Abbott Elementary is a warm-hearted, sharply written mockumentary comedy set in a chronically underfunded Philadelphia public school, following an idealistic second-grade teacher named Janine Teagues and her eccentric colleagues as they navigate the daily chaos of American public education. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the show became an instant cultural phenomenon upon its 2021 premiere, earning comparisons to the early seasons of The Office while carving out a deeply distinct identity of its own.
The ensemble — which includes Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and William Stanford Davis — works with near-perfect comic chemistry, generating both absurdist workplace humor and genuine emotional warmth. The show never condescends to its characters or their circumstances, treating the struggle to educate children in a broken system with equal parts comedy and deep respect.
Abbott Elementary has become one of broadcast television’s biggest critical and commercial hits in years, winning multiple Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series. Quinta Brunson’s Emmy win for Outstanding Writing made her only the third Black woman to win in that category, a milestone that resonated far beyond the television industry.
When single dad George Altman finds condoms in his 16 year old daughter Tessa's dresser drawer he flips out! Not wanting her to turn into a "bad girl" he up and moves them to a suburban neighborhood away from the big city (New York). This leads the smart alecky teenager to conclude they must now live in the perfect town, one where the Stepford Wives reside. The mothers and housewives all appear to have implants in various places and wear the same designer clothing. When the ladies discover that Tessa's father is single they go right to work welcoming him to their neighborhood with pot roasts and plenty of other offerings. Well written and filled with some interesting comparisons to "real life" in many towns, Suburgatory has a biting comedy that is a fun and welcome addition to evening TV fare. Starring Jane Levy (Shameless) as Tessa Altman, Jeremy Sisto (Law & Order) plays the dad George Altman, right across the street neighbors Dallas and Dalia Royce are played by Cheryl Hines from Brothers & Sisters (Dallas) and Carly Chaikin (The Last Song) is Dalia, daughter of Dallas who quickly becomes enemies with Tessa.
The much loved Disney Channel series, Sonny With A Chance returns in full force minus the title character, Sonny (who was played by Demi Lovato). Seen in each episode of So Random! will be a series of perhaps five to six comedy sketches that include musical performances with guest stars and the "show within a show" style Disney is so famous for. Cast members include Tiffany Thornton (Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place) as Tawni Hart, Sterling Sandmann Knight (17 Again, Starstruck) as Chad Dylan Cooper, Nico Harris is played by Brandon Mychal Smith (Phil of the Future, Starstruck), and Nico's best friend Grady Mitchell (played by Douglas Brochu from iCarly, Pair of Kings). The familiar cast work well together and are friends on and off screen. Demi Lovato who played Sonny left the show for health reasons, confirming in April of 2011 that she would not be returning to the show or the newly formed So Random! With an improve flair So Random! attempts to give the young cast reason (excuses) to act up, be silly, and dress up in a preposterous manner. But it happens to work out very well! Check out the juvenile styled "Wheel of Fortune" version with kid celebrities including Willow Smith (daughter of Will Smith), Taylor Swift, and YouTube whiz kid Fred Figglehorn.
Magazine columnist Andrew Carlson knows the etiquette column he writes is outdated and he is most likely the "last of his kind" but someone has to do it. David Hornsby is Carlson and is also the creator of the new series which is an adaptation of a non-fiction book by John Bridges titled How to Be a Gentleman. Hornsby, formerly from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, is the uptight magazine columnist who still believes in chivalry and opening doors for the ladies. His side kick is an exact opposite, making the two of them resemble Felix and Oscar from the Odd Couple. Kevin Dillon (Entourage) is Bert Lansing a veteran of the war in Iraq and brother to actor Matt Dillon, is a macho trainer who recently inherited a fitness center. He fits the Oscar Madison character to a T. Bert intends to down grade Andrew's gentlemanly habits and show him how to live his life more like a "bad boy". Dave Foley (News Radio) is Jerry, the editor of the magazine Andrew Carlson works for.
Comedy series Blue Mountain State has its football team, The Goats as well as plenty of sex, drunken college students, hazing, wild parties, and even drugs to fill a few dorm rooms and frat houses. Now in its third season on Spike this Lionsgate Television series brings plenty of humor to the fictional college that is located somewhere in the mid west U.S. Cast includes: Alex Moran (Darin Brooks from Days of our Lives) as a football quarterback with a superb track record from his high school days, who want to enjoy all that college life has to offer while also becoming a star on the gridiron. Sammy Cacciatore (Chris Romano from How I Met Your Mother) is the team's mascot and dresses up like a goat for games and resides in a closet at the Goat House. Alan Ritchson from Aquaman plays Thad Castle a linebacker and a senior All-American who got in trouble for calling referees "butt faces". He's not very popular with his teammates because he's a bully. Up and coming freshman Radon Randell (played by Page Kennedy from My Name is Earl, Blind Justice) is a starting quarterback with lots of potential, that is if he can survive the hazing and wild partying of college life at Blue Mountain State. The residents of the Goat House have fun, learn a lot that's not necessarily of future use, and party hard!
Back for another season due to an explosion of popularity, Tosh.0 will now be seen with 25 episodes although they may be split up over the year. Tosh.0 was recently called the top cable program watched by adults from 18 to 49 years of age with some 2.4 million watching. That's quite a feat indeed for a self created show. Daniel Tosh himself is responsible for creation, production, writing scripts, and presenting the program that basically throws humorous barbs at videos seen on the internet. Episodes begin with a clip of a video seen on the internet then Tosh makes fun of the various sequences in the video followed by him posting his comments about it as others might do on sites like YouTube. He keeps on making posts until he runs out of jokes or 20 seconds, whichever comes first. Redemption is an option when Daniel Tosh invites those who's video clips he has emphasized onto the show. He also brings on musical artists he likes in what is called a web remix and invites them to perform. A wide variety of material keeps this entertaining show a must see!
Stars Hank Azaria, Kathryn Hahn, Natasha Leggero, and Al Madrigal apparently are having fun with the US version of a British hit titled Free Agents. The PR firm of CMA is the scene for much of the frivolity and even though the employees are there to assist their clientele it seems as if they can barely handle their own personal interests let alone be of assistance to any customers. Sitcoms that deal with workplace romance and banter have been popular for a long time (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, News Radio, Scrubs, Mad Men, The Office). There may be little in the way of plot line but plenty of humor, particularly of the dark and borderline mean variety. But the cast handles it all and even succeed in making the audience like them, well most of them. Sleazy and kinky yet charismatic boss Stephen (Anthony Head of Merlin and Buffy The Vampire Slayer) makes each day difficult for his staff. In the first episode we find two of the workers have committed the "cardinal" sin of employees sleeping together. Alex, played by Hank Azaria (does several voices on The Simpsons) and Helen (Kathryn Hahn of Crossing Jordan) get wasted and spend time in bed together, waking the next morning with more than just a hangover. At work other employees drill them for details and Alex nearly becomes a stalker trying to convince Helen to let him move in.
Lisa Kudrow has been a busy gal since she was part of the ensemble cast of Friends! She now produces as well as stars in a new concept in sitcom on Showtime Television titled Web Therapy. Kudrow is Dr. Fiona Wallice, a therapist who contrives a new therapy form in which she spends three minutes on a web cast with patients who were formerly treated to those long and overly "talky" 50 minute sessions where nothing really happened. Her idea is to abbreviate those unproductive bouts down, thus leaving out most of the irrelevant chit chat. Kip Wallice, Fiona's husband, is played by Victor Garber (Ugly Betty, Nurse Jackie) shows up occasionally and her mother Putsy Hodge is well played by Lily Tomlin (stand up comedienne "Ernestine"). Apparently her newly devised condensed version of has some therapeutic value as she works with various patients who have guest starring roles in each episode. Names like Meryl Streep, Phylicia Rashad, Courtney Cox, and Jane Lynch fill in the 30 minute situation comedy and the results are hilarious and especially innovative due mostly to the level of talent involved. Well worth catching if you have Showtime.
