Q and A: Week of Nov. 29
Q: I am glad to see Tim Meadows back on television in TBS’s “Glory Daze.” Now that Conan O’Brien, Tim’s fellow “Saturday Night Live” alumnus, is also on TBS, is there any chance he will guest-star on the show? — Ralph T., via e-mailA: Tim Meadows’ new one-hour TBS comedy will boast a variety of comedic guest stars this season, but as of now, Conan is not one of them. However, the show is only one degree of separation away from the late-night king.
Tim revealed: “We did have Andy Richter (guest star). He did an episode on the show where he plays a priest, an adviser to one of the students. And it’s a really, really funny scene. And we have a lot of other guest appearances by other comedic actors that I think people are going to be very happy about.” You can catch “Glory Daze” Tuesdays on TBS.
Q: Now that “FlashForward” is over, where else can I get my Joseph Fiennes fix? I miss watching him on a weekly basis. — Jenny A. in Texas
A: You and me both, Jenny. This spring, Joseph will star in the Starz original fantasy-drama “Camelot,” which tells the story of a teenage King Arthur (played by “The Twilight Saga”’s Jamie Campbell Bower), with Joseph playing the part of Merlin. The 10-part period drama also co-stars Claire Forlani (”Meet Joe Black”) and Eva Green (”Casino Royale”). If the series does well, it could run for multiple seasons.
Q: I collect “All in the Family” DVDs, and they seem to have stopped at Season 6. It has been a long time since they’ve put a new one out, and I wondered if and when they were planning to? — Clint K., via e-mail
A: Just in time for the holidays, “All in the Family” Season 7, which originally aired from September 1976 to March 1977, is now on store shelves. This season of the groundbreaking series — starring Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers — deals with infidelity, surgery, unemployment, life-saving CPR, draft-dodgers and accidental arson. You won’t have nearly as long a wait for Season 8, as it’s scheduled to be released Jan. 11, 2011.
Q: What is the meaning of MTAC, the upstairs room with the big screen and worldwide communications on “NCIS”? – Ron S., via e-mail
A: MTAC is short for the United States Department of the Navy’s Multiple Threat Alert Center. After the bombing of the USS Cole in October 2000, as well as the terrorist events of 9/11, the Navy Antiterrorist Alert Center (ATAC) was transformed in 2002 into the MTAC. According to the Navy’s official website, “The Department of the Navy’s Multiple Threat Alert Center (MTAC) provides indications and warning for a wide range of threats to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and assets around the world.”
Q: One of my all-time favorite actresses is the beautiful and talented Jacqueline Bisset. What is she up to lately, and what can I see her in next? — Paula F., Tulsa, Okla.A: You can catch the international superstar, who turned 66 in September, in the Hallmark Channel’s “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” which premieres on Saturday, Dec. 11. It is the sequel to Hallmark’s highest-rated film of 2008, “An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving,” an original movie based on a short story by famed American novelist Louisa May Alcott. In this sequel, Jacqueline reprises her role as Isabella Crawford, a wealthy philanthropist traveling the world with her granddaughter, Tilly.
Of revisiting the role in the new movie, Jacqueline told me: “It’s a journey. My controlling character is having difficulty keeping Tilly in line for what I think is best for her. Isabella has good instincts about her granddaughter, but she is controlling and interfering, and she feels that is her responsibility. We are very close, but she also has seen the other side of me, which can be very suffocating. Life is complicated; relationships are complicated.”
Q: I know that “Friday Night Lights” started on DirecTV in October, and I wondered if there are plans to bring it back to NBC again in the new year, as in years past? — Eva, via e-mail
A: NBC will indeed be airing the fifth and final season in 2011, after the show ends on DirecTV’s The 101 Network, as per its agreement with DirecTV. However, an exact date has not been announced as of this writing. In the meantime, you can reacquaint yourself with the show on NBC’s website, which is streaming season-four episodes online until June 2011.
Q: The summer series “The Glades” on A&E was a great show with good plots and characters. Will this show be returning anytime soon? — Barbara E., via e-mail
A: “The Glades,” the first season of which premiered on July 11 and ended on Oct. 3, drew record ratings for A&E in the range of 3.6 million viewers, making it the most watched original drama series in the network’s history. As of the now the date is still unknown, but the show has been renewed for a second season.
Q: I could not agree more with your statement that the networks don’t give new shows a chance. I was furious when Fox canceled “Lone Star” after only two episodes. It was different, well-written and had great actors. Instead, we end up with more of the same, lame shows. — Donna W., via e-mail
A: I know, Donna, I know. If our squeaky wheel is loud enough, maybe the networks will listen. These days it seems a safer bet to take a chance on a cable network’s new show — e.g., the aforementioned “The Glades” — as cable networks tend to nurture their new shows, not cut and run at the first sign of trouble like network TV.
Leslie Nielson Dies at 84
I come home (and back online) from my weeklong Thanksgiving holiday, only to learn one of my favorite comedic actors has passed away.(from Associated Press)
Despite decades spent playing sober commanders and serious captains, Leslie Nielsen insisted that he was always made for comedy. He proved it in his career's second act.
"Surely you can't be serious," an airline passenger says to Nielsen in "Airplane!" the 1980 hit that turned the actor from dramatic leading man to comic star.
"I am serious," Nielsen replies. "And don't call me Shirley."
The line was probably his most famous — and a perfect distillation of his career.
Nielsen, the dramatic lead in "Forbidden Planet" and "The Poseidon Adventure" and the bumbling detective Frank Drebin in "The Naked Gun" comedies, died on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 84.
Interview: John O'Hurley Goes to the Dogs
To most television viewers, John O’Hurley (photo credit, Virginia Sherwood/NBC) is best known for his role of J. Peterman on “Seinfeld,” or his nearly 12-year daytime-television career on shows including “The Young and the Restless,” “All My Children,” “Loving,” “Santa Barbara” and “The Edge of Night,” or being crowned the ultimate champion on the very first season of “Dancing With the Stars.” However, this is the time of year when John goes to the dogs — literally.On Thanksgiving Day, from noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones (directly following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade), John will be hosting the ninth annual “National Dog Show Presented by Purina” on NBC. And believe me, they didn’t have to twist his arm to get him to return to his hosting duties!
Celebrity Extra: I know you’re a dog lover, but what are some particular aspects about “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina” that keep you coming back?
John O’Hurley: Well, I think for us it’s the happiest day of the year. We go there, and we are surrounded by 2,000 dogs. Our favorite time is not really what’s going on in the ring there, but rather when my wife and I take a walk backstage and see all the breeders and all the dogs, and walking up and down the aisles. It’s pretty spectacular to see 165 different breeds.
CE: Now, I know you already know quite a bit about dogs, being a dog owner and all, but you must learn a lot more about them just through your hosting duties.
JO: Well, thank goodness I have David Frei with me, who is the most knowledgeable man in the world of dogs, and there’s nothing he does not know about them. So a little of that has rubbed off on me in a good way.
CE: I’m excited that this year they are introducing a bunch of new dog breeds. Especially the Cane Corso, which is a mammoth but is the sweetest dog in the world, and also the Bluetick Coonhound. What are you excited about?
JO: Definitely that! We did our photo session, and David and I — you want to talk about never working with kids or animals! — we had to work with all six of them. To try to get one photo together, it took nearly four hours. It is exciting to introduce that many new breeds, and they are all beautiful dogs.
CE: What part of the actual hosting duties do you look forward to most when you do this?
JO: My favorite part is when the Irish Setter comes into the ring. It represents to me what a beautiful dog should look like. The way the hair is cut — it’s such an athletic movement when the dog comes in, and it’s just beautiful to me. So I always look for the Irish Setter.
CE: This show always has such a huge audience. We’re pushing 20 million viewers. To what do you attribute its great success?
JO: Well, I think it’s an extraordinary piece of programming. This is a great show on a family day. If you put this show on any other time of the week, I don’t think it would do near as well. It just happens to be sitting there on the perfect family day and gives something that everybody wants to watch. Rather than football, which is regional and certainly male-oriented. But this is a show that the family can watch.
CE: You had told me in one of our previous interviews that your son, William, loves to accompany you, loves to be involved backstage. Will we see him again this year?
JO: Yep, he’ll be there. He’s very excited. He loves going to the show.
CE: It’s like a kid in a candy store, except with dogs.
JO: It really is. Since this is a benched show — and I think you know what that means — it means they all have to stay there through the entire show. It’s one of the great events for parents to bring children to. If you go backstage, you’ll see a lot of the attending audiences are parents and kids. It’s just a wonderful idea to bring them up and down so they can see all the different breeds. They can talk to the breeders and get some tips if they are in the market for a pet. Then they’ll get the right answers about whether this dog actually parallels their lifestyle, which is really the message we try to get out every year.
CE: On another subject, I personally would like to start a campaign now for you, as a song-and-dance man with a wicked sense of humor, that you need to guest-star on “Glee.”
JO: Well, isn’t that funny. They’ve been talking about it, as kind of a family member or love interest for Sue (Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch). And I think between the two of us, we would actually corner the market on arrogance and pomposity.
CE: Well, I’m going to help forward that campaign. I think that would be wonderful. I thought that was my original idea, but I’m glad to see that other people are thinking the same way!
JO: Actually, a dear friend of mine had dinner with two of the producers and they said they had already reached that idea.
CE: I know that Steve Harvey is doing a bang-up job hosting “Family Feud” now, but I still get tons of letters from my readers telling me that they still miss having you as the host.
JO: Oh, how sweet.
CE: What do you miss most about the show, and what could you say to my readers who miss you?
JO: Well, I had a wonderful time with that. But they wanted to move the show to Orlando, and with my child responsibilities here, that just wasn’t going to happen. So, I have to look at it as four phenomenal years, and I miss the show dearly, but it frees me up to do so many other things. I’m back on Broadway and will be heading back to Broadway again, and those are things that I just couldn’t do as freely when I was committed to “Family Feud.”
CE: What are you going to be doing on Broadway? Is it finalized yet?
JO: I just finished “Chicago,” and I probably will head back over the holidays to do another stint in “Chicago.” And then I have another tentative long-term offer to do another show there, but that one I can’t talk about just yet.
CE: Like most of America, I’m a huge “Dancing With the Stars” fan, and I was mortified by Bruno’s comments to your friend Michael Bolton. I was just wondering what your reaction was to that?
JO: I love Bruno. And I think his color on the show helps the show along a lot. I mean he really should be outrageous. However, my concern is when your comments become mean-spirited like that. And I think it was a mean-spirited comment. I think if he had to do it over again, he probably would have put the words back in his mouth. But my concern is that agents who protect their clients, and especially high-profile clients, will think twice now about allowing their clients to do the show. That’s my concern. That show lives and breathes on the back and the sweat of the people doing the show. It doesn’t live on the comments of the judges. So I think they need to remember that every time they make a comment like that. If they want to continue to get high-profile people — which is really what drives that show — encourage, don’t discourage.
CE: I agree. You can be critical with your comments, but they need to be constructive and affirming.
JO: Absolutely — the judges are there to help, not belittle. Michael worked really, really hard. That weekend Michael was doing the show, he was also flying around doing concerts and doing his charity golf tournament, all at the exact same time. And he was still able to fit the rehearsals in during all of that. I mean, he was just like triple-tasking that week. And I don’t think the comments were really indicative of the work that Michael put in. I just think they were wrong.
Interview: The Dramatic Side of Jaime Pressly
While Jaime Pressly (pictured left, photo courtesy Lifetime Television) might be forever known best for her role of Joy Turner on NBC’s long-running hit sitcom “My Name Is Earl,” she has also put in her fair share of time on nighttime drama series, including “Jack and Jill” and “Charmed.” On Sunday, Nov. 21 at 8 ET/5 PT on the Lifetime Movie Network, you can catch Jaime as she flexes her dramatic-acting chops when she portrays Britt Shelley in “Smoke Screen,” an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by Sandra Brown.Celebrity Extra: Since “Earl” ended, you’ve had a lot of high-profile roles on some big-screen movie hits. What was it about this movie and the role that made you decide to return to the small screen to do it?
Jaime Pressly: First of all, when I read the script, I thought the script in general was great. This kind of movie — suspense thrillers — can be very hit or miss. But the story was there. It was also a type of character that I’ve never played before since people are used to seeing me in comedy, and this is a different side. So I was really excited to be a part of it.
CE: What were some of the qualities of the character of Britt that you really liked and were anxious to portray?
JP: Well, first of all, she’s an investigative reporter and very career-driven. I think so many of us, women especially in today’s day and age, we all think it’s so much easier to be single and take care of yourself and not have to worry about anything. But then it becomes lonely, because after you make the money and you’ve done well in your career, then what? And I really liked that aspect of the character and the story line. And Sandra Brown’s book is incredible.
CE: In preparing for the movie, did you read the book first? Or did you not want to taint your character or the discovery process?
JP: Sandra actually came to the set and gave me a book, and then my mom and I both read it afterward. A lot of times when you do a film based on a book, it’s very difficult to kind of get it all into one movie because of time constraints. So, I read it afterward. And there’s a couple more characters in the book and there are more details in the book. I definitely suggest that everyone read the book, because it is outstanding. She is an incredible writer. And if you see the movie and then read the book, you're still going to enjoy it. It’s not like the film will ruin the book for you by any means.
CE: I love that the Lifetime Movie Network really is starting to make a name for itself with smart women protagonists in smart, intelligent movies. They are steering away from the helpless woman-on-the-ledge kind of stereotype.
JP: Which is awesome, because in this business, from the beginning of time, from the beginning of Hollywood, everything has been based around the men. You know, the leading man is cast first and they cast the women around the man. And with this network, they typically cast around the woman, which is awesome. One of the things I loved about this character is she’s an awesome character to play. She’s smart. There’s nothing dumb about this girl at all.
CE: Now, you and main co-star Currie Graham had a great chemistry together. I was wondering how was he to work with?
JP: He was an absolute dream to work with. The first three days of the film we shot, we got through one-third of the film — in the first three days! It was very difficult, and had he not been as awesome to work with as he was and as professional as he is, it would not have gotten done. I like to laugh when I work. I’m not one of those people who everybody needs to shut up and don’t look me in the eye. And he’s not that way either. So it was nice to laugh in between takes and kind of make fun of ourselves and make light of whatever situations we were in. It was nice to kind of have somebody to vent to and lean on.
CE: Is there any chance for a “My Name is Earl” reunion? Would be game for that?
JP: Oh, I would be game to go back to that set and work with those people any day, any time. And I think everybody else that was a part of the show would say the same thing. It was the greatest job I’ve ever had. And the greatest group of people that you could ever ask to work with, and they all hold a very dear place in my heart, and I miss them all terribly. Oh yeah, I would do it. It was a shock to everyone [when we were canceled]. Now here we are in syndication on more times a week, and there are more viewers now then there ever were before.
Q and A: Week of Nov. 15
Q: I love watching “Family Feud” and think Steve Harvey is doing great, but what happened with John O’Hurley? Why did he leave? He was a terrific host! — Gina T. in TexasA: I spoke with John (pictured left, photo credit Virginia Sherwood/NBC) recently to talk about his other hosting duties, that of the ninth-annual National Dog Show presented by Purina (which airs on Thanksgiving Day after the Macy’s Parade), and he told me the reason behind his departure: “I had a wonderful time hosting ‘Family Feud.’ They wanted to move the show to Orlando, but with my child responsibilities here that just wasn’t going to happen. So, I just have to look at it as four phenomenal years. I miss the show dearly, but it frees me up to do so many other things. I’m back on Broadway, and will be heading back to Broadway again, and those are things that I just couldn’t do as freely when I was committed to ‘Family Feud.’” John is very grateful that you enjoyed him on the show, as well as the MANY other readers who wrote in to me to tell me that they missed him.
Q: I remember awhile back you reported that “Avatar” star CCH Pounder told you that there would be a sequel. Is that still in the works, or was it just wishful thinking? — Travis G., via e-mail
A: Would I, or CCH Pounder, ever steer you wrong? There are actually TWO “Avatar” sequels in the works. 20th Century Fox hopes to have the first of the as-of-now-untitled sequels in theaters by December 2014, with the third movie released the following December 2015. Director/visionary James Cameron released this statement: “In the second and third films, which will be self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of ‘Avatar’s’ visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world.”
Q: When is HBO’s “Big Love” coming back for its fifth season? — Justine D., via e-mail
A: The hit drama series about a Salt Lake City businessman (played by Bill Paxton) and his three wives (Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin) will return for its fifth and final season on Jan. 16.
Q: I read that they were making a sequel to “Napoleon Dynamite.” Is that true? — Flint M., Akron, Ohio
A: It’s not exactly a sequel. Fox has ordered six episodes of an animated version of the 2004 cult hit, which starred Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez (as Napoleon and his friend Pedro). Efren told me that one episode is already in the can and that everyone is thrilled with it. He told me that “it appeals to everybody, and it’s funny. It’s got all of the original cast and the original writers. And it’s Fox, and as you know, Fox does a great job with animated series.”
SOUND OFF: Offensive Polls
Like any other celebrity publication, I like to take polls once in a while. Like, I want to know which Fall movie you are most excited about, or which TV show does the best Halloween episodes. However, one particular magazine always has the most offensive polls on its website. Today's offensive poll:
Really, unnamed magazine — this is your idea of a poll? Is this Mean Girls in real life, expecting us to say who make a better wife? A few days ago, it posted its "Who Would Make a Better Mom?" poll. Must we pit celebs against one another in this way? Really?
I think that a certain unnamed magazine needs to watch Jamie Kennedy's documentary, Heckler. But I doubt that would help.
Really, unnamed magazine — this is your idea of a poll? Is this Mean Girls in real life, expecting us to say who make a better wife? A few days ago, it posted its "Who Would Make a Better Mom?" poll. Must we pit celebs against one another in this way? Really?
I think that a certain unnamed magazine needs to watch Jamie Kennedy's documentary, Heckler. But I doubt that would help.
Q and A: Week of Nov. 8
Q: I think I’ve missed a couple of episodes of “Lone Star” on Fox. Is it coming back on? — Mike M., Newark, OhioQ: I fell in love with the ABC summer series “The Gates.” Do you have any idea if it will be brought back, maybe as a midseason replacement? I really need to know what happens! — Karen D. in Virginia
A: “Lone Star” was the first casualty of the fall 2010 season. Despite rave reviews and being the critics’ darling, low ratings forced Fox to pull the series after only two episodes.
And the same fate seems to have befallen the summer series “The Gates” (which was one of my favorite shows of the year) and “Scoundrels.” On Oct. 15, “The Gates” star Frank Grillo (pictured) tweeted: “Don’t shoot the messenger … “The Gates” is officially canceled. I knew my source was right. Thanks to all of you for supporting us.”
As of this writing, ABC’s “My Generation” and NBC’s “Outlaw” (starring Jimmy Smits) also are kaput. One the cusp of cancellation — however, they still could be saved — are “Undercovers” and “Running Wilde.”
Q: Last season on “The Mentalist,” there was an actor on one of the episodes playing the role of a billionaire who really resembles Kevin Spacey. Who is he, and what else can I see him in? — Jay F., via e-mail
A: You’re thinking of 43-year-old Canadian actor Currie Graham. Most recently he co-starred with Jaime Pressly in “Smoke Screen,” a made-for-TV movie based on the Sandra Brown novel. The movie premieres Sunday night, Nov. 21, on the Lifetime Movie Network.
Q: Sean Murray of “NCIS” sure has lost a lot of weight. Is he ill or on some sort of a diet? — Mrs. G., Venice, Fla.
A: Sean, who turns 33 on Nov. 15, explained via his Twitter account that his weight loss came from “14 months of no alcohol and almost no sugar. Ate strictly organic. … You can actually see me gradually lose the weight over the 24 (episodes) of Season 7; a pound every week or two.”
Q: I enjoy watching classic black-and-white movies on television. What does “RKO” stand for in the RKO Pictures logo? — Tashi G., Dearborn, Mich.
A: RKO stands for “Radio-Keith-Orpheum.” RKO was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO) theater chains brought together under the control of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) back in 1928.
READERS: A few weeks back, a reader asked when TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age” would be back for its second season, and I answered that it would be Nov. 29. The network has since pushed that date back to Monday, Dec. 6, so re-mark your calendars!
Q and A: Week of Nov. 1
Q: Is it true that a sequel to “Top Gun” is in the works? — Fred D., Akron, OhioA: All MiG-28s point to “yes.” While it is still in the early stages of development, “Top Gun 2” is in Paramount’s sights, although the production company will not confirm anything on the record at this time. Tom Cruise (pictured left in the original, with Kelly McGillis) was said to have been approached for a cameo in the sequel, but studio officials are quick to deny that claim. I think it’s still a possibility that Maverick will make an appearance; they just want it to be a surprise for us fans, so they are denying it. However, all of us nosy-pants on the Internet make surprises quite difficult to pull off, wouldn’t you agree?
Q: I am glad to see that “Conspiracy Theory With Jesse Ventura” is back for its second season. I was surprised truTV gave it the green light to go ahead in the first place, since most channels try to stay away from anything even the slightest bit controversial. — Lisa J., via e-mail
A: I know what you mean, and I’m happy that truTV is sticking by its most controversial show (its record-breaking ratings for its first season didn’t hurt, either). The governor himself told me how proud he is of the network for taking a chance on his show: “I give truTV a lot of credit. They’re showing a great deal of courage for putting this show on television. They came on board with both guns blazing. I have to tell you that I couldn’t be happier.” For more of my chat with Gov. Ventura, go here. Trust me, we cover some really good stuff!
Q: I finally had the chance to see “You Don’t Know Jack,” the HBO movie with Al Pacino starring as Jack Kevorkian. Al was great, as usual. Did he meet Dr. Kevorkian before portraying him? — Britney F., San Antonio
A: Al Pacino told The New York Times that he did not want to meet the doctor to prepare for his role, as he wanted to discover the character himself and didn’t feel that meeting him prior would be productive. He said he “prefers playing a real character, someone who exists, because it gives a kind of credibility to what you are doing.” Al has since signed on to another HBO biopic, this one being a David Mamet-written film about Phil Spector. I am thinking he won’t be meeting with Phil beforehand either.
Q: Can you tell me if Scott Caan of “Hawaii Five-O” is related to James Caan? — Joyce C., via e-mail
A: Scott, 34, is indeed the son of legendary actor James Caan. Scott, who plays Danno in the revamped version of the hit 1970s police drama, has been building quite a resume for himself. He has appeared in “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Ocean’s Thirteen,” as well as “Varsity Blues” and “Into the Blue.”
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