Q and A: Week of Jan. 23

Q: I really liked “That ’70s Show,” especially Danny Masterson. I haven’t really seen him in anything lately and was wondering what shows/movies he has lined up. — Leonard G., via e-mail

A: TBS just announced that it is producing a new series called “Men at Work,” which will star Danny along with James Lesure, Michael Cassidy and Adam Busch. The story follows the misadventures of four friends who work together at a magazine, with Danny’s character, Milo, being recently dumped and his friends helping him get back in the game. Slated to premiere this summer, the show was created by Breckin Meyer (of “Franklin and Bash” and “Clueless” fame), who is co-executive-producing the show and also wrote the pilot. There’s no word yet on whether Breckin plans to make a cameo in the series.

Q: My husband is a huge fan of the History Channel, especially its series “Battlefield Detectives.” Any chance it will come out on DVD? I’d love to surprise him with it! — Kaitlin M., in Minnesota

A: Surprise your husband this Valentine’s Day with a three-volume boxed set of the entire first season of the series. “Battlefield Detectives,” which ran from 2003 to 2006, explored history’s famous battles, focusing on the battlefield itself and conducting re-enactments and forensic research to better understand what really happened. The DVDs also come with a 16-page viewer’s guide and biographies of major military leaders, plus other extras. Go to acornonline.com for more info on the series.

Q: You mentioned that Madonna will be performing the halftime show at the Super Bowl this year, and it got me to wondering if Animal Planet will be continuing its tradition of showcasing its “Puppy Bowl” competition. Please say yes! — Cara O., Halifax, Nova Scotia

A: YES! Animal Planet’s annual canine competition, “Puppy Bowl VIII,” will air on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET/PT. Animal Planet has searched shelters and rescue groups across the nation for the toughest pups ever to carry a chew toy across the goal line and into an end zone. And if you want to skip (or DVR) Madonna’s halftime show, the cute and cuddly kittens are returning to “Puppy Bowl” with an all-new edition of the Bissell Kitty Halftime Show.

All of the animals featured in “Puppy Bowl” come from rescues and shelters across the United States. This year’s starting lineup includes puppies from spcaLA, All Star Pet Rescue, Go Boxer Rescue, Pet Matchmaker Rescue, Furever Dachshund Rescue and Huts for Mutts Dog Rescue. Those interested in adopting a pet in your area can visit petfinder.com.

Q: Aside from her Twitter ramblings, what else has Ellen Barkin been up to? — Ingrid F., via e-mail

A: Ellen just finished filming a guest-starring role on “Modern Family,” which will air this spring. Her movie “Another Happy Day,” which also stars Ellen Burstyn, Demi Moore, Kate Bosworth and Thomas Hayden Church, will be out on DVD in late January.

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 19

Q: I really miss seeing Donald Faison on “Scrubs.” Can you tell me what I can see him in now? — Jeanette F., via e-mail

A: You can see Donald, along with Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”), Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) and David Alan Basche (“The Starter Wife”) on TV Land’s latest original comedy, “The Exes.” The show, which airs Wednesday nights, is a comedy about three divorced men (Donald, Wayne and David) sharing an apartment across the hall from their female divorce attorney (Kristen), who also is their landlord. Donald plays charming ladies’ man Phil Chase, and the first season of the show is scheduled to air 10 original episodes. The show airs directly after the TV Land hit “Hot in Cleveland.”

Q: It seems like forever since there’s been a new “Army Wives.” When will the show be returning? — Justine D. in Wyoming

A: While there has not been an exact date announced as of this writing, season six of “Army Wives” will return this spring with a 23-episode season. The show was scheduled for 13 episodes, but then Lifetime Television upped its order for the record-breaking drama. Because of the 10 additional episodes, season six most likely will be broken up into two parts, like many of cable’s original dramas have done in the past.


Word has it that season six will probably (not definitely) be the show’s final season, so it is the general consensus that the higher-ups wanted to get the most out of this season — and their contractually obligated actors — that they could. This move is kind of crappy for the actors, however, because instead of the production of the season ending in February — leaving them open to audition for the fall 2012 pilot season — it looks like they won’t be available for casting calls for new shows.

Q: Is my mind playing tricks on me, or did I see an ad that “Fear Factor” is back on NBC? — Mike R., West Palm Beach, Fla.

A: You are of sound mind, Mike. “Fear Factor” has returned to NBC (shows began airing Dec. 12) on Monday nights. Original host, comedian Joe Rogan, also has returned, as have the strenuous — and gross — stunts. Back in July, Joe Rogan told “TV Guide Magazine”: “It seems like some sort of bizarro dream world, but I’m looking forward to it. The idea of sitting at home and watching someone else host it would have driven me crazy.”

Q: I really enjoyed the last “Super Bowl Halftime Show” performance by the Black-Eyed Peas. Any word on who is performing this time? — Denise M. via e-mail

A: Pop diva Madonna has been tapped to lend her superstar status to Super Bowl XLVI, which will air on Sunday, Feb. 5, on NBC. No word yet on what surprises she has in store, but I am counting her show to be a doozy!

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