Fri-Yay: Is Hulu Moving Away From Comedy?; Antenna TV to Air New Year Kickoff with Coach Marathon

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!

Hulu

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.

Coach

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

Thursday, October 6

Young Sheldon - "Future Worf and the Margarita of the South Pacific" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Sheldon and Missy try to help the family’s finances. Also, Mary struggles to find her footing without the church.

Ghosts - "Alberta's Podcast" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Sam decides to host a podcast exploring the mystery surrounding Alberta’s death. Also, Hetty develops an unusual relationship with a broken washing machine.

Welcome to Flatch - "Blackout" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A major heatwave passes through Flatch and gender-reveal cakes, lizards and chickens are melting when the town has a blackout; everyone must band together to stay cool, but wild antics and chaos erupt.

Call Me Kat - "Call Me Skeeter Juice" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
It's time for Sheila to renew her driver's license, but she refuses to go take the test; Phil urges the group to try his mama's moonshine despite their skepticism; Max finally sells a song to be used in a national commercial.

Atlanta - "Work Ethic" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
One time I was gonna be an extra on this TV show but then they started asking me about Social Security numbers and taxes and being up there at 5am. I know y'all ain't doing that with Taraji.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 3)

Thursday, October 6

Tony Hale (HouseBroken/Veep/Arrested Development) - Catch Tony on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Zach Woods (Avenue 5/Silicon Valley/Playing House/The Office) - Zach appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat) - Constance will be on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah at 11pm.
Mila Kunis (Family Guy/That '70s Show) - Mila is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Queen Latifah (Living Single) - Queen Latifah appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Wendell Pierce (The Odd Couple/The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber/The Brian Benben Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell talks about making history by starring in the revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, becoming the first Black actor to take on the classic role of Willy Loman on Broadway, on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Jerry O'Connell (We Are Men/Do Not Disturb/Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Jerry is a guest on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Fran Drescher (Indebted/Happily Divorced/Living with Fran/The Nanny/Princesses) - Fran talks about her new picture book N is for The Nanny on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Zachary Levi (Less Than Perfect) - Zachary talks about his memoir Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Mike Myers (The Pentaverate) - Mike talks about Amsterdam on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Tori Spelling (Mystery Girls/So Notorious) - Tori talks about Love at First Lie on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.