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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, November 5
Shifting Gears - "Loyalty" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Matt’s dream build turns into a nightmare when controversy between Stitch and the client threatens to derail everything. Meanwhile, Riley hires Carter at her coffee business and quickly learns that working with family brews more tension than drinks.
Abbott Elementary - "No Phones" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Abbott Elementary participates in the district’s “No Phones Day” initiative.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 3)
Wednesday, November 5
- Carol Burnett (Palm Royale/Mad About You/Mama's Family/Stanley) - Watch Carol on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jennifer Lawrence (The Bill Engvall Show) - Jennifer appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - Tiffany is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Gary Cole (mixed-ish/Fam/Veep/Family Affair) - Gary stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Alice Wetterlund (People of Earth/Silicon Valley) - Alice is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) and Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show) - Andy Cohen interviews Janelle and Jerrod on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo. Janelle also talks about Abbott Elementary on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere/Nightcap) - Jeff talks about Lost and Found in Cleveland on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
- Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) - NBC's Today catches up with Danica in the 9am hour.
- Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - NBC's Today catches up with Laura in the 9am hour.
- Jay Ellis (Running Point/Insecure/The Game) - Jay talks about All Her Fault on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Ego Nwodim (Mr. Throwback) - Ego talks about life after Saturday Night Live and her new podcast Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat talks about BET+'s Ms. Pat Settles It on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Danny Trejo (Saint George) - Danny talks about History's Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo Season 2 on SirirusXM's Sam Roberts' Faction Talk (Channel 103) at 10:30am and on CTRL, ALT, D-Stroy (Shade 45) at 4pm.
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)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season
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