Friday, April 02, 2010

TV Rebels: People and Programs that Shaped the Medium, Volume 1 Review; Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 5, 2010)

Today we will be reviewing the book TV Rebels. Sound familiar? We exclusively posted 12 essays from the book over the past year or two and now the book is out! TV Rebels: People and Programs that Shaped the Medium, Volume 1 has been released as the first in a series of chapbooks by The Last Automat Press. Innovators like Norman Lear, Rod Serling, Irwin Allen, and Desi Arnaz, and series such as Star Trek and The Sopranos are honored in this collection of essays as significant contributors to the growth of television.
To achieve "rebel" status is to have presented something new, innovative, and thought provoking. It was to have set a standard that those who followed were inspired by and in turn looked to emulate. The people and programs in this volume and in subsequent TV Rebels collections have done just that. In so doing they have become part of our collective pop culture consciousness. We quote them, we laugh at them, we cry for them, and here, we remember them.
Contributing authors to this volume are Oscar De Los Santos, Brett Glatman, Kelly Goodridge, Mark Misercola, Justin Orfanella, Lou Orfanella, Pasquale Palumbo, and William Suesholtz.
Copies may be ordered for $10 each, plus $1 shipping per order. Orders: The Last Automat Press, P.O. Box 35, Patterson, NY 12563. Mention SitcomsOnline.com and your copies will be signed by at least two of the contributing authors!
Visit http://www.thelastautomat.com/ for more details.

TV Rebels: People and Programs that Shaped the Medium, Volume 1 (The Last Automat Press, $10.00)

TV Rebels: People and Programs that Shaped the Medium was originally conceived as a companion piece to Oscar De Los Santos' 2008 text Reel Rebels: Eleven Directors who Bucked the System and Shot the Flick their Way (Fine Tooth Press). Several of the authors herein also contributed essays to Des Los Santos' book.

The book has a soft red cover and features cover art by Ivana Masic. It's divided into 18 sections and runs 48 pages. Each essay is 1-4 page(s) in length.

Sign On: Felix the Cat: The First TV Star - Lou Orfanella discusses the history of the magic bag toting feline.

Irwin Allen: A Master of Disaster Who Changed the Way We Look at Sci-Fi - Mark Misercola talks about Irwin Allen who brought us shows such as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Spae, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants.

The Andy Griffith Show: Mayberry's Sheriff Without a Gun - Oscar De Los Santos takes a look at the success of The Andy Griffith Show.

Desi Arnaz: More Than Just a Bongo Player - Lou Orfanella comments on Desi Arnaz who changed the traditional method of producing sitcoms by shooting on film with multiple cameras.

Bill Cosby: Double Rebel - Lou Orfanella looks at the career of Bill Cosby from I Spy to The Bill Cosby Show, as well as his other credits.

ESPN: He-Could-Go-All-The Way! And Other Catch-Phrases - William Suesholtz comments on the development of ESPN's SportsCenter, Chris Berman's nicknames and other ESPN personalities.

The Flintstones: The Honeymoon That Never Ended - Mark Misercola traces the history of the family from Bedrock.

Norman Lear: Changing the Face of Comedy - Lou Orfanella takes a look at the career of Norman Lear who brought us groundbreaking and influential hit series such as All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.

The Mary Tyler Moore Sow: She Made it After All - Justin Orfanella discusses the issues that were dealt with on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and how it was revolutionary.

Monday Night Football: Cultural Phenomenon - William Suesholtz analyzes the impact of Monday Night Football and how it has changed who and why Americans view the game.

Monty Python's Flying Circus: And Now for Something Completely Different - Kelly Goodridge comments on how the "Pythons" altered the face of television comedy and were inovators with their jokes and sketches.

Saturday Night Live: Live From New York, it's Saturday Night! - Kelly Goodridge takes a look the history of the long running sketch comedy-variety show and some of the memorable characters.

Rod Serling: Submitted For Your Approval - Lou Orfanella talks about Rod Serling who brought us The Twlight Zone.

The Smothers Broithers: You Can't Do That on Television - Lou Orfanella looks at the development of the show and how they battled censors over the content of it.

The Sopranos: An Offer We Couldn't (and Didn't Refuse) - Pasquale Palumbo analyzes the HBO show and what made it so popular with viewers. The cast and characters are discussed.

Aaron Spelling: More Than Just Jiggle TV - Brett Glatman discusses the work of Aaron Spelling who brought us shows such as Fantasy Island, The Love Boat and Charlie's Angels.

Star Trek: Where No Science Fiction TV Show Has Gone Before - Oscar De Los Santos takes a look at the development of the show, the cast, the writing, cancelation and legacy of the series.

Sign Off: TV Dinners: Culinary Pop Culture - Lou Orfanella provides a short history of the TV Dinner.

This is a nice collection of essays that cover a variety of topics. They are well written and researched with a works cited section for each of them. Many genres are covered including animated series, sci-fi, sitcoms, sports, sketch comedy/variety series and dramas. I think they made some fine choices for shows and people that made significatnt contributions to the growth of television. This is a quick read at only 48 pages and with no photos. It would be nice to see them cover some other genres like news programs, soap operas, game shows, children's and educational programs, music television, talk shows, reality shows and westerns in future volumes. Most of the shows and people covered here are pretty well known. It would be interesting to read about some tv rebels and innovators that may not be household names.

Reviewed by Todd Fuller
(3/5 stars)

It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars (but we won't cover movie stars like Tom Hanks or John Travolta, since they won't be talking about their past sitcoms likely), so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of April 5-0, 2010, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! So get your DVR's (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!

Monday, April 5, 2010
  • None.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve is promoting his movie on Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm ET on CBS. But before that catch him with Tina Fey on The Oprah Show, check your local listings.
  • Tina Fey (30 Rock) - See Tina with Steve Carell on The Oprah Show, check your local listings for time and channel.
  • Betty White (The Mary Tyler Moore Show/Golden Girls/Hot in Cleveland) - She will be a guest on a "Funny People" edition of Oprah Show. Check your listings for time/channel!
  • Tracy Morgan (30 Rock) - Tracy will also be a part of the "Funny People" edition of Oprah! Check listings.
  • Carol Burnett (Carol Burnett Show/Mama's Family) - The legendary comedy queen stops by NBC's Today show sometime between 7-9am and then later LIVE! with Regis & Kelly. Check local listings for time and channel.
  • Mindy Kaling (The Office) - She stops by CBS's Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson at 12:35am.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve stops by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central at 11pm ET. Earlier in the morning Steve joins Tina Fey on NBC's Today show between 7-9am.
  • Tina Fey (30 Rock) - Tina will be on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly so check your local listings for time and channel. And a bit earlier Tin joins Steve Carell on NBC's Today show sometime between 7-9am.
  • David Duchovny (Californication) - David stops to chat with Leno on The Tonight Show at 11:35pm on NBC.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

  • Martin Lawrence (Martin) - Martin will be on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 12:05am ET and will also on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your listings!
  • Tin Fey (30 Rock) - Tina will promote her movie, but will probably mention her sitcom on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:35am on NBC.
  • Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) - Edie stops by to talk to the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am PT.
  • Steve Carell (The Office) - Steve's press tour for his movie continues, this time on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly, check local listings for time and channel.
  • Carol Burnett (The Carol Burnett Show/Mama's Family) - Carol stops by HLN's The Joy Behar Show at 9pm.

Friday, April 9, 2010

  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends) - It's a slow Friday, so we'll mention her. Her repeat appearance on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman from March 15 reairs at 11:35pm.
  • Steve Carell and Tina Fey (The Office, 30 Rock) - The duo stop by The Rachel Ray Show to discuss their movie. Check local listings for time and channel.
Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this new feature! We do listen!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Friday, December 8

Norman Lear: A Life on Television

CBS announced the new entertainment special Norman Lear: A Life on Television, to air tonight - Friday, Dec. 8 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs). Presented by Entertainment Tonight, this one-hour special features new interviews with stars of the long-running comedies Lear created, including Jimmie Walker from Good Times and Mackenzie Phillips from One Day at a Time, in addition to never-before-seen interviews from the ET vault. Also included with this new footage and interviews is an in-depth sit-down interview with Lear that ET host Kevin Frazier conducted when Lear celebrated his 100th birthday, in which he reflected on his lengthy, groundbreaking career.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 4)

Friday, December 8

  • Eddie Murphy (The PJs) - Watch Eddie on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Only Murders in the Building/High Fidelity/People of Earth/Selfie) - Da'Vine appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • John Caponera (The Good Life) - John is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
  • Robert Smigel (Let's Be Real) - Triumph the Insult Comic Dog aka Robert Smigel chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Noah Galvin (The Real O'Neals) and Molly Gordon (Ramy) - Noah and Molly talk about Theater Camp on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Eric Stonestreet (The Santa Clauses/Modern Family) - Eric talks about The Santa Clauses on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan sits down with Sherri to talk about his new book, When I Was Your Age, on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Sebastian Maniscalco (Bookie) - Sebastian appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (September-December)

Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

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