How Long Has Ted Knight Been Dead He Was A Very Good Actor And I Enjoyed Watching Him On To Close For Comfort And
The Maty Tyler Moore Show.

Thanks
Aaron

Originally posted by gmfox8@msn.com
How Long Has Ted Knight Been Dead He Was A Very Good Actor And I Enjoyed Watching Him On To Close For Comfort And
The Maty Tyler Moore Show.

Thanks
Aaron

Let me point out it is The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Anyways, he passed away on August 26th, 1986. That's 16 years.

He died of cancer...

:crying:

Ted Knight was a Good Actor on Too Close For Comfort And
The Ted Knight Show He Will Be Missed

He had a bit part in the movie Psycho.

And, of course, don't forget he is best remebered for Ted Baxter in "The Mary Tyler Moore" show for seven seasons!!

He was also in one of my favorite movies Caddyshack.:D

Originally posted by EricIdlefan
And, of course, don't forget he is best remebered for Ted Baxter in "The Mary Tyler Moore" show for seven seasons!!

Who forgot it? It was already mentioned. Looks like someone has too much time on their hands. :rolleyes:

Sorry, I just didn't want to leave that out!!

If you go to the FindAGrave website and look for his grave, it should be on there!!

Does anybody recall the special intro before the final episode ("Lisa Goes Lottery Loco") aired? Bare in mind that although Ted Knight passed away in August 1986, first run episodes of Season 6 of Too Close for Comfort (or Season 1 of The Ted Knight Show in actuality) aired through February 1987. There was apparently, a short speech about Ted's remembrance by Nancy Dussault speaking directly into the camera. Unfortunately, I don't think that Nancy's speech is included in the reruns and it's naturally hard to find elsewhere online.

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News of Ted's passing is also discussed at the 5:08 mark and 27:21 mark in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOsm61ioAIk).

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News of Ted's passing is also discussed at the 5:08 mark and 27:21 mark in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOsm61ioAIk).

Watching these clips, I've immediately noticed that Too Close for Comfort is barely mentioned except in passing in only one (https://youtu.be/QIfllvQlErY?t=25) of the videos. I get why his role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was predominately talked about since it's by far, a much more iconic show than Too Close for Comfort besides coming first.

But it isn't like Too Close for Comfort was a fleeting footnote on his resume since it lasted five years (six if you count the retooling as The Ted Knight Show). And Ted was still actively portraying Henry Rush leading up to his death.

They also don't mention Caddyshack in any one of the clips. I suppose that his role as Judge Smails (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clF05Nj_RBo) in that is what I associate him the most with after The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Too Close for Comfort.

^Back in the 80's Caddyshack was basically considered a comedy that was panned by the critics and only did so-so at the box office. When Ted Knight passed nobody could've guessed Caddyshack would snowball into such a beloved movie. Many now consider it the funniest sports themed comedy movie of all time but it wasn't considered to be so beloved back in 1986.

I personally always enjoyed watching TCFC and think it rates as one of the better 80's sitcoms. The fact ABC stupidly moved the time slot after the 2nd season when it had been a top 10 show, and ultimately cancelled it after season 3 likely hurt it's reputation. During the 1981-82 TV season TCFC was the #6 rated show on the air. The Mary Tyler Moore show ofc got much more critical acclaim but it's highest rank in Nielsen ratings was only #7 in 1972-73.

^Back in the 80's Caddyshack was basically considered a comedy that was panned by the critics and only did so-so at the box office. When Ted Knight passed nobody could've guessed Caddyshack would snowball into such a beloved movie. Many now consider it the funniest sports themed comedy movie of all time but it wasn't considered to be so beloved back in 1986.

I personally always enjoyed watching TCFC and think it rates as one of the better 80's sitcoms. The fact ABC stupidly moved the time slot after the 2nd season when it had been a top 10 show, and ultimately cancelled it after season 3 likely hurt it's reputation. During the 1981-82 TV season TCFC was the #6 rated show on the air. The Mary Tyler Moore show ofc got much more critical acclaim but it's highest rank in Nielsen ratings was only #7 in 1972-73.

I'm guessing that what also hurt TCFC's reputation is that it spent the latter portion of its run in first-run syndication. If you were a syndicated show, then you simply weren't considered as "prestigious" as if you were a network show, which TCFC was in its first three seasons on ABC. So that may have made TCFC look like an also-ran to a lot people, especially since you now had to look much harder to find it.

Also, unlike Ted Knight's previous show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, TCFC never really got a chance to go out on its own terms. It was canceled by ABC after only three seasons, then picked up for the first-run syndication market, where it ran for two more seasons. And then instead of a traditional sixth season, it was retooled and renamed as The Ted Knight Show. Of course, Ted Knight himself, dies before he had a chance to do more seasons. This caused episodes that aired under the Ted Knight Show banner to retroactively air under the Too Close for Comfort title.

I'm guessing that what also hurt TCFC's reputation is that it spent the latter portion of its run in first-run syndication. If you were a syndicated show, then you simply weren't considered as "prestigious" as if you were a network show, which TCFC was in its first three seasons on ABC. So that may have made TCFC look like an also-ran to a lot people, especially since you now had to look much harder to find it.

Also, unlike Ted Knight's previous show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, TCFC never really got a chance to go out on its own terms. It was canceled by ABC after only three seasons, then picked up for the first-run syndication market, where it ran for two more seasons. And then instead of a traditional sixth season, it was retooled and renamed as The Ted Knight Show. Of course, Ted Knight himself, dies before he had a chance to do more seasons. This caused episodes that aired under the Ted Knight Show banner to retroactively air under the Too Close for Comfort title.

Agreed.

TCFC was the #6 rated show of the 1981-2 season before ABC decided to change the timeslot to Thursday nights after "Joanie Loves Chachi". The ratings for TCFC were still decent but ABC decided to cancel it anyway and of course it went on to a new life in syndication. The Mary Tyler Moore show was definitely considered more prestigious especially by the critics but it's highest ranking was #7. Totally agree TCFC never got it's due. I was a young teen when it originally aired but loved it along with Facts, Gimme A Break, and It's a Living during that era. I still occasionally try to catch episodes on Tubi or Pluto when I get a chance.

Of course Ted Knight passed so long ago but I personally just assume he was probably alot like his Henry Rush character. It just seemed like he didn't have to stretch much as an actor in that role since it was probably close to the real family man Ted Knight. Who knows.

He died of cancer...

:crying:

I read that Ted Knight was already having major issues with his health around the time (https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/bosom-buddies-tv-syndication-question.737367/post-6400385) that Too Close for Comfort was first revived for the syndication market. This is apparently why, the start of Season 4 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Too_Close_for_Comfort_episodes#Season_4_(1984)) was pushed back from the fall of 1983 to the spring of 1984.

I read that Ted Knight was already having major issues with his health around the time (https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/bosom-buddies-tv-syndication-question.737367/post-6400385) that Too Close for Comfort was first revived for the syndication market. This is apparently why, the start of Season 4 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Too_Close_for_Comfort_episodes#Season_4_(1984)) was pushed back from the fall of 1983 to the spring of 1984.

That's interesting. I just assumed it got pushed back after the cancellation from ABC.

I saw a Gavin MacLeod interview years back where he talked about Ted initially getting the cancer diagnosis during the final season of the MTM show.

For some reason I thought it was in remission until '85 but it's totally possible that you are correct. I noticed they filmed extra episodes during Season 4 that they didn't air until season 5 fwiw. Of course Ted and Arne Sultan were both having health issues around that time.

I was reminded via (https://twitter.com/LydiaCornell/status/1695661508053926129) Lydia Cornell on Twitter that yesterday (August 26) was the 37th anniversary of Ted Knight's passing. Also, this coming December 7 will officially mark what would've been Ted's 100th birthday.

I was reminded via (https://twitter.com/LydiaCornell/status/1695661508053926129) Lydia Cornell on Twitter that yesterday (August 26) was the 37th anniversary of Ted Knight's passing. Also, this coming December 7 will officially mark what would've been Ted's 100th birthday.

Awww I follow Lydia on IG she really does a great job of promoting the show, where it can be watched/downloaded, etc.

Kinda coincidental that Bob Barker also just passed on August 26th and he was 99 which is the age Ted would be if he were still alive.

What Happened on August 26, 1986 (https://www.onthisday.com/date/1986/august/26)

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Actor Ted Knight Dies Of Cancer. - Page 39 (https://books.google.com/books?id=JkNgAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA39&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=4607,3139684&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSn6q-u6qPAxVoSDABHRChMz0Q6AF6BAgFEAM)

Cancer Claims Life Of Actor Ted Knight. - Page 12 (https://books.google.com/books?id=XcVJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=3932,2127342&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSn6q-u6qPAxVoSDABHRChMz0Q6AF6BAgNEAM)

Actor Ted Knight Dead From Cancer. - Page 2 (https://books.google.com/books?id=a5RPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=3738,5140912&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSn6q-u6qPAxVoSDABHRChMz0Q6AF6BAgIEAM)

Cancer Kills Actor Knight, Famous As Tv's Ted Baxter. - Page 4 (https://books.google.com/books?id=810yAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=1050,9080967&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSn6q-u6qPAxVoSDABHRChMz0Q6AF6BAgJEAM)

Daily News - Page 2 (https://books.google.com/books?id=lANCAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=4463,4327097&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjg-vKHvKqPAxXU2BoGHThfKag4WhDoAXoECAYQAw)

Wpgh Lines Up Ambitiousall Schedule. - Page 21 (https://books.google.com/books?id=vt0cAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA21&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=4928,8319460&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjg-vKHvKqPAxXU2BoGHThfKag4WhDoAXoECAUQAw)

The Dispatch - Page 31 (https://books.google.com/books?id=7-QbAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=2655,6856306&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjy4bvTvKqPAxVc48kDHXc-J4g4eBDoAXoECAcQAw)

...Star Ted Knight Dies. - Page 9 (https://books.google.com/books?id=0KpWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=1808,8724290&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj93_KEvaqPAxWxRDABHWHdE0I4MhDoAXoECAkQAw#v=onepage&q=Ted%20Knight&f=false)

We'll Remember Ted Kniqht Role. - Page 4 (https://books.google.com/books?id=Z75GAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=2510,2772115&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj93_KEvaqPAxWxRDABHWHdE0I4MhDoAXoECAoQAw)

More Laughter Than Tears By Friends Of Knight At Funeral. - Page 44 (https://books.google.com/books?id=2FkiAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA44&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=2560,5407037&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj93_KEvaqPAxWxRDABHWHdE0I4MhDoAXoECAsQAw)

Ted Knight, 1923-1986. - Page 2 (https://books.google.com/books?id=i58oAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=4481,2988922&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj93_KEvaqPAxWxRDABHWHdE0I4MhDoAXoECAwQAw)

Knight Sought Remembrance Beyond Mary Tyler Moore'. - Page 3 (https://books.google.com/books?id=Zr5GAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=1057,2659926&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim58bmvqqPAxXG6ckDHdXeDOw4HhDoAXoECAUQAw)

Water Restored. - Page 23 (https://books.google.com/books?id=vd0cAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA23&dq=Ted+Knight&article_id=1243,7385913&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim58bmvqqPAxXG6ckDHdXeDOw4HhDoAXoECA0QAw)