A: Mild spoilers ahead: “AHS” creator Ryan Murphy recently announced that “Asylum” will be followed by the 13-episode “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” which will take place in 1950 in Jupiter, Florida, and will feature Jessica Lange as a “German ex-pat who is managing one of the last freak shows in the U.S.” Her “freaks” will be played by returning stars Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett and Frances Conroy. “Entertainment Weekly” reported that Denis O’Hare and Emma Roberts are in talks to return to the show. An exact premiere date has not yet been set, but it will be this October.
Q: Are the rumors I’m hearing about a sequel to “The Incredibles” true? — Jonathan P., Erie, Pa.
A: Disney’s chairman and CEO, Robert A. Iger, announced that Pixar Animation Studios is indeed developing a big-screen sequel to Brad Bird’s 2004 superhero adventure “The Incredibles.” Brad Bird, who wrote and directed the first film, has said that he would be open to filming a sequel if it “had a truly great story” behind it.
Q: Is this season of “Dallas” already over? It seems like it’s only just begun! — Lily T., via email
A: Don’t worry — the show is merely on summer hiatus. Dallas returns to TNT for the second half of its third season starting Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fingers crossed that Sue Ellen survived the South Fork fire (I am thinking she will).
Q: I really miss “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” especially designer Tracy Hutson. What has she been doing lately? — Pamela T., Waco, Texas
A: You can still catch Tracy decorating for a cause — this time she has teamed up with the Design Network (www.thedesignnetwork.com) to star in “Momtourage,” an original video series focused on lifting up deserving moms who have done so much for their families and their communities. Each episode will follow Tracy as she pays a surprise visit to each woman’s home, listens to her story, learns about her family life, and offers a fun and inspirational interior-design intervention — all in the span of one Saturday.
When I spoke with Tracy recently, she told me how excited she was to work with TDN to help these women: “If I have the opportunity to help people, I’m going to take it. That’s just who I am. This series just goes to show what you can do, and how important and impactful it can be on someone’s life — especially someone who has had a rough time just getting on her feet. It’s so fun, and it means the world to them.”
Check back here later this week for my full interview with Tracy.
Q: I finally was able to watch “Hatfields and McCoys,” and I absolutely loved it. When can I see Bill Paxton in something like this again? — Paul T., Scranton, Pa.
A: Well, I can’t tell you exactly when, just yet, but I can tell you what. The History Channel has ordered “an eight-hour television event” called “Texas Rising,” with Bill leading an all-star cast featuring Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Olivier Martinez, Michael Rapaport and many more. The series will detail the Texas Revolution and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers, and is set to premiere in 2015.
A: ABC is indeed airing a 10-part series called “The Astronaut Wives Club,” based on the bestselling book by Lily Koppel, which tells the story of the women who were key players behind some of the biggest events in American history. The series premieres July 24 at 9/8c, and stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Odette Annable, Zoey Boyle and Azure Parsons.
Q: With the final season of “Californication” upon us, does David Duchovny have another series or movie on the horizon? — Samuel D., Port Orange, Fla.
A: NBC has ordered a 13-episode period drama called “Aquarius,” in which David stars as a police detective hunting a hippie cult leader who turns out to be Charles Manson. The series will cover the early years of Manson and his “family,” with the full story playing out in future seasons (if it gets renewed). David told “Variety”: “I’m thrilled to be working with (NBC chairman) Bob Greenblatt again and coming back to broadcast television. I think ‘Aquarius’ has a chance to be a special show, and I can’t wait to get going.”
Q: I read that my favorite comedic actress, Amy Poehler, has a brother in the business too. Is that true? What can I see him in? — Fred S., via email
A: Amy’s brother, Greg, currently stars in and executive produces (with Amy) the Swedish sitcom “Welcome to Sweden,” which chronicles Greg’s real-life experiences of moving to Sweden to marry to his Swedish girlfriend. The series — which co-stars Amy, Josephine Bornebusch, Lena Olin, Patrick Duffy and Illeana Douglas — is currently airing in Sweden, and will begin airing here in the U.S. on NBC this fall.
