#Middlebury
Q: Does Oprah Winfrey still have a book club even though she doesn’t have her daily show anymore? I always enjoyed her recommendations, and now that it’s summer, I need a new list. – D.K.
A: She sure does. You can check out all things official for Ms. Winfrey at Oprah.com. On that same page, you can click on Oprah’s Book Club: The Complete List and even print it out and mark off the selections as you read them. She also has an email newsletter (Oprah.com/app/books.html).
Winfrey recently announced her latest pick on “CBS Sunday Morning” – author Nathan Harris’ “The Sweetness of Water,” which tells the story of two freed-slave brothers and their life post-captivity with the family who hires them. Oprah told CBS that she chose that particular work of historical fiction because she had “never seen anybody do that,” meaning, asking the question, ‘What would those first few days, weeks, months, years [of freedom] be like?’”
Before Harris’s novel, Oprah chose a group of four books by author Marilynne Robinson known as the ”Gilead” novels: “Gilead” (2004), “Home”(2008), “Lila” (2014) and “Jack” (2020).
Will Estes in “Blue Bloods” (CBS Broadcasting photo)
Q: I’m a big fan of the TV series “Blue Bloods,” which I watch every Friday night and in reruns. Is Will Estes, who plays Jamie Reagan, the son of actor Robert Estes? – K.C.
A: There is no relation between the two actors. Rob Estes was born in 1963 and is best known for his roles on “Silk Stalkings,” “Melrose Place” and “90210.” I, too, always assumed Will Estes of the hit CBS drama “Blue Bloods” was related to Rob, but he’s not. In fact, he was born Will Estes Nipper in 1978, but shortened it professionally. He got his big break in the series “The New Lassie” in 1989, followed by regular roles on “American Dreams” and “7th Heaven.”
As a guest on “The Talk,” Will told about how casting directors used to ask him if he was related to Rob Estes. He’d answer: “He’s my dad, but he doesn’t really acknowledge me anymore.” Then he’d laugh and reveal that he was just joking.
Q: I heard that they’re bringing back the classic TV series “Highway to Heaven.” How will they do it without Michael Landon? – L.P.
A: Lifetime recently announced that a new series of movies, as opposed to a weekly TV show, based on the classic 1980s drama “Highway to Heaven” will debut this fall. It stars singer/actress Jill Scott as an angel, disguised as a guidance counselor, and Barry Watson as the school principal who learns of her true identity. The movies have the blessing of the late Michael Landon’s family.
If the name Barry Watson rings a bell, that’s because he played Matt Camden on “7th Heaven” for 10 years. More recently, he’s had regular roles on “Gossip Girl” and “Hart of Dixie.” Scott is a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter who acted in the Emmy-nominated Lifetime movie “Flint,” about the water crisis in Michigan.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.