TV Q & A: It was always Lassie

Answer: Hey, pal, just because you saw it for the first time as "Jeff's Collie" doesn't mean it was born that way. "Lassie" began as "Lassie" on CBS in 1954 and ran until 1971. When older episodes were syndicated (appearing in reruns every day) they were re-titled. The ones featuring Jeff (Tommy Rettig), which were produced from 1954 until 1957, were called "Jeff's Collie." And the ones with Timmy (Jon Provost), which were produced from 1957 until 1964, were re-titled "Timmy and Lassie." Rettig had appeared in several movies before "Lassie," including "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" and "River of No Return." He had a stormy adjustment after "Lassie," including drug arrests and bankruptcy, but he later became a well-known software developer. He died in 1996 at age 54. Porky was played by Joey Vieira, who's now 63. He still does bit roles. He appeared in the Mel Gibson film "The Patriot," among others.

Question: Do you know if "Rules of Engagement" is coming back to CBS this fall?

Answer: Yes. The show will be back on Mondays after "Two and a Half Men."

Question: Which came first, Scott Baio as Chachi on "Happy Days" or Scott Baio as Dr. Stewart on "Diagnosis: Murder"?

Answer: In other words, what you're saying is Scott Baio is ageless. In a kind of creepy way. Baio played Charles "Chachi" Arcola on ABC's "Happy Days" from 1977 until 1984, beginning when he was 16 or so. He played Dr. Jack Stewart on CBS' "Diagnosis Murder" from 1993 until 1995, beginning when he was 32 or so.

Question: More years ago than I want to admit, I saw an episode of "The Twilight Zone" where a modern-day couple was driving along a highway. They stopped and walked over a hill where they found a covered wagon in which there was a sick child (or children). The parents asked for help, and the couple left some aspirin or a similar medicine. The implication was that the medication we take for granted today would have saved many lives a century ago. Can you tell me the title of this episode and if it's on DVD? I work in an 1800s living history village and this would be a great story to relate to our visitors.

Answer: That's the episode "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" with Cliff Robertson. The plot is slightly different from the way you describe it — a pioneer sets out in search of medicine and ends up at a modern-day truck stop. It originally aired in April 1961 and is on "The Twilight Zone" season two DVD.