Q and A: Week of May 9

Q: I read somewhere that my all-time favorite band, KISS, is back in the studio working on a new album. Is that true? If so, when can we expect some new material from them? — Rodney G., via e-mail

A: It’s true: KISS is working on a new studio album. The band began recording in April, and lead singer/songwriter Paul Stanley told me that they expect to release the album in late fall or early 2012, depending on how things go. He said: “So far, it sounds phenomenal. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.”


In the meantime, Paul also is working with the House Research Institute to help bring awareness to teen hearing loss. Having been born deaf in one ear as well as being a mega rock star, Paul knows all about protecting his hearing, and he wants to help spread the word any way he can. “Hearing loss affects kids, it affects teens, and it affects adults. I tell people, ‘If you won’t listen to somebody in a white coat, maybe you’ll listen to somebody in black leather.’”

For more info on how you can protect your hearing, go to earbud.org, and to learn more about Sound Rules! visit soundrules.org. Go here for my full interview with Paul.

Q: Will “Memphis Beat” and “Rizzoli and Isles” be back on TV? I’m already getting tired of all the summer reality shows! — Glenda F., via e-mail

A: “Memphis” and “Rizzoli” will be back this summer on TNT, starting June 14 and July 11, respectively. In fact, TNT recently announced its all-new summer programming slate, which includes two new series, “Franklin and Bash” with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer, and “Falling Skies” with Noah Wylie. Other returning series include “Men of a Certain Age” on June 1, “HawthoRNe” on June 14, “Leverage” on June 26 and “The Closer” on July 11. So get ready for some summertime drama, because TNT is filled to the brim with it!

Q: The Season 1 cliffhanger for Syfy’s “Being Human” had me on the edge of my seat. Please tell me it has been renewed for another season — I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! — Jackie H. in Montana

A: The vampire/werewolf/ghost fantasy-drama has been renewed for a second season by the Syfy network. In fact, the Season 1 finale shattered ratings records for the network. Although no official Season 2 premiere date has been given, I would assume to look for it come January 2012.

Q: I was happy to read in your column that “In Plain Sight” would be back on USA for a fourth and fifth season, but I read that star Mary McCormack is pregnant in real life. How will they handle it on the show? — Colleen V., Las Vegas

A: Mary and hubby Michael Morris are expecting their third child together. Mary told People magazine that her pregnancy will be written into the show, so it will be interesting to see what this means for her character, Mary Shannon.

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TNT Announces Its Summer Programming Schedule

New Series:

Franklin & Bash – Series premiere Wednesday, June 1, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 1: 10 episodes

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue) and Breckin Meyer (Road Trip) star in this light-hearted legal drama as two fly-by-the seat-of-their-pants lawyers working for a button-down law firm. Malcom McDowell (Heroes, Entourage) also stars as the head of their firm.

Falling Skies – Two-hour series premiere Sunday, June 19, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT); regular timeslot Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 1: 10 episodes

Noah Wyle (ER) stars in this gripping drama series from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg about the aftermath of an alien invasion and the resistance movement formed by the survivors.

Returning Series:

Men of a Certain Age – Premiere: Wednesday, June 1, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2 continues: Six summer episodes

Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) and Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street) star in this acclaimed drama series about three men facing the challenges of midlife.

Memphis Beat – Premiere: Tuesday, June 14, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2: 10 episodes

Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) stars as a Memphis police detective with an intimate connection to the city, a passion for its music and a very demanding boss. Alfre Woodard (True Blood) and DJ Qualls (Hustle & Flow) also star.

HawthoRNe – Premiere: Tuesday, June 14, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 3: 10 episodes

This powerful drama series stars Jada Pinkett Smith (The Matrix trilogy) as Christina Hawthorne, the impassioned Chief Nursing Officer at James River Hospital, with Michael Vartan (Alias) and new cast member Marc Anthony (El Cantate) also starring.

Leverage – Premiere: Sunday, June 26, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 4: 10 summer episodes

Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People) stars as the head of television’s coolest gang of thieves, grifters and con artists out to help everyday people get even against the big shots who have destroyed their lives.

The Closer – Premiere: Monday, July 11, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 7: 10 summer episodes

TNT’s record-breaking series returns this summer with 2010 Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick as Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.

Rizzoli & Isles – Premiere: Monday, July 11, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2: 10 summer episodes

Last summer, Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander proved two heads are better than one in this drama series based on the crime novels by best-selling author Tess Gerritsen. As Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles, the pair share a quirky chemistry and put away some of Boston’s most notorious criminals.

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Q and A: Week of Nov. 8

Q: I think I’ve missed a couple of episodes of “Lone Star” on Fox. Is it coming back on? — Mike M., Newark, Ohio


Q: I fell in love with the ABC summer series “The Gates.” Do you have any idea if it will be brought back, maybe as a midseason replacement? I really need to know what happens! — Karen D. in Virginia

A: “Lone Star” was the first casualty of the fall 2010 season. Despite rave reviews and being the critics’ darling, low ratings forced Fox to pull the series after only two episodes.


And the same fate seems to have befallen the summer series “The Gates” (which was one of my favorite shows of the year) and “Scoundrels.” On Oct. 15, “The Gates” star Frank Grillo (pictured) tweeted: “Don’t shoot the messenger … “The Gates” is officially canceled. I knew my source was right. Thanks to all of you for supporting us.”

As of this writing, ABC’s “My Generation” and NBC’s “Outlaw” (starring Jimmy Smits) also are kaput. One the cusp of cancellation — however, they still could be saved — are “Undercovers” and “Running Wilde.”

Q: Last season on “The Mentalist,” there was an actor on one of the episodes playing the role of a billionaire who really resembles Kevin Spacey. Who is he, and what else can I see him in? — Jay F., via e-mail

A: You’re thinking of 43-year-old Canadian actor Currie Graham. Most recently he co-starred with Jaime Pressly in “Smoke Screen,” a made-for-TV movie based on the Sandra Brown novel. The movie premieres Sunday night, Nov. 21, on the Lifetime Movie Network.

Q: Sean Murray of “NCIS” sure has lost a lot of weight. Is he ill or on some sort of a diet? — Mrs. G., Venice, Fla.

A: Sean, who turns 33 on Nov. 15, explained via his Twitter account that his weight loss came from “14 months of no alcohol and almost no sugar. Ate strictly organic. … You can actually see me gradually lose the weight over the 24 (episodes) of Season 7; a pound every week or two.”

Q: I enjoy watching classic black-and-white movies on television. What does “RKO” stand for in the RKO Pictures logo? — Tashi G., Dearborn, Mich.

A: RKO stands for “Radio-Keith-Orpheum.” RKO was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO) theater chains brought together under the control of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) back in 1928.

READERS: A few weeks back, a reader asked when TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age” would be back for its second season, and I answered that it would be Nov. 29. The network has since pushed that date back to Monday, Dec. 6, so re-mark your calendars!

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Q and A: Week of Oct. 11

Q: My husband and I think “Men of a Certain Age” was the best show on TV last year. Can you tell us if it’s been picked up for a second season? We sure hope so. — Carmen G., via e-mail

A: I am happy to report that TNT’s hit comedy starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula has been renewed for a second season, which will premiere Nov. 29. You can relive the first season soon, as Season One will make its DVD debut Nov. 2. The two-disc DVD set will include all 10 episodes from the first season. Bonus features include commentary, deleted scenes, gag reel and behind-the-scenes footage.

Q: I just found out that actors Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek have divorced. How are they doing, and how do they make it work with their children? — Sasha F., Ontario, Canada

A: I spoke with Jane recently while she was promoting her Lifetime movie “Reviving Ophelia” (which I highly recommend), and she told me how she and Brad are able to make it work since getting divorced in 2009: “Brad and I have a really wonderful relationship. The marriage couldn’t work anymore, but I think that we still have an incredible fondness and love for each other that we really want our kids to see as we become friends. We just think of it as a family that lives in two different houses.”




Q: I was so sad to read that Gloria Stuart had passed away. “Titanic” is one of my all-time favorite movies, and Gloria did a wonderful job in it. What other films has this beautiful actress been in? — Phyllis S., via e-mail

A: Gloria Stuart, who passed away Sept. 26 of respiratory failure at the age of 100, got her start early in Hollywood. She was a blond beauty who starred in “The Invisible Man,” “Gold Diggers of 1935” and “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” She was semiretired by the 1940s, and returned to acting in the ’70s with sporadic roles in TV and film.


She returned to the acting forefront in the 1997 epic romance/disaster film “Titanic,” and both she and Kate Winslet were nominated for an Academy Award for the same role (Kate playing Young Rose, and Gloria playing Older Rose), which was an Oscar first. Upon hearing of Gloria’s passing, Kate released this statement: “I feel blessed to have met her, known her and to have acted alongside her. She will be deeply missed.”

Q: What are these rumors I’m hearing about a “Sound of Music” reunion? — Gerry D., Wilmington, Del.

A: I think you’re referring to the news that the entire cast of the hit 1965 musical will reunite on “Oprah” on Oct. 29 in honor of the film’s 45th anniversary. All the cast members (as well as members of the real Von Trapp family) will be on hand, including stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Color me ecstatic!

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