SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

HBO Max Orders Comedy Series The People v. Gorilla Grodd; Remembering Shelley Fabares of The Donna Reed Show and Coach

HBO Max has given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order for a new half-hour comedy The People v. Gorilla Grodd from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television. The Max Original comedy stars Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, and Superman actors Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. The series also stars Mary Holland, Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Dan Perrault, Andrew Leeds, and Tim Baltz. Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault will serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers with Yacenda set to direct all episodes. James Gunn and Peter Safran also serve as executive producers.

In the series, a superintelligent ape is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. In an eight-part "true" crime docuseries, the Daily Planet's Jimmy Olsen reopens the case, investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis' most famous murder trials.

Actress and singer Shelley Fabares, who starred as Mary Stone in The Donna Reed Show and as Christine Armstrong in Coach, has died. She died on August 22 in Los Angeles from complications of pneumonia. Ms. Fabares was 82.

Fabares starred as Mary Stone in the 1958-1966 ABC sitcom The Donna Reed Show. The series starred Donna Reed as the middle-class housewife Donna Stone. Carl Betz co-starred as her husband, pediatrician Dr. Alex Stone, with Fabares and Paul Petersen as their teenage children, Mary and Jeff. Fabares left the series in season 5 in 1963 to pursue other acting opportunities. She returned seven times as guest star in seasons 6-8. In 1994, she was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award for her role as Mary Stone.

She starred as Dr. Anne Jamison in the 1972-1974 NBC sitcom The Brian Keith Show (titled The Little People during its first season). Brian Keith plays Dr. Sean Jamison, a pediatrician running a free clinic for children in Hawaii. Dr. Anne Jamison works alongside her father. The cast also included Victoria Young, Sean Tyler Hall, Moe Keale, Michael Gray (1972-1973), Steven Hague (1972-1973), Roger Bowen (1973-1974) and Nancy Kulp (1973-1974).

Fabares starred as Jenny Bedford in the 1976-1977 NBC sitcom The Practice. The series stars Danny Thomas as Dr. Jules Bedford. Dr. David Bedford (David Spielberg) is his son. Jenny is David's wife. They are the parents of two young boys, Paul and Tony. The cast inclded Dena Dietrich, Didi Conn, Allen Price, Damon Raskin, John Byner (season 1), Sam Laws and Mike Evans (season 2).

She starred as Helen Blacke in the short-lived 1979 NBC sitcom Highcliffe Manor. Helen Blacke is the owner of the mansion that was home to the Blacke Foundation, a scientific research institute with a houseful of sinister characters. It also starred Stephen McHattie, Eugenie Ross-Leming, Gerald Gordon, Audrey Landers, Jenny O'Hara, Christian Marlowe, David Byrd, Luis Avalos, Ernie Hudson and Harold Sakata.

Fabares appeared as Francine Webster in 38 episodes of the CBS sitcom One Day at a Time from 1978 to 1974. Francine Webster is Ann Romano's (Bonnie Franklin) rival co-worker who eventually becomes her advertising business partner. She first guest starred in a season 3 episode in 1978. She had a recurring role in season 7 before becoming a series regular in seasons 8 and 9.

She starred as Christine Armstrong in the 1989-1997 ABC sitcom Coach. The series, created by Barry Kemp, stars Craig T. Nelson as Hayden Fox, head coach of the fictional NCAA Division I-A Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles football team. Christine Armstrong is a sharp, successful television news anchor. She is Hayden's girlfriend and later wife. For her work, Fabares was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1993 and 1994. The cast also included Jerry Van Dyke, Bill Fagerbakke, Kenneth Kimmins, Clare Carey (1989-1993), Kris Kamm (1989-1991), Katherine Helmond (1995-1997), and Georgia Engel (1991-1997).

In 1977, she had a regular role as Eleanor Major in 37 episodes of the syndicated soap opera Forever Fernwood. Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (1968), Love, American Style (3 episodes), Hello, Larry (3 episodes), Mork & Mindy (3 episodes), The Love Boat (4 episodes), Newhart and A Whole New Ballgame.

She appeared as Moselle Corey in 15 episodes of Walt Disney Presents: Annette in 1958. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Loretta Young Show (2 episodes), Mr. Novak (2 episodes), The Twilight Zone, Daniel Boone, Lancer, Mannix, McCloud, Police Story, Ironside, The Rockford Files, The Rookies, Medical Story, Medical Center, Barnaby Jones (1975), Marcus Welby, M.D. (1976), Vega$, The Incredible Hulk, Fantasy Island (5 episodes), Matt Houston and Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes). She voiced the role of Martha Kent on Superman: The Animated Series from 1996 to 2000.

In 1962, her recording of "Johnny Angel" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It sold over one million copies and was certified gold.

Her film roles included playing the leading lady to Elvis Presley in Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966) and Clambake (1967). She starred as Ellie Walker in the 1983 CBS television film Memorial Day with Mike Farrell (who would later become her husband in 1984).

Ms. Fabares was a talented actress and singer. She was funny and memorable as Mary Stone and Christine Armstrong. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment from her many television roles. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember actor Jon Cypher. He starred as General Marcus C. Craig in Major Dad. He died at his home in Central Point, Oregon, on August 3. Mr. Cypher was 94.

Cypher starred as General Marcus C. Craig in 69 episodes (seasons 2-4) of the CBS sitcom Major Dad from 1990 to 1993. The series starred Gerald McRaney as Major John D. MacGillis and Shanna Reed as his wife Polly. At the beginning of the second season, the MacGillis family moves to Camp Hollister (based on Marine Corps Base Quantico). Brigadier General Marcus C. Craig is the spirited and commanding head of Camp Hollister. The cast included Marisa Ryan, Nicole Dubuc, Chelsea Hertford, Matt Mulhern, Marlon Archey (season 1), Whitney Kershaw (season 1) and Beverly Archer (seasons 2-4).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Nanny and the Professor, The Doris Day Show (2 episodes), The Love Boat, House Calls, Brothers (1987), Duet, Open House, The Hogan Family and Love & War.

Cypher was best known for his role as Chief Police Fletcher Daniels in the 1981-1987 NBC police drama Hill Street Blues. In 1962, he appeared as Driscoll in 162 episodes of the NBC daytime soap opera Our Five Daughters. He appeared as Max Van Stadt in 24 episodes of General Hospital in 1981. He had a recurring role as Jeff Munson in 12 episodes of the CBS primetime soap opera Knots Landing from 1982 and 1983. He had a recurring role as Dirk E. Maurier in 10 episodes ABC primetime soap opera Dynasty from 1983 to 1987. He played Dr. Arthur Donnelly in 57 episodes of Santa Barbara from 1988 to 1989.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Flipper, McMillan & Wife, Mission: Impossible, Bonanza, Mannix (2 episodes), Cannon, The F.B.I., The Rookies, Marcus Welby, M.D. (4 episodes), Barnaby Jones, Bronk, Police Woman, The Rockford Files (2 episodes), The Greatest American Hero (1982), Trapper John, M.D. (2 episodes), Dallas (1982), Knight Rider, Hotel, Hunter, Tour of Duty (2 episodes), Murder, She Wrote (3 episodes), The Commish, Law & Order (2 episodes), The Invaders (2 episodes), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, JAG, Rescue 77 (2 episodes) and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Mr. Cypher was a talented and versatile actor. He had nearly 100 total acting credits spanning a prolific half-century television career. We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

Actor Michael DeLano had a recurring role as Johnny Venture in Rhoda. He died on October 20, 2025, from a heart attack at a Las Vegas hospital. Mr. DeLano was 84.

DeLano had a recurring role as Johnny Venture in 11 episodes of the CBS sitcom Rhoda from 1976 to 1978. Johnny Venture is a Las Vegas-based lounge singer who becomes an occasional suitor/friend whom Rhoda (Valerie Harper) begrudgingly tolerates.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Soap, Detective School, Taxi, Angie, The Jeffersons, Checking In, Gimme a Break!, Private Benjamin, Down to Earth (3 episodes), Perfect Strangers and Out of This World.

He starred as Sonny Caputo in the short-lived 1974 ABC drama/adventure Firehouse. Some of his other television guest appearances included Adam-12, Banacek, Barnaby Jones, McCloud, Kojak (3 episodes), Bronk, The Rockford Files (1977), Quincy, M.E. (1978), Wonder Woman Starsky and Hutch (2 episodes), Supertrain (5 episodes), Charlie's Angels, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Flamingo Road (4 episodes), The Fall Guy (2 episodes), Magnum, P.I. (3 episodes), Hardcastle and McCormick, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, The A-Team (3 episodes), Hill Street Blues (3 episodes), The New Mike Hammer (2 episodes), Hunter (2 episodes), Hardball (2 episodes in 1989-1990), Chicago Hope, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2 episodes) and Royal Pains (2 episodes).

Mr. DeLano was best known for portraying the casino manager in the films Ocean's Eleven (2001) and Ocean's Twelve (2004). He was a familiar face with over 80 television and film credits. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Coach, Donna Reed Show, HBO Max, Major Dad, Obits, One Day at a Time, Rhoda, The People v. Gorilla Grodd