WEDNESDAY CELEBS
Q: Is the new show “Pearson” a spin-off of “Suits”? Is there any chance that Meghan Markle will guest star on the show?
A: “Pearson,” which debuted July 17 on the USA network, stars Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson, the character she played on “Suits” for many years. Having been disbarred, she is no longer practicing law in New York and has moved to Chicago to take a job as the mayor’s “fixer.” Torres actually attended her former “Suits” costar Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry. However, I highly doubt that the Duchess will be appearing on her friend’s new series. Raising her baby boy, along with her royal duties and charity work, should keep her very busy for years to come.
Q: Does “Loudermilk’s” Brian Regan have a brother who is also a stand-up comedian? I saw him on “Huckabee” on the TBN channel, and his voice was similar to Brian Regan’s.
A: Yes, Dennis and Brian Regan both are standup comedians. Dennis often opens for Brian, and both are considered family friendly in that they don’t use profanity. Dennis was a writer for the hit sitcom “King of Queens” for several years before following in his brother’s footsteps.
Q: Whatever happened to actress Kim Delaney? I loved her as Jenny on the soap opera “All My Children,” and then I watched her make it big on “NYPD Blue.” Has she retired from acting?
A: No, in fact, she’s been acting steadily since her time on “NYPD Blue” ended in 2003. She starred in several TV miniseries, as well as other hit prime-time shows like “Army Wives” and “Chicago Fire.” Even better, a revival of “NYPD Blue” will be coming back as a likely midseason replacement on ABC, and Delaney will be leading an all-new cast. She’ll reprise her role of Detective Diane Russell, and Bill Brochtrup will be back as John Irvin. Actor Dennis Franz, who played Andy Sipowicz on the original series, appears to be retired from acting, but his character’s son, Theo Sipowicz, will be in the new version. He’ll be played by actor Fabien Frankel.
Q: I noticed that CourtTV is back on cable. Whatever happened to the channel in the first place?
A: CourtTV debuted in 1991 and became mustsee TV during the O.J. Simpson murder trial. It also covered several major cases in courtrooms around the country that allowed live cameras, but eventually lost popularity and became TruTV in 2008. With the renewed popularity of truecrime stories on TV and podcasts, it went back to CourtTV.
Its first high-profile case will be the sexualassault trial of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. However, cameras will not be allowed inside that courtroom, so don’t expect it to be like the OJ experience. Instead, CourtTV will have reporters outside the courtroom giving live updates on the proceedings.