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, May 22

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Diet Crap" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tensions rise when Georgie intrudes on Mandy’s new sales gig. Meanwhile, Audrey’s conflicted when Jim makes it a point not to coddle Connor.

Ghosts - "Sad Farnsby" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Sam accidentally creates a rift between Sam and Jay’s neighbors, the Farnsbys, Henry Farnsby moves into Woodstone B&B. Also, Isaac and Nigel battle over a belated wedding present.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 19)

Thursday, May 22

  • Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) - Catch Miley on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Chloe Fineman (Big Mouth/Search Party) - Chloe appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm. Featured host Vlad Duthiers sits down with Ronny on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Elizabeth Banks (30 Rock/Scrubs) and Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Elizabeth and Amanda are guests on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
  • Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Cynthia talks about ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Hugh Jackman (Human Resources) - Hugh chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Bill Bellamy (Mr. Box Office/Men, Women & Dogs/Cousin Skeeter) - Bill brings the laughs to the third annual cookout on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Finola Hughes (Blossom) - Finola dishes on General Hospital on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Jason Schwartzman (Blunt Talk/Mozart in the Jungle/Bored to Death) - Jason talks about Mountainhead on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Sterling K. Brown (Starved) - Sterling is telling Drew all about playing a secret service agent in the thrilling new show Paradise on a repaet of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Midori Francis (The Sex Lives of College Girls) - Midori is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.


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


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