getTV Honors Charlie's Angels Stars; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernard 'Bud' Wiser

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

getTV Honors Charlie's Angels Stars; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernard 'Bud' Wiser

getTV honors the stars of the popular 1976 detective series Charlie's Angels, with a heavenly Get Lost In TV lineup featuring rare and classic television appearances by Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd, on Sunday, April 30, starting at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. The night opens with a star-powered 1979 episode of The Merv Griffin Show, as the talk show pioneer presents an evening with trailblazing '70s sex symbols Jaclyn Smith, Lynda Carter, and Suzanne Somers, coming together for a rare joint appearance as they open up about their lives and careers on some of television’s most legendary series. Then Cheryl Ladd is on the case, starring as a forensics specialist who teams up with a brash homicide detective (Richard Burgi) to take down criminals in paradise in One West Waikiki. The block puts the spotlight on four episodes of this rarely seen series, featuring guest appearances by Adrienne Barbeau, Robert Forster, and Denise Richards in an early role.

Farrah Fawcett and Cher - The Sonny and Cher Show

Then at 4am, Farrah Fawcett matches wits with dynamic duo Sonny & Cher in a rare 1977 episode of The Sonny & Cher Show. Putting her charm on full display, Fawcett steals the show in hilarious skits that find her striking a pose with Cher as living department store mannequins; playing doctor with Sonny; and cavorting with the couple as castaways on a desert island. Acclaimed funnyman Don Knotts also makes an appearance. The block comes to a close with Kate Jackson in two episodes of the 1971 sitcom The Jimmy Stewart Show, fresh off her television debut in Dark Shadows that same year. In the series--which stars Golden Age icon James Stewart as kindly college professor James K. Howard—Jackson appears as Janice Morton, a troubled student seeking Stewart's help in "Identity Crisis" at 5 a.m. ET, and reprises her role in "A Vote For Howard" at 5:30 a.m. ET.

Bernard 'Bud' Wiser

Writer and producer Bernard 'Bud' Wiser, who worked on All in the Family, One Day at a Time and Who's the Boss?, has died. He died April 16 surrounded by his family at his home in Studio City, California. Mr. Wiser was 87.

Wiser served as a producer of One Day at a Time for six seasons of the long-running CBS sitcom. He also wrote 25 episodes of the series from 1976-1983. He was a script consultant for an additional 30 episodes.

He worked as a producer and supervising producer for Who's the Boss? for the first two seasons from 1984-1986. He wrote eight episodes of the series from 1984-1989.

Wiser's other sitcom writing credits included Chico and the Man, Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, All in the Family (2 episodes - "Gloria's Boyfriend" and "Prisoner in the House"), That's My Mama (2 episodes), Rhoda, The Practice (1976), All's Fair (4 episodes), A Different World, Charles in Charge (3 episodes), Growing Pains, Dear John, Brooklyn Bridge and Coach.

He served as a supervising producer for The New Lassie syndicated series in 1989-1990. He also wrote four episodes.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Christine Z. Wiser; son Mike Wiser and daughter-in-law Callie Wiser; and grandchildren Davis and Leigh.

Mr. Wiser had one of the best names in the business. We thank him for his work on many sitcoms. He will be missed.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, May 22

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Kerry Washington joins “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons,’” the live sitcom special coming from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and television icon Norman Lear. Washington is set to play Helen Willis in the special, airing live WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 (8:00-9:31 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. This historic event will take viewers down memory lane, recreating an original episode from each of the Emmy® Award-winning series “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” This legendary night of television will be hosted by Lear and Kimmel, directed by 10-time Emmy winner James Burrows and produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Previously announced stars include Woody Harrelson (Archie Bunker), Marisa Tomei (Edith Bunker), Jamie Foxx (George Jefferson), Wanda Sykes (Louise Jefferson), Ellie Kemper (Gloria Stivic), Will Ferrell (Tom Willis), Justina Machado (Florence Johnston), Ike Barinholtz (Meathead), Sean Hayes (Mr. Lorenzo), Amber Stevens West (Jenny Willis Jefferson), Jovan Adepo (Lionel Jefferson), Anthony Anderson (Uncle Henry), Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Bentley) and Jackée Harry (Diane Stockwell).

All About "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
After the star-studded live sitcom special “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons,’” “Nightline” will take a special look at the cultural and historical significance of the two iconic series. Participants in the live sitcom special along with modern-day comedians, television stars and journalists reminisce about each show’s groundbreaking impact and legacy.“Nightline” Presents “All About ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’” airs WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 (9:31–10:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network.

The prime-time special features interviews with “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons” creator Norman Lear; host and executive producer Jimmy Kimmel and stars Anthony Anderson, Ike Barinholtz, Jackée Harry, Ellie Kemper and Kerry Washington; comedians and actors Raven-Symoné, David Alan Grier, Lil’ Rel and John Amos; original “The Jeffersons” cast member Marla Gibbs; and journalists Deborah Roberts, Chris Connelly, Marc Lamont Hill and Joe Levy.

What We Do in the Shadows - "The Orgy" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Tensions run high as the vampires prepare to host the Biannual Vampire Orgy.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 20)

Wednesday, May 22

John Travolta (Welcome Back, Kotter) - Watch John and his daughter Ella Bleu on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kaitlyn Dever (Last Man Standing) - Kaitlyn appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. She also talks about Booksmart on the BUILD Series at 1pm.
John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Beanie Feldstein (What We Do in the Shadows) - Beanie is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also talks about Booksmart on the BUILD Series at 1pm.
Elizabeth Banks (Scrubs/30 Rock) - Elizabeth visits The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Bradley Whitford (Happyish/Trophy Wife) - Bradley drops by The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Billy Ray Cyrus (Still the King) - Billy Ray appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Logan Browning (Dear White People/Meet the Browns) - Logan is a guest on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35am on NBC.
Lisa Kudrow (Friends/The Comeback/Web Therapy) - Lisa stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Tracy Pollan (Family Ties) - Tracy appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) - Eric chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Kevin Hart (The Big House/Undeclared) - Kevin talks about The Secret Life of Pets 2 on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Jenny Slate (Married/Parks and Recreation) and Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio/The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Jenny and Patton talk about The Secret Life of Pets 2 on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Ed Asner (Dead to Me/Center of the Universe/Thunder Alley/The Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Ed and his son Matt are guests on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.