Q and A: Week of Oct. 31

Q: When will Tori Spelling’s reality show return to Oxygen? It’s one of my guilty pleasures, and I have to admit that I miss it! — Patty T., via e-mail

A: Tori and husband Dean McDermott will return for the sixth season of “Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood” on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Originally named “Tori and Dean: Inn Love” — where the couple opened a B-and-B while Tori was eight months pregnant with their first child — the new season will welcome the couple’s third child together, Hattie Margaret, who was born in October. Hattie joins siblings Liam and Stella, as well as Dean’s son, Jack, from a previous marriage.

Q: Will “Swamp Wars” be back on Animal Planet anytime soon? — Fred R., Baton Rouge, La.

A: Animal Planet will be bringing back “Swamp Wars” for more drama as the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Venom One unit carries on its battle against the lethal animals that threaten South Florida. A 12-episode second season begins on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, starting with six all-new episodes and another set of six episodes slated to air in 2012.


This season has our heroes facing a Tegu lizard outbreak as well as Nile monitors and Burmese pythons — you know, just the usual deadly invasive creatures. They also battle venomous lionfish, which are proliferating the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, and have no known aquatic enemies.

Q: I read and enjoy your articles that appear in our newspaper every Sunday. I bet you can answer this: Will “Covert Affairs” on the USA channel be back? — Virginia G., Webster, N.Y.

A: “Covert Affairs” begins airing the second half of its second season on Nov. 1, with six episodes left to round out the season. And I have even more good news for you, Virginia: USA has renewed “Covert Affairs” for a 16-episode third season, to begin airing summer 2012. In fact, all of USA’s original summer programming has been renewed, including “Royal Pains” and “Necessary Roughness.”


USA co-presidents Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel said in a statement: “USA’s original programming blew through all expectations this summer. It’s a rare and wonderful thing to announce the pick-up of our entire summer of programming.”

Q: I remember reading in previous columns that you are a big fan of Syfy’s “Being Human,” so I figure you can tell me if/when it’ll be back for a second season? — Johnny T., via e-mail

A: I am, and I can. The werewolf/vampire/ghost paranormal drama will return for its second season on Monday, Jan. 16. As you’ll recall, last season saw the demise of Bishop at the hands of Aidan, with Aidan becoming the new leader of Boston’s vampires; Nora learned Josh is a werewolf, not revealing to him that he scratched her while he was in werewolf form; and Sally missed her window to the Great Beyond to help save Aidan.

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Q and A: Week of April 19

Q: Is it true that S. Epatha Merkerson (pictured) is leaving “Law and Order”? I hope not, since she is one of my favorite characters. — Sheila F., Harrisburg, Pa.

A: I’m sorry to be the one to tell you that the rumors are true. Merkerson recently told EW.com that she did indeed plan to leave the hit crime drama after 16 years on the show. She revealed: “It’s the end of my contract this year, and the story line has been so perfect. I’ve given it my best for 16 years. It’s time to move on. I’m doing other things, and this will be a great way to leave what has been an extraordinary gig.”

Q: I really like the actress who plays Flo on the Progressive Insurance commercials. Can you tell me her name and a little bit about her? I think she is hilarious! — Lawrence D., West Palm Beach, Fla.

A: Stephanie Courtney, 40, plays the beehive-hair Progressive Insurance agent in the series of comedic commercials. She has made appearances in a variety of television shows and films, including “Blades of Glory,” “Sons of Tucson,” “ER,” “For Your Consideration,” “The United States of Tara” and “Mad Men.” On a related note, she also starred on the series “Cavemen,” which was based on the cavemen characters in the Geico Insurance commercials. Apparently Progressive didn’t mind her association with its competitor, as they cast her in their most successful series of commercials to date.

Q: I was sad to hear of the passing of actor John Forsythe, who seemed the consummate professional in every role he played. How are his Hollywood friends responding to his death? — Patti T., via e-mail

A: John’s former “Dynasty” co-star Joan Collins called him the “last of the true gentlemen of the acting profession. He will be greatly missed.” Kate Jackson, who worked with him on “Charlie’s Angels,” said: “He had a grace about him that was incredibly awesome. He was wonderful.” Heather Locklear, who also worked with him on “Dynasty,” said: “John was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a gifted actor who knew the true meaning of being gracious and kind.” John passed away on April 1 from complications of pneumonia after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 92.

Q: Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott seem to be fighting a lot this season on Oxygen’s “Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.” Are they going to get a divorce? — Terri F., via e-mail

A: According to Tori herself, she and Dean are NOT heading to divorce court. The actress — whose reality show just began its fifth season — told NBC’s “Today” show: “We’re committed to each other; we’re committed to this family. But you know, we work on things just like everyone else. We have our fights. We have our ups and downs. It’s a real relationship.”

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