Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Remembering Gavin MacLeod of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat; Mr. Big Returns in New Sex and the City Chapter

Gavin MacLeod

Actor Gavin MacLeod, who starred as Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and as Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat, has died. He died on May 29 at his home in Palm Desert, California, after a period of ill health. No cause of death was given. Mr. MacLeod was 90.

MacLeod made his television debut in 1957 on the crime drama The Walter Winchell File. Some of his early drama guest appearances included The Thin Man, U.S. Marshal, Steve Canyon, Manhunt, Peter Gunn (2 episodes), Mr. Lucky (2 episodes), Men Into Space, The Untouchables (5 episodes), Dr. Kildare, Death Valley Days (2 episodes), Perry Mason (3 episodes), Rawhide, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Ben Casey, The Rat Patrol, Combat!, Death Valley Days (2 episodes), The Big Valley (3 episodes), It Takes a Thief (3 episodes) and Hawaii Five-0 (2 episodes).

Gavin MacLeod - McHale's Navy

His first sitcom starring role was as Joseph "Happy" Haines on the ABC sitcom McHale's Navy. He appeared on the show for the first two seasons from 1962 to 1964 before leaving to appear in the film The Sand Pebbles (1966). He also played Seaman Joseph Haines in the films McHale's Navy (1964) and McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965). The series cast in the first two seasons included Ernest Borgnine, Joe Flynn, Tim Conway, Carl Ballantine, Gary Vinson, Billy Sands, Edson Stroll, Jane Dulo (1962-1964) and Yoshio Yoda.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

MacLeod's breakout role was as Murray Slaughter on the 1970-1977 CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which ran for 7 seasons and 168 episodes. Murray Slaughter was the head writer of WJM-TV's Six O'Clock News in Minneapolis. MacLeod received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 1975 and 1977 for the role. The series also starred Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, Ted Knight, Valerie Harper (1970-1974), Cloris Leachman (1970-1975), Georgia Engel (1972-1977) and Betty White (1973-1977).

The Love Boat

He next starred as Captain Merrill Stubing on the 1977-1986 ABC sitcom The Love Boat, which ran for 9 seasons and 250 episodes. Merrill Stubing was the captain of the luxury passenger cruise ship MS Pacific Princess. MacLeod received three Golden Globe nominations for the role in 1979, 1981 and 1982. The series also starred Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes (1977-1984), Jill Whelan (1979-1986), Pat Klous (1984-1986) and Ted McGinley (1984-1986). MacLeod reprised the role of Captain Merrill Stubing in a 1998 episode of Love Boat: The Next Wave.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Munsters, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Andy Griffith Show (2 episodes), My Favorite Martian (2 episodes), The Flying Nun, Hogan's Heroes (4 episodes), Love, American Style (1974), Rhoda (as Murray Slaughter), The King of Queens (2 episodes), That '70s Show (2 episodes) and The Suite Life on Deck (2 episodes).

Some of his other drama guest appearances included Wonder Woman, Charlie's Angels, Hotel, Murder, She Wrote (1990), Burke's Law, Oz, JAG and Touched by an Angel.

MacLeod's first credited film role was as The Lieutenant in I Want to Live! (1958). Some of his other film credits included Operation Petticoat (1959), Twelve Hours to Kill (1960), The Sword of Ali Baba (1965), The Sand Pebbles (1966), A Man Called Gannon (1968), The Thousand Plane Raid (1969) and Kelly's Heroes (1970).

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on January 3, 2003.

Mr. MacLeod had a great run for a combined 16 seasons on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat. He was very funny and memorable in his roles as Murray Slaughter and Captain Merrill Stubing. He was a dependable actor who made everything he appeared in much better. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat message boards. View photos in our galleries.


Chris Noth

Chris Noth will reprise the role of Mr. Big in the HBO Max original series And Just Like That... This new chapter of the groundbreaking HBO series Sex and the City follows Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s. The ten-episode, half-hour series is scheduled to begin production in New York this summer. Credits: Executive producers Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky, John Melfi and Michael Patrick King. Writers include King, Samantha Irby, Rachna Fruchbom, Keli Goff, Rottenberg and Zuritsky. The HBO series Sex and the City was created by Darren Star and based on the book Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell. Previously Announced Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Sara Ramírez.

Two-time Golden Globe® nominee and SAG Award® nominated actor Chris Noth rose to prominence as Detective Mike Logan on the original Law and Order, where he spent five seasons before going on to set hearts aflutter as the iconic Mr. Big on HBO's groundbreaking series Sex and the City. Noth garnered his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy playing the unattainable bachelor who gradually evolves into the love of Carrie Bradshaw's life. Meanwhile, Mr. Big became a central point for the Carrie character and the series as a whole, with their tumultuous storyline launching two blockbuster movies Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2, in which he also starred. Next came a critically lauded turn as the flawed and powerful Peter Florrick opposite Juliana Margolis on the CBS hit drama The Good Wife. Noth's complex performance earned him a second Golden Globe nod – this one for Best Actor in a Drama, as well as two SAG nominations for Best Ensemble. He recently starred opposite Sam Worthington and Paul Betany in Discovery's Manhunt: Unabomber and the final season of the FX series Tyrant. Currently Noth can be seen on the popular CBS drama The Equalizer opposite Queen Latifah.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, March 28

The Conners - "Keep On Truckin' Six Feet Apart" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Conners are dealing with the pandemic and life's financial troubles.

The Conners - "Halloween and the Election vs the Pandemic" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Halloween has been canceled, so the family works to create an unforgettable experience.

Son of a Critch - "Airing Out" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The Critches are doing their annual airing-out-the-house ritual; some family secrets are uncovered.

Son of a Critch - "Cabaret" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Mark finally gets the chance to take the stage as a stand-up comedian.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 25)

Thursday, March 28

  • Joey King (Bent) - Joey talks about We Were the Lucky Ones on ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am.
  • Giancarlo Esposito (Bakersfield P.D.) - Giancarlo discusses his starring role in the AMC crime-thriller series Parish on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Niecy Nash-Betts (Reno 911!/Getting On/The Soul Man/Do Not Disturb) - Niecy stops by to talk about her upcoming starring turn in Ryan Murphy's horror drama Grotesquerie on Sherri, so check your local listings.
  • Lisa Ann Walter (Abbott Elementary/Emeril) - Lisa talks about Abbott Elementary on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Lorraine Toussaint (Where I Live) - Lorraine is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (November-March)

Leave it to Beaver - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Father Knows Best - The Complete Series The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

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)

That Girl - The Complete Series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

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03/27 - The Upshaws Part 5 This April; Max Orders Noah Wyle Medical Drama
03/26 - Apple TV+ Orders Star-Studded Comedy; Elizabeth Banks Joins New Peacock Series
03/25 - Disney Channel Orders Wizards of Waverly Place Revival; Paramount+ Animated Comedy Ark: The Animated Series
03/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 25, 2024)
03/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Sets Premiere Date for Good Times Animated Reboot; NBC Renews Several Popular Series
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03/21 - Hallmark Renews The Way Home; You Final Season Sets Cast
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03/14 - SNL Announces Second to Last 3 Episode Set of Season; Bill Maher Renewed for 2 More Seasons
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03/12 - Roseanne Couch Week on COZI TV; The CW Orders Leighton Meester Series for 2025
03/11 - Every Grey's Anatomy Episode Now on Hulu; You Season 5 Casting Update
03/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 11, 2024)
03/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tim Allen Headlining ABC Comedy Pilot; NBC Developing Bewitched Inspired Sitcom
03/08 - Amazon Freevee Gets New Comedy Series; Apple TV+ Loot Returns April 3
03/07 - Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik Reprising Their Characters from Big Bang; Monsters at Work Returns for Season 2
03/06 - CBS Orders Multi-Camera Spin-off of Young Sheldon; FETV Acquires Highway Patrol
03/05 - Fox Summer 2024 Schedule, In-Season Finales; CBS Renews Tracker for Season 2
03/04 - Laff Acquires Matthew Perry and Will Arnett Sitcoms; Lisa Whelchel Returns for MeTV Series
03/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of March 4, 2024)
03/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Pluto TV Adds More Channels Including Universal Action; CBS Renews Young and the Restless for Four More Years
03/01 - Lopez vs Lopez Season 2 Brings Out the Stars; Prime Video's Música Drops April 4
02/29 - Season 3 of Hacks Adds Star Power; Remembering Richard Lewis
02/28 - BUZZR Celebrates Women's History Month in March; 10th Anniversary of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon