Tuesday, June 05, 2018

Summer Sitcom Burn-Off News; Remembering Robert Mandan of Soap, Three's a Crowd and More

Ghosted

We have good news and bad news for summer sitcom burn-offs of canceled fresh sitcoms. Well technically not canceled (but 99.9% likely it is), Ghosted returns to Fox on Sunday (June 10) and will air at 8:30pm and 9:30pm before moving to Sundays at 9:30pm for a month beginning June 17. Nine episodes have aired so far this season, with the last airing in January, but we now will have seven episodes airing this summer. The single-camera comedy is an action-comedy about the unlikely partnership between two down-on-their-luck polar opposites tasked with an even more unlikely mission: saving the human race from aliens. The series stars Adam Scott as Max Jennifer, Craig Robinson as Leroy Wright, Ally Walker as Captain Ava LaFrey, Adeel Akhtar as Dr. Barry Shaw, and Amber Stevens West as Annie.

Living Biblically

One other sitcom is not even going to get the burn-off treatment anymore. Former freshman CBS sitcom Living Biblically will not be returning to the Monday line-up this summer after all. Five episodes remain to still be aired, but CBS has pulled them again. The sitcom hasn't aired since April when it got pulled from the line-up. Instead, CBS will air reruns of NCIS: New Orleans in the 9pm hour on Mondays. The sitcom stars Jay R. Ferguson as Chip Curry, a modern-day man at a crossroads in his life who decides to live strictly in accordance with the Bible. As he begins his sincere spiritual journey toward a more moral life with the help of his wife and friends, Chip wonders if he'll be able to take a page - or every page - out of the Good Book, and if the effect will be of Biblical proportions. Lindsey Kraft, Ian Gomez, David Krumholtz, Tony Rock and Camryn Manheim also star.


Robert Mandan

Actor Robert Mandan, who starred as Chester Tate in Soap and as James Bradford in Three's a Crowd, has died. He died in Los Angeles on April 29 following a long illness. Mr. Mandan was 86.

Mandan's early roles included the NBC soap operas From These Roots as David Allen from 1958 to 1961 and as Sam Reynolds in Search from Tomorrow from 1966 to 1970. He starred as Deputy Commissioner Ed Rawlings in the short-lived 1975 ABC police drama Caribe, which was set in Miami.

Some of his early sitcom guest appearances included a 1972 episode of Sanford and Son as an auctioneer, as attorney Mr. Morrison in a 1973 episode of All in the Family and as Maude's gay friend, Barry, in a 1974 episode of Maude. He appeared in two other episodes of Maude as different characters. Other early guest appearances included Barney Miller, One Day at a Time and Phyllis.

Soap

He starred as Chester Tate, the womanizing businessman husband of Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond), in Soap from 1977-1981. Tate was a wealthy stock broker with an affinity for extramarital affairs. Chester and Jessica separated in Season 3 and divorced in Season 4. The ABC sitcom also starred Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, Ted Wass, Robert Urich, Jay Johnson, Sal Viscuso (1978-1979), Dinah Manoff (1978-1979), Donnelly Rhodes (1978-1981) and Roscoe Lee Browne (1980-1981).

Mandan starred as Col. Lawrence Fielding in the second and third seasons of the 1981-1983 CBS sitcom Private Benjamin, which was based on the movie of the same name. Col. Lawrence Fielding was the pompous, well-meaning, but ineffectual, head of the camp. The series starred Lorna Patterson, Eileen Brennan, Hal Williams, Ann Ryerson (1981-1982), Joan Roberts (1981), Joyce Little (1981), Lisa Raggio, Lucy Webb (1981-1982), Francesca Roberts (1981), Damita Jo Freeman (1981-1983), Joel Brooks (1982) and Wendie Jo Sperber (1982-1983).

Three's a Crowd - Mary Cadorette, Robert Mandan and John Ritter

He appeared as James Bradford, the father of Vicky Bradford (Mary Cadorette), in the final episodes of Three's Company. He continued the role in the spin-off series Three's a Crowd, which aired for one season on ABC in 1984-1985. James Bradford owned the building that included Jack's Bistro and Jack's and Vicky's apartment. It also starred John Ritter as Jack Tripper and Alan Campbell as E.Z. Taylor. Jessica Walter had a recurring role as Claudia Bradford, Vicky's mother and James' ex-wife.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Too Close for Comfort, The Facts of Life (as Bruce Gaines who marries Mrs. Garrett), The Love Boat, Mama's Family, The Golden Girls, My Two Dads, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Delta, Married with Children and Weird Science. He reunited with Katherine Helmond as Reed Hamilton in two episodes of Who's the Boss? in 1991 and 1992.

Survivors include his wife Sherry Dixon, a licensed primal psychotherapist.

Mr. Mandan was very funny in all of his sitcom roles. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

Hugh Dane

We also remember actor Hugh Dane. He was best known for his recurring role as Hank the security guard in The Office. He died on May 16. Mr. Dane was 75.

Hugh Dane and Steve Carell - The Office

Dane appeared in 22 episodes as Hank Tate, the no-nonsense security guard, in The Office from 2005 to 2013. The NBC sitcom starred Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B. J. Novak, Ed Helms, Melora Hardin, David Denman, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper, Zach Woods, Amy Ryan, Catherine Tate, Clark Duke and Jake Lacy.

He had a recurring role as Fred in nine episodes of the Fox sitcom Roc from 1991 to 1994. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Where I Live, Boy Meets World, Friends, Buddies, Sister, Sister, Malcolm & Eddie, Becker, The Steve Harvey Show, Everybody Hates Chris, New Girl, Girl Meets World, The Carmichael Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Mayor.

His film credits included Restraining Order, Joy Ride, Reflections: A Story of Redemption, Ralph & Stanley, Beautiful Dreamer, For Heaven's Sake, StarStruck, Little Fockers and Bridesmaids.

Mr. Dane was a talented and funny actor. We thank him for the laughs he brought us on The Office and his other appearances. He will be deeply missed.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Saturday, July 5

Mind Your Business - "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (Bounce TV, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Aaliyah and Mia try convincing Lucille that the owner of a new nearby lounge is up to no good; Alfonso and Kim deal with AJ's first relationship.

Mind Your Business - "The Boy Is Mine" (Bounce TV, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Alfonso tries to maintain his newfound bromance after Aaliyah breaks up with his new friend; Kim goes the extra mile to inject luxury into their lifestyle to impress the moms of a Black Excellence club.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)

Friday, July 4

  • Ayo Edebiri (Big Mouth/The Bear) - Watch Ayo on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Jay Pharoah (White Famous/Champaign ILL) - Jay is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Frankie Grande (Henry Danger/Danger Force) - Frankie appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Mark Hamill (The Texas Wheelers) - Mark is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Cristin Milioti (The Resort/Made for Love/A to Z/How I Met Your Mother) - Cristin appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger (FUBAR) - Arnold is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Rob Riggle (Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy/Golan the Insatiable/Gary Unmarried) - Rob appears on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Marsai Martin (black-ish) - Marsai chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Mario Cantone (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Mario talks about And Just Like That... on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Billy Bob Thornton (Hearts Afire) - Billy Bob opens up about being married six-times and is sharing all about his new show Landman on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine is telling Drew about her viral wardrobe moment with Kathy Bates and shares behind the scenes moments of filming Succession, revealing the cast member she had a crush on, on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series 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)

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)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

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


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

07/05 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Comedy Central Delays South Park and Digman! Season Premieres; Jackée to Appear in Guest Role in Netflix Series
07/04 - Happy 4th of July; Antenna TV's McHale's Navy Red, White and Navy Independence Day Marathon
07/03 - The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 3 Premieres August 6; South Park New Season Moves by Two Weeks
07/02 - FETV Acquires The Rookies; Hulu Renews The Bear for Season 5
07/01 - Bert Kreischer Gets Netflix Sitcom; NBC Gets Into Survival Mode This Summer
06/30 - The Comeback Makes Another...Comeback; First Look at Black Rabbit at Netflix
06/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 30, 2025)
06/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Comeback Returning for a Third and Final Season; South Park to Remain on HBO Max
06/27 - The White Lotus Star Teams Up with Netflix; Remembering Bobby Sherman, Lynn Hamilton, and Rick Hurst
06/26 - The CW's Fall Movie of the Week; First Look at New York Comic Con 2025
06/25 - Netflix Renews Ransom Canyon for Season 2; My Life with the Walter Boys First Look for Season 2
06/24 - Marc Maron Gets Second HBO Comedy Special; Outlander Prequel Renewed for Season 2 Ahead of Series Premiere
06/23 - MeTV Summer Changes, Adds Adventures of Superman; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Summer Guest Hosts
06/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 23, 2025)
06/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Night Court Officially Dead After Not Finding New Home; Weigel Announces New WEST Network
06/20 - Great American Media Announces New Danica McKellar Movie; Jennifer Love Hewitt ID True Crime Series
06/19 - Bad Thoughts Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix; Zarna Garg Gets Hulu Special This July
06/18 - Weigel Broadcasting Announces WEST Network with Classic TV Westerns; Hulu's Season 2 of Such Brave Girls
06/17 - Gary Coleman's Ex-Wife on A&E Series; Digman! Returns July 9 on Comedy Central
06/16 - Hulu's Chad Powers Teaser; Prime Video's Jesse Williams Series
06/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 16, 2025)
06/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Mulls Airing The Paper on Primetime Lineup; Fox Revives Baywatch Reboot Talk
06/13 - My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman Renewed for 2 More Seasons; Hanna-Barbera Developing Adult Animated Series
06/12 - Comedy Superstar Jack Black Is the King of Comedy at Nickelodeon; Doc Adds Felicity Huffman
06/11 - Celebrities for Celebrity Family Feud Season 11; Netflix's Little House on the Prairie Starts Production
06/10 - Warner Bros. Discovery Separates Company; Peacock's Jennifer Garner Series Adds to Cast
06/09 - Comedian Ms. Pat Gets Season 3 of Courtroom Series; Disney Branded Television Animated Slate
06/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of June 9, 2025)
06/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels Alert: Missing Persons Unit and The Cleaning Lady; Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune Headed to Streaming
06/06 - Hulu's First Look at Amanda Knox Drama; Prime Video Lands Spy Thriller
06/05 - Disney's Electric Bloom Gets Premiere Date; Conan to Guest on NBC's Late Night