‘Gunsmoke’ marshal had nine lives — 59, really
Questions and answers about TV shows past and present.
Q: I am an avid “Gunsmoke” fan and was wondering if you could find out how many times Matt Dillon has been shot, and how many people he has shot and killed. I think James Arness died about two years ago, but how many of the original cast are still alive?
A: According to several “Gunsmoke” references online, Matt Dillon — the marshal played by James Arness — was shot more than 50 times during the series’ 20-year episodic run and its reunion movies. (I am including only TV shootings, not ones from the radio version, where William Conrad gave voice to Dillon.) Although I have seen different totals, the best estimate appears to be 59 shooting injuries and one by an arrow; about half of those wounds were to his left arm or shoulder.
As for how many people he killed, a commonly quoted figure is 165 (158 men and seven women), but I do not know the original source of that figure.
Arness died in 2011 at age 88. He had been preceded in death by original cast members Dennis Weaver (Chester), 2006; Amanda Blake (Kitty), 1989; and Milburn Stone (Doc), 1980. Among wellknown later cast members, Ken Curtis (Festus) died in 1991 and Glenn Strange (Sam) died in 1973. Still with us are Burt Reynolds (Quint) — yes, Burt Reynolds — and Buck Taylor (Newly), who is now also known as an artist. See bucktaylor.com for examples of his work.
Q: Could you please let me know when my two favorite programs, “Major Crimes” and “Rizzoli & Isles,” are coming back? I’ve been looking forward to seeing them. Usually they are on now.
A: “Major Crimes” returns for the rest of its third season on Monday. It also has been renewed for a fourth run. “Rizzoli & Isles” kicks off a new season on Feb. 17.
Q: I’m wondering if you can provide a current renewal status for the following shows: “Rush,” “Satisfaction” and “Sullivan & Son.”
A: USA Network’s “Rush” has been dropped after one season. “Satisfaction,” also on USA, will be back for a second season. I have not seen any news about another season of “Sullivan,” a TBS comedy.
Q: Is the TV show “Welcome to Myrtle Manor” over, or will it come back? My 10-yearold grandson loves the show.
A: A third season of the TLC reality show is in production for telecast early in 2015.
Q: There have been two lovely seasons of “Rosemary & Thyme,” the show with Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris). I have heard there will not be any more future seasons of this garden mysteries series. How very disappointing! Why?
A: You are asking about a show that has been in rerun for quite some time. It ran for three seasons on Britain’s ITV from 2003 to 2007, with a total of 22 episodes. ITV then decided to drop it. But the entire “Rosemary & Thyme” is available on DVD from Acorn Media.
There has been some confusion at times arising from British programs landing on public TV stations here. Audiences discover them, and they seem new to those viewers, even though they are not.