Q and A: Week of March 11

Eric McCormack

Q: One of my favorite actors is Eric McCormack. I loved him in “Will and Grace,” and I really love his new show, “Perception.” Can I see him in anything else while I wait for “Perception” to return? — Giovanni W., via e-mail

A: The multifaceted actor can next be seen on the Lifetime Original Movie “Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story,” which airs Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It’s inspired by the true story of a handsome young college student who became the prime suspect in the shocking murder of his father and disfigurement of his mother in a savage ax attack. Eric portrays Detective Joe Sullivan, the lead investigator on the case, who goes on a mission to prove Chris’ guilt.

In “Perception” news, Scott Wolf, of “Party of Five” and “V” fame, has signed on to be a recurring character as an assistant U.S. attorney. He has a hidden agenda that involves his soon-to-be ex-wife, Kate, played by Rachel Leigh Cook. Look for 13 new episodes of “Perception” to begin airing this summer.

Q: I am absolutely gutted by the ending of season three of “Downton Abbey,” and I can’t wait for season four. Can you recommend anything for me in the meantime? — Jen S. in California

A: Well, if you’re looking for another high-quality period piece to take your mind of the heartbreaking fate of Matthew Crawley, then may I recommend another Masterpiece series? “Mr. Selfridge,” which premieres March 31, stars Jeremy Piven as a wheeling, dealing, womanizing American who teaches early-1900s Londoners how to shop. The eight-part series centers on the real-life story of the flamboyant and visionary founder of the London department store Selfridge’s.

Q: What has “Lost” star Josh Holloway been up to? Will he be on another series soon? — Nora S., Savannah, Ga.

A: Josh was cast as the lead in a pilot for CBS called “Intelligence.” The action takes place at U.S. Cyber Command, and focuses on a unit that has been created around one agent (Gabriel Black, played by Josh) with a very special gift: A microchip has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Josh also co-stars in the dramatic thriller “Paranoia,” which also stars Harrison Ford, Liam Hemsworth and Gary Oldman. It will be released in October. Also, in January 2014, look for Josh in the Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie “Ten,” which also stars Sam Worthington and Joe Manganiello.

Q: My husband and I recently watched a new series called “Do No Harm” on NBC; however, we haven’t been able to find it on the TV schedule. Has it been canceled? — Laura K., via e-mail

A: The medical drama, which premiered Feb. 1, was indeed canceled after two episodes. “Do No Harm” was the lowest-rated, in-season broadcast scripted series debut in modern history. The second episode declined even further, sealing the show’s fate.

Kevin Sorbo

Q: Kevin Sorbo has always been one of my favorite actors, ever since “Hercules.” I loved seeing him earlier this season on “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23.” What has been up to since? Any chance we’ll see him in a comedy again soon? — Sherri P., via e-mail

A: On March 23 at 8/7c, you can catch Kevin in the Hallmark Movie Channel’s “Shadow on the Mesa,” which also stars Wes Brown (“Deception”), Gail O’Grady (“NYPD Blue”) and Meredith Baxter (“Family Ties”). The movie takes place in the Old West, and Kevin plays rancher Ray Eastman, who is trying to protect his property from a land grab by a corrupt neighbor.

I asked Kevin if he’d like to do another comedy, and he told me: “I would love to. I’ve done a lot of guest spots ‘Dharma and Greg,’ ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘Just Shoot Me’ … all those different things. I did have my own sitcom back in 2005. It was a half-hour comedy called ‘Bobby Cannon,’ where I played an end-of-the-year quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

“It tested No. 1 for ABC, but then the then-president of ABC decided not to pick it up. To this day we are shocked. There’s no doubt in my mind we’d be in our eighth season right now. Oh well … welcome to the business of Hollywood.” Read my full interview with this charming and talented man here.

Q: Isn’t it about time for a new “Dancing With the Stars”? — Gina W., Columbus, Ohio

A: It sure is, Gina. And this year has your usual crop of actors, singers and athletes, all of whom are ready to heat up the dance floor beginning Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. EDT with a two-hour premiere. The 16th season of the hit dancing-competition show stars country singer Wynonna Judd, gymnast Aly Raisman, skater Dorothy Hamill, boxer Victor Ortiz, football player Jacoby Jones, reality star Lisa Vanderpump, country singer Kellie Pickler, comedian D.L. Hugley, comedian Andy Dick, soap-opera star Ingo Rademacher and Disney star Zendaya Coleman. **This just in: "Bachelor" star Sean Lowe will also be competing for the coveted disco-ball trophy.**

Q: Has CBS canceled “Vegas”? Visually and stylistically, it’s different from the usual cop programs on TV, and it’s a joy to watch. — Marcia A. in New York

A: While CBS hasn’t canceled the Dennis Quaid/Michael Chiklis drama as of this writing, things aren’t looking good for it. The ratings aren’t as high as CBS expects from its dramas, especially one that’s so expensive to produce, and CBS downgraded its episode order from 22 to 21. “Vegas” returns with new episodes on Tuesday, March 19, after a month-long hiatus.

Q: Did you ever find out if “The Witches of East End” is going to be a regular series on Lifetime? — Callie D., via e-mail

A: Lifetime recently announced that it did indeed pick up “Witches” for a 10-episode run to launch later this year. The drama stars Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Rachel Boston. As soon as I get a firm date, I’ll let you know.

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Q and A: Week of Sept. 19

Q: One of my all-time favorite comedies is "Will and Grace," and I especially love Eric McCormack on that show. Can you tell me what he’s got coming up? I’d love to see him in something, whether on the big screen or small. — David D., via e-mail

A: TNT recently announced that Eric would be starring in its new original series "Perception," about an eccentric neuroscientist (Dr. Daniel Pierce, played by Eric) who helps solve complex criminal cases. The show also stars Rachael Leigh Cook and Kelly Rowan (“The O.C.”). The series will be 10 episodes long and will join the network’s lineup in summer 2012.

This isn’t Eric’s first foray into drama, by far, as he also starred in "The Andromeda Strain," "Who Is Clark Rockefeller?" and "Lonesome Dove," to name just a few. Also, if you happen to subscribe to Netflix or HuluPlus, you must check out his 2004 three-episode guest-starring appearance on "Dead Like Me" (which you can rent or stream) to see a side of Eric you’ve probably never seen before.

Q: Can you tell when/if "Californication" will return for another season? — John D., Columbus, Ohio

A: The David Duchovny-starring dark comedy will be back for its fifth season on Showtime beginning Jan. 8, 2012. This season will see author Hank Moody (David) even more popular (and richer) than ever after his biopic is released. Rob Lowe reprises his role as Eddie Nero, as does Madeleine Martin as Becca and Natascha McElhone as Karen. Also, Marcy and Stu continue their relationship, even though she is pregnant with ex-husband Charlie’s baby. And don’t think Ben (and his daughter Pearl) are out of the picture: The season opens with Karen, Ben, Becca and Pearl on a cross-country RV road trip.

Q: I love Joseph Fiennes and think he is absolutely superb as Merlin in "Camelot." Will he and the show be back for a second season? — Sally T., via e-mail

A: I am sorry to report that Starz has decided not to continue with the "Camelot" series, citing production difficulties. Starz released this statement to somewhat explain its position: "Due to significant production challenges, Starz has decided not to exercise the option for subsequent seasons of ‘Camelot’ with our production partners GK-tv, Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions." This certainly comes as a surprise to many viewers, considering the premiere of "Camelot" garnered the highest ratings ever for an original series on Starz, and continued to pull in high numbers for an original cable series.

Q: Why isn’t "30 Rock" on NBC’s fall schedule? I didn’t hear anything about it being canceled! — Janet F. in Florida

A: Don’t worry, Janet! "30 Rock" will be back for its sixth season at the beginning of 2012. NBC decided to postpone its premiere, mainly because of Tina Fey’s pregnancy and also to give a jump-start to some of its freshman comedies.

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Eric McCormack Returns to TV

(Press Release)

Eric McCormack (Will and Grace, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?) has signed up to play the lead role in TNT’s Perception (working title), a dramatic pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller (Smallville, Legend of the Seeker) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager). This marks McCormack’s third project with TNT after previously starring in the 2009 series Trust Me and co-producing the 2007 pilot Imperfect Union. He will also act as a producer on Perception.

Perception centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. With an intimate knowledge of human behavior and a masterful understanding of the mind, this quirky, crime-solving professor pulls lessons from an odd and imaginative view of the world. Biller and Sussman penned the pilot, which is produced for TNT by ABC Studios.

“Eric McCormack is an intelligent, intuitive and versatile actor who is adept at both comedy and drama,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We’re very excited to work with him again and can’t wait to see what he brings to the fascinating character of Dr. Geoffrey Pierce.”

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