Q and A: Week of Oct. 24
Q: Who was the actor who played the younger Riggins brother on “Friday Night Lights”? What is he doing now? — Sherry R., via e-mailA: Taylor Kitsch played Tim Riggins, the troubled, womanizing former fullback/running back of the Dillon Panthers who turned himself in to police for running a chop shop with his brother, Billy. Since “FNL” ended, Taylor, 30, has been super busy. He stars in a handful of movies coming out soon and/or in production, including playing the title character in “John Carter”; Alex Hopper in “Battleship,” a feature-film adaption of the popular kids’ board game; and “Savages,” a crime drama directed by Oliver Stone.
Q: I was really getting into “The Playboy Club” when it was suddenly dropped from the TV schedule. Is it on hiatus, or has it been canceled? — George F., Harrisburg, Pa.
A: It would seem that NBC’s much-ballyhooed crime drama couldn’t hold an audience’s attention as well as the Playboy Bunnies themselves could back in the time this show was set (1961). On Oct. 3, NBC aired the third and final episode of “The Playboy Club” (with two episodes going unaired), making it the first casualty of the fall 2011 TV season. Series creator Chad Hodge and Playboy Enterprises CCO Hugh Hefner are hoping to sell the series to Bravo, where it will air all five episodes and hopefully be called upon to make more.
If you’re keeping score, NBC’s “Free Agents,” starring Hank Azaria, was canceled soon after “Playboy.” As of Oct. 14, ABC's “Charlie’s Angels” has been canceled, along with the CW's "H8R."
Q: Can you tell me if two of my favorite comedies, IFC’s “Portlandia” and “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” with be back for new seasons? Please say yes! — Jennifer G., via e-mail
A: Yes, both show will be back for their respective second season on IFC this January. Regarding “Portlandia,” stars Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel will be back, along with a slew of new characters and notable guest stars. And “Todd Margaret” will feature the return of David Cross, Will Arnett (who will be pulling double-duty, since his NBC show “Up All Night” has been picked up for a full season), Sharon Horgan and Blake Harrison, with Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) making a guest-starring appearance.
Q: “Drop Dead Diva” just finished up the season, and the ending gives the impression that it’s over. Will it be returning? — Joan D., via e-mail
A: Don’t you worry. Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of Lifetime Networks, announced recently that “DDD” would be back for a 13-episode fourth season in summer 2012, stating: “‘Drop Dead Diva’ is a signature series for Lifetime that continues to resonate with audiences with its heart and humor. We are thrilled to bring it back for another season.”
True Blood's Kristin Bauer Launches Campaign to Protect Chimpanzees
(PRESS RELEASE) Kristin Bauer and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine launch campaign on Change.org asking U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend endangered species protections to captive chimpanzees.
WASHINGTON, DC – Actress Kristin Bauer, who plays Pam on HBO's True Blood, has launched a campaign on Change.org with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect captive chimpanzees.
Bauer’s online campaign asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend the endangered species protections currently given to wild chimpanzees to captive chimpanzees used in experiments and the entertainment industry and kept as pets in United States.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the incredible intelligence and rich, complex social lives of chimpanzees,” said Bauer. “It would be shameful to see them go extinct in the wild as we continue to exploit them here in the U.S. in invasive experiments, entertainment and as pets.”
Bauer cites studies demonstrating that when people see chimpanzees used in commercials and interacting with humans in the media, they are more likely to believe that chimpanzees not only make good pets, but that they are not endangered in the wild.
“The Endangered Species Act should protect all chimpanzees, including those being used in laboratory experiments,” said John Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “No other developed countries allow invasive research on chimpanzees because of ethical and scientific problems with such experiments. The U.S. must do more to protect humankind’s closest genetic relatives.”
Bauer’s campaign is likely to draw national attention to the lack of protections for captive chimpanzees. The actress is encouraging True Blood fans to sign her online petition campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change.
“It’s really impressive to see Kristin Bauer rally her fans around giving chimpanzees a voice,” said Change.org Director of Organizing Stephanie Feldstein. “Through her campaign on Change.org, Kristin’s fans can take action on a cause that’s important to them. Change.org empowers anyone, anywhere to start a campaign on issues that matter to them, and it’s been incredible to watch this campaign take off.”
A proposal to extend protections to captive chimpanzees is currently under consideration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The public comment period for the proposal ends October 31.
Live signature totals from Kristin Bauer’s campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/us-fish-wildlife-service-protect-all-chimpanzees
Q and A: Week of Oct. 17
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| Josh Holloway (you're welcome) |
A: The handsome Josh Holloway, 42, has been keeping pretty busy since ‘Lost’ ended last year. You can see him again soon on the big screen in ‘Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol.’ In the movie, which hits theaters on Dec. 21, Josh plays Trevor Hanaway, a member of Ethan Hunt’s (played by Tom Cruise) Mission Impossible force, along with Ving Rhames and Academy Award-nominee Jeremy Renner.
Q: I am heartbroken that Fox has canceled ‘America’s Most Wanted.’ I’ve watched the show since the beginning, and I am so proud of all the good John Walsh and his crew have done to ‘get those dirtbags off the streets’! Is there an address for Fox that we can write to, hopefully to change their minds? — Gertrude T., via e-mail
A: I have good news for you, Gertrude. Lifetime Television recently announced that it has picked up John Walsh’s top crime-fighting show, which will return for its 25th season later this year. While there is not an exact airdate scheduled as of this writing, keep an eye on this column for updates as I get them. Also, check back here as December gets closer for my exclusive interview with John Walsh about the resurrection of ‘AMW’ on Lifetime. I’m sure we’ll also talk about all those ‘creeps’ and ‘slimeballs’ that John will be trying to capture this upcoming season.
Q: I really liked your idea a few months back of having Beth Littleford (of ‘Crazy Stupid Love’) playing James Spader’s wife in ‘The Office’ this season, but now I hear Maura Tierney has been tapped for the part. Is that true? If so, what do you think about that? — Holly T., via e-mail
A: While Maura is no stranger to comedy — she co-starred on ‘News Radio’ from 1995-99 — she usually plays the straight (wo)man, which is exactly what James Spader needs, now that we are getting a better idea of what his character, Robert California, is like. So now I make this modest proposal: How about we cast Beth as Robert’s Scranton mistress? Her offbeat and hilarious sense of humor, along with her improv skills and deadpan humor, would make her the perfect ‘secret lover’ for the new boss, as well as an excellent foil for the rest of the cast. Are you listening, Paul Lieberstein and crew?
Q: I really like the reality/survival series, ‘The Colony,’ on the Discovery Channel. When will the third season start? — Jane R., Philadelphia
A: According to a Discovery Channel representative, currently there are no plans to bring ‘The Colony’ back in 2011. I’ll keep checking and keep you posted as I learn any more details for 2012.
Interview: Eileen Davidson's Fourth Book Is a Page-Turner
Most of daytime fans know Eileen Davidson as Ashley Abbott, whom she’s portrayed on “The Young and the Restless” off and on since 1982. But many might not know that she is also an accomplished author. Along with co-writer Robert Randisi, she has penned four “Soap Opera Mystery” novels, the latest installment being “Swingin’ in the Rain.” In “Swingin’,” Eileen explores the world of swingers’ clubs as a backdrop to murder. Celebrity Extra: Here’s a question I am sure is on everyone’s minds: What made you decide to set your new book in the world of swingers?
Eileen Davidson: I had heard about different people living in Malibu who were into it. And I was like, “You’re kidding!” It was just really shocking, and it seemed like a great backdrop for a murder mystery. After I did some research, I discovered how prevalent it is in society. I’m fascinated that so many people are into it, that it’s kind of a very well-kept secret. And I’m wondering if they ever run into each other at the dry cleaners or in the carpool line.
CE: How did you research it?
ED: This is a true story. I was at Scott Baio’s birthday party, and a woman came up to me and said she was a big fan of my books and asked when I was going to write the next one. And I said, “Well, I’m kind of in the middle of writing it now.” And she asked, “What’s the premise?” And I told her, and she goes, “You’re not going to believe this, but one of my good friends was the manager for one of the top swingers clubs in L.A. for 10 years.” So I gave her friend a call, and we spoke for an hour, and she gave me so much information. She told me everything, and everything she told me I put in the book: game rooms and the dark room, where everybody denies going into, but it’s always full.
The club she managed is closed now, but she said: “I know of someone who is running another one. And if you want to go, I can get you in there.” And I was thinking I should go there for research, but then I thought, Do I really want to do that? So I told her that maybe someday I’ll check it out. But I don’t know.
CE: In theory, it seems like a good idea, but then when it gets down to it ...ED: Exactly! Exactly! I guess my Catholic upbringing is alive and well.
CE: I like that you incorporated Alex’s fears now that we’re down to four network soaps. What are some other bits of soap business that you bring to your books?
ED: The opening scene of the book actually happened to me in the ’80s while I was filming a scene for “YR.” We were filming the scene at a park in the pouring rain, and I had a crewmember underneath me trying to push me up this steep, muddy hill that I needed to get up, and I kept sliding down. So, I have some guy under me, not in the shot, trying to get me up there, and I keep falling down. We laughed so hard, because I could not get up that friggin’ hill.
CE: I am really enjoying the slow development of Alex and Jakes’ relationship. It’s realistic, and it’s getting better and stronger. Do you purposely keep her relationship with Jakes grounded so that Alex herself does not go crazy?
ED: That’s a good way of putting it, actually, because there is so much crazy stuff going on around her that there has to be something that is a grounding force besides her daughter. So, it’s just kind of the way the relationship evolves. When he was first introduced it was not supposed to be like a love interest, but it evolved that way in the first book. It was just sort of this natural evolution.
If you want to get in on the mystery, buy Eileen’s book “Swingin’ in the Rain” on amazon.com, or wherever books are sold. And check out her first three books while you’re at it!
Q and A: Week of Oct. 10
Q: I read in your column a few months back that Alicia Silverstone had given birth to a son, and it got me to thinking if she has plans to return to the big, or small, screen soon? — Darren F., Portland, Ore.A: Alicia returns to her comedic roots with the help of Amy Heckerling, who also gave the beautiful actress her big break when she was chosen to portray Cher in the classic high-school comedy “Clueless.” With Amy writing and directing and Alicia starring, the new film “Vamps” is gearing up to bring to the new influx of vampire movies what “Clueless” brought to high-school-comedy movies.
“Vamps” centers on Alicia (“Goody”) and Krysten Ritter (“Stacy”) as they try to live as “good” vampires in New York City. “Vamps” also stars Sigourney Weaver and Malcolm McDowell, and should hit theaters some time next year.
Q: With the Emmy Awards a recent memory — and Jane Lynch doing a fabulous job hosting — I was wondering if you could tell me who will be the host for the next Academy Awards? — Deidre S., via e-mail
A: Actor/comedian Eddie Murphy, 50, has been selected to host the 84th annual Academy Awards. The ceremony, which is to be held Feb. 12, 2012, will mark the first time that the funnyman has hosted the show. His selection as the only host marks a return to the single-host format, which has gone by the wayside in recent years as the Academy opted for multiple hosts — some choices successful (Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin) and some not so successful (James Franco and Anne Hathaway). Eddie says he is “enormously honored” to be given hosting duties, and I’m excited to see what he has in store for viewers.
Q: I’m so glad that “The Mentalist” has returned for its fourth season, and I wanted to know when the previous season would be out on DVD. — Steven S., Akron, Ohio
A: Simon Baker and the rest of the crew have their work cut out for them this season, but now you can relive season three — which proved to be spellbinding and suspenseful in its own right — anytime you’d like at home, as Warner Home Video recently released it on DVD. “The Mentalist: The Complete Third Season” is a five-disc collection featuring all 24 episodes, plus two featurettes and some unaired scenes.
Q: I know you’re a fan of “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura,” so you might be able to tell me: Will it be back for a third season? — Patrick L., via e-mail
A: I am thrilled to report that truTV recently announced that an eight-episode third season of “Conspiracy Theory” will air in 2012, with Jesse at the helm and June Sarpong at his right hand, along with newcomers Tyrel Ventura (Jesse’s son) and Sean Stone (Oliver Stone’s son). Like me, I’m sure you can’t wait to see a new season of myth-debunking, truth-seeking and Ventura-style entertainment.
Q: I really loved Ann-Marie Johnson on “In the Heat of the Night.” What can I see her in now, and is she married with children? — Virginia, C.A: I can’t even begin to list Ann-Marie’s film and TV credits, as there are way too many of them, but I can tell you the first series I remember seeing her in was “Double Trouble” back in 1984. Since then, she has been featured in “Hill Street Blues,” “I’m Gonne Get You Sucka,” “In Living Color,” “Melrose Place,” “Ally McBeal,” “The X-Files,” “JAG,” “Pursuit of Happyness” and “NCIS.” Her most recent projects have been “Leverage” and “Fairly Legal.” Ann-Marie, 51, has been married to actor Martin Grey since 1996, and they have no children.
Q: I was watching an older movie called “Dracula III” with Rutger Hauer as Dracula, and I could have sworn the red-haired vampire also plays the assistant D.A. on “Law & Order: SVU.” Are they the same person? Also, was Mariska Hargitay, also of “SVU,” ever on the TV show “Freddy’s Nightmares”? — Kevin B., Edmore, Mich.
A: You are correct on both counts. Diane Neal did indeed play Elizabeth Blaine in the straight-to-video vampire movie “Dracula III,” starring alongside Rutger, Roy Schieder and Jason London. And back before Mariska was detective-extraordinaire Olivia Benson on “SVU,” she did indeed have a role in one of the “Freddy’s Nightmares” episodes, playing medical student Marsha, whom Freddy — played by the always-scary Robert Englund — harasses on Halloween, driving her to the brink of madness.
Q: The TV show “The Mentalist” shows Ashley Gable as producer. Is she a daughter or granddaughter of Clark Gable? — Juanita S., St. Clair Shores, Mich.
A: Ashley Gable, who recently took over as executive producer of the CBS crime drama, is not related to the iconic actor, known best for his role of Rhett Butler in “Gone With the Wind.” Clark had two children: a daughter with actress Loretta Young named Judy Lewis, who has a daughter named Maria, and a son with actress Kay Williams named John Clark Gable, who has a son named Clark James and daughter named Hayley. Ashley Gable — who, again, is no relation to Clark Gable — is a prolific writer and producer, working on such shows as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Crossing Jordan” and “The Mentalist,” to name just a few.
Q: Will the horror series “The Walking Dead” be back for another season? — Donna C., Warner, Okla.
A: AMC has rewarded “The Walking Dead” with a 13-episode second season (up from a six-episode first season), which is scheduled to begin Sunday, Oct. 16, at 9 p.m. ET. For those unfamiliar with the critically acclaimed series, it is based on the comic-book series of the same name and centers on a group of people who’ve survived a zombie apocalypse and are searching across America for a new, safe home away from all the killer zombies.
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