SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for Scrubs Reboot; Tubi to Add 100 Cartoon Series from Warner and Cartoon Network Library

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're seeing a preview of the upcoming Scrubs reboot, hearing about 100 (yes, one hundred!) new cartoons coming to Tubi, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• We're getting a new trailer for the reboot of Scrubs. (Deadline)
• NBC has cast the Jim Rockford role for their upcoming reboot of The Rockford Files. (Variety)
• Cartoon fans are going to love Tubi in March, as they begin to add 100 (to be clear, only ten will arrive March 1, and of the ones we're mentioning here, only Animaniacs is on the March 1 list) classic cartoons series including Animaniacs, Flintstone Kids, Freakazoid, Pinky and the Brain, Smurfs, Tiny Toon Adventures, and even The Dukes, the animated version of The Dukes of Hazzard. (Cord Cutters News)
• Saturday Night Live is back in March with three new episodes, and Gorillaz (despite making music for 25 years) will make their first appearance as musical guest in the first one. (NBC)
• James Van Der Beek has died at age 48. (Variety)
• The pilot of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is getting a post-Saturday Night Live encore later this month. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: Animaniacs, Catchy Comedy, Catchy Loves Lucy, Family Guy, Flintstone Kids, Rockford Files, Saturday Night Live, Scrubs, SitcomsOnline Digest, Smurfs, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, Tiny Toon Adventures, Tubi

SitcomsOnline Digest: Roku Adds New Channels for Bernie Mac, Blossom, and Cougar Town; Catchy Comedy Introduces Catchy Loves Lucy

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a very busy week this week (one of our busiest in a while!) with some new things coming to streaming, a new programming block for Catchy Comedy, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Roku has added some new channels, including 24/7 channels for The Bernie Mac Show, Blossom, and Cougar Town. (Cord Cutters News)
• Catchy Comedy is making a few changes starting next weekend, as they will be ending their weekly Catchy Binge and replacing it with a new Sunday lineup that will include (among other things) Catchy Loves Lucy, a weekly block that features curated collections of episodes of every sitcom (even Life with Lucy) that Lucille Ball starred in, as well as other features about and related to Lucille Ball. (Cord Cutters News)
• Saturday Night Live is going international, with the launch of a new Saturday Night Live UK, and they've now announced the cast. (Deadline)
• CBS is planning to introduce their fall lineup a bit earlier than broadcast networks traditionally do. (Deadline)
• The Voice will occupy a two hour timeslot when it returns for a new season. (Deadline)
• As daytime talk shows continue to dwindle, Sherri has been canceled. (Variety)
• That's not the only daytime talk show that has been canceled, as The Kelly Clarkson Show has been as well. (Deadline)
• Many people probably didn't know that there is a Children's and Family Emmy Awards or that they have a Lifetime Achievement Award, but it probably would come as no surprise that Bill Nye is set to receive that award this year. (Hollywood Reporter)
• NBC has renewed St. Denis Medical and Happy's Place. (SitcomsOnline)

• Every week for the past few years, we've reminded you of the weekly Catchy Comedy (and before that, Decades) Binge, but this will be the last time as Here's Lucy is featured tomorrow as the last planned binge before they switch to a different Sunday lineup.
• Although NBC is once again using the Winter Olympics as their post-Super Bowl programming rather than debuting a new series, sibling streaming platform Peacock will be debuting their series The 'Burbs on Sunday.
• Antenna TV has a marathon of Designing Women tomorrow.
• Buzzr is now airing the Drew Carey episodes of The Price is Right in addition to the Bob Barker ones
• As we mentioned, there are new Roku channels dedicated to The Bernie Mac Show, Blossom, and Cougar Town.

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

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Labels: Bernie Mac, Bill Nye, Blossom, Catchy Comedy, Catchy Loves Lucy, Cougar Town, Designing Women, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Life with Lucy, Lucy Show, Sherri, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Burbs

SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Plans Retool of Cable Networks; King of the Hill Revival Scores Big Ratings

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Once again, it's a light "pre-fall season" week of news, but we're here nonethless. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Cable TV is changing dramatically before our eyes, but Paramount's new owner Skydance is saying that they plan to keep trying with their cable networks, but will potentially retool them (maybe that means MTV will finally end their 5 year marathon of Ridiculousness?). (Deadline)
• The King of the Hill revival is pulling big numbers in the ratings. (IGN)
• Two new sports streaming services launch on Thursday, one from ESPN and the other from Fox, but be prepared to pay a hefty price if you want both. (Deadline)
• Danielle Spencer, who played Dee on What's Happening!!, has died at age 60. (NPR)
• Hot in Cleveland is heading to Catchy Comedy. (SitcomsOnline)

• Just in time for the 60th anniversary of the series, Antenna TV is featuring a 60 episode marathon of I Dream of Jeannie today and tomorrow.
• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Laugh-In tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Catchy Comedy, ESPN, Hot in Cleveland, I Dream of Jeannie, King of the Hill, Paramount, SitcomsOnline Digest, What's Happening

Catchy Comedy Acquires Hot in Cleveland; Netflix's Animated Comedy Strip Law Premieres in 2026

Hot in Cleveland repeats are coming to Catchy Comedy. The sitcom -- which starred Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick, and Betty White -- will air weeknights from 9-10 PM ET starting on Monday, September 1.

In the series, the Paris-bound plane of three best friends from Los Angeles makes an emergency landing in Cleveland. They decide to stay and lease a home where sassy caretaker Elka (Betty White) resides in the guest house.

But ahead of the show's new weeknight launch, Catchy will air a binge of Hot in Cleveland from 12pm-12am and special episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show highlighting White's character Sue Ann Nivens on Sunday, August 31 beginning at 6am and again at 12am.

Netflix announced a new adult animated comedy series, Strip Law from Cullen Crawford, Underground and Titmouse Inc. The 10 episode series will be released on Netflix on February 20, 2026. Uptight lawyer Lincoln Gumb is too boring to win cases in Vegas until he teams up with local magician/hedonist Sheila Flambé to bring some flash and pizzazz to the stupidest cases the city can throw at them.

Starring the voices of Adam Scott (Severance), Janelle James (Abbot Elementary), Stephen Root (Barry, Office Space, King of the Hill), Shannon Gisela (M.I.A., Chasers) and Keith David (Platoon, There's Something About Mary, They Live).

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

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Labels: Catchy Comedy, Hot in Cleveland, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Netflix, Strip Law

Remembering George Wendt of Cheers; Platonic Season 2 First Look

Actor George Wendt, who starred as Norm Peterson in Cheers, has died. He died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles on May 20 from cardiac arrest. His death coincided with the 32nd anniversary of the Cheers series finale. Mr. Wendt was 76.

Wendt's first role as a series regular was as Gus Bertoia in the short-lived 1982 CBS sitcom Making the Grade, which was created by Gary David Goldberg. George Bertoia is a physical education teacher at Franklin High School in St. Louis. The series also starred James Naughton, Graham Jarvis, Alley Mills, Steve Peterman, Zane Lasky, Philip Charles MacKenzie, and Veronica Redd.

He starred as Norm Peterson in 1982-1993 NBC sitcom Cheers. Norm Peterson is a bar regular and occasionally employed accountant. He made a prominent entrance to the bar in every episode. He would be greeted by a cheer of "Norm!" and make a wisecrack as he walked to his barstool.

The role earned Wendt six consecutive nominations from 1984 to 1989 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He also directed the episode "Airport V" in 1988. The cast included Ted Danson, Shelley Long (1982-1987), Rhea Perlman, Nicholas Colasanto (1982-1985), John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer (1984-1993), Woody Harrelson (1985-1993), Kirstie Alley (1986-1993), and Bebe Neuwirth (1986-1993).

Wendt appeared as Norm Peterson in a 1985 crossover episode of St. Elsewhere. He also made one guest appearance each in the three other sitcoms set in the Cheers universe: the spin-off The Tortellis in 1987, the Wings episode "The Story of Joe in 1990, and the Frasier episode Cheerful Goodbyes in 2002. Some of his other appearances as Norm Peterson included Mickey's 60th Birthday in 1988, The Magical World of Disney - "Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration" in 1990, and The Earth Day Special in 1990.

He starred as George Coleman in the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom The George Wendt Show. Based on the NPR radio show Car Talk, the series revolved around George and Dan Coleman (Pat Finn), two wise cracking brothers who own a car garage in Madison, Wisconsin. The series also starred Brian Doyle-Murray, Mark Christopher Lawrence, and Kate Hodge.

Wendt starred as Les Polanski in the second season (1997) of the sitcom The Naked Truth. In the second season, the show switched networks from ABC to NBC and was retooled. Meatball-mogul Les Polanski buys the celebrity tabloid The Comet, intending to make it a respectable publication. The second season also starred Téa Leoni, Holland Taylor, Mark Roberts, Jonathan Penner, and Darryl Sivad.

He had a recurring role as Mike Shelby in six episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch on The WB from 2001 to 2002. Mike Shelby is Sabrina Spellman's (Melissa Joan Hart) boss at the Boston Citizen newspaper.

Wendt starred as Tug Clarke in the short-lived 2006 The WB sitcom Modern Men. Tug Clarke is a retired pro football player who owned a local restaurant. He is the father of Tim Clarke (Josh Braaten) and Molly Clarke (Marla Sokoloff). The series also starred Jane Seymour, Max Greenfield, and Eric Lively.

He starred as Buzzy in the short-lived 2015 TBS sitcom Clipped. Clipped takes place in a Charlestown, Massachusetts barbershop called Buzzy's, named after the original owner who still works there. The series also starred Mike Castle, Ashley Tisdale, Lauren Lapkus, Ryan Pinkston, Matt Cook, and Diona Reasonover.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Soap, Taxi, Alice, M*A*S*H, Day by Day, Roc, Seinfeld (as himself), Bob (as himself), The Building, The Larry Sanders Show (as himself), The Martin Short Show (as himself), Good Company (as himself), Spin City, Madigan Men (4 episodes as Carl), Becker, Rock Me Baby, George Lopez (2 episodes), Hot in Cleveland, Kickin' It, Kirstie, Childrens Hospital, Fresh Off the Boat, and The Goldbergs.

Wendt hosted Saturday Night Live twice in 1986 and 1990. In the early 1990s, he made cameo appearances on several episodes as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago Superfans (along with cast members Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Robert Smigel, and one-time host, Joe Mantegna).

Some of his other television guest appearances included Hart to Hart, The Twilight Zone (1986), Tales from the Crypt, Columbo (1995), Masters of Horror, Ghost Whisperer, Harry's Law, and Franklin & Bash.

He had film roles opposite Robert De Niro in 1991's Guilty by Suspicion and with Mel Gibson in 1992's Forever Young. Some of his other film credits included No Small Affair (1984), Dreamscape (1984), Fletch (1985), House (1985), Gung Ho (1986), and Man of the House (1995).

Mr. Wendt was very funny and memorable as Norm Peterson. Wendt, Danson and Perlman were the only three cast members who appeared in every episode of Cheers. Norm's entrances at the bar, such as "It's a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I'm wearing Milk-Bone underwear" were always hilarious. We thank him for the many laughs he brought us on Cheers and television during his legendary career. He will be greatly missed.

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

Watch a special Catchy Binge and tribute to George Wendt this Sunday (May 25) starting at 6a ET | 3a PT, featuring some of his most memorable episodes of Cheers. Tune in and raise a glass as Catchy Comedy remembers George Wendt all Sunday long.

Apple TV+ today revealed a first look at the second season of Platonic, the critically acclaimed half-hour comedy starring and executive produced by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. The 10-episode sophomore season will premiere globally on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 with the first two episodes, followed by one episode weekly until October 1, 2025. Co-created, directed and co-written by Nick Stoller and Francesca Delbanco, Platonic season two picks up with everyone’s favorite pair of best friends (Rogen and Byrne) as they contend with new mid-life hurdles including work, weddings and partners in crises. The duo tries their best to be each other’s rock — but sometimes rocks break things. The season two cast also includes Luke Macfarlane and Carla Gallo, and introduces Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett as guest stars.

Platonic is produced by Sony Pictures Television, where Stoller’s Global Solutions has an overall deal. Byrne, Stoller, Delbanco and Conor Welch executive produce along with Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver for Point Grey Pictures. In addition to Platonic, Rogen stars in Apple TV+'s comedy The Studio, which he wrote, directed and executive produced alongside Goldberg, and Byrne stars in Apple TV+’s dark comedy Physical.

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

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Labels: Apple TV+, Catchy Comedy, Cheers, Obits, Physical, Platonic, The Studio

Antenna TV Pays Tribute to Linda Lavin with Alice Marathon; Catchy Comedy Recreates Classic CBS Saturday Night Lineup from the 1970s

Antenna TV is honoring the life, laughter and love of Linda Lavin with a full day of Alice. Join them on January 4 at 10AE | 7AP as they remember Linda Lavin. Alice airs weekdays at 2A ET / 11P PT and Saturdays at 6P ET / 3P PT.

10:00 AM - "Alice Gets a Pass"
10:30 AM - "Pay the Fifty Dollars"
11:00 AM - "The Odd Couple"
11:30 AM - "Mel's Happy Burger"
12:00 PM - "The Bundle"
12:30 PM - "Alice "Alice by Moonlight"
1:00 PM - "Alice "The Second Time 'Round"
1:30 PM - "That Old Black Magic"
2:00 PM - "The Bus"
2:30 PM - "Take Him, He's Yours"
3:00 PM - "Car Wars"
3:30 PM - "Block Those Kicks"
4:00 PM - "The Happy Hoofers"
4:30 PM - "Alice's Decision"
5:00 PM - "The Principal of the Thing"
5:30 PM - "Mona Lisa Alice"
6:00 PM - "Alice in TV Land"
6:30 PM - "Alice Beats the Clock"
7:00 PM - "Alice Strikes Up the Band"
7:30 PM - "Alice Locks Belle Out"
8:00 PM - "Alice's Big Four-Oh!"
8:30 PM - "Alice Calls the Shots"
9:00 PM - "Alice and the Acorns"
9:30 PM - "Alice at the Palace"
10:00 PM - "Alice Doesn't Work Here Anymore"
10:30 PM - "Alice Doesn't Work Here Anymore"

Starting in January, Catchy Comedy is reducing the weekend Binge to just Sundays.

Here's the new Saturday schedule starting on January 4: (All times Eastern)

6A-8A: Full House
8A-9A: Family Affair
9A-11A: E/I programming
11A-1P: Full House
1P-3P: The Brady Bunch
3P-5P: My Three Sons
5P-6P: The Lucy Show
6P-7P: The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour
7P-8P: I Love Lucy

From 8P-11P they're recreating the classic CBS Saturday night lineup from the 1970s:

8P: All in the Family
8:30: M*A*S*H
9P: The Mary Tyler Moore Show
9:30P: The Bob Newhart Show
10p: The Carol Burnett Show

11P-12A: Get Smart
12A-1A: Sledge Hammer!
1A: Police Squad!
1:30: When Things Were Rotten
2A-4A: Newhart
4A-5A: The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
5A-6A: Car 54, Where Are You?

Here are the first few Binges of January:

1/5: Night Court
1/12: Bosom Buddies

Discuss the Catchy Comedy changes and view more upcoming Binges.

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

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Labels: Alice, All in the Family, Antenna TV, Bob Newhart Show, Catchy Comedy, M*A*S*H, Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Carol Burnett Show

Remembering TV Legend Bob Newhart, TV Bad Girl Shannen Doherty of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, and Doogie Howser TV Dad James B. Sikking

Emmy-winning actor and comedian Bob Newhart, who starred as Bob Hartley in The Bob Newhart Show and as Dick Loudon in Newhart, has died. He died from complications of several short illnesses at his home in Los Angeles, California, on July 18. Mr. Newhart was 94.

Newhart starred on the 1961-1962 NBC comedy variety show The Bob Newhart Show. The show was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor (now known as the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series) in 1962. It also won a Peabody Award in 1961. Regulars included Mickey Manners (1961), Joe Flynn, Jackie Joseph, Andy Albin, Dan Sorkin, Ken Westfall (1961), Jack Grinnage (1961), Ken Berry (1962) and Paul Weston and His Orchestra.

He starred as Dr. Robert "Bob" Hartley in the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. The show centers on Robert "Bob" Hartley, a Chicago psychologist, his work and home life, with his supportive, though occasionally sarcastic, wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), and their friendly but mildly pesky neighbor, airline navigator Howard Borden (Bill Daily). The series also starred Peter Bonerz as Dr. Jerry Robinson, Bob's friend, an orthodontist, and Marcia Wallace as Carol Kester, Bob and Jerry's receptionist. In 1977, the show received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. The entire cast assembled for the one-hour clip show The Bob Newhart Show: The 19th Anniversary Special in 1991, which finds the show's characters in the present day. Newhart and Wallace reprised their roles in a 1994 episode of Murphy Brown. Newhart reprised Hartley twice in the February 11, 1995, episode of Saturday Night Live.

Newhart starred as Dick Loudon in the 1982-1990 CBS sitcom Newhart. The series stars Newhart and Mary Frann as an author and his wife who own and operate the Stratford Inn in rural Vermont. Dick Loudon is also the host of a local television show, Vermont Today, where he interviews an assortment of bizarre and colorful guests. The show was nominated for 25 Emmy Awards but never won. The cast included Tom Poston, Jennifer Holmes (1982-1983), Steven Kampmann (1982-1984), Julia Duffy (1983-1990), Peter Scolari (1984-1990), William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss and John Voldstad. Recurring cast members included Thomas Hill, William Lanteau, Rebecca York (1983-1984), Jeff Doucette (1983-1988), Fred Applegate (1984-1987), Ralph Manza (1984-1990), Linda Carlson (1984-1987), Todd Susman (1984-1990), José Ferrer (1985-1987), Priscilla Morrill (1985-1989), Melanie Chartoff (1987-1990), Kathy Kinney (1989-1990) and David Pressman (1989-1990).

He starred as Bob McKay in the 1992-1993 CBS sitcom Bob. Bob McKay is a greeting card artist who discovers a comic book he created is getting revived. He is the creator of the 1950s comic book superhero Mad-Dog. The series, which aired for two seasons, also starred Carlene Watkins, Cynthia Stevenson, John Cygan (season 1), Andrew Bilgore (season 1), Timothy Fall (season 1), Ruth Kobart (season 1), Betty White (season 2), Jere Burns (season 2), Eric Allan Kramer (season 2) and Megan Cavanagh. Recurring cast members included Lisa Kudrow, Tom Poston (season 1), Dorothy Lyman, Dick Martin and Christine Dunford (season 1).

Newhart starred as George Stoody in the 1997-1998 CBS sitcom George & Leo. Newhart and Hirsch starred as the respective title characters, widely divergent men who become in-laws when their children get married. The cast inclued Jason Bateman, Bess Meyer (episodes 1-7), Robyn Lively (episodes 9-22) and Darryl Theirse.

He played Professor Proton (Arthur Jeffries) in six episodes of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory from 2013 to 2018. Professor Proton (Arthur Jeffries) is the star of a fictional in-universe science show that Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) watched as children. Newhart won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013. He appeared as the character in three episodes of Young Sheldon from 2017 to 2020.

Newhart appeared as Bob Sr., Bob's (David Foley) father and the father-in-law of Joy Scroggs (Jane Leeves), in the series finale of Hot in Cleveland in 2015. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Captain Nice, The Don Rickles Show, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Everybody Loves Raymond and Committed. He voiced himself in a 1996 episode of The Simpsons.

In 2003, he guest starred as Ben Hollander in three episodes of ER in a rare dramatic role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, his first in nearly 20 years. He had a recurring role as Morty Flickman, the on-again/off-again boyfriend of Sophie (Lesley Ann Warren), Susan Mayer's (Teri Hatcher) mother, in three episodes of Desperate Housewives in 2005. Some of his other television drama credits included The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, NCIS and The Librarians (3 episodes).

He appeared on The Dean Martin Show 21 times and on The Ed Sullivan Show seven times. He was one of the initial three co-hosts of the variety show The Entertainers in 1964, with Carol Burnett and Caterina Valente. He guest-hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 87 times. He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1980 and 1995.

Newhart's 1960 comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart was the first comedy album to make number one on the Billboard charts and peaked at number two in the UK Albums Chart. It won two Grammy Awards in 1961 for Album of the Year and Best New Artist. The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart remains the 20th-best-selling album in history. A follow-up album, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!, was released six months later and won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Performance – Spoken Word that year.

He starred as Papa Elf in Elf (2003). Some of his other film credits included Catch-22 (1970), Cold Turkey (1971), First Family (1980) and In & Out (1997). He also voiced Bernard in the Disney animated films The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990).

He was interviewed on May 29, 2001 in Westwood, California, and on June 15, 2001 in Bel Air, California, for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television.

Mr. Newhart was a TV and comedy icon. He was very funny and memorable as Bob Hartley and Dick Loudon. He was always a great late night guest. His deadpan delivery and dry sense of humor were fantastic. We thank him for the many laughs and for the entertainment that he brought during his legendary career. He will be greatly missed.

Catchy Comedy will celebrate legendary actor Bob Newhart with a special Catchy Weekend Binge presentation of The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart and Bob TV Series. The tribute begins Saturday, July 20 at 12 noon ET/PT on Catchy Comedy. The special Binge will continue all weekend through Monday, July 21 at 6:00 am ET/PT.

CBS announced a new Entertainment Tonight special, Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter, to air Monday, July 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs)*.

Hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Nischelle Turner, this one-hour tribute honors the late comedian with a look back at his 70-year career, featuring never-before-seen interviews, and his final interview from his home in Los Angeles. The special takes an in-depth look at his journey from accountant to comedian to Hollywood icon, with rare behind-the-scenes footage of Bob on the set of his sitcoms and feature films, from the Entertainment Tonight vault. Included are new and archival interviews with some of Bob’s closest friends and co-stars, including Jim Parsons, Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Jason Bateman and Michael Weatherly. The show takes an intimate look inside Bob’s personal life and his marriage to the love of his life, Ginnie, with newly revealed stories about how he changed American culture through comedy.

Bob starred as Chicago psychologist Robert Hartley on the CBS television series The Bob Newhart Show from 1972 to 1978, and then as Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon on Newhart from 1982 to 1990, also on the Network. He had two other sitcoms on CBS in the 1990s, Bob and George and Leo. Bob played the recurring role of Professor Proton on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory from 2013 to 2018, for which he received his first Primetime Emmy Award.

TBS is celebrating the life of comedian and actor Bob Newhart with a Big Bang Theory marathon featuring the Best of Professor Proton episodes. Beginning Sunday, July 21 at 8PM on TBS, the marathon includes six classic episodes from various seasons including "The Proton Resurgence," "The Proton Displacement," "The Proton Transmogrification," and more.

Big Bang Theory follows two brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon, who understand how the universe works. But none of that genius helps them interact with people. All this begins to change when a free-spirited beauty named Penny moves next door.

Full scheduling details are below:

Sunday, July 21 (8PM-11PM)
1. "The Proton Resurgence" (Season 6, Episode 22)
2. "The Proton Displacement" (Season 7, Episode 7)
3. "The Proton Transmogrification" (Season 7, Episode 22)
4. "The Opening Night Excitation" (Season 9, Episode 11)
5. "The Proton Regeneration" (Season 11, Episode 6)
6. "The Planetarium Collision" (Season 12, Episode 5)

Actress Shannen Doherty, who starred as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 and as Prue Halliwell in Charmed, has died. She died from cancer at her home in Malibu, California, on July 13. Ms. Doherty was 53.

Doherty had a recurring role as Jenny Wilder in 18 episodes of the ninth and final season (1982-1983) of the NBC Western historical drama Little House on the Prairie. Almanzo (Dean Butler) and Laura (Melissa Gilbert) take in their niece, Jenny Wilder, when Almanzo's brother dies and raise her alongside their daughter, Rose. She returned in the three post-series movies in 1983 and 1984.

She starred as Kris Witherspoon in the 1986-1988 NBC drama Our House. The series centers on the Witherspoon family and the challenges they face adjusting to life with three generations living in the same house. 15-year-old Kris aimed to become an Air Force test pilot someday. The cast included Wilford Brimley, Deidre Hall, Chad Allen, Keri Houlihan and Gerald S. O'Loughlin.

Doherty starred as Brenda Walsh in the Fox teen drama from 1990 to 1994. The initial premise of the show was based on the adjustment and culture shock that twins Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Brenda Walsh experienced when they and their parents, Jim (James Eckhouse) and Cindy (Carol Potter), moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Beverly Hills, California. Doherty was fired from the series at the end of the fourth season in 1994.

She starred as Prue Halliwell in The WB's fantasy drama Charmed from 1998 to 2001. The series initially focuses on the three Halliwell sisters, Prue, Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) who are witches. Prue is the eldest sister who initially receives the power to move objects with her mind by channelling telekinesis through her eyes. Doherty also directed three episodes during the second and third seasons. She was was allegedly fired by producer Aaron Spelling after the third season after he received an ultimatum from Milano because of their on-set and off-set tensions between them.

Doherty had a recurring role Alexandra Hudson in 11 episodes of the 2004-2005 Fox drama North Shore. Alexandra Hudson is Walter Booth's (Christopher McDonald) supposed illegitimate child by a secretary – thus making her Nicole's (Brooke Burns) half-sister.

She reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in seven episodes of the first season (2008-2009) of The CW's teen drama 90210. She played herself in the short-lived 2009 Fox comedy-drama BH90210. The series focuses on the original cast members of Beverly Hills, 90210 — Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, and Shannen Doherty — playing heightened, fictionalized versions of themselves. The cast also served as executive producers.

Doherty guest starred with Christina Applegate and Robyn Lively in a 1985 episode of The New Leave it to Beaver. She appeared with other Beverly Hills, 90210 stars in a 1992 episode of Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

She had several attempts at starring in a sitcom. In 1984, she starred with Richard Kline, Shelley Fabares and Dana Kimmell in the CBS pilot episode of His and Hers. In 1997, she was cast with Orlando Jones and William Ragsdale as hip young private investigators in Los Angeles in the Fox sitcom pilot Faster Baby, Kill! It wasn't picked up as a series. In 2005, she starred as Denise Johnson in the unaired pilot of the UPN sitcom Love, Inc.. The series was originally developed as a vehicle and sitcom debut for Doherty under the working title Wingwoman. Though picked up by UPN, Doherty was removed from the project at the request of the network due to her poor reception by preview audiences. She was replaced by Busy Philipps.

Some of her other television guest apperances included Father Murphy (2 episodes), The Phoenix, Voyagers!, Magnum, P.I. (1983), Airwolf, Highway to Heaven, 21 Jump Street, Life Goes On and Heathers (3 episodes). She appeared as a stranded motorist on Riverdale as part of a tribute to Luke Perry, who died in 2019.

She starred as Maggie Malene in the 1985 teen movie comedy Girls Just Want to Have Fun alongside Helen Hunt and Sarah Jessica Parker. She played Heather Duke in the 1988 teen black comedy film Heathers. In 1995, she starred as Rene Mosier in Kevin Smith's buddy comedy film Mallrats. She had a cameo as herself in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).

Ms. Doherty was very good and memorable in her television dramas over the years. She could play good girl and bad girl roles equally well. Our House is a somewhat forgotten family drama, which should be available on DVD or streaming. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She bravely battled cancer since 2015. She will be deeply missed.

Actor James B. Sikking, who starred as Lt. Howard Hunter in Hill Street Blues and as Dr. David Howser in Doogie Howser, M.D., has died. He died of complications from dementia at his home in Los Angeles, California, on July 13. Mr. Sikking was 90.

Sikking starred as Geoffrey St. James in the short-lived 1979 NBC sitcom Turnabout, which was based on a 1931 novel of the same title by Thorne Smith. The plot was about a husband and wife who found themselves inhabiting each other's bodies. The series also starred John Schuck, Sharon Gless, Richard Stahl, Bobbi Jordan and Bruce Kirby.

He starred as Lt. Howard Hunter in the 1981-1987 NBC police drama Hill Street Blues. Initially a Sergeant, he is promoted to (or perhaps merely re-written as) Lieutenant early in season 1 without mention. Hunter is the commander of the Emergency Action Team (EAT, or "EATers"), who loves to postulate and theorize about the degeneration of society. In 1984, Sikking's performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Sikking starred as Dr. David Howser in the 1989-1993 ABC medical comedy/drama Doogie Howser, M.D.. Dr. David Howser is Doogie Howser's (Neil Patrick Harris) father. He's a Vietnam War MASH veteran with a family practice. The cast included Max Casella, Belinda Montgomery, Lawrence Pressman, Mitchell Anderson (1989-1991), Kathryn Layng, Lisa Dean Ryan (1989-1992), Lucy Boryer (1989-1992), Markus Redmond (1990-1993), Rif Hutton (recurring from 1990-1993) and Robyn Lively (recurring from 1991-1993).

He starred as Capt. Stan Jonas in the 1997-1998 CBS police drama Brooklyn South. The focus for Brooklyn South was the 74th Precinct in Brooklyn. The series won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Television New Dramatic Series in 1998.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included O.K. Crackerby!, My Favorite Martian, My Mother the Car (2 episodes), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Here Come the Brides (2 episodes), The Bob Newhart Show, The Doris Day Show (3 episodes), M*A*S*H, Room 222 (2 episodes), Who's the Boss? and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2 episodes).

Sikking played Jim Hobart, an alcoholic surgeon, in the ABC soap opera General Hospital from 1971 to 1976. Some of his other television guest appearances included Perry Mason, Combat! (2 episodes), Rawhide, The Outer Limits (2 episodes), The Fugitive (3 episodes), Run for Your Life (2 episodes), The Invaders, Bonanza (2 episodes), Adam-12, Night Gallery (2 episodes), Mission: Impossible (2 episodes), Mod Squad (3 episodes), The Rookies (2 episodes), Mannix (2 episodes), Cannon (2 episodes), Delvecchio (3 episodes), The Feather & Father Gang (2 episodes), The Rockford Files (2 episodes), Hawaii Five-O (2 episodes), Charlie's Angels (2 episodes), Hunter (3 episodes) and The Guardian (2 episodes)

He voiced General Gordon on the The WB's 1998 animated science fiction series Invasion America. Some of his other voice credits included Batman Beyond (2 episodes) and Rocket Power (2 episodes).

Sikking starred as FBI Director Denton Voyles in the 1993 American legal thriller film The Pelican Brief. Some of his other film credits included Ordinary People (1980), The Competition (1980), Outland (1981), The Star Chamber (1983), Up the Creek (1984), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Narrow Margin (1990), Fever Pitch (2005) and Made of Honor (2008).

Mr. Sikking was a solid and dependable actor. He was best known for his yeoman work as hard-charging, hardheaded SWAT leader Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

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

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Labels: 90210, Beverly Hills 90210, BH90210, Bob, Bob Newhart Show, Catchy Comedy, CBS, Charmed, Doogie Howser MD, George and Leo, Hill Street Blues, Newhart, Obits

SitcomsOnline Digest: The Goldbergs to End After 10 Seasons; Decades to Rebrand as Catchy Comedy

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing of the cancellation of a long-running broadcast network sitcom, a South Park lawsuit, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It's honestly surprising that it lasted as long as it did (10 years is a very long time for a broadcast network family sitcom, especially in this era), but The Goldbergs is finally coming to an end at the end of this season. (Variety)
• In the midst of all of the confusion of whether South Park streams on HBO Max or Paramount+ (a dispute that began when Paramount+ started airing new South Park "specials" despite HBO Max having the rights to the new episodes), it seems Warner Bros. Discovery is now suing South Park Studios and Paramount+. (Deadline)
• James Corden is heading to primetime for just one night ahead of his final episode in late April. (Deadline)
• Actor Richard Belzer, known for his roles on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: SVU has died. (Hollywood Reporter)
• We reported last week that Warner Bros. Discovery cancelled Judge Mathis, which they did, but it seems he isn't quite going away after all as Allen Media Group has announced a new series that will conveniently launch this fall called Mathis Court with Judge Mathis. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Say goodbye to the digital network Decades, which will be transitioning to a new identity with a new mission (and one that is actually more sitcom friendly), Catchy Comedy. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (FEBRUARY 25 - MARCH 3)

• We missed this last week, but Pluto TV now has a 24/7 channel devoted to I Love Lucy, that launched (appropriately) on Valentine's Day.
• Although Decades will be transitioning to a new identity soon, the binges will continue after the transition, and it seems that they're going non-comedy for the last few as this weekend it is a binge of Marshal Dillon.
• Saturday Night Live is back and live tonight, with Woody Harrelson and musical guest Jack White.
• We're amazed that a reality series that started during the big reality show boom of the early 2000s is still around, but it is, and Survivor returns for a new season on Wednesday.

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

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Labels: Catchy Comedy, Decades, I Love Lucy, SitcomsOnline Digest, South Park, The Goldbergs

Decades Rebranding to Catchy Comedy on March 27, Acquires Night Court; Marlon Wayans' 3rd HBO Max Special

Decades is rebranding to Catchy Comedy starting March 27 and they will go all sitcoms, all day! Most of the shows are shows that are on the Weigel networks (MeTV, etc.) library, but they have acquired Night Court! Weekday mornings from 6-10am will be family focused with Full House, The Brady Bunch, Family Affair, and The Donna Reed Show. Daytime from 10am-4pm will be focused on female superstars I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Laverne & Shirley, Mama's Family and The Carol Burnett Show. Early fringe includes '70s classics like The Love Boat, The Odd Couple, and then Norman Lear '70s classics Good Times, Sanford and Son and All in the Family from 4-9pm. And then later in the evening comes Night Court, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Cheers, Taxi, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart in late prime & late fringe beginning at 9pm. On the weekends, Catchy Comedy will focus on marathons like Decades did, airing just one or two series throughout the entire weekend for a binge. First up in April is Night Court, thanks to the success of the new Night Court on NBC. Little-seen or short-lived sitcoms that still made an impact on pop culture, like Square Pegs will make appearances on the weekend binge. Stay tuned for more details.

Comedy legend Marlon Wayans returns in his third comedy special for HBO Max, Marlon Wayans: God Loves Me, debuting Thursday, March 2 on HBO Max. Filmed at the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, Wayans delivers a hilarious hour-long performance, unleashing his spot-on impressions and fearless physical comedy to address one of the most infamous recent events in pop culture – "the slap" that took place at the 94th Academy Awards® ceremony. With his inimitable blunt and boisterous style, Wayans skillfully weaves anecdotes from his own life with stories about his long-time friends, from divulging his teenage crush on Jada Pinkett Smith, getting humbled by Chris Rock in an early stand-up set, and examining the impact of Will Smith’s long career. A daring tour-de-force, this special is a hysterical yet thoughtful exploration of friendship, family, mistakes, and redemption.

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

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Labels: Catchy Comedy, Decades, HBO Max, Night Court, Wayans Bros