Q and A: Week of Nov. 10

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BY Unknown 09:24 0

Q and A: Week of Nov. 10

Q: I need some “White Collar” news! — Patrick D., via email

A: I have some good news for you, Patrick. The USA network’s police drama, which was slated to return for its sixth and final season in early 2015, premiered on Nov. 6 instead. So you can enjoy these last six episodes a little bit earlier than expected, and also start the withdrawal/grieving process a little earlier as well. At least we’ll always have the DVDs: Seasons one through five are now available for purchase at all major DVD and entertainment outlets.

Q: I just got caught up on season one of HBO’s “True Detective,” and I wondered if you could give me any scoop about season two. — Kyle L., via email

A: I can tell you that Colin Ferrell and Vince Vaughn have signed on to star in the next season of the hit HBO series, which is rumored to be about the “bloody murder of a corrupt city businessman found dead the night before a major transportation deal,” and will involve three different police officers from different cities working together.

Q: Can you give me any info about the latest 007 movie? Is it still happening? — Paul T., via email

A: The 24th James Bond film is indeed happening, Paul, with actors Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and director Sam Mendes returning. They start shooting in December, with an anticipated fall 2015 release date. Sam confirmed that the latest film will be the second of a two-part project, meaning it will be a continuation of “Skyfall.”

Q: Now that “Being Human” is over, what is Sam Huntington up to? I was so happy to see him turn up in the “Veronica Mars” movie. — Michelle G., via email

A: The former werewolf star of the supernatural Syfy-channel series is currently working on Jeremy Renner’s new project (Jeremy’s the executive producer) for the Crackle network. It’s a 90-minute, international cyber-spy movie called “The Throwaways,” which also stars the legendary James Caan, as well as Kevin Dillon (“Entourage,” “Platoon” and “The Doors”). The feature follows notorious hacker Drew Reynolds (played by Sam), who is captured by the CIA and given a proposition — work for them or spend the rest of his life in prison. Reynolds agrees to join on the condition that he gets to choose his own team. Instead of picking from the top agents the CIA recommends, Reynolds goes with a group of “throwaways,” those deemed expendable and seemingly the worst in the organization. Led by Lt. Col. Christopher Holden (James), and including gung-ho combat specialist Dan Fisher (Kevin), the throwaways have to track and take down a cyber-terrorist who is threatening mass destruction. Look for the film on Crackle this December.

Q: I am so addicted to “Outlander.” Can you tell me when the second half of season one will air? — Jeanne D., via email

A: “Outlander” returns from its winter hiatus with eight more episodes beginning April 4 on Starz. You, I and millions of other fans will have to wait patiently for almost six months to see Jamie rescue Claire from Black Jack Randall. I know — it’s going to seem like forever. Here’s to hoping they don’t split up season two like that, right?

Ben Stiller as Derek Zoolander

Q: Is there seriously going to be a “Zoolander” sequel? I loved the first one, but I wonder how good a second one will be. — Justin R. in Oklahoma

A: Rumors have been swirling for years about a sequel, and Will Ferrell confirmed in September that “Zoolander 2” is happening, and that his character, Mugatu, will be a part of it. Justin Theroux is rumored to be directing the movie, which he also co-wrote with Ben Stiller, and Ben and Owen Wilson are set to co-star. The plot has Derek Zoolander (played by Ben) and Hansel (Owen) trying to compete against younger models as an opposing company tries to force them out of the business. I guess the Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good didn’t do so well, and Derek had to return to modeling to make ends meet.

Q: I really like the new series on Hallmark called “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Can you tell me when I can see a new season? — Adele T., Clyde, Ohio

A: The comedic drama by “Touched by an Angel” executive producer Martha Williamson, which follows the lives of a group of postal workers who transform themselves into a nontraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail, is moving to Hallmark’s sister channel, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. It is also changing its format: It will return to TV as a movie franchise consisting of a series of two-hour original films.

Debuting on Nov. 23 at 9/8c, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas” will be the first movie in the franchise, with three more slated for 2015. Returning as the “POstables” crew are Oliver O’Toole (Eric Mabius, “Ugly Betty”), Shane McInerney (Kristin Booth, “Orphan Black”), Rita Haywith (Crystal Lowe, “Smallville”) and Norman Dorman (Geoff Gustafson “Primeval: New World”). According to Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of programming and network publicity at Crown Media Family Networks, “At their core, the narratives on ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ revolve around mystery and suspense, with compelling characters and dramatic storylines that will be enhanced by an extended format.”

Q: I was happy to hear that “Mistresses” has been renewed for a third season, but sad to hear that Alyssa Milano won’t return. Why did she leave the show? — Eric G., via email

A: Alyssa — who recently gave birth to daughter Elizabeth Dylan, joining big brother Milo Thomas — said in a recent statement: “After two wonderful seasons in Los Angeles, the studio has decided to shoot season three of ‘Mistresses’ in Vancouver, Canada, for financial reasons. It’s with a heavy heart that I have decided that I can’t relocate. I have two babies under 4. Being a mother and wife comes first, and I just cannot uproot my children and separate the family by moving away. I will miss this job desperately and wish everyone the absolute best.”

Q: Please tell me the rumors I’ve been hearing about a “Say Anything” TV series are not true! — Callie F., via email

A: I am thrilled to tell you that NBC’s planned “Say Anything” TV show has been canned. Less than 24 hours after news broke — practically breaking the entire Internet — that a comedy sequel based on the hit 1989 movie (directed by Cameron Crowe and starring John Cusack and Ione Skye) was being planned, NBC pulled the plug on the series. Apparently, Cameron called producer Aaron Kaplan (who was producing the series with writer Justin Adler) and voiced his objections to the project. Aaron and Justin were unaware that Cameron had not been contacted about or approved of the project, so they pulled out of the project. NBC and 20th Century Fox followed suit, and canceled the series.

READERS: I have some exciting book-to-series news for you. Hulu announced that it has ordered a nine-hour series adaptation of Stephen King’s 2011 bestseller “11/22/63,” a thriller in which high school English teacher Jake Epping travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The series is being developed by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions. Of this latest project, Stephen King said: “If I ever wrote a book that cries out for long-form, event-TV programming, ‘11/22/63’ is it. I’m excited that it’s going to happen, and am looking forward to working with J.J. Abrams and the whole Bad Robot team.”

Interview — Tiffani Thiessen: "It's Easy Being Green"

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BY Unknown 10:47 0

Interview — Tiffani Thiessen: "It's Easy Being Green"

We all know her as everyone’s sweetheart, Kelly, on “Saved by the Bell,” every girl’s scheming enemy, Valerie, on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and more recently as event planner Elizabeth on USA’s “White Collar.” Ironically, event planning is in Tiffani Thiessen’s blood, as she loves to throw a good party and entertain friends. And, as she demonstrated last month, which just so happened to be Earth Month, you can entertain without harming the Earth. Partnered with Glad and its One Bag campaign, Tiffani is on a mission to teach others how to make less waste, use fewer energy sources and still have a kick-ass party.

Recently, Tiffani — along with longtime friend and party planner Heidi Mayne — threw a One Bag party, dazzling her friends and family with gorgeous decorations, wonderful food, fun party favors, etc., all the while recycling, composting and sending only one bag of trash to the landfill. I spoke with Tiffani right before the party, and she gave me the scoop on her One Bag affair.

Celebrity Extra: Tell me about the party planning. You did this by committee, correct? Getting people’s votes via Glad’s Facebook page?

Tiffani Thiessen: Exactly. It’s been really fun to have an audience following along and helping us pick the menu, pick the decor, pick the place and choose the parting gifts. Usually I’m like, “Well, I want to pick out those things.” But it’s also been really fun to see what people want to see as well. It all came together beautifully. It’s breathtaking.

CE: I know that you are very green in your own right, so how did you hook up with Glad for this event?

TT: I was approached by them — I think that maybe they heard that I try to be as green as I can be. I grew up in a household that was very much about that, and I continue to be that way. I also strive to be a good role model for my daughter, Harper. We recycle, and we try to conserve water. We have huge water tanks in our backyard, where we use all the rainwater to water our garden. We grow our own vegetables — we try to be those responsible, good, green people. Nowadays what’s nice about it is that it’s not hard to do. It’s almost like it’s become normal for everybody to be doing that, which is nice to know.

CE: It’s definitely become commonplace to recycle at home, and at work, and when you go out.

TT: Oh, absolutely. And it’s just the simplest thing — if you throw a party, put three different huge trash bins out there, and label them “plastics”, “cans” and “glass.” It’s as simple as that, and you make a big difference.

CE: So, with the One Bag party and campaign, you’re trying to show others how easy it can be to create less waste and help save the planet, yes?

TT: With the party, we’re showing people really fun details on how to throw a beautiful, wonderful, luxurious party, while still being very green in the process. We are throwing away only one bag of trash for the whole party, which is amazing to think that I can throw a party for 50 of my friends and throw away only one bag of trash. We are using glassware instead of paper — there are a lot of wonderful companies out there that have the compost-type plates and forks that break down so much better than regular paper and plasticware. But we’re using actual china and real glassware and servingware that needs to be washed, and you can reuse it. The only things being thrown away are soiled items or half-eaten food, that kind of thing. But the menu’s to die for, so I cannot imagine there’s going to be a lot left of any food whatsoever.

CE: Besides being good friends, you and Heidi must work well together since you’ve planned so many parties together.

TT: Heidi is a dear friend of mine; we’ve known each other for a very long time. I love doing this kind of stuff, especially with her. She’s always bringing new ideas to me that I haven’t heard of, and there’s one idea that she loved that I brought to the table, and she’s been using it quite often. I showed her the idea of using chalkboards as menus instead of actually getting menus printed on paper. We used that idea at my wedding years ago, and it’s a favorite of mine that I incorporate into all of my parties now.

CE: While some places do rent dishes and silverware, I was reading how you always have your own sets on hand to match the party occasion.

TT: I do. I have a stockpile of dishes. I have a stockpile of cake plates and pedestal plates and other stuff I use. Now having a little girl, I’m going to be throwing a lot of birthday parties. Why constantly buy things that are going to be thrown away? Why not have beautiful things that you can use over and over and over again? Plus, it’ll save you money in the long run.

What’s nice about it too is if you get colors that work with a lot of different holidays and things like that, get more of a neutral pallet, then you can spruce it up for the occasion you are celebrating. I have a couple of different varieties of linens that will work for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and something that will work for spring and Easter. And then my daughter, Harper, is a summer baby, so her stuff is usually very bright and colorful.

CE: Why do you think a lot of people are still hooked on these disposable things?

TT: Honestly, it’s because we’ve become such a very busy society that we’re all about being quick. And people think going to a store and picking up paper plates and napkins and cups and all that kind of stuff is easy. But we need to be smarter. We need to be better role models for our children. The more we throw away, the more we’re wasting, and the more it’s actually just going back into our Earth, and it’s not helping us in the long run. I think it’s more fun and creative to come up with these green alternatives. And how wonderful would it be to start a legacy of beautiful china and silver that you can pass down through the generations? Wouldn’t you rather be served with beautiful silver than plastic forks and spoons?

CE: How green is the cast and crew at your day job on “White Collar”?

TT: They’re all very good. We don’t have any plastic water bottles around anywhere. Our very first season, we got metal water bottles with “White Collar” on them. It’s just simple things like that. On the sets of TV shows and movies, a crazy amount of stuff gets wasted, so little things like that go a long way.

CE: So, no dirt on your fellow cast mates then, huh?

TT: (Laughs) I can say we’re all pretty good. And it’s also definitely one of the nicest groups of people I’ve worked with in a really, really long time. It’s great to know that the show’s been doing well, and now we’re going into our fifth season. I’m very excited.