Celebrity Extra – I can’t believe they’re making a sequel to “A Christmas Story”

PHOTO: Peter Billingsley is “Ralphie” in “A Christmas Story.”
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
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Q: I can’t believe they’re making a sequel to “A Christmas Story.” How can they possibly recapture the heart of the original when the actor who played the cranky but loveable dad is deceased? Is it going to be set in modern times? — Y.B.

A: When I first heard that HBO Max was planning to air a sequel to the 1983 classic “A Christmas Story,” with Peter Billingsley (Ralphie), I had the same hesitation. The 1940s setting with father Darren McGavin yelling at the Bumpus’ dogs stealing the turkey was perfection. How could they possibly recapture this magic in a modern sequel? Then I read that the new film will be set in the 1970s, and I have to admit, I’m a little more hopeful.
As for the plot, according to Entertainment Weekly, Ralphie, now a father, “returns to the house on Cleveland Street to deliver his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had growing up.” He greets old friends and pays tribute to the passing of his “old man.”
Billingsley is no stranger to Hollywood since his child acting days. He’s become a successful director and producer. He directed the 2009 comedy film “Couples Retreat,” starring Vince Vaughn. A bit of trivia, according to IMDb.com, Billingsley and Vaughn became best buddies when they both appeared in the “CBS Schoolbreak Special: The Fourth Man.”
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Q: Is the actress who now plays Taylor on “The Bold and the Beautiful” the same Krista Allen who used to be on “Days of Our Lives”? — Anon.

A: Yes, Krista Allen made her soap debut as Billie Reed on “Days of Our Lives” in 1996. Lisa Rinna had originated the role but left for “Melrose Place.” Allen played Billie for three years. The most press she’s received though is as George Clooney’s girlfriend before he eventually settled down and married.
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Q: Is Nicolas Cage still going to play Joe Exotic in a “Tiger King” movie? I saw that the one with Kate McKinnon is out. Were the plans scrapped for another Joe Exotic project? — I.E.

A: When the “Tiger King” documentary series debuted on Netflix at the beginning of the pandemic, more than 34 million viewers tuned in during the first 10 days of its release. There was immediate discussion about “who would play Joe Exotic” in the inevitable movies and series in development. Soon it was announced that Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage (“Adaptation”) would don a blond mullet to play Joe in a series for Amazon, but the project was scrapped once the hype lessened. It also was reported that Rob Lowe (“9-1-1: Lone Star”) had been in talks with producer Ryan Murphy (“American Crime Story”) for their own project, but nothing new has been reported since 2020.
One project that does seem to have come to fruition is “Joe vs. Carole,” starring John Cameron Mitchell (“The Good Fight”) and Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”). The eight-episode series will debut March 3 on Peacock and also stars Kyle MacLachlan (“Twin Peaks”) and William Fichtner (“Mom”).

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