Friday, July 22, 2022

Ghosts Dives Into the Metaverse with a Game; Jo Koy Gets 4th Netflix Special; Remembering Rebecca Balding of Soap

Ghosts in Decentraland

CBS' inaugural step into the metaverse commenced yesterday (July 21) with an immersive experience for fans of CBS Original comedy series Ghosts in the popular metaverse game in Decentraland, a leading next-generation Web3 gaming platform. (The game will be accessible through September via www.ghostsmetaverse.com.) Activated and developed in collaboration with Web3 marketing agency CreativeDepartmint, the experience takes fans and their self-designed avatars on an immersive journey through the show's haunted Woodstone Mansion to solve puzzles, undertake quests and earn limited edition, collectible NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), all in celebration of Ghosts, TV's #1 new series and #1 comedy on Paramount+, which returns for its sophomore season this fall.

Ghosts's Woodstone Mansion was meticulously created to mirror the series' actual sets and features delightful and surprising interactions with the show's main characters, which were voiced by the series' stars. There are more than 10 types of collectibles that fans can earn that will unlock access and future experiences, such as playing a piece of music on a virtual piano or cooking up a dish that will appeal to one of the characters, and much more. Season two of the critically acclaimed #1 new comedy/series and breakout hit Ghosts will premiere Thursday, Sept. 29 in its new time slot at 8:30 PM, ET/PT on CBS. The entire first season is available to stream on demand on Paramount+.


Jo Koy: Live From Seattle

Jo Koy returns to Netflix for his 4th original special, live from the Los Angeles forum. The hour-long comedy special, Jo Koy: Live At The Los Angeles Forum will premiere globally on Netflix September 13, 2022. Returning to Netflix for his fourth original special, Jo Koy takes the stage at the iconic Los Angeles Forum. True to form, Jo gushes about his relationship with his teenage son along with sharing the struggles of living with sleep apnea and more. Directed by: Shannon Hartman; Executive Producers: Jo Koy, Joe Meloche, Michelle Caputo, Shannon Hartman. This special marks Koy's fourth special with Netflix. His previous hour-long specials include Comin' In Hot and Live From Seattle, in addition to his variety special In His Elements.

Rebecca Balding

Actress Rebecca Balding, who starred as Carol David on Soap, has died. She died on July 18 in Park City, Utah, from ovarian cancer. Ms. Balding was 73.

Billy Crystal and Rebecca Balding on Soap

Balding had a recurring role as Carol David in 19 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1980. Carol David is an attorney and mother of Jodie Dallas' (Billy Crystal) child, who leaves Jodie at the altar, then leaves their baby with her mother. The cast included Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, Jimmy Baio, Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Sal Viscuso (1978-1979), Donnelly Rhodes (1978-1981), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Jay Johnson, Ted Wass and Roscoe Lee Browne (1980-1981).

Makin' It - Rebecca Balding

She starred as Corky Crandall on the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom Makin' It. The show was set in Passaic, New Jersey, and was about the daily life of Billy Manucci, a young man who frequented the local disco club, Inferno, at night while working at an ice cream parlor called Tasti-Queen during the day. Corky Crandall was Billy Manucci's (David Naughton) girlfriend. The theme song, sung by David Naughton, reached #5 on the Billboard Top 40 charts in 1979. The cast included Greg Antonacci, Denise Miller, Ellen Travolta, Lou Antonio, Ralph Seymour, Gary Prendergast, Wendy Hoffman, Diane Robin and Jennifer Perito.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Tony Randall Show, I'm a Big Girl Now, Gimme a Break!, Family Ties, Brothers (1985), The Robert Guillaume Show, Free Spirit, Designing Women, Home Improvement and Love Boat: The Next Wave.

Balding starred as reporter Carla Mardigian in the first three episodes of the CBS newspaper drama Lou Grant in 1977. Her character was written out for a different reporter named Billie Newman played by Linda Kelsey. She had a recurring role as Mary McBride in six episodes of the CBS western Paradise from 1989 to 1990.

Alyssa Milano and Rebecca Balding on Charmed

She had a recurring role as Elise Rothman in 22 episodes of The WB fantasy drama Charmed from 2000 to 2006. Elise Rothman is the editor-in-chief of The Bay Mirror newspaper and the boss of Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano). Balding had earlier played Aunt Jackie in a first season episode in 1998.

Some of her television drama guest appearances included The Bionic Woman (2 episodes in 1976), Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch (2 episodes), Supertrain, Insight, Cagney & Lacey, Hotel, Lottery!, Matt Houston (2 episodes), MacGruder and Loud, Trapper John, M.D. (1985), Our House, MacGyver (1987), Bodies of Evidence, University Hospital, 7th Heaven, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1997), Melrose Place (2 episodes) and ER.

Balding starred in the slasher film The Silent Scream (1979) and the monster film The Boogens (1981). Her other film credits included Kiss My Grits (1982) and Yesterday's Dream (2005). Some of her television movie credits included Deadly Game (1977), The Gathering (1977) and The Gathering, Part II (1979).

She is survived by her husband, writer-director James L. Conway, her daughters, Sarah and Kathleen and her grandchildren.

Ms. Balding was a talented and versatile actress. She had nearly 50 television and film credits from 1976 to 2006. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Soap message board. View photos in our galleries.

Jak Knight

We also remember actor, comedian and writer Jak Knight. He recently starred on the Peacock comedy series Bust Down. He was found dead on an embankment in Los Angeles on July 14. His cause of death was determined to be suicide by gunshot. Mr. Knight was only 28.

Bust Down

Knight starred as Jak, a stockroom worker, on the 2022 Peacock comedy series Bust Down. The series follows a group of friends working low-wage jobs at a casino in Gary, Indiana. The cast includes Chris Redd, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, Phi Tran, DomiNque Perry and Freddie Gibbs.

He provided the voice of DeVon and other characters for 28 episodes of the Netflix animated sitcom Big Mouth. He was the voice of Stiles for two episodes of American Dad! in 2021.

Some of his writing credits included black-ish, Immoral Compass, Big Mouth, Bust Down and Pause with Sam Jay. His producing credits included Big Mouth, Bust Down and Pause with Sam Jay.

Mr. Knight was a funny actor and comedian. The news of his death was very shocking and sad. He will be greatly missed.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org .


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, June 30

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Sting" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Calvin and Marty send Courtney on a mission to find out information about Fuse Box’s impressive new rival. Meanwhile, Malcolm attends an event for his creative writing program at USC, where he scores a meeting with a book agent, Lisa (Angelique Cabral).

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Your Own Medicine" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Dave’s disastrous attempt to dunk a basketball, Calvin takes care of his injured neighbor. Also, Gemma befriends a cool mom group while babysitting Daphne.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)

Monday, June 30

  • Don Johnson (Kenan) - Watch Don on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - George appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Christopher Sieber (It's All Relative/Two of a Kind) - Christopher is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Kel Mitchell (Game Shakers/Kenan & Kel) and Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) - Kel and Thomas are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Evan Handler (And Just Like That...) - Evan talks about And Just Like That... on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Hugh Jackman (Human Resources) - Hugh chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere/Nightcap) - Jeff talks about Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
  • Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - NBC's Today has Prompter Wars with Amy in the 10am hour.
  • Kevin Hart (Lil Kev/Die Hart/The Big House/Undeclared) - NBC's Today catches up with Kevin in the 10am hour.
  • Amy Schumer (Life & Beth), Jillian Bell (Bless the Harts/Idiotsitter/Eastbound & Down/Workaholics) and Brianne Howey (Dollface) - NBC's Today catches up with Amy, Jillian and Brianne on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) - Drew is introducing the newest Drew-crew member, Valerie Bertinelli on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings. Plus, Valerie is making a shrimp and veggie cups recipe from her latest cookbook, Indulge.
  • Mario Cantone (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) - Mario talks about Max's And Just Like That... on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Edwin Lee Gibson (The Bear/Unprisoned) - Edwin is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (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)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


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