Friday, November 13, 2020
Fri-Yay: Any Hope Left for Broadcast Sitcom Ratings?; BET Presents CBS Monday Series Tonight; BUZZR Remembers Alex Trebek Tomorrow

by Vincent
This fall has seen the triumphant return of many sitcoms after being put on hiatus for COVID-19 related reasons. Nearly every network has its sitcom slot back, at least partially, and it should be cause for celebration that networks can air original programming again. Yet, most sitcoms are returning with ratings down sharply from where they were a year ago. Even reliable hits like The Conners and Young Sheldon are struggling to crack a 1.0 in the demo (live+same day). Broadcast ratings overall are down once again this season (after a brief surge during lockdown in the spring), but sitcoms seem to be hit especially hard. Is there any hope for a breakout sitcom to come along and buck the trend?
It's always possible, of course - but as of now, it just simply seems like reality TV and select drama series are leading the way for broad hits capable of scoring big numbers. Shows like This Is Us, Grey's Anatomy, The Masked Singer, and NBC's Chicago series still pull in healthy numbers. And while the bigger sitcom hits like Young Sheldon and The Conners aren't doing badly, either - they just aren't quite living up to the biggest hits on network TV. It seems that many sitcom audiences are simply finding their content elsewhere, whether it be the shows on streaming service or different sitcoms on those same streaming services. Hopefully, a show can break through like The Conners did a few years ago and become a substantial hit. But for now, we might just have to accept that sitcom audiences are more splintered than ever.
BET will spotlight CBS' upcoming Monday night line-up prior to their new season premieres. The special presentation of select encore episodes of CBS' popular series The Neighborhood, Bob ♥ Abishola and All Rise will air on BET and BET HER, Friday, Nov. 13 beginning at 8:00 PM, ET/PT. All three series return with original episodes for their 2020-2021 season premieres on Monday, Nov. 16 on CBS.
Television's treasured game show host, Alex Trebek will be remembered by BUZZR network with an extra special tribute featuring his game show appearances from the last 40 years. Though best known as the host of Jeopardy!, Trebek once-upon-a-time appeared as a contestant on Card Sharks (1980s) as well as hosted episodes of Classic Concentration and To Tell The Truth in the late 80s and early 90s. BUZZR network shines a special light on Trebek's unforgettable career and celebrates his breadth of work with these iconic appearances on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 12:30pm – 2:00am EST. BUZZR's afternoon of tribute programming will begin with episodes of Card Sharks in which viewers see Trebek in the rare role of contestant competing in a charity tournament on behalf of the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. Trebek famously vies against other well-known, historical masters of ceremonies such as Bill Cullen, Gene Rayburn and Tom Kennedy.
Additionally, BUZZR has lined-up back to back episodes of Classic Concentration, in which Trebek appeared as an adored host taking a very genuine interest in those around him. Interspersed within Classic Concentration programming, BUZZR will also air a rare 1990's episode in which Trebek hosted a revival of To Tell The Truth starring panelists Ron Masak, Mother Love, Frank Runyeon and Kitty Carlisle. In addition to this this special programming tribute, BUZZR TV in conjunction with Fremantle, will be making a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network (PanCAN) in honor of Alex Trebek and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month (November). You too can donate to PanCAN in Alex’s memory or a loved one today at pancan.org. Please join BUZZR in remembering a true television icon, Alex Trebek, and tune-in on Saturday to watch some of his most spectacular moments captured on television!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, February 6
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Bachelor Party" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A bombshell about Marty’s future plans leaves Calvin and Tina reeling, and Dave unleashes his wild side at Marty’s bachelor party.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "My Successful Lawyer Son" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
As Bob gears up for delivery day at the new sock factory, he struggles to put his foot down with his opinionated family. Also, Abishola gets a taste of Kemi’s new personality when her successful lawyer son comes to visit.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 6)
Monday, February 6
- Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Watch Pamela on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch/Two and a Half Men/That '70s Show) - Ashton appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He talks about the new film Your Place or Mine on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Alison Brie (GLOW/Community) - Alison is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) - Michael will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm. She will also be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Adam Pally (Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Beth Behrs (The Neighborhood/2 Broke Girls) - Beth is live in-studio to unpack the latest on the sitcom The Neighborhood on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings. She will also be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Meagan Good (Mr. Robinson/Raising Dad/Cousin Skeeter) - Meagan will be on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Scott Caan (Entourage) - Scott talks about Fox's Alert: Missing Persons Unit on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-February)
11/08 - Frasier - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/08 - Young Rock - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/15 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Seven / The Complete Season Eight
11/22 - That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Mill Creek)
11/29 - Ghosts - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/06 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection
12/13 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season
12/13 - Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
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