Q. My husband watches "Gunsmoke" reruns every Saturday. Which came first - "Gunsmoke" or "Matt Dillon"? On which did Dennis Weaver start out? - T.H., Dallas
A. "Marshal Dillon" was the title given to reruns of the early half-hour episodes of "Gunsmoke." Dennis Weaver, as Chester Goode, was on "Gunsmoke" from 1955-64. James Arness starred as Marshal Matt Dillon.
Q. Now that the big-screen "Avengers" movie is coming in August, do any cable channels have plans to start showing the classic '60s series again? - M.C., Norfolk, Va.
A. The campy English spy series of the 1960s doesn't appear on any cable schedule right now. Encore Mystery channel was the last to air "The Avengers," but Encore's contract expired last year. But take heart, A&E Home Video will release digitally remastered episodes from Season 5 of the show beginning in August. "The Avengers '67," sets 1 & 2 (three episodes per set), will sell for $29.95. More episodes will be released in the fall. Meanwhile, the big-screen "Avenger" movie opens Aug. 14 with Ralph Fiennes as John Steed, Uma Thurman as Mrs. Peele and Sean Connery as the villain.
Q. I watched the NBC two-part "Witness to the Mob" on May 10 and 11. A bit part was played by someone who looked like Frankie Valli, my all-time favorite singer. Could it have been him? - C.O.P., Stockton, Calif.
A. The Four Seasons lead singer played a character named Frank LoCascio in the mobster miniseries.
Q. In the May 24 column, when R.C. asked about ALF's full name, I think Gordon Shumway may be what she was looking for. Just a thought. - K.R., Silver Creek, N.Y.
A. I'm sure you're right. Shumway was ALF's moniker back on home planet Melmac.
Q. I'm a very big fan of Ann-Margret's, but I haven't been keeping up with her TV schedule. Has Lifetime already aired "Life of the Party," or is the production still under way? - L.H., Garland, Texas
A. Ann-Margret began filming "Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story" last month. She plays the late American ambassador to France, whose glamorous life crossed the worlds of politics and entertainment. Co-stars include David Dukes as producer Leyland Hayward, Mitchell Ryan as Averill Harriman and Gail Strickland as Betsy Bloomingdale. The movie is tentatively scheduled to air on Lifetime in October.
Q. The networks have announced their fall TV programs, and I am very disappointed that "George and Leo" and "Gregory Hines" aren't part of the lineups. Are these two shows really gone? Any chance of them coming back as midseason replacements? - C.D., Sacramento, Calif.
A. There's always a chance a series will be revived, but CBS has made no indication that these two shows are in the running for midseason starts. Only four of last fall's new network series made the cut for a second season - "Dharma & Greg," "Veronica's Closet," "Working" and "Ally McBeal." CBS didn't return any of its Fall 1998 shows. And the network's cancellation of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" has proved to be a very unpopular decision with fans of the six-season series. If you'd like to voice your opinion, call the CBS comment line at 213-852-2200 or send an e-mail to audsvcs cbs.com.
Q. Billy Connolly was wonderful in the English movie "Mrs. Brown." What was the name of the U.S. TV series he was in as a teacher, and when did it run? - S.E. Stockton, Calif.
A. The Scotland-born comic, who also dabbles in acting and banjo playing, joined "Head of the Class" for the 1990-91 season, replacing Howard Hesseman as the teacher of a class of gifted students. A year later, he starred in his own short-lived sitcom titled "Billy."