RELEASE: SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith on Creators.com

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RELEASE: SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

DEAR STACY: Wasn't there supposed to be an "Aquaman" spinoff from "Smallville" starring that hottie Alan Ritchson? Is it happening? — Char T. in Warren, Ohio

DEAR CHAR: No. The "Aquaman" series pilot that starred "Smallville's" Justin Hartley was not picked up and, in fact, has never aired. Former male supermodel Ritchson, whose three-season run in Spike's "Blue Mountain State" concluded in February, is currently busy with the pilot for "Super Fun Night," a prospective CBS show created by "Bridesmaids'" Rebel Wilson, with Conan O'Brien among its producers. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it's about three nerdy female friends on a quest to have fun every Friday night. Ritchson will play the shallow boyfriend of Wilson's character's younger, prettier sister.

DEAR STACY: Whatever happened to Jeffrey Hunter, who portrayed Jesus in "King of Kings"? He also appeared in a John Wayne movie, but then seemed to disappear. — Lydia S. in Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR LYDIA: Hunter, who played The Duke's sidekick in "The Searchers" and is also remembered as the original captain of the USS Enterprise, Christopher Pike, on "Star Trek," died as the result of a fall in 1969 at age 42. There were a few mishaps during the weeks leading up to Hunter's death that may have been a factor in his final accident. While filming in Spain, Hunter was injured in an on-set explosion, suffering facial lacerations from broken glass and powder burns.

Later, he banged the back of his head against a door when a friend accidentally hit him on the chin with a karate chop. Hunter, who knew judo, failed to defend himself in time. While returning to the United States, Hunter's right arm suddenly became semi-paralyzed, and he lost the power of speech as the result of a stroke. Upon landing, he was taken directly to a hospital, where an examination showed that a vertebra in his neck was out of place. He was released after a couple of weeks. Shortly after, Hunter suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He was on a short flight of steps in his living room when it happened, and he injured his head in the fall. He died, without regaining consciousness, the following day after surgery to repair the skull fracture.

DEAR STACY: Are there any plans to bring back "The Hollywood Squares"? — Scott C. in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

DEAR SCOTT: No such plans have been announced. The last incarnation of the popular celebrity comedy game show concluded its run in 2004. If there's enough interest, who knows? Perhaps fan demand could lead to a new version.

DEAR STACY: Please tell me about the theme song played on "Fairly Legal." Who is the artist? — J.H. in Reno, Nev.

DEAR J.H.: That's Nigerian-American recording artist Iyeoka ("ee-yo-kah") Okoawo, performing "The Yellow Brick Road Song" from her "Say Yes" album. The one-time pharmacist turned poet-musician has an eclectic musical arsenal, with jazz, blues, funk and gospel influences in her work.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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