NBC now has Legend-ary status
Q: I’ve noticed John Legend turning up on NBC a lot lately. Does he have a special deal with the network? – Tracy Frank, Providence, R.I.
A: There must be some sort of agreement there, given all the work that the recently minted EGOT – Emmy, Grammy. Oscar and Tony winner – has done for NBC in the past year, starting with his Emmy-honored work in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” During the holiday season alone, he’s appeared on the network in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” and the special “A Legendary Christmas With John and Chrissy” (“Chrissy” being Legend’s wife Chrissy Teigen, of course). The connection already is set to extend into 2019, too. After being on “NBC’s New Year’s Eve” (as will Teigen), Legend will join NBC’s “The Voice” for its upcoming spring season, serving as a coach and mentor alongside returnees Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
Q: Would you know if “Suits” and “Gotham” will be returning? – Lawrence Allen, via e-mail
A: As a matter of fact, we would. “Suits” will resume its eighth season starting Jan. 23 on USA Network, and it’s likely that at least one of the episodes will be used to set up the new, Chicago-set spinoff that will star Gina Torres in the continuing role of Jessica Pearson. (“One Tree Hill” alum Bethany Joy Lenz also will be featured in that new show, so she may pop up on “Suits” soon as well.) “Gotham” returns to Fox even sooner – Jan. 3 – for its fifth and final season. The emphasis will be on Bruce Wayne’s (David Mazouz) transformation into Batman, with Shane West joining the show for its last round as the villain Bane.