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

Wednesday, October 4

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Love Grows Here" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
After Phillip goes out with his friends, Leah and Jeremy realize that he is a responsible young man. Through a counseling session, Leah and Cora teach the residents the importance of mental, physical and spiritual health.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Let The Church Say Amen" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Cora runs for president of the local church, mud-slinging and sabotage threaten her reputation and test her faith. The Pleasant Days squad bolsters their ability to protect themselves by taking a self-defense class.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "The White Flag" (BET, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Philip feels as though he is being treated like a child and resists his parents' punishment. Mr. Brown sends Kimberly an innocent text message that gets him into trouble.

The Ms. Pat Show - "Twenty Seven Side Pieces" (BET, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Denise gets a job at a Black hair salon but has to recruit Pat to deal with some "mean girls;" Terry is still in pain from his injury, but pain management comes in more forms than one, none of them good.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 2)

Wednesday, October 4

  • Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) - Nick is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. NBC's Today catches up with Nick in the 9am hour.
  • Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Fred: The Show) - Siobhan appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Jane Krakowski (Schmigadoon!/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/30 Rock) - Jane gives latest details on the series Name That Tune on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Bellamy Young (The Other Black Girl) - Bellamy will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell/Alexa & Katie/Good Morning, Miami/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Tiffani shares recipes from her new cookbook, Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers, on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Central Park/Love in the Time of Corona/Big Day) - Leslie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl Lee appears on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-October)

Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition)

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
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


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10/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 2, 2023)
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09/29 - Lifetime Announces New Thrillers; Big Mouth Season 7 Trailer
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09/26 - Rick and Morty Season 7 Trailer; Fox's Krapopolis Debuts Well
09/25 - Laff Fall 2023 Schedule with Last Man Standing and Man with a Plan; Upload Returns October 20
09/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 25, 2023)
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09/20 - Paramount+ Announces Colin from Accounts; The Really Loud House Gets Halloween Movie
09/19 - The Simpsons Season 34 Streams October 11 on Disney+; Good Burger 2 Set for Holiday Season
09/18 - Hulu's Huluween and Disney+'s Hallowstream Line-Up; Shining Vale Returns October 13 on STARZ
09/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 18, 2023)
09/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
09/15 - Antenna TV's Bewitched Halloween Marathon; Rewind TV's Sabrina the Teenage Witch-O-Ween Marathon
09/14 - Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Cast; BUZZR Celebrates 40 Years of Press Your Luck
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09/11 - Matt Rife Gets Netflix Special; Star Trek Day and Kid Cudi Join Forces
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09/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA
09/08 - CBS Announces Hosts of Game Show; New Goosebumps Premieres Friday the 13th This October on Disney+ and Hulu
09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
09/06 - CBS to Air NCIS: Sydney This Fall; Fox Makes Fall Change
09/05 - TBS and TNT September Stunts Include Big Bang Theory Batman Day Marathon; Netflix UK Produced Series Updates
09/04 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2023 Include Three's Company