Single Parents Canceled; ABC and Hulu Should Saved It

The news on Thursday wasn't what I had expected. ABC announced that it had canceled Single Parents after two seasons.

The series was about single parents helping raise each other and their children. If you're a fan of New Girl and Friends, this show might be the one to watch. The recently canceled series was my favorite comedy out of the ABC network, with The Conners. The series wasn't just well-written; the characters were so grounded and well-connected. The chemistry of this ensemble cast is so irresistible no matter who you pair one another within an episode.

But if I had to choose one pair I'd enjoyed through this series, it was Taran Killam and Leighton Meester's Will Copper and Angie D'Amato. While the two are best friends, they come to terms in the second season that they have feelings for one another. It was in the season finale (that's now a series finale) that Angie learned Will's feelings for her. And you can't tell me we can't get the third season after that moment?

Yes, I'm very much upset and sad about the news. I looked forward to seeing where Will and Angie would go after that cliffhanger. With what's going on with COVID-19, the network would want to keep a good chunk of their shows (they picked up 13 shows for renewal). While a few of the shows that got picked up over, Single Parents had about the same Live+3 Days DVR rating, but Single Parents had a higher DVR in the L+7 rating.

But the thing that has stuck in my mind since the announcement that ABC is renewing shows that build a strategy to bring people together, create cultural moments, and make content that entertains and inspires across generations and demographics. Single Parents fits that model that the network's plan for the new season. The series has a substantial diversity that appeals to many people who are single and raising kids.

While ABC made a wrong decision, they could have placed the series on their streaming service, whether it's Hulu or Disney+. This would have been more like what NBC did with A.P. Bio. The series ran for two seasons until it was canceled, and then NBC picked it up and placed it on their streaming service, Peacock Streaming Service. Hulu fits the show best because of its humorous content. I would plead with ABC to reconsider saving the show.

After hearing about it from many people, this show spoke to me over a year ago. I watched the entire first season and fell in love with it after the second episode. The characters just spoke out; the humor was so funny, and I got all the jokes. The show has a lot of heart, with moments that made me want to grab a tissue or another glass of wine. Back in April, my grandmother and I watched the first season and caught up in the second season. She loved it. It's a different family show without taking the meaning of family out of it.

I'm just hoping there's a miracle for another show, like The Mind Project, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, One Day at a Time, and The Last Man Standing, that got saved from other networks and streaming services. A show like Single Parents shouldn't be left out; it deserves to be on, as it has five to seven seasons ahead of it.

The hashtag #SaveSingleParents trended yesterday as fans voiced their opinions and even signed a petition. Could this help? I hope so; we've seen shows get picked up before because of fans speaking out. We can get Single Parents to be the next one. Come on, ABC, don't be like Netflix or make the same mistake with Last Man Standing.

Batwoman Season 1 Review

Exciting, character-driven, and full of action!  Here are my thoughts on the first season of Batwoman.

While the first season had some issues; I still quite enjoyed it very much. The series keeps the Batman anthology theme of dark, gritty, and very, very action-packed. But the one that I do enjoy the most out of this series was the strong character development. While Rudy Rose shows a lot of growth in the first season, she plays very well in the dramatic fashion; but also in the humor category too when Kate tries to learn the ropes of being Batwoman.

Along with Rose, Rachel Skarsten steals the show with her performance as Alice/Beth Kane. Skarsten's character was so interested that she had me more invested in the show than just watching Batwoman fight crime.  While both Kate and Alice have this Batman-Joker dynamic going; their relationship of sisters adds more depth. But it's the character's strong background story and development that wins the season over the other characters.

One of the things that I had an issue was the character development of Sohpie Moore. Moore, at the first half of the season, felt like a soap opera character; with one of the storylines being that her going to tell Kate's dad that she's Batwoman. But by the second half of the season, the character develops well enough.

While Crisis Part 2 was my favorite episode of the crossover event; other episodes like "Tell Me the Truth" with both Kate and Luke teaming with Julie Pennyworth, who I wish to stay on from time to time as they play well with one another. "Take Your Choice," "A Narrow Escape," "Off with Her Head" and "Through the Looking Glass" were a few of the episodes that stood out this first season with such entertaining, action, and amazing character development. And while the season finale ended with HUSH becoming the doppelganger of Bruce Wayne; I don't believe the show will ruin Bruce Wayne's character. Overall, I give this season one an 8.5/10.

I can't wait for Season two, but sad that Rudy Rose left the show. while I respect her for her decision to leave. I just hope that the show will find a way to address the change; whether it's a new actress taking on Kate Kane or a new character.

You can catch Season One of Batwoman available now on The CW app and On Demand. The new season begins in January 2021.

ABC Cancels Single Parents and Bless This Mess; Renews 13 Shows

On Thursday, ABC announced that it's canceling the sophomore series Single Parents after two seasons.

Along with Single Parents, Bless This Mess, Emergence and Schooled were also canceled. The network has renewed 13 shows that include The Rookie mixed-ish and Stumptown.

The May 13 season finale, which will serve as a series finale had Angie going to Barstow with Graham's father only to remember that a drunken Will confessed his love to her.

This news comes to a shock to me as Single Parents was one of my favorite shows on ABC along with The Conners. This series was brilliant in the characters along with the chemistry with such an amazing ensemble cast. I thought that this series had a better shot getting renewed over the other bubble shows. I just hope the fans can get something going to maybe get Hulu to support the show.

Superstore Season 5 Review

For Season Five of Superstore, the show doesn't lose a beat.

While the fifth season was cut short of its original season run; I thought that this season of the comedy series was so brilliant and hilarious. The Amy storylines this season with her dealing with corporate and trying to get to the top was good. Also, her and Manto's storyline was funny at times but heartwarming. The trio of Jonah, Cheyenne, and Garrett was hilarious; I loved this season was Sandra, Jonah, and Garrett as they were dealing with new corporate phones. 

While the ensemble cast was brilliant; Kaliko Kauahi as Sandra was not only amazing but stole the season with her performance. From episodes of her wedding and dealing with Carol this season, she deserves to win the MVP for this season. Also, Lauren Ash gave some great moments too; from meeting her father to dealing with the loss of her birds and getting back at Garrett.

And while the season finale was supposed to have Amy leaving Superstore; the episode that aired as the season finale did have an ending of a goodbye. I do hope that America Ferrera would come back for an episode to give a fair sendoff, which I think her character deserves. 

I loved how this season the show kept the characters grounded and never dummy them down at all with such rich storytelling. Season after season the show elevates and gets better and better. Season five is that example and one that anyone who hasn't seen it should watch it. Brilliant writing and brilliant performances from the ensemble cast. Overall, I give this season a 91/0.

You can catch Superstore to return for a sixth season (sometime this fall).

CBS 2020-2021 Fall Lineup

It's been almost a week since CBS announced it's renewals and cancellations of their 2019-2020 shows and on Tuesday they announced their fall lineup with the only expectation that they haven't got a date yet. Like The CW and Fox, CBS is not saying when it's the new season will launch, the fact that its very stable new schedule is being billed as a "fall" lineup that's been suggested by the execs, who ae somewhat optimistic.

Along with the news, The Amazing Race will follow Survivor on Wednesday, which bumps S.W.A.T. to midseason. Chuck Lorre's new sitcom B Positive has scored the Thursday's post-Young Sheldon perch, sending The Unicorn to 9:30pm.

Also, The Queen Latifah-lead Equalizer reboot will follow 60 Minutes on Sunday, replacing the called God Friended Me. And the new Silence of the Lambs sequel series Clarice is being held for midseason. And the network is looking into a second spinoff in the FBI series.

Here's the fall schedule:

Monday
8/7c: The Neighborhood
8:30/7:30c: Bob Hearts Abishola
9/8c: All Rise
10/9c: Bull

Tuesday:
8/7c: NCIS
9/8c: FBI
10/9c: FBI: Most Wanted

Wednesday
8/7c: Survivor
9/8c: The Amazing Race
10/9c: SEAL Team

Thursday:
8/7c: Young Sheldon
8:30/7:30c: B Positive (New)
9/8c: Mom
9:30/8:30c: The Unicorn
10/9c: Evil

Friday
8/7c: MacGyver
9/8c: Magnum P.I.
10/9c: Blue Bloods

Saturday:
8/7c: Crimetime Saturday (drama encores)
9/8c: Crimetime Saturday (drama encores)
10/9c: 48 Hours

Sunday
7/6c: 60 Minutes
8/7c: The Equalizer (New)
9/8c: NCIS: Los Angeles
10/9c: NCIS: New Orleans


Midseason: Clarice, S.W.A.T., and Undercover Boss

Canceled: Broke, Carol's Second Act, God Friended Me, Man with a Plan and Tommy.

It looks like CBS is keeping their lineup close to the vest and hoping that they can get their fall lineup by September or so. We will just have to wait and see where things will stand since production starts around June.

Together We Stand: Supergirl Season 5 (Ep. 10-19) Review

The second half of the fifth season of Supergirl goes pretty fast into the post-crisis but delivers very well. SPOILERS!

While the second half of the fifth season of Supergils had some issues; it still delivered some awesome, exciting, and dramatic moments for this season. I loved out rounded and developed the characters this season with Brainy coming with his past and working with Lex Luther; while being in control of the DEO. Or Kara and Lena's relationship taking a nasty turn that Lena has to come to terms along with Kara about their decisions. Even Nia deals with her first experience of using power to help her roommate after she was attacked. And not only Alex dealing with the death of her father but gets a cool kick-ass suit.

This season really brought back characters; one of them that I'd really enjoyed was the return of Wynn in the two-part episode "Back from the Future." While it brought back a reunion; it also brought a bit of closure for Wynn; as he battles an evil doppelganger but also gets his father's appreciation too.  And while "Alex In Wonderland," Reality Bytes" and The Bottle Episode," were very good; "It's a Super Life," the 100th episode, was the most memorable episode; as it gives Kara a chance to try to fix her relationship with Lena but doesn't end well. And the ending with both Kara, Alex, and J'onn toasting to each other was a happy tear moment; as these three have been together since the pilot.

Now the one or two issues that I have had were some of the stories; as it was confusing at times after Crisis. I had to re-watch episodes; just so I could understand it better. The other was the character development of Andrea Rojas and Arcata; as I thought that in the second half of the season her character wasn't as effective as she was in the first half and that they just kind of wrote her to be here and there. Julie Gonzalo did give some very good performances.

I'd very much enjoyed the second half of the season. It had a lot of great moments in character development. And while the season was cut short of three episodes due to the COVID-19; I thought the season finale had a nice wrapped up to the season. While I give the second half of the season an 8/10. I give this overall season an 8.5/10.

You can catch Supergirl available on The CW app or VOD. Supergirl will return in 2021.

Growing and Laughing: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 7

 
The seventh season of the NBC comedy literally delivers the goods, laughs, and moments that make you grabbing tissues.

The seventh season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine had really turned up not only the humor but the character development with these stories. We see Amy and Jake push their plans to have a baby, and while they try, they have some issues conceiving. Watching these two dealing with that was just brilliantly well done. But they ended up pregnant and having a baby boy in the season finale, which fits perfectly well for these two.

Meanwhile, Holt deals with his demotion from Captain to patrol officer and has a partner named Debbie (played by Vanessa Bayer), brilliant this season. And while we see Holt dealing with Madeline Wuntch's punishment, he does get his Captain position back after the death of Madeline. Rosa deals with her breakup from her girlfriend, yet her relationship with Amy grows so well this season. But it was the annual Halloween heist that happened to take three different times; it ended up her winning all three, making her the first three-time winner.

This season brought back many familiar faces from Adrian Pimento, who believed that he was being killed but forgot his memory. Doug Judy returns and has a bachelor party with Jake but has to pull a reverse heist before getting caught. Teddy returns as both he, Amy, and Rosa compete for the best stroller, but Rosa loses, but their friendship grows. J.K. Simmons comes to B99 and blows away in "Dillman," who's one of the best detectives that Holt worked with back in the day. Simmons needs to have a cop comedy series right now.

This season had a lot to give and take in as well. The writing was brilliant, and the performances were amazing as well. Melissa Fumero gave such a great performance in the episode "Trying." Vanessa Bayer was so good this season as Debbie, a patrol officer who didn't want to get into danger; but later stole drugs from the lockup for a well-known drug dealer. I felt so bad for her character. And as much as I loved the Halloween heist episodes, The Jimmy Jab Games II might have topped this season as it was just hilarious balls to the wall. Overall, I give this season a 9/10.

You can catch Brooklyn Nine-Nine available on NBC.com and other streaming platforms.