Q and A: Week of March 14

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Q and A: Week of March 14

Q: While I like all these new reality-competition shows, I need to know when my favorite one, “Dancing With the Stars,” will return, and who will be the stars this season. – Gina R., via e-mail

A: “Dancing With the Stars” returns for its 12th season on Monday, March 21, at 8 p.m. ET. Eleven celebrities have been tapped to compete this season: Kirstie Alley, “Psycho” Mike Catherwood, Chris Jericho, Chelsea Kane, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ralph Macchio, Petra Nemcova, Romeo, Hines Ward, Kendra Wilkinson and Wendy Williams.

Q: My family loves “The Waltons.” It’s such a wonderful family show; they just don’t make them like this anymore. What is Richard Thomas (John-Boy) doing now, and does he ever see his old cast members anymore? — Patricia C., Altoona, Pa.



A: I spoke with Richard recently to talk about his latest movie, “Time After Time” for the Hallmark Channel (check your local listings for info), and he told me he does keep in touch with his fellow Waltons.


“Mary Elizabeth McDonough was just here a few weeks ago, and we had dinner. Michael Learned and I are very close friends. We all keep tabs on each other. I saw Kami (Cotler) not long ago. We don’t all see each other all the time, but there is a great deal of genuine fondness and familial feeling. We love each other a lot.”


He is counting on his “Waltons” fans embracing “Time After Time.” As he tells me, the movie is right up their alley. “This (movie appeals to) a segment of the old ‘Walton’ audience. I consider it a nice family movie and something that the family can enjoy together.”

Q: My husband told me that a crewmember from “Deadliest Catch” died. Is that true? If so, who was it? — Francine R., Rochester, N.Y.

A: Justin Tennison (some sources say he was 33, some 34), deckhand for the “Time Bandit” crab fishing boat, died in his sleep in late February. An autopsy is scheduled, and as of this writing, no cause of death has been announced. Beer, hard liquor and a small amount of marijuana were found in the Alaska hotel room where his body was found. Justin will appear posthumously in the seventh season of “Deadliest Catch,” whose premiere date has yet to be announced by Discovery Channel.

Q: I loved the movie “The Hangover.” I’ve heard rumors that there is going to be a sequel. Is there? — Dave F., via e-mail

A: Get ready for a roadtrip with the guys. “The Hangover: Part II” hits theaters May 26 (Memorial Day weekend), and the boys are headed to Thailand for Stu’s (Ed Helms) wedding. All the guys are back for the sequel (Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ken Jeong), with a cameo by Liam Neeson.

Q and A: Week of April 7

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Q and A: Week of April 7

Q: I was very sad to learn that Capt. Phil Harris of “Deadliest Catch” had passed away. How will they handle his passing on the show? — Timothy G. in Florida

A: The Discovery Channel’s hit show returns for its sixth season on April 13, and Capt. Phil will be in most of the 16 episodes. Capt. Phil died on Feb. 9 after suffering a stroke two weeks earlier while unloading crab from his boat, the Cornelia Marie, at Saint Paul Island, Alaska. He was 53. His death won’t be dealt with until episodes 12 and 13.


According to Phil Segal, president of the production company that produces “Deadliest Catch” for the Discovery Channel: “He was fishing all the way up to the end. We’re so concerned about the family and the crew right now that we haven’t stopped to think about how we’re going to deal with this. We’ll have to figure it out in the weeks and months ahead.”

Q: Would you please tell me the name of the actor who does the Allstate commercials? I think he was in a military series for a couple of seasons a few years ago. — Ellie L., via e-mail

A: Dennis Haysbert has been the spokesman for the Allstate Insurance Company since 2003. He is best known for his roles of President David Palmer on “24,” as well as Jonas Blane on “The Unit,” which aired from 2006-09 on CBS. He is currently at work on the feature film “The Details,” which also stars Elizabeth Banks, Tobey Maguire, Ray Liotta and Laura Linney.

Q: Is it true that they are going to make a sequel to “Atonement”? I don’t see how that’s possible! — Theresa W., via e-mail

A: There are no plans for a sequel to the blockbuster 2007 romantic-drama, which was based on the Ian McEwan bestseller. However, Ian did reveal plans to turn the period piece into an opera, and is working on the operatic version with composer Michael Berkeley and poet Craig Raine. He says, “It’s not a chamber piece, that’s for sure.” Theater owners in the U.K., Germany and the U.S. are reportedly interested in staging the “Atonement” opera, and are eyeing a 2013 premiere.

Q: What is Michael Vartan up to now? I’ve enjoyed him in shows like “Alias” and “Hawthorne,” and movies like “Never Been Kissed” and “One Hour Photo.” — Wanda F., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: Michael Vartan, 41, is co-starring in the upcoming film called “High School,” which also stars Colin Hanks, Adrien Brody and Michael Chiklis. However, his most important upcoming engagement is his 2011 nuptials. He proposed to girlfriend Lauren Skaar in March and is involved in almost every aspect of planning of the wedding. He told OK! Magazine: “I feel like it’s about time I met someone special. I’m excited about throwing an engagement party, I’m excited about choosing the bridesmaid dresses, and what kind of knives and food.”