Cindy Williams: Laverne & Shirley actress dies aged 75

Cindy Williams was best known for her role as Shirley Feeney in the popular American 1970s sitcom.

A family statement Monday announced her death, “The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed.” It continues, “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”

Source: Cindy Williams: Laverne & Shirley actress dies aged 75

Kirstie Alley Dead: Star of Cheers Dies at 71 After Short Battle with Cancer – People Magazine

The actress’ death was confirmed by her children on Monday evening

Kirstie Alley, the star of Cheers and Drop Dead Gorgeous, has died. She was 71.

Alley’s children, True and Lillie Parker, announced the actress had died from cancer. In a statement to PEOPLE, True and Lillie confirmed that Alley died on Monday.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” they said in a statement.https://www.instagram.com/p/ClzqliopUks/?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc%3D lley Verified • Liked by pradalover__ and others kirstiealley's profile picture kirstiealley Verified To all our friends, far and wide around the world… We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother. We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care. Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did. We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time. With love always, True and Lillie Parker

 Remembering Kirstie Alley’s Life in Photos

Source: Kirstie Alley Dead: Star of Cheers Dies at 71 After Short Battle with Cancer

Roger E. Mosley Dies: ‘Magnum P.I.’ Actor Was 83 – Deadline

Roger E. Mosley, best known as the helicopter pilot Theodore “T.C.” Calvin in the CBS television series Magnum P.I., died early Sunday morning. No cause of death was given.

Mosley was on the original Magnum P.I. for its eight-year run, appearing in 158 episodes, then came back to the rebooted CBS series for a cameo as a different character.

Born in Los Angeles, he lived in the Watts neighborhood and attended Jordan High School

In addition to Magnum P.I., he appeared on the television shows Love Boat, Night Gallery, Sanford and Son, Kung Fu, Kojak, McCloud, The Rockford Files, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, Starsky and Hutch, You Take the Kids, Night Court, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Walker, Texas Ranger, Rude Awakening, Las Vegas, Fact Checkers Unit and many more.

Source: Roger E. Mosley Dies: ‘Magnum P.I.’ Actor Was 83 – Deadline

Pat Carroll, Emmy winner and voice of Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ dies at 95

Pat Carroll, a comedic television mainstay for decades, Emmy-winner for “Caesar’s Hour” and the voice of Ursula in “The Little Mermaid,” has died. She was 95.

Her daughter Kerry Karsian, a casting agent, said Carroll died at her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on Saturday. Her other daughter Tara Karsian wrote on Instagram that they want everyone to “honor her by having a raucous laugh at absolutely anything today (and everyday forward) because besides her brilliant talent and love, she leaves my sister Kerry and I with the greatest gift of all, imbuing us with humor and the ability to laugh…even in the saddest of times.”

Carroll was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1927. Her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was 5 years old. Her first film role came in 1948 in “Hometown Girl” but she found her stride in television. She won an Emmy for her work on the sketch comedy series “Caesar’s Hour” in 1956, was a regular on “Make Room for Daddy” with Danny Thomas, a guest star on “The DuPont Show with June Allyson” and a variety show regular stopping by “The Danny Kaye Show,” “The Red Skelton Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”

Source: Pat Carroll, Emmy winner and voice of Ursula in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ dies at 95

Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ has died at 89 | AP News

Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood when she played communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, has died at the age of 89.

Her son Kyle Johnson said Nichols died Saturday in Silver City, New Mexico.

“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration,” Johnson wrote on her official Facebook page Sunday. “Hers was a life well lived and as such a model for us all.”

Her role in the 1966-69 series as Lt. Uhura earned Nichols a lifelong position of honor with the series’ rabid fans, known as Trekkers and Trekkies. It also earned her accolades for breaking stereotypes that had limited Black women to acting roles as servants and included an interracial onscreen kiss with co-star William Shatner that was unheard of at the time.

“I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89,” George Takei wrote on Twitter. “For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend.”

Takei played Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series alongside Nichols. But her impact was felt beyond her immediate co-stars, and many others in the “Star Trek” world also tweeted their condolences.

Source: Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ has died at 89 | AP News

‘Leave It to Beaver’ actor Tony Dow still alive, in hospice care, despite statement announcing death

TMZ reported that Dow’s wife, Lauren, believed her husband was dead and told his manager, which led to the statement being posted to his official Facebook page. The post has since been deleted.

Dow, though, is under hospice care, and his son, Christopher, told Fox News that his father does not have much time left.

“This is a difficult time,” Christopher Dow said. “Yes he is still alive but in his last hours. Under hospice care.”

Source: ‘Leave It to Beaver’ actor Tony Dow still alive, in hospice care, despite statement announcing death

‘American Idol’ Finale Winner: Noah Thompson Wins — Season 20 Results | TVLine

Sunday’s three-hour ‘American Idol’ finale revealed Noah Thompson, HunterGirl or Leah Marlene as the winner of Season 20.

By decree of Ryan Seacrest, a new American Idol has been crowned.

Sunday’s three-hour finale brought back Season 20’s most popular finalists, pairing them with some of the biggest names in music for a series of special performances, before revealing which of the three remaining contestants — HunterGirlLeah Marlene or Noah Thompson — would take home the ultimate title.

Thompson was the frontrunner heading into this finale, with 50 percent of TVLine readers expecting him to win. HunterGirl followed closely in our poll with 30 percent of readers’ votes, while Marlene trailed behind with 19.

But enough math, let’s talk about the music. After a legitimately vertigo-inducing performance from Flo Rida and friends, the finale kicked off with a round entirely devoted to Bruce Springsteen, followed by performances of the finalists’ official singles. The first elimination came midway through the night, preceding several all-star duets, including an unforgettable rendition of “Smile” courtesy of Michael Bublé and Christian Guardino. (Click here to watch.)

The final round gave us encore performances of the Top 2’s favorite songs from the season, before Seacrest revealed the long-awaited results — all of which you can find below.

Source: ‘American Idol’ Finale Winner: Noah Thompson Wins — Season 20 Results | TVLine

‘Holy moly!’ Pittsburgh woman’s Jeopardy! win streak continues; tops $79,000 | TribLIVE.com

 

A Pittsburgh homemaker is a Jeopardy! winning machine, cruising to her fourth consecutive victory as a contestant on Friday’s show.

Margaret Shelton, of the city’s East End, won for the fourth consecutive game on Friday. She earned another $21,500 to bring her total winnings to $79,700.

Shelton had to stage a come-from-behind rally on Wednesday and Thursday to capture victory in Final Jeopardy!.

But there was no such drama Friday. Going into the final round, Shelton had amassed $24,000, which was $18,400 more than her nearest competitor, a woman from Philadelphia.

Unlike the two previous shows, Shelton did not give the correct question to the Final Jeopardy! answer, which was about a character in a book by Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. Neither did her competitors.

Shelter took a commanding lead in the Jeopardy! portion of the show when she bet all of her $7,600 winnings as of that point on a Daily Double category about King Arthur’s legend. She answered correctly, giving her $15,200.

She opened the contest by cleaning up in the “History” category and was never seriously challenged.

“Not bad for a couple of hours work,” Shelton was heard saying after the contest and captured on a video available on jeopardy.com/overheard. Her winning streak made her “a winner, for like, the first time in my whole life.” She mixed in “Holy Moly!” twice to show her amazement.

Source: ‘Holy moly!’ Pittsburgh woman’s Jeopardy! win streak continues; tops $79,000 | TribLIVE.com

Howard Hesseman, Dr. Johnny Fever on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 81

The two-time Emmy nominee and improv veteran also played teacher Charlie Moore on ‘Head of the Class.’

Hesseman died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles of complications from colon surgery he first had last summer, his wife, actress and acting teacher Caroline Ducrocq, told The Hollywood Reporter.

A member of the San Francisco improv group The Committee and a real-life DJ back in the 1960s, Hesseman also was known for his stint as out-of-work actor turned history teacher Charlie Moore on the ABC comedy Head of the Class. (He quit that show after four seasons to aim for a movie career.)

Source: Howard Hesseman, Dr. Johnny Fever on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 81

Betty White dies at 99: Legendary actress passes away

White is said to have passed away at her home on Friday morning

  • Betty White, an early pioneer in television comedy and star of The Golden Girls has died at the age of 99 – after an 80-year-long career in Hollywood 
  • White holds the Guinness World Record for ‘Longest TV Career for an Entertainer’ after she started working in television in 1939 
  • Without any formal training, White starred alongside disc-jockey Al Jarvis in one of TV’s earliest variety shows filmed in LA called, ‘Hollywood on Television’ 
  • She was preceded in death by her third husband, Allen Ludden and survived by three stepchildren. White had no children of her own 
  • She is the recipient of eight Emmy Awards (21 nominations), three Screen Actors Guild Awards and a 1985 Television Hall of Fame inductee 
  • She credited ‘vodka, french fries and hot dogs’ for her longevity and said her ‘obsessive addiction to crossword puzzles’ kept her mind sharp 

Source: Betty White dies at 99: Legendary actress passes away

Dean Stockwell Dies: ‘Quantum Leap’ Star Was 85

Former ‘Quantum Leap’ star Dean Stockwell, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor, died November 7 at age 85.

Former Quantum Leap star Dean Stockwell, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actor whose career on stage, in film and TV spanned more than 70 years, died in the early morning of November 7. He died peacefully at home of natural causes, a rep for the family confirmed to Deadline. He was 85.

Stockwell was born in 1936 in North Hollywood. By the time he was 7, he was on Broadway, launching a career as a child actor. He appeared in Anchors Aweigh with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly; Kim with Errol Flynn; Gentleman’s Agreement, which landed him a Golden Globe Awardand, most notably, in the controversial 1948 movie The Boy with the Green Hair.

Source: Dean Stockwell Dies: ‘Quantum Leap’ Star Was 85

Peter Scolari Dead: ‘Bosom Buddies’, ‘Newhart’, ‘Girls’ Actor Was 66 – Deadline

Peter Scolari, the prolific television and stage actor who found instant fame and a lifelong friendship with Tom Hanks when the two co-starred in the hit 1980 TV comedy Bosom Buddies, died early Friday morning following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 66.

His death was announced by Ellen Lubin Sanitsky at Wright Entertainment.

Scolari’s 43-year show business career included such highlights as his Emmy-nominated series regular role of producer Michael Harris on Bob Newhart’s 1984-90 comedy Newhart, an Emmy-winning recurring role as the father of Lena Dunham’s character on HBO’s Girls, and, most recently, his role as Bishop Thomas Marx on the CBS supernatural drama Evil.

A partial roster of other TV credits include Fosse/Verdon, Madoff, The Good Fight, Murphy Brown, The West Wing, ER, Gotham, Law & Order: SVU, Ally McBeal, From the Earth to the Moon and Honey I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, to name a relative few. Film credits include The Polar Express and a cameo appearance as a TV host in the 1996 comedy-drama That Thing You Do!, directed by and starring his old friend and co-star Tom Hanks.

Source: Peter Scolari Dead: ‘Bosom Buddies’, ‘Newhart’, ‘Girls’ Actor Was 66 – Deadline

Willard Scott, weatherman on NBC’s ‘Today’ show, dies at 87 | TribLIVE.com

NEW YORK — Willard Scott, the beloved weatherman who charmed viewers of NBC’s “Today” show with his self-deprecating humor and cheerful personality, has died. He was 87.

His successor on the morning news show, Al Roker, announced that Scott died peacefully Saturday morning surrounded by family. An NBC Universal spokeswoman confirmed the news. No further details were released.

“He was truly my second dad and am where I am today because of his generous spirit,” Roker wrote on Instagram. “Willard was a man of his times, the ultimate broadcaster. There will never be anyone quite like him.”

 

Scott began his 65-year career at NBC as an entry-level page at an affiliate station in Washington, D.C., and rose to become the weather forecaster on the network’s flagship morning show for more than three decades. His trademark was giving on-air congratulations to viewers who turned 100 years old.

Source: Willard Scott, weatherman on NBC’s ‘Today’ show, dies at 87 | TribLIVE.com

Netflix picks up NBC’s ‘Manifest’ for fourth season

Netflix picked up “Manifest” from NBC after the show was canceled. The fourth season will feature 20 episodes, the most of any season so far.

The streamer has also announced that this upcoming new season will consist of 20 episodes, which is more than any one season received on NBC. (The first consisted of 16 episodes, while the second and third consisted of 13 episodes each.) Whether all 20 are released at once or in multiple parts was not announced.

“Manifest” follows various passengers from fictional flight Montego Air 828 who experience a severe bout of turbulence while flying from Jamaica to New York City, only when they land, they learn that five and a half years actually passed — and they have returned with the special ability to see glimpses of events to come.

Source: Netflix picks up NBC’s ‘Manifest’ for fourth season

Bachelor in Paradise season premiere recap: amazing, exciting, scary | EW.com

Season 7 of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ kicks off with guest host David Spade, a bunch of randy singles, and the most night-one make-out sessions in the show’s history.

Hello again, rose lovers! In most parts of our country, the vision of a pandemic-free summer never quite materialized. (Get vaccinated, FFS!) But at least there’s one part of the world where randy, attractive singles can throw caution, dignity, and common sense to the wind: Bachelor in Paradise, that little stretch of beach where tiny crabs run free and producers reserve the right to portray contestants in ways that “may be embarrassing, unfavorable, humiliating, and/or derogatory, and/or may portray him or her in a false light.”

Source: Bachelor in Paradise season premiere recap: amazing, exciting, scary | EW.com

Markie Post Dead: ‘Night Court’ Actress Was 70 – Deadline

Markie Post, the actress known for turns in Night CourtThe Fall GuyHearts Afire and more, died on Saturday, following a three year, ten month battle with cancer. She was 70.

Post’s manager, Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, confirmed her passing to Deadline.

Born on November 4, 1950 in Palo Alto, California, Post got her start in entertainment by working behind the scenes on game shows, including Split Second, earning an associate producer credit on Alex Trebek’s Double Dare, and appearing before the camera as a card dealer on NBC’s Card Sharks.

Her first acting credits came in 1979, with appearances on episodes of CHiPsBarnaby JonesThe Incredible HulkThe Lazarus SyndromeBuck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Hart to Hart.

She’d later appear in series such as The Love Boat, CheersFantasy Island and The A-Team, before landing the role of bail bondswoman Terri Michaels in ABC’s The Fall Guy. She appeared in 65 episodes of that action drama between 1982 and 1985.

Source: Markie Post Dead: ‘Night Court’ Actress Was 70 – Deadline

‘Good Witch’: Why Did Hallmark Channel Cancel the Show?

‘Good Witch’ Season 7 will be the show’s last. Why did Hallmark Channel decide to cancel the long-running series?

The spell has been broken. After 13 years, eight original movies, and seven seasons, Hallmark Channel has canceled Good WitchThe series about a woman with magical powers and her life in a picture-perfect small town will come to an end on July 25, much to the disappointment of loyal fans.

Source: ‘Good Witch’: Why Did Hallmark Channel Cancel the Show?

Weeks After Manifest’s NBC Cancellation, It’s Still Hitting A Major Netflix Milestone – CINEMABLEND

Manifest is still flying around Netflix even after the cancellation.

Manifest entered its 23rd straight day as the #1 show on Netflix on July 5, according to Forbes, and it’s still holding that spot on July 8 and could become the most popular show on the streamer. The series is officially tied with Tiger King, which was also #1 for 27 days, meaning it just needs to beat out Ginny & Georgia, which Forbes reports was #1 for 29 days. Out of the five most-watched adult-targeted programs on Netflix, Manifest is the only non-Netflix show, which really says a lot. And makes many wonder why Netflix chose to pass on the series.

Shortly after NBC cancelled Manifest, many fans were hopeful that the show would find new life on Netflix, considering how well it was doing. There’s also the fact that Netflix promoted the first two seasons multiple times on their social media pages. However, just a week after NBC cancelled Manifest, news broke that Netflix passed on the series as well, which came to a surprise to many fans since it was, and still is, the #1 show on the platform.

Source: Weeks After Manifest’s NBC Cancellation, It’s Still Hitting A Major Netflix Milestone – CINEMABLEND

‘Manifest’ Could Become Netflix’s Most Popular Show Ever

As the show continues to dominate the Top 10 charts, we must ask: Is Manifest the most popular series on Netflix…ever?

Something unprecedented is happening over on Netflix right now. Manifest is in the midst of a historic run on the Top 10 charts, as the program just completed its 23rd consecutive day in the #1 position—a feat only two other shows have accomplished: Ginny & Georgia and Tiger King.

And as the show inches closer and closer to claiming the best streak ever, we must ask: is Manifest the most popular series on Netflix…ever?

The world’s biggest streaming service has produced several shows over the past few years that were mega-hits—but it’s difficult to determine exactly which one was the most popular. The streaming service claims that Bridgerton had a record 82 million views in its first 28 days. But Bridgerton was only able to overtake The Witcher’s previous record of 76 million views because Netflix’s subscriber base had grown so exponentially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Then we have to consider the Top 10 charts. Last year, I formed a points-based system that allowed me to rank every show’s popularity based on their Top 10 placements each day (here are the 2021 rankings, in case you’re curious). And while this system doesn’t give us hard numbers, it does let us know which shows have been the most consistently popular on Netflix.

Source: ‘Manifest’ Could Become Netflix’s Most Popular Show Ever

Inside the Petty, Career-Ruining Infighting at NY1

Onscreen, NY1 seems like a happy family, but a lawsuit exposed the tumult behind the scenes.

CNN’s Brian Stelter has built a career off anonymously sourced reports on behind-the-scenes media drama and his style of palace intrigue reporting is now happening to his own family, as his newscaster wife has been accused of workplace bullying by unnamed colleagues.

Stelter is married to NY1 traffic reporter and anchor Jamie Stelter, and her station has been plagued by a variety of issues, such as a lawsuit filed by five female anchors for age and gender discrimination that was settled last year.

CNN’S BRIAN STELTER DRAWS ONLY 656K VIEWERS FOR SMALLEST AUDIENCE OF 2021

Anonymous colleagues told Caitlin Moscatello of New York Magazine that Stelter is part of the problem in a piece headlined, “Inside the Petty, Vindictive, Career-Ruining Infighting at NY1” that was published on Monday.

Source: Inside the Petty, Career-Ruining Infighting at NY1

Source: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/ny1-news-lawsuit.html

‘Manifest’ Stars React to Cancellation After 3 Seasons — Josh Dallas | TVLine

‘Manifest’ stars Josh Dallas, Melissa Roxburgh and others are speaking up about NBC’s cancellation of the supernatural drama.

Manifest has officially reached the end of the runway, meaning those underlying questions about Flight 828 and everything that unfolded after its mysterious return will remain unresolved.

TVLine confirmed Monday that talks with Netflix and other potential suitors fell through, ending a week-long campaign to save the series following NBC’s cancellation after three seasons.

Source: ‘Manifest’ Stars React to Cancellation After 3 Seasons — Josh Dallas | TVLine

Chris Harrison exits ‘The Bachelor’ franchise after racism controversy

Harrison stepped aside from his role in February after defending a contestant who was shown in past photos attending an antebellum plantation-themed party.

Chris Harrison is permanently exiting ABC’s reality dating series “The Bachelor” after coming under fire earlier this year for defending a contestant’s past racist behavior.

“Chris Harrison is stepping aside as host of The Bachelor franchise. We are thankful for his many contributions over the past 20 years and wish him all the best on his new journey,” Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment said in a statement sent to NBC News on Tuesday.

Source: Chris Harrison exits ‘The Bachelor’ franchise after racism controversy

Captain Kirk and ex-‘SNL’ star Jon Lovitz headline Steel City Con, returning June 11-13 at the Monroeville Convention Center| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steel City Con will finally take place June 11-13 at the Monroeville Convention Center.

Waiting so long turned out to have its perks, as Steel City Con will be operating at 100% capacity now that statewide gathering limits have been lifted. That means the Monroeville Convention Center’s 100,000-square-foot event space could reach its maximum capacity of 5,400 pop culture enthusiasts, vendors and celebrities such as Jon Lovitz who was on ‘SNL’ and headlined by “Star Trek” legend William Shatner.

Source: Captain Kirk and ex-‘SNL’ star Jon Lovitz headline Steel City Con, returning this weekend after 4 delays | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gavin MacLeod Dead: ‘Love Boat,’ ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Star Was 90 – Variety

Gavin MacLeod, a sitcom veteran who played seaman “Happy” Haines on “McHale’s Navy,” Murray on “Mary Tyler Moore” and the very different, vaguely patrician Captain Stubing on “The Love Boat,” has died. He was 90.

MacLeod’s nephew, Mark See, confirmed his death to Variety. MacLeod died in the early morning on May 29. No cause of death was given, but MacLeod’s health had declined in recent months.

MacLeod played a relatively minor character on ABC hit “McHale’s Navy,” starring Ernest Borgnine, but as newswriter Murray Slaughter, he was certainly one of the stars of “Mary Tyler Moore,” appearing in every one of the classic comedy’s 168 episodes during its 1970-77 run on CBS.

Source: Gavin MacLeod Dead: ‘Love Boat,’ ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Star Was 90 – Variety

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