Friday, October 08, 2021

Fri-Yay: CBS’s Ghosts Is the Most Interesting New Comedy of the Year; Insecure to Hold Festival for Final Season

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!

Ghosts

by Vincent

Typically, CBS sitcoms and "critical acclaim" aren't really two things that go together. While CBS is known for their broad hits, they don't typically go for the critically adored or fan beloved angle, and don't stray too far from the tried and true formula. However, Ghosts, which premiereed last night, could be an exception. The show has solid Metacritic reviews - the best of any new sitcom this year and possibly even new series. It also has a very interesting premise, the kind you don't see much on broadcast TV anymore. In the premise, Samantha (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) believe that their dreams have come true in receiving a beautiful country house, only to find that it is falling apart and inhabited by a number of deceased previous residents.

It's no secret that the broadcast sitcom is having a tough time right now. With critical darlings and fan favorites like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Superstore coming to an end, and few new sitcoms making a splash, it's about time for a new show to make waves. Let's hope Ghosts is that sitcom.


Insecure Fest

In celebration of the final season of the hit comedy Insecure, HBO will host its fifth and final Insecure Fest block party for the series. On Saturday, Oct. 23, at 4 p.m. PT in Los Angeles, Insecure Fest will be hosted by Crissle West and Francheska Medina of the InsecuriTEA Podcast. The event, inspired by key Insecure themes of music and community, will also include surprise musical performances. Insecure Fest will give attendees the chance to view an exclusive screening of the season 5 premiere episode and experience a retrospective photo installation that pays homage to the series. Throughout the day, food will be served by local Black-owned vendors including Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen - Slauson. Guests will also have the opportunity to experience an interactive preview of Insecure: The Come Up Game, a rap-based mobile game where users navigate the messy business of adulting with Issa, Molly, Kelli, Tiffany, Lawrence and Chad as their guides. Insecure: The Come Up Game, will debut in the App and Android Store during season 5. COVID protocols will be in place for festival attendees.

Starring NAACP Image Award winner and six-time Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominee Issa Rae, the series continues to follow our favorite characters as they evaluate their relationships, both new and old, in an effort to figure out who and what comes with them in this next phase of their lives. The fifth season also stars series regulars Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Kendrick Sampson and Courtney Taylor. The final season premieres exclusively on HBO on Sunday, Oct.24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT and will be available to stream on HBO Max.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, April 10

Happy's Place - "Emotional Real Estate" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Bobbie struggles to find the perfect buyers for Happy's house, Gabby has the solution and thinks of her mother, Val; Steve convinces Emmett that he should be dressing much nicer for his upcoming date with Monica.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 6)

Friday, April 10

  • Jason Segel (Shrinking/How I Met Your Mother/Undeclared) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Sarah appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • John Mulaney (Mulaney) - John is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Elizabeth Banks (30 Rock/Scrubs) - Elizabeth and Matthew Macfadyen talk about The Miniature Wife on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm. Elizabeth will also be on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - Eva talks about Searching for France on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Michelle Pfeiffer (Margo's Got Money Troubles/Delta House) - Michelle talks about Margo's Got Money Troubles and The Madison on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Rachel Dratch (Grimsburg/Imaginary Mary/30 Rock) - Rachel talks about The Rocky Horror Show on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond) - Ray sits down with Sherri to talk about his star turn in Broadway's All Out on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) and Matt Bomer (Mid-Century Modern) - Keanu, Matt and the cast of Outcome are guests on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

04/09 - Additional Stars for Nobody Wants This Season 3; Saturday Night Live Closes Out Season 51 in May
04/08 - Mindy Kaling's Not Suitable for Work Drops June 2; Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident Premieres May 15 on Hulu
04/07 - CBS Announces Late-Night Lineup After Colbert Ends; Hulu Special Nikki Glaser: Good Girl Drops April 24
04/06 - Bonus Episodes of Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat Coming to Prime Video; Ramy Youssef's Third HBO Special
04/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 6, 2026)
04/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Colin Jost Lands Role in New Peacock Series; Cincinnati Radio Station Gets WKRP Letters
04/03 - Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Final 4-Part Event; Hulu's Deli Boys Returns May 28
04/02 - Prime Video Releases More Details on Kevin; Additional Cast Members Joining Tires Season 3 on Netflix
04/01 - Hulu Releases First Look at Alice and Steve; Tubi to Stream 250 Sesame Street Episodes
03/31 - CBS 2026 Season Finale Dates; Wanda Sykes Returns with Third Netflix Special
03/30 - Saturday Night Live April 2026 Schedule; NBC Renews Chicago Series for 2026-27
03/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 30, 2026)
03/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: More Casting News for Reboot of A Different World; Amy Poehler Produced Comedy in Development at Netflix
03/27 - The Ms. Pat Show Renewed for Season 6; SisterS Returns April 22 on AMC+, Acorn TV and IFC TV
03/26 - Great Entertainment Television to Honor Chuck Norris; ABC's R.J. Decker Gets Time Slot Upgrade
03/25 - Netflix Announces Details of Nobody Wants This Season 3; Paramount+ Renews School Spirits for Season 4
03/24 - Hacks Returns for Final Season on April 9; America Says Is Back for Sixth Season on Game Show Network
03/23 - The Roast of Kevin Hart LIVE on Netflix; HBO Renews Late-Night Series
03/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 23, 2026)
03/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Sets Plans for Final Episode of The Neighborhood; ABC Pulls The Bachelorette
03/20 - TBS Orders Season 13 of Impractical Jokers; HBO's Josh Johnson Comedy Special
03/19 - Netflix Casts Scooby-Doo Live-Action Series; Darren Star's Next Comedy Series Uncorked
03/18 - Saturday Night Live UK to Launch This Weekend; Hulu Renews Paradise for Season 3
03/17 - Netflix Renews Free Bert for Season 2; The Neighborhood: A Farewell Special in April
03/16 - Color Theories by Julio Torres on HBO; Lifetime's Ripped from the Headlines Spring Slate with Two New Movies
03/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 16, 2026)
03/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Family Guy's Stewie Griffin Getting Spinoff; NBCUniversal Cancels Several Daytime Shows, Including Last of the Daytime "Trash Talk"
03/13 - NBC Summer 2026 Schedule; Malcolm in the Middle Revival Series Trailer
03/12 - Season 9 of Rick and Morty This May; Fox Entertainment Studios Lines Up Frankie Quiñones for Comedy Series
03/11 - Antenna TV's Hazel 65th Anniversary Marathon; Kountry Wayne Prime Video Comedy Special
03/10 - XO, Kitty Season 3 Trailer Released for April 2 Launch; The Drew Barrymore Show Talker Gets 2 Season Renewal
03/09 - Beef Returns April 16 on Netflix; Remembering Jennifer Runyon of Charles in Charge