Q and A: Week of Feb. 10

Q: Can you tell me if and when “Cedar Cove” will return for another season? — Richard O., Summerfield, Fla.

A: The Hallmark Channel has renewed the phenomenally successful series, which is based on the book series of the same name by Debbie Macomber, for a second season. The show’s first season made Hallmark Channel the No. 1 cable channel for Saturday nights during the 8 to 9 time slot. With internationally renowned actress Andie MacDowell leading the cast — which includes Dylan Neal, Teryl Rothery, Bruce Boxleitner, Barbara Niven and Brennan Elliott — season two of “Cedar Cover” promises more of the same drama, romance and fun. Season two will premiere in July; I’ll let you know as soon as I have an exact date for its return.

Q: Would you happen to know anything about the fantastic TV series “24” with Kiefer Southerland? I thought they were bringing it back, or at least making a movie. — Dick W., via email

A: I did report on this about six months ago, but since this is such a hot subject — I get tons of letters from readers asking me the same question — I’ll write about it again, with some new information to pass along. Fox is indeed airing a new version of “24,” which is called “24: Live Another Day.” This go ’round, it will be a 12-part series but will still cover the requisite 24 hours. Kiefer will return, as will Mary Lynn Rajskub, William Devane and Kim Raver.

Kiefer recently told the press that the series will take place in London, stating: “‘24’ has always had such a global sensibility, but to be able to tell this intense ‘24’-style story with the beauty of Europe’s history and architecture as the backdrop is going to be fascinating.” Fox’s entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly teased reporters that the show’s pickup intrigued many industry stars. “A lot of who’s who in Hollywood wanted to participate in this,” he revealed. The two-hour season premiere of “24: Live Another Day” is May 5 at 9/8c on Fox.

ABC's "Mind Games" stars (L to R) Steve Zahn as Clark, Christian Slater as Ross, Cedric Sanders as Latrell, Jaime Ray Newman as Sam, Megalyn Echikunwoke as Megan and Gregory Marcel as Miles. (ABC/Bob D'Amico)

Q: Can you tell me what Christian Slater is up to now? I recently saw his amazing performance in the movie “He Was a Quiet Man,” and it made me realize I really miss seeing him. — Veronica W., Hanover, Pa.

A: You have only about a month to wait before you can see Christian again on a regular basis. On Feb. 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, ABC will premiere a new series called “Mind Games,” which stars Christian and Steve Zahn. They play brothers Ross (Christian) and Clark Edwards (Steve), who are partners in Edwards and Associates, an unusual business based on the belief that people’s decisions are influenced by their environment in ways they’re not aware. By using the hard science of psychological manipulation, the brothers commit to solving their clients’ problems. With Clark’s expertise and Ross’s con-artist ways, the brothers use psychology and science to offer clients an alternative to their fates.

Q: I don’t think I can wait much longer for season four of “Game of Thrones.” — Carlos F., via email

A: Just hold on a little longer. The highly anticipated premiere of the hit fantasy/drama series is set for April 6 at 9 pm ET/PT on HBO. The TV series, which is based on the books series by George R.R. Martin, shocked audiences at the end of last season with the infamous “Red Wedding,” and season four’s 10 episodes will prove to be just as exciting. It will roughly be based on the second half of “A Storm of Swords,” the third book in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels. According to showrunner David Benioff: “I think [season four] is going to surpass season three. There are so many scenes we’ve been waiting for so long to do, and it just gets more and more fun to write for these characters. We’re very excited for it.”

Q: Any news about “Devious Maids”? — Pamela G., via email

A: I have two exciting bits to tell you: First, season two will premiere on Lifetime on April 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Second, Mark Deklin (whom you all know I LOVED on “GCB”) has signed on as a regular cast member. As of this writing, I don’t know whom he’ll play or how he’ll impact the season, but I’ll let you know as soon as I can drag the information out of him.

Q: I am a fan of “NCIS” and have wondered why Cote Pablo left the series. — Judy D., via email

A: Cote left the series for personal reasons, which she chooses not to expand on. On the possibility of returning, she told “TV Guide Magazine”: “The greatest thing about this last episode is that Ziva doesn’t die. As long as a character doesn’t die, the character can always come back.” Cody recently signed on to co-star in the film “The 33,” which is based on the events of the 2010 Chilean mine collapse.

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Q and A: Week of Dec. 10

Mark Deklin, photo by Angelo Kritikos

Q: Ever since “GCB” was canceled, I’ve scoured the networks to find some of my favorite actors on other series. I haven’t seen Mark Deklin on anything recently, so I wondered if you could tell me what he is up to. – Gigi W., via email

A: Mark recently filmed a guest spot on “Castle” (it is episode 10, which is set to air in early January), where he plays a man whose girlfriend is found dead. Later in 2013 (an exact date has not been set yet), you can see Mark on the big screen in a live-action version of “Tarzan.”

Mark told me about the film and his character, John Greystoke: “It’s not the Victorian ’Tarzan’ that we all grew up with. It’s a modern take on it. My character is almost like a Richard Branson type — a wealthy but well-intentioned adventurer and entrepreneur. He discovers there’s a serious energy source — a sort of meteorite, which crashed in Africa — and he wants to find it.

“He brings his family with him, which of course is a stupid decision, but I suppose in the moment it doesn’t seem stupid because he doesn’t go thinking he’s going to die. He ends up unleashing a mystical force that he never could have anticipated, and everything goes south.”

Q: When will “Merlin” return to Syfy? — Felix S., via e-mail

A: Season five of the popular fantasy series, which premieres Friday, Jan. 4, at 10 p.m. ET on Syfy, will be the final season of the show. Executive producers (Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy) promise fans that “Merlin” is “leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best-known elements of this much-loved story, and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot.”

Q: I just rented “The Queen of Versailles” and was mesmerized by the story of David Siegel, his wife, Jackie, his family, and his struggle to save his time-share/real-estate business. Do you have any updates on how he is doing now? — George F., Naples, Fla.

A: David recently made national news when he sent a memo to his employees encouraging them to vote for Mitt Romney in the recent presidential elections. But, politics aside, David was quoted in a Reuters interview this past summer: “We’re the most profitable we’ve ever been.” He also is continuing work on his family’s new home, which is modeled on the Palace of Versailles in France. In fact, just before the movie’s premiere, David filed a defamation suit over the film’s portrayal of his business as failing, asserting that some of the film’s scenes were staged or exaggerated.

Q: Will there be an “Avengers” sequel? — Paul G., Tulsa, Okla.

A: After “The Avengers” smashed all sorts of box-office records this summer, you can bet there will be a sequel. “The Avengers 2” is set to premiere May 1, 2015, with the original cast, as well as some new faces.

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Interview: Mark Deklin, Under Suspicion

Mark Deklin, photo by Angelo Kritikos

Since ABC — unfairly, in my opinion, as my readers are aware — canceled “GCB,” I’ve been waiting to see its stars in other shows and movies. One of the series’ stars, Mark Deklin, can be seen next in an episode of “Castle” (to be shown this winter), as well as next year’s feature film “Tarzan” (which also stars Kellan Lutz, of “The Twilight Saga”). When I spoke with the always-charming and always-interesting actor recently, he told me all about his upcoming projects, starting with his guest stint on “Castle.”

Celebrity Extra: Without giving too much away, what can you tell me about your episode of “Castle”?

Mark Deklin: You’re absolutely going to hate me, because there’s so very little I can tell you. I feel like almost anything I tell you has the potential to be a spoiler, which tells you that it’s an interesting episode and an interesting character, but I’m afraid of tipping my hand.

CE: I know exactly what you mean, because “Castle” always has you wondering throughout the entire episode, sending you down some wrong paths, before they finally solve the case.

MD: One of the things I like about “Castle” — one of the things I think that makes it smart — is that they don’t throw in a red herring. I’ve been on crime shows before, and I always play the guy where it’s like: “Oh, he’s the jerk. I bet he’s the murderer.” Everybody always sees through that, because it’s so formulaic. The thing I like about “Castle” is that it’s not like that. The twists and turns could take you anywhere. The guy I play could be a good guy or a bad guy or just caught in the middle — there’s no way to know. And I can’t say a whole lot more than that.

CE: You’ve gotta give me a little something.

MD: We first meet him when his girlfriend is found dead. And he’s not a suspect necessarily, he’s just one of the people they are interviewing. This is clearly a guy who’s very saddened by her death. And then, of course, we meet him again later on in the episode …

CE: How was it working with Nathan Fillion?

MD: He’s a funny guy. He’s such a classic Canadian boy. And I mean that in all the best ways. You know, just so nice and personable and welcoming and down to earth — just a cool guy.

CE: How was the rest of the cast and crew to work with? Does the set have a nice working atmosphere?

MD: Everyone was just lovely. I’ve been in this business long enough, and I see how when you go on a different set, there can be good energy or bad energy. And I do sort of think it comes from the top down. I’ve been on sets where you just feel the ickiness in the air. Nobody’s horrible to you, but you can just feel that it’s not a nice place to work. That’s definitely not the case on “Castle.” I was getting texts from various people (who’d worked on the show) saying: “You’re going to love it. It’s such a great set.”

From the minute I walked on set, I felt welcomed. It’s very professional and well run. It all starts with Nathan and Stana (Katic, who plays Det. Kate Beckett), who are both just really chill and cool and laid-back. I had a lot of fun working with them. I worked with Jon (Huertas, Det. Esposito) and Seamus (Dever, Det. Ryan) as well — I actually knew them beforehand — and they were great.

You can tell it’s just a group of people who made a conscious decision to create a nontoxic work environment. It’s really nice when that happens. That was one of the things I really miss about “GCB,” because it was one of those environments. We all loved each other, and I loved going to work every day. And you don’t always have that working in television, so when you find it, you really remember those sets the most.

CE: I know it’s what sets up the whole story of “Tarzan,” but I am bummed that your character has to die in the beginning.

MD: It’s funny that that’s technically a spoiler, which cracks me up, because now everybody goes into the movie knowing that I die. But that’s the story — if the kid isn’t orphaned, then he can’t grow up to be Tarzan. So by definition, to make him an orphan, Mom and Dad have to get offed.

CE: What can you tell me about John Greystoke and his wife? What do we get to learn about them before you get offed?

MD: Jaime Ray Newman played my wife, Alice, and she’s great. Our characters kick off the movie. We get a little more action, a little more screen time than the parents in Disney’s “Tarzan” got. You actually get to see us interacting and figuring our stuff out. But it’s not the Victorian “Tarzan” that we all grew up with. It’s a modern take on it. My character is almost like a Richard Branson type — a wealthy but well-intentioned adventurer and entrepreneur. He discovers that there’s a serious energy source — sort of meteorite, which crashed in Africa — and he wants to find it. He brings his family with him, which of course is a stupid decision, but I suppose in the moment it doesn’t seem stupid because he doesn’t go thinking he’s going to die. He just thinks that they are going to be going on a safari. He ends up unleashing a mystical force that he never could have anticipated, and everything kind of goes

CE: Was this a fun movie to shoot?

MD: Yeah, it was really fun. It was cool. It was all CGI work, and I’ve done a lot of that for video games. It was amazing to see how technology has progressed just within the last year or so. My favorite part was watching Peter Elliot, who is based in London. He’s a stunt man, choreographer and also he’s an ape researcher. He worked on “Gorillas in the Mist.” He’s a fascinating guy. It was his job to turn these actors and stunt men into gorillas; how to move and breathe and occupy this gorilla space, and it was pretty amazing. If you watch the making-of trailer, it is pretty fantastic how these guys embodied these great apes, and to hear him talk about these apes with such passion. He was just fascinating to work with.

And Reinhard Klooss — who directed it, from Constantine Films — was a really interesting cat too. It was cool. We shot in Munich — I had lived in Vienna for a little while, and one of my best friends lived in Munich at the same time, so I used to spend a lot of time in Munich. It’s a great city. I hadn’t been back in years, so it was really fun to be back there shooting and to brush up on my German, which is very rusty.

CE: Do you have a release date for “Tarzan” yet?

MD: I know it’s definitely 2013 in Europe. And I know that they want to get a 2013 U.S. release as well, but I don’t know.

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Q and A: Week of June 11

Eric Winter, photo by Gabriel Goldberg

Q: I was dismayed to read that “GCB” wasn’t renewed for a second season! Is there anything we can do to save this show? — Vivian D., via e-mail

A: I’m not sure if we can save the show — if you read my column regularly, then you know I LOVE this show! — but we sure can try. First, there is a website set up where you can sign a petition: SaveGCB.com. I spoke with two of the series stars about its cancelation, and they are just as sad as we are. Eric Winter, who plays Luke Lourd, told me that “GCB” deserved to be saved because “the ‘GCB’ fans are the real deal. They’re passionate and they love their show. This is an extremely creative and smart show that just needs more of a chance to take off and run.”


Mark Deklin, who plays Blake Reilly, echoed Eric’s sentiments, telling me: “What’s really touched me the most is the way the fans have embraced Blake and Cricket. The outpouring of love and loyalty across all the social media has been astounding. So my gratitude to the fans is huge, as is my admiration and affection for my colleagues. On the night we got the news that we weren’t being renewed for a second season, I got a text from Miriam (Shor, who plays Cricket) that said, ‘I will miss you most of all, Scarecrow.’ If there was a moment in which I got a little choked up, it was probably the moment when I read that text. I’ve become incredibly fond of the Caruth-Reillys.”

Q: Can you tell me if my favorite show, “Harry’s Law,” will return next season? — Laurie B., Canton, Mich.

A: This is the part of my job that I hate: Telling good readers like you when a network has canceled their favorite show. “Harry’s Law” really struggled with ratings its second season — my guess is fans didn’t/couldn’t keep up with all the day and time changes that NBC kept dealing it.

Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing, Dallas)

Q: I’ve been hearing about the new “Dallas,” but haven’t been able to find it on the schedule. Please tell me the show wasn’t scrapped before it even aired! — Cara D., via e-mail

A: Don’t you worry: “Dallas” returns to TV for 10 episodes on TNT beginning Wednesday, June 13, at 9/8c with a two-hour season premiere. You’re not the only one who’s excited. Personally, I can’t wait to see what the new generation of Ewings has in store for us — and Larry Hagman as J.R. will be up to no good, for sure.

Readers: I have had dozens of people write in to ask about the fate of NBC’s “Community,” and I am thrilled to report that the offbeat comedy has been renewed for a 13-episode fourth season. While it might be shorter than normal, let’s just be glad we even got another season with this talented group!

Q: I know this is the final season of “The Closer,” but it hasn’t been on in months, and I am afraid I missed the finale! — Delia D., via e-mail

A: “The Closer” returns to TNT after a six-month hiatus to air its final six episodes. So tune in Monday, July 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT as Kyra Sedgwick and company bring seven years of this groundbreaking and record-breaking show to an end.

Q: I really like this season of “Single Ladies” on VH1. Can you tell me more about Ricky Whittle? He plays Charles on the show. — Candice W., Columbus, Ohio

A: The hunky U.K. native got his start in sports, which segued into modeling, and now he’s poised to take Hollywood and the acting world by storm. I asked Ricky recently about how he got his start in acting and he told me simply: to meet girls. “At the time, I’d loved to have said I did it because I wanted to be recognized as a great actor, but I was shallow. I was young. I’ll be honest — at that time I was at university, and I was in the library six days a week reading books. I thought, ‘Do I want to stay in the library, or do I want to be on TV and get lots of girls?’”


Aside from his gig on “Single Ladies,” you can catch him soon on the big screen in “Austenland,” which is about an American woman (played by Keri Russell) who goes to England for a fantasy vacation where you interact with people from Jane Austen books. Ricky told me: “I play Capt. George East. Basically, Jane Seymour is running a brothel, and we’re paid to romance the women who come to the resort. My character is Caribbean. He doesn’t really fit into the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ time. But you’ve got your Mr. Darcys there, and your other Austen characters. He’s a former soap actor, and he thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread. It was very fun to play.”

Q: Can you tell me what one of my favorite actresses, Thandie Newton, has coming up? — Pete W., Omaha, Neb.

A: Thandie is set to star in the DIRECTV original suspense-drama called “Rogue,” which begins production in August and will air summer 2013 for a 10-episode run. Thandie plays a morally and emotionally conflicted cop named Grace, who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to her son’s death. Grace’s search for the truth is further complicated by her forbidden relationship with the crime boss who may have had a hand in the death.

Q: Is Josh Lucas from “The Firm” married? Does he have children? — Ann N., Fairport, N.Y.

A: The handsome 40-year-old — whose show “The Firm” was recently canceled by NBC — married his girlfriend, Jessica, in early March. The two also are expecting their first child together.

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Q and A: Week of March 12

Q: It’s official: I am hooked on “GCB.” Can you give me any info on the handsome actor who plays Blake? — Trudy F., via e-mail

A: Mark Deklin, 44, along with being a super actor is also a professional fight director, talented musician, smarty-pants English and History degree holder, father, husband, and all-around great guy. I spoke with him recently about his role of in-the-closet Blake (who’s married to Cricket, but it’s OK, because she knows and is fine with it), and he gave me some scoop: “As the season goes on, we explore the dynamic of our marriage. What are the rules? If we’re not jealous of the other’s sexual encounters, what are the things that we ARE jealous of? There are certain guidelines. Being with someone else sexually is not seen as a betrayal in that marriage, but having a best friend outside the marriage IS a betrayal. We’ve had a lot of fun figuring it out together.”

Read my entire interview with Mark here.

Q: I love ABC’s “Suburgatory,” especially Jeremy Sisto. I’ve had a crush on him since “Clueless.” Any chance that one of his former “Clueless” castmates will appear on his new show? — Justine M., via e-mail

A: Not only is there a chance, but it is actually happening: “Clueless” star Alicia Silverstone will join Jeremy on “Suburgatory” for a four-episode story arc at the end of this first season. No word yet on her character, but I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

Q: Can you tell me what one of my favorite actresses, Elaine Hendrix, has been up to lately? — Jeff D., Savannah, Ga.

A: Aside from saving animals in her spare time as the founding officer of Animal Rescue Corps, the “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” actress just landed a lead role opposite Judy Greer in the ABC pilot “American Judy.” The comedy centers on Judy, who gets married and moves to the suburbs, juggling stepkids, her mother-in-law and the ex-wife (Elaine) of her husband, who also happens to be the town sheriff.

Q: You always seem to be on top of this, so could you let me know as soon as you find out who the new contestants will be on the next season of “Dancing with the Stars”? — Pauline R., Oxford, Ohio

A: You know I will, Pauline. This season’s contestants are your usual hodgepodge of athletes, singers, entertainment reporters and actors (with the usual soap star thrown in for good measure. The new season, which begins March 19, consists of “Family Matters” actor Jaleel White, singer Gladys Knight, football player Donald Driver (who did very well for me in fantasy football a few years back), “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd, singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, “Little House on the Prairie” actress Melissa Gilbert, Disney Channel star Roshon Fegan, tennis player Martina Navratilova, soap star Jack Wagner, telenovela star William Levy, operatic singer Katherine Jenkins and “Extra” co-host Maria Menounos.

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Interview: Mark Deklin Shakes Things Up on GCB

(ABC/RICHARD FOREMAN) MIRIAM SHOR, MARK DEKLIN

Touted as “Dallas” meets “Desperate Housewives” meets awesome, ABC’s newest nighttime drama, “GCB,” is kickin’ butt and taking names. This deliciously fun, wicked new drama shows that you can go home again … but only if you’re ready to face the sins of your past. Former mean girl Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) returns home to her mom (Annie Potts) in Dallas after her marriage ends in scandal. There Amanda must face all her former friends who she tormented as the Queen Bee in high school. Amanda has turned over a new leaf, but most of her “friends” are stuck in the past. I spoke with series star Mark Deklin, who plays Amanda’s high-school boyfriend Blake Reilly, who’s also husband to one of the girls Amanda tormented all those years ago.

Celebrity Extra: While “GCB” is being compared with other popular nighttime soaps, for me, I feel it is quite original and a blast to watch.

Mark Deklin: Thanks for the compliment. I think it is very different. At first glance, most people’s impression is, “Oh, this is basically going to be like ‘Desperate Housewives’ in the South.” I had this sort of attitude of like: “Oh, I know what this is. I’ve got this whole thing figured out.” But as I read the script, I realized it was very smart and had a unique voice to it. More than anything, I think that voice was (executive producer) Bobby Harling. You hear that voice in his movies, like “Steel Magnolias,” “First Wives Club” and “Soap Dish.” When I had my first meeting with (executive producer) Darren Star, I began to realize that we had the opportunity to do something really cool here and something that isn’t already on TV.

CE: I love the layers of your character: He is kind, compassionate, a husband and father, and he’s secretly gay. He must be very interesting for you to play.

MD: The first thing is, as an actor, you are always looking for characters who have layers. Right off the bat, he’s got layers built in. But then the other thing that was really cool was I don’t know anybody who’s in the closet. I have hundreds of gay friends, but they’re all out, so when I first came on board, I was talking to the creative team, and I said, “Help me with this, because I don’t have a template to work from.” The thing about Blake is that he’s not tortured. This is the choice he’s made. This is the arrangement that he and his wife have. They both know what’s going on, and they’re both cool with it.

CE: And it’s a win/win for Blake and his wife, Cricket, because they both get what they need out of the relationship. Does this continue throughout the season?

MD: I don’t want to give too much away, but as the season goes on, we explore the dynamic of our marriage and how it works. What are the rules? There are certain guidelines. Being with someone else sexually is not seen as a betrayal in that marriage, but having a best friend outside the marriage is a betrayal. Or falling in love with somebody else outside the marriage is a betrayal. There are guidelines.

CE: What do you hope viewers take away from the show?

MD: My hope is that people will watch and that the show will meet their expectations. And as the show unfolds, I hope they’ll say: “This show is more than I expected. It is actually very smart and very funny.” I know some people are offended by the title “Good Christian Bitches,” thinking this is an attack on religion. But I think one of the things people will find is that it absolutely is NOT an attack on religion. It is a lighthearted jab at hypocrisy within a particular religious context, but the show is actually very respectful of religion. They are respectful of the teachings of Christ. What’s being made fun of is these people who engage in very un-Christ-like behavior and call themselves Christians. I think we’ve all created a really tangible and palpable world, and I think and I hope that that’s what comes across.

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