‘Hawaii Five-0’ has been through some changes
Q: Why have so many regulars left “Hawaii Five-0”? – Kathy Iffy, Youngstown, Ohio
A: Though it wasn’t specified why Michelle Borth left the role of Catherine Rollins after the fourth season, it worked for plot purposes, given the impact of that on the character’s relationship with Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin). Borth has returned to the CBS reboot as a guest star several times. At the time he left the role of Dr. Max Bergman, Masi Oka explained that he felt he’d taken the character as far as he could, and also that he had family considerations back home in Los Angeles (the series is filmed on location, of course, which meant big work commutes for him). Both Oka and Max were given a big sendoff in an episode last winter. And the departures of Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park from “Five0” received much press attention earlier this year. Kim has other television duties now as an executive producer of the ABC hit “The Good Doctor,” but he and Park left the show over a contract dispute, seeking pay parity with O’Loughlin and Scott Caan while attempting to renegotiate their deals after seven seasons. In an extensive Facebook post at the time, Kim expressed gratitude to his “Five-0” colleagues and to the show’s fans, noting that “The path to equality is rarely easy.”
Q: Someone told me Stefanie Powers wasn’t the only actress to play “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.,” though she’s the only one I remember. Is that true? – Doug Curtis, Stuart, Fla.
A: In the episode of “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” that introduced the spinoff, April Dancer was played by Mary Ann Mobley (who was 1959’s Miss America). When “Girl” went to series, Powers was given the role. Similarly, April’s sleuthing partner Mark Slate was recast; played by Norman Fell opposite Mobley, he was portrayed by Noel Harrison in the series.