Saturday, June 10, 2023
SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Cancels Two Sitcoms; Adult Swim Expanding Again
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about some cancelled NBC comedies, a second (and third) season for a Canadian import to The CW, and more. Let's get going!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- NBC has cancelled Grand Crew and Young Rock, and although no decision has been made yet, American Auto may be gone as well. (TVLine)
- Sullivan's Crossing, one of the many Canadian imports headed to The CW in the fall, has already been renewed for a second and third season. (Deadline)
- Bryan Cranston is planning to retire from acting in a few years, at least temporarily. (Hollywood Reporter)
- Adult Swim used to start every night at 11 PM on Cartoon Network, but that start time has been going earlier and earlier every year. Now, starting in late August, they'll be starting at 6 PM, with a one hour block of classic Cartoon Network series. (Deadline)
- Due to the writers strike, there will be no TCA Summer Tour this year. (Variety)
- Shout! Factory has something special planned for fans of ALF. (SitcomsOnline)
WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 10 - JUNE 16)
- The second season of The Wonder Years debuts Wednesday on ABC.
- On Catchy Comedy this weekend, there is a binge of Taxi.
Friday, March 31, 2023
NBC Summer 2023 Schedule; Carpool Karaoke: The Series Returns Today on Apple TV+

NBC has announced its summer schedule. America's Got Talent and Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge will kick off NBC's summer season with back-to-back premieres on Tuesday, May 30. The competition continues when American Ninja Warrior debuts Monday, June 5 with a two-hour premiere, before cutting down to one hour on June 12, as The Wall returns at 9pm. New docuseries LA Fire & Rescue will launch on Wednesday, June 21. All programs will stream on Peacock the day following their NBC telecast. Leading up to summer, The Weakest Link, hosted by Jane Lynch, returns on Tuesday, April 11 (10-11 p.m. ET/PT) through May 16 and That's My Jam heads to Monday nights beginning April 17 (10 -11 p.m. ET/PT) through May 15. The Weakest Link will then return in summer on Mondays starting June 26 through September 18 at 10pm. NBC also announced a two-episode season finale for comedy Grand Crew on Friday, April 29 from 8-9pm.
Apple TV+ announced a new episode of the Emmy Award-winning hit Carpool Karaoke: The Series, featuring Emmy Award-nominated and BAFTA Award winner Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) and Emmy Award-winner and BAFTA Award nominee Brian Cox (Succession) - as the Scottish actors and longtime friends try to remember all of the movies they've been in while singing along to Bay City Rollers and The Crystals.
Carpool Karaoke: The Series landed top honors at the 2022 Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series for its fifth consecutive Emmy win. The series has been nominated every year since becoming eligible and won an Emmy for each of its previous four seasons, one of only a handful of programs in history to do the same. Further recognition for the series includes multiple Producer Guild Award wins and a Hollywood Critics Association Television Award nomination.
Friday, January 13, 2023
TCA Winter 2023 Press Tour: FX; NBC Alters Midseason 2023 Schedule

FX set the premiere dates for several new and returning series coming in early 2023, including next batch of documentary films under The New York Times Presents banner, the third season of the comedy series Dave and the docuseries Dear Mama. These series join the previously announced premiere of the sixth and final season of FX's Snowfall on Wednesday, February 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX, and streaming the next day on Hulu. FX's The New York Times Presents Sin Eater - Two-Part Documentary Premieres Friday, March 10 at 10 p.m. ET Simultaneously on FX and Hulu. FX's Dave - Season 3 Premieres Wednesday, April 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FXX and streaming the next day on Hulu. FX's The New York Times Presents: The Legacy of J Dilla - Premieres Friday, April 7 at 10 p.m. ET Simultaneously on FX and Hulu. FX's Dear Mama - New Docuseries Premieres Friday, April 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX and streaming the next day on Hulu. And FX will launch the second season of The Bear this summer with now 10 episodes (instead of 8 episodes), with a premiere date to be announced.
Dave Burd, star and executive producer on FX's Dave, revealed the all-star line-up of guest stars that will appear in the third season of the hit series which premieres Wednesday, April 5 on FXX and will stream on Hulu the next day. Joining Burd and other stars and producers of Dave at FX's Television Critics Association (TCA) winter press tour event, co-creator and executive producer Jeff Schaeffer said a number of surprises are in store for season three, including appearances by: Demi Lovato, Don Cheadle, Killer Mike, Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox, Rick Ross, Travis Barker, Usher and more.
NBC is moving Found from its previous midseason premiere (Feb. 19) to a fall 2023 launch. In addition, the network is ordering additional scripts as a show of its commitment to the series. Now The Blacklist is moving from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for its Sunday, Feb. 26 season premiere. Magnum P.I. will now air back-to-back episodes for its Sunday, Feb. 19 premiere at 9 and 10 p.m. and air in its normal 9 p.m. timeslot moving forward. The all-Magnum evening will start with Season 4 encore telecasts at 7 and 8 p.m. and NBC will air two more encores earlier in the week on Monday, Feb 13 & Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 10pm. Last year NBC picked up 20 episodes of the series that will air as a two-part fifth season. And finally, the critically acclaimed comedy Grand Crew will launch its second season on Friday, March 3 at 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 13, 2022
NBC Renews 3 Sitcoms, Cancels 2; CBS and The CW Hand Out Orders & Pink Slips; Remembering Mike Hagerty and Sitcom Producer/Writer George Yanok

NBC has ordered renewals for three of its comedies: Young Rock for a third season and American Auto and Grand Crew for their respective second seasons. Young Rock stars Dwayne Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila, John Tui, Fasitua Amosa and Matthew Willig. American Auto stars Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Grand Crew stars Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Grasie Mercedes and Carl Tart. Separately, NBC has passed on new seasons of Kenan and Mr. Mayor along with freshman drama The Endgame.
Meanwhile, CBS has canceled three sitcoms and two dramas. Sitcoms United States of Al, How We Roll and B Positive have been canceled. Dramas Magnum P.I. and Good Sam have also been canceled. They have ordered three new dramas so far: Fire Country, East New York and So Help Me Todd. Stars for Fire Country: Max Thieriot, Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro, Diane Farr, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway, and Jules Latimer. East New York stars Amanda Warren, Kevin Rankin, Jimmy Smits, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Kind, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Lavel Schley and Olivia Luccardi. And So Help Me Todd stars Marcia Gay Harden, Skylar Astin, Madeline Wise, Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann and Rosa Arredondo. CBS potentitally will pick-up one more new drama for midseason consideration, but they have passed on all of their new comedy pilots.
The CW made a lot of cancelations. Newbies 4400 and Naomi along with vets Charmed, Dynasty, Legacies, Roswell New Mexico and In the Dark. The latter two still has to air a full new season of episodes starting in June. Batwoman and DC's Legends of Tomorrow were also canceled a few weeks ago, while All American: Homecoming has been renewed. The CW has picked-up three new dramas. Gotham Knights, starring Anna Lore, Fallon Smythe, Misha Collins, Navia Robinson, Olivia Rose Keegan, Oscar Morgan, Rahart Adams and Tyler DiChiara star. Walker: Independence, a prequel, starring Katherine McNamara, Matt Barr, Gabriela Quezada, Greg Hovanessian, Justin Johnson Cortez, Katie Findlay and Lawrence Kao. And finally, Supernatural prequel The Winchesters stars Drake Rodger, Meg Donnelly, Bianca Kajlich, Demetria McKinney, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid also star while Jensen Ackles narrates as Dean Winchester.
ABC and Fox have not announced new series orders yet, however ABC has canceled current freshman dramas Queens and Promised Land. Stay tuned for the upfronts next week!
Actor Mike Hagerty (sometimes credited as Michael G. Hagerty) has died. He was known for playing comedic blue-collar workers, including his recurring roles as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on Friends and the manager of a muffler shop on HBO's Lucky Louie. He died on May 5 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering from a seizure. His seizure was caused by an adverse reaction to antibiotics he was taking for an infection in his leg. Mr. Hagerty was 67.
Hagerty starred as Finley on the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Building. Finley is a one-time firefighter who runs the nearby bar/hangout called G&L Fire Escape in Chicago. The series also starred Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kuhlman, Don Lake, Tom Virtue and Holly Wortell.
He starred as Frank MacNamara on the short-lived 1994-1995 FOX sitcom The George Carlin Show. Frank MacNamara is a working-class regular at The Moylan Tavern. He is a good-natured drinker with a beer belly to show for it. The cast included George Carlin, Alex Rocco, Anthony Starke, Paige French, Christopher Rich, Susan Sullivan, Matt Landers and Phil LaMarr.
Hagerty starred as Mike, the manager of a muffler shop and Louie's (Louis C.K.) employer and friend, on the 2006 HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. The cast included Pamela Adlon, Kelly Gould, Laura Kightlinger, Jerry Minor, Kim Hawthorne, Rick Shapiro and Jim Norton.
He had recently been filming and starring as Ed Miller on the 2022 HBO comedy-drama Somebody Somewhere. Ed Miller is Sam's (Bridget Everett) father and a farmer. The cast includes Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Murray Hill, Jane Drake Brody, Jon Hudson Odom and Heidi Johanningmeier.
Hagerty had a recurring role as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on five episodes of NBC's Friends from 1995 to 2001.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Married with Children, One of the Boys, Murphy Brown, Dear John, Sydney, Get a Life (2 episodes), American Dreamer, Drexell's Class, The Wonder Years, Martin (2 episodes), Seinfeld (as Rudy in "The Raincoats"), Good Advice, Kirk, The Home Court (6 episodes as Leo Blount), The Drew Carey Show, The Faculty, Union Square, Grace Under Fire, Arli$$, The Michael Richards Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nikki (2 episodes), Life with Bonnie (2 episodes), Complete Savages, American Dad! (voice), Entourage, 'Til Death, Good Luck Charlie, The Mindy Project, Happy Endings, Community, The Goldbergs, Marry Me and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (3 episodes as Captain McGintley).
Some of his drama guest appearances included Crime Story (2 episodes), Mann & Machine, Civil Wars, Star Trek: The Next Generation (2 episodes), Sisters, Ally McBeal, Angel, Dead Last, Deadwood, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Ghost Whisperer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Medium, Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Shameless.
Hagerty's film credits included Doctor Detroit (1983), Brewster's Millions (1985), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Red Heat (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), V.I. Warshawski (1991), Wayne's World (1992), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1992), Stuart Saves His Family (1995), Space Truckers (1996) and Speed 2: Cruise Control. He was in a deleted scene in Uncle Buck (1989).
He is survived by his wife Mary Kathryn, his sister Mary Ann Hagerty, (and) her wife Kathleen O’Rourke, and their daughter Meg.
Mr. Hagerty was a talented and dependable character actor who was known for his mustache and thick Chicago accent. He was a familiar face in more than 100 TV series and films. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his career. He will be sorely missed.
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Emmy-winning producer and director George Yanok, who worked on Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He died on April 29 in Nashville, Tennessee. He suffered from lung cancer in the 18 months leading up to his death. Mr. Yanok was 83.
Yanok was a producer on Welcome Back, Kotter from 1976 to 1977. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976 for his work. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included The Kallikaks, Tabitha, The Stockard Channing Show, Teachers Only, Too Close for Comfort, What a Country! and Out of This World.
He was one of the original writers of Hee Haw. Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Bob Newhart Show (1972), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Sanford and Son (2 episodes), The Practice (1976), The Kallikaks, Welcome Back, Kotter, (8 episodes - he also appeared as Mr. Ferguson in "Career Day"), Tabitha (2 episodes), The Stockard Channing Show (5 episodes), Teachers Only (4 episodes), 1st & Ten, Too Close for Comfort (8 episodes), What a Country! and Out of This World (3 episodes).
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Laura, his stepdaughter Katie Hill and his stepson John.
Mr. Yanok won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy, Variety or Music and Outstanding Comedy Series in 1974 and 1976, in recognition of his work on the comedy special Lily (1973) and The Lily Tomlin Special (1975). We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.
Friday, March 25, 2022
Fri-Yay: Renewal Decisions Await for a Strong Freshman Class of Sitcoms; Apple TV+ Announces Bad Sisters; Remembering Scoey Mitchell

by Vincent
As we enter the spring, it's getting closer and closer to the time where networks will decide whether or not shows will be canceled or renewed for the next season. As we look at a strong freshman class of comedies - in my opinion, the strongest in the past 10 years - it begs the question, which sitcoms will stick around for another season? Some sitcoms have already been renewed - breakout hits ABC's Abbott Elementary and CBS' Ghosts. However, many remain on the bubble.
The sitcoms still waiting on a renewal decision include ABC's The Wonder Years, which premiered to solid ratings and some hype but has seen much of that dwindle over the course of the season. Still, it seems like a good bet that ABC will give the fledging reboot another shot next season. On NBC, critically acclaimed American Auto and Grand Crew are still awaiting decisions as they have performed just OK. While they have been well reviewed, they haven't gotten the hype and commercial success of Abbott or Ghosts, and they seem like true bubble shows. Here's to hoping NBC sees their potential and gives them another shot. On Fox, newbies Welcome to Flatch and Pivoting haven't captured the same amount of attention as other freshman comedies this season. Still, I could see Fox giving one of them a chance at Season 2, particularly Pivoting which was well-reviewed despite low ratings. Welcome to Flatch has only aired two episodes (but the first 7 or so are available to stream before the Fox premiere), but the reviews aren't very good and its ratings have been even lower than Pivoting. Still, in the streaming age, you can never count any series out. Either way, let's hope some of the other sitcoms join the success stories of Ghosts and Abbott Elementary and make it to a second season.
Apple TV+ announced the title and cast, and unveiled a first-look at Bad Sisters, its highly anticipated 10 episode series from Emmy Award-nominee and BAFTA Award-winning star and creator Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe, Shining Vale) which is set to debut later this year. A delicious blend of both dark comedy and thriller, Bad Sisters follows the lives of the Garvey sisters bound together by the premature death of their parents and a promise to always protect one another. In addition to Horgan, the series will star Anne-Marie Duff (Suffragette, The Salisbury Poisonings), Eva Birthistle (Brooklyn, The Last Kingdom), Sarah Greene (Frank of Ireland, Dublin Murders) and Eve Hewson (Behind her Eyes, The Luminaries) as the Garvey sisters.
The ensemble cast also includes Claes Bang (Dracula, The Northman), Brian Gleeson (Frank of Ireland, Peaky Blinders), Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to you Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders), Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent, The Pursuit of Love) and newcomer Saise Quinn (Monster). Bad Sisters is produced by Merman productions and ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios. The series will mark Horgan's first project to premiere from a first-look deal with Apple TV+ and her Merman production company.
Actor, writer and director Scoey Mitchell (usually credited as Scoey Mitchlll), who starred on the 1970 sitcom Barefoot in the Park and had a recurring role on Rhoda, has died. He died of kidney failure on March 19 in a hospice-care facility in Torrance, California. Mr. Mitchell was 92.
Mitchell starred as Paul Bratter on the short-lived 1970 ABC sitcom Barefoot in the Park. The series was based on Neil Simon's Broadway play of the same name that was later a 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. It was the the first American television sitcom since Amos 'n' Andy to have a predominantly black cast (Vito Scotti is the sole major white character). Paul Bratter is a newlywed attorney for the law firm Kendricks, Keene & Klein living in lower Manhattan with his wife Corie (Tracy Reed). After Mitchell was fired due to "differences of opinion" with the series' producers, the series was canceled after 12 episodes. It also starred Thelma Carpenter, Nipsey Russell, Harry Holcombe and Vito Scotti.
He had a recurring role as Justin Culp, Joe Gerard's (David Groh) wrecking company field employee, in nine episodes of the CBS sitcom Rhoda from 1974 to 1976. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, The Mothers-in-Law, Here Come the Brides, That Girl, The Odd Couple (uncredited), Doc, Taxi, Stockard Channing in Just Friends and A New Kind of Family.
Mitchell created and produced the short-lived 1986-1987 NBC sitcom Me & Mrs. C. He also directed four episodes and wrote five episodes of the series, which was about a sixtyish white widow (Ethel Conklin - Mrs. C) taking in a young black girl (Gerri Kilgore) as a boarder. He appeared in two episodes as Reverend Kilgore. In 1984, he co-directed and wrote the TV movie Me & Mrs. C. The series starred Peg Murray, Misha McK, Gary Bayer and Ellen Regan.
He created and produced the short-lived 1989-1990 NBC sitcom 13 East, which was set at the nursing station of Ward 13 East, at a large hospital. Mitchell also directed seven episodes. The series starred Diana Bellamy, Jan Cobler, Barbara Isenberg, Ellen Regan, Timothy Wade, Marie Denn, Wayne Powers, Rosemarie Jackson, Eric Glenn and Philip Proctor.
His career began on the CBS comedy/variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show six times from 1968 to 1970. He was a regular on the 1969 ABC comedy/variety series What's It All About, World?.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man, Joe Forrester, Police Story (2 episodes), Baretta (2 episodes) and Lou Grant.
He frequently appeared on game shows in the 1970s, including The Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, Password Plus, Match Game, Match Game PM and Super Password (1988).
Mitchell played Richard Pryor's father in the 1986 film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Warren, and brother, jazz pianist Billy Mitchell of Pasadena, California.
Mr. Mitchell was a talented and funny actor. After retiring from the business in the 1990s, he collected and refurbished classic automobiles. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us an actor, writer and director. He will be greatly missed.
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Friday, January 28, 2022
Fri-Yay: Are Network Sitcoms Back…Again?; More Details About Betty White NBC Special

by Vincent
After a few off years, the network sitcom might be back. This season we have several solid new sitcoms garnering both critical acclaim and even solid viewership numbers. CBS's Ghosts, ABC's Abbott Elementary, and NBC's American Auto and Grand Crew are all really good sitcoms with the potential to grow into something even better. And all of these shows feel like the type of shows that still could only exist on network TV, which shows that - despite the fact that broadcast is a far less relevant medium than it was even 10 years ago - it may still be the place to be for sitcoms.
All of these sitcoms combine solid characters, quick joke writing and interesting premises. They may not have the experimentation of streaming or cable sitcoms, but sometimes, that just isn't what you want. You want a good, relaxing and funny sitcom to disappear into for a few episodes. And that's exactly what these shows prove network sitcoms can still provide.
President Joe Biden, Drew Barrymore, Valerie Bertinelli, Cher, Bryan Cranston, Ted Danson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Goldie Hawn, Vicki Lawrence, Jane Leeves, Jay Leno, Anthony Mackie, Wendie Malick, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Jean Smart, Mary Steenburgen and more will come together to pay tribute to the late actress and animal advocate in NBC's primetime special Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl. The special airs Monday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. on NBC and will be available the next day on Peacock. Co-stars, friends, admirers and those who shared special moments with White recount their favorite memories and reveal untold stories to commemorate the life and legacy of the trailblazing television star. The telecast will include clips and never-before-seen footage that best capture White's irreverent tone, spirit and impeccable comedic timing that are a hallmark of her decades-long career.
Monday, November 15, 2021
NBC Winter Midseason 2022 Schedule; And Just Like That... Premieres Dec. 9 and Airs Thursdays

NBC rings in the new year with a prestigious lineup of new series and returning favorites, all amplified by the spectacle of the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics. Launching right out of the holiday season, two new series join NBC's storied comedy brand on Tuesday nights. January 4 marks the arrival of the workplace comedy American Auto from Justin Spitzer (Superstore) and Grand Crew, a show about a group of Black friends navigating life and love in Los Angeles, from Phil Augusta Jackson and Dan Goor (Brooklyn Nine-Nine). The comedies will air from 8-9pm. Jan. 4 will also see the return of the award-winning This Is Us at 9pm, which heads into its sixth and final season. A trifecta of returning comedies will also debut in 2022 with Kenan doing double duty on Monday nights starting Jan. 3 from 8-9pm, and pair of hits in Young Rock and Mr. Mayor coming back for their own second seasons following the Olympics on Tuesday, March 15 from 8-9pm.
The conclusion of the Olympics will also usher in bold new dramas, including the gripping heist series The Endgame on Monday, Feb 21 at 10pm and the flagship Law & Order on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8pm, which will return to the air after a decade for its 21st season with its now iconic classic format. Ordinary Joe ends its season on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10pm, while The Blacklist will move from Thursdays to Fridays at 8pm starting Feb. 25. On Tuesday, March 8 The Thing About Pam joins the schedule at 10pm. A six-episode limited series inspired by some of the most popular episodes of Dateline NBC, the true-crime inspired drama is produced by Blumhouse Television, NBC News Studios and Big Picture Co. and stars Renée Zellweger. On Tuesday, April 19, following the six-episode run of The Thing About Pam, veteran drama New Amsterdam will return to the Tuesday 10 p.m. timeslot through the end of its season.
A duet of unscripted series will also hit the stage midseason, beginning Monday, Jan. 3 when Jimmy Fallon expands his network footprint onto the primetime schedule as the executive producer and host of music and comedy variety game show That's My Jam at 9pm. Then following the Olympics on Monday, Feb. 21, the all-live event series American Song Contest debuts, featuring original musical performances representing all 50 states, five U.S. territories and our nation's capital, with artists competing to win the country's vote for the Best Original Song in a grand spectacle. Previously announced shows that have been ordered to series but not yet dated include The Wheel, L.A. Fire and Rescue, AGT Extreme coming later this season and the revival of Night Court, which will now air in 2022-23 season.
The ten-episode Max Original series And Just Like That..., from executive producer Michael Patrick King, will debut with two episodes on Thursday, December 9 on HBO Max. The following eight episodes will premiere weekly on subsequent Thursdays. The Max Original And Just Like That..., the new chapter of the groundbreaking HBO series Sex and the City, from executive producer Michael Patrick King, follows "Carrie" (Sarah Jessica Parker), "Miranda" (Cynthia Nixon) and "Charlotte" (Kristin Davis) as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s. The series also includes previously announced cast members Sara RamÃrez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson, and Evan Handler.
Thursday, November 04, 2021
NBC Slates Comedy Previews in December, Including American Auto & Grand Crew; It's Always Sunny to Surpass Ozzie & Harriet for Live-Action Comedy

As a holiday gift to its comedy fans, NBC will air original episodes of all five of its comedy series - three returning and two new shows - during the week of Dec. 13-17 to whet the appetite of viewers looking forward to the network's highly anticipated 2022 comedy slate. All three of NBC's sophomore comedies - Young Rock, Kenan and Mr. Mayor - are returning Dec. 15, as previously announced, for holiday-inspired special episodes before they make their return to the primetime lineup in the new year to begin their second seasons.
NBC's two new comedies will also air on the network in December, and then be available on digital platforms leading into its timeslot premiere early next year. American Auto - from Superstore executive producer Justin Spitzer - will air its first two episodes in a special preview on Monday, Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. following a live two-hour telecast of The Voice. Then, on Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 8-9 p.m., Grand Crew - from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Insecure writer Phil Augusta Jackson - will preview its first two episodes as well before The Voice finale. Premiere dates and times for all five comedy series will be announced shortly as part of NBC's midseason scheduling release.
American Auto, a new workplace comedy that takes the wheels off the automobile industry, stars Ana Gasteyer, Jon Barinholtz, Harriet Dyer, Humphrey Ker, Michael Benjamin Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Grand Crew, a new comedy that proves life is better with your crew, stars Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Grasie Mercedes and Carl Tart.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's record-breaking 15th season will premiere Wednesday, December 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FXX, and stream the next day on FX on Hulu. The premiere will include the first two episodes of the 15th season, which makes Sunny the longest-running live-action comedy series in television history, bypassing The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. Sunny's remarkable run has also racked up more than 1.8 billion hours viewed since its premiere in 2005.
The record-breaking 15th season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is its most ambitious yet. In the seismic wake of Covid-19 and all things 2020, The Gang stands at a crossroads in this strange new world. The rules are changing quicker than anyone can keep up with, despite herculean efforts from "Mac" (Rob McElhenney), "Charlie" (Charlie Day), "Dennis" (Glenn Howerton), "Dee" (Kaitlin Olson) and "Frank" (Danny DeVito) to continue business as usual. Now, they must face the music and decide who they'll become in the cultural upheaval that is 2021. Across the span of eight episodes - and the Atlantic Ocean - we find them answer in a way only they could think to. Like a fine Irish whiskey, Sunny's distinct flavor has gotten richer and intensified through the years. First barreled in 2005, the show has become a landmark for dark comedy and American satire, uniting the most devoted of fans from all over the country and abroad, and this monumental 15th season is truly one to crack open and celebrate. Continuing to deliver some of the hardest laughs on television while tackling society's most pressing issues, Sunny turns its fearless focus both outward and inward: to a national and international level but also to a deeply personal level. This is a season that sees The Gang try to exploit pandemic aid, sidestep cancel culture, evade criminal justice, reflect on their origins, and reconcile their identities and homeland roots.
Oh, and did we mention this is season 15? Sunny now breaks the record and becomes the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time. The show is executive produced by McElhenney (creator), Day, and Howerton, along with David Hornsby, Megan Ganz, Rob Rosell, Nick Frenkel, and Michael Rotenberg. None of this could be possible without the unyielding faith and courage of FX, who took a gamble on a small, homegrown show and now have cultivated one of the most vital, boundary-breaking comedies in American history. So, raise that snifter and cheers: To Sunny! Yes, it burns a little, and that's what you want.
Thursday, April 01, 2021
CSI Revived by CBS for Sequel Series in 2021-22 Season; NBC Orders Ordinary Joe for Next Season

CBS announced it has given a series order to CSI: Vegas, the sequel to the Network's global hit CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, one of the most-watched drama series of the 21st century. Original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox will reprise their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, respectively. Produced by CBS Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, the new CBS original series will star Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez and Mandeep Dhillon. Original CSI star Wallace Langham will also return to the series as David Hodges. CSI: Vegas opens a brand new chapter in Las Vegas, the city where it all began. Facing an existential threat that could bring down the Crime Lab, a brilliant new team of forensic investigators must welcome back old friends and deploy new techniques to preserve and serve justice in Sin City.
Created by Anthony Zuiker, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered Oct. 6, 2000 on CBS, and aired for 15 seasons, completing 335 episodes. It earned six Emmy Awards and 39 Emmy nominations. The drama originally starred William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox and Paul Guilfoyle. The franchise also included CSI: Miami (2002-2012); CSI: New York (2004-2013); and CSI: Cyber (2014-2016).
NBC has ordered the drama Ordinary Joe to series for the 2021-2022 season. The series explores the three parallel lives of the show's main character, Joe, after he makes a pivotal choice at a crossroads in his life. The series asks the question of how different life might look if you made your decision based on love, loyalty or passion. James Wolk (Tell Me a Story), Natalie Martinez (Secrets & Lies), Charlie Barnett (Chicago Fire) and Elizabeth Lail (You) will star. No Ordinary Joe joins comedies American Auto and Grand Crew along with drama La Brea as picked-up newcomers for 2021-22. Those three were picked up in January. All four of these series were for the 2020 pilot season which got pushed due to the pandemic.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
NBC Orders 3 New Series for 2021-22 Season; Lifetime Slates Winter 2021 Original Movie Slate, Including 400th Original Movie
In the single-camera comedy American Auto from Justin Spitzer (Superstore), the comedy is set at the headquarters of a major American automotive company in Detroit where a floundering group of executives try to rediscover the company identity amidst a rapidly changing industry. The series stars Ana Gasteyer, Jon Barinholtz, Harriet Dyer, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo.
In Grand Crew, a single-camera comedy from Phil Augusta Jackson (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), a group of Black friends unpack the ups and downs of life and love at a wine bar. It will star Echo Kellum, Justin Cunningham, Carl Tart, Aaron Jennings and Nicole Byer. And finally in the drama La Brea, from David Applebaum, when a massive sinkhole mysteriously opens in Los Angeles, it tears a family in half, separating mother and son from father and daughter. When part of the family find themselves in an unexplainable primeval world, alongside a disparate group of strangers, they must work to survive and uncover the mystery of where they are and if there is a way back home. Natalie Zea, Zyra Gorecki and Chiké Okonkwo will star. Additional cast will be announced shortly.
Lifetime sets airdates for Winter 2021 Ripped from the Headlines true crime movie slate, every Saturday night beginning February 13 through March 13th. Kicking off the quintet of movies will be Death Saved My Life on February 13th starring Meagan Good followed by Lifetime's 400th Original Movie premiere of The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice starring Kim Delaney on February 20. Judd Nelson, Joely Fisher and Stefanie Scott star in Girl in the Basement the week following on February 27, Diane Neal leads Circle of Deception on March 6th, and Stephanie March leads A House On Fire on March 13th, both movies inspired by works from NY Time's best-selling crime writer Ann Rule.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Tuesday, September 16
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 15)
Tuesday, September 16
- Rob Lowe (Unstable/The Grinder/Parks and Recreation/A New Kind of Family) - Catch Rob on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Marlon Wayans (Marlon/The Wayans Bros.) - Marlon is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also talks about Him on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - Eva appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness), Drew Tarver (Running Point/Bless the Harts/The Other Two), Mary Holland (The Big Door Prize/Hoops/Robbie/Blunt Talk), and Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Melanie, Drew, Mary, and Morris are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Jay Duplass (Search Party/Transparent/The Mindy Project) - Jay appears on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
- Judy Reyes (Scrubs) - Judy talks about High Potential on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Brett Goldstein (Shrinking/Ted Lasso) - Brett talks about All of You on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Eugene Levy (Schitt's Creek/Greg the Bunny/Hiller and Diller) - Eugene talks about The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
New on DVD and 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)
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