Jimmy Kimmel’s Live in Front of a Studio Audience Returning

Live in Front of a Studio Audience, created by Jimmy Kimmel, is slated to return with two new specials on December 7 on ABC.

The new specials will feature reimaginations of Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life, both of which originally aired in the late ’70s and ’80s. The Diff’rent Strokes cast will include John Lithgow, Kevin Hart, Damon Wayans and Ann Dowd. The cast of The Facts of Life will be announced later.

The new Live in Front of a Studio Audience specials are produced by Kimmelot, ACT III Productions, Gary Sanchez Productions, D’Arconville, Simpson Street and Sony Pictures Television. Kimmel, Norman Lear, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows serve as executive producers. Burrows and Andy Fisher will direct the live show.

Following the specials’ ABC debut on December 7, they will be available to stream on Hulu on December 8.

“Other than with my family, there’s no place I’d rather be in my 100th year than on a soundstage at Sony with these glorious actors reliving what our company had produced all those years ago and sharing it with the millions of viewers who could use a little laughter,” said Lear.

Miller commented, “Thanks, again, to ABC and Sony Pictures Television for supporting our creative conceit and our incredible cast as we try to make what might seem like the impossible possible once again. I couldn’t be more excited to end this year producing a project that supports, promotes and encourages appointment TV with those you care for.”

“It has been an honor and highlight of my career to collaborate with the legendary Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, ABC and Sony,” added Washington. “Part of the magic of Norman’s iconic TV series is that they resonate with audiences today just as much as they did decades ago. Reliving and reimagining them feels like pure joy. I keep wondering when this will start to feel like work!”

“Live in Front of a Studio Audience has become one of our most anticipated highlights of the year; it brings some of the biggest and funniest stars on the planet together on the same stage, where truly anything can happen, to introduce a whole new generation to Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life,” said Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment. “Jimmy and Norman have outdone themselves with a spectacular, irreverent and hilarious cast to once again create a can’t-miss television event.”

Sony Pictures Television Studios President Jeff Frost and Co-President Jason Clodfelter added: “As Norman Lear approaches his 100th birthday, what better way to celebrate him than bringing back these classic shows, The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes? It has been such an honor to work with Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller and our partners at ABC on the live specials. We look forward to seeing another stellar cast bring families together and enjoy this exciting format.”

Immediately following Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life, Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary will debut with a special early premiere ahead of its regular time period starting January 4.