– On “Law & Order,” Lt. Van Buren and Lennie Briscoe (S. Epatha Merkerson, Jerry Orbach) both wear the same lapel pin. What does it represent? –Ellen B. Cutler, Aberdeen, Md.
“Epatha and Jerry wear mini-badges that represent the Detectives’ Endowment Association,” an NBC publicist replies. “They also wear American flag (pins).”
According to its official Web site, the Detectives’ Endowment Association was founded as a fraternal organization in 1917. As a labor union, it gained independent collective bargaining status in 1963 to act as the exclusive representative of active and retired New York City Police Department detectives.
– Why is it that not one obituary of John Ritter mentioned that he voiced “Clifford the Big Red Dog” on PBS? Are there any plans to find someone else, or will no new shows be made? –CJP, Westbury, Conn.
First, some obits I saw did, in fact, mention Ritter’s “Clifford” gig, but given the beloved actor’s long and diverse list of credits, as well as the shocking abruptness of his passing, few reports made any pretense of offering an exhaustive list of his work.
Second, a “Clifford” publicist tells me that, even before Ritter’s untimely death, “Clifford the Big Red Dog” had given way as a series to a prequel, “Clifford’s Puppy Days,” in which actress Lara Miller voices younger Clifford. Even at that point, there were no plans in the works to produce new episodes of “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and the prospect is even less likely given the loss of Ritter.
– When can we expect new episodes of “Six Feet Under”?
–Katherine De Blau via e-mail.
Mid-2004, according to the HBO show’s publicist.
– Will there be a fourth “Die Hard” movie with Bruce Willis?
–R. Taylor via e-mail.
Yes, “Die Hard 4: Die Hardest” reteams Willis and director John McTiernan for release in summer 2005.
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