Pop culture Q&A

October 10, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. Have I missed some explanation about how the new “Hawaii Five-0” fits or follows the Jack Lord/James McArthur Kelly version from years ago? For example, was the McGarrett father who was killed in the pilot supposed to have been the Jack Lord character, and today’s Steve is a Junior to him, or is today’s Steve an earlier personification of the Jack Lord guy of years ago?

A. The overlaps between the 1968-80 series and the new one are in the title, theme song, names of characters, location and the focus on an elite crime-fighting team. And there may have been a nod to Jack Lord in having the new Steve McGarrett’s father named Jack. But there is no direct narrative connection between the two shows. The premise has been tweaked, and the characters have been redesigned, perhaps most noticeably in Kono, who was a man on the original series and is a woman in the new one. The use of the old name is a way to market a series that might not have been noticed if it were called, say, “Alaska Four-9.”

Q. When is “Memphis Beat” scheduled to return this season? That is my favorite show!

A. The TNT series starring Jason Lee has completed its first season. A second season of 10 episodes has been ordered for telecast in 2011.

Q. Will “Army Wives” be back?

A. After a long and uncomfortable wait for fans, Lifetime announced that it has picked up “Army Wives” — and “Drop Dead Diva” — for new seasons to air in 2011.

Q. Several years ago there was a documentary/drama on TV of what would happen if the volcano at Yellowstone National Park would erupt. Will it be shown again, or can we obtain a copy of that TV movie?

A. There was a 2005 TV production, “Super- volcano,” which aired on the Discovery Channel and dramatized what could happen if the Yellowstone volcano erupted. I do not know of repeat telecasts (keep an eye on your listings), but it is on DVD.

Q. Can you tell me if Holly Hunter, or the ensemble cast of “Saving Grace,” was ever recognized for her/its performance? I thought “Saving Grace” was one of the best-written, best-acted, thought-provoking cable shows on television.

A. Hunter was twice nominated for an Emmy as outstanding lead actress in a drama for “Saving Grace” but lost each time to Glenn Close in “Damages”; “Saving Grace” was never nominated in other major categories.

“Saving Grace” was a very good show. And Hunter has a good Emmy record, with five nominations before “Saving Grace” and two wins (for her performances in “Roe Vs. Wade” and “The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom”). But “Saving Grace” just did not click with the Emmy folks. As I have said before, Emmy and other awards are subjective choices and often based on factors other than quality.

Q. What happened to Dr. Addy on “Bones?”

A. Dr. Addy, played by Eric Millegan, was institutionalized at the end of the 2007-08 season because of his assisting the evil Gormogon; that ended Millegan’s work as a regular on the show. Millegan told TV Guide at the time that he had not asked to leave, that “it was a creative decision to shake things up and make a good season finale.”

The show did not rule out Addy’s returning occasionally, and he has been in a few more-recent episodes. Millegan, meanwhile, has continued to work amid some personal challenges; in 2009, he announced in a YouTube video that he had bipolar disorder.

You can also follow him through his website, www.ericmillegan.com.