Television

The Birmingham Herald reports: Alabama Public Television chose not to air PBS’s Arthur episode that included a same-sex marriage. APT preempted the episode by showing a re-run of Arthur. Mike Mckenzie, director of programming at APT, said APT was notified by WGBH and PBS in mid-April about the episode entitled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone” and decided to show …

Mediaite reports: Fox’s Family Guy went after Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity in an hilarious riff describing what he looks like or reminds one of. The characters voice a long series of jokes while Hannity’s face is on screen in the clip below. Here are the first few: CLEVELAND: “I’m seeing Mr. Doubtfire.” PETER: “High sodium Superman?” JOE: “He looks …

People Magazine reports: Tim Conway has died at the age of 85. He passed away at 8:45 a.m. in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday, his rep Howard Bragman confirms to PEOPLE. The beloved actor is best known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show, winning viewers over with characters like the Oldest Man and Mr. Tudball, whose accent …

Variety reports: Disney is now the only one with its hands on Hulu’s steering wheel. Disney and Comcast announced a deal under which Disney will assume full operational control of Hulu, effective immediately. Under their pact, Comcast’s NBCUniversal will retain its 33% ownership interest in Hulu but as early as January 2024, Comcast can require Disney to buy NBCUniversal’s interest …

Yahoo News reports: PBS has just confirmed what those with heightened gaydar have suspected for years — Mr. Ratburn, Arthur’s no-nonsense-with-a-heart-of-gold teacher, is gay. Beyond that, in the Season 22 premiere of the PBS Kids show, the admirable educator gets married. The animated children’s series Arthur entered its 22nd season with a celebration in an episode titled “Mr. Ratburn and …

Variety reports: Empire will officially come to an end at Fox next year with its sixth season, the network announced Monday. The music drama has been battling dropping ratings—as well as scandal, thanks to the ire surrounding embattled (former?) star Jussie Smollett. During a conference call with reporters Monday morning, Fox execs stumbled to avoid definitively answering questions regarding Smollett. …

NBC News reports: Peggy Lipton, actress and singer known for her roles in “The Mod Squad” and “Twin Peaks,” and the mother of Rashida Jones, has died at 72 of cancer. Her daughters Rashida and Kidada Jones announced her death in a statement. She had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. Lipton won a Golden Globe and was Emmy-nominated …

From the Hollywood Reporter: Savvy viewers who tuned in to the fourth episode of the HBO fantasy saga’s final season, “The Last of the Starks,” were distracted when they spotted what appeared to be an out-of-place Starbucks coffee cup in a scene taking place in Winterfell, the home of House Stark. Starbucks later responded with a tweet. “TBH we’re surprised …

The Verge reports: Game of Thrones, the most closely watched and scrutinized show on TV, last night aired a huge moment of lore discontinuity, as a celebratory feast in Winterfell happened to include a distinctly modern takeaway coffee cup among all the metal goblets of wine. It’s not obvious who the offending coffee drinker on set was, or what flavor …

The New York Times reports: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and its behind-the-scenes spinoff, “Untucked,” are cultural touchstones that have launched catchphrases and minted stars. But neither series has ever lit up the ratings. Recent episodes of each series garnered only a few hundred thousand viewers and were the 285th and 359th most-viewed shows in the cable ratings for the week of …

The Associated Press reports: Fox Entertainment said Tuesday that Jussie Smollett will not return to the series “Empire” next season in the wake of allegations by Chicago officials the actor lied about a racially motivated attack. “By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans …

The Associated Press reports: Georgia Engel, who played the charmingly innocent, small-voiced Georgette on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and amassed a string of other TV and stage credits, has died. She was 70. Engel died Friday in Princeton, New Jersey, said her friend and executor, John Quilty. The cause of death was unknown because she was a Christian Scientist …

NBC News reports: “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett on Tuesday appeared at a hearing in Chicago on whether cameras would be allowed in court for the criminal case alleging he staged a racist, homophobic attack on himself. He was not required to appear, but a representative told NBC News that Smollett chose to do so “to show confidence in his innocence.” …

Slate reports: The Simpsons is pulling an episode featuring Michael Jackson’s voice, co-creator James L. Brooks said. “Stark Raving Dad,” which featured Jackson as the voice of a mental patient who believes that he is actually Michael Jackson, is, or has been, one of the show’s most beloved installments, coming in 10th in the Ringer’s 2017 ranking of its best …

Variety reports: Jan-Michael Vincent, best known for playing the lead role in the 1980s CBS series “Airwolf,” died on Feb. 10 after suffering cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate obtained by several outlets. His death, first reported by TMZ, has only now come to light. He was 73. His image as a baby-faced blonde heartthrob was at odds with …

Inside Edition reports: Beloved “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Beloved “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. n the video message, Trebek said he wanted the news about his health to come directly from him and wanted to be “open and transparent” with his viewers about his diagnosis. …

Pink News reports: According to a biography of Mister Rogers which came out last year, the children’s TV presenter told his openly gay friend Dr William Hirsch that if sexuality was a spectrum, “well, you know, I must be smack in the middle, because I have found women attractive, and I have found men attractive.” The book, The Good Neighbor: …

Entertainment Tonight reports: Luke Perry, best known for his roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Riverdale, has died. He was 52. His rep confirmed his death on Monday. “Actor Luke Perry, 52, passed away today after suffering a massive stroke,” the statement reads. “He was surrounded by his children Jack and Sophie, fiancé Wendy Madison Bauer, ex-wife Minnie Sharp, mother …

Indie Wire reports: Steven Spielberg isn’t basking in the glow of Best Picture Oscar-winner “Green Book,” which he supported in this year’s contentious Oscar race. His Academy Award attention is now devoted to ensuring that the race never sees another “Roma” — a Netflix film backed by massive sums, that didn’t play by the same rules as its analog-studio competitors. …

From the Hollywood Reporter: Katherine Helmond, the seven-time Emmy-nominated Texas actress who played the feisty, man-crazy mother Mona Robinson on the long-running ABC sitcom Who’s the Boss?, has died. She was 89. Helmond, who earlier starred as the wide-eyed socialite sister Jessica Tate on another popular ABC comedy, Susan Harris’ daytime-serial spoof Soap, died Saturday of complications from Alzheimer’s disease …