I wrote up an obituary for Richard Lewis, who succumbed to a heart attack Tuesday night at 76, and was left feeling surprisingly bereft. I wondered why his death was hitting me so hard. I was a longtime fan, but I’d never met the man. I respected his comedy, but I didn’t necessarily think of him as one of the all-time greats – just a solid, uniquely neurotic, funny man who seemed to have a brilliantly manic way about him. When I think of him now, he’s bent over, stalking the stage, right hand on forehead, gesturing like a crazy man, looking like someone whose brain is about to burst out of his head.
Yes, he was unfailingly hilarious every time he showed up on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” significantly mellower than in his younger years but still carrying plenty of sharp wit and irony whenever the camera was on him.
Yes, he was unfailingly hilarious every time he showed up on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” significantly mellower than in his younger years but still carrying plenty of sharp wit and irony whenever the camera was on him.
- 2/29/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Al Jaffee, the longtime cartoonist for Mad Magazine who created one of the satirical publication’s most beloved and enduring features — the back-cover “Fold-In” illustration — died Monday in a New York City hospital of organ failure. He was 102.
New of his death was shared today by Tom Heintjes, editor of Hogan’s Ally, a magazine and website that chronicles the cartoon arts. Jaffee’s granddaughter Fani Thomson confirmed his passing and the cause of death to the New York Times.
“I’m very sad to report that the great Al Jaffee has died,” Heintjes tweeted. “He had celebrated his 102nd birthday just last month. An incredible legend. Rip to a giant of cartooning.”
Born in Savannah, Ga, Jaffee launched his comics career in the 1940s, contributing artwork for such publications as Joke Comics, Atlas Comics and Timely Comics, among others. During World War II he worked as an artist for the military.
New of his death was shared today by Tom Heintjes, editor of Hogan’s Ally, a magazine and website that chronicles the cartoon arts. Jaffee’s granddaughter Fani Thomson confirmed his passing and the cause of death to the New York Times.
“I’m very sad to report that the great Al Jaffee has died,” Heintjes tweeted. “He had celebrated his 102nd birthday just last month. An incredible legend. Rip to a giant of cartooning.”
Born in Savannah, Ga, Jaffee launched his comics career in the 1940s, contributing artwork for such publications as Joke Comics, Atlas Comics and Timely Comics, among others. During World War II he worked as an artist for the military.
- 4/10/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Refresh for updates… Hollywood was in mourning on the final day of 2021, with the legendary television star Betty White dying at age 99.
“Rest in peace, sweet Betty,” tweeted Valerie Bertinelli, White’s Hot In Cleveland co-star. “My God, how bright heaven must be right now.”
“The world looks different now,” tweeted Ryan Reynolds. “She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.”
“I grew up watching and being delighted by her,” tweeted Will & Grace star Debra Messing. “She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesn’t take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels.”
Happy Days‘ Henry Winkler tweeted that it “is very hard to absord you are not here anymore…But the memories of your deLIGHT are.
“Rest in peace, sweet Betty,” tweeted Valerie Bertinelli, White’s Hot In Cleveland co-star. “My God, how bright heaven must be right now.”
“The world looks different now,” tweeted Ryan Reynolds. “She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.”
“I grew up watching and being delighted by her,” tweeted Will & Grace star Debra Messing. “She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesn’t take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels.”
Happy Days‘ Henry Winkler tweeted that it “is very hard to absord you are not here anymore…But the memories of your deLIGHT are.
- 12/31/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline 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
Refresh for updates Hollywood today remembered Fred Silverman, the visionary TV executive, programmer and producer who headed all of the Big Three broadcast networks to achieve a fame that rivaled the stars of his many shows.
“Fred gave me my first ‘shot’ in TV,” tweeted Jimmy Kimmel, who was hired by Silverman to write and host an ultimately unaired game show called Pop Quiz. “He saw something that even I didn’t. He was a great character, very kind to me and I am grateful to him always.”
See all tweets below.
CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl, in a statement, called Silverman a “titan of the media industry.”
“Fred Silverman was a titan of the media industry and an influence on so many,” said Kahl. “His impact on television was incalculable. All of us at CBS salute his tremendous talent and cultural influence at our network, and throughout broadcast television.
“Fred gave me my first ‘shot’ in TV,” tweeted Jimmy Kimmel, who was hired by Silverman to write and host an ultimately unaired game show called Pop Quiz. “He saw something that even I didn’t. He was a great character, very kind to me and I am grateful to him always.”
See all tweets below.
CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl, in a statement, called Silverman a “titan of the media industry.”
“Fred Silverman was a titan of the media industry and an influence on so many,” said Kahl. “His impact on television was incalculable. All of us at CBS salute his tremendous talent and cultural influence at our network, and throughout broadcast television.
- 1/30/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Latino television shows are on the rise.
After successes from shows revolving African-American experiences like “Power” and “Survivor’s Remorse,” Starz CEO Chris Albrecht announced at the Television Critics Association’s press tour that the cable programming network will push for a Hispanic initiative for new shows.
Starz will partner with Televisa USA, an arm of Grupo Televisa, to develop the English-language version of the telenova “El Malefico” that ran for 320 episodes in Mexico from 1983-1984. The story is about a powerful businessman who makes a deal with the devil.
Mauricio Katz will be the showrunner. Katz co-created A&E Network’s “Nino Santo” and worked on FX’s “The Bridge."
Haxan Films’ Eduardo Sanchez teamed with Cuban writer-director Alejandro Brugues for supernatural drama “Santeria.” The story follows undercover agents investigating strange murders against the backdrop of Cuban faith tradition.
Brugues is known for “Juan of the Dead” and Sanchez...
After successes from shows revolving African-American experiences like “Power” and “Survivor’s Remorse,” Starz CEO Chris Albrecht announced at the Television Critics Association’s press tour that the cable programming network will push for a Hispanic initiative for new shows.
Starz will partner with Televisa USA, an arm of Grupo Televisa, to develop the English-language version of the telenova “El Malefico” that ran for 320 episodes in Mexico from 1983-1984. The story is about a powerful businessman who makes a deal with the devil.
Mauricio Katz will be the showrunner. Katz co-created A&E Network’s “Nino Santo” and worked on FX’s “The Bridge."
Haxan Films’ Eduardo Sanchez teamed with Cuban writer-director Alejandro Brugues for supernatural drama “Santeria.” The story follows undercover agents investigating strange murders against the backdrop of Cuban faith tradition.
Brugues is known for “Juan of the Dead” and Sanchez...
- 1/9/2016
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
As it ramps up original programming, New York-based IFC is establishing a presence on the West Coast with the relocation of Erin Keating, Director of Development & Production, who will be based at AMC Networks’ offices in Santa Monica. The goal is for IFC to be closer to the vast Hollywood creative community and take more meetings and pitches with writers, agents and producers. Additionally, Keating, who has been at IFC for four years, will oversee the network’s growing roster of Los Angles-based productions. They include Comedy Bang! Bang and the two new scripted comedy series IFC greenlighted last week: The Spoils Of Babylon, produced by Funny or Die, and The Birthday Boys, a sketch comedy series executive produced by Bob Odenkirk and Ben Stiller. Keating reports to Dan Pasternack, VP Development and Production, who remains based in New York.
- 3/14/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
IFC Renews Original Comedy Series “Portlandia” For A Second Season
10 New Episodes Set to Debut in January 2012
From the Press Release:
New York, NY – February 14, 2011 – IFC has greenlit a second season of viewer favorite Portlandia, the IFC original, short-based, comedy series created, written by and starring Fred Armisen (SNL) and Portland-native Carrie Brownstein (vocalist/guitarist, Sleater-Kinney). The network has ordered 10 new half-hour episodes to premiere in January 2012.
“We’re thrilled with the success of Portlandia and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our viewers,” said Debbie DeMontreux, senior vice president, original programming, IFC. “Fred and Carrie’s humor is perfectly in line with the sensibility and comedic tone of IFC which makes this show such a great fit for us. This early renewal signifies that IFC’s alt comedy programming is indeed resonating with our audience.”
According to Live+3 data from Nielsen Media, the initial three episodes of Portlandia have been...
10 New Episodes Set to Debut in January 2012
From the Press Release:
New York, NY – February 14, 2011 – IFC has greenlit a second season of viewer favorite Portlandia, the IFC original, short-based, comedy series created, written by and starring Fred Armisen (SNL) and Portland-native Carrie Brownstein (vocalist/guitarist, Sleater-Kinney). The network has ordered 10 new half-hour episodes to premiere in January 2012.
“We’re thrilled with the success of Portlandia and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our viewers,” said Debbie DeMontreux, senior vice president, original programming, IFC. “Fred and Carrie’s humor is perfectly in line with the sensibility and comedic tone of IFC which makes this show such a great fit for us. This early renewal signifies that IFC’s alt comedy programming is indeed resonating with our audience.”
According to Live+3 data from Nielsen Media, the initial three episodes of Portlandia have been...
- 2/14/2011
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
Starz has assembled the cast of its upcoming half-hour dramedy "Gravity."
Krysten Ritter, Ivan Sergei, Ving Rhames and Rachel Hunter are set to star in the 10-episode ensemble series, formerly known as "Failure to Fly." It is slated to premiere in the spring.
Created by Eric Schaeffer and Jill Franklyn, "Gravity" revolves around a group from an eccentric outpatient program of suicide survivors.
Ritter ("Breaking Bad") plays Lily Champagne, a twentysomething clinically depressed outcast looking for the love that her father never gave her. Sergei ("The Break-Up") plays Robert Collingsworth, an ophthalmologist who is despondent following the cancer death of his wife and becomes an Internet celebrity when his suicide attempt goes comically awry.
Multihyphenate Schaeffer co-stars as Miller, an NYPD cop who seems to be everywhere Lily is.
Rhames plays Dogg McFee, the group's leader and a former big-league baseball player who is confined to a wheelchair. Hunter portrays Shawna Rollins,...
Krysten Ritter, Ivan Sergei, Ving Rhames and Rachel Hunter are set to star in the 10-episode ensemble series, formerly known as "Failure to Fly." It is slated to premiere in the spring.
Created by Eric Schaeffer and Jill Franklyn, "Gravity" revolves around a group from an eccentric outpatient program of suicide survivors.
Ritter ("Breaking Bad") plays Lily Champagne, a twentysomething clinically depressed outcast looking for the love that her father never gave her. Sergei ("The Break-Up") plays Robert Collingsworth, an ophthalmologist who is despondent following the cancer death of his wife and becomes an Internet celebrity when his suicide attempt goes comically awry.
Multihyphenate Schaeffer co-stars as Miller, an NYPD cop who seems to be everywhere Lily is.
Rhames plays Dogg McFee, the group's leader and a former big-league baseball player who is confined to a wheelchair. Hunter portrays Shawna Rollins,...
- 10/14/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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