Q and A: Week of March 18

Q: Kirstie Alley: Where is she, and what has she been doing? — George G., Hanover, Wash.

A: Since wowing her fans during two separate runs on “Dancing With the Stars,” Kirstie is taking that momentum to TV Land, where she’ll star in a new sitcom, “Kirstie’s New Show,” beginning this fall. According to the network, the show “revolves around Madison ’Maddie’ Banks (played by Kirstie), a renowned Broadway star who finds her life turned upside down when Arlo, the son she gave up at birth, suddenly appears hoping to connect after his adoptive parents have died.” The show co-stars Kirstie’s fellow “Cheers” alumnus, Rhea Perlman.

Q: I am so happy that my favorite reality/competition show, “Dancing With the Stars,” is back. But why hasn’t my favorite dancer, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, returned? — Hannah Y., via e-mail

A: Right after the season 16 cast was announced last month, the 33-year-old ballroom pro released a statement explaining his absence this season: “I just want to set the record straight to all of my amazing fans that I will, unfortunately, not be returning for this season of ’Dancing with the Stars,’ I’ve been a pro dancer on the show for about seven years now and am eager to explore other opportunities that have been made possible because of ’Dancing with the Stars.’ I’m going to take this time to dive into producing and acting, while fulfilling my sponsorship obligations.”

A representative for the show went on to explain why Maksim — as well as Anna Trebunskaya, Chelsie Hightower and Louis van Amstel — wouldn’t be returning: “We frequently rotate the professional dancers, so it is not unusual for them to rest a cycle. As we consider who will be matched up each season, there are a lot of factors that dictate which couples make the best pairings. We appreciate each of our dancers’ dedication to the show, so this is a very difficult decision.”

Q: I really loved Jane Seymour’s raunchy turn as BJ’s mom on Fox’s “Ben and Kate.” Since that hilarious show has unfortunately been canceled, will we see Jane on anything else soon? I sure do hope so! — Harold W., Roanoke, Va.

A: The gorgeous and talented Brit has signed on to co-star in a yet-untitled pilot for NBC. The show revolves around a character named Karey, “the clean-nosed black sheep in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts and narcissists.” Jane will play Dotty, Karey’s mother, who’s described as “self-centered, theatrical and often inappropriate.”

Q: I have been hearing for a while about a new Aaron Eckhart movie called “Erased.” It is supposed to be in theaters, but I can’t find it anywhere. — Danni R., via e-mail

A: The action thriller was released in Europe at the end of 2012, and will finally be making its way to American theaters come May 10. However, you can see it beginning April 5 on Video on Demand if you can’t wait until May.

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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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