Thu, Jan 24, 2008
We took them for granted because they were always just around the corner. Cindy Williams was the perky and positive roommate on Laverne and Shirley. Telma Hopkins was a hit recording artist before she moved in next door on Family Matters. And Lisa Kudrow played sweet, ditzy Phoebe Buffay on Friends.
Thu, Jan 31, 2008
No matter where they work, Kitchen Comics have wit as sharp as a paring knife. Jay Thomas was the big-mouthed deli owner on Mork and Mindy. Daryl "Chill" Mitchell was the angry black man who served up one-liners from the snack bar on The John Laroquette Show. And Nancy Travis carved her niche in Hollywood before becoming bellicose butcher in So I Married an Axe Murderer and a diner diva on Becker.
Wed, Oct 29, 2008
It takes a special kind of funnyman to succeed in the world of sketch comedy. Garrett Morris was one of the late-night pioneers on Saturday Night Live. Kevin McDonald made his name as one of the Kids in the Hall. And on In Living Color, Damon Wayans created some of the most memorable characters in TV history.
Wed, Nov 5, 2008
They might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but they sure can make you laugh. Before becoming the voice of Patrick on Spongebob Squarepants, Bill Fagerbakke perfected his big-dumb-guy routine as Dawber, the assistant coach on Coach. Scott Valentine played Mallory Keaton's dimwitted boyfriend Nick Moore on Family Ties. And in Dumb and Dumber Jeff Daniels proved he was both as Harry Dunne.
Wed, Nov 12, 2008
When these ladies are around you had better keep an eye on your fella. Deborah Shelton spent three years as JR Ewing's other woman on Dallas. Sheila Kelley was nothing but trouble for Corbin Bernsen as Gwen Taylor on LA Law. And as Alex Forrest, Glen Close wrecked a home, a marriage and a bunny in Fatal Attraction.
Wed, Nov 19, 2008
Sitcom sisters - they keep it all in the family and they keep it us laughing. Erin Moran was Richie Cunningham's smart alec sister Joanie on Happy Days. On Growing Pains, Tracey Gold was the nerdy Carol Seaver and the butt of her brother's practical jokes. And as Denise Huxtable, Lisa Bonet shared the bathroom with four other siblings on the top-rated Cosby Show.
Wed, Nov 26, 2008
You don't want to mess with these ladies - they're Alpha Females. Shelley Hack didn't take any guff as private eye Tiffany Welles on Charlie's Angels. On Dynasty and The Colbys, Tracy Scoggins kicked butt in the boardroom as daddy's girl Monica Colby. And Linda Hamilton was armed and dangerous as the battle ready Sarah Connor in The Terminator.
Wed, Dec 3, 2008
When you're a playboy, one woman is never enough. Thomas Calabro has the bed hopping Dr. Michael Mancini who juggled a wife and mistress on Melrose place. As Jagger Cates, Antonio Sabato Jr. was torn between two lovers in a torrid triangle on General Hospital. And Ian Ziering had a steady stream of Beverly Hills hotties at his beck and call on 90210.
Wed, Dec 10, 2008
Prim, proper and patronizing, a stuffed shirt is the kind of comic foil who tries to hold it together when everything is falling apart around them. Peter Scolari played the perfect proto-yuppie Michael Harris on Newhart. On The Nanny, Charles Shaughnessy's upper crust started to crumble thanks to Fran Dresher. And David Hyde Pierce got 10 consecutive Emmy nominations playing the snobby psychiatrist Niles Crane on Frasier.
Wed, Dec 17, 2008
Pop stars - they've got the music in them. Marilyn McCoo was an R&B legend with The Fifth Dimension who became the host of Solid Gold. Before she moved to Knots Landing as Anne Matheson, Michelle Phillips topped the charts with the Mamas and the Papas. And Mandy Moore went platinum before she learned "How to Deal" with Zach Braff on Scrubs and Adrian Grenier on Entourage.
Wed, Dec 24, 2008
The long arm of the law never stretched further than with these top cops. Larry Wilcox did his own high-speed stunts as motorcycle cop Officer Jon Baker on Chips. As Sheriff Keith Mars, Enrico Colontoni put his private eye background to good use cracking cases with his amateur detective daughter Veronica Mars. And on NYPD Blue, Jimmy Smits earned five back-to-back Emmy nominations as Detective Bobby Simone.
Wed, Dec 31, 2008
Whether it's big muscles, big laughs or both, these giants are a big deal. Kevin Sorbo was a man of mythical brawn as the title character on the record-breaking adventure series Hercules. At six foot seven inches, Richard Moll was the benevolent bailiff Bull Shannon who kept Night Court in order. And the only thing bigger than John Goodman on Roseanne were the laughs he generated as Dan Connor.