My Name Is Earl: Completely and Officially Over
June 11, 2009 by Chandra
The bad, sad news dropped earlier today. Basic-cable network TBS, which currently syndicates My Name Is Earl, has declined to pick up the comedy following its cancellation at NBC last month. That means the sitcom is now officially finished. *sniffle*
Blame the latest disastrous and final development in the comedy’s struggle to survive on failed negotiations. Apparently, Turner, which owns TBS (and also TNT), and the sitcom’s production studio, Twentieth Century Fox TV, were unable to reach an agreement that would have allowed production of new episodes to continue.
The culprit? Money, as always. It seems one or both sides couldn’t come up with a financial strategy that worked for everyone involved.
My Name Is Earl: ‘Dodge’s Dad’ Finale Preview
Tomorrow, May 14, is season finale time for NBC’s Thursday Night Comedy lineup, and first up at 8pm ET is My Name Is Earl, which closes its 27-episode fourth season without a renewal for a fifth. Called “Dodge’s Dad,” the episode features guest star Norm MacDonald of Saturday Night Live and The Norm Show, who returns to reprise his role as the title character, also known as Little Chubby.
Alan Alda Guests on ‘30 Rock’
May 7, 2009 by Chandra
Tonight’s (May 7) NBC comedy lineup includes special guest star Alan Alda (The West Wing, ER, M*A*S*H) on 30 Rock.
Keep reading to learn what else is happening on all four sitcoms. And, remember, next Thursday, May 14, is season-finale time for each of the shows.
MY NAME IS EARL
Inside Probe, Part 2: The intriguing story of Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher’s disappearance told in Part One concludes dramatically. Earl and Randy think it was an alien abduction, Darnell suspects a hundred-year-old feud, and Joy and Catalina believe it had something to do with Ernie’s freaky sex tapes. When the truth is revealed, however, everyone is shocked to realize the answer has been under their noses all along. Geraldo Rivera and NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip return as guest stars. [8pm]
NBC Thursday-Night Comedies Wind Down Season
April 30, 2009 by Chandra
There are just three more fresh episodes left in the current seasons of NBC’s four Thursday primetime sitcoms. Here’s what’s coming up tonight.
MY NAME IS EARL
Inside Probe, Part 1: When Crab Shack owner Ernie Belcher disappears, Geraldo Rivera’s TV show Inside Probe arrives in Camden to investigate. Eight years later, the story has become a murder case, with Earl and Randy the prime suspects as Rivera’s report finally airs on television. Yet, after NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip provides clues from the fateful night, other Camden residents also become suspects. The episode concludes next week. [8pm]
Danny Glover Is Darnell’s Daddy on ‘My Name Is Earl’
February 19, 2009 by Chandra
NBC has a fantastic episode of My Name Is Earl in store for fans tonight. None other than Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover is dropping by to play Darnell’s (Eddie Steeples) absentee dad Thomas during “My Name Is Alias.”
Thomas shows up in Camden claiming that he wants to make amends with his son. Fortunately, Earl and Randy are immediately suspicious, and they make a trip to Joy and Darnell’s new Witness Protection home to warn the couple.
TV Divas Invade NBC’s Comedy Lineup
February 12, 2009 by Chandra
I guarantee that fans of old-school nighttime soaps are gonna love MY NAME IS EARL’s brand-new episode “Friends with Benefits” tonight at 8pm EST. It features Falcon Crest’s Morgan Fairchild and Knots Landing’s Joan Van Ark as guest stars. How sweet is that?
Now all we need is somebody from Dallas and the nostalgic circle of joy would be complete. Also dropping by during the episode is Less Than Perfect alumna Andrea Parker.
When Mr. Turtle finds his way home after being lost, Earl decides to return him to Darnell, who’s in Witness Protection and currently living in an upscale community with his family. Joy struggles to adjust to their new wealthy lifestyle and fit in with her trophy-wife neighbors, while back in Camden, Randy accidentally starts dating a guy named Jim (!).
Following at 8:30pm are divas Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde) and Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live) on KATH & KIM’s “Celebrity“: When Kath decides to audition for a community production of Cats after watching the performance of local celebrity Lenore (Coolidge), she prepares for the trials and tribulations of fame by asking Athena (Rudolph) for spiritual guidance. Meanwhile, Phil gives Kim a job at his sandwich shop, which leads to some surprising results.
John Hamm Hams It Up on ‘30 Rock’ Tonight
February 5, 2009 by Chandra
I just know all the Mad Men fans out there can’t wait for the next fresh episode of 30 Rock called “Generalissimo.” That’s because it features the one and only John Hamm, who happens to play Don Draper on AMC’s Emmy-winning, critically acclaimed period drama.
On NBC’s own Emmy-winning sitcom, Hamm guest stars as Dr. Drew Baird, Liz Lemon’s cute single neighbor and latest love thang, as the photo above clearly shows. Somehow, I don’t think the relationship is going to work out too well because, well, these things never do for poor, lovelorn Liz. That’s one of the reasons why fans care about her travails so much.
Incidentally, Hamm’s longtime significant other Jennifer Westfeldt, former star of the ABC sitcom Notes from the Underbelly, is guesting on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy tonight at 9pm EST [view a sneak peek]. In addition, The Riches’ Noel Fisher (Cael Malloy) has a role on Fox’s Bones at 8pm EST [view a sneak peek]. Just thought I’d throw that out there for folks who care…
As for comedy shows, other notable guest stars coming up tonight include Dexter’s Lauren Vélez on Ugly Betty, country music’s Wynonna Judd on Kath & Kim, former series regular Rashida Jones on The Office, and Ugly Betty’s Salma Hayek returning on 30 Rock. Read on for plotlines — there’s got to be something for everybody.
‘Burn Notice’ Returns to ‘Do No Harm’ Tonight
January 22, 2009 by Chandra
Burn Notice fans are in for a huge delight tonight when the USA Network crime dramedy returns to resume its second season at 10pm EST with the premiere “Do No Harm.”
Longtime viewers will remember that the midseason hiatus began with a bomb waiting for Michael in his apartment. Well, I’m happy to say the former spy survives the disastrous explosion, but it does leave a noticeable mark on his attitude.
As a result, when he decides to help a father with a dying son who has been scammed by a shady drug company, Michael’s approach gives the series a fresh new feel. Yes, it’s darker and moodier, but at the same time, it also has the welcome potential to create more explosions as the season progresses.
I’ve seen the episode, so trust me: If you’re a Burn Notice fan, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s what some folks who like fancy words tend to call “seminal.”
Also coming up tonight on comedy television are new episodes of all four Thursday-night NBC sitcoms and ABC’s Ugly Betty. Synopses follow the jump.
Erik Estrada Rides Into ‘My Name Is Earl’
January 14, 2009 by Chandra
Talk about a nostalgic throwback to the good ol’ days of TV. Original CHiPs man Erik Estrada, better known to some folks as just Ponch, guest stars on the next episode of My Name Is Earl, tomorrow’s “Darnell Outed.” Sadly, however, he won’t be playing a tight-pants-wearing motorcycle cop from Cali.
Instead, Estrada is taking on the role of — surprise! — himself as the host of a fictional new reality show with the catchy name Estrada or Nada. When the program heads to Camden in search of talent, Earl convinces Joy to give it a go, and she proceeds to act like an idiot.
No surprise there, of course, but a big one awaits her husband Darnell in the form of an unexpected telephone call.
Check out a couple of videos for the episode after the jump, the first a behind-the-scenes interview clip featuring Estrada and series star Jason Lee, and the other a five-minute (Wow!) sneak peek at the upcoming action. Look hard and you might recognize another familiar face in the clip, too, especially since American Idol season has just started up again.
FYI: Due to President George Bush’s televised address on Thursday, January 15, at 8pm EST in the United States, My Name Is Earl will air at 8:30pm and Kath & Kim is preempted. There are no scheduled time changes for The Office and 30 Rock, but news coverage could potentially run long. Plan accordingly.
Three NBC Sitcoms Return Tonight
January 8, 2009 by Chandra
NBC’s Thursday-night Comedy Done Right lineup returns almost intact tonight, save for The Office, which is a repeat of the current season’s “The Surplus.”
Add a new episode of Ugly Betty for America Ferrera et al fans, and that means there’s a pretty good night of primetime comedy on the way today, January 8.
My Name Is Earl
Got the Babysitter Pregnant
Now there’s a suggestive title, although it’s not what fans might think. Earl didn’t get the babysitter pregnant himself, but he sure plotted to mess her life up when she broke his heart. Older and wiser and with a Karma List on hand, he then decides it’s time to put things right by turning the woman’s immature grown son into a self-supporting man. In the process, Earl realizes his target and his brother Randy have a few things in common. Elsewhere, Joy loses Darnell’s pet turtle (Uh-oh). [8pm, NBC]