Sitcom Anniversaries Galore: Friends 20th Anniversary Marathon on TBS; Cosby Show's 30th Anniversary Stunt on TV Land

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Sitcom Anniversaries Galore: Friends 20th Anniversary Marathon on TBS; Cosby Show's 30th Anniversary Stunt on TV Land

TBS will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Friends with a 20-episode marathon on Monday, Sept. 22, from 10 am to 8 pm (ET/PT). The marathon, which will air 20 years to the day since the hit comedy's original debut, will consist of episodes chosen by fans to be the very best of Friends. Fans are invited to vote for their favorites by submitting their choices via Facebook (www.facebook.com/TBSveryfunny) and Twitter (twitter.com/tbsveryfunny) using #FavoriteFriends. The TBS marathon coincides with a global celebration of the hit comedy, the centerpiece of which is the opening by Warner Bros. and Eight O'Clock Coffee of a pop-up replica of Central Perk, the neighborhood coffee shop frequented by the characters on Friends, in New York City. Located at 199 Lafayette Street (at the corner of Broome Street) in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, the pop-up Central Perk will be open daily through October 18, serving up free coffee to visitors. Fans cans also check out signature props from the show in the decorated storefront, relax on Central Perk's iconic orange couch, order coffee off the famous Central Perk chalkboard or win prizes through fun and exciting in-store promotions.

The Cosby Show 30th Anniversary Marathon on TV Land

Happy Anniversary to The Cosby Show, too! Whether they are teaching the kids a lesson out of tough love or performing one of their famous lip-sync renditions, the Huxtable family constantly keeps us laughing. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the debut of the landmark television series, TV Land is hosting a two-day marathon on September 20-21 from 2pm-10pm ET/PT. The marathon begins Saturday, September 20 at 2pm with fan favorite episode, "How Ugly Is He?" This episode captures the day every father dreads - meeting his daughter's boyfriend for the first time. Things get complicated for Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Clair (Phylicia Rashad) when Denise's (Lisa Bonet) outspoken boyfriend criticizes their professions. Another beloved episode airing, "The Birth Part 1," involves havoc erupting in the Huxtable's kitchen after Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf) suddenly goes into labor. Then, in a special anniversary-themed episode, "Happy Anniversary," Cliff arranges a surprise European cruise for his parents for their special day while the children prepare a home cooked dinner for their Grandma (Clarice Taylor) and Grandpa (Earle Hyman), which is followed by their famous lip-sync rendition of "Night Time Is the Right Time."

Sunday, September 21 at 2pm the marathon continues with the pilot episode that started it all. Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) brings home a bad report card much to Cliff's dismay. Other fan favorite episodes include "Theo's Holiday," "Say Hello To A Good Buy," "If The Dress Fits, Wear It," "Cliff's Wet Adventure," "Isn't It Romantic" and more. The marathon will conclude with the series' final episode, "And So We Commence Part 2," where eight years of magic, love and laughter with the Huxtable family comes to an end. Theo graduates from college and Cliff and Clair dance one last time in the living room and then off the set into television history. And don't forget Centric is also doing a Cosby Show marathon.

These marathons are in addition to Antenna TV's Bewitched 50th anniversary marathon. Gilligan's Island is turning 50 on Sept. 26, so hopefully MeTV or TV Land will do a stunt...if they do, we'll let you know. Stay with us.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Monday, August 19

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Climb" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Gemma decides to fire a teacher at her school, she’s unprepared for the aftermath. Also, Calvin gets a surprise when he faces off with his newspaper carrier.

The Big Bang Theory - "The D&D Vortex" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When the gang finds out Wil Wheaton hosts a celebrity Dungeons and Dragons game involving William Shatner, Joe Manganiello, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Smith, deception and betrayal are the path to make it to the one open seat.

The Big Bang Theory - "The Conference Valuation" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Penny and Bernadette go to San Diego for a pharmaceutical sales convention, Wolowitz is in charge of the kids. Also, Sheldon finds a book on experimenting on kids, and the guys plus Amy make a day of it.

Mom - "Jell-O Shots and the Truth About Santa" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bonnie pushes Christy to mend her relationship with Violet (Sadie Calvano), and Adam prepares for the grand opening of his bar.

I Ship It - "Somewhere Magical" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Ella seizes the opportunity to work as a personal assistant to a writer for "Superstition," her favorite TV show; Ella's fantasies begin to collide with reality in unexpected ways, in both her creative life and love life.

In The Cut - "Lucky Charmed" (Bounce TV, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Jay buys Cheryl a necklace for her birthday, not knowing it was stolen; when the police want it back, Jay must devise a plan to return it before she finds out.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 19)

Monday, August 19

Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People) - Watch Billy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Issa Rae (Insecure) - Issa appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
Dax Shepard (Bless This Mess) - Dax is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place/Barry), Henry Winkler (Barry/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) and Bill Hader (Barry) - D'Arcy, Henry and Bill are panelists on Lights Out with David Spade at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night) - Rebel chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Bryton James (Family Matters) - Bryton appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Charlie Barnett (Russian Doll) - Charlie is a guest on a repeat of The Real, so check your local listings.
Bella Thorne (Shake It Up) - Bella appears on a repeat of ABC's Strahan & Sara at 1pm.
Donald Faison (The Exes/Scrubs/Clueless) - Donald talks about Emergence on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Melissa Peterman (Reba/Working Class/Baby Daddy) - Melissa guest co-hosts Access Live, so check your local listings.
Patti LaBelle (Out All Night) - Patti opens up about her 22-year battle with diabetes on a repeat of The Dr. Oz Show, so check your local listings.