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Prime Video Renews Carrie for Season 2; Remembering Richard Riehle of Grounded for Life

Following the series' impressive debut, Prime Video announced that it has renewed its hit series, Carrie, for a second season. From acclaimed showrunner Mike Flanagan, the series features critically lauded, breakout performances from Summer H. Howell as Carrie White and Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White. Carrie debuted on October 7, 2026, and out the gate hit number 1 on Prime Video in over 105 countries worldwide.

From visionary showrunner Mike Flanagan, the urgent and unexpected reimagining of Stephen King's seminal story brings new depth and complexity to its iconic characters, exploring the forces that shape Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) as she navigates the cruelty and pressures of the modern world. But Carrie's story doesn't stop at Prom - it's far from over... much remains in store from Mike Flanagan and Stephen King, as new revelations will come to light, major character arcs, and plenty of shocking twists. All eight episodes of Carrie Season One are now available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Carrie stars Summer H. Howell in a tour de force performance as Carrie White, cast in the legendary titular role following an extensive search that saw nearly 1,500 actors read. The ensemble's series regulars include Samantha Sloyan (The Pitt) as Margaret White, Siena Agudong (Resident Evil) as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton (Fire Country) as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette (My Life with the Walter Boys) as Tommy Ross, Josie Totah (The Buccaneers) as Tina, Arthur Conti (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) as Billy, Thalia Dudek (The Running Man) as Emaline, Amber Midthunder (Prey) as Miss Desjardin, and Matthew Lillard (Man of Tomorrow) as Principal Grayle.

Actor Richard Riehle, who starred as Walt Finnerty in Grounded for Life, has died. He died at his home in Los Angeles on October 15 from natural causes. Mr. Riehle was 78.

Riehle starred as Principal Ed Rooney in the short-lived 1990-1991 NBC sitcom Ferris Bueller. The series focuses on Ferris Bueller (Charlie Schlatter) and his high school experiences at Ocean Park High, including dealing with his best friend Cameron (Brandon Douglas), love interest Sloane (Ami Dolenz), and sister Jeannie (Jennifer Aniston). Principal Ed Rooney is the primary antagonist and always out to get Ferris but usually ends up foiled or humiliated. It also starred Sam Freed, Cristine Rose, Judith Kahan, and Jeff Maynard.

He starred as Walt Finnerty in the 2001-2005 Fox and The WB sitcom Grounded for Life. The show starred Donal Logue and Megyn Price as Sean and Claudia Finnerty, an Irish Catholic couple living on Staten Island, New York, with their three children: Lily (Lynsey Bartilson), Jimmy (Griffin Frazen), and Henry (Jake Burbage). Walt Finnerty is Sean's opinionated father who works as the supervisor of a garbage landfill. Riehle starred in the first two seasons on Fox before becoming a recurring cast member for seasons three through five when the series moved to The WB. The cast included Kevin Fitzgerald Corrigan, Bret Harrison, and Mike Vogel (2001-2004).

Riehle had a recurring role as Uncle Dave in ten episodes of the 2003-2004 ABC sitcom Married to the Kellys. The sitcom centers on New York novelist and loner Tom (Breckin Meyer) who was raised as an only child. After he marries Susan (Kiele Sanchez), a woman raised in the Midwest by a large family, the couple moves to Kansas so they can be closer to them. The series also starred Nancy Lenehan, Sam Anderson, Emily Rutherford, Derek Waters and Josh Braaten.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included My Two Dads, His & Hers, The Golden Girls (2 episodes), Roseanne, On the Air, Shaky Ground, Get Smart (1995), Something Wilder, Kirk (2 episodes), The Single Guy, Men Behaving Badly, Home Improvement, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, George Lopez, All of Us, Better Off Ted, Kickin' It, Men at Work, The League, The Mindy Project, The Neighbors, Modern Family, Mom, Two and a Half Men, black-ish, The Soul Man (2015), The Real O'Neals, Superior Donuts, The Middle (2 episodes), American Housewife, Fuller House, and Barry (2 episodes).

He starred as Judge Longley in the short-lived 1993 CBS western Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life. Some of his other television credits included Quantum Leap (2 episodes in 1989 and 1990), Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes), L.A. Law (3 episodes), Ally McBeal (2 episodes), Diagnosis Murder (2 episodes), The West Wing (2 episodes), Star Trek: Enterprise (2 episodes), and NCIS (2 episodes). In 2007, he appeared as Warden McQueen in ten episodes of The Young and the Restless.

Riehle starred as Tom Smykowski in Office Space (1999). Some of his other film credits included Of Mice and Men (1992), The Fugitive (1993), Jury Duty (1995), Executive Decision (1996), Mercury Rising (1998), Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), and Wedding Crashers (2005).

Mr. Riehle was a talented and versatile character actor. He appeared in over 400 television shows, films and other projects. He was funny and memorable as Walt Finnerty. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember Emmy-winning actor Tom Skerritt. He had a recurring role as Evan Drake in Cheers. He died at his home in Seattle, Washington, on October 21. Mr. Skerritt was 93.

Skerritt had a recurring role as Evan Drake in six episodes of the sixth season (1987-1988) of the NBC sitcom Cheers. Evan Drake is one of Rebecca Howe's (Kirstie Alley) corporate bosses, whom Rebecca has a crush on but is too shy to admit her feelings toward him.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Real McCoys, My Three Sons, My Favorite Martian, and Will & Grace.

He starred as Sheriff Jimmy Brock in the 1992-1996 CBS drama Picket Fences. The series follows the lives of the residents of the small town of Rome, Wisconsin, where weird things happen, including cows' udders exploding and people turning up dead in freezers. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993. He directed three episodes of the series from 1994 to 1996.

Skerritt starred as Dr. Thomas Ryan in the short-lived 1983 ABC medical drama Ryan's Four. He portrayed the deceased William Walker in seven episodes of the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters from 2006 to 2009.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The Fugitive (2 episodes), 12 O'Clock High (5 episodes), Combat! (6 episodes), Death Valley Days (5 episodes), The Virginian (6 episodes), The F.B.I. (4 episodes), Gunsmoke (5 episodes), Bonanza (2 episodes), Cannon (3 episodes), Huff (3 episodes), Leverage (2 episodes), and The Good Wife (2 episodes).

Skerritt had a breakthrough role as Duke Forrest in Robert Altman's M*A*S*H (1970). He starred as Captain Dallas in Alien (1979). Some of his other film credits included The Turning Point, (1977), Up in Smoke (1978), Ice Castles (1978), The Dead Zone (1983), Top Gun (1986), SpaceCamp (1986), Steel Magnolias (1989), and A River Runs Through It (1992).

Mr. Skerritt was a solid and dependable actor. He appeared in over 170 television and film productions between 1962 and 2025. It would have been nice to see him appear in more Cheers episodes. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

Actor Michael Gray starred as Ronnie Collins in the first season of The Brian Keith Show. He died from natural causes in Palm Desert, California, on October 16. Mr. Gray was 75.

Gray had a recurring role as Ronnie Collins in six episodes of the first season (1972-1973) of the NBC sitcom The Brian Keith Show (titled The Little People during its first season). Brian Keith plays Dr. Sean Jamison, a pediatrician running a free clinic for children in Hawaii. Shelley Fabares stars as his daughter Anne, who also works as a pediatrician alongside her father. Ronnie Collins is a student doctor.

He appeared as Marcia's (Maureen McCormick) boyfriend Jeff in the 1973 The Brady Bunch episode "Marcia Gets Creamed," in which Marcia gets a job at a local ice cream shop. He guest starred in episodes of Room 222 in 1969 and The Flying Nun in 1970. In 2015 and 2019, he made a voice appearance as a fictionalized version of himself in four episodes of the animated series Archer.

Mr. Gray was best known for his portrayal of Billy Batson in the 1974-1976 CBS superhero series Shazam!, which aired on Saturday mornings for three seasons. Billy Baston is a teenage boy who can transform into the superhero Captain Marvel. He had a cameo role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods in 2023. We thank him for work on television. He will be greatly missed.

Actress Betty McGuire had a recurring role as Maggie Seaver's mother Kate Malone in Growing Pains. She died from natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, on October 8. Ms. McGuire was 100.

McGuire has a recurring role as Kate Malone in 12 episodes of the ABC sitcom Growing Pains from 1986 to 1991. Kate and Ed Malone (Gordon Jump) are Maggie Seaver's (Joanna Kerns) mother and father.

McGuire made her television debut in two episodes of The Doris Day Show in 1973. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Phyllis, She's the Sheriff, Home Free, and Murphy Brown (1995).

She had a recurring role as Mrs. Fraser in five episodes of Falcon Crest in 1988 and 1989. Some of her other television guest appearances included Cannon (2 episodes), Columbo, Barnaby Jones (2 episodes), Baretta, Charlie's Angels (1977), Lou Grant, Lucan, Hart to Hart, Little House on the Prairie, Hill Street Blues (3 episodes), Hardcastle and McCormick, Moonlighting, Matlock (1986), St. Elsewhere, MacGyver (1990), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Murder One, CSI: Miami, ER, and 7th Heaven.

Ms. McGuire retired from acting in 2009. Aside from acting, she volunteered as a receptionist at the Coalition for Economic Survival, a non-profit community organization in Los Angeles, California. We thank her for work on Growing Pains and television. She will be deeply missed.

Television writer, director and producer Tim O'Donnell worked on Growing Pains, Dave's World, Clueless, and Phil of the Future. He died on July 27 in Glendale, California, after a battle with bladder cancer. Mr. O'Donnell was 77.

O'Donell sitcom writing credits included Gloria (5 episodes), Diff'rent Strokes, Just the Ten of Us (2 episodes), Free Spirit, Growing Pains (24 episodes), The Mommies (2 episodes), Dave's World, Clueless (4 episodes), Whoopi, and Phil of the Future.

He developed the 1990-1991 CBS sitcom Uncle Buck. Richard Gurman and O'Donnell created the 1993 ABC sitcom Home Free, which starred Matthew Perry.

O'Donnell made his directorial debut in 1993 with an episode of Home Free. Some of his other sitcom directing credits included The Mommies, Dave's World (3 episodes), Clueless (9 episodes), Shasta McNasty, 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd Lizzie McGuire, Phil of the Future (8 episodes), and Melissa & Joey.

He was a producer on Growing Pains during the fourth and fifth seasons. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included Uncle Buck (1990), Home Free, The Mommies, Dave's World, Arsenio, Clueless, and Phil of the Future.

Mr. O'Donnell was a veteran sitcom writer, director and producer since 1982. We thank him for his work on sitcoms. He will be sorely missed.

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

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Labels: Amazon Prime, Cheers, Ferris Bueller, Grounded for Life, Growing Pains, Obits, Picket Fences

SitcomsOnline Digest: Home Improvement Cast Members to Reunite on Shifting Gears; The Paper to Have Binge Drop

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have news about a Home Improvement reunion (sort of), an update on The Paper, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A Home Improvement reunion (including Patricia Richardson, who called Tim Allen a liar in an interview when he claimed an actual reboot series is coming) is happening this season on Shifting Gears. (Deadline)
• The Paper, the followup series to The Office, will have a binge drop rather than a weekly drop. (Deadline)
• We're getting our first look at season 2 of A Man on the Inside. (Variety)
• Lorne Michaels is making it clear that season 51 of Saturday Night Live will include some cast departures, but we don't know exactly who just yet. (Entertainment Weekly)
• South Park, which has had very few new episodes in recent years, will only be having a new episode every other week for the foreseeable future. (Consequence)
• We're not expecting a Family Matters animated reboot, but the idea is out there nonetheless. (Deadline)
• Local broadcast television has been getting a lot less "local" lately, and it's about to go even further, as Nexstar is buying Tegna. (AP News)
• Dave Ketchum, known for his role as Agent 13 on Get Smart, has died at age 97. (Hollywood Reporter)
• George Lopez is heading to COZI. (SitcomsOnline)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Square Pegs and Ferris Bueller tomorrow.

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

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Labels: A Man on the Inside, Cozi TV, Family Matters, Ferris Bueller, George Lopez, Get Smart, Home Improvement, Saturday Night Live, Shifting Gears, SitcomsOnline Digest, South Park, Square Pegs, The Office, The Paper

SitcomsOnline Digest: Jon Stewart Set to Return to The Daily Show Once a Week; Ted McGinley to Star in Prime Video Series

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we are hearing about Jon Stewart's return to The Daily Show, we're learning about a new Prime Video series, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Jon Stewart is returning to The Daily Show, at least once a week for the next few months, but given that the show itself is a long way from finding a permanent host and that the best option is to apparently bring back the "fresh face" from 1999, it has people wondering what the future of late night talk actually is. (Time)
• Prime Video has acquired a series called The Baxters, which will star Roma Downey and Ted McGinley. (Deadline)
• The Golden Bachelor is turning out to be rather successful for ABC. (Deadline)
• Judy Justice is coming to local syndication in the fall. (Variety)
• Jaleel White is set to host a new game show this fall. (Deadline)
• Antenna TV is having another Super Belle Sunday featuring Designing Women on the day of "the big game." (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2)

• Catchy Comedy has a very special binge this weekend featuring some short-lived sitcoms, including Brooklyn Bridge, the sitcom adaptation of Ferris Bueller, and Square Pegs.
• We've been talking about it for months, and for a while we thought we were just being trolled, but every season of My Three Sons has finally arrived on Prime Video.

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

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Labels: Brooklyn Bridge, Daily Show, Ferris Bueller, Flip Side, Jaleel White, Judy Justice, My Three Sons, SitcomsOnline Digest, Square Pegs, The Baxters