Thursday, November 10, 2016

1966 Version of The Yule Log on WPIX; New Book from Saved by the Bell Producer Peter Engel

The Yule Yog

PIX11, Tribune Broadcasting's New York flagship station, is thrilled to announce the station will air the original 1966 version of the Yule Log, which has not been seen on air since 1969. The 1966 Yule Log, long assumed to be permanently lost, was found and restored. It will air as a one-hour presentation exclusively on PIX11 on Christmas Eve 2016, exactly 50 years after its debut and again on Christmas morning. The 1966 version of the Yule Log, filmed at Gracie Mansion, aired each Christmas Eve through 1969 until the tape degraded. A new Yule Log was filmed in 1970 as a replacement, and has aired ever since. The master film contains two minutes of color footage, and the fireplace itself loops every seven seconds. PIX11 is thrilled the 1966 Yule Log has been found and restored, and will air as a one-hour presentation exclusively on PIX11 on Christmas Eve from 11pm to midnight, 50 years after its debut.

After the 50th Anniversary airing of the Yule Log, PIX11 will air Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City followed by The Honeymooners "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at 1:30am. PIX11 will also air the 1966 Yule Log on Christmas morning from 7-8am followed by the traditional 1970 version of the Yule Log from 8a-12p. March of the Wooden Soldiers and The Magic Garden Christmas Special follows from 12-3pm.


I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True

Every episode of the iconic 90s teen sitcom, Saved by the Bell, ended with the same four words: Executive Producer Peter Engel. With the November 15 launch of his captivating and inspirational new memoir, I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True, Peter opens up for the first time about his life, from personal and professional highlights to the serious challenges that shaped him. He explains how "a small boy with a big dream" got his start in the cutthroat television industry, his work as Executive Producer on Saved by the Bell and later TV successes of California Dreams, Hang Time, City Guys, and Last Comic Standing, among others. Peter also shares some of his most fascinating encounters with icons including John Lennon, Orson Welles, Bette Davis, and John F. Kennedy, to name just a few.

As entertaining as one of his hit shows and with genuine heart, Peter discusses:

A lifetime of love for TV and how that led him never to give up on his dream of making shows that matter, including Bell
Behind-the-scenes stories about the Bell stars and how they came to be his other family
"Can you believe it?" stories of his encounters with some of the most famous and important personalities of the times
What he considers to be his greatest personal and professional achievements
His advice to readers to inspire them to stay true to their values and passions, so they, too, can find their own "Bell" and make their mark
And much, much more

The book will be available on November 15 at bookstores and on Amazon.com .


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, May 8

Happy's Place - "Mouse in the House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Gabby accidentally lets a mouse loose in the tavern, Bobbie must distract the health inspector by any means necessary as everyone tries to find the mouse and secure their "A" rating.

Happy's Place - "Straw Man" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Gabby asks Bobbie to help vet men to be her potential donor, Bobbie is happy to participate until she discovers Gabby is considering Emmett for the donation; Isabella is asked to be the guest speaker for Takoda's daughter's class.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 4)

Friday, May 8

  • Desi Lydic (Awkward) - Watch Desi on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Billy appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Stanley Tucci (Central Park) - Stanley chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Jerry O'Connell (We Are Men/Do Not Disturb/Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Jerry stops by with his mom on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Judith Light (Who's the Boss?/Phenom/Transparent) - NBC's Today catches up with Judith in the 9am hour.
  • Julie Bowen (Modern Family/Ed) and Ty Burrell (Modern Family/Back to You/Out of Practice) - Julie and Ty can be heard on the Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
  • London Brown (Ballers) - London appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD) St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
03/24 - Looney Tunes Collector's Vault - Volume 2 (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

05/08 - Hulu's Hannah Berner: None of My Business Special; Survival of the Thickest Returns July 2
05/07 - Highway to Heaven Reboot Coming to Fox in 2027-28; Hulu's Deli Boys Trailer
05/06 - King of the Hill Season 15 Premieres July 20; The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Renewed for Season 2
05/05 - Son of a Critch Renewed for Final Season; The Four Seasons Trailer for Season 2
05/04 - Hulu's Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident Trailer; Netflix Announces Season 2 of Bad Thoughts
05/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of May 4, 2026)
05/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Cancels Stumble; Do You Want Kids? Not Going Forward at ABC
05/01 - ABC Renews Shifting Gears and Scrubs for 2026-27; AMC Upfront 2026
04/30 - Apple TV Season 5 of Trying; Netflix Announces Dad's House
04/29 - Ted Lasso Season 4 Premieres August 5; Heads Will Roll to Return on Audible
04/28 - The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Premieres in July on HBO Max; The CW Revives Private Eyes
04/27 - Hulu's Alice and Steve Premieres June 8; Prime Video Renews Hazbin Hotel for a Fifth and Final Season
04/26 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 27, 2026)
04/25 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Scooby-Doo: Origins; Clueless Sequel Series Not Going Forward at Peacock
04/24 - A Different World Sequel Wraps Production and Adds More Cast Members; Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Coming to ABC and Hulu in July
04/23 - Antenna TV's One Day at a Time and Rewind TV's 227 Mother's Day Marathons; Valerie Bertinelli's Lifetime Movie Love, Again Premieres May 9
04/22 - Stavros Halkias Returns to Netflix; CNN to Air Matt Friend Comedy Special Friday
04/21 - COZI TV Acquires Two and a Half Men and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper This May; Deli Boys Season 2 First Look
04/20 - Pluto TV Spring Slate Includes My Wife and Kids; Hulu Adding Podcasts with New Girl, Prison Break and This Is Us Stars
04/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 20, 2026)
04/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Law & Order: Organized Crime Ending After Five Seasons; Price Is Right to Get Live Primetime Episode in December
04/17 - Great Entertainment Television Acquires Community; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Stars Reuniting
04/16 - CBS Fall 2026-27 Schedule; The White Lotus Season 4 Filming Commences
04/15 - Audible Series with Kevin Hart This Father's Day; Pop Culture Jeopardy! Returns May 11
04/14 - Peacock Renews The 'Burbs; ABC's Drama Hits Get 2026-27 Renewals
04/13 - FETV Acquires Car 54, Where Are You?; Hacks Events Ahead of Final Season
04/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of April 13, 2026)
04/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Buys Multi-Cam Pilot Pitch from Creator of Mom; Final Three Saturday Night Live Hosts Announced
04/10 - HBO Renews Rooster for Season 2; Studio C with Special Guest Star Rainn Wilson
04/09 - Additional Stars for Nobody Wants This Season 3; Saturday Night Live Closes Out Season 51 in May
04/08 - Mindy Kaling's Not Suitable for Work Drops June 2; Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident Premieres May 15 on Hulu