SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Remembering Suzanne Somers of Three's Company and Step by Step; Adult Swim Renews YOLO and Orders Women Wearing Shoulder Pads

Actress, author, singer and businesswoman Suzanne Somers, who starred as Chrissy Snow on Three's Company and as Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step, has died. She died after a long battle with breast cancer at her home in Palm Springs, California, on October 15, the day before her 77th birthday.

Somers starred as Chrissy Snow on the ABC sitcom Three's Company from 1977 to 1981. The story revolves around three single roommates: Jack Tripper (John Ritter), Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt), and Chrissy Snow, who all platonically live together in a Santa Monica, California, apartment complex owned by Stanley (Norman Fell) and Helen Roper (Audra Lindley). Christmas "Chrissy" Snow works as an office secretary. Somers's contract was not renewed after the fifth season following a contract dispute and Chrissy's place in the apartment was taken by her clumsy cousin Cindy Snow (Jenilee Harrison). The cast also included Richard Kline (1978-1984), Don Knotts (1979-1984), Ann Wedgeworth (1979-1980) and Priscilla Barnes (1981-1984).

She starred as Sheriff Hildy Granger on the 1987-1989 first-run syndicated sitcom She's the Sheriff. Hildy Granger is a widow with two young kids who decided to fill the shoes of her late husband, a sheriff of fictional Lakes County, Nevada (near Lake Tahoe). Somers wrote an episode in 1989. The series, which aired for two seasons, also starred George Wyner, Pat Carroll, Lou Richards, Guich Koock, Leonard Lightfoot, Taliesin Jaffe and Nicky Rose.

Somers starred as Carol Foster Lambert on the 1991-1998 sitcom Step by Step. It ran on ABC as part of its TGIF Friday night lineup from September 20, 1991, to August 15, 1997, then moved to CBS, where it aired from September 19, 1997, to June 26, 1998. Patrick Duffy and Somers starred as single parents Frank and Carol, respectively; each with three children, who wed and form a blended family. Carol is the matriarch of the Foster family, who works as a beautician and runs a hair salon out of a room in her house, originally with the cooperation of her mother, Ivy, and sister, Penny. Eventually, with Frank's help, she opens a bigger studio at a stand-alone location in the sixth season. The cast included Brandon Call, Staci Keanan, Angela Watson, Christopher Castile, Josh Byrne (1991-1997), Sasha Mitchell (1991-1996), Patrika Darbo (1991-1992), Peggy Rea (1991-1992), Emily Mae Young (1997-1998), Bronson Pinchot (1997) and Jason Marsden (1997-1998).

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Lotsa Luck, One Day at a Time, The Love Boat, Billy (1979), The Ropers (as Chrissy Snow), The Larry Sanders Show, Full House and The Naked Truth. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch (3 episodes), The Six Million Dollar Man and Sisters.

Somers played the "Blonde in the white Thunderbird" in American Graffiti (1973). In the early 1990s, she was the spokeswoman in a series of infomercials for the Thighmaster, a piece of exercise equipment which is squeezed between one's thighs above the knees. She hosted the daytime talk show The Suzanne Somers Show from 1994 to 1995. She co-hosted Candid Camera with Peter Funt on CBS from 1997 to 2000. In the fall of 2012, she hosted The Suzanne Show for 13 episodes on the Lifetime Network. In 2015, she competed on Dancing with the Stars. She wrote several books, including two autobiographies, four diet books, and a book of poetry.

She was interviewed for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television on July 15, 2009.

Ms. Somers was a talented, funny and lovely actress. She had great comedic timing as Chrissy Snow. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment that she brought us on Three's Company, She's the Sheriff, Step by Step and her other television roles. She will be deeply missed.

Share your memories on Three's Company, She's the Sheriff and Step by Step message boards. View photos in our galleries.

To commemorate the life of Suzanne Somers on what would have been her 77th birthday, Antenna TV will air a Three's Company marathon on Monday, October 16 beginning at 4pm until 4:30am ET.

We also remember actress Phyllis Coates. She was best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman. She died on October 11 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Coates was 96.

Coates starred as Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men, which starred George Reeves as Superman. The film served as a pilot for Adventures of Superman and prompted the start of production of the first season in August/September of the same year. Coates played Lois Lane in the first season, with Noel Neill, who had previously played Lois Lane in the film serials Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), stepping into the role in the later seasons.

She starred as Gloria on the short-lived 1954 NBC sitcom The Duke. The series, which was broadcast live, was about Duke London, a professional boxer who was also an accomplished painter. Gloria was his girlfriend. It also starred Allen Jenkins, Claude Stroud and Sheldon Leonard.

Coates starred as Nurse Madge Allen on the short-lived 1955 CBS sitcom Professional Father. The whimsical sitcom involved a child psycholigist named Tom Wilson (Steve Dunne) and his family. It also starred Barbara Billingsley, Ted Marc, Beverly Washburn and Ann O'Neal.

She starred as Clarissa Mae Holliday on the 1958-1959 sitcom This Is Alice, which starred nine-year-old Patty Ann Gerrity as Alice Holliday. The program aired in first-run syndication from October 1958 to August 1959, distributed by the NTA Film Network. The series also starred Tommy Farrell, Kathy Garver, Stephen Wootton, Lucien Littlefield and Nancy DeCarl.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Abbott and Costello Show, Topper, Willy, The Great Gildersleeve, It's a Great Life (2 episodes), Leave it to Beaver, Hennesey and The Patty Duke Show (2 episodes).

She appeared as Ellen Lane, Lois Lane's mother, in the first season finale of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in 1994. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Cisco Kid (4 episodes), The Range Rider (2 episodes), The Files of Jeffrey Jones (2 episodes), The Adventures of Kit Carson (2 episodes), The Lone Ranger (3 episodes), Stage 7 (2 episodes), Lassie, General Electric Theater (3 episodes), Hawaiian Eye, Tales of Wells Fargo (2 episodes), Rawhide (2 episodes), The Untouchables (3 episodes), Perry Mason (3 episodes), Gunsmoke (3 episodes), Death Valley Days (7 episodes) and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (2 episodes).

Ms. Coates had a career spanning over fifty years. We thank her for her work as Lois Lane on Adventures of Superman and her other television roles. She will be sorely missed.

Actor Mark Goddard was best known for portraying Major Don West on Lost in Space. He died from pulmonary fibrosis in Hingham, Massachusetts, on October 10. Mr. Goddard was 87.

Goddard's first starring role was as Cully on the 1959-1960 CBS western Johnny Ringo. He starred as Sgt. Chris Ballard for the second and third seasons (1960-1962) on the ABC/NBC crime drama The Detectives (also known as The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor, Captain of Detectives, and Robert Taylor's Detectives).

He starred as Bob Randall on the 1964-1965 CBS sitcom Many Happy Returns. The show starred John McGiver as widower Walter Burnley, the manager of the Adjustments and Refunds Department at the fictitious Krockmeyer's Department Store in Los Angeles. Bob Randall is the husband of Burnley's daughter, Joan Randall (Elinor Donahue). The series also starred Richard Collier, Jesslyn Fox, Mickey Manners, Andrea Sacino and Elena Verdugo.

Goddard starred as Major Don West on the 1965-1968 CBS science fiction series Lost in Space. The series follows the adventures of the Robinsons, a pioneering family of space colonists who struggle to survive in the depths of space. U.S. Space Corps Major Donald West is the pilot of the Jupiter 2. The series also starred Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Marta Kristen, Angela Cartwright, Billy Mumy, Jonathan Harris, Bob May as The Robot and Dick Tufeld as The Robot's voice.

He starred as Ted Clayton in 10 episodes of One Life to Live in 1981. He played Lt. Paul Reed in six episodes of The Doctors in 1982. He starred as Derek Barrington in 11 episodes General Hospital from 1985 to 1986.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Fair Exchange, The Bill Dana Show, The Beverly Hillbillies and Benson. Some of his other television guest appearances included The DuPont Show with June Allyson, The Rebel, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, The Rilfeman, Burke's Law, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason (2 episodes), The Fugitive, Mod Squad (2 episodes), Adam-12, Switch, Petrocelli (2 episodes), The Streets of San Francisco, Quincy, M.E. (1977), B.J. and the Bear, Barnaby Jones (4 episodes), The Fall Guy and Jake and the Fatman.

Goddard starred as politician Edward Fleming in the 1977 film Blue Sunshine. He briefly appears as the military general who gives Major Don West his orders for the mission in Lost in Space (1998).

Mr. Goddard was very good as Major Don West on Lost in Space. In 2009, he released an autobiographical memoir To Space and Back. We thank him for his work on television. He will be greatly missed.

At New York Comic Con, Adult Swim announced a new stop-motion series Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, which follows a wealthy Spaniard living in Ecuador as she journeys through the complicated world of love, family, commercials, and cuyes, a.k.a. South American guinea pigs. The new series will mark Adult Swim's first-ever Spanish-language series along with its return to the stop-motion animation format. During the panel, Adult Swim also announced the third season renewal of the animated comedy YOLO from Smiling Friends co-creator Michael Cusack. With a second season that ranked #2 in its timeslot across cable in key demos, the third installment, YOLO: Rainbow Trinity, will follow a pair of Australian best friends through absurd and fantastical adventures.

Women Wearing Shoulder Pads is a quarter-hour comedy that features an all-female cast and centers on Marioneta, an extremely wealthy and ambitious Spaniard living in South America pursuing business and pleasure. Produced entirely in Spanish, with English subtitles, the series comes from creator Gonzalo Cordova (Tuca & Bertie, Adam Ruins Everything) in partnership with Mexico City-based studio Cinema Fantasma (Frankelda's Book of Spooks).

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:30 PM

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Labels: Adult Swim, Adventures of Superman, Lost in Space, New York Comic Con, Obits, She's the Sheriff, Step by Step, Three's Company, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, YOLO: Rainbow Trinity

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 16, 2023)

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 3:00 PM

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Labels: Talk Shows, This Week in Sitcoms

SitcomsOnline Digest: SAG-AFTRA Strike Negotiations Come to Halt; L.A. Law Heading to Hulu in November

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! This week, we're not much closer to the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike (though we will get some new stuff from Saturday Night Live tonight), we're hearing about another classic 80s drama coming to Hulu, and more. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• The WGA strike is over and it seemed that the SAG-AFTRA strike would be ending soon thereafter, but now it looks like that isn't going to happen as quickly as we would have hoped. (Variety)
• It's not the first time it has been available online (in fact, it is on Amazon Prime Video already), but newly remastered episodes of L.A. Law are heading to Hulu next month. (Variety)
• A daytime talk show with Kim Jeong is in the works. (Deadline)
• Vanna White considered leaving Wheel of Fortune at the same time as Pat Sajak, but ultimately decided against it. (Deadline)
• It's time for another South Park special on Paramount+. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (OCTOBER 14 - OCTOBER 20)

• We may not be able to get a lot of scripted entertainment right now, but NBC will rescue us with a little bit of it, as Saturday Night Live returns for a new season tonight with host Pete Davidson.
• A new season of Rick and Morty arrives on Adult Swim on Monday.
• The Daily Show may not have a host, but it does return for new episodes on Monday.
• Catchy Comedy has a binge of The Little Rascals this weekend.

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

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Labels: Hulu, L.A. Law, SAG, SitcomsOnline Digest, Wheel of Fortune

Peacock Renews Based on a True Story; BUZZR's Bob-tober Best of Bob Eubanks

Peacock's dark comedic thriller Based On a True Story has been renewed for a second season. The series comes from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group. eason 1 features Executive Producer and star Kaley Cuoco, alongside Chris Messina, Tom Bateman, Priscilla Quintana, and Liana Liberato. Based On a True Story is a satire of the true crime genre with elements that are loosely inspired by true events. Season 1 is about Ava (Kaley Cuoco) and her husband Nathan (Chris Messina), a down-on-their-luck couple, whose lives collide with an infamous serial killer terrorizing Los Angeles and seize a unique opportunity to capitalize on America’s obsession with true crime by making a podcast with the killer.

He's been a radio dee-jay, music manager/promoter, author, multi-Emmy Awards winner, Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient, one of the hardest working game show hosts in the biz, and he gets a whole week named after him on BUZZR! He's legendary game show host, Bob Eubanks! Join Bob and BUZZR this October to relive his favorite episodes as he shares his witty insights, amusing anecdotes, cherished memories, and a whole lot of "Makin' Whoopie" from a lifetime of hosting some of the best game shows of all time. Starting Monday, October 16 at 8p, it’s the best of Bob Eubanks during Bob-tober on BUZZR... Let's play!

Bob-tober airs:
Monday, 10/16 through Friday 10/20 8:00pm-11:00pm ET
Saturday, 10/21 8pm – 3:30am ET
Sunday, 10/22 4:00pm – 11:30pm ET.

Have you ever wondered what #BobEubanks' favorites are? Join #BUZZR for Bob-tober, where Bob himself shares memories from some of his personal favorite game shows like #CardSharks, #TriviaTrap, #FamilyFeud and #TheNewlywedGame. It all starts 10/16 at 8pm ET. pic.twitter.com/eQ7SjDlXFP

— BUZZR (@BUZZRtv) September 25, 2023

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

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Labels: Based on a True Story, BUZZR, Peacock

South Park: Joining the Panderverse Drops October 27; Prime Video Gets Batman Animated Holiday Movie

Paramount+ announced that the service's next South Park exclusive event South Park: Joining the Panderverse will premiere Friday, October 27, in the U.S. and Canada and Saturday, October 28, in the U.K. and Australia with further international markets to follow. The first four South Park exclusive events – South Park: Post Covid, South Park: Post Covid: The Return of Covid, South Park The Streaming Wars and South Park The Streaming Wars Part 2 – are available to stream exclusively on Paramount+. In South Park: Joining the Panderverse, Cartman's deeply disturbing dreams portend the end of the life he knows and loves. The adults in South Park are also wrestling with their own life decisions as the advent of AI is turning their world upside down.

In 2022, South Park the series celebrated the 25th anniversary of its August 13, 1997 debut on Comedy Central. Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny were first seen in the animated short "The Spirit of Christmas," and from there were launched into television history. Co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are executive producers, along with Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell and Vernon Chatman are producers. Christopher Brion is the Creative Director of South Park Digital Studios.

It was announced that Merry Little Batman will be available to stream on Prime Video beginning December 8 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Merry Little Batman is an animated family action comedy destined to join the rogue's gallery of classic holiday movies. When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, he must transform into "Little Batman'' in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays. More details to come!

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

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Labels: Amazon Prime, Batman, Paramount+, South Park

Shoresy Season 2 on Hulu October 27; Roku Acquires New Drama

Shoresy Season 2 Premieres Exclusively in the U.S. on Hulu Friday, October 27! Created by and starring Jared Keeso, directed by Jacob Tierney and produced by New Metric Media in association with Play Fun Games, the half hour comedy sees the foul-mouthed, chirp-serving, mother-loving, fan favourite character, Shoresy (Keeso), and the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs of the Northern Ontario Senior Hockey Organization (The NOSHO), continue their quest to never lose again. Joining the stellar lineup this season are Frederick Roy (son of Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy), international pop star Rve, Catherine St-Laurent (Tu Dors Nicole) and Jordana Lajoie (The Boys).

Returning cast starring alongside Keeso are Tasya Teles (The 100) as Nat; Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat (Prey) as Sanguinet; Blair Lamora (Paranormal Nightshift) as Ziigwan; and Keilani Rose (Flimsy) as Miigwan. From, Blainville, QC, rapper Jonathan-Ismael Diaby stars as Dolo; and former Montral Canadien, author, and actor Terry Ryan stars as Hitch. Ryan McDonell (The Crossing) stars as Michaels, Max Bouffard (Letterkenny) is JJ Frankie JJ, and former Kahnawake Condor and MMA fighter Andrew The Canon Antsanen returns as Goody. Legendary all-time tough guy Jon Nasty Mirasty, former ‘Canes centre Brandon Nolan, and three time Stanley Cup winner, Jordan Nolan star as Jim, Jim, and Jim, respectively, with Listowel’s Keegan Long as Liam, and North Bay’s Bourke Cazabon as Cory.

Featured guest stars also include Scott Thompson (Kids in the Hall), Jonathan Torrens (Trailer Park Boys), Jacob Tierney (Letterkeny), Camille Sullivan (Trigger Me), Eliana Jones (Northern Rescue), Kim Cloutier (Letterkeny), Michala Brasseur (Grand Army), as well as social media star and podcaster Lysandre Nadeau.

Roku announced it has landed the exclusive, premiere U.S. rights to The Spiderwick Chronicles, the television adaptation of the globally-acclaimed book series of the same name by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Produced by Paramount Television Studios & 20th Television, the eight-episode Roku Original series will debut on The Roku Channel in early 2024. The wildly popular fantasy adventure novels are #1 New York Times best-sellers with 20 million copies sold and have been translated in over 30 countries. The Spiderwick Chronicles follows the coming-of-age story of the Grace Family, as they move from New York to Michigan and into their family's ancestral home. Upon arrival, the family not only uncovers mysteries hidden inside their great grandfather's Spiderwick Estate, but also discovers a secret, fantastical world around them.

An ensemble cast of actors bring the series' beloved characters to life including Joy Bryant as "Helen Grace"; Noah Cottrell as "Simon Grace"; Lyon Daniels as "Jared Grace"; Mychala Lee as "Mallory Grace"; Jack Dylan Grazer as the voice of "Thimbletack" and Christian Slater as "Mulgarath."

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

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Labels: Hulu, Roku, Shoresy

Kojak 50th Anniversary Marathon on get; Monk Returns December 8 on Peacock

Kojak is turning 50! To celebrate, Great Entertainment Television (get.) will be airing the highest rated episodes from IMDB's rankings October 23 through October 29. Kojak, staring Telly Savalas, aired its first episode in 1973. The series follows "a bald, lollipop sucking police detective with a fiery righteous attitude battles crime in his city" (IMDB). Kojak airs on get. weeknights at 10pm ET.

A gift for you all in honor of Tony Shalhoub's birthday, a first look at Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie 🤩. Streaming December 8, only on @PeacockTV. Monk returns to solve one last, very personal case involving his beloved stepdaughter Molly (Caitlin McGee), a journalist preparing for her wedding. It's been twelve years since the world has seen a fresh installment of Monk. The world has changed mightily in those intervening years and Monk 2023 reflects the changing world. Starring Ted Levine, Jason Gray-Stanford, Traylor Howard, Melora Hardin, and Hector Elizondo.

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

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Labels: getTV, Kojak, Monk, Peacock

Star Trek and Kid Cudi Collaborate at New York Comic Con; American Horror Story Spin-Off Gets Four Episode Event

Star Trek and Scott Mescudi, better known by his stage name, Kid Cudi, announce details of their one-of-a-kind collaboration, kicking off Star Trek's all-new "Boldly Be" campaign. The collaboration will launch on Oct. 12 at the start of New York Comic Con with the release of an original Kid Cudi song inspired by Star Trek titled "Heaven's Galaxy." Fans can also visit the Star Trek x Kid Cudi booth that will showcase the capsule collection and a first look at the Fortnite gaming experience at NYCC on the Javits show floor from Oct. 12-15, booth 2653. "Heavens Galaxy" was written by Cudi, produced by longtime collaborator Dot Da Genius and inspired by Cudi's own fandom of Star Trek. It will be available beginning Thursday, Oct. 12 on all streaming platforms.

American Horror Stories four episode Huluween event premieres October 26 exclusively on Hulu. Dark and twisted tales are COMING SOON...Three new KEY ART and OFFICIAL TEASER for the upcoming spooky event was released. American Horror Stories is a spin-off of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's award-winning hit anthology series American Horror Story. American Horror Stories is an anthology series that will feature a different horror story each episode.

Since 2011, the creators of American Horror Story have redefined the horror genre with various installments featuring a creepy asylum, a coven of witches, a traveling freak show, a haunted hotel and the apocalypse itself. The television series sprouted a legion of dedicated fans who anticipate what terrors the next chapter will hold.

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

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Labels: Hulu, New York Comic Con, Star Trek

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 9, 2023)

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 1:05 PM

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Labels: Talk Shows, This Week in Sitcoms

SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Cancels Welcome to Flatch; Mayim Bialik Floats Blossom Reboot Idea

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's a little bit of a busy news week, with news about the cancelation of one of Fox's few live-action comedy series, another step toward the death of cable television, and a Blossom reboot idea that probably won't happen. Let's get going!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB

• Fox, which hasn't exactly been able to find any truly successful live-action comedy in a very long time, has canceled Welcome to Flatch. (Hollywood Reporter)
• The first two episodes of Turn-On, the late 60s series that was infamously canceled midway through the first episode (on one ABC affiliate, at least), will be available on YouTube this week. (Deadline)
• With the rise of streaming media and decline in cable, a lot of those niche channels that were added to cable lineups in the 90s (when channel lineups went from 40 channels to 400 channels) are no longer necessary, and one analyst predicts has a list of 30 channels that he predicts will shutdown soon. (Cord Cutters News)
• Don't get your hopes too high about it, because it seems it's just an idea that Mayim Bialik has that no network seems to be interested in, but she wants to bring Blossom back, just not as a sitcom. (Deadline)
• NFL player Dick Butkus, who had a post-retirement career as an actor and also had regular roles on My Two Dads and Hang Time, has died. (CNN)
• The Drew Barrymore Show is coming back, but her writers aren't, as a response to her original plan to bring the show back without writers before the strike ended. (Variety)
• If you've been waiting for new live-action scripted material, we'll finally see some next Saturday as NBC brings back Saturday Night Live, which is not affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike, for a new season. (SitcomsOnline)

WEEKLY PLANNER (OCTOBER 7 - OCTOBER 13)

• The revival of Frasier arrives Thursday on Paramount+.
• Moonlighting arrives on Hulu on Tuesday.
• Catchy Comedy is switching things up with movies this weekend, with a binge of Laurel and Hardy movies.
• Antenna TV's Sunday Special this weekend features Alice.

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

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Labels: Blossom, Hang Time, My Two Dads, SitcomsOnline Digest, Turn-On, Welcome to Flatch

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.

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

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Labels: Hang Time, Hulu, My Two Dads, Obits, Only Murders in the Building, TBS, Wipeout

SNL Season 49 Premieres October 14; New Family Sitcom Podcast Flula Makes Five

The 49th season of Saturday Night Live will premiere Oct. 14 with Pete Davidson returning to Studio 8H for his hosting debut. Davidson is currently on a stand-up tour throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ice Spice will perform as SNL musical guest for the first time. Her music has reached more than 4 billion global streams in the past year and she was named Best New Artist at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. Bad Bunny will do double duty on Oct. 21 for his SNL hosting debut and second musical guest appearance. The Grammy Award-winning artist's fourth studio album, "Un Verano Sin Ti," broke the record earlier this year as the most streamed album ever on Spotify. Chloe Troast joins the cast as a featured player. The entire cast from last season returns. In addition to the broadcast on NBC, SNL streams live on Peacock (11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT).

Flula Makes Five is a new scripted sitcom podcast starring Flula Borg. New 30-minute episodes will be released each Tuesday for an eight episode first season. The first three episodes are out now on all streaming platforms. The show's cast also includes musicians Julie Edwards (Deap Vally) and Henri Cash (Starcrawler). John Lehr (the original Geico Caveman) and Russell Horning (inventor of "flossing" dance) round out the principal cast. Edwards and Lehr play the parents, Kelly and Mitch Roberts and Cash plays their teenage son, Cameron. Horning portrays Lance, the neighbor and best friend to Cash’s character.

Lauren Lapkus, David DeLuise and Alaska Thunderfuck are among season one's notable guest stars. Flula Makes Five was originally intended and filmed as a television show. In order to save money producer Borg employed his cousin Heinz from his hometown in Erlangen, Germany to operate the cameras– except Heinz forgot to remove the lens cap. With all the audio available, Borg, along with his fellow producers and co-creators Alex Hinton and Andy Wombwell, decided to release it as a podcast. Flula Makes Five, is intended as a loving homage to the classic family sitcoms of the 80s and 90s (ALF, Fresh Prince, the TGIF lineup and others).

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

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Labels: Flula Makes Five, NBC, Peacock, Saturday Night Live

Apple TV+ Holiday Programming Lineup; 80s Stars Reunite in Lifetime Movie

In celebration of the holiday season, Apple TV+ announced a festive lineup of all-new kids and family programming featuring the debut of the heartwarming Apple Original special The Velveteen Rabbit, based on the beloved children's classic written by Margery Williams, launching on November 22, plus brand new holiday-themed episodes from beloved series including The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad, and Shape Island, premiering globally December 1 and a special New Year's Eve themed episode of Sago Mini Friends on December 22.

Apple TV+ will also provide special free windows for nonsubscribers to stream the iconic holiday specials from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide, including It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown available Saturday, October 21 through Sunday, October 22; A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving available Saturday, November 18 through Sunday, November 19; and A Charlie Brown Christmas available Saturday, December 16 through Sunday, December 17. These specials are available to subscribers now and every day.

The holidays just got the diva treatment! As the tentpole of Lifetime's holiday slate, It's a Wonderful Lifetime, the network announced the movie, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas starring iconic actresses Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Linda Gray (Dallas), Donna Mills (Knots Landing) and Nicollette Sheridan (Knots Landing). Filmed earlier this year, the movie follows five soap opera divas readying for a reunion show who take on playing cupid during Christmas to bring together their director and producer as they all learn the meaning of true Christmas spirit. The movie also stars newcomers Travis Burns and Taylor Ann Thompson. Christopher Atkins, Patrika Darbo, Alec Mapa and Donna Mills' real-life daughter, Chloe Mills, also star. Lifetime's full It's a Wonderful Lifetime holiday movie slate will be announced in the coming weeks.

In Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas, five glamorous soap opera actresses reunite to share the spotlight to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running soap opera. The producer, Alex (Travis Burns) and director Nell (Taylor Ann Thompson), who happen to be old college friends, do their best to keep things on the rails but as the ladies come together, old rivalries resurface that threaten to tear the whole production apart. With the show nearly canceled before it even begins due to the ladies' famous diva behavior, they reluctantly agree to set aside their differences and past secrets to "act" as if they all still love each other. When old sparks reignite between Alex and Nell, the ladies become eager to play cupid and conspire to bring the couple together. Along the way, the divas also discover that the love between them all is still very strong too. The movie's theme song Ladies of the '80s was written by Song Writer Hall of Fame's Steve Dorff and Michael Jay and is performed by '80s pop sensation Tiffany (I Think We're Alone Now).

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

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Labels: Apple TV+, Dallas, Falcon Crest, Frog and Toad, Knots Landing, Lifetime, Peanuts, WKRP in Cincinnati

The Nanny Still 29: 30th Anniversary Marathon on COZI TV; Selena Gomez Holiday Cooking Specials

This fall marks the 30-year anniversary of The Nanny, when a girl from Flushing, Queens showed up on the doorstep of the Manhattan-based Sheffield's residence and turned their world upside down for the better. Starting on Monday, October 9, COZI TV is set to celebrate this milestone with a special marathon, The Nanny "Still 29" 30th Anniversary Marathon.

Over the course of five days, COZI TV, the exclusive broadcast partner of the famed sitcom, will air 30 episodes highlighting the show’s greatest moments and legendary guest stars such as Ray Charles, Jon Stewart, and Elizabeth Taylor. Viewers will also be treated to an exclusive celebratory video highlighting the hilariously entertaining seasons featuring the show’s star, Fran Drescher’s finest Fran fashions, the witty banter of C.C. Babcock and Niles the butler, and the six-season long journey of the will they/won’t they romance between Fran and Mr. Sheffield.

The Nanny Still 29: 30th Anniversary Marathon Episodes:

“The Pilot”
“A Plot for Nanny”
“Schlepped Away”
“The Gym Teacher”
“Material Fran”
“Stock Tip”
“The Strike”
“Close Shave”
“A Kiss is just a Kiss”
“Strange Bedfellows”
“Pen Pal”
“The Two Mrs. Sheffields"
“Val’s Boyfriend”
“Love is a Many Blundered Thing”
“Your Feets Too Big”
“An Affair to Dismember"
“Tattoo"
“Hurricane Fran”
“Kissing Cousins”
“The Bank Robbery”
“Fran’s Roots"
“Educating Fran”
“From Flushing with Love”
“Rash to Judgment"
“The Engagement”
“The Honeymoon’s Overboard"
“Fran Gets Shushed”
“The In-Law Who Came Forever"
“The Producers"
“The Dummy Twins"

COZI TV viewers can regularly watch The Nanny weeknights 11PM-12AM ET (check local listings) on HuluLive, YouTubeTV, fubotv, DIRECTV STREAM (channel 80) and DISH Network (channel 253).

Selena Gomez is going from Max to Food Network! It's a stellar holiday lineup this year as Food Network debuts Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays, a series of four all-new specials featuring global megastar Selena Gomez, beginning on Thursday, November 30th at 8pm ET/PT. Gomez is at the top of her game as a musical artist, actor, businesswoman, and philanthropist, but she calls in the experts to help amp up her kitchen skills for the holidays. This year she has invited all-star chefs Eric Adjepong, Alex Guarnaschelli, Michael Symon, and Claudette Zepeda to bring their favorite dishes and culinary wisdom to her home kitchen so they can cook up perfect holiday meals to share with friends and family.

Over the course of the four specials, the chefs will walk Selena and her best friend, Raquelle Stevens, through their culinary paces to make the season great. In Selena + Alex, Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and Selena prepare roast beef and "Chantilly" mashed potatoes for a tree-trimming party. In Selena + Michael, Michael Symon pops by for a "Surf & Turf" Christmas as he and Selena tackle steaks and lobster. In Selena + Claudette, Chef Claudette Zepeda plans a Mexican feast with a traditional Latin Christmas dish of tamales and a unique twist on a historic salad. Then, in Selena + Eric, it is time to ring in the New Year with Chef Eric Adjepong for a brunch that includes Shrimp & Banana Grits and Malva Pudding. Special guest appearances by Gomez's Papa, Nana and sister Gracie make this a family affair.

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

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Labels: Cozi TV, Food Network, Max, The Nanny

Felicity 25th Anniversary Collection on Hulu; Prime Video Orders Two Seasons of Animated Comedy

Felicity premiered on September 29, 1998 and ran for four seasons, all of which are available to stream on Hulu. Were you Team Ben or Team Noel? Hulu just launched two "best of" collections on the series page to let fans relive the all the romance, no matter what team they're on. 8 episodes of Best of Felicity & Ben and 6 episodes of Best of Felicity & Noel. The series is a story about a wide eyed college freshman and the most exhilarating journey of all, self discovery. Felicity explores the excitement and uncertainty of living in New York City, a setting where anything goes and anything can happen.

Prime Video announced a two season order of the new adult animated musical comedy series Hazbin Hotel from Vivienne Medrano, A24 and FOX Entertainment's Bento Box Entertainment. Created by Vivienne Medrano, Hazbin Hotel is based on her popular animated pilot released on YouTube in 2019 and quickly gained over 89 million views and a rabid worldwide fan base. The series blends adult humor, unforgettable characters, and catchy musical numbers creating a wholly original and unique world. The eight-episode first season is set to premiere January 2024 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Hazbin Hotel follows Charlie, the princess of Hell, as she pursues her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in her kingdom. After a yearly extermination imposed by angels, she opens a hotel in the hopes that patrons will be "checking out" into Heaven. While most of Hell mocks her goal, her devoted partner Vaggie, and their first test subject, adult film-star Angel Dust, stick by her side. When a powerful entity known as the "Radio Demon" reaches out to assist Charlie in her endeavors, her crazy dream is given a chance to become a reality.

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

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Labels: Amazon Prime, Felicity, Hazbin Hotel, Hulu

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of October 2, 2023)

Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 4:00 PM

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Labels: Talk Shows, This Week in Sitcoms