DEAR STACY: I feel "The Office" jumped the shark with James Spader instead of Steve Carell. What's Steve up to? — Del M., Canton, Ohio

DEAR DEL: Carell has so many projects on his dance card, it's hard to keep up. He will be playing a Las Vegas magician who finds himself having to deal with a hipper rival in the big-screen "Burt Wonderstone," which his company is producing — with Jim Carrey reportedly now also aboard. Carell has the animated "Despicable Me 2" in the works, with Javier Bardem voicing his adversary.

He's also attached to "Foxcatcher" — a.k.a. the next project from "Moneyball" filmmaker Bennett Miller. Set to begin filming in March, it's the story of DuPont chemical company heir John DuPont, who in 1996 shot Olympic wrestler David Schultz to death on his private estate.

Also, Carell has completed production on the comedies "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" (about a man who decides to find his high-school sweetheart as an Earth-destroying asteroid approaches from outer space) with Keira Knightley and Connie Britton, and "Great Hope Springs" (about a couple on a marriage-counseling retreat) with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. And then there's Showtime's "Laughing Stock" interview series with comedy greats; he and David Steinberg are producing.

DEAR STACY: Who played the Chief in the old movie of the game, "Clue"? He looked familiar. Did not see his name in the credits. — Lee E., Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR LEE: That was a disguised Howard Hesseman in a cameo as the Chief who enters the mansion in the film. Sometimes stars who do cameos opt not to be billed at all rather than have their names appear in a less-than-optimal position. Such billing issues are also weighed against other aspects of a deal including compensation. In some cases, like this one, they also enjoy keeping the audience guessing.

DEAR STACY: I enjoyed Harry Morgan as Col. Potter on "MASH" and before that as Bill Gannon on "Dragnet." Is he still with us? — Natalie L., St. George, Utah

DEAR NATALIE: Yes. Morgan is taking life easy at age 96.

DEAR STACY: Is Brandon Routh of "Superman Returns" and "Dylan Dog" fame going to be in "The Walking Dead"? This is what a friend told me. Are they bringing in a new character? — Dylan M., Chino, Calif.

DEAR DYLAN: No. There were reports long before the hit series debuted that Routh was going to star, but they were unfounded.

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