Showing posts with label Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Show all posts

Saturday, November 14, 2020

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion Preview Released; Peacock Launches Saved by the Bell Channel

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we are learning more about the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion, hearing about a second season of Space Force, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion is coming on Thanksgiving, and Will Smith has dropped a preview. (CNN
  • A second season of Space Force will be coming to Netflix (Hollywood Reporter)
  • There is a Saved by the Bell channel now on Peacock, ahead of the reboot. (Deadline)
  • Another new animated workplace comedy is in the works at Fox. (Deadline)
  • Is Donald Trump looking to become a competitor to Fox News via the streaming world? Looks like it. (The Hill)
  • ABC has a celebrity version of Wheel of Fortune in the works. (SitcomsOnline)


WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 20)

 

  • CBS brings back their Monday sitcoms next week.
  • There are still a few hours left of a Jeopardy! marathon on GSN, until 3 PM.
  • Buzzr has a bit of a longer marathon of all things Alex Trebek that goes until 2 AM.
  • Decades has a marathon of The Streets of San Francisco.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Netflix Announces Good Times Animated Comedy; More Details on Fresh Prince Reunion on HBO Max

Good Times

Nostalgia alert! Norman Lear's 70s classic sitcom Good Times will return as an animated series! Carl Jones joins as showrunner for Lear's first-ever animated series, in partnership with the likes of Steph Curry and Seth MacFarlane. Let the good times roll šŸ”„ Good Times, the sitcom, originally aired on CBS from 1974-1979. Last holiday season, ABC aired Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times, when they recreated the classic episode "The Politicians." A feud erupts in the Evans' household when James and J.J. take the side of Alderman Fred Davis during his attempt at re-election while Florida, Thelma and Willona take the side of his young opponent. It seems Davis is a shyster who gets nothing done in the neighborhood, which is why she cannot believe James would back such a loser. Andre Braugher as James Evans Sr., Viola Davis as Florida Evans, Tiffany Haddish as Willona Woods, Jay Pharoah as James "J.J." Evans Jr., Corinne Foxx as Thelma Evans, Asante Blackk as Michael Evans, John Amos as Fred Davis, Jharrel Jerome as Jimmy Pierson, and Anthony Anderson & Patti LaBelle sang the classic theme song. More details on the Netflix animated comedy is to come!


The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Will Smith released two first-look photos at the upcoming The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special from Westbrook Media, that taped Sept. 10 on the 30th anniversary of the iconic series. Smith was joined by series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as recurring co-star DJ Jazzy Jeff for a family reunion on set in the Banks' home in this this one-time special.

Will Smith and Janet Hubert

Surprising the rest of the cast, Smith revealed that he sat down with Janet Hubert on Wednesday, Sept. 9, who originated the role of Aunt Viv, for the first time in 27 years for an emotional reunion and a candid conversation. As previously announced, the special will be a funny and heartfelt night full of music, dancing, and more special surprise guests, in honor of the series that ran for six seasons and 148 episodes. Produced by Westbrook Media, the reunion will launch exclusively on HBO Max around Thanksgiving. HBO Max is the exclusive SVOD home of the full original series library in the US, debuting on the platform when it launched in May. 

Saturday, September 12, 2020

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fresh Prince Reunion Brings Unexpected Pair Back Together; Doogie Howser Reboot Officially Picked Up

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is stealing the headlines with not one, but two separate stories! We're also hearing about a Doogie Howser reboot and more this week. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • Here's something we definitely didn't see coming, in light of the fact that she has publicly called him some things we won't repeat here: it seems Janet Hubert and Will Smith have patched up their differences and will be reuniting for an upcoming Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion. (NY Daily News)
  • Speaking of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, that dramatic reboot of it that we mentioned a few weeks ago? It's been picked up by Peacock. (TVLine)
  • The Doogie Howser, MD reboot (Doogie Kameāloha, MD is the title, actually) has been picked up by Disney+. (Deadline)
  • Bill Maher did something last night that no talk show has done in months: a live audience and guests in studio. (Deadline
  • Here's some good news: Saturday Night Live plans to return to the studio next month for the 46th season, meaning we (hopefully) won't get to miss out on whatever election season gold is waiting for us (more Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, we presume!). (Hollywood Reporter)
  • If you haven't been keeping up with the Kardashians, good news, you won't have to soon, because E! won't be either. (Variety)
  • ABC will be the first network to bring back new episodes of sitcoms, it appears. (SitcomsOnline)


WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 12 - SEPTEMBER 18)

  • Decades is going deep into their vault this weekend with a marathon of N.Y.P.D., a 1967-1969 police drama that is not to be confused with NYPD Blue.
  • The final season of Tosh.0 debuts on Comedy Central on Tuesday.
  • A new season of Archer arrives on Wednesday on FXX.

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

COZI TV's The Lone Ranger The Masked Man Marathon; Peacock Gets Fresh Prince Dramatic Series

The Masked Man Marathon

COZI TV has announced it will be airing a two-hour, The Lone Ranger special, "The Masked Man Marathon," on Saturday, September 12 starting at 8:00 a.m. EST (check local listings). The four-episode block special will feature custom animations on social media and on-air promotions featuring The Lone Ranger and his companion Tonto with a contemporary nose-and-mouth mask to remind and encourage viewers to wear masks and keep socially distant.

The Lone Ranger began as a radio show in the '30s before becoming a hit American Western drama television series from 1949 to 1957, for five seasons with a total of 221 episodes. The series stars Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger, except during the third season when John Hart wore the hero’s mask, and Jay Silverheels who played his Native American companion Tonto. The following episodes of The Lone Ranger will air on COZI TV on Saturday, September 12 starting at 8:00 a.m. EST:

8:00 a.m.: Season 1/Episode 1 - Enter the Lone Ranger
8:30 a.m.: Season 1/Episode 2 - The Long Rangers Fights On
9:00 a.m.: Season 1/Episode 3 - The Long Ranger's Triumph
9:30 a.m.: Season 1/Episode 4 - Legion of Old Timers


Will Smith

In West Philadelphia born and raised...Will Smith announced that the beloved comedy series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will come to streaming service Peacock reimagined as the highly anticipated dramatic adaptation of Morgan Cooper's lauded fan film, Bel-Air. Peacock has ordered two seasons. Much more info is still yet to come, such as casting and of course eventually the premiere date. 

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

HBO Max Slates The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion Special; Ayo Edebiri Replaces Jenny Slate as Missy on Big Mouth

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now this is a story all about how... the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunites for a one-time special! Coming around Thanksgiving only on HBO Max! September 10 will mark the 30th anniversary of the sitcom's debut on NBC and that date this year is when they will tape this reunion special! Reuniting will be Will Smith (Will), Tatyana Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons (Hilary), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Viv), DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jazz) and Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton). HBO Max is touting plus special guests, so we will some other guests and recurring stars it seems. Please note, this will be a reunion retrospective special and not an actual episode. HBO Max is also working on reunion retrospectives for Friends and The West Wing. Stay tuned for more info!


Ado Edebiri - Missy on Big Mouth

Ayo Edebiri has been cast as Missy on Netflix's Emmy Nominated animated series Big Mouth, replacing Jenny Slate who has voiced the character since season one. Fans should expect to first hear Ayo voice Missy in the penultimate episode of season four. She will continue to voice Missy in the final episode and for future seasons. Ayo joined the Big Mouth writer's room for season five. Season four of Big Mouth will premiere in Fall 2020. The series was previously renewed by Netflix through season six. 

Friday, August 21, 2020

Fri-Yay: The Lasting Impact of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; BET Sets Premiere Date for Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Assisted Living

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!

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

by Vincent

Recently, as I've been stuck in the house more often, I've been rewatching some old sitcoms in syndication since I've watched many of the sitcoms on streaming services over and over again. I've also been browsing the app TikTok, which as you probably know is very popular with teenagers and young adults. I've noticed that some sitcoms that are aging remain very popular with younger generations today, and one of those sitcoms is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I've been watching Fresh Prince in reruns on VH1, for the first time in about a decade, and I'm struck by how timeless the show feels, which is likely why it remains so popular.

Fresh Prince was at its heart a "fish out of water" story that smartly dealt with class differences. The show was upfront about these differences in a way sitcoms typically aren't, never forgetting how Will's background was so different than his uncle, aunt and cousins. Class issues are a very relevant and popular topic among the younger generation today, and Fresh Prince's upfront stance on these issues might be a reason why it's endured. Additionally, Fresh Prince was a sitcom with an entirely black cast (which is actually less common on TV today than it was 25 years ago) and was also very upfront in issues dealing with race - issues such as racism and police profiling were covered on Fresh Prince in raw and real ways. These are obviously issues that have been very "front and center" in today's society and this year especially, so for a 25 year old sitcom to be tackling those issues, again, helps it stay fresh for future generations. And, not to forget - the show's humor genuinely still feels fresh. Will Smith is a strong comedic actor (something he himself has seemingly forgotten) and the jokes are fast and furious. Sometimes they don't flow too well with the dramatic moments, but this was a common issue in '90s sitcoms, and it can be forgiven. I spend a lot of time talking about modern sitcoms on this blog, but sometimes it's worth it to take a look back at the shows that did and didn't stand the test of time, and Fresh Prince is one that definitely did. I might make this a regular feature and look back every so often at some past sitcoms and analyze why they did - or didn't - stand the test of time.


Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Tyler Perry's Assisted Living

Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Tyler Perry's Assisted Living will premiere on BET Wednesday, September 2nd at 9 PM ET and 10 PM ET, respectively. Two half-hour episodes will air for each show. Tyler Perry's House of Payne, returning for its seventh season, is a hilarious comedy about retired fire chief Curtis Payne (LaVan Davis) and his lovely wife Ella (Cassi Davis Patton) that picks up five years later, as they continue to navigate the problems of life with their quirky modern-day family. Tyler Perry's House of Payne stars LaVan Davis as Curtis Payne, Cassi Davis Patton as Ella Payne, Lance Gross as Calvin Payne, Demetria McKinney as Janine Payne, China Anne McClain as Jazmine Payne, Keshia Knight Pulliam as Miranda and Allen Payne as CJ Payne.

In the new sitcom Tyler Perry's Assisted Living, Jeremy (Na'im Lynn), a patriarch of a young family with teenage children, loses his job and decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to help his crazy grandfather. Grandpa Vinny (J. Anthony Brown) has foolishly purchased a terribly run-down home for the elderly and he is in way over his head, but comedy ensues as Mr. Brown (David Mann) and Cora (Tamela Mann) show up at the right time as needy investors. Tyler Perry's Assisted Living stars David Mann as Mr. Brown, Tamela Mann as Cora, J. Anthony Brown as Vinny, Na'im Lynn as Jeremy, Courtney Nichole as Leah, Tayler Buck as Sandra and Alex Henderson as Phillip.

Saturday, May 02, 2020

SitcomsOnline Digest: New Programming for Pluto TV; Recap of Parks and Recreation Special

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's not been a particularly busy week, but we do have news of some new Pluto TV programming, a recap of the Parks and Recreation special, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • Pluto TV has added some new channels, including one from Game Show Network. (Cord Cutters News
  • Here is a recap of the Parks and Recreation special, in case you missed it. (Deadline)
  • The cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (well, minus Janet Hubert, of course) remembered the life of James Avery this week. (LA Times)
  • Sam Lloyd, who appeared on Scrubs and many other series, has died at age 56. (Variety)
  • An animated special for One Day at a Time is in the works. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MAY 2 - MAY 8)

  • It's six hours of Becker today and Coach tomorrow on Antenna TV.
  • It's a Barnaby Jones binge on Decades this weekend.
  • The eleventh season of Archer debuts Wednesday on FXX.
  • ABC has a night of season finales for their sitcoms on Tuesday night.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

HBO Max Launches May 27 with Originals and Classics; Harley Quinn Season 1 Heads to Syfy

HBO Max

WarnerMedia announced that its highly anticipated streaming platform HBO Max will officially launch May 27, 2020 and has unveiled its slate of premium Max Originals that will be available to viewers on DAY ONE. The slate includes the scripted comedy Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick; Sundance 2020 Official Selection feature documentary On the Record; underground ballroom dance competition series Legendary; Craftopia, hosted by YouTube sensation LaurDIY; the all-new Looney Tunes Cartoons, from Warner Bros. Animation; and Sesame Workshop's The Not Too Late Show with Elmo . Starting May 27, HBO Max will offer an impressive direct-to-consumer experience with 10,000 hours of premium content including the entire HBO service, together with beloved franchises, titles past and present from Warner Bros., the best of the best from around the world, and a monthly offering of new Max Originals which guarantee something for everyone in the house – from preschoolers to teens to grownups – with scripted and unscripted series, docs, animation for kids and adults, and movies.

After the initial launch, Max Originals will continue to premiere on the streamer at a regular cadence through summer and fall including The Flight Attendant, starring and executive produced by Kaley Cuoco, from Berlanti Productions and based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian; the highly anticipated Friends unscripted cast reunion special; all-new original episodes of the critically acclaimed DC fan favorite Doom Patrol; the return of the critically beloved mystery comedy Search Party with a brand new season; the three-part documentary series Expecting Amy, an unfiltered and intimate view into comedian Amy Schumer's life on tour creating a stand-up special during her difficult pregnancy; sci-fi series Raised by Wolves from director and executive producer Ridley Scott, the award-winning creator behind The Martian, Gladiator, and Blade Runner; the adult animated comedy Close Enough, from J.G. Quintel (creator of Cartoon Network's Emmy-winning Regular Show), a hilarious look at the surreal life of a millennial family living with roommates; and Adventure Time: Distant Lands- BMO, the first of four breakout specials resurrecting Cartoon Network’s Emmy and Peabody award-winning franchise Adventure Time.

HBO Max will pull from WarnerMedia's deep library of fan favorites including motion picture and TV series from Warner Bros.' 100-year content collection, New Line, library titles from DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes, a selection of classic films curated in partnership with TCM, and more. HBO Max will also offer an extensive selection of third-party acquired series and movie titles that stand out in the expanding marketplace. Inspired by the legacy of HBO's excellence, unparalleled quality, and innovative, award-winning storytelling, the new offering will be bundled with the HBO service including all of HBO's premium originals such as Westworld, Big Little Lies, Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, Veep, The Wire, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Insecure, Succession, Watchmen, Barry, Euphoria, The Jinx, The Sopranos and more. Highlights of the extensive WarnerMedia portfolio of programming and acquisitions that will be available on day one include the libraries of Friends; The Big Bang Theory; (new) Doctor Who; Rick and Morty; The Boondocks; The Bachelor; Sesame Street; The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; CW shows such as Batwoman, Nancy Drew, and Katy Keene; the first season of DC's Doom Patrol; The O.C.; Pretty Little Liars; the CNN catalogue of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown; and much more. Soon after, the platform offering will continue to grow adding the libraries of South Park, Gossip Girl, The West Wing, and more within the first year of launch.


Harley Quinn

Welcome to the SYFY family, Harley Quinn! From DC Universe and Warner Bros. Animation, Season One of the critically acclaimed, half-hour adult animated comedy series Harley Quinn will begin an exclusive cable run on SYFY every Sunday night in May. Starring Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory, 8 Simple Rules) as the voice of Harley Quinn, Season Two is currently streaming on DC Universe. Breaking up is hard to do - just ask Harley! The DC fan-favorite has finally left her ex-boyfriend, the Joker, and is trying her damndest to join the Legion of Doom with the help - or hindrance - of a whole cast of not-so super villains from all corners of Gotham City. Try to keep up with Harley and her hijinks as all episodes from Season One of Harley Quinn air on SYFY as outlined below:

FULL SCHEDULE:
May 3: Episodes 1-4, 11PM - 1AM ET/PT
May 10: Episodes 5-7, 11PM - 12:30AM ET/PT
May 17: Episodes 8-10, 11PM - 12:30AM ET/PT
May 24: Episodes 11-13, 12AM - 1:30AM ET/PT 

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

TCA Winter 2020 Press Tour: Showtime and Pop; Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Talk Hit Sitcoms

Black Monday

Monday's recap from the TCA Winter 2020 Press Tour had Showtime and Pop going. Up first, SHOWTIME has ordered a ten-episode second season of The L Word: Generation Q, the sequel to the groundbreaking drama series The L Word. SHOWTIME has picked up a second season of the critically acclaimed comedy series Work in Progress. Created and written by Chicago improv mainstays Abby McEnany and Tim Mason and co-written by Lilly Wachowski (The Matrix), the series stars McEnany as a fictionalized version of herself whose misfortune and despair unexpectedly lead her to a vibrantly transformative relationship. SHOWTIME has announced that the ten-episode second season of its acclaimed comedy series Black Monday will debut with back-to-back episodes each week beginning on Sunday, March 15th from 10 to 11 p.m. ET/PT. SHOWTIME announced that season five of the hit drama series Billions will premiere on Sunday, May 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) winner Paul Giamatti and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis.

SHOWTIME has announced that the third season of its drama series The Chi, which will feature series creator and Emmy(R) winner Lena Waithe (Queen & Slim, Boomerang) in a multi-episode arc as a Chicago mayoral candidate, will debut on Sunday, July 5 at 10 p.m. SHOWTIME has announced that the highly anticipated series Penny Dreadful: City of Angels will premiere on Sunday, April 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, while Emmy(R)-winning documentary series Vice, known for delivering longform, on-the-ground journalism and newsworthy explorations of our world today, will premiere across all SHOWTIME platforms on Sunday, March 29, at 8 p.m. And finally, the network has picked up an 11th and final season of its hit comedy series Shameless premiering this summer.

One Day at a Time

After a celebrated new season pickup following a passionate fan campaign, Pop TV announced that the acclaimed series One Day at a Time, will return on Tuesday, March 24 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, following all new-episodes of the final season of Schitt's Creek before moving to 9 p.m. ET/PT, starting on April 14. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the award-winning comedy inspired by Emmy(R) winner Norman Lear's 1975 series of the same name will continue to tell the story of the Cuban American Alvarez family throughout 13 original episodes. This season will find Penelope (Screen Actors Guild Award(R) winner Justina Machado) exploring a surprising relationship, her mother Lydia (Emmy, Grammy(R), Oscar(R) and Tony(R) winner Rita Moreno) experiencing a religious crisis - as well as revealing the details of her surprise trip to Cuba with Dr. Berkowitz (Stephen Tobolowsky), and Schneider (Todd Grinnell) finding his relationship with Avery (India de Beaufort) growing deeper. Meanwhile, Elena (Isabella Gomez) begins to prepare for college and Alex (Marcel Ruiz) starts to date.
One Day at a Time joins Pop TV's slate of bold comedies with a point of view including the final season of Emmy-nominated Schitt's Creek, the critically acclaimed Florida Girls, and Flack starring Oscar winner Anna Paquin.

#Blessed. Pop TV announced that it has ordered the miraculous new comedy pilot Mother Mary, a modern twist on one of the famous stories ever told. The project is conceived by CBS Television Studios, written by Casey Feigh (What We Do in the Shadows), Dan Gregor (How I Met Your Mother) and Betsy Sodaro (Disjointed) and executive produced by Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) winner Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) along with Tony Hernandez and Brooke Posch of Jax Media (Broad City, Russian Doll, Florida Girls), and Feigh, Gregor and Sodaro. Crisis averted! Pop TV announced the return of the dark comedy Flack, set in the world of a celebrity crisis PR firm, starring Academy Award(R) and Golden Globe(R) winner and Emmy(R)-nominated actress Anna Paquin (True Blood, The Affair). The six-episode season will premiere on Friday, March 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and features new cast members Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor Sam Neill, Screen Actors Guild Award(R) winner Daniel Dae Kim and guest star Emmy-winner Martha Plimpton.


Will Smith & Martin Lawrence - Sneaker Shopping

Season 10 of Complex's longest-running and award-winning series, Sneaker Shopping, returns this week with superstars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Host Joe La Puma takes the dynamic duo through Stadium Goods in NYC where they chat setting trends on their sitcoms (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin), getting their own sneaker collabs and footwear choices in Bad Boys for Life. The episode is now live on Complex's YouTube. As the host of Sneaker Shopping, Joe La Puma gives fans a sneak peek into the personal lives of the biggest names in music, sports, and pop culture from the feet up, sharing their lives, careers, and personal tastes with La Puma through the lens of sneakers and style.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

HBO Max Announces Lots of News and Series, Including Library Series The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Looney Tunes and More

HBO Max

HBO Max, WarnerMedia's new streaming platform launching in May of 2020, will offer an impressive direct-to-consumer experience with 10,000 hours of premium content for everyone, ranging from families with young children to adults of all ages. In addition to a robust slate of originals, HBO Max will feature a vast selection of titles from Warner Media's brands including library content from Warner Bros. Film and Television Studios, New Line Cinema, DC, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Looney Tunes and more, alongside key third party acquisitions. Here is a selection that will be available in our first year of launch.

Library Series
Adam Ruins Everything
Adventure Time
The Alienist
American Dynasties: The Kennedys
Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
At Home with Amy Sedaris
The Bachelor
The Bachelorette
Batwoman
The Big Bang Theory
The Boondocks
The Carbonaro Effect
The Closer
CNN Decade Series (The 2000s, The Nineties, etc.)
Conan Travel Specials
Dexter's Laboratory
Doctor Who
Doom Patrol
Ellen's Game of Games
Falling Skies
The Flintstones
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Friends
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Gossip Girl
The Honourable Woman
Impractical Jokers
The Jetsons
Little Big Shots
Looney Tunes / Merry Melodies
Mad TV
Miracle Workers
The OC
The Office (British version)
The Powerpuff Girls
Pretty Little Liars
Pride and Prejudice
Primal
Rick & Morty
Rizzoli & Isles
Robot Chicken
Samurai Jack
Sesame Street
The Smurfs
South Park
Steven Universe
This Is Life with Lisa Ling
Top Gear / BBC
United Shades of America with Kamau Bell
The West Wing
Whose Line Is It Anyway?


Among the key news items: HBO Max has secured exclusive streaming rights in the U.S. to Comedy Central's South Park. The multi-year licensing deal was completed with South Park Digital Studios, a joint venture between Viacom and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. All 23 seasons of Parker and Stone's award-winning animated satire will become available exclusively on the streamer in June 2020 followed by three brand new seasons, which will debut on HBO Max 24 hours after each episode premieres on Comedy Central. HBO Max has also secured streaming rights to Adult Swim's Emmy award-winning animated series Rick and Morty in the United States. All three seasons of Rick and Morty that have aired to date will be available to viewers on the service when HBO Max launches in the US in May 2020. Future seasons of Rick and Morty will continue to premiere on Adult Swim before streaming on HBO Max.

New original comedies are also coming. DC Super Hero High is a half-hour comedy series executive produced by Elizabeth Banks (Charlie's Angels, Pitch Perfect, Shrill), which follows a group of students experiencing the fun and drama of adolescence at a boarding school for gifted kids. These teens are just trying to navigate the pressures of high school, but none of them realize that someday they will become legendary DC Super Heroes. Rap Sh*t (working title) from Issa Rae (Insecure, A Black Lady Sketch Show) is a half-hour comedy series that follows a female rap group from outside of Miami trying to make it in the music industry. College Girls (working title), the latest series from Mindy Kaling (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Late Night, The Mindy Project, The Office), is a 13-episode half-hour, single-camera comedy following three 18-year-old freshman roommates at Evermore College in Vermont. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these sexually active college girls are equal parts lovable and infuriating.

Conan O'Brien and Team Coco will be bringing five all-new stand-up specials to the direct-to-consumer platform launching in spring 2020. As part of O'Brien's joint venture with WarnerMedia announced last year, the specials will launch exclusively on HBO Max and will feature talent handpicked by O'Brien. O'Brien will host two specials that feature short sets from multiple up-and-coming comics while also curating one-hour-long sets from three comedians. In addition to those five specials, HBO Max has purchased the rights to a one-hour special from comedian James Veitch, also produced by Team Coco.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

WarnerMedia Announces HBO Max for 2020 with Friends, Fresh Prince & More; IMDb Gets First Scripted Series

HBO Max

WarnerMedia unveiled HBO Max as the name of its new streaming service, which will offer an impressive direct-to-consumer experience for everyone ranging from families with young children to adults of all ages. Anchored with and inspired by the legacy of HBO's excellence and award-winning storytelling, the new service will be "Maximized" with an extensive collection of exclusive original programming (Max Originals) and the best-of-the-best from WarnerMedia's enormous portfolio of beloved brands and libraries. New deals with Warner Bros. Television and others for HBO Max announced today include:

· The exclusive streaming rights at launch to all 236 episodes of Friends - one of the biggest hits on television and in streaming
· The exclusive streaming rights at launch to all episodes of fan favorites The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Pretty Little Liars
· The exclusive streaming home to a string of new Warner Bros.' produced dramas for The CW beginning with the fall 2019 season, including the highly-anticipated new DC Entertainment series Batwoman, and Katy Keene (spinoff of Riverdale)
· New exclusive movie production deals with Greg Berlanti, one of Hollywood's most prolific and successful producers, and Reese Witherspoon, Academy Award(R) and Emmy Award(R)-winning actress and producer; Berlanti will produce an initial four movies focused in the young adult space, while Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine will produce at least two films

HBO Max, scheduled to launch commercially in spring of 2020, is anticipated to premiere with 10,000 hours of premium content. Max Original series previously announced include: Dune: The Sisterhood, an adaptation of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's book based in the world created by Frank Herbert's book Dune, from director Denis Villeneuve; Tokyo Vice, based on Jake Adelstein's non-fiction first-hand account of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat starring Ansel Elgort; The Flight Attendant, a one-hour thriller series based on the novel by Chris Bohjalian, which will star Kaley Cuoco, who is also executive producing alongside Greg Berlanti; Love Life, a 10-episode half-hour romantic comedy anthology series starring Anna Kendrick, who will also executive produce alongside Paul Feig; Station Eleven, a postapocalyptic limited series based on Emily St. John Mandel's international bestseller, adapted by Patrick Somerville and directed by Hiro Murai; Made for Love, a 10-episode, half-hour, straight-to-series adaptation based on the tragicomic novel of the same name by Alissa Nutting, also from Somerville and directed by S.J. Clarkson; Gremlins, an animated series from Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Entertainment based on the original movie.

Highlights of HBO programming previously announced for 2020 and 2021 include Stephen King's The Outsider, a dark mystery starring Ben Mendelsohn, produced and directed by Jason Bateman; Lovecraft Country, a unique horror series based on a novel by Matt Ruff, written and executive produced by Misha Green, and executive produced by Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams; The Nevers, Joss Whedon's new science fiction series starring Laura Donnelly; The Gilded Age," the opulent world of 1885 New York from Julian Fellowes; Avenue 5, high satire aboard a space-bound cruise ship from Armando Iannucci, starring Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad; The Undoing, a psychological thriller from David E. Kelley, directed by Susanne Bier starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant; The Plot Against America, reimagined history based on Phillip Roth's novel written and executive produced by David Simon and Ed Burns, starring Winona Ryder and John Turturro; Perry Mason, the classic legal drama for a new generation, executive produced by Robert Downey, Jr. and Susan Downey, with Matthew Rhys in the title role; I Know This Much Is True, a complex family drama starring Mark Ruffalo playing twin brothers, one of whom has schizophrenia, based on the best-selling novel by Wally Lamb, written and directed by Derek Cianfrance.


You're Not a Monster

IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content, announced its first-ever animated comedy series: You're Not a Monster (www.imdb.com/monster). Fans will get a sneak peek of the 10-episode, short-form series when its trailer premieres on the IMDboat at Comic-Con International: San Diego later this month, and full episodes will premiere this fall. The show joins other IMDb original series now airing including The IMDb Show, IMDbrief and Casting Calls.

You're Not a Monster demonstrates that even classic movie monsters have emotional issues - because the only thing worse than being undead is being unloved. Returning to the "therapist's chair" for the first time since Frasier, Kelsey Grammer voices a former psychiatrist-turned-vampire in the series, who mentors his great-great grandson "Max" (Eric Stonestreet), a therapist who has inherited his practice. In each 4 to 5 minute episode, Max treats classic monsters including Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Medusa as they seek desperately needed therapeutic help. Rounding out the series cast is Aparna Nancherla as a demon receptionist, Ellie Kemper as a therapist who thinks Max is imagining everything, and Peter Grosz, Langston Kerman, Joel Kim Booster, Patton Oswalt, Adam Pally, Amber Ruffin, Amy Sedaris and Milana Vayntrub as hideous monsters. Show creators and cast members including Grammer and Nancherla will participate in an exclusive interview with host Kevin Smith on the IMDboat at San Diego Comic-Con on July 20.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Fri-Yay: What Show Could Use a Revival?; Trial & Error Adds Kristin Chenoweth for Season 2

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!

Happy Endings

by Vincent

With revival fever sweeping the networks, I figured I'd take this week's column to think about what shows I think could use a revival. Honestly, for the most part I don't think that most shows really need a revival, but there are certain sitcoms that I've been yearning for more, either because they were taken off the air too soon or just because I think they could work in today's TV climate. A few of those shows are:

Happy Endings - If there's one show I would genuinely love to see come back, it's this one. This was such a smart, rapid-fire and genuinely funny show with an immensely talented cast that deserved more than the three seasons it got on ABC. Its run as it is now is nearly perfect, and it's possible additional seasons would ruin that perfect track record (I'm looking at you, Arrested Development Season 4) but honestly? I don't care. If there's a chance for anything as non-stop hilarious as the first three seasons, I'm willing to take that risk.

Cheers - Cheers is one show whose premise could essentially be recycled over and over again - a bunch of people hang out at a bar. While it's pretty unlikely that the original cast could be reunited in any form, I think a Cheers: The Next Generation or something could actually work. What does the bar look like in the 2010s? What kind of people frequent it? Most revivals have featured the same cast members, but arguably the best one - One Day at a Time - has rebooted the concept entirely. I think this could really work with Cheers.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - It's pretty unlikely that Will Smith would ever consider this, but it'd be interesting to see a Fresh Prince where Will becomes something similar to what he is in real life, and takes on a streetwise kid the way his Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivan did when he was just starting. Essentially, it could be like Fuller House done right. (Unfortunately, it'd have to be without James Avery, who passed away a few years ago.)

Bewitched - A modern Bewitched could be genuinely kind of interesting, which is probably why there was a movie done in a similar vein in the 2000s. The movie, though, never took its concept seriously enough. Bewitched was, at times, a somewhat sly commentary on gender roles in the 1960s, so I'd be curious to see what it could do with modern topics like feminism and gender equality - of course, dressed up in a sparkly magic spell.

All in all, I'd rather see networks come up with original content rather than sputtering out endless remakes. But if they had to remake some of these shows, I wouldn't complain, as long as they were done right.


Kristin Chenoweth - Trial & Error

Did she or didn't she? Multi-talented Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth has been cast as Lavinia Peck-Foster in the second season of NBC's irreverent comedy series Trial & Error. Who is Lavinia Peck-Foster? The first lady of East Peck is a larger-than-life grand dame - at least in her own mind. She is an eccentric heiress known for her flamboyant outfits, large hats and hairless cat, Fluffy, who has not left the confines of Peck Gardens in ages. Lavinia calls on Josh Segal and Associates - the team that got off Owl Murderer Larry Henderson - to defend her after she was found with her husband, Edgar, stuffed into a suitcase in the back of her car. The premiere for the second season of Trial & Error will be announced at a later date, with 10 episodes ordered. The series stars John Lithgow, Nicholas D'Agosto, Sherri Shepherd, Jayma Mays, Steven Boyer and Krysta Rodriguez.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Two and a Half Men Heads to Nick at Nite; WE tv Acquires Criminal Minds

Two and a Half Men

Charlie Sheen is heading to Nick at Nite. Reruns of Two and a Half Men will begin airing on Nick at Nite on Wednesday, Dec. 6 in the late night. The sitcom will air every night at 1:00am & 1:30am ET replacing an hour of Fresh Prince, as that series will still air at 10:00pm & 10:30pm. Two and a Half Men will lead into The Goldbergs at 2:00am & 2:30am. Friends will be the lead-in for Two and a Half Men from 11pm-1am. The series has also aired on FX (for over 7 years), but it is no longer on the schedule as of this week...so perhaps Nick at Nite will now be the exclusive cable home? The series continues to air locally in broadcast syndication. More info to come, as we get it. In this popular sitcom, carefree bachelor Charlie Harper's (Charlie Sheen) life is turned upside down when his divorced brother Alan (Jon Cryer) and nephew Jake (Angus T. Jones) move in with him. Two and a Half Men aired from 2003-2015 on CBS.


Criminal Minds

WE tv will begin airing the critically-acclaimed drama, Criminal Minds, starting Saturday, December 16 from 10am-5am ET/PT. The first ten seasons will continue to air during all-day binge-a-thons on Saturdays from 10am-1am ET/PT and Mondays from 4pm-1am ET/PT. Each one hour episode follows an elite team of FBI profilers who are set on catching various criminals through behavioral profiling. The Behavioral Analysis Unit's most prominent agent is David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), a founding member of the BAU who returns to help the team solve new cases, while pursuing some unfinished business of his own. The team is led by Special Agent Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), a family man who is able to gain people's trust and unlock their secrets. Other members include Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), the daughter of high-powered diplomats who must prove her worth to Hotchner; Special Agent Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), an expert on obsessional crimes; Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), a classically misunderstood genius whose social IQ is as low as his intellectual IQ is high; Jennifer "J.J." Jareau (A.J. Cook), a confident young agent who acts as the unit liaison for the team, and Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), a computer wizard who helps research the cases. Each member brings his or her own area of expertise to the table as they pinpoint predators' motivations and identify their emotional triggers in the attempt to stop them.

Friday, September 08, 2017

Fri-Yay: 2017-18 New Sitcoms; Nick at Nite Fall 2017 Schedule with The Goldbergs

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!

The Mayor

by Vincent

Last week, I took a look at the returning sitcoms that I'm looking forward to this fall. This week, I'll be doing something similar - only instead of returning series, I'll be taking a glance at some of the most exciting new sitcoms the networks have to offer this year. I'll be honest - it seems like a bit of a light slate this year, and not much is quite popping out to me as super promising. But there's still a handful of interesting shows that I think might be worth tuning into. I haven't seen any of these shows yet, but these are the shows I'm most looking forward to based on their trailers, promos, synopses and cast details.

The Mayor (ABC) - Of all of the network sitcoms premiering this fall, The Mayor has the most promise. The series follows a young rapper named Courtney who decides to run for mayor of his small California town as a joke and a publicity stunt, only to actually win. With a stacked cast (including Community's Yvette Nicole Brown and Glee's Lea Michele), an interesting (and uh, incredibly relevant) premise, and promos that already have some pretty good jokes, The Mayor is the comedy I'm most looking forward to this fall, and I'm hoping it delivers on its promise.

Ghosted (Fox) - Ghosted is another high-concept comedy from FOX, who has been experimenting in sci-fi-meets comedy for the past few years, sometimes to success (like with The Last Man on Earth, entering its fourth season this fall) and sometimes to...less success (such as with the quickly cancelled Making History). Ghosted is described as "an action-packed comedy about two down-on-their-luck polar opposites tasked with saving the world from aliens.") This sounds like the sort of show that will either be a delightfully weird and wild time or a total train-wreck. Either way, it should be a good time!

Will & Grace Revival (NBC) - Okay, well, technically this isn't a new series, but...it sort of is, right? It's a revival of long-running hit Will & Grace, which aired on NBC from 1998 to 2006 and is coming back for a ninth go around this fall. I'll be honest, I don't have super high hopes for Will & Grace: the original series had its moments but feels a little dated already, and I'm not sure there's much of a place for it in the current TV landscape. Still, it's always interesting when a long-dead TV show makes its way back onto the airwaves and tries to make itself relevant in a different era. I'll be watching Will & Grace and hoping it's better than I'm expecting it to be.

Me, Myself & I (CBS) - This is another high-concept comedy, but this time from CBS, who typically plays it a little more conventional (although they do have the uniquely-structured Life in Pieces which they've found some success with, so maybe they're getting a little more daring.) It revolves around follows a single character, Alex (portrayed, primarily, by Bobby Moynihan) in three distinct parts of his life: adolescence (1991) adulthood (present day) and old age (in 2042). Bobby Moynihan was a long-running staple of Saturday Night Live who had tons of hilarious characters and impressions, so I'm interested to see how he transitions into a starring role. He certainly has the talent to carry a show on his own, and the concept here is pretty fascinating, so hopefully everything settles into place and this can be the star vehicle that Moynihan deserves.

Those are the network sitcoms that have stuck out most to me this year based on their initial concepts and promotion, As usual, though, I'm always hoping to be surprised by an underdog who comes out of nowhere and surprisingly becomes excellent. Either way, I'll be checking out all of the sitcoms that the networks have to offer, as usual, hoping for the best!


The Goldbergs

Nickelodeon is bringing Walkmans, stonewashed denim and big hair to Nick at Nite with the addition of the popular family sitcom The Goldbergs, beginning Monday, Sept. 18, at 1 a.m. (ET/PT). The series follows the adventures of the Goldberg family as they share the ups and downs of life together in the '80s. Following the series launch, the four-season, 95-episode library of The Goldbergs will continue to air daily at 1 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite. The Goldbergs is entering its fifth season this fall on ABC. The comedy will premiere on Monday, September 18, 2017 and will air every night at 1:00am & 1:30am. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will move down to 2-3am, with George Lopez overnight getting sliced to 3am-7am. Nick at Nite's prime schedule will remain as is, with Full House and Friends from 8pm-1am. However, the week after starting Sept. 25, Fresh Prince will air in the 10pm hour as well, taking an hour from House. Back to The Goldbergs, it will also premiere on local broadcast syndication as we mentioned before, starting Sept. 11 with stations like WPIX in NY airing it weeknights at 7:00pm & 7:30pm. And also as we mentioned before, The Goldbergs will air in primetime on Pop TV starting Tuesday, Sept. 26. More info on Pop TV's schedule will be coming soon, so stay tuned.

In The Goldbergs, there was a simpler time called the '80s--before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up and peanut allergies. For geeky and movie obsessed youngest child Adam (Sean Giambrone), these were his wonder years, and he faced them armed with a video camera to capture all the crazy. The Goldbergs are a loving family like any other--just with a lot more yelling. Mom Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) is a classic "smother," an overbearing, overprotective matriarch who loves her delicious kids, but still rules this brood with 100% authority and zero sense of boundaries. Dad Murray (Jeff Garlin) is gruff and sometimes oblivious, parenting with half his attention span but all his heart. Sister Erica (Hayley Orrantia) is popular and terrifying, doing her best to cover up that she's the smartest of the clan. Barry (Troy Gentile) is a passionate dreamer, who maybe dreams a little too big and who always gets the short end of the stick. Adam (Sean Giambrone) is the youngest, a camera-wielding future director who's navigating first love, and growing up with his family. Rounding out the family is beloved grandfather Al "Pops" Solomon (George Segal), the wild man of the clan, a shameless Don Juan who's learning as much from his family as he teaches them.

The Goldbergs stars Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) as Beverly Goldberg, Sean Giambrone as Adam Goldberg, Troy Gentile (Good Luck Chuck) as Barry Goldberg, Hayley Orrantia (The X Factor) as Erica Goldberg, with George Segal (Just Shoot Me) as Pops Solomon and Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Murray Goldberg.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Acquires Even More Series; The Simpsons to Finally Continue on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're getting some highlights from the TCA press tour, we're hearing about even more (for the third week in a row) acquisitions for Hulu,  The Simpsons is finally continuing on DVD after all. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • If you've been following us this week, then you've heard that Hulu has been trying to become truly competitive with (and is on the verge of actually being even better than) Netflix on vintage TV, and has acquired five classic TGIF series (including three that cannot be seen in full on DVD) and will be adding those series to the service in September, but that isn't all, as Variety reports that the streaming service is also in talks with Warner to acquire another series from the same era that aired on a different network, but would have fit right in on TGIF had ABC aired it: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. (Variety)
  • The broadcast group Tegna is adding a daily news and entertainment show called Daily Blast Live to their lineup this fall, and among the contributors, Tracey Gold of Growing Pains fame will be included. (TVSpy)
  • Katie Couric seems to not stay in any job too long since she left NBC a decade ago, and now, she's leaving her current position as an online news anchor at Yahoo. (Hollywood Reporter)
  • June Foray, who did the voice of Rocky in Rocky and Bullwinkle (among numerous other cartoon voices), died Wednesday at age 99. (ABC News)
  • Voice artist Patti Deutsch, who was also known for her role on Laugh-In and frequent appearances as a panelist on Match Game, died Wednesday at age 73. (Deadline)
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm is set to return to HBO for a ninth season in September, following a hiatus of over five years. (SitcomsOnline

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
  • Two years ago, it was announced that DVDs for The Simpsons would no longer be released, but a surprising announcement came late last week with The Simpsons - The Eighteenth Season coming to DVD in December. Additionally, it seems that extras such as commentaries have already been completed for both seasons 19 and 20 (it is worth noting that season 20 was previously released, but it did not include any special features). Unfortunately, it seems Blu-ray releases are done for the series.

TUESDAY (AUGUST 1) HOME MEDIA RELEASE
The Secret World of Alex Mack - The Complete Series

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: John Roberts (Twitter), "I'm a comedian. I voice Gene on @BobsBurgersFox. Get my 9-volume album now!"
Claim to Fame: We're continuing an unofficial Bob's Burgers again, and this time, we have John Roberts, who distinguishes himself from the Fox News correspondent @johnrobertsFox with his own similar sounding @JohnRobertsFun. Like many of the cast members of the series, he too has worked with H. Jon Benjamin elsewhere, including on Archer. On Bob's Burgers, he does the voice of Linda Belcher, the wife of Bob.
Pick of the Tweets: "Off to the @FOXTV party at @Comic_Con with @kristenschaaled (pic)" (July 22, 2017)

Saturday, April 01, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Spike TV Prepares to Rebrand as Paramount Network; Netflix Continues to Evolve

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning more about Spike TV's 2018 rebranding as Paramount Network, some popular shows are leaving Netflix, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
  • Spike TV is rebranding as Paramount Network next year, and with it comes some new original programming, including some that was previously planned for TV Land. (Variety)
  • The cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunited this week and took what seemed to be a touching cast reunion photo, but that reunion was overshadowed by Janet Hubert (the original Aunt Viv, who was not part of that reunion) returning to Facebook to do what she spends plenty of time doing: to slam the cast, and to call Alfonso Ribiero a few names that we won't repeat here (but you can read them in the article). (Entertainment Weekly)
  • Several popular TV series that were added to Netflix back in 2010 (when streaming TV series was relatively new) are leaving Netflix, and it looks as if this may be the true beginning of Netflix moving much more into original programming and further away from older TV series. (Vox
  • On the surface, it may seem inconsequential that the FCC has auctioned off blocks of airwaves currently used for TV broadcasting to other interests, but in reality, it means that there will be less room for broadcast diginets such as Antenna TV, This TV, or MeTV. While those three would be strong candidates for survival, there are dozens of others out there that probably will not survive, at least not as broadcast networks. (Deadline)
  • The late night talk show wars have taken a surprising shift in recent months, with Stephen Colbert overtaking Jimmy Fallon in total viewers (though Fallon still holds the edge in viewers age 18-49). (Variety)
  • The Mindy Project will end after the sixth season, which begins in September. (SitcomsOnline)


TUESDAY (APRIL 4) HOME MEDIA RELEASES
Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Fifth Season

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Adam Pally (Twitter)
Claim to Fame:Adam Pally was born in New York and knew he wanted to act early on. He got his first role in 2011 on the ABC series Happy Endings, where he played Max Blum. As soon as that ended, he was able to immediately hop over to The Mindy Project, where he played another regular role, as Dr. Prentice. As we mentioned today, that series is also coming to an end soon, but he is safe for now, because he now stars as Dan Chambers in Fox's new series, Making History.
Pick of the Tweets: "Y'all like the early 90's? I didn't but now I dooooooooo and you will tooooooo (pic)" (March 26, 2017)

Monday, October 03, 2016

Meet the Browns Heads to BET; Netflix Goes Back to The Ranch

Meet the Browns

Tyler Perry's sitcom Meet the Browns is now on BET in reruns. The sitcom starts today with a marathon from 8am-2am, so it's non-stop laughs to start off October. The series will air weekdays from 11am-12pm and 7-8pm. There will be other airings, sometimes a prime stack once a week or even some weekend play in stacks. The series will follow Tyler Perry's other sitcom House of Payne. BET also airs Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. BET also from time to time brings out Eve, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Game and In the House, but most of these air on sister network Centric. As for Meet the Browns, the series revolves around a senior family living under one roof in Decatur, Georgia led by patriarch Mr. Brown and his daughter Cora Simmons. David Mann and Tamela Mann star and the series aired from 2009-2011, but had a bulk episode order, totaling 140 episodes.


The Ranch

Howdy. The Ranch Part 2 returns with ten new episodes Friday, October 7, everywhere where Netflix is available. The Ranch stars Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Sam Elliot, Debra Winger and more. The Ranch is executive produced by Don Reo (Two and Half Men, My Wife and Kids) and Jim Patterson (Two and a Half Men, Mike and Molly). Kutcher and Masterson also serve as executive producers. As mentioned, The Ranch Part 2 Launches on Netflix Friday, Oct. 7 to conclude its first season 20 episode order.

Life on The Ranch is never easy and things get even more complicated in part two of season one. It seems like ex-football star Colt Bennett (Kutcher) has finally accepted his place on the family ranch, but he and his brother Rooster (Masterson) will have to prove themselves to their father Beau (Elliot) if they ever hope to become partners. Maggie (Winger) has hopes of her own and they may no longer involve her on-again/off-again husband and after finally saving his ranch, Beau might be losing his family. And if life weren't complicated enough, when Colt's high school sweetheart Abby (Elisha Cuthbert) expresses doubts about her fiancƩ, Colt must choose between his current girlfriend and his first love. Dysfunctional doesn't even cover this family.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

That's My Mama on Centric; BET Asks "Will the Real Aunt Viv Please Stand Up?"

That's My Mama

Mother's day is a little over a month away still, but you can still prepare! Centric will honor all mother's out there with a 24-hour marathon of the '70s sitcom That's My Mama on Mother's Day--Sunday, May 8, 2016 starting at 6am. This is the first time That's My Mama is airing on Centric. The series has aired from time to time on cable network TV One over the years. The classic sitcom which starred Theresa Merritt in the title role as Eloise "Mama" Curtis took place in Washington D.C. and centered around Clifton Curtis, Mama's son and young barber, he had inherited the family barbershop from his late father, Oscar Curtis. Mama wanted the best for her son and that meant a woman in his life, so she often tried finding him a mate even though he enjoyed bachelor life. The series also stars Clifton Davis and Jester Hairston (who both went on to star in another favorite Amen), Ted Lange (who went on to star in The Love Boat), Lynn Moody (Roots), and Theodore Wilson (Sweet Daddy from Good Times). Will Centric air the series as a regular? We will know soon, if they do, but for now enjoy it on Mother's Day!


The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Aunt Viv

Turning to sister network BET, they will have a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air marathon on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 10am-5pm with the title "Will the Real Aunt Viv Please Stand Up?" Of course Aunt Viv was played by two different actors during the six-season run. Janet Hubert-Whitten had the role in Seasons 1-3 and Daphne Maxwell Reid took over from Seasons 4-6. Which Aunt Viv do you prefer? Find out when they go head-to-head on BET in this 7-hour event!

Friday, December 04, 2015

VH1 Adds Sitcoms in Mornings; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 7, 2015)

My Wife & Kids

VH1 has quietly added sitcoms to its weekday morning lineup. The sitcoms are sitcoms that air on other Viacom-owned networks. Airing Tues-Fri from 6am to 12pm. The schedule normally is like this: My Wife & Kids from 6am-8am, The Jamie Foxx Show from 8-10am and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 10am-12pm. On Fridays it could vary from this a bit. These are the only comedies airing on the network. You can find My Wife & Kids also on Centric, The Jamie Foxx Show now on CMT and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on BET and Nick at Nite. And these shows have aired on other Viacom networks before, too...but now watch them every morning on VH1!


It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of Dec. 7-11, 2015, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVRs (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!


Sunday, December 6, 2015

  • NeNe Leakes (The New Normal) - Catch NeNe on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
Monday, December 7, 2015
  • Ron Howard (Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Watch Ron on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Judith Light (Transparent/Phenom/Who's the Boss?) - Judith appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) - Adam drops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris is a guest on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Tom Rhodes (Mr. Rhodes), Brian Posehn (The Sarah Silverman Program) and Rick Overton (My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star) - Tom, Brian and Rick are guests on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
  • Billie Lourd (Scream Queens) - Billie stops by LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Oliver Hudson (Scream Queens/Rules of Engagement) - Oliver is a guest on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
  • Rickey Smiley (The Rickey Smiley Show) - Rickey appears on Steve Harvey, so check your local listings.
  • Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent/Arrested Development/The Larry Sanders Show) - Jeffrey talks about Transparent on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • James Brolin (Life in Pieces) - James talks about Sisters on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Mark Feuerstein (Good Morning, Miami/Fired Up) - Mark is a guest on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
  • Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Tracee appears on Larry King Now at 2/5pm PT/ET on Ora.tv and Hulu.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
  • Tony Hale (Veep/Arrested Development) - Catch Tony on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Justin Bartha (The New Normal) - Justin stops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Chris D'Elia (Undateable/Whitney) - Chris appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Steve Agee (The Sarah Silverman Program) - Steve is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
  • Maya Rudolph (Up All Night) - Maya talks about Sisters on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) - Jane and Meredith play Popped Quiz, one of the most popular games on Hollywood Game Night, on The Meredith Vieira Show, so check your listings.
  • Ron Howard (Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Ron discusses his new film In the Heart of the Sea on People Now.
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) - Kym is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
  • Brandy Norwood (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha) - Brandy talks about her upcoming BET sitcom Zoe Ever After on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
  • Jake McDorman (Manhattan Love Story/Are You There, Chelsea?/Quintuplets) - Jake appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
  • Wanda Sykes (black-ish/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Amy is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
  • Kevin Nealon (Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Kevin visits The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
  • Hank Azaria (The Simpsons/Free Agents) - Hank stops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Anna Faris (Mom) - Anna is a guest on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Amanda Peet (Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda and Meredith face-off in a rousing game of Gelt Trip to help celebrate the first night of Hanukkah on The Meredith Vieira Show, so check your local listings.
  • Adam Pally (The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam talks about his new hilarious indie movie Night Owls on People Now.
  • Patricia Heaton (The Middle/Back to You/Everybody Loves Raymond) - Patricia is a guest on People Now.
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse drops by Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
  • Tahj Mowry (Baby Daddy/Smart Guy) - Tahj talks about Baby Daddy and performs a special holiday song on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
  • Ricky Schroder (Silver Spoons) - Ricky discusses Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET and on the AOL Build Show at 2pm. He will also be on Fox and Friends on Fox News Channel.
  • Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa is a guest on Fox and Friends on Fox News Channel.
  • Tank, Meagan Holder, Danielle Nicolet and Eva Marcille (Born Again Virgin) - The cast of TV One's Born Again Virgin are guests on Steve Harvey, so check your local listings.
  • Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/Welcome to New York) - Jim will be on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Ron Howard (Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Ron chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • James Van Der Beek (Friends with Better Lives/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - James talks the latest crime-drama happenings on CSI: Cyber on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
  • Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/Welcome to New York) - Catch Jim on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
  • Michael Strahan (Brothers) - Michael stops by Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
  • Ron Howard (Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Ron discusses his new film In the Heart of the Sea on Conan at 11pm on TBS. He will also be on People Now.
  • Alice Wetterlund (Silicon Valley) - Alice is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
  • Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Amy talks about Sisters on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour and on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Kevin Nealon (Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Kevin visits The Meredith Vieira Show, so check your local listings.
  • Ricky Schroder (Silver Spoons) - Ricky appears on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
  • Jonathan Kite (2 Broke Girls) - Jonathan is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
  • Maura Tierney (NewsRadio) - Maura discusses the finale of this season's much acclaimed Golden Globe Award-winning The Affair on the AOL Build Show at 3:30pm.
  • Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) - Kym is a guest on Steve Harvey, so check your local listings.
  • Laurie Metcalf (The McCarthys/The Big Bang Theory/Roseanne) - Laurie and Bruce Willis take viewers behind the scenes of Broadway's Misery on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Geena Davis (The Geena Davis Show/Buffalo Bill) - Geena speaks out on women's rights and looks back at her career on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
  • Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls/Raising Dad) - Kat is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Friday, December 11, 2015
  • Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Watch Will on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
  • Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Rob Schneider (Rob) - Rob is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project) - Ike visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Nathan Lane (Modern Family/Encore! Encore!/Charlie Lawrence) - Nathan appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces) - Colin is a guest on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
  • Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Andy visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
  • Christina Milian (Grandfathered) - Christina discusses her two TV shows, Grandfathered and Christina Milian Turned Up, on the AOL Build Show at 4:30pm.
  • America Ferrera (Superstore) - America appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
All listings are subject to change. Visit our blog and main site for daily updated listings. Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!

Monday, October 05, 2015

BET Acquires House of Payne for November; Gilmore Girls Premieres on UP Tonight

Tyler Perry's House of Payne Cast

BET has acquired the off-network cable rights to the Tyler Perry sitcom House of Payne. The sitcom will launch with a launch marathon on Sunday, November 1, 2015 from 12pm-9pm. Then beginning Monday, November 2, the series joins the regular line-up with fellow sitcom Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in daytime. House of Payne will air weekdays 8-9am and 12:30pm-1:30pm, along with some weekend blocks. Recent acquisition Martin will continue to air weekdays 2:30pm & 3pm and evening blocks beginning at 6pm. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is airing weekdays 9-10am and 1:30pm-2:30pm. In late night, BET will continue to alternate with blocks of The Jamie Foxx Show and The Wayans Bros. starting at 2am. BET is airing Scandal Saturday nights at 1am and 2am and will also air the latest season five premieres on Sundays at 11pm, a few weeks after they premiere on ABC. Keep it right here for continued updates on House of Payne on BET and all things BET.


Gilmore Girls

UP has more, more, more Gilmore Girls. The network's recently announced acquisition of the full 153 episode, seven-season run of Gilmore Girls (#GilMOREGirls) was celebrated with an all-day fan-focused marathon of the award-winning family drama yesterday (Sunday, October 4) at 10am EDT. Starting tonight at 7 p.m. EDT, the series will begin airing back-to-back episodes every Monday through Friday starting with the pilot episode. Gilmore Girls, stars Lauren Graham (Parenthood), Alexis Bledel (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly, Spy), Keiko Agena (Shameless, Transformers of the Dark Moon), Yanic Truesdale (Reumeurs), Scott Patterson (CSI Miami), Liza Weil (How to Get Away with Murder), Jared Padalecki (Supernatural), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes), Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Gun, Pearl Harbor) and Kelly Bishop (Bunheads, The Good Wife), with special appearances by the late Edward Herrmann (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Lost Boys) and recurring guest star Liz Torres (Devious Maids, Scandal).

Gilmore Girls, which aired from 2000-2007, is set in a storybook Connecticut town called Stars Hollow populated by an eclectic mix of dreamers, artists and everyday folk. The multi-generational drama about family and friendship centers around Lorelai Gilmore (Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Bledel). Lorelai owns the town's bed-and-breakfast, the Dragonfly Inn, with best friend/chef Sookie (McCarthy), and contends with weekly dinners with eccentric, well-off parents Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) who always have something to say about their daughter's life.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, September 5

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 1)

Friday, September 5

  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Watch Jesse on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Pete Davidson (Bupkis) - Pete appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Caitlin Reilly (Hacks) and Rickey Thompson (Foursome) - Caitlin and Rickey are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Charlie Sheen (Anger Management/Two and a Half Men) - Charlie discusses his new book The Book of Sheen on ABC's >Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Mariska talks about My Mom Jayne on a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Ruby Cruz (The Sex Lives of College Girls) - Ruby talks about The Threesome on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa talks about Seen & Heard on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Lamorne Morris (Woke/New Girl) - Drew is chatting with Emmy-winning Lamorne on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

09/05 - Crutch Premieres November 3 on Paramount+; Trailer for Season 2 of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
09/04 - Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween 2025 Schedule; Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Cast
09/03 - Live Staged Reading of Three's Company Episode; Freeform Acquires According to Jim for October
09/02 - Hulu's Chad Powers Trailer; BET's The Hospital Premieres September 10
09/01 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2025 Include Archie Bunker's Place and George Lopez
08/31 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 1, 2025)
08/30 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Saturday Night Live Cast Changes Loom; NBC Renews Password for Third Season
08/29 - HBO's Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television; Adult Swim Slates Two Series for October
08/28 - NBC's Password Renewed for Season 3 for 2026; Pluto TV Streaming CBS Shows Ahead of Fall Season
08/27 - Hulu's Deli Boys Renewed for Season 2 with Fred Armisen; HBO's I Love LA Premieres November 2
08/26 - English Teacher Returns on FX for Season 2; Jesse Williams Prime Video Series Trailer
08/25 - Doc Season 2 Trailer for Fox; Remembering David Ketchum and Jerry Adler
08/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 25, 2025)
08/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Home Improvement Cast Members to Reunite on Shifting Gears; The Paper to Have Binge Drop
08/22 - Hulu's Futurama Season 13 Trailer; A Man on the Inside Returns November 20 on Netflix
08/21 - George Lopez Coming to COZI TV; The Morning Show Season 4 Trailer
08/20 - Welcome Back, Kotter 50th Anniversary Marathon on Rewind TV; Apple TV+ Palm Royale Season 2 Premieres November 12
08/19 - Antenna TV's Archie Bunker's Place Labor Day Marathon; Larry the Cable Guy Prime Video Special
08/18 - Nobody Wants This Season 2 Premieres October 23; HGTV and Retta Continue Partnership
08/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 18, 2025)
08/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Plans Retool of Cable Networks; King of the Hill Revival Scores Big Ratings
08/15 - Catchy Comedy Acquires Hot in Cleveland; Netflix's Animated Comedy Strip Law Premieres in 2026
08/14 - Dan Levy's Netflix Comedy Series Cast; Betty la Fea: La Historia ContinĆŗa Season 2 Premieres Friday
08/13 - Remembering Danielle Spencer of What's Happening!!; Trailer for Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building
08/12 - Netflix's Comedy Kiss or Die Premieres September 9; Lori Harvey Joins Reasonable Doubt
08/11 - Roku Originals Books a Return Trip with Season 2 Renewal of Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross; Netflix's Fixed Trailer
08/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 11, 2025)
08/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for The Paper; ABC Gives Pilot Order to Do You Want Kids?
08/08 - Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 Premieres September 12; The Paper Trailer for Peacock
08/07 - Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 4 Celebs; Sweetpea Season 2 Stars
08/06 - Molly Shannon Joins Will Ferrell Golf Comedy Series; Netflix's Season 2 of My Life with the Walter Boys
08/05 - Disney+ Musical Comedy Electric Bloom Premieres; NBC Renews American Ninja Warrior for Season 18