Q and A: Week of March 25

Henry Cavill as Superman

Q: I heard they are making yet another “Superman.” Is that true, and if so, who will be playing the Man of Steel? — Percy T., via e-mail

A: Funny you should mention “Man of Steel,” as that is the name of the first movie in the new “Superman” reboot. Our new Kryptonite-averse superhero will be played by the very good-looking — and very talented — Henry Cavill, who is perhaps best known to audiences as Charles Brandon in “The Tudors.”

This version of the popular tale also stars Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Clark Kent’s parents (Jonathan and Martha Kent), Michael Shannon as General Zod and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. While there is no mention of Lex Luthor in the flick, rumors have been running rampant for almost a year now that Bradley Cooper will make a cameo as Superman’s arch-nemesis, as far as the movies go. We’ll know for sure come June 14, when “Man of Steel” makes its world premiere, promising to be one of summer’s biggest blockbusters.

Q: Can you give me any “Anchorman 2” scoops? I figure they are filming the movie now, because of pictures I’ve seen of Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd with horrible ’70s-style mustaches. — Jenni W., Madison, Wisc.

A: Yes, chalk up that unappealing facial hair to their roles of Ron Burgundy and Brian Fontana, respectively, in “Anchorman: The Legend Continues.” The latest news to come from the set is that Harrison Ford (!) is set to play a legendary newsman opposite Will’s Ron Burgundy, in the mold of staid and serious Tom Brokaw.

Kim Delaney

Q: What happened to Kim Delaney on “Army Wives”? Why was she killed off at the beginning of this season? — PWF in Texas

A: Official word is that it was a mutual decision between the actress and the show for Claudia Joy’s time with her fellow wives to end. Ever since the extended version of season six, there had been rumblings that Kim was getting a bit antsy to leave and pursue other projects. Series star Catherine Bell tells the press that Kim is missed on the set, but “things happen and things change. It’s just part of our industry.” And I, for one, think Catherine is perfectly capable of carrying the show to continued success. Of course, time — and ratings — will tell.

Q: Will “Dog the Bounty Hunter” ever return to A and E? — Tamara L., via e-mail

A: Dog will be returning to TV, however, CMT is the bounty hunter’s new home, where he’ll star in “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt.” The new series — which premieres Sunday, April 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT — features Dog and Beth, joined by their son Leland, as they step outside their headquarters in Hawaii to unite with bail bondsmen from around the country to hunt down some of America’s most dangerous criminals.

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Q and A: Week of Jan. 14

Eden Sher, photo by Kate Romero

Q: I absolutely love “The Middle” and would like to know more about the talented actress who plays the daughter on the show. — Randy W., via e-mail

A: Twenty-one-year-old Eden Sher plays the middle child, Sue Heck, on the hilarious ABC comedy. Eden told me she’s known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be an actress: “It always felt natural, and I was just always performing. And then when I was 8 or 9 is when I finally convinced my mom to let me try it professionally. I would just see TV shows, and I was like, ’I can do that! I can do that better! Please let me try.’ Then when I was, like, 15, I thought, ’OK, this is not just something that I love to do, but I think I can actually make money doing this.’”

And what makes it even better is that her on-set family actually feels like family. Eden told me: “I love them. Like when we’re on hiatus, we still see each other. I always hang out with Charlie (McDermott), and I have lunch with Neil (Flynn). And I see Patty (Heaton) a lot. I don’t see Atticus (Shaffer) outside the set as much, but he doesn’t live in L.A. When we’re all working together, there aren’t words to express the immense feeling of gratitude that I feel on a daily basis. You just don’t get a work environment where you truly enjoy every person you work with.”

Q: I just saw Dean Cain play himself in a hilarious episode of “Don’t Trust the B—— in Apt. 23,” and I wondered if he’ll be a regular on a series again. — Janet W., Fresno, Calif.

A: Wasn't he great? That show makes me laugh out loud every episode, and I really wish more people were watching it. "Apt. 23" aside, Dean is set to begin production this month on the original VH1 series called “Bounce,” which also stars Taylour Page, Charlotte Ross, Kimberly Elise and Logan Browning. The series follows Ahsha (played by Taylour), a girl who joins the professional basketball dance team the Los Angeles Devil Girls, unaware of the treacherous and tempting world that follows. Dean plays Pete, the team’s coach. It most likely will air this spring.

Q: I remember you said that they were going to make a sequel to “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” Is that still happening? If so, when can I see it? —Freddie F., via e-mail

A: Mark your calendar, Freddie, because “Anchorman: The Legend Continues” will hit theaters on Dec. 20, 2013. This go ’round will star the Channel 4 news team from the original movie, and will add funny lady Kristen Wiig in a supporting role.

Q: Did Claire Danes have her baby yet? — Genie R., Boulder, Colo.

A: Claire and hubby Hugh Dancy welcomed a health baby boy, Cyrus Michael Christopher Dancy, on Dec. 17. And I have to say that I am slightly green with envy upon seeing Claire debut her absolutely smashing post-baby body at the Golden Globes (where she won for Best Actress in a Drama Series). So double congrats on your new bundle of joy and your Golden Globe!

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Q and A: Week of April 16

Q: I’ve been rewatching episodes of “The X-Files,” and wondered what the actor who played my favorite character, the Cigarette-Smoking Man, has been doing lately. I love every episode he is in. — Summer F., via e-mail

A: William B. Davis (but you can call him Bill) has guest-starred on countless TV series and movies since “The X-Files” ended, including “Damage,” “Smallville,” “HumanTarget,” “Stargate SG-1″ and tons more. His most recent accomplishment is the publication of his memoirs, “Where There’s Smoke … The Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man.” Fans will be surprised to learn that Bill quit smoking when he was 40. (He smoked herbal cigarettes on the show.) And unlike his character, Bill is not a believer in the paranormal, which confuses fans when they meet him.


“People sometimes assume that one chooses to be in a particular project because one has a belief or a commitment about it,” Bill told me. “It was a great role, and I was happy to do it, but I certainly didn’t choose it because it was about the paranormal. It’s not difficult for an actor to imagine there are aliens who are abducting people. But that’s a far cry from actually believing that as a person. With Gillian (Anderson, “Scully”) and David (Duchovny, “Mulder”), it was reverse too, because David was a skeptic and Gillian was a believer.”

Check back later this week to read my entire interview with this charming nonsmoker.

Q: Throughout the years, I’ve been hearing rumblings of an “Anchorman” sequel, but nothing has come to pass. The rumblings have started back up, so please tell me it’s gonna happen! — George G., Omaha, Neb.

A: Guess what, George? It’s gonna happen! Will Farrell announced — in his Ron Burgundy character — on “Conan” that Paramount has indeed signed off on a sequel to the hit 2004 comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” Director Judd Apatow is expected to return, as are Steve Carell and Paul Rudd.

Q: I was thrilled to see William Baldwin on “30 Rock,” portraying the actor who played Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin’s character) in the movie about Jack and Avery’s life together. What has William been up to lately? — Gennifer F., via e-mail

A: You can bet that William, 49, had a blast making fun of his big brother in that episode of “30 Rock” (called “Kidnapped by Danger”), but aside from this jaunt into the sitcom world, William’s been busy these past few years co-starring on “Parenthood,” “Hawaii Five-O” and “Gossip Girl.” He also recently completed a few feature films: “Remnants,” “The Stranger Inside” and “Garbage.”

Q: I know Emily Deschanel’s character on “Bones” had a baby, but I was wondering if she was pregnant real life? — Audrey D., Jacksonville, Fla.

A: Emily, 35, did indeed give birth in September to son Henry. She told The Hollywood Reporter: “I’ll experience something in an episode, and I’m shocked because it’s exactly what I’m going through (in real life). It’s been fun to see how that unfolds.”

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