Celebrity Extra: Drew Carey
By Dana Jackson
Q: My mom loves watching Drew Carey host “The Price Is Right.” I told her that there used to be a funny sitcom he starred in, but I couldn't find it on streaming or cable. Is there a way to watch it? -- K.L.
A: "The Drew Carey Show" is one of those series that hasn't been released on modern streaming services because there's so much licensed music in it that hasn't been cleared yet. However, a free streaming service (with ads) called Plex recently released all nine seasons with some changes to the music. For example, in one episode, some generic rock music was added to a scene that previously played Van Halen's "Panama."
Drew Carey ("The Price Is Right"). Photo Credit: Depositphotos
The show was created by Carey and Bruce Helford ("Roseanne") and aired on ABC from 1995-2004. It's hilarious ensemble cast included Diedrich Bader ("Veep"), Ryan Stiles ("Whose Line Is It Anyway?"), and former "Late Late Show" host Craig Ferguson.
Hopefully, they'll eventually be able to get all the music rights cleared, and the show will eventually end up on an ad-free platform like Netflix. But in the meantime, Plex is a great app with a library of various popular TV shows and films. You just have to be patient and sit through some commercials.
***
Q: Is it true that the Disney series "Wizards of Waverly Place" is being rebooted? Is Selena Gomez starring in it, or is it a new, young cast? -- D.W.
A: Selena Gomez and David Henrie, who played siblings in the hit Disney series "Wizards of Waverly Place," are producing a sequel series called "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place." Gomez will star in the first episode, and Henrie will lead a new cast of youngsters through the rest of the season, including Billie, who is played by Janice LeAnn Brown ("Euphoria") and has special powers.
The original series ended 12 years ago, and the new spin-off will begin airing later this year on both Disney Channel and the streaming platform Disney+.
You can also catch Gomez in the upcoming fourth season of "Only Murders in the Building," which premieres on Hulu on Aug. 27.
***
Q: Which cast members from "Young Sheldon" will be on the first season of the new spin-off about his older brother? I really miss the show and hope it includes some of them. -- P.T.
A: "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" will premiere this fall on CBS, beginning Thursday, Oct. 17. It'll be filmed in a traditional sitcom style known as the multi-camera format, and it's produced by Chuck Lorre, who also produced "Young Sheldon" and its prequel series "The Big Bang Theory." Will Sasso ("Mom") and Rachel Bay Jones ("The Good Doctor") will reprise their "Sheldon" roles as Mandy's (Emily Osment) parents.
The young couple will be living in the same town where "Young Sheldon" took place, so expect to see guest appearances by some of the cast you miss. For example, Georgie's mom, grandma and sister (Zoe Perry, Annie Potts and Raegan Revord) are all expected to pop up at least once during the first season.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.