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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, July 18
Happy's Place - "Heart of the Matter" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Emmett is late to work, Bobbie becomes paranoid at the thought of why and begins to overreact; Gabby and Takoda help Steve pick out a new barstool to prove changing his obsessive-compulsive disorder habits won't negatively impact the world.
Happy's Place - "Baby Doll" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Gabby expresses her concerns about parenting, Bobbie reassures her she'd be a great mother, which prompts Gabby to bring in an AI baby doll and turn the tavern into her own personal day care.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 14)
Friday, July 18
- Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Watch Hannah on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Shane Gillis (Tires) - Shane appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Abby Elliott (The Bear/Indebted/Odd Mom Out) - Abby is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Brandy Norwood (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy and Monica are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Matty Matheson (The Bear) - Matty appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Jason Ritter (Another Period/The Class) and Aparna Nancherla (The Great North/Lopez vs Lopez/Corporate) - Jason and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Eugenio Derbez (Acapulco/Rob) - Eugenio chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana is chatting with Drew about her new movie Love Hurts on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Freddie Prinze Jr. (Freddie) - Freddie can be heard on the Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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