Q: I thought Conan O’Brien (pictured left) was going to be heading to Fox with his late-night talk show, but now I hear he is going to TBS. Is this true? And is he taking over George Lopez’s timeslot? — Trista W., SeattleA: Conan recently announced that he will indeed be bringing his late-night-hosting duties to TBS. His show will air at 11 p.m., with George Lopez taking on the midnight timeslot with “Lopez Tonight.” However, make no mistake: There is no animosity in this timeslot switcharoo. George is the one who actively courted and pursued Conan to sign with TBS, and he couldn’t be happier that Conan accepted.
“I can’t think of anything better than doing my show with Conan as my lead-in,” George said. “It’s the beginning of a new era in late-night comedy.” With a reported eight-figure deal, as well as allowing Conan to own his own show (which he would not have been able to at Fox), the move to TBS was the most profitable, creativity-wise and monetary-wise.
Q: How is actress Maura Tierney doing in her breast cancer treatment? Will she be back on TV soon? — Greta D., via e-mail
A: Maura’s representative, Christina Papadopolous, said that the 45-year-old actress “has finished treatment and is doing very well, and is happy to move forward with the next phase of her life.” That next phase happens to be returning to the FX network’s action-drama “Rescue Me,” where she’ll return in 2011 for four episodes as Denis Leary’s love interest during the show’s seventh (and final) season.
Q: I was very upset to hear that Dixie Carter had passed away. She was the epitome of grace, beauty and talent. How are her friends and family doing? — Edith D., via e-mail
A: Not surprising, Dixie’s family is heartbroken by her passing on April 10 from complications of endometrial cancer at the age of 70. Husband Hal Holbrook released this statement: “This has been a terrible blow to our family. We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy.”
Friend and former “Designing Women” co-star Annie Potts told People magazine: “Dixie Carter was a Goddess. The kind of wife and mother that every mother hopes their daughter will become, and the kind of friend that is absolutely irreplaceable. She loved fiercely and was adored in return.”
Q: Is James Van Der Beek getting married again? I’ve heard that he is, but didn’t he just recently get divorced from his first wife? — Ginger F., Port St. Lucie, Fla.
A: While the former “Dawson’s Creek” star hasn’t revealed if there are wedding bells in the future for him and girlfriend Kimberly Brook, I do predict plenty of diapers and pacifiers. James recently revealed via Twitter (the latest go-to forum for celebs to reveal personal, breaking news) that he and Kimberly are expecting their first child later this year.
