SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Stuart Fails to Save the Universe; A Different World Reboot Set for Fall Premiere

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a busy week, and we only have some of the highlights for you (go back and read previous postings from earlier in the week), but we do have new news about some streaming series debuts and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• We have our first look at The Big Bang Theory spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The reboot of A Different World will debut in the fall on Netflix, but we don't know much more than that. (Deadline)
• The new season of Futurama is coming to Hulu in August, but don't expect to be able to binge the entire season the day it comes out this time. (Gizmodo)
• David Letterman stopped by to help Stephen Colbert say goodbye to The Late Show this week, and created some memorable moments. (Deadline)
• Dennis Rush, who played Howie, one of Opie's friends on The Andy Griffith Show, has died. (Hollywood Reporter)
• HBO's Rooster has turned out to be one of their most-watched comedies in over 15 years. (Deadline)
• Remember Wordle, the game everybody was playing and talking about a few years ago but now most of us have forgotten? Well, it's getting an NBC game show hosted by Savannah Guthrie. (Variety)
• Great Entertainment Television has acquired Happy Endings. (SitcomsOnline)

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: A Different World, Andy Griffith Show, Futurama, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Happy Endings, Late Show, Rooster, SitcomsOnline Digest, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

Great Entertainment Television Acquires Happy Endings; Futurama Season 14 Launches August 3

Ah-Mah-Zing! Great Entertainment Television will air Happy Endings Sundays from 10am – 11am beginning Sunday, May 17. The 2011-13 ABC series starring Elisha Cuthbert, Zachary Knighton, Eliza Coupe, Adam Pally, Damon Wayans Jr. and Casey Wilson will also air weeknights from 3-4am.

As of May 11, the lineup will feature two hours each of Quantum Leap and The Rockford Files starting at 9am leading into a five-hour block of Walker, Texas Ranger from 1pm-6pm, followed by three episodes each of Monk & Psych in primetime beginning at 6pm. At 12am, Franklin & Bash will air into comedies Community from 1-3am and Happy Endings 3-4am. In the early morning, go back in time with Timeless at 4am and Quantum Leap at 5am.

Futurama Season 14 launches Monday, August 3 on Hulu. The launch date and first look stills from the upcoming season were announced.

Brace yourselves... The future is about to get a whole lot stranger! It's a non-stop onslaught of swaggering space pirates, lab-grown meats, sexy scams... plus the shocking return of Dr. Zoidberg's lost love! You didn't see that coming, prior to being told about it just now! It's a thrilling, all-new season of Futurama on Hulu!

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

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Labels: Futurama, getTV, Happy Endings, Hulu

Hulu's Futurama Season 13 Trailer; A Man on the Inside Returns November 20 on Netflix

Hulu has debuted the official trailer and key art for the upcoming season of Futurama. Season 13 lands on Hulu September 15 at 8PM ET with all 10 episodes. New episodes will premiere on FXX September 15 at 8PM with two episodes weekly. Bender is rampaging out of control! A volcano is about to explode! Fry confronts a rival for Leela's love! And Dr. Zoidberg is rising up to heaven?! The excitement might be too much! You've been warned... it's an all new season of Futurama!

Futurama premiered in 1999 and quickly gained a faithful following and critical acclaim, including two primetime Emmys for Outstanding Animated Program. Despite its far-future setting, the show is renowned for its satiric commentary on life in the present. The series follows Philip J. Fry (Billy West), a New York City pizza delivery boy, who accidentally freezes himself in 1999 and gets defrosted in the year 3000. In this astonishing New New York, he befriends hard-drinking robot Bender (John DiMaggio), and falls in love with cyclops Leela (Katey Sagal). The trio find work at the Planet Express Delivery Company, founded by Fry’s doddering descendant, Professor Hubert Farnsworth. Together with accountant Hermes Conrad, assistant Amy Wong, and alien lobster Dr. John Zoidberg, they embark on thrilling adventures that take them to every corner of the universe.

After its initial run on the Fox Broadcasting Network, a roller-coaster of cancellations and resurrections ensued. Four successful direct-to-DVD releases in 2007-2009 led to the show's rebirth on Comedy Central from 2010-2013. Then, after a brief ten-year freeze in the cryogenic chamber, Futurama emerged triumphantly as a streaming series for Hulu with a 20-episode order set to debut in 2023.

A Man on the Inside S2 premieres November 20 on Netflix. Ted Danson is A Man on the Inside and he's returning for an all new case. Here's your first look at Season 2 with new cast additions including Mary Steenburgen, Max Greenfield, Jason Mantzoukas, David Strathairn, Constance Marie and more.

Eager to take on another big undercover case, Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson) gets his chance when a mysterious blackmailer targets Wheeler College president Jack Berenger (Max Greenfield), who enlists Charles to go undercover as a professor. Who's making these threats? Does it have something to do with the iconoclastic billionaire Brad Vinick (Gary Cole), a Wheeler graduate, and his proposed donation to the school? Charles finds no shortage of possible suspects, but his attention gets diverted by free-spirited music teacher Mona (Mary Steenburgen), whose zest for life awakens feelings he thought he'd buried after the passing of his wife. Is he ready to open his heart again at this stage in his life? And more importantly, has he fallen for the very criminal he's been sent to unmask?

Meanwhile, his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) is inspired by the changes in her father and uncovers a long-ignored passion, while PI Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) embarks on her own journey of growth as she reconnects with an important figure from her past.

From creator Michael Schur, A Man on the Inside is based on the documentary The Mole Agent, a 2021 Oscar(R) nominee for Best Documentary feature. 8 episodes have been ordered starring Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Stephanie Beatriz, Gary Cole, Michaela Conlin, Lisa Gilroy, Max Greenfield, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Madison Hu, Sam Huntington, Jason Mantzoukas, Constance Marie, Linda Park, Mary Steenburgen, David Strathairn, Jill Talley.

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

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Labels: A Man on the Inside, Futurama, Hulu, Netflix

SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount/Skydance Merger Approved; CBS Orders New Comedy From Producers of Ghosts

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a very suspiciously busy news week (especially for summer this week) with more than double the news we usually have, with new merger updates from Paramount and Skydance, a Community movie update, and a lot more that we couldn't even fit in today. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The on-again, off-again story of the Paramount and Skydance merger has finally been approved, and it looks like it actually will be going through, despite all the chaos. (AP News)
• First it was Ghosts, now it's vampires, as CBS orders the series Eternally Yours from the producers of Ghosts. (Variety)
• We were promised "six seasons and a movie" for Community, but we're still waiting on the movie... and it's still on hold. (Deadline)
• South Park returned for new episodes this week (and now an exclusive home on Paramount+), following a $1.5 billion deal with Paramount... and now that they've got their money, they're pushing the boundaries the furthest that they've ever pushed them. (Newsweek)
• Ten new episodes of Futurama are headed to Hulu in September. (Deadline)
• We also have a September release date for the new season of Beavis and Butt-head on Comedy Central. (Variety)
• After shutting down NBC Sports Network four years ago and selling off most of their cable networks earlier this year, NBC is considering creating a cable network for sports, again. (Deadline)
• A new comedy is in the works from Family Guy's Evan Waite and Alex Sulkin. (Deadline)
• It seems that E! News, which you'd be forgiven if you forgot that it or even that the cable network E! still existed, has been canceled again. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Malcolm Jamal-Warner, known for his role of Theo on The Cosby Show, has died. (SitcomsOnline)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge featuring two satirical police-themed shows with two words and an exclamation mark tomorrow: Police Squad! and Sledge Hammer!
• Antenna TV has a Dear John marathon tomorrow.
• ABC has season premieres of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Match Game (with a new host) on Wednesday.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Beavis and Butt-Head, CBS, Community, Eternally Yours, Futurama, Ghosts, SitcomsOnline Digest, Skydance, South Park

Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner of The Cosby Show and Malcolm & Eddie; Futurama Season 13 Drops September 15

Actor, director and musician Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who starred as Theo Huxtable in The Cosby Show and as Malcolm McGee in Malcolm & Eddie, has died. He died on July 20 while swimming at Playa Cocles in Limón Province, Costa Rica. Authorities reported he was caught in a high current and drowned. Bystanders pulled him from the ocean, but he was declared lifeless upon reaching shore. The official cause of death was confirmed as asphyxia by submersion due to drowning. Mr. Warner was 54.

Warner starred as Theodore "Theo" Huxtable in the 1984-1992 NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. Theo is the only son of Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), and the middle one of their five children. The character was based on Bill Cosby's only son Ennis Cosby. He also gave the character dyslexia as his son also had the condition. In 1986, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards, making him the youngest nominee in history in that category.

He directed five episodes of the series from 1990 to 1992. He appeared as Theo Huxtable in two episodes of the spinoff A Different World in 1988 and 1989. In 1990, he appeared as Theo Huxtable in The Earth Day Special on ABC. The Cosby Show cast also included Sabrina Le Beauf, Lisa Bonet (1984-1991), Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Geoffrey Owens (1986-1992), Joseph C. Phillips (1989-1992), Raven-Symoné, and Erika Alexander (1990-1992).

Warner starred as Alexander "A.J." James in the short-lived 1992-1993 NBC sitcom Here and Now. Alexander "A.J." James is a recent college graduate who majored in psychology now attending post graduate school. He returns to his old neighborhood in Harlem to become a counselor at a local youth center. The series also starred Charles Brown, S. Epatha Merkerson, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Rachael Crawford, Jessica Stone, Pee Wee Love, and Shaun Weiss.

He starred as Malcolm McGee in the 1996-2000 UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie. Malcolm McGee is a responsible and sensible twenty something who ends up sharing an apartment and a business venture with relentlessly enthusiastic tow truck owner Eddie Sherman (Eddie Griffin) in Kansas City, Missouri (which is Eddie Griffin's hometown). Warner directed 17 episodes of the series from 1997 to 2000. He wrote the story for an episode in 1997. The cast included Karen Malina White, Jaime Cardriche (1996-1998), Miriam Flynn (1996-1997), Christopher Daniel Barnes (1998-2000), and Ron Pearson (1998-2000).

Warner starred as Bernie Widmer in the 2004-2005 CBS sitcom Listen Up. The sitcom was based loosely on the life and exploits of the popular sportswriter and sports-media personality Tony Kornheiser. Tony Kleinman (Jason Alexander) is a Philadelphia based sports show host whose sidekick is Bernie Widmer, a former NFL player; together they host the TV show Listen Up. The series also starred Wendy Makkena, Daniella Monet, and Will Rothhaar.

In 2009, he starred as Kevin Robinson in the short-lived Lifetime sitcom Sherri. Kevin Robinson is the cheating husband of Sherri Robinson (Sherri Shepherd) who she divorces. The cast included Tammy Townsend, Brandon Khalil, Kali Rocha, James Avery, and Kate Reinders.

He starred as Dr. Alex Reed in the 2011 BET and 2015 Centric sitcom Reed Between the Lines. The show follows a modern-day blended family as they navigate life's ups and downs with wit and humor. It centers on Dr. Carla Reed (Tracee Ellis Ross), a busy psychologist, wife and mom struggling to balance her job and her happy but chaotic home life along with her husband, Dr. Alex Reed, an English professor at NYU. Warner directed two episodes of the series in 2011. In 2012, he was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a comedy series at the NAACP Image Awards for his role. The series also starred Nadji A. Jeter, Zoë Soul, Zoé Hendrix, Melissa De Sousa (Season 1), Anna Maria Horsford (Season 1; guest in season 2), Michole White, Tony Rock (Season 2), and Chrlie Robinson (Season 2).

Warner appeared as himself in a 1990 episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He played Eric Sanders, Hilary Banks' (Karyn Parsons) boyfriend, in a 1991 episode. He had a recurring role as Andre Bennett, the ex-husband of Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown), in four episodes of Community from 2011 to 2012. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Michael J. Fox Show, Detroiters, White Famous, The Wonder Years (2023), and grown-ish.

He was also known for his work in dramas. He starred as Kurdy Malloy in the 2002-2004 Showtime post-apocalyptic action drama Jeremiah. He was a recurring cast member as Lt. Chuck Cooper in TNT's Major Crimes from 2013 to 2016. He played Al "A.C." Cowlings in FX's The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story in 2016. He had a recurring role as prison counselor Julius Rowe in six episodes of USA's Suits from 2016 to 2017. He starred as Dr. AJ Austin in the 2018-2023 Fox medical drama The Resident.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Matt Houston, Fame (1983), Call to Glory, Matlock (1987), Tour of Duty, Touched by an Angel, Sliders, Dexter, The Cleaner, HawthoRNe, Sons of Anarchy (3 episodes), American Horror Story (3 episodes), House of Lies, Lethal Weapon, Accused, 9-1-1 (4 episodes), and Alert: Missing Persons Unit (3 episodes).

Some of his other directing credits included The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Kenan & Kel (2 episodes), All That (6 episodes), and The Resident. He directed music videos including New Edition's "N.E. Heart Break" (1989), rapper Special Ed's "I'm the Magnificent" (1989) and British R&B group Five Star's "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons" (1994).

In 2015, Warner received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song "Jesus Children" alongside Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on July 3, 2013.

Mr. Warner was a talented and versatile actor. He grew up on television as Theo Huxtable for eight funny and memorable seasons of The Cosby Show. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us in his career. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our The Cosby Show and Malcolm & Eddie message boards.

We also remember Hall of Fame songwriter Alan Bergman. He wrote the theme song lyrics for Maude, Good Times and Alice with his wife Marilyn Bergman. He died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on July 17. Mr. Bergman was 99.

Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the theme song lyrics for the 1972 CBS sitcom The Sandy Duncan Show, with Dave Grusin providing the music. They wrote the theme song lyrics for "And Then There's Maude" for the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom Maude, with Dave Grusin providing the music. It was performed by Donny Hathaway. They wrote the gospel-style theme song lyrics for the 1974-1979 CBS sitcom Good Times, with Dave Grusin providing the music. It was sung by Jim Gilstrap and Motown singer Blinky Williams with a gospel choir providing background vocals. They wrote the theme song lyrics for "There's a New Girl in Town" for the 1976-1985 CBS sitcom Alice, with David Shire providing the music. It was performed by Linda Lavin.

The Bergmans were honored with three Academy Awards (1969, 1974, 1984), three Emmy Awards, the Grammy Award for Song of the Year, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Their notable compositions included "The Way We Were", "The Windmills of Your Mind" and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." We thank him and his wife for writing the lyrics for the memorable theme songs of Maude, Good Times and Alice. He will be sorely missed.

Television writer and producer David Flebotte worked on Ellen, Suddenly Susan, 8 Simple Rules, and Will & Grace. He died from cystic fibrosis at a hospital in Missoula, Montana, on July 8. Mr. Flebotte was 65.

Flebotte's sitcom writing credits included Good Advice, The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (2 episodes), Ellen (7 episodes), Suddenly Susan, The PJs (3 episodes), The Geena Davis Show, 8 Simple Rules (3 episodes), and Will & Grace. In 1999, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the category Best Animated Program for his work on the Fox stop motion-animated sitcom The PJs. He created the short-lived 2009 Lifetime sitcom Sherri, which starred Sherri Shepherd.

Some of his sitcom producing credits included Ellen, Suddenly Susan, The Geena Davis Show, The Bernie Mac Show, 8 Simple Rules, Will & Grace, Sherri, and Raising Hope.

He created the 2017-2018 Showtime comedy-drama I'm Dying Up Here. Some of his other producing credits included Men in Trees, Dirt, Desperate Housewives, Boardwalk Empire, Masters of Sex, and Tulsa King.

Mr. Flebotte worked extensively in television as a writer and producer, contributing to both sitcoms and dramas across major networks and streaming platforms. We thank him for work on television. He will be greatly missed.

Futurama season 13 lands on Hulu on September 15 at 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET with all 10 episodes at once. Hulu has also debuted seven First Look images from the upcoming season. Season 13 will also premiere September 15 at 8/7c with two episodes weekly on FXX. Futurama seasons 11 and 12 previously premiered on Hulu with one episode at launch and one new episode weekly.

Bender is rampaging out of control! A volcano is about to explode! Fry confronts a rival for Leela's love! And Dr. Zoidberg is rising up to heaven?! The excitement might be too much! You've been warned... it's an all new season of Futurama!

CAST: John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil Lamar, David Herman

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Cosby Show, Futurama, FXX, Hulu, Malcolm and Eddie, Obits, Reed Between the Lines, Sherri, The Resident

FX Orders Snowflakes to Series; Futurama Brings Out the Guest Voice Stars

FX's Snowflakes has been picked up to series with the first season of the comedy set to premiere next year. The half-hour series is created by Ben Kronengold & Rebecca Shaw (The Tonight Show), who wrote the pilot and serve as executive producers with comedy veterans Nick Kroll (Big Mouth, FX's The League), Jonathan Krisel (Portlandia, FX's Baskets), who directed the pilot, and Stefani Robinson (FX's Atlanta, FX's What We Do in the Shadows). Snowflakes is a twenty-something ensemble comedy following a group of codependent housemates trying to be good people, despite being neither "good" nor "people" yet. Snowflakes stars Malik Elassal as "Samir," Lucy Freyer as "Billie," Jack Innanen as "Paul Baker," Amita Rao as "Issa" and Owen Thiele as "Anton."

During Futurama's 2024 San Diego Comic-Con Panel, Matt Groening, David X. Cohen and the Futurama cast revealed the guest stars of the upcoming season! New season of Futurama premiered yesterday (Monday, July 29) on Hulu!

Danny Trejo - Doblando:
As Bender's cousin, Doblando, who leads Bender to their ancestral robot village in Mexico.

Renée Victor - Bender’s grandma, Abuelatron:
As Bender’s grandma, Abuelatron.

Tom Kenny - Gamester Alien:
As a gambling alien who forces our crew to play children's games... to the death!

Ana Ortiz - Bender’s love interest, Marquita:
As Marquita, champion of the robot matadors, Bender's tutor in the noble art of bug fighting... and the love of Bender's life.

Cara Delevingne - Herself:
As herself, with some additional new parts. A force in the world of future fashion.

Tim Gunn - Himself:
As himself, covering Milan Fashion Week 3024.

Bill Nye - Himself:
As himself, hosting the 3024 Inventors Awards.

Kyle Maclachlan - Himself:
As himself, enjoying a cup of the universe's best Joe.

LeVar Burton - A Hologram of himself:
As an unlicensed hologram of LeVar Burton.

Neil deGrasse Tyson - Himself:
As himself, solving the greatest mystery of all time... with science!

Following Hulu's critically acclaimed 2023 revival of Futurama, the epic sci-fi series from Matt Groening and David X. Cohen returns in 2024 with ten all-new episodes. On this orbit around the sun, our occasionally heroic crew embarks on mind-bending adventures involving birthday party games to the death, the secrets of Bender's ancestral robot village, A.I. friends (and enemies), impossibly cute beanbags, and the true 5 million-year-old story behind the consciousness-altering substance known as coffee. And, of course, the next chapter in Fry and Leela's fateful, time-twisted romance.

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

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Labels: Futurama, FX, Hulu, Snowflakes

SitcomsOnline Digest: Martin Prequel in the Works; Wendie Malick to Star in Season 3 of Night Court

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got news of a Martin prequel, a new regular on Night Court, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A prequel to the series Martin, in the form of a drama looking at the teenage years of Martin Lawrence, is in the works. (Deadline)
• Wendie Malick is going to be a regular on Night Court next season, in the role of the prosecutor. (TVLine)
• Just when you thought Pat Sajak was gone, it turns out you were wrong, as he'll be back to host another season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC that haven't even been taped yet. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Jean Smart is set to produce a confederate flag drama series for Max. (Deadline)
• Andy Samberg is talking about why he left Saturday Night Live. (Deadline)
• Benji Gregory, who played Brian Tanner on ALF, has died. (Variety)
• A trailer for season 12 of Futurama has been released. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 13 - JULY 19)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Mayberry RFD this weekend.
• Big Brother returns to CBS on Wednesday.
• ABC is back with more game show season premieres on Thursday, with season 6 of Press Your Luck and the premiere of Lucky 13.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: ALF, Futurama, Mayberry RFD, Night Court, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Wheel of Fortune

Futurama Trailer Released for Season 12; Will You Help Solve a Mystery? Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 Drops July 31

Good News, everyone! Hulu has debuted the official trailer and key art for Futurama Season 12. Season 12 of Futurama will premiere on Monday, July 29 on Hulu. Following Hulu's critically acclaimed 2023 revival of Futurama, the epic sci-fi series from Matt Groening and David X. Cohen returns in 2024 with ten all-new episodes. On this orbit around the sun, our occasionally heroic crew embarks on mind-bending adventures involving birthday party games to the death, the secrets of Bender's ancestral robot village, A.I. friends (and enemies), impossibly cute beanbags, and the true 5 million-year-old story behind the consciousness-altering substance known as coffee. And, of course, the next chapter in Fry and Leela's fateful, time-twisted romance. Starring the voices of John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil Lamar, and David Herman.

Unsolved Mysteries Volume 4 is coming to Netflix later this month on July 31. Watch the Volume 4 trailer now. Will you help solve a mystery? The global phenomenon returns featuring more perplexing cold cases, historic murders and unexplained creature sightings new mysteries in Volume 4. Join the search and perhaps you may be able to help solve a mystery.

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

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Labels: Futurama, Hulu, Netflix, Unsolved Mysteries

Hulu Spring and Summer 2024 Slate; Netflix Orders Tyler Perry Drama; Remembering Joe Flaherty

Hulu has announced its originals & exclusive Spring/Summer 2024 programming slate. The slate includes highly anticipated premieres like The Kardashians Season 5, Only Murders in the Building Season 4, Under the Bridge, and Thank You, Good Night: The Bon Jovi Story. New date announcements include Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer, Hit-Monkey, Futurama, Solar Opposites and Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge. Disney Bundle subscribers will also be able to watch these titles and more via Hulu on Disney+.

Animated comedy Hit-Monkey, which premieres July 15 for a second season, stars the voices of Leslie Jones, Ally Maki, Olivia Munn, Fred Tatasciore, and Jason Sudeikis. Futurama returns for season 12 on July 29, while season five of Solar Opposites premieres August 12. Only Murders in the Building is back in the summer but no date just yet.

Netflix announced the cast of Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black, an all-new series coming soon to Netflix. The series comes from a previously announced creative partnership with Netflix, where Perry will write, direct, and produce feature films and series under a multi-year first-look deal. The 16-episode hour-long drama is written, directed, and produced by Perry. Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black follows two women leading very different lives. While Kimmie is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other's lives. Taylor Polidore Williams, Amber Reign Smith, Crystle Stewart, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Steven G. Norfleet, Julian Horton, Terrell Carter, Shannon Wallace, Bryan Tanaka, Joy Rovaris, Xavier Smalls, Charles Malik Whitfield, Tamera "Tee" Kissen, Ursula O. Robinson, Ashley Versher and George Middlebrook are in the cast.

Actor, writer and comedian Joe Flaherty, who starred in Maniac Mansion, Police Academy: The Series and Freaks and Geeks, has died. He died on April 1 after a short illness in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Flaherty was 82.

Flaherty was best known for his work on the Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV from 1976 to 1984. It aired in the U.S. on NBC from 1981 to 1983. He played characters such as Big Jim McBob (of Farm Film Report fame), Count Floyd/Floyd Robertson, and station owner/manager Guy Caballero, SCTV's cheap, tyrannical owner and president who, despite being perfectly ambulatory, uses a wheelchair to earn "respect" (i.e., sympathy) from employees and viewers. Flaherty also served as a writer. The series won two Emmy Awards in 1982 and 1983 for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program.

He starred as Fred Edison in the 1990-1993 The Family Channel sitcom Maniac Mansion. Maniac Mansion centers around the lives of the Edisons, an American family living in a large mansion in the upscale suburban neighborhood of Cedar Springs. The Edisons consist of patriarch Fred, an eccentric scientist and inventor, his level-headed wife Casey (Deborah Theaker), and their children, teenage genius Tina (Kathleen Robertson), prepubescent Ike (Avi Phillips) and precocious toddler Turner (George Buza). Also living in the Edison mansion are Casey's brother Harry Orca (John Hemphill) and his wife Idella Muckle-Orca (Mary Charlotte-Wilcox). Flaherty also wrote six episodes of the series.

Flaherty starred as Commandant Stuart Hefilfinger in the 1997-1998 CTV and first-run syndicated sitcom Police Academy: The Series, which was a spin-off from the Police Academy series of films. Commandant Hefilfinger is similar to Eric Lassard (George Gaynes) and the head of the academy. The cast included Matt Borlenghi, Rod Crawford, Toby Proctor, Jeremiah Birkett, Heather Campbell, Christine Gonzales, Tony Longo, P. J. Ochlan, Michael Winslow and Larke Miller.

He starred as Harold Weir in the 1999-2000 NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks. Harold is the head of the Weir household. He is married to Jean (Becky Ann Baker) and is the father of Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Sam (John Francis Daley). He owns and works at A1 Sporting Goods.

Flaherty starred as Dr. Frank Troutner in the short-lived 2001 NBC sitcom Go Fish. Frank Troutner is married to Annie (Molly Cheek) and is the father of Andy "Fish" (Kieran Culkin) and Pete (Will Friedle).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included King of Kensington, Married... with Children, Morton & Hayes (also a writer), Dinosaurs (voice for 2 episodes), Nurses, Phenom, Hardball (1994), Dream On, The Louie Show, Ellen, Even Stevens, That '70s Show, Maybe It's Me, Frasier, The King of Queens, American Dad! (voice), Family Guy (voice for 3 episodes) and Call Me Fitz.

He appeared as a Western Union postal worker who delivers Doc Brown's 70-year-old letter to Marty McFly in Back to the Future Part II (1989). He starred as Donald the heckler in Happy Gilmore (1996).

Mr. Flaherty was a talented and funny actor. He was very memorable on the far too short-lived Freaks and Geeks. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actor Ron Harper. He starred in the sitcoms Wendy and Me and The Jean Arthur Show. He died at his home in West Hills, Los Angeles on March 21. Mr. Harper was 91.

Harper starred as Jeff Conway in the 1964-1965 ABC sitcom Wendy and Me. Episodes typically revolved around Wendy Conway (Connie Stevens) pulling George Burns (as a somewhat fictionalized version of himself) into comedic situations mostly involving her husband, played by Ron Harper, and other people in the apartment building owned by Burns. The series also starred James T. Callahan, J. Pat O'Malley and Bartlett Robinson.

He starred as Paul Marshall in the short-lived 1966 CBS sitcom The Jean Arthur Show. Paul Marshall is a lawyer who works alongside his mother Patricia Marshall (Jean Arthur). The series also starred Leonard Stone and Richard Conte.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style (2 episodes), Night Stand with Dick Dietrick (2 episodes), Boy Meets World, Malibu, CA (1999) and Two Guys and a Girl.

Harper starred as Det. Bert Kling in the 1961-1962 police drama 87th Precinct. He starred as Lt. Craig "Warden" Garrison in the 1967-1968 ABC World War II drama Garrison's Gorillas. He starred as Colonel Alan Virdon, the human commander of the crash-landed spaceship from 20th Century Earth, in the 1974 CBS science fiction series Planet of the Apes. In 1976, he starred as Uncle Jack Marshall in the third season (1976) of the NBC children's adventure television series Land of the Lost. Some of his soap opera credits included Another World as Taylor Halloway/Halliway, Loving as Charles Hartman, Capitol as Jarrett Morgan/Baxter McCandless and Generations as Peter Whitmore.

His movie credits included roles in Below Utopia (1997), The Odd Couple II (1998), Freedom Strike (1998), Glass Trap (2005) and The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007).

Mr. Harper was a talented and versatile actor. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

Actor M. Emmet Walsh starred in The Sandy Duncan Show and made many sitcom guest appearances. He died of cardiac arrest at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, Vermont, on March 19. Mr. Walsh was 88.

Walsh starred as Alex Lembeck in the short-lived 1972 CBS sitcom The Sandy Duncan Show. Alex Lembeck is a motorcycle cop who appointed himself as Sandy Stockton's (Sandy Duncan) chaperone and protector. The series also starred Tom Bosley, Marian Mercer, Pam Zarit, Alfie Wise and Eric Christmas.

He appeared as Colonel Fred Patterson, Jill Taylor's (Patricia Richardson) father, in two episodes of Home Improvement in 1994. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Arnie, Julia (2 episodes), All in the Family, The Jimmy Stewart Show, The Don Rickles Show, The Bob Newhart Show, AfterMASH, The Jackie Thomas Show, Frasier, Charlie Lawrence, 'Til Death and The Righteous Gemstones (2 episodes).

Walsh starred as Ned Platt in the 1989 NBC police drama Unsub. Some of his other television appearances included Ironside, Bonanza, Nichols (5 episodes), McMillan & Wife, The Rockford Files, The Waltons, Baretta (2 episodes), Starsky & Hutch (2 episodes), Little House on the Prairie, Amazing Stories, Tales from the Crypt, The Flash (2 episodes in 1990), Early Edition, The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Ed, The Guardian, Damages (3 episodes), Sneaky Pete (7 episodes as Tex Hopkins) and American Gigolo.

He starred as Captain Bryant in Blade Runner (1982), as private detective Loren Visser in Blood Simple (1984) and as Dr. Joseph Dolan in Fletch (1985).

Mr. Walsh was a fine character actor. He was a familiar face in over 200 films and television series in his career, which spanned seven decades. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:15 PM

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Labels: Futurama, Hit-Monkey, Hulu, Netflix, Obits, Only Murders in the Building, Solar Opposites, Tyler Perry

SitcomsOnline Digest: Broadcast Networks Preparing for Shorter Seasons of Scripted Series; CBS Announces Host of After Midnight

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're still waiting for the end to that strike (will it happen?), hearing about the future of The CW (hint: less superheroes), and learning about CBS and their plans for late night. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Could we just get this actor's strike over? Negotiations are continuing this weekend. (Deadline)
• When it is over, get ready for 13 episode seasons of your favorite broadcast network primetime series (which is still about twice as many as some streaming show "seasons"). (Deadline)
• The upcoming season of Superman & Lois on The CW will be the last, marking the end of an era of superhero series on The CW. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Perhaps one of the most unexpected sitcom actor deaths in a while, Friends star Matthew Perry has died. (Variety)
• Taylor Tomlinson has been announced as the host of the new CBS late night show, After Midnight. (Variety)
• It's been frozen in time several times, but Futurama always bounces back, and the current incarnation just got a two season renewal. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 4 - NOVEMBER 10)

• Catchy Comedy is having a binge of Night Court this weekend in honor of the life of Richard Moll, rather than the previously scheduled binge of The Lucy Show.
• The Simpsons annual "Treehouse of Horror" episode airs Sunday, going back to a tradition of this episode airing after Halloween.
• Cozi TV has a short marathon of The Munsters on Tuesday.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: After Midnight, Friends, Futurama, SAG, SitcomsOnline Digest, The CW

Futurama Renewed for 2 More Seasons; ABC Holiday Specials

Hulu has renewed the adult animated series Futurama, which hails from 20th Television Animation, for two seasons (seasons 13 and 14) and an additional 20 episodes. Hulu originally revived the beloved series in 2022 with a 20-episode order. Season 11 premiered on Hulu on July 24, following a massive presence at San Diego Comic-Con. The season is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 86%, and was on Nielsen’s Top 10 Original Series List for six of the weeks during its run. Season 12 is expected to debut on Hulu in 2024.

Futurama premiered in 1999 and quickly gained a faithful following and critical acclaim, including two primetime Emmys for Outstanding Animated Program. Despite its far-future setting, the show is renowned for its satiric commentary on life in the present. The series follows Philip J. Fry (Billy West), a New York City pizza delivery boy, who accidentally freezes himself in 1999 and gets defrosted in the year 3000. In this astonishing New New York, he befriends hard-drinking robot Bender (John DiMaggio), and falls in love with cyclops Leela (Katey Sagal). The trio find work at the Planet Express Delivery Company, founded by Fry’s doddering descendant, Professor Hubert Farnsworth. Together with accountant Hermes Conrad, assistant Amy Wong, and alien lobster Dr. John Zoidberg, they embark on thrilling adventures that take them to every corner of the universe. After its initial run on the Fox Broadcasting Network, a roller-coaster of cancellations and resurrections ensued. Four successful direct-to-DVD releases in 2007-2009 led to the show's rebirth on Comedy Central from 2010-2013. Then, after a brief ten-year freeze in the cryogenic chamber, Futurama emerged triumphantly as a streaming series for Hulu with a 20-episode order.

ABC is spreading holiday cheer this season and announced a lineup of festive programming that will air during the most wonderful time of the year. Highlights include The Wonderful World of Disney movies, Frozen, Home Alone and The Santa Clause; holiday-themed episodes of fan-favorite shows including The $100,000 Pyramid, America's Funniest Home Videos, Celebrity Family Feud, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Press Your Luck and Shark Tank; and a magical new season of The Great Christmas Light Fight also returns, along with news of a season 12 pickup for 2024. Dazzling holiday specials like Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Prep & Landing, Olaf's Frozen Adventure & Mickey Saves Christmas, along with all-new specials CMA Country Christmas from Nashville, The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest and the previously announced iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2023 special, round out the schedule.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:05 PM

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Labels: ABC, Futurama, Hulu, Network Holiday Specials

Hulu Fall 2023 Slate; Apple TV+ Series Still Up Debuts Trailer

Hulu has made new date announcements for its original series: The D'Amelio Show Season Three, Living for the Dead, Self Reliance, Black Cake and Monster Inside: America's Most Extreme Haunted House. The notable Fall 2023 slate includes:

Futurama
Premiere Date: July 24, 2023 (One episode weekly)
Finale Date: September 25, 2023
Genre: Adult Animated Series
Season: 11
Episode Count: 10

FX's Reservation Dogs
Premiere Date: August 2, 2023 (One episode weekly)
Finale Date: September 27, 2023
Genre: Comedy Series
Season: 3rd and Final Season
Episode Count: 10

Only Murders in the Building
Premiere Date: August 8, 2023 (Two episodes at launch, then one episode weekly)
Finale Date: October 3, 2023
Genre: Comedy Series
Season: 3
Episode Count: 10

The Other Black Girl
Premiere Date: September 13, 2023 (All-at-once)
Genre: Psychological Thriller Comedy Series
Season: 1
Episode Count: 10

The D'Amelio Show
Premiere Date: September 20, 2023 (Two episodes weekly) *NEW ANNOUNCEMENT*
Finale Date: October 18, 2023
Genre: Unscripted Docu-Series
Season: 3
Episode Count: 10

Shoresy
Premiere Date: October 27, 2023 (All-at-once)
Genre: Comedy Series
Season: 2
Episode Count: 6

Apple TV+ debuted the trailer for Still Up the upcoming comedy series starring Antonia Thomas and Craig Roberts, and co-created and written by Steve Burge and Natalie Walter. The new eight-episode comedy will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on Friday, September 22, followed by new episodes every Friday through October 27.

Still Up is an almost romantic comedy set in the after-hours world of insomniacs Danny (Roberts) and Lisa (Thomas) who have no secrets except their feelings for each other. Also starring in the ensemble cast are Blake Harrison, Lois Chimimba, Luke Fetherston and Rich Fulcher.

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

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Labels: Apple TV+, Futurama, FX, Hulu, Only Murders in the Building, Reservation Dogs, Shoresy, Still Up, The Other Black Girl

FX's The Bear Scores Big Streaming Numbers; Trailer for Hulu's Futurama Return

The season two launch of FX's Hulu Exclusive The Bear posted significant year-over-year gains in viewership with a +70% increase in total hours streamed over the first season after the first four days of viewing. Additionally, the season two debut was the most-watched premiere of any FX series on Hulu. All episodes of season two are available exclusively on Hulu, along with the complete first season, which was the most-watched single season of a comedy series in FX history. Season two follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and Richard "Richie" Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they work to transform their grimy sandwich joint into a next-level spot. As they strip the restaurant down to its bones, the crew undertakes transformational journeys of their own, each forced to confront the past and reckon with who they want to be in the future.

Of course, it turns out the only thing harder than running a restaurant is opening a new one, and the team must juggle the insane bureaucracy of permits and contractors with the beauty and creative agony of menu planning. The transition brings a newfound focus on hospitality as well. As the entire staff is forced to come together in new ways, pushing the boundaries of their abilities and relationships, they also learn what it means to be in service, both to diners and each other. In addition to White, Edebiri and Moss-Bachrach, the half-hour series also stars Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas and Matty Matheson, with Edwin Lee Gibson, Oliver Platt and newcomer Molly Gordon in recurring roles.

Hulu has released the trailer and key art for the return of Futurama. The new season premieres July 24 on Hulu. After a brief ten-year hiatus, Futurama has crawled triumphantly from the cryogenic tube, its full original cast and satirical spirit intact. The ten all-new episodes of season eleven have something for everyone. New viewers will be able to pick up the series from here, while long-time fans will recognize payoffs to decades-long mysteries – including developments in the epic love story of Fry and Leela, the mysterious contents of Nibbler's litter box, the secret history of evil Robot Santa, and the whereabouts of Kif and Amy's tadpoles. Meanwhile there's a whole new pandemic in town as the crew explores the future of vaccines, bitcoin, cancel culture, and streaming TV. Starring the voices of John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman.

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

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Labels: Futurama, FX, Hulu, The Bear

Futurama Triumphantly Returns July 24; Final Season of Physical Drops August 2; Primo Premieres May 19 on Amazon Freevee

Season 11 of Futurama is set to premiere on Monday, July 24, 2023 with one episode. New episodes will be released weekly on Mondays on Hulu. After a brief ten-year hiatus, Futurama has crawled triumphantly from the cryogenic tube, its full original cast and satirical spirit intact. The ten all-new episodes of season eleven have something for everyone. New viewers will be able to pick up the series from here, while long-time fans will recognize payoffs to decades-long mysteries – including developments in the epic love story of Fry and Leela, the mysterious contents of Nibbler's litter box, the secret history of evil Robot Santa, and the whereabouts of Kif and Amy's tadpoles. Meanwhile there's a whole new pandemic in town as the crew explores the future of vaccines, bitcoin, cancel culture, and streaming TV.

After its initial run on the Fox Broadcasting Network, a roller-coaster of cancelations and resurrections ensued. Four successful direct-to-DVD releases in 2007-2009 led to the show's rebirth on Comedy Central from 2010-2013. Then, after a brief ten-year freeze in the cryogenic chamber, Futurama emerged triumphantly as a streaming series for Hulu with a 20-episode order set to debut in 2023. Starring John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman.

Apple TV+ announced that Physical, its widely celebrated and hit half-hour dramedy starring and executive produced by Rose Byrne and hailing from creator, writer and executive producer Annie Weisman, is set to return for its 10-episode third and final season on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Since its global debut on Apple TV+, Physical has drawn acclaim from audiences and critics alike, as well as praise for performances by its ensemble cast led by "perfectly cast" and "masterful" Rose Byrne, and stars Rory Scovel, Dierdre Friel and Paul Sparks. The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Tomorrow Studios. Viewers can catch up on seasons one and two of Physical, now streaming globally on Apple TV+. Season three of Physical expands its cast with Emmy and Grammy Award-nominee and Critics Choice Award winner Zooey Deschanel, who plays 'Kelli,' a network sitcom star who decides to enter the burgeoning Fitness Industry.

Set in the idyllic but fragile beach paradise of sunny 1980s San Diego, Physical is a half-hour dark comedy following Sheila Rubin (Byrne), a quietly tortured, seemingly dutiful housewife supporting her smart but controversial husband's bid for state assembly. But behind closed doors, Sheila has her own darkly funny take on life she rarely lets the world see. She's also battling a complex set of personal demons relating to her self-image... that is, until she finds release through the unlikeliest source: the world of aerobics. Season two found Byrne having successfully launched her first fitness video only to encounter some new and bigger obstacles on her path. She is torn between loyalty to her husband (Rory Scovel) and the values he represents, and a dangerous attraction to someone else. And since she's no longer the only game in town, she finds herself having to outrun some fierce new competitors on the road to building a full-fledged fitness empire.

Primo, is a coming-of-age, single-camera comedy, inspired by NYT Best-Selling author Shea Serrano's life growing up in San Antonio, TX. It follows Rafa Gonzales, a wide-eyed 16-year-old being raised by his clever mother, Drea, and his five overbearing uncles (Rollie, Mike, Ryan, Jay, and Mondo) as they live their lives on the southside of San Antonio. Rafa is at an inflection point, as three big life moments coincide: he and his friends are nearing the end of high school; he's pretty sure he just met the girl of his dreams; and he just found out he has a real chance to become the first person in his family to go to college. Over the course of the series, the group - Rafa, his mom, uncles,, friends, and crush - will all affect each other and help one anotther grow in ways they weren't expecting, whether they like it or not.

All eight episodes of the first season will be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the U.S., the UK, Germany, and Austria beginning on May 19.

Primo stars Ignacio Diaz-Silverio (The Good Fight), Johnny Rey Diaz (Grey's Anatomy), Christina Vidal (The Terminal List, Taina), Henri Esteve (Grown-ish, Homecoming), Martin Martinez (Magnum P.I.), Jonathan Medina (The Purge), Carlos Santos (Gentefied), Nigel Siwabessy (Stop the Bleeding!), Efrain Villa (Better Call Saul), and Stakiah Lynn Washington (Everything is Both).

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:05 PM

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Labels: Apple TV+, Freevee, Futurama, Hulu, Physical, Primo

SitcomsOnline Digest: New Episodes of King of the Hill and Futurama in the Horizon; Night Court and That '90s Show Get Second Seasons

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This is a very busy week, and we've got about twice as much news as usual, including news about reboots of some Fox animated series (but on Hulu), second season renewals of two recent reboots (or whatever the proper title is for them), and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It's the news everybody has been excited about this week: King of the Hill is coming back! But there are some issues that fans are wondering about how they will be addressed, such as what will happen with Luanne and Lucky (voiced by Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty, both of whom have died since the series ended), as well as how will the character of Khan (an Asian American voiced by a white man) be handled. (TVLine)
• Meanwhile, Lauren Tom (who just so happens to do voices on King of the Hill as well) has announced a timeline for the return of Futurama. (Game Rant)
• CBS has ordered a Matlock reboot pilot starring Kathy Bates. (AV Club)
• A huge shift in daytime TV is coming, as Dr. Phil will be coming to an end in just a few months. (Deadline)
• That '90s Show is getting a second season on Netflix. (Variety)
• There is a spoof of Seinfeld that can go on forever, thanks to AI. (TechCrunch)
• The Blacklist is coming to an end after 10 seasons at NBC. (Variety)
• Cindy Williams, best known as Shirley in Laverne & Shirley, has died at age 75. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Lisa Loring, who played the original Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, has also died. (Variety)
• It isn't surprising given the initial success that it has had (we'll see if that holds), but Night Court is coming back for a second season. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (FEBRUARY 4 - FEBRUARY 10)

• Decades has a binge of Laverne & Shirley this weekend in remembrance of Cindy Williams.
• All in the Family comes to MeTV starting Sunday night.
• Not Dead Yet, a new ABC comedy, debuts on Wednesday.
• South Park returns for a new season on Comedy Central on Wednesday night, and is followed by the cable premiere of Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: All in the Family, Futurama, King of the Hill, Laverne and Shirley, Matlock, Night Court, Not Dead Yet, Seinfeld, SitcomsOnline Digest, That '90s Show, The Addams Family, The Blacklist

SitcomsOnline Digest: John DiMaggio Returning to Futurama After All; DVD Season Sets of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Finally Coming

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about the return of the voice of Bender to Futurama, DVDs of one of the first classic sitcoms ever, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It looks like John DiMaggio will get to sign his "shiny metal contract" after all, as he will now return as the voice of Bender in the new episodes of Futurama. (Deadline)
• Classic TV on DVD isn't dead yet (and neither is MPI, which we haven't seen a classic TV sitcom release from in years), as DVD preorder links for the first two seasons of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (season 1 and season 2) have popped up this past week. (TVShowsOnDVD via Facebook)
• Last week, we mentioned that NBC had a pilot in the works called Hungry, but now the star of the show, Demi Lovato, is out due to the scheduling demands of a regular sitcom role (though she will still remain as executive producer). (TVLine)
• The starring role for the Quantum Leap reboot has been announced. (TVLine)
• Two network dramas that you have either never heard of or already forgotten about, Ordinary Joe and The Big Leap, have both been cancelled. (TV Source)
• Johnny Brown, who played Bookman on Good Times, has died at age 84. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Tim Considine of My Three Sons has died. (Deadline)
• NBC is dissolving what is left of their partnership with Hulu, as everything will be moving exclusively to Peacock. (Hollywood Reporter)
• My Favorite Martian is coming to Antenna TV. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MARCH 5 - MARCH 11)

• Although it debuted last week, the country music broadcast digital network Circle is already straying away a bit from that theme as they have added The Commish and Hunter to their lineup.
• There is a Route 66 binge on Decades this weekend.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Futurama, Hungry, Hunter, Ozzie and Harriet, Quantum Leap, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Commish

SitcomsOnline Digest: Futurama Gets New Season; Early Edition Reboot Moves Forward at CBS

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing of an animated adult comedy making a return, a reboot of the game show Lingo, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Futurama has been revived/renewed for a new season on Hulu, but the voice of Bender appears to be missing (unless something changes, anyway). (Deadline)
• Fox has a meteorologist comedy (it's a new idea at least) called Cindy Snow, which is not a spinoff of Three's Company. (Deadline)
• Early Edition is a step closer to making a return at CBS, with a female in the lead role. (Variety)
• With the sudden burst in popularity of the game Wordle, CBS has decided to give the game show Lingo a reboot, with RuPaul as host. (Hollywood Reporter)
• It seems that toxic workplaces have been a theme among daytime talk shows, and now Dr. Phil is the one being accused. (Deadline)
• Comedy Central has acquired the rights to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18)

• Decades has a binge that features That's My Mama and the Redd Foxx sitcom The Royal Family this weekend.
• Bel-Air debuts on Peacock on Sunday.
• Prime Video has a new season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Friday.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Early Edition, Futurama, Lingo, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Royal Family

Futurama to Return with New Episodes After 10 Years; Adult Swim Renews Birdgirl and Smiling Friends

The future is looking bright for Fry, Leela and Bender at Hulu. 20th Television Animation and Hulu announced the return of Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's brilliantly subversive animated sci-fi comedy, Futurama. The order is for 20 new episodes and the series will go into production in February, with a 2023 premiere. The show's returning voice cast includes stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman.

First airing on Fox from 1999-2003, Futurama was brought back in 2007 with four direct-to-DVD movies that subsequently aired as 30-minute episodes on Comedy Central. Based on their success, Comedy Central ordered new seasons of the series which made a triumphant return to television in June 2010. Futurama is only the second series in the history of the medium to go back into production based on the strength of its DVD sales and repeat airings on cable. Over the course of its storied run, Futurama earned six Emmy(R) Awards--including two Outstanding Animated Program, seven Annie Awards, two Environmental Media Awards and two Writer's Guild of America Awards. Over its seven seasons spanning two decades, 140 original episodes were produced, with the then-final episode airing on September 4, 2013. Futurama focuses on the life of Philip Fry (Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a "diverse" new group of friends including Leela (Katey Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws.

Sticking with more animated comedy news, Adult Swim, the #1 destination for young adults, announced season renewals for two of its hit animated comedy series Birdgirl and Smiling Friends. The second season of Birdgirl is set to premiere this summer, while the return of Smiling Friends will be announced at a later date. Fans can now stream both series on the Adult Swim hub on HBO Max.

In season two of Birdgirl, the Birdteam is back and still not learning from their mistakes. Judy Ken Sebben and the Birdteam attempt to navigate the troubles of modern corporations, tackling everything from ethics in new tech, to cancel culture and rejuvenating skin sack health fads. Will they fail? Spectacularly! But sometimes it's not about the solutions we come up with, it's about the new problems we make along the way. Birdgirl is a half-hour animated comedy series starring Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Father) and executive produced by Erik Richter (Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law) and Christina Miller. The animation studio is Global Mechanic and it is produced by Adult Swim's Williams Street Productions.

Smiling Friends first premiered on Adult Swim on January 9, when fans were treated to a full run of the entire season that night. The premiere was #1 amongst all ad-supported cable with T12-17, P18-24/34, and W18-24/34 during its 12a-1:45a time period. The block, excluding sports, also won among M18-34/49 and M25-54. As new episodes continued to air during its regular timeslot over four weeks it saw double and triple-digit improvements in audience delivery of the prior four weeks' average. Smiling Friends follows the employees of a small company dedicated to bringing happiness to a bizarre yet colorful world. The quarter-hour animated series is co-created by Michael Cusack (YOLO: Crystal Fantasy) and Zach Hadel (Hellbenders) and animated by Princess Bento Studio.

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

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Labels: Adult Swim, Birdgirl, Comedy Central, Fox, Futurama, Hulu, Smiling Friends