Question: I see occasional reruns of "Monk" on USA network, but nothing of "The Shield" on FX. Have these shows been taken off the air? — S.H., via e-mail
Answer: No, but both are made-for-cable series and have fewer episodes per season than most broadcast network shows. The second season of "Monk" begins June 20 on USA Network. There's no word on whether the new episodes will repeat on ABC, as they did during season one. The Shield's sophomore season played out on FX earlier this year.
Question: Joan Collins is one of my favorite actresses. She seems to get better with time. Is there any chance of seeing "Dynasty" reruns? — D.B., Las Vegas, Nev.
Answer: You can catch reruns of the 1980-89 serial drama if you have the SoapNet channel at your house. It's available on some digital cable and satellite packages.
Question: Please tell me about the actress Angela Alvarado, who plays the DEA agent on the miniseries "Kingpin." Will the series be back? — M.N., Mesquite, Texas
Answer: Angela Alvarado Rosa played DEA agent Delia Flores on the six-episode series that aired earlier this year on NBC, then replayed on Bravo and in Spanish on Telemundo. NBC has not announced plans to make more episodes of "Kingpin." Born in Puerto Rico, Alvarado Rosa spent time in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey during her youth. She paid her college tuition by taking modeling jobs, which eventually led to acting roles. Her most recent screen role was in "Showtime," with Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy. The actress is married to Robert Rosa, a former member of Menudo who co-wrote the hit single "La Vida Loca" for Ricky Martin. The Rosas have two children and make their home in Los Angeles.
Question: Has Darren McGavin of the "Night Stalker" series died? — D.T., Powderly, Texas
Answer: The veteran actor, who turned 81 on May 7, is very much alive, but lost his wife, actress Kathie Browne McGavin, last month. She died of natural causes after a brief illness. Browne was a frequent star on TV Westerns and dramas in the 1960s, playing Adam Cartwright's (Pernell Roberts) girlfriend on "Bonanza" and Richard Crenna's TV reporter love interest on "Slattery's People." The folks who manage McGavin's official Web site say you can e-mail your messages to him at GSFEaol.com, and you are encouraged to attach a photo of yourself as well. All e-mails and photos will be "snail mailed" to McGavin.
Question: Between 1987 and 1989 there were five "Desperado" TV movies starring Alex McArthur as Duell McCall. Can you tell me how I can purchase video tapes of these movies? Also what has Alex McArthur been working on lately? — Candy, via e-mail
Answer: CMT aired all five of the "Desperado" movies in February and April. No word on when those not-yet-released-on-video movies will repeat. On April 26, McArthur guest-starred on the new "Hunter" series on NBC. You can keep up with him by visiting his official Web site www.alexmcarthur.org
Question: What city is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" taped in? — R.V., via e-mail
Answer: "Buffy" was filmed in various locations around Los Angeles. The series comes to a close on May 20, after seven seasons on the air.
Question: Recently I saw an old episode of the "Top Cat" cartoon there was the credit, "with the voice of Arnold Stang." Wasn't that the early name of Arnold Schwarzenneger before he became popular? — H.P., Roanoke, Va
Answer: Not quite. In 1970, Arnold Schwarzenegger made his film debut in "Hercules in New York" billed as Arnold Strong. Character actor and voice-over artist Arnold Stang was quite a familiar face and voice on TV during the 1950s and 1960s. He was Milton Berle's TV sidekick in the 1950s, and guest starred on dozens of TV shows, usually playing an irritating pipsqueak type, ranging from "Wagon Train" to "The Cosby Show." In 1961, Stang became the voice of "Top Cat," the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series inspired by Phil Silver's Sgt. Bilko.