Friday, March 16, 2018
Fri-Yay: Why Netflix Should Renew One Day at a Time; Freeform Sets Date for Final Season of Sitcom, and Orders a Movie
by Vincent
A few weeks ago, I praised the Netflix original sitcom One Day at a Time for its diverse cast, excellent use of multi-camera sitcom aesthetics, strong characterization and deft take on social issues. Since then, an internet grassroots movement of sorts has formed around the show, as its creators have revealed Netflix is on the fence about renewing the show for a third season. Honestly, I was shocked when I heard this. One Day at a Time is a strong candidate for the best original series Netflix has ever created (in my mind, only BoJack Horseman gives it a run for its money), so the fact that the streaming giant is considering scrapping the show after two seasons takes me by surprise.
Until about a year ago, Netflix didn't cancel anything. Even shows seemingly no one was talking about, from the lukewarm Will Arnett sad-com Flaked to the critically panned horror series Hemlock Grove, received second and, in some cases, additional seasons. Netflix was trying to build its empire, and it wasn't willing to count out anything as helping to build its empire. But finally, over the past year, Netflix has swung the axe on a few shows that weren't catching fire the way they had hoped, from YouTuber Miranda Sings' Haters Back Off (which had initial hype but saw it fade quickly) to the timidly received Girlboss to more disappointing cancellations like fan favorite sci-fi series Sense8 (which Netflix unexpectedly axed after two seasons, but did get a promise of a wrap-up special after widespread fan outcry.) It makes sense that a show like Girlboss, which was disliked by critics and never seemed to find much of an audience, isn't continuing. But considering Netflix does not release ratings, and their revenue comes from new subscribers rather than ad rates, what would be the sense in cancelling a well-loved show from a classic sitcom ureter like One Day at a Time? The series brings critical acclaim and star power to Netflix, something that certainly helps push forth their brand as a home of prestige television.
In addition, there is no show on TV quite like One Day at a Time. Its multi-camera aesthetic, its depiction of Cuban Americans unlike anything else on TV perhaps ever, its excellent handling of its bi-sexual teenage daughter character Elena and her LGBT friends, its warm heart and well-written jokes, its wonderful cast...One Day at a Time is an absolute gem of a TV show, one of the few revivals that matches (or arguably even tops) its original series and makes this revival trend seem far more worthwhile. The fact that Netflix gives multi-season renewals to Fuller House but leaves One Day at a Time on the bubble is, frankly, a disgrace. When it first started, Netflix seemed like the last great hope of excellent TV, and a place where it could thrive without the commercial pressure of ratings. Hopefully it can remain that way and keep a gem like One Day at a Time around as long as it deserves to be.
Freeform announced fan-favorite comedy series Young & Hungry will return for its final season on Wednesday, June 20 at 8:00 PM EDT/PDT. The final season (5B) sees Gabi and Josh finally together and in love, but now navigating their new status as a full-fledged couple. Meanwhile, the rest of Josh's staff, Yolanda and Elliot, are grappling with the change in work dynamic with Gabi as the "woman of the house." Sofia, Gabi's best friend, who begins to feel like a third wheel with the new couple, sets out on her own path to find love.
Additionally, Freeform has ordered into development a Young & Hungry movie, from the same series creative team including David Holden, Caryn Lucas, Ashley Tisdale, and Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, that will further the adventures of Gabi, Josh and their circle of friends. Young & Hungry is produced by Holden, Lucas, Tisdale, Jessica Rhoades and Eric and Kim Tannenbaum in association with CBS Television Studios. Gabi Moskowitz, of BrokeAssGourmet.com, is a San Francisco-based food blogger and contributed to the development of this project. The series stars Emily Osment, Jonathan Sadowski, Aimee Carrero, Kym Whitley and Rex Lee.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, December 4
American Dad! - "The Pink Sphinx Holds Her Hearts on the Turn" (TBS, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Francine enters the strange and dangerous world of poker to learn how to hide her true feelings from Steve and Hayley.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 4)
Monday, December 4
- Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond) - Watch Ray on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Sebastian Maniscalco (Bookie) - Sebastian appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Sarah Paulson (Leap of Faith) - Sarah is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Gabriel Iglesias (Mr. Iglesias/Cristela), John Witherspoon (The First Family/The Tracy Morgan Show/The Wayans Bros.) and Thea Vidale (Thea) - Gabriel, John (RIP) and Thea are guests on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
- Rachel Bloom (Upload) - Rachel appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan talks about When I Was Your Age on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
- Kate Flannery (The Office) - Kate tells Sherri all about A Swingin’ Little Christmas, her holiday concert with Jane Lynch, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry discusses his new memoir Being Henry: The Fonz...and Beyond on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Bellamy Young (The Other Black Girl) - Bellamy appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Marilu Henner (Taxi/Evening Shade) - Marilu is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:15am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-December)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest
Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts