Tuesday, November 16, 2021
MeTV Network Loses Columbo, Adds Andy Griffith and M*A*S*H Sundays; Remembering Gavan O'Herlihy, the Original Chuck Cunningham on Happy Days

Columbo will no longer be available on MeTV after Sunday, November 21, as the rights to the series have expired. Mayberry and M*A*S*H, two mainstays of MeTV will come to the rescue on Sundays, too. These brilliant television shows continue to pull our heartstrings and take us to a different place and time. As different as they might be, one thing they do have in common is that they are timeless classics. The Andy Griffith Show and M*A*S*H already delight viewers of all ages on weeknight and now the two series are coming to Sunday evenings as well, beginning Sunday, November 28. Settle down for supper with your loved ones and step back into Mayberry and the 4077th. Catch one full hour of The Andy Griffith Show at 6PM | 5C, followed by a full hour of M*A*S*H at 7PM | 6C. After our visits to Mayberry and the M*A*S*H unit, Monk is stilkl on the case! The neurotic Sherlock solves crimes in San Francisco for two full hours beginning at 8PM | 7C. Afterward, stay tuned for vivacious variety courtesy of The Ed Sullivan Show at 10PM | 9C and Carol Burnett at 11PM | 10C. It's an evening of warmth, whodunnits and wisecracks — only on MeTV starting November 28!
Actor Gavan O'Herlihy, who played Chuck Cunningham in the first season of Happy Days, has died. He died in Bath, England, on September 15 of undisclosed causes. Mr. O'Herlihy was 70.
O'Herlihy appeared as Chuck Cunningham in seven episodes of the first season of the ABC sitcom Happy Days in 1974. Chuck Cunningham was the oldest son of Howard (Tom Bosley) and Marion Cunningham (Marion Ross) and older brother of Richie (Ron Howard) and Joanie (Erin Moran). He was a college student and basketball player. After O'Herlihy asked to leave the series, he was replaced by Randolph Roberts for two episodes in the second season. Chuck Cunningham was never mentioned again after the second season. O'Herlihy appeared on the Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion special in 2005.
His first TV credit was as Josh McBride in the 1973 episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show titled "Son of 'But Seriously, Folks." Some of his drama guest appearances included Sierra, Lucas Tanner, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Six Million Dollar Man, Police Woman, The Bionic Woman, The Amazing Spider-Man, Matt Houston, Cover Up, Tales from the Crypt, China Beach, Twin Peaks, The Good Guys (1992), Tarzan (1991-1992), Sharpe, Star Trek: Voyager, Jonathan Creek, 18 Wheels of Justice and Midsomer Murders.
O'Herlihy starred as Phil McGee in the 1976 ABC miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man in the episode "Part VIII: Chapters 11 and 12." Some of his other miniseries credits included A Rumor of War (1980), We'll Meet Again (1992), Partners in Crime (1983), A Killing on the Exchange, Lonesome Dove (1989) and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994).
He starred as Airk Thaughbaer, the military commander of the destroyed kingdom of Galladoorn who shares a mixed friendship with Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), in the 1988 fantasy film Willow. It was directed by his TV brother, Ron Howard. Some of his other film credits included Superman III (1983), Never Say Never Again (1983), Death Wish 3 (1985), Hidden Assassin (aka The Shooter) (1995), Prince Valiant (1997), Top of the World (1997), Seven Days of Grace (2006) and The Descent Part 2 (2009).
Survivors include his wife, Juliette; his children Rogan, Lonan, David and Daniel; and his siblings Cormac, Patricia, Lorcan and Olwen.
Mr. O'Herlihy was a good character actor. He had over thirty screen credits to his name, most of them in villainous or antagonistic roles. Willow was one of his few heroic roles. It was nice to see him work with Ron Howard again. We thank him for the entertainment he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.
Share your memories on our Happy Days message board. View photos in our galleries.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Thursday, January 26
Young Sheldon - "Blonde Ambition and the Concept of Zero" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sheldon makes a terrifying mathematical discovery while tutoring Billy. Also, Mary is jealous of Missy’s relationship with Mandy and MeeMaw.
Ghosts - "Jay's Friends" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam becomes alarmed when the ghosts suggest Jay’s new friends may be part of a cult run by a charismatic leader named Micah (Drew Tarver). Also, Pete changes his attitude after Sasappis criticizes his unceasing cheeriness.
Welcome to Flatch - "What Are You, Chicken?" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
The saga of the Flatch porch pirate continues; when Kelly and Shrub realize who the culprit is, they must figure out how to do right by Flatch; Joe misses Cheryl, so Barb decides it's time for a makeover.
Call Me Kat - "Call Me Ichabod Evel Knievel" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Kat hires a new baker at the Kat Cafe and shows him around town; Max and Carter wingman for Sheila.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 23)
Thursday, January 26
- George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - Jimmy Kimmel Live! celebrates its 20th Anniversary with George at 10pm and repeated at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- David Duchovny (Californication) - David appears on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Hilary Duff (How I Met Your Father/Younger/Lizzie McGuire) - Hilary is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 10pm on Bravo. She also talks about the new season of Hulu's How I Met Your Father on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda guest hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Lil Rel Howery (Rel/The Carmichael Show) - Lil Rel will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- ReneƩ Rapp (The Sex Lives of College Girls) - ReneƩ appears on The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings.
- Julie Bowen (Modern Family/Ed) - Julie is back and talks about a new gig inspired by her tween boys on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
- Benjamin Bratt (Poker Face) - Benjamin talks about Peacock's Poker Face on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (October-January)
10/04 - Mr. Mayor - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/04 - The Munsters - Marineland Carnival with The Munsters TV Cast
10/18 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete First Season
11/08 - Frasier - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/08 - Young Rock - Season Two (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/15 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Seven / The Complete Season Eight
11/22 - That '70s Show - The Complete Series (Mill Creek)
11/29 - Ghosts - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/06 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - 70th Anniversary Ultimate Christmas Collection
12/13 - And Just Like That... - The Complete First Season
12/13 - Hogan's Heroes - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
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