#Middlebury
Q: Is the new “Equalizer” starring Queen Latifah a new version of the old TV show by the same name? – C.B.
A: Yes, the original action crime drama “The Equalizer” from the 1980s is returning with a modern-day spin. Sadly, it won’t star Edward Woodward, who passed away in 2009, but the new cast is a strong one with Queen Latifah (“Single Ladies”), Chris Noth (“Law & Order”) and Adam Goldberg (“God Friended Me”).
Queen Latifah (Sophy Holland/CBS photo)
The “The Equalizer” producing team is from the duo behind “Castle,” but even better, Richard Lindheim, who co-created the original series, is an executive producer. Look for the 2021 version of “The Equalizer” to premiere Sunday, Feb. 7, on CBS right after the Super Bowl.
Q: Is Mindy Kaling still acting? I really loved her as Kelly in “The Office,” and I also enjoyed her autobiography. I heard she had a second child recently. Will she return to TV soon? – J.S.
A: Mindy Kaling started out in a dual role of writer and actor on “The Office,” the NBC comedy series that has since gained a huge following on Netflix, and more recently, on the new NBC streaming service Peacock. Kaling then created and starred in “The Mindy Project” and wrote and starred in the film “Late Night” opposite Emma Thompson.
Her most recent projects include creating the coming-of-age series “Never Have I Ever” on Netflix, which was inspired by Kaling’s own upbringing as an Indian-American. She’s also welcomed her second child into the world during the pandemic and is co-writing the screenplay, along with Dan Goor (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), for “Legally Blonde 3,” starring Reese Witherspoon as the iconic character Elle Woods, who will be turning 40 in the new sequel.
Q: I was sad to see that soap actor John Reilly died. Most remember him from “General Hospital,” but I seem to recall him being in a number of films in the 1970s, including one with Barbra Streisand. Am I remembering correctly? – G.F.
A: Yes, John Reilly, best known as Sean Donely on “GH” off and on for more than a decade beginning in the mid-1980s, recently passed away at the age of 84. I don’t know if you remember the brief prime-time spinoff “General Hospital: Night Shift,” but he reprised the role of Sean for that serial as well, which aired on SOAPNet for 13 episodes. His other daytime credits included “As the World Turns,” “Passions” and “Sunset Beach.”
Reilly (not to be confused with actor John C. Reilly) was a highly employable guest star on dozens of classic television shows during the 1970s and ’80s, including “Dallas” and “Dynasty,” “Simon & Simon” and “Hart to Hart.” You name it, he probably appeared on it. The film you’re recalling with Barbra Streisand is the romantic comedy “The Main Event,” which also starred Ryan O’Neal as a boxer.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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