Friday, February 22, 2019
Fri-Yay: The Other Two Is Our First Great New Comedy Series of 2019; Remembering Peter Tork of The Monkees, MeTV to Air Tribute on Sunday (Feb. 24)

by Vincent
A few weeks ago, I talked briefly about The Other Two, a series that premiered on Comedy Central in January. The show is now five episodes into its debut season, so I wanted to look back at it and talk about all of the great stuff it's doing. Frankly, The Other Two is my pick for best new comedy series not just of 2019, but perhaps in several years. It gives me very similar feelings that shows like Broad City, BoJack Horseman and You're the Worst did when they premiered back in 2014 - this is a show that is fresh, new, and offers a great perspective, and could pave the way for the next era of great comedy.
The Other Two is a comedy centered around the two siblings of Chase Dreams, a viral teen sensation whose success stands in stark contrast to his older siblings. The show is funny, lively and has great performances from its entire cast, but it's also an interestingly structured series that's a little bit different than cable comedies of recent years. In some ways, The Other Two is more in line with a traditional sitcom than other recent Comedy Central series such as Corporate and the dearly departed Detroiters. It's not quite as visually inventive as Corporate, or as off-the-wall as Detroiters, going for a bit more of a broad audience. But that's part of what makes the show as special as it is.
The Other Two is going for strong relatability and familial situations that we can all look at and connect our own lives to. In some ways, The Other Two is a family sitcom through and through, and it certainly uses those beats often - and yet, its humor is very much in line with shows like Broad City or BoJack Horseman - self-deprecating, snarky, and creative. We've never really seen a series try to merge the world of a family sitcom with heartwarming values with the sardonic, edgy nature of a cable sitcom, and it's fascinating to see The Other Two straddling those two worlds so well. It's a series I'll definitely be keeping my eye on, and since the show has been a moderate ratings success that has already earned a second season, I'm interested to see if its influence will expand and set a tone for the next crop of cable comedies.
Musician and actor Peter Tork, best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of The Monkees, has died. He died on February 21 at his home in Mansfield, Connecticut, from complications of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Mr. Tork was 77.
The Monkees were formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider specifically for the sitcom The Monkees. Davy Jones had a long-term contract with Screen Gems to appear in television programs. He was shortlisted for the auditions and identified in advance as a potential star for the series. Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter ran an ad to cast the remainder of the band/cast members for the TV series on September 8-10, 1965. Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork were chosen out of 437 applicants. Tork was the last chosen and oldest member of the group.
The Monkees premiered on NBC on September 12, 1966. The series follows the adventures of four young men (The Monkees) trying to make a name for themselves as a rock 'n roll band. Tork played the lovable dummy, a persona he had developed as a folk singer in New York's Greenwich Village. Although the series ran for only 2 seasons (1966 to 1968) and 58 episodes, it remains hugely popular to this day. They received two Emmy Awards in 1967: Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy (James Frawley). Tork directed the episode Monkees Mind Their Manor in 1968.
The band was originally active from 1966 to 1971. They released six albums, four of which went to No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Some of their big hits included: (Theme From) The Monkees; Last Train to Clarksville; I'm a Believer; (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone; A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You; Pleasant Valley Sunday; Daydream Believer; and Valleri. In 1968, they appeared in the feature film Head. They appeared in the 1969 NBC TV special 33 1⁄3 Revolutions per Monkee. The band reunited in 1986 and toured intermittently with different lineups for a number of years. Tork, Dolenz and Jones appeared in The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995.
Tork made guest appearances in several television series. He appeared as himself in a 1995 episode of Wings where he bids against Helen (Crystal Bernard) for the Monkeemobile. He played Topanga Lawrence's (Danielle Fishel) father, Jedidiah Lawrence, in two episodes of Boy Meets World in 1995. His other sitcom guest appearances included California Dreams and The King of Queens. He guest starred as Chris in two episodes of 7th Heaven in 1998 and 2001.
Mr. Tork was a man of many talents. It's sad that we've lost two of the four Monkees. We thank him for the great music and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.
Share your memories on our The Monkees message board. View photos in our galleries.
MeTV Network pays tribute to the career of actor and musician Peter Tork with a special presentation of The Monkees airing on MeTV this Sunday, February 24, beginning at 5:00pm ET/PT through 6:00pm ET/PT.
Peter Tork will forever be remembered as the keyboardist and bass guitarist for The Monkees, the 60s pop/rock band that was formed specifically for the eponymous television show that originally aired from 1966 to 1968. Beloved for the TV show's comedy and music, The Monkees musical hits include I'm a Believer (featured in this MeTV tribute), Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and Pleasant Valley Sunday.
Tork got his start in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music scene before landing the coveted role in the TV series that would bring him national stardom alongside fellow band members, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones. Throughout the series, Tork would write some of their hit songs, including For Pete's Sake, used as the show's closing credits during the second season.
Tork's musical influence continued on even after the show, collaborating with George Harrison on his 1968 soundtrack album Wonderwall. In the late 1980s, The Monkees experienced a resurgence in popular culture and embarked on several reunion tours. After the 2012 death of Davy Jones, the surviving members released Good Times! in 2016 and earned their first Top 20 album in 25 years.
The schedule for MeTV's Tribute to Peter Tork includes:
Sunday, February 24, 2019 (All Times are Eastern/Pacific)
5:00- 5:30pm ET/PT - One Man Shy
A wealthy debutante hires the Monkees to play at her coming out party, where Peter falls instantly in love with her. The girl's rich suitor begins a campaign to show her what a bad boy Peter is and the Monkees reply with their own plot, to show what a fine person Peter is. Monkee music includes Valleri and I'm a Believer.
5:30- 6:00pm ET/PT - The Devil and Peter York
Based loosely on Stephen Vincent Benet's fantasy novel (and the Oscar-winning 1941 RKO movie it spawned) The Devil and Daniel Webster. At Mr. Zero's Pawn Shop, Peter falls in love with a golden harp. Learning Peter has no money, Zero produces a contract, which Peter signs. At the pad, Micky, Mike and Davy remind him that he can't play the harp and urge him to return it. Suddenly, Zero appears in a puff of smoke, and, at his command, Peter plays beautifully. Zero disappears and the boys are immediately booked into a harp act, which is an instant overnight success.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, July 14
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Pomp and Circumstance" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tina and Gemma plan a joint graduation party for Malcolm and Grover, on part one of the hour-long seventh season finale.
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Venice" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Butlers and Johnsons help Malcolm start a new chapter in a new city that, while just across town, is worlds away from the neighborhood, on part two of the hour-long seventh season finale.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 14)
Monday, July 14
- Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Watch Hannah on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Shane Gillis (Tires) - Shane appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) - Liza is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) - Jack appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Paul Feig (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/The Louie Show/The Jackie Thomas Show/Dirty Dancing) and Anna Kendrick (Love Life) - Paul is a guest and Anna makes a special appearance on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Amy Sedaris (No Activity/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/Strangers with Candy) and Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Amy and Dan are guests on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Julie Bowen (Modern Family/Ed) - Julie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz/Sister Kate), Vanessa Morgan (The Latest Buzz) and Giacomo Gianniotti (Backpackers/Selfie) - Jason, Vanessa and Giacomo talk about the dramedy Wild Cards on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Malin Akerman (Dollface/Sin City Saints/Trophy Wife/Childrens Hospital) - Malin talks about The Hunting Wives on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Meg Donnelly (American Housewife) - Meg talks about Disney's Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Rosemarie DeWitt (United States of Tara) - Rosemarie and Eric Bana talk about Netflix's Untamed on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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