Friday, November 06, 2020
Fri-Yay: Superstore Tackles the Pandemic in a Smart, Funny Way; Family Ties Cast to Reunite
by Vincent
Last week, NBC's Superstore returned for Season 6. It was a big premiere for the show for several reasons. Amy, the show's lead character played by America Ferrera, will be departing the show after the second episode, so the premiere partly serves as the beginning of her farewell. And, notably, the premiere was the show's first episode after production was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it addressed the pandemic's impact on its characters. And it did so brilliantly, putting together the best piece of media I've seen regarding the pandemic and one of the show's best episodes to date.
Superstore has always been a show not afraid to tackle big issues while also remaining funny and light-hearted, so it's not surprising that the show did such a great job tackling the issue of the virus. Additionally, given the show's setting in a retail store, the pandemic uniquely affects its characters, and it's sure to make us realize that. The characters are called "essential workers" but don't receive the same treatment from the public or their bosses as other essential workers do. The way the characters have to be at the front lines of the pandemic but don't get the tools to properly protect themselves is very real. And yet, the show still remained funny and managed to make some really funny jokes about the pandemic more successfully than I may have expected. I was very unsure about shows handling the pandemic, but if they can take Superstore's lead, they'll be making some really strong content.
The Keatons are in the house! Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley announced that Meredith Baxter (Elyse Keaton), Michael Gross (Steven Keaton), Michael J. Fox (Alex P. Keaton), Tina Yothers (Jennifer Keaton), Marc Price (Irwin "Skippy" Handelman), and Scott Valentine (Nick Moore), will reunite on Stars in the House on Tuesday, November 10 at 8PM ET to discuss all things Family Ties, and reminisce about their time on one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history.
The reunion episode will stream exclusively on PEOPLE social platforms Facebook and Twitter, as well as on PeopleTV's Facebook and Twitter, and on the Stars In The House YouTube channel, and StarsInTheHouse.com, where fans may tune in to ask questions and donate to The Actors Fund for a chance to have their names read by the stars on air. Of course, there will be live music. Family Ties joins the incredible line-up of casts that Seth and James have brought together to sing, share stories, and raise money to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Night at the Museum, Scandal, Knots Landing, Melrose Place, Frasier, Glee, 30 Rock, Desperate Housewives, SCTV, White Collar, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Taxi, Fame, and Star Trek: Voyager.
Stars In The House airs new episodes Mondays-Saturdays at 8PM ET on its YouTube channel and StarsInTheHouse.com. For more information and to see upcoming guests, please visit starsinthehouse.com and follow @StarsInTheHouse, Seth (@SethRudetsky) and James (@JamesWesleyNYC) on Twitter and Instagram.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, April 26
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 22)
Friday, April 26
- Ernie Hudson (Grace and Frankie/The Last Precinct/Highcliffe Manor) - Ernie and Bill Murray are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers) - Steve appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show) - Jerrod is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - Fred sits in with The 8G Band on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Retta (Parks and Recreation) - Retta talks about HGTV's Ugliest House in America on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Janet Jackson (Diff'rent Strokes/Good Times) - Drew and Ross are surprised by Janet whose telling them all about her new tour, some of her most iconic moments and fashion looks and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jessica Capshaw (Odd Man Out) and Camilla Luddington (Californication) - Jessica and Camilla are guests on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
New on DVD/Blu-ray
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
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