Q and A: Week of Oct. 14

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Q and A: Week of Oct. 14

Ed Weeks

Q: I absolutely love “The Mindy Project,” and I am so glad it’s back. I have a question about the actor who plays Dr. Reed: Did he gain weight in real life to play his newly plump alter ego? — Jessica D., via e-mail

A: The slim and fit Ed Weeks did not have to pack on the pounds to play stress-eating Reed. The British actor wears padding to simulate his character’s weight gain. Since it’s a comedy, I suppose it’s OK that he didn’t get all Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull” on us for the role.

Q: I was reading somewhere that a cable network is planning to turn the movie “American Psycho” into a TV series. Is this true? If so, how is this even possible? — Tandy W., Bowling Green, Ohio

A: You heard correctly: FX is planning a series based on the violent, bloody, cult-classic comedy/drama that brilliantly spoke of the vanity and excess of the ’80s corporate cutthroat (literally and figuratively) culture. Word has it that the series will pick up in the present time, with crazy corporate killer Patrick Bateman now in his 50s, and he’s grooming an apprentice to be just like him.

Q: Whatever happened to the planned “CHiPs” movie? I’d heard a while back that the series was going to be remade into a feature film. — Danny A., via e-mail

A: Word about the production broke back in 2005, and even as recent as 2010, the project was in development with Warner Brothers to make a “CHiPs” movie, with Wilmer Valerrama attached to star as Ponch. However, the project stalled in the development phase, and no one has seen hide nor hair of it since.

In my opinion, the remake would need to be handled like Ben Stiller did with his “Starsky and Hutch” remake, or else I couldn’t see the concept working. This “CHiPs” stall-out seems to be catching: Seasons one and two of the original cop show have been released on DVD, but there’s no word yet on when season three will come out.

Q: I love “NCIS,” and was looking forward to the spinoff starring Kim Raver. It’s not anywhere on CBS’s schedule. Has it been scrapped? — Pauline F., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: Plans for “NCIS: Red,” which also would have starred John Corbett, have indeed been scrapped. But, don’t worry: If you need more “NCIS,” you’ll be happy to hear about plans for a spinoff set in New Orleans. This spring, CBS will air an episode of “NCIS” that will serve as the jumping-off point for the spinoff, and if all goes well, “NCIS: New Orleans” could very well appear on CBS’s 2014 fall schedule.

If you need more Kim Raver, she’s rumored to be reprising her role of Audrey Raines in this spring’s “24: Live Another Day” on Fox (along with Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub).

Q: I absolutely cannot wait until Nov. 22 when “Catching Fire” opens in theaters. Do you have any “Hunger Games” trilogy-related scoops for me? — Nina M., via email

A: I, too, am counting the days until “Catching Fire” opens. And now, with the knowledge of the casting news about the two-part “Mockingjay,” I am counting the days until those movies open, too. It seems that one of my favorite actresses, Julianne Moore, has been cast as President Alma Coin in the “Hunger Games Trilogy” finale. “Mockingjay, Part One” and “Part Two” are scheduled for release in November 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Catherine Bell

Q: It’s almost Halloween, so that means another “Good Witch” movie from Hallmark. Can you give me any details on this next installment in the series? — Brianna T., Tampa, Fla.

A: I recently spoke with “The Good Witch’s Destiny” star Catherine Bell, and she told me all about this latest installment in the family-friendly series, which premieres Saturday, Oct. 26 at 9/8c and re-airs throughout the week. First, the reason she accepted the role: “I had been playing characters completely different from ’The Good Witch,’ and when I saw the script, I saw that this character was more like me than any I’d ever played. So that was appealing. And I was just offered the role; I didn’t have to audition for it. I’d never played anyone like her — I was the tough girl on ’Jag,’ and I was an Army wife, and I love it!”

Catherine gave me a little tease as to what this movie will bring for Cassie Nightingale: “Cassie’s been married for a little while. She’s got the two stepkids. Basically she’s got a birthday coming up, and she wants to get everyone together, but there are some problems brewing. Gwen’s son comes to town, and he’s trouble, and he’s creating some problems. One of my ancestors — who looks just like me and who lived in this small town 100 years ago — is the Gray Lady. She died in a mysterious way, and there are all these weird things happening that are lining up a little too much like the Gray Lady.”

Come back tomorrow to read my entire interview with Catherine.

Q: Is “Anderson Live” coming back? Please don’t tell me it’s been canceled. — Maryanne M., via e-mail

A: I am sorry to report that Anderson Cooper’s daytime talk show was canceled after airing for two seasons. The final show aired at the end of May.

READERS: In more Hallmark Channel news, I just received word that “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove,” which stars Andie MacDowell, has been renewed for a second season, which will premiere some time in 2014. Hallmark Channel’s first-ever scripted primetime series has been smashing records for the channel since its debut this past July. Andie MacDowell, Dylan Neal, Teryl Rothery, Bruce Boxleitner and Barbara Niven will all return for the second season.