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
Saturday, March 6
Danger Force - "Radioactive Act" (Nickelodeon, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bose's mother picks up Schwoz's lost radioactive cat from outside SW.A.G. and takes it home, so Danger Force and Captain Man have to try and get it back before she goes nuclear.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 1)
Friday, March 5
- Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) - Watch Soleil on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows) - Harvey is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Arsenio Hall (Arsenio) - Arsenio appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Adam DeVine (Workaholics/Modern Family) - Adam is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Kathryn Hahn (Happyish/Transparent/Free Agents) - Kathryn chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Kate Walsh (Bad Judge/The Drew Carey Show) - Kate is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Eddie Murphy (The PJs) - Eddie talks about Coming 2 America on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) - Randall appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Kyle Massey (Cory in the House/That's So Raven) - Kyle is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
- Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - Amy will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Ben Feldman (Superstore/A to Z/Living with Fran) - Ben appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Zach Braff (Alex, Inc./Scrubs) and Donald Faison (The Exes/Scrubs/Clueless) - Zach and Donald talk about the Fake Doctors, Real Friends podcast on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Keshia Knight Pulliam (Tyler Perry's House of Payne/The Cosby Show) - Keshia is a guest on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-February)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
01/22 - Corporate - Season 2
01/22 - Corporate - Season 3
02/02 - Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - The Complete Series (2021 Retail Release)
02/16 - Fam - The Complete Series
02/23 - Betty White's Pet Set - The Complete Series
03/02 - Blue Mountain State - The Complete Series
03/02 - Happy Together - The Complete Series
03/02 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-4 (DVD) (Blu-ray)
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