Fri-Yay: Corporate Is Solid on Comedy Central; Netflix Gets Weekly Talk Show

Friday, March 02, 2018

Fri-Yay: Corporate Is Solid on Comedy Central; Netflix Gets Weekly Talk Show

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

One of the new sitcoms that I've been enjoying the most is Comedy Central's Corporate, a dark satire of Corporate America that has some of the most pitch black humor I've ever seen on television. A warning, though: if you're not a fan of humor that sometimes...pushes the envelope a little bit, Corporate might not be for you. It's an absolutely scathing takedown of corporations in modern American society, and one of the more painfully accurate portrayals of what it's like to be a soulless worker of a giant company on TV. In many ways, it reminds me of Better off Ted, a short-lived "cult classic" sitcom from the late 2000s that served as a fairly biting satire of working in a corporate office and some of the more ridiculous antics of office middle management types.

However, Corporate goes even darker than Better off Ted. Its main characters freely admit that they hate their lives and "kind of want to die" most of the time. Almost nothing goes right for any of the characters of the series - essentially no one is happy, even the company's ultra-rich CEO, who comes into meetings perpetually angry and always wanting more money. It's the kind of show where I almost can't watch too many episodes in a row because its tone is so bleak, and yet, it's also a show that has me laughing consistently. Corporate isn't for everyone, but if you like dark and irreverent satire, it's absolutely worth a show - and it was just renewed for a second season.

Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj is set to host his own weekly talk show on Netflix that will debut later this year. Netflix has committed to a 32 episode order, making Minhaj the first Indian-American host of a weekly comedy talk show. Minhaj's comedy show will explore the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity. Each week, Minhaj will bring his unique comedic voice and storytelling skill to investigate the larger trends shaping our fragmented world. Last year, Minhaj earned rave reviews for his one-hour Netflix comedy special Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King, and for his performance hosting the 2017 White House Correspondents' Dinner. He joined The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where he was Jon's last hire, in November 2014 as a correspondent and continued on in that role after Trevor Noah took over as host the following year. He will remain with The Daily Show through the end of July, before beginning work on this new project.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, November 25

The Goldbergs - "Eracism" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Adam sets out to create a movie that will tackle racism but realizes he is out of his depth on the subject due to his sheltered upbringing. Meanwhile, Geoff is determined to teach Erica and Barry to become better people.

American Housewife - "Homeschool Sweet Homeschool" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Anna-Kat and Franklin (Evan O’Toole) home with mono, Katie seizes the opportunity to use them as the backdrop for her mommy vlog. And when Taylor’s first college paper comes back with an A, Greg questions her TA’s intentions. Meanwhile, Cooper (Logan Pepper) helps Oliver renovate the basement.

The Conners - "Friends in High Places and Horse Surgery" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Darlene begins to develop a friendship with a manager at Wellman Plastics, which lands her in an awkward situation between the boss and her sister, Becky. Meanwhile, Louise’s brother, Neville, tries to win over Jackie by making a thoughtful gesture, creating uncomfortable tension.

black-ish - "Babes in Boyland" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Dre and Bow find out that Diane has a secret social media account and realize that she’s not their little girl anymore. After reprimanding her but allowing Jack more flexibility, Diane calls them out for the double standard in how they are parenting. Meanwhile, Junior and Ruby come clean to their respective romantic partners about white lies they’ve told since the beginning of their relationships.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Out of Character" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella. Together the loving couple navigate the problems of life with their quirky modern day family.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Add More Color" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown gives Sandra advice on how to get what she wants and her outfit for school.

Family Time - "Thanks for the Ticket" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Thanksgiving is approaching, and family members come bearing more than just luggage.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 23)

Wednesday, November 25

Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly/Samantha Who?) - Watch Melissa on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She will also be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
The original cast of Saved by the Bell - The original cast of Saved by the Bell are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren and Haskiri Velazquez talk about Peacock's Saved by the Bell in the 9am hour.
Rob Corddry - Rob will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris) - Chris appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men) - Kal will be on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tisha Campbell (Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Tisha is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
Ben Falcone (Nobodies/Joey) - Ben appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jean Smart (Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/High Society/Designing Women) - Jean will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jill Kargman (Odd Mom Out) - Jill co-pilots a special Thanksgiving-themed Drew's News on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace talks about Hallmark Channel's If I Only Had Christmas on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT and on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
John O'Hurley (Seinfeld/The Mullets) - John talks about NBC's The National Dog Show on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
Judy Greer (Kidding/Married/Mad Love/Miss Guided/Love & Money) - Judy talks about Uncle Frank on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie and Kurt talk about Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles 2 on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Marlo Thomas (That Girl) - NBC's Today has Thanks + Giving with Marlo in the 9am hour.