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
Tuesday, June 6
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)
Tuesday, June 6
- Mayim Bialik (Call Me Kat/The Big Bang Theory/Blossom/Molloy) - Catch Mayim on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle/The Louie Show) - Bryan is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Nicole appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together/Rules of Engagement/My Guide to Becoming a Rockstar) - Oliver and his sister Kate are guests on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Mark Consuelos (Alpha House/Hope & Faith) - Mark appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 10pm on Bravo.
- Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face/Russian Doll) - Natasha talks about Poker Face on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
- Mädchen Amick (Freddie) - Mädchen breaks down what's coming up on the series Riverdale on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
- Poorna Jagannathan (Never Have I Ever) and Richa Moorjani (Never Have I Ever) - Poorna and Richa give the Tam Fam the scoop on the final season of Never Have I Ever on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Yvette Nicole Brown (The Mayor/The Odd Couple/Community) - Yvette appears on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Ron Funches (Loot/Poweless/Undateable) - Ron is a guest on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Luna Blaise (Fresh Off the Boat) - Luna talks about Manifest on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Patricia Arquette (High Desert) - Patricia talks about High Desert on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Tammy Townsend (K.C. Undercover/Sherri/Rock Me, Baby) - Tammy discusses her starring role in the new BET+ series Average Joe on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Eva Longoria (Telenovela) - Eva will be on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
- Melissa Joan Hart (Melissa & Joey/Sabrina the Teenage Witch/Clarissa Explains It All) and Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster/Sabrina the Teenage Witch) - NBC's Today catches up with Melissa and Soleil in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
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