Pop culture Q&A

May 29, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

McClatchy Newspapers

Q. They have made movies of Batman, the Hulk, Fantastic Four, etc. Now they have Thor, Captain America and the Green Hornet. Do you think they will make movies of Flash, Aquaman or any other superheroes?

A. As long as comic-book heroes make movie money — as Thor recently has — studios will keep trying to find other magic. Besides the characters you mentioned, this summer brings a big-screen Green Lantern, and a new take on Superman is in the works. A Flash movie has been in development for several years; it now looks as if it could arrive as early as 2012. You may also recall a short-lived live-action TV series about the Flash in the early ’90s.

There is talk about an Aquaman movie still later. Aquaman, by the way, was also a character on the Superman-tied series “Smallville,” and on HBO’s “Entourage,” the fictional actor Vincent Chase starred in a fictional “Aquaman” directed by the real James Cameron.

Q. After seeing the question about “Boston Med” in a previous mailbag, it reminded me about several medical shows that I enjoyed last year. Do you know if “Trauma,” “Mercy,” “Three Rivers” or “HawthoRNe” has any plans for new episodes? These were all great shows.

A. Of those four, only “HawthoRNe” — the TNT series starring Jada Pinkett Smith — continues. It will begin new episodes June 14.

Q. My husband and I find that “Parenthood” on NBC is a show that so closely portrays everyday life of many families, and we enjoy it very much. What are its chances of continuing?

A. NBC has renewed it for a third season, on Tuesday nights after “The Biggest Loser.”

Q. Do you have any information about the return of “V” and “No Ordinary Family”?

A. Neither show is in ABC’s plans for next season.

Q. “Detroit 1-8-7” just got better each new episode. Now it’s off the air. Will it return?

A. More bad news here: As good as this police drama is, ABC decided not to renew it.

Q. What happened to the show “Harry’s Law” that was on Monday nights?

A. I said here not long ago that all of its first-season episodes have aired, and all indications were that it would be back for a second season. And it will indeed be. NBC plans to air it on Wednesday nights in the fall.

Q. Where oh where is “Burn Notice”? It’s my second favorite show after “White Collar”!

A. A new season of “Burn Notice” begins June 23 on USA Network. “White Collar,” by the way, will air new episodes beginning June 7.

Q. I’m still in withdrawal over the cancellation of the original “Law & Order” — which got me thinking about Sam Waterston in “I’ll Fly Away.” Is a DVD in the future?

A. For those of you tuning in late, the award-winning drama “I’ll Fly Away” aired on NBC in 1991-93, and PBS aired a movie wrapping up the series later in ’93. Waterston played an attorney in the South during the civil-rights era; Regina Taylor was his family’s housekeeper. I do not know of an authorized release of the series on DVD, so there must be an issue involving rights to the program or its music. I would not recommend any unauthorized video release.

Do you have a question or comment about movies, TV and other popular culture? Write to rheldenfelsthebeaconjournal.com or the Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, Ohio 44309. Please mark the note for Mailbag and do not phone in questions. Letters may be edited. Individual replies cannot be guaranteed.

2011, Akron Beacon Journal

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