Q and A: Week of March 5

Annie Potts, Leslie Bibb (photo by Karen Neal/ABC)

Q: I love Annie Potts in just about everything I see her in, and her new show “GCB” is definitely included. Where does she get her inspiration for the fun and eclectic characters she portrays? — Ginny W., via e-mail

A: For her role of Gigi Stopper, Annie found inspiration from a dear friend, the late Dixie Carter, whom she starred with on “Designing Women.” I spoke with Annie recently about “GCB” — which I agree is a must-see — and she told me how she formed the character of Gigi: “I have lovingly borrowed from Dixie Carter. Were she still alive, the role would have been hers and should have been, but since she took early leave, I just decided to play it like her. I think that she would approve.

“Dixie was sensationally beautiful, religious, Republican, conservative and had two daughters whom she worshipped. She always had stockings on, and she was immaculately groomed all the time. Even if I went over there to her house early in the morning, she always looked good. And she was always in the pew on Sunday. I think that’s the way Gigi is.” See for yourself, and check out “GCB” on ABC Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

Q: Will Noah Wylie’s new show, “Falling Skies,” be back for another season? It was my favorite new show of last season. — Frankie A., Charlotte, N.C.

A: “Falling Skies” will return to TNT this summer as part of its exciting original summer-programming lineup. “Lost” alumnus Terry O’Quinn will join Noah for at least two episodes, playing a mentor of sorts for Tom Mason.

Q: I loved “Wedding Crashers.” Will Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn make another movie soon? They are so good together. — Alec. D., via e-mail

A: A lot of people agree with you, including the dynamic comedy duo themselves: Owen and Vince have signed on to co-star together in the new big-screen comedy “Interns,” where they’ll play two middle-aged men forced to re-evaluate their careers after being laid off. It follows their resulting struggle to reclimb the corporate ladder.

Dear Readers: Because I get tons of letters asking about “The Waltons,” I wanted to share this programming information with you. The Hallmark Channel will air “A Walton Easter” on Saturday, March 31, at 6 p.m. ET/PT, 5 p.m. CT. The television movie, which originally aired in 1997, takes place in 1969, where John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is now a married New York TV news anchor and is writing a new book. When John-Boy and his very pregnant wife, Janet (Kate McNeil), join his family for the celebration of his parent’s 40th wedding anniversary, John-Boy yearns to move back to the mountain, which conflicts with Janet’s wishes to stay in New York.

Immediately following, enjoy “A Decade of the Waltons,” a family special that highlights the greatest moments from “The Waltons,” and is hosted by Earl Hammer Jr., creator and narrator of the original show.

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 1

Noah Wyle, photo by Ken Woroner

Q: Noah Wyle’s new show, “Falling Skies,” is wonderful. Do you know if it has been renewed for a second season? — Theresa D., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: You can bet your sweet bippy that TNT has renewed cable’s No. 1 new series for another season. The alien-invasion saga, which airs Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), also stars Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton and Drew Roy, and is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. TNT has ordered 10 episodes for the second season, which will air summer 2012.

Q: I just saw a preview for the remake of “Dallas,” which excites me to no end. I was wondering if any of the other older nighttime soaps have plans for a remake, like “Falcon Crest” or “Knots Landing”? — Diedre D., via e-mail

A: So far, no plans are in the works, but of course, you can never say never. I spoke with Nicollette Sheridan recently, who co-starred as Paige Matheson in the sudster “Dallas” spinoff, and she told me: “I haven’t heard of anyone speaking about doing that. I think ‘Dallas’ was always flashier than ‘Knots Landing.’

“‘Knots Landing’ was a down-home, simpler, more-pained version. Very real people going through very real situations. But so far, no, I haven’t heard of any plans for doing that.” For now, you can catch Nicollette in the Hallmark Channel original movie, “Honeymoon for One,” which premieres Saturday, Aug. 13.

Q: I’ve seen commercials for a new police drama on Lifetime, but I didn’t catch the name of the show. Could tell me about it? — Derek F., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A: You’re thinking of “Against the Wall,” which is part police procedural, part family drama. It centers on a family of Chicago police officers, and stars Rachael Carpani, Brandon Quinn, Treat Williams and Kathy Baker. The show airs Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

I spoke with Brandon Quinn, who plays Richie Kowalski, about the show: “The folks at Lifetime are really trying to re-identify themselves, and this show is definitely unlike anything else they have right now. It’s going to put them on the map. I’m really proud of this show. I would stack it up against any other show on network television right now.”

Q: I absolutely love the series “Bored to Death.” I read somewhere that Ted Danson is leaving the show to star in another show. Please tell me this isn’t true! — Hadley F., via e-mail

A: What you heard is only half-true. Ted is indeed going to star in another show; however, he won’t leave “Bored to Death.” He will remain a series regular on the HBO comedy that also stars Zach Galifianakis and Jason Schwartzman, and is slated to return for its third season this fall. Ted also has joined the cast of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” where he’ll play the new supervisor for the Las Vegas CSI team. “CSI” returns for its 12th season Sept. 21.

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Q and A: Week of Feb. 28

Q: Is TNT going to make another movie in “The Librarian” series? — Bridget C., via e-mail

A: While “Librarian” star Noah Wyle has stated that there are no immediate plans for another movie, he is definitely on board when they decide to make the next one. For now he is busy with his new TNT show (debuting June 10) “Falling Skies,” while “Librarian” executive producer, Dean Devlin, is busy with TNT’s “Leverage.” However, this might bode well for “The Librarian” series, as Noah said in an interview last summer: “I miss (‘The Librarian’) so much. In fact, one of the big reasons I wanted to do ‘Falling Skies’ for TNT is that Dean’s got his show (‘Leverage’), I’ve got my show, and we can apply [pressure] to TNT to make some more ‘Librarian’ movies.”

Q: I just watched an excellent movie called “Shooter” with Mark Wahlberg. There also is a Donnie Wahlberg, I think, on “Blue Bloods.” Are they related? Also, was one of them in the Backstreet Boys? — Nancy G., Punta Gorda, Fla.



A: Mark and Donnie Wahlberg are brothers. The elder Wahlberg, Donnie (41), got his start in New Kids on the Block back in 1984; however, the group didn’t really break out until 1988′s “Hangin’ Tough,” NKOTB’s second album. The group broke up in 1995. Donnie then embarked on an acting career, co-starring in “Ransom,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Band of Brothers” and “Boomtown.” While he hasn’t given up his acting career, he and the rest of the New Kids have reunited, and this summer they are touring with, ironically, the Backstreet Boys.

In the late ’80s/early ’90s, brother Mark, 39, had some success with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, whose single “Good Vibrations” became a No. 1 hit in 1991. Mark segued into film after doing numerous ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, co-starring in “The Basketball Diaries,” “Boogie Nights,” “The Perfect Storm” and “The Departed” (for which he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award), among many others.

Q: Now that Arnold Schwarzenegger is no longer the “Gubernator” of California, will he return to movies? – Alan H., Akron, Ohio

A: Arnold took to his Twitter account recently to let the world know he’s ready to act again: “Exciting news. My friends at (agency) CAA have been asking me for seven years when they can take offers seriously. Gave them the green light today.”

Q: Has “Chase” been taken off the air? We really enjoy the show and miss it! — Karin R., via e-mail

A: As of this writing, “Chase” has not OFFICIALLY been canceled; however, it has been pulled off NBC’s schedule with no plans to air the remaining episodes. So, yes, the series is pretty much dead in the water. “Chase” was replaced by the game show “Minute to Win It,” which scored 3.2 million more viewers than “Chase.”

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