Classic TV Newsbrief 6/26/21

Here’s what’s happening in the world of classic television…

Classic TV diginet MeTV is making several changes to their schedule in July, most notably to their Sunday lineup. Joining the schedule is Monk, the 2002-9 comedy-drama detective series starring Tony Shalhoub. It takes over the 8-10PM slot while Columbo and other shows shift their timeslots. Here’s the complete 3rd Quarter MeTV schedule, effective July 12:

MeTV 3Q 2021

Fellow diginet Antenna TV is also tweaking their summer weekend lineup. Rejoining the schedule are Archie Bunker’s Place, Benson, Maude, The Ropers and Three’s A Crowd. Leaving the lineup are Lotsa Luck, The Paul Lynde Show and What’s Happening Now!! The full schedule effective July 1:
Antenna TV 3Q 2021

We’ve lost more classic TV friends over the past few weeks:

  • Actor Ned Beatty, best known for his big-screen roles including Deliverance and Network. He also guested on classic TV shows like Hawaii Five-O, Kojak, The Rockford Files and The Waltons.
  • Actor-director Frank Bonner, remembered for his role as sales manager Herb Tarlek on WKRP in Cincinnati.
  • Actor John Gabriel, who had a long career in daytime soaps including Ryan’s Hope. He guested on primetime shows like 77 Sunset Strip and Gilligan’s Island, later landing a recurring role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
  • Actress Joanne Linville, who appeared on such classics as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Barnaby Jones, Bonanza, Hawaii Five-O and Star Trek.
  • Producer Norman Powell, who worked on early classics like Richard Diamond Private Detective and Wanted: Dead or Alive, later on The Big Valley, Burke’s Law and The New Dick Van Dyke Show. His mother was actress Joan Blondell and his adoptive father was actor Dick Powell.

Rest In Peace, Classic TV Friends

Time marches on and we continue to lose members of our classic tv “family.” We recently said farewell to:

  • Programming executive Douglas S. Cramer, who worked on such classic shows as The Brady Bunch, The Odd Couple, Star Trek and Wonder Woman
  • Actress Arlene Golonka, best known for her roles as Millie Hutchins (The Andy Griffith Show) and Millie Swanson (Mayberry R.F.D.)
  • Actor Charles Grodin, who guested on such classic series as The Big Valley, The F.B.I. and The Virginian. He was probably remembered most for his movie roles and frequent appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
  • Actor Robert Hogan, who appeared on such shows as Alice, Barnaby Jones, The F.B.I., Gunsmoke, Peyton Place and The Rockford Files over his six-decade career
  • Actor Gavin MacLeod, remembered for his roles on The Love Boat, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and McHale’s Navy, along with numerous guest shots on classics like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Hawaii Five-O, The Munsters and Perry Mason
  • Actor Doug Mossman, Detective Frank Kamana on the original Hawaii Five-O
  • Actress Erin O’Brien, who guested on numerous 1950s-60s shows like 77 Sunset Strip, Bat Masterson, Maverick, Perry Mason and Sugarfoot
  • Paul Soles, remembered for voicing Spider-Man (1967-70) and Hermey the Misfit Elf (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)
  • Actor Clarence Williams III, who portrayed Linc Hayes on The Mod Squad