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Ghosts Dives Into the Metaverse with a Game; Jo Koy Gets 4th Netflix Special; Remembering Rebecca Balding of Soap

CBS' inaugural step into the metaverse commenced yesterday (July 21) with an immersive experience for fans of CBS Original comedy series Ghosts in the popular metaverse game in Decentraland, a leading next-generation Web3 gaming platform. (The game will be accessible through September via www.ghostsmetaverse.com.) Activated and developed in collaboration with Web3 marketing agency CreativeDepartmint, the experience takes fans and their self-designed avatars on an immersive journey through the show's haunted Woodstone Mansion to solve puzzles, undertake quests and earn limited edition, collectible NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), all in celebration of Ghosts, TV's #1 new series and #1 comedy on Paramount+, which returns for its sophomore season this fall.

Ghosts's Woodstone Mansion was meticulously created to mirror the series' actual sets and features delightful and surprising interactions with the show's main characters, which were voiced by the series' stars. There are more than 10 types of collectibles that fans can earn that will unlock access and future experiences, such as playing a piece of music on a virtual piano or cooking up a dish that will appeal to one of the characters, and much more. Season two of the critically acclaimed #1 new comedy/series and breakout hit Ghosts will premiere Thursday, Sept. 29 in its new time slot at 8:30 PM, ET/PT on CBS. The entire first season is available to stream on demand on Paramount+.

Jo Koy returns to Netflix for his 4th original special, live from the Los Angeles forum. The hour-long comedy special, Jo Koy: Live At The Los Angeles Forum will premiere globally on Netflix September 13, 2022. Returning to Netflix for his fourth original special, Jo Koy takes the stage at the iconic Los Angeles Forum. True to form, Jo gushes about his relationship with his teenage son along with sharing the struggles of living with sleep apnea and more. Directed by: Shannon Hartman; Executive Producers: Jo Koy, Joe Meloche, Michelle Caputo, Shannon Hartman. This special marks Koy's fourth special with Netflix. His previous hour-long specials include Comin' In Hot and Live From Seattle, in addition to his variety special In His Elements.

Actress Rebecca Balding, who starred as Carol David on Soap, has died. She died on July 18 in Park City, Utah, from ovarian cancer. Ms. Balding was 73.

Balding had a recurring role as Carol David in 19 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1980. Carol David is an attorney and mother of Jodie Dallas' (Billy Crystal) child, who leaves Jodie at the altar, then leaves their baby with her mother. The cast included Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, Jimmy Baio, Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Sal Viscuso (1978-1979), Donnelly Rhodes (1978-1981), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Jay Johnson, Ted Wass and Roscoe Lee Browne (1980-1981).

She starred as Corky Crandall on the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom Makin' It. The show was set in Passaic, New Jersey, and was about the daily life of Billy Manucci, a young man who frequented the local disco club, Inferno, at night while working at an ice cream parlor called Tasti-Queen during the day. Corky Crandall was Billy Manucci's (David Naughton) girlfriend. The theme song, sung by David Naughton, reached #5 on the Billboard Top 40 charts in 1979. The cast included Greg Antonacci, Denise Miller, Ellen Travolta, Lou Antonio, Ralph Seymour, Gary Prendergast, Wendy Hoffman, Diane Robin and Jennifer Perito.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Tony Randall Show, I'm a Big Girl Now, Gimme a Break!, Family Ties, Brothers (1985), The Robert Guillaume Show, Free Spirit, Designing Women, Home Improvement and Love Boat: The Next Wave.

Balding starred as reporter Carla Mardigian in the first three episodes of the CBS newspaper drama Lou Grant in 1977. Her character was written out for a different reporter named Billie Newman played by Linda Kelsey. She had a recurring role as Mary McBride in six episodes of the CBS western Paradise from 1989 to 1990.

She had a recurring role as Elise Rothman in 22 episodes of The WB fantasy drama Charmed from 2000 to 2006. Elise Rothman is the editor-in-chief of The Bay Mirror newspaper and the boss of Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano). Balding had earlier played Aunt Jackie in a first season episode in 1998.

Some of her television drama guest appearances included The Bionic Woman (2 episodes in 1976), Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch (2 episodes), Supertrain, Insight, Cagney & Lacey, Hotel, Lottery!, Matt Houston (2 episodes), MacGruder and Loud, Trapper John, M.D. (1985), Our House, MacGyver (1987), Bodies of Evidence, University Hospital, 7th Heaven, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1997), Melrose Place (2 episodes) and ER.

Balding starred in the slasher film The Silent Scream (1979) and the monster film The Boogens (1981). Her other film credits included Kiss My Grits (1982) and Yesterday's Dream (2005). Some of her television movie credits included Deadly Game (1977), The Gathering (1977) and The Gathering, Part II (1979).

She is survived by her husband, writer-director James L. Conway, her daughters, Sarah and Kathleen and her grandchildren.

Ms. Balding was a talented and versatile actress. She had nearly 50 television and film credits from 1976 to 2006. She will be deeply missed.

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

We also remember actor, comedian and writer Jak Knight. He recently starred on the Peacock comedy series Bust Down. He was found dead on an embankment in Los Angeles on July 14. His cause of death was determined to be suicide by gunshot. Mr. Knight was only 28.

Knight starred as Jak, a stockroom worker, on the 2022 Peacock comedy series Bust Down. The series follows a group of friends working low-wage jobs at a casino in Gary, Indiana. The cast includes Chris Redd, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, Phi Tran, DomiNque Perry and Freddie Gibbs.

He provided the voice of DeVon and other characters for 28 episodes of the Netflix animated sitcom Big Mouth. He was the voice of Stiles for two episodes of American Dad! in 2021.

Some of his writing credits included black-ish, Immoral Compass, Big Mouth, Bust Down and Pause with Sam Jay. His producing credits included Big Mouth, Bust Down and Pause with Sam Jay.

Mr. Knight was a funny actor and comedian. The news of his death was very shocking and sad. He will be greatly missed.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org .

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:10 PM

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Labels: Bust Down, CBS, Charmed, Ghosts, Netflix, Obits, Soap

CBS Renews 2 Comedies, Cancels Mom and Drama NCIS: New Orleans; Peacock Bulks Up on Original Series

CBS announced that it has renewed its popular Monday night comedy hour of The Neighborhood and Bob ♥ Abishola for the 2021-2022 broadcast season. Additional CBS renewals will be announced in the coming months.The Neighborhood stars Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Tichina Arnold, Sheaun McKinney, Marcel Spears and Hank Greenspan. Executive producers are Jim Reynolds, Aaron Kaplan, Dana Honor, Wendi Trilling, Cedric the Entertainer and Eric Rhone. The series is produced by CBS Studios. Bob ♥ Abishola stars Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku, Christine Ebersole, Matt Jones, Maribeth Monroe, Vernee Watson, Shola Adewusi, Barry Shabaka Henley, Travis Wolfe, Jr., Gina Yashere, Bayo Akinfemi and Anthony Okungbowa. The executive producers are Chuck Lorre, Al Higgins and Beth McCarthy Miller. Gina Yashere is co-executive producer and writer. The series is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television. In other news, two long-running series will come to an end. Sitcom Mom will conclude its eight-season run with the series finale on Thursday, May 6 at 9:00 PM ET/PT, while drama NCIS: New Orleans will conclude its seven-season run with its series finale, Sunday, May 16 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

Peacock announced all-new programming at the Television Critics Association Press Tour. New unscripted series Ex Rated has been picked up with host and executive producer Andy Cohen, and highly anticipated Real Housewives of Miami is in development. On the comedy front, Peacock has ordered Untitled Craig Robinson Project (previously titled Killing It) to series starring Craig Robinson and ensemble comedy Bust Down from Lorne Michaels and starring Chris Redd, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman and Jak Knight. .

Untitled Craig Robinson Project is a comedy about class, capitalism and one man's quest to achieve the American dream. And also about hunting really big snakes. The project reunites Craig Robinson with Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-creator Dan Goor and executive producer Luke Del Tredici. Robinson recurs on Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Jake's friend and nemesis, Doug Judy (aka the Pontiac Bandit). 10 episodes have been ordered of this Peacock comedy. In Bust Down, four casino employees in a dead-end job in middle America attempt to find self-worth in their bad ideas. Six episodes have been ordered starring Chris Redd, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman and Jak Knight.

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

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Labels: Bob ♥ Abishola, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bust Down, CBS, Killing It, Mom, NCIS, Peacock, The Neighborhood