Fri-Yay: The Future of Superstore; Fox Launches Anidom Beyond Show

Friday, April 17, 2020

Fri-Yay: The Future of Superstore; Fox Launches Anidom Beyond Show

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

Earlier this year, it was announced that America Ferrera would be leaving NBC's Superstore after this season. Superstore, one of the best sitcoms on network TV, is arguably a strong ensemble comedy, but it still surprised and saddened me to hear the show would be losing what I'd argue is its "rock" character. Amy may not always be the most beloved or funnier character on the show, but she's very relatable, and the arc of the show has aligned very closely with the arc of her character, making her way from floor worker to store manager and romancing Jonah as it progressed. So this news was surprising to me, especially as it came on the heels of the announcement of a sixth season renewal for Superstore.

However, with the announcement that COVID-19 affected production for the end of Superstore's fifth season, it has been announced that America Ferrera will, indeed, return next season for a few episodes to wrap up her character, or at least it seems rumored to be the case. Still, it seems that Superstore fans will have to prepare for the show to continue without her in the long run. I do love Superstore, but the show also lost its original showrunner after Season 4, and while the difference isn't as noticeable as it was with shows like Community and Gilmore Girls, the current season does feel a little less stronger than Seasons 3 & 4 especially. Still, the show remains a delight, and I hope they can figure out a path going forward.

Anidom Beyond Show

Fox Entertainment and social broadcasting platform Caffeine are partnering to launch the Anidom Beyond Show, an all-new live and interactive program hosted by Emmy Award nominee Andy Richter and dedicated to Fox Network's iconic Sunday comedy block, Animation Domination. Premiering this Sunday, April 19, at 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT on Caffeine at caf.tv/AnimationOnFox, the hour-long program will feature episode re-caps and interviews with guests, including creators, producers, writers and casts of Fox's animated series The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Bless the Harts, Duncanville and more. Scheduled to run for five weeks until the end of this broadcast season, the Anidom Beyond Show will also include real-time interaction between fans, Richter and his guests vis-vis Caffeine's user interface platform.

The Anidom Beyond Show will be co-produced remotely by Caffeine Studios and FOX Entertainment, with Caffeine overseeing physical production of the series. It will be exclusively available on Caffeine for 24 hours, after which it will be posted on Fox Now and FOX.com.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, December 22

Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion Pt. 2 (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
CBS is gifting viewers an extra special holiday present this season, the brand-new EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION PT. 2,” airing Monday, Dec. 22, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.*

This one-hour show gives viewers who loved the first special another opportunity to reminisce and revisit the laughter and joy from the original CBS series. The brand-new broadcast follows the success of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION, which originally aired Monday, Nov. 24, with an encore presentation Friday, Nov. 28, garnering 10.08 million live plus 7-day multiplatform viewers across both broadcasts and streaming.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor Ray Romano and series creator Phil Rosenthal, this fresh hour brings fans closer than ever to the original series, with exclusive stories and heartfelt memories shared by beloved cast members gathered together to honor one of TV’s most iconic sitcoms. Ray Romano and Phil Rosenthal share their thoughts on the magic of being back on set and reuniting with the cast. Additionally, viewers can enjoy never-before-seen content, outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Plus, guest stars, writers and producers will provide unique insights into the creation and legacy of this beloved series.

St. Denis Medical - "Get Me in the Pod, Brother" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alex and Ron spar over the wisdom of open communication; Joyce brings in a body scanner that proves overly distracting.

The Paper - "I Love You" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Marv camped out in the newsroom while his office is painted, Ned and the staff find their unresolved attitudes toward authority bubbling up; Esmeralda and Ken plot a betrayal that leaks.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 22)

Monday, December 22

Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Watch Kenan on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Tony Shalhoub (We Are Men/Stark Raving Mad/Wings) - Tony appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ron Funches (Loot/Powerless/Undateable) and Jeff Garcia (Mr. Box Office) - Ron and Jeff are guests on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Andy Cohen interviews Kate on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo. She also talks about Song Sung Blue on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee talks about Ella McCay with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu talks about The Copenhagen Test on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Hugh Jackman (Human Resources) - Hugh talks about Song Sung Blue on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Kyle Richards (Down to Earth) - Kyle gives Sherri a sneak peek at the 15th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Paul and Jack Black are telling Drew all about their hilarious adaptation of Anaconda on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Odessa A'zion (I Love LA/Fam) - Odessa tells Drew about her role in new movie Marty Supreme and hit series I Love LA on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Melissa Gilbert (Stand by Your Man) - Melissa is guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:10am.