In 2017, Netflix rebooted the 1975 sitcom One day at a timegiving it a makeover and following three generations of a Latino family. The series has faced not just one but two cancellations, but fans can finally find out how the series was supposed to end.
One day at a time tackled many serious topics, despite its sitcom status. Similar to ABC Blackish, One day at a time put family members in different, sometimes humorous, scenarios that led to opportunities for growth, educating the viewer in the process. Netflix canceled the series after three seasons, and Pop took over and revived it in 2020, but the pandemic halted production and the network decided to cancel it, despite its 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. According to Variety, the cast will reunite for a table read of the remaining three episodes, including the one that served as the series finale.
Executive produced by veteran sitcom producer Norman Lear, who was also behind the original 1975 sitcom, the show's cast and executive producers Gloria Calderón Kellett, Mike Royce and Brent Miller, as well as producer Sandi Hochman, will reunite for a benefit table read for Lear's People For the American Way Foundation. The event, which will take place on Saturday, October 5 at the TV Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, will include a table read of the three lost episodes from season four of One day at a time.
After Netflix cancelled it, Pop TV took over and aired six episodes in 2020 before the pandemic hit, with more to come until the season finale. During the pandemic, the cast reunited to voice Episode 7, “The Politics Episode,” which was animated. The cast never reunited to film the rest of Season 4's episodes and it was officially cancelled again.
“Bringing our One day at a time the cast to bring these unaired and unaired episodes to life, including what would have been our series finale, is a powerful reminder of the magic of Norman Lear and his work“, co-showrunners and executive producers Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce said in a joint statement. “It was an honor to bring this Latin family to the screen.and this reading is not just a celebration, but an opportunity to reconnect with our incredible fans and support a cause dear to our hearts, the People For The American Way Foundation, another of Norman's ideas. Together, we pay homage to Norman's legacy, our beloved show, and a community that has always supported us.”
What Happened in the Unaired Episodes
The main cast of One day at a time will reprise their roles, including Justina Machado as Penelope, Rita Moreno as Lydia, Stephen Tobolowsky as Dr. Berkowitz, Todd Grinnell as Schneider, Isabella Gomez as Elena, Marcel Ruiz as Alex, India de Beaufort as Avery, Sheridan Pierce as Syd, and Ed Quinn as Max. The cast will read the unproduced fourth season episodes “Church and Statement,” written by Sebastian Jones; “Best Birthday,” written by Vincent Brown and Dan Signer; and the series finale “Dreams,” written by Sebastian Jones and Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz.
Episode 6, “Supermoon,” is currently considered the series finale, but new episodes will delve deeper into what would have happened. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the showrunners explained that “Church and Statement” would have had Lydia deal with the disappointment that her granddaughter Elena can’t get married in church and explore how Catholic families deal with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Other episodes would have included Elena getting accepted to Yale and deciding to go to UCLA, and the family’s road trip to Yale.
In terms of romantic relationships, Elena and Syd remain together, and Penelope and Max manage to find a rhythm that works for both of them. Penelope gives birth to Schneider and Avery's baby, who they name after her, and becomes “everyone's baby.” Alex, aka Papito, and Nora also remain together. The showrunners also confirmed that killing off Rita Moreno's character, Lydia, was never a plan, and they continued to live in the apartment with Penelope.
One day at a time Seasons 1 through 3 are available to stream on Netflix.
Source: Variety