SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Remembering Hal Williams of Sanford and Son, 227 and More; The CW Renews Sullivan's Crossing

Actor Hal Williams, who had a recurring role as Officer "Smitty" Smith in Sanford and Son and starred as Lester Jenkins in 227, has died. He died from natural causes at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, on July 15. Mr. Williams was 91.

Williams had a recurring role as Officer "Smitty" Smith in 20 episodes of the 1972-1977 NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. LAPD Officer "Smitty" Smith was partners with Officer "Swanny" Swanhauser (Noam Pitlik, 6 episodes in 1972) and Officer Howard "Hoppy" Hopkins (Howard Platt). Smitty usually served as the straight man to comedic moments of the serious, straight-laced, solemn and humorless Swanny and the somewhat inept, but still by the book and capable officer Hoppy. Williams reprised his role in five episodes of the 1980-1981 NBC sitcom Sanford.

He starred as Lester DeMott in the 1975-1976 ABC sitcom On the Rocks. The series, which was based on the British series Porridge, centers on the inmates of Alamesa Minimum Security prison. The main setting is usually the cell block containing Lester DeMott, Hector Fuentes (Jose Perez), and Nicky Palik (Bobby Sandler). It also starred Rick Hurst, Mel Stewart, Tom Poston, Pat Cranshaw, Jack Grimes, and Logan Ramsey.

Williams starred as Sergeant Ted Ross in the 1981-1983 CBS sitcom Private Benjamin. The series is about a spoiled young socialite named Pvt. Judith "Judy" Benjamin (Lorna Patterson) adjusting to life in the army. He had earlier starred as Drill Sergeant L. C. Ross in the 1980 comedy film Private Benjamin, which was directed by Howard Zieff and starred Goldie Hawn. The series also starred Eileen Brennan, Ann Ryerson (1981-1982), Joan Roberts (1981), Joyce Little (1981), Lisa Raggio, Lucy Webb (1981-1982), Francesco Roberts (1981), Damita Jo Freeman, Robert Mandan (1982-1983), Joel Brooks (1982), Wendie Jo Sperber (1982-1983), and Polly Holliday (3 episodes in 1982-1983).

He starred as family patriarch Lester Jenkins in the 1985-1990 NBC sitcom 227. The series, created by C.J. Banks and Bill Boulware, stars Marla Gibbs as Mary Jenkins, a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife. Her husband Lester Jenkins is the proprietor of a construction company. The series also starred Alaina Reed Hall, Jackée Harry, Regina King, Helen Martin, Kia Goodwin (1985-1986), Curtis Baldwin, Countess Vaughn (1988-1989), Toukie A. Smith (1989-1990), Paul Winfield (1989-1990), Barry Sobel (1989-1990), and Stoney Jackson (1989-1990). Williams, Gibbs and Harry appeared in the 227: The Reboot sketch on A Black Lady Sketch Show in 2019.

Williams starred as Rudy Bryan in the 1993-1994 Fox sitcom The Sinbad Show. The series follows the life of David Bryan (Sinbad), a carefree bachelor who works as a video game designer, who becomes a single parent when he adopts two orphaned children, Zana (Erin Davis) and L.J. Beckley (Willie Norwood), who face several issues which they work through together. Rudy and Louise Bryan (Nancy Wilson) are David's parents. The series also starred T. K. Carter and Salma Hayek (3 episodes as Gloria Contreras).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included That Girl (3 episodes), The Jimmy Stewart Show, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Temperatures Rising, Good Times (3 episodes), What's Happening!!, Webster, The Jeffersons (2 episodes), Gimme a Break!, Night Court (1991), Minor Adjustments, Suddenly Susan, Moesha, The First Family, Parks and Recreation, and Mr. Mayor.

He had a recurring role as Harley Foster in seven episodes of The Waltons from 1973 to 1980. Some of his other television guest appearances included Dan August, The Magician, Cannon (3 episodes), Police Woman, Harry O (3 episodes), Gunsmoke, Caribe, Kung Fu (2 episodes in 1973 and 1975), S.W.A.T. (1975), Police Story, Most Wanted, Quincy, M.E. (1977), The White Shadow, Knots Landing (2 episodes), T.J. Hooker, The Dukes of Hazzard, Hill Street Blues, Magnum, P.I. (2 episodes in 1988), L.A. Law, Tales from the Crypt, Moonlight, and Matlock (2 episodes in 2024-2025).

Mr. Williams was a talented and versatile actor. He was funny and memorable as Smitty and Lester Jenkins. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his career. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actor Scott Bryce. He had recurring roles as Rick Bonner in The Facts of Life and as Will Forrest in Murphy Brown. He died in New Haven, Connecticut, on July 12 after a battle with esophageal and stomach cancer. Mr. Bryce was 68.

Bryce had a recurring role as Rick Bonner in four episodes of the ninth and final season of the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life in 1988. Rick Bonner is a free-wheeling musician who meets Jo Polniaczek (Nancy McKeon) at a community center and later marries her.

He had a recurring role as Will Forrest in six episodes of the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown from 1990 to 1992. Louisiana lawyer and writer Will Forrest marries his high school classmate Corky Sherwood (Faith Ford). She humorously and cluelessly amends her on-air surname to "Corky Sherwood-Forest".

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Golden Girls, Who's the Boss?, Walter & Emily, Dear John, Hope & Gloria, Chicago Sons (2 episodes), Boston Common, Spin City, Sex and the City, Reba, Whoopi (2 episodes), and 30 Rock (2 episodes).

Bryce starred as Mike McQueen, Brooke's (Leslie Bibb) father who becomes engaged to Sam's (Carly Pope) mother, in the 1999-2001 The WB teen comedy-drama Popular. He starred as Scott Sterling in the short-lived 1992 CBS prime time soap opera 2000 Malibu Road.

Some of his other television guest appearances included Sons and Daughters (1991), The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage, Reasonable Doubts, The Commmish, L.A. Law (4 episodes), Matlock (1993), Homicide: Life on the Street, Diagnosis: Murder, Law & Order (4 episodes), Dellaventura, Early Edition, L.A. Doctors, Pacific Blue, V.I.P. (2 episodes), Judging Amy, ER, Glory Days, Push, Nevada (2002), Gossip Girl, Homeland (2 episodes), Person of Interest, Deception (5 episodes), Blue Bloods (2 episodes), The Good Fight (3 episodes), Chicago P.D., Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 episodes), FBI, Beacon Hill (6 episodes), and The Blacklist.

Bryce was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Craig Montgomery on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns from 1982–1991, 1993–1994, and 2007–2008. He appeared as Dr. Crosby in six episodes of ABC's One Life to Live in 2006.

Mr. Bryce was twice nominated for Daytime Emmys in 1986 and 1987 for his work on As the World Turns. We thank him for his work on television. He will be sorely missed.

Actor Josh Grisetti starred as Louis Plunk in The Knights of Prosperity. He died by suicide on July 10. Mr. Grisetti was only 44.

Grisetti's first television starring role was as Louis Plunk in the the short-lived 2007 ABC sitcom The Knights of Prosperity. The series follows a group of misfits – the titular Knights – who attempt to rob various celebrities, the first being Mick Jagger (Jagger was also credited as one of the executive producers, along with the creators and David Letterman). It also starred Donal Logue, Sofia Vergara, Lenny Venito, Maz Jobrani, and Kevin Michael Richardson.

He had a recurring role as Ralph, a staff writer at The Gordon Ford Show, in eight episodes of the final season of the Amazon Prime Video period comedy-drama The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He guest starred in a 2012 episode of Nurse Jackie and a 2021 episode of The Good Fight.

Mr. Grisetti was known for his work on Broadway and Off-Broadway. He won one of two Clarence Derwent Awards for "Most Promising Male Actor" in 2015 for his work in It Shoulda Been You. We thank him for his acting work. He will be greatly missed.

Hong Kong actress Wai Ching Ho had a recurring role as Le-Wei in Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. She died on July 10 of complications from a stroke. She was 82.

She guest starred as Big Auntie in two episodes of the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat in 2016 and 2018. She had a recurring role as Le-Wei in five episodes of the 2020-2023 Comedy Central sitcom Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. In 2023, she guest starred Mei-Mei in a 2023 episode of Only Murders in the Building. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Flight of the Conchords and The Jim Gaffigan Show.

Some of her other television guest appearances included One Life to Live (7 episodes), Law & Order (4 episodes), Swans Crossing (2 episodes), Dellaventura, Wonderland, Deadline, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 episodes), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2 episodes), Queens Supreme, New Amsterdam, The Good Cop, and Law & Order: Organized Crime. She was best known for her role as Madame Gao in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Daredevil (2015–2016), Iron Fist and The Defenders (both 2017).

We thank her for her work on television. She will be deeply missed.

Actor Randolph Mantooth starred as John Gage in Emergency! (1972-1977). He starred in the sitcoms Operation Petticoat and Detective School. He died of complications from pneumonia at a hospice facility in Ventura, California, on July 9. Mr. Mantooth was 80.

Mantooth starred as paramedic John Gage in the 1972-1977 NBC action-adventure medical drama Emergency!. The show's ensemble cast stars Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe (as Roy DeSoto) as two rescuers, who work as paramedics and firefighters in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The duo formed Squad 51, a medical and rescue unit of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, working together with the fictional Rampart General Hospital medical staff (portrayed by Robert Fuller, Julie London and Bobby Troup), and with the firefighter engine company at Station 51.

He starred as Lt. Mike Bender in the second season (1978-1979) of the ABC sitcom Operation Petticoat. Based on the classic 1959 Cary Grant and Tony Curtis film, the show follows the misadventures of the U.S.S. Sea Tiger, a fictional American submarine that reluctantly takes on a group of stranded Army nurses. The second season cast included Melinda Naud, Jim Varney, Don Sparks, Richard Brestoff, Jo Ann Pflug, Fred Kareman, Scott McGinnis, Robert Hogan, Warren Berlinger, and Hilary Thompson.

Mantooth starred as Eddie Dawkins in the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom Detective School. The series was about an assortment of students who went to night school to learn basic detective skills, but who kept being caught up in real criminal cases and getting themselves and their teacher (an inept private investigator) into trouble. It also starred James Gregory, Douglas Fowley, Melinda Naud, Taylor Negron, LaWanda Page, and Pat Proft.

Some of his television guest appearances included Matt Lincoln, The Bold Ones: The Senator, The Virginian, Alias Smith and Jones, Night Gallery, The Bold Ones: The Lawyers, McCloud, Marcus Welby, M.D. (2 episodes), Adam-12 (2 episodes), Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (2 episodes), Sierra, Project U.F.O., The Love Boat, Battlestar Galactica, Charlie's Angels, Aloha Paradise, Fantasy Island (1981), Vega$ (2 episodes), Insight, Dallas (1984), Murder, She Wrote (1985), The Fall Guy (3 episodes), L.A. Law, China Beach, MacGyver (1991), Baywatch, JAG, Walker, Texas Ranger (1997), Promised Land, Diagnosis: Murder (2 episodes), Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer, and Sons of Anarchy (2 episodes).

He was also known for his work on soap operas. He appeared as Alex Masters in Loving from 1987 to 1995 and The City from 1995 to 1997. He played Harold 'Hal' Todd Munson Jr. in 30 episodes of As the World Turns from 2003 to 2005. In 2007, he appeared as Kirk Harmon in 11 episodes of One Life to Live.

Mr. Mantooth was a talented and versatile actor. He worked in television, documentaries, theater, and film for more than 50 years. We thank him for work on Emergency! and other television series. He will be greatly missed.

Celebrate the lasting legacy of Randolph Mantooth with a special Emergency! marathon honoring the beloved actor whose iconic portrayal of paramedic Johnny Gage inspired generations of first responders. Watch this Sunday (June 19) 9a-3p ET on FETV.

List of episodes, all times Eastern:

9am-S1E1: "Mascot" (OAD: January 22, 1972)
10:10am-S1E10: "Hang-Up" (OAD: April 8, 1972)
11:20am-S3E6: "Snakebite" (OAD: October 27, 1973)
12:30pm-S5E22: "The Nuisance" (OAD: March 6, 1976)
1:45pm-S6E24: "All Night Long" (OAD: May 28, 1977)

Watch Emergency! every night at 9:15pm ET on FETV.

The CW Network announced that hit drama series Sullivan's Crossing from creator Roma Roth and based on the New York Times bestselling book series by Robyn Carr will return for a 10-episode fifth season, set to debut on The CW in 2027. The announcement follows the previously confirmed Season 5 renewal of Sullivan's Crossing by Bell Media’s CTV and Crave, and Fremantle.

Sullivan's Crossing stars Morgan Kohan (When Hope Calls) and Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill). In Season 4, Maggie Sullivan (Kohan) finally feels like life at the Crossing is falling into place, having embraced a new direction for her career and renewed her commitment to Cal (Murray). But when Maggie’s ex-husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), arrives with a shocking revelation, her world is thrown into turmoil once again — leaving Cal questioning whether Maggie can ever truly leave her past behind. The Season 4 finale of Sullivan's Crossing aired Monday, June 22 on The CW.

AmericanLife Adds Sci-Fi Thursday Line-Up in September; Network Notes for CBS, ABC, Fox

AmericanLife TV Network, the cable network devoted to the Baby Boomer generation, debuts a new Thursday primetime programming line-up on September 6, featuring four sci-fi classics created by Irwin Allen: Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and Land of the Giants. All four series will air back-to-back together starting at 8pm every Thursday. This means the westerns (Maverick, Bronco, Kung Fu) will be off the line-up completely, as there are no other schedules changes for the month.
Lost in Space (Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT) premiered in 1965 starring June Lochart, Guy Williams, Angela Cartwright, Mark Goddard and child actor Billy Mumy. In the series, the space family Robinson embarks on a five-year mission to colonize a new planet, all while being sabotaged by a stowaway. Also accompanying the family on their spaceship "Jupiter II" is their friendly robot.
The Time Tunnel (Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT) follows the adventures of two scientists working on Project TicToc, a government time travel program. However, the system has a slight glitch -- passengers can travel between the past and the future but are unable to stay in the present. Starring Robert Colbert and James Darren, the series aired for one season (1966-67).
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT) details the adventures of the officers and men of the atomic submarine "Seaview," including their battles with human and alien villains. Based on the 1961 film of the same name, the series aired for four years and stars David Hedison, Arch Whiting, Paul Trinka, Robert Dowdell, Richard Bull, Richard Basehart and Del Monroe.
Land of the Giants (Thursday nights at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT) chronicles the lives of the crew and passengers of spacecraft "Spindrift." After traveling through a space warp, "Spindrift" crashes on a planet where everything is 12 times normal size. Airing for two seasons beginning in 1968, the record-high budgeted series stars Stefan Arngrim, Don Matheson, Kurt Kasznar, Gary Conway, Deanna Lund, Heather Young and Don Marshall.

Here are the highlights for September featuring classic TV stars on other classic TV shows:

Saturday, September 1
Chico and the Man: Penny Marshall guest stars in "Chic and the Van" (1 a.m. ET/PT).

Monday, September 3
Newhart: Alley Mills guests in "Sprained Dreams" (9:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Tuesday, September 4
Combat!: Telly Savalas guest stars in "Anniversary" (8:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Friday, September 7
The FBI: Dabney Coleman guests in "Incident in the Desert" (9:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Sunday, September 9
Hill Street Blues: Mimi Rogers guest stars in "Rite of Spring" (9-10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Monday, September 10
77 Sunset Strip: Janet Lake guests in "A Check Will Do Nicely" (8:00 p.m ET/PT).
Newhart: Rue McClanahan guest stars in "The Way We Thought We Were" (9:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Saturday, September 15
My Favorite Martian: Linda Evans guests in "Martin’s Favorite Martian" (8 p.m. ET/PT).
Welcome Back, Kotter: Catch the first episode of this series, when Mr. Kotter returns to his alma mater to teach the Sweathogs, a group of remedial students (1:30 a.m. ET/PT).

Monday, September 17
The Bob Newhart Show: Pat Morita guests in "Bob & Emily & Howard & Carol & Jerry" (10:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Sunday, September 23
I Spy: Cicely Tyson guest stars in "Trial by Treehouse" (6:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Wednesday, September 26
I Spy: Richard Kiel guests in "A Few Miles West of Nowhere" (8:00 p.m. ET/PT).
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.: Boris Karloff guest stars in "The Mother Muffin Affair" (10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Friday, September 28
The FBI: Tom Skerritt guests in "Unknown Victim" (10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Sunday, September 30
St. Elsewhere: Judith Light guest stars in "Dog Day Hospital" (8:00 p.m. ET/PT).

And remember coming in October is Mission: Impossible and possibly more series! So come on back for more AmericanLife news!


Remember the other day when we said The Knights of Prosperity was removed from abc.com and looks like we will never see the final two episodes? Well guess what? The full season is now back on abc.com and includes the final two unaired episodes! Get on the website and watch them! What a funny show! Too bad it didn't do well in the ratings. And as we mentioned, The Nine has the two most recent episodes that aired and the subsequent two unaired episodes are available right now. There will be an additional two unaired episodes posted one per week for the next two Thursdays.
A CBS summer schedule change! CBS has ordered four additional episodes of game show Power of 10, to be broadcast on Tuesdays at 8:00 PM, ET/PT in addition to its regular Wednesdays at 8:00 PM, ET/PT time period. This means reruns of NCIS will relocate to Tuesdays at 10:00 PM, ET/PT for the rest of the summer. The Tuesday Power of 10 broadcasts begin Aug. 21 (with a rebroadcast of last Wednesday's episode) with subsequent first-run broadcasts on Aug. 28, Sept. 4, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18.
Power of 10 will have its season finale on a special night, Sunday, Sept. 23 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT, so not to conflict with the reality series premiere of Kid Nation on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Finally, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest will host next month's 59th Primetime Emmy Awards on Fox airing Sunday, Sept. 16
Seacrest will also host the entertainment portion of this year's Super Bowl broadcast on Fox. And he remains the managing editor and host for E! Entertainment Television's E! News. This guy is everywhere.

ABC Pulls Knights and The Nine; TV Legend Merv Griffin Passes Away

Effective this Wednesday, ABC has pulled the burn-off episodes of the sitcom The Knights of Prosperity and drama The Nine. Knights returned last Wednesday with two all-new episodes. Two all-new episodes still remain in the vault. As for The Nine, it aired an episode each the last two Wednesdays, and four still remain in the can. ABC will replace The Knights with an extra repeat of According to Jim at 8:30, while The Nine essentially will get replaced by Primetime: Outsiders at 9pm, moving the new upcoming Primetime series NASCAR in Primetime from 9pm to 10pm, where The Nine was airing.
As for those remaining episodes of The Knights and The Nine, we can expect the remaining episodes to appear on abc.com. We are not sure how they will roll-out, but it will probably be every Wednesday until they finish, similar to what ABC did with Six Degrees and Day Break. We'll let you know...but it is too bad about The Knights, that was one good funny sitcom. It almost came back for a second season, but Ray Romano didn't sign on unfortunately.

We have some breaking news just in to SitcomsOnline, TV legend Merv Griffin just passed away this morning. Griffin died of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his the family that was released by Marcia Newberger, spokeswoman for The Griffin Group/Merv Griffin Entertainment. Griffin was recently hospitalized for a recurrence of the disease, which had been treated successfully more than 10 years ago.
Merv of course is known for his talk show The Merv Griffin Show that ran from 1962-1986 and for creating the hit game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Let's watch both of those shows tomorrow and see if they do a little tribute...both shows are on summer hiatus though, and will return with new episodes in September. Merv has appeared as himself on several sitcoms like Sanford & Son, Golden Girls, Hope & Gloria, and Newhart. Merv also produced the new Lifetime series Lisa Williams: Life Among the Dead. He was recently seen on TV Land Moguls as the host, appeared on TV Land's ALF's Hit Talk Show, and appeared on Fat Actress.
He will be deeply missed and you can catch his newly produced series Merv Griffin's Crosswords in first-run syndication this fall. Hopefully that will still be coming on air as a tribute to him. Mr. Griffin was 82.

Remembering Charles in Charge's James T. Callahan; Knights of Prosperity Returns TONIGHT!

James T. Callahan best known for playing Walter Powell on the sitcom Charles in Charge, has died according to the LA Times. Callahan, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February, died Friday at his Fallbrook home, said his wife, Peggy Cannon-Callahan. On the show, Callahan played Walter Powell, a retired Navy man he referred to as the "blustery old grandfather" in a 2000 People magazine interview. When CBS canceled Charles in Charge after one season in 1985, Callahan joined the cast for the syndicated version, which ran from 1987 to 1990. The role was a favorite that brought him wide recognition.
Scott Baio, who played Charles in Charles in Charge spoke to the LA Times yesterday: "As an actor, he was just an absolute pleasure. He wanted what was best for the team, and that's very rare. He loved hanging out with us and he loved, loved, loved working."
The youngest of three children, Callahan was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to William and Elenora Callahan. His father worked in sales. After serving in the Army in West Germany from 1951 to 1953, Callahan returned home to work at the post office. He discovered acting while attending school in the Midwest. On the advice of a teacher, he enrolled in the University of Washington to study drama and graduated in the late 1950s.
Between 1959 and 2007, Callahan appeared in more than 120 films and television shows. He got his start in guest starring stints on westerns such as The Californians, Two Faces West, and Have Gun Will Travel. His first sitcom appearance was in 1960 on an episode of Dennis the Menace. He co-starred in two short lived sitcoms Wendy and Me in 1964 and The Governor & J.J. in 1969. His long list of TV guest shots include Perry Mason, Combat!, The Twilight Zone, Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, My Favorite Martian, The Fugitive, The FBI, Adam-12, Marcus Welby MD, M*A*S*H, Love American Style, Barnaby Jones, Cannon, Police Story, The Rockford Files, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Dallas, The Ropers, Bosom Buddies, Lou Grant, Benson, Alice, Simon & Simon, Quincy ME, Remington Steele, Little House on the Prairie, The A-Team, Knight Rider, Newhart, Growing Pains, Doogie Howser MD, Highway to Heaven, Golden Girls, Nurses, Harry and the Hendersons, Picket Fences, Hope & Gloria, Caroline in the City, Cybil, The Practice, 7th Heaven, ER and Medium. Wow...what a list and that is just a partial one!
One of his favorite film roles was as the band leader in Lady Sings the Blues (1972), his wife said. He also portrayed a country-western singer in Outlaw Blues (1977) with Peter Fonda. He was in the TV-movie The Burning Bed with Farrah Fawcett in 1984 and Prison for Children with John Ritter in 1987. He co-starred in the Hallmark Channel movie Wild Hearts last year. Callahan's final film, a horror movie called Born, has not been released.
Mr. Callahan's vast TV work and his popularity on Charles in Charge will continue for many decades to come. He will be missed deeply and let's hope we get the second season (his first season) of Charles in Charge on DVD very soon! Mr. Callahan was 76.

Get those televisions on at 8:30pm ET and 9:30pm ET tonight as ABC brings back the fun sitcom The Knights of Prosperity! The sitcom is about a group of blue-collared workers trying to rob a celebrity. They failed doing so with Mick Jagger and now they have a new target...Everybody Loves Raymond's Ray Romano! Ray Romano will be guest starring on both episodes tonight. If you have never watched the show, it doesn't matter because a new chapter is about to begin with Romano. It is very fun and hilarious but it is too bad it was wasted and lost in the schedule. The two episodes tonight are the first two of four unaired episodes. The remaining two episodes air next Wednesday (Aug. 15) and the Wednesday after that (Aug. 22) at 8:30pm ET. Be sure to watch all four because you don't know what you're missing. If you're not home, record, DVR, TiVo it, or whatever.

We'll be back with more news, if anything.

ABC Scheduling Notes; The Simpsons Movie; Random TV Bits

According to Jim will move back to Wednesdays starting August 1. On that date it will air back-to-back from 8-9pm. Starting August 8 it will air Wednesdays at 8, followed by all-new episodes of The Knights of Prosperity at 8:30, as mentioned on the blog. Also on August 8, Jim and Knights will air from 9-10pm on this date only. The Nine will return for its 6 remaining episodes Wednesdays at 10 starting August 1. George Lopez will return to Fridays 9-10pm starting August 3.



20th Century Fox presents the much anticipated summer movie of the year, The Simpons Movie, out in theatres July, 27th!! The groundbreaking television series and global phenomenon comes to the big screen. In true Simpsons fashion, Homer must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created.

Visit the extremely interactive official website at http://www.simpsonsmovie.com . Try your hand at various games. Play cards with Moe in Three Card Moe, make Homer go full throttle in Ball of Death, and help Homer save his family in Wrecking Ball. Download wallpaper, buddy icons, screensavers, and ring tones as well as take a virtual tour of Springfield itself. You can create your own Simpsons character avatar, and then go visit Moe’s Tavern, where your character is hanging out with Homer. Go and check out the trailers and teaser clips for a glimpse into the movie.

Also, check out the newly relaunched official The Simpsons online store. Visit http://www.thesimpsonsshop.com for exclusive, limited-edition merchandise. There is a 10% off discount code! Just enter “HOMER” at checkout.

Springfield, Vermont Wins Right to Host 'The Simpsons Movie' Premiere / Simpsons Family Values

Charlie Sheen Engaged to Girlfriend

CourtTV to Change to truTV

Valerie Bertinelli Working on a Memoir

'Apprentice' May Rise from Ashes

Businesses competing for 'office' space

"National Bingo Night" Returns For Five Consecutive Nights with a Huge Cash Jackpot, Airing This December on the ABC Television Network

Joost snags sneak peek of VH1's I Hate My 30s

Game over for Cronin as winning GSN chief

Cavemen Casting News; The Knights of Prosperity Returns in August; Sitcom Child Stars All Grown Up Article

ABC must not be 100% in love with the pilot of Cavemen. They will not launch it in the fall with the pilot episode. A yet-to-be-filmed episode, which delves more into the cavemen's backstories, will air first. Sam Huntington (Jimmy Olsen in Superman Returns) will play a new caveman character, Andy, the younger brother of Joel (Bill English). Andy, who lives in their small hometown, comes to Atlanta to visit his brother after breaking up with his girlfriend. Andy will replace Jamie, Joel's easygoing little brother character, played in the pilot by Dash Mihok. The original pilot (with Jamie's scenes reshot) is expected to air later in the season. If you remember, ABC did the same thing a couple of seasons ago with Freddie - airing the pilot much later in the season.

ABC is bringing back The Knights of Prosperity for at least one episode on Wednesday, August 8th. One of the un-aired episodes, "Operation: Rent Money," is scheduled to air. ABC is also bringing back the drama The Nine. They will be burning off some episodes starting Wednesday, August 1st. It will air in its original timelot of 10 p.m. ET Wednesdays. I thought this show had a lot of potential when I first heard about it, but it just seemed that the storyline was moving too slowly. Serialized dramas just didn't work very well last season.

DETAILS Magazine has just launched its August issue that includes an article on childhood stars all grown up, titled "The Kids Stay in the Picture." The child stars who shaped Gen X are all grown up—and they’re all here in their exclusive photo portfolio. PLUS: Watch Webster, Winnie from The Wonder Years, and Bud Bundy talk about life after the limelight in their video Q&A. And, take their online quiz to find out what kind of kiddie star you would have been.

Here's who is featured:

Emmanuel Lewis - Webster
Danica McKellar - The Wonder Years
Danny Pintauro - Who's the Boss?
David Faustino - Married...with Children
Candace Cameron Bure and Jodie Sweetin - Full House
Tatyana Ali - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Jeremy Miller - Growing Pains
Tiffany Brissette - Small Wonder

View it here - http://men.style.com/details/features/landing?id=content_5747

ABC Sitcom 'Notes' To Premiere After 'Anatomy'; JustMyShow.com Interviews; Nick at Nite Weekend Change for This Weekend

ABC will be revising its 'notes' after 'anatomy' class starting April 12. ABC will debut new sitcom Notes from the Underbelly on Thursday, April 12 at 10 p.m. with two back-to-back episodes following a Grey's Anatomy Clip Show. It is almost unheard of for a sitcom to air in the 10 p.m. hour so this will be interesting. ABC plans on airing Notes for three weeks (that's six half-hour episodes) in the slot. Previously Notes was supposed to replace In Case of Emergency on Wednesdays at 9:30 starting April 11, but that will not happen now, which means all 13 of In Case of Emergency's episodes will now air, instead of just 11. So that means Wednesdays at 9:30 will be vacant starting April 25...maybe Knights of Prosperity will return for its last four episodes of the season?
ABC was planning on returning Men in Trees to the Thursday at 10 slot starting April 12, but that is not happening. It is still unclear what ABC will do with the five remaining Trees episodes. It is possible that they could move the show to Fridays at 8 starting April 13 for 5 weeks or hold-off on the remaining five episodes for next season, where it could air for at least 27 new episodes next season, something Boston Legal & Grey's Anatomy did their first seasons.
Now, Notes from the Underbelly is just airing for three weeks on Thursdays, but what about after that? That is also sort of still unclear, but this is what will look like happen: April 12, 19, & 26 will be Notes from the Underbelly; May 3 will be the special two-part episode of Grey's Anatomy introducing the spin-off; and May 10 & 17 is unclear but it looks like ABC will bring back October Road for episodes five and six, rather than ending after episode four on April 5. That show has impressed thus far.
We will keep you up to date if anything is concrete later today or in the coming days. Keep checking back!

Our good friend Eric from JustMyShow.com has a new episode up on his website. This time he chats with Tom Wopat from The Dukes of Hazzard and Alan Spencer, creator of the cult sitcom Sledge Hammer. This episode is the series' 13th episode. Congrats Eric! That is more than many of the TV series these days! Anyway, click HERE to listen to this episode. As usual, Eric is on top of his game and knows his stuff. Great preparation.

Finally, Nick at Nite will edit this weekend's schedule. Like last weekend, it will be all Fresh Prince. Though last weekend the first three half-hours were Full House because of that Jesse marathon, but not this weekend. This Saturday and Sunday it is all Will Smith all the time. Saturday from 10-6am and Sunday from 9pm-6am only on Nick at Nite.
Will Fresh Prince weekend be a weekly thing? Who knows.