Celebrity Extra: Keke Palmer
By Dana Jackson
Q: Was Keke Palmer ever a child actress? I know she had a music career when she was younger, but what about acting? -- B.Y.
A: Yes, Keke Palmer, who was born in 1993, started out with a very successful acting career by the time she was just 13 years old. She first had a role in the movie "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" before landing Tyler Perry projects like "Madea's Family Reunion" and "House of Payne." However, it was a starring role in the film "Akeelah and the Bee," opposite Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, that earned her the respect of critics.
She's also gone the traditional child-actor route on Nickelodeon, with shows like "True Jackson, VP," but she eventually graduated into a successful movie career as an adult ("Hustlers" and "Nope").
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Q: Is it true that "The Librarians" is returning as a series? Will Noah Wyle star in it again? -- J.C.
A: Noah Wyle's best-known role outside of playing Dr. Carter on the massive hit "ER" is the role of Flynn Carsen in a series of movies and, subsequently, a TV series called "The Librarians." In addition to Wyle, the series also starred Rebecca Romijn ("X-Men") and Christian Kane ("Angel"), as well as beloved television veterans John Larroquette ("Night Court"), Bob Newhart ("Newhart") and Jane Curtin ("Kate & Allie").
Their fans haven't forgotten the franchise, so when it was announced last year that the CW network was reviving it in a new sequel series, they were thrilled. However, "The Librarians: The Next Chapter," which features a new, young cast (alas, minus Wyle), was originally picked up for the upcoming fall season with a premiere date of Oct. 24. But recently, a report came out that it will not be part of the CW's fall schedule.
Instead, according to "Deadline," an eight-part reality series called "The Wranglers" that explores "the world of professional cowboys and cowgirls on a Montana dude ranch" will debut in its place. Heather Olander, head of unscripted programming for the CW Network, explained what inspired the show: "Fans love the drama of the bunkhouse on the scripted hit 'Yellowstone,' and now we're bringing it to life in this series."
As for "The Librarians: The Next Chapter," hopefully, it will find a spot on the network's winter schedule in 2025. Fortunately, Wyle has a new project up his sleeve. He's set to produce and star in a new medical drama series on Max titled "The Pitt," which reunites him with "ER" showrunner John Wells.
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Q: I'm happy that "Good Morning Football" is back on weekday mornings, but why isn't Jason McCourty back? -- K.E.
A: The NFL Network's highly entertaining morning sports show "Good Morning Football" relocated from the Big Apple to Inglewood, California -- home of the SoFi Stadium. Its four hosts had to make a choice whether to uproot their families to the West Coast, and all but Jason McCourty accepted the move. Meanwhile, McCourty and his twin brother, Devin, who is also a former NFL player, are part of the preseason broadcast team for the New England Patriots.
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