Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Double Dare Turns 30 and Nick at Nite Will Celebrate; Remembering Sitcom Writer and Producer Austin "Rocky" Kalish
On your mark, get set, go! In celebration of the 30th anniversary year of Double Dare, which originally launched on Oct. 6, 1986, Nickelodeon will reunite original host Marc Summers with his beloved announcer Harvey and right-hand woman Robin, for a brand-new commemorative special premiering Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite. Featuring vintage footage, behind-the-scenes content and messy new games taped this year, the half-hour special will let fans revisit their favorite game show from their childhood. The special will encore at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon's The Splat, the network's programming block dedicated to Nick's legendary library of hits from the '90s and 2000s. Double Dare originally aired from 1986-1993 on Nickelodeon, making it the network's longest running game show. Hosted by Summers, the series consisted of two-member teams of kids competing to win cash and prizes by answering trivia questions, completing messy, physical challenges and facing the infamous obstacle course.
The Double Dare special will kick off a holiday weekend that also includes the premiere of Legends of the Hidden Temple, an original TV movie inspired by the '90s game show of the same name, on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The new action-adventure TV movie follows three siblings who break away from a lackluster tour in a jungle, finding themselves immersed in a high-stakes adventure comprised of obstacles that they must complete in order to escape alive. The TV movie will feature many elements from the original game show including: Olmec, the legendary talking head; The Steps of Knowledge, the entrance to the temple and launching pad for the mission; and appearances from a green monkey, red jaguar, and silver snakes, among others.
Sitcom writer and producer Austin "Rocky" Kalish, who worked on Maude, All in the Family and Good Times, has died. He died on October 5 at the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement home in Woodland Hills, California. Mr. Kalish was 95.
Kalish married his wife Irma in 1948. They wrote for The Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Show for radio before moving to television. His early television credits included Meet Corliss Archer, The Colgate Comedy Hour and Johnny Staccato.
The couple co-wrote the pilot episode of Gilligan's Island with Elroy Schwartz. They created the show's characters and named them. They named the damaged boat the S. S. Minnow, which was named after former F.C.C. chairman Newton Minow. Kalish also co-wrote the episodes "Voodoo Something to Me" and "Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk."
Some of his other sitcom writing credits in the 1960s included The Bob Cummings Show, The Donna Reed Show, Glynis, The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Gidget, My Favorite Martian, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, That Girl, F Troop, The Flying Nun, Family Affair, My Three Sons and Nanny and the Professor.
Austin and Irma Kalish worked together on the Norman Lear sitcoms Maude, All in the Family and Good Times in the 1970s. In 1972, they wrote "Maude's Dilemma," in which Maude decides to have an abortion after an unexpected pregnancy.
They wrote four episodes of All in the Family, including "The Blockbuster," "Archie Goes Too Far," "Gloria the Victim," and "Edith's Christmas Story." In "Gloria the Victim," Gloria is a victim of attempted rape and must decide whether to notify the police or keep quiet. In the cancer-focused "Edith's Christmas Story," Edith tries to get in on the joy of Christmas even though she has a lump in her breast.
They wrote five episodes of Good Times in 1976-1977. They co-produced a total of 48 episodes of the series in Seasons 4 and 5. Some of his other sitcom writing credits in the 1970s included The Bob Newhart Show, Dusty's Trail, Good Heavens and Carter Country.
The couple worked as executive producers for Too Close for Comfort from 1980-1982. They also wrote eight episodes of the series. Mr. Kalish co-wrote four episodes of The Facts of Life and one episode of 227. Ms. Kalish worked as an executive producer for The Facts of Life and 227.
The Archive of American Television conducted an extensive interview with the couple on December 21, 2012.
Survivors include his wife Irma, their son, TV producer Bruce Kalish, their daughter Nancy, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Kalish was a legendary sitcom writer. He and his wife Irma were a great writing team who worked on many groundbreaking episodes. We thank them for the many hours of entertainment they brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, April 24
The Conners - "Manifesting, Marriage Testing and Cheeseballs" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Conners relish national cheeseball day as a family. Meanwhile, Harris falls behind in her work duties at the Lunch Box, and Darlene and Ben must figure out how to spend time together despite their two separate schedules.
Not Dead Yet - "Not the End Yet" / "Not a Ghost Yet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Nell finds out that Duncan is selling the SoCal Independent, so she takes matters into her own hands to save her job when Lexi seems unwilling to help. Then, Nell navigates an unexpected incident that leaves the sale of the newspaper on hold.
Animal Control - "Skunks and Swans" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Frank and Shred take on an aggressive swan; Shred has a meet-cute with a mysterious woman; Emily makes a mistake that results in Victoria having very little time to prepare for her big exam; Patel gets his father to help Victoria cram for the test.
Family Guy - "A Stache From the Past" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Peter loses the Griffins' home in a reverse mortgage, he and Mayor West travel to confront the man advertising the scheme, Tom Selleck; Stewie and Brian open a booth at the flea market, leading to a rivalry with Bruce.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 22)
Wednesday, April 24
- Carol Burnett (Palm Royale/Mad About You/Mama's Family) - Watch Carol on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Nicole Richie (Great News) - Nicole is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - Fred sits in with The 8G Band on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) and Michaela Watkins (Dinner with the Parents/Search Party/The Unicorn/Casual/Trophy Wife) - Lisa and Michaela are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- John Early (Search Party) - John appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family/The Class) - Jesse is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Tiffany Haddish (The Last O.G./The Carmichael Show) - E! News has an interview with Tiffany at 11pm on E!.
- Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny guest co-hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Drew Barrymore (Santa Clarita Diet) - Drew will be on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld) - Jerry talks about Unfrosted on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) - Mayan talks about NBC's Lopez vs Lopez on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Carrie Preston (Crowded/Happyish/Emeril) - Carrie, a fan-favorite on The Good Wife, tells Sherri about her new show Elsbeth on Sheri, so check your local listings.
- Harry Hamlin (Movie Stars) - Harry has a cooking demo on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
New on DVD/Blu-ray
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
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