Remembering Charles in Charge's James T. Callahan; Knights of Prosperity Returns TONIGHT!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Remembering Charles in Charge's James T. Callahan; Knights of Prosperity Returns TONIGHT!

James T. Callahan best known for playing Walter Powell on the sitcom Charles in Charge, has died according to the LA Times. Callahan, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February, died Friday at his Fallbrook home, said his wife, Peggy Cannon-Callahan. On the show, Callahan played Walter Powell, a retired Navy man he referred to as the "blustery old grandfather" in a 2000 People magazine interview. When CBS canceled Charles in Charge after one season in 1985, Callahan joined the cast for the syndicated version, which ran from 1987 to 1990. The role was a favorite that brought him wide recognition.
Scott Baio, who played Charles in Charles in Charge spoke to the LA Times yesterday: "As an actor, he was just an absolute pleasure. He wanted what was best for the team, and that's very rare. He loved hanging out with us and he loved, loved, loved working."
The youngest of three children, Callahan was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to William and Elenora Callahan. His father worked in sales. After serving in the Army in West Germany from 1951 to 1953, Callahan returned home to work at the post office. He discovered acting while attending school in the Midwest. On the advice of a teacher, he enrolled in the University of Washington to study drama and graduated in the late 1950s.
Between 1959 and 2007, Callahan appeared in more than 120 films and television shows. He got his start in guest starring stints on westerns such as The Californians, Two Faces West, and Have Gun Will Travel. His first sitcom appearance was in 1960 on an episode of Dennis the Menace. He co-starred in two short lived sitcoms Wendy and Me in 1964 and The Governor & J.J. in 1969. His long list of TV guest shots include Perry Mason, Combat!, The Twilight Zone, Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, My Favorite Martian, The Fugitive, The FBI, Adam-12, Marcus Welby MD, M*A*S*H, Love American Style, Barnaby Jones, Cannon, Police Story, The Rockford Files, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Dallas, The Ropers, Bosom Buddies, Lou Grant, Benson, Alice, Simon & Simon, Quincy ME, Remington Steele, Little House on the Prairie, The A-Team, Knight Rider, Newhart, Growing Pains, Doogie Howser MD, Highway to Heaven, Golden Girls, Nurses, Harry and the Hendersons, Picket Fences, Hope & Gloria, Caroline in the City, Cybil, The Practice, 7th Heaven, ER and Medium. Wow...what a list and that is just a partial one!
One of his favorite film roles was as the band leader in Lady Sings the Blues (1972), his wife said. He also portrayed a country-western singer in Outlaw Blues (1977) with Peter Fonda. He was in the TV-movie The Burning Bed with Farrah Fawcett in 1984 and Prison for Children with John Ritter in 1987. He co-starred in the Hallmark Channel movie Wild Hearts last year. Callahan's final film, a horror movie called Born, has not been released.
Mr. Callahan's vast TV work and his popularity on Charles in Charge will continue for many decades to come. He will be missed deeply and let's hope we get the second season (his first season) of Charles in Charge on DVD very soon! Mr. Callahan was 76.

Get those televisions on at 8:30pm ET and 9:30pm ET tonight as ABC brings back the fun sitcom The Knights of Prosperity! The sitcom is about a group of blue-collared workers trying to rob a celebrity. They failed doing so with Mick Jagger and now they have a new target...Everybody Loves Raymond's Ray Romano! Ray Romano will be guest starring on both episodes tonight. If you have never watched the show, it doesn't matter because a new chapter is about to begin with Romano. It is very fun and hilarious but it is too bad it was wasted and lost in the schedule. The two episodes tonight are the first two of four unaired episodes. The remaining two episodes air next Wednesday (Aug. 15) and the Wednesday after that (Aug. 22) at 8:30pm ET. Be sure to watch all four because you don't know what you're missing. If you're not home, record, DVR, TiVo it, or whatever.

We'll be back with more news, if anything.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, July 16

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Alpha Males and the Power of Prayer" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mandy tries to make things right with Pastor Jeff (Matt Hobby) when she learns her controversial comments have hurt the tire store’s business. Meanwhile, Jim and Audrey butt heads over Connor’s allowance.

Ghosts - "Under New Management" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When new pressures threaten Sam and Jay’s control over Woodstone, they’re forced to navigate unexpected challenges to protect its future. Meanwhile, a long-absent ghost returns, reopening emotional connections that complicate new relationships.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Country Club, a Yokel and a New Boss" (CBS, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie’s plan to make new clients at the local country club backfires when its outdated policies upset Audrey. Meanwhile, Mandy struggles to prove herself at work.

Ghosts - "Gate-gate" (CBS, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When an emotion‑driven decision puts Woodstone at risk, Sam and Jay step up to defend what they’ve built. Meanwhile, Isaac struggles to adjust to new surroundings, only to realize that some connections are too important to leave behind.

The Bear - "Raspberries" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
A traffic jam.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 13)

Thursday, July 16

Ike Barinholtz (The Studio/The Afterparty/Bless the Harts/The Mindy Project/Eastbound & Down) - Ike guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Regina Hall (Black Monday/Grandfathered/Married/Second Generation Wayans) - Regina talks about The Five-Star Weekend on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jon Barinholtz (Amerian Auto/Superstore) - Jon is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Will stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jake Johnson (Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed/Minx/New Girl) - Jak talks about The Dink on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Molly Shannon (The Hawk/I Love That for You/The Other Two/Divorce/Kath & Kim/Craking Up) - Andy Cohen interviews Molly on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo. She also talks about The Hawk on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Will Ferrell (The Hawk/The Office) - Will talks about The Hawk on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
Brandy (Zoe Ever After/The Game/Moesha/Thea) - Brandy and Rita Ora discuss Descendants: Wicked Wonderland with ABC News contributor Kelley L. Carter on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
The Cast of The Hawk - The Cast of Netflix's The Hawk are guests on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Tracy Morgan (The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins/Crutch/The Last O.G./30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Tracy tells Drew about his new show Crutch on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Dallas Liu (Pen15) - Dallas appears New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.