SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

SitcomsOnline Digest: Spinoff of The Neighborhood Headed to Paramount+; Fox Cancels HouseBroken

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! As networks prepare for the fall season (which isn't going to be hampered by any strikes this time), we're hearing lots about renewals and cancellations, and much more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A "spinoff" (we're not totally sure that is the right word) of The Office about the staff at a dying midwestern newspaper is headed to Peacock. (Variety)
• It looks like Crutch, a spinoff of The Neighborhood starring Tracy Morgan, is on the way too, set to be streamed on Paramount+. (Deadline)
• HouseBroken has been cancelled at Fox after two seasons. (Variety)
• With Young Sheldon coming to an end, Annie Potts is worried that she may have had her last TV role. (Deadline)
• Not Dead Yet actually is dead, as it wasn't renewed for another season. (TVLine)
• Shout! has acquired expanded rights to Pee-wee's Playhouse. (Deadline)
• NBC has picked up a new sitcom starring Reba McEntire, but Extended Family has been cancelled. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MAY 11 - MAY 17)

• Catchy Comedy is continuing a run of rural comedy binges (that will continue into next week as well), with a binge of Green Acres this weekend.
• Sunday is Mother's Day, and Antenna TV is celebrating with a Family Ties marathon focusing on Elyse episodes, while FETV has a Leave it to Beaver marathon featuring June Cleaver.
• The final episode of Young Sheldon is set to air Thursday night on CBS, but don't worry, the Big Bang Theory universe of sitcoms isn't going to end just yet as a spinoff is coming in the fall.
• As we mentioned, Shout! has acquired the rights to Pee-wee's Playhouse, and you can now watch every episode on Tubi.

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

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Labels: Crutch, Extended Family, Housebroken, Not Dead Yet, Pee-wee's Playhouse, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Neighborhood, The Office, Young Sheldon

SitcomsOnline Digest: Judith Light Cast in Role in Courteney Cox Starz Horror Comedy Series; Fox Renews HouseBroken for Second Season

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's not a busy week as we prepare for the fall season, which is just a little over a month away, but we do have some casting news for an upcoming Starz comedy series, news of the renewal of a Fox animated comedy that likely went unnoticed by many, and news of new Jeopardy! hosts (yes, plural!). Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Judith Light has been cast in a role playing the mother of Courteney Cox's character in the Starz horror comedy series, Shining Vale. (TVLine)
• It probably went under the radar since it was a Monday night animated series as opposed to Sunday night, but Fox has renewed HouseBroken for a second season. (Deadline)
• Pat Hitchcock, daughter of Alfred Hitchcock who appeared in many of his movies and in several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, has died at age 93. (AP News)
• Only weeks after the death of her Night Court co-star Charles Robinson, Markie Post has now died. (NPR)
• Rachel Maddow is credited with taking MSNBC from a long-struggling cable network to a powerhouse that has at times outperformed Fox News in recent years, but now, she is considering moving on. (The Daily Beast)
  
• We mentioned last week that fans weren't exactly thrilled by the Mike Richards, the reported choice of host for Jeopardy!, and he did indeed officially get named for that job this week. But fans are a little more excited by the choice of hosts for the primetime spinoffs on ABC, Mayim Bialik. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (AUGUST 14 - AUGUST 20)

• The first four episodes of the seventh season of Grace and Frankie can now be seen on Netflix, with the rest coming in 2022 (can we really call that one season though?).
  
• Decades is doing a binge of something a little different this weekend, with a binge of the CBS 2001-2004 drama The Guardian.
  
• Akwafina is Nora From Queens returns with a second season on Wednesday on Comedy Central.
  

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

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Labels: Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Housebroken, Jeopardy, Night Court, Shining Vale, SitcomsOnline Digest

Fox Renews HouseBroken for Season 2; Showtime Schedules Back to Life Return

Fox has renewed the animated comedy HouseBroken for a second season. The brainchild of Veep colleagues Gabrielle Allan, Jennifer Crittenden and Clea DuVall, and featuring the voices of Lisa Kudrow, Clea DuVall, Nat Faxon, Will Forte, Tony Hale, Sharon Horgan, Jason Mantzoukas and Sam Richardson, HouseBroken follows a group of neighborhood pets and stray animals as they work through their issues inside and outside their therapy group. The series airs Mondays at 9pm.

In the series, HONEY (Kudrow), a standard poodle, opens her living room for the group to come and support each other through the misery, mayhem and majesty that is being a pet. Honey also struggles with her own problems, such as her arranged (by her human) marriage with CHIEF (Faxon), a sloppy St. Bernard who enjoys eating socks and licking himself. The group includes SHEL (Will Forte), a sex-positive tortoise with intimacy issues and a knack for choosing unconventional partners; TABITHA (Executive Producer, Sharon Horgan), an aging Persian cat beauty queen, trying to adjust to life off the cat show circuit; THE GRAY ONE (Jason Mantzoukas), a street smart cat who lives with about thirty other cats and has his one eye on Tabitha; CHICO (Sam Richardson), a chonky, co-dependent and very naive cat; and the group's newest member, DIABLO (Hale), an anxious, sweater-wearing terrier whose OCD causes him to hump everything twice. Among the group's other members are ELSA (Co-creator/Executive Producer, Clea DuVall), a power hungry, know-it-all Corgi, and fake service dog, who drives Honey crazy; NIBBLES (guest voice Bresha Webb), a psychopathic hamster who is mourning the loss of her mate (whose face she ate...and everyone knows it); MAX (Hale), George Clooney's pig, a former actor and current status-obsessed a-hole; BUBBLES (guest voice Greta Lee), a horny, teenage goldfish who lives with Honey and Chief, and heckles the animals any chance she gets; TCHOTCHKE, a silent, and possibly magical, slow loris with a mysterious past, who uses a tiny cocktail umbrella to express his emotions; and JILL (guest voice Maria Bamford), Honey and Chief's human owner.

SHOWTIME announced that the six-part second season of the critically acclaimed comedy series Back to Life, created by and starring Daisy Haggard (Episodes, Breeders), will premiere on Monday, September 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT with new episodes airing each week. All episodes of season two will be available on that day to stream and on demand for subscribers on SHOWTIME. From the producers of Fleabag, Back to Life follows Miri Matteson (Haggard) who, after 18 years behind bars, returns home and stumbles back into adult life in the coastal town she once knew. Miri continues to reconcile with her past while trying to assimilate and make a new life for herself post-incarceration.

Season 2 picks up three weeks after the season one finale, and six weeks after Miri leaves prison. She is optimistic about her future. Her probation officer, Janice (Jo Martin), has gotten her a trial shift at the supermarket, she and her neighbor Billy (Adeel Akhtar) have been spending more time together, and she's found her hair crimper. However, Miri's not talking to her mother Caroline (Geraldine James) after the revelation that she was having an affair with Miri's ex-boyfriend Dom (Jamie Michie), and she'll need a lot of shifts at the supermarket before she can afford to move out. She's also avoiding her best friend Mandy (Christine Bottomley) after learning that Mandy's secret affair with Lara's father, John Boback led to Lara's death all those years ago. Things are about to get a whole lot worse with the arrival in Hythe of Lara's mother, Norah. Still grieving her daughter, it's clear her presence will ensure Miri cannot escape her past.

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

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Labels: Back to Life, Fox, Housebroken, Showtime

ABC Summer 2021 Schedule; Fox Summer 2021 Schedule

ABC has announced its kick off a summer full of fun, thrills and romance with the lineup of star-studded unscripted programming. Three new series make their debut alongside 11 of the most popular and well-known titles on television. It all begins with the Luke Wilson-hosted Emergency Call, that dials in new episodes beginning Friday, June 4 at 8pm. Summer Sunday nights are synonymous with game shows, as ABC welcomes Celebrity Family Feud, The Chase and To Tell the Truth back on Sunday, June 6 from 8pm-11pm. These shows dominated 2020 ratings: During summer 2020, Celebrity Family Feud ranked as the No. 1 program in the Sunday 8 p.m. hour in Total Viewers; this past winter, The Chase ranked as the No. 1 program in the Thursday 9 p.m. hour in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49; and this season To Tell the Truth grew by 22% in Total Viewers to deliver its most-watched season since its debut in 2016.

Katie Thurston makes her entrance as The Bachelorette on Monday, June 7 from 8-10pm. This season, The Bachelorette is the No. 1 show on television among Women 18-34, and ranks among the season's Top 10 highest-rated entertainment shows in Adults 18-49. On Wednesday, June 9, ABC is doubling down on game shows with new episodes of Press Your Luck, The $100,000 Pyramid and Card Sharks from 8-11pm. The brand-new The Celebrity Dating Game, hosted by Zooey Deschanel and Michael Bolton, makes its "Summer Fun & Games" debut on Monday, June 14 at 10pm after The Bachelorette. Thursday nights will feature hilarity and hijinks with the premieres of brand-new comedic show When Nature Calls (working title), returning fan-favorite Holey Moley and newest mystery trivia show The Hustler on Thursday, June 17 from 8-11pm. Last year, Holey Moley was the No. 1 most co-viewed summer series on the broadcast networks. Later in the summer, Bachelor in Paradise makes its long-awaited return on Monday, Aug. 16 at 10pm. Postponed last season due to the pandemic, the series brings back sizzling summer nights for the first time in two years. Then, the all-new competition series The Ultimate Surfer makes its network debut at 10pm. ABC has not announced scheduling for Tuesday and Saturay nights, which will both likely be mix of encores. Stay tuned for more details.

More summer schedule news! Fox has also announced most of its summer plans. Fox keeps things cooking this summer with four nights of original entertainment programming, announcing summer premiere dates for Mental Samurai (Tuesday, May 25), Crime Scene Kitchen (Wednesday, May 26), Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns (Monday, May 31), Lego(R) Masters (Tuesday, June 1), MasterChef: Legends (Wednesday, June 2) and Beat Shazam (Thursday, June 3). The series join the lineup alongside the previously announced series premiere of animated comedy Housebroken and the second season time-period premiere of Duncanville (Monday, May 31). Also, a modern take on the classic drama Fantasy Island will premiere this August. Additional details to be announced.

Mental Samurai, hosted by Rob Lowe (9-1-1: Lone Star), will have a special two-hour Season Two premiere on Tuesday, May 25 from 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT, before making its time-period premiere on Tuesday, June 1 from 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT. As previously announced, Crime Scene Kitchen, an all-new baking competition series with a unique twist, premieres Wednesday, May 26 from 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT following The Masked Singer finale. Hosted by actor and comedian Joel McHale, Crime Scene Kitchen is a culinary guessing game in which bakers are tasked with decoding what type of dessert was made, when all that's left are the crumbs, flour trails and a few elusive clues. They must then recreate the recipe for celebrity judges, chef Curtis Stone and cake artist Yolanda Gampp, who will determine how closely their sweet treat matches the missing dessert - and how good it tastes! On Monday, May 31 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), hit culinary competition Hell's Kitchen returns for its landmark 20th season, Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns, as Chef Gordon Ramsay is back in Las Vegas, home to five of Ramsay's restaurants, including the world's first Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen restaurant at Caesars Palace. For the first time ever, 18 aspiring chefs from across the country and all aged 23 years old or younger at the start of the competition will challenge Lady Luck in the hopes of winning big.

As previously announced, Animation Domination expands to Mondays, beginning Monday, May 31, with the series premiere of animated comedy Housebroken (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), featuring the voices of Lisa Kudrow, Tony Hale, Will Forte, Sam Richardson and Clea DuVall, and the Season Two time-period premiere of animated comedy Duncanvile (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell, Rashida Jones and Wiz Khalifa. The Season Two premiere of Duncanvile returns with a special two-episode debut on Sunday, May 23 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT and 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). Hosted by actor and producer Will Arnett, Season Two of Lego(R) Masters premieres Tuesday, June 1 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), bringing imagination, design and creativity to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. MasterChef enters its 11th season on Wednesday, June 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) with MasterChef: Legends, featuring award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich, who have invited the most respected, iconic culinary legends, including Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen, Roy Choi, Nancy Silverton and Morimoto to raise the "steaks" of the competition for the most intense season in MasterChef history. Beat Shazam, hosted by award-winning actor, singer and comedian Jamie Foxx, will have its fourth season premiere on Thursday, June 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). This August, Fox travels to Fantasy Island, with an all-new version of the classic show. From Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (The 100, The Shield, Lie to Me), Fantasy Island takes place at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. Delving into the "what if" questions -- both big and small -- that keep us awake at night, each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who arrive with dreams and desires and depart enlightened and transformed through the magical realism of Fantasy Island. Additional schedule details to be announced.

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

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Labels: $100000 Pyramid, ABC, Card Sharks, Duncanville, Family Feud, Fantasy Island, Fox, Housebroken, Press Your Luck, The Chase, The Hustler, To Tell the Truth

Fox Animation Domination Adds New Night This Summer; Bill Nye Returns with New Series on Peacock

This summer, Fox expands animation to Mondays, with the series premiere of all-new pet paws-itive comedy Housebroken on May 31 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), followed by Season Two of Duncanville (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). A special two-episode second season debut of Duncanville will air Sunday, May 23 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT and 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), after which the series moves into its Monday time period. Featuring the voices of Lisa Kudrow, Tony Hale and Will Forte, animated comedy Housebroken follows a group of neighborhood pets and stray animals as they work through their issues inside and outside their therapy group. Housebroken is an irreverent look at human behavior, but told through the filter of an offbeat group of neighborhood pets. Throughout the series, the show centers on the pets' dysfunctional relationships and their skewed world view, while exploring relevant societal issues in fun and unique ways.

From Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Amy Poehler and Emmy Award winners Mike and Julie Scully, Duncanville follows a spectacularly average 15-year-old boy, his family and friends. The adventures continue in the Season Two premiere of Duncanville airing Sunday, May 23 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT), when the Harris family takes their first vacation. The episode features Parks and Recreation stars Adam Scott, Aubrey Plaza, Retta and Nick Offerman making guest voice appearances. Other storylines in the new season include Duncan saying the one thing no kid should ever say to their dad, which shifts their power dynamic; Duncan and Kimberly being sent to therapy camp; Jing and Jack starting a child birthday band together, with Annie managing them; and Duncan racing stock cars. Catch up on Season One on FOXNOW and Hulu. Fox has not yet announced what will air at 8pm leading into the new Monday animated comedy hour.

Peacock has ordered science series The End is Nye, hosted and executive produced by Emmy Award winner and renowned science educator, engineer, author and inventor Bill Nye. The series is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio and UCP, divisions of Universal Studio Group, and Seth MacFarlane's (The Orville, Family Guy and Ted) Fuzzy Door. The End is Nye sends Bill Nye into the most epic global disasters imaginable - both natural and unnatural - and then demystifies them using science to show how we can survive, mitigate, and even prevent them. Brannon Braga (Cosmos: Possible Worlds, Star Trek) will serve as showrunner and executive producer and direct all episodes. Each episode takes a hell-bent dive into the mystery and reality of its threats, from viruses to volcanoes, asteroids to authoritarianism, and climate change to chemical warfare. Every worldwide catastrophe is abundant with thrills, but also hope and a way forward. The End is Nye offers a scientific blueprint for surviving anything that comes our way.

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

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Labels: Animation Domination, Bill Nye, Duncanville, Fox, Housebroken, Peacock

Fox Orders New Animated Comedy; Netflix Leslie Jones Comedy Special Premieres Jan. 14

Fox has ordered a new animated comedy to series. The series is titled Housebroken, which is an irreverent animated comedy that explores human dysfunction and neurosis through a group of neighborhood animals who live in the suburbs. Sharon Horgan, Clea Duvall, Lisa Kudrow, Nat Faxon, Will Forte, Tony Hale, Jason Mantzoukas, Sam Richardson, Bresha Webb and Greta Lee are set to be for voices for the cast. Sharon Horgan, Clea Duvall, Jennifer Crittenden, Gabrielle Allan, Clelia Mountford, Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor will executive produce. The pilot was previously titled Therapy Dog. Fox is loading up on animated comedies. Housebroken is the fourth animated series Fox has ordered in the last year or so. Housebroken will join The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, Bless the Harts and the upcoming Duncanville premieres in February. Fox also has The Great North set for sometime in mid-season. Housebroken will likely be sometime for the 2020-21 season.

Strap in, because you're headed on a wild side-splitting ride. Leslie Jones - comedian, actress and Emmy Award-nominated SNL alum is bringing her hilarious wisdom in Time Machine, her first Netflix Comedy Special, directed by award winning directors David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Leslie Jones: Time Machine launches globally on Netflix on January 14, 2020. Netflix released a sneak peek trailer as well. See the trailer below!

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

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Labels: Fox, Housebroken, Netflix, Saturday Night Live