SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Shrinking Returns in October on Apple TV+; TV Stars Join Chicago Med New Season

Apple TV+ unveiled the premiere date and a first look at the 12-episode second season of Shrinking, starring Emmy-Award nominee Jason Segel and Multi-Award winner Harrison Ford, and created by Emmy Award winners Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) and Segel. Shrinking season two will premiere globally with the first two episodes on Wednesday, October 16, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Wednesday until December 25, 2024. Shrinking follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people's lives... including his own. In addition to Segel and Ford, Shrinking stars Emmy-Award nominee Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Ted McGinley with Emmy-Award nominee Christa Miller. Goldstein will appear as a special guest star in season two.

The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence and Goldstein are under overall deals and Lawrence’s Doozer Productions. Lawrence, Segel, Goldstein, Neil Goldman, James Ponsoldt, Jeff Ingold, Liza Katzer, Randall Keenan Winston, Annie Mebane, Rachna Fruchbom and Brian Gallivan. Shrinking marks the third partnership for Apple, Lawrence and Warner Bros. Television, alongside the multi-Emmy Award-winning, global phenomenon Ted Lasso, and upcoming comedy series Bad Monkey, which premieres August 14, 2024. The series also marks the second collaboration for Apple TV+ and Segel, following his starring role in the Apple Original Film The Sky is Everywhere.

Sarah Ramos (Dr. Caitlin Lenox) and Darren Barnet (Dr. John Frost) have been added as series regulars to the cast of the NBC drama Chicago Med. Sarah Ramos is a director, writer and actress who has appeared on such critically acclaimed series as Parenthood, American Dreams and, most recently, The Bear. On the film side, Ramos can be seen in Babylon and The Boy Downstairs. Recognized as one of the Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen Rising Stars in 2022, Darren Barnet is best known for his role in the Netflix comedy Never Have I Ever. His film credits include Anyone But You, Gran Turismo, Road House and Love Hard.

The new season begins Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. on NBC and next day on Peacock. The series stars S. Epatha Merkerson, Oliver Platt, Marlyne Barrett, Jessy Schram, Steven Weber, Luke Mitchell, Sarah Ramos and Darren Barnet. The series is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Allen MacDonald, Stephen Hootstein and Peter Jankowski. Chicago Med is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Apple TV+, Chicago Med, NBC, Never Have I Ever, Parenthood, Shrinking, The Bear

CNN Presents See It Loud: The History of Black Television; Netflix's Tudum Fan Event in Brazil Recap

From executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter's Emmy(R) Award-winning studio The SpringHill Company, CNN Original Series See It Loud: The History of Black Television premieres on Sunday, July 9 at 9pm ET/PT. The series will air regularly on Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on CNN for 5 episodes. See It Loud celebrates the achievements of Black actors and creators, examining the historical impact Black culture has on all culture. Today we are in the midst of what is being widely referred to as "The Golden Age of Black Television;" however, this "Golden Age" is the culmination of an eighty-year struggle for Black artists to find a voice and fight for representation. The series takes viewers on a journey from Black television's origins in sitcoms like The Jeffersons, to blockbuster dramas like Roots, explores the emerging opportunities for Black voices in sci-fi and horror, and examines the cultural impact of the reality and unscripted genre on Black culture. Each episode in this five-part series explores the impact of these stories not only on their creators, but on the audiences watching them, forging connections and building communities of shared experience.

See It Loud features interviews with Amanda Seales, Anika Noni Rose, Daniel Ezra, Da'Vinchi, Debbie Allen, Deon Cole, Desus & Mero, Gabrielle Union, Jimmie Walker, Judge Greg Mathis, Kevin Frazier, Lamorne Morris, Laz Alonso, Loni Love, Lynn Whitfield, Mo'Nique, Naturi Naughton, Omari Hardwick, Ray J, Ruben Studdard, Sherri Shepherd, Sonequa Martin-Green, Tatyana Ali, Tiffany Pollard, Tisha Campbell, Vivica A. Fox, and many more.

View the trailer.

Netflix stars hit the stage from Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo, Brazil on Saturday for Tudum: A Global Fan Event. Hosts Chase Stokes (Outer Banks), Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever), and Maisa (Back to 15) were joined by thousands of fans in person and many more globally on YouTube.com/Netflix as we shared breaking news, exclusive first looks, trailers and clips, in addition to appearances from the creators and stars behind your favorite Netflix series, films and games. Among the most noteworthy for television were:

Squid Game: The Challenge: This year, the game you love becomes reality. Here's your first sneak peek at how the brand-new competition series is coming to life.
Squid Game: Speaking of everyone's favorite game, we announced that stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo will all be returning for Season 2. Plus: Meet the four new actors joining the cast.
YOU: Penn Badgley shared a super-early tease about what fans can expect in the fifth and final season.
Bridgerton: Alert the Ton! Your first look at Penelope and Colin in Season 3 has arrived.
Emily in Paris: Lily Collins revealed that Season 4 will take fans - and Emily - on a Roman holiday!
Cobra Kai: Fighting positions! The cast is getting pumped for its sixth and final season.
The Archies: You've seen them in comics, in books, and in Riverdale - but this time around, they're traveling to 1960s India - and we have your first look.
The Witcher: Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey debuted a brand new clip from Season 3.
Outer Banks: New looks. New season. Same Pogues. Chase Stokes shared a sneak peek live from the Tudum stage of the cast back in action and gearing up for Season 4.
FUBAR: He'll be back! Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that the series has been renewed for Season 2.
Stranger Things: A friendship between two action icons spanning more than 30 years! Arnold introduced his Terminator 2: Judgment Day co-star Linda Hamilton, who announced via video that she's joining the cast of Stranger Things 5.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Bridgerton, CNN, Cobra Kai, Emily in Paris, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, You

Minx Returns in July on STARZ; Never Have I Ever Final Episodes Premieres June 8, Trailer Drops

STARZ announced that the second season of the critically acclaimed comedy Minx will premiere on Friday, July 21 at midnight on the STARZ app and all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 9 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. The wildly bold first season is currently available to stream on the STARZ app. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, Minx centers around Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond), an earnest young feminist who joins forces with a low-rent publisher (Jake Johnson) to create the first erotic magazine for women. In season two, Doug and Joyce grapple with Minx's explosive success, which brings more money, fame and temptation than either of them know how to handle.

Minx stars Ophelia Lovibond (Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocketman) as “Joyce Prigger,” Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) as “Doug Renetti,” Idara Victor (Shameless, Turn) as “Tina,” Jessica Lowe (Righteous Gemstones, Wrecked) as “Bambi,” Lennon Parham (Bless This Mess, Better Things) as “Shelly,” Oscar Montoya (Dimension 20, Bless the Hearts) as “Richie,” and Elizabeth Perkins (The After Party, Barry) as “Constance.”

Yep, we did it. The fourth and final season of Never Have I Ever is almost here, and it's a banging ending. Get ready for senior year, nerds. And the trailer has dropped!! Never Have I Ever, The Final Episodes, premieres June 8, 2023. 10 x 30-minute episodes will drop. From Co-Creator/Writer/EP Mindy Kaling, Co-Creator/Writer/EP/Showrunner Lang Fisher and Additional EPs David Miner, Howard Klein. Starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Devi Vishwakumar), Poorna Jagannathan (Nalini Vishwakumar), Richa Moorjani (Kamala), Jaren Lewison (Ben Gross), Darren Barnet (Paxton Hall-Yoshida), Lee Rodriguez (Fabiola Torres), and Ramona Young (Eleanor Wong).

Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, an overachieving high school student who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations. Never Have I Ever is created by executive producers, Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, with Fisher serving as the showrunner. Never Have I Ever is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and executive produced by 3 Arts Entertainment's Howard Klein and David Miner.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Minx, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, Starz

Never Have I Ever Returns June 8 for Final Year; Time100 Reveals Honorees

Buckle up, nerds! Devi and the gang return for their senior friggin' year. Never Have I Ever, The Final Episodes, premieres June 8, 2023 on Netflix. 10 x 30-minute episodes from Co-Creator/Writer/EP Mindy Kaling, Co-Creator/Writer/EP/Showrunner Lang Fisher and EPs David Miner, Howard Klein. Returning Series Regulars: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Devi Vishwakumar), Poorna Jagannathan (Nalini Vishwakumar), Richa Moorjani (Kamala), Jaren Lewison (Ben Gross), Darren Barnet (Paxton Hall-Yoshida), Lee Rodriguez (Fabiola Torres), and Ramona Young (Eleanor Wong)

Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, an overachieving high school student who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations. Never Have I Ever is created by executive producers, Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, with Fisher serving as the showrunner. Never Have I Ever is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and executive produced by 3 Arts Entertainment's Howard Klein and David Miner.

TIME reveals the 2023 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The issue has four worldwide covers, each highlighting a member of the TIME100: actor Jennifer Coolidge, recording artist Doja Cat, CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Iger and actor Michael B. Jordan.

To celebrate the 2023 TIME100 list of the World's Most Influential People, TIME will host the annual TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 on April 25 and the TIME100 Gala on April 26. For the fourth year in a row, TIME Studios and ABC will present a "TIME100" primetime television special, and for the second year in a row, the special will bring viewers inside the 17th annual TIME100 Gala, airing Sunday, April 30 (7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, which will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+. The gala will be hosted by Coolidge and feature performances by Doja Cat and Lea Michele, as well as honorary tributes from members of this year's list, remarks from Sibley and more The 2023 TIME100 Summit Featuring TIME CO2 and the TIME100 Gala are presented by exclusive premier partner Cadillac and signature partners Booking.com and Citi. Both events will take place at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: ABC, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, Time100

Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event Recap; The White Lotus Season 2 Premieres Oct. 30

Netflix announced a lot of news this weekend at their global fan event livestream. Some of the news includes: You introduced new characters with its new location in England as Penn Badgley led fans through the changes that await Joe in Season 4 in a brief vignette. The fourth season premieres on Feb. 10 with the first half of episodes, followed by the second half on March 10. Wednesday, the new take on The Addams Family, premieres globally November 23, only on Netflix. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini return for the third and final season of Dead to Me on November 17. The comedy Emily in Paris starring Lily Collins returns for season three on December 21. And in casting news, Love, Victor star Michael Cimino is joining Never Have I Ever to set up a foursome for Devi's love life in the show's fourth and final season.

HBO's Emmy(R)-winning series, The White Lotus, from Mike White, returns for a second installment of seven episodes debuting on Sunday, October 30 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The first installment, set in Hawaii, received 20 Emmy(R) nominations across 13 categories and 10 wins, the most wins of any program this year, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. In the new season, the social satire is set at an exclusive Sicilian resort and follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week. Season 2 cast: F. Murray Abraham, Jennifer Coolidge, Adam DiMarco, Beatrice Grannò, Meghann Fahy, Jon Gries, Tom Hollander, Sabrina Impacciatore, Michael Imperioli, Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, Haley Lu Richardson, Will Sharpe, Simona Tabasco, and Leo Woodall.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Addams Family, Dead to Me, Emily in Paris, HBO, HBO Max, Netflix, Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever Season 3 Premieres August 12; Netflix's The Upshaws Return in June

Season 3 of the critically-acclaimed Mindy Kaling comedy series Never Have I Ever will return to Netflix on August 12. 10 half-hour episodes will be released for Season 3 on Friday, August 12. In Season 3 of the coming-of-age comedy Never Have I Ever, Indian American teenager Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) continues to deal with the everyday pressures of high school and drama at home, while also navigating new romantic relationships. Never Have I Ever is created by executive producer Mindy Kaling, with Lang Fisher serving as co-creator, executive producer, showrunner and writer. Never Have I Ever is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and executive produced by 3 Arts Entertainment's Howard Klein and David Miner. One other note, the following season, Season 4, will be the final season and premiere sometime in 2023.

The Upshaws Season 2 Part 1 will premiere on June 29, 2022 with 8 half-hour episodes. Created by Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes, with Executive Producers Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Regina Y. Hicks, Page Hurwitz, Niles Kirchner and starring Mike Epps (Bernie Shaw), Kim Fields (Regina Upshaw), Wanda Sykes (Lucretia Turner), Page Kennedy (Duck), Diamond Lyons (Kelvin Upshaw), Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins (Aaliyah Upshaw), Jermelle Simon (Bernard Upshaw), Gabrielle Dennis (Tasha Lewis), Journey Christine (Maya Upshaw). A multi-camera comedy that centers on a working-class African American family in Indiana struggling to make it work and make it right without the blueprints to do it.

In the series, Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps), the head of a Black working class family in Indianapolis, is a charming, well-intentioned mechanic and lifelong mess just trying his best to step up and care for his family - wife Regina (Kim Fields), their two young daughters (Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine) and firstborn son (Jermelle Simon), the teenage son (Diamond Lyons) he fathered with another woman (Gabrielle Dennis) -- and tolerate his sardonic sister-in-law (Wanda Sykes), all without a blueprint for success. But the Upshaws are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together. In season 2 part 1, the Upshaws continue to ride life's ups and downs, including new loves, old flames, big dreams, life changes and the love and drama that comes with family.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Netflix, Never Have I Ever, The Upshaws

Netflix Renews Never Have I Ever for Season 4, Before Season 3 Premieres; Peacock's Pitch Perfect Comedy Series Adds More Stars

Netflix comedy Never Have I Ever has received an early renewal for Season 4 ahead of its Season 3 premiere. And the fourth season will be the final season. Season 3 has wrapped production and will return this Summer 2022. Season 4 will be the final season and premiere in 2023. Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, an overachieving high school sophomore who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations. Never Have I Ever is created by executive producer Mindy Kaling, with Lang Fisher serving as co-creator, executive producer, showrunner and writer. Never Have I Ever is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and executive produced by 3 Arts Entertainment's Howard Klein and David Miner. Full list of stars are Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, Lee Rodriguez, Ramona Young with narration from John McEnroe.

Peacock's comedy series Pitch Perfect (wt), from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, has cast Sarah Hyland (Modern Family, The Wedding Year), Lera Abova (Anna) and Jameela Jamil (The Good Place, She Hulk), rounding out the series regulars. Peacock also announced that production is set to begin soon in Berlin, Germany. They join previously announced series regulars including Adam Devine who will reprise his role of Bumper Allen and Flula Borg who will reprise his role of Piëter Krämer. In the new series for Peacock, several years after we last saw him in Pitch Perfect, Adam Devine's Bumper Allen moves to Germany to revive his music career when one of his songs becomes big in Berlin. Hyland will play Heidi, Piëter and Bumper's cheery and slightly odd American assistant. Abova will play Piëter's sister and a prominent Berlin DJ and music producer. And Jamil will play Gisela, a bombastic and flashy up-and-coming German pop star, Gisela is Piëter's ex-girlfriend and Bumper's main rival the German Unity Day concert.

Over three films, the Pitch Perfect franchise, which was inspired by the Mickey Rapkin book of the same name, collectively grossed nearly $600 million at the worldwide box office and inspired a generation with its celebration of unapologetic women, irresistible music and outrageous humor. The comedy series will be executive produced by Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman (Brownstone Productions), Paul Brooks and Scott Neimeyer (Gold Circle Films), as well as Adam Devine and Megan Amram.  Brownstone and Gold Circle produced all three films in the Pitch Perfect franchise and Banks directed Pitch Perfect 2 which was the highest opening weekend for a musical in history, the biggest opener for a first-time feature film director, and the second-largest opening for a female director.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Modern Family, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, Peacock, Pitch Perfect, The Good Place

Fri-Yay: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Is Addressing Police Misconduct On Its Way Out the Door; Netflix Renews Never Have I Ever for Season 3

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

Last week, the 8th and final season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine premiered on NBC. It has been 16 months since the show last aired (the 7th season concluded in April 2020 - the show sat out for the regular 2020 - 2021 broadcast season.) Needless to say, a lot has changed in that time, particularly with the topic of police officers. Just a few months after the 7th season ended, the George Floyd video shocked America, and led to a discussion on police brutality and reforming police systems in the US. Brooklyn Nine-Nine threw out all of their previous ideas for the 8th season, hence the long delay in between Seasons 7 and 8. The show's premiere episode last week directly addressed this turmoil. Not only did Rosa quit the police force due to her uncomfortableness helping a system that has wronged so many, but Jake finds himself being called a "pig" and part of the problem.

In some ways, this isn't new territory for the show, which has always depicted the police officers outside of the 99 to be corrupt in many ways. But this was the first time the show seemed to reckon with the fact that its officers could be part of the problem, or at least that its characters reckoned with it. It was an interesting tonal shift for the show, although the second episode of the one-hour premiere was much more traditional Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Still, the final season certainly seems to have a bit of a darker vibe overall. Not only is the show addressing real world issues head on, it broke up Captain Holt and his husband Kevin, in a move that shocked many fans. The show has always been a generally light-hearted sitcom, although it has dipped its toes into serious issues before (such as racial profiling and the Me Too movement), but this feels like the most upfront and personal the show is getting with these issues, and it seems to also be willing to experiment with messing up its characters' personal lives. Typically, planned final seasons of sitcoms tend to be a celebration of shorts, and are often a little lower stakes, meant to celebrate the show that we love and demonstrate where our beloved characters are ending up. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, on the other hand, might be going in another direction. It'll be interesting to see how the show manages to balance these tones as it finishes out its run.

Netflix has renewed Never Have I Ever for a third season. Netflix's Head of Global TV Bela Bajaria broke the news during her TCA remarks. Never Have I Ever is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with 3 Arts Entertainment, Original Langster, and Kaling International. Returning cast includes: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, Lee Rodriguez, Ramona Young with narration from John McEnroe. Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming globally, only on Netflix. Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age comedy about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl. In Season 2, Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) continues to deal with the everyday pressures of high school and drama at home, while also navigating new romantic relationships. Never Have I Ever is created by executive producer Mindy Kaling, with Lang Fisher serving as co-creator, executive producer, showrunner and writer. The Universal Television project is also executive produced by 3 Arts Entertainment's Howard Klein and David Miner.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fri-Yay, NBC, Netflix, Never Have I Ever

Netflix's Popular Never Have I Ever Returns July 15; Peacock's Girls5eva Renewed for Season 2

Countdown time homies! Never Have I Ever season 2 premieres July 15 only on Netflix! In the comedy, after a traumatic year, all an Indian-American teen wants is to go from pariah to popular — but friends, family and feelings won't make it easy on her. There will some new faces this season, as Megan Suri plays a new student at Sherman Oaks High, whose confidence and radiance will pose an immediate threat to Devi (series star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan). Utkarsh Ambudkar and P.J. Byrne will recur as Mr. Kulkarni, "the coolest teacher on staff at Sherman Oaks High"; and Evan, "a head research assistant in Kamala's program at Caltech." And there will be plenty of special guest stars like Common. The series created by and produced by Mindy Kaling, was a major success for Netflix in spring 2020 during the pandemic. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Vishwakumar, Poorna Jagannathan as Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar, Darren Barnet as Paxton Hall-Yoshida, Ramona Young as Eleanor Wong, Lee Rodriguez as Fabiola Torres, Richa Moorjani as Kamala, Jaren Lewison as Ben Gross, and John McEnroe as himself.

Critically acclaimed Peacock Original comedy series Girls5eva has been renewed for a second season. Season one of the series reached "Certified Fresh" status on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Top Critic rating remaining at 100%. All eight episodes of season one are streaming now on Peacock. As a companion to the first season, Peacock and Epic Records released a soundtrack album, Girls5eva: Music From The Peacock Original Series. The nine-track collection is available HERE.

When a one-hit-wonder girl group from the 90's gets sampled by a young rapper, its members reunite to give their pop star dreams one more shot. They may be grown women balancing spouses, kids, jobs, debt, aging parents, and shoulder pain, but can't they also be Girls5eva? The series stars Grammy(R) Award-winner and Tony(R) and Emmy(R) Award-nominated singer Sara Bareilles, Grammy(R) and Tony(R) Award-winning actress and singer Renée Elise Goldsberry, Emmy(R) Award-winning Saturday Night Live mainstay and comedy icon Paula Pell, and New York Times Best-Selling author, actor, activist, writer and host Busy Philipps.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Girls5eva, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, Peacock

Fri-Yay: Netflix's New Jamie Foxx Sitcom Has Potential But Not Quite There Yet; Remembering Felix Silla of The Addams Family and James Hampton of F Troop

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

Last week, Netflix premiered Jamie Foxx's new sitcom Dad Stop Embarrasing Me, the latest in a line of big stars taking their comedy stylings to Netflix. Netflix is somewhat lacking in new comedy content as of late - although there was the excellent Never Have I Ever last year, overall the streamer hasn't had a good, reliable sitcom in a while. Dad Stop Embarrasing Me has some potential, and it's a comforting enough classic multi-camera sitcom, but it's also somewhat lacking, mostly due to the way it repeats generic sitcom premises without much in the way of originality.

The show revolves around a tragic circumstance. Brian (Foxx's character) has to become a single parent of his teenage daughter Sasha after the unexpected passing of their mother. Like many sitcoms that started with a similarly sad premise, the show doesn't spend too much time on the serious side of the situation and instead plays up the laughs - which is totally fine, but the laughs aren't as plentiful as you'd hope from a sitcom. The best part of the show is the relationship between Brian and Sasha, and if the show gets renewed, its best path to being a reliable comedy would be to hone in on that relationship. The relationship at the center of the show being so strong is promising - the show just needs to work out its kinks and joke issues. As of now, it's not a hugely encouraging reversal of Netflix's comedy drought as of late, but it does at least have some potential.

Italian-born American actor and stuntman Felix Silla, who played Cousin Itt on The Addams Family, has died. He died on April 16 from pancreatic cancer in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Silla was 84.

Silla appeared in the recurring role of Cousin Itt on 17 episodes of the 1964-1966 ABC sitcom The Addams Family. Cousin Itt was Gomez's (John Astin) cousin. The costumed character was composed entirely of floor-length hair accompanied by a bowler hat and sunglasses. He speaks in rapid, unintelligible gibberish that only the family can understand. The voice was provided by studio sound engineer Anthony Magro. Roger Arroyo appeared in two additional episodes as Cousin Itt. The cast included Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy, Blossom Rock, Ken Weatherwax, Lisa Loring and Ted Cassidy.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Grindl, Petticoat Junction, The Monkees, Bewitched, Mork & Mindy (uncredited) and Married with Children. He played the Polka Dotted Horse and various characters on the 1969 NBC children's series H.R. Pufnstuf, which was created by Sid and Marty Krofft. He appeared as Colonel Poom on the 1971-1973 ABC Sid and Marty Krofft series Lidsville.

Silla was responsible for the physical performance of the robot Twiki on the 1979-1981 NBC science fiction adventure series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Twiki's voice was mainly voiced by Mel Blanc, with Bob Elyea being a temporary replacement in 1981.

Some of his drama guest appearances included Bonanza, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., Night Gallery (uncredited), Battlestar Galactica (uncredited) and The Dukes of Hazzard.

Silla played one of the hang glider Ewoks in the film Return of the Jedi (1983). Some of his other film credits as an actor or stuntman included The Towering Inferno (1974), The Hindenburg (1975), The Black Bird (1975), Spaceballs (1987) and Batman Returns (1992).

Survivors include his wife, Sue, whom he married in 1965, and their children, Bonnie and Michael.

Mr. Silla did a fine job playing the beloved hairy Cousin Itt. He should have been in more episodes. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

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

MeTV will air The Addams Family weeknights at 6:00pm starting Monday, May 3.

Actor, director and screenwriter James Hampton, who starred as Private Hannibal Shirley Dobbs on F Troop, has died. He died of complications from Parkinson's disease on April 7 at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Hampton was 84.

Hampton starred as Private Hannibal Shirley Dobbs on the 1965-1967 ABC sitcom F Troop. Private Hannibal Shirley Dobbs was F Troop's inept bugler, originally from New Orleans, who can only play "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie" with regularity. The series also starred Ken Berry, Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch, Melody Patterson, Frank de Kova, Don Diamond, Bob Steele and Joe Brooks.

He appeared as Leroy B. Simpson, the handyman at the ranch, on the CBS sitcom The Doris Day Show. Hampton was a regular the first season (1968-1969) before appearing in one episode in season two and one episode in season three. The cast in the first season included Doris Day, Denver Pyle, Fran Ryan, Philip Brown, Todd Starke and Naomi Stevens.

Hampton starred as Len Weston on the short-lived 1981-1982 ABC sitcom Maggie. Len Weston was the husband of Maggie Weston (Miriam Flynn). He was vice principal of schools in Dayton, Ohio. The series also starred Doris Roberts, Judith-Marie Bergan, Margie Impert, Billy Jacoby (also known as Billy Jayne) and Christian Jacobs.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Who's the Boss?, Punky Brewster, She's the Sheriff, Mama's Family, Full House, Perfect Strangers, Newhart, Get a Life, Evening Shade, The Hogan Family, Hearts Afire, Hope and Gloria and Fired Up.

He later worked as a director for a number of sitcoms. His directing credits included Evening Shade (16 episodes), Hearts Afire (6 episodes), Kirk, Hudson Street, Boston Common (8 episodes), Grace Under Fire (4 episodes), Sister, Sister (9 episodes), The Tony Danza Show (2 episodes), Rude Awakening, Smart Guy (8 episodes), Katie Joplin, Linc's (3 episodes) and Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane (3 episodes).

Some of his drama guest appearances included Dr. Kildare, Death Valley Days, Gunsmkoke, Rawhide, The F.B.I., Mannix, The Rockford Files, The Dukes of Hazzard, Boone, The Greatest American Hero, Matt Houston, Simon & Simon, Murder, She Wrote and Melrose Place.

He starred as Caretaker in The Longest Yard (1974). He played Harold Howard, the father of Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox) in Teen Wolf (1985). He voiced Harold Howard on the 1986-1987 animated Teen Wolf series. In 1987, he returned as Uncle Harold Howard in the sequel Teen Wolf Too. Some of his other film credits included Hawmps! (1976), The Cat from Outer Space (1978), The China Syndrome (1979), Condorman (1981), Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988) and Sling Blade (1996).

Survivors include his wife, Mary Deese, sons Jim and Frank and daughter Andrea, and three grandchildren.

Mr. Hampton was very funny and memorable on F Troop. He was a solid and dependable character actor who made a great sidekick. We thank him for the enterainment he brought us during his long career. He will be sorely missed.

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

Comedy writer Anne Beatts, who worked on Saturday Night Live and was the creator of Square Pegs, has died. She died on April 7 at her home in West Hollywood, California. Ms. Beatts was 74.

Beatts worked as a writer on Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1980. She received five Emmy nominations, winning once in 1976 for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series.

She created the 1982-1983 CBS sitcom Square Pegs. The series follows Patty Greene (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Lauren Hutchinson (Amy Linker), two awkward teenage girls desperate to fit in at Weemawee High School. Beatts appeared in two episodes as Miss Rezucha. The series also starred Merritt Butrick, John Femia, Tracy Nelson, Jami Gertz, Claudette Wells, Jon Caliri, Basil Hoffman, Steven Peterman and Caitlin Adams.

Beatts was a producer for the first season (1987-1988) of the NBC sitcom A Different World. Her other sitcom writing credits included Murphy Brown and Committed (2 episodes).

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on May 7, 2009.

She is survived by her daughter, Jaylene Beatts.

We thank Ms. Beatts for bringing us the cult-favorite Square Pegs. It's worth checking out on DVD if you've never watched it before. She will be deeply missed.

Discuss Square Pegs on our message board. View photos in our galleries.

Character actor Walter Olkewicz, who appeared as Dougie Boudreau on Grace Under Fire, has died. He died after a long illness on April 6 in Reseda, California. Mr. Olkewicz was 72.

Olkewicz starred as Zach Comstock on the short-lived 1979-1980 CBS sitcom The Last Resort. The series centered on a group of college students working in a hotel kitchen. It also starred Larry Breeding, Stephanie Faracy, Zane Lasky, Ray Underwood, Dorothy Konrad, John Fujioka and Robert Costanzo.

He appeared as Dougie Boudreau on the ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire from 1993 to 1996. Dougie Boudreau was a crew worker at the local oil refinery. He was a regular for the first season before recurring in the second and third seasons. The cast included Brett Butler, Dave Thomas, Julie White (1993-1997), Casey Sander, Jon Paul Steuer (1993-1996), Sam Horrigan (1996-1998), Kaitlin Cullum, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Peggy Rea (1995-1998), Charles Hallahan (1993-1994), Don "D.C." Curry (1997-1998) and Lauren Tom (1997-1998).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Alice, Barney Miller (2 episodes), It's a Living, Taxi (2 episodes), Cheers, The Love Boat, Making the Grade, The Duck Factory, Newhart, 227, Designing Women, Family Ties, Married with Children, Mr. Belvedere, Who's the Boss?, Night Court, Seinfeld and Dharma & Greg.

Olkewicz starred as Marko in the short-lived 1983 CBS adventure series Wizards and Warriors. He played Harmon Shain in the short-lived 1984 NBC detective drama Partners in Crime. Some of his drama guest appearances included The Rockford Files, Hart to Hart, Trapper John, M.D., The A-Team, Riptide, Hardcastle and McCormick, Falcon Crest, Moonlighting, L.A. Law, ER and Twin Peaks.

Mr. Olkewicz was a good character actor. He was a familiar face in many TV series over the years. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

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

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Addams Family, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me, F Troop, Fri-Yay, Grace Under Fire, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, Obits, Saturday Night Live, Square Pegs

Fri-Yay: Never Have I Ever, Netflix's Best Sitcom; Ramy Gets Season 3 on Hulu

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

This past week, Netflix renewed Never Have I Ever for Season 2. If you weren't aware, Never Have I Ever is a teen sitcom on Netflix created by Mindy Kaling (previously known for her writing and starring role on The Office and for creating and starring in The Mindy Project.) Never Have I Ever is a refreshing and funny high school sitcom, the first really good example of the form in a while, and now that it's been renewed for a second season, I encourage everyone to check it out.

Never Have I Ever follows the trials and tribulations of an Indian American teenager Devi. The show follows some familiar high school beats (Devi tries to be cool, find romance, etc.) but also feels uniquely tailored in many ways to follow an Indian American's experience. Also, the show is just populated with a lot of really funny and likable characters, and has Kaling's sense of humor mixed with honesty that was apparent in her Office scripts and also, in spurts, on The Mindy Project. I'm a fan of Kaling's work, particularly on The Office, but I never felt The Mindy Project (both during its Fox run and its subsequent move to Hulu) quite lived up to her talents, constantly feeling torn between many different styles and voices and never quite finding the right groove for longer than a string of episodes. But Never Have I Ever is strong, consistent, funny and perfectly dramatic, and feels like just the right showcase for Kaling's talents. I highly recommend the series, which I'd rank as Netflix's best in quite some time, especially for anyone who enjoys a good coming of age tale.

Hulu has renewed A24's Ramy, from Golden Globe-winner Ramy Youssef, for a 10-episode, third season. The second season debuted on Hulu on Friday, May 29. The series follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy brings a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it's like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. In the second season, Ramy delves further into his spiritual journey, finding a new Muslim community and embracing a deeper commitment to his faith.

Ramy is written, executive-produced, created by and starring Ramy Youssef, executive produced by A24's Ravi Nandan, co-creators Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, Jerrod Carmichael, Chris Storer, and produced by A24. The series stars Youssef, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, Laith Nakli, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer and Steve Way. Season two also featured Academy Award-winner Mahershala Ali.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Fri-Yay, Hulu, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, Ramy

Netflix Renews Never Have I Ever for Season 2; Comedy Central Reviving Beavis and Butt-Head

Netflix comedy series Never Have I Ever has been renewed for Season 2! But that's not the only thing series star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wound up telling her co-stars...more on that in the video announcement. In the coming-of-age comedy series from Mindy Kaling about the complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl, inspired by Kaling's own childhood, after a traumatic year, all an Indian-American teen wants is to go from pariah to popular — but friends, family and feelings won't make it easy on her. The series stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, Ramona Young, Lee Rodriguez and narrator John McEnroe.

Comedy Central announced an expansive deal with Emmy(R) Award-winning Mike Judge to reimagine MTV's seminal, Gen X-defining Beavis and Butt-Head, as well as additional spin-offs and specials. Launched in 1993, Beavis and Butt-Head quickly became a force in pop culture and started a television revolution with its pure, unadulterated, satirical commentary on youth and adolescence. Centered around two teenage couch potatoes, "Beavis" and "Butt-Head," the unprecedented concept immediately became part of the vernacular in a way no other adult animated series had before. Known for tackling social issues including teen obesity, workers' rights and media trends, the show connected with an entire generation, laying claim as one of the most innovative series in the modern-day zeitgeist.

In this new iteration, "Beavis" and "Butt-head" are entering a whole new Gen Z world.Comedy Central has ordered two seasons of the new series with meta-themes relatable to both new and old fans - Gen X parents and their Gen Z kids. Judge is set to write, produce and provide voice over for both iconic characters. 

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Beavis and Butt-Head, Comedy Central, MTV, Netflix, Never Have I Ever

Bounce Sitcom Returns April 1, No Foolin'; Never Have I Ever Gets Netflix Premiere Date

Bounce, the first and only multi-platform entertainment network for African Americans, announced the upcoming return of its original comedy series In The Cut. The new season of the long-running hit will roll-out over thirteen Wednesday nights throughout the spring, starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Following their weekly premiere on Bounce, the new episodes will also be available on the popular subscription streaming service Brown Sugar on Thursday mornings. Complete seasons one through five are available on Brown Sugar anytime.

In The Cut revolves around Jay Weaver (Dorien Wilson, The Parkers) who must adjust to married life with Cheryl (Kellita Smith, The Bernie Mac Show), all while running a barbershop and beauty salon together. This season, the pair - along with Jay's son Kenny (Ken Lawson, The Parkers) and their friends Smitty (John Marshall Jones, Rectify), Mabel (Laura Hayes, Meet The Browns) and Percy (Dorion Renaud) - must contend with their biggest challenges yet - including convincing the city not to demolish the business to pave the way for a new freeway. This season will also include guest appearances from Dawn Halfkenny (Saints & Sinners), Chastity Dotson (Imposters), Luenell (Dolemite Is My Name), YoYo (Love & Hip Hop Hollywood) and Aida Rodriguez (Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready).

Watch out Sherman Oaks High, here comes Devi Vishwakumar. Never Have I Ever, a new series from Mindy Kaling, premieres April 27. Only on Netflix. In the 10 episode series, a new coming-of-age comedy series from Mindy Kaling about the complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl, inspired by Kaling's own childhood. The comedy stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, Sendhil Ramamurthy as Mohan Venkatesan, Poorna Jagannathan as Nalini, Richa Shukla as Kamala and John McEnroe as Narrator (Voice).



Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Bounce TV, In The Cut, Netflix, Never Have I Ever

SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix and Hulu to Share Rights to Community; Preview of New Netflix Series Never Have I Ever

• Netflix and Hulu will share the rights to Community in a new deal. (Deadline)
• A preview of the new Netflix series, Never Have I Ever, is now available. (Vulture)
• The cable sports networks are having a hard time filling their lineups lately. (NY Times)
• Speaking of the sports, the remainder of the XFL season has been scrapped early, though they claim they'll be back next year. (NY Post)
• The country is in need of medical supplies, and they're getting some from an unlikely source: medical TV series. (The Hill)
• Lyle Waggoner has died at age 84. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Antenna TV will be having their own weekend binges starting next weekend. (SitcomsOnline)

• The fourth season of One Day at a Time debuts on Pop TV on Tuesday.
• It's Christmas movies all weekend on Hallmark Channel, because why not?
• It's like PAX TV has returned on Decades this weekend, as they air a marathon of Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye.
• The new drama series Council of Dads debuts Tuesday on NBC.

Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

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Labels: Community, Hulu, Netflix, Never Have I Ever, SitcomsOnline Digest