Q and A: Week of Nov. 24

SHARES

BY Unknown 09:06 0

Q and A: Week of Nov. 24

Q: I read in your column that “The Mentalist” would be renewed. When is it going to return? It’s one of my favorite shows. — Sissy U., via email

A: “The Mentalist” will be back for a seventh and final season on CBS for 13 episodes. The series will premiere Sunday, Nov. 30, at 9:30 p.m. ET, and will air new episodes in that time slot for five weeks before moving to Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Jan. 7. And if you need to catch up on any episodes, seasons one through six are now available on DVD for your viewing pleasure.

Q: I am so distraught that “Parks and Recreation” hasn’t premiered its new season yet. I thought you said it had been renewed! — Kallie F., via email

A: NBC’s hit sitcom has been renewed. And, like “The Mentalist,” mentioned above, it will also be its seventh and final season, which will consist of 13 episodes and premiere midseason 2015. Leslie Knope and company have not left us dangling, and will be back in a few months to tie up any loose ends.

Q: Can you tell me what Jesse Ventura has been up to? I miss watching him on his previous show, “Conspiracy Theory.” — Stanley G., Omaha, Neb.

A: Governor Ventura is still in the public eye, but not on network TV. He has his own Internet show called “Off the Grid,” which can be seen on his YouTube channel and ora.tv, and is filmed from his home in Mexico. A big selling point for Jesse is that he can talk about whatever the heck he wants on his new show; he told me: “That’s one of the reasons I think ‘Conspiracy Theory’ got cancelled after only three seasons, because in many ways, we were going where they didn’t want us to go, and we were asking questions they didn’t want asked. I love the Internet because there are no FCC regulations. There’s no government hanging over my shoulder. If I want to say ‘bullsh!t,’ I can without getting fined or anything like that. For me it was like getting the handcuffs taken off and being able to speak freely. That’s what I love about ‘Off the Grid.’”

The governor hopes to help change the mindset of people who blindly follow what the government tells us, and to pick up where his generation failed, in his words. “I lived through the ’60s, through the hippie generation, and through Vietnam, when I truly thought change was in the wind and that we were the same way. Our generation was questioning authority, much like the New Millennium young people are doing today. I’m encouraging them to stay the course. Don’t drop the ball like my generation did. I’m hoping to help correct that with the New Millennium generation by keeping them on track. I want to be the Timothy Leary of this generation. I want to be the older guy that this generation turns to in order to learn the truth. That’s kind of what I’m working to do.”

Q: Please tell me that “Dallas” hasn’t been canceled! — Karolyn, Lubbock, Texas

Q: I understand “Dallas” has been canceled? Is that true, and has any other network pick it up? — Chuck B., via email

A: I hate to be the one to confirm those cancelation rumors, but it is true: TNT has canceled the nighttime drama after and explosive third season and shocking finale. In this day and age of lots of cable and Internet channels, and with so many other shows being saved from cancelation by other networks (i.e., “Cougar Town,” “The Killing,” “Community,” "Arrested Development" and more), all hope is not necessarily lost, but as of this writing, there is no talk of the show resurrecting somewhere else. But just because I haven’t heard anything yet, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. If there is a deal in the works, odds are it would have to be kept hush-hush while details were ironed out.

Another promising aspect of it possible being picked up by another outlet is that the show’s cast and fans very much support the resurrection of “Dallas” elsewhere. Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) tweeted: “I for one am not done with Bobby Ewing! Let's see if some network wants the Ewings to live on!” And Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing) agreed, thanking fans for their support and tweeting, “Keep it coming so it can help get us back entertaining you!” You can help by writing/emailing TNT, and if you are on social media, use the #SaveDallas hashtag to show your support. Personally, I think “Dallas” would be a perfect fit for Netflix. What do y’all think?

Q: When will the TV show “Covert Affairs” resume the season? I hope it has not been canceled. — Nancy S., via email

A: “Covert Affairs” will be back for the second half of season five on Nov. 6 with eight more brand-new episodes. As of this writing, the USA network has yet to decide on its renewal or cancelation, probably waiting to see how the ratings for the rest of the season go. So keep watching, and encourage your friends to as well, and hopefully it will join “Satisfaction” in the renewed column, and not “Rush” in the canceled column.

Q: I read your column every week, and enjoy knowing what’s happening, coming and going. I am hooked on “The Americans.” Will it be returning? — Fran S., Rockford, Ill.

A: FX has renewed the Cold War-era espionage drama, which stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, for a third season. Look for 13 new episodes starting on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 10 p.m. ET. In even-more awesome news, legendary actor Frank Langella will join the show, playing the role of Gabriel, Philip and Elizabeth’s former KGB handler who comes out of retirement to take back responsibility of overseeing them from their previous handler, Claudia (played by Margo Martindale).

Q and A: Week of Jan. 27

SHARES

BY Unknown 09:03 0

Q and A: Week of Jan. 27

Paul Walker

Q: Like the rest of the world, I was so shocked to hear that Paul Walker had died in a car crash. I saw his last movie, “Hours,” the other day, and he was so good in it. I know he was working on the next “Fast and Furious” movie when he died. Any chance they’ll still release it? — Jimmy T., Oceanside, Calif.

A: Production on “Fast and Furious 7” had been shut down for some time after Paul’s death, with 60 percent of the movie having been shot. It wasn’t clear what they would do. Would they cancel the movie? Use CGI for some of his remaining scenes? Cut him out all together? Just before Christmas, Universal released this official statement about “FF7,” along with a release date: “Continuing the global exploits in the franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lead the returning cast of ‘Fast and Furious 7,’ which will be released by Universal Pictures on April 10, 2015. James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series, and Neal H. Moritz and Vin Diesel return as producers.” It has also been verified that they won’t kill off Paul’s character in this installment of the series. So, Paul will be in the movie, and you can bet millions of people can’t wait to see him in his final role.

Q: Can you tell me if or when “The Americans” will return for another season? — Ginnie F., via email

A: FX recently announced that the spy drama — which centers on the Cold War era of the ’80s, and stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys — will return for 13 episodes beginning Feb. 26. I can’t wait!

Q: A few months back, you mentioned that a “Veronica Mars” movie is in the making. Can you tell me when it’ll be released? — Stacy W., via email

A: “Veronica Mars” hits theaters on March 14, and it stars Kristen Bell, Krysten Ritter, Gaby Hoffman, Justin Long, James Franco, Ken Marino, and many more. There’s even a cameo by Kristen’s real-life husband, Dax Shepard. In more “Veronica” news, if your cable provider offers the Pivot channel, you can see reruns Monday through Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” followed by “Veronica Mars.”

Q: I haven’t seen Kevin Costner in anything in a while. Can you tell me what I can see him in next? — Gina R., Allentown, Pa.



A: In what critics are calling the “Field of Dreams” for football fans, Kevin’s latest project is called “Draft Day,” which comes to theaters April 11. Kevin stars as Sonny Weaver Jr., the general manager for the Cleveland Browns. Sonny’s career is on the line as he has to bring the Browns out of a serious slump by picking the best players at NFL drafts. The film also stars Jennifer Garner, Tom Welling, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Rosanna Arquette and Ellen Burstyn.

James DuMont, of Dallas Buyers Club

Q: I have a question about the actor who played Jared Leto’s father in “Dallas Buyers Club,” which I saw over the holidays. He looks so familiar, but I can’t quite place him. — Kyra T., via email

A: The actor you are thinking of is character actor James DuMont, who’s been on tons of TV shows like “American Horror Story,” “Treme,” “Nashville,” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” and on the big screen in “The Butler,” “Ocean’s Thirteen,” “War of the Worlds,” and “Along Came Polly,” to name only a few. James was thrilled to be in “Dallas Buyers Club,” which centers on Ron Woodroof (played by Matthew McConaughey), who works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease. James plays the estranged father of Jared Leto’s character, Rayon, who’s transgender and HIV positive.

When I spoke with James recently, he told me about working with Jared: “It’s a really powerful scene we share. Jared does powerful work in this; as soon as we finished our scene, I tweeted that Jared would get an Oscar nomination for this role. And he seems to be the front-runner at this point. I’ve worked with Oscar winners, and I can see and identify Oscar-caliber work. I get tweets and emails from all over the world where people tell me that our scene is so powerful, poignant and heartbreaking. It’s nice to have a little breakout scene like this after doing so many projects. It’s tough for a character actor.”

Check back later this week for my full interview with this talented actor.

Q: Over this past summer, I got involved with a series called “Mistresses.” Can you tell me if it is going to return, or was it just something they put on for the summer? — Liz R., via email

A: ABC has renewed “Mistresses” for a 13-episode second season, which is scheduled to air in summer 2014. The show, which is based on the British series of the same name, stars Alyssa Milano, Rochelle Aytes, Jes Macallan and Yunjin Kim. The show centers on the lives of four female friends, and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships.

Q: I really enjoy “The Glades,” but I think I read someplace that it is being canceled. I truly hope this is not so. Can you please find out its status? — Diane, via email

A: The A and E network decided this past fall to cancel “The Glades” after four seasons. The police procedural broke records for the network when it debuted, but slowly and steadily lost more than one-third of its viewers throughout the series, so the network canceled it.

Q: Can you tell me if and when “Cedar Cove” will return for another season? — Richard O., Summerfield, Fla.

A: The Hallmark Channel has renewed the phenomenally successful series, which is based on the book series of the same name by Debbie Macomber, for a second season. The show’s first season made Hallmark Channel the No. 1 cable channel for Saturday nights during the 8 to 9 time slot. With internationally renowned actress Andie MacDowell leading the cast — which includes Dylan Neal, Teryl Rothery, Bruce Boxleitner, Barbara Niven and Brennan Elliott — season two of “Cedar Cover” promises more of the same drama, romance and fun. There is no word on the premiere date yet, but I’d start looking for it this summer. And of course, I’ll let you know as soon as I know exactly when it will return.

(courtesy Fox)

Q: Would you happen to know anything about the fantastic TV series “24” with Kiefer Sutherland? I thought they were bringing it back, or at least making a movie. — Dick W., via email

A: I did report on this about six months ago, but since this is such a hot subject — I get tons of letters from readers asking me the same question — I’ll write about it again, with some new information to pass along. Fox is indeed airing a new version of “24,” which is called “24: Live Another Day.” This go ’round, it will be a 12-part series but will still cover the requisite 24 hours. Kiefer will return, as will Mary Lynn Rajskub, William Devane and Kim Raver.

Kiefer recently told the press that the series will take place in London, stating: “‘24’ has always had such a global sensibility, but to be able to tell this intense ‘24’-style story with the beauty of Europe’s history and architecture as the backdrop is going to be fascinating.” Fox’s entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly teased reporters that the show’s pickup intrigued many industry stars. “A lot of who’s who in Hollywood wanted to participate in this,” he revealed. Be on the lookout for “24: Live Another Day” on Fox this May.

Q: Please tell me that Animal Planet will be airing another “Puppy Bowl” this Super Bowl Sunday! — Tina W., Portland, Maine

A: The most anticipated — and cutest — sporting event of the season is about to get even bigger when “Puppy Bowl” returns to Animal Planet on Feb. 2 (first airing is from 3 to 5 p.m. ET/PT) for it’s 10th-anniversary edition. Starting at 3, the show will repeat all day, with new content every hour. With each airing, fans vote in real time for which puppy will take home the coveted title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy), there will be a Kitty Half-Time Show, penguin cheerleaders, and viewers can participate in the Fantasy Puppy League (go to animalplanet.com/puppybowl to draft your team). This is definitely a can’t-miss event!

Readers: I told you I’d let you know when I had an exact date for the season-two premiere of “Vikings,” and I’m a woman of my word. “Vikings” returns to the History channel on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. So don’t forget to tune in!