and his stoically ever-professional Capt. Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher), along with their diverse, lovable colleagues as they police the NYPD's 99th Precinct. In this final season of the series, Jake and the squad must try to balance their personal lives and their professional lives over the course of a very difficult year.

Rounding out the ensemble is Sgt. Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), who has a passion for organization and a weakness for dork dancing; Lt. Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews), a mountain of a man whose most powerful muscle is his sweetheart; Jake’s best friend and human puppy dog, Det. Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), and the incredibly secretive, tough-as-nails Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz). Also part of the Nine-Nine are veteran officers Det. Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) and Det. Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker), whose only skill as police officers is their ability to make a passable pot of coffee.

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

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, ABC, American Auto, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fox, Fri-Yay, NBC, Welcome to Flatch, Wonder Years, Wonder Years (2021)

CSI Revived by CBS for Sequel Series in 2021-22 Season; NBC Orders Ordinary Joe for Next Season

CBS announced it has given a series order to CSI: Vegas, the sequel to the Network's global hit CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, one of the most-watched drama series of the 21st century. Original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox will reprise their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, respectively. Produced by CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, the new CBS original series will star Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon. Original CSI star Wallace Langham will also return to the series as David Hodges. CSI: Vegas opens a brand new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant new team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.

Created by Anthony Zuiker, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered Oct. 6, 2000 on CBS, and aired for 15 seasons, completing 335 episodes. It earned six Emmy Awards and 39 Emmy nominations. The drama originally starred William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox and Paul Guilfoyle. The franchise also included CSI: Miami (2002-2012); CSI: New York (2004-2013); and CSI: Cyber (2014-2016).

NBC has ordered the drama Ordinary Joe to series for the 2021-2022 season. The series explores the three parallel lives of the show's main character, Joe, after he makes a pivotal choice at a crossroads in his life. The series asks the question of how different life might look if you made your decision based on love, loyalty or passion. James Wolk (Tell Me a Story), Natalie Martinez (Secrets & Lies), Charlie Barnett (Chicago Fire) and Elizabeth Lail (You) will star. No Ordinary Joe joins comedies American Auto and Grand Crew along with drama La Brea as picked-up newcomers for 2021-22. Those three were picked up in January. All four of these series were for the 2020 pilot season which got pushed due to the pandemic.

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

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Labels: American Auto, CBS, CSI, Grand Crew, NBC

NBC Orders 3 New Series for 2021-22 Season; Lifetime Slates Winter 2021 Original Movie Slate, Including 400th Original Movie

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

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Labels: American Auto, Grand Crew, Lifetime, NBC