Elderly television viewers in the 1980s and '90s had an amazing Hollywood ally in Dean Hargrove.
The small-screen veteran got his start in the 1960s as a writer for "My Three Sons" and "The Bob Newhart Show" (the unsuccessful precursor to the wildly successful 1970s sitcom of the same name), and received credit for some of the best episodes of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." He wrote on arguably the greatest mystery series to ever air on network TV (we're not arguing if you read that passage and immediately thought "Columbo"), and kept Dennis Weaver employed as a producer on "McCloud."
But his most lasting impact on the medium was his 1985 - 2002 run as the producer of such old-people-go-a-sleuthin' shows as the "Perry Mason" television movies, "Jake and the Fatman," "The Father Dowling Mysteries," "Diagnosis: Murder" and the grandpappy of them all, "Matlock."
Hargrove's genius was turning America's favorite TV...
The small-screen veteran got his start in the 1960s as a writer for "My Three Sons" and "The Bob Newhart Show" (the unsuccessful precursor to the wildly successful 1970s sitcom of the same name), and received credit for some of the best episodes of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." He wrote on arguably the greatest mystery series to ever air on network TV (we're not arguing if you read that passage and immediately thought "Columbo"), and kept Dennis Weaver employed as a producer on "McCloud."
But his most lasting impact on the medium was his 1985 - 2002 run as the producer of such old-people-go-a-sleuthin' shows as the "Perry Mason" television movies, "Jake and the Fatman," "The Father Dowling Mysteries," "Diagnosis: Murder" and the grandpappy of them all, "Matlock."
Hargrove's genius was turning America's favorite TV...
- 2/6/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
CBS has picked up to series three of its four pilots, handing out formal orders to the Kathy Bates-led Matlock reboot, The Good Fight spinoff Elsbeth starring Carrie Preston, and the father-son comedy starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. that is now titled Poppa’s House.
Matlock, Elsbeth and Poppa’s House are the first scripted series orders at CBS for new entertainment president Amy Reisenbach. The former head of current programming replaced Kelly Kahl atop the network last year. Her tenure at the network goes back to 2005, when she was a manager in the current programming department, meaning her fingerprints are already all over CBS’ current schedule.
CBS, like other broadcast networks, drastically reduced the volume of pilot orders this year. The network developed only two dramas (Elsbeth and Matlock) and a pair of comedies (Jumpstart, House). All four are fully owned by CBS Studios as networks...
Matlock, Elsbeth and Poppa’s House are the first scripted series orders at CBS for new entertainment president Amy Reisenbach. The former head of current programming replaced Kelly Kahl atop the network last year. Her tenure at the network goes back to 2005, when she was a manager in the current programming department, meaning her fingerprints are already all over CBS’ current schedule.
CBS, like other broadcast networks, drastically reduced the volume of pilot orders this year. The network developed only two dramas (Elsbeth and Matlock) and a pair of comedies (Jumpstart, House). All four are fully owned by CBS Studios as networks...
- 5/9/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Perry Mason is back on the case. Season 2 of HBO’s reimagined take on the classic legal drama premieres Monday, March 6, with Matthew Rhys again stepping into the title role. The Americans star has said he didn’t watch Raymond Burr’s iconic take on the character before season 1, which aired in 2020. But for many TV viewers, Burr is Perry Mason. The actor played the crusading defense attorney from 1957 to 1966, and again in a series of TV movies from the mid-80s through the early ‘90s.
Burr’s run as Perry Mason ended with this death in 1993. But are any other original Perry Mason cast members still alive?
‘Perry Mason’ star Raymond Burr died in 1993 Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, right, and Ray Collins as Lt. Arthur Tragg ‘in ‘Perry Mason’ | CBS via Getty Images
The Canadian-born Burr had a long career in Hollywood, including roles in classic films such...
Burr’s run as Perry Mason ended with this death in 1993. But are any other original Perry Mason cast members still alive?
‘Perry Mason’ star Raymond Burr died in 1993 Raymond Burr as Perry Mason, right, and Ray Collins as Lt. Arthur Tragg ‘in ‘Perry Mason’ | CBS via Getty Images
The Canadian-born Burr had a long career in Hollywood, including roles in classic films such...
- 3/5/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The upcoming CBS pilot Matlock has cast East New York star Skye P. Marshall in a lead role opposite Kathy Bates for a modern take on the classic legal drama. According to Deadline, Marshall will play Olympia, a formidable attorney with a thirst for justice and a key rainmaker at New York’s most prestigious law firm. As she juggles her work and home life, Olympia remains laser-focused and not easily impressed, which becomes apparent when she’s tasked with overseeing a third junior associate. The revival, which comes from Jane the Virgin creator Jennie Snyder Urman and NCIS: Los Angeles star Eric Christian Olsen, revolves around Madeline Matlock (Bates), a brilliant septuagenarian who rejoins the world of law where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within. Matlock, created by Dean Hargrove, originally premiered in 1986 on NBC and aired for nine seasons,...
- 3/3/2023
- TV Insider
Don't let the cancellation of Hulu's "Reboot" fool you — resurrecting old TV series from the dead is still all the rage. "That '70s Show," "The Wonder Years," "Perry Mason," and "DuckTales," among others, have all found their way back to our screens. So I guess it was only a matter of time before someone had the grand idea to call upon everyone's small-town, folksy lawyer. CBS has ordered a return to the courtroom in the form of a "Matlock" robot. Variety reports that a pilot from writer and executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman ("Jane The Virgin" creator) is in the works.
The original "Matlock," created by Dean Hargrove, aired from 1986 to 1992 with Andy Griffith playing the titular lawyer for the show's nine-season run. The series follows Ben Matlock, a very expensive criminal defense attorney with a penchant for solving murders. But unlike the gruff, crime-solving individual who usually leads these weekly murder stories,...
The original "Matlock," created by Dean Hargrove, aired from 1986 to 1992 with Andy Griffith playing the titular lawyer for the show's nine-season run. The series follows Ben Matlock, a very expensive criminal defense attorney with a penchant for solving murders. But unlike the gruff, crime-solving individual who usually leads these weekly murder stories,...
- 2/1/2023
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
It’s a double dose of legal drama at CBS as the network has ordered pilots for two iconic television attorneys. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has given the green light to a Matlock reboot starring Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, and Elsbeth, a spinoff of The Good Wife/The Good Fight that will see Carrie Preston reprise her role as attorney Elsbeth Tascioni. It marks CBS’s first two drama pilots for the 2023-24 season. In addition, the network is opening writers’ rooms for The Pact and Sherlock Holmes offshoot Watson, with the potential of a script-to-series order for both for the 2024-24 season. The original Matlock was created by Dean Hargrove and starred Andy Griffith in the lead role. It aired for nine seasons between 1986 and 1995, first on NBC and then later on ABC. The show was a hit and is regarded as one of television’s most legendary crime dramas.
- 2/1/2023
- TV Insider
It’s a double dose of legal drama at CBS as the network has ordered pilots for two iconic television attorneys. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has given the green light to a Matlock reboot starring Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock, and Elsbeth, a spinoff of The Good Wife/The Good Fight that will see Carrie Preston reprise her role as attorney Elsbeth Tascioni. It marks CBS’s first two drama pilots for the 2023-24 season. In addition, the network is opening writers’ rooms for The Pact and Sherlock Holmes offshoot Watson, with the potential of a script-to-series order for both for the 2024-24 season. The original Matlock was created by Dean Hargrove and starred Andy Griffith in the lead role. It aired for nine seasons between 1986 and 1995, first on NBC and then later on ABC. The show was a hit and is regarded as one of television’s most legendary crime dramas.
- 2/1/2023
- TV Insider
CBS is adding two famed attorneys to its roster.
Matlock, one of television’s most iconic crime dramas, is getting a new life at CBS. The Paramount Global-backed broadcast network has handed out a pilot order for a new take on the former defense attorney formerly played by Andy Griffith. Kathy Bates will take on the role of Madeline Matlock.
Additionally, The Good Wife/The Good Fight creators Robert and Michelle King are returning to CBS with the third series in the franchise, Elsbeth, with star Carrie Preston set to reprise her role in the drama that has also received a pilot order at the broadcast network. These are the first two drama pilot orders for CBS and are being eyed for the 2023-24 broadcast season.
Additionally, CBS is looking toward the 2024-25 broadcast season with dramas The Pact (which stems from its overall deal with the NAACP) and Sherlock Holmes entry Watson.
Matlock, one of television’s most iconic crime dramas, is getting a new life at CBS. The Paramount Global-backed broadcast network has handed out a pilot order for a new take on the former defense attorney formerly played by Andy Griffith. Kathy Bates will take on the role of Madeline Matlock.
Additionally, The Good Wife/The Good Fight creators Robert and Michelle King are returning to CBS with the third series in the franchise, Elsbeth, with star Carrie Preston set to reprise her role in the drama that has also received a pilot order at the broadcast network. These are the first two drama pilot orders for CBS and are being eyed for the 2023-24 broadcast season.
Additionally, CBS is looking toward the 2024-25 broadcast season with dramas The Pact (which stems from its overall deal with the NAACP) and Sherlock Holmes entry Watson.
- 2/1/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The decline in broadcast pilots continues. CBS has ordered its fewest drama pilots ever in a pilot season: two. Also part of a trend, both are based on IP from established auspices and big-name talent already attached — Robert and Michelle King’s Elsbeth starring Carrie Preston, a police procedural spinoff of the Kings’ The Good Wife/Good Fight universe, and Matlock, a gender-swap reboot of the classic legal drama starring Kathy Bates, from Jennie Snyder Urman and Eric Christian Olsen.
Along with the two pilot orders for the 2023-24 season, CBS also ordered writers rooms for two medical drama projects — The Pact, from writer Marcus Dalzine and the NAACP/CBS Studios production venture; and Watson, from Craig Sweeny and Kapital — which are being put on track for potential straight-to-series orders targeting the following 2024-2025 season.
Put in development by the previous CBS regime of Kelly Kahl and Thom Sherman, the...
Along with the two pilot orders for the 2023-24 season, CBS also ordered writers rooms for two medical drama projects — The Pact, from writer Marcus Dalzine and the NAACP/CBS Studios production venture; and Watson, from Craig Sweeny and Kapital — which are being put on track for potential straight-to-series orders targeting the following 2024-2025 season.
Put in development by the previous CBS regime of Kelly Kahl and Thom Sherman, the...
- 2/1/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Norman Lloyd, who starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur and portrayed Dr. Daniel Auschlander on NBC’s St. Elsewhere, died on Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, as Variety reports. Lloyd’s friend, producer Dean Hargrove, confirmed his death to Variety. He was 106.
The Hollywood veteran’s eight-decade career spanned theater, radio, film and TV, where he served in a variety of roles including director and producer. While his own name may not be widely recognized, he was deeply respected within industry circles and worked with some of the...
The Hollywood veteran’s eight-decade career spanned theater, radio, film and TV, where he served in a variety of roles including director and producer. While his own name may not be widely recognized, he was deeply respected within industry circles and worked with some of the...
- 5/12/2021
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Actor, producer and director Norman Lloyd, best known for his title role in Hitchcock’s “Saboteur” and as Dr. Daniel Auschlander on NBC’s “St. Elsewhere” and famously associated with Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater, died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 106.
His friend, producer Dean Hargrove, confirmed his death and said “His third act was really the best time of his life,” referring to the many historical Hollywood retrospectives and events Lloyd had participated in over the past few decades. Lloyd often said his secret to his long and mostly illness-free life was “avoiding disagreeable people,” Hargrove recounted.
Lloyd was hand-picked by Alfred Hitchcock to play the title character and villain in 1942’s “Saboteur,” and it was his character who tumbled to his death from the top of the Statue of Liberty in the pic’s iconic conclusion.
But the hard-working multihyphenate gained his highest profile only...
His friend, producer Dean Hargrove, confirmed his death and said “His third act was really the best time of his life,” referring to the many historical Hollywood retrospectives and events Lloyd had participated in over the past few decades. Lloyd often said his secret to his long and mostly illness-free life was “avoiding disagreeable people,” Hargrove recounted.
Lloyd was hand-picked by Alfred Hitchcock to play the title character and villain in 1942’s “Saboteur,” and it was his character who tumbled to his death from the top of the Statue of Liberty in the pic’s iconic conclusion.
But the hard-working multihyphenate gained his highest profile only...
- 5/11/2021
- by Laura Haefner
- Variety Film + TV
Could Connor have murdered Wes?
That was a key question after How to Get Away with Murder Season 3 Episode 13 when we got the reveal that Connor was in the house.
TV Fanatics, Mandy Treccia, Lee Jutton and Paul Dailly discuss that Connor reveal, Atwood's plan and the Dean betraying Annalise.
Could Connor be the killer?
Mandy: I don't think so. It looked like he was trying to save Wes. I think he discovered Wes, and for some reason, truly believes Annalise killed him.
Lee: I tend to agree with Mandy here. It's no surprise that Connor has been acting shifty; if he was the one who first discovered Wes' body at the house, he's probably afraid of being pinpointed as the killer.
But, I don't think it's him. It's more likely that this is what is fueling his belief that Annalise did it.
Paul: It would be surprising if the...
That was a key question after How to Get Away with Murder Season 3 Episode 13 when we got the reveal that Connor was in the house.
TV Fanatics, Mandy Treccia, Lee Jutton and Paul Dailly discuss that Connor reveal, Atwood's plan and the Dean betraying Annalise.
Could Connor be the killer?
Mandy: I don't think so. It looked like he was trying to save Wes. I think he discovered Wes, and for some reason, truly believes Annalise killed him.
Lee: I tend to agree with Mandy here. It's no surprise that Connor has been acting shifty; if he was the one who first discovered Wes' body at the house, he's probably afraid of being pinpointed as the killer.
But, I don't think it's him. It's more likely that this is what is fueling his belief that Annalise did it.
Paul: It would be surprising if the...
- 2/21/2017
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
BBC America is airing The Secret of Crickley Hall on October 28th and beginning an encore run of "Hex" on October 6th following the Season 2 premiere of "Bedlam." Read on for more details on all three projects.
The Secret Of Crickley Hall
Three-hour event The Secret of Crickley Hall premieres Sunday, October 28, 8:00pm Et/Pt.
Based on the novel by best-selling British scribe James Herbert, the thriller begins a year after the disappearance of Cam, the son of Gabe Caliegh (Tom Ellis, "The Fades") and Eve Caleigh (Suranne Jones, "Doctor Who"). As the couple and their two daughters attempt to start anew, they head to Crickley Hall – a seemingly perfect countryside house. But when cellar doors start to open on their own, phantom children’s cries are heard through the night, and a frenzied cane-wielding specter rears its head – the Caleighs realize the house comes with a lot more than they bargained for.
The Secret Of Crickley Hall
Three-hour event The Secret of Crickley Hall premieres Sunday, October 28, 8:00pm Et/Pt.
Based on the novel by best-selling British scribe James Herbert, the thriller begins a year after the disappearance of Cam, the son of Gabe Caliegh (Tom Ellis, "The Fades") and Eve Caleigh (Suranne Jones, "Doctor Who"). As the couple and their two daughters attempt to start anew, they head to Crickley Hall – a seemingly perfect countryside house. But when cellar doors start to open on their own, phantom children’s cries are heard through the night, and a frenzied cane-wielding specter rears its head – the Caleighs realize the house comes with a lot more than they bargained for.
- 9/29/2012
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Directed by: Dean Hargrove
Written by: Dean Hargrove, Gabriel Dell
Cast: Gabriel Dell, Will Geer, Anjanette Comer, Joyce Van Patten, Vincent Gardenia, Barbara Harris, Jackie Coogan, Huntz Hill
For movie fans of all genres, Mod (Made on Demand) DVDs are both a blessing and a curse. While it's true DVD-r technology makes it possible for collectors to own a physical copy of movies that wouldn't otherwise warrant a full-scale release, it also allows the studios to sell any film hiding in the corner of a film vault. And that would be fine if it wasn’t for the premium price tag attached to the finished product.
Taking a risk by purchasing an unknown film can be costly, as you might be buying a film better suited for a Walmart dump bin, which is where The Manchu Eagle Murder Caper Mystery belongs. Despite the script's best intentions, and a cast filled...
Written by: Dean Hargrove, Gabriel Dell
Cast: Gabriel Dell, Will Geer, Anjanette Comer, Joyce Van Patten, Vincent Gardenia, Barbara Harris, Jackie Coogan, Huntz Hill
For movie fans of all genres, Mod (Made on Demand) DVDs are both a blessing and a curse. While it's true DVD-r technology makes it possible for collectors to own a physical copy of movies that wouldn't otherwise warrant a full-scale release, it also allows the studios to sell any film hiding in the corner of a film vault. And that would be fine if it wasn’t for the premium price tag attached to the finished product.
Taking a risk by purchasing an unknown film can be costly, as you might be buying a film better suited for a Walmart dump bin, which is where The Manchu Eagle Murder Caper Mystery belongs. Despite the script's best intentions, and a cast filled...
- 3/23/2012
- by Chris McMillan
- Planet Fury
At its recent annual general meeting the Writers Guild Foundation elected Barbara Corday as its new President. Corday, who with her writing partner Barbara Avedon co-created the groundbreaking television series Cagney & Lacey, was the first woman to become president of a major television production entity (Columbia Pictures Television); she later become head of prime-time programs at CBS, again the first woman to do so. Most recently she was chair of the Film and Television production arm at the USC School of Cinema and Television. Corday replaces Chris Brancato, who has served the maximum number of terms. The board also elected seven new trustees to the board. The new trustees are: publicist Craig Bankey, screenwriter Lowell Ganz, agent Nancy Josephson, and television writer-producers Marta Kauffman, Bill Lawrence, Jan Oxenberg and David Shore. Trustees are elected for three year terms. Most Foundation trustees are members of the Writers Guild of America, west.
- 6/21/2011
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
Chicago – If you’re not watching BBC America, you’re not watching some of the best television available to you. A noticeable pattern in much of the network’s programming has been a number of series that reimagine or reboot classic character or series types like “Robin Hood,” “Primeval,” “Being Human,” and “Doctor Who”. The latest attempt to inject new life into something familiar is the entertaining winter diversion, “Demons”.
TV Rating: 3.0/5.0
Starring the great Philip Glenister (“Life on Mars,” “Ashes to Ashes”), “Demons” is a modern take on the legend of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” but also clearly inspired by more contemporary demon hunters of recent television. From the writers of “Hex” and “Merlin,” “Demons” is not quite as perfect as some recent BBC America offerings, coming off a bit too predictable and sometimes off in its juggling of tones, but it is a perfectly suitable slice of entertainment...
TV Rating: 3.0/5.0
Starring the great Philip Glenister (“Life on Mars,” “Ashes to Ashes”), “Demons” is a modern take on the legend of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” but also clearly inspired by more contemporary demon hunters of recent television. From the writers of “Hex” and “Merlin,” “Demons” is not quite as perfect as some recent BBC America offerings, coming off a bit too predictable and sometimes off in its juggling of tones, but it is a perfectly suitable slice of entertainment...
- 1/2/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Few composers have such a long past in network television music as Dick DeBenedictis. A native of New Milford, New Jersey, DeBenedictis never saw himself as a film composer right up until his first commission! He was thrown into the deep end so to speak... Over four decades he provided music for classic episodes of Columbo, Matlock, Father Dowling, Diagnosis Murder and tons of other series' which may not be as well known today. This was all written in addition to a rich background in writing for musical theatre, another major forte of the composer. In my interview with Dick DeBenedictis, we revisit all these shows with a special focus on select episodes of Columbo where Dick had to write music for murderous musicians!
How did your fascination with music begin?
I began piano lessons at the age of ten or eleven, then I attended Ithaca College. I got a...
How did your fascination with music begin?
I began piano lessons at the age of ten or eleven, then I attended Ithaca College. I got a...
- 5/21/2009
- Daily Film Music Blog
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