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

Friday, October 30

Happy's Place - "Skeletons in the Closet" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Unresolved feelings about their late father arise when Bobbie and Isabella put a photo of Happy on their ofrenda for Día de los Muertos; Emmett tries to avoid Gabby's Halloween pranks at all costs.

Newlyweds - "My Place or Yours" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor shake up their lives when they unexpectedly get married after a whirlwind courtship.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 26)

Friday, October 30

  • Kate Berlant (Ghosted/Search Party) - Watch Kate on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This/Central Park/The Good Place) - Kristen appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Joe Manganiello (Mythic Quest/How I Met Your Mother) - Joe is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary) - Quinta appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Natasha Leggero (Broke/Dice/Another Period/Free Agents) and Tommy Davidson (The Varnell Hill Show/The Proud Family/Malcolm & Eddie/Between Brothers) - Natasha and Tommy will be on a repeat of Funny You Should Ask at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Watching Ellie/Seinfeld/Day by Day) and Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) - Julia and Allison talk about Broadway's Other Desert Cities on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
  • Jerry O'Connell (We Are Men/Do Not Disturb/Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Jerry appears on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Sophia Bush (Partners) - Sophia talks about And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri talks about Broadway's Aladdin on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Karyn Parsons (The Job/Lush Life/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Karyn discusses her new novel, Blue Beach, and her iconic role as Hilary Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Marilu Henner (Taxi/Evening Shade) - Marilu is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD) The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray) The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray) Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

01/20/26 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27/26 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11/26 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
04/11/26 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Fourth Season (DVD)
04/21/26 - Famous Studios Champion Collection (Blu-ray) (DVD)
05/19/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (DVD)
05/19/26 - Looney Tunes Cartoons - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/16/26 - Difficult People - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
06/30/26 - Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
07/14/26 - The Office - The Complete Series - Superfan Extended Episodes (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Bill Dana Show - The Complete Series (DVD)
07/28/26 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series - 75th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
07/28/26 - The Paper - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
08/25/26 - Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/08/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
09/22/26 - Bridget Loves Bernie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/20/26 - The Quick Draw McGraw Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

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

10/30 - VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart
10/29 - Peacock's Dig Trailer and Artwork; The CW 2026 Holiday Programming with A Very Brady Christmas, A Flintstone Christmas and More
10/28 - ABC 2026 Holiday Programming; Remembering Susan Saint James of Kate & Allie
10/27 - Fox's Baywatch Premieres January 6; aspireTV's First Sitcom Premieres January 7
10/26 - COZI TV's Halloween Schedule with Roseanne, George Lopez, The Munsters and More; Chloe Radcliffe: Eyes Down Here Stand-up Special
10/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 26, 2026)
10/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Reboots in the Works for Coach and Glee; Saturday Night Live Sets November Hosts
10/23 - Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life
10/22 - Abbott Elementary Returns Big After 7 Day Viewing; BET Renews ComicView: Rooftop Series
10/21 - Charmed Joining Hulu This Huluween; Prime Video's Comedy Variety Series Hosted by Nick Kroll
10/20 - Hulu's Phony Premieres Today; Janelle James Netflix Comedy Special Drops November 10
10/19 - Lil Kev Season 2 Premieres December 9; It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2026 Schedule
10/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 19, 2026)
10/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Hulu Picks Up Reboot for The X-Files; Roseanne Self-Produces New Sitcom
10/16 - Christa B. Allen in Night of January 16th Play Through Sunday; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Bernie Orenstein
10/15 - Guest Stars for Peacock's Comedy Dig; Apple TV Renews Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed for Season 2
10/14 - HBO Brings Back Girls for 5 Episodes; Hulu's The X-Files Picked Up to Series
10/13 - Full Cast for Three's Company Live Reading in New York City; High Potential to Air After Super Bowl on ABC
10/12 - Bob's Burgers Holiday Special on Hulu; The Rookie and The Rookie: North Wednesdays on ABC in January
10/11 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 12, 2026)
10/10 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Colin Jost and Danny Chun to Launch Free Streaming Comedy; Paramount/Warner Merger Completed
10/09 - Apple TV Comedy Stick Returns November 4; News from New York Comic Con 2026 Day One
10/08 - FETV Acquires I Dream of Jeannie and The Bionic Woman; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 3, Before Season 2 Launch
10/07 - More Live Three's Company Readings; Lucy Hale is Scarlett Holmes for Roku in 2027
10/06 - NBC's Happy Place Season 3 Trailer; Apple TV's Imperfect Women Renewed for Season 2
10/05 - A Different World to Return for Season 2 on Netflix; Prime Video's Barbershop Comedy Series Premieres February 10
10/04 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 5, 2026)
10/03 - SitcomsOnline Digest: A Different World Renewed for Second Season; A First Look at Ted: The Animated Series
10/02 - Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head Season 4 Launch; Anthony Anderson Returns to Soul Train Awards
10/01 - Ted: The Animated Series Premieres December 17 on Peacock; Trailer for Apple TV's Small Prophets
09/30 - AMC Orders Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen Sitcom; Netflix's The One About Matthew Perry Documentary Series