SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Impractical Jokers Returns with Guest Star Appearance by Alyssa Milano; Marla Gibbs Day in Chicago

On the heels of its highest-rated season ever, television's wildly popular hidden-camera comedy Impractical Jokers returns with a brand-new season of schemes with comedy trio Brian "Q" Quinn, James "Murr" Murray and Sal Vulcano, premiering Thursday, July 23 at 10PM ET/PT on TBS.

Season 13 will feature classic Jokers laugh-out-loud mayhem and madness as the trio pose as diner managers, dating etiquette instructors, aggrieved focus group attendees, forgetful dog owners, robotics engineers, and even scheming corpses at a funeral parlor. There will also be a cringe-inducing surprise guest star appearance by Sal's lifelong crush, Alyssa Milano.

Deadline is reporting that June 30 will now be known as Marla Gibbs Day in the City of Chicago following an official declaration from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to honor the legendary actress, best known for her roles in small-screen classics such as The Jeffersons and 227.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson confirmed the honor earlier this week as part of a release event held in Los Angeles for Gibbs' memoir It's Never Too Late. Speakers present at the event included Tiffany Haddish, Lil Rel Howery, Kim Fields, and Yvette Nicole Brown.

Born in Chicago, Gibbs moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s and earned her big break playing Florence Johnston on Norman Lear's The Jeffersons. Gibbs earned five Supporting Actress Emmy nominations for her role on the show alongside a Golden Globe nom. The Jeffersons ran for 11 seasons, after which Gibbs led the NBC sitcom 227 alongside Regina King.

TBS Orders Season 13 of Impractical Jokers; HBO's Josh Johnson Comedy Special

Driven by franchise-high ratings, TBS has ordered a thirteenth season of its hit unscripted comedy series, Impractical Jokers. Since its January 15 premiere, Impractical Jokers is averaging an astonishing 1.72 L3 rating among Adults 25-54, an increase of 292% over the previous season. The series is on track to deliver its highest rated season ever in its 15-year history and currently ranks as the #1 original series on cable this year in key adult demos. This season's momentum extends to the Impractical Jokers' social media show channels, with the franchise delivering 2.9 million interactions and generating 65.3 million video views year to date.

Led by comedians Brian "Q" Quinn, James "Murr" Murray and Sal Vulcano, Impractical Jokers follows the lifelong friends as they compete in a series of outrageous hidden-camera challenges designed to embarrass each other in public. At the end of every episode, the challenge's loser must endure a punishment of epic proportions.

The final episode of Impractical Jokers season 12 airs tonight - Friday, March 20 following NCAA coverage on TBS. The series, which first premiered on December 15, 2011, is produced by NorthSouth Productions.

HBO will debut the original comedy special Josh Johnson: Symphony, the comedian’s first HBO comedy special, this spring. While many audiences are accustomed to Johnson’s takes on timely topics, in Josh Johnson: Symphony, he debuts original material about our shared experiences as humans – tackling topics like family, religion, and relationships through his unique point of view and signature creativity. Viewers can expect a truly original and unforgettable experience. The special will be filmed at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

TBS and TNT Holiday Schedule; Hulu's Back 'Four' More Reasonable Doubt; Remembering Diane Ladd of Alice

Festive films, spirited sitcoms and 24-hour movie marathons return this season as TBS's "All I Watch for Christmas" delivers nostalgic classics and TNT's "Christmas Maximus" showcases blockbuster holiday hits beginning Sunday, November 9.

As part of the networks' annual tradition, TBS and TNT will host 24-hour movie marathons of Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. Additionally, TNT will air the broadcast premiere of Candy Cane Lane, starring Eddie Murphy, on November 16 along with the network debut of Shrek the Halls on December 2. Other seasonal favorites include Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), The Polar Express, Four Christmases, and many more.

TBS will also air holiday-themed episodes of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, American Dad! and Family Matters.

Hulu's Reasonable Doubt is coming back "four" more. The hit series has been renewed for season four. Season three is currently Thursdays on Hulu, with the season finale set for November 13. You'll judge Jax Stewart for her questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law...until you're the one in trouble. Then you'll see her for what she is: the most brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles who bucks the justice system at every chance she gets.

Season three stars Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey and Joseph Sikora, as well as recurring guest stars including Morris Chestnut, Lori Harvey, Kyle Bary, Rumer Willis, Brandee Evans, Richard Brooks, April Parker Jones, Keith Arthur Bolden and Kash Doll.

Actress Diane Ladd, who starred as Belle Dupree in Alice, has died. She died from chronic hypoxic respiratory failure complicated by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at her home in Ojai, California, on November 3. Ms. Ladd was 89.

Ladd starred as Florence Jean "Flo" Castleberry in the 1974 romantic comedy drama film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Flo is a hardened, sharp-tongued waitress at Mel and Ruby's Cafe. The film inspired the television series Alice, in which Flo was portrayed by Polly Holliday. Ladd was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for the role. She won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1976.

She joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Alice as Isabelle "Belle" Dupree in the fourth season in 1980. Belle Dupree is a hard-edged but kind-hearted woman. She had been a waitress of Mel's in the past, during which the two had a romantic relationship. Ladd won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for the role in 1980. Despite Ladd's Golden Globe-winning performance, the character was not retained for the duration of the series and was replaced early in 1981 after she had appeared in 23 episodes in the fourth and fifth seasons. Celia Weston then joined the cast as the good-natured, boisterous truck driver Jolene Hunnicutt, who came from Myrtle Point, South Carolina.

Ladd guest starred as Louise Burdette, the mother of Grace Kelly (Brett Butler), in two episodes of Grace Under Fire in 1994 and 1997. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the episode "Things Left Undone" in 1994. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Hazel, The Love Boat (3 episodes), and Young Sheldon.

She had a recurring role as Helen Jellicoe, Amy's (Laura Dern) quiet and rather aloof yet protective mother with her own ghosts from the past, in 18 episodes of the 2011-2013 HBO comedy drama Enlightened. In 2004, she starred as Sally Druse in the ABC horror medical drama Kingdom Hospital. She starred as Nell O'Brien in the 2016-2022 Hallmark Channel drama Chesapeake Shores.

Ladd received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her roles as Charlotte Cooper in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman in 1994 and as Carolyn Sellers in a 1997 episode of Touched by an Angel. Some of her other television guest appearances included Naked City (2 episodes), Perry Mason (1963), The Fugitive (1964), Gunsmoke (3 episodes), The Big Valley, Ironside, Father Dowling Mysteries, In the Heat of the Night, L.A. Law, Sisters, Strong Medicine (2 episodes), Cold Case, ER, and Ray Donovan.

She received Academy Award nominations for her roles in Wild at Heart (1990) and Rambling Rose (1991), in both of which she starred alongside her daughter Laura Dern. They were also nominated for dual Golden Globe Awards in the same year. Some of her other film credits included Chinatown (1974), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Primary Colors (1998), 28 Days (2000), and Joy (2015).

Ms. Ladd was a talented and versatile actress. She appeared in over 200 television shows and films in her career spanning over 70 years. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

We also remember television director Ralph Senensky. He died in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, on November 1. Mr. Senensky was 102.

Senensky's sitcom directing credits included The Courtship of Eddie's Father (9 episodes), The Bill Cosby Show (4 episodes), Nanny and the Professor (6 episodes), The Partridge Family (7 episodes), and Getting Together (3 episodes).

He directed 16 episodes of The F.B.I. from 1966 to 1972, 6 episodes of Star Trek from 1967 to 1969, and 12 episodes of The Waltons from 1973 to 1978. Some of his other directing credits included The Twilight Zone, Route 66 (2 episodes), Naked City (3 episodes), Arrest and Trial (2 episodes), The Doctors and the Nurses (2 episodes), Breaking Point (3 episodes), Dr. Kildare (5 episodes), 12 O'Clock High (4 episodes), The Fugitive (4 episodes), The Wild Wild West (2 episodes), Mission: Impossible, Ironside (2 episodes), Dan August (5 episodes), Banyon (3 episodes), Barnaby Jones (3 episodes), Eight Is Enough, Dynasty (4 episodes in 1981), Hart to Hart (7 episodes), Paper Dolls (3 episodes), and The Paper Chase (7 episodes).

He was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television in 2011.

Mr. Senensky was the last surviving person to have directed an episode of Star Trek (1966-1969). He chronicled and discussed his adventures in film and television on his official website Ralph's Cinema Trek. We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

Actor Lee Weaver had a recurring role as Brian Kincaid in The Bill Cosby Show and starred as Ricardo Williams in Easy Street. He died at his home in Los Angeles on September 22. Mr. Weaver was 95.

Weaver had a recurring role as Brian Kincaid in seven episodes of the 1969-1971 NBC sitcom The Bill Cosby Show. Bill Cosby played the role of Chet Kincaid, a physical education teacher at a Los Angeles high school, a bachelor, and an "average cool guy" trying to earn a living and help people out along the way. Brian Kincaid is Chet's brother. The cast included Lillian Randolph (1969-1970), Beah Richards (1970-1971), Olga James, Sid McCoy, Joyce Bulifant, and Joseph Perry.

He starred as Ricardo Williams in the 1986-1987 NBC sitcom Easy Street. The series stars Loni Anderson as L.K. McGuire, a onetime showgirl who manages to nab a young wealthy husband, Ned McGuire, only to have him die and leave her fending for herself against his embittered sister, who's out to get L.K. out of the picture and away from her inherited money. Meanwhile, L.K. reconnects with a down-on-his-luck uncle, Bully Stevenson (Jack Elam) who has been on and off the streets of Los Angeles. L.K. invites him and his pal, Ricardo Williams, to move into her vast mansion, to the horror and consternation of her snobbish in-laws, Eleanor and Quentin Standard (Dana Ivey and James Cromwell).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Good Morning World, Julia, Love, American Style (1969), Nanny and the Professor, That's My Mama, Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Soap, Mork & Mindy, AfterMASH, Diff'rent Strokes, What's Happening Now!!, 227 (2 episodes), Webster (3 episodes), Amen, Dear John, A Different World, The Cosby Show (2 episodes), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Nurses, Night Court (1992), Step by Step, Living Single, Roc, Sister, Sister (1994), Martin (2 episodes), Sparks (2 episodes), The Jamie Foxx Show, Good News (2 episodes), Suddenly Susan, For Your Love, Men, Women & Dogs, My Wife and Kids, The Parkers, The Bernie Mac Show, That's So Raven, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, My Name Is Earl (2 episodes), Community, Family Tools (4 episodes), and Grace and Frankie (2 episodes).

Some of his other television credits included Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (6 episodes), I Spy (2 episodes), The Blue Knight (4 episodes), Flamingo Road (6 episodes), Hill Street Blues (6 episodes), Reasonable Doubts (2 episodes), and NYPD Blue (3 episodes). He was the voice of Alpine in the animated television series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero from 1985 to 1986.

Mr. Weaver was a familiar face who wore stylish hats in many sitcoms. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his 70 year career. He will be sorely missed.

TBS Friends Tribute Marathon; HBO's Albert Brooks Documentary Premieres November 11

TBS is celebrating the life of Friends star and fan-favorite actor Matthew Perry all week long with marathons dedicated to his beloved character, interspersed with special tributes showcasing what he and his character meant to fans of the long-running comedy sitcom. The "Best of Chandler" Marathon begins on Wednesday, November 1, spotlighting the character's most hilarious and heartwarming episodes. The marathon continues on Thursday, November 2, highlighting friendship episodes with "Best of Chandler and Joey's Friendship," and the "Best of Monica and Chandler's Relationship" Marathon on Friday, November 3. Encores of the marathons will continue over the weekend through Sunday, November 5.

Full scheduling details below:  

Wednesday, 11/1: "Friends": Best of Chandler Marathon (6A - 6P)
· 6:00AM "The One With The Blackout"
· 6:30AM "The One After the Super Bowl Pt. 2"
· 7:00AM "The One With the Prom Video"
· 7:30AM "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies"
· 8:00AM "The One Where Eddie Wont' Go"
· 8:30AM "The One With Barry and Mindy's Wedding"
· 9:00AM "The One With the Jam"
· 9:30AM "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister"
· 10:00AM "The One With the Hypnosis Tape"
· 10:30AM "The One With a Chick and a Duck"
· 11:00AM "The One With the Cat"
· 11:30AM "The One With the Cuffs"
· 12:00PM "The One With Chandler in a Box"
· 12:30PM "The One With the Embryos"
· 1:00PM "The One With all the Rugby"
· 1:30PM "The One With All the Wedding Dresses"
· 2:00PM "The One With All the Thanksgivings"
· 2:30PM "The One Where Everybody Finds Out"
· 3:00PM "The One With the Cop"
· 3:30PM "The One With the Proposal: Part 1"
· 4:00PM "The One With the Halloween Party"
· 4:30PM "The One With the Tea Leaves"
· 5:00PM "The One With the Sharks"
· 5:30PM "The One Where Rachel Goes Back to Work"

Thursday, 11/2: "Friends": Best of Chandler and Joey's Friendship Marathon (6:30A-12:30P)
· 6:00AM "The One With the Baby On The Bus"
· 6:30AM "The One With The Prom Video"
· 7:00AM "The One Where Ross and Rachel... You Know"
· 7:30AM "The One Where Joey Moves Out"
· 8:00AM "The One Where Eddie Won't Go"
· 8:30AM "The One Where No One's Ready"
· 9:00AM "The One With a Chick and a Duck"
· 9:30AM "The One With the Cat"
· 10:00AM "The One With Chandler in a Box"
· 10:30AM "The One With The Embryos"
· 11:00AM "The One Where Monica Sings"
· 12:00PM "The One With Ross's Grant"

Friday, 11/3: "Friends": Best of Chandler & Monica's Relationship Marathon (10A-12:30P)
· 10:00AM "The One With Ross' Wedding, Part 2"
· 10:30AM "The One With the Proposal Part 1" 
· 11:00AM "The One With the Proposal Part 2"
· 11:30AM "The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding Part 1"
· 12:00AM "The One With Monica and Chandler's Wedding Part 2"

Saturday, 11/4: "Friends": Best of Chandler Encore (6A-10:30A)
· 6:00AM "The One With The Blackout"
· 6:30AM "The One After the Super Bowl Pt. 2"
· 7:00AM "The One With the Prom Video" 
· 7:30AM "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies"
· 8:00AM "The One Where Eddie Wont' Go" 
· 8:30AM "The One With Barry and Mindy's Wedding" 
· 9:00AM "The One With the Jam"
· 9:30AM "The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister"
· 10:00AM "The One With the Hypnosis Tape" 

Sunday, 11/5: Friends Best of Chandler Encore (6A-12:30P)
· 6:00AM "The One With a Chick and a Duck"
· 6:30AM "The One With the Cat"
· 7:00AM "The One With the Cuffs"
· 7:30AM "The One With Chandler in a Box"
· 8:00AM "The One With the Embryos"
· 8:30AM "The One With all the Rugby"
· 9:00AM "The One With All the Thanksgivings"
· 9:30AM "The One Where Everybody Finds Out"
· 10:00AM "The One With the Cop"
· 10:30AM "The One With the Proposal: Part 1"
· 11:00AM "The One With the Halloween Party"
· 11:30AM "The One With the Tea Leaves"
· 12:00PM "The One With the Sharks" 

The HBO Original documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride), debuts Saturday, November 11 (8:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. Since the late 1960s, Albert Brooks has been a major force in American comedy with his smart, sometimes absurdist, and truly unique sense of humor. From stand-up, to acting, to writing and directing short films, to his seven, iconic, original motion pictures, including Modern Romance, Lost in America, Mother and more, Brooks has paved the way for future generations and remains a comedic force in a league of his own. With testimonials from some of the brightest comedy talents and serious thinkers, as well as family and friends, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life chronicles Brooks' very early work all the way to present day. In this deep and personal conversation, Reiner and Brooks explore the origins and evolution of Brooks' career, the impetus for his creativity, and the impact he has had on the world of comedy.

Featured Participants: Attesting to Brooks' influence in the comedy and entertainment world is a host of notable celebrity figures including: Chris Rock, Conan O'Brien, Wanda Sykes, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Steven Spielberg, Sarah Silverman, David Letterman, Larry David, Jonah Hill, Judd Apatow, Sharon Stone, Brian Williams, Anthony Jeselnik, Tiffany Haddish, Alana Haim, Nikki Glaser, James L. Brooks, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

TBS and TNT Winter Break Programming; Kelly Clarkson to Host NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center

TBS and TNT kick off Winter Break with festive films and holiday-themed episodes throughout November and December. The programming begins on November 4 with spirited movies Jack Frost, Fred Claus, The Polar Express, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Elf, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its theatrical release. As part of annual tradition, TBS and TNT will host 24-hour marathons of A Christmas Story, Elf and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Other classics airing throughout the season include Four Christmases, Deck the Halls, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), and many more. In addition, the broadcast premieres of A Christmas Story Christmas and 8-Bit Christmas will debut in November.

TBS will continue spreading the holiday cheer with the premiere of an American Dad! Christmas episode on December 18. Holiday-themed episodes of Friends, The Big Bang Theory and for the first time ever Modern Family, will air throughout the winter season. To celebrate the launch of Winter Break, TBS and TNT have partnered with Auntie Anne's to create the Winter Break Bundle available in locations nationwide and through online delivery that includes 2 pretzels, 2 cups of pretzel nuggets, and 4 dips. It is the perfect snack to pair with this season's merry movies and holiday favorites. View the promo here and please visit www.wbd.com/winterbreak for more information.

A tradition spanning over nine decades, NBC celebrates the annual lighting of one of the world's most famous trees with its beloved Christmas in Rockefeller Center special. This year, for the first time, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson will pull double duty at the annual two-hour holiday affair live on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. Clarkson will not only host NBC's iconic Christmas special, but also deliver festive performances - all from the historic NYC spot that is now also home to her eponymous talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show. This year marks the 20th anniversary of her first Christmas in Rockefeller Center performance, and she has performed a handful of times since. NBC's TODAY anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin will once again join the tree lighting for a special appearance. No stranger to spreading seasonal cheer, the two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has released multiple holiday albums, including When Christmas Comes Around ... in 2021 and Wrapped in Red in 2013.

Only Murders in the Building Returning for Season 4 on Hulu; Wipeout Season Premiere This November on TBS; Remembering Dick Butkus

Only Murders in the Building is returning for Season 4 on Hulu! The trio's journey is far from over. The recently ended season three found Charles, Oliver & Mabel (played by Steve Martin, Martin Short & Selena Gomez) investigating a murder behind the scenes of a Broadway show. Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd) is a Hollywood action star whose Broadway debut is cut short by his untimely death. Aided by co-star Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep), our trio embarks on their toughest case yet, all while director Oliver desperately attempts to put his show back together. Curtains up! CAST: Series regulars include Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.

Fan-favorite hosts John Cena (Fast X, Peacemaker) and Nicole Byer (Nailed It!, Grand Crew) headline the second season of television's most hilarious extreme sport, Wipeout, returning to TBS on Tuesday, November 7 at 9:00pm ET/PT. With updated courses that are bigger and wetter than ever and a special appearance from someone Wipeout fans will be sure to recognize, each episode features a collection of new contestants racing their way through water, slime, mud, and the series' iconic big red balls for the chance to win a grand prize of $25,000. Field host Camille Kostek (Free Guy) returns to provide interviews and commentary from the sidelines of the three main courses: The Qualifier, The Gauntlet, and The Wipeout Zone. New season two challenges include the "Ding Dong Damage" trap door, the "Face Time with Nicole" heavy hammer, and the "Backboned" moving bridge. As competitors try to display athleticism, endurance, and balance, Cena and Beyer offer comedic commentary for every epic fall and spectacular save. At the end of each episode, one team will claim the top prize.

Hall of Fame football player and actor Dick Butkus, who starred as Ed Klawicki on My Two Dads and as Coach Mike Katowinski on Hang Time, has died. He died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, on October 5. The cause of death was a stroke, with atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, and hypercholesterolemia listed as underlying causes. Mr. Butkus was 80.

Butkus starred as Ed Klawicki in the first two seasons (1987-1989) of the 1987-1990 NBC sitcom My Two Dads. Ed Klawicki managed Klawicki's diner on the apartment building's first floor. In the third season, when Butkus left the series, the diner was then run by cook Julian (Don Yesso), but there was no explanation as to what happened to Ed Klawicki. Ownership of the diner was explained to have been taken over by Judge Wilbur (Florence Stanley) at this point, and it was renamed The Judge's Court Cafe. The cast also included Paul Reiser, Greg Evigan, Staci Keanan, Giovanni Ribisi (credited as Vonni Ribisi), Chad Allen (seasons 2 and 3), and Amy Hathaway (seasons 2 and 3).

He starred as Coach Mike Katowinski in seasons 4-6 (1998-2000) on the NBC sitcom Hang Time. The series aired from 1995 to 2000 as part of the network's Saturday morning program block for teenagers, TNBC. Butkus joined the cast in the fourth season as Mike Katowinski, the new coach of the Deering Tornados boys' varsity basketball team of the fictional Deering High School in the fictional Midwestern town of Deering, Indiana. The seasons 4-6 cast included Daniella Deutscher, Megan Parten, Adam Frost, Amber Barretto, Mark Famiglietti, Danso Gordon, James Villani (season 4), Jay Hernandez, and Phillip Glasser (seasons 5 and 6).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Taxi, The Lovet Boat, Night Court (2 episodes), Growing Pains, D.C. Follies, Kate & Allie, Chicago Sons, Coach (2 episodes), Malibu, CA (2000), Inside Schwartz, The Bernie Mac Show, and I Didn't Do It. He portrayed Officer Alvin Dimsky in Cass Malloy, the 1982 CBS pilot for what later became the syndicated sitcom She's the Sheriff.

Butkus starred as Richard "Ski" Butowski, a cop who is a member of the "Rolling Thunder" ground crew, on the 1984 ABC action drama Blue Thunder. He starred as Beau on the short-lived 1985 NBC detective comedy-drama Half Nelson. He served as the referee on the 1985-1986 syndicated reality competition series The Star Games. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, he appeared alongside fellow former NFL star (and later Blue Thunder and Half Nelson co-star) Bubba Smith in a series of ads for Miller Lite, which were released to high acclaim.

Some of his television drama guest appearances included Emergency!, McMillan & Wife, Police Story (2 episodes), Bronk, The Six Million Dollar Man, Joe Forrester (2 episodes), Petrocelli, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Fantasy Island (2 episodes), Vega$, Magnum, P.I. (1982), Matt Houston, The Greatest American Hero, Simon & Simon (1982), Murder, She Wrote (1985), Blacke's Magic, Matlock (1987), MacGyver (3 episodes from 1990-1991), Burke's Law, and Early Edition.

He starred as Arthur in Johnny Dangerously (1984). Some of his other film credits included The Longest Yard (1974), Cry, Onion! (1975), Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976), Gus (1976), Superdome (1978), Cracking Up (1983), Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986), The Stepford Children (1987), Spontaneous Combustion (1990), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Necessary Roughness (1991), and Any Given Sunday (1999). He portrayed himself in both the critically acclaimed TV movie Brian's Song (1971) and the comedy Teddy Bears' Picnic (2002).

Butkus played football for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro six times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. He was renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in professional football history. In 1979, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His No. 51 jersey is retired by the Bears.

Mr. Butkus was a NFL legend. He was named the tenth-best player by the NFL Network in its The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players series in 2010. After retiring from football, he had a solid career as an actor. We thank him for his work on the football field and the entertainment he brought us on television and in movies. He will be greatly missed.

TBS Acquires Modern Family; The Frasier Awards on COZI TV

TBS has expanded its comedy line up by licensing the popular, award-winning series Modern Family which follows the diverse and complex Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan as they navigate daily life. Beginning Monday, September 25, Modern Family will air on weekdays in the network’s 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET/PT time slot. And, starting this week, to further bolster its position as the home of comedy, TBS also will air longer daily marathons of The Big Bang Theory -- a series that currently ranks as the #1 acquired series in cable in 2023. Modern Family has aired on NBCUniversal cable networks the last 10 years (mainly on USA Network and recently on E!). E! will stop airing the sitcom after next week it seems but Peacock will continue to stream (along with Disney's Hulu).

Next week, fans of Frasier can tune in starting Monday, September 18 through Friday, September 22 for the "Frasier Awards" special themed week. COZI TV has curated a week-long Frasier lineup highlighting 20 award-winning episodes of the famed sitcom starting at their regular weekly timeslot, 8:00 PM EST (check local listings). Fans can expect to see episodes featuring Outstanding Guest Actors, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing and more. COZI TV will also air special episode intros prior to each award-winning episode. During its original run, Frasier was awarded with over 37 Emmy® Awards and accumulated 108 total nominations, holding the record of most wins of any scripted series until Game of Thrones.

COZI TV viewers can regularly watch Frasier weeknights from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST (check local listings) on HuluLive, YouTube TV, fubotv, DIRECTV STREAM (channel 80) and DISH Network (channel 253).

TBS Back to School Marathons; HBO Renews The Righteous Gemstones for Season 4

In some parts of the country, it is actually almost back to school time in a few weeks (weird, right?). TBS will showcase three sitcom marathons. On Saturday, August 12, Bob's Burgers Back to School Marathon on TBS airs from 8:00pm to 10:30pm ET/PT. Then the next day on Sunday, August 13, it is a Friends Back to School Marathon on TBS from 12:00pm to 6:00pm ET/PT and then The Big Bang Theory Back to School Marathon on TBS from 6:00pm to 10:00pm ET/PT.

HBO has renewed the critically acclaimed original comedy series The Righteous Gemstones for a fourth season. Created by Danny McBride, the series concludes its nine-episode third season July 30. The first three seasons are available to stream on Max. The Righteous Gemstones tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work. When the spoiled Gemstone children finally get their wish to take control of the Church, they discover leadership is harder than they imagined and that their extravagant lifestyle comes with a heavy price.

Season 3 cast: Danny McBride as Jesse Gemstone, Adam Devine as Kelvin Gemstone, John Goodman as Eli Gemstone, Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone, Cassidy Freeman as Amber Gemstone, Tim Baltz as BJ, Tony Cavalero as Keefe Chambers, Greg Alan Williams as Martin Imari, Skyler Gisondo as Gideon Gemstone, Walton Goggins as Baby Billy Freeman, Jennifer Nettles as Aimee-Leigh Gemstone, James DuMont as Chad, Jody Hill as Levi, Troy Anthony Hogan as Matthew, Valyn Hall as Tiffany Freeman, Kelton DuMont as Pontious Gemstone, Gavin Munn as Abraham Gemstone, Steve Zahn as Peter Montgomery, Stephen Dorff as Vance Simkins, Shea Whigham as Dusty Daniels, Kristen Johnston as May-May, Lukas Haas as Chuck, Robert Oberst as Karl, Stephen Schneider as Stephen, Iliza Shlesinger as Shay Marigold, Sturgill Simpson as Marshall, and Casey Wilson as Kristy.

American Dad! Returns Labor Day on TBS; Solar Opposites New Season on Hulu

TBS announced American Dad! returns on Monday, September 4 at 10PM ET/PT. New episodes of the 18th season feature the voices of Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Scott Grimes, Rachael MacFarlane, Jeff Fischer, Dee Bradley Baker, and Patrick Stewart, along with special guests Shaggy, Eliza Coupe, Mark McKinney, Debra Wilson, John Cho, Jane Lynch, Breckin Meyer and many more. American Dad! centers on super patriotic CIA agent Stan Smith (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and the misadventures of his unconventional family in Langley Falls, VA. Stan applies the same drastic measures used in his job at the CIA to his home life, where Stan’s blissfully unaware wife, Francine (Wendy Schaal), has an unfaltering loyalty that makes her blind to his unabashed arrogance. His left-wing activist daughter Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane), however, doesn’t let him off so easily and knows just how to push her father’s buttons, unlike her dopey, well-intentioned husband Jeff (Jeff Fischer) who doesn’t know much of anything. Son Steve (Scott Grimes) is a geeky-yet-confident kid who spends his time playing video games and obsessing about the opposite sex. The Smith cabinet is rounded out by two rather unconventional members: Roger (MacFarlane), a sassy, sarcastic and routinely inappropriate space alien, and Klaus (Dee Bradley Baker), an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German Olympic skier.

Citizens of Earth, prepare yourselves for an epic new season of Solar Opposites, crash landing on Hulu on Monday, August 14 with 11 episodes, followed by a Valentine’s Day special coming in 2024. Solar Opposites centers around a team of four aliens who are evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Korvo (Dan Stevens) and Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) only see the pollution, crass consumerism, and human frailty while Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Jesse (Mary Mack) love TV, junk food and fun stuff. In Season 4, we pack up the sci-fi and get normal… for a second. Then it’s back to classic Solar chaos, mayhem in the Wall, and some all new Silvercops adventures! The series is produced by 20th Television Animation. CAST: Dan Stevens, Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, Mary Mack.

MeTV's Marry Me Block on June 4; TBS Sets Miracle Workers: End Times Premiere Date for July 10

Friends... family... classic TV fans... we are gathered here together today to say "I do" to a special block of matrimonial content on MeTV! On Sunday, June 4, tune in starting at 10:30A | 9:30C for specially selected episodes all about walking down the aisle.

The ceremony starts in Bedrock, takes a detour to Beverly Hills, and even finishes in Mayberry. Check out the full event itinerary for Marry Me:

10:30A | 9:30C: The Flintstones: "Engagement Ring" — A case of mistaken identity over an engagement ring gets Barney in a fight — literally!

11A | 10C: The Flintstones: "Groom Gloom" — Fred dreams that newsboy Arnold has grown up and eloped witth a mature Pebbles.

12P | 11C: The Brady Bunch: "The Honeymoon" — Mike Brady, a widower with three boys, gets marrried to Carol Tyler, a divorcee with three girls. Their beautiful wedding ceremony takes a turn when the boys' dog meets the girls' cat. (Pilot)

12:30P | 11:30C: The Brady Bunch: "The Elopement" — After eavesdropping on Sam and Alice, Marcia and Jan leads the rest of the Bradys to believe they're eloping.

1P | 12C: Leave It to Beaver: "The Parking Attendants" — Ward and June are concerned when Wally is hired to park cars at a wedding reception, especially when they learn that he'll be asking unpredictable duo Eddie Haskell and Lumpy Rutherford to help.

2P | 1C: The Beverly Hillbillies: "Wedding Plans" — Granny planns Elly May's wedding with her fiancé, and misunderstands his proposition.

2:30P | 1:30C: The Beverly Hillbillies: "Annul That Marriage" — Shorty's marriage to Drysdale's secretary turnns out to be only a temporary respite from Elverna.

3P | 2C: Gilligan's Island: "Mr. & Mrs. ?" — A radio bulletin states that the minister who married the Howells was a fraud.

4P | 3C: Mama's Family: "The Wedding: Part 1" — With Vint out at a bachelor party the night before his wedding, the ladies have the house to themselves. When Naomi starts a rumor that Ellen's husband is having an affair with his secretary, the party begins to deteriorate.

4:30P | 3:30C: Mama's Family: "The Wedding: Part 2" — Having survived Vint and Naomi's wedding, Mama's peace is disturbed by the return of the happy couple. Announcing that they've been swindled out of their housing investment, they plead with Mama to let them move back in.

5P | 4C: The Love Boat: "Happily Ever After/Have I Got a Job for You/Mr. Smith Goes to Minikulu" — The Captain gets cold feet about his marriage to Emily; Gopher reconsiders an offer to manage an island resort when Isaac doesn't want to go with him; Ace pulls an all-nighter filling out an application for Gopher's job.

6P | 5C: The Andy Griffith Show: "Divorce, Mountain Style" — Barney interferes in a strange mountain divorce.

TBS will premiere anthology comedy series Miracle Workers: End Times on Monday, July 10 at 10pm ET/PT. Daniel Radcliffe (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Geraldine Viswanathan (Bad Education), Karan Soni (Deadpool) and Jon Bass (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) return in the fourth installment of the series as all-new characters in a dystopian future full of radioactive mutants, killer robots and a tyrannical homeowner's association with outrageous annual fees.

In a post-apocalyptic future, a wasteland warrior (Daniel Radcliffe) and a ruthless warlord (Geraldine Viswanathan) face the most dystopian nightmare of all: settling down in the suburbs. Together they navigate the existential horrors of married life and small-town living, all under the dubious guidance of a wealthy junk trader (Steve Buscemi). Also starring Jon Bass as the couple's faithful war dog, and Karan Soni as a kill-bot who loves to party. Guest stars this season include, Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Garcelle Beauvais (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live), Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), Lolly Adefope (Shrill), Paul F. Tompkins (HouseBroken) and Lisa Loeb (Robot Chicken).

Miracle Workers was created by Simon Rich. Miracle Workers: End Times is executive produced by Lorne Michaels. Dan Mirk and Robert Padnick serve as showrunners and are executive producers alongside Andrew Singer and Katy Jenson of Michaels' Broadway Video, Simon Rich, Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi.

Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront 2023; Sarah Silverman HBO Special Premieres May 27

The eleven-episode second season of the Max Original series And Just Like That..., from executive producer Michael Patrick King, will debut with two episodes on Thursday, June 22 on Max. The following nine episodes will premiere weekly on Thursdays.

Returning series regulars include Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sara Ramírez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Christopher Jackson, Niall Cunningham, Cathy Ang and Alexa Swinton.

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Max has ordered Conan O'Brien Must Go, a new international travel series from Conan O'Brien. The four-episode series is currently in production and will feature O'Brien visiting new friends he’s met through his podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan, where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world. Produced by Conaco, Conan O'Brien Must Go is executive produced by O'Brien and Jeff Ross.

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TBS takes prank TV to a whole new level with a re-imagined version of The Joe Schmo Show premiering next year, it was announced today by Kathleen Finch, Chairman and Chief Content Officer, US Networks Group, Warner Bros. Discovery, during the company's 2023 Upfront presentation at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Hosted by five-time Emmy Award nominee, Cat Deeley, this show within a show takes aim at the absurdity of reality TV by making a regular guy believe he is competing on a reality show, when he is in fact, surrounded by a cast of highly skilled improv comedians. Reality TV has come a long way since 2003 when the original Joe Schmo Show was watched by more than 44 million viewers. This new take on the iconic format promises to be even bigger, wilder, and more mind-blowing.

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The Max Original docuseries Downey's Dream Cars debuts with two episodes Thursday, June 22 on Max, with two new episodes debuting each Thursday leading up to the final two episodes on July 6. The official trailer was revealed exclusively during Warner Bros. Discovery's Upfront presentation in New York today.

Robert Downey Jr. loves restoring classic cars. But he's also become dedicated to fighting climate change. So he's bringing his beloved old cars into the future, making them faster, more powerful, and more efficient while keeping their souls intact.

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The HBO Original stand-up comedy special Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love debuts Saturday, May 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET on Max and will air at 10:15 p.m. ET / PT on HBO. Emmy®-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer Sarah Silverman returns with her first HBO comedy special since 2013's acclaimed Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles. Filmed at The Wilbur Theater in Boston, Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love features the New England native showcasing her fearless chutzpah.

HBO Max Animated Comedy Fired on Mars; TBS Comedic Game Show Returns in May

HBO Max has released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming original adult animated series Fired on Mars. Created by Nate Sherman and Nick Vokey, Fired on Mars tells the story of Jeff Cooper who finds himself adrift after taking a one-way trip to the Red Planet only to have his bosses unceremoniously eliminate his role. The series stars Luke Wilson along with a cast that includes Leslie David Baker, Cory Loykasek, Stephen Root, and Cedric Yarbrough. The eight episode season debuts Thursday, April 20 on HBO Max. Guest Stars: Pamela Adlon, Thomas Haden Church, Tim Heidecker, Frankie Quinones, Emily Watson, and Sean Wing.

Jeff Cooper (Luke Wilson) has it all: a fulfilling career as the graphic designer for space start-up Mars.ly, a relationship with his soon-to-be Red Planet-bound girlfriend, Hannah, and… well, maybe that’s it. But when his bosses unceremoniously eliminate his role, Jeff finds himself jobless and unable to return to Earth. Adrift in the sprawling office colony, Jeff is forced to reinvent himself as he attempts to find meaning in a dangerous, alien, yet all-too-familiar corporate landscape. An existential and irreverent animated comedy series, Fired on Mars explores the precarious relationship between work and self...light years away from Earth.

TBS' high-octane competition series, The Cube, hosted by three-time NBA Champion, one of the NBA's 75 all-time greatest players, and founder of 59th and Prairie Entertainment, Dwyane Wade, will return for its second season on Sunday, May 14, at 9:00PM ET/PT. Season two will feature more games, celebrities, and winners. Actress Gabrielle Union-Wade and TV personality La La Anthony partner to kick off the first episode to beat ‘The Cube’ and win money for charity. Other celebrity guests, competing for charities, will be woven throughout episodes and will include NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, GRAMMY® Award nominated, CMA & ACM Award winning country music star Jimmie Allen, and NBA Champion Iman Shumpert.

American Dad! Season 18 Premieres March 27; Hulu's Tiny Beautiful Things Launches April 7

American Dad! returns to TBS on Monday, March 27 at 10:00pm ET/PT. The upcoming 18th season features the voices of Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Scott Grimes, Rachael MacFarlane, Jeff Fischer, Dee Bradley Baker, and Patrick Stewart, along with special guests, Pete Davidson, Anjelica Houston, Jason Alexander, Jaleel White, Chris Sullivan, Ann Dowd, Amy Sedaris, Alan Tudyk, Alyson Hannigan and Simon Helberg. American Dad! centers on super patriotic CIA agent Stan Smith (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and the misadventures of his unconventional family in Langley Falls, VA. Stan applies the same drastic measures used in his job at the CIA to his home life, where Stan's blissfully unaware wife, Francine (Wendy Schaal), has an unfaltering loyalty that makes her blind to his unabashed arrogance. His left-wing activist daughter Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane), however, doesn't let him off so easily and knows just how to push her father's buttons, unlike her dopey, well-intentioned husband Jeff (Jeff Fischer) who doesn't know much of anything. Son Steve (Scott Grimes) is a geeky-yet-confident kid who spends his time playing video games and obsessing about the opposite sex. The Smith cabinet is rounded out by two rather unconventional members: Roger (MacFarlane), a sassy, sarcastic and routinely inappropriate space alien, and Klaus (Dee Bradley Baker), an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German Olympic skier.

Check out the trailer and key art for Hulu Original limited comedy series Tiny Beautiful Things, based on Cheryl Strayed's best-selling book starring Kathryn Hahn, Sarah Pidgeon, Quentin Plair, and Tanzyn Crawford. Tiny Beautiful Things will premiere on Hulu with all 8 episodes April 7. Based on the best-selling collection by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things follows Clare (Kathryn Hahn) a floundering writer who becomes a revered advice columnist while her own life is falling apart.

When we first meet Clare, her marriage to her husband Danny is barely limping along; her teenage daughter, Rae, is pushing her away; and her once-promising writing career is non-existent. So when an old writing pal asks her to take over as the advice columnist Dear Sugar, she thinks she has no business giving anyone advice. After reluctantly taking on the mantle of Sugar however, Clare's life unfurls in a complex fabric of memory, exploring her most pivotal moments from childhood through present day, and excavating the beauty, struggle, and humor in her unhealed wounds. Through Sugar, Clare forms a salve for her readers - and for herself - to show us that we are not beyond rescue, that our stories can ultimately save us. And, perhaps, bring us back home. The series stars Kathryn Hahn, Sarah Pidgeon, Quentin Plair, and Tanzyn Crawford, with guest stars Owen Painter, Merritt Wever, Elizabeth Hinkler, and Michaela Watkins.

Hallmark Channel Surging in Q4 2022; TBS Releases Trailer for Season 4 of Miracle Workers

Hallmark Channel continues to lead as the #1 most-watched entertainment cable network in the quarter to-date, with this past weekend's Countdown to Christmas original holiday movie premieres delivering two out of the top three most-watched entertainment cable programs of the week among Women 18+, A Fabled Holiday and Undercover Holiday. Rounding out the weekend's original holiday movie premieres was A Big Fat Family Christmas, which became the most-watched entertainment cable program on Friday among Households, Women 18+, and Total Viewers. What's more, the premieres propelled the network to be the #1 entertainment cable network of the week in Total Day and Weekend Total Day across several key demos. The holiday programming ratings juggernaut continues to reach mass audiences, with the network's reach among Unduplicated Total Viewers surpassing 34 million viewers in the holiday season to-date.

TBS has released the official trailer for Miracle Workers: End Times premiering on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 10:00pm ET/PT. Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni, and Jon Bass make their return to the top-rated anthology comedy series Miracle Workers for the fourth installment set in the post-apocalyptic future. Miracle Workers: End Times follows a wasteland warrior (Radcliffe) and ruthless warlord (Viswanathan) as they face the most dystopian nightmare of all: settling down in the suburbs. Together they navigate the existential horrors of married life and small-town living, all under the dubious guidance of a wealthy junk trader (Buscemi). Also starring Jon Bass as the couple's faithful war dog, and Karan Soni as a kill-bot who loves to party.

Antenna TV's 2022 Holiday Marathons Schedule; Miracle Workers Returns January 16 on TBS

This holiday, settle in to Antenna TV for specialty programming that serves up family, nostalgia and comfort all season long. It all starts Thanksgiving week with themed episodes from Alice, Archie Bunker's Place, Hazel, and That Girl, leading up to "The Every Episode Thanksgiving Marathon Soaptacular." All 93 episodes of the late 1970s sitcom Soap featuring the dysfunctional Tate and Campbell families will run in order starting Wednesday, November 23 at 8pm ET and concluding the evening of Friday, November 25.

On Christmas Eve, Antenna TV presents the "Classic Christmas Collection," holiday-themed episodes of Antenna TV shows, starting Saturday, December 24 at 10am ET and ending Sunday, December 25 with the Wings "All About Christmas Eve" episode airing 4:30am – 5am ET. Wake up Christmas morning to annual Antenna TV traditions including the crackling sounds of The Original Yule Log from 5am to 10am Eastern, followed by "Christmas Through the Years," featuring Christmas episodes of Antenna TV shows from the 1950s through the 1980s, from Father Knows Best to Designing Women. Say farewell to another year and get ready to ring in the new with Antenna TV and "A Benny Hill Show Marathon," including the one-hour special Benny Hill World Tour on Saturday, December 31 starting at 11pm ET. A new year brings new beginnings, so cheers to yours with Antenna TV and a "Fresh Start." This day-long Sunday, January 1 marathon starting at 5am ET features the first episodes of all of Antenna TV's catalog of shows from The Burns and Allen Show to Family Ties. View the full schedule of episodes from every Antenna TV holiday stunt!

TBS has announced that Miracle Workers: End Times will premiere on Monday, January 16 at 10pm ET/PT. Daniel Radcliffe (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers), Karan Soni (Deadpool) and Jon Bass (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) return in the fourth installment of the series as all-new characters in a dystopian future full of radioactive mutants, killer robots and a tyrannical homeowner’s association with outrageous annual fees. In a post-apocalyptic future, a wasteland warrior (Daniel Radcliffe) and a ruthless warlord (Geraldine Viswanathan) face the most dystopian nightmare of all: settling down in the suburbs. Together they navigate the existential horrors of married life and small-town living, all under the dubious guidance of a wealthy junk trader (Steve Buscemi). Also starring Jon Bass as the couple's faithful war dog, and Karan Soni as a kill-bot who loves to party. Guest stars this season include, Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Garcelle Beauvais (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live), Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), Lolly Adefope (Shrill), Paul F. Tompkins (HouseBroken) and Lisa Loeb (Robot Chicken).

American Dad! Returns Labor Day on TBS; Krapopolis Gets Special Nov. 27 Preview on Fox

At San Diego Comic Con, TBS announced the return of new episodes from season 17 of American Dad! on Monday, September 5 at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. American Dad! centers on super patriotic CIA agent Stan Smith (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and the misadventures of his unconventional family in Langley Falls, VA. Stan applies the same drastic measures used in his job at the CIA to his home life, where Stan's blissfully unaware wife, Francine (Wendy Schaal), has an unfaltering loyalty that makes her blind to his unabashed arrogance. His left-wing activist daughter Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane), however, doesn’t let him off so easily and knows just how to push her father's buttons, unlike her dopey, well-intentioned husband Jeff (Jeff Fischer) who doesn't know much of anything. Son Steve (Scott Grimes) is a geeky-yet-confident kid who spends his time playing video games and obsessing about the opposite sex. The Smith cabinet is rounded out by two rather unconventional members: Roger (MacFarlane), a sassy, sarcastic and routinely inappropriate space alien, and Klaus (Dee Bradley Baker), an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German Olympic skier.

This season also features a special guest lineup including Terry Crews as Heinrich Brown, a ruthless insurance adjuster hellbent on bringing bad drivers to justice but trapped behind the façade of his macho exterior is a tender man with a song in his heart; Jared Harris as Merlin, a busy, always on-the-go, multi-hyphenate, wizard. Even though he's the most powerful being in his realm, Merlin still relies on a team of employees to help juggle his numerous projects and appearances; Laurie Metcalf as Eilzabeth, a leading egg scientist and researcher at Groff Community College; Jason Isaacs as Jumpers, the leader of a manipulative gang of frogs – he’s as evil as he is charming, and he'll stop at nothing to make sure he gets what he wants; and Patti Harrison as Ali, a really cool sophomore girl who pops ghost peppers like they’re nothing, and thinks love doesn’t exist. Steve can’t resist her.

Announced at San Diego Comic Con, fans can catch a special preview episode of upcoming animated comedy Krapopolis on Sunday, November 27, 2022 on Fox, ahead of its 2023 premiere! Also, be sure to stop by Krapopolis.com for the ultimate fan experience with access to Krapopolis' burgeoning digital ancient civilization. Grab your exclusive Krap Chicken NFT while they are still available and enter for a chance to win a trip to Greece!

Highly anticipated new animated series from Dan Harmon (co-creator of Rick and Morty), Krapopolis centers on a flawed family of humans, gods and monsters that tries to run one of the world's first cities without killing each other. In the series, Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), voices "Tyrannis", the mortal son of a goddess. He's the benevolent King of Krapopolis trying to make do in a city that lives up to its name. Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), plays "Deliria," Tyrannis' mother, goddess of self-destruction and questionable choices. Within her extended Olympian family - forged in patricide and infidelity - she's known as the trashy one. Matt Berry (What We Do in The Shadows) is "Shlub," Tyrannis' father, a mantitaur (half centaur [horse + human], half manticore [lion + human + scorpion]). He is oversexed and underemployed, claims to be an artist and has literally never paid for anything, in any sense of that word, for his entire life. Pam Murphy (Mapleworth Murders) voices "Stupendous," Tyrannis' half-sister, daughter of Deliria and a cyclops. Duncan Trussell (The Midnight Gospel) plays "Hippocampus," Tyrannis' half-brother, offspring of Shlub and a mermaid, and, obviously, a hot mess, biologically speaking.

CBS Upfront 2022-23: Fall 2022 Schedule; Turner Upfront Updates

Hulu Comedy Maggie Gets Premiere Date; Chad Returns July 11 on TBS, While HBO Max Series Get Second Runs on TBS and TNT; Remembering David Birney of Bridget Loves Bernie

Hulu original comedy series Maggie will premiere all episodes on Wednesday, July 6! The Rebecca Rittenhouse series was originally set for ABC, but was moved to Hulu. In the series, dating is hard enough - it’s even harder when you also happen to be a psychic. Maggie's gift allows her to see into the future of her friends, parents, clients, and random people on the street. But when she begins to see glimpses of her own destiny after meeting an unexpected stranger, her romantic life suddenly gets a lot more complicated. Can you let yourself fall in love when you think you know how it ends? She probably should have seen this coming... Series regulars include Rebecca Rittenhouse, David Del Rio, Nichole Sakura, Leonardo Nam, Angelique Cabral, Ray Ford, Chloe Bridges, Kerri Kenney and Chris Elliott. Maggie is written and executive produced by Justin Adler and Maggie Mull. Evan Hayes and Jeff Morton also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

TBS and truTV announce July premiere dates for Chad, The Big D and 101 Places to Party Before You Die. In addition, the second seasons of Max Originals Titans and Love Life will air on TBS and TNT respectively as part of Front Row, the networks' premium, limited commercial interruption content destination for select Max Original series and key TBS and TNT content. These titles join the previously announced summer premiere of TNT's Animal Kingdom on June 19 with back-to-back episodes starting at 9:00pm ET/PT.

2021's #1 new scripted cable comedy series, Chad returns on Monday, July 11 at 10:00pm ET/PT (it was previously set to return in April), starring creator, executive producer, and showrunner, Nasim Pedrad (Saturday Night Live, Aladdin). The second season of HBO Max's Love Life will launch on Sunday, July 31 at 10:00pm ET/PT on Front Row on TBS. The second season of HBO Max's Titans will launch on Tuesday, July 5 at 10:00pm ET/PT on Front Row on TNT.

Actor David Birney, who starred as Bernie Steinberg on Bridget Loves Bernie, has died. He died from complications of Alzheimer's disease on April 27 at his home in Santa Monica, California, four days after his 83rd birthday.

Birney starred as Bernie Steinberg on the 1972-1973 CBS sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. The series depicts an interfaith marriage between an Irish Catholic teacher (Bridget Fitzgerald played by Meredith Baxter) from a wealthy family and a Jewish cab driver who aspires to be a playwright (Bernie Steinberg), whom she had met at a bus stop. It was based loosely on the premise of the 1920s Broadway play and 1940s radio show Abie's Irish Rose. CBS canceled the show after only one season and 24 episodes, despite high ratings. It aired on Saturday nights between All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It finished #5 in the ratings among all shows for the 1972-73 television season and obtained a 24.2 rating, tying The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie. CBS executives canceled the show in response to negative reactions to the characters' marriage. Birney and Baxter married in real life in 1974. The cast included Harold J. Stone, Bibi Osterwald, Audra Lindley, David Doyle, Ned Glass, Robert Sampson, William Elliott and Ivor Barry.

He starred as Frank Serpico, an unorthodox NYPD detective who battles corrupt members of the police force, on the 1976-1977 NBC police drama Serpico. He portrayed Dr. Ben Samuels on the first season of the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere from 1982 until 1983. He played Sam Dillon, a star reporter at the fictional Glitter magazine, on the 1984-1985 ABC drama Glitter. In 1995, he starred as Harry Chandler Moore ("The Beacon of Truth"), the vain, pompous senior news anchor at KXZX, on the drama Live Shot, which aired on UPN from 1995 to 1996.

He guest starred on four episodes of The Love Boat from 1978 to 1982 and one episode of Love Boat: The Next Wave in 1998.

Some of his television drama guest appearances included The Edge of Night, A World Apart, The F.B.I., Circle of Fear, McMillan & Wife, Police Woman, Bronk, Cannon (2 episodes), Medical Center (2 episodes), The Streets of San Francisco, Police Story (2 episodes), Tales of the Unexpected, Hawaii Five-O (3 episodes), Fantasy Island, Family, The Twilight Zone (1986), Matlock, Murder, She Wrote (4 episodes), Burke's Law, Sliders, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Poltergeist: The Legacy and Without a Trace.

Birney was a classically trained theatre actor who found success on the stage, including on Broadway. He began his career at the prestigious Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, after winning the Barter Theatre Award in 1965. His New York debut was with Joe Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival as Antipholus of Syracuse in William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. In 1968, he played the lead in Summertree at New York's Lincoln Centre, winning the Clarence Derwent Award and the Theatre World Award.

Survivors include his life partner Michele Roberge and his children with Meredith Baxter, his daughters Kate and Mollie Birney and a son, Peter Baxter; a stepdaughter, Eva Bush, and a stepson, Ted Bush, Ms. Baxter's children from a previous marriage; two grandchildren; and his brothers, Glenn and Gregory. He was married to Meredith Baxter from 1974 until they divorced in 1989.

Mr. Birney was a talented and versatile actor. He was great on Bridget Loves Bernie. The one-year wonder is worth checking out on DVD (read our review). We thank him for the entertainment that he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Bridget Loves Bernie message board. View photos in our galleries.