Friday, November 17, 2017
Fri-Yay: Is Hulu Moving Away From Comedy?; Antenna TV to Air New Year Kickoff with Coach Marathon
It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!
by Vincent
This week, Hulu announced the cancellation of Difficult People. Difficult People was in its third season, and although it was never a huge hit, it had gained a dedicated following and was one of the first Hulu originals that seemed to grab a decent-sized following. After Difficult People came Casual, another half-hour comedy (with dramatic elements) that gained some minor awards attention and a dedicated fanbase. The success of those two shows was combined with Hulu's acquisition of The Mindy Project after it was cancelled by Fox. Hulu seemed to be the home of beloved, if not incredibly well watched, comedies. However, over the past few months, Hulu has quietly announced the end of nearly its entire comedy slate. Casual will end with its next season, The Mindy Project is currently airing its final season, and Difficult People was cancelled without even an announcement.
This is an interesting move considering quirky, off-beat comedies and dramedies were what made Hulu stand out from its streaming competitors. However, Hulu was undoubtedly the little guy in the streaming wars - until it became the first streaming service to take home an Outstanding Series award with The Handmaid's Tale this year. The Handmaid's Tale was a cultural phenomenon that toppled over everything else Hulu had done up to that point, so it's not especially surprising that they would be switching up directions. Still, it's unfortunate to see any service that was once big on comedy turn their back towards it, so let's hope Hulu still has room for some original comedies.
Huddle around your TV New Year's Day for 18-straight hours of friends, football and fun with Antenna TV's "New Year Kickoff with Coach" marathon. Starting at 5am on January 1, 2018, Antenna TV will lineup the best episodes of Coach, starring Craig T. Nelson, as college football coach Hayden Fox, leading his team at home and on the field. Special episodes include Fox and his team's appearances in the "Pineapple Bowl," "Popcorn Bowl," "Patriot Bowl" & "Pioneer Bowl." Kickoff the new year with Coach, Antenna TV's newest lineup addition. As we mentioned earlier this week, beginning January 2, 2018, Coach will air weekdays at 11pm ET and weekends at 4:30pm ET.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, November 23
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Election" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Dave faces off against incumbent Isaiah Evans (guest star Wayne Brady) in a debate for a city council seat, and the race comes to a dramatic conclusion.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Paris Is for Lovers, Not Mothers" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Kemi leans on Abishola after an argument with Chukwuemeka, disrupting her and Bob’s engagement celebration. Also, Dottie gives Douglas a new job at MaxDot.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 23)
Monday, November 23
- Ben Falcone (Nobodies/Joey) - Watch Ben on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He will also be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Michael J. Fox (Family Ties/Spin City/The Michael J. Fox Show) - Michael is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat) - Constance appears on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
- Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie and Kurt Russell will be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Ryan Michelle Bathe (Retired at 35) - Ryan guest co-hosts The Real, so check your local listings.
- Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Mario is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?/Romantically Challenged) - Alyssa discusses how she is inspiring a new generation of female leaders, the latest book of her children's series and her podcast on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Annaleigh Ashford (B Positive) - Annaleigh stops by to chat about her popular Wednesdays with wigs videos on Instagram, raising her 4-year-old son Jack and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - Tiffany talks about quarantining with Common but why she hasn't moved in with him yet, her Thanksgiving plans, and how she plans to help others to fight hunger around the holidays on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
- Marlo Thomas (That Girl) - NBC's Today has Thanks + Giving with Marlo and St. John Hospital sometime between 7-9am.
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim) - Kimberly talks about The Christmas Chronicles 2 on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Rochelle Aytes (Work It) - Rochelle talks about A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (August/September/October/November)
08/04 - Last Man Standing - The Complete Eighth Season
08/04 - The Neighborhood - Season One
08/11 - Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens - Season 1
08/11 - Final Space - The First and Second Seasons (Blu-ray)
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
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