Friday, December 01, 2017
Fri-Yay: Search Party, Creating a New Kind of Sitcom; Remembering Jim Nabors, MeTV and Decades TV Network to Pay Tribute
by Vincent
Sitcoms come in all shapes and sizes these days. While at one time, sitcoms all looked and felt fairly similar - laugh track, multi-camera, mostly following similar beats even if the way they portrayed those beats differed - sitcoms now blend with different styles and genres all of the time. So it's only in our current age that a show like Search Party could exist. Search Party is often a dark crime thriller, sometimes an intriguing mystery, sometimes a dramatic relationship drama, and yet it still is considered a sitcom. And it's a damn good one, at that.
What makes Search Party earn its title as a sitcom is its ensemble cast. This is your classic mix-up of different types - there's the relatable if flawed protagonist Dory, the bumbling boyfriend Drew, self-obsessed Elliott, and kind of clueless Portia. These archetypes could easily be a Friends-esque 90s sitcom about 20-somethings living in the city, and they often play off of each other in well-constructed comic set pieces. If Search Party were just about these characters and their humorous antics, it'd be worth watching. And yet, there's an entire other element to Search Party that only adds to the show's unique flavor. Half of the fun of Search Party is in the well-plotted mysteries that feel more like a prestige drama than a silly sitcom. What makes Search Party work especially well, though, is the blending of these two different types of shows into one. Search Party would be a great show whether it was a silly ensemble comedy or a serious and dark mystery - combining both elements, though, is what makes it something truly special.
Actor, singer and comedian Jim Nabors, who was best known for his role as Gomer Pyle in The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., has died. He died at his Honolulu, Hawaii, home on November 30. He was suffering from health issues regarding his immune system as a result of contracting hepatitis B in India. Mr. Nabors was 87.
Nabors first appeared as Gomer Pyle in the December 24, 1962, episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled "The Bank Job". Gomer Pyle was a simple-minded and gentle gas station attendant at Wally's filling station. He was known for the catchphrases "Shazam!", "Gawwww-leeeee", "Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!" and "shame, shame, shame!" He would appear in 23 episodes until 1964. The classic series starred Andy Griffith, Ronny Howard, Don Knotts and Frances Bavier. In 1986, Nabors reunited with the cast for the NBC TV movie Return to Mayberry.
The Gomer Pyle character became very popular during the year and a half he appeared on the show. After Howard McNear returned to the series in 1964, Andy Griffith proposed a spin-off series. Gomer leaves Mayberry to join the United States Marine Corps, which stationed him at Camp Henderson, California. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. ran for five seasons and 150 episodes on CBS from 1964 to 1969. The series also starred Frank Sutton and Ronnie Schell. Nabors appeared as Gomer Pyle in a cameo role in a 1966 episode of The Lucy Show. He appeared as Gomer Pyle for the final time in a 1991 episode of the ABC sitcom Hi Honey, I'm Home!.
Nabors' rich baritone voice made him a popular guest on variety shows such as The Carol Burnett Show. He was considered Carol Burnett's good luck charm and appeared in the season premiere of every season of the series. Some of his other variety show appearances included The Steve Allen Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Dean Martin Show, The Leslie Uggams Show, The Johnny Cash Show, The Flip Wilson Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Show.
He hosted and starred in the variety series The Jim Nabors Hour on CBS from 1969-1971. The series featured his Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. co-stars Frank Sutton and Ronnie Schell. He hosted another variety series in 1978 called The Jim Nabors Show. He received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Talk, Service or Variety Series.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Valentine's Day, Aloha Paradise and The Love Boat.
He was a friend of Burt Reynolds. He starred in three of his movies: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Stroker Ace and Cannonball Run II.
Nabors also had much success as a singer. He recorded 28 albums and numerous singles. His certified gold albums were Jim Nabors Sings Love Me With All Your Heart (1966), Jim Nabors Sings the Lord's Prayer (1968) and Jim Nabors Christmas Album (1990). He was known for performing Back Home Again in Indiana prior to the start of the Indianapolis 500 from 1972 to 2014, except for occasional absences due to illnesses or scheduling conflicts.
Surviors include his husband, Stan Cadwallader. The couple had been together for 38 years before being married in Washington state in 2013.
Mr. Nabors had great talent as an actor, comedian and singer. He was quite memorable and likable as Gomer Pyle. We thank him for the many hours of laughter and entertainment he brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.
Share your memories on our Andy Griffith Show or Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. message boards. View photos in our galleries.
MeTV pays tribute to Jim Nabors with two special episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and two special airings of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. beginning tonight (December 1) at 8PM | 7C. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. airs weekly on Saturday mornings at 5:30AM ET.
The Andy Griffith Show - "Andy Saves Gomer" 8PM | 7C
Gomer is convinced that Andy saved his life by putting out a small fire at the filling station. He then begins to repay Andy by becoming his servant.
The Andy Griffith Show - "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." 8:30PM | 7:30C
Gomer comes to the courthouse one day with an announcement—he has decided to join the Marines, believing it a test of his manhood. This fourth season finale served as the launch pad for the spin-off.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - "Gomer Overcomes the Obstacle Course" 9PM | 8C
In the series premiere, Gomer tries to pass an obstacle course to earn the respect of Sgt. Carter.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - "The Show Must Go On" 9:30PM | 8:30C
Gomer has stage fright and loses his voice just before a Washington show. Here, you can witness his deep, booming voice, as Nabors sings in the final act.
Decades TV Network will pay tribute to Jim Nabors with a weekend binge of 84 episodes of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. This special Decades multi-day tribute presentation of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C begins on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 1:00pm ET, and continues all weekend through Monday, December 11 at 7:00 am ET. To see a complete program schedule and to find out where you can watch Decades, please visit www.decades.com .
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Friday, September 29
The Villains of Valley View - "The Haunted Jukebox" (Disney Channel, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When a haunted jukebox sends Amy and Hartley to an alternate dimension of Valley View, they must figure out how to get home before they are trapped in Monster Town forever.
Bunk'd: Learning the Ropes - "The Glitching Hour" (Disney Channel, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Noah and Megan watch a strange VHS tape that leads them to believe Jake isn't really who he seems; Lou thinks her life is a television show, and Bill and Winnie are just actors.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 25)
Friday, September 29
- Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - Watch Amy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Lea Michele (The Mayor) - Lea is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) and Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite) - Margaret and Maria are guests on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
- Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio/The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-October)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
07/18 - South Park - Seasons 21-25 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/25 - The Neighborhood - Season Five
07/25 - Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Season One
07/25 - Superstore - The Complete Series
08/22 - Back to Life - Season 1 / Season 2
08/29 - Smiling Friends - Season 1 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
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