Jessica Simpson to Play Jeannie?

[October 30, 2003]

The story goes that Simpson has been on several chat shows pleading that Columbia cast her as the girl in the bottle, but there wasn't even any word from Sony (Columbia Pictures) that they were making a "Jeannie" feature...  Until now.

TV Guide Online went to Columbia Pictures to see if Simpson had been cast, ''We're talking with a wide range of actresses and not negotiating with anyone,'' a studio exec told TV Guide.

This confirms the project's existence, and Simpson's dad-manager, Joe Simpson, says his daughter is one of the top contenders to play Jeannie, and that Jessica's a natural for the role: ''Their personalities are pretty close.''

If you've never seen "Newlyweds," it's a "reality" show that follows the daily lives of Simpson and her husband, 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey.  On one episode Jessica asked Nick if "Chicken of the Sea" tuna was fish, or chicken, because it says "chicken."  As she took the image of the "dumb blonde" to new depths, the folks at the tuna company were delighted with all the free press her remark got them, and hired her to be their new spokesperson.  Now all we need to figure out is who thought Ryan Seacrest would be a good sub for Larry King.

Related Links:   TV Guide • JessicaSimpson.com  •  Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica  NickLachey.com  •  I Dream of Jeannie 

Robert 'Rod' Roddy, 66; 'Price Is Right' Announcer

[October 29, 2003]

Known as "Hot Rod Roddy" in his radio disc jockey days, Roddy was born September 18, 1937, in Fort Worth, Texas. He first seized a microphone at his late stepmother's Eastern Star bingo game. The young announcer  patterned his speaking delivery after the evangelists he heard at Texas revival meetings.

He attended Texas Christian University, where a fraternity brother got him a job with the now-defunct radio station KXOL. Dropping out of college in his sophomore year, Roddy went to Miami to play piano and try comedy in nightclubs. He soon returned to radio, spinning records and talking at stations in Miami and Orlando, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; New Orleans; Oklahoma City; Pittsburgh; Chicago; Cleveland; Atlanta; Buffalo, N.Y.; and his native Fort Worth, where he once conducted his radio talk show in the nude.

He moved into television announcing after Casey Kasem bowed out of the risque satire "Soap." During most of the show's run from 1977 to 1981, Roddy intoned the popular introduction: "This is the story of two sisters, Jessica Tate and Mary Campbell. This is the Tates and these are the Campbells, and this is 'Soap.' Confused? You won't be after this episode of 'Soap.'"

Roddy moved on to game shows, including "Whew," Alex Trebek's "Battle Stars" and Peter Tomarken's "Press Your Luck." He also announced NBC's "Hit Man" and the syndicated "Love Connection" and "So You Think You've Got Troubles." When "The Price Is Right" announcer Johnny Olson died in 1985, Roddy got the job — providing his greatest fame and fortune.

Changes at ABC Family

Full Details. 

For viewers, the schedule's changing starting December 1.  "The Wonder Years"  and "Hang Time"  are leaving ("The Wonder Years" will return for a one night special 12/7) and "Full House" is joining the line-up. 

Returning for the Holiday season is the channel's annual "25 Days of Christmas"  themed programming stunt.  All month long (December 1-25), weeknights 7-10:00PM and weekends 2PM-12:00AM

Some notable highlights include: - The classic Christmas specials: "Frosty's Winter Wonderland," "Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Year Without a Santa Claus," "Jack Frost," "The Life and Adventures," "The First Christmas of Santa Claus," "Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey," "Little Drummer Boy," "Little Drummer Boy 2," "Pinnochio's Christmas," "Rudolph's Shiny New Year," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Leprechaun's Christmas Gold."  Movies include: "Mr. St. Nick" starring Kelsey Grammar, "The Christmas List," "All I Want for Christmas," and "A Christmas Carol" starring Nicolas Cage.

On New Year's Eve Join ABC Family on New Year's Eve with Mark-Kate & Ashley Olsen, with a 12 hour event that includes where it all started--on "Full House!"
11:00AM Movie: Winning London
1:00PM-7:00PM Full House episodes
7:00PM Movie: When in Rome
9:00PM Movie: Getting There: Sweet 16 and Licensed to Drive

Related Links:  Bring Christmas home with Classic Holiday Titles from Morty's Mall. Having trouble getting in the Holiday mood?  Try some Christmas Music. 
Official ABC Family Web Site

TV Land Unveils Statue

Andy Griffith stands next to his statue that was unveiled today. Click for larger view

[October 28, 2003] The bronze statue honoring Andy and Opie of "The Andy Griffith Show" was unveiled today at 7:30AM in the Raleigh North Carolina Pullen Park today.   The statue depicts the scene shown in the title credits of Andy and Opie on their way to the fishin' hole. 

Spectators at the park Tuesday kept the characters alive by wearing T-shirts with pictures of Taylor, Opie, and oddball mechanic Gomer, who inspired his own spinoff show.

In a deal Raleigh and the network signed in March, TV Land — which runs the show in reruns — agreed to build and maintain the statue at no cost to the city.

It's the third statue the network has installed in honor of TV characters. It placed Ralph Kramden from "The Honeymooners" in New York in 2000 and Mary Richards from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in Minneapolis last May.

We can't wait to see Andy's and Opie's statue and invite everyone in North Carolina, the country and TV Land to visit and embrace this graceful state of mind," said Charles Meeker, Mayor, City of Raleigh. "TV Land is honored to salute "The Andy Griffith Show" with a landmark celebrating this world wide family favorite," said Larry W. Jones. "The indelible impression of Andy and Opie walking hand-in-hand is TV Land's way of saluting the American family."

The unveiling will air and a celebration of the event will air November 3rd on TV Land, see schedule for details.  To see other TV Land Landmarks visit: www.tvland.com/landmarks

Bob Newhart to Guest on ER

[October 28, 2003]

 LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Bob Newhart is quick to say he's not a "trained actor."  "Whatever I know about acting I've learned from being a stand-up comedian and from observing people," says the comedy legend. Yet when the producers of "ER" approached him about guest-starring on the series, he took the part with little hesitation. Full Details. 

Boomerang Gives Thanks for Looney Tunes

Looney Tunes Golden Collection [DVD] A four-disc collector's set packed with 56 of the funniest shorts in animation history.  7 hrs. total. Audio commentary; documentaries; featurette; more! Looney Tunes Premiere Collection [DVD]  See the debuts of some of your all-time favorite Warner Bros. toon stars with this laugh-packed two-disc set. Twenty-eight classic shorts 207 min. total.

[October 27, 2003] Boomerang, Cartoon Network’s 24-hour commercial-free classic animation network, will present the longest-ever Looney Tunes marathon in television history—96 straight hours—so that viewers can celebrate Thanksgiving with motion pictures’ greatest animated characters of all time, it was announced today by Mark Norman, senior vice president and general manager of Boomerang. “Looney Tunes: Back to the Drawing Board” will launch on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at 8:00AM and conclude on Monday, December  1, at 8:00AM (ET, PT).

The Ultimate Cheers / Frasier Crossover

Click Here For Fraiser on DVD Now Taking Orders for Season Two!

[October 27, 2003] With the "Frasier" series coming to an end next year, Ted Danson has what he thinks would be the perfect ending for the show, Dr. Frasier Crane would go to Boston and return to to Cheers, where the entire cast would reprise their barroom roles.

Danson says that Sam would have matured in the ten years that have past, saying that it's just not funny to have a lecherous 56 year Sam 'Mayday' Malone.  Danson was 35 when he landed the role of the womanizing former Red Sox pitcher turned barkeeper.  He was nominated nine times for an Emmy Award as Best Actor in a Comedy Series and won twice, in 1990 and 1993. The role also earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series in 1989 and 1990. 

When the hit series "Cheers" decided to call it quits after twelve years, Ted Danson suggested that the final episode have the bar demolished so that there wouldn't be any chance of reunions.  It would appear that time has mellowed his feelings toward going back to the bar.  So far, Danson's plot for for the "Frasier" finale is just a suggestion.  Kelsey Grammer will have played the role of Dr. Frasier Crane for twenty years when his series concludes next year.

Visit The "Cheers" Store in Morty's Mall where you can pre-order Season Two on DVD

Character Actor Jack Elam Dies at Age 82

[October 24, 2003] Jack Elam , veteran character actor died October 20 Elam, who had been in declining health in recent years, died  of congestive heart failure at his home in Ashland, Oregon, where he had lived since 1987.  Elam's age differs by source, he had added four years to his age in order to get a book keeping job at Samuel Goldwyn Studios.

Elam is known for playing mostly villains, drunks and dirty old men and appeared in about 100 feature films, including "Vera Cruz," "Kiss Me Deadly," "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," "Rio Lobo," "Support Your Local Gunfighter" and "The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County." Elam's portrayals of sinister thugs, gangsters and gunslingers were aided by a wandering left eye. He had lost vision in the eye at age 12 when a fellow Boy Scout jabbed him with a pencil during a scuffle at a troop meeting.

He appeared in dozens of TV series, including "Cheyenne," "Bonanza" and "Gunsmoke," on which he had 14 guest roles.  Elam's last credit was "Bonanza: Under Fire," a 1995 TV movie.  He co-starred in two sitcoms, 1986's "Easy Street" with Loni Anderson  and "Struck by Lightning" (1979).  Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1994.

Jim Carrey to Star in Six Million Dollar Man Movie

The movie version is to be written and directed by Todd Phillips who just completed the feature film version of "Starsky & Hutch"  starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch, to be released next year.  Phillips also wrote and directed "Old School" starring  Luke Wilson and Will Ferrell.

The new "The Six Million Dollar Man." movie will be an action/comedy adventure.

Fred "Rerun" Berry Dies at Age 52

Never able to shake the role that made him famous, Berry reprised his Rerun role in 1985 for the updated "What's Happening!!" series, "What's Happening Now!." Berry recently cameoed in the David Spade comedy, "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," and looked for love on E!'s "Star Dates." Berry was a veteran groom, marrying six times with four women.  He played himself in an episode of NBC's "Scrubs" last April. As was his way, he wore the Rerun red beret, and the Rerun red suspenders.

Berry was 25 when he started playing teenager "Rerun"  on  "What's Happening!!"  When the series ended in 1979, Berry had trouble shaking the "Rerun" image. "The stress of success got to me. The fat jokes got to me. And I got heavily into drugs and alcohol. I was empty inside," he told People in 1996.  By the mid-1980s, Berry sobered up. He became a Baptist minister.  Then  Berry found there was still money to be made as Rerun  and he once again donned the red beret, and red suspenders for commercials, personal appearances and corporate events. 

Berry is the third "What's Happening!!" star to die, after Mabel King and Shirley Hemphill, who died within a month of each other in 1999. 

Addams Family on Hallmark, WPIX, WGN & Philly 57

James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette Guest on '8 Simple Rules'

Suzanne Pleshette

James Garner

[October 17, 2003] James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette will guest star in four episodes of ABC's "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter,"  Garner will play the father of Katey Sagal 's character, the widowed Cate Hennessy, who comes to support his daughter and three teenage grandchildren as they grapple with grief and the harsh realities of becoming a single-parent family.

Garner's character will be recently separated from his wife, who will be played by Suzanne Pleshette.  Pleshette, best known as Bob Hartley's wife Emily, on "The Bob Newhart Show," played Jake Silver's (Mark Feuerstein) grandmother on "Good Morning Miami" last season and was dropped the series.

Channel for Men Gets Woody

Spike TV is starting with the Rebecca "Cheers" episodes. "Cheers" will continue to air on Nick@Nite at 1:30AM & 4:30AM. 

Speaking of Spike:  The second to last episode of "Joe Schmo"  reached a record high 1.63 million viewers on Tuesday. Comparatively, that's an increase of 153 percent from the year ago time period, 92 percent from the show's debut on September 2 and 20 percent from last week. In the event you have not seen "Joe Schmo," or want to revisit the faux reality series, the cable network will air an eight-episode marathon on Sunday, October 26 beginning at 3:00PM ET.

New Andy Griffith Show Reunion

On a replica of the original courthouse set, Andy (Sheriff Andy Taylor), Ron (Opie Taylor), Don (Deputy Barney Fife) and Jim (Gomer Pyle) reminisce about their days on the show and relive the life, the love and the laughter of TV’s favorite small town. Their memories are matched to vintage film clips from the original series. The courthouse was recreated for the special to look exactly as it did 40 years ago when the series was filmed.

Also, Andy and Ron return to the lake in Franklin Canyon in the Hollywood Hills, and recreate the famous "fishin’ hole walk" where the original show’s opening sequence was shot. The sequence is intercut with the original footage, with grown-up Ron throwing a rock in time with his 6-year-old self.

Other highlights include hilarious scenes featuring all four cast members as well as Mayberry regulars Aunt Bee Taylor, played by Francis Bavier, with whom Andy and Opie lived. Also remembered and seen are town drunk Otis Campbell, played by Hal Smith, Floyd Lawson, played by Howard McNear and Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard T. Morris.

Andy and Barney’s girlfriends Helen, played by Aneta Corsaut, and Thelma Lou, played by Betty Lynn are also included. In separate interviews, other cast members Rodney Dillard (The Darlings), Margaret Peterson (Charlene) and George Lindsay (Goober), as well as previously mentioned Howard T. Morris and Betty Lynn, also share their feelings about the show they all worked on and loved.

Actress Florence Stanley Dies at 79

The WB to Put Robinsons Lost in Space Again

Feature filmmaker John Woo ("Mission: Impossible 2") is on board as an executive producer and may possibly direct the pilot. The prospect of revisiting "Lost in Space" piqued the interest of several networks. The WB, which bid aggressively, is hoping that "Lost" will become another fantasy-action franchise show for the network.

The new-model "Space," to be set in the year 2097, will hew closely to its progenitor by following the adventures of the Robinson family and their loyal robot sidekick. In the original series, Guy Williams and June Lockhart played the heads of a family of three who set out on a five-year mission to explore a distant planet only to find themselves hopelessly lost in space after the controls of the spacecraft are sabotaged by a nefarious scientist who inadvertently winds up going along for the ride.

The pilot script will be written by Doug Petrie ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer "), who will  also executive produce.   Also executive producing will be Jon Jashni and Kevin Burns, whose Synthesis Entertainment banner was formed in 2001 to oversee revivals of the many TV and film properties controlled by Allen's estate. Synthesis and NBC had previously been working on a two-hour "Lost in Space" TV movie that would have been something of a reunion of original series cast members. But the project was scuttled in November following the death of "Lost" star Jonathan Harris , who played the malevolent Dr. Smith.

Morty's Miscellany

[October 11, 2003] The eighth edition of The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, by  Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, is now available. In addition to over 6,000 series listings, TV grids from 1946 to 2002, Emmy Award winners, top-rated programs, network web addresses, listings of reunion telecasts, series based on movies, series that also aired on radio and hit theme songs, look for The Ph.D. Trivia Quiz.  CLICK HERE

 HDNet, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s high-definition cable channel, is bringing the original "Charlie’s Angels" back in HD. The channel also airs reruns of "Hogan's Heroes," "Square Pegs," "Ladies Man," "First Monday," "Thieves," "The Fugitive" (2000), "Equal Justice," and "That's Life." Recently they aired the canceled CBS sitcoms "Bette" and "Love & Money." The show will air in 1080i (interlaced) format Mondays beginning Oct. 13 at 9pm.  www.hd.net

General Electric and Vivendi Universal announced Wednesday that they have signed a definitive agreement for the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment. The new company, to be called NBC Universal, will be 80%-owned by GE, with 20% held by the shareholders of Vivendi Universal Entertainment.

The merger will create one of the world's largest media companies, with an estimated value of $43 billion. NBC Universal will be led by Bob Wright, vice chairman of GE and chairman and CEO of NBC, and will offer consumers and advertisers broad reach, compelling brands, and superior operational expertise. The new company's assets will include: The  NBC Television Network,  NBC News and NBC Sports, Universal Pictures, a world leader in the production and distribution of motion pictures, with a library of more than 5,000 films, including To Kill a Mockingbird, E.T., Jaws, and Jurassic Park.  Television production studios NBC Studios and Universal Television, two well-known producers and distributors of television programming worldwide. Their combined libraries comprise more than 32,000 TV episodes covering the entire span of network television, from classic Westerns like "The Virginian" to dramas such as "The Rockford Files" and "Law & Order" to situation comedies like "Leave It to Beaver" and "Just Shoot Me,"   cable networks, including USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, CNBC, MSNBC (jointly owned with Microsoft), Bravo, and Trio,  The NBC TV stations group, with 10 of its 14 owned-and-operated stations, Spanish-language TV broadcaster Telemundo and its 15 Telemundo stations, which reach 91% of Hispanic TV households in the United States, and Interests in five theme parks.

'Rules' Retool

[October 10, 2003] Almost immediately following John Ritter's death, ABC announced that "8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter,"  would go on without him. Tuesday's episode was the last of three new episodes that Ritter had completed before his death. Nearly 18 million viewers tuned in to say goodbye to John Ritter.

The final episode of "8 Simple Rules" to feature the late actor set series records for total viewers and for ratings among adults 18-49 (7.1 rating/21 share in the popular demographic).

"8 Simple Rules"  will go on a brief hiatus while the writers retool a series told from a father's point of view and turn it into a show focused on a family without dad.  Could "The Cosby Show" continued without Cosby?  NBC managed to pull off a similar feat in 1987 when Valerie Harper asked for more money on her series "Valerie."  She was dropped from her own show, which was re-titled, "Valerie's Family," then "The Hogan Family," and finally "The Hogans."  Not only did audiences accept the changes, but ratings even increased.

In the case of "8 Simple Rules" many fans feel that continuing the series is disrespectful of John Ritter, while others feel that Ritter's acting roots (John is the son of  the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter of the 1940's) require that "the show goes on."  Ratings and writing quality may determine whether the series becomes a memorial to it's fallen star, or a crass cash-in on one of America's most beloved actors. 

On October 14th  ABC will re-air last season's "Come and Knock on Our Door" episode, which featured a "Three's Company"-inspired dream sequence. The next week, will see the 8 p.m. slot filled with "According to Jim" and on October 28, ABC will take the opportunity to air the classic holiday special "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  "8 Simple Rules" will return with a very special hour-long episode on either November 4th or 11th which is either the first or second week of the November sweeps.

John Ritter is the father of 23 year old Jason Ritter, who plays paraplegic,  Kevin Girardi on the CBS hit "Joan of Arcadia."

Will Ferrell to Play Darrin Opposite Kidman

Will Ferrell as "Buddy" the Elf

Nicole Kidman will play Samantha

[October 10, 2003] "SNL" player, Will Ferrell has reportedly agreed to play Darrin in the the big screen version of "Bewitched." 

Ferrell's career is really going strong.  The 36 year comic actor plays "Buddy" is the upcoming family feature, "Elf."  The buzz is that both "Elf" and Ferrell will be Holiday hits. Other upcoming projects include playing a pompous newscaster in the 1970s in the bio-pict, "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,"   a supporting role in Luke Wilson's "The Wendell Baker Story,"  a cameo in the big screen "Starsky and Hutch" movie, and Ferrell is currently being filmed in an upcoming Woody Allen film. 

Ferrell just landed another role, in New Line's comedy ''The Salesman,'' Variety reports. He'll play a stereo salesman who's a compulsive liar. That may be good for business, but in his personal life, the falsehoods escalate to the point where he's engaged to two women because he can't bear to disappoint either one.

Fans of "Bewitched"  have been following the progress of of the big screen version of this TV classic for eight years. Nicole Kidman is expected to play Samantha, the beautiful witch that marries an unsuspecting mortal.   Nora Ephron (''You've Got Mail'') will direct.

ABC Airs Halloween Classic

[October 8, 2003] The classic half-hour animated Halloween-themed Peanuts special, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, will air on  ABC, Tuesday, October 28 at 8:00PM.   In the 1966 half-hour animated special, "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween, with Linus hoping that, finally, he will be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.

Please note: "8 Simple Rules" will be pre-empted this night.  As well as October 21, a new episode of "According to Jim" will air that night. Next week, October 14, a rerun of the "8 Simple Rules" episode, 'Come and Knock on Our Door' will re-air.  New episodes of "8 Simple Rules" will return in November.

BBC Releases Vicar Series

[October 5, 2003]

The Vicar Of Dibley: Complete Series One Includes "Arrival," "Songs of Praise," "Community Spirit," "The Window and the Weather," "Elections," and "Animals." Standard; Soundtrack: English.

The Vicar Of Dibley: Complete Series Two And Specials Includes "Dibley Live," "Celebrity Vicar," "Love and Marriage," and the special episodes "The Easter Bunny," "The Christmas Lunch Incident," "Ballykissdibley," and "Engagement." Standard; Soundtrack: English.

The Vicar Of Dibley: Complete Series Three Includes "Autumn," "Winter," "Spring," and "Summer." Standard; Soundtrack: English.

The Vicar Of Dibley: The Divine Collection: Boxed Set [DVD] DVD
All 17 episodes of comedienne Dawn French's hilarious Britcom--including "Arrival," "The Window and the Weather," "The Easter Bunny," "Dibley Live," and "Love and Marriage"--are collected in this three-disc set.  Standard; Soundtrack: English; biographies; featurette; photo gallery; more.

Fans of The "Vicar of Dibley" may also enjoy "Keeping Up Appearances"