Showing posts with label WPIX. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WPIX. Show all posts

Monday, February 01, 2021

Report: Antenna TV Launching New Secondary Companion Network; Season Premiere of New Amsterdam Premieres March 2 on NBC

Antenna TV

Antenna TV (https://www.antennatv.tv/), Nexstar Media Group's multicast network that launched on January 1, 2011 and airs in 151 TV markets across the U.S. reaching 93% of TV households including WPIX-TV (11.2) New York, KTLA-TV (5.2) Los Angeles, and WGN-TV (9.2) Chicago, is reportedly launching a secondary companion network focusing on possibly only series from the 1980s. Sources tell SitcomsOnline that the rumored new network is set to launch in late 2021. The name of the network and exact programming of the secondary companion network is being kept under wraps, but more information will be coming as soon as everything is official. It could have a mix of current '80s series on Antenna TV and more newly acquired ones. One can hope for some Perfect Strangers, Charles in Charge and Kate & Allie? Keep checking our news blog for continued updates. Antenna TV currently airs many classic sitcoms from the '50s to '90s such as Three's Company, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, Who's the Boss?, Bewitched, Father Knows Best, The Facts of Life, and Becker.


New Amsterdam

Some more spring scheduling news on NBC. The medical drama New Amsterdam will finally begin its third season on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. It will run through June 8, 2021, with a preemption or two mixed in (like for The Voice finale). We last had an all-new episode almost 11 months ago on April 14, 2020. In the series, when Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) took over New Amsterdam, he asked a simple, revolutionary question: "How can I help?" In season three, Max and his team face the daunting task of sustaining that optimism while dealing with a pandemic that exposed the gaping inequities in our health care. Max is no longer content to fix a broken system. He’s determined to tear it down and build something better. The drama stars Ryan Eggold as Max Goodwin, Janet Montgomery as Laura Bloom, Freema Agyeman as Hana Sharpe, Jocko Sims as Floyd Pearson, Tyler Labine as Iggy Frome and Anupam Kher as Anil Kapoor. NBC also announced they will double-up on all-new episodes of The Wall on Monday, Feb. 15 and Monday Feb. 22 from 9-11pm. Weakest Link ends its first season next week (Feb. 8).

Friday, January 10, 2020

Fri-Yay: Top Sitcoms of the Decade, Part 2; PIX11 Celebrates 45th Anniversaries of The Jeffersons and Barney Miller

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

Community

by Vincent

Last week, I went through my top sitcoms of the 2010s from #12 to #6. This week, I'll be doing the same thing, going through my top 5. So here are my top 5 sitcoms of the 2010s!

5. The Good Place (NBC, 2016 - present): Of all of the sitcoms this decade, I don't think any of them can claim to be quite as inventive as The Good Place, which somehow manages to be an excellent sitcom and sci-fi/fantasy series all in one. Without spoiling too much, this show asks some of the biggest questions I've ever seen asked about humanity on TV - all while managing to be a delightful and funny sitcom all the same with a lovable cast of characters.

4. Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009 - 2015): Parks and Recreation will forever go down as one of the most lovable shows to ever be on TV. With an incredibly likable cast of characters and a beating heart and love for all of them, watching this show is like a dose of happiness. Pawnee and the Parks department is truly a place you want to keep coming back to, which is why Parks was one of the most lovable sitcoms of the 2010s.

3 Bob's Burgers (Fox, 2011 - present): Bob's Burgers has become such a staple of TV that it's hard to believe it only started less than 10 years ago. The Belchers practically feel like my family at this point, I know them and their antics so well, and after 10 seasons I still feel like everything they do is as funny and fresh as ever. Bob's Burgers is the very definition of a landmark TV show.

2. BoJack Horseman (Netflix, 2014 - present): BoJack Horseman is both a great comedy and a seriously depressing drama. It's one of the realest shows on TV, and it's also an animated sitcom about a talking horse in a world where animals and humans are on equal footing. It's a show of contradictions, but what makes BoJack shine is its upsettingly amazing ability to crush your heart in pieces, and then make you laugh a few minutes later. Few shows can accomplish what BoJack can.

1. Community (NBC and Yahoo!, 2009 - 2015): Community was perhaps one of the first true genre-bending sitcoms, fitting into a different genre (mystery, D&D, paintball action movie) whenever it felt like it. It became known for its ability to "break the fourth wall" and break the entire structure of the sitcom down whenever it pleased. But what kept the show running was its rock solid core of characters, a makeshift family of weirdos at a community college. What made Community truly special was how it was able to balance its weirdness with its heart, and that's what makes it not just my favorite sitcom of the decade, but one of my favorite sitcoms of all-time.


The Jeffersons and Barney Miller

This January, PIX11 will celebrate the 45th anniversaries of The Jeffersons and Barney Miller with marathons on the 18th and 25th during the station's "New York's Very Own" Sitcom Block which consists of NY specific retro sitcoms. On Saturdays, PIX11's "New York's Very Own" sitcom block features Good Times, Sanford and Son, All in the Family, Barney Miller, The Jeffersons and The Honeymooners. To celebrate the 45th anniversaries of The Jeffersons (Jan 18, 1975) and Barney Miller (Jan 23, 1975), PIX11 will air a mini-marathon of each show during the block. On Saturday, January 18, PIX11 will air a marathon of The Jeffersons from 7pm-10pm. On Saturday, January 25, the station will air a marathon of Barney Miller from 6pm-10pm.


Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Lifetime's Winter Ripped from the Headlines; PIX11 Holiday Lineup

Lifetime Winter Ripped from the Headlines

Off the heels of Lifetime's Fall Ripped from the Headlines slate which reached 16.4 million Total Viewers, Lifetime has ordered three new original movies to join the network's Winter 2020 Ripped from the Headlines slate of five movies centered on true-life events. Starring Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Nia Vardalos, Poisoned Love: The Stacey Castor Story follows the tale of a woman whose black widow tendencies are revealed with her murder plots to take down her ex-husbands and daughter. Also greenlit is the psychological thriller The Neighbor in the Window (wt), the story of a suburban wife who finds herself and the security of her family threatened by another seemingly friendly neighborhood mom, starring Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Jenn Lyon. The slate includes You Can't Take My Daughter, an inspiring story about a young woman who fought to keep her rapist from gaining custody of her daughter, starring SAG nominee Lyndsy Fonseca and Golden Globe and Emmy winner Kirstie Alley.

These movies join previously announced films, Robin Roberts Presents: Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story, executive produced by the award-winning journalist Robin Roberts, and stars Emmy® Award winner and Critics' Choice nominee Niecy Nash (When They See Us) and Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer, based on the tragic true story of a doting father who murdered his wife and kids starring Ashley Williams, Sean Kleier and Brooke Smith. The movies begin on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.


Yule Log

PIX11 (WPIX in NYC) is pleased to announce its holiday lineup for December. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve at 11pm, PIX11 News Anchor Kaity Tong hosts a holiday reading of the Clement Clarke Moore poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from the Church of the Intercession in Manhattan. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas will also be available for viewing at 11pm on PIX11’s Facebook page and PIX11.com. On Christmas Morning from 8-9am The Yule Log (1966) will air. In the original 1966 version of the Yule Log, which until 2016, had not been seen on air since 1969. The 1966 version of the Yule Log, filmed at Gracie Mansion, aired each Christmas Eve through 1969 until the tape degraded. A new Yule Log was filmed in 1970 as a replacement and has aired ever since. Will also stream on PIX11.com and Facebook Live (on PIX11 News, PIXYuleLog and WPIXArchives Facebook pages). Then from 9am-1pm The Yule Log (1970) will air. It will also air on Facebook Live 9am-1pm (on PIX11 News, PIXYuleLog and WPIXArchives Facebook pages). The rest of Xmas Day:

1-3pm March of the Wooden Soliders (1934) Laurel and Hardy classic
3-4pm PIX11 SPECIAL: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (repeat broadcast)
4-5pm The Honeymooners

Then on New Year's Eve, it is the annual The Honeymooners marathon. From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, since 1958 PIX11 has been NY's home for The Honeymooners. New Yorkers have been ringing in the New Year with Ralphie Boy and PIX11 when The Honeymooners Marathon began airing on New Year's Eve in 1996. This year, the PIX11 Honeymooners Marathon of classic episodes begins Tuesday, December 31 at 11pm and runs through 5pm on Wednesday, January 1. (27 episodes of Honeymooners with a break for PIX11 Morning News from 4:30 to 9am). Extra Honeymooners special content will be available on PIX11's channel on Roku/Apple TV/Amazon Fire TV Stick/Android TV.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Married with Children Now on WGN America; black-ish Enters National Syndication and Free Sneakers Contest

Married...with Children

Married...with Children is gone from TBS, but now those rights are going to WGN America. Viacom networks (Logo, MTV2) will still air the program, as that is a different contract. WGN America hosted a special marathon event of Married...with Children on Saturday, September 15 from 11am - 11pm ET/10am - 10pm CT as well as on Sunday, September 16 from 9 am - 12am ET/8am - 11pm CT. The network aired 54 episodes of the long-running family sitcom in sequential order, beginning with the series' first episode during its network debut. Now it joins the regular line-up beginning tonight! The hit sitcom will air in late fringe every weeknight. Mostly from 12-2am, but check your local listings for exact timings. There will also be weekend morning/afternoon airings.

Married...with Children follows the lives of Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill), a once glorious high school football player turned hard-luck women's shoe salesman; his obnoxious wife, Peggy (Katey Sagal); their attractive, promiscuous, and clueless daughter, Kelly (Christina Applegate); and their girl-crazy, wisecracking son, Bud (David Faustino). Their neighbors are the upwardly mobile Steve Rhoades (David Garrison) and his feminist wife Marcy (Amanda Bearse), who later gets remarried to Jefferson D'Arcy (Ted McGinley), a white-collar criminal who becomes her "trophy husband" and Al's sidekick.


Kick it with The Johnsons

The critically acclaimed hit family comedy series black-ish announced that it has teamed up with prolific designer and influencer Dominic Ciambrone, also known as The Shoe Surgeon, to customize five pairs of black-ish branded sneakers. Playing off of Johnson family patriarch Dre's fondness for Nikes, the five unique pairs of sneakers were exclusively designed and constructed by The Shoe Surgeon to celebrate the launch of black-ish in national syndication five nights a week, beginning today (Monday, Sept. 17, 2018). All five pairs will be included in a prize package posted on Omaze, an online fundraising platform, with proceeds benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The "Kick it with The Johnsons" online campaign kicked off on Omaze on Friday, Sept. 14, and will conclude on Oct. 26, at which time a grand prize winner will be randomly selected. In addition to the full set of five custom pairs of black-ish branded kicks, the prize package will also include a trip for two to Los Angeles to attend a black-ish table read and a meet and greet with members of the cast, as well as a tour of the iconic Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California. The Emmy® and Golden Globe®-nominated comedy black-ish takes a fun yet bold look at one man's determination to establish a sense of cultural identity for his family. The series stars Anthony Anderson as Andre "Dre" Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson, Yara Shahidi as Zoey Johnson, Marcus Scribner as Andre Johnson, Jr., Miles Brown as Jack Johnson, Marsai Martin as Diane Johnson, Laurence Fishburne as Pops, Jenifer Lewis as Ruby, Peter Mackenzie as Mr. Stevens and Deon Cole as Charlie Telphy. Entering its fifth season on ABC, the series is also airing weeknights in national syndication. Go to blackishtv.com for times and channels (includes WPIX in NY, KCAL in LA and WGN in Chicago).

Fans who donate $10 through www.omaze.com/blackish will be entered for the chance to win black-ish prize package and support the incredible work of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. No purchase is necessary to enter; fans can visit www.omaze.com/blackish for the official rules and full details, including how to enter for free.

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

The Honeymooners New Year's Marathon on PIX11 in NYC; Critics' Choice Awards on The CW

The Honeymooners

From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, PIX11 has been NY's home since 1958 for The Honeymooners. New Yorkers have been ringing in the New Year with Ralphie Boy and PIX11 when The Honeymooners Marathon began airing on New Year's Eve in 1996. This year, the PIX11 Honeymooners Marathon of classic episodes begins Sunday, December 31 at 11pm and runs through 5pm on Monday, January 1 (13.5 hours of Honeymooners with a break for PIX11 Morning News from 4:30am to 9am. Extra Honeymooners special content will be able for repeat viewing on PIX11's channel on Roku/Apple TV/Amazon Fire TV Stick/Android TV. Other PIX11 Holiday specials include March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934) on Christmas Day from 1-3pm. The Laurel and Hardy classic has been a PIX11 Christmas tradition for decades. The Yule Log (1970 edition) will air from 9am-1pm on Christmas Day. And finally four classic holiday episodes of Friends will air on Christmas Day from 3-5pm.


Critics' Choice Awards

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) are pleased to announce that the 23rd Annual Critics' Choice Awards will air LIVE on The CW Network on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 8:00-10:00p.m. ET/PT. The show will continue its combined Film and Television awards format, honoring the finest in both cinematic and televised/streaming achievement, and take place once again at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. More info to come, such as nominations!

Last year, The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards were hosted by actor and comedian T.J. Miller. La La Land, the most nominated film of the evening, took home eight awards, the most of the night, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay (a tie) for Damien Chazelle, Best Cinematography for Linus Sandgren, Best Production Design for David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, Best Editing for Tom Cross, Best Song, and Best Score for Justin Hurwitz. Nominated for six awards, the most of any series, The People v. O.J. Simpson (FX) took home four trophies including Best Movie Made for Television or Limited Series. Sarah Paulson won for Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series, Courtney B. Vance for Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series, and Sterling K. Brown for Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series.

Friday, September 08, 2017

Fri-Yay: 2017-18 New Sitcoms; Nick at Nite Fall 2017 Schedule with The Goldbergs

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

The Mayor

by Vincent

Last week, I took a look at the returning sitcoms that I'm looking forward to this fall. This week, I'll be doing something similar - only instead of returning series, I'll be taking a glance at some of the most exciting new sitcoms the networks have to offer this year. I'll be honest - it seems like a bit of a light slate this year, and not much is quite popping out to me as super promising. But there's still a handful of interesting shows that I think might be worth tuning into. I haven't seen any of these shows yet, but these are the shows I'm most looking forward to based on their trailers, promos, synopses and cast details.

The Mayor (ABC) - Of all of the network sitcoms premiering this fall, The Mayor has the most promise. The series follows a young rapper named Courtney who decides to run for mayor of his small California town as a joke and a publicity stunt, only to actually win. With a stacked cast (including Community's Yvette Nicole Brown and Glee's Lea Michele), an interesting (and uh, incredibly relevant) premise, and promos that already have some pretty good jokes, The Mayor is the comedy I'm most looking forward to this fall, and I'm hoping it delivers on its promise.

Ghosted (Fox) - Ghosted is another high-concept comedy from FOX, who has been experimenting in sci-fi-meets comedy for the past few years, sometimes to success (like with The Last Man on Earth, entering its fourth season this fall) and sometimes to...less success (such as with the quickly cancelled Making History). Ghosted is described as "an action-packed comedy about two down-on-their-luck polar opposites tasked with saving the world from aliens.") This sounds like the sort of show that will either be a delightfully weird and wild time or a total train-wreck. Either way, it should be a good time!

Will & Grace Revival (NBC) - Okay, well, technically this isn't a new series, but...it sort of is, right? It's a revival of long-running hit Will & Grace, which aired on NBC from 1998 to 2006 and is coming back for a ninth go around this fall. I'll be honest, I don't have super high hopes for Will & Grace: the original series had its moments but feels a little dated already, and I'm not sure there's much of a place for it in the current TV landscape. Still, it's always interesting when a long-dead TV show makes its way back onto the airwaves and tries to make itself relevant in a different era. I'll be watching Will & Grace and hoping it's better than I'm expecting it to be.

Me, Myself & I (CBS) - This is another high-concept comedy, but this time from CBS, who typically plays it a little more conventional (although they do have the uniquely-structured Life in Pieces which they've found some success with, so maybe they're getting a little more daring.) It revolves around follows a single character, Alex (portrayed, primarily, by Bobby Moynihan) in three distinct parts of his life: adolescence (1991) adulthood (present day) and old age (in 2042). Bobby Moynihan was a long-running staple of Saturday Night Live who had tons of hilarious characters and impressions, so I'm interested to see how he transitions into a starring role. He certainly has the talent to carry a show on his own, and the concept here is pretty fascinating, so hopefully everything settles into place and this can be the star vehicle that Moynihan deserves.

Those are the network sitcoms that have stuck out most to me this year based on their initial concepts and promotion, As usual, though, I'm always hoping to be surprised by an underdog who comes out of nowhere and surprisingly becomes excellent. Either way, I'll be checking out all of the sitcoms that the networks have to offer, as usual, hoping for the best!


The Goldbergs

Nickelodeon is bringing Walkmans, stonewashed denim and big hair to Nick at Nite with the addition of the popular family sitcom The Goldbergs, beginning Monday, Sept. 18, at 1 a.m. (ET/PT). The series follows the adventures of the Goldberg family as they share the ups and downs of life together in the '80s. Following the series launch, the four-season, 95-episode library of The Goldbergs will continue to air daily at 1 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite. The Goldbergs is entering its fifth season this fall on ABC. The comedy will premiere on Monday, September 18, 2017 and will air every night at 1:00am & 1:30am. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will move down to 2-3am, with George Lopez overnight getting sliced to 3am-7am. Nick at Nite's prime schedule will remain as is, with Full House and Friends from 8pm-1am. However, the week after starting Sept. 25, Fresh Prince will air in the 10pm hour as well, taking an hour from House. Back to The Goldbergs, it will also premiere on local broadcast syndication as we mentioned before, starting Sept. 11 with stations like WPIX in NY airing it weeknights at 7:00pm & 7:30pm. And also as we mentioned before, The Goldbergs will air in primetime on Pop TV starting Tuesday, Sept. 26. More info on Pop TV's schedule will be coming soon, so stay tuned.

In The Goldbergs, there was a simpler time called the '80s--before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up and peanut allergies. For geeky and movie obsessed youngest child Adam (Sean Giambrone), these were his wonder years, and he faced them armed with a video camera to capture all the crazy. The Goldbergs are a loving family like any other--just with a lot more yelling. Mom Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) is a classic "smother," an overbearing, overprotective matriarch who loves her delicious kids, but still rules this brood with 100% authority and zero sense of boundaries. Dad Murray (Jeff Garlin) is gruff and sometimes oblivious, parenting with half his attention span but all his heart. Sister Erica (Hayley Orrantia) is popular and terrifying, doing her best to cover up that she's the smartest of the clan. Barry (Troy Gentile) is a passionate dreamer, who maybe dreams a little too big and who always gets the short end of the stick. Adam (Sean Giambrone) is the youngest, a camera-wielding future director who's navigating first love, and growing up with his family. Rounding out the family is beloved grandfather Al "Pops" Solomon (George Segal), the wild man of the clan, a shameless Don Juan who's learning as much from his family as he teaches them.

The Goldbergs stars Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) as Beverly Goldberg, Sean Giambrone as Adam Goldberg, Troy Gentile (Good Luck Chuck) as Barry Goldberg, Hayley Orrantia (The X Factor) as Erica Goldberg, with George Segal (Just Shoot Me) as Pops Solomon and Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Murray Goldberg.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

1966 Version of The Yule Log on WPIX; New Book from Saved by the Bell Producer Peter Engel

The Yule Yog

PIX11, Tribune Broadcasting's New York flagship station, is thrilled to announce the station will air the original 1966 version of the Yule Log, which has not been seen on air since 1969. The 1966 Yule Log, long assumed to be permanently lost, was found and restored. It will air as a one-hour presentation exclusively on PIX11 on Christmas Eve 2016, exactly 50 years after its debut and again on Christmas morning. The 1966 version of the Yule Log, filmed at Gracie Mansion, aired each Christmas Eve through 1969 until the tape degraded. A new Yule Log was filmed in 1970 as a replacement, and has aired ever since. The master film contains two minutes of color footage, and the fireplace itself loops every seven seconds. PIX11 is thrilled the 1966 Yule Log has been found and restored, and will air as a one-hour presentation exclusively on PIX11 on Christmas Eve from 11pm to midnight, 50 years after its debut.

After the 50th Anniversary airing of the Yule Log, PIX11 will air Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City followed by The Honeymooners "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at 1:30am. PIX11 will also air the 1966 Yule Log on Christmas morning from 7-8am followed by the traditional 1970 version of the Yule Log from 8a-12p. March of the Wooden Soldiers and The Magic Garden Christmas Special follows from 12-3pm.


I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True

Every episode of the iconic 90s teen sitcom, Saved by the Bell, ended with the same four words: Executive Producer Peter Engel. With the November 15 launch of his captivating and inspirational new memoir, I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True, Peter opens up for the first time about his life, from personal and professional highlights to the serious challenges that shaped him. He explains how "a small boy with a big dream" got his start in the cutthroat television industry, his work as Executive Producer on Saved by the Bell and later TV successes of California Dreams, Hang Time, City Guys, and Last Comic Standing, among others. Peter also shares some of his most fascinating encounters with icons including John Lennon, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, and John F. Kennedy, to name just a few.

As entertaining as one of his hit shows and with genuine heart, Peter discusses:

A lifetime of love for TV and how that led him never to give up on his dream of making shows that matter, including Bell
Behind-the-scenes stories about the Bell stars and how they came to be his other family
"Can you believe it?" stories of his encounters with some of the most famous and important personalities of the times
What he considers to be his greatest personal and professional achievements
His advice to readers to inspire them to stay true to their values and passions, so they, too, can find their own "Bell" and make their mark
And much, much more

The book will be available on November 15 at bookstores and on Amazon.com .

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Mom Coming to Syndication in Fall 2017; Starz Announces Premiere Dates for Returning Comedies

Mom

The off-network rights to CBS sitcom Mom, the most recent hit comedy from Chuck Lorre to be launched into syndication, has been sold to Tribune Broadcasting by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. The series will debut in Fall 2017, airing on Tribune stations in New York Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston , Seattle, Miami, St. Louis, Portland, Indianapolis, Hartford, Oklahoma City , New Orleans and Huntsville. Beyond the Tribune stations, WBDTD has also sold the series to stations from CBS, Hearst, Media General, Raycom, TEGNA, Nexstar, Meredith, Gray, Weigel, News Press, Marshall, Hubbard, Griffin, Entravision, Cowles, Block, Bahakel, Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc. Sunbeam Television Corp., and Graham Media, amongst others. All in all, the series has already been sold in 71% of the country, including in 27 of the top 30 markets.

Anna Faris and Emmy Award-winner Allison Janney star in this hilarious and often heart wrenching series from executive producer Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly). Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky and Nick Bakay serve as executive producers for the series, which is from Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Mom was created by Lorre & Gorodetsky & Gemma Baker, who serves as co-executive producer. Season 4 of the sitcom airs this fall on CBS.


Ash vs Evil Dead

Starz announced the highly-anticipated Season Two returns for two of their critically-acclaimed comedy series: the horror fun-ride Ash vs Evil Dead" and the outlandish comedy Blunt Talk. Ash vs Evil Dead scares up its second season premiere entitled "Home" on Sunday, October 2 at 8PM ET/PT. The second season roars back into action with an extended episode where Ash is forced to leave his cushy retirement in Jacksonville, return to his hometown of Elk Grove, Michigan, and mount up once again to face The Evil Dead. This time, he'll have to form an uneasy alliance with his former enemy Ruby as Elk Grove becomes the nucleus to the most dangerous horror Ash has faced to date. The upcoming season of Ash vs Evil Dead will include ten half-hour episodes.

Blunt Talk

The second season premiere of the hit comedy series Blunt Talk entitled "I Remember That Time More Like a Movie I Saw Than a Life I Lived" will debut on Sunday, October 2 at 8:35PM ET/PT. Walter Blunt and his team are on top of the network ratings when Walter runs into an old flame, in town to investigate a conspiracy involving one of Los Angeles' most crucial environmental threats. Rosalie, Jim, Celia, Martin, and Shelly (with all their various neuroses intact) are by Walter's side as he delves into his past, which leads him into a web of intrigue affecting the future of LA. The upcoming season of Blunt Talk will include ten half-hour episodes.

Monday, July 18, 2016

The Goldbergs Heads to Syndication in Fall 2017; The Simpsons TV on FX App

The Goldbergs

Sony Pictures Television announced that Tribune Broadcasting's owned or operated stations in 18 major markets will serve as the launch group for the hit family comedy The Goldbergs when it debuts in broadcast syndication in the fall of 2017. Collectively, these 18 Tribune stations reach nearly 37% of U.S. TV Households. The Tribune stations that will broadcast the nostalgic, multi-generational comedy series are: WPIX-TV (New York), KTLA-TV (Los Angeles), WGN-TV, (Chicago), WPHL-TV (Philadelphia), KDAF-TV (Dallas), WDCW-TV (Washington DC), KIAH-TV (Houston), KCPQ-TV/KZJO-TV (Seattle), WSFL-TV (Miami), KWGN-TV/KDVR-TV (Denver), KTVI-TV/KPLR-TV (St. Louis), KRCW-TV (Portland, OR), WXIN-TV (Indianapolis), WTIC-TV (Hartford), WDAF-TV (Kansas City), KFOR-TV/KAUT-TV (Oklahoma City), WHNT-TV (Huntsville) and WQAD-TV (Davenport).

Renewed for a fourth season on ABC, The Goldbergs consistently ranks #1 in its time period (8:30pm, Wednesdays) and grows over its lead in (The Middle) among Adults 18 to 49. It is one of very few series to show year-over-year growth in all three seasons. The series will move to Wednesdays at 8pm this fall on ABC to kick off the "ABC Funny" Wednesday block. From a simpler time, known as the '80s, come the VCR-loving, mixtape-making, spandex-wearing Goldbergs. For geeky and movie obsessed youngest child Adam (Sean Giambrone), his wonder years were spent documenting the hilarious and awkward antics of his colorful family. Mom, Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey), is a classic "smother," at her best when she’s meddling, matchmaking and bedazzling her way through life, while dad, Murray (Jeff Garlin), parents from the comfort of his recliner in his underpants. Oldest sister, Erica (Hayley Orrantia) is popular and terrifying, doing her best to cover up that she's the smartest of the clan, and middle child, Barry (Troy Gentile) is a passionate dreamer, who maybe dreams a little too big and so often gets the short end of the stick. Rounding out the family is beloved grandfather, Al "Pops" Solomon (George Segal), the wild man of the clan, a shameless Don Juan who's learning as much from his family as he teaches them.


Simpsons TV

FX Networks has released a new version of its video on-demand app FXNOW designed to take full advantage of the capabilities of Apple TV (4th generation) and featuring the first-ever opportunity to watch "Simpsons TV" on a streaming device. The new FXNOW app on Apple TV gives viewers the cinematic experience demanded by FX Networks' acclaimed and award-winning series like Fargo, American Horror Story, Archer, Louie and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. The redesigned FXNOW on Apple TV leverages the networks' iconic key art and content to create a rich viewing experience consistent with the FX brand. "Simpsons TV," the latest feature of Simpsons World, is a unique collection of highly curated channels that offer a compelling "lean back" experience similar to linear television but within the on-demand environment of FXNOW. Fans can choose from channels such as "Going Old School" or "Krustylu Studios" that each feature a collection of episodes inspired by distinctive themes. After choosing their own viewing experience from the channel guide, viewers simply sit back and watch episodes. The "Simpsons TV" channels will be constantly updated with content drawn from Simpsons World, the exclusive online source of all 27 seasons of the legendary Emmy(R) Award winning animated television series. "Simpsons TV" channels include:

· SPRINGFIELD GOOGOPLEX
· EVERY. SIMPSONS. EVER
· SPRINGFIELD SHUFFLE
· AZTEC THEATRE DOUBLE FEATURES: FXX WEEKLY STACKS
· KRUSTYLU STUDIOS: JON SWARTZWELDER'S FAVORITES
· CHANNEL 6: SMARTLINE: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN SPRINGFIELD
· SIMPSONS ON HOLIDAY: SIMPDOND ACROSS AMERICA
· CHANNEL OCHO: SPRINGFIELD PRIDE
· SIMPSON FAMILY CHANNEL: MARGE IN CHARGE
· THE SPRINGFIELD BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL: EVERYONE LOVES NED FLANDERS!

The Simpsons. Simpsons World also offers episodes of The Simpsons in 4:3 and with audio commentary. For more information about Simpsons World, go to http://www.simpsonsworld.com/.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Brandy's BET Sitcom Zoe Ever After Premieres Jan. 5; PIX11 Honeymooners New Year's Eve 2015 Marathon

Zoe Ever After

BET's new scripted series Zoe Ever After, starring Grammy Award-winning superstar Brandy Norwood and comes from executive producers Debra Martin Chase, Danny Rose, Scooter Braun, executive producer/writer Erica Montolfo-Bura and co-executive producers Brandy Norwood and Elaine Aronson, will premiere Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 10pm only on BET. Zoe Ever After is a multi-camera romantic comedy about Zoe Moon (Brandy Norwood), a newly single mom stepping out of the shadow of her famous boxer ex-husband Gemini Moon (Dorian Missick) while trying to balance dating, motherhood, a complicated relationship with her ex and finally fulfilling her career dream of starting a cosmetics line.

Zoe is surrounded by a cast of colorful characters, including her smart and precocious eight-year-old son Xavier (Jaylon Gordon), her fashion-forward and fun assistant Valenté (Tory Devon Smith), her publicist and best friend Pearl (Haneefah Wood) and sexy contractor Miguel (Ignacio Serricchio). To get ready for the big premiere, on New Year's Day BET presents a "Get Cozy With Zoe" Movie Marathon hosted by Brandy on Friday, January 1 from 10am-10pm with movies such as Something New, Daddy's Little Girl, Poetic Justice, and Just Wright. But that's not all! At 10pm on Jan. 1, BET presents The BET Life of Brandy. BET takes you on an exciting journey through some of the most memorable on-air moments they have shared with Brandy.


The Honeymooners

From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, PIX11 has been NY's home since 1958 for The Honeymooners. New Yorkers have been ringing in the New Year with Ralphie Boy and PIX11 when The Honeymooners Marathon began airing on New Year's Eve in 1996. This year, the PIX11 Honeymooners Marathon of 28 classic episodes begins Wednesday, December 31, 2015 at 11pm and runs until 5am – with a break from 5-9am for PIX11 Morning News – then resumes at 9am and runs until 5pm on Friday, January 1, 2016 for a total of 14 hours. This will be a "Viewer's Choice" marathon of favorite episodes. The Honeymooners airs regularly on PIX11 every Saturday night from 11pm-1am.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Honeymooners on Thanksgiving on WPIX in NY; Bounce TV Sitcom Family Time Striving in 2nd Season

The Honeymooners

PIX11, Tribune Broadcasting's New York flagship station, has announced its lineup additions for the Thanksgiving holiday. The fun begins at 9am with March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934), the Laurel and Hardy classic movie. Then from 11am-3pm, PIX11 gives us a four-hour/eight episode marathon of The Honeymooners! What better way to spend any holiday than with The Honeymooners! After the sitcom marathon, PIX11 will give way to another airing of March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934) from 3-5pm. The classic Honeymooners episodes airing are: "Oh My Achin' Back," "The Baby Sitter," "Ralph Kramden, Inc," "Here Comes the Bride," "Please Leave the Premises," "The Worry Wart," "The Loudspeaker" and "Opportunity Knocks But." You can watch The Honeymooners every weekend (both Saturday and Sunday nights) on WPIX at 11pm & 11:30pm! You're going to the moon!


Family Time

Bounce TV original sitcom Family Time is coming upon its second half of the season and is striving. The sitcom airs Tuesdays at 10pm and is in its second season with an order of 10 episodes. Episodes 6-10 are still to come and they begin starting this Tuesday. Family Time chronicles the lives of the recently relocated Stallworth family, guided by Tony (Omar Gooding), a struggling general contractor and Lisa (Angell Conwell), an unfulfilled stay-at-home mom. These high school sweethearts lovingly quarrel with each other and their mischievous children Devin and Ebony as they make up their own rules to love, marriage and family along the way. When they are not battling each other they are contending with a host of family, friends and neighbors, including Tony's snobby older brother Todd (Chris Williams) and Lisa's feisty sisters Rachel (Tanjareen Martin) and Lori (Paula Jai Parker), all set in the tight-knit suburban community of Windsor Hills. Repeats of Bounce TV original sitcom One Love follows at 10:30pm on Tuesday nights. One Love follows the hilarious adventures of Pastor William (Mark Curry, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper) and Carolyn Winters (Sheryl Lee Ralph, Moesha), the first family of Mt. Sinai church. Together for thirty years, they've led their congregation as perfect role models, but when their adult children begin to navigate relationships of their own, the laughs collide with the love. No word yet if One Love will be ordered for a second season, but its first season wrapped up in May after 8 episodes.

As we mentioned, Bounce TV will have two more original sitcoms to come. The first is Mann & Wife. Husband and wife team David Mann (Madea's Big Happy Family) and Tamela Mann (Sparkle), stars of the hit Tyler Perry sitcom Meet The Browns, reunite for a new show which series creator and director Roger Bobb (The Rickey Smiley Show) calls "a black Brady Bunch." The new sitcom will premiere in Winter 2015 and production begins this month. And finally, new sitcom Sisters is an all-new original sitcom centered around a once-famous R&B group called the "Ladies of Essence" who, after life has thrown each of them a few curve balls, find themselves fabulous, forty and forced to live under the same roof. Produced by Roger Bobb's BobbCat Films, Terri J. Vaughn and Cas Siger's Nina Holiday Entertainment and Chip Hurd, this sitcom will premiere in Summer 2015.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

LeBron's Sitcom Launches in Fall on Starz; Classic New York Sitcoms Cosby Show, Jeffersons Back in NY on WPIX

Survivor's Remorse

The STARZ Original series Survivor's Remorse has been in production in Atlanta on the six-episode first season of the half-hour scripted single comedy series from LeBron James, Tom Werner, Mike O'Malley, Maverick Carter, Victor Levin and Paul Wachter. Set in Atlanta, the story follows Cam Calloway, a basketball phenom in his early 20's who is suddenly thrust into the limelight after signing a multi-million dollar contract with a professional basketball team, and explores the comedy and drama of an experience that everyone reads about, but few understand - what happens when you make it out. The series will premiere on STARZ in the fall of 2014. The cast is led by Jessie T. Usher in the role of Cam Calloway, Ronreaco Lee as Reggie Vaughn, Erica Ash as M-Chuck, the sister of Cam Calloway, and Tichina Arnold (Martin, Everybody Hates Chris) as Cassie, Cam's mother. They join Teyonah Parris who was cast as Reggie's wife Missy and Mike Epps (Being Mary Jane) as Cam's Uncle Julius.

Watch the trailer for this upcoming sitcom. And stay with us for continued updates.


The Cosby Show The Jeffersons

Two classic sitcoms set in New York City have returned to the airwaves on local New York television. WPIX-11 has started airing The Cosby Show and The Jeffersons every morning as of Monday (June 16) morning. The classic comedies starring Bill Cosby & Sherman Hemsley are airing in the 4-5am hour replacing the early news hour of PIX11 Morning News (which will remain from 5-9am). The Cosby Show and The Jeffersons of course join fellow classic New York sitcom The Honeymooners on the PIX11 line-up. That sitcom airs every weekend at 11 & 11:30pm and is a PIX11 staple. And if that's not all PIX11 also airs other sitcoms set in New York like Seinfeld and Friends. WPIX-11 certainly has the New York themed laughs covered! Tune in every weekday morning bright and early for The Cosby Show and The Jeffersons to start your mornings off right on PIX11. Hopefully more New York based sitcoms join the PIX11 line-up soon, maybe a return of The Odd Couple and Taxi, or adding series like All in the Family, Barney Miller, Welcome Back Kotter, Diff'rent Strokes and Night Court? But for now enjoy the current offerings!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

New York City Local Stations Fall 2013 Schedules; MeTV Network Says "West is Best" Batman

It's that time of year again...fall schedules for New York City stations! We have for you the full Fall 2013 schedules for WABC, WNBC WNYW, WWOR, WPIX, and WLNY. Unfortunately, I couldn't obtain the full line-up for WLNY at press time, but we have all the details on the new additions for WLNY below. We cannot cover every market's local schedules, so we will give you an idea what to expect by giving you the #1 market in the country: New York. And of course it helps because I live in the market!

We'll start with WNYW's (Fox5) Fall 2013 schedule. The main story is the launch of Modern Family. The sitcom makes its off-network debut on Monday, Sept. 23 and will air weekdays at 7:00pm & 7:30pm on WNYW. The other new additions to the schedule will be first-run series. New talker Bethenny will launch Sept. 9 and air weekdays at 11am, while TMZ's one-hour spin-off series TMZ Live will launch Sept. 9 at 1pm. Everything else is pretty much set for WNYW, but King of the Hill will be leaving, while The Simpsons will be moving to sister station WWOR. The Big Bang Theory will remain on WNYW at 11pm, but its other 7:30pm airing moves to WWOR at that same time. Other changes include both airings of The Office will now be on WNYW, at 12:30am & 1am following an hour of 30 Rock. That's about it, with everything else being just minor changes, like King of Queens weekend airings moving to WNYW.

Sister network WWOR (My9) will be making some changes as well. New series will be Law & Order: SVU airing weekdays at 10am starting Sept. 23 replacing Law & Order: Criminal Intent. On weekends, Glee joins the Sunday line-up airing Sundays at 6pm & 7pm beginning Sept. 29. WWOR will also air weekend airings of Modern Family, airing it Sundays at 10pm & 10:30pm, following a two-hour block of Big Bang Theory from 8-10pm. Joining the schedule from sister network WNYW will be The Simpsons airing weekdays at 6:30pm & 7:00pm starting Sept. 23, The Big Bang Theory weekdays at 7:30pm starting Sept. 23 and an encore of Bethenny weekdays at 3pm. Among the series leaving are Everybody Loves Raymond, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, That '70s Show , and Jeremy Kyle. Current series moving to new timeslots include How I Met Your Mother and The King of Queens weekdays from 11pm-1am starting Sept. 23.

Moving on to WPIX's (CW11) Fall 2013 schedule. New series this fall are The Test weekdays at 3pm starting Sept. 9, Arsenio Hall weekdays at 11pm starting Sept. 9 and SAF3 Sundays at 5pm starting Sept. 22. One of the biggest news for WPIX this fall is the return of Everybody Loves Raymond starting Sept. 9. The sitcom will air weekdays at 6pm & 12:30am, paired with Seinfeld both times. Among the series leaving are According to Jim. Current series moving to new times include Seinfeld moving to 6:30pm & 12am, Friends moving to 1am & 3:30am, and Family Guy moving to 1:30am. On weekends, we have comedies mainly in the evening and late night. Everybody Loves Raymond will air Saturdays at 5pm & 6:30pm, Family Guy will air Saturdays 7-8pm and Sundays 1-2am, while Rules of Engagement will air Saturdays 8-9pm into Two and a Half Men from 9-10pm. We also mentioned beginning Sept. 14, classic sitcom The Honeymooners will air every weekend at 11pm & 11:30pm after the PIX11 News at 10.

Elsewhere, WABC (ABC7), which is #1 in NY and the most watched station in the nation, will not be making any changes at all except replacing Scrubs (weekdays 1:30am and Saturdays at 2am) with rotating series from Live Well TV: Deals, Sweet Retreats, Food Rush, My Family Recipe, Live Big with Ali V and Mirror, Mirror. Everything else is exactly the same. For WCBS (CBS2), they are adding Queen Latifah and the new talk show will air weekdays at 9am, bumping The Doctors off of WCBS. The Doctors will remain on sister station WLNY at 6pm.
And WNBC (NBC4) will not be adding anything new, but canceled talk show Jeff Probst at 2pm is gone and as of now WNBC will air Steve Harvey talk show repeats into a new airing at 3pm. Moving on to WLNY (TV 10/55), they are adding new series The Middle weeknights at 12am & 12:30am, Community weeknights at 1am & 1:30am, Queen Latifah weeknights at 7pm, Paternity Court weekdays at 1pm & 1:30pm, Cops Reloaded weekdays at 3pm & 3:30pm, and OK! TV weeknights at 11:30pm. Among the series leaving are Frasier, Inside Edition, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Eye for an Eye and America's Funniest Home Videos. No word on when The Cleveland Show will air in New York, but no sign of it right now.

View the FULL Fall 2013 schedules for WNYW, WWOR, WPIX, in New York City! And view the full list of new series coming to local syndication. Stay tuned for updates, if any. From New York, goodnight!




Holy campaigns, Batman! There's been so much talk about the cast of the upcoming Batman film starring Ben Affleck as Batman, that The MeTV Network just had to chime in. MeTV believes that it's always best to stick with a classic - and Adam West is pure memorable entertainment. Join MeTV in their quest for West - sign their petition and leave a comment to show your support for putting Adam West in the new Batman film. MeTV hopes to present this petition and comments to the man himself! Sign the petition today and maybe Adam West himself will see it and have a chuckle, old chum! And don't forget to tune in to Batman on MeTV every Saturday at 7PM & 7:30PM! Same bat time, same bat channel!

Friday, August 23, 2013

The Honeymooners Weekends on WPIX This Fall; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 26, 2013)

The Honeymooners

New York, we've got some classic TV sitcom news for you! From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, PIX11 is New York's home for The Honeymooners, with viewers ringing in the New Year with The Honeymooners Marathon on PIX11 for decades. Now New Yorkers can also spend the weekend with their favorite Brooklyn residents when The Honeymooners join PIX11's weekend lineup this fall. Beginning Saturday, September 14, The Honeymooners will air on PIX11 on Saturday and Sunday nights at 11 and 11:30pm. Don't miss any of the hamana-hamana-hamana hijinks of Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason), Ed Norton (Art Carney), Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) and Trixie Norton (Joyce Randolph) every weekend on PIX11 beginning September 14! You can find the sitcom on WPIX CW-11 in New York City and WPIX is also available on satellite in other markets.

Stay with us next week for our annual look at the fall schedules for NYC local stations. What will WNYW, WWOR, WPIX, WLNY and the big three (WABC, WCBS, WNBC) do this Fall? We'll have all the answers here first, so come on back for that!


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 Aug. 26-30, 2013, 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, August 26, 2013

  • Sherri Shepherd (Less Than Perfect/Sherri) - Watch Sherri on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Ashton Kutcher (Two and a Half Men/That '70s Show) - Ashton appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends) - Tune in to see Jennifer on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Michael Urie (Partners) - Michael is a guest on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
  • J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm/'Til Death) - Catch J.B. on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse guest co-hosts a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Ted Danson (Cheers/Becker) - Ted appears on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
  • NeNe Leakes (The New Normal) - NeNe is a guest on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
  • Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends) - Watch Matt on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) - Selena is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Melissa Joan Hart (Melissa & Joey/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) and Joey Lawrence (Melissa & Joey/Brotherly Love) - Melissa and Joey are guests on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Casey Wilson (Happy Enginds) - Casey appears on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Marilu Henner (Taxi) - Tune in to see Marilu on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
  • Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love) - Holly shares her family's experience with autism in recognition of National Autism Awareness Month on a repeat of Home & Family at Hallmark Channel at 10am.
  • Rainn Wilson (The Office) - Rainn talks about the end of The Office on a repeat of The Jeff Probst Show, so check your local listings.
  • Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) - Yvette is a guest on a repeat of The Jeff Probst Show, so check your local listings.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
  • Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) - Catch Larry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Betty White (Hot in Cleveland/The Golden Girls/The Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Betty appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A.) - Scott is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve guests on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
  • David Alan Grier (Less Than Perfect/DAG) - David appears on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends) - Jennifer is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
  • Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea stops by on a repeat of Katie, so check your local listings.
  • Melissa Peterman (Baby Daddy/Reba) - Melissa appears on a repeat of The Jeff Probst Show, so check your local listings.
Friday, August 30, 2013
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Watch Steve on a repeat of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother/Doogie Howser, M.D.) - Neil appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) - Margaret guest co-hosts a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) - Selena guests on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Mila Kunis (That '70s Show) - Tune in to see Mila on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Gabourey Sidibe (The Big C) - Gabourey appears on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
  • Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle) - Bryan is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
  • Cedric the Entertainer (The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) and Niecy Nash (The Soul Man/Reno 911!) - Cedric and Niecy dish about the The Soul Man on a repeat of Katie, so check your local listings.
  • Sherri Shepherd (Less Than Perfect/Sherri) - Sherri discusses her struggle with diabetes and the importance of a healthy diet on a repeat of Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am.
  • Jessica Walter (Retired at 35/Arrested Development) - Jessica appears on a repeat of Anderson Live, so check your local 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!

Monday, December 17, 2012

NBC Fall Pilot Review: 1600 Penn - Sneak Peek Tonight, Premieres Jan. 10; Ring in 2013 With Ralphie Boy! The Honeymooners Marathon on WPIX

1600 Penn

1600 Penn - Thursdays 9:30PM ET/PT on NBC
Sneak Peek Monday, December 17, 2012 at 9:30PM ET/PT and
Premieres Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 9:30PM ET/PT


By Pavan

The Gilchrists are an American family that deals with ordinary problems under extraordinary circumstances. Sure, we all make mistakes, but theirs just happen to make the evening news. They're loving, fun and a little crazy. In other words, just like everybody else. With one exception: they live in a very special house -- the White House.

President Dale Gilchrist (Bill Pullman, Independence Day) is trying to perform the important duties of his job while also doing right by his family -- not an easy task when his place of work just happens to be the Oval Office. First Son Skip (Josh Gad, star of Broadway sensation The Book of Mormon) is one of the administration's biggest liabilities and his clumsy attempts to earn his father’s respect often go awry. Yet, despite his many well-intentioned yet misguided efforts, he is the glue that holds this family together. Stepmom Emily (Jenna Elfman, Dharma and Greg, Accidentally on Purpose) is desperately trying to win over the affections of the kids -- including overachieving daughter Becca (Martha MacIsaac, Superbad), who is facing her first lapse of judgment, and twins, Xander (Benjamin Stockham, Sons of Tucson) and Marigold (Amara Miller, The Descendants) -- but the brood somehow manages to stay one step ahead of Emily.

Always in the president's corner is Marshall Malloy (Andre Holland, Friends with Benefits), the savvy and loyal White House Press Secretary, whose biggest challenge is cleaning up after the Gilchrists. Whether it's entertaining foreign dignitaries or sneaking away for a night out, dealing with middle-school crushes or putting out fires, figuratively and sometimes literally, there's never a dull moment inside the Gilchrist White House. It is Modern Family meets The West Wing in this election-year comedy from Emmy-winning executive producer/director Jason Winer (Modern Family). The executive producers are Winer, Josh Gad and Jon Lovett (former White House speechwriter).


Cast Details:

* Josh Gad as Skip Gilchrist
* Jenna Elfman as Emily Nash-Gilchrist
* Martha MacIsaac as Becca Gilchrist
* Andre Holland as Marshall Malloy
* Amara Miller as Marigold Gilchrist
* Benjamin Stockham as Xander Gilchrist
* Bill Pullman as President Dale Gilchrist

Josh Gad (Skip) also serves as an executive producer and co-creator of this series. Gad brings wit, humor and depth to the small and large screens and to theater. He began his career in theater after graduating from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. He then turned his sights to comedy and co-created his own comedy group – The Lost Nomads Comedy Troupe. His television credits include Back to You, and ABC's Modern Family, as well as the animated series Good Vibes, where he voiced the character of Mondo. Gad also starred in the title role in Gigi: Almost American. He also recently guest starred on Fox's hit show New Girl. Gad took Broadway by storm starring as Elder Cunningham in the Tony Award-winning comedy musical Book of Mormon, written by the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Tony winner Robert Lopez. Gad was nominated for a Tony, Drama League and Astaire Award, and won the Outer Critic Circle Award for his performance. On the big screen, he will next be seen starring as Steve Wozniak in the highly anticipated Steve Jobs biopic, Jobs, opposite Ashton Kutcher and co-starring in Fox's film The Internship, opposite Will Ferrell and Owen Wilson, which will be released on June 7, 2013.

Jenna Elfman (Emily) is best known for her role as Dharma in the hit sitcom Dharma and Greg, for which she garnered a Golden Globe Award, three Emmy Award nominations and two TV Guide Awards. Other notable television appearances include guest-starring roles on Two and a Half Men, My Name is Earl and Brothers and Sisters. She also starred in short-lived CBS sitcoms Courting Alex and Accidentally on Purpose in recent years. This series marks Elfman's return to situation comedy after critically-acclaimed guest appearances on Shameless and the final season of the award-winning drama Damages, with Glenn Close and Rose Byrne. She appeared in the hit comedy film Friends with Benefits, starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, and her film credits also include Keeping the Faith, opposite Ben Stiller and Edward Norton and Ron Howar's Edtv, opposite Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

Martha MacIsaac (Becca) is perhaps best known for her role in Judd Apatow's hit movie comedy Superbad, where she starred alongside Michael Cera. Additional feature film credits include the remake of Wes Craven's The Last House on the Left, the sci-fi thriller The Thaw opposite Val Kilmer, as well as the recently completed Faith, Fraud and Minimum Wage and Dead Before Dawn 3D. She was born and raised in Canada. She began her acting career at the age of 11 on television in the title role in Emily of New Moon. MacIsaac had a recurring arc on Greek and starred opposite Kelly Rowan in the CTV telefilm In God's Country. Additionally, she has lent her voice to numerous animated series including Family Guy, Spyburbia, Friends and Heroes, Magi-Nation and Di-Gata Defenders.

Andre Holland (Marshall) is a veteran of stage. Holland's recent stage credits include All's Well That Ends Well and Measure for Measure at the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park, and The Whipping Man at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Among his television credits are Damages, Burn Notice, Friends with Benefits, Law & Order, and The Black Donnellys.

Amara Miller (Marigold) got her start as an actress as George Clooney's daughter in the Oscar-nominated film The Descendants. Miller enjoys dancing, swimming and riding her bike to school. She is a purple belt in karate and a talented illustrator. Her current project is to organize a fundraiser with classmate Mackenzie Mangan to benefit the Plastic Pollution Coalition to help raise awareness and spark ideas to reduce single use plastics at home and in school lunches.

Benjamin Stockham (Xander) is perhaps best recognized for his role as Robby Gunderson, opposite Frank Dolce and Matthew Levy, on Sons of Tucson. His other television credits include guest-starring appearances on CSI: New York, Criminal Minds and Rizzoli and Isles. From his very first audition for the feature film Quarantine, where he later earned a small but memorable role, Stockham impressed the director with his drive and desire to work. He appeared in a commercial for the investment firm Fidelity, which still airs today. Since then, he has appeared in numerous commercials that have aired nationally.

Bill Pullman (President Gilchrist) is perhaps best known for his role as Jack Callaghan in While You Were Sleeping. His numerous feature films include Spaceballs, Independence Day, where he starred as President Thomas Whitmore opposite Will Smith, Mr. Wrong, Casper, alongside Ellen DeGeneres, The Last Seduction, Singles, Nervous Ticks, A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, Lost Highway, Lake Placid, Ignition and Scary Movie 4. His television credits include The Tracey Ullman Show, Revelations and Torchwood. He has also appeared in several television movies including Home Fires Burning, Crazy in Love, Mistrial, Merry Christmas George Bailey and Tiger Cruise.


Pilot Plot:

We received three episodes for review. This review will be based on these three episodes.

#1 "Putting Out Fires" (aka "Meet the Parent," Airs Monday, December 17, 2012)
Following a public mishap, Skip (Josh Gad), the First Son of President Gilchrist (Bill Pullman), is ushered back to the White House so he can be kept under careful watch. Meanwhile, President Gilchrist attempts to keep a cool atmosphere when South American leaders visit to discuss a trade agreement. Elsewhere, Emily (Jenna Elfman) tries to make peace with her stepdaughter Becca (Martha MacIsaac), who has a surprise in store for everybody.

The episode was written by Peter A. Knight and directed by Jason Winer.

#2 "Pilot" (Airs Thursday, January 10, 2013)
This episode deals with the aftermath of Becca's "surprise" and the President (and the rest of the world) find out what it is.

The episode was written by Jon Lovett and based on a story by Josh Gad, Jason Winer and Jon Lovett, and directed by Jason Winer.

#3 "Everything's Nice in the Pool" (Airs TBD)
The President tracks down Becca's "baby daddy." Rene Auberjonois guest stars.

The episode was written by Mike Royce and directed by Jason Winer.

Analysis:

The show is about your average family, but they happen to be living inside the White House. The plots are really about family matters and the White House is just a nice backdrop. This is a comedic look at what a large family would do if they were living in the White House. Every family has their ups and downs, and we see that here. We have basically two pilot episodes for this series. The actual pilot will not air until the second airing because NBC made a decision to have a "sneak peek" premiere following the Monday finale of The Voice, so the pilot episode will air as the timeslot premiere in January. Thus, it seems the producers made another episode that sets-up like a pilot in the episode "Putting Out Fires" (aka "Meet the Parent"). I actually like this episode better than the pilot episode itself. It explains everything better and we actually get to know who the characters are. I didn't see this episode before the actual "Pilot" so I was a bit confused on why we are going backwards. But after watching "Putting Out Fires" first, the "Pilot" makes more sense. We get to see how first-son Skip came to the White House from college, where he has been the last seven years. We also get a better sense who the two younger kids are. I also had no idea that Emily is actually the President's second wife, so she is the step mother of all four kids. "Putting Out Fires" makes that more clear. The "Pilot" episode revolves a lot around Becca's pregnancy, and "Putting Out Fires" shows us how it got "leaked." And that episode shows the comedic skills of Josh Gad better.

There is another episode we got for review as well titled "Everything's Nice in the Pool." I assume this will be aired third. It continues the central plot of Becca's pregnancy and we see the President having tracked down the "baby daddy" (that's two words). Rene Auberjonois guest stars in this episode and I kept thinking of his character from Benson, where he worked at the Governor's mansion...now he is working at the White House, but unfortunately he isn't playing Clayton Endicott III. He plays an aide to First Lady Gilchrist in this episode and as always he does a fine job. I really like the performances of Josh Gad as Skip and Martha MacIsaac as Becca in this series so far. Gad steals every scene he is and is very wacky. I just can't imagine a first-son being like this. Fortunately the second son Xander is more sane. Anyhow, Gad is definitely the funniest on this show and you can tell it is more about him than the President. He is especially funny in "Putting Out Fires" and "Everything's Nice in the Pool." Since I saw the "Pilot" first I kept thinking 'who is this guy and why is he so weird?' but he will grow on you. And since you all will see "Putting Out Fires" first, you'll love him at first sight.

I would like to see more chemistry between The President and First Lady. They don't have much interaction yet, which doesn't seem that realistic. We see the President interacting with the kids more and the same goes for The First Lady. Jenna Elfman is however doing a good job in this series so far and Bill Pullman looks exactly like a President type (come on he was also President in Independence Day!). I also think the press secretary Marshall Malloy (one episode said his name was Marshall Mathers through) is very good on this show. He is funny, smart and gets things done. Hopefully the actual press secretary we have at the White House in real life is like him!


Conclusion:

First off, today is Bill Pullman's 59th birthday, so Happy Birthday, Mr. President! This series is NBC's answer to Modern Family but I just don't think it will do anywhere near that series in ratings. It will have a solid sampling following The Voice tonight, but come January it is getting the low-rated and tired The Office as its lead-in. This comedy is going for more of a broad audience and nothing on NBC Thursday goes after a broad audience. NBC would have been better off launching this in September after Go On rather than The New Normal. It would have had a nice two months or so of great press thanks to the Election. I think that was a missed opportunity. Now it is likely going to get lost in NBC's dead schedule this winter, which is a shame.

As for the Modern Family meets The West Wing, that is a fair tagline. However, the show is not there yet in quality of those shows and rightfully so. It has potential but it could get tiresome really quick (think That's My Bush!). Right now the best series dealing with the White House is Scandal and probably Veep. The latter is a comedy so that is more of a fair comparison, but I don't think this show is going after awards like those shows. This show is more broad and wackier. This show knows what it is and NBC is banking on it being a broad success. It is much better than the first-run syndicated sitcom The First Family by a lot, though. I personally did like the show a lot, especially the episodes "Putting Out Fires" and "Everything's Nice in the Pool." The "Pilot" is a little confusing at first, but still had solid laughs. Josh Gad is a star in the making on television and it will be nice to see him shine on this vehicle. I loved his performance last season on the Modern Family episode "Punkin Chunkin" and he will bring that type of energy on this show. The First-Son is front and center of this show! Skip for President!


Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):

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

Discuss the show after you watch it on Monday, December 17 on our message board.

Related Links:

  • NBC.com Official Site
  • TV.com
  • epguides.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia
  • 1600 Penn Photo Gallery

    Preview:






    The Honeymooners

    From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, WPIX11 is NY's home for The Honeymooners. New Yorkers have been ringing in the New Year with Ralphie Boy on WPIX11 since 1996, when The Honeymooners Marathon (which began airing on the station in 1976) moved to New Year's Eve. This year, the WPIX11 Honeymooners Marathon of 26 classic episodes begins Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11pm and runs until 4am – with a break for WPIX11 Morning News – then resumes at 9am and runs until 5pm on January 1, 2013 for a total of 13 total hours.

    The WPIX11 Honeymooners Marathon featuring our favorite Brooklyn residents Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason), Ed Norton (Art Carney), Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) and Trixie Norton (Joyce Randolph) will include the following episodes in order of airing: "T'was the Night Before Christmas, "Man From Space," "Pal O'Mine," "Brother Ralph," "Hello Mom," "The Baby Sitter," "A Dog's Life, "Pardon My Glove," "Head of the House," and Alice and the Blonde" from 11pm-4am. Then a five-hour break for the PIX11 Morning News from 4am-9am before more classic episodes air: "TV or Not TV," "Funny Money," "The Golfer," "A Woman's Work is Never Done," "A Matter of Life and Death," "The Sleepwalker," "Better Living Through TV," "A Matter of Record," "The $99,000 Answer," "Mama Loves Mambo," "Please Leave the Premises," "The Worry Wart," "Unconventional Behavior," "Dial J for Janitor," "A Man's Pride," and "Young at Heart." So ring in the new year with Ralphie Boy, New York! The Honeymooners regularly airs on WPIX every Sunday night (early Monday mornings) from 2-4am and the sitcom just had a marathon on Thanksgiving Day.

  • Thursday, November 08, 2012

    The Honeymooners Thanksgiving Day Marathon on WPIX; Remembering Clive Dunn (Dad's Army) and Leonard Termo (Owner of Joe's Fruits on Seinfeld)

    The Honeymooners
    New York's WPIX is well known for airing The Honeymooners for more than four decades. From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, WPIX11 is New York's home for The Honeymooners. New Yorkers have been ringing in the New Year with Ralphie Boy on WPIX11 since 1996, when The Honeymooners Marathon (which began airing on the station in 1976) moved to New Year's Eve.

    WPIX will once again air the Thanksgiving staple The March of the Wooden Soldiers at Thursday, November 22 at 9am. The 1934 classic film has the classic comic team of Laurel and Hardy star in this lighthearted version of Victor Herbert's classic operetta about a fantasy world where toys are made and nursery-rhyme characters live. In this rendition, Stan and Ollie help save Toyland from the Bog. Then it's a 6-hour marathon of The Honeymooners from 11am-5pm. 12 of the "lost" episodes will be featured. Episodes airing in the marathon are: "Letter to the Boss" (11/14/53), "One Big Happy Family" (04/09/55), "The Man in the Blue Suit" (05/01/54), "Hair-Raising Tale" (05/08/54), "Vacation at Fred's Landing" ("Vacation Plans") (06/19/54), "Brother-in-Law" (11/27/54), "Peacemaker" 03/05/55), "Songwriters" (12/11/54), "Move Uptown" (04/24/54), "Boys and Girls Together" (04/23/55), "Songs and Witty Sayings, Pt. 1" (05/14/55), and "Songs and Witty Sayings, Pt. 2" (05/14/55). Bang, zoom, straight to the Moon!

    The Odd Couple has aired in marathons on Thanksgiving Day on WPIX the past two years, but this year it will be The Honeymooners. We mentioned back in August that The Honeymooners can currently be seen late Sunday nights from 2-4am. Stay with us for details on their annual New Year's Day marathon and any other stunts.

    Clive Dunn

    English actor Clive Dunn, best known for his role as Lance-Corporal Jack Jones in the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army, has died. He died in Portugal on November 6 from complications following an operation which took place earlier in the week. Mr. Dunn was 92.

    Dunn first appeared as a regular in the British comedy Bootsie and Snudge as the old dogsbody Harry Johnson from 1960-1963. In 1968, he landed the role Lance-Corporal Jack Jones, the local butcher, on Dad's Army. The show was broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. It was one of Britain's most popular sitcoms and ran for 9 series and 80 episodes. Dunn later starred as retired and embittered engine driver Sam Cobbett in the short-lived British sitcom My Old Man from 1974-1975. His final lead role was as Charlie Quick, the caretaker at a village hall, on Grandad from 1979-1984. He also performed the show's theme song. Survivors include his wife, Priscilla Morgan, and their two daughters, Polly and Jessica. Mr. Dunn was a British comedy legend. He will be sorely missed.

    Leonard Termo

    Character actor Leonard Termo, who appeared in the memorable Seinfeld episode "The Mango," has died. He died peacefully in his sleep on October 30 at his home in Santa Clarita, California. Mr. Termo was 77.

    Termo played Joe, the owner of Joe's Fruits, in the fifth season premiere episode of Seinfeld titled "The Mango." Kramer takes a bite out of a bad peach, and attempts to return the fruit to the store where he got it. After he insults Joe, he is banned from the store. Jerry is also banned from the store when he attempts to buy fruits for Kramer. George is later able to buy the fruits for both Kramer and Jerry. After he eats one of Joe's mangoes, he exclaims "I think it moved!"

    His other television guest appearances included Wiseguy, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and The Huntress. Termo appeared in five movies with his friend Mickey Rourke: The Pope of Greenwich Village, Year of the Dragon, Barfly, A Prayer for the Dying and Homeboy. His other film credits included Heart Like a Wheel, The Cotton Club, Johnny Dangerously, Turk 182!, Ruby, Ed Wood, Lost Highway, Fight Club and Ali. Mr. Termo was a fine character actor. We loved his quotes on Seinfeld. He will be greatly missed.

    Wednesday, March 07, 2012

    ABC Family Acquires The Middle For Fall 2013, Also In Local Syndication; TV One's March Sitcom Madness


    The Middle

    Warner Bros. Television has sold the ABC hit family sitcom The Middle into broadcast syndication and cable for Fall 2013! In broadcast syndication, Tribune Broadcasting stations will air it in 11 markets, including WPIX-CW New York, KTLA-CW Los Angeles and WGN-CW Chicago. Also, Sinclair Broadcast Group has picked up the sitcom in 19 markets, including Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Middle has been cleared on stations reaching 92% of TV homes so far, having also been sold to stations owned by CBS, Communications Corp., Raycom, Newport, Belo, Cox, Local TV, New Age Media, Titan, Grant, News Press & Gazette, Barrington, Mission, Venture, LIN, Pappas, Weigel, Acme, and others. A full list of stations will be available closer to fall 2013. More clearances will come.
    As for cable, The Middle has been acquired by ABC Family for also fall 2013. This marks the first major current sitcom acquisition by the network, as the other comedies they previously acquired were of canceled sitcoms like My Wife & Kids and 8 Simple Rules or older comedies like That '70s Show and Full House. The hit family sitcom will likely air in the early evenings, probably sometime between 6-8pm during family time. We'll have more on that as we get closer to fall 2013, as we are still a while away!
    The series premiered in fall 2009 on ABC (Wednesdays at 8PM) and is currently in its third season. By the time the series hits syndication, it will have four full seasons of episodes to air five-days-a-week. Two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country in Orson, Indiana, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and working mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor in an attempt to get her family through each day intact. The Middle stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue, Atticus Shaffer as Brick and Chris Kattan as Bob. It is created and is executive produced by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline.


    It's March and sports fans know that March means it's time for March Madness (the college basketball tournament). TV One will have its own March Madness with Sitcom Madness! TV One will air sitcom marathons every weekday all-month long from 11am-5pm. The stunt started this week on Monday (March 5) and will continue through Friday, March 30, so you have plenty of time to join the Sitcom Madness! On Mondays, TV One will air six hours of Martin in March. On Tuesdays, spend the day with twelve helpings of The Jeffersons from 11am-5pm. The sitcoms continue mid-week with Good Times on Wednesdays. On Thursday, it's not a half marathon but we get a Half & Half marathon. And close the week out on Fridays with Eve. That's five different sitcoms, so what show do you think is the best show from these five if TV One were doing a bracket style elimination? Luckily they're not, so you can watch all five series if you like them!
    Everything else on TV One in March will remain as it is, as the 11am-5pm portion is preempted this month for these marathons. No other stunts are planned, so it's all about the Sitcom Madness in March!

    Tuesday, December 20, 2011

    Close Out 2011 and Ring in 2012 With The Honeymooners Marathon on WPIX; Possible Syndication for Hot in Cleveland On The Way


    The Honeymooners

    As we hinted last month, WPIX in New York will continue their tradition of airing The Honeymooners on New Year's Eve. From the Gotham Bus Company depot to the Raccoon Lodge, WPIX11 is NY's home for The Honeymooners. New Yorkers have been ringing in the New Year with Ralphie Boy on WPIX11 since 1996, when The Honeymooners Marathon (which began airing on the station in 1976) moved to New Year's Eve. This year, the marathon of 38 classic episodes begins Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 11pm and runs for 19 consecutive hours to 6pm on New Year's Day - Sunday, January 1, 2012. No break for kids series or news this year, so stay up for 19 straight hours for non-stop laughs!
    The PIX11 Honeymooners Marathon featuring our favorite Brooklyn residents Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason), Ed Norton (Art Carney), Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) and Trixie Norton (Joyce Randolph) will include the following episodes which will air in original broadcast order: "TV or Not TV," "Funny Money," "The Golfer," "A Woman's Work is Never Done," "A Matter of Life and Death," "The Sleepwalker," "Better Living Through TV," "Pal O'Mine," "Brother Ralph," "Hello Mom," "The Deciding Vote," "Something Fishy," "The Man from Space," "A Matter of Record," "Oh, My Aching Back," "The Babysitter," "The $99,000 Answer," "Ralph Kramden, Inc.," "Young at Heart," "A Dog's Life," "Here Comes the Bride," "Mama Loves Mambo," "Please Leave the Premises," "Pardon My Glove," "Young Man with a Horn," "Head of the House," "The Worry Wart," "Trapped," "The Loudspeaker," "On Stage," "Opportunity Knocks But," "Unconventional Behavior," "The Safety Award," "Mind Your Own Business," "Alice and the Blonde," "The Bensonhurst Bomber," "Dial J for Janitor," and "A Man's Pride." So they are airing the classic 39 episodes, with only the Christmas episode missing from this list. But as we mentioned, on Christmas Eve, WPIX will air the Christmas episode of The Honeymooners at 11:30pm.

    CBS Television Distribution has acquired the exclusive broadcast domestic distribution rights for TV Land's hit sitcom Hot in Cleveland. The series premiered on TV Land in June 2010, opening to an audience of nearly six million viewers in live+seven day viewing, the largest in the network's history. The first season consisted of ten episodes. Through its past two full seasons, the sitcom has averaged 3.5 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. It was such an immediate hit that in July 2010, TV Land renewed it for a second season after just a month, which premiered in January 2011 for 22 episodes. Production on season three began in September and began airing on November 30 and 24 total episodes will air this season. By the end of this production cycle, there will be 56 episodes of the show. Local broadcast stations want to have at least 88 episodes of a series available in order to air it five days a week. If the ratings continue to be decent, look for them to reach that goal, especially since they are already thinking of syndication. CBS and TV Land will begin selling the series to broadcast stations in six to nine month, so stay with us and we'll let you know where it is headed in the land of reruns.

    Tuesday, November 22, 2011

    INSP Acquires Happy Days, Little House; The Yule Log Celebrates 45 Years on WPIX, To Air On Many Stations


    Happy Days

    INSP has acquired the rights to air the classic sitcom Happy Days and the family drama Little House on the Prairie. Both programs will start airing in January, 2012. The new programming kicks off with the Little House on the Prairie "Premiere Marathon" on New Year's Day (Sunday, Jan. 1) starting at 1pm. We'll have more on its regular timeslots at a later date. One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock, rock...jukeboxes...sock hops....poodle skirts...rockin' and rollin' all week long, those Happy Days are here again – on INSP starting Monday, Jan. 2! Fonz and the gang will join the weekday line-up on Jan. 2, airing weeknights at 6pm. These two series will join the INSP schedule that already consists of classics like The Brady Bunch, Our House, The Big Valley, The Waltons, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. All of those series are still expected to remain on the schedule, but we will bring you that full January 2012 schedule as soon as INSP is ready to announce it! So hang tight, but get ready for these two classics!

    Elsewhere on INSP, this holiday season they will showcase many holiday episodes from their series. First, "The Young Whippersnapper Marathon" airs Friday, November 25, 2011 (Black Friday) from 2PM-2AM and will feature Regis Philbin, William Shatner, Richard Dreyfus, Adam West and MORE in The Big Valley: Young Whippersnappers Marathon. The Waltons: The Children's Carol will air on Saturday, December 17 at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT and again on Friday, December 23 at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT. You can also catch Christmas episodes from the other INSP series on Thursday, December 22 starting with The Waltons at 1:30pm, then The Brady Bunch, The Big Valley, Dr. Quinn, and Our House in their normal time periods. A Wind At My Back Christmas airs on Sunday, December 11 at 1:00pm ET/10:00am PT, Sunday, December 11 at 12 midnight ET/9:00pm PT, and Friday, December 23 at 2:00pm ET/11:00am PT. And finally, movies airing this holiday season are The Man Who Saved Christmas, The Christmas Box, The Christmas Secret, A Town Without Christmas, An Avonlea Christmas, and The Perfect Gift.
    Stay with us for further updates on INSP, including more on the January 2012 schedule. Sit on it and stay with us!


    It wouldn't be a holiday in New York without the PIX11 Yule Log! The Yule Log, the famous film loop of a burning log in a hearth, has warmed the hearts of viewers since it debuted on WPIX in 1966. To celebrate the fabled fire stick's 45th anniversary, WPIX-11 will air The Yule Log (available in HD) from 9am-1pm on Christmas morning, Sunday, December 25, 2011. Viewers can follow the Yule Log on Twitter @PIXYULELOG and become a fan of the Official Yule Log on Facebook (PIXYuleLog). Log merchandise (including "Nice Log!" and "That's HOT!" boxer shorts) can be found at CafePress.
    In recent years, The Yule Log has been digitally re-mastered and fully restored. In 2001 the original film was color corrected and cleaned. In 2003, the Log was up-converted to High Definition and PIX11 now airs The Yule Log in HD. In 2006, to celebrate the Log's 40th anniversary, Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri and Joe Malzone, the creators of theyulelog.com, restored the audio of The Yule Log and in 2009, with the assistance of "Chip" Arcuri, PIX11 added a new fourth hour to the program, including 23 classic holiday songs. The fourth hour leads off with Mantovani's interpretation of Adeste Fideles, a classic that aired on the Yule Log in the late 1960's, now restored back to the program. The new hour adds 9 artists including Bert Kaempfert, Mitch Miller, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone and Johnny Mathis.

    Not in NY? That's fine! In addition, the PIX11 Yule Log will be airing on the following Tribune Broadcasting Stations on December 25: WXIN/Indianapolis 6-10am, WGN/Chicago 2-5am, WPHL/Philadelphia 7a-11am, WDCW/DC 11:30a-1:30p, KZJO/Seattle 7a-11am, WSFL/Miami 9-11am, WPMT/Harrisburg 5-10am, and WXMI/Grand Rapids 11-11:30am. KRCW/Portland: Universal Sports/NRCW/32.3 will air the Yule Log for 24 hours straight, starting at midnight on Saturday, December 24 and ending at midnight at the end of the holiday on December 25. KTXL/Sacramento will air the Yule Log on their digital subchannel 40.2 beginning at 8pm on Saturday, December 24 through 8am on Sunday, December 25. And nationally you can watch it on Antenna TV from 3-7am ET.

    Also of note WPIX, will air the classic film March of the Wooden Soldiers on Sunday, Dec. 25 from 1-3pm following The Yule Log. Before all that, on Christmas Eve, WPIX will air a Christmas episode of The Odd Couple at 11pm leading into a Christmas episode of The Honeymooners at 11:30pm. What better way to wait up for Santa! And finally, on Sunday, December 31 starting at 11pm, it will be PIX11's Annual Honeymooners Marathon with 19 hours (38 episodes) of non-stop fun! More info will be coming on this soon, so stay with us! To the moon!

    Tuesday, August 30, 2011

    New York City Local Stations Fall 2011 Schedules; Dancing with the Stars Season 13 Cast

    It's that time of year again...fall 2011 schedules for New York City stations! I have for you the full schedules for WABC, WNBC WNYW, WWOR and WPIX. Unfortunately, I couldn't obtain the schedules for WCBS and independent WLNY at press time, but WCBS rarely make changes. We cannot cover every market's local schedules, so we will give you an idea what to expect by giving you the #1 market in the country: New York. And it helps because I live in the market!

    We'll start with WNYW's (Fox5) Fall 2011 schedule. New series this fall are sitcoms The Big Bang Theory airing 7:30pm & 11:30pm starting Sept. 19 and 30 Rock will air Sun-Fri 11:30pm & 12am also starting Sept. 19. New to WNYW this fall will be Inside Edition, airing weekdays at 12 noon starting Sept. 12, as it comes from WPIX, and also new to New York will be Better TV, weekdays at 3am starting Sept. 12. Everything else is will not be new, but we do have some time changes. Judge Alex will come from sister station WWOR and air on WNYW weekdays 1-2pm, replacing Swift Justice. And The Simpsons will now be down to two airings (from three), airing weeknights at 7pm and 12:30am. The Office will be moving to sister station WWOR, but it will air still air on WNYW on weekedays: Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 11pm. Judge Jeanine Pirro was canceled, so it will leave the line-up after this week. True Hollywood Story leaves Sundays at 1am, as TMZ Weekend moves from Saturdays at 12:30pm to Sundays at 1am.

    Sister network WWOR (My9) will be making more changes than WNYW in Fall 2011, as usual. New series this fall are Excused weekdays at 11pm starting Sept. 12, Jeremy Kyle Show weekdays at 4pm starting Sept. 19, Law & Order: Criminal Intent weekdays at 1pm starting Sept. 19, Law & Order weekends at 10pm starting Sept. 19 and The Big Bang Theory weekend play on Sundays from 8-10pm starting Sept. 25. 'Til Death was set to join WWOR, but it has now been pulled. It was slated for weeknights at 2:30am and Saturdays 12:30am & 1am, but WWOR will air paid in all those slots now. New E/I series are Big World Fridays at 7a starting Sept. 9 and Live, Life & Win Wednesdays at 7a starting Sept. 21. Joining the schedule from sister network WNYW will be The Office airing weeknights at 10:30pm & 11:30pm starting Sept. 19. Punk'd and The Hills will join WWOR and share the 2am half-hour Tues-Fri starting Sept. 12. Among the series leaving are My Wife & Kids, America's Funniest Home Videos, Don't Forget the Lyrics, Law & Order: SVU, Deadliest Catch, Dog Tales, and Mystery Hunters. All of those series are leaving broadcast syndication. Current series moving to new timeslots are That '70s Show and Everybody Hates Chris weekdays at 7:30am & 8am starting Sept. 19; a House of Payne airing weekdays at 8:30am starting Sept. 19, Divorce Court moves to 12 noon starting Sept. 12 as Judge Alex moves to WNYW. Weekdays at 11am will be Swift Justice starting Sept. 12, which comes from WNYW. Family Feud moves from 1pm to 2pm starting Sept. 19. The Wendy Williams Show will move to weekdays at 3pm starting Sept. 19, as Everybody Loves Raymond moves to 5-6pm leading into The King of Queens from 6-7pm and How I Met Your Mother from 7-8pm. In late nights, we mentioned The Office and Excused starting at 10:30pm, but My Name is Earl will air at 1am starting week of Sept. 19, as House of Payne moves to 12am. Meet the Browns follows at 12:30pm, pushing South Park to 1:30am. As for weekends, we mentioned The Big Bang Theory on Sundays in primetime, but you can still expect dramas Bones, House, The Unit and The Closer to join new addition Law & Order. & 9pm starting Sept. 18 and Bones will air on weekends at 10pm. Sitcoms on weekends include House of Payne, Meet the Browns, Chris, Raymond, King of Queens, How I Met Your Mother and That '70s Show.

    Moving on to WPIX's (CW11) Fall 2011 schedule. New series this fall are Bill Cunningham Show weekdays at 1pm starting Sept. 19, Anderson weekdays at 4pm starting Sept. 12, POX News at 5P weeknights at 5pm starting Sept. 19, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Mon-Fri nights at 2am starting Sept. 19 and Saturdays 11pm-12am, American Dad! weeknights at 2:30am starting Sept. 19 and Sundays 4-5pm, Last Shot with Judge Gunn weeknights at 3am starting Sept. 26, and Futurama Saturdays 4-5pm and 12-1am starting Sept. 24. New on Saturdays in late night is Live from Daryl's House from 1-2am starting Sept. 24. CW Daytime is will replace Best of Tyra Banks with new series Dr. Drew's Lifechangers, weekdays at 3pm starting Sept. 19. New from WNBC will be America's Court With Judge Ross, weeknights at 3:30am starting Sept. 12. Among the series leaving are Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, George Lopez, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Scrubs, The Odd Couple, Judge Karen, Tyra, Inside Edition, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, Smash Cuts, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe and The Honeymooners. Current series moving to new times are Judge Mathis to weekdays at 2pm, and Friends moves to 12-1am, Saturdays 9-10pm & Sundays 8-9pm.

    Elsewhere, WABC (ABC7), which is #1 in NY and the most watched station in the nation, will add Scrubs to weeknights at 1am, followed by a second run of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire at 1:30am replacing Oprah starting Sept. 12. Scrubs comes from WPIX. It is so nice to see a sitcom on WABC! The Chew of course takes over for All My Children on ABC Daytime at 1pm starting Sept. 26, while ABC Kids on Saturday mornings is leaving and will be replaced by Litton Weekend Adventure series from 10am-1pm starting Sept. 2. Brothers & Sisters will remain Saturdays on late nights and Grey's Anatomy remains on WABC Sunday nights at 11:35am & 12:35am. For WCBS (CBS2), we do not have any updates, so we apologize for that. Nothing is likely changing, though.
    And WNBC (NBC4) will make the most drastic changes of the big three stations, with new court series We the People With Gloria Allred airing at 12:30pm starting Sept. 5. Among schedule changes, The Nate Berkus Show will now air at 2pm leading into lifestyle series New York Live at 3pm, which is being moved here due to the return of news at 5pm on WNBC, which started yesterday. That's all we know for WNBC, because we do not have any weekend updates. As we mentioned, we don't have any details yet on independent WLNY-55.
    View the FULL Fall 20011 schedules for WABC, WNYW, WWOR, and WPIX in New York City! And view the full list of new series coming to local syndication. Stay tuned for updates, if any. From New York, goodnight!

    A dynamic lineup of stars – including a U.S. veteran, an NBA champion, a film and TV star, a TV host and journalist, a Grammy-nominated singer, a supermodel, a reality TV star, a showbiz legacy and activist, and a World Cup star -- will take the stage for the new season of Dancing with the Stars, beginning Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC.
    All 12 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on Monfday, Sept. 19, either performing the Cha Cha Cha or The Viennese Waltz. Airing on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 8:00 p.m., ET., a live, one-hour special, Dancing with the Stars: Meet the Cast, will feature the most exciting moments from Monday night's season premiere performances, with commentary from the judges and never-before-seen footage from the teams' first weeks of training. Then, on the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars the Results Show, at 9:00pm, ET, the couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes for their performance will be sent home in the season's first elimination.
    And the new cast is... Ricki Lake, Ron Artest, Kristin Cavallari, Chynna Phillips, David Arquette, Carson Kressley, Nancy Grace, J.R. Martinez, Hope Solo, Rob Kardashian, Elisabetta Canalis, and Chaz Bono. Read more about them.


    Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Thursday, June 25

    Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Payback and a Partial Shebang" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Georgie’s feud with a rival store threatens his partnership with Ruben. Meanwhile, Mandy finds out Georgie’s been keeping secrets from her.

    Ghosts - "St. Hetty’s Day 2: The Help" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    A St. Patrick’s Day staffing emergency gives Hetty the chance to step into an unlikely role at the restaurant as she regains her once-a-year ability to be seen and heard by the living. Meanwhile, Kyle returns to watch over the ghosts and finds himself caught in an amusing supernatural dynamic.

    The Bear - "Soda" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
    A storm hits.

    The Bear - "Lamb" (FX, 9:32PM ET/PT)
    The staff prepares for the day.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 22)

    Thursday, June 25

    • Olivia Rodrigo (Bizaardvark) - Catch Olivia on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Ego Nwodim (Mr. Throwback) - Andy Cohen interviews Ego on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
    • Lexi Minetree (Elle) - Lexi talks about Elle on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
    • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - The Drew Crew team is sharing their best pro tips including newest Drew Crewer Amirah Kassem sharing how to make the perfect party dish and easy ways to level up hosting on a repeat of the Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Patrick Dempsey (Fast Times) - Patrick discusses The Dempsey Center Foundation on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
    • Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) and Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts/Young Sheldon) - Kerry and Danielle talk about Off Broadway's The Whoopi Monologues with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)

    11/04/25 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11/25 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    11/11/25 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
    11/11/25 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/02/25 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    12/16/25 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    12/16/25 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
    01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
    03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
    04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
    04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
    05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
    07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (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

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