Few laughs in new TV comedies
Nostalgia seems to be what drives viewers to TV comedies these days; new series with original concepts just don’t generate the same interest. Of course, the more networks churn out reboots, the more that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Last year, “Will & Grace” was a hit for NBC and the return of “Roseanne” was an even bigger hit for ABC. Thursday night it was CBS’s turn with the first new episode of “Murphy Brown” in 20 years.
Nostalgia-wise, Fox’s “The Cool Kids” (8:30 p.m. Friday, WPGH-TV) could draw some viewers wanting to see Vicki Lawrence (“The Carol Burnett Show”), who hasn’t been a series regular in prime time since “Mama’s Family” ended its run in 1990.
Unfortunately, the show is pretty terrible and not funny. Set in a retirement community, “The Cool Kids” wants to be a modern-day “Golden Girls,” but none of the old-age jokes are clever and the group of characters at the center — played by Ms. Lawrence, Martin Mull, David Alan Grier and Leslie Jordan — are paper thin, at best.
ABC has the best new comedy bets for fall with “Single Parents” (9:30 p.m. Wednesday) and “The Kids Are Alright” (8:30 p.m. Oct. 16).
CBS makes an effort to get on the board with two OK comedies debuting next week. But neither is likely to be a breakout hit and they face an uphill battle leading off Monday night with no support from an existing series as a lead-in.
“Happy Together” (8:30 p.m. Monday, KDKA-TV) has what seems to be a limited premise — rock star moves in with his accountant and wife — but the cast is strong and leads Damon Wayans Jr. (“Happy Together”) and Amber Stevens West (“Greek”) have chemistry. It’s cute if unessential. But how much mileage can “Happy Together” get out of having a Harry Styles-like pop star (Felix Mallard) living in the home of the couple at the show’s center?
If “Happy Together” is a fluffy meringue, CBS’s “The
Neighborhood” (8 p.m. Monday, KDKA-TV) tries to be something more substantial at least as far as sitcoms go.
A white family, headed by Dave (Max Greenfield, “New Girl”) and Gemma (Beth Behrs, “Two Broke Girls”), moves into a black neighborhood where their neighbor, Calvin (Cedric the Entertainer), will be seen by some viewers as a black Archie Bunker.
Calvin is excited to meet his new neighbors — he assumes they are black with the last name Johnson — but is disappointed when they turn out to be white.
“There are two types of racists: Ones who hate black people and ones who love black people,” Calvin tells his son. “There are some people that love black people just because they’re black, makes ‘em feel all good on the inside, like they’re doing us a favor.”
Calvin and Dave clash over their perceptions of “real work.” Calvin is an auto mechanic; Dave is a conflict mediator. There’s an odd couple vibe here and also a generational divide. Dave seems to share more in common with Calvin’s sons, Malcolm (Sheaun McKinney) and Marty (Marcel Spears), who revel in Calvin’s discomfort with his new neighbors.
“I’m an engineer, so all the science says it’s good for people to live in diverse communities,” Marty says. “It’s too bad my dad hates science.”
Credit “The Neighborhood” with trying to say something about modern racial politics. And the performers — especially Mr. Greenfield and Cedric the Entertainer — deliver but some jokes are a little too easy (Dave sits down to play chess and declares, “I’m white,” prompting Malcolm to respond, “Yes, you are”). Given the divisive tenor of modern times, will viewers find humor in Calvin’s and Dave’s discomfort with one another?
‘Sunday Night Football’ milestones
Sunday night’s Steelers game marks the 30th Steelers game for the announcing team of Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, who are celebrating their 10th season on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”
It’s also the pair’s 16th game at Heinz Field. The only place they’ve covered more games in the past decade is AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Kept/canceled/rebooted
HBO renewed “The Deuce” for a third and final season.
Hulu renewed “Harlots” for a third season.
No surprised here: AMC canceled the low-rated “Dietland” after a single season.
Hulu will revisit “Veronica Mars” with star Kristen Bell and writer Rob Thomas on board for an eightepisode season to air in 2019.
“Inside the Actors Studio” will move from cable’s Bravo to Ovation with new episodes in Fall 2019 hosted by rotating guest hosts as the network considers replacements for James Lipton, who is retiring.
Meet the newscasters
Veteran Pittsburgh broadcasters Sally Wiggin, Harold Hayes, Andy Gastmeyer and Lynn Cullen will discuss their careers at Pittsburgh Broadcast Legends and Storytellers, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists Pittsburgh Pro Chapter and cosponsored by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.
The Oct. 6 event will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 548 of College Hall at Duquesne University, 1100 Locust St. The cost is $15, which includes refreshments. Preregistration and prepayment is encouraged via PayPal at westernpapressclub.org/calendar.html. Questions can be directed to spj.pittsburgh@gmail.com.
Ms. Wiggin is set to retire from WTAE-TV in November. Mr. Gastmeyer retired from WPXI-TV in 2008. Mr. Hayes retired from KDKATV in 2016. Ms. Cullen hosts “Lynn Cullen Live,” a onehour 10 a.m. weekday talk show on Pittsburgh City Paper’s website.
Channel surfing
Focus Features has slated a “Downton Abbey” movie, reuniting the original cast, for a Sept. 20, 2019, theatrical release. … CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Short Treks,” four stand-alone short stories running 10-15 minutes, will debut on the streaming service Oct. 4, Nov. 8, Dec. 6 and Jan. 3 in the runup to the season two premiere of “Star Trek: Discovery” sometime in early 2019. … Top NBC programmer Robert Greenblatt announced his departure from the peacock network this week after eight years during which he took NBC from worst to first. … The 10-episode second season of Netflix’s “Making a Murderer” debuts Oct. 19.
Tuned In online
Today’s TV Q&A column responds to questions about “Castaway,” weather coverage and WTAE’s pre-emption for the Steelers game Monday night. This week’s Tuned In Journal includes posts on a Jane Fonda documentary on HBO. Read online-only TV content at http://communityvoices.post-gazette.com/ arts-entertainment-living/ tuned-in.
TV writer Rob Owen: rowen@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2582. Follow RobOwenTV on Twitter or Facebook for breaking TV news.