Friday, June 22, 2018

Fri-Yay: Shows to Catch Up on This Summer; The Conners Coming to ABC Tuesdays This Fall

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

Summer has always been known as a slow time for the TV world, and although the advent of streaming has offset that somewhat, it still remains true in the broadcast and cable television world. When discussing TV sitcoms, there isn't a whole lot to look forward to if you've already finished the recent seasons of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Arrested Development. Granted, there are a few promising comedies debuting their new seasons this summer, which I'll get to in the coming weeks. But here's a list of shows that have been quietly killing it all year and are able to easily be streamed so you can catch up before they debut their new seasons in the fall or the winter.

One Day at a Time (Netflix original) - If you liked the way the Roseanne reboot focused on blue collar problems and economic struggles, then you need to check out the revamped One Day at a Time, which tackles many of the same issues flawlessly and without the baggage of Roseanne Barr's real-life persona. One Day at a Time re-imagines the 1970s sitcom for a 2010s audience, with a Cuban-American family at the helm. The performances of everyone in the cast, from veteran actors Rita Moreno and Justina Malachado to newcomer Isabella Gomez, kills it, and the show's portrayal of real struggles Americans face from financial struggles, mental illness and sexuality are portrayed incredibly.

Bob's Burgers (Fox, entire series available to stream on Hulu) - Bob's Burgers may be TV's most consistent series. Going into its ninth season, the tale of the Belchers has never missed a beat in being heartwarming, funny, and incredibly entertaining - it remains just as strong now as it was in its peak. Rumor has it that a movie is in the works for the series, so now is a good time to catch up with all of the show's delightful antics. But you don't even need that as an excuse - I guarantee this show's spunky sense of humor and big heart will brighten your day, and it's perfect for a summer afternoon binge session.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix original) - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt hasn't always been the most consistent series, but its heights have been fantastic, and the show's recent fourth season (or first half of it, anyway) may be the show's finest yet. Kimmy Schmidt deals with some dark subject matter but never feels overbearing, and manages to treat its characters rather serious trials and tribulations with the respect they deserve.

The Good Place (NBC, Season 1 available on Netflix, Season 2 coming soon) - The Good Place is my personal pick for best show on TV right now. It's funny, thoughtful and suspenseful - it satisfies every TV itch, from incredibly stories to amazing jokes to top-notch acting and writing. The show is entering its third season on NBC, and its pitch-perfect and surprising first season is available to binge on Netflix. The wildly inventive and original second season should also be available soon, so you'll have the opportunity to join the conversation when the series returns this fall.

Detroiters (available to stream via Comedy Central's website) - I'll write more in depth about the series next week, but Comedy Central's Detroiters is one of the most underrated shows on TV right now. Its outlandish sense of humor is weird, wild and funny and kind of unlike anything I've seen on TV before. The second season premiered this week, but you owe it to yourself to catch up with the first season, which had some of the most left-field jokes I've ever seen on a TV show before.


Sara Gilbert and John Goodman

The Conners (working title), a spinoff of the groundbreaking family comedy Roseanne, has been greenlit to series with an order of 10 episodes for fall 2018. After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before. This iconic family - Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. - grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns - with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails. The series, featuring John Goodman ("Dan"), Laurie Metcalf ("Jackie"), Sara Gilbert ("Darlene"), Lecy Goranson ("Becky") and Michael Fishman ("D.J.") as their beloved Conner characters, is set to air Tuesdays from 8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Additional cast members and a premiere date will be announced later. Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.

Tom Werner will executive produce, along with Sara Gilbert, Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Hernandez. Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan and Bruce Rasmussen are also writers. The series is from Tom Werner and Werner Entertainment. When ABC announced that they were canceling Roseanne thanks to Roseanne Barr's cruel comments, we suggested that they kill her off and retitle the series...and it looks like that is what is happening! The Hogan Family all over again?


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, January 19

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Spades" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Marty and Courtney’s nanny search takes an awkward turn, while Calvin’s secret spades night stirs tension at home. Meanwhile, Dave’s new hobby tests everyone’s patience, and a texting miscommunication between Tina and Gemma leads to a fiery confrontation.

DMV - "The Next Window" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
At the Big Sac holiday party, Colette tries to impress Noa before his single “window” closes. Meanwhile, Barb’s effort to save the East Hollywood DMV backfires when she accidentally tackles the director, but assistant Sally (Leslie Jones) steps in to help.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Monday, January 19

  • Michael B. Jordan (The Assistants) - Watch Michael on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program) - Sarah is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • François Arnaud (The Moodys) - Andy Cohen interviews François on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo.
  • Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob talks about Landman on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Pam Grier (Bless This Mess) - Pam talks about the "Pam Grier Soul Flix" channel with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Denis Leary (Going Dutch/No Good Deed/Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/The Job), Danny Pudi (Going Dutch/Mythic Quest/Powerless/Community) and Taylor Mislak (Going Dutch) - Denis, Danny and Taylor talk about Fox's Going Dutch on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)

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

01/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 19, 2026)
01/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot
01/16 - Ted Season 2 Trailer Released; Remembering T.K. Carter of Punky Brewster, TV Director Tom Cherones, and Others We Recently Lost
01/15 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Special Preview; ABC Midseason Changes for Monday and Tuesday Night Lineups
01/14 - NBC Orders Pilots, Including The Rockford Files; The CW to Premiere Celebrity Series
01/13 - 83rd Golden Globe Winners; Tubi's Upcoming YA Film Slate
01/12 - Peacock's The 'Burbs Trailer; The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch Back on COZI TV
01/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 12, 2026)
01/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Henry Winkler to Star in NBC Legal Comedy Pilot; First Look at Peacock's The 'Burbs
01/09 - HBO's Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! Documentary with Interviews Including Rob Reiner; 83rd Annual Golden Globes Presenters
01/08 - Netflix Orders Nick Kroll Comedy Series; Saturday Night Live January 2026 Hosts and Music Guests
01/07 - Saturday Night Live Bobbleheads from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum; Fox Entertainment Signs Tracee Ellis Ross to Deal
01/06 - Emily in Paris Renewed for Season 6; Audible's New Comedy Series Starring Jenifer Lewis, Cedric the Entertainer, and Niecy Nash-Betts
01/05 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; Season 3 of Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal on Adult Swim
01/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 5, 2026)
01/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Premiere Date Set for Malcolm in the Middle Reboot; NBC Pulls The Paper
01/02 - Bridgerton Season 4 Details and Live Premiere Event; NBC Pulls The Paper from Mondays
01/01 - Happy New Year; Shrinking Season 3 Trailer
12/31 - In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2025
12/30 - Antenna TV and Rewind TV's New Year's Eve and Day Marathons; Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair Premieres April 10
12/29 - COZI TV Postpones The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch; Netflix Releases Free Bert Trailer
12/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 29, 2025)
12/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Chevy Chase "Hurt" By Not Being Invited to SNL 50th Anniversary; New Lineups for Antenna TV and Rewind TV
12/26 - GET Acquires Psych for January 2026; Details on Netflix's A Different World Sequel
12/25 - Merry Christmas from Sitcoms Online; Interviews from 2025 Christmas Con in Edison, NJ
12/24 - 2025 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day TV Marathons
12/23 - Antenna TV January 2026 Schedule; Rewind TV January 2026 Schedule
12/22 - The Ms. Pat Show Returns January 7; According to Jim Christmas Day Marathon on Laff
12/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of December 22, 2025)
12/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Historical 19th Century Comedy in the Works at CBS; Bowen Yang Leaving Saturday Night Live After Tonight
12/19 - The Muppet Show 50th Anniversary Event in February on ABC & Disney+; Adult Swim Renews Haha, You Clowns for 2 More Seasons
12/18 - The Oscars Moving to YouTube in 2029; Celebs for Hollywood Squares Season 2