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

Sunday, July 25

Where Have All the Theme Songs Gone? (CNN, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Don Lemon reviews the most popular TV theme songs in history with Gary Portnoy of "Cheers", Christopher Knight from "The Brady Bunch", Fran Drescher from "The Nanny", and composer Kurt Farquhar.

History of the Sitcom - "Working for Laughs" (CNN, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Work families can be even funnier than our biological ones, since the endless array of wacky sitcom characters on the job offers hilarious insights into the state of the American workplace.

Duncanville - "Crimes and Misters Demean Her" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Jack coaches Jing's little league soccer team, but when he feels he's too easy on the kids he calls on Duncan to yell at the team to get them to win; Annie takes Kimberly to work with her after she has a falling out with her friends.

HouseBroken - "Who's Going to the Vet?" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Chief eats Jill's vibrator, he's taken to the vet and ends up leading his own version of group therapy; Tabitha goes to live with The Gray One and learns she has to sing and dance if she wants to survive.

The Simpsons - "The 7 Beer Itch" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Marge and the kids take a seaside vacation, Homer is unwittingly tempted by a British femme fatale.

The Great North - "My Fart Will Go on Adventure" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While the family prepares for Wolf and Honeybee's wedding, an unexpected guest RSVPs.

Bob's Burgers - "Y Tu Tina También" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Tina is forced to listen to Spanish audio lessons in the library to improve her grade, she develops an unexpected crush; Louise and Gene want to dunk Mr. Frond at the Wagstaff Spring Fair.

Family Guy - "The Marrying Kind" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Stewie gets a mail order bride and experiences domestic life; Peter and Chris become addicted to free hotel breakfast buffets.

Wellington Paranormal - "She-Wolf" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Officers O'Leary and Minogue investigate what they believe are dog attacks, but stumble upon something more mysterious.

Dead Pixels - "The Chair" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Alison becomes concerned over Meg's physical downturn and tries to sway her to a healthier regime; everyone worries about Nicky.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 19)

Friday, July 23

Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Watch Kim on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso/Son of Zorn/The Cleveland Show) - Jason will be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Christine Baranski (Happy Family/Welcome to New York/Cybill) - Christine appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Minnie Driver (Speechless/About a Boy) - Minnie is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Sarah Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Sarah appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens) - Leah is a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.