Saturday, February 25, 2006

Breaking News: Don Knotts Passes Away at Age 81; Bernie Mac Hosts Sitcom Marathon on ME-TV in Chicago; Evening Shade Leaving CMT Already?


We have lost a big time legend. Don Knotts has passed away. He passed away Friday night of pulmonary and respiratory complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, said Paul Ward, a spokesman for the cable network TV Land. Don Knotts of course was a big time TV star who co-starred with Andy Griffith as Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show in the '60s and joined the cast of the John Ritter sitcom Three's Company in the 1979-80 season as Mr. Furley. Both Fife and Furley were memorable characters. Both different yet so similar in style. He has made tons of memorable movies, too, such as The Incredible Mr. Limpett and The Ghost & Mr. Chicken. He was recently heard on an episode of Nick@Nite's Fatherhood and on the big screen movie Chicken Little. He appeared at the TV Land Awards last year in a Desperate Housewives skit, playing Paul Young. This year's TV Land Awards will for sure pay tribute to the legend. And I'm sure TV Land will air episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and Three's Company this coming week. So, I will let you know when they decide when to air a tribute marathon. Mr. Knotts also appeared on other shows as a guest star, such as Dobie Gillis, Joey Bishop, Mayberry RFD, Here's Lucy, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, She's the Sheriff, Step by Step, Newhart, with John Ritter again on the 'Three's Company' episode of 8 Simple Rules, last season on Las Vegas, and he had a recurring role on Andy Griffith's other series Matlock. He also was the host of his own show in 1970 titled The Don Knotts Show. Mr. Knotts will be missed by SO many. Fans ranging from all ages, as he had two hits in two different generations. Mr. Knotts was 81.

Bernie Mac usually talks to all of "America" but for one afternoon only he will talk to his hometown of Chicago. Hello Chicago! Spend your afternoon with “The Mac-man” as Bernie Mac hosts "Mac on Me" - four hours of Bernie Mac's all-time favorite Me-TV shows this Sunday, February 26 from 3 to 7 pm. CT. Bernie delivers a line-up of the classics as well as favorites from his own show. You don’t want to miss Chicago’s very own Bernie Mac on Me-TV, with a special simulcast on WCIU-TV channel 26 "The U!"

3:00 pm Bernie Mac "Keep it on the Short Grass”

3:30 pm Green Hornet “Praying Mantis”

4:00 pm The Honeymooners “TV or not TV”

4:30 pm All in the Family “Sammy’s Visit”

5:00 pm What’s Happening!! “Disco Dollar Disaster”

5:30 pm Sanford and Son “Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe”

6:00 pm Good Times “The Debutante Ball”

6:30 pm Bernie Mac “Nut Job”
Don't forget Chicago - you can catch The Bernie Mac Show weeknights at 6:30 & 10:30 p.m. on Me-TV's sister station - WCIU, Channel 26, "The U!"


Moving on to national news, CMT looks like has made last minute changes. Apparently Evening Shade has not done too well in the ratings. It will air three more times next week at only 6-7 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before being completely gone by March 2, replaced by CMT Music--only lasting 2 full weeks. The Dukes of Hazzard will get new timeslots, too starting the 2nd. Weekdays 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. and midnight and 1 a.m. So what about that "TBD 30 Minutes" slot that I mentioned the other day? It looks like that is still happening, but now starting Monday March 6 at 5:30 p.m. (before Dukes of Hazzard) and 2 a.m. (after Dukes of Hazzard). Let's all hope it is a sitcom, but I am not holding my breath on it much now, since what just took place with Evening Shade. Pray that Alice is that sitcom! Enjoy Evening Shade for three days next week because then it seems it is gone again.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, February 8

The Simpsons - "Sashes to Sashes" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bart runs against Mayor Quimby's son for student council president; Lisa learns troubling secrets about the Quimby clan -- and about the Simpsons.

Universal Basic Guys - "I Am Jar" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mark gets in a magician's duel; Tammy tries to win a nursing award.

Krapopolis - "The Anniversary Present" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Shlub has to improvise a gift for Deliria after forgetting their anniversary; Tyrannis and Stupendous try to cheer up Hippocampus after a break-up.

Universal Basic Guys - "Golden Beans" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mark and David start a coffee shop in the garage; Tammy and Hank struggle to keep Mernft Man from bothering customers.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 2)

Friday, February 6

  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Watch Niecy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Josh Charles (Best Medicine/Sports Night) - Josh chats about Best Medicine on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Gabourey Sidibe (Difficult People/The Big C) and Tisha Campbell (Act Your Age/Uncoupled/Outmatched/Dr. Ken/Rita Rocks/My Wife and Kids/Martin) - Gabourey and Tisha talk about their new Lifetime movie Mary J. Blige Presents: Be Happy on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat covers the news with Drew and Valerie Bertinelli on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. She joins Drew in the kitchen to whip up some delicious dishes for the Super Bowl.
  • Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason tells Drew about making his directorial debut with the new action-comedy Untitled Home Invasion Romance on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Marilu Henner (Taxi/Evening Shade) and Brooke Adams (O.K. Crackerby!) - Marilu and Brooke are guests on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:45am.
  • Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer talks about Paramount+'s School Spirits on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

02/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 9, 2026)
02/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Roku Adds New Channels for Bernie Mac, Blossom, and Cougar Town; Catchy Comedy Introduces Catchy Loves Lucy
02/06 - Rooster Premieres March 8 on HBO; MGM+ Comedy American Classic Trailer
02/05 - NBC Unveils Trailer and Guest Stars for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins; Adult Swim's Anime Series Rooster Fighter Premieres March 14
02/04 - Netflix Renews A Man on the Inside for Season 3; Apple TV Premiere Date for Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
02/03 - NBC Renews St. Denis Medical and Happy's Place for Season 3; Pilot Orders for Comedy Projects on NBC
02/02 - Remembering Demond Wilson of Sanford and Son, Catherine O'Hara of Schitt's Creek, Yvonne Lime of Father Knows Best, and TV Director Bruce Bilson
02/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of February 2, 2026)
01/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Orders Pair of Comedy Pilots; Final Episode Airdate Announced for The Late Show
01/30 - Jury Duty Returns March 20 on Prime Video; Katt Williams 4th Netflix Special
01/29 - Season 4 of Ted Lasso Premieres This Summer; Shrinking Renewed for Season 4 as Season 3 Premieres
01/28 - Nikki Glaser's New Hulu Special Premieres April 24; HBO Announces Late-Night Series
01/27 - Trailer for The Muppet Show Special Event; New Evolution of The Handmaid's Tale Series
01/26 - FETV Acquires '70s S.W.A.T. Series; Paramount+ Releases Date for Can You Keep a Secret? Comedy Series
01/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 26, 2026)
01/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Kenan and Kel Back Together for Upcoming Movie; Amazon Barbershop Series Adds to Cast
01/23 - CBS Renews 10 More Series for 2026-27; Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary Return Big in January
01/22 - Dancing with the Stars Live Tour Starts TODAY; Beef Returns April 16
01/21 - Prime Video's Bait Premieres March 25; Production Underway on Season 2 of Arctic-set Comedy North of North
01/20 - Baywatch Casting Call for Reboot on Fox; Mike Epps Netflix Special Trailer
01/19 - MGM+ Comedy Series American Classic; Taylor Tomlinson Returns to Netflix
01/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 19, 2026)
01/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Rockford Files Reboot at NBC; Daniel Stern Fired From ABC Comedy Pilot
01/16 - Ted Season 2 Trailer Released; Remembering T.K. Carter of Punky Brewster, TV Director Tom Cherones, and Others We Recently Lost
01/15 - The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Gets Special Preview; ABC Midseason Changes for Monday and Tuesday Night Lineups
01/14 - NBC Orders Pilots, Including The Rockford Files; The CW to Premiere Celebrity Series
01/13 - 83rd Golden Globe Winners; Tubi's Upcoming YA Film Slate
01/12 - Peacock's The 'Burbs Trailer; The Jeff Foxworthy Show Launch Back on COZI TV
01/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of January 12, 2026)
01/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Henry Winkler to Star in NBC Legal Comedy Pilot; First Look at Peacock's The 'Burbs
01/09 - HBO's Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! Documentary with Interviews Including Rob Reiner; 83rd Annual Golden Globes Presenters
01/08 - Netflix Orders Nick Kroll Comedy Series; Saturday Night Live January 2026 Hosts and Music Guests