SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's been a busy week of news, so we're trying to tie up some of the loose ends here that we didn't cover elsewhere in the blog this week (and repeating some of the things you've heard, of course), including new life for old episodes of The Carol Burnett Show, a Party of Five reboot, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

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

by Vincent

Although this hasn't been the best season for network television, there have been a few bright spots, even in a year with a rather underwhelming freshman class, particularly for sitcoms (the fall's only promising sitcom The Mayor was just cancelled, before it could really live up to its potential). In terms of network comedy, the ultimate bright spot is one that started last year but has expanded this year - the return of NBC's Thursday night comedy line-up. For television fans, NBC Thursdays was long known as the night where you could go to watch smart and high-quality sitcoms, starting with when the night featured shows like Cheers and The Cosby Show in the mid-late 1980s, continuing into the '90s with Friends and Seinfeld, into the 2000s and early 2010s with The Office, 30 Rock, Community, and Parks and Recreation. However, over the course of the 2010s, the power of the night gradually began to fade. NBC attempted to replace departing veterans The Office and 30 Rock with shows that mimicked their sensibilities without quite capturing them - shows like Go On, The Michael J. Fox Show, and A to Z. (If you remember any of those shows, you're in the minority.) Finally, during the 2014 - 2015 TV season, NBC nixed comedy on Thursdays altogether, replacing it with The Biggest Loser and The Blacklist.

However, for the first time in nearly five years, NBC once again has a full slate of sitcoms airing on Thursday nights - and for the first time in even longer, all of them are worth watching! From the consistently funny and charming Superstore to the "possible best show on TV" The Good Place to the uneven but generally worth watching Will & Grace revival to worthy 30 Rock heir Great News, NBC has once again put together a Thursday night line-up full of comedies worth watching. Sure, unlike the line-ups glory days, most of the people watching are likely doing so on demand or on streaming, not on Thursday nights, but it still feels "right" to have Thursday night be a home of great comedy again on NBC. Also encouraging is that the night, with the exception of poor Great News, seems to be catching on with audiences. Maybe the secret to saving NBC's Thursday nights after all was just - surprise - putting in funny, interesting sitcoms that people want to watch.

It's awkward. It's exciting. It's heartbreaking. It's high school. Everything Sucks! launches globally on Netflix on February 16, 1996 2018. The 90s high school experience: Desperate, heartfelt, awkward, exciting, and free of smartphones. Set in the real life town of Boring, Oregon in 1996, Everything Sucks! is a quirky, funny coming of age story that revolves around Boring High School's A/V Club and Drama Club - two crews of nerdy-edgy outsiders, who join forces to make a movie and endure the purgatory known as high school. The series stars Peyton Kennedy (American Fable, The Captive) and Jahi Winston (The New Edition Story) as students Kate Messner and Luke O'Neil, with Patch Darragh (Sully, Boardwalk Empire) and Claudine Nako (Grimm) as their respective parents. The 10-episode, half-hour dramedy is created by Ben York Jones (Like Crazy, Newness) and Michael Mohan (Save the Date, Pink Grapefruit), who will both serve as executive producers.

Comedy Central's January 15 The Office marathon delivered big gains in multiple key demographics, outperformed time-period benchmarks and similar holiday marathons, and reached the network's highest primetime rating since September, 27 2017. Adults 18-49 and the key Men 18-34 rating increased 71% and 23%, respectively, against total-day year-ago numbers. The same demographics each gained 22% versus the prior four-week total-day average. Average total viewers increased 62% against the year-ago total-day mark, and Women 18-49 and 18-34 gained 174% and 132% against the year-ago total-day mark. Women 18-49 and 18-34 increased 36% and 46% respectively versus the prior four-week total-day average. Taking place on Martin Luther King Jr Day, the marathon outperformed Memorial Day by 25%, July 4 by 22%, Labor Day by 59%, and Christmas by 10%.

Building on this momentum, Comedy Central premiered its new, scripted series, Corporate, on January 17 with back-to-back episodes that began at 10:00 p.m., along with the season premieres of Drunk History and Another Period on January 23.

Hello, Citizens! Amazon Studios announced it has greenlit a second season of the half-hour superhero comedy series The Tick. The creator of the series Ben Edlund (Firefly, Supernatural, Gotham) will return along with leads Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) as The Tick and Griffin Newman (Search Party) as Arthur, with additional casting to be announced. From Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television, the second season of The Tick, comprising 10 episodes, will begin production in 2018 and is expected to premiere in 2019 exclusively on Prime Video in over 200 countries exclusively for Prime members.

Neat! As previously announced, Amazon will premiere the highly anticipated second half of The Tick's first season on February 23, 2018, featuring six all-new episodes of the acclaimed show. In a world where superheroes have been real for decades, Arthur (Newman), an accountant with mental health issues and zero powers, comes to suspect his city is owned by a global super-villain, The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley) who has been long thought dead. As Arthur struggles to uncover the conspiracy he falls in league with a strange blue superhero - The Tick (Serafinowicz). They launch into an adventure brimming with crazed arch-villains, blood-soaked vigilantes, and superhuman freakery.

Comedy Central has picked up late night series The Jim Jefferies Show for a twenty episode second season. The weekly, late night series features the Australian comedian's unapologetic, honest and international approach to culture and politics. The Jim Jefferies Show is currently nominated for a Writers Guild Award in the Comedy/Variety Talk Series category.

Each week, Jefferies tackles the week's top stories from behind his desk and travels the globe to far-off locations to provide an eye-opening look at hypocrisy around the world. Featuring interviews, international field pieces, and man on the ground investigations, Jefferies covers the most controversial issues, all through the lens of his distinctive brand of comedy. Jefferies sharp take on topics such as gun control, big game hunting, the National Anthem protests and sexual harassment have pushed the host into the mainstream late night conversation. The Jim Jefferies Show ranks as Comedy Central's #1 freshman series this year among P18-49.

Canadian actor Donnelly Rhodes, who starred as hapless escaped convict Dutch Leitner in Soap, has died. He died on January 8 of cancer at the Baillie House Hospice in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Mr. Rhodes was 80.

Rhodes appeared as escaped convict Dutch Leitner in 38 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1981. He helped Chester Tate (Robert Mandan) break out of prison. He marries Chester's daughter, Eunice (Jennifer Salt). The series starred Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, Ted Wass, Robert Urich and Jay Johnson.

He played Charlie in the short-lived 1982 CBS sitcom Report to Murphy. The series was about about the everyday problems and frustrations of a young parole officer. It starred Michael Keaton, Olivia Cole, Donna Ponterotto, Margot Rose and Ken Foree.

He starred as Art Foster, the widowed father of Kate and Allison Foster, in the first season of the NBC sitcom Double Trouble in 1984. Art ran a gym and dance studio in Des Moines, Iowa. When the show returned for a second season, Kate and Allison moved to New York. His character was replaced by Aunt Margo. The series starred Jean Sagal, Liz Sagal, Patricia Richardson (Season 1), Jon Caliri (Season 1), Barbara Barrie (Season 2), Jonathan Schmock (Season 2), James Vallely (Season 2), Michael D. Roberts (Season 2) and Anne-Marie Johnson (Season 2).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Mister Ed, Hazel, It's a Living, The Facts of Life, Cheers, Taxi, Gimme a Break!, Amanda's, Alice, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Baby Talk.

Rhodes was well known to Canadian audiences for his roles as Sgt Nick Raitt in the CBC series Sidestreet (1975-1978) and as as Dr. Grant "Doc" Roberts in Danger Bay (1985-1990).

He appeared as Leo Shannon in 91 episodes of Da Vinci's Inquest from 1998 to 2005. He had a recurring role as Dr. Sherman Cottle, Chief Medical Officer of BS Galactica, in 36 episodes of Battlestar Galactica from 2004 to 2009.

Some of his drama guest appearances included Maverick, Cheyenne, Bonanza, Wagon Train, Dr. Kildare, The Virginian, Laredo, Mannix, The Wild Wild West, Mission: Impossible, Police Story, Wonder Woman, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, The Heights, Street Legal, Murder, She Wrote, The X-Files, Smallville, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.

Mr. Rhodes was a solid and versatile character actor. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.

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

It's time for more around the horn from the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour. Crackle, Sony Pictures Television Networks' free, ad-supported streaming network, released the trailer and key art for the network's new scripted original drama series The Oath, at the bi-annual gathering of television critics in Pasadena. The show, which premieres with all 10-episodes on Thursday, March 8, stars Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Cory Hardrict (American Sniper, Gran Torino), Katrina Law (Training Day), Arlen Escarpeta (The Magicians), J.J. Soria (Animal Kingdom, The Fosters) and Game of Thrones alum, Sean Bean. The series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join - only a select few make the cut - but once inside, members will do what they must to protect each other from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.

Crackle also announced Rob Riggle's Jet Ski Academy, a new original comedy series in development. The eight-episode, 22-minute series follows a constantly misbehaving and only slightly fictionalized Rob Riggle, where he makes his most ill-conceived investment to date - a jet ski academy. Under public scrutiny, Riggle finds himself defending the venture and explaining the insane accidents and adventures that occur at camp all summer long. Riggle will also serve as a series writer and executive producer, in addition to starring. And production is underway in Puerto Rico for season three of the 10-episode original drama series StartUp. In addition, Academy Award-winning actor Mira Sorvino joins the cast as Rebecca Stroud, a NSA special agent who has come to investigate ArakNet, and will do whatever it takes to have ArakNet partner with the government. Finally, SuperMansion will be returning with six all-new 22-minute episodes of the Emmy-nominated stop-motion animated series beginning Thursday, April 12th.

Heathers, a pitch-black comedy anthology series based on the 80s cult classic film of the same name, will premiere on Paramount Network on Wednesday, March 7 at 10 pm, ET/PT. Set in the present day, "good girl" Veronica Sawyer (Grace Victoria Cox) deals with a very different but equally vicious group of 'Heathers.' Heather Chandler (Melanie Field) is the unconventional leader of this popular high school clique and rules Westerburg High through fear, intimidation and amazing fashion sense. Heather Duke (Brendan Scannell) is Heather C's #1 sidekick and harnesses the Heather's power to destroy whoever he views as a total discount hobgoblin. Heather McNamara (Jasmine Mathews) is considered the nicest Heather in the group who lives in the shadow of the others. She's hiding a dark secret that she doesn't want to be exposed. JD Dean (James Scully) is the new boy in town with a dark side and sets out on a reckless path of destruction proving that no one, even his girlfriend Veronica is safe. Original Heathers cast member Shannen Doherty guest stars as a pivotal character in several episodes along with Selma Blair and Casey Wilson.

American Woman, a new half-hour scripted dramedy set amid the sexual revolution and rise of feminism in the 1970s will premiere on Paramount Network on Thursday, June 7 at 10:00pm ET/PT. The 12- episode series from John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television stars Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Suburgatory), Mena Suvari (American Beauty, Chicago Fire) and Jennifer Bartels (Broken). Yellowstone, Paramount Network's new epic scripted dramatic series, will premiere on the network, Wednesday, June 20 at 9:00 pm, ET/PT. Starring world-renowned actor and Oscar(R)-winner Kevin Costner, who serves in the lead role. The impressive cast list for Yellowstone includes Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Dave Annable, Danny Huston, Gil Birmingham, Josh Lucas, Jefferson White, Gretchen Mol, Jill Hennessey, Patrick St. Esprit, Ian Bohen, Heather Hemmons, and Denim Richards.

Saddle up, it's time to give you the most noteworthy news from this past weekend for the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour for many cable networks. IFC announced that horror-comedy series Stan Against Evil has been picked up for a third season slated to air in Fall 2018. Created by Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation) and starring John C. McGinley (Scrubs) and Janet Varney (You're the Worst), Stan Against Evil has grown its dedicated fan base since originally debuting in 2016, with The New York Times calling it a "gruesome, deadpan delight." IFC's critically acclaimed comedy Brockmire is returning for its second season on Wednesday, April 25 at 10PM. Starring Critics' Choice Awards nominee Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) as Jim Brockmire, the boozy baseball announcer trying to make a comeback in the major leagues, Brockmire is produced by Funny Or Die and written and developed by Joel Church-Cooper (Undateable). Returning to star alongside Azaria are Tyrel Jackson Williams (Lab Rats) and Amanda Peet (Togetherness). Season 2 will consist of eight episodes, airing weekly on Wednesday nights.

AMC made a number of announcements related to The Walking Dead, including the series is being renewed for a ninth season, to premiere in late 2018. FOX and National Geographic announced the highly anticipated return of the Emmy Award-winning worldwide phenomenon Cosmos, from executive producer/writer/director Ann Druyan (who won an Emmy Award for writing the 2014 series and a Peabody Award for producing it) and executive producers Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga and Jason Clark. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the famed pop-culture icon, astrophysicist and host of the Emmy Award-nominated StarTalk, returns as host of the series, scheduled to premiere globally in Spring 2019. SundanceTV announced that it has picked up the acclaimed modern day psychological thriller Liar for a second season. Golden Globe(R)-winner Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey) and BAFTA's Sian Phillips Award recipient Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four) will both return for season two of Liar.

On to Hallmark Channel, Good Witch returns for more magical adventures in the bucolic burb of Middleton when season four premieres Sunday, April 29 (9 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel. Hallmark Channel announced it has renewed the network's hit, original series Chesapeake Shores for a third season. Airing on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Chesapeake Shores was one of Hallmark Channel's most-watched original series. Production on 10 episodes for season three is scheduled to commence this year for a season three premiere Summer 2018. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network further solidifying the network's compelling mystery line-up with the addition of Psych, long-running dramedy starring James Roday, Dule Hill, Timothy Omundson, Corbin Bernsen and Maggie Lawson. The series follows young police consultant Shawn Spencer (Roday) who solves crimes with powers of observation so acute that Santa Barbara PD detectives think he's psychic. Beginning today (Monday, January 15), three episodes air every weekday from 6-9 p.m. ET/PT, leading out of three episodes of Monk.

Finally, Pop went yesterday. The Demons of Dorian Gunn, Pop's supernatural comedy pilot executive produced by Krysten Ritter and JAX Media, will star Jeffery Self (Search Party), Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect films), H. Jon Benjamin (Archer), Lateefah Holder (Disjointed, Transparent) and Kyle Harris (Stitchers, High Maintenance). The pilot follows disgraced New York socialite Dorian Gunn who discovers he’s descended from a long line of demon hunters and is forced to abandon his life of leisure to protect humanity from monsters as they emerge from the gates of hell. Pop also announced a Wednesday, April 18, 2018 premiere date for the second season of Hollywood Darlings starring Jodie Sweetin, Christine Lakin and Beverly Mitchell. In addition, the network also unveiled a trailer for the one-hour scripted drama Clique from the creative team behind the cult smash hit Skins, as well as a season two pick-up of the provocative series. A co-production between Pop and the BBC in the U.K., Clique will premiere on Pop in Summer 2018. The series will go into production on its second season this Spring.

It's Sunday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of January 15-19, 2018, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVRs (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!


Monday, January 15

• Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie/Malibu Country) and Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Watch Lily and Jane on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC. They will also be on the BUILD Series at 12pm.
• Cole Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody/The Suite Life on Deck) - Cole appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
• David Duchovny (Californication) - David visits Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Cedric the Entertainer (The Soul Man/The Steve Harvey Show) - Cedric appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• Paul Reiser (Red Oaks/The Paul Reiser Show/Mad About You/My Two Dads) - Paul is a guest on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
• Rob Riggle (Golan the Insatiable/Gary Unmarried) - Rob stops by The Opposition with Jordan Klepper at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
• Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) - Allison visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Pete Holmes (Crashing) - Pete drops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Luis Guzmán (How to Make It in America/Luis) - Luis appears on The Untitled Action Bronson Show at 11:30pm on Viceland.
• Selma Blair (Anger Management/Kath & Kim/Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane) - Selma chats on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• George Foreman (George) - George talks about Better Late Than Never on Steve, so check your local listings.
• Geoff Stults (Enlisted) - Geoff talks about 12 Strong on Steve, so check your local listings.
• Drake Bell (Drake & Josh) - Drake appears on the BUILD Series at 11am.

Tuesday, January 16

• Kristen Bell (The Good Place) - Catch Kristen on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• Tracy Letts (Divorce) - Tracy appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Esther Povitsky (Alone Together) - Esther is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Molly Shannon (Divorce/Kath & Kim/Cracking Up) - Molly visits Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
• Rob Riggle (Golan the Insatiable/Gary Unmarried) - Rob guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. He will also be on Desus & Mero at 11pm on Viceland.
• Mike Epps (Survivor's Remorse/Uncle Buck) - Mike talks about the BET Social Awards on Steve, so check your local listings.
• Jackée Harry (The Paynes/The First Family/The Game/227) - Jackée talks about OWN's The Paynes on Steve, so check your local listings.
• Jamie Lee (Crashing) - Jamie is a guest on Harry, so check your local listings.
• John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John talks about Broadway's Stories By Heart on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
• Laura Benanti (The Detour/Go On) - Clinton Kelly cooks with Laura on ABC's The Chew at 1pm ET/12pm PT/CT.
• Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie/Malibu Country) and Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Lily and Jane talk about Grace and Frankie on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.

Wednesday, January 17

• Ricky Gervais (The Office) - Watch Ricky on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Nicole Sullivan (Disjointed/$#*! My Dad Says/Rita Rocks/The King of Queens) - Nicole appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Ed Helms (The Office) - Ed is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• Lena Waithe (Master of None) - Lene visits The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
• Molly Shannon (Divorce/Kath & Kim/Cracking Up) - Molly stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) - Allison chats on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
• J. K. Simmons (Growing Up Fisher/Family Tools) - J. K. drops by LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
• Sarah Jessica Parker (Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Esther Povitsky (Alone Together) - Esther is a guest on Good Mythical Morning with Rhett & Link on YouTube.
• Burt Reynolds (Evening Shade) - Burt will be on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
• Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa and Nick Lachey are guests on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.

Thursday, January 18

• Jason Jones (The Detour) - Catch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• Rob Riggle (Golan the Insatiable/Gary Unmarried) - Rob appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He can also be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM at 10:05am.
• Ricky Gervais (The Office) - Ricky stops by Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
• Selma Blair (Anger Management/Kath & Kim/Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane) - Selma visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie/Malibu Country) and Jane Fonda (Grace and Frankie) - Lily and Jane are guests on Watch What Happens: Live at 11:15pm on Bravo.
• Yvette Nicole Brown (The Mayor/The Odd Couple/Community) - Yvette guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Rickey Smiley (The Rickey Smiley Show) - Rickey drops by The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
• Geoff Stults (Enlisted) - Geoff talks about 12 Strong on Harry, so check your local listings.
• Jackée Harry (The Paynes/The First Family/The Game/227) - Jackée talks about her new OWN show The Paynes on Harry, so check your local listings.
• Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer appears on Steve, so check your local listings.
• Giselle Eisenberg (Life in Pieces) - Giselle talks about Life in Pieces on Steve, so check your local listings.
• Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love) - Holly talks about the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/One Day at a Time) - Clinton Kelly and Valerie are serving up a delicious dish on ABC's The Chew at 1pm ET/12pm PT/CT.
• Ed Begley Jr. (Futureman/Your Family or Mine/Gary Unmarried) - Ed talks about Futureman on NBC's Megyn Kelly Today in the 9am hour.
• Peter Facinelli (Nurse Jackie) - Peter appears on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
• Deon Cole (grown-ish/black-ish/Angie Tribeca) - Deon is a guest on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.
• Luis Guzmán (How to Make It in America/Luis) - Luis visits Desus & Mero at 11pm on Viceland.

Friday, January 19

• Jason Ritter (The Class) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• J. K. Simmons (Growing Up Fisher/Family Tools) - J. K. is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Yvette Nicole Brown (The Mayor/The Odd Couple/Community) - Yvette guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Nicole Richie (Great News) - Nicole appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry teaches Harry his signature jump pose on Harry, so check your local listings.
• Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love) - Holly talks about the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps on E!'s Daily Pop at 12pm.
• Tia Mowry (Instant Mom/The Game/Sister, Sister) - Tia makes DIY hairstyles on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Sarah Jessica Parker (Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
• Kristen Bell (The Good Place) - Kristen is a guest on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
• AnnaLynne McCord (Let's Get Physical) - AnnaLynne appears on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings.

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

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Sitcoms Airing This Week

Sunday, January 14

The Simpsons - "Frink Gets Testy" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Fearing that the end of the world is near, Mr. Burns tasks Dr. Frink with testing all of Springfield's residents to determine who is worth saving.

Bob's Burgers - "V for Valentine-detta" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After a rough breakup on Valentine's Day, the Belcher women have a limo girls' night out to make Tina feel better; Bob and Gene have a trapeze experience that brings them closer.

Family Guy - "Dog Bites Bear" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Stewie and Brian get into a friendship-ending fight after Brian commits a terrible act to one of Stewie's beloved toys; Peter refuses to wash his hand after meeting his favorite breakfast cereal mascot, Boo Berry.

The Last Man on Earth - "Paint Misbehavin'" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tandy and Todd introduce newcomer Karl to the rest of the gang; the group searches for Jasper, who has gone missing.

School of Rock - "Would I Lie to You?" (Nickelodeon, 7:30PM ET/PT)
Freddy writes a song about the band being so supportive, but they find it difficult to be honest with him when it comes to how they feel about it.

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Monday, January 15

Kevin Can Wait - "Monkey First Insecurity" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After Kevin and Vanessa nail a pitch for a new job for their security company, Monkey Fist, they run into Frank (Ricardo Chavira), the owner of a rival company who is determined to put them out of business by pitting Kevin and Vanessa against each other.

Man with a Plan - "We Can Be Heroes" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Adam and Andi are caught off guard by unexpected expenses, they each decide to give up a luxury to pay them off.

Superior Donuts - "Sofia's Choice" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
An admission from Franco and Sofia on the eve of her first big catering gig shocks Arthur and the gang. Also, Randy and Tush take temp jobs as security guards, leading to an unexpected revelation about Fawz.

9JKL - "Heavy Meddling" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After Josh hits it off with Lauren (Andrea Anders), Judy’s friend Myra’s (Tacey Adams) daughter, they have an epiphany about the nature of their meeting, and it all circles back to their mothers’ meddling. Also, Eve and Andrew are weary of letting Harry babysit Wyatt, so they rope in Nick to babysit both of them.

Andi Mack - "Head Over Heels" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Andi and Jonah go on a double date with Buffy and Marty to an arcade; meanwhile, Cyrus decides to shoot a movie with Bex's encouragement.

K.C. Undercover - "Second Chances" (Disney Channel, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A high-school math whiz trains to be an undercover spy.

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Tuesday, January 16

The Middle - "Mommapalooza" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Frankie decides that she needs to find something new that she’s passionate about – life’s third act – and Reverend TimTom offers the perfect solution. Meanwhile, tired of hearing Sue and Brick argue because of the giant hole between their bedroom walls, Mike orders them to fix it; and after Axl refuses to let rich girlfriend Lexie pay for some extravagant outings, Lexie finds a way to fool him into thinking he’s becoming lucky when money and other high priced items suddenly make their way into his hands.

Fresh Off the Boat - "The Car Wash" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Jessica’s career as an author taking off, Louis worries that she is losing interest in him and attempts to rekindle the flame under Marvin’s guidance. Evan skips his way into Emery’s seventh grade English class with a particularly hard-to-please teacher, Ms. Doris (Tig Notaro). When neither can win her over, they seek advice from an unusual source.

black-ish - "Bow Knows" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Dre is selected to run point on a campaign that focuses on “The Talk,” which refers to the conversations that Black parents have with their children through the decades to prepare them for the racial bias they may face in the world. Meanwhile, Bow finds an online group of women that she leans on for advice and support.

Modern Family - "Sex, Lies & Kickball" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jay’s best friend, Shorty, is back from Costa Rica and stays at the house so they can catch up and reconnect. However, Shorty is spending more time with Gloria and seems to be avoiding Jay. Meanwhile, Alex is ready to shed her good-girl image and is going to prove to Claire that her relationship with Ben is definitely a sexual relationship.

LA to Vegas - "Two and a Half Pilots" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
While Capt. Dave is absent, his staunch rival is given the responsibility of covering the flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas; Artem and Nichole decide to assist Colin while he plans a special birthday party for his son.

The Mick - "The City" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
While Mickey and the gang visit New York City, they learn that Jimmy has become quite successful at an investment firm, but Mickey tries convincing the firm's partners to give him a promotion; Chip goes to see his biological father.

Teachers - "Labor Pains" (TV Land, 10:00PM ET/PT)
After Mrs. Adler announces she’s pregnant, we’re taken back in time to the 1940s, where the women of Fillmore fight for better treatment at work.

K.C. Undercover - "Revenge of the Van People" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Ernie hosts a group of young international agents while KC is away on a mission.

The Paynes - "A Surprise for the Paynes" (OWN, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Curtis and the rest of the Payne family take a road trip to Florida where Ella receives a stunning surprise.

The Paynes - "Revelations of Paynes" (OWN, 13:00PM ET/PT)
Ella fumes after Curtis makes a life-changing decision without her input; Curtis discovers that he was duped into a bad investment.

---

Wednesday, January 17

The Goldbergs - "The Hooters" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Adam tries to be funny in class but ends up distracting his woodshop teacher, who nearly injures himself when his tie is cut off so Murray grounds him. Meanwhile, Geoff and Beverly try to become more cultured so Erica will remain close when she decides she wants to attend a Phillip Glass concert but, in the end, they learn something surprising about Erica’s taste in music. 80s band Hooters makes a special appearance.

Speechless - "D-I-- DIMEO A-C-- ACADEMY" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After a dust-up with Lafayette High, Maya runs to JJ’s rescue and launches her own school out of the DiMeo home. Her program becomes a true DiMeo affair when Ray and Dylan enroll and Jimmy joins the faculty. Meanwhile, Kenneth sets out to prove to his ex-wife that he’s living a successful life.

Modern Family - "In Your Head" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Luke goes missing after a night out in a sketchy neighborhood, Manny, Phil and Gloria team up to track him down. Meanwhile, Haley is desperate to land an interview with the creator of a popular lifestyle website and interrupts Alex during one of her college classes. Alex’s professor, Arvin Fennerman (Chris Geere), then proceeds to try and give Haley a piece of his mind.

American Housewife - "The Anniversary" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Katie and Greg dislike Taylor’s new boyfriend, so they attempt to use reverse psychology to drive a wedge between them, which later backfires. After Spencer’s over-the-top vision for Oliver’s first date with a girl from his ballet class bombs, Greg helps Oliver make up for it with a romantic gesture.

grown-ish - "Starboy" (Freeform, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Zoey makes a deal to tutor a star basketball player, hoping to get a letter of recommendation.

Alone Together - "Road Trip" (Freeform, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Esther's ulterior motive threatens to derail Benji's fun-filled birthday celebration.

K.C. Undercover - "The Gammy Files" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A high-school math whiz trains to be an undercover spy.

---

Thursday, January 18

The Big Bang Theory - "The Separation Triangulation" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Koothrappali finds himself in the middle of domestic drama when he learns the woman he’s dating, Nell (Beth Behrs), has a very upset husband, Oliver (Walton Goggins). Also, when Sheldon rents his old room back for a quiet place to work, he drives Leonard crazy by being a model tenant.

Young Sheldon - "A Computer, a Plastic Pony, and a Case of Beer" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sheldon asks for a computer and unknowingly sparks a heated argument between Mary and George Sr. over the family’s finances.

Mom - "Sex Fog and a Mild-To-Moderate Panic Attack" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Bonnie and Adam attend a traditional wedding, they discover they’re not on the same page about their own wedding. Also, Christy and Patrick have trouble setting the mood for their “first time."

Life in Pieces - "Goose Friends Auction Fog" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Jen sings in Tyler’s band, she gets caught up in the excitement and creates an awkward situation for him. Also, John and Greg decide to brew beer together, Matt donates one of his paintings to a silent auction for Tim’s medical charity, and Heather becomes jealous of Joan’s friendship with a classmate.

Superstore - "High Volume Store" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When corporate announces that the store is getting an upgrade, Amy (America Ferrera), Jonah (Ben Feldman) and Dina (Lauren Ash) set out to discover the pros and cons. Meanwhile, Cheyenne (Nichole Bloom) accidentally volunteers to be Glenn's (Mark McKinney) surrogate, and tries to get out of it.

The Good Place - "Rhonda, Diana, Jake, and Trent" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), Janet (D'Arcy Carden) and Jason (Manny Jacinto) head to a destination that may have lasting implications.

Will & Grace - "The Wedding" (NBC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Will (Eric McCormack), Grace (Debra Messing), Jack (Sean Hayes), and Karen (Megan Mullally) attend the wedding of Will's ex-boyfriend, Vince (special guest star Bobby Cannavle). While Grace tries to keep Will from making a scene, Jack learns that his wedding hook-up has many strings attached.

Great News - "The Fast Track" (NBC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After an explosive fight with her daughter, Carol (Andrea Martin) is excited about her new position at "Morning Wined Up," but is disappointed to realize that the job offers less responsibility than she had hoped. Katie (Briga Heelan) is determined to bring down Fenton Pelt (guest star Jim Rash), the billionaire suing "The Breakdown," despite specific orders from Greg (Adam Campbell) and the network's attorney (guest star Tim Meadows) to leave him alone. When Katie's rousing speech about journalistic integrity fails to inspire anyone but Chuck (John Michael Higgins), who has been suspended from the show, she reluctantly joins forces, only to find that his investigative skills aren't what they used to be.

K.C. Undercover - "Take Me out" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A high-school math whiz trains to be an undercover spy.

---

Friday, January 19

Andi Mack - "There's a Mack in the Shack" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Andi and Celia spend more time together, Bex feels jealous; Buffy agrees to tutor TJ if he agrees to pass her the ball on the court.

Stuck in the Middle - "Stuck with Rachel's Secret" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Middle-child Harley tries to find creative ways to stand out in her large family.

The Paynes - "A Confrontation of Payne" (OWN, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Curtis seeks retribution after he realizes that he was swindled; Ella has a change of heart after visiting the local church and meets a beautiful young woman in need.

---

Saturday, January 20

Will & Grace - "There's Something about Larry" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Will (Eric McCormack) and Grace's (Debra Messing) old friend Larry (guest star Tim Bagley) decides he's in love with Will. On Jack's (Sean Hayes) first day as a Lyft driver, he hits his wacky neighbor Val (special guest star Molly Shannon). Karen (Megan Mullally) steps in to bail out Jack, but then needs Jack to bail her out.

Superstore - "Golden Globes Party" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Amy (America Ferrera) throws a party to prove how great she's doing post-divorce, she's forced to enlist Dina (Lauren Ash) and Jonah's (Ben Feldman) help, and Dina ends up making the ultimate sacrifice. Meanwhile, Glenn (Mark McKinney) and his wife Jerusha (Kerri Kenney) are forced to conduct some personal business at Amy's home.

The Thundermans - "Revenge of the Smith" (Nickelodeon, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Excited to be honored for their heroism with a school mural, Phoebe and Max learn that the artist holds a personal grudge,and the tribute isn't what they imagined.

Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn - "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & BeyDawncé" (Nickelodeon, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Nicky, Ricky and Dicky accidentally turn Dawn into "BeyDawnce" using techniques they've learned in their human behavior class to help her overcome her fear of auditioning for the Glee Club.

---

Sunday, January 21

School of Rock - "Puppy Love" (Nickelodeon, 7:30PM ET/PT)
Tomika and Summer's friendship becomes strained when Summer starts to take care of the only creature that Tomika fears -- an adorable puppy.

Complete TV Listings

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's been a crazy and busy week of news thanks to the TCA Tour, and we have a lot here for you, but not even close to all of it. This week we're hearing about new American Dad episodes at TBS, more updates on how the Roseanne reboot and some political views we'll be seeing there, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

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

by Vincent

As you may have heard, Disney has recently acquired 20th Century Fox studios. While the Fox network itself will not be owned by Disney, the change in ownership is likely to have a huge effect on the network's programming - most of the channel's programs are owned by 20th Century Fox studios, which now is no longer part of the same corporation as the network itself. In simpler terms, Disney now owns the large majority of Fox's programming, and has the ability to move their shows around to one of the networks they actually own, rather than leaving them on Fox.

So what does this mean for Fox's current comedy line-up? In this week's article, I'll look at each veteran Fox sitcom and try to determine what its future could possibly hold in the murky Fox/Disney situation.

The Simpsons - The crown jewel of Fox's comedy line-up has always been its animated comedies, and The Simpsons is the centerpiece of that line-up - it started the line-up and still remains the highest-rated show (and therefore, Fox's highest-rated comedy.) And yet, The Simpsons is owned by 20th Century Fox - and is therefore now a Disney property. Yes, Bart Simpson is now a Disney character. As weird as it sounds, I'm sure Disney is thrilled to have the cash cow that is The Simpsons as part of their line-up, but most of the profit from the series at this point is coming from merchandising, streaming, and syndication. In the past ten years, The Simpsons has found itself in danger of cancellation several times due to the skyrocketing cost of its voice actors. Given that the show is getting close to its 30th season and that it no longer sees its merchandising and syndication revenue, I wouldn't be surprised to see Fox pull the plug on new episodes of the series as Disney moves its back-end to Hulu (which it now majority owns.)

Family Guy - Seth MacFarlane himself has voiced concern over the fact that the foul-mouthed adult cartoon Family Guy is now a Disney property, but Disney has apparently assured him that its values the series and won't be molding it to fit Disney's family-friendly reputation. As for Fox, although the series is aging and has sagged in the ratings since its heyday in the mid-late 2000s, it still remains a strong player and launching pad - my guess is it'll stick around the line-up for a whole.

Bob's Burgers - Bob's Burgers has slowly but steadily seen itself rise from low-rated underdog to cult favorite, and it's finally showing in the series' ratings, which have beaten and tied The Simpsons and Family Guy on several occasions this year. Reruns on Adult Swim are also doing incredibly well, so Disney is probably happy to acquire the Belchers into their vault. I could even see Disney taking advantage of Bob's cult status and moving it to one of their own networks, although perhaps Fox has noticed Bob's momentum and wants to keep it around to replace The Simpsons as the network's crown jewel.

The Last Man on Earth - Although Last Man started its life as a buzzy ratings hit, its audience has slowly eroded over the course of its run. It's owned by 20th Fox, and its ratings have skirted on truly terrible this season - if there's any show that could get lost in the Disney/Fox merger, it's this one.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Brooklyn 99 is another once well-rated series that has seen its audience collapse over the past year or so. However, Brooklyn 99 is not owned by 20th Century, but by NBCUniversal. If a lot of 20th Century productions wind up leaving Fox this year, it's possible to see them wanting to keep Brooklyn around to fill some gaps even with its low ratings. It's also possible NBCUniversal will try the show on another network - perhaps TBS, which has successfully acquired network comedies before (Cougar Town, American Dad!) and premiered the show in syndication this month.

The Mick - The Mick was a surprise success last year, but has struggled to keep up the momentum in its sophomore season. It's another 20th Century Fox production, so it's questionable whether or not Disney will see the need to expand on a show with middling ratings.

Those are just my guesses - obviously I'm no industry insider, but based on the shows' ratings and ownership, I think some guesses could be made about where the shows are headed. Either way, it'll certainly be interesting to see where everything ends up when this Disney/Fox merger is all said and done.

The cable portion of the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour has begun. Among the networks that have presented so far includes TBS. TBS gets animated on Monday nights starting with American Dad! returning to TBS on Monday, February 12 at 10pm ET/ PT with 22 new episodes. In addition, the network has ordered two more seasons of the top-rated animated hit American Dad!. The series premiered on the Fox broadcasting network in 2005 before moving to TBS in 2014. Then, on Monday, February 26, TBS will debut the new animated intergalactic space saga Final Space on at 10:30pm PT/ ET immediately following American Dad! for an hour-long animation block. Olan Rogers stars in the animated series alongside Fred Armisen, Tom Kenny, David Tennant, Tika Sumpter, Steven Yeun and Coty Galloway.

Comedy superstar and multiple Emmy® nominee Tracy Morgan returns to television with TBS starring in The Last O.G., a new comedy series that he executive produces alongside creator and executive producer Jordan Peele. Beginning April 3, episodes will air Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The Last O.G. centers on Tray (Morgan), an ex-con shocked to see just how much the world has changed when he is released from prison for on good behavior after a 15-year stint. Returning to his newly gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood, he discovers that his former girlfriend, Shay (played by emerging, breakout star actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish), has married an affable, successful white man (Ryan Gaul) who is helping raise the twins (Taylor Mosby & Dante Hoagland) Tray never knew existed. Wanting nothing more than to connect with his kids, but having neither the money to support them nor himself, Tray falls back on the skills he learned in prison to make ends meet while treading on unfamiliar territory. The Last O.G. also stars Cedric the Entertainer as the head of the halfway house where Tray is staying, and Allen Maldonado as Tray's cousin Bobby, who helps him adjust to life on the outside.

Elsewhere at TBS, they have renewed the hit unscripted series Snoop Dogg Presents The Joker's Wild and Drop the Mic for second seasons. And television's fastest growing late night show and ad supported television's #1 late night show among young adults has been renewed for two new seasons by TBS. The Emmy Award-winning Full Frontal with Samantha Bee will return Wednesday, February 7 in its usual timeslot at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Among HBO's announcements was the dark comedy series Barry, starring Bill Hader, kicks off its eight-episode season Sunday, March 25 at 10:30pm ET/PT on HBO. Alec Berg (HBO's Silicon Valley) and Hader (Saturday Night Live) serve as co-creators, executive producers, directors and writers. Other cast regulars include Stephen Root (HBO's All the Way), Sarah Goldberg (Hindsight), Glenn Fleshler (HBO's True Detective), Anthony Carrigan (Gotham) and Henry Winkler (Arrested Development). Barry is a dark comedy starring Bill Hader in the title role of a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest who falls in love with acting while on a job in LA. Barry's handler, Fuches (Stephen Root), hires him out to the violent Chechen mob in Los Angeles, led by Goran Pazar (Glenn Fleshler) and his right-hand man, Noho Hank (Anthony Carrigan).

Hulu and Sony Pictures Television have ordered a second season of comedy series Future Man. The second season episode order will be of 13 episodes. In the series, Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) stars as "Josh Futturman," a janitor by day/gamer by night who is recruited by mysterious visitors to travel through time in order to prevent the extinction of humanity. The series also stars Eliza Coupe, Derek Wilson, Haley Joel Osment, Keith David and Ed Begley Jr. The first season episodes were released in November on Hulu. And finally, Hulu has also picked-up a second season of drama Marvel's Runaways from ABC Signature Studios. The second season episode order will be of 13 episodes. In this series, every teenager thinks their parents are evil. What if you found out they actually were? Marvel's Runaways is the story of six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other but who must unite against a common foe - their parents. This series stars Rhenzy Feliz, Lyrica Okano, Virginia Gardner, Ariela Barer, Gregg Sulkin, Allegra Acosta, Annie Wersching, Ryan Sands, Angel Parker, Ever Carradine, James Marsters, Kevin Weisman, Brigid Brannagh, James Yaegashi, Brittany Ishibashi, and Kip Pardue. The first season finale was just released this week (Jan. 9).

Well, it's not Spin City, but Michael J. Fox is returning to politics TV. Esteemed actor and activist Michael J. Fox is joining The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studio's Designated Survivor on ABC for a five-episode arc in which Fox will guest star as Ethan West, a high-flying and connected Washington attorney who is hired by the President's Cabinet and ultimately appointed as special prosecutor to investigate former President Cornelius Moss's alleged leak of classified information. West is a hyper-competitive, wily, relentless lawyer who plays his cards close to the vest and whose only allegiance is to his mandate - a single-mindedness that makes him an unpredictable and formidable adversary for President Tom Kirkman, played by Emmy Award(R)-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland. Following a shocking and surprising winter finale, Designated Survivor returns with all-new episodes on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 10:00 p.m. EST.

Designated Survivor stars Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman, Paulo Costanzo as Lyor Boone, Adan Canto as Aaron Shore, Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes, LaMonica Garrett as Mike Ritter, Zoe McLellan as Kendra Daynes, Ben Lawson as Damian Rennett, Kal Penn as Seth Wright and Maggie Q as Hannah Wells.

Moving on to NBC at the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour, we have news on a new comedy. From Executive Producers Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy, Champions will premiere Thursday, March 8 and will air at 8:30pm through May 17. From executive producers Charlie Grandy (The Mindy Project, Guys with Kids) and Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project), Vince is living every bachelor’s dream. He owns the fifth largest gym in Brooklyn, dates an endless string of beautiful women and lives with his dumb, lovable brother Matthew. But Vince's simple life gets complicated fast when his high school fling Priya (Mindy Kaling) unexpectedly drops off their 15-year-old son Michael so he can attend a city school for super-talented kids. How will Vince handle this wildly ambitious and hilariously witty teenager? Well, somehow he’ll have to work it out. Next, fresh off its stellar debut, NBC has ordered a 13-episode second season of its new hit alternative series Ellen's Game of Games.

NBC's newest comedy A.P. Bio, starring Glenn Howerton and Patton Oswalt with Seth Meyers and Lorne Michaels as executive producers, will premiere two original episodes on digital platforms. As we mentioned, A.P. Bio will launch as a special preview on NBC Thursday, Feb. 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT with Will & Grace as its lead-in. The following two episodes (along with the pilot) will be available across digital platforms, including the NBC App, Hulu and those run by NBC owned and affiliated stations, beginning Feb 2, one day after the show debuts on the network. The digital episodes will then air when the series returns on NBC, first on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 p.m., immediately following the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics from PyeongChang, South Korea; and then on Thursday, March 1 at 8:30 p.m. A.P. Bio will move to its normal 9:30 p.m. Thursday timeslot beginning March 1. And finally, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will host a star-studded guest lineup in Minneapolis for its special post-Super Bowl episode on Sunday, Feb. 4, including Justin Timberlake, Dwayne Johnson and the cast of NBC's hit series This Is Us: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley. The show will air live from the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis following NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl LII, an original episode of This Is Us and late local news.

The debut of grown-ish (Jan. 3, 2018, 8:00-8:31 p.m. EST) ranked as Freeform's biggest series launch in 2 years among Total Viewers (1.562 million), Adults 18-49 (917,000/0.71 rating), Women 18-49 (658,000/1.01 rating), Women 18-34 (340,000/0.98 rating) and Females 12-34 (448,000/0.96 rating) - since Shadowhunters on 1/12/16. Freeform's grown-ish out-delivered the channel's most-recent comedy debut by strong triple digits (Kevin From Work on 8/12/15) across all key demographics: Total Viewers (+111%), Adults 18-49 (+132%), Women 18-34 (+170%), Females 12-34 (+152%) and Female Teens 12-17 (+108%). In fact, grown-ish opened as Freeform's best comedy debut in nearly 6 years in Total Viewers, Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49 - since long-running hit Baby Daddy on 6/20/12.

Competitively, the grown-ish debut opened as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted series on cable TV among Women 18-49, Women 18-34 and Females 12-34. The 8:00 p.m. debut of grown-ish was the strongest scripted comedy series launch on basic cable among Women 18-49 since April 2014 (MTV's Faking It), among Women 18-34 since July 2014 (FX's Married) and among Adults 18-49 since September 2016 (FX's Atlanta).

The ABC Television Network has announced midseason premiere dates for the new dramas The Crossing, Deception, For The People and the Grey's Anatomy spinoff, as well as new comedies Alex, Inc. and Splitting Up Together. Additionally, American Idol will air Sundays and Mondays, beginning March 11. Dates have also been set for the premiere of Dancing with the Stars All-Athletes Edition and the return of Quantico. The Grey's Anatomy spinoff joins the TGIT lineup with a special two-hour premiere Thursday, March 22 from 9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT, before assuming its regular timeslot Thursday, March 29 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The final four episodes of Scandal will air at 10 p.m., Thursdays, beginning March 29. The series finale airs April 19.

As previously announced, Roseanne kicks off with a special one-hour premiere on Tuesday, March 27 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT. Its regular timeslot will be the 8:00 p.m. half-hour, Tuesdays, beginning April 3, followed by The Middle at its new time of 8:30 p.m. EDT. The season finale episodes of Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless will air March 20 and March 21, respectively. Full schedule:

SUNDAY, MARCH 11
8:00-10:00 p.m. American Idol
10:00-11:00 p.m. Deception

MONDAY, MARCH 12
8:00-10:00 p.m. American Idol

TUESDAY, MARCH 13
10:00-11:00 p.m. For The People

THURSDAY, MARCH 22
9:00-11:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy spinoff (two-hour premiere)

TUESDAY, MARCH 27
8:00-9:00 p.m. Roseanne (one-hour premiere)
9:30-10:00 p.m. Splitting Up Together

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
8:30-9:00 p.m. Alex, Inc.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29
9:00-10:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy spinoff (time-period premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m. Scandal (new time)

MONDAY, APRIL 2
10:00-11:00 p.m. The Crossing

TUESDAY, APRIL 3
8:00-8:30 p.m. Roseanne (time-period premiere)
8:30-9:00 p.m. The Middle (new time)

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
10:00-11:00 p.m. Quantico (Season 3 premiere)

MONDAY, APRIL 30
8:00-10:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars All-Athletes Edition

Elsewhere at ABC TCA, Chris Harrison hosts this highly anticipated, four-episode series, complete with the usual dose of tears, drama, romance and laughter, as The Bachelor Winter Games, a global celebration of unity and love, premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 8:00-10:01 p.m. EST, on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand. The series will continue on Thursday, February 15; Tuesday, February 20, and will have its finale on Thursday, February 22. All episodes will air 8:00-10:01 p.m. EST. ABC has announced that it won't be gonging its popular summer series The Gong Show and has renewed it for a second season. Celebrated film and television actor/comedian Mike Myers has finally confirmed the rumor that he is, indeed, the show's host - British comedic legend Tommy Maitland.

This Goldbergs-inspired special event picks up where the Goldberg family leaves off at William Penn Academy in the 1990s as former teacher and now Head of School John Glascott leads a faculty of teachers with wildly different views on how to mentor students and recruits his tough-as-nails-sister Lucy to join his staff and enroll her teenage daughters Felicia and Gigi as new students. Lucy is desperate to ensure they avoid the social pitfalls of high school and finds herself torn between Glascott's nurturing and communicative approach to parenting and Coach Mellor's tough-guy belief that physical competition brings out the best in students. Even Beverly Goldberg comes to visit the school's staff despite all her kids having already graduated and can't help but meddle one last time, on The Goldbergs: 1990-Something, Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand. The episode stars Tim Meadows as John Glascott, Bryan Callen as Coach Rick Mellor, Nia Long as Lucy Somers, Rachel Crow as Felicia and Summer Parker as Gigi. Guest starring is Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly Goldberg, Ana Gasteyer as Miss Cinoman, Missi Pyle as Madame Charbenaux, Kevin Heffernan as Doc, Justin Tinucci as Meathead, William McMullen as Scrawny Kid, Stephen Tobolowsky as Principal Ball, Irene Roseen as Mrs. Cheevers, Michael Bunin as Cranky Customer, Miles Thomas Platt as Frosh Geek, Sean Marquette as Johnny Atkins and Octavia Spencer as voice-over of Felicia.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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