Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Henry Winkler and More in New NBC Comedy Event Series; Remembering Jack Riley of The Bob Newhart Show

Better Late Than Never

Well, it's premiering tonight and we're better later than never, but NBC is launching its new comedy event series Better Late Than Never tonight at 10|9c. Based on a popular Korean format, Better Late Than Never is a fish-out-of-water show that follows cultural icons Henry Winkler (Happy Days), William Shatner (Star Trek), Terry Bradshaw (NFL legend) and George Foreman (boxing legend) on their greatest adventure yet. Deciding it's better late than never, these four national treasures embark on the journey of a lifetime, traveling across Asia on their own with no schedule and no itinerary. The only help will come from Jeff Dye, a young tech-savvy comedian with an agenda of his own and who isn't above leading the men off track. Each stop is packed with hilarious cultural experiences, heartwarming spectacles and unexpected twists as our legends take on this unforgettable adventure. The 4 week comedy event starts tonight and will air for the next four Tuesdays at 10|9c through Sept. 13.

Jack Riley

Actor and comedian Jack Riley, who played Elliot Carlin in The Bob Newhart Show, has died. He died on August 19 in Los Angeles due to pneumonia. Mr. Riley was 80.

Riley's television career began with a semi-regular role in the short-lived 1966-1967 NBC sitcom Occasional Wife. He appeared as Wally Frick in seven episodes of the series, which starred Michael Callan and Patricia Harty.

Some of his television guest appearances in the 1960s and 1970s included Gomer Pyle, USMC, The Flying Nun, I Dream of Jeannie, Love, American Style, The Partridge Family, Hogan's Heroes, The Good Life, Getting Together, M*A*S*H, Mary Tyler Moore, The Girl with Something Extra, Happy Days, Alice and Barney Miller.

Bob Newhart and Jack Riley - The Bob Newhart Show

Riley was best known for his role as Elliot Carlin, the neurotic, sour and selfish patient in The Bob Newhart Show. He appeared in 49 episodes of the series from 1972-1978. Carlin was ranked 49th in TV Guide's List of the 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time. He reprised the role in a 1985 episode of St. Elsewhere, a 1987 episode of ALF and a 1988 episode of Newhart. In 1991, the cast reunited for The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary.

His later sitcom guest appearances included Too Close for Comfort, Family Ties, One Day at a Time, The Love Boat, Diff'rent Strokes (4 episodes), Silver Spoons, Gimme a Break, Punky Brewster, Charles in Charge, My Two Dads, Night Court (7 episodes), Family Matters, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Married with Children, The Drew Carey Show, Seinfeld, That '70s Show and Yes, Dear. He played Leon Buachanan in the short-lived 1987 CBS sitcom Roxie. He had a recurring role as Chappy in the 2000-2002 FX comedy Son of the Beach.

He was also known for his voice work in animated series and commercials. He voiced Stu Pickles, the father of the main protagonist Tommy, in Rugrats and the spin-off All Grown Up!. He did commercial spots for Country Crock margarine and CompUSA.

Survivors include his wife, Ginger Lawrence, and two children.

Mr. Riley was a fine character actor. His Elliot Carlin character was very funny and memorable. He played him to perfection. We thank him for all the laughs and entertainment he brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on Bob Newhart Show message board. View photos in our galleries.



Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, June 3

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 1)

Tuesday, June 3

  • Jenny Slate (The Great North/Big Mouth/Married/Bob's Burgers) - Catch Jenny on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Brianne appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Shane Gillis (Tires) and Steve Gerben (Tires) - Shane and Steve are guests on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ben Wang (American Born Chinese) - Ben stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Brianne Howey (Dollface) - Brianne talks about Ginny & Georgia on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri talks about Straw on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) - Brian talks about Dope Thief on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • David Cross (Arrested Development/Running Wilde/Oliver Beene) - David appears on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
  • Leanne Morgan (Leanne) - Leanne guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Marco Calvani (The Four Seasons) - Marco talks about The Four Seasons on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Drew is chatting with Mariska on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Dax Shepard (Bless This Mess) - Drew is chatting with Dax and he's playing the fast five answering rapid fire questions on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Jane Seymour (B Positive/Modern Men) - Jane talks about Acorn TV's Harry Wild on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Luis Guzmán (How to Make It in America/Luis) - Luis is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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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