‘Who’s the Boss?’ gets reboot

Chip and Gaines return to ‘Fixer Upper’

LOS ANGELES, Aug 5, (AP): A brand new life is ahead for the vintage sitcom “Who’s the Boss?” and its devoted fans.

Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano are set to reprise their father-daughter roles for a sequel that’s in the works at Sony Pictures Television, the studio said Tuesday.

The original series created by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter ran from 1984 to 1992 and was a hit for ABC, if not a critical darling. A total of 196 episodes aired over its eight seasons.

The modern-day reboot revolves around Danza’s Tony Micelli, a former ballplayer and now retired housekeeper, and Milano’s Samantha. The daughter lives in the home where the original series was set and is a single mother, Sony said. Veteran producer Norman Lear, part of the remake of his original series “One Day at a Time”, is among the “Who’s the Boss?” producers, as are Danza and Milano.

The new comedy “will explore generational differences, as well as opposing world views and parenting styles within the dynamic of a modern family in 2020,” in line with Lear’s shows, Sony said in a statement. Sony left the door open for the involvement of Judith Light, whose character Angela sparred with Tony as his employer and later romantic interest, and Danny Pintauro, who played her son, Jonathan.

They are “supportive of the new series,” the studio said. “The cast remains very close to this day and the hope is to find creative ways to work them and their characters into the show.”

Katherine Helmond, who was Emmynominated and won a Golden Globe for her role as Angela’s mother, Mona, died in February 2019 at age 89.

Whether the original show’s theme song, “Brand New Life”, will be heard again wasn’t announced.

Chip and Joanna Gaines are returning to “Fixer Upper” as they build their new network.

The series, which made the couple do-it-yourself celebrities, will be part of their Magnolia Network set to launch next year. The series aired for five seasons, until April 2018, on HGTV.

“These past few years, we’ve continued tackling renovations and projects, doing the work we’re passionate about, but I don’t think either of us anticipated how the show would become such a permanent fixture in our hearts,” they said in a statement.

Inspiring

Two others shows were announced Tuesday for the Magnolia lineup. One showcases interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn, and the other features Texas entrepreneur Jonathan Morris telling the stories of “inspiring” small business owners nationwide, the network said.

The Flynn project is untitled, with the working title “Self Employed” attached to Morris’ show. Previously announced Magnolia series include “Bespoke Kitchens”, “Family Dinner” and “Restoration Road with Clint Harp”.

Magnolia Network, a joint venture between Chip and Joanna Gaines and Discovery Inc, will replace the DIY Network when it debuts in 2021. The launch date is dependent on the easing of a coronavirus-forced production halt that has delayed most TV and film projects.

An Alaska telecommunications company has completed a deal to sell its Anchorage TV station to a Georgia company that already owns an Anchorage channel and will now control the state’s two leading broadcast news stations.

GCI Inc and Atlanta-based Gray Television Inc announced the agreement for Gray to buy most assets of Anchorage CBS station KTVA, The Anchorage Daily News reported Saturday.

The sales price and other financial details of the deal were not reported.

Gray Television already owns KTUU, the NBC-affiliated TV station in Anchorage. The company operates TV stations and digital properties in more than 90 television markets.

The deal with GCI subsidiary Denali Media Holdings allows the company to retain the KTVA license and transmission facilities. GCI is not yet certain what will be done with those assets, spokeswoman Becky Windt Pearson said.

Denali Media Holdings in Anchorage employs about 70 people, including those who have worked at KTVA, Windt Pearson said.

About 12% of Denali Media Holdings employees are involved in cable advertising sales and will move to GCI. The remaining employees can apply for positions with Gray Television, she said.

Gray will operate two distinct news operations owned by the same parent company, Windt Pearson said.

Ownership of two television stations in the same market area involves federal restrictions. The Federal Communications Commission allowed the sale because KTVA was financially struggling and GCI could not find another buyer, Windt Pearson said.

Gray has moved KTVA’s broadcast program schedule to its KYES-TV Channel 5 in Anchorage, while cable programming will move over the next month to KYES.

Nancy Johnson, KTUU/KYES vice president and general manager, would not comment on the announcement. KTVA officials did not immediately comment. Gray Television also announced its purchase of five other stations from Denali Media Holdings, including three CBS stations in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan and NBC-affiliate stations in Juneau and Sitka.

The sales will allow GCI to focus on providing data, mobile, video, voice and managed services, the company said in a statement.