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Apple TV's Brothers Premieres September 23; Remembering Dolly Parton and Tim Curry

Apple TV unveiled the trailer for Brothers, the new comedy series starring and executive produced by Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey and Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson, and showrun and executive produced by multi-Emmy Award nominee and Peabody Award winner Lee Eisenberg. The eight-episode comedy will premiere on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Wednesday, September 23, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through November 4, 2026.

Brothers follows McConaughey and Harrelson, who play fictionalized versions of themselves, and whose friendship is thrown into chaos when they uncover a decades-old secret: they might actually be brothers. After Woody's daughter's engagement falls apart, he loads up the family and heads to Austin for an extended stay at Matthew's ranch. But what begins as a healing getaway quickly spirals when Matthew's mother, Ma Mac (played by Holland Taylor), accidentally lets slip a long-buried secret that the two friends might actually be brothers. As Woody turns the ranch upside down in pursuit of the truth, Matthew finds himself juggling an entirely different identity crisis: a potential run for governor of Texas. The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality.

The ensemble cast starring alongside Harrelson and McConaughey includes Natalie Martinez, Brittany Ishibashi, Nolan Almeida, Ella Grace Helton, Noah Carganilla, Highdee Kuan, Oona Yaffe and Taylor.

Hall of Fame singer-songwriter and actress Dolly Parton, who had a recurring role as Aunt Dolly in Hannah Montana, has died. She died after a brief battle with cancer in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 25. Ms. Parton was 80.

Parton made several attempts at starring in a sitcom. She was set to star as Betsy Baxter in the sitcom Heavens to Betsy on CBS in early 1995. Betsy Baxter is a Las Vegas lounge singer who returns home to Tennessee following a near-death experience to work as a waitress at a diner called Spec's. The cast included Connie Ray, Connie Schulman, Boyd Gaines, O'Neal Compton, Doug Sheehan and Elisabeth Harnois.

Six episodes were shot at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida, in 1994 with an intent to air at midseason in early 1995, but the show was plagued with production problems and wound up being permanently shelved. In 1996, she made a pilot called Mindin' My Own Business for CBS. The show featured Parton as a Southerner who moved to Los Angeles and opened a catering company.

She guest starred as herself, the guardian movie star of Charlene's (Jean Smart) baby, in two episodes of Designing Women in 1990. She won a 2003 TV Land Award for Most Memorable Female Guest Star in a Comedy as Herself. In 1991, she appeared as herself in a 1991 episode of the Fox sitcom Babes. She voiced herself in a 1999 episode of The Simpsons. She appeared as herself in a 2000 Halloween-themed episode of the CBS sitcom Bette. In 2005, she played Dolly Majors, a local real estate agent Reba (Reba McEntire) wants to work for, in an episode of The WB sitcom Reba. She appeared as herself in an episode of the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat in 2023.

Parton had a recurring role as Aunt Dolly in three episodes of the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2010. Aunt Dolly is a long-time friend of the Stewart family, long enough to remember when Robby (Billy Ray Cyrus) was in diapers. Although not a blood relation, the Stewarts consider her a family member as she is Miley Stewart's (Miley Cyrus) godmother.

She appeared as a regular performer in 218 episodes of the syndicated weekly variety show The Porter Wagoner Show between 1967 and 1974. She starred in the first-run syndicated variety show Dolly! from 1976 to 1977. During the 1987–1988 television season, she starred in the ABC variety show Dolly. With 39.47 million viewers, the first episode of Dolly attracted the largest audience for any television series premiere. She hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live on April 15, 1989.

Parton made her theatrical film debut as Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5 (1980). She wrote the film's theme song, which was nominated for an Academy Award and a Grammy. Some of her other film credits included The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989), Straight Talk (1992) and Joyful Noise (2012).

She released 49 studio albums and wrote more than 3,000 songs, including "I Will Always Love You" (a two-time U.S. country chart-topper and an international success for Whitney Houston that sold 24 million copies worldwide), "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors", and "9 to 5". She earned 11 Grammy Awards (including her 2011 Lifetime Achievement Grammy) and received 55 Grammy nominations, the third-most nominations of any female artist.

Ms. Parton was a national treasure. She made over 400 appearances on television. It's too bad her sitcoms never made it to air on CBS. We thank her for the music and her work on television and in films. Dolly, we will always love you. You will be deeply missed.

CBS announced that Remembering Dolly: A Rhinestone Life, an Entertainment Tonight special, will air Sunday, Aug. 30 at (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+. Hosted by Entertainment Tonight co-hosts Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner, the special celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Dolly Parton.

Presented by Entertainment Tonight, the special takes viewers from Dolly's first ET interview in 1982 to her final conversation more than four decades later, looking back at how she rose from the Smoky Mountains to become one of the world's most beloved entertainers.

Through rare interviews and new tributes from Dionne Warwick, Melissa Etheridge, Diane Warren, Debbie Allen, Jennifer Nettles and more, viewers will discover the stories behind the songs that made her immortal, her unforgettable Hollywood career, the larger-than-life look she created and controlled and the nearly 60-year love story she shared with her husband, Carl Dean. The special also explores Dolly's bond with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus; the philanthropy that changed millions of lives; and the wit, faith and wisdom that made her unlike anyone else.

In the end, Dolly gets the last word on how she hoped to be remembered: "I just want to be remembered as a good-hearted person."

On Sunday, August 30 at 5P | 4C, MeTV celebrates the songwriter, actress, and philanthropist with a documentary film and an encore episode of Collector's Call featuring an appearance from Dolly herself.

English actor and singer Tim Curry, who starred as Simon Ferguson in Over the Top and as Mr. Giles French in the remake of Family Affair, has died. He died at his home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, on August 25. A cause of death was not provided, though he had experienced multiple health issues after his 2012 stroke. Mr. Curry was 80.

Curry starred as Simon Ferguson in the short-lived 1997 ABC sitcom Over the Top. After being fired from the soap opera Days to Remember, down on his luck, eccentric, self-centered actor Simon Ferguson moves into Manhattan's Metropolitan Hotel, which is run by ex-wife Hadley Martin (Annie Potts), to whom he was married for twelve days twenty years prior. Curry was also one of the producers. The cast included Marla Sokoloff, Luke Tarsitano, Steve Carell (in his first starring role in a sitcom), John O'Hurley and Liz Torres.

He starred as Mr. Giles French in the 2002-2003 The WB sitcom Family Affair. The series was created as a remake of the original 1966–1971 CBS Family Affair sitcom. This version was from Sid and Marty Krofft, and was produced by Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, Pariah Films, and Turner Television. The series also starred Gary Cole, Caitlin Wachs, Sasha Pieterse, Luke Benward (pilot) and Jimmy "Jax" Pinchak (episodes 2–15).

Curry appeared as Roger, an eccentric, sophisticated friend and love interest of Nancy Bartlett (Sandra Bernhard), in two episodes of Roseanne in 1993. Some of his other sitcom credits included Dinosaurs (7 episodes as various voices), The Naked Truth (2 episodes), Teen Angel (voice), Rude Awakening (6 episodes), 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd (voice), Bette and Will & Grace (2 episodes).

Curry had a recurring role as Winston Newquay in six episodes of Wiseguy in 1989. He earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1994 for his role as a family of Hillbillies in the HBO horror anthology series Tales from the Crypt. He provided the voice of Sorcerer in the USA Network drama The Net in 1998. Some of his other television guest appearances included Earth 2 (4 episodes), Lexx, Martial Law (3 episodes as the voice of The One), Monk, Psych and Criminal Minds (2 episodes).

He was also a prolific voice-over performer. He won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for voicing Captain Hook on Peter Pan & the Pirates (1990–1991). In 1992, he provided the voice of Sharkster in the CBS adult animated private eye comedy series Fish Police. Some of his other voice credits included Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Mighty Max, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Duckman, The Wild Thornberrys and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Curry was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the musical The Rocky Horror Show (1973–1975) and its film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). He starred as Wadsworth in Clue (1995). He portrayed Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 ABC horror miniseries It. Some of his other film credits included The Shout (1978), Annie (1982), Legend (1985), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), The Three Musketeers (1993), Muppet Treasure Island (1996), The Worst Witch (1986), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Congo (1995), Charlie's Angels (2000), Scary Movie 2 (2001) and Kinsey (2004).

Mr. Curry was a talented and versatile actor with more than 240 acting and voice credits across his five-decade career. Over the Top and the remake of Family Affair were his only two lead roles in live-action television series. We thank for his work on television and in films. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember singer, actress and game show show panelist Jaye P. Morgan. She died from injuries sustained in a fall at a hospital in Longview, Washington, on August 24. Ms. Morgan was 94.

Morgan guest starred as Susan Duvall in the My Three Sons episode "Second Chorus" in 1964 and as fading singer Claudia Farrell in the episode "A Falling Star" in 1966. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Jack Benny Program, Hennesey, The Joey Bishop Show, The Danny Thomas Show (1963), Love, American Style (1971), The Odd Couple (1973), The Love Boat and Too Close for Comfort. She performed the theme song, "Coming into My Own", of the short-lived 1975-1976 NBC sitcom Fay, which starred Lee Grant.

She had her own short-lived music show titled The Jaye P. Morgan Show on NBC in 1956. Some of her other televison guest appearances included General Electric Theater, The Eleventh Hour (1964), Vacation Playhouse, The Outsider, Lucas Tanner, The Muppet Show and Simon & Simon.

Morgan was a regular panelist on The Gong Show from 1976 to 1978. She achieved notoriety for flashing her breasts while on live camera during a Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine performance. NBC banned her from the program for the flashing incident. She appeared as herself in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, a 2003 semi-biographical film about the life of Chuck Barris, creator of The Gong Show, The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game.

Ms. Morgan's biggest hit as a singer was "That's All I Want from You," which reached number 3 on the U.S. Billboard record chart in 1955. We thank her for work as a singer, actress and game show panelist. She will be sorely missed.

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

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Labels: Apple TV+, Brothers (2026), CBS, Family Affair, Hannah Montana, Obits, The Gong Show

Cozi Celebrates The Royal Wedding with The Nanny; The Gong Show Lines Up Celebs for Season 2

In tribute to the long-awaited royal wedding, COZI TV will air our own "long-awaited" wedding of an American Bride and British aristocrat: the two-part wedding special of The Nanny on Friday, May 18 at 7PM ET (check local listings). COZI TV viewers are invited to raise a glass in celebration of the wedding special starring Fran Drescher and The Right Honorable Baron Charles Shaughnessy. COZI TV will air The Nanny two-part wedding special on Friday, May 18 at 7PM (check local listings), the evening before the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The episodes feature the comical journey to the altar between Fran Fine and Maxwell Sheffield.

The Nanny series follows Fran Fine, played by Drescher, a cosmetic saleswoman who becomes the nanny to the three children of a wealthy English widower, Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy), after being fired and dumped by her boyfriend. Hilarity, romantic entanglements and plenty of heartwarming moments ensue, as Fran adjusts to caring for Maxwell and his children.

The Gong Show, which makes its triumphant return to television on Thursday, June 21 at 8:00pm EDT, on ABC and stars celebrated film and television actor/comedian Mike Myers as the show's host - British comedic legend Tommy Maitland - has announced the names of some of the revolving panel of judges set to praise, critique and gong contestants in one of TV's all-time great variety shows.

Returning to helm the gong from last season are executive producer Will Arnett, Dana Carvey, Ken Jeong and Rob Riggle; and making their judging debut are Alyson Hannigan, Jimmy Kimmel, Brad Paisley and Jason Sudeikis - with more to come! Performers, such as contortionists, singers, magicians, dancers, jugglers and dancing dogs, are just some of the dozens and dozens of acts that are set to impress our panel of three celebrity judges. If any of the judges deem an act to be less than worthy of a score, they can pick up a mallet and hit the giant gong that is hanging behind them and end the underwhelming performance. But if the judges are happy with the act, they will let it play out until the end and present their scores numerically from 0 through 10. It's not uncommon for fights to break out amongst the judges when one of them wants to gong an act, while the others want to let them play on. At the end of each show, the winning performer or act with the highest judges' scores will receive a fabulous The Gong Show trophy and a check.

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

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Labels: ABC, Cozi TV, The Gong Show, The Nanny

TCA 2018 Winter Press Tour: ABC, Includes ABC 2018 Midseason Schedule; Goldbergs Spin-off Pilot Airs Jan. 24

The ABC Television Network has announced midseason premiere dates for the new dramas The Crossing, Deception, For The People and the Grey's Anatomy spinoff, as well as new comedies Alex, Inc. and Splitting Up Together. Additionally, American Idol will air Sundays and Mondays, beginning March 11. Dates have also been set for the premiere of Dancing with the Stars All-Athletes Edition and the return of Quantico. The Grey's Anatomy spinoff joins the TGIT lineup with a special two-hour premiere Thursday, March 22 from 9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT, before assuming its regular timeslot Thursday, March 29 at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The final four episodes of Scandal will air at 10 p.m., Thursdays, beginning March 29. The series finale airs April 19.

As previously announced, Roseanne kicks off with a special one-hour premiere on Tuesday, March 27 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT. Its regular timeslot will be the 8:00 p.m. half-hour, Tuesdays, beginning April 3, followed by The Middle at its new time of 8:30 p.m. EDT. The season finale episodes of Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless will air March 20 and March 21, respectively. Full schedule:

SUNDAY, MARCH 11
8:00-10:00 p.m. American Idol
10:00-11:00 p.m. Deception

MONDAY, MARCH 12
8:00-10:00 p.m. American Idol

TUESDAY, MARCH 13
10:00-11:00 p.m. For The People

THURSDAY, MARCH 22
9:00-11:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy spinoff (two-hour premiere)

TUESDAY, MARCH 27
8:00-9:00 p.m. Roseanne (one-hour premiere)
9:30-10:00 p.m. Splitting Up Together

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28
8:30-9:00 p.m. Alex, Inc.

THURSDAY, MARCH 29
9:00-10:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy spinoff (time-period premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m. Scandal (new time)

MONDAY, APRIL 2
10:00-11:00 p.m. The Crossing

TUESDAY, APRIL 3
8:00-8:30 p.m. Roseanne (time-period premiere)
8:30-9:00 p.m. The Middle (new time)

THURSDAY, APRIL 26
10:00-11:00 p.m. Quantico (Season 3 premiere)

MONDAY, APRIL 30
8:00-10:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars All-Athletes Edition

Elsewhere at ABC TCA, Chris Harrison hosts this highly anticipated, four-episode series, complete with the usual dose of tears, drama, romance and laughter, as The Bachelor Winter Games, a global celebration of unity and love, premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 8:00-10:01 p.m. EST, on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand. The series will continue on Thursday, February 15; Tuesday, February 20, and will have its finale on Thursday, February 22. All episodes will air 8:00-10:01 p.m. EST. ABC has announced that it won't be gonging its popular summer series The Gong Show and has renewed it for a second season. Celebrated film and television actor/comedian Mike Myers has finally confirmed the rumor that he is, indeed, the show's host - British comedic legend Tommy Maitland.

This Goldbergs-inspired special event picks up where the Goldberg family leaves off at William Penn Academy in the 1990s as former teacher and now Head of School John Glascott leads a faculty of teachers with wildly different views on how to mentor students and recruits his tough-as-nails-sister Lucy to join his staff and enroll her teenage daughters Felicia and Gigi as new students. Lucy is desperate to ensure they avoid the social pitfalls of high school and finds herself torn between Glascott's nurturing and communicative approach to parenting and Coach Mellor's tough-guy belief that physical competition brings out the best in students. Even Beverly Goldberg comes to visit the school's staff despite all her kids having already graduated and can't help but meddle one last time, on The Goldbergs: 1990-Something, Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand. The episode stars Tim Meadows as John Glascott, Bryan Callen as Coach Rick Mellor, Nia Long as Lucy Somers, Rachel Crow as Felicia and Summer Parker as Gigi. Guest starring is Wendi McLendon-Covey as Beverly Goldberg, Ana Gasteyer as Miss Cinoman, Missi Pyle as Madame Charbenaux, Kevin Heffernan as Doc, Justin Tinucci as Meathead, William McMullen as Scrawny Kid, Stephen Tobolowsky as Principal Ball, Irene Roseen as Mrs. Cheevers, Michael Bunin as Cranky Customer, Miles Thomas Platt as Frosh Geek, Sean Marquette as Johnny Atkins and Octavia Spencer as voice-over of Felicia.

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

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Labels: ABC, Alex Inc., Dancing with the Stars, Fresh Off the Boat, Roseanne, Speechless, Splitting Up Together, TCA Winter Tour, The Goldbergs, The Gong Show, The Middle

The Gong Show Finds Its Host; Celebs Pinch-Hit for Jimmy Kimmel This Week

British comedic legend Tommy Maitland has been announced to host ABC's irreverent talent show competition The Gong Show, which premieres on Thursday, June 22 at 10:00 p.m. EDT. The show is executive produced by actor/comedian Will Arnett, who guest hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live last night with guest Tommy Maitland. Every episode will celebrate unusually talented and unique performers on a primetime stage. A revolving panel of judges featuring Hollywood's hottest stars praise, critique and gong contestants in one of TV's all-time great variety shows.


On Friday April 21, 2017, Jimmy and wife Molly welcomed their second child together, William "Billy" Kimmel. At three days old, Billy had successful open heart surgery at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and is now home with his family. Jimmy opened up about his son's birth and health complications on Monday night's show. Jimmy is now on paternity leave for the rest of the week, while his celeb friends guest host the show including Anthony Anderson tonight, Kristen Bell tomorrow and David Spade on Friday. Lineup includes (additional guests to be announced throughout the week):

Tuesday, May 2
Host: Actor Will Arnett
Guests: Tommy Maitland, Maya Rudolph and Ben McKenzie
Musical guest: Incubus

Wednesday, May 3
Host: Actor Anthony Anderson
Guest: George Lopez
Musical guest: Future

Thursday, May 4
Host: Actress Kristen Bell
Guests: Charlie Hunnam and Adam Scott
Musical guest: Alison Krauss

Friday, May 5
Host: David Spade
Guest: Guy Ritchie
Musical guest: Alt-J

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

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Labels: ABC, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Gong Show

ABC to Revive The Gong Show; Antenna TV Is One in a Million

The ABC Television Network the return of television's most irreverent talent show competition, The Gong Show. Executive produced by actor/comedian Will Arnett's Electric Avenue Productions, Den of Thieves and Principato Young Entertainment, every episode will celebrate un-traditionally talented, unique performers plucked from the Internet and put on a primetime stage. A revolving panel of judges featuring Hollywood's hottest stars praise, critique and gong contestants in one of TV's all-time great variety shows.

Ten episodes of The Gong Show will be produced by Electric Avenue Productions, Den of Thieves in association with Sony Pictures Television, Principato Young Entertainment and will be taped in front of a live audience. The Gong Show is executive produced by Will Arnett, Evan Prager, Jesse Ignjatovic and Peter Principato. Jared Morell, Jordan Barrow and Marc Forman will co-executive produce. More info to come, but it will likely air in summer with ABC's other hit game shows like Celebrity Family Feud, $100,000 Pyramid, Match Game and To Tell the Truth.

Congrats to our friends at Antenna TV! Antenna TV, Tribune Broadcasting's multicast network is pleased to announce its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AntennaTV/ has surpassed 1 million "likes." The page, which is maintained in-house by Kari Bellinger, Tribune Media's Affiliate Relations & Web Market Manager, has grown organically since its inception five years ago through content that is resonating with viewers. Antenna TV currently airs in 131 TV markets across the U.S. reaching 87% of TV households.

In 2016, Antenna TV brought Johnny Carson back to late night with a 60-minute classic Carson episode airing weeknights and a 90-minute episode on weekends, marking the first time Carson is airing in strip since he signed off in 1992. This year, the network announced the addition of Webster, Wings and The Addams Family and in 2017, Becker, What's Happening!!, My Two Dads, Alice, Growing Pains, 227, Hogan's Family, Head of the Class and Murphy Brown will join the network.

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

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Labels: ABC, Antenna TV, The Gong Show