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

Wednesday, September 28

The Conners - "Scenes From Two Marriages: The Parrot Doth Protest Too Much" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Jackie moves in with Neville and discovers that being newlyweds produces new problems when Neville shows up to their home with an excess of animals from his vet office. Meanwhile, Darlene and Ben have an argument as Ben points out Darlene is turning into her father.

The Golbergs - "That's a Schwartz Man" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With both sides of the family eager for answers on Geoff and Erica’s pregnancy, they decide to keep their baby’s sex a surprise. However, a sonagram finding from Lou Schwartz might provide an unexpected discovery. Meanwhile, Adam recruits Glascott to help his mother cope with his departure for NYU; but when he later has a change of heart about heading off to college, he sources a job as the personal assistant to a special celebrity to help lessen the blow when news of his deferred enrollment is delivered to Beverly.

Abbott Elementary - "Wrong Delivery" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Janine gets a look at the new charter school down the street, she becomes determined to fix up Abbott and make it just as good. As Gregory goes out of his way to avoid Barbara due to an awkward situation with his personal life, and Ava takes to the school library to host a “Shark Tank”-style pitch to decide what to do with the rest of the funds from the grant.

Home Economics - "Melatonin 10 Mg Tablets, $14.99" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom begins publicity for his new book as Marina takes on the redesign of Gretchen’s room, which causes a lot of stress at home and in the bedroom. Meanwhile, Sarah, Denise and the kids have to crash at Connor’s house when their apartment floods, much to Lupe’s chagrin.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 26)

Wednesday, September 28

Mila Kunis (Family Guy/That '70s Show) - Watch Mila on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She talks about Luckiest Girl Alive on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Ramy Youssef (Ramy/See Dad Run) - Ramy appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Timothy Olyphant (Santa Clarita Diet) - Timothy is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood/New Girl/Modern Men) - Max will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Mayim Bialik (Call Me Kat/The Big Bang Theory/Blossom) - Mayim is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Rosie O'Donnell (SMILF/Stand By Your Man/Gimme a Break!) - Rosie appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary/Go On/Everybody Hates Chris) - Tyler is a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Kim Coles (Living Single/The Geena Davis Show) - Kim talks about her new series Finding Happy on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - George and Amal Clooney are guests on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect) - Sherri appears on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa is a guest on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Jaime Camil (Schmigadoon!/Broke) - Jaime talks about Netflix's El Rey: Vicente Fernandez on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Lio Tipton (Manhattan Love Story) - Lio appears on PIX 11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.