‘Bonanza’ brothers had little luck on the marriage front
Questions and answers about TV shows past and present.
Q: By the end of “Bonanza,” had any of the sons married?
A: I know of one. At the beginning of the 14th season, Joe (Michael Landon) married Alice Harper (guest star Bonnie Bedelia); at the end of the first of two episodes, she told Joe she was pregnant. But in the second episode, she was murdered.
The story was originally meant to have Hoss (Dan Blocker) marry. But Blocker died of blood clots in his lungs in May 1972, before production on the 14th season had begun. It was rewritten to mention Hoss’ death and to have Joe as the marrying man. The reaction to Alice’s death is seen as a way for the cast to come to grips with Blocker’s passing, and there are some intensely emotional moments. And the show was not the same without Blocker, so the 14th season also proved to be “Bonanza’s” last.
Q: I watched a movie on TCM titled “Marie” with Sissy Spacek, about a corrupt state government involved with the parole board. It was said to be a true story. When I tried to get it on Netflix, it was not available. What is the story on that? Has it been banned?
A: Since it aired on TCM on Nov. 7, that would indicate that it has not been banned. The 1985 movie, based on real-life whistleblower Marie Ragghianti, has also been released on DVD. Sometimes it seems as if you can find anything streaming on Netflix. But the truth is that some productions don’t stream, and others may be available only through other services such as Amazon and Hulu.
Q: I’m a longtime “Blue Bloods” fan. One of the segments I look forward to is the dinner table exchange. Why do they no longer say a blessing?
A: This came up in a mailbag back in May. As I said then, the show continues to show the family in prayer from time to time, including at the dinner table. Grace was said at dinner in the Oct. 30 episode, for example.
Q: What happened to the show about VIP sports and Steve Stevens that took place in Las Vegas? I believe it was on CNBC. I loved watching gamblers win and give Steve 50 percent.
A: A CNBC rep did not return a call about the series, called “Money Talks.” But there has not been a new episode in more than a year. Before the show premiered, there were questions about Stevens, a sports handicapper also known as Darin Notaro, based on what some betting experts thought were exaggerated claims of success — and based on criminal acts in Stevens’ past.
Q: What is going on with the Sundance series “Rectify”? It was just such an interesting concept and good acting. Is it coming back for another season and, if so, when?
A: A fourth season of the drama, about a man coming back into the world after years on death row, has been ordered for telecast in 2016. The show has been so much admired, including by appearances on lots of critics’ best lists, Sundance ordered the fourth season before the third season had premiered.