When will Fillion’s cop drama ‘Rookie’ return to regular beat?
Q: Do you know when “The Rookie” will return? A: The ABC police drama starts a new season Feb. 20, the same night that the network restarts “Will Trent” (a favorite here) and “The Good Doctor.”
Q: What has happened to the regular programming on Dabl? There were several programs I enjoyed watching, but since the first of the year they have been running Grade D comedies.
A: A partnership between Weigel Broadcasting (which also brings you MeTV and other networks) and CBS, Dabl underwent a “re-imagining” in December. According to a company representative, it shifted from lifestyle programs to “scripted entertainment focused on well-known, proven and loved sitcoms showcasing and starring Black actors and comedians.” The current shows include “Girlfriends,” “Moesha,” “One on One” and other programs viewers originally saw on the UPN network. And some of those shows were pretty good.
Q: We really enjoyed Bill Pullman and his cases on “The Sinner,” first on USA Network and then on Netflix. Any chance of more coming?
A: Designed as a miniseries then picked up for additional runs, “The Sinner” aired for four seasons on USA from 2017 to 2021, with Pullman as detective Harry Ambrose investigating a different case in each eightepisode season. Deadline.com laid the blame for its end on the rise of streaming, which made it “increasingly challenging for premium scripted series to be sustained by the linear ad-supported cable business model.” I have not seen any news about a fifth season. there was a show where the young woman — along with her parents and a couple of friends — went to a mansion in England to meet about 20 men and choose one for marriage. Everyone was dressed up like Jane Austen times, and the activities were modeled on that period. After about three episodes, I never saw or heard of it again. What was it? Where did it go? And I can see the rest of it anywhere?
A: I suspect you saw “The Courtship,” which aired on NBC in 2022. Nicole Remy was the “heroine looking for her duke” in a Regency-style England. It was not a ratings success, and after a few episodes it moved to USA Network to complete its run. You can still find it streaming on Peacock.
Q: Years ago, probably in the ’50s, Charles Bronson appeared in a short movie about meeting a blind girl and striking up a friendship with her. When she had an operation to restore her sight, he was afraid she would be disappointed in his looks. It ended happily. Is there any way to retrieve this episode?
A: It appears that you saw “The Jerry Bell Story,” a 1957 episode of the anthology series “The Millionaire” (1955-60). For those of you tuning in late, the CBS series starred Marvin Miller as a man who, at the behest of his wealthy boss, John Beresford Tipton, each week secretly gave away a million dollars tax-free — with the episodes telling the stories of the recipients. You can see “Jerry Bell” and other episodes on YouTube. By the way, the show identified Tipton not as a millionaire but as a “multi-billionaire.” I guess that didn’t make a catchy title.
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfels@gmail. com. Letters may be edited.