The stars shine for MONK 100

UPI reports that a bevy of guest stars will grace the 100th episode of USA Network's "Monk," set to air September 5. When obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk tries to catch a serial killer, a news show interviews several of his friends and foes from previous episodes, giving viewers a chance to see (again) the likes of Howie Mandel, Sarah Silverman, Sharon Lawrence, Andy Richter, and John Turturro, among others.

Now in its seventh season, "Monk" stars Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award winner Tony Shalhoub.

Related links:
MONK: New therapist, new episodes
MONK therapist Stanley Kamel found dead
ADRIAN MONK: The face of OCD
Mr. Monk And The Continuity Police
Mystery TV Themes: MONK

Happy Birthday, Dame Diana Rigg!

Today is the 70th birthday of British actress Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg DBE, best known for playing Emma Peel in The Avengers and Tracy Bond in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. In a prolific career on the stage and screen, she has performed roles in the Royal Shakespeare Company, starred in The Great Muppet Caper, and hosted PBS Mystery.

Related links:
TV Themes: THE AVENGERS (w/ THE NEW AVENGERS)
Diana Rigg biography (Wikipedia)

TV Themes: CHECKMATE

CHECKMATE (1960-62)
Created by thriller writer Eric Ambler, and filmed on the streets of San Francisco, Checkmate revolves around investigators Don Corey (Anthony George), and Jed Sills (Doug McClure), aided by criminologist Dr. Carl Hyatt (Sebastian Cabot). Lauded as one of the best dramas of the 1960s, Checkmate was highlighted by great scripts, locations, and casting -- with guest stars ranging from Charles Laughton, Joan Fontaine, and Peter Lorre, to Cyd Charisse, Tony Randall, and Jack Benny.

The show's haunting theme was composed by "Johnny Williams" -- who went on to a stellar career as film composer John Williams, scoring and serving as music director for more than one hundred films, including the likes of Star Wars, Superman: The Movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Catch Me If You Can, Minority Report, Schindler's List, Jurassic Park, Home Alone, JFK, et al. With 45 Academy Award nominations, he is the Academy's most nominated living person. Williams has five Oscars, seven British Academy Awards (BAFTA), twenty Grammys, four Golden Globes, four Emmys, and numerous Gold and Platinum records. He holds the title of Boston Pops Laureate Conductor, following his retirement in December 1993 after 14 seasons. Williams has also written many concert pieces, including two symphonies.

CHECKMATE on DVD:
Checkmate: Best of Season One
Checkmate: Best of Season Two

Related links:
Checkmate (Thrilling Detective)
Checkmate (TV series) (Wikipedia)
John Williams Official Site
John Williams (Wikipedia)

OPENING CREDITS


More TV Themes:
DRAGNET
THE EQUALIZER (w/ CALLAN)
GET SMART
HARDY BOYS / NANCY DREW MYSTERIES
HART TO HART

LONE RANGER 75th Anniversary Collection

TVShowsonDVD reports a special DVD set this fall celebrates The Lone Ranger in style: The Lone Ranger - 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition includes all 78 episodes from the first two seasons, episodes from the 1960s cartoon, an episode of Lassie with The Lone Ranger, a 1950 episode of the Lone Ranger radio series, a commemorative book, an episode guide, reprints of rare comics and photos, and more! Click this link for details and to see the packaging.

Info about the character's history and TV opening credits at TV Themes: THE LONE RANGER
Buy on Amazon