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, October 7

Scrubs - "My Ex's Ex" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
J.D. reintroduces an old flame into Elliot's life, as his new relationship continues to blossom; Turk tries a new approach to keeping the spark alive at home.

Abbott Elementary - "Jungle Classroom" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Gregory and Ava adjust to a new dynamic; Barbara turns to Jacob for help; Janine gives her classroom a makeover; Melissa works to win her classroom back.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 5)

Wednesday, October 7

Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me/Guys Like Us) - Watch Linda on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Maz Jobrani (Superior Donuts/The Knights of Prosperity/Better Off Ted) - Maz is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 11:35pm on CBS.
Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Pride & Joy) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Caroline and Tommy will be on a repeat of Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
Mikey Madison (Better Things) - Mikey talks about The Social Reckoning on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Christy Carlson Romano (Even Stevens) - Christy talks about Once Upon a Trainwreck: The Fall and Rise of a Child Star on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) - Jeremy talks about The Social Reckoning on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Domhnall Gleeson (The Paper) - Domhnall tells Drew all about season two of The Paper and his new movie The Incomer on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.