Kerry Washington's UnPrisoned Gets Season 2; Classic Comedy Shorts Celebrate 40th Anniversary

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Kerry Washington's UnPrisoned Gets Season 2; Classic Comedy Shorts Celebrate 40th Anniversary

Onyx Collective and ABC Signature announced the season two renewal of the original dramedy series UnPrisoned, starring and executive produced by Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ in all other territories. UnPrisoned debuted as Onyx Collective's most-viewed premiere on Hulu and as the inaugural dramedy series for the brand. Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan’s life, the series follows a messy but perfectionist relationship therapist, social media influencer and single mom, Paige Alexander (Washington), whose life is turned right-side-up when her dad, Edwin Alexander (Lindo), gets out of prison and moves in with her and her teenage son.

The series is executive produced by McMillan, Yvette Lee Bowser and Washington alongside Pilar Savone, through their Simpson Street production company, and Lindo. Joy Gorman Wettels and Jen Braeden also executive produce. The series hails from Onyx Collective on Hulu and is produced by ABC Signature. The story of UnPrisoned is the reality of millions of families who are affected by the criminal justice system in the United States. According to the ACLU, mass incarceration has grown 500% over the last 50 years, with over 2 million people in this country incarcerated today. With this series, McMillan creates flawed but lovable characters from a place of empathy, humor and soul to honor the families that mass incarceration affects most. All eight episodes of the first season of UnPrisoned are available to stream exclusively on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories.

Likely Stories

Likely Stories is a collection of long lost comedy shorts featuring the work of luminaries such as Danny DeVito, Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, Larry Gelbart, Steve Carell, Denis Leary, Harry Shearer, and many others; this year celebrating the 40th anniversary of its premiere. These critically acclaimed, award-winning, classic short comedies have been digitally remastered and are now available to stream online for FREE with NO COMMERCIALS! A must-see for comedy-connoisseurs just in time for Thanksgiving at www.likely-stories.com .

In the early '80s, David Jablin created and produced a ground-breaking comedy-anthology series for HBO's Cinemax called Likely Stories. Each one-hour show featured eclectic comic offerings mixing short stories, political satire, mockumentaries, precise parodies and musical sendups. It had an innovative mixed-media format utilizing film, video and animation. The series featured the directing debuts of Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal and Harry Shearer. As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the original series, Jablin decided to remaster his favorites, as well as some of his later Showtime work in HD and collect them all under the Likely Stories banner. Today he is launching a dedicated Likely Stories website and is putting it out there so comedy fans can enjoy watching these long "lost" comedy treasures with no commercials, subscriptions or sign-ups. Just click. Play. Laugh.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, December 22

Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion Pt. 2 (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
CBS is gifting viewers an extra special holiday present this season, the brand-new EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION PT. 2,” airing Monday, Dec. 22, (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.*

This one-hour show gives viewers who loved the first special another opportunity to reminisce and revisit the laughter and joy from the original CBS series. The brand-new broadcast follows the success of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION, which originally aired Monday, Nov. 24, with an encore presentation Friday, Nov. 28, garnering 10.08 million live plus 7-day multiplatform viewers across both broadcasts and streaming.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor Ray Romano and series creator Phil Rosenthal, this fresh hour brings fans closer than ever to the original series, with exclusive stories and heartfelt memories shared by beloved cast members gathered together to honor one of TV’s most iconic sitcoms. Ray Romano and Phil Rosenthal share their thoughts on the magic of being back on set and reuniting with the cast. Additionally, viewers can enjoy never-before-seen content, outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Plus, guest stars, writers and producers will provide unique insights into the creation and legacy of this beloved series.

St. Denis Medical - "Get Me in the Pod, Brother" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alex and Ron spar over the wisdom of open communication; Joyce brings in a body scanner that proves overly distracting.

The Paper - "I Love You" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
With Marv camped out in the newsroom while his office is painted, Ned and the staff find their unresolved attitudes toward authority bubbling up; Esmeralda and Ken plot a betrayal that leaks.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 22)

Monday, December 22

Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Watch Kenan on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Tony Shalhoub (We Are Men/Stark Raving Mad/Wings) - Tony appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Ron Funches (Loot/Powerless/Undateable) and Jeff Garcia (Mr. Box Office) - Ron and Jeff are guests on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Andy Cohen interviews Kate on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 9pm on Bravo. She also talks about Song Sung Blue on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee talks about Ella McCay with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu talks about The Copenhagen Test on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Hugh Jackman (Human Resources) - Hugh talks about Song Sung Blue on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Kyle Richards (Down to Earth) - Kyle gives Sherri a sneak peek at the 15th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
Paul Rudd (The Shrink Next Door/Living with Yourself/Wild Oats) - Paul and Jack Black are telling Drew all about their hilarious adaptation of Anaconda on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Odessa A'zion (I Love LA/Fam) - Odessa tells Drew about her role in new movie Marty Supreme and hit series I Love LA on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Melissa Gilbert (Stand by Your Man) - Melissa is guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:10am.