All articles tagged with #television history
Jaye P. Morgan, the husky-voiced 1950s singer and famously bawdy Gong Show panelist, has died at 94 in Castle Rock, Washington. A chart-topper with hits like “That’s All I Want From You,” she later built a long TV and film career, including frequent Tonight Show appearances; on The Gong Show she was fired after exposing her breasts during a Gene Gene Dancing Machine routine. Survivors include her son Paul.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Brady Bunch House in Studio City, known for its exterior shots in the popular TV show, has been designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, cementing its status as a cultural landmark.
Demond Wilson, who played Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son, died at 79 from cancer complications at his Palm Springs home, after a career that included a guest spot on All in the Family, later TV and stage roles, a stint as a minister, and a 2009 memoir about the Sanford years.
Roger Ewing, known for his role as Deputy Marshal Thad Greenwood on Gunsmoke, died at age 83 on December 18, 2025. He appeared in over 50 episodes and was considered as a potential replacement for James Arness. Ewing also appeared in various other TV shows and films before becoming a photographer. His family shared the news through Neptune Society.
The Ed Sullivan Theater, a historic venue built in 1927 and famous for hosting shows like 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' is facing its final days as CBS plans to vacate the space by 2026, marking the end of an era for one of Broadway's most storied entertainment landmarks.
Several cast members of 'WKRP in Cincinnati' are still alive, including Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers, and Richard Sanders, while others like Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman, Frank Bonner, and Gordon Jump have passed away in recent years. The show remains a beloved classic in television history.
CBS's cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' marks a significant shift in late-night TV, reflecting broader issues of network support and the potential impact on the franchise's legacy, despite Colbert's likely future success.
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.
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.