Prior to creating the hit absurdist sitcom "Night Court," Reinhold Weege was a writer on "Barney Miller" and on "M*A*S*H," for which he received a grand reputation in American television. "Night Court," however, launched him into the stratosphere, as the show was part of the invaluable NBC Thursday night lineup that revolutionized television. "Night Court" came at the end of a block of programming that included "The Cosby Show" (which was responsible for saving "Night Court"), "Cheers," and "Family Ties," and the four sitcoms collectively buoyed the network to new heights. The series was nominated for 12 Emmys during its 1984 to 1992 run, with four wins going to star John Larroquette.
Despite the success of the show, Weege remained an affable, unglamorous, street-level bloke, flaunting his Chicago roots with pride. In the 2022 book "Barney Miller and the Files Of the Ol' One-Two" by Otto W. Bruno, Weege preferred presenting himself as low-fi and unassuming,...
Despite the success of the show, Weege remained an affable, unglamorous, street-level bloke, flaunting his Chicago roots with pride. In the 2022 book "Barney Miller and the Files Of the Ol' One-Two" by Otto W. Bruno, Weege preferred presenting himself as low-fi and unassuming,...
- 5/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
By the time the curtain rang down on CBS’ “The Judy Garland Show” on March 29, 1964, the musical variety show had, in just one season, three producers and three different formats. Despite good reviews from critics and Judy Garland’s devoted fan base, the series wasn’t felled by the mercurial Garland being difficult but by the Cartwrights — Ben, Little Joe, Adam, and Hoss — of NBC’s ratings powerhouse “Bonanza.”
Though “The Judy Garland Show” was cancelled after one season, it certainly has lived on over the past six decades. The show was included in TV Guide’s 2013 list of 60 series that were “Cancelled Too Soon.” It certainly was the series that got away. Not only was the mercurial Garland in top (and emotional) voice, but the show also featured a powerhouse of guest stars from her frequent leading man Mickey Rooney, Ray Bolger from “The Wizard of Oz” and newcomers such as Barbra Streisand.
Though “The Judy Garland Show” was cancelled after one season, it certainly has lived on over the past six decades. The show was included in TV Guide’s 2013 list of 60 series that were “Cancelled Too Soon.” It certainly was the series that got away. Not only was the mercurial Garland in top (and emotional) voice, but the show also featured a powerhouse of guest stars from her frequent leading man Mickey Rooney, Ray Bolger from “The Wizard of Oz” and newcomers such as Barbra Streisand.
- 3/26/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Tracy Tormé, the vision behind Sliders and an early writer on Star Trek: The Next Generation, has passed away at the age of 64 from complications from diabetes.
Tracy Tormé’s work and contributions within the sci-fi genre made him famous to fans. As per his sister (via The Hollywood Reporter), he “always interested in UFOs — the serious side of UFOs — and in the Air Force pilots who had seen them.” While he only wrote for two seasons on The Next Generation – also serving as story editor – his touch undoubtedly gave the series the thrust it needed to set the tone for the remainder of the series. The greatest success of his career, however, may be Sliders, which he co-created with Robert K. Weiss. Such a following it had developed, when Fox canceled it after three seasons, Sci Fi picked it up for its remaining two. In total, Sliders had 88 episodes...
Tracy Tormé’s work and contributions within the sci-fi genre made him famous to fans. As per his sister (via The Hollywood Reporter), he “always interested in UFOs — the serious side of UFOs — and in the Air Force pilots who had seen them.” While he only wrote for two seasons on The Next Generation – also serving as story editor – his touch undoubtedly gave the series the thrust it needed to set the tone for the remainder of the series. The greatest success of his career, however, may be Sliders, which he co-created with Robert K. Weiss. Such a following it had developed, when Fox canceled it after three seasons, Sci Fi picked it up for its remaining two. In total, Sliders had 88 episodes...
- 1/10/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Tracy Tormé, a UFO expert and son of stylish crooner Mel Tormé who co-created the 1990s series Sliders and was hand-picked by Gene Roddenberry to serve as the head writer on Star Trek: The Next Generation, has died. He was 64.
Tormé died Thursday of complications from diabetes in Escondido, California, his sister and brother, actress Daisy Tormé (Superman & Lois) and recording artist James Tormé, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Tormé also was a writer on Saturday Night Live during its eighth season (1982-83); wrote and produced with Travis Walton the fantasy drama film Fire in the Sky (1993), starring D.B. Sweeney and Robert Patrick; and was a consultant on the acclaimed Robert Zemeckis sci-fi drama Contact (1997).
He wrote the original treatment for the Francis Lawrence-directed I Am Legend (2007) and received co-producer credit on that film, which grossed $585.4 million for Warner Bros. Smith battles mutants as the last human in New York...
Tormé died Thursday of complications from diabetes in Escondido, California, his sister and brother, actress Daisy Tormé (Superman & Lois) and recording artist James Tormé, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Tormé also was a writer on Saturday Night Live during its eighth season (1982-83); wrote and produced with Travis Walton the fantasy drama film Fire in the Sky (1993), starring D.B. Sweeney and Robert Patrick; and was a consultant on the acclaimed Robert Zemeckis sci-fi drama Contact (1997).
He wrote the original treatment for the Francis Lawrence-directed I Am Legend (2007) and received co-producer credit on that film, which grossed $585.4 million for Warner Bros. Smith battles mutants as the last human in New York...
- 1/10/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brigitte Berman’s Oscar-winning documentary Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got has compelling and intimate on-camera interviews with Artie Shaw, Mel Tormé, Helen Forrest, Polly Haynes, Buddy Rich, Lee Castle, Mack Pierce, Frederic Morton, John Wexley, John Best, and the very forthcoming Evelyn Keyes on her marriage to Artie Shaw. Photo: Anne Katrin Titze
In the first instalment with Brigitte Berman on her Oscar-winning documentary Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got (4K restoration and remastered sound), now screening at Film Forum in New York, we discuss how a Bix Beiderbecke interview with Artie Shaw in 1979 for her film Bix: 'Ain't None Of Them Play Like Him Yet' turned into an opportunity of a lifetime; Artie Shaw’s theme song Nightmare; the provocative titles of his books; his recordings of Frenesi and Cole Porter’s Begin the Beguine; George Gershwin’s Summertime with Roy Eldridge; obsessively buying Patek Philippe...
In the first instalment with Brigitte Berman on her Oscar-winning documentary Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got (4K restoration and remastered sound), now screening at Film Forum in New York, we discuss how a Bix Beiderbecke interview with Artie Shaw in 1979 for her film Bix: 'Ain't None Of Them Play Like Him Yet' turned into an opportunity of a lifetime; Artie Shaw’s theme song Nightmare; the provocative titles of his books; his recordings of Frenesi and Cole Porter’s Begin the Beguine; George Gershwin’s Summertime with Roy Eldridge; obsessively buying Patek Philippe...
- 1/6/2024
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Chicago – In 1963, Judy Garland had a CBS-TV variety series, and in December there was a Christmas episode featuring her kids … including Liza Minnelli. Playwright Desiree Burcum and the comedy troupe Famous In The Future have created (click link) ”A Judy Christmas” as a stage play.
The show, presented by Famous In The Future productions, will have three performances the week before Christmas, December 15th, 16th and 17th, at the Den Theatre in Chicago.
Desiree Burcum (front of line) as Judy Garland in ‘A Judy Christmas’
Photo credit: FamousInTheFuture.com
On Friday December 6th, 1963, a mere 11 days after the assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy – Judy Garland was a friend of his – the singer and her children, with guest stars Jack Jones and Mel Tormé, gathered to film the Christmas special. It was part of the Judy Garland Show, which ran from 1963-64. With the heavy mourning of a nation over the proceedings,...
The show, presented by Famous In The Future productions, will have three performances the week before Christmas, December 15th, 16th and 17th, at the Den Theatre in Chicago.
Desiree Burcum (front of line) as Judy Garland in ‘A Judy Christmas’
Photo credit: FamousInTheFuture.com
On Friday December 6th, 1963, a mere 11 days after the assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy – Judy Garland was a friend of his – the singer and her children, with guest stars Jack Jones and Mel Tormé, gathered to film the Christmas special. It was part of the Judy Garland Show, which ran from 1963-64. With the heavy mourning of a nation over the proceedings,...
- 12/10/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
“I’m a nerd first,” Colton Ryan quickly points out. In that sense, the actor is having the time of his life on his two recent projects which have connected him with legends in the industry. Ryan recently worked with auteur director Rian Johnson on the hit Peacock series “Poker Face.” He also currently stars in the new Broadway musical “New York, New York,” where he is directed by Susan Stroman while singing tunes by theater icons John Kander and the late Fred Ebb (with an assist from Lin-Manuel Miranda). “From my nerd perspective I’m just elated that I’m even associated with any of these songs,” admits Ryan. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
See Ariana DeBose will return to host 2023 Tony Awards in New York City’s Washington Heights
“New York, New York” is set in 1947. War is over and the city is full of hope as...
See Ariana DeBose will return to host 2023 Tony Awards in New York City’s Washington Heights
“New York, New York” is set in 1947. War is over and the city is full of hope as...
- 4/25/2023
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Jim Gordon, a drummer who played on Derek and the Dominos’ Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs and the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, died Monday at the age of 77. The musician, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was serving a prison sentence for killing his mother in 1983, died in a state-run medical facility in Vacaville, California. Publicist Bob Merlis confirmed Gordon’s death in a statement, adding that Gordon died of natural causes.
In addition to his incredible catalog of recordings, Gordon is also known for sharing a songwriting credit on “Layla” with Eric Clapton,...
In addition to his incredible catalog of recordings, Gordon is also known for sharing a songwriting credit on “Layla” with Eric Clapton,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Kory Grow and Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
In the ’90s, NBC was the home of “Must See TV.” But before the heyday of Seinfeld, Friends, and Frasier, the network had a hit comedy in Night Court. The 1984 sitcom featured an ensemble cast of characters working the night shift at Manhattan Criminal Court. With the 2023 reboot now on NBC and Peacock, it’s the perfect time to look back at which original Night Court cast members are still alive.
The show starred Harry Anderson as Judge Harry Stone Harry Anderson as Judge Harry Stone in the original ‘Night Court’ | Frank Carroll/NBC via Getty Images
Night Court followed various characters throughout its nine-season run. But throughout, Harry Anderson’s Judge Harold “Harry” T. Stone remained the anchor keeping the comedy on course. As the youngest serving judge, Harry is an idealist, amateur magician, and Mel Tormé enthusiast determined to make the most of his less-than-popular post in night court.
The show starred Harry Anderson as Judge Harry Stone Harry Anderson as Judge Harry Stone in the original ‘Night Court’ | Frank Carroll/NBC via Getty Images
Night Court followed various characters throughout its nine-season run. But throughout, Harry Anderson’s Judge Harold “Harry” T. Stone remained the anchor keeping the comedy on course. As the youngest serving judge, Harry is an idealist, amateur magician, and Mel Tormé enthusiast determined to make the most of his less-than-popular post in night court.
- 2/12/2023
- by Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Situational comedies lean heavily on the absurd at times. Night Court Season 1 Episode 4 is an example where it's best not to ask too many questions about the who, what, and why of any particular context.
On the one hand, the humor of having Dan's first romantic exploit as a widower turn out to be a psychopath's revenge plot deflects a lot of potential emotional angst.
On the other, I don't think we know enough about Olivia and Gurgs to readily accept them as work wives.
One of the hallmark traits of District Attorney Dan Fielding in the 80s was his skirt-chasing, womanizing ways.
He was ridiculous and lascivious and altogether reprehensible. He was also incredibly entertaining, doing much of the comedic heavy-lifting as Larroquette's four Emmy wins can attest to.
So, of course, Dan Fielding Version 2023 has been criticized by some for his more serious and thoughtful (if curmudgeonly) persona.
On the one hand, the humor of having Dan's first romantic exploit as a widower turn out to be a psychopath's revenge plot deflects a lot of potential emotional angst.
On the other, I don't think we know enough about Olivia and Gurgs to readily accept them as work wives.
One of the hallmark traits of District Attorney Dan Fielding in the 80s was his skirt-chasing, womanizing ways.
He was ridiculous and lascivious and altogether reprehensible. He was also incredibly entertaining, doing much of the comedic heavy-lifting as Larroquette's four Emmy wins can attest to.
So, of course, Dan Fielding Version 2023 has been criticized by some for his more serious and thoughtful (if curmudgeonly) persona.
- 2/1/2023
- by Diana Keng
- TVfanatic
It’s New Year’s Eve once again over at Trailers From Hell, so you know what that means, fellow cineastes: it’s Val Kilmer’s birthday!
As such, our Kilmer Birthday Committee (of one) will continue its annual tradition of watching one Val classic in celebration. Tonight’s entertainment: the criminally under-seen and intensely silly Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker adventure comedy Top Secret! (1984), a mash-up Elvis musical/spy caper parody picture. This relentlessly unserious entertainment carries special significance for Kilmerphiles, as it brought the world Val’s first-ever feature film role.
Now when Val Kilmer makes his celluloid acting debut, he’s not just some featured extra, or the 12th lead, or whatever. Don’t be silly. He’s the star, damn it.
In Top Secret!, that means he’s Nick Rivers, a Presley-esque rock and roller who finds himself inadvertently at the heart of an attempted hostile overseas takeover. This raucous...
As such, our Kilmer Birthday Committee (of one) will continue its annual tradition of watching one Val classic in celebration. Tonight’s entertainment: the criminally under-seen and intensely silly Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker adventure comedy Top Secret! (1984), a mash-up Elvis musical/spy caper parody picture. This relentlessly unserious entertainment carries special significance for Kilmerphiles, as it brought the world Val’s first-ever feature film role.
Now when Val Kilmer makes his celluloid acting debut, he’s not just some featured extra, or the 12th lead, or whatever. Don’t be silly. He’s the star, damn it.
In Top Secret!, that means he’s Nick Rivers, a Presley-esque rock and roller who finds himself inadvertently at the heart of an attempted hostile overseas takeover. This raucous...
- 1/1/2023
- by Alex Kirschenbaum
- Trailers from Hell
Merry Christmas, one and all, it's time to break out the mince pies (as if you haven't already), pour the prosecco and put on some festive music.
Christmas songs don't always have to be merry – among the most beloved festive tunes are "2,000 Miles" by The Pretenders, which is curiously bleak, and the heartbreak of Wham!'s "Last Christmas".
Of course, there are plenty of upbeat songs on our list, too, from Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to Mariah Carey's"All I Want for Christmas is You".
Here are some of our favourites, from Forties classics to more recent pop hits, to get your Christmas celebrations into full swing.
18) “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
There’s a caveat to the optimistic message of the song’s title. “War is over,” sing a choir of children over festive tambourines, but only, they add,...
Christmas songs don't always have to be merry – among the most beloved festive tunes are "2,000 Miles" by The Pretenders, which is curiously bleak, and the heartbreak of Wham!'s "Last Christmas".
Of course, there are plenty of upbeat songs on our list, too, from Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to Mariah Carey's"All I Want for Christmas is You".
Here are some of our favourites, from Forties classics to more recent pop hits, to get your Christmas celebrations into full swing.
18) “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
There’s a caveat to the optimistic message of the song’s title. “War is over,” sing a choir of children over festive tambourines, but only, they add,...
- 12/24/2022
- by Roisin O'Connor and Alexandra Pollard
- The Independent - Music
Merry Christmas, one and all, it's time to break out the mince pies (as if you haven't already), pour the prosecco and put on some festive music.
Christmas songs don't always have to be merry – among the most beloved festive tunes are "2,000 Miles" by The Pretenders, which is curiously bleak, and the heartbreak of Wham!'s "Last Christmas".
Of course, there are plenty of upbeat songs on our list, too, from Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to Mariah Carey's"All I Want for Christmas is You".
Here are some of our favourites, from Forties classics to more recent pop hits, to get your Christmas celebrations into full swing.
18) “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
There’s a caveat to the optimistic message of the song’s title. “War is over,” sing a choir of children over festive tambourines, but only, they add,...
Christmas songs don't always have to be merry – among the most beloved festive tunes are "2,000 Miles" by The Pretenders, which is curiously bleak, and the heartbreak of Wham!'s "Last Christmas".
Of course, there are plenty of upbeat songs on our list, too, from Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" to Mariah Carey's"All I Want for Christmas is You".
Here are some of our favourites, from Forties classics to more recent pop hits, to get your Christmas celebrations into full swing.
18) “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” – John Lennon and Yoko Ono
There’s a caveat to the optimistic message of the song’s title. “War is over,” sing a choir of children over festive tambourines, but only, they add,...
- 12/24/2022
- by Roisin O'Connor and Alexandra Pollard
- The Independent - Music
Chicago – This year was the 100th anniversary for the birth of the classic movie star/singer/performer Judy Garland. In 1963, as part of her regular CBS-TV variety series, she presented a Christmas episode, featuring her family … including Liza Minnelli. Playwright Desiree Burcum has created a musical comedy about this historic moment in television, appropriately titled “A Judy Christmas.” The show, presented by Famous In The Future productions, will have three performances the week before Christmas, December 15th, 16th and 17th, at the Den Theatre in Chicago. For tickets and more information, A Judy Christmas.
A Judy Christmas
Photo credit: FamousInTheFuture.com
On Friday December 6th, 1963, a mere 11 days after the assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy – Judy Garland was a friend of his – the singer and her children, with guest stars Jack Jones and Mel Tormé, gathered to film the Christmas special. It was part of the Judy Garland Show,...
A Judy Christmas
Photo credit: FamousInTheFuture.com
On Friday December 6th, 1963, a mere 11 days after the assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy – Judy Garland was a friend of his – the singer and her children, with guest stars Jack Jones and Mel Tormé, gathered to film the Christmas special. It was part of the Judy Garland Show,...
- 12/10/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Grammy-nominated jazz songwriter, singer and pianist Dave Frishberg died yesterday, according to a post on his Facebook page. His wife April Magnusson said he had been battling an illness for several years. He was 88.
Frishberg had a long and varied career that stretched from the Greenwich Village jazz scene of the ’50s to work as a studio musician in L.A. in the ’70s, to cutting his own Grammy-nominated albums and doing music for films and TV.
But his greatest fame came from his involvement with Schoolhouse Rock, a 1973-85 series of Saturday-morning shorts on ABC that used music and rhyme to help kids learn basic facts, with such memorable songs as “Elementary, My Dear”, “Conjunction Junction” and Frishberg’s “I’m Just a Bill”. “I’m Just a Bill” was famously spoofed on Saturday Night Live in 2014.
He wrote and performed other...
Frishberg had a long and varied career that stretched from the Greenwich Village jazz scene of the ’50s to work as a studio musician in L.A. in the ’70s, to cutting his own Grammy-nominated albums and doing music for films and TV.
But his greatest fame came from his involvement with Schoolhouse Rock, a 1973-85 series of Saturday-morning shorts on ABC that used music and rhyme to help kids learn basic facts, with such memorable songs as “Elementary, My Dear”, “Conjunction Junction” and Frishberg’s “I’m Just a Bill”. “I’m Just a Bill” was famously spoofed on Saturday Night Live in 2014.
He wrote and performed other...
- 11/19/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The Arthur Freed MGM musical unit gives this 1927 musical remake the old College Try! It’s a vehicle for the wartime sweetheart June Allyson, aided by Peter Lawford, who is quite good if not real musical material. The fun original tunes are joined by a couple of new ones, including an all-time terrific song & dance number staged by Robert Alton and performed by the incredible Joan McCracken. The new restoration does wonders with the 1947 Technicolor and the Wac adds hilarious, eye-opening musical excerpts from the crazy 1930 early talkie version with Penny Singleton. Good news indeed. With Patricia Marshall, Mel Tormé and Tommy Rall.
Good News
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1947 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 93 min. / Street Date January 26, 2021 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Joan McCracken, Patricia Marshall, Ray McDonald, Mel Tormé, Robert E. Strickland, Donald MacBride, Tom Dugan, Clinton Sundberg, Loren Tindall, Connie Gilchrist, Morris Ankrum, Tommy Rall,...
Good News
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1947 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 93 min. / Street Date January 26, 2021 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Joan McCracken, Patricia Marshall, Ray McDonald, Mel Tormé, Robert E. Strickland, Donald MacBride, Tom Dugan, Clinton Sundberg, Loren Tindall, Connie Gilchrist, Morris Ankrum, Tommy Rall,...
- 2/13/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Dale Sheets, a television pioneer and a manager for some of the top names in music, died on Monday in Los Angeles of heart failure at age 91. His death was confirmed by longtime family friend and former business associate Rob Wilcox.
Sheets held many key entertainment industry roles during his 70-year career. An executive with McA Universal Chairman Lew Wasserman, Sheets became the personal manager of such musical artists as Mel Tormé, Vic Damone, Patti Page, Jack Jones, the Four Freshmen and George Shearing.
Sheets’ first client was Tormé, who he engaged with a handshake on a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles.
Sheets focused on promoting Tormé’s gifts as a jazz artist, and booked him to perform for jazz venues, including the iconic Newport Jazz Festival and the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. After “The Velvet Fog” signed a deal with Concord Jazz Records, he made...
Sheets held many key entertainment industry roles during his 70-year career. An executive with McA Universal Chairman Lew Wasserman, Sheets became the personal manager of such musical artists as Mel Tormé, Vic Damone, Patti Page, Jack Jones, the Four Freshmen and George Shearing.
Sheets’ first client was Tormé, who he engaged with a handshake on a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles.
Sheets focused on promoting Tormé’s gifts as a jazz artist, and booked him to perform for jazz venues, including the iconic Newport Jazz Festival and the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. After “The Velvet Fog” signed a deal with Concord Jazz Records, he made...
- 12/10/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Dale Sheets, the onetime right-hand man for Lew Wasserman at McA and Universal who went on to serve as the personal manager for such singers as Mel Tormé, Vic Damone and Patti Page, has died. He was 91.
Sheets died Monday in Los Angeles of heart failure, his longtime family friend and former business associate Rob Wilcox announced.
In 1954, Sheets was working at United Television Programs when the company was acquired by McA, and Wasserman became his boss. A year later, at age 25, he was the youngest vice president in McA history.
“It didn’t take me ...
Sheets died Monday in Los Angeles of heart failure, his longtime family friend and former business associate Rob Wilcox announced.
In 1954, Sheets was working at United Television Programs when the company was acquired by McA, and Wasserman became his boss. A year later, at age 25, he was the youngest vice president in McA history.
“It didn’t take me ...
- 12/9/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Dale Sheets, the onetime right-hand man for Lew Wasserman at McA and Universal who went on to serve as the personal manager for such singers as Mel Tormé, Vic Damone and Patti Page, has died. He was 91.
Sheets died Monday in Los Angeles of heart failure, his longtime family friend and former business associate Rob Wilcox announced.
In 1954, Sheets was working at United Television Programs when the company was acquired by McA, and Wasserman became his boss. A year later, at age 25, he was the youngest vice president in McA history.
“It didn’t take me ...
Sheets died Monday in Los Angeles of heart failure, his longtime family friend and former business associate Rob Wilcox announced.
In 1954, Sheets was working at United Television Programs when the company was acquired by McA, and Wasserman became his boss. A year later, at age 25, he was the youngest vice president in McA history.
“It didn’t take me ...
- 12/9/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy can’t be a cheap show to make. This superhero story is based on an ambitious, colorful comic book series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá and as such it features big action setpieces, depictions of superpowers, and even a talking chimp or two.
Still it’s hard to imagine any portion of The Umbrella Academy’s budget is larger than the music clearance department. The series features a moody score from Jeff Russo but also a truly stunning amount of pop hits. The Umbrella Academy made its musical intentions clear in its first episode with the now-beloved dance scene set to Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now.” And the show’s investment in soundtrack and music has only grown from there.
“Music is such an important thing to me and I really take time to pick the songs,” showrunner Steve Blackman says.
“We...
Still it’s hard to imagine any portion of The Umbrella Academy’s budget is larger than the music clearance department. The series features a moody score from Jeff Russo but also a truly stunning amount of pop hits. The Umbrella Academy made its musical intentions clear in its first episode with the now-beloved dance scene set to Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now.” And the show’s investment in soundtrack and music has only grown from there.
“Music is such an important thing to me and I really take time to pick the songs,” showrunner Steve Blackman says.
“We...
- 7/31/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Refresh for updates… Hollywood took to social media to mourn the death of Harry Anderson, a comedian, magician and actor who was best known for his role on the 1984-93 NBC sitcom Night Court. Shortly after the news was announced, his co-stars from the show Marsha Warfield and Markie Post posted their condolences on Twitter.
“Oh, no! Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend,” tweeted Warfield. She also posted a video on Facebook as well as a photo of the Night Court cast on Instagram.
Like Warfield, Post took to Twitter to remember her co-star, saying: “I am devastated. I’ll talk about you later, Harry, but for now, I’m devastated.”
Judd Apatow tweeted how he interviewed Anderson when he was a teenager and said he was “kind,...
“Oh, no! Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend,” tweeted Warfield. She also posted a video on Facebook as well as a photo of the Night Court cast on Instagram.
Like Warfield, Post took to Twitter to remember her co-star, saying: “I am devastated. I’ll talk about you later, Harry, but for now, I’m devastated.”
Judd Apatow tweeted how he interviewed Anderson when he was a teenager and said he was “kind,...
- 4/17/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
“Night Court” alumni and more media personalities have taken to social media to mourn the death of Harry Anderson, who played Judge Harry T. Stone on the ’80s legal comedy.
The 65-year-old actor died at his home in Asheville, N.C., according to a local media report. Police off
icers found his body early Monday morning, according to a report by Wspa-tv, the CBS affiliate in Spartanburg, N.C.
Marsha Warfield, who starred as court officer Rosalind “Roz” Russell alongside Anderson’s lovably quirky Manhattan judge character in “Night Court,” expressed her sadness about the news on Twitter on Monday.
“Oh no! Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this,” the actress tweeted. “My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend.”
Oh, no!
Aw man, I'm so sorry to hear this.
My condolences to his family,...
The 65-year-old actor died at his home in Asheville, N.C., according to a local media report. Police off
icers found his body early Monday morning, according to a report by Wspa-tv, the CBS affiliate in Spartanburg, N.C.
Marsha Warfield, who starred as court officer Rosalind “Roz” Russell alongside Anderson’s lovably quirky Manhattan judge character in “Night Court,” expressed her sadness about the news on Twitter on Monday.
“Oh no! Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this,” the actress tweeted. “My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend.”
Oh, no!
Aw man, I'm so sorry to hear this.
My condolences to his family,...
- 4/17/2018
- by Christi Carras
- Variety Film + TV
“Night Court” star Harry Anderson has died, multiple outlets reported Monday. He was 65.
The actor was found in his home in Asheville, North Carolina, early Monday morning, police confirmed to the local CBS station Wspa.
Anderson earned three Emmy nominations for his role as Judge Harry Stone on the NBC comedy, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Police said no foul play was suspected. A spokesperson for the Asheville Police Department did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read: R Lee Ermey, 'Full Metal Jacket' Actor, Dies at 74
His co-star Marsha Warfield posted a tearful reaction to the news of Anderson’s death to Facebook, saying: “I didn’t know I was going to be this emotional, or I wouldn’t have started this video.”
Warfield said, “he was a good man, he was a good friend. He was kind to me when I first got on ‘Night Court.'”
She also posted on Twitter: “Oh, no! Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend.”
Also Read: 'SNL' Finds the Worst Possible Hollywood Reboot (Video)
Anderson’s other credits include Harry “Harry the Hat” Gittes on “Cheers”and Dave Barry on “Dave’s World.”
“Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick mourned the actor’s loss on Twitter as well.
“Nooooooooooooooo! I loved this guy even though I had never met him,” he said. “Loved his comedy, his appearances on SNL (when they still had stand-ups), and Night Court is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. I hope he is in some magical afterlife doing card tricks with Mel Tormé. #RIPHarry.”
See more reactions below.
Oh, no!
Aw man, I'm so sorry to hear this.
My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him.
Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend. https://t.co/fv2yzW4sku
— Marsha Warfield (@MarshaWarfield) April 16, 2018
For some reason, Night Court always filled me as a child with a deep, almost physical melancholy whenever it came on TV.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 16, 2018
Nooooooooooooooo! I loved this guy even though I had never met him. Loved his comedy, his appearances on SNL (when they still had stand-ups), and Night Court is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. I hope he is in some magical afterlife doing card tricks with Mel Tormé. #RIPHarry https://t.co/4l2vMz3zdw
— ʞɔiwbɿɒH ꙅiɿʜƆ (@hardwick) April 16, 2018
Rip Harry Anderson. Night Court was one of the best sitcoms ever. You made me laugh a lot (on Cheers also) pic.twitter.com/qLDp7jZbG6
— Jeff Dwoskin – Hashtag Roundup (@bigmacher) April 16, 2018
I loved me some Night Court and I loved "Harry the Hat" on Cheers. Rest in Peace, Harry Anderson. pic.twitter.com/6DnLHamF7U
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) April 16, 2018
Rip Harry Anderson. Night Court was one of the shows my grandma and I used to watch together. Good times. pic.twitter.com/Bth0vaGJyV
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) April 16, 2018
Rip to Harry Anderson; the glue that held Night Court together, the fake TV Dave Barry, and the very best Cheers supporting character of all time pic.twitter.com/YzFc37jACw
— Brandon Stroud (@MrBrandonStroud) April 16, 2018
Read original story Harry Anderson, ‘Night Court’ Star, Dies at 65 At TheWrap...
The actor was found in his home in Asheville, North Carolina, early Monday morning, police confirmed to the local CBS station Wspa.
Anderson earned three Emmy nominations for his role as Judge Harry Stone on the NBC comedy, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Police said no foul play was suspected. A spokesperson for the Asheville Police Department did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also Read: R Lee Ermey, 'Full Metal Jacket' Actor, Dies at 74
His co-star Marsha Warfield posted a tearful reaction to the news of Anderson’s death to Facebook, saying: “I didn’t know I was going to be this emotional, or I wouldn’t have started this video.”
Warfield said, “he was a good man, he was a good friend. He was kind to me when I first got on ‘Night Court.'”
She also posted on Twitter: “Oh, no! Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend.”
Also Read: 'SNL' Finds the Worst Possible Hollywood Reboot (Video)
Anderson’s other credits include Harry “Harry the Hat” Gittes on “Cheers”and Dave Barry on “Dave’s World.”
“Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick mourned the actor’s loss on Twitter as well.
“Nooooooooooooooo! I loved this guy even though I had never met him,” he said. “Loved his comedy, his appearances on SNL (when they still had stand-ups), and Night Court is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. I hope he is in some magical afterlife doing card tricks with Mel Tormé. #RIPHarry.”
See more reactions below.
Oh, no!
Aw man, I'm so sorry to hear this.
My condolences to his family, friends, fans and everyone who loved him.
Rest in peace, Harry the Hat, you were my friend. https://t.co/fv2yzW4sku
— Marsha Warfield (@MarshaWarfield) April 16, 2018
For some reason, Night Court always filled me as a child with a deep, almost physical melancholy whenever it came on TV.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 16, 2018
Nooooooooooooooo! I loved this guy even though I had never met him. Loved his comedy, his appearances on SNL (when they still had stand-ups), and Night Court is one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. I hope he is in some magical afterlife doing card tricks with Mel Tormé. #RIPHarry https://t.co/4l2vMz3zdw
— ʞɔiwbɿɒH ꙅiɿʜƆ (@hardwick) April 16, 2018
Rip Harry Anderson. Night Court was one of the best sitcoms ever. You made me laugh a lot (on Cheers also) pic.twitter.com/qLDp7jZbG6
— Jeff Dwoskin – Hashtag Roundup (@bigmacher) April 16, 2018
I loved me some Night Court and I loved "Harry the Hat" on Cheers. Rest in Peace, Harry Anderson. pic.twitter.com/6DnLHamF7U
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) April 16, 2018
Rip Harry Anderson. Night Court was one of the shows my grandma and I used to watch together. Good times. pic.twitter.com/Bth0vaGJyV
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) April 16, 2018
Rip to Harry Anderson; the glue that held Night Court together, the fake TV Dave Barry, and the very best Cheers supporting character of all time pic.twitter.com/YzFc37jACw
— Brandon Stroud (@MrBrandonStroud) April 16, 2018
Read original story Harry Anderson, ‘Night Court’ Star, Dies at 65 At TheWrap...
- 4/16/2018
- by Ashley Boucher
- The Wrap
Steve Ross C'mon and Hear: An Irving Berlin July 4th Celebration Birdland Jazz Club, NYC June 26, 2016
In a letter to Alexander Woollcott, Jerome Kern wrote that "Irving Berlin has no place in American Music… He is American Music." What better person to present the art of Irving Berlin than venerable singer and pianist Steve Ross, who presented this great American composer's work in a sterling evening entitled C'mon and Hear: An Irving Berlin July 4th Celebration, at the historical Birdland Jazz Club on Manhattan’s West 44th Street, where he shared the stage with seasoned bassist Jered Egan.
Steve deeply understands the art behind Berlin's voluminous body of work, in a manner unique to himself. His renderings of both well-known, lesser known, and even obscure Berlin songs are historically astute and performed in an exceedingly skillful manner which is at once serious and at the same time carefree. The word...
In a letter to Alexander Woollcott, Jerome Kern wrote that "Irving Berlin has no place in American Music… He is American Music." What better person to present the art of Irving Berlin than venerable singer and pianist Steve Ross, who presented this great American composer's work in a sterling evening entitled C'mon and Hear: An Irving Berlin July 4th Celebration, at the historical Birdland Jazz Club on Manhattan’s West 44th Street, where he shared the stage with seasoned bassist Jered Egan.
Steve deeply understands the art behind Berlin's voluminous body of work, in a manner unique to himself. His renderings of both well-known, lesser known, and even obscure Berlin songs are historically astute and performed in an exceedingly skillful manner which is at once serious and at the same time carefree. The word...
- 7/19/2017
- by Jay Reisberg
- www.culturecatch.com
Turner Classic Movies continues with its Gay Hollywood presentations tonight and tomorrow morning, June 8–9. Seven movies will be shown about, featuring, directed, or produced by the following: Cole Porter, Lorenz Hart, Farley Granger, John Dall, Edmund Goulding, W. Somerset Maughan, Clifton Webb, Montgomery Clift, Raymond Burr, Charles Walters, DeWitt Bodeen, and Harriet Parsons. (One assumes that it's a mere coincidence that gay rumor subjects Cary Grant and Tyrone Power are also featured.) Night and Day (1946), which could also be considered part of TCM's homage to birthday girl Alexis Smith, who would have turned 96 today, is a Cole Porter biopic starring Cary Grant as a posh, heterosexualized version of Porter. As the warning goes, any similaries to real-life people and/or events found in Night and Day are a mere coincidence. The same goes for Words and Music (1948), a highly fictionalized version of the Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart musical partnership.
- 6/9/2017
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
On January 22, 1964, CBS announced the inevitable: The Judy Garland Show would be cancelled after just one season. Though the network stated that the cancellation was so that Judy could spend more time with her family, the subpar ratings and tumultuous backstage difficulties had made the show untenable for the studio. In fact, less than a month after the announcement - after Episode 22 was shot - Judy ended the longest artistic partnership she'd had on the show when she fired Mel Torme. Musical director replaced and show revamped for the fifth time, Judy still ended the series looking and singing like a million bucks.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 22
The Songwriters: Charlie Chaplin (original score), John Turner & Geoffrey Parsons
The Cast: Judy Garland, directed by Dean Whitmore
The Story: The style the show settled on was...
On January 22, 1964, CBS announced the inevitable: The Judy Garland Show would be cancelled after just one season. Though the network stated that the cancellation was so that Judy could spend more time with her family, the subpar ratings and tumultuous backstage difficulties had made the show untenable for the studio. In fact, less than a month after the announcement - after Episode 22 was shot - Judy ended the longest artistic partnership she'd had on the show when she fired Mel Torme. Musical director replaced and show revamped for the fifth time, Judy still ended the series looking and singing like a million bucks.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 22
The Songwriters: Charlie Chaplin (original score), John Turner & Geoffrey Parsons
The Cast: Judy Garland, directed by Dean Whitmore
The Story: The style the show settled on was...
- 12/14/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
Full disclosure: I am in the middle of finals hell, wherein I have to write roughly 45 pages and grade exactly 48 exams before I can finally collapse at home for the holidays. So this episode is an especially selfish choice on my part. Since it's been a rocky year, I thought the best choice would be to post the entire episode, so that we could come together over a warm Christmas computer and spend the holidays with Judy.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 15
The Songwriters: Various, arrangement by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Liza Minnelli, directed by Dean Whitmore
The Story: Call me a sap (and I am), but I cannot watch Judy Garland sing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" while she and her children watch fake snow fall out of a studio set window.
Full disclosure: I am in the middle of finals hell, wherein I have to write roughly 45 pages and grade exactly 48 exams before I can finally collapse at home for the holidays. So this episode is an especially selfish choice on my part. Since it's been a rocky year, I thought the best choice would be to post the entire episode, so that we could come together over a warm Christmas computer and spend the holidays with Judy.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 15
The Songwriters: Various, arrangement by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Liza Minnelli, directed by Dean Whitmore
The Story: Call me a sap (and I am), but I cannot watch Judy Garland sing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" while she and her children watch fake snow fall out of a studio set window.
- 12/7/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
So it may not look like it offhand, but today's episode marked another big shift in the rocky history of The Judy Garland Show. After producing seven episodes, firing most of the staff, kicking Jerry Van Dyke to the curb and reformatting the show, Norman Jewison exited as planned after the 13th taped episode. He would be replaced by Bill Colleran, a producer from Your Hit Parade.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 13
The Songwriters: Various, arrangement by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, produced by Norman Jewison
The Story: (My favorite part is the surprise boas at 3:00.) Though Jewison wasn't able to improve the unsteady ratings of The Judy Garland Show, the episodes he produced would set the established characteristics of the show at its peak. More cinematic production, the movement away from sketch comedy,...
So it may not look like it offhand, but today's episode marked another big shift in the rocky history of The Judy Garland Show. After producing seven episodes, firing most of the staff, kicking Jerry Van Dyke to the curb and reformatting the show, Norman Jewison exited as planned after the 13th taped episode. He would be replaced by Bill Colleran, a producer from Your Hit Parade.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 13
The Songwriters: Various, arrangement by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, produced by Norman Jewison
The Story: (My favorite part is the surprise boas at 3:00.) Though Jewison wasn't able to improve the unsteady ratings of The Judy Garland Show, the episodes he produced would set the established characteristics of the show at its peak. More cinematic production, the movement away from sketch comedy,...
- 11/30/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
Sometimes, surprises happen. And sometimes those surprises are planted. I'm referring in this case to both the reappearance of Episode 9 on this series, and the "unplanned" appearance of Ethel Merman on the already-iconic show guest-starring Barbra Streisand. Though Merman's big reveal was first suggested as a way to placate both the surprise guest and her not-so-gracious host. Judy may have originally balked at the idea of her Tea for Two guest skipping the tea for some titanic trilling, but when the producers roped Barbra into the skit as well, it went from a battle of egos to a mammoth moment in musical history.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 9
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, The Smothers Brothers, surprise guest Ethel Merman directed by Norman Jewison
The Story: So,...
Sometimes, surprises happen. And sometimes those surprises are planted. I'm referring in this case to both the reappearance of Episode 9 on this series, and the "unplanned" appearance of Ethel Merman on the already-iconic show guest-starring Barbra Streisand. Though Merman's big reveal was first suggested as a way to placate both the surprise guest and her not-so-gracious host. Judy may have originally balked at the idea of her Tea for Two guest skipping the tea for some titanic trilling, but when the producers roped Barbra into the skit as well, it went from a battle of egos to a mammoth moment in musical history.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 9
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, The Smothers Brothers, surprise guest Ethel Merman directed by Norman Jewison
The Story: So,...
- 11/16/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
Sometimes, magic happens. When the production team of The Judy Garland Show invited a budding Broadway star to film Episode 9, nobody could foresee the titanic future of the 21-year-old singer. With just one album under her belt - admittedly Billboard Top 10 album - she was perhaps slightly less famous than her co-guest stars, The Smothers Brothers. But when Barbra Streisand sat down to sing a duet with Judy Garland, it was impossible to ignore that something titanic was happening.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 9
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, The Smothers Brothers, directed by Norman Jewison
The Story: Barbra Streisand was invited on the show just as her star was rising. Already a well-loved New York cabaret singer, Streisand had stopped the show playing a put-upon secretary in her Broadway debut,...
Sometimes, magic happens. When the production team of The Judy Garland Show invited a budding Broadway star to film Episode 9, nobody could foresee the titanic future of the 21-year-old singer. With just one album under her belt - admittedly Billboard Top 10 album - she was perhaps slightly less famous than her co-guest stars, The Smothers Brothers. But when Barbra Streisand sat down to sing a duet with Judy Garland, it was impossible to ignore that something titanic was happening.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 9
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, The Smothers Brothers, directed by Norman Jewison
The Story: Barbra Streisand was invited on the show just as her star was rising. Already a well-loved New York cabaret singer, Streisand had stopped the show playing a put-upon secretary in her Broadway debut,...
- 11/9/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
Despite the upheaval caused by firing most of the crew only a few weeks before, change was slow to come to The Judy Garland Show. Producer Norman Jewison made incremental changes, first giving writers free reign to make jokes about Judy, then bumping up the presence of guests and side acts, before eventually dialing them back. This show was one of the last to feature Jerry Van Dyke, Dick Van Dyke's younger brother who had acted as comic relief for the first few episodes but was critically panned for poking fun at Garland. Already a third of the way through its eventual 26 episodes, The Judy Garland Show was still very much a work in progress.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 8
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Jerry Van Dyke,...
Despite the upheaval caused by firing most of the crew only a few weeks before, change was slow to come to The Judy Garland Show. Producer Norman Jewison made incremental changes, first giving writers free reign to make jokes about Judy, then bumping up the presence of guests and side acts, before eventually dialing them back. This show was one of the last to feature Jerry Van Dyke, Dick Van Dyke's younger brother who had acted as comic relief for the first few episodes but was critically panned for poking fun at Garland. Already a third of the way through its eventual 26 episodes, The Judy Garland Show was still very much a work in progress.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 8
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Jerry Van Dyke,...
- 11/2/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
On September 29th, 1963, The Judy Garland Show finally premiered. With a backlog of several episodes already in the can, CBS chose to start the show with the seventh filmed episode, which guest-starred Donald O'Connor. Reviews of Judy were favorable, though reviewers were less enamored of Jerry Van Dyke and the variety show format. But unfortunately the network's fears about Bonanza were realized: The Judy Garland Show garnered a miserable (for the time) 18 rating, compared to Bonanza's juggernaut 35 rating. As always, the network and the production team was left scrambling to make new changes.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 7
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Jerry Van Dyke, Donald O'Connor, directed by Bill Hobin
The Story: Despite some dismal Nielson ratings, the Donald O'Connor episode would prove to be a sweet...
On September 29th, 1963, The Judy Garland Show finally premiered. With a backlog of several episodes already in the can, CBS chose to start the show with the seventh filmed episode, which guest-starred Donald O'Connor. Reviews of Judy were favorable, though reviewers were less enamored of Jerry Van Dyke and the variety show format. But unfortunately the network's fears about Bonanza were realized: The Judy Garland Show garnered a miserable (for the time) 18 rating, compared to Bonanza's juggernaut 35 rating. As always, the network and the production team was left scrambling to make new changes.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 7
The Songwriters: Various, arranged by Mel Torme
The Cast: Judy Garland, Jerry Van Dyke, Donald O'Connor, directed by Bill Hobin
The Story: Despite some dismal Nielson ratings, the Donald O'Connor episode would prove to be a sweet...
- 10/26/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
If you watch the full Judy Garland Show from start to finish in the order in which it was filmed rather than the order in which it was broadcast - which is what we're doing in miniature - a few patterns emerge early on. First, there is the legendary talent that crowds the first episodes: besides Judy herself, we've seen Garland reunited with Mickey Rooney, swinging with Count Basie, introducing her daughter Liza, and now she's belting Lena Horne numbers to Lena Horne herself. For any midcentury music geek, this show is the gift that keeps on giving. However, if you push past the fabulous talent to watch the format itself, you'll notice something else: for a variety programme, The Judy Garland Show doesn't have much variety.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 4
The Songwriters: Various,...
If you watch the full Judy Garland Show from start to finish in the order in which it was filmed rather than the order in which it was broadcast - which is what we're doing in miniature - a few patterns emerge early on. First, there is the legendary talent that crowds the first episodes: besides Judy herself, we've seen Garland reunited with Mickey Rooney, swinging with Count Basie, introducing her daughter Liza, and now she's belting Lena Horne numbers to Lena Horne herself. For any midcentury music geek, this show is the gift that keeps on giving. However, if you push past the fabulous talent to watch the format itself, you'll notice something else: for a variety programme, The Judy Garland Show doesn't have much variety.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode 4
The Songwriters: Various,...
- 10/12/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
Sometimes, something just flat out cool and unexpected pops up. Something like, say, a titan of jazz music popping up for the second episode of a TV show starring a titan of movie musicals. Though it wasn't reflected in ratings at the time (how good was Bonanza really?), this is one of those moments of pop culture kismet. Though it wouldn't be aired for almost seven weeks, in just the second episode of this small Sunday night variety program, Count Basie guest starred on an episode of The Judy Garland Show.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode #2
The Songwriter: Irving Berlin
The Cast: Judy Garland, Count Basie, Mel Torme
The Story: As TV intros go, it's pretty basic, but this gives audience and artists the chance to build momentum. What makes this clip so very great...
Sometimes, something just flat out cool and unexpected pops up. Something like, say, a titan of jazz music popping up for the second episode of a TV show starring a titan of movie musicals. Though it wasn't reflected in ratings at the time (how good was Bonanza really?), this is one of those moments of pop culture kismet. Though it wouldn't be aired for almost seven weeks, in just the second episode of this small Sunday night variety program, Count Basie guest starred on an episode of The Judy Garland Show.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode #2
The Songwriter: Irving Berlin
The Cast: Judy Garland, Count Basie, Mel Torme
The Story: As TV intros go, it's pretty basic, but this gives audience and artists the chance to build momentum. What makes this clip so very great...
- 9/28/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Anne Marie has been chronicling Judy Garland's career chronologically through musical numbers...
The terribly tricky thing about early TV (or really any TV) history is that episodes are often filmed and aired in different orders. Because of the discrepancies in airing schedules, we will be following in the order in which they were shot. After the CBS lawsuit was settled with the agreement that Judy Garland should make a show for CBS, the question became what kind of show to do. It took two years for the usual contract negotiations, delays, and upheavals to settle enough for that question to be decided. On June 24, 1963, Judy Garland recorded the first episode of a variety show titled (unsurprisingly) The Judy Garland Show.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode #1
The Songwriter: Mel Torme (uncredited)
The Cast: Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Jerry Van Dyke
The Story: A musical variety show seemed to...
The terribly tricky thing about early TV (or really any TV) history is that episodes are often filmed and aired in different orders. Because of the discrepancies in airing schedules, we will be following in the order in which they were shot. After the CBS lawsuit was settled with the agreement that Judy Garland should make a show for CBS, the question became what kind of show to do. It took two years for the usual contract negotiations, delays, and upheavals to settle enough for that question to be decided. On June 24, 1963, Judy Garland recorded the first episode of a variety show titled (unsurprisingly) The Judy Garland Show.
The Show: The Judy Garland Show Episode #1
The Songwriter: Mel Torme (uncredited)
The Cast: Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Jerry Van Dyke
The Story: A musical variety show seemed to...
- 9/21/2016
- by Anne Marie
- FilmExperience
Last night, with photos of some of the greatest entertainers looking down at him in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room, Billy Stritch -- one of the most talented and creative musicians on the planet -- entertained his fellow Friars. I don't know if the velvet fog ever sang in the Monastery, but the closest you will ever get to his music is to hear Billy Stritch perform his Mel Torme show. It's the definitive interpretation of Mel's extraordinary musical genius, performed by the unequaled artistry of Mr. Stritch.
- 9/15/2016
- by Stephen Sorokoff
- BroadwayWorld.com
Albert Zugsmith’s 1960 film about a motley band of misfits transported back to the Garden of Eden plays like a sexploitation farce written by Rod Serling. The movie never lives up to the salacious possibilities of its title but with its wacky casting coups (including Mickey Rooney as the devil and Mamie Van Doren as Eve!), who can complain? Boasting a B-movie dream cast including Tuesday Weld and Mel Torme, it was written by Robert Hill, the scribe behind Zugsmith’s similarly gonzo "Confessions of an Opium Eater."...
- 2/8/2016
- by Trailers From Hell
- Thompson on Hollywood
Albert Zugmith’s 1960 film about a motley band of misfits transported back to the Garden of Eden plays like a sexploitation farce written by Rod Serling. The movie never lives up to the salacious possibilities of its title but with its wacky casting coups (including Mickey Rooney as the devil and Mamie Van Doren as Eve!), who can complain? Boasting a B-movie dream cast including Tuesday Weld and Mel Torme, it was written by Robert Hill, the scribe behind Zugsmith’s similarly gonzo Confessions of an Opium Eater.
- 2/8/2016
- by TFH Team
- Trailers from Hell
There’s one of two things you can be almost guaranteed of when you see a story that takes place on a train – romance, or a murder.
Mummy On The Orient Express
By Jamie Mathieson
Directed by Paul Wilmshurst
As a farewell fling, The Doctor takes Clara on a trip aboard the Orient Express in space, exactingly copied from the original, except for the bit about being spaceworthy. It becomes quickly apparent that all is not well on the craft – a mysterious unseen beast is killing people exactly 66 seconds after the victim sees it – and no one else does. It turns out this particular journey is a massive two-fold trap – the ship is filled with scientists versed in areas of research that pertain to the beast, and are pressed into service to capture it, by any means necessary.
The Doctor quickly joins the press gang, understanding that the only way...
Mummy On The Orient Express
By Jamie Mathieson
Directed by Paul Wilmshurst
As a farewell fling, The Doctor takes Clara on a trip aboard the Orient Express in space, exactingly copied from the original, except for the bit about being spaceworthy. It becomes quickly apparent that all is not well on the craft – a mysterious unseen beast is killing people exactly 66 seconds after the victim sees it – and no one else does. It turns out this particular journey is a massive two-fold trap – the ship is filled with scientists versed in areas of research that pertain to the beast, and are pressed into service to capture it, by any means necessary.
The Doctor quickly joins the press gang, understanding that the only way...
- 10/13/2014
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
Lethal Weapon‘s Danny Glover stars in the slick fantasy thriller Donovan’s Echo, about a physicist who has lived with 30 years of guilt over the death of his wife and child - out on iTunes, Blinkbox, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Xbox Video and Filmflex now, To celebrate the release we have one iTunes download vouchers (£13.99 Rrp) to giveaway.
With fantastic performances from Danny Glover and Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, I Robot), Donovan’s Echo perfectly balances suspense and thrills in a compelling story that has plenty of action and intrigue.
Donovan Matheson (Danny Glover) is a man trapped in the past. Once an esteemed physicist, he worked on the Manhattan Project but in the years that followed, he became engulfed in regret, which soon turned into an obsession with finding a way to use his work to do good. When his wife and child died in an accident Donovan...
With fantastic performances from Danny Glover and Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, I Robot), Donovan’s Echo perfectly balances suspense and thrills in a compelling story that has plenty of action and intrigue.
Donovan Matheson (Danny Glover) is a man trapped in the past. Once an esteemed physicist, he worked on the Manhattan Project but in the years that followed, he became engulfed in regret, which soon turned into an obsession with finding a way to use his work to do good. When his wife and child died in an accident Donovan...
- 9/29/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The Twelve Days of Christmas Classics is on! Starting with “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” EW is putting the best versions of the most-covered Christmas songs up to a daily vote to compile the ultimate holiday playlist. If your favorite singer isn’t in the list below, you better not pout: Each artist will only appear once throughout the next 12 days. Listen to our top six, vote for your favorite, and let us know why you made your pick in the comments below.
Update: The poll is closed below, but vote for your favorite version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” now!
Update: The poll is closed below, but vote for your favorite version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” now!
- 12/10/2013
- by Katie Atkinson
- EW.com - PopWatch
For some documentaries to work, all the director needs to do is turn on the camera and let her subjects chat away. In I Stand Corrected, there's chatting plus the bonus of some real fine jazz, the interplay of which combines to create a simple, compelling look at a very brave, extremely talented woman, Jennifer Leitham.
The thrust of the tale, though, is that, after a highly successful career as a southpaw player of the double bass, appearing with the likes of Mel Torme and George Shearing, at age 48, Ms. Leitham underwent sex reassignment surgery. Yes, she started out life as a John.
Growing up in Redding, Pennsylvania, in the '50s, was no picnic for a lad who used to sneak into the closets of his mom and his best friends' sisters to try on their dresses. John knew then that was what made him happy. "My body was...
The thrust of the tale, though, is that, after a highly successful career as a southpaw player of the double bass, appearing with the likes of Mel Torme and George Shearing, at age 48, Ms. Leitham underwent sex reassignment surgery. Yes, she started out life as a John.
Growing up in Redding, Pennsylvania, in the '50s, was no picnic for a lad who used to sneak into the closets of his mom and his best friends' sisters to try on their dresses. John knew then that was what made him happy. "My body was...
- 6/21/2013
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
Savannah, Ga. — Musician Ben Tucker performed with stars from Quincy Jones to Peggy Lee before he settled in the 1970s in Savannah, where the jazz bassist became one of the Georgia city's best-known working musicians.
He was killed in a car crash Tuesday at age 82.
Tucker was driving a golf cart across a road on Hutchinson Island when a car slammed into him at high speed, said Savannah-Chatham County police spokesman Julian Miller. Tucker was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver of the car that struck him was charged with vehicular homicide and other criminal counts.
The news stunned musicians and jazz enthusiasts in Savannah, where Tucker had been a musical fixture for roughly four decades. Tucker made his living playing upright bass – an instrument he'd named Bertha and claimed was 240 years old – in all sorts of settings from jazz festivals to wedding receptions, from nightclub gigs to bar mitzvahs.
He was killed in a car crash Tuesday at age 82.
Tucker was driving a golf cart across a road on Hutchinson Island when a car slammed into him at high speed, said Savannah-Chatham County police spokesman Julian Miller. Tucker was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver of the car that struck him was charged with vehicular homicide and other criminal counts.
The news stunned musicians and jazz enthusiasts in Savannah, where Tucker had been a musical fixture for roughly four decades. Tucker made his living playing upright bass – an instrument he'd named Bertha and claimed was 240 years old – in all sorts of settings from jazz festivals to wedding receptions, from nightclub gigs to bar mitzvahs.
- 6/5/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
The last surviving member of the original girl group has passed away.
Patty Andrews (above, center), the lead singer of 1930s and '40s singing trio The Andrews Sisters, has passed away at the age of 94, reports the AP.
Patty was the youngest of the trio, flanked by older sisters Laverne (right) and Maxene (left). The three of them are the best-selling female vocal group in pop history, selling between 75 and 100 million records, according to estimates.
Our favorites by the Andrews Sisters include "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen." But their influence stretched beyond fans. The Andrews Sisters inspired artists from Mel Torme and the McGuire Sisters to Barry Manilow and Bette Midler.
Patty is preceded in death by her sisters Laverne in 1967 and Maxene in 1995, and her husband of 60 years, Wally Weschler, in 2010. She is the second legendary women's trio vocalist we've lost in the...
Patty Andrews (above, center), the lead singer of 1930s and '40s singing trio The Andrews Sisters, has passed away at the age of 94, reports the AP.
Patty was the youngest of the trio, flanked by older sisters Laverne (right) and Maxene (left). The three of them are the best-selling female vocal group in pop history, selling between 75 and 100 million records, according to estimates.
Our favorites by the Andrews Sisters include "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen." But their influence stretched beyond fans. The Andrews Sisters inspired artists from Mel Torme and the McGuire Sisters to Barry Manilow and Bette Midler.
Patty is preceded in death by her sisters Laverne in 1967 and Maxene in 1995, and her husband of 60 years, Wally Weschler, in 2010. She is the second legendary women's trio vocalist we've lost in the...
- 1/31/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Composer and pianist whose work included film scores, opera and jazz cabaret
The composer Richard Rodney Bennett, who has died in New York aged 76, pursued multiple musical lives with extraordinary success. He was one of the more distinguished soundtrack composers of his era, having contributed to some 50 films and winning Oscar nominations for his work on Far from the Madding Crowd (1967), Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) and Murder on the Orient Express (1974).
But it scarcely seemed credible that this knack for writing for a mainstream audience in a melodic, romantic style co-existed with his mastery of serialism and 12-tone techniques. From 1957 to 1959, Bennett was a scholarship student with Pierre Boulez in Paris and soaked up the latter's total serialism techniques as well as his infatuation with the German avant garde. He also attended the summer schools at Darmstadt, the mecca for diehard atonalists.
His tremendous facility as a pianist would prompt the...
The composer Richard Rodney Bennett, who has died in New York aged 76, pursued multiple musical lives with extraordinary success. He was one of the more distinguished soundtrack composers of his era, having contributed to some 50 films and winning Oscar nominations for his work on Far from the Madding Crowd (1967), Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) and Murder on the Orient Express (1974).
But it scarcely seemed credible that this knack for writing for a mainstream audience in a melodic, romantic style co-existed with his mastery of serialism and 12-tone techniques. From 1957 to 1959, Bennett was a scholarship student with Pierre Boulez in Paris and soaked up the latter's total serialism techniques as well as his infatuation with the German avant garde. He also attended the summer schools at Darmstadt, the mecca for diehard atonalists.
His tremendous facility as a pianist would prompt the...
- 12/28/2012
- by Adam Sweeting
- The Guardian - Film News
After a release date delay and some reshoots, "Gangster Squad" is back on the case next month and in addition to the old-timey hats, clothes, cars and guns, there's going to be some old-timey music too. The soundtrack details for the film have been revealed, and no surprise, it's a lot of pop, swing and standards from the era. And so we get tunes from big names and legends like Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael and Peggy Lee, and contributions from lesser-known names like Pee Wee King. But perhaps most intriguing of all is that the very modern St. Vincent has delivered her take on the standard "Early Autumn," that has previously been performed by folks like Woody Herman (who co-wrote it), Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme and more. The soundtrack will land on January 8th with the movie in theaters on January 11th. Full tracklist below. [Film Music Reporter] "Gangster Squad" Soundtrack Tracklisting 1. The...
- 12/10/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
I profess to be no expert in the field of Christmas variety specials, but I understand their cheesy, lovely, historical importance. At one point they were a platform for astounding collaborations, and you better believe the era of that kind of magic is deeply bygone. (Though I did see Carrie Underwood's holiday special a couple years ago, and I think she invited Bo Bice to sing with her? Anyway.)
Here are five moments from Christmas variety specials that I watch every year.
1. Paul Lynde wears a Santa suit and gives Donny Osmond purple socks.
The idea of shoehorning Paul Lynde into an anodyne Osmond Christmas special is pretty wicked. Lynde, if nothing else, was a sinister comic, and his very energy brings an air of knowing subversion to the proceedings. As a bastardly Santa in the Mormon fam's 1976 Christmas special, Lynde deals with bratty Marie and boisterous Donny, eventually...
Here are five moments from Christmas variety specials that I watch every year.
1. Paul Lynde wears a Santa suit and gives Donny Osmond purple socks.
The idea of shoehorning Paul Lynde into an anodyne Osmond Christmas special is pretty wicked. Lynde, if nothing else, was a sinister comic, and his very energy brings an air of knowing subversion to the proceedings. As a bastardly Santa in the Mormon fam's 1976 Christmas special, Lynde deals with bratty Marie and boisterous Donny, eventually...
- 12/6/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
Reinhold Weege, creator of the daffy 1980s sitcom Night Court, which ran for nine seasons on NBC and earned seven Emmy Awards and 31 nominations but never the big comedy prize, has died. He was 62. Weege, who before Night Court wrote and produced for ABC’s Barney Miller -- another lovable Manhattan-set sitcom set in the world of the law -- died Dec. 1 of natural causes in La Jolla, Calif., a family spokeswoman told The Hollywood Reporter. Night Court, which starred the youthful Harry Anderson as night-shift judge and Mel Torme fan Harry Stone and John Larroquette as lecherous
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- 12/6/2012
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mel Brooks considers his new prestigious five-dvd box set to be the Mel Brooks of prestigious five-dvd box sets. During our hour-long conversation in advance of The Incredible Mel Brooks: An Irresistible Collection of Unhinged Comedy, he points out that Shout Factory, the label putting it out, are actually the Rhino Records guys. “They did Billie Holiday and Mel Torme and Ella Fitzgerald!” It’s obvious that Mel considers himself to be as funny as those people. And truth in advertising, the box set is pretty incredible: It contains classic interviews with Dick Cavett and Johnny Carson; weird one-off specials on the BBC like An Audience with Mel Brooks; documentaries such as Excavating the 2000 Year Old Man; the pilot for Get Smart; Mel’s bizarre 1963 Oscar-winning animated short The Critic; and even his guest turn on Mad About You. The whole thing kicks off with his “Hitler Rap” from 1983. “I think I invented rap,...
- 11/13/2012
- by Steve Marsh
- Vulture
American entertainer and singer popular in the 1940s and 50s
The American entertainer Tony Martin, who has died aged 98, was once described as a singing tuxedo. Although he was rather a stiff actor, he was handsome and charming, with a winning, dimpled smile. What mattered most, however, was his mellifluous baritone voice, which he used softly in ballads such as To Each His Own and I Get Ideas, and powerfully in Begin the Beguine and There's No Tomorrow, all hit records in the 1940s and 50s.
He was one of the top crooners of the period with Vic Damone, Andy Williams and Dick Haymes, all of them just below Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in esteem and popularity. According to Mel Tormé: "Tony Martin was technically the greatest singer of them all, as well as being the classiest guy around, both as an entertainer and a person."
He was...
The American entertainer Tony Martin, who has died aged 98, was once described as a singing tuxedo. Although he was rather a stiff actor, he was handsome and charming, with a winning, dimpled smile. What mattered most, however, was his mellifluous baritone voice, which he used softly in ballads such as To Each His Own and I Get Ideas, and powerfully in Begin the Beguine and There's No Tomorrow, all hit records in the 1940s and 50s.
He was one of the top crooners of the period with Vic Damone, Andy Williams and Dick Haymes, all of them just below Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in esteem and popularity. According to Mel Tormé: "Tony Martin was technically the greatest singer of them all, as well as being the classiest guy around, both as an entertainer and a person."
He was...
- 7/31/2012
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
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