Monday, January 08, 2018
TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour: CBS, CW and Showtime; Remembering Jerry Van Dyke
This weekend CBS, Showtime and The CW were up at the TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour. We will highlight the notable announcements. CBS announced that the hit freshman comedy Young Sheldon is the Network's first renewal for the 2018-2019 broadcast season. CBS All Access announced that Jack Reynor will star in its upcoming original drama series, Strange Angel. Reynor will play Jack Parsons, a brilliant and ambitious blue-collar worker of 1930s Los Angeles who started as a janitor at a chemical factory but had fantastical dreams that led him to birth the unknown discipline of American rocketry. Along the way, he fell into a mysterious world that included sex magick rituals at night, and he became a disciple of occultist Aleister Crowley. Parsons used Crowley's teachings of self-actualization to support his unimaginable and unprecedented endeavor to the stars.
SHOWTIME has announced the premiere dates of two of its returning drama series: the second season of I'm Dying Up Here will premiere on Sunday, May 6 at 10 pm. ET/PT, and the fourth season of the Golden Globe(R) Award winning drama series The Affair returns on Sunday, June 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. SHOWTIME has also announced that the third season of the hit drama series Billions will premiere on Sunday, March 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. And they reminded us that Homeland, which will return on Sunday, February 11 at 9 p.m. and Our Cartoon President, executive produced by multiple Emmy(R) winner Stephen Colbert, Chris Licht and showrunner R.J. Fried, debuting on Sunday, February 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, follows the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and his merry band of advisors and family members. SHOWTIME released info for the new limited series Patrick Melrose, starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) winner Benedict Cumberbatch. Set to debut later this year, Patrick Melrose is based on the acclaimed Patrick Melrose series of semi-autobiographical novels written by Edward St. Aubyn. This five-part limited series hilariously skewers the upper class as it tracks the protagonist's harrowing odyssey from a deeply traumatic childhood through adult substance abuse and, ultimately, toward recovery.
And finally for The CW, they released more midseason plans. The CW Network today announced dates for the series premiere of the heartfelt new comedy Life Sentence, as well as the returns of iZombie, The 100, and the final season premiere for The Originals. The new series Life Sentence, starring Lucy Hale, makes its debut Wednesday, March 7 at 9:00pm ET/PT, following an all new episode of Riverdale at 8:00pm ET/PT. As a result, Dynasty will move to Friday nights at 8:00pm ET/PT beginning March 9. TV's favorite rom-com-zom-dram iZombie will return for its fourth season Monday, February 26 at 9:00pm ET/PT following DC's Legends of Tomorrow at 8:00pm ET/PT. The Originals. returns for one final bloody bow Friday, April 20 at 9:00pm ET/PT. The season finale of Jane the Virgin is set for Friday, April 13 at 9:00pm ET/PT. The gritty sci-fi drama The 100 is back for its fifth season Tuesday, April 24 at 9:00pm ET/PT, following The Flash at 8:00pm ET/PT. The season finale of the upcoming Black Lightning will air Tuesday, April 17 at 9:00pm ET/PT.
Actor and comedian Jerry Van Dyke, who was best known for his role as Luther Van Dam in Coach, has died. He died on January 5 from heart failure at his ranch in Malvern, Arkansas. He was in declining health since being involved in a car accident two years earlier. Mr. Van Dyke was 86.
Van Dyke's television career began in 1962 with guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey, in The Dick Van Show. The series starred his older brother, Dick Van Dyke. Van Dyke was also a 4-string banjo player who performed several times on the show.
He starred as Dave Crabtree in My Mother the Car, which aired for one season on NBC in 1965-1966. The series was about the misadventures of a man whose deceased mother Gladys (voiced by Ann Sothern) is reincarnated as a restored antique 1928 Porter. It also starred Maggie Pierce, Cindy Eilbacher, Randy Whipple and Avery Schreiber.
Van Dyke played widowed nightclub comedian Jerry Webster in Accidental Family. The 1967-1968 NBC sitcom starred Lois Nettleton, Teddy Quinn, Susan Benjamin, Ben Blue and Larry D. Mann.
He appeared as Steven Winters in the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom 13 Queens Boulevard. The series was about the diverse residents of a Queens apartment complex. It starred Eileen Brennan, Marcia Rodd, Helen Page Camp, Susan Elliot, Louise Williams, Karen Rushmore and Frances Lee McCain.
Van Dyke's best known role was as Luther Van Dam in Coach, which aired for nine seasons from 1989 to 1997 on ABC. Luther Van Dam was the beloved, yet befuddled assistant coach/defensive coordinator at the fictional Minnesota State University. The series starred Craig T. Nelson, Shelley Fabares, Bill Fagerbakke, Clare Carey (1989-1994), Kris Kamm (1989-1991), Kenneth Kimmins, Georgia Engel (1991-1997) and Katherine Helmond (1995-1997). Van Dyke received four Emmy Award nominations (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994) for the role for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series".
He starred with Andy Griffith as Jerry Brownell in the short-lived 1970-1971 CBS drama The Headmaster. Jerry Brownell was the best friend of Andy Thompson (Andy Griffith). His character was a physical-education teacher and coach. The series also starred Parker Fennelly, Claudette Nevins and Lani O'Grady.
Van Dyke played the recurring role of Big Jimmy Hughes, the father of Jimmy Hughes (Mike O'Malley), in seven episodes of Yes, Dear. He made eight guest appearances as Tag Spence, the father of Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton), in The Middle from 2010-2015.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Cara Williams Show, The Andy Griffith Show, That Girl, Good Morning, World, Gomer Pyle, USMC, Love, American Style, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, House Calls, The Love Boat, Newhart, Coming of Age, Charles in Charge, The Drew Carey Show, Grace Under Fire, Teen Angel, You Wish, My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope and The Millers.
Mr. Van Dyke was a talented and funny actor and comedian. He was perfectly cast as Luther Van Dam in Coach. He played the character to perfection. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.
Antenna TV aired a Coach marathon on New Year's Day. The series airs weeknights at 11pm ET and 3am ET and weekends at 4:30pm ET.
Share your memories on our Coach message board. View photos in our photo galleries.
We also remember actor and musician Jon Paul Steuer, who was best known for his role as Quentin Kelly in Grace Under Fire. He died on January 1 in Portland, Oregon. The cause of death is not yet known. Mr. Steuer was 33.
Steuer starred as Quentin Kelly in the ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire for three seasons and 73 episodes from 1993 to 1996. Quentin Kelly was the oldest child of Grace Kelly (Brett Butler). Steuer was the second actor to portray Quentin Kelly, as Noah Segan played him in the pilot episode. He decided to leave the show and quit acting due to the extensive press attention given to Brett Butler. Sam Horrigan took over the role for seasons four and five.
He guest starred as Alexander Rozhenko in a 1990 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. His other television guest appearances included Day by Day, Homefront and The Wonder Years. His film credits included Late for Dinner, When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn (TV) and Little Giants.
Mr. Steuer was a good child actor. He decided to leave acting at age 12. He later worked as a musician under the name Jonny P. Jewels in Denver and Portland and owned his own vegan restaurant in Portland. He will be missed.
Share your memories on our Grace Under Fire message board. View photos in our galleries.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Monday, October 2
Son of a Critch - "Circus" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mark and Fox find themselves on a maybe-date to the fair; Ritchie's family hosts some new Filipino-Canadians who make him feel insecure about his heritage.
Run the Burbs - "Phamily Games Night" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Andrew and Camille use game nights to help Hudson; Ramesh worries Barb doesn't think he's expressive enough; Khia plans a movie night for Mannix.
Children Ruin Everything - "Screen Time" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Astrid and James enact a weekend screen ban; with new work assignments, they soon learn leading by example is more complicated than they originally thought; without the hypnotic power of electronics, they're in for an uphill battle.
American Dad! - "Multiverse of American Dadness" (TBS, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Hayley searches for a runaway Steve so they can go to a Shaggy concert.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 2)
Monday, October 2
- Garcelle Beauvais (The Jamie Foxx Show) - E! News has an interview with Garcelle at 11pm on E!.
- Gina Yashere (Bob Hearts Abishola) - Gina is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
- Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk) - Patrick talks about Making It So: A Memoir on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That.../Second Time Around) - Nicole tells Sherri about her starring role in the off-Broadway show The Refuge Plays on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Zosia Mamet (Girls) - Zosia is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project/The Office) - NBC's Today catches up with Mindy sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
- Vivica A. Fox (Mr. Box Office/Getting Personal/Arsenio/Out All Night) - Vivica talks about directing First Lady of BMF on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Alfonso Ribeiro (In the House/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air/Silver Spoons) - Alfonso stops by and chats about hosting the new season of America's Funniest Videos and gives a behind-the-scenes look at his family life on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- The Cast of The Neighborhood - Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Tichina Arnold, Marcel Spears, Sheaun McKinney and Hank Greenspan celebrate the series' 100th episode on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
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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