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Remembering Legendary Sitcom Director James Burrows; The Audacity Season 2 Coming in 2027

Emmy-winning television director and producer James Burrows, who worked on Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends and Will & Grace, has died. He died on June 19. Mr. Burrows was 85.

Burrows's television career began in 1965 as a dialogue coach on the ABC sitcom O.K. Crackerby!, which starred Burl Ives and was created by Burrows's father, Abe. He started his directing career with The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1974. He directed four episodes from 1974 to 1976. Some of his other early sitcom directing credits included Phyllis (19 episodes), The Bob Newhart Show (11 episodes), The Tony Randall Show, Laverne & Shirley (8 episodes), Busting Loose (6 episodes), Rhoda (4 episodes), The Betty White Show (2 episodes) and Free Country (2 episodes).

He directed 75 episodes (Seasons 1-4) of the ABC sitcom Taxi from 1978 to 1982. He won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series in 1980 and 1981.

Burrows co-created Cheers with brothers Glen and Les Charles. He directed 236 of the 275 episodes of the 1982-1993 NBC sitcom. The show was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions in association with Paramount Television. Nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series for all 11 of its seasons on the air, it earned 28 Primetime Emmy Awards from a record of 117 nominations. He won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series in 1983 and 1991. He was one of the creators and producers of the 1987 NBC sitcom The Tortellis, which was the first spin-off of Cheers.

He directed 32 episodes of the NBC sitcom Frasier from 1993 to 1997. In 1993, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the pilot "The Good Son." He directed four episodes of the 2023-2024 Paramount+ revival.

Burrows directed 15 episodes of the NBC sitcom Friends from 1994 to 1998. He received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the 1994 episode "The One with the Blackout" from Season 1.

He directed every episode of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, both during its initial eight-year run (1998-2006) and its later three-year revival (2017-2020). He received twelve Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the series, which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2000.

Burrows directed over 50 television pilots. Some of his other sitcom directing credits included The Associates (4 episodes), Best of the West (3 episodes), Dear John (2 episodes), Cafe Americain (3 episodes), Partners (1995-1996, 10 episodes), NewsRadio (7 episodes), 3rd Rock from the Sun (2 episodes), Men Behaving Badly (7 episodes), Fired Up (4 episodes), George & Leo (3 episodes), Caroline in the City (21 episodes), Union Square (8 episodes), Dharma & Greg (2 episodes), Two and a Half Men (2 episodes), The Class (19 episodes), Back to You (17 episodes), Gary Unmarried (36 episodes), Romantically Challenged (4 episodes), Partners (2012-2013, 12 episodes), The Millers (32 episodes), 2 Broke Girls (4 episodes), Mike & Molly (49 episodes), Crowded (9 episodes), Man with a Plan (9 episodes), Superior Donuts (8 episodes) and B Positive (3 episodes). He directed all 10 episodes of the Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern in 2025.

He executive produced the Emmy Award–winning ABC specials Live in Front of a Studio Audience, including Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons in 2019, All in the Family and Good Times in 2019, and The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes in 2021.

Some of his other producing credits included The Class, Back to You, Gary Unmarried, Romantically Challenged, Mike & Molly, Partners (2012-2013), The Millers, Crowded, Superior Donuts, Man with a Plan, Will & Grace and Mid-Century Modern.

Burrows had cameo appearances in several of the shows for which he directed. Some of his acting appearances included Rhoda, Phyllis, The Bob Newhart Show, Cheers, Friends and Will & Grace. He appeared as a fictionalized version of himself directing the show-within-a-show in 8 episodes of the 2005 HBO series The Comeback, as well as its subsequent seasons in 2014 and 2026.

NBC aired a special tribute on February 21, 2016, titled Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows featuring cast reunions from many of the series Burrows directed such as Cheers, Taxi, Friends, Frasier, The Big Bang Theory, Will & Grace, and Mike & Molly.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on December 17, 2003. He released his book, Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More, in 2022.

Mr. Burrows directed over 1,000 episodes of television during his legendary career. He received numerous accolades, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards. He was honored with the Directors Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. We thank him for his work on many sitcoms. He was one of the best to ever do it. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actress Daveigh Chase. She starred as Joyce in Oliver Beene. She died on June 16 in Los Angeles from complications of bacterial meningitis and a severe blood infection that led to fatal sepsis. Ms. Chase was only 35.

Chase made her television debut in a 1998 episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Yes, Dear and Inside Schwartz in 2001.

She starred as Joyce in the 2003-2004 Fox sitcom Oliver Beene. Set in 1962 and 1963, the show chronicled the trials and tribulations of the 11-to-12-year-old Oliver Beene (played by Grant Rosenmeyer), in first person perspective. Joyce was his quirky friend. The cast included Grant Shaud, Wendy Makkena, Andrew Lawrence, Taylor Emerson, Amy Bruckner, Amanda Michalka, Maggie Grace (2004) and David Cross as the voice of future Oliver Beene.

Chase starred as Rhonda Volmer in the 2006-2011 HBO drama Big Love. Some of her other television guest appearances included Charmed, The Practice (2000), ER, The Lot, That's Life (2001), Touched by an Angel, Family Law, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Cold Case, Without a Trace and Mercy.

She provided the voice of Lilo Pelekai, an eccentric Hawaiian girl on the island of Kauaʻi who adopts Stitch as her pet dog, in the 2002 animated science fiction comedy-drama film Lilo & Stitch. She reprised the role of Lilo in the direct-to-video film Stitch! The Movie (2003) and the subsequent television series Lilo & Stitch: The Series, which aired on the Disney Channel from 2003 to 2006.

Chase starred as Samantha, the younger sister of Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), in Donnie Darko (2001) and its sequel S. Darko (2009). She starred as Samara Morgan in the 2002 supernatural horror film The Ring. Her performance earned her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003.

Ms. Chase was a talented actress. She appeared in more than 50 television series and films in her career, which spanned from 1998 to 2015. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

AMC Global Media announced that production of the much anticipated eight-episode second season of The Audacity is underway in Vancouver, Canada, with the series returning to AMC and AMC+ in 2027. The satirical drama from Emmy(R) Award-winner Jonathan Glatzer (Succession, Bad Sisters, Better Call Saul) stars a powerhouse ensemble: Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Lucy Punch, Simon Helberg, Meaghan Rath, Paul Adelstein, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge and Ava Marie Telek.

Additionally, Miriam Shor (Pluribus, American Fiction, Younger) is joining the cast in a heavily recurring role as Randy Flemming, a shrewd and unintimidated FBI Agent who enjoys the hunt like a cat relishes playing with a mouse while Jess McLeod (Normal, She's Nonbinary) has been upped to series regular for the new season, reprising their role as Harper, the brilliant, pink-haired Chief Technology Officer of the newly formed, data-mining startup P.I.N.A.T.A..

The Audacity is set inside the bubble of Silicon Valley and takes on the warped dreams, outsized egos, and ethical lapses of the self-styled inventors of the future. In a world of jaded billionaires, psychiatrist-gurus, bio-hacked tech bros, AI labs and disillusioned teens being optimized in elite private schools, an audacious data-mining CEO (Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power. A darkly comedic drama that confronts reality, privacy, and the delusions fueling our ever-changing world.

Magnussen stars as Duncan Park, Goldberg as Dr. JoAnne Felder, Galifianakis as Carl Bardolph, Punch as Lili Park-Hoffsteader, Helberg as Martin Phister, Rath as Anushka Bhattachera-Phister, Adelstein as Dr. Gary Felder, Blunck as Orson Stern, Roberge as Tess Phister and Telek as Jamison Park-Hoffsteader.

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

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Labels: AMC, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Obits, Taxi, Will & Grace

SitcomsOnline Digest: Chevy Chase "Hurt" By Not Being Invited to SNL 50th Anniversary; New Lineups for Antenna TV and Rewind TV

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a very slow Christmas news week, but we have some news about a cast member of The Middle and Friends who has died, new year lineups for Antenna TV and Rewind TV, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Chevy Chase, who built a reputation of being difficult to work with and had purportedly been banned from appearing on the show several times (but was often invited back anyway), says he is "hurt" that wasn't invited to appear on the SNL50: The Anniversary Special. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Pat Finn, who appeared on The Middle and Friends, has died. (Entertainment Weekly)
• We're learning more about the Netflix sequel to A Different World. (SitcomsOnline)
• The new year lineups for Antenna TV and Rewind TV (which start next week) have been released, and some of the moves will leave people confused as to the purpose of each channel. (SitcomsOnline)

• MeTV is having a "A Very Special Sunday" tomorrow with anniversary reunion specials (previously aired decades ago) of Happy Days, The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, and more.
• Catchy Comedy is celebrating a "new year" with a Catchy Binge of Newhart tomorrow.
• Catchy Comedy is also airing Here's Lucy starting Monday, paired with I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show every weekday.
• Antenna TV brings back One Day at a Time and Sanford & Son on Thursday, starting with a marathon of first episodes for all series on the network.
• The final episodes of Stranger Things arrive on Netflix on Wednesday.
• And of course, it is the new year, and that wouldn't be complete without Twilight Zone marathons, which you can find on both Heroes & Icons as well as Syfy later this week.

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

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Labels: A Different World, Antenna TV, Friends, Here's Lucy, Newhart, One Day at a Time, Rewind TV, Sanford and Son, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Middle, Twilight Zone

SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner/Netflix Merger Gets Complicated; Steve Carell Comedy Rooster Coming to HBO Max in March

   Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning more about a media merger, learning more details about some new streaming series starring some of our favorites, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Last week, it was announced that, after appearing for several weeks that Paramount would acquire Warner Bros Discovery, Netflix would be the one to acquire it... but now it's gotten far more complicated and Paramount is doing everything that it possibly can to get it. (Deadline)
• Bill Lawrence's new HBO Max comedy starring Steve Carell now has a title, Rooster. (Variety)
• Hugh Laurie is joining Amy Poehler in Dig, a new Mike Schur comedy that will air on Peacock. (Variety)
• HBO Max has launched some new linear channels on the streaming service, including channels for Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and more. (Cord Cutters News)
• This is one we weren't expecting: The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series, which has never been on home media in any format, is coming to Blu-ray in February. (Animated Views)
• Rowan Atkinson says he dislikes Mr. Bean as a person, but likes him as a character. (Deadline)
• The final season of The Upshaws premieres January 15 on Netflix. (SitcomsOnline)

• In honor of Dick Van Dyke's 100th birthday, Catchy Comedy has an extended weekend long binge of The Dick Van Dyke Show this weekend.
• Antenna TV has a "Sunday Special" of Barney Miller tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Dick Van Dyke Show, Dig, Friends, HBO Max, Mr. Bean, Rooster, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Big Bang Theory, The Flintstones, The New Fred and Barney Show, The Upshaws, Warner Bros

TBS and TNT Holiday Schedule; Hulu's Back 'Four' More Reasonable Doubt; Remembering Diane Ladd of Alice

Festive films, spirited sitcoms and 24-hour movie marathons return this season as TBS's "All I Watch for Christmas" delivers nostalgic classics and TNT's "Christmas Maximus" showcases blockbuster holiday hits beginning Sunday, November 9.

As part of the networks' annual tradition, TBS and TNT will host 24-hour movie marathons of Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. Additionally, TNT will air the broadcast premiere of Candy Cane Lane, starring Eddie Murphy, on November 16 along with the network debut of Shrek the Halls on December 2. Other seasonal favorites include Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), The Polar Express, Four Christmases, and many more.

TBS will also air holiday-themed episodes of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, American Dad! and Family Matters.

Hulu's Reasonable Doubt is coming back "four" more. The hit series has been renewed for season four. Season three is currently Thursdays on Hulu, with the season finale set for November 13. You'll judge Jax Stewart for her questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law...until you're the one in trouble. Then you'll see her for what she is: the most brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles who bucks the justice system at every chance she gets.

Season three stars Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey and Joseph Sikora, as well as recurring guest stars including Morris Chestnut, Lori Harvey, Kyle Bary, Rumer Willis, Brandee Evans, Richard Brooks, April Parker Jones, Keith Arthur Bolden and Kash Doll.

Actress Diane Ladd, who starred as Belle Dupree in Alice, has died. She died from chronic hypoxic respiratory failure complicated by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at her home in Ojai, California, on November 3. Ms. Ladd was 89.

Ladd starred as Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry in the 1974 romantic comedy drama film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Flo is a hardened, sharp-tongued waitress at Mel and Ruby's Cafe. The film inspired the television series Alice, in which Flo was portrayed by Polly Holliday. Ladd was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for the role. She won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1976.

She joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Alice as Isabelle "Belle" Dupree in the fourth season in 1980. Belle Dupree is a hard-edged but kind-hearted woman. She had been a waitress of Mel's in the past, during which the two had a romantic relationship. Ladd won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for the role in 1980. Despite Ladd's Golden Globe-winning performance, the character was not retained for the duration of the series and was replaced early in 1981 after she had appeared in 23 episodes in the fourth and fifth seasons. Celia Weston then joined the cast as the good-natured, boisterous truck driver Jolene Hunnicutt, who came from Myrtle Point, South Carolina.

Ladd guest starred as Louise Burdette, the mother of Grace Kelly (Brett Butler), in two episodes of Grace Under Fire in 1994 and 1997. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the episode "Things Left Undone" in 1994. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Hazel, The Love Boat (3 episodes), and Young Sheldon.

She had a recurring role as Helen Jellicoe, Amy's (Laura Dern) quiet and rather aloof yet protective mother with her own ghosts from the past, in 18 episodes of the 2011-2013 HBO comedy drama Enlightened. In 2004, she starred as Sally Druse in the ABC horror medical drama Kingdom Hospital. She starred as Nell O'Brien in the 2016-2022 Hallmark Channel drama Chesapeake Shores.

Ladd received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her roles as Charlotte Cooper in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman in 1994 and as Carolyn Sellers in a 1997 episode of Touched by an Angel. Some of her other television guest appearances included Naked City (2 episodes), Perry Mason (1963), The Fugitive (1964), Gunsmoke (3 episodes), The Big Valley, Ironside, Father Dowling Mysteries, In the Heat of the Night, L.A. Law, Sisters, Strong Medicine (2 episodes), Cold Case, ER, and Ray Donovan.

She received Academy Award nominations for her roles in Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991), in both of which she starred alongside her daughter Laura Dern. They were also nominated for dual Golden Globe Awards in the same year. Some of her other film credits included Chinatown (1974), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Primary Colors (1998), 28 Days (2000), and Joy (2015).

Ms. Ladd was a talented and versatile actress. She appeared in over 200 television shows and films in her career spanning over 70 years. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember television director Ralph Senensky. He died in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, on November 1. Mr. Senensky was 102.

Senensky's sitcom directing credits included The Courtship of Eddie's Father (9 episodes), The Bill Cosby Show (4 episodes), Nanny and the Professor (6 episodes), The Partridge Family (7 episodes), and Getting Together (3 episodes).

He directed 16 episodes of The F.B.I. from 1966 to 1972, 6 episodes of Star Trek from 1967 to 1969, and 12 episodes of The Waltons from 1973 to 1978. Some of his other directing credits included The Twilight Zone, Route 66 (2 episodes), Naked City (3 episodes), Arrest and Trial (2 episodes), The Doctors and the Nurses (2 episodes), Breaking Point (3 episodes), Dr. Kildare (5 episodes), 12 O'Clock High (4 episodes), The Fugitive (4 episodes), The Wild Wild West (2 episodes), Mission: Impossible, Ironside (2 episodes), Dan August (5 episodes), Banyon (3 episodes), Barnaby Jones (3 episodes), Eight Is Enough, Dynasty (4 episodes in 1981), Hart to Hart (7 episodes), Paper Dolls (3 episodes), and The Paper Chase (7 episodes).

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television in 2011.

Mr. Senensky was the last surviving person to have directed an episode of Star Trek (1966-1969). He chronicled and discussed his adventures in film and television on his official website Ralph's Cinema Trek. We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

Actor Lee Weaver had a recurring role as Brian Kincaid in The Bill Cosby Show and starred as Ricardo Williams in Easy Street. He died at his home in Los Angeles on September 22. Mr. Weaver was 95.

Weaver had a recurring role as Brian Kincaid in seven episodes of the 1969-1971 NBC sitcom The Bill Cosby Show. Bill Cosby played the role of Chet Kincaid, a physical education teacher at a Los Angeles high school, a bachelor, and an "average cool guy" trying to earn a living and help people out along the way. Brian Kincaid is Chet's brother. The cast included Lillian Randolph (1969-1970), Beah Richards (1970-1971), Olga James, Sid McCoy, Joyce Bulifant, and Joseph Perry.

He starred as Ricardo Williams in the 1986-1987 NBC sitcom Easy Street. The series stars Loni Anderson as L.K. McGuire, a onetime showgirl who manages to nab a young wealthy husband, Ned McGuire, only to have him die and leave her fending for herself against his embittered sister, who's out to get L.K. out of the picture and away from her inherited money. Meanwhile, L.K. reconnects with a down-on-his-luck uncle, Bully Stevenson (Jack Elam) who has been on and off the streets of Los Angeles. L.K. invites him and his pal, Ricardo Williams, to move into her vast mansion, to the horror and consternation of her snobbish in-laws, Eleanor and Quentin Standard (Dana Ivey and James Cromwell).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Good Morning World, Julia, Love, American Style (1969), Nanny and the Professor, That's My Mama, Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Soap, Mork & Mindy, AfterMASH, Diff'rent Strokes, What's Happening Now!!, 227 (2 episodes), Webster (3 episodes), Amen, Dear John, A Different World, The Cosby Show (2 episodes), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Nurses, Night Court (1992), Step by Step, Living Single, Roc, Sister, Sister (1994), Martin (2 episodes), Sparks (2 episodes), The Jamie Foxx Show, Good News (2 episodes), Suddenly Susan, For Your Love, Men, Women & Dogs, My Wife and Kids, The Parkers, The Bernie Mac Show, That's So Raven, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, My Name Is Earl (2 episodes), Community, Family Tools (4 episodes), and Grace and Frankie (2 episodes).

Some of his other television credits included Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (6 episodes), I Spy (2 episodes), The Blue Knight (4 episodes), Flamingo Road (6 episodes), Hill Street Blues (6 episodes), Reasonable Doubts (2 episodes), and NYPD Blue (3 episodes). He was the voice of Alpine in the animated television series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero from 1985 to 1986.

Mr. Weaver was a familiar face who wore stylish hats in many sitcoms. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his 70 year career. He will be sorely missed.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:15 PM

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Labels: Alice, American Dad!, Bill Cosby Show, Family Matters, Friends, Hulu, Modern Family, Obits, TBS, The Big Bang Theory, TNT

SitcomsOnline Digest: Cable Networks No Longer a Priority for Paramount; Paramount+ Removes Vintage Nickelodeon Series

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're in the middle of our second slow news week, but we have some news about cable networks no longer being a priority, more streaming service removals, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• As cable networks have been dying a slow death, it has been long assumed that the networks that have been around since cable began are still strong and a priority, but this week we learned that Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET are no longer a priority for Paramount, and that there is a good chance they'll be sold off. (AV Club)
• Meanwhile, although they're saying cable is not a priority, Paramount+ has proved that cord cutting works both way, as this week they've removed several vintage Nickelodeon series (including Doug) from the service. (Cord Cutters News)
• It's a bit peculiar that it took is so long to get the first look at it (maybe an acknowledgment that TV executives don't think as much about broadcast TV anymore?), but we have our first look at Fox's new sitcom Going Dutch, which debuts next week. (SitcomsOnline)
• Warner Home Video hasn't totally given up on DVD, as they have The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series coming to DVD in February. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 3)

• The Catchy Comedy Binge this weekend (which, we should point out, this is the last weekend that their binge will air on Saturday and Sunday, as they will be Sunday only starting next weekend and Saturday will be regular programming with a few short-lived series mixed in.
• The new comedy Going Dutch debuts Thursday on Fox.
• MTV changes their lineup a bit starting Wednesday, with reruns of Friends and The Big Bang Theory, and significantly reduced (but still several hours a day) airings of Ridiculousness.
• There will be plenty of New Year's marathons, but of course, Twilight Zone is the one that we all think of, and both H&I and Syfy will have those.

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

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Labels: BET, Comedy Central, Doug, Friends, Going Dutch, Mary Tyler Moore Show, MTV, Nickelodeon, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Big Bang Theory, Twilight Zone, Wayans Bros

Valerie Bertinelli Hosting Game Show; Whitney Cummings Finding Ultimate Friends Fans

Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, has announced Valerie Bertinelli as the host of Bingo Blitz®, a new show based on the world's most popular free to play Bingo app, Bingo Blitz. The half-hour original series is scheduled to premiere Spring 2025.

In the game show Bingo Blitz® on Game Show Network, two contestants compete in a dynamic blend of trivia and bingo. The ultimate game of knowledge, strategy and luck, contestants answer trivia to earn bingo balls and points. In addition to numbered bingo balls, players also receive gold balls they can strategically place on their cards to increase their chances of making a bingo. Bingos earn the players bonus points, and special ‘power-ups’ on the players’ cards earn them extra points, bingo balls and prizes. After three rounds, the player with the highest score advances to the fast-action Blitz round, where making a bingo in 60 seconds or less awards them $10,000.

Max is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the global phenomenon Friends with the premiere of Fast Friends, a Friends fan competition special hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, debuting Thursday, December 19 on Max. New episodes of the four-part game show will debut subsequent Thursdays through January 9.

Filmed at The Friends Experience: The One in New York City, Fast Friends takes place in the celebrated series’ iconic sets in a fast-paced competition event. From racing through Rachel and Monica’s apartment to darting across Joey and Chandler’s bachelor pad and grabbing a coffee at Central Perk, fans will re-live their favorite moments while being put to the test with trivia, puzzles, and games that will keep even the most die-hard Friends fans on their toes. The quickest team will win the title of The Ultimate Fast Friends Champion.

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

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Labels: Bingo Blitz, Friends, GSN, Max

BET+ Renews Churchy for Season 2 and The Ms. Pat Show for Season 5; Remembering Teri Garr

BET+ has renewed the original comedy series Churchy for a second season. The series, originally released on February 15, 2024, broke ground for BET+ quickly becoming the #1 scripted comedy series on the platform in its debut week. Inspired by/drawing from/from the mind of standup comedian "KevOnStage" Fredericks, Corey Carr Jr.'s life takes an unexpected turn when he's bypassed for leadership of his father's mega-church. Determined to prove his worth, Corey packs up his dreams and heads to middle-of-nowhere Lubbock, Texas, with lofty ambitions to build his own ministry from the ground up. However, after quickly stumbling upon the realization that small-town church life is an entirely different ball game, Corey slowly accepts that the path to spiritual leadership might just be funnier and more profound than any sermon could ever teach.

Fredericks is set to reprise his role as "Corey Carr, Jr." an ambitious yet naive new pastor. Season one also starred Anthony Elfoniza, Lexi Allen, London Solomon, Mark J. P. Hood, and Shani Shockley. Casting for season two includes series regulars Quin Walters and Tahir Moore with Nic Few, Tony Baker, and Tabitha Brown also set to appear. Kevin "KevOnStage" Fredericks and Melissa Fredericks will return to executive produce for KevOnStage Studios. LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, and Lezlie Wills are executive producers for SpringHill. The second season will be penned by comedy writers Richard A. Washington & David Murphy. Production for the new season and a premiere will be announced at a later date.

In DJ Khaled’s voice - 'And Another One!' 🎉 BET+ has renewed the Emmy-nominated multi-cam sitcom The Ms. Pat Show for a fifth season, keeping the laughs and realness coming! 🙌🏾 BET Media Group also locked in an extended deal with the one and only Ms. Pat, so you know BET is about to get more unapologetically Black, bold, and hilarious content coming to our screens. Since 2021, The Ms. Pat Show been serving up that raw comedy, and we're here for it all! 🔥 Prepare yourself for an epic new season ahead by catching up on all 4 season streaming on #BETPlus.

Actress Teri Garr, who starred in Good & Evil, Good Advice and Women of the House, has died. She died from complications of multiple sclerosis at her home in Los Angeles, California, on October 29. Ms. Garr was 79.

Garr had a recurring role as Amber in four episodes of the 1973-1974 NBC sitcom The Girl with Something Extra. Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included That Girl (2 episodes), The Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry R.F.D., The Mothers-in-Law, Room 222, M*A*S*H, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The Odd Couple, The Bob Newhart Show (2 episodes as Miss Brennan), Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers and Maude.

She starred as Denise Sandler in the short-lived 1991 ABC sitcom Good & Evil, which was created by Susan Harris. Good & Evil was the saga of two sisters – one "good", the other "evil" – and the backstabbing, jealously and power struggles that occurred between them. Denise Sandler, the evil sister, was heir to her mother Charlotte (Marian Seldes)'s cosmetics empire Sandler Cosmetics. The series also starred Margaret Whitton, Mark Blankfield, Lane Davies, Mary Gillis, Seth Green, Sherman Howard, Lane Smith, Brooke Theiss, Marius Weyers and William Shockley.

Garr starred as Paige Turner in the second season of the 1993-1994 CBS sitcom Good Advice. Dr. Susan DeRuzza (Shelley Long) is a successful marriage therapist and the author of a best-selling book on the subject, Giving and Forgiving. Paige Turner is Susan's flighty, self-centered older sister, who had just moved to Los Angeles and became the new inept receptionist. The cast included Treat Williams, George Wyner, Christopher McDonald (season 1), Peter Onorati (season 2), Ross Malinger, Estelle Harris (season 1), Lightfield Lewis and Henriette Mantel (season 2).

She starred as Sissy Emerson in the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom Women of the House. The spin-off of Designing Women starred Delta Burke, reprising her role of Suzanne Sugarbaker. Sissy Emerson is Suzanne's press secretary, a washed up reporter who had turned to the bottle a few years earlier, but was starting to clean up her act. The cast included Patricia Heaton, Valerie Mahaffey (episodes 1-4, 7), Julie Hagery (episodes 5-6), Lisa Rieffel (episodes 8-12), Jonathan Banks, Brittany Parkyn and William Newman.

Garr had a recurring role as Phoebe Abbott, the estranged birth mother of Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), in three episodes of the NBC sitcom Friends from 1997 to 1998. Some of her other sitcom credits included Dream On (2 episodes), Murphy Brown, The Larry Sanders Show, Frasier (voice), Men Behaving Badly, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Life with Bonnie, Greetings from Tucson and Crumbs. She stared as Talon Kensington in the 1986 CBS comedy miniseries Fresno.

She had her breakthrough appearing as secretary Roberta Lincoln in the Star Trek episode "Assignment: Earth" in 1968. Some of her other televison guest appearances included Mr. Novak, Dr. Kildare, Batman, It Takes a Thief (2 episodes), Banyon, Barnaby Jones, McCloud (6 episodes), Tales from the Crypt, ER, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Felicity, Strong Medicine and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Garr was a regular cast member on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour from 1971 to 1974, dancing and acting in comedy sketches. In 1972, she landed a regular role on The Ken Berry "WOW" Show, a summer replacement variety series. She hosted Saturday Night Live three times in 1980, 1983, and 1985. She was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman.

She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her comedic role as Sandy Lester, an acting student, in Sydney Pollack's romantic comedy Tootsie (1982). Some of her other film credits included The Conversation (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Oh, God! (1977), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), The Black Stallion (1979), One from the Heart (1982), Mr. Mom (1983), Firstborn (1984), After Hours (1985), Let It Ride (1989), Mom and Dad Save the World (1992), Dumb and Dumber (1994), Prêt-à-Porter (1994), Michael (1996) and Ghost World (2001).

Ms. Garr was a talented, funny and lovely actress. She was always a great late night talk show guest. She made everything she appeared in much better. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment she brought us during her career. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember singer and actor Jack Jones. He sang the opening theme song for The Love Boat from 1977 to 1985. He died from leukemia at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, on October 23. Mr. Jones was 86.

The Love Boat theme song was composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Paul Williams. It was sung by Jack Jones in the opening sequence of the first eight seasons (1977-1985) and, in a different arrangement, by Dionne Warwick in the last season (1985-1986) and the four specials that followed it. Jones lip-syncs the song in Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), appearing in a cameo as a lounge singer as Ted (Robert Hays) escapes from the hospital.

He provided the vocals to the theme song ("The Kind of Girl She Is") of the short-lived 1971 CBS sitcom Funny Face, which starred Sandy Duncan.

Jones played himself in the episode "The Vegas Show" of It's a Living in 1980. Some of his other sitcom credits included Hey, Jeannie! (pilot), The Love Boat, Get a Life and Night Court (1990). Some of his other television credits included Code 3, General Electric Theater, The Rat Patrol, McMillan & Wife, Police Woman, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Sweepstakes and Buddy Faro.

He won two Grammy Awards and received five nominations for Grammys. His recordings included "Lollipops and Roses", "Wives and Lovers", "The Race Is On", "The Impossible Dream" and "Call Me Irresponsible".

Television writer and producer Alan Sacks was the co-creator of Welcome Back, Kotter. He died from lymphoma in New York on October 22. Mr. Sacks was 81.

Sacks helped develop and co-create the ABC sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter with Gabe Kaplan in 1975, based on Kaplan's stand-up routine about his high school buddies in Brooklyn. He was also a producer for first season (1975-1976).

He worked as a production executive and producer on Chico and the Man from 1974 to 1975, a show created by Welcome Back, Kotter executive producer James Komack.

In 1986, he wrote and produced the skateboarding film Thrashin', which starred Josh Brolin, Robert Rusler and Pamela Gidley.

Television writer and producer Sherry Coben was the creator of Kate & Allie. She died from cancer at her home in New Milford, New Jersey, on October 16. Ms. Coben was 71.

Coben created the 1984-1989 CBS sitcom Kate & Allie. The series stars Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin as two divorced mothers who decide to live together and raise their children in the same home. Curtin won two consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, while Saint James was nominated in the same category three times. The cast included Ari Meyers, Allison Smith and Frederick Koehler.

She wrote for the ABC soap opera Ryan's Hope from 1980 to 1981. She was a writer and producer of the 1996 CBS Saturday morning children's sitcom Bailey Kipper's P.O.V.. The series starred Michael Galeota, John Achorn, Meg Wittner, Andi Eystad and Joey Zimmerman.

Actor Ron Ely starred as Tarzan in the 1966-1968 NBC series Tarzan. He died at the home of one of his daughters in Los Alamos, California, on September 29. Mr. Ely was 86.

Ely starred as Mike Madison in the CBS adventure/drama series The Aquanauts in 1961. He was best known for portraying Tarzan in the 1966-1968 NBC adventure series Tarzan. He also directed an episode of the series in 1967. He starred as Mike Nelson in the 1987-1988 syndicated revival of Sea Hunt.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Father Knows Best, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (as Dobie's older brother in the Pilot), The Courtship of Eddie's Father and The Love Boat (3 episodes).

He guest starred in five episodes of Fantasy Island from 1979 to 1984. Some of his other television credits included Steve Canyon, The Millionaire, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Thriller, Ironside, Marcus Welby, M.D. (1974), Wonder Woman, Matt Houston, Hotel, Blacke's Magic, Superboy, Tarzán, The Hat Squad, L.A. Law, Hawkeye, Renegade (2 episodes) and Sheena.

Ely starred as Clark "Doc" Savage Jr. in the 1975 action film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.

We thank them for their work on television and in films. They will be greatly missed.

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

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Labels: BET+, Churchy, Friends, Kate and Allie, Obits, The Love Boat, The Ms. Pat Show, Welcome Back Kotter, Women of the House

TV One Acquires black-ish; Whitney Cummings to Host Friends Game Show Event

TV One is thrilled to announce the addition of the award-winning sitcom black-ish to its programming lineup, as of Friday, September 27, 2024, just in time for the show's 10th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, TV One aired a special marathon event, allowing fans to relive the iconic moments from one of the most celebrated sitcoms in recent history. From 8 PM ET/7 PM CT on Friday, September 27, 2024, the black-ish 10th Anniversary Marathon kicked off an exciting weekend of laughs and reflections, honoring a decade of cultural commentary, humor, and heart. Join TV One as they celebrate the Johnson family and their hilarious yet impactful journey through life, love, and the complexities of Black identity in America. The series joins the regular schedule this evening from 6-8PM.

black·ish is an acclaimed American sitcom created by Kenya Barris that aired on ABC from September 24, 2014, to April 19, 2022. Spanning eight seasons with a total of 176 episodes, the series quickly became a cultural touchstone in American television. black·ish centers on the Johnson family, an affluent Black household led by patriarch Andre "Dre" Johnson (Anthony Anderson), a successful advertising executive, and his wife Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), an accomplished anesthesiologist. The show masterfully balances humor with poignant commentary as it explores the Johnsons' experiences navigating personal, familial, and sociopolitical challenges. At its core, black·ish delves into the complexities of maintaining Black cultural identity while living in a predominantly white, upper-class suburban neighborhood. Through its sharp writing and dynamic performances, black·ish addresses important themes such as race, identity, and family, earning both critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase over its groundbreaking eight-year run.

Comedian Whitney Cummings has signed on to host the Max Original four-part game show Fast Friends, a Friends fan competition from Warner Bros. Unscripted Television. The special is scheduled to start production next month at The Friends Experience: The One in New York City, the flagship interactive experience, created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Warner Bros. Television Group, and Original X Productions.

Fast Friends will take place in the celebrated series' iconic sets in a fast-paced competition event. From racing through Rachel and Monica's apartment to darting across Joey and Chandler’s bachelor pad and grabbing a coffee at Central Perk, fans will re-live their favorite moments while being put to the test with trivia, puzzles, and games that will keep even the most die-hard Friends fans on their toes. The quickest team will win the title of Ultimate Friends Fan.

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

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Labels: black-ish, Friends, Max, TV One

SitcomsOnline Digest: Kathy Bates Matlock Premiere Brings Solid Ratings; Whitney Cummings to Host Friends-themed Game Show

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about ratings success for a new CBS series, a Friends-themed game show, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The new Matlock series starring Kathy Bates has had a shockingly successful debut and reception has been mostly positive, though it remains to be seen if it will maintain that audience. (Deadline)
• Whitney Cummings has been tapped to host Fast Friends, a four part game show that is themed around the series Friends. (Variety)
• There won't be a third season for Chucky. (Deadline)
• Hoda Kotb is set to leave Today. (NPR)
• Ryan Seacrest's Wheel of Fortune debut week was a ratings winner. (Deadline)
• A pair of new sitcoms is now airing on the Laff lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4)

• There is a Catchy Comedy binge of Gomer Pyle, USMC this weekend.
• Saturday Night Live returns for a new season tonight, with Jean Smart (for those who haven't watched TV since 1993, she has done so much more than Designing Women since then) as host.
• The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, and Krapopolis all return for a new season on Fox on Sunday.

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

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Labels: Chucky, Friends, Gomer Pyle USMC, LAFF, Matlock, SitcomsOnline Digest, Today, Wheel of Fortune

SitcomsOnline Digest: Prime Video and Netflix Order New Animated Series; MeTV Toons Lineup Released

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're in the summer slowdown of news, but it isn't that slow this week, as we have news of some new adult animated series, the lineup for MeTV Toons, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Prime Video has ordered Kevin, an animated series from Aubrey Plaza and Joe Wengert. (Amazon Studios)
• Netflix has ordered the series Undervale, which Dan Harmon will serve as executive producer for. (Variety)
• The MeTV Toons lineup is out, and it looks pretty good for fans of classic cartoons. (TVLine)
• Max has renewed Hacks for a fourth season. (Variety)
• NBC is rebranding their FAST streaming channel TNBC to NBC Comedy Vault starting today, and will include Will & Grace in the lineup. (Cord Cutters News)
• Dick Van Dyke may be 98 years old, but he isn't quite ready to fully retire just yet. (Deadline)
• Saturday Night Live is the top-rated comedy in the 18-49 demographic for the fifth year in a row. (Deadline)
• Fewer and fewer kids are watching Cartoon Network, so now Adult Swim (which once started at 10 PM) is now starting at 5 PM. (Cord Cutters News)
• Maybe physical media isn't completely dead, as Friends is coming to 4K UltraHD Blu-ray in September. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 1 - JUNE 7)

• Catchy Comedy is making room for a binge of The Danny Thomas Show this weekend.
• The 51st Daytime Emmy Awards airs Friday on CBS.
• BUZZR is now airing the Bob Barker episodes of The Price is Right, though they are the same ones that can be seen on the 24/7 streaming channel.

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

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Labels: Dick Van Dyke, Friends, Hacks, Kevin, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Undervale, Will & Grace

Friends: The Complete Series Comes to 4K Ultra HD on September 24; The Bear Sets Season One Marathon on the FX Linear Channel

Oh, My Gawd! In celebration of the 30th anniversary of one of television's most watched sitcoms, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will release Friends: The Complete Series in 4K Ultra HD on September 24, 2024. This ultimate collector's set for any Friends fan includes over 110 hours of content – including all 236 original broadcast episodees released for the first time in 4K Ultra HD, plus over 20 hours of extra features including all-new bonus content. Pre-order your copy now.

From Warner Bros. Television, Friends follows the lives and loves of a close-knit group of friends living in New York City: siblings Ross (David Schwimmer) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), along with friends Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).

Friends was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. Throughout its run, the show was nominated for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards®, winning six awards including Best Comedy Series in 2002.

Friends maintains its influence among viewers. Since its launch, the series has been watched over 71 billion times in the United States alone, across all linear & SVOD platforms. On an international level, viewers spent a total of more than 1.4 billion hours with Friends in 2023 across linear and SVOD internationally.

As Friends marks its 30th anniversary this year, the beloved TV series continues to hold an enduring place in popular culture and hearts worldwide. With its witty humor, relatable characters, and memorable catchphrases, Friends transcends generations with its universal appeal, making it a classic that continues to bring joy and laughter to fans around the world.

FX's The Bear will make season one of the critically acclaimed, Emmy(R) Award-winning hit comedy series available to viewers of the FX linear channel for the first time ever with a special marathon beginning Sunday, June 2. The series, currently available only on Hulu, will air two episodes on FX each successive night beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT through Wednesday, June 5.

The Bear season one marathon features:

· Sunday, June 2, 10 p.m. ET/PT - Episode 1 ("System") and 2 ("Hands")
· Monday, June 3, 10 p.m. ET/PT - Episode 3 ("Brigade") and 4 ("Dogs")
· Tuesday, June 4, 10 p.m. ET/PT - Episode 5 ("Sheridan") and 6 ("Ceres")
· Wednesday, June 5, 10 p.m. ET/PT - Episode 7 ("Review") and 8 ("Braciole")

Season one of FX's The Bear won 10 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Emmy Awards for stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Season one of FX's The Bear follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a young chef from the fine dining world, who comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop after a heartbreaking death in his family. A world away from what he's used to, Carmy must balance the soul-crushing realities of small business ownership, his strong-willed and recalcitrant kitchen staff and his strained familial relationships, all while grappling with the impact of his brother's suicide. The Bear is about food, family, the insanity of the grind, the beauty of Sense of Urgency and the steep slippery downsides. As Carmy fights to transform both the restaurant and himself, he works alongside a rough-around-the-edges kitchen crew that ultimately reveal themselves as his chosen family.

The highly-anticipated third season premieres Thursday, June 27 exclusively on Hulu with all 10 episodes available at premiere. The trailer for season three is available now and the first two seasons are available to stream now on Hulu.

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

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Labels: 4K Ultra HD, Friends, FX, Hulu, The Bear

SitcomsOnline Digest: Broadcast Networks Preparing for Shorter Seasons of Scripted Series; CBS Announces Host of After Midnight

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're still waiting for the end to that strike (will it happen?), hearing about the future of The CW (hint: less superheroes), and learning about CBS and their plans for late night. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Could we just get this actor's strike over? Negotiations are continuing this weekend. (Deadline)
• When it is over, get ready for 13 episode seasons of your favorite broadcast network primetime series (which is still about twice as many as some streaming show "seasons"). (Deadline)
• The upcoming season of Superman & Lois on The CW will be the last, marking the end of an era of superhero series on The CW. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Perhaps one of the most unexpected sitcom actor deaths in a while, Friends star Matthew Perry has died. (Variety)
• Taylor Tomlinson has been announced as the host of the new CBS late night show, After Midnight. (Variety)
• It's been frozen in time several times, but Futurama always bounces back, and the current incarnation just got a two season renewal. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 4 - NOVEMBER 10)

• Catchy Comedy is having a binge of Night Court this weekend in honor of the life of Richard Moll, rather than the previously scheduled binge of The Lucy Show.
• The Simpsons annual "Treehouse of Horror" episode airs Sunday, going back to a tradition of this episode airing after Halloween.
• Cozi TV has a short marathon of The Munsters on Tuesday.

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

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Labels: After Midnight, Friends, Futurama, SAG, SitcomsOnline Digest, The CW

REELZ Remembers Matthew Perry; Leo Reich Comedy Special on HBO This December

REELZ is doing a Remembering Matthew Perry stunt the next few weeks. Sunday, November 5 it is Friends: Behind Closed Doors at 9pm ET/ PT. Sunday, November 19 REELZ begins airing the mini-series The Kennedys: After Camelot with Part 1 "Family Bonds" at 8am ET/ 5am PT and The Kennedys: After Camelot Part 2 "New Beginnings" at 10am ET/ 7am PT. And on Tuesday, November 21 it encores again: The Kennedys: After Camelot Part 1 "Family Bonds" at 7am ET/ 4am PT and The Kennedys: After Camelot Part 2 "New Beginnings" at 9am ET/ 6am PT.

Friends: Behind Closed Doors celebrates the hit sitcom in which Perry portrayed the beloved Chandler Bing. Friends: Behind Closed Doors is an inside look at how the legendary sitcom came together from its elusive cast chemistry and brilliant writing to its relatable premises and memorable characters, see how Friends became a global and cultural phenomenon. Viewers will see incredible behind-the-scenes footage of auditions featuring several now known actors who didn't make the cut as well as archive interviews with the cast including Perry. Interviews also include the first-hand accounts from series creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane as well as fellow cast members Jane Sibbett, Denise Richards and Christina Pickles.

The Kennedys: After Camelot stars Katie Holmes reprising her role as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Matthew Perry starring as Ted Kennedy. The Kennedys: After Camelot miniseries is based on the New York Times best seller, "After Camelot: Personal History of the Kennedy Family 1968 to the Present" by best-selling author and biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli. Jon Cassar (The Kennedys) and Katie Holmes directed from scripts by Stephen Kronish (The Kennedys) and Sandra Chwialkowska (Lost Girl). The miniseries covers the years from 1968 to 1999 and uses public events as a background to tell the intimate story of this iconic family as it struggles to come to terms with what Jackie Kennedy Onassis herself called ‘the end of Camelot.’ From the tumultuous events of 1968 after the assassination of Robert Kennedy to the marriage of Jackie to Aristotle Onassis and the tragedy of Chappaquiddick, The Kennedys: After Camelot follows the family and shows the great personal price paid to live up to the Kennedy family political ambition.

Leo Reich's first solo stand-up comedy special Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?! debuts this December on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. Following rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and an Off-Broadway run, the special from A24 taped at EartH in London this fall. Hot. Young. Cool. Fresh. Ripped. Hilarious. Groundbreaking. Avant-garde. These are just some of the words that comedian and writer Leo Reich uses to describe himself. In his first HBO comedy special, this self-diagnosed important young mind faces the swirling uncertainty of our collective future, asking the big questions, such as: “Is this helping?", “Am I hot?”, and "No offense guys but literally what is going on?" Treading the line between hilarious stand-up and humorless performance art, Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?! blends songs, anecdotes, and anxious non-sequiturs in a valiant attempt to raise awareness about important social and political causes… or something.

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

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Labels: Friends, HBO, Max, REELZ Channel

TBS Friends Tribute Marathon; HBO's Albert Brooks Documentary Premieres November 11

TBS is celebrating the life of Friends star and fan-favorite actor Matthew Perry all week long with marathons dedicated to his beloved character, interspersed with special tributes showcasing what he and his character meant to fans of the long-running comedy sitcom. The "Best of Chandler" Marathon begins on Wednesday, November 1, spotlighting the character's most hilarious and heartwarming episodes. The marathon continues on Thursday, November 2, highlighting friendship episodes with "Best of Chandler and Joey's Friendship," and the "Best of Monica and Chandler's Relationship" Marathon on Friday, November 3. Encores of the marathons will continue over the weekend through Sunday, November 5.

Full scheduling details below:  

Wednesday, 11/1: "Friends": Best of Chandler Marathon (6A - 6P)
· 6:00AM "The One With The Blackout"
· 6:30AM "The One After the Super Bowl Pt. 2"
· 7:00AM "The One With the Prom Video"
· 7:30AM "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies"
· 8:00AM "The One Where Eddie Wont' Go"
· 8:30AM "The One With Barry and Mindy's Wedding"
· 9:00AM "The One With the Jam"
· 9:30AM "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister"
· 10:00AM "The One With the Hypnosis Tape"
· 10:30AM "The One With a Chick and a Duck"
· 11:00AM "The One With the Cat"
· 11:30AM "The One With the Cuffs"
· 12:00PM "The One With Chandler in a Box"
· 12:30PM "The One With the Embryos"
· 1:00PM "The One With all the Rugby"
· 1:30PM "The One With All the Wedding Dresses"
· 2:00PM "The One With All the Thanksgivings"
· 2:30PM "The One Where Everybody Finds Out"
· 3:00PM "The One With the Cop"
· 3:30PM "The One With the Proposal: Part 1"
· 4:00PM "The One With the Halloween Party"
· 4:30PM "The One With the Tea Leaves"
· 5:00PM "The One With the Sharks"
· 5:30PM "The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work"

Thursday, 11/2: "Friends": Best of Chandler and Joey's Friendship Marathon (6:30A-12:30P)
· 6:00AM "The One With the Baby On The Bus"
· 6:30AM "The One With The Prom Video"
· 7:00AM "The One Where Ross and Rachel... You Know"
· 7:30AM "The One Where Joey Moves Out"
· 8:00AM "The One Where Eddie Won't Go"
· 8:30AM "The One Where No One's Ready"
· 9:00AM "The One With a Chick and a Duck"
· 9:30AM "The One With the Cat"
· 10:00AM "The One With Chandler in a Box"
· 10:30AM "The One With The Embryos"
· 11:00AM "The One Where Monica Sings"
· 12:00PM "The One With Ross's Grant"

Friday, 11/3: "Friends": Best of Chandler & Monica's Relationship Marathon (10A-12:30P)
· 10:00AM "The One With Ross' Wedding, Part 2"
· 10:30AM "The One With the Proposal Part 1" 
· 11:00AM "The One With the Proposal Part 2"
· 11:30AM "The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding Part 1"
· 12:00AM "The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding Part 2"

Saturday, 11/4: "Friends": Best of Chandler Encore (6A-10:30A)
· 6:00AM "The One With The Blackout"
· 6:30AM "The One After the Super Bowl Pt. 2"
· 7:00AM "The One With the Prom Video" 
· 7:30AM "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies"
· 8:00AM "The One Where Eddie Wont' Go" 
· 8:30AM "The One With Barry and Mindy's Wedding" 
· 9:00AM "The One With the Jam"
· 9:30AM "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister"
· 10:00AM "The One With the Hypnosis Tape" 

Sunday, 11/5: Friends Best of Chandler Encore (6A-12:30P)
· 6:00AM "The One With a Chick and a Duck"
· 6:30AM "The One With the Cat"
· 7:00AM "The One With the Cuffs"
· 7:30AM "The One With Chandler in a Box"
· 8:00AM "The One With the Embryos"
· 8:30AM "The One With all the Rugby"
· 9:00AM "The One With All the Thanksgivings"
· 9:30AM "The One Where Everybody Finds Out"
· 10:00AM "The One With the Cop"
· 10:30AM "The One With the Proposal: Part 1"
· 11:00AM "The One With the Halloween Party"
· 11:30AM "The One With the Tea Leaves"
· 12:00PM "The One With the Sharks" 

The HBO Original documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride), debuts Saturday, November 11 (8:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. Since the late 1960s, Albert Brooks has been a major force in American comedy with his smart, sometimes absurdist, and truly unique sense of humor. From stand-up, to acting, to writing and directing short films, to his seven, iconic, original motion pictures, including Modern Romance, Lost in America, Mother and more, Brooks has paved the way for future generations and remains a comedic force in a league of his own. With testimonials from some of the brightest comedy talents and serious thinkers, as well as family and friends, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life chronicles Brooks' very early work all the way to present day. In this deep and personal conversation, Reiner and Brooks explore the origins and evolution of Brooks' career, the impetus for his creativity, and the impact he has had on the world of comedy.

Featured Participants: Attesting to Brooks' influence in the comedy and entertainment world is a host of notable celebrity figures including: Chris Rock, Conan O'Brien, Wanda Sykes, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Steven Spielberg, Sarah Silverman, David Letterman, Larry David, Jonah Hill, Judd Apatow, Sharon Stone, Brian Williams, Anthony Jeselnik, Tiffany Haddish, Alana Haim, Nikki Glaser, James L. Brooks, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

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

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Labels: Friends, HBO, Max, TBS

Remembering Matthew Perry of Friends and Richard Moll of Night Court

American and Canadian actor Matthew Perry, who starred as Chandler Bing on Friends, has died. On October 28, 2023, he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles, California, and was pronounced dead at 4:17 pm that day. His death was revealed to have occurred due to "acute effects of ketamine". Other circumstances that contributed to his death included the effects of buprenorphine, drowning, and coronary artery disease. Mr. Perry was 54.

Perry's first television starring role was as Chazz Russell on the Fox sitcom Second Chance, which aired from September 26 to November 28, 1987. In its original format, the show starred Kiel Martin as Charles Russell, a deceased man, and Perry as his younger self, who is nicknamed Chazz. The series was then revamped under the new title Boys Will Be Boys, and ran in the new format from January 16 to May 14, 1988. In this revamp, the supernatural element was dropped, causing Kiel Martin and Joseph Maher to exit the cast. As the new title implied, the format now revolved solely around the antics of Chazz, Booch and Eugene. The casts included Randee Heller, William Gallo, Demian Slade, Terri Ivens (1988) and Adam Sadowsky (1988).

He next starred as Billy Kells on the short-lived 1990 CBS sitcom Sydney. Sydney Kells (Valerie Bertinelli), a private investigator from a family of police officers, relocates her one-woman private detective agency from New York City to her small hometown. Her over-protective brother Billy, a rookie police officer, tries to help her when he can. The series also starred Craig Bierko, Barney Martin, Rebeccah Bush, Perry Anzilotti and Daniel Baldwin.

Perry starred as Matt Bailey on the short-lived 1993 ABC sitcom Home Free. Matt Bailey is a free-spirited, if somewhat lazy, 22-year-old freelance journalist enjoying the good life at home with his indulgent mom Grace (Marian Mercer). The series also starred Diana Canova, Anndi McAfee, Scott McAfee, Dan Schneider, Brooke Theiss and Alan Oppenheimer.

He starred as Chandler Bing on the 1994-2004 NBC sitcom Friends. The show, which aired for ten seasons, revolves around six friends in their 20s and 30s who live in Manhattan, New York City. Chandler Bing is an executive in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration for a large, multinational corporation. He marries Monica, one of his best friends, in season seven, and they adopt twins at the end of the series. Perry received an Emmy nomination in 2002 for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award. He shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for the role in 1996. Perry made a cameo as Chandler Bing in a 1995 episode of Caroline in the City. He appeared as himself in Friends: The Reunion in 2021. The cast of Friends included Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

Perry was the co-creator, co-writer, executive producer, and star of the short-lived 2011 ABC sitcom Mr. Sunshine. Ben Donovan (Perry) is the operations manager for the Sunshine Center, a second-tier arena in San Diego, who has to deal with the unusual demands of his job and his unpredictable boss, Crystal Cohen (Allison Janney). The single-camera comedy also starred Andrea Anders, James Lesure, Nate Torrence and Portia Doubleday.

He starred as Ryan King on the 2012-2013 NBC sitcom Go On. Ryan King is a sports talk radio host who joins a support group while trying to move on from his late wife's death. Perry was also one of the executive producers. The single-camera comedy also starred Laura Benanti, Julie White, Suzy Nakamura, Tyler James Williams, Brett Gelman, Sarah Baker and John Cho.

Perry co-developed, executive produced and starred in a reboot of the sitcom The Odd Couple portraying Oscar Madison for three seasons on CBS from 2015 to 2017. The show stars Matthew Perry as the slovenly Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as the obsessively-tidy Felix Unger. The cast included Lindsay Sloane, Yvette Nicole Brown and Wendell Pierce.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Charles in Charge, Silver Spoons, Just the Ten of Us, Empty Nest, Growing Pains (3 episodes as Sandy), Who's the Boss?, Dream On, The John Larroquette Show, Cougar Town and Web Therapy (2 episodes). In 2004, he made his directorial debut and acted as Murray in an episode of the fourth season of Scrubs, an episode which included his father, John Bennett Perry.

He starred as Matt Albie on the 2006-2007 NBC comedy-drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which was created and primarily written by Aaron Sorkin. The series takes place behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show (also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or Studio 60) on the fictional television network NBS (National Broadcasting System), whose format is similar to that of NBC's Saturday Night Live. The show-within-a-show is run by executive producers Matt Albie and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford). Matt serves as the head writer and Danny produces the show.

Perry received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2003 and 2004 for his performance as Joe Quincy in The West Wing. He appeared as attorney Todd Merrick in two episodes of Ally McBeal in 2002. He had a recurring role as attorney Mike Kresteva in four episodes of The Good Wife from 2012 to 2013 and three episodes of The Good Fight in 2017. He portrayed Ted Kennedy in the mini-series The Kennedys: After Camelot in 2017. Some of his other television guest apparances included 240-Robert, Highway to Heaven (2 episodes) and Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991).

He starred as Nicholas "Oz" Oseransky in The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards (2004). Some of his other film credits included A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988), She's Out of Control (1989), Fools Rush In (1997), Almost Heroes (1998), Three to Tango (1999), Serving Sara (2002), and 17 Again (2009). He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role as Ron Clark in the 2006 TNT movie The Ron Clark Shory.

Mr. Perry was a great comedic actor. He was very funny and memorable as Chandler Bing. He made everything he appeared in much better. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us on television. He will be greatly missed.

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

Nick at Nite aired a tribute special titled Matthew Perry: Thanks for Being a Friend on Sunday, October 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. It will re-air tonight at midnight.

The special features never-before-seen interviews with Perry, behind-the-scenes moments from the set over the past 35 years, and stories about Perry's best moments as Chandler Bing and his unbreakable bond with his co-stars.

Nick at Nite aired fan-favorite episodes of Friends featuring Perry in his iconic role as Chandler Bing after the special. Episodes will continue to air all this week through Sunday, November 5, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Actor Richard Moll, who was best known for playing Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon on Night Court, has died. He died at his home in Big Bear Lake, California, on October 26. Mr. Moll was 80.

Moll starred as baliff Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon on the 1984-1992 NBC sitcom Night Court. Bull Shannon is a seemingly dim-witted hulk of a figure, is actually patient, gentle and childlike. Although he is portrayed as dull and dim, he is actually a highly intelligent person with an IQ of 181. He is fiercely protective of Harry. Bull is known for his catchphrase, "Ooo-kay", and for clapping a hand loudly to his scalp when he realizes he had made a mistake. Moll appeared as Bull in a 1989 crossover episode with My Two Dads. He also used the Bull persona in commercials for Washington's Lottery. The cast of Night Court also included Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Paula Kelly (season 1), Karen Austin (season 2), Selma Diamond (seasons 1 and 2), Ellen Foley (season 2), Charles Robinson (seasons 2-9), Markie Post (seasons 3-9), Florence Halop (season 3) and Marsha Warfield (seasons 4-9).

He had a recurring role as Drifter in 25 episodes of the 1999-2002 Nickelodeon sitcom 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Welcome Back, Kotter (1979), Happy Days (2 episodes), The Bad News Bears, Nobody's Perfect, Best of the West, Laverne & Shirley (2 episodes), Mork & Mindy, Alice, Just Our Luck, The Facts of Life (2 episodes as himself), Sledge Hammer!, 227, Out of This World (2 episodes), The Munsters Today, Martin, Getting By (5 episodes as Boo), Weird Science, Married with Children (2 episodes), Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Parent 'Hood, Anger Management and Kirby Buckets.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The Rockford Files, How the West Was Won, B.J. and the Bear, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (3 episodes), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Here's Boomer, Code Red (2 episodes), Bret Maverick (2 episodes), The Fall Guy, T.J. Hooker, Remington Steele, Fantasy Island, The Dukes of Hazzard (2 episodes), The A-Team (2 episodes), Highlander, Due South, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (4 episodes), Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Babylon 5, Baywatch, 7th Heaven, Smallville and Cold Case.

Moll was also known for his voiceover work as a villain with a deep, growling voice. He voiced Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the DC Animated Universe series Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures. He was the voice of Norman in Mighty Max. Some of his other voiceover credits included The Legend of Calamity Jane, The Incredible Hulk (2 episodes), Spider-Man: The Animated Series (6 episodes) and Justice League (2 episodes).

He starred as Big Ben in the 1986 horror film House. He earned a Saturn Award nomination for the role. Some of his other film credits included The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983), Sidekicks (1992), The Flintstones (1994), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Scary Movie 2 (2001) and Headless Horseman (2007).

Mr. Moll was a gentle giant at 6' 8" tall. The Night Court producers needed someone who could realistically tower over the fairly tall male cast (including 6' 3" Harry Anderson and 6' 4" John Larroquette) as the imposing yet lovable court guard Bull Shannon. He had originally shaved his head for his role in the film Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn. The producers liked the look so much in his audition that they asked him to keep it. We thank him for his work on onscreen and his voiceover work. He will be sorely missed.

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

Catchy Comedy remembers Richard Moll who was best known for his role as the towering bailiff, Bull Shannon, on Night Court.

Watch a tribute to Richard Moll starting this Saturday, November 4th at 11a ET | 8a PT.

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

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Labels: Friends, Go On, Mr. Sunshine, Night Court, Obits, Odd Couple, Studio 60