Bob Ellison, the two-time Emmy Award winner who wrote for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and served as a game-saving creative/script consultant on Cheers, Wings, Becker and many other comedies, has died. He was 91.
He died April 8 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his business manager, Malcolm Orland, told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a sweetheart and so good at what he did,” Orland said.
Ellison came from the world of variety shows, where he wrote and/or produced several specials that starred Julie Andrews and Burt Bacharach. He also co-developed the 1988-92 NBC sitcom Dear John, starring Judd Hirsch.
Ellison wrote 15 episodes and was an executive story editor during the last two of The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s seven seasons (from 1975-77). He shared an Emmy with Allan Burns, James L. Brooks, Ed. Weinberger, Stan Daniels and David Lloyd for the beloved series finale, “The Last Show.
He died April 8 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his business manager, Malcolm Orland, told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a sweetheart and so good at what he did,” Orland said.
Ellison came from the world of variety shows, where he wrote and/or produced several specials that starred Julie Andrews and Burt Bacharach. He also co-developed the 1988-92 NBC sitcom Dear John, starring Judd Hirsch.
Ellison wrote 15 episodes and was an executive story editor during the last two of The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s seven seasons (from 1975-77). He shared an Emmy with Allan Burns, James L. Brooks, Ed. Weinberger, Stan Daniels and David Lloyd for the beloved series finale, “The Last Show.
- 5/11/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dan Wilcox, the Emmy-winning TV writer and producer whose work on the last four seasons of M*A*S*H included the acclaimed 1983 series finale that attracted a record 106 million viewers, has died. He was 82.
Wilcox died Feb. 14 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his niece Julie Merson announced.
A WGA member for more than 60 years and a guild board member since 2005, Wilcox won his Emmy in 1970 for Sesame Street, where he met Thad Mumford, who became his longtime writing partner. They worked together on M*A*S*H and received the 1980 WGA award for best episodic comedy.
They also wrote for What’s Happening!!, Alice, The Duck Factory, Good Times and the 1979 ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.
Wilcox was a writer and/or executive story editor on 36 episodes of M*A*S*H from 1979-83 as well as a producer, starting in 1981, on the CBS show’s last two seasons.
The native New Yorker...
Wilcox died Feb. 14 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, his niece Julie Merson announced.
A WGA member for more than 60 years and a guild board member since 2005, Wilcox won his Emmy in 1970 for Sesame Street, where he met Thad Mumford, who became his longtime writing partner. They worked together on M*A*S*H and received the 1980 WGA award for best episodic comedy.
They also wrote for What’s Happening!!, Alice, The Duck Factory, Good Times and the 1979 ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.
Wilcox was a writer and/or executive story editor on 36 episodes of M*A*S*H from 1979-83 as well as a producer, starting in 1981, on the CBS show’s last two seasons.
The native New Yorker...
- 2/26/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HBO Original documentary film Being Mary Tyler Moore, directed by Emmy(R)-winning filmmaker James Adolphus (“Soul of a Nation”) and produced by Lena Waithe (“A Thousand and One”), Debra Martin Chase (“Harriet”), and Ben Selkow (HBO’s “Q: Into The Storm”), debuts Friday, May 26 (8:00-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. The film made its world premiere at the 2023 SXSW Festival. With unprecedented access to Mary Tyler Moore’s vast archive, Being Mary Tyler Moore chronicles the screen icon whose storied career spanned sixty years. Weaving Moore’s personal narrative with the beats of her professional accomplishments, the film highlights her groundbreaking roles and the indelible impact she had on generations of women who came after her. Moore’s career broke boundaries in different eras, most notably in her comedic roles as Laura Petrie in the ’60s sitcom, “The Dick Van Dyke Show...
- 5/10/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
HBO Original documentary film Being Mary Tyler Moore, directed by Emmy(R) winning filmmaker James Adolphus (“Soul of a Nation”) and produced by Lena Waithe (“A Thousand and One”), Debra Martin Chase (“Harriet”), and Ben Selkow (HBO’s “Q: Into The Storm”), debuts this May on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. With unprecedented access to Mary Tyler Moore’s vast archive, Being Mary Tyler Moore chronicles the screen icon whose storied career spanned sixty years. Weaving Moore’s personal narrative with the beats of her professional accomplishments, the film highlights her groundbreaking roles and the indelible impact she had on generations of women who came after her. Moore’s career broke boundaries in different eras, most notably in her comedic roles as Laura Petrie in the ’60s sitcom, “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and as single career woman Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the ’70s,...
- 3/9/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
HBO Original documentary film Being Mary Tyler Moore, directed by Emmy® winning filmmaker James Adolphus (“Soul of a Nation”) and produced by Lena Waithe (“A Thousand and One”), Debra Martin Chase (“Harriet”), and Ben Selkow (HBO’s “Q: Into The Storm”), debuts this May on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
Synopsis: With unprecedented access to Mary Tyler Moore’s vast archive, Being Mary Tyler Moore chronicles the screen icon whose storied career spanned sixty years. Weaving Moore’s personal narrative with the beats of her professional accomplishments, the film highlights her groundbreaking roles and the indelible impact she had on generations of women who came after her.
Moore’s career broke boundaries in different eras, most notably in her comedic roles as Laura Petrie in the ‘60s sitcom, “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and as single career woman Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the ‘70s,...
Synopsis: With unprecedented access to Mary Tyler Moore’s vast archive, Being Mary Tyler Moore chronicles the screen icon whose storied career spanned sixty years. Weaving Moore’s personal narrative with the beats of her professional accomplishments, the film highlights her groundbreaking roles and the indelible impact she had on generations of women who came after her.
Moore’s career broke boundaries in different eras, most notably in her comedic roles as Laura Petrie in the ‘60s sitcom, “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and as single career woman Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the ‘70s,...
- 3/8/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Click here to read the full article.
David Davis, the Emmy-winning writer and producer whose heyday in the 1970s included invaluable work on the enduring network sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, The Bob Newhart Show and Taxi, has died. He was 86.
Davis died Friday in Los Angeles, his daughter Samantha Davis-Friedman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors include his wife, actress Julie Kavner, best known as the voice of Marge Simpson on The Simpsons. Davis recommended her for the part of Brenda Morgenstern, Valerie Harper‘s insecure sister on Rhoda — it was her first paying job as an actress — and they were together since 1976.
Rhoda “gave me my life, it gave me my career, it gave me the love of my life, David Davis,” Kavner said in a 2009 interview.
A member of the Mtm Enterprises production company founded by Grant Tinker and Mary Tyler Moore, Davis started out on Mtm’s inaugural series,...
David Davis, the Emmy-winning writer and producer whose heyday in the 1970s included invaluable work on the enduring network sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, The Bob Newhart Show and Taxi, has died. He was 86.
Davis died Friday in Los Angeles, his daughter Samantha Davis-Friedman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Survivors include his wife, actress Julie Kavner, best known as the voice of Marge Simpson on The Simpsons. Davis recommended her for the part of Brenda Morgenstern, Valerie Harper‘s insecure sister on Rhoda — it was her first paying job as an actress — and they were together since 1976.
Rhoda “gave me my life, it gave me my career, it gave me the love of my life, David Davis,” Kavner said in a 2009 interview.
A member of the Mtm Enterprises production company founded by Grant Tinker and Mary Tyler Moore, Davis started out on Mtm’s inaugural series,...
- 11/5/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Though streaming and cable comedies such as “Ted Lasso,” “Hacks,” “Barry” and “Only Murder in the Building” are poised to receive multiple Emmy nominations, ABC’s perceptive and smartly funny mockumentary “Abbott Elementary” may just teach them a lesson. The freshman series, a valentine to educators who overcome trials and tribulations to teach, is a leading Emmy nomination contender.
Set in a predominately Black, grossly underfunded grade school in Philadelphia, the series stars Quinta Brunson as an eager second-grade teacher who is one of the few educators who have made it to a second year at the school. Brunson also created the series which was inspired by her mother who was a teacher in Philly for 40 years. Reviews were glowing for the series. The L.A. Times critic Robert Lloyd wrote: “The series feels fresh even as it mines the familiar. As much as characters represent an agglomeration of types,...
Set in a predominately Black, grossly underfunded grade school in Philadelphia, the series stars Quinta Brunson as an eager second-grade teacher who is one of the few educators who have made it to a second year at the school. Brunson also created the series which was inspired by her mother who was a teacher in Philly for 40 years. Reviews were glowing for the series. The L.A. Times critic Robert Lloyd wrote: “The series feels fresh even as it mines the familiar. As much as characters represent an agglomeration of types,...
- 6/15/2022
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
The Wjm-tv newsroom is in mourning.
Betty White’s death on Dec. 31 marked the sixth major figure from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to pass in 2021. Actors Cloris Leachman, Gavin MacLeod, Ed Asner , series co-creator Allan Burns and director Jay Sandrich also died during the year that just ended.
The coincidental timing of the losses of these legends underscores the passage of time for the network television business. “Mary Tyler Moore,” “All in the Family,” “Mash” and other early 1970s shows ushered in the era of big ensemble comedy hits destined to endure as classics of the form. TV historian Tim Brooks has dubbed this period the “relevance era,” representing a backlash to the fantasy escapism of 1960s comedy hits such as “Bewitched” and “I Dream of Jeannie.”
“Mary Tyler Moore” was endowed from the start with a powerhouse cast, most of whom were also blessed with powerhouse genes.
White...
Betty White’s death on Dec. 31 marked the sixth major figure from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to pass in 2021. Actors Cloris Leachman, Gavin MacLeod, Ed Asner , series co-creator Allan Burns and director Jay Sandrich also died during the year that just ended.
The coincidental timing of the losses of these legends underscores the passage of time for the network television business. “Mary Tyler Moore,” “All in the Family,” “Mash” and other early 1970s shows ushered in the era of big ensemble comedy hits destined to endure as classics of the form. TV historian Tim Brooks has dubbed this period the “relevance era,” representing a backlash to the fantasy escapism of 1960s comedy hits such as “Bewitched” and “I Dream of Jeannie.”
“Mary Tyler Moore” was endowed from the start with a powerhouse cast, most of whom were also blessed with powerhouse genes.
White...
- 1/1/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Producers of the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony honored almost all of the expected people who died this past year. Who was not featured during the emotional In Memoriam segment Sunday night on CBS? Prominent performers and character actors such as Frank Bonner, Sean Connery, Michael Constantine, Abby Dalton, James Hampton, Bruce Kirby, Norman Lloyd, Helen Reddy and Jane Withers were not part of the 49 people included.
While over 100 celebrated television people died since last year’s event in mid-September of 2020, the segment generally only makes room for less than 50. Among those featured Sunday night: TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Norm Macdonald sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
The 49 people featured...
While over 100 celebrated television people died since last year’s event in mid-September of 2020, the segment generally only makes room for less than 50. Among those featured Sunday night: TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Norm Macdonald sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
The 49 people featured...
- 9/20/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Emmys 2021: In Memoriam segment will honor Michael K. Williams, Cicely Tyson, Ed Asner and who else?
Producers of this Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony have some difficult decisions to make about who to honor during the emotional In Memoriam segment. Cedric the Entertainer will host the 2021 Emmys for CBS at 8:00 p.m. Et; 5:00 p.m. Pt. A total of 34 presenters have been announced so far.
Our list below includes almost 100 people who made a strong contribution to television and have died since mid-September of 2020. Only about 40-45 of these people will probably be in the video segment. Certain to be featured will be TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
Ed Asner (actor)
Dana Baratta (writer/producer)
Anne Beatts (writer)
Ned Beatty (actor)
William Blinn (writer)
Frank Bonner (actor)
Perry Botkin,...
Our list below includes almost 100 people who made a strong contribution to television and have died since mid-September of 2020. Only about 40-45 of these people will probably be in the video segment. Certain to be featured will be TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
Ed Asner (actor)
Dana Baratta (writer/producer)
Anne Beatts (writer)
Ned Beatty (actor)
William Blinn (writer)
Frank Bonner (actor)
Perry Botkin,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Good night, Lou.
Ed Asner, the famed character actor, activist and union leader who died Sunday at the age of 91, was the last surviving member of original core cast of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
The ground-breaking sitcom that ran on CBS from 1970 to 1977 led Asner to become the first TV actor to play the same character in a comedy, “Mary Tyler Moore’s” irascible Wjm-tv news director Lou Grant, and in the CBS drama “Lou Grant,” where Asner took center stage as a new incarnation of the Grant character in Los Angeles as a big-city newspaper editor.
In the “Mary Tyler Moore” pilot, Asner’s Grant delivers one of the classic TV comedy lines of all time as he interviews Moore’s eager Mary Richards for the associate producer job at Minneapolis’ TV station. “You’ve got spunk,” Grant tells Richards. With the perfect timing that came from his early stage experience,...
Ed Asner, the famed character actor, activist and union leader who died Sunday at the age of 91, was the last surviving member of original core cast of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
The ground-breaking sitcom that ran on CBS from 1970 to 1977 led Asner to become the first TV actor to play the same character in a comedy, “Mary Tyler Moore’s” irascible Wjm-tv news director Lou Grant, and in the CBS drama “Lou Grant,” where Asner took center stage as a new incarnation of the Grant character in Los Angeles as a big-city newspaper editor.
In the “Mary Tyler Moore” pilot, Asner’s Grant delivers one of the classic TV comedy lines of all time as he interviews Moore’s eager Mary Richards for the associate producer job at Minneapolis’ TV station. “You’ve got spunk,” Grant tells Richards. With the perfect timing that came from his early stage experience,...
- 8/29/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
The television landscape was changing when the 23rd Emmy Awards took place at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on May 9, 1971, with Johnny Carson as host. History was made in more than one way that night.
NBC’s “The Flip Wilson Show,” the first comedy-variety series hosted by an African-American, won the genre and writing awards. Wilson shared in both victories. And Mark Warren became the first black helmer to win an Emmy for his direction of NBC’s “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.”
George C. Scott, who had declined the Oscar just 24 days earlier for “Patton,” didn’t attend the Emmys either. However he didn’t turn down this award for his leading role in NBC’s “Hallmark Hall of Fame” presentation of Arthur Miller’s “The Price.” Jack Cassidy accepted on his behalf. David Burns, who had died two months earlier of a heart attack during a stage performance of the musical “70, Girls,...
NBC’s “The Flip Wilson Show,” the first comedy-variety series hosted by an African-American, won the genre and writing awards. Wilson shared in both victories. And Mark Warren became the first black helmer to win an Emmy for his direction of NBC’s “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.”
George C. Scott, who had declined the Oscar just 24 days earlier for “Patton,” didn’t attend the Emmys either. However he didn’t turn down this award for his leading role in NBC’s “Hallmark Hall of Fame” presentation of Arthur Miller’s “The Price.” Jack Cassidy accepted on his behalf. David Burns, who had died two months earlier of a heart attack during a stage performance of the musical “70, Girls,...
- 8/27/2021
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Gavin MacLeod was a versatile and dependable actor who was a good friend to his co-stars during the seven-season run of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Ed Asner told Variety in paying tribute to the TV veteran who died Saturday at the age of 90.
MacLeod was an ally to his co-stars in any scene, recalled Asner, who played the voluble Wjm-tv news director Lou Grant on the groundbreaking comedy that aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977.
“He made everything easy,” Asner said.
Off the set, MacLeod was also generous. In the years after the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Asner and his wife were having marital troubles. MacLeod and his wife, actor Patti Kendig, made a point of reaching out to the couple out of friendship and concern.
“I realized that whenever I was tense, (MacLeod) was there to relieve it,” Asner recalled. “I treasured his friendship.”
MacLeod himself was a lot...
MacLeod was an ally to his co-stars in any scene, recalled Asner, who played the voluble Wjm-tv news director Lou Grant on the groundbreaking comedy that aired on CBS from 1970 to 1977.
“He made everything easy,” Asner said.
Off the set, MacLeod was also generous. In the years after the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Asner and his wife were having marital troubles. MacLeod and his wife, actor Patti Kendig, made a point of reaching out to the couple out of friendship and concern.
“I realized that whenever I was tense, (MacLeod) was there to relieve it,” Asner recalled. “I treasured his friendship.”
MacLeod himself was a lot...
- 5/30/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
A look at all the stars in movies, TV, music, sports and media we’ve lost this year
Mike Fenton
The “E.T.” and “Back to the Future” casting director died Jan. 1. He was 85 years old.
Joan Micklin Silver
The director known for acclaimed films “Hester Street” and “Crossing Delancey” died Jan. 1 due to vascular dementia. She was 85.
Gerry Marsden
Gerry Marsden, lead signer of the British pop band Gerry and the Pacemakers, died Jan. 3 after an infection of the heart. He was 78.
Kerry Vincent
“Food Network Challenge” judge and cake designing expert Kerry Vincent passed away Jan. 4. She was 75 years old.
Tanya Roberts
Former Bond Girl and star of “A View to Kill” and “That 70s Show” Tanya Roberts was confirmed dead Jan. 5 after initial misleading reports that she had passed away, then was still alive. Roberts died of a urinary tract infection that spread to other organs, and she was 65 years old.
Mike Fenton
The “E.T.” and “Back to the Future” casting director died Jan. 1. He was 85 years old.
Joan Micklin Silver
The director known for acclaimed films “Hester Street” and “Crossing Delancey” died Jan. 1 due to vascular dementia. She was 85.
Gerry Marsden
Gerry Marsden, lead signer of the British pop band Gerry and the Pacemakers, died Jan. 3 after an infection of the heart. He was 78.
Kerry Vincent
“Food Network Challenge” judge and cake designing expert Kerry Vincent passed away Jan. 4. She was 75 years old.
Tanya Roberts
Former Bond Girl and star of “A View to Kill” and “That 70s Show” Tanya Roberts was confirmed dead Jan. 5 after initial misleading reports that she had passed away, then was still alive. Roberts died of a urinary tract infection that spread to other organs, and she was 65 years old.
- 4/26/2021
- by Samson Amore, Margeaux Sippell and Andrea Towers
- The Wrap
Who will be included for the special “In Memoriam” segment for Sunday night’s Oscars 2021 ceremony? With last year’s Academy Awards happening over 14 months ago, it means an even larger number of film veterans have died. Producers will hopefully be offering a longer remembrance and not leaving out people for the sake of time.
Superstar actor Chadwick Boseman died late last summer and is a nominee as Best Actor for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Previous Oscar winners from acting categories show who will likely be honored include Sean Connery, Olivia de Havilland, Cloris Leachman and Christopher Plummer. Past acting nominees include Hal Holbrook, Ian Holm, Shirley Knight, George Segal, Cicely Tyson, Max von Sydow and Stuart Whitman.
SEE2021 Oscars presenters: Last year’s winners Renee Zellweger, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern, Brad Pitt returning
Almost all of the near 100 people on the list below were Academy members.
Superstar actor Chadwick Boseman died late last summer and is a nominee as Best Actor for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Previous Oscar winners from acting categories show who will likely be honored include Sean Connery, Olivia de Havilland, Cloris Leachman and Christopher Plummer. Past acting nominees include Hal Holbrook, Ian Holm, Shirley Knight, George Segal, Cicely Tyson, Max von Sydow and Stuart Whitman.
SEE2021 Oscars presenters: Last year’s winners Renee Zellweger, Joaquin Phoenix, Laura Dern, Brad Pitt returning
Almost all of the near 100 people on the list below were Academy members.
- 4/23/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Every year Hollywood looks to the Producers Guild Awards winner to forecast the Best Picture Oscar. That’s because in the 12 years since both groups expanded their top award list and adopted the preferential ballot, only three times have the winners not aligned — PGA winners “1917,” “La La Land” and “The Big Short” did not land Best Picture.
Those differences made sense, as in each case a smaller, lower-budget movie took home the Oscar over a movie of scale and scope. And as expected, this year’s Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of a Motion Picture went to Chloé Zhao’s magic-hour road trip “Nomadland,” as voted on by the guild’s 8,000 members. Searchlight’s frontrunner looms large in a field of small movies, as it keeps racking up wins on its way to multiple Oscars come April 25.
“We’re proud to have produced a film about community and what connects us,...
Those differences made sense, as in each case a smaller, lower-budget movie took home the Oscar over a movie of scale and scope. And as expected, this year’s Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of a Motion Picture went to Chloé Zhao’s magic-hour road trip “Nomadland,” as voted on by the guild’s 8,000 members. Searchlight’s frontrunner looms large in a field of small movies, as it keeps racking up wins on its way to multiple Oscars come April 25.
“We’re proud to have produced a film about community and what connects us,...
- 3/25/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Every year Hollywood looks to the Producers Guild Awards winner to forecast the Best Picture Oscar. That’s because in the 12 years since both groups expanded their top award list and adopted the preferential ballot, only three times have the winners not aligned — PGA winners “1917,” “La La Land” and “The Big Short” did not land Best Picture.
Those differences made sense, as in each case a smaller, lower-budget movie took home the Oscar over a movie of scale and scope. And as expected, this year’s Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of a Motion Picture went to Chloé Zhao’s magic-hour road trip “Nomadland,” as voted on by the guild’s 8,000 members. Searchlight’s frontrunner looms large in a field of small movies, as it keeps racking up wins on its way to multiple Oscars come April 25.
“We’re proud to have produced a film about community and what connects us,...
Those differences made sense, as in each case a smaller, lower-budget movie took home the Oscar over a movie of scale and scope. And as expected, this year’s Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of a Motion Picture went to Chloé Zhao’s magic-hour road trip “Nomadland,” as voted on by the guild’s 8,000 members. Searchlight’s frontrunner looms large in a field of small movies, as it keeps racking up wins on its way to multiple Oscars come April 25.
“We’re proud to have produced a film about community and what connects us,...
- 3/25/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The Producers Guild of America Awards awarded Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” with their top prize, one of the key indicators for the Academy Awards, particularly the best picture category. Edging out its closest competitors including Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman,” Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari” and Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” this might just end any questions about whether or not the moving drama is running away with the Oscars’ big prize.
All the acceptance speeches were pre-recorded with “Nomadland” giving a more produced, glitzier presentation than what we’ve seen at other award shows.
It should be noted that last year’s “1917” from Sam Mendes lost the Oscar after wins from PGA and DGA to “Parasite,” which only had the coveted SAG cast ensemble prize under its belt. Coincidentally, “Nomadland” is not nominated at SAG in their top category, leaving an opening for...
All the acceptance speeches were pre-recorded with “Nomadland” giving a more produced, glitzier presentation than what we’ve seen at other award shows.
It should be noted that last year’s “1917” from Sam Mendes lost the Oscar after wins from PGA and DGA to “Parasite,” which only had the coveted SAG cast ensemble prize under its belt. Coincidentally, “Nomadland” is not nominated at SAG in their top category, leaving an opening for...
- 3/25/2021
- by Clayton Davis and Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Allan Burns, co-creator of classic sitcoms “The Munsters” and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died this weekend at the age of 85.
Born in Baltimore and a graduate of the University of Oregon, Burns got his start in showbiz in 1959 as an animator for Jay Ward Productions, working on classic cartoons like “Rocky & Bullwinkle,” “Dudley Do-Right” and “George of the Jungle.” During that time, he also left his mark on supermarket aisles for decades as the creator of the famous cereal mascot Cap’n Crunch.
In 1964, Burns made the leap into live-action TV by teaming up with fellow “Rocky & Bullwinkle” writer Chris Hayward to create “The Munsters,” a legendary sitcom starring Fred Gwynne as the patriarch of a jovial family of monsters — and one human daughter — who are just trying to get by like any American family. While the show’s run was cut after two seasons due to...
Born in Baltimore and a graduate of the University of Oregon, Burns got his start in showbiz in 1959 as an animator for Jay Ward Productions, working on classic cartoons like “Rocky & Bullwinkle,” “Dudley Do-Right” and “George of the Jungle.” During that time, he also left his mark on supermarket aisles for decades as the creator of the famous cereal mascot Cap’n Crunch.
In 1964, Burns made the leap into live-action TV by teaming up with fellow “Rocky & Bullwinkle” writer Chris Hayward to create “The Munsters,” a legendary sitcom starring Fred Gwynne as the patriarch of a jovial family of monsters — and one human daughter — who are just trying to get by like any American family. While the show’s run was cut after two seasons due to...
- 1/31/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Allan Burns, the Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated screenwriter and producer who co-wrote and co-created “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died on Jan. 30, his son, Matt Burns, confirmed to Variety. He was 85.
His “Mary Tyler Moore Show” co-creator and longtime creative partner, James L. Brooks, announced Burns’ death on Twitter Sunday. “Alan Burns, my writing partner during the Mary Tyler Moore days, died yesterday. His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition,” Brooks wrote. “But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have ever known. A beauty of a human.”
Alan Burns, my writing partner during the Mary Tyler Moore days, died yesterday. His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition. But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have every known. A beauty of a human
— james l. brooks...
His “Mary Tyler Moore Show” co-creator and longtime creative partner, James L. Brooks, announced Burns’ death on Twitter Sunday. “Alan Burns, my writing partner during the Mary Tyler Moore days, died yesterday. His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition,” Brooks wrote. “But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have ever known. A beauty of a human.”
Alan Burns, my writing partner during the Mary Tyler Moore days, died yesterday. His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition. But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have every known. A beauty of a human
— james l. brooks...
- 1/31/2021
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Allan Burns, a television producer and screenwriter best known for cocreating and cowriting for the television sitcoms The Munsters, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Rhoda, died Saturday at home. He was 85 and no details were immediately available on the cause of death.
Dan Pasternack, a producer and programming executive and longtime friend of the family, said Burns was a mentor to many. “As much of a legend as he was, and as diverse of a career as he enjoyed, the most remarkable thing about Allan Burns was how kind he was to so many people.”
Burns was born May 18, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the University of Oregon from 1953 to 1957 before heading to Los Angeles and breaking into show business.
His first venture included working in animation for Jay Ward on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right, and George of the Jungle. He also is credited with cowriting...
Dan Pasternack, a producer and programming executive and longtime friend of the family, said Burns was a mentor to many. “As much of a legend as he was, and as diverse of a career as he enjoyed, the most remarkable thing about Allan Burns was how kind he was to so many people.”
Burns was born May 18, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the University of Oregon from 1953 to 1957 before heading to Los Angeles and breaking into show business.
His first venture included working in animation for Jay Ward on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right, and George of the Jungle. He also is credited with cowriting...
- 1/31/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Allan Burns, the six-time Emmy winner who partnered to create one of the best sitcoms of all time, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and one of the worst, My Mother the Car, has died. He was 85.
Burns died Saturday, his frequent writer partner, James L. Brooks, reported on Twitter.
“His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition.” he wrote. “But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have every known. A beauty of a human.”
No other details of his death were immediately available.
Burns, who got ...
Burns died Saturday, his frequent writer partner, James L. Brooks, reported on Twitter.
“His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition.” he wrote. “But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have every known. A beauty of a human.”
No other details of his death were immediately available.
Burns, who got ...
- 1/31/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Allan Burns, the six-time Emmy winner who partnered to create one of the best sitcoms of all time, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and one of the worst, My Mother the Car, has died. He was 85.
Burns died Saturday, his frequent writer partner, James L. Brooks, reported on Twitter.
“His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition.” he wrote. “But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have every known. A beauty of a human.”
No other details of his death were immediately available.
Burns, who got ...
Burns died Saturday, his frequent writer partner, James L. Brooks, reported on Twitter.
“His singular writing career brought him every conceivable recognition.” he wrote. “But, you had to know him to appreciate his full rarity. He was simply the finest man I have every known. A beauty of a human.”
No other details of his death were immediately available.
Burns, who got ...
- 1/31/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
” You don’t know what love is like until you’ve fallen for your cousin.”
Laurence Olivier and Diane Lane in A Little Romance (1979) is available on Blu-ray From Warner Archives. Ordering information can be found Here
Dapper old rascal and park-bench regular Julius (Laurence Olivier) wants to make a place in our jumbled world for A Little Romance. Specifically, he aids and abets Diane Lane and Thelonious Bernard as 13-year-olds in Paris whose genius IQs are no match for the innocent spell of first love. They decide to seal their union with a sunset kiss under Venice’s Bridge of Sighs. It’s a perfectly impulsive puppy-love scheme — and a perfect trek for pied piper Julius to lead. Gracefully scripted by Allan Burns (Mary Tyler Moore), overflowing with Continental charm under the direction of George Roy Hill (The Sting) and set to a sublime Oscar-winning* score by Georges Delerue,...
Laurence Olivier and Diane Lane in A Little Romance (1979) is available on Blu-ray From Warner Archives. Ordering information can be found Here
Dapper old rascal and park-bench regular Julius (Laurence Olivier) wants to make a place in our jumbled world for A Little Romance. Specifically, he aids and abets Diane Lane and Thelonious Bernard as 13-year-olds in Paris whose genius IQs are no match for the innocent spell of first love. They decide to seal their union with a sunset kiss under Venice’s Bridge of Sighs. It’s a perfectly impulsive puppy-love scheme — and a perfect trek for pied piper Julius to lead. Gracefully scripted by Allan Burns (Mary Tyler Moore), overflowing with Continental charm under the direction of George Roy Hill (The Sting) and set to a sublime Oscar-winning* score by Georges Delerue,...
- 3/1/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Gene Reynolds, who co-created the lauded TV series M*A*S*H that centered on an American medical team stationed in South Korea during the Korean War, has died. He was 96.
Reynolds died on Monday of heart failure at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, CNN reports. The news was confirmed in a statement from the Directors Guild of America. Reynolds served as the DGA’s president from 1993 to 1997.
“Gene’s influence on the modern Directors Guild of America was significant and lasting,” DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement.
Reynolds died on Monday of heart failure at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, CNN reports. The news was confirmed in a statement from the Directors Guild of America. Reynolds served as the DGA’s president from 1993 to 1997.
“Gene’s influence on the modern Directors Guild of America was significant and lasting,” DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement.
- 2/5/2020
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
She was a natural comedian — fearless and funny, willing to trade on her natural Bronx brogue to craft a sassy and street-wise character that was tailor-made for sitcoms. But Penny Marshall, who died Monday night at the age of 75, proved throughout her long career that she had so much more in the way of talent and ambition.
After her 1976-1983 run on ABC’s “Laverne & Shirley” made her a household name, Marshall used her skills and her connections to segue into directing. There was no roadmap in the early 1980s for a female TV star to make such a 90-degree turn, but Marshall found the path. She undoubtedly endured skepticism and snickers as she earned her DGA card, starting by directing several later episodes of “Laverne & Shirley.”
Variety’s coverage of Marshall’s early years in showbiz makes clear the obstacles she faced in her effort in stepping...
After her 1976-1983 run on ABC’s “Laverne & Shirley” made her a household name, Marshall used her skills and her connections to segue into directing. There was no roadmap in the early 1980s for a female TV star to make such a 90-degree turn, but Marshall found the path. She undoubtedly endured skepticism and snickers as she earned her DGA card, starting by directing several later episodes of “Laverne & Shirley.”
Variety’s coverage of Marshall’s early years in showbiz makes clear the obstacles she faced in her effort in stepping...
- 12/18/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Penny Marshall, the actress known for “Laverne & Shirley” and the director of Tom Hanks in “Big” and “A League of Their Own,” has died, her publicist tells TheWrap. She was 75.
Marshall died on Monday in her home in the Hollywood Hills from complications with diabetes.
“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” her family said in a statement.
Also Read: Sondra Locke, Oscar-Nominated Actress and Longtime Clint Eastwood Partner, Dies at 74
Marshall, born Carole Penny Marshall, was a three-time Golden Globe nominee for her work on “Laverne & Shirley,” playing Laverne DeFazio for eight years on the show co-created by her brother, the late Garry Marshall. Upon directing Hanks in 1988’s “Big,” Marshall made history by becoming the first woman to direct a movie that grossed over $100 million at the box office.
She made her feature directorial debut in 1986 with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” starring Whoopi Goldberg.
Marshall died on Monday in her home in the Hollywood Hills from complications with diabetes.
“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” her family said in a statement.
Also Read: Sondra Locke, Oscar-Nominated Actress and Longtime Clint Eastwood Partner, Dies at 74
Marshall, born Carole Penny Marshall, was a three-time Golden Globe nominee for her work on “Laverne & Shirley,” playing Laverne DeFazio for eight years on the show co-created by her brother, the late Garry Marshall. Upon directing Hanks in 1988’s “Big,” Marshall made history by becoming the first woman to direct a movie that grossed over $100 million at the box office.
She made her feature directorial debut in 1986 with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” starring Whoopi Goldberg.
- 12/18/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
A good situation comedy — or sitcom — can make viewers forget their troubles for 22 minutes. Or it can be “2 Broke Girls.”
Long before that lame CBS series somehow made it six seasons, there was “Mama’s Family,” “Joanie Loves Chachi,” “The Ropers” and even something called “Homeboys in Outer Space.”
TheWrap dumpster-dove deep to find these, the 31 worst sitcoms of all time.
Also Read: People v Oj Simpson: 11 TV Personalities Who Got Their Big Break Covering the Case (Photos)
Here are some examples:
“Harry & the Hendersons”
Let’s just say this one was a little before the “War for the Planet of the Apes” technology.
“Ferris Bueller”
“Ferris Bueller” the movie covered one awesome day. “Ferris Bueller” the TV show wasn’t even good for that long.
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' Star John Bradley Exclusive StudioWrap Portraits (Photos)
And:
“My Mother the Car”
One has to wonder...
Long before that lame CBS series somehow made it six seasons, there was “Mama’s Family,” “Joanie Loves Chachi,” “The Ropers” and even something called “Homeboys in Outer Space.”
TheWrap dumpster-dove deep to find these, the 31 worst sitcoms of all time.
Also Read: People v Oj Simpson: 11 TV Personalities Who Got Their Big Break Covering the Case (Photos)
Here are some examples:
“Harry & the Hendersons”
Let’s just say this one was a little before the “War for the Planet of the Apes” technology.
“Ferris Bueller”
“Ferris Bueller” the movie covered one awesome day. “Ferris Bueller” the TV show wasn’t even good for that long.
Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' Star John Bradley Exclusive StudioWrap Portraits (Photos)
And:
“My Mother the Car”
One has to wonder...
- 6/8/2018
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Gerry Woolery, an animator and graphic designer who received an Emmy Award for his work on the Allan Burns comedy The Duck Factory, starring Jim Carrey in his first series gig, has died. He was 73.
Woolery died May 10 at his home in Coupeville, Washington, after a long battle with cancer, his friend Bob Condor told The Hollywood Reporter.
Woolery won his Emmy for outstanding achievement for graphic design and title sequences for NBC's The Duck Factory, which lasted just 13 episodes in 1984. Created by Burns (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, My Mother the Car) and Herbert Klynn for Mtm ...
Woolery died May 10 at his home in Coupeville, Washington, after a long battle with cancer, his friend Bob Condor told The Hollywood Reporter.
Woolery won his Emmy for outstanding achievement for graphic design and title sequences for NBC's The Duck Factory, which lasted just 13 episodes in 1984. Created by Burns (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, My Mother the Car) and Herbert Klynn for Mtm ...
- 5/25/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Gerry Woolery, an animator and graphic designer who received an Emmy Award for his work on the Allan Burns comedy The Duck Factory, starring Jim Carrey in his first series gig, has died. He was 73.
Woolery died May 10 at his home in Coupeville, Washington, after a long battle with cancer, his friend Bob Condor told The Hollywood Reporter.
Woolery won his Emmy for outstanding achievement for graphic design and title sequences for NBC's The Duck Factory, which lasted just 13 episodes in 1984. Created by Burns (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, My Mother the Car) and Herbert Klynn for Mtm ...
Woolery died May 10 at his home in Coupeville, Washington, after a long battle with cancer, his friend Bob Condor told The Hollywood Reporter.
Woolery won his Emmy for outstanding achievement for graphic design and title sequences for NBC's The Duck Factory, which lasted just 13 episodes in 1984. Created by Burns (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, My Mother the Car) and Herbert Klynn for Mtm ...
- 5/25/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” is an American sitcom that starred Mary Tyler Moore and was created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns. It was aired on CBS between 1970 and 1977. Others who starred in this show included Edward Asner, Valerie Harper, Gavin McLeod, Ted Knight, Cloris Leachman, Georgia Engel, and Betty White. The show focused on the life of Mary Tyler who was an independent, unmarried career woman. This series has the honor of being one of the most acclaimed sitcoms in the history of United States television and has won 29 Primetime Emmy Awards. The show’s
The Story Behind the Mary Tyler Moore Theme Song...
The Story Behind the Mary Tyler Moore Theme Song...
- 5/13/2018
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
Mary Tyler Moore, who died Wednesday at the age of 80, became a feminist icon with her hit 1970 sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show. As Mary Richards, Moore was the unthinkable — a single career woman on television, out to “make it on her own” (as the show’s iconic theme song described), without the help of a man.
It was a progressive concept that marked a shift in popular and political culture — and would go on to influence a generation of women, including Oprah Winfrey, and inspire them to visualized a world for themselves outside of simply being a wife and homemaker.
It was a progressive concept that marked a shift in popular and political culture — and would go on to influence a generation of women, including Oprah Winfrey, and inspire them to visualized a world for themselves outside of simply being a wife and homemaker.
- 1/25/2017
- by Dave Quinn
- PEOPLE.com
Mary Tyler Moore was more than a TV star who happened to star in two of the most influential series in the history of television. After starring alongside Dick Van Dyke in The Dick Van Dyke Show from 1961-1966, she along with creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns launched The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in which she starred as a single professional woman making her way in the business at Minneapolis TV station. The latter show’s success also turned Moore into an icon of…...
- 1/25/2017
- Deadline TV
Mary Tyler Moore was more than a TV star who happened to star in two of the most influential series in the history of television. After starring alongside Dick Van Dyke in The Dick Van Dyke Show from 1961-1966, she along with creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns launched The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in which she starred as a single professional woman making her way in the business at Minneapolis TV station. The latter show’s success also turned Moore into an icon of…...
- 1/25/2017
- Deadline
The Mary Tyler Moore show wrapped with its seventh and final season four decades ago, but the long-running sitcom is notably one of the most beloved comedies to ever grace TV — and arguably has one of the most memorable series finales.
In 1977, series star Mary Tyler Moore, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 80, and her fellow cast members said goodbye to the sitcom in a heartwarming final scene.
In the script, the group was instructed to share one large embrace and then separate shortly after — but improvisation took over and the scene became Moore’s “favorite scene” from...
In 1977, series star Mary Tyler Moore, who passed away Wednesday at the age of 80, and her fellow cast members said goodbye to the sitcom in a heartwarming final scene.
In the script, the group was instructed to share one large embrace and then separate shortly after — but improvisation took over and the scene became Moore’s “favorite scene” from...
- 1/25/2017
- by nstonepeople
- PEOPLE.com
Mary Tyler Moore, the Emmy-winning sitcom star and Oscar-nominated actress best known for her role in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the 1980 movie Ordinary People, died on Wednesday in Connecticut. Moore's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, confirmed the star's death to the Associated Press. "Today, beloved icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine," Buxbaum said in a statement. The cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest due to pneumonia, according to The New York Times.
- 1/25/2017
- Rollingstone.com
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It's the final entry in Wesley's top 100 Christmas TV episodes of all time list, numbers 20 to 1. Merry Christmas to all!
Read entries 100 - 81 here, entries 80 - 61 here, entries 60 - 41 here, and entries 40 - 21 here.
Since the medium’s infancy, viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favourite television characters. We grow invested in our friends on screen over the years; spending Christmas with them is a rite of passage, a chance for us to share tradition from our world with the fictional ones we see on screen. Some shows embrace the season wholeheartedly, characters in good spirits and enjoying the trappings of the season; others skew a little darker, bringing the more oppressive, burdensome side of the holidays to life. Either way, Christmas episodes tend to demonstrate the strengths of our favourite series, and it’s long been a festive ritual of mine to wheel out old...
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It's the final entry in Wesley's top 100 Christmas TV episodes of all time list, numbers 20 to 1. Merry Christmas to all!
Read entries 100 - 81 here, entries 80 - 61 here, entries 60 - 41 here, and entries 40 - 21 here.
Since the medium’s infancy, viewers have enjoyed sharing holidays with their favourite television characters. We grow invested in our friends on screen over the years; spending Christmas with them is a rite of passage, a chance for us to share tradition from our world with the fictional ones we see on screen. Some shows embrace the season wholeheartedly, characters in good spirits and enjoying the trappings of the season; others skew a little darker, bringing the more oppressive, burdensome side of the holidays to life. Either way, Christmas episodes tend to demonstrate the strengths of our favourite series, and it’s long been a festive ritual of mine to wheel out old...
- 12/17/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 7, Episode 24: “The Last Show”
Written by James L. Brooks, Allan Burns, Ed Weinberger, Stan Daniels, David Lloyd & Bob Ellison
Directed by Jay Sandrich
Original Airdate: March 19, 1977 on CBS
The Mary Tyler Moore Show began in 1970 on the CBS network. The show, itself, was ground breaking. It centered on a single woman who had just went through a bad breakup and was trying to make a name for herself. And she accomplished that throughout the seven years that the show was on the air.
In the first episode we were introduced to Mary Richards who had just moved to Minneapolis and was going to start work at the local news station. Since the show began right at the beginning of the seventies the nation was still dealing with women in the workforce. We see elements of this throughout that episode; Mr. Grant seems reluctant...
Written by James L. Brooks, Allan Burns, Ed Weinberger, Stan Daniels, David Lloyd & Bob Ellison
Directed by Jay Sandrich
Original Airdate: March 19, 1977 on CBS
The Mary Tyler Moore Show began in 1970 on the CBS network. The show, itself, was ground breaking. It centered on a single woman who had just went through a bad breakup and was trying to make a name for herself. And she accomplished that throughout the seven years that the show was on the air.
In the first episode we were introduced to Mary Richards who had just moved to Minneapolis and was going to start work at the local news station. Since the show began right at the beginning of the seventies the nation was still dealing with women in the workforce. We see elements of this throughout that episode; Mr. Grant seems reluctant...
- 10/1/2013
- by Joshua Bouye
- SoundOnSight
The Sopranos was named the best-written show in television history by the Writers Guild of America, edging out an eclectic collection of some of the most beloved and admired series. Members of the Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) voted online for the 101 Best Written TV Series, with David Chase’s iconic “family” drama topping Seinfeld, The Twilight Zone, All in the Family, and M*A*S*H*.
“At their core, all of these wonderful series began with the words of the writers who created them and were sustained by the writers...
“At their core, all of these wonderful series began with the words of the writers who created them and were sustained by the writers...
- 6/3/2013
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside TV
Six seasons into one of the most successful dramas on TV, "Mad Men" creator Matt Weiner admits he didn't take on TV writing blindly. In fact, he had quite a name in his corner.
"I was a terrible student. I had a lot of mentors, teachers who encouraged me, kind of told me whether I believed it or not that I was a late bloomer," Weiner told The Saturday Evening Post. "I gave a speech at my high school graduation and a dad in my class told me that I could be a TV writer. It wasn’t just any dad, it was Allan Burns who created 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' And so I had that in my hip pocket."
While Weiner was riding off the encouraging words of the popular '70s sitcom mastermind, "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm didn't hear as many kind words in his younger years.
"I was a terrible student. I had a lot of mentors, teachers who encouraged me, kind of told me whether I believed it or not that I was a late bloomer," Weiner told The Saturday Evening Post. "I gave a speech at my high school graduation and a dad in my class told me that I could be a TV writer. It wasn’t just any dad, it was Allan Burns who created 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' And so I had that in my hip pocket."
While Weiner was riding off the encouraging words of the popular '70s sitcom mastermind, "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm didn't hear as many kind words in his younger years.
- 3/26/2013
- by Leigh Weingus
- Huffington Post
According to new reports, the $10 million NBC dark comedy TV pilot "Mockingbird Lane", created by Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies"), will be 'repurposed' as a stand-alone network Halloween Special, to air October 26, 2012.
"Mockingbird Lane" stars Jerry O’Connell as 'Herman Munster', Portia de Rossi as 'Lily Munster' and Eddie Izzard as 'Grandpa'.
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") developed the prime-time pilot for Universal Television, featuring a sub-plot focusing on Herman who needs a new heart and his quest for a willing donor for the replacement.
"When you come to 'The Munsters'", said Fuller, "and have 'Herman', who’s essentially a zombie in a constant state of decay, married to a woman who doesn’t age, there’s something very poignant there...we want this show to be an American 'Harry Potter'. To have that sense of a magical world that you get to go to with your family...
"Mockingbird Lane" stars Jerry O’Connell as 'Herman Munster', Portia de Rossi as 'Lily Munster' and Eddie Izzard as 'Grandpa'.
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") developed the prime-time pilot for Universal Television, featuring a sub-plot focusing on Herman who needs a new heart and his quest for a willing donor for the replacement.
"When you come to 'The Munsters'", said Fuller, "and have 'Herman', who’s essentially a zombie in a constant state of decay, married to a woman who doesn’t age, there’s something very poignant there...we want this show to be an American 'Harry Potter'. To have that sense of a magical world that you get to go to with your family...
- 10/12/2012
- by M. Stevens
- SneakPeek
VancouverFilm.Net reports that NBC’s Vancouver-lensed "Munsters" TV pilot, "1313 Mockingbird Lane", under the supervision of writer Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies") will not receive a series order from NBC.
The "darker re-imagining" of the classic slapstick monster comedy TV series starred actor Jerry O’Connell as the re-animated corpse, 'Herman Munster'.
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") developed the prime-time pilot for Universal Television, featuring a sub-plot focusing on Herman who needs a new heart and his quest for a willing donor for the replacement.
"When you come to 'The Munsters'", said Fuller, "and have 'Herman', who’s essentially a zombie in a constant state of decay, married to a woman who doesn’t age, there’s something very poignant there...we want this show to be an American 'Harry Potter'. To have that sense of a magical world that you get to go to with your family...
The "darker re-imagining" of the classic slapstick monster comedy TV series starred actor Jerry O’Connell as the re-animated corpse, 'Herman Munster'.
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") developed the prime-time pilot for Universal Television, featuring a sub-plot focusing on Herman who needs a new heart and his quest for a willing donor for the replacement.
"When you come to 'The Munsters'", said Fuller, "and have 'Herman', who’s essentially a zombie in a constant state of decay, married to a woman who doesn’t age, there’s something very poignant there...we want this show to be an American 'Harry Potter'. To have that sense of a magical world that you get to go to with your family...
- 10/3/2012
- by M. Stevens
- SneakPeek
VancouverFilm.Net reports that NBC’s Vancouver-lensed "Munsters" TV pilot, "1313 Mockingbird Lane", under the supervision of writer Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies") has cast actor Jerry O’Connell to star as family head 'Herman Munster'.
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") directs and also executive produces the prime-time pilot for Universal Television.
Decribed as a "visually spectacular one-hour drama" (not a comedy), the show will focus on Herman, originally inspired by Universal's re-animated "Frankenstein" monster, who now lives in a constant state of decay, with a subplot involving Herman’s need for a new heart, and "finding a donor for a replacement."
"When you come to 'The Munsters'", said Fuller, "and have 'Herman', who’s essentially a zombie in a constant state of decay, married to a woman who doesn’t age, there’s something very poignant there...we want this show to be an American 'Harry Potter'. To...
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") directs and also executive produces the prime-time pilot for Universal Television.
Decribed as a "visually spectacular one-hour drama" (not a comedy), the show will focus on Herman, originally inspired by Universal's re-animated "Frankenstein" monster, who now lives in a constant state of decay, with a subplot involving Herman’s need for a new heart, and "finding a donor for a replacement."
"When you come to 'The Munsters'", said Fuller, "and have 'Herman', who’s essentially a zombie in a constant state of decay, married to a woman who doesn’t age, there’s something very poignant there...we want this show to be an American 'Harry Potter'. To...
- 6/5/2012
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
On April 7, Mike Wallace, the lion of the TV news magazine died. Wallace was more than a news man. He was a former actor and game show host who found a way to seamlessly blend news and entertainment into a combination that was far more than a sum of its parts. Wallace -- first on Night Beat, then on 60 Minutes -- didn't just investigate or report. He turned interviewing into a blood sport -- becoming both one of the most liked and feared men on television as a result. He brought the same intensity and enthusiasm to every interview -- be it entertainers, world leaders or criminals -- even once calling Ayatollah Khomeini a lunatic, to his face.
This got him into trouble at times -- settling a lawsuit with General Westmoreland; losing a battle with CBS over a tobacco industry whistleblower -- but it also made him something rare...
This got him into trouble at times -- settling a lawsuit with General Westmoreland; losing a battle with CBS over a tobacco industry whistleblower -- but it also made him something rare...
- 4/19/2012
- by Evan Shapiro
- Aol TV.
On April 7, Mike Wallace, the lion of the TV news magazine died. Wallace was more than a news man. He was a former actor and game show host who found a way to seamlessly blend news and entertainment into a combination that was far more than a sum of its parts. Wallace -- first on Night Beat, then on 60 Minutes -- didn't just investigate or report. He turned interviewing into a blood sport -- becoming both one of the most liked and feared men on television as a result. He brought the same intensity and enthusiasm to every interview -- be it entertainers, world leaders or criminals -- even once calling Ayatollah Khomeini a lunatic, to his face.
This got him into trouble at times -- settling a lawsuit with General Westmoreland; losing a battle with CBS over a tobacco industry whistleblower -- but it also made him something rare...
This got him into trouble at times -- settling a lawsuit with General Westmoreland; losing a battle with CBS over a tobacco industry whistleblower -- but it also made him something rare...
- 4/19/2012
- by Evan Shapiro
- Aol TV.
Mary Tyler Moore couldn't be prouder to have two iconic characters who never are away from television very long.
They're now back-to-back each weeknight on the nostalgic channel Me-tv, where her Mary Richards on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" is followed by her Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Each of the classic sitcoms also has another outlet: "Dick Van Dyke" marked its 50th anniversary by rejoining TV Land last fall; and "Mary Tyler Moore" becomes part of the Hallmark Channel lineup with a marathon of first-season episodes Sunday (April 1).
Seven-time Emmy winner Moore tells Zap2it she believes her 1970-77 CBS show's enduring popularity owes to something "The Dick Van Dyke Show" also maintained, "the tradition of good writing and character relationships. We took it another step forward with our show, and that was something to be very proud of.
"For what you see and feel and laugh at now,...
They're now back-to-back each weeknight on the nostalgic channel Me-tv, where her Mary Richards on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" is followed by her Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Each of the classic sitcoms also has another outlet: "Dick Van Dyke" marked its 50th anniversary by rejoining TV Land last fall; and "Mary Tyler Moore" becomes part of the Hallmark Channel lineup with a marathon of first-season episodes Sunday (April 1).
Seven-time Emmy winner Moore tells Zap2it she believes her 1970-77 CBS show's enduring popularity owes to something "The Dick Van Dyke Show" also maintained, "the tradition of good writing and character relationships. We took it another step forward with our show, and that was something to be very proud of.
"For what you see and feel and laugh at now,...
- 3/31/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Producer, director Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") will direct and executive produce a new prime-time pilot for Universal Television, of the classic 1960's monster sitcom "The Munsters" at NBC, alongside executive producer, writer Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies").
NBC confirmed that the new take will be "...an edgier and slightly darker take exploring origins of 'Herman' and 'Lily Munster' and how they arrived @ their Us residence of '1313 Mockingbird Lane'."
Fuller promises that his 'Munsters' will have a darker and 'less campy feel' than the black-and-white original, or as he describes it, "...'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood'..."
The original 1960's sitcom depicting the home life of a family of Universal Studio monsters, was created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, starring actor Fred Gwynne as 'Herman Munster' and Yvonne De Carlo as his wife, 'Lily'.
The idea of a family of comical monsters was first suggested to Universal Studios in...
NBC confirmed that the new take will be "...an edgier and slightly darker take exploring origins of 'Herman' and 'Lily Munster' and how they arrived @ their Us residence of '1313 Mockingbird Lane'."
Fuller promises that his 'Munsters' will have a darker and 'less campy feel' than the black-and-white original, or as he describes it, "...'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood'..."
The original 1960's sitcom depicting the home life of a family of Universal Studio monsters, was created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, starring actor Fred Gwynne as 'Herman Munster' and Yvonne De Carlo as his wife, 'Lily'.
The idea of a family of comical monsters was first suggested to Universal Studios in...
- 11/30/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Still smarting from the cancellation of "The Playboy Club", NBC has opted to develop another 1960's icon , ordering a prime-time pilot from executive producer Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies)" based on the classic TV comedy "The Munsters".
Fuller promises that his Munsters will have a darker and 'less campy feel' than the black-and-white original, or "...'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood'..."
The original 1960's sitcom depicting the home life of a family of Universal Studio monsters, was created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, starring actor Fred Gwynne as 'Herman Munster' and Yvonne De Carlo as his wife, 'Lily'.
The idea of a family of comical monsters was first suggested to Universal Studios in the late 1940's by animator Bob Clampett ("Merrie Melodies", "Beany and Cecil") who wanted to produce a series of cartoons.
The project didn't see development until the early 1960's, when a treatment for a similar idea...
Fuller promises that his Munsters will have a darker and 'less campy feel' than the black-and-white original, or "...'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood'..."
The original 1960's sitcom depicting the home life of a family of Universal Studio monsters, was created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, starring actor Fred Gwynne as 'Herman Munster' and Yvonne De Carlo as his wife, 'Lily'.
The idea of a family of comical monsters was first suggested to Universal Studios in the late 1940's by animator Bob Clampett ("Merrie Melodies", "Beany and Cecil") who wanted to produce a series of cartoons.
The project didn't see development until the early 1960's, when a treatment for a similar idea...
- 11/17/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Executive producer Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies") continues developing an NBC TV pilot, rebooting the cult classic TV series "The Munsters".
Fuller describes his new take as "...'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood'..."
The original 1960's sitcom depicting the home life of a family of Universal Studio monsters, was created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, starring dramatic actor Fred Gwynne ("On The Waterfront") as good-natured Frankenstein's Monster 'Herman Munster' and Yvonne De Carlo as his vampiric, loving wife, 'Lily'.
The idea of a family of comical monsters was first suggested to Universal Studios in the late 1940's by animator Bob Clampett ("Merrie Melodies", "Beany and Cecil") who wanted to produce a series of cartoons.
The project didn't see development until the early 1960's, when a treatment for a similar idea was submitted to Universal Studios by "Rocky & Bullwinkle" writers Burns and Hayward. This format was later handed to writers Norm Liebman and Ed Haas,...
Fuller describes his new take as "...'Modern Family' meets 'True Blood'..."
The original 1960's sitcom depicting the home life of a family of Universal Studio monsters, was created by Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, starring dramatic actor Fred Gwynne ("On The Waterfront") as good-natured Frankenstein's Monster 'Herman Munster' and Yvonne De Carlo as his vampiric, loving wife, 'Lily'.
The idea of a family of comical monsters was first suggested to Universal Studios in the late 1940's by animator Bob Clampett ("Merrie Melodies", "Beany and Cecil") who wanted to produce a series of cartoons.
The project didn't see development until the early 1960's, when a treatment for a similar idea was submitted to Universal Studios by "Rocky & Bullwinkle" writers Burns and Hayward. This format was later handed to writers Norm Liebman and Ed Haas,...
- 8/15/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Betty White’s new memoir, If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t), hit shelves Tuesday. And considering the 89-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, it wasn’t a surprise that she stopped by The Times Center last night for the TimesTalk event “A Conversation with Betty White.” The seven-time Emmy award-winning actress, interviewed by Frank Bruni, talked about her career, her new book, and shared several stories that kept the audience laughing. White summed up her seven-decade career simply, “I’m the luckiest old broad on two feet.” Here are a few highlights from last...
- 5/5/2011
- by Breia Brissey
- EW.com - PopWatch
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