An Archive for TV news from September 2001

A Network Promise - Broken

[September 30, 2001] TV Land made us a promise, "Always Something On," but between 2AM and 4AM, there's nothing on, but "crap". In the now famous "Network Promise" promo spot, Adam West asks if we have insurance for our most valuable asset, our time. In an effort to squeeze even more money out of TV Land's 24 hour broadcast time, they are going to air Paid Programming, Infomercials, crap, from 2AM to 4AM.

Click Here to send a message to TV Land telling them how we feel about promises that are broken.

The First Episode of Bonanza

[September 30, 2001] PAX TV will air the first episode of "Bonanza" on October 7 to hype it's new series "The Ponderosa" that follows the Cartwright family in the years before "Bonanza" takes place. For the first time, viewers will be able hear the famous theme song sung by the show's stars, Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts and Dan Blocker. The episode will also be shown in its 52-minute full length. "The Ponderosa" airs Sundays, 9PM on PAX TV.

When the episode "A Rose For Lotta" first aired on Sept. 12, 1959, it ended with the Cartwright family riding out of Virginia City, whooping and hollering. However, an alternate ending was filmed featuring the group singing the theme song, which was composed by Academy Award-winning composers Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, who also wrote the Christmas classic "Silver Bells" and the TV classic, "Mr Ed" theme. Can't wait to hear the theme?

Click here (requires Windows Media Player)

Dick Van Dyke Fandemonium in Order

[September 30, 2001]TV Land will show the 40th anniversary Dick Van Dyke Marathon, October 6 & 7, in episode order. Although this isn't the order the shows were broadcast, it's the order they were filmed. This is a breakthrough for those of us are annoyed by out-of-sequence re-runs. Click Here for the Schedule. Also, TV Land will air "Inside TV Land: The Dick Van Show" on Wednesday, October 3rd at 8PM.

American Bandstand 50th Anniversary

[September 28, 2001] When it comes to classic TV, there's no more an American classic than "American Bandstand." It's been nearly a half-century since the show got audiences dancing in their living rooms. Now, host Dick Clark, the man known as America's oldest teen-ager, will relive those memorable years.

In the spring, ABC will mark the 50th anniversary of "American Bandstand" with a two-hour prime-time special. Clark, 71, will show classic moments from the shows and new performances by music superstars spanning five decades.

"American Bandstand" first aired locally on WFIL-TV (now WPVI) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1952. Bob Horn was its host -- the show was named after his radio show, Bob Horn's Bandstand. Clark came aboard as regular host in 1956. August 5, 1957 was a momentous day for a television show that already had a cult-like following among the teenagers of Philadelphia. On that day, American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark, began airing nation-wide on ABC-TV. That same week, Chubby Checkers appeared on the show and sang (and demonstrated) his newly-released record, "The Twist," which immediately shot to the top of the pop charts.

The show, which eventually moved to Los Angeles, ended its run in 1989.

Sick of Squished Credits & Announcements

[September 27, 2001] For years Christopher Michael wished for a TV channel that would play old shows day-in and day-out. So when TV Land went on the air he felt his wish was granted. But when he started hearing voice-over promos ruin the closing themes of his favorite classic TV shows, he wasn't pleased. "It's horrible to see 'The Beverly Hillbillies' or 'I Love Lucy' squeezed up like this or just classic themes talked over. Any themes for that matter!" Where many viewers just accept this, Chris decided to try to get the cable station to change it's evil ways, and two years ago started an on-line petition. The petition has gotten thousands of "signatures" and he wants your too.

"Having it talked over, you miss the theme and you miss the names when they squeeze up the screen. Do I need a Telescope just to read the credits nowadays? This is crazy." says Michael, and Morty agrees. So tell them how you feel, CLICK HERE

"Eight Is Enough's" Mary Dies

[September 27, 2001]Lani O'Grady--the former actress best known as Dick Van Patten's eldest daughter, Mary, the wannabe doctor on "Eight Is Enough" died Tuesday. A neighbor discovered O'Grady's body in her mobile home in Castaic, California, a town north of Los Angeles. A sheriff's spokesman said the former child star apparently died of natural causes, but the official cause won't be determined until the coroner's office completes an autopsy. "Eight Is Enough", starred Van Patten as a newspaper columnist and super-dad, the series ran on ABC from 1977-1981.

Born Lanita Rose Agrati on October 2, 1954, she changed her name once she landed her "Eight Is Enough" role. Her first professional role came at the age of 13, when she made a brief appearance in the TV Western "High Chaparral." O'Grady came from a show-biz family. Her brother, Don Grady, was an original Mouseketeer and played Robbie on "My Three Sons." Her mother, Mary Grady, was an agent who represented several child actors.

Before retiring from acting in the '80s to become a talent agent like her mother, O'Grady racked up appearances on such other '70s programs such as "The Love Boat" and TV movies like " The Kid with the Broken Halo."

She had been dogged by health and pill problems dating back to her Mary Bradford days. In a series of interviews in the 1990s, she admitted to having suffered panic attacks for the previous 20 years. To cope with the frequent anxiety episodes doctors gave her a veritable pharmacy: Xanax, Valium and Librium. She became hooked on the pills and, eventually, alcohol, too. She went into rehab at least five times.

In 1998, she checked herself into the mental health ward of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for detox. She had become hooked on a prescription drug called Ativan. While in Cedars, she claimed she was sexually battered by a medical technician and sued the hospital. The suit was pending at the time of her death.

O'Grady would have turned 47 next week.

ClassicTVHits.com is Back On-Line

[September 22, 2001] I know many visitors to this site are also fans of ClassicTVHits.com. Since Tuesday, August 7th, callers to the site were been unable to connect, due his service providers problems with the code red virus. As of Friday, September 21, 2001, the site was back, serving up good TV on the internet.

08:00 to 01:00 M*A*S*H Marathon on Sunday

[September 16, 2001] On Sunday, September 23rd FX will run the most memorable episodes of "M*A*S*H," from the pilot (first aired on September 17, 1972) to the last ("Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," February 28, 1983) from 8am to 1am. Click here for Yahoo schedule.

"Gee mom, you make bad things, almost better."

Did You Know?:

"Leave it to Beaver" was to be called "It's a Small World" A pilot was made with Jerry Mathers (the Beaver) and Barbara Billingsley (June), but Ward and Wally are played here by different actors. Harry Shearer appears as the Eddie Haskell-like Frankie Bennett. This pilot is not lost, and is shown at the Museum of Radio and Television. Why not write TV Land and tell them you'd like to see it! Click here.

[September 19, 2001] After all the bad stuff that's happened this week, TV Land asked the question: "What would you rather see this weekend, "The A-Team" and and a Military themed Fandemonium, or The Beaver?" That's right, join the whole Cleaver clan for 96 episodes, 48 hours of "Leave it to Beaver," and no bad stuff. Due to the last minute change, Morty's schedule doesn't have episode descriptions, but I think you'll recognized the titles.

Dr. William Kirby Wins Big Brother's $500,000

[September 20, 2001] In a live broadcast (that was postponed from 8pm to 10pm) millions of Big Brother fans got to see the evil doctor, the puppet-master, as he's known, win the big money. It's all over, 13 weeks of watching and writing it all out for my internet readers is completed (for this year). CLICK HERE to read how it all went down. CBS was the night's real winner. According to Nielsen overnights, the Big Brother 2 finale was seen by 12.3 million viewers, scoring a 7.8 rating and 13 share--tops in its time slot. If the early figures hold, the finale would be the most-watched and highest-rated episode this summer.

New Homes for Old Shows

[September 20, 2001] As the Autumn leaves change from green to the hues of fall, classic TV shows change from one channel to another. The Goodlife TV Network is picking up some former TVLand shows, and more.

Starting the week of October 1st! "Mayberry RFD" "Down to Earth" "Getting By" "Apples Way" "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," "The FBI," and "One Big Family" all join the Goodlife TV weekday line-up and "Bourbon Street Beat." "77 Sunset Strip." "Hawaiian Eye." and "Surfside 6" will be shown on weekends.

"Baywatch" will start on TNN on September 24.

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" will start on FX on September 24, "Star Trek-Next Generation" on October 1.

"Friends" will be seen on TBS starting October 1.

Starting in October, you'll be able to hear Kevin Arnold wonder out-loud when "The Wonder Years" wanders on to Fox Family.

Lifetime (television for women that hate men) picks up "Mad About You" and Fran Drescher's "The Nanny"

In October, TV Land will add "The Monkees," "F-Troop" "I Love Lucy" "Father Knows Best",: "Gidget," "The Rookies, " "SWAT," and "Adventures of Superman" In November, look for "Taxi" and in January: "The Rockford Files" .

Next fall (2002), look for "Seinfeld" and "Home Improvement" on TBS

"Who's the Weakest Link? Jan!" - Update

[September 20, 2001] Nick at Nite postponed this mini-marathon and it will air on Friday 10PM-12AM:

10:00 PM Brady Bunch 059 - Her Sister's Shadow Jan is determined to establish her own identity because her teachers are constantly praising Marcia.

10:30 PM Brady Bunch 062 - The Not-So-Rose-Colored Glasses Mike attempts to surprise Carol with a photograph of the kids for their anniversary. Jan causes a catastrophe when she fails to wear her new glasses.

11:00 PM Brady Bunch 105 - Try, Try Again Jan considers herself a loser when her latest interest, tap dancing, drives the whole family crazy.

11:30 PM Brady Bunch 107 - Miss Popularity Jan enters (and wins) a popularity contest, but alienates her supporters thereafter

Frederick De Cordova, TV Legend Dies

[September 17, 2001] Fred De Cordova, producer of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" for 22 years and director of such movies as Ronald Reagan's "Bedtime for Bonzo," died on September 15, 2001, of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Hospital in suburban Woodland Hills, hospital spokeswoman Carla White said. He was 90.

Frederick De Cordova began his show business career on the stage, and came to Hollywood in the mid-'40s as a dialogue director. He graduated to director in 1945. He spent much of his career at Universal Pictures, where he turned out medium-budget westerns, comedies and musicals. In the mid-'50s he turned his main focus to television, producing and directing such series as "The Burns and Allen Show, " "The Jack Benny Show" and "December Bride." Although he directed an occasional feature, he was much more successful on TV, and in 1971 became executive producer of the late-night talk show "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."

Samuel Arkoff, Hollywood Producer, Dies

[September 17, 2001] Samuel Z. Arkoff, a maverick Hollywood producer who churned out more than 500 low-budget -- and often hugely profitable -- cult movies, died of natural causes Sunday, September 16, 2001, his son Louis said. He was 83. Among his best-known releases were the Michael Caine thriller "Dressed To Kill," "The Amityville Horror," "I Was a Teen-Age Werewolf" and the "Beach Blanket" series starring teen idol Frankie Avalon and "Mickey Mouse Club" belle Annette Funicello. Arkoff co-founded American International Pictures in 1954 and hit paydirt that year by distributing "The Fast and the Furious," a gritty action film directed by future B-movie king Roger Corman. The $60,000 film grossed $250,000. Largely retired for the last 20 years, he published his memoirs, "Flying Through Hollywood by the Seat of My Pants," in 1992. Last September, he attended the premiere of "It Conquered Hollywood: The Story of American International Pictures," a documentary narrated by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich.

Number 1 on Cable:

What episodic re-run ranked the highest in the last ratings? Would you believe.. it was: "Law and Order" followed by:
"Murder She Wrote"

American Gothic:

More than 100 fans of the 1990s television series "American Gothic" have signed an online petition to get it released onto DVD. To read the petition or sign it, go here.

Fun Fact:

At a cost of $50.000 per episode, the 1962 series "McHale's Navy" was colorized in 1987. TV Land preferred the quality of the original black and white.

Co-creator of "Frasier" Dies in World Center Disaster

[September 12, 2001] David Angell, a former writer for Cheers, went on to co-create "Frasier" and "Wings" with partners Peter Casey and David Lee,. was a passenger, along with wife Lynn, on American Airlines Flight 11. The Los Angeles-bound American Airlines flight was hijacked after departing Boston and crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. A native of Rhode Island, Angell joined "Cheers" in 1983 as a staff writer. He had been with Paramount Network Television ever since. Angell hooked up with Casey and Lee in 1985 and the trio became supervising producers on the hit comedy. Angell, Casey and Lee formed Grub Street Productions, which created "Wings," the NBC comedy that spent seven years on the network. After Cheers ended its run in 1993, the three were tapped to create and executive-produce "Frasier", a spinoff of "Cheers." Grub Street disbanded in the late 1990s, after Lee opted to focus on theater. Angell and Casey had been working on new projects together. Casey and Lee were stunned by the news of the Angells' deaths.

FX Weekend of Marathons

[September 16, 2001] On Saturday, September 22nd, FX will air "Beverly Hills 90219" from 8am to 5pm. Click here for Yahoo schedule. On Sunday, September 23rd FX will run the most memorable episodes of "M*A*S*H," from the pilot (first aired on September 17, 1972) to the last ("Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," February 28, 1983) from 8am to 11pm. Click here for Yahoo schedule.

An All New Three Hour Tour!


	ATTENTION GILLIGAN FANS! [September 16, 2001] Everyone's been asking me, "Is there a new 'Gilligan' movie coming out?" Yes! It's done, it's scheduled! Look carefully at the cast photo, it's not Bob Denver and Alan Hale, this is the new cast of seven castaways for the new CBS docu-drama-comedy, "Surviving Gilligan's Island," Scheduled to air Sunday, October 14th at 9pm on CBS. This behind the scenes look at "Gilligan's Island" recreates your favorite moments, even the rescue. It's produced by Dawn (Mary Ann) Wells and features appearances by Bob Denver and Russell Johnson. Visit Bob's Own web site for the complete story.

Actress Dorothy McGuire Dies at 85

[September 14, 2001] Stage and screen star Dorothy McGuire--perhaps best known to TV audiences as Marmee in the TV series "Little Women" (1979) died September 13, 2001 at a Santa Monica hospital. McGuire earned an Oscar nominated for "Gentleman's Agreement," the groundbreaking movie about religious and cultural prejudice, and a trio of Emmy nominations, most notably for the acclaimed miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man." Movie fans will always remember her matriarchal roles in such films as "Old Yeller" and "The Swiss Family Robinson."

Born in Omaha, she made her stage debut as a young girl opposite Henry Fonda (who became a lifelong friend) in a local stage production of "A Kiss For Cinderella." In 1938, she took over the role of Emily in the Broadway production of Our Town and then achieved stardom as the naive young wife in "Claudia," a role she reprised in the Hollywood movie opposite Robert Young.

McGuire's daughter, Topo Swope, says the actress broke her leg three weeks ago and developed heart failure. "She had a wonderful life and accomplished a lot," Swope told an Associated Press reporter. "She went very peacefully."

CBS Press Release: Big Brother 2 Hour Special

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- CBS has rescheduled Saturday's (Sept. 15) previously announced broadcast of BIG BROTHER 2 to Tuesday, Sept. 18, which will be a special two-hour edition from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, ET/PT.

Tuesday's BIG BROTHER 2, featuring the eviction of one of the three remaining Houseguests, will set the stage for Thursday's live finale.

In lieu of BIG BROTHER 2 tomorrow night, CBS will broadcast an additional episode of TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL from 9:00 to 10:00 PM, ET/PT.

Big Brother Broadcast Cancelled

[September 11, 2001] As with all your favorite network TV shows, they will not be shown tonight. The Big Brother guests were told of today's crisis and that their families are OK, although Monica's cousin is in the hospital. They have not seen any TV coverage of the terrorism. As always, there is more coverage of the Big Brother guests on the daily update page. Also asked was, "What about Cassandra, from Big Brother 1?" Cassandra works at the UN Building, she is fine.

Reality shows claim first Emmys in 2001

[September 8, 2001] The popular reality television genre received its first Emmy Awards recognition Saturday as "Survivor" and "American High" won trophies. The awards were part of the Creative Arts Emmys ceremony honoring technical achievements and other accomplishments. Major prime-time awards will be given at the Sept. 16 ceremony, to air on CBS with host Ellen DeGeneres. CBS' "Survivor," which spurred the reality series craze in America, was honored as the best among programs in which the show's participants competed for a prize.

PBS' "American High" received an Emmy Award for best reality program that didn't involve a competition. The documentary program tracked a group of high school students during their senior year.

"Survivor" competed for the award with VH1's "Bands on the Run," USA's "Eco-Challenge: Borneo," TLC's "Junkyard Wars" and MTV's "Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour."

"American High" was in competition with Bravo's "The Awful Truth With Michael Moore," "The E! True Hollywood Story" on E!, HBO's "Taxicab Confessions" and TLC's "Trauma: Life in the ER."

Gene Shacove, Hollywood hairstylist who inspired 'Shampoo,' dead at 72

[September 5, 2001] Gene Shacove, a hairstylist to the stars and the inspiration for the film "Shampoo," died today of a thoracic aneurysm followed by kidney failure. He was 72.

Shacove styled the hair of celebrities such as George Hamilton, Jill St. John, Lucille Ball and Marlene Dietrich. He continued to work several days a week up until his death.

He set a trend with his loose, tousled haircuts for St. John and Joey Heatherton, fellow salon owner Allen Edwards said.

But it was his eventful love life that inspired the 1975 comedy "Shampoo," starring friend Warren Beatty and written by another friend, Robert Towne. Although married several times, he was more often single.

TV Land Loves Lucy

[September 6, 2001] On October 15th it will be 50 years since "I Love Lucy" first aired on CBS on Monday at 9:00pm, and the folks at TV Land aren't going to forget the First Lady of Television. TV Land, the new home of I Love Lucy, will bring you Lucy like she hasn't been seen since the 1950s.

The five-night marathon features 50 episodes, fully restored to their original lengths. But wait, there's more! If you think "I Love Lucy" opened with the heart on a satin background, you're wrong. The original opening featured animated stick-figures of Lucy and Ricky. And TV Land has even recreated several of the original animated openings that will be part of each episode they air. Click here to read more about the original openings, click here for the marathon schedule.

Troy Donahue Dies at 65

[September 2, 2001] Actor Troy Donahue, the all-American teen pinup of the 1950s and '60s died today at St. John's Hospital and Medical Center in Santa Monica after suffering a heart attack on Thursday, said family friend Bob Palmer. The actor played Sandra Dee's young lover in 1959's "A Summer Place," a role that made him a teen matinee star. Donahue was born Merle Johnson Jr. on Jan. 27, 1936, according to a Warner Bros. studio biography from 1960. His father headed the motion picture division of General Motors Corp and his mother was an aspiring actress. During his heyday, Donahue split his time between the movies and television, appearing in ABC's

detective series "Surfside Six., " and "Hawaiian Eye". He also made dozens of guest appearances including playing Patty's doctor on "The Patty Duke Show" in 1965.

He was given his screen name by Henry Willson, the same film agent who named Rock Hudson. "It was part of me 10 minutes after I got it. It feels so natural, I jump when people call me by my old name. Even my mother and sister call me Troy now," he told AP.

By the late 1960s, the studios stopped making the kind of teen films that propelled Donahue to stardom. He had a bit part in 1974's "Godfather, Part II," playing a character called Merle Johnson. But with his career in decline, Donahue began abusing drugs and alcohol, even spending a summer homeless in New York's Central Park. He became sober by the early 1980s. Donahue was married at least four times, including to actress Suzanne Pleshette (who married Tom Poston in May).

TV Classics Labor Day on Hallmark

[September 2, 2001] On Labor Day Monday, The Hallmark Channel will be showing 3 hour blocks of their classic TV shows. From 7:00am to 10, it's "My Three Sons," from 10:00am to 1pm, it's "Bewitched" (all with Dick York, the first Darrin), from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, it's "I Dream of Jeannie" and from 4:00pm to 7pm it's "Happy Days." A nice Labor Day treat from the Hallmark Channel.