This is a new site feature that we’re trying out and are interested to hear what you think about it. It’s kind of your quick morning shot of classic television, served in easy-to-digest bite-size pieces.

Today, we have news briefs about Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island, the Growing Pains reunion movies, an international version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, updates on the Star Trek and Smurfs movie sequels, and a Baywatch castmember’s health problems.

Gilligan’s Island
She may seem like the girl next door but don’t mess with Mary Ann. Actress Dawn Wells is suing Hair Solutions By Me, Inc. for allegedly breaching their contract. She was supposed to be the spokesperson for “Effortless Extensions” but the Wells’ lawsuit claims appearances weren’t arranged for her and her PR and marketing ideas were ignored. The contract was supposedly illegally terminated last November and Wells believes the company owes her at least $70,000.

Growing Pains
In 1992, after seven seasons on ABC, Growing Pains said goodbye to primetime. The Seaver clan (Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller and Ashley Johnson) returned however in two made-for-TV reunions — The Growing Pains Movie (2000) and Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers (2004). The regular series DVDs haven’t been a big success but the Warner Archive is releasing the two movies beginning December 6th as part of their manufacture-on-demand (MOD) program. For now, they can only be purchased via WBshop.com

Whose Line Is It Anyway?
UK-based Hat Trick International and Miditech have made a deal to bring the improv TV show to India. Whose Line started as a radio program in the UK before moving to television. The American version, hosted by Drew Carey and featuring comics like Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie, ran for eight seasons and 220 episodes on ABC. Hat Trick’s Paul Cohen said, “The potential for Whose Line in India is huge, both through television and live events as the comedy market in India expands… We look forward to seeing Whose Line on Indian screens in 2012.”

Star Trek
The sequel to the 2009 blockbuster feature film is scheduled to start shooting on January 15th. The project has been underway for some time and co-writer/producer Roberto Orci notes that they are currently working on the third draft of the script. Much of the design work for the film has been completed already and ILM has already started working on some of the space effects shots. Enterprise interiors and other set dressings are still in storage from the 2009 feature. Director JJ Abrams and his team are currently picking shooting locations. A Hawaii locale is being considered for a jungle plant setting and a Los Angeles museum will stand in for a “famous Star Trek location.”

The Smurfs
Sony Pictures is planning to shoot the upcoming sequel to The Smurfs in Montreal. This will allow the studio to take advantage of Quebec’s all-spend tax credit and additional digital media tax incentives for live action/CG hybrids. The Smurfs 2 has an August 2, 2013 release date and Jordan Kerner is returning as producer.

Baywatch
Michael Newman, the real-life lifeguard and actor who played “Newmie” on Baywatch, has revealed that he’s been battling Parkinson’s disease for the past five years. He first noticed that he had a tremor in his left hand and that ultimately led him to getting diagnosed. Now 55 years old, Newman is a father of two, resides in Pacific Palisades and sells real estate. He hopes that advances in stem-cell therapy research will mean new treatments for people with the disease.

ON THIS DAY
1980: Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters debuted on NBC. The variety show lasted two seasons.

1987: Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter (Joan Collins) and Sean Rowan (James Healey) are married on Dynasty. He later tried to kill her.

1989: Thelma Frye (Anna Maria Horsford) and Rev. Reuben Gregory (Clifton Davis) are finally married on Amen.

2001: ABC aired the Facts of Life Reunion TV movie which brought Charlotte Rae, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, and Lisa Welchel back together.

2003: Connie McDowell (Charlotte Ross) and Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) are married on NYPD Blue.

What do you think? Do you think you’ll see the Star Trek or Smurf sequels? There were three TV weddings on this date, do you remember attending… er, watching any of them?

Image courtesy Paramount, Trekmovie.com