Q: Who was the actor who played the younger Riggins brother on “Friday Night Lights”? What is he doing now? — Sherry R., via e-mailA: Taylor Kitsch played Tim Riggins, the troubled, womanizing former fullback/running back of the Dillon Panthers who turned himself in to police for running a chop shop with his brother, Billy. Since “FNL” ended, Taylor, 30, has been super busy. He stars in a handful of movies coming out soon and/or in production, including playing the title character in “John Carter”; Alex Hopper in “Battleship,” a feature-film adaption of the popular kids’ board game; and “Savages,” a crime drama directed by Oliver Stone.
Q: I was really getting into “The Playboy Club” when it was suddenly dropped from the TV schedule. Is it on hiatus, or has it been canceled? — George F., Harrisburg, Pa.
A: It would seem that NBC’s much-ballyhooed crime drama couldn’t hold an audience’s attention as well as the Playboy Bunnies themselves could back in the time this show was set (1961). On Oct. 3, NBC aired the third and final episode of “The Playboy Club” (with two episodes going unaired), making it the first casualty of the fall 2011 TV season. Series creator Chad Hodge and Playboy Enterprises CCO Hugh Hefner are hoping to sell the series to Bravo, where it will air all five episodes and hopefully be called upon to make more.
If you’re keeping score, NBC’s “Free Agents,” starring Hank Azaria, was canceled soon after “Playboy.” As of Oct. 14, ABC's “Charlie’s Angels” has been canceled, along with the CW's "H8R."
Q: Can you tell me if two of my favorite comedies, IFC’s “Portlandia” and “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” with be back for new seasons? Please say yes! — Jennifer G., via e-mail
A: Yes, both show will be back for their respective second season on IFC this January. Regarding “Portlandia,” stars Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel will be back, along with a slew of new characters and notable guest stars. And “Todd Margaret” will feature the return of David Cross, Will Arnett (who will be pulling double-duty, since his NBC show “Up All Night” has been picked up for a full season), Sharon Horgan and Blake Harrison, with Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”) making a guest-starring appearance.
Q: “Drop Dead Diva” just finished up the season, and the ending gives the impression that it’s over. Will it be returning? — Joan D., via e-mail
A: Don’t you worry. Nancy Dubuc, president and general manager of Lifetime Networks, announced recently that “DDD” would be back for a 13-episode fourth season in summer 2012, stating: “‘Drop Dead Diva’ is a signature series for Lifetime that continues to resonate with audiences with its heart and humor. We are thrilled to bring it back for another season.”
