SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Disney+ Announces Brand New The Simpsons Episodes; Remembering the Sitcom Stars and Crew Members We Recently Lost

Disney+ announced three all-new episodes of The Simpsons set to stream exclusively on Disney+ globally this summer, following the series' recent landmark 800th episode milestone. The episodes include double-episode "Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition" streaming June 17, and full-length episodes "Simpsley" streaming July 3, and "Yellow Mirror" streaming August 26.

"Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition"
Premieres June 17, 2026, exclusively on Disney+
In this Disney+ exclusive double-episode, Homer and Marge’s fun couples’ date night goes off the rails when Marge learns Homer left the kids unsupervised with only the doorbell camera as a babysitter. Frustrated with her imperfect husband, a tipsy Marge stirs up a trilogy of fantasies of a different Homer. The special guest stars Betty Gilpin, with musical guests Laufey and Tegan and Sara.

"Simpsley"
Premieres July 3, 2026, exclusively on Disney+
When penniless con-artist Marge Bouvier is sent to Italy to convince wealthy sap Seymour Skinner to come home, she’s tempted by the trappings of his affluent lifestyle. But there’s a big fat fly in the ointment: Skinner’s clingy, dim-witted mooch of a houseguest, Homer Simpsley. Lies, lust and Italian lira are abound in this Disney+ exclusive Simpsons noir.

"Yellow Mirror"
Premieres August 26, 2026. exclusively on Disney+
A defective lamp reveals a heartbreaking truth about what Homer believes is reality, and an AI-powered tablet befriends and controls Maggie. The Simpsons struggle to find the light through two dark tales of the curious and bizarre in this Disney+ exclusive.

The new episodes continue Disney+'s growing collection of exclusive The Simpsons content, including previous installments "Yellow Planet," "The Past and the Furious" and "O C'Mon All Ye Faithful."

Today we remember the sitcom actors, producers, directors and writers we lost in recent months. We thank them for the laughs and entertainment. They will be greatly missed.

Producer Jay Daniel worked on Roseanne and Cybill. He died on May 27 at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center of a pneumonia-related illness. Mr. Daniel was 82.

Daniel was a producer on the 1985-1989 ABC comedy-drama Moonlighting, which stars Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis. He and others shared outstanding drama series nominations in 1986 and 1987. He directed four episodes of the series from 1987 to 1989.

He was a producer on the ABC sitcom Roseanne starting from the third season in 1990 until the sixth season in 1994. He developed and executive produced Cybill, which stars Cybill Shepherd, on CBS from 1995 to 1996. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included ABC's The Naked Truth in 1997, The WB's Maybe It's Me from 2001 to 2002, and ABC's Hot Properties in 1995.

In 1984, he won a Daytime Emmy for outstanding children's informational/instructional special for producing the CBS Schoolbreak Special episode titled "Dead Wrong: The John Evans Story".

---

Director and actor Howard Storm worked on Mork & Mindy and Valerie (later re-titled Valerie's Family and The Hogan Family). He died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on May 26. Mr. Storm was 94.

Storm's sitcom acting credits included Hennesey (1959), Love, American Style (1970), The Governor & J.J., That Girl, Funny Face, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Chico and the Man, Sanford and Son, Rhoda (2 episodes), C.P.O. Sharkey, and Good Grief.

He directed 59 episodes of the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy from 1978 to 1981. He directed 28 episodes of the NBC sitcom Valerie (later re-titled Valerie's Family and The Hogan Family) from 1986 to 1989.

Some of his other sitcom directing credits included Rhoda (6 episodes), Doc (8 episodes), Fish, Laverne & Shirley (8 episodes), Angie (3 episodes), Taxi (2 episodes), Gimme a Break! (2 episodes), Mr. Merlin, Best of the West (6 episodes), Joanie Loves Chachi, Too Close for Comfort (3 episodes), Amanda's (7 episodes), Perfect Strangers, What a Country! (4 episodes), Me & Mrs. C, (7 episodes), Mr. Belvedere, Just the Ten of Us (2 episodes), She's the Sheriff (2 episodes), ALF, City (13 episodes), Good Grief (11 episodes), Head of the Class (10 episodes from 1990 to 1991), Billy (4 episodes), Major Dad (2 episodes), Daddy Dearest (5 episodes), Everybody Loves Raymond (3 episodes), and Kenan & Kel (4 episodes).

Storm's sitcom writing credits included The Partridge Family, All in the Family, The Bob Newhart Show, and Happy Days.

In 1985, he directed his only feature film, Once Bitten, starring Lauren Hutton and Jim Carrey in his first major lead role.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on August 20, 2008.

---

Actor Grizz Chapman had a recurring role as Grizz in 30 Rock. He died on on May 22. Mr. Chapman was 52.

Chapman appeared as Grizz in 80 episodes of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013. Warren "Grizz" Griswold is a gentle giant member of Tracy Jordan's (Tracy Morgan) entourage. He was a recurring character during the first two seasons. He was credited as a series regular in seasons three and four.

Some of his other television credits included Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, and The Good Fight.

---

Writer and producer Jeffrey Lane worked on Mad About You and Bette. He died on May 20 following a long illness in New York. Mr. Lane was 71.

Lane wrote an episode of The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd in 1987. He wrote four episodes of The Slap Maxwell Story from 1987 to 1988. He initially came up with the concept of Ink, but he was replaced by Diane English at the last minute.

He wrote 15 episodes of the NBC sitcom Mad About You and worked as an executive producer from 1992 to 1995. He created and executive produced the 2000-2001 CBS sitcom Bette, which starred Bette Midler.

Some of his other television writing credits included Ryan's Hope, Lou Grant, Dynasty (1982), Cagney & Lacey (12 episodes), and Boone.

---

Actor Donald Gibb starred as Leslie "Dr. Death" Krunchner in the HBO sitcom 1st & Ten. He died from complications of throat cancer at his home in Texas on May 12. Mr. Gibb was 71.

Gibb starred as linebacker Leslie "Dr. Death" Krunchner in the 1984-1991 HBO sitcom 1st & Ten. The sports-themed series follows the on-and off-field antics of the fictional American football team, the California Bulls. Gibb, Cliff Frazier, Prince Hughes, and Reid Shelton were the only cast members who appeared in all six seasons of the series.

He starred as Scab, Lorraine Popowski's (Rosie O'Donnell) illiterate biker friend, in the short-lived 1992 Fox sitcom Stand by Your Man. The series also starred Melissa Gilbert, Sam McMurray, Rick Hall, Rusty Schwimmer, Ellen Ratners, and Miriam Flynn.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Alice, Just Our Luck, Benson, The Facts of Life, 227, My Two Dads (2 episodes), Dear John, Night Court (1990), Doctor Doctor, Sons and Daughters (2 episodes), True Colors, Cheers, Harry and the Hendersons (2 episodes), Daddy Dearest, Hearts Afire, Empty Nest (2 episodes), Boy Meets World, Muddling Through, Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, Kirk, Unhappily Ever After, Weird Science (3 episodes), Homeboys in Outer Space, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Step by Step (6 episodes), Arli$$, The Steve Harvey Show, and Veronica's Closet.

He starred as as the hulking, dimwitted fraternity brother Frederick "Ogre" Palowaski in Revenge of the Nerds (1984), Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987), and Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (1994). He starred as Ray Jackson in Bloodsport (1988) and Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996).

---

Actor Dennis Rush had a recurring role as Howie Pruitt in The Andy Griffith Show. He died whilst en route to a hospital in San Diego on May 9. Mr. Rush was 74.

Rush was best known for his role as Howie Pruitt, Opie Taylor's (Ron Howard) friend, in seven episodes of the CBS sitcom The Andy Griffith Show from 1963 to 1965. He played Howie Williams in a season five episode.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Lucy Show Going My Way, and My Favorite Martian. Some of his other television credits included The Deputy, General Electric Theater, Checkmate (2 episodes), Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Wagon Train (7 episodes), Perry Mason, Laramie (3 episodes), Breaking Point, Kraft Suspense Theatre, and The Magical World of Disney (2 episodes).

---

Businessman, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist Ted Turner founded CNN and WTBS. He died following a long battle with Lewy body dementia at his 29,000-acre (12,000 ha) Avalon Plantation home in Lamont, Florida, on May 6. Mr. Turner was 87.

In 1965, he founded Turner Broadcasting System. He founded CNN, the first 24-hour cable news channel, and WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television. He also founded the television networks TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

He appeared as himself in a 1997 episode of the HBO sports comedy series Arli$$.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on June 12, 1999 and December 6, 1999.

---

Television writer, director and producer David Kendall worked on Growing Pains and Boy Meets World. He died on May 2. Mr. Kendall was 68.

Kendall's sitcom writing credits included Just the Ten of Us, Growing Pains (32 episodes), Kelly Kelly (7 episodes), Family Affair (2 episodes in 2002), and Girl Meets World. Kendall and Bob Young created the 2010-2015 Freeform sitcom Melissa & Joey.

He directed 13 episodes of Boy Meets World from 1995 to 1999. Some of his other sitcom directing credits included Kelly Kelly, Sister Sister (1999), Clueless, Smart Guy, Odd Man Out (9 episodes), Even Stevens, That's So Raven, Phil of the Future (6 episodes), Hannah Montana (5 episodes), Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (9 episodes), Just Jordan (3 episodes), Zoey 101 (5 episodes), Cory in the House (2 episodes), Jonas, iCarly (14 episodes), Big Time Rush (4 episodes), Victorious (6 episodes), Pair of Kings (9 episodes), The Thundermans (4 episodes), Dog with a Blog (3 episodes), Melissa & Joey (7 episodes), Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (2 episodes), Kirby Buckets (9 episodes), Stuck in the Middle (15 episodes), Bizaardvark (14 episodes), Game Shakers (11 episodes), Henry Danger (9 episodes), Coop and Cami Ask the World (8 episodes), and Sydney to the Max (11 episodes).

Kendall served as showrunner for the second and third seasons of Boy Meets World. Some of his sitcom producing credits included Growing Pains, Kelly Kelly, Boy Meets World, and Melissa & Joey.

---

Actress Gwen Farrell Adair had a recurring role as various nurses in M*A*S*H. She died in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, on April 30. Ms. Farrell Adair was 93.

She appeared as various nurses in 26 episodes, including the series finale, of the the 1972-1983 CBS sitcom M*A*S*H. Her credited roles included Nurse Butler, Nurse Wilson, Nurse Able, and Nurse Gwen. The series, produced by 20th Century-Fox Television, follows a team of doctors and support staff stationed at the "4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital" in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War (1950–1953).

---

Actor Patrick Muldoon guest starred in episodes of Who's the Boss? and Saved by the Bell. He died at his home in Beverly Hills from a heart attack on April 19. Mr. Muldoon was 57.

Muldoon appeared as Matt, Samantha's (Alyssa Milano) boyfriend, in two episodes of Who's the Boss? in 1990. He had a recurring role as Jeffrey "Jeff" Hunter, the manager of the teens' favorite hangout spot The Max, in three episodes of Saved by the Bell in 1991. He is famously remembered as the guy who caused a rift between the show's beloved couple, Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski, when he briefly dated Kelly.

He starred as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives from 1992 to 1995 and again from 2011 to 2012. He played Richard Hart in 35 episodes of Melrose Place from 1995 to 1996.

Muldoon played Zander Barcalow in the 1997 Paul Verhoeven-directed film Starship Troopers.

---

Actor Rif Hutton had a recurring role as Dr. Ron Welch in Doogie Howser, M.D. from 1989 to 1993. He died from brain cancer at his home in Pasadena, California, on April 18. Mr. Hutton was 73.

Hutton had a recurring role as Dr. Ron Welch in 17 episodes of the ABC medical sitcom Doogie Howser, M.D. from 1989 to 1993. The series stars Neil Patrick Harris in the title role as a teenage physician who balances the challenge of practicing medicine with the everyday problems of teenage life.

He had a recurring role as Wes, Dolores Dixon's (Telma Hopkins) love interest, in three episodes of Getting By in 1993 and 1994. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Jeffersons, The New Gidget, 227, Night Court (1987), Beverly Hills Buntz, Webster, A Different World, Living Dolls, Empty Nest, Full House, Working Girl (2 episodes), The Hogan Family, Married... with Children, Wings, Murphy Brown, Stand by Your Man, The Larry Sanders Show, Step by Step, The Sinbad Show, George, Sister, Sister (1994), On Our Own (1994), Home Improvement, Fudge (3 episodes), The Jamie Foxx Show, Family Matters, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Seinfeld, The Wayans Bros. (2 episodes), The Bernie Mac Show, That's So Raven, and The Carmichael Show.

Hutton had a recurring role as Lt. Commander Alan Mattoni in JAG from 1997 to 2001. He appeared Lenny Caulfield in General Hospital from 2021 to 2022.

---

Television creator, producer, writer and puppeteer Sid Krofft worked on H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and Land of the Lost. He died at the home of a friend in Los Angeles on April 10. Mr. Krofft was 96.

Sid and his brother Marty made numerous children's television and variety show programs in the U.S., particularly in the 1970s, including H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973-1975) and Land of the Lost (1974-1976) through their production company, Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures. Their fantasy programs often featured large-headed puppets, high-concept plots and extensive use of low-budget special effects. They designed the characters and sets for Hanna-Barbera's The Banana Splits on NBC from 1968 to 1970.

Some of The Krofft Brothers other credits as creators and producers included The Bugaloos (1970-1972), Lidsville (1971-1973), Far Out Space Nuts (1975-1976), The Lost Saucer (1975), Donny & Marie (1976), The Krofft Supershow (1976-1978) (which included Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976) and Wonderbug (1976-1978)), The Krofft Superstar Hour (aka The Bay City Rollers Show) (1978-1979), Pink Lady and Jeff (1980), Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters (1980-1982), Pryor's Place (1984), Land of the Lost (1991-1992 reboot), Mutt & Stuff (2015-2017), and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2016-2017 reboot).

They created and produced the 1977 ABC variety show The Brady Bunch Hour. The series starred the original cast members of The Brady Bunch, with the exception of Eve Plumb, who was replaced by Geri Reischl (a.k.a. "Fake Jan"). The show began as a 60-minute special titled The Brady Bunch Variety Hour on November 28, 1976. It featured skits and songs produced by Sid & Marty Krofft Productions in association with Paramount Television.

The Krofft Brothers created and produced the 1987-1989 syndicated sitcom D.C. Follies. The show was set in a Washington, D.C. bar, where a bartender played by Fred Willard would welcome puppet caricatures of politicians and popular culture figures. Celebrity guest stars included Martin Mull, Leslie Nielsen, Bob Uecker, and Betty White.

Sid and his brother Marty made many entertaining children's television and variety show programs in the 1970s and 1980s. The Kroffts received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys in 2018. In 2020, the Kroffts were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their contributions to television. Marty died in 2023 at the age of 86.

---

Actress and singer Dinah Christie starred as Edna Moseley in Check It Out!, which aired from 1985 to 1988. She died on April 10. During her last years she suffered from dementia and was receiving care at Toronto's Kensington Gardens nursing home. Ms. Christie was 83.

Christie starred as Edna Moseley in the 1985-1988 CTV sitcom Check It Out!, which aired in the United States in syndication and on the USA Network. Based on the British series Tripper's Day, it was set in a fictional supermarket called Cobb's, located in Brampton, Ontario and stars Don Adams as manager Howard Bannister. The series also starred Jeff Pustil, Kathleen Laskey, Tonya Williams (season 1), Henry Beckman (season 1), Aaron Schwartz, Simon Reynolds (seasons 1-2), Gordon Clapp, and Elizabeth Hanna (season 3).

She was a regular performer on the Canadian game show Party Game (1970-1980).

---

Actress Mary Beth Hurt starred in the 1990 NBC sitcom Working It Out. She died at an assisted-living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, on March 28 after battling Alzheimer's disease for over a decade. Ms. Hurt was 79.

Hurt starred as Sheila Bradley in the 1988-1989 comedy-drama Tattingers. The series is about a divorced couple, Nick and Hillary Tattinger (Stephen Collins and Blythe Danner), along with their 2 daughters: Nina and Winnifred. After failing in the Nielsen ratings as an hour-long program, the plot and characters were briefly revived in the spring of 1989 as the half-hour sitcom Nick & Hillary.

She starred as Andy in the short-lived 1990 NBC sitcom Working It Out. The series is about two single parents, Sarah Marshall (Jane Curtin) and David Stuart (Stephen Collins), who had never seriously contemplated remarriage until they met each other. Andy is Sarah's best friend. It also starred David Garrison, Kyndra Joy Casper, and Chevi Colton.

Some of her film credits included Interiors (1978), The World According to Garp (1982), D.A.R.Y.L. (1985), The Age of Innocence (1993), and Six Degrees of Separation (1993).

---

Actor James Tolkan starred as Lester Mintz in Mary. He died on March 26 at his home in Saranac Lake, New York. Mr. Tolkan was 94.

Tolkan stared as Lester Mintz in the short-lived 1985-1986 CBS sitcom Mary. The series stars Mary Tyler Moore in her return to series television after an absence of over six years. She plays Mary Brenner, a 40-ish divorcée working at a second-rate tabloid, the Chicago Eagle. Neighbors include Susan Wilcox (Carlene Watkins), Mary's good friend, whose fiancé Lester Mintz (James Tolkan) seems to be somehow "connected". The series also starred James Farentino, Katey Sagal, John Astin, David Byrd, Harold Sylvester, and Derek McGrath.

He guest starred in episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 and The Wonder Years in 1993. He starred as Dallas Cassel in the 1993-1994 syndicated adventure/action series Cobra. As a member of the repertory cast of Nero Wolfe (2001–02), he played more than a dozen roles and directed two episodes.

Tolkan was best known for portraying the strict high school vice‑principal Mr. Strickland in Back to the Future (1985) and Back to the Future Part II (1989), and the character's ancestor, Marshal James Strickland, in Back to the Future Part III (1990). Some of his other film credits included Serpico (1973), Love and Death (1975), Prince of the City (1981), Top Gun (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987), Viper (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), and Problem Child 2 (1991).

---

Actor Nicholas Brendon starred as Seth Richman in the Fox sitcom Kitchen Confidential. He died on March 20 in his sleep in his home in Greencastle, Indiana. The official cause of death was determined to be atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with a blockage in the right coronary artery. Mr. Brendon was 54.

Brendon starred as Seth Richman in the short-lived 2005-2006 Fox sitcom Kitchen Confidential. The series is based on Anthony Bourdain's New York Times bestselling book, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. Bradley Cooper played the lead character, Jack Bourdain, inspired by Anthony Bourdain. Seth Richman is an old friend of Jack and a pastry chef. It also starred John Francis Daley, Jaime King, Bonnie Somerville, and Owain Yeoman. Recurring cast members included John Cho, Frank Langella, Sam Pancake, Tessie Santiago, Erinn Hayes, and Frankie Alvarez.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Married... with Children in 1993 and Dave's World in 1995. He had a recurring role as Jackson Lee in two episodes of the MTV romantic comedy Faking It from 2014 to 2015.

He was best known for playing Xander Harris in the supernatural horror drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) and Kevin Lynch in the CBS police procedural crime drama Criminal Minds (2007–2014). He had a recurring role as Lee McHenry, a mentally disturbed man who assaults Charlotte King (KaDee Strickland), in four episodes of Private Practice from 2010 to 2011.

---

Actor Matt Clark starred as Walt Bacon in The Jeff Foxworthy Show. He died from complications of spinal surgery at his home in Austin, Texas, on March 15. Mr. Clark was 89.

Clark starred as Walt Bacon in the first season of The Jeff Foxworthy Show, which aired on ABC from 1995 to 1996. In the first season, Jeff Foxworthy owned a small heating and air conditioning company in Indidana. Walt and Russ Francis (Matt Borlenghi) were his two dim-witted workers on the job. The first season also starred Anita Barone, Haley Joel Osment, Dakin Matthews, Bibi Besch, Debra Jo Rupp, Sue Murphy (1995), Steve Hytner (1995), Jay Mohr (1996), and Michelle Clunie (1996).

He guest starred in an episode of Funny Face in 1971. In 1977, he starred as Lieutenant Arthur Kipling in the short-lived ABC police drama Dog and Cat. He had a recurring role as Emmet Kelly in four episodes of Grace Under Fire from 1993 to 1995.

---

Actor Ric Carrott appeared as the original Chuck Cunningham in an episode of Love, American Style in 1972. He died on November 25, 2025. Mr. Carrott was 76.

Carrott originated the role of Chuck Cunningham in the pilot for Happy Days, which aired as a segment of Love, American Style titled "Love and the Happy Days" on February 25, 1972. The role was later played on Happy Days by Gavan O'Herlihy and Randolph Roberts. The oldest son of Howard and Marion Cunningham and older brother of Richie and Joanie, Chuck is a college student and basketball player. He is rarely seen and disappears without explanation in season three, never to be seen nor referenced again after season 2's "Fish and Fins".

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Bill Cosby Show, Nanny and the Professor, Room 222, The Partridge Family, The Bob Newhart Show, The Odd Couple (1972), and Three's Company.

He starred as Captain Chris Gentry in the 1977 CBS Saturday morning children's science fiction series Space Academy. The series starred veteran actor Jonathan Harris, best known as Dr. Zachary Smith of Lost in Space. Co-starring were Pamelyn Ferdin, Maggie Cooper, Brian Tochi, Ty Henderson, and Eric Greene. The program featured a pint-sized robot called "Peepo", a radio-controlled machine voiced by Erika Scheimer talking through a pitch-shifter with regenerative delay.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The F.B.I. (1973), Dirty Sally, The Streets of San Francisco, McCloud, Lucas Tanner, S.W.A.T. (1975), Cannon, Police Woman, Delvecchio, The Feather and Father Gang, The Rockford Files (2 episodes), Starsky and Hutch, Barnaby Jones, Lou Grant, and Fantasy Island (1979).

Netflix's Good Times Animated Comedy Trailer; Too Close for Comfort and Check It Out! Complete Series on DVD

Good Times is back...now as an animated series! In this irreverent reimagining of the TV classic, a new generation of the Evans family keeps their heads above water in a Chicago housing project. An unfiltered adult comedy with the voices of Yvette Nicole Brown, J.B. Smoove, Wanda Sykes, Jay Pharoah, Marsai Martin and more. Add Good Times to your MyList here. From Showrunner Ranada Shepard and Executive Producers Stephen Curry, Norman Lear and Seth MacFarlane, the animated comedy drops on Netflix on Friday, April 12. No word yet on how many episodes will drop.

'80s sitcom Too Close for Comfort will be out with a Complete Series DVD set on April 3 with all 6 seasons consisting of 129 episodes from VEI (Visual Entertainment Inc.) for just $39.99. Just like fellow DLT Entertainment sitcom Three's Company earlier this year. Cartoonist Henry Rush (Ted Knight) and his loving wife, Muriel (Nancy Dussault), have just hit upon a surefire plan to keep their maturing family intact. Daughters Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) and Sara (Lydia Cornell) may be all grown up, but that doesn't mean these proud parents are ready to sit back and watch them venture out into the big, bad world on their own. Not by a long shot! So when an apartment unexpectedly opens up in their San Francisco row house, logic dictates that they lease it to those that they want to hold dear-and, most importantly-near! But with a sexy blonde bombshell for one daughter and a smart and sassy brunette for the other, the Rushes might be getting far more than they bargained for. Never mind the wacky, ever-present social misfit that they soon have to contend with Monroe Ficus (Jim J. Bullock). Why, it's enough to drive any parent crazy! And though it may have once innocently seemed like a sound solution, this upstairs-downstairs living arrangement may quickly prove that for all involved it's far too easy to be, well, perhaps just a little...Too Close for Comfort!

Purchase Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series on DVD on Amazon.com or VEI.

In addition, another fellow '80s sitcom Check It Out! from DLT Entertainment will be out with a complete series DVD set from VEI with all 3 seasons (66 episodes) on April 8. Check It Out! takes viewers on a riotous romp through Cobbs, a supermarket where Howard Bannister, played by the iconic Don Adams, battles to maintain order amidst the chaos. Alongside him is Edna Moseley (Dinah Christie), his trusty sidekick and love interest, as they face the daily challenges brought on by a cast of quirky characters. From the endearing yet clueless stockboy to the consistently grumpy cashier, each member of the Cobbs team adds to the mayhem with their antics. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, the show delivers a relentless stream of slapstick comedy, witty one-liners, and an abundance of puns that keep the laughs rolling. Inspired by the British sitcom Tripper's Day from comedy writer Brian Cooke, Check It Out! brings its own unique flair to the supermarket setting. Cooke's expertise, honed from his work on US hits like Three's Company and Too Close For Comfort, lays the foundation for this uproarious comedy.

Purchase Check It Out! - The Complete Series on DVD on Amazon.com or VEI.

TV Land and NBC November Changes; Win Free Copy of Donna Reed Show Season 1 DVD!

TV Land has edited their primetime schedule a bit and added a few more stunts in November. First, TV Land has given 3rd Rock from the Sun a week-long TV Land PRIME marathon. It will air Monday, November 3 through Friday, November 7 from 9pm-12am ET/PT. Some slots will be preempted though, such as Wednesday at 10 and Friday at 10 for other TV Land PRIME programming. This change will lead into a new slot for 3rd Rock the following week, as TV Land swaps 3rd Rock and Scrubs. Scrubs will now move from 9-10pm to 10-11pm weeknights, as 3rd Rock goes from 10-11pm weeknights to 9-10pm weeknights starting November 10. Looks like 3rd Rock has surprised and done decent in the ratings. And finally, TV Land has added a weekend M*A*S*H Fan Favorites marathon the weekend of November 15 and 16 from 8pm-6am ET/PT both nights. You can catch memorable episodes, the series finale and the 30th anniversary reunion special!
Head on to our updated TV Land November 2008 schedule and highlights so you're all updated!

NBC has made changes to its schedule, that will alter Wednesdays and Fridays in the next week or two and later on Mondays get a little makeover. Effective Friday, October 31, Lipstick Jungle moves from Wednesdays at 10 to Fridays at 10 replacing Life. Life will be over to Wednesdays at 9pm starting November 5 replacing Deal or No Deal-Wed. Also that night NBC will launch the new season of Law & Order at 10pm. Lipstick Jungle was only at over 4 million for its latest episode, while NBC probably thinks Life is worth saving and trying back on Wednesdays. Also NBC has moved the series premiere of reality series Momma's Boys yet again...this is take three! The series will now launch on Tuesday, December 16 at 10pm following The Biggest Loser finale. Then it will air for five more weeks on Mondays at 9pm starting December 22. Heroes will be on a 5 week break at least as its fall finale is Dec. 15. NBC must not have much faith in Momma's Boys as it will be airing in the low rated holiday season, especially the first two Monday airings.

We have 5 copies of the classic sitcom The Donna Reed Show - The Complete First Season for giveaway thanks to the fine folks at Arts Alliance America. It arrives on DVD tomorrow (October 28, 2008). The contest begins today, Monday, October 27 and ends at the end of the day on Monday, November 10. So you have two weeks to enter! One entry per e-mail address and household. Multiple entries from the same IP address will be deleted...so no tricks, please. We'll know.
For the first time ever, the preeminent family television series from the 1960's will be brought back into America's homes. Amazingly, this series has never been on home video in any format. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the show. Arts Alliance is pulling out the stops for this historic occasion. Arts Alliance has digitally re-mastered all 37 episodes of the first season. This 4-disc set will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.95. Working closely with Donna Reed's family, Arts Alliance America has acquired the priceless series that fans have been clamoring for.
Look for our full DVD review very soon, but please enter our Donna Reed Show DVD contest, but before you do...please make sure you read the FULL contest rules and eligibility details.

Don't forget this week it is "Lost '80s Week" on WGN America featuring Three's a Crowd, The Ropers, Too Close for Comfort and Check it Out! All week long from 8-10pm ET (5-7pm PT). Tonight's presentation will be four episodes of the John Ritter series, Three's a Crowd! Tune in and let's try to get these on the air as regulars, at least on weekends. As a special treat, we will interview Too Close for Comfort star Lydia Cornell this week just in time for Too Close for Comfort on WGN America! Come on back for that and tune in to WGN America this week!

SitcomsOnline.com Exclusive: Interview with WGN America; Lost 80s Week and Halloween Marathon for WGN America

We have a very exciting interview for you today. We have an interview with WGN America about their addings of classic TV and why they did it, their new name change, and more! As always with our interviews, it is in Seven Questions form!

We had the pleasure to interview Sean Compton, SVP Programming and Entertainment for Tribune. Sean previously worked for Clear Channel radio for 16 years and was their VP Programming for 10 years before leaving in April 2008 to run Tribune programming, which includes the massive change for WGN America. Compton oversees programming for Tribune's 23 television stations and for WGN America. Sean is 34 years old and has worked in radio since he was in high school, and he also says his childhood hero was actually legendary NBC programmer Brandon Tartikoff, and he is bringing some of his shows to WGN America. Sean is originally from Connersville, Indiana, which is between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, and he grew up watching those TV markets.
WGN America is TV You Can't Ignore, a broad entertainment network and destination for audiences across America. Part of Tribune Broadcasting Company, WGN America (also available in HD) is nationally distributed via cable, satellite and telco with entertainment programming consisting of cable exclusives, first-run programs, blockbuster movies and live sports.



We thank Sean and WGN America for taking the time to answer some of the most interesting questions we have for them. So it is time for another installment of SitcomsOnline's Seven Questions Series! We seriously still need a jingle. Any takers out there?

"Seven Questions with WGN America"

SitcomsOnline: Thank you Sean and WGN America for your time. We really appreciate it! My oh my I have to say WGN has become the cable network of the year with its great pick-ups of classic sitcoms and we are so honored to speak to you! Fans have been really happy to see this! What made WGN add the Outta Sight Retro Night on Sundays and all the great classic themed weeks?
WGN America: I am a huge fan of television. It amazes me that these shows haven't been given a platform in many years. While everyone is trying to be hip and fresh, I thought it would be fun to dedicate a night to classic television. Our ratings on Sunday nights have more than doubled in some time periods!

SitcomsOnline: Now that networks like TV Land that seem to be focusing less on picking up classics, will WGN America pick up more classic series? Any hints on what the future might hold classic TV wise for WGN America? How about shows like Perfect Strangers and One Day at a Time?
WGN America: We will not have retro 100% of the time. However, we'll stay committed to Sundays as long as the ratings hold up and we'll continue to have special events like '80s week, '70s week, holiday marathons, etc. Our Sunday retro block started with three hours, now we've dedicated eight hours to retro!

SitcomsOnline: There are some classics that have only aired in the theme weeks (Family Ties, Mork & Mindy, etc). Why is that? Is it because of contract rights or is WGN looking into airing them in the future? Also, how are these classic shows doing ratings wise?
WGN America: We experimented with ALF during an '80s week and the network had its best 18-49 and 25-54 night in years. It proved that parents that loved ALF when they were teens, introduced their kids to the show. Brandon Tartikoff and Fred Silverman were masters at bringing families together and these shows are doing it all over again for us. Because of our ALF success, we have added it to the Sunday retro block and included it in our Monday night primetime line-up!

SitcomsOnline: We like that WGN surrounded the Outta Sight Retro Night on Sunday with more classics like Coach, ALF, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie. So the classic night label expanded on Sundays to reflect these shows joining the original trio of WKRP, Newhart and The Honeymooners? What about expanding the brand on to other nights or better yet, on weekdays?
WGN America: Even though Coach and ALF air in the afternoons on the west coast on Sundays we still brand it as part of the classic retro night. See our latest promo for all your enjoyment. If the ratings continue to climb, we'll probably add more hours and nights.

SitcomsOnline: We have to talk a little about the change to WGN America. Can you tell fans and readers out there why exactly the network changed from Superstation WGN to WGN America?
WGN America: What was 'super' about the old channel? WGN is 30 years old this October and for years it was branded as "Chicago's Own." We've now branded it as "America's WGN Going Forward." We have 72 million homes and one of the oldest channels on cable. We have great heritage but the channel needed a facelift. We have a long way to go still.

SitcomsOnline: The new look website (http://www.wgnamerica.com/) looks great, too! Can we expect show pages for more shows? And what else can we expect on the website? Are message boards next?
WGN America: The website will be fully ready in a few weeks. The website you see now is temporary. You can expect a much better site by November 3.

SitcomsOnline: Finally, we see WGN America will add The Bob and Tom Show to its late night brand and the syndicated Disney-ABC series Legend of the Seeker later this fall. Can you tell us a bit about both and how will it affect other late night shows like Corner Gas? Will WGN America continue to air the popular Corner Gas for years to come?
WGN America: We aren't speaking for shows' future other than to say that every show that is on the air now will be evaluated and at the end of the day, it comes down to our viewers. Bob and Tom are America's most successful morning show in radio. They air in 160 markets and are highly rated in most of them. They are a great fit with WGN America for late nights. The Legend of the Seeker looks fantastic. It will air on Wednesday nights and again on Saturday afternoons. I've seen the first ten minutes of the first episode and it is very good stuff! We've put a lot of focus on weekends. We added Boston Legal and it airs Saturday evening. We've also added Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie on middays on Saturdays to give those great shows more exposure to folks not able to see them late Sunday nights (and weekday mornings).
Thanks and we hope to add more retro! It's fun to program!

Our thanks to to WGN America and Sean Compton, and we wish WGN America continued success and hope you guys can deliver us more wonderful and classic shows. Our apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time. For more information on WGN America, continue to stay with us for info and don't forget to view their website (full version launches Nov. 3) http://www.wgnamerica.com. So, stay tuned right here on the blog for continued news and programming updates for this network.


And those news updates for WGN America starts RIGHT NOW! How convenient! We are turning this day into an all-WGN America day! It just so happens we have news for another theme week for WGN America along with a Halloween marathon, that we mentioned before. We can now reveal that Halloween marathon but first we have to mention the cool theme week!
The next theme week will be called "Lost '80s Week" and will air Monday, October 27 through Thursday, October 30 from 8-10PM ET (5-7PM PT) and will feature four "lost" sitcoms from the '80s that haven't been seen on the air in many years. All four are from Don Taffner's DLT Entertainment. The shows are: Three's Company's two short-lived spin-offs Three's a Crowd & The Ropers, the Ted Knight sitcom Too Close for Comfort, and the Don Adams comedy Check It Out!
The week kicks off with the John Ritter sitcom Three's a Crowd on Monday, October 27 as Jack Tripper now lives with his girlfriend Vicky with constant problems from her father, Mr. Bradford. On Tuesday, October 28, The Ropers take stage as Mr. and Mrs. Roper move in to their new house much to the dislike of neighbor Jeffrey P. Brookes (Jeffrey Tambor). Both Three's a Crowd and The Ropers both briefly aired on TV Land on a few weekend marathons for Three's Company, but they relegated these two shows in the overnight slots of 3-6am in those marathons. And speaking of Three's Company, Sean Compton loves the show (just like I do!) but it is too bad he can't acquire it because TV Land has the rights. He would air the show everyday! Anyway, the third night, Wednesday, October 29, will be one of the most under-appreciated sitcoms ever will air in Too Close for Comfort starring Ted Knight. This sitcom hasn't aired in years despite lasting quite a long time (6 years, 1980-86) and is about Henry Rush and his wife, with his two daughters now living in the apartment downstairs. Finally on Thursday, October 30, we check out with Check It Out, starring the legendary Don Adams leading a staff of a supermarket team.
Check out episode info for this "Lost '80s Week" on WGN America! This is a really good job by WGN America! They don't plan on adding these shows to the actual line-up, but I hope Too Close for Comfort does well so they can add it...as this show is deeply missed. Sean Compton is doing such a wonderful job here!
And we're still not done! That same week is of course Halloween. So on Friday, October 31, from 4PM-12AM ET (1PM-9PM PT) you can catch a marathon of America's scariest (but funny) family...The Munsters! Join Herman, Grandpa, Eddie and the rest of the family this Halloween for scary fun!
Check our episode info for The Munsters Halloween marathon on WGN America! Halloween is not the only holiday getting the marathon treatment on WGN America...coming soon we will reveal what will air on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day and New Year's Eve/Day!