Q: I heard that Donna Reed played Miss Ellie for a while on "Dallas," but I don't recall seeing her. What happened?
It was a real-world scandal worthy of a soap opera when Donna Reed replaced Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie Ewing in the eighth season of "Dallas."
Bel Geddes left the show a year after having heart surgery, and Reed stepped in. However, she was promptly dropped from it again in 1985 when Bel Geddes returned. Reed sued the producers and settled out of court.
Those are the facts. Now for the speculation.
The Whispers, on ABC
FBI specialist Claire Bennigan (Lily Rabe) continues her quest to unravel the mystery behind Drill, an “imaginary friend” who’s been communicating with children in Washington, D.C. When Drill convinces the children to play dangerous games, Bennigan races to save the world.
Wicked in the wilderness: 'Camp Cutthroat' gives cooking competitions an outdoor twist
Alton Brown hosts “Camp Cutthroat”
That Alton Brown sure is a diabolical mastermind. "Cutthroat Kitchen," the Food Network cooking competition he hosts, really is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of affair, with a group of chefs cooking "Chopped" style while Brown pulls out one game-changing twist after another.
Bachelor in Paradise, on ABC
The summer heats up even more as former "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" cast members search for love in Vallarta-Nayarit, Mexico. Chris Harrison hosts this reality TV series, which features a mix of fan favorites and controversial characters.
Go for four: 'Sharknado 4' enlists its fans to decide April's fate
Ian Ziering and Tara Reid in “Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!”
Go for four: In Hollywood, if something works, milk it. "Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!" is barely behind us, and already Syfy is laying out its plans for a fourth installment of the over-the-top shark-based disaster movie franchise.
New Releases for the week of August 16 - 22
Strangerland
Married couple Matthew (Fiennes) and Catherine (Kidman) Parker are having trouble fitting in to their new lives in a remote town deep in the Australian Outback. They mostly keep to themselves, but when their two children disappear into the surrounding wilderness just as a deadly dust storm is blowing in, the parents must team up with their neighbors. With the local cop (Weaving) leading the search through the dust-choked darkness, it soon becomes clear that something sinister has happened to the two youths, and the locals begin to turn against the outsiders in their midst.
Director: Kim Farrant. Stars: Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving, Joseph Fiennes, Maddison Brown, Sean Keenan. 2015. 112 min. Drama.
Little Boy
Pepper (Salvati) is a smaller-than-normal six-year-old boy whose short stature has always been a source of mockery from his peers. His faith is strong, though, and he can often cause miracles to happen when he prays to God. When war breaks out with Japan in 1941, his father (Rapaport) enlists to serve in the Pacific, and Pepper prays harder than he ever has for a miracle to bring him home. His priest, however, tells him that his prayers won't work if he holds any hatred in his heart, and that his hatred for the Japanese that his father is fighting is disconnecting him from God. At the priest's urging, Pepper starts to befriend the only Japanese man in town (Tagawa), a man now universally feared and reviled by the locals.
Director: Alejandro Monteverde. Stars: Emily Watson, Kevin James, Jakob Salvati, Michael Rapaport, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. 2015. 106 min. Drama.
5 to 7
Brian (Yelchin) is an aspiring writer living in the Big Apple who bumps into a beautiful French woman (Thirlby) in front of a hotel one fateful day. Though she is a decade older than he is, the two strangers hit it off well, and she tells him that she wants to see him again, but that she's only available between 5 and 7 p.m. It turns out that she's the wife of a diplomat, and the two begin a passionate affair.
Director: Victor Levin. Stars: Olivia Thirlby, Anton Yelchin, Glenn Close. 2015. 95 min. Drama.
Late Laughs for the week of August 16 - 22, 2015
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Jimmy Fallon
Some bad news for Donald Trump here. I read that the controversial remarks he’s made since he began his presidential campaign have cost his brand as much as $80 million. You can tell things are rough for Trump, 'cause today he had to wipe his mouth with a napkin instead of a $20.
Criminal Minds, on CBS
The team races to find a young boy who goes missing on Halloween. Series star Thomas Gibson stepped behind the camera to direct this episode, which also features a guest appearance by the star's son, Travis Gibson, as one of the missing boy's friends.
A bit off the back: TBS's new sitcom 'Clipped' wraps up its first season
The cast of “Clipped”
A hair cut and a TV show have a lot in common -- one bad trip to the salon and you'll never go back to that stylist; one bad episode of a series and you'll never tune in to that show again. It's a good thing, then, that there's not a hair out of place in the TBS sitcom "Clipped," which has been entertaining audiences since mid-June. Season 1 of "Clipped" comes to a close Tuesday, Aug. 18, on TBS.
Recaps for the week of August 10 - 14
Christel Khalil stars in “The Young and the Restless”
The Bold and the Beautiful
Maya is emotionally wounded by a conversation that she accidentally overhears between Julius and Vivienne on her wedding day, but she manages to find strength when she is able to bond with her sister, Nicole. At the worst possible time, the Avants become a family in crisis. Later, Maya is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of emotion being extended on her behalf. While Steffy confesses her deepest fears to Thomas, things heat up between Wyatt and Ivy. After Ivy focuses on the silver linings that have come out of her breakup with Liam, she surprises everyone at Forrester Creations by announcing her desire to take on a more prominent role in the company. The connection between Nicole and Zende continues to grow as they exercise together in the Skye Lounge. Bill and Katie consider the many blessings they have in life.
Days of Our Lives
As Abigail looks on uncomfortably, Ben taunts Chad with the news of their engagement. Consumed by the thought that Abigail may be carrying Chad's baby, Ben later informs her that he wants them both to leave Salem. Brady forces Theresa to admit to her deception. While a conflicted Brady struggles to find a solution to his problem, Theresa realizes that she might be able to use Xander to her benefit. Eric begins to thaw toward Serena after she tries to save Caroline's life. After a tense encounter with Xander, Nicole is surprised when Maggie makes an unexpected overture toward her. Hope's curiosity is piqued when she learns Aiden dropped Clyde as a client. Later, Aiden and Hope both try to dig up some information on Clyde. Paul confronts Will about his lies after he uncovers a shocking secret. Meanwhile, Adrienne strikes a nerve with Sonny when she tries to give him marital advice. Roman becomes angry when he discovers what JJ's true intentions are.
General Hospital
Scott makes a huge decision that will affect his role as DA. Morgan is confronted by Sonny and Carly about his suspicious behavior. Ava figures out a way to manipulate Franco. Liz has second thoughts about some of the choices she's made, but she continues to conspire with Nikolas. Meanwhile, Patrick brings Jake up to speed on the history shared between Sam and Liz. Lulu is moved by Dillon's script, and it causes her to examine her own relationship. Nina is concerned that Franco will sacrifice himself in order to protect her. Meanwhile, Obrecht makes a shocking discovery while she tries to help Franco. Sonny tells Carly that he is not involved in the recent wave of mob criminal activity.
The Young and the Restless
Victor insists that Abby and Victoria work together more closely. When Abby reveals to Victoria some of the problems she's been having with Stitch, Victoria encourages her to talk to him about it. At the same time, Stitch ends up opening up to Ashley when he can't reach Abby. Nick and Sharon wind up having a tender moment when they realize they've given Faith the wrong idea. Nikki confides to Neil that she really wants to take a drink and wishes that she could be in control the way he seems to be. Paul asks Kevin to bring him into the loop on everything he's missed since going on medical leave. Paul isn't pleased at all when he learns that Kevin has involved Mariah in the murder investigation. Meanwhile, Phyllis visits Marisa at her suite and questions her relationship with Jack. Adam begs and pleads with Chelsea for a second chance. Billy becomes enraged when Phyllis and Jack suggest that Victoria may be using him to get information.