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Hollywood Arts Premieres October 15 on Netflix; Remembering Hayden Panettiere

Welcome (back) to Hollywood Arts! The next chapter in the Victorious universe is coming to Netflix October 15.

In this all-new series, struggling actress Trina Vega (Daniella Monet) returns to her former high school, Hollywood Arts, as an unqualified substitute teacher, quickly finding herself both clashing with and unexpectedly inspiring a new generation of ambitious and talented students as they learn to find their true path at Hollywood's most elite performing arts school. The series stars Daniella Monet, Alyssa Miles, Erika Swayze, Emily Liu-Wang, Peyton Jackson, and Martin Kamm.

Actress and singer Hayden Panettiere, who starred as Claire Bennet in Heroes and as Juliette Barnes in Nashville, has died. She died in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. Ms. Panettiere was only 36.

Her full-time acting career began in 1994 when she played Sarah Roberts in the ABC soap opera series One Life to Live until 1997. She played Lizzie Spaulding in the CBS soap opera series Guiding Light from 1996 to 2000.

She had a recurring role as Jessica in four episodes of the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle from 2003 to 2005. Jessica is a manipulative neighbor of the family and a classmate of Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and Reese (Justin Berfield).

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Aliens in the Family in 1996 and Unhappily Ever After in 1997. She provided the voice of Ashley for an episode of the Fox animated sitcom American Dad! in 2010.

Panettiere starred as Claire Bennet in the 2006-2010 NBC superhero drama series Heroes. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover that they have superhuman abilities and how these abilities take effect in the characters' lives as they work together to prevent catastrophic futures. Claire Bennet is a high school cheerleader with the power of rapid cellular regeneration, allowing her to heal from virtually any physical injury. "Save the cheerleader, save the world" became one of the most iconic and recognizable television catchphrases and promotional slogans of the mid-2000s.

She starred as Juliette Barnes in the 2012-2018 ABC/CMT musical drama series Nashville. The series chronicles the lives of various fictitious country music singers in Nashville, Tennessee, starring Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, a country music superstar, whose stardom is beginning to fade, and Hayden Panettiere as rising younger star Juliette Barnes. Panettiere recorded several songs for Nashville, which were released as singles and included on the show's soundtrack albums. She received two nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for the role in 2013 and 2014.

Panettiere starred as Maddie Harrington, the long-lost biological daughter of Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart), in 12 episodes of the fifth and final season of the Fox legal comedy-drama series Ally McBeal in 2002. Some of her other television guest appearances included Touched by an Angel, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 episodes), and Commander in Chief.

She starred as Kirby Reed in the slasher horror films Scream 4 (2011) and Scream VI (2023). Some of her other film credits included Remember the Titans (2000), Joe Somebody (2001), Raising Helen (2004), Racing Stripes (2005), Ice Princess (2005), Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006), and I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009). She provided the voice of Dot in the Pixar film A Bug's Life (1998). For her role, she was nominated for a Young Artist Award and a Grammy Award, making her the fifth-youngest nominee for a Grammy. She voiced Kairi and Xion in the video game series Kingdom Hearts (2002–2017). She portrayed Samantha "Sam" Giddings in Until Dawn (2015), an interactive survival video game.

Ms. Panettiere was a talented actress and singer. She appeared in more than 70 television series and films throughout her prolific career, which began as an infant in commercials and spanned major soap operas, prime time network series, animated voiceovers, and feature films. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember actor Vincent Pastore. He had a recurring role as Vinnie Fellachio in Son of the Beach. He was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in The Sopranos. He was found dead at his City Island residence on August 1. Mr. Pastore was 80.

Pastore had a recurring role as Vinnie Fellachio in three episodes of the 2000-2002 FX sitcom Son of the Beach. Vinnie Fellachio is a disgusting mobster who is Jamaica St. Croix's (Leila Arcieri) biological father.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Adventures of Pete & Pete, For Your Love, Emeril, Grounded for Life, Less Than Perfect, and Everybody Hates Chris. He had a recurring role as the voice of Yamakoshi, Lanny's (Ryan Ochoa) one-hundred-year-old pet fish and only friend, in 10 episodes of the Disney XD sitcom Pair of Kings from 2010 to 2012.

He starred as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, a veteran gangster who runs an automotive body shop, in the 1999-2007 HBO crime drama The Sopranos. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Law & Order (4 episodes), New York Undercover, Dellaventura, Bull (2 episodes in 2000), Ed, Queens Supreme (6 episodes), The Practice (3 episodes), Las Vegas, General Hospital (6 episodes), Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0 (2 episodes in 2018), Gravesend (6 episodes), and Yellowjackets (voice).

Pastore starred as Angelo Ruggiero in the 1996 HBO film Gotti. Some of his other film credits included Goodfellas (1990), Carlito's Way (1993), Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), Shark Tale (2004, as the voice of Luca), and Revolver (2005).

Mr. Pastore made a career of portraying Italian-American gangsters on television and in films. He had nearly 200 film and television credits spanning a career of almost four decades. We thank him for the entertainment. He will be greatly missed.

Singer and session musician Jim Gilstrap provided the male lead vocals for the Good Times theme song. He died on July 18. Mr. Gilstrap was 79.

The Good Times gospel-styled theme song was composed by Dave Grusin with lyrics written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was sung by Jim Gilstrap and Motown singer Blinky Williams with a gospel choir providing background vocals.

He sang the theme song for the 1990-1991 first-run syndicated animated series TaleSpin.

Mr. Gilstrap was best known for his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy". He sang the opening two lines of the Stevie Wonder song, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (with Lani Groves singing the next two lines). We thank him for the music. He will be sorely missed.

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

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Labels: Good Times, Heroes, Hollywood Arts, Malcolm in the Middle, Nashville, Netflix, Obits, Victorious

GET Acquires Psych for January 2026; Details on Netflix's A Different World Sequel

GET ready! Psych starring James Roday Rodriguez and Dulé Hill is coming to GET this January, Tune in weeknights at 9pm & 10pm starting Monday, January 12. In the series, when the Santa Barbara police department hit a wall on a high profile kidnapping case, they reluctantly hire Shawn Spencer, the town's newest psychic detective, to help solve the crime.

As for the rest of the GET line-up, Monk moves to 6pm-9pm. Quantum Leap, The Rockford Files and Walker Texas Ranger all air during the day from 9am-6pm. In late night, The Rockford Files, Quincy ME, and Doc air from 11pm-6am. Sitcom wise, Good Times and Sanford & Son will be leaving the schedule after December. Enjoy them the last few days on GET!

Netflix announced that beloved cast members from A Different World (1987-1993) will reprise their roles in the upcoming sequel, which will explore the lives and loves of a new generation at the iconic fictional HBCU. When Deborah, Dwayne Wayne, and Whitley Gilbert's free-spirited, well-intentioned, yet rebellious youngest child, enters her freshman year at Hillman College, she finds the shadow of her parents difficult to escape as she sets out to build her own legacy, while having the time of her life, alongside a whole new generation of Hillman's best and brightest. 10 episodes have been ordered and the series will be a single-camera comedy.

· Kadeem Hardison (he/him) (A Different World, White Men Can't Jump) as Dwayne Wayne.
· Jasmine Guy (she/her) (A Different World, Harlem Nights) as Whitley Gilbert.
· Darryl M. Bell (he/him) (A Different World, School Daze) as Ron Johnson.
· Cree Summer (she/her) (A Different World, Atlantis: The Lost Empire) as Freddie Brooks


· Previously Announced Cast:
o Maleah Joi Moon (Hell's Kitchen) as Deborah
o Alijah Kai Haggins (Everybody Hates Chris) as Rashida
o Cornell Young (Doing Life) as Shaquille
o Kennedi Reece (TK) as Hazel
o Jordan Aaron Hall (The Idea of You) as Amir
o Chibuikem Uche (One Of Us Is Lying) as Kojo

Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer: Felicia Pride (Grey's Anatomy, Queen Sugar). Director/Executive Producer: Debbie Allen (Grey's Anatomy) - who directed 83 episodes of the original series and served as primary director from 1998-1993 - returns for the sequel. She will direct three episodes including the first episode. Executive Producers: Writers from the original series Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood return as Executive Producers alongside Mandy Summers (That 90's Show, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh) and Tom Werner (The Connors, Roseanne).

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

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Labels: A Different World, getTV, Good Times, Netflix, Psych, Sanford and Son

SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at Scrubs Reboot; Mad Men Coming to HBO Max

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a bit of a slow Thanksgiving week, but we have news about the Scrubs reboot, a new acquisition for HBO Max, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• We have our first trailer for the new Scrubs reboot. (Variety)
• There are still a lot of unknowns in the race to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, but right now, it's looking like Paramount is the one with the edge. (Cord Cutters News)
• Mad Men is coming to HBO Max on Monday. (Hollywood Reporter)
• COZI TV has acquired two new shows for their lineup. (SitcomsOnline)

• Antenna TV still has their Wings marathon that goes through tomorrow.
• MeTV is going full Christmas mode this weekend, with Christmas episodes of all of your favorites, including a special Svengoolie presentation of A Very Brady Christmas tonight.
• Tomorrow's Catchy Binge on Catchy Comedy features That's My Mama and Good Times.
• Mad Men arrives on HBO Max on Monday.

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

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Labels: Cozi TV, Good Times, HBO Max, Mad Men, Paramount, Scrubs, That's My Mama, The Brady Bunch, Warner Bros, Wings

SitcomsOnline Digest: Trailer Released for The Paper; ABC Gives Pilot Order to Do You Want Kids?

   Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a light news week, but we've got a preview for an upcoming Peacock series, news of an ABC comedy pilot order, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A trailer has been released for The Paper, the upcoming Peacock follow-up series to The Office. (Variety)
• The new Clueless series is still in the "baby stages" it seems. (Deadline)
• ABC has given a pilot order to a new comedy, Do You Want Kids? (Deadline)
• In what seems to have been the most dramatic media acquisition ever, Skydance Media has finally finished the acquisition of Paramount. (The Verge)
• Jon Miyahara, who is known for his role on Superstore, has died at 83. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Loni Anderson of WKRP in Cincinnati has died. (SitcomsOnline)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Good Times and That's My Mama tomorrow.
• Meanwhile, Antenna TV has a Sunday Special featuring Benson.

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

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Labels: Benson, Clueless, Good Times, Paramount, SitcomsOnline Digest, Skydance, Superstore, That's My Mama, The Paper, WKRP in Cincinnati

The Franchise Launches Sunday on HBO; Remembering John Amos of Good Times

HBO has released the official trailer for the original comedy series The Franchise. The eight-episode season debuts Sunday, October 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max, followed by one new episode weekly through Sunday, November 24. A hopeful crew finds themselves trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero moviemaking. Starring Himesh Patel as Daniel, Aya Cash as Anita, Jessica Hynes as Steph, Billy Magnussen as Adam, Lolly Adefope as Dag, Darren Goldstein as Pat, and Isaac Powell as Bryson. Recurring guest stars include Richard E. Grant as Peter and Daniel Brühl as Eric.

Actor John Amos, who starred as James Evans Sr. in Good Times, has died. He died of congestive heart failure at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, California, on August 21. Mr. Amos was 84.

Amos's first major TV role was as Gordon "Gordy" Howard in 13 episodes of the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970 to 1977. Gordy is the weatherman on the nightly WJM-TV newscast. In 1973, Gordy leaves WJM, and eventually lands a job as host of a New York City talk show.

He appeared as Henry Evans, Florida's (Esther Rolle) husband in three episodes of the CBS sitcom Maude from 1973 to 1974. In the second season episode titled "Florida's Goodbye", Henry gets a promotion at his job, and Florida quits to become a full-time housewife.

Amos starred as James Evans Sr., the husband of Florida Evans, in the CBS sitcom Good Times from 1974 to 1976. Florida and James Evans and their three children live at 721 North Gilbert Avenue, apartment 17C, in a public housing project in a poor, black neighborhood in inner-city Chicago. Throughout seasons two and three, Rolle and Amos grew increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the show and especially with J.J.'s tomfoolery and stereotypically buffoonish behavior. Amos was fired after season three due to disagreements with Norman Lear and the writing staff, which, according to Amos, were often confrontational and heated. The cast for the first three seasons included Jimmie Walker, Ja'Net DuBois, Ralph Carter and Bern Nadette Stanis.

He starred as Ernie Cumberbatch in the short-lived 1994 CBS sitcom 704 Hauser, which was created by Norman Lear. The series is built around the concept of a black family, the Cumberbatch Family, moving into the former Queens home of Archie Bunker after Bunker had sold the house located at 704 Hauser Street. It also starred Lynnie Godfrey, T.E. Russell and Maura Tierney.

Amos starred as Joe Anderson in the 2003-2004 The WB sitcom All About the Andersons. Anthony Anderson is a single father and struggling actor who moves back into his parents' house only to find that his room has been rented out to a nursing student. The series also starred Damani Roberts, Roz Ryan, Aimee Garcia and Lou Meyers (2003).

He had a recurring role as Coach Sam Wilson in 12 episodes of the NBC/UPN sitcom In the House from 1995 to 1997. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Bill Cosby Show, Love, American Style (2 episodes), The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Sanford and Son, The Love Boat, The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (3 episodes as Fred Wilkes), Martin, King of the Hill (voice), My Name Is Earl, Two and a Half Men (3 episodes as Ed), 30 Rock, The Ranch (4 episodes as Ed Bishop), Ballers (2 episodes), The Last O.G., The Righteous Gemstones. He appeared as Fred Davis in the Good Times episode of Live in Front of a Studio Audience in 2019.

Amos starred as Officer Bill Bundy in the short-lived 1976-1977 ABC crime drama science fiction series Future Cop. In 1977, he starred as the adult Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series for the role. He starred as Captain Dolan in the first season of Hunter. He had a recurring role as Mayor Ethan Baker in the first season (2000-2001) of police crime drama The District. He starred as Buzz Washington in the 2006-2008 ABC romantic comedy-drama Men in Trees. He had a recurring role as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace in 22 episodes of The West Wing from 1999 to 2004.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Police Story, Here's Boomer, The A-Team, Hardcastle and McCormick, Trapper John, M.D. (1984), Murder, She Wrote (1987), Beauty and the Beast (1988), Touched by an Angel, Walker, Texas Ranger (1997), The Outer Limits (2000), Psych, Royal Pains, Lie to Me and NYC 22.

He starred as Cleo McDowell in Coming to America (1988) and Coming to America 2 (2021). Some of his other film credits included The Beastmaster (1982), American Flyers (1985), Lock Up (1989), Die Hard 2 (1990) and Ricochet (1991).

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on December 2, 2014.

Mr. Amos was a talented and versatile actor. He was very funny playing James Evans Sr., who was one of TV's most memorable dads. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.

Great Entertainment Television will honor the late John Amos this weekend, October 5 and 6, with marathons of Good Times from 10a-1p.

We also remember actor John Ashton. He starred as Roy in Breaking Away. He died from cancer on September 26 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Mr. Ashton was 76.

Ashton starred as Roy, Mike's older brother, in the 1979 American coming of age comedy-drama film Breaking Away. He reprised the role in the short-lived 1980-1981 ABC comedy-drama, which was based on the film. The series starred Shaun Cassidy, Vincent Gardenia, Barbara Barrie, Jackie Earle Haley, Thom Bray and Tom Wiggin.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Phyllis, M*A*S*H, Carter Country, Police Squad!, Brothers and King of the Hill (voice).

He had a recurring role as Willie Joe Garr in six episodes of Dallas from 1978 to 1979. He starred as Charlie "C.B." Battles in the 1989-1990 NBC crime drama Hardball.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Kojak, Emergency!, Columbo, Police Story, Barnaby Jones, Police Woman, Starsky & Hutch, The A-Team, The Twilight Zone (1985), Hardcastle and McCormick, JAG, Fantasy Island (1999), Judging Amy, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Fairly Legal and The Finder.

Ashton starred as Detective Sergeant John Taggart in the first two installments of the Beverly Hills Cop series, alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. He appeared as Chief John Taggart in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024). Some of his other film credits included Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), She's Having a Baby (1988), Midnight Run (1989), Little Big League (1994) and Trouble in Paradise (1984).

Actor James Earl Jones was known for his voice role as Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise and as Mufasa in The Lion King. He died at his home in Pawling, New York, on September 9. Mr. Jones was 93.

During season one of 3rd Rock from the Sun, he provided a voice introduction describing the crew. He guest starred as Norman Royster in a 1997 episode of Frasier. He voiced various characters for three episodes of The Simpsons in 1990, 1994 and 1998. He appeared as himself in a 2003 episode of Will & Grace. He provided the voice of Royal Flush XP Toilet for a 2004 episode of According to Jim. He appeared as himself in Two and a Half Men in 2008 and The Big Bang Theory in 2014.

Jones starred as Detective Capt. Woodrow "Woody" Paris in the 1979-1980 CBS police drama Paris. He starred as Lou Garfield in the short-lived 1985 ABC detective comedy/drama Me and Mom. He starred as Gabriel Bird in the 1990-1991 ABC crime drama Gabriel's Fire. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1991 for the role. He played Gabriel Bird in the 1991-1992 ABC crime drama Pros and Cons. He starred as Neb Langston in the short-lived 1995 CBS drama Under One Roof.

Some of his other notable films included The Man (1972), Conan the Barbarian (1982), Matewan (1987), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Sneakers (1992), The Sandlot (1993), and Cry, the Beloved Country (1995).

Actor, director and singer James Darren starred as Officer James Corrigan in T.J. Hooker. He died from congestive heart failure in his sleep, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, on September 2. Mr. Darren was 88.

Darren starred as Dr. Tony Newman in the 1966-1967 ABC science fiction series The Time Tunnel. He starred as Officer James Corrigan in the 1982-1986 ABC/CBS police drama T.J. Hooker. In 1999, he had a recurring role as Tony Martin in five episodes of Melrose Place. He had a recurring role as holographic crooner and adviser Vic Fontaine in eight episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine from 1998 to 1999.

Some of his sitcom credits included The Donna Reed Show (2 episodes), The Flintstones (voice of Jimmy Darrock), Love, American Style (1971), The Love Boat (2 episodes) and One Day at a Time.

Some of his televison directing credits included T.J. Hooker, The A-Team, Werewolf (7 episodes), Hunter (7 episodes), Raven (4 episodes), Silk Stalkings (3 episodes), Beverly Hills, 90210 (2 episodes), Savannah (4 episodes) and Melrose Place (2 episodes).

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, he had notable starring and supporting roles in films including the youth and beach-culture film Gidget (1959) and its sequels. As a teen pop singer, he sang hit singles including "Goodbye Cruel World" in 1961.

Televison producer and writer Eric Gilliland worked on Roseanne, That '70s Show and My Boys. He died from colon cancer on September 1. Mr. Gilliland was 62.

Gilliand was a writer and producer on Roseanne from 1992 to 1996. He earned Writers Guild of America Award nomination for the show's 1992 episode, “The Dark Ages.”

He was the creator of the short-lived 1998 ABC sitcom That's Life. Some of his other sitcom writing credits included Women in Prison (2 episodes), Live-In, Who's the Boss? (4 episodes), Living Dolls (3 episodes), Married People (2 episodes), The Wonder Years (3 episodes), Doogie Howser, M.D., That '70s Show, My Boys (4 episodes) and Mr. Sunshine (2 episodes).

Some of his other sitcom producing credits included Nurses, That '70s Show (12 episodes), Welcome to New York, My Boys (27 episodes), Mr. Sunshine (4 episodes) and The Conners (2 episodes).

Actress, manager and acting coach Betty A. Bridges guest starred in many sitcoms during her 40-year career. She died on August 27 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Bridges was 83.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Good Times, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (3 episodes), What's Happening!! (2 episodes), Archie Bunker's Place, The Bad News Bears, Sanford, Diff'rent Strokes (2 episodes), Out All Night, Sister, Sister (1996), Payne, Scrubs and 2 Broke Girls.

She was the mother of actors Jimmy, Verda and Todd Bridges (Diff'rent Strokes).

Talk show host Phil Donahue was the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. He died following a long illness at his home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, on August 18. Mr. Donahue was 88.

The Phil Donahue Show, later known simply as Donahue, was the first popular talk show to feature a format that included audience participation. The show had a 29-year run on national television that began in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967 and ended in New York City in 1996. In 1996, Donahue was ranked No. 42 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.

Some of his sitcom credits included Blossom, Who's the Boss?, Ellen and Frasier (3 episodes as the voice of Larry). His other television credits included L.A. Law and The Bold and the Beautiful.

Donahue married actress Marlo Thomas (That Girl) on May 21, 1980. He and Thomas did not have any children together.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on May 9, 2001.

Actor Alan Haufrect had a recurring role as Brian in Alice. He died at his home in Century City, California, on August 17. Mr. Haufrect was 83.

Haufrect had a recurring role as Brian, Vera's (Beth Howland) boyfriend and a Mel's Diner regular, in five episodes of the CBS sitcom Alice from 1978 to 1980.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Doc, Barney Miller, The Bob Newhart Show, I'm a Big Girl Now, Ladies' Man (1981), Bosom Buddies, Open All Night, Family Ties, Brothers (1984), The New Gidget, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Perfect Strangers, Night Court (1987), The New Leave it to Beaver, It's a Living, Punky Brewster, Live-In, Who's the Boss?, Head of the Class (2 episodes), Singer & Sons, Growing Pains and Roc.

Game show host, television and radio personality, singer and actor Peter Marshall was the original host of The Hollywood Squares. He died of kidney failure at his home in Encino, Los Angeles, California, on August 15. Mr. Marshall was 98.

Marshall hosted the original version of Hollywood Squares that aired on NBC from 1966 to 1980, as well as a nighttime syndicated version that ran from 1971 to 1981. He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host four times. He hosted Storybook Squares, a children's version of Hollywood Squares, on NBC in 1969 and the 1976-1977 season.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Lucy Show, The Good Life, Love, American Style (3 episodes), WKRP in Cincinnati, The Love Boat (2 episodes), Sledge Hammer!, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and The Parent 'Hood.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The Millionaire, 77 Sunset Strip, Banacek, Lou Grant, Fantasy Island, CHiPs (3 episodes), Hotel, Automan and Jessie (1984). He was the host of his own short-lived syndicated music and comedy series, The Peter Marshall Variety Show, which aired during the 1976–1977 season in syndication.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on August 3, 2010.

Actress and comedian Mitzi McCall starred as Miriam Lerner in Alright Already. She died at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, on August 8. Ms. Mcall was 93.

McCall starred as Miriam Lerner in the 1997-1998 The WB sitcom Alright Already, which was created by and starred Carol Leifer. Miriam and Alvin Lerner (Jerry Adler) are Carol Lerner's (Carol Leifer) parents. The series also starred Amy Yasbeck, Stacy Galina and Maury Sterling.

Some of her sitcom guest apperarances included The Dennis O'Keefe Show, The Jim Backus Show, Love, American Style (2 episodes), The Girl with Something Extra, Maude, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Madman of the People, Ellen, Almost Perfect, Caroline in the City, Becker, Dharma & Greg, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana.

She appeared as Midge in four episodes of Life Goes On from 1991 to 1992. She had a recurring role as Fran Lipschitz in Silk Stalkings from 1993 to 1999.

Some of her voice credits included The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show, The Flintstone Comedy Hour, Snorks, Darkwing Duck, Mother Goose and Grimm, Free for All and American Dad!. She was the voice of Glyptodont in Ice Age (2002).

Actor John Aprea starred as Joseph Montefusco in The Montefuscos and had a recurring role as Nick Katsopolis in Full House. He died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on August 5. Mr. Aprea was 83.

Aprea starred as Joseph Montefusco in the short-lived 1975 NBC sitcom The Montefuscos. Created by executive producers Bill Persky and Sam Denoff, the comedy centered on three generations of an Italian-American family that lived in New Canaan, Connecticut and their weekly gatherings for Sunday dinner. The series also starred Joe Sirola, Naommi Stevens, Ron Carey, Phoebe Dorin, Linda Dano, Bill Cort, Sal Viscuso, Jeffrey Palladini, Robby Paris, Dominique Pinassi and Damon Raskin.

He had a recurring role as Nick Katsopolis in seven episodes of the ABC sitcom Full House from 1988 to 1991. Nick Katsopolis is the father of Jesse (John Stamos). He reprised the role in a 2017 episode of Netflix's Fuller House.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, Three's a Crowd, Night Court (1989) and Saved by the Bell: The New Class.

Aprea starred as Lt. Vince Novelli in Matt Houston from 1982 to 1984. He had a recurring role as recurring role as Sheriff Jack North in Falcon Crest in 1987. He had a recurring role as Manny Vasquez in 12 episodes of Knots Landing in 1987. He played Lucas Castigliano in Another World from 1989 to 1992 and Alexander Nikos from 1997 to 1998. In 2007, he starred as Lionel Wakefield in the MyNetworkTV telenovela American Heiress.

He starred young Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather Part II (1974). Some of his other film credits included Bullitt (1968), The Stepford Wives (1975), New Jack City (1991), The Game (1997) and The Manchurian Candidate (2004).

Actress Patti Yasutake starred as Umeki Kazuhiro in Gung Ho and as Fumi Nakai in Beef. She died of a rare form of T-cell lymphoma at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, on August 5. Ms. Yasutake was 70.

Yasutake starred as Umeki Kazuhiro in the 1986 comedy film Gung Ho, which was directed by Ron Howard and starred Michael Keaton. She reprised the role in the short-lived 1986-1987 ABC sitcom Gung Ho. The series also starred Scott Bakula, Gedde Watanabe, Stephen Lee, Sab Shimono, Clint Howard, Rodney Kageyama, Heidi Banks, Emily Kurodo and Scott Atari.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Hail to the Chief, Take Five, Duet, Mr. Belvedere (2 episodes), Murphy Brown, Rhythm & Blues and Living Single. She was best known for her portrayal of Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in the Star Trek franchise. She appeared in 16 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. She starred as Fumi Nakai, George's (Joseph Lee) mother, in the 2022-2023 Netflix comedy-drama minseries.

Actor Charles Cyphers starred as Hugo Muncy in The Betty White Show and as Al Yaroker in Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. He died after a brief illness in Tucson, Arizona, on August 4. Mr. Cyphers was 85.

Cyphers starred as Hugo Muncy in the short-lived 1977-1978 CBS sitcom The Betty White Show. Joyce Whitman (Betty White), a middle-aged actress, lands the lead in a police series titled Undercover Woman, a parody of Police Woman. Hugo Muncy is Joyce's hunky stunt double. The series also starred John Hillerman, Georgia Engel, Caren Kaye, Barney Phillips and Alex Henteloff.

He starred as Al Yaroker in the 1996-1998 The WB sitcom Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. Mitch Mullany starred as the title character, an aspiring actor who, while waiting for his "big break," met his expenses as a substitute teacher at Gerald R. Ford Middle School. Al Yaroker is tenured shop teacher. The series also starred Portia de Rossi, Clinton Jackson, Ross Malinger (1996-1997), Jonathan Hernandez (1996-1997), Cara DeLizia (1996-1997), Arjay Smith (1996-1997), Kyle Gibson (1996-1997), Stuart Pankin (1996-1997), Sid Newman, Jane Sibbett (1997-1998), Christina Vidal (1997-1998), Giuseppe Andrews (1997-1998), Andrew Levitas (1997-1998), Blake Heron (1997-1998), Malinda Williams (1997-1998) and Donna D'Errico (1998).

Some of his sitcom guest apperances included Phyllis, The Tony Randall Show, Alice, Benson, Night Court, Roc (2 episodes), California Dreams, The George Carlin Show (3 episodes), Seinfeld, The Geroge Wendt Show and Cousin Skeeter.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The F.B.I. (1973), Cannon (2 episodes), The Six Million Dollar Man (3 episodes), The Bionic Woman, Charlie's Angels, Wonder Woman, Barnaby Jones (4 episodes), Starsky & Hutch (3 episodes), Lou Grant, Hart to Hart, The Dukes of Hazard (2 episodes), Airwolf, Matlock, Dallas (2 episodes), Our House, Hill Street Blues (3 episodes), Simon & Simon, China Beach, 21 Jump Street, Lois & Clark: The New Adventues of Superman, seaQuest 2032, ER, JAG, Murder One (4 episodes) and Any Day Now (2 episodes).

He was known for his role as Sheriff Leigh Brackett in John Carpenter's 1978 film Halloween. He reprised the role in the 1981 sequel Halloween II and the 2021 sequel Halloween Kills. Some of his other film credits included Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), The Fog (1980), Escape from New York (1981) and Major League (1989).

Writer Patt Shea worked on All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place. She died on April 12 in Sherman Oaks, California. Ms. Shea was 93.

Shea was one of the writers of "Too Good Edith", which was the final episode of All in the Family. It aired on April 8, 1979. She co-created Archie Bunker's Place with Harriet Weiss. She worked as a story editor and/or writer for 25 episodes of the series. Shea, Weiss and Joe Gannon created the 1982-1983 CBS sitcom Gloria.

Some of her other sitcom writing credits included Sanford, Mama Malone, Valerie, Nothing Is Easy, The Golden Girls, I Married Dora, Marblehead Manor (2 episodes) and Bagdad Cafe.

She was a three-time Humanitas Award-nominated screenwriter. She was married to director Jack Shea from 1954 until his death in 2013.

We thank them all 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: Apple TV+, getTV, Good Times, HBO, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Obits, The Franchise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Labels: Check It Out, Good Times, Netflix, Norman Lear, Three's Company, Too Close for Comfort, VEI

SitcomsOnline Digest: Netflix Sets Premiere Date for Good Times Animated Reboot; NBC Renews Several Popular Series

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's not a busy news week, but we do have news about the animated Good Times reboot, some NBC renewals, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• An April premiere date has been set for Netflix's animated reboot of Good Times. (VIBE)
• NBC gave renewals to almost all of their Chicago and Law & Order franchise series, but there is one notable exception. (TV Insider)
• Mike Richards, who hosted Jeopardy! for an entire day, is now speaking out about his experience. (Deadline)
• Travis Kelce may be hosting a reboot of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, though the premise would be slightly different this time around. (Variety)
• Community is headed to Peacock on April 1, and so is a movie (eventually). (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MARCH 23 - MARCH 29)

• Even though it isn't part of the regular lineup, Catchy Comedy has an ALF binge this weekend.

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

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Labels: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Community, Good Times, Jeopardy, Law and Order, SitcomsOnline Digest

More Stars for Netflix's No Good Deed; ID Premiering Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV; Remembering Carl Weathers

Netflix announced the additions of five recurring cast members joining No Good Deed, creator and executive producer Liz Feldman's upcoming dark comedy series. Matt Rogers (Fire Island, I Love That for You), Anna Maria Horsford (Amen, B Positive, The Wayans Bros.), Kate Moennig (The L Word, Ray Donovan), Linda Lavin (Being the Ricardos, Naked Singularity, Alice), and Wyatt Aubrey. No Good Deed is a half hour, dark comedy that follows three very different families vying to buy the very same 1920s Spanish style villa that they think will solve all their problems. But as the sellers have already discovered, sometimes the home of your dreams can be a total nightmare. Previously announced cast includes series regulars Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Teyonah Parris, O-T Fagbenle, Abbi Jacobson, Poppy Liu and Dennis Leary.

Investigation Discovery, the leading true crime network, announced Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, a four-part docuseries that uncovers the toxic and dangerous culture behind some of the most iconic children's shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV pulls back the curtain on an empire, built by creator Dan Schneider, that had an undeniable grip on popular culture. Series such as All That and The Amanda Show, among others, were obsessively consumed by children across the country and defined comedy for a generation. But behind the upbeat onscreen presence on these shows with questionable jokes and over-the-top sketches, Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV reveals an insidious environment rife with allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics with its underage stars and crew. Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV will premiere across two nights on ID from 9PM-11PM ET/PT on Sunday, March 17 and Monday, March 18.

Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV features unprecedented access to key cast members, writers, and crew spanning Schneider's popular series at Nickelodeon. Former All That cast members Giovonnie Samuels, Kyle Sullivan, Bryan Hearne and Katrina Johnson and director Virgil Fabian pull back the curtain on the culture on set of the beloved teen sketch series. Writers Jenny Kilgen and Christy Stratton expose allegations of a toxic and sexist environment in The Amanda Show writer's room. Alexa Nikolas offers insight into being a part of Zoey 101. Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV will feature additional cast and crew from iCarly, Sam & Cat, Victorious, and other iconic series such as Marc Summers from the popular game show Double Dare. Poignantly, the series will also offer emotional testimony from parents of cast members who attempted to advocate for their children on these sets.

In four parts, the series will shine a spotlight on these emotional accounts, chronicling a pattern of gross, abusive, and manipulative behavior that unfolded across decades, as well as exclusive stories about child predators on set. These interviews, woven with archival footage (some of which has never been broadcast), scenes from the shows and social media commentary, will recontextualize many moments within these series that may have seemed silly or off when first aired but now carry a much darker undertone, offering a powerful reframing of these beloved shows.

Actor, director and football player Carl Weathers, who portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in Arrested Development and who starred as Coach Trainor in Brothers, has died. He died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at his home in Los Angeles on February 2. Mr. Weathers was 76.

Weathers made his television acting debut as Calvin Brooks in the Good Times episode titled "The Nude", which aired on January 14, 1975. A woman, known in the projects as the "Wiggler" (Betty Bridges, the mother of Todd Bridges), asks J.J. (Jimmie Walker) to paint a nude portrait of her as a birthday gift for her husband Calvin. Calvin suspects his wife of cheating on him with J.J.

Some of his other early television guest appearances included Kung Fu (1975), S.W.A.T. (1975), The Six Million Dollar Man, Cannon, Switch, Bronk, McCloud, Most Wanted, Starsky & Hutch, Barnaby Jones, Serpico, Delvecchio, The Streets of San Francisco and Tales of the Unexpected.

Weathers starred as Fortune Dane in the short-lived 1986 ABC police drama Fortune Dane. He had a recurring role as Col. Brewster in nine episodes of the third season (1989-1990) of the CBS military drama Tour of Duty. He portrayed Sgt. Adam Beaudreaux in the 1991-1993 syndicated action crime drama Street Justice. He starred as Police Chief Hampton Forbes Police Chief Hampton Forbes in the sixth and seventh seasons (1993-1995) of In the Heat of the Night.

He portayed a fictionalized version of himself in four episodes of the Fox sitcom Arrested Development from 2004 through 2013. He serves as Tobias Fünke's (David Cross) acting coach.

He starred as Coach Trainor in the short-lived 2009 Fox sitcom Brothers. The series stars former NFL star Michael Strahan and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell as estranged brothers who are pressured to get along by their parents (played by Carl Weathers and C. C. H. Pounder) after Strahan's character moves back to his home town of Houston.

Weathers had a recurring role as Bolton "Beau" Miller in the first season of the science fiction drama Colony in 2016. He starred as State's Attorney Mark Jefferies in the 2017 NBC legal drama Chicago Justice. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Shield (2 episodes), Psych, Chicago Fire (2 episodes), Chicago P.D. (4 episodes) and Magnum, P.I. (2018).

He had a recurring role as Greef Karga in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian from 2019 through 2023. In 2021, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Weathers directed two episodes of The Mandalorian. Some of his other directing credits included Renegade, Silk Stalkings (8 episodes), Pensacola: Wings of Gold (2 episodes), Strong Medicine, 18 Wheels of Jusice (3 episodes), Sheena (5 episodes), For the People, Hawaii Five-0 (2019), The Last O.G. (2 episodes), Law & Order, FBI and Chicago Med (2 episodes).

His film roles included boxer Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films (1976–1985), Colonel Al Dillon in Predator (1987), Sgt. Jericho "Action" Jackson in Action Jackson (1988), Derick "Chubbs" Peterson in Happy Gilmore (1996), and Combat Carl in the Toy Story franchise.

Mr. Weathers was a talented and versatile actor. He was able to show his comedic side on Arrested Development and Brothers. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actress, singer, and dancer Chita Rivera. She played Connie Richardson in The New Dick Van Dyke Show. She died in New York following a brief illness on January 30. Ms. Rivera was 91.

Rivera appeared as Connie Richardson in seven episodes of the third season (1973-1974) of the CBS sitcom The New Dick Van Dyke Show. Connie and Richard Richardson (Richard Dawson) are the neighbors of Dick (Dick Van Dyke) and Jenny Preston (Hope Lange). The cast in the third season included Dick Van Patten, Barry Gordon, Henry Darrow and Barbara Rush.

She guest starred as Lenore Portillo in the Will & Grace episode titled "Dance Cards and Greeting Cards", which aired on February 10, 2005. Lenore Portillo and Lucille (Michele Lee) are the lesbians who ended up dancing with Will and Jack.

Rivera had a recurring role as Melody Rambo in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live in 1982. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Maurice Chevalier Show, The Gary Moore Show, The Judy Garland Show, The Outer Limits (1964), The Carol Burnett Show and Johnny and the Sprites. In 2011, she guest starred as Gladys Franklin in the comedy web series Submissions Only. She provided the voice of The Witch for two episodes of Dora the Explorer in 2004 and 2019.

After making her Broadway debut as a dancer in Guys and Dolls (1950), she went on to originate roles in Broadway musicals such as Anita in West Side Story (1957), Velma Kelly in Chicago (1975), and the title role in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993). She was a ten-time Tony Award nominee, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical twice for her roles in The Rink (1984) and Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993).

Ms. Rivera was a Broadway legend. She received numerous accolades including two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, and a Drama League Award. She won the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018. We thank her for her work on television and on Broadway. She will be deelpy missed.

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

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Labels: All That, Brothers, Good Times, iCarly, In the Heat of the Night, Investigation Discovery, Netflix, Nickelodeon, No Good Deed, Obits, Sam and Cat, Victorious, Zoey 101