Stu Silver, the writer and producer who created the 1980s sitcoms Webster and It’s a Living and penned the screenplay for the 1987 Billy Crystal-Danny DeVito dark comedy Throw Momma From the Train, has died. He was 76.
Silver died July 18 at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York, of complications from prostate cancer, his son, Dan Silver, announced.
Silver also was a writer on the ABC sitcom Soap, also featuring Crystal, during its last three seasons (1978-81), and he worked on other comedies including the spinoff Benson, Bosom Buddies, Star of the Family, The New Odd Couple, Brothers and Good Grief.
He shared an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy series for his work on Soap in 1981.
Silver, who was adopted, created Webster, which starred Emmanuel Lewis as the adopted son of characters played by real-life husband and wife Alex Karras and Susan Clark. The Chicago-set series ran for six seasons...
Silver died July 18 at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York, of complications from prostate cancer, his son, Dan Silver, announced.
Silver also was a writer on the ABC sitcom Soap, also featuring Crystal, during its last three seasons (1978-81), and he worked on other comedies including the spinoff Benson, Bosom Buddies, Star of the Family, The New Odd Couple, Brothers and Good Grief.
He shared an Emmy nomination for outstanding comedy series for his work on Soap in 1981.
Silver, who was adopted, created Webster, which starred Emmanuel Lewis as the adopted son of characters played by real-life husband and wife Alex Karras and Susan Clark. The Chicago-set series ran for six seasons...
- 7/26/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Barrie Youngfellow, star of ’80s sitcom It’s a Living, died Monday night. She was 75, and her cause of death was not revealed.
The news was confirmed by her family who wrote: “[Barrie] was the best of friends and had many loyal ones. Loved a good story and a nice bottle. Had a great laugh that confirmed her sense of life. Even during her decline, she could shoot off a good one liner.”
More from TVLineChicago P.D. Boss Confirms 'We Will See More' of Voight and Anna's StoryGrammys Honor Foo Fighters Drummer Taylor Hawkins With Special TributeLady Gaga Gets Jazzy at...
The news was confirmed by her family who wrote: “[Barrie] was the best of friends and had many loyal ones. Loved a good story and a nice bottle. Had a great laugh that confirmed her sense of life. Even during her decline, she could shoot off a good one liner.”
More from TVLineChicago P.D. Boss Confirms 'We Will See More' of Voight and Anna's StoryGrammys Honor Foo Fighters Drummer Taylor Hawkins With Special TributeLady Gaga Gets Jazzy at...
- 4/2/2022
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
The year of 1969 saw the moon landing of the Apollo 11’s Eagle module, Richard Nixon sworn in as the 37th president of the United States, the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village ushering in the gay rights movement, the Tate-La Bianca murders by the Manson Family, the landmark Woodstock Music and Arts Fair which attracts 400,000, the tragic and violent Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont Speedway and even Tiny Tim marrying Miss Vicki on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
But one major event was basically ignored by the mainstream media: the Harlem Cultural Arts Festival which took place June 29-August 24 at the Mount Morris Park. Founded by Tony Lawrence, the festival celebrating Black pride, music and culture features such landmark performers as Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder, The Fifth Dimension and Mahalia Jackson. And when the NYPD refused to supply security,...
But one major event was basically ignored by the mainstream media: the Harlem Cultural Arts Festival which took place June 29-August 24 at the Mount Morris Park. Founded by Tony Lawrence, the festival celebrating Black pride, music and culture features such landmark performers as Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder, The Fifth Dimension and Mahalia Jackson. And when the NYPD refused to supply security,...
- 7/17/2021
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
1983: Ryan's Hope's Pat bonded with Faith.
1984: Guiding Light's Alan attempted to escape from San Rios.
1990: Hope Brady returned on Days of our Lives.
2011: One Life to Live's Viki battled with her alters."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1961: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) spared with District Attorney Austin Johnson (Larry Weber) at Judith Marceau's (Joan Harvey) murder trial.
1984: Guiding Light's Alan attempted to escape from San Rios.
1990: Hope Brady returned on Days of our Lives.
2011: One Life to Live's Viki battled with her alters."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1961: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) spared with District Attorney Austin Johnson (Larry Weber) at Judith Marceau's (Joan Harvey) murder trial.
- 4/27/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
In case you missed them, here are the 15 most popular topics over the past week at We Love Soaps TV:
1. News: Genie Francis, Molly Burnett, Oprah, James Franco, CBS
2. News: Daytime Ratings, New Demo Low For Gh, B&S, Nc Murder
3. News: Who Killed Soaps, Nielsen Homes, Glee, BBC America
4. News: Depp's Dark Shadows, Zimmer/Newman, Alison Sweeney
5. News: Taylor Groothuis on AMC, Facebook Funerals, Disney Sues Dish, Nicollette Sheridan
6. News: Jeva Reunion, Fans Place Ad, Shenaz, Thomas McDonell
7. This is America: Why is our Television Trending Fascist?
8. News: Lorenzo Lamas Weds, Save Our Soaps, Eric Martsolf, John Cena
9. News: Martha Madison, Judy McGrath, Jackie Cooper, Twitter, Friend
10. Will General Hospital Be Axed To Make Room For Katie Couric?
11. News: Rick Springfield DUI, John Loprieno, Matt Smith, Dylan McDermott
12. News: Steve Burton, Gcb, Taissa Farmiga, Alison Sweeney, WGA
13. Marian Mercer Has Died At Age 75
14. Sada Thompson, Actress Known for Maternal Roles,...
1. News: Genie Francis, Molly Burnett, Oprah, James Franco, CBS
2. News: Daytime Ratings, New Demo Low For Gh, B&S, Nc Murder
3. News: Who Killed Soaps, Nielsen Homes, Glee, BBC America
4. News: Depp's Dark Shadows, Zimmer/Newman, Alison Sweeney
5. News: Taylor Groothuis on AMC, Facebook Funerals, Disney Sues Dish, Nicollette Sheridan
6. News: Jeva Reunion, Fans Place Ad, Shenaz, Thomas McDonell
7. This is America: Why is our Television Trending Fascist?
8. News: Lorenzo Lamas Weds, Save Our Soaps, Eric Martsolf, John Cena
9. News: Martha Madison, Judy McGrath, Jackie Cooper, Twitter, Friend
10. Will General Hospital Be Axed To Make Room For Katie Couric?
11. News: Rick Springfield DUI, John Loprieno, Matt Smith, Dylan McDermott
12. News: Steve Burton, Gcb, Taissa Farmiga, Alison Sweeney, WGA
13. Marian Mercer Has Died At Age 75
14. Sada Thompson, Actress Known for Maternal Roles,...
- 5/8/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Tony Award-winning "Promises, Promises" actress Marian Mercer, whose five-decade career also included dozens of television appearances, has died in California at age 75.
Her husband, Patrick Hogan, tells the Los Angeles Times that Mercer died April 27 of Alzheimer's disease complications in the Newbury Park area of Thousand Oaks, about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Besides her 1969 Broadway hit "Promises, Promises," Mercer won praise for the 1978 revival of "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off" co-starring Sammy Davis Jr.
On television, she starred in the ABC-tv comedy It's A Living from 1980 to 1982. She also had roles on St. Elsewhere, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Providence.
She also memorably played Missy Hart, wife of Franklin Hart (Dabney Coleman) in the film 9 to 5.
Her husband, Patrick Hogan, tells the Los Angeles Times that Mercer died April 27 of Alzheimer's disease complications in the Newbury Park area of Thousand Oaks, about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Besides her 1969 Broadway hit "Promises, Promises," Mercer won praise for the 1978 revival of "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off" co-starring Sammy Davis Jr.
On television, she starred in the ABC-tv comedy It's A Living from 1980 to 1982. She also had roles on St. Elsewhere, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Providence.
She also memorably played Missy Hart, wife of Franklin Hart (Dabney Coleman) in the film 9 to 5.
- 5/6/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Tony-winning actress Marian Mercer has passed away at the age of 75.
The star died on 27 April from complications of Alzheimer's disease in Newbury Park, California.
Her career spanned five decades with roles on TV and the stage, and her stint in the 1969 Broadway hit Promises, Promises earned her a Tony statuette and a Drama Desk Award.
Mercer made her Broadway debut in 1969 in Greenwillow, before winning the title role in an off-Broadway production of the musical parody Little Mary Sunshine the following year.
She won plenty of praise from critics for her part in the 1978 revival of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, in which she played Sammy Davis Jr.'s girlfriend.
Her manager and agent Martin Gage has paid tribute to the late star, remembering her spirit and comedic flair
Gage says, "She was lovely, crazy but lovely. She could take a part that had been done before and make it a laugh riot."
Mercer is survived by her husband Patrick Hogan and a daughter, Deirdre Whitaker.
The star died on 27 April from complications of Alzheimer's disease in Newbury Park, California.
Her career spanned five decades with roles on TV and the stage, and her stint in the 1969 Broadway hit Promises, Promises earned her a Tony statuette and a Drama Desk Award.
Mercer made her Broadway debut in 1969 in Greenwillow, before winning the title role in an off-Broadway production of the musical parody Little Mary Sunshine the following year.
She won plenty of praise from critics for her part in the 1978 revival of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, in which she played Sammy Davis Jr.'s girlfriend.
Her manager and agent Martin Gage has paid tribute to the late star, remembering her spirit and comedic flair
Gage says, "She was lovely, crazy but lovely. She could take a part that had been done before and make it a laugh riot."
Mercer is survived by her husband Patrick Hogan and a daughter, Deirdre Whitaker.
- 5/6/2011
- WENN
The star died on 27 April (11) from complications of Alzheimer's disease in Newbury Park, California.
Her career spanned five decades with roles on TV and the stage, and her stint in the 1969 Broadway hit Promises, Promises earned her a Tony statuette and a Drama Desk Award.
Marian Mercer made her Broadway debut in 1969 in Greenwillow, before winning the title role in an off-Broadway production of the musical parody Little Mary Sunshine the following year (70).
She won plenty of praise from critics for her part in the 1978 revival of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, in which she played Sammy Davis Jr.'s girlfriend.
Her manager and agent Martin Gage has paid tribute to the late star, remembering her spirit and comedic flair
Gage says, "She was lovely, crazy but lovely. She could take a part that had been done before and make it a laugh riot."
Mercer is survived...
Her career spanned five decades with roles on TV and the stage, and her stint in the 1969 Broadway hit Promises, Promises earned her a Tony statuette and a Drama Desk Award.
Marian Mercer made her Broadway debut in 1969 in Greenwillow, before winning the title role in an off-Broadway production of the musical parody Little Mary Sunshine the following year (70).
She won plenty of praise from critics for her part in the 1978 revival of Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, in which she played Sammy Davis Jr.'s girlfriend.
Her manager and agent Martin Gage has paid tribute to the late star, remembering her spirit and comedic flair
Gage says, "She was lovely, crazy but lovely. She could take a part that had been done before and make it a laugh riot."
Mercer is survived...
- 5/6/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Mixing Comedy & Soap: A History of the Serialized Situation Comedy
By Doug Prinzivalli
As one of the producers of the hit web series Pretty - a parody hybrid of reality TV and soaps - I thought it would be a fun idea to take a brief look at the long history of the serialized situation comedy. The idea of mixing comedy with soap elements is not a new one - in fact it started over 60 years ago.
The First Hundred Years (CBS 1950-52) was a mildly humorous daily soap about newlyweds who are gifted with a bat-infested Victorian mansion. Sounds pretty wacky to me. After less than two years, it was replaced by something called The Guiding Light.
The Egg & I (CBS 1951-52) Based on a book by Betty MacDonald and the 1947 film (starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray) that followed, this show followed the misadventures of city folk...
By Doug Prinzivalli
As one of the producers of the hit web series Pretty - a parody hybrid of reality TV and soaps - I thought it would be a fun idea to take a brief look at the long history of the serialized situation comedy. The idea of mixing comedy with soap elements is not a new one - in fact it started over 60 years ago.
The First Hundred Years (CBS 1950-52) was a mildly humorous daily soap about newlyweds who are gifted with a bat-infested Victorian mansion. Sounds pretty wacky to me. After less than two years, it was replaced by something called The Guiding Light.
The Egg & I (CBS 1951-52) Based on a book by Betty MacDonald and the 1947 film (starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray) that followed, this show followed the misadventures of city folk...
- 12/2/2010
- by Guest Editorial
- We Love Soaps
Katie Finneran won the featured actress Tony for her show-stealing performance in "Promises, Promises." She plays a barfly on the prowl who sets her sights on Chuck (Sean Hayes). Marian Mercer took home the featured actress award for creating this role in 1969. In 2002, Finneran did the seemingly impossible and upstaged theatrical royalty Patti LuPone in the farce "Noises Off," winning the featured actress in a play Tony Award. Levi Kreis plays Jerry Lee Lewis in the tuner "Million Dollar Quartet." Before coming to Broadway, he played this part in Chicago. Before his turn on the stage, Kreis carved out a successful recording career. In the jukebox tuner, Kreis portrays the great ball of...
- 6/14/2010
- by tomoneil
- Gold Derby
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