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VH1 to Bring Back America's Funniest People Starring Ms. Pat; Remembering Barbara Barrie and Patrick Stewart

Get ready for the internet's wildest moments to take over television! VH1 announced that America's Funniest People, the all-new comedy competition series starring comedy powerhouse Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams-Lee, will premiere Monday, November 16, with two back-to-back episodes airing at 9 PM and 9:30 PM ET/PT on VH1.

Produced by V10 Entertainment, the team behind America's Funniest Home Videos, the series delivers a louder, wilder, and more unfiltered take on funny, bringing outrageous creator-led content and laugh-out-loud competition to VH1. New episodes will air back-to-back every Monday at 9 PM and 9:30 PM ET/PT.

From savage jokes and wild stunts to outrageous pranks, questionable decisions, and unforgettable viral moments, each episode showcases the kind of social content you can't believe someone actually posted. With her fearless humor and unapologetic perspective, Ms. Pat brings her signature comedic style to the competition as three hilarious content creators go head-to-head for a cash prize.

Actress Barbara Barrie, who starred as Elizabeth Miller in Barney Miller and as Helen Keane in Suddenly Susan, has died. She died at her Manhattan home on October 28 after opting for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) following a terminal cancer diagnosis. Ms. Barrie was 95.

Barrie starred as Norma Brodnik in the short-lived 1973-1974 NBC sitcom Diana. The series starred Diana Rigg in her first American television series, as Diana Smythe, a recently divorced British fashion designer who moves to the United States in the hopes of becoming more noticed in the fashion world by relocating to New York City. She deals with her boss Norman Brodnik (David Sheiner) at Butley's Department Store and his wife Norma. The cast included Richard B. Shull, Robert Moore, Carole Androsky, Richard Mulligan, and Liam Dunn.

She starred as Elizabeth Miller in 11 episodes (credited in 37 episodes) of the ABC sitcom Barney Miller from 1975 to 1978. When the series premiered in January 1975, she was hired as a regular cast member to play Liz Miller, Barney's wise, faithful, and loving wife. She received second billing in the opening credits after Hal Linden. During that half-season, Barrie appeared in seven episodes out of thirteen. At that time, the premise of the show was to focus on Barney's career as a police captain at the 12th Precinct as well as his home life with his wife and children. She went to producer Danny Arnold and asked to be released from the show at the start of the second season when it became evident that storylines at the 12th Precinct were taking precedence. She appeared in two episodes in season two, one episode in season three, and one episode in season four.

Barrie starred as Elizabeth Potter in the short-lived 1983 ABC sitcom Reggie, which was based on the British sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. Middle-aged Reggie Potter (Richard Mulligan) worries about work and home life, while having sexy fantasies about his co-worker. Elizabeth Potter is his wife. The series also starred Timothy Busfield, Dianne Kay, Timothy Stack, Chip Zien, and Jean Smart.

She starred as Aunt Margo in the second season of the 1984-1985 NBC sitcom Double Trouble. When the series was brought back for a second season, the twins had graduated high school, and now lived in New York City with their Aunt Margo. The season two cast included Jean Sagal, Liz Sagal, Jonathan Schmock, Michael D. Roberts, James Vallely, and Anne-Marie Johnson.

Barrie starred as Helen Keane in the 1996-2000 NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan. Brooke Shields played Susan Keane, a glamorous San Francisco magazine writer who begins to adjust to being single, and who learns to be independent minded after having been taken care of all her life. Helen (Nana) Keane is Susan's paternal grandmother. The cast included Néstor Carbonell, Kathy Griffin, Judd Nelson (Seasons 1-3), David Strickland (Seasons 1-3), Andrea Bendewald (Seasons 2-3, guest star Season 4), Currie Graham (Season 4), Eric Idle (Season 4), Sherri Shepherd (Season 4), and Rob Estes (Season 4).

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Private Benjamin, Kate & Allie, Mr. President (2 episodes), Family Ties, His & Hers (2 episodes), Babes, Surviving Suburbia, Nurse Jackie, and Enlightened.

She starred as Evelyn Stohler in the short-lived 1980-1981 ABC comedy drama Breaking Away. She was best known for her role as Evelyn Stohler in the 1979 coming-of-age comedy-drama film Breaking Away, which brought her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1979. She received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the television series in 1981.

Barrie starred as Ellen Hobbes in the short-lived 1982-1983 CBS detective drama Tucker's Witch. She received Emmy nominations for her performances as Mrs. Bream in Law & Order in 1992 and as Paula Haggerty in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2003. Some of her other television guest appearances included Kraft Mystery Theatre (3 episodes), Decoy (2 episodes), Naked City (3 episodes), The Defenders (3 episodes), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (2 episodes), Ben Casey (2 episodes), Lou Grant (2 episodes), Thirtysomething (2 episodes), Dead Like Me (2 episodes), and Pushing Daisies.

Ms. Barrie was a talented and versatile actress. She was nominated for an Oscar, a Tony nomination for Company in 1971, and three Emmys during her career, which spanned more than six decades. We thank her for work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

English actor Patrick Stewart, who starred as Walter Blunt in Blunt Talk and voiced CIA Deputy Director Avery Bullock in American Dad!, has died. He died of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia in Los Angeles on October 28. Mr. Stewart was 86.

Stewart starred as Walter Blunt in the 2015-2016 Starz sitcom Blunt Talk, which was created by Jonathan Ames and executive produced by Seth MacFarlane. The show follows British newscaster Walter Blunt who moves to Los Angeles with the intention of conquering American nightly cable news. He received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 2016. It also starred Jacki Weaver, Adrian Scarborough, Dolly Wells, Timm Sharp, Mary Holland, and Karan Soni.

He played a recurring role as CIA Deputy Director Avery Bullock, lending his likeness as well as his voice to 125 episodes of the Fox and TBS animated sitcom American Dad! from 2005 to 2026. Avery Bullock is Stan's depraved, eccentric, and erratic 59-year-old boss. He also made 15 guest appearances on Family Guy in various roles. Some his other voice credits included The Simpsons (2 episodes) and Futurama.

Stewart guest starred as Alistair Burke, a gay Seattle socialite and opera director, who mistakes Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) for a potential lover in a 2003 episode of Frasier. In 2005, appeared as a nudity-obsessed caricature of himself in an episode of the the British sitcom Extras. He voiced himself in a 2016 episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

He gained international stardom for his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the 1987-1994 first-run syndicated sci-fi series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also directed five episodes of the series from 1991 to 1994. He reprised the role in a series of four films (1994–2002) and the 2020-2023 Paramount+ sci-fi series Star Trek: Picard.

Stewart starred as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series (2000–2017), reprising the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (2022–2026), with Avengers: Doomsday being his final film performance. Some of his other film credits included Hedda (1975), Excalibur (1981), Dune (1984), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), Jeffrey (1995), Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001), Green Room (2015), The Kid Who Would Be King (2019), and The Sheep Detectives (2026).

Mr. Stewart received numerous accolades, including two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award, as well as nominations for a Tony Award, three Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. He made everything he appeared in much better. We thank him for his work on television in films. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember television producer Ronny Hallin. She worked on Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Step by Step. She died on October 27. Ms. Hallin was 88.

Hallin's sitcom producing credits included Blanksy's Beauties (3 episodes), Laverne & Shirley (20 episodes), Happy Days (148 episodes), You Again? (12 episodes), Family Matters (16 episodes), Perfect Strangers (24 episodes), Going Places, The Hogan Family, and Step by Step (160 episodes). She worked as a casting director on Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days.

She appeared uncredited as Verna Turner in a 1974 episode of The Odd Couple. She played Maxine in a 1982 episode of Laverne & Shirley.

Ms. Hallin was the older sister of actress and director Penny Marshall, and the younger sister of screenwriter, director, producer and actor Garry Marshall. We thank her for her work on sitcoms. She will be sorely missed.

Actor and singer John (Bobby) Wright starred as Willy Moss in McHale's Navy. He died at his home in Madison, Tennessee, on October 27. Mr. Wright was 84.

Wright starred as Willy Moss in the 1962-1966 ABC sitcom McHale's Navy. Radioman Willy Moss is a good-natured Southerner from Tennessee who operates the crew's still and is in charge of radio and telephone communication for the crew. He also serves as the PT-73's sonar operator. The series also starred Ernest Borgnine, Tim Conway, Joe Flynn, Bob Hastings, Gary Vinson, Carl Ballantine, Billy Sands, Edson Stroll, Gavin MacLeod (1962-1964), and Yoshio Yoda.

He guest starred in episodes of the CBS sitcom Pistols 'n' Petticoats and the NBC western The Road West in 1966.

Mr. Wright was the last surviving cast member of McHale's Navy. Unhappy with the Hollywood scene after McHale's Navy ended, he moved back to Nashville to start a music career. He recorded for Decca, ABC and United Artists Records between 1967 and 1979, charting 21 singles on the Hot Country Songs charts. "Here I Go Again", which reached number 13 in 1971, was his highest-charting release. We thank him for his work on television and the music. He will be greatly missed.

Television writer and producer Earl Barret co-developed and executive produced Too Close for Comfort. He died of natural causes at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, on October 22. Mr. Barret was 94.

Barret and Arne Sultan developed the 1980-1983 ABC and 1984-1987 first-run syndicated sitcom Too Close for Comfort. He worked as an executive and supervising producer from 1980 to 1986. He also directed 13 episodes of the series from 1982 to 1987.

Some of his sitcom writing credits included My Favorite Martian, My Three Sons, Valentine's Day (2 episodes), Broadside (2 episodes), Many Happy Returns, My Mother the Car, O.K. Crackerby!, Get Smart, Mister Roberts, Bewitched (3 episodes), The Andy Griffith Show (2 episodes), Julia (8 episodes), The Governor & J.J. (21 episodes), The Partners (7 episodes), The Sandy Duncan Show (13 episodes), Viva Valdez (3 episodes), Sanford and Son (2 episodes), Holmes and Yoyo (7 episodes), The San Pedro Beach Bums (2 episodes), Welcome Back, Kotter (6 episodes), and Stockard Channing in Just Friends (3 episodes). He wrote four episodes of Batman featuring Victor Buono's comic archvillain King Tut in 1966.

He also directed episodes of The Governor & J.J. in 1970 and The Partners in 1972. Some of his other producing credits included The Partners (20 episodes), The Sandy Duncan Show (13 episodes), and The San Pedro Beach Bums (9 episodes).

Mr. Barret wrote or produced episodes for over 30 shows over a career spanning more than 30 years. We thank him for work on Too Close for Comfort and other sitcoms. He will be sorely missed.

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:15 PM

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Labels: America's Funniest Home Videos, American Dad!, Barney Miller, Blunt Talk, Double Trouble, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, McHale's Navy, Obits, Step by Step, Suddenly Susan, VH1

Comedy Central Picks Up The Jim Jefferies Show for Second Season; Remembering Donnelly Rhodes from Soap

Comedy Central has picked up late night series The Jim Jefferies Show for a twenty episode second season. The weekly, late night series features the Australian comedian's unapologetic, honest and international approach to culture and politics. The Jim Jefferies Show is currently nominated for a Writers Guild Award in the Comedy/Variety Talk Series category.

Each week, Jefferies tackles the week's top stories from behind his desk and travels the globe to far-off locations to provide an eye-opening look at hypocrisy around the world. Featuring interviews, international field pieces, and man on the ground investigations, Jefferies covers the most controversial issues, all through the lens of his distinctive brand of comedy. Jefferies sharp take on topics such as gun control, big game hunting, the National Anthem protests and sexual harassment have pushed the host into the mainstream late night conversation. The Jim Jefferies Show ranks as Comedy Central's #1 freshman series this year among P18-49.

Canadian actor Donnelly Rhodes, who starred as hapless escaped convict Dutch Leitner in Soap, has died. He died on January 8 of cancer at the Baillie House Hospice in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Mr. Rhodes was 80.

Rhodes appeared as escaped convict Dutch Leitner in 38 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1981. He helped Chester Tate (Robert Mandan) break out of prison. He marries Chester's daughter, Eunice (Jennifer Salt). The series starred Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, Ted Wass, Robert Urich and Jay Johnson.

He played Charlie in the short-lived 1982 CBS sitcom Report to Murphy. The series was about about the everyday problems and frustrations of a young parole officer. It starred Michael Keaton, Olivia Cole, Donna Ponterotto, Margot Rose and Ken Foree.

He starred as Art Foster, the widowed father of Kate and Allison Foster, in the first season of the NBC sitcom Double Trouble in 1984. Art ran a gym and dance studio in Des Moines, Iowa. When the show returned for a second season, Kate and Allison moved to New York. His character was replaced by Aunt Margo. The series starred Jean Sagal, Liz Sagal, Patricia Richardson (Season 1), Jon Caliri (Season 1), Barbara Barrie (Season 2), Jonathan Schmock (Season 2), James Vallely (Season 2), Michael D. Roberts (Season 2) and Anne-Marie Johnson (Season 2).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Mister Ed, Hazel, It's a Living, The Facts of Life, Cheers, Taxi, Gimme a Break!, Amanda's, Alice, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest and Baby Talk.

Rhodes was well known to Canadian audiences for his roles as Sgt Nick Raitt in the CBC series Sidestreet (1975-1978) and as as Dr. Grant "Doc" Roberts in Danger Bay (1985-1990).

He appeared as Leo Shannon in 91 episodes of Da Vinci's Inquest from 1998 to 2005. He had a recurring role as Dr. Sherman Cottle, Chief Medical Officer of BS Galactica, in 36 episodes of Battlestar Galactica from 2004 to 2009.

Some of his drama guest appearances included Maverick, Cheyenne, Bonanza, Wagon Train, Dr. Kildare, The Virginian, Laredo, Mannix, The Wild Wild West, Mission: Impossible, Police Story, Wonder Woman, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, The Heights, Street Legal, Murder, She Wrote, The X-Files, Smallville, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.

Mr. Rhodes was a solid and versatile character actor. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us over the years. He will be greatly missed.

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

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

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Labels: Comedy Central, Double Trouble, Obits, Soap, The Jim Jefferies Show