'Jeffersons' Co-Star Franklin Cover Passes Away; ABC Changes Tuesday Line-Up; Wonder Years to DVD?

Friday, February 10, 2006

'Jeffersons' Co-Star Franklin Cover Passes Away; ABC Changes Tuesday Line-Up; Wonder Years to DVD?

Franklin Cover who played Tom Willis on the long running '70s & '80s sitcom The Jeffersons passed away on Sunday in New Jersey. Cover died of pneumonia Sunday at the Lillian Booth Actor's Fund of America home in Englewood, N.J., said publicist Dale Olson. He had been living at the home since December 2005 while recuperating from a heart condition. Cover was best known for his role as Tom Willis, who was in an interracial marriage with a black woman, in The Jeffersons. Cover guest starred on many TV series over the years including The Jackie Gleason Show, The Love Boat, 227, Who's the Boss?, Living Single, Coach, Mad About You and Will & Grace.
Hopefully TV Land or another network (maybe TV One?) will air a tribute marathon of Mr. Cover featuring his finest Jefferson episodes. Mr. Cover was 77.

ABC announced today that they will change their Tuesday line-up for the remainder of sweeps (Feb. 14, 21 & 28). Commander in Chief will be off the line-up to avoid the Olympics. Additional airings According to Jim and George Lopez will air in the 9 p.m. hour on these dates. Commander in Chief will return April 18 for its final seven episodes of the season. Chief has been one of the highest rated rookies this year, but lately has faltered in adults 18-49. I still feel confident the show will do well when it returns with less competition. And I also feel it will return next season, but on a different night and time, I'm sure.

Also, we have word that The Wonder Years is in the works for DVD from 20th Century Fox! It's about time that sitcom starring Fred Savage is coming. No additional details yet, but stay tuned! UPDATE 2/11/06: I spoke to Gord of TVShowsonDVD.com and his sources tell him that there are no new updates on this set. So, now we have no idea if the set is really in the works or not. The source I spoke to at Fox said it was in the works, but his source says it isn't. So we are now just confused. We'll try to get more details if it is indeed in the works at all now. Sorry about this!
Also, Ally McBeal fans don't fret, the show is coming to DVD but it has not been announced just when yet. Many fans saw the announcement at TVShowsonDVD.com for Boston Legal for May 23 and wondered if Ally was coming that day, too? It doesn't seem like it will, but it IS coming sometime soon. So that is good!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Wednesday, April 24

The Conners - "Manifesting, Marriage Testing and Cheeseballs" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Conners relish national cheeseball day as a family. Meanwhile, Harris falls behind in her work duties at the Lunch Box, and Darlene and Ben must figure out how to spend time together despite their two separate schedules.

Not Dead Yet - "Not the End Yet" / "Not a Ghost Yet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Nell finds out that Duncan is selling the SoCal Independent, so she takes matters into her own hands to save her job when Lexi seems unwilling to help. Then, Nell navigates an unexpected incident that leaves the sale of the newspaper on hold.

Animal Control - "Skunks and Swans" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Frank and Shred take on an aggressive swan; Shred has a meet-cute with a mysterious woman; Emily makes a mistake that results in Victoria having very little time to prepare for her big exam; Patel gets his father to help Victoria cram for the test.

Family Guy - "A Stache From the Past" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Peter loses the Griffins' home in a reverse mortgage, he and Mayor West travel to confront the man advertising the scheme, Tom Selleck; Stewie and Brian open a booth at the flea market, leading to a rivalry with Bruce.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 22)

Wednesday, April 24

Carol Burnett (Palm Royale/Mad About You/Mama's Family) - Watch Carol on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Nicole Richie (Great News) - Nicole is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - Fred sits in with The 8G Band on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) and Michaela Watkins (Dinner with the Parents/Search Party/The Unicorn/Casual/Trophy Wife) - Lisa and Michaela are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
John Early (Search Party) - John appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - E! News has an interview with Tiffany at 11pm on E!.
Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny guest co-hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Drew will be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld) - Jerry talks about Unfrosted on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) - Mayan talks about NBC's Lopez vs Lopez on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Carrie Preston (Crowded/Happyish/Emeril) - Carrie, a fan-favorite on The Good Wife, tells Sherri about her new show Elsbeth on Sheri, so check your local listings.
Harry Hamlin (Movie Stars) - Harry has a cooking demo on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.