Friday, August 27, 2021

Fri-Yay: Apple's Ted Lasso Continues to Impress In Its Second Season; TCA Summer Press Tour: ABC

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

Ted Lasso

by Vincent

I've written before about Ted Lasso, the great original series on Apple TV+. However, I haven't talked about the shows second season much, so I'll take the time to continue to review the shows current situation and whether the promising first season has held up in Season 2. Second seasons can be hard for TV shows, and Ted Lasso has sometimes felt a little more unsteady in its second season. The emotional beats sometimes feel a bit more forced, not as naturally kind as the show was in Season 1. However, despite that, the show really continues to be the biggest delight on TV.

I've been waiting for a new sitcom to have the combination of humor and heart that Ted Lasso does. While it doesn’t always completely stick the landing, the snow does a better job than most others on the air right now of being meaningful without forgetting about the laughs. It’s truly a special series and I highly recommend it for everyone looking for a great new comedy to watch right now.


The Conners

ABC was up yesterday at the TCA Summer Press Tour. There were plenty of updates. Read all the major updates right here! The Wonder Years premieres Sept. 22, but a few weeks later on Oct. 13, three original cast members will appear on three other ABC comedies: Fred Savage, Danica McKellar and Dan Lauria will make guest appearances on The Conners, Home Economics and The Goldbergs, respectively. ABC's No. 1 comedy last season is set to return with more laughs, surprise guests, a live episode and a chance for viewers to win a virtual appearance as a member of the Conner family in the season four premiere when The Conners returns Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The cast of The Conners will perform live for both the East and West Coast broadcasts of the season four premiere episode. The members of America's favorite family are no strangers to live television, but this time, they'll need some extra help to pull it off. ABC and The Conners have launched the "You Can Be A Conner" sweepstakes, offering viewers the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience by entering for the chance to win a virtual appearance during the live season premiere episode. As part of the storyline, a Conner family member will call each lucky sweepstakes winner for a live conversation regarding how they deal with some of the same life issues that the Conners navigate on a daily basis. The sweepstakes is open to legal U.S. residents, 18 and older. No purchase is necessary to enter; visit www.BeAConner.com for official rules and full details.

ABC also announced the greenlight of 10-episode courtroom comedy series Judge Steve Harvey (working title). The judge, the jury and the star of the series, Steve Harvey, will welcome a variety of conflicts and characters to his courtroom – from small claims to big disputes and everything in between. Steve plays by his own rules, basing his courtroom on his own life experiences and some good old common sense. The one-hour primetime unscripted comedy Judge Steve Harvey (working title) will premiere on ABC in 2022. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, ABC will present a spectacular television event, The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World, taking viewers on a historical journey spanning half a century and beyond at Walt Disney World in Florida. Hosted by Disney Legend and moderator of ABC's The View, Whoopi Goldberg, the two-hour program will feature spectacular visuals and musical performances from Christina Aguilera and Disney's The Little Mermaid Halle Bailey in front of the legendary Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, accompanied by the renowned Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra; as well as interviews with iconic actors, actresses and athletes, Walt Disney World cast members, Disney Imagineers and executives past and present, who have all played their unique part in sprinkling pixie dust over "The Most Magical Place on Earth." The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World airs Friday, Oct. 1 from 8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune returns with its star-studded spin on America's Game® when season two premieres on its new night, Sunday, Sept. 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC. Hosted by pop-culture legends Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune welcomes celebrity contestants to spin the world's most famous Wheel and solve word puzzles for a chance to win up to $1 million. All of the money won by the celebrity contestants will go to a charity of their choice. The celebrity contestants include Jason Alexander, Tatyana Ali, Anthony Anderson, Tituss Burgess, Cheryl Burke, Brooke Burns, Lacey Chabert, Mario Cantone, Laverne Cox, Marcia Cross, Joey Fatone, Vivica A. Fox, Jeff Garlin, Anthony Michael Hall, Melissa Joan Hart, John Michael Higgins, Vanilla Ice, Tara Lipinski, Loni Love, Von Miller, Michael Mizanin, Wanya Morris, Jason Mraz, Haley Joel Osment, Donny Osmond, James Pickens Jr., Caroline Rhea, Andy Richter, Amber Riley, Tori Spelling, Shawn Stockman, Curtis Stone, Jodie Sweetin, Raven-SymonĂ©, Karl-Anthony Towns, Michelle Trachtenberg, Nia Vardalos, Johnny Weir and Ali Wentworth.

And finally, Shark Tank, the critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy® Award-winning business-themed unscripted series that celebrates entrepreneurship in America, adds four new guest Sharks for its 13th season, premiering Friday, Oct. 8 at 8:00 p.m. EDT on ABC. Emma Grede, CEO and co-founder of Good American and founding partner of SKIMS; Kevin Hart, actor, investor and entrepreneur; Peter Jones, the sole remaining original Dragon on the BBC's Dragons' Den; and Nirav Tolia, co-founder of Nextdoor, will appear individually alongside long-standing Sharks Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O'Leary in various episodes during the 2021-2022 season. Daniel Lubetzky, founder and executive chairman of KIND, also returns this season.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Thursday, November 30

Young Sheldon - "A Romantic Getaway and a Germanic Meat-Based Diet" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mandy surprises Georgie with a spa weekend and Sheldon prepares for his summer in Germany.

Ghosts - "Ghost Hunter" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay’s assistant, Freddie (Mike Lane), purchases ghost-hunting equipment when suspicious activity leads him to theorize the B&B is haunted. Also, Sasappis risks losing his relationship with Jessica (Nichole Sakura) when Freddie sells his car.

Ghosts (UK) - "Moonah Ston" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Mike and Alison’s posh neighbors swindle Mike into agreeing to an obscene payment for the rights to their contested driveway, Alison attempts to win the rights back over a game of poker. Also, the ghosts help Robin celebrate the lunar eclipse.

Ghosts (UK) - "Getting Out" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Alison and Mike, exhausted and broke, are ecstatic to receive an offer from a luxury hotel chain to buy Button House, but their potential departure drives a wedge between the ghosts.

Son of a Critch - "Who Dares Dare Hudaro?" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mark falls under the spell of a visiting hypnotist and lets his grades slip; Pop struggles to lose weight when he gets too fat for his pants.

Children Ruin Everything - "Money" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With saving for retirement at the top of her mind, Astrid proposes to James that they try to get through the last few days of the month without dipping beyond their monthly budget just once; the Berney's find creative ways to stay on target.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 27)

Thursday, November 30

  • Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program) - Catch Sarah on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • John Stamos (Fuller House/Grandfathered/Jake in Progress/Full House/You, Again?) - John is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Josh Gad (Wolf Like Me/Avenue 5/The Comedians/1600 Penn/Back to You) - Josh appears 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.
  • Sara Bareilles (Girls5eva) - NBC's Today has Sara for the Citi Music Series in the 9am hour.
  • Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy/American Dad!/The Cleveland Show) and Liz Gillies (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/Victorious) - Seth and Liz perform on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana is telling Drew about her role in Wish, facing rejection and manifesting getting to where she is now on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Tatyana Ali (Second Generation Wayans/Love That Girl!/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Tatyana talks about Lifetime's The Holiday Proposal Plan on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy stops by and chef Brian Hart Hoffman mixes things up in the Sherri kitchen on Sherri, so check your local listings.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-December)

Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

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11/29 - Antenna TV January 2024 Schedule; Max December Comedy Specials
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11/27 - Sundance Now Gets Original Comedy; Hallmark Original Returns for Season 2 in January
11/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 27, 2023)
11/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kelsey Grammer Ready to Do 100 Episodes of Frasier; TBS Cancels Miracle Workers
11/24 - Fox Winter 2024 Schedule; An Evening From the Heart John Ritter Foundation NYC 2023 Event
11/23 - 2023 Thanksgiving TV Marathons
11/22 - Kerry Washington's UnPrisoned Gets Season 2; Classic Comedy Shorts Celebrate 40th Anniversary
11/21 - NBC Winter 2024 Schedule; Netflix Renews Rob Lowe Comedy
11/20 - BUZZR Celebrates Bob Barker's 100th Birthday; Ted Prequel Series on Peacock Gets Premiere Date
11/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 20, 2023)
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11/17 - ABC Winter 2024 Schedule; CBS Celebrates 98th Birthday of Dick Van Dyke
11/16 - Whoa Mama! Urkel Is Back for the Holidays!; Hulu Gets Such Brave Girls Comedy
11/15 - COZI TV's A Very COZI Christmas Schedule; Young Sheldon to End This Season on CBS
11/14 - CBS Winter 2024 Schedule; The CW Pulls 2 Comedies
11/13 - Antenna TV 2023 Holiday Marathons Schedule; Rewind TV 2023 Holiday Marathons Schedule
11/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 13, 2023)
11/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: SAG-AFTRA Strike Finally Ends; New Digital TV Broadcast Networks Coming
11/10 - AXS TV's The Partridge Family Thanksgiving Marathon; AspireTV Holiday Programming
11/09 - Bookie Premieres November 30 on Max; Ted Lasso Star Holiday Special on Apple TV+
11/08 - FX Renews The Bear for Season 3; Hulu's Australian Original Series Premieres November 29
11/07 - Disney+ Holiday Specials Extravaganza; Apple TV+ Peanuts Feature Film Coming Soon
11/06 - NBC Holiday Specials; Fox Holiday Specials
11/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of November 6, 2023)
11/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Broadcast Networks Preparing for Shorter Seasons of Scripted Series; CBS Announces Host of After Midnight
11/03 - Futurama Renewed for 2 More Seasons; ABC Holiday Specials
11/02 - Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas 2023 Schedule; Roku Gets in Holiday Spirit
11/01 - REELZ Remembers Matthew Perry; Leo Reich Comedy Special on HBO This December
10/31 - TBS Friends Tribute Marathon; HBO's Albert Brooks Documentary Premieres November 11
10/30 - Remembering Matthew Perry of Friends and Richard Moll of Night Court