Thursday, January 28, 2016
Remembering Sitcom Writer, Director and Producer Gary Menteer; HBO Comedy Returns Feb. 21
Writer, director and producer Gary Menteer, who worked on Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Punky Brewster and Family Matters, has died. He died on January 18 at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Mr. Menteer was 76.
Menteer directed episodes of Laverne & Shirley, Punky Brewster, She's the Sheriff, Family Matters and Malcolm & Eddie. He worked as a choreographer on two episodes of Blansky's Beauties and the "Be My Valentine" episode of Happy Days.
His sitcom writing credits included Joanie Loves Chachi, Second Chance, Punky Brewster, On Our Own, Built to Last, Family Matters, Malcolm & Eddie and Eve.
He served as an executive producer for Family Matters from 1990 to 1998. His other producing credits included Blansky's Beauties, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi, Second Chance, Punky Brewster, On Our Own, and Malcolm & Eddie.
He shared two Emmy nominations for Punky Brewster for Outstanding Children's Program in 1985 and 1986. He was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story on Punky Brewster in 2006.
Menteer worked as an actor in his earlier days. He appeared in musical films such as Bye Bye Birdie, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Mary Poppins, Inside Daisy Clover, Finian's Rainbow, Hello, Dolly and Funny Lady. He performed in many musical variety shows such as The Judy Garland Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Julie Andrews Hour.
Survivors include his husband, Joe Cvar, and his nephews and nieces David, Lisa, Diana, Lauri and Tara.
Mr. Menteer was a frequent collaborator of Garry Marshall. We thank him for the entertainment he brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.
After Brett and Michelle nearly reached their breaking points, the season one finale of Togetherness saw Michelle kissing David while Brett was driving to Sacramento to declare his commitment to her. Season two reveals how the evening played out. Meanwhile, Michelle pushes ahead with her charter school plans as Brett looks for artistic inspiration. Following his big acting break, Alex returns from New Orleans reinvigorated. Tina presses herself to figure out what her life should look like. Through it all, this makeshift family continues to face the hilarity and anxieties of everyday life, while proving that they're truly at their best when they're together.
Created by Jay Duplass & Mark Duplass & Steve Zissis, the eight-episode sophomore season of comedy Togetherness debuts Sunday, Feb. 21 from 10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on HBO. Blending laughter and pathos, the comedy series follows four adults nearing 40, trying to balance both their relationships and their individual dreams. In addition to writer, director and producer Mark Duplass (The League), who stars as Brett Pierson, the cast of Togetherness includes Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men) as Michelle Pierson, Amanda Peet (Sleeping with Other People) as Tina Morris, Steve Zissis (Baghead) as Alex Pappas and Abby Ryder Fortson (Transparent) as Sophie. Guest stars on the second season of Togetherness include Peter Gallagher (Covert Affairs) as Larry, John Ortiz (HBO's Luck) as David, Joshua Leonard (Bates Motel) as Dudley, Ginger Gonzaga (Ted) as Christy, Emily Althaus (Orange Is the New Black) as Natalie and Katie Aselton (The League) as Anna.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, February 6
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Bachelor Party" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
A bombshell about Marty’s future plans leaves Calvin and Tina reeling, and Dave unleashes his wild side at Marty’s bachelor party.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "My Successful Lawyer Son" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
As Bob gears up for delivery day at the new sock factory, he struggles to put his foot down with his opinionated family. Also, Abishola gets a taste of Kemi’s new personality when her successful lawyer son comes to visit.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 6)
Monday, February 6
- Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Watch Pamela on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Ashton Kutcher (The Ranch/Two and a Half Men/That '70s Show) - Ashton appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He talks about the new film Your Place or Mine on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Alison Brie (GLOW/Community) - Alison is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) - Michael will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm. She will also be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Adam Pally (Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Beth Behrs (The Neighborhood/2 Broke Girls) - Beth is live in-studio to unpack the latest on the sitcom The Neighborhood on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings. She will also be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Meagan Good (Mr. Robinson/Raising Dad/Cousin Skeeter) - Meagan will be on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Scott Caan (Entourage) - Scott talks about Fox's Alert: Missing Persons Unit on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-February)
11/08 - Frasier - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/08 - Young Rock - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/15 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Seven / The Complete Season Eight
11/22 - That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Mill Creek)
11/29 - Ghosts - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/06 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection
12/13 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season
12/13 - Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
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
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