Pop culture Q&A

October 31, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. Many years ago, there was a TV series of a man who could turn himself into any animal or sea creature. The one episode I remember was when he turned himself into a shark and killed a gangster in a pool. Could you tell me the name of the show and if it is available on DVD?

A. You are most likely remembering “Manimal,” a drama about a man who could turn himself into any kind of creature, from a panther to a hawk to a shark. Simon MacCorkindale (who died Oct. 14 after a long battle with cancer) was the star. I do not know of an authorized DVD release.

“Manimal” was part of a famously unsuccessful lineup of new shows on NBC in fall 1983. Besides “Manimal,” the network premiered “Boone,” “Bay City Blues,” “We Got It Made,” “Jennifer Slept Here,” “Mr. Smith,” “For Love and Honor,” “The Rousters” and “The Yellow Rose.” Not one made it to a second season on NBC.

Q. Will “The Gates” be back?. I know that it was a summer replacement, but I really did like the story line and actors.

A. The ABC drama appears to have closed its gates after a single, low-rated season. Two of its stars, Frank Grillo and Colton Haynes, have posted on Twitter that the show was canceled.

Q. This past summer, I happened to come across a series called “Pretty Little Liars” on ABC Family. It is a bit juvenile but somewhat interesting. The series ended in a cliffhanger. Was that the first season? Will there be a second? Do they have a DVD for the first season? When will it start?

A. Ten episodes of the series, based on the books by Sara Shepard, aired earlier this year. New ones continuing the first season will begin airing on ABC Family on Jan. 3. I do not know of a DVD yet.

Q. I saw a movie around the end of the ’40s or the beginning of the ’50s. An American guy falls in love with a Russian ballerina as she dances on the stage with Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” They start dating, although the U.S. side and the Russian side do not approve. It’s a black-and-white movie. I can’t remember the title and the names of the actors of this beautiful movie that I can never forget.

A. You are remembering “Never Let Me Go,” a 1953 movie starring Clark Gable and Gene Tierney. Unfortunately, I do not know of an authorized release on DVD. There was a VHS version some time ago, and I have seen old copies for sale on Amazon.com.

Q. “Mistresses” was a very well- done BBC series a couple of years ago. It seemed to disappear after the second season. Was there a third season? If not, will there be a third season? Is the series available on DVD? Thanks.

A. After two series (as British shows call their seasons) of six episodes each, “Mistresses” wrapped up with a four-episode third season that aired overseas earlier this year. BBC America, which carried the first 12 episodes, has not announced plans to air the last four. The first 12 are available in a U.S.-compatible DVD set called “Mistresses Volume One” from BBC Video.

Q. Can you tell me why “Miami Medical” and “Scoundrels” were not brought back for the fall season? My mother and I really enjoyed watching those shows.

A. Though the shows were popular in your home, they did poorly in the national ratings. “Miami Medical” was one of several medical shows last season that did not get renewed, indicating audiences were not drawn to the format. “Scoundrels” aired after ABC had announced its fall plans, but as a summer series, it did not do well enough to make a strong case for returning later.