Q and A: Week of June 9

Q: Can you tell me what I can see Ben McKenzie in next? I loved him on “Southland,” and I really miss that series. — Hallie F., via email

A: Ben returns to series television this fall when he stars in Fox’s “Gotham,” which is a prequel series to the “Batman” movies. Ben plays a young James Gordon — the police official whom “Batman” fans know as an eventual ally to Bruce Wayne/Batman. The cast also includes Donal Logue, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Mazouz, Robin Lord Taylor, Camren Bicondova, Erin Richards, Sean Pertwee, Zabryna Guevara and Cory Michael Smith. The series’ executive producers are Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist”), Danny Cannon (the “CSI” franchise and “Nikita”) and John Stephens (“Gossip Girl” and “The O.C.”). Judging by the teaser trailer online, this is definitely something I’m going to watch.

Q: I had heard awhile back that Robert De Niro was going to star in an HBO drama series, but I haven’t seen anything about it since. Do you know if that’s still going to happen? — Donnie F., via email

A: Well, it is and it isn’t. The series is still happening, but Robert won’t be involved. “Criminal Justice,” a seven-hour miniseries based on BBC’s 2008 Peter Moffat drama of the same name, was supposed to star James Gandolfini. When James passed away in last June (after having already filmed the pilot), Robert was tapped to star in his place. However, Robert had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict, so John Turturro has stepped in to play the lead, Jack Stone, an unscrupulous New York City lawyer who defends a Pakistani man (Riz Ahmed) accused of murder.

Q: I keep hearing rumors that a new “Star Wars” will be coming to theaters. Is that true, or is it going to be a TV series? — Freddie T., Omaha, Neb.

A: This past year’s worst-kept secret in Hollywood was verified on April 29 when director J.J. Abrams posted a picture on starwars.com of the first table read for the feature film “Star Wars: Episode VII.” Cast members include Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega and Adam Driver. Of the movie, J.J. said in a statement: “It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. Everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.” Fans don’t have to wait too long to see the much-anticipated film: Its scheduled premiere date is Dec. 18, 2015.

Q: Can you tell me if “Almost Human” will be back for another season? — John J., via email

A: Fox opted not to renew the sci-fi crime drama set in 2048, which centered on John Kennex (played by Karl Urban) and his android police partner, Dorian (played by Michael Ealy). The show had been gaining in the ratings race in recent weeks, however, there are too many new powerhouse drama series (like the aforementioned “Gotham”) that Fox has ordered to series that there just wasn’t room for “Almost Human.”

Q: Years ago, I used to watch “Project Greenlight” on HBO, and I really enjoyed it. Is it true that HBO is bringing the series back? Are Matt and Ben involved?— George S. in Kentucky

A: After being off the air for more than a decade, HBO has opted to bring back Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s filmmaker competition series for a third season. Ben revealed of the 2001/2003 series in a press statement: “‘Project Greenlight’ was ahead of its time. Now that technology has caught up to the concept, we thought it was a perfect time to bring it back. It is great having ‘Project Greenlight’ back at HBO.”

Q: Could you tell me when Longmire is coming back? — Terry and Pat V., via email

A: A and E’s highest-rated original drama of all time returned for a 10-episode third season this past June 2 at 10/9c. I recently spoke with series star, Cassidy Freeman (who plays Cady Longmire), and she gave me a little hint as to what to expect this season: “The first season of the show really set up who these character are. We got into the rhythm of having a crime every week or every two weeks, and then last season I felt like we started to see things happen to each of these characters, and the proverbial sh!t hit the fan. Last season’s tagline was: ‘A storm is coming.’ And now this season, the storm has come, and you’ll see how people deal with the wreckage. There’s going to be a lot of change. How do they put their lives back together? How do they fight to keep what they love?”

And speaking of love, will Cady and Branch continue to explore their on-again/off-again relationship? “Absolutely. It’s really, really complicated. At this point, it is no longer a don’t-tell-my-dad taboo. Now it’s more about if they really want to be together, and if they are each other’s priority.”

Check back Monday for my full interview with Cassidy.

Q: Is “The Killing” coming back for another season? I know it was canceled last season, and then AMC decided to give it a third season. Has it escaped death again? — Carl T., Seattle

A: In an almost-unprecedented move, “The Killing” has escaped yet another cancelation. This past September, AMC did indeed decide not to renew the crime/mystery drama for a fourth season, and that’s when Netflix stepped up to the plate. Netflix, which has been the series’ exclusive digital partner for all three seasons, will air a six-episode fourth (and final) season, with “The Killing” joining the ranks of superb Netflix original series like “Arrested Development,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “House of Cards” and many more. The complete fourth season of “The Killing” will be available beginning Aug. 1.

Q: Can you tell me if “The Carries Diaries” will return this fall? — Denise G., via email

A: Along with “The Tomorrow People” and “Star-Crossed,” the not-so-great-in-the-ratings “The Carrie Diaries” has been canceled by the CW to make room for new programming. “The Flash,” “iZombie,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “The Messengers” will join the CW’s growing lineup of supernatural and edgy dramas.

Q: I am amazed every week by “Hannibal,” especially the writing and all of the actors. Do you know yet if it’ll be back for another season? — Scott R., via email

A: The dark and brilliant psychological thriller — which stars Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen — will return to NBC for a third season (which is rumored to take place in France), most likely in spring 2015. Come back next week, when I’ll be sharing NBC’s entire 2014-15 schedule (with each networks’ schedules to follow in subsequent weeks).

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Ben McKenzie Comes Into His Own

Prior to 2009, Ben McKenzie was best known for his four-year stint on the teen nighttime drama “The O.C.” A lot has changed in those few years, and no one could be happier about that than Ben himself. Ben currently stars in “Southland,” the highly acclaimed police drama on TNT (Tuesday nights at 10 p.m ET/PT). As you might recall, NBC aired the first season of the show but abruptly pulled the series weeks before its season two debut. Well, TNT knows a good thing when it sees it, and immediately negotiated to pick up the beleaguered drama. Proving to be a better fit with TNT than NBC, “Southland” has found a comfortable home with the cable network, as has Ben.

Celebrity Extra: It must have been quite a roller coaster for you and the other stars of the show: First NBC cancels it, then TNT picks it up. What was your reaction when you heard the news that TNT was giving “Southland” new life?

Ben McKenzie: It was great! I think the fans really were an enormous part of why we exist today. It’s very unusual for a show to have a second life, especially after it’s already aired for an entire season on another network. It’s very rare, and we’re incredibly thankful to all the fans. I wouldn’t have this job if it weren’t for them. I’d be waiting tables again, which would really suck.



CE: “Southland” seems to be a better fit with TNT as well, a network known for its great, cutting-edge, lifelike dramas.

BM: It’s certainly not one of the old-fogey networks, that’s for sure. We’ve been able to make the episodes we’ve wanted to make. TNT has been very supportive and interested in what we’re doing, but they have not gotten in the way of anything, as far as I know. They really want to support the show and promote it. It just feels right.

CE: What initially attracted you to the part of Ben Sherman?

BM: I was interested in who the guy was, and I was very interested in the world that was being portrayed, because it felt like a much more realistic world. Kind of a darker take on a cop show than what we’ve seen before. This show seemed very different. Once we started shooting and I saw the footage -- it had exceeded my expectations.

CE: As Ben develops as a police officer/character, what are some new things that you’ve found that you enjoy portraying?

BM: I like seeing him understand the world a little more. I like seeing him grow up on camera and become a man. Before, he was a kid, and he’s kind of exiting that phase. There’s something fun about a character’s growth being that significant. Especially over that short amount of time -- it’s only been 13 episodes. It’s really rewarding to see it.

CE: What can fans look forward to in season three?

BM: It’ll be the same show you’ve seen before. It’s just going to be a little bit more focused on the four principal characters left: Ben, Lydia, Sammy and John. It’s pretty aggressive; it’s gonna double-down on the aggressiveness. In terms of my character, the dynamic has changed yet again between John and Ben. It’s more of a peer-to-peer relationship than it’s been in the past. Although Ben will still mess up and John will criticize him brutally for that, he’s got a little more freedom to do some of his own work. The relationship between John and Ben will deepen even farther when John sort of falls apart from his pain-pill addiction.

CE: As you look back on the past seasons, what have been some of your favorite moments?

BM: There are so many. I remember being in the jungle last season for the season opener filming a really big riot scene that had my adrenaline skyrocket. I remember being in the hospital for the end of the pilot and having a scene with a young girl, about her brother being shot and that being kind of a nice capper for the end of the pilot. And I had a good feeling that we had just finished something that I hoped ultimately was a strong pilot. And this season, the season opener, we have a bank heist in Hollywood with a huge shootout across Hollywood Boulevard. That was really thrilling.

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 27

Q: When will “Southland” be back? I was so happy when TNT picked it up from NBC, and have been eagerly awaiting its return. — George F., via e-mail

A: The cutting-edge drama will be back on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 10 p.m. on TNT. Series star Benjamin McKenzie (pictured left; photo credit: Doug Hyun) gave me the scoop: “It’s going to be the same show you’ve seen before, it’s just going to be more focused on the four principle characters left: Ben, Lydia, Sammy and John. It’s a pretty aggressive show; this season it’s really going to double-down on the aggressiveness. It’s fast, hard-hitting and uncompromising.


“With my character and John, the dynamic has changed yet again. It’s more of a peer-to-peer relationship than it has been in the past. Although Ben will still mess up and John will criticize him brutally for it, he’s got a little more freedom to do a little more of his own work. The end of the season will mark the end of his probationary period.”

Q: I love the Syfy show “Merlin.” I haven’t seen new episodes on the schedule for a while, and I’m afraid it has been canceled. Please tell me it hasn’t! — Mark T. in Vermont



A: Don’t worry, Mark. The magical Syfy series will indeed be back for a third season beginning Friday, Jan. 7, at 10 p.m. Season three finds the young Merlin (played by Colin Morgan) in increasingly more dangerous and dark battles in his secret quest to protect Prince Arthur (Bradley James) in the fabled kingdom of Camelot, where magic is forbidden by King Uther (Anthony Head). They rejoin Morgana (Katie McGrath) — who has a dark destiny of her own — with Angel Coulby as her loyal maid Gwen, and Richard Wilson as wise court physician Gaius. John Hurt returns as the voice of the Great Dragon.

Q: Is Jillian Michaels really leaving “The Biggest Loser”? I can’t imagine the show without her! — Tawny D., via e-mail

A: Well, start imagining it, because Jillian is outta there. After this season, which begins Jan. 4, her contract is up, and she is leaving the show. Jillian explained her decision: “I want to take a year off TV and focus on becoming a mommy and doing more charity work. Shooting ‘Losing It’ also had a big impact on me. Living with kids, I saw firsthand what I was missing.”

Q: How is Vanessa Williams fitting in as the newest cast member of “Desperate Housewives”? — Sandi S., Lousiville, Ky.

A: Vanessa is doing great, at least according to co-star Joshua Moore, who plays Parker Scavo. When we spoke about the show’s return from winter break on Jan. 2, he told me: “She’s just great to work with. I think she’s a really good actress and she’s great in her role. She’s just a very cool person to talk to and hang out with. She definitely has to flip that switch on to be mean (like her character, Renee).”

Q: I was so happy when I heard that Nancy O’Dell would be replacing Mary Hart as co-anchor on “Entertainment Tonight” when Mary retires in 2011. It will be nice to see Nancy’s lovely face on TV again! What is she up to in the meantime? — Jillian F., Fort Worth, Texas

A: Nancy is thrilled by her latest career move. She told me: “It is such an honor (to be chosen to replace Mary Hart). Mary is such a TV icon. I remember watching it when it first debuted and thinking, ‘Oh my God, that would be such a cool show to work for.’ And here I am, working for it! It is very exciting.”


Nancy also has teamed up with Florida Orange Juice on a promotion to help make mornings special for families. She explained: “It’s so difficult for people to make their mornings meaningful with their families, as they are being pulled in so many directions. But all you need is 15 minutes, whether it’s over a glass of orange juice or over breakfast, to just sit down and talk with your family.” So Nancy is helping launch the Florida Orange Juice Morning Squeeze contest, with the grand prize being a family trip to Florida. To enter, go to www.FloridaJuice.com/Morning_Squeeze.php.

Q: Will “Army Wives” be back anytime soon for a new season? — William S., via e-mail

A: Rest assured, Lifetime Television’s perennial hit drama “Army Wives” will be back for a fifth season with 13 all-new episodes. “Army Wives” is Lifetime’s most successful series in the 26-year-history of the network, so I’d say the show has quite a bit of life left in it. It will be back in 2011, however the exact date has not been announced. If previous seasons are any indication, it should be back by late spring to early summer.

Q: I caught the tail end of what looked like a really good documentary on Animal Planet about men diving with Nile crocodiles. Can you tell me what it was called and when/if I can see it again? — Sam M., via e-mail

A: The show is called “Into the Dragon’s Lair,” which documents wildlife photographer Roger Horrocks and world-renowned underwater cameraman Didier Noiret as they travel to Botswana’s Okavango Delta to capture never-before-seen behaviors to help broaden the world’s scientific understanding of these fearsome creatures. It is definitely a don’t-miss show, and you can see it again Thursday night, Jan. 20.

Q: How much do reality-television stars, people like Kim Kardashian, make? — Frankie F., Washington, D.C.

A: It depends on the star’s popularity, as well as extracurricular activities, like perfume and clothing lines, books, etc. Kim, for instance, is the highest-paid reality star, raking in $6 million in 2010. Lauren Conrad is close behind, banking $5 million in 2010.

Q: I was so sad to hear that one of my favorite comedic actors, Leslie Nielsen, had passed away recently. Did he film anything before he died, to be released posthumously? — Jeff D., via e-mail

A: The great Leslie Nielsen, 84, who began his acting career back in 1950, passed away in November after a short battle with pneumonia. For his final movie, he voiced a character in the animated comedy “The Waterman Movie,” which is scheduled for release some time next year.

Q: What has happened to Rich Fields, the announcer for “The Price Is Right”? They keep having “guest” announcers. Will he return sometime soon? — Donna C. in New York

A: Rich Fields, 50, who came aboard “The Price Is Right” after the death of longtime announcer Rod Roddy in 2004, is no longer the announcer of the perennial game show. Before the start of the 2010 season, Rich was informed that the producers wanted to go a different way with the show, which included a new announcer with improvisation-comedy background. For now, the show is employing a series of guest announcers, but hopefully the producers will settle on one announcer soon, instead of continuing this game of announcer musical chairs. Currently, Rich is a part-time meteorologist in Los Angeles.

Q: Watching older movies with George Clooney, and comparing how he looked then with now, it looks like he has had a little tightening done to his face? Has he? To me, he seems like the last person on Earth who would undergo plastic surgery. — Hannah F., via e-mail

A: Actually, the 49-year-old star confessed to Oprah Winfrey back in 2007 that he had had some excess skin under his eyes removed. As he said: “It’s important to look awake.” If you check out some before and after pictures online, you can see that the result is subtle and natural-looking, unlike some other pulled-tight celebs who shall remain nameless.

Q: Why did the ABC/Disney-produced “Legend of the Seeker” get canceled? There is a worldwide fan campaign (saveourseeker.com) that is working hard to get this beloved, high-fantasy show back for a third season. Have you heard anything about the show coming back? — Shirley T., Derby, Conn.

A: The Internet is exploding with campaigns to save the show, as well as some well-placed rumors that the show might not be finished. Back in October, “Seeker” stars Craig Parker and Bruce Spence hinted at the fan gathering RingCon 2010 that the show might not be over, yet. Bruce stated, “I know that a lot of people think it’s dead, but it’s not.”


While he might just be employing positive thinking, rumor has it that many alternative stations have been approached about picking up the show for its third season, including SyFy and BBC (both of which reportedly passed). For some fan-made videos, as well as other links to help save the show, check out craighorner.com (a fansite for the “Seeker” star).

Q: I really miss “Parks and Recreation” — it is by far my favorite comedy on TV, along with “The Office.” When will it return? I can’t take much more of “Outsourced.” — Samuel F., via e-mail

A: You will be happy to hear, as I was, that “Parks and Rec” (as many of us lovingly refer to it) will be back on NBC on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 9:30/8:30c after “The Office,” where it belongs. I also was getting a little nervous that the mediocre comedy, “Outsourced,” was going to usurp Leslie Knope and company from their rightful spot on must-see Thursday night TV. I am not sure what this means for “Outsourced,” but I don’t really care. It is difficult for me to get behind a show that makes light of a real problem in America nowadays: high unemployment and jobs being shipped overseas. Aside from that, it just ain’t funny!

Q: Last I heard, “V” was coming back to ABC in November, but November came and went, and no “V.” Please don’t tell me that it has been canceled. After the cancelation of “FlashForward” and “The Gates,” I don’t think I can take another early cancelation! — Theresa R., Baltimore

A: Don’t you worry, Theresa. “V” will make its highly anticipated season premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 9/8c. Season two will feature more character and lizard revelations, more details about the V’s mythology, as well as even more action and more plot twists. As my favorite new show of the 2009 season, I can’t wait to see what develops.

Q: I loved Laura Prepon on “October Road,” and was sad when it went off the air. Can you tell me what else I can see her in? — Danni J. in Georgia

A: Laura, 30, has been busy since “October Road” was canceled in 2008. She guest-starred on “In Plain Sight,” “Medium,” “House M.D.” and “How I Met Your Mother.” In January, Laura plays Natalie Gray, the actress who portrays Nicki Heat in the movie adaptation of Richard Castle’s best-selling mystery book “Nicki Heat” on ABC’s “Castle.”

Q: I have loved all of the “Glee” cameos as of late, especially Britney Spears and Gwyneth Paltrow. Now I hear that Anne Hathaway might be on the show? Is that true? — Denny T., via e-mail

A: While there are no immediate plans for Anne Hathaway to guest-star on the popular Fox musical/comedy, if Anne gets her way, you just might see her walking down the halls of McKinley High. She recently revealed: “In my head, I’ve cast myself, and I know what song I’m going to sing! I would want to play Kurt’s long-lost aunt’s mother’s sister, who is also gay and comes back to help him deal with his sexuality, and I would sing ‘You Are Not Alone’ from Steven Sondheim’s epic show ‘Into the Woods.’”

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