Friday, June 16, 2017
Fri-Yay: Underrated Sitcoms; Tribune Launches New Talk Show on June 29
by Vincent
At one time, it wasn't all that hard to keep up with all of the good sitcoms on TV. With only a handful of networks producing quality content, one could easily keep up with the worthwhile sitcoms that television had to offer. With so much TV these days, though, it's easy for certain shows to slide under the radar. So I thought for this week's column I'd highlight a few shows that I thought were truly great that maybe didn't get quite as much recognition as they deserved.
One Day at a Time - It's easy to write off this Netflix reboot of the classic '70s sitcom as just another in a long line of lukewarm attempts to drum up nostalgia, but this Norman Lear-produced relaunch is one of the few examples of the form that actually improves upon the original. This heartfelt multi-camera sitcom is one of my favorite shows of 2017 so far, a show that combines laughs with intricate character work and a deft understanding of contemporary social issues. Honestly, if this show keeps up the quality, it could easily stand up with the classic Lear sitcoms of years past - it's that good.
Detroiters - While much of the attention on Comedy Central this year has been related to its political content, the most delightful show to come out of the network this year was the consistently silly and always hilarious Detroiters, which channels Broad City in its commitment to absurdist gags mixed with surprisingly well-drawn character work for its lovable dolt leads. Each episode is 20 minutes of pure absurdist bliss - it doesn't always make much sense, but Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson commit so well to their world's weirdness that it always manages to work.
Review - Review finished up its third season this year, but it flew relatively under the radar through-out its run, which is a shame as it may be one of the most brilliant, darkest sitcoms of all time. The series centers around Forrest MacNeil, a "life reviewer" who has dedicated his life to reviewing "life experiences." Forrest's dedication to his craft forces him to review topics such as Divorce, Murder, and...eating 30 pancakes, all of which cause the complete unraveling of his life. The show's ending is, genuinely, a dark, ambiguous ending not unlike the way The Sopranos ended. Also, it's hilarious.
Search Party - Search Party is sort of part sitcom, part murder mystery, which in and of itself is unique and deserves recognition for being different. Luckily, Search Party is backed up by a stellar cast, clever writing and subtle and hilarious character-based humor. Plus, the mystery is actually fairly compelling, and twists and turns in ways that's genuinely impressive for a sitcom. If you haven't seen it yet, Search Party is a perfect summer binge choice.
Tribune Broadcasting announced the launch of morning dose., a first of its kind, live social "wake-up" show, in partnership with Dose, a top digital media agency that specializes in data-driven, shareable content. Hosted by television personalities Melissa Rycroft (The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars) and Brandon London (former NFL star), and news anchor Laila Muhammad (Eye Opener), morning dose., will launch on Thursday, June 29 and will feature compelling and timely news stories powered by Dose's social storytelling and scientific method to create and distribute content. The series will air live each weekday and will be filmed in Dallas, Texas. morning dose. will air weekdays syndicated in six Tribune markets: KDAF/Dallas, KIAH/Houston, WPHL/Philadelphia, WDCW/Washington DC, WSFL/Miami and KRCW/Portland, OR. Timings are either 6-8am or 5-8am on each station.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Sunday, January 24
The Simpsons - "Podcast News" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Grampa is accused of a crime; Kent Brockman questions his career.
Bob's Burgers - "Bob Belcher and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Kids" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The family must figure out how to keep the restaurant open after Bob's flattop breaks on the morning of the Ocean Avenue Business Association's Ocean Fest on Ocean Avenue.
The Simpsons - "Three Dreams Denied" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bart becomes a voice-over actor; Comic Book Guy is humiliated at Comic-Con; Lisa is set up for a fall.
Bob's Burgers - "Diarrhea of a Poopy Kid" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Gene can't eat Thanksgiving dinner because of a stomach flu, the family tries to cheer him up.
Bob's Burgers - "The Terminalator II: Terminals of Endearment" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Linda's parents have a layover at an airport nearby, Bob and Linda attempt to turn it into their annual visit.
Family Guy - "Boys & Squirrels" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Peter injures himself and a family of squirrels in a chainsaw accident; Chris and Stewie try to nurse one of the injured rodents back to health; a chiropractor fixes Peter's injury by realigning his spine -- and restoring him to his "true height."
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 18)
Friday, January 22
- Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle) - Watch Bryan on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Daveed Diggs (Central Park/black-ish) - Daveed is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Bill Hader (Barry) - Bill appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- George Lopez (Lopez/Saint George/George Lopez) - George chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris talks about The Resident on Couch Surfing at 8am.
- Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother) - Jason talks about Our Friend on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Isaiah Crews (Side Hustle) - Isaiah talks about Side Hustle on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-January)
09/01 - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - Season 14
09/01 - What We Do in the Shadows - The Complete Second Season
09/01 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray)
09/15 - Mom - The Complete Seventh Season
09/15 - South Side - Season 1
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Second Season
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Third Season
09/22 - Brockmire - The Complete Fourth Season
09/22 - Man with a Plan - Season Three
09/29 - The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete Series (2020 Release)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
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