Q and A: Week of Oct. 1

Q: I know it won’t start back up until next year, but can you give me any scoop about “Hannibal”? — Linda F., Galveston, Texas

A: As we saw in the season-two finale, Gillian Anderson’s character, Dr. Bedelia du Maurier, was more than just Hannibal Lector’s psychologist — she’s his getaway buddy (possibly lover?). Executive producer Bryan Fuller confirmed that Gillian has been bumped up from a recurring character to series regular. He also teased that when the show returns in 2015, it will be one year after Hannibal and Bedelia jetted off to Europe (after the bloodbath that he caused at his house), and that the show will feel like “a pilot for a new series starring Mads Mikkelsen and Gillian Anderson.”

Bryan Fuller told TVLine.com: “The cast and crew of ‘Hannibal’ are positively giddy to be welcoming Gillian to season three as a series regular. A striking presence on stage and screen, she brings wit, grace and intelligence to every role she embodies. Screenwriting is so much easier when you’re inspired by a great actor, and Gillian has filled the ‘Hannibal’ writers room with wonderful inspiration. I can’t wait for audiences to see her make a bigger meal out of ‘the Cannibal’ than ever before.”

Q: “Banshee” is my all-time favorite TV series that airs on Cinemax. I’ve watched seasons one and two several times, and have bought the DVDs for both seasons. Can you please tell me when season three will return? — John F., Palm Springs, Calif.

A: “Banshee” will return for a new season in early 2015. The series — which is executive-produced by one of my favorite authors, Jonathan Tropper, and one of my favorite screenwriters, Alan Ball — centers on Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who tracks down Carrie Hopewell, his former lover and partner in crime, who is now the wife of the Banshee, Pa., prosecutor. Lucas becomes Banshee’s sheriff and continues his criminal activities, even though he’s being hunted by the criminals he betrayed years earlier.

A bit of a spoiler for you: Jonathan Tropper revealed that while Proctor still will be an important nemesis for Lucas, Chayton will be back in a big way. Also, Dennis O’Hare, whom I loved on “True Blood,” will guest-star on one episode.

Q: Will “Cougar Town” be back for another season? — Carly T., via email

A: The Cul-de-Sac Crew will return to TBS for its sixth and final season in early 2015. SPOILER ALERT: Brian Van Holt, who plays the hilariously dim-witted Bobby Cobb, will be leaving the series early, with his final appearance in the season-six opener.

Q: I was happy to read in your column that “Beauty and the Beast” would be returning, but I haven’t seen it on the CW’s fall schedule. — Tina R., via email

A: The cop drama/romance/fantasy series will return for a third season as a midseason show, which means sometime in early to spring 2015.

Q: I know you like to read, so I was wondering if you knew the answer to this. I heard that one of my favorite books is being made into a movie. It’s called “Veiled Threats” by Deborah Donnelly. Is that true? — Regina T., Akron, Ohio

A: It has indeed been made into a movie, now retitled “The Wedding Planner Mystery,” and it will premiere on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 9/8c. The show stars Erica Durance (“Smallville”), Brandon Beemer (“Days of Our Lives”) and Andrew Walker (“When Calls the Heart”). I spoke with Brandon recently, and he told me about working on the film and with Hallmark and with the lovely and talented Erica Durance.

“I’ve always heard that Hallmark was a great, great network to work for. They run a tight ship. They know exactly what they want, and they know exactly what they are doing. I read the script, and I thought it was pretty fun, and it was good. I also loved the fact that I’d be working in Vancouver. I’ve never been to Vancouver. I was very grateful. So I went to Vancouver and had one of the best times shooting a project that I’ve probably ever had. The people were so great. And Vancouver was so awesome.”

Q: I just got caught up on season one of HBO’s “True Detective,” and I wondered if you could give me any scoop about season two. — Kyle L., via email

A: I can tell you that Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn have signed on to star in next season’s hit HBO series, which is rumored to be about the “bloody murder of a corrupt city businessman found dead the night before a major transportation deal.” It will involve three police officers from different cities working together. There is no casting news yet on who will play the third police officer, who is said to be a female character.

Q: Can you give me any info about the latest 007 movie? Is it still happening? — Paul T., via email

A: The 24th James Bond film is indeed happening, Paul, with actors Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris returning, along with director Sam Mendes. They start shooting in December, with an anticipated fall 2015 release date. Sam confirmed that the latest film with be the second of a two-part project, meaning it will be a continuation of “Skyfall.”

READERS: I have some exciting book-to-series news for you. Hulu announced that it has ordered a nine-hour series adaptation of Stephen King’s 2011 bestseller “11/22/63,” a thriller in which high-school English teacher Jake Epping travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The series is being developed by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions. Of this latest project, Stephen King said: “If I ever wrote a book that cries out for long-form, event-TV programming, ’11/22/63’ is it. I’m excited that it’s going to happen, and am looking forward to working with J.J. Abrams and the whole Bad Robot team.”

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 23

Q: The best concert of the summer by far, in my opinion, was the New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men extravaganza. Can you tell me what my favorite of the bunch, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, has in the works now, and where I can see him sing? — Janice W., Massillon, Ohio

A: Jeff is putting his singing talents and super-hot bod to good use by touring the country with Men of the Strip, a musical male-revue show. I spoke with Jeff recently about his latest project, and he told me how it all came about: “I was hosting the Chippendales a few years ago, and thought the formula of a boy-band-singer/emcee was perfect for the audience I was seeing. I felt there could be a more contemporary, younger, cooler, sexier and more mainstream type of male revue, so I got together with Glenn Douglas Packard and Mike Foland, and we put the plan in motion.”

I can safely say his plan has been a hit with the ladies around the country (especially those whose favorite movie is “Magic Mike”): “The reception has been incredible. We’re selling out venues. These guys are stars. I envisioned this type of growth with the fans, but not as fast as it’s happened. We’re blessed.”

Head to menofthestrip.com to see what all the hubbub is about, and to see if the show is coming to your area in the new year.

Q: Can you tell me when Jules, Grayson and the rest of the cul-de-sac crew will return with a new season of “Cougar Town”? It has been renewed, hasn’t it? — Linda P., Hanover, N.H.

A: “Cougar Town” will indeed be back for a fifth season for more fun and high jinks, which I am sure will also involve lots of wine. Season five of the TBS comedy premieres Jan. 7 at 10/9c. And if you haven’t already heard, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox will reunite when Matthew appears as a guest star in an upcoming episode. There’s no word yet on which episode, or who his character will be.

Q: When are the People’s Choice Awards? I seem to remember it airing around the holidays, but I haven’t seen anything about it yet. — Kellie F., via email

A: This coming People’s Choice Awards ceremony, which airs Jan. 8 at 9/8c on CBS, marks the 40th anniversary of the event. While voting for this year’s nominees ended on Dec. 5, you should still watch to see if your favorites made the cut.

Q: Can you tell me if “Call the Midwife” will be back on PBS soon? — Dorothy B., via email

A: The BBC period drama, which airs on BBC One before hopping the Pond to the U.S., will be back for a third season of eight episodes. Season three will air sometime in 2014, once it concludes its run in the U.K.

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Q and A: Week of Nov. 26

Tara Summers

Q: I am a big fan of “Sons of Anarchy,” and I was wondering who the pretty blonde is? She was on a couple of episodes and played Karen. I know I’ve seen her on something else prior to this. — Geri R., via e-mail

A: Tara Summers, who turns 33 in December, plays Dr. Karen Dunhill on FX’s rough-and-tumble, motorcycle-filled crime drama. Tara is a TV and film vet who’s been in lots of series and feature film, including “Alfie,” “Boston Legal,” “Dirt,” “Factory Girl,” “Damages” and “Ringer.” You can see her this winter in the feature film “Hitchcock,” which stars Anthony Hopkins (as Alfred Hitchcock) and Helen Mirren (as his wife, Alma Reville), with Tara playing Rita Riggs.

Tara told me what it was like working with the two legendary actors: “Helen Mirren … it’s really like her movie. She’s extraordinary. It focuses on the love story between Hitchcock and his wife, and how she was the silent partner in the operation. His wife had a lot more to do with it than we will ever know. And Anthony Hopkins is one of my heroes, and he was so generous and so kind. He’s always in a good mood, and just so amazing to work with and to watch.”

Q: My friend told me that the CW is remaking “Sex and the City.” Is that true? If so, why? It was great as it was on HBO. — Penny W., Seattle

A: The CW is not remaking the hit HBO series, which starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. Rather, they bought the rights to the prequel, “The Carrie Diaries,” based on the book written by “Sex” author Candace Bushnell. “The Carrie Diaries” — set in the 1980s — chronicles Carrie Bradshaw’s (played by AnnaSophia Robb) coming-of-age as she navigates her senior year of high school and discovers the glittering lights of Manhattan, and lots of shoes. “The Carrie Diaries” premieres on the CW on Monday, Jan. 14, at 8/7c, followed by “90210,” which moves to 9/8c.

Q: I was a big fan of “The Cosby Show,” and I wondered whatever happened to the actor who played Rudy’s friend, Stanley, on the show. — Justin W., via e-mail

A: Merlin Santana, who went on to play Ohagi on “Moesha” and Romeo on “The Steve Harvey Show,” died on 2002 at the age of 26. Tragically, he was falsely accused of attempted rape of 15-year-old Monique King, so her boyfriend, Brandon Bynes, shot Merlin six times, killing him. Brandon received three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years in prison, while Monique received eight years in juvenile custody.

Q: When will “Cougar Town” be back? — Jennifer T., Tampa

A: TBS has announced that “Cougar Town” will return for a 15-episode fourth season beginning Tuesday, Jan. 8. So raise a glass (of red wine, of course) to the return of your favorite cul-de-sac gang, as they begin a new era on a new network. I can’t wait!

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Q and A: Week of May 28

Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, photo by Matthew Rolston

Q: When will my favorite show, “Rizzoli and Isles,” be back with new episodes? — Fred D., via e-mail.

A: Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander will return for their third season as Det. Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles, respectively, on Tuesday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The highly rated TNT series will air 15 all-new episodes. And if you need to catch up on seasons one and two — or just refresh your memory — both are now available on DVD for your viewing pleasure.

Q: I signed that petition you mentioned in a previous column to help keep “A Gifted Man” on the air, and I was wondering if it helped? Will CBS renew it? —Bonnie A., Norfolk, Va.

A: Sometimes online petitions work (“Friday Night Lights,” “Jericho” and “Chuck” were saved from early cancelation by rabid Internet campaigns), and sometimes they don’t. In the case of “A Gifted Man,” it didn’t; CBS decided not to renew the drama for a second season. Also on CBS’s chopping block: “CSI: Miami,” “Rob,” “Unforgettable” and “NYC 22.”

Q: Can you tell me what Ving Rhames is doing now? I haven’t seen him in anything in a while. — Derek L., via e-mail

A: Ving is all set to star in the new David E. Kelley medical drama that is slated to premiere on TNT in summer 2013. The series, called “Monday Mornings,” is based on the book by neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanja Gupta, M.D. The show is set in the fictional Chelsea General Hospital in Portland, Ore., and Ving plays the hospital’s trauma chief. It also stars Alfred Molina, Jennifer Finnegan and Bill Irwin.

(L-R: Busy Phillips, Christa Miller, Josh Hopkins, Courteney Cox, Brian Van Holt, Robert Clendenin, Ian Gomez; photo by Eric McCandless, ABC)

Q: For the longest time, I couldn’t even find “Cougar Town” on the TV schedule, then it returned, and now I hear it’s been canceled. Is that true? — Stacie R., St. Paul, Minn.

A: While it’s true that ABC has opted not to renew “Cougar Town” for a fourth season, Courteney Cox and gang will indeed be back for a new season — TBS has picked up the series and will begin airing new episodes in early 2013. As of now, it’s assumed that all cast members will be making the move with the show to TBS. However, Dan Byrd had already booked a role on the new untitled Louis CK sitcom pilot, and Josh Hopkins was set to star in NBC’s “Lady Friends.” Both shows will have to recast now that “Cougar Town” is going forward. 

(Note: Don't miss tonight's season finale. The show wraps up the season with two back-to-back episodes starting at 8/7c. In "Your World," Part 2, fed up with the lack of privacy, Grayson convinces Jules to elope to Napa ... but then the cul-de-sac crew happily tags along. In this episode, David Arquette guest stars as a hotel concierge who'll go to great (and possibly illegal) lengths to help the wine wedding go off without a hitch.)

“Cougar Town” is the latest project to join TBS’s growing slate of original series. In July, TBS will launch “Sullivan and Son,” a new sitcom starring comedian Steve Byrne and executive-produced by Vince Vaughn, Peter Billingsley and Rob Long. This year also will include the debut of “Wedding Band,” a new scripted comedy series starring Brian Austin Green, Harold Perrineau, Peter Cambor, Derek Miller, Melora Hardin, Jenny Wade and Kathryn Fiore.

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 26

Q: Like you, I am an avid fan of “New Girl” on Fox. I was wondering what happened to Coach, the character played by Damon Wayans Jr., who was in the first episode and then suddenly left? — Giselle F., via e-mail

A: When “New Girl” filmed its pilot episode in spring 2011, the original roommates were Coach (played by Damon), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Nick (Jake Johnson), with Jess (Zooey Deschanel) taking Winston’s room, since he was off playing basketball in Latvia. However, Damon also was co-starring on the ABC show “Happy Endings,” which at the time “New Girl” began production was looking like it wasn’t going to get renewed for another season. So, when “Happy Endings” did indeed get renewed, the producers at “New Girl” had to find a new fourth roommate and opted for Winston (Lamorne Morris) to return from Latvia to reclaim his old room.

Q: I was super-bummed when I found out that “Cougar Town” wasn’t going to air on ABC until January as a midseason replacement, and now I am hearing that that might not even happen! Please tell me it hasn’t been canceled. — Bridget D. in North Carolina

A: I have good news and bad news: The goods news is that “Cougar Town” will be back this season; the bad news is its return has been pushed back until March. More bad news: Instead of its planned 22-episode season, the order has been cut to 15 episodes. This news makes me super-bummed too, as I have been going through some serious withdrawals, and have been forced to drink wine out of Big Joe while reading Laurie Keller’s hilarious Twitter feed (twitter.com/TheLarmy) and throwing pennies in my Bobby Cobb Official Competition Penny Can as I wait with bated breath for new episodes from my favorite Pinot-swilling gals and their awesome sidekick fellas.

Q: A while back you mentioned that Fox was going to make an animated version of “Napoleon Dynamite.” Are those plans still going forward? — Jeremy G., via e-mail

A: It’s full-steam ahead on the weekly cartoon adaption of “Napoleon Dynamite,” which will be voiced by the movie’s stars, including John Heder, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Aaron Ruell, John Gries and the gang. The 13-episode series premieres on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 8:30 ET, right in the middle of Fox’s super-successful “animation block.” Read what series star Efren Ramirez told me about the show in our interview last year.

Q: I was watching “Robocop” over the weekend and wondered what its star, Peter Weller, can be seen in now? He was so good in that movie! — George T., Omaha, Neb.

A: Peter Weller, who very recently was a regular on “Dexter” playing Stan Liddy, is the latest big-name star to be cast in the newest “Star Trek” movie, which is yet untitled. The film’s details are being kept under wraps, but I can tell you that Peter is playing a principal character in the May 2013 sequel to the 2009 megablockbuster.

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Jennifer Aniston to Guest-Star on Cougar Town

(from the Associated Press)

Jennifer Aniston will pay a visit to old "friend" Courteney Cox on the season debut of ABC's Cougar Town next month.

ABC said Monday that Aniston will portray a therapist who is being seen by Cox's character. It's a one-episode visit, scheduled for Sept. 22.

The two actresses starred for many years on NBC's Friends.

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