SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

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!

by Vincent

ABC's Home Economics had a pretty quiet debut. It premiered in April, typically a time when networks aren't debuting their most promising shows but their spring replacements (although plenty of these replacements have gone on to become big hits). The promos also didn't make it look like anything special. But while Home Economics isn't re-inventing the wheel, it's a solid show and one of the better offerings of this overall uninspiring season of network comedy.

Home Economics boasts a really talented cast, including That '70s Show's Topher Grace, SNL alum Sasheer Zamata, and YouTube favorite Jimmy Tatro (along with HTGAWM's Karla Souza and the best thing about Bluff City Law, Caitlin McGee). The shows premise isn't all that original, but the chemistry between the cast and the light, playful manner of the jokes make it a really pleasant watch. The show premiered to decent ratings and reviews, and although it isn't lighting the world on fire, I hope ABC seems the potential and gives it what it couldn't give the similarly promising Single Parents - some support. After all, ABC's comedy brand is being held up by shows like The Goldbergs, black-ish, and The Conners, all of which are aging and losing the popularity they once had. Maybe it's time to let a promising newbie take the lead.

FX set the premiere date for the third season of Mr Inbetween, the half-hour series created by, written and starring Scott Ryan and directed by Nash Edgerton. The nine-episode third season, which will be the series' final season, will premiere on Tuesday, May 25 at 10pm ET/PT on FX and be available to stream the following day on FX on Hulu. The premiere will include the first two episodes, with one new episode airing each subsequent week. Juggling parental responsibilities, complicated relationships, a viciously smart pre-teen daughter and an aging parent while earning a living would be difficult for anyone, but it's particularly tricky when you're a criminal for hire. Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan) 'takes care of people' - collecting debts, relieving them of drugs and guns, and often taking care of them on a more permanent basis. Ray demands respect and does not tolerate others disregarding his very clear code of ethics. As Ray's increasingly volatile work collides with his imploding personal life, he finds himself struggling to stay atop the complex web he has woven.

In season three of Mr Inbetween, Ray's world has contracted. Family life looks a little different as he quietly mourns the loss of Bruce, while figuring out how to care for his aging father, Bill (Kenny Graham). As Brittany (Chika Yasumura) grows into a young woman, she draws further away from Ray and comes closer to discovering the truth about who he really is. Things seem good with Gary (Justin Rosniak) and Dave (Matt Nable), however since severing ties with former boss and confidant Freddy (Damon Herriman), Ray is working freelance and feeling a sense of isolation. With business booming, a new connection with criminal kingpin Rafael (Jeremy Sims) intensifies Ray's struggle and when sparks fly with new colleague Zoe (Emily Barclay), an unexpected tragedy makes Ray question both his career trajectory and his ethics. Fellow underworld figures dub Ray 'The Magician' for his uncanny ability to make things disappear. As his family crumbles, emotions rage and violence escalates, the blood on his hands may finally cause the magic wand to slip.

Continuing to bulk up its slate of original summer programming, The CW Network has acquired the British action drama Bulletproof from Sky Vision and ordered second seasons of the legal drama Burden of Truth, starring Kristin Kreuk, and the fantasy-adventure series The Outpost; all are set to air in Summer 2019. The CW has also ordered new seasons of the hit magic series Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion, and the classic improv comedy Whose Line Is It Anyway? for Summer 2019. Premiere dates and times will be announced later.

Mr Inbetween, the new Australian series created by and starring Scott Ryan as the criminal-for-hire "Ray Shoesmith", has been renewed for a second season by FX Networks and FOXTEL. The second season will premiere in 2019, broadcasting day-and-date on FX in the U.S. and FOXTEL, Australia's leading cable network. In Mr Inbetween, Ryan plays "Ray Shoesmith", a father, ex-husband, boyfriend and best friend: tough roles to juggle in the modern age. Even harder when you're a criminal for hire. The six-episode season, written by Ryan and directed by Nash Edgerton, stars Ryan, Damon Herriman, Justin Rosniak, Brooke Satchwell, Jackson Tozer, Nicholas Cassim, Chika Yasumura and Matt Nable. Mr Inbetween aired last night, Tuesday, October 9 on FX with the final two episodes of the first season at 11:14 p.m. ET/PT and concluding at 12:19 a.m.