Friday, April 02, 2021
Fri-Yay: Remembering Jessica Walter's Excellent Career; Fox's Let's Be Real Special Turns Into Series

by Vincent
Last week, we received the tragic news that Jessica Walter has passed away. Walter was an incredible actress with a long and excellent career in both film and TV. However, to sitcoms fans, she was likely known for two iconic roles: Lucille Bluth in the critically acclaimed and fan beloved comedy Arrested Development, and Mallory Archer in the raunchy, long-running animated hit Archer. Walter worked in both roles even in very recent times (Arrested's final season aired in 2018, and Archer is still running) and her death came as a shock, as even in her later work she still did an excellent job at portraying the characters.
Walter's comic talents might not have been immediately evident to those who knew her from her Play Misty for Me days, but the way she could deliver stone-cold classic lines on both Arrested and Archer was unparalleled. So many Lucille Bluth lines became internet memes for a reason - her blunt, in-your-face delivery made for so many classic moments, and she made the hilariously hatable character of Lucille Bluth an instant classic character, and a big part of Arrested's excellent success. She brought the same energy to her Archer character and once again contributed to that show's continued triumphs. I've been rewatching Arrested Development this week and I'm still in awe of just how great of a comic actress she was. Rest in peace, Jessica Walter - your excellent work will live in for many, many years.
Executive-produced by Robert Smigel (Triumph The Insult Comic Dog), Fox's satirical-puppet series, Let's Be Real, returns with four all-new episodes, and all-new puppets, beginning Thursday, April 29 from 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox. Following last fall's comedy special, Let's Be Real returns to Fox this spring with all-new episodes beginning Thursday, April 29 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT). Executive-produced and written by Robert Smigel (Triumph The Insult Comic Dog), the new series will debut new puppets from the worlds of entertainment and politics, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Ted Cruz, Kim Kardashian and LeBron James. Previously featured puppets, such as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald J. Trump, Former Vice President Mike Pence and Kanye West, also will appear, as the satirical comedy series will cover politics and pop culture in 2021 through topical sketches, celebrity cameos and remote pieces.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, February 7
Happy's Place - "Mama Drama" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Isabella's mom, Maritza, arrives, Bobbie tells the crew she's forgiven her for what happened with Happy, only to realize Maritza holds a grudge against her; Emmett and Takoda try to find out why Steve can't return to his home in Colombia.
Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Lockout" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A once-estranged father and daughter navigate dysfunction, reconnection and all the headaches and joy in between as they make up for lost time like only they can -- with the rest of their unique, offbeat family by their side.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Abraca-Disaster!" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Billie uses her magic to help Winter impress the school's Magic Club. But soon, Billie learns she shouldn't overstep to help a friend.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Hit Me With Your Best Bot" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Billie can't join Roman and Winter's team for a robotics competition, she enlists Milo and uses magic to design an over-the-top robot of their own with disastrous results.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 3)
Friday, February 7
- Laverne Cox (Clean Slate) and George Wallace (Clean Slate/The Parkers/Arli$$/Tall Hopes) - Laverne and George chat with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana is chatting with Drew about her new movie Love Hurts on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. She will also be on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Jennie Garth (Mystery Girls/What I Like About You) - Jennie discusses her I Choose Me, Los Angeles live event on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Olivia Holt (I Didn't Do It/Shake It Up) - Olivia and Mason Gooding talk about their film Heart Eyes on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, 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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