Passings

Cliff Norton as "Harry" on Dream On

Born in Chicago, Norton  was a disc jockey with a morning show on WAAF-AM. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he became a regular on Chicago radio and appeared on "Captain Midnight," "Tom Mix" and "Terry and the Pirates." He met Dave Garroway, an NBC staff announcer who later employed him as a regular on "Garroway  at Large," a musical revue and talk show that moved to New York in 1952.  In 1962 he moved to Los Angeles to work in films and television. In later years, he also performed in regional theatrical productions. He retired about four years ago. (Thanks to Brent Seguine for this info)

Robert Rockwell, actor who bec me best known for his roles on TV died on January 25th of cancer at age 82. Rockwell appeared in a string of B-movies in the early 50’s, before turning to TV.  He appeared on more than 350 television shows and performed in scores of commercials over a 50 year period most notably as Philip Boynton the shy biology teacher on “Our Miss Brooks.”  Younger viewers may remember him as Wally' Overmier on "Growing Pains."

Wish List Expanded

TV Land Announces Awards Host

Passings

[January 25, 2003]

Paul Monash, producer of "Peyton Place," first prime time soap, died January 14th at 85.  Monash wrote for the Sci-Fi series, "V," "Twelve O'Clock High," and "The Untouchables" Monash received the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in television from the Writers Guild of America West in 2000. 

John Mantley - Longtime TV executive producer and writer died January 13 heart failure in Sherman Oaks, CA at age 82.  Mantley wrote for such shows as: "Gunsmoke", "The Wild Wild West" and "Buck Rogers",  and produced some of the shows he wrote.  Mantley  re-wrote scripts, and was known as "The Fixer,"  he was also a cousin of actress Mary Pickford.

'Gimme a Break!' Star Nell Carter Dies

[January 23, 2003]

The singer-actress collapsed in her Beverly Hills home and was found by her 13-year-old son Joshua,. Carter's death is believed to be the result of natural causes. The actress had battled diabetes for years and underwent brain surgery to remove an aneurysm in 1992.  Carter continued performing and was due to star in "Raisin" a musical version of "A Raisin in the Sun," at a Long Beach California theater starting next month.  No immediate word on whether an autopsy will be performed.

Although she once aspired to be an opera singer, Carter became a cabaret performer, singing  jazz, blues, rock and pop on the nightclub circuit, first in her native Birmingham, Alabama, and later in New York.  Her first major recognition came as the lead in the hit 1978  Broadway revue "Ain't Misbehavin'" which earned her a Tony Award.  A TV broadcast of the show also garnered her an Emmy Award in 1982

In the late '70s, she appeared in the soap opera "Ryan's Hope" and the sitcom "The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo."   Carter will be forever remembered as her alter ego, Nell Harper, on "Gimme a Break!"  The show ran on NBC from 1981 to 1987, earned Carter two Emmy nominations and made TV Land history by becoming the first sitcom in nearly 30 years have an episode broadcast live. Carter also sang the show's title song. Carter's last television appearance was on "Inside TV Land: African Americans in Television" in 2002. 

Nedra Voltz, America's Favorite Little Old Lady

She was born on June 18, 1908 in Montrose, Iowa and got her initiation into show business early on as her parents worked in tent shows. She made her performing debut at the age of 4. She worked mostly in local theatre and married Oren Volz in 1944. They had two children. She was working in local commercials when she was discovered by Hollywood and made her film debut in 1973 in "Your Minutes Are Up" as Free Press Lady. Her first role as the "Old Lady" came in a 1975  episode of "Good Times."   Her last film was "The Great White Hype" in 1995.
Related Links: Nedra Voltz Fan Site  What A Character: Nedra Volz

Come On Knock on Their Door

[January 22, 2003]

The classic “Three’s Company” set was recreated for this episode in which Paul dreams that his daughters are living with swinging bachelor Kyle.   After discovering that boyfriend Kyle kissed Kerry at a party (in the previous episode, "Kerry's Big Adventure," aired January 21), Bridget gives her sister the silent treatment – which is anything but quiet for Paul. But real life merges with fantasy when Paul has a dream that lands him in familiar territory, showing Kyle as a swinging bachelor living with Paul’s two beautiful daughters in an apartment straight out of the ‘70s.

The set of the classic comedy “Three’s Company” was recreated down to the last detail for this episode.  I asked Pavan if I could have a picture to use with this story, and he directed me to the photos page of his web site at:  8SimpleRules.TVHeaven.com, wow, very well stocked with lots more pictures.  “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter,” airs Tuesday, January 28 8:00PM, on the ABC Television Network.

"Mr. Ed" gets Original Spin

The pilot for the Original Television project will be written by  "Saturday Night Live" scribe Jack Handey.   "This one is so in (Handey's) strike zone," Original TV chief Dawn Parouse said of the scribe, whose "SNL" creations include "Deep Thoughts" and  Toonces, the Driving Cat. "He loves talking animals, and we love  the fact that he loves talking animals."

It's Official: Hollywood is Out of Ideas

The WB plans to pick up a new version of "The Gong Show," the late-1970s series that showcased the worst  that talent had to offer.  The revival comes as audiences are reintroduced to the original show and its co-creator and host, Chuck Barris, via the feature "Confessions of a Dangerous  Mind." A host has not yet been selected. 

Cable's USA Network  commissioned an updated version of hit ABC series "Baretta" (1975-78),  in which Robert Blake played a cop who lived among criminals.   Earlier, USA announced it was resurrecting  another '70s cop show, "Kojak," with Ving Rhames filling in for the late Telly Savalas. USA will bankroll  "Kojak" as a pilot plus a batch of two-hour movies, not a regular series.

Fox will air a one-hour "Married ... with Children" reunion special February 16, the night "The Simpsons" marks its 300th episode milestone.  The entire cast of "Married ... with Children"  gathered together in a replica of the Bundys'  living room for the taping of the reunion, including stars Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino.

Previously announced returns and re-do's include "Columbo Likes the Nightlife"   with Peter Falk returning as everyone's favorite rumpled  detective, Lt. Columbo, in a new two-hour film, airing  Thursday, January 30 at 8:00PM on the ABC.   David Hasselhoff is filming a new "Knight Rider" movie, tentatively titled "Super Knight Rider 3000,"  Paris Hilton  will be taking part in a reality version of "Green Acres" for FOX.  CBS is still trying to find a hillbilly family for their reality version of "The Beverly Hillbillies," which has caused a bit of a flap with  the Center for Rural Strategies.    ABC will premiere the new "Dragnet"  Sunday, February 2nd at 10:00PM, which stars Ed O'Neill as Sergeant Joe Friday.  Matt Frewer is trying to resurrect his most famous character: Max Headroom. NBC is developing an updated version of "CHiPs,"  which will be set in the city of San Francisco and will be called "CHiPs SFO" . Of course "Family Affair," currently airing on the WB.

Update:  Omitted from this list of retreads was: "McCloud."  USA is producing a remake of "McCloud", with Brett Butler.  I knew I forgot a couple...  Thanks to Brent Seguine for bringing this to my attention. And More...   The WB is updating "The Lone Ranger" (it was to be a new series and was cut back to TV Movie status), it will air Wednesday, February 26th.  UPN's new "Twilight Zone" will do a sequel to the 1959 episode  "It's a Good Life."  Bill Mumy, who originally  played a young boy that "wished people away to the cornfields," will reprise his role of Anthony Fremont,  with Cloris Leachman returning to play his elderly mother.  The episode is scheduled to air in February.

Richard Crenna Dies at 75

[January 19, 2003]

Crenna started his career as a radio actor in the late 1930s,  as Walter Denton, the squeaky-voiced, not-so-bright high school student on Eve Arden's "Our Miss Brooks," when the popular radio series moved to TV in 1952, so did Crenna.  By the time "Our Miss Brooks" ended, Crenna was 30, still playing a teenager.   In 1957, he graduated to an adult role as the married Luke on "The Real McCoys."  While continuing to work as an actor, Crenna carved out a successful side career as a television director. He began by directing commercials for "The Real McCoys," then started directing episodes. The  series ran for six seasons.

Crenna made the break from comedy to drama in 1964 as the star of the weekly series, "Slattery's People."   In 1966 he appeared in the epic drama "The Sand Pebbles," starring Steve McQueen.  In the 1980s, Crenna played critically acclaimed supporting roles in the film noir hit "Body Heat" and the coming-of-age movie "The Flamingo Kid" (as the gin-rummy champ who takes star Matt Dillon under his wing).   In addition to making a few dozen TV movies, Crenna also made a name for himself as a director and producer.

At the time of his death, Crenna was a member of the Screen Actors Guild board of directors.  Crenna is survived by his wife of 47 years,  Penni,  a son, Richard Anthony Crenna of Encino; two daughters, Seana of Playa del Rey and Maria of Studio City, and three granddaughters.

The Other Richard Simmons

[January 16, 2003]

Simmons started as an MGM contract player with small parts in more than 50 films by the mid-1950s and he became a star when he donned the broad-brimmed hat and red uniform of a Canadian Mountie.   Simmons was usually credited as "Richard Simmons,"  including his guest roles in "The Munsters,"  "Leave it to Beaver,"   and about a dozen others.  Simmons, who had Alzheimer's disease, died Saturday at a rest home.  He is survived by his wife, Billie and two children.

New Showcard Pages

100 Moments That Rocked TV

Home Improvement

[January 10, 2003]

Last Summer, Tim Allen was pitching the idea of bringing "Home Improvement"  back to ABC, this might be ABC's test to see if there's still interest in the show.

News From Pavan's Files:

Columbo Likes the Nightlife  - Five-time Emmy winner Peter Falk returns as everyone's favorite rumpled  detective, Lt. Columbo, in a two-hour film, "Columbo Likes The Nightlife," airing  Thursday, January 30 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC  Television Network. In this all-new mystery, Columbo finds himself in the unlikeliest of places - the Los  Angeles rave scene - as he investigates the supposed "suicide" of a tabloid reporter and the  "disappearance" of a notorious mobster's son.

Archie Bunker's Place Great news!! TV Land is finally showing more than just episodes 1-23, 25-27, 34-35, 81, 96, and 97 of "Archie Bunker's Place!"  They are showing episodes  36-48 at the end of January SO FAR, maybe more in February, stay tuned! No word if they will show  episodes 28-33.  (Episodes are posted in the pop-schedule in the TV Land schedule).

8 Simple Rules...  On January 14th, there will be a repeat of Episode 3 "Bridget's First Job,"  on January 21st,  the episode of "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" will be "Kerry’s Big Adventure" and will air at 8:00PM, details are posted in the viewer's guide. One January 23rd, there will be a special, repeat of the episode "Wings" originally shown on October 8th.

Knight Ryder Time Change  Sci-Fi Channel has changed the timeslot for "Knight Rider" AGAIN, it will now air weekdays starting January 13 at 5 p.m, instead of 4 p.m..

Chicago Viewers Have a New Classic TV Channel:  Memorable Entertainment Television (ME-TV), which debuted yesterday (1/6), is the newest programming addition to WFBT, Channel 23 and the Weigel Broadcasting family. Airing between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET (as well as certain overnight  hours during the week) and featuring classics like "Carol Burnett," "Perry Mason," "Laverne & Shirley," "Maude," "I Love Lucy," and "One Day at a Time."   Me-TV can also be  seen in Chicago on RCN cable Channel 14 and WOW cable Channel 17 in the city or cable Channel 19 in the suburbs.

Rev. Demond Wilson's Memories of "Sanford and Son"

[January 2, 2003]

[Posted in Tennessean By Ken Beck,  Saturday, January 4, 2002] In the As Lamont, the son of cantankerous junkyard dealer Fred Sanford, Demond Wilson bore the brunt of Redd Foxx's sarcasm on Sanford and Son.

The actor, now a minister, doesn't have a lot to say about Foxx, but he knows the series was a great one, as he helps TV Land talk it up before the 1970s comedy returns to the air, jump starting with 48 hours of episodes today.    Full Details 

Have the Beverly Hillbillies Gone to Pot?

Beavers Pal Whitey (Stanley Fafara) Faced Tough Times

Fafara in 1960

Fafara in 2000

"He'd tell people that he'd been on "Leave It to Beaver," but he'd lost most of his teeth and weighed less than 130 pounds. So hardly anyone would believe him. To prove his background, he'd tell them stories about the show and the actors, what it was like behind the scenes." 
  Full Details 

Royce Applegate dies in House Fire

[January 2, 2003]

Applegate, 63, was found dead in the bedroom of his Hollywood Hills home after the blaze was put out and firefighters entered the house Wednesday morning, according to a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

The Stars Come Out at Night, Real Late at Night!

I was watching a 1959 "To Tell the Truth" the other night. One of the three was a famous underwater explorer, but  this one guy (a decoy),  had a face I knew. He was younger, no accent, and sounded pretty smart. In the end he introduced himself as a former school teacher who was trying stand-up in nightclubs, George Anthony Lindsey. Turns out Goober has a BS degree in bio-science. "I've Got a Secret" had William Frawley telling how he got into show business singing in mining camps, really priceless stuff.  In recent nights I've seen a pre-"Hazel" Shirley Booth, "Petticoat Junction's" Edgar Buchanan, Roy Roger and Dale Evans, and many more.

Leonardo DiCaprio meets the real Frank Abagnale on the set of the Steven Spielberg movie "Catch Me If You Can"

Coming up, Game Show Network  is presenting three special airings of the original 1977 episode of "To Tell the Truth"  featuring guest Frank Abagnale, the subject of the current film "Catch Me If You Can." The Abagnale episode will air this Sunday, January 5 at 8:30 PM prior to GSN's special three-hour marathon that salutes the new film "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind."

Chuck Barris on the "Gong Show."

The GSN event is called "Confessions of a Gong Show Marathon." , and it airs on Sunday, January 5 from 9 PM to Midnight . The Abagnale "To Tell the Truth"  episode will also air on Sunday, January 12 at 8:30 PM and again on Thursday, January 16 at 8:30 PM.

The episode taped on May 10, 1977 in New York City, was hosted by Joe Garagiola and featured celebrity panelists Kitty Carlisle, Peggy Cass, Bill Cullen and Nipsey Russell. These panelists were charged with the dilemma of guessing from among three guests who was the real Frank W. Abagnale, the world's greatest imposter. Ironically, this was one of the few  times that  Abagnale was actually posing as himself. Abagnale has posed as a doctor, lawyer, stock broker, professor and airline pilot.  Viewers who saw Abagnale portrayed in the movie "Catch Me If You Can" now can play along with the "To Tell the Truth" panelists to try and determine who the real Frank Abagnale really is.

BTW, there's even TV trivia in the "To Tell the Truth" announcer, who is none other than Alan Kalter, David Letterman's current announcer.  Alan took over the "TTTT" announcing job in 1976 when his father, announcer Roger Kalter retired.