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

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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

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

Thursday, August 7

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "TV Money" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mandy tries to prove she’s financially responsible after Jim and Georgie call out her poor spending habits, and Connor’s new girlfriend needs a place to stay.

Ghosts - "A Star Is Dead" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Alberta offers to help Sam prepare for an audition for a community theater production. Also, Sass finds a new reason to interfere in Jay’s dreams.

Bob's Burgers - "Mr. Safebody" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Louise's schoolmate Arnold enlists her to direct a promotional video for his new bodyguarding business; a stolen car blasting 90's alternative rock is abandoned outside of the restaurant.

The Great North - "Can't Hardly Debate Adventuree" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Aunt Dirt takes a new job at Lone Moose School; Wolf tries to impress Beef.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 4)

Thursday, August 7

Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Catch Hannah on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Shane Gillis (Tires) - Shane appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
The Jonas Brothers (Jonas/Jonas LA) - The Jonas Brothers are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Judy Greer (Kidding/Married/Mad Love/Miss Guided/Arrested Development),
Lizzy Caplan (Party Down/The Class/The Pitts), Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers),
Tituss Burgess (Schmigadoon!/Central Park/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones/The Unicorn/Vice Principals) - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has "Kids Pitch" with special appearances by Judy, Lizzy, Steve, Tituss, Walton and others at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Molly Gordon (The Bear/Ramy) - Molly appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Sasheer Zamata (Home Economics/Woke/Robbie), Tien Tran (Mr. Throwback/How I Met Your Father) and Paul F. Tompkins (The Great North/BoJack Horseman/DAG) - Sasheera, Tien and Paul are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Luis Guzmán (How to Make It in America/Luis) - Luis talks about Wednesday on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Carol Leifer (Alright Already) - Carol talks about her book How to Write a Funny Speech for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go to in the First Place on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Seth Rogen (The Studio/Platonic/Undeclared) and Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Seth and Rose talk about Platonic on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Matt Rogers (No Good Deed/I Love That for You) - Matt co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Alicia Silverstone (American Woman) - Alicia talks about Irish Blood on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) - Aubrey and Maisy Stella are telling Drew about their film My Old Ass on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie appears on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love/Like Family/Love, Inc.) - Holly talks about Peacock's Kings Court on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.