Friday, February 26, 2021
Fri-Yay: CBS’s Mom Announces End, Marking Another End of An Era for Sitcoms; Hulu Orders More Shrill and Love, Victor

by Vincent
In addition to previously announced series endings like Superstore and Brooklyn 99, CBS's Mom announced it would be ending after 8 seasons this past week. It is still somewhat unclear whether the end was due to CBS canceling the series or a decision made by its creators, but it was a move that was seen as unsurprising given that the series lost one of its key stars Anna Faris this season, and the fact that ratings for the show have fallen recently.
Mom was a landmark series that was a critical and commercial success, easily the most acclaimed series Chuck Lorre created. It was a network multi-camera sitcom that managed to achieve critical and fan adoration as well as high viewership numbers. It also signals the end of yet another hallmark network comedy, joining the likes of Superstore and The Good Place as well as Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory in the few years prior. Without clear successors, Mom will leave yet another hole in the network sitcom landscape.
During the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour, Hulu presented the company's lineup of upcoming original programming including the fourth season of Emmy(R), Golden Globe(R) and Peabody Award-winning series The Handmaid's Tale, the third and final season of comedy series Shrill starring Aidy Bryant, and new adult animation series Marvel's M.O.D.O.K., all of which join the company's collection of premium original content.
The third and final season of Shrill premieres all eight episodes on Friday, May 7. The new season finds Annie (Aidy Bryant) energized by her breakup with dud boyfriend Ryan (Luka Jones) and her newfound momentum at work. Annie feels like everything is finally falling into place for her, but does she actually know how to get what she wants? Shrill stars Aidy Bryant, Lolly Adefope, Ian Owens and John Cameron Mitchell. Elsewhere, the fourth season of The Handmaid's Tale premieres with three episodes on Wednesday, April 28. Following a successful first season and practically blowing up the internet, Animaniacs has been renewed for a third, zany season on Hulu consisting of 10 episodes. And finally, the popular teen dramedy Love, Victor returns with all 10 episodes on Friday, June 11.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Wednesday, February 1
Abbott Elementary - "Holiday Hookah" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
On the last day of school before winter break, Janine is convinced by her friend to go to a popular Hookah Club where she runs into unexpected colleagues. Elsewhere, Jacob crashes Barbara and Melissa’s traditional holiday dinner and in the process begins to learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Abbott Elementary - "Read-A-Thon" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The competition heats up between Melissa and Janine as their classrooms go head-to-head in a read-a-thon sponsored by a local pizza shop. Both teachers encourage their students to hit the books hard but face some unexpected obstacles on their path to pizza glory. Meanwhile, Jacob and Gregory join forces and attempt to get their student-podcasting club off the ground.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 30)
Wednesday, February 1
- Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Nick on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Harrison Ford (Shrinking) - Harrison appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face/Russian Doll) - Natasha is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Adam Pally (Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Jenny Slate (The Great North/Big Mouth/Married/Bob's Burgers) - Jenny appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- D. L. Hughley (The Hughleys/Double Rush) - D. L. guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan appears on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your local listings.
- Jay Ellis (Insecure/The Game - Jay will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew is a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Michael Urie (Shrinking/Younger/Partners) - Michael talks about the new Apple TV+ Shrinking on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Abby Quinn (Mad About You) - Abby will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 8:50am.
- Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - NBC's Today catches up with Terry in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-January)
10/04 - Mr. Mayor - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/04 - The Munsters - Marineland Carnival with The Munsters TV Cast
10/18 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete First Season
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
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