SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Comedy Central has picked up late night series The Jim Jefferies Show for a twenty episode second season. The weekly, late night series features the Australian comedian's unapologetic, honest and international approach to culture and politics. The Jim Jefferies Show is currently nominated for a Writers Guild Award in the Comedy/Variety Talk Series category.

Each week, Jefferies tackles the week's top stories from behind his desk and travels the globe to far-off locations to provide an eye-opening look at hypocrisy around the world. Featuring interviews, international field pieces, and man on the ground investigations, Jefferies covers the most controversial issues, all through the lens of his distinctive brand of comedy. Jefferies sharp take on topics such as gun control, big game hunting, the National Anthem protests and sexual harassment have pushed the host into the mainstream late night conversation. The Jim Jefferies Show ranks as Comedy Central's #1 freshman series this year among P18-49.

Canadian actor Donnelly Rhodes, who starred as hapless escaped convict Dutch Leitner in Soap, has died. He died on January 8 of cancer at the Baillie House Hospice in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Mr. Rhodes was 80.

Rhodes appeared as escaped convict Dutch Leitner in 38 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1981. He helped Chester Tate (Robert Mandan) break out of prison. He marries Chester's daughter, Eunice (Jennifer Salt). The series starred Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, Ted Wass, Robert Urich and Jay Johnson.

He played Charlie in the short-lived 1982 CBS sitcom Report to Murphy. The series was about about the everyday problems and frustrations of a young parole officer. It starred Michael Keaton, Olivia Cole, Donna Ponterotto, Margot Rose and Ken Foree.

He starred as Art Foster, the widowed father of Kate and Allison Foster, in the first season of the NBC sitcom Double Trouble in 1984. Art ran a gym and dance studio in Des Moines, Iowa. When the show returned for a second season, Kate and Allison moved to New York. His character was replaced by Aunt Margo. The series starred Jean Sagal, Liz Sagal, Patricia Richardson (Season 1), Jon Caliri (Season 1), Barbara Barrie (Season 2), Jonathan Schmock (Season 2), James Vallely (Season 2), Michael D. Roberts (Season 2) and Anne-Marie Johnson (Season 2).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Mister Ed, Hazel, It's a Living, The Facts of Life, Cheers, Taxi, Gimme a Break!, Amanda's, Alice, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Baby Talk.

Rhodes was well known to Canadian audiences for his roles as Sgt Nick Raitt in the CBC series Sidestreet (1975-1978) and as as Dr. Grant "Doc" Roberts in Danger Bay (1985-1990).

He appeared as Leo Shannon in 91 episodes of Da Vinci's Inquest from 1998 to 2005. He had a recurring role as Dr. Sherman Cottle, Chief Medical Officer of BS Galactica, in 36 episodes of Battlestar Galactica from 2004 to 2009.

Some of his drama guest appearances included Maverick, Cheyenne, Bonanza, Wagon Train, Dr. Kildare, The Virginian, Laredo, Mannix, The Wild Wild West, Mission: Impossible, Police Story, Wonder Woman, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, The Heights, Street Legal, Murder, She Wrote, The X-Files, Smallville, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.

Mr. Rhodes was a solid and versatile character actor. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Soap message board. View photos in our galleries.