Ric de Azevedo , a King Family singer who later worked on the production teams of early 1980s series Private Benjamin and Enos but might best be remembered for a surprising, tearful moment during a Vietnam era Christmas special, died March 14 in Fruit Heights, Utah, of an undisclosed illness. He was 75. His death was announced on the King Family ’s Facebook page. “Ric was a vibrant part of our family shows,” The King Cousins said in the statement, “and audiences always delighted in his performances and cherished the many memorable moments he was a part of — from singing and dancing in our Top Twenty segments, through his beautiful solos and of course the magical moment he surprised his mom Alyce during our very first Christmas special.” A member of the King Family vocal group, known for their easy-listening recordings and frequent TV specials during the 1960s and early 1970s, de Azevedo later went on to a behind-the-scenes career as a postproduction executive at … [Read more...] about Ric De Azevedo Dies: TV Producer & King Family Singer Who Surprised Tearful Mom During Vietnam Era Christmas Special Was 75
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CBS Renewal Status Report: ‘Blue Bloods’, ‘S.W.A.T.’, ‘East New York’ & ‘True Lies’
Third in a series on broadcast network series renewals. It’s been more than a month since the most recent CBS scripted renewals, of NCIS, NCIS: Hawai’i and CSI: Vegas . The three dramas that were left out at the time — Blue Bloods , S.W.A.T . and East New York — remain in limbo, joined on the CBS bubble list by new midseason drama True Lies , which debuted March 1. Business issues have been major factors in the renewal prospects for veterans Blue Bloods , currently in its 13th season, and S.W.A.T. , now in its sixth season, as well freshman East New York , I hear. Amid overall decline of linear ratings, it has become common practice for broadcast networks to ask for financial concessions on long-running series, which naturally become more expensive as they age. RELATED: Fox Renewal Status Report: ‘9-1-1’, ‘Lone Star’, ‘The Resident’, ‘Animal Control’, ‘Call Me Kat,’ ‘Flatch’ & More But things are looking very good for … [Read more...] about CBS Renewal Status Report: ‘Blue Bloods’, ‘S.W.A.T.’, ‘East New York’ & ‘True Lies’