#Middlebury
Q: I can’t believe anyone at CBS thought that “Magnum P.I.” would be worth seeing without Tom Selleck playing the lead role, and there’s a female Higgins? Also, the dogs can’t even come close to Zeus and Apollo. – J.P. Moran, via email
A: Remakes are seldom a good idea, but some of them have been successful. The “Charlie’s Angels” movies did very well at the box office, but ABC’s attempt at a “Charlie’s Angels” series flopped. Most likely what led to CBS reviving “Magnum P.I.” was the success of “Hawaii Five-0,” another classic crime show with a handsome male lead set in picturesque Oahu.
Perdita Weeks (Randee St. Nicholas/CBS photo)
In the 2018 reboot, Magnum is played by Jay Hernandez (“Scandal”), and Higgins, who was previously played by John Hillerman, is now reimagined as Juliet Higgins, a gorgeous blonde played by Perdita Weeks (“Penny Dreadful”).
According to Deadline.com, “Magnum P.I.” is off to a modest start in the ratings. Time will tell if it becomes a hit, but it’s very doubtful it will reach the status of the original since viewers have so many choices now, not only on network and cable television, but streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
In addition to television, feature films are still trying to capitalize on name recognition. There’s a “Fantasy Island” film coming out starring Michael Pena as Mr. Roarke, and a new “Charlie’s Angels” film with a whole new cast that includes Kristen Stewart (“Twilight”).
Q: What is the new series Pete Davidson is starring in? I saw him in a commercial wearing what I assume is a wig. Is he leaving “Saturday Night Live”? – J.K.
A: You can still catch Davidson on “SNL” for the foreseeable future. He’s merely guest starring on the second season of the TBS comedy “The Guest Book.” Each week, new actors will play characters who stay at the Bare Feet Retreat and record their confessions in the cottage’s guest book. Will Arnett, Garret Dillahunt and Lisa Rinna will all be featured this season, which airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Q: I saw a recent picture of Kevin Smith. He’s lost so much weight after his heart attack. How did he do it? – I.M.
A: The funny director recently revealed a selfie of his new slim self, stating that he now weighs under 200 pounds for the first time since he was a teenager. Smith thanked Weight Watchers for getting his health back on track, along with his vegan diet. He also does yoga with Jay Mewes, better known as Silent Bob from Smith’s films.
Correction: In a recent column, I mistakenly referred to one of the EGOT winners as Martin Hamlisch. It is most certainly Marvin Hamlisch. Thank you, Bruce B., for pointing that out!
Please send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
© 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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