Q.
Is it really true that Shannen Doherty is leaving Beverly Hills 90210? Also could you put her on the cover of your TV book? I would buy three extra copies of the paper. – Robert Wise, Boca Raton
A.
Shannen says she is leaving; the producers say the decision is not irreversible, although I suspect this is just to keep fans on edge. The cover of the TV book is determined by the program highlighted that week. Usually it is a TV movie or a special. If Doherty does one, I’ll keep your request in mind. In the meantime, I hear that one of those magazines they keep behind the counter at the convenience stores will be doing a layout on her any issue now. We can’t compete with that.
Q.
I know Telma Hopkins, who is now in Getting By, was one of the two female singers in Tony Orlando and Dawn. What was the name of the other? – Katie Furgusin, Hollywood
A.
Joyce Vincent Wilson was the other half of Dawn, whose jettisoning by Orlando inspired the Frankie Valli tune, “Dawn, go away, I’m no good for you.”
Q.
My husband and I watched It Takes a Thief with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant and we are wondering if it was filmed on location. – Nancy Smith, Coral Springs
A.
I think you are confusing the TV series called It Takes a Thief, starring Robert Wagner, with the Hitchcock movie To Catch a Thief, which featured Kelly and Grant. Both were filmed on location. The 1955 movie was shot in Cote d’Azur on the French Riviera.
Q.
My pet peeve is extreme close-ups on newscasts and sports. We don’t have to see nose hairs, teeth fillings and skin imperfections but cameramen seem to be obsessed with these close-ups. Why? – Rich Maniscalco-Weston, Fort Lauderdale
A.
When you talk to someone, do you do it face to face or from a distance safe enough that you can’t notice nose hairs, teeth fillings and skin imperfections?
Q.
My husband insists that Katie Sagal of Married … with Children and Lynne Russell of CNN are the same person. Are they? – S.S., Boca Raton
A.
Reassure me. Tell me your husband is not a detective. Sagal and Russell are not even related.
Q.
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and seaQuest DSV are only a few months old, yet there have been reruns already. What gives? – C.K., Tamarac
A.
The economics of TV dictates that only about 22 episodes of a series are made each season. Some series get expanded orders but few go beyond 30 originals. The idea is leave room for at least one repeat of every episode. There are 30 weeks in the official Nielsen TV season, which extends from September to April. In addition, each network tries to hold back two or three original shows for the May sweeps. Thus there have to be reruns scattered throughout the year. Also, because of the recent earthquake in Los Angeles, which destroyed the sets of many shows, there will be more reruns than usual during the next month or so.
Q.
My cable company has dropped WDZL-Ch. 39 and WGN-Chicago. They had a lot of programs I enjoy. How do I get them back? – V.D.N., Delray Beach
A.
The sad truth is, there is almost no way. When it comes to out-of-market stations (WDZL is licensed to the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market), cable franchises have absolute control over what goes on their channel roster.
Q.
What happened to Sally Fitz? – Ron Ginieczki, Boca Raton
A.
She left WSVN-Ch. 7 voluntarily to move to Chicago to be with her husband, who is an attorney there. She is now a correspondent for CNN, using her married name, Sally Morrison.
— Send your questions about local television, the networks or cable to Tom Jicha, TV/Radio Writer, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 33301-2293. Personal replies are not possible; please do not send self-addressed stamped envelopes.
