Wondering about how a certain reality show pulled something off? Have a question about a certain contestant?
Whether it's "Survivor," "American Idol," "The Apprentice," "Real World" or another show, . Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, MSNBC.com's Television Editor, and Andy Dehnart, creator of ,will try to answer them.
Before you send in your question, — you may be able to get your answer right away.
Q: Any chance “Dancing With the Stars” will replace Samantha Harris as co-host? She adds nothing to the show. —Karen, Ohio
A: Andy says: I hope not. When I do watch “Dancing with the Stars,” I think Samantha Harris is one of the most entertaining parts of the show. She’s been with the show since its second season (the first season was co-hosted by Lisa Canning.)
A few weeks ago, she gave away the judges’ scores before the judges actually registered their scores. And earlier this season, she flubbed a line in such a way that it’s impossible to write in words . In short, she’s hysterical, and a lot more interesting than her co-host, Tom Bergeron, who has the personality of wet toast.
She is, however, expecting her first child, and there’s no word how that might affect the next season of the show, assuming it’s renewed. But she told People magazine, “I love this show so much I didn’t want to miss a single second.”
Gael says: I kind of think "Dancing" could host itself. It's not like Tom "Hollywood Squares" Bergeron adds a lot to the show either. That vaguely professorial disembodied voice who says "Ladies and gentlemen, the judges' scores" is really all you need. And if I were a betting woman, I'd put a few bucks on the fact that Harris may not return after giving birth this fall.
Q: How was Elvis recreated to sing with Celine Dion on "Idol Gives Back"? —Nancy
A: You mean you're not buying the fact that the King lives on, working in a diner in Montana or a roller-skating arena in Minnesota? OK, OK, me neither. "Good Morning America" has the scoop on how "Idol" did it. The that a combination of technologies put Elvis the Pelvis back on stage.
Dion sang on stage alone, then with an Elvis body double who mimicked the way Elvis performed the same song in 1968. The performances were all blended together in a process called rotoscoping, "which traced Presley from the original footage by cutting him out."
Similar magic was achieved in 1991 when Natalie Cole and her late father, Nat "King" Cole, appeared to duet on "Unforgettable" —G.F.C.
Q: Will there ever be a second “Murder in Small Town X”? —Casey, Texas
A: Probably not, or at least, there’s been no mention of one. That may be due in no small part to the fact that the first series ended tragically: Its winner, Angel Juarbe, died in the attack on the World Trade Center just one week after the finale aired. He was responding as a firefighter when one of the twin towers collapsed. The that after his death, the show's entire cast visited Juarbe's family.
The BBC bought the show’s format and reworked it for “The Murder Game,” which aired in the spring of 2003. Its ratings weren’t strong, so it didn’t return.
However, there is another series coming soon that is somewhat similar. The producers of “The Real World,” Bunim-Murray, are producing a series for Spike called “Murder,” which features contestants trying to solve real-life murders.
Basically, it’s a reality version of “CSI.” Contestants will interact with a replica of a real crime scene, and investigate over 48 hours. It’s supposed to air this summer.
When it was announced, Bunin-Murray executive Jonathan Murray told The Hollywood Reporter, “For the viewer, ‘Murder’ fuses the authenticity of a real-life crime scene with the suspense of trying to solve the murder before the contestants on the show.” —A.D.
Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is MSNBC.com's Television Editor. is a writer and teacher who publishes , a daily summary of reality TV news.