#MiddleburyCT
Q: Is it true that Michael Crichton has a new book coming out? I thought he passed away years ago. –E.M.
A: “Jurassic Park” author Michael Crichton died in 2008 of cancer at the age of 66. He graduated from Harvard Medical School, but followed his passion for writing and developing novels, films and television shows (“ER”).
According to People magazine, Crichton’s widow, Sherri, has been searching for a writer to finish the incomplete manuscript that her husband left behind. She found that writer in bestselling author James Patterson. Crichton was fascinated by volcanoes and provided “meticulous notes” on what he started, so Patterson and Sherri worked together in a “joyful collaboration” that included “intense research on volcanology to make sure the book retained Crichton’s signature gripping momentum and rigorous scientific accuracy.”
Late author/filmmaker Michael Crichton (1942-2008) (Universal Studios photo)
The finished novel, “Eruption,” is now available for purchase in stores and online, and there’s a really good chance it’ll be on the big screen someday, too.
Q: Whatever happened to the planned sequel to “Waiting to Exhale”? I know there was a follow-up novel, which I really enjoyed, but I was hoping to see the cast reunite for the film. –K.K.
A: You’re correct that a sequel was in the works based on Terry McMillan’s book “Getting to Happy,” which was the sequel to her novel “Waiting to Exhale.” Unfortunately, the project was canceled after the tragic death of one of its stars, Whitney Houston. The remaining three stars, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon and Loretta Devine, did not believe in continuing the film without their friend Houston.
The good news is Rochon and Devine are part of the ensemble cast of “Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love,” an upcoming romance movie for Lifetime, starring Garcelle Beauvais (“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”). Beauvais will play a famous chef who falls for a handsome young man 20 years her junior. The movie sounds reminiscent of another McMillan novel-turned-movie “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”
The original film will premiere on Lifetime on Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
Q: Will there ever be a reboot of “Desperate Housewives”? It seems like now would be the perfect time for an updated version of the show. –F.A.
A: Not if the show’s creator Marc Cherry has any say in it. Eva Longoria, who played Gabrielle Solis on the show during its entire run from 2004-2012, says she’s all for it. However, she told Entertainment Weekly that Cherry feels like he doesn’t have anything else to say about the characters that he hasn’t “already fully mined.”
You can catch Longoria in the new miniseries “Land of Women” on Apple TV+ and the new season of “Only Murders in the Building” on Hulu. “Only Murders” will be partially set in Los Angeles, with returning stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, as well as the return of season three’s Meryl Streep. Longoria will join Eugene Levy and Zach Galifianakis as one of the show’s signature guest stars in supporting roles.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.