Gerald Mcraney

Starring in a popular TV series is a highlight of any actor's career -- but it can also be a trap. Once a series is over, it's hard for many stars to get off what one veteran called "the island of lost actors." For Gerald McRaney, getting off that island was doubly hard since he was identified with two hit series, "Simon & Simon" (1981-89) and "Major Dad" (1989-93). But McRaney has made the great escape in fine fashion, and today the 62-year-old actor finds himself much in demand for movie, stage and TV roles with some of the top talents in Hollywood, including J.J. Abrams and Robert Duvall.

USA continues its rather remarkable winning streak with "Fairly Legal," an energetically delightful dramedy about a San Francisco mediator played by Sarah Shahi, which premieres Thursday. Shahi, last seen on the short-lived but wonderful "Life," is Kate Reed, a former attorney so unpredictable she wears Christian Louboutins but lives on a boat and so frustrated by the law that she becomes a mediator. As such, she uses her considerable capacity for empathetic diplomacy to help people solve their own problems ?

"Major Dad" star Gerald McRaney wants his former maid to return $11,000 taken from his account to pay her son's tutor, weight-loss clinics and furnishings for her home. Paulette Ava Broughton, 45, pleaded no contest on Dec. 3 to grand theft by embezzlement, and was ordered to perform at least 200 hours of community service and to reimburse McRaney and his wife, actress Delta Burke.

SERIES Undercovers: Sam and Steven (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Boris Kodjoe) head to Russia to investigate the disappearance of a plane and locate the pilot and a bomb that was allegedly aboard. Ben Schwartz and Gerald McRaney also star in this new episode (8 p.m. NBC). The 44th Annual CMA Awards: Multiple nominee Brad Paisley and female vocalist of the year contender Carrie Underwood return to host the annual gala honoring country music's best. Highlights include a performance by Taylor Swift; an appearance by Gwyneth Paltrow performing the theme from her new movie "Country Strong"; and a salute to Loretta Lynn by Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow (8 p.m. ABC)

Actor Gerald McRaney, who can solve a household crisis in 30 minutes on his "Major Dad" television series, was in Pasadena Superior Court last week, trying to resolve a real-life domestic dispute that has festered for five months. The court clash ended Monday, when Judge Jack Tso ordered McRaney's former housekeeper, Paulette Ava Broughton, to pay $12,581 in restitution for funds she stole from McRaney and his wife, former "Designing Women" star Delta Burke.

I want to commend CBS for airing "A Hobo's Christmas" on Dec. 6. It was a beautiful Christmas story. Barnard Hughes and Gerald McRaney were wonderful. Gladys M. Hart, Santa Monica

What a joy to have "Simon & Simon" back again. Jameson Parker and Gerald McRaney work together so well. The writing and direction is excellent. Hope they stay around forever. Berrien Dix, Arcadia

Duty Calls: And actor Gerald McRaney, who plays a Marine Corps officer on CBS' "Major Dad," will answer a call from the U.S. Marines to visit the El Toro base today. McRaney will be talking with families of personnel dispatched to Somalia.

USA continues its rather remarkable winning streak with "Fairly Legal," an energetically delightful dramedy about a San Francisco mediator played by Sarah Shahi, which premieres Thursday. Shahi, last seen on the short-lived but wonderful "Life," is Kate Reed, a former attorney so unpredictable she wears Christian Louboutins but lives on a boat and so frustrated by the law that she becomes a mediator. As such, she uses her considerable capacity for empathetic diplomacy to help people solve their own problems ?

Gerald McRaney, the former star of "Major Dad" and "Simon & Simon," underwent surgery in Houston on Monday to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, his publicist said. The malignant growth had been discovered two weeks ago. McRaney, 56, will remain in the hospital for several days before returning next week to his Los Angeles home, where he is expected to begin work on the new TV series "Commando Nanny," which begins airing in September on the WB network.

Starring in a popular TV series is a highlight of any actor's career -- but it can also be a trap. Once a series is over, it's hard for many stars to get off what one veteran called "the island of lost actors." For Gerald McRaney, getting off that island was doubly hard since he was identified with two hit series, "Simon & Simon" (1981-89) and "Major Dad" (1989-93). But McRaney has made the great escape in fine fashion, and today the 62-year-old actor finds himself much in demand for movie, stage and TV roles with some of the top talents in Hollywood, including J.J. Abrams ("Lost")

Actor Gerald McRaney was discharged from a Texas hospital on Friday, following surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, his publicist said. Dr. Ara Vaporciyan performed the surgery at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on Monday. "Mr. McRaney is doing very well after surgery and experiencing no complications," he said. "The tumor has been removed in its entirety." McRaney, 57, will spend a few days resting in his hometown of Collins, Miss., before heading to L.A. on Sept.

Gerald McRaney, the former star of "Major Dad" and "Simon & Simon," underwent surgery in Houston on Monday to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, his publicist said. The malignant growth had been discovered two weeks ago. McRaney, 56, will remain in the hospital for several days before returning next week to his Los Angeles home, where he is expected to begin work on the new TV series "Commando Nanny," which begins airing in September on the WB network.

Sunday "The Story of Magic" / 5 and 9 p.m. A&E. Concludes Tuesday 6 and 10 p.m. In recent weeks, viewers have been overwhelmed with prime-time illusions on the broadcast networks. Now it is cable's turn to get into the magic act. Sleight-of-hand master Ricky Jay hosts the two-part chronicle whose initial installment covers everything from the first "cups and balls" trick to magicians of the 19th century.

If it wasn't for the air-conditioning going full blast in the narrow trailer at the Raleigh Studio lot in Hollywood, interviewing Gerald McRaney would be somewhat of a strain. There is a lot of smoke in the air. In khaki bush jacket and jeans, the strapping actor with sandy hair, sea-blue eyes, long legs and deep baritone seems the embodiment of a latter-day Marlboro Man. He's also puffing away, a pack of Marlboros at his fingertips.

Duty Calls: And actor Gerald McRaney, who plays a Marine Corps officer on CBS' "Major Dad," will answer a call from the U.S. Marines to visit the El Toro base today. McRaney will be talking with families of personnel dispatched to Somalia.