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Johnson Returns to Bounce; According to Jim Star Starring in Lifetime Film; Remembering Erica Ash of Survivor's Remorse

Johnson, Bounce TV's popular dramedy focusing on four life-long best friends with the same last name, returns for an all-new season Saturday nights at 8pm ET / 7pm CT starting August 3 with two new back-to-back episodes. Johnson is a journey of love, self-discovery, and brotherhood, touching on hot-button topics including race, mental health, classism and the ever-evolving relationship dynamics between men and women -- themes that continue to be prominent in the new season ahead.

Johnson is produced in partnership with Eric C. Rhone and Cedric The Entertainer's A Bird & A Bear Entertainment, as well as Deji LaRay (the show's creator) and Thomas Q. Jones' Midnight Train Productions. The ensemble cast is led by Jones (P. Valley, Luke Cage), LaRay (Bosch, Greenleaf), Philip Smithey (Murderville, The Rookie), Derrex Brady (NCIS, First) with D.L. Hughley (The Original Kings of Comedy, The Hughleys). LaRay and Jones serve as show-runners and executive producers; Rhone, Cedric The Entertainer and Reesha L. Archibald serve as executive producers.

Lifetime announces the new original movie, He Slid Into Her DMs. Inspired by a true story, Courtney Thorne-Smith (Melrose Place, Ally McBeal, According to Jim) and Stella Gregg (daughter of Clark Gregg, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Trust Me) star in the movie about a teenage social media influencer whose stalker shows up on her doorstep after blocking him online. The movie explores the tragic consequences of how online and social media fame can fuel real-world violence. Alicia Coppola (Writer and director of the award-winning short film And You Are...?, Jericho, Why Women Kill) directs her first feature film with He Slid Into Her DMs, which premieres Saturday, September 28 at 8/7c as part of Lifetime's fall Ripped from the Headlines movie slate.

Actress and comedian Erica Ash, who starred on the final season of Mad TV and played M-Chuck Calloway on Survivor's Remorse, has died. She died from breast cancer in Los Angeles on July 28. Ms. Ash was only 46.

Ash was a cast member in the first two seasons (2006-2008) of the Logo sketch comedy program The Big Gay Sketch Show. One of her characters included LaTanya, an uncouth, loudmouthed fitness instructor who teaches classes with a "Chicago-style" twist (i.e. Chicago-style yoga, Chicago-style pilates).

She joined the cast of the Fox sketch comedy series Mad TV (stylized as MADtv) in 2008 as a feature performer for the 14th and final season, along with Matt Braunger, Eric Price, and Lauren Pritchard. Her impressions included Naomi Campbell, Whoopi Goldberg, Mo'Nique, Lisa Leslie, Raven-Symoné, and Michelle Obama.

Ash had a recurring role as Bridgette Hart, Kevin Hart's ex-wife, on the 2013-2016 BET reality television parody series Real Husbands of Hollywood. The series was co-created by comedian Kevin Hart, and follows the daily lives of him and other married celebrities, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves, as they venture through their surreal life in Hollywood.

She starred as Mary Charles "M-Chuck" Calloway on the 2014-2017 Starz comedy-drama Survivor's Remorse, which was created by Mike O'Malley and produced by LeBron James. The plot centers around the lives of Cam Calloway (Jessie T. Usher) and his family after he signs a pro-basketball contract and moves his family to Atlanta. M-Chuck is Cam's half-sister. The series also starred RonReaco Lee, Teyonah Parris, Tichina Arnold, and Mike Epps (Seasons 1-2).

Ash appeared as Grace, Moz and Daniel's younger sister, in three episodes of the Netflix sitcom Family Reunion from 2019 to 2021. She guest starred as Lydia in a 2024 episode of the NBC sitcom Extended Family. She provided the voice of Julie Vous Coucher for a 2020 episode of the Fox animated sitcom Bless the Harts.

In 2018, she starred as Gwendolyn "Gwen" Sullivan, a public defender, on the BET legal drama In Contempt. Some of her other television guest appearances included Cold Case, Shades of Blue (3 episodes), Legacies (4 episodes), and Sacrifice.

Ash starred as Kendra Brooks in Scary Movie 5 (2013). Some of her other film credits included Jean of the Joneses (2016), Uncle Drew (2018), We Have a Ghost (2023), and Outlaw Johnny Black (2023).

Ms. Ash was a talented and funny actress. We thank her for the laughs and entertainment she brought us on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

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

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Labels: According to Jim, Bounce TV, Johnson, Lifetime, MADtv, Obits, Survivor's Remorse

Remembering TV Legend Bob Newhart, TV Bad Girl Shannen Doherty of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, and Doogie Howser TV Dad James B. Sikking

Emmy-winning actor and comedian Bob Newhart, who starred as Bob Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show and as Dick Loudon on Newhart, has died. He died from complications of several short illnesses at his home in Los Angeles, California, on July 18. Mr. Newhart was 94.

Newhart starred on the 1961-1962 NBC comedy variety show The Bob Newhart Show. The show was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor (now known as the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series) in 1962. It also won a Peabody Award in 1961. Regulars included Mickey Manners (1961), Joe Flynn, Jackie Joseph, Andy Albin, Dan Sorkin, Ken Westfall (1961), Jack Grinnage (1961), Ken Berry (1962) and Paul Weston and His Orchestra.

He starred as Dr. Robert "Bob" Hartley on the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. The show centers on Robert "Bob" Hartley, a Chicago psychologist, his work and home life, with his supportive, though occasionally sarcastic, wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), and their friendly but mildly pesky neighbor, airline navigator Howard Borden (Bill Daily). The series also starred Peter Bonerz as Dr. Jerry Robinson, Bob's friend, an orthodontist, and Marcia Wallace as Carol Kester, Bob and Jerry's receptionist. In 1977, the show received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. The entire cast assembled for the one-hour clip show The Bob Newhart Show: The 19th Anniversary Special in 1991, which finds the show's characters in the present day. Newhart and Wallace reprised their roles in a 1994 episode of Murphy Brown. Newhart reprised Hartley twice in the February 11, 1995, episode of Saturday Night Live.

Newhart starred as Dick Loudon on the 1982-1990 CBS sitcom Newhart. The series stars Newhart and Mary Frann as an author and his wife who own and operate the Stratford Inn in rural Vermont. Dick Loudon is also the host of a local television show, Vermont Today, where he interviews an assortment of bizarre and colorful guests. The show was nominated for 25 Emmy Awards but never won. The cast included Tom Poston, Jennifer Holmes (1982-1983), Steven Kampmann (1982-1984), Julia Duffy (1983-1990), Peter Scolari (1984-1990), William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss and John Voldstad. Recurring cast members included Thomas Hill, William Lanteau, Rebecca York (1983-1984), Jeff Doucette (1983-1988), Fred Applegate (1984-1987), Ralph Manza (1984-1990), Linda Carlson (1984-1987), Todd Susman (1984-1990), José Ferrer (1985-1987), Priscilla Morrill (1985-1989), Melanie Chartoff (1987-1990), Kathy Kinney (1989-1990) and David Pressman (1989-1990).

He starred as Bob McKay on the 1992-1993 CBS sitcom Bob. Bob McKay is a greeting card artist who discovers a comic book he created is getting revived. He is the creator of the 1950s comic book superhero Mad-Dog. The series, which aired for two seasons, also starred Carlene Watkins, Cynthia Stevenson, John Cygan (season 1), Andrew Bilgore (season 1), Timothy Fall (season 1), Ruth Kobart (season 1), Betty White (season 2), Jere Burns (season 2), Eric Allan Kramer (season 2) and Megan Cavanagh. Recurring cast members included Lisa Kudrow, Tom Poston (season 1), Dorothy Lyman, Dick Martin and Christine Dunford (season 1).

Newhart starred as George Stoody on the 1997-1998 CBS sitcom George & Leo. Newhart and Hirsch starred as the respective title characters, widely divergent men who become in-laws when their children get married. The cast inclued Jason Bateman, Bess Meyer (episodes 1-7), Robyn Lively (episodes 9-22) and Darryl Theirse.

He played Professor Proton (Arthur Jeffries) in six episodes of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory from 2013 to 2018. Professor Proton (Arthur Jeffries) is the star of a fictional in-universe science show that Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) watched as children. Newhart won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2013. He appeared as the character in three episodes of Young Sheldon from 2017 to 2020.

Newhart appeared as Bob Sr., Bob's (David Foley) father and the father-in-law of Joy Scroggs (Jane Leeves), in the series finale of Hot in Cleveland in 2015. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Captain Nice, The Don Rickles Show, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Everybody Loves Raymond and Committed. He voiced himself in a 1996 episode of The Simpsons.

In 2003, he guest starred as Ben Hollander in three episodes of ER in a rare dramatic role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, his first in nearly 20 years. He had a recurring role as Morty Flickman, the on-again/off-again boyfriend of Sophie (Lesley Ann Warren), Susan Mayer's (Teri Hatcher) mother, in three episodes of Desperate Housewives in 2005. Some of his other television drama credits included The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, NCIS and The Librarians (3 episodes).

He appeared on The Dean Martin Show 21 times and on The Ed Sullivan Show seven times. He was one of the initial three co-hosts of the variety show The Entertainers in 1964, with Carol Burnett and Caterina Valente. He guest-hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 87 times. He hosted Saturday Night Live in 1980 and 1995.

Newhart's 1960 comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart was the first comedy album to make number one on the Billboard charts and peaked at number two in the UK Albums Chart. It won two Grammy Awards in 1961 for Album of the Year and Best New Artist. The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart remains the 20th-best-selling album in history. A follow-up album, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!, was released six months later and won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Performance – Spoken Word that year.

He starred as Papa Elf in Elf (2003). Some of his other film credits included Catch-22 (1970), Cold Turkey (1971), First Family (1980) and In & Out (1997). He also voiced Bernard in the Disney animated films The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990).

He was interviewed on May 29, 2001 in Westwood, California, and on June 15, 2001 in Bel Air, California, for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television.

Mr. Newhart was a TV and comedy icon. He was very funny and memorable as Bob Hartley and Dick Loudon. He was always a great late night guest. His deadpan delivery and dry sense of humor were fantastic. We thank him for the many laughs and for the entertainment that he brought during his legendary career. He will be greatly missed.

Catchy Comedy will celebrate legendary actor Bob Newhart with a special Catchy Weekend Binge presentation of The Bob Newhart Show, Newhart and Bob TV Series. The tribute begins Saturday, July 20 at 12 noon ET/PT on Catchy Comedy. The special Binge will continue all weekend through Monday, July 21 at 6:00 am ET/PT.

CBS announced a new Entertainment Tonight special, Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter, to air Monday, July 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs)*.

Hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Nischelle Turner, this one-hour tribute honors the late comedian with a look back at his 70-year career, featuring never-before-seen interviews, and his final interview from his home in Los Angeles. The special takes an in-depth look at his journey from accountant to comedian to Hollywood icon, with rare behind-the-scenes footage of Bob on the set of his sitcoms and feature films, from the Entertainment Tonight vault. Included are new and archival interviews with some of Bob’s closest friends and co-stars, including Jim Parsons, Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Jason Bateman and Michael Weatherly. The show takes an intimate look inside Bob’s personal life and his marriage to the love of his life, Ginnie, with newly revealed stories about how he changed American culture through comedy.

Bob starred as Chicago psychologist Robert Hartley on the CBS television series The Bob Newhart Show from 1972 to 1978, and then as Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon on Newhart from 1982 to 1990, also on the Network. He had two other sitcoms on CBS in the 1990s, Bob and George and Leo. Bob played the recurring role of Professor Proton on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory from 2013 to 2018, for which he received his first Primetime Emmy Award.

TBS is celebrating the life of comedian and actor Bob Newhart with a Big Bang Theory marathon featuring the Best of Professor Proton episodes. Beginning Sunday, July 21 at 8PM on TBS, the marathon includes six classic episodes from various seasons including "The Proton Resurgence," "The Proton Displacement," "The Proton Transmogrification," and more.

Big Bang Theory follows two brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon, who understand how the universe works. But none of that genius helps them interact with people. All this begins to change when a free-spirited beauty named Penny moves next door.

Full scheduling details are below:

Sunday, July 21 (8PM-11PM)
1. "The Proton Resurgence" (Season 6, Episode 22)
2. "The Proton Displacement" (Season 7, Episode 7)
3. "The Proton Transmogrification" (Season 7, Episode 22)
4. "The Opening Night Excitation" (Season 9, Episode 11)
5. "The Proton Regeneration" (Season 11, Episode 6)
6. "The Planetarium Collision" (Season 12, Episode 5)

Actress Shannen Doherty, who starred as Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210 and as Prue Halliwell on Charmed, has died. She died from breast cancer at her home in Malibu, California, on July 13. Ms. Doherty was 53.

Doherty had a recurring role as Jenny Wilder in 18 episodes of the ninth and final season (1982-1983) of the NBC Western historical drama Little House on the Prairie. Almanzo (Dean Butler) and Laura (Melissa Gilbert) take in their niece, Jenny Wilder, when Almanzo's brother dies and raise her alongside their daughter, Rose. She returned in the three post-series movies in 1983 and 1984.

She starred as Kris Witherspoon on the 1986-1988 NBC drama Our House. The series centers on the Witherspoon family and the challenges they face adjusting to life with three generations living in the same house. 15-year-old Kris aimed to become an Air Force test pilot someday. The cast included Wilford Brimley, Deidre Hall, Chad Allen, Keri Houlihan and Gerald S. O'Loughlin.

Doherty starred as Brenda Walsh on the Fox teen drama from 1990 to 1994. The initial premise of the show was based on the adjustment and culture shock that twins Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Brenda Walsh experienced when they and their parents, Jim (James Eckhouse) and Cindy (Carol Potter), moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Beverly Hills, California. Doherty was fired from the series at the end of the fourth season in 1994.

She starred as Prue Halliwell on The WB's fantasy drama Charmed from 1998 to 2001. The series initially focuses on the three Halliwell sisters, Prue, Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) who are witches. Prue is the eldest sister who initially receives the power to move objects with her mind by channelling telekinesis through her eyes. Doherty also directed three episodes during the second and third seasons. She was was allegedly fired by producer Aaron Spelling after the third season after he received an ultimatum from Milano because of their on-set and off-set tensions between them.

Doherty had a recurring role Alexandra Hudson in 11 episodes of the 2004-2005 Fox drama North Shore. Alexandra Hudson is Walter Booth's (Christopher McDonald) supposed illegitimate child by a secretary – thus making her Nicole's (Brooke Burns) half-sister.

She reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in seven episodes of the first season (2008-2009) of The CW's teen drama 90210. She played herself in the short-lived 2009 Fox comedy-drama BH90210. The series focuses on the original cast members of Beverly Hills, 90210 — Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, and Shannen Doherty — playing heightened, fictionalized versions of themselves. The cast also served as executive producers.

Doherty guest starred with Christina Applegate and Robyn Lively in a 1985 episode of The New Leave it to Beaver. She appeared with other Beverly Hills, 90210 stars in a 1992 episode of Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

She had several attempts at starring on a sitcom. In 1984, she starred with Richard Kline, Shelley Fabares and Dana Kimmell in the CBS pilot episode of His and Hers. In 1997, she was cast with Orlando Jones and William Ragsdale as hip young private investigators in Los Angeles in the Fox sitcom pilot Faster Baby, Kill! It wasn't picked up as a series. In 2005, she starred as Denise Johnson in the unaired pilot of the UPN sitcom Love, Inc.. The series was originally developed as a vehicle and sitcom debut for Doherty under the working title Wingwoman. Though picked up by UPN, Doherty was removed from the project at the request of the network due to her poor reception by preview audiences. She was replaced by Busy Philipps.

Some of her other television guest apperances included Father Murphy (2 episodes), The Phoenix, Voyagers!, Magnum, P.I. (1983), Airwolf, Highway to Heaven, 21 Jump Street, Life Goes On and Heathers (3 episodes). She appeared as a stranded motorist on Riverdale as part of a tribute to Luke Perry, who died in 2019.

She starred as Maggie Malene in the 1985 teen movie comedy Girls Just Want to Have Fun alongside Helen Hunt and Sarah Jessica Parker. She played Heather Duke in the 1988 teen black comedy film Heathers. In 1995, she starred as Rene Mosier in Kevin Smith's buddy comedy film Mallrats. She had a cameo as herself in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).

Ms. Doherty was very good and memorable in her television dramas over the years. She could play good girl and bad girl roles equally well. Our House is a somewhat forgotten family drama, which should be available on DVD or streaming. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She bravely battled cancer since 2015. She will be deeply missed.

Actor James B. Sikking, who starred as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues and as Dr. David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D., has died. He died of complications from dementia at his home in Los Angeles, California, on July 13. Mr. Sikking was 90.

Sikking starred as Geoffrey St. James on the short-lived 1979 NBC sitcom Turnabout, which was based on a 1931 novel of the same title by Thorne Smith. The plot was about a husband and wife who found themselves inhabiting each other's bodies. The series also starred John Schuck, Sharon Gless, Richard Stahl, Bobbi Jordan and Bruce Kirby.

He starred as Lt. Howard Hunter on the 1981-1987 police drama Hill Street Blues. Initially a Sergeant, he is promoted to (or perhaps merely re-written as) Lieutenant early in season 1 without mention. Hunter is the commander of the Emergency Action Team (EAT, or "EATers"), who loves to postulate and theorize about the degeneration of society. In 1984, Sikking's performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Sikking starred as Dr. David Howser on the 1989-1993 ABC medical comedy/drama Doogie Howser, M.D.. Dr. David Howser is Doogie Howser's (Neil Patrick Harris) father. He's a Vietnam War MASH veteran with a family practice. The cast included Max Casella, Belinda Montgomery, Lawrence Pressman, Mitchell Anderson (1989-1991), Kathryn Layng, Lisa Dean Ryan (1989-1992), Lucy Boryer (1989-1992), Markus Redmond (1990-1993), Rif Hutton (recurring from 1990-1993) and Robyn Lively (recurring from 1991-1993).

He starred as Capt. Stan Jonas on the 1997-1998 CBS police drama Brooklyn South. The focus for Brooklyn South was the 74th Precinct in Brooklyn. The series won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Television New Dramatic Series in 1998.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included O.K. Crackerby!, My Favorite Martian, My Mother the Car (2 episodes), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Here Come the Brides (2 episodes), The Bob Newhart Show, The Doris Day Show (3 episodes), M*A*S*H, Room 222 (2 episodes), Who's the Boss? and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2 episodes).

Sikking played Jim Hobart, an alcoholic surgeon, on the ABC soap opera General Hospital from 1971 to 1976. Some of his other television guest appearances included Perry Mason, Combat! (2 episodes), Rawhide, The Outer Limits (2 episodes), The Fugitive (3 episodes), Run for Your Life (2 episodes), The Invaders, Bonanza (2 episodes), Adam-12, Night Gallery (2 episodes), Mission: Impossible (2 episodes), Mod Squad (3 episodes), The Rookies (2 episodes), Mannix (2 episodes), Cannon (2 episodes), Delvecchio (3 episodes), The Feather & Father Gang (2 episodes), The Rockford Files (2 episodes), Hawaii Five-0 (2 episodes), Charlie's Angels (2 episodes), Hunter (3 episodes) and The Guardian (2 episodes)

He voiced General Gordon on the The WB's 1998 animated science fiction series Invasion America. Some of his other voice credits included Batman Beyond (2 episodes) and Rocket Power (2 episodes).

Sikking starred as FBI Director Denton Voyles in the 1993 American legal thriller film The Pelican Brief. Some of his other film credits included Ordinary People (1980), The Competition (1980), Outland (1981), The Star Chamber (1983), Up the Creek (1984), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Narrow Margin (1990), Fever Pitch (2005) and Made of Honor (2008).

Mr. Sikking was a solid and dependable actor. He was best known for his yeoman work as hard-charging, hardheaded SWAT leader Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

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

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Labels: 90210, Beverly Hills 90210, BH90210, Bob, Bob Newhart Show, Catchy Comedy, CBS, Charmed, Doogie Howser MD, George and Leo, Hill Street Blues, Newhart, Obits

ABC Fall 2024 Premiere Dates; Remembering Doug Sheehan of Day by Day and Clueless and Benji Gregory of ALF

ABC announced premiere dates for the network's action-packed fall, featuring previously announced fan-favorite series, high-octane new dramas and The Bachelor franchise's newest iteration. This news comes on the heels of the network closing out the 2023-2024 season as No. 1 in entertainment among Adults 18-49 for the fifth consecutive season, marking the longest winning streak in over 10 years. Monday Night Football returns for select weeks beginning Sept. 9 (New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers). Then, on Monday, Oct. 7, beloved game shows join the lineup with Pat Sajak's final spin hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune leading into Elizabeth Banks-hosted Press Your Luck.

From Oscar®-nominated writer Drew Goddard and starring Kaitlin Olson, freshman crime procedural High Potential joins ballroom sensation Dancing with the Stars on Tuesdays, kicking off Sept. 17. The Golden Bachelorette makes its debut Wednesday, Sept. 18 with two-hour episodes for the first few weeks, with new leading lady Joan Vassos; and a new season of Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning comedy Abbott Elementary joins the night Oct. 9 at 9:30pm, followed by the ABC News Studios docuseries Scamanda. Then, from executive producer Ryan Murphy and starring Joshua Jackson and Don Johnson, highly anticipated new drama Doctor Odyssey debuts Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9pm, alongside 9-1-1 and the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history, Grey's Anatomy.

A new season of ABC News' 20/20 premieres Friday, Sept. 20, and season 16 of Shark Tank dives into the night starting Oct. 18. America’s Funniest Home Videos celebrates its monumental 35th season beginning Sunday, Sept. 29, before The Wonderful World of Disney world television premiere of the live-action The Little Mermaid. Additional films to debut this season include the world television premieres of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Haunted Mansion, as well as the broadcast premiere of Hocus Pocus 2. Airdates and additional movies to be announced at a later date. As previously announced, new seasons of returning dramas The Rookie and Will Trent will debut midseason (January), along with the celebratory farewell season of legacy comedy The Conners. Also returning midseason are American Idol, The Bachelor, Celebrity Jeopardy! and What Would You Do?, while Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, from executive producer Reese Witherspoon and hosted by world-renowned organizing duo Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit, is also set to debut. These premiere dates will be announced at a later date.

Actor Doug Sheehan, who starred as Brian Harper on Day by Day and as Mel Horowitz on Clueless, has died. He died at his home in Big Horn, Wyoming, on June 29. Mr. Sheehan was 75.

Sheehan starred as Brian Harper on the 1988-1989 NBC sitcom Day by Day. The show centers on Brian and Kate Harper (Linda Kelsey), a married couple with two successful careers (Brian as a stockbroker, Kate as a lawyer) and a teenage son named Ross (Christopher Daniel ("C.B.") Barnes). They open a daycare center in their home. The series also starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith and Thora Birch.

He starred as Mel Horowitz on the UPN sitcom Clueless for seasons 2 and 3 (1997-1999). Mel Horowitz is Cher Horowitz's (Rachel Blanchard) rich, widowed lawyer. He replaced Michael Lerner, who played Mel Horowitz during the first season (1996-1997), which aired on ABC. The cast included Stacey Dash, Donald Adeosun Faison, Elisa Donovan, Sean Holland, David Lascher (season 1), Twink Caplan (season 1), Wallace Shawn (season 1), Heather Gottlieb (season 1) and Julie Brown.

Sheehan played Edward Spellman, Sabrina Spellman's (Melissa Joan Hart) father, in two episodes of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Alice, Dear John and Style & Substance.

His first major role was as Joe Kelly on the daytime soap opera General Hospital from 1979 to 1982. He was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 1982.

He starred as journalist Ben Gibson on the CBS primetime soap opera Knots Landing from 1983 to 1987. Ben Gibson was the second husband of Valene Ewing (Joan Van Ark).

Some of his other television guest appearances Charlie's Angels (1978), Kaz, MacGyver (1990), Columbo (1993), Promised Land, Diagnosis: Murder, Passions (6 episodes as Mr. Davis) and That Was Then.

Mr. Sheehan was a talented and versatile actor. Day by Day is a funny show with a great cast, which should have had a longer run. It should be available on DVD or streaming. He will be greatly missed.

Actor Benji Gregory, who starred as Brian Tanner on ALF, has died. On June 13, Gregory and his service dog, Hans, were found dead inside a car at a Chase Bank parking lot in Peoria, Arizona. However, news of his death was not publicly disclosed until July 10, when the cause of his death was still under investigation. His sister Rebecca said he had suffered from depression, bipolar disorder and a sleep disorder and said he likely died of a heatstroke after falling asleep in his car. Mr. Gregory was only 46.

He starred as Brian Tanner on the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. The title character, called ALF (an acronym for "Alien Life Form") but whose real name is Gordon Shumway, crash-lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family. Brian Tanner is the middlest son of the Tanner family. He is nicknamed 'B' by the rest of the cast. The cast included Paul Fusco (performed and voiced ALF), Max Wright, Anne Scheeden, Liz Sheridan, John LaMotta, Josh Blake, Anne Meara (1987) and Jim J. Bullock (1989-1990).

Gregory appeared as an orphan named Dash in two episodes of Punky Brewster. The final episode in Season 1, titled "Fenster Hall" (aired March 31, 1985), was a failed attempt to create a spin-off of Punky Brewster.

He played Brian in a 1991 episode of Murphy Brown. Some of his other television guest appearances included The A-Team, T.J. Hooker, Amazing Stories and The Twilight Zone (1985). Some of his voice credits included Pound Puppies, Fantastic Max and Back to the Future: The Animated Series (as Biff Tannen Jr.).

He played Harry Carlson, Jr. in Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986). He supplied the voice of Edgar the Mole in the animated feature Once Upon a Forest (1993), which would be his final acting role.

Mr. Gregory was a good child actor. After leaving the acting industry, he served a stint in the U.S. Navy after graduating from school. He enlisted in 2003 and became an aerographer's mate. During his naval career he was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). In 2005, he received an honorable medical discharge from the Navy. We thank him for his work on television and in films and for his service in the Navy. He will be sorely missed.

We also remember television executive Jamie Kellner. He was a founding president of Fox Broadcasting and founded The WB network. He died from cancer on June 21 in Montecito, California. Mr. Kellner was 74.

Kellner was present at the establishment of the Fox Broadcasting Company and held the position as chairman of 20th Century Fox Television from 1986 to 1993. Among the shows that emerged during his seven years at Fox were The Simpsons, Married... with Children, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000), Melrose Place and In Living Color.

He then spent seven years at the helm of The WB Television Network. He helped launch the new broadcast network in 1994. During his tenure, he began by championing urban sitcoms such as The Wayans Bros., The Parent 'Hood and Sister, Sister, but eventually steered the network in the direction of teen and family-oriented dramas. 7th Heaven, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Dawson's Creek, Felicity and Charmed all premiered during his presidency.

Kellner was made head of Turner Broadcasting System in 2000, officially succeeding Ted Turner in March 2001. He was chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a division of Time Warner which includes TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2003. He was the chairman of station ownership group ACME Communications, a post held from the company's founding until its folding in 2016.

We thank him for the television shows be brought us at Fox, The WB and Turner. He will be missed.

Television producer and screenwriter Jonathan Axelrod worked on Dave's World. He died in Los Angeles on June 13. Mr. Axelrod was 74.

He was executive producer on the 1993-1997 CBS sitcom Dave's World. The series is based on the writing of Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry. The show focuses on the daily trials and tribulations of columnist Dave Barry (Harry Anderson) and his wife, Beth (DeLane Matthews), along with their sons, Tommy (Zane Carney) and Willie (Andrew Ducote).

Some of his other sitcom producing credits included Can't Hurry Love, Brother's Keeper, Movie Stars and Some of My Best Friends. He was one of the writers of the 1972 comedy film Every Little Crook and Nanny.

We thank him for his work on Dave's World and other sitcoms. He will be missed.

Actress Susan Buckner starred as Lucy Davis on When the Whistle Blows. She died on May 2 in Miami, Florida. Ms. Buckner was 72.

Buckner starred as Lucy Davis on the short-lived 1980 ABC sitcom When the Whistle Blows. The series revolves around a group of construction workers – four males (Norm, Buzz, Randy and Hunk) and one female (Lucy) – for the "Tri-State Construction Company" in Los Angeles and their search for fun both on and off the job. It was filmed single-camera style and without a laugh track. The cast included Doug Brown, Philip Brown, Tim Rossovich, Dolph Sweet, Alice Hirson, Gary Allen, Noble Willingham and Sue Ane Langdon.

She appeared as one of The Krofftettes who performed synchronised swimming routines on the 1976-1997 ABC variety show The Brady Bunch Hour.

Buckner played Kim Patterson in a 1979 episode of The Love Boat. Some of her other television guest appearances included Police Woman, Switch, Starsky & Hutch, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (3 episodes) and B.J. and the Bear.

She portrayed high school cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 summer blockbuster Grease, starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. She starred as Vicky Anderson in the 1981 slasher film Deadly Blessing.

Ms. Buckner was crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and in September went on to become a top ten finalist in the Miss America 1972 pageant. We thank her for her work on television and in films. She will be deeply missed.

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

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Labels: 9-1-1, Abbott Elementary, ABC, ALF, Clueless, Dancing with the Stars, Day by Day, Grey's Anatomy, Jeopardy, Knots Landing, Obits, Press Your Luck, The Bachelor, The Conners, The Rookie, Wheel of Fortune, Will Trent

Remembering Martin Mull of Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and More; Will Forte Joins Netflix's Upcoming Comedy The Four Seasons

Actor and musician Martin Mull, who starred on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977), Fernwood 2 Night, Roseanne and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, has died. He died at his Los Angeles home on June 27 after a valiant fight against a long illness. Mr. Mull was 80.

Mull's first well-known acting role was as Garth Gimble on the 1976-1977 absurdist soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. The syndicated series follows the eponymous Mary Hartman, a small-town Ohio housewife attempting to cope with various bizarre and sometimes violent incidents occurring in her daily life. Garth Kimble is a wife-beater, who died by being impaled by a star on an aluminum Christmas tree.

He later played Garth's twin brother, talk show host Barth Gimble, on Fernwood 2 Night in 1977 and America 2-Night in 1978. The program was created by Norman Lear and produced by Alan Thicke as a spin-off and summer replacement for Lear's satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. The show was hosted by Barth Gimble and sidekick–announcer Jerry Hubbard (Fred Willard). Dour bandleader Happy Kyne (Frank De Vol) and the Mirth Makers were the show's stage band and featured Tommy Tedesco as a guitarist.

Mulll starred as Martin Crane on the short-lived 1984 CBS sitcom Domestic Life, which he created with Steve Martin, Howard Gerwirtz and Ian Praiser. Martin served as the executive producer. Martin Crane moved to Seattle to take a commentator job at KMRT-TV. His spot on the station's evening news was called "Domestic Life". Mull performed the opening theme song "God Bless the Domestic Life". The cast included Judith-Marie Bergan, Christian Brackett-Zika, Megan Follows, Robert Ridgely, Mie Hunt, Hoyt Axton and J. Alan Thomas.

In 1990, he starred as Dr. Doug Lambert on the short-lived CBS sitcom His & Hers. Doug and Dr. Regina "Reggie" Hewitt (Stephanie Faracy) were newly married marriage counselors who often seemed better at giving good advice to their clients than of taking it themselves. The cast included Blake Soper, Lisa Picotte, Richard Kline, Blair Tefkin, Jim Doughan and Jane Morris.

He had a long-running role as Leon Carp in 46 episodes of the ABC sitcom Roseanne from 1991 to 1997. Leon Carp is originally Roseanne Conner's (Roseanne Barr) gay boss at Rodbell's Luncheonette and later her business partner in The Lanford Lunchbox. Mull also served as executive consultant for season four. He co-wrote the season four episode "Tolerate Thy Neighbor" in 1991.

Mull starred as Doug Talbot on the 1992-1993 ABC sitcom The Jackie Thomas Show. As Jackie Thomas, Tom Arnold played a former nightclub comic and slaughterhouse worker now starring in his own sitcom (a show-within-a-show), also called "The Jackie Thomas Show". Doug Talbot is a network executive. The cast included Dennis Boutsikaris, Alison La Placa, Breckin Meyer, Michael Boatman, Paul Feig, Maryedith Burrell, Jeannetta Arnette and Ann Cusack.

Mull played Willard Kraft in 39 episodes of the ABC sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch from 1997 to 2000. Willard Kraft is Sabrina Spellman's (Melissa Joan Hart) vice principal at Westbridge High school in seasons two and three and then becoming her high school's principal in season four. He left the series after Sabrina graduated from high school at the end of season four.

He starred as Mr. Munn on the 2001-2002 CBS sitcom The Ellen Show. Mr. Munn is Ellen Richmond's (Ellen DeGeneres) former befuddled high school teacher and now the principal of Clark High School who gives her a job a school guidance counselor. It also starred Cloris Leachman, Jim Gaffigan, Emily Rutherford, Kerri Kenney and Diane Delano (recurring).

Mull starred as Crawford Whittemore on the 2013-2014 Fox sitcom Dads. The series follows Warner Whittemore (Giovanni Ribisi) and Eli Sachs (Seth Green), two successful video game developers whose lives are unexpectedly changed when their respective fathers move in with them. Crawford Whittemore is portrayed as a failed businessman, but continues to try to launch his career. The cast included Peter Riegert, Brenda Song, Vanessa Lachey and Tonita Castro.

He starred as Charlie on the 2018-2019 Fox sitcom The Cool Kids. The series follows three male residents of a retirement community who are forced to adapt to the arrival of a new, rebellious female occupant. It also starred David Alan Grier, Leslie Jordan and Vicki Lawrence. Recurring cast members included Jamie Farr, Artemis Pebdani, Lesley Ann Warren, Jere Burns, Rod McCrary and Punam Patel.

Mull portrayed Gene Parmesan, a private investigator, in six episodes of Arrested Development from 2004 to 2019. He had a recurring role as Mr. White / Whitey in 12 episodes of 'Til Death in 2000. He appeared as Russell, Charlie's self-medicating pharmacist, in six episodes of Two and a Half Men from 2008 to 2013. In 2016, he appeared as Bob Bradley in 4 episodes of Veep. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role. He played Martin in 7 episodes of I'm Sorry from 2017 to 2019. He appeared as Jerry, Maggie's (Debra Winger) sometimes acid-tripping attorney, in 13 episodes of The Ranch from 2016 to 2020.

Some of his other sitcom guest appearances in the 1980s and 1990s included Taxi, Square Pegs, Fast Times, D.C. Follies, It's Garry Shandling's Show (4 episodes), The Golden Girls, Get a Life, Dream On, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, The Larry Sanders Show (2 episodes), Life... and Stuff, Over the Top and The Nanny.

Some of his later sitcom guest appearances included Just Shoot Me!, The Geena Davis Show, Kristin, Less Than Perfect, Greetings from Tucson, Reba, Life with Bonnie (3 episodes), Half & Half, Reno 911!, Crumbs, The War at Home (3 episodes), Gary Unmarried (2 episodes), My Boys (2 episodes), Working Class, Mad Love, Community (2 episodes), Life in Pieces (4 episodes), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bless This Mess, Grace and Frankie, Maggie (2022), Not Dead Yet (3 episodes) and The Afterparty (2 episodes).

Mull provided the voice of Skip Binsford in the short-lived 1993 CBS animated sitcom Family Dog, which was executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton. The series was based on a 1987 episode of Amazing Stories. It was about an average suburban family, the Binsfords, as told through the eyes of their Bull Terrier dog named Jonah. The voice cast included Molly Cheek, Danny Mann, Zak Huxtable Epstein and Cassie Cole.

He provided the voice of Vlad Masters / Vlad Plasmius, the main villain, in Danny Phantom from 2004 to 2007. Some of his other voice credits included The Simpsons, Family Guy, Teamo Supremo, American Dad! (10 episodes as Father Donovan) and Bob's Burgers. He starred in a series of commercials for Michelob and Pizza Hut, and in a series of television and radio commercials for Red Roof Inn with Fred Willard.

Mull starred as Colonel Mustard, an army officer guilty of war profiteering, in the 1985 black comedy mystery film Clue. Some of his other film credits included FM (1978), Serial (1980), My Bodyguard (1980), Take This Job and Shove It (1981) and Mr. Mom (1983).

Mr. Mull was a man of many talents as an actor, musician and painter. He was just naturally funny. He and his frequent collaborator Fred Willard were a great comedy duo. We thank him for the many laughs and entertainment that he brought us during his legendary career. He will be greatly missed.

Netflix announced that Will Forte is the latest addition to check into The Four Seasons, an all-new comedy series adaptation from Tina Fey, Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield. Forte (Bodkin, Last Man on Earth, Sweet Tooth) joins previously announced cast members Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Erika Henningsen. The series, produced by Universal Television, is based on the 1981 feature film of the same name from Universal Pictures that was written and directed by Alan Alda, produced by Martin Bregman, and starred Alda and Carol Burnett. The Four Seasons is slated to begin production later this year. The comedy is executive produced by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, Tracey Wigfield, David Miner, Eric Gurian and Jeff Richmond. Alan Alda and Marissa Bregman will produce. The series is written by Fey, Fisher and Wigfield. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the producing studio. Little Stranger, Inc. is the production company.

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

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Labels: Mary Hartman, Netflix, Obits, Roseanne, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Four Seasons

Hulu's Hit-Monkey Trailer Drops; Remembering Character Actor Bill Cobbs

Hulu's Hit-Monkey Season 2 official trailer and key art for the second season has dropped. Season 2 of Hit-Monkey will premiere Monday, July 15 on Hulu. In New York City, Monkey finds a path to escape his life of killing, while Bryce attempts to repair the damage to those he wronged in life. But what will it cost them to undo the past? A Japanese snow monkey, aided by the ghost of an American assassin, goes on a killing-spree, and becomes the famous "killer of killers."

Cast: Leslie Jones, Ally Maki, Cristin Milioti, Olivia Munn, Fred Tatasciore, and Jason Sudeikis Credits: Co-created and executive produced by Josh Gordon & Will Speck. The second season of Hit-Monkey is produced by 20th Television Animation with animation by Floyd County Productions.

Actor Bill Cobbs, who starred on The Slap Maxwell Story, The Gregory Hines Show and The Michael Richards Show, has died. He died on June 25 at his home in Riverside, California. Mr. Cobbs was 90.

Cobbs starred as The Dutchman on the the 1987-1988 ABC sitcom The Slap Maxwell Story. "Slap" Maxwell (Dabney Coleman) is an egocentric sportswriter for a newspaper called The Ledger, somewhere in the American Southwest. The Dutchman is the friendly bartender at the local tavern. The series also starred Megan Gallagher, Susan Anspach, Brian Smiar and Bill Calvert.

He starred as Phil Drexler on the short-lived 1989 ABC sitcom Homeroom. The series follows Darryl Harper (Darryl Sivad), a highly paid advertising copywriter who decides to quit his job to teach underprivileged kids at P.S. 391, an inner city school in New York City. Darryl's wife Virginia (Penny Johnson) supports his choice but Virginia's father, Phil Drexler does not. The cast included Claude Brooks, Trent Cameron, Jahary Bennett, Billy Dee Willis, Daphne Lyn Jones and Tritia Setoguchi.

Cobbs starred as James Stevenson on the 1997-1998 CBS sitcom The Gregory Hines Show. The series starred Gregory Hines as Ben Stevenson, a publishing agent and widower raising 12-year-old son Matty (Brandon Hammond). He receives advice from his father James. The series also starred Wendell Pierce, Mark Tymchyshyn, Robin Riker and Judith Shelton.

He starred as Jack on short-lived 2000 NBC sitcom The Michael Richards Show. The show revolved around Vic Nardozza (Michael Richards), an inept and clumsy private investigator working for McKay Investigative Services. Grumpy old pro Jack sparred with Kevin Blakely (Tim Meadows) constantly at the office. The cast included William Devane and Amy Farrington.

Cobbs had a recurring role as Tony in 9 episodes of the ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show from 2002 to 2004. Tony the bus driver served as the smart-alecky "bartender" type to whom Drew could tell his problems.

He had a recurring role as George in 10 episodes of the 2012-2013 NBC sitcom Go On. George is a blind grief-support-group member. The cast included Matthew Perry, Laura Benanti, Julie White, Suzy Nakamura, Tyler James Williams, Brett Gelman, Sarah Baker and John Cho.

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Good Times, Baby... I'm Back! (2 episodes), Kate & Allie (2 episodes), Designing Women, Married People, True Colors, Coach, Empty Nest, The Wayans Bros., For Your Love (2 episodes), The Fighting Fitzgeralds, My Wife and Kids (2 episodes), Yes, Dear (2 episodes), Back in the Game, The Carmichael Show and Superior Donuts.

Cobbs had a recurring role as Lewis Coleman in 13 episodes of the 1991-1993 NBC legal drama I'll Fly Away. He starred as Elmer Greentree on the 2000 NBC science fiction series The Others. In 2020, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Performance in a Daytime Program for his role as Mr. Hendrickson on Dino Dana.

Some of his other television guest appearances included The Equalizer (1985), Spenser: For Hire, L.A. Law, Gabriel's Fire, The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, Northern Exposure, ER (1996), NYPD Blue (2 episodes), Walker, Texas Ranger (1997), L.A. Doctors, The Outer Limits (2 episodes in 1997 and 1999), The Sopranos, The Practice, Touched by an Angel, Six Feet Under, The West Wing, The Division, JAG (4 episodes), Soul Food, Star Trek: Enterprise, One Tree Hill, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2020). He had a recurring role as Judge Rutchland on Rake in 2014. He appeared in 4 episodes of Greenleaf from 2016 to 2017.

He starred as Moses in The Hudsucker Proxy (1994). He played Coach Arthur Chaney in Air Bud (1997). Some of his other film credits included The Hitter (1979) The Brother from Another Planet (1984), The Bodguard (1992), Night at the Museum (2006), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014).

Mr. Cobbs was a fine character actor. He had almost 200 television and film credits over his 50-year career. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment that he brought us. He will be greatly missed.

We also remember actor Kevin Brophy. He starred as the title character on the 1977-1978 ABC drama Lucan. He died on May 11 at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, following a 10 year battle with stage IV cancer. Mr. Brophy was 70.

Brophy starred as Lucan on the 1977-1978 ABC drama Lucan. The series follows a 20-year-old man who spent the first 10 years of his life running wild in the forests of northern Minnesota, after being raised by wolves, Lucan is taken to a research institute and taught the ways of human society. The series also starred Don Gordon and John Randolph.

He appeared as Roberts in the M*A*S*H season 8 episode "Life Time" in 1979. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, AfterMASH, New Love American Style, Growing Pains (2 episodes) and Just the Ten of Us.

He played Tony Yeager in the short-lived (2 episodes) 1980 ABC drama The Yeagers, which starred Andy Griffith. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, (2 episodes), Strike Force, Trapper John, M.D. (3 episodes), Matt Houston (2 episodes), Partners in Crime, Finder of Lost Loves, Zorro (1992), Civil Wars and JAG.

He starred as Peter Bennett in the 1981 supernatural slasher film Hell Night. Illinois-based Ray Fulk, a man who died in July 2012 at the age of 71, bequeathed half of his $1 million estate to the actor in his will, the other half going to his former Hell Night castmate and The Young and the Restless star Peter Barton, despite never meeting them. Fulk, who had no family of his own, was a fan of both actors. The story was featured in a 2015 episode of the Fox Business Network docu-series Strange Inheritance.

Mr. Brophy later worked as a valet who parked cars at the Hotel Bel-Air between 1983 and 2009. We thank him for his work on television and in films. He will be sorely missed.

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

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Labels: Go On, Hit-Monkey, Hulu, Obits