Friday, July 07, 2017
Fri-Yay: The Carmichael Show Is Canceled; HBO's Vice Principals Returns in September
by Vincent
This week, it was announced that NBC has cancelled The Carmichael Show, a critically acclaimed but little watched sitcom that had aired on the network (mostly during the summer) for three seasons. The Carmichael Show's cancellation wasn't entirely a surprise - the show never gained much of an audience despite its acclaim and some valiant efforts by NBC, including slotting it behind hits like Little Big Shots and America's Got Talent. But it's still pretty upsetting, nonetheless - The Carmichael Show was a genuinely great sitcom, and although it never took off in the ratings, it may be a show whose impact will be felt for years to come. That's because The Carmichael Show, in many ways, restored respectability to the multi-camera sitcom. The multi-camera sitcom never truly died (The Big Bang Theory is the biggest sitcom hit of the decade, after all) but, for many years, it was considered to be an old and outdated form. Critics ravaged multi-camera sitcoms, and many considered the form to be "dead" artistically.
However, in the past few years, there has been a boom of multi-camera sitcoms that gain the attention of critics and television fans for their ability to use the format's strengths to their advantage, shows like The Carmichael Show, Mom, and One Day at a Time. All of these shows use the multi-camera format in much of the same way the best shows of the format from years past did - to relate to their audience in a grounded way while telling stories that are fresh, relevant, and in many ways, like nothing else you could find on TV. When used correctly, the multi-camera sitcom can really make the audience feel what it's trying to get across, and create an experience that is both classic, comforting but also capable of educating and making viewers think. (Think of how Roseanne allowed viewers to experience life in the lower middle class, or the way All in the Family brought real life issues into Americans' living rooms for the first time.) The Carmichael Show realized that, and ultimately paved the way for other shows to do the same. If you haven't checked out this underrated sitcom, I really recommend it - whether you're an old-school fan or whether you prefer snappy new sitcoms, anyone can get something from this multi-camera gem.
HBO has confirmed the debut date for the second season of the comedy series Vice Principals, which will conclude its 18-episode, two-season run with nine new episodes starting Sunday, Sept. 17 at 10:30pm ET/PT. The tumultuous school year at North Jackson High continues and a new semester brings lots of changes. Gamby and Russell are about to learn that the only thing harder than gaining power is holding on to it, as the darkest comedy on television returns to finish what was started. Danny McBride (Gamby) and Walton Goggins (Russell) star in part two of HBO's hit comedy series, created by McBride and Jody Hill and directed by David Gordon Green. McBride, Hill and Green are joined as executive producers by Jonathan Watson and Stephanie Laing. Also starring in Vice Principals are Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Georgia King, Busy Phillips, Shea Whigham and Sheaun McKinney.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Thursday, February 2
Young Sheldon - "Ruthless, Toothless and a Week of Bed Rest" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Sam and Jay’s assistant, Freddie (Mike Lane), purchases ghost-hunting equipment when suspicious activity leads him to theorize the B&B is haunted. Also, Sasappis risks losing his relationship with Jessica (Nichole Sakura) when Freddie sells his car.
Ghosts - "Ghost Hunter" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam and Jay’s assistant, Freddie (Mike Lane), purchases ghost-hunting equipment when suspicious activity leads him to theorize the B&B is haunted. Also, Sasappis risks losing his relationship with Jessica (Nichole Sakura) when Freddie sells his car.
Welcome to Flatch - "Flatch: Churn Here" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Kelly and Barb fight to prove why Flatch should be the permanent home of the Butter Bust Museum; Shrub has big news to deliver to Lloyd; Mandy is in charge of blessing the town's animals.
Call Me Kat - "Call Me Fatty Patty" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In celebration of Max's birthday, Kat, Randi and Carter jointly gift him a recreational vehicle rental so they can go on a road trip together; Gideon decides to join in on the trip; Randi and Carter bicker over where they should live together.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 30)
Thursday, February 2
- Kathryn Newton (Gary Unmarried) - Catch Kathryn on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Connie Britton (SMILF/Lost at Home/The Fighting Fitzgeralds/Spin City) - Connie appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Sarah is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 10pm on Bravo.
- D. L. Hughley (The Hughleys/Double Rush) - D. L. guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Skylar Astin (Ground Floor) - Skylar breaks down the TV series So Help Me Todd on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Ali Wentworth (Nightcap) - Ali talks about The Parent Test on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Salma Hayek Pinault (30 Rock/The Sinbad Show) - Salma discusses the new film Magic Mike's Last Dance on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - NBC's Today has a one-on-one with Pamela some time between 7-9am.
- Kal Penn (The Santa Clauses/Sunnyside/We Are Men) - NBC's Today catches up with Kal in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-January)
10/04 - Mr. Mayor - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/04 - The Munsters - Marineland Carnival with The Munsters TV Cast
10/18 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete First Season
11/08 - Frasier - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/08 - Young Rock - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/15 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Seven / The Complete Season Eight
11/22 - That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Mill Creek)
11/29 - Ghosts - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/06 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection
12/13 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season
12/13 - Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
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