Monday, December 09, 2019

Remembering René Auberjonois of Benson; Brady Bunch Star to Give Tour of White House on HGTV

René Auberjonois

Actor René Auberjonois, who starred as Clayton Endicott III in Benson, has died. He died from metastatic lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles on December 8. Mr. Auberjonois was 79.

Auberjonois' early television drama guest appearances included Mod Squad, McMillan and Wife, Night Gallery, Harry O, Ellery Queen, The Rookies, Black Sheep Squadron, Delvecchio, The Bionic Woman, Starsky and Hutch, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Family, Hart to Hart and Charlie's Angels. Some of his early sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style, The Jeffersons, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, Stockard Channing in Just Friends.

Benson

He starred as Clayton Endicott III in the ABC sitcom Benson. Clayton Endicott III was Governor James Gatling's (James Noble) snobbish and high-handed chief of staff. Auberjonois joined the series in the second season in 1980. His character replaced John Taylor (Lewis J. Stadlen) who appeared in the first season as chief of staff. Auberjonois received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 1984. The series also starred Robert Guillaume, Missy Gold, Inga Swenson, Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Didi Conn (1981-1985) and Billie Bird (1984-1986).

Some of his later sitcom guest appearances included Doogie Howser, M.D., Frasier (two episodes as Professor William Tewksbury), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 1600 Penn (two episodes as Winslow Hannum).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

He starred as Odo in the 1993-1999 syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Constable Odo was the station's chief of security. He was a Changeling, capable of assuming any shape he wishes, but usually assumed a shape of a male adult humanoid. Auberjonois also directed eight episodes of the series from 1995 to 1999. The series also starred Avery Brooks, Terry Farrell, Cirroc Lofton, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Alexander Siddig, Nana Visitor, Michael Dorn and Nicole de Boer.

Boston Legal

Auberjonois starred as Paul Lewiston the 2004-2008 ABC drama Boston Legal. Paul Lewiston is a senior partner at the law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. He starred in the first three seasons and had a recurring role in the final two seasons. The series also starred James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Monica Potter, Rhona Mitra, Lake Bell, Julie Bowen, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Constance Zimmer, Craig Bierko, Gary Anthony Williams, Tara Summers and John Larroquette.

He received his second Emmy nomination in 2001 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Judge Mantz in The Practice. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, Eerie, Indiana, Matlock, The Outer Limits, Chicago Hope, Stargate SG-1, Nash Bridges, Judging Amy, Star Trek: Enterprise, Warehouse 13, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy and The Good Wife. He appeared as Walter Nowack in four episodes of Madam Secretary in 2016.

Auberjonois was also known for his voice acting. He voiced Chef Louis in 1989's The Little Mermaid and Flanagan in 1997's Cats Don't Dance. Some of his television voice credits included Wildfire, Snorks, The Pirates of Dark Water, Xyber 9, The Legend of Tarzan, Xiaolin Showdown and Pound Puppies.

He made his credited film debut as Father John Mulcahy in M*A*S*H in 1970. He played expedition scientist Roy Bagley in 1976's King Kong. Some of his other film credits included Brewster McCloud, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Images, Pete 'n' Tillie, The Hindenburg, The Big Bus, Eyes of Laura Mars, Where the Buffalo Roam, Walker, The Ballad of Little Jo and The Patriot.

Survivors include his wife, Judith, and their two children, Tessa and Remy.

Mr. Auberjonois was a talented and versatile actor. He was wonderful as Clayton Endicott III in Benson. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

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

Benson currently airs on Antenna TV weekdays at 4pm ET/1pm PT and Sundays at 4am ET/1am PT. We'll keep you posted if any tributes are planned.



Maureen McCormick and Alison Victoria

Sparkling silver stars, glistening gold ornaments and illuminated glass panels etched with snowy scenes deck the halls of America's most iconic home in White House Christmas 2019. Premiering on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. ET/PT, the annual HGTV special follows Maureen McCormick -- from the classic television series The Brady Bunch and, most recently, HGTV's hugely successful series A Very Brady Renovation -- and Alison Victoria, star of Windy City Rehab, on an exclusive room-by-room tour of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue's magnificent holiday transformation.

This year's décor theme, The Spirit of America, is a tribute to the traditions, customs and history that shape our nation and celebrates the courageous individuals who have kept the American spirit alive. For example, the famed gingerbread replica of the White House features landmarks from around the country, such as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore, while the East Room trees take inspiration from the American flag with gilded eagle tree toppers and red and blue ribbons. During the special, Maureen and Alison craft handmade topiaries and ornaments, create a chocolate tree for the gingerbread display, and hang signs and paper flowers representing their home states on the official Blue Room Christmas tree.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, November 11

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Great Beyond" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The Butlers and Johnsons receive shocking news about their neighbor that changes their outlook on life.

Poppa's House - "School Days" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Junior and Nina turn to their parents for help paying tuition when their son gets accepted into a prestigious private school. While Poppa believes the kids will be just fine at public school, his ex-wife, Catherine (Wendy Raquel Robinson), and Nina’s father, JJ (Geoffrey Owens), try to convince him that his grandson’s education is worth the investment.

The Conners - "Three Ring Circus" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ben and Darlene are excited to share their good news with the family, but Neville, Jackie, Aldo and Harris share some very similar news of their own.

The Conners - "A Judge and a Priest Walk into a Living Room..." (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Conners gear up for a megawedding; Jackie and Neville, Darlene and Ben, and Harris and Aldo are planning for a shared big day, but along the way, they discover that some of the couples may not be on the same page about their happily ever afters.

What We Do in the Shadows - "Laszlo's Father" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
Laszlo's father's ghost returns to make amends; Nadja and Nandor deal with the shapeshifters who have moved in next door.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 11)

Monday, November 11

  • William Stanford Davis (Abbott Elementary) - Watch William on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) - Dwayne appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He will also be on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
  • Jim Parsons (Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory) - Jim is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Wendi McClendon-Covey (St. Denis Medical/The Goldbergs/Rules of Engagement/Reno 911!) - Wendi stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also talks about St. Denis Medical on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Milana Vayntrub (Other Space), Jessica Lowe (Wrecked) and Jason Ritter (Another Period/The Class) - Milana, Jessica and Jason are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Kyle Richards (Down to Earth) - E! News has an interview with Kyle at 11pm on E!. She will also be on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Kristin Chenoweth (Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin talks about Our Little Secret on NBC's Today some time between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
  • Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/Catastrophe) - NBC's Today catches up with Sharon in the 9am hour. Sharon and Eve Hewson talk about Bad Sisters on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl joins Kelly and Mark in Greater Palm Springs to talk about the new season of ABC's hit show Abbott Elementary on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Blair Underwood (Fatherhood/The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Blair joins the Tam Fam to talk about his new series Celebrity Crime Files on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Donna Mills (The Good Life) and Joan Van Ark (We've Got Each Other/Temperatures Rising) - Donna, Joan and Michele Lee chat about the 45th anniversary of Knots Landing on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Paul Scheer (Black Monday/Fresh Off the Boat/The League) - Paul talks about his new book Joyful Recollections of Trauma and his upcoming How Did This Get Made tour on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - 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


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