Fri-Yay: Space Force on Netflix Thoughts; BET+ Comedy Gets Binge Premiere

Friday, June 05, 2020

Fri-Yay: Space Force on Netflix Thoughts; BET+ Comedy Gets Binge Premiere

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

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.

All the Way Black

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

Wednesday, October 27

The Goldbergs - "The Hunt for the Great Albino Pumpkin" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Missing his Pops, Adam finds himself disenchanted with his once favorite time of year, Halloween. Beverly tirelessly tries to resurrect Adam’s Halloween spirit from the dead, encouraging Pop Pop (Judd Hirsch) to spend some quality time with his grandson. A night of mishaps and chaos turns out to be just the adventure Adam needs. Meanwhile, with the push and support from Joanne, Barry decides to bring his former alter ego, rapper “Big Tasty,” back to life; and a chance encounter with the legendary Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, brings Barry and Joanne closer together.

The Wonder Years - "Be Prepared" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Coach Long and Bill take the boys on a camping trip as part of their newly formed scout troop, their starkly different approaches to the outdoors show Dean that his father isn’t good at everything. As a thunderstorm threatens an eerie quest through the woods, Bill leans into his expertise to save the day.

The Conners - "Peter Pan, The Backup Plan, Adventures in Babysitting, and a River Runs Through It" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Conner home is decked out for Halloween despite the leak in the roof that forces Dan and Louise to cancel their honeymoon. But all is not lost when Becky surprises the newlyweds and takes them on a virtual adventure around the world. Meanwhile, Darlene continues her spiritual journey, and Harris introduces Aldo’s children to the family, where more tricks than treats await.

Home Economics - "Box of King-Size Candy Bars, $48.99" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Trick or treat is not the only question on the Hayworths’ minds as they debate the best neighborhood for a spooktacular Halloween. Meanwhile, Connor navigates sharing the holiday with his ex-wife, Emily.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 25)

Wednesday, October 27

Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Watch Dan on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Nick appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Beanie Feldstein (Harriet the Spy) - Beanie will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Norman Lear (Producer of All in the Family/Maude/Sanford and Son/The Jeffersons/Good Times) - Norman is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Drew will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Yvette Nicole Brown (The Mayor/The Odd Couple/Community) - Yvette appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Linda Lavin (B Positive/9JKL/Sean Saves the World/Room for Two/Alice) - Linda is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Hector Elizondo (Last Man Standing/Down and Out in Beverly Hills/Foley Square/Popi) - Hector will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Jane Seymour (Let's Get Physical/Modern Men) - Jane appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan is a guest on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan (check your local listings) and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat appears on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?/Romantically Challenged) - Alyssa talks about her new personal essay collection, Sorry Not Sorry, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) - Justina talks about Lifetime's Switched Before Birth on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Kermit the Frog (The Muppets) - Kermit the Frog talks about YouTube's Dear Earth on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice/Shaping Up) - Jennifer talks about USA Network's Chucky on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Elizabeth Banks (Scrubs/30 Rock) - Elizabeth talks about My Body, My Podcast on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Justine Bateman (Family Ties) - Justine talks about Violet on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.