Pop culture Q&A

July 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. I would appreciate finding out the name of a series that Sam Elliott was in, about a small group of men who were officers through World War II and then generals at the end.

A. Since I get many questions about it, I suspect you are remembering “Once an Eagle,” a limited-run series that aired on NBC in 1976-77. It starred Elliott and Cliff Potts as rival officers from World War I through World War II and was based on the novel of the same name by Anton Myrer. I remember it vividly, and fondly, particularly for Elliott’s performance.

People have been looking for an authorized DVD of it for years, and it appears they will finally get one. According to Amazon.com and other sites, Timeless Media will issue it on DVD on Aug. 31.

Q. On a “Cosby Show” episode I heard a woman singing “Candy.” I’m guessing it was Bessie Smith. Who sang it, and is there a disc/tape of her songs available and where?

A. It was not Bessie Smith but Big Maybelle’s recording in the episode, which had Clair lip-synching to the classic tune. Among the CD releases including it are “Blues, Candy & Big Maybelle”; it is also available as a digital download, including on Amazon.com and iTunes.

Q. Could you tell me what happened to a show called “Dexter”? It was on Showtime. Will it be back or is it gone forever?

A. It will return for a fifth season in the fall. The fourth season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Aug. 17.

Q. I need help in finding out the name of a movie and if it is available on DVD. The story is about a housewife in the United States who entered a writing contest and won a trip to Paris. Her husband won’t go, so she goes alone. The first day in Paris she is hit by a car and loses her memory. When she wakes up she thinks she is the heroine in the romantic novels that she has been reading.

A. Most likely you are remembering “American Dreamer,” a 1984 film starring JoBeth Williams and Tom Conti. It has been released on DVD.

Q. Why isn’t “Numb3rs” returning this fall? It was a great series. All my office friends are upset over this.

A. The CBS drama had its fans — including in my house — but a lot going against it. As the entertainment gurus at Hitfix.com summed it up: “‘Numb3rs’ is expensive and its demos were dwindling and CBS sent a very clear signal in cutting the show’s episode order this year.” Instead of the customary 22 episodes for a full-season broadcast network show, “Numb3rs” did 16. And the people making the show clearly knew the future was bleak. The season finale served very well as a series ender. But star Rob Morrow will be back in prime time this fall, on ABC drama “The Whole Truth.”

Q. Can you tell me when “Human Target,” starring Mark Valley, will be back?

A. Fox has picked up a second season of the show to air on Friday nights in the fall.

Q. You recently said that the dog who floated when getting a dog biscuit was Snuffles in “Quick Draw McGraw” cartoons. Not certain, as I did watch “Quick Draw McGraw” as a kid (OK, also when out of work), and did have a Baba Louie stuffed toy. But might it have also been Muttley (Dick Dastardly’s sidekick from the “Wacky Races” cartoons and followups) that floated after the dog biscuit?

A. Muttley and Snuffles could have been cousins in their reaction to rewards, but there was a crucial difference. Snuffles loved his dog biscuits; Muttley got excited when given a medal.