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TV Tunes Online News
TV Tunes Online News Archive
'Ugly Betty' Will End 01/29/10 It's ugly news for all the fans of "Ugly Betty." ABC says the series will be canceled after this season. A critical and popular success with its premiere in fall 2006, "Ugly Betty" has struggled in recent years with audience erosion. Based on a Colombian telenovela, the warmhearted dramedy stars America Ferrera as an ambitious but style-challenged young woman out to build a future at a New York fashion magazine. ABC is promising that the series will conclude its run in a fashion that will satisfy its fans. ABC says eight episodes are left. The series has been saluted with Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody awards, among others.
Pernell Roberts, 'Bonanza' and 'Trapper John' Star, Dies 01/26/10 Actor Pernell Roberts, who played the eldest Cartwright brother in TV's "Bonanza," died at his Malibu, California, home Sunday at 81, his lawyer said. Younger TV viewers may remember Roberts from the lead role in "Trapper John, M.D.," a medical drama that aired on CBS for seven years, ending in 1986. Roberts spent the first decade of his acting career on stage -- including Broadway -- before he was cast in 1959 as Adam Cartwright, the handsome and smart son of rancher Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene.) His character was serious and introspective, in contrast to younger half-brothers Hoss (Dan Blocker) and Little Joe (Michael Landon). Roberts left the popular western after the end of the sixth season in 1965, although "Bonanza" stayed in production for another eight years. While the show's storyline kept open the possibility of his return to the Ponderosa ranch, Roberts never did. He never gained much of a foothold in film, but stage acting kept Roberts busy for more than a decade. His role of Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre -- starting in 1979 -- was a spin-off of a character from the hit TV comedy "M*A*S*H." Roberts played the balding physician working in a San Francisco hospital nearly three decades after he returned from the Korean War. His last regular TV job was in 1991 when he was host of the short-lived ABC police anthology "FBI: The Untold Stories."
"All My Children" Actor James Mitchell Dead at 89 01/25/10 James Mitchell, who for nearly three decades played patriarch Palmer Cortland on the ABC soap opera "All My Children," has died. He was 89. The actor died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Mitchell suffered for years from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and had recently gotten pneumonia. Mitchell appeared in more than 300 episodes of the popular soap from 1979 until a 40th anniversary episode this month. He was a regular on the show until 2008. Mitchell loved playing the gruff, wealthy Palmer, who wielded power over the show's fictional town of Pine Valley.
Steve Harvey New 'Family Feud' Host 01/22/10 The TV game show "Family Feud" is getting a new referee. Steve Harvey will take over as host from John O'Hurley when the syndicated show begins its new season next fall. Harvey was chosen for his ability to connect with viewers and his "one-of-a-kind" personality. Harvey's TV credits include "Me and the Boys" and "The Steve Harvey Show," and he was part of the "Kings of Comedy" standup tour and DVD. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. He'll replace actor John O'Hurley, host of "Family Feud" for four seasons. O'Hurley said in a statement that he decided to focus on his role in the touring production of the musical "Chicago" and a variety of business ventures.
Michael C. Hall On Cancer Battle: 'I Am Doing Fine' 01/18/10 Michael C. Hall is "doing fine" in his battle against Hodgkin's lymphoma, the star told reporters backstage at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. The "Dexter" actor took home the award for Best Actor in a TV Drama Series for his title role in the Showtime series, and he said his appearance at the awards show was why he announced his illness earlier this week. "I had every intention of keeping it quiet, but because award shows were imminent, I had to make a statement," he said. And the star, who covered his head with a black cap -- which he told reporters was a Japanese cap, said his new trophy wouldn't go to his ego in light of his struggle.
TV Tunes Online News Archive