Q and A: Week of Jan. 12

READERS: It’s time for a CONTEST. Supernatural-mystery writer Victoria Laurie — who just so happens to be my favorite author of this particular genre — has been kind enough to autograph TWO copies of her latest book, “When,” for TWO of my lucky readers. Laurie is the author of the Psychic Eye series, as well as the Ghoul Hunter series, and she has just written an entirely new book (which I hope becomes a series) for her young-adult audience. But young adult doesn’t mean it’s a kiddie book.

“When” is told from the point of view of Maddie, a high school student who, when she looks at someone, sees a series of digits floating just above his or her brow, with the digits representing the date that person will die. She and her mom, struggling to make ends meet, use her talent to make extra money. Things get scary when a woman comes to ask about her sick daughter. While Maddie has good news about her daughter — she’ll get better and live a long life — the woman’s middle son is a another story. His deathdate is within days, he soon goes missing, and the FBI thinks Maddie is involved.

To enter to win an autographed copy of this book — which hits store shelves tomorrow, Jan. 13 — just answer this question: If Maddie could tell you your deathdate, would you want to know? There are four ways to enter (and you can do all four): Send a letter to Cindy Elavsky, KFWS, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; email letters@cindyelavsky.com; follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/Celebrity_Extra) and tweet your reply to me; and follow my FB fan page and post your answer there.

Q: I thought I had read a while back that a movie about the life of Whitney Houston was going to be made. Is that still happening? — Freesia L., via email

A: It is indeed, and Lifetime is the station that will bring the story of the life of the critically acclaimed songstress whose life was tragically cut short in February 2012. Angela Bassett makes her directorial debut with the Lifetime Original Movie “Whitney,” featuring Yaya DaCosta (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler”) in the lead role, with Arlen Escarpeta (“Final Destination 5”) alongside her as Bobby Brown. The much-anticipated world premiere will be on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. “Whitney” chronicles the headline-making relationship between the iconic singer, actress, producer, and model Whitney Houston and singer and songwriter Bobby Brown, from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity to their courtship and tumultuous marriage. Throughout it all, difficulties followed the superstar couple while they dealt with the overwhelming rewards and consequences of the fame and fortune created by Houston’s meteoric rise, which would soon overshadow them both.

Q: Is it true the J.K. Rowling’s latest book series is going to be turned into a movie? — Hal R., Albany, NY

A: Not a movie, Hal, but a series. BBC announced last month that they are going to adapt Rowling’s Cormoran Strike novels into a series, beginning with the first book, “The Cuckoo’s Calling.” Rowling will collaborate on the project in conjunction with BBC and Brontë Film and TV. Brontë Film and TV is also producing Rowling’s “The Casual Vacancy” adaptation, a three-part series that will air on BBC One in this February. There’s no word yet when either series will be available in the U.S., but I’m hoping they’ve worked out some sort of deal with PBS (or another station), where we get to see it here across the Pond a few months later that the Brits.

Q: When will “The Walking Dead” return from winter hiatus? I am going through serious withdrawals here! — Larry E., Orlando, Fla.

A: You’ll have to wait just a little bit longer, Larry. Season five continues on Feb. 8 on AMC. Series star Andrew Lincoln told “TV Guide” that this half of the season contains two episodes that are probably his favorite since the pilot episode. Sounds great to me!

Chris Pratt as Johnny Karate

Q: Can you tell me when “Parks and Recreation” will be back? I thought it had one more season. — Daniel G., via email

A: “Parks and Rec” will be back for a 13-episode seventh (and final) season tomorrow, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. ET. The season begins in the year 2017, with the town of Pawnee not quite the same as when we left it in 2014. Chris Pratt’s fun-loving and dim-witted character of Andy stars in a Johnny Karate TV show (see pic on left); Leslie and Ben have toddler triplets; and Tom is a mogul of some sort. Jon Hamm, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Megan Mullally and Natalie Morales will all pop up during the show’s final season.

Q: I keep hearing great things about the FX series “Fargo,” but I don’t have cable. Is it out on DVD, or is there another way I can watch it? — Frannie D., Springfield, Ill.

A: Season one of this wonderful FX drama/suspense series — which just won the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television — stars Billy Bob Thornton (who also won for Best Actor), Colin Hanks, Allison Tolman and Martin Freeman, and is now available on DVD. And Hulu recently announced that it has acquired the streaming rights for the series. No exact date has been announced, only that we should be on the lookout for it ahead of the series’ season two premiere this fall on FX.

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Q and A: Week of Feb. 27

Q: I really love watching “Chelsea Lately” and “After Lately” on E! The shows’ casts really seem to have fun and get along. Please tell me this is the case! —George T., Altoona, Pa.

A: That certainly is the case. I spoke with series star Heather McDonald recently, and she told me: “We really do laugh all the time, and we really do like each other so much. So many times we’ll be laughing about something and I’ll just go, ‘Oh, don’t we have fun?’ I think it all stems from the example that Chelsea (Handler) has set, and I think that’s important. We’re like a little family where she’s the Mom, and she doesn’t allow jealousy, and she doesn’t allow any real kind of unhealthy competition in any way. We truly believe that each of our success only helps the other.”

And following Chelsea’s example of getting into the publishing industry, Heather has written her own NYT best-selling humorous memoir called “You’ll Never Blue Ball in This Town Again,” and I have to say, the book is deliciously funny. And check back later this week to read my entire interview with Heather. You don't want to miss it!

Q: Like most of the world, I was shocked and devastated to hear of Whitney Houston’s death. I really thought she was on the right path, and about to make a music and movie comeback. Did drugs play a part in her death? — Deena R., via e-mail

A: While there has been no official word as of this writing, TMZ is reporting that according to family sources, Whitney, 48, was killed by a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol. Although she did die in the bathtub, the family was told by the coroner’s office that there didn’t appear to be enough water in her lungs for drowning to have been the cause of death. The L.A. Police Department has determined that there were no signs of foul play.

Whitney will star posthumously in the feature film “Sparkle,” which is slated for an Aug. 12 release. She also recorded two songs for the movie, which will, of course, be on the soundtrack.

Q: Is it true that two of my favorite comedians, Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, are making a movie together? — Samuel D., via e-mail

A: It is indeed true, and I couldn’t be happier to see these two onscreen together. Will and Zach star in “Dogfight,” a comedy about two battling politicians from South Carolina who each have presidential aspirations. The movie is set to premiere Aug. 10, and also co-stars Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow.

Q: “Harry’s Law” seems to have vanished. What’s up? — Echo H., via e-mail

A: There has been a little shuffling over at NBC. At the end of January, “Harry’s Law” took about six weeks off. But don’t worry, Kathy Bates and company will return with new episodes March 11 on its new night and timeslot, Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

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