Q. Tell me all you can about Bruce Boxleitner. He is one of my favorite actors. - S.J., Greenville, S.C.
A. Boxleitner, 43, is from Elgin, Ill., and got his first taste of acting on the Chicago stage. But it was an appearance on "Gunsmoke" that got him into TV. The producer remembered him and cast him in the ABC-TV movie, "The Macahans" (1976). "The Macahans" turned into the series "How the West Was Won," in which Boxleitner co-starred with his then wife, Kathryn Holcomb. He's done countless TV roles since, making his biggest splash as the federal agent in "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" (1983-87). Currently, he is in Texas filming the fifth "Gambler" TV movie with Kenny Rogers and Dixie Carter.Q. Please tell me about the actress who played Molly Whelan on the TV show "Sirens." What other work has she done? - A Reader, Woodland Hills, Calif.
A. Liza Snyder made her acting debut at the age of 6 in a play directed by her father, Denton Snyder, a professor of theater at Smith College. Her mother is actress-cabaret artist Babbie Green. Her grandmother is Betty Furness; her grandfather, Oscar-winning composer Johnny Green. After high school in Los Angeles, Snyder studied in New York at Sandy Meisner's acting school, The Neighborhood Playhouse. She returned to L.A. and got her first TV work on "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill." Shortly after, she was cast in the police series "Sirens," which was canceled soon after its midseason premiere last year.
Q. What's with the "Home" show? Why did they cut it to 30 minutes? And please take Mother Love and those stupid people who cook in their garage off the show. The quality of this program has gone down hill. - J.O., Alvarado, Texas
A. The soon-to-be canceled show is still an hour long but is cut to 30 minutes by your local affiliate station. Look for "The Mike and Maty Show," with hosts Michael Burger and Maty Monfort, to replace the "Home" show this spring.
Q. Please tell me about the two women on "The Mommies." How well is it doing in the ratings? - R.W.
A. Caryl Kristensen and Marilyn Kentz were real-life suburban moms three years ago. Then the two California neighbors formed a comedy duo, calling themselves "The Mommies," and performed for the Petaluma, Calif., Women's Club. They were a hit and, before long, they were on tour and onstage at the Montreal "Just For Laughs" Comedy Festival. Kentz is the co-author and illustrator of three books on parenting and self-esteem. She is a wife and the mother of two children and stepmother of two more. Kristensen is a former ad agency art director and has two sons. Her husband, Len, is an engineer. NBC is trying to find the right slot for "The Mommies," whose ratings this first season haven't been great.
Q. On the "Dr. Kildare" series with Richard Chamberlain, I remember Lionel Barrymore playing the part of the elderly mentor M.D. My sister says he was never in the series. Who is correct? - Unsigned, Woodland Hills, Calif.
A. Barrymore did play Dr. Gillespie, but in the movies. He starred in 15 "Dr. Kildare" movies for MGM between 1938 and 1947. Lew Ayres was Dr. Kildare. In the 1960s TV series starring Chamberlain, Raymond Massey took over the Gillespie role.
Q. I am a fan of Rider Strong on "Boy Meets World." He plays Ben Savage's friend, Shawn. Can you give some background on him? Also, where can I write to him? - M.C., Dallas, Texas
A. Strong was born in San Francisco and has been acting professionally since the age of 9. If you looked fast, you saw him playing Julie Andrews' son in her TV series, "Julie." He has had a recurring role on "Evening Shade" and guest starred on "Home Improvement," "Time Trax" and "Empty Nest." He's made a movie, "Benefit of the Doubt," with Amy Irving and Donald Sutherland that will be released soon. The young actor says he loves to write and would someday like to write a feature film.
Q. You're wrong about the girl on "Phenom." She was Chrissy on "Growing Pains." - M.N., Richardson, Texas
A. Thanks for setting the record straight. Ashley Johnson, who plays the younger sister on "Phenom," did play the part of Chrissy on "Growing Pains."
Q. Help! My husband and I are quarreling about the stars of a TV show. The show was about two sisters whose husbands were in prison and they lived together. One sister was prim and proper, the other sister was not. My husband says one star was Melissa Gilbert. I bet him that he's wrong. Help me win this bet! - M.E.B., Norfolk., Va.
A. Sorry, but you'd better pay up. The show was Fox's "Stand By Your Man" with Melissa Gilbert and Rosie O'Donnell ("A League of Their Own").