Science Channel Acquires Firefly; USA Reduces CSI; Remembering Seinfeld's Uncle Leo, Actor Len Lesser

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Science Channel Acquires Firefly; USA Reduces CSI; Remembering Seinfeld's Uncle Leo, Actor Len Lesser

From the creator of the hit TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer sci-fi savant Joss Whedon delves into the final frontier with Firefly, which lands exclusively on the Science Channel on Sunday, March 6 at 8pm ET with the airing of the original 2-hour pilot. Immediately following, episode one of the 15 episode series will air at 10pm ET.
Firefly will dominate the airwaves every Sunday with an encore episode of the previous week airing 9pm ET to be followed by the network premiere of the next episode in the series airing at 10pm ET.
As a special treat for Firefly fans, star of Science Channel's Sci-Fi Science, and the cofounder of string field theory, Dr. Michio Kaku, will be commentating on the science behind Firefly for each episode. From terraforming, to anti-matter, Kaku will be explaining why the science fiction featured in the show really isn't that far from science fact.
When Firefly first aired in 2002 on Fox, Whedon's sci-fi western quickly became a cult favorite. Set 500 years in the future, in the aftermath of a universal civil war, the story centers on the renegade crew of a small transport spaceship led by Castle's Nathan Fillion, who directs the ragtag team through adventures into unknown parts of the galaxy, as they try to evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them. In addition to Fillion, the series starred Gina Torres (Alias), Adam Baldwin (Chuck), Summer Glau (Sarah Connor Chronicles), Ron Glass (Barney Miller) and Morena Baccarin (V).
Science Channel is part of Discovery Networks, which includes Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, and Discovery Health.

After just a few weeks, CSI will be reduced on USA Network. Law & Order: SVU replaces CSI on Mondays at midnight and Law & Order: CI replaces CSI on Mondays at 1am. And finally, NCIS replaces CSI on Fridays in late night beginning at 12am. So when will CSI now air? Wednesdays at 12am and Fridays 9pm-12am. It looks like the ratings are still not up to par for CSI on USA Network, which is surprising since it fits well with other reruns on the network. Stay with us for any further updates and changes, if any.

We have another TV passing to report. Len Lesser, the veteran character actor best known for his scene-stealing role as Uncle Leo on Seinfeld, has died. Lesser's family said in a statement that he died Wednesday (Feb. 16, 2011) in Burbank, CA, from cancer-related pneumonia.
He appeared in about 15 episodes as Seinfeld's uncle on the long running sitcom starting in the second season all the way to the series finale. Lesser's lengthy list of television credits included parts on Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dragnet, Love on a Rooftop, The FBI, My Favorite Martian, Honey West, Ben Casey, Get Smart, That Girl, The Munsters, The Monkees, The Rockford Files, The Bill Cosby Show, All in the Family, Kojak, Medical Center, The Bob Newhart Show, Bonanza, Ironside, Enos, Quincy, Remington Steele, Simon & Simon, Falcon Crest, Airwolf, thirtysomething, Babes, Boy Meets World, The John Larroquette Show, Caroline in the City, Mad About You, Smart Guy, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Son of the Beach, Rock Me Baby, Just Shoot Me!, Quintuplets, Cold Case, ER, 'Til Death, and Everybody Loves Raymond, which featured Lesser in a recurring role as the arm-shaking Garvin. He most recently appeared on the ABC's Castle in 2009.
He will be deeply missed. Fans will be saying "Jerry! Hellooo!" today in his memory. Mr. Lesser was 88.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, December 11

The Goldbergs - "It's a Wonderful Life" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Hoping to outdo the Kremp family, Beverly decides the Goldbergs must do an even better family holiday card, but Geoff is surprised he is not invited to be in the photo. Meanwhile, a pranking war with Barry and JTP quickly spirals out of control.

Schooled - "Beanie Babies" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
CB hopes getting Lainey a Beanie Baby for Christmas will show his true feelings for her, but it doesn’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Principal Glascott tries to convince Felicia that she needs to participate and sing a song in a Kwanza play he has written for the students.

Modern Family - "The Last Christmas" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Cameron is hoping to keep everyone happy for their annual Christmas dinner as he hides and prepares for his big interview for a head coaching position out of state. Meanwhile, Haley is excited to finally be reunited with wine; and Mitchell is suspicious of Cam’s holiday trip to visit his family in Missouri.

Single Parents - "Good Holidays to You" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Graham writes a letter to Santa asking for either a white Christmas or to meet his father, Angie goes on a mission to find snow in Southern California with the help of Will and Sophie. Meanwhile, after Rory, Emma and Amy find out that Poppy and Douglas are romantically involved, the kids use this knowledge to their advantage to guilt their parents into buying them more Christmas presents…

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 9)

Wednesday, December 11

Kevin Hart (The Big House/Undeclared) - Watch Kevin on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC. He will also be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Keri Russell (Running Wilde) - Keri stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Nick visits The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation/The Office) - Rashida is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony guest hosts The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Giancarlo Esposito (Bakersfield P.D.) - Giancarlo drops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Guys with Kids/Entourage) - Jamie-Lynn is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer talks about his role on NCIS on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Robin Givens (Head of the Class) - Robin talks about OWN's Ambitions on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Andrea Barber (Fuller House/Full House) - Andrea reveals her struggles with anxiety and depression while playing D.J. Tanner’s best friend, Kimmy, on Full House on The Dr. Oz Show, so check your local listings.
Patti LaBelle (Out All Night) - Patti shares her comfort food secrets and how to entertain without breaking a sweat on The Dr. Oz Show, so check your local listings.