Friday, October 22, 2010
Full House Back On Nick at Nite; Me-TV Remembers Billingsley, Bosley; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 25, 2010)
Full House is returning to Nick at Nite starting Monday (Oct. 25), but it should be called Nick at Morning, because it will only air every morning in the 6:00am hour. The series has been airing on sister network TeenNick since September 2009 and now will move back to Nick at Nite. Full House hasn't aired on Nick at Nite since April 2009 and incidentally it was airing at 6am then, too. The series will replace an hour of Family Matters on Nick at Nite in the 6am hour as that series will still remain in the Mon-Sat 5am hour (Home Improvement is Sundays at 5am).
TeenNick will air its last Full House airing this Sunday (Oct. 24) from 6am-9am. Starting Oct. 25, the timeslots will be replaced by an hour each of True Jackson VP, Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh.
It looks like we are not getting any national tribute marathons in memory of Barbara Billingsley or Tom Bosley, but of course Me-TV in Chicago will remember both greats with classic marathons this weekend! Me-TV Chicago is paying tribute to Barbara Billingsley, best known as June Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver, and Tom Bosley, who played Richie's dad Howard Cunningham on Happy Days, with special marathons this weekend.
Tune in this Saturday from 1-7 PM CT for "A Tribute to Barbara Billingsley" with select episodes of Leave it to Beaver. On Sunday from 1-7PM CT, Me-TV will air "A Tribute to Tom Bosley" with a Happy Days marathon.
Leave it to Beaver episodes airing are: "Ward's Baseball," "Wally and Dudley," "In the Soup," "Beaver's Long Night," "Lumpy's Car Trouble," "Wally's License," "Beaver, the Hero," "The Party Spoiler," "More Blessed to Give," "The Credit Card," "Lumpy's Scholarship" and "Family Scrapbook."
Happy Days episodes airing are: "Hardware Jungle," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Be the First On Your Block," "Richie's Car," "Howard's 45th Fiasco," "Marion Rebels," "Grandpa's Visit," "Richie Almost Dies," "Fonzie for the Defense," "Married Strangers," "The Hucksters" and "Father and Son."
Barbara Billingsley died on Saturday, October 16 and Tom Bosley died on Tuesday, October 19. Me-TV Chicago is on Comcast 223 in Chicago, RCN 14, WOW 17 (city), WOW 19 (suburbs), AT&T U-verse 23, DIRECTV 23 and Dish Network 23, all in the Chicago area only.
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of Oct. 25-29, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, October 25, 2010
TeenNick will air its last Full House airing this Sunday (Oct. 24) from 6am-9am. Starting Oct. 25, the timeslots will be replaced by an hour each of True Jackson VP, Zoey 101 and Drake & Josh.
It looks like we are not getting any national tribute marathons in memory of Barbara Billingsley or Tom Bosley, but of course Me-TV in Chicago will remember both greats with classic marathons this weekend! Me-TV Chicago is paying tribute to Barbara Billingsley, best known as June Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver, and Tom Bosley, who played Richie's dad Howard Cunningham on Happy Days, with special marathons this weekend.
Tune in this Saturday from 1-7 PM CT for "A Tribute to Barbara Billingsley" with select episodes of Leave it to Beaver. On Sunday from 1-7PM CT, Me-TV will air "A Tribute to Tom Bosley" with a Happy Days marathon.
Leave it to Beaver episodes airing are: "Ward's Baseball," "Wally and Dudley," "In the Soup," "Beaver's Long Night," "Lumpy's Car Trouble," "Wally's License," "Beaver, the Hero," "The Party Spoiler," "More Blessed to Give," "The Credit Card," "Lumpy's Scholarship" and "Family Scrapbook."
Happy Days episodes airing are: "Hardware Jungle," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Be the First On Your Block," "Richie's Car," "Howard's 45th Fiasco," "Marion Rebels," "Grandpa's Visit," "Richie Almost Dies," "Fonzie for the Defense," "Married Strangers," "The Hucksters" and "Father and Son."
Barbara Billingsley died on Saturday, October 16 and Tom Bosley died on Tuesday, October 19. Me-TV Chicago is on Comcast 223 in Chicago, RCN 14, WOW 17 (city), WOW 19 (suburbs), AT&T U-verse 23, DIRECTV 23 and Dish Network 23, all in the Chicago area only.
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of Oct. 25-29, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, October 25, 2010
- Molly Shannon (Kath & Kim/SNL) - Catch Molly on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC at 12:37am.
- John Stamos (Full House/Jake in Progress) - Catch John on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12:06am on ABC.
- Danny DeVito (Taxi/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Watch Danny on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
- Michael J. Fox (Family Ties/Spin City) - Catch Michael on The TODAY Show on NBC sometime between 7-9am.
- Judith Light (Who's the Boss?/Ugly Betty) - Catch Judith also on the TODAY Show on NBC.
- William Shatner ($#*! My Dad Says) - Catch the legendary star on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC at 12:06am.
- Paul Reiser (Mad About You/The Paul Reiser Show) - Catch Paul on Tavis Smiley Show on PBS, so check your listings for time.
- Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) - Watch Jon on Lopez Tonight on TBS at 11pm.
- Debbie Allen (A Different World) -Watch Debbie on The Mo'nique Show at 11pm on BET.
- Sherri Shepherd (Sherri/Less than Perfect) - Catch Sherri on an all-new Joy Behar Show at 9pm on HLN.
- Michael J. Fox (Family Ties/Spin City) - Catch Michael on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Rainn Wilson (The Office) - Catch the funnymany on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC at 11:35pm.
- Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) - Jason appears on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
- Brandy (Moesha/Thea) - Catch Brandy on The Talk at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT on CBS.
- Tina Fey (30 Rock/SNL) - Catch Tina on The TODAY Show on NBC sometime between 7-9am.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Antenna TV Launch Schedule Starting January 2011; Chiller Acquires Buffy
We mentioned back in early September that Tribune is launching Antenna TV in January 2011, but now we have the FULL launch schedule! Before we get to the schedule, I'll remind you once again what Antenna TV is. Tribune Broadcasting's Antenna TV is a classic television and general entertainment movie network to air as a digital multicast on Tribune's broadcast stations. Tribune markets include New York's WPIX, Los Angeles' KTLA and Chicago's local WGN. The Chicago affiliate for Antenna TV will be WGN-DT 9.2. Antenna TV will also be offered for national distribution to non-Tribune stations, such as in Cleveland, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, and Milwaukee. View the full list of affiliates thus far on the Antenna TV website.
Moving on to the schedule, the digital station will launch on January 1, 2011 rather than the previously announced Jan. 3 -- so two days earlier! On January 1, 2011 there will be a New Year's Day marathon of first episodes! We'll have a schedule for that soon. The regular weekday schedule will have movies start the day off starting at 5am. Then sitcoms will take over from 1pm-1am. A black and white sitcom block from the '50s & '60s will start things off (originally these sitcoms were slated for overnight) with two episodes of Burns & Allen in the 1pm hour. At 2pm it will be Hazel, followed by The Farmer's Daughter. In the 3pm hour, it will be two more all-time classics, Father Knows Best and Dennis the Menace. Oh Mr. Wilson, indeed! Then we head into the '70s until 10pm, with an hour each of hit comedies. At 4pm, c'mon and get happy because it's an hour of The Partridge Family. At 5pm, back-to-back slapstick episodes of Three's Company will air, but Mon-Thurs only. The two spin-offs, The Ropers and Three's a Crowd, will be included in the rotation! How so? When the Ropers move to their new house after episode 52 ("An Anniversary Surprise"), you'll see episodes of The Ropers in the second half-hour until it finishes its 28 episode run and then we get back to Three's Company in this half-hour (the first half-hour will remain Three's Company, of course). Then later when Three's Company finishes its 172 episode run, all 22 episodes of Three's a Crowd will air, likely in the first half-hour, while the second half-hour will start with Three's Company from the beginning. It's a nice and unique way of scheduling these spin-offs and all fans will be pleased for sure!
Anyway, back to the weekday line-up, Fridays in this 5pm hour will be two episodes of the Ted Knight sitcom Too Close for Comfort. Then Mon-Sat in the 6pm hour its two episodes of Bea Arthur's Maude. In the weekday 7pm hour, we get back-to-back dyno-mite episodes of Good Times. The primetime line-up from 8pm-12am will air Sun-Thurs, with an hour each of Sanford & Son, All in the Family, Married...with Children and The Nanny. At 12am, Mon-Thurs will see more of Three's Company with the two spin-offs mixed in like they will be at 5pm. Too Close for Comfort will air in the 12am hour on Sunday nights. From 1am-5am more movies will air on Sun-Thurs.
Fridays and Saturdays will see a block of Three Stooges and Benny Hill in primetime. On Fridays, Three Stooges will air from 8pm-11pm and on Saturdays it will air from 11pm-2am. Meanwhile, the British comedy Benny Hill will air from 11pm-2am on Fridays and 8pm-11pm on Saturdays. The Monkees will air on both Fridays and Saturday nights in the 2am hour following this block and then a movie at 3am.
On weekend mornings and afternoons, we also have some variations. A movie starts both days off at 5am, followed by children's programming on Saturdays from 7am-1pm such as Totally Tooned In and classic Columbia westerns on Sundays such as Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. Sitcoms follow at 1pm, with Too Close for Comfort on Saturdays and Here Come the Brides on Sundays in the hour. Then both days will be the same from 2pm-6pm with an hour each of Gidget, The Flying Nun, The Monkees and The Partridge Family. As we mentioned earlier, Maude airs at 6pm, like it does Mon-Fri, but on Sundays we get Good Times in the 6pm hour. At 7pm, we get Archie Bunker and family in All in the Family on Saturdays and Too Close for Comfort on Sundays. The rest of the weekend line-up we mentioned earlier.
All of these shows are from Sony Pictures Television or DLT Entertainment. They will be adding in series frequently from these libraries, so stay tuned. We will certainly have more information on this network as we get closer to the launch. We will let you know what the first day will feature on Jan. 1 with classic first episodes, when we get the highlights. For now, you might want to take a look at a video preview of this network and browse their website for affiliate information.
View and discuss Antenna TV's launch schedule. Keep it right here as always for news and information on this network. We will be the first to announce anything, I'm sure!
Moving on to other news, fueled by skyrocketing ratings, significantly younger audience and a major expansion of programming featuring its first original movie (The Passenger) and first original special (Chiller 13: The Decade's Scariest Movie Moments) Chiller today announced a creative redesign effective October 27 in time for Halloween! Chiller is introducing a new logo and on-air look, embracing its tagline, Scary Good.
Joss Whedon's iconic Emmy Award-winning Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and aired on The WB/UPN from 1997-2003, will join the Chiller schedule Sunday, November 7, beginning with a 24-hour marathon at 6AM (ET/PT). On Monday, November 8, the series will assume its regular time slot weekdays at 6PM and 7PM (along with 7am & 8am) (ET/PT). There will be a Thanksgiving Day marathon as well starting at 6am. And the series will remain on Viacom's LOGO as well.
Starting this December, Chiller's programming will be boosted by its first ever original special, Chiller 13: The Decade's Scariest Movie Moments, a countdown special featuring pop culture mavens and horror movie experts looking back on the top scary movie moments of the past 10 years. Chiller's very first original movie The Passenger, based on the novella by best-selling author Jack Ketchum, is slated to premiere in Spring 2011.
Various other series air on weekdays at different times like Monsters, Millenium, Dark Shadows, Twilight Zone, Night Visions, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Freddy's Nightmares, Forever Knight, Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, Poltergeist: The Legacy, Friday the 13th and more. Saturday in primetime has Fear Factor, while Sundays has Masters of Horror.
Moving on to the schedule, the digital station will launch on January 1, 2011 rather than the previously announced Jan. 3 -- so two days earlier! On January 1, 2011 there will be a New Year's Day marathon of first episodes! We'll have a schedule for that soon. The regular weekday schedule will have movies start the day off starting at 5am. Then sitcoms will take over from 1pm-1am. A black and white sitcom block from the '50s & '60s will start things off (originally these sitcoms were slated for overnight) with two episodes of Burns & Allen in the 1pm hour. At 2pm it will be Hazel, followed by The Farmer's Daughter. In the 3pm hour, it will be two more all-time classics, Father Knows Best and Dennis the Menace. Oh Mr. Wilson, indeed! Then we head into the '70s until 10pm, with an hour each of hit comedies. At 4pm, c'mon and get happy because it's an hour of The Partridge Family. At 5pm, back-to-back slapstick episodes of Three's Company will air, but Mon-Thurs only. The two spin-offs, The Ropers and Three's a Crowd, will be included in the rotation! How so? When the Ropers move to their new house after episode 52 ("An Anniversary Surprise"), you'll see episodes of The Ropers in the second half-hour until it finishes its 28 episode run and then we get back to Three's Company in this half-hour (the first half-hour will remain Three's Company, of course). Then later when Three's Company finishes its 172 episode run, all 22 episodes of Three's a Crowd will air, likely in the first half-hour, while the second half-hour will start with Three's Company from the beginning. It's a nice and unique way of scheduling these spin-offs and all fans will be pleased for sure!
Anyway, back to the weekday line-up, Fridays in this 5pm hour will be two episodes of the Ted Knight sitcom Too Close for Comfort. Then Mon-Sat in the 6pm hour its two episodes of Bea Arthur's Maude. In the weekday 7pm hour, we get back-to-back dyno-mite episodes of Good Times. The primetime line-up from 8pm-12am will air Sun-Thurs, with an hour each of Sanford & Son, All in the Family, Married...with Children and The Nanny. At 12am, Mon-Thurs will see more of Three's Company with the two spin-offs mixed in like they will be at 5pm. Too Close for Comfort will air in the 12am hour on Sunday nights. From 1am-5am more movies will air on Sun-Thurs.
Fridays and Saturdays will see a block of Three Stooges and Benny Hill in primetime. On Fridays, Three Stooges will air from 8pm-11pm and on Saturdays it will air from 11pm-2am. Meanwhile, the British comedy Benny Hill will air from 11pm-2am on Fridays and 8pm-11pm on Saturdays. The Monkees will air on both Fridays and Saturday nights in the 2am hour following this block and then a movie at 3am.
On weekend mornings and afternoons, we also have some variations. A movie starts both days off at 5am, followed by children's programming on Saturdays from 7am-1pm such as Totally Tooned In and classic Columbia westerns on Sundays such as Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. Sitcoms follow at 1pm, with Too Close for Comfort on Saturdays and Here Come the Brides on Sundays in the hour. Then both days will be the same from 2pm-6pm with an hour each of Gidget, The Flying Nun, The Monkees and The Partridge Family. As we mentioned earlier, Maude airs at 6pm, like it does Mon-Fri, but on Sundays we get Good Times in the 6pm hour. At 7pm, we get Archie Bunker and family in All in the Family on Saturdays and Too Close for Comfort on Sundays. The rest of the weekend line-up we mentioned earlier.
All of these shows are from Sony Pictures Television or DLT Entertainment. They will be adding in series frequently from these libraries, so stay tuned. We will certainly have more information on this network as we get closer to the launch. We will let you know what the first day will feature on Jan. 1 with classic first episodes, when we get the highlights. For now, you might want to take a look at a video preview of this network and browse their website for affiliate information.
View and discuss Antenna TV's launch schedule. Keep it right here as always for news and information on this network. We will be the first to announce anything, I'm sure!
Moving on to other news, fueled by skyrocketing ratings, significantly younger audience and a major expansion of programming featuring its first original movie (The Passenger) and first original special (Chiller 13: The Decade's Scariest Movie Moments) Chiller today announced a creative redesign effective October 27 in time for Halloween! Chiller is introducing a new logo and on-air look, embracing its tagline, Scary Good.
Joss Whedon's iconic Emmy Award-winning Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar and aired on The WB/UPN from 1997-2003, will join the Chiller schedule Sunday, November 7, beginning with a 24-hour marathon at 6AM (ET/PT). On Monday, November 8, the series will assume its regular time slot weekdays at 6PM and 7PM (along with 7am & 8am) (ET/PT). There will be a Thanksgiving Day marathon as well starting at 6am. And the series will remain on Viacom's LOGO as well.
Starting this December, Chiller's programming will be boosted by its first ever original special, Chiller 13: The Decade's Scariest Movie Moments, a countdown special featuring pop culture mavens and horror movie experts looking back on the top scary movie moments of the past 10 years. Chiller's very first original movie The Passenger, based on the novella by best-selling author Jack Ketchum, is slated to premiere in Spring 2011.
Various other series air on weekdays at different times like Monsters, Millenium, Dark Shadows, Twilight Zone, Night Visions, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Freddy's Nightmares, Forever Knight, Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, Poltergeist: The Legacy, Friday the 13th and more. Saturday in primetime has Fear Factor, while Sundays has Masters of Horror.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
TV One Orders More of New Sitcom Love That Girl; Remembering Tom Bosley, Another TV Legend
In January 2010, TV One aired four episodes of a new comedy called Love That Girl for a "test run," as we previously mentioned. Now it's back as TV One has ordered its first scripted series. Bent Outta Shape Productions/Hazrah Entertainment will reprise the show. TV One has ordered a full season of 26 episodes (13 have already been produced, reports B&C). The series, from Bentley Kyle Evans (Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show), is targeted for a first-quarter 2011 return. The series stars Tatyana Ali (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, TV One Access) as a divorcee who returns home to Southern California to make a fresh start at life and a career, but one complicated by the arrival of her stand-up comedian brother (Alphonso McAuley).
Martin Lawrence will continue to serve as executive producer as well as appear in the series! We will have more information, such as a premiere date, in the coming weeks...so stay with us! Lots of original sitcoms are airing these days on basic cable (MTV, TV Land, ABC Family, CMT, etc). We will have even more original sitcom news tomorrow! So come on back!
First it was Barbara Billingsley, now it's Tom Bosley. Tom Bosley was a warm and comforting presence on American TV sets for decades. Bosley, best known as the often flustered but always fatherly Howard Cunningham on Happy Days, died Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2010) in Palm Springs, CA. Bosley died suffering heart failure at a hospital and also had lung cancer.
Bosley earned a place as one of the most memorable dads in TV history as the hardware store owner, father to Richie (Ron Howard) and Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) and landlord to Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) on the long-running sitcom. He played well with his TV wife Marion Ross as well. The sitcom was set in the '50s/60s but aired on ABC from 1974-1984. The series became the #1 show on television by its third season.
Angela Lansbury played Bosley's unfaithful wife in the 1964 Peter Sellers film The World of Henry Orient. Then decades later, from 1984 to 1988, Bosley played a recurring role in Lansbury's long-running TV series, Murder, She Wrote, as folksy Sheriff Amos Tupper. Bosley also played the crime-solving priest in television's The Father Dowling Mysteries, which ran from 1989 to 1991 on ABC.
But it was his fame from Happy Days that lead him to serve as a pitchman for GLAD trash bags along with other products on commercials. Among his many appearances on other TV series include Diagnosis: Unknown, The Law and Mr. Jones, Car 54 Where Are You, Route 66, Ben Casey, The Defenders, The F.B.I., Get Smart, The Virginian, The Mod Squad, Bonanza, Marcus Welby MD, The Bill Cosby Show, Night Gallery, Bewitched, Mission: Impossible, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The New Temperatures Rising Show, Medical Center, Maude, The Paul Lynde Show, Love American Style, McMillan & Wife, The Love Boat, Streets of San Francisco, Joanie Loves Chachi, Finders of Lost Love, Hotel, Out of this World, Burke's Law, The Drew Carey Show, Boy Meets World, Early Edition, Walker Texas Ranger, ER, Family Law, Touched by an Angel, It's All Relative, Still Standing, One Tree Hill, Family Guy, That '70s Show, and more. He was also a regular on the short lived 1969-70 CBS comedy The Debbie Reynolds Show and the 1972 CBS sitcom The Sandy Duncan Show. He then voiced the character of Harry Boyle on the animated comedy Wait Till Your Father Gets Home from 1972-74 and after that of course came Happy Days. There were a few Happy Days reunion retrospectives as well. Happy Days Reunion Special in 1992 and Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion in 2005, which both aired on ABC.
Tom will be DEEPLY missed. As far as on-air tributes on television, so far there are no marathons planned. But you can watch Happy Days Mon-Thurs on The Hub at 10pm & 10:30pm ET. If they, or any other network, do a marathon, we will let you know. Also, in memory of Tom Bosley, Bio TV will air the Happy Days 30th Anniversary Reunion Special from 2005 on Friday, Oct. 22 at 8AM & 2PM ET/PT. He just celebrated his 83rd birthday on October 1, so Tom was 83.
Martin Lawrence will continue to serve as executive producer as well as appear in the series! We will have more information, such as a premiere date, in the coming weeks...so stay with us! Lots of original sitcoms are airing these days on basic cable (MTV, TV Land, ABC Family, CMT, etc). We will have even more original sitcom news tomorrow! So come on back!
First it was Barbara Billingsley, now it's Tom Bosley. Tom Bosley was a warm and comforting presence on American TV sets for decades. Bosley, best known as the often flustered but always fatherly Howard Cunningham on Happy Days, died Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2010) in Palm Springs, CA. Bosley died suffering heart failure at a hospital and also had lung cancer.
Bosley earned a place as one of the most memorable dads in TV history as the hardware store owner, father to Richie (Ron Howard) and Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) and landlord to Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) on the long-running sitcom. He played well with his TV wife Marion Ross as well. The sitcom was set in the '50s/60s but aired on ABC from 1974-1984. The series became the #1 show on television by its third season.
Angela Lansbury played Bosley's unfaithful wife in the 1964 Peter Sellers film The World of Henry Orient. Then decades later, from 1984 to 1988, Bosley played a recurring role in Lansbury's long-running TV series, Murder, She Wrote, as folksy Sheriff Amos Tupper. Bosley also played the crime-solving priest in television's The Father Dowling Mysteries, which ran from 1989 to 1991 on ABC.
But it was his fame from Happy Days that lead him to serve as a pitchman for GLAD trash bags along with other products on commercials. Among his many appearances on other TV series include Diagnosis: Unknown, The Law and Mr. Jones, Car 54 Where Are You, Route 66, Ben Casey, The Defenders, The F.B.I., Get Smart, The Virginian, The Mod Squad, Bonanza, Marcus Welby MD, The Bill Cosby Show, Night Gallery, Bewitched, Mission: Impossible, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The New Temperatures Rising Show, Medical Center, Maude, The Paul Lynde Show, Love American Style, McMillan & Wife, The Love Boat, Streets of San Francisco, Joanie Loves Chachi, Finders of Lost Love, Hotel, Out of this World, Burke's Law, The Drew Carey Show, Boy Meets World, Early Edition, Walker Texas Ranger, ER, Family Law, Touched by an Angel, It's All Relative, Still Standing, One Tree Hill, Family Guy, That '70s Show, and more. He was also a regular on the short lived 1969-70 CBS comedy The Debbie Reynolds Show and the 1972 CBS sitcom The Sandy Duncan Show. He then voiced the character of Harry Boyle on the animated comedy Wait Till Your Father Gets Home from 1972-74 and after that of course came Happy Days. There were a few Happy Days reunion retrospectives as well. Happy Days Reunion Special in 1992 and Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion in 2005, which both aired on ABC.
Tom will be DEEPLY missed. As far as on-air tributes on television, so far there are no marathons planned. But you can watch Happy Days Mon-Thurs on The Hub at 10pm & 10:30pm ET. If they, or any other network, do a marathon, we will let you know. Also, in memory of Tom Bosley, Bio TV will air the Happy Days 30th Anniversary Reunion Special from 2005 on Friday, Oct. 22 at 8AM & 2PM ET/PT. He just celebrated his 83rd birthday on October 1, so Tom was 83.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
TV Legend Ed Asner Joins CMT Original Sitcom; NBC and ABC Notes, Includes Full Season Of Outsourced and Return of V
A couple of months ago we told you about CMT ordering their first original sitcom titled Working Class starring Melissa Peterman, now they have announced that TV legend Ed Asner is joining the cast!
CMT's first scripted sitcom, Working Class, is set to begin taping in Los Angeles today (October 19) starring TV veteran Melissa Peterman (Reba/Singing Bee). Peterman will be joined by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Ed Asner, who is making his return to series television, his first since his role on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in 2006. The new 12 episode multi-camera series will premiere in January 2011 on CMT. We don't have a night and time yet, so stay with us for that.
Working Class focuses on Carli (Melissa Peterman), a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She quickly finds that making the transition to "the good life" is harder than she thought. Not only do her three kids seem to want the same luxuries as their friends, her only career prospect is a glorified deli job at the local grocery store, and the man she falls for already has a girlfriend and is also her boss (Patrick Fabian) To make matters worse, Carli finds herself unwittingly befriended by her cranky, misanthropic neighbor, Hank, (Ed Asner) who is also the butcher at the grocery where she works. With her ladies-man brother, Nick, (Steve Kazee) to help her out, Carli faces the challenges of parenting, dating, and making friends in her new community by doing more with less, staying true to herself, and approaching each day with a touch of working class. The kids are Lachlan Buchahan as Scott, Courtney Merritt as Pam, and Cameron Castaneda as Will.
Working Class is executive produced by Jill Cargerman (Spin City/Gary Unmarried) and Bryan Johnson of The Film Syndicate.
ABC has announced a new spin-off of Dancing with the Stars, along the return of V and a premiere date for Winter Wipeout, which we told you about last week.
You've seen what happens when celebrities take on the ballroom, now see what happens when they hit the ice on blades of steel in Skating with the Stars. The new series from BBC Worldwide Productions pairs a celebrity with a world class ice skater as they prepare to compete in front of a live audience in a televised ice skating competition. The skating pairs will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges and will receive a set of scores based on artistry and technique and by viewers at home, with one couple being eliminated each week. Skating with the Stars will kick off its six-episode run with a live premiere episode on Monday, November 22 from 9:00-11:00 p.m., ET following the final performance show of season eleven of Dancing with the Stars. The Skating with the Stars all-star cast will be revealed on-air Tuesday, November 2 during the live Dancing with the Stars Results show. The series will air for two-hours on Monday, Nov. 22, then will air for 90-minutes on Mondays, Nov. 26 & Dec. 6 from 8pm-9:30pm, then for an hour each on Mondays, Dec. 13 and 20 in the 8pm hour (leading into classic Castle encores from 9-11) , with its season finale on Tuesday, Dec. 21 from 8-9pm.
V, the thrilling drama series about the world's first alien encounter that captivated viewers last season, will make its highly-anticipated season premiere on Tuesday, January 4 at 9:00 p.m., ET on ABC. The series will have a 10-episode order. Simultaneously appearing over every major city in the world, the Visitors (or V's) arrived offering us the wonders of their technology and promoting peace. While the world quickly embraced the V's as saviors, an FBI Counter Terrorist Agent, and others making up the resistance group called The Fifth Column, quickly discovered that the Visitors are not who they said they were. Will humanity stop being fooled and realize the Visitors true intentions before it becomes too late and they take over Earth? Season 2 will feature more character and lizard reveals, more details about the V's mythology, while along the way featuring even more action and more plot twists. Viewers can expect a roller coaster ride week-to-week.
In other ABC schedule updates, ABC's family superhero drama No Ordinary Family will move to the 9pm hour on Tuesdays starting Nov. 30 for three weeks following classic holiday specials. The Powell family will have even more strength in a later hour and airing after compatible holiday specials. As of now, the series will move back to the 8pm hour on Tuesday, Jan. 4 when V launches, but this could still change...so stay tuned. Also, I expect the move to 9pm to happen even before Nov. 30, so stay tuned if that happens also. And ABC has announced that Winter Wipeout will air Thursdays at 8pm starting Jan. 6 for all of January and February. Goodnight and big "snow" balls! Finally, ABC has announced a big holiday specials slate, which we will detail in our annual network holiday specials next month. But you can get a preview before hand, by viewing our list of ABC Holidays Specials/Winter Programming. Keep checking back with us, as we still have some timeslots to figure out for ABC (such as Wed at 10, if The Whole Truth is pulled soon).
NBC has given full-season pickups to three of its new Fall 2010-11 series, dramas The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles and sitcom Outsourced, despite all three series struggling in the ratings. The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles both had a good showing from their premiere episodes, but have gone down steadily since then. Sitcom Outsourced also started decently and has dropped from the premiere, but not as sharply.
The Event airs Mondays at 9, Law & Order: Los Angeles airs Wednesdays at 10, and Outsourced airs Thursdays at 9:30. NBC's two other scripted series whose fate have yet to be revealed are Undercovers and Chase, which both also have underperformed. Both could see some additional episodes though, as NBC doesn't have many options in mid-season in the drama department. NBC's Outlaw is already canceled and new reality series School of Pride premiered to low ratings last Friday.
EDIT: As of 3pm ET, NBC just picked-up Chase for a full season as well, despite low ratings. In addition, NBC picked-up 11 more episodes of low rated veteran, but consistent, Chuck. It will have 24 episodes this season. With these freshman series, NBC has ordered a full season of low rated shows (see Trauma and Mercy) in the past, so it might be one season and done for some of these shows, especially Chase and Outsourced. Still nothing official on Undercovers, but more scripts have been reportedly ordered.
And also we will have a tribute to the late Tom Bosley tomorrow on the blog...so please come back for that. He will be deeply missed. Visit our Happy Days website.
CMT's first scripted sitcom, Working Class, is set to begin taping in Los Angeles today (October 19) starring TV veteran Melissa Peterman (Reba/Singing Bee). Peterman will be joined by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Ed Asner, who is making his return to series television, his first since his role on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in 2006. The new 12 episode multi-camera series will premiere in January 2011 on CMT. We don't have a night and time yet, so stay with us for that.
Working Class focuses on Carli (Melissa Peterman), a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She quickly finds that making the transition to "the good life" is harder than she thought. Not only do her three kids seem to want the same luxuries as their friends, her only career prospect is a glorified deli job at the local grocery store, and the man she falls for already has a girlfriend and is also her boss (Patrick Fabian) To make matters worse, Carli finds herself unwittingly befriended by her cranky, misanthropic neighbor, Hank, (Ed Asner) who is also the butcher at the grocery where she works. With her ladies-man brother, Nick, (Steve Kazee) to help her out, Carli faces the challenges of parenting, dating, and making friends in her new community by doing more with less, staying true to herself, and approaching each day with a touch of working class. The kids are Lachlan Buchahan as Scott, Courtney Merritt as Pam, and Cameron Castaneda as Will.
Working Class is executive produced by Jill Cargerman (Spin City/Gary Unmarried) and Bryan Johnson of The Film Syndicate.
ABC has announced a new spin-off of Dancing with the Stars, along the return of V and a premiere date for Winter Wipeout, which we told you about last week.
You've seen what happens when celebrities take on the ballroom, now see what happens when they hit the ice on blades of steel in Skating with the Stars. The new series from BBC Worldwide Productions pairs a celebrity with a world class ice skater as they prepare to compete in front of a live audience in a televised ice skating competition. The skating pairs will be critiqued by a panel of expert judges and will receive a set of scores based on artistry and technique and by viewers at home, with one couple being eliminated each week. Skating with the Stars will kick off its six-episode run with a live premiere episode on Monday, November 22 from 9:00-11:00 p.m., ET following the final performance show of season eleven of Dancing with the Stars. The Skating with the Stars all-star cast will be revealed on-air Tuesday, November 2 during the live Dancing with the Stars Results show. The series will air for two-hours on Monday, Nov. 22, then will air for 90-minutes on Mondays, Nov. 26 & Dec. 6 from 8pm-9:30pm, then for an hour each on Mondays, Dec. 13 and 20 in the 8pm hour (leading into classic Castle encores from 9-11) , with its season finale on Tuesday, Dec. 21 from 8-9pm.
V, the thrilling drama series about the world's first alien encounter that captivated viewers last season, will make its highly-anticipated season premiere on Tuesday, January 4 at 9:00 p.m., ET on ABC. The series will have a 10-episode order. Simultaneously appearing over every major city in the world, the Visitors (or V's) arrived offering us the wonders of their technology and promoting peace. While the world quickly embraced the V's as saviors, an FBI Counter Terrorist Agent, and others making up the resistance group called The Fifth Column, quickly discovered that the Visitors are not who they said they were. Will humanity stop being fooled and realize the Visitors true intentions before it becomes too late and they take over Earth? Season 2 will feature more character and lizard reveals, more details about the V's mythology, while along the way featuring even more action and more plot twists. Viewers can expect a roller coaster ride week-to-week.
In other ABC schedule updates, ABC's family superhero drama No Ordinary Family will move to the 9pm hour on Tuesdays starting Nov. 30 for three weeks following classic holiday specials. The Powell family will have even more strength in a later hour and airing after compatible holiday specials. As of now, the series will move back to the 8pm hour on Tuesday, Jan. 4 when V launches, but this could still change...so stay tuned. Also, I expect the move to 9pm to happen even before Nov. 30, so stay tuned if that happens also. And ABC has announced that Winter Wipeout will air Thursdays at 8pm starting Jan. 6 for all of January and February. Goodnight and big "snow" balls! Finally, ABC has announced a big holiday specials slate, which we will detail in our annual network holiday specials next month. But you can get a preview before hand, by viewing our list of ABC Holidays Specials/Winter Programming. Keep checking back with us, as we still have some timeslots to figure out for ABC (such as Wed at 10, if The Whole Truth is pulled soon).
NBC has given full-season pickups to three of its new Fall 2010-11 series, dramas The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles and sitcom Outsourced, despite all three series struggling in the ratings. The Event and Law & Order: Los Angeles both had a good showing from their premiere episodes, but have gone down steadily since then. Sitcom Outsourced also started decently and has dropped from the premiere, but not as sharply.
The Event airs Mondays at 9, Law & Order: Los Angeles airs Wednesdays at 10, and Outsourced airs Thursdays at 9:30. NBC's two other scripted series whose fate have yet to be revealed are Undercovers and Chase, which both also have underperformed. Both could see some additional episodes though, as NBC doesn't have many options in mid-season in the drama department. NBC's Outlaw is already canceled and new reality series School of Pride premiered to low ratings last Friday.
EDIT: As of 3pm ET, NBC just picked-up Chase for a full season as well, despite low ratings. In addition, NBC picked-up 11 more episodes of low rated veteran, but consistent, Chuck. It will have 24 episodes this season. With these freshman series, NBC has ordered a full season of low rated shows (see Trauma and Mercy) in the past, so it might be one season and done for some of these shows, especially Chase and Outsourced. Still nothing official on Undercovers, but more scripts have been reportedly ordered.
And also we will have a tribute to the late Tom Bosley tomorrow on the blog...so please come back for that. He will be deeply missed. Visit our Happy Days website.
Monday, October 18, 2010
GMC Acquires 227; Remembering Barbara Billingsley, A TV Legend
The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) never changed their schedule in fall 2010, so we didn't report anything for them this fall. However, we knew of a sitcom they acquired, but they never actually put it on the schedule, so we couldn't tell you about it. We can now reveal what that sitcom is! GMC has acquired the rights to the '80s sitcom 227 from The Program Exchange! The Marla Gibbs sitcom will not join the regular schedule just yet, though, but it will get a mini-marathon this coming Saturday (Oct. 23) from 2pm-6pm on GMC. We have their schedule through the end of the month and this is the only sighting for the Jenkins family. The block of eight episodes will air after the regularly scheduled Sister, Sister Saturday block. The 227 episodes airing are: "Honesty," "Mary's Brother," "Family Hero," "The Refidgerator," "Do You Love Me?," "Pilot," "The Sidewalk Sale," and "A Letter to the President." Yes, that's the first 8 episodes in original airdate order. The pilot didn't originally air on NBC until episode 6, even though it was produced first. Let's hope 227 gets added to the regular schedule very soon, because "there's no place like a cable home, child, and I mean no place!"
As for the rest of the GMC schedule, there is nothing different to report. No sitcoms except Amen are airing on weekdays and Sister, Sister is airing on Saturdays. The weekday schedule remains as this: Highway to Heaven at 10am, GMC Movie at 11am, more Highway to Heaven at 1pm, Promised Land at 2pm, Sue Thomas F.B.eye at 3pm, Doc at 4pm, Dr. Quinn Medicine Women at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm & 8pm. From 9pm-11pm, Movies air Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays two episodes of Doc air and on Thursdays we get two episodes of Early Edition. Late nights from Mon-Thurs have back-to-back Amen episode at 11pm then a Gospel Music break at 12am, with more Amen in the 1am hour. 227 would sure fit in well with Amen! Saturdays have a Sister, Sister block starting at 10am usually running into various times in the late afternoon. Movies air on Sundays. Still no word on if and when Joan of Arcadia, Cosby, and Christy will return.
We leave you with some sad news. Barbara Billingsley, who of course played June Cleaver in the 1950s-1960s sitcom Leave it to Beaver, died Saturday (Oct. 16) after a long illness at her home in Santa Monica. When the show debuted in 1957 on CBS, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, was 9, and Tony Dow, who portrayed Wally, was 12. Billingsley's character, the perfect stay-at-home mom, was always there to gently but firmly nurture both through the ups and downs of childhood. The show moved to ABC for its remaining seasons. Barbara's TV husband Hugh Beaumont, who played Ward Cleaver, died in 1982.
After Leave it to Beaver left the air in 1963 on ABC, Billingsley largely disappeared from public view for several years. She resurfaced in 1980 in a hilarious cameo in the big screen movie Airplane! playing a demure elderly passenger not unlike June Cleaver. She returned as June Cleaver in a 1983 TV movie, Still the Beaver, that costarred Mathers and Dow and portrayed a much darker side of Beaver's life. In his mid-30s, Beaver was unemployed, unable to communicate with his own sons and going through a divorce. Wally, a successful lawyer, was handling the divorce, and June was at a loss to help her son through the transition. "Ward, what would you do?" she asked at the site of her husband's grave.
The movie revived interest in the Cleaver family, and the Disney Channel launched The New Leave It to Beaver as a series in 1985. That series took a more hopeful view of the Cleavers than the TV movie, with Beaver winning custody of his two sons and all three moving in with June. Years later in 1997, Universal made a Leave it to Beaver theatrical film with a new generation of actors. Billingsley returned for a cameo, however, as Aunt Martha.
She has guest starred on many series over the years as well. She has appeared on The Abbott & Costello Show, The Danny Thomas Show, Mork & Mindy, Silver Spoons, Murphy Brown, The Love Boat, Empty Nest, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Hi Honey I'm Home, Amazing Stories, Baby Boom and had a memorable comic turn opposite fellow TV moms June Lockhart of Lassie and Isabel Sanford of The Jeffersons on Roseanne in 1995. Her last role was on an episode of My Name is Earl in 2007.
Besides Leave it to Beaver and The New Leave it to Beaver, she was a regular on a few other series as well. Many remember her as the voice of the nanny on the '80s animated series The Muppet Babies, as we never saw the face of the nanny (or her name). Before she was June Cleaver, she had two short-lived sitcoms. The CBS sitcom in 1955 titled Professional Father and the 1956-57 CBS sitcom The Brothers.
Barbara will be DEEPLY missed. She was a TV icon for her role of June Cleaver. We will let you know of any on-air tributes to her. Hopefully TV Land or RTN air a Leave it to Beaver marathon. It would be nice if someone aired Still the Beaver/The New Leave it to Beaver as well, as that hasn't been seen anywhere in YEARS. And for those fans of her as the nanny on Muppet Babies, maybe The Hub or some network will air that? We will definitely let you know...so stay with us. Barbara lived a long life and was 94.
As for the rest of the GMC schedule, there is nothing different to report. No sitcoms except Amen are airing on weekdays and Sister, Sister is airing on Saturdays. The weekday schedule remains as this: Highway to Heaven at 10am, GMC Movie at 11am, more Highway to Heaven at 1pm, Promised Land at 2pm, Sue Thomas F.B.eye at 3pm, Doc at 4pm, Dr. Quinn Medicine Women at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm & 8pm. From 9pm-11pm, Movies air Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays two episodes of Doc air and on Thursdays we get two episodes of Early Edition. Late nights from Mon-Thurs have back-to-back Amen episode at 11pm then a Gospel Music break at 12am, with more Amen in the 1am hour. 227 would sure fit in well with Amen! Saturdays have a Sister, Sister block starting at 10am usually running into various times in the late afternoon. Movies air on Sundays. Still no word on if and when Joan of Arcadia, Cosby, and Christy will return.
We leave you with some sad news. Barbara Billingsley, who of course played June Cleaver in the 1950s-1960s sitcom Leave it to Beaver, died Saturday (Oct. 16) after a long illness at her home in Santa Monica. When the show debuted in 1957 on CBS, Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver, was 9, and Tony Dow, who portrayed Wally, was 12. Billingsley's character, the perfect stay-at-home mom, was always there to gently but firmly nurture both through the ups and downs of childhood. The show moved to ABC for its remaining seasons. Barbara's TV husband Hugh Beaumont, who played Ward Cleaver, died in 1982.
After Leave it to Beaver left the air in 1963 on ABC, Billingsley largely disappeared from public view for several years. She resurfaced in 1980 in a hilarious cameo in the big screen movie Airplane! playing a demure elderly passenger not unlike June Cleaver. She returned as June Cleaver in a 1983 TV movie, Still the Beaver, that costarred Mathers and Dow and portrayed a much darker side of Beaver's life. In his mid-30s, Beaver was unemployed, unable to communicate with his own sons and going through a divorce. Wally, a successful lawyer, was handling the divorce, and June was at a loss to help her son through the transition. "Ward, what would you do?" she asked at the site of her husband's grave.
The movie revived interest in the Cleaver family, and the Disney Channel launched The New Leave It to Beaver as a series in 1985. That series took a more hopeful view of the Cleavers than the TV movie, with Beaver winning custody of his two sons and all three moving in with June. Years later in 1997, Universal made a Leave it to Beaver theatrical film with a new generation of actors. Billingsley returned for a cameo, however, as Aunt Martha.
She has guest starred on many series over the years as well. She has appeared on The Abbott & Costello Show, The Danny Thomas Show, Mork & Mindy, Silver Spoons, Murphy Brown, The Love Boat, Empty Nest, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Hi Honey I'm Home, Amazing Stories, Baby Boom and had a memorable comic turn opposite fellow TV moms June Lockhart of Lassie and Isabel Sanford of The Jeffersons on Roseanne in 1995. Her last role was on an episode of My Name is Earl in 2007.
Besides Leave it to Beaver and The New Leave it to Beaver, she was a regular on a few other series as well. Many remember her as the voice of the nanny on the '80s animated series The Muppet Babies, as we never saw the face of the nanny (or her name). Before she was June Cleaver, she had two short-lived sitcoms. The CBS sitcom in 1955 titled Professional Father and the 1956-57 CBS sitcom The Brothers.
Barbara will be DEEPLY missed. She was a TV icon for her role of June Cleaver. We will let you know of any on-air tributes to her. Hopefully TV Land or RTN air a Leave it to Beaver marathon. It would be nice if someone aired Still the Beaver/The New Leave it to Beaver as well, as that hasn't been seen anywhere in YEARS. And for those fans of her as the nanny on Muppet Babies, maybe The Hub or some network will air that? We will definitely let you know...so stay with us. Barbara lived a long life and was 94.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Week 4 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did
2010-11 Week 4 TV Ratings (first four nights of the season, Mon-Thu):
Households: #1. CBS 7.9/12.9 rating/share; #2. ABC 6.8/11.1; #3. Fox 4.4/7.0; #4. NBC 3.8/6.2; #5. The CW 1.3/2.0.
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 12.94 million; #2. ABC 10.65 million; #3. Fox 7.47 million; #4. NBC 6.06 million; #5. The CW 1.97 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 3.4/9.2 rating/share; #2. ABC 2.9/8.0; #3. Fox 2.9/7.8; #4. NBC 2.1/5.9; #5. The CW 0.9/2.5.
Week 4 (Oct. 11-17) Analysis: The first month of the season is now already done...and the first four nights for week four have the nets consistent from previous week's first four nights. Through the first four days, CBS has the lead in all categories still, with ABC second everywhere, Fox is in third in HH/viewers, but tied with ABC in 18-49, while NBC is back in the familiar fourth with no NFL yet. This could change like usual after tonight, due to NFL again, but I still expect CBS to take the week but Fox could control second in 18-49 thanks to an NFL overrun tonight and MLB NLCS Game 2. ABC should hang on to second in HH/total viewers, though. So even with NFL, NBC is likely remaining in fourth in HH/viewers this week, but they have a chance to be close third or fourth in 18-49. Last week, week 3, had CBS in first in all categories once again, as it has all season, even though they are down a bit from last season. ABC was second across the board. NBC was third in all categories with the NFL once again saving it from being in fourth, so Fox had to settle for fourth since they didn't have an NFL overrun on Sunday, though Fox did tie NBC for third in 18-49 at a 2.4 rating. That shows you bad NBC is doing that even with NFL it couldn't beat CBS, ABC and Fox.
Monday still has ABC on top, just like the previous week. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 19.53 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, down some from previous week, though it was preempted in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN for Monday Night Football simulcast. The same thing happened to an all-new Castle which still did a solid 10.66 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, both on par really from the previous week, despite being preempted in Minneapolis. Next up was CBS with its comedies and the new Hawaii Five-0. How I Met Your Mother started it off with 8.48 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, on par really from previous week's numbers and Rules of Engagement followed with 7.99 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down a bit in viewers but on par in 18-49 from the previous week. Two and a Half Men followed with 13.47 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating, down a million in viewers but the same from previous week in 18-49. Week four of Mike & Molly did 10.72 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week's close to series highs. It needs to grow tomorrow from 10.72/3.5. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next and continues to drop, this time at 10.7 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, down from previous week and CSI: Miami last season once again. It's disappointing. Fox was next with House doing only 9.69 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week. What is wrong with this show in live+same day numbers? A new showing of Lie To Me followed and dropped to 5.44 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down some from the season premiere the previous week. NBC followed with the should have been canceled Chuck doing only at 5.32 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again--at least it is consistent. The new series The Event isn't consistent. It dropped again and did only 6.5 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, lower than Heroes numbers from the same week last year. That is not good news AT ALL. A new Chase was next and did only 4.92 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating, down again from previous week and its time is running out. The CW on Mondays is bad, with 90210 doing only 1.81 million, up a bit week-to-week and Gossip Girl at 1.78 million, which is down a tad from previous week. Both did only a 0.9 18-49 rating.
Tuesday, Fox, CBS and ABC battled again. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 19.2 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, down some in viewers a bit from previous week but up a tenth in 18-49. Another old skew for CBS but they will take it. A new episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 16.05 million and 3.5 18-49 rating, like the lead-in, down a tad in viewers from previous week, but up a tenth in 18-49. And finally CBS had a new The Good Wife and did 11.81 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down in viewers from previous week, but the same 18-49. Maybe the older viewers went to cable to see the Chilean miners being rescued? ABC was next as a new No Ordinary Family was leading the night off doing 7.72 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. What a great episode it was, but it was off from previous week. It needs to go up this week, and I think it will. ABC has ordered four extra scripts, so they clearly see potential in ratings and the episodes are coming out good in quality. The live Dancing with the Stars Results Show followed at 9pm and did 16.08 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down a lick from previous week in viewers, but up some in 18-49, as we said goodbye to The Situation. Good riddance...he is so dumb and annoying! A new episode of the gritty Detroit 1-8-7 followed and did 6.98 million and only a 1.7 18-49 rating, off in viewers from previous week, but on par in 18-49. It seems older viewers went to cable tonight, as 18-49 was the same or higher for most CBS/ABC series. The 10pm shows are all down in live+same day ratings on this night, as nothing is above a 2.5 in 18-49...it's a heavy DVR usage night. Fox started off huge with a new showing of Glee doing 11.36 million but an even better 4.7 18-49 rating...both up some from previous week. Next were the two sitcoms Raising Hope and Running Wilde doing 6.02 million and 3.28 million and also a 2.5 and 1.4 18-49 rating. Both did bad again, not just the latter, yet the former was picked up for a full season already. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour episode doing 7.04 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week, followed by an all-new Parenthood at just 4.66 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, down some week-to-week. There are just too many options on Tuesdays, and people are watching the DVRed shows from earlier in the night at 10pm and saving the 10pm shows for the next night or so, as I keep saying. The CW aired One Tree Hill with just 1.9 million, down a bit from previous week, followed by an even worse Life UneXpected at just 1.59 million, but up some week-to-week. No real help from the cross-over on both shows on this night.
Wednesday again it was CBS on top, with Fox and ABC close by in 18-49. CBS started the night off on top with week two of Survivor: Nicaragua at 12.32 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, up some in viewers but the same 18-49 from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 14.0 million and a 3.5 A18-49 rating, up some in viewers from previous week, but the same 18-49 as previous week. At 10pm, The Defenders aired and did 9.9 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, both up from previous week and the first time it didn't drop. Is it because ABC didn't have a competing drama in the hour? ABC started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing a solid 7.98 million and 2.5 18-49 rating, on par from previous week again. The new sitcom Better With You was next and did a 6.38 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, both down from previous week, which is too bad because it was the funniest episode since the pilot. The mammoth Modern Family was next and did 11.45 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating, on par with previous week in viewers but up some in 18-49. A new episode of Cougar Town did 7.23 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, both up from previous week again. At 10pm The Whole Truth was preempted for A Special Edition of 20/20: Miracle at the Mine doing 6.08 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, better than the 4.4 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating of The Whole Truth the previous week. NBC opened the night with disappointing Undercovers doing 5.93 million and only a 1.4 18-49 rating, down again from previous week. It has not once gone up. Law & Order: SVU was next doing 8.13 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week and seems way too low. A new episode of Law & Order: Los Angeles was next and did 7.26 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down a lot again from previous. This is another NBC bust so far. Fox quietly did solid with Hell's Kitchen at 6.3 million and 7.36 million and a 2.8 and 3.4 A18-49 rating. So consistent! The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at only 2.99 million, and a new episode of Hellcats followed with 2.01 million. Not too bad but former was up while the latter was down from previous week.
Thursday it was CBS on top again, but ABC had the top show again. ABC opened the night with a previous week repeat of Grey's Anatomy doing 4.08 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, both off some from previous week's encore. Then the all-new Grey's Anatomy followed with 12.11 million and a 4.6 A18-49 rating, down some in viewers from previous week but maintained the 18-49 rating again. A new episode of Private Practice was next doing 8.07 million and a 3.0 18-48 rating, up a tenth from previous week again. CBS opened with The Big Bang Theory at 12.56 million and a 4.3 A18-49 rating, on par in viewers but up a few tenths in 18-49 from previous week. The new comedy (or lack of comedy) $#*! My Dad Says followed with 10.16 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. Finally didn't drop, so a good sign. Let's see this week. A new CSI followed and did 14.45 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, both up sharply from previous week, while a new episode of The Mentalist did 15.13 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, winning its hour and also up previous week. Fox started off well with Bones at a solid 9.58 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, on par from previous week, but Fringe followed and only did 5.22 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par really though from previous week, too. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with Community doing just 4.81 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating but both up from previous week (still not good, though), followed by 30 Rock doing a special LIVE episode boosting its ratings to 6.7 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, way better than last week's series lows. At 9pm The Office jumped to 7.36 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, up from previous week, but given the better lead-in, thought it would go up more. A new Outsourced closed the comedy block with 5.4 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up a bit from previous week. It should have gone up more with the lead-ins all up. The Apprentice closed the night with only 3.7 million and a 1.3 18-49...just plain bad, but on par with previous week. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was a repeat with 1.95 million, and a 0.9 18-49 rating, followed by a repeat of Nikita at 1.71 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating. Even in repeats these two are just as good as the Monday and Tuesday schedule...so sad.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won a quiet Friday with their dramas with CSI: NY on top of the night. Fox's Good Guys and NBC's premiere of School Pride did terrible. ABC had an OK showing from 20/20 at 9 & 10, on par with NBC's Dateline in the same hours.
Saturday numbers had Fox win with MLB NLCS Game #1 nipping by ABC's NASCAR coverage. Everything else was repeats and low or a burn-off (Outlaw).
Tonight are new episodes for ABC Sunday (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters). Look for the Dancing with the Stars pros on Home Edition tonight! NBC should do well with the NFL. CBS has its normal Sunday line-up (includes Undercover Boss), with no NFL overrun this time to help it. Fox's animation block is preempted by an NFL overrun and MLB NLCS Game #2. Look for all four nets to do well. Everyone does well on Sunday in the fall (until NBC's NFL season is over and bombs in January)!
As for the week (week 4), CBS will win in HH, viewers and maybe 18-49, I say maybe because Fox has an NFL ovrrun that will either put them in first in 18-49 or second. ABC will remain second in HH/viewers, but Fox or even NBC could take second in 18-49. Fox should be third in HH/viewers, with NBC likely fourth. As for the coming week (week 5), we look for more climbs and declines of new shows and will some shows (Chase, The Whole Truth, Running Wilde, Good Guys) have their last outings this week? The event of the week is, will The Event drop more? Enjoy the week!
Week 4 How the Sitcoms Did
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 3 -- Oct. 4-10)
- The Simpsons (Fox) 2 episodes - An all-new episode at 8pm did 6.74 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, down big from previous week due to no direct NFL lead-in. A repeat leading in at 7:30pm did 3.86 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is not bad.
- The Cleveland Show (Fox) 2 episodes - A new showing in its regular 8:30pm time did just 5.63 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, down from previous week. This season has been disappointing so far for this show in the ratings. A repeat at 7pm did just 2.44 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating.
- Family Guy (Fox) - Fox aired a new episode doing 6.97 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, great but down from previous week thanks to no NFL leading into the block.
- American Dad! (Fox) - A new showing did 5.36 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, like the rest of the shows, down from previous week.
Monday Sitcoms
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 8.48 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, on par from the previous week.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 7.99 million for a new episode is a bit down from previous week, but the 3.0 18-49 rating is the same from previous week. Still disappointing, though.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.47 million for a new episode is down a million from week-to-week but its 4.5 18-49 rating was the same from previous week. Weird. It skewed older the previous week, but younger this week.
- Mike & Molly (CBS) - 10.72 million for a new episode is down from the previous week and so far the lowest yet. 18-49 rating of 3.5 was also down from previous week. What happened? Previous week it tied series best numbers, now down to series lows? It should climb back up tomorrow, if not, CBS needs to take a look at its performance the next few weeks.
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Raising Hope (Fox) - An all-new episode aired after Glee, which did a 4.7 18-49 rating, so this show should be better. But it still isn't and yet Fox ordered a full season...a little too quick, I think. It did 6.02 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, on par from previous week. Needs to do better, but it has the back nine to prove itself. Will it be one season and done? Or will it improve once Idol comes?
- Running Wilde (Fox) - This show is on cancelation watch. A new episode did only 3.28 million, down again from previous week and a 1.4 18-49 rating, is just terrible. It is being preempted soon for a few weeks...so after this week, we might have seen the last of the show. You know Fox doesn't care when Glee/Raising Hope are repeats this Tuesday, but this show is all-new. Can it even get a 1.0 18-49 this week?
- The Middle (ABC) - A new episode at 8pm did good with 7.98 million and a solid 2.5 18-49 rating. Nice numbers, and on par with previous week again. I'd like to see it grow in the coming weeks, as the nights get colder.
- Better with You (ABC) - The new comedy did 6.38 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating. Down from previous week, and lowest yet. Not good, but it hasn't bombed. I think it will go up this week.
- Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did a great 11.45 million and a 4.8 18-49 rating. On par in viewers with the previous week and up a few tenths in 18-49. The sitcom leader in 18-49!
- Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 7.23 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, up again from previous week and solid. What a funy episode, too, as the buzz is very positive on this show quality wise. I think this show would help ABC win Wednesdays at 10 in 18-49 (or even 8:30?), I think, with a new sitcom airing at 9:30 (like the upcoming Happy Endings?).
Thursday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did a solid 12.56 million, on par really from previous week and a 4.3 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. This show could do better than this, especially at 9pm.
- S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - Following the big lead-in again, a new episode did 10.16 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating. First time it went up from previous week. If it can maintain this, it will get the back nine. Sad right?
- Community (NBC) - A new episode only did 4.81 million and 2.2 A18-49 rating, but that is up from previous week's terrible ratings.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode at 8:30, was a special LIVE episode and it did 6.7 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, Up nearly two million from previous week and a full point in 18-49. Best numbers since like December. Nice, but look for a tumble this week. I think it was a fluke because of the live episode.
- The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 7.36 million, up some from previous week and a 3.8 18-49 rating, also up some. Did the lead-in boost it? We shall soon know...
- Outsourced (NBC) - A new episode dropped to 5.4 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating. Only up a tenth in 18-49, despite the lead-in going up. Oddly this is NBC's highest rated new show, beating The Event, Chase, Law & Order: LA and Undercovers this week. Sad!
Friday Sitcoms
- None.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted for the MLB NLCS.
Summing it up. Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, $#*! My Dad Says, Cougar Town were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as 30 Rock, Outsourced) or just plain old terrible (such as Running Wilde, Community).
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Digital Digest: Marcus Welby, M.D. - Season Two DVD Review
DIGITAL NEWS
We'll start with our biggest batch of news this week, coming from Mill Creek Entertainment. The website US Townhall hosted an online chat with their vice president of product acquisitions, and much to our surprise, they have a LOT of stuff on the way! You can read full details in this article from TVShowsOnDVD.com. But here are the highlights in a "digest" form for you:
- Women of the House, the spinoff of Designing Women that starred Delta Burke, is coming in May (or perhaps sooner).
- Mill Creek has more bargain releases of Shout! Factory releases on the way, including The Bill Cosby Show, Marcus Welby, M.D., My Two Dads, and California Dreams.
- Complete series releases of other Stephen J. Cannell series (ones that have not been previously released in the United States) are coming, including Stingray, Hawkeye, and Street Justice.
- Mill Creek has the rights to other Cannell properties as well, including The Greatest American Heroine, The Return of Hunter, Sonny Spoon, J.J. Starbuck, and more. A new manufacture-on-demand DVD program is coming soon, and many of these properties are likely to be released through that.
- Many animated series are coming through a deal with Cookie Jar/DiC, with plans to release at DVDs from the deal every month for the next few YEARS.
- Mill Creek is looking in to several other series (we won't mention titles, since it is all speculative right now).
Next, we have a big scoop that is... well... a somewhat unconfirmed scoop. It has been floating out there for a while, and it only recently came to our attention... and frankly even now, we're still not sure how accurate the information is. But it has come to our attention that the series Car 54, Where Are You? is possibly in the process of being prepared for a DVD release from Shanachie Entertainment! We do want to caution our readers, though, because we have not seen anything official on this, but this information (along with information from other websites) seems to suggest that this is the real deal. According to the information provided, look for the first season sometime early next year!
We all know that love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage, and now, Al and Peggy Bundy are coming together on DVD for Married... With Children - The Complete Series! Scheduled for release on November 29 at a $250.95 MSRP. That is subject to possible change, of course, as no official announcement or details have been made public.
Something that HAS been made public, however, is the details of CBS Home Entertainment's The Andy Griffith Show - 50th Anniversary: The Best of Mayberry have FINALLY been revealed, and a (hopefully) firm release date is now set! It should be available December 21 at $24.99, and will include 17 episodes of the series, along with many nice special features (including all of the ones that had been previously released on The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Series). You can check out this article for more details.
That isn't all for CBS, though. They made a little announcement on their Facebook page on Thursday night that indicates that a new release of a popular series is coming up in the near future! Look for a new release of Dynasty to come to DVD sometime early next year! To be specific, they stated, in response to a question from a fan about the series about the series:
"The next Dynasty release should be in the beginning of the year. Thanks for posting."Of course, that tidbit doesn't address exactly when, or what the release will be (although it should be the first half of the fifth season), but it is nice to know that something is on the way. Even more interesting, though, was the response that CBS DVD provided about the Dynasty spinoff, The Colbys:
"The next Dynasty release should be the beginning of the year. CBS is also looking at releasing the Colby's (sic). Thanks for posting."We wouldn't suggest that fans get their hopes up for a release just yet, but that is much more promising than a "no" or "we'll look in to it."
Finally, you can pre-order the first season of the HBO series How to Make it in America on Blu-ray Disc and DVD from amazon.com, although a release date has not yet been determined. Still, the existence of a pre-order indicates that it is most likely on the way.
It really has been a busy week for news on the home media front, and of course, we can't cover it all here, so we suggest that you check out TVShowsOnDVD.com for more news!
UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW
Tuesday (October 19) brings us only one sitcom, with Accidentally on Purpose - The Complete Series. We should have a review of this set very soon. There are other releases of interest to classic TV fans, though, including Tales from the Darkside - The Final Season, Ironside - Season Four (from Shout! Select), and Alias Smith and Jones - The Complete Series. And fans of the 1980s series Pee-wee's Playhouse might be interested in Pee-wee's Playhouse - The Complete Collection, although it does not contain any new or previously unreleased material.
BLOG FEATURE REVIEW
The doctor is in once again with Season Two of Marcus Welby, M.D. on DVD. Marcus Welby, M.D. stars Robert Young as Dr. Welby, a no-nonsense family practitioner with a heart of gold. Along with his partner, Dr. Steven Kiley, he tackles life-threatening conditions and situations in each and every episode. Here is our review of Marcus Welby, M.D. - Season Two.
DVD Review: Marcus Welby, M.D. - Season Two
by skees53
Marcus Welby, M.D. - Season Two (Shout! Factory, $49.97) includes all 24 episodes of the second season of the medical drama from the early 1970s on a six disc set. Robert Young and James Brolin star as Dr. Welby and Dr. Kiley, two doctors with different philosophies of medicine, but both with the same goal (to make their pateitns better), as they make it through some of the toughest medical cases out there. Unlike many other characters in medical dramas, Dr. Welby made house calls all over Los Angeles, making the show much more than a hospital drama.
A teenager gets a STD from swinging in "A Very Special Sailfish." In "Warn the World About Mike," Dr. Kiley's brother believes that he may be dying. The mother of a mentally handicapped child is forced to make a difficult decision in "Daisy in the Shadows." A young woman discovers that she has leprosy in "The Girl from Rainbow Beach." In "Sounding Brass," a father refuses to get help for his supposedly mentally handicapped child. A man endangers his life by not following Dr. Welby's advice after getting mononucleosis in "All the Golden Dandelions Are Gone."
Dr. Kiley falls in love with a young tuberculosis patient (who also happens to be married) in "False Spring." Dr. Welby must help an alcoholic surgeon in "A Woman's Place." In "Cynthia," Dr. Welby and Dr. Kiley are sued for malpractice. Dr. Welby helps a blind woman arrange plastic surgery for her big-eared son in "Don't Be a Kidder." In "Elegy for a Mad Dog," Dr. Welby is bitten by a rabid dog who belongs to a mentally challenged patient. A young girl develops an ulcer because she believes that her parents don't love her in "The Windfall."
This season has plenty of guest stars, including Cloris Leachman, Michele Lee, Larry Hagman, Suzanne Pleshette, Ricardo Montalban, Christine Belford, Belinda Montgomery, Dana Elcar, Mabel Albertson, Jessica Walter, and many others as patients, family members, and other doctors.
The episodes all appear to be unedited, with runtimes as follows:
Disc 1:
1. A Very Special Sailfish (49:27)
2. The Worth of a Man (49:34)
3. Warn the World About Mike (49:44)
4. Epidemic (49:28)
Disc 2:
5. To Get Through the Night (49:43)
6. Daisy in the Shadows (49:38)
7. The Labyrinth (49:44)
8. The Girl from Rainbow Beach (49:34)
Disc 3:
9. Aura to a New Tomorrow (49:33)
10. Sounding Brass (49:50)
11. To Carry the Sun in a Golden Cup (49:43)
12. All the Golden Dandelions Are Gone (49:34)
Disc 4:
13. Brave on a Mountain Top (49:46)
14. Another Buckle for Wesley Hill (49:44)
15. False Spring (49:36)
16. The Passing of Torches (49:44)
Disc 5:
17. A Woman's Place (49:46)
18. A Spanish Saying I Made Up (49:46)
19. Cynthia (49:45)
20. Don't Kid a Kidder (49:44)
Disc 6:
21. Elegy for a Mad Dog (49:50)
22. The Contract (49:41)
23. The Windfall (49:40)
24. The House of Alquist (49:41)
Just like the first season, the second season comes packaged in a double-thick keepcase containing six discs. The cover art has a picture of the two doctors in the office, and the back includes general information about the series and the second season. Inside, there are six discs, each containing a different medical related symbol. Each disc contains exactly four episodes. On the interior panels of the case, there are listings of all of the episodes and original airdates, but there is also a booklet inside. Just as was the case with season one, the booklet is nicely themed. This time, the cover is designed to look like a textbook, "Primary Healthcare: Continued Education." The booklet contains many photographs from the series, and brief descriptions for each and every episode.
The menus on the set are nice, but fairly basic. The main menu gives options of Play All and Select Episode, while the theme song plays in the background, and video from the episodes plays on top of the screen. Once you go to Select Episodes, a text list of episodes appears on the screen. That is really all there is to it. Chapters are placed throughout each episode.
For the most part, the video and audio quality on the set is pretty good, although there does seem to be some fluctuation from episode to episode. There is some grain and debris, but it really isn't too much out of the ordinary. The audio levels are fine, with the audio being presented in mono. The set is not closed-captioned or subtitled, unfortunately.
This set is totally devoid of special features, which is really a shame. It would be nice to see a special feature with actual physicians of the modern era to reflect on some of Dr. Welby's medical advice, some of which would be unheard of these days.
All in all, this is another great set of episodes of the series, although I still feel that the series needs something along the lines of special features. But it isn't a major problem, because there is so much to watch here with the episodes alone. Fans of newer medical dramas may not appreciate the slower pace of this medical drama, but the reality is that this series is a realistic view of the medical world OUTSIDE of the emergency room. This really is a great series, and medical drama fans should at least check it out.
-- Reviewed by skees53
(4/5 stars)To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
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Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
Marcus Welby, M.D. TV.com Page
LOOKING AHEAD
Halloween is on the way, so look for some "spooktacular" reviews of some Halloween related DVD releases over the next two weeks. We'll also be taking a look at some public domain DVDs, and plan to have some other features for you. And, even though we've still got a little over a month to go, we plan to put you completely in the loop next month with where you can find the best discounts on DVD for Black Friday (are we getting close to that time of the year already???). Until next time, keep it digital!
Friday, October 15, 2010
ABC Family Pulls Friday Night Lights Totally; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 18, 2010)
About 10 days ago we told you that ABC Family was moving Friday Night Lights to weekdays at 11am starting Oct. 11 and that did happen of course, but now starting next week (Oct. 18), it is being pulled from that slot even. The morning airing of Gilmore Girls will return and replace Friday Night Lights completely due to more bad ratings. The 11am move only lasted 5 days and had its last airing today. No word on if and when the series will return, but it underperformed in its weekdays at 6pm slot in September.
In other ABC Family updates, on Monday we told you that original sitcom Melissa & Joey was ordered for 20 more episodes, and yes that is still true, but they are now airing only 12 in the first half rather than 15. This means the fall finale will NOT be on Tuesday, Nov. 16 anymore, but it will be on Tuesday, Oct. 26 now. So 12 of the 30 episodes would have aired by then, meaning that 18 episodes will remain to air sometime in early 2011. This also means there is no catch-up marathon on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 1-8pm. However a mini-stack has been added on Friday, Nov. 19 from 7pm-11pm. No return date has been announced yet, but ABC Family did announce earlier this week that Pretty Little Liars will move to Mondays at 8pm for its second half of the season starting Jan. 3, followed by season four of Greek at 9pm. So it's possible Melissa & Joey could return to Tuesdays at 8p starting in January. Stay with us for updates.
And finally when the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas airs on weeknights starting Nov. 22, we mentioned before that My Wife & Kids will have its evening airings at 6pm aired at 1pm instead of 8 Simple Rules, but now that is not happening and 8 Simple Rules will remain at 1pm and My Wife & Kids will air at 12am still for these 10 days, while the Christmas programming airs weeknights starting at 6pm.
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of Oct. 18-22, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, October 18, 2010
In other ABC Family updates, on Monday we told you that original sitcom Melissa & Joey was ordered for 20 more episodes, and yes that is still true, but they are now airing only 12 in the first half rather than 15. This means the fall finale will NOT be on Tuesday, Nov. 16 anymore, but it will be on Tuesday, Oct. 26 now. So 12 of the 30 episodes would have aired by then, meaning that 18 episodes will remain to air sometime in early 2011. This also means there is no catch-up marathon on Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 1-8pm. However a mini-stack has been added on Friday, Nov. 19 from 7pm-11pm. No return date has been announced yet, but ABC Family did announce earlier this week that Pretty Little Liars will move to Mondays at 8pm for its second half of the season starting Jan. 3, followed by season four of Greek at 9pm. So it's possible Melissa & Joey could return to Tuesdays at 8p starting in January. Stay with us for updates.
And finally when the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas airs on weeknights starting Nov. 22, we mentioned before that My Wife & Kids will have its evening airings at 6pm aired at 1pm instead of 8 Simple Rules, but now that is not happening and 8 Simple Rules will remain at 1pm and My Wife & Kids will air at 12am still for these 10 days, while the Christmas programming airs weeknights starting at 6pm.
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 (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of Oct. 18-22, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!
Monday, October 18, 2010
- Jim Belushi (According to Jim) - Catch Jim on Lopez Tonight on TBS at 11pm.
- David Duchovny (Californication) - Catch David on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly so check your local listings.
- Sara Gilbert, Leah Remini, Holly Robinson-Peete - Watch these past sitcom stars on the CBS Early Show, promoting their new CBS talk show with co-hosts Julie Chen and Sharon Osbourne as well.
- Tyler Perry (House of Payne/Meet the Bowns) - Watch Tyler on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Raven Symone (That's So Raven/Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/Cosby Show) - Watch Raven on The Mo'nique Show on BET at 11pm.
- Julie Bowen (Modern Family) - Catch Julie on a repeat of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Tina Fey (30 Rock/SNL) - Catch Tina on a REPEAT of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
- Ted Danson (Becker/Cheers/Help Me Help You/Bored to Death) - Watch Ted on The Rachel Ray Show so check your local listings.
- Eve Plumb (The Brady Bunch) - Catch Eve on The Joy Behar Show at 9pm on HLN.
- James Burrows (Cheers) - Catch the legendary sitcom director on The Tavis Smiley Show on PBS, so check your listings for time.
- Patricia Heaton (The Middle/Everybody Loves Raymond/Back To You) - Catch Patty co-hosting the first of two days on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Jeff Foxworthy (The Jeff Foxworthy Show) - Watch Jeff on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your listings.
- Tyler Perry (House of Payne/Meet the Browns) -Watch Tyler on The Oprah Show, so check your listings.
- Jeff Foxworthy (The Jeff Foxworthy Show) - Catch Jeff on an all-new Lopez Tonight at 11pm on TBS.
- Patricia Heaton (The Middle/Everybody Loves Raymond/Back to You) - Watch Patty co-host for a second straight day on The View at 11am ET/10am CT-PT on ABC.
- Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) - Watch Jim on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly so do check your local listings for time and station.
- Judith Light (Who's the Boss?/Ugly Betty) - Watch Judith on the LIVE! with Regis & Kelly also, so check your listings.
- Ellie Kemper (The Office) - Watch Ellie on a REPEAT of Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS at 12:37am.
- Betty White (Hot in Cleveland/The Golden Girls/Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Watch a repeat of Betty on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Cast of The Big Bang Theory - Catch the cast on a REPEAT of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
- Tyler Perry (House of Payne/Meet the Browns) - Catch the funnymany and sitcom creator on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Fran Drescher (The Nanny) - Fran appears on the CBS Early Show sometime between 7-9am.
- JoAnna Garcia (Better With You/Reba) - Catch a repeat of JoAnna on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC
- Wanda Sykes (Old Christine) - Catch Wanda on The Ellen DeGeneres Show so check your local affiliate.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
TV Land November 2010 Schedule & Highlights; TUFF TV Gets Punk'd
We have the TV Land November 2010 schedule for you, but there are no regular schedule changes except for a weekend change. Effective Saturday, October 30, 2010, weekends from 12pm-4pm will now be two-hours each of I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched, replacing a block of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which is now off the line-up. The rest of the schedule remains the same. The season finale of original series Harry Loves Lisa will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, and it will be a one-hour episode. The series premiered last week (Oct. 6) to 863,000 viewers (up 20% from a year ago), as celebrity Hollywood couple Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin allow TV Land cameras to take a candid and open look inside their marriage.
Spend Thanksgiving weekend stuffing yourself with extra helpings of your favorite TV Land shows and more! During The 4th Annual Overstuffed Thanksgiving Weekend, TV Land is serving up four days (Nov. 25-28) filled with great TV and movies. With marathons of shows like The Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Good Times, Sanford & Son, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Roseanne together with movies My Cousin Vinny and Jerry Maguire, it's a TV dinner designed for the entire family to enjoy! And if that's not all, Thanksgiving weekend concludes with a very special Hot in Cleveland marathon featuring ALL 10 first season episodes that promises to end the weekend with a bang starting Sunday night at 8pm!
TV Land Monday movies are now at 9pm (since last week) and have premieres of Stripes and Jerry Maguire with encores of My Cousin Vinny, Roxanne and When Harry Met Sally.
View the FULL TV Land November 2010 schedule and highlights, and as always stay with us for any changes.
TUFF TV has acquired rights to the Ashton Kutcher-created Punk'd television series, the show that first premiered on MTV. "We're pumped about the addition of Punk'd on TUFF. The show is a great fit for our target audience," said Lou Seals, CEO of TUFF TV. Punk'd will air Monday through Friday on TUFF TV at in primetime at 8:30pm and in the daytime at 12:30pm.
TUFF TV is the first digital broadcast network to offer original programming targeted at men 18-49 and the specific pursuits, interests, and hobbies they are passionate about. TUFF TV includes a unique and synergistic combination of programming genres aimed at the male lifestyle. TUFF TV provides the first-ever mix of these specific genres on one network. Programming content consists of Sports, Lifestyle, Drama, Reality, Talk, Specials, and Movies.
TUFF TV is a sister network to RTV - Retro Television. Among the other series TUFF airs are The Bill Cosby Show, The Rifleman, Peter Gunn, I Spy and Daniel Boone -- which are all older series from the '50s-70s.
Spend Thanksgiving weekend stuffing yourself with extra helpings of your favorite TV Land shows and more! During The 4th Annual Overstuffed Thanksgiving Weekend, TV Land is serving up four days (Nov. 25-28) filled with great TV and movies. With marathons of shows like The Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Good Times, Sanford & Son, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Roseanne together with movies My Cousin Vinny and Jerry Maguire, it's a TV dinner designed for the entire family to enjoy! And if that's not all, Thanksgiving weekend concludes with a very special Hot in Cleveland marathon featuring ALL 10 first season episodes that promises to end the weekend with a bang starting Sunday night at 8pm!
TV Land Monday movies are now at 9pm (since last week) and have premieres of Stripes and Jerry Maguire with encores of My Cousin Vinny, Roxanne and When Harry Met Sally.
View the FULL TV Land November 2010 schedule and highlights, and as always stay with us for any changes.
TUFF TV has acquired rights to the Ashton Kutcher-created Punk'd television series, the show that first premiered on MTV. "We're pumped about the addition of Punk'd on TUFF. The show is a great fit for our target audience," said Lou Seals, CEO of TUFF TV. Punk'd will air Monday through Friday on TUFF TV at in primetime at 8:30pm and in the daytime at 12:30pm.
TUFF TV is the first digital broadcast network to offer original programming targeted at men 18-49 and the specific pursuits, interests, and hobbies they are passionate about. TUFF TV includes a unique and synergistic combination of programming genres aimed at the male lifestyle. TUFF TV provides the first-ever mix of these specific genres on one network. Programming content consists of Sports, Lifestyle, Drama, Reality, Talk, Specials, and Movies.
TUFF TV is a sister network to RTV - Retro Television. Among the other series TUFF airs are The Bill Cosby Show, The Rifleman, Peter Gunn, I Spy and Daniel Boone -- which are all older series from the '50s-70s.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
TV One Primetime Schedule Changes; ABC Orders Winter Wipeout for January/February; Chilean Miners 20/20 Special Tonight
Yes, we have TV One news two days in a row! It was just yesterday we gave you TV One's November 2010 schedule, but now they made a schedule change that started last night. The weeknight block of 9-11pm has changed. Airing now in the 9pm hour, now we have back-to-back episodes of A Different World, that pushes Living Single from just 9:30pm to now a full hour at 10pm, replacing an episode each of All of Us and The Tracy Morgan Show. So now All of Us only will air Saturday mornings in the 7am hour and Tracy Morgan Show is off the regular schedule completely. But as we mentioned yesterday, there will be a stunt on Saturday, Nov. 14. Encores of A Different World and Living Single will air between 12-2am.
The Big Balls are shivering in anticipation because this January, ABC's Wipeout is back with a brand new "Winter Wonderland" course, complete with slippery ice, frosty snow and numerous avalanches of Wipeouts. Cold climate-loving contestants will bundle up as they compete on all-new stunts such as the Spanker Sleds, the Wipeout Ski Lift and the Polar Bear Run. So cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, and join us for a winter edition that is sure to Wipeout your winter blues. This new winter series will be in addition to the summer series of season four, bringing the season episode order to 24 episodes. 8 episodes of the Winter edition will air starting in January and continuing in February. A date and time has not been announced yet, but there are two options: Thursdays at 8 and Tuesdays at 8. If Tuesdays at 8, they would have No Ordinary Family move to 9pm. If it's Thursdays at 8, then we know V isn't coming here and Secret Millionaire is airing in Nov/Dec. Still plenty of schedule announcements are to come, so stay with us. And yes, 16 regular episodes will still air this summer, so not to fret, you'll still have your regular summer fix!
Wipeout is hosted by John Anderson & John Henson and co-hosted by Jill Wagner.
And finally, ABC will schedule an ABC News special tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 13) at 10pm titled A Special Edition of 20/20: Miracle at the Mine on on those amazing Chilean miners that are being rescued. The special will be anchored by Diane Sawyer from New York with reports from Bill Weir and John Quinones. This means new legal drama The Whole Truth is preempted tonight. So make a note of that.
The Big Balls are shivering in anticipation because this January, ABC's Wipeout is back with a brand new "Winter Wonderland" course, complete with slippery ice, frosty snow and numerous avalanches of Wipeouts. Cold climate-loving contestants will bundle up as they compete on all-new stunts such as the Spanker Sleds, the Wipeout Ski Lift and the Polar Bear Run. So cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, and join us for a winter edition that is sure to Wipeout your winter blues. This new winter series will be in addition to the summer series of season four, bringing the season episode order to 24 episodes. 8 episodes of the Winter edition will air starting in January and continuing in February. A date and time has not been announced yet, but there are two options: Thursdays at 8 and Tuesdays at 8. If Tuesdays at 8, they would have No Ordinary Family move to 9pm. If it's Thursdays at 8, then we know V isn't coming here and Secret Millionaire is airing in Nov/Dec. Still plenty of schedule announcements are to come, so stay with us. And yes, 16 regular episodes will still air this summer, so not to fret, you'll still have your regular summer fix!
Wipeout is hosted by John Anderson & John Henson and co-hosted by Jill Wagner.
And finally, ABC will schedule an ABC News special tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 13) at 10pm titled A Special Edition of 20/20: Miracle at the Mine on on those amazing Chilean miners that are being rescued. The special will be anchored by Diane Sawyer from New York with reports from Bill Weir and John Quinones. This means new legal drama The Whole Truth is preempted tonight. So make a note of that.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
TV One November 2010 Schedule; Outlaw Is the Third New Series Canceled
This November on TV One, there will be no changes to the regular schedule. However, as always, there are plenty of sitcom stunts! On Saturday, November 13 beginning at 2pm through 8pm, it's hating taken to a new comedic level as TV One presents the "Martin: Hater Nation" Marathon featuring episodes of the popular TV One sitcom focusing on people 'hating' on Martin Payne and his friends. There will be encores as well starting at 10:30pm.
On Sunday, November 14 beginning at 12pm, it's a TV One comedy corner as they present a day of laughter with a marathon of the popular TV One sitcom The Tracy Morgan Show starring Tracy Morgan followed by the classic buddy comedy film Let's Do It Again starring Bill Cosby & Sidney Poitier airing at 8pm.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 25) beginning at 6am, it's Thanksgiving Day with families getting together and TV One's mix of comedy, music, and movies will keep viewers in the holiday spirit. The sitcoms will air from 6am-1pm with Half & Half, All of Us, Good Times, A Different World, Living Single and of course Martin airing.
On Saturday, November 27 beginning at 1pm, as viewers spend holiday time with their families on Thanksgiving weekend, TV One airs a 'family day' marathon of the classic family sitcom Good Times to let viewers also spend time with one of their favorite TV families, the Evans family. The marathons airs all day and night through 6am! Dyno-mite!
And finally on Saturday, December 4 beginning at 1pm, TV One airs a marathon of the Eddie Murphy claymation sitcom The PJs creating an Eddie Murphy Marathon Mania on TV One because the premiere of The Nutty Professor airs at 8pm. The PJs encores from 12am-6am.
And finally, we now have the third new series canceled. After just four episodes, NBC has canceled low-rated Friday drama Outlaw. Three of those four episodes aired on Friday, while the series premiere got a sampling the week before the season on Wednesday following the America's Got Talent finale. The latest episode and only did a 0.9 18-49 rating, as CBS ad ABC both doubled that at a 1.8 rating at 10pm. NBC will now burn-off the remaining four episodes that were shot on Saturdays at 8pm starting this Saturday (Oct. 16). The finale is set to air on Saturday, Nov. 13 (it is preempted on Oct. 30 for Halloween specials). On Fridays now, NBC will expand Dateline to two-hours from 9pm-11pm, rather than the planned one-hour at 9pm. NBC launches new reality series School Pride this Friday (Oct. 15) at 8pm, as previously announced. Outlaw joins Lone Star and My Generation in canceled series, though the latter two still has unaired episodes to air. Next on the chopping block could be Running Wilde, Good Guys, The Apprentice, The Whole Truth, Undercovers, or Chase. Jury is still out on Detroit 1-8-7 and The Event, while many other series still continue to drop (Hawaii Five-0, Outsourced, $#*! My Dad Says).
On Sunday, November 14 beginning at 12pm, it's a TV One comedy corner as they present a day of laughter with a marathon of the popular TV One sitcom The Tracy Morgan Show starring Tracy Morgan followed by the classic buddy comedy film Let's Do It Again starring Bill Cosby & Sidney Poitier airing at 8pm.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 25) beginning at 6am, it's Thanksgiving Day with families getting together and TV One's mix of comedy, music, and movies will keep viewers in the holiday spirit. The sitcoms will air from 6am-1pm with Half & Half, All of Us, Good Times, A Different World, Living Single and of course Martin airing.
On Saturday, November 27 beginning at 1pm, as viewers spend holiday time with their families on Thanksgiving weekend, TV One airs a 'family day' marathon of the classic family sitcom Good Times to let viewers also spend time with one of their favorite TV families, the Evans family. The marathons airs all day and night through 6am! Dyno-mite!
And finally on Saturday, December 4 beginning at 1pm, TV One airs a marathon of the Eddie Murphy claymation sitcom The PJs creating an Eddie Murphy Marathon Mania on TV One because the premiere of The Nutty Professor airs at 8pm. The PJs encores from 12am-6am.
And finally, we now have the third new series canceled. After just four episodes, NBC has canceled low-rated Friday drama Outlaw. Three of those four episodes aired on Friday, while the series premiere got a sampling the week before the season on Wednesday following the America's Got Talent finale. The latest episode and only did a 0.9 18-49 rating, as CBS ad ABC both doubled that at a 1.8 rating at 10pm. NBC will now burn-off the remaining four episodes that were shot on Saturdays at 8pm starting this Saturday (Oct. 16). The finale is set to air on Saturday, Nov. 13 (it is preempted on Oct. 30 for Halloween specials). On Fridays now, NBC will expand Dateline to two-hours from 9pm-11pm, rather than the planned one-hour at 9pm. NBC launches new reality series School Pride this Friday (Oct. 15) at 8pm, as previously announced. Outlaw joins Lone Star and My Generation in canceled series, though the latter two still has unaired episodes to air. Next on the chopping block could be Running Wilde, Good Guys, The Apprentice, The Whole Truth, Undercovers, or Chase. Jury is still out on Detroit 1-8-7 and The Event, while many other series still continue to drop (Hawaii Five-0, Outsourced, $#*! My Dad Says).
Monday, October 11, 2010
ABC Family Orders More Melissa & Joey, More Pilots, and 2010 Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas
Happy Columbus Day! When we told you about ABC Family's annual 13 Nights of Halloween, we told you about Melissa & Joey's Halloween episode (which airs on October 19), but that put it past its 10 episode order. Now we know why, ABC Family has ordered more episodes, as we sort of knew. Originally the original sitcom had a 10 episode order, but now ABC Family has ordered 20 more, for a total of 30 airing this season. ABC Family will split the season in two halves, like they do with all of their original series. The first half will consist of 15 episodes and will have its fall finale on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 8pm. No word yet on when the second half will air, but it will be sometime in early to mid-2011. Perhaps after the second half of Pretty Little Liars (returns in January for 12 more episodes) is over with? Melissa & Joey of course stars Melissa Joan Hart as Mel and Joey Lawrence as Joe.
ABC Family has given the production greenlight to four more pilots as well. The pilots are Untitled Brenda Hampton Project, What Would Jane Do, The Lying Game and The Great State of Georgia. The latter, The Great State of Georgia, is a half-hour multi-camera sitcom about an exuberant plus-sized performer from the south and her science geek best friend who try to make headway in New York City. Pilot writers are Jennifer Weiner (author of the best-selling novels Good in Bed, and In Her Shoes (Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette starred in the feature film version by the same name)) and Jeff Greenstein (Desperate Housewives, Friends, Will & Grace). No casting has been announced yet. The other three pilots are scripted one-hour dramas. In What Would Jane Do, the series follows 16 year-old Jane, who lands a job at a hip retail company when they mistake her for an adult. Jane soon finds herself juggling life as a regular teenager in high school and as an assistant to a high powered executive in the cutthroat world of fashion... all while trying to keep her true identity a secret. Executive producer is Gavin Polone (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gilmore Girls); writer is April Blair (Christmas Caper).
In The Lying Game, the series follows Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who can't catch a break. She finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton, who - unlike Emma - was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. After their initial meeting, Sutton talks Emma into stepping into her life for a few days while she pursues a lead on their birth mother. Initially excited to do this favor for her sister, Emma soon learns that Sutton has gone missing and could be in trouble. Now, Emma must decide whether to come clean to Sutton's family and risk her own safety in the hope of uncovering her twin sister's true whereabouts, along with the truth about why they were separated in the first place. Charles Pratt, Jr. (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives) serves as executive producer and writer; Leslie Morgenstein (Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo will serve as executive producers. Produced by Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television, the series is based on the upcoming novel by Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard.
And in the Untitled Brenda Hampton Project, it is executive produced by Brenda Hampton (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, 7th Heaven), and is a groundbreaking and heartfelt look at the lives and families of four ethnically-diverse teenage girls at a private school in California. The pilot follows the girls and the challenges they face at home -- challenges that include a parent with terminal cancer, a brother with a behavioral disorder, and a father who parents with an unwaveringly strict hand.
And today it is an all ABC Family news day on this Columbus Day holiday, so we will give you their November 2010 highlights, which includes the "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas." The countdown starts Sunday, November 21, 2010. Among the movies airing are Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Holiday in Handcuffs, A Carol Christmas, Aladdin, Ice Age, Dumbo, Mary Poppins, A Boy Named Charlie Brown, Snoopy Come Home, Home Alone 2, Home Alone 4, Richie Rich, Happy Feet and the ABC Family original movie premiere of The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation on Sunday, Nov. 28. Holiday episodes include America's Funniest Home Videos Thanksgiving & Christmas episodes and Boy Meets World Christmas episodes. The countdown airs Nov. 21-30, then the actual stunt starts Dec. 1 through 25. As we mentioned earlier, Melissa & Joey has its fall season finale on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 8pm. Leading into the finale will be the first 14 episodes of the season, so you can catch-up with any missed episodes or get hooked for the first time! The marathon airs from 1-8pm. Other November 2010 highlights includes the ABC Family premieres of Evan Almighty, Trading Places and Cheaper by the Dozen. And when the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas airs on weeknights, My Wife & Kids will have its evening airings at 6pm aired at 1pm instead of 8 Simple Rules.
View the full list of movies and episodes airing on ABC Family's 2010 Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas (Nov. 21-30).
And finally we leave you today reminding you to watch the launch of new network The Hub! The Hub is replacing Discovery Kids and will feature sitcoms starting at 8pm every weeknight. We get Family Ties, The Wonder Years, Doogie Howser, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Batman, as we mentioned! Holy classic TV, Batman indeed! Watch tonight on The Hub!
ABC Family has given the production greenlight to four more pilots as well. The pilots are Untitled Brenda Hampton Project, What Would Jane Do, The Lying Game and The Great State of Georgia. The latter, The Great State of Georgia, is a half-hour multi-camera sitcom about an exuberant plus-sized performer from the south and her science geek best friend who try to make headway in New York City. Pilot writers are Jennifer Weiner (author of the best-selling novels Good in Bed, and In Her Shoes (Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette starred in the feature film version by the same name)) and Jeff Greenstein (Desperate Housewives, Friends, Will & Grace). No casting has been announced yet. The other three pilots are scripted one-hour dramas. In What Would Jane Do, the series follows 16 year-old Jane, who lands a job at a hip retail company when they mistake her for an adult. Jane soon finds herself juggling life as a regular teenager in high school and as an assistant to a high powered executive in the cutthroat world of fashion... all while trying to keep her true identity a secret. Executive producer is Gavin Polone (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gilmore Girls); writer is April Blair (Christmas Caper).
In The Lying Game, the series follows Emma, a kind-hearted foster kid who can't catch a break. She finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton, who - unlike Emma - was adopted by wealthy parents and is seemingly living an ideal life. After their initial meeting, Sutton talks Emma into stepping into her life for a few days while she pursues a lead on their birth mother. Initially excited to do this favor for her sister, Emma soon learns that Sutton has gone missing and could be in trouble. Now, Emma must decide whether to come clean to Sutton's family and risk her own safety in the hope of uncovering her twin sister's true whereabouts, along with the truth about why they were separated in the first place. Charles Pratt, Jr. (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives) serves as executive producer and writer; Leslie Morgenstein (Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo will serve as executive producers. Produced by Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television, the series is based on the upcoming novel by Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard.
And in the Untitled Brenda Hampton Project, it is executive produced by Brenda Hampton (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, 7th Heaven), and is a groundbreaking and heartfelt look at the lives and families of four ethnically-diverse teenage girls at a private school in California. The pilot follows the girls and the challenges they face at home -- challenges that include a parent with terminal cancer, a brother with a behavioral disorder, and a father who parents with an unwaveringly strict hand.
And today it is an all ABC Family news day on this Columbus Day holiday, so we will give you their November 2010 highlights, which includes the "Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas." The countdown starts Sunday, November 21, 2010. Among the movies airing are Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Holiday in Handcuffs, A Carol Christmas, Aladdin, Ice Age, Dumbo, Mary Poppins, A Boy Named Charlie Brown, Snoopy Come Home, Home Alone 2, Home Alone 4, Richie Rich, Happy Feet and the ABC Family original movie premiere of The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation on Sunday, Nov. 28. Holiday episodes include America's Funniest Home Videos Thanksgiving & Christmas episodes and Boy Meets World Christmas episodes. The countdown airs Nov. 21-30, then the actual stunt starts Dec. 1 through 25. As we mentioned earlier, Melissa & Joey has its fall season finale on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 8pm. Leading into the finale will be the first 14 episodes of the season, so you can catch-up with any missed episodes or get hooked for the first time! The marathon airs from 1-8pm. Other November 2010 highlights includes the ABC Family premieres of Evan Almighty, Trading Places and Cheaper by the Dozen. And when the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas airs on weeknights, My Wife & Kids will have its evening airings at 6pm aired at 1pm instead of 8 Simple Rules.
View the full list of movies and episodes airing on ABC Family's 2010 Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas (Nov. 21-30).
And finally we leave you today reminding you to watch the launch of new network The Hub! The Hub is replacing Discovery Kids and will feature sitcoms starting at 8pm every weeknight. We get Family Ties, The Wonder Years, Doogie Howser, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Batman, as we mentioned! Holy classic TV, Batman indeed! Watch tonight on The Hub!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Week 3 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did
2010-11 Week 3 TV Ratings (first four nights of the season, Mon-Thu):
Households: #1. CBS 8.0/13.2 rating/share; #2. ABC 6.9/11.4; #3. Fox 4.5/7.2; #4. NBC 3.9/6.5; #5. The CW 1.5/2.4.
Total Viewers: #1. CBS 13.01 million; #2. ABC 10.87 million; #3. Fox 7.58 million; #4. NBC 6.27 million; #5. The CW 2.33 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 3.3/9.3 rating/share; #2. Fox 3.0/8.3; #3. ABC 2.9/8.2; #4. NBC 2.1/6.0; #5. The CW 1.1/3.0.
Week 3 (Oct. 4-10) Analysis: We are already nearing the end of week three and the first four nights have the big three bit down again. Fox and The CW stayed flat or up some from previous week's first four nights. Through the first four days, CBS has the lead in all categories still, with ABC in second in HH/viewers but .1 behind Fox in 18-49, Fox is in third in HH/viewers while NBC is back in the familiar fourth. This could change after tonight, due to NFL again, but I still expect CBS to take the week and ABC to remain second overall with possibly NBC overtaking Fox overall thanks to NFL. Last week, week 2, had CBS in first in all categories once again. ABC was second in HH/viewers, but fourth in 18-49 thanks to NFL action on NBC/Fox. NBC was third in all categories, with Fox in fourth in HH/viewers, but 2nd in 18-49. The 18-49 rating was very close from first to fourth, with only a half point difference from first to fourth.
Monday still has ABC on top, just like the previous week. A two-hour Dancing with the Stars won the total viewer race with 19.89 million and a 4.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week, though it was preempted in Boston and Manchester, NH for Monday Night Football simulcast. The same for an all-new Castle which still did a solid 10.83 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, both down some from the previous week. Next up was CBS with its comedies and the new Hawaii Five-0. How I Met Your Mother started it off with 8.6 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week's numbers and Rules of Engagement followed with 8.43 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up in viewers but down some in 18-49 from the previous week. Two and a Half Men followed with 14.37 million and a 4.5 18-49 rating, up some in viewers but down from previous week in 18-49. Week three of Mike & Molly did 12.21 million and a 3.9 18-49 rating, up from previous week and tied or surpassed the pilot's numbers already. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 12.24 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, again down some from previous week and CSI: Miami last season. Fox was next with House doing 10.78 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, up some from previous week. The season premiere of Lie To Me followed and dropped to 5.86 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, but doubled what the canceled Lone Star was doing. NBC followed with the should have been canceled Chuck doing only at 5.38 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The new series The Event was next and dropped again and did only 7.56 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, it is getting closer to Heroes numbers from last year sooner than I thought it would. It's already there! A new Chase was next and did only 5.78 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down again from previous week. The CW on Mondays is bad, with 90210 doing only 1.79 million, down some week-to-week and Gossip Girl at 2.0 million, which is actually up from previous week.
Tuesday, Fox, CBS and ABC battled again. CBS had the always reliable NCIS opening the night off with 19.81 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, up some in viewers a bit from previous week but down some in 18-49. Another old skew for CBS. A new episode of NCIS: Los Angeles was next and did 16.15 million and 3.4 18-49 rating, both off from previous week. And finally CBS had a new The Good Wife and did 12.76 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, on par really from previous week. As I said before, DVR is hurting 10pm on Tuesdays with all the shows from 8-10pm on the networks being watched after 10pm and these 10pm shows saved for the next day or later in the week. ABC was next week two of No Ordinary Family leading the night off doing 8.99 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating. That is still solid and down only 16% from the premiere, which is typical for a second episode drop for a new series. It just needs to stay here now and no more drops. The live Dancing with the Stars Results Show followed at 9pm and did 16.7 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating, down from previous week as we said goodbye to Margaret Cho. A new episode of the gritty Detroit 1-8-7 followed and did a decent 7.83 million and only a 1.7 18-49 rating, both off from previous week. That was an EXCELLENT episode that people will see on their DVR I guess since the 10pm shows are all down in live+same day ratings on this night. Fox started off huge with a new showing of Glee doing 11.2 million but an even better 4.6 18-49 rating..this was down a lot from previous week's hyped Britney Spears episode. Next were the two sitcoms Raising Hope and Running Wilde doing 6.18 million and 3.86 million and also a 2.5 and 1.7 18-49 rating. Both did bad this week, not just the latter, yet the former was picked up for a full season already. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser 2-hour episode doing 6.84 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down again and I never seen it this low, followed by an all-new Parenthood at just 5.16 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, up some week-to-week. There are just too many options on Tuesdays, and people are watching the DVRed shows at 10pm, as I keep saying. The CW aired One Tree Hill with just 1.97 million, but that was up actually, followed by an even worse Life UneXpected at just 1.51 million, maintaining its numbers week-to-week. CW needs help on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Wednesday again it was CBS on top, with Fox close by in 18-49. CBS started the night off on top with week two of Survivor: Nicaragua at 12.05 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, down some in viewers but up in 18-49 from previous week. Veteran drama Criminal Minds did 13.87 million and a 3.5 A18-49 rating, both down some from previous week. At 10pm, The Defenders aired and did 9.37 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down again from previous week. CBS needs help in this slot. ABC started off with its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing a solid 8.03 million and 2.5 18-49 rating, on par from previous week. The new sitcom Better With You was next and did a decent 6.87 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, going up a tenth from previous week. The mammoth Modern Family was next and did 11.44 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. A new episode of Cougar Town did 7.1 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, both up from previous week. At 10pm The Whole Truth did just 4.4 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, actually up a tenth from previous week. It will only last I think through the end of this month, so watch while you can. NBC opened the night with disappointing Undercovers doing 6.38 million and only a 1.5 18-49 rating, down again from previous week. Will it ever be stable? Law & Order: SVU was next doing 8.69 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating. Decent again, but down some from previous week. A new episode of Law & Order: Los Angeles was next and did 8.26 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, down a lot from the premiere. I was right, it dropped a lot but remains first place. Fox quietly did solid with Hell's Kitchen at 6.32 million and 7.0 million and a 3.0 and 3.3 A18-49 rating. Up again from previous week. The CW had its usual showing of Top Model at only 2.85 million, and a new episode of Hellcats followed with 2.13 million. Not too bad but both down some from previous week.
Thursday it was CBS on top again, but ABC had the top show again and closed the gap. ABC opened the night with a previous week repeat of Grey's Anatomy doing a bit better than previous week's My Generation at 4.15 million and a 1.2 18-49 rating. Then the all-new Grey's Anatomy followed with 12.75 million and a 4.6 A18-49 rating, up some in viewers from previous week and maintained the 18-49 rating. A new episode of Private Practice was next doing 7.9 million and a 2.9 18-48 rating, up a tenth from previous week. CBS opened with The Big Bang Theory at 12.58 million and a 4.1 A18-49 rating, down again from previous week. Still great, but this show could do better. The new comedy (or lack of comedy) $!*# My Dad Says followed with 9.77 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating. Dropping again from previous week, it lost its 8:30pm lead now. A new CSI followed and showed its age with 12.5 million and a series low of 2.7 18-49 rating, while a new episode of The Mentalist did 14.39 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, winning its hour and on par with from previous week. Fox started off well with Bones at a solid 9.24 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, on par from previous week, but Fringe followed and only did 5.19 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, on par really though from previous week. NBC was in the familiar fourth place with Community doing just 4.19 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating only, followed by 30 Rock at series lows of 4.9 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, what happened? At 9pm The Office jumped to 6.95 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, but down again from previous week. This show is no longer a force. A new Outsourced closed the comedy block with 5.22 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down again from previous week. A lot of new shows have gone down each week besides just a few have gone up (Mike & Molly/Better With You). The Apprentice closed the night with only 3.71 million and a 1.3 18-49...just plain bad. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries did 3.47 million, and a 1.6 18-49 rating, up from previous week, followed by a new Nikita at 2.9 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, up some week-to-week.
Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but CBS won a quiet Friday with their dramas with CSI: NY on top of the night. Fox's Good Guys and NBC's Outlaw continue to bomb and do terrible, and could be pulled soon. ABC had a good showing from 20/20 at 10.
Saturday numbers had Fox win with their crime reality beating ABC's Saturday Night Football. Everything else was repeats and low.
Tonight are new episodes for ABC Sunday (AFV, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters). Look for more Teri Hatcher in lingerie on Desperate Housewives tonight! It is very good! NBC should do well with the NFL as usual. CBS has an NFL overrun that will boost its line-up. Fox has its animation block from 7-10pm, including new episodes from 8-10.
As for the week (week 3), CBS will win in HH, viewers and 18-49, as NFL overrun will seal that. ABC will remain second in HH/viewers, but NBC could take second in 18-49 with a good NFL game tonight. NBC should be third in HH/viewers, with Fox likely fourth in everything (no NFL this week for them to help). As for the coming week (week 4), will more than just Better With You and Mike & Molly go up this week? Maybe No Ordinary Family, will remain stable? Can The Event stop dropping? Will more drops occur for Chase, Shat My Dad Says, Undercovers and Whole Truth? We shall see!
Week 3 How the Sitcoms Did
Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for week 2 -- Sept. 27-Oct. 3)
- The Simpsons (Fox) - An all-new episode at 8pm following NFL overrun did solid with 8.63 million and a 4.2 18-49 rating, up from the season premiere thanks ti NFL.
- The Cleveland Show (Fox) - A new showing did 6.7 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week but this week the lead-in was larger...so a bit disappointing.
- Family Guy (Fox) - Fox aired a new episode doing 7.98 million and a 4.0 18-49 rating, great but down from previous week's season's premiere, though that was one-hour.
- American Dad! (Fox) - The season premiere did 6.16 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, good showing.
Monday Sitcoms
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 8.6 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating. Great but down from the previous week.
- Rules of Engagement (CBS) - 8.43 million for a new episode is a it above previous week, but the 3.0 18-49 rating is up a down some from previous week. Disappointing.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 14.37 million for a new episode is up some from week-to-week but its 4.5 18-49 rating was down from previous week. Skewed older than previous week.
- Mike & Molly (CBS) - 12.21 million for a new episode is up from the previous week, so that's a good sign. 18-49 rating of 3.9 was up some from previous week. We thought it would go up and it did!
Tuesday Sitcoms
- Raising Hope (Fox) - An all-new episode aired after Glee, which did a 4.6 18-49 rating, so this show should be better. But it isn't and yet Fox ordered a full season after this. It did a 6.18 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week. Needs to do better.
- Running Wilde (Fox) - This show is not doing well. A new episode did 3.86 million, down again from previous week and a 1.7 18-49 rating, is not good either. Not good folks!
- The Middle (ABC) - A new episode at 8pm did good with 8.03 million and a solid 2.5 18-49 rating. Nice numbers, and on par with previous week.
- Better with You (ABC) - The new comedy did 6.87 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating. Up slightly in 18-49, as I expected.
- Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did a great 11.44 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating. On par really with the previous week.
- Cougar Town (ABC) - A new episode did 7.1 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up from previous week and solid. This show would help ABC win Wednesdays at 10 in 18-49, I think.
Thursday Sitcoms
- The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did a solid 12.58 million, off some again from previous week and a 4.1 18-49 rating, down a bit from previous week. Modern Family was the top sitcom again this week in 18-49, as a result. I predicted this show would be 3.8-4.3 in general, so it was in that range this week.
- S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) - Following the big lead-in again, a new episode did 9.77 million, down again and a 2.9 18-49 rating. Bones is going to kill it soon in the 8:30pm half-hour.
- Community (NBC) - A new episode only did 4.19 million and 1.8 A18-49 rating. Down from previous week again.
- 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode at 8:30 did 4.9 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, down a half point in 18-49 from previous two weeks. What happened?
- The Office (NBC) - A new episode did 6.95 million, down again from previous week and a 3.5 18-49 rating, the lowest fall numbers for this show.
- Outsourced (NBC) - A new episode dropped to 5.22 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating. Hasn't gone down as much as I thought it would, but still not too good.
Friday Sitcoms
- Modern Family (ABC) - A special encore of this week's episode did OK for a repeat with a prelim 3.89 million and a prelim 1.0 18-49 rating in a weak 8pm slot. This was the last Friday encore. So watch it on Wednesdays now if you watched these!
- The Middle (ABC) - A special encore of this week's episode did prelim 3.03 million and a prelim 0.9 A18-49 rating at 8:30. As with the lead-in, this was the last Friday encore. Be alert to watch it on Wednesdays only now.
Saturday Sitcoms
- None.
Airing tonight (Sunday) are Fox's animated comedies from 8-10PM.
Summing it up. Modern Family, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, How I Met Your Mother were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Middle, Better With You, Outsourced) or just plain old terrible (such as Running Wilde, Community, 30 Rock).
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Saturday, August 29
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Heartbreak and the Refuge of the Downtrodden" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie, Mandy and the family do their best to lift Connor’s spirits during a rough patch while Connor tries to figure out a plan for his life.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 24)
Saturday, August 29 and Auguest 30
- Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) and Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Amy and Will bond over their box office bomb on a repeat of The Weekend View on ABC News Live at 7:30am.
New on DVD and 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)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/29/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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