It’s always interesting to see just how candid some actors will be.
Alyssa Milano, who grew up on TV in the comedy “Who’s the Boss?,” is starring in the new ABC drama “Mistresses” that starts June. 3. The series, based on the British series of the same name, follows the love lives of four very good friends. Milano plays a lawyer whose efforts to start a family gets interrupted by another man.
Milano’s no stranger to this kind of sexy material having starred in the TV series “Melrose Place,” the feature film “Poison Ivy II” and the made-for-TV production, “Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story” as Amy Fisher.
Maybe it’s the fact I watched her grow up on TV, but I didn’t expect Milano to be so willing to reveal so many details when the conversation turns to the sexy nature of the show.
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There are many reasons I like Audra McDonald. She’s an award-winning performer, has an angelic voice and, despite her star status, has always been willing to do an interview. It’s what she does during those interviews that may be one of the most impressive things about McDonald.
The majority of the time, when I talk to a celebrity, they don’t mention their hometown. Sometimes, where a person grew up, can say a lot about the kind of person they become.
What I’ve noticed with McDonald is that even when she talking to press that isn’t from Fresno, she has no problem mentioning her roots. Her willingness to talk about Fresno is really important for the city because it shows the kind of talent that has come out of this area.
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I don’t know about you, but one of the weirdest scenes to me in TV movies and series are those that occur after a couple has been very intimate. While they are chatting, the woman is always draped in a sheet that has been strategically wrapped around her. This odd costuming always seem strange because I imagine that sheet wasn’t there before they started talking.
During a chat with Jamie Luner for her new upcoming Lifetime movie, “The Perfect Boss,” I decide to ask her about this post-romance choice of wardrobe. Luner has been in her fair share of such situations — in TV movies and series — and that means she should be an expert. She ends up wrapped up in a sheet in “The Perfect Boss.”
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The winner of this season’s “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” will be announced May 19 and it all comes down to magician Penn Jillette and musician Trace Adkins.
Win or lose, Adkins is happy he’s been on the reality competition show twice. He’s convinced that its introduced him to people who weren’t fans of his music.
“They like the way I represented myself on the show and that made them start listening to my music,” Adkins tells me during an NBC party. It’s loud in the hotel lounge but Adkins has the kind of deep voice that can be easily heard. “I have people who come up to me in airports and the TV show is the only place they know me from.
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The CW Network will add three new show’s to its lineup when the 2013-2014 season opens: “The Originals,” “The Tomorrow People” and “Reign.”
It’s obvious the network has noticed the success it has had with fantasy and supernatural programming like “Arrow” and “The Vampire Diaries” as “The Originals” looks at Louisiana vampires while “The Tomorrow People” deals with humans born with paranormal abilities. “Reign” is the story of Mary Stuart, the woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots.
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What I’ve been told by actors is that the process of bringing a character to life doesn’t change whether they are sitting in a restaurant booth for a scene in a small, independent production or trying to survive the blasts and carnage that comes with being in a big summer movie. Acting is acting.
Guy Pearce has starred in both kinds of films. He’s gone from the brain-twisting “Memento” in 2000 to this summer’s blockbuster, “Iron Man 3.” Although the comic book-inspired film comes with all the bells and whistle of a Marvel Comics film, Pearce tackled the part of Iron Man’s foe, Aldrich Killian, like any other job.
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The continued success of CBS means the network will be adding only five new shows in the fall — four comedies and one drama. And, those new shows will feature some big names: Robin Williams, Anna Faris, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Will Arnett, Toni Collette, Tony Shalhoub and Dylan McDermott.
Joining the network are: “Hostages,” a short-run series about a surgeon kidnapped before operating on the President; “Mom,” a comedy with Anna Faris playing a newly sober single mom raising two children; “We Are Men,” an ensemble comedy starring Shalhoub, Kal Penn, Chris Smith and Jerry O’Connell; “The Millers,” Will Arnett plays a man who must deal with his mother moving in with him; and “The Crazy Ones,” Williams and Gellar are a father-daughter team that runs an ad agency.
The other big news is “Mike & Molly” will be a mid-season replacement.
Not returning to the CBS lineup are “Vegas,” “CSI:NY,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Golden Boy,” “Partners” and “Made In Jersey.”
Here’s what the 2013-2014 CBS schedule will look like:
Monday: “How I Met Your Mother,” 8 p.m.; “We Are Men,” 8:30 p.m.; “2 Broke Girls,” 9 p.m.; “Mom,” 9:30 p.m., “Hostages,” 10 p.m.
Tuesday: “NCIS,” 8 p.m.; “NCIS: Los Angeles,” 9 p.m.; “Person of Interest,” 10 p.m.
Wednesday: “Survivor,” 8 p.m.; “Criminal Minds,” 9 p.m.; “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” 10 p.m.
Thursday: “The Big Bang Theory,” 8 p.m.; “The Millers,” 8:30 p.m.; “The Crazy Ones,” 9 p.m.; “Two and a Half Men,” 9:30 p.m.; “Elementary,” 10 p.m.
Friday: “Undercover Boss,” 8 p.m.; “Hawaii Five-O,” 9 p.m.; “Blue Bloods,” 10 p.m.
Saturday: Repeated programming, 8 p.m.; “48 Hours,” 10 p.m.
Sunday: “60 Minutes,” 7 p.m.; “The Amazing Race,” 8 p.m.; “The Good Wife,” 9 p.m.; “The Mentalist,” 10 p.m.
It should be called “Newspapers: The Next Generation” because there are a bunch of people — including myself — who are boldly going into areas we didn’t have to face in the past. One of those barely charted territories is the shooting of video while doing an interview for the newspaper. The Internet is a ravenous beast and no longer are the printed words enough, there’s a growing demand to show the interview subject talking.
Most of the time, it’s a simple process. If a person I’m interviewing agrees, I’ll use a flipcam to ask a question or two. An easy edit later and the video is out there to be enjoyed.
When I asked to shoot video during my interviews with Alice Eve, John Cho and Simon Pegg for “Star Trek Into Darkness,” Paramount agreed but the video would have to be shot by a TV crew. I could have four minutes with Eve and four minutes with Pegg and Cho combined.
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ABC’s 2013-2014 TV schedule will feature eight new shows including “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” from Joss Whedon. Other shows joining the ABC lineup in the fall include “Back in the Game,” “Betrayal,” “The Goldbergs,” “Lucky 7,” “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland,” “Super Fun Night” and “Trophy Wife.”
Returning to the scedule are “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “The Bachelor,” “Castle,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Last Man Standing,” “The Middle,” “Modern Family,” “Nashville,” “The Neighbors,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Revenge,” “Scandal,” “Shark Tank,” “Suburgatory,” “The Taste” and “20/20.”
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It wasn’t a shock when NBC announced there would be no third act for “Smash” canceling it after only two seasons. Once original episodes of a show get moved to Saturday, the end is near. If you want to see what will now be the series finale, it will air at 9 p.m. May 26 on KSEE (Channel 24.1).
The series became a little confusing in the second season, especially for those of us who aren’t followers of the theater. Often, it felt like there comments made that only those who have love the theater would understand.
The biggest thing I got out of the two seasons was getting to see and hear Megan Hilty as Ivy Lynn. I never got to see her stage work in “Wicked” or “9 to 5: The Musical” but was lucky enough to get to be introduced to her through the TV series. When I ran into Hilty at an NBC party, I told her that there are three female artists who give me goosebumps when I hear them sing — Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenowith and her.
After thanking me for the compliment, we talked about TV, how tough it is to work on Broadway and her new album.
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The 2013-2014 TV schedule for FOX won’t look that different as the only programs that have been canceled include “The Cleveland Show” and “Touch.” They join the previously axed “The Mob Doctor” and “Ben and Kate.” This was also the final season for “Fringe.”
After airing “Cops” for 25 years, the reality show moves to Spike TV.
Once again, FOX will have a fall season lineup and then shuffle programming at mid-season.
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Comedy is killing NBC. Once the home for some of the best TV comedies — “Seinfeld,” “Cheers,” “The Cosby Show” — NBC is struggling to find good shows to make viewers laugh. Heading into the 2013-2014 season, NBC will return only two comedies — “Parks & Recreation” and “Community.”
Gone are the comedies “The Office,” “Whitney,” “Up All Night,” “Animal Practice,” “Are You There, Chelsea?,” “The New Normal,” “Go On”,” “Guys With Kids” and “1600 Penn.”
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The networks will announce all of their new lineups for the 2013-2014 season starting Sunday with NBC. But, the Associated Press already is reporting a few of the changes for the Peacock Network.
It looks like Matthew Perry just can’t find the long-running success he had on “Friends” as his “Go On” has been canceled after one year. The cancelation follows one-year runs for Perry’s “Mr. Sunshine” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”
During my interview with John Cho on Wednesday for the upcoming “Star Trek Into Darkness,” the actor who plays Sulu said he had not heard about the fate of “Go On,” where he was a series regular.
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The five winners of “Iron Man 3” T-shifrts have been randomly selected and include: Erick, Lita, Dan, Kalli and El Guapo.
Thank you to all who entered and keep watching for more giveaways.
ORIGINAL POST: “Iron Man 3” has opened and you can read my review and interview with Ben Kingsley at fresnobee.com.
I would like to know what you think about the latest film in the franchise. I have five (5) “Iron Man 3” T-shirts that I will randomly give away to those who post their short (and I mean short) review of the movie as a comment. There will be five (5) winners who each get one (1) shirt.
I’ll give you until 11:59 p.m. May 9 to post your reviews. Winners will be notified on May 10. You will have to pick up the shirt at the Fresno Bee during regular business hours. They will not be mailed.
Start writing.
The rules and regulations are below.
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It looks like Randy Jackson will be leaving “American Idol.” Why shouldn’t he join the millions of viewers who have already left the show?
“The Great Gatsby” is getting such bad reviews, it will be release on DVD under the title, “The Not So Great Gatsby.”
Amanda Bynes wants to create a clothing line. I’ve seen the photos the former child actor has been releasing of herself. My question is — what clothing?
The networks will announce their 2013-2014 lineups next week. You only have a few days to begin really liking a TV show before it gets canceled.
Speaking of cancellations, a new photo of “The Walking Dead” was just released. It’s not a pic of the cast of “Community.”
Actors are fortunate if they are part of one large film franchise. Not only does it often mean multiple paychecks but there is a notoriety that comes from being associated with such endeavors.
I had the chance to interview Simon Pegg in San Francisco for his upcoming portrayal of Scotty in “Star Trek Into Darkness.” During our talk, I pointed out that his role in the relaunch of the “Star Trek” franchise, coupled with appearing in the long-running British science fiction series “Doctor Who,” makes him the only actor to have appeared in the two biggest sci-fi franchise on the planet.
He portrayed a character called The Editor in the 2005 episode of the British series “The Long Game.”
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The odd TV saga of “Arrested Development” continues later this month when on May 26, Netflix will post 15 new episodes of the long canceled series. It’s the fourth season that FOX opted not to make when it issued a death warrant in 2006 to the much heralded comedy.
If you don’t have “ADD” (Arrested Development Delirium), the comedy follows the messed up adventures of the Bluth family. It stars Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett and Jeffrey Tambor. Think “Modern Family” meets “Married With Children.”
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Many local TV watchers have called to voice concerns that their converter boxes could be having problems. They haven’t been able to watch several over-the-air TV station including the very popular MeTV (KGMC 43.6) that shows older programming such as “Bewitched,” “Dragnet,” “Emergency” and “Batman.”
Stop worrying. The problem is not on the viewer’s end but has to do with where the signal starts.
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“Iron Man 3” had a very impressive opening weekend taking in more than $175 million across the United States. That’s a huge number but pales compared to what the latest offering in the comic book genre made around the globe. It’s already pulled in more than a $500 million in foreign ticket sales.
There was a time when American movies would open here and then move overseas. That thinking has changed and now big blockbuster movies will have their openings abroad weeks before moviegoers can see them here. “Star Trek Into Darkness” is just under two weeks away but it will be available to overseas fans before domestic Trekkies. “Star Trek: Into the Darkness” opens in Germany on May 9.
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Saturday is “Free Comic Book Day.” Considering how bad some of the recent DC Comics have been, they should have a “Here’s a Dollar to Take Our Free Comic Books Day.”
It’s also the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. The race is called the most exciting two minutes in sports. The same could be said of all the good playing time by the Los Angeles Lakers in the recent playoffs.
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It’s always fascinating to find out what triggered a person to go into acting. Some saw a play that changed their life. For others it was a favorite TV show. Then there are a few, like Sharni Vinson, the Aussie actress who stars in the upcoming creepy feature “You’re Next,” who was inspired by a movie.
In her case, it was the film version of the Broadway play “A Chorus Line.”
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ABC launches “Family Tools” at 8:30 tonight (May 1) and while the comedy has all the laughs of a kitten’s funeral, it does star an actor who always makes projects better merely by being part of the cast. That would be J.K. Simmons.
Don’t be upset if the name doesn’t ring a bell. He’s played everything from a cop boss in “The Closer” to the cigar-chomping newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson in the “Spider-Man” movies. Simmons is one of those actors who has done so many different TV and film roles, you know him once you see him even if you can’t remember his name.
Simmons might have been better known if he hadn’t been so determined not to appear in a TV commercial while spending all those years as a struggling actor in New York. Theater is great but one well-placed commercial can be seen by as many people as see an entire year’s run of a play.
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It’s still more than two weeks before you get to see the next saga in the continuing “Star Trek” franchise. That’s when “Star Trek Into Darkness” opens. If you can’t wait, you might find a little relief with the just released “Star Trek: The Video Game.” It’s available for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows.
The game takes place between the end of the 2009 film and the upcoming sequel. Unlike some games based on movies, this one features the voice talents of the original actors: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban and Anton Yelchin. That’s always a major plus.
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The documentary, “The Fight for Water: A Farm Worker Struggle,” will be shown at at 5 p.m. Thursday (May 2) at Fresno State’s University Center, Room 200, 5241 N Maple Ave. It’s being presented by the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies and Literatures, Arts and Cultures of the Americas Program.
Admission is free.
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“Iron Man 3” is in 3D but that visual gimmick doesn’t draw you into the world of the comic books like a new display at Disneyland. The Innoventions attraction in Disneyland Park features a Hall of Armor from Tony Stark’s Malibu mansion. The suits on display are authentic movie armors including the Mark I-VII featured in “Iron Man 3.”
Here’s the kicker. Through some camera trickery, you’ll be able to virtually “suit up” and operate the latest pieces of Mark 42 armor – and even test it out.
Included in the Hall of Armor display are:
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It’s always interesting to see just how candid some actors will be.
