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

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

Wednesday, May 18

The Goldbergs - "Adam Graduates!" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Graduation day is approaching and everyone, especially Adam, is ready – except for Beverly who is not coping well with the idea of an empty nest. Meanwhile, with Geoff’s encouragement, Erica decides to try out for Cyndi Lauper as a one-time backup singer replacement. Ultimately, resurrecting her singing dreams doesn’t manifest, but bigger and exciting new beginnings await her and the Goldbergs.

The Wonder Years - "Love, Dean" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
It’s the end of the school year, and summer excitement is all around. When Bill and Lillian each receive major career opportunities, tension builds as they decide who will handle more of the household responsibilities. Meanwhile, Dean and Keisa take shelter together as a tornado tears through Montgomery, providing the perfect moment for Dean to tell her how he really feels.

The Conners - "A Judge and a Priest Walk Into a Living Room..." (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Conners gear up for a megawedding! Jackie and Neville, Darlene and Ben, and Harris and Aldo are planning for a shared big day, but along the way they discover that some of the couples may not be on the same page about their happily ever afters. Meanwhile, Dan and the family have decked out the house for the occasion, but will all six of the lovebirds make it to “I do”?

Home Economics - "Ticket to Space, $1 Million" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Tom attempts to keep Connor grounded after he announces his plans to go to space then falls into a rough patch himself after learning some bad news. Meanwhile, Marina gets stuck while trying to transform their attic into a writing space for Tom.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "Woman to Woman" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Christian wins Student of the Year, Laura gets him an autographed football jersey from a popular NFL player; Miranda takes umbrage with the gesture, citing the player's history of domestic violence.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Wobble Wobble" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The Pleasant Days crew is worried about Vinny's libertine lifestyle of drinking, smoking, poor diet and no exercise; he's not as young as he used to be, so they want him to clean up his act.

The Ms. Pat Show - "Girls Night Out" (BET, 10:00PM ET/PT)
After Pat catches Terry watching porn on his phone, Denise decides they need a girls' night out, while the children wonder if their parents are going to split up.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 16)

Wednesday, May 18

John Mulaney (Mulaney) and Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - John and Andy guest host Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm/Son of Zorn/Suburgatory) - Cheryl is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program) - Sarah will be on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Rhea Seehorn (Whitney/I'm with Her) - Rhea appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Ricky Gervais (After Life/The Office) - Ricky unpacks his new comedy special SuperNature on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) - Quinta returns to talk about the hit ABC series Abbott Elementary on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Caroline Rhea (Sydney to the Max/Sabrina the Teenage Witch) - Caroline guest co-hosts LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Ali Wentworth (Nightcap) - Ali appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Rose Mclver (Ghosts/Woke) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts/White Famous/The Mindy Project) - Rose and Utkarsh are guests on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - NBC's Today catches up with Mario in the 9am hour.
Hilary Duff (How I Met Your Father/Younger/Lizzie McGuire) - NBC's Today catches up with Hilary in the 10am hour.