Friday, March 01, 2013

Episodic Review: Last Man Standing - "Breaking Curfew" Airing Tonight on ABC; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 4, 2013)

On the next...Last Man Standing:
By: Pavan

ABC's Friday night sitcom starring Tim Allen airs Friday nights at 8:00pm and we have just watched the next episode that airs tonight (March 1). Check out how Tim handles two of his daughters with new relationships tonight! In the episode airing tonight, "Breaking Curfew," when Mike (Tim Allen) catches Mandy (Molly Ephraim) sneaking into the house late one night after being out with Kyle (Christoph Sanders), he wages his own form of psychological warfare on the couple to prevent it from happening again. Meanwhile, Kristin (Amanda Fuller) wants to hide the truth from her son Boyd (Flynn Morrison) that she and Ryan (Jordan Masterson) are now romantically dating.

This show got off to maybe a rocky start this season (probably because of some cast changes and the political themed episodes), but the show has been back on track the last 5-7 episodes and maybe better than ever. It's now the only real true traditional (aka multi-camera) family sitcom on network TV (lead-out Malibu Country is probably one, but I think this is more traditional and deals more with the family) and it is a good one. This episode deals with the budding relationship now between Mandy and Kyle, which developed in the previous episode. It's full of twists and turns because Mandy breaks her curfew and sneaks back home in the middle of the night at 3am (and gets stuck in the kitchen window!). But was she with Kyle the whole time until 3am or not? Everyone's playing some kind of mind game and it's interesting (and funny). All in all, you can tell Mandy and Kyle are developing something special but will they take it to a physical level? You'll have to tune in. All we will say is that Tim Allen is the man and it's hilarious how he deals with all the mind games. His character is such a mastermind! The secondary story is about his older daughter Kristin and baby daddy Ryan getting back together, as we also saw in the previous episode. They are still hiding it from everyone, but only her mother Vanessa knows and she tries to cover for Kristin so Mike doesn't find out. But does Mike know already? Kristin and Ryan are also keeping their new romance a secret from their son Boyd, who by the way is awesome and so fun to watch. The only thing really missing from this episode was more of Eve. Kaitlyn Dever has really shined this season as that character and is hilarious. The Baxters are a fun family to watch and this episode is very well done and reminds me of former ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules. With Tim Allen very similar to John Ritter and Nancy Travis similar to Katey Sagal. I've also said before that Molly Ephraim reminds me so much of Kaley Cuoco's character from that sitcom and she is so good. It's great fun tonight and if you bailed earlier in the season, you need to come back into the Baxter home. B+

Last Man Standing has a good chance of returning for a third season, so I don't think fans have to worry. It does solid ratings on Fridays and is usually first or second place in its time period in the ratings. It's a broad appealing comedy and works well on Friday nights. This season has 18 episodes and we are nearing the season finale on March 22, so catch-up quickly if you haven't seen it this season. This episode airing tonight should get everyone on board or back on board. It's turned into quite a good family ensemble and the secret weapon of the show is Hector Elizondo as Mr. Alzate, Mike's boss at Outdoor Man. He always delivers! Tune in tonight!


It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of March 4-8, 2013, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

Monday, March 4, 2013

  • Jenna Elfman (1600 Penn/Courting Alex/Dharma & Greg) - Watch Jenna on a repeat of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Seth MacFarlance (Family Guy/American Dad!/The Cleveland Show) - Seth is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Ellie Kemper (The Office) - Ellie drops by The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family) - Rico visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Maria Canals-Barrera (Wizards of Waverly Place) - Maria talks about what it was like playing Selena Gomez's mom and cooks a delicious Cuban dish on Marie at 10am on Hallmark Channel.
  • Jenny McCarthy (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny appears on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
  • Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show) - Catch Jennifer on a repeat of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Zach Braff (Scrubs) - Zach is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Jenna Elfman (1600 Penn/Courting Alex/Dharma & Greg) - Jenna visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
  • Tina Fey (30 Rock) - Tina appears on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Gillian Jacobs (Community) - Gillian stops by LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
  • Willie Garson (Sex and the City/Ask Harriet) - Willie joins Marie to talk about his life as a single father to his adopted son and reflects back on his time working with the Sex and the City girls on Marie at 10am on Hallmark Channel.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
  • Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly) - Watch Melissa on a repeat of The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Ricky Schroder (Silver Spoons) - Ricky appears on Anderson Live, so check your local listings.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
  • Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show) - Catch Jennifer on a repeat of The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Zach Braff (Scrubs) - Zach continues to make the rounds on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Alison Brie (Community) - Alison drops by The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Joel McHale (Community) - Joel appears on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
  • Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Arsenio guest co-hosts The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Wendi McLendon-Covey (Rules of Engagement/Reno 911) - Wendi is a guest on a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
  • Ricky Schroder (Silver Spoons) - Ricky previews his new film, Hallmark Channel's Our Wild Hearts, on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT. He also talks about what it was like working with his family on the film on Marie at 10am on Hallmark Channel.
  • Lily Tomlin (Malibu Country) - Tune in to see Lily on ABC's Good Morning America between 7-9am.
Friday, March 8, 2013
  • Adrian Grenier (Entourage) - Watch Adrian on a repeat of Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
  • Anthony Anderson (Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony appears on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37am on NBC.
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check listings.
  • Billy Gardell (Mike & Molly) - Billy guest co-hosts The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Fran Drescher (Happily Divorced/The Nanny) - Fran guest co-hosts Anderson Live, so check your local listings.
Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Saturday, July 12

Mind Your Business - "Love Child" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alfonso and Aaliyah's world is flipped upside down when their mother's secret love child comes into town, while Mia tries to figure out who is sending her gifts every hour on the hour.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)

Friday, July 11

  • Aparna Nancherla (The Great North/Fairview/Corporate) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Aparna and Whitney are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Malachi Barton (Stuck in the Middle) and Meg Donnelly (American Housewife) - Malachi and Meg discuss Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires and perform on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am. They will also be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio/The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton talks about Black Coffee and Ice Water on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) and Joel Kim Booster (Loot/Shrill) - CBS News contributor Lisa Ling talks with Margaret and Joel on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Krysten Ritter (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Tamron Hall (repeat) has a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE sitdown with actress/director/author Krysten Ritter who recently released her new thriller/mystery novel Retreat, so check your local listings.
  • Maggie Q (Pivoting) - Maggie Q talks about Prime's Ballard on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Tisha Campbell (Act Your Age/Uncoupled/Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) and Wendy Raquel Robinson (Poppa's House/The Game/Here We Go Again/The Steve Harvey Show/Minor Adjustments) - Tisha and Wendy chat about their film Operation: Aunties on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings. They will also be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
  • David Zayas (The Bear/Saint George) - David appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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

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07/06 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of July 7, 2025)
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06/23 - MeTV Summer Changes, Adds Adventures of Superman; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Summer Guest Hosts
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