Friday, June 05, 2020
Fri-Yay: Space Force on Netflix Thoughts; BET+ Comedy Gets Binge Premiere

by Vincent
Last week, Netflix premiered Space Force, a new comedy starring Steve Carell and created by Greg Daniels, whose last major TV project was The Office, arguably the most influential TV comedy of the 21st century - and also starred Steve Carell. Needless to say, there was a lot of hype for this project. The series follows around the space division of the air force (based on the real-life space force). At 10 episodes, each running about 30 minutes long, it sometimes feels plotted more like a drama than a comedy (not uncommon for streaming comedies). And although there are plenty of things to like about the series, it ultimately feels a bit disappointing.
Space Force isn't a bad show, and it gets by quite a bit on the charm of its likable cast. But like many Netflix comedies (with the exception of a few like BoJack Horseman and Grace and Frankie, or the recent Mindy Kaling produced comedy Never Have I Ever), the show just feels a bit unfocused, going in all kinds of different directions at all times, and rarely finding a central comedic point. When you compare it to The Office (which like many people I have on a near constant loop), it really does falter. The Office was a show that had such a specific comic point of view for each character, which was part of what made it work. My biggest criticism of Space Force is the same issue I have with many streaming-era comedies: there's never a question of why? Why is this character acting this way? Why are you doing this plotline? There are a handful of really great Twitter comedies, but they lack the brevity of the very best network and cable comedies, partially because their huge creative freedom often robs them of a specific point of view.
BET+ announced that its new comedy series All the Way Black, hosted by actor/comedian Chris Spencer (@therealchrisspencer), launched exclusively on the streaming service yesterday (Thursday, June 4) across all platforms. Viewers can binge the first half of the season available now, with the second half being released at a later date. Rich in nostalgia, half-hour episodes string together clips that focus on a theme and are punctuated by hilarious color commentary of iconic moments in black pop culture from the '70s, '80s and '90s. This season boasts a bevy of guest appearances including Kevin Frazier (@kevinfrazier), Donnell Rawlings (@donnellrawlings), SlinkJohnson (@slinkjohnson), LisaRaye McCoy (@threallraye1), Affion Crockett (@affioncrockett), Tony Baker (@tonybakercomedy), Torrei Hart (@torreihart), Alex Thomas (@funnymanalexthomas), Walter Emanuel Jones (@walterejones), Arnez J. (@arnezjcomedy), Chaunte Wayans (@cwayans), Red Grant(@redgrant), Pretty Ricki (msprettyricki), Flex Alexander (@FlexAforreal) and more! To binge All the Way Black, sign up for a free 7-day trial at www.bet.plus. Follow @betplus on social media and join the conversation using the hashtag #AllTheWayBlack.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Saturday, July 12
Mind Your Business - "Love Child" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alfonso and Aaliyah's world is flipped upside down when their mother's secret love child comes into town, while Mia tries to figure out who is sending her gifts every hour on the hour.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)
Friday, July 11
- Aparna Nancherla (The Great North/Fairview/Corporate) and Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Aparna and Whitney are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Malachi Barton (Stuck in the Middle) and Meg Donnelly (American Housewife) - Malachi and Meg discuss Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires and perform on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am. They will also be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio/The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton talks about Black Coffee and Ice Water on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) and Joel Kim Booster (Loot/Shrill) - CBS News contributor Lisa Ling talks with Margaret and Joel on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Krysten Ritter (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) - Tamron Hall (repeat) has a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE sitdown with actress/director/author Krysten Ritter who recently released her new thriller/mystery novel Retreat, so check your local listings.
- Maggie Q (Pivoting) - Maggie Q talks about Prime's Ballard on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Tisha Campbell (Act Your Age/Uncoupled/Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) and Wendy Raquel Robinson (Poppa's House/The Game/Here We Go Again/The Steve Harvey Show/Minor Adjustments) - Tisha and Wendy chat about their film Operation: Aunties on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings. They will also be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
- David Zayas (The Bear/Saint George) - David appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.
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
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
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
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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