Showing posts with label The Good Witch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Good Witch. Show all posts
Q and A: Week of Dec. 29
A: “The Knick,” which is set in New York in 1900, centers on the Knickerbocker Hospital and its groundbreaking surgeons, nurses and staff, who push the boundaries of medicine in a time of astonishingly high mortality rates and no antibiotics. The series has been renewed for a 10-episode second season — in fact, the show was renewed before the first season even premiered. Such an action shows the much-deserved confidence Cinemax has in the show’s high-caliber star (Clive Owen) and director (Steven Soderbergh).
Q: When will “Portlandia” return? — Sue Y., via email
A: The hit IFC comedy returns for its fifth season on Jan. 8 at 10 p.m. ET, with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein leading the goth charge in this fondly satiric showcase of Portland, Oregon’s most eccentric characters. To see a sneak peak of the new season, go to ifc.com/videos, and use the drop-down tab to search for “Portlandia.”
Q: Do you know if “Outlander” on Starz will be available as a DVD set for purchase at the end of the series year? — Rhonda B., via email
A: While as of yet there is no official DVD release date, I can say with confidence that the wildly popular fantasy/romance/time-travel series will be available on DVD once season one has concluded (at the end of May 2015). If I am wrong, may I be forced to time-travel through the Craigh na Dun stones without a protective gemstone somewhere on my person.
Q: I was thrilled to read in your column that “The Good Witch” was going to be a regular prime-time series on the Hallmark Channel. Can you give me some inside scoop about it? — Betty S., via email
A: I do have some news to share, the biggest of which is that “Desperate Housewives” hunk James Denton has been added to the cast of “The Good Witch,” which will have its two-hour season-one premiere on Feb. 28 at 8/7c, and is slated for a 10-episode run. James plays Cassie’s new next-door neighbor, a divorced doctor and single dad who stirs things up in Middleton when he discovers that Cassie’s (series star Catherine Bell) signature charm is more than just a magic touch.
Q: I’ve been waiting and waiting for a new “Celebrity Apprentice.” Can you tell me when or if it will be back? — Jeremy R., Harrisburg, Pa.
A: I’ve been anxious for my guilty pleasure’s return as well, and we don’t have too much longer to wait, Jeremy. Donald Trump and company will return to NBC on Jan. 4. This season, which is the show’s 14th, promises to bring us more fantastically fun feuding drama with such stars as Kate Gosselin, Ian Ziering, Kevin Jonas, Geraldo Rivera, Brandi Glanville, Shawn Johnson, Sig Hansen, Vivica Fox, Gilbert Gottfried, Lorenzo Lamas, Leeza Gibbons, Kenya Moore, Johnny Damon, Terrell Owens, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Jamie Anderson. Also, the late Joan Rivers, who took home top honors for season eight, filmed two episodes before her death earlier this year. In those episodes, she’ll be sitting in for Ivanka Trump as a judge. Donald Trump told “Today” show’s Matt Lauer that they had considered cutting Joan’s scenes, but ultimately, they decided, “in memoriam, we’re going do something to honor her during those two shows. She was so good, and I think she would have liked it that way.”
Q: Will “Cedar Cove” be back for another season? I miss it already! — Hannah F., via email
A: The Hallmark Channel has indeed renewed the Andie MacDowell-starring hit drama for a third season. Of the renewal, Andie said: “I am so very grateful to Hallmark Channel for a third season, and cannot wait to rejoin the cast and crew to continue making the kind of television of which we can all be proud.”
Q: I am a huge fan of “Graceland,” and am anxious to know if it’ll be back for another season. Can you give me any good news? — Dana F., via email
A: I love being the bearer of good news: The USA network has indeed renewed the crime thriller for a third season. As you probably know, fans were getting a bit antsy for some news, since it seemed to take a bit longer than usual for the network to decide on the pickup. But we can all breathe more easily now, knowing that we won’t be left hanging after that awesome season-two cliffhanger finale. There’s no word yet on a premiere date, but I’d look for it come summer 2015.
Q: I need my “Rizzoli and Isles”! — Gina D., Conyers, Ga.
A: Well, that wasn’t really a question, Gina, but I think I catch your meaning. You’re wondering when TNT’s hit procedural crime drama will return from its midseason hiatus to finish out its fifth season, right? You have just a little while longer to hang on. Our favorite cop and doctor team (Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, respectively) will be back Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. And, hold onto your hat, it’s also been renewed for a sixth season!
Q: My husband and I are fans of “Bates Motel.” I would like to know if it’s coming back and when. — Gert B., Rochester, NY
A: A and E’s mesmerizing series adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic movie will return for its third season this coming March. Expect 10 more spine-tingling episodes of the Vera Farmiga- and Freddie Highmore-starring thriller. Former “Sons of Anarchy” cast member Ryan Hurst joins the show for its third season, cast in the role of Chick Hogan, and ex-con who owns a bike shop and also runs an illegal firearms operation near Dylan’s new farm. He will butt heads with Dylan’s father, Caleb, who’s played by another “Sons,” alum Kenny Johnson.
Q: Can you tell me when “The Following” will return to TV? It did get picked up for another season, right? — Steve F., via email
A: The Kevin Bacon-starring suspense thriller will be back for a third season with 15 new episodes beginning Monday, March 2 at 8/7c with a two-hour season premiere (and picking up the following week in its 9/8c time slot). Also on tap for early 2015 premieres: “Bones” returns from it winter hiatus March 26 at 8/7c; “Glee” makes a movie to Fridays starting with its premiere on Jan. 9 (also a two-hour premiere); and “American Idol” returns for its 14th season, sans Randy Jackson, on Jan. 7 at 8/7c. Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. will be back, and Adam Lambert will be filling in for Keith as a guest judge during the New York auditions. Keith took time off from the show in order to be with his wife, Nicole Kidman, after the death of her father.
Q: I’ve gotta have my “Justified”! — Freddie F., via email
A: You’ll have it, Freddie, in just a few more weeks. The hit FX Western series will be back for its sixth and final season on Jan. 20 at 10 p.m., with Sam Elliott and Garret Dillahunt joining the cast. Get ready for that much-anticipated Raylan/Boyd final showdown!
Q: Two of my favorite shows, “Scandal’ and “How to Get Away with Murder” haven’t been on for weeks. What is going on, and when will they be back? — Frankie F., Biloxi, Miss.
A: Don’t worry, the two hit ABC dramas are merely on winter hiatus. Olivia and Annalise will be back on Jan. 29, at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, respectively. “Murder” has its two-hour season finale on Feb. 26, and taking its time slot starting March 5 is “American Crime.” The 11-episode series — which stars Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton and Penelope Ann Miller — tells the story of young couple in Modesto, California, were brutally attacked in their home, leaving Matt Skokie, a war vet, murdered, and his wife, Gwen, unconscious, barely hanging on. The crime sends shock waves throughout the community, stirring up tensions across socioeconomic and racial lines in this gritty new drama from the points of view of all those involved. Another new ABC drama, premiering Sunday, March 1, is the 10-episode “Secrets and Lies.” The story focuses on Ben, played by Ryan Phillipe, who is a person of interest in the death of a neighborhood boy, which is being investigated by Det. Andrea Cornell, played by Juliette Lewis.
Q: I know season four just ended, but I have to know: Will my favorite show, “Hell on Wheels,” be back for another season? — Jane T., via email
A: The AMC Western period drama, which is about the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States, will be back for its fifth and final season of 14 episodes, which will be split in half for its airing. The first seven episodes will premiere in summer 2015, with the final seven airing summer 2016.
Readers: I have great news for all you “Longmire” fans! You guys asked, and Netflix listened. The streaming video website has picked up the former A and E series — which was canceled earlier this year after three seasons — for a 10-episode fourth season. The beloved Western crime drama will return sometime in 2015 — an exact date has not yet been announced. According to Netflix, season four picks up moments after season three’s exciting finale.
And in disturbing news: I reported a few months ago that NBC was developing a family sitcom starring Bill Cosby that was to possibly debut this summer. Well, in the midst of multiple rape allegations, the network has decided to pull the project, which was going to be a multigenerational family show with Bill as the patriarch of the family, dispensing wisdom on relationships and parenthood.
Interview: Catherine Bell Is Making Magic
Celebrity Extra: When you first were approached to do the “The Good Witch” series, what was your initial reaction, and what tilted the scales in favor of taking the role?
Catherine Bell: It’s funny — I have been playing characters who are really different from “The Good Witch.” And when I saw the script, I thought, “Well, this character is more like me than any other character I’ve ever played.” So, that was appealing. And I thought it was funny that I was just offered the role; I didn’t have to audition for it, but I’d never played a role like it. Orly Adelson, one of the producers, had heard from a casting director that my personality is actually like this character. I thought it was sort of a risk to take. I mean, I’ve played kind of the tough girl on “J.A.G.” and an army wife, and so this is very different, but I love it.
CE: You say that you are a lot like Cassie; what are some similarities between you two, and what do you like about her?
CB: She’s just got a great sense of humor and a great enthusiasm, and just enjoys people and makes people happy. Those are all things I can certainly relate to. I find people interesting, and try to find the best in them or bring out the best.
CE: Cassie is very likable and seems like a really fun character to play.
CB: She’s very whimsical. Very rarely does anything get her down. Maybe for a moment, but then she finds a way to turn it around. She has such a great, positive spirit. That inspires me in real life to have fun. It’s like, OK, I’m feeling a little down. Maybe I could be a little bit more like Cassie. It’s a really fun role to step into. Every time I come back (to shoot another installment in the series), I put on the clothes and the dark nail polish, and I step right back into Cassie, and start making or turning anything into something good or fun.
CE: What I like about the series is that while each movie is a continuation of the previous movie, the individual movies also stand on their own, so anyone can enjoy them. Can you tell me about this latest offering, “The Good Witch’s Destiny”?
CB: Cassie’s birthday is coming up, and she wants all of her family and friends to get together, but some problems are brewing. Gwen, the grandfather’s wife, her son comes into town, and he’s trouble. There’s someone that is always trouble in this movie, you know, and he’s kind of creating some problems for them. Then Cassie’s stepdaughter, Lori, finds out about the Grey Lady. She’s a woman who looks a lot like Cassie — she’s actually one of her ancestors who brought her to this small town. She lived a hundred years ago, and she died in a mysterious way. There are all these parallels in her life and in my character’s life, and all of these weird things are happening that are kind of lining up a little too much like the Grey Lady.
And like you said, each movie kind of stands alone. So, in this one there’s a problem that’s brewing that might ruin her birthday celebration, and she’s got to figure out a way to bring everyone together. She’s got to make some magic happen.
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| (L to R) Hannah Endicott-Douglas, Matthew Knight, Catherine Bell, Chris Potter, Peter MacNeill, Libby Lennie |
CB: Entertainment can either be shocking, or it can make you think, or it can sort of make you question your purpose in life, or it can just either make you laugh or cry. This is one that makes you feel good. It makes you feel good about people and about family and relationships and life. That should be the purpose for me doing these, and for people watching — I hope that’s what they get out of them.
CE: It must make you feel good to be the purveyor of this feel-good karma!
CB: It’s crazy — of all the things I’ve done, I would say that I get equal, if not more, recognition for this role. If I’m at an airport or out somewhere, someone will walk up and say, “Oh my God, it’s a good witch!” I was on “Army Wives” and “J.A.G.” for a long time, so I find that really sweet and really endearing when I get some Cassie love. People love this show, and that makes me feel good. I don’t think there are a lot of shows on television you can watch that aren’t shocking, that aren’t dark or horrible, that you can watch with your kids, that they can get some sort of lesson out of it or have a good time. Me being a mom, that is important to me as well.
CE: You’re in Canada now filming the seventh “Good Witch” movie, correct?
CB: I am. I was in Toronto for the weekend, and I’m driving back to Hamilton, which is where we film. I’m back on set tomorrow for the last four days of shooting.
CE: Have you filmed the whole series up there in Hamilton?
CB: Yes, we’ve done all of them up here in this area just outside Toronto called Hamilton. There’s a cute little town called Dundas. It’s like a 100-year-old little town that has a cute main street where the shops are. Cassie’s original house was like a Victorian kind of haunted house that we found up here. We’ve been here with almost all the same crew — a lot of the same people, the same cast. The kids are the same, the grandparents and my hubby (played by Chris Potter) are all the same people. It’s a really great group. It actually feels like family. I’m back with the family and here we are doing another one. It’s fun. I really enjoy it.
CE: Does that mean you’d be on board for even more “Good Witch” movies if Hallmark comes a-callin’?
CB: I’m sure I would. They seem to just keep going, don’t they? And they’re always fun. I really enjoy playing this part. It’s a nice refreshing change.
CE: But that’s not to say you don’t enjoy your share of daring and shocking shows as well, right?
CB: Yeah, absolutely. I’m just catching up now on season three of “Breaking Bad,” and I love those shows as well. There is a time and a place for everything, I guess. But Hallmark is just that feel-good channel. Like you watch it and you think, “Oh yeah, it’s not so bad. Life is good.” Now a lot of people tell me that this is their guilty pleasure, that they’ll just sometimes stay in bed all day on a Sunday and watch “The Good Witch” marathon. It’s kind of nice. It’s just light and it’s refreshing. So, that certainly makes me feel good.
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| (L to R) Wendy Davis, Brooke Shields, Elle McLemore, Torrey DeVitto, ALyssa Diaz, Ashanti, Kelli Williams and Catherine Bell |
CB: I’m looking at new options. “Army Wives” just finished up after seven seasons. We’re all done. I wish I would have known we weren’t coming back (for an eighth season), because I’m sure our writers would have wrapped up the show a little more definitively. We had some great story lines that were left hanging.
So, as soon as I get back from Canada, I’ve got meetings. I’m looking at new shows and new possibilities, which is kind of exciting. We’ll see which way the future goes, but I’m excited. I’m looking forward to something new and totally different.
CE: Lifetime is planning a two-hour retrospective “Army Wives” special with cast members, which is scheduled to air early next year. Do you know how you’ll be involved with that, or is it too early yet to know?
CB: I’m actually not sure. None of that has been worked out. I don’t know exactly what Lifetime has in mind or what’s happening there or how much of that I’ll be a part. It would be nice.
Q and A: Week of Oct. 14
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| Ed Weeks |
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.
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| Catherine Bell |
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 May 13
Q: I really enjoy “The Good Witch” movies with Catherine Bell. Are they planning to make more? — Roberta F., North Rose, N.Y. A: The Hallmark Channel’s “Good Witch” series will be a six-part series, with “The Good Witch’s Charm,” the fifth movie in the series, being the most recent, having aired in October 2012. The final installment, “The Good Witch’s Destiny,” is scheduled for release at some point this year, although an exact date has not been revealed.
Q: Can you tell me why these shows are no longer on the air: “All My Children” and “One Live to Live”? — Pat A., Columbia, S.C.
A: While I normally don’t cover daytime dramas in this column, what happened here is so miraculous in the TV world, I have to mention it. “All My Children” and “One Live to Live” — which ended in September 2011 and January 2012, respectively — were canceled due to low ratings and cost. However, after much negotiation and legal wrangling, on April 29, both shows came back to life (with many of the core cast members reprising their roles) as 30-minute webisodes via production company Prospect Park. Fans can view daily episodes on Hulu, Hulu Plus and iTunes. Prospect Park recently announced plans to resuscitate CBS’s “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light” at a later date.
Q: The “Vikings” series on the History Channel reminded me of an article I read years ago about Mel Gibson making a Viking movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. Is this movie going to happen? — Lavourne, E., Willmar, Minn.
A: As recently as August 2012, Mel has said that “Berserkers” is still in the works; however, Leo is no longer attached to the project. Mel has been working on rewriting the script with his “Braveheart” writer, Randall Wallace. While there has been no word on “Berserkers” since the record-breaking success of the History Channel’s “Vikings,” considering the viewing public’s new love affair with all things savage and Nordic, I’m thinking Mel’s movie would fare well at the box office, if he decides to proceed.
Q: I heard that this will be the final season of “Merlin” on the Syfy channel. Is this true? I really enjoy this series and would miss it, along with the interesting and talented actors. Can its fans do anything to keep in on the air? — Carol C., Rochester, N.Y.
A: The 13-episode fifth season of “Merlin,” which began airing on Syfy here in the U.S. on May 5, is indeed the final season for the fantasy/adventure series. The show, which aired first in the U.K., is a production of BBC One that has been syndicated here in the States. So, we can complain all we want to Syfy, but unfortunately, it most likely won’t get the show back. The series already concluded in the U.K. over Christmas, and all five seasons are available on DVD.
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