Tuesday, April 17, 2018
The Goldbergs 1990s Spinoff Ordered for ABC; Remembering Harry Anderson of Night Court
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.
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.
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".
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.
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
Saturday, May 31
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 26)
Friday, May 30
- Nathan Fielder (The Rehearsal/The Curse) - Watch Nathan on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Paula Poundstone (Home Movies) - Paula performs stand-up comedy on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/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.
- Ralph Macchio (Eight Is Enough) - Ralph swings by for a chat about Karate Kid: Legends on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) - Justina chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She also talks about Broadway's Real Women Have Curves: The Musical on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
- Yara Shahidi (grown-ish/black-ish) - Yara is telling Drew about the new venture she's taking on, where she's currently at with dating and more on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Don Darryl Rivera (Only Murders in the Building) - Don talks about Broadway's Aladdin on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
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