Fri-Yay: Viewers Discovering Cobra Kai Now on Netflix; ABC Announces Fall 2020 Drama Premiere Dates

Friday, September 18, 2020

Fri-Yay: Viewers Discovering Cobra Kai Now on Netflix; ABC Announces Fall 2020 Drama Premiere Dates

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

If you're looking for a light, airy watch that has some elements of a sitcom but also some of the more long-term plotting of a drama, I'd highly recommend Cobra Kai on Netflix. The series was previously a YouTube Red series, but was picked up by Netflix after YouTube Red let it go after 2 seasons. It's a continuation of the Karate Kid series, a "sequel" if you will, but in the form of a television series. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, then I would still recommend you try it anyway. I'm not a big fan of the Karate Kid movies myself, and yet I still found myself really invested in the show's world.

Cobra Kai has some of the most intricate character work I've seen on TV, and unlike many streaming series of recent times, it actually feels well-plotted and suited to its episode length. It's a quick watch (just two 10 episode seasons, less than 30 minutes per episode) but in those short episodes it manages to build a reliable world of characters even beyond the characters leftover from the Karate Kid movies. It's also actually pretty funny, with genuine moments of humor amongst the karate and world building. If you give it a try this weekend, it's the absolute perfect weekend binge watch.

Grey's Anatomy

ABC announced premiere dates for its scripted drama series slate, rounding out the network's fall schedule. Dates for unscripted and comedy series were previously announced, as we announced. The Good Doctor will kick-off the drama return on ABC, while drama staple Grey's Anatomy gets a two-hour return. For Life returns now in the Fall, rather than mid-season as previously slated (it is replacing the canceled Stumptown). ABC's drama scripted series premiere dates are as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific). New shows are in bold. Note: Sunday drama The Rookie will be premiering later in the season (it hasn't started production yet on new episodes).

MONDAY, NOV. 2
10:00-11:00 p.m. The Good Doctor

THURSDAY, NOV. 12
8:00-9:00 p.m. Station 19
9:00-11:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy (two-hour season premiere)

TUESDAY, NOV. 17
10:01-11:00 p.m. Big Sky (series premiere)

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18
10:00-11:00 p.m. For Life

THURSDAY, NOV. 19
10:01-11:00 p.m. A Million Little Things

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, August 1

Happy's Place - "Ladies Night'" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Gabby's latest heartbreak, Bobbie and Isabella throw a Ladies' Night at the tavern to show Gabby she doesn't need a man to be happy, but things don't go as planned; Steve and Takoda tease Emmett about his sudden interest in dating apps.

Happy's Place - "Tapped Out" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Isabella starts trying to make changes to the tavern, Bobbie worries that this new partnership may not work out; Bobbie offers to take Isabella under her wing so she can learn about the tavern, but Happy's lawyer fumbles Bobbie's plan.

Electric Bloom - "How to (Not) Make a Music Video" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
While planning Electric Bloom's first music video, Jade and Posey overlook Tulip as a potential leader of the band, causing her alter ego 'Trixie' to emerge and wreak havoc.

Electric Bloom - "How We Danced the Night Away" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Posey, Jade, and Tulip's pact to not let a boy come between them is tested when it comes to finding dates for the school dance.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 28)

Friday, August 1

Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Julie Bowen (Modern Family/Ed) - Watch Julie on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Owen Wilson (Stick) - Owen takes "The Colbert Questionert" on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Mary Beth Barone (Overcompensating) - Mary appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) - Thomas is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Pamela talks about The Naked Gun on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That.../Second Time Around) - NBC's Today catches up with Nicole in the 10am hour.
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, sit down for an EXCLUSIVE conversation about their choice to live in separate cities, which set off the internet on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke is sharing the secrets behind her shiny and bouncy hair and why she decided to create he own haircare line in her 50s on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Michael Jai White (Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse) - Michael is a guest on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.