Gary Coleman, 42, Dies
UPDATE from the Associated PressGary Coleman, the child star of the smash 1970s TV sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" whose later career was marred by medical and legal problems, has died after suffering an intercranial hemorrhage. He was 42.
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank says life support was terminated and Coleman died at 12:05 p.m. MDT.
Coleman, with his sparkling eyes and perfect comic timing, became a star after "Diff'rent Strokes" debuted in 1978. He played the younger brother in a pair of African-American siblings adopted by a wealthy white man.
His popularity faded when the show ended after six seasons on NBC and two on ABC.
He suffered continuing ill health from the kidney disease that stunted his growth and had a host of legal problems in recent years.
Alicia Keys — Engaged and Pregnant
(from CNN)Alicia Keys, 29, is pregnant with her first child, her representatives confirmed. They would not say when the child is due.
Weeks of photos have shown Keys noticeably fuller in the mid-section and sporting a collection of loose-fitting black tops. The father is Keys' fiance, producer/DJ/rapper Swizz Beatz. The couple is engaged to be married in a private ceremony later this year.
Swizz Beatz, 31 — whose real name is Kasseem Dean — has one son from his marriage to Mashonda Tifrere. He also has a second son from a previous relationship.
Swizz Beatz and Keys have been friends for several years and worked together on one song for her current album, "The Element of Freedom," the publicist said.
"They're very happy," a source close to the couple said.
Q and A: Week of May 24
Q: One of my favorite comedic actors to come from “Saturday Night Live” since Will Ferrell is Kristen Wiig (pictured, left). When is she going to get a starring role in her own feature film? — Pamela Z., via e-mailA: The hilarious 36-year-old actress is joining forces with Judd Apatow and Paul Feig (the “Freaks and Geeks” dynamic duo) to bring to life her untitled comedy, which she wrote and stars in. The movie features Kristen as a maid of honor who is competing with a bridesmaid (played by Rose Byrne of “Damages” on FX) for the attention of the bride. Also attached to the project are Jon Hamm (of AMC’s “Mad Men”), Dianne Wiest and “SNL” alumnus Maya Rudolph. The movie is scheduled for a May 2011 release.
Q: So many movies franchises are putting out sequels lately, i.e.: “Ironman,” “Shrek,” etc. When is my favorite franchise, “Men in Black,” going to reboot? — Kevin D., Annapolis, Md.
A: Word is that “Men in Black III” in 3-D has been green-lighted for a May 25, 2012 release date. Star Will Smith and director Barry Sonnenfeld are already aboard, and final negotiations (as of this writing) are in place with Tommy Lee Jones. There is also talk that Josh Brolin is set to portray a younger version of Tommy Lee Jones’ character, Agent Kay.
Q: I really love all the child actors who were on “7th Heaven,” especially the girl who played the youngest daughter. Can you tell me what she is doing now? — Corrine J., Fort Worth, Texas
A: Mackenzie Rosman, who portrayed Ruthie Camden in the popular CW series, played a guest-starring role on ABC Family’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” as Zoe. The 20-year-old former child star also recently completed work on the horror movie, “Fading of the Cries,” which is scheduled to hit theaters later this year. Judging by the trailer, I am thinking that will wipe any traces of Ruthie Camden from your mind!
Q: I love watching “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and I am familiar with her mother, as Ellen talks about her all the time, but I don’t know if I’ve ever heard her mention any siblings. Does Ellen have any brothers or sisters? — Betty, via e-mail
A: Ellen has one sibling, a brother named Vance DeGeneres. Vance is an actor, musician and producer. He is best known for his two-year stint on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” where he presented “Dateline NBC”-type pieces, called “Tale of Survival,” where he would “report” a mundane experience (a cat being stuck in a tree) as a newsworthy, melodramatic occurrence. For most of 2007, he was the rhythm guitarist for the band Cowboy Mouth. He currently co-runs Carousel Productions at Warner Bros., which is Steve Carell’s production company. Carousel has quite a few projects in the hopper, including “Hi-T” and “Mail-Order Groom,” both starring Steve Carell.
Syringe and Pills Found Near Paul Gray's Body
(from the Associated Press) The hotel employee who found Slipknot bassist Paul Gray dead in his room told a 911 operator that there was a hypodermic needle next to Gray's bed and there were "all kinds of pills everywhere."
TownePlace Suites maintenance worker Mike Kellow told the operator Monday morning that he found the 38-year-old Gray's body in a corner of his room slumped against a wall.
"There's a hypodermic needle next to the bed here," Kellow said.
The dispatcher asked if Gray was awake.
"Oh God, no. He's all purple," Kellow said.
Kellow told the operator it appeared that Gray had been "gone a while."
Kellow says he checked on Gray after the bassist's mother called the Urbandale, Iowa, hotel because she couldn't reach her son.
The six-minute recording, which was first obtained by Des Moines television station WOI-TV on Wednesday, ends with the dispatcher telling Kellow he was sending a police officer to the hotel.
(see entire story here)
Art Linkletter, 97, Dies
(from the Associated Press) Art Linkletter, whose People Are Funny and House Party shows entertained millions of TV viewers in the 1950s and '60s with the funny side of ordinary folks and who remained active as a writer and speaker through his ninth decade, died Wednesday. He was 97.
Linkletter died at his home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles, said his son-in-law, Art Hershey, the husband of Sharon Linkletter.
"He lived a long, full, pure life, and the Lord had need for him," Hershey said.
Linkletter had been ill "in the last few weeks time, but bear in mind he was 97 years old. He wasn't eating well, and the aging process took him," Hershey said.
Linkletter hadn't been diagnosed with any life-threatening disease, he said.
(read more here)
Jesse James: "Why I cheated on Sandra"
Because of childhood abuse inflicted on him by his father (who denies any claims of abuse), Jesse James says he "never felt good enough for anyone," which is why he subconsciously sabotaged his relationship with Sandra Bullock.During his month in rehab, he learned a lot about himself, and cried more in those 30 days than he has "his entire life." He learned that childhood abuse victims often sabotage even the best relationships "because of their abuse; they've never felt good enough. Why would I totally destroy my wife's life and humiliate her when I knew it was bad, you know? I may seem like a monster in people's eyes, but I'm not that kind of person where I will willfully, you know, 'I'm gonna get her, I'll show her,' that's not what it's about. It's about trying to push someone away that I thought was going to leave anyway."
Jesse details the abuse at the hands of his father during his appearance on Nightline Tuesday night: "I tripped over this little low fence wire and snapped my wrist and I remember my dad laughed at me when I hit the ground and called me a dummy," James recalled. "I was petrified of my dad ... It wasn't so much getting the sh*t beat out of me or getting my arm broken or getting kicked or whatever or punched, it was the in-between time. It was the fear of that happening again. I was a terrorized kid and, I mean, it's really tough for me to think about now because ... Sunny [his 7-year-old daughter] is the age that I was when my dad broke my arm."
Jesse hopes for his wife's, as well as the public's forgiveness: "I really wish I didn't have to go through all this and put everybody else through this to get to this place, but hopefully with time and my actions, and the things that I do, I hope people realize that, you know, Hey, I'm human, I make mistakes and I'm sorry for what I did."
What do you think? Sound off in our poll (see sidebar).
Drop Dead Diva's Season 2 Begins June 6
Lifetime's original series Drop Dead Diva returns for its sophomore season on Sunday, June 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The premiere episode features guest star Paula Abdul (pictured left, with Diva star, Brooke Elliott) in a musical dance number.In case you missed any or all of the first season, there will be an all-day marathon of the entire Season 1 on Sunday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.
Praised by critics as one of 2009’s top new series, Drop Dead Diva is an one-hour, comedic drama that tells the story of a shallow wannabe model who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.
Drop Dead Diva features breakout star Brooke Elliott, Margaret Cho, Jackson Hurst, Kate Levering, April Bowlby, Josh Stamberg and Ben Feldman.
Brittany Murphy's Husband Found Dead
(from the Associated Press)The husband of Brittany Murphy was found dead at his Los Angeles home late Sunday, five months after the Hollywood actress died, police said.
The preliminary cause of the death of British screenwriter Simon Monjack is natural causes, police spokesman Sgt. Louie Lozano told The Associated Press.
"We concluded there no signs of foul play or any criminal activity involved," said Sgt. Alex Ortiz, another police spokesman.
Firefighters responding to an emergency call from a woman at 9:40 p.m. found the 39-year-old Monjack dead at the Hollywood Hills residence, police spokesman Sgt. Louie Lozano said. Ortiz said he didn't know who called. Monjack and Murphy had shared their home with Murphy's mother, Sharon.
Ortiz said that the Los Angeles Coroner's Office was taking over the investigation because criminal activity had been ruled out, and would provide more details later on the death and circumstances surrounding it.
(read the entire story here)
VIDEO: Harry Potter Stars Visit Wizarding World Harry Potter
MILD SPOILER ALERT!
© Universal Studios, All Rights Reserved
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR
© Universal Studios, All Rights Reserved
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR
Bret Michaels Has "Warning Stroke"
(from the Associated Press)LOS ANGELES — Bret Michaels is receiving outpatient care after being hospitalized for what doctors called a "warning stroke."
His publicist, Joann Mignano, gave no other details Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Mignano had earlier confirmed that Michaels suffered what doctors call a "warning stroke" and has been diagnosed with a patent forum ovale, or hole in the heart.
The 47-year-old rocker-TV reality star was hospitalized after experiencing numbness on the left side of his body, particularly in his face and hands.
Doctors said the condition is operable and treatable and likely unrelated to the brain hemorrhage he suffered last month.
UPDATE: A rep for the rocker told E! news that Bret intends to appear on the live finale of The Celebrity Apprentice.
Potter Stars Tour Wizarding World
This morning, Harry Potter film stars Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis, Emma Watson, and Oliver and James Phelps began their sneak peek tour of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter by entering Hogsmeade. The group was invited to Universal Orlando Resort for a first-look at the immersive environment, and spent the day visiting many of the iconic locations made famous in the popular Harry Potter series. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort grand opens on June 18.
Photo Credit: Kevin Kolczynski, Universal Orlando Resort
© 2010 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.
HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter Cracks Open its Doors
(from the Orlando Sentinel blogs)
Muggles have invaded the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Those mere mortals attending the Orlando International Pow Wow, a travel and tourism industry group, were invited Monday to glimpse parts of the new attraction that’s set to have a grand opening at Universal’s Islands of Adventure on June 18.
What they saw: the high level of detail throughout the area, inside and out, which is designed to reflect the vision of the Harry Potter filmmakers. What they didn’t see: the mobile portion of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the new dark ride still shrouded in a bit of secrecy. Folks did get a gander at the extensive queue of Forbidden Journey, which is housed in the signature piece of WWHP architecture, Hogwarts castle.
And they were able to swig butterbeer, pumpkin juice or Hog’s Head Brew, all made especially for Universal Orlando.
More new details of the attraction were on display. Visitors could explore Ollivanders and purchase a wand or buy candy from Honeydukes or any number of souvenirs from the Potterverse.
Lost Finale Eligible for Emmy
(from the Associated Press)
An Emmy rules exemption will give the talent behind Sunday's extended-length "Lost" finale the chance to compete for awards.
The TV academy's board of governors voted Wednesday night to make the upcoming "Lost" finale eligible for acting, directing and other individual honors despite the episode's two-and-a-half-hour length.
The academy's senior vice president for awards, John Leverence, says the ABC drama's producers had notified the academy that the show would exceed the running time allowed under Emmy rules.
The "Lost" finale airs 9 p.m. EDT Sunday on ABC.
Lindsay Is on the Lam
UPDATE: The warrant for Lindsay has been revoked, as long as she returns by Monday morning. A judge issued a warrant Thursday for Lindsay Lohan's arrest after the actress missed a mandatory hearing. Bail was set at $100,000.
The 23-year-old actress was due in court for a progress report on her probation stemming from two arrests in 2007. Her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said Lohan's passport was stolen while she was at the Cannes Film Festival and was unable to return to Los Angeles in time for Thursday's hearing.
"She did, in fact, have airline tickets," Holley told the judge. "From our standpoint, there is a valid reason for her not being here today."
Holley said Lohan would be back in the United States by Friday evening. Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel wasn't satisfied, and said that Lohan has a history of missing scheduled appointments.
"If she wanted to be here, it looks to the court that she could have been here," Revel said.
The judge revoked Lohan's probation, issued the arrest warrant and imposed several conditions should Lohan make bail. She will be prohibited from drinking any alcohol, required to wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet and submit to random weekly drug testing.
(see the whole story here)
All the Cullens Returning for Breaking Dawn
(Press Release from Summit Entertainment)Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2010 – Summit Entertainment has confirmed that Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Elizabeth Reaser, and Nikki Reed will all return as members of the Cullen Family in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN. These cast members join Billy Burke as Charlie Swan.
Academy Award® winner Bill Condon will direct THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. The project is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt, and Stephenie Meyer producing. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN is slated to be released November 18, 2011.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.
The family of vampires, to which the leading male character Edward Cullen belongs, is comprised of Facinelli as Carlisle, Greene as Alice, Lutz as Emmett, Rathbone as Jasper, Reaser as Esme, and Reed as Rosalie.
The third film in the franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is due in theaters on June 30, 2010.
TBS Upfronts
TBS will expand its programming lineup sharply in 2010 and 2011. Conan O'Brien's new late-night show will debut Nov. 8. He will be followed by LOPEZ TONIGHT, the hit late-night show starring George Lopez that debuted in 2009. TBS's lineup also includes the original series MY BOYS, ARE WE THERE YET? and the new animated series NEIGHBORS FROM HELL.In addition, TBS has acquired exclusive cable rights to the CBS series THE BIG BANG THEORY, beginning in fall 2011. TBS has also greenlit the original series GLORY DAZE (working title), a 1980s-set comedy that centers on four buddies who navigate college life and pledge a fraternity. The ensemble cast includes Tim Meadows and is from TBS Productions, Warner Horizon Television and executive producers Walt Becker (Van Wilder) and Michael LeSieur (You, Me and Dupree).
TBS has these one-hour scripted series in development:
THE WEDDING BAND - The writing team of Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle (South Park) and executive producer Mike Tollin (Wild Hogs, Smallville) introduce a fresh comedy that centers on four friends. Some are married and some are single, all with day jobs and responsibilities, but they share one thing in common: They are in a wedding band. THE WEDDING BAND comes to TBS from FremantleMedia.
THE RABBIT FACTORY - From executive producer/writer Alan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, New Amsterdam), executive producer Steven Pearl (The Beast) and Lionsgate Television, this series follows the detective team of Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs, two characters from the book series by Marshall Karp. Recently widowed Lomax and recently married Biggs work to protect and serve, navigating the daily challenges of their jobs while tackling their personal lives.
THE CATCH - Executive producer/writer Vic Levin (Mad About You) and executive producer Chris Albrecht focus on a widower who re-enters the world of dating, only to learn that he is quite the catch.
TBS has these animated series in development:
GOOD AND EVEL - Olive Productions (Stanley Tucci, Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur), Gotham Group (Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman), Lionsgate Television and executive producer/writer Glenn Eichler (The Colbert Report, Beavis & Butt-Head) introduce the ultimate dysfunctional family. Voiced by acclaimed actors Tucci (Julie & Julia, The Lovely Bones) and Buscemi (Fargo, Boardwalk Empire), the show centers on Jack Good, a moral, upstanding family man, and his nefarious twin brother, Bo Evel, a rebel and drunk who's been in and out of prison.
THE BLACK FAMILY - Executive producer/writer Ali LeRoi (Everybody Hates Chris, TBS's Are We There Yet?); executive producer/artist Todd Goldman; executive producers Keenan Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans (Scary Movie, White Chicks, Little Man); and executive producer Rick Alvarez (Dance Flick) introduce a blended interracial family, the Blacks.
TNT Upfronts
This summer, TNT will air seven new or returning originals on four different nights: THE CLOSER, SAVING GRACE, DARK BLUE, LEVERAGE, MEMPHIS BEAT, RIZZOLI & ISLES and HAWTHORNE. Later this year, TNT will bring back the critically praised hit MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE.In 2011, the network will debut a much-anticipated new series from Steven Spielberg and starring Noah Wyle called FALLEN SKIES, while the respected SOUTHLAND will return for a new season. TNT has also greenlit the buddy lawyer series FRANKLIN & BASH, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue) and Breckin Meyer (Robot Chicken). FRANKLIN & BASH comes to TNT from Sony Pictures Television and executive producers Jamie Tarses (TNT's HawthoRNe, TBS's My Boys), Kevin Falls (Shark, The West Wing) and Bill Chais (Shark, Dirty Sexy Money).
"TNT's ongoing success is based on working with great talent," said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming, for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "As TNT develops shows for the future, we continue to work in partnership with some of the best people in the business."
TNT announced these development plans:
UNTITLED DON CHEADLE MEDICAL SHOW - Executive producers Don Cheadle (Crash, Iron Man 2), Kay Liberman (Traitor) and Lenore Zerman (Darfur Now) of Crescendo Productions; executive producer Brett King; executive producer/writer Ed Horowitz (Exit Wounds); and producer/writer Norm Solomon focus on 1971 Los Angeles, where a group of idealistic doctors open an urgent-care clinic in hopes of upholding the values that inspired them to become doctors in the first place. The project comes to TNT from Lionsgate Television and Cheadle's Crescendo Productions.
GRAYSMITH - Based on the life of cartoonist, writer and part-time private detective Robert Graysmith (author of Zodiac and many other books), this series will follow the renaissance man himself as he uses an unconventional approach and unusual skills to solve crimes. GRAYSMITH comes to TNT from Scott Free Productions and executive producers Ridley Scott (Robin Hood, The Good Wife) and Tony Scott (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, The Good Wife) and executive producer/writer Dan Gordon (The Hurricane).
GREEN DETECTIVE - Steven Bochco (NYPD Blue) and Jonathan Abrahams follow a quirky environmentalist who seeks the truth as an insurance adjuster for a big insurance company.
BRAIN TRUST - Dean Devlin (TNT's Leverage) and Marco Schnabel (TNT's The Librarian movie trilogy) delve into the world of an old-fashioned (and recently demoted) detective as he teams with four brilliant but socially awkward, sheltered academics to help him solve crimes. BRAIN TRUST comes to TNT from Electric Entertainment.
MISS PHILLY - Executive producer/writer Jamie Foxx (The Soloist, Ray), executive producer/writer Barbara Hall (Joan of Arcadia, Judging Amy) and executive producers Marcus King (The Jamie Foxx Show) and Jaime Rucker King (Ray) explore the pristine suburbs and urban war zones of Philadelphia, where the mayor has hired the first African-American police commissioner. She finds herself handling more than she ever expected.
DEAR GOD - Executive producers Mark Gordon (Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy), Mark Burnett (Survivor), Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and Deborah Spera (Army Wives, Criminal Minds), along with writer/executive producer Joel Fields (TNT's Rizzoli & Isles), look into the dead letters bureau at the U.S. Postal Service, where a team of humanitarians try to help those on the verge of losing their faith by answering their letters to God. DEAR GOD comes to TNT from ABC Studios.
Interview: Helena Mattsson Takes Hollywood by Storm
Dubbed "The Swedish Bombshell," Helena Mattsson surely is making her mark in Hollywood. With a part in prime time's hottest show, as well as 2010's biggest summer blockbuster (so far!), Helena is no longer flying under the radar. I caught up with her recently to talk about Iron Man 2, working with Robert Downey Jr., and playing a gold-digging manipulator on Desperate Housewives.Celebrity Extra: Iron Man 2 debuted at No. 1 its opening weekend and still dominates the box office. It's well on its way to becoming Summer 2010 biggest blockbuster. This all must be very exciting.
Helena Mattsson: Very exciting. It’s just a really fun movie that I am so glad I got to be involved in. I saw the first movie and I really liked it. I was really excited to be part of this one. I have a really small role, but that doesn’t matter because it’s an appealing thing.
CE: Tell me about your character, Rebecca.
HM: I can’t say too much (to not give anything away for those who haven't seen the movie yet), but I’m playing Rebecca, and I have this one big party scene where I sort of challenge Iron Man with his weapons, and there’s a lot of crazy stuff going on. I throw stuff up in the air. It’s a really big, crazy party scene.
CE: Was yours a physical role?
HM: Not so much. I get to run around quite a bit. I ended up taking my shoes off when we were shooting because I was running around. It was pretty exhausting. I wish I had more of the action stuff to do, that would have been fun.
CE: Is this the biggest project you’ve worked on so far? And what was the vibe on the set?
HM: It was just such a big set with so many people involved. They build all of these beautiful setups for the scenes and they had a lot of extras — just such a big production. It was really, really exciting to step into that and be part of it, and also to get to work with Robert Downey Jr. was really a dream come true. He is such an amazing actor and I admire him so much. I was a little nervous, but it was so exciting to get to work with him and everybody else on set.CE: Is Robert a lot like his Tony Stark character?
HM: Yeah, I think he brings a lot of himself to his character. He is a character — very much a character himself. He’s a really, really nice guy and a lot of fun.
CE: It must have just been a very surreal experience, to be a fan of the first Iron Man and of the actors in it, and then you get to be in the sequel.
HM: Definitely. It was very surreal just to be a part of something you’ve seen. You’ve seen the first movie and it was such a big hit. Like I said, even though I have a small role in it, it was really, really exciting anyway just to be part of a project,
CE: It would seem to me that there are no small roles in a movie of this caliber!
HM: Definitely. I also definitely realized going to the premiere that this movie was very anticipated. People really loved the first movie and this one is going to be really big too. There were so many people at the premiere. It is definitely the biggest project that I’ve been a part of, which was really exciting. I wish I had a bigger role in it. Shooting was so much fun. I just wanted the shoot to go on. It was that much fun.
CE: Last fall, you also were in another action/sci-fi movie, Surrogates, with Bruce Willis, which is now on DVD. What was that movie like to work on?
HM: That was another really huge set with so many people. We shot in Boston and I was there for a few weeks. It was a great, great experience. That one was about robots, surrogate robots. It was really cool to be a part of an action film like that. It’s sort of a dream come true as well.
CE: You also have a role on Desperate Housewives as Irina, who happens to be Russian. You do a really good Russian accent. Did you work with a professional coach on that?HM: My accent was really heavy when I first came here. I had a heavy Swedish accent. Although it’s not quite the same as the Russian. I have some Russian friends, and I really wanted the part so I made sure to really look to my Russian friends, and I really started to get the accent down. For some reason, it came easy to me. It’s really fun to do an accent like that because it brings a lot to the character.
CE: I think you are doing a great job with it, because it sounds very authentic.
HM: I was really nervous about that at times because they gave us the lines and the scripts and everything so last minute each time. At one point they gave me a long speech in Russian, and I had like no time to prepare. By the time I got it down completely, they changed it again. So I was really stressed out about that. Just to speak the language properly, you don’t think about that when you watch it. Sometimes there’s no time to prepare.
CE: I love the tug-of-war relationship Irina has with Lynette. It is fun to watch. Is it fun to play those scenes?
HM: Oh my God, it is so much fun to be the villain and to be manipulative. There are so many off-tones and so many layers that only the women understand among themselves. You can always read between the lines. It was a lot of fun. It is also a lot of fun to play a character that’s really far from yourself and really have fun with that and be the villain. So, I’m very excited about that.
CE: What do you like, if anything, about Irina, and how do you relate to her?
HM: Every time you play a character you have to justify everything that they do. As Irena, I had to justify what I was doing and everything, and sometimes that’s tricky to justify some of the things she does, but I made it work for myself. I justified my actions to myself. Purely for the fun too.
TNT Greenlights Franklin and Bash
TNT has given the greenlight to the buddy lawyer series Franklin and Bash, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue, TNT’s Raising the Bar) and Breckin Meyer (Heroes, Clueless, Kate & Leopold). TNT has ordered 10 episodes of the series.Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer are an odd-couple pair of lawyers. Meyer plays Jared Franklin, who has a knack for connecting with jury and judge. Gosselaar is Steven Bash, who loves sticking it to authority every chance he gets.
In addition to Gosselaar and Meyer, Franklin and Bash stars Malcolm McDowell (Heroes, Entourage) as Stanton Infeld, a Renaissance man and the patriarch of the law firm that recruits the two lawyers. Also starring are Dana Davis (10 Things I Hate About You), Kumail Nanjiani (Michael & Michael Have Issues) and Reed Diamond (Homicide: Life on the Street, Dollhouse) and Garcelle Beauvais (NYPD Blue).
Q and A: Week of May 17
Q: While I love hearing about all the “Twilight” kids, I’d really like to know what my favorite vampire, Peter Facinelli, has in the works. — Ingrid S., via e-mailA: Peter Facinelli, aka Dr. Carlisle Cullen, is ready to prove his action credentials — he’s reportedly signed up to star as World Lightweight Champion Vinny Pazienza, called “Paz.” The boxer stunned doctors by returning to the ring just three months after a near-fatal car crash in the 1990s. The movie is set to start shooting next year. Peter also has written a movie for the Hallmark Channel, in which wife (and “90210″ alum) Jennie Garth will star. He’s also keeping busy on the small screen as Dr. Fitch Cooper on Showtime’s critically acclaimed series “Nurse Jackie.”
Q: I was so happy that TNT picked up “Southland” earlier this season when NBC failed to renew it for the second season. Is there any word yet on whether TNT plans to give it a third season? — Gerry F., Scranton, Pa.
A: TNT recently announced — to the delight of many die-hard fans — that it has renewed the critically acclaimed cop drama “Southland” for its third season. The 10-episode Season Three will begin airing in January 2011. TNT executive vice president Michael Wright praises “Southland” as “a challenging, visceral show that engages viewers with its immersive style, provocative story lines and complex characters.” And by the looks of my mailbag, many of the show’s fans agree.
Q: I first saw “Avatar” on the big screen in 3-D at Christmastime, and I wasn’t too sure I’d like it as much watching it on DVD on my small screen at home, but I am glad to say I was wrong. I am amazed that such an epic movie can also be so warm and intimate, as I find it to be this way on my 50-inch television screen. What do you think? — Davey P., via e-mail
A: I couldn’t agree more. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that “Avatar” is not just an action/special-effects vehicle, it also is a wonderful story. When I spoke with CCH Pounder (who played Mo’at) recently about her attraction to the story line, she had this to say: “There are a couple of things that made me really happy. Regardless of the fact that this is a fairly familiar story, it’s a very strong story. It’s a story of our journey. It’s a story about people. And while you are watching the story of these people, you get to see this extraordinary life form all around you.”
Q: When will the new “Sex and the City” movie be out? I think I might explode in anticipation. — Nikki R., Fort Worth, Texas
A: Hold on just a few more days! “Sex in the City 2″ is due in theaters on May 27. Note that this is a Thursday, and not the usual Friday (or Wednesday) opening day.
Q: I am thrilled that so many of my favorite shows from the 1970s and ’80s are beginning to show up on DVD. Can you tell me when “Falcon Crest” will be out on DVD. I can’t wait! — Janet U. in Florida
A: Wait no longer. “Falcon Crest: Season 1” is now out on DVD, and can be found wherever DVDs are sold and rented. I also can’t wait to re-live those Tuscany Valley memories, with Angela’s scheming, Lance’s lady-killing and Maggie’s voice of reason. It is especially fun to see Susan Sullivan’s portrayal of Maggie back then compared with her hilarious Martha Rodgers (Castle’s mom) on “Castle.”
Q: I love the addition of Rob Lowe to NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” What else does he have coming up? — Irene T., Brunswick, Ga.A: Along with his “Parks and Rec” duties, Rob Lowe will guest star in the fourth season of the Showtime series “Californication.” Rob will play Eddie Nero, a neurotic yet talented movie star who is in the running to play Hank Moody (David Duchovny) in the film version of Hank’s hit novel. Rob will appear in at least one episode, but could become a recurring character.
Q: My mother and I are loyal viewers of the daytime soap opera “As the World Turns.” We were so sad to hear that Helen Wagner, who had been on the show since it premiered back in 1956, had passed away. How are the other cast members taking the news? — Shelli F., via e-mail
A: Helen Wagner, 91, who passed away May 1, was a soap opera icon. She even held the Guinness world record for playing the same character on TV for the longest period of time. I spoke with longtime friend and cast mate Eileen Fulton (who has played Lisa since 1960) about Helen’s passing, and she told me she felt a little shell-shocked. “My one regret is that she didn’t hang on a little longer to wrap the show up (which ends its run in September). That’s the thing that keeps haunting me. She spoke the first words on the show; we all were hoping she’d have the last words too.”
Q: I was a faithful viewer of the sitcom “Becker,” and I would like to know what the star, Ted Danson, is up to lately. — Sara S., Fort Worth, Texas
A: Ted co-stars in the Glenn Close legal drama “Damages,” which airs on FX. He also co-stars in the HBO comedy series “Bored to Death.” When Ted’s not working, you can find him tending to his organic garden at his and wife Mary Steenburgen’s home in Ojai, Calif.
READERS: A few months back, I held a contest for five lucky readers to win a DVD of Taylor Hicks’ “Whomp at the Warfield” concert DVD. Scores of loyal Taylor Hicks fans (and Celebrity Extra readers) correctly answered this question: What songs did Taylor sing in the “American Idol” finale, which ultimately crowned him the winner? (The songs were “Living for the City,” “Levon” and “Do I Make You Proud?”) Winners in the drawing were: Tammy Krebs of Groton, Conn.; Amy Hicks (no relation to Taylor!) of Theresa, N.Y.; Dorothy Mayes of Roanoke, Va.; Nicholas Russo of Norwell, Mass.; and Nancy McConnell of Stansbury Park, Utah. Keep an eye on your mailboxes, folks. Taylor Hicks is on his way!Legendary Actress/Singer/Activist Lena Horne Dies at 92
Lena's rise from a 16-year-old chorus girl at Harlem's Cotton Club to six decades of work in film, radio, television, and on stage is impressive and unprecedented.
(For an extensive obituary, go here.)
Breaking Dawn Has a Release Date
First we have an announcement for the director, now an announcement for the release date. Summit has set Nov. 18, 2011, as the release date for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, though the studio still isn't saying whether the final book adaptation will be one movie or two.Corey Haim Cause of Death: Pneumonia
(from CNN) Pneumonia, not drug abuse, killed actor Corey Haim, the Los Angeles County Coroner ruled in an autopsy report released Tuesday.
Although the investigation into Haim's death began as a "suspected prescription medication overdose," toxicology tests "revealed no significant contributing factors" from drugs, the coroner reported.
The autopsy found "an extremely large amount" of swelling in Haim's lungs, it said.
The ruling that his death was not related to his well-publicized drug addiction confirmed what his mother and manager have insisted for weeks: that Haim, 38, did not overdose.
Haim died March 10 after collapsing at the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother.
Although the 1980s teen actor battled drug addiction for decades, his death came when Haim "was making major progress" with a program to wean him from pills, said his manager, Mark Heaslip.
Toxicology tests showed that Haim's blood did have "low levels" of a list of drugs, including an antidepressant (Prozac), an antipsychotic (Olanzapine), diazepam (Valium), a muscle relaxer (Carisoprodol), a tranquilizer (meprobamate) and THC (a chemical in marijuana).
Haim also was taking a cough suppressant, antihistamine and ibuprofen.
"These medications are present in low levels and are non-contributory to death," the autopsy report read.
Lynn Redgrave, 67, Passes Away
(from AP)Lynn Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances "Shakespeare for My Father" and "Nightingale," has died. She was 67.
Her publicist Rick Miramontez, speaking on behalf of her children, said Redgrave died Sunday night at her Manhattan apartment. In 2003, Redgrave had been treated for breast cancer.
Her death comes a year after her niece Natasha Richardson died from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident and just a month after the death of her older brother, Corin Redgrave.
The youngest child of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, Lynn Redgrave never quite managed the acclaim — or notoriety — of elder sibling Vanessa Redgrave, but received Oscar nominations for "Georgy Girl" and "Gods and Monsters," and Tony nominations for "Mrs. Warren's Profession," ''Shakespeare for My Father" and "The Constant Wife."
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