Television Q&A

By Rich Heldenfels

Q. Can you tell me what happened to the TV show “Duck Dynasty?” It was one of my favorites.

A. The series begins a new season on A&E Wednesday. In the first episode, says the network, “the family throws a fun-spirited engagement party for John Luke, Mary Kate and her parents in order to bring the two families together. Before the party, Willie and the guys take John Luke golfing in an attempt to impart their inimitable marital advice.”

On June 17, the network aired “Duck Commander: Making the Musical,” about the stage adaptation of the Robertsons’ saga of “faith, food, and family.” So, even with the controversies that swirl around the Robertsons, A&E is willing to give them air time.

Q. We do not have Netflix streaming. Is there any other way to see the show “Grace and Frankie?”

A. Not at this time. The series is currently available only on the streaming service. I expect a release on disc or download at some point but have not seen an announcement of when. As I have mentioned before, this is another demonstration of technology leaving some viewers behind; if you don’t take advantage of the most recent platforms – and aren’t willing to pay their fees – then you have to wait until some programs make their way to other places.

Q. Is the ABC program “Revenge” finished, never to return?

A. Well, some shows do come back eventually. For example, “The X-Files” will have new episodes in January 2016, more than 13 years after it ended its series run and seven-plus years after the second big-screen movie. Craig T. Nelson is reviving “Coach” for NBC, 18 years after it ended its ABC run.

In fact, just enough shows have been revived that readers keep hoping that their favorites will find new life. Lately, that’s included regular mail about “Forever” and “Battle Creek,” neither of which has survived cancellation so far. And such revivals remain relatively rare.

All that being said, “Revenge’s” most recent telecast was announced as a series finale and wrapped up enough story lines to serve as one. And I have not seen any indications it will return in the foreseeable future.

Q. Could you please tell me if “Stalker” will ever come back? Awhile ago, they just showed two episodes and that was it! I don’t know what’s going on with that show!

A. CBS did not order a second season of the drama. It aired a total of 20 episodes in the first season; scheduling was erratic in 2015, but it looks as if the network had made up its mind by then.

Q. I do not remember what channel, day or time this series was on last year but it was about the mob. The head of this family had taken in a child from another family and raised him as his own. When the child becomes an adult, he ends up being a cop and somewhat of an informant. The show season finale ended with the head of the mob going to prison because of the cop informant. If you know what this show was, can you tell me if it will be returning or are we once again left with never knowing? In my estimation, it was a good show.

A. You were most likely watching “Gang Related,” a drama that aired on Fox in the summer of 2014. Ramon Rodriguez starred as Ryan Lopez, a young man brought up by a family in which the father also led a gang called Los Angelicos. Lopez then went undercover into the Los Angeles Police Department and faced an ongoing conflict between doing right and protecting his family. After its single, 13-episode season, Fox chose not to order more.

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2015 Akron Beacon Journal

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