Pop culture Q&A
Pop culture Q&A
The arrival of the new broadcast network shows has people wondering if their favorites are back.
Q. Concerning returning shows, do you have any information about the following shows: “Suits,” “Against the Wall,” “Memphis Beat,” “The Glades,” “Franklin & Bash,” “In Plain Sight,” “Chicago Code,” “Human Target,” “Working Class,” “Retired at 35,” “Royal Pains” and “Fairly Legal”?
A. Gee, only 12 shows? And interesting that 10 of them are or were on cable. Well, here’s what I know. “Chicago Code,” “Human Target” and “Working Class” are done. “Suits,” “Franklin & Bash,” “Retired at 35,” “Royal Pains” and “Fairly Legal” are all due back, although not until 2012 in some cases. “In Plain Sight” also will be back, in 2012, for what will be its final season. Reps for TNT and Lifetime said there’s no word yet on “Memphis Beat” and “Against the Wall,” respectively, although some published reports indicate things are shaky for both shows. “The Glades” seemed to do well for A&E, but at this writing, there’s no decision on its return.
Q. I used to watch “The Little Couple” on TLC channel Tuesday nights, and suddenly it wasn’t on anymore. I really loved this show and am wondering if it’s coming back.
A. The show’s Facebook page says it will return Sept. 27.
Q. Whatever happened to that new series “The Defenders,” about two attorneys in Las Vegas? One of the attorneys was John Belushi. My husband and I don’t watch a lot of television, but we always looked forward to this one (and “Modern Family,” “The Good Wife” and “The Middle”). And “Harry’s Law” — we liked that one, too — what happened to it?
A. “The Defenders” — which co-starred Jim Belushi, not John — is done. “Harry’s Law” began its second season Sept. 21.
Q. Our Miami Herald recently had an article, “Debut Dates for Returning Series.” I was shocked to find “Brothers and Sisters” not on this list! That was one of the best shows out there! What happened to it?
A. ABC canceled it in May, and the recent DVD release of the fifth season made clear it was the final one. You are far from the only fan; I am married to one. But the Hollywood Reporter said that it no longer had the buzz or ratings of earlier seasons. The publication further noted that the show was getting old — even one of the actors said the story lines had been stretched almost to the breaking point — and expensive, with a cast full of well-known players.
Q. There was a TV show on sometime in the ’90s called “7 in America,” narrated by Meryl Streep. It was based on a British show that returned every seven years to document the lives of the children it initially reported on. I believe the British show last recorded them when they were 40 years old. The American show was to return when the children were 14 and then every seven years thereafter. Was there a follow-up show? I longed to see how the children were at 14 years old. As far as I know; it was never aired on TV. Why?
A. “Age 7 in America,” narrated by Streep and directed by Phil Joanou, aired in 1991 on ABC. A sequel, “14 Up in America,” directed and narrated by Joanou, appeared in 1998 on Showtime. “21 Up America,” with Christopher Dillon Quinn directing, appeared in 2006 on Discovery. I do not know of an authorized release of the programs on video. I did find “Age 7” on Vimeo.com and “21 Up” on Google via a link through www.stilldependentfilms.com. (There may be other sites with the films, but you should always be wary of sites you do not know.) One of the filmmakers on the stilldependentfilms.com site said he was one of the children in the American “Ups” and posted about his experiences. “As strange as the process can be, I always look forward to seeing the movies,” he said. “It’s fun to see your personal evolution on screen, even if only in small pieces.”
2011 the Akron Beacon Journal
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