Q and A: Week of Sept. 30

Q: One of my favorite shows is AMC’s “Hell on Wheels.” Can you give me any clues about the season finale? — Holly F., via email

A: Well, I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise! But I did speak recently with series regular Kasha Kropinski (who plays Ruth), and she gave me a little tease as to what to expect as the season winds down. The South African beauty (who is a total sweetheart!) told me: “People are going to be totally and utterly shocked by what happens in these last few episodes. It is totally left field what transpires. I think that people already have created an idea of what they think is going to happen. But I don’t think anyone could come up with what actually transpires.”

“Some new relationships develop; some unexpected relationships come to fruition. Expect some death and destruction, as usual — it is ‘Hell on Wheels,’ after all. I don’t think that’s a spoiler at all. Just hold onto your socks because they might blow off.” Check back later this week for the full interview.

Q: I was heartbroken when you announced that TNT had not renewed ”Monday “Mornings.” I spent 46 years as a registered nurse, mostly in a hospital, in various areas. This was the only hospital-based show I have been able to watch past the first episodes. I appreciated the doctors being challenged about decisions and outcomes. — Elizabeth B., via email

A: I have received quite a few letters expressing dismay over the cancelation of “Monday Mornings.” This series hit home with a lot of viewers, but apparently not enough for the numbers people at TNT. I miss the days when networks gave shows longer that one season to build an audience, and gain momentum and a following. Imagine if “The Office” had debuted this season instead of 10 years ago: With the low numbers the show’s first season brought in, it would have been canceled in a flash. Just imagine all the great television we’d have missed out on!

Q: I feel like I’ve been waiting forever. When will “Awkward” return with new episodes? — Nicole F., Athens, Ga.

A: MTV’s hit comedy returns from its summer hiatus on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT with 10 new episodes to round out the third season.

READERS: It’s time for another contest! In honor of “China Beach” finally being released on DVD, I’m giving away four copies of the first season to four lucky readers. There are four ways to win, and you can enter once via each method. You can send me a letter: Cindy Elavsky, King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; enter at letters@cindyelavsky.com; follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/celebrity_extra to get details; and like my FB page for details http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrity-Extra/152752278792. All those who enter are eligible for the grand-prize drawing to win a box set of the entire series! Get your entries in and/or postmarked by Oct. 31.

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Q and A: Week of April 1

Q: A while back you mentioned that Tyler Perry had a new movie coming out, but I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of it. Is it still being released? — Sherri W., via e-mail

A: May 10 is the day that “Peeples” will see the light of day. The movie stars Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Kerry Washington (“Scandal”) and Kali Hawk (“Bridesmaids” and “New Girl”) among many others in this large ensemble cast.

I spoke with Kali about the movie, and she told me a bit about it: “It’s about a family, and our last name is Peeples. It’s kind of like ’Meet the Parents.’ Kerry Washington, who plays my sister, is dating Craig Robinson, and she brings him home to meet the family. Our family is very uppity, very wealthy and very strict. We have our certain way of doing things, with our dad at the helm — played by David Alan Grier — who rules with an iron fist.

“It’s not really clear if Craig’s character can ever fit in with the Peeples family. But he definitely gets an A-plus for effort throughout the film. He shows us a few things about ourselves that we needed to take a look at. That’s where a lot of the comedy comes in: Whenever you try to pinpoint people with a little bit of truth, if they’re not prepared for it, look out.”

As it gets closer to May 10, be on the lookout for my full interview with Kali right here at celebrityextraonline.com.

Q: I heard that one of my favorite TV shows, “Veronica Mars,” is coming back to television. Is that true? — Elaine Y., Mobile, Ala.

A: “Veronica Mars” has indeed been resurrected, but as a feature film. In an unprecedented Kickstarter campaign (kickstarter.com is a fundraising website where you can set up a “cause” for which you need money, and people can donate to help you raise the funds), “Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas raised the $2 million needed for the film in approximately 11 hours! Because of the loyalty and passion of fans of the show, Kristen Bell and company will return to the big screen, as Veronica comes back to town for her 10-year high-school reunion.

Q: When will “Awkward” be back on MTV? — Janie G., via e-mail

A: Both of the previous seasons of the hit MTV teen comedy began in summer, but because of season three’s extended season, Jenna, Matty, Jake, Tamara and the rest of the crew will return a little earlier this year. “Awkward” premieres Tuesday, April 16, at 10 p.m. ET/PT with two back-to-back new episodes.

READERS: In concert with the recent trend of uncanceling previously canceled television shows, Lifetime has decided to renew “Drop Dead Diva” for a fifth season after all. The show’s producers had to do some “creative financing” with the network to make this next season happen, but creator Josh Berman insists viewers will not be cheated on content, story or characters because of this.

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Q and A: Week of Feb. 4

Q: While I wasn’t a big fan of the story line Scott Foley had on last season’s “True Blood,” I was excited to see him in my living room again after leaving “Grey’s Anatomy.” What can I see him on next? — Trudy K., via e-mail

A: I agree with you, Trudy. Scott Foley is one of those underrated, underutilized actors who we need to see much more of. So, you can imagine my happiness upon discovering that he is set to guest-star on one of my favorite shows, ABC’s “Scandal.” His character is said to be a part of a major story arc that will play out toward the end of the current season. Creator and head writer Shonda Rhimes was eager to work with Scott again after his run on “Grey’s,” so one show’s loss is another’s gain!

Q: I’ve always really liked Anthony Michael Hall, especially his recent sci-fi series, “Warehouse 13.” However, I do miss seeing him in comedies: His guest-starring turn on “Community” a few seasons back was hilarious. Can you tell me if he’ll be on a comedy soon? — Audrey W., via e-mail

A: When “Awkward” returns to MTV this summer for its super-size third season, Anthony Michael Hall will join the hit series as a teacher at Jenna’s high school. According to those in the know, Anthony will play a sadistic creative-writing teacher who insists on pushing his students beyond their academic limits. Anthony also co-stars in the feature-film comedy, “Sexy Evil Genius,” along with Michelle Trachtenberg, Seth Green and William Baldwin.

Q: A while back you wrote that “Unforgettable” had belatedly been renewed for a second season; however, I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of it yet. Please tell me that the suits didn’t change their minds again! — Hilary S., Portland, Maine

A: Don’t worry, Hilary, the Poppy Montgomery-starring police procedural will indeed have its second season on CBS. And we now have a premiere date, which is Sunday, July 28 at 9/8c. As I reported previously, season two will comprise 13 episodes, with Dylan Walsh, Jane Curtin and most other cast members returning.

Also, a few months ago, I was disheartened to report that AMC had decided not to renew “The Killing” for a third season. In another rare reversal — along the lines of CBS’s renewal of “Unforgettable” — AMC recently announced that the crime drama WILL be back for a third season.

Season three takes place a year after the Rosie Larson case was solved, as Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) searches for a runaway girl and uncovers a string of murders connected to Sarah Linden’s (Mireille Enos) previous murder investigation. Linden, no longer a detective, must return to both a career and a case she had put behind her.

All this renewal reversal has given me new hope for ABC’s “GCB” to return, whether with ABC or another network. Let’s make this happen —TNT, I’m lookin’ at you!

Q: I remember a few months back you wrote that Shooter Jennings would be releasing an album in the new year. I’ve been looking for it but haven’t been able to find it. — Jesse W., Nashville

A: You’ll have to wait just a little longer to get your hands on Shooter’s latest album, which is a quick follow-up to “Family Man.” I spoke with Shooter about “The Other Life,” which drops on March 12, and he can’t wait for his fans to hear it. Shooter told me: “We cut 17 songs and scrapped two of them. And 10 of them ended up on ‘Family Man’ and five ended up on ‘The Other Life.’ And then over the past year, we recorded the rest of the songs.

“I’m really excited about ‘The Other Life’ because it’s a darker kind of country record, but then there’s a taste of like all the other (stuff) that I’ve done. Like a little bit of ‘Black Ribbon,’ a little bit of this and that sprinkled on the record. Like where ‘Family Man’ was a pretty traditional country record for the most part, this one definitely branches out into some really out-there territory. It’s cool — some of the songs that were on this record that we held from ‘Family Man’ are my favorite songs from the session. It was just kind of clear which songs fit on which album.”

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Interview: Beau Mirchoff Is Feeling Awkward.

Beau Mirchoff/Ron Tom/ABC

Many fans will remember Beau Mirchoff from his year-long stint on “Desperate Housewives” during the 2009-10 season, where he played Drea de Matteo’s son, Danny. Nowadays, he plays a character who gets himself into cringe-worthy situations, and while they are not quite the life-or-death situations his character on “Housewives” got into, to many teens, it might seem so. Beau plays Matty on the new MTV teen comedy series “Awkward.” If you remember your teen years like I remember mine, then you know everything is a big deal in high school. Beau takes me through these awkward times and spills the beans about this new project, which airs on MTV Tuesday nights at 11/10c.

Celebrity Extra: As someone in my 30s, I wasn’t expecting to like “Awkward” as much as I do, but I have to tell you, I absolutely love it! It’s smart, funny, well written and well acted.

Beau Mirchoff: I think so too. I think there are diverse characters and that people of all ages can relate to the situation and to the characters. It’s a show about teenagers, but I think there is a little bit of everything for everyone. My mom is in her 50s, and I guarantee you this will be her new favorite show. I’m glad to be on something that people are really talking about.

CE: Tell me about your character, Matty, and the things about him that appealed to you as an actor.

BM: The characteristics that appeal to me are he’s lovable and he’s loving. Matty’s thing is, he wants to be perfect; he wants his family to be perfect, and he doesn’t want anything to look negatively on his family. He constantly wants to be liked and to please people. And does he do that in the wrong way sometimes? Yes, of course. I think most teenagers don’t have a clue how to handle most situations. They might think they do, but they don’t.



CE: While this is told from a girl’s point of view, the writers do a great job of showing how being a teen, whether girl or boy, is just plain difficult.

BM: I think they are often very similar, emotionally. Guys put on the façade that everything is cool, but deep down I think they have some of the similar problems with image, popularity and fitting in — finding a girl and being loved and all those types of problems.

CE: This seems like it would be a fun set to work on.

BM: It was awesome; it was fun; it was happy! Everyone was great and supportive. We always would run lines and talk about our scenes and our characters, trying to find new things in scenes that we hadn’t found before. We’d come up with new, creative ideas and run them by Lauren (Iungerich, executive producer/creator/writer). Every once in a while, I’d come up with a really good idea and it would work. Life on the set was creative and fun.

CE: Another fun and creative set you worked on was with the folks at “Desperate Housewives.” What was that experience like?

BM: Educational. I learned so much from all the people on that set with all those actors and actresses. They are pros and they know what they’re doing. I was very grateful to get that job. Not just for the recognition and whatnot, but to grow as an actor. You can only learn so much in acting class, but when you’re on set, it’s a whole different thing. I learned a lot from Jeffrey Nordling, who played my father, and Drea de Matteo, who was my mother. A majority of my scenes were with them. You learn a lot from just watching them work, and you see how they do it. That was what was most beneficial from that.

CE: I am a big “Sopranos” fan, and was so happy to see Drea on the show. How cool was it that she played your mom?

BM: Yeah, I had a big crush on Drea. I hope it didn’t read on camera. That would have been creepy, since she was my mom, but it probably came out. It’s inevitable. She’s quite attractive and so great at what she does.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 8

CORRECTION: It was recently reported in this column (as well as many other entertainment columns) that Mariska Hargitay would be in only 13 episodes of this coming season’s “Law and Order: SVU.” Well, I am happy to amend that report with news from the Big Guy himself: Showrunner and executive producer Warren Leight contacted me to dispel the rumor. He told me: “Mariska will be in all 22 ‘SVU’ episodes this season. Rumor she is leaving at 13 just wrong.” With Christopher Meloni’s Detective Stabler leaving, it’s a relief to learn Mariska’s Detective Benson will be sticking around.

Q: It seems like every other year, there is a rumor that “Jurassic Park 4″ is going to made. But so far, no movie. Will it ever happen? — Paul G., Miami

A: All signs point to “yes.” Producer/director Steven Spielberg told a crowd of enthusiastic sci-fi fans at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con fan convention that there will be another “Jurassic Park,” and it might be only two to three years away. Steven said that he has a story and a screenwriter ready to go for the fourth movie of the dinosaur-clone series, and Steven himself will serve as producer.

Q: I really love MTV’s new teen comedy, “Awkward.” The actor who plays Matty looks really familiar. Can you tell me what else I might have seen him in recently? — Cara D., via e-mail

A: Beau Mirchoff, 21, plays Matty, the nice-guy jock with a heart — and it appears he also has a thing for our heroine, Jenna. You might remember Beau from “Heartland,” or from his turn as Drea de Matteo’s son on “Desperate Housewives.”

Of his year on “DH,” Beau told me: “I learned so much from all the people on that set. They are pros, and they know what they’re doing. I learned a lot from Jeffrey Nordling, who played my father, and Drea de Matteo, who was my mother. I had a big crush on Drea. I hope it didn’t read on camera. That would have been creepy.”

Playing a teen on “Awkward.” has Beau remembering his own awkward time in high school: “Everything seems like such a dire situation. Like it’s the last time you’ll be able to do something. Or it’s the end of the world if you can’t go out with that girl. But it’s really not, and it’s so insignificant looking back. But you’re growing up and you’re figuring things out.”

Q: I was so sad to hear about the passing of singer Amy Winehouse. Do authorities know what caused her death? — Grant D., via e-mail

A: Toxicology reports will probably take weeks to get back, so it might be a while before we know what killed the troubled songstress, who was only 27 when she passed away on July 23. Amy had publicly battled addiction, but police say there were no signs of drug or paraphernalia in her home at the time of her death.

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