DEAR STACY: Why did Jorja Fox leave her role as Sara Sidle on "CSI"? This saddens many of us. — Beverly L., North Bergen, N.J.

DEAR BEVERLY: Fox left the show last year, saying she wanted a break from the rigors of weekly TV production. Her departure came after years of drama over her status with the show. She and fellow costar George Eads were fired — temporarily — back in '04, when their contract renegotiations went sour. The show shut down production for 10 days, with Fox reportedly having refused to sign a letter stating that she would get to work on time. Last summer, when rumors circulated she was going to depart "CSI," fans started a campaign that involved sending producers a dollar to keep Sara Sidle on the show. Those monies were eventually directed to National CASA, an organization dedicated to aiding foster children, at Fox's request.

DEAR STACY: I would like to know what Jack Carter and Arnold Stang are doing now. — L.F., Cleveland

DEAR L.F.: Comic Carter, 84, has done some episodic TV guestings ("ER," "CSI") in recent years, and appears in the 2007 indie flick "Cougar Club," about a couple of post-grads who have sexual adventures with older women. It's directed by Christopher Duddy (aka Joely Fisher's husband), with Joe Mantegna, Carrie Fisher, Kaley Cuoco and Faye Dunaway also among the cast. At 82, Stang, the diminutive, bespectacled comic/voice actor who was a familiar face for decades of TV ("Texaco Star Theater") and movies ("The Man With the Golden Arm," "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World") is taking life easier. His most recent credits include voice work such as the Cartoon Network show "Courage the Cowardly Dog."

DEAR STACY: I saw the recent "Knight Rider" TV movie with Justin Bruening, and I'm wondering whether "Knight Rider" is going to be a series again and will the original cast be guest starring in it? — Mitchell W., Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR MITCHELL: Possibly. The Feb. 17 NBC telepic was a backdoor series pilot, and according to costar Sydney Tamiia Poitier, "Before you committed to the movie you had to commit to [a series] for legal reasons." The telepic was blasted by critics as bland and worse, but it did average a viewership of 12.8 million and was No. 1 with adults 18-49 for the evening. It's too soon to tell whether original "Knight Rider" series cast members would be on the prospective show.

DEAR STACY: Keith Robinson on "Canterbury's Law" looks so familiar. What has he been on before? — Angela I., Canton, Ohio

DEAR ANGELA: Actor-singer Robinson, known for his work on the big screen in "Dreamgirls" and "This Christmas," had a recurring role as Neil Crawford on "Half and Half." He also played Nathan Walker on "American Dreams," and has graced numerous series episodes on shows including "Over There" and "Monk." Plus, in 2000, he played the Green Ranger in "Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue."

DEAR STACY: I'd like to know the name of the song on the Honda Accord TV commercial that starts out "Hold on tight to your dream." It's so upbeat, makes you want to get up and dance! — Patti N., Briarwood, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR PATTI: That's "Hold On Tight" by Electric Light Orchestra, from their album "Time."

DEAR STACY: In the original "Little Women" (1933), Amy was played by Joan Bennett, Jo was Katharine Hepburn, Beth was Jean Paker and Meg was Frances Dee. But who played the boy, Laurie? — H.P., Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR H.P.: That was Douglass Montgomery, who acted in a slew of other films ("Mystery of Edwin Drood," "Forbidden") and many 1950s TV dramas. He died in 1966.

DEAR STACY: On the "Dr. Phil" show, there is a frame in the closing credits that reads: "In loving memory of Roger King." Who was Roger King? — Patrick I., Island Park, N.Y.

DEAR PATRICK: Producer Roger King took over as CEO of the mighty TV syndication company, King World Productions, in 1977 from his father Charles, who founded the company in 1964. He was credited with launching the careers of personalities including Oprah Winfrey, Alex Trebek and Dr. Phil. King succumbed to a stroke in December 2007 at age 63.

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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