Fri-Yay: The Return of Superstore; Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition Premieres April 21

Friday, March 08, 2019

Fri-Yay: The Return of Superstore; Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition Premieres April 21

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

This week, Superstore returns to the NBC Thursday line-up after a long hiatus. I've talked about this show a lot, but I just wanted to once again give a shout-out to what I believe is the best comedy series on television right now. Superstore is a seriously thoughtful sitcom in the midst of another excellent season, and it frankly deserves way more attention that it's currently getting.

So what makes Superstore so good? What I really love about the series is the way it grounds itself in the world of Cloud 9, and the way it has populated that world in a way that is ripe with thoughtful characterization and a lived-in universe not unlike previously great workplace sitcoms like Parks and Recreation or The Office. Just as Pawnee and Dunder-Mufflin felt like their own, real places on those shows, Cloud 9 feels like one on Superstore, as the series has devoted so much time to creating a lovable world of characters. Additionally, the cast's performance is incredible - from leads America Ferrera and Ben Feldman to every member of the supporting cast and even to bit players, everyone is giving it their all, in a way everyone on a great ensemble series does.

Superstore is a super special show. It's going to make a great companion to Brooklyn Nine-Nine - there's nowhere else on TV you'll find a better block of comedy in one night. And yet, Superstore doesn't seem to get the attention that Brooklyn 99 does. While Superstore is already renewed for a fifth season, I'd really like people to start taking more notice in just how absolutely fantastic the show is.

Worst Cooks in America

Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence are back to lead a new star-studded cast of cooking-challenged celebrities through culinary boot camp in the return of Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition on Sunday, April 21st at 9pm (all times ET/PT) on Food Network. In the seven-episode season, Anne and Tyler each lead a team of stars through a series of high-pressure cooking drills where only the most-improved recruit left standing is awarded $25,000 for the charity of their choice and bragging rights for their chef mentor. This season's celebrity recruits are: Jim J. Bullock (Too Close for Comfort), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Tonya Harding (Dancing with the Stars), Jonathan Lipnicki (Stuart Little), Taryn Manning (Orange is the New Black), Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty), Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry) and Jimmie Walker (Good Times).

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, June 30

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Sting" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Calvin and Marty send Courtney on a mission to find out information about Fuse Box’s impressive new rival. Meanwhile, Malcolm attends an event for his creative writing program at USC, where he scores a meeting with a book agent, Lisa (Angelique Cabral).

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Your Own Medicine" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Dave’s disastrous attempt to dunk a basketball, Calvin takes care of his injured neighbor. Also, Gemma befriends a cool mom group while babysitting Daphne.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)

Monday, June 30

Don Johnson (Kenan) - Watch Don on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - George appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Christopher Sieber (It's All Relative/Two of a Kind) - Christopher is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kel Mitchell (Game Shakers/Kenan & Kel) and Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) - Kel and Thomas are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Evan Handler (And Just Like That...) - Evan talks about And Just Like That... on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Hugh Jackman (Human Resources) - Hugh chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere/Nightcap) - Jeff talks about Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - NBC's Today has Prompter Wars with Amy in the 10am hour.
Kevin Hart (Lil Kev/Die Hart/The Big House/Undeclared) - NBC's Today catches up with Kevin in the 10am hour.
Amy Schumer (Life & Beth), Jillian Bell (Bless the Harts/Idiotsitter/Eastbound & Down/Workaholics) and Brianne Howey (Dollface) - NBC's Today catches up with Amy, Jillian and Brianne on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Drew is introducing the newest Drew-crew member, Valerie Bertinelli on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, Valerie is making a shrimp and veggie cups recipe from her latest cookbook, Indulge.
Mario Cantone (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Mario talks about Max's And Just Like That... on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Edwin Lee Gibson (The Bear/Unprisoned) - Edwin is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.