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

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!

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-Symoné, 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

Wednesday, October 27

The Goldbergs - "The Hunt for the Great Albino Pumpkin" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Missing his Pops, Adam finds himself disenchanted with his once favorite time of year, Halloween. Beverly tirelessly tries to resurrect Adam’s Halloween spirit from the dead, encouraging Pop Pop (Judd Hirsch) to spend some quality time with his grandson. A night of mishaps and chaos turns out to be just the adventure Adam needs. Meanwhile, with the push and support from Joanne, Barry decides to bring his former alter ego, rapper “Big Tasty,” back to life; and a chance encounter with the legendary Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, brings Barry and Joanne closer together.

The Wonder Years - "Be Prepared" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Coach Long and Bill take the boys on a camping trip as part of their newly formed scout troop, their starkly different approaches to the outdoors show Dean that his father isn’t good at everything. As a thunderstorm threatens an eerie quest through the woods, Bill leans into his expertise to save the day.

The Conners - "Peter Pan, The Backup Plan, Adventures in Babysitting, and a River Runs Through It" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Conner home is decked out for Halloween despite the leak in the roof that forces Dan and Louise to cancel their honeymoon. But all is not lost when Becky surprises the newlyweds and takes them on a virtual adventure around the world. Meanwhile, Darlene continues her spiritual journey, and Harris introduces Aldo’s children to the family, where more tricks than treats await.

Home Economics - "Box of King-Size Candy Bars, $48.99" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Trick or treat is not the only question on the Hayworths’ minds as they debate the best neighborhood for a spooktacular Halloween. Meanwhile, Connor navigates sharing the holiday with his ex-wife, Emily.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 25)

Wednesday, October 27

Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek) - Watch Dan on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Nick appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Beanie Feldstein (Harriet the Spy) - Beanie will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Norman Lear (Producer of All in the Family/Maude/Sanford and Son/The Jeffersons/Good Times) - Norman is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Drew will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Yvette Nicole Brown (The Mayor/The Odd Couple/Community) - Yvette appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Linda Lavin (B Positive/9JKL/Sean Saves the World/Room for Two/Alice) - Linda is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Hector Elizondo (Last Man Standing/Down and Out in Beverly Hills/Foley Square/Popi) - Hector will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Jane Seymour (Let's Get Physical/Modern Men) - Jane appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) - Alan is a guest on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan (check your local listings) and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat appears on The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?/Romantically Challenged) - Alyssa talks about her new personal essay collection, Sorry Not Sorry, on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) - Justina talks about Lifetime's Switched Before Birth on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Kermit the Frog (The Muppets) - Kermit the Frog talks about YouTube's Dear Earth on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice/Shaping Up) - Jennifer talks about USA Network's Chucky on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Elizabeth Banks (Scrubs/30 Rock) - Elizabeth talks about My Body, My Podcast on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Justine Bateman (Family Ties) - Justine talks about Violet on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.