Monday, February 06, 2023
Netflix Renews That '90s Show for Season 2; Remembering Charles Kimbrough of Murphy Brown
Netflix announced a 16-episode season two order for hit comedy series That '90s Show. Season one premiered on January 19, 2023 and immediately reached Netflix's Top 10 English TV list in 35 countries, with more than 41 million hours viewed. It's 1995 and Leia Forman is desperate for some adventure in her life or at least a best friend who isn't her dad. When she arrives in Point Place to visit her grandparents, Red and Kitty, Leia finds what she's looking for right next door when she meets the dynamic and rebellious Gwen. With the help of Gwen's friends, including her lovable brother Nate, his smart, laser-focused girlfriend Nikki, the sarcastic and insightful Ozzie, and the charming Jay, Leia realizes adventure could happen there just like it did for her parents all those years ago. Excited to reinvent herself, she convinces her parents to let her stay for the summer. With a basement full of teens again, Kitty is happy the Forman house is now a home for a new generation and Red is, well...Red.
That '90s Show stars Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Donovan, Reyn Doi, and Sam Morelos. Also returning to Point Place are creators Bonnie and Terry Turner - this time with their daughter Lindsey Turner - showrunner/executive producer Gregg Mettler, and executive producers Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner. Joining the show are executive producers Jessica Goldstein, Chrissy Pietrosh and Mandy Summers.
Actor Charles Kimbrough, who was best known for his role as the straight-faced anchorman Jim Dial on Murphy Brown, has died. He died in Culver City, California, on January 11. Mr. Kimbrough was 86.
Kimbrough starred as Jim Dial on the 1988-1998 CBS sitcom Murphy Brown. Jim Dial is the trustworthy veteran news anchor for FYI, a fictional CBS television newsmagazine. He affectionately addresses Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) as "Slugger" and reminisces about the glory days of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. In 1990, his performance in the role earned him a nomination for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series". The cast included Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto, Grant Shaud (1988-1996), Pat Corley (1988-1996), Robert Pastorelli (1988-1994), Ritch Brinkley (1988-1997), John Hostetter and Lily Tomlin (1996-1998).
In 2018, he returned to play Jim Dial in three episodes of the 2018-2019 CBS Murphy Brown revival series. Jim Dial is now in his 80s, widowed and retired. He acts as an informal mentor to the Murphy in the Morning gang.
He provided the voice of Dr. Ficus in a 1992 episode of Dinosaurs. He guest starred as Rich in a 1998 episode of Love Boat: The Next Wave. Some of his other television guest appearances included Another World, Kojak (3 episodes), Great Performances (3 episodes), All My Children, Tales of the Unexpected, American Playhouse (2 episodes), Spenser: For Hire (2 episodes), Hothouse and Ally McBeal.
Kimbrough was also known for his voice work. He was the voice of Victor, the most mature gargoyle in Disney's 1996 animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a role he reprised in its direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002), and the video game, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. He provided the voice of Jim Dial for a 2000 episode of Family Guy. Some of his other voice credits included Mighty Max, Pinky and the Brain, Hercules, Recess, The Angry Beavers, Batman Beyond and The Zeta Project.
In 1971, he was nominated for a Tony for best featured actor in a musical as Harry in Stephen Sondheim's Company. In 1984, he performed in the original Broadway cast of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George.
He starred as Mr. Donolly in the 2001 romantic comedy film The Wedding Planner, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. Some of his other film credits included The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979), It's My Turn (1980) and Switching Channels (1988).
Survivors include his son, John Kimbrough, his sister, Linda Kimbrough, and a stepdaughter, Holly Howland. He was married to actress Beth Howland (Vera on Alice) from 2002 until her death in 2015.
Mr. Kimbrough did a fine job portraying the stuffy anchorman Jim Dial for ten seasons on Murphy Brown. It was great to see him return for the multi-episode arc on the revival series. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.
Share your memories on our Murphy Brown message board. View photos in our galleries.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, April 26
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 22)
Friday, April 26
- Ernie Hudson (Grace and Frankie/The Last Precinct/Highcliffe Manor) - Ernie and Bill Murray are guests on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers) - Steve appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Jerrod Carmichael (The Carmichael Show) - Jerrod is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever/Final Space) - Fred sits in with The 8G Band on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Retta (Parks and Recreation) - Retta talks about HGTV's Ugliest House in America on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Janet Jackson (Diff'rent Strokes/Good Times) - Drew and Ross are surprised by Janet whose telling them all about her new tour, some of her most iconic moments and fashion looks and more on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jessica Capshaw (Odd Man Out) and Camilla Luddington (Californication) - Jessica and Camilla are guests on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
New on DVD/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)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
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