Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Remembering Patty Duke and James Noble from Benson; Comedy Central Renews and Extends Eight Series

Patty Duke

Oscar and Emmy-winnning actress Patty Duke, who starred as Patty and Cathy Lane in The Patty Duke Show, has died. She died on the morning of March 29 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, of sepsis from a ruptured intestine. Ms. Duke was 69.

Duke's early television guest appearances included The Brighter Day, Rendezvous, Kitty Foyle, Kraft Theatre, Armstrong Circle Theatre, Ben Casey and The United States Steel Hour. After winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 16 for her role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker in 1963, she was given her own TV series.

The Patty Duke Show

Duke played Patricia "Patty" Lane, a fun-loving American teenager who occasionally got into minor trouble at school and home, and her prim and proper "identical cousin" from Scotland, Catherine "Cathy" Lane, in The Patty Duke Show. The popular sitcom ran on ABC for three seasons from 1963-1966. The series also starred William Schallert, Jean Byron, Paul O'Keefe and Eddie Applegate. Duke received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series for her roles in the series in 1964. The cast reunited in the 1999 CBS TV movie The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' In Brooklyn Heights. In 2009, the cast (except Byron, who died in February 2006) reunited again for a series of PSAs for the Social Security Administration.

She later starred in several short-lived sitcoms and dramas. She starred with Richard Crenna, Helen Hunt and Anthony Edwards in the 1982-1983 ABC sitcom It Takes Two. In 1985, she starred as President Julia Mansfield in the ABC sitcom Hail to the Chief. She played Karen Matthews in the 1987 Fox sitcom Karen's Song, which starred Lainie Kazan, Lewis Smith and Teri Hatcher. She starred in the short-lived 1995 NBC drama Amazing Grace.

Duke received her second Emmy Award in 1977 for the TV miniseries Captains and the Kings. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Virginian, Matt Lincoln, Night Gallery, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, Police Story, Police Woman, The Streets of San Francisco, The Love Boat, It's a Living, The Torkelsons, Frasier, Touched by an Angel (Emmy nominated), Judging Amy, Hawaii Five-0 and Glee. In one of her final roles, she guest starred as Grandma Janice and Great-Aunt Hilary, a pair of identical twins, in the Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie.

She appeared in many TV movies. She won her first Emmy Award for My Sweet Charlie in 1970. In 1980, she won her third Emmy Award for the the TV version of The Miracle Worker. Other TV movie credits included The Women's Room, The Girl on the Edge of Town and A Time to Triumph.

The Archive of American Television conducted an extensive interview with her on December 8, 2013.

Survivors include her fourth husband, Michael Pearce; her brother, Raymond; two sons, actors Sean Astin and Mackenzie Astin; a stepdaughter, Charlene Gibson, from her marriage to Pearce; a son, Kevin, with Pearce; and six grandchildren. She was married to The Addams Family star John Astin from 1972-1985.

Ms. Duke was a talented and gifted actress. During her long and successful career, she received ten Emmy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. We thank her for the many hours of entertainment she brought us over the years. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Patty Duke Show message board. View photos in our galleries.

James Noble

Actor James Noble, who starred as Governor Eugene Gatling in Benson, has died. He died on March 28 at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut. He had suffered a stroke last week. Mr. Noble was 94.

Noble's career began in soap operas. He appeared in 42 episodes of The Doctors in 1967-1968. Some of his soap opera guest appearances included The Brighter Day, As the World Turns, Another World, One Life to Live and A World Apart. Some of his other early television guest appearances included Actor's Studio, The Edge of Night, East Side/West Side, The Defenders, Directions, Coronet Blue, McCloud, Starsky and Hutch, Hart to Hart and Fantasy Island.

Benson

He starred as the sweet-natured but naive Governor Eugene Gatling in Benson. The popular sitcom ran for seven seasons on ABC from 1979-1986. The series also starred Robert Guillaume, Missy Gold, Inga Swenson, René Auberjonois (1980-1986), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981) and Didi Conn (1981-1985).

Noble later starred as Raymond Voss in the short-lived 1988 CBS sitcom First Impressions, which starred Brad Garrett. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Love Boat, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Murder, She Wrote, A Very Peculiar Practice, Father Dowling Mysteries, Walt Disney's World of Color, Perfect Strangers, The Bill, Law & Order and Where the Heart Is.

His film credits included 1776, One Summer Love, 10, Promises in the Dark, Being There, Airplane II: The Sequel, A Tiger's Tale, Paramedics and Chances Are.

He was married to actress Carolyn Coates until her death in 2005. Survivors include his daughter, Jessica Katherine Noble Cowan.

Mr. Noble was very funny and underrated in Benson. He seemed like a very nice man on and off-screen. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Benson message board. View photos in our galleries.

Comedy Central

Comedy Central has announced renewals and extensions for eight current series:

Tosh.0 was renewed for a ninth season. The series features razor-sharp humor and biting commentary from comedian Daniel Tosh.

Not Safe with Nikki Glaser was extended for an additional ten first season episodes. The comedy talk show currently airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. It features self-proclaimed "curious perv" Nikki Glaser and is a destination to discover, ogle, and laugh about all things sex through a fun, frank, fast-paced show with panel discussion, field pieces, and social experiments that is equal parts hilarious and titillating.

Drunk History was renewed for a fourth season. The Emmy(R) Award-winning series pairs inebriated storytellers up with A-list talent to provide a unique take on the familiar and less familiar people and events from our country and around the world as they reenact moments in history with unforgettable results. The fourth season is set to premiere in September.

Review was renewed for a third and final season. The mockumentary series follows life reviewer Forrest MacNeil (played by Andy Daly) who avoids the boring subjects like film, food or art, instead opting for the tough subjects like joining the mile high club, living life according to the Magic 8 Ball, and even leading a cult.

This Is Not Happening was renewed for a third season. The stand-up series features host Ari Shaffir and his comedian friends telling hilarious and true stories in front of a live audience at Cheetahs in Hollywood.

Alternatino is a Comedy Central digital series. It returns to follow Broad City's Arturo Castro as he attempts to examine life as a modern Latino - whatever that means.

Nothin's Easy follows struggling comedian David Angelo (Shark Week, The Daily Show) as he encounters the everyday strangeness of life in L.A. and unloads his personal issues onto his accountant. Angelo is a writer/performer in the comedic sweet spot between "world-weary bitterness" and "being found unresponsive in a bus terminal."

Questionable Science is a Comedy Central digital series. It stars Rich Fulcher as "Professor Rich" and his Unfocused Group as they answer some of science's greatest mysteries. In season two, "Professor Rich" once again heads into uncharted scientific waters asking real scientists really dumb questions.

Previously announced renewals include Broad City (seasons four and five), Inside Amy Schumer (season five), South Park (seasons 20-23) and Workaholics (seasons six and seven).

Spring and summer programming includes Time Traveling Bong, a special-event, three-night series premiering April 20. Season four of Inside Amy Schumer will debut April 21. The summer seasons of Tosh.0 and Not Safe with Nikki Glaser will premiere June 7. Season two of sitcom Another Period debuts June 15.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, April 17

Happy's Place - "AI-AI-No" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After Bobbie and Isabella request that Steve find how the tavern can save money, he discovers a way by replacing himself with an AI accountant; Gabby gives Emmett a crash course on proper texting etiquette.

Happy's Place - "Dart to the Heart" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bobbie tries to help Emmett and Isabella reconnect by forcing them into a darts tournament; Steve celebrates killing a spider until Takoda informs him about Iktomi, the Lakota trickster spirit.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 13)

Friday, April 17

  • Minnie Driver (Emily in Paris/Speechless/About a Boy) - Watch Minnie on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Dustin Ybarra (Ghosts/Us & Them) - Dustin is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jim Parsons (Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory) - Jim talks about Broadway's Titaníque with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - NBC's Today catches up with John in the 9am hour.
  • Lena Dunahm (Girls) - Lena joins Drew to talk about her new memoir Famesick on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (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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