Showing posts with label Malibu Country. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malibu Country. Show all posts

Friday, March 22, 2013

Episodic Reviews: Last Man Standing - "College Girl" and Malibu Country - "All You Single Ladies" Airing Tonight on ABC; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 25, 2013)



On the next...Last Man Standing:
By: Pavan

ABC's Friday night sitcom starring Tim Allen airs Friday nights at 8:00pm and we have just watched the season finale that airs tonight (March 22). Jonathan Taylor Thomas makes a special guest star appearance when he reunites with Tim Allen, his dad from Home Improvement. In the season finale episode airing tonight, "College Girl," when the less-than-studious Mandy (Molly Ephraim) gets accepted to not one but two colleges, Kristin (Amanda Fuller) realizes it's time to reevaluate where she is in her life. While out on a special date with Ryan (Jordan Masterson), she is pleasantly surprised to see Jon (special guest Jonathan Taylor Thomas), a former co-worker from the diner where she still works, who is now the successful owner of a hip, upscale restaurant. Meanwhile, Mike (Tim Allen) and Vanessa (Nancy Travis) wonder if Mandy's college choice, a party school in California, is right for her; and Eve (Kaitlyn Dever) gets help with her Junior ROTC competition from neighbor Chuck Larabee (guest star Jonathan Adams).

It's another good episode for this series. The big draw of the episode is Jonathan Taylor Thomas guest starring and reuniting with his TV dad Tim Allen from Home Improvement. It's also the season finale and while Thomas doesn't have many scenes, the ones he has stand-out. Mandy has been accepted to an expensive college Laguna Beach, but Mike & Vanessa think she is a better fit for UC-Denver since it would save them $200,000. She obviously wants to know to Laguna Beach University, but what will that mean for her and Kyle? All I'll say is Kyle's hilarious one-liners continue. He's do dumb but lovable. In another storyline, Kristin and Ryan go on a date at an expensive restaurant (that Ryan can't afford). All of a sudden Kristin's former co-worker Jon Baker pops-up (literally!)...and he is now the owner a restaurant, the one they are dining at! They get a free meal out of it and Kristin begins to ponder that she needs to move on with her life...which means she wants to now move out of her parents house, but not move in with Ryan. In a sub-plot, Eve and next-door neighbor Mr. Larabee practice for a ROTC competition, while this doesn't have much time as the other two storylines, it still brings the funny.



The reunion between Tim Allen and Jonathan Taylor Thomas has a great scene towards the end of the episode. There are some great Home Improvement references, including "more power" and Tim's roar. Tim's character Mike is involved in all of the story-lines including the really small plot of Boyd pranking everyone. When Mike is involved in all storylines in an episode, you know it is a strong episode. Even Mr. Larabee gets involved a bit in the Kristin-Ryan storyline. It's a great season finale and felt like a season finale. Kristin has some announcements at the end of the episode (will Jon Baker be involved?) and I can't wait to see what happens next season! We also get a resolution for Mandy's college decision, either way, it'll be interesting to see her live the college life next season whether it's at LBU or UC-D. Great episode and a great season (especially the second half). B+



On the next...Malibu Country:
By: Pavan

ABC's Friday night sitcom starring Reba airs Friday nights at 8:30pm and we have just watched the season finale of this sitcom as well that airs tonight (March 22). Is Reba headed into the dating world? In the season finale episode airing tonight, "All You Single Ladies," Reba's (Reba McEntire) family secretly makes an online date on her behalf, but her first meeting with Brad (guest star Stacy Keach, Mike Hammer, Private Eye) doesn't exactly go as planned. Nonetheless, Reba finds herself appreciating the experience and admits that she might finally be ready to tackle the dating scene.

Reba is heading back to the dating world, but will it work out? On the season finale, she is not looking to date again (instead she wants to stay home and do a puzzle) but her family (lead by her mom Lillie Mae and friend Kim) realizes that she needs to go on a date, especially after the mail guy flirts with her. They then create a profile for her on the online dating website "Find That Mate." However, the picture they used was from 10 years ago and used an app called Photox to "enhance" it. They also already accepted a date on behalf of her with this guy named Brad. When Reba meets Brad for coffee the next day, we get a hilarious surprise ("Jurassic Brad!"). I'll say they don't really hit it off, but Lilly Mae was at the coffee place as Reba's "wing woman" and something will happen. Even more hilarious! In other storylines, Cash also tries to get in on the online dating game, as June helps him set-up his profile, but he wants to look older because he wants a college girl. Like Reba's encounter, the girl she meets is not who he expected! Also, June is celebrating her 19th day anniversary with Sage. But there is not much at all on that.



This is a good episode, but just didn't feel like a season finale to me. That's not a bad thing, but just pointing that out. Brad said that Reba wasn't fun, so Reba tries to prove that she is by going on a trapeze and the episode ends as a success for Reba. Without giving it away, it looks like next season we will have more of this. She certainly abandoned her fears and took some risks! Good ending and I hope we get to see more next season. I think it will be back. Solid Friday show and throwback to TGIF style shows. B-


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 March 25-29, 2013, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

Monday, March 25, 2013
  • Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond) - Watch Ray on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Arsenio guest co-hosts The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Scott Baio (See Dad Run/Charles in Charge/Happy Days) - Scott meets three fans on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
  • Anson Williams (Happy Days) - Anson reminisces with Marie on the long-running show and reveals his latest entrepreneurial ventures as an inventor on Marie at 12pm on Hallmark Channel.
  • Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes) - Todd appears on Katie, so check your local listings.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
  • Jeremy Piven (Entourage/Ellen) - Catch Jeremy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Sarah Chalke (How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)/Scrubs/Roseanne) - Sarah visits The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) - Miley is a guest on a repeat of Chelsea Lately on E! at 11pm.
  • Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) - Selena appears on a repeat of Chelsea Lately on E! at 11pm.
  • Jerry Trainor (Wendell & Vinnie/Drake & Josh/iCarly) - Jerry stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Courteney Cox (Cougar Town/Friends) - Tune in to see Courteney on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Brandy Norwood (Moesha), Lauren London and Jay Ellis (The Game) - Brandy, Lauren and Jay dish about the new season of The Game on The Wendy Williams Show at 1am on BET or on your local stations. The show repeats on Friday.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
  • Don Rickles (C.P.O. Sharkey/Daddy Dearest) - Watch Mr. Warmth on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Seth Green (Greg the Bunny/Four Kings) - Seth appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
  • Betty White (Hot in Cleveland/The Golden Girls/The Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Watch Betty on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick visits Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
  • Jeremy Piven (Entourage/Ellen) - Jeremy continues to make the rounds on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Julie White (Go On/Grace Under Fire) - Julie reveals what it was like working with beloved stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Steven Spielberg on the set of Oscar® nominated film Lincoln on Marie at 12pm on Hallmark Channel.
  • Benjamin Stockham (1600 Penn/Sons of Tucson) - Benjamin talks to Marie about working on 1600 Penn on Marie at 12pm on Hallmark Channel.
  • Lily Tomlin (Malibu Country) - Lily chats on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Kathy guest co-hosts Anderson Live, so check your local listings.
Friday, March 29, 2013
  • Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) - Selena appears on a repeat of Chelsea Lately on E! at 11pm.
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!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

ABC Mid-Season Change Has Happy Endings Moving to Fridays; I Dream of Jeannie President's Day Marathon in New York

ABC has announced midseason scheduling moves, with Celebrity Wife Swap, the reality series that shines a light on how controversial celebrities really live their lives, returning on Tuesday, February 26 at 8:00pm ET with all-new episodes, and competitive cooking show The Taste moving back an hour to 9:00pm, starting that same night. And beginning Friday, March 29, critically acclaimed comedy Happy Endings will move to a new night and time on Friday nights, airing back-to-back original episodes at 8:00pm & 8:30pm, ET. The Friday night comedy block of Last Man Standing and Malibu Country will have aired their season finales the week prior to Happy Endings taking over that timeslot on March 22, after both wrap up their 18 episode orders. The comedy will be the lead-in to Friday's #1 show Shark Tank at 9pm. ABC had planned to launch Primetime Nightline in April at 9pm, but that might be pushed back to May or early summer.

Happy Endings is scheduled to air for five straight Fridays to fulfill the ten episodes that are left to air this season, so the season finale will likely be on April 26. The sitcom last aired on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 9-10pm, as it was preempted last week (Feb. 5) for a special The Bachelor and this week for the State of the Union Address. On Feb. 19 The Bachelor: Sean Tells All special will air before Celebrity Wife Swap takes over on Feb. 26. ABC has only scheduled three Celebrity Wife Swap episodes for now (Feb. 26-March 12). The first episode features the unlikeliest of moms swapping lives -- Splash contestant and Playmate Kendra Wilkinson and reality super mom Kate Gosselin of Kate Plus Eight fame (and both former Dancing with the Stars contestants). The 3 episodes will keep the timeslot warm for Splash when it premieres on March 19, while The Taste will wrap up on March 12 at 9pm. No word on what ABC will air at 9pm on Tuesday, March 19 yet, but they could expand the Splash premiere to two-hours, as Dancing with the Stars: The Results will not launch until the following week on March 26. Stay tuned for the casting announcement for Dancing on Feb. 26 during Good Morning America. And among the stars on Splash, we have former sitcom stars Nicole Eggert and Keshia Knight Pulliam, along with TV stars Drake Bell and Louie Anderson, and Chuy Bravo, Ndamukong Suh, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rory Bushfield, Katherine Webb and Kendra Wilkinson rounding out the cast.


Moving on, if you had one wish, what would it be? This President's Day, anything can happen – with a little help from a certain genie. WLNY-TV 10/55 in New York is rounding up another classic TV show for a holiday. This time the holiday is President's Day and WLNY-TV 10-55 is making all your wishes come true with an I Dream Of Jeannie marathon. I Dream of Jeannie, starring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman, will air for a full-day marathon event on Monday, February 18, 2013 from 9am-9pm. Episode information is still not available. WLNY has aired marathons of Taxi, The Odd Couple, The Munsters, Andy Griffith Show, and I Love Lucy on holidays already since last July.

Rescued from a bottle (and a deserted island) by a U.S. astronaut, a scantily clad genie named Jeannie becomes his slave and eventually falls in love with him. But unlike most genie stories, there are no three wishes rule - so Jeannie uses her magic all the time, often without talking to her rescuer about it first.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

ABC Picks Up More Episodes of Last Man Standing, Malibu Country; FX Schedules Season 2 of Anger Management for January 17, 2013

Malibu Country

ABC has picked up five additional episodes each of Friday night comedies Last Man Standing and Malibu Country, giving each series 18 total episodes each for this season. These pick-ups join previously announced orders for new drama Nashville, new comedy The Neighbors, and sophomore drama Scandal. Both comedies Last Man Standing and Malibu Country air Friday nights at 8:00 and 8:30pm ET/PT, respectively, on ABC. Since its season premiere on Nov. 2, ABC sophomore comedy Last Man Standing starring Tim Allen is the top-rated show in Friday's 8:00pm half-hour with Adults 18-49 (2.1/7). Boosting its time period year to year by 76% in Total Viewers and by 91% in Adults 18-49 on average, Last Man Standing premiered with ABC’s biggest numbers in the Friday 8pm half-hour in well over 2-1/2 years – since 1/1/10.
Retaining 100% Adult 18-49 lead-in (2.1/7) from Last Man Standing and gaining total viewers, ABC's Malibu Country starring Reba stands as TV's most-watched freshman comedy this season (8.7 million). The new ABC sitcom is No. 1 in the time period across all key Women demographics (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) and is the broadcast leader with Teens 12-17. Like its lead-in, the sitcom is producing big year-over-year increases for ABC, improving its half-hour by 85% in Total Viewers and by 91% in Adults 18-49 from the same nights last year. Among Adults 18-49, Malibu Country opened as Friday's top-rated scripted series debut on any network in over 5 years -- since October 2007.

The comedies premiered late in the fall so a full season is probably not necessary to order, but 18 episodes should be enough to last them the rest of the season. ABC will air seven episodes each through December, so at least 11 episodes will be able to air from Jan-May. ABC has yet to announce its midseason 2013 schedule, so we will give that to you as soon as it is announced. With the additional episodes for Malibu Country, we now know the fate for all of ABC's fall freshman series as 666 Park Avenue and Last Resort are the only ones not moving forward after the initial 13 episodes.


Anger Management

FX has announced its early 2013 release dates, which includes season two of Charlie Sheen's sitcom Anger Management. First up, the Emmy(R) Award-winning Justified returns for its fourth season on January 8, and will continue to run Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT. Anger Management will begin its back-90 run on Thursday, January 17 with consecutive episodes at 9:00 & 9:30pm before airing in its regularly scheduled timeslot of Thursdays at 9:30pm ET/PT. Charlie Sheen stars as "Charlie," a non-traditional therapist specializing in anger management. FX's acclaimed animated series Archer returns for its fourth season starting January 17 and will air Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT. Archer is an animated, half-hour comedy that revolves around the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and the lives of its employees. FX will premiere its newest original comedy series Legit, on January 17 at 10:30pm ET/PT immediately following Archer. In Legit, Jim Jefferies is an edgy, foul-mouthed stand-up comedian from Australia, in his mid-30s and living in LA, struggling to make his life and career more "legit," only to find it a difficult, uncomfortable uphill struggle every step of the way. Jim is encouraged in his quest by Steve (Dan Bakkedahl), his neurotic best friend and roommate, a cyber-law library salesman who struggles to stay on his feet in the wake of a divorce, and Steve's brother, Billy (DJ Qualls), who suffers from advanced staged Muscular Dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. FX has ordered 13 episodes of Legit.
In late night, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell will return with a new cycle of episodes Thursday, January 17 at 11pm ET/PT. Totally Biased, from Bell and Executive Producers Chris Rock, Chuck Sklar and Keri Smith Esguia, stars standup comedian W. Kamau Bell as he hilariously dissects politics, pop culture, race, religion, sex and the media from his own unique point of view. The show features live guests and taped segments.

Thursday, November 01, 2012

ABC Fall Pilot Review: Malibu Country - Premieres November 2

Malibu Country

Malibu Country - Fridays 8:30PM ET/PT on ABC
Premieres Friday, November 2, 2012 at 8:30PM ET/PT


Country music superstar/actress Reba McEntire (Reba, Tremors) returns to television as a wife and mother whose world is turned upside-down when she discovers that her country music legend husband has a cheatin' heart.

On her way to becoming a country star herself, Reba put her career on hold to raise a family. Husband Bobby always emphasized family values in his music, but with the very public discovery of his numerous affairs, Reba decides to not stand by her man. Now, with a divorce pending, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued southern mother, Lillie Mae (Lily Tomlin, Laugh-In, Damages, Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, Nine to Five, Nashville), and her two kids and U-Hauls it straight to sunny California to begin a new chapter in life. Leaving Nashville in the rear view mirror, they start over at their Malibu residence -- the last remaining asset they have, and Bobby's former secret love nest.

Once the most popular boy in his Nashville high school, Reba's teenaged son, Cash, finds himself feeling positively average compared to the good looking, affluent Malibu boys -- a fate worse than death! On the other hand, Reba's teen daughter, June (Juliette Angelo, New Year's Eve), never really fit in with her peers. In Malibu she blends in perfectly and finds a new best friend in Sage, an openly gay neighborhood boy who embraces his sexuality. Tough-as-nails mom Lillie Mae discovers the serenity of Southern California living and fully embraces her new laid-back, relaxed lifestyle. But Reba learns that relocating to Malibu is going to be quite a challenge to her traditional southern values. The West Coast seems like the polar opposite of Music City, and she feels like an outsider. Her gregarious and very liberal new neighbor and Sage's stepmother, Kim (Sara Rue, Less Than Perfect), doesn't have many friends and immediately attaches herself to Reba, enthusiastically offering to mentor her in becoming a little less country a bit more California cool.

When Reba discovers that trying to revive her career is going to be an uphill battle, she befriends Geoffrey (Jai Rodriguez, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), the assistant to her new music agent. With his help and unorthodox methods, she might yet have a chance to become a chart topper. Still, in the end it's family that matters most to Reba, as each member of hers learns to view this new Malibu lifestyle as a chance to begin anew.

Cast Details:

• Reba McEntire as Reba
* Lily Tomlin as Lillie Mae
* Sara Rue as Kim
* Justin Prentice as Cash
* Juliette Angelo as June
* Jai Rodriguez as Geoffrey

On television Reba McEntire (Reba) starred for six seasons in the hit series Reba, as well as the television movies The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, opposite Kenny Rogers, The Man from Left Field, with Burt Reynolds, Is There Life Out There?, Buffalo Girls, opposite Anjelica Huston and Melanie Griffith, Forever Love and Secret of Giving. On Broadway she starred in the musical Annie Get Your Gun and as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the musical South Pacific, which was filmed and aired as an episode of Great Performances. On the big screen she starred in the science fiction classic Tremors, alongside Kevin Bacon, North, opposite Elijah Wood, Jason Alexander and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The Little Rascals and One Night at McCools, co-starring Liv Tyler. She has also lent her voice to the film Charlotte's Web as Betsy the Cow, Fox and the Hound 2 as Dixie and the animated television series Hercules as Artemis.

Lily Tomlin (Lillie Mae) made her television debut in 1966 on The Garry Moore Show and then made several memorable appearances on The Merv Griffin Show, which led to a move to California, where she appeared as a regular on Music Scene. In December 1969 she joined the cast of the top-rated Laugh-In and immediately rose to national prominence with her characterizations of Ernestine, the irascible telephone operator, and Edith Ann, the devilish six-year-old. When Laugh-In left the air, Tomlin went on to co-write, with Jane Wagner, and star in six comedy television specials -- The Lily Tomlin Show (1973), Lily (1973), Lily Tomlin (1975), Lily: Sold Out (1981) and Lily for President? (1982), for which she won three Emmy awards and a Writers Guild of America award. Tomlin also starred in the HBO special about the AIDS epidemic, And the Band Played On (1993). She has guest starred on such television shows as Homicide: Life on the Street, The X-Files and Will & Grace, and played the boss on CBS' Murphy Brown. She is also heard as the voice of science teacher Ms. Frizzle on the popular children's animated series, The Magic School Bus, for which she was awarded an Emmy.

In 2002 Tomlin joined the cast of the hit NBC series, The West Wing, playing President Bartlett's assistant, Debbie Fiderer -- a role for which she received a 2003 Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series. In the past few years, Tomlin has made several guest appearances on Desperate Housewives, NCIS and Eastbound and Down, and guest starred in the acclaimed FX series, Damages, in the Emmy-nominated role of a matriarch of a wealthy New York family accused of financial fraud. Tomlin can also be seen on Showtime's series, Web Therapy, as Lisa Kudrow's narcissistic mother.

Sara Rue's (Kim) acting career began at age nine when she was cast as Kevin Spacey's daughter and Burt Lancaster's granddaughter in the film Rocket Gibraltar. Shortly thereafter she won critical acclaim for her television series debut in the comedy Grand. Since then she has appeared as a series regular on various shows, including Phenom, Minor Adjustments, Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane, Popular and Eastwick. She is best known for her starring role in ABC's Less Than Perfect. Following that, Chuck Lorre added Rue for recurring appearances on Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. For the past two years she has had a recurring role on Rules of Engagement as Brenda, Patrick Warburton's lesbian best friend and surrogate.

Justin Prentice (Cash) has made guest appearances on Criminal Minds, Melissa & Joey, The Middle, Victorious, iCarly and Suburgatory. His film credits include Terri and Me Again.

Juliette Angelo (June) made her Broadway debut at age eight in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. From there she joined the original Broadway cast of Billy Elliot, which won a Tony Award for Best Musical, then continued in the role of Jane Banks in Disney's Mary Poppins. In film, Juliette has had roles in Gary Marshall's New Years Eve.

Jai Rodriguez (Geoffrey) has achieved great success as an actor on stage and screen, and as host of one of television's most memorable reality series. His most notable role to-date was his stint as host of Bravo's Emmy Award-winning reality program Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Other hosting credits include Animal Planet's Groomer Has It, co-host of Ultimate Style and the pre-show of the 2009 American Music Awards. Rodriguez served as co-creator and co-executive producer of the Logo's Bad Sex and host/producer of SiTV's Styleyes. In feature film Rodriguez was featured in the role of "Sabu" on the acclaimed 2005 big screen version of The Producers. Guest starring credits in television series as Bones, Harry's Law and the daytime drama Days of Our Lives. He also appears in the smash hit music video Telephone, starring Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.

Pilot Episode:

"Pilot" (November 2, 8:30PM) - In the premiere episode, "Pilot," Reba very publicly discovers that her country music legend husband, Bobby Gallagher, has been cheating on her. Determined to get a fresh start and perhaps revive her own country music career, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued mother and two kids and drives cross country to live in Bobby's Malibu beach-front party pad. Once there, gregarious and over-sharing neighbor Kim immediately reaches out with an offer to mentor Reba as she adjusts to Southern California. With a new home and a much more liberal west coast set of rules, Reba, her kids and mom welcome the change, but soon realize that the open-mindedness of Southern California goes much farther than they'd expected. When Reba finds that trying to get her foot back in the music business is going to be an uphill battle, she befriends Geoffrey, the assistant to her record label's president -- who never seems to be in the office. Though overwhelmed and feeling out of place, Reba realizes that, all in all, family is what matters most, and they must learn to view their new Malibu lifestyle as a chance for a new beginning.
Written by Kevin Abbott
Directed by John Pasquin
Guest Stars: Jeffrey Nordling as Bobby, Hudson Thames as Sage

Analysis:

Malibu Country is a multi-camera sitcom from ABC Studios and Laura Ziskin Productions. It is executive-produced by Kevin Abbott (Last Man Standing, My Name Is Earl, Reba), Michael Hanel (Reba, Titus), Mindy Schultheis (Reba, Titus), Reba McEntire, Narvel Blackstock, Dave Stewart (member of the rock group The Eurythmics), who also created the series, and Pamela Oas Williams (The Amazing Spider-Man).

In the "Pilot" episode, a video segment is shown on Celebrity Insider Network that shows that Reba's country music singer husband, Bobby Gallagher, cheating on her with another woman. Bobby announces at a press conference that he is suspending his "These Vows Are Sacred" tour to spend more time with his family. Reba tells the crowd that she's leaving his lyin', cheatin' butt. Reba loads up her family in the car and drives to Malibu where Bobby has a beach-front home. Their new neighbor, Kim, introduces herself to Reba and Lillie Mae with hugs. Kim and Reba talk at the table. Cash, Reba's teenage son, wants to go back to Nashville. June introduces her new friend Sage to Reba. Reba goes to meet a record label's president and talks to his assistant, Geoffrey. Reba and Lillie Mae talk on the deck. Lillie Mae shows her the happy lollipop (medical marijuana) that she received. Later that day, she catches June and Sage kissing at Sage's house. Reba tells the family that she's moving them back to Tennessee. Reba and Lillie Mae have a heart-to-heart talk where Lillie Mae tells her that her husband also cheated on her. Reba writes a song as "The New Me" is played over the montage. Reba takes the song that she has written to show Geoffrey her hook. The episode concludes with Reba playing the song for her family's reaction.

I don't think it's the best sitcom pilot of the season, but it's certainly watchable and has potential to grow into something bigger and better. It definitely has a sitcom-y feel to it. It's kind of a throwback to the TGIF sitcoms of the 1990s and early 2000s. For a sitcom in a family-friendly timeslot, I was surprised by the amount of jokes about gays, plastic surgery and boobs, and medical marijuana. I guess kids are accustomed to those types of jokes these days, but I don't think the show is really geared towards anybody younger than 13. The laugh track volume also seems a bit high and could be lowered a bit.

They have some good things to work with in the series. The adult actresses bring a lot of comedic experience to the table. They seem to have some good chemistry already. I think Reba is a better singer than actress, but she does a good job here. She has a lot of spunk and charm. Comedy isn't easy to do, but she's always had natural appeal and good comedic timing. Lily Tomlin is a seasoned pro. Her Lillie Mae is a bit crazy and a pot-smoking grandmother. She's kind of like a modern-day Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies. She has a few good one-liners, but also a few cringeworthy ones like "I just saw a pelican poop." Sara Rue plays the upbeat friend and neighbor of Reba. Her character isn't too unlike Barbara Jean on Reba, which is probably by design. Rue looks much different here than she has in the guest appearances she's made on various shows in recent years. She's blonde and appears more curvy like her Less Than Perfect days. She's beautiful and funny no matter what size she is. Rue is pregant in real life and due in early 2013, so it's expected the producers will write that into the storylines. The teenage actors are relatively new to acting, but they do a decent job here. Juliette Angelo looks like she could really be Reba's daughter with her red hair. Jai Rodgriguez has some funny exchanges with Reba when they meet at the music agent's office. It's hilarious when he asks Reba if she's young and sexy and she asks her if there are any other choices.

Music will likely be a big part of the show. Reba performs the show's theme song, Goodbye Looks Good On Me. It wasn't used in the screener copy, so I don't know if it will be heard in the pilot episode that airs. It's expected that a full version will be heard in an upcoming episode. Reba does sing a new song called The New Me in the pilot episode. It was co-written by Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics, who also helped create the show. Another interesting news item that I've read is that they are trying to get Carol Burnett to play Kim's (Sara Rue) mother on the show. How great would it be to see her work with Lily Tomlin? I would also expect that Reba's country music friends and maybe some of her former Reba cast members will eventually make guest appearances. Rapper Travie McCoy is appearing as himself in an upcoming episode.

Conclusion:

Reba's new sitcom is a lot like her old one. It comes from some of the same producers of Reba. Reba had a successful six-season run from 2001-2007. The show remains very popular on DVD and in syndication to this day. I can't really blame them for trying to model her new sitcom after it. It's a format that McEntire appears to be comfortable with. She has said in interviews that she loves to be on television. This time she plays a single mother of two kids, down from three in her old series. Her character's first name is also Reba. Sara Rue plays a similiar character to the ditzy Barbara Jean on Reba. The uniqueness of the show is that they're putting a family from Tennessee into California. It's kind of like a modern-day Beverly Hillbillies, so it should set up some funny moments. The adult cast brings a lot of comedic experience and all of the characters are very likable. Reba is in every scene, so I think they will need to expand the roles of some of the supporting characters in future episodes. The show could use a little less Reba and a little more of the delightful Sara Rue. Much will be made about Reba's return to television after a five-year break, but I'm more excited to see Rue in a lead role instead of the guest appearances she's been making in recent years.

Malibu Country is being paired with the Tim Allen multi-camera sitcom Last Man Standing on Friday nights. ABC hasn't aired many sitcoms on Fridays in recent years, so it's nice to have these two form a mini-TGIF block. They are now referring to it as ABC Comedy Friday. Reality shows and dramas have dominated the schedules on Fridays in recent seasons. It's just nice to see the networks schedule more scripted series, especially multi-camera sitcoms. I expect Malibu Country to do pretty well on Fridays. The competition isn't very fierce. Reba has an instant and loyal fanbase already because of her singing and acting career. Reba aired on Friday nights on The WB/The CW and always did well with women in the 18-49 demo. I would expect it to gain even more viewers on a bigger network. If you're a fan of Reba or any of the other actors in the series, you will certainly want to check this one out and see how it develops. Visit Malibu Country on Friday nights on ABC at 8:30pm/7:30c.

Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):

Watchability: 3.5/5
Funniness: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5

-- Reviewed by Todd Fuller on 11/01/12

Discuss the show after you watch it on Friday, November 2 on our message board.

Related Links:

  • ABC.com Official Site
  • TV.com
  • epguides.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia
  • Malibu Country Photo Gallery

    Preview:

  • Friday, July 27, 2012

    TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour: ABC Day 2: Fall 2012 Premiere Dates, Dancing All-Star Cast; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 30, 2012)

    The Neighbors

    Today at the TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour, ABC will finish up their portion with its second day. Before we get into that, we have the ABC Fall 2012 premiere dates that were announced. But wait, there is one schedule change. New sitcom The Neighbors will premiere on Wednesday, September 26 at 9:30pm following Modern Family, but then it will be moving to its regular time period at 8:30pm starting the following week on Wednesday, October 3. This means The Neighbors and Suburgatory will be switching timeslots. More on Suburgatory in a bit, but onto the premiere dates, ABC will kick off the new season on Friday, Sept. 14 with the season premieres of Shark Tank, What Would You Do? and 20/20. This line-up will run seven weeks in a row before Friday night staple Shark Tank moves to 9pm starting Friday, Nov. 2 to anchor the night. The season premiere of the Tim Allen sitcom Last Man Standing, on its new night, and the series premiere of the new Reba McEntire sitcom Malibu Country will launch in the 8pm hour on that same night. What Would You Do? will return later in the 2012-13 season for more all-new episodes following the initial seven weeks. On Mondays, Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars will premiere on Monday, Sept. 24, the official start of the 2012-13 TV season, from 8-10pm leading into the season premiere of the veteran series Castle. The next night, Tuesday, Sept. 25 will have a special two-hour Dancing with the Stars: The Results leading into the season premiere of Private Practice at 10. The new comedy hour of Happy Endings and Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23 will have their season premieres about a month later on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 9pm. It is expected that on weeks two and three (Oct. 2 and 9), ABC will air Dancing with the Stars: The Results at 9pm after probably a recap/special at 8pm. There will be a Vice Presidential Debate on Tuesday, Oct. 16, so ABC will air that live at 9pm ET/6pm PT. No word yet on how ABC will handle that night, but a Dancing recap will likely air at 8pm and Dancing with the Stars: The Results is likely going to air on a special night this week on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 8pm, but we are speculating.

    Onto Wednesdays, The Middle will have a special one-hour season premiere from 8-9pm on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Modern Family will have its season premiere on the same night at 9pm leading into the series premiere of The Neighbors at a special time of 9:30pm. As we mentioned, the new family comedy would then move to 8:30pm the following week on Oct. 3 following The Middle. And on Wednesday, Oct. 3, the first Presidential Debate will air live at 9pm ET/6pm PT from Denver, so ABC will be forced to preempt Modern Family after only a week. However, on Wednesday, Oct. 10, ABC will air two all-new back-to-back episodes of Modern Family to fill that void from 9-10pm. And those two new episodes will give them a great launching pad for their new drama Nashville, which will premiere on that night, Oct. 10, at 10pm. ABC has not announced yet what will air on premiere Wednesday (Sept. 26) at 10pm, but word is ABC will be working on a Revenge special in its old timeslot to promote the move to Sundays at 9pm, which would be just a few days later. And finally for Wednesdays, we mentioned Suburgatory will be moving to a new timeslot of 9:30pm and it will premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 17 following Modern Family. On that night due to a debate the previous night (Oct. 16), as we mentioned, ABC could preempt The Middle and The Neighbors to air Dancing Results, perhaps that is why The Middle will have a one-hour premiere on Sept. 26.

    Thursdays are not as tough to schedule as ABC will premiere all three of their Thursday dramas on Thursday, Sept. 27 starting with the series premiere of Last Resort, followed by the season premieres of two Shonda Rhimes series: Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. Like on Tuesday, and Wednesdays, there will be a Presidential Debate on Thursday, Oct. 11, that will preempt Grey's Anatomy and Scandal after two weeks, but Last Resort will likely still air on the night at 8pm. There is one final Presidential Debate on a Monday on Oct. 22, but we're not sure what ABC will do yet, most likely they will just air an hour of Dancing with the Stars performance instead of two-hours and Castle would be preempted. And finally on to Sundays, ABC will premiere their new drama block on Sept. 30 with the return of Once Upon a Time, new night and time for Revenge and the series premiere of new drama 666 Park Avenue. At 7pm on the night there will likely be a recap special or a repeat of last season's Once Upon a Time season finale leading into the new season premiere. Veteran series America's Funniest Home Videos would have its season premiere the following week on Sunday, Oct. 7. I think like last season, the ABC fall premiere dates are well mapped out and not jumbled into one week giving ample promo time for every series and scheduling around these four debates (not to mention Election Tuesday coming up on Nov. 6, which would likely have Dancing Results air on a Wednesday possibly for a second time). Take a look at the ABC Fall 2012 Premiere Dates in a list form.

    Onto the actual ABC primetime series panels and executive session, up first after breakfast will be the cast and crew of upcoming new drama Nashville. Then it is time for the all-important executive session with Paul Lee, President, ABC Entertainment Group. That session will lead into the Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars panel, where the cast will be revealed! Check back below for the cast at approx. 1:30pm ET. Following that there will be a panel with the cast and crew of new comedy The Neighbors. Then it is off to lunch to refresh and get ready for six panels in a row. First after lunch will be upcoming supernatural drama 666 Park Avenue. Then we have a panel for the new sitcom Malibu Country, with Reba on hand. ABC will also have two panels for two new comedies launching later in the season: How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life) and Family Tools, as both are expected to launch in January. Then we have a panel for the 64th Primetime Emmy® Awards, which will air on Sept. 23 on ABC hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. And the final panel, probably saving the best for last, will be for the new drama Last Resort. What a pilot that is! After all that it is time for all-star cocktail party as we join talent, executives and showrunners from ABC and ABC Family for drinks and nosh at the Beverly Hills Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

    Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars

    Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars marks the first time prior contestants will return for another chance at winning the coveted mirror ball trophy for a very special All-Star season. From former champions to fan favorites, including a celebrity voted in by fans, the stars will return and will be paired with some of the world’s most decorated professional ballroom dancers for the most unforgettable season yet. Week to week these Dancing with the Stars alumni will once again compete to impress the judges and the viewers at home in order to be crowned the mirror ball champions.

    In a show first, fans will determine who the final All-Star cast member will be. The three celebrities vying to fill the 13th spot on the cast are Sabrina Bryan, Carson Kressley and Kyle Massey. Fans can vote for their favorite Viewers' Choice: All-Star at www.ABC.com/DancingwiththeStars, presented by Diet Pepsi, starting today, Friday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m., PT through Friday, August 24 at 12:00 p.m., PT, to determine which of the three celebrities will be named the final All-Star contestant. Once voting has closed, the final cast member will be announced live on Good Morning America, on Monday, August 27.

    The All-Star cast and their professional partners will take to the stage for the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars, Monday, Sept. 24 from 8:00-10:00pm, followed by the premiere of Dancing with the Stars the Results Show on Tuesday, September 25 from 8:00-10:00pm on ABC.

    As announced today, the 12 out of 13 All-Star celebrities returning to the dance floor this season are:

    Kirstie Alley (Season 12 finalist), Pamela Anderson (Season 10 favorite), Helio Castroneves (Season 5 champion), Joey Fatone (Season 4 finalist), Shawn Johnson (Season 8 champion), Drew Lachey (Season 2 champion), Gilles Marini (Season 8 finalist), Kelly Monaco (Season 1 champion), Apolo Anton Ohno (Season 4 champion), Bristol Palin (Season 11 finalist), Melissa Rycroft )Season 8 finalist) and Emmitt Smith (Season 3 champion).

    As announced, the three celebrity alumnus competing to be the "Viewer's Choice: All-Star" are: Sabrina Bryan (Season 5 favorite), Carson Kressley (Season 13 favorite) and Kyle Massey (Season 11 finalist). The three contestants competing to be the "Viewers' Choice: All-Star" will kick-off their campaign with their first television interview live in-studio on Good Morning America, Monday, July 30.

    Professional dancer partner pairings will be announced live on ABC's Good Morning America, on Monday, August 13.

    Stay tuned Sunday for TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour: CBS!



    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 July 30-August 3, 2012, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

    Monday, July 30, 2012

    • Joel McHale (Community) - Watch Joel on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
    • Kristen Johnston (The Exes/3rd Rock From the Sun) - Kristen appears on a repeat of Anderson, so check your local listings.
    • Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family) - Rico is a guest on a repeat of The Nate Berkus Show, so check your local listings.
    • Jerry O'Connell (Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Jerry visits Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
    Tuesday, July 31, 2012
    • Jimmie Walker (Good Times) - Catch Jimmie on a repeat of The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
    • Woody Harrelson (Cheers) - Woody chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys) - D.L. is a guest on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. He will also be on ABC's Good Afternoon America on Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm.
    • Donald Faison (The Exes/Scrubs) - Donald visits The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Kim Coles (Living Single) - Kim drops by The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse appears on a repeat of Anderson, so check your local listings.
    • Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke is a guest on a repeat of The Nate Berkus Show, so check your local listings.
    • Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Tune in to see Rashida on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
    • John Stamos (Full House) - John stops by ABC's Good Afternoon America at 2pm.
    • Kristin Davis (Sex and the City) - Kristin appears on ABC's Good Afternoon America at 2pm.
    Wednesday, August 1, 2012
    • Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) - Watch Jon on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
    • Cybill Shepherd (Cybill) - Cybill chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Patrick Duffy (Step by Step) - Patrick stops by The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Melissa Peterman (Baby Daddy/Working Class/Reba) - Melissa is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Whoopi Goldberg (Whoopi/Bagdad Cafe) - Whoopi appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
    • Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Catch Rashida on Good Morning America between 7-9am on ABC.
    Thursday, August 2, 2012
    • Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Catch Rashida on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) - Margaret stops by The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Caroline Rhea (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) - Caroline visits LIVE! with Kelly, so check your listings.
    Friday, August 3, 2012
    • Marissa Jaret Winokur (Retired at 35) - Watch Marissa on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Kevin Nealon (Weeds/Hiller and Diller/Champs) - Kevin appears on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
    • David Alan Grier (Life with Bonnie/DAG) - David is a guest on ABC's Good Afternoon America at 2pm.
    Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!

    Monday, July 16, 2012

    CBS Fall 2012 Premiere Dates, ABC Friday Premiere Rumblings; Reimagine That! Interviews Christine Lakin from Step by Step About Her New Web Series

    No surprise, CBS will premiere virtually all of its new and returning series during the official premiere week (Sept. 24-30) for the 2012-13 season. For the 10th time in the past 11 seasons, Survivor will get an early start to the season. Survivor: Philippines will be the only series to open a week earlier with a special 90-minute premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 8-9:30pm leading into the season finale of summer staple Big Brother from 9:30-11pm. Then during premiere week for its new series, the new comedy Partners premieres Monday, Sept. 24 at 8:30pm, followed by freshman dramas Vegas debuting Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 10pm, Elementary on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10pm and Made In Jersey on Friday, Sept. 28 at 9pm.
    View the entire CBS Fall 2012 premiere date list. With CBS' announcement, only ABC has not officially announced its fall premiere dates yet. Sources tell SitcomsOnline.com that we will probably have them this week and to expect the following for Friday nights: Shark Tank and What Would You Do? will have their season premieres on Friday, Sept. 14 from 8-10pm. Then six weeks later, sophomore sitcom Last Man Standing will then have its season premiere (likely two episodes) on Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 leading into the new time period debut for Shark Tank at 9pm, replacing What Would You Do, which would return later in the season. Then, following the night of the CMA Awards (Thursday, Nov. 1), new sitcom Malibu Country starring Reba McEntire will launch on Friday, Nov. 2 at 8:30pm. ABC is expected to launch its other new fall series during premiere week like new Wednesday comedy The Neighbors, new Thursday drama Last Resort and new Sunday drama 666 Park Avenue. However, due to the Presidential Debate on Wednesday, Oct. 3, ABC may opt to save the premiere of The Neighbors until Oct. 10 and double up on Modern Family on Sept. 26. It is highly expected that new 10pm drama Nashville will premiere on Wednesday, October 10. Stay tuned until all of this is official.


    Moving on, today is the day of premiere of the new webseries Lovin' Lakin starring Christine Lakin (Step by Step), which we covered last week. Make sure you watch this hilarious new series on Hulu or YouTube! Christine gave us so much information last week when we talked to her, we want to share more from her today. Plus she also spoke to our good friend Chris Mann of Reimagine That! for the latest episode of his awesome podcast! So please find that below.

    Christine told us that she filmed some of her episodes on the set of the big screen movie You Again (starring Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Odette Yustman, and many many more stars like herself): "We were actually filming You Again when I started to film this series, I wrote it right before You Again and we were filming in L.A. that summer and of course I took advantage of the opportunity working with so many great actors. And you know the Jamie Lee Curtis episode, unfortunately we can't air, I mean it's brilliant but unfortunately a little too "blue." Not for I think the world, but for I think for Jamie and the kinds of stuff she does these days, for some of her branding she had a little bit of a problem with it. She did say she would come back to do another episode, so I hope we get to do another season, cause she's just brilliantly funny and such a gifted comedic improviser, and a lot of people probably don't know that about her! So yeah, I sort of took advantage of having all of these great people around, and asked Kristin Chenoweth obviously, Jamie Lee, Kristen Bell, and you know Patrick Duffy had always said he would do an episode with me and again that was perfect timing, he was in L.A. doing a couple of days on You Again, so it worked out great. Staci Keanan came by that day, and then you know Seth MacFarlane, you know I pop in and out of the Family Guy offices, he was kind enough to come in on a Saturday to the (Oops Doughnuts) office when nobody else was there and do that for me. So I cannot express enough that making something like this is a labor of love. Everybody did it as a huge favor to me!"

    Christine really appreciated everyone working on this show for her: "I would like to go on record thanking everybody who is a part of it. You know there were a bunch of kids in one of the episodes, where I teach an acting class, and they were all so funny and their parents just totally let me abuse them--in all the right ways--and make them do really silly really wrong things and they were such good sports about it. Everything from that to my friend Patrick Day at the Young Actors Space letting me use that space, to people coming in on Saturdays, to Oops Doughnuts letting me use their office, and everyone that came in and did a part on this show, I couldn't do it without that and I think that's a real part of what YouTube is and part of what the internet is and I think that is a really positive thing. So if people like this, that's great, if people don't like it, that's fine, too. But there are so many haters out there, who post really rude and mean comments on YouTube and I don't think it helps the film making community. And I don't think it helps creativity in general. Constructive criticism is great and I welcome that and I would be the first probably to give that kind of advice on something like Internet Icon (where Christine is a judge), but people work really hard, whether it is a two-minute YouTube video or whether it is a webseries. There's a lot of people around that, it doesn't happen because one person just turns on a camera all the time...there's a lot of people that work behind the scenes."

    Please watch Lovin' Lakin today! In addition, our good friend Chris Mann (Come and Knock on Our Door, Retroality.TV) also spoke to Lakin herself! Read about it in his own words: Christie Lakin ... The Spoofed Adventures of New Christine ... In this exclusive Retroality.TV interview, Step by Step child star Christine Lakin tells all about her new satirical webseries, Lovin' Lakin -- premiering July 16 on Hulu and YouTube -- while opening up about her experiences as a '90s teen TV star-turned-versatile, multimedia-savvy performer. (Tweet her @yolakin, @lovinlakin, @worstaudition and @OopsDoughnuts, then like her on Facebook here, here, here and (phew!) here!)

    "Lovin' Lakin," a ten-episode mockumentary, casts the 33-year-old star as an egocentric, obnoxious version of herself that clearly couldn't be more removed from the real, laid-back Lakin. The fictional Christine -- unlike her steadily employed originator -- is a onetime child star staging a comeback. Along the way, her former co-stars and famous friends (among them Patrick Duffy, Seth MacFarlane and Kristin Chenoweth) suffer fictional Christine's comic misadventures in relaunching her celebrity. (For more info, check out Christine's terrific new interview with Sitcoms Online news director Pavan Patel here.)

    Lakin shares with Reimagine That! host Chris Mann her fond memories of playing Al Lambert, the tomboyish daughter of Duffy and Suzanne Somers in the Brady Bunch-esque Step, which ran from 1991 on 1997 as part of ABC's hugely successful TGIF sitcom lineup. (The series ran for one more season, through spring 1998, on CBS and has remained in syndication ever since.) Lakin is especially lovin' on the paternal Duffy, who she says has remained a cherished fixture in her life.

    The go-getter actress explains how her new online series affords her a self-made opportunity to express herself creatively on-camera and behind-the-scenes. She also favorably compares her TV sitcom experiences to her background as a stage actress -- and muses about marrying both in her recent turn as Joanie Cunningham in Garry Marshall's Happy Days: The Musical. (Lakin, seen most recently on TV in Melissa and Joey, has also appeared in the Marshall-directed features Georgia Rule and Valentine's Day; her other feature credits include co-starring with Jamie Lee Curtis in 2010's You Again and starring opposite Paris Hilton in 2008's The Hottie and the Nottie. Up next: reimagining the role of Clarice this fall in the West Coast stage premiere of the darkly comic Silence! The Musical. [Oh, yeah, folks. We're talking "... of the Lambs!"])

    Finally, the ever-spirited Lakin discusses why she chose online cheekiness to underscore her serious commitment to supporting gay marriage by participating in the Funny or Die video Child Celebrities Opposing Kirk Cameron.

    Also ... on a somber note, Chris fondly looks back on the celebrities we've lost in 2012 and shares his thoughts on the 50-year friendship that Andy Griffith shared with his co-star Don Knotts.

    And finally, Reimagine That! dream interpeter Yvonne Ryba offers an in-depth analysis of a client's dream involving pregnancy and creative rebirth.

    Listen to episode 14 here. View our Christine Lakin Photo Gallery.

    Also, if you missed episode 13, Reimagine That! had Johnathan McClain (Retired at 35) on to talk about his TV Land sitcom's sophomore season, his Funny or Die videos and finding his inner Leather. Plus, in part three of his three-part Retroality.TV exclusive, Farrah Fawcett's longtime secret lover, Greg Lott, on Farrah's struggles with Ryan O'Neal, and Redmond's drug abuse. So go and listen to episode 13 as well, if you missed this one!


    Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Friday, November 13

    Happy's Place - "Love Birds" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    When Bobbie is asked on a date by a customer, she's unsure of how to handle this new situation; Steve brings in a baby duck who imprinted on him, and he tries to hide it from Bobbie.

    Newlyweds - "Back in Time" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    A therapy session with Claudia reveals some surprising secrets about Jeanie and James' whirlwind romance.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 9)

    Friday, November 13

    • Bill Hader (Barry) - Watch Bill on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Jamie Lee Curtis (Newlyweds/The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Daniel Radcliffe (The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins/Miracle Workers) - Daniel appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Paula Pell (The 'Burbs/Girls5eva/Mapleworth Murders/A.P. Bio) - Paula is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Natasha Leggero (Broke/Dice/Another Period/Free Agents) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Natasha and Tommy will be on a repeat of Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Kathryn Hahn (The Studio/Tiny Beautiful Things/Central Park/Happyish/Transparent/Free Agents) - Kathryn talks about Madden on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
    • Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
    • Elle Fanning (Margo's Got Money Troubles) - Elle talks about The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
    • Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal) - Anthony talks about !2, 12, 12 on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season Two (Blu-ray) Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete Second Season (DVD) Superstore - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
    09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    09/29/26 - Happy's Place - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    10/20/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)
    10/20/26 - The Brady Bunch - The Complete Original Series (2026 Release) (DVD)
    10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    10/20/26 - Shrinking - The Complete First and Second Seasons (DVD)
    10/20/26 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Seventh and Twenty-Eighth Seasons (DVD)
    11/03/26 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete Second Season (DVD)
    11/03/26 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Ninth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/03/26 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Sixteenth Season (DVD)
    11/03/26 - Superstore - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    11/24/26 - The Yogi Bear Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

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


    Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

    11/13 - CBS Special I Love Lucy: 75 Years of Laughter; Remembering Stacy Keach of Titus and Anthony Clark of Yes, Dear
    11/12 - Fox Winter 2027 Premiere Dates; FX Renews Adults for Season 3
    11/11 - Rewind TV's The Hogan Family 40th Anniversary Marathon; Prime Video's Overcompensating Season 2 Details
    11/10 - Antenna TV's Thanksgiving on the Eastside: The Jeffersons Marathon; Laverne & Shirley Book Released in Celebration of the Sitcom's 50th Anniversary
    11/09 - ABC Midseason 2027 Schedule; Netflix Renews Nobody Wants This for Season 4
    11/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 9, 2026)
    11/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Nobody Wants This Renewed at Netflix; Grey's Anatomy Spinoff to Be Filmed in New Mexico
    11/06 - NBC's New Rockford Files Premieres January 2; Bobby Lee: Finally Drops November 27 on Hulu
    11/05 - Three's Company 50th Anniversary NYC Event Recap; Disney+ Reveals Details for A Proud Family Wizmas
    11/04 - Mickey's Home Alone on Disney Jr. and Disney+; Pretty Little Liars Duo Reunite for Hulu Christmas Film
    11/03 - Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas 2026 Schedule; HBO Renews Youth for Season 2
    11/02 - Details on Only Murders Season 6; Haunted Hotel Renewed for Season 3
    11/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 2, 2026)
    10/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Criminal Minds Coming to an End; Baywatch Premiere Date Set
    10/30 - VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart
    10/29 - Peacock's Dig Trailer and Artwork; The CW 2026 Holiday Programming with A Very Brady Christmas, A Flintstone Christmas and More
    10/28 - ABC 2026 Holiday Programming; Remembering Susan Saint James of Kate & Allie
    10/27 - Fox's Baywatch Premieres January 6; aspireTV's First Sitcom Premieres January 7
    10/26 - COZI TV's Halloween Schedule with Roseanne, George Lopez, The Munsters and More; Chloe Radcliffe: Eyes Down Here Stand-up Special
    10/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 26, 2026)
    10/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots in the Works for Coach and Glee; Saturday Night Live Sets November Hosts
    10/23 - Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life
    10/22 - Abbott Elementary Returns Big After 7 Day Viewing; BET Renews ComicView: Rooftop Series
    10/21 - Charmed Joining Hulu This Huluween; Prime Video's Comedy Variety Series Hosted by Nick Kroll
    10/20 - Hulu's Phony Premieres Today; Janelle James Netflix Comedy Special Drops November 10
    10/19 - Lil Kev Season 2 Premieres December 9; It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2026 Schedule
    10/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 19, 2026)
    10/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Picks Up Reboot for The X-Files; Roseanne Self-Produces New Sitcom
    10/16 - Christa B. Allen in Night of January 16th Play Through Sunday; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernie Orenstein
    10/15 - Guest Stars for Peacock's Comedy Dig; Apple TV Renews Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Season 2
    10/14 - HBO Brings Back Girls for 5 Episodes; Hulu's The X-Files Picked Up to Series
    10/13 - Full Cast for Three's Company Live Reading in New York City; High Potential to Air After Super Bowl on ABC