Fox Post-Strike Line-Up; Boston Legal Coming To ION Television; Gary David Goldberg Interview

Fox has ordered many of its current series back to production following the writers' strike and has announced airdates for spring 2008. Among the series slated to return are Bones, Back to You, 'Til Death and House. 24 will also return to conclude production on its seventh season, but the Emmy-winning series starring Kiefer Sutherland will not premiere until January 2009, allowing the drama to once again run 24 episodes consecutively. Fox's animated series, including American Dad, Family Guy, and The Simpsons, are also returning to production on future episodes.
Here is a recap of what we can expect: Back to You still has two pre-strike episodes left and they will air next week (Feb. 26 and 27 after Idol). The show will then return to close the season with new episodes starting Wednesday, April 16 at 8:30 PM ET/PT every Wednesday at 8:30. 'Til Death has one pre-strike episode left and it will air Tuesday, March 25 following Idol. Post-strike episodes will start on Wednesday, April 16 at 8:00 PM ET/PT every Wednesday at 8:00. Bones will return will all-new episodes on Monday, April 14 airing Mondays at 8. House returns with new episodes on Monday, April 28 moving to a new night of Mondays at 9.
Other premieres are new mid-season entries such as new sitcom Unhitched on Sunday, March 2 at 9:30pm. New drama New Amsterdam will get a special preview airing Tuesday, March 4 at 9 after Idol and again after Idol on Thursday, March 6 before moving to its normal night and time of Mondays at 9 on March 10 (before House takes over in late April). On that same night (Monday, March 10), new drama Canterbury's Law will premiere at 8:00pm (before Bones takes over in mid-April). New sitcom The Return of Jezebel James will debut Friday, March 14 at 8 p.m. for a one-hour premiere before moving to 8:30pm the following week. Finally, returning reality series Hell's Kitchen will air after Idol on Tuesdays at 9 starting April 1. Reality series such as Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, The Moment of Truth, and Don't Forget the Lyrics! will continue on without any problems.
There you have it...Fox's plans for the rest of the season. Status on the future of shows like Prison Break and Sarah Connor Chronicles are up in the air until upfront most likely in May. Expect one of them at least to return next season, if not both. K-Ville is 99.9% gone for good.
We now only have ABC left for an official announcement of their plans. Stay tuned for that!

ION Television announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Twentieth Television to air the David E. Kelley hit television series, Boston Legal, on ION Television, beginning this Fall. The agreement marks a milestone in the network's commitment to popular and diverse entertainment.
The acquisition will join M*A*S*H in the line-up this Fall. ION recently launched The Drew Carey Show and will launch Baywatch next month in a plan of popular and diverse entertainment.
Will they be expanding by the fall since they have announced so many new shows? We shall find out...so let's hope they do. Don't judge them until they announce a schedule.
Boston Legal has regularly been a top 20 program on ABC and draws one of the most affluent audiences in television. Kelley and Bill D'Elia are executive producers. The series, which premiered October 3, 2004, currently is in its fourth season on ABC and is produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television.

Our good buddy Eric from JustMyShow.com continues to get noteworthy guests for his show. On Feb. 5, Emmy winning producer Gary David Goldberg celebrated the release of his new autobiography "Sit, Ubu, Sit" by taking part in a panel discussion at the Paley Center alongside cast members of his most successful shows. But before he spoke to his sold out audience, he sat down with Just My Show to talk about his seven years as creator and executive producer of Family Ties.
You can listen to the very interesting podcast by clicking HERE!

We have a big week planned this week on the blog...so you will want to check in everyday. Big stuff!

Day 82: WGA's Strike; TNT Acquires Bones Reruns; Barry Williams' Blog Launches

It is day 82 of the strike. Leading independent filmed entertainment studio Lionsgate is the latest company to sign an interim agreement with the Writers Guild of America. The company is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content.
The agreement is similar to the deals the WGA has recently announced with United Artists, Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.
Lionsgate produces various TV shows that include Weeds (Showtime, fourth season), Mad Men (AMC, second season), and Fear Itself (NBC, debut season). So it seems Weeds and Mad Men at least will go back into production! Fear Itself is a scripted horror series coming to NBC this summer.
Also, Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced that they have reached an interim comprehensive agreement that will put writers immediately back to work on the Marvel Studios development slate.
Meanwhile, ABC just announced the Feb. 11 airing of Dance War will also be 90-minutes. So it does seem the number one new sitcom Samantha Who? starring the sexy Christina Applegate, won't return until Dancing with the Stars returns, which is March 17...but remember the first two weeks or so the show is two-hours. The sitcom has three episodes left, and if the strike ends soon, we could get more and all in a row from this plan...so it could be good! The Dance War finale is Feb. 18 and will likely be two-hours. Then ABC has the world premiere event of A Raisin in the Sun on Feb. 25 and a two-hour special on The Royal Family on March 3. No idea yet what March 10 has in store, but Dancing with the Stars returns March 17. So, if I were to GUESS when Samantha Who will return, I'd guess March 31 at 9:30pm. Stupid strike.

TNT has acquired the exclusive cable rights to the hit drama series Bones. TNT will start airing the show this Tuesday (Jan. 29), airing it each Tuesday at 10pm. TNT will get five-days-a-week play starting in Fall 2009.
Bones stars Emily Deschanel as the forensic expert and David Boreanaz as an FBI agent. The self-contained episodes frequently play on the sexual tension between the two. The show is a modest hit on Fox. Boreanaz's other series, Angel airs weekday mornings on TNT.

Remember when Barry Williams' staff were looking for blog writers for Barry's blog? Well now the site has launched! And of our buddies is writing for Barry! Eric of JustMyShow.com! Eric tells us the coolest thing about the site is probably the interactive nature of it. There's lots of opportunity to leave comments (which Barry has been responding too), share photos and join The Greg Brady Project Community (which is what the blog is called). The community is set up through MyLifeBrand, which is a cool site that helps you bring all your social/business networking together in one place.
He also says, of course the blog is the main element of the site. Barry's been writing there with more and more frequency. There's definitely plenty on there to keep Brady Bunch fans happy, but Barry is trying to keep it contemporary as well. The site also has lots of photos, video and an online store.
I believe one of our other good friends, Wendy of Brady World, is also a part of this, so it must be good as she is a die-hard fan of the show. To view this interesting blog, click HERE!

Day 5: WGA's Writer's Strike; Kotter Podcast; More RTN Affiliates Announced

It is now day 5 of the writers' strike. If this goes as long as 1988, I'll be saying welcome to day 150 of the writers' strike. I hope it doesn't last that long. 1988 was from March 7 to August 7, so it was mostly during the hiatus season for production. So, if this strike lasts long, it will be much worse than 1988. We don't want to make TV history this way. Hope the writers enjoy the donuts from Leno, tacos from Kimmel, and pizza from Longoria.
B&C is reporting that NBC informed the nonwriting staff of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that it will be laid off at the end of next week in the wake of the show shutting down for the writers' strike. And with Leno still refusing to cross the picket line, the show is looking at coming back on the air Nov. 19 with guest hosts so that it can save the jobs of the nonwriters. In fact NBC is being very low to the head writer of The Tonight Show, by even turning off his NBC e-mail account. Will any of the late night hosts cross the picket line to save the jobs of the nonwriters? We shall see.
NBC, CBS and ABC could announce primetime strike schedules for January and beyond soon.

Our good friend Eric from JustMyShow.com is back with an all-new podcast episode! This time with episode 16. The guests are Bob Hegyes, who played Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter and John Sebastian, who wrote and performed the Welcome Back, Kotter theme. Did you know, that he's also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Lovin' Spoonful? This episode was suggested by Epstein's mother! Catch up with show sixteen by clicking HERE! Welcome back!

Hello Santa Barbara, CA; Roanoke, VA; and Harrisburg-Lancaster- Lebanon-York, PA you three markets are the next contestants on the expansion of the Retro Television Network! RTN is a new television network that provides each affiliate a customized feed with classic hit shows, in addition to local programming including news, weather and sports. RTN is specifically designed to go on a broadcast digital channel and provides local broadcasters with a way to get ratings and successfully monetize their digital spectrum.
They will partner with Smith Broadcasting to add an RTN affiliate in Santa Barbara, CA. The network will launched October 30 on a digital stream of KEYT, the ABC affiliate that serves the Santa Barbara / Santa Maria / San Luis Obispo market. Viewers in Santa Barbara are treated to one the greatest comedic actors of our time with Robin Williams in Mork & Mindy, and many other favorites from RTN's 'Prime Time all the Time' lineup, including Perry Mason, Matlock and Michael Landon in Little House on the Prairie.
They have also partnered with Albritton Communications to bring RTN programming to Roanoke, VA. The network will launch in April 2008 on a digital stream of WSET-TV, Albritton's ABC affiliate that serves the Roanoke/Lynchburg area. They will see Raymond Burr as a wheelchair-bound detective in the critically-acclaimed Ironside and viewers can escape to Hawaii each weeknight while watching Jack Lord in Hawaii 5-0 and Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I.
Finally, they announced today that it will partner with Albritton Communications to bring RTN programming to the Harrisburg-Lancaster- Lebanon-York, PA market. The network will launch in April 2008 on a digital stream of WHTM-TV, Albritton's ABC affiliate that serves Harrisburg and the entire Susquehanna Valley. Local viewers are going to be treated to Raymond Burr in his two hit shows, Perry Mason and Ironside and viewers will laugh along with the antics of Jim Nabors in Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. and Don Adams in Get Smart.
Yes, I know, I promised an interview with RTN...and trust me it is coming. It is just that they have been very busy. My questions were submitted long ago though, so the responses should be coming any day. Thanks for your patience!

JustMyShow.com Interviews Three's Company Bartenders

Our good friend Eric at JustMyShow.com has put a new show, this time for his Recurring Character Central segment. It is Friday night and what better night for a drink. He has brought back both bartenders from Three's Company for the very first time. This is the very first time they have spoken to each other as Paul Ainsley was the main bartenders from seasons 1-4 and Brad Blaisdell was for seasons 5-8. Join Eric as he talks to "Jim the Bartender" and "Mike the Bartender" about Three's Company, the greatness and niceness of John Ritter, inside stories, their careers, and much more. This is a very nice half-hour interview that even features trivia questions for both actors submitted by me! I think I stumped them, but you'll have to listen yourself!
To listen to this wonderful interview, click HERE!

We shall return if we have any other news. Come on back.

ABC Family October Changes; JustMyShow Interviews M*A*S*H Stars

ABC Family Channel will be making some changes in October, which will be their fall line-up. There are no new shows being added, but America's Funniest Home Videos is returning after a brief break, and will air weeknights at 10pm, shifting Whose Line to weeknights at 12 midnight. So, that means Smallville is gone again. The other notable change is 7th Heaven moving from 8:30am to 4pm...talk about a big move. Some sitcoms will be shifted a bit because of that. An extra Sister, Sister will air now at 8:30am, Step by Step moves to 9am, as Sabrina, the Teenage the Witch takes the 2-3pm slot since it is being moved out of 4-5pm. That is just weekdays.
Let's move on to weekends. Back-to-back Step by Step replaces Sister, Sister from 8-9am, back-to-back Full House replaces Step by Step at 9-10am, and a Sabrina, the the Teenage Witch double shot replaces Full House 10-11am. Hope you're not confused! Other events for the month include a 7th Heaven 12-hour marathon on Oct. 7, 13 Days of Halloween stunts from Oct. 19-31, and more!
I suggest you view this information by clicking HERE!

M*A*S*H is turning 35 next month and our friend Eric from Just My Show is celebrating the big birthday with longtime cast members Mike Farrell (B.J.), William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy), and Jamie Farr (Klinger). And as a special guest, they have Todd Susman as well. Todd Susman served as the M*A*S*H PA announcer throughout the 11 year run of the series.
It is his longest podcast yet...over an hour and twenty minutes of M*A*S*H memories! Talk about a big M*A*S*H bash! And that is not all either. Like usual, special bonus clips are available including a 10 question segment with Mike Farrell!
Click HERE to view all this and you'll be happy you did!

GMA Remembers Joel Siegel on Monday; Just My Show Interviews Seinfeld's Uncle Leo

ABC News' Good Morning America will celebrate the life and career of its dear friend and colleague, Joel Siegel, with a special edition of the broadcast on Monday, July 9, 2007. That day, the entire second hour of GMA will be dedicated to the incredible work and great contributions to life, art and the fight against cancer Siegel made throughout his life. GMA family members past and present, including former anchors Charlie Gibson, David Hartman and Joan Lunden, and weatherman Spencer Christian, will join the morning program. Various Hollywood stars and filmmakers will also share their thoughts and contribute special messages regarding Siegel and his work.

Eric's JustMyShow.com has just put up the first edition of a new feature called "Recurring Character Central." More than 40 years after his start in television, Len Lesser landed his best known role as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld. Lesser's other TV credits include Get Smart, All in The Family, and another recurring run on Everybody Loves Raymond. Listen as Uncle Leo drops in to talk about Seinfeld's surprise success, his crime of passion and lots more.

http://www.justmyshow.com/UncleLeo.html

Sony Classic TV Minisodes Launches Today, Full Details; Interviews with Marion Ross and Dan Lauria

MySpace today announced the exclusive debut of The Minisode Network, a selection of episodes from hit TV shows from the Sony Pictures Television library that have been pared down for the Internet audience. Each minisode is three to five minutes in length, and retains the full story arc of the original episode. Starting today, MySpace Video users can watch minisodes from each series at http://www.myspace.com/minisodenetwork.
The Minisode Network will launch with three episodes each from 15 classic series: The Partridge Family, Starsky & Hutch, TJ Hooker, Charlie's Angels, Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, Silver Spoons, Who's the Boss?, What's Happening!!, Dilbert, Sheena, Fantasy Island, Police Woman, VIP and Ricki Lake. New minisodes will be added weekly with more than 500 episodes available by the end of the year.
Among the classic episodes include the famous "Angels in Chains" episode of Charlie's Angels, "Shoplifting" episode of The Facts of Life and "The Spanking" episode of Diff'rent Strokes!
To discuss this news and to read the full press release, click HERE.

Eric's JustMyShow.com Podcast is back for episode 14 and it features interviews with a classic TV mom and a classic TV dad...and the best part is both are sitcom stars! The guests are Marion Ross from Happy Days and Dan Lauria from The Wonder Years.
Marion Ross is one of TV's most beloved moms for her 11 years as "Mrs. C" on Happy Days. A five-time Emmy nominee, Ross also starred in the critically acclaimed series Brooklyn Bridge and had a recurring role on The Drew Carrey Show. She was most recently seen on an episode of the current ABC drama Brothers & Sisters.
Dan Lauria is best known to audiences as Jack Arnold, Fred Savage's TV dad on The Wonder Years. A former Marine, Lauria gives his time to various veteran causes. When he's not appearing on TV & film, he's focusing on his first love, the theater.
Head on over to JustMyShow's 14th episode listen to these two great interviews! There are bonus clips as well that you will for sure want to listen to. Good job once again to our buddy Eric!

ABC Sitcom 'Notes' To Premiere After 'Anatomy'; JustMyShow.com Interviews; Nick at Nite Weekend Change for This Weekend

ABC will be revising its 'notes' after 'anatomy' class starting April 12. ABC will debut new sitcom Notes from the Underbelly on Thursday, April 12 at 10 p.m. with two back-to-back episodes following a Grey's Anatomy Clip Show. It is almost unheard of for a sitcom to air in the 10 p.m. hour so this will be interesting. ABC plans on airing Notes for three weeks (that's six half-hour episodes) in the slot. Previously Notes was supposed to replace In Case of Emergency on Wednesdays at 9:30 starting April 11, but that will not happen now, which means all 13 of In Case of Emergency's episodes will now air, instead of just 11. So that means Wednesdays at 9:30 will be vacant starting April 25...maybe Knights of Prosperity will return for its last four episodes of the season?
ABC was planning on returning Men in Trees to the Thursday at 10 slot starting April 12, but that is not happening. It is still unclear what ABC will do with the five remaining Trees episodes. It is possible that they could move the show to Fridays at 8 starting April 13 for 5 weeks or hold-off on the remaining five episodes for next season, where it could air for at least 27 new episodes next season, something Boston Legal & Grey's Anatomy did their first seasons.
Now, Notes from the Underbelly is just airing for three weeks on Thursdays, but what about after that? That is also sort of still unclear, but this is what will look like happen: April 12, 19, & 26 will be Notes from the Underbelly; May 3 will be the special two-part episode of Grey's Anatomy introducing the spin-off; and May 10 & 17 is unclear but it looks like ABC will bring back October Road for episodes five and six, rather than ending after episode four on April 5. That show has impressed thus far.
We will keep you up to date if anything is concrete later today or in the coming days. Keep checking back!

Our good friend Eric from JustMyShow.com has a new episode up on his website. This time he chats with Tom Wopat from The Dukes of Hazzard and Alan Spencer, creator of the cult sitcom Sledge Hammer. This episode is the series' 13th episode. Congrats Eric! That is more than many of the TV series these days! Anyway, click HERE to listen to this episode. As usual, Eric is on top of his game and knows his stuff. Great preparation.

Finally, Nick at Nite will edit this weekend's schedule. Like last weekend, it will be all Fresh Prince. Though last weekend the first three half-hours were Full House because of that Jesse marathon, but not this weekend. This Saturday and Sunday it is all Will Smith all the time. Saturday from 10-6am and Sunday from 9pm-6am only on Nick at Nite.
Will Fresh Prince weekend be a weekly thing? Who knows.