Fri-Yay: No Season 4 for Rick and Morty?; Ashlynn Yennie Cast in TV Thriller Buried Secrets

Friday, March 23, 2018

Fri-Yay: No Season 4 for Rick and Morty?; Ashlynn Yennie Cast in TV Thriller Buried Secrets

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, TV internet was abuzz with news that Rick and Morty hasn't been renewed for a fourth season yet. Technically, this isn't really news - Adult Swim hasn't cancelled the series, its fate simply remains on the bubble, just as it has since Season 3 ended in October. And yet, Dan Harmon confirming on Twitter that Adult Swim has yet to pick up the smash hit animated comedy for a fourth season came as a surprise, because I guess everyone just...assumed it had been renewed? To be fair, this includes myself. It makes sense - Rick and Morty is a huge, blockbuster hit for Adult Swim. It's their highest rated series ever. This season averaged about 3 million viewers and a 1.4 in the 18-49 demo. Those are numbers that beat out most primetime network comedies these days, nevermind a late-night series on a basic cable network. Plus, it took two years for the Rick and Morty team to complete work on Season 3, even with an early renewal. (Rick and Morty was picked up for a third season before its second season had even finished airing.) That means that even if Season 4 were picked up tomorrow, it would likely be several years before we saw it on TV. Even stranger is that Season 3 was both Rick and Morty's highest-rated season and arguably its buzziest, what with McDonald's Sczechuan sauce causing a mini national crisis. It would make sense to capitalize on that buzz and try to order up a fourth season as soon as possible. So what's the hold up here?

Well...the internet likes to speculate, and some speculation has been about possible behind-the-scenes tension. After all, it was after its third season that Dan Harmon was fired from Community for disruptive behind-the-scenes behavior. (He was later hired back for Seasons 5 and 6.) There have also been rumors of Roiland and Harmon clashing, and that their clashing is partially what led to the unusually long wait between Seasons 2 and 3. Until we get any details, all of this remains speculation. And if I had to bet, I would bet that Adult Swim won't let their biggest hit ever quietly end with a whimper after only 3 seasons. But it is odd that the network has waited this long to pick the series up for a fourth season given its astronomical success, and the fact that Harmon is freely tweeting about the network's lack of renewal adds to the mystery. I guess us Rick and Morty fans are just going to have to wait and see about what the future holds for the series - but no matter what happens, we'll at least always have those magnificent three seasons that we've already gotten.

Ashlynn Yennie

Time for a SitcomsOnline Scoop! Actress Ashlynn Yennie (The Wrong Neighbor, Submission, The Human Centipede) has been cast as the lead in the new thriller film Buried Secrets from Marvista Entertainment, directed by Kenny Gage and Devon Downs. Adam Rockoff wrote the picture with Kimberly A. Ray producing. The Executive Producer is Michael Moran. Also starring in the thriller with Ashlynn are Paige Searcy, Chris McKenna, Garrett Weston and Lofton Shaw. Ashlynn Yennie was last seen in the TV movie thriller The Wrong Neighbor last year that aired on Lifetime, where a recently separated father and his teenage daughter become the deadly obsession of their neighbor (played marvelously by Ashlynn Yennie) -- a beguiling, deranged young woman willing to do whatever's necessary to take her rightful place as their wife and mother. No details yet on the plotline for Buried Secrets, though. There is no premiere date set yet for Buried Secrets, or a network, but usually Marvista Entertainment films air on Lifetime in the U.S. You'll have to stay with us for continued updates on Buried Secrets.

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.