Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Goldbergs 1990s Spinoff Ordered for ABC; Remembering Harry Anderson of Night Court

The Goldbergs

The ABC Television Network has made a straight-to-series order of a new spinoff based on the hit comedy The Goldbergs. The series is slated for 2018-2019 season. The spinoff will be set in 1990-something and follow the hilarious teachers of William Penn Academy - led by Tim Meadows (Principal Glascott), Bryan Callen (Coach Mellor) and AJ Michalka (Lainey Lewis) - who, despite their eccentricities and crazy personal lives, are heroes to their students. Story is by Marc Firek and Adam F. Goldberg. Teleplay is by Marc Firek. The series is from Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios. Adam F. Goldberg, Doug Robinson and Marc Firek are executive producers.

ABC previously developed a spin-off last year but it was not ordered to series. However, that pilot aired on ABC this season on January 24 as an episode of The Goldbergs and did solid ratings. That pilot featured Tim Meadows, Bryan Callen, Nia Long, Rachel Crow, Summer Parker, Ana Gasteyer, Missi Pyle and and Octavia Spencer as voice-over of Felicia. More on the new series casting will come soon, as of now they have only announced Meadows and Callen, with AJ Michalka now joining the series, too.


Harry Anderson

Actor, comedian and magician Harry Anderson, who starred as Judge Harry T. Stone in Night Court, has died. He died on April 16 at his home in Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Anderson was 65.

Anderson's early television career included an appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live on October 17, 1981. He made a total of eight appearances as himself on the series through 1985. He appeared in the recurring role of the con man Harry "The Hat" Gittes in six episodes of NBC's Cheers from 1982 to 1993.

Night Court

He was best known for his role as Judge Harry T. Stone in the 1984-1992 NBC sitcom Night Court. Harold T. "Harry" Stone was a young, blue-jeaned judge who presided over a Manhattan municipal court, Criminal Court Part 2. He was an amateur magician. Harry Stone was a fan of actress Jean Harlow and crooner Mel Tormé, who made many guest appearances in the series. The popular series ran for nine seasons and 193 episodes. The series also starred John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Selma Diamond (1984-1985), Florence Halop (1985-1986), Charles Robinson, Markie Post (1985-1992), Marsha Warfield and Ellen Foley (1984-1985). Anderson received three consecutive Emmy nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985, 1986 and 1987. He also directed two episodes and worked as a writer on five episodes of the series. Anderson reunited with Post and Robinson in a 2008 episode of 30 Rock titled "The One with the Cast of Night Court".

Dave's World

Anderson next starred as Miami syndicated newspaper columnist Dave Barry in the 1993-1997 CBS sitcom Dave's World. The series was based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry. It starred DeLane Matthews, Meschach Taylor, Shadoe Stevens, J.C. Wendel, Zane Carney, Andrew Ducote, Patrick Warburton (1994-1997), Shannon Sharp (1993), Angell Conwell (1994-1995) and Tammy Lauren (1994-1995). Anderson also worked as a writer on five episodes. He made a cameo appearance as Dave Barry in a March 1994 crossover episode of Hearts Afire.

He played the role of the adult Richie Tozier in the 1990 ABC miniseries It. His film credits included 1982's The Escape Artist and 2014's A Matter of Faith. In 2006, he was interviewed for the documentary Hexing Hurricane, which was about the effect of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. Anderson lived in New Orleans from 2002 to 2006.

Some of his television guest appearances included Tales from the Darkside, Tanner '88, D.C. Follies, Tales from the Crypt, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Night Stand with Dick Dietrick, The John Larroquette Show, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Noddy and Son of the Beach. He appeared as himself in episodes of the comedy specials Comedy Bang! Bang! in 2013 and Gotham Comedy Live in 2014.

Harry Anderson

Anderson was also known for his work as a magician, which he toured as extensively. He did several magic/comedy shows for broadcast, including Harry Anderson's Sideshow in 1987 and Harry Anderson: The Tricks of His Trade in 1996. He appeared with Criss Angel in a TV special called The Science of Magic in 1997.

Mr. Anderson was a man of many talents as an actor, comedian and magician. He was wonderful in the classic Night Court and the underrated Dave's World. He will be greatly missed.

Night Court can be currently seen on Laff. Stay with us for news on any tribute marathons for him.

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


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, November 10

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to New Horizons" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Dave’s silent auction wins lead to a classical concert outing with Gemma and the Butlers that quickly goes off the rails. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s ghostwriting gig takes a surprising turn when Tina encourages him to dive into reality TV for inspiration – sparking an unexpected obsession.

DMV - "Stick Shift" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Ceci accuses Colette of only being kind for the credit, Colette anonymously gives Noa the perfect gift.

St. Denis Medical - "Get Me in the Pod, Brother" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Alex and Ron spar over the wisdom of open communication; Joyce brings in a body scanner that proves overly distracting.

The Paper - "Pilot" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover the historic Toledo Truth Teller, a Midwestern newspaper, and its publisher's efforts to revive it.

TV We Love - "Happy Days" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The cast and creators of "Happy Days" reflect on its pop culture legacy.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 10)

Monday, November 10

  • George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - Watch George on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also talks about Landman on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • Aaron Tveit (Schmigadoon!) - Aaron is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Lea Michele (The Mayor) - Lea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Chris Kattan (The Middle) - Chris is a guest on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
  • The Jonas Brothers (Jonas/Jonas LA) - The Jonas Brothers talk about Very Jonas Christmas Movie on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Ginnifer Goodwin (Pivoting) - Ginnifer talks about Zootopia 2 on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Leslie Bibb (Palm Royale/God's Favorite Idiot/American Housewife/The Odd Couple/About a Boy) - Leslie co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour. She tells Drew about the upcoming second season of Palm Royale and making it work long distance with partner Sam Rockwell while shooting The White Lotus in Thailand on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Rainn Wilson (The Office) - Rainn talks about his new book Soul Boom Workbook: Spiritual Tools for Modern Living on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond - Phil is cooking something delicious with Drew in the kitchen from his latest cookbook and telling her about the diner he's opening on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Marilu Henner (Taxi/Evening Shade) - Marilu is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (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)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


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