Q and A: Week of March 2

Billy Campbell as Dr. Alan Farragut

Q: I am so glad that “Helix” is back on Syfy. Can you give me any hints of what to expect this season? — Lily T., via email

A: I spoke with series star Billy Campbell not too long ago, and he gave me enough “Helix” scoop to get you through the next few episodes. When we caught up with our season-one survivors when season two began on Jan. 16, we were introduced to two new characters, Brother Michael and Dr. Kyle Sommer, played by Steven Weber and Matt Long, respectively. Billy told me what it was like to work with them: “They’re both, first of all, first-class gentlemen. They are wonderful actors. I’ve known Steven Weber for many years. We first worked together in the mid ’80s and then again on ‘Once and Again.’ And he’s a rake and a rogue and an imp, and I always knew he was a creepy guy inside. And now he had the chance to prove it. He’s one of the funniest and now, I believe, one of the creepiest guys I’ve ever met.”

As far as season two goes, will Billy’s character, Dr. Alan Farragut, continue his quest to uncover the truth behind Ilaria and the virus outbreak? “I would say that I come uncomfortably close to realizing my quest. Everything about the second season ties very neatly into that storyline. If you were shocked and surprised by season one, you will be doubly shocked and surprised by season two. They really outdid themselves. I’m not sure exactly what they were smoking in the writers’ room for season two, but they sure seemed to be having a great time smoking it.”

Stayed tuned later this week to read my full interview with Billy.

Q: I am sad that Will Arnett’s series “The Millers” was canceled. Can you tell me if I’ll get to see him in something else soon? — Jean F., Branson, MO

A: The hilarious and talented actor is set to team up with Netflix again, this time developing a series called “Flaked,” where Will stars as a self-help guru named Chip who’s struggling to stay a step ahead of his own lies. Will also co-created, co-wrote and co-executive-produced it with Mark Chappell. The series will premiere next year with eight episodes.

Q: When will “Mad Men” be back? — Mike D., via email

A: The award-winning drama returns to AMC with its final seven episodes on April 5 at 10/9c. Regarding the finale, series star John Slattery told “Variety”: “It was surprising to the end”; while January Jones said: “It’s a beautiful story. It’s perfect in every way.”

Series creator and writer, Matthew Weiner, told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour that while he hopes fans will be pleased with the ending, “as the person telling the story, I think people sometimes have to be protected from what they want to see happen. To delight them with a surprise, you can’t give them everything they want.”

Christina Ricci as Lizzie Borden

Q: I absolutely loved Lifetime’s “Lizzie Borden Took an Ax,” and was so happy when you wrote that the network was turning it into a series. Can you give me any more information about that? — Steff S. in Florida

A: I do have a few more details about the Lifetime limited series, which sees Christina Ricci taking up her ax again as Lizzie Borden, with Clea DuVall returning as her sister, Emma; the series also stars John Heard, Cole Hauser, Jessy Schram and Jonathan Banks. And more great news for fans: “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles” has been extended from six episodes to eight, with the series airing sometime this April.

“Chronicles” delivers an intense and fictionalized account of actual events and people surrounding Lizzie’s life after her controversial acquittal of the horrific double murder of her father and stepmother in 1892, when the exonerated figure lives a life awash in newfound celebrity filled with scandalous love affairs. But when numerous people close to Lizzie — ranging from her half-brother, William, to Broadway luminaries to business associate/underworld kingpin Mr. Flowers — start to mysteriously die under brutal and strange circumstances, legendary Pinkerton detective Charlie Siringo becomes determined to prove her involvement in their demise. Jessy Schram plays Nancy O’Keefe, an alluring and ambitious actress and dancer who befriends Lizzie; Emmy nominee John Heard portrays William Almy, the business partner of Lizzie’s murdered father.

Q: You told us that “Hannibal” would be back as a midseason show, but I haven’t heard anything about when it will be on. Please help! — Daniel S., via email

A: I promise I did not lie to you, Daniel. NBC merely changed up the timing of the season-three premiere of cult-hit drama. The network announced recently that it will air the series this summer, which I think will actually be good news for the show, which sometimes is lacking in the all-important viewer numbers. With less competition over the summer, maybe more people will find their way to this show and help propel it to a much-deserved fourth season. The new season will take story elements from Thomas Harris’ “Hannibal Rising” and “Red Dragon” novels, and will include a different origin story for Dr. Lecter, according to show runner Bryan Fuller.

Q: I miss Eva Longoria. Will she star in something soon? — Olivia F. in Connecticut

A: NBC has given the green light for 13 episodes of a single-camera comedy called “Telenovela,” which will star Longoria as Ana Maria, the domineering-diva star of Latin America’s most popular telenovela, whose off-screen drama rivals that of her on-screen personality.

According to NBC president Jennifer Salke: “[Longoria] is a perfect fit for ‘Telenovela.’ Her character will try to navigate the hysteria and high jinks that everyone must endure in putting together a daily show.”

Q: I was so excited to see the teaser trailer for “Heroes Reborn” during the Super Bowl this year. Do you have any spoilers or news about it? — Amelia D., via email

A: As I reported earlier, “Heroes Reborn,” which will air on NBC sometime in 2015 (an exact airdate had not been set as of this writing), will be a 13-episode event series. Although this reboot will be a brand-new series featuring new, extraordinary characters, Jack Coleman will return as Noah Bennet, aka HRG. “Chuck” alumnus Zachary Levi has joined the show in an undisclosed role.

Regarding other former cast members returning for the reboot, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt recently revealed: “I’m not trying to be coy, because we just don’t know, but I think you’ll see several of the old cast popping in to episodes.”

Q: I think this season of “Portlandia” might be the funniest one yet. Please tell me I’ll get to enjoy new episodes for years to come. — Paula T., via email

A: I am happy to tell you that you’ll get at least two more seasons of funny from Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. IFC announced that it has picked up the hit comedy for seasons six and seven, each encompassing 10 half-hour episodes.

Q: I wanted to ask about two ABC shows that I very much miss and wondered if there's any chance they'll be aired again: “Red Widow” and “666 Park Avenue.” I very much enjoyed both shows, especially the eye candy in “Red Widow.”—Marsha R., Naples, Fla.

A: Both ABC series premiered in the 2012-13 season — “666 Park Avenue” in September and “Red Widow” as a midseason replacement — to much hullabaloo and fanfare, however, both were canceled due to low ratings. Of the two series, “Red Widow” is available on DVD, in case you are feeling nostalgic, and want to relive the drama and intrigue and eye candy.

Q: I truly hope the writers and producers of “Galavant” know what a superb show it is. I laugh so hard and watch each episode several times since there are so many jokes and bits every second. I thank them for this wonderful production. If it comes out on DVD, I will buy it! — Nancy M., Venice, Fla.

A: I know a lot of people who feel the way you do, Nancy. And they are all hoping for a second season, as I’m sure you are. If anything, it’s just nice to have the option to watch a series that is inventive and unique, and there really is no other show out there like it right now. I believe in rewarding people for thinking outside the box, and I hope ABC does too. While “Galavant” is one of the shows that started out really strong, it then slipped in numbers as the limited series went on. However, since it is a limited series (meaning each season has fewer episodes than a normal series, and it can air at any time during the season as a place-filler or replacement), its low numbers won’t necessary be nails in its coffin, but I’d still place this show very much on the bubble. We’ll keep our fingers crossed!

Q: I read that Andrew Garfield will no longer star in “Spider-Man.” Does that mean the franchise will be ending? — DeeDee R., via email

A: The franchise will go on — but with a new Spidey. Like Tobey Maguire before him, Andrew is moving on to other things, and a new (not-yet-cast) actor will take his place. The premiere date for the new “Spider-Man” movie has been set for July 28, 2017. Because of this, “Thor: Ragnorak” will now open in November 2017, since Peter Parker and company have taken his release date.

Readers: A few months back I answered a reader’s question about whether “Outlander” would be available on DVD. I answered that of course it would, we just didn’t know when yet. Well, now we know. “Outlander: Season One, Volume One” is now available on DVD and Blu-ray (it came out yesterday). The two-disc set includes the first eight episodes of season one, some “making of” featurettes, a 32-page book with photographs, and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray version has even MORE deleted scenes and featurettes. It might even give you enough to keep you occupied as you wait for the season half of season one to begin on Starz on April 4.

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Celeb Q and A: Week of Feb. 11

Q: I am so excited that “Dallas” is back on TNT for its second season. I am, however, sad about Larry Hagman’s death; watching his last episodes of “Dallas” are bittersweet, to say the least. How is the cast holding up? — Mary Anne M., via e-mail

A: I spoke with series veteran Linda Gray recently, and while she is, of course, in mourning for her best friend, she shared some fond memories she had with Larry.

“From day one, it was magic to work with him, and it never stopped being magic,” Gray said. “He was a joy to watch, and looking into those baby-blue eyes and go, ‘You little rat, what are you doing now?’

“When Larry and I worked together, it was really like a ping-pong game. It wasn’t a tennis game; it was faster, like ping-pong. It was like, ‘I’m going to throw you something, and I don’t know what you are going to do, but you’re going to give it back to me, and it’s going to be fast and it’s going to be intense, but I’m going to hit it right back to you, so be careful.’

“It was just extraordinary to work with him. And he was a great, generous actor. I remember in 1978, I was coming at him (in a scene between Sue Ellen and J.R.) and just yelling at him or something, and he gently took my shoulders and moved me; I didn’t realize it, but I had gotten out of my light. Now another actor would have thought, ‘Let her bury herself. She’ll be in the dark; I’ll be in the light. Perfect.’ But he wasn’t like that. He was gentle like that. He was gentle with me. It was absolutely an unspoken chemistry that happens so rarely in life, and I was blessed.”

Q: When will “Army Wives” be back? — Bea W., Fort Worth, Texas

A: It’s almost time! The seventh season of Lifetime’s hit drama will return with 13 all-new episodes, beginning Sunday, March 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This season brings new challenges, including a heartfelt and final goodbye to one of the wives in what is being billed as “one of the series’ most dramatic and pivotal moments.”

Q: I need my Don Draper fix! When will “Mad Men” return? — Diana W. in Tennessee

A: AMC has confirmed that the sixth season of “Mad Men” will premiere April 7 with a two-hour episode, which has been written by series creator Matthew Weiner. Series stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, John Slattery and Christina Hendricks are all set to return.

Q: Is “Grimm” returning to TV? Most of the other shows have returned from winter hiatus, but “Grimm” has not. I hope it did not get canceled. — Don R., via e-mail

A: Never fear, Don. “Grimm” is just taking a slightly longer break, and will return with all-new episodes on Friday, March 8.

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Q and A: Week of April 18

Q: The other day I stumbled across a show on MTV called “The Hard Times of RJ Berger” — I absolutely loved it! The actress who plays RJ’s mom looks very familiar. Can you tell me about her? — Stan R., Nashville, Tenn.

A: Actress/comedian Beth Littleford portrays Suzanne Berger, RJ’s unconventional (and always entertaining) mom in the MTV scripted comedy — the first-ever sitcom on MTV. You might remember Beth from her four years on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” I chatted with Beth recently (check back later this week for our full interview), and she told me how excited she is about season two.


“This season goes really deep. It continues to push the envelope on a lot of levels, but there is also a lot of really hard, squeezing angst,” she said. “No one is who they appear to be, and life is more complicated. My character continues to be a little bit cartoonish, but then goes deep. You see the love and you see the heartbreak. And because the parents are regular characters this season, I get some juicier story lines.”


You can catch Beth this summer in the Steve Carell comedy “Crazy Stupid Love,” as well as part of the super-mega-all-star cast of “Movie 43.”



Q: I know this is the final season for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” but can you tell me when her final show will air? — Annie L., via e-mail

A: Oprah’s Harpo Productions, which produces “Oprah,” confirmed that the final original episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will air May 25. Oprah tweeted last month that she was “hard at work planning the final shows” of TV’s top-rated talk show for more than 20 years. Check your local listings for time and station — I have a feeling the entire month will be packed with stuff you won’t want to miss!

Q: I heard that because of contract negotiations, “Mad Men” won’t be back for a fifth season. Please tell me this isn’t true! — Heather F., via e-mail

A: Don’t fret. The show is getting a late start because of contract-negotiation specifics with “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner, but it will return for its fifth season in early 2012.

READERS: It’s time for our third contest! On Tuesday, May 10, the Ovation network is premiering its original series “In Search of Food.” The program spotlights the popularity and resurgence of the “locavore” movement — cooking with locally sourced ingredients — that has invigorated local growers and farms around the country. Barton travels to Minneapolis, New York and San Francisco, where he meets local farmers, chefs and food craftsmen. “In Search of Food” is hosted by acclaimed chef, author and sustainability advocate Barton Seaver. I have five copies of Barton’s “For Cod and Country,” a beautiful hardcover cookbook highlighting cooking with fish. Write to me at letters@cindyelavsky.com or at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, and tell me how far you have gone in search of good food. Deadline is May 31.

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