Q and A: Week of Jan. 12

READERS: It’s time for a CONTEST. Supernatural-mystery writer Victoria Laurie — who just so happens to be my favorite author of this particular genre — has been kind enough to autograph TWO copies of her latest book, “When,” for TWO of my lucky readers. Laurie is the author of the Psychic Eye series, as well as the Ghoul Hunter series, and she has just written an entirely new book (which I hope becomes a series) for her young-adult audience. But young adult doesn’t mean it’s a kiddie book.

“When” is told from the point of view of Maddie, a high school student who, when she looks at someone, sees a series of digits floating just above his or her brow, with the digits representing the date that person will die. She and her mom, struggling to make ends meet, use her talent to make extra money. Things get scary when a woman comes to ask about her sick daughter. While Maddie has good news about her daughter — she’ll get better and live a long life — the woman’s middle son is a another story. His deathdate is within days, he soon goes missing, and the FBI thinks Maddie is involved.

To enter to win an autographed copy of this book — which hits store shelves tomorrow, Jan. 13 — just answer this question: If Maddie could tell you your deathdate, would you want to know? There are four ways to enter (and you can do all four): Send a letter to Cindy Elavsky, KFWS, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; email letters@cindyelavsky.com; follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/Celebrity_Extra) and tweet your reply to me; and follow my FB fan page and post your answer there.

Q: I thought I had read a while back that a movie about the life of Whitney Houston was going to be made. Is that still happening? — Freesia L., via email

A: It is indeed, and Lifetime is the station that will bring the story of the life of the critically acclaimed songstress whose life was tragically cut short in February 2012. Angela Bassett makes her directorial debut with the Lifetime Original Movie “Whitney,” featuring Yaya DaCosta (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler”) in the lead role, with Arlen Escarpeta (“Final Destination 5”) alongside her as Bobby Brown. The much-anticipated world premiere will be on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. “Whitney” chronicles the headline-making relationship between the iconic singer, actress, producer, and model Whitney Houston and singer and songwriter Bobby Brown, from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity to their courtship and tumultuous marriage. Throughout it all, difficulties followed the superstar couple while they dealt with the overwhelming rewards and consequences of the fame and fortune created by Houston’s meteoric rise, which would soon overshadow them both.

Q: Is it true the J.K. Rowling’s latest book series is going to be turned into a movie? — Hal R., Albany, NY

A: Not a movie, Hal, but a series. BBC announced last month that they are going to adapt Rowling’s Cormoran Strike novels into a series, beginning with the first book, “The Cuckoo’s Calling.” Rowling will collaborate on the project in conjunction with BBC and Brontë Film and TV. Brontë Film and TV is also producing Rowling’s “The Casual Vacancy” adaptation, a three-part series that will air on BBC One in this February. There’s no word yet when either series will be available in the U.S., but I’m hoping they’ve worked out some sort of deal with PBS (or another station), where we get to see it here across the Pond a few months later that the Brits.

Q: When will “The Walking Dead” return from winter hiatus? I am going through serious withdrawals here! — Larry E., Orlando, Fla.

A: You’ll have to wait just a little bit longer, Larry. Season five continues on Feb. 8 on AMC. Series star Andrew Lincoln told “TV Guide” that this half of the season contains two episodes that are probably his favorite since the pilot episode. Sounds great to me!

Chris Pratt as Johnny Karate

Q: Can you tell me when “Parks and Recreation” will be back? I thought it had one more season. — Daniel G., via email

A: “Parks and Rec” will be back for a 13-episode seventh (and final) season tomorrow, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. ET. The season begins in the year 2017, with the town of Pawnee not quite the same as when we left it in 2014. Chris Pratt’s fun-loving and dim-witted character of Andy stars in a Johnny Karate TV show (see pic on left); Leslie and Ben have toddler triplets; and Tom is a mogul of some sort. Jon Hamm, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Megan Mullally and Natalie Morales will all pop up during the show’s final season.

Q: I keep hearing great things about the FX series “Fargo,” but I don’t have cable. Is it out on DVD, or is there another way I can watch it? — Frannie D., Springfield, Ill.

A: Season one of this wonderful FX drama/suspense series — which just won the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television — stars Billy Bob Thornton (who also won for Best Actor), Colin Hanks, Allison Tolman and Martin Freeman, and is now available on DVD. And Hulu recently announced that it has acquired the streaming rights for the series. No exact date has been announced, only that we should be on the lookout for it ahead of the series’ season two premiere this fall on FX.

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Interview: Eric Winter Explores His New Powers

As most of you “Witchees” already know, “The Witches of East End” returns for its second season on Lifetime this Sunday, July 6 at 9/8c. I spoke with series star Eric Winter, who plays Dash Gardiner, about what to expect this season from the show, and his character specifically. At the very end of the first season, Dash’s and his brother Killian’s warlock powers (which they never even knew they had) returned to them in full force when their mother died. The second season should be very interesting as the brothers hone and develop their magical powers.

Celebrity Extra: First off, congratulations to you on your second-season renewal. I can’t wait to see what the show has in store for us.

Eric Winter: Thank you! It’s so rare nowadays, it seems, to get a second season, with all of the other great shows that are out there. Everybody was happy to get back to work. We have a great group of cast and crew, so it was nice to get back and see everybody.

CE: How was the return to work after the hiatus? Did you all just pick back up where you left off?

EW: Yeah, we all just got right back on that bike. We all really like each other, and it’s a pretty smooth ride for the most part. Everybody was just happy to see each other, to reconnect, and it was good to dive into some new material.

CE: Along with the new material, you’ve got some new cast members.

EW: There are a couple of cast additions, which are good changes, but for me in particular, there is a massive change in character for Dash. I thought that my brother and I were very underused last year. And this year we are being used in a way that’s going to expand the cast we have and really propel the story. You’re going to get a nice, well-rounded cast and interaction of story lines now. For me personally, it’s a much more exciting role to play than last year. Dash really does a 180.

CE: Another thing I am excited for this second season is 13 episodes, up from 10 from season one.

EW: That was a nice little bonus. A little something to expand on some stories and dive into more stuff, and they give us a little longer to tell it. So that was actually perfect.

CE: Now that you and Killian are aware of your warlock powers, that should be fun for you guys to play — it’s not just the ladies having all the fun.

EW: That’s a huge bonus for us, that we have a lot more to play with and a lot more to explore. That’s been a major positive, as far as I’m concerned, when it comes to playing this character. I also think it added another level to our involvement, because now we are in the know with everything that is going on. Last year, we were definitely way out of the loop with what was taking place. And now we are in on the secret. It adds to the dynamics.

CE: Last we saw Dash and Killian, Dash had left Killian for dead and set him adrift on his boat. How’s Killian going to feel about that?

EW: That’s one of the things that will have to play out for the audience to see how that unfolds. But, if it were me, I’d be angry.

CE: Dash is definitely not in control of his powers yet. Will we see him practicing and exploring?

EW: His entire life, Dash didn’t know he had these powers, so now he’s in this new stage of exploration and trying to figure out how to harness the power. How do you control it and how do you access it? It’s much like what Freya went through last year.

CE: Tell me about the addition of Ingrid and Freya’s brother, Frederick Beauchamp (played by Christian Cooke).

EW: He definitely brings a nice, strong, edgy, young energy to the show, which is great, especially for the Beauchamp family. There’s a bit of tension between him and Aunt Wendy, and he’s also trying to form a relationship with his sisters. It definitely adds a nice layer to that family dynamic — having that male energy thrown in there out of nowhere, when they didn’t even know it existed.

CE: This season’s tag line is “Darkness Is Rising.” Talk to me about that. Sounds a lot like Dash to me.

EW: A big part of that darkness is, for sure, Dash, and that rise of power and what he’s ultimately trying to go after. It also encompasses his rivalry with his brother and everything else. There are obviously other issues that are going to be problems for the Beauchamp family that will continue to come out, and that has to do with the darkness as well. That tag line in general speaks to a danger that’s going to be within East End, but also within the Beauchamp family.

CE: Can you give me a little teaser about what viewers can expect this season?

EW: You are going to see a much darker and edgier show than last year. It will have a darker tone to it. Even the risks they take are going to be stronger and bolder, which I think the viewers will like. There’s a lot more conflict and danger than last year. Last year it took awhile for a lot of that stuff to play out. This year you’re going to see it happen much more often.

CE: Everything you said about this season makes me very happy.

EW: I’m glad you like it. It’s a fun show. I really think that the true fans of the show are going to enjoy the second season much more. That’s one thing that I can honestly say. Sometimes first seasons can be so good, but then the quality of the show goes down; they run out of ideas. But I think our story has only gotten better. It will please our current fans, and I think it is strong enough to draw in new fans. I think you will be very pleased. We’re back with guns blazing.

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Interview: Sharon Lawrence on the Dangers of "Thinspiration"

Sharon Lawrence — who’s known for her roles on “Drop Dead Diva,” “One Tree Hill,” “Rizzoli and Isles” and “NYPD Blue,” to name a scant few — tackles a heavy subject in her latest movie. In “Starving in Suburbia” — which premieres on Lifetime this Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT — Sharon plays therapist Dr. Klein, who tries to help Hannah Warner (played by Laura Slade Wiggins) with her deadly eating disorder. And if you think you’ve “been there, done that” when it comes to your knowledge of eating disorders and their subsequent movies, think again.

“Starving in Suburbia” follows Hannah, a high school junior and accomplished dancer who stumbles upon a “Thinspiration” website, and is convinced by an anorexic website user named “Butterfly” to lose 20 pounds in 20 days so she can be “thin, happy, free and perfect.” Hannah spirals into a dark cultlike world, becoming destructive to herself, her family, her education and eventually, her life. I spoke with Sharon recently about this very important, and still very prevalent problem among young people today.

Celebrity Extra: Of course, the subject matter of this film is very important. Along with that, what were some of the reasons you accepted the role of Dr. Klein?

Sharon Lawrence: When they offered this to me, I was in the middle of shooting Chris Carter’s pilot for Amazon called “The After.” It was a big thing for me to agree to do this film, although it was only a few days out of my schedule, but it was on my days off. Part of the reason I was willing to do this was when I heard that Laura Slade Wiggins was going to star in it. I had never worked with writer/director Tara Miele before, but my friend Daphne Zuniga was really impressed with her, and the rest of the cast is filled with quality actors, so I knew I had to do it.

After I sat down and watched the completed film, it’s very indie-like, almost European in its voyeurism, and the music selection and the pace — all of those things are just engrossing. When I sat down and watched the completed movie, I was just so engrossed in the story. I am very proud of it.

CE: Your career field, as well as our culture in general, puts such pressure on appearance and the need to be thin and perfect. How do you feel the movie handles that?

SL: Our culture continues to put those pressures on all of us. One of the things that I was so impressed with when I first read the script is that Tara has pulled no punches. She analyzed all of the influences: It’s fathers and mothers who have to watch out for signs. It is clearly the media that puts on these pressures — that’s no surprise there. But also it’s the families — whose intentions, I’m sure, are good in terms of achievement — who have to recognize what sort of a mind can be susceptible to this.

CE: The film certainly raises a lot of questions.

SL: Isn’t that great? And the problem is, we don’t have any answers. You can ask questions all you want, but what is the answer? Hannah’s journey throughout the film makes that clear; she will always be struggling. She’s identified what the problem really is. She now knows. But the problem is not accepting herself. And that’s a daily journey. It doesn’t go away without constant care. I really appreciate Dr. Klein’s understanding of that, and she says as much when she confronts Hannah. It’s so easy for Hannah just to think that all she is, is messed up. But she comes to realize that’s not all she is, and when you realize that, the balance comes back into your life.

CE: One of the things I liked about this movie is that it didn’t place all the blame on the mom — the father was just as culpable in the pressure he put on his son to make his wrestling weight class and to be a successful wrestler, to be a winner.

SL: I think it’s so hard as a man to understand that success is not the only way to happiness. Hannah has that competitive drive — that drive was part of what pushed her toward her eating disorder. She’s competing with herself to lose the weight; she’s competing with other people in the chat room to see who’s on top with this warped sense of achievement. Our culture is so competitive.

I loved Paula Newsome’s portrayal of the dance teacher. I’m a dancer, originally, and I’ve seen how in the years since I started dancing how different that culture has become. Now young gals are competing all the time with their dancing. We danced because we loved it. It gave us a great sense of physical self-possession and grace, and if I had been good at math or athletics, I’m sure my parents would have supported that too. But now the whole young dance world is competition. There’s a fine line between helping push young people toward their potential, giving them good habits toward achievement, expectation and discipline, and then understanding when something has become out of balance. In the film, I find the teacher’s assessment of that to be very encouraging.

Sharon Lawrence as Dr. Klein
Photo courtesy Lifetime Television

CE: How did you all prepare yourselves for the movie?

SL: Tara talked with us a lot about the therapy scenes because she spent a lot of time in a clinic doing research. What she said about that experience sticks with me: Through the whole time she was there, the main impression she came back with were the words ‘living death.’ People are living with death all the time with different diseases, but that this one is self-inflicted, it’s one of the things that’s just so hard to get your head around. Food is  ubiquitous; we have to have it. It’s not like heroin. As tragic as heroin is, you don’t have to be exposed to heroin, but we do have to deal with food. You have to deal with learning what control really does mean in your life, and how that gets out of control.

CE: This film also explores the fact that eating disorders don’t just affect women.

SL: Exactly. This film features anorexia in men, but I’m shooting another film right now (called “Perception”), and the only reason I said yes to this one is because of what I learned from Tara. It’s about body dysmorphic disorder in men and all those guys who are on steroids. They develop their own dysmorphia because they still see themselves as skinny wimps. It happens to them. They are killing themselves with steroids.

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Interview: Whoopi Goldberg on A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Academy Award-, Golden Globe-, Tony-, Grammy Award- and Emmy-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg chats it up daily with Barbara Walters, Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy on “The View.” And recently I had the chance to chat it up with this accomplished and multitalented woman about her latest project, Lifetime Television’s original movie “A Day Late and a Dollar Short,” based on the book by bestselling author Terry McMillan (of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” fame). The movie, which also stars Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Anika Noni Rose and many more, premieres Saturday, April 19 at 8/7c. Whoopi plays matriarch Viola Price, a woman who learns that her next asthma attack likely will kill her, so she is determined to fix her fractured family before she leaves this world.

Whoopi told me they didn’t have to ask her twice to play the part of Viola, revealing: “The executive producer called me and said, ‘I have this property, and I would like you to do it.’ So I asked, ‘What is it?’ and he said, ‘It’s by Terry McMillan —’ and I said, ‘I’m in.’ He didn’t even need to tell me the name of the piece. Then I read it and I thought, ‘OK, this will be fun.’ And the caution in this tale is, ‘You’d better pay attention to your life, because you never know when it’s going to go away from you.’”

In Whoopi’s words, Viola is a bit of a “drama queen” who was a lot of fun to play: “She was fun. There were a lot of scenes where she should not have been so sassy, but she was. Oh, she was.”

For Whoopi, one of the film’s main through-lines is that when you find out you’re dying, like Viola does, you start to think about the things you haven’t had the chance to do. “There’s nothing like a time frame to make you get your crap together,” she told me. “And your dreams — everybody has dreams. Sometimes people get hardened because they don’t get to live their dream.”

While some of the movie’s subject matter may have been not so fun, the mood on the set was the opposite. And, according to Whoopi, the entire cast was a pleasure to work with. “Everyone was wonderful. You know, it’s like it was a party, the biggest party. When you have this opportunity, which you don’t get very often, you just have a good time. It was nice to spend some time with Mekhi Phifer because I love his work. It was about seeing old friends and making new ones.”

As for a cast reunion on “The View,” Whoopi is all for it, as are the producers of the hit daytime talk show. Whoopi told me: “We’re going to try to get the whole cast. This was something that ‘The View’ asked for, which I thought was kind of nifty. It’ll be a nice reunion.”

Aside from making another guest appearance on “Glee” this spring, Whoopi isn’t spending her downtime from “The View” being idle. She’s got lots of projects coming up, including feature films like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Big Stone Gap” and “Christmas Parole in August.” And, as she told me: “Hopefully I’ll get to do a horror movie this year. I’ve got a couple of things coming down the pike.”

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Q and A: Week of Nov. 18

Q: A few months back, you ran an interview about Scott Wolf, and it got me to wondering what his fellow “Party of Five” alum Lacey Chabert is up to now. — Janet L., Minneapolis

A: Lacey, who played the second youngest of the Salinger children on the hit ’90s nighttime drama, stars in the Lifetime Movie Network original movie “Non-Stop,” which premieres Friday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Lacey plays an executive assistant on a nighttime flight to Zurich who strikes up a romantic encounter with a handsome stranger seated next to her. When she later wakes from a nap, she finds that her bag with her ID, cellphone and laptop are missing — as is the mysterious stranger.

Lacey told me she was delighted to play a different character from what her fans are used to seeing: “My character is at a point in her life when she’s gone through a very devastating breakup. She’s really searching for clarity and just trying to find an anchor in her life again. And there is also this mysterious side about her job, and throughout the story, you start to find out what that is.”

“I really could empathize with her. I’ve certainly had times in my life where I felt a little lost — I could relate to that part of the character. But there was a lot about her that I hadn’t seen in characters I’ve played before. I like that she’s in a situation where things are completely out of control, and she’s starting to feel like she’s going completely insane. At the same time, she has to be the sanest character in the film because she’s driving the story. It was definitely a challenge.”

Come back next week to read my entire interview with Lacey, where we talk about “Non-Stop,” future projects, and the possibility of a “Mean Girls” reunion.

Q: Will “The Client List” return for another season, especially now that Jennifer Love Hewitt is pregnant? — Nina L., via email

A: Lifetime has officially canceled the racy nighttime drama after two seasons. Word has it that Jennifer and the execs were at a standoff over how to handle her real-life pregnancy within the show’s story line.

Q: I recently caught the encore airing of History’s “The Bible” miniseries, and it made me wonder if there will be more new episodes of the series. — Jackie W., via email

A: NBC recently acquired the rights for the sequel to “The Bible,” called “A.D.: Beyond the Bible,” currently in development. There also is a two-hour theatrical version of the miniseries in the works focusing on the life of Jesus through his Resurrection. The film, called “Son of God,” premieres Feb. 29, 2014.

Q: Is Drew Barrymore expecting again? Didn’t she just have a baby? — DeeDee P. in Georgia

A: Drew did indeed give birth to daughter Olive in September 2012, stating at the time that she wanted another baby, and soon. She got her wish, as Drew is now pregnant with baby No. 2, and is due late spring/early summer 2014.

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Interview: Catherine Bell Is Making Magic

After finishing up seven seasons of one of Lifetime Television’s highest rated, most critically acclaimed nighttime dramas, “Army Wives,” Catherine Bell isn’t resting on her laurels. She’s back in the salt mines, reprising her role of Cassie Nightingale in the sixth installment of the Hallmark Channel’s “The Good Witch” series. In “The Good Witch’s Destiny,” which premieres Saturday, Oct. 26, at 9/8c, Cassie just wants to celebrate her upcoming birthday with family and friends, but a curse involving the Grey Lady (one of Cassie’s ancestors) threatens to ruin the day — and possibly more. I spoke with Catherine recently about the movie, and she gave me all the witchy scoop.

Celebrity Extra: When you first were approached to do the “The Good Witch” series, what was your initial reaction, and what tilted the scales in favor of taking the role?

Catherine Bell: It’s funny — I have been playing characters who are really different from “The Good Witch.” And when I saw the script, I thought, “Well, this character is more like me than any other character I’ve ever played.” So, that was appealing. And I thought it was funny that I was just offered the role; I didn’t have to audition for it, but I’d never played a role like it. Orly Adelson, one of the producers, had heard from a casting director that my personality is actually like this character. I thought it was sort of a risk to take. I mean, I’ve played kind of the tough girl on “J.A.G.” and an army wife, and so this is very different, but I love it.

CE: You say that you are a lot like Cassie; what are some similarities between you two, and what do you like about her?

CB: She’s just got a great sense of humor and a great enthusiasm, and just enjoys people and makes people happy. Those are all things I can certainly relate to. I find people interesting, and try to find the best in them or bring out the best.

CE: Cassie is very likable and seems like a really fun character to play.

CB: She’s very whimsical. Very rarely does anything get her down. Maybe for a moment, but then she finds a way to turn it around. She has such a great, positive spirit. That inspires me in real life to have fun. It’s like, OK, I’m feeling a little down. Maybe I could be a little bit more like Cassie. It’s a really fun role to step into. Every time I come back (to shoot another installment in the series), I put on the clothes and the dark nail polish, and I step right back into Cassie, and start making or turning anything into something good or fun.



CE: What I like about the series is that while each movie is a continuation of the previous movie, the individual movies also stand on their own, so anyone can enjoy them. Can you tell me about this latest offering, “The Good Witch’s Destiny”?

CB: Cassie’s birthday is coming up, and she wants all of her family and friends to get together, but some problems are brewing. Gwen, the grandfather’s wife, her son comes into town, and he’s trouble. There’s someone that is always trouble in this movie, you know, and he’s kind of creating some problems for them. Then Cassie’s stepdaughter, Lori, finds out about the Grey Lady. She’s a woman who looks a lot like Cassie — she’s actually one of her ancestors who brought her to this small town. She lived a hundred years ago, and she died in a mysterious way. There are all these parallels in her life and in my character’s life, and all of these weird things are happening that are kind of lining up a little too much like the Grey Lady.

And like you said, each movie kind of stands alone. So, in this one there’s a problem that’s brewing that might ruin her birthday celebration, and she’s got to figure out a way to bring everyone together. She’s got to make some magic happen.

(L to R) Hannah Endicott-Douglas, Matthew Knight, Catherine Bell,
Chris Potter, Peter MacNeill, Libby Lennie

CE: What message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from watching this movie?

CB: Entertainment can either be shocking, or it can make you think, or it can sort of make you question your purpose in life, or it can just either make you laugh or cry. This is one that makes you feel good. It makes you feel good about people and about family and relationships and life. That should be the purpose for me doing these, and for people watching — I hope that’s what they get out of them.

CE: It must make you feel good to be the purveyor of this feel-good karma!

CB: It’s crazy — of all the things I’ve done, I would say that I get equal, if not more, recognition for this role. If I’m at an airport or out somewhere, someone will walk up and say, “Oh my God, it’s a good witch!” I was on “Army Wives” and “J.A.G.” for a long time, so I find that really sweet and really endearing when I get some Cassie love. People love this show, and that makes me feel good. I don’t think there are a lot of shows on television you can watch that aren’t shocking, that aren’t dark or horrible, that you can watch with your kids, that they can get some sort of lesson out of it or have a good time. Me being a mom, that is important to me as well.

CE: You’re in Canada now filming the seventh “Good Witch” movie, correct?

CB: I am. I was in Toronto for the weekend, and I’m driving back to Hamilton, which is where we film. I’m back on set tomorrow for the last four days of shooting.

CE: Have you filmed the whole series up there in Hamilton?

CB: Yes, we’ve done all of them up here in this area just outside Toronto called Hamilton. There’s a cute little town called Dundas. It’s like a 100-year-old little town that has a cute main street where the shops are. Cassie’s original house was like a Victorian kind of haunted house that we found up here. We’ve been here with almost all the same crew — a lot of the same people, the same cast. The kids are the same, the grandparents and my hubby (played by Chris Potter) are all the same people. It’s a really great group. It actually feels like family. I’m back with the family and here we are doing another one. It’s fun. I really enjoy it.

CE: Does that mean you’d be on board for even more “Good Witch” movies if Hallmark comes a-callin’?

CB: I’m sure I would. They seem to just keep going, don’t they? And they’re always fun. I really enjoy playing this part. It’s a nice refreshing change.

CE: But that’s not to say you don’t enjoy your share of daring and shocking shows as well, right?

CB: Yeah, absolutely. I’m just catching up now on season three of “Breaking Bad,” and I love those shows as well. There is a time and a place for everything, I guess. But Hallmark is just that feel-good channel. Like you watch it and you think, “Oh yeah, it’s not so bad. Life is good.” Now a lot of people tell me that this is their guilty pleasure, that they’ll just sometimes stay in bed all day on a Sunday and watch “The Good Witch” marathon. It’s kind of nice. It’s just light and it’s refreshing. So, that certainly makes me feel good.

(L to R) Wendy Davis, Brooke Shields, Elle McLemore, Torrey DeVitto, ALyssa Diaz, Ashanti, Kelli Williams and Catherine Bell

CE: What else do you have in the pipeline?

CB: I’m looking at new options. “Army Wives” just finished up after seven seasons. We’re all done. I wish I would have known we weren’t coming back (for an eighth season), because I’m sure our writers would have wrapped up the show a little more definitively. We had some great story lines that were left hanging.

So, as soon as I get back from Canada, I’ve got meetings. I’m looking at new shows and new possibilities, which is kind of exciting. We’ll see which way the future goes, but I’m excited. I’m looking forward to something new and totally different.

CE: Lifetime is planning a two-hour retrospective “Army Wives” special with cast members, which is scheduled to air early next year. Do you know how you’ll be involved with that, or is it too early yet to know?

CB: I’m actually not sure. None of that has been worked out. I don’t know exactly what Lifetime has in mind or what’s happening there or how much of that I’ll be a part. It would be nice.

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Interview: Julie Benz Is Kick-Ass

Julie Benz

Julie Benz is known for the variety of roles she’s played — from the sweet and unsuspecting Rita on “Dexter” to the lesbian stripper who turns Katherine’s head on “Desperate Housewives” to a tough and determined mayor in the near-future apocalyptic city-state of “Defiance.” But this weekend on Lifetime Television, Julie plays a tough New York City detective who will stop at nothing to save her daughter in the original movie “Taken: The Search for Sophie Parker” (premieres Saturday, Sept. 21 and re-airs throughout the weekend; check your local listings).

I spoke with Julie recently, and she was excited to tell me about this new sort of role for her, and she also spilled a few secrets about season two of her hit Syfy drama “Defiance.”

Celebrity Extra: Tell me about your character, Stevie.

Julie Benz: Stevie is a very tough NYPD detective. She’s a widow, and she will do anything for her daughter. When Sophie gets kidnapped (in Russia) and is sold into sex slavery, Stevie jumps into action to rescue her. Stevie’s husband was also a cop and had died in the line of duty. She’s put her life on hold to raise her daughter so she wouldn’t feel the absence of a parent.

CE: Aside from getting to play a kick-ass NYC cop, what else about the script and Stevie made you want to be a part of this project?

JB: There are a couple of things that I really loved about the script when I read it. One was that it was a woman in power versus a woman in peril. It really appeals to me. At this point in my career, I try to find very strong female characters to play. It’s very important to me to make a conscious decision about that.

And then obviously the subject matter is important. I don’t think you can be a woman and not be affected somehow emotionally by the idea of human sex trafficking and violence against women. And this movie deals with both of those issues. It’s just something that as a woman I’m very emotionally connected to, and felt that it was a good story to tell.

CE: It seems like it’s only been in recent years that the public has really been made aware of what a catastrophic problem human trafficking has become.

JB: The sad fact is that thousands of girls go missing every year. I’m sure hundreds of thousands of girls go missing every year. A large part of them are sold into sex slavery or either beaten or drugged or they are held captive and they can’t get away. And it goes on in the United States as well; it goes on all over the world, including our own country. I have some statistics in front of me: $23 billion is generated annually from human trafficking, with $15.5 billion made in industrialized nations, including the U.S. It’s the fastest growing crime worldwide. It’s the third largest crime worldwide behind drug trading and arms dealing.

CE: Was the filming demanding on you, whether physically or emotionally?

JB: It’s overwhelming to look at those statistics. It’s a harsh reality. Part of what I loved about playing in the film was you see Stevie’s strengths of being able to jump into action and not let anybody get in her way or slow her down. It’s kind of a fantasy of what I think we would all hope we would do if we were put in the situation. Physically, it was a lot of running around. I love that stuff though. I love action movies. I love playing very strong women. It feeds into my competitive nature and my athleticism.

CE: How were the cast and crew to work with?

JB: We had such a great group. I feel so blessed. We all became so close because we were on location in Bulgaria filming. A lot of the actors came out of England. We had so much fun filming. You have to have a certain amount of fun in between shots and a certain amount of levity to take away the darkness of the subject. We all were very supportive of each other through the whole process.

Julie Benz and her "Braid of Justice" in Defiance

CE: So how is season two of “Defiance” going so far, and what can you tell me about what to expect this coming season?

JB: It’s going really great. Season two is really intense. I can just say — the great thing about doing a science-fiction-genre show is that you have the ability to reset the world anytime you want. The great thing about what happened with “Defiance” in the finale is we basically hit the reset button, so we start season two in a whole different place. Every character is in a different place from where they were during season one. Creatively it is so much fun to play characters who can grow and change exponentially each season, and that is what you are going to see in season two of “Defiance.” It’s a much darker “Defiance” this season, especially my character.

CE: You must tell me: Will the “Braid of Justice” return in season two?

JB: (Laughs) Everyone loves that side braid. You know that I was nervous about the braid. I’ll be completely honest about the braid: The braid was inspired by Katniss of “The Hunger Games.” I’m a little lazy when it comes to wanting to be in hair and makeup. I didn’t want to have to sit in hair and makeup for long, so I thought, “If I wear my hair in a braid, then I don’t have to.” So, that’s where the braid came from. I didn’t realize it was going to be so popular. I don’t know if we’ll see the “Braid of Justice” this season. Amanda’s look has changed, as well as the world of Defiance. As we left season one, the Earth Republic was moving in. So, the world of Defiance has changed, and with that, so does the look of the show. We do see a much darker Amanda this season. She’s having a very hard time. Her ex-husband was killed during season one; she lost her job, which that is truly how she defined herself; and her sister has gone missing. She’s really in a bad place when season two opens.

CE: A lot of fans love and remember you for “turning Katherine’s head” on “Desperate Housewives.” Tell me about your time on that show.

JB: When people ask me what my favorite role has been so far, that is one of the standouts for me. I was a huge fan of “Desperate Housewives” from its inception and never thought in a million years that I would ever be a part of the mythology of the show. I was so shocked when they called and asked me if I would play Robin. I had so much fun with her. I got offered the role literally the day after the “Dexter” season four finale aired. It was a great place for me to go and kind of heal from that. Rita was the furthest thing away from Robin. I got to go into something completely opposite and work with a group of women who inspired me over the years, who I’d admired for so long, and admired their work for so long.

I geeked out on set, running up and down Wisteria Lane my first day, freaking out that I was there. I had moments where I would forget I was actually shooting, and instead I would be watching the rest of the cast, and I would forget that it was my line next. I’d be like: “Oh my goodness. I’m just sitting on my couch watching you guys on TV in my head. This is so surreal for me to be here.” It really was a very welcoming and warm place for me to go and to do something completely different from what I had been doing. I had a blast.

CE: I love to hear stories about stars “geeking out” when they meet other stars who they love and look up to.

JB: My Sunday night for years was to sit down and watch” Desperate Housewives.” I just couldn’t believe it when I was cast. The women (in the cast) and everyone (on the crew) were just so wonderful and so welcoming. It was amazing to see their work ethic and how committed they were to their work, and the tremendous amount of thought and detail that each actress put into her character. It just blew me away.

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Interview — Rebecca Wisocky: From Fairy Queen to Ice Queen

Since its debut in June, each week “Devious Maids” — Lifetime Television’s original Sunday-night drama created and written by Marc Cherry, of “Desperate Housewives” fame — has seen a steady and record-breaking increase in viewers, myself being one of them. While I love all of the characters, I can’t get enough of Evelyn Powell, played by the exquisite Rebecca Wisocky. Her scenes with Thomas Irwin — who plays her husband, Adrian — are heartbreaking and breathtaking. And the rest of the cast ain’t so bad, either! I was thrilled to speak with Rebecca recently, and we talked all things “Devious” — and also a bit about her previous stint on another favorite of mine, “True Blood.”

Celebrity Extra: When you first read the script and got the call to audition, what made you want to be part of “Devious Maids,” and especially to play the delicious part of Evelyn?

Rebecca Wisocky: Everything. I respect Marc as a storyteller and as a writer a great deal. I know Evelyn is the kind of character that he excels at writing, and it’s just so, so juicy and delicious to play. I had just played a small part in a flashback in the final scene of “Desperate Housewives,” and had such a great time. I couldn’t imagine my good fortune that he chose me to do this. But it also felt like the perfect fit, to be honest. I’ve played a lot of bitches, and I try to lend some complexity and vulnerability to them when I can — and this was that, and so much more. It’s the kind of woman that I find desperately interesting.

CE: This might be impossible to answer, but what is your favorite thing about being on “Devious Maids”?

RW: Oh, I can’t choose one. I can give you a long list of things, but I really can’t choose just one. I love my primary scene partner, Tom Irwin — just in love with him. Love the whole cast. Love Marc Cherry. I love Evelyn. She’s allowed to be flawed and dangerous and vulnerable and wickedly funny and blind and still be likable. And I love her clothes. I love shooting in Atlanta. I’m having a blast.

CE: The revelation about their son who was killed as a child is riveting, and has me glued to my TV watching them deal with their still-raw emotions. What else about Evelyn and Adrian’s relationship is so compelling for the audience?

RW: Well, they’re sick and twisted, and the stakes are very, very high and very dark. But I think there’s something about that relationship that people can relate to. They’re in it together, for better or for worse. I’m hearing that a lot, and I’m very pleasantly surprised and interested in how much people seem to be feeling for Evelyn and rooting for her. Because let’s not forget she’s an evil bitch. She does and says things that are morally reprehensible. Yet Marc has allowed us to show this side of her in which she’s this very vulnerable, complex woman who’s endured a tremendous amount of pain. And I think it’s interesting to play on that. This is not a person you are supposed to like, and yet I think the way that she’s been painted in the places I’ve been allowed to go with her have made her a little bit likable. And that’s nice for me. I play bitches a lot, so it’s nice to play one who people love.





CE: You have to give me just a teensy bit of info on what fans can expect as the first season of “Devious Maids” draws to a close.

RW: I will say this: You’ve seen a lot of Evelyn and her story line lately, but for the next few episodes, she takes a little break. But for the final two episodes (airing Sept. 15 and 22), she comes back in full force, and a lot of things come to a head between her and Adrian. I will say that the season opened with a great big, chaotic, glamorous party at the Powell house, of which there are many. And the season also closes with a big, gorgeous, chaotic party at the Powell house — and similarly dramatic things transpire.

CE: Can you tell me how any of this will segue into season two?

RW: I’m not sure it’s there to know yet. I’m sure Marc has a lot of ideas, and I imagine that I’ll hear some of them soon. From my perspective, whatever he writes for me is going to be gold. I think he has a love for this character, and I’m very grateful for that. Whatever direction he decides to take this character in, I’m on board. I’m excited to see what happens with other people, too. By the end of the season, the question “Who killed Flora?” will be answered. But 10 more questions will rear their heads in its place — pretty significant questions. There are a lot of things in the balance.

CE: You have a devoted fan base on Twitter who call themselves the Devious Army. How great is it that they support your show and the actors in this way?

RW: That’s truly a testament to the fans who have come together for the show. There was an article — I think it might have been a blog on the Huffington Post — but it really draws attention to the fact that we’re live-tweeting and having this interaction with the fans of the show, and how it has really increased viewership. Our numbers have grown considerably since our premiere. I’m grateful and really tickled by all of the response that’s been so enthusiastic and so kind. I’m genuinely surprised, delighted and really touched that people love Evelyn.

CE: Another show that has a crazy-devoted fan base is “True Blood,” and a couple of seasons back, you got to play the cool part of the fairy queen, Mab. Tell me about that experience.

RW: It was so much fun. I mean, first of all, I’m a big geek for prosthetics and things like that. The makeup team over there on “True Blood” are such artists. I loved the process of being transformed into a gorgon. I loved it. We shot out in the high desert, and we’re running around like “Land of the Lost” extras. It was fun. I was bummed because I don’t think the fans really rallied around that story line, but I loved playing that character. Everyone on the set and in that crew and in that company was super nice to me.

CE: Your resume is so diverse: comedy, drama, film, TV and plays. Do you like mixing it up like that to keep you on your toes, or do you prefer one genre to another?

RW: I love all of it. I’m a character actor; I really genuinely feel very, very lucky to be working. I would love to do another play soon. That’s been a while. I’d love to do more movies. But again, I feel grateful. I feel like the right thing has kind of come to me at the right time. I feel that I’ve been allowed to play a wide range of characters, which is not always the case in Hollywood. As long as some of that continues, I’m pretty happy.

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Q and A: Week of Sept. 2

Rebecca Wisocky as Evelyn Powell on Lifetime's Devious Maids

Q: I am obsessed with Lifetime’s “Devious Maids.” Such a great cast and wonderful story lines that I am just devouring. Please tell me the show will be back for another season! — Nina W., Van Nuys, Calif.

A: I am also obsessed with the show, so I am happy to report that Lifetime has renewed “Devious Maids” — the network’s fastest-growing drama ever — for an even more devious second season. The Marc Cherry/Eva Longoria-produced mystery/comedy/serial drama, inspired by the hit telenovela “Ellas Son la Alegria del Hogar,” will have a 13-episode second season in 2014. And along those lines, read on:

Q: So far, my favorite new show of 2013 is “Devious Maids.” Can you give me any clues as to what to expect for the rest of the season, especially for my favorite character, Evelyn Powell? — Kimberly T., St. Louis, Mo.

A: You’re not alone, Kimberly. The Lifetime network show is breaking records and taking names; since its debut in June, each week has seen a steady increase in viewers, myself being one of them. And I also can’t get enough of Evelyn Powell, and especially her scenes with husband Adrian. That’s due in no small part to the fabulous writing and the breathtaking acting by Rebecca Wisocky and Thomas Irwin.

I spoke with Rebecca recently about all things “Maids” (and a little about her stint on another fave of mine, “True Blood”) and she had lots to say. About what to expect for the season finale: “A lot of things come to a head between her and Adrian. I will say that the season opens with a great big chaotic, glamorous party at the Powell house, of which there are many. And the season also closes with a big, large, gorgeous, chaotic party at the Powell house. And equally dramatic things transpire.

“There are a lot of things going on; by the end of the season, the question, ‘Who killed Flora?’ will be answered. But 10 more questions will rear their heads in its place. And pretty significant questions, actually. There are a lot of things in the balance.”

As for Evelyn’s future in season two, Rebecca is content to leave everything in Marc Cherry’s very capable hands: “I’m sure Marc probably has a lot of ideas. I imagine that I’ll hear some of them soon. And from my perspective, whatever he writes for me is going to be gold. I think he has a love for this character, and I’m very grateful for that. Whatever direction he decides to go, I’m on board.”

Check back tomorrow for my FULL interview with Rebecca.

Q: Is it true that Courteney Cox is dating her on-screen love, Josh Hopkins, in real life? — Janie P., via e-mail

A: The 49-year-old star of “Cougar Town” — which has been renewed by TBS for a fifth season — IS dating one of her co-stars, however, it isn’t Josh. Courteney and Brian Van Holt (who plays her ex-husband, Bobby) are the real-life couple. In fact, they recently vacationed with Courteney’s daughter (with ex-husband David Arquette), Coco, in Cancun, Mexico. They had to cut their vacation short, however, when Courteney fell and broke her wrist, leading them all to head back to the States so she could be treated by her own physician.

Q: I read somewhere that “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” starring Jon Hamm and Daniel Radcliffe, has been renewed for a second season, however, I am not sure where to find the first season. The show looks incredibly interesting, so I’d like to get caught up. — Patrick S., via e-mail

A: You’re in luck, Patrick, because Ovation has acquired the first season of “The Young Doctor’s Notebook,” and will begin airing it in October. Based on Russian writer and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov's book, “A Young Doctor's Notebook” is a darkly humorous account of the turbulent experiences of a newly graduated young doctor (Daniel Radcliffe), artfully told through the eyes of his older, opiate-addicted self (Jon Hamm). The young doctor lands a post at a small hospital in a remote village during the Russian Revolution, where the patients, staff and extreme medical maladies cause him to doubt his own competence.

Q: I loved John Stamos on “Glee,” and wondered where else I can see him now that his run on that show is done. — Patty R., Omaha, Neb.

A: The 50-year-old actor/musician/singer/songwriter co-stars as Connor McClane on USA’s “Necessary Roughness,” which just wrapped its third season at the end of August. He also stars in the Yahoo! Screen (screen.yahoo.com) original show “Losing It with John Stamos.” From executive producers Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me”) and John Stamos, the show takes a hilarious look back at celebrities’ first times. With the help of some artistic re-imagining, viewers learn that the entertainers we know and love lived the same awkward, embarrassing years we all did. Featured guests include Michael Ian Black, Alan Cumming, Olivia Munn, Michael Rapaport, Bob Saget, Matt Stone, Casey Wilson and more.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 19

Q: Can you tell me what Mary McCormack has been doing since “In Plain Sight” ended? — Paula S., via e-mail

A: You can catch Mary now in the independent film “Escape from Polygamy,” which premieres Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. Beginning Oct. 3, Mary returns to series television in the new NBC single-camera comedy “Welcome to the Family,” which also stars Mike O’Malley (“Glee”), Ella Rae Peck (“Deception”) and Ricardo Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”). “Family” gets a prime spot, airing after NBC comedy mainstay “Parks and Rec,” hopefully helping to fill the void that “The Office” has left in the network’s Thursday night comedy block.

Q: A while back you mentioned “Witches of East End” was going to be a series on Lifetime, and I wondered if you had any more information on it? I loved the book, so I am curious about the series. — Annette D. in Connecticut

A: Lifetime recently announced a premiere date for its newest drama, which features an all-star cast headlined by Emmy Award-winner Julia Ormond, Madchen Amick, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rachel Boston as a family of witches living in the secluded seaside town of East Haven. “Witches of East End” will cast its spell beginning Sunday, Oct. 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Also set to star are Eric Winter, Daniel DiTomasso, Jason George and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Virginia Madsen.

As you mentioned, the series is inspired by Melissa de la Cruz’s best-selling novel “Witches of East End,” and centers on the mysterious Beauchamp family: Joanna (Ormond) and her two grown daughters: Freya (Dewan Tatum) and Ingrid (Boston), both of whom are unaware that they are witches. Freya is recently engaged to the man of her dreams, wealthy playboy Dash Gardiner (Winter), but when she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Dash’s troubled, enigmatic brother, Killian (DiTomasso), bizarre occurrences begin to manifest in her life. Joanna’s long-estranged sister Wendy (Amick) shows up, forcing Joanna to reveal to her daughters they are immortal witches who possess great untapped powers.

Q: I thought Tom Cruise was passing the “Mission: Impossible” mantle to Jeremy Renner. Now I hear Tom will star in the fifth movie. Is that true? — Gerald L., via e-mail

A: Yes and no. Tom will star in “Mission: Impossible 5,” which is scheduled for a 2015 release (most likely summer). Jeremy will be his co-star, but he was never brought on to replace Tom; he was added to the roster to partner with him. And as long as Tom keeps drinking from the Fountain of Youth, I say they should keep him on as long as they can.

Q: Is “Poltergeist” being remade? — Linley J., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: Details are sketchy about the new project, but I can tell you that an updated “Poltergeist” is in production, with Sam Rockwell in talks to co-star with Rosemarie DeWitt, according to “Variety.”

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Q and A: Week of May 6

Q: I was watching a rerun of “E.R.” the other day, and it reminded me how much I love Sherry Stringfield as Dr. Susan Lewis. Can you tell me what I can see her in now? — Rita W., via e-mail

A: You can see Sherry this Mother’s Day weekend when she stars in the Hallmark Channel original movie, “The Confession.” It’s a sequel to the top-rated “The Shunning,” both of which are based on the best-selling novels by Beverly Lewis, and both of which Sherry stars in. Sherry plays Laura Mayfield Bennett, a wealthy, terminally ill heiress who recently began searching for the daughter she gave up for adoption to a loving Amish couple.

When I spoke with Sherry recently, she told me why she wanted to work on this movie, and with the Hallmark Channel again: “I like that the stories are straightforward; they are a little more family-oriented. There’s no violence, which I hate. I’m so tired of violence. And now violence is really in our lives in a real way, and I just can’t go there. I just can’t.”

Instead, Sherry hopes people will take away a message of love and forgiveness when they watch this movie. “This is a reminder about what’s really important in life. And how life’s so fragile. We’re all just here. I hope the movie will make people think about what they’re doing with their life and what their priorities are, and do they have love in it?”

“The Confession” premieres Saturday, May 11, at 9/8c on the Hallmark Channel, and check back Wednesday for my full interview with Sherry.

Q: Ever since you mentioned “Devious Maids,” I can’t wait for it to start. Do you know when that will be? — Pamela L., Austin, Texas

A: The all-new drama, brought to you by Marc Cherry and Eva Longoria, premieres June 23 on Lifetime at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The 13-episode series stars Ana Ortiz, Roselyn Sanchez, Susan Lucci, Grant Show and Brett Cullen, and explores the lives of five maids with ambitions and dreams of their own while they work for the rich and famous in Beverly Hills.

Q: I saw a promo on TV for a series called “Cedar Cove,” which I’m hoping is based on Debbie Macomber’s books. Do you know when and where I can see this? — Joanne C., via e-mail

A: The Andie MacDowell-starring drama, which is indeed based on the book series of the same name by Debbie Macomber, premieres July 20 on the Hallmark Channel at 8/7c.

Q: I have been anxiously awaiting new episodes of “America’s Most Wanted.” Has it been canceled? — Peter J., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: I am sad to report that Lifetime has canceled the crime-fighting series, which was hosted by John Walsh. However, the network is developing a pilot with John; stay tuned for more info on that as it becomes available.

Q: Can you tell me when “Call of the Wildman” will be back? — James R., Bowling Green, Ohio

A: Turtleman and company will be back for a 20-episode second season on Animal Planet beginning Sunday, June 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This season, “Turtleman” Ernie Brown Jr. hits the road and travels to Texas and Mexico to rescue wild critters in the hit reality series. Kentucky’s most famous backwoods animal-trapper acknowledges his strange appeal to audiences, saying, “People think I’m crazy, but they can’t help but like me.”

Q: I’m a big fan of MTV’s “Buckwild,” and I wondered if the show will continue after the death of Shain Gandee? — Gerry T., Bentonville, Ark.

A: MTV spokesman Jake Urbanski said that although it was not an easy decision, “given Shain’s tragic passing and essential presence on the show, we felt it was not appropriate to continue without him.”

“Buckwild” producer J.P. Williams of Parallel Entertainment announced last month that he has already sent out a casting call in Texas and Alaska, with plans to retool and recast the show in one of those states, with plans to shop the show around to other networks.

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Interview: Brooke Burns Exacts Her Revenge

You might be used to seeing Brooke Burns cast as, in her words, “the apple-pie, blond-haired, blue-eyed, all-American girl.” Her various roles on TV shows and movies like “Baywatch,” “Shallow Hal,” “Miss Guided” and “Pepper Dennis” showcased her sweetness; the more recent “Melrose Place” incarnation allowed her to explore her dark side. Well, get ready for a whole lotta dark-side exploration on Saturday, April 26 at 8 pm ET/PT, when Brooke’s new movie, “A Sister’s Revenge,” premieres on Lifetime. I caught up with Brooke recently, and she told me all about her fierce new role as a woman (named Suzanne Dell) seeking revenge on the man she feels is responsible for her sister’s suicide.

Celebrity Extra: Since we are used to you as “the nice girl,” it was a shock to see you in this kind of role. Was that a big reason you wanted to do this movie?

Brooke Burns: There were a couple of things. Obviously, the longer you’re in this industry, certain roles start to recirculate through your life. And then certain ones are new and fresh, and it’s always fun to kind of sink your teeth into something a little more diverse than what you’re used to.

I love the thriller aspect of this movie, and at the same time, it’s always fun, especially in a bad-guy role, to find justification for a character. And I loved the fact that she has this deep love for her sister; I found a lot of truth in feeling sort of like her champion and being able to justify her being in a very dark place in the film. With a bad-guy role, you have to be able to find empathy for the character as well. She’s driven to madness because of the love that she has for her sister and feeling like somehow that her sister’s death will be avenged if she can pull this off.

CE: Obviously you aren’t a homicidal maniac, but in what ways can you relate to Suzanne?

BB: Her fierce loyalty to family. She lost her parents, and her sister is the only person that she has, that she feels connected to. My family is my most important thing, so I can’t even imagine if that were the last family member and she were taken from me in that kind of way. How those feelings of anger and sadness would be very potent, and could probably drive a person to some level of insanity — if you allow yourself to go there.

CE: Tell me about the filming process: Where did you film, and how was the cast to work with?

BB: We shot in Ottawa, Canada, which has some of the most beautiful architecture I’ve ever seen. And the cast was fantastic. I worked mostly with Tim (Rozon) and Ashley (Jones), and we had a ball. Tim is such a gentleman, and he actually owns a couple of restaurants in Montreal. And Ashley and I have seen each other in passing through different stuff out here, but we had never actually worked together before. And we just had a great time.

CE: You’ve done dramas, comedies, hosting duties, etc. Is there a certain genre you prefer, or are you happy to dabble in lots of things to keep it interesting?

BB: I just like to work. I think from growing up as a ballerina, I have some incredible discipline and work ethic that was deeply ingrained in me, so whether it’s acting or hosting, I’m happy. I enjoy acting because you get to dip your toe into the fantasy of a role like Suzanne in “A Sister’s Revenge.” And I enjoy the hosting because I love people, and that’s a natural kind of medium for me that I enjoy as well. I don’t really have a preference. It’s never boring; it’s not a nine-to-five job.

CE: Lately I’ve seen you in a lot of dramas, but I love you in comedies too, especially that comedy series “Miss Guided” from a few years back. Would you like to get back to comedy?

BB: Oh, yeah. Comedy’s awesome. When you get to go to work and have fun and play and laugh, there’s nothing better. It’s some of the hardest work to do, but it’s also the most rewarding. It really depends on the people you are with, and what your chemistry is with them. I would say that “Miss Guided” and “Pepper Dennis” were my two favorite comedic roles that I’ve gotten to do, for sure.

CE: What else do you have in the pipeline that you can talk about with me?

BB: I just shot a pilot for the Game Show Network. It’s a dating show called “Where Have You Been All My Life?” It’s kind of a 2013 version of “The Dating Game,” which I was obsessed with. It is super fun, and they’re using a lot of social media as research, and using it in an onscreen format. It’s been a blast, and we’re waiting to see if it gets picked up. I really hope it does, because it’s just perfect. It fits my lifestyle because it’s in LA. It’s close to home. I get to be with my family. I like that stuff.

So that’s pretty much what’s going on right now, except for I’m planning my wedding. So that’s exciting. It’s a summertime wedding. And I’m trying to get my kids out of seventh grade with honors. I love little things in life.

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Q and A: Week of March 11

Eric McCormack

Q: One of my favorite actors is Eric McCormack. I loved him in “Will and Grace,” and I really love his new show, “Perception.” Can I see him in anything else while I wait for “Perception” to return? — Giovanni W., via e-mail

A: The multifaceted actor can next be seen on the Lifetime Original Movie “Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story,” which airs Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It’s inspired by the true story of a handsome young college student who became the prime suspect in the shocking murder of his father and disfigurement of his mother in a savage ax attack. Eric portrays Detective Joe Sullivan, the lead investigator on the case, who goes on a mission to prove Chris’ guilt.

In “Perception” news, Scott Wolf, of “Party of Five” and “V” fame, has signed on to be a recurring character as an assistant U.S. attorney. He has a hidden agenda that involves his soon-to-be ex-wife, Kate, played by Rachel Leigh Cook. Look for 13 new episodes of “Perception” to begin airing this summer.

Q: I am absolutely gutted by the ending of season three of “Downton Abbey,” and I can’t wait for season four. Can you recommend anything for me in the meantime? — Jen S. in California

A: Well, if you’re looking for another high-quality period piece to take your mind of the heartbreaking fate of Matthew Crawley, then may I recommend another Masterpiece series? “Mr. Selfridge,” which premieres March 31, stars Jeremy Piven as a wheeling, dealing, womanizing American who teaches early-1900s Londoners how to shop. The eight-part series centers on the real-life story of the flamboyant and visionary founder of the London department store Selfridge’s.

Q: What has “Lost” star Josh Holloway been up to? Will he be on another series soon? — Nora S., Savannah, Ga.

A: Josh was cast as the lead in a pilot for CBS called “Intelligence.” The action takes place at U.S. Cyber Command, and focuses on a unit that has been created around one agent (Gabriel Black, played by Josh) with a very special gift: A microchip has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Josh also co-stars in the dramatic thriller “Paranoia,” which also stars Harrison Ford, Liam Hemsworth and Gary Oldman. It will be released in October. Also, in January 2014, look for Josh in the Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie “Ten,” which also stars Sam Worthington and Joe Manganiello.

Q: My husband and I recently watched a new series called “Do No Harm” on NBC; however, we haven’t been able to find it on the TV schedule. Has it been canceled? — Laura K., via e-mail

A: The medical drama, which premiered Feb. 1, was indeed canceled after two episodes. “Do No Harm” was the lowest-rated, in-season broadcast scripted series debut in modern history. The second episode declined even further, sealing the show’s fate.

Kevin Sorbo

Q: Kevin Sorbo has always been one of my favorite actors, ever since “Hercules.” I loved seeing him earlier this season on “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23.” What has been up to since? Any chance we’ll see him in a comedy again soon? — Sherri P., via e-mail

A: On March 23 at 8/7c, you can catch Kevin in the Hallmark Movie Channel’s “Shadow on the Mesa,” which also stars Wes Brown (“Deception”), Gail O’Grady (“NYPD Blue”) and Meredith Baxter (“Family Ties”). The movie takes place in the Old West, and Kevin plays rancher Ray Eastman, who is trying to protect his property from a land grab by a corrupt neighbor.

I asked Kevin if he’d like to do another comedy, and he told me: “I would love to. I’ve done a lot of guest spots ‘Dharma and Greg,’ ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘Just Shoot Me’ … all those different things. I did have my own sitcom back in 2005. It was a half-hour comedy called ‘Bobby Cannon,’ where I played an end-of-the-year quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

“It tested No. 1 for ABC, but then the then-president of ABC decided not to pick it up. To this day we are shocked. There’s no doubt in my mind we’d be in our eighth season right now. Oh well … welcome to the business of Hollywood.” Read my full interview with this charming and talented man here.

Q: Isn’t it about time for a new “Dancing With the Stars”? — Gina W., Columbus, Ohio

A: It sure is, Gina. And this year has your usual crop of actors, singers and athletes, all of whom are ready to heat up the dance floor beginning Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. EDT with a two-hour premiere. The 16th season of the hit dancing-competition show stars country singer Wynonna Judd, gymnast Aly Raisman, skater Dorothy Hamill, boxer Victor Ortiz, football player Jacoby Jones, reality star Lisa Vanderpump, country singer Kellie Pickler, comedian D.L. Hugley, comedian Andy Dick, soap-opera star Ingo Rademacher and Disney star Zendaya Coleman. **This just in: "Bachelor" star Sean Lowe will also be competing for the coveted disco-ball trophy.**

Q: Has CBS canceled “Vegas”? Visually and stylistically, it’s different from the usual cop programs on TV, and it’s a joy to watch. — Marcia A. in New York

A: While CBS hasn’t canceled the Dennis Quaid/Michael Chiklis drama as of this writing, things aren’t looking good for it. The ratings aren’t as high as CBS expects from its dramas, especially one that’s so expensive to produce, and CBS downgraded its episode order from 22 to 21. “Vegas” returns with new episodes on Tuesday, March 19, after a month-long hiatus.

Q: Did you ever find out if “The Witches of East End” is going to be a regular series on Lifetime? — Callie D., via e-mail

A: Lifetime recently announced that it did indeed pick up “Witches” for a 10-episode run to launch later this year. The drama stars Julia Ormond, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Rachel Boston. As soon as I get a firm date, I’ll let you know.

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 3

Rachel Boston

Q: I was an ardent fan of “In Plain Sight,” and I especially liked one of the series’ co-stars, Rachel Boston, who played Det. Chafee. Can you tell me what else I can see her in now that the show is no longer on the air? — Betty W., via e-mail

A: Rachel, 30, most recently starred in the Lifetime original movie “Holiday High School Reunion,” which aired in November (check your local listings for possible re-airings). As I type this, Rachel is shooting something else for Lifetime — this time it’s a pilot for a new show, which will air this summer if the network decides to pick it up for a full-season run. It’s called “Witches of East End,” and Rachel told me about the show when I spoke with her recently.

“I am working with such an amazing group of women! Julia Ormond plays my mom and Jenna Dewan-Tatum plays my sister. When we were born, our mom cast a spell so we wouldn’t know we are witches. Through a chain of events, we discover who we are and how we can help protect each other and our town.”

Go here to read my full interview with Rachel.

Q: Is there a new “Wizard of Oz” coming to theaters? I thought I saw a preview for it online — the special effects looked excellent. — Bret A., Pittsburgh

A: On March 8, 2013, “Oz: The Great and Powerful” will be coming to a theater near you. Here’s the official story line: “Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he’s hit the jackpot — fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who aren’t convinced he’s the great wizard everyone’s been expecting.”

Q: Do you have any news on “Downton Abbey”? I can’t wait for the new season! — Donna B., Oklahoma City, Okla.

A: While season three has already aired in the U.K., we’ll have to wait until Jan. 6 to see it here in the States. Also, I recently learned that the show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, plans to create a “Downton Abbey” prequel, which will focus on the courtship of Lord Grantham and Cora.

Q: In the 1960s there was a TV show whose characters and story line were similar to the upcoming flick “Django Unchained.” The main character went by the name of Jemal David. What was the show’s name? — Sid D., via e-mail

A: You are thinking of “The Outcasts,” which aired on ABC for one season from 1968-69. “The Outcasts” and “Django Unchained” both were inspired by Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 spaghetti Western, “Django.” “The Outcasts” co-starred Don Murray and Otis Young, and is most notable for being the first television Western with an black co-star, as well as featuring the first biracial Western action team.

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Interview: Rachel Boston — Coming into Her Power

Last week, I interviewed Rachel Boston for my other King Features column, Daytime Dial (see interview here). We discussed her trip back to high school — via Lifetime’s original movie “Holiday High School Reunion.” In “Holiday,” Rachel starred with such industry vets as Marilu Henner and Harry Hamlin.

But Rachel is no stranger to working with Hollywood heavy-hitters. Right now she is shooting a pilot for Lifetime called “Witches of East End,” with Julia Ormond (“Legends of the Fall,” “Sabrina” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) and Jenna Dewan-Tatum (“Step Up” “American Horror Story” and wife of People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Channing Tatum). When I interviewed Rachel recently, she told me all about her exciting new project, which will hopefully have a long life on Lifetime. Rachel can’t wait for viewers to see her latest project, which is due to premiere next year.

Celebrity Extra: You are working with Lifetime again, shooting a pilot called “Witches of East End.” This intrigues me, as I’ve always been a huge fan of supernatural storytelling. What can you tell me about it?

Rachel Boston: I am working with such an amazing group of women! Julia Ormond plays my mom, and Jenna Dewan-Tatum plays my sister. As the story goes, when we were born, our mom cast a spell so we wouldn’t actually know we are witches, but we can sense that we are different. Through a chain of events, we discover who we are and how we can help protect each other and our town. Maggie Friedman wrote the script and is such an amazing voice for women. It’s also a story about intuition, trust and love, and I pray we get to tell this story for years to come.

CE: Tell me a bit about your character, Ingrid.

RB: I play Ingrid Beauchamp, and I live with my mom and sister in the small town of Fair Haven. Ingrid is a delightful soul but very insecure about certain areas of her life. She works at the library and has been hiding in her books, but she is about to have to step into her power and become the woman she is destined to be.

CE: You’re shooting in Wilmington, N.C. (whose big Hollywood claim to fame is as the location for filming “Dawson’s Creek”), which is gorgeous, especially this time of year. How has the shoot been so far?

RB: I love Wilmington! The people are so kind, and the beaches are gorgeous. We have a wonderful crew.

CE: If the show gets picked up, do you know when it will begin airing?

RB: Summer 2013!

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Interview: Kellie Martin Explores New Territory

Kellie Martin as Capt. Nicole Galassin
(Photo courtesy Lifetime Television/
Army Wives)

Hot on the heels of the news that Lifetime Television has renewed the groundbreaking series “Army Wives” for a seventh season, I spoke with series co-star Kellie Martin, who played a pivotal and game-changing role this season. Kellie plays Capt. Nicole Galassin, and although we last saw Capt. Galassin flying to Afghanistan and hitting some bad turbulence, I wouldn’t count her out just yet. And neither would Kellie.

Celebrity Extra: Your role on “Army Wives” is definitely one your fans haven’t seen you play yet. How did the whole thing come about?

Kellie Martin: A friend of mine, a writer friend from “ER,” called me up and said: “Would you be open to playing a lesbian military intelligence officer? We’re going to explore the world after Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” And I thought: “Yeah! That sounds really interesting.” I have never played anyone in the military; I’ve never played a lesbian. That’s rare for me to say, since I’ve been doing this 30 years — I’ve played everything. But that is something I’ve never played.

I didn’t know that it was going to be as much of a story line as it turned out to be. I did eight episodes. I really feel like they hit the highlights of this woman’s life and how fast this couple’s world changed after the repeal. The way all of a sudden they were able to have more friends, they got married, they got a baby — it really hit all the high points.

CE: You sound like you really enjoyed playing this character.

KM: Oh yes, I was honored to play this woman. I thought she was so brave and so smart, yet in her personal life, she had to hide. It was really fun to play someone who comes out. And then to have Patti LuPone play my mom again was awesome. That’s the third time Patti’s played my mom on television. And it was just an honor.

I have so many people who tweet at me or who just come up to me and say, “You don’t know how this story line has changed my life.” Or, “This is me. This is exactly me. And I’ve been in the closet for years, and I’m in the Navy.” It’s nice to make people feel like they are not alone in this often-challenging world. I feel like Capt. Galassin is the girl next door. Everybody knows someone like her. I’m just very proud of “Army Wives” and Lifetime for following through with the story line like they did.

CE: Like with “ER,” you came onto an established show with established actors in place; did it make you a little nervous? How is the “Army Wives” cast to work with?

KM: It’s funny, because they’re both pretty big ensembles. I found on “ER” and on “Army Wives,” if you weren’t a part of someone else’s story line, you never saw them. The cast was very welcoming, and I was super nervous the first day. I had a ton of things to say. I had to put that uniform on for the first time, and I just fell into the character the second I put it on. So, that was a really big help to me. But the cast is lovely. I had a really, really good time. It wasn’t easy for me to be away on location so much. I was flying way more than I care to mention, because I don’t like to fly, but it was a really good experience.

CE: Do you think Nicole will be back for the seventh season?

KM: I don’t know if Nicole’s back. She was on a plane to Afghanistan at the end of the season, and there was a lot of turbulence …

CE: Yes, but turbulence can go away, and planes can go back the other way, too …

KM: Absolutely! I had a great time, and I never, ever know where my career’s going to head, so it’s always interesting for me to see what happens.

Kellie as Jordan
(Photo: Copyright 2011 Crown Media Holdings, Inc./
Photographer: Alexx Henry)

CE: You are in the new Hallmark Channel original movie called “I Married Who?” playing an uptight real estate agent, Jordan Grady, who goes to Las Vegas for her bachelorette party and wakes up after a night of celebrating to find she’s married to movie star Matt Swift (played by Ethan Erickson). Let’s just say that romantic comedy ensues. (“I Married Who?” premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 9/8c.) You’ve done quite a few movies for the Hallmark Channel; what keeps you coming back?

KM: I’ve been working with them since 2003 or 2004, and I’ve really just gotten to love the people over there. I knew the CEO when he wasn’t the CEO, and all the publicity people who’ve been there since I started working with them. It’s really the people who keep me coming back. They just are very good to me, and they let me have a bit of input into the work we do, which I really appreciate.

I really have liked doing romantic comedies — the past two movies that I’ve done for them have been really fun, upbeat and, best of all, I don’t have to cry. I love that, because I’ve spent so much time doing drama that this is a really nice way to lighten things up for me.

CE: What was it about this particular movie, especially the character of Jordan, that caught your attention?

KM: I love the arc she goes through. Jordan starts out as a very tightly wound real estate agent about to get married to a very tightly wound attorney. She has to face who she really is beyond being type A and totally under control. She unravels a bit, and it was really fun to play a character who was unraveling.

CE: How are you and Jordan alike?

KM: Well, unlike Jordan I like to drink. Jordan doesn’t drink. I’m Irish, and I do enjoy a good drink. I did marry an attorney, but unlike Peter (in the movie), my husband is a recovering attorney. Eight months after our daughter was born, he said: “You know what? I don’t think I want to do this anymore. I don’t really like this.” I do like to be in control. I like to know what’s going on. I like routines, especially having a child. I love the ritual, routine nature of a day, because my daughter has a very strict schedule. We have a very rigid schedule, and that’s very much like Jordan.

CE: You had great chemistry with your co-stars, but I especially loved your scenes with Adrienne Frantz. Her character is hilarious, and she did such a great job!

KM: Can you tell we had fun? She’s so much fun.

L to R: Daphnee Duplaix, Adrienne Frantz and Kellie Martin (Photo: Copyright 2011 Crown Media
Holdings, Inc./Photographer: Alexx Henry)

CE: How did you get through takes without laughing through them?

KM: I frequently didn’t. There’s one scene I could see how they had to cut around our giggling. When we’re eating pizza, and Adrianne and I are hysterically laughing, and they had to find the little moments where we weren’t laughing because we were total goofballs. But it’s so nice to work with someone like her because she is a pro. She’s so much a pro that she can let loose, and you can allow for those little surprises to happen. It’s just lovely to be in a scene with someone who’s so good at what they do that we know we are going to say our lines and hit our marks, but we’re going to have fun and allow surprises to happen. And that’s what we did. I would love to do a series with that girl. We would have so much fun.

CE: What do you hope viewers take away from the movie after watching it?

KM: I really think it’s good to shake up your life every once in a while. I’m not saying to marry someone who’s not your fiance, but I think it’s good to step back every once in a while and get perspective on your life. Maybe step back and say: “You know what? Let’s do something crazy. Let’s go to Paris next summer,” or “Let’s take off school today and go to the park.

Just shake up your life every once in a while and realize you only live once.

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