Fri-Yay: BoJack Horseman is as Delightfully Sad as Ever in Season 5; The Guest Book Returns Oct. 23 on TBS with More Guests

Friday, September 21, 2018

Fri-Yay: BoJack Horseman is as Delightfully Sad as Ever in Season 5; The Guest Book Returns Oct. 23 on TBS with More Guests

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!

by Vincent

BoJack Horseman premiered its 5th season this past Friday on Netflix. If you've read anything I've written about the show in the past, you'll know that I'm a giant fan of the series, and feel it's consistently been both one of the funniest and most emotionally devastating shows on television. The show's balance of comedy and heart-wrenching drama has been incredible in its first four seasons, and that continues in a big way in its fifth season. The show hasn't missed a beat, and if anything, may be even deeper and darker in its brilliant fifth season.

BoJack has always somewhat used current events to guide its storylines (there have been prominent episodes about hot topics like abortion and sexual assault) and Season 5 is heavily influenced by the recent #MeToo movement. It makes absolute sense for BoJack to cover the topic, of course - after all, it takes place in Hollywood, and BoJack is someone with a shady past in regards to the topic of respecting women and sexual assault. (I won't spoil anything, but obviously, anyone who has seen any episode of BoJack knows he has done some horrible things over the course of the series.) This season of BoJack is one of the first expressions on the #MeToo movement, and frankly, it's hard for me to imagine any show doing much better. The show does an excellent job of posing difficult questions about redemption, forgiveness, and how much we should be willing to both tear people apart as well as forgive them for their misdeeds. As usual, BoJack presents complex shades of grey in this situation and offers gut-wrenching moments as well as big laughs. I feel like I say this almost every year, but...BoJack Horseman may quite honestly just be the very best show on TV. It's funny when it needs to be, and often gives me some huge laughs, but it's also deep and affecting, and has managed to craft characters I truly care about...even if a lot of the things they do make me wince. Sometimes, I have to even refrain from watching an episode because it's just...too much. But that's what makes it so great, and for BoJack Horseman, I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Guest Book

Greg Garcia's anthology comedy series The Guest Book, which premiered as 2017's #1 new cable comedy, returns to TBS on Tuesday, October 23 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) with back-to-back new episodes. Subsequent episodes will air on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT). As planned with every new season of The Guest Book, season two features a new town, new series regulars, and new guest stars. In the small oceanside community of Mabel Beach, vacationers who stay at the Bare Feet Retreat record their confessions, alibis, and farewells in the cottage's guest book. They are hosted by town locals Bodhi, Nikki and Tommy, played by series regulars Jimmy Tatro (American Vandal), Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black), and Dan Beirne (Fargo).

Tommy and Nikki are a couple that manage Emmy Lou's Grill and Bare Feet Retreat. Bodhi is a handyman who often helps out at the grill and vacation home. Previously announced series regulars Carly Jibson (One Mississippi) and Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl) also star in season two. Jibson returns as Vivian, the scheming bikini bar owner, who accompanies Eddie (played by Eddie Steeples) from Mount Trace to the beach in search of a fresh start. Each episode of the season will feature different guest stars. Season two's stellar lineup of guest stars includes Pete Davidson (SNL), Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire), Matt Walsh (Veep), Lisa Rinna (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Martha Plimpton (The Real O'Neals), Nat Faxon (Friends from College), Michael Rapaport (Atypical), Steve Zissis (Togetherness), Allison Tolman (Fargo), Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together), Sufe Bradshaw (Veep), Nadine Velazquez (My Name is Earl), Darrell Britt-Gibson (Barry), Adhir Kalyan (I Love Dick), Joey 'Coco' Diaz (I'm Dying Up Here), Matthew Moy (2 Broke Girls), Michael Cassidy (People of Earth), Kether Donohue (You're the Worst), Lexi Ainsworth (General Hospital), and Jon Bass (Miracle Workers), as well as Garret Dillahunt, Kellie Martin, Aloma Wright, Charlie Robinson, Lou Wilson, and Tipper Newton from season one of the series.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, April 6

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to Gemma Johnson's Day Off" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Gemma reaches her limit at work, and when a car issue forces her to slow down, an unexpected break helps her rethink what she really wants next. Meanwhile, Marty and Malcolm’s plans are thrown off course when unexpected opportunities arise, and Dave embraces a new career path.

The Neighorhood - "A Farewell Special" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
CBS presents The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special, an Entertainment Tonight production, airing Monday, April 6 (8:30-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Hosted by Entertainment Tonight's Kevin Frazier and filmed on location on The Neighborhood's stages, the special celebrates the acclaimed CBS comedy's final season, honoring eight seasons, 156 episodes, and eight unforgettable years of laughter, heart and community, leading up to the series finale on May 11.

This celebratory event features exclusive new interviews with the cast reflecting on their journey, revisiting early days on set, and looking back at the show's evolution and cultural impact. From its heartfelt exploration of friendship and family to its comedic take on life in a changing community, The Neighborhood has become a beloved part of CBS' comedy legacy.

The special includes never-before-seen footage and archival interviews from the ET Vault, offering fans a nostalgic look at the series' most iconic moments and the relationships built along the way. Viewers will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the emotional final days of production, including the cast and crew's last table read, intimate moments from the final tapings, and heartfelt goodbyes.

Additionally, The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special brings audiences inside the cast's final wrap party, capturing the laughter, speeches, memories, and surprises that marked the end of an era. To cap off the evening, fans will get an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming series finale, with the cast and producers sharing what viewers can expect as the Butlers and Johnsons say farewell to the neighborhood they've called home for nearly a decade.

The Neighorhood - "Welcome to New Horizons" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Dave’s silent auction wins lead to a classical concert outing with Gemma and the Butlers that quickly goes off the rails. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s ghostwriting gig takes a surprising turn when Tina encourages him to dive into reality TV for inspiration – sparking an unexpected obsession.

St. Denis Medical - "We Make Time" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a doctor becomes a patient, his co-workers rally around him, whether he likes it or not; Matt and Serena need to talk.

The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "The Loyalty Swamp" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Tobin's past comes back to haunt him; Reggie and Brina struggle to set a wedding date.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 6)

Monday, April 6

Jason Segel (Shrinking/How I Met Your Mother/Undeclared) - Watch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He also talks about Outcome on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Melissa Gilbert (Stand by Your Man) - ABC's Good Morning America has George Stephanopoulos' exclusive interview with Melissa sometime between 7-9am.
Laurie Metcalf (Big Mistakes/The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laurie talks about Big Mistakes on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Mindy Kaling (Running Point/The Mindy Project/The Office) - Mindy talks about Mindy's Book Studio on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry and Rebecca King-Crews make an exclusive announcement on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am. Terry will also be on in the 9am hour.
Sterling K. Brown (Starved) and Ryan Michelle Bathe (First Wives Club/Retired at 35) - Sterling and his wife Ryan Michelle tell Sherri about the highly anticipated new season of Paradise now streaming on Hulu & Disney+ on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Amanda talks season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors and her new film Fantasy Life on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.