Fri-Yay: A.P. Bio Returns in September on Peacock; Two Comedy Central Comedies Moving to HBO Max

Friday, August 14, 2020

Fri-Yay: A.P. Bio Returns in September on Peacock; Two Comedy Central Comedies Moving to HBO Max

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

This week, NBC released the trailer for the third season of A.P. Bio, which will air exclusively on Peacock. For those who don't know, A.P. Bio aired its first two seasons on NBC Thursday nights, but was cancelled after Season 2 due to low ratings. However, the show, which stars Always Sunny's Glenn Howerton and popular comedian Patton Oswalt, was able to gain something of a cult following, which convinced NBC to bring it back as a flagship streaming exclusive for its budding service Peacock. So is it worth your time? A.P. Bio is probably Peacock's highest caliber original series thus far, so it's worth it to see if the series is worth checking out.

Personally, I'd recommend checking out A.P. Bio on Peacock this fall, for a few reasons. I liked, but didn't love, the first two seasons of the show - I felt it always had the feeling of the show just on the verge of breaking out and embracing its potential. The show had some funny jokes, but it often felt torn between going full out dark like Howerton's other show Always Sunny and grounding itself as a network television show. Some of that was likely the result of being on NBC - there's a limit to how "dark" a series can really get, and that limit sometimes seemed to restrain the show. However, I'm interested to see if the move to a streaming service and subsequent removal of the "rules" of network TV will free the show up creatively and allow it to really be the dark, oddball show it seems to want to be. Another good reason to check out A.P. Bio is...well, sitcoms might be in short supply this fall. Television production is still mostly at a standstill, and so far network sitcoms haven't provided a premiere date or even an idea of when they will return. So if you're looking for new sitcom content this fall, A.P. Bio might be one of your only options. And if it can improve on its solid first two seasons, it just might be a pretty good alternative.

The Other Two and South Side

HBO Max has announced that the upcoming seasons of the critically acclaimed comedies The Other Two and South Side from Comedy Central Productions are joining the streaming platform as new Max Original series. The first seasons of The Other Two and South Side will land on the platform in 2021 followed by brand new seasons to stream exclusively as Max Original series. Matching the Max Originals mandate for unique stories that speak to a younger skewing demographic,

The Other Two, created by former Saturday Night Live co-head writers, follows two millennial siblings as they navigate their teenage brother's rise to internet fame and South Side, shot on location in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, is an authentic, comedic look at two friends, ready to take one world, once they stop working at the local rent-to-own. As part of this deal, HBO Max has become the exclusive streaming home to the semi-autobiographical comedy Awkawfina is Nora from Queens, from the Golden Globe Award Winner(R) Awkwafina (Nora Lum). Season one is available to stream now on HBO Max. Season two will premiere and air in its entirety on Comedy Central next summer before becoming available on HBO Max.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, November 25

The Goldbergs - "Eracism" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Adam sets out to create a movie that will tackle racism but realizes he is out of his depth on the subject due to his sheltered upbringing. Meanwhile, Geoff is determined to teach Erica and Barry to become better people.

American Housewife - "Homeschool Sweet Homeschool" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Anna-Kat and Franklin (Evan O’Toole) home with mono, Katie seizes the opportunity to use them as the backdrop for her mommy vlog. And when Taylor’s first college paper comes back with an A, Greg questions her TA’s intentions. Meanwhile, Cooper (Logan Pepper) helps Oliver renovate the basement.

The Conners - "Friends in High Places and Horse Surgery" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Darlene begins to develop a friendship with a manager at Wellman Plastics, which lands her in an awkward situation between the boss and her sister, Becky. Meanwhile, Louise’s brother, Neville, tries to win over Jackie by making a thoughtful gesture, creating uncomfortable tension.

black-ish - "Babes in Boyland" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Dre and Bow find out that Diane has a secret social media account and realize that she’s not their little girl anymore. After reprimanding her but allowing Jack more flexibility, Diane calls them out for the double standard in how they are parenting. Meanwhile, Junior and Ruby come clean to their respective romantic partners about white lies they’ve told since the beginning of their relationships.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Out of Character" (BET, 8:00PM ET/PT)
House of Payne is the hilarious comedy about Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his lovely wife Ella. Together the loving couple navigate the problems of life with their quirky modern day family.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Add More Color" (BET, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mr. Brown gives Sandra advice on how to get what she wants and her outfit for school.

Family Time - "Thanks for the Ticket" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Thanksgiving is approaching, and family members come bearing more than just luggage.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 23)

Wednesday, November 25

Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly/Samantha Who?) - Watch Melissa on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She will also be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
The original cast of Saved by the Bell - The original cast of Saved by the Bell are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley Lauren and Haskiri Velazquez talk about Peacock's Saved by the Bell in the 9am hour.
Rob Corddry - Rob will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris) - Chris appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Kal Penn (Sunnyside/Deadbeat/We Are Men) - Kal will be on a repeat of A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
Tisha Campbell (Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Tisha is a guest on The Real, so check your local listings.
Ben Falcone (Nobodies/Joey) - Ben appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jean Smart (Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/High Society/Designing Women) - Jean will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Jill Kargman (Odd Mom Out) - Jill co-pilots a special Thanksgiving-themed Drew's News on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace talks about Hallmark Channel's If I Only Had Christmas on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT and on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
John O'Hurley (Seinfeld/The Mullets) - John talks about NBC's The National Dog Show on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
Judy Greer (Kidding/Married/Mad Love/Miss Guided/Love & Money) - Judy talks about Uncle Frank on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Goldie Hawn (Good Morning World) - Goldie and Kurt talk about Netflix's The Christmas Chronicles 2 on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Marlo Thomas (That Girl) - NBC's Today has Thanks + Giving with Marlo in the 9am hour.