Long-running soap operas pulled from the air, then Web are done

You have questions. I have some answers.

I’ve been watching and waiting for the comeback of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” Can you tell me if they will ever be coming back?

Based on the best available information right now, I would say no. After ABC decided to drop the shows from its broadcast lineup in 2011, a deal was made with a company, Prospect Park Networks, to put new episodes online. Those telecasts began in 2013; Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network also replayed some. But there were still problems, including accusations against each other by Prospect Park and ABC and legal actions. The bottom line for viewers is that the two shows ended production after about 40 new episodes each. Cast members were cut loose in November 2013, and the shows have not been back since.

I’m wondering why “Judge Judy,” which tapes in California, uses New York scenes and lettering that has different New York references. Can you help?

Here’s an explanation the New York Times offered several years ago after talking to a representative for the show: “One, viewers like the scenes of New York, because it’s a very visual city. Two, the scenes evoke the background of Judge Judy, formerly Judge Judith Sheindlin, supervisor of Manhattan Family Court.” In short, the New York scenes reflect the star in a way Hollywood settings would not.

What ever happened to the actress who played Aunt Joan on “Doc Martin?” Did she also star in the series “Waiting for God?”

Stephanie Cole, who had played Diana on “Waiting for God” in the ’90s, also played Joan on “Doc Martin” from 2005 to 2009. She then decided to move on to other projects, apparently because she does not like to stay with any one series for long. Since “Doc Martin” she has also been on “Coronation Street,” “Still Open All Hours” and “Man Down.”

A few years ago, there was a show on PBS called “Endeavour” that was the early years of Inspector Morse. In the last episode that I saw, Morse was jailed for shooting his partner. Was this series continued in the U.K. and never brought here, or is that where it ended?

The telecast you saw of “Endeavour” was the most recent one, and aired on PBS’ “Masterpiece” in July 2014. It was the eighth episode of the series, with four in each of its two seasons to date. A third four-episode season is in the works, although I have not seen a telecast date.