DARREN MCGAVIN: 1922-2006

Last night, actor Darren McGavin passed away. His great roles include gruff news reporter Carl Kolchak chasing impossible stories in Kolchack: The Night Stalker and the grouchy dad in the perennial 1983 classic A Christmas Story.

Find out more about his life and career at www.darrenmcgavin.net, and at the links below:

Prolific Actor Darren McGavin Dies at 83 ABC News
Darren McGavin, 83; Played Reporter on TV's 'Night Stalker' Washington Post

An entire generation of X-Files fans can thank him, too -- X-Files creator Chris Carter has regularly acknowledged he was inspired by Night Stalker. McGavin even played a brief role on the show, where his character turned out to be the original agent working the files.

McGavin co-starred with Don Knotts -- who, I'm sure you've heard, also passed away yesterday -- in the Disney family comedies No Deposit, No Return (1976) and Hot Lead & Cold Feet (1978).

HONOR AMONG (TV) THIEVES

Medical info site WebMD has this interesting story, "Everyone Loves Crime— on TV":

"People are anxious in an uncertain world and today they may get the message that bad guys do win and these shows show that they don't," says [Los Angeles-based psychotherapist Robert Butterworth, PhD]. "Modern technology makes it so crime doesn't pay and that is the ultimate premise -- 'we will get you, and we will use whatever tools we have to get you.'"

Related links:
MONK RENEWED FOR TWO MORE SEASONS
TV-TO-BOOK: MR. MONK
ARE YOU MONKISH?

R.I.P GRANDPA MUNSTER 1923-2006

After years of failing health, actor Al Lewis passed away Friday night.

Associated Press reports:

Lewis, with his wife at his bedside, passed away Friday night, said Bernard White, program director at WBAI-FM, where the actor hosted a weekly radio program. White made the announcement on the air during the Saturday slot where Lewis usually appeared.

"To say that we will miss his generous, cantankerous, engaging spirit is a profound understatement," White said.

Both seasons of his classic series The Munsters are now available on DVD. The second season includes features on the stars of the show, including a whole documentary on the intriguing life of Lewis.