'Judging Amy' copes with death of Richard Crenna

The death of Richard Crenna has left the producers of "Judging Amy" in a bind.

The 76-year-old actor, who died Jan. 17 of pancreatic cancer, played Jared Duff, who was engaged to Maxine Gray (Tyne Daly).

The Crenna-Daly story line was leading to a wedding, but when Crenna fell ill earlier this season, the producers crafted a story line that took his character to China, where he owned a business. Now they must decide what to do with the story line and his character.

"At this point, they don't know," said a show spokeswoman. "Everybody right now is completely in shock."

Because there are no unaired episodes with Crenna in them, it's possible the character will simply stay in China and the wedding will be called off.

'Mister Ed' remake planned

A horse is a horse of course of course, unless the horse is a Fox.

An updated version of CBS' 1961-66 "Mister Ed" — about architect Wilbur Post (Alan Young) and his talking horse, Mister Ed (voiced by Allan "Rocky" Lane), who spoke only to Wilbur — is being developed at Fox.

"Saturday Night Live's" Jack Handey (creator of "Toonces, the Driving Cat") will write the pilot.

This time, Fox says Ed will have a "more urban voice," like Eddie Murphy's or Eddie Griffin's.