Q: I love Masterpiece’s “Upstairs Downstairs” and was wondering if it will be back for a third season. If so, when?
A: Public television had a notable hit in the ’70s with the British drama “Upstairs Downstairs,” about the residents and staff of a home in England; its five seasons followed the characters from 1903 to 1930.
In 2010, the series was revived, with the story starting in 1936 and with Rose (Jean Marsh) returning from the original series. (Marsh created “Upstairs Downstairs” with Eileen Atkins, who also appeared in the new series.) While there was a lot of affection for the old show, the new one was overshadowed by the similarly themed “Downton Abbey” and was canceled after two seasons.
Q: I’ve been trying to find a place to get a TV series for an old friend with no luck. The show, “Gabriel’s Fire,” ran on ABC.
The main character of the show, Gabriel Bird (played by James Earl Jones), is a convict who goes to the civilian world after 20 years of prison. I’ve searched on the Internet for a place to buy this show, but I’ve had no luck.
A: The series had a rocky history. Premiering in 1990, it starred Jones as a former police officer and ex-convict who worked as a private investigator for the lawyer who helped get him out of prison.
When that did not work, as “The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows” notes, the show was revamped, renamed “Pros &Cons” and joined by Richard Crenna. That did not work either and the show had its last telecast in January 1992.
Unfortunately, I did not see it available from several authorized DVD vendors or streaming-video operations. I do not recommend unauthorized ones.
Q: Every time my family and I watch season one and season two of “Life” we wonder why that show was canceled. Any hope of it ever being brought back? Great scripts, great cast!
A: While some shows come back from cancellation, I would not wait for more of the NBC drama, which originally aired from 2007 to 2009. Its cast — including star Damian Lewis, seen more recently on “Homeland” — has moved on to other projects.
While the show had some passionate admirers, the ratings were not big.
Q: Will the “Vikings” series be returning to the History Channel this season? I’ll keep my fingers crossed that your answer is yes!
A: You can uncross the fingers. It will be back in 2014.
Q: I heard a while back that a biography on the musical group the Cowsills was in the works. Have not heard anything about it recently. What is that movie’s status?
A: “Family Band: The Cowsills Story,” a documentary about the group known for recordings of “Indian Lake,” “Hair” and “The Rain, The Park and Other Things,” has been released and has aired on Showtime. It has also been released on DVD.
Q: Can you tell me why “Army Wives” is no longer being shown? There were three or four episodes in the spring, then nothing! I thought the plots and characters were more interesting than most of the series being shown.
A: The Lifetime series’ seventh season had 13 episodes from March to June 2013. If that means you missed some telecasts, you can catch up via the DVD set, Amazon Instant Video and Netflix. Unfortunately for fans of the show, the seventh season has also proven to be the show’s last. There will be a two-hour farewell special for the show in 2014.
Q: Will “Gold Rush” be back? It was on for a few weeks this summer and then gone.
A: The Discovery series will begin its fourth season on Oct. 25. “Gold Rush: South America,” which aired during the summer, was designed to be just a handful of episodes.
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