Q and A: Week of Feb. 13

Q: I read in an interview with James Van Der Beek that he was going to be in a new comedy this year, but I haven’t seen anything about it. I know he’s in “Franklin and Bash,” but I don’t think that’s what he’s talking about. Can you help? — Violet F., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: James was referring to his midseason comedy called “Don’t Trust the B—— in Apartment 23,” in which he plays a “sort of” version of himself. The series debuts after comedy powerhouse “Modern Family” on April 11 on ABC. The show is about a female odd couple who live together in New York City, with James portraying the best friend of Chloe, the mean-girl roommate. I’ve seen the pilot and it is very funny, and I love that James is able to parody himself in a non-self-conscious way, and that he isn’t afraid to bring up “Dawson’s Creek.”

Q: When does the new Snow White movie come out in theaters? — Brandon D., Omaha, Neb.

A: That would depend on which Snow White movie you mean. “Mirror Mirror” — which stars Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen, Lily Collins as Snow White and Armie Hammer as Prince Andrew Alcott — hits theaters on March 30. This film is being billed as family fare, in contrast to the darker “Snow White and the Huntsman.”

The latter film stars Charlize Theron as Queen Ravenna, with Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman, and will fill the big screens on June 1. “Snow White” is a twist on the fairy tale, in which the Huntsman schools Snow White in the art of war and together they start a rebellion to bring down the Queen.

Q: I watched a full version of the movie “Dressed to Kill” on TV recently, and I’m positive that Sylvester Stallone played the part of Angie Dickinson’s son but was not listed on the credits. Did he use another name? — Lin L., via e-mail

A: The part of Angie Dickinson’s son, Peter Miller, was played by Keith Gordon, 51, whom I remember best as Jason Melon in “Back to School,” the bullied college nerd whose father (played by Rodney Dangerfield) enrolls in college with his son to help him assimilate. In the late ’80s, Keith made the move to directing, helming such series as “Wild Palms,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Dexter” and “House.”

Q: Could you please tell me if “Against the Wall” will be returning? — Kathleen E., via e-mail

A: Despite positive reviews by “New York Daily News,” “Los Angeles Times” and “The Hollywood Reporter,” Lifetime’s cop-drama “Against the Wall” wasn’t able to hold enough of its lead-in audience from “Drop Dead Diva” each week, and its ratings slipped from a meager 1.78 million viewers at its premiere to 1.47 million by its season finale. Lifetime opted not to renew the show for a second season.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 1

Noah Wyle, photo by Ken Woroner

Q: Noah Wyle’s new show, “Falling Skies,” is wonderful. Do you know if it has been renewed for a second season? — Theresa D., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: You can bet your sweet bippy that TNT has renewed cable’s No. 1 new series for another season. The alien-invasion saga, which airs Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), also stars Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton and Drew Roy, and is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. TNT has ordered 10 episodes for the second season, which will air summer 2012.

Q: I just saw a preview for the remake of “Dallas,” which excites me to no end. I was wondering if any of the other older nighttime soaps have plans for a remake, like “Falcon Crest” or “Knots Landing”? — Diedre D., via e-mail

A: So far, no plans are in the works, but of course, you can never say never. I spoke with Nicollette Sheridan recently, who co-starred as Paige Matheson in the sudster “Dallas” spinoff, and she told me: “I haven’t heard of anyone speaking about doing that. I think ‘Dallas’ was always flashier than ‘Knots Landing.’

“‘Knots Landing’ was a down-home, simpler, more-pained version. Very real people going through very real situations. But so far, no, I haven’t heard of any plans for doing that.” For now, you can catch Nicollette in the Hallmark Channel original movie, “Honeymoon for One,” which premieres Saturday, Aug. 13.

Q: I’ve seen commercials for a new police drama on Lifetime, but I didn’t catch the name of the show. Could tell me about it? — Derek F., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A: You’re thinking of “Against the Wall,” which is part police procedural, part family drama. It centers on a family of Chicago police officers, and stars Rachael Carpani, Brandon Quinn, Treat Williams and Kathy Baker. The show airs Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

I spoke with Brandon Quinn, who plays Richie Kowalski, about the show: “The folks at Lifetime are really trying to re-identify themselves, and this show is definitely unlike anything else they have right now. It’s going to put them on the map. I’m really proud of this show. I would stack it up against any other show on network television right now.”

Q: I absolutely love the series “Bored to Death.” I read somewhere that Ted Danson is leaving the show to star in another show. Please tell me this isn’t true! — Hadley F., via e-mail

A: What you heard is only half-true. Ted is indeed going to star in another show; however, he won’t leave “Bored to Death.” He will remain a series regular on the HBO comedy that also stars Zach Galifianakis and Jason Schwartzman, and is slated to return for its third season this fall. Ted also has joined the cast of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” where he’ll play the new supervisor for the Las Vegas CSI team. “CSI” returns for its 12th season Sept. 21.

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Interview: Brandon Quinn — Keeping It in the Family

Brandon Quinn has played everything from gigolo Spencer Bullitt on “The O.C.” to an eye-candy boyfriend on “Entourage” and even a teen wolf on “Big Wolf on Campus” (way before it was all the rage to be a were/shapeshifter). Now Brandon is playing a role he’s always wanted to play, that of a cop, on the Lifetime Television new original series “Against the Wall,” which premieres tonight, July 31, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Brandon told me all about his new show, and how excited he is to be a part of something of this caliber.

Celebrity Extra: Were you as surprised as I was to see that this new show, a police procedural, was for Lifetime Television, as opposed to TNT or FX or another cable network along those lines?

Brandon Quinn: Oh my gosh, big time. The folks at Lifetime are in a position now where they are really trying to re-identify themselves, and this show is definitely unlike anything else they have right now. I really feel like it’s going to put them on the map. I’m really proud of this show. I would stack our show up against any other show in its category on network television right now. Lifetime could potentially have a really big hit on their hands if all goes well. It’s hard to say what people are going to respond to, but I just can’t imagine viewers not responding to the show.



CE: Tell me about the show, and your role of Richie Kowalski.

BQ: It’s a family drama first. It is a police procedural, but it’s a family drama about a family of three generations of Chicago police officers. Dad is a patrol cop, along with my older brother, middle brother, myself and then the youngest sibling, Abby —the only girl in the family — who was a patrol cop and decides to join Internal Affairs. Which if you know anything about cops, it’s cops on one side, Internal Affairs on the other side. They investigate the cops that are considered the traitors. So, it creates a huge upheaval in the family.

I play Richie Kowalski, the youngest of the three brothers. Richie’s a really good guy. He’s got a good sense of humor. He’s an excellent cop. He has a lot of integrity. He takes his job really seriously. Richie and Abby have an extremely close relationship. We have the closest relationship of all the siblings, she and I. I’m her shoulder to cry on, her confidant. I don’t judge her for the decision she made to join Internal Affairs.

CE: How excited were you to play Richie when you first got the script for the pilot?

BQ: I’ve always wanted to play a cop. What kid at some point in his life isn’t obsessed with cops and robbers, if just for a day? For the longest time I actually really wanted to be a cop when I was younger. So, right away I was like, “Awesome. I’ve always wanted to play a cop.” Then once I read the script, I loved the character of Richie. He’s this blue-collar, down-to-earth guy’s guy. He’s a family man. He’s really close with his wife. He’s a really good friend, and he loves football — and these are all traits that I possess. I come from a blue-collar middle-class family that shaped who I am as a person. It’s easy to be Richie, because it isn’t a stretch. I just opened myself up, and the rest was on the paper.

CE: This show has such a great cast — what are they all like to work with?

BQ: It’s such a dream job — you couldn’t ask for a better group of people. From Rachael Carpani all the way down to the guest actors, they’ve all been tremendous, and it’s literally one of those jobs where I keep pinching myself. Content of the show aside, it’s all about the people you go to work with every day who help inspire you. It starts with Kathy Baker and Treat Williams, who are two veterans who have been doing this for years. They really set the tone, and they are both so down-to-earth and great. Kathy is so motherly and a very approachable, sweet woman.

And Treat, he really wants to give us our time in the spotlight. He’s like: “I’ve had my time. This is your guys’ time.” And Rachael is absolutely phenomenal. The show wouldn’t be nearly as great if we didn’t have the cast we did, and we all get along so well. Honestly, there’s not a diva in the bunch.

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