Category Archives: The Little Screen (Television)

RIP Plas Johnson

Plas John Johnson Jr. (July 21, 1931 – July 15, 2026) was an American soul-jazz and hard bop tenor saxophonist, probably most widely known as the tenor saxophone soloist on Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther Theme”. He also performed on alto and baritone sax as well as various flutes and clarinets.

NCC-1957

Beep Beep

RIP Andy Griffith

Andrew Samuel "Andy" Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012)
Andrew Samuel “Andy” Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012)

Andy Griffith was an American actor, director, producer, Grammy Award-winning Southern-gospel singer, and writer. He gained prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan’s epic film, A Face in the Crowd (1957) before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead characters in the 1960–68 situation comedy, The Andy Griffith Show, and in the 1986–95 legal drama, Matlock. Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President George W. Bush on November 9, 2005. Griffith died on July 3, 2012 at the age of 86.

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Happy 100th Birthday Mel Brooks!

Melvin Brooks (born June 28, 1926)

Melvin James Brooks (né Kaminsky; born June 28, 1926) is an American actor, filmmaker, comedian, songwriter, and playwright. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodies. A recipient of numerous accolades, he is one of 22 entertainers to win the EGOT, which includes an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2010, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013, a British Film Institute Fellowship in 2015, a National Medal of Arts in 2016, a BAFTA Fellowship in 2017, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2024.

A few of my favorites:

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Hanna Barbera

45 Year Anniversary of The Cannonball Run

Gene Shalit dead at 100

Gene Shalit (March 25, 1926 – June 12, 2026)

Eugene Shalit was an American journalist, television personality, film and book critic, and author. After starting to work part-time on NBC’s The Today Show in 1970, he appeared regularly there from January 15, 1973, until retiring on November 11, 2010. He was known for his frequent use of puns and his comical “absent-minded professor” appearance, which consisted of an oversized handlebar moustache, fuzzy hair, large glasses, and colorful bow ties.

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Unlimited Data

Happy Birthday, George Lucas

George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. (May 14, 1944 – )

George Lucas is an Academy Award-nominated American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic Sci-Fi franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones.

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RIP Sid Kroft

Sid Krofft (July 30, 1929 – April 10, 2026) and Marty Krofft (April 9, 1937 – November 25, 2023) were a Canadian sibling team of television creators, writers, and puppeteers. Through their production company, Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, they made numerous children’s television and variety show programs in the U.S., particularly in the 1970s, including H.R. PufnstufLand of the Lost, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. Their fantasy programs often featured large-headed puppets, high-concept plots, and extensive use of low-budget special effects.

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M*A*S*H : The Comedy That Changed Television

WKRP Coming to Cincinnati!

More than 40 years after “WKRP in Cincinnati” was canceled, a radio station with that same call sign is actually coming to southwest Ohio.

Oak City Media Inc., a nonprofit organization in North Carolina, currently operates 101.9 WKRP in Raleigh, North Carolina. The station recently announced the WKRP call sign is headed to Cincinnati.

While we’re not parting with WKRP-LP just yet, Oak City Media’s reached an agreement in principle to share the “WKRP” call sign with a radio station that serves the Cincinnati market. No details until all the T’s are dotted and the I’s are crossed but we’re pleased to help make something right in the world: after nearly 48 years, there WILL be an actual WKRP that listeners in the Queen City can enjoy.”

-101.9 WKRP in North Carolina

D.P. McIntire, who runs Oak City Media, told The Associated Press that the sign really is coming to Cincinnati.

“I cannot, by contract, tell you when. I cannot tell you who. But I can tell you, direct to the camera, WKRP, after 48 years, is coming to Cincinnati,” McIntire told the AP. “Book it! It’s done!”

In February, Oak City Media listed the call name in an auction, according to numerous reports.

While 2 NEWS can not confirm whether the website is or will be associated with the future home of WKRP in southwest Ohio, WDTN.com found “WKRP.com,” which presents the following message to site visitors:

WKRP.com is returning eventually….”

During its 1978-82 run on CBS and then for decades in syndication, “WKRP in Cincinnati” made the call letters recognizable to many across the nation.

Among the ensemble were two Dayton natives: Gordon Jump as station manager Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson, and Gary Sandy as programming director Andy Travis. Sandy was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2024.

WDTN.com reached out to Sandy for comment on the development. This story will be updated if we hear back.

Happy Birthday, Max Headroom

Max Headroom - Wikipedia
April 4th, 1985 –

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Bill turns 50!

Why Do Superheroes Wear Capes?

RIP Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris has passed away at 86 following medical emergency while in Hawaii.

“Chuck” Norris (March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026) was an American martial artist, actor, and author. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, he won numerous martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Norris began working in Hollywood as a martial arts instructor for celebrities before making his screen debut with a minor role in The Wrecking Crew (1968). Friend and fellow martial artist Bruce Lee invited him to play one of the main villains in The Way of the Dragon (1972). While Norris continued acting, friend and student Steve McQueen suggested he take it seriously. Norris took the starring role in the action film Breaker! Breaker! (1977), which turned a profit. His second lead, Good Guys Wear Black (1978), became a hit, and he soon became a popular action film star.

Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris (March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026)

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Dukes of Gotham

Hobbes and Friends

Anniversary of Sound of Music

On this day in 1965, The Sound of Music was released in the United States.

March 2, 1965
March 2, 1965