Q: I am writing about this great new show "God Friended Me." I find it very refreshing and it covers many facets of humanity with a diverse cast, all while talking about doing good by helping others. I hope this program goes on for a long time. It is so uplifting.
A: The drama will have its Season 1 finale on Sunday, but don't worry. It has been renewed for a second season. "It's one of the top three new series on television, has improved its time period significantly, and continues a long tradition of prestige dramas for CBS on [Sunday] night," said Kelly Kahl, president, CBS Entertainment, in the renewal announcement.
More 'Charm' to come
Q: Do you know if "Southern Charm" is coming back? There was a lot of bickering, but no more than on all those "Real Housewives" shows.
A: Bravo will offer a sixth season of "Southern Charm" and the Charleston, S.C., cast beginning on May 15. According to the network, returning cast members will include Craig Conover, Kathryn Dennis, Cameran Eubanks, Austen Kroll, Chelsea Meissner and Shep Rose. Kathryn's ex Thomas Ravenel will not be in this season. He has reportedly said that being on "Southern Charm" was "the worst mistake of my life."
Story lines include Kathryn hoping to rise in the social hierarchy, Cameran working on a work-life balance, Craig hiring a personal assistant, and Shep getting a new dog.
No royal connection
Q: We were in Morocco from 1970 to 1973 when my husband was in the Navy. At that time, the king of Morocco was King Hassan. His wife was Queen Latifa. I have often wondered if the American actress/singer Queen Latifah got her name from the former Moroccan queen.
A: A New York Times profile of the multitalented Queen Latifah says the former Dana Owens "named herself Latifah as a child, after learning it was Arabic for 'delicate, sensitive and kind.' " I have not seen an account connecting her naming to the Moroccans.
Must be where the mob stays
Q: Please explain the tagline "Badda Book, Badda Boom" for Choice Hotels TV commercials. No one I know has a clue what it means.
A: According to the hotel chain, the slogan draws on the expression "bada bing, bada boom," which, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, refers to something happening suddenly or easily. The OED has references to the original phrase going back more than 50 years; the most famous uses are likely those in mob chronicles such as "The Sopranos" (where the topless club was called Bada Bing) and "The Godfather." A Choice Hotels press release said its slogan indicates "there's an easy way to plan and book hotel stays."
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