Q and A: Week of Aug. 26

Q: I think I’ve finally dealt with the death of Matthew Crawley on “Downton Abbey” and am now eager for more upstairs/downstairs drama. Can you tell me when new episodes will begin airing? — Frannie P., via e-mail

A: Series four of “Downton Abbey,” which pick up in winter 1922, is scheduled to premiere Jan. 4, 2014, on PBS. Michelle Dockery, who plays the newly widowed Mary, assured fans at the Television Critics Association panel this year that as far as she knows, no other major characters are set to exit this season (referring to last season’s deaths of Matthew and Lady Sybil).

Michelle told the TCA panel: “As much as I think it was sad to see Dan (Stevens, who played Matthew) go, it opens up an opportunity for Julian (Fellowes, “Downton Abbey’s creator and head writer) to take the character in all new directions. The fourth (season) is about recovery. She’s starting a new life. There are various suitors who are being thrown in her direction. But she’s very reluctant to go through with any of it because she can’t stop thinking about Matthew.”

Q: I thought Jay Leno was going to retire and hand “The Tonight Show” reins over to Jimmy Fallon. Is that ever going to happen? — Brendan W., Spokane, Wash.

A: NBC officially announced that Jay Leno’s last day will be Feb. 6, 2014, with his staff of 170 getting paid through September as part of the agreement. Jimmy Fallon will take over hosting duties on Feb. 24, after the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. “The Tonight Show” will relocate to New York City from Los Angeles for Jimmy’s tenure as host. Seth Meyers — writer, comedian and “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” — will take over Jimmy’s position at “The Late Show.”

Q: Is it true that Lea Michele and Kate Hudson of “Glee” do not get along off-screen? — Bridget L., via e-mail

A: Chalk that rumor up to good acting — just because their characters didn’t get along doesn’t mean the actresses behind the characters don’t. In fact, Kate offered up her Los Angeles home to Lea so she could hide out for a few weeks after the death of her beau, Cory Monteith.

In other “Glee” news, NeNe Leakes is set to return for multiple episodes this season as Coach Roz. This makes me happy, because even though I love Coach Sylvester, there is always room for the hilarious Roz.

Q: I loved Showtime’s series “The Borgias” and was so bummed when it was canceled without a resolution. Any chance it’ll come back as a movie or something to wrap things up? — Jerry T., Montgomery, Ala.

A: The Jeremy Irons-starring period drama, which ended its third season this past June, has gotten a wrap-up — in e-book form. Mid-August saw the release of “The Borgia Apocalypse,” a book based on the intended two-hour series finale that never came to fruition.

Read more

Q and A: Week of Aug. 22

Max Irons

Q: Last night I rented ‘Red Riding Hood’ and noticed one of the stars is Max Irons. Any relation to Jeremy Irons? — Hillary G., via e-mail

A: Max Irons, 25, is the son of Academy Award-winning English actor Jeremy Irons. Next up, Max is set to star as the title character in the feature film ‘Vivaldi,’ along with Alfred Molina, Elle Fanning and Tom Wilkinson. It is due for release in 2013.

Q: I have been hearing rumors that ‘Desperate Housewives’ has been canceled. Is that true? I hope not, as it’s my favorite show! — Emmy R., via e-mail

A: ‘Desperate Housewives’ has not been canceled; however, creator Marc Cherry recently announced that this upcoming eighth season will be the show’s last. While the news was bittersweet for everyone involved, cast and crew agree that the time has come to wrap things up on Wisteria Lane. Marc teased at ABC’s Television Critics Association party last month that this final season will return to the basics and revisit the mystery that launched the show: Mary Alice’s death. Teri Hatcher and company will return on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m. EDT.

Leeza Gibbons

Q: I was so happy to read in your column that Leeza Gibbons would be returning to daily syndicated television in ‘America Now.’ What made her decide to return to the daily grind? — Rita E., Omaha, Neb.

A: Leeza, 54, has never been one to rest on her laurels. In fact, she prides herself on remaining busy, be it with her PBS weekly show ‘My Generation,’ her work with the Home Shopping Network and Guthy-Renker on her Sheer Cover beauty-product empire, or her tireless work as an advocate for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Regarding her signing on with ‘America Now,’ which premieres Monday, Sept. 12 (check your local listings for time), Leeza told me: ‘I’m so excited, because this is a real change of pace for me going back to daily television. I’m crazy about Bill Rancic (her co-host), and we’re very excited about working together on this.

“I’ve already hit the ground running and started looking at some segments that I want to make my own, including interviewing leaders and newsmakers and celebrities about success and living without limits. There’s also consumer news, lifestyle and fitness, and things for children — we’re going to tackle all of it."

Check back later this week for my entire interview with Leeza where we talk about her new show, her recent marriage, her Sheer Cover line, and Leeza's Place, her nonprofit organization for caregivers of people with memory disorders.

Q: With all the talk of Amy Winehouse’s recent death, the death of football great Bubba Smith was overlooked. Can you give me any information on him? – Harold T. in Florida

A: Charles Aaron ‘Bubba’ Smith passed away on Aug. 3 of apparent natural causes (as of this writing, the final coroner’s report had not been released). The former defensive end for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers — who some consider even more famous for his work as Moses Hightower in the ‘Police Academy’ films — was 66 at the time of his passing.

Read more

Q and A: Week of March 7

Q: I would like to know what my all-time favorite actress, the beautiful Jane Seymour, is doing nowadays. — Leann R., via e-mail

A: If you are in the New York area, you can see the beautiful Brit in the flesh on March 26. She will have a booth at Artexpo New York, where she’ll be presenting her “Waves” theme. I spoke with Jane about her artwork, and she is always excited to share her love of art with her fans, especially her new theme, “Waves.”


“Life is kind of like a wave,” Seymour said. “You are on this body of water: You are moving forward, you go to school, you study, and you become the kind of person that you are going to be, and then at some point, this body of water has this moment of crescendo. The wave crashes. There are highs and lows in life, a lot like the wave. When it reaches a high, it continues to move. Like in life, moments don’t stay. They’re just part of a big cycle.”


Ms. Seymour also can be seen on the big screen in “Love, Wedding, Marriage” with James Brolin, Mandy Moore and Kellan Lutz, as well as on the small screen in “Castle” (at the end of March). Regarding her “Castle” episode, Jane said: “It was really fun to do. It was just a couple of scenes but really fun — it’s a fun little character.”

Q: I absolutely loved Jeremy Irons’ guest-starring appearance on “Law and Order: SVU.” Any chance he’ll return? — Kylie F., Baton Rouge, La.



A: Your wish (and mine) has been granted. Jeremy has been tapped to return to “SVU” as Dr. Cap Jackson, where he’ll help Benson and Stabler with a case. In this case, a piano teacher (played against type by “V”‘s Elizabeth Mitchell) is suspected of sexually assaulting and murdering one of her students. The episode is scheduled to air March 30.

Q: When is “Damages” coming back, and on what station? — C.H., via e-mail

A: “Damages,” which originated on FX, has been picked up for two more seasons by DirecTV to air on the 101 Network (like the beloved “Friday Night Lights”). The legal drama starring Glenn Close, Ted Danson and Rose Byrne is set to return for season four in July 2011.

Q: “Fame” is one of my favorite shows. Are there any plans for it to be shown again on any of the many networks that now exist? — Jerry D., Ocean City, Md.

A: You’re in luck! Starting March 21, Ovation television (check your local cable/satellite provider for channel number) will be airing a “Fame”-athon, featuring 48 episodes of the landmark dance and music drama. Viewers also can win some cool prizes for watching. Register at www.ovationtv.com/Fame.” Then watch every night for two secret clues from each episode, and enter them on the website. The sweepstakes runs from March 21 to April 1.

Read more

Q and A: Week of Feb. 21

Q: I watched Season 1 of the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” starring Steve Buscemi. It is the best new series since “The Sopranos.” Is there a second season in the works? — Lisa C., Port Charlotte, Fla.

A: “Boardwalk Empire” was renewed for a second season by HBO just two days after the show’s record-setting premiere in September. Even if that hadn’t happened, the numerous accolades the freshman series has been given — including Golden Globes for Best Dramatic Series and Best Dramatic Actor for Steve Buscemi (pictured) — would have guaranteed its renewal. Look for it this fall.

Q: When will the new season of “Nurse Jackie” start airing? I really miss getting my Edie Falco fix. — Grace R., via e-mail



A: It’s not long now, Grace. Edie and gang will be back when “Nurse Jackie” has its Season 3 premiere March 28 on Showtime. In other Showtime news, “Californication” has been renewed for a fifth season, “The Real L Word” will return in the summer, and Jeremy Irons (!) comes to Showtime in the new series “The Borgias,” beginning Sunday, April 3, at 9 p.m. Jeremy stars in this epic period drama as Rodrigo Borgia, the manipulative patriarch of the Borgia family who ascends to the highest circles of power in Renaissance-era Italy. By the looks of it, Showtime is really giving HBO a run for its money in the original-series department, wouldn’t you say?

Q: I keep hearing rumors that “Dallas” is going to be remade for television. Is that true, and if so, what can you tell me about it? — Kyra L., Tacoma, Wash.

A: This time, the rumor mill is correct. TNT has optioned a pilot for “Dallas,” which will center on the new generation — J.R. Ewing’s son, John Ross, and the adopted son of Bobby and Pam Ewing, Christopher — as they clash over the future of the family dynasty. Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray are all signed on to reprise their previous roles — J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen, respectively. Jordana Brewster (“Fast and Furious”) and Josh Henderson (“Desperate Housewives”) also are set to star. As of this writing, it is not known exactly when the series will premiere, but I have my fingers crossed for fall 2011.

Q: I think “The Whole Truth” is a great program, but it has not been on the air for a few months. The banter between Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney is fast-paced with a hint of something electrical going on between them. Please tell me this show will be on the air again soon. — Louise G., via e-mail

A: I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but “The Whole Truth” was pulled from ABC’s schedule in December, with no plans to air the remaining seven episodes. Perhaps ABC will release Season 1 on DVD, with 13 episodes of the show included, but you never know these days.

Read more