Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Remembering Doris Roberts; UP Acquires Parenthood

Doris Roberts

Emmy-winning actress Doris Roberts, who was best known for her role as Marie Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond, has died. She died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on April 17 in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Roberts was 90.

Roberts' early television guest appearances included Starlight Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Suspense, Way Out, Look Up and Live, Naked City, Ben Casey, The Defenders, Medical Center, Baretta, The Streets of San Francisco and Family. Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included Mary Tyler Moore, Fay, Joe and Sons, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, All in the Family, Viva Valdez, Rhoda, Soap and Barney Miller.

Angie

Her first starring role was as Theresa Falco, the mother of Angie Falco (Donna Pescow), in Angie. The series ran for two seasons on ABC from 1979-1980. It also starred Robert Hays, Debralee Scott, Sharon Spelman, John Randolph, Diane Robin, Tammy Lauren and Tim Thomerson. Roberts also directed an episode of the series in 1980.

She starred as Loretta Davenport, a hairdresser who owned Loretta's House of Coiffures, in the short-lived 1981-1982 ABC sitcom Maggie. She played Doris Greenblatt, the knowing wife of Bert Greeenblatt (Ned Beatty), in the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Boys. Some of her other 1980s and early 1990s sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Alice, Mr. Belvedere, Full House, Empty Nest, The John Larroquette Show, Dream On and Step by Step.

Everybody Loves Raymond

Roberts starred as Marie Barone, the beloved mother of Ray (Ray Romano) and Robert (Brad Garrett) and the wife of Frank (Peter Boyle). The popular series ran for nine seasons and 210 episodes on CBS from 1996-2005. It also starred Patricia Heaton, Madylin Sweeeten, Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten, and Monica Horan. She was nominated for seven Emmy Awards and won four times for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Roberts also appeared as Marie Barone in a 1999 episode of The King of Queens.

She previously won an Emmy Award for a 1982 guest appearance on St. Elsewhere, playing a homeless woman named Cora. She starred as Mildred Krebs in Remington Steele from 1983-1987. Roberts received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the role in 1985. Her other Emmy nominations were for a guest appearance in a 1989 episode of Perfect Strangers and a 1991 role in the PBS series American Playhouse.

Roberts continued to make television guest appearances after Everybody Loves Raymond ended its run. She reunited with Patricia Heaton in three episodes of The Middle in 2010-2011 as Ms. Rinsky, Brick Heck's teacher. Her later sitcom guest appearances included Lizzie McGuire, Hot in Cleveland and Melissa & Joey. Some of her drama guest appearances included Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.

The Archive of American Television conducted an extensive interview with her on April 26, 2005.

Survivors include her son Michael Cannata, daughter-in-law Jane and grandchildren Kelsey, Andrew and Devon.

Ms. Roberts was wonderful and funny in Everybody Loves Raymond. She was a real pro who made everything she appeared in much better. We thank her for the laughter she brought us. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Everybody Loves Raymond message board. View photos in our photo galleries.




Parenthood

Another series is coming to UP TV, the network dedicated to providing engaging entertainment for and about families. They have announced that they acquired the critically acclaimed fan favorite drama series Parenthood. The 2010-15 drama will premiere this Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, with five episodes starting at 8pm EDT, before settling into UP's weekly schedule on Monday nights with three episodes from 8pm to 11pm EDT. UP licensed all six seasons and 103 episodes of the series in an agreement with NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution. The new series is a significant addition to UP's already robust collection of original and popular hit family series, which includes Bringing Up Bates, Gilmore Girls, Supernanny, Family Ties, Growing Pains, 7th Heaven, Sister Sister, The Parkers, and the network's recently announced off-network rights to America’s Funniest Home Videos.

Parenthood is the story of the Bravermans – Sarah (Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls), Adam (Peter Krause, The Catch), Crosby (Dax Shepard, CHiPS) and Julia (Erika Christensen, Wicked City) – four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and unexpected joys of being a parent. From Academy Award-winning executive producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, and writer/executive producer Jason Katims, comes this contemporary re-imagining of the international hit feature film. Focusing on the everyday challenges that modern families face while raising children and starting over, “Parenthood” grounds its drama and its comedy in the celebration of the beautiful mess of life. Parenthood also stars Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Monica Potter (Boston Legal), Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Mae Whitman (The Duff) and Miles Heizer (ER).


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, March 30

The Simpsons - "The Flandshees of Innersimpson" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bart dips his toe into the world of celebrity DJ-ing; Homer finally pushes Flanders too far.

Family Guy - "Pitch Imperfect" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Peter must gain his family's respect back after he makes a humiliating throw; Brian and Stewie become chiropractors.

The Great North - "It's Compli-skated Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Judy tells a story to help Alanis Morissette fall asleep; Beef's romantically obsessed stalker, Zelda Blop, returns to Lone Moose with a surprise.

Krapopolis - "Number Two" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Ty and Stupe are both looking to hire assistants; Hippo tries to have a romantic getaway with Daphne -- and his parents.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 24)

Sunday, March 30

  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - Catch Michelle on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two

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)
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

03/30 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 31, 2025)
03/29 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Gives Pilot Order to A Different World Sequel; Malcolm in the Middle Reboot Recasts Role of Dewey
03/28 - Pat Sajak's Final Spin on Wheel and Return of Jeopardy! Masters; Remembering George Foreman and Wings Hauser
03/27 - IFC Renews SisterS for Season 2; Netflix Orders Live-Action Scooby-Doo Series
03/26 - Hulu Spring 2025 Slate; The Making of The Americas Special Narrated by Tom Hanks on NBC
03/25 - Deli Boys Now Streaming All Episodes on Hulu; Heartland Season 18 on UP Faith & Family
03/24 - Peacock April Highlights Include Three's Company; Antenna TV's 50 Years on the Beat Barney Miller Anniversary Marathon
03/23 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 24, 2025)
03/22 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* Coming to DVD; American Dad! Moving Back to Fox
03/21 - Big Mouth Final Season; The Four Seasons Premieres in May on Netflix
03/20 - HBO's Brett Goldstein Comedy Special; Disney+ Adds The Simpsons 24/7 Stream
03/19 - Solar Opposites Final Season This Fall; NBC to Move Grosse Pointe Garden Society to Fridays
03/18 - Game Show Network New Shows Launch April 14; NBC Picks Up 3rd Comedy Pilot, While Bobby Moynihan Joins Tracy Morgan Pilot
03/17 - It's True! Ted Lasso Renewed for Season 4; Jane Goodall Returns for Jane Season 3
03/16 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 17, 2025)
03/15 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Neighborhood Renewed for Eighth and Final Season; NBC Picks Up New Cheerleading Comedy
03/14 - NBC Comedy Pilots Wheeling & Dealing; Hulu's Got to Get Out
03/13 - Prime Video Comedy Series Overcompensating Premiere Date; Eric Stonestreet Joins Dexter: Resurrection
03/12 - Hacks Season 4 Premieres April 10; Nickelodeon Orders Wylde Pak
03/11 - The Neighborhood Renewed for Final Season; Max's The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast
03/10 - Netflix Renews Running Point for Season 2; Apple TV+ Trailer for The Studio
03/09 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 10, 2025)
03/08 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tracy Morgan to Star in NBC Pilot from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock; Nobody Wants This Returning for Second Season
03/07 - Trailer for Apple TV+ Comedy Government Cheese; Remembering Saved by the Bell and TV Producer Peter Engel
03/06 - The CW Spring Premiere Dates; Henry Winkler Heads to HISTORY Channel
03/05 - Hacks Brings Out the Stars in Season 4; NBC Orders Pilot with Tracy Morgan
03/04 - Apple TV+ Side Quest Launches March 26; Krysten Ritter Joins Dexter: Resurrection
03/03 - HBO's The Rehearsal Returns April 20; Sharon Horgan Signs Deal for HBO Comedy Series
03/02 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 3, 2025)
03/01 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Premiere Date for Mid-Century Modern Set; Roseanne Remastered in High Definition