Friday, July 12, 2019

Fri-Yay: The End of Friends on Netflix; Remembering Rip Torn of The Larry Sanders Show and Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

Friends

by Vincent

Well, another sitcom on Netflix has bitten the dust -or, rather, will soon. Warner Bros. (WarnerMedia) announced this week it will be launching its own streaming service this fall, so all Warner-related properties will be removed from Netflix and other streaming services and onto the Warner-exclusive app. It's just the latest sitcom to be removed from the site (although to be fair, the service is planning on launching next year, so you still have a few months to get your Friends fix), however, the trend is clear and has been for a while. Netflix is losing much of its streaming library as other companies are looking to cash in on the streaming trend.

Whether or not you're a fan of Friends or The Office or any of the sitcoms that will be leaving the service for greener pastures, this news no doubt has a large effect on the future of streaming services. If you're someone who has gotten used to having so many sitcoms and other TV shows at your fingerprints with just one or two monthly subscriptions, well...that reality may be ending very soon. Currently, most major series of the past 20 years or so are on either Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon. In the next year, there are new streaming services planned by Disney, Warner Bros, and NBC - and that may be just the beginning. That brings the "major" streaming services from just 3 to 6, and if you want access to a library on par with the one the current "big 3" streaming services give you, your monthly subscription will double. At one time, streaming TV was thought of as being a revolution, a way for us to cut cords and contracts and watch whatever we wanted with way less money and hassle. It's still a lot easier and cheaper than cable, but things are certainly getting more and more fragmented - let's just hope we don't wind up right back where we started.


Rip Torn

Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn, who starred as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show, has died. He died on July 9 at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut. Mr. Torn was 88.

The Larry Sanders Show - Rip Torn, Garry Shandling and Jeffrey Tambor

Torn starred as Artie in the 1992-1998 HBO sitcom The Larry Sanders Show. Artie (Arthur) was the producer of the fictional talk show The Larry Sanders Show. Torn was nominated for six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role, winning in 1996. He received two American Comedy Awards nominations for Funniest Male Performance in a Series, winning once in 1994, and two CableACE Awards for his work on the series. The series also starred Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Penny Johnson, Janeane Garofalo (first five seasons), Mary Lynn Rajskub (final two seasons), Jeremy Piven (season one and part of season two), Wallace Langham, Linda Doucett (first three seasons), Scott Thompson (final three seasons), Megan Gallagher (first season and Jeannie's Visit) and Kathryn Harrold (second season).

Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Rip Torn - 30 Rock

He appeared as Lionel Banks, a rich bachelor and love interest of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally), in four episodes of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace in 2002. He had a recurring role as Don Geiss, the CEO of GE and Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin) boss and mentor, in seven episodes of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock from 2007 to 2009. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2008.

Torn was the narrator for The Family Channel horror anthology series Ghost Stories from 1997 to 1998. He appeared in four episodes as Senator Harlan M. Turner, Jack Turner's (Rob Lowe) powerful father, in the short-lived 2003 NBC legal drama The Lyon's Den.

Some of his television drama guest appearances included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Naked City, Dr. Kildare, The Lieutenant, Combat!, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mannix, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, Columbo (1991) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He received an Emmy nomination in 1996 for his role as Dr. Warren Shutt in the Chicago Hope episode titled Hello Goodbye.

He was also known for his work in many films. Some of his film credits in the 1960s included Sweet Bird of Earth, Hero's Island, Critic's Choice, You're a Big Boy Now, Beach Red, Coming Apart and Tropic of Cancer. In the 1970s, he starred in Maidstone, Slaughter, Payday, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Coma, The Seduction of of Joe Tynan and Heartland.

Torn received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Marsh Turner in 1983's Cross Creek. He starred as Maax in 1982's The Beastmaster and as Bud Kruger in 1982's Airplane II: The Sequel. Some of his other 1980s and later film credits included Misunderstood, Flashpoint, City Heat, Summer Rental, Extreme Prejudice, Nadine, Defending Your Life, RoboCop 3, Men in Black, Men in Black II, Freddy Got Fingered and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.

Mr. Torn was wonderful as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show. He was just a solid actor in his many television and film roles. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife Amy Wright, six children, four grandchildren and one sister.

Share your memories on our The Larry Sanders Show message board. View photos in our galleries.

Cameron Boyce

We also remember young actor Cameron Boyce. He starred as Luke Ross in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie and as Conor in the Disney XD sitcom Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything. He died on July 6 in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles due to an epileptic seizure. Mr. Boyce was just 20.

Jessie

Boyce starred as Luke Ross in the 2011-2015 Disney Channel sitcom Jessie. Luke was the second oldest of the Ross children. The series follows Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan) working as a nanny for the wealthy Ross family who live on the Upper West Side. It also starred Peyton List, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson and Kevin Chamberlin. The series ran for four seasons and 98 episodes.

Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything

He next starred as Conor in the 2015-2017 Disney XD sitcom Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything. Conor is a professional video game player who goes by the name of Kid Fury. The series also starred Murray Wyatt Rundus, Felix Avitia and Sophie Reynolds. It ran for two seasons and 37 episodes.

Boyce had a recurring role as Michael "Stone" Cates, Jr. in the Soapnet series General Hospital: Night Shift in 2008. He made guest appearances in Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up, Liv and Maddie, Bunk'd and Code Black.

He made his feature film debut in 1998's Mirrors. He starred as Keithie Feder, Lenny Feder's (Adam Sandler) son, in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. His other film credits included 2008's Eagle Eye and 2011's Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.

Boyce starred as Carlos in the Disney Channel's television films The Descendants in 2015 and the sequel Descendants 2 in 2017. Carlos is the son of of Cruella de Vil (Wendy Raquel Robinson). He provided the voice of Carlos in the television shorts Descendants: Wicked World from 2015 to 2017.

He provided the voice of Jake in seasons 2-3 of Disney Junior's Jake and the Never Land Pirates. His other voice credits included a 2014 episode of Ultimate Spider-Man as Luke Ross and a 2017 episode of Spider-Man as Shocker / Herman Schultz.

Survivors include his parents, Libby and Victor, and his sister, Maya.

Mr. Boyce was a talented actor and a rising star. He had a number of upcoming projects including Descendants 3 (which will premiere August 2), the HBO comedy series Mrs. Fletcher, the TV series Paradise City and the independent thriller film Runt. It's a tragic loss for his fans, friends and family. He will be deeply missed.

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


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, October 9

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Big Decisions" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tensions rise when Georgie finds out the truth about Mandy’s boss, and Georgie does all he can to buy the tire store before Jim sells it.

Ghosts - "The Devil Went Down to Woodstone" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam and Jay host a big party for the launch of Sam and Isaac’s vampire book.

English Teacher - "Lake Trip" (FX, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Evan and Malcolm take a vacation while the other teachers administer standardized tests back at school.

English Teacher - "Accreditation" (FX, 9:30PM ET/PT)
The teachers get evaluated by outside observers in an effort to earn the school a better rating.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 6)

Thursday, October 9

  • Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia/The Mick) - Catch Kailtin on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Ryan Reynolds (Two Guys and a Girl) - Ryan is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere) and Heather Dubrow (Stark Raving Mad/Jenny/Life with Roger) - Andy Cohen interviews Bridget and Heather on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11pm on Bravo.
  • Greta Lee (HouseBroken/Russian Doll) - Greta talks about Tron: Ares on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am, on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm, and on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
  • Kenzi Richardson (Vampirina: Teenage Vampire) - Kenzi talks about Vampirina: Teenage Vampire on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Chloe Fineman (Big Mouth/Search Party) - Chloe chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Jennifer Lopez (South Central) - Co-host Gayle King sits down with Jennifer on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Maya talks about Loot on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
  • John Corbett (And Just Like That.../Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/United States of Tara/Lucky/Sex and the City) - John and DeVon Franklin tell Sherri about their new film Soul In Fire on Sherri, so check your local listings.


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


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

10/09 - Rachel Sennott's I Love LA Comedy Series Trailer; Kaley Cuoco Heads to MGM+
10/08 - Prime Video's Kevin Details; Trailer for Crutch with Tracy Morgan
10/07 - The CW's TV We Love Docuseries; Happy's Place Season 2 Trailer
10/06 - Dancing with the Stars Surging in Viewership, Especially Among Younger Viewers; Remembering Kimberly Hébert Gregory of Vice Principals
10/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 6, 2025)
10/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels The Great North; Everybody Loves Raymond Cast Set to Reunite for 30 Year Anniversary
10/03 - MeTV Acquires Everybody Loves Raymond; Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Trailer
10/02 - CBS Presents Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion; Apple TV+ Renews Peanuts Specials Through 2030
10/01 - The CW's Six Brand New Movies Starting November 16; Hulu's Family Guy Halloween Special Details
09/30 - Sarah Sherman HBO Comedy Special in December; Huluween Programming for 2025
09/29 - Netflix Renews Haunted Hotel for Season 2; Christmas Comedy Series Sicilia Express
09/28 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 29, 2025)
09/27 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Cast Comes Together for First Table Read for Reboot; Monopoly Game Show Moving Ahead
09/26 - Netflix Adds to Cast for Running Point Season 2; Stiller & Meara Apple TV+ Documentary
09/25 - Adam Pally HBO Comedy Special; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Returns with Huge Ratings
09/24 - Weigel's Newest Diginet WEST Launches Monday, September 29; New Baywatch Coming to Fox in 2026-27
09/23 - DMV Trailer for CBS; Mo Amer Returns to Netflix
09/22 - SNL Season 51 Guests for First Episodes; Prime Video's Bat-Fam Series
09/21 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 22, 2025)
09/20 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Paper to Get Linear Run on NBC; Saturday Night Live Announces New Hosts
09/19 - NBC Schedules The Paper and Stumble in November; Remembering Patricia (Pat) Crowley of Please Don't Eat the Daisies
09/18 - UPtv Acquires The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Camp Rock 3 Coming Soon to Disney
09/17 - FETV Acquires The Munsters Effective September 29; Apple TV+ The Morning Show Renewed for Season 5
09/16 - Disney's SuperKitties Adds to Voice Cast; Netflix Renews The Hunting Wives for Season 2
09/15 - 77th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Letterman TV Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/14 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 15, 2025)
09/13 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Looking to Merge with Warner Bros. Discovery; Samsung TV+ Adds Late Night with David Letterman
09/12 - Emmy Awards to Create Special Moments; Ricky Gervais Netflix Animated Comedy Alley Cats Coming in 2026
09/11 - Remembering Polly Holliday of Alice and Flo; Prime Video's Overcompensating Renewed for Season 2
09/10 - Netflix Renews Leanne for Season 2; Hazbin Hotel Returns October 29
09/09 - HBO Comedy The Chair Company; Trailer for Disney's Vampirina: Teenage Vampire