Friday, July 30, 2021
Fri-Yay: Ted Lasso and Mythic Quest Are Promising Comedies on Apple TV+; Paramount+ Announces Cast for The Game Revival
by Vincent
I've talked before in this column about streaming services' difficulties finding strong comedies to serve as flagships for comedy on their services. Netflix has had many really great comedies, but lately their comedy slate has been dry after giving the ax to shows like BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and One Day at a Time. Hulu has had some solid dramedies like Remy and Shrill, but is still finding its footing with straight comedy series. Well, two of the most promising streaming sitcoms are Mythic Quest and Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.
Of the two shows, Mythic Quest (starring and created by Always Sunny's Rob McElhenney) is a more traditional sitcom. It focuses a group of video game developers, and while it has some very serious moments, it's more of a straight comedy. Ted Lasso (starring Jason Sudeikis) is a bit of an odder show buried also extremely compelling. If you haven't watched it yet, two seasons are now available on Apple TV+.
I was hesitant about Apple TV+ and felt their early offerings were just okay, but they've really stepped up their game lately. If it holds, maybe they could be the solid comedy steaming service we've all wanted.
Paramount+, the streaming service from ViacomCBS, announced several new cast members joining the service's revival of the groundbreaking series The Game, including Adriyan Rae (Chicago Fire) as Brittany Pitts, the daughter of Jason and Kelly Pitts; Vaughn Hebron (Tyler Perry's The Oval) as Jamison Fields, an undrafted free agent; and Analisa Velez (Sneaky Pete) as Raquel Navarro, Brittany's best friend. Legacy players Brittany Daniel (Cheaper by the Dozen) and Pooch Hall (Ray Donovan) will make special appearances, reprising their roles as Kelly Pitts and Derwin Davis, respectively. The 10-episode first season of the new series will stream exclusively on Paramount+. Relocating from San Diego to Sin City, The Game returns with a mix of new players and original cast, including previously announced series regulars Wendy Raquel Robinson and Hosea Chanchez, to offer a modern-day examination of Black culture through the prism of pro football. The team will tackle racism, sexism, classism and more as they fight for fame, fortune, respect and love – all while trying to maintain their souls as they each play THE GAME.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Tuesday, February 4
St. Denis Medical - "People Just Say Stuff Online" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Ron's bedside manner earns him a complaint from a frustrated patient; Alex insists an unflattering online review was not about her; Bruce confronts his high-school bully.
Night Court - "Age Against the Machine" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dan must defend his job after he gets a bad review on one of the city's new satisfaction kiosks; Abby and Gurgs receive some shocking information from Wyatt's daughter.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 3)
Tuesday, February 4
- Lauren Graham (The Z-Suite/M.Y.O.B./Conrad Bloom/Townies/Good Company) - Catch Lauren on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Roy Wood Jr. (Sullivan & Son) - Roy appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Melissa Rauch (Night Court/The Big Bang Theory), Jessica St. Clair (Avenue 5/Playing House/Best Friends Forever/In the Motherhood) and Nico Santos (Superstore) - Melissa, Jessica and Nico are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Harry Hamlin (Movie Stars) - Harry stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo. He also talks about Mayfair Witches on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Kyle Richards (Down to Earth - Kyle appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Harrison Ford (Shrinking) - E! News has an interview with Harrison at 11pm on E!. He also talks about “Captain America: Brave New World on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Damon Wayans (Poppa's House/My Wife and Kids/Damon) - Damon talks about Poppa's House on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is telling Drew all about playing a secret service agent in the thrilling new show Paradise on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. They're also chatting about how he got his start acting in high school and working with “This is Us†creator Dan Fogelman to get real life secret service experience for their new series.
- MC Lyte (Partners in Ryhme) - MC talks about her 1 of 1 Reflections of Lyte Tour 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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