Friday, June 22, 2018
Fri-Yay: Shows to Catch Up on This Summer; The Conners Coming to ABC Tuesdays This Fall
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.
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
Sunday, December 22
Bob's Burgers - "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When the power goes out two days before Christmas, The Belchers must spend the holiday at Mr. Fischoeder's family's old hunting lodge.
Krapopolis - "Krapocalypse" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tyrannis is stuck in a time loop trying to save the city.
The Simpsons - "The Man Who Flew Too Much" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The new and improved Pin Pals travel to Capital City for their first ever state bowling championship.
Universal Basic Guys - "The Devil You Know" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mark insists on teaching his son Darren how to throw a handmade boomerang that was gifted to Darren by his father; the two soon find themselves on a trek deep into the Jersey woods; David is the recipient of a sex doll that he swears he didn't order.
The Great North - "The Lies Aquatic Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
While Beef is away, the Tobin fishing boat goes missing; the Tobin siblings wildly speculate on what could have happened.
Krapopolis - "National Lampoon's The Odyssey!" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The family takes a vacation to Storgos for Shlub's mother's birthday.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Full-Frontal Dottie" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Excited by her physical therapy progress, Dottie insists she is ready to return to MaxDot, much to Bob, Douglas and Christina's dismay.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 16)
Friday, December 20
- Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/HouseBroken/Catastrophe) - Sharon is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) - Dwayne appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Colton Dunn (Superstore) and Diona Reasonover (Clipped) - Colton and Diona are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Zachary Quinto (Big Mouth/So Notorious) - NBC's Today catches up with Zachary in the 9am hour.
- Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Billy talks about Mufasa: The Lion King on NBC's Today in the 10am hour. He can also be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
- Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry talks about The Six Triple Eight on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- James Marsden (30 Rock) and Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty/Space Force/Parks and Recreation) - James and Ben talk about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney talks about Max's Fast Friends on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Access Daily with Mario & Kit has the best of Henry and Kit Hoover, so check your local listings.
- Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - The Talk celebrates 15 seasons with a special finale episode; friend of the show Howie Mandel makes his 21st appearance on the show when he stops by one last time with a surprise for the hosts on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
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)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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