As 2019 fades into memory, let’s remember the TV stars, creators and personalities we lost in the last year.
Better known as Super Dave Osborne, Bob Einstein (Jan. 2) put his mark on comedy from “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” to “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Renowned columnist Russell Baker (Jan. 21) was the face of “Masterpiece Theater” for years. Kaye Ballard (Jan. 21) was best known for the TV comedy “The Mothers-in-Law.”
Impossibly handsome and long known as “troubled,” Jan-Michael Vincent’s (Feb. 10) most famous of many series was “Airwolf.” A real musician on a “fake” show about a hit band, Peter Tork of “The Monkees” died on Feb. 21.
Two days later we lost Katherine Helmond, whose credits run from “Soap” to “Coach,” “Who’s the Boss?” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
“90210” star Luke Perry was in the midst of a revival on “Riverdale” when he died on March 4. The center of the quiz show scandals that changed TV history, Charles Van Doren died on April 9.
Georgia Engel (Georgette on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,”) died on April 12. Peggy Lipton (“The Mod Squad,” “Twin Peaks”) died May 11. Nearly a decade after “Pillow Talk,” Doris Day (May 13) had her own series that ran for five seasons. From local Cleveland television to “McHale’s Navy” and “The Carol Burnett Show,” Tim Conway (May 14) remained one of the medium’s most beloved figures. Reality television lost one of its own when “Dog the Bounty Hunter” personality Beth Chapman (June 26) succumbed to cancer.
“Laugh-In” star Arte Johnson (July 3) kept it “very interesting.” Stage and screen star Rip Torn (July 9) was unforgettable in “The Larry Sanders Show.” Russi Taylor (July 26) was the voice of Minnie Mouse and worked on “The Simpsons.” “MythBusters” personality Jessi Combs (Aug. 27) was taken suddenly, unlike “Rhoda” star Valerie Harper (Aug. 30), who had battled cancer for years.
Singer Eddie Money (Sept. 13) hosted his own cable series, “Real Money.” TV news lost two veterans, Sander Vanocur (Sept. 16) and Cokie Roberts (Sept. 17) in two days. Diahann Carroll (Oct. 4) had a breakthrough hit with “Julia” and then returned as Dominique Deveraux on “Dynasty.”
Exuberant comedian and game show fixture Rip Taylor (Oct.6) hosted “The $1.98 Beauty Show,” amidst confetti drops. Durable character actor Robert Forster (Oct. 11) played Mike’s dad on “Last Man Standing.” Bill Macy (Oct. 17) was indispensable as the husband on “Maude,” as was Rudy Boesch (Nov. 1) the Navy SEAL, who added believability to the first season of “Survivor.”
Astrologist Walter Mercado (Nov. 2) was an indelible part of “Sabado Gigante.” Rosario on “Will & Grace,” Shelley Morrison (Dec. 1) was also on “The Flying Nun.” Versatile actor Rene Auberjonois (Dec. 8) appeared in hundreds of roles, among them “Benson,” “Deep Space Nine” and “Boston Legal.” Rarely seen but utterly beloved, Caroll Spinney (Dec. 8) brought life to Big Bird. Veteran screen actor Danny Aiello (Dec. 12) had his own UPN series, “Dellaventura,” in 1997. Joseph Segel, the creator of QVC, died on Dec. 21. Allee Willis, who wrote the theme song to “Friends,” died Dec. 24, as did ESPN reporter Edward Aschoff. He was only 34.
May 2020 bring you all health, happiness and good television.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
— Year-end roundups and festivities include “A Toast to 2019” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG); “Fox’s New Year’s Eve With Steve Harvey Live From Time Square” (8 p.m.); “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” (8 p.m.) and “New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” (8 p.m., CNN).
— “Live From Lincoln Center” (8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) features the New York Philharmonic celebrating the music of Steven Sondheim.
CULT CHOICE
— A naive woman’s (Mia Farrow) scheming husband (John Cassavetes) makes a deal with the devil in the 1968 horror film “Rosemary’s Baby” (9 p.m., TMC, TV-14).
SERIES NOTES
Friendly fire on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) … On two helpings of “FBI” (CBS, r, TV-14): a kidnapper’s curious motive (9 p.m.); Dana seeks justice (10 p.m.).
LATE NIGHT
Tim Robbins appears on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) … Helena Bonham Carter, Lucy Lawless and Bret McKenzie are booked on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Jennifer Lopez and Camila Cabello on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) … Kristin Chenoweth, Michael Kelly, and Sinead Burke visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC, r) … Marc Maron, Jillian Bell and Keane appear on “The Late Late Show With James Corden” (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).
