SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount and Warner Merger on Hold; Paramount+ Cancels Crutch

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, a media merger could be falling apart, a Paramount+ series has been canceled, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The merger between Paramount and Warner, which the parties had hoped to finalize in the upcoming weeks, has now been postponed for several months as legal fights against it play out. (Variety)
• In a world where reboots keep getting developed and falling flat on their face, things are going pretty well for King of the Hill, which has been very well received (some fans even saying it is better than it originally was), getting a good audience, and already has two more seasons under development. (Cord Cutters News)
• Crutch has been canceled after just one season, though it's probably not a big deal to Tracy Morgan as he has another sitcom on the air anyway. (Variety)
• The voice cast for the Family Guy spinoff Stewie has been announced. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: Crutch, King of the Hill, Nirvanna the Band the Show, Paramount, President Curtis, SitcomsOnline Digest, Stewie, Warner Bros

SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner to Release Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series on Blu-ray; Chloe Fineman Exits Saturday Night Live

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing of a release of an 80s classic sitcom on Blu-ray, the exit of a Saturday Night Live cast member, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Back in the day, when home media releases were huge, Saturday's were for "Digital Digest," and we're kind of going back to that this week as Warner Home Video has announced one of their most unexpected titles, Perfect Strangers - The Complete Series, on Blu-ray. (Blu-ray.com)
• Chloe Fineman is announcing her exit from Saturday Night Live. (Deadline)
• We got used to about 22 minutes of a sitcom on broadcast TV, and some going around or above 30 minutes on streaming, but now Stuart Fails to Saves the Universe is challenging that with much shorter episodes. (Deadline)
• Hal Williams, best known for his roles on Sanford and Son and 227 (among many others), has died at 91. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: 227, King of the Hill, Perfect Strangers, Sanford and Son, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at New Seasons of King of the Hill and The Paper; Ben Feldman Upped to Regular for Season Six of Ghosts

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we've got a pair of previews for upcoming seasons of returning streaming favorites and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The new season of King of the Hill is arriving next month, and we have our first look at it. (Deadline)
• We have our first look at the second season of The Paper. (TVLine)
• Ben Feldman is being upped to a regular for season six of Ghosts. (Deadline)
• The series finale of The Bear had an oh-so-subtle tribute to Rob Reiner. (Deadline)
• Mindy Kaling has more stories to tell, including her own reimagining of The Golden Girls. (Deadline)
• NBC has announced fall premiere dates. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: Elle, Ghosts, King of the Hill, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Bear, The Ms. Pat Show, The Paper, Twilight Zone

SitcomsOnline Digest: NBC Picks Up The Rockford Files and Two Comedies; King of the Hill Season 15 Premiere Date Set

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're learning about some new pickups for next season, the return of an animated comedy favorite on Hulu, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• NBC has ordered a reboot of The Rockford Files for the fall, along with two new comedies, Sunset P.I. and Newlyweds. (Hollywood Reporter)
• King of the Hill is back for season 15 on Hulu, on July 20. (Hollywood Reporter)
• We have our first look at the upcoming Hulu comedy, Not Suitable for Work. (Deadline)
• History was made with a record-breaking prize yesterday on The Price is Right. (Variety)
• It's almost summer, so of course, summer game show season is coming soon to ABC. (TVLine)
• There was some doubt, but it looks like Law & Order will be returning next season after all. (Deadline)
• Ted Turner, who could arguably be described as one of the architects of cable TV as we know it, has died. (Deadline)
• Fox has picked up the reboot of Highway to Heaven. (SitcomsOnline)

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

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Labels: 227, Highway to Heaven, King of the Hill, Law and Order, Newlyweds, One Day at a Time, Rockford Files, SitcomsOnline Digest, Sunset PI, The Neighborhood, The Price is Right, Twilight Zone

King of the Hill Season 15 Premieres July 20; The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Renewed for Season 2

Yep! Hulu's King of the Hill Season 15 premieres July 20. Arlen's finest will return with all 10 episodes on Monday, July 20 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. Check out the season 15 teaser poster, packed with hints and clues about what’s to come! Hank and Peggy settle into retirement life on Rainey Street while attempting to keep their neighbors from going off the rails. Bobby navigates old friendships while dealing with the stresses of being an entrepreneur.

Set in the fictional Arlen, Texas, the original series followed the life of Hank Hill, an enthusiastic seller of propane and propane accessories; his wife, Peggy, local Boggle champ and substitute teacher; and their son, Bobby, who defied any expectation his father had for a son. Hank’s friends – conspiracy theorist Dale, military barber Bill, and cool but inarticulate Boomhauer, along with Peggy’s friends Minh and meteorologist Nancy, and Bobby’s friend Connie helped the Hills navigate a changing world.

Season 15 Cast: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom, and Toby Huss.

NBC has renewed its freshman comedy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins for a second season. The premiere episode, which aired Jan. 18, has been seen by more than 14 million viewers and was the #1 comedy telecast of the season across all broadcast networks. The series is the #1 new comedy of the 2025-26 season in the 18-49 demo.

Disgraced former football star Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) is on a mission to rehabilitate his image with the help of award-winning filmmaker Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe). In order to earn back the admiration of his fans and the respect of his family, Reggie will also have to confront the ghosts of his past.

The cast includes Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe, Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, Precious Way, and Jalyn Hall. Robert Carlock and Sam Means serve as co-showrunners, writers and executive producers. Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Eric Gurian, and David Miner also executive produce. The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, Little Stranger, Inc., 3 Arts Entertainment, Bevel Gears, Means End Productions and Streetlife Productions, Inc.

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

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Labels: Hulu, King of the Hill, NBC, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

SitcomsOnline Digest: King of the Hill Renewed for Two More Seasons on Hulu; MTV Cancels Ridiculousness

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a bit busier this week, with news of a multi-season renewal of a reboot of a popular animated series, the end of a seemingly never-ending MTV show, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It looks like King of the Hill is proving to be just as successful as (if not more than) the original, as two additional seasons have been ordered on top of the one that has already aired and the one that is coming up (bringing it to four new seasons total for Hulu). (Variety)
• After 46 seasons (we question how they count seasons, it has only been 14 years, though 14 long years) and 1700 episodes, MTV has canceled Ridiculousness, but don't get too excited yet because there are still unaired episodes and they never said they were dropping reruns. (Variety)
• John Dickerson, who just recently came to CBS Evening News, is leaving (as are many other CBS News staff), and now there are questions about the future of the operations of CBS News overall. (Variety)
• If you subscribe to YouTube TV, you've lost your Disney owned channels. (USA Today)
• June Lockhart, one of the very few remaining stars from the black and white era of television, died this week at age 100. (SitcomsOnline)

• Crutch, the spinoff of The Neighborhood starring Tracy Morgan, debuts Monday on Paramount+
• The second season of St. Denis Medical starts Monday on NBC.
• NBC has the season premiere of Happy's Place and the series premiere of Stumble on Friday.
• Here Come the Brides starts airing today on FETV, though there is no fanfare of a special marathon or anything just yet.
• Laugh-In is the Catchy Binge on Catchy Comedy tomorrow.

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

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Labels: CBS, Crutch, Here Come the Brides, Hulu, King of the Hill, Lassie, Laugh-In, MTV, Ridiculousness, SitcomsOnline Digest, St. Denis Medical, Stumble, YouTube TV

Hulu Renews King of the Hill for Seasons 16 and 17; FX Renews Adults for Season 2; Remembering June Lockhart

Hulu has renewed the adult animated series King of the Hill for seasons 16 and 17 with a 20-episode order. King of the Hill was initially revived in January 2023 with a 20-episode order. Season 14 streamed its 10-episode season on Monday, August 4 following its world premiere at San Diego Comic-Con which included an activation recreating the show's famous Arlen, Texas. King of the Hill premiered at No. 2 on Nielsen's Overall Top 10 Streaming Chart. The upcoming 15th season of King of the Hill will premiere on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US, and on Disney+ internationally in 2026.

In Season 14, after years working a propane job in Saudi Arabia to earn their retirement nest egg, Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Arlen, Texas to reconnect with old friends Dale, Boomhauer and Bill. Meanwhile, Bobby is living his dream as a chef in Dallas and enjoying his 20s with his former classmates Connie, Joseph and Chane. The Emmy(R)-winning series ran for 13 seasons with over 250 episodes on Fox and all seasons now stream on Hulu. Season 14 Cast: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom, and Toby Huss.

FX's Adults, the ensemble comedy that The New York Times called "Friends for a new generation," has been renewed for a second season. All episodes of season one are available to stream on Hulu. Adults is created by Ben Kronengold & Rebecca Shaw, who are Executive Producers and Writers. Comedy veterans Nick Kroll, Sarah Naftalis, Jonathan Krisel and Rob Rosell are Executive Producers. The series stars Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao and Owen Thiele.

Adults follows a group of twenty-somethings in New York trying to be good people, despite being neither "good" nor "people" yet. "Samir" (Malik Elassal), "Billie" (Lucy Freyer), "Paul Baker" (Jack Innanen), "Issa" (Amita Rao) and "Anton" (Owen Thiele) are five friends crashing together in Samir's childhood home, where they share their meals, anxieties and, occasionally, toothbrushes. The series puts a slightly heightened twist on the wins, losses and humiliations of starting out in the adult world. Whether they're trying to get ahead at work, navigating the healthcare system, hosting a dinner party or dating in the age of Find My Friends, the group is finding that nothing about the real world is simple, and all their best intentions tend to make things worse.

Actress June Lockhart, who starred as Ruth Martin in Lassie, as Dr. Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space and as Dr. Janet Craig in Petticoat Junction, has died. She died of natural causes at her home in Santa Monica, California, on October 23. Ms. Lockhart was 100.

Lockhart starred as Ruth Martin in seasons 5-10 (1958-1964) of the CBS adventure drama Lassie. The series follows the adventures of a female Rough Collie dog named Lassie and her companions, both human and animal. Ruth Martin is the wife of Paul Martin (Hugh Reilly) and the mother of Timmy Martin (Jon Provost). Lockhart replaced Cloris Leachman, who in turn had replaced Jan Clayton. In 1959, she was nominated for an Emmy for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series for her role. She had earlier starred as Priscilla in the 1945 film Son of Lassie. She guest starred as Mrs. Chadwick in a 1989 episode of The New Lassie.

She starred as Dr. Maureen Robinson in the 1965-1968 CBS science fiction series Lost in Space. The series follows the adventures of the Robinsons, a pioneering family of space colonists who struggle to survive in the depths of space. Dr. Maureen Robinson is biochemist who is often seen preparing meals, tending the garden, and helping with light construction while adding a voice of compassion. She is the wife of Professor (Lt. Colonel) John Robinson (Guy Williams) and the mother of Judy (Marta Kristen), Penny (Angela Cartwright), and Will (Bill Mumy). Lockhart had a cameo role as Principal Cartwright in the 1998 film Lost in Space.

Lockhart starred as Dr. Janet Craig in the sixth and seventh seasons (1968-1970) of the CBS sitcom Petticoat Junction. Lockhart's character was essentially brought on as a surrogate mother figure to fill the void left by the death of Bea Benaderet (Kate Bradley), and takes up a medical practice at the Shady Rest Hotel and also serves as a counsel of sorts for the girls. The cast in the final two seasons incldued Edgar Buchanan, Linda Kaye Henning, Meredith MacRae, Lori Saunders, Mike Minor, Frank Cady, Elna Hubbell, Byron Foulger (season 6), Rufe Davis (recurring in season 7), and Jonathan Daly (season 7).

She appeared as Miss Wiltrout, Michelle Tanner's (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) kindergarten teacher, in two episodes of Full House in 1991. She had a recurring role as Helen Lambert, Frank Lambert's (Patrick Duffy) mother, in three episodes of Step by Step in 1996. She appeared as Misty Kiniski, Lewis's (Ryan Stiles) mother, in two episodes of The Drew Carey Show in 2002.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Bewitched, Family Affair (1968), The Beverly Hillbillies, Love, American Style (1973), Happy Days, It's Garry Shandling's Show (as herself), Get a Life, Nurses, The John Larroquette Show, The Mommies, Roseanne, Fired Up, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Rock Me, Baby (2004), and Complete Savages (2 episodes). She provided the voice of Martha Day for the 1974-1975 Hanna-Barbera animated series These Are the Days.

She had a recurring role as Mariah Ramirez in General Hospital. Some of her other television guest appearances included Justice (3 episodes in 1954 and 1955), Have Gun – Will Travel (2 episodes), Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Wagon Train (2 episodes), Perry Mason, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Branded, Death Valley Days, Marcus Welby, M.D. (1974), Adam-12 (2 episodes), Quincy, M.E. (3 episodes), Vega$, Magnum, P.I. (1981), Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, The Greatest American Hero (2 episodes), Murder, She Wrote (1985), The Colbys (2 episodes), Babylon 5, 7th Heaven, Beverly Hills, 90210 (4 episodes as Celia Martin), Las Vegas, Grey's Anatomy, and Cold Case.

Lockhart made her film debut with her parents in a film version of A Christmas Carol in 1938. Some of her other film credits included All This, and Heaven Too (1940), Sergeant York (1941), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), The Yearling (1946), and Troll (1986). In 1948, she received a Special Tony Award for Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer (a category that no longer exists) for her role on Broadway in For Love or Money.

Ms. Lockhart was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, with a career spanning nearly 90 years. She was a two-time Emmy Award nominee and a Tony Award winner. She did a great job portraying mothers on television. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember actor Ed Williams. He starred as Ted Olson in Police Squad! and in The Naked Gun films. He died in Los Angeles on October 2. Mr. Williams was 98.

Williams starred as Ted Olson in the short-lived 1982 ABC sitcom Police Squad!, which was created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. A spoof of police procedurals and many other television shows and movies, the series features Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker's usual sight gags, wordplay, and non sequiturs. Ted Olson is a lab technician at Police Squad. The series also starred Leslie Nielsen, Alan North, Peter Lupus, and William Duell.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Madame's Place, Hooperman, and The Loop. Some of his other television guest appearances included MacGyver (1986), Matlock (1989), L.A. Law, Sisters (2 episodes), and House.

He starred as lab scientist Ted Olsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), and Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult (1993). Some of his other film credits included The Giant of Thunder Mountain (1991), Father of the Bride (1991), and Carnosaur (1993).

Mr. Williams was a science teacher for many years and had some previous acting experience when he landed the Police Squad! role. He was funny and memorable in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun films. He will be greatly missed.

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

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Labels: Adults, FX, Hulu, King of the Hill, Lassie, Lost in Space, Obits, Petticoat Junction

SitcomsOnline Digest: Shifting Gears Picked Up for Three Additional Episodes; The Paper Renewed for Season Two

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we are hearing more about the Scrubs reboot, the renewal of The Paper (already!), and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Shifting Gears was picked up for a few additional episodes for the upcoming season, but not quite a full season, which suggests that the reboot of Scrubs will be the midseason replacement for it. (Deadline)
• Speaking of Scrubs, we also learned this week that John McGinley will be returning to his role on the reboot. (Variety)
• Hopefully fans are enjoying The Paper, because it was renewed for a second season before the first season even aired. (Variety)
• King of the Hill and Wednesday have both proven to be major hits on streaming. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Kristen Johnston has been cast in the second season of Going Dutch. (Deadline)
• Going Dutch has a new show runner for the upcoming season. (Deadline)
• We have a season premiere date for Crutch, the spinoff of The Neighborhood that will stream on Paramount+. (TheWrap)
• A live staged reading of a Three's Company episode featuring Adam Devine and Kaley Cuoco is set for next week. (SitcomsOnline)

• A new season of Only Murders in the Building debuts Tuesday on Hulu.
• The new comedy series Kiss or Die debuts Tuesday on Netflix.
• After several weeks of multiple show binges on Catchy Comedy, they go back to one series this weekend with Newhart.
• With so many marathons going on last weekend, we forgot to mention some new series and season debuts from last week, including The Paper (the offshoot of The Office) on Peacock and Beavis and Butt-Head on Comedy Central/Paramount+.

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

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Labels: Beavis and Butt-Head, Crutch, Going Dutch, King of the Hill, Kiss or Die, Newhart, Only Murders in the Building, Scrubs, Shifting Gears, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Paper, Three's Company

SitcomsOnline Digest: Paramount Plans Retool of Cable Networks; King of the Hill Revival Scores Big Ratings

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Once again, it's a light "pre-fall season" week of news, but we're here nonethless. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Cable TV is changing dramatically before our eyes, but Paramount's new owner Skydance is saying that they plan to keep trying with their cable networks, but will potentially retool them (maybe that means MTV will finally end their 5 year marathon of Ridiculousness?). (Deadline)
• The King of the Hill revival is pulling big numbers in the ratings. (IGN)
• Two new sports streaming services launch on Thursday, one from ESPN and the other from Fox, but be prepared to pay a hefty price if you want both. (Deadline)
• Danielle Spencer, who played Dee on What's Happening!!, has died at age 60. (NPR)
• Hot in Cleveland is heading to Catchy Comedy. (SitcomsOnline)

• Just in time for the 60th anniversary of the series, Antenna TV is featuring a 60 episode marathon of I Dream of Jeannie today and tomorrow.
• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Laugh-In tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Catchy Comedy, ESPN, Hot in Cleveland, I Dream of Jeannie, King of the Hill, Paramount, SitcomsOnline Digest, What's Happening

SitcomsOnline Digest: Family Guy Specials Coming to Hulu; Jimmy Kimmel Rooting for Emmy for Stephen Colbert

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We have lots of news about late night TV, animated series, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It isn't leaving Fox, as many speculated when Hulu aired their first Family Guy specials, but two more are coming in upcoming months. (Variety)
• Jimmy Kimmel would rather see Stephen Colbert get an Emmy than himself, and has started a campaign for such. (Variety)
• Meanwhile, Seth Meyers, whom we can probably assume will never get the chance to host The Tonight Show as one would have assumed when he initially took over a decade ago, is concerned that his show could be canceled at any time. (Deadline)
• In the ongoing saga of "streaming actually isn't forever," HBO Max has removed more Cartoon Network library series. (Deadline)
• The Flintstones turns 65 years old at the end of this month, and MeTV Toons is here to celebrate it. (Cartoon Brew)
• And then there were fewer: Spectrum, the cable company formed by the merger of Charter and Time Warner Cable (which had also been built from many, many smaller cable companies), is moving ahead in merging with Cox. (Deadline)
• The creators of South Park are putting Paramount (and incoming parent company Skydance) in a bit of a conundrum, as the show continues to bite the hand the feeds it (Paramount), it is scoring the highest ratings it has seen since 1999. (Deadline)
• The Jeffersons is about to get a new home on cable. (SitcomsOnline)

• After a 15 year "wait" (which wasn't really a wait, because we never expected it was returning), a new season of King of the Hill arrives Monday on Hulu.
• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Sanford & Son and The Royal Family (featuring all but one episode of The Royal Family) tomorrow.
• Appropriately, a new season of Wednesday comes to Netflix on Wednesday.
• It probably shouldn't even be a big deal when a new episode of a current season show airs, but after already a week off following a two year hiatus, South Park is back for a new episode on Wednesday.

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

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Labels: Family Guy, Jimmy Kimmel Live, King of the Hill, Seth Meyers, SitcomsOnline Digest, South Park, The Flintstones, The Jeffersons, The Royal Family

TV One Honors Malcolm-Jamal Warner; Comedy Central Season 3 of Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head; Remembering Kenneth Washington of Hogan's Heroes

TV One will celebrate the life of the late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known as the beloved Theo Huxtable, with two tribute marathons of The Cosby Show this Friday, July 25 beginning at 6 PM ET and Sunday, July 27 beginning at Noon ET. Both marathons will include memorable episodes featuring Warner's character Theo for viewers to indulge and reminisce about his inaugural acting career.

The marathon is an homage to Warner's iconic role and contributions to the series, which originally aired from 1984 to 1992. TV One invites viewers to celebrate his legacy through these unforgettable performances and the beloved character he brought into homes across America. The Cosby Show also airs weekdays on TV One.

Comedy Central announced the return of the hit animated comedy series, Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head. Season three will premiere on Wednesday, September 3rd. From Emmy(R) Award-winning creator Mike Judge, the beloved misfits return with their signature brand of absurd, hilarious, and often painfully relatable antics - cementing their status as enduring pop culture icons. Stream the first two seasons and the critically acclaimed film, Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe, now on Paramount+.

Having originally premiered in 1993, Emmy(R) Award-winning creator Mike Judge has cemented Beavis and Butt-Head as cornerstones in adult animation. Known for its sharp wit and unfiltered take on adolescence, the show remains a significant part of the cultural zeitgeist. Created and voiced by writer, producer and director Mike Judge, the characters of Beavis and Butt-Head originated in Judge's 1992 short film Frog Baseball, which was broadcast by MTV's animation showcase "Liquid Television."

After MTV commissioned a full series around the characters, Beavis and Butt-Head ran for seven seasons, from March 8, 1993 to Nov. 28, 1997. The series was revived in 2011 with an eighth season airing on MTV. During its initial run, Beavis and Butt-Head received widespread critical acclaim for its satirical, scathing commentary on society. The show's popularity spawned various related media, including the theatrical film Beavis and Butt-Head Do America in 1996.

Actor Kenneth Washington, who starred as Sgt. Richard Baker in the final season of Hogan's Heroes, has died. He died on July 18 at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Mr. Washington was 88.

Washington starred as Sgt. Richard Baker in the sixth and final (1970-1971) season of the CBS sitcom Hogan's Heroes. Sgt. Richard Baker assumed the duties of Sgt. James Kinchloe after Ivan Dixon left the series. The cast included Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Robert Clary, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon (1965-1970), Larry Hovis, Cynthia Lynn (1965-1966), and Sigrid Valdis (1966-1970).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included I Dream of Jeannie, My Three Sons, Petticoat Junction, and The Paul Lynde Show. He made his final acting appearance as Mercer Gilbert, Whitley Gilbert's (Jasmine Guy) father, in a 1989 episode of A Different World. Mercer Gilbert was originally portrayed by Conroy Gedeon in a 1987 episode before Ron O'Neal took over the role in 1990 for four episodes.

He had a recurring role as Officer Miller in eight episodes of the first season (1968-1969) of the NBC police procedural crime drama Adam-12. Some of his other television guest appearances included Dragnet 1967, Star Trek, The Name of the Game, Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970), O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971), Hec Ramsey, The F.B.I., The Rockford Files, and Police Story (4 episodes). He appeared as Technician #2 in the 1973 science fiction western film Westworld.

Mr. Washington was the last surviving cast main cast member of Hogan's Heroes. We thank him for his work on Hogan's Heroes and television. He will be sorely missed.

We also remember Hall of Fame professional wrestler and actor Hulk Hogan. He voiced The Dean in the Adult Swim on Cartoon Network animated sitcom China, IL. He died of cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24. He was 71.

Hulk Hogan starred as Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer in the 1994 first-run syndicated action-adventure series Thunder in Paradise, which was later rebroadcast on the TNT cable network. Thunder in Paradise follows the adventures of two ex-United States Navy SEALs, Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer and Martin "Bru" Brubaker (Chris Lemmon), who work as mercenaries out of their tropical resort headquarters along Florida's Gulf Coast of the United States. The cast also included Carol Alt, Ashley Gorrell, Patrick Macnee, and Russ Wheeler as the voice of Thunder (their futuristic, high-tech boat).

He provided the voice of The Dean in the 2011-2015 Adult Swim on Cartoon Network animated sitcom China, IL. The series takes place at the "Worst School in America", located at the edge of the fictional town of China, Illinois. The Dean is the unnamed and impossibly macho head of the University of China, IL.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Suddenly Susan (2 episodes), and The Goldbergs in 2019. He provided the voice of various characters for four episodes of Robot Chicken. He voiced himself in a 2012 episode of American Dad!.

Hulk Hogan's other television guest appearances included The A-Team (2 episodes), Baywatch, and Walker, Texas Ranger (2001). He co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985. He starred in the 2005-2007 VH1 reality documentary television series Hogan Knows Best. In 2008, he co-hosted the revival series of American Gladiators on NBC.

He played the part of the wrestler Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982). Some of his other film credits included No Holds Barred (1989), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Suburban Commando (1991), and Mr. Nanny (1993).

Hulk Hogan was widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and inducted a second time in 2020 as a member of the nWo. We thank him for his work in the ring and as an actor on television and in films. The Hulkster will be greatly missed.

Grammy-winning jazz musician and voice actor Chuck Mangione had a recurring role as a fictional version of himself on King of the Hill. He died of natural causes in his sleep at his Rochester, New York, home on July 22. Mr. Mangione was 84.

Mangione had a recurring role as a fictional version of himself being a celebrity spokesman for the Mega Lo Mart in nine episodes of the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill from 1997 to 2003. His composition "Feels So Good" was heard frequently, including a running gag in which he worked it into whatever he was playing.

Some of his other guest appearances included the role of Jimmy Nolan in a 1984 episode of Magnum, P.I. and the role of Little Boy Blue in a 1988 episode of Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show on CBC.

He came to prominence as a member of Art Blakey's band in the 1960s, and later co-led the Jazz Brothers with his brother, Gap, achieving international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single "Feels So Good". He released more than 30 albums, beginning in the 1960s. He won Grammy Awards in 1977 and 1979.

Mr. Mangione was a talented flugelhornist and trumpeter. His appearances on King of the Hill were always funny and memorable. We thank him for his music. He will be deeply missed.

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

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Labels: Beavis and Butt-Head, Comedy Central, Cosby Show, Hogan's Heroes, King of the Hill, Obits, TV One

SitcomsOnline Digest: Scrubs Reboot Headed to ABC; New King of the Hill Trailer Released

  Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we have reboot/spinoff news, some casting news for a Fox series, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It's official: a Scrubs reboot is coming to ABC, with three of the original cast members on board. (Variety)
• A premiere date has been set for The Office offshoot (it's not really clear what to call it), The Paper. (Deadline)
• We are getting another look into the new season of King of the Hill. (TheWrap)
• Annie Potts has joined the cast of the upcoming Fox series Best Medicine. (Variety)
• HBO Max has ordered Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a Big Bang Theory spinoff. (SitcomsOnline)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Mama's Family tomorrow.
• Antenna TV has a Mork & Mindy marathon tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Best Medicine, King of the Hill, Mork & Mindy, Scrubs, SitcomsOnline Digest, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, The Paper

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels Alert: Missing Persons Unit and The Cleaning Lady; Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune Headed to Streaming

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're in the slow summer months of news, but we're here for some nonetheless. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• You'd be forgiven if you've never watched them or even heard of them, even though they've been on for a few seasons, but Fox has canceled Alert: Missing Persons Unit and The Cleaning Lady. (Deadline)
• The ratings for Saturday Night Live were good for season 50. (Variety)
• It's crazy to think that after over a decade of next day streaming being a common thing, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have not been available in that format, but that's about to change this fall. (Variety)
• The creators of Mid-Century Modern want viewers to stop thinking of it as a gay Golden Girls. (Deadline)
• Jonathan Joss, known for his role of John Redcorn on King of the Hill, died after being shot. (BBC)
• We've got early details for the second season of Netflix's Nobody Wants This. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JUNE 7 - JUNE 13)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of Gomer Pyle, USMC tomorrow.
• The 2025 Tony Awards air Sunday on CBS.
• There's a new season of The 1% Club, with a new host, on Fox on Tuesday.

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

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Labels: Gomer Pyle USMC, Jeopardy, King of the Hill, Mid-Century Modern, Nobody Wants This, Saturday Night Live, SitcomsOnline Digest, Wheel of Fortune

Remembering Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H, Valerie Mahaffey of Young Sheldon, and The Simpsons Composer Alf Clausen

Emmy-winning actress Loretta Swit, who starred as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in M*A*S*H, has died. She died from natural causes at her home in New York City on May 30. Ms. Swit was 87.

She starred as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the 1972-1983 CBS sitcom M*A*S*H. Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan is the Regular Army head nurse of the 4077th and begins allied with Major Frank Burns (Larry Linville) against the more civilian doctors of the unit. She is the extremely capable head nurse of the 4077th MASH, the highest-ranking female officer in the unit, and fiercely protective of the women under her command.

Swit was one of only four cast members to stay for all 11 seasons of the show, from 1972 to 1983 (the others were Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, and William Christopher). She appeared in all but 11 of the total of 256 episodes. She won two Emmy Awards in 1980 and 1982 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series for the role. She was nominated for every season of the series except season one. In 1983, she won People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Performer. She appeared in the 1991 CBS retrospective special Memories of M*A*S*H. In 2002, she appeared in the M*A*S*H: 30th Anniversary Reunion on Fox.

She played the role of Christine Cagney in the 1981 CBS movie pilot for the television series Cagney & Lacey. She was forced to decline the role in the series when the producers of M*A*S*H refused to let her out of her contract. The role was played Meg Ryan in the six first season episodes before she was replaced by Sharon Gless in the second season.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style (2 episodes), Good Heavens, and The Love Boat (5 episodes). She appeared in four episodes of Hawaii Five-O from 1969 to 1972. Some of her other television guest appearances included Mannix, Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke (3 episodes), Bonanza, Ironside, Petrocelli, Murder, She Wrote (1994), Burke's Law, and Diagnosis: Murder. She hosted Those Incredible Animals on the Discovery Channel for 26 episodes from 1992 to 1994.

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on May 10, 2005.

Ms. Swit did a wonderful job portraying Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan for 11 seasons on M*A*S*H. She could do both comedy and drama well. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment that she brought us during her career. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our M*A*S*H message board. View photos in our galleries.

MeTV will remember Loretta Swit this week with special episodes featuring Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan. Watch M*A*S*H weeknights from 6pm-8pm ET and Sundays at 7pm ET.

June 2
7pm: S5E6- "The Nurses" (OAD: October 19, 1976)
7:30pm: S5E3- "Margaret's Engagement" (OAD: September 28, 1976)

June 3
7pm: S6E13- "Comrades in Arms: Part 1" (OAD: December 6, 1977)
7:30pm: S6E14- "Comrades in Arms: Part 2" (OAD: December 13, 1977)

June 4
7pm: S5E1&E2- "Bug Out" (OAD: September 21, 1976)

June 5
7pm: S5E7- "The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan" (OAD: October 26, 1976)
7:30pm: S10E12- "The Birthday Girls" (OAD: January 11, 1982)

June 6
7pm: S8E2- "Are You Now, Margaret?" (OAD: September 24, 1979)
7:30pm: S7E20- "Hot Lips is Back in Town" (OAD: January 29, 1979)

Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey, who starred as Caitlyn Van Horne in The Powers That Be and who had a recurring role as Victoria MacElroy in Young Sheldon, has died. She died of cancer on May 30 in Los Angeles. Ms. Mahaffey was 71.

Mahaffey began her career starring as Ashley Bennett in the NBC daytime soap opera The Doctors from 1979 to 1981. She was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1980.

She starred as Caitlyn Van Horne in the short-lived 1992-1993 NBC sitcom The Powers That Be. It was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, with Norman Lear as executive producer. At the center of the series is U.S. Senator William Powers (John Forsythe), a parody of the political establishment in Washington, D.C. Margaret (Holland Taylor), the senator's status-hungry wife, treats Charlotte (Elizabeth Berridge), their maid, with comedic disdain. Caitlyn, the senator's daughter, has an eating disorder and is married to Representative Theodore Van Horne (David Hyde Pierce), who is suicidal; their son, Pierce (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is mature beyond his years from having to care for his unbalanced parents. The series also starred Eve Gordon, Peter MacNicol, and Robin Bartlett.

Mahaffey starred as Jennifer Malone in five episodes of the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom Women of the House. The series starred Delta Burke, reprising her role of Suzanne Sugarbaker, who had reconciled with producers of Designing Women after a bitter, highly publicized, off-screen battle. Jennifer Malone, known to her co-workers as "Malone", was a vivacious, naïve housewife who was recently left by her husband, and whose children were tyrants. She works as Suzanne's receptionist. Julie Hagerty played Jennifer Malone in two episodes. The cast included Teri Garr, Patricia Heaton, Lisa Rieffel, Jonathan Banks, Brittany Parkyn, and William Newman.

She had a recurring role as Victoria MacElroy in 14 episodes of the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon in seasons 1-3 from 2017 to 2020. Victoria MacElroy is Sheldon's (Iain Armitage) homeroom and English teacher at Medford High.

Mahaffey had a recurring role as Sandy Cooper in three episodes of Wings from 1993 to 1996. In 2009, she had a recurring role as Dr. Ocean in seven episodes of the Showtime comedy-drama United States of Tara. She had a recurring role as Lorna Harding, Jen Harding's (Christina Applegate) mother-in-law, in nine episodes of the Netflix comedy-drama Dead to Me from 2019 to 2022.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Newhart, Cheers, Seinfeld, Baby Talk, Dream On, Caroline in the City, George & Leo, Love & Money, That's My Bush!, Frasier, Good Morning, Miami (2004), Out of Practice, Crumbs, Better with You, Hannah Montana, Raising Hope, The Exes, Kirstie, Workaholics, Impastor, and The Mindy Project.

She had a recurring role as Eve in five episodes the CBS comedy-drama Northern Exposure from 1991 to 1994. In 1992, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as the chronic hypochondriac Eve.

Mahaffey had a recurring role as Alma Hodge, Orson Hodge's (Kyle MacLachlan) first wife, in eight episodes of the third season (2006-2007) the ABC mystery comedy-drama Desperate Housewives. She had a recurring role as Fran Horowitz in the 2013 TNT medical drama Monday Mornings. From 2013 to 2015, she had a recurring role as Olivia Rice on the Lifetime comedy-drama Devious Maids. She starred as Helen Pergman, Ronald's (Brian Geraghty) mother, in the first season (2020-2021) of the ABC crime drama thriller Big Sky.

Some of her other television credits included Father Dowling Mysteries, Quantum Leap (1990), The Young Riders, L.A. Law, The Client (4 episodes as Ellie Foltrigg), ER (4 episodes as Joi Abbott), Ally McBeal, Judging Amy, The West Wing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Without a Trace, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Private Practice, Boston Legal, Glee (3 episodes as Rose Pillsbury), Grey's Anatomy, Franklin & Bash, Hart of Dixie (3 episodes as Mae Ellen Waterloo), and The Man in the High Castle (3 episodes as Susan), and Echo 3 (3 episodes as Maggie Chesborough).

Ms. Mahaffey was a talented and versatile character actress. She was a familiar face with nearly 100 television and film credits. We thank her for her work on sitcoms and television. She will be sorely missed.

Emmy-winning composer Alf Clausen, who worked on ALF and The Simpsons, has died. He died at his home in Los Angeles on May 29 after a decade-long battle with progressive supernuclear palsy (PSP). Mr. Clausen was 84.

Clausen was the composer for the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. He co-composed the theme music with Tom Kramer. He served as the composer for the ABC comedy-drama Moonlighting from 1985 to 1989, scoring 63 of the 65 episodes.

He was the sole composer for the Fox animated sitcom The Simpsons between 1990 and 2017. He joined the series in the second season and worked until the end of the 28th season. He received two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on The Simpsons, winning the award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics two years in a row in 1997 and 1998.

Some of his other sitcom composing credits included ABC's Dads (1986-1987), ABC's Harry (1987), ABC's/Fox's animated series The Critic (1994-1995), and CBS' Bette (2000-2001). Some of his other television credits included Wizards and Warriors, Fame, and Lime Street.

He provided additional music for several films including The Beastmaster (1982), Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Splash (1984), Weird Science (1985), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Dragnet (1987), and The Naked Gun (1988).

We were fortunate enough to interview him for our blog in 2007 when we reviewed The Simpsons: Testify CD. He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television in 2014 and 2015.

Mr. Clausen scored or orchestrated music for more than 30 films and television shows. With 30 nominations, he received more Emmy nominations to date than any other musician. We thank him for his music on The Simpsons and television. His music made the episodes much better and funnier. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actor Jonathan Joss. He was best known for providing the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill. He was shot to death during an argument with a neighbor in San Antonio on June 1. Mr. Joss was 59.

Joss was the voice of John Redcorn from season 2 to 13 of the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill, replacing the original actor Victor Aaron after Aaron's death in 1996. John Redcorn is a Native American healer who has given Nancy therapeutic massages for her headaches for years. He is invariably addressed or referred to as "John Redcorn" or "Mr. Redcorn" by every character in the series, and is never addressed or referred to simply as "John".

He was also known for his recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate in five episodes of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation from 2011 to 2015. Ken Hotate is the leader of Pawnee's local Wamapoke Native American tribe. He also runs a casino in the city.

Joss guest starred in a 2014 episode of the FXX sitcom The League and a 2014 episode of the ABC sitcom Manhattan Love Story. Some of his other television credits included Walker, Texas Ranger (6 episodes), Charmed, ER, In Plain Sight, Friday Night Lights, Ray Donovan (3 episodes), and Tulsa King (2 episodes).

Mr. Joss was memorable as Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation. We thank him for his work on television. He will be missed.

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

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Labels: ALF, Alf Clausen, King of the Hill, M*A*S*H, MeTV, Obits, Parks and Recreation, The Simpsons, Young Sheldon

SitcomsOnline Digest: New King of the Hill Reboot Details; CBS Makes Late Night Changes

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a somewhat busy week, but we've got highlights, including a lot to take in about the King of the Hill reboot. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Not only do we have a premiere date for the King of the Hill reboot, we've even got opening credits... and we suggest watching them and frequently pausing to catch every little detail of what has happened in the past decade and a half. (Deadline)
• Jenna Fischer is talking about her favorite episodes of The Office, and they're mostly ones after Steve Carell left the show. (Deadline)
• CBS is putting Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen in their post-Colbert timeslot next season... again. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The back and forth between CBS and Sony on who owns the distribution rights to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! is now back to CBS having the rights. (AV Club)
• Former Simpsons music composer Alf Clausen, whom we actually interviewed nearly 20 years ago, has died. (Variety)
• Loretta Swit, known for her role on M*A*S*H (and who played Cagney in the pilot for Cagney & Lacey, but wasn't able to play the role because she couldn't get out of her M*A*S*H contract) has died. (Hollywood Reporter)
• We have our first look at Leanne, a Chuck Lorre sitcom coming to Netflix. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MAY 31 - JUNE 6)

• Tomorrow's binge on Catchy Comedy is Brooklyn Bridge.
• Antenna TV has an Alice marathon tomorrow.
• Fox has a new season of The Quiz with Balls on Monday.

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

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Labels: Alf Clausen, Brooklyn Bridge, Jeopardy, King of the Hill, Leanne, M*A*S*H, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Office, Wheel of Fortune

SitcomsOnline Digest: Clueless Reboot in the Works at Peacock; King of the Hill Cast Reunion and Revival Preview at ATX TV Festival Next Month

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about a new Clueless series, (a little bit) more about the revival of King of the Hill, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Although she didn't play the role in the ABC/UPN sitcom, Alicia Silverstone is looking to bring her movie role from Clueless to a new TV series at Peacock. (Variety)
• We still don't know when it's going to debut, but we at least have a cast reunion and revival sneak preview set for King of the Hill at the ATX TV Festival next month. (Deadline)
• NBC has Foreign Service, a workplace comedy about working at a U.S. embassy abroad, in the works. (Deadline)
• The back and forth drama between Sony and CBS over distribution of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune continues this week, and now CBS has once again regained control of distribution (at least temporarily), and there are rumors that Sony may be looking to move (or at least offer same day streaming of) the shows to streaming once they regain full control. (Variety)
• We all knew that DVD and Blu-ray sales have dropped since streaming became mainstream, but just how bad is it? A whopping 90% in the past ten years. (Cord Cutters News)
• Nicky Katt, known to TV audiences for his role as Harry Senate in Boston Public, died this week at age 54. (Variety)
• Wink Martindale, one of the last surviving game show hosts from the golden era of game shows, has died. (NPR)
• Classic TV comes to life at an event at the Paley Center in New York City, if you can get there in the next few days. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (APRIL 19 - APRIL 25)

• Tomorrow's binge on Catchy Comedy is The Monkees.
• Antenna TV has a Becker marathon tomorrow.

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

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Labels: Boston Public, Clueless, Foreign Service, Jeopardy, King of the Hill, SitcomsOnline Digest, Wheel of Fortune

SitcomsOnline Digest: Malcolm in the Middle Limited Reboot Headed to Disney+; King of the Hill Reboot Episode Titles Released

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing big news about a reboot of a Fox Sunday night classic (and also less significant news about the reboot of another Fox Sunday night classic), a new role for Jenna Elfman, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The big news of the week came last week (and really wasn't completely unexpected, as there had been hints of it happening for the past month): a limited four episode Malcolm in the Middle reboot is headed to Disney+. (Variety)
• If that isn't enough for early 00s Sunday night Fox lineup excitement, we also have the titles for the first ten episodes of the King of the Hill reboot on Hulu. (Hypebeast)
• Sesame Street appears to be moving again, as the deal for it to stream on Max is coming to an end and won't be renewed. (Deadline)
• Jenna Elfman is set to have a recurring role on the upcoming ABC Tim Allen sitcom Shifting Gears. (Deadline)
• The Friday Night Lights reboot that has been in the works is officially headed to Peacock. (Deadline)
• Michael Cole, the last surviving star of The Mod Squad, has died. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Antenna TV has set their Christmas and New Year's plans. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 14 - DECEMBER 20)

• If you're in the Christmas mood, Catchy Comedy has a whole weekend of Christmas episodes of sitcoms (and other comedy TV series).
• Fast Friends, the Friends themed game show, premieres Thursday on Max.
• Thursday also has the debut of the Peacock comedy series Laid.

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

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Labels: Antenna TV, Friday Night Lights, King of the Hill, Laid, Malcolm in the Middle, Max, Sesame Street, Shifting Gears, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Mod Squad

SitcomsOnline Digest: SAG-AFTRA Strike Finally Ends; New Digital TV Broadcast Networks Coming

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we finally have an end to the SAG-AFTRA strike, we're hearing about some new digital TV broadcast networks, and getting an update on the reboot of an animated adult comedy favorite. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It's over! The SAG-AFTRA strike has ended, and we're getting an idea of how long the season could be for some of our favorite sitcoms (hint: it's not long). (Deadline)
• We don't have many details yet, but some new digital TV broadcast networks (that will also be streaming) are coming soon from a partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, and Gray Television. (Deadline)
• What is lost in the news of these new networks, however, is that Gray Television's current country music digital TV broadcast network, Circle, will be shutting down on December 31 to make way for these new networks, though they say that current programming on Circle will be redistributed elsewhere (and it seems that Circle may maintain a streaming presence as well). (Cord Cutters News)
• We're learning a bit more about the King of the Hill revival, but don't look for it to arrive on Hulu for at least a year, as they're still working out casting details. (TVLine)
• Disney is looking to sell Freeform (which is no longer available on Spectrum, one of the largest cable providers) and other networks to A+E networks. (Cord Cutters News)
• Big Brother, the CBS summer reality series that managed to get stretched all the way into November this year, isn't stopping there, and is having a special two week Christmas themed version next month. (Variety)
• FX has renewed The Bear for a third season. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 11 - NOVEMBER 17)

• Catchy Comedy is having a binge of All the Family and Sanford & Son this weekend.
• With little new programming to air, CBS is bringing the British version of Ghosts to the lineup starting Thursday night.

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

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Labels: Big Brother, Circle, Freeform, King of the Hill, SAG, SitcomsOnline Digest

MeTV's Back to School with Me Stunt; Remembering Johnny Hardwick and Shelley Smith

Go "Back to School with Me" with special academic episodes Sunday, August 27! Bid goodbye to carefree summer days with a full day of shows featuring classrooms, sports, tests and teachers! Grab your pencils and pack your lunch for this full day event reliving all the fun of the going back to school, from first class to graduation. And don’t forget your homework! Make the end of summer a little easier with a full day of episodes about learning, teachers, sports and all things back-to-school on MeTV. It all starts Sunday, August 27 at 9A | 8C!

9A | 8C: Saved By The Bell: "The Last Weekend" — It's the last day at the beach resort and Zack and Stacy are hoping to spend it together. Carosi, however, doesn't approve of their romance. Meanwhile, a secret admirer is sending Slater love letters.
9:30A | 8:30C: Saved By The Bell: "The Fight" — Zach and Slater might turn back into rivals when they fall for a new girl from Idaho. Who'll be the one to have a date with her?
10A | 9C: The Flintstones: "Flintstone of Prinstone" — Fred attends night classes and is drafted to be a quarterback on the school football team.
10:30A | 9:30C: The Flintstones: "The Bowling Ballet" —Fred secretly becomes a ballet pupil in order to regain his form for a big bowling match
11A | 10C:The Flintstones: "High School Fred" — Wilma thinks Fred is about to be promoted when Mr. Slate sends Fred to school for two weeks.
11:30A | 10:30C: The Jetsons: "Elroy's Mob" — Elroy brings home the wrong report card by mistake, angering his father, which causes Elroy to run away with Astro.
12P | 11C: The Brady Bunch: "Today, I am a Freshman" —It's the beginning of another school year, and Marcia panics about becoming a freshman, going as far as pretending to be sick. However, after Mike and Carol see through her act, they insist she'd enjoy school if she were involved in extracurricular activities. Marcia then proceeds to join every group or club available. Meanwhile, Peter tries to build a model volcano on the patio.
12:30P | 11:30C: The Brady Bunch: "Getting Greg's Goat" — After he and his teammates swipe a rival school's mascot in retaliation for theirs being stolen first, Greg is tasked with watching Raquel, a goat. Things get out of control when Raquel proves to be hard to handle, easy to feed and not easy to catch.
1P | 12C: Leave It to Beaver: "Wally's Test" — An upcoming test in history, Wally's weakest subject, has Wally studying all weekend and has Larry and Eddie coming up with a plan that will give them good grades on the test.
1:30P | 12:30C: Leave It to Beaver: "Beaver's I.Q." — After learning that he's going to be taking an I.Q. test, Beaver hits the books, scared after his friends tell him that if he doesn't pass he will be sent to "dumb school."
2P | 1C: The Beverly Hillbillies: "Jethro Goes to School" — Jethro announces that Pearl has sent the family a letter. In this letter, Pearl says how she hopes her son is doing well in school. Jed realizes that Jethro should be in the fifth grade and tells him they have to find a school that day. While driving around Beverly Hills, they stop at the first school they see, Mrs. Potts’ exclusive private school.
2:30P | 1:30C: The Beverly Hillbillies: "Jethro's Graduation" — Jethro is very excited about graduating from the sixth grade. But in order to prevent embarrassment, Mrs. Potts gets help from Drysdale and Diana to get Jethro to miss his sixth grade graduation. She schemes to turn Jed and Jethro’s watches back 45 minutes.
3P | 2C: Gilligan's Island: "The Friendly Physician" — A mad scientist lands on the island and takes the castaways to his castle to perform strange experiments on them. Soon they are locked in a dungeon and trapped in the wrong bodies.
3:30P | 2:30C: Gilligan's Island: "A Man With a Net" — Lord Beasley Waterford, a famous butterfly collector, lands on the island searching for the world's rarest butterfly, the pussycat swallowtail. 4P | 3C: Mama's Family: "Mama Learns to Drive" — Fed up with having to chauffeur Mama all over town, the family decides to teach her to drive. But when Mama finally gets her license, the family is too afraid to let her use their cars!
4:30P | 3:30C: Mama's Family: "Educating Mama" — When Bubba enrolls in night school, the family convinces Mama to join him and earn her high school equivalency diploma.
5P | 4C: The Love Boat: "Isaac's Teacher" — Isaac hides from his high-school teacher; a man tries to please his seal; a wife who thinks she's dying wants to choose her successor.
6P | 5C: The Andy Griffith Show: "The Education of Ernest T. Bass" — Ernest T. is back in Mayberry to get his diploma. He is so determined that Andy convinces Helen to allow him to attend class, but Ernest T. isn't exactly classroom material.

Voice actor, comedian, writer and producer Johnny Hardwick, who was best known as the voice of Dale Gribble on King of the Hill, has died. He was found dead at his home Austin, Texas, on August 8. Mr. Hardwick was 64.

Hardwick provided the voice of Dale Gribble on the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill. The 1997-2010 series centers on the Hills, an American family in the fictional city of Arlen, Texas, as well as their neighbors, co-workers, relatives, classmates, friends, and acquaintances. Dale Gribble is the Hills' chain-smoking, balding, conspiracy-theorist next-door neighbor and Hank's (Mike Judge) best friend. As a result of his paranoia, Dale does not trust the government or "the system". He owns his own pest control business, Dale's Dead Bug, and is also a licensed bounty hunter and President of the Arlen Gun Club. Dale is married to Nancy Hicks-Gribble (Ashley Gardner), a weather reporter and later an anchorwoman for the Channel 84 news. The cast also included Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Brittany Murphy (1997-2009), Stephen Root, Toby Huss, Jonathan Joss, Lauren Tom, Breckin Meyer, and Tom Petty.

At the time of his death, he was set to reprise the role again in the upcoming revival. It was later revealed that he had recorded "a couple" of new episodes for the revival prior to his death.

He was also its staff writer, story editor and producer from 1997 to 2002. He had three Prime Time Emmy Award nominations, and in 1999 he won an Emmy for producing King of the Hill.

Mr. Hardwick did a great job performing the memorable role of Dale Gribble. We thank him for his work on King of the Hill. He will be greatly missed.

Fashion model and actress Shelley Smith, who starred as Sara James on The Associates, has died. She suffered a cardiac arrest on August 5. She died at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, California, on August 8. Ms. Smith was 70.

Smith starred as Sara James on the 1979-1980 ABC sitcom The Associates. The series, which was based on the novel of the same name by John Jay Osborn Jr., was the first bonafide starring vehicle for Martin Short and centered on a small group of young novice lawyers who worked at a Wall Street law firm. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. The cast included Wilfrid Hyde-White, Joe Regalbuto, Alley Mills, and Tim Thomerson.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Stockard Channing Show, Angie, The Love Boat (2 episodes), Diff'rent Strokes, and Webster.

She starred as Capt. Carolyn Engel on the 1983-1984 NBC military drama For Love and Honor. Some of her other television guest appearances included Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, The Phoenix, Hart to Hart (2 episodes), Fantasy Island, Hotel, Lady Blue, The New Mike Hammer, Hunter, Magnum, P.I. (2 episodes), Simon & Simon (4 episodes), Dragnet (1989), and Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes).

Ms. Smith was a talented and lovely actress. The Associates had a great cast and was critically acclaimed, but it never found a big audience airing against One Day at a Time. It's too bad ABC didn't give it more of a chance in another time slot. We thank her for work on television. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember actor Nicolas Coster. He had a recurring role as David Warner, the father of Blair Warner, on The Facts of Life. He died on June 26 at a hospital in Florida. Mr. Coster was 89.

Coster had a recurring role as David Warner, Blair Warner's (Lisa Whelchel) father, in five episodes of The Facts of Life from 1982 to 1988. His ex-wife, Monica Warner, was played by Marj Dusay in eight episodes from 1981 to 1987.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included No Time for Sergeants, Wendy and Me, Occasional Wife, On Our Own (1978), Husbands, Wives & Lovers (1978), Grandpa Goes to Washington, One Day at a Time, When the Whistle Blows, Police Squad!, Teachers Only (2 episodes), 9 to 5 (3 episodes), Hooperman, Who's the Boss?, Nurses, Coach, 3rd Rock from the Sun (2 episodes), and Crumbs.

Coster starred as Robert Delaney on Another World from 1970 to 1980. He played Anthony Makana in five episodes of One Life to Live. He starred as Lionel Lockridge on Santa Barbara from 1984 to 1993. The role earned him four Daytime Emmy nominations. He starred as Mayor Jack Madison on the digital soap The Bay from 2010 to 2019. The role won him his first Daytime Emmy in 2017. He also worked as a producer from 2010 to 2014.

He played John Eldridge in the 1965 CBS primetime serialized drama Our Private World. He starred as Chief J.E. Carson on The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (also known as Lobo). In 1983, he starred as Dr. Morris Whitford on the short-lived ABC medical drama Ryan's Four.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The Defenders, The Green Hornet, Charlie's Angels, Little House on the Prairie, Baretta, Family, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Dallas (3 episodes), Hart to Hart, Quincy, M.E. (1982), Simon & Simon (3 episodes), Magnum, P.I. (1983), Hardcastle and McCormick, T.J. Hooker, Knight Rider (1983), L.A. Law, thirtysomething (1989), Murder, She Wrote (1989), Life Goes On, Star Trek: The Next Generation, MacGyver, Matlock, Law & Order (2 episodes), and Cold Case.

Mr. Coster was a fine character actor. He was a familiar face on many television shows during his long career. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us on television. He will be sorely missed.

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

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