By Cindy Elavsky
Q: I love the show “The Mentalist,” and I especially love the addition of Agent Craig O’Laughlin. What can you tell me about the actor who portrays him (I could swear I’ve seen him a movie recently), and will his romance with Grace Van Pelt continue? — Lydia G., via e-mail
A: Eric Winter, 34, plays the dashing young FBI agent on the hit CBS show. Previously, Eric was best known for his work on “Days of Our Lives,” “Moonlight” and “Brothers and Sisters.” The recent movie you’re referring to is “The Ugly Truth,” with Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl, which Eric said was a thrill to work on.
“That was just a huge opportunity that (director) Robert Luketic and Lakeshore gave me,” he told me recently. “And it was really awesome; I had such a blast working with those guys. And my relationship with Katie (Heigl) and Gerry (Butler) was a ton of fun. It was a huge opportunity. It was kind of a fun, vulgar romantic comedy — it changes up from the normal romantic-comedy pace that you’re used to.”
As far as O’Laughlin’s relationship with Van Pelt: “From what I understand, they plan on doing a slow burn. Whatever happens between the two of us is definitely going to play its course. But there’s a lot to do with my character aside from that relationship. I’m not in the writing room, so I don’t know. But I know they have it well worked out, and they’ve been great with me so far.”
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Q: On “Sons of Anarchy,” they refer to SAMCRO all the time. Who or what is SAMCRO? — Sonny W. in Tenn.
A: As you know, FX’s hit show “Sons of Anarchy” centers on the Teller-Morrow family of Charming, Calif. SAMCRO refers to the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Chapter. When “Sons” returns this fall, expect some changes in the town of Charming, including a new mayor and a new sheriff.
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Q: The summer series “The Glades” on A&E was a great show with good plots and characters. Will it be returning anytime soon? — Barbara E., via e-mail
A: When “The Glades” debuted in July 2010, it broke viewing records for A&E, making it the most watched, highest-rated original drama for the network, so you can bet it will be back for a second season. The police procedural, which takes place and is filmed entirely Florida, will pick up again this summer.
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Q: On Christmas Day, CNN aired a show called “After Jesus: The First Christians.” Will it be aired again? — Maureen G. in Florida
A: The two-hour documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, has been a Christmas and Easter staple for the network since it first aired in 2006. While there is no official word from CNN, be on the lookout for it come Easter time.
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.
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.