Wednesday, April 08, 2020
TBS Has Your Misery Covered in Pandemic; CBS Producing Episode of Series Virtually

TBS is bringing more humor into homes with Season 2 of the outrageously entertaining comedy game show The Misery Index, returning on Thursday, May 14 at 10:30pm ET / PT. Host Jameela Jamil reprises her role alongside the stars of truTV's Impractical Jokers, comedy troupe The Tenderloins – Brian "Q" Quinn, James "Murr" Murray, Joe Gatto and Sal Vulcano – as panelists translating the most miserable of mishaps into outright hilarity at a time when we need it most. The Misery Index debuted in 2019 with ratings that continued to grow each week, reaching more than 38 million viewers across linear, VOD, and digital platforms. Inspired by the card game Sh*t Happens, The Misery Index features teams competing against each other by attempting to rate hilarious and miserable real-life events based on the "misery index," a ranking system created by a team of psychologists. This season will feature special themed episodes including dueling grandmothers, a visit from one of The Tenderloins' family members, and a showdown between motherlands.
CBS' freshman drama series All Rise returns to production to virtually produce a timely episode that reflects the world's current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and its impact on the criminal justice system. Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) will virtually preside over a bench trial. The new episode will air Monday, May 4 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
The show's consulting producer, former Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, is providing insight into how the justice system continues in Los Angeles, even during the pandemic. Throughout the episode, the series' characters will be shown managing their "new normal" of everyday reality at home, in order to continue their professional and personal lives, parallel to what the nation is currently confronting. Written and inspired by current events, the new episode will be produced in groundbreaking fashion for a scripted series, filmed extensively using FaceTime, WebEx, Zoom and other available social media and online technology.
Virtual footage will be shot in each of the series regular's homes, and producers plan to use VFX to create the necessary backgrounds. In addition, a cinematographer operating solo from a vehicle will capture exterior footage that reflects the desolate environment that currently exists on the streets and in the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The entire episode will be shot abiding by social distancing rules and technologies taking place in the world as it exists now. Executive producer Michael Robin will direct.
In the episode, after debating the merits of continuing their work during this time, Judge Benner (Marg Helgenberger) authorizes Lola to preside over a virtual trial that involves a dispute between brothers and a stolen car. Emily (Jessica Camacho) represents the defendant, a graffiti artist, and Mark (Wilson Bethel) prosecutes for the D.A.'s office, marking the first time he tries a case in Lola's "court." Also, Mark and Quinn (Lindsey Gort) continue to explore their romantic (and sexual) relationship while quarantined in separate homes; Judge Benner oversees court from afar and struggles to learn how to cook; and Sara (Lindsay Mendez) has to balance her day job with a new side hustle as a food delivery driver. Luke (J. Alex Brinson) and Emily's relationship is taxed by separation, and germaphobe and type-A Sherri (Ruthie Ann Miles) contends with the new world (dis)order.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Sunday, February 16
Shifting Gears - "Restoration" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, is confronted with his most unexpected and challenging project yet when his estranged daughter and her adolescent children come crashing back into his life.
Shifting Gears - "Accommodations" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt joins Riley at Carter's high school open house.
Shifting Gears - "Job" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley, desperate for work, reluctantly takes a job at Matt's shop; Gabriel and Stitch secretly stray from Matt's vision on a high-stakes restomod project.
Shifting Gears - "Grief" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Riley discovers a closet filled with her late mother's clothes, she insists Matt hasn't processed her death and urges him to see a grief counselor; Gabriel faces a crisis of confidence when he's put in charge of the shop for a day.
Shifting Gears - "Jimmy" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley's estranged husband, Jimmy, shows up to win her back, much to Matt's dismay; Riley finds support in an unexpected place.
Shifting Gears - "Valentine's" (ABC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A Valentine's Day visit to his late wife's grave sparks an unexpected connection for Matt in an unlikely place; Riley is thrust into the spotlight for a promotional video at the dance studio.
Family Guy - "Fat Gun" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
This "Top Gun" parody chronicles Peter/Maverick getting together with Lois/Charlie, the tragic death of Joe/Goose, and Peter/Maverick's blooming relationship with Chris/Rooster.
Grimsburg - "Haunted Housewife" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Annoyed by Flute ruining her dates, Harmony pushes him to move out, resulting in him moving into a house haunted by a doting housewife who does all his chores, transforming him into a real adult.
The Great North - "The Prince of Hides Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Wolf finally gets cast on the local Alaskan survival show "Dropped Off to Die," but when he's out early, his shame leads him to sneak home and hide on the Tobin property instead.
Krapopolis - "John Fate Comes a- nockin'" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Deliria's clairvoyant ex comes to town and gives the family some bad news.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 10)
Friday, February 14
- Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Watch Ariana on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Bernadette Peters (High Desert/Mozart in the Jungle/All's Fair) - Bernadette is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Kieran Culkin (Go Fish) - Kieran appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Will Forte (HouseBroken/MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Will is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Conner O'Malley (Shrill) - Conner appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Harry Hamlin (Movie Stars) - Harry and Lisa Rinna are guests on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) and
- Oliver Hudson (Splitting Up Together/Rules of Engagement/My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star) - Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos and fiancé Chock Chapple are telling Drew about their experience falling in love on television on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. The love panel of Valerie Bertinelli, Taye Diggs, Oliver Hudson and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry is back and answering audience questions in a sex and relationships Q&A. Plus, Drew is joined by love gurus Valerie Bertinelli, Taye Diggs, Oliver Hudson and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry for a dating Q&A.
- Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal) - Anthony talks about starring in the highly anticipated new film Captain America: Brave New World on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Monica Barbaro (FUBAR) - Monica can be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
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