Friday, May 13, 2022
NBC Renews 3 Sitcoms, Cancels 2; CBS and The CW Hand Out Orders & Pink Slips; Remembering Mike Hagerty and Sitcom Producer/Writer George Yanok

NBC has ordered renewals for three of its comedies: Young Rock for a third season and American Auto and Grand Crew for their respective second seasons. Young Rock stars Dwayne Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila, John Tui, Fasitua Amosa and Matthew Willig. American Auto stars Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Grand Crew stars Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Grasie Mercedes and Carl Tart. Separately, NBC has passed on new seasons of Kenan and Mr. Mayor along with freshman drama The Endgame.
Meanwhile, CBS has canceled three sitcoms and two dramas. Sitcoms United States of Al, How We Roll and B Positive have been canceled. Dramas Magnum P.I. and Good Sam have also been canceled. They have ordered three new dramas so far: Fire Country, East New York and So Help Me Todd. Stars for Fire Country: Max Thieriot, Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro, Diane Farr, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway, and Jules Latimer. East New York stars Amanda Warren, Kevin Rankin, Jimmy Smits, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Kind, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Lavel Schley and Olivia Luccardi. And So Help Me Todd stars Marcia Gay Harden, Skylar Astin, Madeline Wise, Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann and Rosa Arredondo. CBS potentitally will pick-up one more new drama for midseason consideration, but they have passed on all of their new comedy pilots.
The CW made a lot of cancelations. Newbies 4400 and Naomi along with vets Charmed, Dynasty, Legacies, Roswell New Mexico and In the Dark. The latter two still has to air a full new season of episodes starting in June. Batwoman and DC's Legends of Tomorrow were also canceled a few weeks ago, while All American: Homecoming has been renewed. The CW has picked-up three new dramas. Gotham Knights, starring Anna Lore, Fallon Smythe, Misha Collins, Navia Robinson, Olivia Rose Keegan, Oscar Morgan, Rahart Adams and Tyler DiChiara star. Walker: Independence, a prequel, starring Katherine McNamara, Matt Barr, Gabriela Quezada, Greg Hovanessian, Justin Johnson Cortez, Katie Findlay and Lawrence Kao. And finally, Supernatural prequel The Winchesters stars Drake Rodger, Meg Donnelly, Bianca Kajlich, Demetria McKinney, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid also star while Jensen Ackles narrates as Dean Winchester.
ABC and Fox have not announced new series orders yet, however ABC has canceled current freshman dramas Queens and Promised Land. Stay tuned for the upfronts next week!
Actor Mike Hagerty (sometimes credited as Michael G. Hagerty) has died. He was known for playing comedic blue-collar workers, including his recurring roles as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on Friends and the manager of a muffler shop on HBO's Lucky Louie. He died on May 5 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering from a seizure. His seizure was caused by an adverse reaction to antibiotics he was taking for an infection in his leg. Mr. Hagerty was 67.
Hagerty starred as Finley on the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Building. Finley is a one-time firefighter who runs the nearby bar/hangout called G&L Fire Escape in Chicago. The series also starred Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kuhlman, Don Lake, Tom Virtue and Holly Wortell.
He starred as Frank MacNamara on the short-lived 1994-1995 FOX sitcom The George Carlin Show. Frank MacNamara is a working-class regular at The Moylan Tavern. He is a good-natured drinker with a beer belly to show for it. The cast included George Carlin, Alex Rocco, Anthony Starke, Paige French, Christopher Rich, Susan Sullivan, Matt Landers and Phil LaMarr.
Hagerty starred as Mike, the manager of a muffler shop and Louie's (Louis C.K.) employer and friend, on the 2006 HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. The cast included Pamela Adlon, Kelly Gould, Laura Kightlinger, Jerry Minor, Kim Hawthorne, Rick Shapiro and Jim Norton.
He had recently been filming and starring as Ed Miller on the 2022 HBO comedy-drama Somebody Somewhere. Ed Miller is Sam's (Bridget Everett) father and a farmer. The cast includes Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Murray Hill, Jane Drake Brody, Jon Hudson Odom and Heidi Johanningmeier.
Hagerty had a recurring role as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on five episodes of NBC's Friends from 1995 to 2001.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Married with Children, One of the Boys, Murphy Brown, Dear John, Sydney, Get a Life (2 episodes), American Dreamer, Drexell's Class, The Wonder Years, Martin (2 episodes), Seinfeld (as Rudy in "The Raincoats"), Good Advice, Kirk, The Home Court (6 episodes as Leo Blount), The Drew Carey Show, The Faculty, Union Square, Grace Under Fire, Arli$$, The Michael Richards Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nikki (2 episodes), Life with Bonnie (2 episodes), Complete Savages, American Dad! (voice), Entourage, 'Til Death, Good Luck Charlie, The Mindy Project, Happy Endings, Community, The Goldbergs, Marry Me and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (3 episodes as Captain McGintley).
Some of his drama guest appearances included Crime Story (2 episodes), Mann & Machine, Civil Wars, Star Trek: The Next Generation (2 episodes), Sisters, Ally McBeal, Angel, Dead Last, Deadwood, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Ghost Whisperer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Medium, Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Shameless.
Hagerty's film credits included Doctor Detroit (1983), Brewster's Millions (1985), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Red Heat (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), V.I. Warshawski (1991), Wayne's World (1992), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1992), Stuart Saves His Family (1995), Space Truckers (1996) and Speed 2: Cruise Control. He was in a deleted scene in Uncle Buck (1989).
He is survived by his wife Mary Kathryn, his sister Mary Ann Hagerty, (and) her wife Kathleen O’Rourke, and their daughter Meg.
Mr. Hagerty was a talented and dependable character actor who was known for his mustache and thick Chicago accent. He was a familiar face in more than 100 TV series and films. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his career. He will be sorely missed.
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Emmy-winning producer and director George Yanok, who worked on Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He died on April 29 in Nashville, Tennessee. He suffered from lung cancer in the 18 months leading up to his death. Mr. Yanok was 83.
Yanok was a producer on Welcome Back, Kotter from 1976 to 1977. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976 for his work. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included The Kallikaks, Tabitha, The Stockard Channing Show, Teachers Only, Too Close for Comfort, What a Country! and Out of This World.
He was one of the original writers of Hee Haw. Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Bob Newhart Show (1972), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Sanford and Son (2 episodes), The Practice (1976), The Kallikaks, Welcome Back, Kotter, (8 episodes - he also appeared as Mr. Ferguson in "Career Day"), Tabitha (2 episodes), The Stockard Channing Show (5 episodes), Teachers Only (4 episodes), 1st & Ten, Too Close for Comfort (8 episodes), What a Country! and Out of This World (3 episodes).
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Laura, his stepdaughter Katie Hill and his stepson John.
Mr. Yanok won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy, Variety or Music and Outstanding Comedy Series in 1974 and 1976, in recognition of his work on the comedy special Lily (1973) and The Lily Tomlin Special (1975). We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, September 17
Shifting Gears - "Gummies" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Riley is horrified when she finds weed gummies in Carter’s pocket, prompting surprising advice from Matt. Meanwhile, Eve inadvertently lands Gabriel and Stitch in hot water after asking them to donate to a charity auction.
Shifting Gears - "Kiss" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jimmy returns with a new job and a proposition for Riley and the kids to move into his house, Riley is torn between her past and her future. Meanwhile, Matt's feud with Eve flares up once again after she damages his car.
Abbott Elementary - "Rally" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ava and the Abbott teachers go to the district to plead for Ava's job back; Gregory handles duties as interim principal.
Abbott Elementary - "Please Touch Museum" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Abbott Elementary goes on a schoolwide field trip to the Please Touch Museum, which has some of the older kids skeptical.
The Hospital - "Double or Nothing; Make a Wish" (BET, 11:00PM ET/PT)
Apparently the best spot to gamble during your shift, is in the morgue.
The Hospital - "Lyrical Surgery; Get It Poppin" (BET, 11:30PM ET/PT)
Dr. Do-It-To-Em's mixtape has more bars than a nursing student during finals week.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 15)
Wednesday, September 17
- Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Watch Wanda on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Jason appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Ron Howard (Arrested Development/Happy Days/The Andy Griffith Show) - Ron is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Brett Goldstein (Shrinking/Ted Lasso) - Brett stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Rob Reiner (All in the Family/Morton & Hayes) - Rob appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Paul F. Tompkins (The Great North/BoJack Horseman/DAG) and Greta Titelman (Fantasmas/Search Party/Los Espookys) - Paul and Greta are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - Eva talks about FX's Necaxa on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Marlon Wayans (Marlon/The Wayans Bros.) - Marlon talks about Him on The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Eugene Levy (Schitt's Creek/Greg the Bunny/Hiller and Diller) - Eugene talks about The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
- Mark Duplass (Big Mouth/Togetherness/The Mindy Project/The League) - Mark talks about The Morning Show on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
- Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
- Kristin Davis (And Just Like That.../Bad Teacher/Sex and the City) - Kristin dishes on the end of And Just Like That and surprises Drew with an item from the set of Sex and the City on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jane Lynch (Angel from Hell) - Jane talks about Fox's Celebrity Weakest Link on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Judy Reyes (Scrubs) - Judy is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
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