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.

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Q and A: Week of June 27

Leeza on Dancing with the Stars (credit ABC)

Q: I was wondering what one of my favorite TV hosts, Leeza Gibbons, has been up to lately. Is there a show on which I can catch this beautiful lady? — Paul G., via e-mail

A: Leeza, 54, recently married her beau of almost three years, Steven Fenton. The former longtime “Entertainment Tonight” host — who hosts the PBS show “My Generation” — will be back on daily TV this fall on the syndicated program, “America Now,” with Bill Rancic. On Sept. 12 she joins the half-hour daily news program, which will deliver short segments of timely information covering lifestyle topics like health, beauty, finance, family and home. Check your local listings as the premiere date gets closer, and check back here in mid-July to read my full interview with the gorgeous newlywed.

Q: I too am a longtime Don Johnson fan and would love to see him on the screen again — any screen. Since his pilot “Mann’s World” wasn’t picked up, do you know if he has anything else in the works? — Whitney A., via e-mail



A: If you haven’t already seen his turn on this past season’s “Eastbound & Down” as Kenny Powers’ father, Eduardo Sanchez, then you first and foremost must watch that. Then head over to Will Ferrell’s comedy website, funnyordie.com, and check out Don’s hilarious short, “Four Loko Vineyards.” Then you’ll need to wait a little while to see him in the thriller, “Vineyard Haven,” which is set for a spring 2012 release, where Don plays an eccentric writing professor who wedges himself between a couple in distress.

Q: I finally saw the Sylvester Stallone shoot-’em-up extravaganza, “The Expendables,” on DVD the other night. The movie was actually a lot of fun, and I was surprised to have enjoyed it so much. I also noticed that the ending left it open for a possible sequel. Could there be plans for one? — Jessica R., Hamilton, Ohio

A: You know it! The movie took in $266 million worldwide, so you can bet Sly and company want to cash in on this particular cash cow. All of the original “good guys” are rumored to be returning for the sequel, which is set for an August 2012 release. There’s no word yet on whether ex-California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to make another cameo (or perhaps a larger role this time?) in the sequel.

READERS: Thanks to all who entered Celebrity Extra’s summer of contests. Congrats to Steven S., Aaron B., Anthony S., Jennifer B. and Tiffany R., who each won an autographed CD of Rachel Fine’s debut CD, “Own Your Own.” Chris C., Frank G., David D., Alicia W., and Rita R. all won a copy of Barton Seaver’s cookbook, “For Cod and Country.” And last but not least, congrats to Kary S., who won the “True Blood” season three DVD set.

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