Thursday, September 01, 2022
Netflix Sitcom with Michelle Buteau Rounds Out Cast; HBO Max Renews Harley Quinn for Season 4

Two more stars have joined an upcoming Netflix comedy series: Tone Bell and Tasha Smith join Michelle Buteau in new series Survival of the Thickest, which centers on Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau). Black, plus-size and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist. She's determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body-positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss. The scripted comedy is based on Buteau's acclaimed book of essays. Tone Bell will play Khalil, Mavis's bestie and first phone call since high school. He's a creative and talented artist who has always prided himself on making life choices that keep things simple, affordable (nothing wrong with clipping coupons!), and uncomplicated. But now in his very late 30s, he starts to question what really matters and if life is worth complicating for the right person. Tasha Smith will play Marley, an early 50's self-made millionaire. She's a woman of NYC status who always has a fresh luxury manicure and the best day and night serums money can buy (we love to see it!). She gives that Aries tell-it-like-it-is energy, but there's still an ever-present warm big sister vibe. She just wants the best for everybody, and she knows what the best is.
Linda Mendoza (Never Have I Ever, 30 Rock, Girs5Eva, Brooklyn 9-9) will direct the first two episodes of Survival of the Thickest. Linda most recently wrapped as executive producer and director of Harlem. The series is created by Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel and will be executive produced by A24 and Anne Hong from Mosaic. Sanchez-Witzel is also the showrunner for the series.
The critically-acclaimed Max Original adult-animated series Harley Quinn has been renewed for a fourth season, ahead of the season three finale on September 15. Sarah Peters (Workaholics, Master of None, Nathan For You), who has written on the series since season one and currently serves as consulting producer, will be elevated to executive producer and serve as showrunner for season four. In season three of the biting and uproarious adult animated comedy series, Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) and Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) wrap up their "Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour" and return to Gotham as the new power couple of DC villainy. Along with their ragtag crew – King Shark (Ron Funches), Clayface (Alan Tudyk), Frank the Plant (JB Smoove) - "Harlivy" strives to become the best version of themselves while also working towards Ivy's long desired plan of transforming Gotham into an Eden paradise. Starring Kaley Cuoco (Harley Quinn), Lake Bell (Poison Ivy), Ron Funches (King Shark), JB Smoove (Frank the Plant), Alan Tudyk (Clayface/The Joker), Matt Oberg (Kite Man), Christopher Meloni (Commissioner Gordon), Andy Daly (Two-Face), Diedrich Bader (Batman/Bruce Wayne), James Adomian (Bane), Sanaa Lathan (Selina Kyle), Briana Cuoco (Batgirl/Barbara Gordon), Harvey Guillen (Nightwing).
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, July 18
Happy's Place - "Heart of the Matter" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Emmett is late to work, Bobbie becomes paranoid at the thought of why and begins to overreact; Gabby and Takoda help Steve pick out a new barstool to prove changing his obsessive-compulsive disorder habits won't negatively impact the world.
Happy's Place - "Baby Doll" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Gabby expresses her concerns about parenting, Bobbie reassures her she'd be a great mother, which prompts Gabby to bring in an AI baby doll and turn the tavern into her own personal day care.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 14)
Friday, July 18
- Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Watch Hannah on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Shane Gillis (Tires) - Shane appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Abby Elliott (The Bear/Indebted/Odd Mom Out) - Abby is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Brandy Norwood (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy and Monica are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Matty Matheson (The Bear) - Matty appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Jason Ritter (Another Period/The Class) and Aparna Nancherla (The Great North/Lopez vs Lopez/Corporate) - Jason and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Eugenio Derbez (Acapulco/Rob) - Eugenio chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana is chatting with Drew about her new movie Love Hurts on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Freddie Prinze Jr. (Freddie) - Freddie can be heard on the Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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