You have questions. I have some answers.
Q: I have noticed the word "Newport" appears on a prop somewhere in every episode of "The Big Bang Theory." It is usually on the spine of a telephone book in the apartment. I have seen it also on a work table in the lab. Any explanation?
A: You are looking at material from the Newport Corporation, a self-described "leading global supplier of advanced technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research, microelectronics, life and health sciences, industrial manufacturing and defense/security markets." (If that description seems long, imagine Sheldon Cooper's irritation if I left anything out.)
A 2013 blog post by Chemical & Engineering News pointed out that Newport is based near "Big Bang's" studios and has provided equipment to the show, including a microscope and a laser-lit chess set, adding to the program's air of scientific authenticity.
Q: We are fans of "Little People, Big World" and have watched the series from the beginning. We were wondering what happened to their son Jacob. He has not been included in any of the family reunions or mentioned this past season.
A: Jacob Roloff has parted ways with the show. In an Instagram post a few months ago, he wrote: "For the sake of 'the episode' and ratings I've seen a lot of STORYLINES drawn up (loosely) about our lives, and when I was standing here, behind the scenes and watching it from an outside perspective I just couldn't stop laughing. Laughing at how hard the producers have to try to get us to follow the talking points, and at how ridiculous the talking points are. ... (N)oticing how the agenda of the crew doesn't work well with the health & happiness of our family is what made me decide quite a while ago that I would not be a part of it as soon as I was able.
"All in all I appreciate people wanting me to 'be with the family' for a few more episodes," he added, "but the family that is filmed is not my family. They are the Roloff Characters and I have scarcely anything in common with them, nor do I want to be a character myself."
Q: Will the program "The Haves and Have Nots" on OWN be back? It ended with a real cliff-hanger and I am hoping it will be back.
A: You're in luck. OWN will have new episodes of the series from Tyler Perry beginning in January.
Q: I was wondering if you could find out what happened to "Aquarius." We have looked for the next episode and have been unable to find it.
A: The series completed its second season on Sept. 10, and NBC has decided not to order a third. Michael Ausiello of TVLine.com noted that the two seasons were low-rated and that "the show's fate was all but cemented in early August when NBC announced it was relocating the Charles Manson-themed period drama from its Thursday perch to the TV cemetery known as Saturday night."
Speaking of Saturday, here's a Q&A correction: The previous column said programming by commercial broadcast networks on that night include "the burning off of episodes of shows that have done well in weeknight time slots." That should have said "shows that have NOT done well in weeknight time slots." Such as "Aquarius."
