By Cindy Elavsky
Q: A while back, I remember watching a TV show where celebrities researched their family lineage to see where they came from and their history and all that. What was the name of the show, and will it be back for another season? — Gerry F., via e-mail
A: The show you’re referring to is “Who Do You Think You Are?” and it airs on NBC. It’s produced by actress Lisa Kudrow (who researched her own background during the show’s first season), and it will be back for its second season on Friday, Feb. 4. This season will feature Gwyneth Paltrow, Steve Buscemi, Rosie O’Donnell, Tim McGraw, Lionel Richie, Kim Cattrall, Vanessa Williams and Ashley Judd. If you missed any of the first season, it will be released on DVD on March 15.
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Q: Now that Dana Delany is no longer on “Desperate Housewives,” where can I see this gorgeous and talented actress? — Stephanie D., Altoona, Pa.
A: The former Wisteria Lane resident is still on ABC, but she stars in a brand-new drama called “Body of Proof,” which debuts Tuesday, March 29. Dana plays a neurosurgeon, Dr. Megan Hunt, whose world is turned upside down when an accident puts an end to her time in the operating room. In her new career as a medical examiner, she is determined to solve the puzzle of who or what has killed the victims. Jeri Ryan, John Carroll Lynch, Nicholas Bishop and Sonja Sohn co-star.
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Q: It seems like everyone in Hollywood got married or engaged over the holidays! In a previous column, you mentioned the engagement of Shania Twain, and I hear she married on New Year’s Day. I also heard that Valerie Bertinelli got married, and Sherri Shepherd got engaged. I am missing any others? — Irene R., via e-mail
A: A few you missed are: the engagement of Natalie Portman to her “Black Swan” choreographer Benjamin Millepied (as well as the announcement of her pregnancy), the first sightings of new couple Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp, the engagement of LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, Reese Witherspoon’s engagement to Jim Toth (although her rep denies rumors of Reese’s pregnancy), as well as the marriage of Kellie Pickler to songwriter Kyle Jacobs. On the flip side, Macaulay Culkin and Mila Kunis broke up, as did Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. And I’m sure there are a few I missed.
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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.