Q: I have heard conflicting reports on whether "The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour" will become a

Q: I have heard conflicting reports on whether "The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour" will become a regular series in the fall. Please fill me in. -- R.D., Erie, Pa.
A: Jessica Simpson and hubby Nick Lachey have quite a few irons in the fire. They will reteam for a second "Variety Hour" special at Christmas. Both the singers had TV pilots under consideration, but neither project got a thumbs up from the networks. Meanwhile, "Newlyweds," their MTV reality show, returned for a third season June 16. And Simpson, who's currently on a concert tour, has been cast as Daisy Duke in a new "Dukes of Hazzard" movie.
Q: Now that CBS has canceled the TV series "The Guardian," has Simon Baker given up on Hollywood? I know he is from Australia. Is he going back there with his wife and family? -- J.W., Mountain View, Calif.
A: Baker has expressed his desire to return to Australia many times, but he and his wife, Aussie actress Rebecca Rigg ("Farscape"), maintain a home in Los Angeles with their three children because that's where the work is. Baker, whose three-year run on "The Guardian" is over -- currently is filming the horror movie sequel "The Ring 2," with Naomi Watts, Sissy Spacek, Emily Van Camp and David Dorfman.
Q: Who sings "It's a Wonderful World" on the MCI commercial? I think the male singer is Tony Bennett, but who is the female singer? -- B.G., Henderson, Nev.
A: K.D. Lang joins Bennett on that commercial.