Fri-Yay: Sitcom Thanksgiving Episodes to Be Thankful For; Live in Front of a Studio Audience Returns Dec. 7 with The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes

Friday, November 19, 2021

Fri-Yay: Sitcom Thanksgiving Episodes to Be Thankful For; Live in Front of a Studio Audience Returns Dec. 7 with The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes

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!

Bob's Burgers - An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal

Bob's Burgers - An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal

by Vincent

It's the season to be thankful, and one thing we are all grateful for is having a long weekend off from work to binge watch some TV show episodes. So what are the best sitcom Thanksgiving episodes? The obvious choice is the Friends Thanksgiving episodes, the gold standard of sitcom Thanksgiving. But there are also some other classic Thanksgiving episodes that deserve recognition as well.

New Girl was another "young professionals in a big city" sitcom that did Thanksgiving well, and its Thanksgiving episodes are a funny mix of humor and heart. Community also had a solid Thanksgiving episode - although it took place during the "gas leak" year without creator Dan Harmon, it's still a decent half-hour that introduces us to Jeff's estranged father. Happy Endings also had a very funny Thanksgiving episode that chronicles the gang's past as reality TV stars.

However, if one show stands out above the rest, it's Bob's Burgers. Nearly every Bob's Burgers Thanksgiving episode is an instant classic, with my favorite being the Season 3 Thanksgiving episode "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal," which also featured Linda's unforgettable Thanksgiving song. It's a classic episode, just like all Bob's Burgers Thanksgiving episodes, and I highly recommend it.

Live in Front of a Studio Audience - The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes

Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel are back for a third installment of Live in Front of a Studio Audience! The first two specials aired before the pandemic in spring 2019 and holiday season 2019, but now 2 years later, we are back with another holiday installment! Previous classic Norman Lear sitcoms featured were All in the Family, The Jeffersons and Good Times, now we are heading into the '80s with Lear's The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes! Yes, Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes will air Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 8pm to 9:30pm ET, followed by the series premiere of the previously announced new school comedy Abbott Elementary at 9:30pm leading into the fall finale of new drama Queens at 10pm.

Casting details for Diff'rent Strokes includes John Lithgow as Mr. Drummond, Kevin Hart as Arnold, Damon Wayans as Willis and Ann Dowd as Mrs. Garrett, with more to be announced. Casting details for The Facts of Life has not been announced yet but Ann Dowd as Mrs. Garrett will certainly be on both episodes. Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows will executive produce. Details on the episodes being recreated will also be announced soon! More to come!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, October 22

Shifting Gears - "Danger" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a raccoon appears in the Parkers’ yard, Matt sees a chance to teach Carter a lesson about facing his fears. Meanwhile, Riley struggles to navigate the world of dating apps and goes on her first post-divorce date.

Abbott Elementary - "Game Night" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Gregory steps in to host game night at his apartment. Mr. Johnson, Ava, Barbara and Melissa head to the DMV to renew their licenses.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 20)

Wednesday, October 22

Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear/Girls) - Watch Ebon on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This/Burning Love) - Adam appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Emma Stone (The Curse) - Emma is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Maya stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) and Keri Russell (Running Wilde/Daddy's Girls) - Andy Cohen interviews Allison and Keri on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
Jessica Capshaw (Odd Man Out) - Jessica talks about 9-1-1: Nashville on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Edie Falco (Bupkis/Nurse Jackie) - Edie talks about Mayor of Kingstown on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Allison Williams (Girls) - Allison talks about Regretting You on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This/Central Park/The Good Place) - Kristen talks about Nobody Wants This on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine talks about Nobody Wants This on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
Ernie Hudson (Grace and Frankie/The Last Precinct/Highcliffe Manor) - Ernie talks about his role in the new CBS series Boston Blue on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Angela Kinsey (The Office/The Hotwives of Orlando) - Husband-and-wife cooking duo Angela Kinsey and Josh Snyder share recipes from their cookbook You Can Make This! on Sherri, so check your local listings.