SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

by Vincent

This week, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia returned for its landmark 15th season on FX. The show has remained one of the funniest shows on TV through and through, and even though it isn't always as consistent as it was in its prime, it's incredible that it still manages to be as funny and consistent as it has been.

Always Sunny season 15 has promised to bring some of the realities of our world to the show's twisted universe. Being the show's first season since 2019, the world has obviously become a very different place since then, and without giving too much away, the premiere addresses this in typically funny Always Sunny ways. The ending of the episode in particular is one for the ages, and shows that even as the world changes, Always Sunny will always be its twisted, reliable self.

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes adds more star power to its cast ahead of the live show airing on ABC, Tuesday, Dec. 7 (8:00-9:30 p.m. EST). Jon Stewart takes on a mystery role in The Facts of Life episode. Who will he play? You'll have to tune-in to see! There will be other special cameos as well. Still no word on which episodes are being recreated, but for Diff'rent Strokes the word is that it will be "Willis' Privacy" from season one which had Arnold as Super Arnold.

The live special event produced by Sony Pictures Television will feature reenactments of the hit series The Facts of Life, created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and Diff'rent Strokes, created by Bernie Kukoff and Jeff Harris, and will reunite executive producers Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows. Previously announced cast members taking on the famed Diff'rent Strokes roles include John Lithgow, who will play Mr. Drummond; Kevin Hart, assuming the role of Arnold; and Damon Wayans, who will play Willis. The Facts of Life will feature Jennifer Aniston, playing the role of Blair; Gabrielle Union, taking on the role of Tootie; Allison Tolman, who will play Natalie; Kathryn Hahn, recreating the role of Jo; and Ann Dowd, who will tackle the role of Mrs. Garrett in both episodes.

Actor Eddie Mekka, who was best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on Laverne & Shirley, has died. He died in Newhall, California, on November 27. Mr. Mekka was 69.

Mekka starred as Carmine Ragusa on the 1976-1983 ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley. He appeared in 150 of the 178 episodes during the show's eight seasons. Carmine was Shirley's (Cindy Williams) high-school sweetheart and on-again, off-again romance. He was known by the name "The Big Ragoo" and was a part-time boxer and former Golden Gloves champion. He owns a dance studio and was constantly working to make it big as a dancer and singer. Mekka appeared as Carmine Ragusa in two episodes of Happy Days. The cast of Laverne & Shirley also included Penny Marshall, Michael McKean, David L. Lander, Phil Foster, Betty Garrett (1976-1981), Carole Ita White (1976-1977), Ed Marinaro (1980-1981) and Leslie Easterbrook (1980-1983).

He starred as Joey DeLuca on the short-lived 1977 ABC sitcom Blansky's Beauties. Joey DeLuca was the choreographer of the Las Vegas showgirls' big numbers at the Oasis Hotel. He was a younger cousin to Carmine Ragusa, Mekka's 1950s-era character on Laverne & Shirley. The Garry Marshall created and produced series also starred Nancy Walker, Caren Kaye, Lynda Goodfriend, Johnny Desmond, Scott Baio, George Pentecost, Taaffe O'Connell, Rhonda Bates, Bond Gideon, Gerri Reddick, Shirley Kirkes, Antoinette Yuskis, Jill Owens, Elaine Bolton and Pat Morita.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat (3 episodes), The Munsters Today, Family Matters (2 episodes), California Dreams, Dream On, Weird Science, The Jamie Foxx Show, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Pastor Greg (2 episodes) and Childrens Hospital.

Some of his drama guest appearances included Fantasy Island (4 episodes), Moonlighting, True Blue, The Big Easy, Power Rangers Wild Force, 24, Crossing Jordan and ER. His soap opera guest appearances included Guiding Light, The Bold and the Beautiful, Sunset Beach and The Young and the Restless.

He had a small role as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar in the 1992 film A League of Their Own, which was directed by Penny Marshall. Some of his other film credits included Top of the World (1997), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), Dreamgirls (2006) and C Me Dance (2009). He played Detective Murdoch in the 1998 Fox television movie Catch Me If You Can.

Mekka was also known for his theater work. He was nominated for Broadway's 1975 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for The Lieutenant. He performed in Hairspray at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada and in a national tour of Grease with Cindy Williams.

Mr. Mekka was a man of many talents as an actor, dancer and singer. He was very funny and memorable as Carmine Ragusa. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Laverne & Shirley message board. View photos in our galleries.

The MeTV Network January 2021 lineup will start on Saturday, Jan. 2 with the addition of Saturday morning cartoons, as we mentioned. To start it off, January will have Popeye & Pals at 7am, The Tom & Jerry Show at 8am and and Bugs Bunny & Friends at 9am, all replacing westerns. However, westerns will still air the rest of Saturday from 10am-6am. The new weekday original series Toon In with Me will launch on January 4 and air everyday morning from 7-8am, following My Three Sons which is replacing I Love Lucy at 6:30am. The only other schedule change on weekdays will be Alfred Hitchcock Presents at 1am & 1:30am replacing Alfred Hitchcock Hour. And finally on Sundays, just sit right back and you'll hear a tale a tale of a fateful trip, yep it's the return of the Gilligan's Island Three Hour Tour every Sunday from 2pm-5pm, right after The Brady Bunch Brunch from 12-2pm. The Three Hour Tour replaces an hour each of Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and another hour of Happy Days. And finally the only other change is Carol Burnett & Friends returning to Sundays at 10pm, as Collector's Call takes a hiatus. View the full MeTV January 2021 schedule.

"Having The Office back in the NBC family opens up access to a lot of extra content that we originally shot. The team at Peacock wanted to create the ultimate destination for fans, so I went back into the dailies with the original editors of the show and found some never-before-seen footage that was cut for time but is still fun to see. You can choose to watch the classic version of the show, or the superfan extended cuts with this new footage and other deleted scenes that we are gradually rolling out, starting with season 3. The experience on Peacock should feel like a celebration of The Office for fans." - Greg Daniels, creator of The Office. See a fun office memo below:

This memorandum is to inform everyone that we expect a significant spike in sales starting on January 1, 2021 when Peacock starts streaming the documentary footage that was shot at Dunder Mifflin Scranton between 2005 and 2013. This includes all previously released episodes and brand new, never-before-seen content. We anticipate that this will cause renewed interest in our product lines, especially as a result of the footage that will be released for the very first time. Customers will definitely be calling and they will most certainly have questions.

For quick reference on customer service calls, here is a summary of what Peacock will make public:
1. Every episode (201 total) of The Office that was originally broadcast will be exclusively streaming on Peacock.
2. Superfan Episodes that include never-before-seen footage and deleted scenes in extended cuts of the original series, starting with Season 3, with more coming in March. An example can be seen here.
3. Spanish audio and Spanish closed captions will be available for both the original series and Superfan Episodes in February.
4. Behind-the-scenes footage will be shared in addition to episodic content. This includes bloopers, featurettes, and interviews.
5. Curated themed episode collections such as the best of the Scranton branch holiday parties and favorite appearances by guest visitors - all arranged for easy viewing.
6. Range of clip playlists to chronicle pranks (feat. Jim Halpert, Dwight K. Schrute); best office romances (feat. Jim Halpert, Pam Beesly); and office words of wisdom (feat. former regional manager Michael Scott).
7. The Office Zen, a 24/7 channel of ambient noise devoted to the sights and sounds of the office for anyone working at home.
8. Launch of dedicated Office channels on GIPHY and TikTok, where fans can share the best of Dunder Mifflin.

We're forecasting such high demand because Peacock has decided to make the first two seasons of The Office available for free. The remaining episodes, seasons 3-9, as well as The Office: Superfan Episodes, will be available on Peacock Premium, which is available for $4.99/month. For an ad-free experience of this series, Peacock Premium Plus is $9.99/month. Despite our repeated requests, Dunder Mifflin employees will not receive a discount.

Actor, comedian, musician, and baseball scout David L. Lander, who was best known for his role as Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman in Laverne & Shirley, has died. He died of complications from multiple sclerosis at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, on December 4. Mr. Lander was 73.

Lander's first Hollywood credit was as the voice of Jerry Lewis in the 1970-1971 ABC Filmation animated series Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down. He was the voice of Bob in the 1972 Love, American Style episode "Love and the Old-Fashioned Father", which was the pilot episode of the animated series Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Some of his early sitcom guest appearances included The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, Barney Miller and Viva Valdez.

He co-starred as Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman in the 1976-1983 ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley. Squiggy and his best friend and roommate Leonard "Lenny" Kosnowski (Michael McKean) were Laverne and Shirley's (Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams) screwball neighbors who lived upstairs from the girls' apartment. They worked as truck drivers at the Shotz Brewery planet. Squiggy made nearly every entrance with his trademark "Hello" said in a comically dopey voice. Lander appeared in 156 of the 178 episodes of the series. He also was one of the writers of the episodes "Hi Neighbor" and "Hi Neighbor, Book 2." The cast also included Eddie Mekka, Phil Foster, Betty Garrett (1976-1981), Carole Ita White (1976-1977), Ed Marinaro (1980-1981) and Leslie Easterbrook (1980-1983).

McKean and Lander created the characters of Lenny and Squiggy while both were theater students at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lander also appeared as Squiggy in the 1979 Happy Days episode "Fonzie's Funeral: Part 2." In 1979, McKean and Lander released the album Lenny and the Squigtones in which they performed in character. He appeared in The Laverne & Shirley Reunion special, which aired in 1995. Lander provided the voice of Squiggy in a 2002 episode of The Simpsons.

Lander starred as Valdja Gochktch in the short-lived 1992 ABC sitcom On the Air. Valdja Gochktch was the director of the variety show called The Lester Guy Show that aired on the fictional 1950s TV network Zoblotnick Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). The David Lynch and Mark Frost created and produced series also starred Ian Buchanan, Nancye Ferguson, Gary Grossman, Marla Jeanette Rubinoff, Mavin Kaplan, Mel Johnson Jr., Tracey Walter, Miguel Ferrer and Kim McGuire.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Married with Children, Knight & Daye, Head of the Class, Family Album, Getting By, Family Matters, Dream On, The Nanny, Homeboys in Outer Space, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Mad About You and Arli$$.

He had a recurring role as Elvis Kryzcewski in 14 episodes of the USA Network police drama Pacific Blue from 1996 to 1997. Some of his other television guest appearances included Highway to Heaven, Matlock, Simon & Simon, Father Dowling Mysteries, Monsters, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Freddy's Nightmares, Twin Peaks, L.A. Heat, Nash Bridges, Diagnosis: Murder, Black Scorpion and Raising the Bar.

Lander had an extensive list of voice acting credits. Some of his voice acting roles included Galaxy High, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone, Tom & Jerry Kids, Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills, Jungle Cubs and 101 Dalmatians: The Series. Lander and McKean voiced the characters of the penguin cousins Henry and Louie in 2001-2003 animated series Oswald.

He played a baseball league radio announcer in the 1992 film A League of Their Own, which was directed by Penny Marshall. Some of his other film credits included 1941, Wholly Moses!, Used Cars, The Man with One Red Shoe, Funland, Scary Movie and Christmas with the Kranks. His voice film credits included The Big Bang, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, A Bug's Life, Titan A.E. and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Lander was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on May 15, 1984. He served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and regularly spoke at related conventions. In 2002, his autobiography was published, titled Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn't Tell Nobody, written with Lee Montgomery.

He was an avid fan of baseball, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was once a minority owner of the Portland Beavers minor league baseball team. He worked as a baseball talent scout for the Anaheim Angels starting in 1997. He later worked for the Seattle Mariners.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, and their daughter, Natalie.

Mr. Lander was very funny and memorable in his role as Squiggy. McKean and Lander made a great comedic duo as Lenny and Squiggy. We thank him for the many laughs and hours of entertainment he brought us during his career. He fought a brave battle with multiple sclerosis. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Laverne & Shirley message board. View photos in our galleries.

Fans nostalgic for decades past can travel back in time with the new home renovation series Frozen in Time, streaming on discovery+, Discovery Inc.'s new subscription streaming service, beginning Monday, Jan. 4. Starring Maureen McCormick of The Brady Bunch fame, a collector and nostalgia enthusiast, along with interior designer Dan Vickery, the series will follow the duo as they overhaul Southern California homes that are stuck in a design time warp. Dan will bring the structures up-to-date, while Maureen will source beautiful decade-specific pieces that give the tired homes a refreshed look. Each stunning design will preserve the best of the past with a wink to the original era, providing families with the stylish, functional spaces they need.

During the series, Dan and Maureen will take on a 1961 property in Laguna Beach that acts as a time capsule with its period furnishings, decades old appliances and original shag carpet. Inspired by the home's hilltop location, the duo will rearrange the main floor's layout to capitalize on the gorgeous ocean views. Modern elements with vintage flair, including retro-look appliances, a funky tile backsplash and iconic period light fixtures, round out the breathtaking design. Throughout the season, Maureen and Dan will tackle pastel tiled bathrooms, wood paneled walls and laminate countertops to help families bring their homes into this century.

Fans are invited to connect with the series across the discovery+ digital platforms at discoveryplus.com and via @discoveryplus and #FrozeninTime on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Fans also can connect with Dan and Maureen on Instagram at @dan_vickery and @momccormick7.

As we mentioned a few months back, Nick at Nite has acquired the rights to Young Sheldon. The comedy series will begin airing this Monday (Nov. 30). The first night it will air from 9pm-12am, before settling into the every night from 9pm-10:30pm slot leading into a night of Friends from 10:30pm-5am. Mom will air from 5am-6am and Nick at Nite concludes with a half-hour of Full House at 6am. Young Sheldon will also have a marathon on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9pm-5:30am.

In the single camera, half-hour comedy Young Sheldon, viewers get the chance to meet the iconic, eccentric and extraordinary Sheldon Cooper in childhood in East Texas, as the young once-in-a-generation mind (series star Iain Armitage) embarks on his innocent, awkward and hopeful journey toward the man he will become in The Big Bang Theory. In addition to Armitage, Young Sheldon stars Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Montana Jordan, and Raegan Revord, with Annie Potts (Ghostbusters) and Jim Parsons, who narrates as the voice of Sheldon. Created by Chuck Lorre & Steven Molaro, the series is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Pluto TV once again added more 24/7 free channels to its lineup. As of November 24, Pluto TV added six more channels to its platform, adding over 60 seasons of classic TV series. Here are the throwback shows you'll find on Pluto TV as of earlier this week:

Garry Marshall
Ayyyy! Flashback to simpler (and funnier) times with the 24/7 channel that brings you three classic sitcoms created by the legendary Garry Marshall. Titles on this channel will include: Happy Days (11 seasons), Laverne & Shirley (8 seasons), and Mork & Mindy (4 seasons).

Wings
Welcome to Nantucket and thank you for choosing Sandpiper Air. Watch Tim Daly, Steven Weber, Crystal Bernard, Thomas Haden Church, and Tony Shaloub in the hit sitcom from the creators of Cheers, 24 hours a day (8 seasons).

Family Ties
The Emmy-winning sitcom that defined the '80s and made Michael J. Fox a superstar is now streaming on Pluto TV all day, every day. Also starring Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross, Justine Bateman, and Tina Yothers (7 seasons).

The Love Boat
Come aboard, we're expecting you. The crew of the S.S. Pacific Princess is here for you and their all-star passengers 24 hours a day on the one channel that brings you the iconic TV classic (9 seasons).

The Beverly Hillbillies
Y'all come back now to the original fish-out-of-water sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies! Watch Jed, Granny, Jethro, and Elly May in the classic comedy, now available any time of day on their own channel (9 seasons).

Mission: Impossible
Your mission, if you choose to accept it: watch a channel dedicated to the original '60s spy thriller series starring Peter Graves, Martin Landau, and Leonard Nimoy. And it won’t self-destruct in five seconds (7 seasons).

One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock, rock... Get ready to rock with Fonzie and the gang all over again! Happy Days is here again and back on MeTV Network. On Sundays in the Summer of Me, two full hours of the beloved sitcom (2-3pm and 4-5pm) are joined by Laverne & Shirley (3-4pm) and Mama's Family (5-6pm), beginning at 2PM | 1C. And that's not all - Happy Days joins the weeknight lineup at 6:30PM | 5:30C, following The Flintstones. The Summer of Me kicks off on Monday, June 1. Be sure to start from the very beginning to see how these shows evolved from their premieres. Other changes: The Powers of Matthew Star flies into Sunday mornings at 6AM | 5C. Peter Barton starred alongside Lou Gossett, Jr., in this 1982 superhero series. The rarely aired one-hour episodes of The Twilight Zone from season four (1963) arrive to chill you in summer nights every Sunday at 12AM | 11C. View the full Summer of Me schedule that begins June 1!

FXX's critically acclaimed hit comedy series Dave has been renewed for a second season, which will bow in 2021. The recently concluded first season of Dave is FX Networks' most-watched comedy series ever with an average episodic audience of 5.32 million Total Viewers to-date across linear, VOD and streaming, and that number is growing. The total audience for DAVE tops the previous FX record holder Atlanta, which averaged 5.2 million Total Viewers on all platforms in its first season. The complete 10-episode first season is available for streaming FX on Hulu.

Based on the life of rapper and comedian Dave Burd, a.k.a Lil Dicky, FXX's Dave is centered on a neurotic man in his late twenties who has convinced himself that he's destined to be one of the best rappers of all time. Now he must convince his closest friends, because with their help, he actually might convince the world. The series stars Dave Burd ("Dave"), Taylor Misiak ("Ally"), Andrew Santino ("Mike"), GaTa ("GaTa"), Travis Bennett ("Elz") and Christine Ko ("Emma"). The first season has also featured notable guest stars including Justin Bieber, Young Thug, Trippie Redd and Kourtney Kardashian. 

MeTV proudly presents "The Month of Mayberry," a month-long celebration of all the memorable television series featuring Mayberry and its beloved characters. During this special event, viewers can tune-in to see specially selected episodes of The Andy Griffith Show (including rare color episodes), the beloved spin-off Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and the spin-off series Mayberry R.F.D., along with the made-for-TV reunion movie Return to Mayberry. And that's not all...check out guest appearances by Don Knotts on Matlock, Jim Nabors on The Carol Burnett Show, all your fave Mayberry actors on The Love Boat, and more! See the full details below:

Kickoff:
Sunday, May 3 - Premiere episodes and pilots!
The Andy Griffith Show "The New Housekeeper" 5PM | 4C
The Andy Griffith Show "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." 5:30PM | 4:30C
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. "Gomer Overcomes the Obstacle Course" 6PM | 5C
Mayberry R.F.D. "Andy and Helen Get Married" 6:30PM | 5:30C

Week 1: May 4–10
Weekdays, May 4–8
The Andy Griffith Show - The Color Years "The Best of the Color Episodes" 7AM | 6C
Mayberry R.F.D. "The Best of Mayberry R.F.D." 7:30AM | 6:30C
Matlock "Special Guest Don Knotts" 10AM | 9C
The Andy Griffith Show "All About Andy" - The Best of Sheriff Andy Taylor 8PM | 7C, 8:30PM | 7:30C
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. "The Best of Gomer" 9PM | 8C
The Carol Burnett Show "Special Guest Jim Nabors" 11PM | 10C

Sunday, May 10
The Love Boat 5PM | 4C "Crew Confessions / Haven't I Seen You? / Reunion" Don Knotts romances Julie Newmar!
The Love Boat 6PM | 6C "Hidden Treasure/Picture from the Past/Ace's Salary" Andy Griffith sets sail with...Andy Warhol!

Week 2: May 11–17
Weekdays, May 11–15
The Andy Griffith Show - The Color Years "The Best of the Color Episodes" 7AM | 6C
Mayberry R.F.D. "The Best of Mayberry R.F.D." 7:30AM | 6:30C
Matlock "Special Guest Don Knotts" 10AM | 9C
The Andy Griffith Show "The Fife Is Right" - The Best of Barney Fife 8PM | 7C, 8:30PM | 7:30C
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. "Jim Nabors Sings" 9PM | 8C
The Carol Burnett Show "Special Guests Ken Berry and Ronnie Schell" 11PM | 10C

Sunday, May 17
The Love Boat 5PM | 4C "Farnsworth's Fling / Three in a Bed / I Remember Helen / Merrill, Melanie & Melanesia / Gopher Farnsworth Smith (Part 1)" Jim Nabors plays Wayne Bouton, the Valet.
The Love Boat 6PM | 5C "Farnsworth's Fling / Three in a Bed / I Remember Helen / Merrill, Melanie & Melanesia / Gopher Farnsworth Smith (Part 2)" Jim Nabors plays Wayne Bouton, the Valet.

Week 3: May 18–24
Weekdays, May 18–22
The Andy Griffith Show - The Color Years "The Best of the Color Episodes" 7AM | 6C
Mayberry R.F.D. "The Best of Mayberry R.F.D." 7:30AM | 6:30C
Matlock "Special Guest Don Knotts" 10AM | 9C
The Andy Griffith Show "Opie Dokie" - The Best of Ron Howard's Opie Taylor 8PM | 7C, 8:30PM | 7:30C
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. "Guest Stars Week" 9PM | 8C

Sunday, May 24
The Love Boat 5PM | 4C "Tony and Julie / Separate Beds / America's Sweetheart" Gomer Pyle's Ronnie Schell portrays Mr. Scott, the Director.
The Love Boat 6PM | 5C "Third Wheel / Grandmother's Day / Second String Mom" Mayberry R.F.D.'s Ken Berry sets sails on the Pacific Princess.

Week 4: May 25–31
Weekdays, May 25–29
The Andy Griffith Show - The Color Years "The Best of the Color Episodes" 7AM | 6C
Mayberry R.F.D. "The Best of Mayberry R.F.D." 7:30AM | 6:30C
Matlock "Featuring Mayberry Favorites Betty Lynn, Aneta Corsaut and Jack Dodson" 10AM | 9C
The Andy Griffith Show "The Bee Team" - The Best of Aunt Bee, Otis, Ernest, Gomer and Goober 8PM | 7C, 8:30PM | 7:30C
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. "Favorite Characters" 9PM | 8C

Sunday, May 31
Return to Mayberry (1986) 5PM | 4C The cast comes back together again for this charming reunion special.

In a one-of-a-kind, heartfelt tribute to a Hollywood legend, the stars of some of TV and film's most iconic titles, including Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries, come together to celebrate The Happy Days of Garry Marshall, airing Tuesday, May 12 from 8:00–10:00 p.m. EDT on ABC. In this special, Marshall's family and friends share their favorite memories of the creative genius behind some of the most memorable series in television history. It was 1974 when Marshall created his first series for ABC and introduced America to "The Cunninghams." Each week, millions gathered around the television set for Happy Days, shared in the hilarious hijinks of Laverne DeFazio and her best friend, Shirley Feeney, on Laverne & Shirley, and witnessed the "out-of-this-world" adventures of a Martian named Mork on “Mork & Mindy.”

Not only was Marshall a force in television, he directed a wide range of critically acclaimed feature films including Pretty Woman, Beaches, Runaway Bride and The Princess Diaries, creating countless memories for generations around the world. Join stars Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo and Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman); Ron Howard, Don Most, Marion Ross, Anson Williams and Henry Winkler (Happy Days); Cindy Williams, David Lander and Michael McKean (Laverne & Shirley); Pam Dawber (Mork & Mindy); Barbara Hershey (Beaches); and Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine (The Princess Diaries) for an evening full of laughs and heartfelt memories about a man who put family first and spent his life and career making us laugh.

Additional appearances in The Happy Days of Garry Marshall include ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and actors Abigail Breslin, Yvette Nicole Brown, Cary Elwes, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Lowe and John Stamos, as well as Marshall's wife, Barbara, and their children Scott, Kathleen and Lori, who share never-before-heard stories about Marshall, including a look back at the start of his career in Hollywood. Tune in Tuesday, May 12! 

Actress, director and producer Penny Marshall, who starred as Laverne DeFazio in Laverne & Shirley, has died. She died in Los Angeles from complications of diabetes on December 17. Ms. Marshall was 75.

Marshall's early sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, Love, American Style, Barefoot in the Park, Getting Together, The Super and The Bob Newhart Show. Her early drama guest appearances included My Friend Tony, Then Came Bronson, The Magical World of Disney and Banacek.

She appeared in the recurring role of Myrna Turner, Oscar Madison's secretary, in 27 episodes of The Odd Couple on ABC from 1972 to 1974. It was developed and executive produced by her brother, Garry Marshall. The cast included Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Al Molinaro, Garry Walberg and Larry Gelman. She reprised the role in the 1993 CBS TV movie The Odd Couple: Together Again.

Marshall starred as Janice Dreyfuss in the short lived 1974-1975 CBS sitcom Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers. Janice was Charlie's affection-starved wife who constantly mocked Robert for his romantic failures. The series also starred Paul Sand, Michael Pataki, Dick Wesson, Steve Landesberg, Craig Richard Nelson and Jack Gilford.

She first appeared as Laverne DeFazio in the November 11, 1975, episode of Happy Days titled A Date with Fonzie. Laverne and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams) were a pair of wise-cracking brewery workers, who were dates for Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Richie (Ron Howard). After the success of their appearance, Garry Marshall decided to create a spin-off series for them.

Marshall starred as Laverne DeFazio for 8 seasons and 178 episodes on Laverne & Shirley on ABC from 1976 to 1983. Laverne and Shirley were two friends and roommates who worked as bottle-cappers in the fictitious Shotz Brewery in late 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Laverne was a tough-talking tomboy who grew up in Brooklyn. Her favorite drink was milk and pepsi. She was known for the script letter "L" monogrammed on her shirts and sweaters. The series also starred Eddie Mekka, Phil Foster, David L. Lander, Michael McKean, Betty Garrett (1976-1981), Carole Ita White (1976-1977), Ed Marinaro (1980-1981) and Leslie Easterbrook (1980-1983).

She received three nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for her role. Marshall appeared as Laverne in five other episodes of Happy Days, one episode of Blansky's Beauties and the pilot episode of Mork & Mindy. She voiced the character in the animated series Laverne & Shirley in the Army and the Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour.

Marshall directed four episodes of Laverne & Shirley. Some of her other sitcom directing credits included Working Stiffs, A League of Their Own, According to Jim and United States of Tara.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Chico and the Man, Good Heavens, Taxi, I'm with Her, Entourage, Campus Ladies, The Game, Sam & Cat (reunited with Cindy Williams), Mulaney and The Odd Couple (2016). She had voice credits for The Simpsons, Frasier and The Life & Times of Tim.

She appeared in many TV movies including The Feminist and the Fuzz, Evil Roy Slade, The Crooked Hearts, The Couple Takes a Wife, Let's Switch!, Wives, More Than Friends (with Rob Reiner), Love Thy Neighbor (with John Ritter), Challenge of a Lifetime, Jackie's Back! and Women Without Men. Some of her film credits included The Savage Seven, How Sweet It Is!, The Grasshopper, Movers & Shakers, Hocus Pocus, The Hard Way and Alice Upside Down.

Marshall also had much success as film director. She made her directorial debut in 1986 with Jumpin' Jack Flash. In 1988, Big became the first film directed by a woman to gross more than $100 million at the U.S. box office. Her other film directing credits included Awakenings (1990, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture), A League of Their Own (1995), Renaissance Man (1994), The Preacher's Wife (1996) and Riding in Cars with Boys (2001). She worked as executive producer on Awakenings, A League of Their Own, Calendar Girl, Renaissance Man, Cinderella and Bewitched.

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on August 7, 2013.

Ms. Marshall was in a league of her own as an actress and director. She was very funny and memorable with her physical comedy and delivery of lines in her iconic role as Laverne. We thank her for the many laughs and hours of entertainment she brought us during her long career. It's sad that we've lost the brother and sister duo of Garry and Penny in the last two years. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on our Laverne & Shirley message board. View photos in our galleries.

MeTV Network pays tribute to the career and comedy of beloved actress and director Penny Marshall with a special presentation of Laverne & Shirley episodes airing on MeTV this Sunday, December 23 beginning at 2:00pm ET/PT through 6:00pm ET/PT. In a March 2015 interview with MeTV, Marshall shared her favorite Laverne & Shirley episodes. As a tribute to her enduring character Laverene DeFazio, MeTV has scheduled six of these memorable episodes, along with two special holiday-themed episodes, to create a special four-hour afternoon celebration of memorable and hilarious comedy for the whole family. Episodes airing from 2-6pm are: 2:00pm-2:30pm: "Fakeout at the Stakeout," "Bridal Shower," "Guinea Pigs," "Steppin' Out," "Airport '59," "Supermarket Sweep," "Christmas Eve at the Booby Hatch," and "Oh, Come All Ye Bums."

Conan O'Brien debuts new 30-minute format show starting January 22 for Conan, ushering in a new era of multi-platform comedy with Team Coco. The longest-tenured host in late-night will return for his ninth season on TBS and 26th year on television, debuting a new thirty-minute format four nights a week in its regular timeslot starting on January 22, 2019 at 11pm. The revamped late-night show and expanded Team Coco fan experience will define a new era in multi-platform comedy. The show's new format will continue to feature celebrity guests and Conan's signature brand of comedy, which has made him one of the world's most popular hosts across both digital and linear platforms. Conan continues to evolve the genre by challenging conventions, taking creative risks and discovering and fostering new comedic talent.

Are you ho-ho-hoping to see some Christmas episodes this season? Have we got an overstuffed sack of presents for you. For seven weeks, MeTV will present three hours of holiday episodes every Sunday, from 5PM-8PM Eastern time for their annual "A Very Merry MeTV" 2018. You'll see favorites like ALF, The Jeffersons, The Facts of Life, Diff'rent Strokes, The Love Boat and even the TV movie A Very Brady Christmas. The full Sunday holiday line-up is below!

Sunday, November 11, 2018
5:00pm The Jeffersons-Father Christmas
5:30pm The Facts Of Life-It's A Wonderful Christmas
6pm-8pm Little House on The Prairie-Bless All the Dear Children

Sunday, November 18, 2018
5:00pm Diff'rent Strokes-Thanksgiving Crossover 1
5:30pm Diff'rent Strokes-Thanksgiving Crossover 2
6:00pm The Love Boat-Man Of The Cloth
7:00pm M*A*S*H-Yalu Brick Road
7:30pm WKRP In Cincinnati-Turkey's Away

Sunday, November 25, 2018
5:00pm The Jeffersons-The Christmas Wedding
5:30pm The Jeffersons-All I Want for Christmas
6pm-8pm The Ed Sullivan Show-Holiday Greetings

Sunday, December 2, 2018
5:00pm The Jeffersons-984 W 124th Street Apt 5C
5:30pn The Jeffersons-George Finds a Father
6pm-8pm A Very Brady Christmas

Sunday, December 9, 2018
5:00pm ALF-ALF's Special Christmas 1
5:30pm ALF-ALF's Special Christmas 2
6:00pm The Love Boat-The Christmas Presence
7:00pm M*A*S*H-Dear Sis
7:30pm M*A*S*H-Twas The Day After Christmas

Sunday, December 16, 2018
5:00pm Happy Days-Guess Who's Coming To Christmas
5:30pm Happy Days-Christmas Time
6:00pm The Love Boat-The Christmas Cruise 1
7:00pm The Love Boat-The Christmas Cruise 2

Sunday, December 23, 2018
5:00pm Laverne & Shirley-Christmas Eve at Booby Hatch
5:30pm Laverne & Shirley-Oh, Come All Ye Bums
6:00pm The Love Boat-Santa, Santa, Santa
7:00pm M*A*S*H-Dear Dad
7:30pm M*A*S*H-Death Takes a Holiday

Netflix has picked up BoJack Horseman for a 6th season! Will Arnett voices BoJack, the failed legendary 90's sitcom star from the favorite family sitcom Horsin' Around, who has been trying to find his way through a muddle of self-loathing, whisky and failed relationships. Now, in the presence of his human sidekick Todd (Aaron Paul) and his feline agent and ex-paramour Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), BoJack is primed for his comeback...

Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. The series is Executive Produced by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Steven A. Cohen and Noel Bright. Will Arnett (The Millers, Arrested Development) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) also serve as Executive Producers. BoJack was designed by graphic artist Lisa Hanawalt and is animated by LA-based ShadowMachine. The show is a Tornante Production, brought to life by Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company. BoJack Horseman Season 5 premiered on Netflix on September 14, 2018.

Celebrate the holiday season with a stocking full of TV treats as MeTV wishes everyone "A Very Merry MeTV." The family television event will feature a collection of holiday-themed TV classics that bring home the gift of timeless and festive comedies, westerns and dramas. "A Very Merry MeTV" also includes a special holiday episode of the original MacGyver, which will join MeTV's weekday schedule in December. "A Very Merry MeTV will air on MeTV Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00 pm ET/PT, beginning Sunday, November 27, and continuing through Christmas, Sunday, December 25. Everyone is invited to celebrate the holidays with these merry and memorable MeTV programs and episodes.

This special event will present series that are familiar to the MeTV audience, as well as shows not currently on their schedule. Families and fans can enjoy offerings from such current MeTV series as The Brady Bunch, The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Happy Days, Gilligan's Island, Mister Ed, The Love Boat and Laverne & Shirley. Newer series specially presented in "A Very Merry MeTV" include MacGyver, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Touched By An Angel, and Family. It's going to be four very Merry MeTV Sundays beginning Nov. 27! Tune in!

The CW has set its midseason schedule, including the series premiere of the highly-anticipated new drama Riverdale, and the returns of The 100, Reign, The Originals and iZombie. In addition, DC's Legends of Tomorrow moves to its new night on Tuesday, January 24 at 9:00pm ET/PT, paired with The CW's #1 series The Flash. On Thursday, January 26, Supernatural returns from its winter hiatus at its new time at 8:00pm ET/PT, followed by the series debut of The CW's new drama Riverdale at 9:00pm ET/PT, a surprising and subversive take based on the iconic characters from Archie Comics. The 100 is back Wednesday, February 1 at 9:00pm ET/PT, paired with Arrow at 8. Reign returns for its fourth season Friday, February 10 at 9:00pm ET/PT. With The Vampire Diaries concluding after eight seasons on Friday, March 10, The Originals will return on Friday, March 17 at 8:00pm ET/PT.

The season finale of DC's Legends of Tomorrow is set for Tuesday, March 28, and iZombie will make its season three debut with back-to-back new episodes on Tuesday, April 4 at 8:00pm and 9:00pm ET/PT, before moving to its regularly scheduled time period after The Flash on April 11. The season finale of No Tomorrow will air Tuesday, January 17 at 9:00pm ET, with the season finale of Frequency set for the following week Wednesday, January 25 at 9:00pm ET/PT. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend wraps up its second season run on Friday, February 3 at 9:00pm ET/PT.

CBS is paying tribute to Garry Marshall on an episode of The Odd Couple next week. The special tribute episode to the late television and film legend Garry Marshall features actors from his hit television shows, including Ron Howard, Marion Ross, Anson Williams and Don Most from Happy Days, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams from Laverne & Shirley, and Pam Dawber from Mork & Mindy. In the episode, Oscar (Matthew Perry) reconnects with many significant people from his father's life when he agrees to carry out Walter's last request to spread his ashes behind the candy factory he once owned, on The Odd Couple airing Monday, Nov. 7 at 9:30 PM ET/PT, on the CBS Television Network. The special tribute episode to the late television and film legend Garry Marshall, who served as executive consultant on the current series, features actors from his hit television shows, as we mentioned above. This episode should be an episode to remember, so tune in!

As we first mentioned many months ago, LAFF has acquired Roseanne...but now it is finally on the air! Roseanne Barr and her television family the Conners are back on broadcast television as one of the most-popular shows of all-time – Roseanne – premiered on the LAFF television network Oct. 30 and 31. Laff celebrated the launch of the show with a 12-hour, 24-episode Roseanne Marathon on Sun. Oct. 30 featuring the complete first season of the series in consecutive order, beginning with the pilot episode at 1:00 p.m. ET. LAFF then handed out Roseanne's tricks and treats on Oct. 31, presenting all seven of the show's classic Halloween-themed episodes in a primetime party starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. After the two-day event, Roseanne will be seen on LAFF Mon. – Sat. nights from 9:00-11:00 p.m. starting today (Tuesday, Nov. 1). Rated as one of the greatest shows of all-time by TV Guide, Roseanne was the most-watched television show in the United States in the late 1980s and early '90s and was a top five show for the majority of its run on ABC. Starring comedienne Roseanne Barr, who won an EMMY for her performance, the show revolved around a blue collar Illinois family struggling to get by. John Goodman (Multiple EMMY nominations), Laurie Metcalf (Several EMMY wins) and Sara Gilbert also star.

Tribute marathons are set for the late great Garry Marshall, with Cloo and AMC among the first networks to announce special marathons. In memory of Garry Marshall, CLOO will air an all-day, 24-hour marathon on Saturday, July 23 beginning at 6am featuring his sitcom classics. Airing are: The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy. First up is The Odd Couple from 6-9am, followed by Happy Days from 9am-12pm, Laverne & Shirley from 12-3pm, Mork & Mindy from 3-6pm, more The Odd Couple from 6-9pm, more Happy Days from 9pm-12am, more Laverne & Shirley from 12-3pm and more Mork & Mindy from 3-6pm. This will be a true marathon with no encores, so watch each airing!

AMC will pay tribute to Garry Marshall who passed away this week with back-to-back airings of Pretty Woman tonight (Thursday, July 21) beginning at 8:00 PM ET/PT. AMC is currently the exclusive home of the film. An American actor, director, producer, writer, voice artist, and comedian Garry Marshall's notable credits included creating the hit television series Happy Days, Mork and Mindy and Laverne and Shirley, developing The Odd Couple for television, and directing Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve, Mother's Day, The Princess Diaries, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, among many others. A special "AMC Remembers" slate will introduce each airing. Stay with us for continued updates, if and when more TV networks add tributes.

REELZ announced the two-hour documentary special Robin Williams: Behind Closed Doors which gives viewers an intimate look at his life from his childhood in the suburbs of Chicago to small comedy clubs in Los Angeles, his breakthrough role on the TV show Happy Days as Mork from Ork and his big screen triumphs. While he may have been one of the funniest people in Hollywood, beneath the joy Williams waged a battle with inner demons. Produced by NBC News' Peacock Productions and hosted by Natalie Morales, West Coast anchor of NBC News' TODAY show, Robin Williams: Behind Closed Doors premieres Sunday, August 28 at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT. The special will uncover some of Williams' troubling times but will also reveal some surprising and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from some of his biggest movies including Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire and Aladdin along with interviews from those who personally knew and worked with Williams including Mork & Mindy creator, the late Garry Marshall, and co-star Jay Thomas, Aladdin co-star Scott Weinger, fellow comic Margaret Cho and many more.

Capitalizing on the vast offerings of NBC News historical archives, Robin Williams: Behind Closed Doors features several interviews with Williams throughout his career talking about everything from his own take on his wild comedic style to his deeply personal commitment to helping people in need and his career success with four Oscar(R) nominations and a win for his role in Good Will Hunting.

MeTV is proud to welcome actress Dawn Wells aboard as the first ever MeTV Marketing Ambassador. Famous and beloved for her role as Mary Ann on the TV series Gilligan's Island, Ms. Wells now sets sail to represent MeTV on the air and around the country to her many fans and MeTV viewers. More than just a "three hour tour," Dawn Wells will serve as the MeTV Marketing Ambassador for the coming year, bringing her talent, warmth and generous spirit to a variety of MeTV appearances, performances and events. First up, Dawn will be the on-camera network hostess for The Summer of Me, MeTV's annual programming event that brings a splash of summer sizzle to their Memorable Entertainment Television lineup. To celebrate, Gilligan's Island joins the weeknight comedy lineup at 9:30pm ET/PT, beginning Monday, May 30, Memorial Day. Viewers will find Dawn featured in special promotional announcements, tune-in advertisements and clever interstitial elements all around the network. Unlike her TV character Mary Ann, Dawn won't be stranded on a remote island. As MeTV Marketing Ambassador, Dawn will be traveling the country making personal appearances visiting MeTV affiliates and advertisers, and appearing on TV, radio, online and in print, all to help fans of all ages connect with MeTV.

The changes to the MeTV schedule for The Summer of Me starting on Monday, May 30, 2016, Memorial Day are below:

· The Lucy Show replaces I Love Lucy Monday-Friday at 6:30am ET/PT. I Love Lucy remains on Sundays from 4:00- 5:00pm ET/PT.
· Mayberry R.F.D. replaces Gilligan's Island as the cover show on the B-Feed for those stations that can't air The Andy Griffith Show Monday-Friday from 8:00-9:00pm ET/PT.
· Gilligan's Island replaces Laverne & Shirley Monday-Friday at 9:30pm ET/PT, as mentioned above.
· Emergency replaces F Troop on Sundays from 7:00-8:00am ET/PT.

At the Hulu Upfront Presentation at Madison Square Garden Theater, the premium on-demand streaming service announced that its subscriber base has grown over 30% year over year and will reach 12 million subscribers in the U.S. by this month. They unveiled new content deals and ground breaking advertising partnerships with Nielsen and Millward Brown that will deliver more efficient, first-to-market measurement tools for advertisers and marketers. Since its premiere on Hulu in March, The Path has drawn acclaim from critics and fans. Stars Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy took to the stage at Hulu's Upfront presentation today to reveal that Hulu has officially greenlit the series for a second season order. The series follows a family at the center of a controversial cult as they struggle with relationships, faith and power. The finale episode of season one will air May 25 and all past episodes are available to stream on Hulu.

After ordering season four of The Mindy Project, the comedy series from best-selling Author and Creator Mindy Kaling has continued to garner acclaim and captivate fans on Hulu. They have now announced that Hulu has officially picked up the series for a fifth season. The Mindy Project is a single-camera comedy series created by and starring Emmy(R)-nominated writer/producer and New York Times best-selling author Mindy Kaling that follows a skilled OB/GYN navigating choppy waters of both her personal and professional life. In addition, Hulu announced a second election special from Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog that will debut exclusively on the service later this year. Following the success of Triumph's Election Special 2016, Robert Smigel will return as the voice and creator of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog for a brand new special that will be premiere just in time for the election. Triumph's Election Special, The Mindy Project and The Path join Hulu's growing original programming slate, which includes drama series Shut Eye, Chance and The Handmaid's Tale.