How Long Has Ted Knight Been Dead

[michelala]

Originally Posted by TMC

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.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Brett Ferino

He died of cancer...

I read that Ted Knight was already having major issues with his health around the time that Too Close for Comfort was first revived for the syndication market. This is apparently why, the start of Season 4 was pushed back from the fall of 1983 to the spring of 1984.

[michelala]

Originally Posted by TMC

I read that Ted Knight was already having major issues with his health around the time that Too Close for Comfort was first revived for the syndication market. This is apparently why, the start of Season 4 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.

[TMC]

I was reminded via 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.

[michelala]

Originally Posted by TMC

I was reminded via 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.

[TMC]

What Happened on August 26, 1986

A post shared by on Jan 01, 2022 at 12:00pm PDT

A post shared by on Jan 01, 2022 at 12:00pm PDT

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• Actor Ted Knight Dies Of Cancer. - Page 39
  
• Cancer Claims Life Of Actor Ted Knight. - Page 12
  
• Actor Ted Knight Dead From Cancer. - Page 2
  
• Cancer Kills Actor Knight, Famous As Tv's Ted Baxter. - Page 4
  
• Daily News - Page 2
  
• Wpgh Lines Up Ambitiousall Schedule. - Page 21
  
• The Dispatch - Page 31
  
• ...Star Ted Knight Dies. - Page 9
  
• We'll Remember Ted Kniqht Role. - Page 4
  
• More Laughter Than Tears By Friends Of Knight At Funeral. - Page 44
  
• Ted Knight, 1923-1986. - Page 2
  
• Knight Sought Remembrance Beyond Mary Tyler Moore'. - Page 3
  
• Water Restored. - Page 23