Q and A: Week of August 9

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Q and A: Week of August 9

Q: Can you tell me if Timothy Hutton (pictured left, photo credit Darren Michaels, TNT) is the son of Jim Hutton of the “Ellery Queen” TV mystery series of old? — Rae S., via e-mail

A: Film and television star Jim Hutton is indeed the father of “Leverage” star Timothy Hutton. Jim gained fame on projects such as “The Green Berets,” “Hellfighters,” “Walk, Don’t Run” and “Bachelor in Paradise.” In 1975, Jim landed the role he is perhaps best-known for, that of the titular character in “Ellery Queen.” He passed away of liver cancer in 1979 at the age of 45.

Q: I just finished reading the book “One Day” by David Nicholls and absolutely loved it. Is it being made into a movie? — Darla E., via e-mail

A: I loved the book as well and am happy to report that the movie adaptation is currently filming in England. Anne Hathaway stars as Emma, and Jim Sturgess is Dexter. The film will follow the story of Dex and Em, two university classmates who meet on graduation night in 1988, and fall in and out of each other’s life over the next two decades. In a clever storytelling convention, each chapter lets the reader explore the protagonists’ lives on July 15 of each year, beginning on that fateful day after graduation.

Q: Dustin Hoffman has always been one of my favorite actors. What does he have coming up? — Julie F., Denver

A: HBO landed the award-winning actor for its new series, “Luck,” which is about the horse-racing world: the owners, jockeys and gamblers. Filming begins this fall, and the show co-stars Dennis Farina and Nick Nolte. The pilot episode will be directed by Michael Mann, of “Miami Vice,” “Heat” and “Public Enemies” fame.

Q: I have a question that I have been wondering about for two years. Why was “Boston Legal” canceled? I have heard it was due to low ratings, which I have a hard time believing since so many people watched and enjoyed it. I have to wonder if some of the storylines were too controversial and ruffled some feathers? – Monnie F., via e-mail

A: Writer and creator David E. Kelley told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in December 2008: “ABC didn’t want us back. We had to fight to get back on with 13 [episodes]. It’s not a product they care to market. Five years into the show, if anyone has ever seen the show at ABC, they’ve yet to bring it to my attention,” he said.


David speculated the lack of promotion had to do with the fact that 20th Century Fox produced the show, not ABC itself, so ABC didn’t share in the profits. “Even though our numbers are solid, not huge, I think the conventional wisdom at ABC, and I don’t know this, but I’m guessing they continue to believe they can develop their own product and get that [rating] number, and then also share in the profits.”