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.

Q and A: Week of Oct. 4

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Q and A: Week of Oct. 4

Q: I love the Starz original series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” and I am eager to know if the series will return for a second season. I know that the show’s star, Andy Whitfield, has been battling cancer, but I heard he was on the mend. — Theresa F., Bowling Green, Ohio

A: Andy had been making terrific progress. His non-Hodgkin Lymphoma was in remission, he was back in training for “Spartacus,” and in an appearance at July’s San Diego Comic-Con, he said that he felt better than ever. However, Andy and Starz recently announced that the actor had to leave the series to immediately resume aggressive treatment for the recurrence of his cancer.


Andy said in a statement: “It’s with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as ‘Spartacus’ and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey.”


A representative for the network said the future of the series will be discussed at a later date. Starz still plans to air the show’s prequel, “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” in January 2011. It focuses on the House of Batiatus before Spartacus arrives in Capua, and stars returning cast members John Hannah and Lucy Lawless.

Q: My husband and I are big fans of the new cop show “The Good Guys.” It’s such a refreshing change from all the same old ones. Can you please tell us if it will be picked up for another season? — Linda M., via e-mail

A: The buddy cop show, which premiered in May on Fox, has been picked up for a second season, and has acquired fall-season status. You can catch it on Friday nights (rather than Mondays). I’m sure that its stars, Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks, thank you for your support.




Q: I was so happy that Jane Lynch won an Emmy Award for her role as Sue Sylvestro on “Glee.” I know she is busy with that show, but does she have any other projects coming up? — Julian F., via e-mail

A: The in-demand actress — who previous to “Glee” was best known for her roles in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Best in Show” — just wrapped production on the film “Paul.” The movie is a comedy/sci-fi film that also stars Jason Bateman, Seth Rogen, Sigourney Weaver, Kristin Wiig and a ton of other megastars. Look for “Paul” in March 2011.

Q: I was flipping through channels the other afternoon, and I could have sworn I saw movie actress Sean Young on “The Young and The Restless.” Was that really her, and if so, why did she decide to do it? — Jill G., Albuquerque, N.M.

A: That was indeed the accomplished 50-year-old movie star. Sean played a featured role as Meggie McClain on the long-running hit soap opera opposite good friend Eric Braeden. She co-starred with him in the 2008 movie “The Man Who Came Back,” which also co-starred Eric’s “Titanic” co-star Billy Zane, along with Carol Alt, George Kennedy and Armand Assante. Of taking on the role of Meggie, Sean said: “Getting the chance to work with my dear friend Eric Braeden — one of the true gentlemen in entertainment — was certainly a deciding factor for me, as well as wanting to get back to work after taking a few years off to raise my kids.”

Q: David Cross is one of my favorite comedians. What has he been up to lately? — Paul F., via e-mail

A: The 46-year-old funnyman has brought his original comedy series, “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret,” to the Independent Film Channel, where it airs Friday nights. This hilarious show follows the entertaining misadventures of an American pathological liar (David) as he bluffs his way into a senior marketing job in the London office for an energy drink called ThunderMuscle. The always-hilarious Will Arnett plays his boss. To read my fun interview with David, go here.


Q: I love the HBO drama “In Treatment.” Please tell me it is coming back for a third season! — Peggy H., Columbus, Ohio

A: I’m happy to report that “In Treatment,” starring Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest, will be back beginning Oct. 25. The third season also brings guest stars Debra Winger and Amy Ryan.

Q: I am so glad that TLC’s “Little People, Big World” is back on TV. However, I’ve heard that this is the final season. Is that true? I hope not — I absolutely love this show and the message of love and acceptance it provides. — David D., via e-mail

A: I am sorry to tell you, but TLC recently announced that this sixth season will be the show’s last. Stars Matt and Amy Roloff said: “The show has been an amazing and unforgettable experience for our entire family. Over the past five years we have shared the most rewarding journey that will forever be in our hearts. We will always be grateful to our TLC family, and most of all, our fans.” You can catch “Little People, Big World” Monday nights on TLC.

Q: Is there a new “Mission: Impossible” movie in the works? — Jerry F., Annapolis, Md.

A: There is, indeed. “Mission: Impossible IV” is currently in production, with an anticipated release date of Dec. 16, 2011. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, with “The Hurt Locker”’s Jeremy Renner on board as a young operative learning from Ethan, and Paula Patton (real-life wife of singer Robin Thicke) as Ethan’s love interest. The movie also features Jonathan Rhys Myers, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames.

Q: A reader’s question in one of your previous columns made me want to rent “Witness,” with Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas. As I was watching it, I noticed an actor who played one of the young Amish men looked a lot like Viggo Mortensen. I couldn’t read the credits, the print was so small. — Trudy F., Hamilton, Ohio

A: That was indeed a young Viggo — his first role in a major Hollywood production. From there, he went on to land bit parts here and there, until he really made his presence known in a small but pivotal — and unforgettable — role as Lucifer in 1995’s “The Prophecy.” You know you’ve made your mark in a film when you share a scene with Christopher Walken, but all eyes are on you! He then went on to co-star in “G.I. Jane,” “28 Days” and “A Walk on the Moon” before hitting superstardom by landing the role of Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Up next for Viggo, 51, is the role of Sigmund Freud in “A Dangerous Method.” He’s currently filming “On the Road,” the movie adaptation of the book of the same name by Jack Kerouac.

Q: I really like “The Forgotten.” There is suspense without gore, and I like the actors and characters. Will it be back? — Michael M., via e-mail

A: ABC has decided not to renew the drama starring Christian Slater due to the ever-popular reason of “low ratings.” Which is a shame, because I really liked it too.

Q: I’m a big fan of “Ice Road Truckers” on the History Channel. I am especially fascinated by Lisa, the young female driver who manages to keep up with the “big guys” and do her job as well as any of them. What can you tell me about this gal? — Bernard B., Palm Springs, Calif.

A: Lisa Kelly, 29, is in her second year of traveling on the dangerous, icy roads of “Ice Road Truckers.” The former motocross champion and pizza-delivery driver certainly can hold her own within this “good-ole-boy” occupation, but she does have to constantly prove herself to her peers. The self-proclaimed tomboy was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., and attended one semester of college at Cornerstone University until circumstances led her to driving the big rigs. She has been married to husband Traves since September 2008.

Q: I am so excited for the fall movie season to begin, as I am getting a little tired of all these high-action, shoot-’em-up summer blockbusters. Which fall movies are you most looking forward to? — Renee G., via e-mail

A: Without a doubt, No. 1 on my list is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1,” which opens Nov. 19. I’m also looking forward to “Nowhere Boy” (Oct. 8), “RED” (Oct. 15), “The Company Men” (Oct. 22), “127 Hours” (Nov. 5), “Love and Other Drugs” (Nov. 24), “How Do You Know” (Dec. 17), “TRON: Legacy” (Dec. 17), “Somewhere” (Dec. 22) and “Blue Valentine” (Dec. 31). What movie(s) are you most looking forward to? Go to here and let your voice be heard!

Q: Has “Happy Town” been canceled on ABC? I got hooked on it with the first episode, but it has been replaced with “Castle” in the same time slot. — Josie H., via e-mail

A: Citing the reason of poor ratings, ABC canceled “Happy Town” at the beginning of the summer, despite a stellar cast that included Steven Webber and Sam Neill. ABC didn’t even let it stick around long enough to air all eight episodes on TV; the final two episodes can be watched online at ABC.com.

Q: My husband and I got hooked on “Criminal Minds” and have been watching the reruns all summer. Will the show be coming back in the fall? — Nancy G., Punta Gorda, Fla.

A: I love to be the bearer of good news, as so many of my readers’ favorite shows seem to be getting canceled these days. “Criminal Minds” is back on CBS on Wednesday nights. Also, if you just can’t get enough crime solving, midseason you can catch its spin-off, “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,” which is slated to star Forest Whitaker, Richard Schiff and Janeane Garofalo.

Q: I watched “The Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff” this past month on TV, and I was glad to see a lot of his old “Baywatch” co-stars there. I did notice a few absences, like David Charvet. Why didn’t he attend? — Mischa W. in Oregon

A: David and I talked about that when he was promoting his new movie, “The Perfect Teacher,” for the Lifetime Movie Network (check your local listings for days and times). He told me he was invited but chose not to attend. “I love David (Hasselhoff) and really respect him. I know these roasts can get pretty mean, and I just didn’t want to do that to him.” What a class act David is, huh?

 Q: When will my favorite show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” be back? And can you give me any teasers as to what’s going to happen? — Ingrid F., via e-mail

A: “Grey’s Anatomy” is back for its seventh season on ABC. When I recently spoke with Kim Raver, who plays Teddy Altman on the medical drama, she told me that her character gets a new love interest.


“I’m pretty sure that the triangle with Teddy, Owen and Kristina is done,” Kim explains. “And while I’m sad for Teddy, because it’s really hard for her, I’m just happy as a fan because the Owen and Kristina story has so much more to explore. I’m glad not to continue it, because otherwise it would have become redundant. It was a great way to establish Teddy. And so in the first couple of episodes you might actually see Teddy kind of having something romantic with a new person. She’s gonna try!”

Q: I have always enjoyed watching Michael J. Fox, and I wondered if he’ll be in something else soon? — Debbie K., via e-mail

A: While the actor certainly has limited the number of roles he accepts due to his Parkinson’s disease, Michael still acts here and there. Most recently he was seen as Dwight on “Rescue Me,” and he can be seen this fall in a guest appearance on CBS’ “The Good Wife.” According to CBS, he’ll play a “shrewd and cynical” lawyer who tackles Julianna Margulies’ character in a class-action lawsuit.

Interview: Kim Raver Breaks the Silence

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Interview: Kim Raver Breaks the Silence

If you plan to watch the Lifetime original movie, Bond of Silence, tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT, be sure to have a box of tissues handy. This movie, which is based on real-life events that happened to Katy McIntosh and her family, is a real tearjerker — but not in a sentimental or gluttonous way. Its message of love and forgiveness is sure to melt the iciest of hearts.


Kim Raver, of Grey's Anatomy and Lipstick Jungle fame, portrays Katy McIntosh, as the young wife and mother whose husband mysteriously dies while trying to quell a wild teenage house party on New Year’s Eve. Searching for answers about her husband’s death, the teens and their protective parents keep a shroud of secrecy to prevent her from finding out the truth. With the help of a local detective (Greg Grunberg, Heroes and Alias) she tries to break up the bond and uncover the secrets behind what really happened. (All photos credit: Sergei Bachlakov/Lifetime Television)

Celebrity Extra: What was your first reaction when you read the script and you learned about what happened and the character that you were going to be playing?

Kim Raver: It was devastating and moving and shocking all at the same time. And being a mother, I thought, do I even want to go there? And as an actress, to go through all of that stuff. And at the same time you think, wow this is a great opportunity. And I think also because it was a real story I was moved. And then you’re kind of weighing whether this is a project I want to do. I’m on such a short hiatus. And actually the director sent me Katy’s book. I was really moved by this whole experience. But what motivated me was her forgiveness. Which made me think, wow, this woman is a very interesting woman. How would I handle it if I were walking in her shoes? So that is what led me to do this project.

CE: Katy is such a strong woman — unbelievably strong. What were some other things about her that you could really relate to and that made you really want to do it?

KR: Well, I’m shooting Grey’s Anatomy for 10-and-a-half months out of the year, and there is this small window to find something else that you really want to take that time to do. And this project sort of came along and fit in that time frame. I don’t know, I related to the story of how she was going to move on from this with two children. I was reading the book and it was talking about how she was able to function after this tragedy, for her children. And I thought whether it’s this tragedy or that tragedy or some other life thing for other people, we can relate to that. Her need to know what happened is a very powerful thing about how she went about who she is. I just thought she was a very complicated, interesting, multilayered woman, and I liked that.

CE: You got the chance to meet her in real life. What is she like?

KR: She’s very powerful. She came to one of the rehearsals and the first moment we met … it was just really powerful. She’s a very special woman and to really know all of these personal details after reading her book and then getting to meet her. It was a special time. There are certain people that affect you in your life, and her story is a really interesting story. And I mean, yes, there is a lesson in the drinking and the partying and the responsibility. Maybe because I have kids, it’s interesting in the sense that it reminds people that actions have consequences. But it was bigger for me than that. It was more about the journey of this woman.

CE: When I was reading the In Touch article that Lifetime's PR department sent along, I couldn’t understand how Katy could befriend her husband’s killer. But after seeing the movie, I could understand.

KR: For me, one of the things that’s interesting is, I may have an idea of what I think forgiveness is, but I’m not sure how I would handle that. But after watching this and having that example of someone who was able to take her pain and turn it into a kind of gift, was an amazing illumination on forgiveness. And I find that really interesting. This movie can stimulate conversation and to have people discuss the notion of forgiveness and what we think we could handle and what we don’t.

CE: Your character goes through hell. How does she keep it all going and keep herself together?

KR: That was a real challenge for me, in the script. How in real life it took five years and you could understand that journey, and when it was compressed into six months for the movie, it was really difficult. There is just so much coming at her, that you just kind of handle it and you find a way.


What do we do when we’re hit with a crisis moment? Who do we become, and I think that is an interesting question to ask. She had her children; that helped her. And I think that it was also a defense mechanism of the trying to control everything. I’m talking about the character that I play. I don’t know if that’s true about the real Katy. But with my Katy, I have to go on for my children; I have to go on and keep everything neat and organized and together, that was her way of functioning. When I talked to the real Katy, she said she was able to — as devastating and as painful as it was — make it a gift. And I think that that’s true in my life. There are moments that I find devastating or painful, and hopefully I’ll come out on the other side and find it as a gift.

CE: With such heavy material to play, how was the vibe on the set?

KR: Thank God for Greg Grunberg. I kind of just dove into the role, because it’s a great opportunity. But then it became whatever-number day I had to be in this really dark, horrible place. I kind of like to stay where I’m at, but I couldn’t really do that in this role. It was just too dark and too painful. And Greg has an incredible sense of humor. He’s got a great work ethic, so he got it. Like when things were rolling and we had to go, we went and we were there. But in between — he’s just a sheer joy. He’s hysterically funny. And it was really good for our crew. We had an incredibly dedicated and hardworking crew. We worked some long, long hours. So the set vibe was strangely funny. It was the only way to get through this really heavy, real life drama.

CE: I had a feeling you would say that about Greg, because I thought he would be the one to help keep it light for you guys.

KR: He did. There were a couple times when we couldn’t keep it together because we were laughing so hard while we were shooting it. And you really need that when you’re dealing with this kind of material. Otherwise it’s just a long time of darkness.

CE: My last question is about Grey’s Anatomy: Can you give me any hints as to what we can expect from the coming season?

KR: I can’t give much, as you know, or I’ll lose my job (laughter). But I will say I’m pretty sure that everything can and will always change. I’m pretty sure that the triangle with Teddy, Owen and Kristina is done. And while I’m sad for Teddy because it’s really hard for her, I’m just happy as a fan. The Owen and Kristina story has so much more to explore. And I think that that’s great. I’m glad not to continue the love triangle, because otherwise it would have become redundant. It was a great way to establish Teddy. And so in the first couple episodes you may actually see Teddy kind of having something romantic with a new person. She’s gonna try.