THE LAST LAUGH
What happened to ‘Welcome to Flatch’ and ‘Call Me Kat’?
You have questions. I have some answers.
Q: I loved the show “Welcome to Flatch.” Will it be returning? Also, what about “Call Me Kat”?
A: The Fox comedy “Welcome to Flatch” was canceled last year after two seasons. While Fox in a statement reportedly praised the creative team behind the show, it added that “audience response was not as strong as we had hoped.” In other words, bad numbers. As for “Call Me Kat,” the Mayim Bialik comedy was canceled last year after three seasons. A Fox statement said the network was proud of the show but then hit the keystroke for “the audience response was not as strong as we had hoped.”
Q: Is it just me or has anyone else wondered why Mark Harmon as Gibbs couldn’t make an appearance (like Michael Weatherly did) for Ducky’s tribute on “NCIS”?
A: Brian Dietzen, who plays Jimmy Palmer on “NCIS” and co-wrote the episode, told TheWrap.com that Harmon had been in talks with the show about returning but was not available due to a scheduling conflict. I also wonder if the return of Harmon — though much wanted by fans — would
have been a distraction from the farewell to Ducky and to David McCallum, who had played Ducky until his death last year. (To me, even Weatherly’s return seemed a bit off-tone.) Still, there were a lot of nice flourishes in the episode; I especially liked the wreath from Abby.
Q: Will the TV show “The Resident” return this season? We miss it.
A: The Fox medical drama has ended, with the last of its six seasons airing last year. It wasn’t an official finale but wrapped up enough storylines to serve as one. Ratings had declined, so — to echo the Fox statements above — the audience response was not as strong as the network had hoped.
Q: Where can I find the early episodes of “Petticoat Junction”?
A: For those of you tuning in late, “Petticoat Junction” was a comedy about the small town of Hooterville and its citizens, especially those involved with the Shady Rest Hotel. It originally aired on CBS from 1963 to 1970, through many cast changes, and overlapped at times with “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1962-71) and even more with “Green Acres” (1965-71). Broadcaster Retro TV carries the series. Streamers including Freevee and Tubi have 20 early black-and-white episodes. Prime Video has the complete series available with a membership.
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfels@gmail.com. Letters may be edited. Individual replies are not guaranteed.