Wednesday, April 24, 2013

D.L. Hughley, Michael Ian Black Head to TBS to Host; Remembering Allan Arbus of M*A*S*H, MeTV Network Pays Tribute



Comedians D.L. Hughley and Michael Ian Black have signed on to host the TBS original series Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host, the first game show in which two hosts duel to deceive contestants. The project was originally slated for ABC in 2010 (hosted by Bill Engvall and Mo Rocca). Slated to premiere in late 2013 on TBS, Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host comes to TBS from Mark Burnett's One Three Media and the London-based Monkey. Burnett (The Voice, Shark Tank) and Monkey founders Will MacDonald and David Granger (Made in Chelsea, Make My Day) serve as executive producers. In Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host, Hughley and Black will each present the single contestant with a bizarre and seemingly implausible fact, one of which is true, the other of which is not. The contestant must then choose the true fact to be rewarded in the game. The players who prove themselves to be super-human lie detectors will go home with a pocketful of cash.

D.L. Hughley was mostly recently seen on the 16th season of the ABC hit show Dancing with the Stars, alongside partner Cheryl Burke. As an actor, Hughley has starred in the popular 1998-2002 ABC/UPN sitcom The Hughleys, which he also produced, and the Aaron Sorkin drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Michael Ian Black appeared on several television show before landing the role of Phil Stubbs, the quirky bowling alley manager on NBC's Ed. He followed that with two Comedy Central series: Stella, co-created with Michael Showalter and David Wain, and Michael and Michael Have Issues. Black has since co-starred on the series Reaper, Backwash and Burning Love. This is the second TBS show that we just mentioned that will feature a host, as last week we mentioned Theo Von hosting Deal with It from Howie Mandel. Stay with us for a premiere date and further updates on Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host.


Allan Arbus

Character actor Allan Arbus, best known for his recurring role as the psychiatrist Major Sidney Freedman in M*A*S*H, has died. He died on April 19 at his home in Los Angeles from complications of congestive heart failure. Mr. Arbus was 95.

Arbus appeared as the sarcastic psychiatrist Major Sidney Freedman in a dozen episodes of M*A*S*H. He first guest starred in the season two episode, "Radar's Report." The character was originally called Milton Freedman. His final appearance was in the series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen." Arbus was the only non-regular cast member to be interviewed in the M*A*S*H 30th Anniversary Special, which aired on Fox on May 17, 2002. In 2009, he appeared at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards where M*A*S*H received the Impact Award.

He had recurring roles in several other television series. In 1979, he played Mitch Hannigan, the owner of the Playland Cafe, in the short-lived CBS sitcom Working Stiffs, which starred Jim Belushi and Michael Keaton. He appeared as Goodman in the 1981 NBC drama The Gangster Chronicles. In 1984, he played Boris Elliot in the CBS sitcom The Four Seasons. His character was a successful attorney and friend of Danny Zimmer (Jack Weston). Barbara Babcock played his wife Lorraine Elliot.

Other comedy guest appearances included Here Come the Brides, The Odd Couple, Karen, The Tony Randall Show, Taxi, Duet, Stat, Brooklyn Bridge and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Some of his many other television appearances included Hawaii Five-0, Wonder Woman, The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch, Quincy, M.E.,, L.A. Law, Matlock, Hunter, Law & Order, In the Heat of the Night, NYPD Blue and Judging Amy. Arbus' film credits included Greaser's Palace, Scream, Pretty Peggy, W.C. Fields and Me, Coffy, Damien: Omen II and Crossroads.

Survivors include his wife Mariclare Costello and three daughters - Amy, Doon and Arin. Sidney Freedman was a very funny and likable character. He gave this memorable quote in two episodes: "Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice: Pull down your pants and slide on the ice." His appearances were always a treat. Mr. Arbus will be greatly missed. Goodbye, farewell and amen.

Allan Arbus

In tribute to late actor Allan Arbus, best known for his recurring role as the sarcastic psychiatrist Major Sidney Freedman at the 4077th, The MeTV Network will feature two episodes of M*A*S*H guest starring Arbus from 7:00-8:00pm ET/PT in the regular M*A*S*H time period on Thursday, April 25, 2013. The episodes airing are "Dear Sigmund" from season five and "Bless You, Hawkeye" from season nine.

What are your favorite Sidney Freedman scenes and quotes? Discuss them on our M*A*S*H message board.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, June 19

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Typhoid Georgie" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie worries he’s letting his family down when he’s forced to stay home with a cold, and Mandy worries about how her career will affect her marriage.

Ghosts - "Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jay becomes obsessed with the success of a fellow chef, Isaac serves up a cautionary tale about his own rivalry with Alexander Hamilton (Nat Faxon). Also, Elias Woodstone (Matt Walsh) returns from hell with a limited-time offer for the ghosts.

Bob's Burgers - "The Lost City of Atlantic" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Belchers have a wild night at a casino and Linda learns more about her late grandfather than she wanted to know.

Grimsburg - "Evidence Locker" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Memories are sparked when Grimsburg PD cleans an evidence locker.

The Great North - "Super Smash Lovers Adventure" / "Serendipi-Beef Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Honeybee and Wolf renovate the guest cabin; after an extreme experience, Ham, Judy and Moon get whole new outlooks on life; on a field trip to view Curlew's Kissin' Comets, Beef rushes to stop his kids from suffering a terrible fate.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 16)

Thursday, June 19

  • Seth Rogen (The Studio/Platonic/Undeclared) - Catch Seth on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Ramy Youssef (#1 Happy Family USA/Ramy/See Dad Run) - Ramy is a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Lionel Boyce (The Bear) - Lionel appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Kurt Braunohler (Bob's Burgers) and Brendan Scannell (Bonding/Heathers) - Kurt and Brendan are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jodie Sweetin (Fuller House/Hollywood Darlings/Full House) - Jodie talks about Dateless to Dangerous: My Son's Secret Life on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Owen Wilson (Stick) - Owen talks about Stick on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Michelle guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary) - Chris talks about Abbott Elementary on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Jennie Garth (Mystery Girls/What I Like About You) - In a DAYTIME EXCLUSIVE with actress Jennie Garth, she shares her formula for fulfillment and how she created the “I Choose Me” movement on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men/Togetherness) and Lauren Ambrose (The Return of Jezebel James) - Drew is chatting with Yellowjackets cast Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress and Lauren Ambrose about working as cast of women in their forties, supporting each other as working moms and the newest season of their thrilling show on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, they're playing a rousing round of confession session and Drew is trying to match their fun revealing facts to the right person.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

06/18 - Weigel Broadcasting Announces WEST Network with Classic TV Westerns; Hulu's Season 2 of Such Brave Girls
06/17 - Gary Coleman's Ex-Wife on A&E Series; Digman! Returns July 9 on Comedy Central
06/16 - Hulu's Chad Powers Teaser; Prime Video's Jesse Williams Series
06/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 16, 2025)
06/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Mulls Airing The Paper on Primetime Lineup; Fox Revives Baywatch Reboot Talk
06/13 - My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman Renewed for 2 More Seasons; Hanna-Barbera Developing Adult Animated Series
06/12 - Comedy Superstar Jack Black Is the King of Comedy at Nickelodeon; Doc Adds Felicity Huffman
06/11 - Celebrities for Celebrity Family Feud Season 11; Netflix's Little House on the Prairie Starts Production
06/10 - Warner Bros. Discovery Separates Company; Peacock's Jennifer Garner Series Adds to Cast
06/09 - Comedian Ms. Pat Gets Season 3 of Courtroom Series; Disney Branded Television Animated Slate
06/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 9, 2025)
06/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels Alert: Missing Persons Unit and The Cleaning Lady; Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune Headed to Streaming
06/06 - Hulu's First Look at Amanda Knox Drama; Prime Video Lands Spy Thriller
06/05 - Disney's Electric Bloom Gets Premiere Date; Conan to Guest on NBC's Late Night
06/04 - Netflix Announces Haunted Hotel with Comedic Voices; Prime Video Unveils Trailer for Thriller
06/03 - Netflix's Nobody Wants This Returns October 23; The CW Renews All American for Final Season
06/02 - Remembering Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H, Valerie Mahaffey of Young Sheldon, and The Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen
06/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 2, 2025)
05/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: New King of the Hill Reboot Details; CBS Makes Late Night Changes
05/30 - FX's Adults Pilot Available on Social Platforms; BET and BET+ Premiere New Tyler Perry Series in June
05/29 - Netflix's New Chuck Lorre Sitcom Leanne; Apple TV+ Season 4 Premiere of The Morning Show
05/28 - Max Renews Hacks for Season 5; Byron Allen Coming Back to CBS Late Night
05/27 - Antenna TV Summer 2025 Schedule; Rewind TV Summer 2025 Schedule
05/26 - Memorial Day 2025 TV Sitcom Marathons
05/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 26, 2025)
05/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Zach Braff Joins Scrubs Reboot; 7th Heaven Reboot in the Works
05/23 - Discovery Channel's Shark Week with Tom Bergeron; Apple TV+ Season 2 of Hit Series
05/22 - TV Legend Henry Winkler's New HISTORY Series; The CW Renews Family Law
05/21 - Remembering George Wendt of Cheers; Platonic Season 2 First Look
05/20 - The CW Renews Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble; Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life on Netflix May 26
05/19 - North to Shore Festival Returns This June in NJ; S.W.A.T. Sets Spinoff Series
05/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 19, 2025)