Now that ABC has pulled poorly performing rookie sitcom In the Motherhood yet again, it’s up to Christina Applegate’s sophomore comedy Samantha Who? to carry ABC’s Thursday-night, summertime comedy lineup. I have faith.

Coming up tonight, July 2, on the series are the two fresh episodes “Todd’s Job” and “The Sister.” The first features former Girlfriends and All My Children cast member Dondre Whitfield, who just happens to be married to Eureka star Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and the second has guest stars Christine Ebersole of USA Network’s breakout hit dramedy Royal Pains and Florence Henderson of Brady Bunch fame. Woot!

Follow the jump for episode details…

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Although ABC unceremoniously canceled both sophomore sitcom Samantha Who? and its fleeting rookie companion In the Motherhood just a little over a month ago, the comedies return tonight, June 25, to air their remaining episodes on the shelf.

That means seven new episodes for the older show and three for the newcomer, starting with tonight’s “The Rock Star” (Samantha) and “Shepfather” (Motherhood). Details follow the jump.

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Whoa! I didn’t see that coming! ABC has reportedly canceled the Christina Applegate sitcom Samantha Who?

Just last week, the entertainment Internets were alive with speculation that the struggling, Emmy-winning sophomore series would get a shortened third season, not the ax.

Variety reports today, however, that ABC has decided to show the sitcom the door and not reserve a spot for it on ABC’s 2009–2010 schedule. Two reasons account for the fairly surprising development: (1) the network couldn’t cut enough fat from the sitcom’s budget and (2) ABC’s numerous recent rookie pickups made Samantha Who? expendable.

I am mildly stunned, despite my full awareness of the show’s ratings troubles, and I imagine the cast and crew members are, too. It seemed the series had built up a lot of good will, not to mention an assumed understanding that it would require time to recover from losing its posh Season One post-Dancing with the Stars time slot on Mondays.

So long, Samantha Who? I expected at least a shorter midseason order, but definitely not this. Keep in mind that ABC has made no official announcement yet (that I know of) about the cancellation or what will happen to the seven produced episodes that still haven’t aired. The network’s upfront presentation is scheduled for Tuesday morning (tomorrow), May 19.

Things aren’t looking too good for some TV comedy lovers.

The news dropped yesterday, just a little over a day before the latest new episodes of the ABC sitcoms In the Motherhood and Samantha Who? were slated to air tonight, beginning at 8pm ET. Instead of offering the poorly rated comedy duo, ABC has decided to go with a repeat of its more reliable performer Grey’s Anatomy from 8pm–9pm.

If it’s any consolation to Motherhood and Samantha fans, the series were already scheduled to end their midseason runs next Thursday anyway. Given the recent upheaval, however, Ugly Betty will air next week on April 30, returning from hiatus a week earlier than originally planned.

Three of seven episodes remain in Motherhood’s first season and seven of 20 in Samantha’s sophomore season. Discouragingly, there’s no word yet on when or even if either show will complete its respective run. I definitely won’t miss In the Motherhood, but that’s too bad about Samantha Who?.

Tonight’s fresh episode of the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? is “The Dog,” and, yes, the title means the kind that walks on four legs and goes “Woof!”

The pet comes into the picture when Sam starts feeling all motherly and borrows Dena’s pooch to determine if she’s nurturing enough to be a parent. Elsewhere, Regina signs up to take pilot lessons after Howard’s deceased step-brother leaves them a plane, and Andrea takes advantage of her minute of tabloid fame while dating pro basketball player Tony Dane.

Continue after the jump for a promo.

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Christina Applegate fans can get happy right about now because her ABC sitcom Samantha Who? finally resumes its second season tomorrow night at 8:30pm EST.

For those who don’t remember back that long ago, the last fresh episode of the series aired on December 1, 2008. Yes, I wrote December 1, 2008, just one week shy of *FOUR* months ago. I’ve heard of hiatuses, but why not be accurate and just call it the third season from this point on? Am I right or am I right?

In any case, we’re now (technically) at the tenth episode of Season Two, titled “My Best Friend’s Boyfriend.” Sam and Todd do a double date with Andrea and that professional basketball player she’s been going on and on (and on) about, Tony Dane, played by General Hospital’s McKinley Freeman. Big mistake.

During the outing, Todd learns something about Tony so disastrous, Sam decides to butt into the athlete’s business to keep Andrea from getting hurt. All together now: Big mistake Number Two!

While all that fun is being had, elsewhere Dena relies on Sam’s mom Regina to help her out when she gets too friendly online with a lonely soldier, which could mess up her real-world relationship with Chase. Personally, I don’t care for Chase, so the last would be a good thing, in my opinion.

The latest time slot for Samantha Who? is immediately after the new Megan Mullally/Cheryl Hines sitcom In the Motherhood, which premieres at 8pm tomorrow, March 26, with “It Takes a Village Idiot.” Promos for ABC’s temporary Thursday-night comedy hour while Ugly Betty is away follow the jump. Check ‘em out and tune in.

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After conducting a few logical analyses of upcoming programming details, the Futon Critic has determined that Samantha Who? fans will be left out in the cold until at least the end of March.

The 2009 premiere of Christina Applegate’s entertaining sitcom has already been delayed three times as ABC continually bumped episodes originally scheduled to air on January 12, January 19, and January 26.

Now, with the reality series The Bachelor airing extended two-hour episodes and Dancing with the Stars expected to do the same when it returns in March, there’s no room for Samantha Who? on ABC’s Monday-night roster during the next couple of months.

Consequently, unless the network changes the show’s air date, Samantha fans will have to wait all the way until March 30, at the earliest, to get their next fresh Christina fix. A time swap could happen, of course, but I definitely wouldn’t hold my breath.

Good news! On Monday, ABC will give Samantha Who? fans a special holiday treat: two back-to-back episodes of the sitcom, courtesy of Dancing with the Stars’ season finale last week.

Unfortunately, the show will then go on hiatus for the holidays, until fresh episodes kick back in on January 12 next year. So, let’s just enjoy Christina & Company while we can.

The first installment on December 1 is called “The Park,” and it airs at precisely 9:02pm EST. Former Men in Trees star James Tupper reprises his quirky role as Sam’s rich philanthropist boyfriend Owen, whom Samantha tries and (miserably) fails to impress with her impromptu environmentalism. Sam’s best friend Andrea will also find herself in an undesirable position when she discovers that the pro-athlete object of her desire doesn’t consider her Numero Uno.

Take-charge Andrea plays a big part in “The Family Vacation” at 9:31pm, too, when Sam brings her and Dena along on a family trip following a devastating breakup. Too bad for the amnesiac that the owner of their accommodations, Brad (Raising the Bar’s Teddy Sears), turns out to be an old flame, whom Andrea promptly makes a move on while Sam hesitates to do the same. Ouch — great way to ruin a vacation.

Preview the comedy hour in the video after the jump.

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Get happy, Men in Trees fans. That ABC show might be over, but former series star James Tupper will be back on the tube again November 17, when he returns to the network’s Samantha Who? as the title character’s latest boyfriend, Owen.

If you recall, Tupper debuted on the sitcom at the beginning of the month, in the November 3rd episode “The Building.” When he shows up tomorrow night, Sam will finally get around to revealing a little secret to him: that she lives with her ex Todd. No worries, though, because Owen’s best friend also happens to be his ex, Willow (does anyone else immediately think of Alyson Hannigan’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer character every time they hear that name?).

The problem enters the situation when both of said exes develop a thing for each other, which forces Sam to once again cope with her continuing feelings for Todd.

And, for added comic relief, Dena tries mightily to help Andrea get a date with a professional basketball player, although it seems impossible to take the needed flattering picture of the lawyer.

Tupper fans: Check out a three-minute clip from his earlier appearance on the series after the jump.

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Original Air Date: October 13, 2008

Goody for Sam! During the season premiere of Samantha Who?, our girl is on a high because she’s leaving her parent’s nest for the second time and returning to her own apartment. The only problem, as she quickly learns when she’s blissfully dancing around almost naked, is that she’s not alone because Todd is still there.

His last client, a bride, stiffed him on a wedding shoot because she didn’t like his work. So, it’s up to eager lawyer Andrea to, as she puts it, make the bride cry and kick him out of Sam’s apartment. She’s so thrilled at the prospect, she takes Todd’s case pro bono.

Meanwhile, Sam drops by her parents house for some last-minute forgotten stuff and finds them in the garage practicing for the Walnut Valley Club dance contest. The video of last year’s performance they’re practicing with is recorded over footage of Sam looking good dancing a Broadway routine during a long-ago recital. After she gets over the fact that her parents never bothered to give her the good news she can dance in the midst of their constant criticism, Sam gets pumped that she’s actually talented at something.

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