SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Remembering John Lawlor, Michelle Trachtenberg, Lynne Marie Stewart, Alice Hirson, Isaac Ruiz Jr., and Others We Lost in February

Actor John Lawlor, who starred as Leonard Marsh in Phyllis and as Steven Bradley in The Facts of Life, has died. He died in Albuquerque, New Mexico on February 13. Mr. Lawlor was 83.

Lawlor starred as Leonard Marsh in the second season (1976-1977) of the CBS sitcom Phyllis. Leonard Marsh is a politician who works in the same office as Dan Valenti (Carmine Caridi) and Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman). Leonard is sometimes extremely dim, but is able to good look on camera and give a quotable soundbite. Lawlor guest starred as Officer Hale in the first season episode "Crazy Mama". The season two cast included Henry Jones, Jane Rose, Lisa Gerritsen, Judith Lowry, Garn Stephens, Burt Mustin (1976), and Craig Wasson (1977).

He starred as Steven Bradley in the first season (1979-1980) of the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life. Mr. Bradley is Eastland's headmaster. Mr. Bradley was succeeded as headmaster by the seldom-seen Mr. Harris (Kenneth Mars) and then by Mr. Charles Parker (Roger Perry) in the third season until the beginning of the fifth season. The season one cast included Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Jenny O'Hara (1979), Felice Schacter, Julie Piekarski, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Alice, Barney Miller, A New Kind of Family, Condo, Newhart, Sledge Hammer!, She's the Sheriff, and Mr. Belvedere.

Lawlor played Walter Talbert in four episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful from 1988 to 1989. He guest starred in four episodes of Knots Landing from 1992 to 1993. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Rockford Files, Ellery Queen, Joe Forrester, Black Sheep Squadron, Here's Boomer, T.J. Hooker, Simon & Simon, Stingray, Highway to Heaven (2 episodes), The New Lassie, L.A. Law, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Cold Case, In Plain Sight, Scoundrels (3 episodes), Breaking Bad, Longmire, and Graves. His final credits were as Elmer Knowland in four episodes of the 2017 Netflix western miniseries Godless.

In a 1980s TV commercial for Malt-O-Meal hot cereal, he played a father telling his son's invisible friend that Malt-O-Meal was, "Good stuff, Maynard!" a line which became a popular phrase.

Mr. Lawlor was a solid and dependable chracter actor. We thank him for his work on Phyllis, The Facts of Life, and his other television roles. He will be greatly missed.

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who starred as Nona F. Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete, has died. She died on February 26 in her Manhattan apartment. The cause of death is undetermined. Ms. Trachtenberg was only 39.

Trachtenberg made her television debut in her first credited role as Nona F. Mecklenberg in the Nickelodeon sitcom The Adventures of Pete & Pete. She had a recurring role in 14 episodes in seasons two and three (1994-1996). Nona F. Mecklenberg is Little Pete's (Danny Tamberelli) best friend. James "Pop" Mecklenberg (Iggy Pop) is Nona's loving and occasionally overprotective dad. The series also starred Michael Maronna, Hardy Rawls, Judy Grafe, Alison Fanelli, and Toby Huss.

She starred as Maggie Parker in the short-lived 1997 CBS sitcom Meego. The series starred Bronson Pinchot in the title role as an alien masquerading as a human being who, after his spaceship crashlands on Earth, unexpectedly becomes the nanny to a single father's (Ed Begley Jr. as Dr. Edward Parker) three children: Trip (Will Estes, played by Erik von Detten in the pilot), Maggie and Alex Parker (Jonathan Lipnicki). In 1997, she won a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series – Supporting Young Actress for the role.

Trachtenberg's first credited television role was as Elsie Soaperstein in a 1993 episode of Clarissa Explains It All. She guest starred on Dave's World in 1996 and Guys Like Us in 1998.

She starred as Dawn Summers, the younger sister of Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), in The WB and UPN supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 2000 to 2003. Dawn Summers is introduced in season five ("Buffy vs. Dracula"). The role won her another Young Artist Award in 2001 and earned her three Saturn Award nominations.

Trachtenberg had a recurring role as Georgina Sparks in 28 episodes of The CW teen drama Gossip Girl from 2008 to 2012. Georgina Sparks is a troublesome schemer and Serena van der Woodsen's (Blake Lively) former friend. In 2022, she reprised her role as Georgina Sparks in the second season of the HBO revival of Gossip Girl.

She starred as Chloe Payne in the 2009-2010 NBC medical drama Mercy. She played Lily Montgomary in three episodes of All My Children in 1994. Some of her other television credits included Space Cases, Six Feet Under (4 episodes), House, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Love Bites (3 episodes), Weeds (5 episodes as Emma Karlin), Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Sleepy Hollow (2 episodes).

Trachtenberg's film career began in 1996 with the title role in Harriet the Spy. Some of her other film credits included Inspector Gadget (1999), EuroTrip (2004), Mysterious Skin (2004), Ice Princess (2005), Black Christmas (2006), and 17 Again (2009).

Ms. Trachtenberg was a talented and versatile young actress. She had a lot of success with many roles in her career. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

Actress Lynne Marie Stewart, who had a recurring role as Bonnie Kelly in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has died. She died in Los Angeles on February 21 from cancer, which was found near her liver and gallbladder. Ms. Stewart was 78.

Stewart starred as Joy Bellini in the short-lived 1978 CBS sitcom Husbands, Wives & Lovers. Created by Joan Rivers, the series focused on the relationships of five suburban couples living in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. Joy Bellini is married to Harry Bellini (Eddie Barth), a blue-collar self-made man who owns a fleet of garbage trucks. The series also starred JEsse Welles, Ron Rifkin, Stephen Pearlman, Cynthia Harris, Mark Lonow, Randee Heller, Charles Siebert, and Claudette Nevins.

She had a recurring role as Bonnie Kelly, Charlie Kelly's (Charlie Day) mother, in 18 episodes of the FX/FXX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia from 2005 to 2023. Bonnie Kelly is a sweet and timid woman who is attracted to cruel men.

Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included Madame's Place (2 episodes), One Day at a Time, Laverne & Shirley (7 episodes as various chracters), The Duck Factory (1990), The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Herman's Head, Hope & Gloria, Dream On, Suddenly Susan, Caroline in the City, Alright Already, Almost Perfect, Working, and The Brian Benben Show.

Some of her 2000s and later sitcom guest appearances included Spin City, The Brothers Garcia, Son of the Beach (11 episodes), According to Jim, Arrested Development, Significant Others (2 episodes), Curb Your Enthusiasm, Austin & Ally, Good Luck Charlie, Benched, 2 Broke Girls (2 episodes), Nobodies (2 episodes), and The Cool Kids. She was an audience member (the lady in the frumpy dress with the glasses) in 31 episodes of the comedy show Night Stand with Dick Dietrick from 1995 to 1996.

She provided Shirley's voice in the Saturday morning cartoon Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour and Laverne & Shirley in the Army. Some of her other voice credits included The Richie Rich/Scooby-Doo Show, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, and Life with Louie (6 episodes).

Stewart was widely known for her performance as Miss Yvonne, "the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppet Land", in the 1986-1990 CBS children's series Pee-wee's Playhouse. She originated the role in the 1981 stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show. She continued it in the 2010 Los Angeles stage revival and the Broadway production, which opened in November 2010 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

Ms. Stewart was a funny and memorable actress. She was a familiar face in many sitcoms. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment. She will be sorely missed.

Actress Alice Hirson, who had a recurring role as Lois Morgan in Ellen, has died. She died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles on February 14. Ms. Hirson was 95.

Hirson starred as Nana in the short-lived 1992 NBC sitcom Home Fires. Nana is Anne Kramer's (Kate Burton) busybody mother who drove everyone crazy. The series also starred Michael Brandon, Nicole Eggert, Jarrad Paul, Tyagi Schwartz, and Norman Lloyd.

She had a recurring role as Claire Tanner in three episodes of the ABC sitcom Full House in 1987. Granny Tanny is Danny's (Bob Saget) mother. She helped Danny raise the girls in the first few months after the death of Danny's wife, Pam, prior to Jesse and Joey moving into the house. Claire Tanner was later played by Doris Roberts in a 1990 episode.

Hirson had a recurring role as Lois Morgan in 28 episodes of the 1994-1998 ABC sitcom Ellen. Lois is Ellen Inez Morgan's (Ellen DeGeneres) mother. Lois spends much of her time nosing and interfering in Ellen's life. Before Ellen comes out of the closet, Lois is obsessed with finding Ellen a husband.

Some of her sitcom guest appeances included Maude, The Ropers, Barney Miller, Taxi, Foley Square, Dear John, Murphy Brown (3 episodes), and Just Shoot Me!.

She appeared as Marsha Davis in 43 episodes of the NBC soap opera Another World in 1970. She played Eileen Riley Siegel in 59 episodes of the ABC soap opera One Life to Live from 1972 to 1976. In 1982, she appeared as Mrs. Van Gelder in four episodes of General Hospital. She had a recurring role as Mavis Anderson, friend and confidante of Miss Ellie Ewing (Barbara Bel Geddes), in 26 episodes of the CBS prime time soap opera Dallas from 1982 to 1988.

Ms. Hirson was funny as Ellen's mother. We thank her for her work as sitcom moms. She will be deeply missed.

Actor Isaac Ruiz Jr., who had a recurring role as Mando in Chico and the Man, has died. He died in his home in Los Angeles on February 10. He was recently diagnosed with terminal acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Mr. Ruiz was 81.

Ruiz had a recurring role as Mando, Chico's friend, in seven episodes of the 1974-1978 NBC sitcom Chico and the Man. The series stars Jack Albertson as Ed Brown (the Man), the cantankerous owner of a run-down garage in an East Los Angeles barrio, and Freddie Prinze (until Prinze's suicide in the third season) as Chico Rodriguez, an upbeat, optimistic young Mexican American who comes in looking for a job.

Some of his other television appearances included Delvecchio, The Rockford Files, Project U.F.O., and Charlie's Angels (1978). He played Tico in the 1978 adventure comedy film Corvette Summer, which starred Mark Hamill and Annie Potts.

Mr. Ruiz originally auditioned for the role of Chico. He lost out to Freddie Prinze, but creator and producer James Komack liked him enough to create a new character for him. We thank him for his work as the lovable Mando on Chico and the Man. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actor and professional football player Peter "Navy" Tuiasosopo. He had a recurring as Big Bob in New Girl. He died from heart complications in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 10. Mr. Tuiasosopo was 61.

Tuiasosopo co-starred in his first television series with Adam West as the strong-armed detective Al Hamoki in the short-lived 1993 Fox half-hour comedy anthology series Danger Theatre. He appeared in four episodes of the series, which was hosted by Robert Vaughn.

He appeared as Big Bob in three episodes of New Girl from 2013 to 2016. He played Steve in an earlier episode in 2012. Some of his other sitcom credits included Down the Shore (2 episodes), The Jamie Foxx Show, Jenny, Accidentally on Purpose, Mr. Sunshine, Workaholics, Kickin' It, and black-ish.

Tuiasosopo starred as Officer Kaleo in the short-lived 2004 NBC police drama Hawaii. Some of his other television credits included Silk Stalkings, Dragnet (2003), Big Love, Women's Murder Club, Easy Money (6 episodes), The Young and the Restless (7 episodes), NCIS, Mob City, Ray Donovan, Mayans M.C., and Magnum P.I. (2021).

His film debut was as Laikai "The Slender" Manumana in the 1991 sports comedy Necessary Roughness. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Edmond Honda in the live action movie Street Fighter (1994)

Mr. Tuiasosopo played football as a center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams in 1987. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.

Actor Tony Roberts starred as Ted Bolen in the 1984 CBS sitcom The Four Seasons, as Jim Gordon in the 1985 CBS sitcom The Lucie Arnaz Show, and as Sloan Thorn in the 1988 ABC sitcom The Thorns. He died of lung cancer at his Manhattan home on February 7. Mr. Roberts was 85.

Roberts starred as Ted Bolen in the short-lived 1984 CBS sitcom The Four Seasons. The series was based on the 1981 film The Four Seasons, which was written and directed by and starred Alan Alda. It also starred Jack Weston, Marcia Rodd, Barbara Babcock, Allan Arbus, Joanna Kerns, Beatrice Alda, Elizabeth Alda, and Lori Carrell.

He starred as Jim Gordon in the short-lived 1985 CBS The Lucie Arnaz Show. Dr. Jane Lucas (Lucie Arnaz) is a psychologist who answers questions from the public on her radio show ("The Jane Lucas Show") and in a magazine. Jim Gordon is her boss. The series also starred Karen Jablons-Alexander, Lee Bryant, and Todd Waring.

Roberts starred as Sloan Thorn in the short-lived 1988 ABC sitcom The Thorns. The Thorns are a dysfunctional married couple trying to climb their way up the social ladder in New York while dealing with their children and a grandmother moving in. The series also starred Kelly Bishop, Marilyn Cooper, Lori Petty, Mary Louise Wilson, Adam Biesk, Lisa Rieffel, Jesse Tendler, Maureen Stapleton, and Kathryn Marcopulos.

Some of his sitcom guest apparances included Love, American Style (1971), Phyllis, The Love Boat (3 episodes), and Married to the Kellys. Hee starred as Joseph Rosetti in the short-lived 1977 law drama Rosetti and Ryan.

Mr. Roberts was best known for his collaborations with filmmaker Woody Allen, having acted in six of his films, most notably Annie Hall (1977). We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

AmericanLife Network Fall 2010 Schedule; Hallmark Adds More Who's the Boss

FamilyNet March 2010 Schedule, Removes Sitcoms; NATPE Syndication 2010: Day 3

FamilyNet, which was bought by ComStar last month or so, is changing their schedule in March 2010. ComStar also owns AmericanLife TV, so FamilyNet and ALN are now sister networks. And because of that, FamilyNet will be airing some series that used to air or air now on ALN. Effective Monday, March 1, 2010, FamilyNet will air Lou Grant, Trapper John M.D., and Color Honeymooners. The Ed Asner drama Lou Grant will air Mon-Thurs at 5pm and 6pm ET. Trapper John, M.D. will follow that and air Mon-Thurs at 7pm and 8pm ET. Both series are spin-offs of popular series Mary Tyler Moore Show and M*A*S*H. FamilyNet Movie Flicks will follow the dramas at 9pm ET and another one at 12am ET. And the Color Honeymooners will air Fridays at 5pm ET. Also airing on Fridays will be FamilyNet Documentary, World Combat League, and ALN Live from 6-9pm. ALN Live also airs on ALN at 8pm on Fridays, so it will be simulcast on FamilyNet.
Merv Griffin's Crosswords and Black Beauty will remain on the schedule and air weekdays at 3pm and 4pm ET. With the addition of these new series, this means Happy Days, My Three Sons, Family Ties, and Early Edition will be off the line-up after their Friday, Feb. 26 airings. They haven't lost rights I believe, but they have been played for 3 cycles each or so and FamilyNet wanted to do something fresh. Since some ALN series have migrated to FamilyNet, you might wonder if these series could migrate to ALN? As of now, that is not happening because they can't. But if it ever happens, we'll let you know!

What about AmericanLife TV in March 2010? There is only one change, Fridays at 10am and 5pm will now be another airing of The Color Honeymooners. So Rhoda and Phyllis will be now cut to Mon-Thurs 10am & 5pm instead of Mon-Fri in March. Not a big deal. And Merv Griffin's Crosswords will air Saturdays at 4pm, as they will share it with sister net FamilyNet. Everything else will remain the same as it is now. Stay with us for updates as usual.

We didn't mention on day one the first-run weekend series up for sale for next fall. The following all-new series are trying to be sold for Fall 2010 on weekends:
The Crook and Chase Hour (one-hour, music talk show from All Media Partners); Curiosity Quest Goes Green (Half-hour kids series from Telco Productions); The Kids Block (Half-hour kids series from Showplace Television Syndication); My Parents, My Sister & Me (Half-hour sitcom starring Jasmine Guy from Showplace Television Syndication); Real Green (Half-hour lifestyle magazine from Telco Productions); Treasure Hunters Road Show (Half-hour reality from Entertainment Concepts International); Wild Limited (Half-hour wildlife series from Litton); Young Icons (Half-hour kids reality from Entertainment Studios, Inc.); Untitled Project With Magic Johnson (Half-hour from sports reality Showplace Television Syndication); World's Funniest Moments (One-hour reality from MGM).
As of now, I have no clearances for any of these. I'm sure a few of these will get cleared. It would be nice to have an first-run sitcom in syndication again like in the days of Charles in Charge and Out of this World! So here's hoping My Parents, My Sister & Me starring Jasmine Guy gets cleared! Debbie Allen is producing that sitcom. Stay with us for updates!

In other NATPE news, Trifecta Entertainment has acquired distribution rights for Hacienda Heights, an original soap opera featuring an all-Hispanic cast. Trifecta hopes to launch it this fall as a weekend block of two half-hours on both English and Spanish-language TV stations, as well as secure a cable run for it if possible. It will be produced for both English and Spanish, B&C reports. The show stars Resurrection Blvd.'s Mauricio Mendoza, and will be shot in San Francisco, where executive producer Desmond Gumbs owns a sound stage and production facility. Gumbs financed the production of the first 11 episodes himself. Those episodes were test-marketed in four Western markets with strong Hispanic demographics: San Francisco; Los Angeles; Yuma, Ariz.; and Santa Rosa, Calif. New York-based Sahara Media has agreed to finance the production's next 89 episodes, bringing the show to 100. Once the companies get enough episodes, they hope to turn the show into a daytime strip.
As of now, no clearances on this yet. If it gets picked-up, we'll let you know.

We shall return if anything else is known today, so come on back and check!

AmericanLife January 2010: Rhoda and Phyllis Join Schedule; CBS Pulls Three Rivers, Books 2nd I Get That A Lot Special

One month from today, on Friday, January 1, 2010, AmericanLife Network (ALN) will add the Mary Tyler Moore Show spin-offs Rhoda and Phyllis to its weekday schedule! You'll have two chances to watch them as well! The sitcoms will air in the weekdays at 10am hour and encore in the weekdays at 5pm hour later in the day, if you missed them in the morning! Rhoda and Phyllis will be replacing Bob Newhart Show and Newhart (both will be off the line-up now) in the 5pm hour, and lifestyle programming in the 10am hour.
Rhoda starred Valerie Harper in the title role and aired from 1974-78 lasting 110 episodes. It was about Rhoda Morgenstern, who was the spunky, weight conscious, flamboyantly-fashioned best friend of Mary Richards who left Minneapolis and returned home to New York City.
Phyllis starred Cloris Leachman in the title role and aired from 1975-77 lasting 48 episodes. It was about Phyllis Lindstrom, who was previously Mary Richards' landlady on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In the new series, Phyllis and her daughter Bess Lindstrom moved from Minneapolis to San Francisco, after the death of her husband, Dr. Lars Lindstrom.
In other ALN January 2010 news, Chicken Soul for the Soup will also air on weekdays now! Starting Jan. 1, it will air weekdays at 11am, replacing lifestyle programming. Soup will continue to air on weekends at 6pm as well. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible will now air weekdays at 6pm, as Sue Thomas F.B.Eye moves to 7pm, replacing L.A. Law. Not to worry, as L.A. Law will now air at 9pm Mon-Thurs, as St. Elsewhere kicks off the night now at 8pm Mon-Thurs and Hill Street Blues closes the night at 10pm Mon-Thurs. Encores of these three dramas start at 12am Mon-Thurs with St. Elsewhere, followed by L.A. Law and Hill Street Blues from 1-3am Mon-Thurs. Airing in between will be an encore of Sue Thomas F.B.Eye weekdays at 11pm. On Fridays, the ALN Classic Movie will air at 8pm, followed by Mission Impossible at 10pm, 12am, & 1am, and The Color Honeymooners at 2am, as that will continue to air Fri-Sun at 2am. Weekends remain the same as now.
And don't forget about the 5pm hour holiday episodes all this month which began yesterday! We get classic Christmas episodes all month long from 5-6pm with classics like WKRP, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and even Mr. Belvedere! Streaks on the china, never mattered before! View the holiday schedule, if you haven't already.

As we first reported on our message board, CBS is pulling Three Rivers off the schedule effective immediately. Cold Case will move into the 9pm hour effective this Sunday, with various crime (what else?) repeats airing at 10pm the next few weeks. NCIS: LA will air this Sunday, Criminal Minds on Dec. 13, and Cold Case on Dec. 27 (as we announced, a repeat of the movie Jesse Stone: Thin Ice will air Dec. 27 from 8-10pm). Survivor finale is on Dec. 20. CBS has not announced yet what will air in the hour starting in January. CBS already has to fill the Sunday 8pm hour starting Dec. 13, since The Amazing Race ends its season this Sunday. A repeat of The Mentalist is slated for Dec. 13, with the Survivor finale on Dec. 20, and the Jesse Stone movie repeat on Dec. 27.
In other CBS updates, a second special of I Get That A Lot will air Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 in the 8pm hour. The special is a fun filled, hidden camera special, whereby top celebrities perform ordinary jobs, while denying their real identity...only to later reveal that it is indeed them. The first special aired on April Fool's Day earlier this year to good ratings. This special will preempt Old Christine and Gary Unmarried on this night and will lead into The 36th Annual People's Choice Awards from 9-11pm ET/PT.