Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Remembering Penny Marshall, MeTV to Air Tribute on Sunday (Dec. 23); Conan's New Half-Hour Format Starts Jan. 22 on TBS

Penny Marshall

Actress, director and producer Penny Marshall, who starred as Laverne DeFazio in Laverne & Shirley, has died. She died in Los Angeles from complications of diabetes on December 17. Ms. Marshall was 75.

Marshall's early sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, Love, American Style, Barefoot in the Park, Getting Together, The Super and The Bob Newhart Show. Her early drama guest appearances included My Friend Tony, Then Came Bronson, The Magical World of Disney and Banacek.

Penny Marshall in The Odd Couple

She appeared in the recurring role of Myrna Turner, Oscar Madison's secretary, in 27 episodes of The Odd Couple on ABC from 1972 to 1974. It was developed and executive produced by her brother, Garry Marshall. The cast included Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Al Molinaro, Garry Walberg and Larry Gelman. She reprised the role in the 1993 CBS TV movie The Odd Couple: Together Again.

Marshall starred as Janice Dreyfuss in the short lived 1974-1975 CBS sitcom Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers. Janice was Charlie's affection-starved wife who constantly mocked Robert for his romantic failures. The series also starred Paul Sand, Michael Pataki, Dick Wesson, Steve Landesberg, Craig Richard Nelson and Jack Gilford.

She first appeared as Laverne DeFazio in the November 11, 1975, episode of Happy Days titled A Date with Fonzie. Laverne and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams) were a pair of wise-cracking brewery workers, who were dates for Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Richie (Ron Howard). After the success of their appearance, Garry Marshall decided to create a spin-off series for them.

Laverne & Shirley

Marshall starred as Laverne DeFazio for 8 seasons and 178 episodes on Laverne & Shirley on ABC from 1976 to 1983. Laverne and Shirley were two friends and roommates who worked as bottle-cappers in the fictitious Shotz Brewery in late 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Laverne was a tough-talking tomboy who grew up in Brooklyn. Her favorite drink was milk and pepsi. She was known for the script letter "L" monogrammed on her shirts and sweaters. The series also starred Eddie Mekka, Phil Foster, David L. Lander, Michael McKean, Betty Garrett (1976-1981), Carole Ita White (1976-1977), Ed Marinaro (1980-1981) and Leslie Easterbrook (1980-1983).

She received three nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her role. Marshall appeared as Laverne in five other episodes of Happy Days, one episode of Blansky's Beauties and the pilot episode of Mork & Mindy. She voiced the character in the animated series Laverne & Shirley in the Army and the Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour.

Marshall directed four episodes of Laverne & Shirley. Some of her other sitcom directing credits included Working Stiffs, A League of Their Own, According to Jim and United States of Tara.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Chico and the Man, Good Heavens, Taxi, I'm with Her, Entourage, Campus Ladies, The Game, Sam & Cat (reunited with Cindy Williams), Mulaney and The Odd Couple (2016). She had voice credits for The Simpsons, Frasier and The Life & Times of Tim.

She appeared in many TV movies including The Feminist and the Fuzz, Evil Roy Slade, The Crooked Hearts, The Couple Takes a Wife, Let's Switch!, Wives, More Than Friends (with Rob Reiner), Love Thy Neighbor (with John Ritter), Challenge of a Lifetime, Jackie's Back! and Women Without Men. Some of her film credits included The Savage Seven, How Sweet It Is!, The Grasshopper, Movers & Shakers, Hocus Pocus, The Hard Way and Alice Upside Down.

Marshall also had much success as film director. She made her directorial debut in 1986 with Jumpin' Jack Flash. In 1988, Big became the first film directed by a woman to gross more than $100 million at the U.S. box office. Her other film directing credits included Awakenings (1990, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture), A League of Their Own (1995), Renaissance Man (1994), The Preacher's Wife (1996) and Riding in Cars with Boys (2001). She worked as executive producer on Awakenings, A League of Their Own, Calendar Girl, Renaissance Man, Cinderella and Bewitched.

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on August 7, 2013.

Ms. Marshall was in a league of her own as an actress and director. She was very funny and memorable with her physical comedy and delivery of lines in her iconic role as Laverne. We thank her for the many laughs and hours of entertainment she brought us during her long career. It's sad that we've lost the brother and sister duo of Garry and Penny in the last two years. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Laverne & Shirley message board. View photos in our galleries.

MeTV Remembering Penny Marshall

MeTV Network pays tribute to the career and comedy of beloved actress and director Penny Marshall with a special presentation of Laverne & Shirley episodes airing on MeTV this Sunday, December 23 beginning at 2:00pm ET/PT through 6:00pm ET/PT. In a March 2015 interview with MeTV, Marshall shared her favorite Laverne & Shirley episodes. As a tribute to her enduring character Laverene DeFazio, MeTV has scheduled six of these memorable episodes, along with two special holiday-themed episodes, to create a special four-hour afternoon celebration of memorable and hilarious comedy for the whole family. Episodes airing from 2-6pm are: 2:00pm-2:30pm: "Fakeout at the Stakeout," "Bridal Shower," "Guinea Pigs," "Steppin' Out," "Airport '59," "Supermarket Sweep," "Christmas Eve at the Booby Hatch," and "Oh, Come All Ye Bums."


Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien debuts new 30-minute format show starting January 22 for Conan, ushering in a new era of multi-platform comedy with Team Coco. The longest-tenured host in late-night will return for his ninth season on TBS and 26th year on television, debuting a new thirty-minute format four nights a week in its regular timeslot starting on January 22, 2019 at 11pm. The revamped late-night show and expanded Team Coco fan experience will define a new era in multi-platform comedy. The show's new format will continue to feature celebrity guests and Conan's signature brand of comedy, which has made him one of the world's most popular hosts across both digital and linear platforms. Conan continues to evolve the genre by challenging conventions, taking creative risks and discovering and fostering new comedic talent.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, August 29

Happy's Place - "The Doctor Is Out" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Bobbie praises Steve's progress with his OCD, he decides he's finally ready to quit therapy; Gabby embarks on a side hustle enlisting ambassadors to sell bracelets for a third party.

Happy's Place - "Alarm Bells" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Isabella requests Emmett's help getting a security system installed, Bobbie claims she can protect her sister better than any alarm or man, leading to Bobbie and Emmett having a competition over who's the better protector.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 25)

Friday, August 29

  • Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Nicole guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Timothy Olyphant (Stick/Santa Clarita Diet) - Watch Timothy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Austin Butler (Ruby & the Rockits/Zoey 101/Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide) - Austin is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Jenna Ortega (Stuck in the Middle/Richie Rich) - Jenna appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Clifton Davis (Amen/That's My Mama) - Clifton makes a special appearance on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Sabrina on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts/Young Sheldon) - Danielle talks about Ghosts on a repeat on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • David Zayas (The Bear) - David talks about The Bear and Paramount+'s Dexter: Resurrection on CBS Mornings Plus in the 9am hour.
  • Regina King (The Boondocks/Leap of Faith/227) - Regina talks about Caught Stealing on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Kel Mitchell (Game Shakers/Kenan & Kel) - NBC's Today catches up with Kel in the 9am hour. He will also be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.


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)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (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

08/29 - HBO's Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television; Adult Swim Slates Two Series for October
08/28 - NBC's Password Renewed for Season 3 for 2026; Pluto TV Streaming CBS Shows Ahead of Fall Season
08/27 - Hulu's Deli Boys Renewed for Season 2 with Fred Armisen; HBO's I Love LA Premieres November 2
08/26 - English Teacher Returns on FX for Season 2; Jesse Williams Prime Video Series Trailer
08/25 - Doc Season 2 Trailer for Fox; Remembering David Ketchum and Jerry Adler
08/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 25, 2025)
08/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Home Improvement Cast Members to Reunite on Shifting Gears; The Paper to Have Binge Drop
08/22 - Hulu's Futurama Season 13 Trailer; A Man on the Inside Returns November 20 on Netflix
08/21 - George Lopez Coming to COZI TV; The Morning Show Season 4 Trailer
08/20 - Welcome Back, Kotter 50th Anniversary Marathon on Rewind TV; Apple TV+ Palm Royale Season 2 Premieres November 12
08/19 - Antenna TV's Archie Bunker's Place Labor Day Marathon; Larry the Cable Guy Prime Video Special
08/18 - Nobody Wants This Season 2 Premieres October 23; HGTV and Retta Continue Partnership
08/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 18, 2025)
08/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Plans Retool of Cable Networks; King of the Hill Revival Scores Big Ratings
08/15 - Catchy Comedy Acquires Hot in Cleveland; Netflix's Animated Comedy Strip Law Premieres in 2026
08/14 - Dan Levy's Netflix Comedy Series Cast; Betty la Fea: La Historia ContinĂșa Season 2 Premieres Friday
08/13 - Remembering Danielle Spencer of What's Happening!!; Trailer for Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building
08/12 - Netflix's Comedy Kiss or Die Premieres September 9; Lori Harvey Joins Reasonable Doubt
08/11 - Roku Originals Books a Return Trip with Season 2 Renewal of Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross; Netflix's Fixed Trailer
08/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 11, 2025)
08/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for The Paper; ABC Gives Pilot Order to Do You Want Kids?
08/08 - Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 Premieres September 12; The Paper Trailer for Peacock
08/07 - Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 4 Celebs; Sweetpea Season 2 Stars
08/06 - Molly Shannon Joins Will Ferrell Golf Comedy Series; Netflix's Season 2 of My Life with the Walter Boys
08/05 - Disney+ Musical Comedy Electric Bloom Premieres; NBC Renews American Ninja Warrior for Season 18
08/04 - Remembering Loni Anderson of WKRP in Cincinnati; And Just Like That... to End After 3 Seasons
08/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 4, 2025)
08/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Family Guy Specials Coming to Hulu; Jimmy Kimmel Rooting for Emmy for Stephen Colbert
08/01 - Long Story Short Gets Season 2 Ahead of Premiere; Netflix's Wayward Premieres September 25
07/31 - Solar Opposites Final Season on Hulu; Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical
07/30 - FETV Acquires The Jeffersons, Uncut; BET+ Comedy Churchy Returns August 21, BET Greenlights Sketch Comedy Series
07/29 - NBC Fall 2025 Premiere Dates; Fox Fall 2025 Premiere Dates