Monday, October 16, 2017
New Comedy for Sundance Now Service from Peep Show Stars; Showtime's SMILF Gets Set for Premiere
Sundance Now, AMC Networks' premium video streaming service, announced the new premiere date for Back, the scripted original co-production created and written by Oscar nominee Simon Blackwell (Veep, In the Loop, Peep Show), set to debut exclusively in the U.S. Thursday, November 16, 2017 on Sundance Now. The six-part dark comedy is directed by Ben Palmer (The Inbetweeners) and reunites Peep Show co-stars and BAFTA winners, David Mitchell and Robert Webb. The scripted original follows Stephen (Mitchell) as he tries to follow in his recently deceased father's footsteps and take over the family business. But his plans are soon foiled by the unexpected return of his estranged foster brother, Andrew (Webb). After the death of his father, a pub landlord and local legend, Stephen (Mitchell) - whose only achievements so far have been marriage, followed by divorce, and a slightly disappointing refurbish of a pub - finally has a chance to shine as he is set to take over the family business. But his plans are interrupted when the charming Andrew (Webb), a former foster child briefly raised by Stephen's parents, turns up out of the blue at his father's funeral and is eager to renew his relationship with the closest thing to a family he has ever known. While Andrew quickly charms the rest of Stephen's dysfunctional family, including his mother Ellen, sister Cass and uncle Geoff, Stephen quickly begins to resent Andrew, who he sees as a glib, dangerous sociopath who's about to steal his family, his business and his life.
Showtime has released the trailer and the official poster art for the upcoming comedy series SMILF, created, starring and executive produced by Frankie Shaw and based on her Sundance Film Festival Jury Award-winning short film of the same name. Shaw also wrote the pilot. The new eight-episode, half-hour Showtime comedy is a raw, honest look at the life of a 20-something single mom from quadruple threat Shaw. SMILF will premiere on Sunday, November 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, following the 9 p.m. ET/PT season eight premiere of the Showtime hit series Shameless.
SMILF takes a comedic look at the life of Bridgette Bird (Shaw), a young woman from South Boston whose desires for relationships, sex and a career collide with the realities of working-class single motherhood. Shaw brings her singular, unapologetic point of view to the semi-autobiographical comedy series. The cast includes multiple Emmy(R) winner Rosie O'Donnell in her first series regular TV role as Bridgette's prideful, outspoken Southie mother, along with Miguel Gomez, Samara Weaving, and Alexandra and Anna Reimer. Guest stars include Emmy and Golden Globe(R) nominee Connie Britton, Mark Webber and Raven Goodwin. Executive producing alongside Shaw are Oscar(R) nominee Michael London, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, and Scott King. Janice Williams also executive produced the pilot. SMILF is produced by ABC Signature Studios as a co-production with Showtime.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, June 27
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Knockout" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As Dave nears his 40th birthday, Calvin offers to coach his friend for an amateur boxing tournament. Also, sparks fly when Marty meets a new woman at the gym.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Cats in a Bathtub" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Bob accidentally reveals Morenike is gay, Abishola and Kemi are forced to defend her against their church, and even their own families. Also, Douglas comes clean to Olivia about not being poor.
Breeders - "No More: Part One" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Jim and Jackie are both struggling under their new circumstances; Luke has to choose between Jacob and Ruby; at Alex's 65th birthday party, Ally meets someone who makes her see Paul in a new light.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 27)
Monday, June 27
- Joey King (Bent) - Watch Joey on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Martin Lawrence (Martin/Partners) - Martin is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He will also be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Loot) - Michaela appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea will be on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Kieran Culkin (Go Fish) - Kieran appears on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig is a guest on a repeat of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) and Finesse Mitchell (Outmatched/A.N.T. Farm) - Kym and Finesse guest co-host a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
- John Hodgman (Married/Bored to Death) - John talks the Judge John Hodgman podcast on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie stops by to talk about her cooking show Valerie's Home Cooking and book Enough Already, plus she joins the Tam Fam kitchen to cook a delicious dish on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl talks about Freeform's Motherland: Fort Salem on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
- Danny Bonaduce (The Partridge Family) - Danny will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (March-June)
03/08 - Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season Eight
03/08 - Brooklyn Nine-Nine - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
03/15 - Head of the Class - The Complete Fourth Season
03/15 - The Proud Family - The Complete Original Series - Anniversary Collection
03/22 - The Honeymooners Specials - The Complete Collection
03/29 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-5 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
03/29 - Young Rock - Season One
04/05 - Up All Night - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
04/26 - The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room for Daddy) - The Complete Fourth Season
04/26 - Jackie Gleason TV Treasures - 70th Anniversary Collection (including Honeymooners Rarities)
05/03 - No Activity - Season Three
05/13 - The Donna Reed Show - The Complete Seasons 1-5 (Time Life)
05/31 - Becker - The Complete Series (2022 Release)
06/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Eleventh Season
06/14 - Hacks - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/14 - Rutherford Falls - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season One / Season Two / Season Three (07/26) / Season Four (07/26)
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