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.
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
Wednesday, January 7
Shifting Gears - "Dog" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Matt refuses to let Carter bring a dog into “his” house, Riley starts to wonder if it’s time for her and the kids to find their own place. Meanwhile, Gabe seeks Riley’s advice amid second thoughts about moving in with Amelie.
Abbott Elementary - "Mall" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Abbott Elementary returns from winter break at their new temporary school: an abandoned mall. The teachers deal with unique challenges that come with teaching in the new location.
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship -- A Special Edition of 20/20 (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A behind-the-scenes look at the beloved sitcom's enduring impact on TV and culture, including interviews with superfans Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kelly Ripa, Laverne Cox and former guest star Mario Lopez.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 5)
Wednesday, January 7
- Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Watch Alan on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jodie Foster (Paper Moon/Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice/The Courtship of Eddie's Father) - Jodie is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Matt Braunger (Up All Night) - Matt is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Andy Cohen interviews Jenny on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
- Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Gael García Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle) - Gael talks about Magellan on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Retta (Parks and Recreation) - NBC's Today catches up with Retta in the 9am hour.
- Matt Rogers (No Good Deed/I Love That for You) - Matt co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- John Mulaney (Mulaney) - NBC's Today catches up with John in the 10am hour.
- Chevy Chase (Community) - Chevy talks about his documentary I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (Emily in Paris) - Philippine chats about the exciting new season of Emily in Paris on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly/Yes, Dear) - Billy tells Sherri about his “The Less Is More Tour” comedy tour on Sherri, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series (DVD)
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two (DVD)
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season (DVD)
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2 (DVD)
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
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