A: Aside from having a baby on the way, the biggest professional news to come from the Mike Myers camp is that Mike is set to break out his Austin Powers character for a fourth film. There’s no word about what the plot will center on, but you can bet he’ll have a sexy and smart new sidekick to follow in the wake of Elizabeth Hurley, Heather Graham and Beyonce. I’d like to see Emma Stone give Austin a run for his money. Yeah, baby!
Q: Do you know what the status is on a new “Bridget Jones” movie? Every so often I hear rumors that one is in the works, but then nothing ever happens. Would Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth even be interested in returning to the franchise? — Pauline F., Akron, Ohio
A: Since 2009, Working Title Films (which produced the first two movies) has been thinking about a sequel, and hints of that have been reaching our ears. Renee Zellweger had always said there couldn’t be another movie without another book. Well, the series’ author, Helen Fielding, announced earlier this year that she is hard at work on the third “Bridget Jones” book. Helen has confirmed: “I will be working on both the book and the film, but I don’t know if they are the same thing yet. It’s not been decided.”
And Academy Award-winner Colin Firth, who plays Mark Darcy in the series, told the BBC this summer, “I think the idea of Mark and Daniel (played by Hugh Grant) and Bridget in advanced stages of deterioration could be quite fun. We’re making a comedy, after all.” The wheels are indeed in motion for a third “Bridget” movie.
Q: I have a question about a show that featured a married couple with eight children, but they split up. Did the mom get her own show? — Ken J., The Villages, Fla.
A: The mom in question, Kate Gosselin, did get her own show: What was “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ became “Kate Plus 8.” However, TLC announced the final show will air on Sept. 12, with this statement: “TLC has decided not to renew another season of ‘Kate Plus 8.’ By the end of this season, ‘Kate Plus 8′ will have hit the 150-episode mark (including ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8′), an exceptional milestone. TLC hopes to check in with Kate and the family periodically with specials in the future.”
Q: I heard that the actor John Dye, who played Andrew on “Touched By An Angel,” passed away. Is that true? He was so young! – Ruth S., Chillicothe, Ohio
A: John Dye passed away on Jan. 10, just shy of his 48th birthday, of a heart attack. He was survived by two brothers, both of his parents, and a grandparent.
