Wayne's TV Comedies Blog

Don't you hate it when a show you really enjoy gets the axe? It's OK because your new favorite show may be in production right now! Back to You was dropped after its first season but may be shopped to other networks. On the bright side, Fox will renew 'Til Death (pictured).

Coming soon to Fox is The Inn, directed by Arrested Development's Jason Bateman, and Sit Down, Shut Up, an animated comedy. A while back we talked about Bernie Mac's show, Starting Under which had a series commitment. At this time it is not clear whether FOX will rework it as a midseason replacement.

Renewed or Canceled for 2008?
New TV Comedy for the 2008-2009 Season

^{Image from 'Til Death © Fox}

Comedy Central is reviving the 70's era comedy the The Gong Show which will air weekly starting in July. Do you remember the original show which was hosted by Chuck Barris with celeberty judges Jaye P. Morgan and Artie Johnson? Each week it was their job to evaluate the talent of wacky and mostly untalented contestents, who if they were bad enough, would be gonged. Regular appearances were made by favorites Gene-Gene the Dancing Machine and the Unknown Comic so named because he wore a bag over his head. It was always fun and good for belly laughs!

The new Gong Show with Dave Attell will have a changing panel of celebrity judges and will offer 8 to 10 acts each week. If you like it goofy, this should be a lot of fun! By the way, if you can't wait or just want to revisit the old show, you can check out You Tube.

Imagine you and a group of your friends are in your 20s and you start to think about what will occur during the next five years and later. It is hard for me to imagine since my 20s are long gone, but this is the idea for ABC's new comedy pilot, Five Year Plan, with Steve Howey and Lee Thompson Young.

Funny man Damon Wayans has agreed to star in a comedy pilot for ABC entitled Never Better. He will play a man who is overcoming a drinking problem and who is eager to reform his past so that he will be a better father and husband. You'll remember this award winning actor for his movie roles but also his TV series In Living Color and more recently My Wife And Kids which ran five seasons on ABC. Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted.

Lindsay Lohan will make a guest appearance on the season finale of ABC's hit comedy Ugly Betty. Lohan will play a high school meanie who reappears in Betty's life. She is expected to continue on the show next fall starting with the season premiere and five additional episodes. Ugly Betty stars America Ferrera in the title role. Look for the season finale to air Thursday, May 22 at 8 pm ET.

^{Image © Getty Images CR: Jun Sato}

Think about your favorite comedy characters in TV history. This proves to be no easy task! Fans from across the country were asked to do just this by Nielsen Media Research.

Fans were asked to choose their funniest favorites in the following categories: Funniest Comedy Fathers, Funniest Mothers, Funniest Kids, Funniest Relatives, Funniest Neighbors, Funniest Friends, Funniest Boss and Funniest Co-Workers. You can see the results in a two hour special, TV's All-Time Funniest, airing Friday, May 9 (8-10 PM, ET) on ABC. The show will feature interviews with comedic stars as well as hilarious clips from our all time favorites.

Will Cliff Huxtable beat out Homer Simpson as Funniest Father? What about Lucy Ricardo versus Marion Cunningham as Funniest Mother? Stay tuned!

^{Image © Fox Broadcasting}

Due to the popularity of her guest spot on How I Met Your Mother, Britney Spears will make a return appearance to the CBS sitcom. Rumor has it that Neil Patrick Harris didn't appreciate the stunt casting. All appears to be forgiven at this time and we are looking forward to a big show. Look for Britney on Monday, May 12th at 8:30 PM (ET).

What is your favorite sitcom of all times? You may want to see if you are in agreemant with AOL Television's list. I had a ball just scrolling through their top 50.

Here is the top 5:

• 1) The Simpsons - this animated classic is in its 19th season.
• 2) Seinfeld - the show about nothing that went on for 9 years.
• 3) All in the Family - Archie Bunker with his dingbats and meatheads.
• 4) The Mary Tyler Moore Show - a very funny show that generated 3 spinoffs.
• 5) Cheers - who could forget Sam, Diane, Cliff and Norm?

Do yourself a favor and take a look to see if you agree with AOL. I bet you won't since we all have our own favorites.

Multiple award winning actress Alicia Silverstone will star in the new ABC comedy pilot Bad Mother's Handbook. She will play a woman in her early 30's with no time for herself thanks to a teenage daughter (Alia Shawkat of Arrested Development) and a demanding mother.

The rumor mill has it that Jimmy Fallon will take over the NBC Late Night hosting duties from Conan O'Brien starting in May 2009. O'Brien will move to the Tonight Show following Jay Leno's retirement. NBC is expected to make it all official within the next few weeks. As they say these days, change is good. We'll soon see!

^{Image © 2008 NBC Universal, Inc.}