SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount and Warner Merger on Hold; Paramount+ Cancels Crutch

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, a media merger could be falling apart, a Paramount+ series has been canceled, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The merger between Paramount and Warner, which the parties had hoped to finalize in the upcoming weeks, has now been postponed for several months as legal fights against it play out. (Variety)
• In a world where reboots keep getting developed and falling flat on their face, things are going pretty well for King of the Hill, which has been very well received (some fans even saying it is better than it originally was), getting a good audience, and already has two more seasons under development. (Cord Cutters News)
• Crutch has been canceled after just one season, though it's probably not a big deal to Tracy Morgan as he has another sitcom on the air anyway. (Variety)
• The voice cast for the Family Guy spinoff Stewie has been announced. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: Crutch, King of the Hill, Nirvanna the Band the Show, Paramount, President Curtis, SitcomsOnline Digest, Stewie, Warner Bros

Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2026; Netflix Upfront 2026

HBO Max has released the official teaser for the Max Original comedy series Stuart Fails to Save the Universe during the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation in New York. The ten-episode season debuts Thursday, July 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes will debut subsequent Thursdays.

Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don't go well. The series stars Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert), and John Ross Bowie (Barry).

Also announced at the upfront: Adult Swim's new adult animated comedy President Curtis, starring Emmy(R) Award-winning actor Keith David and set in the Rick and Morty universe.

Netflix announced at their upfront presentation that the Kate Hudson led comedy series Running Point has been renewed for a third season. Running Point S3 will continue production in Los Angeles, joining other Netflix projects including the recently released Beef S2, and upcoming releases The Hawk, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, Nobody Wants This S3, The Lincoln Lawyer S5, A Man on the Inside S3, Forever S2, and the film Animals from director Ben Affleck.

Netflix also announced that breakout comedy thriller series Big Mistakes has been renewed for a second season. Netflix and four time Emmy Award-winning multi-hyphenate talent Dan Levy are also extending their creative partnership with a series first-look deal. Netflix also announced six new recurring guest stars joining the cast of The Lincoln Lawyer's fifth and now final season. Amy Aquino, Angela Trimbur, Elpidia Carillo, Nate Corddry, Tricia Helfer and Keir O'Donnell.

Following the success of his latest hit special Mike Epps: Delusional, Netflix has ordered two new one-hour stand-up comedy specials from comedy superstar Mike Epps, extending the streamer's long-running creative partnership with the acclaimed comedian and actor. Both specials are currently in the works, with Netflix eyeing releases in 2028 and 2030.

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

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Labels: Adult Swim, Big Mistakes, HBO Max, Netflix, President Curtis, Rick & Morty, Running Point, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Now Set to Merge with Paramount, Not Netflix; X-Files Reboot Given Greenlight

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about another media merger that seems to be on-again, off-again, a reboot of The X-Files, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• In the never ending story in which what looks like the ending always seems to be changing, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are said to be merging, though there are still some who think that this could be one of the biggest failed media mergers ever. (Hollywood Reporter)
• A reboot of The X-Files has been given the green light. (Deadline)
• Animal Control has been renewed for a fifth season. (TVLine)
• There is some new casting news for the upcoming reboot of A Different World. (Deadline)
• Adult Swim's Smiling Friends is coming to an end after three seasons. (Variety)
• Lauren Chapin, known for her role of Kathy on Father Knows Best, has died at age 80. (Hollywood Reporter)
• AspireTV is getting their first ever original sitcom, Savannah State of Mind. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: A Different World, Animal Control, Father Knows Best, Miami Vice, Paramount, Savannah State of Mind, SitcomsOnline Digest, Smiling Friends, Ted, Warner Bros, X-Files

SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot

   Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a slow week, but we've got news of a reboot, more media merger drama, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• There was a lull for a while, but it seems reboots are hot again, and now NBC wants to reboot The Rockford Files. (Deadline)
• Following a recent arrest, Daniel Stern has been fired from the ABC pilot comedy, Do You Want Kids? (Deadline)
• It's the media merger story that never ends (or really just one big story, as Paramount constantly seems to be involved in some merger discussion somewhere), but as Netflix and Warner are trying to merge, Paramount just won't take no for an answer. (Hollywood Reporter)
• T.K. Carter, known for his role of Mike on Punky Brewster, has died. (AP News)
• In case you missed the Golden Globe Awards, we have the TV winners. (SitcomsOnline)

• The new Netflix comedy Free Bert debuts on Thursday.
• New seasons of game shows Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble (with new host Craig Ferguson) debut Thursday on The CW.
• Catchy Comedy has a binge of The Royal Family and That's My Mama tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Do You Want Kids?, Free Bert, Golden Globes, Paramount, Punky Brewster, Rockford Files, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner/Netflix Merger Gets Complicated; Steve Carell Comedy Rooster Coming to HBO Max in March

   Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning more about a media merger, learning more details about some new streaming series starring some of our favorites, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Last week, it was announced that, after appearing for several weeks that Paramount would acquire Warner Bros Discovery, Netflix would be the one to acquire it... but now it's gotten far more complicated and Paramount is doing everything that it possibly can to get it. (Deadline)
• Bill Lawrence's new HBO Max comedy starring Steve Carell now has a title, Rooster. (Variety)
• Hugh Laurie is joining Amy Poehler in Dig, a new Mike Schur comedy that will air on Peacock. (Variety)
• HBO Max has launched some new linear channels on the streaming service, including channels for Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and more. (Cord Cutters News)
• This is one we weren't expecting: The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series, which has never been on home media in any format, is coming to Blu-ray in February. (Animated Views)
• Rowan Atkinson says he dislikes Mr. Bean as a person, but likes him as a character. (Deadline)
• The final season of The Upshaws premieres January 15 on Netflix. (SitcomsOnline)

• In honor of Dick Van Dyke's 100th birthday, Catchy Comedy has an extended weekend long binge of The Dick Van Dyke Show this weekend.
• Antenna TV has a "Sunday Special" of Barney Miller tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Dick Van Dyke Show, Dig, Friends, HBO Max, Mr. Bean, Rooster, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Big Bang Theory, The Flintstones, The New Fred and Barney Show, The Upshaws, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair; Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a busy week, with news about the Malcolm in the Middle reboot, a massive media merger, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• We are getting our first look at Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair. (Variety)
• Media mergers are getting bigger and bigger all the time, and this week, it was announced that Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (but not the cable channels). (AP News)
• Meanwhile, Versant (the cable channel spinoff of NBCUniversal) has announced some changes for them, including acquiring Free TV Networks. (Deadline)
• CBS is developing Auntie Supreme, a new comedy about a life coach who decides to co-parent her nieces with her brother-in-law. (Deadline)
• As we mentioned last week, Mad Men is now on HBO Max... but as it turns out, they were given some alternative 4K versions that included errors that audiences were never intended to see. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The CBS Evening News is about to be completely anchorless, as now Maurice DuBois has announced he is leaving. (Variety)
• MeTV has announced their new January lineup, which includes four new shows. (SitcomsOnline)
• Unedited episodes of The Carol Burnett Show are coming to FETV. (SitcomsOnline)

• As Dick Van Dyke's 100th birthday approaches, PBS has an American Masters special about him on Friday.
• Saturday Night Live is back tonight with host Melissa McCarthy.
• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Christmas sitcom favorites tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Auntie Supreme, Carol Burnett Show, Dick Van Dyke, Mad Men, Malcolm in the Middle, Netflix, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Versant, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Scrubs Reboot; Mad Men Coming to HBO Max

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a bit of a slow Thanksgiving week, but we have news about the Scrubs reboot, a new acquisition for HBO Max, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• We have our first trailer for the new Scrubs reboot. (Variety)
• There are still a lot of unknowns in the race to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, but right now, it's looking like Paramount is the one with the edge. (Cord Cutters News)
• Mad Men is coming to HBO Max on Monday. (Hollywood Reporter)
• COZI TV has acquired two new shows for their lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

• Antenna TV still has their Wings marathon that goes through tomorrow.
• MeTV is going full Christmas mode this weekend, with Christmas episodes of all of your favorites, including a special Svengoolie presentation of A Very Brady Christmas tonight.
• Tomorrow's Catchy Binge on Catchy Comedy features That's My Mama and Good Times.
• Mad Men arrives on HBO Max on Monday.

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

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Labels: Cozi TV, Good Times, HBO Max, Mad Men, Paramount, Scrubs, That's My Mama, The Brady Bunch, Warner Bros, Wings

SitcomsOnline Digest: Frankie Muniz Shares Photo Outside Studio for Malcolm in the Middle Reboot; Warner Bros. Discovery Still Looking for New Owner

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! The news isn't moving fast again this week, but we've got a little for you. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It may not be so much newsworthy, but Frankie Muniz has shared a photo of himself and two of his TV series brothers from outside the studio for the Malcolm in the Middle reboot, which will be arriving in December. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Paramount would like to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, but it seems that Warner Bros. Discovery is rejecting their offers. (Deadline)
• The Stranger Things series finale will air in theaters, simultaneously with the release on Netflix, on December 31. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Have you noticed local news has gotten a little less... local? Because it has. (Cord Cutters News)
• The wait time between theater to home video to broadcast TV for movies used to take years, but NBC is about to collapse that as they air last year's Wicked in primetime next month. (Variety)
• Here Come the Brides is headed to FETV. (SitcomsOnline)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of The Flying Nun tomorrow.
• We repeat this every year (because it has become an annual thing), but for Halloween, Antenna TV has a Bewitched marathon and Rewind TV has a Sabrina, the Teenage Witch marathon.
• Similarly, COZI has their annual marathon of The Munsters on Friday evening, though a new one joining it is a marathon of the series Friday morning on FETV.

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

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Labels: Bewitched, Flying Nun, Here Come the Brides, Malcolm in the Middle, Paramount, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, SitcomsOnline Digest, Stranger Things, The Munsters, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Looking to Merge with Warner Bros. Discovery; Samsung TV+ Adds Late Night with David Letterman

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a very busy news week, with another possible media merger in the works, more Saturday Night Live casting news, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Media merger talks are in full swing again, and now it seems that Paramount is looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. (Deadline)
• For those who have access to Samsung TV+ (either via a Samsung phone or television), there is a David Letterman channel which already had episodes of The Late Show with David Letterman, but now they've added his first talk show, Late Night with David Letterman. (Variety)
• This is a cast exit that we didn't quite see coming from Saturday Night Live: Ego Nwodim is leaving the show. (Deadline)
• It seems that it was a little less than Two and a Half Men when it came to salaries, because Jon Cryer revealed that his pay was about 1/3 of Charlie Sheen's. (Variety)
• Rainn Wilson is talking about the spinoff of The Office focused on Dwight that never happened. (Variety)
• The Emmy Awards tomorrow night will feature a tribute to The Golden Girls. (Deadline)
• ABC is developing a food truck workplace comedy, from David E. Kelley. (Deadline)
• Going Dutch has a new show runner for the upcoming season. (Deadline)
• A current season South Park episode has been pulled in light of current events, though it is still on Paramount+ (for now). (Deadline)
• Polly Holliday, known for her role of Flo on Alice, has died (which also means that every member of the original cast is no longer with us). (SitcomsOnline)

• A new season of Futurama arrives Monday on FXX and Hulu.
• The Emmy Awards air tomorrow on CBS.
• Antenna TV has a Hazel Sunday Special tomorrow.
• The Catchy Comedy binge tomorrow is The Doris Day Show.
• You can stream Law & Order for free now as a FAST channel, available on Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, and more.

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

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Labels: Alice, Flo, Golden Girls, Late Night with David Letterman, Paramount, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, South Park, The Office, Two and a Half Men, Warner Bros

Warner Bros. Discovery Separates Company; Peacock's Jennifer Garner Series Adds to Cast

Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to separate the company, in a tax-free transaction, into two publicly traded companies, enabling each to maximize its potential. The Streaming & Studios company will consist of Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and HBO Max, as well as their legendary film and television libraries. Global Networks will include premier entertainment, sports and news television brands around the world including CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S., and Discovery, top free-to-air channels across Europe, and digital products such as the profitable Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report (B/R). Building on the achievements realized over the past three years, the planned separation will unlock value for shareholders as well as create opportunities for both new businesses to thrive by:

Equipping each to be faster and more aggressive in pursuing opportunities that strengthen their competitive positions.
Forming world-class management teams focused on creating greater strategic flexibility and focus so that each business can invest in and pursue its operational and financial goals.
Enabling each company to be more agile and attract a shareholder base aligned with its growth prospects and financial profiles.

Chloë Sevigny (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Big Love) has joined as a series regular in Peacock's upcoming drama series The Five-Star Weekend. She joins star, executive producer, Golden Globe-winning and Emmy Award-nominated actress Jennifer Garner (The Last Thing He Told Me, Yes Day, Alias, Daredevil) and Regina Hall (One Battle After Another, Girls Trip).

Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner), a famed food influencer known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste and warm demeanor suffers a devastating loss. Unable to move forward, the death starts to expose the cracks in Hollis's picture-perfect life - her strained marriage, her complicated relationship with her daughter and her growing pursuit of validation from her followers. In an effort to overcome grief and find herself again, Hollis gets the idea to host a weekend away at her house on Nantucket with three friends from different stages in her life: her childhood, her 20's, 30's and one surprise fifth star. Set against a luxurious and coastal backdrop, they will mature in ways they could never imagine as boundaries are pushed and secrets are exposed.

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

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Labels: Discovery Channel, HBO, HBO Max, Peacock, TNT, Warner Bros

2025 Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront; 2025 Netflix Upfront

At the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation in New York yesterday, it was announced that Max, the company's premier streaming platform, will be rebranded HBO Max this summer. Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO of the Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, announced programming plans and outlined a vision for the entertainment networks during the 2025 Upfront presentation for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Dungey, who assumed oversight of such brands as Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, TBS, TNT, TLC, Adult Swim, OWN and others in January, shared her top priorities for the portfolio which are to create the next generation of culture-shaping programming, broaden collaboration with WBD's streaming platform HBO Max(R) to attract unique audiences, and enhance and extend the power of the group's premium brands.

Dungey announced several exciting new series for 2025/2026 during the presentation to advertisers at Madison Square Garden, including:

· Food Network's competition show Family Recipe Showdown, produced and hosted by Academy Award(R)-winning actress Octavia Spencer, and Guy's Flavortown Games (wt), featuring Emmy(R) Award-winning host and restaurateur Guy Fieri;
· Discovery's Dancing With Sharks (wt), a Shark Week special hosted by Emmy(R) Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron;
· Investigation Discovery's (ID) They Know What They Did, narrated and executive produced by Golden Globe(R) Award-nominated actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. ID also will premiere a compelling new series that features an unprecedented collaboration between Vanity Fair Studios and Dick Wolf's Wolf Entertainment;
· HGTV's latest home renovation competition Renovating the Bachelor Mansion (wt); and
· OWN's new reality series Heart & Hustle: Houston (wt).

Dungey also previewed TLC's upcoming 90 Day: Hunt for Love, the next spin-off in the 90 Day Fiancé juggernaut, and TNT's High Value Target (wt), a new scripted limited series about the interrogation of Saddam Hussein. She also confirmed that the first season of HBO Max(R) and Warner Bros. Television's breakout hit medical drama The Pitt will premiere on TNT in advance of the show's season two premiere on HBO Max(R). These are among the many popular series that will return for new seasons: Food Network's Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, HGTV's Ugliest House in America, and Adult Swim's Rick and Morty and My Adventures with Superman.

At Netflix's third Upfront presentation, it was no secret that Netflix continues to deliver quality and variety in its series and films, which drives engagement and attention.

New Title Announcements:
Untitled Dan Levy - A new comedy series starring Dan Levy, Laurie Metcalf and Taylor Ortega.
All the Sinners Bleed - In this series, the first Black sheriff in a small Bible Belt community must lead the hunt for a serial killer.
The Body - A gritty, coming-of-age drama created by Quinn Shepherd, following a group of badly behaved girls who begin having prophetic visions and set off mass hysteria in their town.
Fight for '84 - After the US Olympic boxing team is tragically killed in a plane crash in 1980, a new coach (Jamie Foxx) is brought in to rebuild the team and leads them to victory in the 1984 Olympics in this upcoming movie.
Here Comes the Flood - Starring Denzel Washington and Daisy Edgar-Jones, this new film chronicles a bank guard plotting with a master thief to steal, the rise and fall of his relationship with a bank teller and a series of twists that unveil the con game at the center of it all.
PRIME TIME - A new documentary series that will peel back the layers of Deion Sanders, one of sports’ most electrifying and polarizing figures.
Star Search - The iconic talent competition series is officially returning — live, reimagined, and supercharged for today’s audience.

New Live Events:
NFL Christmas Gameday (2025)

Series Renewals:
Bridgerton Seasons 5 & 6
Forever Season 2
Love on the Spectrum Season 4
Million Dollar Secret Season 2
My Life with the Walter Boys Season 3
Survival of the Thickest Season 3
The Diplomat Season 4
The Four Seasons Season 2

Release Date Announcements:
On Netflix This August
America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys

On Netflix This Summer
Building the Band

On Netflix 2026
The Golden Ticket

Release Date Announcement and Assets:
On Netflix Early 2026
Bridgerton Season 4 New Clip

Tyler Perry's Straw New Asset
Wednesday Season 2 New Asset
The Old Guard 2 Trailer

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

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Labels: Adult Swim, Big Mistakes, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Netflix, Rick & Morty, Warner Bros

The Neighborhood Renewed for Final Season; Max's The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast

CBS announced that its long-running hit comedy series The Neighborhood will return for an eighth and final season, to broadcast during the 2025-2026 television season on the Network, and available to stream on Paramount+.

Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Tichina Arnold, Sheaun McKinney, Marcel Spears and Skye Townsend star in The Neighborhood. Bill Martin, Mike Schiff, Aaron Kaplan, Wendi Trilling, Cedric the Entertainer and Eric Rhone serve as executive producers. The Neighborhood is produced by CBS Studios.

Max and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television have announced The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, an exclusive source for all things about the beloved show, debuting March 17. Hosted and executive produced by Jessica Radloff, New York Times bestselling author of The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, the podcast will analyze and explore every episode starting with seasons one and two with the cast and crew who were instrumental in the creation of the series.

Fans will get to hear backstage secrets and previously unheard stories as well as learn about the creative process and decision-making that brought each episode to life through conversations with guests like director James Burrows and cast members Kunal Nayyar, Kevin Sussman, and John Ross Bowie. The first podcast episode will offer a special look into the unaired pilot with co-creator Chuck Lorre and former Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Peter Roth. Additional guests include Sara Gilbert, Christine Baranski, Vernee Watson, Sara Rue, and many more.

Listen to the trailer here.

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

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Labels: CBS, Max, The Big Bang Theory, The Neighborhood, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: Another Major Media Merger in the Works?; Digital Network Dabl Shifts Focus to Sitcoms

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're heading into Christmas week, but surprisingly, we have lots of news, including another possible media merger (that we imagine will face a lot of scrutiny), news about a programming format change for a digital broadcast network, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It seems that there are talks to merge Warner Bros and Paramount, though it is likely to face a lot of scrutiny. (Deadline)
• In related news (and probably something that would be necessary if the two media companies were to merge), it looks like BET (and related assets, including VH1) may be up for sale again, with Byron Allen interested in purchasing. (Variety)
• If you liked Run the Burbs when it aired on The CW, you won't be losing the chance to see it, as Hulu has now picked it up in an unrelated deal. (Deadline)
• The reboots never stop, and this week, there are talks of one for The X-Files. (Deadline)
• The network has remained quiet and refused to comment on it, but a major schedule change is coming to digital TV network Dabl (will it even still be called Dabl?) next week, and it includes nothing but episodes of mostly old UPN (and a tiny bit of The WB/The CW) sitcoms, including The Parkers, Half & Half, Moesha, Girlfriends, One on One, Sister, Sister, and The Game. (Cord Cutters News)
• John Stamos is remembering Bob Saget as the anniversary of his death approaches. (Deadline)
• Since the approach that The CW was taking to air international sitcoms turned out to be a huge disaster, they're now turning to airing reruns of American broadcast network sitcoms that are still airing in primetime, or at least doing it in one case with The Conners. (SitcomsOnline)
• Three's Company is back on DVD again, and this time, it includes every episode of both spinoffs. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 29)

• Night Court begins season 2 in January, but if you can't wait for a new episode, NBC has a Christmas one tonight, along with a sneak preview of the new sitcom Extended Family.
• South Park: Not Suitable for Children is now streaming on Paramount+, and it really isn't suitable for children.
• Catchy Comedy has a "Christmas Carol" this weekend, with a binge of Carol Burnett and Friends.

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

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Labels: BET, Dabl, Girlfriends, Half and Half, Moesha, One on One, Paramount, Run the Burbs, Sister Sister, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Conners, The Parkers, Warner Bros, X-Files

Whoa Mama! Urkel Is Back for the Holidays!; Hulu Gets Such Brave Girls Comedy

"Whoa Mama!" Grab your favorite pair of suspenders, hike up those pants, and get ready to celebrate the holidays with Steve Urkel. From executive producer Wyatt Cenac, Warner Bros. Animation, and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment comes Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie!, an all-new animated holiday movie musical for the whole family to enjoy. Starring the beloved and kind-hearted Steve Urkel, the breakout character from the series Family Matters, Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! features the voices of Jaleel White (as Steve Urkel), joined by Nicole Byer (Nailed It), Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show), and Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry). The film will be available exclusively on Digital from participating digital platforms where you purchase movies, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and more, on November 21, 2023.

The holiday season is here, and brilliant but accident-prone super genius Steve Urkel has only one mission: to make the holidays the best they can be for everyone! However, things are off to a not so merry start after he ruins a celebration at his local shopping mall and humiliates the department store Santa. Hoping to make things right, Steve invents a device that helps people spread holiday cheer but it only manages to make things worse. Using his big brain and even bigger heart, it’s up to Steve to help the city rediscover the holiday spirit. Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The film is co-directed by Bryan Newton, who also serves as supervising producer, Richard Pose and Jojo Ramos Patrick and written by Wyatt Cenac who also serves as executive producer. Jaleel White serves as producer. Robert L. Boyett and Sam Register serve as executive producers.

A new Hulu comedy called Such Brave Girls, a dysfunctional family comedy starring, created and written by comedian Kat Sadler premieres on Hulu Friday, December 15. 6 episodes will drop. Dysfunctional family sitcom following sisters Josie (Kat Sadler) and Billie (played by Kat’s real-life sister, Lizzie Davidson) and their single mother Deb (Louise Brealey) navigating life armed with nothing but poor judgement and self-esteem exclusively tied to people who couldn't care less about them. They're vain, selfish, heavily in debt, pathologically desperate for affection and bursting with misplaced, terrifying love. Cast: Kat Sadler, Lizzie Davidson, Louise Brealey and Paul Bazely.

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

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Labels: Family Matters, Hulu, Jaleel White, Such Brave Girls, Warner Bros, Warner Home Video, WarnerMedia

Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2023; Sarah Silverman HBO Special Premieres May 27

The eleven-episode second season of the Max Original series And Just Like That..., from executive producer Michael Patrick King, will debut with two episodes on Thursday, June 22 on Max. The following nine episodes will premiere weekly on Thursdays.

Returning series regulars include Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sara Ramírez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Christopher Jackson, Niall Cunningham, Cathy Ang and Alexa Swinton.

Robert Downey Jr. loves restoring classic cars. But he's also become dedicated to fighting climate change. So he's bringing his beloved old cars into the future, making them faster, more powerful, and more efficient while keeping their souls intact.

The HBO Original stand-up comedy special Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love debuts Saturday, May 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET on Max and will air at 10:15 p.m. ET / PT on HBO. Emmy®-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer Sarah Silverman returns with her first HBO comedy special since 2013's acclaimed Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles. Filmed at The Wilbur Theater in Boston, Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love features the New England native showcasing her fearless chutzpah.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 2:45 PM

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Labels: And Just Like That..., Conan O'Brien, Discovery Channel, HBO, HBO Max, Max, TBS, TNT, truTV, Upfronts, Warner Bros, WarnerMedia

Fri-Yay: The End of Friends on Netflix; Remembering Rip Torn of The Larry Sanders Show and Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce

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!

by Vincent

Well, another sitcom on Netflix has bitten the dust -or, rather, will soon. Warner Bros. (WarnerMedia) announced this week it will be launching its own streaming service this fall, so all Warner-related properties will be removed from Netflix and other streaming services and onto the Warner-exclusive app. It's just the latest sitcom to be removed from the site (although to be fair, the service is planning on launching next year, so you still have a few months to get your Friends fix), however, the trend is clear and has been for a while. Netflix is losing much of its streaming library as other companies are looking to cash in on the streaming trend.

Whether or not you're a fan of Friends or The Office or any of the sitcoms that will be leaving the service for greener pastures, this news no doubt has a large effect on the future of streaming services. If you're someone who has gotten used to having so many sitcoms and other TV shows at your fingerprints with just one or two monthly subscriptions, well...that reality may be ending very soon. Currently, most major series of the past 20 years or so are on either Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon. In the next year, there are new streaming services planned by Disney, Warner Bros, and NBC - and that may be just the beginning. That brings the "major" streaming services from just 3 to 6, and if you want access to a library on par with the one the current "big 3" streaming services give you, your monthly subscription will double. At one time, streaming TV was thought of as being a revolution, a way for us to cut cords and contracts and watch whatever we wanted with way less money and hassle. It's still a lot easier and cheaper than cable, but things are certainly getting more and more fragmented - let's just hope we don't wind up right back where we started.

Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn, who starred as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show, has died. He died on July 9 at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut. Mr. Torn was 88.

Torn starred as Artie in the 1992-1998 HBO sitcom The Larry Sanders Show. Artie (Arthur) was the producer of the fictional talk show The Larry Sanders Show. Torn was nominated for six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role, winning in 1996. He received two American Comedy Awards nominations for Funniest Male Performance in a Series, winning once in 1994, and two CableACE Awards for his work on the series. The series also starred Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Penny Johnson, Janeane Garofalo (first five seasons), Mary Lynn Rajskub (final two seasons), Jeremy Piven (season one and part of season two), Wallace Langham, Linda Doucett (first three seasons), Scott Thompson (final three seasons), Megan Gallagher (first season and Jeannie's Visit) and Kathryn Harrold (second season).

He appeared as Lionel Banks, a rich bachelor and love interest of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally), in four episodes of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace in 2002. He had a recurring role as Don Geiss, the CEO of GE and Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin) boss and mentor, in seven episodes of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock from 2007 to 2009. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2008.

Torn was the narrator for The Family Channel horror anthology series Ghost Stories from 1997 to 1998. He appeared in four episodes as Senator Harlan M. Turner, Jack Turner's (Rob Lowe) powerful father, in the short-lived 2003 NBC legal drama The Lyon's Den.

Some of his television drama guest appearances included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Naked City, Dr. Kildare, The Lieutenant, Combat!, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mannix, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, Columbo (1991) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He received an Emmy nomination in 1996 for his role as Dr. Warren Shutt in the Chicago Hope episode titled Hello Goodbye.

He was also known for his work in many films. Some of his film credits in the 1960s included Sweet Bird of Earth, Hero's Island, Critic's Choice, You're a Big Boy Now, Beach Red, Coming Apart and Tropic of Cancer. In the 1970s, he starred in Maidstone, Slaughter, Payday, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Coma, The Seduction of of Joe Tynan and Heartland.

Torn received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Marsh Turner in 1983's Cross Creek. He starred as Maax in 1982's The Beastmaster and as Bud Kruger in 1982's Airplane II: The Sequel. Some of his other 1980s and later film credits included Misunderstood, Flashpoint, City Heat, Summer Rental, Extreme Prejudice, Nadine, Defending Your Life, RoboCop 3, Men in Black, Men in Black II, Freddy Got Fingered and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.

Mr. Torn was wonderful as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show. He was just a solid actor in his many television and film roles. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife Amy Wright, six children, four grandchildren and one sister.

Share your memories on our The Larry Sanders Show message board. View photos in our galleries.

We also remember young actor Cameron Boyce. He starred as Luke Ross in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie and as Conor in the Disney XD sitcom Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything. He died on July 6 in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles due to an epileptic seizure. Mr. Boyce was just 20.

Boyce starred as Luke Ross in the 2011-2015 Disney Channel sitcom Jessie. Luke was the second oldest of the Ross children. The series follows Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan) working as a nanny for the wealthy Ross family who live on the Upper West Side. It also starred Peyton List, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson and Kevin Chamberlin. The series ran for four seasons and 98 episodes.

He next starred as Conor in the 2015-2017 Disney XD sitcom Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything. Conor is a professional video game player who goes by the name of Kid Fury. The series also starred Murray Wyatt Rundus, Felix Avitia and Sophie Reynolds. It ran for two seasons and 37 episodes.

Boyce had a recurring role as Michael "Stone" Cates, Jr. in the Soapnet series General Hospital: Night Shift in 2008. He made guest appearances in Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up, Liv and Maddie, Bunk'd and Code Black.

He made his feature film debut in 1998's Mirrors. He starred as Keithie Feder, Lenny Feder's (Adam Sandler) son, in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. His other film credits included 2008's Eagle Eye and 2011's Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.

Boyce starred as Carlos in the Disney Channel's television films The Descendants in 2015 and the sequel Descendants 2 in 2017. Carlos is the son of of Cruella de Vil (Wendy Raquel Robinson). He provided the voice of Carlos in the television shorts Descendants: Wicked World from 2015 to 2017.

He provided the voice of Jake in seasons 2-3 of Disney Junior's Jake and the Never Land Pirates. His other voice credits included a 2014 episode of Ultimate Spider-Man as Luke Ross and a 2017 episode of Spider-Man as Shocker / Herman Schultz.

Survivors include his parents, Libby and Victor, and his sister, Maya.

Mr. Boyce was a talented actor and a rising star. He had a number of upcoming projects including Descendants 3 (which will premiere August 2), the HBO comedy series Mrs. Fletcher, the TV series Paradise City and the independent thriller film Runt. It's a tragic loss for his fans, friends and family. He will be deeply missed.

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

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

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Labels: Disney Channel, Fri-Yay, Friends, Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything, Jessie, Larry Sanders Show, Netflix, Obits, Warner Bros, WarnerMedia

Fri-Yay: Netflix's One Day at a Time Revived By Pop TV; WarnerMedia OTT Gets Gremlins Series

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!

by Vincent

Well, just when it seemed like all hope was lost for One Day at a Time, it finally happened. The beloved yet cancelled revival of the 1970s sitcom was miraculously resurrected by Pop TV - yes, the former TV Guide Network - for a fourth season, set to air in 2020. This is a landmark deal not just for fans of One Day at a Time - although the fact that we will get to see more of the Alvarez family is seriously exciting - but also for TV in general. Over the past 5-6 years, we've gotten used to streaming services swooping in and saving network and cable TV shows from cancellation. Now, we have the opposite happening - a cable network has saved a cancelled streaming series. It seems we've come full circle, haven't we?

One Day at a Time going to Pop TV - an admittedly lesser known cable network - seems strange at first, but makes more sense the more you think about it. After all, Pop TV is home to Schitt's Creek, another little watched but critically cherished family sitcom. More importantly, the network is owned by CBS, who previously expressed interest in the show for its CBS All Access streaming service but was denied the ability by Netflix due to the platform's (frankly ridiculous) rules about its originals switching streaming services. One Day at a Time will premiere its new episodes on Pop, but will also rerun them on CBS, which should give the series a chance to reach new fans. Frankly, One Day at a Time has always felt like it would do best on a traditional TV network, and CBS's audience could very well eat the show up (it would fit well with Mom). I really hope this series works out for the show, as there's nothing quite like it on TV. But I'm also interested to see just what this means for streaming services going forward. With Netflix going on a cancellation spree lately, could some of its other casualties find a new home? In this new "cable network saves streaming services" world, it seems like anything's possible.

WarnerMedia has ordered Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, a 10-episode, half-hour prequel to original Gremlins, for it OTT streaming sertvice. In the animated television adaptation, we travel back to 1920s Shanghai to reveal the story of how 10-year-old Sam Wing (future shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 movie) met the young Mogwai called Gizmo. Along with a teenage street thief named Elle, Sam and Gizmo take a perilous journey through the Chinese countryside, encountering, and sometimes battling, colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore. On their quest to return Gizmo to his family and uncover a legendary treasure, they are pursued by a power-hungry industrialist and his growing army of evil Gremlins.

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

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Labels: Fri-Yay, Netflix, One Day at a Time, Warner Bros, WarnerMedia

The Big Bang Theory Renewed for 2 More Seasons; Baby Daddy Still Strong in Ratings in Season 6

CBS Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television have reached a two-year broadcast agreement for the top-rated, acclaimed comedy The Big Bang Theory. With the new agreement, broadcast television's #1 scripted series in viewers, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 has been renewed through the 2018-2019 season. The Big Bang Theory, which premiered in September 2007, has been television's #1 comedy in viewers since 2010-2011 and continues as the #1 comedy in key demographics for the fifth straight season. This season, The Big Bang Theory is averaging 19.40 million viewers, 5.1/19 in adults 18-49 and 6.9/21 in adults 25-54, ranking as broadcast television's highest-rated scripted series in all these demographics (Live+3). The Big Bang Theory stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.

Fresh off its 2017 People's Choice Award for "Favorite Cable TV Comedy," Freeform's hit sitcom Baby Daddy kicked off its sixth season on its new night last Monday boasting solid gains over its summer 2016 premiere and finale for 9-month highs in Total Viewers (990,000) and Adults 18-49 (639,000/0.5 rating) and an 8-month high in Women 18-49 (462,000/0.7 rating) - since 6/22/16 and 7/6/16, respectively - ranking as the No. 1 scripted cable TV telecast in its time period in the key adult demos (Live + 3 Day). Moreover, Monday's most social TV comedy across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr, Baby Daddy ranked a solid No. 3 versus Monday's original scripted cable TV telecasts in Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49, among other key target measures.

Baby Daddy grew over its summer 2016 finale among key categories, specifically Total Viewers (+4% - 990,000 vs. 950,000), Adults 18-49 (+12% - 639,000 vs. 569,000) and Women 18-49 (+14% - 462,000 vs. 404,000). Baby Daddy spiked by considerable double digits in Live + 3 Day ratings over Live + Same Day delivery across all target demos, including Total Viewers (+63% - 990,000 vs. 606,000), Adults 18-49 (+69% - 639,000 vs. 378,000) and Women 18-49 (+78% - 462,000 vs. 259,000).

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

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Labels: Baby Daddy, CBS, Freeform, The Big Bang Theory, Warner Bros

Alice: The Complete First Season Now On DVD; Dallas The Original Series Marathon On CMT

Well kiss my grits! We first broke the news about ten days ago that Warner Archive was hinting that they are releasing Alice: The Complete First Season as a MOD title, but now we have an actual release date! And that date is...TODAY! Talk about working fast! We broke the news yesterday evening (early to rise, indeed!) on Twitter, Facebook and our message boards that the first season will be released today, June 12. All 24 episodes from the freshman season will be available to finally own!
"...And if things work out she's going to stay awhile." And they sure did, resulting in "new girl" Alice sticking around for a triumphant nine-season (1976-1985 on CBS) run that saw this new style sitcom become the standard bearer for the next generation of TV comedy. Alice is the story of Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin), a recently widowed single mom who finds herself working as a waitress at an Arizona diner while caring for her pre-teen son, Tommy (Philip McKeon). The inimitable Vic Tayback plays Mel, the gruff owner of the diner, while Beth Howland and Polly Holliday play her co-workers, neurotic Vera and no-nonsense Flo. This 3-disc, 24-episode collection collects the entire first season of the Bicentennial-era break-out hit, including the rarely seen pilot episode featuring Alfred Lutter from Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, the film inspiration for Alice. Guest stars include Batman's Adam West, Victor Buono, and Dark Shadow's Lara Parker.

Order today from Warner Archive and also view a clip from the DVD above! Stay with us later in the week for our DVD review of Alice: The Complete First Season. And as always, join us Saturday for our weekly Digital Digest for a complete wrap-up of the week's digital news!

The new Dallas premieres tomorrow night on TNT with a two-episode premiere starting at 9/8c, but fans craving the original series or new fans curious to see the classic series after watching the revival will have a chance to watch the classic series! Cable network CMT, which has previously aired a few marathons of the classic, will salute the classic series by airing a marathon of the original series the day after the premiere of the updated reboot. CMT will air the first five episodes of the classic Dallas from 12pm-5pm on Thursday, June 14. They also have plans to air additional episodes next week, as of now Tuesday at 6 and 7PM (but they could expand that).
Dallas had it all. Beautiful women, expensive cars, and men playing Monopoly with real buildings. It had the best trans-season cliffhanger in history that had the whole world asking "Who shot J.R.?" Dallas is an important part of American History, if not world history. Tune in to the new series on Wednesday at 9/8c on TNT and then relive the first five episodes of the classic series on CMT on Thursday from 12-5pm ET! The new Dallas stars Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo and Brenda Strong, and they will be joined by iconic stars from the original series Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing.

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

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Labels: Alice, CMT, Dallas, DVD, TNT, Warner Bros

CBS/Warner Bros Cancel Production on Two and a Half Men For Rest of Season; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 28, 2011)

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:05 PM

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Labels: CBS, Happy Days, Talk Shows, The Hub, Two and a Half Men, Warner Bros