Who was that young woman with a voice and a big pink flower?
You have questions. I have some answers.
Q: I don’t usually see the beginning of “The Voice.” I would like to know the name of the pretty girl who wore a black jumper, white blouse and big pink flower at her collar. She reminds me of a young Paula Abdul.
A: That is singer Camila Cabello, well known for the song “Havana” and other hits. She is coaching in the current, 22nd season along with John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
The show has also named the lineup for the 23rd season to air in spring of 2023. That will include Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper. And Shelton has announced that Season 23 will be his last as a coach.
Q: A few years ago (time flies) I think NBC had a one season talent contest show for impersonators. I remember a Sinatra and a ’”really better than most” Elvis. I also think “Elvis” won. Can you find out who that was?
A: That was Trent Carlini, “widely considered one of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world,” according to one obituary; he died in 2019 following a serious stroke. He had performed at many Las Vegas venues during a long career, as well as making television appearances.
The series you remember was “The Next Best Thing,” which aired on
ABC – not NBC – in 2007 (so yes, time does fly). Carlini won the $100,000 top prize. One of the judges, by the way, was Lisa Ann Walter, now a regular on “Abbott Elementary.”
Q: Will “9-1-1 Lone Star” be back? I really enjoy that show.
A: The Fox drama, a spin-off from “9-1-1,” will be back. But it has not been in the network’s current schedule, and the best estimate is that it will return early in 2023.
Q: I have been looking for one of my favorite movie scenes, where a Black man makes himself white to see what it’s like. He goes to a newspaper stand and when he goes to pay for the paper, he is told: “Just take it. No, no, it’s ok. Just take it.” He realizes that “white people just give things to each other!” Do you happen to know what
movie that was?
A: It wasn’t a movie. As you confirmed after I showed you the clip, it was a short video on “Saturday Night Live” in December 1984, with Eddie Murphy made up to look white.
Q: I enjoyed “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” on Showtime. Are there plans for a second season?
A: No. The successor to the “Penny Dreadful” series, “City of Angels” was canceled after its initial 10-episode run in 2020. ScreenRant.com said the likely reason was “low viewership, that declined as the series went on,” as well as “mixed reviews and numerous technical issues, such as occasionally clumsy writing.”