Q and A: Week of May 19

Q: I read about Rainbow Rowell’s “Eleanor and Park” in your column a while back, and now I hear it’s going to be a movie. I’m so happy to hear this because I loved the book. Will she be writing the screenplay for the movie as well? — Staci R., via email

A: Rainbow has indeed been tapped to write the screenplay for her first movie, and she’s thrilled for the opportunity. I asked Rainbow how it all came about, and who she sees in the parts of Eleanor and Park. “I’d been talking to DreamWorks for a few months about it. I was nervous at first because the book is so much in my control, and a film is an entirely different organism. But I kept thinking about how wonderful it would be to see Park and Eleanor on that screen. The studio and producer, Carla Hacken, seem really dedicated to bringing the book to life. I'm excited.”

As for who should play the teenage sweethearts, Rainbow is up for anything. “I don't have anyone in mind. It’s hard to imagine established actors in the roles, because there just aren’t that many starring roles for a chubby redhead and a 16-year-old Korean boy, which makes it all the more exciting.”

Q: Thank you for the update on Sharon Lawrence. She’s been one of my favorite actresses since “NYPD Blue.” Will she be in a series on a regular basis any time soon? — Denise K., via email

A: Amazon.com recently gave the greenlight to Chris Carter’s (writer/creator of “The X-Files”) latest supernatural drama called “The After,” which follows eight strangers who are thrown together by mysterious forces and must help each other survive in a violent world that defies explanation. The series stars Sharon, as well as Aldis Hodge, Andrew Howard, Arielle Kebbel, Jamie Kennedy, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Adrian Pasdar and Louise Monot. You can watch the pilot episode now on amazon.com; there is no word yet on a premiere date for the rest of the season, but it will be later this year or early next.

Q: I was surprised when David Letterman announced he was going to retire in 2015. Who will take his place on “The Late Show”? — Myra T., Birmingham, Ala.

A: Stephen Colbert is set to bring his brand of “truthiness” to “The Late Show,” as he’s been slated to take over for David upon his retirement at the end of this year. It was recently learned that CBS first approached Neil Patrick Harris as David’s replacement, a job offer that Neil subsequently turned down. When Neil appeared on Howard Stern’s show last week, he told the shock jock: “I told [them] the things that concerned me about the longevity of that kind of gig, that I think I would get bored of the repetition fast, and that the structure of it is so set, that I don’t have any interest in doing monologue, commercial, sketch, guest, guest, musical act, goodnight.“ He did pitch a variety show of sorts, which might get to see the light of day, if Neil has his druthers.

Q: I know there’s a lot of source material left for many more seasons of “Game of Thrones,” so please tell me there will be more seasons of the HBO series. — Justin R., Albany, NY

A: You can bet the Iron Throne that the incredibly popular adventure/fantasy series will be back — for at least two more seasons. HBO has renewed “Game of Thrones” for a fifth and sixth season. Currently in its fourth season, “Game” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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Q and A: Week of Sept. 9

Readers: Our summer reading contest has come to a close, and I want to thank you all for entering. One winner, drawn at random, won an autographed copy of Rainbow Rowell’s critically acclaimed sophomore effort “Eleanor and Park.” And that winner is Linda R. of The Villages, Florida.

If you read my review of “Eleanor and Park,” then you know that I love the book, and why. I spoke with Rainbow about her feelings while writing it, and she told me: “With this book, I do remember saying that I wanted people to feel in their stomach that feeling of being in love for the first time. When you’re at that age where even if you’re not actually in love, you feel those feelings so deeply. I honestly think you have the capacity to feel love and infatuation and all of those feelings to a much greater capacity when you’re that age — that intense first love, like every cell in your body is part of it.”

And if you want to explore more of Rainbow’s writings, her third book, “Fangirl,” was just released yesterday (check back here soon for my review, as well as my entire interview with Rainbow). And while I don’t like to play favorites, I think I might like “Fangirl” even more than “Eleanor and Park.”

Q: I think I’ve read this question in your column before, but I can’t remember your answer. Will “China Beach” ever be released on DVD? I loved that series, and I wish I could watch it again. — Beverly W., via e-mail

A: I’ve gotten scores of letters asking that same question, and I finally have a definitive answer for you: On Oct. 1, fans can finally own the critically acclaimed, Dana Delany-starring hit series. For the show’s 25th anniversary, the complete series will be available in a 21-disc collector’s set in stores and online. You can also buy them one season at a time, if you prefer, but the collector’s set is way cool.

Q: With Halloween approaching, it got me to wondering if Catherine Bell will be in another “Good Witch” movie on the Hallmark Channel? Those are my favorite. — Betty S., Tulsa, Okla.

A: Catherine and company will return to the Hallmark Channel on Oct. 26 with “The Good Witch’s Destiny.” In this sixth installment of the series, all Cassie Nightingale (Catherine) wants for her birthday is for her family and friends to be together. As her special day approaches, Lori discovers signs of a curse looming over Cassie. Check back in October for my exclusive interview with Catherine where I'll get all the details!

Q: You mentioned a show set in the 1940s about the mafia that was supposed to air on TNT called “Lost Angels,” but I can’t find mention of it anywhere. Can you help? — Douglas B. in Ohio

A: The latest TNT drama has been renamed “Mob City” and is set to premiere Dec. 4. The show centers on the epic battle between a determined police chief and a dangerous mobster that inflames 1940s Los Angeles, and stars Jon Bernthal, Neal McDonough and Ed Burns.

Q: Can you tell me what to look forward to in the next season of “The Mindy Project”? Will she still be with Casey? — Deanna W., via e-mail

A: Well, it looks as if Mindy and Casey might be kaput after returning from their yearlong good-will trip to Haiti. “Justified” star Timothy Olyphant has signed on to guest star as a love interest of Mindy. Viewers will note that this isn’t Timothy’s first foray into sitcoms — he guest-starred on two episodes of “The Office” back in 2010.

Head over to Hulu to get a sneak peek at the entire first episode of the season, which returns to Fox on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 9:30/8:30c.

Q: You mentioned a while back that “Eastbound and Down” had been resurrected for a fourth season. Can you tell me when it’ll premiere? — Donnie R., via e-mail

A: Danny McBride and his glorious mullet will be back for eight new raucous episodes beginning Sept. 29 on HBO for its “epic final season.” Lindsay Lohan is set to make a cameo (as who, I won’t say, so as not to spoil it for you).

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Q and A: Week of July 15

Q: What has Dirk Benedict, from the original “A-Team,” been doing lately? — Arlene in Rochester, N.Y.

A: Dirk, who also starred in the original “Battlestar Galactica,” has been embracing his sci-fi roots in recent years. He’s provided his vocal talents for a number of “Battlestar”-related videogames, attended numerous sci-fi conventions and co-starred in the original SyFy channel movie “Earthstorm.” Also, if you saw the 2010 big-screen version of “The A-Team,” then you know he made a cameo appearance, dispensing helpful tanning advice to the new “Face,” Bradley Cooper.

Q: I just read that production on “Hell on Wheels” might be delayed due to flooding in Calgary, where the series is filmed. Do you have any info on that? — Windell S., Port Wentworth, Ga.

A: Production of the Western — which centers on the settlement that accompanied the building of the transcontinental railroad on 1865 — was delayed a bit as rising waters flooded the show’s set. Instead of season three premiering on AMC on Aug. 3, it has been pushed back to Saturday, Aug. 10. The two-hour season premiere begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Q: Please tell me “Monday Mornings” will be back on TV soon. I really have missed that show! — F. Gill, via e-mail

A: I am sorry to have to tell you that the medical drama — which was based on the novel of the same name by CNN’s chief medical correspondent, journalist and neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta — has been canceled after only one season on TNT. Even with the star power of Ving Rhames and Alfred Molina, it couldn’t survive its dismal ratings. 

CONTEST!

Readers: For most of us, this summer has been a scorcher! And I can tell you that my list of summertime books to read is even hotter than my summer has been. While I can go on and on about my favorite beach reads this year — the list is long and distinguished — there is one that is head and shoulders above the rest: Rainbow Rowell’s “Eleanor and Park.”

I’ve been following Rainbow since her debut novel, “Attachments,” made me late to work a few mornings because I was up too late reading the night before, and her sophomore effort is no different. “Eleanor and Park,” which is set in 1986, is a beautiful story of discovery and first love. (Go to www.celebrityextraonline.com/p/reviews.html to read my review of the book.)

One of my lucky readers will have a chance to win an autographed copy of this book, so you can fall in love for the first time all over again. Entering the contest is simple: Email me at letters@cindyelavsky.com and tell me which book(s) made you fall in love with reading. You can also send me a snail-mail letter — ATTN: Cindy Elavsky, KFWS, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Entries must be received by Aug. 31.

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