SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Film and television star Jake Lacy (Better with You) has joined the ensemble cast of the new Showtimee one-hour comedy series I'm Dying Up Here in a series regular role. Lacy will play a stand-up comic who gained some notoriety a few years back by blowing off The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on the night he was scheduled to appear. His issues with substance abuse and family tragedy inform his comedy as he tries to re-acclimate into the early '70s L.A. comedy scene. Though not everyone is quick to welcome him back, nor is he interested in conforming to their idea of what comedy is. Lacy was recently seen opposite Oscar(R) nominee Rooney Mara in the Best Picture nominee Carol, the critically-acclaimed Todd Haynes film starring Cate Blanchett. His additional film credits include How To Be Single, Obvious Child, Intramural and Love, The Coopers. His upcoming films include Their Finest Hour and a Half and John Madden's Miss Sloane. He is best known to television audiences for his role as Fran on Girls, as Casey in sitcom Better With You, as well as his role as Pete on The Office, for which he was nominated for a 2013 Screen Actors Guild Award for best Ensemble in a Comedy.

Set in L.A.'s celebrated, infamous stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s, during which the careers of many of the comedy superstars began, I'm Dying Up Here delves into the inspired and damaged psyches that are required to stand alone in front of an audience and make them laugh. From executive producer Jim Carrey, I'm Dying Up Here stars Academy Award(R) winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Louie), Ari Graynor (For A Good Time Call), Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Office), Michael Angarano (The Knick), Andrew Santino (Mixology), RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), Al Madrigal (About A Boy, The Daily Show), Erik Griffin (Workaholics) and Stephen Guarino (Happy Endings) as part of a large ensemble cast.

I'm Dying Up Here follows up and coming comedians in LA in the 1970s, who are mentored by Goldie (Leo), a brassy comedy club owner who rules over her business with an iron fist and nurtures her comedians with tough love. Graynor, Santino, Cyler, Madrigal, Griffin and Guarino star as the main stand-ups at the club. Angarano and Duke play ballsy young comedians from Boston who move to L.A. with the hopes of making it big. Emmy(R) Award nominee Alfred Molina (Chocolat), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Martian), Oscar nominee Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), Jon Daly (Kroll Show), Emmy nominee Dylan Baker (The Good Wife), Brianne Howey (Horrible Bosses 2), Ginger Gonzaga (Wrecked, Mixology) and Oscar nominee Cathy Moriarty (Raging Bull) guest star.


It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of May 23-27, 2016, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVRs (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!


Monday, May 23, 2016

• Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show) - Watch Jennifer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• George Lopez (Lopez/Saint George/George Lopez) - George appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Shiri Appleby (Sunday Dinner/Knight & Daye) - Shiri is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She will also be on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse visits Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Rhys Darby (How to Be a Gentleman/Wrecked), Jessica Lowe (Wrecked) and Ginger Gonzaga (Wrecked) - Rhys, Jessica and Ginger are guests on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Beth Behrs (2 Broke Girls) - Beth stops by Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
• Fred Savage (The Grinder/Working/The Wonder Years) - Fred guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
• Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew drops by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Constance Zimmer (Entourage/Good Morning, Miami) - Constance talks about Lifetime's UnREAL on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Brookyln Decker (Grace and Frankie/Friends with Better Lives) and June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie) - Brooklyn and June are guests on NBC's Today in the 9am hour and on the AOL Build Show at 12pm.
• Megan Fox (Hope & Faith) - Megan talks about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
• Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project) - Ike talks about Neighbors 2 on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
• Sean Hayes (The Millers/Sean Saves the World/Will & Grace) - Sean will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
• Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends) - Matt is a guest on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

• Dave Franco (Scrubs/Do Not Disturb) - Catch Dave on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• Sean Hayes (The Millers/Sean Saves the World/Will & Grace) - Sean appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He will also be on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
• Brooklyn Decker (Grace and Frankie/Friends with Better Lives) - Brooklyn is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She will also be on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Fozzie Bear (The Muppets) - Fozzie Bear appears on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• John Hodgman (Married) - John is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Kristen Schaal (The Last Man on Earth/Bob's Burgers/30 Rock) - Kristen appears on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Eugene and Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Eugene and Dan are guests on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Laura Linney (The Big C) - Laura stops by Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
• Fred Savage (The Grinder/Working/The Wonder Years) - Fred guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
• NeNe Leakes (The New Normal) - Meredith's favorite reality stars are featured on The Meredith Vieira Show, so check your local listings.
• June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie/Players) - June is a guest on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• G Hannelius (Dog with a Blog/Good Luck Charlie) - G discusses her role in History Channel's adaption of Roots on the AOL Build Show at 11am.
• Kevin Hart (The Big House/Undeclared) - Kevin dishes on his new movie Central Intelligence on People Now at 8:30am.
• Will Arnett (Arrested Development/The Millers/Up All Night) - Will talks about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am. He also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

• David Spade (Rules of Engagement/8 Simple Rules/Just Shoot Me!) - Watch David on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Wil Wheaton (The Big Bang Theory) - Wil is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Sean Hayes (The Millers/Sean Saves the World/Will & Grace) - Sean talks about An Act of God on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Peter Scolari (Newhart/Bosom Buddies) - Peter visits New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Emeril Lagasse (Emeril) - Emeril dishes up his famous banana cream pie on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
• Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) and Kate Flannery (The Office) - Jane and Kate talk about See Jane Sing on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Sherri Shepherd (Less Than Perfect/Sherri) - Sherri talks about WE's Match Made in Heaven on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
• Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly/Samantha Who?) - Melissa and the cast of Ghostbusters are guests on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Mark Feuerstein (Good Morning, Miami) - Mark is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

• Lizzy Caplan (The Class/Party Down) - Catch Lizzy on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Mike Epps (Uncle Buck/Survivor's Remorse) - Mike is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program) - Sarah visits Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• David Alan Grier (The Carmichael Show/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - David stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night) - Rebel is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• David Schwimmer (Friends) - David drops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• David Spade (Rules of Engagement/8 Simple Rules/Just Shoot Me!) - David appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS. He also talks about Netflix's The Do-Over on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
• Natasha Leggero (Dice/Another Period/Free Agents) - Natasha visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Andy is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
• Megan Fox (Hope & Faith) - Megan previews the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
• Dave Coulier (Fuller House/Full House) - Dave appears on a repeat of The Meredith Vieira Show, so check your local listings.
• Michael Urie (Partners) - Michael is a guest on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha) - Brandy opens up about her private health battle and how she fought her way back on The Dr. Oz Show, so check your local listings.
• Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show) - Jennifer and the cast of X-Men: Apocalypse will be interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Kevin Nealon (Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Kevin appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show) - Jerrod is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• Janet Hubert (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Janet appears on a repeat of The Real, so check your local listings.

Friday, May 27, 2016

• Maya Rudolph (Up All Night) - Watch Maya on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Martin Short (Mulaney/The Martin Short Show) - Martin is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Rashida Jones (Angie Tribeca/Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Rashida visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She also talks about Angie Tribeca on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
• Amanda Peet (Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• Max Greenfield (New Girl/Modern Men) - Max is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• Jason Jones (The Detour) - Jason appears on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
• Fran Drescher (The Nanny/Happily Divorced) - Fran is a guest on a repeat of The Meredith Vieira Show, so check your local listings.
• Lizzy Caplan (The Class/Party Down) - Lizzy talks about Now You See Me 2 on LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
• Craig Ferguson (The Drew Carey Show) - Craig appears on a repeat of Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
• Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) - Danica talks about the Hallmark Channel original movie Wedding Bells on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Ernie Hudson (Grace and Frankie/The Last Precinct) - Ernie shares a fun flashback from the original Ghostbusters on People Now at 8:30am.
• Sam Waterson (Grace and Frankie) - Sam talks about Grace and Frankie on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
• Steve Harvey (The Steve Harvey Show) - Steve is a guest on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• David Alan Grier (The Carmichael Show/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - David appears on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch/TWo and a Half Men/That '70s Show) - Ashton is a guest on Chelsea on Netflix.

All listings are subject to change. Visit our blog and main site for daily updated listings. Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!

Two-time Emmy Award winner Ted Danson and acclaimed actress Kristen Bell have been cast in NBC's new Michael Schur comedy series Good Place. Bell plays Eleanor, a woman from New Jersey who comes to realize that she hasn't been a very good person. She decides to turn over a new leaf by learning what it actually means to be "good" or "bad," and then trying to make up for her past behavior. Danson plays Michael, who, through an unlikely set of circumstances, comes to be Eleanor's guide through her self-designed self-improvement course. Danson is widely known for his iconic role as bartender Sam Malone on the 28-time Emmy-winning NBC comedy Cheers. Over the course of the show's historic 11-season run, Danson was nominated for 11 Emmys, winning twice. He was also nominated for eight Golden Globes and won twice. Besides Cheers, Danson has made his mark on several other acclaimed comedies, including HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bored to Death. Most recently, he is coming off his role as a Minnesota state trooper in the critically applauded FX drama Fargo and also recently starred in CBS' CSI. Bell has extensive television experience, most notably the lead role in the popular drama Veronica Mars, which ran from 2004-07. She has many other TV credits, including Deadwood, Heroes, Party Down, Gossip Girl, Parks and Recreation and House of Lies. On the film side, Bell recently starred as the voice of Anna in Disney's box office hit Frozen, which grossed more than $400 million at the domestic box office. NBC ordered 13 episodes of Schur's Good Place last August during the network's TCA day.

SHOWTIME announced the pickup of a new one-hour comedy series I'm Dying Up Here. Set in L.A.'s celebrated, infamous stand-up comedy scene of the 1970s, during which the careers of many of the comedy superstars began, the series delves into the inspired and damaged psyches that are required to stand alone in front of an audience and make them laugh. From executive producer Jim Carrey, I'm Dying Up Here stars Academy Award(R) winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Louie), Ari Graynor (For A Good Time Call), Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Office), Michael Angarano (The Knick), Andrew Santino (Mixology), RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), Erik Griffin (Workaholics) and Stephen Guarino (Happy Endings) as part of a large ensemble cast. The comedy follows up and coming comedians in LA in the 1970s, who are mentored by "Goldie" (Leo), a brassy comedy club owner who rules over her business with an iron fist and nurtures her comedians with tough love. Graynor, Santino, Cyler, Griffin and Guarino star as the main stand-ups at the club. Angarano and Duke play ballsy young comedians from Boston who move to L.A. with the hopes of making it big. Emmy(R) Award nominee Alfred Molina (Chocolat), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Martian), Oscar nominee Robert Forster (Jackie Brown), Jon Daly (Kroll Show), Al Madrigal (About A Boy, The Daily Show), Emmy nominee Dylan Baker (The Good Wife), Brianne Howey (Horrible Bosses 2), Ginger Gonzaga (Togetherness) and Oscar nominee Cathy Moriarty (Raging Bull) guest star.