Q. I'd like some background of Denise Crosby, of "Key West" and formerly of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." - B.B., Lanham, Md.
A. Crosby, 36, started out modeling and has worked in regional theater, in prime-time TV, daytime and features, including "Arizona Heat," "48 Hrs.," "Trail of the Pink Panther" and "Miracle Mile." She's the daughter of Bing Crosby's son Dennis (her parents never married). She grew up in Los Angeles with her mother and stepfather, met Dennis only once during a paternity hearing and never met grandfather Bing, although she does know Mary Crosby, Bing's daughter from his second marriage. Denise is married to video director Geoffrey Edwards, son of director Blake Edwards.Q. In an interview with Larry King, Alec Baldwin said he received his first recognition from his role on "Knots Landing." What was his role? I watched the show from the beginning but I can't place him. - I.D., Chino, Calif.
A. Baldwin was Joshua Rush in "Knots," 1985-86. Rush was Val's half-brother, a preacher turned TV personality. When his co-worker Cathy (Lisa Hartman) started getting more fan mail than he did, he commited suicide (or was it murder?).
Q. There used to be a program on TV years ago that starred Patrick Morita as a judo expert. Help me remember the show. - V.P., Southgate, Mich.
A. It's not Patrick. He's Pat, a nickname given actor Morita when he was a youngster in a tuberculosis sanitarium. When he started acting, there was prejudice against ethnic names and he worked under his nickname. His real first name is Noriyuki and he prefers to use it now. He's been many things in his five TV series, from private eye (the final version of "Ohara") to diner owner Arnold in "Happy Days." But he was never a judo expert on TV. He was a martial arts master in the "Karate Kid" theatrical movies.
Q. I have heard about the popularity of "Baywatch." I know it's syndicated and not network, but why haven't I seen it in years? - T.C., Oscoda, Mich.
A. "Baywatch" was jettisoned by NBC after one season, 1989-90. But overseas, the rippling chests and undulating curves of the scantily clad beach boys and girls were so popular the series was revived in 1991 in syndication. Some U.S. stations carry it, but it's bigger as an export.
Q. My wife disagreed with me (as usual) when I said that Eartha Kitt played in "Mission: Impossible." Can you clarify? - J.L., Philadelphia.
A. Be kind. You're right. Kitt wasn't a regular on either version of "Mission" (1966-73 and 1988-90), but she played a guest role on the first series.
Q. I have a bet with a friend who says that Eartha Kitt was the original Catwoman on "Batman." I say it was Julie somebody. - C.P., Marietta, Ga.
A. Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt all played Catwoman.
Q. I enjoy watching "Time Trax." Tell me about Dale Midkiff. Where can I write him? - L.P., Elmhurst, Ill.
A. Midkiff, 29, is best known for the 1988 ABC miniseries "Elvis and Me," but he's done a series, "Dream Street," and TV movies "Dallas: The Early years," "Sins of the Mother," "The Tracy Thurman Story" and the feature "Pet Sematary." He's from Maryland, started acting in school, worked in New York theater for five years after college and made his movie debut playing a pimp in "Streetwalking." He's married and has a young son. Write: Warner Bros. Television, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522.
Q. Where can I write my heroes on "Saturday Night Live"? - L.J.L., Eastpointe, Mich.
A. NBC-TV, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112.
Q. Where is "Evening Shade" taped? I heard it was taped in Evening Shade, Ark. Is that correct? - G.D., Lima, Ohio.
A. No. A sound stage in California fills in for the Arkansas town. For one thing, the real Evening Shade has no high school football team. For another, the house used as the Newton family home actually is in Little Rock, Ark. The show's creators/producers, Harry Thomason and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, are both from Arkansas.
Q. My granddaughter and I saw John Schuck on "Sisters" the other night. We couldn't remember why he looked familar. Can you help? - Mrs. B.K., Huntington Valley, Pa.
A. Schuck's done guest roles on many shows, and his series include "McMillan and Wife," "Holmes and Yoyo," "Roots," "Turnabout" and "The New Odd Couple."
Q. "Centennial" was one of my favorite series. I still see it periodically, but I seem to miss the credits every time. Who played Skimmerhorn? - E.C., Kingman, Ariz.
A. Richard Crenna was Col. Frank Skimmerhorn and Cliff DeYoung was John Skimmerhorn.
Q. We are fans of Lori Petty ("A League of Their Own" and "Free Willy"). Tell us something about her. - K. and K. Tomlin, Orlando, Fla.
A. Petty's 28, from Tennessee. She lived and worked in the Midwest and New York before heading to California in 1987. She did TV guest roles and had a regular role in "Booker" but made her mark in the movies with 1991's "Point Break."
Q. Is the actor who plays Roger Keller on "As the World Turns" the same actor who played Jack Abbott on "The Young and the Restless"? If so, why did he leave "The Young and the Restless"? - L.S., Trenton, N.J.
A. Terry Lester is Keller. He also was Abbott, but that ended four years ago (1989) when he left to take over the role of Mason Capwell in the now defunct "Santa Barbara." Lester left "Y&R" after nine years as Abbott, claiming he was tired of playing second fiddle to the boss' (executive producer William Bell) daughter, Lauralee Bell, who plays Cricket and was getting all the juicy storylines. "Santa Barbara" went belly up in early 1992. Lester moved to New York to join "As the World Turns" in November 1992.
Q. In the soap "All My Children," who is the "My" referred to in the title? - L.B.W., Lakeland, Fla.
A. No one person, but the young people of the Tyler and Martin families, the two original families of fictional Pine Valley, the show's setting.