Thursday, February 17, 2011
Science Channel Acquires Firefly; USA Reduces CSI; Remembering Seinfeld's Uncle Leo, Actor Len Lesser
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 / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, March 9
The Neighorhood - "Welcome to the Baby Proofing" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
While Marty heads to San Diego for a tech convention and Courtney is away for the weekend, Tina’s insistence on babysitting Daphne sparks a baby-proofing fiasco that leaves Calvin and Dave unexpectedly locked inside the bathroom.
DMV - "The Fourth Wheel" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The DMV welcomes a new driving examiner, and Colette’s excitement fades when she realizes Robin (Anna Camp) may be trying to push her out. Meanwhile, Noa helps Ceci manage her toxic relationship with Brent.
St. Denis Medical - "Happy Birthday, Matty" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Matt's first birthday party gets crashed by a rival; Joyce decides to "get back out there."
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins - "Save the Cat" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Reggie thinks finding his former coach's lost cat will help him get into the Hall of Fame; Monica gets back in the dating game.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 9)
Monday, March 9
- Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) - Watch Olivia on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Love in the Time of Corona/Big Day) - Leslie appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Hilary Duff (How I Met Your Father/Younger/Lizzie McGuire) - Hilary is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Christina Applegate (Dead to Me/Up All Night/Samantha Who?/Jesse/Married... with Children) - Andy Cohen interviews Christina on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Michael B. Jordan (The Assistants) - ABC News' Chris Connelly’s interviews Michael and director Ryan Coogler on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Zach Braff (Scrubs/Alex, Inc.) and Donald Faison (Scrubs/Extended Family/The Exes/Clueless) - Zach and Donald talk about Scrubs on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm. Donald also talks about the revival of the hit sitcom Scrubs on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle joins the chat on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer talks about her new off-Broadway show on Sherri, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
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