Q: Will there be a second season of “The Night Agent”? The first season was very good, and it seemed like there was an opening for more.
A: The first season of the thriller based on Matthew Quirk’s novel was a big hit for Netflix, and a second season was quickly ordered. Production on that second go-round has reportedly been completed, and we may get to see it by the end of this year.
Q: Elizabeth Gilbert announced years back that “Masterpiece” had optioned her book “The Signature of All Things.” I cannot find the TV version anywhere and am wondering if it was ever made.
A: Not so far. It was in 2015 that “Masterpiece” optioned the 2013 novel by Gilbert (also known for “Eat, Pray, Love” and other books). But a production did not happen, “Masterpiece” has ended its option, and I have not seen news of anyone else picking it up.
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Q: My wife and I just finished watching the 22nd episode of “The Firm” on Prime Video. It ended abruptly with a lot of unanswered questions. Is there a second season coming, or is this done?
A: Done. The series originally aired in 2012 on NBC, picking up 10 years after the events in the 1993 Tom Cruise movie “The Firm,” which had been based on John Grisham’s novel of the same name. The TV version, with Josh Lucas in Cruise’s role, was not a ratings success and was canceled after one season.
Q: Shortly after the finale of “Newhart,” there was a special episode of “The Bob Newhart Show” where Dr. Bob Hartley went to work and told people about this crazy dream he had. The episode ended with him meeting the brothers Larry, Darryl and Darryl in the elevator. I know I’m not imagining it, but there doesn’t seem to be anything online confirming this.
A: You are not imagining. For those of you tuning in late, the great finale of Bob Newhart’s “Newhart” series (1982-90) ended with Newhart reprising his Bob Hartley char-acter from “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-78); Hartley described to his wife a dream — which consisted of events from “Newhart.” In 1991 came “The Bob Newhart Show: The 19th Anniversary Special,” which continued to play with the dream idea — then concluded with Hartley seeing Larry, Darryl and Darryl from the “Newhart” show. You can see a clip of that encounter on YouTube.
Q: I saw a rerun of “Suddenly Susan” that turned out to be a tribute to David Strickland, who played Todd on the show. What happened to him?
A: The 1996-2000 sitcom starring Brooke Shields had an off-camera tragedy in 1999 when Strickland died by suicide. While he had found success in the series and a budding movie career, he also reportedly struggled with drugs, alcohol and bipolar disorder.
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfels@gmail.com.
