SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Abbott Elementary Post-Oscars Airing, Only Murders on ABC; Remembering Frances Sternhagen, Marty Krofft and Others We Recently Lost

ABC announced that The Oscars(R) will air live coast to coast on Sunday, March 10, in a new earlier timeslot (7:00-10:30 p.m. EDT/4:00-7:30 p.m. PDT). A 30-minute pre-show will lead into the live show (6:30-7:00 p.m. EDT/3:30-4:00 p.m. PDT), and immediately following, ABC will air an original episode of the Emmy(R) Award-winning comedy series Abbott Elementary. The telecast will also be rebroadcast in the Pacific Time zone in primetime after the live presentation. As previously announced, Emmy Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the live show for the fourth time. Raj Kapoor will serve as showrunner and executive producer, with Molly McNearney and Katy Mullan serving as executive producers. Hamish Hamilton is set to direct the telecast. The 96th Oscars will be held at the Dolby(R) Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

ABC will head into the new year with the exclusive broadcast premiere of the Emmy Award-nominated Hulu Original comedy Only Murders in the Building. Season one of the critically acclaimed hit series starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez will air Tuesdays in January, with the first three episodes debuting on Tuesday, Jan. 2, following a new semifinal episode of Celebrity Jeopardy! (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), returning in 2024 on its new night. The airdate schedule for the 10-episode season of Only Murders in the Building is as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific):

· Tuesday, Jan. 2, 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Episodes 1-3)
· Tuesday, Jan. 9, 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Episodes 4-6)
· Tuesday, Jan. 16, 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Episodes 7-9)
· Tuesday, Jan. 23, 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Episode 10)

Recently renewed for a fourth season, Only Murders in the Building is the most-viewed Hulu Original comedy series ever. The show's first season hails from co-creators and writers Steve Martin and John Hoffman (Grace & Frankie, Looking). Martin and Hoffman executive produce along with Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Jamie Babbit, "This Is Us" creator Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal. From the minds of Steve Martin, Dan Fogelman and John Hoffman comes a comedic murder-mystery series for the ages. Only Murders in the Building follows three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building, which stretch back years. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it's too late. The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

Tony Award-winning stage and screen actress Frances Sternhagen, who had recurring roles as Esther Clavin in Cheers and as Bunny MacDougal in Sex and the City, has died. She died at her home in New Rochelle, New York, on November 27. Ms. Sternhagen was 93.

Sternhagen starred as Millie Sprague in 7 episodes of the NBC sitcom Under One Roof in 1985. Millie and Ben Sprague (Harold Gould) were Spencer Winger's (Ross Harris) maternal grandparents. She was the mother of Doris Winger (Mimi Kennedy). The show was originally titled Spencer in 1984 and starred Chad Lowe as Spencer Winger. The cast included Ronny Cox, Amy Locane, Richard Sanders, Beverly Archer, Grant Heslov and Dean Cameron.

She had a recurring role as Esther Clavin in 7 episodes of the NBC sitcom Cheers from 1986 to 1993. Esther "Ma" Clavin is the mother of Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger). It is first mentioned in the third season that Cliff lives with her, for which the other barflies mocked him. One of Esther's pastimes is making pretzels in unintentionally unusual shapes, which Cliff brings them into the bar in "Second Time Around" (1986). Sternhagen received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the role in 1991 and 1992.

Sternhagen had a recurring role as Bunny MacDougal in 10 episodes of the HBO romantic comedy-drama Sex and the City from 2000 to 2002. Bunny MacDougal is the overbearing mother of Dr. Trey MacDougal (Kyle MacLachlan), a manipulative sort who intrudes on Trey and Charlotte's (Kristin Davis) relationship and apartment on a regular basis. She received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for the role in 2002.

She provided the voice of Mrs. Bellamy for a 2002 episode of The Simpsons. She guest starred as Naomi in a 2004 episode of Becker.

Stenhagen starred as Charlotte Babineaux in the short-lived 1994 family drama The Family Home. She starred as Gina Williams in the 1991 CBS miniseries Stephen King's Golden Years. She had a recurring role as Millicent Carter, the grandmother of John Carter (Noah Wyle), in 21 episodes of the NBC medical drama ER from 1997 to 2003. She had a recurring role as Willie Ray Johnson in 15 episodes of the TNT police procedural from 2006 to 2012.

Some of her other television guest appearances included The Nurses, The Defenders, Profiles in Courage, For the People, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Law & Order (2 episodes), Tales from the Crypt, The Outer Limits (1995) and Parenthood (2012).

She worked for many years in soap operas. She played Toni Prentiss Davis on Love of Life, Jessie Reddin on The Secret Storm, Phyllis Corrigan on The Doctors (42 episodes) and Jane Overstreet in Another World. She is also recognized as Mrs. Marsh from a series of television commercials for Colgate toothpaste that aired in the 1970s.

Sternhagen gained acclaim for her extensive career on the Broadway stage. She made her debut in The Skin of Our Teeth (1955). She went on to receive two Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performances as various characters in Neil Simon's comedic play The Good Doctor (1973) and as Lavinia Penniman in Ruth and Augustus Goetz's dramatic play The Heiress (1995). Her other Tony-nominated roles were for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (1972), Equus (1975), Angel (1978), On Golden Pond (1979) and Morning's at Seven (2002).

She starred as Sheriff Buster's (Richard Farnsworth) wife Deputy Virginia in Rob Reiner's Misery (1990). Some of her other film credits included The Hospital (1971), Starting Over (1979), Outland (1981), Bright Lights, Big City (1988), Doc Hollywood (1991), Raising Cain (1992), See You in the Morning (1989), The Mist (2007), Julie & Julia (2009), Dolphin Tale (2011) and And So It Goes (2014).

Ms. Sternhagen was a talented and versatile character actress. Her guest appearances as Esther Clavin in Cheers were always funny and memorable. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment she brought us on television for over six decades. She will deeply missed.

Television creator, producer, writer and puppeteer Marty Krofft, who worked on H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and Land of the Lost, has died. He died from kidney failure in Los Angeles, California, on November 25. Mr. Krofft was 86.

Marty and his brother Sid made numerous children's television and variety show programs in the U.S., particularly in the 1970s, including H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973-1975), and Land of the Lost (1974-1976) through their production company, Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures. Their fantasy programs often featured large-headed puppets, high-concept plots, and extensive use of low-budget special effects. They designed the characters and sets for Hanna-Barbera's The Banana Splits on NBC from 1968 to 1970.

Some of The Krofft Brothers other credits as creators and producers included The Bugaloos (1970-1972), Lidsville (1971-1973), Far Out Space Nuts (1975-1976), The Lost Saucer (1975), Donny & Marie (1976), The Krofft Supershow (1976-1978) (which included Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976) and Wonderbug (1976-1978)), The Krofft Superstar Hour (aka The Bay City Rollers Show) (1978-1979), Pink Lady and Jeff (1980), Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters (1980-1982), Pryor's Place (1984), Land of the Lost (1991-1992 reboot), Mutt & Stuff (2015-2017) and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2016-2017 reboot).

They created and produced the 1977 ABC variety show The Brady Bunch Hour. The series starred the original cast members of The Brady Bunch, with the exception of Eve Plumb, who was replaced by Geri Reischl (a.k.a. "Fake Jan"). The show began as a 60-minute special titled The Brady Bunch Variety Hour on November 28, 1976. It featured skits and songs produced by Sid & Marty Krofft Productions in association with Paramount Television.

The Krofft Brothers created and produced the 1987-1989 syndicated sitcom D.C. Follies. The show was set in a Washington, D.C. bar, where a bartender played by Fred Willard would welcome puppet caricatures of politicians and popular culture figures. Celebrity guest stars included Martin Mull, Leslie Nielsen, Bob Uecker and Betty White.

Marty and his brother Sid made many entertaining children's television and variety show programs in the 1970s and 1980s. The Kroffts received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys in 2018. In 2020, the Kroffts were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their contributions to television. Sid is still living at age 94. Marty will be greatly missed.

We also remember actress and model Janet Landgard. She had a recurring role as Karen Holmby on The Donna Reed Show. She died of brain cancer on November 6. Ms. Landgard was 75.

Landgard appeared as Karen Holmby in 11 episodes of the ABC sitcom The Donna Reed Show from 1963 to 1965. Karen Holmby is the girlfriend of Jeff Stone (Paul Petersen). She made her first guest appearance as Sabrina in the episode "All Women Are Dangerous." The series also starred Donna Reed, Carl Betz, Shelley Fabares and Patty Petersen.

She guest starred as Georgia Fleck in the 1963 My Three Sons episode "The Proposals." She starred with Burt Lancaster in the 1968 film The Swimmer. She also starred in 1970's Land Raiders with Telly Savalas and the 1974 film Moonchild with Victor Buono.

Ms. Landgard was seen in commercials on television and on magazine covers as a model. She was was interviewed for the behind-the-scenes documentary The Story of the Swimmer in 2014. She will be deeply missed.

Actor Evan Ellingson starred as Kyle Savage on Complete Savages. He died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in Fontana, California, on November 5. Mr. Ellingson was only 35.

Ellingson made his acting debut in the 2001 TV movie Living in Fear and as Young Luke Spencer in a 2001 episode of General Hospital. He had a recurring role as Young 10-year-old Christopher Titus in 10 episodes of the Fox sitcom Titus from 2001 to 2002.

He starred as Kyle Savage on the 2004-2005 ABC sitcom Complete Savages. The TGIF sitcom is about a single father named Nick Savage (Keith Carradine) struggling to raise his five unruly sons (Jack, Chris, Sam, Kyle, and T.J.) alone, following the abandonment of their mother 10 years previously. Kyle Savage is a rebellious teenager who is unruly and constantly causing chaos. The series also starred Shaun Sipos, Erik von Detten, Andrew Eiden, Jason Dolley and Vincent Ventresca.

Ellingson had a recurring role as Kyle Harmon, the son of Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and Julia Winston (Elizabeth Berkley), in 18 episodes of the CBS police procedural drama CSI: Miami from 2007 to 2010.

He guest starred in a 2005 episode of Bones. He had a recurring role as Josh Bauer, the nephew of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), in 10 episodes of the sixth season of the Fox drama 24 in 2007.

Ellingson starred as Jesse Fitzgerald in the 2009 film My Sister's Keeper. It also starred Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, Jason Patric and Alec Baldwin.

Mr. Ellingson was a good young actor. Complete Savages was a funny show which should have had a longer run. He will be missed.

Actress Judy Nugent starred as Donna Ruggles on The Ruggles. She died from cancer at her Montana ranch, on October 26. Ms. Nugent was 83.

Nugent starred as Donna Ruggles on the 1949-1952 ABC sitcom The Ruggles. The series was broadcast live. Episodes were recorded on kinescope, and some of them survive in the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The star of the series is comedian Charlie Ruggles, playing a character with the same name. It also starred Irene Tedrow (1949), Erin O'Brien-Moore (1950-1952), Margaret Kerry, Tommy Bernard and Jimmy Hawkins.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Life of Riley, The Danny Thomas Show, The Ann Sothern Show, The Dennis O'Keefe Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and The Gertrude Berg Show.

She played Jet Maypen on the Walt Disney Presents: Annette serial on The Mickey Mouse Club in 1958. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Lone Ranger, Adventures of Superman, Annie Oakley, Lassie, The Thin Man, Sugarfoot, The Millionaire, 77 Sunset Strip, Rawhide and The Tall Man (5 episodes).

Some of her film credits included Magnificent Obsession (1954), Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1954) and There's Always Tomorrow (1956).

Ms. Nugent gave up acting after marrying actor Buck Taylor in 1961. The marriage produced a daughter, Tiffany, and three sons, Adam, Matthew and Cooper. We thank her for her work on television. She will be deeply missed.

Television writer Stephen Kandel wrote episodes of Gidget and Room 222. He died in his home on October 21. Mr. Kandel was 96.

Kandel wrote four episodes of the 1965-1966 ABC sitcom Gidget. He wrote four episodes of the ABC comedy-drama Room 222 from 1971 to 1973.

Some of his other writing credits included Sea Hunt, The Rogues, Batman, Star Trek, Iron Horse, I Spy, It Takes a Thief, Mission: Impossible, Mannix, The Magician, Medical Center, Harry O, Cannon, Hawaii Five-O, Wonder Woman, Hart to Hart, The New Mike Hammer and MacGyver.

He worked as a producer for Iron Horse, The New Mike Hammer and MacGyver (58 episodes from 1985-1988).

Mr. Kandel was a recipient of the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe award and the Writers Guild of America Humanities award. We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:35 PM

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Labels: Abbott Elementary, ABC, Academy Awards, Cheers, Donna Reed Show, Hulu, Jeopardy, Obits, Only Murders in the Building, Sid and Marty Krofft

SitcomsOnline Digest: Discovery+ Docuseries Looks Back at Glee Controversies; SNL Treats Viewers to Kenan and Kel Reunion

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a light holiday season news week, but we have news of a Glee docuseries, a Kenan and Kel reunion, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The TV show Glee had a dark side to it behind the scenes, and now, a Discovery+ documentary is looking into that. (Deadline)
• Finally, fans got what they wanted on Saturday Night Live this weekend: a reunion of Kenan and Kel. (Entertainment Weekly)
• ABC has pulled a Backstreet Boys holiday special that was planned for next week following some recent allegations against Nick Carter. (Deadline)
• Actress Helen Slayton-Hughes, who is perhaps best known for her recurring role on Parks and Recreation, has died. (Variety)
• Actress Kirstie Alley has died at age 71. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 16)

• Decades is having a Cheers binge this weekend, featuring Kirstie Alley episodes.
• Call Me Kat is now streaming on HBO Max.
• Saturday Night Live is bringing Steve Martin and Martin Short in as co-hosts tonight.
• Remember Miss Cleo, who invited you to "call me now" on cable TV commercials in the late 90s and early 00s? HBO Max has a new movie about her coming on Thursday.

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

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Labels: Cheers, Glee, Kenan and Kel, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest

Remembering Kirstie Alley of Cheers and More; Final Season of The Flash in February on The CW

Emmy-winning actress Kirstie Alley, who starred as Rebecca Howe on Cheers and as Veronica "Ronnie" Chase on Veronica's Closet, has died. She died from colon cancer at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, on December 5. Ms. Alley was 71.

Alley's first appearance was an uncredited role as Princess Carna's (Barbara Rhoades) second handmaiden in a 1978 episode of the science fiction sitcom Quark. She appeared as a contestant in three episodes of Match Game in 1979 and one episode of Password Plus in 1980. In 1983, she guest starred as Marion Stevens in an episode The Love Boat. She starred as Casey Collins 1983-1984 ABC espionage series Masquerade. In 1985, she starred as Virgilia Hazard in the ABC miniseries North and South.

She starred as Rebecca Howe on the NBC sitcom Cheers from 1987 to 1993. She joined the series in the sixth season (1987-1988) after Shelley Long (Diane Chambers) left after the fifth season (1986-1987). Rebecca Howe is the manager of the bar for the corporation that bought Cheers from Sam after his on-off relationship with Diane ended. After receiving two Emmy nominations for her work in 1988 and 1990, she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical in 1991. She guest starred as Rebecca Howe in a 1993 episode of Wings. The Cheers cast from seasons 6-11 included Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson and Bebe Neuwirth.

Alley starred as Veronica "Ronnie" Chase on the 1997-2000 NBC sitcom Veronica's Closet. She also served as an executive producer for the series, which was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. Veronica "Ronnie" Chase is the owner of Veronica's Closet, a company that sells lingerie and other bedroom accessories. Alley received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1998. The series, which aired for three seasons and 66 episodes, also starred Kathy Najimy, Wallace Langham, Dan Cortese, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Cynthia Mann (season 1), Robert Prosky (season 1), Ron Silver (season 2) and Lorri Bagley (season 3).

She played a fictionalized version of herself in the short-lived 2005 Showtime comedy Fat Actress. The series was created by Alley and Brenda Hampton. Alley also worked as an executive producer and writer. The cast included Rachael Harris, Bryan Callen, Michael McDonald (recurring) and Kelly Preston (recurring).

Alley starred as Madison "Maddie" Banks on the 2013-2014 TV Land sitcom Kirstie. Kirstie tells the story of Tony Award-winning actress Madison "Maddie" Banks as she navigates through life after Arlo (Eric Petersen), the son whom she gave up at birth, reappears. Alley served as one of the executive producers. She appeared as Maddie Banks in two crossover episodes with Hot in Cleveland in 2013 and 2014. Kirstie's cast included her Cheers co-star Rhea Perlman as Thelma Katz, Maddie's personal secretary, and Seinfeld's Michael Richards as Frank Baxter, Maddie's driver.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Flesh 'n' Blood, Ink, Dharma & Greg (uncredited), The King of Queens, The Middle, Flaked and The Goldbergs. She received an Emmy nomination in 1997 for her role as Rose Marie Clericuzio in the crime drama series The Last Don. She starred as Nurse Ingrid Hoffel in the second season of the Fox horror comedy Scream Queens.

Alley appeared on and executive produced the 2010 A&E reality series Kirstie's Big Life. The series chronicles her life as she works to lose weight, launch a weight loss program and be a single mother. She was a contestant on the 12th season of Dancing with the Stars (2011–2012), finishing in second place. In 2018, she was a contestant on the 22nd series of the British reality show Celebrity Big Brother, in which she finished as runner-up. In 2022, she appeared as "Baby Mammoth" of Team Cuddly on The Masked Singer.

She won her second Emmy Award in 1994 for her role as Sally Goodson in the the 1994 CBS television film David's Mother. Some of her other television film credits included A Bunny's Tale (1985), Prince of Bel Air (1986), Infidelity (1987), Suddenly (1996), Toothless (1997), Salem Witch Trials (2003), While I Was Gone (2004), Write & Wrong (2007) and Baby Sellers (2013).

Alley made her film debut in 1982 in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, playing the Vulcan Starfleet officer Lieutenant Saavik. She starred as Mollie Jensen with John Travolta in Look Who's Talking (1989), Look Who's Talking Too (1990) and Look Who's Talking Now (1993). Some of her other film credits included One More Chance (1983), Blind Date (1984), Runaway (1984), Summer School (1987), Loverboy (1989), Madhouse (1990), Sibling Rivalry (1990), Village of the Damned (1995), It Takes Two (1995), Deconstructing Harry (1997), For Richer or Poorer (1997) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999).

Survivors include her two children, William True Stevenson and Lillie Price Stevenson, and three grandchildren.

Ms. Alley was a funny and talented actress. She was a great addition to the Cheers cast. She made everything she appeared in much better. We thank her for the many laughs and the entertainment that she brough us during her career. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Cheers or Veronica's Closet message board. View photos in our galleries.

The CW Network announced the ninth and final season of The Flash will premiere on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT), followed by the midseason premiere of Kung Fu (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT). The season will consist of 13 episodes. After defeating the Reverse Flash once and for all, the ninth season of The Flash picks up one week later following their epic battle, and Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton) are reconnecting and growing closer than ever before. But when a deadly group of Rogues descend on Central City led by a powerful new threat, The Flash and his team - Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), Meta-Empath Cecile Horton (Danielle Nicolet), the light-powered meta Allegra Garcia (Kayla Compton), brilliant tech-nerd Chester P. Runk (Brandon McKnight), and reformed cryogenics thief Mark Blaine (Jon Cor) - must once again defy impossible odds to save the day. But as The Rogues are defeated, a deadly new adversary rises to challenge Barry Allen's heroic legacy. And in their greatest battle yet, Barry and Team Flash will be pushed to their limits, in order to save Central City one last time.

Like a bolt of lightning, The Flash arrived on The CW on October 7, 2014. The premiere raced to become The CW's most-watched telecast of any series in the history of the network with over 6.8 million Total Viewers (in final Live + 7 Day Nielsen ratings). A recipient of critical acclaim and awards recognition throughout its run, The Flash won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in 2015.

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

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Labels: Cheers, Kirstie, Obits, The CW, Veronica's Closet

SitcomsOnline Digest: Pluto TV Adding 6,300 Episodes from CBS Vault; Tuca & Bertie Cancelled

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about new additions to Pluto TV, more cancellations at the hands of Warner Bros Discovery, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Fans of classic TV should be excited to hear this: Pluto TV is adding 6,300 episodes of classic CBS series from their vault to the streaming service, including Frasier, Cheers, and Petticoat Junction, among others. (Variety)
• Because almost everything that is proposed at HBO Max get scrapped now that Warner is owned by a company that believes entertainment should be Chip and Joanna Gaines and/or people who are freaks of nature, it shouldn't be a surprise to know that the anticipated Degrassi reboot has met that fate as well. (Variety)
• But don't worry, as HBO Max continues to bring you less scripted entertainment and more Chip and Joanna Gaines, they have plans to raise the cost of their subscription and double the ads on their ad-free tier. (Deadline)
• Tuca & Bertie got saved by Adult Swim after Netflix cancelled it but now the network (which is owned by Warner Bros Discover, of course) has cancelled it after two seasons. (The Verge)
• Just in time for non-stop Christmas movies, Peacock is now streaming Hallmark Channel (as well as the two spinoff channels) for subscribers. (Deadline)
• CNBC has decided to cancel Shepard Smith's evening news show. (Variety)
• We have a premiere date for the final season of Dead to Me. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 5 - NOVEMBER 11)

• Decades is on the run with a binge of The Fugitive this weekend.
• If you're already in the Christmas mood, it's already that time of the year for Hallmark Channel and Lifetime.

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

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Labels: Cheers, Frasier, HBO Max, Petticoat Junction, Pluto TV, SitcomsOnline Digest, Tuca & Bertie

REELZ Announces Three's Company, Cheers, Star Trek Unknown Story Episodes; Lifetime Expands Partnership with Melissa Joan Hart

REELZ announced its March 2022 lineup with new originals premiering every week. Among the new originals in March are stories about the power and popularity of movie franchises The Fast and the Furious, Jurassic Park, The Karate Kid and Raiders of the Lost Ark as well as proven pop culture hit TV shows Three's Company, Cheers and Star Trek. The March 2022 lineup begins Saturday, March 5 with Three's Company: The Unknown Story at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT followed by Cheers: The Unknown Story at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT celebrating two iconic sitcoms with stars and storylines audiences loved. Telling the stories of Three's Company from cast conflicts to memorable days on set is Richard Kline whose character Larry Dallas was best friends with Jack Tripper played brilliantly by the beloved John Ritter. In Cheers: The Unknown Story see the incredible journey of the show that stumbled out of the gate with low viewership only to become a TV juggernaut with more than 80 million people tuning in for the series finale. From the bombshell departure of a main character at the height of the show's success to assembling the cast of future stars including Kirstie Alley, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson hear from the multiple Emmy Award® winning creators who helped make Cheers a beloved sitcom. And finally on the TV series side, before a few daring Americans had taken one small step on the moon TV audiences had already been enjoying a giant leap in outer space through the groundbreaking show Star Trek. On Saturday, March 12 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT Star Trek: The Unknown Story explores the series that sparked a pop culture phenomenon that led to multiple movies and TV shows while creating a new type of super fandom in self-described "Trekkies." While fervent fans certainly help drive the success of a show or celebrity that relationship can become toxic and treacherous when lines are crossed and power is abused.

Lifetime announced a multi-year deal with Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Melissa & Joey, Clarissa Explains it All) to star in, direct, and executive produce several movies for the network. Hart will also star in the newly greenlight movie Dirty Little Secret (working title), as a mother hiding her extreme hoarding tendencies that are destroying her family, for the network's Ripped From The Headlines summer slate. As part of the new deal, Hart will continue her legacy with the network's It's a Wonderful Lifetime holiday movie slate as the star and executive producer of new movies for 2022 and 2023. Hart has starred in six holiday films for Lifetime including Mistletoe in Montana, Dear Christmas, and A Very Merry Toy Store. In addition, she has executive produced eight films with her production company Hartbreak Films, most recently Christmas in Tune starring Reba McEntire. Hart will also direct one picture for the network, which will join her previously directed Lifetime films, The Santa Con and Feliz NaviDAD, starring Mario Lopez, and The Watcher in the Woods remake starring Anjelica Houston.

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

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Labels: Cheers, John Ritter, Lifetime, Melissa and Joey, REELZ Channel, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Star Trek, Three's Company

Hallmark Channel January 2022 Schedule; Search Party Final Season on Jan. 7

After the holiday season and the holiday/Christmas movies, the Hallmark Channel will get back to its normal line-up starting Monday, January 3, 2022. A mix of sitcoms and Hallmark movies will of course round up the weekday line-up. Reba will air from 5am-9am in the mornings, followed by the daytime Golden Girls block from 9am-12pm, then five movies will air from noon-10pm, followed by the late night Golden Girls block from 10pm-1am. In the overnight, Frasier will air 1-4am and Cheers gets the 4am hour to close the line-up. On Saturdays, Reba will air 5-8am, The Golden Girls 8am-10am, then movies 10am-12am, more Golden Girls from 12-2am and Frasier from 2am-5am. And finally on Sundays it's sort of similar, Reba will air 5-7am, The Golden Girls 7am-10am, then movies 10am-10pm, more Golden Girls from 10pm-1am, Frasier from 1am-4am and Cheers 4-5am.

HBO Max has released the official trailer and key art for the critically beloved Max Original Search Party. The dark comedy's fifth and final season debuts Friday, January 7, with all ten episodes available to binge. In the new season, Dory (Alia Shawkat) enters a very public business partnership with charismatic tech billionaire Tunnel Quinn (Jeff Goldblum) on the other side of her near-death experience. Dory folds her old friends Portia (Meredith Hagner), Elliott (John Early) and Drew (John Reynolds) into the venture as they embark on an altruistic but terrifying journey. Joining the cast are recurring guest stars Kathy Griffin, John Waters, Aparna Nancherla, Angela Trimbur, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Greta Titelman, Joe Castle Baker, Larry Owens and Michelle Badillo. Returning recurring guest stars include Jeffery Self and Clare McNulty. Showrunners Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers executive produce with Michael Showalter and Jax Media's Lilly Burns and Tony Hernandez.

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

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Labels: Cheers, Frasier, Golden Girls, Hallmark Channel, HBO Max, Reba, Search Party

Paramount+ Celebrates the Holidays with Sitcom Classics; HBO Max Gets in Holiday Spirit as Well with Christmas Comedy Series

Paramount+ is celebrating the holidays with a seasonal spectacular that includes new festive titles and episodes for kids, plus a curated selection of classics for the whole family. The service will also be streaming new live and on-demand holiday movies from CBS, as well as must-watch specials such as One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. For kids, Paramount+ has rounded up a sleigh-load of festive programming, including A Loud House Christmas, an original live-action holiday movie based on Nickelodeon's Emmy Award-winning animated series, premiering on Nov. 26, and an all-new special Rugrats episode that debuts on Dec. 2. The episode features guest stars Raini Rodriguez as Gabi, Swoosie Kurtz as Minka, Henry Winkler as Boris, and Tata Vega as Tia Esperanza. This new episode joins Rugrats' growing slate of holiday episodes on the service, which includes "A Rugrats Kwanzaa," "Rugrats Chanukah" and "The Santa Experience." This season, pint-sized viewers will also jingle all the way to SpongeBob's Winter Wonderland selection, which includes beloved episodes from the hit-animated series such as "Patchy the Pirate Presents the SpongeBob SquarePants Christmas Special," "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!" and "Frozen Faceoff." The streaming service's family-friendly offering is rounded out with a collection from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. that includes holiday episodes from hit kids' series, such as Bubble Guppies ("Happy Holidays, Mr. Grumpfish"), iCarly ("iChristmas"), Dora the Explorer ("A Present for Santa"), Henry Danger ("Holiday Punch"), PAW Patrol ("Pups Save Christmas"), Peppa Pig ("Santa's Grotto/Santa's Visit") and The Fairly OddParents ("Merry Wishmas"), as well as specials such as Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas, All Star Nickmas Spectacular, Top Elf and Sonic the Christmas Blast.

Also sliding down subscribers' chimneys this holiday season are Christmas classics films such as A Christmas Carol, Bridget Jones's Diary, Happy Christmas, Serendipity and Surviving Christmas, plus fan-favorite episodes from iconic series such as Beverly Hills, 90210 ("Christmas Comes This Time Each Year"), Cheers ("Christmas Cheers"), Everybody Hates Chris ("Everybody Hates Kwanzaa"), Frasier ("Frasier Grinch"), Happy Days ("Guess Who's Coming to Christmas"), Taxi ("A Full House for Christmas") and The Brady Bunch ("The Voice of Christmas").

In addition, Paramount+ will be the streaming home for new live and on-demand holiday movies from CBS, including A Christmas Proposal, which follows a down-on-her-luck chef, Maria Winters (Jessica Camacho), as she agrees to pose as the girlfriend of a hotshot Seattle attorney, Julian Diaz (Adam Rodriguez), for the holidays; and Christmas Takes Flight, a holiday battle of wills between pilot Jenny Beckett (Katie Lowes) and Matt Hansen (Evan Williams), a number-crunching CEO who purchases Jenny's family-owned, regional airline. Additional can't-miss events streaming on the platform include: One Last Time: An Evening with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, a new live concert special honoring the musical legacy and enduring friendship between the two musical icons, and New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash, a star-studded special featuring country music's hottest superstars ringing in the new year from downtown Nashville.

HBO Max has released the official trailer, key art and first look images from the upcoming Max Original adult stop-motion animated series Santa Inc. from Lionsgate Television and Point Grey Pictures. All eight episodes of the series debuts Thursday, December 2. In this series from Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, intrepid elf Candy Smalls (Silverman) will do anything to be named as the first female Santa - even if she has to fight like a man to get it. Stars Sarah Silverman, Seth Rogen, Leslie Grossman, Gabourey Sidibe, Craig Robinson, Nicholas Braun, Maria Bamford and Joel Kim Booster.

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

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Labels: Beverly Hills 90210, Cheers, Everybody Hates Chris, Frasier, Happy Days, HBO Max, Inspector Gadget, Paramount+, Rugrats, Santa Inc., Taxi, The Brady Bunch

CBS Orders New Chuck Lorre Comedy to Series; MeTV and Game Show Network to Remember Alex Trebek

CBS has ordered United States of Al to series, a new multi-camera comedy from award-winning executive producer Chuck Lorre and creators/writers David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari, for the 2020-2021 broadcast season. United States of Al stars Adhir Kalyan (Rules of Engagement) and Parker Young (Suburgatory) in a comedy about the friendship between Riley (Young), a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Awalmir ("Al") (Kalyan), the interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America. Kelli Goss, Dean Norris and Elizabeth Alderfer also star. David Goetsch & Maria Ferrari, Chuck Lorre, Reza Aslan, Mahyad Tousi and director Mark Cendrowski (pilot only) are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television and Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc.

The new comedy joins four additional series from Chuck Lorre that are already on the Network's schedule, including Young Sheldon, Mom, Bob ♥ Abishola and new comedy B Positive. All of which have premiered this November, but Bob ♥ Abishola which premieres Monday, Nov. 16. Stay tuned for a premiere date for United States of Al.

Honoring the memory and legendary career of Alex Trebek, Game Show Network is scheduled to air a six-hour Jeopardy! marathon on Saturday, November 14 at 9am-3pm ET. Game Show Network talent will share words of tribute throughout the marathon. Meanwhile, the MeTV Network will air some sitcoms! This Friday, November 13, at 9PM | 8C, MeTV pays tribute to legendary game show host Alex Trebek with a special presentation of two sitcom classics. Watch as two cherished characters of television comedy play as contestants on Jeopardy! First, at 9PM | 8C, Vicki Lawrence's Thelma "Mama" Harper heads to Jeopardy! in the 1987 Mama's Family episode "Mama on Jeopardy!" Then, at 9:30PM | 8:30C, tune in for a special airing of Cheers, when know-it-all mailman Cliff Clavin plays Jeopardy! in the unforgetable "What Is... Cliff Clavin?" from 1990. Trebek plays himself, the host of Jeopardy!, in both episodes, which rank as favorites amongst fans.

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Labels: B Positive, Bob ♥ Abishola, CBS, Cheers, GSN, Jeopardy, Mama's Family, MeTV, Mom, United States of Al, Young Sheldon

Hallmark Drama Adding Cheers, Happy Days and The Brady Bunch; Chelsea Handler HBO Max Special Gets Date

Hallmark Drama will be adding three sitcoms to the lineup! Beginning Friday, October 23, the late fringe/overnight lineup will consist of sitcoms from 11pm-5am every night. Cheers will air from 11pm-1am, followed by Happy Days from 1-3am and The Brady Bunch from 3-5am. They have all aired in the past on the regular Hallmark Channel, but now for the first time they will air on Hallmark Drama. Hallmark Drama launched in Fall 2017. The three sitcoms will replace The Waltons and Touched by an Angel blocks. The Waltons will still in the daytime, but it seems Touched by an Angel will be off the lineup. The drama series during the day are Little House on the Prairie, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and The Waltons.

On Thursday, October 22, Chelsea Handler makes her long awaited return to stand-up after a six year hiatus with Chelsea Handler: Evolution on HBO Max. During the hour-long special Handler will share hilarious experiences about her family, friendships, and her first foray into therapy - where she was able to unearth why everyone on this planet annoyed her so much. Handler, a six-time #1 New York Times Bestselling author, filmed the special this summer from her home state of New Jersey on the heels of her most recent bestselling memoir, Life Will Be the Death of Me. The special was filmed in front of a live audience following social distancing and covid safety protocol. Handler has always been a trusted voice and has provided much needed perspective for the world. Now, she turns the attention on herself, reflecting on her personal journey toward self-awareness, assisted by her reliable companion - cannabis. Never one to hold back, Handler bravely takes the stage to face herself in front of everyone. It's a powerful performance and the most evolved work of her career.

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Labels: Brady Bunch, Cheers, Hallmark Drama, Happy Days, HBO Max

Decades Fall 2020 Schedule; CMT Acquires American Housewife

Starting Monday, October 5, Decades is bringing you a whole new block of late-night laughs. These comedies were far ahead of their time — and are bound to keep you up for hours with Smart Com! Every weeknight beginning at 10pm ET | 7pm PT, catch your new favorite block of comedy all starting with The Dick Van Dyke Show! Afterward, you can stop on by the place where everybody knows your name with comedy classic Cheers at 11 and catch a ride with Danny DeVito and Andy Kaufman on Taxi at 12 midnight. The classic Bob Newhart Show will air at 12:30am. In the overnight from 1am-5am it's more classic laughs with an episode each of The Lost Honeymooners, Get Smart, The Phil Silvers Show, Car 54, Dobie Gillis, Abbott & Costello and back-to-back Our Miss Brooks.

There is comedy in the morning, daytime and afternoons as well. Starting early in the morning at 6am with Laugh-In, followed by back-to-back episodes of The Jeffersons at 7am. Daytime comedy starts at 9am with two episodes each of The Lucy Show, The Donna Reed Show, Family Affair, Petticoat Junction, I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and an episode each of The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart round it out at 4pm. Early evening and primetime remain the same starting at 5pm with The Jeffersons. Check out the full Decades Fall 2020 line-up.

Effective immediately, American Housewife reruns are now on CMT as of yesterday (Sept. 21). The ABC comedy starring Katy Mixon is entering its fifth season this fall (starts Oct. 28 at 8:30pm). CMT will air it Monday to Wednesdays from 11pm-1am in late fringe, following the Mom primetime block. CMT airs sitcoms all day as well with blocks of Roseanne, The Golden Girls, The King of Queens, and Last Man Standing also airing on weekdays. CMT mainstay Reba also airs in late fringe on some nights. The network has also recently aired Married...with Children and Home Improvement, but are currently not on the line-up. Back to American Housewife, this is its first off-network airing and CMT will also air a marathon on Sunday (Sept. 27) starting at 12 noon. American Housewife will be eligible for local broadcast syndication in Fall 2021, so we could see more networks airing it by then. The series stars Katy Mixon, Diedrich Bader, Meg Donnelly, Daniel DiMaggio, Julia Butters, Ali Wong and Carly Hughes. 

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Labels: American Housewife, Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, CMT, Decades, Dick Van Dyke Show, I Love Lucy, Newhart, Taxi, The Jeffersons

Fri-Yay: Another Sitcom Lookback - Cheers; ABC and NBC Alter Fall 2020 Schedules

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

Since it's a slow time for new sitcoms (both because of the summer and because of the pandemic causing a shortage of new sitcom content), I thought I'd look back at another sitcom of the past that I'm rewatching and finding holds up extremely well. That sitcom is Cheers, one of the biggest sitcoms of the 20th century and also one of the most acclaimed. Cheers is a show I haven't watched in some time, so rewatching the series has really reminded me just how nearly every sitcom made after it can trace its lineage back to the bar where everyone knows your name. Not necessarily in terms of joke structure (Cheers is a very funny show, but it's more rooted in the humor of the '80s and '90s and not the more modern sitcom type humor that was developed in the '00s) but in terms of its character development. Cheers has some of the best and most subtle character development I've ever seen in a sitcom. Character development in sitcoms is trickier than dramas, because the comfort of a sitcom means everything has to (seemingly) remain the same. The humor comes from the familiar situation of the show's situation. And yet, for a sitcom to remain fresh, the best ones do try to push their characters forward, but have to do so gradually.

I think any fan of Cheers would agree the characters in Season 11 were not quite the same people as the characters at the start - they had grown and changed, but they were still recognizably their archetypes. That's because Cheers very slowly evolved its characters over the course of its run. There weren't any real shocking plot twists or huge events happening, but the day-to-day doldrums of life and evolution of their relationships gradually pushed their characters to new places. And I would argue nearly every great sitcom after it - be it Friends or The Office or Parks and Recreation or Community - evolved their characters in similar ways. Prior to Cheers, there were far less sitcoms that had their eye on the gradual character development, but it's become an important part of sitcoms going forward. And as I'm watching Cheers, I'm reminded of just how character development in a sitcom can be done right.

Yesterday we had some changes for CBS and Fox, now we have some changes for Fall 2020 for ABC and NBC. ABC unveiled its fall unscripted premiere dates. Details for the network's scripted series premiere dates will be shared at a later time and will likely have October/November premieres for many of its series. ABC has slotted five nights of programming for September/October, joining the previously announced Dancing with the Stars, which will launch Monday, Sept. 14 from 8-10pm. Game show favorites Celebrity Family Feud, Press Your Luck and Match Game return with the back half of their seasons, with the first half having aired on Sundays earlier this summer. They will move to Thursdays and resume on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 8-11pm until TGIT dramas are ready later this fall. A dramatic new season of The Bachelorette debuts Tuesday, October 13 from 8-10pm. An all-new season of Shark Tank kicks off on Friday, October 16 at 8pm. And finally, Sundays will be more Fun & Games with new series Supermarket Sweep hosted by Leslie Jones joining the Sunday lineup at 8pm, right after an all-new season of AFV. At 9pm, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with Jimmy Kimmel returns for a second season followed by the second season of Card Sharks with Joel McHale at 10pm - all premiering Sunday, October 18 from 7-11pm. No date yet for $100,000 Pyramid with Michael Strahan, which also started production this week. Stay tuned for the scripted premiere dates.

NBC is celebrating a November to remember as America's most-loved dramas make their highly anticipated season debuts the week of Nov. 9-13, including a two-hour premiere of This Is Us (Nov. 10, 9-11pm) and all three Chicago series (Nov. 11, 8-11pm). In addition, Law & Order: SVU (Nov. 12, 9pm) will return for its record-extending 22nd season that same week, along with the eighth season of The Blacklist (Nov. 13, 8pm), starring James Spader and Megan Boone. But comedy will launch first! For scripted comedy, executive producer Martin Gero will debut his new scripted comedy Connecting ... on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 8:30pm. The series is about a group of friends trying to stay close (and sane) through video chats as they share the highs and lows of these extraordinary times. Superstore, where Cloud 9's unique family of employees work together and share nearly everything about their personal lives as well, returns for its sixth season on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 8pm. On to reality, the four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series The Voice, with coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, as well as host Carson Daly, will be back in its swiveling red chairs on Monday, Oct. 19 8-10pm and return for the second night of its season debut on Tuesday, Oct. 20 (8-10pm premiere, then 8-9pm). Host Jane Lynch will kick off the first episode of the worldwide global phenom Weakest Link when the show debuts Monday, Sept. 28 at 10pm. Ellen's Game of Games, one of the most fun shows on all of television, returns Tuesday, Oct. 6 for a two-hour premiere from 8-10 p.m. before shifting the following week on Oct. 13 to its normal 9-10 p.m. timeslot for a few weeks.

The Wall and American Ninja Warrior will air for three weeks starting Wednesday, Oct. 21, before the Chicago series return. Ninja will start off on Mondays, as previously announced, before moving to Wednesdays when The Voice returns. Returning series set to debut after Jan. 1 include Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Good Girls, Making It, Manifest, New Amsterdam and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. New series set to launch in 2021 include Kenan, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Mr. Mayor, That's My Jam, Small Fortune, True Story, Who Do You Think You Are? and Young Rock.

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

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Labels: ABC, Card Sharks, Cheers, Connecting..., Family Feud, Fri-Yay, Match Game, NBC, Press Your Luck, Supermarket Sweep, Superstore, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

New Ted Danson NBC Comedy Gets Holly Hunter; Mel Brooks Gets New HBO Comedy Special

Holly Hunter, an Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress who recently had a critically applauded recurring role in HBO's drama Succession, will star alongside Ted Danson (The Good Place, Cheers) in NBC's new untitled comedy written and executive produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. The series is about a wealthy businessman (Danson) who runs for mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons. Once he wins he has to figure out what he stands for, gain the respect of his staff and connect with his teenage daughter, all while humanely controlling the coyote population. Hunter will play Arpi, a longtime liberal councilwoman. Having dedicated her life to the betterment of Los Angeles, she makes no secret of her disdain for the newly elected Mayor Bremer, whom she considers unqualified, sexist, and too tall to be trusted. In addition to Danson and Hunter, Saturday Night Live vet Bobby Moynihan was previously announced in the cast as Jayden, the interim director of communications in the newly elected mayor's office.

From the groundbreaking TV series Your Show of Shows to landmark films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks has been one of the most influential voices in comedy. Now, this entertainment legend looks back on his remarkable career in Mel Brooks Unwrapped, debuting Friday, Dec. 13 from 9:00-10:10 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on HBO. The special will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and partners' streaming platforms.

The HBO comedy special features award-winning actor, writer, producer and director Mel Brooks in interviews past and present with Alan Yentob, former creative director for the BBC. Since 1981, Yentob has filmed the inimitable Brooks for a number of candid conversations and mock interviews, many of which showcase a more reserved Alan as "straight man" to Mel's high-energy, quick-witted, unsparingly sarcastic persona. Combining Yentob's archival material with present-day interviews and verité footage of the now 93-year-old Brooks, the special is filled with the venerated comedian's hilarious anecdotes about his life and illustrious career.

Mel Brooks Unwrapped also shows Yentob following Brooks in his day-to-day life, including a visit with long-time friend and collaborator Carl Reiner - who dubs Mel "the funniest human being in the world" - to share some spaghetti and meatballs and watch some iconic clips from Brooks' 60-plus years in showbiz. The special marks Mel Brooks' fourth appearance on HBO in recent years, following 2011's Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again, 2012's Mel Brooks Strikes Back! and 2014's Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen, all of which have been nominated for Emmy(R) awards. To celebrate the new special, Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen and Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again will return on HBO GO and HBO NOW for viewers.

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Labels: Cheers, HBO, Mel Brooks, NBC, The Good Place

2019 A Very Merry MeTV Lineup; Ricky Gervais Returns to Host Golden Globe Awards

It's going to be "A Very Merry MeTV" holiday season this season on the MeTV Network. The festivities begin on Sunday, November 17 with Thanksgiving episodes and will air every Sunday thereafter until Dec. 22, all from 5pm-8pm. You'll see holiday episodes of sitcoms such as Diff'rent Strokes, Happy Days, Mama's Family, The Brady Bunch, The Jeffersons, WKRP in Cincinnati, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi and many more! Christmas Eve (Dec. 24, 1am-3am) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 11am-1pm) will see a two-hour block of Holiday Greetings from The Ed Sullivan Show. But that's not all! Oh-ho-ho-ho, no! MeTV also sprinkled the schedule with other holiday episodes that will air during their normal schedule of shows like ALF, The Facts of Life and Gilligan's Island. For now, view the full "A Very Merry MeTV" Sunday evening block schedule:

Sunday, November 17
5:00pm Diff'rent Strokes
5:30pm Diff'rent Strokes
6:00pm The Love Boat
7:00pm Happy Days
7:30pm Mama's Family

Sunday, November 24
5:00pm Saved By The Bell
5:30pm The Brady Bunch
6:00pm Cheers
6:30pm Cheers
7:00pm M*A*S*H
7:30pm WKRP In Cincinnati

Sunday, December 1
5:00pm The Beverly Hillbillies
5:30pm Laverne & Shirley
6:00pm The Love Boat
7:00pm M*A*S*H
7:30pm M*A*S*H

Sunday, December 8
5:00pm The Honeymooners
5:30pm The Odd Couple
6:00pm A Very Brady Christmas (1988, Movie)

Sunday, December 15
5:00pm WKRP In Cincinnati
5:30pm The Jeffersons
6:00pm The Love Boat
7:00pm The Love Boat

Sunday, December 22
5:00pm The Andy Griffith Show
5:30pm The Bob Newhart Show
6:00pm The Mary Tyler Moore Show
6:30pm The Dick Van Dyke Show
7:00pm Taxi
7:30pm Cheers

Global comedy superstar Ricky Gervais, in his unique and legendary fashion, will resume hosting duties for a record fifth time at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Gervais hosted the Golden Globes in 2010-12 and returned for a fourth time in 2016. The three-hour telecast will air live on NBC coast to coast Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT from The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The Golden Globes serve as the official kickoff to the 2020 awards season. 25 categories - 14 in film and 11 in television - are voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Creator and star of The Office UK and Extras, Ricky Gervais has won three Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmys and seven BAFTAS. The Office is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes. The NBC version is the most successful U.S. remake of a British show in more than 30 years.

Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin, Gervais is an award-winning stand-up comedian, with five international tours to date. His live stand up show Fame became the fastest selling UK stand-up show in history. Gervais can most recently be seen in the dark comedy After Life, which he created, directs, stars in and executive produced. The series premiered March 8 worldwide on Netflix and will return for a second season in 2020.

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Labels: Brady Bunch, Cheers, Dick Van Dyke Show, Diff'rent Strokes, Golden Globes, Happy Days, Mama's Family, Mary Tyler Moore Show, ME-TV, NBC, Taxi, The Jeffersons, WKRP in Cincinnati

NBC Streaming Service Peacock Sets Reboots of Saved by the Bell & Punky Brewster; The Big Bang Theory Coming to HBO Max, While TBS Renews Through 2028

NBCUniversal announced "Peacock" (www.peacocktv.com) as the name for its new streaming service. Peacock is a nod to NBC's iconic logo and NBCUniversal's rich legacy of creating beloved films, TV series, characters and franchises that have been at the epicenter of pop culture and will continue to define the future of entertainment. Peacock will deliver a world-class slate of originals while also offering treasured hits from the vaults of NBC, including The Office and Parks and Recreation, two of the most-watched streaming series. The service will also feature blockbusters and critically-acclaimed films from Universal Pictures, Focus Features, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination and Hollywood's biggest studios. In addition, Peacock will tap into NBCUniversal's unmatched ability to deliver a broad range of compelling topical content across news, sports, late-night and reality.

Peacock rolls out in April of 2020 with over 15,000 hours of content and takes center stage at the end of July during the 2020 Summer Olympics. As previously announced, Peacock will be both advertising and subscription supported. Details on pricing and distribution will be announced closer to launch. The platform's new original comedies include Rutherford Falls, co-created by Emmy and Peabody Award-winner Mike Schur, Ed Helms, and Sierra Teller Ornelas, and starring Ed Helms; Straight Talk, from Emmy(R) Award nominee Rashida Jones and NAACP Image Award(R) winner Jada Pinkett Smith; reboots of two beloved series - Saved By the Bell, from Emmy(R) Award winner Tracey Wigfield (30 Rock), featuring original cast members including Elizabeth Berkley and Mario Lopez, and Punky Brewster, starring Soleil Moon Frye as a grown-up version of her former character; an all-new season of A.P.Bio, starring Glenn Howerton and Patton Oswalt; and the second movie spinoff from the long-running series Psych. And drama wise, a reboot of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Battlestar Galactica, from Golden Globe(R) winner and Emmy-nominated Mr. Robot and Homecoming EP Sam Esmail.

In addition to the exclusive streaming rights to the beloved NBC sitcoms The Office and Parks and Recreation, some of the most popular NBC and classic TV series of all time will be available on Peacock, including 30 Rock, Bates Motel, Battlestar Galactica, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Cheers, Chrisley Knows Best, Covert Affairs, Downton Abbey, Everyone Loves Raymond, Frasier, Friday Night Lights, House, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, King Of Queens, Married... With Children, Monk, Parenthood, Psych, Royal Pains, Saturday Night Live, Superstore, The Real Housewives, Top Chef and Will & Grace.

HBO Max, the upcoming streaming platform from WarnerMedia set to launch in the spring of 2020, has secured the first-ever U.S. streaming rights to all 12 seasons of the massive comedy hit, The Big Bang Theory. All 279 episodes will be available on HBO Max when it launches in spring of 2020. In addition, TBS has extended its agreement to continue airing the show through 2028. The Big Bang Theory, created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, premiered on CBS in September 2007. Two hundred and seventy-nine episodes later, the longest running multi-camera comedy series in U.S. TV history ended its 12-season run as the year's most viewed entertainment series, the first show to be able to make that claim in 21 years. The series received 55 Emmy® nominations and 10 wins, and seven Golden Globe® nominations.

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Labels: AP Bio, Battlestar Galactica, Cheers, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, HBO Max, Married with Children, NBC, Parks and Recreation, Peacock, Punky Brewster, Saved by the Bell, TBS, The Big Bang Theory, The Office

ABC Sets Reunions of Cheers, The Drew Carey Show, Girlfriends, Charmed, Castle and More; NBC Renews Titan Games for Season 2

Cast members and creative teams from iconic television series and films reunite on ABC prime time in "Cast from the Past Week," beginning Monday, Oct. 7. Featured will be actors and behind-the-scenes talent from Blues Brothers 2000, Castle, Charmed, Cheers, Crazy Rich Asians, The Drew Carey Show, Girlfriends, House, Think Like a Man and Wet Hot American Summer as they reunite with former castmates on ABC dramas and comedies in an unforgettable week-long event. The following are details about participating shows; all times are EDT:

MONDAY, OCT. 7
10PM The Good Doctor – Robert Sean Leonard (House) checks into The Good Doctor. Both series were created by executive producer David Shore.

TUESDAY, OCT. 8
8PM The Conners – This episode reunites John Goodman and Dan Aykroyd (Blues Brothers 2000) as poker buddies.
8:30PM Bless this Mess – Michael Ian Black is reunited with Wet Hot American Summer's Lake Bell when he guest stars.
9:30PM black-ish – Girlfriends stars Golden Brooks, Jill Marie Jones and Persia White reunite with Tracee Ellis Ross.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9
8PM The Goldbergs – Stars of the iconic '80s hit comedy Cheers Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt reunite.
9:30PM Single Parents – Adam Brody, Leighton Meester's real-life husband and former co-star (Life Partners, The Oranges), returns as Angie's ex-boyfriend Derek.

THURSDAY, OCT. 10
8PM Grey's Anatomy – Charmed stars Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs are reunited with executive producers Krista Vernoff and Andy Reaser, who were writers on Charmed.
9PM A Million Little Things – Jerry Ferrara guest stars and is reunited with Think Like a Man castmate Romany Malco.

FRIDAY, OCT. 11
8PM American Housewife – Westport rocks as Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles and Kathy Kinney guest star in an episode that reunites them with Diedrich Bader.
8:30PM Fresh off the Boat – Ken Jeong (Crazy Rich Asians) returns as Louis's brother Gene and to ABC Friday (previously on Dr. Ken).

SUNDAY, OCT. 13
10PM The Rookie – Castle alums Seamus Deaver and Jon Huertas guest star and reunite with Nathan Fillion.

NBC has renewed the epic athletic competition series The Titan Games for a second season. In its first season, The Titan Games scored a 1.7 rating in adults 18-49 with 6.0 million viewers overall in "live plus seven day" Nielsens, and those figures grew to a 2.6 in 18-49 and 8.6 million viewers after 35 days of digital and linear delayed viewing. The Titan Games improved NBC's Thursday 8 p.m. timeslot by 19% or 1.2 million persons in total viewers versus NBC's results in the timeslot one year earlier.

Inspired by Johnson's desire to motivate global audiences to reach their potential for greatness, The Titan Games gives men and women across the country the opportunity to step inside the Titan arena and achieve the impossible. Competitors push their bodies to the limit by battling opponents in unforgiving head-to-head challenges, designed by Johnson. Winners advance to the ultimate challenge of Mt. Olympus, the consummate athletic test of speed, strength, agility and endurance. The Titan Games not only tests the competitors' physical strength, but also their mental and emotional fortitude.

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Labels: ABC, American Housewife, Castle, Charmed, Cheers, Drew Carey Show, Girlfriends, Grey's Anatomy, NBC, Single Parents, The Conners, The Goldbergs, The Rookie