SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Remembering Linda Lavin of Alice; Hulu Releases Chad Powers Teaser

Tony-winning actress Linda Lavin, who starred as Alice Hyatt in Alice, has died. She died in Los Angeles of complications from lung cancer on December 29. Ms. Lavin was 87.

Lavin moved to Hollywood in 1973 and began to work on television. She made her first sitcom guest appearance as Linda Monroe in a 1974 episode of Rhoda. She had a recurring role as Detective Janice Wentworth in five episodes of Barney Miller during the first and second seasons (1975-1976). In 1976, she guest starred as Margaret Gates in an episode of Phyllis.

She starred as Alice Hyatt in the 1976-1985 CBS sitcom Alice. The series is based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Alice Hyatt is a widow who moves with her young son to start life over again, and finds a job as a waitress working at the roadside Mel's Diner in Phoenix, Arizona. Lavin performed the series' theme song, "There's a New Girl in Town," which was written by David Shire and Alan and Marilyn Bergman and was updated for each of the first six seasons. During the series' nine-season run, Lavin earned two Golden Globe Awards in 1978 and 1979 and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1979.

Lavin directed 10 episodes of the series from 1980 to 1984. In a handful of episodes, Alice put on a double-breasted suit and fedora to assume the character of husky-voiced "Sam Butler", a mobster she made up as a ruse to fool her intended target. She also played a dual role as Debbie Walden, the wizened and former landlady of the character Vera Louise Gorman-Novak. The cast of Alice included Vic Tayback, Beth Howland, Polly Holliday (1976-1980), Philip McKeon, Diane Ladd (1980-1981), Celia Weston (1981-1985), and Charles Levin (1983-1985). Recurring cast members included Marvin Kaplan (1977-1985), Dave Madden (1978-1985), Martha Raye (1978-1984), Duane R. Campbell (1978-1985), Tony Longo (1981-1984), and Alan Haufrect (1978-1980).

She starred as Edie Kurland in the 1992-1993 ABC sitcom Room for Two. Edie Kurland is the mother of Jill Kurland (Patricia Heaton), an executive producer of a New York City television show called Wake Up, New York. Edie has her own segment called "Just a Thought" at the end of the program. The series also starred Peter Michael Goetz, Paula Kelly, Bess Meyer, Andrew Prine, John Putch, and Jeff Yagher.

Lavin starred as Florie Bloom in the short-lived 1998 NBC sitcom Conrad Bloom. The show is centered around Conrad Bloom (Mark Feuerstein), a copywriter in New York City, looking for love whilst trying to pursue his career. Florie Bloom is Conrad's guilt-inducing mom. The series also starred Lauren Graham, Jessica Stone, Ever Carradine, Paula Newsome, and Steve Landesberg.

She starred as Lorna Harrison in the short-lived 2013-2014 NBC sitcom Sean Saves the World. Sean Harrison (Sean Hayes) is a divorced gay father with a successful, yet demanding, career. Lorna Harrison is Sean's pushy, meddling mother. The series also starred Megan Hilty, Echo Kellum, Samantha Isler, and Thomas Lennon.

Lavin reunited with Mark Feuerstein in the short-lived 2017-2018 CBS sitcom 9JKL. She starred as Judy Roberts, the mother of Josh Roberts. Josh Roberts (Mark Feuerstein), a divorced actor whose TV series was recently cancelled, moves back to New York City and lives in apartment 9K. His family lives in adjacent apartments: his parents live in 9J, while his brother, sister-in-law, and their newborn baby live in 9L. The cast included Elliott Gould, Liza Lapira, David Walton, Albert Tsai, and Matt Murray.

She starred as Norma Goldman in the 2020-2022 CBS sitcom B Positive. Norma Goldman is one of the senior citizens at Valley Hills assisted living facility. She has a maternal, nurturing relationship with Gina (Annaleigh Ashford), but she can be fairly randy, irresponsible, and demanding. The cast included Kether Donohue, Sara Rue, Izzy G, David Anthony Higgins, and Darryl Stephens.

Lavin guest starred as Phyllis in two episodes of Mom in 2016. Some of her other comedy credits included Bob's Burgers (voice, 2 episodes), Santa Clarita Diet (4 episodes as Jean), Brockmire, and No Good Deed (3 episodes as Phyllis Adelman). She was filming the upcoming Hulu multi-camera comedy series Mid-Century Modern. She was starring as Sybil Schneiderman, Bunny Schneiderman's (Nathan Lane) mother.

Some of her other television guest appearnaces included Harry O, Family, Kaz, Touched by an Angel, The Sopranos, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The O.C. (3 episodes), The Good Wife (3 episodes), Bones, Madam Secretary, and Elsbeth.

She won a Tony Award in 1987 for Best Actress in a Play and her second Drama Desk Award for her role as Kate in Neil Simon's play Broadway Bound. She received Tony Award nominations for her work in Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1970), The Diary of Anne Frank (1998), The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (2001), Collected Stories (2010), and The Lyons (2012).

Ms. Lavin was a talented actress and singer. She was funny and memorable as Alice Hyatt for nine seasons in Alice. She made all of the sitcoms she appeared in much better. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment she brought us during her career. She will be greatly missed.

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

Big things are coming in 2025. Hulu's half-hour comedy Chad Powers, from co-creators and executive producers Glen Powell and Michael Waldron will premiere Fall 2025. Eli Manning serves as executive producer along with Omaha Productions' Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ben Brown and ESPN. Waldron and Adam Fasullo are executive producing for Anomaly Pictures. Luvh Rakhe will executive produce and Tony Yacenda will serve as director and executive producer. The series stars Powell, who is also co-creating, co-writing and executive producing under his production co-banner Barnstorm Productions.

When bad behavior nukes hotshot QB Russ Holliday's college career, he disguises himself and walks onto a struggling Southern football team as the talented, affable Chad Powers. Based on the sketch produced by NFL Films and Omaha Productions that aired on ESPN+ as part of the Eli's Places series, the half-hour comedy from 20th Television will stream on Hulu. Powell and Waldron co-wrote the pilot.

The series stars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday/Chad Powers, Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia, Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny and Steve Zahn as Jake Hudson.

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

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Labels: 9JKL, Alice, B Positive, Barney Miller, Chad Powers, Hulu, Mid-Century Modern, Obits, Room for Two, Sean Saves the World

NBC Renews 3 Sitcoms, Cancels 2; CBS and The CW Hand Out Orders & Pink Slips; Remembering Mike Hagerty and Sitcom Producer/Writer George Yanok

NBC has ordered renewals for three of its comedies: Young Rock for a third season and American Auto and Grand Crew for their respective second seasons. Young Rock stars Dwayne Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu, Ana Tuisila, John Tui, Fasitua Amosa and Matthew Willig. American Auto stars Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, Humphrey Ker, Michael B. Washington, Tye White and X Mayo. Grand Crew stars Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Grasie Mercedes and Carl Tart. Separately, NBC has passed on new seasons of Kenan and Mr. Mayor along with freshman drama The Endgame.

Meanwhile, CBS has canceled three sitcoms and two dramas. Sitcoms United States of Al, How We Roll and B Positive have been canceled. Dramas Magnum P.I. and Good Sam have also been canceled. They have ordered three new dramas so far: Fire Country, East New York and So Help Me Todd. Stars for Fire Country: Max Thieriot, Billy Burke, Kevin Alejandro, Diane Farr, Stephanie Arcila, Jordan Calloway, and Jules Latimer. East New York stars Amanda Warren, Kevin Rankin, Jimmy Smits, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Kind, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Lavel Schley and Olivia Luccardi. And So Help Me Todd stars Marcia Gay Harden, Skylar Astin, Madeline Wise, Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann and Rosa Arredondo. CBS potentitally will pick-up one more new drama for midseason consideration, but they have passed on all of their new comedy pilots.

The CW made a lot of cancelations. Newbies 4400 and Naomi along with vets Charmed, Dynasty, Legacies, Roswell New Mexico and In the Dark. The latter two still has to air a full new season of episodes starting in June. Batwoman and DC's Legends of Tomorrow were also canceled a few weeks ago, while All American: Homecoming has been renewed. The CW has picked-up three new dramas. Gotham Knights, starring Anna Lore, Fallon Smythe, Misha Collins, Navia Robinson, Olivia Rose Keegan, Oscar Morgan, Rahart Adams and Tyler DiChiara star. Walker: Independence, a prequel, starring Katherine McNamara, Matt Barr, Gabriela Quezada, Greg Hovanessian, Justin Johnson Cortez, Katie Findlay and Lawrence Kao. And finally, Supernatural prequel The Winchesters stars Drake Rodger, Meg Donnelly, Bianca Kajlich, Demetria McKinney, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid also star while Jensen Ackles narrates as Dean Winchester.

ABC and Fox have not announced new series orders yet, however ABC has canceled current freshman dramas Queens and Promised Land. Stay tuned for the upfronts next week!

Actor Mike Hagerty (sometimes credited as Michael G. Hagerty) has died. He was known for playing comedic blue-collar workers, including his recurring roles as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on Friends and the manager of a muffler shop on HBO's Lucky Louie. He died on May 5 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering from a seizure. His seizure was caused by an adverse reaction to antibiotics he was taking for an infection in his leg. Mr. Hagerty was 67.

Hagerty starred as Finley on the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Building. Finley is a one-time firefighter who runs the nearby bar/hangout called G&L Fire Escape in Chicago. The series also starred Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kuhlman, Don Lake, Tom Virtue and Holly Wortell.

He starred as Frank MacNamara on the short-lived 1994-1995 FOX sitcom The George Carlin Show. Frank MacNamara is a working-class regular at The Moylan Tavern. He is a good-natured drinker with a beer belly to show for it. The cast included George Carlin, Alex Rocco, Anthony Starke, Paige French, Christopher Rich, Susan Sullivan, Matt Landers and Phil LaMarr.

Hagerty starred as Mike, the manager of a muffler shop and Louie's (Louis C.K.) employer and friend, on the 2006 HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. The cast included Pamela Adlon, Kelly Gould, Laura Kightlinger, Jerry Minor, Kim Hawthorne, Rick Shapiro and Jim Norton.

He had recently been filming and starring as Ed Miller on the 2022 HBO comedy-drama Somebody Somewhere. Ed Miller is Sam's (Bridget Everett) father and a farmer. The cast includes Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Murray Hill, Jane Drake Brody, Jon Hudson Odom and Heidi Johanningmeier.

Hagerty had a recurring role as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on five episodes of NBC's Friends from 1995 to 2001.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Married with Children, One of the Boys, Murphy Brown, Dear John, Sydney, Get a Life (2 episodes), American Dreamer, Drexell's Class, The Wonder Years, Martin (2 episodes), Seinfeld (as Rudy in "The Raincoats"), Good Advice, Kirk, The Home Court (6 episodes as Leo Blount), The Drew Carey Show, The Faculty, Union Square, Grace Under Fire, Arli$$, The Michael Richards Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nikki (2 episodes), Life with Bonnie (2 episodes), Complete Savages, American Dad! (voice), Entourage, 'Til Death, Good Luck Charlie, The Mindy Project, Happy Endings, Community, The Goldbergs, Marry Me and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (3 episodes as Captain McGintley).

Some of his drama guest appearances included Crime Story (2 episodes), Mann & Machine, Civil Wars, Star Trek: The Next Generation (2 episodes), Sisters, Ally McBeal, Angel, Dead Last, Deadwood, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Ghost Whisperer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Medium, Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Shameless.

Hagerty's film credits included Doctor Detroit (1983), Brewster's Millions (1985), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Red Heat (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), V.I. Warshawski (1991), Wayne's World (1992), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1992), Stuart Saves His Family (1995), Space Truckers (1996) and Speed 2: Cruise Control. He was in a deleted scene in Uncle Buck (1989).

He is survived by his wife Mary Kathryn, his sister Mary Ann Hagerty, (and) her wife Kathleen O’Rourke, and their daughter Meg.

Mr. Hagerty was a talented and dependable character actor who was known for his mustache and thick Chicago accent. He was a familiar face in more than 100 TV series and films. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his career. He will be sorely missed.

Share your memories on our message board. View photos in our galleries (search #2)

Emmy-winning producer and director George Yanok, who worked on Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He died on April 29 in Nashville, Tennessee. He suffered from lung cancer in the 18 months leading up to his death. Mr. Yanok was 83.

Yanok was a producer on Welcome Back, Kotter from 1976 to 1977. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976 for his work. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included The Kallikaks, Tabitha, The Stockard Channing Show, Teachers Only, Too Close for Comfort, What a Country! and Out of This World.

He was one of the original writers of Hee Haw. Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Bob Newhart Show (1972), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Sanford and Son (2 episodes), The Practice (1976), The Kallikaks, Welcome Back, Kotter, (8 episodes - he also appeared as Mr. Ferguson in "Career Day"), Tabitha (2 episodes), The Stockard Channing Show (5 episodes), Teachers Only (4 episodes), 1st & Ten, Too Close for Comfort (8 episodes), What a Country! and Out of This World (3 episodes).

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Laura, his stepdaughter Katie Hill and his stepson John.

Mr. Yanok won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy, Variety or Music and Outstanding Comedy Series in 1974 and 1976, in recognition of his work on the comedy special Lily (1973) and The Lily Tomlin Special (1975). We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

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

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Labels: American Auto, B Positive, CBS, Charmed, Dynasty, Grand Crew, How We Roll, Kenan, Magnum, Mr. Mayor, NBC, Obits, Roswell, Somebody Somewhere, Supernatual, The CW, United States of Al, Walker Texas Ranger, Young Rock

CBS Brings Back Ghosts and Monday Comedy Duo for 2022-23; Netflix Orders Comedy with Michelle Buteau

CBS announced that it has renewed its hit new Thursday comedy Ghosts and its popular Monday night comedy hour of The Neighborhood and Bob ♥ Abishola. These three CBS comedy series join veteran Thursday comedy series Young Sheldon, which was previously renewed for three additional years, beginning with the 2021-2022 broadcast season. So as of now, CBS is bringing back at least four comedies for the 2022-2023 season. No word yet on Thursday comedies B Positive and United States of Al, while upcoming new sitcom How We Roll premieres on March 31. Stay tuned for further updates as we get closer to the May upfront.

Netflix ordered eight episodes of Survival of the Thickest, a scripted comedy starring Michelle Buteau, based on her acclaimed book of essays. Survival of the Thickest centers on Mavis Beaumont (Buteau). Black, plus-size and newly single, Mavis Beaumont unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life after putting all her eggs in one man's basket, but she's determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss. The series was created by Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel and will be executive produced by Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich from A24. Sanchez-Witzel is also the showrunner for the series, following the recent announcement of her overall deal with Netflix that also includes show development.

The series continues Netflix's relationship with Buteau, who also has her own Netflix stand-up special, Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia; hosts unscripted competition series The Circle; narrates upcoming docuseries The Principles of Pleasure; is set to host the second season of Barbecue Showdown; and starred in the feature film Always Be My Maybe, as well as the series Tales of the City.

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

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Labels: B Positive, Bob ♥ Abishola, CBS, Ghosts, How We Roll, Netflix, Survival of the Thickest, The Neighborhood, United States of Al, Young Sheldon

SitcomsOnline Digest: Could a Looming Strike Shut Down TV Production?; GAC Family Acquires Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Silver Spoons, and More

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're getting ready for a strike that could have consequences on production of our favorite TV series, we're hearing about a new direction (including some newly acquired classic sitcoms) for a network that used to be a country music channel, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Be prepared: we may be on the verge of another strike, this time by writer's assistants, that could slow down or even shutdown production of your favorite TV series. (Variety)
• ESPN will no longer air the Scripps National Spelling Bee after 27 years, as it transitions to ION and Bounce, two networks that are actually owned by Scripps. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The Wendy Williams Show has had difficulty launching the current season due to the health of Williams herself, and now, it seems they'll be starting the new season with a guest host. (Yahoo! News)
• Katey Sagal was hit by a car this week, but don't worry, it seems the injuries aren't too bad and she is already out of the hospital. (People)
• The creator and show runner for B Positive has decided to leave the series. (Deadline)
• Antenna TV and Rewind TV are celebrating Halloween with two different witches. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (OCTOBER 16 - OCTOBER 22)

• In case you missed it, GAC Family (formerly Great American Country) is no longer a country music channel at all, and is now going head to head with Hallmark and is filling most of their lineup with classic sitcoms, including Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Father Knows Best, Hazel, and Silver Spoons.
• Decades has a binge of Wonder Woman this weekend.

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

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Labels: B Positive, Bewitched, Father Knows Best, GAC Family, Hazel, I Dream of Jeannie, Silver Spoons, SitcomsOnline Digest

Fri-Yay: Ted Lasso Wins Big at The Emmys; CBS Expands Ghosts Premiere to One-Hour; Remembering Willie Garson of Sex and the City, Director Jay Sandrich

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

This Sunday was a big one for Apple TV+, as it received its first Emmy award victory with Ted Lasso - and then received multiple more victories with Ted Lasso over the course of the night. The sports comedy series, which has easily been the most buzzed about comedy of the year, took home all but the Lead Actress category in the comedy column last night, including the big prize, Outstanding Comedy Series. In my mind, it's a very deserving award. Ted Lasso is an excellent show with lots of humor and heart and is easily the best comedy series currently airing.

It was a big night in general for streaming services. For the first time in its history, Netflix won the most Emmys of any streaming service or channel of the night, including taking home Outstanding Drama Series for The Crown and Outstanding Limited Series for The Queen's Gambit. It continued the overall trend of streaming services winning big and traditional channels losing out. Overall, it was another Emmys that proved the media landscape is rapidly changing.

The series premiere of the new comedy Ghosts will now have a one-hour debut, Oct. 7, 9:01-10:00 PM. As a result, The second season premiere of B Positve will move one week, to Thursday, Oct. 14, 9:30-10:00 PM. One other note, CBS has announced that the second season premiere of United States of Al will address current events on Oct. 7 at 8:31-9:01 PM.

Thursday, Oct. 7
8:00-8:31 PM Young Sheldon (5th Season Premiere)
8:31-9:01 PM United States of Al (2nd Season Premiere)
9:01-10:00 PM Ghosts (1-Hour Series Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM Bull (6th Season Premiere)

Thursday, Oct. 14
8:00-8:31 PM Young Sheldon
8:31-9:01 PM United States of Al
9:01-9:30 PM Ghosts
9:30-10:00 PM B Positive (2nd Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM Bull

Actor Willie Garson, who played Stanford Blatch on Sex and the City, has died. He died at his home in Los Angeles on September 21 from pancreatic cancer. Mr. Garson was 57.

Garson had a recurring role as Carl, Kevin Owens' (Rob Stone) best friend, on seven episodes of Mr. Belvedere from 1986 to 1990. Some of his other early sitcom guest appearances include Family Ties, Cheers, You Again?, The New Gidget, My Two Dads, Newhart, It's a Living (three episodes as Phil Roman), Coach, Chicken Soup, Flying Blind, A League of Their Own, Boy Meets World (four episodes), Pig Sty, Partners, Mad About You, The Single Guy and Mad About You.

He starred as Ronnie Rendall on the short-lived 1998 Fox sitcom Ask Harriet. Ronnie Rendall was Jack Cody's (Anthony Tyler Quinn) best friend and the newspaper critic for the New York Dispatch. The cast included Patrick Y. Malone, Lisa Waltz, Julie Benz, Edward Asner, Jamie Renée Smith and Damien Leake.

Garson had a recurring role as Stanford Blatch on 27 episodes of the 1998-2004 HBO romantic comedy-drama Sex and the City. Stanford Blatch is a gay talent agent from an aristocratic family. He is Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) best friend outside of the other three women (Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York and Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes). Garson reprised his role as Stanford Blatch in the films Sex and the City (2008) and Sex and the City (2010). He will appear in the upcoming HBO Max revival series And Just Like That....

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Conrad Bloom, Friends, Just Shoot Me!, Spin City, Greetings from Tucson, All About the Andersons, Yes, Dear (2004), Wizards of Waverly Place, Two and a Half Men, Wendell & Vinnie, Girl Meets World (also directed a 2015 episode) and Weird Loners. He provided various voices for three episodes of Big Mouth.

Garson had a recurring role as Henry Coffield on seven episodes of the ABC police drama NYPD Blue from 1996 to 1999. He appeared as Meyer Dickstein on the 2007 HBO drama John from Cincinnati. He starred as Mozzie on the 2009-2014 USA Network police drama White Collar. In 2013, he directed an episode of White Collar. He had a recurring role as Gerard Hirsch on nine episodes of Hawaii Five-0 from 2015 to 2020.

Some of his other drama guest appearances included Quantum Leap, thirtysomething, Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Touched by an Angel, The Practice, Melrose Place, Ally McBeal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Party of Five, Star Trek: Voyager, Early Edition, Stargate SG-1 (three episodes), Special Unit 2, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, Pushing Daisies, Medium, Franklin & Bash, The Mysteries of Laura, Scandal, Supergirl (three episodes) and Magnum, P.I. (2019).

He appeared in three films from the Farrelly brothers – Kingpin (1996), There's Something About Mary (1998) and Fever Pitch (2005). Some of his other film credits included Groundhog Day (1993), The Rock (1996), Being John Malkovich (1999), Fortress 2: Re-Entry (2000), Out Cold (2001), Freaky Friday (2003), Just Like Heaven (2005), Little Manhattan (2005) and Labor Pains (2009).

Mr. Garson was a talented and versatile actor. He appeared in more than 300 TV episodes and over 75 films. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his career. He will be sorely missed.

Share your memories on our Sex and the City message board. View photos in our galleries.

Emmy-winning director Jay Sandrich, who worked on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Soap and The Cosby Show, has died. He died from complications of dementia on September 22 in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Sandrich was 89.

He began his career as an assistant director on I Love Lucy from 1956 to 1957. He was assistant to the producer on The Andy Griffith Show from 1961 to 1963 and an associate producer from 1964 to 1965. He was an associate producer for the first season of Get Smart from 1965 to 1966. In 1967, he worked as a producer for Captain Nice.

Sandrich's early sitcom directing credits included The Danny Thomas Show, The Bill Dana Show, He & She, That Girl, Get Smart, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Here's Lucy and The Governor & J.J..

He directed 119 of the 168 episodes of the 1970-1977 CBS sitcom The Mary Tyle Moore Show. He won Emmy Awards in 1971 and 1973 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy.

Sandrich directed 54 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1977 to 1980. Some of his other 1970s directing credits included The Bill Cosby Show, Nanny and the Professor, Arnie, The Good Life, Here We Go Again, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Diana, We'll Get By, Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, The Odd Couple, The Bob Newhart Show, Laverne & Shirley, Rhoda, Ball Four, Phyllis, The Tony Randall Show, Loves Me, Loves Me Not (1977), Welcome Back, Kotter (1976, 1977), The Betty White Show, WKRP in Cincinnati, Stockard Channing in Best Friends, The Stockard Channing Show and Benson.

He directed 100 episodes of the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992. He won Emmy Awards in 1985 and 1986 for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series.

Some of his 1980s sitcom directing credits included Love, Sidney (1981), Night Court, Off the Rack, It's a Living, The Golden Girls, A Different World, Empty Nest and The Van Dyke Show. His 1990s and 2000s sitcom directing credits included Love & War, Thea, The Office (1995), Pearl, Ink, The Tony Danza Show, Built to Last, LateLine, The Secret Lives of Men, Style & Substance, Thanks, Three Sisters, Charlie Lawrence and Two and a Half Men.

Sandrich directed the 1980 film Seems Like Old Times, which starred Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn and Charles Grodin.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on December 4, 2001.

Mr. Sandrich was a prolific director who worked on more than 50 sitcoms. He was a four-time Emmy winner for his work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Cosby Show. He was inducted into the Televison Hall of Fame in 2020. We thank him for work on many sitcoms during his directing career, which spanned from 1963 to 2003. He will be greatly missed.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:30 PM

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Labels: Apple TV+, B Positive, CBS, Cosby Show, Fri-Yay, Ghosts, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Obits, Sex and the City, Ted Lasso, United States of Al

Emmy Awards Slated for Sep. 19, CBS Fall Premiere Dates; Remembering Charlie Robinson - Mac from Night Court

CBS and the Television Academy announced a return to a live show for the 73rd Emmy(R) Awards hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, star and executive producer of the CBS sitcom The Neighborhood, marking his first time as Master of Ceremonies for the event. CBS Presents the 73rd Emmy(R) Awards on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/5:00-8:00 PM, live PT on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Emmy Award-nominated producers Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart will executive produce and Hamish Hamilton will direct the telecast for production companies Done+Dusted and Hudlin Entertainment. In addition, this year's telecast will return to a live, in-person Emmy Awards Ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre with a limited audience of nominees and their guests.


CBS premiere week opens Monday, Sept. 20 with the sitcoms The Neighborhood at 8:00 PM and Bob ♥ Abishola at 8:30 PM, leading into NCIS on its new night and time at 9:00 PM, followed by new spin-off NCIS: Hawai'i at 10:00 PM. All FBI Tuesday Debuts with a three-show cross-over event on Tuesday, Sept. 21, with FBI at 8:00 PM, and special times for FBI: Most Wanted at 9:00 PM and new entry FBI: International at 10:00 PM. The latter two will move to their normal timeslots (just swapping 9 and 10pm) the following week on Sep. 28. Survivor returns with two-hour premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 8:00 PM into a new Big Brother at 10. Every other launch is post premiere week, with Friday dramas S.W.A.T., Magnum P.I. and Blue Bloods to premiere on Oct. 1. New drama CSI: Vegas launches Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 10:00 PM following the season premiere of reality series Tough as Nails at 9pm. Spirited new comedy Ghosts premieres Thursday, Oct. 7 at 9:00 PM, following the season premieres of Young Sheldon and The United States of Al from 8-9pm. B Positive has its season premiere the same night at 9:30pm, while Bull Moves to its new night at 10:00 PM. Sunday's scripted lineup of The Equalizer, NCIS: Los Angeles and Seal Team Premieres Oct. 10 from 8-11pm. And finally, new Global Citizen reality series The Activist premieres Friday, Oct. 22 at 8:00 PM, replacing S.W.A.T. after three airings, but S.W.A.T. will return on Dec. 3. Specials include The Tony Aawards(R) Present: Broadway's Back on Sunday, Sept. 26 from 9-11pm.

Actor Charlie (Charles) Robinson, who was best known for his role as Macintosh "Mac" Robinson on Night Court, has died. He died on July 11 in Los Angeles, California, from cardiac arrest with multisystem organ failure due to septic shock and metastatic adenocarcinoma, a type of glandular cancer. Mr. Robinson was 75.

Robinson's first starring role was as Newdell on the 1983-1984 NBC sitcom Buffalo Bill. The series featured the misadventures of an egotistical talk show host named Bill Bittinger (Dabney Coleman) and his staff. Newdell was the makeup man at WBFL-TV, a small TV station in Buffalo, New York. The series also starred Joanna Cassidy, Max Wright, John Fielder, Geena Davis, Meshach Taylor and Claude Earl Jones.

After Buffalo Bill was canceled after two seasons, he joined the cast of the NBC sitcom Night Court for the second season in the fall of 1984 as Macintosh "Mac" Robinson. Mac was the clerk of the court and a Vietnam War veteran. He always wore a cardigan, plaid shirt, and knit tie. The successful series ran for nine seasons from 1984 to 1992. Robinson also directed three episodes of the series from 1990 to 1992. The cast included Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Selma Diamond (1984-1985), Florence Halop (1985-1986), Markie Post (1985-1992), Marsha Warfield (1986-1992), Karen Austin (1984), Paula Kelly (1984) and Ellen Foley (1984-1985). Anderson, Post and Robinson reprised their roles on the 2008 30 Rock episode, "The One with the Cast of Night Court".

Robinson starred as Abe Johnson on the 1992-1995 CBS sitcom Love & War. He joined the cast after John Hancock, who played bartender Ike Johnson, died of a heart attack on October 12, 1992. Abe was the surly brother of Ike. He was an out-of-work auto worker from Detroit, who showed up to claim his inheritance - Ike's shared of the Blue Shamrock restaurant/bar. Robinson also directed an episodes of the series in 1994. The cast included Jay Thomas, Susan Dey (1992-1993), Joel Murray, Michael Nouri, Suzie Plakson, Joanna Gleason and Annie Potts (1993-1995).

He starred as Ernie Trainor on the short-lived 1996-1997 CBS sitcom Ink. Ernie Trainor was the no-nonsense, seen-it-all police reporter at the New York Sun. The series also starred Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Alana Austin, Christine Ebersole, Saul Rubinek, Jenica Bergere and Jonathan Katz.

Robinson had a recurring role as Bud Harper, an owner of Binford, in nine episodes of Home Improvement from 1995 to 1999. He had a recurring role as Wilfred in 11 episodes of The Guest Book from 2017 to 2018. He played Mr. Munson, the blind tenant whom Bonnie avoids helping out with apartment issues, in seven episodes of Mom from 2015 to 2019. He made his final TV appearances on Freeform's Love in the Time of Corona in 2020.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The John Larroquette Show, In the House, The Crew (1996), Malcolm & Eddie (2 episodes), Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (2001), DAG, The Trouble with Normal, My Wife and Kids, Yes, Dear (2003), Abby, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, The Bernie Mac Show, Committed, Still Standing (2 episodes), My Name Is Earl and Hank. His guest appearances from 2010 and later included $#*! My Dad Says, The Soul Man, The Game (4 episodes), Reed Between the Lines (2 episodes), K.C. Undercover, Disjointed, Better Things and Raven's Home.

He had a recurring role as Phil in seven episodes of Flamingo Road in 1981. He played El Jefe in 13 episodes of Buddy Faro from 1998 to 2000. He appeared as Sergeant Jeffries in 16 episodes of Hart of Dixe from 2012 to 2015. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Caribe, The White Shadow, Lou Grant, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Hotel, Touched by an Angel, Soul Food, Charmed, House, Cold Case, The Riches, Big Love, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Harry's Law, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us and NCIS.

Mr. Robinson was a solid and dependable actor. Mac Robinson was a very funny and likable character that he played to perfection. He was always one of the good guys on television. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Night Court message board. View photos in our galleries (link #2).

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:02 PM

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Labels: B Positive, Bob ♥ Abishola, Buffalo Bill, CBS, Emmys, Ghosts, Love and War, Night Court, Obits, The Neighborhood, United States of Al, Young Sheldon

NBC Upfront 2021-22: Fall 2021 Schedule; Fri-Yay: ABC and CBS Comedy Renewal Decisions

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 2:45 PM

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Labels: ABC, American Housewife, B Positive, black-ish, Call Your Mother, CBS, Fri-Yay, Home Economics, mixed-ish, NBC, The Conners, The Goldbergs, United States of Al, Upfronts

Fri-Yay: Rewind TV Offers Sitcom Lovers a Chance to Watch Their 80s/90s Faves; CBS Announces Season Finale Dates

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

This week, it was announced that a new over the air channel will be debuting this fall called Rewind TV. The show will be tailored towards Gen X viewers, playing targeted nostalgic shows from the '80s and '90s such as Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, Wings, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Murphy Brown. It will, in essence, be the 80s/90s Gen X version of Antenna TV, which targets baby boomers and will now play mostly '50s-'70s favorites.

Recently, there has been an interesting trend where networks such as Antenna TV air older shows to cater to older audiences. It does make sense - these shows have largely been left out of the streaming world, but they still do have devoted audiences who would follow them. As someone who grew up on Nick at Nite and watched many of these shows, I'm happy they will be able to find a home. With older sitcoms being able to air on Antenna TV and post-2000 sitcoms being available on streaming, it felt like the late 20th century sitcoms were being forgotten. But now, they'll finally have a home.

CBS announced the season finale dates and storylines for 2020-2021, featuring intense showdowns, jaw-dropping developments, festive wedding planning and fond farewells. MacGyver has its series finale tonight at 8pm. Upcoming finales include Friday, May 7 at 9pm with the third season finale of Magnum, P.I. On Thursday, May 13, Young Sheldon has its fourth season finale at 8pm. Jumping to 9pm, its the series finale of Mom with guest star Melanie Lynskey. Freshman comedy B Positive follows at 9:30pm. On Friday, May 14, Blue Bloods has its two-hour 11th season finale from 9-11pm. Then on Monday, May 17 the Monday comedies have their finales, with the third season finale of The Neighborhood at 8pm and the second season finale of Bob ♥ Abishola at 8:30pm. Jumping to 10pm, its the fifth season finale of Bull at 10pm. CBS Sunday dramas all have their finales on Sunday, May 23, with the first season finale of The Equalizer at 8pm, followed by the 12th season finale of NCIS: Los Angeles at 9pm and the series finale of NCIS: New Orleans at 10pm. All Rise will have its second season finale at 9pm on Monday, May 24.

CBS Tuesday dramas will all have their finales on Tuesday, May 25, with the 18th season finale of NCIS at 8pm guest starring Pam Dawber, followed by the third season closer of FBI at 9pm and the spin-off FBI: Most Wanted with its second season finale at 10pm. On the very next night, on the last official day of the 2020-21 season, (Wednesday, May 26), Seal Team closes its fourth season at 9pm and fellow fourth season series S.W.A.T. at 10pm. Two freshman series will go a bit into the summer as new comedy United States of Al and new drama Clarice close their runs on Thursday, June 24 at 8:30pm and 10pm, respectively.

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

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Labels: Antenna TV, B Positive, CBS, Fri-Yay, Mom, NCIS, Rewind TV, United States of Al, Young Sheldon

Mr. Mayor Returning for Season 2; CBS 2020-21 Season Finale Dates

NBC has given a season two renewal to its new hit comedy Mr. Mayor. 9 episodes aired in the first and aired from Jan. 7 through Feb. 25 of this year. The Mr. Mayor pilot, which aired Jan. 7, has grown to a 3.7 in the 18-49 demo and 16 million total viewers, up +509% and +217%, respectively, from its live + same day performance. The series premiered as NBC's best Thursday comedy launch in total viewers (6.6 million in live+7) since the premiere of the Will & Grace revival in 2017. The series stars Ted Danson, Holly Hunter, Vella Lovell, Mike Cabellon, Kyla Kenedy and Bobby Moynihan. Robert Carlock, Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond and David Miner executive produce. Eric Gurian serves as a co-executive producer. The comedy is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, Little Stranger, Bevel Gears and 3 Arts Entertainment.

CBS announced season finale dates for its original primetime comedies, dramas and unscripted series for the 2020-2021 broadcast season, including the series finales of Mom, on Thursday, May 13 (9:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT), and of NCIS: New Orleans on Sunday, May 23 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Dates for upcoming new comedy The United States of Al and new drama Clarice will be announced later, as they go into summer. See below for a list:

Wednesday, April 14
8:00-9:00 PM Tough as Nails (Second Season Finale)

Friday, April 30
8:00-9:00 PM MacGyver (Fifth Season Finale)

Friday, May 7
9:00-10:00 PM Magnum P.I. (Third Season Finale)

Thursday, May 13
8:00-8:30 PM Young Sheldon (Fourth Season Finale)
9:00-9:30 PM Mom (Series Finale)
9:30-10:00 PM B Positive (First Season Finale)

Friday, May 14
9:00-11:00 PM Blue Bloods (Two-Hour 11th Season Finale)

Monday, May 17
8:00-8:30 PM The Neighborhood (Third Season Finale)
8:30-9:00 PM Bob ♥ Abishola (Second Season Finale)
10:00-11:00 PM Bull (Fifth Season Finale)

Wednesday, May 19
9:00-10:00 PM Seal Team (Fourth Season Finale)
10:00-11:00 PM S.W.A.T. (Fourth Season Finale)

Sunday, May 23
8:00-9:00 PM The Equalizer (First Season Finale)
9:00-10:00 PM NCIS: Los Angeles (12th Season Finale)
10:00-11:00 PM NCIS: New Orleans(Series Finale)

Monday, May 24
9:00-10:00 PM All Rise (Second Season Finale)

Tuesday, May 25
8:00-9:00 PM NCIS (18th Season Finale)
9:00-10:00 PM FBI (Third Season Finale)
10:00-11:00 PM FBI: Most Wanted (Second Season Finale)

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

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Labels: B Positive, Blue Bloods, Bob ♥ Abishola, CBS, MacGyver, Magnum, Mom, Mr. Mayor, NBC, NCIS, SWAT, The Equalizer, The Neighborhood, Young Sheldon

Fri-Yay: Paramount+ to Launch with More Revived Sitcoms; CBS Shifts New Comedy to Earlier Slot

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!

by Vincent

It's hard to believe, but there's yet another streaming service on the horizon, although it's not quite new as much as revamped. CBS has rebranded its streaming service CBS All Access as Paramount+. Although it's technically not a new service, CBS is clearly trying to make a more serious play at the streaming wars, rebranding their (not very successful) service as Paramount+, hoping to attract the same kind of brand interest that (wildly successful) Disney+ has done, and that NBC is clearly also hoping to emulate with Peacock. Of note for sitcom fans, though, is that the service is promising two revivals to help draw interest to its service: one of a beloved and critically acclaimed sitcom, and one of a 2000s Nickelodeon series that holds a special place in younger millennials and Generation Z's heart - Frasier and iCarly.

It's a pretty clever move given the two series are basically polar opposites, so Paramount+ is clearly trying to attract many different types of viewers to its streaming service. And the projects do sound intriguing. Frasier was a big hit on Netflix and still has a large following, and iCarly will "age up" with its viewers as a sitcom geared towards young adults. These sound like possibile ways to get a lot of people to check out your service, and at $4.99/month it'll be cheaper than many other services out there. Still, given the fading of once hyped revival projects like The Conners and Fuller House, I do wonder if the time has run out for revived sitcoms, especially ones that are being asked to help launch a streaming service. Time will tell - and Paramount+ is certainly hoping it goes as well as it can.

The series premiere of new CBS comedy United States of Al on Thursday, April 1 will now debut in its new time period, 8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT. Thursday's freshman comedy B Positive will shift to 9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT. United States of Al stars Adhir Kalyan and Parker Young in a comedy about the friendship between Riley (Young), a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Awalmir ("Al") (Kalyan), the Interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America. The series also stars Elizabeth Alderfer as Lizzie, Riley's sister; Dean Norris as Art, Riley's father; Kelli Goss as Vanessa, Riley's ex-wife; and Farrah Mackenzie as Hazel, Riley and Vanessa's daughter. Chuck Lorre, David Goetsch & Maria Ferrari, Reza Aslan and Mahyad Tousi are the executive producers. The series is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

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

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Labels: B Positive, CBS, Frasier, Fri-Yay, iCarly, Paramount+, United States of Al

SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Most-Watched Network of 2020; B Positive Gets Full Season Pickup

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're in the slowest news period of the year, but we've got some new about the most watched network of 2020, some Kirk Cameron shenanigans, and more. Let's get going!

• ABC is the most-watched entertainment network of 2020, a distinction that it hasn't seen in 20 years. (Deadline)
• Because we needed another controversy involving Kirk Cameron to close out 2020, this week we're hearing about his maskless Christmas caroling, and his siblings in both real life and on TV are criticizing it (although his real-life sister isn't happy about how people are expressing their opinions on it). (Yahoo)
  
• B Positive has gotten a full season pickup at CBS. (Variety) 
• Jim Carrey is out as Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live, as Alex Moffat takes on the role. (USA Today)
  
• The COZI TV lineup for January is out, though there aren't major changes. (SitcomsOnline) 

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1)

• New Years Eve means Twilight Zone marathons, and you can catch them on both Decades and Syfy this year.
• Everybody knows that the new film Wonder Woman 1984 has debuted on HBO Max, but the 70s series starring Lynda Carter is now available as well.
  
• You can now watch The West Wing on HBO Max.
• FXX has 35 hours of The Simpsons, including The Simpsons Movie, on New Years Eve and New Years Day.
• Antenna TV closes out the year with a Three's Company marathon, as well as a tenth anniversary event to open the year.
  

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

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Labels: B Positive, Cozi TV, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Twilight Zone

COZI TV's New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Marathons; CBS Orders More B Positive Episodes

Countdown to midnight and say goodbye to 2020 with COZI TV's night of favorite farewells. Starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 31 tune in to watch memorable goodbyes and farewells of Little House and the Prairie, The Munsters, Frasier, Roseanne and The Nanny. Then get a fresh start at 6 a.m. on Friday, January 1, for the all-day New Year’s marathon "The Firsts for the First," to watch where it all began for the hilarious casts of The Nanny and Roseanne. As we start the new year on COZI, follow Fran Drescher's character as she transforms from door-to-door cosmetic saleswoman to landing the perfect nanny job for the Sheffield's in their first season together. Then after The Nanny, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 1, viewers will meet Dan and Roseanne Connor as they juggle life in Lanford, Illinois with a special guest appearance by George Clooney as Roseanne's boss at Wellman Plastics in the first season of Roseanne.

Thursday, December 31 New Year's Eve Finale Schedule (check local listings):
4:00 p.m.: Little House and the Prairie, “The Voice of Tinker Jones”
5:00 p.m.: Little House and the Prairie, “Family Quarrel”
6:00 p.m.: Little House and the Prairie, “The Return of Nellie”
7:00 p.m.: The Munsters, “The Fregosi Emerald”
7:30 p.m.: The Munsters, “Eddie's Brother”
8:00 p.m.: Frasier, “Are you being served?”
8:30 p.m.: Frasier, “Bla-Z-Boy”
9:00 p.m.: Roseanne, “Canoga Time”
9:30 p.m.: Roseanne, “Let's Call it Quits”
10:00 p.m.: Roseanne, “Aliens”
10:30 p.m.: Roseanne, “Daughters and Other Strangers”
11:00 p.m.: The Nanny, “Love is a Many Blundered Thing”
11:30 p.m.: The Nanny, “Lamp Chop's on the Menu”

CBS has given a full-season order to freshman comedy B Positive for the 2020-2021 broadcast season. It will get 5 more episodes, bringing its total to 13 episodes. B Positive, from award-winning executive producer Chuck Lorre and creator Marco Pennette, stars Emmy Award nominee Thomas Middleditch and Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford in a humorous and life-affirming series about Drew (Middleditch), a therapist and newly divorced dad who, when he discovers he needs a new kidney, runs into Gina (Ashford), a rough-around-the-edges woman from his past who volunteers hers. Kether Donohue, Sara Rue, Izzy G. and Terrence Terrell also star. The series is inspired by Pennette's personal experience as a transplant recipient. The sitcom airs Thursdays (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The series is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

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

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Labels: B Positive, CBS, Cozi TV, Frasier, Little House on the Prairie, Roseanne, The Munsters, The Nanny

CBS Orders New Chuck Lorre Comedy to Series; MeTV and Game Show Network to Remember Alex Trebek

CBS has ordered United States of Al to series, a new multi-camera comedy from award-winning executive producer Chuck Lorre and creators/writers David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari, for the 2020-2021 broadcast season. United States of Al stars Adhir Kalyan (Rules of Engagement) and Parker Young (Suburgatory) in a comedy about the friendship between Riley (Young), a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Awalmir ("Al") (Kalyan), the interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America. Kelli Goss, Dean Norris and Elizabeth Alderfer also star. David Goetsch & Maria Ferrari, Chuck Lorre, Reza Aslan, Mahyad Tousi and director Mark Cendrowski (pilot only) are executive producers for Warner Bros. Television and Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc.

The new comedy joins four additional series from Chuck Lorre that are already on the Network's schedule, including Young Sheldon, Mom, Bob ♥ Abishola and new comedy B Positive. All of which have premiered this November, but Bob ♥ Abishola which premieres Monday, Nov. 16. Stay tuned for a premiere date for United States of Al.

Honoring the memory and legendary career of Alex Trebek, Game Show Network is scheduled to air a six-hour Jeopardy! marathon on Saturday, November 14 at 9am-3pm ET. Game Show Network talent will share words of tribute throughout the marathon. Meanwhile, the MeTV Network will air some sitcoms! This Friday, November 13, at 9PM | 8C, MeTV pays tribute to legendary game show host Alex Trebek with a special presentation of two sitcom classics. Watch as two cherished characters of television comedy play as contestants on Jeopardy! First, at 9PM | 8C, Vicki Lawrence's Thelma "Mama" Harper heads to Jeopardy! in the 1987 Mama's Family episode "Mama on Jeopardy!" Then, at 9:30PM | 8:30C, tune in for a special airing of Cheers, when know-it-all mailman Cliff Clavin plays Jeopardy! in the unforgetable "What Is... Cliff Clavin?" from 1990. Trebek plays himself, the host of Jeopardy!, in both episodes, which rank as favorites amongst fans.

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

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Labels: B Positive, Bob ♥ Abishola, CBS, Cheers, GSN, Jeopardy, Mama's Family, MeTV, Mom, United States of Al, Young Sheldon

Fox Upfront 2020-21: Fall 2020 Schedule; CBS Orders Three New Series for 2020-21

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:20 PM

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Labels: B Positive, CBS, Fox, Upfronts