Q and A: Week of Oct. 10

Q: I read in your column a few months back that Alicia Silverstone had given birth to a son, and it got me to thinking if she has plans to return to the big, or small, screen soon? — Darren F., Portland, Ore.

A: Alicia returns to her comedic roots with the help of Amy Heckerling, who also gave the beautiful actress her big break when she was chosen to portray Cher in the classic high-school comedy “Clueless.” With Amy writing and directing and Alicia starring, the new film “Vamps” is gearing up to bring to the new influx of vampire movies what “Clueless” brought to high-school-comedy movies.

“Vamps” centers on Alicia (“Goody”) and Krysten Ritter (“Stacy”) as they try to live as “good” vampires in New York City. “Vamps” also stars Sigourney Weaver and Malcolm McDowell, and should hit theaters some time next year.

Q: With the Emmy Awards a recent memory — and Jane Lynch doing a fabulous job hosting — I was wondering if you could tell me who will be the host for the next Academy Awards? — Deidre S., via e-mail

A: Actor/comedian Eddie Murphy, 50, has been selected to host the 84th annual Academy Awards. The ceremony, which is to be held Feb. 12, 2012, will mark the first time that the funnyman has hosted the show. His selection as the only host marks a return to the single-host format, which has gone by the wayside in recent years as the Academy opted for multiple hosts — some choices successful (Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin) and some not so successful (James Franco and Anne Hathaway). Eddie says he is “enormously honored” to be given hosting duties, and I’m excited to see what he has in store for viewers.

Q: I’m so glad that “The Mentalist” has returned for its fourth season, and I wanted to know when the previous season would be out on DVD. — Steven S., Akron, Ohio

A: Simon Baker and the rest of the crew have their work cut out for them this season, but now you can relive season three — which proved to be spellbinding and suspenseful in its own right — anytime you’d like at home, as Warner Home Video recently released it on DVD. “The Mentalist: The Complete Third Season” is a five-disc collection featuring all 24 episodes, plus two featurettes and some unaired scenes.

Q: I know you’re a fan of “Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura,” so you might be able to tell me: Will it be back for a third season? — Patrick L., via e-mail

A: I am thrilled to report that truTV recently announced that an eight-episode third season of “Conspiracy Theory” will air in 2012, with Jesse at the helm and June Sarpong at his right hand, along with newcomers Tyrel Ventura (Jesse’s son) and Sean Stone (Oliver Stone’s son). Like me, I’m sure you can’t wait to see a new season of myth-debunking, truth-seeking and Ventura-style entertainment.

Q: I really loved Ann-Marie Johnson on “In the Heat of the Night.” What can I see her in now, and is she married with children? — Virginia, C.

A: I can’t even begin to list Ann-Marie’s film and TV credits, as there are way too many of them, but I can tell you the first series I remember seeing her in was “Double Trouble” back in 1984. Since then, she has been featured in “Hill Street Blues,” “I’m Gonne Get You Sucka,” “In Living Color,” “Melrose Place,” “Ally McBeal,” “The X-Files,” “JAG,” “Pursuit of Happyness” and “NCIS.” Her most recent projects have been “Leverage” and “Fairly Legal.” Ann-Marie, 51, has been married to actor Martin Grey since 1996, and they have no children.

Q: I was watching an older movie called “Dracula III” with Rutger Hauer as Dracula, and I could have sworn the red-haired vampire also plays the assistant D.A. on “Law & Order: SVU.” Are they the same person? Also, was Mariska Hargitay, also of “SVU,” ever on the TV show “Freddy’s Nightmares”? — Kevin B., Edmore, Mich.

A: You are correct on both counts. Diane Neal did indeed play Elizabeth Blaine in the straight-to-video vampire movie “Dracula III,” starring alongside Rutger, Roy Schieder and Jason London. And back before Mariska was detective-extraordinaire Olivia Benson on “SVU,” she did indeed have a role in one of the “Freddy’s Nightmares” episodes, playing medical student Marsha, whom Freddy — played by the always-scary Robert Englund — harasses on Halloween, driving her to the brink of madness.

Q: The TV show “The Mentalist” shows Ashley Gable as producer. Is she a daughter or granddaughter of Clark Gable? — Juanita S., St. Clair Shores, Mich.

A: Ashley Gable, who recently took over as executive producer of the CBS crime drama, is not related to the iconic actor, known best for his role of Rhett Butler in “Gone With the Wind.” Clark had two children: a daughter with actress Loretta Young named Judy Lewis, who has a daughter named Maria, and a son with actress Kay Williams named John Clark Gable, who has a son named Clark James and daughter named Hayley. Ashley Gable — who, again, is no relation to Clark Gable — is a prolific writer and producer, working on such shows as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Crossing Jordan” and “The Mentalist,” to name just a few.

Q: Will the horror series “The Walking Dead” be back for another season? — Donna C., Warner, Okla.

A: AMC has rewarded “The Walking Dead” with a 13-episode second season (up from a six-episode first season), which is scheduled to begin Sunday, Oct. 16, at 9 p.m. ET. For those unfamiliar with the critically acclaimed series, it is based on the comic-book series of the same name and centers on a group of people who’ve survived a zombie apocalypse and are searching across America for a new, safe home away from all the killer zombies.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 8

CORRECTION: It was recently reported in this column (as well as many other entertainment columns) that Mariska Hargitay would be in only 13 episodes of this coming season’s “Law and Order: SVU.” Well, I am happy to amend that report with news from the Big Guy himself: Showrunner and executive producer Warren Leight contacted me to dispel the rumor. He told me: “Mariska will be in all 22 ‘SVU’ episodes this season. Rumor she is leaving at 13 just wrong.” With Christopher Meloni’s Detective Stabler leaving, it’s a relief to learn Mariska’s Detective Benson will be sticking around.

Q: It seems like every other year, there is a rumor that “Jurassic Park 4″ is going to made. But so far, no movie. Will it ever happen? — Paul G., Miami

A: All signs point to “yes.” Producer/director Steven Spielberg told a crowd of enthusiastic sci-fi fans at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con fan convention that there will be another “Jurassic Park,” and it might be only two to three years away. Steven said that he has a story and a screenwriter ready to go for the fourth movie of the dinosaur-clone series, and Steven himself will serve as producer.

Q: I really love MTV’s new teen comedy, “Awkward.” The actor who plays Matty looks really familiar. Can you tell me what else I might have seen him in recently? — Cara D., via e-mail

A: Beau Mirchoff, 21, plays Matty, the nice-guy jock with a heart — and it appears he also has a thing for our heroine, Jenna. You might remember Beau from “Heartland,” or from his turn as Drea de Matteo’s son on “Desperate Housewives.”

Of his year on “DH,” Beau told me: “I learned so much from all the people on that set. They are pros, and they know what they’re doing. I learned a lot from Jeffrey Nordling, who played my father, and Drea de Matteo, who was my mother. I had a big crush on Drea. I hope it didn’t read on camera. That would have been creepy.”

Playing a teen on “Awkward.” has Beau remembering his own awkward time in high school: “Everything seems like such a dire situation. Like it’s the last time you’ll be able to do something. Or it’s the end of the world if you can’t go out with that girl. But it’s really not, and it’s so insignificant looking back. But you’re growing up and you’re figuring things out.”

Q: I was so sad to hear about the passing of singer Amy Winehouse. Do authorities know what caused her death? — Grant D., via e-mail

A: Toxicology reports will probably take weeks to get back, so it might be a while before we know what killed the troubled songstress, who was only 27 when she passed away on July 23. Amy had publicly battled addiction, but police say there were no signs of drug or paraphernalia in her home at the time of her death.

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Q and A: Week of July 18

Q: I keep reading about there being a remake of “Red Dawn” in the works (with no release date in sight), and I wondered how stars of the original 1984 version felt about this? I have my doubts they’ll be able to pull it off — the original is such a cult classic. — Brandi R., Erie, Pa.

A: I spoke with Lea Thompson, who played Erica in the original movie, and she also is a little iffy about the remake.

“I have my doubts, clearly,” she said, “because they haven’t released it yet although it’s supposedly been done for ages. I’ll be really interested to see it. One of the really amazing things about the original ‘Red Dawn’ is that there were no special effects in terms of computer-generated effects. Everything that happened really happened, which makes it more of a visceral nightmare. Sometimes some things left to the imagination are actually more haunting.”

You can catch Lea starting July 30 in Hallmark Movie Channel’s “The Cabin,” where she plays a single mom who brings her kids to Scotland for fun and games, and for her, a little unexpected romance. She also stars in ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth,” and is featured in December’s Oscar contender “J. Edgar,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Lucas, Judi Dench and Naomi Watts.

Q: I can’t believe Chris Meloni left “Law and Order: SVU”! Who will they get to replace him? — Anna F., Fresno, Calif.

A: “Cold Case” alum Danny Pino is set to fill Detective Stabler’s absence. As “SVU” enters its 13th season, Mariska Hargitay has opted for a reduced role, having signed on for only the first 13 episodes of the new season. So, to help fill that void, actress Kelli Giddish (“Chase” and “Past Life”) has been cast as a new detective as well.

Q: I love "Thw Twilight Saga" and wondered, are there are plans to bring Stephenie Meyers’ sci-fi novel, “The Host,” to the big screen? — Selena F., via e-mail

A: Open Road films announced that the big-screen adaptation of Stephenie’s apocalyptic book will be released March 29, 2013. The movie stars Saoirse Ronan (“The Lovely Bones” and “Atonement”) as Melanie Stryder, and it is scheduled to begin shooting this February in Louisiana and New Mexico.

Q: Who is going to be the new boss on “The Office”? — Janie P., via e-mail

A: James Spader is all set to pick up where Steve Carell left off. This got me to thinking: Who would be a perfect foil to play James’ wife? None other than Beth Littleford. I asked Beth what she thought of the idea, and she is on board, stating: “I’d love to play his wife. I’ve had a thing for James Spader for 25-plus years. Blame ‘Tuff Turf’ (and also Steff, the sexy, arrogant yuppie from “Pretty in Pink”). Then again, I’d happily play Dwight Schrute’s wife, Stanley Hudson’s wife or Phyllis Vance’s life partner.”

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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.

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INTERVIEW: Jaclyn Smith Talks SVU

I caught up with Jaclyn Smith recently to discuss her new wig and hairpiece line (paulayoung.com/style-by-jaclyn-smith — more on that later this week!), and I asked her about her role in tonight's Law & Order: SVU.

What can you tell me about the episode and your part in it?

I sort of want my part in it to be a surprise, but it was good to get back into [doing some acting]. I had worked with Dick Wolf on Christine Cromwell many years ago, and I am a fan of the Law and Order shows. It was great to get back onto a show that I love watching. Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni were so wonderful to work with. They’ve been doing this for 11 years now, and they've got it down — boy, they know what they’re doing!


It was such a challenging role for me, because it’s different from my demeanor. But once you get through a challenge, you feel so much stronger and better, and you’re glad you got out there and did it. I’d been turning some things down, and I’d been out of town a lot, and I just couldn’t seem to work in things that had been offered to me. It was my first time in a while that I got out to do something that I am used to doing, but there had been some time [between acting jobs], so it was a little scary. But once I got there, I felt right at home. It was really fulfilling for me.


I think you’ll be surprised when you see it. It’s an unusual character for me. But it was fun, it was really fun.

Catch Jaclyn, along with Ann-Margret, Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton on Law & Order: SVU on NBC tonight at 10/9c. Go here for a sneak preview: www.nbc.com/Law_and_Order_Special_Victims_Unit/video/sneak-peek-of-bedtime/1212109/

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