SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Loses Streaming Rights to Friends; Networks Prepare for Midseason

Saturday, January 04, 2020

SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Loses Streaming Rights to Friends; Networks Prepare for Midseason

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a whole new year, but we're still in the midst of a sort of dead period for now... but we expect things to pick up next week as "midseason" begins! We do have some news about the removal of Friends from Netflix, Alex Trebek preparing for his last Jeopardy! (which is not anytime too soon, we don't think), and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

No one told you life was going to be this way: Netflix has officially removed Friends, and for those who rely upon streaming media for their on-demand needs, it'll be five months before the series returns to streaming media on HBO Max. (Deadline)
It's midseason time, and in case you need to know when you're favorites are returning (or new favorites are beginning), Deadline has you covered. (Deadline)
Alex Trebek, who has been battling pancreatic cancer, isn't giving up on Jeopardy! just yet, but he has already rehearsed what he'll want to say when he tapes his last episode. (Huffington Post)
Mo Rocca has a podcast, Mobituaries, and he recently looked at the 1971 "rural purge" on CBS. (Art19)
In case you missed it, here is a look back at all of the sitcom stars that we lost in 2019. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 4 - JANUARY 10)

Decades has a binge of Early Edition this weekend.
Jeopardy!: The Greatest of All Time, a tournament featuring three of the best players of all time, airs Tuesday through Thursday on ABC.
The fifth (and final) season of Schitt's Creek starts Tuesday on Pop.
Netflix has a pair of new comedies on Friday: AJ and the Queen, starring RuPaul, and Medical Police.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, January 28

Shifting Gears - "Uncle Sam" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Matt is thrilled to show off his military-hero son Sam, but a shift in Sam’s career could finally give Riley a chance to be the golden child. Meanwhile, Andy’s singing hits all the wrong notes for Riley. Jesse Williams and Luke Macfarlane guest star.

Abbott Elementary - "Picture Day" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When picture day catches the teachers at Abbott by surprise, chaos ensues.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 26)

Wednesday, January 28

Katherine LaNasa (Three Sisters) - Watch Katherine on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She also discusses The Pitt on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Denis Leary (Going Dutch/No Good Deed/Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/The Job) - Denis is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Michael appears on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Kevin James (The Crew/Kevin Can Wait/The King of Queens) - Kevin talks about Solo Mio on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Patrick Dempsey (Fast Times) - Patrick talks about Memory of a Killer on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Peyton List (Bunk'd/Jessie) - Peyton talks about School Spirits on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Laura Dern (F Is for Family/Enlightened) - NBC's Today catches up with Laura in the 9am hour.
Chris Redd (Kenan/Disjointed) - Chris Redd drops into Sherri's Laugh Lounge, so check your local lisitngs.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer talks about Paramount+'s School Spirits on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.