Thursday, February 18, 2016
Original X-Files Coming to MyNetwork TV in Fall 2016; Remembering George Gaynes of Punky Brewster, Police Academy, Hearts Afire & More
The X-Files has a new chapter currently on Fox, and now original episodes of Chris Carter's 1993-2002 series will join the MyNetworkTV primetime line-up this fall. MyNetwork TV will air two episodes back-to-back from the original The X-Files on a designated weeknight on MyNetworkTV. More info on which night will come during MyNetwork TV's upfront in a few months. MyNeywork TV's line-up currently has Law & Order SVU, The Walking Dead, The Closer, The Mentalist and Bones - all back-to-back on one weeknight each. Additionally, the original series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson is also cleared for weekend syndication on the Fox Television Stations this fall. The new chapter of The X-Files concludes its six-episode season on Monday Feb. 22 at 8pm on Fox.
Actor George Gaynes, who starred as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and as Henry Warnimont in Punky Brewster, has died. He died at his daughter's home in North Bend, Washington on February 15. Mr. Gaynes was 98.
His early television guest appearances included The Defenders, Hawaiian Eye, Cheyenne, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Empire, The Gallant Man, East Side/West Side, Bonzana, Mannix, Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, Search, The Six Million Dollar Man, Cannon and McMillian & Wife. His early sitcom guest appearances included The Patty Duke Show, Hogan's Heroes, WKRP in Cincinnati and Cheers. He also directed the final episode of WKRP in Cincinnati in 1982.
Gaynes starred as the curmudgeonly but lovable foster parent Henry Warnimont in Punky Brewster. His character was a building manager and widower. The series aired on NBC from 1984-1986 before moving to first-run syndication in 1987-1988. It starred Soleil Moon Frye, Cherie Johnson, Susie Garrett, Ami Foster and Casey Ellison. He voiced the character in the animated spin-off series It's Punky Brewster, which aired on NBC from 1985-1986. Gaynes was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story on Punky Brewster in 2006.
He later starred as Senator Strobe Smithers in the first (1992-1993) season of Hearts Afire, which starred John Ritter and Markie Post. His other main roles included General Hospital in 1980 where he played Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down by Luke Spencer. He starred as high-powered theatrical producer Arthur Feldman in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd from 1989-1991. His real-life wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, co-starred as his love interest in the series. Some of his later guest appearances included Hotel, Matlock, Chicago Hope and Sliders.
Gaynes starred as Commandant Eric Lassard in all seven Police Academy films. He was head of the Metropolitan Police Academy (sometimes also called the Midcity Police Academy). He reprised the role in an episode of Police Academy: The Series in 1998.
Some of his other film credits included The Way We Were, Nickelodeon, Altered States, Tootsie, To Be or Not to Be, Micki & Maude, Vanya on 42nd Street, The Crucible, Wag the Dog and Just Married.
Survivors include his wife Allyn Ann McLerie, their daughter Iya Gaynes Falcone Brown, one granddaughter and two great-granddaughters.
Mr. Gaynes was a talented and versatile actor. He was wonderful in the Police Academy franchise and in Punky Brewster. He will be deeply missed.
Share your memories on our Punky Brewster message board. View photos in our galleries.
We also remember television and film composer Ray Colcord. He died on February 5 at his Studio City, California home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Colcord was 66.
Colcord was the composer for many sitcoms in the 1980s and 1990s. His credits included Silver Spoons, Double Trouble, Women in Prison, The Charmings, The Facts of Life, 227, My Two Dads, The Torkelsons, Where I Live, Dinosaurs, Maybe This Time, Hiller and Diller, You Wish, Boy Meets World, Family Affair and Lost at Home. Most recently, he was working on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World.
His film credits included The Devonsville Terror, The Sleeping Car, The Paper Brigade, Amityville Dollhouse, Wish Upon a Star, Heartwood and The King's Guard.
Survivors include his wife Madeleine, to whom he was married since 1983, son Alex and brother Marc.
Mr. Colcord's music enhanced the sitcoms and films he worked on. His first season theme for Boy Meets World was excellent. He will be greatly missed.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Tuesday, March 2
black-ish - "Things Done Changed" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
In trying to prove to Diane that hip-hop isn’t dead, Dre realizes he may be more of out of touch with current trends and his clients than he thought. Meanwhile, Jack thinks that he has somehow become Bow’s best friend now that Junior is too busy with his new girlfriend.
mixed-ish - "Just the Two of Us" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Alicia and Denise realize they’ve been boxed into Black women stereotypes at the law firm, and Harrison’s attempts to help ends up causing more harm. Meanwhile, Paul worries his new job is taking time away from spending time with the kids, so he makes an overzealous effort to connect with each one individually.
Young Rock - "Forward, Together" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Hawaii, 1982: When wrestlers start dropping out of Lia's Battle Royale, she suspects a rival promoter may be to blame; as Rocky's wrestling career skyrockets, Ata takes a leap of faith to pursue a musical dream.
Kenan - "The Fourth Hour" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Kenan struggles with his increased work schedule when "Wake Up With Kenan!" adds a fourth hour; Rick encourages Kenan to get tough and say "no" more often; Gary suspects that Tami has her eye on Kenan's job and takes matters into his own hands.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 1)
Tuesday, March 2
- Nick Jonas (Jonas) - Catch Nick on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Regina King (227/Leap of Faith) - Regina appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Kathryn Hahn (Happyish/Transparent/Free Agents) - Kathyn is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Fortune Feimster (Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune will be on A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC.
- Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) - Randall appears on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
- Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory) - Jeremy is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Eddie Murphy (The PJs) - Eddie will be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar (mixed-ish/Saved by the Bell/Truth Be Told) - Mark-Paul appears on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
- Tracy Morgan (30 Rock/The Tracy Morgan Show) - Tracy talks about Coming 2 America on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-February)
10/13 - The Jetsons - The Complete Series (Diamond Collection)
10/13 - Our Cartoon President - Season Two
10/23 - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - The Complete Collection
10/27 - The Flintstones - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/27 - Head of the Class - The Complete Second Season (WBShop.com)
11/10 - Letterkenny - Seasons 5 & 6
11/10 - The Office - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/10 - Schitt's Creek - The Complete Collection
11/17 - Carol's Second Act - The Complete Series
11/17 - Robbie - Season 1
11/24 - Corporate - Season 1
11/26 - Man with a Plan - Season Four
12/01 - The Neighborhood - Season Two
12/15 - Avenue 5 - The Complete First Season
01/22 - Corporate - Season 2
01/22 - Corporate - Season 3
02/02 - Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - The Complete Series (2021 Retail Release)
02/16 - Fam - The Complete Series
02/23 - Betty White's Pet Set - The Complete Series
03/02 - Blue Mountain State - The Complete Series
03/02 - Happy Together - The Complete Series
03/02 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-4 (DVD) (Blu-ray)
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