Monday, March 31, 2014

CBS Midseason Pilot Review: Friends with Better Lives - Premieres March 31; Three's Company Returns to TV Land, That '70s Show Quietly Now on Nick at Nite

Friends with Better Lives

Friends with Better Lives - Mondays at 8:30PM ET/PT on CBS
Premieres Monday, March 31, 2014 at 9:00PM ET/PT


by Skees

As we come of age, we all think that we're the ones suffering, and it's our friends who have the better lives. So, naturally, that would be the premise of the latest sitcom on CBS, Friends with Better Lives. The series follows a married couple (Andi and Bobby), a divorced man (Will), a soon-to-be-engaged couple (Kate and Lowell), and the eternally obnoxious one who finds the flaws in everybody (Jules). So who really has the better life? That's what this CBS series tries to answer, in sitcom form.

Cast Details:
James Van Der Beek as Will Stokes 
Brooklyn Decker as Jules Talley 
Zoe Lister-Jones as Kate McLean 
Rick Donald as Lowell Peddit 
Majandra Delfino as Andi Lutz 
Kevin Connolly as Bobby Lutz 

James Van Der Beek (Will Stokes) is primarily known for playing the starring role in the teen drama Dawson's Creek. More recently, he was on ABC's Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. His first TV appearance came in 1993 on an episode of Clarissa Explains it All, and since Dawson's Creek ended, he has been cast in several unsold pilots, and has also played roles in many dramas such as Criminal Minds and One Tree Hill

Brooklyn Decker (Jules Talley) is primarily known as a swimsuit model, having appeared in many magazines including Sports Illustrated, but she has also made appearances in series such as Chuck, Ugly Betty, and New Girl. She is married to retired tennis player Andy Roddick.

Zoe Lister-Jones (Kate McLean) is possibly best known for her role of Lily on the series Whitney. She has also made guest appearances on three out of four series in the Law & Order franchise, as well as an episode of The Good Wife.

Rick Donald (Lowell Peddit) is an Australian actor who has made appearances on series such as House Husbands, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Underbelly, and Home and Away. This series marks his American television debut.

Majandra Delfino (Andi Lutz) is a Venezuelan-American actress who is best known for her role on the series Roswell. She got her start in Hollywood in the film Zeus and Roxanne, as well as appearing in the short-lived sitcom The Tony Danza Show, and has appeared in episodes of The Office and Boston Public.

Kevin Connolly (Bobby Lutz) is best known for his role of Eric on the HBO series Entourage. Before that, he was a regular on the series Unhappily Ever After. He has appeared in movies including The Notebook, Antwone Fisher, Secretariat, and will be reprising his TV role in the upcoming Entourage film.

Pilot Plot:

"Pilot" – airs Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 9PM ET/PT
Andi (Majandra Delfino) and Bobby (Kevin Connolly) are married and happily living on their own... well, sort of. They've also got to deal with parenting, and also Will (James Van Der Beek), who recently moved in after his own marital troubles. Bobby is about to throw a surprise party for Andi, but it is something that is going to end in disaster for almost everybody, except for Kate (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Lowell (Rick Donald).

Analysis:

In the 21 minutes of the episode that I watched, I mostly found myself confused by who the characters were and what their backstory was, which can be expected to some extent in a pilot... but that is also a solid indication that there is little, if anything, that is exciting about the characters or the series. The premise here is that we've got the married couple, the engaged couple, the one who is dating, and the one whose relationship just crashed. These are, ideally, all distinct characters that should have completely unique personalities. But everything just seemed to sort of mesh together into a horrible mess.

Like many pilots, a lot of things happened in the pilot. But in this pilot, maybe it was a bit too much. An engagement and a divorce happening within minutes of one another in the same house (all during a wedding anniversary celebration of another friend, to top it off) was a bit too much for the pilot. It would have been better to see the pre-engagement relationship play out a bit first, followed by a drawn out divorce. Now the series has already turned into two people dating and two couples married married (or one of them is at least close to it).

While the pilot did have some great actors in it, I felt that their potential was not utilized as fully as it could have been. While I was never a fan of Dawson's Creek, it cannot be denied that James Van Der Beek is a talented actor... but having him played the desperate divorced guy seemed out of place. It may have felt more natural for Kevin Connolly (another talented actor) to play that role, but instead, he was the happily married guy. Personally, I'm still seeing him as Eric from Entourage, or to go back even further, Ryan from Unhappily Ever After.

I can't say that I laughed at all during the entire episode. Of course, I'm always willing to give a sitcom the benefit of the doubt if it isn't a laugh-filled riot, because even some of the greatest sitcoms ever have good story telling with few laughs. The problem is, there wasn't a great story to be told here. The pilot attempted to focus on getting quick laughs, particularly related to some sexual content. But the problem is that a lot of sexual jokes are going to get their biggest laughs from a much younger audience than this series could ever hope to target.

Conclusion:

In all honesty, CBS probably doesn't have a hit on their hands with this series. I'm not sure what can be done about this series to make it a bit more watchable, as it honestly seems to show little promise. Of course, I've been wrong about these things before, but it mostly just feels like something CBS is using to fill the hole left by How I Met Your Mother, except there really isn't going to be anything good enough to fill that hole for the time being. Luckily for CBS, they have a mostly solid lineup, with a majority of their lineup already having been renewed for next season, and plenty of pilots in the works, which makes it unlikely that they'll turn back to this series in the fall. The real question, though, is will they continue to turn to this for an entire 13 episode run. The series will be given a very fair chance to capture an audience with what will probably be a solid lead-in for the debut, but what viewers decide beyond that is to be determined.

Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):

Watchability: 2/5
Funniness: 1/5
Overall: 2/5

Discuss the show after you watch it on Monday, March 31 at 9:00PM ET/PT on our message board.

Related Links:

  • CBS.com Official Site
  • TV.com
  • epguides.com
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia
  • Friends with Better Lives Photo Gallery

    Preview:





  • Three's Company

    TV Land has picked-up the cable rights to Three's Company once again. The classic 70s/80s sitcom was not renewed by TV Land after its contract expired in August 2013, but now TV Land has made a deal to bring back the sitcom. It will join other recent returnees including The Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island. The John Ritter-led sitcom will begin starting this Saturday (April 5, 2014). It will air weekend mornings. Times will vary, but this coming Saturday it will air with a marathon block from 4:30am-2pm and Sunday from 4:30am-12pm. To make room for Three's Company, it seems TV Land will be removing The Golden Girls. Not to worry, as that will still air on the Viacom-owned network Logo. And as we mentioned, Three's Company is also returning in April on Antenna TV, so it's twice as nice for Three's Company this April. No foolin'. Stay with us for continued updates on TV Land and Three's Company!

    That '70s Show

    In other news, That '70s Show has quietly started on Nick at Nite a few weeks ago and it is airing every night from approx. 1:24-2:36am (2 episodes). George Lopez is now pushed to 2:36-4:57am, with Yes Dear rounding out the night from 4:57am-6am. Old Christine and My Wife & Kids are no longer airing on the network, but both can be found on other Viacom siblings (NickMom and BET, respectively). Hangin' with Mr. Cooper remains from 6-7am. Back to That '70s Show, with it now airing on Nick at Nite, it is still airing on TV Land as well. TV Land has not removed it and will continue to air it early mornings after 4am and on weekends after 2am. Stay with us for continued updates.

    Sunday, March 30, 2014

    Week 27 TV Ratings and Analysis; How the Sitcoms Did

    2013-14 Week 27 TV Ratings (first four nights, Mon-Thu): 

    Households: #1. CBS 5.9/10 rating/share (+7% from first four nights Week 26); #2. ABC 4.7/8 (+2%); #3. NBC 4.4/7 (-8%); #4. Fox 3.5/6 (-5%); #5. The CW 1.1/2 (-8%)
    Total Viewers: #1. CBS 9.45 million (+9% from first four nights Week 26); #2. ABC 7.21 million (+3%); #3. NBC 6.93 million (-9%); #4. Fox 5.72 million (-4%); #5. The CW 1.69 million (-8%).
    Adults 18-49: #1. CBS 2.1/6 rating/share (+11% from first four nights Week 26); #2. NBC 1.9/6 (-10%); #3. ABC 1.7/5 (even); #4. Fox 1.6/5 (even) #5. The CW 0.6/2 (-14%)

    For previous week's final ratings, Week 26 (3/17/14-3/23/14) had CBS win the week in 18-49 with a 1.8 rating, followed by NBC's 1.6, ABC's 1.5 and Fox's 1.3. In total viewers, CBS lead this with 7.95 million, beating ABC which did 6.42 million, NBC followed closely with 6.34 million, and Fox trailed with 4.3 million.
    Season to-date (9/23/13-3/23/14) in 18-49, NBC is on top with a 3.0, over Fox's 2.7, CBS is next with a 2.4, and ABC at a 2.1. In total viewers, CBS is still on top with 10.81 million, then NBC is creeping in with 10.01, Fox is at 7.91 and ABC is at 7.45.

    Back to week 27, read our full night-by-night analysis followed by how the sitcoms did! GREAT showings are in BOLD. If they are in bold in both total viewers and 18-49, then it is very impressive:

    Week 27 (March 24-30) Analysis















    Last Sunday (Mar. 23)(Week 26)This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    60 MinutesCBS7:00PM11,306,00011,260,00046,0002.011.710.30741P
    America's Funniest VideosABC7:00PM6,870,0006,385,000485,0001.401.47(0.07)
    The Voice NBC7:00PM3,326,0005,181,000(1,855,000)0.781.41(0.63)REPEAT vs. 7-9P Special
    Bob's BurgersFox7:00PM2,450,0002,440,00010,0001.161.070.09
    American DadFox7:30PM2,700,0002,714,000(14,000)1.371.360.01
    The Amazing RaceCBS8:00PM8,705,0008,303,000402,0001.851.830.02841P
    Once Upon a TimeABC8:00PM6,911,0007,751,000(840,000)2.112.37(0.26)
    American Dream BuildersNBC8:00PM3,603,000
    3,603,0000.88
    0.88premiere
    The SimpsonsFox8:00PM3,983,0004,023,000(40,000)1.901.870.03
    Family GuyFox8:30PM4,379,0004,621,000(242,000)2.242.35(0.11)
    The Good WifeCBS9:00PM9,123,0008,432,000691,0001.371.320.05941P
    ResurrectionABC9:00PM9,511,00011,247,000(1,736,000)2.553.11(0.56)
    BelieveNBC9:00PM5,129,0006,566,000(1,437,000)1.201.47(0.27)
    Cosmos: SpacetimeFox9:00PM4,246,0004,951,000(705,000)1.701.95(0.25)
    The MentalistCBS10:00PM8,023,0008,646,000(623,000)1.271.30(0.03)1041P
    Revenge ABC10:00PM5,660,0006,239,000(579,000)1.541.68(0.14)
    CrisisNBC10:00PM5,135,0006,524,000(1,389,000)1.291.56(0.27)




















    Monday

    This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    How I Met Your MotherCBS8:00PM9,036,0007,782,0001,254,0003.492.950.54
    Dancing with the StarsABC8:00PM14,648,00015,440,000(792,000)2.302.56(0.26)8-10P
    The VoiceNBC8:00PM12,847,00013,253,000(406,000)3.704.07(0.37)8-10P
    BonesFox8:00PM5,817,0005,626,000191,0001.411.410.00
    Star CrossedCW8:00PM879,0001,001,000(122,000)0.310.32(0.01)
    2 Broke GirlsCBS8:30PM7,397,0007,215,000182,0002.332.200.13
    Mike & MollyCBS9:00PM7,831,0007,704,000127,0002.041.840.20
    The FollowingFox9:00PM4,067,0003,950,000117,0001.381.380.00
    Tomorrow PeopleCW9:00PM784,0001,168,000(384,000)0.310.41(0.10)
    MomCBS9:30PM7,351,0007,050,000301,0001.901.780.12
    IntellgenceCBS10:00PM4,992,0005,297,000(305,000)1.131.070.06
    CastleABC10:00PM9,777,0009,990,000(213,000)1.761.81(0.05)
    The BlacklistNBC10:00PM10,799,00010,969,000(170,000)2.822.690.13










    Tuesday

    This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    NCISCBS8:00PM17,520,00017,106,000414,0002.532.440.09
    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.ABC8:00PM2,899,0004,087,000(1,188,000)0.771.47(0.70)REPEAT vs. Marvel Special
    The VoiceNBC8:00PM12,445,00013,289,000(844,000)3.363.60(0.24)
    GleeFox8:00PM2,684,0002,804,000(120,000)1.081.11(0.03)
    The 100CW8:00PM1,565,0001,534,00031,0000.540.67(0.13)REPEAT vs. Originals
    NCIS: LACBS9:00PM15,543,00014,210,0001,333,0002.442.270.17
    The GoldbergsABC9:00PM3,015,0004,737,000(1,722,000)0.881.66(0.78)REPEAT
    About a BoyNBC9:00PM7,414,0007,609,000(195,000)1.972.06(0.09)
    New GirlFox9:00PM2,493,0001,569,000924,0001.240.670.57vs. REPEAT
    SupernaturalCW9:00PM2,254,0001,862,000392,0001.010.850.16
    Trophy WifeABC9:30PM2,246,0003,218,000(972,000)0.681.03(0.35)REPEAT
    Growing Up FisherNBC9:30PM6,245,0006,596,000(351,000)1.681.79(0.11)
    Brooklyn Nine-NineFox9:30PM2,590,0002,499,00091,0001.261.120.14FINALE
    Person of InterestCBS10:00PM12,226,00010,937,0001,289,0002.001.700.30
    Mind GamesABC10:00PM2,061,0002,438,000(377,000)0.650.71(0.06)
    Chicago FireNBC10:00PM3,891,0006,956,000(3,065,000)0.961.87(0.91)REPEAT










    Wednesday
    This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    Survivor Blood v WaterCBS8:00PM9,848,0009,460,000388,0002.322.49(0.17)
    The MiddleABC8:00PM7,284,0005,362,0001,922,0001.931.390.54vs. REPEAT
    SuburgatoryABC8:30PM5,245,0004,308,000937,0001.491.190.30vs. REPEAT
    Harry's South PoleNBC8:00PM3,707,0004,527,000(820,000)0.801.21(0.41)vs. Revolution
    American IdolFox8:00PM9,328,0009,830,000(502,000)2.162.25(0.09)8-10P
    ArrowCW8:00PM2,624,0002,418,000206,0000.900.820.08
    Criminal MindsCBS9:00PM7,189,00010,138,000(2,949,000)1.422.22(0.80)REPEAT
    Modern FamilyABC9:00PM10,090,0005,515,0004,575,0003.651.781.87vs. REPEAT
    Law & Order: SVUNBC9:00PM3,507,0005,823,000(2,316,000)0.851.54(0.69)REPEAT
    MixologyABC9:30PM4,851,0003,660,0001,191,0001.651.210.44
    The 100CW9:00PM2,275,0002,734,000(459,000)0.740.90(0.16)
    CSICBS10:00PM7,415,00010,202,000(2,787,000)1.221.95(0.73)REPEAT
    NashvilleABC10:00PM5,190,0002,538,0002,652,0001.290.640.65vs. REPEAT
    Chicago P.D.NBC10:00PM3,817,0005,741,000(1,924,000)0.871.41(0.54)REPEAT










    Thursday
    This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    NCAA BasketballCBS7:00PM7,109,0003,790,0003,319,0002.050.971.08
    The Big Bang TheoryCBS8:00PM

    0

    0.00
    Once: WonderlandABC8:00PM3,349,0003,508,000(159,000)0.960.810.15
    Hollywood Game NightNBC8:00PM4,283,000
    4,283,0001.15
    1.15REPEAT
    CommunityNBC8:00PM
    3,321,000(3,321,000)
    1.06(1.06)
    Hell's KitchenFox8:00PM5,391,0005,345,00046,0001.861.760.10
    Vampire DiariesCW8:00PM1,732,0002,285,000(553,000)0.791.07(0.28)
    The MillersCBS8:30PM

    0

    0.00
    Parks & RecreationNBC8:30PM
    3,045,000(3,045,000)
    1.19(1.19)
    Two and a Half MenCBS9:00PM

    0

    0.00
    Grey's AnatomyABC9:00PM8,421,0008,091,000330,0002.612.430.18
    Hollywood Game NightNBC9:00PM3,691,0002,871,000820,0001.140.900.24REPEAT
    American IdolFox9:00PM7,980,0008,413,000(433,000)1.881.96(0.08)vs. 9-10P
    ReignCW9:00PM1,399,0001,608,000(209,000)0.550.67(0.12)
    NCAA BasketballCBS9:30PM7,234,0003,637,0003,597,0002.611.331.28
    The Crazy OnesCBS9:30PM

    0

    0.00
    Surviving JackFox9:30PM5,148,000
    5,148,0001.28
    1.28premiere
    ElementaryCBS10:00PM

    0

    0.00
    ScandalABC10:00PM9,015,0009,078,000(63,000)3.132.930.20
    ParenthoodNBC10:00PM4,398,0004,215,000183,0001.391.260.13










    Friday(PRELIMINARY #s) This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    NCAA BasketballCBS7:00PM9,949,0004,278,0005,671,0002.901.331.57
    Undercover BossCBS8:00PM

    0

    0.00
    Last Man StandingABC8:00PM6,213,0004,493,0001,720,0001.300.870.43vs. REPEAT
    DatelineNBC8:00PM8,009,0007,619,000390,0001.401.390.018-10P vs. 8-9P
    RakeFox8:00PM1,889,0001,904,000(15,000)0.400.49(0.09)
    Whose Line Is It Anyway?CW8:00PM1,738,0001,743,000(5,000)0.500.58(0.08)
    The NeighborsABC8:30PM4,034,0003,669,000365,0001.000.900.10
    Whose Line Is It Anyway?CW8:30PM1,592,0001,738,000(146,000)0.500.59(0.09)REPEAT
    Hawaii Five-0CBS9:00PM

    0

    0.00
    Shark TankABC9:00PM5,022,0008,291,000(3,269,000)1.202.12(0.92)REPEAT
    GrimmNBC9:00PM
    5,711,000(5,711,000)
    1.55(1.55)
    Hart of DixieCW9:00PM1,099,0001,032,00067,0000.400.330.07
    EnlistedFox9:00PM1,363,0001,177,000186,0000.400.370.03vs. REPEAT
    NCAA BasketballCBS9:30PM10,243,0004,651,0005,592,0003.501.511.99
    Raising HopeFox9:30PM1,550,0001,375,000175,0000.500.430.07
    Blue BloodsCBS10:00PM

    0

    0.00
    20/20ABC10:00PM7,042,0008,508,000(1,466,000)1.301.77(0.47)
    HannibalNBC10:00PM3,646,0002,688,000958,0001.100.860.24










    Saturday(PRELIMINARY #s) This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-This WkPrev WeekWk-to-Wk +/-
    TitleNetworkTimeTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes
    ComedytimeCBS8:00PM2,651,000
    2,651,0000.60
    0.60REPEAT
    NCAA BasketballCBS8:00PM
    6,908,000(6,908,000)
    2.23(2.23)
    MixologyABC8:00PM1,332,000
    1,332,0000.30
    0.30REPEAT
    Marvel Studios SpecialABC8:00PM
    1,795,000(1,795,000)
    0.39(0.39)
    DatelineNBC8:00PM4,800,0005,354,000(554,000)0.800.85(0.05)8-10P
    Almost HumanFox8:00PM1,534,0001,370,000164,0000.400.320.08REPEAT
    ComedytimeCBS8:30PM2,495,000
    2,495,0000.60
    0.60REPEAT
    MixologyABC8:30PM1,111,000
    1,111,0000.20
    0.20REPEAT
    48 Hours MysteryCBS9:00PM2,599,000
    2,599,0000.60
    0.60
    20/20 SaturdayABC9:00PM2,311,0001,492,000819,0000.500.330.17vs. Nightline Prime
    The FollowingFox9:00PM1,006,0001,082,000(76,000)0.300.33(0.03)REPEAT
    48 Hours MysteryCBS10:00PM4,016,0003,283,000733,0000.800.94(0.14)vs. REPEAT
    Nightline PrimeABC10:00PM2,933,0003,949,000(1,016,000)0.600.72(0.12)vs. 20/20 Sat
    SNL(R) NBC10:00PM2,625,0003,864,000(1,239,000)0.700.74(0.04)REPEAT vs. Crisis(R)



    Sitcoms in green did excellent for the week, while yellow indicates OK showings and red is not good! This is sorted by adults 18-49:

    Week 27 (March 24-30) How the Sitcoms Did
    (Sun comedies are previous week and Fri/Sat are prelim ratings)
    Sorted by 18-49 Rtg
    TitleNetworkTimeDayTotal Viewers18-49 RtgNotes







    Modern FamilyABC9:00PMWed10,090,0003.65
    How I Met Your MotherCBS8:00PMMon9,036,0003.49
    2 Broke GirlsCBS8:30PMMon7,397,0002.33
    Family GuyFox8:30PMSun4,379,0002.24
    Mike & MollyCBS9:00PMMon7,831,0002.04
    About a BoyNBC9:00PMTues7,414,0001.97
    The MiddleABC8:00PMWed7,284,0001.93
    The SimpsonsFox8:00PMSun3,983,0001.90
    MomCBS9:30PMMon7,351,0001.90
    Growing Up FisherNBC9:30PMTues6,245,0001.68
    MixologyABC9:30PMWed4,851,0001.65
    SuburgatoryABC8:30PMWed5,245,0001.49
    American Dad!Fox7:30PMSun2,700,0001.37
    Last Man StandingABC8:00PMFri6,213,0001.3
    Surviving JackFox9:30PMThur5,148,0001.28premiere
    Brooklyn Nine-NineFox9:30PMTues2,590,0001.26finale
    New GirlFox9:00PMTues2,493,0001.24
    Bob's BurgersFox7:00PMSun2,450,0001.16
    The NeighborsABC8:30PMFri4,034,0001.0
    The GoldbergsABC9:00PMTues3,015,0000.88REPEAT
    Trophy WifeABC9:30PMTues2,246,0000.68REPEAT
    Comedytime (R) CBS8:00PMSat2,651,0000.6REPEAT
    Comedytime (R) CBS8:30PMSat2,495,0000.6REPEAT
    Raising HopeFox9:30PMFri1,550,0000.5
    EnlistedFox9:00PMFri1,363,0000.4
    MixologyABC8:00PMSat1,332,0000.3REPEAT
    MixologyABC8:30PMSat1,111,0000.2REPEAT
    Parks & RecreationNBC8:30PMThur

    preempted
    CommunityNBC8:00PMThur

    preempted
    The Big Bang TheoryCBS8:00PMThur

    preempted
    Two and a Half MenCBS9:00PMThur

    preempted
    The MillersCBS8:30PMThur

    preempted
    The Crazy OnesCBS9:30PMThur

    preempted
    The Mindy ProjectFox9:30PMTues

    preempted
    Animation DominationFox7:00PMSun

    preempted
    Animnation DominationFox7:30PMSun

    preempted
    DadsFox8:00PMTues

    completed
    Super Fun NightABC9:30PMWed

    completed
    Sean Saves the WorldNBC9:00PMThur

    canceled
    The Michael J. Fox ShowNBC9:30PMThur

    canceled
    We Are MenCBS8:30PMMon

    canceled
    Welcome to the FamilyNBC8:30PMThur

    canceled
    Back in the GameABC8:30PMWed

    canceled

    SOURCE: Nielsen Media Research


    Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

    Friday, December 6

    Happy's Place - "Ho-Ho Howey" (NBC, 9:15PM ET/PT)
    When the tavern's health insurance is threatened to be canceled, Gabby has a plan; she'll persuade her friend Danny to host his company party at Happy's, but the catch is everyone must call Bobbie "Gabby" and Gabby "Bobbie."

    Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Santa" (NBC, 9:45PM ET/PT)
    While Mayan tries to track down the perfect Christmas gift for Chance, George has to settle a feud with Santa that stretches back to George's childhood; Quinten tries to shake Rosie out of her holiday blues.

    Bob Hearts Abishola - "We Were Beggars, Now We Are Choosers" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    After Abishola gives her previous suitor a second chance, Uncle Tunde goes behind Auntie Olu's back to warn Bob about the other man who's courting his niece.

    Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ice Cream for Breakfast" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
    Bob must gain the confidence to fight for Abishola when she goes on another date with Chukwuemeka; Uncle Tunde finds an unlikely friend in Dottie in the aftermath of his fight with Auntie Olu.

    Children Ruin Everything - "Chores" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
    Astrid and James question the effectiveness of their own parenting when they meet one of Felix's friends with impeccable manners; Astrid and James worry about the types of adults their kids will become.

    Children Ruin Everything - "Feelings" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
    James, feeling left out when Ennis makes a new friend, inserts himself in Ennis' dodgeball tournament; Astrid struggles to get Viv to control her emotions, especially when frustrations at work make it hard to lead by example.

    Complete TV Listings


    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 2)

    Friday, December 6

    • Ralph Macchio (Eight Is Enough) - Watch Ralph on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Ben Stiller (Arrested Development) - Ben is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
    • Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time/Happily Divorced/9 to 5) - Rita appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
    • Emily Osment (Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage/Young Sheldon/Young & Hungry/Hannah Montana), Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) and Vinny Thomas (Platonic) - Emily, Tien and Vinny are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Hilary Swank (Camp Wilder) - NBC's Today catches up with Hilary in the 10am hour.
    • The Cast of Sex Lives of College Girls - The Sex Lives of College Girls creator Mindy Kaling is joining Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Then, the case of the show, Pauline Chalamet, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Amrit Kaur, Mia Rodgers and Gracie Lawrence are all chatting about the latest season of the hit show.
    • Ryan Destiny (grown-ish) and Brian Tyree Henry (HouseBroken/Atlanta) - Ryan and Brian talk about their new film The Fire Inside on Sherri, so check your local listings.
    • Steve Howey (Reba) - Steve talks about NBC's Happy Place on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
    • Krysten Ritter (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Krysten discusses her film Sonic 3 on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Melissa Joan Hart (Baby Daddy/Sabrina the Teenage Witch/Clarissa Explains It All) - Melissa is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.


    New on DVD and Blu-ray

    Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
    09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
    09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
    09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
    09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
    09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
    10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
    10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
    11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
    11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
    12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
    12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
    02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

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