Q and A: Week of Jan. 9

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Q and A: Week of Jan. 9

Q: I know how much you love Fox’s “New Girl,” so do you have any scoop on what will happen in the new year? Jennifer S., in California

A: I recently spoke with Kali Hawk who’s co-starred in such movies as “Couples Retreat,” “Get Him to the Greek” and “Bridesmaids” and she will be appearing in a multi-episode arc in January and February. Kali told me: “It was one of those things where everything lined up. I’m good friends with one of the series regulars, Jake Johnson, who plays Nick on that show. For my episodes, I play a love interest for Winston, played by Lamorne Morris. I’m someone from his past who resurfaces. It’s very interesting to see how that goes because as we all know, sometimes when you reach back, it’s not exactly the same as it once was.”


You can read the rest of the interview here later this week to learn about her experiences on all of her different movies, including the upcoming Tyler Perry movie “We the Peeples.”

Q: I read in your column that Ricky Gervais is hosting the Golden Globes this year, which I am excited for. Is he currently in a TV series or movie that I can catch him in? Delilah F., via e-mail

A: Ricky’s hit BBC Two show, “Life’s Too Short,” will debut Sunday, Feb. 19, on HBO. It also stars Stephen Merchant and Warwick Davis, and centers on Warwick, who plays a fictionalized version of himself, and his day-to-day life. The series boasts A-list guest stars such as Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, Steve Carell, Sting and many more.

Q: Will Luke Perry be making a sequel to last year’s “Goodnight for Justice” for the Hallmark Channel? I really enjoyed it. Jonathan P., via e-mail

A: It just so happens that Luke will indeed star in another “Goodnight” movie, this one called “Goodnight for Justice: The Measure of a Man,” which premieres Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8/7c. Luke returns as traveling circuit-court judge John Goodnight.


I asked Luke how he felt when he learned the original movie became the highest-rated film in the history of the Hallmark Movie Channel. He told me: “I was just hoping to get the chance to do another one. I don’t go into it with any expectation other than I try to make the best movie every time. I feel the pressure to do all I can to promote the film, but I’ve been doing this long enough to know that audiences are fickle and different things happen, so you make the film and control what you can, which is your part of the process.” Check back next week to read our entire interview.

Q: I love Laura Dern’s new show, “Enlightened,” on HBO. Will it return for another season? Sally T., Jacksonville, Fla.

A: HBO just announced that “Enlightened” will be back for a second season. However, it has decided to cancel “Hung” and “Bored to Death,” both of which completed their third seasons.

Q and A: Week of Dec. 5

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 5

Ricky Gervais

Q: Now that Eddie Murphy is no longer hosting the Oscars, do you think he’ll host the Golden Globes? — Peggy G., via e-mail

A: That gig has gone to actor/comedian/writer/producer Ricky Gervais, who’s hosted the previous two Golden Globes ceremonies. Most of you know I wholeheartedly approve of this choice, as do many of the Hollywood royalty that Ricky teases. Liam Neeson has voiced his approval of Ricky, saying: “Hollywood needs a shake-up. He’ll be great.” Robert DeNiro showered Ricky with praise after last year’s controversial telecast, telling Ricky he’d be happy to set anyone straight who was offended. Johnny Depp guest-stars on Ricky’s new TV show, “Life’s Too Short,” poking fun of himself and Ricky in a hilarious sketch (Google it and see for yourself). The Golden Globes Awards telecast airs live Sunday, Jan. 15, on NBC.

Q: I really like “Grimm” on NBC. Can you tell me about the actress who plays the beautiful blond Reaper? — David S., via e-mail

A: Claire Coffee plays Reaper assassin Adalind Schade (who also happens to be a lawyer). Claire, 31, also is on TNT’s “Franklin and Bash,” playing Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s ex and James Van Der Beek’s current girlfriend. Claire and I joked about how she is living the fantasy of every girl who grew up watching James and Mark-Paul in the ’90s, including herself: “It’s too bad I didn’t get a job like this when I first came to town — or maybe it’s good thing, because I probably would have lost my mind.”

She’s thrilled about her role on “Grimm,” telling me: “I really wanted this one, because I’ve never gotten to play any sort of supernatural character before. I’ve never played an evil witch who has fight scenes and kills people. I got to put some new special skills on the resume through this job.”

Michael Cudlitz

Q: When is my favorite show, “Southland,” coming back to TNT? — Johnny C. in New Hampshire

A: You don’t have to wait much longer for the season four premiere on Jan. 17. This season will feature returning stars Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie, and will guest-star Lucy Liu. This season will also reunite Regina King with her “227″ co-star Marla Gibbs, who guest-stars as a family member of a suspect that Detective Lydia Adams (Regina) is investigating for murder.

Q: How is Demi Moore doing? Will she divorce Ashton Kutcher for his alleged infidelity? — Renee R., Clearwater, Fla.

A: Demi recently announced her decision to file for divorce from Ashton, stating: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”

Q and A: Week of Feb. 14

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Q and A: Week of Feb. 14

Q: I was so happy to see Jennie Garth starring in the new Hallmark Channel movie “Accidentally in Love,” and wondered what else she has been up to since leaving “90210.” — Isabella W., via e-mail

A: I recently caught up with Jennie, who was thrilled to star in a movie (“Accidentally in Love”) written by her husband, actor/writer Peter Facinelli. She gave me the scoop: “I do a lot of literacy campaigns for young kids. It’s something that is really important to me, which was passed on by my father. Also, I work a lot for the American Heart Association as a national spokesperson, and I enjoy that work a lot.


“I’m writing my first children’s book, which comes out in February 2012. I’m just creatively starting that ball rolling. I’m enjoying that very much. I’ve moved out of L.A. to give the girls a little bit more of a safer environment to be young in. So, whatever work comes to me or works around their schedule, I’m open to doing at this point, but if it doesn’t work for that, then forget it.”

Q: I heard that Will Ferrell is coming to “The Office.” Is that true? — Katrina E., via e-mail

A: You heard correctly! Hot on the heels of Ricky Gervais’ cameo on the Jan. 27 episode of “The Office” comes the news that Will Ferrell will guest-star over a four-episode arc on the hit NBC comedy (Thursdays, 9 p.m. ET). Will plays a branch manager who arrives from the home office and proves to be just as inappropriate as Michael Scott, Steve Carell’s character.



Q: With the financial trouble that MGM has been having, does this mean no more James Bond films? — Frankie R. in Florida

A: Bond’s future was looking pretty grim; however, it now seems that things are back on track for the as-yet-untitled Bond 23 film. Daniel Craig will return as 007, with rumors running rampant that Javier Bardem has been offered the role of “Bond Villain.” Shooting begins later this year with a release date of Nov. 9, 2012.

Q: Not much has been said about how Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg reacted to “The Social Network,” the movie based on the founding of Facebook. Is he mad about the movie, or did he like it? — Gigi R., Fresno, Calif.

A: “The Social Network” star Jesse Eisenberg recently told “Access Hollywood” that Mark congratulated him on his Oscar nomination when the two starred together in a recent “Saturday Night Live” skit. Jesse was relieved that Mark was so good-natured about everything, revealing: “He has such a wonderful sense of humor about the whole thing. The fact that he would agree to come on ‘Saturday Night Live’ was a testament to his good feelings about (it). We were both so thankful that the other one was so open to working in that way under very unique circumstances.”

Q and A: Week of Jan. 31

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Q and A: Week of Jan. 31

Q: I was thrilled to see that Luke Perry and Jason Priestley were working together again in the Hallmark Channel movie “Goodnight for Justice.” How did that opportunity come about for them to get together? — Gina H., via e-mail

A: I spoke with Luke recently, and he gave me the scoop on how it all went down: “I like working with Jason a lot. There is a company involved in making this movie called Entertainment One. They work here in the United States, but they are based in Canada. So, if you are in business with them you have to do your stuff in Canada, which means you have to have a Canadian director. And when they said Canadian, I thought, ’I’ve got one of those.’ That was easy enough, and it was the right way to go because he’s a smart director. It was great working with him on this.”

Q: Is Donald Trump going to film another “The Celebrity Apprentice”? I like the original “Apprentice” just fine, but the celebrity version is always so much more fun! — Tiffany T., Atlanta

A: You can bet The Donald knows a good thing when he sees it. Another round of celebs have been rounded up for this next installment of the competition, which crowned Bret Michaels as its winner last year. This time around, the participants are: David Cassidy, NeNe Leakes, LaToya Jackson, Lisa Rinna, Dionne Warwick, Gary Busey, Jose Canseco, original “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch, Lil Jon, Meat Loaf, Mark McGrath, John Rich, Hope Dworaczyk, Star Jones, Marlee Matlin and Niki Taylor.



Q: What did you think about Ricky Gervais’ hosting of the Golden Globes? Some people think he was too mean, but to be honest, I thought he was spot on. — Eric P., St. Louis

A: I agree with you, Eric. Either the Hollywood Foreign Press Association did not give out enough booze to loosen up the celebs, or some of them are feeling a bit too self-important these days. As we learned last year, Ricky’s style of hosting is roast-like, which is a style of comedy most Americans love — as long as they are not the intended target. Instead of people like Bruce Willis, Tim Allen and Tom Hanks getting their shorts in a bunch about Ricky’s jokes, it would have been funnier — and would have made it all less awkward — if they would have just played along instead of pompously butting heads.

Q: One of my favorite shows was “Six Feet Under.” I know Peter Krause is in “Parenthood” and Michael C. Hall is the star of “Dexter,” but what is Lauren Ambrose, who played Claire, up to lately? — David F., via e-mail

A: The beautiful redhead just joined the cast of “Torchwood,” which is set to premiere its fourth season July 1 on Starz. According to Entertainment Weekly, Lauren, 32, will play a heartless public-relations guru named Jilly Kitzinger for 10 episodes.

Celebrity Q&A, Feb. 24

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Celebrity Q&A, Feb. 24

Q: When will my favorite show, Army Wives, be back for the new season? I’m going through some serious withdrawals here! — Cassandra F., via e-mail

A: Your wait isn’t much longer. Lifetime Television’s highest-rated series ever, Army Wives, will be back for its fourth season on Sunday, April 11, with 18 brand-new episodes. Seasons 1 to 3 are now available on DVD, so you have a month or so to catch up on anything you might have missed. (photo courtesy Lifetime Television)

Q: Last month, the advertising promos for Little People, Big World said the last show would be airing soon. I pray it means just for this season and not the FINAL show. This family has taught so many of us to be aware of little people (the way we should have been) and how many of us just did not realize how ignorant we were. My family loves the Roloff family and how honest they are about everything, and watching their children grow up is like seeing friends’ children grow up. We appreciate Matt and Amy opening up their lives, as we learn along with them and their children. — Bea K. in Canada

A: According to TLC, these were just the “last episodes” of the first half of the fifth season. Little People, Big World has gone on a winter hiatus, like many shows have been doing lately, but they will be back to finish out the season. The second half of Season 5 is scheduled to begin airing in April.

Q: I thought Ricky Gervais did a bang-up job hosting the Golden Globe Awards. Is there any chance he’ll pay a visit to The Office? — Kristin W., via e-mail

A: There is a very good chance of that happening. Ricky Gervais — who co-created the original U.K. version of the show as well as the American version with Stephen Merchant — has already made directing and writing “appearances” on the U.S. show. Ricky recently told the U.K. television show This Morning: “I quite like the idea that Michael Scott bumps into this guy [David Brent, the boss of the U.K. version of The Office] and takes him back to the office as the best bloke ever, and the office goes, 'Oh my God, there’s two of them.’ It would be devastating for the people in the office.”

Q: Back in the 1950s, there was a 15-minute sitcom called Life with Elizabeth. I remember that Betty White was the star, but I never see it mentioned when I read about her career. Was she the star, and who was the male lead? — Gerry F., Tennessee Ridge, Tenn.

A: You have quite a memory! The great Betty White did indeed play the role of Elizabeth, with Del Moore playing her husband, Alvin. Life With Elizabeth aired from 1953-55, and the DVDs can be found on amazon.com and various other online sources. You also can watch nine episodes for free at tv4u.com.