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Monday, October 25, 2021

Remembering Peter Scolari of Bosom Buddies and Newhart; Mythic Quest Gets 2 Season Renewal

Emmy-winning actor Peter Scolari, who starred as Henry Desmond on Bosom Buddies and as Michael Harris on Newhart, has died. He died from leukemia in Manhattan on October 22. He had been diagnosed with the disease two years earlier. Mr. Scolari was 66.

Scolari's first sitcom starring role was as Benny Loman on the short-lived 1980 ABC series Goodtime Girls. The comedy was set in 1942 in Washington, D.C., during World War II. Benny Loman was a street performer whose pantomime, juggling and unicycle acts were part of the regular physical comedy and pratfalls seen in every episode. He was the roommate of macho hustler cabbie Frankie Millardo (Adrian Zmed). The series also starred Annie Potts, Lorna Patterson, Georgia Engel, Francine Tacker, Marcia Lewis, Merwin Goldsmith and Sparky Marcus.

Bosom Buddies

He next starred as Henry Desmond with Tom Hanks (Kip Wilson) on the 1980-1982 ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies. The show features the misadventures of two single men, working in creative advertising, struggling in their industry while disguising themselves as women (Hildegarde and Buffy) in order to live in the one apartment they could afford. Henry Desmond was a junior copywriter (and aspiring painter) working at a New York City advertising agency. The series also starred Wendie Jo Sperber, Donna Dixon, Telma Hopkins, Lucille Benson (1980-1981) and Holland Taylor.

Scolari starred as Eddie Riddle on the short-lived 1983 ABC sitcom Baby Makes Five. Eddie Riddle was an accountant who found his family growing faster than expected. The series also starred Louise Williams, Janis Paige, Prsicilla Morrill, Andre Gower, Emily Moultrie and Brandy Gold.

Newhart

He starred as Michael Harris on the CBS sitcom Newhart from 1984 to 1990. Michael Harris was the yuppie producer of Dick Loudon's (Bob Newhart) television show and Stephanie Vanderkellen's (Julia Duffy) husband. Scolari joined the cast a recurring cast member in the second season before becoming a main cast member in the third season. He received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 1987, 1988 and 1989. He also directed one episode of the series in 1990. The cast included Mary Frann, Tom Poston, Jennifer Holmes (1982-1983), Steven Kampmann (1982-1984), William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss and John Voldstad.

Scolari starred as Dr. Jonathan Lerner on the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom Family Album. Jonathan and Denise Lerner (Pamela Reed) and their three children move from California to Philadelphia to be closer to their relatives. The cast included Ashlee Levitch, Christopher Miranda, Philip Van Dyke, Doris Belack, Alan North, Rhoda Gemignani, Nancy Cassaro and Giovanni Ribisi.

Dweebs

He starred as Warren Mosbey on the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom Dweebs. Warren Mosbey was a young computer software writer who owned the highly successful software company named Cyberbyte in Seattle. The series also starred Farrah Forke, Corey Feldman, David Kaufman, Stephen Tobolowsky and Adam Biesk.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Scolari starred as Wayne Szalinski on Disney's Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The 1997-2000 syndicated series was based on the 1989 film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Wayne Szalinski was a wacky inventor in Matheson, Colorado. Scolari directed five episodes of the series. The science fiction comedy series also starred Barbara Alyn Woods, Hillary Tuck, Thomas Dekker, George Buza (1998-2000) and Andrew T. Grant (1998-2000).

Peter Scolari and Lena Dunham - Girls

He had a recurring role as Tad Horvath, the father of Hannah Helene Horvath (Lena Dunham), in 21 episodes of the HBO comedy-drama Girls from 2012 to 2017. He won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2016.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Angie, Happy Days, Family Ties, The Love Boat (3 episodes), Trying Times, Nurses, Empty Nest, The Mommies (2 episodes), A Whole New Ballgame (2 episodes), Can't Hurry Love, Dave's World (2 episodes), The Home Court (2 episodes), The Drew Carey Show, The Nanny, George & Leo, Reba, The King of Queens, What I Like About You, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2003), Listen Up (2 episodes), Odd Mom Out and Murphy Brown (2018).

Scolari had a recurring role as Gillian B. Loeb, Gotham City’s corrupt police commissioner, in five episodes of Gotham in 2015. He appeared as Bishop Thomas Marx in nine episodes of Evil from 2019 to 2021. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Remington Steele, Finders of Lost Loves, Hotel, The New Mike Hammer, The Twilight Zone (1988), Burke's Law, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Touched by an Angel, Ally McBeal, ER, The West Wing and White Collar.

Some of his voice credits for animated series included Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs, Gargoyles, Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man, Pinky and the Brain, Hey Arnold!, What's New, Scooby Doo? and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Mr. Scolari was a talented and versatile actor. He was also an avid juggler who occassionally showcased his talents on Circus of the Stars and on TV talk shows. He was funny and memorable on Bosom Buddies, Newhart and many other television series. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Bosom Buddies and Newhart message boards. View photos in our galleries.

James Michael Tyler

Actor James Michael Tyler, who was best known for his role as Gunther on Friends, has died. He died from prostate cancer at his home in Los Angeles on October 24. Mr. Tyler was 59.

James Michael Tyler and Jennifer Aniston - Friends

Tyler played the recurring role of Gunther in 148 episodes of the NBC sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004. Gunther was the manager of the Central Perk coffee house who had unrequited love for Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston). He appeared in more episodes than any other recurring character. In 2021, he appeared via Zoom on the Friends: The Reunion HBO Max special.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Just Shoot Me!, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2001) and Scrubs. He played himself in a 2012 episode of Episodes, in which Matt LeBlanc tries unsuccessfully to get the other main stars from Friends to appear in the promotional video for the fictional television show Pucks. He appeared as Chad Levitz in the 2013 web series Modern Music.

James Michael Tyler

Mr. Tyler was a familiar face and a fan favorite on Friends. It was nice that he was able to appear on the Friends: The Reunion special earlier this year. He will be sorely missed.

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

Mythic Quest

Apple TV+ announced a season three and four pick up of Mythic Quest, the hit sitcom from creators Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, which has been hailed by critics as "hilarious and endearing," "a ton of fun," and "the best workplace comedy on TV." McElhenney, who also stars, shared the news in his signature comedic style with a video featuring fellow Apple TV+ star and Emmy Award-winner Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), and Academy Award-winner Sir Anthony Hopkins, who recently earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Narrator for his guest star role in the Mythic Quest special, "Everlight." Boasting a 100% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series is set to open the writers' room for season three later this year.

Mythic Quest follows the team behind the biggest multiplayer video game of all time. In addition to McElhenney, who stars as the fictional company's creative director, Ian Grimm, the ensemble cast includes Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham, Danny Pudi, Imani Hakim, Charlotte Nicdao, Ashly Burch, Jessie Ennis and David Hornsby, who also executive produces. Additional cast includes Naomi Ekperigin, Caitlin McGee, Humphrey Ker, Chris Naoki Lee and Jonathan Wiggs. The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ubisoft Film & Television.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Orders Lopez vs. Lopez Pilot; Tyler Perry's Sistas Renewed for Season Four

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a pretty slow news week, but we have a few things for you, including NBC picking up a George Lopez comedy and a renewal for a Tyler Perry comedy at BET. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Lopez vs. Lopez, a comedy featuring (who else?) George Lopez, has been ordered at NBC. (Hollywood Reporter)
Peter Scolari, known for his roles in Bosom Buddies and Newhart, has died at age 66. (CNN)
Tyler Perry's Sistas has been renewed for a fourth season. (Deadline)
CBS has given Ghosts a full season order. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (OCTOBER 23 - OCTOBER 29)

Season 4 of The Last O.G. debuts Tuesday on TBS.
It doesn't matter if you're ready, the Christmas movies have already started on Hallmark.
Decades has a binge of The New Twilight Zone this weekend.
There is a new Saturday Night Live tonight with Jason Sudekis as host.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

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.

American Housewife

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.

Saturday, September 07, 2019

SitcomsOnline Digest: The Detour and Grace and Frankie Coming to an End; Decades Celebrates Bob Newhart's 90th Birthday

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We are in those awkward few weeks between the unofficial end of summer and official end of summer, and we're here with news of two cancelled series (one on TBS and the other on Netflix), a new drama for NBC that sounds similar to a recent news story, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

The TBS series, The Detour, is coming to a dead end as it has been cancelled after four seasons. (Variety)
Netflix has announced Grace and Frankie will come to an end after the seventh season. (CNN)
Although it's not exactly based upon the college admissions scandal (it's in fact based upon a Korean series that predates the scandal), NBC has nabbed a drama series that has a similar story. (Deadline)
A premiere date has been set for the Mad About You reboot. (Deadline)
There are a lot of TV anniversaries coming up, including the 25th for Friends and the 50th for The Brady Bunch, and of course, marathons will happen. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13)

Decades has a binge of The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart, and even the short-lived series Bob this weekend, in honor of the 90th birthday of the star of those series.
MeTV is airing a tribute to Valerie Harper with episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda on Sunday, beginning at 5 PM ET/PT.
The limited series A Very Brady Renovation debuts Monday on HGTV.
The new comedy series, Mr. Mom, debuts Thursday on Vudu.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Decades Celebrates Bob Newhart's 90th Birthday with Big Marathon; Wanda Sykes & Mike Epps Get Netflix Sitcom

DECADES television network will honor the 90th birthday and enduring comedic style of Primetime Emmy Award winner Bob Newhart with a weekend binge of his most celebrated primetime series: The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart and Bob. DECADES will present 82 select episodes spanning each eponymous series, along with interviews from The Dick Cavett Show, starting Saturday, September 7 at 1:00PM ET, and continuing through Monday, September 9 at 7:00AM ET. In November, The Paley Center for Media will present Newhart with the Paley Honors Award for his enduring impact on television comedy. Viewers can see the complete DECADES network schedule and find out where to watch by visiting www.decades.com

Mike Epps and Wanda Sykes

Mike Epps and Wanda Sykes are set to star in the new comedy series, The Upshaws. Mike and Wanda bring their distinct voices to this multi-camera comedy that centers on a working-class Africian American family in Indiana struggling to make it work and make it right without the blueprints to do it. Wanda Sykes (Wanda Sykes: Not Normal) will star, executive produce, and serve as co-showrunner. Sykes is a 2019 Emmy nominee for 'variety special' and 'writing for a variety special' on Wanda Sykes: Not Normal. Mike Epps (Dolemite is My Name, Only One Mike) will star and executive produce. Regina Hicks (The L Word, Generations Q, Central Park, Insecure) will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Dan Spilo (Sunnyside) will serve as an executive producer. Page Hurwitz (Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, Tiffany Haddish Presents They Ready) will serve as an executive producer. She is a 2019 Emmy nominee for Wanda Sykes: Not Normal. Niles Kirchner (Only One Mike) will serve as an executive producer.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Decades Acquires Newhart Starting March 2018; Santa Clarita Diet Brings Out More Stars for Season 2

Decades has acquired the rights to Newhart beginning in March. Newhart was last seen on Antenna TV up until end of 2017. Decades will begin a regular weekday schedule starting Monday, March 5 with shows from sister network MeTV being added. Back-to-back sitcom episodes will air from 9am-8pm. Sitcoms airing are I Love Lucy, Our Miss Brooks, I Married Joan, The Donna Reed Show, Family Affair, Petticoat Junction, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart, Ed Sullivan, and Laugh-In. In the overnight, after movies there will be other series such as The Loretta Young Show, Honey West, Mr. Lucky and more. Weekends will still be the Decades Weekend Binge with all-day marathons for two days, as this past weekend was The Facts of Life, next weekend will bring The Mod Squad. The weekend of March 3-4 will be The Mary Tyler Moore Show, followed by The Doris Day Show on the weekend of March 10-11. View the full Decades schedule that begins March 5. Keep it right here for continued updates on all things Decades.

Santa Clarita Diet - Maggie Lawson, Joel McHale and Timothy Olyphant

Netflix unveiled some delicious casting news and a first look at the much-anticipated second season of comedy Santa Clarita Diet, launching this spring. Joel McHale and Maggie Lawson guest star as Chris and Christa, married realtors in Santa Clarita -- and a more successful, more aggressive version of Sheila and Joel. Gerald McRaney guest stars as Ed Thune, a retired army colonel who Joel finds very intimidating. Zachary Knighton guest stars as Paul, the chill descendent of Serbian ancestors who has been tasked with pursuing the truth of the undead, no matter who or what stands in his way. In Santa Clarita Diet, Joel (Timothy Olyphant) and Sheila (Drew Barrymore) are husband and wife realtors leading vaguely discontented lives in the L.A. suburb of Santa Clarita with their teenaged daughter Abby (Liv Hewson), until Sheila goes through a dramatic change sending their lives down a road of death and destruction...but in a good way.

Picking up right where we left off, Season 2 of Santa Clarita Diet finds the Hammonds trying to adapt to Sheila's now-advanced undead state -- even though she's desperately working to hold on to her suburban lifestyle and not be defined as just another monster. Unfortunately -- while the family has become markedly better at murder -- the number of missing people in Santa Clarita is starting to pile up and it's no longer going unnoticed. Meanwhile, the Hammonds are chasing the source of the virus so they can stop it from spreading and save humanity -- which seems important. Through it all, Sheila and Joel are grounded by their unconditional love for one another. Sure, being undead -- or loving someone who is -- isn't always easy, but don't all relationships have their challenges?

Saturday, December 30, 2017

SitcomsOnline Digest: Mad About You Reboot in the Works?; Marathons and More for New Year's Eve and Beyond

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're in yet another holiday weekend with a slow news week, and once again, no new home media news or releases (we hope that those sections will be back next week though!), but we do have news about another potential reboot of a 90s hit sitcom, a look at the busy week ahead on the small screen, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Every series that was a hit in the 90s needs new episodes, or at least that's what Sony is thinking when it comes to Mad About You, as they want to bring that series back. (AV Club)
CBS doesn't seem to have any plans to bring back any of their successful 90s sitcoms (not that they really had that many to begin with), but they have been busy colorizing their old 50s and 60s sitcoms, and they've been performing rather decently when it comes to ratings. (Deadline)
Vox has their list of the 35 best TV episodes of 2017, so go take a look and check out what you may have missed from the shows you don't watch regularly. (Vox)
Make no mistake: sports leagues will do everything to cater to their TV audience, and that is demonstrated very clearly in the NFL cancelling their Sunday Night Football game that would have aired on NBC due to low ratings expectations that New Year's Eve would bring. (Yahoo)
Rose Marie, who was best known for her role on The Dick Van Dyke Show (and also starred in two seasons of The Doris Day Show), died this week. (CNN)
We mention some of them for your convenience in our Weekly Planner feature, but here is a larger list of all of the marathons that you can catch this weekend. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 6)

Antenna TV is having a Newhart marathon all day on New Year's Eve, then that will be followed up with a Coach marathon on New Year's Day.
Antenna TV also starts their new completely revamped lineup on Tuesday, with several new series joining the lineup: Alice, Coach, Gimme a Break, Growing Pains, Head of the Class, The Hogan Family, Murphy Brown, and Silver Spoons, as well as the return of Benson, The Jack Benny Program, McHale's Navy, and Soap. You can find the complete printable schedule here.
Not included on that new Antenna TV lineup: All in the Family, Good Times, and Sanford & Son, but getTV will be airing them in their First Families of Funny block that will be airing weeknights starting Tuesday (after an all day marathon on Monday).
MeTV starts their new lineup on January 1, and while it isn't a complete makeover of the entire lineup like Antenna TV is doing, it does bring Diff'rent Strokes to the lineup.
If it's New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, it should come as no shock that Syfy is doing their Twilight Zone marathon.
Full House joins the Hallmark Channel lineup on Tuesday, after a marathon on Monday.
Not to be a broken record on series joining a lineup after a marathon on Monday, but the same can be said about The Nanny on COZI TV.
If you're looking for something fresh on TV this week as opposed to classic series joining a new network, most broadcast network primetime sitcoms return to new episodes starting Tuesday evening, with Fox even introducing a brand new comedy series (L.A. to Vegas).
Of course, it wouldn't be the weekend without the Weekend Binge on Decades, and this weekend it is Diagnosis Murder.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Considering Honeymooners Reboot; How I Met Your Mother Spinoff Back in the Works Again?

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning of a reboot of a classic, a spinoff of a more recent series, and (unfortunately) two more deaths of actors from classic sitcoms, including Alan Thicke. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

CBS is indisputably the king of reboots, with three reasonably successful reboots of classic TV series airing on the network right now, and now they want to give that treatment to The Honeymooners. (Hollywood Reporter)
The on-again, off-again, saga of a spinoff of How I Met Your Mother, may be back on again. (Deadline)
Once 2017 begins, it'll be time to start the second half of the TV season (or as it is usually referred to, "midseason"), and Deadline has a recap on when to expect many of your favorite series as well as debut dates for the new series set to begin in the winter and spring months. (Deadline)
Mike Judge, creator of the animated series Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, as well as the current HBO live-action series Silicon Valley, is set to receive a lifetime achievement award from the WGA for his work on animated series.
Alan Thicke, best known for his role of Dr. Jason Seaver on Growing Pains (and perhaps less known for his work of composing some of the most memorable theme songs of the late 70s and early 80s, as well his talk show that was too innovative for the early 80s), died this week at age 69. (SitcomsOnline)
Bernard Fox, best known for his role of Dr. Bombay on Bewitched, died this week at age 89. (NY Times)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01MSX5322/happydaysonline5-20

It was only last week that Newhart - The Complete Seventh Season was released, and Shout! Factory is wrapping up that series very quickly on March 14, with their upcoming release of Newhart - The Final Season, which of course will contain the most memorable episode of the series, the final episode.
American Dad! has (finally) moved forward on DVD again, with this week's MOD release of American Dad! - Volume 11.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Justina Machado (Twitter), "One Day at a Time"

Claim to Fame: Justina Machado may not be a household name, but she has been appearing on our TV sets for over two and a half decades, beginning with a 1993 ABC Afterschool Special. She has also starred in series such as Missing and Queen of the South, but her most prominent starring role so far has been her role on Six Feet Under. Now, she will be starring in a sitcom, the Netflix reboot of One Day at a Time, where she will play Penelope (the analogue to Bonnie Franklin's character of Ann Romano in the original series).

Pick of the Tweets: "January 6 2017!!! Día de los Reyes⭐️✨🌟" (November 22, 2016)

Saturday, December 10, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC to Bring Late Night to Primetime for New Year's Eve; Candace Cameron Bure Leaves The View

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! As we're into the holiday season, there has been a slight slowdown in news, but we are hearing about NBC giving Seth Meyers a primetime special for New Year's Eve, news of Candace Cameron Bure leaving The View, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Carson Daly will be ringing in the new year on NBC as usual, but he'll have sort of a pre-show this year, as Seth Meyers brings Late Night to primetime with a star-studded New Year's Eve special. (Hollywood Reporter)
Candace Cameron Bure is the latest person to announce her exit from The View. (LA Times)
Joseph Mascolo, who was best known for his role of villain Stefano off and on over over a 34 year period on Days of Our Lives (as well as many appearances on classic TV series, particularly in the 1970s), died this week at age 87. (Variety)
William H. Macy is the bigger name and officially considered the star of Showtime's Shameless, but many who watch the show know that the plots and stories are often much more dependent upon Emmy Rosum's character Fiona, and now she not only wants equal pay to Macy, but actually more than his. (Hollywood Reporter)
"This is it, this is the trailer, the one you get, so go and have a ball," as Netflix has released the trailer for their reboot of the sitcom One Day at a Time. (SitcomsOnline)

TUESDAY (DECEMBER 13) HOME MEDIA RELEASE

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01LRCDYMA/happydaysonline5-20

Newhart - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD, $29.93): The classic Bob Newhart sitcom continues on DVD with this release of the next-to-last season.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Kaitlin Olson (Twitter), "two guys' mom."

Claim to Fame: Kaitlin Olson is best known for her role on the FX (and now FXX) series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. But she is hoping to become even better known for her own series, The Mick, which will debut next year on Fox. She got her start in the comedy group The Groundlings. Additionally, she has appeared in series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Drew Carey Show, and her voice could be heard in the animated series Brickleberry.

Pick of the Tweets: "Happy birthday to this guy. Big D. My man in my mustache. @DannyDeVito #sunnyfxx" (November 17, 2016)

Saturday, September 03, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: New Pilots from Zach Braff and Judge Judy?; Popular Scripted Cable Series Coming to an End

Happy Labor Day weekend, and welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have news of new scripted pilots from Zach Braff and (seriously) Judge Judy, news of the end of two popular scripted cable series, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Zach Braff is looking to return to the sitcom world as both star and director in a new put pilot for ABC. (Deadline)
Lifetime has canceled the series Devious Maids after four seasons. (Deadline)
The cult favorite Pretty Little Liars is coming to an end as well. (ABC News)
If two hours a day of Judge Judy on your local TV station wasn't enough for you, then CBS is convinced that you'd be interested in an autobiographical drama series about her life that is in development. (New York Daily News)
Is it too soon to be talking about a revival of the NBC series Parenthood? The cast and crew of the NBC series don't think it is, and it might just become a reality if they have their way. (Variety)
Actor Gene Wilder died this week, and while his career was more memorable for his movie roles, such as his starring role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, he did occasionally appear on television. Most notably, he starred in his own series called Something Wilder on NBC in the 1990s, which included an unlikely union with Alice Cooper in one episode. (Bloody Disgusting)
Silver Spoons stayed in relative obscurity in reruns for over two decades (occasionally popping up here and there), but now, it has once again been added to another network, and this time it is FamilyNet. (SitcomsOnline)
In case you missed it, here is our interview of Josie Davis from yesterday. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Shout! Factory is cranking through those release of Newhart, with Newhart - The Complete Seventh Season expected on December 13.

TUESDAY (AUGUST 30) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01HSAIOTI/ref=nosim/happydaysonline4-20

Coach - Seasons One and Two (DVD, $14.98): Mill Creek makes their first release of this series on DVD (which was previously released by Universal) with this two season combo pack. Season 1 and season 2 also available individually.
South Park - The Nineteenth Season (DVD, $29.99; Blu-ray, $42.99): Just in time for the upcoming debut of the 20th season of the Comedy Central series, this release comes to DVD and Blu-ray.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Kristen Bell (Twitter), "5'1 is the new 6'2"

Claim to Fame: We're continuing our theme of "the stars of the new sitcoms" this week with Kristen Bell, who will star on NBC's newest entry (and the network's attempt to make Thursday night comedy night once, which we hope succeeds) alongside Ted Danson, called The Good Place. Bell is already rather well known to TV audiences from her title role on the series Veronica Mars and most recently she starred in the Showtime comedy House of Lies, but this marks her first regular role in a primetime broadcast network sitcom. With a sitcom veteran as her co-star and the show being created by Michael Schur (who has a solid track record of success with sitcoms, including The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine), this might be a role that she could be getting used to for a few years, but we'll never know until it debuts (in a special timeslot, before moving to the regular Thursday slot) on September 19 on NBC.

Pick of the Tweets: "#TheGoodPlace hopefuls, let's spend for good! Donate to a local charity, sponsor an orphan sloth, get those points!" (August 31, 2016)

Saturday, June 11, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: CMT Brings Nashville Back to Life; Shout! to Release Sixth Season of Newhart

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's another slow summer news week, but we're here (as always!) with highlights from the ATX Television Fest and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Nashville didn't make it to the 2016-2017 ABC lineup, but that is OK because now CMT has picked it up, and will air a full 22 episode fifth season. (Entertainment Weekly)
Remember that spinoff of Everybody Loves Raymond that starred Brad Garrett? Well, it never happened, but it could have happened. (Variety)
The movie Mallrats has been waiting for years for a sequel, and it turns out one is coming, but instead of a movie, it will reportedly be a 10 episode TV series. (Gizmodo)
Netflix rarely gives any insight on ratings or viewing patterns of their content (there really is no reason for them to do so), but they are discussing the types of series views binge on. (Deadline)
The cable network Logo continues to evolve into a place for classic sitcoms, as the network is now airing What's Happening!! (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Shout! Factory is moving ahead with Newhart, with a release of Newhart - The Complete Sixth Season set for release on September 13. This leaves only the final two seasons to be released.

TUESDAY (JUNE 14) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

Maude - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD, $26.99): Shout! Factory gets closer to finishing season sets of this series on DVD with this release of the next-to-last season.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Connie Britton (Twitter), "Hey y'all."

Claim to Fame: When people think of Connie Britton these days, they don't exactly think sitcom star. But that is very wrong, because that was where she got her start, in the first four seasons of Spin City (she left when the series was retooled after Michael J. Fox's exit). Of course, the reason she isn't thought of as much for that role is because she went on to even bigger roles after that, but not in the sitcom realm. Between 2006 and 2011, she starred in Friday Night Lights (which had a cast reunion this week at the ATX Television Festival), and since 2012, she has starred in the series Nashville (which also made news this week as it is being moved to CMT). In fact, in between those series, she also starred in the twelve episodes of American Horror Story: Murder House, which was the first in that series.

Pick of the Tweets: "You're invited: to my wedding! Tonight on @Nashville_ABC. Please come! 👰💘💍 #NashvilleWedding" (March 16, 2016)

Saturday, February 06, 2016

SitcomsOnline Digest: Sketch Comedy Returning to Fox Saturday Nights; Pair of MacGyver Reboots in the Works; New Shout! Factory May Releases

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have news of Fox getting back into the Saturday night sketch comedy series for the first time since 2009, a pair of MacGyver reboots, several new releases from Shout! Factory that aren't just re-releases in any manner, and much more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

Fox is bringing sketch comedy back to Saturday nights next month with Party Over Here, which comes from The Lonely Island (best known for their Saturday Night Live fame). However, the series will only air for a half hour at 11:00 PM, to avoid going head-to-head with Saturday Night Live (which has a lot to do with the fact that The Lonely Island, which included Andy Samberg, owe their career to Saturday Night Live and wouldn't feel right becoming the competition). (Hollywood Reporter)
MacGyver is set to get two reboots, one in the form of a potential new series on CBS and the other in the form of a theatrical release. (/FILM)
Netflix is going big on what is perhaps their biggest series, Orange is the New Black, by sentencing it to three more seasons, not including the fourth season that begins in July. (CNNMoney)
Joe Alaskey, known for playing many cartoon voices (including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck in recent years), died this week. (CNN)
ASPiRE has added the sitcom Room 222 to their lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Shout! Factory made a very surprising announcement this week, by announcing that they will be releasing Cop Rock on DVD. Cop Rock - The Complete Series is due to arrive on May 17.
That wasn't the only surprise announcement this week. The other surprise announcement from Shout! Factory this week was the spinoff of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant. Lou Grant - The Complete First Season will arrive on May 3.
Finally, Shout! has announced one other release that is much less of a surprise (but it is a continuation of a series that hasn't seen a release in a while), with Newhart - The Complete Fifth Season on May 10.

TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 9) HOME MEDIA RELEASES

The Carol Burnett Show - Treasures From the Vault (DVD, $59.95): Available as a retail release for the first time, this six disc set brings 15 classic episodes from the earlier years of The Carol Burnett Show to DVD. Also available (with fewer episodes) in a three disc and single disc configuration.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Janet Hubert (Facebook), "BLACKTRESS, inside my mind are the many characters that I created. Life is too short, open your door and let the breeze blow through. Parody can be fun!"

Claim to Fame: Janet Hubert, or as she refers to herself on social media, Blacktress Janet Hubert, first appeared on TV in 1988 on an episode of 21 Jump Street, and made other small appearances here and there before landing her first major role as Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Unfortunately, that was not a very long-lived role, as she ended up leaving that role following a contract dispute, and another actress replaced her. Since then, she has had several guest starring and recurring roles on various series. In recent weeks, though, her social media page has garnered more attention as her disputes with Will Smith have resurfaced in relation to the racial diversity controversy regarding the upcoming Oscars, which you can read more about in this article from People. She is not, in any way, afraid to run away from controversy. In any event, for those who want to interact with her on social media, she does sometimes personally respond... but if you are disrespectful to her, she will respond accordingly. These days, she seems to be preparing to appear in a pilot for some sitcom, Ward of the State, which we can't seem to find anything else about online, so we don't know what the status of this is or really anything about it for that matter... but she has a preview of it on her Facebook page, and we would love to see it become a reality.

Pick of the Facebook Posts: "On this very day the Fresh Prince aired, and my life changed, I met so many wonderful people who have shown me such love. But FAME ain't always what you really want. So here's to the next 25 years of peace and good health for me. No funny characters, (well maybe a few funny faces). As always I will never do press again unless it is live and cannot be altered. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did making it for you and for me. (video)" (September 10, 2015)

Monday, January 05, 2015

Antenna TV January 2015 Schedule; Remembering Donna Douglas from The Beverly Hillbillies

Last summer we announced that Antenna TV had acquired many series for 2015. Now some of them are launching right now in January! In fact, the new Antenna TV January 2015 schedule starts today. Six of the eleven series they announced are joining the schedule. The series joining the line-up are Leave it to Beaver, Mr. Belvedere, Newhart, Doogie Howser M.D., Small Wonder and Evening Shade (one note is that Leave it to Beaver is returning to Antenna TV after airing on MeTV). So you'll have to wait later this year for the other series: The Jeffersons, Mork & Mindy, One Day at a Time, Family Ties, and Dear John. Anyway, back to the January 2015 schedule, as always there are a lot of time changes. Hazel is also returning to the schedule (airing weekdays 9-10am), while The Ropers and Three's a Crowd get regular weekend airings now (Saturdays 6-7pm and Sundays 12-1pm) instead of airing within the Three's Company rotation. Also returning to Antenna TV is The Three Stooges, airing Sundays 7-8am. As for the new series, Leave it to Beaver will air weekdays from 4-5pm, Saturdays 5-6pm and Sundays 2-3pm. Mr. Belvedere will air weekdays from 5-6pm, Saturdays 11pm-12am and Sundays 6-7pm. Newhart launches tonight with a special finale/pilot episode event, with the series finale airing first at 10pm, followed by the pilot episode at 10:30pm. The Bob Newhart '80s comedy will air weekdays 10-11pm and weekends 9-10pm. Doogie Howser M.D. will air late nights on weeknights from 2-3am, Saturdays 10-11pm and Sundays 7-8pm. Small Wonder and Evening Shade will only air on weekends, with Small Wonder on Saturdays 3-4pm and Sundays 5-6pm. Evening Shade is weekends from 8-9pm.

With all of these additions and returns, some series will be leaving the schedule. Expiring or on hiatus series are: Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bachelor Father, Diff'rent Strokes, Flipper, It Takes A Thief, Married...with Children, Partridge Family, Sanford And Son, The Nanny and Tooned In. The weekday morning schedule will consist of black and white sitcoms from 6am-5pm, while the '70s/'80s comedies take over from 5pm-3am. The Saturday primetime line-up features the new '80s additions, as does Sundays from 5pm-9pm. View and discuss the entire Antenna TV January 2015 schedule so you don't miss any of your favorites!

Donna Douglas

Actress Donna Douglas, best known for her role as Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies, has died. She died at Baton Rouge General Hospital in Zachary, Louisiana on January 1 from pancreatic cancer. Ms. Douglas was 82.

Douglas' early sitcom appearances included Bachelor Father, Hennesey, Pete and Gladys and Mister Ed. Some of her drama appearances included Tightrope, U.S. Marshal, Whirlybirds, Lock Up, The Detectives, Route 66, Thriller, Checkmate, 77 Sunset Strip, Surfside 6, Dr. Kildare and Twilight Zone. Her film credits included Career, Lover Come Back and Frankie and Johnny (with Elvis Presley).

The Beverly Hillbillies

Douglas was selected from among 500 young actresses for the role of Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies. The popular CBS sitcom ran for nine seasons and 274 episodes from 1962-1971. The series also starred Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Max Baer, Jr, Raymond Bailey and Nancy Kulp. Elly May was the only child of Jed and Rose Ellen Clampett. She was a tomboy who loved all kinds of critters. Douglas joined Ebsen and Culp in the 1981 CBS TV movie Return of the Beverly Hillbillies. She reunited with Ebsen and Baer in the 1993 CBS TV special The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies.

Some of her later television appearances included Night Gallery, Love, American Style, Adam-12, McMillan & Wife, Project U.F.O., The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and The Nanny. Following her acting career, she briefly worked as a real estate agent. She frequently performed as a gospel singer and was an inspirational speaker at many church groups, youth groups and schools. Douglas wrote several children's books and published a cookbook in 2013.

Survivors include her son, Danny P. Bourgeois, and a niece, Charlene Smith. Donna was a talented and beautiful actress. She seemed like a very sweet lady with all of her charity work. She always appeared to be appreciative of her fans. We will deeply miss her.

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

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Antenna TV Acquires 11 Classics for 2015, Includes One Day at a Time, Small Wonder; Amazon Prime Gets Jeffrey Tambor/Judith Light Comedy

Antenna TV announced the addition of eleven classic series to the network's lineup for 2015! Antenna TV, which airs in 89 markets across the U.S. reaching 71% of TV households, will add Newhart, The Jeffersons, Mork & Mindy, One Day at a Time, Family Ties, Evening Shade, Leave it to Beaver, Doogie Howser MD, Mr. Belvedere, Dear John, and Small Wonder to its existing lineup in 2015. These series are coming from various studios, such as Sony Pictures Television, 20th Century Fox, CBS Paramount and NBC Universal. And these eleven series might not be all that are on the horizon! Sean Compton, President of Strategic Programming and Acquisitions, Tribune Media says, "We are excited to add these shows to the lineup and plan to announce more programming acquisitions for the network in the coming months." Perhaps series like The Facts of Life, Webster, Silver Spoons and What's Happening/What's Happening Now?

Newhart, The Jeffersons, Mork & Mindy, One Day at a Time, Family Ties, Evening Shade, Leave it to Beaver, Doogie Howser MD, Mr. Belvedere, Dear John and Small Wonder join Antenna TV's lineup of classic favorites: Three's Company, Too Close for Comfort, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Dennis the Menace, Father Knows Best, Bachelor Father, Hazel, The Partridge Family, Sanford and Son, Maude, Diff'rent Strokes, WKRP in Cincinnati, All in the Family, Good Times, The Three Stooges, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The Jack Benny Program, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Gidget, The Flying Nun, It Takes a Thief and Antenna TV Theater, a movie block featuring MGM and Sony movies. More info on these eleven series' start dates and the potential other series coming soon will be announced closer to 2015. Stay with us for all things Antenna TV as always!

Transparent

Amazon announced it will premiere all ten episodes of the highly-anticipated Jill Soloway dark comedy Transparent on Friday, September 26 exclusively on Prime Instant Video in the US and UK. Starring Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development), Judith Light (Who's the Boss?), Gaby Hoffmann (Girls), Amy Landecker (Louie) and Jay Duplass (Togetherness), Transparent follows the Pfeffermans--a Los Angeles family forced to deal with their long-held secrets together.

Written, directed and executive produced by Emmy-nominee and 2013 Sundance Best Director winner Soloway, Transparent is a ten episode, half-hour novelistic series that explores family, identity, sex, and love. The series stars Tambor as Maura, who has spent her life as Mort--the Pfefferman family patriarch. When she reintroduces herself to her family, everyone's secrets finally start to come out. This includes her ex-wife Shelly (played by Light), and their children--meandering Ali (played by Hoffmann), record producer Josh (played by Duplass), and sexually conflicted Sarah (played by Landecker). Each family member spins in a different direction as they begin to figure out who they are going to become. Amazon Prime members can watch the first episode of Transparent now via the Prime Instant Video apps for Amazon Fire TV, Kindle Fire tablets, Fire phone, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, as well as hundreds of other connected devices such as smart TVs--or customers can visit Amazon.com/PIV to watch online. Prime members can add Transparent to their Watchlist and easily access new episodes when they premiere on September 26.

Recurring guest stars in Transparent include Melora Hardin (The Office) as Tammy, Bradley Whitford (Trophy Wife, The West Wing) as Marcy, Carrie Brownstein (Portlandia) as Syd, Kathryn Hahn (Parks and Recreation) as Raquel, Alexandra Billings (Grey's Anatomy) as Maura's friend Davina, and Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital) as Len. Guest starring roles include Michaela Watkins as Connie, Kiersey Clemons as Bianca, comedian Ian Harvie as Dale, and Cleo Anthony as Derek.

Saturday, January 04, 2014

SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Limiting Next Day Online Streaming; More Newhart on DVD

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This is the last weekend before everything gets back to normal on Monday, so we've still got a little bit of a light news week for you this week... but not too light! Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

If you enjoy watching your favorite ABC series the next day online, it could be coming to an end for you, depending upon your circumstances. The network announced that they will restrict next-day streaming of series to subscribers of a list of specific cable companies (which includes Comcast, but leaves large holes by not include DISH Network, DirecTV, or Time Warner Cable) and subscribers of Hulu+. This follows a similar move made by Fox in 2011, but for now, CBS and NBC continue to offer this programming for free to everybody. (TVLine)
Chevy Chase left the series Community at the end of the fourth season, and it appeared that there was no way that he could possibly return... but he did (at least temporarily). Dan Harmon discusses the hurdles that he had to go through to make this happen with TV Guide. (TV Guide)
If you're wondering when your favorite mid-season series will return (or debut), Deadline has a rather thorough rundown of debut dates for several series through March. (Deadline)
Netflix has plenty of categories for every type of television that anybody may possible want to see... 76,897, to be exact. As it turns out, the most popular actor in these categories is Raymond Burr, best known for his role as Perry Mason and Ironside. (Deadline)
We lost quite a few sitcom stars in 2013. Earlier this week, we compiled a 2013 tribute to some of these people. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

We don't quite have Newhart - The Complete Second Season yet (at least not until February 11), but according to TVShowsOnDVD.com, it seems that Shout! Factory already has plans in place for Newhart - The Complete Third Season. It is scheduled for release on April 22.
Walmart has had an exclusive on these releases since October, but now it appears that a general release date for other retailers has been set for The Beverly Hillbillies - The Official Fourth Season and Petticoat Junction - The Official Third Season. Both should be available from general retailers on April 15.

JANUARY 7 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00FM4S7P4/ref=nosim/happydaysonline4-20

Barney Miller - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD, $24.97): The season has already been released as part of Shout! Factory's complete series release, but now for those who didn't get that release, the season is available by itself.

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Reginald VelJohnson (Twitter), "Actor"

Claim to Fame: We featured Jaleel White last week, and it seemed appropriate to feature another Family Matters star this week... and with that, we feature Reginald VelJohnson, who played Carl Winslow on Family Matters. He got his start in the movies, including a small role in the film Ghostbusters, and following a guest appearance on 227 and Perfect Strangers, he quickly settled in to his Family Matters role. Currently, he can be seen in recurring roles on Hart of Dixie and Mike and Molly.

Pick of the Tweets: "Fake winslow family twitters keep sending me msgs. Not gonna be your dad again so quit asking. #winslows #leavecarlalone @judithwinslow" (December 12, 2013)

Saturday, November 09, 2013

SitcomsOnline Digest: Bill Cosby Hoping to Return to Primetime; Busy January for Mill Creek

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're settling in for our second week of our new feature around here, and this week, we've got news about sitcoms in development, several new re-releases from Mill Creek, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

A lot of TV stars that we loved in the '70s and '80s have been making primetime comebacks recently, and now it seems that Bill Cosby wants to give it a shot too. Recently, he has re-teamed with The Cosby Show producer Tom Werner in hopes of developing a new family comedy that will focus on older children and their relationship with their parents. It isn't even close to being a done deal, but nonetheless, it is great to see that his career is far from finished. (TV Guide)
Just when it seemed that Fox was heading into the direction of maintaining a Sunday night lineup with only one Seth MacFarlane animated comedy (as American Dad moves to TBS and The Cleveland Show was canceled), things may be changing, as they announced that they picked up 13 episodes of a new animated series from the creator, Bordertown, which is about two families living in a southwest desert town on the border of the United States and Mexico. It will premiere next season (Entertainment Weekly).
Meanwhile, on the sitcom development front at ABC, The Neighbors creator Dan Fogelman and George Lopez co-creator Robert Borden think that America is ready to see The Golden Girls again... but this time, a male version. (Deadline)
TV Guide recently interviewed Ed Asner about his upcoming appearance on The Crazy Ones, and has a little bit to say about how the guys at WJM were snubbed in the recent reunion of The Mary Tyler Moore Show cast on Hot in Cleveland. (TV Guide)
E! used to air plenty of sitcoms years ago, but it has been a while since they've done it. But now they're airing a sitcom once again, with their addition of Saved by the Bell. (SitcomsOnline)

HOME MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

We mentioned several weeks ago that Mill Creek would be re-releasing several DVDs that Sony released years ago, and it appears that a great flood of these releases will be coming on January 22. Among these are Bewitched - Season 1, Bewitched - Season 2, Bewitched - Season 1 and 2, Charlie's Angels - Season 1, Good Times - Season 1, Good Times - Season 2, Good Times - Season 1 and 2, Just Shoot Me - Season 1, Just Shoot Me - Season 2, Just Shoot Me - Season 1 and 2, Married... with Children - Season 1, Married... with Children - Season 2, and Married... with Children - Season 1 and 2! That's a huge list! The single season releases will come at a $9.98 MSRP, while the double season releases will come at $14.98. By the way, according to TVShowsOnDVD.com, the first two seasons of Married... with Children will include the original theme song, although it is likely that the remaining seasons will be as they were when originally released... but we'll let you know when those seasons come.
Those releases aren't all for Mill Creek on January 22! They've also got a release of a series from CBS and a new one from the Carsey-Werner library Wings - Season 3 and 4, The Cosby Show - Season 1, The Cosby Show - Season 2, and The Cosby Show - Season 1 and 2. The runtime of the The Cosby Show - Season 1 set suggests that these will, in fact, be the unedited episodes.
Shout! Factory announced the release of a classic sitcom that seemed to be abandoned this week with their announcement of Newhart - The Complete Second Season. Uncomfirmed rumors (from reliable sources) indicate that we'll be seeing a few more abandoned classic series from the Fox library from Shout! Factory over the next year.
Shout! also announced that L.A. Law - Season One will be released on February 25. This marks the first time that the series has been released in the United States (although a region-free version was made available in the United Kingdom a few years ago).

NOVEMBER 12 HOME MEDIA RELEASES

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00EC9UI0C/ref=nosim/happydaysonline4-20

Family Ties - The Complete Series ($220.98): CBS brings all of the episodes of this classic series together in one collection, along with extra bonus material not included on the previous season release.
My Mother the Car - The Series ($24.96): TGG brings together every episode (or so we think, we're still not entirely certain since the list in the official amazon.com description is missing an episode) of the classic series that is loved by many, despite having the reputation of being one of the worst series of all time.
MADtv - The Complete Fourth Season ($29.93): Shout! Factory continues with another season of the late-night sketch comedy series that aired on Fox that competed with Saturday Night Live for several years.
The Mod Squad - The Complete Series ($269.99) and The Mod Squad - The Complete Series (gift set) ($180): The classic series makes it to DVD as a complete series for the first time (and inexplicably, with a deluxe version that costs much less than the regular version).

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Donal Logue (Twitter), "Canadian born to Irish Parents & raised on the Mexican border (Nogales & El Centro). Currently rolling with #SOA #CopperTV & #Vikings peeps."

Claim to Fame: Donal Logue was best known for his movie roles in the '90s, but his claim to fame for sitcom fans came in 2001, with the Fox (and later The WB) series Grounded for Life. Since then, he has appeared in several episodes of ER and the short-lived ABC sitcom, The Knights of Prosperity. Currently, he appears in the BBC America series, Copper.

Pick of the Tweets: "Judging by CSI: Miami, Dade County is loaded. Must have spent millions on hologram computer monitors and Hummers alone." (March 17, 2013)

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

FamilyNet Merges with Rural TV on January 1, 2013; ABC Picks Up Full Season of Nashville

Rural Media Group, Inc., the parent company for both RFD-TV/RFD HD and Rural TV, is proud to announce that it has purchased FamilyNet, a 32-year-old basic cable channel currently distributed into 14.8 million U.S. homes, from Interactive Television And Gaming Networks, LLC (formerly Comstar Media). The move takes RMG's total distribution into over 61,000,000 homes through its cable and satellite carriers in all 50 states. The program schedules of Rural TV and FamilyNet will be formally merged into one network on January 1, 2013. As of now, some of the series from FamilyNet have already started popping-up on Rural TV, including primetime sitcoms Mr. Belevdere, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart from 8-10pm ET, airing right now on both networks. Rural TV also airs Highway to Heaven weeknights at 10pm and Bonanza on Saturday nights.

The acquisition of FamilyNet brings, for the ﬁrst time, Rural Media Group's popular rural-themed program library to many major U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, plus the countryside of Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and California. In addition, the expanding list of quality advertisers and sponsors who seek family-oriented programming and demographics now have another choice with a proven track record that delivers a large, and growing, Nielsen-rated audience. FamilyNet was bought by Comstar in December 2009, after Comstar bought AmericanLife TV Network. It later reprogrammed AmericanLife into YouToo TV, with a social media focus, allowing viewers to upload their own videos.

Stay with us for further information on Rural TV and to see if any more series programming will air on the network after the merger is complete on January 1! Will we see other FamilyNet series like Remington Steele? Stay tuned!

ABC has picked up a full season of new drama Nashville. Nashville joins previously announced full season orders for new comedy The Neighbors and returning second-year drama series Scandal. No decision yet on fellow ABC new dramas Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue, while new comedy Malibu Country is only in its second week, but is headed for a full-season pick-up. Stay tuned. Nashville airs Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET on the ABC Television Network.
Nashville stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O'Connor, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Robert Ray Wisdom as Coleman Carlisle and Powers Boothe as Lamar Wyatt.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

FamilyNet Fall 2011 Schedule Part II With Sitcoms Like Mr. Belvedere; The Parkers Returns to BET

Last month we gave you FamilyNet's Fall 2011 schedule that started Sept. 1, but that was just part one! Part two will begin on Saturday, Oct. 1 and sitcoms will join the line-up beginning Monday, Oct. 3! The weekday line-up from 4pm-1am will get a makeover! 20th Century Fox series, including sitcoms, dramas and even a game show will be coming! The '80s classic Mr. Belvedere makes its first regular appearance in years airing weekdays at 4pm and 8pm! Belvedere last aired during a Christmas episodes marathon in 2009 on sister network ALN. Other than that, Belvedere hasn't been seen since it aired on FoxNet (for markets who didn't have a Fox affiliate) over a decade ago. It has never to my knowledge ever aired on a cable network, so this will be the first time. Back to the FamilyNet schedule, the classic sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show will air weekdays at 4:30pm & 8:30pm. The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart will follow from 5-6pm and 9-10pm. Mary Tyler Moore & Bob Newhart Show currently air on digital network MeTV, but they were last on cable on FamilyNet's sister network ALN from 2007-09, along with Newhart. Another former ALN series, the drama Remington Steele will follow weekdays at 6pm and 10pm.
FamilyNet has also acquired the rights to the recently canceled game show Don't Forget the Lyrics! airing it weekdays 7-8pm and 3-4am. It will also air Saturdays at 5:30pm. Current series airing in weekdays The New Flipper, Lost in Space and Lou Grant will be leaving the line-up. Now the series they added in September will still remain in October as well. I Spy, the Robert Culp-Bill Cosby '60s series will air weekdays at 8am ET still but the 1am ET will move to 11pm ET after Remington Steele. The fun series will still air Saturdays at 3pm and late night on Sundays at 2am. Half-hour series The Lone Wolf from the '50s will air weekdays at 6:30am and British series The Saint from the '60s will air weekdays in the 7am ET and 12am ET hours, paired with I Spy. Canadian series The Beachcombers will remain weekdays in the 3pm ET hour and The New Zorro, which ran from 1990-93, will continue to air Saturdays at 4-5pm ET.
View the FULL FamilyNet Fall 2011 schedule. Stay tuned for any further updates on FamilyNet, as we are certainly happy that sitcoms have returned to the network. Sister network AmericanLife Network (ALN) will be rebranding and changing their name on Sept. 19. We still cannot reveal what the name is yet so you'll have to stay with us! We can tell you they will be adding some classic series programming again! Stay tuned!

Last Thursday we mentioned a BET sitcom stunt happening on Saturday, Oct. 1 from a sitcom that last aired on BET in 2008. That is still happening, but the series will join the schedule now starting TODAY (Tuesday, Sept. 6)! So we will reveal that series right now. The sitcom The Parkers will return to BET and air weekdays in the 11am ET hour replacing an hour of The Jamie Foxx Show, which remains at noon. The Parkers will also air weekdays in the 5pm ET hour and BET will begin with season three episodes. "Heeyyy!" The marathon that we hinted last week is indeed The Parkers and will air Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8am-8pm. The Parkers aired on UPN from 1999-2004 and was a spin-off of Moesha that starred Mo'Nique and Countess Vaughn.
We are not revealing the BET Fall 2011 schedule yet, because they have a new series joining the line-up in October. We will reveal what that is soon, but we can tell you that they have never aired the series before! Also, we will reveal sister network Centric's Fall 2011 schedule soon, too. Stay with us!

Monday, February 08, 2010

Minor WGN America Retro Night Changes, More Cosby Show; Tad More Hallmark Channel Sked Changes

WGN America is making a few minor changes to its Sunday night block Outta Sight Retro Night starting Sunday (Feb. 14, 2010). Basically another hour of The Cosby Show is added to late night. Becker's late night hour moves from 2am ET to 12am ET, replacing the second hour of Newhart. Newhart will still remain in the 8pm ET hour. The Cosby Show will get another hour, now in the 2am ET hour. This is in addition to its already scheduled hours at 7pm ET and 3am ET, so yes, three hours of The Cosby Show on Sunday nights. Perhaps it is holding a slot for something else for the future?
So, if you're confused, here is how Sunday nights will look now: 6pm ET Becker, 7pm ET The Cosby Show, 8pm ET Newhart, 9pm ET Barney Miller, 10pm ET News, 11pm ET Cheers, 12am ET Becker, 1am ET Barney Miller, 2am ET The Cosby Show, and 3am ET more The Cosby Show.
As usual, stay with us for any further WGN America updates!

It was just last week when we told you about the tons of schedule changes to Hallmark Channel, now a little bit more are happening! Beginning tonight (Monday, February 8, 2010) Monday-Thursday from 9-11pm will now be a movie instead of Touched By An Angel, but Touched will still air at 8pm and also gain the 7pm hour replacing one of the three 7th Heaven hours starting tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010). 7th Heaven will remain at 5pm and 6pm. Everything else is the same as we relayed last week.

Friday, December 11, 2009

WGN America's Outta Sight Retro Night Expands in January 2010; Changes on Good Morning America

WGN America is changing the late night portion of their Sunday night Outta Sight Retro Night block come January 2010. Changes that are happening will have another hour of Newhart at 12am ET (9pm PT), replacing ALF, which is now gone. The good news is that Outta Sight Retro Night will be expanded by two more hours, as 2am and 3am ET are now in! Second hours of Becker and The Cosby Show are added, replacing Nash Bridges and South Park. So, if you're confused, here is how the Sunday night block looks like come Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010:
6-7pm ET Becker, 7-8pm ET The Cosby Show, 8-9pm ET Newhart, 9-10pm ET Barney Miller, then a break for the WGN news, 11pm-12am ET Cheers, 12am-1am ET Newhart, 1-2am ET Barney Miller, 2-3am ET Becker, and 3-4am ET The Cosby Show. So as you can see, everything has a second hour now but Cheers.
As for a couple of December updates, Outta Sight Retro Night will have a special holiday episode marathon on Sunday, Dec. 20 with a few shows airing at special times. Holiday episodes start at 8pm ET following the movie It's a Very Muppet Christmas, we get holiday episodes of Newhart, Barney Miller, then news, Cheers, Becker, and The Cosby Show. ALF is preempted on this night and will have its last airing for now on Dec. 27 at 12am ET.
And finally, WGN America has added an In the Heat of the Night movie marathon on New Year's Eve (Thursday, Dec. 31) from 10am-8pm ET.
View our previous story on WGN America's Holiday Programming.

ABC is pleased to announce that George Stephanopoulos and Juju Chang will be joining Good Morning America, effective Monday (December 14). In addition, Chris Cuomo will take over as co-anchor of 20/20 with Elizabeth Vargas.
Here is David Westin's (ABC News President) announcement of the changes is below:
I'm pleased to announce that beginning Monday, our new anchor team at Good Morning America will be in place and on the air. George Stephanopoulos and Juju Chang will be joining Robin and Sam. Chris Cuomo will be promoted to co-anchor of 20/20 with Elizabeth Vargas and serve as ABC News' Chief Law and Justice Correspondent, joining Jim Avila. George will also take on the role of Chief Political Correspondent and he will continue to anchor This Week (Sunday morning show) until we name his replacement.
In putting this new GMA team together, we've pursued one goal: How can we best serve our audience? How can we bring them what matters most to them - the day's important news, engaging stories, useful information, and real expertise to help them improve their lives?
Robin and George are the right pair to lead our effort. As we've seen over time, Robin brings a warmth and intelligence to the morning that no one can match. Hers is a practical curiosity that brings the viewers' questions to the fore. George complements Robin's strengths with a deep knowledge of and commitment to news about the nation and the world. George is a formidable interviewer who brings the viewer a deeper understanding of the great issues of the day through his conversations with experts and newsmakers.
Sam Champion brings his knowledge and enthusiasm to weather, climate, and the environment. Juju, our new news anchor, has distinguished herself covering the news of every sort – from national and world events to the everyday experiences of parents and families.
Chris Cuomo has done it all – from newscasts in the morning, to covering major events from the field (around the country and around the world), to powerful primetime reporting. In addition to joining the team at 20/20, he will also step into the role of our lead reporter for all programs on major law and justice stories. And, he will continue to be one of the first people we turn to when news happens.
Eleven years ago next month, Diane Sawyer came to GMA for a temporary stint that at the time we expected to be a few months. Now, she will be taking over as anchor of World News on December 21, succeeding Charlie Gibson. One cannot describe all that she has done for GMA; nor can we fully express our gratitude. The best way to honor what Diane has done – and what Charlie did before and with her – is to continue the great tradition while building on the foundation they have laid. This new team will do just that. Each member individually contributes a great deal; the whole, however, will exceed even the large sum of the parts. Together with Jim Murphy and Tom Cibrowski we will redouble the program's focus on the engaging stories and useful news and information that matters most to our audience, delivering the kind of reporting that most reflects the strengths of ABC News.
Please join me in congratulating all of our colleagues on their new assignments.

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