Friday, October 26, 2018

Fri-Yay: The Conners Premieres to Praise and Strong Ratings; COZI TV Celebrates The Nanny's 25th Anniversary with Marathon

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!

The Conners

by Vincent

The Conners made its big debut last week, and it did so to surprisingly strong reviews and ratings that...well, might seem slightly underwhelming, but still comfortably outperformed just about every other network TV show this season. The series bowed to a strong 2.4 in the demo, and in its second week, fell to a 1.7 (all while facing the World Series). Those ratings are definitely smaller than what Roseanne's reboot were doing, but they are still easily ABC's strongest comedy, and even if it falls a bit more, should have no problem seeing a renewal.

So how is the show? Critics seem to be pretty high on it. While I was never a huge Roseanne fan, I appreciate the original series' commitment to serious storytelling that shined a light on tough issues. The Conners seems to be on this path. Killing Roseanne off seems a bit harsh, but doing it due to an opioid addiction (established in the revival season) actually seems like the least obnoxious way to go about it (certainly a lot better than the ridiculous manner Two and a Half Men killed Charlie Sheen's character off.) It allows the show to utilize the dramatic storytelling that worked so well for Roseanne. Another strength is of course, the cast. The cast really gets an opportunity to shine, and Roseanne Barr being absent allows the show to give more screentime to actors like Sara Gilbert and John Goodman, who do a fantastic job in the series.

Of course, it will be interesting to see if interest can sustain itself over the long haul, or whether hype will fade in much the same way it has for Will & Grace (which is performing only marginally now after a strong start.) We'll see if The Conners can keep up its initial hype and goodwill and maintain its quality, but for now, it's one of the more interesting sitcoms to keep an eye on.


Nannyversary

While the beloved lead character Fran Fine was always cagey about her true age, there is no denying that this is the year The Nanny turns twenty-five. COZI TV will celebrate this special anniversary on November 3 with an all-day marathon counting down the twenty-five most beloved episodes. Featuring Fran Drescher herself in the on-air packaging and promotion, the marathon begins at 6:30 AM and runs through 7:00 PM. Visit COZITV.com for episode and schedule information and click here to view a promo. Debuting on November 3, 1993, The Nanny ran six seasons with 146 episodes airing between 1993 and 1999. The show catapulted Fran Drescher into global stardom and later became an enduring fan favorite in syndication.

Episodes featured in the Nanny-versary marathon include landmarks like their engagement and wedding, as well as favorites like "My Fair Nanny," where Fran gets an etiquette lesson from Maxwell and butler Niles so she can hold a proper mother-daughter tea with Maxwell's daughter. Also included in the marathon is "Where's the Pearls," when Fran loses guest star Elizabeth Taylor’s pearls and "The Honeymoon's Overboard" in which Fran and Maxwell as they adapt to living on a deserted island after falling off a yacht on their honeymoon. The Nanny is a classic fish out of water tale that follows Queens native Fran Fine, played by Drescher, who finds herself becoming the nanny to three children of a wealthy English widower, Maxwell Sheffield. Plenty of hilarious and heartwarming moments ensue, as Fran adjusts to life with the Sheffield family – and begins a long roller coaster romance with Mr. Sheffield.

The Nanny airs on COZI TV Monday through Friday from 12 AM to 2 AM, and from 10 AM to 11 AM. It also airs Sunday afternoons at 1 PM. The show won an Emmy Award and was nominated for eleven others.




Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, March 28

The Conners - "Keep On Truckin' Six Feet Apart" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Conners are dealing with the pandemic and life's financial troubles.

The Conners - "Halloween and the Election vs the Pandemic" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Halloween has been canceled, so the family works to create an unforgettable experience.

Son of a Critch - "Airing Out" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Critches are doing their annual airing-out-the-house ritual; some family secrets are uncovered.

Son of a Critch - "Cabaret" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Mark finally gets the chance to take the stage as a stand-up comedian.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 25)

Thursday, March 28

  • Joey King (Bent) - Joey talks about We Were the Lucky Ones on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
  • Giancarlo Esposito (Bakersfield P.D.) - Giancarlo discusses his starring role in the AMC crime-thriller series Parish on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy stops by to talk about her upcoming starring turn in Ryan Murphy's horror drama Grotesquerie on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa talks about Abbott Elementary on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Lorraine Toussaint (Where I Live) - Lorraine is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-March)

Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Father Knows Best - The Complete Series The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

03/27 - The Upshaws Part 5 This April; Max Orders Noah Wyle Medical Drama
03/26 - Apple TV+ Orders Star-Studded Comedy; Elizabeth Banks Joins New Peacock Series
03/25 - Disney Channel Orders Wizards of Waverly Place Revival; Paramount+ Animated Comedy Ark: The Animated Series
03/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 25, 2024)
03/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Sets Premiere Date for Good Times Animated Reboot; NBC Renews Several Popular Series
03/22 - NBC Renews Nearly All Chicago and Law & Order Series; Goosebumps Season 2 Cast Update
03/21 - Hallmark Renews The Way Home; You Final Season Sets Cast
03/20 - Community Arrives on Peacock April 1, Movie Coming Soon; Hulu Premieres New Comedy Dinosaur April 5
03/19 - NBC Summer 2024 Schedule; Starz Drama Rounds Out All-Star Cast
03/18 - Shout! TV Celebrates 25 Years of Farscape; AMC Acquires Snowpiercer
03/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 18, 2024)
03/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Ty Burrell Sitcom in the Works at ABC; CBS Renews Ghosts
03/15 - Netflix Heads to the Arctic for Comedy Series; Neal Brennan's 3rd Comedy Special
03/14 - SNL Announces Second to Last 3 Episode Set of Season; Bill Maher Renewed for 2 More Seasons
03/13 - CBS Renews Ghosts and Fire Country; Apple TV+ Orders Owen Wilson Comedy
03/12 - Roseanne Couch Week on COZI TV; The CW Orders Leighton Meester Series for 2025
03/11 - Every Grey's Anatomy Episode Now on Hulu; You Season 5 Casting Update
03/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 11, 2024)
03/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tim Allen Headlining ABC Comedy Pilot; NBC Developing Bewitched Inspired Sitcom
03/08 - Amazon Freevee Gets New Comedy Series; Apple TV+ Loot Returns April 3
03/07 - Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik Reprising Their Characters from Big Bang; Monsters at Work Returns for Season 2
03/06 - CBS Orders Multi-Camera Spin-off of Young Sheldon; FETV Acquires Highway Patrol
03/05 - Fox Summer 2024 Schedule, In-Season Finales; CBS Renews Tracker for Season 2
03/04 - Laff Acquires Matthew Perry and Will Arnett Sitcoms; Lisa Whelchel Returns for MeTV Series
03/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 4, 2024)
03/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Pluto TV Adds More Channels Including Universal Action; CBS Renews Young and the Restless for Four More Years
03/01 - Lopez vs Lopez Season 2 Brings Out the Stars; Prime Video's Música Drops April 4
02/29 - Season 3 of Hacks Adds Star Power; Remembering Richard Lewis
02/28 - BUZZR Celebrates Women's History Month in March; 10th Anniversary of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
02/27 - Little House on the Prairie Big 5-0 Stunt on COZI TV; Netflix Orders Tires Starring Shane Gillis