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    “Justified,” “Home Improvement” actor Mickey Jones dies at 76

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1557 Views
    This image released by FX shows Mickey Jones as Rodney "Hot Rod" Dunham in a scene from "Justified." Jones, 76, a native of Houston, Texas, native, who worked steadily in TV and film since the 1970s, died early Wednesday of the effects of a long illness. The illness was not disclosed. (Prashant Gupta/FX via AP)

    By Lynn Elber, Television Writer

    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    Mickey Jones, a veteran character actor who played Rodney "Hot Rod" Dunham on "Justified" and construction worker Pete on the 1990s sitcom "Home Improvement," has died. He was 76.

    Jones died early Wednesday morning of the effects of a long illness, said his publicist, Cherry Hepburn. The illness and where he died were not immediately disclosed.

    A native of Houston, Texas, Jones worked steadily in TV from the 1970s, with appearances on shows including "Baywatch" and "T.J. Hooker" and, more recently, "Growing Up Fisher" with J.K. Simmons and "Newsreaders" with Kumail Nanjiani

    On the big screen, Jones was seen in "Sling Blade," ''Tin Cup" and "Starman."

    His "Home Improvement" role harkened back to his roots in entertainment: Pete was part of a company band, using an ad hoc drum set made up of empty plastic fuel cans and with screwdrivers as sticks.

    Jones, however, was a real-deal musician. In the 1960s and '70s, he was a drummer with Trini Lopez, Bob Dylan, Johnny Rivers and The First Edition with Kenny Rogers.

    Jones' 2007 autobiography, "That Would Be Me:  Rock & Roll Survivor To Hollywood Actor," drew the first part of its title from the catchphrase his character was known for on Tim Allen's "Home Improvement."




    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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