Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Reno 911 Returning with New Episodes; Remembering Philip McKeon of Alice
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.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, March 18
The Neighborhood - (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Worth the Cooties" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
After Christina kicks Abishola and Dottie out for making light of her pre-pregnancy preparations, Christina bonds with Douglas and Abishola spends a fun day with Dottie. Also, when Bob, Goodwin and Kofo are stumped on a work issue, Bob insists they go out to lunch to loosen up.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 18)
Monday, March 18
- Christina Applegate (Dead to Me/Up All Night/Samantha Who?/Jesse/Married with Children) - Watch Christina on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Carrie Preston (Crowded/Happyish/Emeril) - Carrie is a guest on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Rachel Dratch (Grimsburg/Imaginary Mary/30 Rock) - Rachel appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Sasheer Zamata (Home Economics/Woke/Robbie) and John Hodgman (Up Here/Married) - Sasheer and John are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
- Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa will be on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
- Brett Gelman (Camping/Fleabag/Married/Go On) - Brett talks about The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
- William Shatner ($h*! My Dad Says) - NBC's Today catches up with William in the 9am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-March)
11/07 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Sixth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/14 - Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
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