SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Antenna TV is making some minor schedule changes this summer. The changes begin on Monday, June 29, 2020, mostly affecting late night and weekends. Designing Women will air earlier now on weeknights, moving to 11:00pm & 11:30pm, shifting Coach to 12:00am & 12:30am. Other changes happening in late night are: NewsRadio moving to a later slot at 2:00am & 2:30am, while Family Ties and Growing Pains will air in the 4am and 5am hours, as It's a Living and Mork & Mindy are off the weekday schedule. Onto weekends, Benson and What's Happening Now!! will switch days from 5-6pm, with Benson now on Saturdays and What's Happening Now!! on Sundays. McHale's Navy moves to a later slot on Saturdays from 12am-1am, while Father Knows Best takes its Saturdays at 7-8pm slot. Lotsa Luck and The Paul Lynde Show move from Saturday late fringe to Sunday mornings from 6-7am, cutting the two-hour Soap block to just 7-8am. Benson will now follow from 8-9am, while Maude moves to 10-11am, replacing Welcome Back Kotter, now completely off the schedule. And finally, Dear John returns to the line-up and will air Sundays from 11pm-12am instead of Designing Women, while It's a Living is relegated to Sunday nights from 1-2am. That's all the changes, as everything else remains the same. In essence, Welcome Back Kotter is off the line-up, while Dear John returns. The Antenna TV lineup will change again in the fall with the addition of Who's the Boss?

USA Network's upcoming series Cannonball will now premiere first as a sneak peek on NBC on Monday, June 29 at 10:00pm ET/PT and will then air on Sundays from July 12-August 9 at 7:00pm ET/PT, following original episodes on USA Network on Thursdays at 8:00pm starting July 9. Hosted by WWE Superstar Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and Rocsi Diaz with sideline reporting from Simon Gibson, Cannonball features contestants from all across America as they face off in a variety of water obstacles in one of the biggest, wettest, slippery-est water sports competition ever created. From sliding off a 100-foot waterslide to rocketing off one of the world’s fastest drop towers, contestants will battle a variety of water obstacles to win a $10K cash prize. 

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we are hearing about new linear streaming channels on Roku, learning more about the impact of COVID-19 on the fall season, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Huddle up with "Coach's Father's Day Playbook," an all-day marathon of the sitcom Coach on Antenna TV. Catch Coach Hayden Fox, played by Craig T. Nelson, scrambling, playing man-to-man coverage, and scoring dad points with his daughter in episodes from the hit comedy series. "Coach's Father's Day Playbook Marathon" airs Sunday, June 21 starting at 5am ET/6am CT. Coach regularly airs on Antenna TV weeknights at 11pm & 11:30pm and Sundays at 10pm & 10:30pm! Stay with us for continued updates on Antenna TV, including the summer schedule starting in July.

The CW Network announced the acquisition of the international thriller from Sky Italia, Devils, starring Alessandro Borghi and Patrick Dempsey, adding the series to its Fall 2020 schedule airing on Wednesdays at 8:00pm, ET/PT, followed by the investigative drama Coroner at 9:00pm, ET/PT. Devils is an international thriller that follows Massimo Ruggero (Alessandro Borghi, The First King: Birth of an Empire, Suburra), the charismatic yet ruthless Head of Trading at NYL, one of the world’s most important investment banks, and his mentor, NYL's CEO Dominic Morgan (Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair). After Dominic appoints another colleague over Massimo following a bitter promotion battle, Massimo finds himself named prime suspect in a murder investigation. Fighting to clear his name, Massimo becomes involved in an intercontinental financial war and is forced to choose between supporting Dominic or going up against him.

Additional changes to the previously announced Fourth Quarter Fall 2020 schedule, include comedy Dead Pixels, which will now premiere this Summer, Two Sentence Horror Stories moving to Sundays 8-9pm, and Masters of Illusion, which is already slated for Fridays 8-9pm this Summer, will remain in same time period for the Fall, while World's Funniest Animals moves to 9:00pm on Friday. The rest of the schedule is intact as we previously announced. 

MeTV is proudly presenting its first original TV series, Collector's Call, premiering Sunday, April 7, at 10PM|9C. Hosted by Lisa Whelchel (Blair on The Facts of Life), the 13-episode unscripted series will introduce you to some of the biggest collectors of pop culture memorabilia in the country. These fans have amassed astonishing collections, covering everything from Winnie the Pooh to The Wizard of Oz, Coca-Cola paraphernalia to comic books… and so much more! While touring these extensive collections and learning about the collector’s fascination with their chosen items, Whelchel enlists the help of professional appraisers and experts to put an estimated value on each collection's worth.

On Collector's Call, you'll find out the worth of everything from first-edition Harry Potter books with personal notes from JK Rowling to the original telephone used on The Dick Van Dyke Show -- not to mention locks of Abraham Lincoln's hair. Along the way, we discover collections featured in the Guinness Book of Records, alongside others valued in the millions of dollars. With the values established, the experts will try to tempt the collectors with a trade, offering a coveted item that would be the perfect addition to their collections. The collectors must then make an agonizing choice and decide how sentimental they are about their existing pieces…or how much they’re willing to give up for a new addition to the collection. Will they make a trade? It's the Collector's Call!

Actress Katherine Helmond, who starred as Jessica Tate in Soap and as Mona Robinson in Who's the Boss?, has died. She died on February 23 from complications of Alzheimer's disease at her home in Los Angeles. Ms. Helmond was 89.

Helmond's first television appearance was an uncredited role in a 1962 episode of Car 54, Where Are You?. Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included Adam's Rib and The Bob Newhart Show. Her early drama guest appearances included Gunsmoke, The F.B.I., The Snoop Sisters, Hec Ramsey, Mannix, Barnaby Jones, The Rookies, Harry O, The Six Million Dollar Man, Petrocelli and The Bionic Woman.

She starred as ditzy matriarch Jessica Tate in the prime time soap opera sitcom Soap, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1981. Jessica Tate was the sister of Mary Campbell (Cathryn Damon). She was married to wealthy Chester Tate (Robert Mandan) but separates from and later divorces him in the latter seasons of the series. Helmond was one of two cast members to appear in every episode of the series, with Richard Mulligan (Burt Campbell) being the other. The series also starred Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Arthur Peterson, Billy Crystal, Ted Wass, Robert Urich, Jay Johnson, Sal Viscuso, Dinah Manoff (1978-1979), Donnelly Rhodes (1978-1981) and Roscoe Lee Browne (1980-1981).

Helmond won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical for the role in 1981. She received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for all four seasons. The series was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1978, 1980 and 1981. Helmond appeared as Jessica Tate in two episodes of the spin-off series Benson in 1979 and 1983. She also directed three episodes of Benson in 1983 and 1984.

She next starred as feisty mother Mona Robinson in the ABC sitcom Who's the Boss?, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Mona was the mother of divorced advertising executive Angela Bower (Judith Light). The series also starred Tony Danza, Alyssa Milano and Danny Pintauro. Helmond received the 1989 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. She received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1988 and 1989. She directed the episode Tony the Nanny in 1985.

Helmond had a recurring role as Doris Sherman in 19 episodes of the ABC sitcom Coach from 1995 to 1997. Doris Sherman was the recently widowed and eccentric owner of the Orlando Breakers, a fictional NFL expansion team. The series also starred Craig T. Nelson, Shelley Fabares, Jerry Van Dyke, Bill Fagerbakke, Clare Carey (1989-1993) and Kenneth Kimmins.

Helmond played Lois Whelan, the mother of Debra Barone (Patricia Heaton), in 14 episodes of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Rayond from 1996 to 2004. She was married to Warren Whelan (Robert Culp). Helmond received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 2002.

She appeared in over 20 films. Some of her credits included Family Plot, Baby Blue Marine, Time Bandits, Brazil, Overboard and Lady in White. She provided the voice of Lizzie in the Cars franchise. She was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for Eugene O'Neill's The Great God Brown.

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on March 6, 2008.

Ms. Helmond was wonderful as Jessica Tate and Mona Robinson. She made everything she appeared in much better. Hopefully we will get the remaining seasons of Who's the Boss? on DVD one day. We thank her for the many laughs and entertainment she brought us during her career, which spanned five decades. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Soap and Who's the Boss? message boards. View photos in our galleries.

Actor Nathaniel Taylor, who was best known for his role as Rollo Lawson in Sanford and Son, has died. He was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center after suffering from a heart attack on February 23. He died from the complications of it on February 27. Mr. Taylor was 80.

Taylor appeared in the recurring role of Rollo Lawson in 32 episodes of the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1977. Rollo was Lamont Sanford's (Demond Wilson) best friend. The series also starred and featured Redd Foxx, Don Bexley, Hal Williams (1972-1976), Gregory Sierra (1972-1975), LaWanda Page (1973-1977), Whitman Mayo (1973-1977), Lynn Hamilton and Pat Morita (1974-1975).

He appeared as Rollo in one episode of the NBC spin-off series Grady, which starred Whitman Mayo, in 1975. He reprised the role in the 1980-1981 NBC spin-off Sanford. The short-lived series starred Redd Foxx, Dennis Burkley, Marguerite Ray, Suzanne Stone, Cathy Cooper, Percy Rodriguez and Clinton Derricks-Carroll.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Bill Cosby Show, What's Happening!! (two episodes as Rerun's brother-in-law, Ike) and 227. He reunited with Redd Foxx in the short-lived 1986 ABC sitcom The Redd Foxx Show in two episodes as Jim-Jam. His drama guest appearances included The Bold Ones: The Senator, Adam-12, Harry O and Police Story.

He appeared as Leroy, one of one of Mr. Big's henchmen, in the 1972 film Trouble Man. His other film credits included: Black Girl; As Above, So Below; Willie Dynamite; Passing Through; and The Hunter.

Mr. Taylor was very funny as Rollo Lawson. It would have been great to see his lovable but questionable character appear in more episodes. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Sanford and Son message board. View photos in our galleries.

Actress Mitzi Hoag, who starred in We'll Get By and made many sitcom guest appearances, has died. She died on February 26 at her home in Sherman Oaks, California. Ms. Hoag was 86.

Hoag had a recurring role as Miss Essie Gillis in the first season of 1968-1970 comedy western Here Come the Brides. She was the school teacher and eventually Big Swede's (Bo Svenson) wife. Hoag appeared in two other episodes in the second season as Iona and Sister Agnes. The series starred Robert Brown, Bobby Sherman, David Soul, Joan Blondell, Bridget Hanley, Mark Lenard, Susan Tolsky and Henry Beckman.

She starred as Liz Platt in the short-lived 1975 CBS sitcom We'll Get By. She and her husband, George Platt (Paul Sorvino), lived in the New Jersey suburbs with their three teenage children. The series, which was created by Alan Alda, also starred Jerry Houser, Willie Aames and Devon Scott.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, Family Affair, Good Morning World, The Second Hundred Years, My Three Sons, Love American Style, The Partridge Family, Good Heavens, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Archie Bunker's Place, Three's a Crowd, The Facts of Life (three episodes as Natalie's mother, Evie Green) and Grace Under Fire.

Ms. Hoag starred in only one short-lived sitcom, but she was a familiar face with her many guest appearances. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment she brought us. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our message board. View photos in our galleries.

Take a vow to watch Antenna TV this Valentine's Day! All day long your favorite characters will fall in love and get married during the Antenna TV Wedding Party Marathon. Antenna TV's program schedule will air in regular pattern from 5am–4am on Thursday, February 14 but will feature special wedding-themed episodes of Coach, I Dream of Jeannie, Alice, Archie Bunker's Place, Three's Company, Welcome Back Kotter and many more. Cozy up with your loved ones and watch the Wedding Party on Antenna TV, this Valentine's Day, February 14. Full list of series and episodes are below:

5:00 am Three's Company "Larry Loves Janet"
5:30 am Three's Company "Larry's Bride"
6:00 am The Burns and Allen Show "Gracie Gives Wedding in Payment of a Favor"
6:30 am The Burns and Allen Show "Alice Gets Married"
7:00 am The Joey Bishop Show "A Young Man's Fancy"
7:30 am The Joey Bishop Show "The Honeymoon"
8:00 am McHale's Navy "Operation Wedding Party"
8:30 am McHale's Navy "One Enchanted Weekend"
9:00 am Father Knows Best "Bud the Bridesmaid"
9:30 am Father Knows Best "Cupid Knows Best"
10:00 am Dennis the Menace "Dennis and the Wedding"
10:30 am Dennis the Menace "Dennis, the Confused Cupid"
11:00 am Hazel "So Long Brown Eyes"
11:30 am Hazel "Piccolo Mondo"
12:00 pm The Partridge Family "Promise Her Anything But Give Her a Punch"
12:30 pm The Partridge Family "A Penny for His Thoughts"
1:00 pm I Dream of Jeannie "Guess Who's Going to Be a Bride?"
1:30 pm I Dream of Jeannie "Guess Who's Going to Be a Bride?"
2:00 pm Bewitched "Samantha's Wedding Present"
2:30 pm Bewitched "Marriage, Witches' Style"
3:00 pm Welcome Back, Kotter "OO-OO, I Do"
3:30 pm Welcome Back, Kotter "OO-OO, I Do"
4:00 pm Benson "Marcy's Wedding"
4:30 pm 227 "Fifty Big Ones"
5:00 pm 227 "Double Your Pleasure"
5:30 pm Gimme a Break "Eddie Gets Married"
6:00 pm Maude "Mrs. Naugatuck in Love"
6:30 pm Maude "Mrs. Naugatuck's Wedding"
7:00 pm Archie Bunker's Place "The Second Time Around"
7:30 pm Archie Bunker's Place "The Boys' Night Out"
8:00 pm Alice "Carrie's Wedding"
8:30 pm Alice "Vera's Wedding"
9:00 pm Barney Miller "Grand Hotel"
9:30 pm Barney Miller "Old Love"
11:00 pm Three's Company "Friends and Lovers"
11:30 pm Three's Company "Friends and Lovers"
12:00 am Coach "One for the Road"
12:30 am Murphy Brown "Rumble in the Alley"
1:00 am Becker "V-Day"
1:30 am Wings "Here It Is: The Big Wedding"
2:00 am Growing Pains "Mike and Julie's Wedding"
2:30 am Family Ties "Anniversary Waltz"
3:00 am Bewitched "The Cat's Meow"
3:30 am I Dream of Jeannie "The World's Greatest Lover"

Comedy Central, the #1 brand in comedy, announced a new late night series with David Spade; the return of Crank Yankers; a second season order for new, hit scripted series The Other Two; the first look at new scripted comedy South Side; and scripted projects in development with Naomi Ekperigin, Matteo Lane and Samantha Irby. The announcements come on the heels of Comedy Central's seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year share growth. While Comedy Central remains the #1 full-day cable entertainment network with people 18-34, in 2018 the brand recorded its highest-rated year among women 18-49 since 2014, up +13% from the previous year. To start 2019, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is the highest-rated late night series across all of TV among men 18-34.

Comedy icon David Spade will lead a new 11:30 p.m. series featuring his signature take on the pop culture news of the day (watch his announcement here). The yet-to-be-titled nightly series will include a rotating group of Spade's comedian and celebrity friends, while also incorporating field segments that mirror his popular Instagram stories. The show will follow The Daily Show with Trevor Noah on Monday through Thursday nights starting later this year. The show is executive produced by Spade, Alex Murray and Marc Gurvitz. Brad Wollack and Tom Brunelle of Free 90 Media serve as executive producers and showrunners. Comedy Central ordered 20 episodes of 30-minute comedy Crank Yankers, marking the beloved series' return to the brand.

The brand ordered a second season of the critically-adored 30-minute series The Other Two, which is already "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes. Created and written by former Saturday Night Live head-writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider, the Emmy-contending series stars Drew Tarver as a 28-year-old actor struggling to get better auditions than "Man At Party Who Smells Fart," and Heléne Yorke as his 30-year-old sister, who is struggling in general. As the two work toward finding themselves, their lives are completely upended when their 13-year-old brother, ChaseDreams played by Case Walker, becomes incredibly famous overnight. The Other Two also features Molly Shannon, who plays the siblings' fame-ready mother, Ken Marino as ChaseDreams' newly-hired manager and Wanda Sykes as Chase's publicist. The series airs Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Scripted comedy South Side debuted its first look ahead of a summer premiere and teased the first season guest stars, which includes Lil Rel Howery, Nathaniel "Earthquake" Stroman, Jeff Tweedy, LisaRaye McCoy, Kel Mitchell and Ed Lover. The aspirational, scripted comedy is set in and around the working class neighborhood of Englewood on the South Side of Chicago.

Antenna TV has released its first quarter 2019 schedule that begins on January 2. There will be no new series joining the lineup, but many series will have new time periods and a few shows will be on hiatus. Small Wonder returns, airing Sundays from 12-1pm. Taking a break in Q1 2019 will be Webster, What's Happening!!, What's Happening Now!! and Good Morning World. Among the series moving timeslots include Johnny Carson heading back to 10pm, while Three's Company moves back into late fringe at 11pm & 11:30pm (with an early morning encore from 5-6am). There are other late fringe and overnight changes including Coach and Murphy Brown from 12-1am. In the early evening, Archie Bunker's Place will double-up now from 7-8pm, while 227 and Maude also get two runs from 4:30-5:30pm and 6-7pm, respectively. Weekends will get the most changes to the schedule. Almost everything from 1pm and on has a new timeslot, including The Hogan Family from 1-2pm, Head of the Class from 2-3pm, Family Ties from 3-4pm and Silver Spoons from 4-5pm.

Saturday nights in primetime get '70s fever with Three's Company, Barney Miller and Soap from 7-10pm leading into 90-minute editions of Johnny Carson. The new Sunday primetime features Coach, My Two Dads and Growing Pains from 7-10pm. Early mornings on weekends will remain intact from 5-9am, but with Jack Benny Program now at 6:30am. Before this schedule starts, Antenna TV celebrates the end of 2018 with a New Year's Eve of The Paul Lynde Show from 6pm-3:30am. And Antenna TV rings in 2019 with a New Year's Kick-Off Coach marathon from 5am-4am. View the full Antenna TV Winter 2019 schedule.

Moving from Friday to Sunday night, High Maintenance returns for its nine-episode third season Sunday, Jan. 20 from 10:30-11:05 p.m. ET/PT. Created by Katja Blichfeld (who directs the season premiere) and Ben Sinclair, the critically acclaimed show uses The Guy, a marijuana dealer (played by Sinclair), to tell a variety of stories about New York lives, including his own. High Maintenance continues to paint a uniquely authentic portrait of New York with empathy and insight, telling amusing, surprising, sometimes moving and always poignant tales of denizens who are usually just faces on the crowded sidewalks of Brooklyn. The series is executive produced by Katja Blichfeld (Emmy(R)-winning casting director of 30 Rock), Ben Sinclair (Home Again, Sisters) and Russell Gregory.

This season, High Maintenance profiles everyday people whose stories of success, failure, love and loss intersect across New York, while delving deeper into personal life of The Guy, who is spending less time on his iconic bicycle and more time in "Steve RV," a set of wheels gifted to him last season. Featuring an intricate web of memorable returning characters and unforgettable new faces, the new episodes find New Yorkers exploring their relationship with the city, touching on such themes as death, parenthood, sexuality, fantasy, aging and more. Returning guest stars this season include: Amy Ryan, Gary Richardson, Arthur Meyer, Jen Harris, Micah Sherman and Abdullah Saeed. New guest stars this season include: Jemima Kirke, Margaret Cho, Guillermo Diaz, Rosie Perez, Kathleen Chalfant, Ken Leung and Annie Golden.

Are you ready for some Screaming Eagles football? On Sunday, September 1, 2018, the kickoff of football season, Antenna TV will air the "Coach Back-to-Football Bowl," a marathon of 21 classic Coach episodes. Antenna TV's "Coach Back-to-Football Bowl," running from 1pm-11:30pm ET, will air special episodes that feature football greats George Allen, Keyshawn Johnson, Joe Theismann, Keith Jackson, Mike Ditka, Dick Butkus, Jerry Jones and more. Antenna TV's Coach Back-to-Football Bowl will feature the following Coach episodes:

1pm The Loss Weekend
1:30p If Keith Jackson Calls...
2p Coaches Conference
2:30p That Shouldn't Happen
3p Magnificent Obsession
3:30p The Kick-Off and the Kiss-Off
4p The Pineapple Bowl (Part 1)
4:30p The Pineapple Bowl (part 2)
5p To Air is to Human
5:30p Born Luther
6pm The Patriot Bowl
6:30p The Luck Stops Here
7p The Playbook
7:30p The Pioneer Bowl
8p Out of Control
8:30p The Popcorn Bowl
9p The Kicker
9:30p The Tight End
10p Fantasy Camp
10:30p Player to Be Named
11p Upsized
All times listed ET

Coach regularly airs on Antenna TV weeknights at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT.

Nickelodeon's serialized live-action show I Am Frankie returns on Monday, Sept. 10, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), continuing the story of Frankie Gaines (Alex Hook), a cutting-edge, experimental android who looks like any other human girl, but harbors a big secret--she functions as a high-tech computer with internet access, extensive memory and more. I Am Frankie will air Monday -Friday at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The series will air globally across Nickelodeon's channels and branded blocks in 170+ countries and territories.

In season two, Frankie has finally acclimated to teenage life at Sepulveda High with the help of her best friend Dayton (Nicole Alyse Nelson) and their tight-knit group of loyal confidantes. However, things quickly become complicated when a new android arrives at the school, and the world finally learns that androids exist, and the military company, WARPA (Weaponized Android Research Project Agency), returns with a new threat. Throughout the season, Frankie aims to keep her true identity a secret, while protecting her family and friends and attempting to live a normal life.

Ahead of its season two debut, Nickelodeon will air a one-hour I Am Frankie special on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), where Frankie goes head-to-head with Eliza, another android who has been out on her own and wreaking havoc on the world, in the ultimate android showdown. I Am Frankie stars Amina Alzouma ("Rachel"), Uriel Baldesco ("Lucia"), Kristi Beckett ("Makayla"), Kyson Facer ("Andrew"), Sophia Forest ("Jenny"), Mohana Krishnan ("Tammy"), Tommi Rose ("Simone"), Carson Rowland ("Cole"), and Zachary S. Williams ("Zane").

Effective next Monday (May 14), Antenna TV will shuffle their schedule around, with many timeslot changes. Primetime will now feature back-to-back episodes of Alice, Barney Miller and Coach every weeknight from 8-11pm, with Murphy Brown leading out at 11pm and Three's Company leading in at 7:30pm. Some of the new additions like Growing Pains, The Hogan Family, Head of the Class and Silver Spoons will move into weeknight late night beginning at 1:30am instead of late afternoons/early evening. Soap and Benson move from primetime to afternoons starting at 3:30pm. There are other changes to weekdays, mainly in the mornings and afternoons, with double shot episodes from 9am-3pm of sitcoms from the '50s and '60s. What's Happening!!, Gimme a Break!, Webster and 227 round out the changes to weekdays starting at 4:30pm. Weekends will see minor changes, with Small Wonder leaving the line-up and the additions of Silver Spoons, Family Ties, Growing Pains, The Hogan Family and Dear John in afternoons. View the full line-up.

Netflix announces Arrested Development Season 5 will launch May 29. In the aftermath of Cinco de Quatro, the Bluth family are all facing one question, that no one quite has the answer to; where is Lucille Two? As this Netflix (semi) original series returns on May 29, 2018, the Bluths are back together, and finally getting the award they think they deserve - for family of the year. A development which will help Lindsay as she begins her campaign for Congress, to become 'part of the problem'. But whatever happens, Michael will always come back to save the family. Probably. Visit VoteBluth.com for updates from the Bluth for Family of the Year campaign. The entire cast returns for the 5th season: David Cross as Tobias, Jason Bateman as Michael, Jeffrey Tambor as George Sr., Jessica Walter as Lucille, Michael Cera as George-Michael, Portia de Rossi as Lindsay, Tony Hale as Buster and Will Arnett as Gob.

This weekend CBS, Showtime and The CW were up at the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour. We will highlight the notable announcements. CBS announced that the hit freshman comedy Young Sheldon is the Network's first renewal for the 2018-2019 broadcast season. CBS All Access announced that Jack Reynor will star in its upcoming original drama series, Strange Angel. Reynor will play Jack Parsons, a brilliant and ambitious blue-collar worker of 1930s Los Angeles who started as a janitor at a chemical factory but had fantastical dreams that led him to birth the unknown discipline of American rocketry. Along the way, he fell into a mysterious world that included sex magick rituals at night, and he became a disciple of occultist Aleister Crowley. Parsons used Crowley's teachings of self-actualization to support his unimaginable and unprecedented endeavor to the stars.

SHOWTIME has announced the premiere dates of two of its returning drama series: the second season of I'm Dying Up Here will premiere on Sunday, May 6 at 10 pm. ET/PT, and the fourth season of the Golden Globe(R) Award winning drama series The Affair returns on Sunday, June 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. SHOWTIME has also announced that the third season of the hit drama series Billions will premiere on Sunday, March 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. And they reminded us that Homeland, which will return on Sunday, February 11 at 9 p.m. and Our Cartoon President, executive produced by multiple Emmy(R) winner Stephen Colbert, Chris Licht and showrunner R.J. Fried, debuting on Sunday, February 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, follows the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and his merry band of advisors and family members. SHOWTIME released info for the new limited series Patrick Melrose, starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) winner Benedict Cumberbatch. Set to debut later this year, Patrick Melrose is based on the acclaimed Patrick Melrose series of semi-autobiographical novels written by Edward St. Aubyn. This five-part limited series hilariously skewers the upper class as it tracks the protagonist's harrowing odyssey from a deeply traumatic childhood through adult substance abuse and, ultimately, toward recovery.

And finally for The CW, they released more midseason plans. The CW Network today announced dates for the series premiere of the heartfelt new comedy Life Sentence, as well as the returns of iZombie, The 100, and the final season premiere for The Originals. The new series Life Sentence, starring Lucy Hale, makes its debut Wednesday, March 7 at 9:00pm ET/PT, following an all new episode of Riverdale at 8:00pm ET/PT. As a result, Dynasty will move to Friday nights at 8:00pm ET/PT beginning March 9. TV's favorite rom-com-zom-dram iZombie will return for its fourth season Monday, February 26 at 9:00pm ET/PT following DC's Legends of Tomorrow at 8:00pm ET/PT. The Originals. returns for one final bloody bow Friday, April 20 at 9:00pm ET/PT. The season finale of Jane the Virgin is set for Friday, April 13 at 9:00pm ET/PT. The gritty sci-fi drama The 100 is back for its fifth season Tuesday, April 24 at 9:00pm ET/PT, following The Flash at 8:00pm ET/PT. The season finale of the upcoming Black Lightning will air Tuesday, April 17 at 9:00pm ET/PT.

Actor and comedian Jerry Van Dyke, who was best known for his role as Luther Van Dam in Coach, has died. He died on January 5 from heart failure at his ranch in Malvern, Arkansas. He was in declining health since being involved in a car accident two years earlier. Mr. Van Dyke was 86.

Van Dyke's television career began in 1962 with guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey, in The Dick Van Show. The series starred his older brother, Dick Van Dyke. Van Dyke was also a 4-string banjo player who performed several times on the show.

He starred as Dave Crabtree in My Mother the Car, which aired for one season on NBC in 1965-1966. The series was about the misadventures of a man whose deceased mother Gladys (voiced by Ann Sothern) is reincarnated as a restored antique 1928 Porter. It also starred Maggie Pierce, Cindy Eilbacher, Randy Whipple and Avery Schreiber.

Van Dyke played widowed nightclub comedian Jerry Webster in Accidental Family. The 1967-1968 NBC sitcom starred Lois Nettleton, Teddy Quinn, Susan Benjamin, Ben Blue and Larry D. Mann.

He appeared as Steven Winters in the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom 13 Queens Boulevard. The series was about the diverse residents of a Queens apartment complex. It starred Eileen Brennan, Marcia Rodd, Helen Page Camp, Susan Elliot, Louise Williams, Karen Rushmore and Frances Lee McCain.

Van Dyke's best known role was as Luther Van Dam in Coach, which aired for nine seasons from 1989 to 1997 on ABC. Luther Van Dam was the beloved, yet befuddled assistant coach/defensive coordinator at the fictional Minnesota State University. The series starred Craig T. Nelson, Shelley Fabares, Bill Fagerbakke, Clare Carey (1989-1994), Kris Kamm (1989-1991), Kenneth Kimmins, Georgia Engel (1991-1997) and Katherine Helmond (1995-1997). Van Dyke received four Emmy Award nominations (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994) for the role for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series".

He starred with Andy Griffith as Jerry Brownell in the short-lived 1970-1971 CBS drama The Headmaster. Jerry Brownell was the best friend of Andy Thompson (Andy Griffith). His character was a physical-education teacher and coach. The series also starred Parker Fennelly, Claudette Nevins and Lani O'Grady.

Van Dyke played the recurring role of Big Jimmy Hughes, the father of Jimmy Hughes (Mike O'Malley), in seven episodes of Yes, Dear. He made eight guest appearances as Tag Spence, the father of Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton), in The Middle from 2010-2015.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Cara Williams Show, The Andy Griffith Show, That Girl, Good Morning, World, Gomer Pyle, USMC, Love, American Style, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, House Calls, The Love Boat, Newhart, Coming of Age, Charles in Charge, The Drew Carey Show, Grace Under Fire, Teen Angel, You Wish, My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope and The Millers.

Mr. Van Dyke was a talented and funny actor and comedian. He was perfectly cast as Luther Van Dam in Coach. He played the character to perfection. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

Antenna TV aired a Coach marathon on New Year's Day. The series airs weeknights at 11pm ET and 3am ET and weekends at 4:30pm ET.

Share your memories on our Coach message board. View photos in our photo galleries.

We also remember actor and musician Jon Paul Steuer, who was best known for his role as Quentin Kelly in Grace Under Fire. He died on January 1 in Portland, Oregon. The cause of death is not yet known. Mr. Steuer was 33.

Steuer starred as Quentin Kelly in the ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire for three seasons and 73 episodes from 1993 to 1996. Quentin Kelly was the oldest child of Grace Kelly (Brett Butler). Steuer was the second actor to portray Quentin Kelly, as Noah Segan played him in the pilot episode. He decided to leave the show and quit acting due to the extensive press attention given to Brett Butler. Sam Horrigan took over the role for seasons four and five.

He guest starred as Alexander Rozhenko in a 1990 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. His other television guest appearances included Day by Day, Homefront and The Wonder Years. His film credits included Late for Dinner, When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn (TV) and Little Giants.

Mr. Steuer was a good child actor. He decided to leave acting at age 12. He later worked as a musician under the name Jonny P. Jewels in Denver and Portland and owned his own vegan restaurant in Portland. He will be missed.

Share your memories on our Grace Under Fire message board. View photos in our galleries.

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're in yet another holiday weekend with a slow news week, and once again, no new home media news or releases (we hope that those sections will be back next week though!), but we do have news about another potential reboot of a 90s hit sitcom, a look at the busy week ahead on the small screen, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

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, Hulu announced the cancellation of Difficult People. Difficult People was in its third season, and although it was never a huge hit, it had gained a dedicated following and was one of the first Hulu originals that seemed to grab a decent-sized following. After Difficult People came Casual, another half-hour comedy (with dramatic elements) that gained some minor awards attention and a dedicated fanbase. The success of those two shows was combined with Hulu's acquisition of The Mindy Project after it was cancelled by Fox. Hulu seemed to be the home of beloved, if not incredibly well watched, comedies. However, over the past few months, Hulu has quietly announced the end of nearly its entire comedy slate. Casual will end with its next season, The Mindy Project is currently airing its final season, and Difficult People was cancelled without even an announcement.

This is an interesting move considering quirky, off-beat comedies and dramedies were what made Hulu stand out from its streaming competitors. However, Hulu was undoubtedly the little guy in the streaming wars - until it became the first streaming service to take home an Outstanding Series award with The Handmaid's Tale this year. The Handmaid's Tale was a cultural phenomenon that toppled over everything else Hulu had done up to that point, so it's not especially surprising that they would be switching up directions. Still, it's unfortunate to see any service that was once big on comedy turn their back towards it, so let's hope Hulu still has room for some original comedies.

Huddle around your TV New Year's Day for 18-straight hours of friends, football and fun with Antenna TV's "New Year Kickoff with Coach" marathon. Starting at 5am on January 1, 2018, Antenna TV will lineup the best episodes of Coach, starring Craig T. Nelson, as college football coach Hayden Fox, leading his team at home and on the field. Special episodes include Fox and his team's appearances in the "Pineapple Bowl," "Popcorn Bowl," "Patriot Bowl" & "Pioneer Bowl." Kickoff the new year with Coach, Antenna TV's newest lineup addition. As we mentioned earlier this week, beginning January 2, 2018, Coach will air weekdays at 11pm ET and weekends at 4:30pm ET.

Antenna TV, Tribune Broadcasting's multicast network, announced the addition of two classic sitcoms to the network's lineup. Coach and Gimme a Break! will join Antenna TV beginning January 2, 2018. Coach, starring Craig T. Nelson as college football head coach Hayden Fox, will air weekdays at 11pm ET and weekends at 4:30pm ET. Gimme a Break!, starring Nell Carter as Nell Harper, the housekeeper for a widowed police chief and his three daughters, will air weekdays at 4pm ET and Sundays at 7:30am and 3:30pm ET. Antenna TV, which airs in 131 TV markets across the U.S. reaching 86% of TV households, continues to aggressively invest in programming acquisitions. Earlier this year, Antenna TV added Welcome Back, Kotter, with Alice, Benson, Soap, Growing Pains, Silver Spoons, Head of the Class, Murphy Brown and The Hogan Family being added to its 2018 lineup. All join the lineup beginning Monday, January 2. In addition, The Jack Benny Program and McHale's Navy are returning to the schedule. With all these additions and returning series, the following shows will be off the line-up: Newhart, Dear John, The Patty Duke Show, Green Acres, The Jeffersons, All in the Family, One Day at a Time, Gidget, The Flying Nun, It's About Time, Good Times, Sanford & Son, The Addams Family and The Monkees.

Coach will launch with a New Year's Day marathon, as more info on that is to come. The new weekday schedule beginning Jan. 2 is all about similar pairings. Alice airs weekdays at 1pm and paired with Maude. Head of the Class is being paired with Welcome Back Kotter from 2-3pm, Gimme a Break! being paired with Webster, The Hogan Family being paired with Mr. Belvedere, Silver Spoons with My Two Dads, while Growing Pains and Family Ties join forces. In primetime, Three's Company and Soap are paired, while Benson and Wings follow. Murphy Brown airs at 10pm leading into Becker. And Coach at 11pm leading into Johnny Carson's new timeslot of 11:30pm, head-to-head vs. all the late night shows now (watch out ABC, NBC and CBS!). View the full Antenna TV January 2018 schedule with all of these new additions!

Put on those Rose-colored glasses and prepare to laugh through the winter blues with two scripted comedies on Pop that prove (dysfunctional) families rule. Starting Jan. 24, 2018, Wednesday nights on Pop will feature back-to-back comedies, including the critically acclaimed fan favorite Schitt's Creek at 8:00 and 11:00 PM, ET/PT, followed by the original series premiere of Let's Get Physical at 8:30 and 11:30 PM, ET/PT. Pop's Wednesday night comedies boast Emmy(R) Award-winning talent and all-star casts, including Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Daniel Levy and Annie Murphy returning as the Rose family in season four of Schitt's Creek, and Jane Seymour (Wedding Crashers), Matt Jones (Breaking Bad), Chris Diamantopoulos (Episodes) and AnnaLynne McCord (90210) in the new Let's Get Physical.

As season four of Schitt's Creek begins, it seems the Roses have somewhat adjusted to the simple life in Schitt's Creek, the town that was once a thorn in their side. The family continues to lay down roots in pursuit of love, business and higher education. But of course, what would life for the Roses be without a little self-inflicted crazy? Series co-creators Eugene and Daniel Levy continue as executive producers. Let's Get Physical is a modern-day comedy capturing the zeitgeist of 1980s aerobics. The series revolves around middle-aged slacker Joe Force (Matt Jones), who makes a reluctant comeback in the fitness industry after his dad, the "Godfather of Aerobics," unexpectedly passes away and wills Joe the broke-down family gym with eccentric provisions attached to get his actual fortune and estate. Janet Force (Jane Seymour) is Joe's mom, who takes the reins of the family business in order to maintain their legacy and uses information and manipulation to guarantee that things go her way. Upon coming home, Joe faces his rival, Barry Cross (Chris Diamantopoulos), and his teenage love, Claudia (AnnaLynne McCord), who is now Barry's wife.