Q and A: Week of April 7

Katherine Heigl

Q: I haven’t seen my favorite actress, Katherine Heigl, in a while. Will she be back on TV soon, or is she a full-fledged movie star now? — Penny T., via email

A: While Katherine is still a big-screen draw — she has four movies coming out within a year of each other — she hasn’t forgotten her small-screen roots. Katherine — who got her big break on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” — is set to return to series television to star in NBC’s “State of Affairs,” a drama about a CIA attache (Katherine) who advises the president on “high-stakes incidents around the world” while trying to manage her complicated personal life. The pilot has been shot, and things are looking good for a series pickup.

Speaking of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Isaiah Washington is set to return to the series as Dr. Preston Burke for an episode in May. The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, told “The Wrap” that Isaiah’s character is vital to wrapping up the story of Sandra Oh’s character, Cristina Yang. Shonda revealed: “It's important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.”

Q: Please tell me that the rumors of a Journey reunion with Steve Perry are true! — Samuel D., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A: Not yet … but word is that they are closer than ever to working things out. In a recent interview, Steve said: “We're trying. It’s tough. I’m doing my best in that area, and I can only do so much. The older I get, the more I do realize how important what we all had together and how it worked. … I brought things out of them, and they certainly brought a lot of my vocal stuff out of me — just [lifting] each other to this place that you can’t get to alone. I think that’s probably the biggest chemistry thing I recognize now.”

And Journey’s founder, Neal Schon, wrote on his Facebook page recently: “I hope we can reach out to each other and connect once again. We had amazing chemistry together. I love him with all the love and admiration you could even have. Steve, let’s talk soon.” I have all of my fingers and toes crossed for a reunion!

Q: Can you tell me when “Falling Skies” will return? I can’t wait! — Jimmy F., via email

A: The fourth season of TNT’s hit series “Falling Skies,” which stars Noah Wylie and Will Patton, premieres Sunday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series is about life and survival in the wake of a catastrophic alien invasion. Before that at 9 p.m., check out the new action series “The Last Ship,” from executive producer Michael Bay and starring Eric Dane. The series is about a Navy vessel that may be humanity’s last hope in the wake of a worldwide catastrophe.

Q: With “Games of Thrones” returning for its fourth season this past Sunday, it got me wondering what Sean Bean is up to. Can you tell me what he’ll be in next? — Alicia W., via email

Sean Bean in TNT's Legends

A: Beginning in August, Sean stars in the new TNT action-thriller series called “Legends,” which is set to premiere Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The story centers on Sean’s character, Martin Odum, who plays a deep-undercover FBI agent who may be losing his grip on reality. Martin has the ability to transform himself into a completely different person for each job, but he begins to question his own identity when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t the man he believes himself to be. The series comes from “Homeland” executive producers Howard Gordon and Alexander Cary, and “Fringe” co-executive producer David Wilcox, and co-stars Ali Carter, Morris Chestnut, Amber Valletta, Steve Harris, and Tina Majorino.

Q: I was happy to read in your column that Kiss will be inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame tonight. Will they be touring to support their induction? — Gary T., Cleveland, Ohio

A: Kiss will indeed be embarking on a joint project this summer, co-headlining with hard-rock superstars Def Leppard in a 42-city summer stadium tour, which will run from June 23 to Aug. 31. Def Leppard’s lead singer, Joe Elliott, said that he and Kiss bassist, Gene Simmons, first discussed the idea of the two bands touring together when he and Gene played some South American dates two years ago as part of a rock-and-roll all-stars tour. “It’s finally happened, which is fantastic,” Joe said. Also, a dollar from each ticket sold on the tour will go to the Wounded Warrior Project and other military nonprofits. (Go to livenation.com for ticket info.)

Q: Starz canceled “Magic City” just as season two ended. What a disappointment. The show was never given much publicity, but it was wonderfully done. I love it and miss it so much, and so do my friends. Is there any chance of “Magic City” going to another cable network? — Dale P., Fort Worth, Texas

A: While I never say never (see “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town” for examples), there hasn’t been much talk about the series continuing. Set in 1959 in Miami shortly after the Cuban Revolution, “Magic City” centered on the story of Ike Evans, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who owned Miami’s most glamorous hotel, the Miramar Playa. I do have slightly good news for you, though: The entire 16-episode “Magic City” series will be released by Starz and Anchor Bay on Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2014.

Q: Can you tell me if “Unforgettable” will be back? — Tom V., The Villages, Fla.

A: The CBS drama series starring Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, a woman with hyperthymesia — a rare medical condition that gives her the ability to visually remember everything — will return with a 13-episode third season beginning in June.

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Q and A: Week of Feb. 4

Q: While I wasn’t a big fan of the story line Scott Foley had on last season’s “True Blood,” I was excited to see him in my living room again after leaving “Grey’s Anatomy.” What can I see him on next? — Trudy K., via e-mail

A: I agree with you, Trudy. Scott Foley is one of those underrated, underutilized actors who we need to see much more of. So, you can imagine my happiness upon discovering that he is set to guest-star on one of my favorite shows, ABC’s “Scandal.” His character is said to be a part of a major story arc that will play out toward the end of the current season. Creator and head writer Shonda Rhimes was eager to work with Scott again after his run on “Grey’s,” so one show’s loss is another’s gain!

Q: I’ve always really liked Anthony Michael Hall, especially his recent sci-fi series, “Warehouse 13.” However, I do miss seeing him in comedies: His guest-starring turn on “Community” a few seasons back was hilarious. Can you tell me if he’ll be on a comedy soon? — Audrey W., via e-mail

A: When “Awkward” returns to MTV this summer for its super-size third season, Anthony Michael Hall will join the hit series as a teacher at Jenna’s high school. According to those in the know, Anthony will play a sadistic creative-writing teacher who insists on pushing his students beyond their academic limits. Anthony also co-stars in the feature-film comedy, “Sexy Evil Genius,” along with Michelle Trachtenberg, Seth Green and William Baldwin.

Q: A while back you wrote that “Unforgettable” had belatedly been renewed for a second season; however, I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of it yet. Please tell me that the suits didn’t change their minds again! — Hilary S., Portland, Maine

A: Don’t worry, Hilary, the Poppy Montgomery-starring police procedural will indeed have its second season on CBS. And we now have a premiere date, which is Sunday, July 28 at 9/8c. As I reported previously, season two will comprise 13 episodes, with Dylan Walsh, Jane Curtin and most other cast members returning.

Also, a few months ago, I was disheartened to report that AMC had decided not to renew “The Killing” for a third season. In another rare reversal — along the lines of CBS’s renewal of “Unforgettable” — AMC recently announced that the crime drama WILL be back for a third season.

Season three takes place a year after the Rosie Larson case was solved, as Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) searches for a runaway girl and uncovers a string of murders connected to Sarah Linden’s (Mireille Enos) previous murder investigation. Linden, no longer a detective, must return to both a career and a case she had put behind her.

All this renewal reversal has given me new hope for ABC’s “GCB” to return, whether with ABC or another network. Let’s make this happen —TNT, I’m lookin’ at you!

Q: I remember a few months back you wrote that Shooter Jennings would be releasing an album in the new year. I’ve been looking for it but haven’t been able to find it. — Jesse W., Nashville

A: You’ll have to wait just a little longer to get your hands on Shooter’s latest album, which is a quick follow-up to “Family Man.” I spoke with Shooter about “The Other Life,” which drops on March 12, and he can’t wait for his fans to hear it. Shooter told me: “We cut 17 songs and scrapped two of them. And 10 of them ended up on ‘Family Man’ and five ended up on ‘The Other Life.’ And then over the past year, we recorded the rest of the songs.

“I’m really excited about ‘The Other Life’ because it’s a darker kind of country record, but then there’s a taste of like all the other (stuff) that I’ve done. Like a little bit of ‘Black Ribbon,’ a little bit of this and that sprinkled on the record. Like where ‘Family Man’ was a pretty traditional country record for the most part, this one definitely branches out into some really out-there territory. It’s cool — some of the songs that were on this record that we held from ‘Family Man’ are my favorite songs from the session. It was just kind of clear which songs fit on which album.”

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Q and A: Week of Aug. 20

Q: Who is the beautiful young woman who plays Lilith on my favorite show, “True Blood”? Can you tell me anything about her? — Bobby R., via email

A: Jessica Clark made quite an impression on “True Blood” viewers when she made her naked, bloody debut as the “mother of all vampires” back in July. Jessica herself is a “True Blood” fangirl and was thrilled to get the chance to be on one of her favorite shows.

She eventually got used to the show’s “naked rite of passage,” telling me recently: “After the first, second, third take, you just kind of go: 'OK, I’m naked. You’ve seen it.’ Most of the cast has been through it in some shape or form, so everyone is super supportive. The cast and crew are respectful and professional, but funny as well. Everyone was like: 'Welcome to “True Blood.” Here’s another Thursday.’”

It also was tough keeping her role as Lilith a secret from family and friends: “It was something the show wanted to keep under wraps, because it’s been building all season. Part of the fun and the mystery of 'True Blood’ is that you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen. So, I couldn’t tell anybody.”

Q: I am so bummed that “Unforgettable” was canceled. I love Poppy Montgomery in just about everything she’s in! Any chance we can convince CBS to bring it back? — Britney F., via email

A: In a rare turnabout, CBS recently decided to un-cancel the procedural drama, which stars Poppy and former “Nip/Tuck” star Dylan Walsh. After the May cancellation, the series was being shopped around to other networks, including TNT and Lifetime, when CBS decided to give it another go. “Unforgettable” will return with 13 all-new episodes in summer 2013.

Q: Earlier this year, I read about a man who allegedly killed his wife while scuba diving on their honeymoon in Australia. Then I believe I saw an interview with Harvey Keitel, and it was mentioned that he’s starring in a movie about the woman’s death. Is that true? If so, when will it come to theaters? — David W. in Alabama

A: Mr. Keitel is indeed starring as Tommy Thomas, the father of Tina Watson, whose suspicious scuba-diving fatality made headlines all over the world when her husband was accused of orchestrating her death for insurance money. But you don’t have to go out to a movie theater to see “Fatal Honeymoon”; the movie premieres on Lifetime Television Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (with re-airings throughout that weekend and the next — check your local listings).

Q: Since they wrapped up the Rosie Larsen murder on “The Killing,” will it be back for another season? — Ron A., Bangor, Maine

A: It saddens me to report that AMC has decided not to pick up “The Killing” for a third season. At least we found out who killed Rosie Larsen.

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Interview: The Magical World of Poppy Montgomery

Poppy Montgomery is a familiar face to many TV viewers. She is a veteran of many TV series, most notably CBS’ “Without a Trace,” as well as “Party of Five,” “NYPD Blue,” “Glory Days” and much more. On July 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, you can catch Poppy in Lifetime Television’s original movie “Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story.” I spoke with the gorgeous Aussie recently, and she told me about portraying such a private and interesting woman who created the magical world of Harry Potter.

Celebrity Extra: J.K. Rowling is known for being very guarded about her private life and is very reserved. Did you have any reservations about taking this role, especially since Ms. Rowling was not involved in the production?

Poppy Montgomery: I had enormous reservations. I’ve been a Harry Potter fan long before I did this film, and I’ve read all the books and I’ve read them since I was in my 20s. I read the first one right when it came to the States. I didn’t want to do anything in any shape or form that was exploitative or tabloid-y. So, when they sent me the script, I definitely had reservations, because I knew that it was unauthorized. I knew that she wasn’t collaborating on it. It was based on a book that just told the facts, basically, from her childhood through to the present. And when I read the script, I found that it was a love letter to J.K. Rowling, and it really was a story that was inspirational for other people. I didn’t think that there was anything about it that was not good, and so then I changed my mind.



CE: Just watching the movie was so inspiring; I couldn’t wait to be creative once I was finished.

PM: Right? You just feel so inspired by her, which is exactly what I loved about it and why I wanted to do it. And that inspires you to be better, because she was so driven. The fact that the first Harry Potter book was written basically in one of the darkest times of her life and she pushed through, and as a single mother with very little money, this extraordinary book was born. I just think it’s incredibly inspiring.

CE: What were some things about J.K. that you hadn’t known prior to filming this, and that had perhaps surprised you?

PM: I didn’t know that her mother had been ill for so much of her life, and that must have deeply affected her, because I’m really close to my mother. I didn’t realize really how bleak and difficult things were for her. I’m a mother of a 3-year-old, so to be alone at the age that she was in her 20s with a baby and having left the marriage that wasn’t working, and being so poor, and still being able to have this enormous creativity and write this book under those circumstances. The power of her spirit is something that I wasn’t as aware of until we did this movie, and I just thought it was extraordinary.

CE: I was very happy to see that it was, like you said earlier, a love letter of sorts to the elusive author …

PM: Me too. Like I said, when I was sent the script and I knew that she wasn’t involved directly, I had strong reservations. But the script told such a beautiful story. Her books have affected millions and millions of children and adults all over the world. It’s magic — she’s been responsible for getting kids to read books again. And I just think it’s a story that everybody can relate to and hopefully be inspired by, and that was what drew me to it.

CE: What were some things about J.K. that you could relate to and you found enjoyable to portray?

PM: Her tenaciousness, her drive, her never-quit attitude were all things that I really dug into and loved. In fact, it made me a better person, made me work harder and want to be better. I love the way her mind works, her funny, irreverent, unusual, magical mind. I found that to be fascinating. To try to even get inside that for a minute was really intriguing to me.

CE: Tell me a bit about your role on this fall's new CBS series, “Unforgettable,” and the role of Carrie Wells.

PM: I play a woman who has hyperthymesia, or total recall. It’s a person who can remember every moment, in vivid detail, of her life as though it happened five minutes ago. You could ask: “What happened on June 20, 1984?” and she could tell you every single thing — what she was wearing, what she had for lunch, if she had a fight with her boyfriend. It’s extraordinary. It’s a blessing and a curse, because you can forget nothing, and sometimes there are things that we need to forget.

My character is an ex-cop who couldn’t be a cop anymore, because the condition obviously didn’t allow her to forget any of the hideous things she saw. It’s also what made her an extraordinary cop, and basically she’s pulled back into the cop world through a number of circumstances, as well as her ex-lover, played by Dylan Walsh.

It’s a love story, it’s a mystery, and it’s a cop show. There are so many elements going on that it’s almost impossible to describe. It’s very compelling — and it’s directed by Niels Arden Oplev, who directed “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” He’s just a genius. The writers are amazing. Ed Redlich wrote it, and I did “Without a Trace” with him the first couple of years. It’s a fantastic group, and it’s on CBS, and they do amazing shows.

CE: How were they able to lure you back to network series television?

PM: The script was amazing. I’m obsessed with Niels and had been long before I ever met him, because I’ve seen “Dragon Tattoo” maybe 30 times. I’ve worked with CBS since I was a baby, so it’s like coming home again. CBS is like my family. It’s such a great place for me to work, and I feel like they support their shows so wholly and completely that it is just a joy. Everything about it lined up for me.

To see a strong female character leading a show is very exciting. Now that my son, Jackson, is 3, and I spent two years after “Trace” really just being with him and being a mommy, I felt really ready to go back to work. I’m very proud of the show. I think it’s quite extraordinary and really good.

CE: I know fans will be glad to see Dylan Walsh regularly again. What is he like to work with?

PM: My darling Dylan — I love that man. He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my life. We’re on set and he just makes me laugh. I’m like, “You have to stop making me laugh so I can shoot the scene.” It was like that with all my co-stars on “Trace” too. Anthony LaPaglia is Jackson’s godfather; Roselyn Sanchez is my best friend. We’re all still very, very close. And I never thought that could happen again, and it did with Dylan and the cast on this show. We all instantly just bonded and became friends, and everyone is amazing. So — knock on wood — that’s a huge blessing as well.

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Q and A: Week of July 4

Poppy Montgomery, courtesy Lifetime Television

Q: I was a huge fan of CBS’ “Without a Trace,” so I was thrilled to see that Poppy Montgomery is coming back to TV this fall, starring in “Unforgettable.” What made her decide to return to television? — Darcy R., via e-mail

A: I spoke with Poppy recently, and I asked her just that, and it basically boiled down to many elements coming together at the perfect time. Poppy told me: “The script was amazing. I’m obsessed with Niels (Arden Oplav), the director, and had been long before I ever met him. I’ve seen ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ maybe 30 times.

“I’ve worked with CBS since I was a baby,” she said. “So it’s like coming home again. It’s such a great place for me to work, and I feel like they support their shows so wholly and completely. Everything about it lined up for me. And I want to see a strong female character leading an exciting show.”

Speaking of strong female characters, Poppy portrays “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling in Lifetime’s original movie, “Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story,” which airs Monday, July 18. Of playing the famously reclusive author, Poppy told me: “When they sent me the script I definitely had reservations, because I knew that J.K. Rowling wasn’t collaborating on it. But when I read the script, I found that it was a beautiful, inspiring story and a love letter to an extraordinary woman.”

Q: What has my favorite “Friend,” Lisa Kudrow, been up to lately? — Tina D., Seattle



A: Since “Friends” ended in 2004, Lisa — who turns 48 on July 30 — has starred in “Happy Endings,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Bandslam” and “Easy A.” She currently stars in “Web Therapy,” which initially was a Web-exclusive series where Lisa portrays a psychiatrist who dispenses not-so-great advice to an array of eclectic clients. The show was picked up by Showtime, and it premieres Tuesday, July 19, at 11 p.m. “Web Therapy” co-stars Victor Garber and Lily Tomlin, and guest stars include Courteney Cox, Meryl Streep, Alan Cumming, Selma Blair, Jane Lynch, Molly Shannon and many more.

Q: While I was on vacation last month, I got totally hooked on “Storage Wars” on A&E. When does a new season premiere? — Doug F., via e-mail

A: “Storage Wars” — which follows a group of auction hunters who bid on forfeited storage lockers in the hopes of finding hidden treasures that they can sell for profit — makes its second-season premiere on Wednesday night, July 20.

Q: Is it true that actor Sean Bean was stabbed in a bar fight in London? Is he OK? — Emily H. in Pennsylvania

A: The “Game of Thrones” star was superficially cut in the arm with broken glass after chasing down a rude bar-goer who made lewd comments to his girlfriend. After the incident, Sean returned to the bar, used its first-aid kit on his arm and had another drink.

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