Fri-Yay: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Final String of Episodes; Freeform and Jenna Fischer Team Up for Comedy

Friday, January 18, 2019

Fri-Yay: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Final String of Episodes; Freeform and Jenna Fischer Team Up for Comedy

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

Netflix has released the trailer for the final run of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt episodes (technically the second half of the fourth season, although the first half of the season aired eight months ago, so this sort of feels more like a fifth season) and it seems as if Kimmy and crew really are gearing up to say goodbye. There were reports of a wrap-up movie that don't seem to be confirmed one way or the other, so for now, these final six episodes serve as the last we'll see of Kimmy and her crazy world of characters - at least for now. I was a little surprised when the show originally was announced as coming to an end, but I do think the show is about at the time where I'm ready for it to come to a close.

The trailer seems to suggest that the show is going to give its characters solid endings, while still providing us with the laughs we know and love from the series. The show's joke-a-minute ratio always remained impressive, even when the storylines seemed inconsistent (which they sometimes did.) Even with all of its flaws, I'll truly miss Kimmy Schmidt. It was a sitcom that always remained fresh and funny - and that's something to be valued in a sitcom. I really hope the talented cast members appear somewhere else, because they were a true joy, and I can't wait to see what's in store for them next.

Freeform

Freeform announced that it has put into development National Parker, a half-hour comedy from actress and executive producer Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together, The Office), and writer Alexandra Henrikson with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. When social media-obsessed Parker Adams' world comes crashing down after a breakup, she decides to put her New York City life behind her and become an adult with a real job - as a national park ranger at Alaska's Hickberry National Park. Jenna Fischer will serve as executive producer. Alexandra Henrikson (Maniac) will serve as co-executive producer and is also set to write the pilot script. Casting is still to be announced. There is still a long way to go for this pilot, including if it will be ordered to series or not. Stay with us for continued updates.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, January 22

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Will and a Dead Man’s Wife" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie’s not ready for his mother to start dating again. Meanwhile, Jim and Audrey struggle to make their wills.

Ghosts - "Kyle" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay’s relationship is tested when Kyle (Ben Feldman), a handsome living who shares Sam’s ability to see ghosts, arrives at Woodstone B&B.

Animal Control - "Dragons and Dognappers" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Rob Gronkowski returns and asks the team for help rehoming a zebra; Emily and Shred's first date goes awry when they unexpectedly run into Daisy and Patel on their night out; Frank must defend Templeton when Templeton is accused of dognapping.

Going Dutch - "Farmer's Mark-tet Offensive" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After a messy breakup, the Colonel and Katja find themselves going to war between the town and the base; Capt. Maggie tries to de-escalate the tension between the two ex-lovers and negotiate a truce.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)

Thursday, January 22

Mike Epps (The Upshaws/Uncle Buck/Survivor's Remorse) - Catch Mike on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Anthony in the 10am hour.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace/The Millers/Sean Saves the World) - Sean is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) - Jessica talks about Shrinking on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Michael talks about Shrinking on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Craig Robinson (Killing It/Ghosted/Mr. Robinson/The Office/Lucky) - Craig talks about Broadway' All Out on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Deon Cole (grown-ish/Angie Tribeca/black-ish) - Deon joins Sherri to discuss hosting this year's NAACP Image Awards on BET on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Heidi Gardner (Shrinking) - Heidi tells Sherri about her star turn in the new Broadway comedy All Out: Comedy About Ambition on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Kyle MacLachlan (Carol's Second Act/Sex and the City) - Kyle tells Drew about the latest season of his thrilling hit show Fallout and plays a round of memory bank dishing on his biggest moments and roles revealing which Sex and the City character he identifies most with on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) - Jackson tells Drew about the newest season of the hit show Tell Me Lies, how he started dating co-star Grace Van Patten, growing up on set with his actress mom and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - Howie talks about Netflix's Best Guess Live on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.