Antenna TV Premieres The Ropers on Feb. 15, 2011; Remembering Character Actor Peter Hobbs

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Antenna TV Premieres The Ropers on Feb. 15, 2011; Remembering Character Actor Peter Hobbs

We were the first ones to tell you that both spin-offs of Three's Company would air on Antenna TV within the Three's Company timeslots. Now we have info on the premiere date for the series' first spin-off, The Ropers! The 1979-80 sitcom starring Norman Fell, Audra Lindley, and Jeffrey Tambor will air Mon-Thurs at 5:30pm ET with an encore at 12:30am ET starting Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 following Three's Company airings. The pilot episode ("Moving On") and the episode where John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers guest starred ("Stanley, the Ladies Man") air as Three's Company episodes in syndication. Those episodes are in the Three's Company package, so they will kick-off the series on Feb. 15 and 16 at 5:30pm ET (encore at 12:30am ET). Antenna TV will then air the other 26 episodes of The Ropers starting Feb. 17.
As mentioned above, The Ropers will air Mon-Thurs at 5:30pm with an encore on most nights at 12:30am ET. The final The Ropers episode will tentatively air on Monday, April 4, so after that Three's Company will get the full-hour back on Tuesday, April 5. This is such a good way to incorporate The Ropers within Three's Company! As far as I know, they have never aired this way in syndication before.

Looking ahead, after the final episode of Three's Company, the second spin-off series Three's a Crowd will take over the full-hour. This spin-off series focused on Jack Tripper after Three's Company and starred John Ritter, Mary Cadorette and Robert Mandan. The dates are subject to change, but as of now the Three's Company series finale is scheduled for Thursday, June 23 and then on Monday, June 27, Three's a Crowd takes over the full-hour for about 2 1/2 weeks until all 22 episodes air. So on or about Wednesday, July 13, Three's Company would return to the schedule starting with the very first episode. Then all of this would repeat again when the Ropers leave for their own series. Very cool and a Three's Company lover's dream to see all three series aired in the same rotation!
View the Three's Company episodes schedule for February and you'll see how The Ropers are incorporated. And of course visit the Antenna TV website on where you can watch the network! It's such a great network, it's vintage... without the funny smell!

Character actor Peter Hobbs, who straddled stage and screen, died on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, in Santa Monica following a short illness.
In his 50-year showbiz career Hobbs played Captain McLean in the original Rialto version of Teahouse of the August Moon from 1953-56. He also was featured in Billy Budd, Joan of Lorraine as well The Life of Reilly and The Russian People. Frequently portraying authority figures like doctors, lawyers and judges on TV he played Peter Ames in Secret Storm from 1954 to 1962 and had recurring roles on The F.B.I., The Odd Couple, Barney Miller, Knots Landing and Lou Grant.
He also guested on many series such as Perry Mason, The Joey Bishop Show, The Farmer's Daughter, Mister Ed, Donna Reed Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, Good Morning World, The Big Valley, Bonanza, Marcus Welby, Mannix, Dan August, It Takes a Thief, Doris Day Show, Bridget Loves Bernie, The Mod Squad, The Rockford Files, Barnaby Jones, Starsky & Hutch, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mrs. Columbo, Rhoda, Kojak, Fish, Streets of San Francisco, All in the Family, Happy Days, M*A*S*H, The White Shadow, Remington Steele, The Dukes of Hazzard, Dynasty, Hart to Hart, St. Elsewhere, Gloria, Hill Street Blues, Dallas, One Day at a Time, Incredible Hulk, Little House on the Prairie, Quincy M.E., 9 to 5, Private Benjamin, Riptide, Crazy Like a Fox, Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Newhart, Hunter, The Colbys, The Paper Chase, The Bronx Zoo, Day By Day, Who's the Boss?, L.A. Law, Amen, Empty Nest, Princesses and True Colors.
While he probably was never a household name, I'm sure everyone has seen him in something. Especially in TV series from the '60s-80s. He retired from acting in 1992. He will be deeply missed for his character parts. Mr. Hobbs was 92.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, August 10

The Conners - "Messy Situation, Miscommunication and Academic Probation" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Becky inadvertently outs her relationship with Professor Davis, he’s forced to reevaluate his career, but his erratic behavior sends Becky down a path to reevaluate their relationship. Meanwhile, Dan and Darlene check in on Chuck, only to learn heartbreaking news about his family.

The Goldbergs - "Hip-Shaking and Booty-Quaking" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Erica and Geoff decide to throw a party to prove to others and themselves that they can still have fun as a young, engaged couple. Meanwhile, Beverly assumes control of William Penn Academy as “acting principal” and presses the school faculty to put together a “Fame”-themed send-off for the senior class.

Abbott Elementary - "Open House" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
It’s Open House night at Abbott Elementary, and while Janine prepares to meet her struggling student’s mother, the rest of the faculty uses the time to relax. Gregory is taken aback when he learns how Ava got the principal job, and later, Barbara’s daughter’s visit creates a commotion in more ways than one.

Home Economics - "Keg of Light Beer, $180" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
While Tom and Marina attempt to relive their youth at a college party, Connor and Denise deal with JoJo (Tetona Jackson) potentially leaving when she gets an offer to go on a reality show. Meanwhile, Sarah considers casting her niece in the school musical.

Wellington Paranormal - "A Civil War" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
In the wake of a shocking blindside, players scramble for power; a pair of underdogs must choose between creating chaos and playing it safe.

grown-ish - "Look What U Started" (Freeform, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Eager to impress Gamma Psi Delta while pledging, Junior faces a moral dilemma when he books a controversial comic to perform at a fundraiser; Aaron struggles to fit in with his colleagues, and receives advice from Zoey about how to cope.

Everything's Trash - "Family Is Trash" (Freeform, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Jayden's obsessive need to fix Phoebe creates a rift between them; Jessie, Malika and Michael attempt to mend the relationship and reunite the siblings.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 8)

Wednesday, August 10

Jamie Foxx (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Jamie Foxx Show) - Watch Jamie on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) - Abbi appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
David Alan Grier (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Cool Kids/The Carmichael Show/Bad Teacher/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - David guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Kieran Culkin (Go Fish) - Kieran is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jeff Foxworthy (The Jeff Foxworthy Show) - Jeff appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Vanessa Bayer (I Love That for You) - Vanessa is a guest on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Julie Andrews (Julie) - Julie chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (Loot) - Michaela discusses Loot on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Laura Linney (The Big C) - Laura appears on a repeat of The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Gabriel Iglesias (Mr. Iglesias/Cristela) - Gabriel is a guest on a repeat of The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Mariska appears on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Jason Biggs (Outmatched/Mad Love/Drexell's Class) - Jason and his wife Jenny Mollen are guests on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
D'Arcy Carden (Barry/The Good Place) - NBC's Today catches up with D'Arcy in the 9am hour.
Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri guest hosts a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family/The Knights of Prosperity/Hot Properties) - Sofia is a guest on E!'s Daily Pop at 11am.
Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - Howie will be on E!'s Daily Pop at 11am.
Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry is a guest on E!'s Daily Pop at 11am.
Megan Suri (Never Have I Ever) - Megan appears on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.