Friday, March 25, 2022

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

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!

The Wonder Years

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.


Bad Sisters

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.

Scoey Mitchell

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.

Barefoot in the Park

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.

Scoey Mitchlll as Justin - Rhoda

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.

Scoey Mitchell - Match Game

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.

Scoey Mitchell

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.

Share your memories on our message board. View photos in our galleries.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, March 31

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Signature Service Loyalty Rewards Program" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Malcom receives an unexpected call from USC’s athletic director about a baseball head coach vacancy. Meanwhile, Calvin and Marty start a new signature loyalty rewards program at The Fuse Box.

Poppa's House - "Say Wha?!" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Junior’s fundraising effort for his film takes a dramatic turn when he discovers Poppa’s flea market purchase is worth a fortune. Vivica A. Fox guest stars as “Judge SayWha.”

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 31)

Monday, March 31

  • Jennifer Coolidge (2 Broke Girls/Joey) - Watch Jennifer on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Britt Lower (Ghosted/Man Seeking Woman/Big Lake) - Britt appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite/Benched) - Maria is a guest on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jay Ellis (Running Point/Insecure/The Game) - Jay talks about Running Point and Freaky Tales on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
  • Sara Gilbert (The Conners/Bad Teacher/The Big Bang Theory/The Class/Roseanne) - Sara chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She also talks about The Conners on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle talks about Survival of the Thickest on NBC's Today in the 10am hour and on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Michael Angarano (Laid/I'm Dying Up Here/Will & Grace) - Michael talks about Sacramento on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - Olivia guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - Eva talks about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie is joining Drew and Ross to hit the headlines in an all-new Drew's News on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two

11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season

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

03/31 - Prime Video's Dance-World Comedy Étoile; Netflix's Tom Segura Dark Comedy Bad Thoughts
03/30 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 31, 2025)
03/29 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Gives Pilot Order to A Different World Sequel; Malcolm in the Middle Reboot Recasts Role of Dewey
03/28 - Pat Sajak's Final Spin on Wheel and Return of Jeopardy! Masters; Remembering George Foreman and Wings Hauser
03/27 - IFC Renews SisterS for Season 2; Netflix Orders Live-Action Scooby-Doo Series
03/26 - Hulu Spring 2025 Slate; The Making of The Americas Special Narrated by Tom Hanks on NBC
03/25 - Deli Boys Now Streaming All Episodes on Hulu; Heartland Season 18 on UP Faith & Family
03/24 - Peacock April Highlights Include Three's Company; Antenna TV's 50 Years on the Beat Barney Miller Anniversary Marathon
03/23 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 24, 2025)
03/22 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* Coming to DVD; American Dad! Moving Back to Fox
03/21 - Big Mouth Final Season; The Four Seasons Premieres in May on Netflix
03/20 - HBO's Brett Goldstein Comedy Special; Disney+ Adds The Simpsons 24/7 Stream
03/19 - Solar Opposites Final Season This Fall; NBC to Move Grosse Pointe Garden Society to Fridays
03/18 - Game Show Network New Shows Launch April 14; NBC Picks Up 3rd Comedy Pilot, While Bobby Moynihan Joins Tracy Morgan Pilot
03/17 - It's True! Ted Lasso Renewed for Season 4; Jane Goodall Returns for Jane Season 3
03/16 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 17, 2025)
03/15 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Neighborhood Renewed for Eighth and Final Season; NBC Picks Up New Cheerleading Comedy
03/14 - NBC Comedy Pilots Wheeling & Dealing; Hulu's Got to Get Out
03/13 - Prime Video Comedy Series Overcompensating Premiere Date; Eric Stonestreet Joins Dexter: Resurrection
03/12 - Hacks Season 4 Premieres April 10; Nickelodeon Orders Wylde Pak
03/11 - The Neighborhood Renewed for Final Season; Max's The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast
03/10 - Netflix Renews Running Point for Season 2; Apple TV+ Trailer for The Studio
03/09 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 10, 2025)
03/08 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tracy Morgan to Star in NBC Pilot from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; Nobody Wants This Returning for Second Season
03/07 - Trailer for Apple TV+ Comedy Government Cheese; Remembering Saved by the Bell and TV Producer Peter Engel
03/06 - The CW Spring Premiere Dates; Henry Winkler Heads to HISTORY Channel
03/05 - Hacks Brings Out the Stars in Season 4; NBC Orders Pilot with Tracy Morgan
03/04 - Apple TV+ Side Quest Launches March 26; Krysten Ritter Joins Dexter: Resurrection
03/03 - HBO's The Rehearsal Returns April 20; Sharon Horgan Signs Deal for HBO Comedy Series
03/02 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 3, 2025)
03/01 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Premiere Date for Mid-Century Modern Set; Roseanne Remastered in High Definition