Q and A: Week of Jan. 14

Eden Sher, photo by Kate Romero

Q: I absolutely love “The Middle” and would like to know more about the talented actress who plays the daughter on the show. — Randy W., via e-mail

A: Twenty-one-year-old Eden Sher plays the middle child, Sue Heck, on the hilarious ABC comedy. Eden told me she’s known since she was a little girl that she wanted to be an actress: “It always felt natural, and I was just always performing. And then when I was 8 or 9 is when I finally convinced my mom to let me try it professionally. I would just see TV shows, and I was like, ’I can do that! I can do that better! Please let me try.’ Then when I was, like, 15, I thought, ’OK, this is not just something that I love to do, but I think I can actually make money doing this.’”

And what makes it even better is that her on-set family actually feels like family. Eden told me: “I love them. Like when we’re on hiatus, we still see each other. I always hang out with Charlie (McDermott), and I have lunch with Neil (Flynn). And I see Patty (Heaton) a lot. I don’t see Atticus (Shaffer) outside the set as much, but he doesn’t live in L.A. When we’re all working together, there aren’t words to express the immense feeling of gratitude that I feel on a daily basis. You just don’t get a work environment where you truly enjoy every person you work with.”

Q: I just saw Dean Cain play himself in a hilarious episode of “Don’t Trust the B—— in Apt. 23,” and I wondered if he’ll be a regular on a series again. — Janet W., Fresno, Calif.

A: Wasn't he great? That show makes me laugh out loud every episode, and I really wish more people were watching it. "Apt. 23" aside, Dean is set to begin production this month on the original VH1 series called “Bounce,” which also stars Taylour Page, Charlotte Ross, Kimberly Elise and Logan Browning. The series follows Ahsha (played by Taylour), a girl who joins the professional basketball dance team the Los Angeles Devil Girls, unaware of the treacherous and tempting world that follows. Dean plays Pete, the team’s coach. It most likely will air this spring.

Q: I remember you said that they were going to make a sequel to “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” Is that still happening? If so, when can I see it? —Freddie F., via e-mail

A: Mark your calendar, Freddie, because “Anchorman: The Legend Continues” will hit theaters on Dec. 20, 2013. This go ’round will star the Channel 4 news team from the original movie, and will add funny lady Kristen Wiig in a supporting role.

Q: Did Claire Danes have her baby yet? — Genie R., Boulder, Colo.

A: Claire and hubby Hugh Dancy welcomed a health baby boy, Cyrus Michael Christopher Dancy, on Dec. 17. And I have to say that I am slightly green with envy upon seeing Claire debut her absolutely smashing post-baby body at the Golden Globes (where she won for Best Actress in a Drama Series). So double congrats on your new bundle of joy and your Golden Globe!

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69th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations

Here are the nominees for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, announced Thursday in Beverly Hills, Calif. (which will be hosted by Ricky Gervais, pictured):

MOTION PICTURES

— Picture, Drama: "The Descendants," ''The Help," ''Hugo," ''The Ides of March," ''Moneyball," ''War Horse."

— Picture, Musical or Comedy: "50/50," ''The Artist," ''Bridesmaids," ''Midnight in Paris," ''My Week with Marilyn."

— Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Leonardo DiCaprio, "J. Edgar"; Michael Fassbender, "Shame"; Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March"; Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."

— Actress, Drama: Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"; Viola Davis, "The Help"; Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"; Tilda Swinton, "We Need to Talk About Kevin."

— Director: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; George Clooney, "The Ides of March"; Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"; Martin Scorsese, "Hugo."

— Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"; Brendan Gleeson, "The Guard"; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "50/50"; Ryan Gosling, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"; Owen Wilson, "Midnight in Paris."

— Actress, Musical or Comedy: Jodie Foster, "Carnage"; Charlize Theron, "Young Adult"; Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"; Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"; Kate Winslet, "Carnage."

— Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"; Albert Brooks, "Drive"; Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"; Viggo Mortensen, "A Dangerous Method"; Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."

— Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"; Jessica Chastain, "The Help"; Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"; Octavia Spencer, "The Help"; Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants."

— Foreign Language: "The Flowers of War," ''In the Land of Blood and Honey," ''The Kid with a Bike," ''A Separation," ''The Skin I Live In."

— Animated Film: "The Adventures of Tintin," ''Arthur Christmas," ''Cars 2," ''Puss in Boots," ''Rango."

— Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"; Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"; Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, "Moneyball."

— Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"; Abel Korzeniowski, "W.E."; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Howard Shore, "Hugo"; John Williams, "War Horse."

— Original Song: "Hello Hello" (music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin), "Gnomeo & Juliet"; "The Keeper" (music and lyrics by Chris Cornell), "Machine Gun Preacher"; "Lay Your Head Down" (music by Brian Byrne, lyrics by Glenn Close), "Albert Nobbs"; "The Living Proof" (music by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason Jr., lyrics by Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas), "The Help"; "Masterpiece" (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), "W.E."

TELEVISION

— Series, Drama: "American Horror Story," FX; "Boardwalk Empire," HBO; "Boss," Starz; "Game of Thrones," HBO; "Homeland," Showtime.

— Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"; Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"; Kelsey Grammer, "Boss"; Jeremy Irons, "The Borgias"; Damian Lewis, "Homeland."

— Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, "Homeland"; Mireille Enos, "The Killing"; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"; Madeleine Stowe, "Revenge"; Callie Thorne, "Necessary Roughness."

— Series, Musical or Comedy: "Enlightened," HBO; "Episodes," Showtime; "Glee," Fox; "Modern Family," ABC; "New Girl," Fox.

— Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, "Enlightened"; Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl"; Tina Fey, "30 Rock"; Laura Linney, "The Big C"; Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation."

— Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; David Duchovny, "Californication"; Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory"; Thomas Jane, "Hung"; Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes."

— Miniseries or Movie: "Cinema Verite," HBO; "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," PBS; "The Hour," BBC America; "Mildred Pierce," HBO; "Too Big to Fail," HBO.

— Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Romola Garai, "The Hour"; Diane Lane, "Cinema Verite"; Elizabeth McGovern, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," Emily Watson, "Appropriate Adult"; Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce."

— Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)"; Idris Elba, "Luther"; William Hurt, "Too Big to Fail"; Bill Nighy, "Page Eight (Masterpiece)"; Dominic West, "The Hour."

— Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story"; Kelly Macdonald, "Boardwalk Empire; Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)"; Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"; Evan Rachel Wood, "Mildred Pierce."

— Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"; Paul Giamatti, "Too Big to Fail"; Guy Pierce, "Mildred Pierce"; Tim Robbins, "Cinema Verite"; Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family."

Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 5

Ricky Gervais

Q: Now that Eddie Murphy is no longer hosting the Oscars, do you think he’ll host the Golden Globes? — Peggy G., via e-mail

A: That gig has gone to actor/comedian/writer/producer Ricky Gervais, who’s hosted the previous two Golden Globes ceremonies. Most of you know I wholeheartedly approve of this choice, as do many of the Hollywood royalty that Ricky teases. Liam Neeson has voiced his approval of Ricky, saying: “Hollywood needs a shake-up. He’ll be great.” Robert DeNiro showered Ricky with praise after last year’s controversial telecast, telling Ricky he’d be happy to set anyone straight who was offended. Johnny Depp guest-stars on Ricky’s new TV show, “Life’s Too Short,” poking fun of himself and Ricky in a hilarious sketch (Google it and see for yourself). The Golden Globes Awards telecast airs live Sunday, Jan. 15, on NBC.

Q: I really like “Grimm” on NBC. Can you tell me about the actress who plays the beautiful blond Reaper? — David S., via e-mail

A: Claire Coffee plays Reaper assassin Adalind Schade (who also happens to be a lawyer). Claire, 31, also is on TNT’s “Franklin and Bash,” playing Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s ex and James Van Der Beek’s current girlfriend. Claire and I joked about how she is living the fantasy of every girl who grew up watching James and Mark-Paul in the ’90s, including herself: “It’s too bad I didn’t get a job like this when I first came to town — or maybe it’s good thing, because I probably would have lost my mind.”

She’s thrilled about her role on “Grimm,” telling me: “I really wanted this one, because I’ve never gotten to play any sort of supernatural character before. I’ve never played an evil witch who has fight scenes and kills people. I got to put some new special skills on the resume through this job.”

Michael Cudlitz

Q: When is my favorite show, “Southland,” coming back to TNT? — Johnny C. in New Hampshire

A: You don’t have to wait much longer for the season four premiere on Jan. 17. This season will feature returning stars Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie, and will guest-star Lucy Liu. This season will also reunite Regina King with her “227″ co-star Marla Gibbs, who guest-stars as a family member of a suspect that Detective Lydia Adams (Regina) is investigating for murder.

Q: How is Demi Moore doing? Will she divorce Ashton Kutcher for his alleged infidelity? — Renee R., Clearwater, Fla.

A: Demi recently announced her decision to file for divorce from Ashton, stating: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”

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