Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Emmy Awards Slated for Sep. 19, CBS Fall Premiere Dates; Remembering Charlie Robinson - Mac from Night Court

CBS and the Television Academy announced a return to a live show for the 73rd Emmy(R) Awards hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, star and executive producer of the CBS sitcom The Neighborhood, marking his first time as Master of Ceremonies for the event. CBS Presents the 73rd Emmy(R) Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/5:00-8:00 PM, live PT on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Emmy Award-nominated producers Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart will executive produce and Hamish Hamilton will direct the telecast for production companies Done+Dusted and Hudlin Entertainment. In addition, this year's telecast will return to a live, in-person Emmy Awards Ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre with a limited audience of nominees and their guests.
CBS premiere week opens Monday, Sept. 20 with the sitcoms The Neighborhood at 8:00 PM and Bob ♥ Abishola at 8:30 PM, leading into NCIS on its new night and time at 9:00 PM, followed by new spin-off NCIS: Hawai'i at 10:00 PM. All FBI Tuesday Debuts with a three-show cross-over event on Tuesday, Sept. 21, with FBI at 8:00 PM, and special times for FBI: Most Wanted at 9:00 PM and new entry FBI: International at 10:00 PM. The latter two will move to their normal timeslots (just swapping 9 and 10pm) the following week on Sep. 28. Survivor returns with two-hour premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 8:00 PM into a new Big Brother at 10. Every other launch is post premiere week, with Friday dramas S.W.A.T., Magnum P.I. and Blue Bloods to premiere on Oct. 1. New drama CSI: Vegas launches Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 10:00 PM following the season premiere of reality series Tough as Nails at 9pm. Spirited new comedy Ghosts premieres Thursday, Oct. 7 at 9:00 PM, following the season premieres of Young Sheldon and The United States of Al from 8-9pm. B Positive has its season premiere the same night at 9:30pm, while Bull Moves to its new night at 10:00 PM. Sunday's scripted lineup of The Equalizer, NCIS: Los Angeles and Seal Team Premieres Oct. 10 from 8-11pm. And finally, new Global Citizen reality series The Activist premieres Friday, Oct. 22 at 8:00 PM, replacing S.W.A.T. after three airings, but S.W.A.T. will return on Dec. 3. Specials include The Tony Aawards(R) Present: Broadway's Back on Sunday, Sept. 26 from 9-11pm.
Actor Charlie (Charles) Robinson, who was best known for his role as Macintosh "Mac" Robinson on Night Court, has died. He died on July 11 in Los Angeles, California, from cardiac arrest with multisystem organ failure due to septic shock and metastatic adenocarcinoma, a type of glandular cancer. Mr. Robinson was 75.
Robinson's first starring role was as Newdell on the 1983-1984 NBC sitcom Buffalo Bill. The series featured the misadventures of an egotistical talk show host named Bill Bittinger (Dabney Coleman) and his staff. Newdell was the makeup man at WBFL-TV, a small TV station in Buffalo, New York. The series also starred Joanna Cassidy, Max Wright, John Fielder, Geena Davis, Meshach Taylor and Claude Earl Jones.
After Buffalo Bill was canceled after two seasons, he joined the cast of the NBC sitcom Night Court for the second season in the fall of 1984 as Macintosh "Mac" Robinson. Mac was the clerk of the court and a Vietnam War veteran. He always wore a cardigan, plaid shirt, and knit tie. The successful series ran for nine seasons from 1984 to 1992. Robinson also directed three episodes of the series from 1990 to 1992. The cast included Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Selma Diamond (1984-1985), Florence Halop (1985-1986), Markie Post (1985-1992), Marsha Warfield (1986-1992), Karen Austin (1984), Paula Kelly (1984) and Ellen Foley (1984-1985). Anderson, Post and Robinson reprised their roles on the 2008 30 Rock episode, "The One with the Cast of Night Court".
Robinson starred as Abe Johnson on the 1992-1995 CBS sitcom Love & War. He joined the cast after John Hancock, who played bartender Ike Johnson, died of a heart attack on October 12, 1992. Abe was the surly brother of Ike. He was an out-of-work auto worker from Detroit, who showed up to claim his inheritance - Ike's shared of the Blue Shamrock restaurant/bar. Robinson also directed an episodes of the series in 1994. The cast included Jay Thomas, Susan Dey (1992-1993), Joel Murray, Michael Nouri, Suzie Plakson, Joanna Gleason and Annie Potts (1993-1995).
He starred as Ernie Trainor on the short-lived 1996-1997 CBS sitcom Ink. Ernie Trainor was the no-nonsense, seen-it-all police reporter at the New York Sun. The series also starred Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Alana Austin, Christine Ebersole, Saul Rubinek, Jenica Bergere and Jonathan Katz.
Robinson had a recurring role as Bud Harper, an owner of Binford, in nine episodes of Home Improvement from 1995 to 1999. He had a recurring role as Wilfred in 11 episodes of The Guest Book from 2017 to 2018. He played Mr. Munson, the blind tenant whom Bonnie avoids helping out with apartment issues, in seven episodes of Mom from 2015 to 2019. He made his final TV appearances on Freeform's Love in the Time of Corona in 2020.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The John Larroquette Show, In the House, The Crew (1996), Malcolm & Eddie (2 episodes), Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (2001), DAG, The Trouble with Normal, My Wife and Kids, Yes, Dear (2003), Abby, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, The Bernie Mac Show, Committed, Still Standing (2 episodes), My Name Is Earl and Hank. His guest appearances from 2010 and later included $#*! My Dad Says, The Soul Man, The Game (4 episodes), Reed Between the Lines (2 episodes), K.C. Undercover, Disjointed, Better Things and Raven's Home.
He had a recurring role as Phil in seven episodes of Flamingo Road in 1981. He played El Jefe in 13 episodes of Buddy Faro from 1998 to 2000. He appeared as Sergeant Jeffries in 16 episodes of Hart of Dixe from 2012 to 2015. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Caribe, The White Shadow, Lou Grant, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Hotel, Touched by an Angel, Soul Food, Charmed, House, Cold Case, The Riches, Big Love, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Harry's Law, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us and NCIS.
Mr. Robinson was a solid and dependable actor. Mac Robinson was a very funny and likable character that he played to perfection. He was always one of the good guys on television. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.
Share your memories on our Night Court message board. View photos in our galleries (link #2).
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Wednesday, August 17
Abbott Elementary - "Pilot" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.
Abbott Elementary - "Work Family" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Jacob reveals a detail about his personal life, Janine realizes she doesn’t know the other teachers as well as she thought. Meanwhile, as Gregory’s stern teaching approach is causing his whole class to underperform, Barbara and Melissa teach him how to relax and make his lessons more fun.
Abbott Elementary - "Step Class" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Janine is thrilled when Ava asks to help her teach the after-school step class, but the two don’t see eye to eye on how to run the program. Later, when Barbara, Melissa and Jacob plan an “eat-off” to decide who makes the best pizza in Philadelphia, Gregory is forced to reveal a secret.
Abbott Elementary - "Desking" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When the students start participating in a new online trend that causes disruption to the school, the teachers band together to put an end to it. Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson provides comforting life advice to Gregory; and later, the teachers finally meet Jacob’s boyfriend, Zach, who joins in to help stop the students “desking”.
Wellington Paranormal - "Mobots" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Officer Minogue meets Officer O'Leary's mom when they use her house for a stakeout to investigate why a mass quantity of obsolete electronics goes missing.
Wellington Paranormal - "The Invisible Fiend" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Minogue and O'Leary investigate a mysterious home invasion with no visible signs of entry, managing to arrest an invisible creature and bring it back to the station for questioning.
grown-ish - "You Don't Know Me" (Freeform, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The girls enlist Junior's help to find their shady roommate, Lauryn, who has a habit of mysteriously disappearing; Junior wonders if Annika is starting to catch feelings for him; Aaron suspects that Doug isn't being honest with him.
Everything's Trash - "Rom-Coms Are Mostly Trash" (Freeform, 10:30PM ET/PT)
After Phoebe suddenly sees Michael in a new light, she attempts to set him up with Malika, who already has her eye on an old flame; Jayden worries that he and Jessie have lost their spark, so they decide to spice things up.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 15)
Wednesday, August 17
- Alison Brie (GLOW/Community) - Watch Alison Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Sasheer Zamata (Home Economics/Woke) - Sasheer appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Nicole Byer (Grand Crew/Loosely Exactly Nicole) - Nicole guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Demi Lovato (Sonny with a Chance) - Demi co-hosts The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Kenan Thompson (Kenan/Kenan & Kel) - Kenan will be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) - Zazie appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - Simu chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Susan Walters (Dear John/The War Next Door) - Susan is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Blair Underwood (The New Adventures of Old Christine) - Blair will be on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Kel Mitchell (Game Shakers/Kenan & Kel) - Kel appears on a repeat of The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri guest hosts a repeat of The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
- Josh Peck (Grandfathered/Drake & Josh) and Rhea Perlman (Cheers/Pearl/Kirstie) - Josh and Rhea talk about Netflix's 13: The Musical on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
- Murray Bartlett (Physical/Looking) - Murry talks about White Lotus on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (April-August)
04/05 - Up All Night - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
04/26 - The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room for Daddy) - The Complete Fourth Season
04/26 - Jackie Gleason TV Treasures - 70th Anniversary Collection (including Honeymooners Rarities)
05/03 - No Activity - Season Three
05/13 - The Donna Reed Show - The Complete Seasons 1-5 (Time Life)
05/31 - Becker - The Complete Series (2022 Release)
06/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Eleventh Season
06/14 - Hacks - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/14 - Rutherford Falls - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
06/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season One / Season Two
07/19 - The Neighborhood - Season Four
07/19 - Reno 911! - The Hunt for QAnon (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/26 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Three / Season Four
08/16 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season (Warner Bros. - Canada)
08/16 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fourth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
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