Monday, July 31, 2023

FX Shifts Murder Mystery Series to November; Remembering Inga Swenson of Benson

A Murder at the End of the World

FX's A Murder at the End of the World, a murder mystery limited series set at the remote and isolated compound of a reclusive billionaire, is shifting its Hulu-exclusive premiere to November.

The seven-episode limited series, previously set to premiere on August 29, stars Emma Corrin as the amateur sleuth "Darby Hart."

A Murder at the End of the World is a mystery series with a new kind of detective at the helm - a Gen Z amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker named "Darby Hart" (Emma Corrin). Darby and eight other guests are invited by a reclusive billionaire (Clive Owen) to participate in a retreat at a remote and dazzling location. When one of the other guests is found dead, Darby must use all of her skills to prove it was murder against a tide of competing interests and before the killer takes another life.

A Murder at the End of the World stars Emma Corrin, Clive Owen, Harris Dickinson, Brit Marling, Alice Braga, Joan Chen, Raúl Esparza, Jermaine Fowler, Ryan J. Haddad, Pegah Ferydoni, Javed Khan, Louis Cancelmi, Edoardo Ballerini, Britian Seibert, Christopher Gurr, Kellan Tetlow, Daniel Olson and Neal Huff.


Inga Swenson

Actress Inga Swenson, who starred as Gretchen Kraus on Benson, has died. She died in Los Angeles on July 23. Ms. Swenson was 90.

Diana Canova and Inga Swenson on Soap

Swenson guest starred as Ingrid Svenson in eight episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1979. Ingrid Svenson is Corinne Tate's (Diana Canova) Swedish biological mother, who was the former maid of Jessica (Katherine Helmond) and Mary's (Cathryn Damon) parents, and who was in love with Jessica and Mary's brother, Randolph Gatling (Bernard Fox). She attempts to carry out revenge upon the Tate/Campbell family for opposing her romance with Randolph. She was cast on the spinoff series Benson after her multi-episode stint.

Benson

She starred as Gretchen Kraus on the 1979-1986 ABC sitcom Benson. Gretchen Kraus is the autocratic and acerbic German cook. She is a fiercely proud German immigrant, who is often at odds with Benson (Robert Guillaume) and trades insults with him. A running gag in the series was whenever she would walk out of the room, under his breath, Benson would cast one last barb toward Kraus, to which she shouted from off-stage, "I He-e-e-ear You-u-u-u!". She later became Benson's secretary after Denise left. Swenson's portrayal garnered three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series in 1980, 1982 and 1985. The cast included James Noble, Missy Gold, Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981), Lewis J. Stadlen (1979-1980), René Auberjonois (1980-1986), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Didi Conn (1981-1985), and Billie Bird (1984-1986).

Swenson had a recurring role as Connie Stratford in five episodes of the CBS sitcom Doctor, Doctor from 1990 to 1991. She is the mother to Mike (Matt Frewer) and Richard (Tony Carreiro), and wife to Harold (Dakin Matthews). An excellent nurse, Connie longs to return to her profession, even to the point where she works briefly with Mike as his nurse.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Highcliffe Manor (unaired episode), Newhart, and The Golden Girls. She provided the voice of Grandma Helga for two episodes of Life with Louie in 1997-1998.

Swenson appeared as northern matriarch Maude Hazard in the mini-series North and South in 1985 and again in North and South: Book II in 1986. Some of her television guest appearances included Goodyear Playhouse, The United States Steel Hour (2 episodes), Playhouse 90 (2 episodes), The Defenders, Dr. Kildare, The Doctors and the Nurses, Bonanza (2 episodes), Medical Center (2 episodes), Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1973), Griff, The Rookies, Sara (1976), Barnaby Jones (2 episodes), Vega$, and Hotel.

She starred as Kate Keller, the mother of Helen Keller, in The Miracle Worker (1962). Some of her other film credits included Advise & Consent (1962), Lipstick (1976), The Betsy (1978), and The Mountain Men (1980).

Swenson appeared in multiple Broadway productions and was nominated twice for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances as Lizzie Curry in 110 in the Shade and Irene Adler in Baker Street.

Ms. Swenson was funny and memorable as Gretchen Kraus on Benson. Her work on the series earned her three Emmy nominations. We thank her for laughs and the entertainment she brought us. She will be deeply missed.

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

Alan Arkin

We also remember Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin. He starred as Norman Newlander on the Netflix comedy-drama series The Kominsky Method. He died at home in San Marcos, California, on June 29. His death was attributed to heart problems, of which he had a history. Mr. Arkin was 89.

Harry

Arkin starred as Harry Porschak on the short-lived 1987 ABC sitcom Harry. Harry Porschak is a wheeler-dealer supply clerk at County General Hospital. The series also starred Richard Lewis, Matt Craven, Barbara Dana, Holland Taylor, Kurt Knudson and Thom Bray.

Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas in The Kominsky Method

He starred as Norman Newlander on the first two seasons (2018-2019) of the Netflix comedy-drama series The Kominsky Method. The Kominsky Method follows Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas), an actor who years ago had a brief fling with success and is now a revered Hollywood acting coach. Norman Newlander is Sandy's agent and friend. Arkin earned two consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Debra Messing and Alan Arkin in Will & Grace

Arkin played Martin Adler, Grace's (Debra Messing) father, in a 2005 episode of Will & Grace. Robert Klein later took over the role. He guest starred as Grandpa in a 1977 episode of Busting Loose, which starred his son Adam Arkin. He provided the voice of J. D. Salinger for four episodes of BoJack Horseman from 2015 to 2016.

He starred as Judge Joe Rifkind on the 2001-2002 A&E legal drama 100 Centre Street. Some of his television guest appearances included East Side/West Side, Sesame Street (5 episodes), St. Elsewhere, and Chicago Hope.

Arkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as foul-mouthed grandfather Edwin Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Some of his other film credits included The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966), Wait Until Dark (1967), The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968), Popi (1969), Catch-22 (1970), The In-Laws (1979), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001), Sunshine Cleaning (2007), Get Smart (2008), and Argo (2012).

Mr. Arkin received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Emmy Awards. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.

Paxton Whitehead

English actor Paxton Whitehead starred as Albert Dudley on Marblehead Manor and had recurring roles on Ellen and Mad About You. He died on June 16 from complications of a fall at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Whitehead was 85.

Marblehead Manor

Whitehead starred as Albert Dudley on the 1987-1988 first-run syndicated sitcom Marblehead Manor. The series concerned the goings on at the estate of the wealthy, eccentric Randolf Stonehill (Bob Fraser), heir to a corn oil fortune, and involved long-suffering butler and head of the household staff Albert, who'd known Randolf when they were children; groundskeeper Rick (Michael Richards) who had eyes for maid Lupe (Dyana Ortelli); chauffeur Jerry (Phil Morris); handyman Dwayne (Rodney Scott); and Randolf's materialistic, yet good-hearted wife Hillary (Linda Thorson). Rounding out the cast was Lupe's mischievous son Elvis (Humberto Ortiz).

He starred as Duke Stone on the 1995-1996 The WB sitcom Simon. Duke Stone is Vintage Television's eccentric owner. The series also starred Harland Williams, Jason Bateman, Andrea Bendewald, Patrick Breen and David Byrd.

Judy Geeson and Paxton Whitehead in Mad About You

Whitehead had a recurring role as Hal Conway, Maggie Conway's (Judy Geeson) first and third husband and a British neighbor across the hall, on nine episodes of Mad About You from 1992 to 1999. He played Dr. Whitcomb in three episodes of Ellen from 1995 to 1996. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Brothers (1985), Silver Spoons, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Baby Boom, The Nutt House, Almost Home, Dinosaurs (3 episodes), Caroline in the City, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Frasier, Friends (2 episodes as Mr. Waltham), and The Drew Carey Show.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Magnum, P.I., Hart to Hart (2 episodes), The A-Team (1986), Murder, She Wrote (1989), Law & Order, Early Edition, The West Wing (2 episodes), and Desperate Housewives.

Whitehead starred as Dr. Phillip Barbay in Back to School (1986). He starred as Uncle Millard in Kate & Leopold (2001). He was nominated for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for his performance as Pellinore in the 1980 revival of Camelot.

Mr. Whitehead was a talented and versatile character actor. He was a familiar face on many sitcoms in the 1990s. He will be sorely missed.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, September 15

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Pickleball" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The new neighbors who moved into Miss Kim’s old house are keeping the Butlers and Johnsons up all night. Meanwhile, Courtney tells Marty she is going on a date.

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Pickle" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Johnsons and Butlers are curious about their new neighbors’ lifestyle and their interest raises some surprising questions. Also, Marty feels pressure to enroll Daphne in the best preschool.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 15)

Monday, September 15

  • Frank Grillo (Battery Park) - Watch Frank on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Keegan-Michael Key (Schmigadoon!/Friends from College/Playing House/Gary Unmarried) - Keegan-Michael appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Zach Cherry (Duncanville/I Feel Bad/Crashing) and Pete Holmes (How We Roll/Crashing) - Zach and Pete are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Jennifer Aniston (Friends/Muddling Through/Ferris Bueller/Molloy) - Jennifer and Reese Witherspoon talk about The Morning Show on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest/Bless the Harts/Enlisted) - NBC's Today catches up with Michelle in the 10am hour.
  • Josh Gad (Wolf Like Me/Avenue 5/The Comedians/1600 Penn/Back to You) - Josh talks about his latest movie Adulthood on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Queen Latifah (Living Single) - Queen Latifah is getting real with Drew about women's health on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
  • Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Sarah appears on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Lacey Chabert (Still the King/Baby Daddy/Family Guy) - Lacey is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am.
  • Persia White (Girlfriends) - Persia appears on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.


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)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (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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