There will be some laughter this autumn, after all.
ABC says its Wednesday situation comedies — including “The Conners,” shown here — will start their seasons on Oct. 21 and 28. They’ll be virtually the only sitcoms (not counting reruns and cartoons) in primetime.
Networks have assembled makeshift line-ups for the fall, strong on reality shows and a few dramas. For sitcoms, however, the field is smaller:
– NBC is planning a new show about friends trying to connect in a social-distance era. “Connecting” starts on Thursday, Oct. 1; “Superstore” returns three weeks later, on Oct. 22.
– ABC will have a special at 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. That will combine two election-themed “Black-ish” episodes … one of which is animated. Then its Wednesday line-up starts Oct. 21, with “The Goldbergs” at 8 and 8:30 p.m., “The Conners” at 9 and “Black-ish” at 9:30. A week later, “American Housewife” steps into the 8:30 spot.
– CBS is planning to show six episodes of the “One Day at a Time” reboot, which aired earlier on cable’s Pop channel. Those will be on three Mondays, starting Oct. 12.
– We also might laugh at funny clips on Fridays: CBS’ “Greatest #AtHome Videos” returns at 8 p.m. Sept. 25; CW’s “World’s Funniest Animals” is at 9 and 9:30 p.m., starting Sept. 18.
– And animation has boomed ahead, on cable (“Archer” returns at 10 p.m. Sept. 16) and on Fox. Its Sunday shows – “Simpsons,” “Bless the Harts,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “The Family Guy” – start their season Sept. 27.