By Cindy Elavsky
Q: I am going through some serious “One Tree Hill” withdrawals! When does the show return? — Chelsea F., via e-mail
A: “One Tree Hill” comes back to the CW on Monday, Jan. 18. The show returns without Chad Michael Murray (Lucas) and Hilarie Burton (Peyton). As you’ll recall from the Season Six finale, Lucas and his new wife, Peyton, and new daughter, Sawyer, drove off into the sunset together. Two new characters will be introduced, and Austin Nichols, who plays Brooke’s man, Julian, has been signed on as a series regular.
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Q: Scott Foley was fabulous on a recent episode of “Cougar Town” as Jules’ love interest. Please tell me we’ll get to see more of him on the show! — Heather M., Akron, Ohio
A: Scott Foley, who most recently portrayed Bob Brown on “The Unit,” will be back for two more episodes, beginning on Jan. 6, when “Cougar Town” returns from its winter hiatus. The 37-year-old actor recently guest-starred on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and had a semi-regular role on “Scrubs” from 2002-09.
Scott and his wife, actress Marika Dominczyk (“I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”), are expecting their first child. He and the Polish beauty have been married since 2007. Scott was previously married to Jennifer Garner, from 2000-03. On an interesting side note: Marika’s sister, Dagmara (“Running With Scissors”), is also an actress and is married to actor Patrick Wilson (“Hard Candy,” “Lakeview Terrace” and “Watchmen”).
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Q: I was so happy to see one of my favorite actresses, Julia Ormond, as one of the stars in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” What else can I see this talented actress in? — Devon J., Springfield, Ill.
A: Julia Ormond, 45, has been working steadily since her breakout in America with 1994’s “Legends of the Fall.” She followed that up with “First Knight,” “Sabrina” and “Smilla’s Sense of Snow,” and has worked with Hollywood heavyweights like Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro, among others. She had a recurring part in last season’s “CSI: NY” as Deputy Inspector Gillian Whitford and is presently filming the movie “Albatross.” You can catch Julia next in the Lifetime Movie Network film called “The Wronged Man” on Sunday night, Jan. 17. The movie is based on the real-life story about paralegal Janet Gregory (played by Julia) who crusaded to exonerate Calvin Willis, a felon wrongly convicted of raping a young girl.
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Q: “Mercy,” “Three Rivers” and “Trauma” are all tied for first place in my book as the best new shows of the season. I noticed they haven’t been on lately. Please tell me they haven’t been canceled! — Becky H., via e-mail
A: Well, two outta three ain’t bad: While CBS has decided to cancel “Three Rivers,” the medical dramas “Mercy” and “Trauma” have had full-season orders. They will return following NBC’s coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at [email protected]. For more news and extended interviews, visit www.celebrityextraonline.com and twitter.com/Celebrity_Extra.
© 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.