SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Agrees to Purchase Roku; Mickey Mouse Set to Star in Home Alone Remake

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing of another media merger, (unfortunately) more deaths of classic TV icons we all love, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The media mergers just never end, and now Fox says it is buying Roku. (NPR)
• Disney is bringing us some more "synergy" from their acquisition of 20th Century Fox, as they're preparing for a Home Alone redo of sorts starring Mickey Mouse. (Deadline)
• Iconic director James Burrows, who worked on TV series from The Mary Tyler Moore Show all the way up through the recent Netflix series Mid-Century Modern, has died at 85. (Variety)
• Anne Schedeen, known for her role of playing Kate Tanner on ALF, has died at 77. (People)
• We've got details on Jimmy Kimmel's summer guest hosts. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: ALF, Fox, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mid-Century Modern, Not Suitable for Work, Roku, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Bear

FX's Adults Gets Prequel Episode; Remembering Anne Schedeen of ALF and Ronnie Schell of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Ahead of its second season, FX's Adults surprised a sold-out crowd at Tribeca Festival with the screening of a special prequel episode that introduces the lovable friend group and reveals Paul Baker's origin story. Written by series creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw and directed by Jonathan Krisel, the special episode entitled "Marathon Day" will be available for fans everywhere on Friday, July 31 on FXX and Hulu at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. The full prequel episode will also be available beginning July 31 for a limited sneak peek on Hulu's YouTube channel and FX's TikTok and Instagram channels.

FX's Adults returns for its highly-anticipated second season on Thursday, August 27 on FXX and Hulu beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The full eight-episode second season of the ensemble comedy will be available on FXX on-demand and Hulu at premiere, while two episodes will premiere each week on FXX. The series will also be available on Disney+ internationally.

FX's Adults is an ensemble comedy series about a group of twenty-somethings in New York leaning on each other to navigate love, work, friendship and family. Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), Issa (Amita Rao) and Anton (Owen Thiele) are five friends crashing together in Samir's childhood home. Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, the show puts a generational lens on the wins, losses and humiliations of being in your twenties.

Actress Anne Schedeen, who starred as Kate Tanner in ALF, has died. Her family announced the news with a heartfelt tribute on her Facebook page. The date and cause of death haven't been released. Ms. Schedeen was 77.

Schedeen had a recurring role as Linda, Jack Tripper's (John Ritter) girlfriend, in three episodes of the ABC sitcom Three's Company from 1978 to 1979. She appeared as Lisa Page, Jack's date, in a 1981 episode and as bank manager Louise Prescott in a 1982 episode. Some of her other early sitcom guest appearances included Semi-Tough, Cheers, and E/R (1984).

She starred as Kate Tanner in the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. The titular character, ALF, an acronym for "Alien Life Form", but whose real name is Gordon Shumway, crash-lands in the garage of the suburban California middle-class Tanner family. Kate Tanner is the mother of the Tanner family. ALF was performed by puppeteer Paul Fusco, who co-created the show with Tom Patchett. The series also starred Max Wright, Andrea Elson, and Benji Gregory. Supporting cast members included Liz Sheridan, John LaMotta, Anne Meara (1987), Bill Daily (1987-1989), Josh Blake (1988-1989), and JM (Jim) J. Bullock (1989-1990).

Scheeden had a recurring role as Sandy Porter, Dr. Marcus Welby's (Robert Young) daughter, in 12 episodes of the ABC medical drama Marcus Welby, M.D. from 1974 to 1976. She starred as Sara Frank in the short-lived 1984 ABC primetime soap opera Paper Dolls. Sara Frank is Blair's (Mimi Rogers) friend. She is a sensible lawyer, who is involved with Mark Bailey (Roscoe Born in a recurring role), a reporter doing a story on the fashion industry. In 2001, she had a recurring role as Det. Peggy Fraser in three episodes of the the CBS legal drama Judging Amy.

Some of her other television guest appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man, Get Christie Love!, Ironside, Lucas Tanner, McCloud, Three for the Road, The Bionic Woman, Emergency! (6 episodes), Lanigan's Rabbi, Kingston: Confidential, Family (2 episodes), Switch (2 episodes), Baretta, Project U.F.O., Friends (2 episodes of the 1979 comedy-drama), The Incredible Hulk, Simon & Simon (2 episodes), Magnum, P.I. (1986), and Murder, She Wrote.

Ms. Schedeen was a talented and versatile actress. She was funny and memorable as Kate Tanner in ALF. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment. She will be deeply missed.

Actor and stand-up comedian Ronnie Schell, who starred as Duke Slater in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., has died. He died at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, on June 12. Mr. Schell was 94.

Schell starred as Duke Slater in the CBS sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., which aired from 1964 to 1970. Pvt. Gilbert "Duke" Slater is Gomer Pyle's (Jim Nabors) friend and platoon-mate. Schell left the show in the fourth season to star in the short-lived sitcom Good Morning World but returned in the final season as the corporal of Gomer's platoon. The cast included Frank Sutton, Roy Stuart (1965-1968), Ted Bessell (1965-1966), Barbara Stuart, William Christopher (1965-1968), Forrest Compton, Allan Melvin (1965-1969), Tommy Leonetti (1964-1965), Larry Hobis (1964-1965), and Elizabeth MacRae (1967-1969).

He starred as Larry Clarke in the 1967-1968 CBS sitcom Good Morning World. The series starred Joby Baker and Schell as Dave Lewis and Larry Clarke, morning drive time disc jockeys and hosts of the eponymous Lewis and Clarke Show on a small AM radio station in Los Angeles. The cast included Billy De Wolfe, Julie Parrish, and Goldie Hawn in her first professional role.

Schell starred as Lester Luster in the second and third seasons (1984-1985) of the WTBS sitcom Down to Earth. Lester Luster is the very concerned but comical heavenly boss and overseer of Ethel MacDoogan (Carol Mansell), a 1925 flapper who dies and spends sixty years in limbo before returning to 1980s Atlanta as an angel to help the Preston family.

He appeared as Harvey Peck, one of Ann's (Marlo Thomas) agents at the Gilliam and Norris Theatrical Agency, in two episodes of the first season of That Girl in 1966. He played Bob Howard in a season five episode. Some of his other 1960s and 1970s sitcom guest appearances included Valentine's Day, The Patty Duke Show (3 episodes), The Andy Griffith Show (2 episodes), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Arnie, The New Dick Van Dyke Show (2 episodes), Here We Go Again, Temperatures Rising, The Girl with Something Extra, Diana, Lotsa Luck!, Happy Days (2 episodes), Karen (1975), Sanford and Son, The Practice (1977), One Day at a Time, Mork & Mindy (2 episodes), and Alice (2 episodes).

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Too Close for Comfort, Madame's Place (1982), New Love, American Style (1986), Sledge Hammer!, 1st & Ten (2 episodes), She's the Sheriff, Mr. Belvedere, The New Gidget, Saved by the Bell, Empty Nest, 227, The Golden Girls, Out of This World, Good & Evil, Coach (2 episodes), Step by Step, The Wayans Bros., Yes, Dear, Phil of the Future, Jessie, and Retired at 35.

Schell played various roles in four episodes of Adam-12 and four episodes of Emergency! from 1973 to 1976. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Little People (2 episodes), Charlie's Angels, Strike Force, Trapper John, M.D. (2 episodes), and Santa Barbara (19 episodes).

He was also known for his voice work. Some of his voice credits included Goober and the Ghost Chasers, Peter Puck, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (3 episodes), Fred Flintstone and Friends, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Battle of the Planets, and Shirt Tales. He was the voice of robotic plant engineer Rudy-2 in Jetsons: The Movie (1990).

Mr. Schell was the last surviving main cast member of the popular Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. sitcom. He did a great job portraying the amiable Duke Slater. We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actress Margaret Kerry. She starred as Sharon Ruggles in The Ruggles. She died from lung cancer in Wilmington, North Carolina, on June 11. Ms. Kerry was 97.

Kerry starred as Sharon Ruggles in the 1949-1952 ABC sitcom The Ruggles. The star of the series is comedian Charlie Ruggles, playing a character with the same name. His wife, Margaret Ruggles, was played in the first season by Irene Tedrow, thereafter by Erin O'Brien-Moore. The television family also had four children: college student Sharon Ruggles (Margaret Kerry), high school student Chuck Ruggles (Tom Bernard), and the young twins, Donna and Donald, played by Judy Nugent and Jimmy Hawkins. The show's farewell episode at the end of its three-year run featured Sharon's wedding and honeymoon.

She appeared as Bess Muggins in The Andy Griffith Show episode "Christmas Story" in 1960. She played Helen Scobey in the episode "Andy Forecloses" in 1961.

Kerry provided numerous voices and live-action lead-ins for The New Three Stooges (1965) and Space Angel (1962-1964) animated series for Cambria Productions.

Her first role was as a fairy in the 1935 film A Midsummer Night's Dream. She starred as Marjorie Parker in If You Knew Susie (1948).

Ms. Kerry was best known for her work as a model for Walt Disney Pictures, where she served as the inspiration for the Peter Pan character of Tinker Bell, which she also pantomimed. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be sorely missed.

English actor Anthony Head played Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso. He died on June 1 from complications of pneumonia. Mr. Head was 72.

Head appeared as Rupert Mannion in 18 episodes of the Apple TV sports comedy-drama Ted Lasso from 2020 to 2023. Rupert Mannion is Rebecca Welton's (Hannah Waddingham) vindictive, philandering ex-husband. He is the former owner of AFC Richmond, and later the owner of West Ham United. For his role in the third season, he was nominated alongside the rest of the cast for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

He was best known for his role as Rupert Giles in The WB (1997-2001) and UPN (2001-2003) supernatural horror drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Giles, rarely referred to by his first name, is a Watcher and a member of the Watchers' Council, whose job is to train Slayers.

Head guest starred as Dr. Staretski, Ashley Walker's (Suzanne Cryer) professor, in a 1999 episode of Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place. He starred as Uther Pendragon, the father of Prince Arthur, in the BBC fantasy-adventure drama series Merlin from 2008 to 2012.

Mr. Head was a talented and versatile actor with a distinctive baritone voice. We thank him for work on Ted Lasso and his other television roles. He will be greatly missed.

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

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Labels: Adults, ALF, Andy Griffith Show, FX, Gomer Pyle USMC, Good Morning World, Obits, Ted Lasso

Remembering Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H, Valerie Mahaffey of Young Sheldon, and The Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen

Emmy-winning actress Loretta Swit, who starred as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in M*A*S*H, has died. She died from natural causes at her home in New York City on May 30. Ms. Swit was 87.

She starred as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the 1972-1983 CBS sitcom M*A*S*H. Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan is the Regular Army head nurse of the 4077th and begins allied with Major Frank Burns (Larry Linville) against the more civilian doctors of the unit. She is the extremely capable head nurse of the 4077th MASH, the highest-ranking female officer in the unit, and fiercely protective of the women under her command.

Swit was one of only four cast members to stay for all 11 seasons of the show, from 1972 to 1983 (the others were Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher). She appeared in all but 11 of the total of 256 episodes. She won two Emmy Awards in 1980 and 1982 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series for the role. She was nominated for every season of the series except season one. In 1983, she won People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Performer. She appeared in the 1991 CBS retrospective special Memories of M*A*S*H. In 2002, she appeared in the M*A*S*H: 30th Anniversary Reunion on Fox.

She played the role of Christine Cagney in the 1981 CBS movie pilot for the television series Cagney & Lacey. She was forced to decline the role in the series when the producers of M*A*S*H refused to let her out of her contract. The role was played Meg Ryan in the six first season episodes before she was replaced by Sharon Gless in the second season.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style (2 episodes), Good Heavens, and The Love Boat (5 episodes). She appeared in four episodes of Hawaii Five-O from 1969 to 1972. Some of her other television guest appearances included Mannix, Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke (3 episodes), Bonanza, Ironside, Petrocelli, Murder, She Wrote (1994), Burke's Law, and Diagnosis: Murder. She hosted Those Incredible Animals on the Discovery Channel for 26 episodes from 1992 to 1994.

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on May 10, 2005.

Ms. Swit did a wonderful job portraying Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan for 11 seasons on M*A*S*H. She could do both comedy and drama well. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment that she brought us during her career. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our M*A*S*H message board. View photos in our galleries.

MeTV will remember Loretta Swit this week with special episodes featuring Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan. Watch M*A*S*H weeknights from 6pm-8pm ET and Sundays at 7pm ET.

June 2
7pm: S5E6- "The Nurses" (OAD: October 19, 1976)
7:30pm: S5E3- "Margaret's Engagement" (OAD: September 28, 1976)

June 3
7pm: S6E13- "Comrades in Arms: Part 1" (OAD: December 6, 1977)
7:30pm: S6E14- "Comrades in Arms: Part 2" (OAD: December 13, 1977)

June 4
7pm: S5E1&E2- "Bug Out" (OAD: September 21, 1976)

June 5
7pm: S5E7- "The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan" (OAD: October 26, 1976)
7:30pm: S10E12- "The Birthday Girls" (OAD: January 11, 1982)

June 6
7pm: S8E2- "Are You Now, Margaret?" (OAD: September 24, 1979)
7:30pm: S7E20- "Hot Lips is Back in Town" (OAD: January 29, 1979)

Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey, who starred as Caitlyn Van Horne in The Powers That Be and who had a recurring role as Victoria MacElroy in Young Sheldon, has died. She died of cancer on May 30 in Los Angeles. Ms. Mahaffey was 71.

Mahaffey began her career starring as Ashley Bennett in the NBC daytime soap opera The Doctors from 1979 to 1981. She was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1980.

She starred as Caitlyn Van Horne in the short-lived 1992-1993 NBC sitcom The Powers That Be. It was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, with Norman Lear as executive producer. At the center of the series is U.S. Senator William Powers (John Forsythe), a parody of the political establishment in Washington, D.C. Margaret (Holland Taylor), the senator's status-hungry wife, treats Charlotte (Elizabeth Berridge), their maid, with comedic disdain. Caitlyn, the senator's daughter, has an eating disorder and is married to Representative Theodore Van Horne (David Hyde Pierce), who is suicidal; their son, Pierce (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is mature beyond his years from having to care for his unbalanced parents. The series also starred Eve Gordon, Peter MacNicol, and Robin Bartlett.

Mahaffey starred as Jennifer Malone in five episodes of the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom Women of the House. The series starred Delta Burke, reprising her role of Suzanne Sugarbaker, who had reconciled with producers of Designing Women after a bitter, highly publicized, off-screen battle. Jennifer Malone, known to her co-workers as "Malone", was a vivacious, naïve housewife who was recently left by her husband, and whose children were tyrants. She works as Suzanne's receptionist. Julie Hagerty played Jennifer Malone in two episodes. The cast included Teri Garr, Patricia Heaton, Lisa Rieffel, Jonathan Banks, Brittany Parkyn, and William Newman.

She had a recurring role as Victoria MacElroy in 14 episodes of the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon in seasons 1-3 from 2017 to 2020. Victoria MacElroy is Sheldon's (Iain Armitage) homeroom and English teacher at Medford High.

Mahaffey had a recurring role as Sandy Cooper in three episodes of Wings from 1993 to 1996. In 2009, she had a recurring role as Dr. Ocean in seven episodes of the Showtime comedy-drama United States of Tara. She had a recurring role as Lorna Harding, Jen Harding's (Christina Applegate) mother-in-law, in nine episodes of the Netflix comedy-drama Dead to Me from 2019 to 2022.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Newhart, Cheers, Seinfeld, Baby Talk, Dream On, Caroline in the City, George & Leo, Love & Money, That's My Bush!, Frasier, Good Morning, Miami (2004), Out of Practice, Crumbs, Better with You, Hannah Montana, Raising Hope, The Exes, Kirstie, Workaholics, Impastor, and The Mindy Project.

She had a recurring role as Eve in five episodes the CBS comedy-drama Northern Exposure from 1991 to 1994. In 1992, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as the chronic hypochondriac Eve.

Mahaffey had a recurring role as Alma Hodge, Orson Hodge's (Kyle MacLachlan) first wife, in eight episodes of the third season (2006-2007) the ABC mystery comedy-drama Desperate Housewives. She had a recurring role as Fran Horowitz in the 2013 TNT medical drama Monday Mornings. From 2013 to 2015, she had a recurring role as Olivia Rice on the Lifetime comedy-drama Devious Maids. She starred as Helen Pergman, Ronald's (Brian Geraghty) mother, in the first season (2020-2021) of the ABC crime drama thriller Big Sky.

Some of her other television credits included Father Dowling Mysteries, Quantum Leap (1990), The Young Riders, L.A. Law, The Client (4 episodes as Ellie Foltrigg), ER (4 episodes as Joi Abbott), Ally McBeal, Judging Amy, The West Wing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Without a Trace, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Private Practice, Boston Legal, Glee (3 episodes as Rose Pillsbury), Grey's Anatomy, Franklin & Bash, Hart of Dixie (3 episodes as Mae Ellen Waterloo), and The Man in the High Castle (3 episodes as Susan), and Echo 3 (3 episodes as Maggie Chesborough).

Ms. Mahaffey was a talented and versatile character actress. She was a familiar face with nearly 100 television and film credits. We thank her for her work on sitcoms and television. She will be sorely missed.

Emmy-winning composer Alf Clausen, who worked on ALF and The Simpsons, has died. He died at his home in Los Angeles on May 29 after a decade-long battle with progressive supernuclear palsy (PSP). Mr. Clausen was 84.

Clausen was the composer for the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. He co-composed the theme music with Tom Kramer. He served as the composer for the ABC comedy-drama Moonlighting from 1985 to 1989, scoring 63 of the 65 episodes.

He was the sole composer for the Fox animated sitcom The Simpsons between 1990 and 2017. He joined the series in the second season and worked until the end of the 28th season. He received two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on The Simpsons, winning the award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics two years in a row in 1997 and 1998.

Some of his other sitcom composing credits included ABC's Dads (1986-1987), ABC's Harry (1987), ABC's/Fox's animated series The Critic (1994-1995), and CBS' Bette (2000-2001). Some of his other television credits included Wizards and Warriors, Fame, and Lime Street.

He provided additional music for several films including The Beastmaster (1982), Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Splash (1984), Weird Science (1985), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Dragnet (1987), and The Naked Gun (1988).

We were fortunate enough to interview him for our blog in 2007 when we reviewed The Simpsons: Testify CD. He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television in 2014 and 2015.

Mr. Clausen scored or orchestrated music for more than 30 films and television shows. With 30 nominations, he received more Emmy nominations to date than any other musician. We thank him for his music on The Simpsons and television. His music made the episodes much better and funnier. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actor Jonathan Joss. He was best known for providing the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill. He was shot to death during an argument with a neighbor in San Antonio on June 1. Mr. Joss was 59.

Joss was the voice of John Redcorn from season 2 to 13 of the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill, replacing the original actor Victor Aaron after Aaron's death in 1996. John Redcorn is a Native American healer who has given Nancy therapeutic massages for her headaches for years. He is invariably addressed or referred to as "John Redcorn" or "Mr. Redcorn" by every character in the series, and is never addressed or referred to simply as "John".

He was also known for his recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate in five episodes of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation from 2011 to 2015. Ken Hotate is the leader of Pawnee's local Wamapoke Native American tribe. He also runs a casino in the city.

Joss guest starred in a 2014 episode of the FXX sitcom The League and a 2014 episode of the ABC sitcom Manhattan Love Story. Some of his other television credits included Walker, Texas Ranger (6 episodes), Charmed, ER, In Plain Sight, Friday Night Lights, Ray Donovan (3 episodes), and Tulsa King (2 episodes).

Mr. Joss was memorable as Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. We thank him for his work on television. He will be missed.

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

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Labels: ALF, Alf Clausen, King of the Hill, M*A*S*H, MeTV, Obits, Parks and Recreation, The Simpsons, Young Sheldon

SitcomsOnline Digest: Simpsons Themed Monday Night Football Alternate Telecast in December; MeTV Planning for Christmas

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're back to a slow news week as election week is upon us, and we know the broadcast networks have that to get through this week, but nonetheless, we have news about a special Monday Night Football telecast, MeTV Christmas plans, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A Simpsons-themed Monday Night Football alternative telecast is coming to Disney+ in December. (Deadline)
• MeTV has a busy schedule ahead for Christmas. (Cord Cutters News)
• Comcast is considering selling off their cable networks to a subsidiary owned by shareholders. (Cord Cutters News)
• For election night coverage this year, there is a new option at Amazon Prime, where Brian Williams will not be left out of this election. (Deadline)
• Peacock has renewed Days of Our Lives for a 61st season. (TVLine)
• Georgie & Mandy's First Wedding has now gotten a full season pickup at CBS. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 2 - NOVEMBER 8)

• Catchy Comedy has an ALF binge this weekend.

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

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Labels: ALF, Amazon Prime, Comcast, Days of Our Lives, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, MeTV, SitcomsOnline Digest

ALF Anniversary Marathon on Shout! TV; HBO Orders Tim Robinson Comedy

Celebrate the 38th anniversary of the beloved television series ALF with a marathon of original broadcast episodes only on WatchALF.com and Shout! TV. Tune in Sunday, September 22 for 6 fan-favorite episodes of America's favorite alien, including some ALF's funniest wisecracks and wildest adventures, and special guest stars including Fran Drescher, Ed McMahon, Joan Embery, Joyce Brothers, and Cleavon Little. As of September 1, all ALF broadcast episodes are available to stream on-demand on Shout! TV. See full programming schedule for the marathon below:

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (TIMES IN PT):
5PM: Help Me Rhonda
5:30PM: Come Fly with Me
6PM: Tonight Tonight Pt 1
6:30PM: Tonight Tonight Pt 2
7PM: ALF’s Special Christmas
8PM: Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades

ALF follows the adventures of Gordon Shumway, a wise-cracking alien from the planet Melmac who crash lands into the garage of the Tanner family. The Tanners offer him a home and give him the nickname ALF, short for "Alien Life Form." Created by Tom Patchett (The Carol Burnett Show) and Paul Fusco (Puppeteer & Voice of ALF), the popular sitcom is a staple of 1980's pop culture and has developed a cult following in the years since.

HBO has picked up the half-hour comedy, The Chair Company, starring, written and executive produced by Tim Robinson and written and executive produced by Zach Kanin. Andrew DeYoung directed and executive produced the pilot. After an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.

In addition to Robinson as William Ronald Trosper, series regulars include Lake Bell (Harley Quinn, Mother Couch) as Barb Trosper, Sophia Lillis (It, I Am Not Okay With This) as Natalie Trosper, Will Price (After the Hunt, A Complete Unknown) as Seth Trosper, Joseph Tudisco (A Brooklyn Love Story, FBI) as Mike Santini. Lou Diamond Phillips (Search Party, Easter Sunday) guest starred in the pilot as Jeff Levjman.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: ALF, HBO, Shout!, The Chair Company

SitcomsOnline Digest: Martin Prequel in the Works; Wendie Malick to Star in Season 3 of Night Court

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got news of a Martin prequel, a new regular on Night Court, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A prequel to the series Martin, in the form of a drama looking at the teenage years of Martin Lawrence, is in the works. (Deadline)
• Wendie Malick is going to be a regular on Night Court next season, in the role of the prosecutor. (TVLine)
• Just when you thought Pat Sajak was gone, it turns out you were wrong, as he'll be back to host another season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC that haven't even been taped yet. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Jean Smart is set to produce a confederate flag drama series for Max. (Deadline)
• Andy Samberg is talking about why he left Saturday Night Live. (Deadline)
• Benji Gregory, who played Brian Tanner on ALF, has died. (Variety)
• A trailer for season 12 of Futurama has been released. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 13 - JULY 19)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Mayberry RFD this weekend.
• Big Brother returns to CBS on Wednesday.
• ABC is back with more game show season premieres on Thursday, with season 6 of Press Your Luck and the premiere of Lucky 13.

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

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Labels: ALF, Futurama, Mayberry RFD, Night Court, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Wheel of Fortune

ABC Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Remembering Doug Sheehan of Day by Day and Clueless and Benji Gregory of ALF

ABC announced premiere dates for the network's action-packed fall, featuring previously announced fan-favorite series, high-octane new dramas and The Bachelor franchise's newest iteration. This news comes on the heels of the network closing out the 2023-2024 season as No. 1 in entertainment among Adults 18-49 for the fifth consecutive season, marking the longest winning streak in over 10 years. Monday Night Football returns for select weeks beginning Sept. 9 (New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers). Then, on Monday, Oct. 7, beloved game shows join the lineup with Pat Sajak's final spin hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune leading into Elizabeth Banks-hosted Press Your Luck.

From Oscar®-nominated writer Drew Goddard and starring Kaitlin Olson, freshman crime procedural High Potential joins ballroom sensation Dancing with the Stars on Tuesdays, kicking off Sept. 17. The Golden Bachelorette makes its debut Wednesday, Sept. 18 with two-hour episodes for the first few weeks, with new leading lady Joan Vassos; and a new season of Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning comedy Abbott Elementary joins the night Oct. 9 at 9:30pm, followed by the ABC News Studios docuseries Scamanda. Then, from executive producer Ryan Murphy and starring Joshua Jackson and Don Johnson, highly anticipated new drama Doctor Odyssey debuts Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9pm, alongside 9-1-1 and the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history, Grey's Anatomy.

A new season of ABC News' 20/20 premieres Friday, Sept. 20, and season 16 of Shark Tank dives into the night starting Oct. 18. America’s Funniest Home Videos celebrates its monumental 35th season beginning Sunday, Sept. 29, before The Wonderful World of Disney world television premiere of the live-action The Little Mermaid. Additional films to debut this season include the world television premieres of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Haunted Mansion, as well as the broadcast premiere of Hocus Pocus 2. Airdates and additional movies to be announced at a later date. As previously announced, new seasons of returning dramas The Rookie and Will Trent will debut midseason (January), along with the celebratory farewell season of legacy comedy The Conners. Also returning midseason are American Idol, The Bachelor, Celebrity Jeopardy! and What Would You Do?, while Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, from executive producer Reese Witherspoon and hosted by world-renowned organizing duo Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit, is also set to debut. These premiere dates will be announced at a later date.

Actor Doug Sheehan, who starred as Brian Harper in Day by Day and as Mel Horowitz in Clueless, has died. He died at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming, on June 29. Mr. Sheehan was 75.

Sheehan starred as Brian Harper in the 1988-1989 NBC sitcom Day by Day. The show centers on Brian and Kate Harper (Linda Kelsey), a married couple with two successful careers (Brian as a stockbroker, Kate as a lawyer) and a teenage son named Ross (Christopher Daniel ("C.B.") Barnes). They open a daycare center in their home. The series also starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Thora Birch.

He starred as Mel Horowitz in the UPN sitcom Clueless for seasons 2 and 3 (1997-1999). Mel Horowitz is Cher Horowitz's (Rachel Blanchard) rich, widowed lawyer. He replaced Michael Lerner, who played Mel Horowitz during the first season (1996-1997), which aired on ABC. The cast included Stacey Dash, Donald Adeosun Faison, Elisa Donovan, Sean Holland, David Lascher (season 1), Twink Caplan (season 1), Wallace Shawn (season 1), Heather Gottlieb (season 1) and Julie Brown.

Sheehan played Edward Spellman, Sabrina Spellman's (Melissa Joan Hart) father, in two episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Alice, Dear John and Style & Substance.

His first major role was as Joe Kelly in the daytime soap opera General Hospital from 1979 to 1982. He was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 1982.

He starred as journalist Ben Gibson in the CBS primetime soap opera Knots Landing from 1983 to 1987. Ben Gibson was the second husband of Valene Ewing (Joan Van Ark).

Some of his other television guest appearances Charlie's Angels (1978), Kaz, MacGyver (1990), Columbo (1993), Promised Land, Diagnosis: Murder, Passions (6 episodes as Mr. Davis) and That Was Then.

Mr. Sheehan was a talented and versatile actor. Day by Day is a funny show with a great cast, which should have had a longer run. It should be available on DVD or streaming. He will be greatly missed.

Actor Benji Gregory, who starred as Brian Tanner in ALF, has died. On June 13, Gregory and his service dog, Hans, were found dead inside a car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. However, news of his death was not publicly disclosed until July 11, when the cause of his death was still under investigation. His sister Rebecca said he had suffered from depression, bipolar disorder and a sleep disorder and said he likely died of a heat stroke after falling asleep in his car. On September 13, 2024, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner revealed that Gregory died of both hepatic cirrhosis, with Gregory being revealed to have had a damaged liver, and heat exposure. The death was ruled accidental. Mr. Gregory was only 46.

He starred as Brian Tanner in the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. The title character, called ALF (an acronym for "Alien Life Form") but whose real name is Gordon Shumway, crash-lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family. Brian Tanner is the middlest son of the Tanner family. He is nicknamed 'B' by the rest of the cast. The cast included Paul Fusco (performed and voiced ALF), Max Wright, Anne Scheeden, Liz Sheridan, John LaMotta, Josh Blake, Anne Meara (1987) and Jim J. Bullock (1989-1990).

Gregory appeared as an orphan named Dash in two episodes of Punky Brewster. The final episode in Season 1, titled "Fenster Hall" (aired March 31, 1985), was a failed attempt to create a spin-off of Punky Brewster.

He played Brian in a 1991 episode of Murphy Brown. Some of his other television guest appearances included The A-Team, T.J. Hooker, Amazing Stories and The Twilight Zone (1985). Some of his voice credits included Pound Puppies, Fantastic Max and Back to the Future: The Animated Series (as Biff Tannen Jr.).

He played Harry Carlson, Jr. in Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986). He supplied the voice of Edgar the Mole in the animated feature Once Upon a Forest (1993), which would be his final acting role.

Mr. Gregory was a good child actor. After leaving the acting industry, he served a stint in the U.S. Navy after graduating from school. He enlisted in 2003 and became an aerographer's mate. During his naval career he was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). In 2005, he received an honorable medical discharge from the Navy. We thank him for his work on television and in films and for his service in the Navy. He will be sorely missed.

We also remember television executive Jamie Kellner. He was a founding president of Fox Broadcasting and founded The WB network. He died from cancer on June 21 in Montecito, California. Mr. Kellner was 74.

Kellner was present at the establishment of the Fox Broadcasting Company and held the position as chairman of 20th Century Fox Television from 1986 to 1993. Among the shows that emerged during his seven years at Fox were The Simpsons, Married... with Children, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000), Melrose Place and In Living Color.

He then spent seven years at the helm of The WB Television Network. He helped launch the new broadcast network in 1994. During his tenure, he began by championing urban sitcoms such as The Wayans Bros., The Parent 'Hood and Sister, Sister, but eventually steered the network in the direction of teen and family-oriented dramas. 7th Heaven, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Dawson's Creek, Felicity and Charmed all premiered during his presidency.

Kellner was made head of Turner Broadcasting System in 2000, officially succeeding Ted Turner in March 2001. He was chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a division of Time Warner which includes TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2003. He was the chairman of station ownership group ACME Communications, a post held from the company's founding until its folding in 2016.

We thank him for the television shows be brought us at Fox, The WB and Turner. He will be missed.

Television producer and screenwriter Jonathan Axelrod worked on Dave's World. He died in Los Angeles on June 13. Mr. Axelrod was 74.

He was executive producer on the 1993-1997 CBS sitcom Dave's World. The series is based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry. The show focuses on the daily trials and tribulations of columnist Dave Barry (Harry Anderson) and his wife, Beth (DeLane Matthews), along with their sons, Tommy (Zane Carney) and Willie (Andrew Ducote).

Some of his other sitcom producing credits included Can't Hurry Love, Brother's Keeper, Movie Stars and Some of My Best Friends. He was one of the writers of the 1972 comedy film Every Little Crook and Nanny.

We thank him for his work on Dave's World and other sitcoms. He will be missed.

Actress Susan Buckner starred as Lucy Davis in When the Whistle Blows. She died on May 2 in Miami, Florida. Ms. Buckner was 72.

Buckner starred as Lucy Davis in the short-lived 1980 ABC sitcom When the Whistle Blows. The series revolves around a group of construction workers – four males (Norm, Buzz, Randy and Hunk) and one female (Lucy) – for the "Tri-State Construction Company" in Los Angeles and their search for fun both on and off the job. It was filmed single-camera style and without a laugh track. The cast included Doug Brown, Philip Brown, Tim Rossovich, Dolph Sweet, Alice Hirson, Gary Allen, Noble Willingham and Sue Ane Langdon.

She appeared as one of The Krofftettes who performed synchronised swimming routines on the 1976-1997 ABC variety show The Brady Bunch Hour.

Buckner played Kim Patterson in a 1979 episode of The Love Boat. Some of her other television guest appearances included Police Woman, Switch, Starsky & Hutch, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (3 episodes) and B.J. and the Bear.

She portrayed high school cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 summer blockbuster Grease, starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. She starred as Vicky Anderson in the 1981 slasher film Deadly Blessing.

Ms. Buckner was crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and in September went on to become a top ten finalist in the Miss America 1972 pageant. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: 9-1-1, Abbott Elementary, ABC, ALF, Clueless, Dancing with the Stars, Day by Day, Grey's Anatomy, Jeopardy, Knots Landing, Obits, Press Your Luck, The Bachelor, The Conners, The Rookie, Wheel of Fortune, Will Trent

Three's Company 40th Anniversary (Since It Ended) DVD Collection; Shout! TV Holiday Episodes

Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection is coming December 22 on DVD from Visual Entertainment Inc.! The series is actually approaching 47 years old now, but it will have ended 40 years ago this spring. All 8 seasons of 172 episodes, plus for the first time on DVD the two-short lived spin-off series The Ropers and Three's a Crowd and over 9 hours of other special bonus features! Three's Company was a groundbreaking comedy series that tripped through a world of slapstick pratfalls and some of the most scandalously titillating comedy America had ever seen. Racy and daring for its time, this breakthrough farce ran for eight seasons on ABC. Forty years after it came to an end, it remains one of the best-loved television series of all time. This complete series set is a celebration of the exploits of Jack, Janet, Chrissy, Larry, Terri, The Ropers, and Mr. Furley and offers fans a chance to relive every episode and continue to laugh for years to come. Starring John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers, Richard Kline, Norman Fell, Audra Lindley, Don Knotts, Jenilee Harrison, and Priscilla Barnes. The bonus features for each season is below:

Season 1
PILOT (UNAIRED)
EPISODE JOHN RITTER: ALWAYS LEAVE THEM LAUGHING
EIGHT YEARS OF LAUGHTER

Season 2
BLOOPER REEL
COMMENTARY: CHRIS MANN DISCUSSES "DAYS OF BEER AND WEEDS"
BEST OF JANET, BEST OF ROPERS, BEST OF CHRISSY

Season 3
PILOT #2 (UNAIRED)
REMEMBERING JOHN RITTER
COMMENTARY: CHRIS MANN DISCUSSES "THE BAKE OFF"
ORIGINAL PROMOS 1,2,3
RICHARD KLINE AND DAVE POWERS INTERVIEWS

Season 4
NANCY RITTER INTERVIEW
DON KNOTTS & RICHARD KLINE INTERVIEW
ANN WEDGEWORTH INTERVIEW
CASTING DON KNOTTS
CASTING SUZANNE SOMERS

Season 5
JENILEE HARRISON INTERVIEW
OF FARCE AND CENSORS
BEST OF JACK, JANET, CINDY, LARRY, MR. FURLEY

Season 6
LAUGHS AROUND THE WORLD
LUCILLE BALL PRESENTS: THE BEST OF THREE'S COMPANY

Season 7
DON KNOTS TRIBUTE
PARLEZ-VOUS THREE'S COMPANY? (FRENCH DUBBED PILOT)
BEST OF JACK, JANET, TERRI, LARRY

Season 8
BLOOPERS
WORKING WITH A MASTER (ACTING WITH JOHN RITTER)
JANET IN SPANISH
BEST OF JACK, JANET, TERRI, LARRY, MR FURLEY

Purchase Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection.

Shout! TV has it all this holiday season. Beginning now, Shout! TV will feature all-holiday programming with a week full of festive frights, throwback delights, visits from Santa Claus, and the MST3K Yule Log! On December 21 (TODAY!), viewers can tune in for #ThrowbackThursday featuring holiday episodes of classic TV like The Beverly Hillbillies, ALF, and The Carol Burnett Show! Then, on Christmas Eve, hold onto your stockings for 'Twas the Fright Before Christmas programming featuring a spooky double feature of Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night: Part 2. Additional programming will include holiday classics like A Christmas Carol, Scrooge, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't, Jack Frost, and many, many more!

Shout!'s family of channels will be decking the halls with festive programming on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on The Carol Burnett Show Channel, Johnny Carson TV, the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Channel, Scream Factory TV, TokuSHOUTsu, and more.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: ALF, Carol Burnett Show, Shout!, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Ropers, Three's a Crowd, Three's Company, VEI

SitcomsOnline Digest: New ALF DVD Set with Unedited Episodes in the Works; First Look at Krapopolis

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about some big TV on DVD news (yes, DVDs!), getting our first preview of Krapopolis, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• DVD releases have been very few and far between in recent years, but Shout! Studios announced one that many classic sitcom fans have been waiting almost two decades for this week: a complete series collection of ALF with (most) unedited episodes and much more. (Media Play News)
• We have a preview trailer for Krapopolis, the new Fox animated series that has already been successful enough to get three seasons before it has even debuted. (TVLine)
• Meanwhile, a cloud of a potential SAG-AFTRA strike looms overhead, and the union is prepared to head that direction as early as next week. (Variety)
• Vanna White got a contract extension and a pay raise for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, but that hasn't happened for her role on the mother series just yet (though this is a positive sign). (Deadline)
• There was a reunion for the 25th anniversary of That '70s Show this week, but one cast member was notably absent from a photo collage of the cast members. (Deadline)
• Max has some animated comedies in the pipeline, and they're not even based upon Chip and Joanna Gaines. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JULY 22 - JULY 28)

• The Flintstones is the Catchy Comedy binge this weekend.
• Futurama, the animated comedy that has now found new life twice, returns for new episodes on Hulu on Monday.
• The CW has the debut of Son of a Critch, as well as a new season of Children Ruin Everything, on Monday.
• Captain Fall, a new animated comedy, debuts Friday on Netflix.

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

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Labels: ALF, Krapopolis, SAG, SitcomsOnline Digest, That '70s Show, Wheel of Fortune

SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Cancels Two Sitcoms; Adult Swim Expanding Again

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about some cancelled NBC comedies, a second (and third) season for a Canadian import to The CW, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• NBC has cancelled Grand Crew and Young Rock, and although no decision has been made yet, American Auto may be gone as well. (TVLine)
• Sullivan's Crossing, one of the many Canadian imports headed to The CW in the fall, has already been renewed for a second and third season. (Deadline)
• Bryan Cranston is planning to retire from acting in a few years, at least temporarily. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Adult Swim used to start every night at 11 PM on Cartoon Network, but that start time has been going earlier and earlier every year. Now, starting in late August, they'll be starting at 6 PM, with a one hour block of classic Cartoon Network series. (Deadline)
• Due to the writers strike, there will be no TCA Summer Tour this year. (Variety)
• Shout! Factory has something special planned for fans of ALF. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 10 - JUNE 16)

• The second season of The Wonder Years debuts Wednesday on ABC.
• On Catchy Comedy this weekend, there is a binge of Taxi.

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

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Labels: Adult Swim, ALF, Grand Crew, SitcomsOnline Digest, Sullivan's Crossing, TCA Summer Tour, The CW, Young Rock

Shout! TV's ALF Reunion; Hulu's This Fool Season Two Premieres July 28

Shout! TV proudly presents ALF on ALF, a hilarious reunion of ALF (Paul Fusco) and series co-creator Tom Patchett. Watch along as ALF provides lively behind-the-scenes commentary with help from series creators Tom Patchett and Paul Fusco. The classic television series with all-new playful commentary will stream on June 24th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST, only on Shout! TV. The special will also feature pop-up ALF facts throughout. Episodes featured with all-new commentary include:

A.L.F. (Pilot)
La Cucaracha (S1E25)
Working My Way Back To You (S2E1)
Some Enchanted Evening (S2E6)

ALF follows the adventures of Gordon Shumway, a wise-cracking alien from the planet Melmac who crash lands into the garage of the Tanner family. The Tanners offer him a home and give him the nickname ALF, short for “Alien Life Form.” Created by Tom Patchett (The Carol Burnett Show) and Paul Fusco (Puppeteer & Voice of ALF), the popular sitcom is a staple of 1980’s pop culture and has developed a cult following in the years since.

The episodes will air on Shout! TV on June 24th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST, with an encore presentation on July 2nd at 8pm EST / 5pm PST. The stream can be viewed on Shout! TV; as well as the Shout! TV app on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and Android; and the following digital streaming platforms – Amazon Freevee, Amazon Prime Channels, Local Now, Plex, Pluto TV, Redbox, The Roku Channel, Roku Premium Subscriptions, Samsung TV Plus, Sling TV, STIRR, Streamium, TCL, Tubi, Twitch, and XUMO.

Hulu's critically-acclaimed comedy This Fool returns with all ten episodes on Friday, July 28th. This Fool is an irreverent, cinematic half-hour comedy set in working class South Central Los Angeles. After Julio's job and love life blew up at the end of last season, this season, new roommates Julio and Luis embark on finding new careers and romances with the help of Minister Payne, Chef Percy and other former Huggers.

The series stars Chris Estrada (“Julio”), Frankie Quinones (“Luis”), Laura Patalano (“Esperanza”), Michelle Ortiz (“Maggie”), Julia Vera (“Maria”) and Michael Imperioli (“Minister Payne”).

This Fool is written and executive produced by Chris Estrada, Pat Bishop, Jake Weisman and Matt Ingebretson. Jonathan Groff and Fred Armisen also serve as executive producers on the series. The Hulu Original comedy series is produced by ABC Signature.

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: ALF, Hulu, Shout!, This Fool

SitcomsOnline Digest: Late Night Talk Prepares for Big Changes in 2023; The X Factor Potentially Returning to the US

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's the last day of 2022, but as we prepare to go into 2023, we have some news for you, including looking ahead at what could be an interesting year for late night talk, the return of a reality competition series, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Late night talk shows will be going through some big changes in 2023, and it's not clear where things will end. (Deadline)
• The X Factor may be returning to the US, but on NBC instead of Fox this time. (TVLine)
• Barbara Walters has died at age 93. (CNN)
• Although Hallmark is likely still the dominant one in the battle right now, a real schism is developing between Great American Family (we think that's what they're called now, at least, as they've changed their name more than once this year) and Hallmark for the battle of Christmas movies. (Deadline)
• Desilu Studios hasn't been a real thing in over 50 years, but that didn't stop a man in California from scamming investors into investing in a fake shell company with that same name. (Deadline)
• We lost several celebrities in 2022, and here is our recap. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 6)

• TruTV is having a marathon of Step by Step this weekend.
• ALF joins the Laff lineup starting Monday.
• It's hard to list them all here (because it's pretty much all of them), but many of the broadcast network series return with new episodes next week.
• It wouldn't be a new year without a Twilight Zone marathon, and you have your choice of two: one on Syfy and the other on Decades.

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

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Labels: ALF, Barbara Walters, Great American Family, Hallmark Channel, SitcomsOnline Digest, Step by Step, The X Factor, Twilight Zone

ALF Coming to Laff Along with Classic TV Marathons on Saturdays; New Year's Eve 2022 and New Year's Day 2023 TV Marathons

ALF is coming to Laff starting next week! ALF will air weekdays at 11am & 11:30am with an encore at 2:00am & 2:30am. ALF was last seen on television on MeTV from 2017-2019. The sitcom joins the weekday sitcom line-up that also has How I Met Your Mother, According to Jim, Home Improvement and That '70s Show. Laff has also announced that Saturday mornings will feature classic sitcom marathons, with The Dick Van Dyke Show scheduled for this Saturday (Dec. 31) from 6am-12pm and The Beverly Hillbillies scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 7 from 6am-11am.

Welcome to a special New Year's style edition of the News Blog! As we end 2022 and start 2023, today we will give you a marathon recap on TV for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, which is the perfect cure for the tripledemic! Some of the major TV stunts including saying farewell to another year and get ready to ring in the new with Antenna TV and "A Benny Hill Show Marathon," including the one-hour special Benny Hill World Tour on Saturday, December 31 starting at 11pm ET. A new year brings new beginnings, so cheers to yours with Antenna TV and a "Fresh Start." This day-long Sunday, January 1 marathon starting at 5am ET features the first episodes of all of Antenna TV's catalog of shows from The Burns and Allen Show to Family Ties.

Sister network Rewind TV is once again doing The Drew Carey Show with the "Straight from Cleveland! Drew Carey's New Year's Eve Party" starting at 8pm on New Year's Eve. Then on New Year's Day, just like Antenna TV, it's the "New Year's Day Fresh Start" marathon starting at 8am with first episodes and other firsts happening which includes everything from Mork & Mindy to Becker! COZI TV welcomes in 2023 with a toast to Columbo as part of their 10th anniversary. Starting at 11 a.m. on New Year's Day tune in to COZI TV as they are offering a special toast to Columbo fans from coast-to-coast this New Year's Day.

Syfy has its 27th annual Twilight Zone New Year's Eve and Day marathon that starts New Year's Eve at 5am continuing through early Jan. 2 in the late night (early Jan 3). WPIX in New York will of course have their annual The Honeymooners marathon starting at 11pm on New Year's Eve through 5pm on New Year's Day (with a break for news from 7am-12pm). Also in New York City, WLNY-TV 55/10 will have a marathon of The Odd Couple once again starting at 10pm on New Year's Eve night through 10pm (a break from 6am-12pm) on New Year's Day for the 11th straight year.

TV One has a New Year's Eve marathon of Sanford & Son starting at 6am through 3am, followed by a New Year's Day marathon of Good Times also from 6am-3am. TV Land will have their regular schedule block on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with multiple shows such as Mike & Molly, Roseanne, Mom, Two and a Half Men and more. FXX will air Family Guy & The Simpsons on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day that ends at 8pn on NYD. Comedy Central begins the year with a The Office marathon from 10am-12am. E! will air drama Las Vegas starting at 6am on New Year's Eve and lasting all weekend. USA Network has a Law & Order: SVU Resolve to Watch New Year's Eve marathon starting at 1pm on New Year's Eve and continuing all day on New Year's Day. Other notable marathons on New Year's include Godzilla movie marathon on Comet on NYD, SVU New Year's Eve/NCIS on New Year's Day on ION, more Twilight Zone on Decades, Columbo on both days on Sundance, Reba & Last Man Standing marathons on UPtv and a Bones marathon on BBC America that begins on New Year's Eve at 6pm.

It won't be the end of the year and the start of the year without ABC's Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022 special on New Year's Eve from 8pm-10pm, followed by its annual special at 10:30pm. NBC and CBS air their own New Year's Eve specials hosted by Miley Cyrus & Dolly Parton and Bobby Bones & Rachel Smith, respectively. CNN rings in the new year with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. Movie wise, AMC, TNT, Freeform and many others will air movies on New Year's Day, while Hallmark Channel continues to air Christmas movies on New Year's Eve. Tune in!

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: According to Jim, ALF, Dick Van Dyke Show, Home Improvement, How I Met Your Mother, LAFF, That '70s Show, The Beverly Hillbillies

black-ish Finale Celebration This Tuesday; Remembering Liz Sheridan of ALF and Seinfeld

Since its debut in 2014, the award-winning ABC hit comedy show black-ish has entertained and educated millions of viewers. The series brought audiences inside the difficult conversations and lived experiences many Black families have in America through the comedic lens of the Johnson family. A new ABC News special profiles the making of the groundbreaking show and explores the profound impact it had on society as it concludes its eighth and final season. The special features interviews with the show's all-star cast, including Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi, Miles Brown, Marcus Scribner, Laurence Fishburne, Jenifer Lewis and Deon Cole - as well as an exclusive look at the final table read and the cast's original audition tapes. black-ish: A Celebration reflects on some of the show's most important episodes, covering topics ranging from Juneteenth to postpartum depression. black-ish stars and guest stars such as Aloe Blacc also discuss their experience working on set, the comedic genius of the show and how they feel about the series ending. Creator and executive producer Kenya Barris and episodic director Eva Longoria talk about the unique chemistry between the cast and crew over years of filming and what they hope will be the legacy of the show. black-ish: A Celebration airs Tuesday, April 19 (9:31-10:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC, next day on Hulu.

The finale airs at 9pm, right before the special. In the finale, as Pops and Ruby prepare to move away, Dre and Bow consider if they should make a big life change as well. Grappling with this idea at work, Dre receives some unexpected advice from Simone Biles, who tells him to follow his heart. The Johnsons prepare for their goodbyes in the series finale.

Actress Liz Sheridan, who was best known for her roles as Raquel Ochmonek on ALF and as Helen Seinfeld on Seinfeld, has died. She died on April 15 at her home in Manhattan, five days after her 93rd birthday.

Sheridan had a recurring role as nosy neighbor Raquel Ochmonek on the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. Raquel and Trevor Ochmonek (John LaMotta) are the dense neighbors of the Tanner family who never figured out what was going on. Jake Ochmonek (Josh Blake, Seasons 2-3) is their nephew. Sheridan was credited on 34 episodes of the series. The cast of ALF included Paul Fusco (voice only), Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, Andrea Elson, Benji Gregory and Jim J. Bullock (Season 4).

She had a recurring role as Helen Seinfeld on the 1989-1998 NBC sitcom Seinfeld. Helen Seinfeld is Jerry's (Jerry Seinfeld) overprotective mother. She is married to Morty Seinfeld (Barney Martin - Morty was first played by Phil Bruns in the second episode). Sheridan guest starred on 34 episodes of the series from 1990 to 1998. She was the only secondary character to appear in all nine seasons.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Archie Bunker's Place, Gimme a Break!, Oh Madeline, One Day at a Time, Three's a Crowd, It's Your Move, Newhart, Brothers, Who's the Boss?, Easy Street, Throb, Family Ties, It's a Living, Good Grief, Herman's Head, Empty Nest (2 episodes), Tom, Blossom, Double Rush, Cleghorne! (2 episodes) and Complete Savages. She provided the voice of Mrs. Stillman for seven episodes of the Fox animated series Life with Louie from 1994 to 1997. She was the voice of Mrs. Rothberg for a 2007 episode of American Dad!.

She appeared as Nurse Greta Bayley on three episodes of Santa Barbara in 1985. Some of her other television drama guest appearances included Kojak, The White Shadow, Tucker's Witch, St. Elsewhere, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Riptide, Moonlighting, The A-Team (2 episodes), Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, Cagney & Lacey, Equal Justice, Murder, She Wrote (1991), Melrose Place, Sliders, Noah Knows Best and Numb3rs.

Sheridan starred as Edna Gordon in the 2009 feature film Play the Game, a romantic comedy about a widowed grandfather (Andy Griffith) who learns dating tricks from his serial romancer of a grandson (Paul Campbell). Doris Roberts played Rose Sherman. It was Andy Griffith's final film credit.

She started out in show business as a dancer. She was reportedly engaged to James Dean in 1952. In 2000, she wrote wrote a book, Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story, chronicling their time together in the early 1950s. She appeared on stage in plays and musicals on Broadway, co-starring with Meryl Streep and Christopher Lloyd in the 1977 musical, Happy End, before moving to Los Angeles.

Ms. Sheridan was a talented and funny actress. Helen Seinfeld was one of TV's sweetest and nicest moms. Sheridan appeared in over a dozen feature films and 60 television movies, mini-series and series. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment that she brought us during her career. She will be deeply missed.

It's been a sad past two weeks for Seinfeld fans. Estelle Harris, who played Estelle Costanza (George's mother), died on April 2.

Share your memories on our ALF and Seinfeld message boards. View photos in our galleries.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: ABC, ALF, black-ish, Obits, Seinfeld