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
Sunday, November 16
Krapopolis - "Krapocracy Now!" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tyrannis holds the world's first democratic elections; Deliria finds a new way to antagonize the gods.
The Simpsons - "Bottle Episode" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Marge and Smithers team up to become wine-forging Robin Hoods.
The Simpsons - "Sashes to Sashes" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bart runs against Mayor Quimby's son for student council president; Lisa learns troubling secrets about the Quimby clan -- and about the Simpsons.
Universal Basic Guys - "Medieval Knights" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mark goes medieval in an effort to bond with Darren; Tammy and Andrea test-drive an autonomous car.
Krapopolis - "Casino" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Shlub has a gambling problem; Tyrannis and Stupendous set off to sea.
Bob's Burgers - "Grand Pre-Pre-Pre-Opening" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Bob and Linda are on the verge of a big decision which brings up memories of when the restaurant first opened; the kids embark on a new musical project.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 10)
Friday, November 14
- George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - Watch George on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Glen Powell (Chad Powers/Scream Queens) - Glen appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also talks about The Running Man on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly/Yes, Dear) - Billy is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Alicia Silverstone (American Woman) - Alicia chats about A Merry Little Ex-Mas with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Keanu Reaves (Swedish Dicks) - Keanu and Alex Winter talk about Broadway's Waiting for Godot on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Jay Ellis (Running Point/Insecure/The Game) - Jay tells Sherri about starring in All Her Fault on Peacock on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) - Margaret is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (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)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive
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