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 July 9

Q: Was there, or will there be, a 98 Degrees reunion this summer? — Dawn D., Canton, Ohio

A: While the former bandmates would love to perform together again, it ain’t happening just yet. I spoke with Jeff Timmons recently, and he told me: “There was a tour set up for the summer, but not everybody was on board with it in the end. I was very excited to do it, but it just didn’t fit what everybody wanted to do, so we called it off. We decided when it’s a better opportunity for everyone, we’d decide collectively as a group that we’ll do it then.”


In the meantime, Jeff is heating up the already-hot Vegas scene with his new show, “Wired,” which is free at Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino. Performing Fridays and Saturdays all summer, Jeff describes it as “the party before the party. You drink, have a good time, listen to us perform classic and current R&B, pop, my stuff, 98 Degrees stuff, and then go out to the club and hear a DJ spin it afterward.”


Jeff promises surprise guests who will sing with him, but you’ll have to come out there to see who. “That’s part of the element of surprise. Who’s going to be there next? We have a couple of people who we know are coming in July when they’re going to be in town, but most of it’s going to be spontaneous.”


Check back later this week to read my entire interview with Jeff.

Q: I keep hearing rumors about a “Dumb and Dumber” sequel with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Is this true? — Greg F., via e-mail

A: Jim and Jeff were all set to start filming the purposely grammatically incorrect “Dumb and Dumber To” this September, when Jim bowed out due to conflicts with New Line and Warner Brothers studios. “Entertainment Tonight” reported that Jim “grew increasingly frustrated by New Line and Warner Brothers, which he felt showed a lack of enthusiasm regarding the project.” When asked if the project would go on without Jim, Jeff replied: “No, nobody’s doing it without Jim.”

Q: Will there be another “Mad Max” sequel? — Jeremy T., Springfield, Mo.

A: After a two-year delay, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are prepping to film “Mad Max: Fury Road” this summer. Charlize even shaved her golden locks into a buzzcut for her character, Furiosa, opposite Tom’s Max (aka The Road Warrior).

Q: A while back, you mentioned a sitcom by Vince Vaughn that would be on TBS. Has that aired yet? — Daniel F., via e-mail

A: “Sullivan and Son,” which was executive-produced by Vince, premieres Thursday, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TBS. The show centers on Steve Sullivan, a successful attorney from New York, who brings his girlfriend for a visit as his father and mother are preparing to sell the family bar to retire. Steve realizes he wants to return to the old neighborhood and take over Sullivan and Son.

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Q and A: Week of July 9

Q: I am so excited that Lifetime Television’s “Drop Dead Diva” is back for another season. Can you give me any teasers on what to expect? — Kimberly T., St. Louis

A: Well, first off, you can expect guest stars a-plenty: Cybill Shepherd, Natasha Henstridge, Vivica Fox, Leelee Sobieski and more. Also, “Diva” star Kate Levering (pictured, left), who plays rival lawyer Kim Kaswell, dished a little with me and let me know that Kim gets a new love interest. Kate says: “We’ll see some of the fallout with her last relationship last season with Grayson, and she’ll enter into a new relationship that creates some scandal. That storyline for me has been really cool. And there will be more interesting, quirky court cases and great dream sequences with really exciting talent.”

Q: I read somewhere that a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” is in the works. Is that true? — Daniel F., via e-mail

A: Director Sam Raimi of “Spider-Man” fame is in contention to direct the “Oz” prequel, which is called “Oz: The Great and Powerful.” As of this writing, Disney had not confirmed the news, as they are still in the negotiation stage. Robert Downey Jr. has been linked to the lead role. Sam himself is a very busy man — he has dozens of films in production, either as a writer, director and/or producer. He is producing and writing “Evil Dead IV,” producing “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” directing “No Man’s Land” and many others. 

Q: I know you’re a big fan of “Dancing With the Stars,” so I was wondering who you’d like to see compete on the show. — Renee, B., via e-mail

A: Thank you for asking! I think former 98 Degrees singer Jeff Timmons would do very well — and get a lot of the ladies’ votes! And funnyman cutie-pie David Blue of “Ugly Betty” and “Stargate Universe” fame would do very well, especially given his musical theater background.


I spoke with “DWTS” judge Carrie Ann Inaba in June (as she was helping to bring awareness to Cat Adoption Month), and she told me one of her dream guests: “I would love to see Lindsay Lohan come on our show. I think it would be a really good opportunity for her to sort of turn her life around, as she’s been going through some hard times. She is a talented young actress, and she’s a very sexy girl. I’m very curious to see that — I think she’d do very well on our show.”

Q: Since her departure from “NCIS,” I haven’t heard anything from Sasha Alexander. What’s she up to? — Art U., Johnson City, Tenn.

A: Since leaving “NCIS,” Sasha, 37, has appeared the feature films “Yes Man,” “Love Happens” and “He’s Just Not That Into You,” as well as many guest spots on various TV series. She is currently wrapping production on the film “Coming and Going,” which should be released later this year. Beginning July 12, she can be seen with Angie Harmon in the TNT original program called “Rizzoli and Isles,” which airs on Mondays at 10/9c.

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