#Middlebury
Q: I have been a fan of Judith Light ever since she played Karen on the daytime soap “One Life to Live.” I wish I could have seen her do theater. What’s next for her? – D.K.
A: Light last took the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse in “God Looked Away” opposite legendary actor Al Pacino as playwright Tennessee Williams. Alas, it did not receive the kindest of reviews. However, Light has won two Tony Awards in her career, so I doubt she has abandoned theater.
Judith Light (Depositphotos photo)
You can catch Light early next year on Lifetime in the psychological thriller “Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story.” Christina Ricci stars in this TV movie based on the true story of a brave journalist who goes undercover as a patient at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum in New York. Light plays the nurse who tortures her. Bly’s real name was Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, and her intense investigation helped reform mental health care on a global level. “Escaping the Madhouse” premieres Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. on Lifetime.
Q: I wanted to respond to the reader’s letter about the new version of “Magnum P.I.” on CBS. While I’m a huge fan of Tom Selleck, I have to say I’m enjoying the new “Magnum P.I.” very much. I just watch and don’t compare, just enjoy it for what it is. The storylines have been intense and exciting! – Bonny S.
A: When it comes to TV and movies, I can’t think of any topic that inspires such opposite opinions as the “remake.” The 10-year-old in me would be absolutely livid if they tried to remake “The Brady Bunch,” but then I’d have to stop and cool down and realize that there’s a new generation out there that might be just as excited to watch a reboot of that blended family and their housekeeper, Alice. However, deep down we know that nothing will compare to the originals, and that includes Tom Selleck and his Hawaiian shirts.
The key, as Bonny wrote, is to not compare. Watch or don’t watch, but take these new versions as entirely new. They just happen to share the same names and locations of a certain series decades ago. I know it’s hard, and I honestly don’t know if I could keep quiet if “The Brady Bunch” kids came back carrying cellphones, but then again, I don’t have to watch.
Q: I haven’t paid attention to TV ratings in years. I would imagine the major networks are suffering now that, in addition to cable, people have Netflix and Amazon and other options. What are the top shows nowadays? – M.B.
A: Yes, network ratings overall don’t generate the high numbers they used to, but they are still leading the pack. The shows that consistently score high and show growth at the moment are “Manifest,” “This Is Us,” the long-running “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Good Doctor” and the hit comedy “The Big Bang Theory.” This all could change overnight, but these will likely be the season’s biggest hits.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com!
© 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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