Celebrity Extra: Sarah Michelle Gellar
By Dana Jackson
Q: Is it true that “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is coming back? Will it be a TV series or a movie? -- G.A.
A: Sarah Michelle Gellar, who rose to stardom after playing the titular role in the WB series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" from 1997-2003, has confirmed that a reboot series is in its early stages of development. The actress shunned the idea of such a project for years, especially after the show's creator Joss Whedon was canceled by Hollywood for numerous allegations of misconduct.
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
However, Gellar changed her mind recently when one of the original show's executive producers, Gail Berman, introduced her to Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao ("Nomadland"). Both women convinced Gellar that their vision was one that would honor Buffy and her legacy.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the new series, which is being developed for Hulu, will center on a new, younger slayer, much like Buffy was as a teen. Gellar will also star, but it's not known yet which beloved characters from fictional Sunnydale, California, will also return.
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Q: Why is there not going to be a new season of "The Bachelorette" this year? Has it been canceled? -- M.E.
A: No, "The Bachelorette" hasn't been canceled, but it has been put on hiatus. It normally airs a new installment in the summer following "The Bachelor," which recently premiered on ABC for its 29th season. However, no reason has been given for why its female counterpart is being put on the shelf indefinitely.
The ratings for Jenn Tran's season last year were no worse than Charity Lawson's the year before, but Tran did have a heartbreaking ending. She proposed to her chosen suitor Devin Strader, only to have him break up with her (via phone no less) before the "After the Final Rose" live reunion. Fortunately, Tran ended up meeting her current beau, Sasha Farber, when she was paired up with him on "Dancing with the Stars."
According to Entertainment Weekly, this isn't the first time the show has taken a long break. The magazine stated: "After three consecutive January premieres, 'The Bachelorette' took two years off in 2006 and 2007 before returning with season four in 2008, which, in turn, resulted in the show moving to a summer launch date." As for who will eventually follow in Tran's footsteps, we'll just have to wait and see!
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Q: Who is the new female judge on "The Voice"? I know she's a singer, but I've never heard of her before. -- S.K.
A: While she looks much younger, 31-year-old Kelsea Ballerini is a new coach on the latest season of the singing competitive reality show "The Voice." Growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ballerini became the first solo female country music artist to earn a No. 1 hit with her debut single ("Love Me Like You Mean It") since Carrie Underwood accomplished the same.
In the next decade, Ballerini would go on to be nominated for five Grammy Awards. Underwood, who is now 41 years old, has taken home eight Grammys since winning "American Idol" in 2005.
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