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| Heather Graham |
A: The 1987 feature film starring Kristy Swanson, Louise Fletcher and Victoria Tennant certainly was awash in awful-movie goodness. While I don’t think that can be replicated (at least I hope not), Lifetime Television is having a go at the cult favorite, based on the hit book by V.C. Andrews. On Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, we’ll get to see what Heather Graham, Kiernan Shipka and Ellen Burstyn do with this gothic tale. If you’re familiar with the book, I can tell you that the movie is faithful to it; they do indeed “go there.” If you don’t know what “there” is, you’ll have to tune in to find out.
Q: I really enjoyed the most recent “Mission: Impossible” movie, and I loved the addition of Jeremy Renner. Are there more of these movies in the works? — Patrick D. in West Virginia
A: The fifth installment in “Mission: Impossible” franchise will premiere Christmas Day 2015. “Mission: Impossible 5” — which doesn’t yet have a subtitle — will star Tom Cruise, and Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames are rumored to be returning as well. The story line, as well as mention of any villains, has been kept pretty hush-hush so far, but I’ll be sure to share what I find out as the news begins to leak.
Q: Can you tell me anything about Russell Crowe’s upcoming film “Noah”? — Jon W., Redding, Calif.
A: “Noah” — which stars Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and Logan Lerman — will flood theaters March 28. The story is about the biblical Noah (played by Russell), his family, and their quest to build the Ark to save human- and animal-kind from complete annihilation in the upcoming Great Flood. After watching the online trailers, I can tell you this is one you shouldn’t miss.
Q: My favorite show, “Rizzoli and Isles,” hasn’t been on in ages! Has season four ended already? — Pauline F., via email
A: Don’t worry, “Rizzoli and Isles” didn’t dump you; they were on a break. Your favorite show will return from its hiatus on Feb. 25 at 9/8c with the final four new shows of the season. And premiering right after it at 10/9c is “Perception,” which also returns from break with four new shows to round out its second season. Both shows were renewed for a fifth and third season, respectively, to begin airing summer 2014.
Speaking of hit TNT dramas, I’ve received lots of letters asking about the return of “Dallas,” and I am pleased to report that the sexy soapy drama will return for its third season Monday, Feb. 24 at 9/8c on TNT. This winter is gonna be scorching!
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| Mädchen Amick, Rachel Boston, Julia Ormond and Jenna Dewan Tatum of Witches of East End (photo by Joseph Viles) |
A: Lifetime recently announced that “Witches” will return for a second 13-episode season, to air some time in 2014 (an exact date has not been decided yet). The hit drama stars Julia Ormond, Mädchen Amick, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rachel Boston as a family of witches living in the secluded seaside town of East Haven. The show also stars Eric Winter, Daniel DiTomasso and Virginia Madsen. In the meantime, all of the show's cast is on Twitter, so if you need to get your WitchEE fix, head to twitter.com and search #WitchEE.
Q: Can you tell me why “King and Maxwell” wasn't renewed? My husband and I really liked that show. We like most of the TNT shows; we especially miss Brenda and “The Closer.” — Karen J. in Florida
A: The consensus for reason of the show’s demise is the ever-popular “low ratings.” And while the drama series — which centered on former Secret Service agents who become private detectives, played by Rebecca Romijn and Jon Tenney — didn’t have rock-bottom ratings, the show was enough on the bubble that TNT decided not to renew. On top of low ratings, “King and Maxwell” also lost one-third of its “Major Crimes” lead-in audience, which is usually a nail in the coffin for any struggling freshman series.
Q: We are huge fans of “Person of Interest.” We were not expecting Carter to be killed off! She, Reese and Finch are the program. Without her, it won't be the same. Why was Carter written out? — Laura K., via email
A: Taraji P. Henson, who played Officer Joss Carter for two-and-a-half seasons on the CBS drama, was just as surprised as you were that her character died. However, she knows it was time for her character to go, and it was a great way to surprise and stun the audience. She recently told “Entertainment Weekly”: “You portray a character for so long, you care about her and her life. But art imitates life — it comes to an end unexpectedly. It was bittersweet, because I enjoyed portraying Carter. What a strong, powerful woman on television.”
But don’t get too sad about Carter’s death because you could see her again someday — in a flashback. The show is known for using flashbacks to propel the story lines, and Taraji said she would definitely be up for returning to film flashback scenes.
Q: Can you please tell me if “Bunheads” will return to ABC Family anytime this year? — Frank W., via email
A: ABC Family canceled the ballerina dramedy after only one season, which many critics say was entirely too soon, and that the show was just finding its ground and still had a lot more to give. But fan and critical favor couldn’t save this Amy Sherman Palladino-created show (who’s most famous for “Gilmore Girls”), with “Bunheads” airing its last dance this past February.
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| E.G. Daily |
A: I too was excited to see E.G.’s great performances on “The Voice” a few weeks back, as I’m sure a lot of “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Rugrats” and “The Powerpuff Girls” fans were. E.G. was thrilled to get the chance to show off her singing chops, as she told me recently: “It was so much fun. All of these people where wondering who the heck E.G. Daily is. The same woman who does the theme song to ‘Two and a Half Men’? The same woman who was Dottie in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’? The same woman who sang on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in the ’80s? The same woman who guest-starred on ‘Friends’ as Phoebe’s next songwriting partner? It was like everything came together for me on that show the day I did my blind audition and sang ‘Breathe.’ That was the day for me where, as a 51-year-old woman, everything just popped together. It was magic.”
E.G. is excited for what the future will bring for her reawakened singing career: “I’d like to see myself doing things like singing something at the music awards with Keith Urban because he’s got an edge to him — a little country rock. As far as music, I like adult country. Like Faith Hill, she does adult women music. It’s age appropriate. It’s womanly — that’s the kind of music I’d like to do. My voice has a little bit of an edge to it; it’s a little bit rock. Bonnie Raitt does stuff like that: bluesy and soulful.”
To keep up on E.G.’s career, head over to egdaily.com and check out what she has in the works.
Q: Have they canceled the new “Ironside” with Blair Underwood? I thought it was a fresh and exciting new show. — Beverly T., Richmond, Va.
A: NBC has indeed canceled the “Ironside” remake after four episodes due to low ratings. Beginning Jan. 8, the “Chicago Fire” spinoff, “Chicago P.D.,” will take over the Wednesday 10 p.m. timeslot. Until then, NBC will air “Dateline,” repeats and specials.
Readers: Just a note to let you know the premiere dates of two shows that just happen to be two of my favorite series, both of which air on PBS. The first is “Downton Abbey,” which premieres its fourth series on Jan. 5 at 9 p.m., and concludes its eight-week run on Feb. 23. More great “Downton” news: After a successful series-four run in the U.K. this past fall, the show has been renewed for a fifth series, to premiere in January 2015. And “Masterpiece Mystery” fans rejoice: “Sherlock” returns (along with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman) from its shocking series-two cliffhanger for a third series of three 90-minute episodes beginning Jan. 19 at 10 p.m.
