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

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!

One Day at a Time

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.


Young & Hungry

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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, February 10

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the e-Neighborhood" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A new community social app shakes up the neighborhood. Also, Marty and Courtney attend a family class with Daphne and unexpectedly bump into Marty’s high school sweetheart.

Poppa's House - "Dirty Laundry" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Junior and Poppa’s relationship hits a rough patch when Junior agrees to film a commercial for JJ’s foam roller company, only to be ridiculed by Poppa on his podcast.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 10)

Monday, February 10

  • Betty Gilpin (GLOW/Nurse Jackie) - Watch Betty on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Will Ferrell (The Office) - Will is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Paula Pell (Girls5eva/Mapleworth Murders/A.P. Bio) - Paula appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Zach Cherry (Duncanville/I Feel Bad/Crashing) and Pete Holmes (How We Roll/Crashing) - Zach and Pete are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Amy Schumer (Life & Beth) and Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Amy and Brianne are guests on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
  • Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/A.U.S.A./Scrubs) - Scott stops by Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • George Wallace (Clean Slate/The Parkers/Arli$$/Tall Hopes) - George talks about Clean Slate on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness) and Lauren Ambrose (The Return of Jezebel James) - Drew is chatting with Yellowjackets cast Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress and Lauren Ambrose about working as cast of women in their forties, supporting each other as working moms and the newest season of their thrilling show on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, they're playing a rousing round of confession session and Drew is trying to match their fun revealing facts to the right person.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

02/09 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 10, 2025)
02/08 - SitcomsOnline Digest: English Teacher Renewed at FX; MeTV Toons to Launch House of Hanna-Barbera Programming Block
02/07 - SNL50's Star-Studded Lineup; Adult Swim Presents Oh My God... Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances
02/06 - Prime Video Iliza Shlesinger Special; Kate Hudson Stars in Netflix Comedy
02/05 - Fox Midseason Tuesday Change; 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Rosters
02/04 - NBC Summer Staples Return in Summer 2025; Gronk Guests on Animal Control
02/03 - The Conners Final Season Premieres March 26; Tyler Perry Gets 2nd Comedy Series for Netflix
02/02 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 3, 2025)
02/01 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Little House on the Prairie Reboot Headed to Netflix; George Sr. Set to Return on Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage
01/31 - Final Season of The Righteous Gemstones; Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell's Audible Original
01/30 - Netflix's New Little House on the Prairie Series Coming Soon; Sabrina Brier Gets Awesomeness TV Series
01/29 - MGM+ Orders Comedy Series; Peacock's Amanda Seyfried Series Premieres March 13
01/28 - Ellen Pompeo's Hulu Series Gets Premiere Date; The White Lotus Season 3 Launches February 16
01/27 - Hulu's Deli Boys Adds Tan France; Joel McHale Taking Over The 1% Club
01/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 27, 2025)
01/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Righteous Gemstones to End After Upcoming Season; Mid-Century Modern to Pay Tribute to Linda Lavin
01/24 - Prime Video George Lopez Special; Netflix Renews The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 4
01/23 - Tubi's New Comedy The Z-Suite Launches February 6; The White Lotus Renewed for Season 4
01/22 - Fox Announces Animation Domination 2025 Schedule; Abbott Elementary Renewed for Season 5
01/21 - Fox Renews Murder in a Small Town; O.J. Simpson Netflix Docuseries
01/20 - Rewind TV February 2025 Schedule; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Score Big for Premieres
01/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 20, 2025)
01/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Frasier Reboot Canceled at Paramount+; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming to MeTV Toons
01/17 - Remembering Bob Uecker of Mr. Belvedere, Punky Brewster Creator David W. Duclon, and Others We Recently Lost
01/16 - Apple TV+ Prime Target Trailer; Apple Cider Vinegar Premieres in February on Netflix
01/15 - My Three Sons to Join FETV Lineup Starting February 3; St. Denis Medical Renewed for Season 2
01/14 - Game Show Network Acquires The Wall; NBC's The Hunting Party to Premiere After NFL Divisional Playoff Game
01/13 - Antenna TV February 2025 Schedule; SNL First Two 2025 Episodes Before 50th Anniversary Event
01/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 13, 2025)
01/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Saturday Night Live Hosts Announced; The West Wing Returns to Max After Brief Disappearance
01/10 - The Jeffersons 50th Anniversary Marathon on Antenna TV; FETV to Air Uncut Episodes of Most Series
01/09 - Trailer for Apple TV+ Comedy Mythic Quest; Upcoming Season of Harlem Is Final Season