Alyssa ‘Lisa’ Ross Eppich, who as a child actress taunted Paul as an 8-year-old Carolyn during the Leviathan storyline, passed away on May 15 following surgery.
https://themonmouthjournal.com/index130.htm

MB's screen cap from Robservations Ep #909:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt wants to hear your coronavirus stories

(Thanks to Kosmo)

Starting a new topic for the show for 2020...

I see that WGN began airing a 9-episode block of Elementary on Sundays.  In my schedule and on the website, it begins at 9 a.m. and currently is in Season 2.  Check the schedule for times in your area.

The Friends of Old Time Radio Convention group on Facebook has announced that Elaine Hyman has passed away.  The post includes a photo of Elaine while a guest at their 2011 convention.



With thanks to Kosmo

SHADOWGRAM – THE OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATES
Thursday, March 19, 2020
SHADOWGRAM UPDATE # 435
 
-- JOHN KARLEN REMEMBRANCE POSTPONEMENT
-- HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS 50th ANNIVERSARY IN LOS ANGELES - FALL 2020
 

 
JOHN KARLEN REMEMBRANCE POSTPONEMENT
 
The planned memorial for John Karlen as previously announced for Saturday, April 25 at the Vista Theatre in Los Angeles will be rescheduled due to the ongoing situation involving the Coronavirus epidemic and the cancellation of public events nationwide.
 
It is hoped that the celebration of John's life can take place in late summer if the current health crisis can be contained and non-essential travel and group activities resume.
 
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS 50th ANNIVERSARY IN LOS ANGELES - FALL 2020
 
Contingent on attempts to control the Coronavirus in the coming months, the Dark Shadows Festival is planning to present a special House Of Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary event in Los Angeles to include a screening of the 1970 M-G-M motion picture from a pristine 35mm master print, guest appearances by DS actors and some surprises to be announced.
 
Details will follow at the earliest possibility once the government has determined it is safe to travel and conduct events.
 
ShadowGram sends best wishes for good health and comfort during this period of turmoil and uncertainty.

SHADOWGRAM – THE OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATES
Sunday, February 23, 2020
SHADOWGRAM UPDATE  # 434

 
BOB COBERT, “DARK SHADOWS” MUSIC COMPOSER – IN MEMORIAM
 
It is with great sadness that ShadowGram reports the passing of Robert “Bob” Cobert, composer of the original Dark Shadows soundtrack music.  He passed away on February 19, 2020 from pneumonia at the age of 95.
 
Cobert’s career was characterized by its breadth and versatility. An accomplished musician, composer, musical director and arranger, Cobert distinguished himself with imaginative musical scores for film, television, theater and ballet. His work embraced jazz, classical, folk, pop, rhythm-and-blues, rock and even disco.
 
Few musical themes in television history are as memorable as Cobert's for the original cult 1966-71 daytime drama Dark Shadows. In addition to the scores for House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows – the 1970 and 1971 motion pictures based on the series – and the 1991 primetime mini-series revival, Cobert's genre work includes a wealth of other iconic projects with producer-director Dan Curtis such as The Strange Case of Dr. Jeykll & Mr. Hyde, The Night Stalker, Trilogy of Terror, Burnt Offerings, Dracula and Intruders. Cobert is also responsible for the sweeping soundtrack to the epic 1983 mini-series The Winds of War and was Emmy-nominated for its 1988-89 sequel, War and Remembrance, creating the largest musical score in the history of television or film.
 
Cobert was born October 26, 1924, in New York. As a child, he studied piano and later mastered the clarinet. He received a scholarship at the Juilliard School of Music. Cobert eventually focused on a major in composing and conducting. Later, he studied composition at Columbia University. At the end of his training, he found work in various orchestras and dance bands as a clarinet player and arranger, including gigs at the famous Stork Club. Soon, he found himself busy as a composer and orchestrator for radio and television and for experimental and documentary films.
 
Cobert collaborated on several pop songs in the 1950s, recorded by artists such as Freddy Martin and Frances Wayne, in addition to the folk musical Frankie And Johnny for M-G-M Records, followed by Mediterranean Suite.
 
Producer David Susskind’s Talent Associates and Score Productions enlisted Cobert to write a variety of television productions such as the suspense series Way Out and special presentations of The Heiress, Scarlet Pimpernel and Heaven Can Wait
 
Cobert also achieved great success composing a number of game show themes ranging from the original Password and the long-running $25,000/$100,000 Pyramid. His other credits include The Last Ride Of The Dalton Gang, The Love Letter, The Kansas City Massacre, Bonanza: The Next Generation, and the daytime drama The Doctors. His final score was the 2005 Showtime film Our Fathers. In his retirement, Bob composed, arranged, conducted. and recorded an all-string orchestral composition entitled Requiem For Helen in memory of his late wife.
 
Quentin's Theme from Dark Shadows became a major hit record in 1969, bringing Cobert a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Theme. Recorded by dozens of artists including Henry Mancini, Lawrence Welk, and Mantovani, the song earned Cobert a Special Citation of Achievement by Broadcast Music Incorporated for over 100 million radio broadcasts. The vocal version, entitled Shadows Of The Night, was introduced on the TV series by David Selby, who portrayed the haunting and tormented character of Quentin Collins. Cobert’s 1969 record album, Original Music from Dark Shadows also became a hit and remains one of the top ten best-selling television soundtracks of all time.
 
Cobert taught courses in composition for film at the University of Southern California Graduate School. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, who he married in 1950 after meeting when she was a singer and he was a musician.  Bob is survived by his children William, Holly, and Suzy. plus six grandchildren.
 
From the 1980s into the 2010s, Bob was a frequent and beloved guest at many Dark Shadows Festivals and related events. His jovial presence and creative passion will be deeply missed by his many fans.

SHADOWGRAM – THE OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATES
Monday, February 3, 2020
SHADOWGRAM UPDATE  # 433
 
***** SHADOWGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- A CELEBRATION OF JOHN KARLEN IN LOS ANGELES - SATURDAY, APRIL 25
-- DAVID SELBY IN 2 SEPARATE NEW TV GUEST ROLE APPEARANCES
 

*****ANNOUNCING: A CELEBRATION OF JOHN KARLEN IN LOS ANGELES - SATURDAY, APRIL 25
 
As reported in ShadowGram Update #431, John Karlen (DS' "Willie Loomis") sadly passed away in Burbank, California on January 22 due to congestive heart failure at age 86.  John was a dearly beloved member of the Dark Shadows family and attended dozens of cast reunions, fan convention and other special events involving the show over the decades.
 
Now, to honor his creative legacy and celebrate his life, all friends and fans are welcome to attend  A Celebration of John Karlen to be held on Saturday afternoon, April 25 at the Vista Theatre in Los Angeles.
 
The gathering will serve as an opportunity for those who knew and loved John to share stories and memories.  Additionally, a newly-compiled video retrospective with rare footage and an overview of John's career on television and film will be shown. The afternoon will finish with a reception and refreshments.
 
To attend, please send an email reservation with your name and the names of any guests you are bringing to:
ShadowGram@aol.com   
 
----- Schedule For Saturday, April 25, 2020 – A CELEBRATION OF JOHN KARLEN
 
Vista Theatre - 4473 Sunset Drive, Hollywood CA 90027
 
12:30pm - Doors Open
1:00pm  - "Remembering John Karlen" Video Presentation
1:20pm  - Guest Speakers
2:00pm  - Song Tribute by James Storm
2:15pm  - John Karlen In His Own Words
2:30 pm - Reception & Refreshments
3:30pm  - Farewell
 
 
***** DAVID SELBY FEBRUARY TV APPEARANCES
 
Late last year, David (Quentin) shot guest appearances for a couple of popular dramatic TV series, airing this month (February).
 
"Chicago Fire" Season 8, episode 13 entitled "A Chicago Welcome" premieres Wednesday, February 5 at 9:00 pm Eastern/Pacific at 8:00 pm Central on NBC and subsequently on demand/digital platforms.
 
"NCIS New Orleans" Season 6, episode 15 entitled "Bad Moon Rising" premieres Sunday, February 16 at 10:00 pm Eastern/Pacific and 9:00 pm Central on CBS and subsequently on demand/digital platforms.