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
Tuesday, August 16
What We Do in the Shadows - "Pine Barrens" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Nandor and Lazslo air out their differences on a hunting trip at an isolated cabin; Nadja has a girls' night; Guillermo reconnects with his family for the first time in 12 years.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 15)
Tuesday, August 16
- Bob Odenkirk (The Larry Sanders Show) - Catch Bob on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Al Franken (LateLine) - Al guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi is a musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Murray Bartlett (Physical/Looking) - Murray is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Vanessa Bayer (I Love That for You) - Vanessa will be on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Brett Gelman (Fleabag/Married/Go On) - Brett appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Kyle Richards (Down to Earth) - Kyle is a guest on a repeat of Watch What Happens: Live at 3:30am on Bravo.
- Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She guest hosts a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
- Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night) - Rebel will be on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling talks about Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
- Jodie Sweetin (Fuller House/Hollywood Darlings/Full House) - Jodie is a guest on E!'s Daily Pop at 11am.
- Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland/Big Day/Jake in Progress/Just Shoot Me!) - Wendie talks about her new movie Mack & Rita on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
- Melba Moore (Melba) - Melba will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.
- Suraj Sharma (How I Met Your Father) - Suraj appears on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 11:30am ET.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (April-August)
04/05 - Up All Night - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
04/26 - The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room for Daddy) - The Complete Fourth Season
04/26 - Jackie Gleason TV Treasures - 70th Anniversary Collection (including Honeymooners Rarities)
05/03 - No Activity - Season Three
05/13 - The Donna Reed Show - The Complete Seasons 1-5 (Time Life)
05/31 - Becker - The Complete Series (2022 Release)
06/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Eleventh Season
06/14 - Hacks - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/14 - Rutherford Falls - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season One / Season Two
07/19 - The Neighborhood - Season Four
07/19 - Reno 911! - The Hunt for QAnon (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/26 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Three / Season Four
08/16 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season (Warner Bros. - Canada)
08/16 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fourth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
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