The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

Bonnie Franklin of 'One Day At A Time' dead at 69

Posted: 03 Mar 2013 07:25 PM PST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Bonnie Franklin, best known for her starring role as a single, working mother on the hit CBS comedy One Day At A Time, in an era when U.S. television was redefining families in pop culture, died on Friday at age 69.

She died at her Los Angeles home of complications from pancreatic cancer, surrounded by relatives and friends, according to a statement issued by the CBS network on behalf of her family.

Franklin, a petite redhead, had acted on Broadway before being cast as the harried divorcee Ann Romano in One Day At A Time, which debuted in December 1975 and ran for nine seasons on CBS. It co-starred Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips as her two head-strong daughters.

"My heart is breaking," Bertinelli, who played the younger daughter, Barbara, said in a statement. "Bonnie has always been one of the most important women in my life and was a second mother to me."

"She taught me how to navigate this business and life itself with grace and humor, and to always be true to myself. I will miss her terribly," Bertinelli added.

Franklin's performance on the series garnered her an Emmy nomination in 1982. She previously earned a Theatre World Award and a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut work in the 1970 musical Applause, in which she sang the title song.

During a career spanning six decades, she starred in more than 30 television series and made-for-TV movies while continuing her work in live theater. But she was best remembered for her work on the Norman Lear-produced sitcom One Day At A Time.

The show was an instant ratings success and became a cultural landmark for its portrait of a family that departed from the idealized sitcom households of earlier decades, like those on Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963) and Father Knows Best (1954-1960).

By the time One Day At A Time premiered at the end of 1975, even the happy blended family of The Brady Bunch (1969-1974) had become obsolete.

Her family disclosed last September that Franklin was being treated for pancreatic cancer.

Franklin's first marriage ended in divorce. She married producer Marvin Minoff in 1980, and they remained together until his death in 2009.

Firing up the airwaves

Posted: 04 Mar 2013 03:00 AM PST

Popular deejay Chan Fong returns to the morning slot to brighten up your day.

In the past 17 years, 988 has produced numerous popular deejays and Chan Fong is without doubt one of the biggest names around. Beginning today, he returns to 988's morning show – considered the most competitive time slot on radio – to join Sam (aka Da Bao) and Yi Hui.

To those of you who are not familiar with 988, Chan Fong has been the host of the station's popular show, City Heartbeat ("dai seng sum si" in Cantonese) for many years. In the show, people call in to relate their worries and problems to the affable deejay, who offers guidance and advice to those in need. City Heartbeat airs on Fridays (10pm-1am).

However, from today, Chan Fong will host 988's breakfast show Morning Up with the two bubbly ladies (weekdays, 6am-10am).

According to Chan Fong, who is also the managing director of an advertising firm, his decision to return to the morning slot was an easy one to make and considers it to be a "a win-win situation".

"Knowing current affairs and having trending news at your fingertips is necessary in the advertising industry.

"Now, in order to host an informative and factual breakfast show, more 'homework' needs to be done. In-depth reading and thinking will, in the end, be beneficial to my full-time task in the advertising business," he says.

Meanwhile, Sam, who has partnered with Chan Fong on the radio before, is optimistic about their on-air chemistry and believes they can improve their partnership.

"One of our segments is called Shan Fong Dian Huo (which literally means, "fan the flames" in Mandarin), so Yi Hui and I will be in charge of the 'fanning' while Chan Fong will ignite the fire. We'll set the airwaves on fire!" she says enthusiastically.

For Yi Hui, the youngest of the trio, this is a golden opportunity to learn from the "masters".

"I'm scared of Chan Fong. He doesn't laugh, not even when he's making jokes," she says animatedly.

Apart from the radio, you can also tune in to an hour of live streaming of the show at www.988.com.my today at 8am.

Also on 988 this week:

The Feature: Monday-Tuesday, 9am-10am

Each year on March 8, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world. Thousands of events are held not just on this day but also throughout the month to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. 988 will be speaking to two women who will share their thoughts on why the world needs to celebrate IWD.

Street VIP: Wednesday-Friday, 9am-10am

A "body language trainer" may not be your usual profession. However, understanding body language is the secret to inspiring confidence, conveying authority, and building great relationships, according to the believers of non-verbal communication. Acclaimed Taiwanese body language trainer Ho Jing Yuan will shed light on this profession.

Music VIP: Monday-Friday, 2pm

Taiwanese singer-songwriter Deserts Zhang Xuan never fails to impress when she performs live. With a bottle of beverage by her side, and an acoustic guitar in her hands, the indie artist's charismatic demeanour is enchanting. Hear her explain the conceptual thinking behind her recent album, Games We Play (Shen De You Xi) and what she hopes to express through her music.

■ For more information, visit www.988.com.my. 988 is ownded and operated by The Star.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Ahad, 3 Mac 2013