Monday, July 20, 2015
MeTV Network Fall 2015 Schedule; Remembering Alex Rocco and Roger Rees
The MeTV Network has announced their new fall program schedule premiering on Monday, August 31. The line-up features a timeless and memorable lineup of westerns, dramas, sci-fi, comedies and more. MeTV will have new programs coming to weekdays, prime time and Sundays. With shows chosen and scheduled to appeal to a wide audience of viewers looking to enjoy memorable entertainment, it's easy to see "That's Memorable, That's Me!" The new weeknight prime time line-up features the comedies Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley from 9-10apm and back-to-back Hogan's Heroes at 10, joining M*A*S*H at 7, The Andy Griffith Show (or Mayberry R.F.D. in select areas) at 8 and Carol Burnett and Friends at 11pm. Weekday mornings, beloved MeTV star Andy Griffith stars as folksy criminal-defense attorney Ben Matlock in the memorable legal drama Matlock airing at 10am to kick-off their law/crime block leading into Quincy and Rockford. Other changes to the weekday line-up will be early mornings and late nights, Welcome Back Kotter moves to 5:30am into Gilligan's Island at 6am, followed by Family Affair. At 7am, Donna Reed remains, but The Beverly Hillbillies will move to 7:30am into an hour of I Love Lucy at 8am.
Weeknights in late night following Perry Mason at 11:30pm will now have The Twilight Zone at 12:30am and Alfred Hitchcock Hour at 1am into the Mystery Movie at 2am. On Weekends, "MeTV's Sunday Funnies" delivers laughs Sunday afternoons with a three hour block of comedies including Gilligan's Island from 2-3pm, Happy Days & Laverne & Shirley from 3-4pm and I Love Lucy from 4-5pm, all following the continued success of "The Brady Bunch Brunch" from 12-2pm. More memorable comedy is coming to Sunday evenings with "MeTV's Last Laugh," including M*A*S*H, The Odd Couple, The Honeymooners, Cheers, The Bob Newhart Show, Mary Tyler Moore, Taxi, Get Smart and The Phil Silvers Show all from 9:30pm-2am. The Love Boat sets sail on Sundays from 5-7pm leading into The Andy Griffith Show (or Mayberry R.F.D. in select areas) at 7. Weekend late nights will have The Man from U.N.C.L.E. on both nights at 2am. Naked City and Route 66 will following on Sunday nights from 3-5am. Other weekend changes are all in mornings, with Welcome Back Kotter Saturdays 6-7am, Wagon Train Saturdays at 11am, Abbott & Costello Sundays 6-7am and F Troop Sundays 7-8am. Everything else remains the same as it is now. With returning favorites and new friends, MeTV's fall schedule is refreshed for weekdays and weekends. Scheduled for audience enjoyment and extended viewing, with some of the greatest shows in TV history. Keep it right here for continued updates.
Actor Alex Rocco, who appeared as Jo Polniaczek's father Charlie in The Facts of Life, has died. He died on July 18 of cancer in Studio City, Los Angeles. Mr. Rocco was 79.
Rocco appeared in the recurring role of Charlie Polniaczek, Jo's father (Nancy McKeon), in The Facts of Life. He made 11 guest appearances from 1981-1988. In 1995, he guest starred as Michael O'Donnell, Annie O'Donnell's (Nancy McKeon) father, in an episode of the CBS sitcom Can't Hurt Love. He appeared in the recurring role of John Exstead Sr., Inspector Jinny Exstead's (Nancy McKeon) father, in 14 episodes of the Lifetime drama The Division from 2001-2004.
He starred as Al Floss, a fast-talking obnoxious Hollywood agent, in the 1989-1990 CBS sitcom The Famous Teddy Z. Rocco received an Emmy Award as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1990 for the role in the series, which starred Jon Cryer. He starred as Howie Ruscio in the 1991-1992 ABC sitcom Sibs. In 1994-1995, he played the fast-talking bookie Harry Rosetti in the Fox sitcom The George Carlin Show.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, That Girl, Lotsa Luck, Mary Tyler Moore, The Love Boat, The Golden Girls, Murphy Brown, Daddy Dearest, Partners, Hope & Gloria, Mad About You, Goode Behavior, Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher, Home Improvement, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Just Shoot Me! and Episodes. He provided his voice in episodes of The Simpsons, Pinky and the Brain and Family Guy.
His television drama guest appearances in the 1960s and 1970s included Batman, The F.B.I., Mission: Impossible, The Rookies, Get Christie Love!, Kojak, Cannon, Delvecchio, Police Story, The Rockford Files, Barnaby Jones, Baretta and Starsky and Hutch. His guest appearances in the 1980s included CHiPs, Matt Houston, Hardcastle and McCormick, St. Elsewhere, Simon & Simon, The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote, T.J. Hooker, Hotel and Hunter. Later guest appearances included Early Edition, Michael Hayes, Family Law, Walker, Texas Ranger, ER and The Practice. He had a recurring role in the Starz crime-drama series Magic City from 2012-2013.
Rocco appeared in dozens of films. He was best known for his portrayal of Moe Greene in The Godfather. Some of his other film credits included The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Freebie and the Bean, Herbie Goes Bananas, The Stunt Man, Cannonball Run II, Lady in White, Get Shorty, Just Write and The Wedding Planner.
Survivors include his wife Shannon; sons Sean and Lucien; daughters Kelli and Jennifer; grandchildren Anthony, Kiran, Sarame and Ravi; and sister Vivian. He was married to Sandie Elaine Rocco from 1966 until her death in 2002.
Mr. Rocco was a talented and versatile character actor. It was always great to see him return in The Facts of Life. Although he didn't have many appearances, they were always memorable. He will be greatly missed.
Share your memories on our Facts of Life message board. View photos in our galleries.
Actor Roger Rees, who played English multi-millionaire industrialist Robin Colcord in Cheers, has died. He died of brain cancer at his home in New York on July 10. Mr. Rees was 71.
Rees appeared as Robin Colcord, an English tycoon who was a love interest of Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley), in Cheers. He made 16 guest appearances from 1989-1991. He returned for an episode in the final season in 1993.
He starred as Malcolm in the British sitcom Singles from 1988-1989. In 1997, he had a recurring role as President Harrison Cross in the NBC sitcom Boston Common. His other sitcom guest appearances included Three Sisters and The Middle.
His drama roles included the 1994-1995 Fox sci-fi series M.A.N.T.I.S.. He played the recurring role of British Ambassador Lord John Marbury in The West Wing from 2000-2005. He appeared in 7 episodes of Warehouse 13 as James McPherson. Some of his other drama appearances included My So-Called Life, Oz, The Education of Max Bickford, Veritas: The Quest, Law & Order, Related, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Good Wife, Elementary and Forever.
Some of his film credits included Star 80, If Looks Could Kill, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Frida, The Prestige, The Pink Panther, Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties and Survivor.
He was also known for his stage work. He won an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for his performance as the lead in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Other parts included Shadowlands, Six Degrees of Separation and Indiscretions.
Survivors include his husband, playwright Rick Elice.
Mr. Rees was very funny as Robin Colcord in Cheers. He always did fine work on television and in films. He will be deeply missed.
Share your memories on our Cheers message board. View photos in our galleries.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, November 22
Happy's Place - "Happy's House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie agrees to take Isabella to Happy's house in search of a connection to their late father, leading Bobbie to worry about what they may find; Gabby hopes to strike it rich by searching through Happy's penny collection looking for a rarity.
Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Orlando" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Rosie's spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie's cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work, but, instead, helps him create a toxic work environment.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Whacking the Mole" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abishola has a romantic dream about Bob, she tries to suppress her feelings for him and pays the price.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ralph Lauren and Fish" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob and Abishola finally go on a proper date, which is interrupted by Dottie's medical emergency.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Tough Like a Laundromat Washing Machine" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob hires Abishola to take care of Dottie in his home while she recovers; Dottie has a hard time dealing with her limitations and takes it out on Abishola.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Useless Potheads" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abishola only helping part-time, Bob, Douglas and Christina struggle to take care of Dottie.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Wiz-Taken Identity" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "
Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)
Friday, November 22
- Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Lopez vs Lopez/Search Party/Corporate) - Andy, Thomas and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Drew is joined by the hilarious Andrew to celebrate all things Thanksgiving on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie tells Sherri about her new Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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