Friday, March 25, 2022
Fri-Yay: Renewal Decisions Await for a Strong Freshman Class of Sitcoms; Apple TV+ Announces Bad Sisters; Remembering Scoey Mitchell

by Vincent
As we enter the spring, it's getting closer and closer to the time where networks will decide whether or not shows will be canceled or renewed for the next season. As we look at a strong freshman class of comedies - in my opinion, the strongest in the past 10 years - it begs the question, which sitcoms will stick around for another season? Some sitcoms have already been renewed - breakout hits ABC's Abbott Elementary and CBS' Ghosts. However, many remain on the bubble.
The sitcoms still waiting on a renewal decision include ABC's The Wonder Years, which premiered to solid ratings and some hype but has seen much of that dwindle over the course of the season. Still, it seems like a good bet that ABC will give the fledging reboot another shot next season. On NBC, critically acclaimed American Auto and Grand Crew are still awaiting decisions as they have performed just OK. While they have been well reviewed, they haven't gotten the hype and commercial success of Abbott or Ghosts, and they seem like true bubble shows. Here's to hoping NBC sees their potential and gives them another shot. On Fox, newbies Welcome to Flatch and Pivoting haven't captured the same amount of attention as other freshman comedies this season. Still, I could see Fox giving one of them a chance at Season 2, particularly Pivoting which was well-reviewed despite low ratings. Welcome to Flatch has only aired two episodes (but the first 7 or so are available to stream before the Fox premiere), but the reviews aren't very good and its ratings have been even lower than Pivoting. Still, in the streaming age, you can never count any series out. Either way, let's hope some of the other sitcoms join the success stories of Ghosts and Abbott Elementary and make it to a second season.
Apple TV+ announced the title and cast, and unveiled a first-look at Bad Sisters, its highly anticipated 10 episode series from Emmy Award-nominee and BAFTA Award-winning star and creator Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe, Shining Vale) which is set to debut later this year. A delicious blend of both dark comedy and thriller, Bad Sisters follows the lives of the Garvey sisters bound together by the premature death of their parents and a promise to always protect one another. In addition to Horgan, the series will star Anne-Marie Duff (Suffragette, The Salisbury Poisonings), Eva Birthistle (Brooklyn, The Last Kingdom), Sarah Greene (Frank of Ireland, Dublin Murders) and Eve Hewson (Behind her Eyes, The Luminaries) as the Garvey sisters.
The ensemble cast also includes Claes Bang (Dracula, The Northman), Brian Gleeson (Frank of Ireland, Peaky Blinders), Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to you Leo Grande, Peaky Blinders), Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent, The Pursuit of Love) and newcomer Saise Quinn (Monster). Bad Sisters is produced by Merman productions and ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios. The series will mark Horgan's first project to premiere from a first-look deal with Apple TV+ and her Merman production company.
Actor, writer and director Scoey Mitchell (usually credited as Scoey Mitchlll), who starred on the 1970 sitcom Barefoot in the Park and had a recurring role on Rhoda, has died. He died of kidney failure on March 19 in a hospice-care facility in Torrance, California. Mr. Mitchell was 92.
Mitchell starred as Paul Bratter on the short-lived 1970 ABC sitcom Barefoot in the Park. The series was based on Neil Simon's Broadway play of the same name that was later a 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. It was the the first American television sitcom since Amos 'n' Andy to have a predominantly black cast (Vito Scotti is the sole major white character). Paul Bratter is a newlywed attorney for the law firm Kendricks, Keene & Klein living in lower Manhattan with his wife Corie (Tracy Reed). After Mitchell was fired due to "differences of opinion" with the series' producers, the series was canceled after 12 episodes. It also starred Thelma Carpenter, Nipsey Russell, Harry Holcombe and Vito Scotti.
He had a recurring role as Justin Culp, Joe Gerard's (David Groh) wrecking company field employee, in nine episodes of the CBS sitcom Rhoda from 1974 to 1976. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, The Mothers-in-Law, Here Come the Brides, That Girl, The Odd Couple (uncredited), Doc, Taxi, Stockard Channing in Just Friends and A New Kind of Family.
Mitchell created and produced the short-lived 1986-1987 NBC sitcom Me & Mrs. C. He also directed four episodes and wrote five episodes of the series, which was about a sixtyish white widow (Ethel Conklin - Mrs. C) taking in a young black girl (Gerri Kilgore) as a boarder. He appeared in two episodes as Reverend Kilgore. In 1984, he co-directed and wrote the TV movie Me & Mrs. C. The series starred Peg Murray, Misha McK, Gary Bayer and Ellen Regan.
He created and produced the short-lived 1989-1990 NBC sitcom 13 East, which was set at the nursing station of Ward 13 East, at a large hospital. Mitchell also directed seven episodes. The series starred Diana Bellamy, Jan Cobler, Barbara Isenberg, Ellen Regan, Timothy Wade, Marie Denn, Wayne Powers, Rosemarie Jackson, Eric Glenn and Philip Proctor.
His career began on the CBS comedy/variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show six times from 1968 to 1970. He was a regular on the 1969 ABC comedy/variety series What's It All About, World?.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man, Joe Forrester, Police Story (2 episodes), Baretta (2 episodes) and Lou Grant.
He frequently appeared on game shows in the 1970s, including The Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, Password Plus, Match Game, Match Game PM and Super Password (1988).
Mitchell played Richard Pryor's father in the 1986 film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Warren, and brother, jazz pianist Billy Mitchell of Pasadena, California.
Mr. Mitchell was a talented and funny actor. After retiring from the business in the 1990s, he collected and refurbished classic automobiles. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us an actor, writer and director. He will be greatly missed.
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Thursday, February 2
Young Sheldon - "Ruthless, Toothless and a Week of Bed Rest" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
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 - "Ghost Hunter" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
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.
Welcome to Flatch - "Flatch: Churn Here" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Kelly and Barb fight to prove why Flatch should be the permanent home of the Butter Bust Museum; Shrub has big news to deliver to Lloyd; Mandy is in charge of blessing the town's animals.
Call Me Kat - "Call Me Fatty Patty" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
In celebration of Max's birthday, Kat, Randi and Carter jointly gift him a recreational vehicle rental so they can go on a road trip together; Gideon decides to join in on the trip; Randi and Carter bicker over where they should live together.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 30)
Thursday, February 2
- Kathryn Newton (Gary Unmarried) - Catch Kathryn on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Connie Britton (SMILF/Lost at Home/The Fighting Fitzgeralds/Spin City) - Connie appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar (The Crazy Ones) - Sarah is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 10pm on Bravo.
- D. L. Hughley (The Hughleys/Double Rush) - D. L. guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Skylar Astin (Ground Floor) - Skylar breaks down the TV series So Help Me Todd on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Ali Wentworth (Nightcap) - Ali talks about The Parent Test on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Salma Hayek Pinault (30 Rock/The Sinbad Show) - Salma discusses the new film Magic Mike's Last Dance on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - NBC's Today has a one-on-one with Pamela some time between 7-9am.
- Kal Penn (The Santa Clauses/Sunnyside/We Are Men) - NBC's Today catches up with Kal in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-January)
10/04 - Mr. Mayor - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/04 - The Munsters - Marineland Carnival with The Munsters TV Cast
10/18 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete First Season
11/08 - Frasier - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/08 - Young Rock - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/15 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Seven / The Complete Season Eight
11/22 - That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Mill Creek)
11/29 - Ghosts - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/06 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection
12/13 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season
12/13 - Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
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