‘Supergirl’ Melissa Benoist really can carry a tune
Published 5:56 am Thursday, April 20, 2017
Q: I was impressed with Melissa Benoist’s singing on the musical episode of “The Flash.” Has she done a lot of that professionally?
— Kim Carter, via email
A: Well, the current “Supergirl” certainly did during her time on Fox’s “Glee,” which spanned the fourth and fifth seasons of that show. She reportedly had to do a different song at each of her five auditions for that series, covering musical-theater numbers as well as tunes by Sara Bareilles and Colbie Caillat. Those who saw the “Flash” episode were treated to Benoist’s rendering of the standard “Moon River,” as well as her cute and slightly goofy duet with title star Grant Gustin on “Super Friend” (written by a fellow CW personality, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s” Rachel Bloom).
Q: Are the Beatles’ movies ever shown on television?
— Rob Emery, Buffalo, New York
A: In terms of the handful the Fab Four did collectively (each also made pictures on their own as stars, producers or both), they’ll turn up from time to time … but by far, the one shown most often is “A Hard Day’s Night,” since that’s part of the Turner Classic Movies library. It particularly turns up on that channel whenever there’s a tribute to music-inspired films or British cinema.
Q: It’s been a while since “Rookie Blue” ended, so will Missy Peregrym do a series again?
— Sue Carpenter, Macon, Georgia
A: The short answer is “Yes,” since she’s joining the Syfy series “Van Helsing” for its second season. That vampire-saga update gets pretty physical, so Peregrym should be right at home, given the running and tackling she did for six seasons as Officer Andy McNally in “Rookie Blue.” She’s been warming up for a full-time television return by doing guest shots on such shows as CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” and NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” this season.
Q: Is there any chance that Leah Remini will be on Kevin James’ new show?
— Della Sloan, via email
A: Much more than a chance, since it’s happening, and soon. The “King of Queens” alums will reunite on James’ current CBS sitcom, “Kevin Can Wait,” in the two-part schedule that will air May 1 and May 8. James’ retired-cop character returns to active duty, teaming with an officer played by Remini on a mission that has them posing as a married couple (shades of “Queens”). It’s interesting that “Kevin Can Wait” has waited until the end of its season for Remini’s appearance, since that’s usually the sort of “stunt” pulled out when it can count in helping a show get renewed via bigger ratings. “Kevin” already has been picked up for a second season, so the Remini guest shots simply come now as a potential extra treat for the show’s fans.
Q: Seeing Richard Dreyfuss in “Shots Fired” reminds me of his Bernie Madoff miniserie, and that reminds me that there was supposed to be another one with Robert De Niro. Has that been shown yet?
— John Travers, Belleville, Illinois
A: Not yet, but it’s coming, and soon. HBO will debut its version — “The Wizard of Lies,” with De Niro as Madoff and Michelle Pfeiffer as wife Ruth — on May 20. Oscar winner Barry Levinson (“Rain Man”) directed the drama that covers the Ponzi scheme engineered by financier Madoff, as well as the resulting family problems he encountered. Alessandro Nivola, Kristen Connolly (“Zoo”), Lily Rabe and Hank Azaria also are in the cast.
Q: Now with “Chicago Justice” on the air, will there be any more “Chicago” shows?
— Robin Flynn, Bryan, Ohio
A: If there are others still in the works, executive producer Dick Wolf isn’t talking … but he pretty much has the major disciplines covered with firefighters (“Chicago Fire”), police officers (“Chicago P.D.”), doctors (“Chicago Med”) and lawyers (“Chicago Justice”). With that said, would we be surprised to see a “Chicago Cab” or a “Chicago Eats” turn up on NBC in the future? Not at all. (And if you hadn’t thought of those, Mr. Wolf, you know where to find us to send the commission.)