CELEBRITY EXTRA
By Cindy Elavsky
Q: I heard that a character on “Desperate Housewives” is going to be killed off. Who is it? — Frannie G., Arcadia, Fla.
A: ABC just announced that Nicollette Sheridan, who plays blond bombshell Edie, will be leaving the series. Sheridan has been with the show since its 2004 debut. Rumor has it that her character will be killed off next season, but there are no details yet as to the exact manner of her death.
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Q: Late last year you mentioned that ION Television would be airing the miniseries “The Color of Magic,” starring Tim Curry and Sean Astin. I’ve never been able to find it in my TV listings. Is it still going to air? — Theresa H., via e-mail
A: Soon after we went to press with that information, the U.S. premiere of “The Color of Magic” was postponed. However, we have a new airdate: Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m. ET. This four-hour production is based on the first two books in best-selling author Terry Pratchett’s hugely popular “Discworld” series. As you mentioned, “The Color of Magic” stars Oscar nominee Sean Astin (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Emmy nominee Tim Curry (“Rocky Horror Picture Show”), as well as Emmy Award-winning actor Brian Cox (the “Bourne” trilogy, “Running With Scissors”), who serves as narrator, and Christopher Lee (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Star Wars Episodes II and III”), who takes on the vocal role of Death.
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Q: Is T.R. Knight leaving “Grey’s Anatomy” after this season? I keep hearing rumors that he is. — Betty R., via e-mail
A: As of this writing, there has been no official word from the “Grey’s” camp, but according to cast member James Pickens Jr., T.R. and Katherine Heigl will not be returning in the fall. Apparently, T.R. wants to pursue other career paths, and, no doubt, Katherine wants to devote her time to her burgeoning movie career. She has already starred in the hit films “Knocked Up” and “27 Dresses,” and she has another movie, “The Ugly Truth,” co-starring “300” star Gerard Butler, coming out in July.
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Q: I realize that I’m a bit behind the times with my question, but I was wondering, is that Sting singing “I Want My MTV” in the Dire Straits song “Money for Nothing”? — Linda T. in Washington
A: It sure is, Linda. It’s not uncommon for fellow musicians to collaborate and lend out their vocal/instrumental talents. Canadian singer Bryan Adams helped out his fellow countrymen in the then-unknown band Glass Tiger by contributing backing vocals to “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” which reached No. 2 on the U.S. singles chart. Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” contains a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen, while Michael’s “Black or White” contains guitar work by Slash. Another famous musical collaboration led to the resurrection of a legendary rock group’s career when Aerosmith teamed up with Run-D.M.C. in 1986 for a remade version of their classic 1975 hit “Walk This Way.”
Have a question for Cindy? E-mail her at [email protected], or write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.
© 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.