Thursday, August 02, 2012

TCA Summer 2012 Press Tour: Cable Day 2; Remembering Lupe Ontiveros and Chad Everett

It's day two of the cable portion of the TCA Summer 2012 press tour. We will have updates from the networks presenting today, so come on back!

GMC TV, America's favorite television channel for uplifting family entertainment, announced today a lineup of new original GMC World Premiere Movies, GMC World Premiere Series and GMC World Premiere Music Specials for the second half of 2012. From heart-warming movies about family challenges and surprises to hilariously entertaining stage plays to powerful reality series to epic music specials, GMC's World Premiere franchises will continue to entertain and inspire for the remainder of the year.

Their movies feature stars like Michael Jai White (Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse), Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story), Della Reese (Chico and the Man), Teri Polo (I'm with Her/Man Up!), Tamera Mowry-Housley (Sister, Sister/Strong Medicine), and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys). View the full press release. Here are a few of the highlights:

Somebody's Child (GMC World Premiere Movie)
Premiere: Saturday, August 25 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. EDT and August 26 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. EDT
A divine twist of fate causes Constance Rivers and her son Douglas to open their hearts to ex-convict, Benjamin Sparks. While on the brink of losing her battle with kidney failure, Constance's near death confession instantly collides her past with her present. Douglas and Benjamin learn they are fraternal twin brothers who were separated at birth 37 years ago. Somebody's Child is a story about a son losing hope, a mother gaining faith, and God's divine and perfect plan.
Stars: Michael Jai White, Nadine Ellis, Byron Minns, with Clifton Powell and Lynn Whitfield

The Song That Changed My Life with Marvin Sapp (GMC World Premiere Series)
Premiere: Saturday, September 8 at 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EDT
Find out in this new reality series how a song connected with a family and changed the course of their lives in a profound way, featuring Sapp's chart-topping hit, "Never Would Have Made It" which holds the record for the longest running number one single on the radio (across all genres) and in the history of the Billboard charts -- lasting 47 weeks at number one.

For Richer or Poorer (GMC World Premiere Series)
Premiere: November 2012
The story continues as Kya and Aubrey Wilson find insecurities surfacing and their marriage beginning to crumble. It will take their friends, family and an act of God to make these two work through the pressures of what it takes to make a marriage last.
Stars Rockmond Dunbar, LeToya Luckett, Clifton Powell, Chris Spencer and Karen Clark Sheard.

Christmas Angel (GMC World Premiere Movie)
Premiere: December 1 at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. EST
Christmas Angel is the story of a young girl's dream for her wish to have a complete family come true. While working on a class assignment to write a paper on "My Impossible Christmas Wish," Olivia Mead quickly takes note of unusual happenings. As her wishes come true she is convinced the miracles are linked to a mysterious woman she believes is an angel.
Stars Della Reese, Teri Polo, Kevin Sorbo and Tamera Mowry-Housley


Lupe Ontiveros

Television and film actress Lupe Ontiveros, known for her roles as Carlos Solis' mother on Desperate Housewives and as the grandmother on the sitcoms Greetings from Tucson and Rob, has died. She died in Whittier, California on July 26 after a brief battle with liver cancer. Ms. Ontiveros was 69.

Ontiveros is known for appearing as a maid over 150 times in films and television series over her 35-year career. She played an all-knowing grandmother in some of her later roles. Her career began with an appearance in a 1976 episode of Charlie's Angels. She continued to make guest appearances on television dramas, including Police Story, The White Shadow and Hill Street Blues. In 2002, she played the grandmother in an upwardly mobile family of mixed Irish and Mexican heritage on The WB's Greetings from Tucson. She had a recurring role in the 2004-05 season of Desperate Housewives as Gabrielle's suspicious mother-in-law. Her role on the series earned her an Emmy nomination for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. In 2012, she played the grandmother in the CBS sitcom Rob, which starred Rob Schneider and Cheech Marin. Some of her many sitcom guest appearances include Alice, Soap, a.k.a. Pablo, I Married Dora, Who's the Boss?, Punky Brewster, Dudley, Caroline in the City, Dave's World, Veronica's Closet, The Brothers Garcia, Reba and Cory in the House. Her film credits include The Goonies, My Family, Selena, As Good as It Gets, Chuck & Buck, Real Women Have Curves, Tortilla Heaven and Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2.

Ontiveros is survived by her husband, Elias Ontiveros Jr.; her sons Nicholas, Alejandro and Elias, and two granddaughters. She may not have been a household name, but you've likely seen her in one of her many roles. She was a pioneer for Latino actors. Her Emmy-nominated work on Desperate Housewives was fantastic. She will be deeply missed.

Chad Everett

Actor Chad Everett, best known for his role as Dr. Joe Gannon in the television drama Medical Center, has died. He died July 24 at his home in Los Angeles after a year-and-a-half-long battle with lung cancer. Mr. Everett was 76.

Everett's career began with guest appearances on television series such as Maverick, Lawman, Bronco, 77 Sunset Strip, Cheyenne, Surfside 6 and Hawaiian Eye. In 1963, he played Deputy Del Clark on the short-lived ABC western series The Dakotas. He continued to make guest appearances on series like Route 66, The Lieutenant, Branded, Combat!, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The F.B.I. and Ironside.

His big break came in 1969 when he landed the role of Dr. Joe Gannon on the innovative medical drama Medical Center. The CBS series, which co-starred James Daly, ran for 7 seasons and 171 episodes from 1969-76. In 1978-79, he appeared in the television mini-series Centennial as Major Maxwell Mercy. More starring roles would follow for him in the 1980 CBS detective drama Hagen, the 1983-84 NBC drama The Rousters, the 1994-95 ABC drama McKenna, and the 2000 USA Network mystery show Manhattan, AZ. His many other guest appearances include The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, Cybill, Touched by an Angel, Diagnosis Murder, Caroline in the City, Just Shoot Me!, Melrose Place, The Nanny, Jack & Bobby, E-Ring, Cold Case, Without a Trace, Supernatural, Undercovers and Castle. Everett's film credits include Airplane II: The Sequel, Star Command, Psycho (1998) and Mulholland Drive.

His wife of 45 years, actress Shelby Grant, died on June 25, 2011. Survivors include two daughters, Katherine Thorp and Shannon Everett, and six granchildren. He was a talented and versatile actor. More seasons of Medical Center should be available on DVD. He will be greatly missed.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Saturday, June 10

Act Your Age - "Bahama Drama" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Angela and Keisha's differences come to a head as a storm threatens their tranquil Bahamian vacation; back at the penthouse, Olivia's alone time with Jacob is interrupted by an invited guest.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)

Friday, June 9

  • Marc Maron (GLOW/Maron) - Watch Marc on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Martin Short (Mulaney/The Martin Short Show) - Martin is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi is a musical guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Sandra Bullock (Working Girl) - Sandra appears on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Zach Braff (Scrubs/Alex, Inc.) - Zach is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Morris guest co-hosts a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
  • Jay Ellis (Insecure/The Game) - Jay discusses the motivation behind their new true-crime podcast Freeway Phantom on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Tig Notaro (One Mississippi) - Tig is telling Drew about working with Reese Witherspoon on their new film and the latest season of The Morning Show on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Alfonso Ribeiro (In the House/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/Silver Spoons) - Alfonso will be on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
  • Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese) - Daniel talks about his role on the Disney+ series American Born Chinese on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) and Jason Alexander (Listen Up!/Bob Patterson/Seinfeld/Everything's Relative/ E/R) - Eric and Jason talk about The Cottage on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Reba McEntire (Reba/Malibu Country) - Reba will be on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
  • Geena Davis (The Geena Davis Show/Sara/Buffalo Bill) - NBC's Today catches up with Geena in the 9am hour.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)

Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI) Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI) Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series

01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

06/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Cancels Two Sitcoms; Adult Swim Expanding Again
06/09 - Apple TV+ Comedy The Afterparty Returns July 12; Abbott Elementary Season 2 Dominated Across All Platforms
06/08 - The CW Summer 2023 Premiere Dates; Peacock's Bupkis Gets NBC Airing
06/07 - Hallmark's Christmas in July Programming; The Lincoln Lawyer Season 2 Launches July 6
06/06 - New Superman Animated Series Coming to Adult Swim; TV Stars Come Together in Netflix Film
06/05 - Shout! TV's ALF Reunion; Hulu's This Fool Season Two Premieres July 28
06/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 5, 2023)
06/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Declares Rating Victories for 22-23 Season; Australian Version of The Office in the Works
06/02 - HBO Renews Somebody Somewhere for a Third Season; Remembering Marlene Clark of Sanford and Son and Other Sitcom Stars We Recently Lost
06/01 - MeTV's Marry Me Block on June 4; TBS Sets Miracle Workers: End Times Premiere Date for July 10
05/31 - Amazon Freevee's Jury Duty Gets Special Release; Stars on Mars Fan Experience
05/30 - 75th Emmy Awards Nominations on July 12; Final Season of HBO's How to with John Wilson
05/29 - Memorial Day 2023 TV Sitcom Marathons
05/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 29, 2023)
05/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: CBS Wins 2022-2023 Ratings Game; Netflix Ends Sharing of Passwords
05/26 - Prime Video Renews Priyanka Chopra Series; Sex and the City 25th Anniversary Event in NYC
05/25 - Brady Bunch House on the Market; The Family Stallone Gets 2nd Season
05/24 - Antenna TV's Father Knows Best Father's Day Fest Marathon; Netflix Gets Glamorous This June
05/23 - CBS Summer 2023 Reality Schedule; Apple TV+ Announces Peanuts Programming
05/22 - More Details on Zoey 102; New Lifetime Movie Series Coming July 8
05/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 22, 2023)
05/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Showtime Looking to Bring Back Two Old Favorites; Disney+ Removing Content
05/19 - Futurama Triumphantly Returns July 24; Final Season of Physical Drops August 2; Primo Premieres May 19 on Amazon Freevee
05/18 - The CW Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Netflix Upfront 2023
05/17 - Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2023; Sarah Silverman HBO Special Premieres May 27
05/16 - ABC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; FX's Summer 2023 Slate
05/15 - FOX Announces 2023-24 Programming Slate; iCarly Season 3 Premieres June 1
05/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 15, 2023)
05/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Night Court Season Finale Brings Back a Familiar Face; Comedy Central Renews Digman! for Second Season
05/12 - NBC Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; Hulu Orders Deli Boys from Onyx Collective
05/11 - CBS Upfront 2023-24: Fall 2023 Schedule; The CW Summer Lineup Has Comedies
05/10 - Minx Returns in July on STARZ; Never Have I Ever Final Episodes Premieres June 8, Trailer Drops