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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Thursday, January 23
Shifting Gears - "Accommodations" (ABC, 9:02PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt joins Riley at Carter’s high school open house, where he’s unsettled to learn about the “accommodations” made for his grandson’s anxiety. Meanwhile, Riley reconnects with Caitlin, a former classmate, and sets her up with Gabriel.
Only Murders in the Building - "Sparring Partners" (ABC, 9:33PM ET/PT)
Closing in on the killer, Mabel takes her investigative talents into the ring; Oliver and Charles duke it out over a birdcage only to end up confronting their deepest paternal struggles.
Only Murders in the Building - "I Know Who Did It" (ABC, 10:12PM ET/PT)
The question of who did it remains, along with a few more questions that have been raised.
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "An Old Mustang" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie worries that he’s leaving Connor out of his new project with Jim. Meanwhile, Mandy and Audrey struggle to decorate CeeCee’s nursery without fighting.
Ghosts - "The Primary Source" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Sam’s book publisher requires source material for her biography on Isaac, she and Jay take a field trip to find a diary he claims he hid when he was alive.
Animal Control - "Baby Kangaroos and Chickens" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Frank and Victoria compete to win Fiona's affections at the new kennels' fundraiser; Emily gets some very bad advice from Bettany on her speech; Patel and Shred find themselves facing the world's most charming squatter.
Going Dutch - "Korfball" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Everyone in town is talking about the upcoming Korfball match between the Americans and the Dutch; the colonel refuses to lose to the Dutch and Quinn brings out her high school alter ego "The Rocket" to make her dad proud.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 20)
Thursday, January 23
- James Marsden (30 Rock) - Catch James on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Fortune Feimster (FUBAR/Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Denis Leary (Going Dutch/No Good Deed/Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/The Job) - Denis stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Nick appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Britt Lower (Ghosted/Man Seeking Woman/Big Lake) - Britt is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!), Paul F. Tompkins (The Great North/BoJack Horseman/DAG) and Joe Manganiello (How I Met Your Mother) - Thomas, Paul and Joe are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Al Madrigal (Lopez vs Lopez/About a Boy/Gary Unmarried/Welcome to The Captain) - Al appears on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason and his wife Jenny Mollen are telling Drew about their new show Dinner and a Movie that features an episode focusing on 50 First Dates on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
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