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
Saturday, May 17
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 12)
Friday, May 16
- Lunell (Lopez) - Watch Luenell on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. She will also be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:39am.
- Benito Skinner (Overcompensating) - Benito appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) and Jerry O'Connell (We Are Men/Do Not Disturb/Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Mayan and Jerry are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Luke Kirby (Étoile) and Gideon Glick (Étoile/The Other Two) - Luke and Gideon talk about Étoile on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
- Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - Stanley talks about his new series Tucci in Italy with GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm. He will also be on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
- Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - Howie talks about America's Got Talent on Live with Kelly and Mark (check your local listings) and on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your lcoal listings.
- Marissa Jaret Winokur (What We Do in the Shadows/Retired at 35/Stacked) - Marissa talks about her latest project Mama I'm a Big Girl Now on Sherri, 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)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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