Fri-Yay: Netflix's Struggles Create Question for the Future of Television; Hulu Acquires Schitt's Creek

Friday, April 29, 2022

Fri-Yay: Netflix's Struggles Create Question for the Future of Television; Hulu Acquires Schitt's Creek

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!

Netflix

by Vincent

Five years ago, Netflix was the king of television. Not only did they have a huge library of television shows, they were producing original content on a consistent basis. There were other streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Prime, but Netflix was the clear winner. It seemed as if the Netflix model was the future of television. But now, things are quite different. For the first time in many years, Netflix reported a loss of subscribers. And it adds to a genuine question in the future of television.

There are many streaming services now competing for Netflix's viewership. In addition, people are questioning whether Netflix series are any better than other services and channels. They are producing a lot of content, but less of it is of high quality than previously, and this combined with the fact that many series have moved to other platforms have left Netflix in a hard spot. It'll be very interesting to see where Netflix fits into the evolving TV model.

Schitt's Creek

Hulu announced that it will be the dedicated subscription video on-demand destination for critically acclaimed and fan favorite series Schitt's Creek in the U.S. beginning October 3, 2022, as it will be leaving Netflix. Schitt's Creek centers on an outrageously wealthy video store magnate, Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy); his former soap-star wife Moira (Catherine O'Hara); and their two adult children – the self-described black sheep of the family David (Daniel Levy) and career socialite Alexis (Annie Murphy). When the family suddenly find themselves broke, they have no choice but to move to Schitt's Creek, a small-town Johnny once bought as a joke. Forced to live out of a motel, with their pampered lives a memory, they struggle to find jobs and relationships and, most importantly, figure out what it means to be a family in the loveable town they’ve reluctantly come to call home.

Since its debut, Schitt's Creek has garnered scores of award nominations and appeared on dozens of 'Best Of' lists. In 2020, the series made history by sweeping all Primetime Emmy® Awards comedy categories with the most wins in a single season for a comedy including Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series for Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy; Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series for Annie Murphy and Daniel Levy; Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Andrew Cividino and Daniel Levy; and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Daniel Levy. Schitt's Creek joins Hulu’s extensive library of hit comedies including ABC's Abbott Elementary and Home Economics, Freeform's Single Drunk Female, FX's Dave, and Originals including Only Murders in the Building, Life and Beth, How I Met Your Father, and more.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, April 21

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Your Own Medicine" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After Dave’s disastrous attempt to dunk a basketball, Calvin takes care of his injured neighbor. Also, Gemma befriends a cool mom group while babysitting Daphne.

Poppa's House - "Babygirl" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Junior’s sister, Natalie (Amora Wayans), visits and reveals her engagement, he insists that she make up with their father, whom she still blames for their parents’ divorce.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 21)

Monday, April 21

Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) - Watch Quinta on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) - Hannah is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Anna Camp (Perfect Harmony/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/The Mindy Project) and Milana Vayntrub (Other Space) - Anna and Milana are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Christopher Meloni (Happy/Surviving Jack/Misery Loves Company/The Fanelli Boys) - E! News has an interview with Christopher at 11pm on E!. He will also be on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - Gayle King sits down with George on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Penn Badgley (Do Over) - Penn talks about You on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - Eva stops by Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Annaleigh Ashford (B Positive) - Annaleigh chats with the hosts on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) - NBC's Today catches up with Justina in the 9am hour.
Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - NBC's Today catches up Sarah in the 10am hour.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Chloe Fineman joins Drew and Valerie in the kitchen to share a delicious recipe on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Amy Schumer (Life & Beth), Jillian Bell (Bless the Harts/Idiotsitter/Eastbound & Down/Workaholics) and Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Amy, Jillian and Brianne about starring in Netflix's new comedy Kinda Pregnant on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
James Brolin (Life in Pieces) - James talks about Netflix's Ransom Canyon on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.