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
Wednesday, July 9
Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.
Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.
Abbott Elementary - "Volunteers" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava announces the school district is sending a group of volunteers to help out at Abbott; however, when they arrive, things don’t go as planned.
Abbott Elementary - "100th Day of School" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
During Abbott’s 100th day of school celebrations, Barbara receives a surprise from her daughter. Melissa, Jacob and Mr. Johnson join forces to conduct a search party.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary" (FXX and FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Months after the Gang visited, Abbott's Principal Ava walks viewers through some of the unseen footage of the Gang's volunteerism and reveals their true intentions.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Frank Is in a Coma" (FXX and FX, 9:33PM ET/PT)
The five stages of grief set in for Dee as Frank lies on his deathbed; the Guys plot their new path forward by pitching their business ventures to Philadelphia's elite.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 7)
Wednesday, July 9
- Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Salma Hayek Pinault (The Sinbad Show) - Watch Salma on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Cole Escola (Human Resources/Search Party/Mozart in the Jungle/Difficult People) - Cole appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Richie Moriarty (Ghosts), Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed/Animal Practice) and Punam Patel (Ghosts/Return of the Mac/Kevin from Work) - Richie, Betsy and Punam are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Tika Sumpter (mixed-ish/Final Space/The Game) - Tika sits down with the Tam Fam to talk about her new children's book I Got It From My Mama a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Isabela Merced (100 Things to Do Before High School/Growing Up Fisher) - Isabela chats about her film Superman on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Anna Camp (Perfect Harmony/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/The Mindy Project) and Justin Bartha (The New Normal/Teachers) - Anna and Justin discuss their film Nuked on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) - Simon talks about Peacock's Poker Face on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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