Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Love Is In the Air on the MeTV Sunday Showcase; Episodic Review: The Middle - "The Friend" Airing Tonight on ABC

The Brady Bunch

With Valentine's Day about three weeks away, The MeTV Network is getting ready as love is in the air on the MeTV Sunday Showcase! That's of course a weekly block of various themes, stunts, and marathons every Sunday from 3-7PM ET. The Valentine's stunt will be airing on Sunday, Feb. 10 from 3-7PM with various comedies showcasing episodes dealing with love and romance. Kicking it off will be an episode of The Honeymooners, where The Kramdens and Nortons visit the Wedemeyers and the wives believe their husbands are neglecting them. Following that will be an episode of Make Room for Daddy, where Terry thinks that Danny and Kathy's marriage has lost its spark, so she advises each of them to be more romantic toward the other. Then it's The Dick Van Dyke Show, as Laura and Rob plan to see a play but she gets locked in a bathroom at their hotel. Other series airing in this stunt are The Mothers-In-Law, Love American Style, I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch and The Bob Newhart Show. It's a classic Brady Bunch episode where Mike and Carol switch roles for a day in order to prove a day with the opposite sex involves much less work, as Carol must help the boys with baseball practice and Mike must help Marcia with a cooking badge. Classic!

And the week prior, on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 3), The MeTV Sunday Showcase will feature a four-hour marathon of The Donna Reed Show! That's a nice way to showcase the comedy since it airs early mornings on weekdays. Keep it right here for further updates on MeTV!



On the next...The Middle:
By: Pavan

ABC's Comedy Wednesday sitcom starring Patrica Heaton airs Wednesday nights at 8:00pm and we have just watched the next episode that airs tonight (Jan. 23). The episode features The Heck family doing what they do the best, being a real family. In the episode airing tonight, "The Friend," Mike (Neil Flynn) is upset with Frankie (Patrica Heaton) when he discovers that she set him up on an adult playdate with a new neighbor (guest star David Koechner) who shares the same interests. Meanwhile, when the school cheerleaders announce that they're taking over cheering for the wrestlers - thus putting Sue (Eden Sher) and her Wrestlerettes out of business - a determined Sue demands a cheer off; and Brick (Atticus Shaffer) makes a lovesick Axl (Charlie McDermott) begin to question whether he's intellectually stimulating enough for his smart, new girlfriend.

On this hilarious all-new episode, we are presented three different storylines. And as usual, The Heck family rocks it! A couple of weeks ago the episode "Life Skills" showscased the show perfectly and this is once again one of those episode that just works very well and clicks on all cylinders. The good thing about this show is that it just feels so real. The main plot of this episode is about Frankie meeting a new couple that has moved into the neighborhood, and we all know Frankie always means well but she can be kind of meddling. She sees the husband is just a fun guy and she realizes well Mike is not. She secretly sets up a "play date" between the two and of course Mike finds out. The two get along really well, so you'll have to see what happens next! As for the kids, Sue's job as a Wrestlerette is in jeopardy when the school cheerleaders announce they will do triple duty and are now also cheering on the wrestlers because they are supposed to do well. Sue Heck is just a breath of fresh air and won't let anything stand in her way, no matter what everything thinks. She is like a perfect role model for teenage girls these days and that you don't need to be popular to have a great outlook on life. Anyway, in the end it's a cheer off when the cheerleaders battle the Wrestlerettes on who will cheer on the wrestling team. It's hilarious but also so well done! "Remember my name!" And the storyline with Brick and Axl also is fun and factual. Axl is dating a smart girl and Brick notices that all they have is a physical attraction and they don't talk, so he questions Axl saying that she might get bored soon because they don't have a friendship and intellectual stimulation. Yeah, Brick's been reading Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. He thought it was going to be a science fiction book, ha. Anyway, Axl takes Brick's advice and we get to see Axl try to have a conversation with Cassidy. How will it go? It's going to be fun, that's for sure! B+

The Middle as always is on its game. Even in its fourth season, the plots are fresh and its such a real-take on families in America, especially in middle America. I think America can really relate to the Heck family and that's why it does so well and audiences embrace it. I just wish it gets more props when everyone mentions their best current comedies. It's just as good as any comedy out there today. The Hecks are like the modern day Brady Bunch and like that show, it will be a part of pop-culture for years to come. Each member of the family is vital to the show and I always look forward every Wednesday to see what topic they deal with next, because you can always relate to something from the episode. The character of Sue Heck might go down in TV history as the most positive TV character of all-time. She may have a clueless exterior, but she knows what she is doing and that's why she's always so happy. Anyway, tune in tonight for another fine episode that we all have come to expect from this show for the last four years. The Middle is not in the middle class of comedies, it's in the high class. It's definitely deserving to be on the top 5 lists of everyone's top 5 lists for not only TV comedies, but of all TV shows on television today! Go Hecks!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, November 13

Happy's Place - "Love Birds" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Bobbie is asked on a date by a customer, she's unsure of how to handle this new situation; Steve brings in a baby duck who imprinted on him, and he tries to hide it from Bobbie.

Newlyweds - "Back in Time" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A therapy session with Claudia reveals some surprising secrets about Jeanie and James' whirlwind romance.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 9)

Friday, November 13

  • Bill Hader (Barry) - Watch Bill on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Jamie Lee Curtis (Newlyweds/The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Daniel Radcliffe (The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins/Miracle Workers) - Daniel appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Paula Pell (The 'Burbs/Girls5eva/Mapleworth Murders/A.P. Bio) - Paula is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Natasha Leggero (Broke/Dice/Another Period/Free Agents) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Natasha and Tommy will be on a repeat of Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Kathryn Hahn (The Studio/Tiny Beautiful Things/Central Park/Happyish/Transparent/Free Agents) - Kathryn talks about Madden on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Elle Fanning (Margo's Got Money Troubles) - Elle talks about The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal) - Anthony talks about !2, 12, 12 on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season Two (Blu-ray) Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete Second Season (DVD) Superstore - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/29/26 - Happy's Place - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/20/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fifth Season (DVD)
10/20/26 - The Brady Bunch - The Complete Original Series (2026 Release) (DVD)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/20/26 - Shrinking - The Complete First and Second Seasons (DVD)
10/20/26 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Seventh and Twenty-Eighth Seasons (DVD)
11/03/26 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete Second Season (DVD)
11/03/26 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Ninth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/03/26 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Sixteenth Season (DVD)
11/03/26 - Superstore - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/24/26 - The Yogi Bear Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

11/12 - Fox Winter 2027 Premiere Dates; FX Renews Adults for Season 3
11/11 - Rewind TV's The Hogan Family 40th Anniversary Marathon; Prime Video's Overcompensating Season 2 Details
11/10 - Antenna TV's Thanksgiving on the Eastside: The Jeffersons Marathon; Laverne & Shirley Book Released in Celebration of the Sitcom's 50th Anniversary
11/09 - ABC Midseason 2027 Schedule; Netflix Renews Nobody Wants This for Season 4
11/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 9, 2026)
11/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Nobody Wants This Renewed at Netflix; Grey's Anatomy Spinoff to Be Filmed in New Mexico
11/06 - NBC's New Rockford Files Premieres January 2; Bobby Lee: Finally Drops November 27 on Hulu
11/05 - Three's Company 50th Anniversary NYC Event Recap; Disney+ Reveals Details for A Proud Family Wizmas
11/04 - Mickey's Home Alone on Disney Jr. and Disney+; Pretty Little Liars Duo Reunite for Hulu Christmas Film
11/03 - Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas 2026 Schedule; HBO Renews Youth for Season 2
11/02 - Details on Only Murders Season 6; Haunted Hotel Renewed for Season 3
11/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 2, 2026)
10/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Criminal Minds Coming to an End; Baywatch Premiere Date Set
10/30 - VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart
10/29 - Peacock's Dig Trailer and Artwork; The CW 2026 Holiday Programming with A Very Brady Christmas, A Flintstone Christmas and More
10/28 - ABC 2026 Holiday Programming; Remembering Susan Saint James of Kate & Allie
10/27 - Fox's Baywatch Premieres January 6; aspireTV's First Sitcom Premieres January 7
10/26 - COZI TV's Halloween Schedule with Roseanne, George Lopez, The Munsters and More; Chloe Radcliffe: Eyes Down Here Stand-up Special
10/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 26, 2026)
10/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots in the Works for Coach and Glee; Saturday Night Live Sets November Hosts
10/23 - Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life
10/22 - Abbott Elementary Returns Big After 7 Day Viewing; BET Renews ComicView: Rooftop Series
10/21 - Charmed Joining Hulu This Huluween; Prime Video's Comedy Variety Series Hosted by Nick Kroll
10/20 - Hulu's Phony Premieres Today; Janelle James Netflix Comedy Special Drops November 10
10/19 - Lil Kev Season 2 Premieres December 9; It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2026 Schedule
10/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 19, 2026)
10/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Picks Up Reboot for The X-Files; Roseanne Self-Produces New Sitcom
10/16 - Christa B. Allen in Night of January 16th Play Through Sunday; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernie Orenstein
10/15 - Guest Stars for Peacock's Comedy Dig; Apple TV Renews Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Season 2
10/14 - HBO Brings Back Girls for 5 Episodes; Hulu's The X-Files Picked Up to Series
10/13 - Full Cast for Three's Company Live Reading in New York City; High Potential to Air After Super Bowl on ABC
10/12 - Bob's Burgers Holiday Special on Hulu; The Rookie and The Rookie: North Wednesdays on ABC in January