Pop culture Q&A

November 6, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Rich Heldenfels

Q. In an earlier season of “Two and a Half Men,” Judy Greer (currently Ashton Kutcher’s estranged wife on the show) plays Aunt Myra. How do the producers resolve having the same actor play two roles?

A. This is not even the first time that has happened on “Two and a Half Men.” Jennifer Bini Taylor, who played Charlie’s girlfriend Chelsea, had several other roles on the show before becoming Chelsea. Nor is this the only show to have the same actor in different roles. “Hill Street Blues” famously killed off one character played by the actor Dennis Franz, then brought him back as a different character. “Law & Order” and its kin often drew on the same New York actors — so much that, according to the New York Times, the various shows were told to wait 60 days before casting the same actor twice in prominent roles.

As for Greer, she is one of the most likable comedic performers around. And, besides having appeared on “Men” before, she starred in the sitcom “Miss Guided,” which had Kutcher as an executive producer.

Q. We recently saw the excellent movie “The Ides of March” and wondered who the piano player/ vocalist was in the brief bar scene. Absolutely no one seems to know. We stayed for all the credits and didn’t see the song title or the performer. Would appreciate your input!

A. From what I can find, that was Bob Mervak, a musician in Detroit, where part of the movie was shot. (Other portions were shot in Ohio.) The Detroit Free Press says Mervak was singing “We’ll Meet Again” and playing a rented, $70,000 Steinway in a sequence done at Cliff Bell’s, a Detroit jazz club.

Q. I noticed that NBC’s “Up All Night” went from being set in a PR firm to a talk show. It seems along the way the guy who played Christina Applegate’s assistant — James Pumphrey — went missing during the retooling. What happened to him and his character, and will he resurface? Thank you.

A. From what I have seen, his character was cut from the show during the retooling (which, among other things, gave Maya Rudolph a bigger role in the show). Nor have I seen any indication that he will reappear.

Q. Will we ever see “Memphis Beat” again? We miss Jason Lee.

A. I mentioned in a mailbag in mid-September that things looked shaky for the TNT series, and the situation has not improved since then. About two weeks ago, Entertainment Weekly reported that “Memphis Beat” will not get a third season because “the cable network is doing a little housecleaning in preparation for the arrival of its ‘Dallas’ reboot next year.”

The network also axed “HawthoRNE” and “Men of a Certain Age,” but it has ordered more of “Falling Skies,” “Franklin & Bash” and “Rizzoli & Isles.” “Skies” and “Bash” are due back in 2012. “Rizzoli & Isles” will air some new episodes beginning Nov. 28, as will “The Closer” as it works its way through its final season.

Q. Has the movie “Last Summer” with Richard Thomas and Barbara Hershey been released on DVD? If not, why?

A. The 1969 film — which also starred Bruce Davison and Cathy Burns — was released on VHS but has not, as far as I can tell, made it to DVD. I do not know why, but such delayed releases usually involve a lack of demand (which would not appear to be the case with this widely praised movie) or some issue of rights, such as who owns the movie or whether the music could be licensed for DVD release. You are not alone in wanting it. Used VHS copies sell on Amazon.com for more than $75.

By the way, the movie was originally rated X. It was later edited to an R.

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, OH 44309. Please mark the note for Mailbag and do not phone in questions. Letters may be edited. Individual replies cannot be guaranteed.

2011 the Akron Beacon Journal

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