Q: I’m looking for news about Brooke Shields’ “Lipstick Jungle.” I heard it was not picked up, then maybe it was, and then nothing. What have you heard? — Marsha, Kansas City, Mo.
A: A few months back, an early rumor came out that the show had been canceled, which was quickly refuted by all involved. Now, however, it is official, “Lipstick Jungle” has been given the ax. Brooke recently told news outlet E! Online: “We just were officially told it’s finally not coming back. It’s very sad, but I think we hung on a really long time. It (has been) three great years.” Brooke’s co-star, Kim Raver (Nico), was recently cast in the ABC pilot “Inside the Box,” while Robert Buckley (Kirby) has already begun working on the CW’s “Privileged.”
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Q: Is the actress Alana de la Garza related in any way to the late actress Ava Gardner? — Cliff C. in New York
A: Alana, 32, the stunning beauty of “Law and Order” fame does share exotic good looks with Hollywood legend Ava Gardner, who is known in many circles as the most beautiful actress in Hollywood history, but they are not related. However, a gorgeous young actress who is related to Ava — a distant cousin — is Mary Elizabeth Winstead, 24, who played Bruce Willis’ daughter in “Live Free or Die Hard,” as well as femme fatale Lee in “Grindhouse: Death Proof.”
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Q: Whatever happened to Sasha Alexander from “NCIS”? I miss her character. — Jim J., Fremont, Ohio
A: Sasha, 35, first gained prominence as an actress when she co-starred as Pacey Witter’s sister, Gretchen, on the teen drama “Dawson’s Creek” from 2000-’01. She went on to “CSI” and “Presidio Med” before landing the popular role of Agent Todd on “NCIS.” Since leaving the series in 2005, Sasha has landed supporting roles in “Mission: Impossible III,” “Yes Man” and “He’s Just Not That Into You.” Coming up, she has “Traveling,” which also stars Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart, as well as “Play Dead,” with “American Pie” star Chris Klein and Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst.
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Q: Could you please tell me why “Ally McBeal” episodes are nowhere to be found? Any information you could give me would really be appreciated. — Marcy W. in Virginia
A: “Ally McBeal,” the groundbreaking dramedy about a young professional woman trying to navigate her way through love, friendships and her career, catapulted its star, Calista Flockhart, to fame. However, it might be a while, if ever, that we see it in DVD format in the U.S., mainly due to musical copyright issues. If you have a Region 2 DVD player, or know a tech-savvy person who can convert your player using coding, you can buy the European box set of the complete series on Amazon.com.
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.