Celebrity Extra: Tom Brady
By Dana Jackson
Q: I thought Tom Brady was going to become a football commentator after he retired. Who is he working for now? -- P.T.
A: The seven-time NFL-Super-Bowl-winning quarterback signed a huge deal with Fox before he retired earlier this year. However, he's not expected to take the mic away from current co-analyst Greg Olsen (with Kevin Burkhardt) until the 2024 NFL season begins. Brady has stated that "decompression is important," explaining that he wants to excel at commentating and avoid jumping into the role immediately.
As for Olsen, his contract with Fox doesn't end until the 2026 season concludes, so where that will leave him once Brady joins the booth is still uncertain.
Former NFL Quarterback Tom Brady. Photo Credit: Depositphotos
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Q: I started watching cable TV again and wonder if I'll still be able to watch my favorite classic Christmas movies this season. Is "It's a Wonderful Life" on cable? What about other classics? -- K.J.
A: With so much programming to choose from on network and cable TV as well as a plethora of streaming services, you could probably find holiday entertainment on your screen 24 hours a day. Fortunately, the old classics are still around.
"It's a Wonderful Life," which was first released in 1946 and stars James Stewart and Donna Reed, will air on NBC on Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. ET. Prime Video, Roku, FuboTV and DirecTV Stream will also carry the movie in December, if not sooner. Two versions of "A Christmas Carol" (1984 with George C. Scott and 1999 with Patrick Stewart) are also available. Scott's will air on TCM on Dec. 18, as well as on Starz, Tubi and Roku, while Stewart's will air on TNT on Dec. 14 and on DirecTV Stream.
TNT is also continuing its tradition of airing "A Christmas Story" marathon-style on Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. for 24 hours straight. It'll also be available on that same channel during other times in November and December, so be sure to check your cable guides.
TVLine.com has a wonderful comprehensive guide online of over 100 old and new holiday films and specials. Search for your favorites and discover new ones at www.tvline.com/lists/christmas-tv-movies-2023-schedule-netflix-hallmark-lifetime/.
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Q: How is Marcia Cross doing since her cancer diagnosis a few years ago? I haven't seen her since "Desperate Housewives," so I hope she's doing well. -- C.D.
A: Marcia Cross, who first made a name for herself in the 1990s as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on "Melrose Place," became even more of a household name as Bree Van De Kamp on another hit show, "Desperate Housewives." Unfortunately, five years after that show concluded, Cross faced a battle she didn't expect -- a cancer diagnosis. During a routine exam, her doctor discovered an abnormality that, after further testing, was discovered to be anal cancer. Cross underwent chemotherapy and radiation, and has since been in remission.
She's also still acting, most recently in the Netflix series "You" and the Fox series "Monarch," the latter of which was unfortunately canceled. However, once the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike is over, I'm sure that Cross will be back on our screens posthaste.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.