CBS’ Most Underrated Sitcom Goes Out Laughing in Season 8 Sneak Peek [Exclusive]

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Published Feb 23, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Ryan O'Rourke is a Senior News Writer at Collider with a specific interest in all things adult animation, video game adaptations, and the work of Mike Flanagan. He is also an experienced baseball writer with over six years of articles between multiple outlets, most notably FanSided's CubbiesCrib. Whether it's taking in a baseball game, a new season of Futurama or Castlevania: Nocturne, or playing the latest From Software title, he is always finding ways to show his fandom. When it comes to gaming and anything that takes inspiration from it, he is deeply opinionated on what's going on. Outside of entertainment, he's a graduate of Eureka College with a Bachelor's in Communication where he honed his craft as a writer. Between The IV Leader at Illinois Valley Community College and The Pegasus at Eureka, he spent the majority of his college career publishing articles on everything from politics to campus happenings and, of course, entertainment for the student body. Those principles he learned covering the 2020 election, Palestine, and so much more are brought here to Collider, where he has gleefully written on everything from the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes to Nathan Lane baby-birding sewer boys.

The Neighborhood is officially in its home stretch at CBS. Nearly seven years ago, Dave Johnson (Max Greenfield) moved his family from the Midwest to the Los Angeles suburbs, kicking off one of television's most enduring sitcoms in recent memory. After seven seasons of their awkward attempts to build relationships with their less-than-welcoming neighbors, including patriarch Calvin Butler (Cedric the Entertainer), the midseason premiere of the eighth and final season airs tonight. To commemorate the occasion, we're excited to include the long-running series as part of Collider's Exclusive Preview event for upcoming spring television and film and share a new sneak peek at what's expected to be a pivotal episode for both the Butlers and the Johnsons.

In the midseason finale, the Butlers got both a blast from the past and a glimpse of the future around Christmastime. As Calvin and Tina (Tichina Arnold) tried to celebrate their anniversary, they were paid an unexpected visit by Calvin's ex-girlfriend, shaking up their plans for the evening. The biggest happening, however, came when Dave offered to help Marty (Marcel Spears) buy an engagement ring for his co-worker turned girlfriend and baby mama, Courtney (Skye Townsend). The Neighborhood was swiftly moving towards the pair fully committing to each other, and now, the midseason premiere is primed to take that next big step with the couple.

Titled "Welcome to the Zhuzh," the episode will see Marty busy planning out his proposal to Courtney to make the moment as perfect as possible. Calvin, meanwhile, will coach Dave in secret for his big job interview after he lost his last role due to A.I., showing just how far the two have come as neighbors and friends since the show began. Rounding out the Butler men is Malcolm (Sheaunn McKinney), whose secret romance is about to hit the tabloids after his recent work as a ghostwriter for a Real Housewife. There's a lot of drama to be solved for the two central families, but, as our sneak peek shows, it's still all in good fun with plenty of laughs to go around.

What Can Viewers Expect From the Rest of 'The Neighborhood' Season 8?

For those who aren't ready to say goodbye to The Neighborhood yet, there's still plenty to look forward to from the Johnsons and the Butlers. Including "Welcome to the Zhuzh," there are still 12 episodes left until the sitcom is gone for good. Cedric the Entertainer also previously said that he was working to bring in some big names and past collaborators to make the final season extra special, though viewers will have to wait to see what surprises are in store. Created by Jim Reynolds with Bill Martin and Mike Schiff currently serving as showrunners, the show is also continuing to work elements from the shelved Marty and Malcolm spin-off into Season 8 to widen the scope now that the brothers are on their own. Everything is building towards an emotional finale on May 18, though there's still a chance this world can continue, with the Paramount+ spin-off, Crutch, starring Tracy Morgan, currently in limbo after airing its first season.

The Neighborhood Season 8 returns to CBS tonight, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET. Check out our exclusive sneak peek in the player above and stay tuned here at Collider for more exciting looks at all the hottest upcoming shows and movies through our spring preview event.