Q and A: Week of Nov. 26

Tara Summers

Q: I am a big fan of “Sons of Anarchy,” and I was wondering who the pretty blonde is? She was on a couple of episodes and played Karen. I know I’ve seen her on something else prior to this. — Geri R., via e-mail

A: Tara Summers, who turns 33 in December, plays Dr. Karen Dunhill on FX’s rough-and-tumble, motorcycle-filled crime drama. Tara is a TV and film vet who’s been in lots of series and feature film, including “Alfie,” “Boston Legal,” “Dirt,” “Factory Girl,” “Damages” and “Ringer.” You can see her this winter in the feature film “Hitchcock,” which stars Anthony Hopkins (as Alfred Hitchcock) and Helen Mirren (as his wife, Alma Reville), with Tara playing Rita Riggs.

Tara told me what it was like working with the two legendary actors: “Helen Mirren … it’s really like her movie. She’s extraordinary. It focuses on the love story between Hitchcock and his wife, and how she was the silent partner in the operation. His wife had a lot more to do with it than we will ever know. And Anthony Hopkins is one of my heroes, and he was so generous and so kind. He’s always in a good mood, and just so amazing to work with and to watch.”

Q: My friend told me that the CW is remaking “Sex and the City.” Is that true? If so, why? It was great as it was on HBO. — Penny W., Seattle

A: The CW is not remaking the hit HBO series, which starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. Rather, they bought the rights to the prequel, “The Carrie Diaries,” based on the book written by “Sex” author Candace Bushnell. “The Carrie Diaries” — set in the 1980s — chronicles Carrie Bradshaw’s (played by AnnaSophia Robb) coming-of-age as she navigates her senior year of high school and discovers the glittering lights of Manhattan, and lots of shoes. “The Carrie Diaries” premieres on the CW on Monday, Jan. 14, at 8/7c, followed by “90210,” which moves to 9/8c.

Q: I was a big fan of “The Cosby Show,” and I wondered whatever happened to the actor who played Rudy’s friend, Stanley, on the show. — Justin W., via e-mail

A: Merlin Santana, who went on to play Ohagi on “Moesha” and Romeo on “The Steve Harvey Show,” died on 2002 at the age of 26. Tragically, he was falsely accused of attempted rape of 15-year-old Monique King, so her boyfriend, Brandon Bynes, shot Merlin six times, killing him. Brandon received three consecutive life sentences plus 70 years in prison, while Monique received eight years in juvenile custody.

Q: When will “Cougar Town” be back? — Jennifer T., Tampa

A: TBS has announced that “Cougar Town” will return for a 15-episode fourth season beginning Tuesday, Jan. 8. So raise a glass (of red wine, of course) to the return of your favorite cul-de-sac gang, as they begin a new era on a new network. I can’t wait!

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Q and A: Week of Jan. 24

Q: I love the show “The Mentalist,” and I especially love the addition of Agent Craig O’Laughlin. What can you tell me about the actor who portrays him (I could swear I’ve seen him a movie recently), and will his romance with Grace Van Pelt continue? — Lydia G., via e-mail

A: Eric Winter (left, photo by Gabriel Goldberg), 34, plays the dashing young FBI agent on the hit CBS show. Previously, Eric was best known for his work on “Days of Our Lives,” “Moonlight” and “Brothers and Sisters.” The recent movie you’re referring to is “The Ugly Truth,” with Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl, which Eric said was a thrill to work on.


“That was just a huge opportunity that (director) Robert Luketic and Lakeshore gave me,” he told me recently. “And it was really awesome; I had such a blast working with those guys. And my relationship with Katie (Heigl) and Gerry (Butler) was a ton of fun. It was a huge opportunity. It was kind of a fun, vulgar romantic comedy — it changes up from the normal romantic-comedy pace that you’re used to.”


As far as O’Laughlin’s relationship with Van Pelt: “From what I understand, they plan on doing a slow burn. Whatever happens between the two of us is definitely going to play its course. But there’s a lot to do with my character aside from that relationship. I’m not in the writing room, so I don’t know. But I know they have it well worked out, and they’ve been great with me so far.”

Q: On “Sons of Anarchy,” they refer to SAMCRO all the time. Who or what is SAMCRO? — Sonny W. in Tenn.

A: As you know, FX’s hit show “Sons of Anarchy” centers on the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, Calif. SAMCRO refers to the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Chapter. When “Sons” returns this fall, expect some changes in the town of Charming, including a new mayor and a new sheriff.



Q: The summer series “The Glades” on A&E was a great show with good plots and characters. Will it be returning anytime soon? — Barbara E., via e-mail

A: When “The Glades” debuted in July 2010, it broke viewing records for A&E, making it the most watched, highest-rated original drama for the network, so you can bet it will be back for a second season. The police procedural, which takes place and is filmed entirely Florida, will pick up again this summer.

Q: On Christmas Day, CNN aired a show called “After Jesus: The First Christians.” Will it be aired again? — Maureen G. in Florida

A: The two-hour documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, has been a Christmas and Easter staple for the network since it first aired in 2006. While there is no official word from CNN, be on the lookout for it come Easter time.

Q: A while back, I remember watching a TV show where celebrities researched their family lineage to see where they came from and their history and all that. What was the name of the show, and will it be back for another season? — Gerry F., via e-mail

A: The show you’re referring to is “Who Do You Think You Are?” and it airs on NBC. It’s produced by actress Lisa Kudrow (who researched her own background during the show’s first season), and it will be back for its second season on Friday, Feb. 4. This season will feature Gwyneth Paltrow, Steve Buscemi, Rosie O’Donnell, Tim McGraw, Lionel Richie, Kim Cattrall, Vanessa Williams and Ashley Judd. If you missed any of the first season, it will be released on DVD on March 15.

Q: Now that Dana Delany is no longer on “Desperate Housewives,” where can I see this gorgeous and talented actress? — Stephanie D., Altoona, Pa.

A: The former Wisteria Lane resident is still on ABC, but she stars in a brand-new drama called “Body of Proof,” which debuts Tuesday, March 29. Dana (left, photo ABC) plays a neurosurgeon, Dr. Megan Hunt, whose world is turned upside down when an accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. In her new career as a medical examiner, she is determined to solve the puzzle of who or what has killed the victims. Jeri Ryan, John Carroll Lynch, Nicholas Bishop and Sonja Sohn co-star.

Q: It seems like everyone in Hollywood got married or engaged over the holidays! In a previous column, you mentioned the engagement of Shania Twain, and I hear she married on New Year’s Day. I also heard that Valerie Bertinelli got married, and Sherri Shepherd got engaged. I am missing any others? — Irene R., via e-mail

A: A few you missed are: the engagement of Natalie Portman to her “Black Swan” choreographer Benjamin Millepied (as well as the announcement of her pregnancy), the first sightings of new couple Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp, the engagement of LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, Reese Witherspoon’s engagement to Jim Toth (although her rep denies rumors of Reese’s pregnancy), as well as the marriage of Kellie Pickler to songwriter Kyle Jacobs. On the flip side, Macaulay Culkin and Mila Kunis broke up, as did Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. And I’m sure there are a few I missed.

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Q and A: Week of Oct. 25

Q: I am a great fan of Zachary Quinto (pictured) of “Heroes.” Now that the show has been canceled, what else can I see him in? Also, will there be a sequel to “Star Trek,” and will he play Spock again? — Marie K., Port Charlotte, Fla.

A: Zachary will be back to reprise his role as Spock in the as-yet-untitled sequel to 2009’s smash-hit reboot of the popular sci-fi series, “Star Trek.” Pretty much all the principal stars are back on board for the follow-up movie, which is due to hit theaters in summer 2012. Quinto recently completed two movies, “Girl Walks Into a Bar” with Josh Hartnett and Danny DeVito, and “Margin Call” with Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Paul Bettany.

Q: I haven’t seen anything about “Sons of Anarchy” returning to FX. Please tell me it hasn’t been canceled. — Pam M., Southbury, Conn.

A: Season three of “Sons of Anarchy” attracted almost 5 million viewers per week, making it FX’s highest rated series ever, so you can bet it’ll be back for a fourth season. Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman and Katey Sagal all will return for a 13-episode season next year. I’ll keep you posted on the exact date as it becomes available.




Q: What can you tell me about actor Dermot Mulroney? I love his acting and wonder why we don’t see more of him. — Sharon F., Hamden, Conn.

A: Dermot was slated to star in the “Rockford Files” reboot for NBC, but he was dropped when NBC execs were not satisfied with the pilot episode. Word is that Josh Holloway of “Lost” in is the running to take over the role of Jim Rockford. Dermot has been keeping busy, however, shooting the feature films “The Family Tree” and “Inhale,” and beginning work on “The Riot.”

Q: My husband and I love William Powell in any movie, especially “The Thin Man.” We have tried to learn more about him at the library, but can’t seem to find much. Can you tell me about his personal life: children, wives, when he died and where he was buried? — Lisa S., Clarksville, Tenn.

A: William Powell, who was nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in 1935’s “The Thin Man” (and again for “My Man Godfrey” and “Life With Father”), was married three times. His first wife, Eileen Wilson, bore him his only child, son William David, who committed suicide in 1968 after a period of poor health. He also was married to actress Carole Lombard from 1931-33, but his third and final wife, actress Diane Lewis, was the one who stuck. They were married from 1940 until William’s death from cardiac arrest in 1984 at the age of 91. He is buried in Desert Memorial Park in Palm Springs, Calif. Other famous “residents” include Frank Sinatra and Sonny Bono, as well as William Jr. and Diane (who passed away in 1997).

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