According to the Hollywood Reporter, Canadian actor George R. Robertson passed away in Toronto on February 3, 2023. He was 89.
Robertson is perhaps best known for playing the role of Chief, then Commissioner Henry Hurst in the first six "Police Academy" movies, released yearly from 1984 to 1989. The "Police Academy" series, while not well-reviewed, were massively successful, providing a generation with a cop-themed, National Lampoon-style snobs-vs.-slobs cinematic bedrock. According to the 2010 book "George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-by-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success" by Alex Ben Block and Lucy Autrey Wilson, the first "Police Academy" film made nearly 150 million on a 4 million budget.
The premise of the series was simple: due to a shortage of police officers in an unnamed American city, the local police department has been ordered to accept anyone who applies for the job. This leads to a comedy of errors wherein every weirdo,...
Robertson is perhaps best known for playing the role of Chief, then Commissioner Henry Hurst in the first six "Police Academy" movies, released yearly from 1984 to 1989. The "Police Academy" series, while not well-reviewed, were massively successful, providing a generation with a cop-themed, National Lampoon-style snobs-vs.-slobs cinematic bedrock. According to the 2010 book "George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-by-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success" by Alex Ben Block and Lucy Autrey Wilson, the first "Police Academy" film made nearly 150 million on a 4 million budget.
The premise of the series was simple: due to a shortage of police officers in an unnamed American city, the local police department has been ordered to accept anyone who applies for the job. This leads to a comedy of errors wherein every weirdo,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The preschool market has become an important programming initiative for entertainment companies and it speaks both to the importance of creating young (and hopefully lifelong) fans of their more seasoned franchises and to the ability to expand those franchises to several versions of the same character. In March, Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” was released theatrically. Somehow, Reeves’ version of the character (this time embodied with brooding intensity by Robert Pattinson) was the darkest yet. As the character explains in the opening, film noir-y voice-over, those who think that he hides in the shadows are wrong — he is the shadows. And just a few months later, “Batwheels” — a kind of version of Pixar’s “Cars” set in Gotham, with anthropomorphized vehicles — debuts on the Cartoonito preschool programming block of Cartoon Network and on HBO Max. In the same calendar year, under the same corporate umbrella, the Batman character is allowed to...
- 8/2/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Amazon Studios began principal photography this week on Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos” — a biopic about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz — and Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy have joined the film’s cast.
They join Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, who are playing the “I Love Lucy” stars, as well as J.K Simmons and Nina Arianda as William Frawley and Vivian Vance, who played Fred and Ethel on the classic sitcom.
Hale will play “I Love Lucy” executive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, and Shawkat and Lacy will play the show’s longtime writing partners Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr.
Also joining “Being the Ricardos” and rounding out the cast are Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Nelson Franklin (“Veep”), John Rubinstein (“Family”), Linda Lavin (“The Good Wife”), Robert Pine (“CHiPs”) and Christopher Denham (“Billions”).
“Being the Ricardos” is written and directed by Sorkin and...
They join Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, who are playing the “I Love Lucy” stars, as well as J.K Simmons and Nina Arianda as William Frawley and Vivian Vance, who played Fred and Ethel on the classic sitcom.
Hale will play “I Love Lucy” executive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, and Shawkat and Lacy will play the show’s longtime writing partners Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr.
Also joining “Being the Ricardos” and rounding out the cast are Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Nelson Franklin (“Veep”), John Rubinstein (“Family”), Linda Lavin (“The Good Wife”), Robert Pine (“CHiPs”) and Christopher Denham (“Billions”).
“Being the Ricardos” is written and directed by Sorkin and...
- 3/29/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“Being the Ricardos,” an upcoming movie about the relationship between “I Love Lucy” stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, has added several names to the call sheet.
Ahead of the start of production in Los Angeles this week, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy have joined the cast of the Amazon Studios film.
As previously announced, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem will portray Ball and Arnaz. Meanwhile, J.K. Simmons and Nina Arianda are playing their “I Love Lucy” co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance.
Hale will play the sitcom’s executive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, while Shawkat and Lacy will embody the show’s longtime writing partners Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr.
Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Nelson Franklin (“Veep”), John Rubinstein (“Family”), Linda Lavin, Robert Pine (“CHiPs”) and Christopher Denham (“Billions”) also have supporting roles.
Directed by Aaron Sorkin, the story is set during one...
Ahead of the start of production in Los Angeles this week, Tony Hale, Alia Shawkat and Jake Lacy have joined the cast of the Amazon Studios film.
As previously announced, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem will portray Ball and Arnaz. Meanwhile, J.K. Simmons and Nina Arianda are playing their “I Love Lucy” co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance.
Hale will play the sitcom’s executive producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, while Shawkat and Lacy will embody the show’s longtime writing partners Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr.
Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Nelson Franklin (“Veep”), John Rubinstein (“Family”), Linda Lavin, Robert Pine (“CHiPs”) and Christopher Denham (“Billions”) also have supporting roles.
Directed by Aaron Sorkin, the story is set during one...
- 3/29/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Here’s the first trailer for UK drama A Bird Flew In (previously known as Alone), the Goldfinch-backed drama shot during lockdown.
Starring are Derek Jacobi (Gladiator), Jeff Fahey (Lost), Julie Dray (Cradle to Grave), Sophie Kennedy Clark (Nymphomaniac), Sadie Frost (Bram Stoker’s Dracula), Morgana Robinson (The Windsors), Camilla Rutherford (Yesterday), Michael Winder (Set The Thames On Fire) and Frances Barber (The Split).
In seven interlinked narratives, the film charts how when the Covid 19 lockdown is announced, the entire cast and crew of a feature film are sent home. Couples fall apart, others come together and some find they are simply alone.
Dominic Wells and Elizabeth Morris (Killers Anonymous) scripted the feature, which marks the directorial debut of Goldfinch producer Kirsty Bell. Msr Media International is handling sales.
Producing is Ben Charles Edwards (Set the Thames on Fire), executive producer is Philippe Martinez (Father Christmas Is Back).
Starring are Derek Jacobi (Gladiator), Jeff Fahey (Lost), Julie Dray (Cradle to Grave), Sophie Kennedy Clark (Nymphomaniac), Sadie Frost (Bram Stoker’s Dracula), Morgana Robinson (The Windsors), Camilla Rutherford (Yesterday), Michael Winder (Set The Thames On Fire) and Frances Barber (The Split).
In seven interlinked narratives, the film charts how when the Covid 19 lockdown is announced, the entire cast and crew of a feature film are sent home. Couples fall apart, others come together and some find they are simply alone.
Dominic Wells and Elizabeth Morris (Killers Anonymous) scripted the feature, which marks the directorial debut of Goldfinch producer Kirsty Bell. Msr Media International is handling sales.
Producing is Ben Charles Edwards (Set the Thames on Fire), executive producer is Philippe Martinez (Father Christmas Is Back).
- 3/2/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Pair will star in road comedy from UK production outfit Scoop Films.
Greg Wise (Sense And Sensibility) and Alice Sykes (Cradle To Grave) will lead After Louise, a road comedy from UK production company Scoop Films.
The film follows Kath (Sykes), a shy young woman who runs out on her wedding to go in search of her mother whom she has been separated from since childhood. In the process, she accidentally kidnaps Bob (Wise), a reclusive gardener with a sinister secret.
David Scheinmann (Believe) will co-direct with his brother Danny Scheinmann from a script by Michael Mueller (The Beat Beneath My Feet).
Mueller will produce alongside Fiona Gillies and Raj Sharma for Scoop.
The company’s previous feature The Beat Beneath My Feet starred Screen star of tomorrow Nicholas Galitzine and was nominated for a Crystal Bear at the 2015 Berlinale’s Generation 14Plus strand, as well as a Raindance prize at the 2014 British Independent Film Awards...
Greg Wise (Sense And Sensibility) and Alice Sykes (Cradle To Grave) will lead After Louise, a road comedy from UK production company Scoop Films.
The film follows Kath (Sykes), a shy young woman who runs out on her wedding to go in search of her mother whom she has been separated from since childhood. In the process, she accidentally kidnaps Bob (Wise), a reclusive gardener with a sinister secret.
David Scheinmann (Believe) will co-direct with his brother Danny Scheinmann from a script by Michael Mueller (The Beat Beneath My Feet).
Mueller will produce alongside Fiona Gillies and Raj Sharma for Scoop.
The company’s previous feature The Beat Beneath My Feet starred Screen star of tomorrow Nicholas Galitzine and was nominated for a Crystal Bear at the 2015 Berlinale’s Generation 14Plus strand, as well as a Raindance prize at the 2014 British Independent Film Awards...
- 3/18/2016
- ScreenDaily
UK TV ratings round-up - data supplied by Barb
The Apprentice viewers were clearly upset with Dan's firing in episode one, as it lost around 800,000 viewers for Thursday's follow-up.
However, it did still top the night overall outside of soaps, as Lord Alan Sugar's second candidate grilling brought in an average overnight audience of 5.52 million (25.9%) at 9pm on BBC One. You're Fired! was seen by 1.67m (10.1%) at 10pm on BBC Two.
16 times tonight's episode of The Apprentice was too cringeworthy for public health
Earlier, Watchdog appealed to 3.91m (19.2%) at 8pm, while Question Time intrigued 2.38m (23.3%) at 10.35pm.
BBC Two's Cradle to Grave concluded with a two-parter, amusing 1.32m (6.1%) at 9pm and 1.19m (5.6%) at 9.30pm.
On ITV, Paul O'Grady's For the Love of Dogs rose by 300k from last week to 4.24m (20.5%) at 8.30pm (235k/1.1% on +1), while Unforgotten dropped around 700k from its premiere to 3.87m (17.9%) at 9pm...
The Apprentice viewers were clearly upset with Dan's firing in episode one, as it lost around 800,000 viewers for Thursday's follow-up.
However, it did still top the night overall outside of soaps, as Lord Alan Sugar's second candidate grilling brought in an average overnight audience of 5.52 million (25.9%) at 9pm on BBC One. You're Fired! was seen by 1.67m (10.1%) at 10pm on BBC Two.
16 times tonight's episode of The Apprentice was too cringeworthy for public health
Earlier, Watchdog appealed to 3.91m (19.2%) at 8pm, while Question Time intrigued 2.38m (23.3%) at 10.35pm.
BBC Two's Cradle to Grave concluded with a two-parter, amusing 1.32m (6.1%) at 9pm and 1.19m (5.6%) at 9.30pm.
On ITV, Paul O'Grady's For the Love of Dogs rose by 300k from last week to 4.24m (20.5%) at 8.30pm (235k/1.1% on +1), while Unforgotten dropped around 700k from its premiere to 3.87m (17.9%) at 9pm...
- 10/16/2015
- Digital Spy
Danny Baker's autobiographical sitcom Cradle to Grave looks set to return for a second series.
Though the BBC is yet to make an official announcement, outgoing director of television Danny Cohen may have let the news slip on Twitter.
Thanks Danny. With Series Two commissioned all is well. Thank you for working with us on it! https://t.co/0RzCiEmKmz
— Danny Cohen (@DannyCohen) October 13, 2015
When Baker quipped that Cohen's "work is done" after commissioning his sitcom, he responded: "With Series Two commissioned all is well."
Speaking to Digital Spy, a BBC spokesperson said: "We're having active conversations about a further series of Cradle to Grave. It's too early to confirm any details."
Based on Baker's memoirs, Cradle to Grave stars Laurie Kynaston as a young Danny, with Peter Kay adopting a cockney accent to play the boy's father Fred.
The 8-part first series wraps with a double-bill on October 15 on BBC Two.
Though the BBC is yet to make an official announcement, outgoing director of television Danny Cohen may have let the news slip on Twitter.
Thanks Danny. With Series Two commissioned all is well. Thank you for working with us on it! https://t.co/0RzCiEmKmz
— Danny Cohen (@DannyCohen) October 13, 2015
When Baker quipped that Cohen's "work is done" after commissioning his sitcom, he responded: "With Series Two commissioned all is well."
Speaking to Digital Spy, a BBC spokesperson said: "We're having active conversations about a further series of Cradle to Grave. It's too early to confirm any details."
Based on Baker's memoirs, Cradle to Grave stars Laurie Kynaston as a young Danny, with Peter Kay adopting a cockney accent to play the boy's father Fred.
The 8-part first series wraps with a double-bill on October 15 on BBC Two.
- 10/13/2015
- Digital Spy
UK TV ratings round-up - data supplied by Barb
Unforgotten premiered to 4.5 million viewers on ITV last night (October 8), according to overnight figures.
The crime drama, starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar, appealed to 4.53 million (22.5%) from 9pm, with a further 207k (1.4%) on timeshift.
Earlier on ITV, Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs returned to 3.91 million (19.5%).
Over on BBC One, Watchdog interested 3.75 million (18.9%) from 8pm, and Who Do You Think You Are? with Mark Gatiss attracted 3.15 million (15.6%).
BBC Two's Great British Menu cooked up 1.94 million (10.4%) in the 7pm hour. It was followed by World's Weirdest Events with 1.48 million (7.5%).
Cradle to Grave and Boy Meets Girl managed 1.39 million (6.7%) and 844k (4.3%) respectively, before Mock the Week entertained 1.28 million (7.9%) from 10pm.
On Channel 4, George Clarke's Amazing Spaces drew 1.38 million (6.9%). Hunted then continued with 1.1 million (5.5%) from 9pm, and First Dates averaged 942k (6.8%).
Channel 5 aired Aircrash: The Miracle of Flight 32, which was watched...
Unforgotten premiered to 4.5 million viewers on ITV last night (October 8), according to overnight figures.
The crime drama, starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar, appealed to 4.53 million (22.5%) from 9pm, with a further 207k (1.4%) on timeshift.
Earlier on ITV, Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs returned to 3.91 million (19.5%).
Over on BBC One, Watchdog interested 3.75 million (18.9%) from 8pm, and Who Do You Think You Are? with Mark Gatiss attracted 3.15 million (15.6%).
BBC Two's Great British Menu cooked up 1.94 million (10.4%) in the 7pm hour. It was followed by World's Weirdest Events with 1.48 million (7.5%).
Cradle to Grave and Boy Meets Girl managed 1.39 million (6.7%) and 844k (4.3%) respectively, before Mock the Week entertained 1.28 million (7.9%) from 10pm.
On Channel 4, George Clarke's Amazing Spaces drew 1.38 million (6.9%). Hunted then continued with 1.1 million (5.5%) from 9pm, and First Dates averaged 942k (6.8%).
Channel 5 aired Aircrash: The Miracle of Flight 32, which was watched...
- 10/9/2015
- Digital Spy
UK TV ratings round-up - data supplied by Barb
Strictly Come Dancing rose to nearly 8 million viewers last night (October 3), according to overnight data.
The BBC One dancing show nabbed 7.92 million (38%) and peaked with 8.95 million (43.1%) at around 7.30pm, despite competition from the Rugby World Cup.
Strictly Come Dancing 2015 live blog: Week Two and things are getting serious
England's defeat at the hands of Australia had an average audience of 7.98 million (36.5%) on ITV, with a peak of 10.96 million (45.5%) towards the climax of the match at 9.30pm.
Elsewhere on BBC One, Doctor Who episode 'Under the Lake' drew 3.74 million (16.3%) from 8.25pm before Casualty treated 3.77 million (17%) afterwards.
Doctor Who in crisis? The big questions facing the Saturday night sci-fi
On BBC Two, repeats of Dad's Army and Cradle to Grave managed 1.47 million (6.4%) and 542k (2.4%) respectively.
Channel 4's Celebrity Benchmark with Paddy McGuinness appealed to only 288k (1.4%) in the 7pm hour. Britain's Best...
Strictly Come Dancing rose to nearly 8 million viewers last night (October 3), according to overnight data.
The BBC One dancing show nabbed 7.92 million (38%) and peaked with 8.95 million (43.1%) at around 7.30pm, despite competition from the Rugby World Cup.
Strictly Come Dancing 2015 live blog: Week Two and things are getting serious
England's defeat at the hands of Australia had an average audience of 7.98 million (36.5%) on ITV, with a peak of 10.96 million (45.5%) towards the climax of the match at 9.30pm.
Elsewhere on BBC One, Doctor Who episode 'Under the Lake' drew 3.74 million (16.3%) from 8.25pm before Casualty treated 3.77 million (17%) afterwards.
Doctor Who in crisis? The big questions facing the Saturday night sci-fi
On BBC Two, repeats of Dad's Army and Cradle to Grave managed 1.47 million (6.4%) and 542k (2.4%) respectively.
Channel 4's Celebrity Benchmark with Paddy McGuinness appealed to only 288k (1.4%) in the 7pm hour. Britain's Best...
- 10/4/2015
- Digital Spy
UK TV ratings roundup - data supplied by Barb
Strictly Come Dancing handily beat The X Factor, as BBC One's hit programme returned to impressive numbers.
The 13th series' launch show was watched by 8.69 million (41.7%) from 7.15pm - and improved year on year, topping last year's opening figure of 8.43 million.
Strictly also peaked with 9.47 million (45.2%) at around 8pm.
By contrast, The X Factor lagged behind on ITV with 7.13 million (32.8%) with a further 389k (2%) on +1, but remained steady with last Saturday's live figure of 7.11 million.
At 8.15pm, when the two shows briefly overlapped, Strictly enjoyed an audience of 9.04 million (40.1%) compared to The X Factor's 5.44 million (24.1%).
Earlier on BBC One, Pointless Celebrities entertained 3.99 million (23.3%) and The National Lottery: Five Star Family Reunion managed 3.84 million (18%).
Casualty then impressed with 4.79 million and a 25% share from 9.30pm.
On BBC Two, repeats of Dad's Army and Goodness Gracious pulled in 1.46 million (6.8%) and 730k (3.5%) respectively,...
Strictly Come Dancing handily beat The X Factor, as BBC One's hit programme returned to impressive numbers.
The 13th series' launch show was watched by 8.69 million (41.7%) from 7.15pm - and improved year on year, topping last year's opening figure of 8.43 million.
Strictly also peaked with 9.47 million (45.2%) at around 8pm.
By contrast, The X Factor lagged behind on ITV with 7.13 million (32.8%) with a further 389k (2%) on +1, but remained steady with last Saturday's live figure of 7.11 million.
At 8.15pm, when the two shows briefly overlapped, Strictly enjoyed an audience of 9.04 million (40.1%) compared to The X Factor's 5.44 million (24.1%).
Earlier on BBC One, Pointless Celebrities entertained 3.99 million (23.3%) and The National Lottery: Five Star Family Reunion managed 3.84 million (18%).
Casualty then impressed with 4.79 million and a 25% share from 9.30pm.
On BBC Two, repeats of Dad's Army and Goodness Gracious pulled in 1.46 million (6.8%) and 730k (3.5%) respectively,...
- 9/6/2015
- Digital Spy
BBC Two launched a new comedy double-bill tonight, with Danny Baker's '70s-set Cradle To Grave giving way to the thoroughly modern Boy Meets Girl.
Written by Simon Carlyle, Elliot Kerrigan and Andrew Mettam, Boy Meets Girl is the first British sitcom to feature a transgender character - played by a transgender actor - in the lead.
The six-part series charts the romance between Judy (Rebecca Root) and Leo (Harry Hepple) - and the difficulties they come up against as others come to terms with their relationship.
Kristian Smith - BBC Commissioning Editor - described the show as a "heart-warming romantic comedy" that also promotes "affirming messages of humanity and acceptance."
Digital Spy wants to know what you thought of Boy Meets Girl - was the show a breath of fresh air? Did you fall head over heels for Judy and Leo?
Join the conversation in the comments below.
Written by Simon Carlyle, Elliot Kerrigan and Andrew Mettam, Boy Meets Girl is the first British sitcom to feature a transgender character - played by a transgender actor - in the lead.
The six-part series charts the romance between Judy (Rebecca Root) and Leo (Harry Hepple) - and the difficulties they come up against as others come to terms with their relationship.
Kristian Smith - BBC Commissioning Editor - described the show as a "heart-warming romantic comedy" that also promotes "affirming messages of humanity and acceptance."
Digital Spy wants to know what you thought of Boy Meets Girl - was the show a breath of fresh air? Did you fall head over heels for Judy and Leo?
Join the conversation in the comments below.
- 9/3/2015
- Digital Spy
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