An Archive for TV news from September 2002

NEWS ARCHIVE

September 2002

Morty's News Archive

Saturday, November 23, 2024

This is a collection of old news and obituaries from the Ask Morty TV News page. Dates, where shown, represent the date the story was originally posted on the web site. Because these are old stories, links within the stories may no longer be active. For current news and schedules, click here.

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Pavan Picks a Future TV Classic

[September 26, 2002] As many of my readers know, Pavan Patel provides most of the schedules for MortysTV.com. As you can imagine, he's a big TV fan. The New Jersey college student's eclectic list of favorites includes "Columbo," "Green Acres," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Perfect Strangers," "Small Wonder" and anything with John Ritter, which makes "Three's Company" his all-time favorite.

Pavan has maintained Jack's Bistro, a "Three's Company" fan site since 1998 and recently opened a new web site devoted to Ritter's new series, "8 Simple Rules..." The series is based on a best-selling book by W. Bruce Cameron and also stars Katey Sagal as Ritter's wife.

Pavan's appreciation for "8 Simple Rules" goes beyond the fact that Ritter's in it. "I really like the show, it has that classic sitcom feeling, even though it is modern." The show, which airs Tuesday's on ABC opened to good ratings too. The first episode was #1 in it's slot and day, #4 for the week with 17.3 million viewers, which is very impressive.

I don't usually write about new shows, but "8 Simple Rules..." does have classic sitcom roots. Between Ritter and Sagal, they put in a collective two decades of hit shows. I also wrote this because Pavan asked me to, "I really want the show to last A LONG time, I haven't watched a new sitcom in ages, yes ages."

VH1 Classic TV Week

[September 23, 2002] "Happy Days," "All in the Family," on VH1? Sure, VH1 is showcasing musical episodes of classic TV. On Monday they start the week with the movies "The Godfather" and "The Godfather II," then on Tuesday things kick off with "TV Guide's Truth Behind the Rumors" and shows like "The Brady Bunch," "The Monkees," and "Happy Days." CLICK HERE for the schedule.

Hallmark's Expanding Western Block

[September 22, 2002] Hunter sent me this line-up for Hallmark Saturdays, it begins on October 4th. He notes that "Marshal Dillon" was the syndicated title for the half-hour "Gunsmoke"s. that means that between Hallmark, Encore Westerns, and TV Land, all 635 episodes and 5 TV-movies of "Gunsmoke" will be on TV. An interesting tidbit, as this is the first time this have ever happened in the series' history. Not shown on the schedule is that the 3:00PM and 3:30PM "Rifleman" episodes at midnight and 12:30AM.

Noon	Have Gun Will Travel
12:30PM	Have Gun Will Travel
1:00PM	Marshal Dillon
1:30PM	Marshal Dillon
2:00PM	The High Chaparral
3:00PM	The Rifleman
3:30PM	The Rifleman
4:00PM	Rawhide
5:00PM	The Young Riders
6:00PM	Rawhide
7:00PM	Hallmark Western Miniseries (Usually "Lonesome Dove" or "The Gambler" )
11:00PM	Rawhide (Repeat of the 4:00PM Episode)

On behalf of all the western fans out there, we thank Hunter for sending us this info.

Update [October 5, 2002] Tom Dischley adds that Sunday afternoons will feature "Perry Mason" at 1:00 and 2:00PM, followed "The Streets of San Francisco" at 3:00PM

Barney Miller's James Gregory Dies at 90

[September 21, 2002] James Gregory, the solid character actor known for tough-guy cop roles, including Inspector Frank Luger, Hal Linden's superior on television's "Barney Miller," died Monday, he was 90. Gregory made his Broadway debut as a deputy sheriff in "Key Largo" in 1939, and played an Air Force general in the pilot episode of television's "The Twilight Zone" in 1959.

Gregory landed his long-running "Barney Miller" role because of his work as Det. Barney Ruditsky in the 1959-61 television series "The Lawless Years," a precursor to TV series "The Untouchables." He was a regular on three Western series in the late 1960s, playing President Ulysses S. Grant in "The Wild, Wild West," Major Duncan in the comedy "F Troop" and in a recurring role on Barbara Stanwyck's "The Big Valley."

Tony "Pepino" Martinez Dies at 82

[September 21, 2002] Tony Martinez, the bandleader-turned-actor who played the farm hand Pepino on "The Real McCoys" died Monday of natural causes, he was 82. Over four decades, Martinez played Sancho Panza in 2,245 performances of "Man of La Mancha," including the national company tour of the Tony-winning musical in the late 1960s and two later national revival tours, all of which ended up on Broadway.

Martinez is best remembered for his role in "The Real McCoys," the Mexican farmhand Pepino Garcia, who, as a character on the show put it, "came with the house." Martinez and his band were playing at a club on the Sunset Strip when he was discovered by TV writer-producers Irving and Norman Pincus, who were looking for someone to play the Pepino character on their new sitcom. He returned to TV in 2000 with his "Real McCoy" co-stars, Richard Crenna and Kathleen Nolan for TNN reunion special.

Wind Up Your VCR

Coming to TV Land in January 2003

[September 21, 2002] I get a lot of mail every time TV Land and Nick at Nite ends the run of a series. You all get mad that your favorites leave, and what will you do without them. For years I've been telling people to tape the shows they like, because they may not be around forever.

So here's the deal: In 2003, TV Land will be adding "Bewitched," "I Dream of Jeannie," and (in January) "Sanford & Son" to the line-up. Three good shows, but where will they go? They may replace programs you really like. The list of departing shows won't be made public until November (maybe), and by then you won't have much time to tape them. I've already been told that "Taxi" is not going be around much longer, so start taping now! Hallmark has told us they're getting "The Beverly Hillbillies," so it's safe to assume Jed's family will at some time be leaving TV Land.

Remember: A lot of the cool shows that were added this year are only "visiting classics." Get them now, while you can. And don't worry, TV Land promises they have more neat stuff to come, and maybe it'll be something you forgot to tape the first time.
Visit "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" in Morty's Mall.

Upcoming Programming Highlights

[September 20, 2002] A lot of small additions have been added to the TV Land and Nick at Nite schedules. I'll start with Nick: "Coach" begins on September 28th and there's a marathon weekend to kick it off. Monday, September 30th, is the "Cheers" Anniversary with nine hours (9:00PM to 6:00AM) of Ted Danson's favorite episodes. On October 1st there are some minor schedule changes, nothing major. Saturday Oct 26th features six flashback episodes on the night the clocks fall back. On October 30th from 9:00PM to 1:00AM it's "Nick at Nite's Tricks and Treats". This special programming will include an evening of crazy costumes, haunted homes, and a bizarre dream sequence with episodes of, "The Cosby Show," "The Jeffersons" and more. On November 10th we start a week-long marathon of "Charles in Charge." And lastly, starting on November 24th there's a week of some really good reunions. I think these are of special note, because they're not part of the regular Nick library of shows. There are more details on the Nick Schedule Page about most of these programs.

On TV Land, all the Boxed Sets and Sunday Bests have been listed for October, and there are a couple schedule changes, including "Archie Bunker's Place" at midnight. On October 4th is the "Superman" 50th Anniversary special . On Tuesday, October 15th, from 8:00PM to 11:00PM, there's a "Very Brady Health Crisis" featuring six themed episodes of "The Brady Bunch" where the family needs healthcare. Wednesday, October 30th from 8:00PM to Midnight is the "Bob Newhart Show" tribute. On Tuesday, October 29th, is the usual Halloween themed episodes and it will re-air 11:00PM. to 2:00AM. on Halloween night, October 31st. All these shows are listed on the October TV Land Schedule. In November, a couple more schedule changes, no Sunday Bests, but the addition of "Inside TV Land" and "TV Land Legends: The 60 Minutes Interviews." You'll also see "My Favorite Martian" and "Shazam!" on the weekend Kitschen block. Check out the "rough draft" schedule for more details.

Be sure to check the schedules regularly as I add info as I get it, and there hasn't been any single item major enough to call "news."

Nicole Kidman to Play Samantha in Bewitched Movie -Maybe

[September 20, 2002] According to today's Hollywood Reporter, Nicole Kidman has "expressed interest" in playing Samantha Stephens in the big-screen version of the oft-rerun sitcom. The idea of a "Bewitched" movie is not new. Penny Marshal was to bring the TV show to the big screen in 1995. She got busy making "Renaissance Man" and "The Preacher's Wife" and couldn't see when it would fit into her schedule, so she turned the project over to Ted Bessell, at which time Nicole's name was first mentioned to play Samantha, with Joan Collins as Endora. Ted Bessell then died in October 1996, leaving the project in limbo.

The Reporter story says the film is still in the drawing-board stage. After seven years, there's still no director, and still no script, although writers are supposedly working on it this very minute. Also not completed is casting. It's rumored that Mike Myers tops Columbia Pictures' wish list for Darrins--Columbia being the studio behind the would-be flick.

According to Coming Attractions by Corona, almost-Samanthas have included Alicia Silverstone and Lisa Kudrow (reportedly promised the role, then reduced to tears when Kidman interjected herself). Would-be Darrins have included: Jim Carrey, Kelsey Grammer and Robert Picardo.

Aunt Ester Dead at 81

[September 17, 2002] LaWanda Page, who played the fearsome, Bible-toting aunt Esther Anderson on the 1970s television comedy "Sanford & Son," died Saturday at Centinela Hospital Medical Center from complications of diabetes . She was 81. Born in Cleveland on Oct. 19, 1920, Page began her show business career as a dancer and chorus girl on the club circuit where she was billed as "The Bronze Goddess of Fire" because she lit cigarettes with her fingertips, swallowed fire and touched flaming torches to her body. Childhood friend Redd Foxx gave her the biggest break when he recommended her for the aunt Esther role.

After "Sanford & Son," Page appeared as aunt Esther in the short-lived spinoff "The Sanford Arms" in 1977. She also starred in "Detective School" in 1979 and "B.A.D. Cats" in 1980. She made guest appearances on "Family Matters," "Amen," "227," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Martin" and "In Living Color." Her movie credits included "Friday," "Meteor Man," "My Blue Heaven" and "CB4." On stage, she appeared in Welch's gospel musical, "Take It to the Lord ... Or Else!" Page is survived by a daughter.

Actress Kim Hunter Dies at 79

[September 11, 2002] Actress Kim Hunter, best known for her Oscar-winning role as Stella Kowalski opposite Marlon Brando in the 1951 screen classic "A Streetcar Named Desire," has died today at age 79. Hunter amassed an impressive array of stage, film and television credits during a career spanning seven decades, appearing as recently as last year in an off-Broadway revival of "The Madwoman of Chaillot." Hunter appeared in regular roles on "The Edge of Night" and "As the World Turns," along with scores of guest roles ranging from an Emmy-nominated turn on "Baretta" to an appearance on the NBC sitcom "Mad About You," and most recently on "The Education of Max Bickford." Hunter died of natural causes at her Greenwich Village apartment.

Waltons Gone, But Thomas is Back

[September 11, 2002] "The Waltons" may not be on the October TV Land schedule, but Richard "John Boy Walton" Thomas is returning to TV in a new series. 30 years after "The Waltons" Richard Thomas returns with "Just Cause,." a legal drama premiering on the PAX network as a two-hour movie Sunday September 15th, at 9:00PM, then airing Tuesdays at 9:00PM. Thomas plays Hamilton Whitney III, a jaded Ivy League lawyer whose cooling passion for the law is reignited by Alexandra DeMonaco, played by Lisa Lackey, an attorney just paroled from prison for a crime she didn't commit.

Thomas' post-"Waltons" career has largely been split between theater, and TV movies. In 1998, he started hosting "It's a Miracle," on PAX and will remain the host of the supernatural reality show which is entering its fifth season. "It's a Miracle," airs Thursdays at 8:00PM.

October TV Land Schedule Posted

[September 11, 2002] The tentative openings in the October TV Land schedule have been filled, and the new schedule has been posted. I received several emails with questions about Nick at Nite October changes. Because the new schedule is the same every day, it's posted at the bottom of the current September schedule.

ABC Orders More Mole

[September 6, 2002] I try to stick to news about classic TV, but I have exclusive news about a show that I really enjoy. ABC has told producers of "The Mole" they'll take two more! Even though "The Mole" is the only I reality show that the critics praise as "the thinking man's 'Survivor'," the show was cancelled after it tanked in the ratings. Although, an internet petition campaign has been going on to bring the show back, ABC hasn't said that it effected their decision. In fact, ABC hasn't even announced their plans. This could be that there are a lot of things to work out yet. Firstly, a host. Anderson Cooper, who I consider, the best of all the reality show host no longer works for ABC. It's doubtful that his new employer, Fox News, will want him doing "fluff" for ABC. Next detail, is that the first new edition of the series will be a "celebrity edition." Producers will need to find a bunch of minor celebs to devote a few weeks to be made sport of. They hope to have the celebrity edition ready for Spring, and a classic Mole for next summer.

Robert Van Scoyk, 74; "Murder She Wrote" Scriptwriter

[September 1, 2002] Robert E. Van Scoyk, 74, a television writer and producer known for his contributions to the popular CBS mystery series "Murder, She Wrote," died Monday in Los Angeles of complications from diabetes. Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1928, Van Scoyk began his television career as a page at the NBC studios in New York and eventually was promoted to writer. In the late 1960s he wrote for "The Virginian," starring James Drury, the first 90-minute western series. In 1979-80, he was executive producer for another western, the Warner Brothers TV show "Young Maverick."