SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

MeTV Summer Changes, Adds Adventures of Superman; Jimmy Kimmel Live! Summer Guest Hosts

MeTV will be making some minor changes on the weekends this summer beginning in July. Adventures of Superman will return and air early Sunday mornings (late Saturday nights) at 12am & 12:30am ET replacing Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Just in time for the new Superman movie?

On Sunday mornings, the short-lived series The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams is replacing fellow short-lived series The Powers of Matthew Star at 6am. Then Sundays 7-10am E/I block is being swapped with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom from the '60s replacing the '90s E/I sitcom Saved by the Bell, which has expired. All of this begins the weekend of July 5/6. Everything else for the summer of MeTV remains the same!

This summer, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will welcome a dynamic lineup of celebrities and comedians to guest host the show starting today - Monday, June 23. Fan favorite Diego Luna will kick off the summer as guest host this week (June 23). Anthony Anderson, Nicole Byer, Alan Cumming, Chris Distefano, Fortune Feimster, Kumail Nanjiani and Jelly Roll will also be hosting the late-night show later this summer.

Diego Luna's guests this week will include Patton Oswalt, David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Stone, Adria Arjona, Tiffany Haddish, Alan Tudyk, Ariela Barer, Heidi Klum and Dolores Huerta, with musical performances by NEZZA, Hermanos Gutiérrez, and Good Charlotte. Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. EDT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: ABC, Adventures of Superman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, ME-TV, Saved by the Bell, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams

Trailer for Apple TV+ Comedy Government Cheese; Remembering Saved by the Bell and TV Producer Peter Engel

Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for Government Cheese, starring multi-award-winner David Oyelowo, who also serves as executive producer. The 10-episode comedy will make its global debut on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, April 16, with the first four episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 28, 2025. Simone Missick, Jahi Di'Allo Winston and Evan Ellison star alongside Oyelowo in the Apple Original series hailing from creators Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr.

Government Cheese is a surrealist family comedy set in 1969 San Fernando Valley that tells the story of the Chambers, a quirky family pursuing lofty and seemingly impossible dreams, beautifully unfettered by the realities of the world. When Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo) is released from prison, his long-awaited family reunion doesn't go quite as he'd planned. During his absence, Hampton's wife Astoria (Missick) and sons Einstein (Ellison) and Harrison (Di'Allo Winston) have formed an unconventional family unit, and Hampton's return spins their world into chaos.

The ensemble cast also includes Jean-Michel Richaud, London Garcia, Djilali Rez-Kallah, Bokeem Woodbine, Jeremy Bobb, Louis Cancelmi, Julien Heron, Louis Ferreira, Thomas Beaudoin and Kyle Mac, with John Ortiz and Adam Beach.

Television producer Peter Engel, who worked on Saved by the Bell, Hang Time and City Guys, has died. He died on March 4 at his home in Santa Monica, California. Mr. Engel was 88.

Engel's early television producing credits included the 1971 CBS variety series The Ice Palace, which had an ice skating theme. He was an executive producer of the 1974-1975 NBC soap opera How to Survive a Marriage. He was a producer of the short-lived 1976-1977 NBC sitcom Sirota's Court, which starred Michael Constantine, Cynthia Harris, and Fred Willard.

He was an executive producer of the 1988-1989 Disney Channel sitcom Good Morning Bliss. Starring Hayley Mills as teacher Miss Carrie Bliss, the series takes place at the John F. Kennedy Junior High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. The original pilot aired on NBC in the regular primetime timeslot of The Facts of Life. He also wrote an episode in 1988.

After one season on the air on the Disney Channel, the show was retooled as Saved by the Bell, which aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993. The show follows a group of high school friends and their principal at the fictional Bayside High School in Los Angeles. The series ran for four seasons and 86 episodes. Engel also wrote 12 episodes of the series. The series starred Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Lark Voorhies, and Dennis Haskins.

Engel was an executive producer of the 1993-1994 NBC sitcom Saved by the Bell: The College Years. The series follows Zack Morris, Screech Powers and A.C. Slater, and their three female suitemates, including Kelly Kapowski, in the dorms at college. It was the only series of the franchise to air in primetime.

He was an executive producer of the 1993-2000 NBC sitcom Saved by the Bell: The New Class. The show had the same concept as the original series but featured a new group of students roaming the halls of the fictional Bayside High School. At seven seasons, it was the longest-running incarnation of the franchise. Engel appeared as Murray in a 1997 episode.

Engel worked as an executive producer of the 1992-1996 NBC sitcom California Dreams. The series centers on the friendships of a group of teenagers (shifting toward a multi-ethnic makeup beginning with the show's second season) who form the fictional titular band.

He was an executive producer of the 1995-2000 NBC sitcom Hang Time. The series centers on the exploits of the Deering Tornados boys' varsity basketball team of the fictional Deering High School in the fictional Midwestern town of Deering, Indiana. Engel became the showrunner for the second season, resulting in extensive changes to the show. He appeared as The Commissioner in a 1997 episode.

Engel created and executive produced the 1997-1999 USA Network sitcom USA High. The series revolves around six friends enrolled at the American Academy boarding school in Paris, France. He played Chancellor Engel in a 1999 episode.

He created and executive produced the 1997-2001 NBC sitcom City Guys. The series centers on two teenagers from different backgrounds who both attended Manhattan High School that became best friends.

Engel was an executive producer of the 1998-2001 NBC sitcom One World. The series centers on the Blakes, a family mostly made up of six racially diverse foster teenagers living under one roof under the care of parents Dave, a former professional baseball player and Karen, a sculptor.

He and Carl Kurlander co-created the 1998-2000 first-run syndicated sitcom Malibu, CA. The show centers on the lives of twin brothers Scott (Trevor Merszei) and Jason Collins (Jason Hayes), who move to Malibu, California, from New York City to live with their father, Peter (Edward Blatchford).

In 2001, he was an executive producer of the short-lived NBC comedy-drama All About Us. The series focuses on the development of four teenage girls who live and attend high school in Chicago.

After producing teen-focused series for NBC, Engel transitioned to producing reality television series. He was an executive producer of 28 episodes of the NBC reality series Last Comic Standing from 2004 to 2014. The series received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program in 2004.

He was one of the executive producers for 11 episodes of the 2020-2021 Peacock sitcom Saved by the Bell. The series is set 26 years after Zack and Kelly's wedding, with the main characters of the original series reunited in their 40s and trying to navigate their lives.

In 2016, he released a memoir titled I Was Saved by the Bell: Stories of Life, Love, and Dreams That Do Come True. He opened up for the first time about his life, from personal and professional highlights to the serious challenges that shaped him.

Mr. Engel was one of the most prolific producers in television with more than 1,000 episodes produced under his banner. He was the architect behind Saved by the Bell, which he executive produced through all of its many incarnations, and which led to his many other teen series. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us on Saved by the Bell and his many other sitcoms. He will be greatly missed.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Apple TV+, California Dreams, City Guys, Government Cheese, Hang Time, Obits, Saved by the Bell

Peacock's Based on a True Story Returns November 21; CBS to Honor Jerry Mathers at Awards Show

Nobody likes a copycat 🔪 Based on a True Story Season 2 drops November 21 on Peacock. Season two finds new parents Ava and Nathan Bartlett three months into parenthood. Focused on taking care of her family, Ava is determined to resist her true crime obsession and return to work as a real estate agent while Nathan trains private tennis clients. But a series of new murders pulls her back in - is Matt behind the slayings? Is Tory, now entangled in a relationship with Matt, in danger? For a while, life is good -- Ava's TikTok habit and her new friend Drew provide a welcome distraction, and Nathan's all in on reigniting his tennis career as well as his friendship with Matt -- until danger comes knocking, literally. 8 episodes will drop and the comedy stars Kaley Cuoco, Chris Messina, Tom Bateman, and Liana Liberato.

CBS announced the hosts and nominees for the 27th annual Family Film and TV Awards, celebrating excellence in family-oriented film and television. Kevin Frazier (Entertainment Tonight host) and Amanda Kloots (The Talk host) will lead the awards show airing Saturday, Nov. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), exclusively on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+*. Jerry Mathers, renowned for his beloved role as Beaver Cleaver on the classic television series Leave It to Beaver, will be honored with the Icon Award. Some TV nominees include:

Outstanding Actors in a TV Series
· Amandla Stenberg (The Acolyte)
· Gordon Cormier (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
· Iain Armitage (Young Sheldon)
· Louisa Harland (Renegade Nell)
· Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

Best Iconic Classic Television Series
· Happy Days
· Home Improvement
· Saved by the Bell
· The Andy Griffith Show
· The Wonder Years

Best Competition Series Television
· America's Got Talent
· American Ninja Warrior
· Big Brother
· Survivor
· The Amazing Race

Best Game Show
· Family Feud
· Let's Make a Deal
· Lingo
· The Price Is Right
· Wheel of Fortune

Outstanding Reality Show
· LEGO Masters
· Little People, Big World
· Masters of Illusion
· Military Makeover with Montel

Best Ensemble Television Series
· Abbott Elementary
· Avatar: The Last Airbender
· Percy Jackson and the Olympians
· The Spiderwick Chronicles
· Young Sheldon

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Abbott Elementary, Andy Griffith Show, Based on a True Story, CBS, Happy Days, Home Improvement, Leave it to Beaver, Peacock, Saved by the Bell, Wonder Years, Young Sheldon

Apple TV+ Winter Slate with Peanuts and Fraggle Rock Specials; Remembering Joyce Randolph of The Honeymooners

Apple TV+ unveiled an exciting winter programming slate for kids and families, featuring brand new Peanuts content as well as returning fan-favorite and critically acclaimed series. Launching February 16, the new Peanuts special, Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin, uncovers the origin story of one of Peanuts' most beloved characters and how he ultimately makes friends with Charlie Brown and the gang. Acclaimed series also returning this winter includes the second season of the award-winning series, Sago Mini Friends, debuting January 26, and season two of the iconic and Emmy Award-winning series from The Jim Henson Company, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, debuting March 29, as Tony and Grammy Award winner, and Emmy Award nominee Daveed Diggs (Hamilton) returns for season two alongside Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!), Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) and Emmy Award winner Catherine O'Hara (Schitt's Creek) in guest star roles.

Actress Joyce Randolph, who was best known for playing Trixie Norton on The Honeymooners, has died. She died in her sleep of natural causes at home in Manhattan's Upper West Side on January 13. Ms. Randolph was 99.

Randolph originally portrayed Trixie Norton on The Jackie Gleason Show in 1952 on CBS. She played the character in skits from 1952 to 1957. She starred as Trixie Norton in the 1955-1956 CBS sitcom The Honeymooners. The series follows the lives of New York City bus driver Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason), his wife Alice (Audrey Meadows), Ralph's best friend Ed Norton (Art Carney) and Ed's wife Trixie as they get involved with various schemes in their day-to-day living. Randolph did not appear in every episode and had a less developed character, though she is shown to be somewhat bossy toward her husband.

In 1991, Randolph and Meadows reprised their roles in the episode "Fur Flies" of the ABC sitcom Hi Honey, I'm Home. Some of her other television guest appearances included Rocky King, Detective (1950), Buck Rogers, Famous Jury Trials, The Clock, The Plainclothesman (5 episodes) and The Doctors and the Nurses. On Broadway, she appeared in Ladies Night in a Turkish Bath (1950).

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on October 27, 1999.

Ms. Randolph did a wonderful job playing Trixie Norton. She was the last surviving cast member of The Honeymooners. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment that she brought us. She will be deeply missed.

Actor Peter Crombie, who had a recurring role as Crazy Joe Davola in Seinfeld, has died. He died after a brief illness on January 10 in Palm Springs, California. Mr. Crombie was 71.

Crombie appeared as Crazy Joe Davola in five episodes in the fourth season (1992-1993) of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. Crazy Joe Davola is a writer who suffers from mental problems. He stalks Jerry and dates Elaine. Depressed that Elaine rejected him, he dressed up as the clown from the opera Pagliacci and beats up several street toughs who antagonize him. The name was used with the consent of Fox TV executive, Joe "Lennard" Davola.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Perfect Strangers, The John Larroquette Show, Get Smart (1995) and Grace Under Fire.

He appeared as Norman Minter in five episodes of the 1996 Fox drama L.A. Firefighters. Some of his other television guest appearances included Leg Work, Spenser: For Hire, Law & Order, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Diagnosis: Murder, L.A. Law, Picket Fences, Profiler, NYPD Blue and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Some of his film credits included Born on the Fourth of July (1989), The Doors (1991), Natural Born Killers (1994), Se7en (1995) and My Dog Skip (2000).

Mr. Crombie did a great job portraying one of the more memorable Seinfeld side characters. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember German actor Christian Oliver. He starred as Brian Keller in Saved by the Bell: The Class. Oliver and his two daughters, Madita and Annik, were killed on January 4 after the four-seater private plane they were on crashed off the coast of Bequia, a Caribbean island in the Grenadines. Everyone on board, including the American pilot, Robert Sachs, was killed on impact. Mr. Oliver was 51.

Oliver starred as Brian Keller in the second season (1994) of the NBC sitcom Saved by the Bell: The New Class. It aired as a part of the network's TNBC Saturday morning line-up. Brian Keller is is a new transfer student from Switzerland. He is interested in Rachel Meyers (Sarah Lancaster), and he is also a schemer.

He appeared in a 2005 episode of The Comeback. Some of his television guest appearances included Sliders, V.I.P., Crossing Lines, Timeless and Hunters (5 episodes).

Some of his film credits included The Good German (2006), Speed Racer (2008) and Valkyrie (2008).

Mr. Oliver was known to German audiences for his role as Jan Richter in the action series Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei from 2002 until 2004. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be missed.

Actress Cindy Morgan was best known for playing Lacey Underall in Caddyshack and Lora/Yori in Tron. She was found dead of natural causes at her home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on December 30, 2023. Ms. Morgan was 69.

Morgan's sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Tough Cookies, Beverly Hills Buntz, She's the Sheriff, Harry and the Hendersons and The Larry Sanders Show.

She starred as Gloria Marlowe in the 1982-1983 CBS adventure series Bring 'Em Back Alive, which also starred Bruce Boxleitner. She had a recurring role as Gabrielle Short in 15 episodes in seasons six and seven of the CBS prime time soap opera Falcon Crest from 1987 to 1988.

Some of her other television guest appearances included Vega$, CHiPs (3 episodes), Hawaiian Heat, Masquerade, The Fall Guy, Crazy Like a Fox, Amazing Stories, The Highwayman, Matlock (3 episodes), Mancuso, FBI (1990), Hunter (2 episodes) and Under Suspicion.

Ms. Morgan was a talented and lovely actress in the 1980s. We thank her for work on television and in films. She will be sorely missed.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Apple TV+, Fraggle Rock, Obits, Peanuts, Saved by the Bell, Seinfeld, The Honeymooners

SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Once again, it seems like we're hitting TV (at least as we know it) doomsday, as we enter a mostly non-existent fall TV season, with strikes that will never end and a blackout dispute between Spectrum and cable channels owned by Disney that has both sides saying it may not even be worth settling. Nonetheless, we're here with some highlights for you. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• With a writers strike that appears to have no end still ongoing, Warner Bros. Television has suspended some deals that they have with top creators, though it is anticipated that the suspended time will be added to the end of the contracts. (Deadline)
• Fran Drescher has been re-elected as SAG-AFTRA president, in the middle of the on-going strike. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Like many shows, Saved by the Bell did some things that seemed acceptable in the 90s that wouldn't be so acceptable today, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar is talking all about it in a podcast. (CNN)
• When Bob Barker recently died, many noticed he had not made any public appearances in a while, and that may be because he suffered from Alzheimer's disease for years leading up to his death. (Deadline)
• Networks need something scripted to air in the current drought, so Fox is going with encores and CBS is looking down under to Australia. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (SEPTEMBER 9 - SEPTEMBER 15)

• Catchy Comedy has a binge of My Three Sons this weekend.
• A new season of The Morning Show arrives on Wednesday on Apple TV+.
• If you're into daytime TV, several new court shows (with the exact same hosts as the old court shows) debut Monday in syndication.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Bob Barker, My Three Sons, NCIS, SAG, Saved by the Bell, SitcomsOnline Digest

SitcomsOnline Digest: Amazon Cancels Previously Announced New Seasons of Two Series; New Season Premiere Date for The Masked Singer

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's not a huge news week, but we're hearing about some of the first real consequences of the ongoing strikes, a new reality series that will somehow (it's not really clear how) feature two former reality stars who are in prison, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• We are beginning to see some permanent effects of the ongoing entertainment strikes, as Amazon has announced the cancellation of two series that had previously been given renewals. (Deadline)
• The Masked Singer, which may be (for now) the most we'll get to see in new episodes, now has an earlier season 10 premiere date than planned. (Deadline)
• The ratings for the season six premiere of The Chi demonstrated that the show is still going strong after six seasons. (Deadline)
• Because networks will grasp for any straw to keep a reality franchise going, it seems the Chrisley family is set to return with a series that will somehow involve Todd and Julie Chrisley, despite the fact that they are in prison and no prison would ever allow inmates to participate in a reality show. (People)
• A premiere date for season 3 of Chucky has been set. (Entertainment Weekly)
• Paramount has decided to not sell BET (which also includes VH-1) after all. (AP News)
• MeTV has some special back to school episodes scheduled for August 27. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (AUGUST 19 - AUGUST 25)

• The NBCUniversal FAST channels that we have been talking about for at least the past month have finally launched on the Roku Channel, featuring series such as Murder, She Wrote, Kojak, Saved by the Bell, and more.
• It's a weekend of The Monkees on Catchy Comedy this weekend.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: BET, Chucky, Murder She Wrote, Saved by the Bell, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Chi, The Monkees

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Andy Griffith Show, Gilligan's Island, King of the Hill, Leave it to Beaver, Mama's Family, ME-TV, Obits, Saved by the Bell, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Brady Bunch, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Love Boat

NBCUniversal to Launch FAST Channels, Sitcoms & More; Tracy Morgan's Max Special Debuts Aug. 17

NBCUniversal announced new free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) linear content offerings from across the NBCU Television & Streaming portfolio and NBCUniversal Global Distribution library. For the first time ever, viewers can access programming across all NBCUniversal genres centered on popular titles and categories available anytime at no additional cost. Curated with content from past seasons of iconic series including Saturday Night Live, The Real Housewives franchises, Top Chef, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, along with hit library television series including Little House on the Prairie, Murder, She Wrote and Saved by the Bell, along with genre-based sitcoms, action, crime, westerns, and monster movie content will also launch as dedicated FAST channels.

NBCUniversal has inked agreements with Amazon Freevee and Xumo Play for the entire FAST content portfolio. Xumo Enterprise, the business-to-business arm of Xumo that provides content owners, distributors and advertisers with tools and services to succeed in FAST, will power the distribution of NBCUniversal's new FAST channels on third party services starting with Amazon Freevee. With the new launches, NBCUniversal is adding to its industry leading lineup of current channels including Dateline 24/7, NBC News NOW, and Local NBC and Telemundo news stations. The new entertainment, news, sports, and Spanish Language FAST channels include: Bravo Vault, E! Keeping Up, Million Dollar Listing Vault, Oxygen True Crime Archives, Real Housewives Vault, SNL Vault, Top Chef Vault, News, Sports, Telemundo Channels, Rotten Tomatoes, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bad Girls Club, Lassie, Little House on the Prairie, Murder, She Wrote, Saved by the Bell, TNBC (Punky Brewster, City Guys, Hang Time, Major Dad and more), The Lone Ranger, Universal Action (Magnum P.I., Knight Rider, The A-Team and many others), Universal Crime (Columbo, Kojak, The Rockford Files and more), Universal Westerns (The Virginian, Tales of Wells Fargo among many others), and Universal Monsters (movies). These channels join NBCUniversal’s lineup of previously announced FAST channels including NBC News NOW, TODAY All Day, Dateline 24/7, LX, NBC and Telemundo Local Stations, and Sky News International. Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, also has a robust FAST channels offering featuring content from across the company's portfolio.

The Max Original stand-up comedy special Tracy Morgan: Takin' It Too Far debuts Thursday, August 17 on Max. Two-time Emmy®-nominated actor and comedian Tracy Morgan (30 Rock, The Last O.G.) leaves it all on the stage in his first Max stand-up special taped live from the Wilbur Theater in Boston, Massachusetts. Grateful and hyped, the comedian owns his set and unabashedly tackling topics such as dating in his 50s (along with the unexpected side effects that comes with it), his dysfunctional family, attempting to reverse gentrification in Brooklyn, and the very public 2014 car accident that left him with multiple broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, and a substantial settlement. Executive produced by Emmy and GRAMMY® winner Rikki Hughes, Tracy Moran: Takin' It Too Far showcases a seasoned comedy veteran in his most edgy and fearless special yet.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Alfred Hitchcock Presents, City Guys, Hang Time, Lassie, Little House on the Prairie, Major Dad, Max, Murder She Wrote, NBC, Punky Brewster, Saturday Night Live, Saved by the Bell

SitcomsOnline Digest: Actors Strike in the Works Too?; NBCUniversal Introducing New (Classic) Content for FAST

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! Independence Day week is upon us, and we're still in the middle of a writers' strike that appears to be on the verge of getting even more complicated and drawn out, but nonetheless we have news for you (and actually, it's a pretty busy week of news)! Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Forget about a writers' strike; even if they do come to an agreement, SAG-AFTRA is now on the verge of potentially striking, and just as a show can't go on without writers, it also can't go on without actors. (CNN)
• Free ad supported television, or FAST, is quickly becoming a major player in streaming media, and now NBCUniversal is introducing some new channels on Xumo Play and Freevee, which will feature series such as Saturday Night Live, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Saved by the Bell, Major Dad, Punky Brewster, The A-Team, The Rockford Files, and more. (Variety)
• It's going to be Ryan Seacrest taking over at Wheel of Fortune. (Variety)
• The Price is Right aired the final episode "from Television City in Hollywood" on Monday, as the show prepares to move to Glendale for next season. (Deadline)
• In the tradition of reduced budgets, which seems to be affecting everything lately, ESPN has decided to let go of several prominent on-air talents (Deadline)
• Boy ghosts world? It seems that Ben Savage hasn't spoken to his Boy Meets World castmates in three years, and they're not really sure why that is. (Entertainment Weekly)
• The end has come for Geraldo Rivera at Fox News, and it is unclear what is next for him. (Daily Beast)
• Futurama is about to come back, and Hulu has released a trailer for the new season. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (JULY 1 - JULY 8)

• Now that Decades has evolved to just comedy, H&I is taking over the annual tradition of the Twilight Zone marathon, which will start Sunday at noon and run through Tuesday.
• Syfy is taking a different approach with their Twilight Zone marathon this year, by featuring the most recent version of the series from Jordan Peele (though some of the classic Rod Serling episodes will be part of the lineup as well).
• With Catchy Comedy not airing Twilight Zone, there is a binge of Green Acres.
• The A-Team arrives on H&I beginning Wednesday.
Posted by Skees -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:00 PM
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Labels: A-Team, Boy Meets World, ESPN, FAST, Saturday Night Live, Saved by the Bell, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Price is Right, Twilight Zone, Wheel of Fortune

2023 90s Con Recap in Hartford; Bel-Air Gets Season 3 on Peacock

That's 4 Entertainment (the people who bring us Christmas Con every year in NJ) had its 2nd Annual 90s Con this weekend (March 17-19) at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. We had a reporter down there to let us know what happened! We had full or partial reunions from various '90s TV shows, movies and music. Sitcom reunions included Saved by the Bell, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Full House, along with classic dramas Beverly Hills 90210, Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The casts did autograph signings, photo ops and Q&A panels. Among the other cool things fans got to see at the event: They had a slime pit to be "slimed" like Double Dare. They had a table area of a bunch of Nintendo64 machines hooked up to large screens to play nostalgic video games. They had 90s iconic photo ops like the TV, phone booth, newspaper stand, etc. There was a popular 90s cosplay contest. Another cool sighting was iconic movie vehicles including a replica Jurassic Park jeep and the Scooby Doo mystery machine (is that '90s though?). A 90s DJ booth was playing 90s music for fans. There were tons of booths selling 90s nostalgic toys, art, and items. And to close the day, there was a 90s dance party after party Saturday night.

The stars that were on hand were Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan, Brian Krause, Dorian Gregory, Drew Fuller, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Dave Coulier, Andrea Barber, Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Elisa Donovan, Breckin Meyer, Kel Mitchell, Lori Beth Denberg, Danny Tamberelli, Danica McKellar, Olivia d'Abo, Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Jenna Leigh Green, Nate Richert, Kathy Najimy, Thora Birch, Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, Jason Marsden, Mario Lopez, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Elizabeth Berkley, Steve Burns, Marc Summers, Jeff Timmons, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, James Masters, Charisma Carpenter, Clare Kramer, Julie Benz, Kristine Sutherland, Marc Blucas, and Rebecca Gayheart.

Last year they had the cast of Family Matters and Boy Meets World on hand, but not this year. Will they return in 2024? How about other popular '90s shows like Step by Step and Perfect Strangers next time? While Hartford gets '90s Con next March, there will be one in Tampa in September of this year. Christmas Con will get a Kansas City version this June before returning to Edison, NJ in December. Stay tuned as we will be on hand for the NJ one once again later this year!

Peacock's record-breaking drama series Bel-Air has been renewed for a third season. Inspired by Morgan Cooper's lauded short film, Bel-Air is a modern-day reimagining of the iconic culture-defining '90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Following its launch on Peacock last year as the streamer's most-watched original premiere, Bel-Air is once again breaking records on the platform as Peacock's most-watched original sophomore series to date. Bel-Air is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group and Westbrook Studios. Carla Banks Waddles serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer. New episodes stream Thursdays through April 27. Season two stars Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones and Simone Joy Jones. Season two saw the return of Tatyana Ali, who played the original Ashley Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and makes a recurring guest star appearance.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: 90s Con, Bel-Air, Beverly Hills 90210, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Christmas Con, Full House, Peacock, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Saved by the Bell, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

NBC Announces Sitcom Hosts for Rose Parade; Chris Rock Is Live on Netflix on March 4

NBC will continue the tradition of ringing in the New Year with a live broadcast of the 134th Rose Parade Presented by Honda. The parade will also be livestreamed on Peacock. Access Hollywood and Access Daily with Mario & Kit co-host (and former sitcom star Saved by the Bell), Mario Lopez and American Auto star Ana Gasteyer will take the reins for this year's telecast from Pasadena, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 2 from 11:30-1 p.m. ET (8:30-10 a.m. PT). Most NBC affiliates will also carry the optional coverage of the parade from 11-11:30 a.m. ET (8-8:30 a.m. PT). NBC is celebrating its 96th year broadcasting the Rose Parade, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the annual event beginning in 1954. Headlining the annual event this year is former Arizona congresswoman and gun violence prevention advocate Gabby Giffords, who was recently announced by the Tournament of Roses as the 2023 Grand Marshal. Giffords' heroic recovery from traumatic injuries epitomizes this year's optimistic theme, "Turning the Corner."

On March 4, comedy icon Chris Rock will take the stage in Baltimore, Maryland for the first-ever Netflix live streamed global event, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage. The historical show will stream live at 10pm ET/7pm PT. Additional details will be announced soon. This is Rock's second Netflix stand-up special. His first, Chris Rock: Tamborine, debuted in February 2018. The live event builds on Netflix's legacy of leadership in live comedy. Netflix is a Joke: The Festival was the biggest live, in-person event in Netflix history, taking place in Spring 2022. The unprecedented event sold more than 260,000 tickets, featuring more than 330 comedians performing 295 shows across more than 35 venues in Los Angeles. The festival also featured the first-ever stand-up show at Dodger Stadium.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: American Auto, Chris Rock Show, NBC, Netflix, Saved by the Bell

SitcomsOnline Digest: Saved by the Bell Reboot Canceled; Quantum Leap Reboot Picked Up at NBC

 Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we are learning about the cancelation of one reboot (but the pickup of another), learning that trashy daytime TV talk shows will live on forever, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• It's not alright: Peacock has canceled the Saved by the Bell reboot, but at least it lasted more than one season unlike so many other sitcom reboots that we spend years talking about. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Quantum Leap has earned a series pickup at NBC. (AV Club)
• Fred Savage has been fired from his roles of executive producer and director on The Wonder Years, following misconduct allegations. (Hollywood Reporter)
• It seems that the end has almost come for the trashy daytime TV talk shows, but never fear, The Steve Wilkos Show actually managed to get a renewal, and there are now deals in place to ensure that The Jerry Springer Show and Maury, both of which seem to have chosen their daily topic decades ago and stuck with it everyday since then, stay on in reruns for years to come. (Deadline)
• We have our first look at the Netflix comedy series that exploits the death of competitor Blockbuster. (Deadline)
• Actor David Birney, who was once married to Meredith Baxter and was her co-star on Bridget Loves Bernie, has died. (Variety)
• It may have been way outside of their demographics, but The Waltons Homecoming was a hit for The CW, so they're trying it again with another reboot featuring the characters. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (MAY 7 - MAY 13)

• This weekend, Decades is having a binge with a family show that features no mothers (at least not until later seasons), Full House.
• Antenna TV is celebrating Mother's Day this weekend with a special marathon featuring the moms of Antenna TV.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Bridget Loves Bernie, Jerry Springer, Quantum Leap, Saved by the Bell, SitcomsOnline Digest, Wonder Years (2021)

SitcomsOnline Digest: MacGruber Series Premiere Date Set; Saved by the Bell Pays Tribute to Dustin Diamond

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're hearing about the upcoming premiere of the MacGruber series, a tribute to Dustin Diamond on the reboot of Saved by the Bell, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• A premiere date for the Peacock series version of MacGruber has been set, and there is also a preview to watch. (Deadline)
• Saved by the Bell paid tribute to Dustin Diamond in this past week's season premiere. (TV Line)
• ESPN lost another 10% of their pay TV customers in the past year, which is yet another sign that the future of cable TV is looking bleak. (Deadline)
• Anthony Anderson would officially like some more Law & Order, enough so that he is returning to the series in the reboot. (TV Insider)
• Steve Burton, who has been a cast member on General Hospital for 3 decades, is leaving the series over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19. (CNN)
• A preview of the reboot of Bel-Air, the dramatic reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is now available. (TV Series Finale)
• Antenna TV has Christmas New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day plans in place. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3)

• Decades has a S.W.A.T. binge this weekend.
• Coach continues all weekend long on Antenna TV.
• You can catch some holiday Christmas classics in a curated section on Paramount+, and sister streaming service Pluto TV has several Christmas themed channels at the moment.
• FXX is mostly animated comedy these days, but never fear, another season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a decisively not animated series, is coming Friday.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Law and Order, MacGruber, Saved by the Bell, SitcomsOnline Digest, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

New Sonic Series Coming to Netflix; Remembering Dustin Diamond, Hal Holbrook and Sitcom Producer Allan Burns

Netflix, SEGA of America, Inc. ("SEGA"), and WildBrain announce a new animated Sonic the Hedgehog series, Sonic Prime, set to premiere worldwide in 2022. The 24-episode animated adventure for kids, families, and long-time fans draws upon the keystones of the brand and features the "Blue Blur" of video game fame in a high-octane adventure where the fate of a strange new multiverse rests in his gloved hands. Sonic's adventure is about more than a race to save the universe, it's a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The series will be animated at WildBrain's Vancouver studio, and SEGA and WildBrain will jointly participate across production, distribution and licensing. Man of Action Entertainment, creators of Ben 10 and the characters and team in the Academy Award-winning feature Big Hero 6, have been brought on as showrunners and Executive Producers for the series.

Actor Dustin Diamond, who was best known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers throughout the Saved by the Bell franchise, has died. He died on February 1 in Florida from small-cell lung carcinoma. He had been diagnosed with the disease in early January. Mr. Diamond was only 44.

Diamond first played the role of Samuel "Screech" Powers in the 1988-1989 Disney Channel sitcom Good Morning, Miss Bliss. It aired for one season and 13 episodes. The series focuses on the life of junior high school teacher Miss Carrie Bliss (Hayley Mills) at John F. Kennedy Junior High in Indianapolis. Samuel "Screech" Powers was an awkward nerd with a crush on Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies). It also starred Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Max Battimo, Heather Hopper, T.K. Carter, Joan Ryan and Dennis Haskins.

Good Morning, Miss Bliss was retooled as Saved by the Bell. It premiered on August 20, 1989, and aired on Saturday mornings on NBC. The reformatted series follows a group of high school friends and their principal at the fictional Bayside High School in Los Angeles. It ran for four seasons and 86 episodes. The cast included Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Lark Voorhies, Leanna Creel (1992-1993) and Dennis Haskins.

NBC aired the spin-off series Saved by the Bell: The College Years starting on May 22, 1993. It aired in primetime for one season and 19 episodes from 1993 to 1994. The series revolves around the six characters getting into trouble each week at the fictitious California University (Cal U), under the watchful eye of Mike Rogers (Bob Golic), their resident adviser. The cast included Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Mario Lopez, Anne Tremko, Kiersten Warren, Patrick Fabian and Holland Taylor (1994).

After the cancellation of Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Diamond continued to play the role of Screech in Saved by the Bell: The New Class starting in the second season. The series follows a new group of students at Bayside High School. Screech returns to Bayside High initially on a work-study program, and later as Mr. Belding's assistant. It ran for 7 seasons and 143 episodes on NBC. He appeared in 67 episodes.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included It's a Living, The Wonder Years (2 episodes), The Munsters Today, Getting By, Hang Time (2 episodes) and Off Centre.

Diamond later did stand up comedy. He appeared on Weakest Link in 2001, Celebrity Boxing 2 in 2002, Celebrity Fit Club in 2007-2008 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2013. In 2009, he published an inside story of the show's cast and crew, from his point of view, titled Behind the Bell. He was an executive producer for the TV movie The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story, which aired on Lifetime on September 1, 2014.

Mr. Diamond did a great job of playing the funny and memorable role of Screech. He appeared as Screech for nearly 13 years across 12 seasons of the Saved by the Bell franchise. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Saved by the Bell message board. View photos in our galleries.

---

Emmy-winning actor Hal Holbrook, who starred as Evan Evans in Evening Shade, has died. He died on January 23 at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Mr. Holbrook was 95.

Holbrook had a recurring role as Reese Watson in nine episodes of the CBS sitcom Designing Women from 1986 to 1989. Reese Watson was a widowed and successful Atlanta attorney who was Julia Sugarbaker's (Dixie Carter) love interest. Holbrook was married in real life to Dixie Carter from 1984 until her death in 2010.

He starred as Evan Evans in the 1990-1994 CBS sitcom Evening Shade. Evan Evans was the father of Ava Evans Newton (Marilu Henner). He was the publisher of the local newspaper, The Evening Shade Argus. The series also starred Burt Reynolds, Ossie Davis, Charles Durning, Elizabeth Asheley, Michael Jeter, Jay R. Ferguson, Melissa Martin (1990-1991), Candace Hutson (1991-1994), Jacob Parker, Charlie Dell and Ann Wedgeworth.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Becker, Good Morning Miami and Hope & Faith.

Holbrook starred as Sen. Hayes Stowe in the 1970-1971 NBC political drama The Bold Ones: The Senator. He won an Emmy Award for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for the role. He had a recurring role as James Dempsey in the NBC series The Event from 2010 to 2011. Some of his other television credits included The Brighter Day, The Name of the Game, The Outer Limits (2000), Family Law, The West Wing, The Sopranos, NCIS, ER, Sons of Anarchy, Bones, Grey's Anatomy and Hawaii Five-0.

He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ron Franz in Into the Wild (2007). Some of his other film credits included All the President's Men (1971), Julia (1977), The Fog (1980), Creepshow (1982), Wall Street (1987), The Firm (1993), Hercules (1997) and Men of Honor (2000).

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on July 11, 2017.

Mr. Holbrook was a wonderful actor who won Emmys five times. He had so many incredible roles during his long career. He will be deeply missed.

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

---

Emmy-winning screnwriter and producer Allan Burns, who was the co-creator of The Munsters, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda, has died. He died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on January 30 from Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. Mr. Burns was 85.

Burns and Chris Hayward created The Munsters, which aired for 2 seasons on CBS from 1964 to 1966. The series starred Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo, Al Lewis, Butch Patrick, Beverly Owen (1964) and Pat Priest.

They later created the short-lived 1965-1966 NBC sitcom My Mother the Car. He wrote six episodes of the series. The series starred Jerry Van Dyke, Ann Sothern (voice), Maggie Pierce, Cindy Eilbacher, Randy Whipple and Avery Schreiber.

Burns and James L. Brooks created The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970. The popular CBS sitcom ran for 7 seasons and 168 episodes from 1970 to 1977. Burns and Brooks won Emmys for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1971 and 1977. The Mary Tyler Moore Show won for Outstanding Comedy Series three years in a row in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Burns wrote eight episodes of the series. The cast included Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, Gavin MacLeod, Ted Knight, Valerie Harper (1970-1974), Cloris Leachman (1970-1975), Georgia Engel (1972-1977) and Betty White (1973-1977).

Burns and Brooks created the spin-off series Rhoda. The CBS sitcom ran for five seasons and 110 episodes from 1974 to 1978. The cast included Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner, David Groh (seasons 1-3), Nancy Walker (seasons 1-2, 4-5), Harold Gould (seasons 1-2, 4-5), Ron Silver (seasons 3-4), Ray Buktenica (seasons 3-5), Kennth McMillan (seasons 4-5) and Lorenzo Music (voice only).

He won his first Emmy in 1968 for his work on the CBS sitcom He & She. He wrote 10 episodes of the series from 1967 to 1968. Some of his other sitcom writing credits included Get Smart (11 episodes), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Room 222 (4 episodes), Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (co-created with James L. Brooks), Rhoda, The Duck Factory, Eisenhower and Lutz (also the creator and directed one episode), FM (also the creator) and Cutters.

His producing credits included Room 222, Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, Rhoda, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the Duck Factory, Eisenhower and Lutz, FM and Cutters.

Some of his other television writing credits included The Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right and George of the Jungle. Burns, Brooks and Gene Reynolds created the 1977-1982 CBS drama Lou Grant. He worked as an executive producer on the series from 1977 to 1978.

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on February 18, 2004.

Mr. Burns was a six-time Emmy winner. We thank him for his work on many classic sitcoms such as The Munsters, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda. He will be greatly missed.

---

Television producer and executive Jamie Tarses, who was the president of ABC Entertainment from 1996 to 1999, has died. She died on February 1 in Los Angeles, from complications from a stroke she had suffered in the fall of 2020. Ms. Tarses was 56.

Tarses worked as a casting director for Perfect Strangers from 1987 to 1988. She helped develop Friends, Mad About You, Frasier, NewsRadio and Caroline in the City while working at NBC.

She was the president of ABC Entertainment from 1996 to 1999, the first woman and one of the youngest people to hold such a post in an American broadcast network.

Tarses was co-producer of the 2006-2010 TBS sitcom My Boys. Some of her other sitcom producing credits included Mad Love, Mr. Sunshine, Happy Endings, Men at Work, Marry Me, Your Family or Mine, The Mayor and Champaign ILL.

Ms. Tarses helped develop and produce many sitcoms during her career. We thank her for the sitcoms she brought us. She will be deeply missed.

---

Television writer, producer, actor, and comedian Marc Wilmore, who worked on The PJs, The Simpsons and F Is for Family, has died. He died on January 30 from COVID-19 complications. Mr. Wilmore was 57.

Wilmore provided the voice of Walter Burkett for the 1999-2001 Fox/WB animated sitcom The PJs. He also wrote two episodes and worked as an executive story editor for 41 episodes.

Some of his other voice acting credits included The Simpsons and F Is for Family. He appeared in a 2000 episode of Manhattan, AZ.

Some of his other writing credits included Harry and the Hendersons, The Simpsons (12 episodes) and F Is for Family (3 episodes). He worked as an executive producer on The Simpsons and F Is for Family.

He was a regular cast member of the sketch comedy series In Living Color for the show's final season. He also worked on the series as a writer for 54 episodes from 1992 to 1994.

Mr. Wilmore was an Emmy winner in 2008 for his work on The Simpsons and a 10-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee. He was the brother of comedian Larry Wilmore. We thank him for his work on many television series. He will be greatly missed.

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

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Designing Women, Evening Shade, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Netflix, Obits, Rhoda, Saved by the Bell, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Simpsons