Pop culture Q&A

August 7, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Pop culture Q&A

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. In 2002-03, there was a show called “Birds of Prey.” What are the actresses on that show doing now?

A. The series, based on characters from the Batman saga, starred Dina Meyer, Ashley Scott and Rachel Skarsten. According to the Internet Movie Database, Meyer has appeared in more than a dozen TV series since “Birds” ended, including as a regular on “Point Pleasant.” She also was in the first four “Saw” films. Scott also has been seen frequently on TV and was a regular on “Jericho”; her big-screen credits include “12 Rounds” and “S.W.A.T.” Skarsten has been on TV shows “The Listener,” “Flashpoint” and “1-800-Missing,” among others.

Q. Can you tell me if “Human Target,” “Dark Blue,” “Undercovers” and “The Defenders” will be back?

A. Sorry, but you are 0-for-4 on that question. All of those series are done.

Q. In the movie “Forces of Nature,” in the hurricane scene, there was a song we couldn’t find the name of. On a “Cold Case” episode called “Drawings,” which was repeated recently on TNT, they used the same song. If you can find out what it is, we would be very grateful.

A. With some help from the TNT and TV.com websites, among others, I was able to find that you are looking for a Sarah McLachlan song called “Fear.” (Also, the “Cold Case” episode is called “Wishing.”) McLachlan is quite a favorite for TV and movie soundtracks, where songs such as “Angel” and “I Will Remember You” have often been used.

Q. Will any of the “CSI’s” (NY, Miami and the original) be returning this fall? If so, which ones?

A. All of them. But expect some changes. For example, Laurence Fishburne has completed his run on the original “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” and Ted Danson will be joining the series as a new supervisor of the grave shift. (Danson also will continue as a regular on HBO’s “Bored to Death”). In addition, after more than a decade in CBS’s Thursday lineup, the show is moving to Wednesdays.

Q. Back in the late ’60s or maybe the ’70s there was a TV show called “The Ghost and Mrs Muir” based on the movie of the same title. I was wondering what happened to Edward Mulhare, who played the ghost. Is he still alive and acting? I know he did stage before that show.

A. Mulhare, who starred opposite Hope Lange’s Mrs. Muir in this 1968-70 sitcom, died in 1997 of lung cancer. But he had assured his place in pop-culture history by playing Devon Miles on the David Hasselhoff version of “Knight Rider” from 1982 to 1986, and again in a 1991 reunion movie. He also guest-starred on Hasselhoff’s “Baywatch Nights.” His last big-screen role was in “Out to Sea,” with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Q. I am trying to find a movie starring Robert Culp. He defended his home and family against “thugs” who were intent on driving him out of his home. He was the “one against many” heroic iconic figure, and I really enjoyed the production (very inspiring), but I have never found it again.

A. You are probably thinking of “Outrage!,” which originally aired in 1973 on ABC. As the book “Movies Made for Television” sums it up, “one man decides to wage war against a gang of teenage punks besieging an affluent community.” Based on a true incident, it also starred Marlyn Mason, Beah Richards, Mark Lenard, Nicholas Hammond and Don Dubbins. I do not know of an authorized video release. It has been posted in pieces on YouTube.

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