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Television History

All articles tagged with #television history

Reluctant Spark: How M*A*S*H’s Larry Gelbart Helped Create Three's Company
entertainment2 days ago

Reluctant Spark: How M*A*S*H’s Larry Gelbart Helped Create Three's Company

M*A*S*H co-creator Larry Gelbart, burned out after four years on the show, reluctantly agreed in the mid-70s to develop ABC’s Three's Company; he was wary of turning his follow-up into a 'bedroom farce' and criticized diluting the British original, demanding $50,000 for a half-hour pilot. ABC hired him but ultimately rewrote the pilot and recast the leads; Gelbart still earned his fee and royalties, while the resulting series went on to become one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1980s despite mixed early reviews of the pilot.

via TVLine|
#abc#entertainment#larry-gelbart
Randolph Mantooth, Emergency! Star Who Shaped EMS, Dies at 80
entertainment10 days ago

Randolph Mantooth, Emergency! Star Who Shaped EMS, Dies at 80

Randolph Mantooth, famed for playing John Gage on NBC’s Emergency!, died at 80 after a long illness. The 1972–1977 series popularized paramedics and emergency medicine, helping reshape public perception and inspiring many to pursue EMS and firefighting careers. Mantooth remained devoted to theater and maintained strong ties to the emergency-services community, with the Los Angeles County Fire Department lauding his enduring legacy.

via NBC News|
#emergency#ems#entertainment
Randolph Mantooth, Johnny Gage of Emergency!, Dies at 80
entertainment10 days ago

Randolph Mantooth, Johnny Gage of Emergency!, Dies at 80

Randolph Mantooth, the actor who played firefighter-paramedic Johnny Gage on NBC’s Emergency!, died at 80 in a Ventura hospice after years of illness, his brother said. The 1970s series (six seasons and telefilms) and Mantooth’s pairing with Kevin Tighe helped popularize paramedics and EMS across the U.S.; he later appeared on soaps like Loving and General Hospital and was named an honorary fire chief by the L.A. County Fire Department, frequently speaking about the debt he owed to emergency responders.

via The Hollywood Reporter|
#emergency#entertainment#johnny-gage
Louise Lasser, TV's Mary Hartman Trailblazer, Dies at 87
obituaries14 days ago

Louise Lasser, TV's Mary Hartman Trailblazer, Dies at 87

Louise Lasser, the demure star of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Woody Allen’s early leading lady, died at 87 of natural causes in Manhattan. A Broadway alum who appeared in Allen’s early films and went on to headline the cult TV satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, her career spanned stage, film and TV, with later roles including HBO’s Girls and guest turns on shows like Taxi and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Her personal life included a 1976 cocaine arrest and a brief Saturday Night Live hosting ban, experiences she channeled into her distinctive comic persona.

via The Hollywood Reporter|
#louise-lasser#mary-hartman-mary-hartman#obituaries
Alan Alda Hates the Crying Moment That Redefined M*A*S*H
entertainment1 month ago

Alan Alda Hates the Crying Moment That Redefined M*A*S*H

Alan Alda reflects on the Season 1 moment from MASH in the episode Sometimes You Hear the Bullet, where Hawkeye loses a friend on the operating table and is comforted by Col. Henry Blake. He says he dislikes his crying performance in that shot, feeling he overacted, even as the scene is recognized as a turning point that fused tragedy with humor and helped push the series toward its dramatic legacy.

via TVLine|
#acting#alan-alda#entertainment
McLean Stevenson Departed M*A*S*H for Top Billing, Changing the Show's Arc
entertainment1 month ago

McLean Stevenson Departed M*A*S*H for Top Billing, Changing the Show's Arc

Stevenson quit M*A*S*H after three seasons, citing a desire for center-stage status and telling TV Guide he wanted to be “one of one” as Hawkeye became the series’ focal point. Co-creators Gelbart and Reynolds crafted Henry Blake’s death as a farewell that underscored war’s cold reality. Stevenson later regretted leaving, and his post‑M*A*S*H projects—The McLean Stevenson Show and Hello, Larry—failed to reach the show’s earlier success, cementing the exit as one of TV’s most infamous.

via TVLine|
#alan-alda#entertainment#henry-blake
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: NBC's Holiday Classic Returns Tonight
entertainment1 year ago

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: NBC's Holiday Classic Returns Tonight

The beloved claymation special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" celebrates its 60th anniversary, continuing to air annually since its 1964 debut. Created by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass, the film's enduring appeal lies in its relatable themes of overcoming adversity and finding acceptance, resonating with audiences across generations. Despite some controversies and changes over the years, including the fate of the misfit toys and accusations of bullying, the special remains a cherished holiday tradition.

via Yahoo Entertainment|
#christmas-specials#entertainment#rankinbass
James B. Sikking, Star of 'Hill Street Blues' and 'Doogie Howser,' Dies at 90
entertainment2 years ago

James B. Sikking, Star of 'Hill Street Blues' and 'Doogie Howser,' Dies at 90

Veteran actor James B. Sikking, known for his roles in "Hill Street Blues" and "Doogie Howser, M.D.," has died at the age of 90 after battling dementia. Sikking, whose career spanned over five decades, passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family. He was remembered for his significant contributions to television and film, including an Emmy-nominated performance as Lt. Howard Hunter on "Hill Street Blues." Sikking is survived by his wife Florine, their two children, and four grandchildren.

via Daily Mail|
#actor-death#doogie-howser-md#entertainment
Trailblazing Black Soap Opera Star Ellen Holly Dies at 92
entertainment2 years ago

Trailblazing Black Soap Opera Star Ellen Holly Dies at 92

Ellen Holly, the first Black actress to have a leading role on a daytime soap opera, has passed away at the age of 92. Holly's portrayal of Carla Benari on ABC's One Life to Live in the late 1960s was a groundbreaking moment in television history, as her character explored issues of racial identity and entered into a love triangle with two doctors. Despite her contributions to the show's success, Holly spoke out about being underpaid and mistreated by OLTL executives. Throughout her career, she also appeared on Broadway and in other TV shows and movies.

via TVLine|
#black-actress#daytime-soap-opera#ellen-holly