Q and A: Week of Sept. 9

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Q and A: Week of Sept. 9

Readers: Our summer reading contest has come to a close, and I want to thank you all for entering. One winner, drawn at random, won an autographed copy of Rainbow Rowell’s critically acclaimed sophomore effort “Eleanor and Park.” And that winner is Linda R. of The Villages, Florida.

If you read my review of “Eleanor and Park,” then you know that I love the book, and why. I spoke with Rainbow about her feelings while writing it, and she told me: “With this book, I do remember saying that I wanted people to feel in their stomach that feeling of being in love for the first time. When you’re at that age where even if you’re not actually in love, you feel those feelings so deeply. I honestly think you have the capacity to feel love and infatuation and all of those feelings to a much greater capacity when you’re that age — that intense first love, like every cell in your body is part of it.”

And if you want to explore more of Rainbow’s writings, her third book, “Fangirl,” was just released yesterday (check back here soon for my review, as well as my entire interview with Rainbow). And while I don’t like to play favorites, I think I might like “Fangirl” even more than “Eleanor and Park.”

Q: I think I’ve read this question in your column before, but I can’t remember your answer. Will “China Beach” ever be released on DVD? I loved that series, and I wish I could watch it again. — Beverly W., via e-mail

A: I’ve gotten scores of letters asking that same question, and I finally have a definitive answer for you: On Oct. 1, fans can finally own the critically acclaimed, Dana Delany-starring hit series. For the show’s 25th anniversary, the complete series will be available in a 21-disc collector’s set in stores and online. You can also buy them one season at a time, if you prefer, but the collector’s set is way cool.

Q: With Halloween approaching, it got me to wondering if Catherine Bell will be in another “Good Witch” movie on the Hallmark Channel? Those are my favorite. — Betty S., Tulsa, Okla.

A: Catherine and company will return to the Hallmark Channel on Oct. 26 with “The Good Witch’s Destiny.” In this sixth installment of the series, all Cassie Nightingale (Catherine) wants for her birthday is for her family and friends to be together. As her special day approaches, Lori discovers signs of a curse looming over Cassie. Check back in October for my exclusive interview with Catherine where I'll get all the details!

Q: You mentioned a show set in the 1940s about the mafia that was supposed to air on TNT called “Lost Angels,” but I can’t find mention of it anywhere. Can you help? — Douglas B. in Ohio

A: The latest TNT drama has been renamed “Mob City” and is set to premiere Dec. 4. The show centers on the epic battle between a determined police chief and a dangerous mobster that inflames 1940s Los Angeles, and stars Jon Bernthal, Neal McDonough and Ed Burns.

Q: Can you tell me what to look forward to in the next season of “The Mindy Project”? Will she still be with Casey? — Deanna W., via e-mail

A: Well, it looks as if Mindy and Casey might be kaput after returning from their yearlong good-will trip to Haiti. “Justified” star Timothy Olyphant has signed on to guest star as a love interest of Mindy. Viewers will note that this isn’t Timothy’s first foray into sitcoms — he guest-starred on two episodes of “The Office” back in 2010.

Head over to Hulu to get a sneak peek at the entire first episode of the season, which returns to Fox on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 9:30/8:30c.

Q: You mentioned a while back that “Eastbound and Down” had been resurrected for a fourth season. Can you tell me when it’ll premiere? — Donnie R., via e-mail

A: Danny McBride and his glorious mullet will be back for eight new raucous episodes beginning Sept. 29 on HBO for its “epic final season.” Lindsay Lohan is set to make a cameo (as who, I won’t say, so as not to spoil it for you).

Q and A: Week of July 1

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Q and A: Week of July 1

Q: One of my favorite movies is “Into the Wild.” Can you tell me what its star, Emile Hirsch, has coming up? — Ronald W., via e-mail

A: For Emile’s latest project, he is taking on the iconic role of Clyde Barrow in the History/Lifetime/A and E joint production of “Bonnie and Clyde.” Holliday Grainger of “The Borgias” has been tapped to play Bonnie Parker, with Holly Hunter, William Hurt, Sarah Hyland, Elizabeth Reaser, Lane Garrison, Austin Hebert and Dale Dickey all set to co-star. The four-hour two-night event miniseries will air simultaneously on History, Lifetime and A and E, and will be directed by Oscar nominee Bruce Beresford.

For those unfamiliar with the real-life events, “Bonnie and Clyde” retells the fascinating tale of the couple whose crime spree enraptured the Depression-era American public. Clyde was always able to stay one step ahead of the law as he and Bonnie escaped capture time and again. His one blind spot was Bonnie, who was intent on becoming famous, fed on the media attention and pushed Clyde to commit riskier and more dangerous crimes to generate bigger headlines, and make them the most famous criminals of the modern era.

“Bonnie and Clyde” will air later this year. I’ll let you know the date as soon as I know.

Q: What has Val Kilmer been up to? I loved him in “MacGruber,” but haven’t seen him in anything lately. — Felicia W., Atlanta

A: Aside from starring in his one-man show that he also wrote and directs called “Citizen Twain,” Val has just signed on to co-star in the IFC satire “The Spoils of Babylon,” which skewers the epic television miniseries in six half-hour episodes to air in early 2014. Produced by Funny or Die, the original comedy also stars Will Farrell, Toby Maguire, Haley Joel Osment, Tim Robbins, Michael Sheen, Kristen Wiig and Jessica Alba.

Jennifer Caserta, president and general manager of IFC, jokingly says of the project: “This amazingly talented cast will give this decadent genre its due respect. Never before has a parody of a miniseries been more poised for showers of accolades.”

Q: I love “Justified.” Is it coming back for another season? — Bobbie B., Richmond, Va.

A: FX has renewed the critically acclaimed crime drama for another season. The show will premiere its fifth season in January 2014. In the meantime, you can catch up on seasons one through three on DVD, and season four on Amazon Instant Video or iTunes.

Q: I thought that “Eastbound and Down” was over, that the third season was its last season. Now I hear there is a new season coming. Is this true? — Larry T., Philadelphia, Pa.

A: Originally, “Eastbound and Down” was supposed to be only three seasons. Danny McBride and company ended the series in a hilarious way that only they could. However, HBO (and perhaps pressure from die-hard fans like us) convinced Danny, Will Farrell and the rest of the crew to return for a fourth season. I, for one, am thrilled, as this has been a highlight of my sitcom-watching career. The fourth — and supposedly final — season of HBO’s “Eastbound and Down” is scheduled to premiere Sept. 29.

Q: Can you tell me how Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard is doing? I heard he has cancer. — Shelley W. in North Carolina

A: According to the axeman himself, the Def Leppard guitarist is doing just fine. He has Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which has an 80 percent cure rate, and he is currently undergoing chemotherapy. He plans to continue touring with the band throughout the summer. In his words, he wanted to warn fans about his “new aerodynamic hairstyle (read: no hair) … I don’t want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund.”

Q: One of my favorite shows is TNT’s “Rizzoli and Isles.” Can you give me any clues as to what to expect this season? — Janet Y., via email

A: I had the chance to speak with series star Sasha Alexander, who plays Dr. Maura Isles, and she gave me a few spoilers about season four, which begins Tuesday, June 25: “We start three months after the end of season three. Maura has anonymously donated her kidney to her sister, Kayleen. Maura is in a funky place. She’s feeling vulnerable and fragile. She’s not her normal, sunny self.”

“It’s fun watching Jane try to lift her spirits. It leads to funny antics with Maura and Jane. It brings Maura and Kayleen together, which leads to a relationship, and more of a family drama.”

In regard to future storylines and guest stars, we can expect great ones this season, starting with Maura’s love life. As Sasha tells me: “Eric Winter (of ’The Mentalist,’ ’Brothers and Sisters’ and ’The Ugly Truth’) is a potential love interest. He’s great — I love him. He plays a bomb-squad tech that Maura is attracted to.”

Because of my affinity for “Dawson’s Creek,” I had to ask her about her time there. “I had a wonderful experience. I love that I went to the prom with Dawson. James (Van Der Beek), Michelle (Williams), Josh (Jackson) and I are still dear friends. We don’t have shows like that anymore. I love the innocence and the beauty of that show. It was a really fun experience for me, and it was a really positive show. I wish there were something like it on the air now.”

Q: I heard that Steve Perry has cancer. Is this true, and if so, how’s he doing? — Wyatt R., Buffalo, N.Y.

A: The former Journey frontman recently revealed on his blog that he did indeed have cancer. In Steve’s words: ”Three weeks ago a routine mole was taken off my face, and the lab report came back melanoma skin cancer. I’ve had two surgeries in two weeks to remove all the cancer cells, and I’ve been told they think they got it all, and no other treatments are required.”

This news comes only six months after Steve lost his girlfriend, Kellie, to breast cancer, which had spread to her lungs, bones and brain.

Q: I am so happy that ”Scandal” was renewed for a third season. Can you give me any hints as to what to expect when it returns? — Justine P., via email

A: One thing you can expect is more Scott Foley. He was recently made a series regular, so it would appear that he is not out of Olivia Pope’s life. It also would seem that he won’t be left indefinitely in the hole his bosses at B613 tossed him in at the end of season two. Here’s hoping he doesn’t come out all grungy and gross like Huck did after his time in the hole.

Q: I saw “Man of Steel” over the weekend and loved it. Will there be a sequel? — Johnny S., via email

A: A sequel had been rumored to be in the works, and with the record-breaking opening weekend of “Man of Steel,” you can bet that sequel will become a reality. “Man of Steel” took in $125 million during its opening weekend, bringing in more money than the openings of the previous five “Superman” movies combined. It also was the biggest June opening for a film ever, and it had the second-highest opening of a film so far this year, behind “Iron Man 3.” This gives a great boost to the DC Comics superheroes for their own movies, much like Marvel Comics has done with its characters of Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers.

Q and A: Week of March 28

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Q and A: Week of March 28

Q: I’ve seen a few previews for a new movie starring Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm in shark attack a few years back. What can you tell me about the movie? — Deanna F., Daytona Beach, Fla.

A: I can tell you that you’d better bring some tissues to the theater with you when the movie, which is called “Soul Surfer,” opens nationwide on April 8. AnnaSophia Robb stars as the young Bethany Hamilton, who overcomes tragedy to achieve her dreams of becoming a champion surfer.


Ross Thomas (pictured with Dennis Quaid), who plays Bethany’s brother Noah in the film, told me: “There is a beautiful theme of hope and faith in the film. The Hamilton family is such a strong unit. They really all work as one; they have a deep set of family values. They are a Christian family who has a really deep faith that they rely heavily upon. They all exude a really high level of love and life. It’s truly inspiring.”

Q: I have been watching “Smallville” since it premiered back in 2001, so I am pretty bummed that the series will soon come to an end. Can you tell me anything about the show’s finale? — Jerry T., Madison, Wis.



A: Well, I can tell you that some bad guys from Clark’s past will return (as a few already have). And yes, that includes Lex Luthor: Michael Rosenbaum will be back for the series finale on May 13. You also will enjoy where the relationship of Lois and Clark goes, and producer Kelly Souders assures fans that “there is a very hopeful ending” to the series itself.

Q: I love ABC’s “No Ordinary Family.” Will it be back for a second season? — Trudy T., via e-mail

A: Things are not looking good for the freshman drama to make it to its sophomore year. Series star Michael Chiklis has signed on to star in Conan O’Brien’s pilot for CBS called “Vince Uncensored,” which focuses on a man (Michael) who decides to take a more honest approach to his life, work and family after a life-changing experience.

Q: Please tell me there will be a third season of HBO’s “Eastbound and Down.” I need more Kenny Powers! — Samuel D., via e-mail

A: You will get your wish, if only for one more season. Series star Danny McBride, who is also one of the show’s writers and executive producers, and writer, director and executive producer Jody Hill are said to be helming the third and final season in the Kenny Powers saga. Production on “Eastbound and Down” season three is tentatively scheduled for the end of this year for a 2012 premiere. I’ll be sure to let you know of any further developments, as I can’t wait to see how this hilarious and boundary-stomping series ends myself!

Interview: Efren Ramirez Wants to Surprise You

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Interview: Efren Ramirez Wants to Surprise You

No one could have predicted that August 2004 would have brought us a cult-phenomenon movie — which will soon be turned into an animated television series — that would have us all buying VOTE FOR PEDRO T-shirts, researching Ligers and exclaiming: "GOSH!" Napoleon Dynamite was the big break for Pedro himself, Efren Ramirez (pictured left, courtesy WENN), who has gone on to star in a wide variety of projects, including Crank, Nacho Libre and HBO's Eastbound and Down (on Sunday nights at 10:30). 

Hot on the heels of the news that Fox has turned Napoleon Dynamite into an animated series, featuring the voices of all the original actors of the film, I got the chance to catch up with Efren.

Celebrity Extra: I read that you were up for both Napoleon Dynamite and (the big-budget Western) The Alamo, and decided to go with Napoleon. Is that true, and if so, what led you to that decision?

Efren Ramirez: Yeah, that’s true. I was working on a television show called Even Stevens at the time with Shia LaBeouf, and I auditioned for roles in The Alamo and Napoleon Dynamite. And even though The Alamo was a big feature film, and it had Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid, I decided to make the riskier choice. You have to do it for the right reasons. So when I took that risk with Napoleon Dynamite, I was surprised with the outcome.

CE: It became such a huge phenomenon — it's a cult classic. Could you ever have imagined that?

ER: I was recently at the museum called the Huntington Art Gallery, and there were a bunch of kids everywhere — and mind you, these kids were 10 years old, 12 years old. They saw me and they went bananas, and I thought: “Wow! When Napoleon Dynamite came out, they were like 5!” It still and will always be surprising to me, that I’m a part of something that people will remember for … well, most of their lives, I hope.



CE: Do you ever get tired of people calling you Pedro or telling you that they voted for Pedro?

ER: That happened yesterday at the gym! Some guy was like: “Oh my God. How ya doing, Pedro?” It’s funny, because I’m assuming that a lot people think it’s a documentary, when it’s not. It’s a feature film, guys. But the other part is it's entertainment, and you watch it and you get so into the film, and that’s great. When I see people like that it means they are big fans of the film, and when I talk to them and they are like, “My God, you’re so different.” And I’m like, “Yeah.” To me, I’m lucky because not only did I get to play in a movie that a lot of people like, but I played a character that a lot of people like. And I worry about actors who play villains, because they become hated everywhere they go, and that’s not cool. That’s harder.

CE: And now Fox is producing an animated version of the movie. How is that going so far?

ER: Well, we’ve done the very first episode already, and it’s been approved by every department. Once I read the script, I thought, “OK, this is gonna be really funny!” Because we’re jumping back into the world of Napoleon Dynamite and to make it into an animated series, we’re gonna get a large audience. It appeals to everybody and it’s funny. It’s got all the original cast and the original writers. And it's Fox, and as you know, Fox does a great job with animated series.

CE: This season you are also in another cult-phenomenon-in-the-making, Eastbound and Down. Tell me about this season and your role in it.

ER: Well, I’m a big fan of the first season. I have it on DVD, and it brought me to the world of Kenny Powers. Those guys are such outlandish characters. The second season starts when Kenny is in Mexico and decides to play baseball there. I play his neighbor and my name is Catuey. As far as my work is concerned, I’ve always played very far-stretched characters, and it is only this time I’m actually playing a very wise, family-oriented character. I'm a very straight character with all the lunatics roaming around. And of course you’ve got Danny McBride as Kenny Powers and Steve Little, who plays Stevie Janowski. And even Michael Pena, who’s playing the baseball manager, he’s really out there too. I play Danny McBride’s neighbor and every time he get up to his antics, he always comes back to me, and I give him good advice.

CE: It must be tough being the straight man to Danny and having to keep a straight face!

ER: It is! Because the way Danny works and the way everybody works is you stay scripted to the scenes, but sometimes he’ll improvise the entire thing. And as an actor you have to just jump into the scene with him and whatever happens goes! And I like that, because it’s so true and in the moment. I enjoy working on the show, because these guys are smart at what they do. They know what they are doing.

CE: What can you tell me about your next project, Casa de mi Padre? I know the film stars Will Ferrell and it's all really hush-hush.

ER: Well, what can I tell you? One, it’s my fortune to be able to work with Danny McBride and all those good guys. But then to jump onto Casa de mi Padre working with Will Ferrell under Gary Sanchez’s direction. These guys are great men. The film itself, what can I tell you? What a ride! It’s all in Spanish with English subtitles. Will Ferrell had to do the whole film in Spanish and he did a great job actually. And when you go with Will Ferrell, it’s definitely a Will Ferrell movie. It’s very funny. The writer is Andrew Steele and he used to write for Saturday Night Live, so these guys know comedy. I’m in a good place right now.

CE: I can't wait to see how this one is going to turn out — I can only imagine right now!

ER: Even the way Matt Piedmont, the director, directed it; there are some really dramatic moments. Everybody had to be at the top of their game. It’s certainly different. And that’s good, because you want to create something that’s going to be surprising to the audience.

CE: I was surprised with the cast, especially Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, who are known for their dramatic work, to see them in a Will Ferrell comedy ...

ER: I wish I could tell you what I think while on the set! I would just think, “Is this really happening?” It’s funny.

CE: You just have so many great projects going on right now, it must be nice for you as an actor.

ER: No, that’s okay. I’m gonna quit. I’m gonna quit acting. I’m done! I’m going to become a desert priest (laughs). It’s great because after Napoleon Dynamite, I was able to really select where I wanted to go. And part of being an actor, you just want to grab any job possible. But now I’m about waiting and sitting around, and go let me do three projects a year. This year is over, but next year I already have two projects. 

As an actor, once you do a project — Jeff Bridges said you want to try and shift 45 degrees and do something totally different, so you’re always surprising the audience all the time. That’s why I’m able to enjoy doing dramas, actions and comedies. All the great actors who just keep changing and transforming to different characters, that’s what I want to do. That’s how I want to be.

CE: You’re on the right track. You’re certainly not pigeonholed in any particular "type."

ER: Yeah, a lot of people are coming up to me going, “My God, that’s you!” And I’m like, “Yeah.” When I did the Crank series, not only did I play the transvestite, but I played the transvestite's twin brother, and everyone was like, "Dude! What?!" But it’s always about the work. And later my mom said, “Ah, I wish I had a daughter.” And I was like, “Thanks, Mom!”

Interview: Can Ana de la Reguera Tame Kenny Powers?

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Interview: Can Ana de la Reguera Tame Kenny Powers?

If you don't yet know who Ana de la Reguera is, you soon will. She has starred opposite some of the hottest A-listers in Hollywood, and she just finished work on one of the most talked about movies for 2011 (Cowboys & Aliens). Currently she co-stars in the funniest show on television today (it's a scientific fact), HBO's Eastbound & Down, which airs Sundays at 10:30 p.m. I got the chance to catch up with Ana a few weeks ago, and we discussed her new life in the Funny Lane.

Celebrity Extra: The other night I rented Cop Out, and I thought it was hilarious. How was it to work with Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan?

Ana de la Reguera: It was great. It was a great experience just to watch them work together. They are so different. They come from different schools. They’d improvise a lot. I had a blast. I was a huge fan of Kevin Smith, so for me that was perfect for my career to be close to those people and to learn more about comedy.  I worked in New York for one month last year in the summer, and I had the best time.

CE: What did you like most about working on that movie with them?

Ana: I like the freedom that Kevin gave me. The character was pretty much the girl who was really scared, and they save her and are taking care of her. I just thought it would be more interesting if more than being scared, she was mad and pissed about what was going on in her life, about what was happening to her. My whole part is in Spanish, and they couldn’t understand a word of what I was saying. So, Kevin just had to trust me, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, he doesn’t even know what I’m saying.” For me it was cool, but at the same time I was nervous, because I felt like everything depended on me — what I’m saying or that I’m doing the right thing, because they don’t know. I felt really good that they liked what I did and it worked out really well.

CE: Tell me about filming Nacho Libre with Jack Black where you played Sister Encarnacion. I have to tell you that this movie is one of my favorite comedies of the past 10 years — I laughed so hard in some scenes I was crying.

Ana: Oh, thank you! For me it was a blessing because I’m a nun. (Laughs) I’m kidding. We were in Mexico the whole time in a beautiful town called Oaxaca. So, the whole crew was Mexican. The only Americans were literally Jack, Jared (Hess, writer and director) and Mike White (writer). The rest of us were Mexican folks. It was really nice that they were adapting to us. I think Jared did a great job. He’s fluent in Spanish so he did a great job trying to get on the screen our culture and who were are, and he was very respectful about it. We had the best time.  Oaxaca is one of the best places to eat, and so I gained a lot of weight because Jack is a good eater. He was eating the whole time. 

For me, that movie was my big breakout. I was living in Mexico. I was an actress, of course. I already had a pretty good career there. From that moment I had almost 10 years acting, but I got the part without an agent or anything. I had a plan to go away to American to try to make it in Hollywood, but I couldn’t. I didn’t have the money. But then the movie came to Mexico and I got the part.

CE: That’s great that Hollywood came to you!

Ana: Yeah, but after that movie it’s been pretty hard. It’s really, really hard to keep working. There’s a lot of competition out there. There’s a lot of great Latina actresses out there competing for the same roles. Sometimes I have too much accent or I don’t look Mexican enough or sometimes I don’t have enough accent — it’s weird. I struggle a lot, but now I think I get it. After a couple of years, you learn how L.A. works.

CE: Now fans can catch you in HBO’s outrageous and HILARIOUS comedy, Eastbound & Down, which is hands-down one of my favorite shows out right now. What can you tell me about the part you play, Vida, as well as any plot points you can divulge?

Ana: Well, you know that Kenny leaves April at the gas station. So, he basically disappears and wants to start over and wants to go to a new world, so he goes to Mexico. When he comes, I think it’s going to be really, really fun because his character is not that smart. I think he’s pretty ignorant. He’s in a completely new culture. His weaknesses are much bigger. He meets me there and I’m a singer. He thinks we have a connection because I sing Bob Segar songs, covers, but in Spanish the whole time. It was a lot of fun to record those songs. But I can’t tell you much; I don’t want to ruin the story.

CE: How on Earth do you keep a straight face playing opposite Danny McBride?

Ana: Oh my gosh. It is really, really hard. What helps me is I just block my mind, and I’m not listening to him. Because if not, there have been times when the crew couldn’t even work because they were laughing. The camera guy was laughing, and the camera moved because he was laughing. Those guys are really sweet and we improvised a lot. The way they work is we did the scene as it was written like two or three times, and then they just let us free. They let us do whatever we wanted and say whatever we wanted, and we just improvised over and over. I think that’s really a smart thing to do in a comedy show. Those were the hardest moments, because you didn’t expect what somebody was going to say or do. I had the best time. The people from HBO are the sweetest people. They were so nice to me. I couldn’t ask for more. Literally I had the best time of my life.

CE: All the comedic geniuses you’ve worked with, and you can keep a straight face. Directors should pay heed!

Ana: Yeah, I’m really good at it. You know why? Because what happened to me when I did Nacho Libre is — what I am used to is usually when you film in Mexico, the actual film is so expensive that you are not allowed to be laughing like we were doing (on Nacho Libre). How I am used to working is not being able to do very many takes because it’s so expensive, and we don’t have the budget to ruin the scene just because we were laughing. In Mexico, that would be so bad for the director that you are ruining the film, because we don’t have that much money to spend. For me, doing that is disrespectful to the crew. So, that’s why even though I know that I’m allowed to do it, I’m just trained that way not to laugh. I just try to keep a straight face all the time and then laugh after.

CE: I’ve read that although Danny plays a lot of asshole characters that he is really a nice person to work with.

Ana: Yes he is. He and the directors, the writers and the producers were the nicest people, and they are all friends from college. The atmosphere on set was like you were just with friends all the time, and everything was really relaxed. He is the nicest most humble guy and so talented. Like really — he is really, really talented. I would love to work with him again. He’s pretty hot. He’s really smart and educated. He’s really different.

CE: What other projects do you have coming up?

Ana: I do a lot of dramas in Mexico. I have another HBO show; it’s for HBO Latin America that I did for a season two years ago. It’s going to be funny because I’m going to be on HBO in America and HBO in Latin America with different shows. It’s a show called Capadocia. It’s really dark. It’s a big drama. 

And I just finished up a movie called Cowboys & Aliens with Jon Favreau directing, and starring Daniel Craig, Sam Rockwell and Harrison Ford. It’s an action adventure film that is really more unusual for me. I have this love story with Sam. It’s a very, very pretty role.

(pictures 2 and 3: Credit HBO/Fred Norris)

Q and A: Week of August 30

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BY Unknown 12:51 0

Q and A: Week of August 30

Q: I can’t tell you how excited I am that the fall shows are about to start up. Can you give me a little scoop as to what I can expect on my favorite show, “Castle”? — Drew D., via e-mail

A: The ABC Monday night comedy/suspense/detective drama returns with a bang on Sept. 20. I spoke recently with Jon Huertas (pictured, left), who plays Detective Javier Esposito, and he gave me a sneak peek at Season Three.


“For my character in particular, I’m going to have a little bit of an onscreen romance with another member of the cast,” he said. “Also, for the first episode, there’s a big surprise. In the murder we are investigating, our first suspect surprises everybody. You also are going to see a lot more fleshing out of the satellite characters — my character, Det. Ryan and Dr. Lanie Parish — there’s going to be a lot more of that.”

Q: I know there is talk that Danny McBride could be coming to “The Office” to fill the void when Steve Carell leaves, and I think that’s a great idea, but I hope it won’t interfere with his hilarious HBO series, “Eastbound and Down.” When does Season Two start, and can you tell me anything about it? — Sam M., Miami

A: Ana de la Reguera, who co-starred with Jack Black in “Nacho Libre,” comes to the show as a series regular (when it returns on Sept. 26) as a lounge singer whom Kenny Powers meets in Mexico. Ana gave me the scoop: “After Kenny leaves April at the gas station, he basically disappears and wants to start over. He wants to go to a new world, so he goes to Mexico. He’s in a completely new culture. His weaknesses are much bigger. I’m a singer, and he thinks we have a connection because I sing Bob Seger songs, covers, but in Spanish the whole time.”

Q: Why didn’t Sylvester Stallone cast Jean-Claude Van Damme in his summer blockbuster, “The Expendables”? He seems like a perfect fit! — Denny J., via e-mail

A: I agree, and so did Sly. However, Jean-Claude did not. According to Sylvester (in an recent interview in Britain’s Sunday Times), he asked Jean-Claude to be in the movie: “I wanted to set Jean-Claude against Jet Li, but he didn’t want to lose to Jet. He didn’t think that was cool. But that’s why it would be cool — to have Jean-Claude beaten by the other man.”

Q: How is Michael Douglas doing? I read he has cancer! — Trudy G., Altoona, Pa.

A: Doctors discovered a tumor in the throat of the 65-year-old actor, for which he’ll have to undergo eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. His doctors expect him to make a full recovery.