Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994 TAG: 9403050208
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Norma Cavazos Dallas Morning News
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A. Ebsen, 86, has just written his autobiography ("The Other Side of Oz") and is on a limited promotional tour. Although producers of last year's "Beverly Hillbillies" feature film chose Jim Varney to play Jed, Buddy Ebsen did appear in a "Hillbillies" reunion special last year on TV.
Q. I would like to know what Jean Smart is doing. She was so good in "Designing Women." There is no one who can put the warmth in a love scene like she did. - E.J.S., Jenks, Okla.
A. Smart, "Designing Women's" Charlene, has a couple of new projects due out soon. She stars in the ABC Theater presentation, "The Yarn Princess," on March 27, and in a remake of "The Yearling" on CBS (no air date has been announced).
Q. It was great to see Dirk Benedict on "The Commish" last November. He is still as handsome as ever. How old is he and and where has he been since "The A-Team"? - B.H., Mesquite, Texas.
A. A-Team's Faceman turns 50 on March 1. Since the disbanding of "A-Team" in 1987, Benedict has done series TV ("Murder, She Wrote") and some movies ("Trenchcoat in Paradise," "Shadow Force").
Q. We would like to know the neighbor's wife's name on "ALF" - her first name. Also, we really enjoy watching the reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke Show." The man that played Rob's dad, was he Alfred Hitchcock? - C.T., North Fort Myers, Fla.
A. No. There were two veteran actors who played the senior Petrie during the course of the series: Tom Tully and J. Pat O'Malley. The renowned director never appeared on "Dick Van Dyke," which ran from 1961-66, but Van Dyke starred in "Craig's Will" on "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" in 1960. Liz Sheridan played next-door neighbor Raquel Ochmonek on "ALF."
Q. I loved the PBS miniseries "Tales of the City" and am currently reading the Armistead Maupin five-volume series. How were the ratings for this miniseries? Are there any plans to develop a sequel out of Maupin's novels? And, can you tell me more about Chloe Webb, who played Mona Ramsey? She was a delight. - D.J., Dallas, Texas.
A. "Tales of the City" can be considered a success. Nationally, the three-part series garnered a 4.5 rating, which seems low compared to network numbers, but is above average for a PBS show. "American Playhouse" owns the broadcast rights to Maupin's "Tales of the City" series and the next set of programs based on his works is in the development stages. Webb made her film debut in 1986 in "Sid and Nancy." Television viewers may remember her as USO entertainer Laurette Barber on "China Beach" or in the TV movie "Lucky Day" opposite her "Tales of the City" co-star Olympia Dukakis.
Q. How long has "Jeopardy!" been running? Has Alex Trebek been the show's host from the beginning? If my friend wanted to try out as a contestant, where would he write? - S.C., Christopher, Ill.
A. The high-brow game show is in its 10th season and Trebek is the original host. To qualify for "Jeopardy!," your friend must first take a complex written exam comprised of 50 general knowledge questions. Those who pass play a mock "Jeopardy!" round to test their skill under pressure. A select few are chosen for the real thing. You can call the "Jeopardy!" contestants' line at 213-466-3931 for tryout dates and times.
Q. Is Nancy Glass of "American Journal" any relation to Diane Sawyer of "PrimeTime Live"? They appear as if they could be sisters. - L.A.R., Allen, Texas.
A. There's no relation between the two.
by CNB