Strange pairings in TV Sitcoms are nothing new. Series like The Honeymooners would have the sort of violent buddy’s of Ralph and Ed, The Flintstones would have Barney and Fred, and of course The Odd Couple would have Oscar and Felix.
But in 1986 a new duo would be added to this list and Friday night TV viewing would never be the same. Cousin Larry and Balki would become a hit power couple for viewers who would fall in love with the quirky pair and their misadventures trying to make it in Chicago.
The series would become a favorite for a number of fans not only in the states but eventually around the world and would spawn a spin off that would become just as big a hit for ABC.
On this episode of Gone But Not Forgotten our destination is America or Burst as we look back on the sitcom classic,...
But in 1986 a new duo would be added to this list and Friday night TV viewing would never be the same. Cousin Larry and Balki would become a hit power couple for viewers who would fall in love with the quirky pair and their misadventures trying to make it in Chicago.
The series would become a favorite for a number of fans not only in the states but eventually around the world and would spawn a spin off that would become just as big a hit for ABC.
On this episode of Gone But Not Forgotten our destination is America or Burst as we look back on the sitcom classic,...
- 2/18/2024
- by Jessica Dwyer
- JoBlo.com
Click here to read the full article.
Carl Kleinschmitt, the sitcom writer who worked on The Dick Van Dyke Show and M*A*S*H and created two series starring Sandy Duncan and the football comedy 1st and Ten, has died. He was 85.
Kleinschmitt died Thursday night of complications from Mds cancer (a blood disorder) at his Atwater Village home in Los Angeles, a family spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Kleinschmitt, who wrote often with the late Dale McRaven, penned episodes of such other series as Hey Landlord, Good Morning World, The Doris Day Show, That Girl, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Love, American Style, My World and Welcome to It, Karen, Welcome Back, Kotter and The Love Boat.
He also wrote two features: Middle Age Crazy (1980), starring Bruce Dern and Ann-Margret, and Kiss Shot (1989), starring Whoopi Goldberg.
In 1971, Kleinschmitt created the CBS sitcom Funny Face,...
Carl Kleinschmitt, the sitcom writer who worked on The Dick Van Dyke Show and M*A*S*H and created two series starring Sandy Duncan and the football comedy 1st and Ten, has died. He was 85.
Kleinschmitt died Thursday night of complications from Mds cancer (a blood disorder) at his Atwater Village home in Los Angeles, a family spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Kleinschmitt, who wrote often with the late Dale McRaven, penned episodes of such other series as Hey Landlord, Good Morning World, The Doris Day Show, That Girl, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Love, American Style, My World and Welcome to It, Karen, Welcome Back, Kotter and The Love Boat.
He also wrote two features: Middle Age Crazy (1980), starring Bruce Dern and Ann-Margret, and Kiss Shot (1989), starring Whoopi Goldberg.
In 1971, Kleinschmitt created the CBS sitcom Funny Face,...
- 12/10/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Judy Tenuta, the quirky comedian known for playing the accordion and for her colorful characters, died Thursday at her home in Studio City, California, of ovarian cancer, according to her publicist. She was 72.
She had been battling stage 4 ovarian cancer as she detailed in her video “Judy Tenuta Kicks Cancer’s Ass,” which was shot at her home during the pandemic.
Tenuta was born on Nov. 7, 1949, in Oak Park, Illinois, where she grew up in a staunchly Irish Catholic neighborhood. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she majored in theater. Her interest in comedy took hold when she took an improv comedy class with the famed Chicago group The Second City, and she began opening for other comedians.
Her mother, a fan of Lawrence Welk, encouraged her to learn to play the accordion and Tenuta began incorporating it into her act. The accordion is currently on display...
She had been battling stage 4 ovarian cancer as she detailed in her video “Judy Tenuta Kicks Cancer’s Ass,” which was shot at her home during the pandemic.
Tenuta was born on Nov. 7, 1949, in Oak Park, Illinois, where she grew up in a staunchly Irish Catholic neighborhood. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she majored in theater. Her interest in comedy took hold when she took an improv comedy class with the famed Chicago group The Second City, and she began opening for other comedians.
Her mother, a fan of Lawrence Welk, encouraged her to learn to play the accordion and Tenuta began incorporating it into her act. The accordion is currently on display...
- 10/6/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Dale McRaven, a sitcom stalwart who co-created Mork and Mindy, as well as the long-running series, Perfect Strangers, died earlier this month. He was 83.
McRaven died at his home on Sept. 5 from complications related to lung cancer. His son, David, confirmed his death to Variety.
McRaven spent three decades in television, largely working as a writer. He got his start in the mid-Sixties when Garry Marshall hired him and his frequent writing partner, Carl Kleinschmidt, to work on The Joey Bishop Show. The pair later worked on the final season...
McRaven died at his home on Sept. 5 from complications related to lung cancer. His son, David, confirmed his death to Variety.
McRaven spent three decades in television, largely working as a writer. He got his start in the mid-Sixties when Garry Marshall hired him and his frequent writing partner, Carl Kleinschmidt, to work on The Joey Bishop Show. The pair later worked on the final season...
- 9/26/2022
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Dale McRaven, best known for creating beloved TV series like “Mork & Mindy” and “Perfect Strangers,” has died. He was 83 years old.
The news of McRaven’s passing was announced Monday, but according to his family, the writer and producer died in his Los Angeles home in Porter Ranch on Sept. 5. According to The Hollywood Reporter, McRaven died of complications from lung cancer.
“Dale McRaven’s amazing creative life is a joy because he is the coolest, down to earth, most modest giving and loving person,” his family wrote in remembrance. “Not to mention, he made the best ground beef and vegetarian bean Chili. It is easy to be inspired and in awe of Dale and his accomplishments, from his modest, humble, funny, loving personality, to his writings, TV Producer career, amazing photography, wonderful Art, and his triumphs over the hurdles of his health and challenges in life. Dale will be forever loved and cherished.
The news of McRaven’s passing was announced Monday, but according to his family, the writer and producer died in his Los Angeles home in Porter Ranch on Sept. 5. According to The Hollywood Reporter, McRaven died of complications from lung cancer.
“Dale McRaven’s amazing creative life is a joy because he is the coolest, down to earth, most modest giving and loving person,” his family wrote in remembrance. “Not to mention, he made the best ground beef and vegetarian bean Chili. It is easy to be inspired and in awe of Dale and his accomplishments, from his modest, humble, funny, loving personality, to his writings, TV Producer career, amazing photography, wonderful Art, and his triumphs over the hurdles of his health and challenges in life. Dale will be forever loved and cherished.
- 9/26/2022
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
Dale McRaven, the television writer and creator of Perfect Strangers and Mork & Mindy, died on September 5. He was 83.
McRaven was at his home in Porter Ranch, California when he died. Throughout his career, he received major accolades like nominations from the Writers Guild of America Awards and the Emmys for his work on Mork & Mindy, which he co-created with Joe Glauberg and late director Garry Marshall. The ABC sitcom that starred Robin Williams and Pam Dawber lasted for four seasons.
Perfect Strangers with Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker was also created by McRaven. The ABC sitcom ran for 8 seasons with 150 episodes produced.
In his first showbiz job, McRaven was hired by Marshall in 1963 to be part of the writers for The Joey Bishop Show. McRaven would go on to write for The Dick Van Dyke Show after he was found by Sheldon Leonard at Desilu Studios who told...
McRaven was at his home in Porter Ranch, California when he died. Throughout his career, he received major accolades like nominations from the Writers Guild of America Awards and the Emmys for his work on Mork & Mindy, which he co-created with Joe Glauberg and late director Garry Marshall. The ABC sitcom that starred Robin Williams and Pam Dawber lasted for four seasons.
Perfect Strangers with Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker was also created by McRaven. The ABC sitcom ran for 8 seasons with 150 episodes produced.
In his first showbiz job, McRaven was hired by Marshall in 1963 to be part of the writers for The Joey Bishop Show. McRaven would go on to write for The Dick Van Dyke Show after he was found by Sheldon Leonard at Desilu Studios who told...
- 9/25/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
After bringing us some of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Dale McRaven died on September 5, 2022 at the age of 83. His son, David McRaven, told The Hollywood Reporter that the creator of "Mork & Mindy" and "Perfect Strangers" passed away due to complications from lung cancer at his home in Porter Ranch, CA.
McRaven was born on March 5, 1939 in Pulaski, Illinois and was the fifth of six children. He lived with his family in Chicago and Phoenix before moving to Hollywood in 1957. Upon his arrival, he sold a script to Steve Allen, but his first major gig arrived in 1964 when he was hired by Gary Marshall and paired with Carl Kleinschmidt as staff writers on the final season of "The Joey Bishop Show" on NBC. After that show wrapped up, the duo would write for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and win a WGA award for their work before...
McRaven was born on March 5, 1939 in Pulaski, Illinois and was the fifth of six children. He lived with his family in Chicago and Phoenix before moving to Hollywood in 1957. Upon his arrival, he sold a script to Steve Allen, but his first major gig arrived in 1964 when he was hired by Gary Marshall and paired with Carl Kleinschmidt as staff writers on the final season of "The Joey Bishop Show" on NBC. After that show wrapped up, the duo would write for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and win a WGA award for their work before...
- 9/25/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Dale McRaven, an Emmy-nominated television writer and a creator behind shows like “Perfect Strangers” and “Mork & Mindy,” died Sept. 5 at his home in Porter Ranch, Calif. due to lung cancer complications. He was 83.
McRaven’s death was confirmed to Variety by his son, David McRaven.
McRaven received nominations from both the Writers Guild of America Awards and the Primetime Emmys for his work writing on ABC’s “Mork & Mindy,” which he served as a co-creator of alongside Joe Glauberg and the late film director Garry Marshall, who he worked closely with throughout his career.
McRaven later created the popular ABC sitcom “Perfect Strangers,” which ran for eight seasons, until he left the show over creative differences. McRaven retired completely from film and television a few years after the series’ conclusion in 1993, instead pouring his focus into wildlife and landscape photography.
McRaven’s first job in entertainment came with...
McRaven’s death was confirmed to Variety by his son, David McRaven.
McRaven received nominations from both the Writers Guild of America Awards and the Primetime Emmys for his work writing on ABC’s “Mork & Mindy,” which he served as a co-creator of alongside Joe Glauberg and the late film director Garry Marshall, who he worked closely with throughout his career.
McRaven later created the popular ABC sitcom “Perfect Strangers,” which ran for eight seasons, until he left the show over creative differences. McRaven retired completely from film and television a few years after the series’ conclusion in 1993, instead pouring his focus into wildlife and landscape photography.
McRaven’s first job in entertainment came with...
- 9/25/2022
- by Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Dale McRaven, the Emmy-nominated comedy writer and producer who created Mork & Mindy with Garry Marshall and then the long-running Perfect Strangers on his own, has died. He was 83.
McRaven died Sept. 5 of complications from lung cancer at his home in Porter Ranch, California, his son, David McRaven, told The Hollywood Reporter.
McRaven also served as a writer on the fifth and final season of CBS’ The Dick Van Dyke Show and as a writer-producer on ABC’s The Partridge Family during that musical comedy’s 1970-74 run. Plus, he and Marshall created the 1979-80 ABC sitcom Angie, starring Donna Pescow and Robert Hays.
Perfect Strangers, from Miller-Boyett Productions and Lorimar Television, debuted in March 1986 and starred Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot as mismatched cousins — one an American, the other from the fictional island of Mypos — who live together in a Chicago apartment.
Dale McRaven, the Emmy-nominated comedy writer and producer who created Mork & Mindy with Garry Marshall and then the long-running Perfect Strangers on his own, has died. He was 83.
McRaven died Sept. 5 of complications from lung cancer at his home in Porter Ranch, California, his son, David McRaven, told The Hollywood Reporter.
McRaven also served as a writer on the fifth and final season of CBS’ The Dick Van Dyke Show and as a writer-producer on ABC’s The Partridge Family during that musical comedy’s 1970-74 run. Plus, he and Marshall created the 1979-80 ABC sitcom Angie, starring Donna Pescow and Robert Hays.
Perfect Strangers, from Miller-Boyett Productions and Lorimar Television, debuted in March 1986 and starred Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot as mismatched cousins — one an American, the other from the fictional island of Mypos — who live together in a Chicago apartment.
- 9/25/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Robin Thede and London Hughes are set to star in a “Perfect Strangers” reboot that is in development at HBO Max, Variety has confirmed.
In the multi-cam reboot, perfect strangers Deja (Thede) and Poppy (Hughes) unexpectedly discover that they are half-sisters when they both inherit a one-bedroom apartment above a trap yoga studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Polar opposites, they must learn how to live and work together.
Thede will also write and executive produce the series in addition to starring. Robert L. Boyett, who produced the original series, will also executive produce. Warner Bros. Television will produce. Thede currently has an overall deal at the studio under her For Better or Words banner.
The original “Perfect Strangers” starred Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker, with Pinchot playing Balki Bartokomous from the fictional island of Mypos. It was created by Dale McRaven and ran for eight seasons and 150 episodes on ABC...
In the multi-cam reboot, perfect strangers Deja (Thede) and Poppy (Hughes) unexpectedly discover that they are half-sisters when they both inherit a one-bedroom apartment above a trap yoga studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Polar opposites, they must learn how to live and work together.
Thede will also write and executive produce the series in addition to starring. Robert L. Boyett, who produced the original series, will also executive produce. Warner Bros. Television will produce. Thede currently has an overall deal at the studio under her For Better or Words banner.
The original “Perfect Strangers” starred Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker, with Pinchot playing Balki Bartokomous from the fictional island of Mypos. It was created by Dale McRaven and ran for eight seasons and 150 episodes on ABC...
- 6/14/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
A reboot of “Perfect Strangers” starring Robin Thede and London Hughs is in the works at HBO Max, TheWrap has learned.
Thede (“A Black Lady Sketch Show”) is writing the script and executive producing the update of the late ’80s and early ’90s ABC comedy alongside Robert L. Boyett.
The multi-cam project, which is currently in the development stage, focuses on “perfect strangers” Deja (Thede) and Poppy (“Laughter Shock” writer and star Hughes) who unexpectedly discover that they are half-sisters when they both inherit a one-bedroom apartment above a trap yoga studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, per its official description. Polar opposites, they must learn how to live and work together.
Created by Dale McRaven, the original “Perfect Strangers” followed Larry (Mark Linn-Baker) and Balki (Bronson Pinchot), his distant cousin from the fictional small Mediterranean island of Mypos, who moves in with Larry in the Midwest. The sitcom ran for...
Thede (“A Black Lady Sketch Show”) is writing the script and executive producing the update of the late ’80s and early ’90s ABC comedy alongside Robert L. Boyett.
The multi-cam project, which is currently in the development stage, focuses on “perfect strangers” Deja (Thede) and Poppy (“Laughter Shock” writer and star Hughes) who unexpectedly discover that they are half-sisters when they both inherit a one-bedroom apartment above a trap yoga studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, per its official description. Polar opposites, they must learn how to live and work together.
Created by Dale McRaven, the original “Perfect Strangers” followed Larry (Mark Linn-Baker) and Balki (Bronson Pinchot), his distant cousin from the fictional small Mediterranean island of Mypos, who moves in with Larry in the Midwest. The sitcom ran for...
- 6/14/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Perfect Strangers, the 1980s sitcom starring Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot, is the latest classic comedy to get a reboot – with Robin Thede and London Hughes set as leads.
The project, which is in development as a series at HBO Max, will be written by A Black Lady Sketch Show creator and star Thede.
The streamer has given the half-hour, multi-camera comedy a script development deal.
It will follow perfect strangers, Deja, played by Thede, and Poppy, played by Hughes, who unexpectedly discover they are half-sisters when they both inherit a one-bedroom apartment above a trap yoga studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Polar opposites, they must learn how to live and work together.
Inspired by the original series, produced by Miller/Boyett Productions that ran for eight seasons and 15 episodes between 1986–1993 on ABC. The original starred Linn-Baker as Midwestern American Larry Appleton and Pinchot as his distant cousin from Europe.
The project, which is in development as a series at HBO Max, will be written by A Black Lady Sketch Show creator and star Thede.
The streamer has given the half-hour, multi-camera comedy a script development deal.
It will follow perfect strangers, Deja, played by Thede, and Poppy, played by Hughes, who unexpectedly discover they are half-sisters when they both inherit a one-bedroom apartment above a trap yoga studio in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Polar opposites, they must learn how to live and work together.
Inspired by the original series, produced by Miller/Boyett Productions that ran for eight seasons and 15 episodes between 1986–1993 on ABC. The original starred Linn-Baker as Midwestern American Larry Appleton and Pinchot as his distant cousin from Europe.
- 6/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: More than three years ago, Netflix successfully opened a new area of original programming, the family sitcom, with a reboot of Warner Bros TV’s Tgif comedy Full House. The sequel series was a breakout hit, tapping into nostalgia for those who had grown up with the original series while also drawing a new generation of viewers.
That success was probably not lost on WarnerMedia executives as they are prepping the launch of a streaming platform to rival Netflix and have been discussing with Warner Bros TV brass library titles they can exploit for the new service.
I hear the WarnerMedia streamer is eyeing reboots of other Wbtv-produced classic Tgif comedies, like Step by Step, Perfect Strangers, its spinoff Family Matters, as well as Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. Sources stressed that talks are in exploratory stages, and it’s unclear whether any of the potential revivals would come to fruition,...
That success was probably not lost on WarnerMedia executives as they are prepping the launch of a streaming platform to rival Netflix and have been discussing with Warner Bros TV brass library titles they can exploit for the new service.
I hear the WarnerMedia streamer is eyeing reboots of other Wbtv-produced classic Tgif comedies, like Step by Step, Perfect Strangers, its spinoff Family Matters, as well as Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. Sources stressed that talks are in exploratory stages, and it’s unclear whether any of the potential revivals would come to fruition,...
- 7/1/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Before 1977's Star Wars put his career into hyperdrive, Mark Hamill was doing just fine with episodic TV work on such forgettable series as ABC's The FBI and CBS' The Manhunter. One standout was the 1974 sitcom The Texas Wheelers. It was centered on a long-absent father who returns to his family in rural Lamont, Texas.
"The show was like a discordant reply to The Waltons," says Hamill, 66. "The scripts were unbelievable, and the critics loved the show." Wheelers was created by Dale McRaven, who went on to launch 1978's Mork & Mindy and 1986's Perfect Strangers. The Hollywood...
"The show was like a discordant reply to The Waltons," says Hamill, 66. "The scripts were unbelievable, and the critics loved the show." Wheelers was created by Dale McRaven, who went on to launch 1978's Mork & Mindy and 1986's Perfect Strangers. The Hollywood...
- 12/7/2017
- by Bill Higgins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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