TV and Radio Writer
Tom Jicha Tom Jicha
Back to recent columns
  Email story  Print story



' Office' spinoff is only on paper


Important: This column was last updated on December 21, 2008. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
NBC
I am a big fan of The Office. During the spring, NBC announced it would be producing a spinoff. I have not seen it listed anywhere. I am hoping it is not that horrible Kath & Kim. When might we see The Office spinoff? Has it been killed before it ever reaches the air? — R.T., Sunrise

The Office spinoff supposedly is still on the drawing board. However, the people who were working on it had their priority changed to creating a sitcom for Amy Poehler, who recently ended her Saturday Night Live run to take maternity leave. When she returns to the air, it will be as the star of the new comedy. At least this is NBC's intention. Inasmuch as Poehler isn't expected to resume working until some time in 2009, it's unlikely that show will emerge before the fall. Meanwhile, The Office spinoff, which is not expected to include any of the core players from the original, is in development limbo.

The boy who plays a brother in Malcolm in the Middle looks like Shia LaBeouf. Is he one and the same? — G.M., Coconut Creek

Frankie Muniz's Malcolm had three brothers in the series but none were played by LaBeouf. Justin Berfield was Reese, Erick Per Sullivan was Dewey and Christopher Masterson played Francis. LaBeouf does have guest credits for ER, Freaks and Geeks and The X-Files but not Malcolm.

Has a DVD ever been issued for the wonderful series Rome? — S.E., Boca Raton

There are individual DVD sets of both seasons of Rome, as well as one that combines both seasons (for about double the price).

Is Eric Close of Without a Trace any relation to Glenn Close. They look like they could be related? — L.R., e-mail

Glenn Close is a second cousin of Brooke Shields and is said to be a distant relative of Princess Diana and U.S. Grant, but she is not related to Eric Close.

Next to the names of TV programs listed in the Sun Sentinel, there is frequently a (C) or (L). Could you please advise what these letters stand for? — B.K., e-mail

The (C) designates closed-captioning. (L) stands for a live event. Even though you didn't ask, (N) is for new, as opposed to repeat. These designations are not perfect, because the listings service the Sun Sentinel and scores of other papers rely upon is at the mercy of the program suppliers, who prefer that viewers not know a show is a rerun.

I read that In Treatment has been picked up for another season and that Gabriel Byrne will return. Is this true? — M.A., Boynton Beach

In Treatment will have a second season, probably next summer, and Byrne will be back as the psychoanalyst. It also was recently announced that John Mahoney — Frasier's father — will be among the patients.

When over-the-air TV transmissions go digital next year, will it still be possible to hear the audio for Channel 6 on 87.7 on an FM radio? — D.R., e-mail

Afraid not. The reason you could get Channel 6 on FM radio was the broadcast spectrum used by any Channel 6 was at the end of the radio spectrum. With signals going digital, a different part of the spectrum will be used.

What is it with the CSIs? It seems they are getting rid of the characters who make the shows. I am an avid watcher, but if they keep getting rid of their main characters, they can take them off. — R.C., Fort Lauderdale

The CSIs are running into problems common to all shows that have long runs. The actors, the latest being William Petersen, grow restless playing the same role year after year and want to move on. Look at all the people who have left ER and the various Law & Orders, although some in the latter category weren't voluntary. It's rare for a cast to remain intact for more than five or six seasons.

Write to Tom Send your questions to Tom Jicha, TV/Radio Writer, Sun Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293 or tjicha@SunSentinel.com. Personal replies are not possible. Please do not send self-addressed stamped envelopes. � Get the latest on your favorite shows and stars at SunSentinel.com/tvblog


<

Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel