Friday, December 13, 2019
Fri-Yay: Hope for Sitcoms of the 2020s; Good Times Cast Announced for Next Live in Front of a Studio Audience
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 year is winding down, which believe it or not, also means this decade is winding down! Next week, I'll do a retrospective on my favorite sitcoms of the 2010s. However, before I get to that, I'd like to offer what I want to see from sitcoms as we go into the 2020s. And one thing is clear to me: I just want sitcoms to be light, silly and funny again.
Don't get me wrong - I really love a lot of the social issue-focused sitcoms we have today. And I even love the dramedies that toe the line between comedy and drama. However, rewatching sitcoms from last decade like 30 Rock or Arrested Development has made me long for series that just simply have the goal of being funny, and are really, really good at it. I've been watching a lot of classic Simpsons lately, and I'm not sure there's anything on TV right now that can keep up with the joke-a-minute pace of a show like that. I don't need every series to be that way - but it feels like a while (maybe since 30 Rock or Happy Endings ended) that we've had a show at that level. I would love for that kind of sitcom to make a comeback as we enter another decade of sitcoms. In the meantime, though, I'll still enjoy all of the shows we do have and the things they do quite well.
Yesterday we gave you the All in the Family casting update, today we have the update for Good Times casting! Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times adds even more star power to the highly anticipated live sitcom holiday special airing on ABC, Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 8:00-9:32 p.m. EST. In this one-night-only event, an all-star lineup of talent will tackle the roles first portrayed in the iconic television sitcom Good Times, including Viola Davis and Andre Braugher as Florida Evans and James Evans, Jay Pharoah as J.J Evans, Asante Blackk as Michael Evans, Corinne Foxx as Thelma Evans and Tiffany Haddish recreating the role of Willona Woods. Jharrel Jerome is also confirmed to join the star-studded cast. Joining forces for a show-stopping musical performance will be ABC's Anthony Anderson and the legendary Patti LaBelle singing the show's classic theme song. This holiday-inspired live event produced by Sony Pictures Television will recreate installments of Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin's Emmy(R) Award-winning series All in the Family and groundbreaking sitcom Good Times, created by Mike Evans, Eric Monte and developed by Lear.
Previously announced cast members taking on the famed All in the Family roles include Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Ellie Kemper and Ike Barinholtz who are set to reprise their iconic roles as Archie and Edith Bunker, Gloria Stivic and Meathead, along with Kevin Bacon, Jesse Eisenberg and Justina Machado whose roles will be announced live.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, August 2
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Election" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dave faces off against incumbent Isaiah Evans (guest star Wayne Brady) in a debate for a city council seat, and the race comes to a dramatic conclusion.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Camp Bananas" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)(Repeat)
For the sake of Bob’s health, Bob and Abishola try reducing stress by taking a day off together. Also, Christina is boss for the day at MaxDot, and Gloria steps in to care for Dottie.
Young Sheldon - "An Existential Crisis and a Bear That Makes Bubbles" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Meemaw takes matters into her own hands when Sheldon’s philosophy teacher, Professor Ericson (Melanie Lynskey), sends him into a tailspin. Also, George Sr. learns Georgie has been cutting class.
United States of Al - "Roht/Sweet Bread" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Al meets Ariana (Azita Ghanizada), an Afghan woman he wants to date, but is dismayed to learn she has a negative opinion of Afghan interpreters who worked for the U.S.
HouseBroken - "Who Did This?" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Honey refuses to go outside after the groomer gives her a humiliating new haircut; Diablo is introduced to a strange new creature who causes him to break the cardinal rule of being a pet.
Duncanville - "Duncan's New Word" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Duncan says the one thing no kid should ever say to their dad; Kimberly and Jing have a window to do whatever they want; Annie and Jack deal with Duncan's issue.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 2)
Monday, August 2
- Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso/Son of Zorn/The Cleveland Show) - Watch Jason on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - Tiffany is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Linda Lavin (Alice/Room for Two/Sean Saves the World/9JKL) - Linda will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Idris Elba (Turn Up Charlie) - Idris talks about The Suicide Squad on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Josh Peck (Grandfathered/Drake & Josh) - Josh talks about the new Disney+ series Turner & Hooch on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Jennifer Coolidge (2 Broke Girls/Joey) - Jennifer talks about her new film Swan Song on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Jay Pharoah (Champaign ILL/White Famous) - Jay talks about Resort to Love on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (March-July)
03/02 - Blue Mountain State - The Complete Series
03/02 - Happy Together - The Complete Series
03/02 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-4 (DVD) (Blu-ray)
04/20 - 'Til Death - The Complete Series
05/11 - Dead to Me - Season Two
06/08 - The Critic - The Complete Series
06/08 - Fuller House - The Fifth and Final Season
06/08 - Fuller House - The Complete Series
06/08 - Our Cartoon President - Season 3
06/15 - The Office - Season 1 (Blu-ray) / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
06/15 - Parks and Recreation - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/07 - No Activity - Season 2
07/13 - The Unicorn - Season 2
07/20 - Head of the Class - The Complete Third Season
07/27 - Family Ties - The Complete Series (2021 Re-Release)
07/27 - Hot in Cleveland - The Complete Series (2021 Re-Release)
08/03 - I Dream of Jeannie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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