Fri-Yay: The Prevailing Brilliance of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; CBS Winter 2018 Comedy Plans

Friday, November 30, 2018

Fri-Yay: The Prevailing Brilliance of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; CBS Winter 2018 Comedy Plans

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

Recently, I caught up with the most recent season of FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Always Sunny is currently the longest-running live action sitcom on TV, having just finished its 13th season. The show premiered in 2005, an age that seems so far long and feels extraordinarily different from the current era, and yet, Sunny still fits seamlessly into the current TV landscape. In its 13th season, the show still feels vital and relevant - sometimes, in new ways than it did previously.

The buzziest episode of the 13th season was the finale, in which long-closeted gay character Mac performs an elaborate dance sequence, expressing his feelings about his sexuality. It was, by far, the most emotional Sunny has ever gotten, and many fans were put off by it. Personally, I'm happy that Sunny keeps experimenting and innovating its own process, even 13 seasons in. It's part of why the show has lasted the test of time, and why 13 seasons in, I'm still not waiting for the end. Granted, there were some signs of wear within Sunny's 13th season - not every episode was a hit, and the show missed Dennis who was only in the season sporadically - but the show is still brave, often hilarious, and still truly giving it its all. It's not a show that's resting on its laurels for easy laughs, the way many long-running sitcoms do. It's really hard to find many sitcoms that have remained relevant and hilarious as long as Sunny has - and it's why it remains a special part of the sitcom landscape.

Fam

CBS announced the comedy portion of its winter 2019 scheduling moves, including the series premiere of Fam and the return of Man with a Plan. CBS will premiere the new comedy Fam on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 9:30PM, ET/PT after Murphy Brown completes its season order. Fam stars Nina Dobrev and Tone Bell in a comedy about a woman whose vision of a perfect life with her adoring fiancé and his wonderful parents is radically altered when her 16-year-old, out-of-control half-sister unexpectedly comes to live with her. As the family Clem (Dobrev) chose and the family she has blend, Clem realizes that this new happy fam may be the perfection she's always been seeking. Odessa Adlon, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sheryl Lee Ralph also star.

Man with a Plan

Also, Man with a Plan will return for its third season on Monday, Feb. 4 at 8:30PM ET/PT after Happy Together completes its season run. Man with a Plan stars Golden Globe Award winner Matt LeBlanc in a comedy about an old-school guy confronting the modern challenges of parenting, marriage and family. Liza Snyder, Kevin Nealon, Stacy Keach, Grace Kaufman, Matthew McCann, Hala Finley, Matt Cook and Kali Rocha also star. The season premiere of Life in Pieces will be announced at a later date.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, September 18

The Goldbergs - "Breakin'" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Adam unintentionally lets it slip that Barry never completed his community service requirement, the brothers join together to throw the greatest breakdancing battle in the history of William Penn. Geoff’s stress levels are at an all-time high, so Erica makes an adult decision and plans for them to follow the Grateful Dead all summer. Finally, it’s the end of an era when the JTP graduates from high school.

Schooled - "Dr. Barry" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After initially trying to sabotage him, CB works with Barry and the JTP to help him win back Lainey’s heart. Meanwhile, Glascott faces removal as principal after a prank damages William Penn Academy.

Modern Family - "A Year of Birthdays" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As the birth of Haley and Dylan’s twins approaches, we take a look back at how each family member celebrated their birthdays this past year.

Single Parents - "Ketchup" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After learning that Angie’s ex Derek (played by Adam Brody) lives near Space Camp, Will convinces Angie to confront him about leaving her when she was pregnant, which results in a rowdy and awkward encounter between the three of them. Meanwhile, Poppy internally struggles with who she truly has romantic feelings.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 16)

Wednesday, September 18

Zach Galifianakis (Baskets) - Watch Zach on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lake Bell (Bless This Mess/Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp/How to Make It in America) - Lake drops by Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Nick Kroll (The League/Cavemen) - Nick is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Billy visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Sara Gilbert (The Conners/Roseanne/Bad Teacher/Twins) - Sara is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also talks about The Conners on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9m, on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan (check your listings), on the BUILD Series at 11:15am and on ABC's Strahan, Sara & Keke at 1pm.
Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Tracee stops by A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC. She will also be on The Real, so check your local listings.
Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/Welcome to New York) and Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever) - Jim and Fred are panelists on Lights Out with David Spade at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly) and Folake Olowofoyeku (Bob Hearts Abishola) - Billy and Folake are guests on People Now at 12pm.
Sophia Bush (Partners) - Sophia talks about the and especially you podcast on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Sarah Jessica Parker (Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah will be on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jamie Lee Curtis (Scream Queens/Anything But Love) - Jamie Lee and the cast of Knives Out are guests on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.