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First Bell - On Education:
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Balanced Ledger:
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Kent State Sports:
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Varsity Letters:
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All Da King's Men:
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Akron Law Café:
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Car Chase:
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Let's Talk Real Estate:
The Academy Awards!!!
Sound Check:
Willie Nelson & Family coming to the Akron Civic Theatre May 11
See Jane Style:
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HRLite House:
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By Rich Heldenfels
Beacon Journal popular culture writer
Published on Thursday, Jun 11, 2009
If it's Thursday, this must be the mailbag . . .
Q: I have a question I hope you can answer for me. Neil Patrick Harris appeared in a very short-lived series a short time before ''How I Met Your Mother.'' He played the part of a literary agent to a guy who put me in mind of Tony Shalhoub. This writer was funny and unique and had an assistant who was also funny. Can you tell me the name of the series and also the name of the guy who played the author?
A: The series was Stark Raving Mad, which aired on NBC in 1999-2000. (How I Met Your Mother premiered in 2005.) The writer was named Ian Stark; he reminded you of Tony Shalhoub because he was played by Shalhoub, post-Wings and pre-Monk. Harris played a book editor assigned to work with Stark. Jake, Stark's assistant, was played by North Canton's Eddie McClintock.
Q: I love Conan O'Brien. Where can I write him?
A: Letters can be sent to The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien, Stage 1, Universal City, CA 91608.
Q: I enjoy your column very much. Guess it's time for a question! I remember watching a movie quite a number of years ago and have been trying to find it. It was about a family and their butler being marooned on an island. The family traded roles with the butler since they were unable to manage on their own. I don't remember the actors' names at all. Know the name and if available on DVD?
A: You are most likely remembering The Admirable Crichton, also known as Paradise Lagoon, a 1957 film based on the play by J.M. Barrie. Kenneth More plays Crichton, the butler, who proves more resourceful than the family he works for when they are stranded and ends up leading the group. I do not know of an authorized DVD release of the production. I have seen old VHS copies for sale.
Q: Many years ago, I rented a movie titled ''The Godfather Epic,'' which was in chronological order rather than flashback scenes. I would like to know if it is still available.
A: In 1977, NBC televised a re-edited version of the first two Godfather films, with some new material and the events arranged chronologically, as a miniseries; it was later released on VHS as The Godfather 1902-1959: The Complete Epic. A later VHS set was released called The Godfather Trilogy 1901-1980; it wove together footage from all three Godfather films with new material. I have seen both sets for sale through online retailers, including Amazon.com. But neither has made its way to an authorized DVD so far.
Q: I have been digging through your mailbag columns but can not find recent references to the new series ''Southland.'' It seems it was only on for a few weeks. How successful was this show and will it be back on the air?
A: The show did well enough that NBC renewed it for a second season. But it will air on Friday nights in the fall.
Q: I have been trying to find a DVD of ''The Hawaiians'' with Charlton Heston. Do you know if it is out?
A: I do not know of an authorized release of the 1970 movie on DVD in a format compatible with most U.S. players. But, if you like watching movies online, it is available for free viewing on Hulu.com.
Q: I have been watching the series ''Legend of the Seeker'' on NBC. Will it be returning?
A: The series has been renewed for a second season. But while you may have been watching it on your local NBC station, the series is not made for NBC. It is a syndicated program, sold to individual stations or station group owners.
•
Do you have a question or comment about movies, TV and other popular culture? Write to rheldenfels@thebeaconjournal.com or the Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309. Please mark the note for Mailbag and do not phone in questions.
Letters may be edited. Individual replies cannot be guaranteed.
Rich Heldenfels writes about popular culture for the Beacon Journal, in the HeldenFiles Online blog at http://heldenfels.ohio.com and on Twitter.
If it's Thursday, this must be the mailbag . . .
Get the full article here.
