SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Beloved comedy series Reno 911! has been greenlit for a new, seventh season by Quibi, it was announced by Quibi and producing partner Comedy Central Productions. The ensemble comedy was created by and stars Robert Ben Garant, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Thomas Lennon, all of whom are attached to write and star in the new season. Peter Principato of Artists First will executive produce the series along with Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher of Jersey Television. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

A critically acclaimed, hit series which ran for six seasons on Comedy Central, Reno 911! let viewers ride shotgun with the courageous men and women of the Reno Sheriff's Department as they lay down the law and put their lives on the line. The Reno 911! camera doesn't blink - and when the bullets start flying, the Reno Sheriff's Department will be right behind you. Quibi is a mobile-first media technology platform bringing together the best of Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Quibi is the first entertainment platform built for easy, on-the-go mobile viewing, allowing today's leading studios and creative talent to tell original stories in an entirely new way.

Actor Philip McKeon, who starred as Tommy Hyatt in Alice, has died. He died in Wimberley, Texas on December 10 after battling a long illness. Mr. McKeon was 55.

McKeon starred as Tommy Hyatt, the son of Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin), in the 1976-1985 CBS sitcom Alice. Tommy was a talented guitarist and basketball player. He later attended Arizona State University on a basketball scholarship.

Alice was based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Alfred Lutter played the role in the film and pilot episode. McKeon appeared in 108 of the 202 episodes during the show's nine seasons. His younger sister, Nancy (The Facts of Life), guest starred in two episodes in two different roles. The series also starred Vic Tayback, Beth Howland, Polly Holliday (1976-1980), Diane Ladd (1980-1981), Celia Weston (1981-1985) and Charles Levin (1983-1985).

Some of his television guest appearances included CHiPs, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat and Amazing Stories (with guest star Charlie Sheen). He starred in the 1982 TV special Leadfoot and 1988 mini-series Favorite Son. He appeared on game shows such as The Hollywood Squares and The $10,000 Pyramid.

His film credits included Return to Horror High (1987), Red Surf (1989), 976-EVIL 2: The Astral Factor (1992), Sandman (1993) and Ghoulies IV (1994). He worked as a producer for the films Where the Day Takes You (1992), Teresa's Tattoo (1994, starring his sister Nancy), Murder in the First (1995) and The Jacket (2005).

McKeon worked on radio after 2000. He worked in the news department at KFWB AM 980 in Los Angeles for 10 years. He later co-hosted the morning radio show The Breakfast Taco on KWVH-LP 94.1FM in Wimberley, Texas.

Survivors include his sister, Nancy, and his mother, Barbara. His father, Donald, died in October.

Mr. McKeon was very good and funny as Tommy Hyatt in Alice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McKeon family during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.

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

Alice currently airs on Antenna TV weeknights at 8pm ET/5pm PT. The complete series is available on DVD from Warner Archive and online streaming from Amazon Video.