Interview: Efren Ramirez Wants to Surprise You
No one could have predicted that August 2004 would have brought us a cult-phenomenon movie — which will soon be turned into an animated television series — that would have us all buying VOTE FOR PEDRO T-shirts, researching Ligers and exclaiming: "GOSH!" Napoleon Dynamite was the big break for Pedro himself, Efren Ramirez (pictured left, courtesy WENN), who has gone on to star in a wide variety of projects, including Crank, Nacho Libre and HBO's Eastbound and Down (on Sunday nights at 10:30). Hot on the heels of the news that Fox has turned Napoleon Dynamite into an animated series, featuring the voices of all the original actors of the film, I got the chance to catch up with Efren.
Celebrity Extra: I read that you were up for both Napoleon Dynamite and (the big-budget Western) The Alamo, and decided to go with Napoleon. Is that true, and if so, what led you to that decision?
Efren Ramirez: Yeah, that’s true. I was working on a television show called Even Stevens at the time with Shia LaBeouf, and I auditioned for roles in The Alamo and Napoleon Dynamite. And even though The Alamo was a big feature film, and it had Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid, I decided to make the riskier choice. You have to do it for the right reasons. So when I took that risk with Napoleon Dynamite, I was surprised with the outcome.
CE: It became such a huge phenomenon — it's a cult classic. Could you ever have imagined that?
ER: I was recently at the museum called the Huntington Art Gallery, and there were a bunch of kids everywhere — and mind you, these kids were 10 years old, 12 years old. They saw me and they went bananas, and I thought: “Wow! When Napoleon Dynamite came out, they were like 5!” It still and will always be surprising to me, that I’m a part of something that people will remember for … well, most of their lives, I hope.
CE: Do you ever get tired of people calling you Pedro or telling you that they voted for Pedro?
ER: That happened yesterday at the gym! Some guy was like: “Oh my God. How ya doing, Pedro?” It’s funny, because I’m assuming that a lot people think it’s a documentary, when it’s not. It’s a feature film, guys. But the other part is it's entertainment, and you watch it and you get so into the film, and that’s great. When I see people like that it means they are big fans of the film, and when I talk to them and they are like, “My God, you’re so different.” And I’m like, “Yeah.” To me, I’m lucky because not only did I get to play in a movie that a lot of people like, but I played a character that a lot of people like. And I worry about actors who play villains, because they become hated everywhere they go, and that’s not cool. That’s harder.
CE: And now Fox is producing an animated version of the movie. How is that going so far?
ER: Well, we’ve done the very first episode already, and it’s been approved by every department. Once I read the script, I thought, “OK, this is gonna be really funny!” Because we’re jumping back into the world of Napoleon Dynamite and to make it into an animated series, we’re gonna get a large audience. It appeals to everybody and it’s funny. It’s got all the original cast and the original writers. And it's Fox, and as you know, Fox does a great job with animated series.
CE: This season you are also in another cult-phenomenon-in-the-making, Eastbound and Down. Tell me about this season and your role in it.
ER: Well, I’m a big fan of the first season. I have it on DVD, and it brought me to the world of Kenny Powers. Those guys are such outlandish characters. The second season starts when Kenny is in Mexico and decides to play baseball there. I play his neighbor and my name is Catuey. As far as my work is concerned, I’ve always played very far-stretched characters, and it is only this time I’m actually playing a very wise, family-oriented character. I'm a very straight character with all the lunatics roaming around. And of course you’ve got Danny McBride as Kenny Powers and Steve Little, who plays Stevie Janowski. And even Michael Pena, who’s playing the baseball manager, he’s really out there too. I play Danny McBride’s neighbor and every time he get up to his antics, he always comes back to me, and I give him good advice.
CE: It must be tough being the straight man to Danny and having to keep a straight face!
ER: It is! Because the way Danny works and the way everybody works is you stay scripted to the scenes, but sometimes he’ll improvise the entire thing. And as an actor you have to just jump into the scene with him and whatever happens goes! And I like that, because it’s so true and in the moment. I enjoy working on the show, because these guys are smart at what they do. They know what they are doing.
CE: What can you tell me about your next project, Casa de mi Padre? I know the film stars Will Ferrell and it's all really hush-hush.
ER: Well, what can I tell you? One, it’s my fortune to be able to work with Danny McBride and all those good guys. But then to jump onto Casa de mi Padre working with Will Ferrell under Gary Sanchez’s direction. These guys are great men. The film itself, what can I tell you? What a ride! It’s all in Spanish with English subtitles. Will Ferrell had to do the whole film in Spanish and he did a great job actually. And when you go with Will Ferrell, it’s definitely a Will Ferrell movie. It’s very funny. The writer is Andrew Steele and he used to write for Saturday Night Live, so these guys know comedy. I’m in a good place right now.
CE: I can't wait to see how this one is going to turn out — I can only imagine right now!
ER: Even the way Matt Piedmont, the director, directed it; there are some really dramatic moments. Everybody had to be at the top of their game. It’s certainly different. And that’s good, because you want to create something that’s going to be surprising to the audience.
CE: I was surprised with the cast, especially Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, who are known for their dramatic work, to see them in a Will Ferrell comedy ...
ER: I wish I could tell you what I think while on the set! I would just think, “Is this really happening?” It’s funny.
CE: You just have so many great projects going on right now, it must be nice for you as an actor.
ER: No, that’s okay. I’m gonna quit. I’m gonna quit acting. I’m done! I’m going to become a desert priest (laughs). It’s great because after Napoleon Dynamite, I was able to really select where I wanted to go. And part of being an actor, you just want to grab any job possible. But now I’m about waiting and sitting around, and go let me do three projects a year. This year is over, but next year I already have two projects.
As an actor, once you do a project — Jeff Bridges said you want to try and shift 45 degrees and do something totally different, so you’re always surprising the audience all the time. That’s why I’m able to enjoy doing dramas, actions and comedies. All the great actors who just keep changing and transforming to different characters, that’s what I want to do. That’s how I want to be.
CE: You’re on the right track. You’re certainly not pigeonholed in any particular "type."
ER: Yeah, a lot of people are coming up to me going, “My God, that’s you!” And I’m like, “Yeah.” When I did the Crank series, not only did I play the transvestite, but I played the transvestite's twin brother, and everyone was like, "Dude! What?!" But it’s always about the work. And later my mom said, “Ah, I wish I had a daughter.” And I was like, “Thanks, Mom!”
Eric McCormack Returns to TV
(Press Release)Eric McCormack (Will and Grace, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?) has signed up to play the lead role in TNT’s Perception (working title), a dramatic pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller (Smallville, Legend of the Seeker) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager). This marks McCormack’s third project with TNT after previously starring in the 2009 series Trust Me and co-producing the 2007 pilot Imperfect Union. He will also act as a producer on Perception.
Perception centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. With an intimate knowledge of human behavior and a masterful understanding of the mind, this quirky, crime-solving professor pulls lessons from an odd and imaginative view of the world. Biller and Sussman penned the pilot, which is produced for TNT by ABC Studios.
“Eric McCormack is an intelligent, intuitive and versatile actor who is adept at both comedy and drama,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We’re very excited to work with him again and can’t wait to see what he brings to the fascinating character of Dr. Geoffrey Pierce.”
Conan's Show Zero
Following the extremely successful Live Coco Cam — a 24-hour look behind-the-scenes at the Conan offices — Conan O'Brien is letting his fans in on the ultimate warm-up for his new TBS show. Conan will host Show Zero on Monday, Nov. 1, at 11 p.m. (ET)/ 8 p.m. (PT). Show Zero will be triple-simulcast, streaming on TeamCoco.com, YouTube.com and Facebook.com. Show Zero will feature celebrity guests, elements of “The Basic Cable Band,” and Andy Richter as they help Conan warm up for the main event.Show Zero will originate from the Conaco Production offices at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank.
Conan premieres on TBS Monday, Nov. 8, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT).
Q and A: Week of Oct. 25
Q: I am a great fan of Zachary Quinto (pictured) of “Heroes.” Now that the show has been canceled, what else can I see him in? Also, will there be a sequel to “Star Trek,” and will he play Spock again? — Marie K., Port Charlotte, Fla.A: Zachary will be back to reprise his role as Spock in the as-yet-untitled sequel to 2009’s smash-hit reboot of the popular sci-fi series, “Star Trek.” Pretty much all the principal stars are back on board for the follow-up movie, which is due to hit theaters in summer 2012. Quinto recently completed two movies, “Girl Walks Into a Bar” with Josh Hartnett and Danny DeVito, and “Margin Call” with Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Paul Bettany.
Q: I haven’t seen anything about “Sons of Anarchy” returning to FX. Please tell me it hasn’t been canceled. — Pam M., Southbury, Conn.
A: Season three of “Sons of Anarchy” attracted almost 5 million viewers per week, making it FX’s highest rated series ever, so you can bet it’ll be back for a fourth season. Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman and Katey Sagal all will return for a 13-episode season next year. I’ll keep you posted on the exact date as it becomes available.
Q: What can you tell me about actor Dermot Mulroney? I love his acting and wonder why we don’t see more of him. — Sharon F., Hamden, Conn.
A: Dermot was slated to star in the “Rockford Files” reboot for NBC, but he was dropped when NBC execs were not satisfied with the pilot episode. Word is that Josh Holloway of “Lost” in is the running to take over the role of Jim Rockford. Dermot has been keeping busy, however, shooting the feature films “The Family Tree” and “Inhale,” and beginning work on “The Riot.”
Q: My husband and I love William Powell in any movie, especially “The Thin Man.” We have tried to learn more about him at the library, but can’t seem to find much. Can you tell me about his personal life: children, wives, when he died and where he was buried? — Lisa S., Clarksville, Tenn.
A: William Powell, who was nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in 1935’s “The Thin Man” (and again for “My Man Godfrey” and “Life With Father”), was married three times. His first wife, Eileen Wilson, bore him his only child, son William David, who committed suicide in 1968 after a period of poor health. He also was married to actress Carole Lombard from 1931-33, but his third and final wife, actress Diane Lewis, was the one who stuck. They were married from 1940 until William’s death from cardiac arrest in 1984 at the age of 91. He is buried in Desert Memorial Park in Palm Springs, Calif. Other famous “residents” include Frank Sinatra and Sonny Bono, as well as William Jr. and Diane (who passed away in 1997).
Just Announced: Conan's First Week of Guests
Conan O’Brien will begin his run on TBS with some of the biggest names in entertainment and music beginning Monday, Nov. 8, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT). The premiere night of Conan from Stage 15 at Warner Bros. Studios will feature Seth Rogen and a musical performance from Jack White.
The rest of Conan’s premiere week will feature a lineup of special guests, rare performances and some of Conan's longtime friends:
· Monday, Nov. 8 – First Guest Poll winner, Seth Rogen and musical guest Jack White
· Tuesday, Nov. 9 – Tom Hanks, Jack McBrayer and musical guest Soundgarden
· Wednesday, Nov. 10 – Jon Hamm, Charlyne Yi and musical guest Fistful of Mercy
· Thursday, Nov. 11 – Michael Cera, Julie Bowen and comedian Jon Dore
The rest of Conan’s premiere week will feature a lineup of special guests, rare performances and some of Conan's longtime friends:
· Monday, Nov. 8 – First Guest Poll winner, Seth Rogen and musical guest Jack White
· Tuesday, Nov. 9 – Tom Hanks, Jack McBrayer and musical guest Soundgarden
· Wednesday, Nov. 10 – Jon Hamm, Charlyne Yi and musical guest Fistful of Mercy
· Thursday, Nov. 11 – Michael Cera, Julie Bowen and comedian Jon Dore
Q and A: Week of Oct. 18
Q: I love Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva.” Has it been renewed for another season? — Kelli J., St. LouisA: I’m happy to report that the unique comedy/drama starring the delightfully talented Brooke Elliott (pictured left) has been renewed for its third season, which is set to premiere its 13 new episodes in 2011.
Q: I really got sucked into “The Gates” this summer, and I was wondering if it will be back for a second season. With all the shows these days that have vampires and werewolves and the like, this one is truly unique, exciting and suspenseful. — Theodore F., via e-mail
A: I have to agree with you — I absolutely love “The Gates.” An ABC representative told me that there is no official word yet as to the show’s fate (as of this writing). I’m hoping it doesn’t go the way of “FlashForward,” another excellent ABC series that was canceled back in May. I just hate to get interested and invested in a series, only to have the rug pulled out from under me when it gets canceled because the network didn’t give it enough of a chance. This need for immediate ratings results really doesn’t do anything to help nourish and grow a new series.
Q: One show I am delighted to watch again is “Lou Grant,” a spin-off from the old “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” I am enjoying it again but wondered about the actors and what became of them. I know Ed Asner is still active and that Nancy Marchand passed away a few years ago. But what about some of the others? –Dorothy P., via e-mail
A: Linda Kelsey has guest-starred in many TV shows and movies, including “Day by Day,” “Matlock,” “ER” and “Touched By An Angel.” Most recently she co-starred in “Into Temptation” with Jeremy Sisto, Kristin Chenowith and Brian Baumgartner. Robert Walden has been steadily working since “Lou Grant,” starring in “Brothers” and guest-starring on “Melrose Place,” “Judging Amy,” “The West Wing” and “Law and Order: SVU,” among others. Daryl Anderson has done a myriad of different projects, from soaps (”Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and The Restless”) to TV series (”Flipper” and “The A-Team”) to movies (”The Kid” with Bruce Willis and “Human Nature” with Tim Robbins).
Q: The other day when I was listening to the radio, and old favorite song of mine, “If You Leave” by OMD, came on the radio. It made me wonder what the band was doing now and if they’ll be putting out any new material. — Michael D., West Palm Beach, Fla.
A: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, or OMD, just released “History of Modern,” its first album of new material in 14 years. I’ve heard a few tracks from the album, and I have to say that it is excellent. The 14-track CD is available in stores and online at omd.com.
Interview: Jesse Ventura Is in Search of the Truth
One thing about Jesse Ventura is that you always know you are going to get 100 percent from him. From his earlier days as a Navy Seal to pro wrestler to actor to governor of Minnesota and now to investigative journalist, Jesse attacks everything with passion and commitment. As his record-breaking series Conspiracy Theory With Jesse Ventura begins its second season tonight on truTV at 10 p.m. ET/PT, you can expect even more of that impassioned truth-digging.This season, he and his band of investigators look into the JFK assassination, the BP oil spill in the Gulf, Area 51 and other controversial hush-hush topics. Being fascinated with all of these subjects, you can bet your sweet bippy I was more than excited to speak with the Governor about Conspiracy Theory. (All photos courtesy truTV)
Celebrity Extra: I just want to tell you that I am thrilled to interview you. Not just as a journalist, but my husband and I are huge, huge fans of your show.
Jesse Ventura: Thank you. We got eight more of them that are going to be better this year than they were last year. I think this season’s even better. From the production side it’s better, because whenever you do the first year of a show, you kind of fly by the seat of your pants on what works and what doesn’t work. The second year you have a much better idea of where you’re going and the direction you need to go and what you want to achieve. So, I think this year’s shows are going to be even better as far as editing and things like that go.
CE: And the first season too you were just breaking records all over the place for truTV so they must be thrilled to have you back for a second season as well.
JV: Remember this is a bottom-line business. If you’re not successful at it you’re certainly not going to be back. But you know what? I give truTV a lot of credit. They’re showing a great deal of courage for putting these shows on television. In fact, I won a Stony award this year, which is given out by High Times magazine — you know, the marijuana magazine?
CE: Oh yeah.
JV: That’s why it’s called a Stony. In fact, they hold the formal thing at the Ford Theater in L.A., and Cheech and Chong are the hosts. They gave me a Lifetime Achievement Award this year. They gave it to me because they felt my show should get a Lifetime Achievement Award because of the fact that I was able to even get it on TV.
CE: How did the whole idea even come about to do Conspiracy Theory in the first place?
JV: Well, it came about one day when I was with the people I work with in L.A., my agent and all the people out there. We were talking one day and somehow we got on to the assassination of President Kennedy, about which I’ve read every book I can get my hands on for the past 25 years. And I started passionately talking about a bunch of the stuff that I knew, and my agent looked around the room and he said, “People, this is a TV show waiting to happen.”
We just kind of put our heads together and decided what we wanted to do and started shopping it. We had initial interest with another network, but they didn’t seem to have the money to get the job done. Then truTV found out, I don’t know exactly how, but they came on board with both guns blazing and said: “We’ll take care of this show. We want to have this show.” I’ve been there ever since, and I have to tell you that I couldn’t be happier because like I said, it takes a lot of courage to do what they’re doing.
CE: I’m sure a lot of the subjects you are going to cover this season are just astounding, but can you think of some jaw-dropping, what-the-heck kind of moments that stick out for you that'll really surprise the viewer?JV: Well, you know, naturally the confession, we have a confession to the John F. Kennedy murder. First time ever you’ll hear it on television and see it. It's a deathbed confession from father to son. That’s pretty dynamic for me because I’ve been studying it for 25 years. The people who I thought did it, did it.
The other one that really got to me is the conspiracy on our fresh drinking water. They are privatizing water and they are going to control people in countries by drinking water, because there is only so much on the planet. International corporations are taking it over, and it's something you need to survive. It’s like the Native American Indian chief that I talk to in the show. He looked me right in the eye and he says: “Governor, remember this, as hard as it is to realize, we can live without oil. We cannot live without water.”
They are calling it "blue gold" right now. In fact, we heard that the Bush family has diversified out of oil and is now investing in water.
CE: What I like too is that you don’t mince words. When you say something you aren’t afraid of what to say. This must really only help serve you to ferret out the truth, because people are just really trying to hide everything from you.
JV: Well, the difficult thing for me is that most of the conspiracies deal with our government. The problem there is that you cannot get the government to even respond to you. We, as citizen, who pay their salaries with our tax dollars, if you go to the government to get a question answered about something controversial, you won’t get an answer. In fact, they won’t even entertain your question. You can’t even talk to anyone about it.
Every time we’ve tried to talk to somebody about 9/11 all they do is refer us to the 9/11 Commission Report. We’ve read that. We all know what kind of fraudulent crap is in that. What good is that going to do? That’s one of the things that troubles me is the fact that we are the taxpayers, yet the government feels that they don’t owe us any explanation for how they spend our money.
I had a guy this morning on Howard Stern tell me to get out of the country and called me a traitor. All because I question 9/11. I felt bad, because I should have quoted Einstein to him. You know what Albert Einstein said? “A foolish faith in authority is the enemy of the truth.” Albert Einstein ain’t who he is cause he’s dumb. That is what we have in this country now: a foolish faith in authority.
CE: Now, have you been threatened to put the kibosh on a story because you learned too much or it was too controversial?
JV: Nope. I have not been threatened at all not directly or indirectly that I know of.
CE: That’s good, because I know you are covering a lot of dangerous subjects that tend to scare most people. They just don’t want to get involved with it. Like you said before, the JFK assassination, Area 51 stuff, the Bilderberg Group. I’m eager to hear if you have an opinion on the apparent heart attack of Matt Simmons, the outspoken critic and expert of the BP oil spill who was basically saying that our government is hiding the severity of the whole spill.JV: Well, they certainly are. We do a show on the BP oil spill, and it’s worse than that. I will tell you this, in probably 75 percent of the conspiracies that deal with our government that I have now investigated — 15 of them — I would tell you in at least half of those, at some point in time our intelligence and our gathering of facts led us to Halliburton. Halliburton seems to come up all the time. Interesting isn’t it? Halliburton is deeply involved in the oil spill. They bought out the cleanup people, Boots and Coots, three weeks prior. Now, is that circumstantial? Is that something that just happened?
The other thing we learned is the BP executives two to three weeks prior to the oil spill dumped the majority of their stock in their own company. But yet no one looks into that, do they? I look into it.
CE: I read something where you compare the Democrat and Republican parties to pro wrestling with all the posturing and all of that, and how it’s just a show because they're basically the same. Yet you also don’t support a third party. I was wondering why that is and what you think we can do to help? Are we broken beyond repair?
JV: Well, first of all, I don’t support the third party movement anymore. And the reason is, this the system that the Democrats and Republicans have created is so corrupt right now that the only way a third party will be able to compete is to corrupt themselves like the Democrats and Republicans have. So, we already have a two-headed monster; why would you want a three-headed one?
I now advocate the abolishment of all political parties. And I have good backing: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and especially John Adams. In fact, John Adams was quoted as saying, “The downfall of America would not come from the outside, it would come from the within when political parties take over the government.” I think we’re there.
CE: As you learn more and more about our government’s involvement with different conspiracies, and just how it’s operating in general, does it make you happy that you are out of it or does it make you want to return and clean some stuff up?
JV: No, it makes me happy I do what I do in exposing them, because I really couldn’t clean anything up. What can I do? Governors and even presidents can’t pass one law. Congress has to and the Legislature. So, unless they do it, you as Governor can’t do nothing. You can only veto. And then of course if they get two-thirds, they can override your veto. But as a governor, you can’t create a law. And as president, you can do certain things by executive order, which has been abused. So, certainly as president, I guess, you can probably be more of a dictator. But not that much.
Look what happened to President Obama. Obama ran on change. He said he’d get us out of Gitmo and he said he’d end the wars. Well, we’re not out of Gitmo and we’re further into the wars. Somebody must have taken him to the woodshed and told him that he doesn’t really run the country. Because that’s my true belief. I think the President’s just a figurehead.
I think I cause more damage doing what I do now.
CE: Exactly. You bring clarity to people who don’t even know where to look. A lot of stuff that you covered last season I wouldn’t have even thought to think that it even existed, let alone know to investigate it.JV: Well, always remember, you’re not going to learn anything from mainstream media. Mainstream media is controlled today. They are only going to tell you what the government wants you to know. And they are going to put the government’s spin on it. There’s already, I think, a hundred and something CIA agents in mainstream media. They’re the spin.
CE: And your show reaches a broader audience than, say, Alex Jones or Jon Ronson and people like that, so what do you hope the American people are going to take away from it when they do watch your show?
JV: Well, I hope that they will wake up and realize that everything isn’t what it seems to be. And that when they are told something on the nightly news, always question it. Because there are two sides to every story. Probably more than two in some cases. But we only mange to get one side of the story.
Actually, I should go on the record with you also and state that I actually owe mainstream media a thank you. I want to say thank you to mainstream media, because if they were doing their job than me, my production crew and all of us would be out of a job. See, we cover the stuff they won’t touch, so that keeps us working. If they did their job, there would be no place for me to do it.
They can continue to report on which sports athlete cheats on his wife. They can continue to report on the death of Anna Nicole Smith, which they spent a month on and she still comes up occasionally. They can continue to report on the mosque in New York, which the Constitution allows, so that should be the end of the story. You can’t bend the Constitution according to popularity. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are there to protect the unpopular things, not the popular things. Popular things don’t need protection. But yet, we seem to want to bend the Constitution to stop a community center from being built. But mainstream media, isn’t that what they cover?
What you have today with the media, the news media, is entertainment. And you know what the downfall was? The show 60 Minutes, and I’ll tell you why. 60 Minutes is a great show; don’t get me wrong. But up until that point in time, all networks wrote the news-office business laws, and they made up for it in their entertainment department. Then all of a sudden came the show 60 Minutes. And 60 Minutes cracked the top 10 and many times was No. 1. Well, all of a sudden the lights went on with the bean counters and they said, “Wow, you mean we can make money with the news?” And that is what you have now. You have the news creating the news to make money. And that is a dangerous precedent when the media starts to create the news.
CE: What do you personally get out of doing Conspiracy Theory?JV: First and foremost, I get to work with my son. He’s one of the producers and directors on the show, and I find that very personally fulfilling to watch my son grow up and get better and achieve his success with the business that he loves. It isn’t every father who can work with his son unless he owns the business. So that part of it is great.
The other part of it is that it’s a passion for me now. I have so much distrust of my government today that I feel the only way I can fight them is to expose them. So, I’ve taken it on as more of a life’s mission at this point in my life to expose as much of the government as I possibly can for their fraudulent behavior.
And third of all, I’d be lying if I didn’t say you get paid well too. You know, what the hell? It’s a job. My shows are not documentary; they’re entertainment. Rather than having a scriptwriter, we take people who’ve lived the event, and we turn them into actors acting with me in the show. They don’t need scriptwriters, because all they have to do is tell what they experienced and know.
CE: Plus it’s more entertaining than many documentaries.
JV: I hope so. We try to make it that way, although I have to hold back for TV now and then. Like when they tell me I’m being chased by the Coast Guard. I was not being chased — I told them we were simply under observation. If they were chasing us, they certainly would have caught us. The Coast Guard can catch any fishing boat. That’s their job. So, I have to hold them back every now and then, because some of the producers try to get a little over-creative, and I have to bring them back to reality again occasionally and say: “Look, we have to tell the truth. We can not veer from that.” So, no, I was not being chased by the Coast Guard. I was merely under surveillance by them.
Courteney and David Separate
"We have agreed to a trial separation that dates back for some time," the duo said in a statement. "The reason for this separation is to better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage. We remain best friends and responsible parents to our daughter and we still love each other deeply. As we go though this process we are determined to use kindness and understanding to get through this together."
"We are comfortable with the boundaries that we have established for each other during this separation and we hope that our friends, family, fans and the media also show us respect, dignity, understanding and love at this time as well."
Q and A: Week of Oct. 11
Q: My husband and I think “Men of a Certain Age” was the best show on TV last year. Can you tell us if it’s been picked up for a second season? We sure hope so. — Carmen G., via e-mail
A: I am happy to report that TNT’s hit comedy starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula has been renewed for a second season, which will premiere Nov. 29. You can relive the first season soon, as Season One will make its DVD debut Nov. 2. The two-disc DVD set will include all 10 episodes from the first season. Bonus features include commentary, deleted scenes, gag reel and behind-the-scenes footage.
Q: I just found out that actors Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek have divorced. How are they doing, and how do they make it work with their children? — Sasha F., Ontario, Canada
A: I spoke with Jane recently while she was promoting her Lifetime movie “Reviving Ophelia” (which I highly recommend), and she told me how she and Brad are able to make it work since getting divorced in 2009: “Brad and I have a really wonderful relationship. The marriage couldn’t work anymore, but I think that we still have an incredible fondness and love for each other that we really want our kids to see as we become friends. We just think of it as a family that lives in two different houses.”
Q: I was so sad to read that Gloria Stuart had passed away. “Titanic” is one of my all-time favorite movies, and Gloria did a wonderful job in it. What other films has this beautiful actress been in? — Phyllis S., via e-mail
A: Gloria Stuart, who passed away Sept. 26 of respiratory failure at the age of 100, got her start early in Hollywood. She was a blond beauty who starred in “The Invisible Man,” “Gold Diggers of 1935” and “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” She was semiretired by the 1940s, and returned to acting in the ’70s with sporadic roles in TV and film.
She returned to the acting forefront in the 1997 epic romance/disaster film “Titanic,” and both she and Kate Winslet were nominated for an Academy Award for the same role (Kate playing Young Rose, and Gloria playing Older Rose), which was an Oscar first. Upon hearing of Gloria’s passing, Kate released this statement: “I feel blessed to have met her, known her and to have acted alongside her. She will be deeply missed.”
Q: What are these rumors I’m hearing about a “Sound of Music” reunion? — Gerry D., Wilmington, Del.
A: I think you’re referring to the news that the entire cast of the hit 1965 musical will reunite on “Oprah” on Oct. 29 in honor of the film’s 45th anniversary. All the cast members (as well as members of the real Von Trapp family) will be on hand, including stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Color me ecstatic!
Interview: Jane Kaczmarek Hits Home with Reviving Ophelia
Before her breakout role in “Malcolm in the Middle,” Jane Kaczmarek was a featured performer in a plethora of television shows, including “Raising the Bar,” “Party of Five” and “Felicity.” In the Lifetime original movie “Reviving Ophelia,” Jane switches back to drama to play the mother of a teenage girl who’s trying to escape an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. The movie, which airs tonight at 9/8c (check your listings for encore performances), is based on Mary Pipher’s seminal book for teen girls, “Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls.”Celebrity Extra: As a mom, this whole subject matter must have really struck a chord with you. What were your thoughts about the script?
Jane Kaczmarek: You know, it really did. I have three children: two daughters and a son. My oldest and youngest are daughters, and my oldest is 12, so she’s kind of on the cusp of this. And I’ve always called her my little nun because she is so modest. She practices the piano and does ballet and is a very diligent kid. And it never dawned on me that something like this could happen to her. And I think what I found interesting about this script and the casting of the girl who played Rebecca, who is my daughter in the movie — she comes across as such a clean-cut, beautiful, innocent kid. You don’t think that she’s the one who’s going to get involved in this. It’s the cousin who seems kind of naughty, and you think she would be the one that would end up in the situation like this. So that was the real eye-opener for me. You know, as a mother it was a real cautionary tale about really keeping your eyes open about everything that’s going on in your kid’s life.
CE: I am not a mom, but this would be the kind of stuff that would scare the crap out of me.
JK: And I thought that Nick Thurston, who plays the boyfriend who beats her, he was so charmingly eerie. He was so sincere and so earnest. And he really loved her. You could see why she would stay with this guy. She’s just caught in this lie of protecting him, and everything is just swirling out of control.
CE: What was it about Marie or the movie itself that made you really want to be a part of this?
JK: Well, I think because it was just an unexpected look at this really, really big problem. You know, I live in Pasadena. I live in a very comfortable, leafy suburb of Los Angeles where the kids for the most part are good and the parents for the most part are hyper-responsible. And what surprised me was it was happening to a family like that.
I also like (director) Bobby Roth. He had directed an episode of a TV show that I did, and I liked the way he told the story with the camera. I thought it was a very fresh and interesting and unexpected way of working. I hadn’t worked in a year. This has been a really tumultuous year for me. My husband and I got divorced, and I hadn’t worked since “Raising the Bar” ended in the summer of 2009. So this came along, and I thought I was ready to step back into the world of “Jane the Actress.” My manager sent me flowers in Toronto and said, “Instead of ‘Reviving Ophelia,’ I think this should be called ‘Reviving Jane.’” And I had a wonderful, wonderful time working with Lifetime and with Bobby Roth, and all of the actors. It was a really, really satisfying experience.
Q and A: Week of Oct. 4
Q: I love the Starz original series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” and I am eager to know if the series will return for a second season. I know that the show’s star, Andy Whitfield, has been battling cancer, but I heard he was on the mend. — Theresa F., Bowling Green, OhioA: Andy had been making terrific progress. His non-Hodgkin Lymphoma was in remission, he was back in training for “Spartacus,” and in an appearance at July’s San Diego Comic-Con, he said that he felt better than ever. However, Andy and Starz recently announced that the actor had to leave the series to immediately resume aggressive treatment for the recurrence of his cancer.
Andy said in a statement: “It’s with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as ‘Spartacus’ and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey.”
A representative for the network said the future of the series will be discussed at a later date. Starz still plans to air the show’s prequel, “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” in January 2011. It focuses on the House of Batiatus before Spartacus arrives in Capua, and stars returning cast members John Hannah and Lucy Lawless.
Q: My husband and I are big fans of the new cop show “The Good Guys.” It’s such a refreshing change from all the same old ones. Can you please tell us if it will be picked up for another season? — Linda M., via e-mail
A: The buddy cop show, which premiered in May on Fox, has been picked up for a second season, and has acquired fall-season status. You can catch it on Friday nights (rather than Mondays). I’m sure that its stars, Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks, thank you for your support.
Q: I was so happy that Jane Lynch won an Emmy Award for her role as Sue Sylvestro on “Glee.” I know she is busy with that show, but does she have any other projects coming up? — Julian F., via e-mail
A: The in-demand actress — who previous to “Glee” was best known for her roles in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Best in Show” — just wrapped production on the film “Paul.” The movie is a comedy/sci-fi film that also stars Jason Bateman, Seth Rogen, Sigourney Weaver, Kristin Wiig and a ton of other megastars. Look for “Paul” in March 2011.
Q: I was flipping through channels the other afternoon, and I could have sworn I saw movie actress Sean Young on “The Young and The Restless.” Was that really her, and if so, why did she decide to do it? — Jill G., Albuquerque, N.M.
A: That was indeed the accomplished 50-year-old movie star. Sean played a featured role as Meggie McClain on the long-running hit soap opera opposite good friend Eric Braeden. She co-starred with him in the 2008 movie “The Man Who Came Back,” which also co-starred Eric’s “Titanic” co-star Billy Zane, along with Carol Alt, George Kennedy and Armand Assante. Of taking on the role of Meggie, Sean said: “Getting the chance to work with my dear friend Eric Braeden — one of the true gentlemen in entertainment — was certainly a deciding factor for me, as well as wanting to get back to work after taking a few years off to raise my kids.”
Q: David Cross is one of my favorite comedians. What has he been up to lately? — Paul F., via e-mailA: The 46-year-old funnyman has brought his original comedy series, “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret,” to the Independent Film Channel, where it airs Friday nights. This hilarious show follows the entertaining misadventures of an American pathological liar (David) as he bluffs his way into a senior marketing job in the London office for an energy drink called ThunderMuscle. The always-hilarious Will Arnett plays his boss. To read my fun interview with David, go here.
Q: I love the HBO drama “In Treatment.” Please tell me it is coming back for a third season! — Peggy H., Columbus, Ohio
A: I’m happy to report that “In Treatment,” starring Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest, will be back beginning Oct. 25. The third season also brings guest stars Debra Winger and Amy Ryan.
Q: I am so glad that TLC’s “Little People, Big World” is back on TV. However, I’ve heard that this is the final season. Is that true? I hope not — I absolutely love this show and the message of love and acceptance it provides. — David D., via e-mail
A: I am sorry to tell you, but TLC recently announced that this sixth season will be the show’s last. Stars Matt and Amy Roloff said: “The show has been an amazing and unforgettable experience for our entire family. Over the past five years we have shared the most rewarding journey that will forever be in our hearts. We will always be grateful to our TLC family, and most of all, our fans.” You can catch “Little People, Big World” Monday nights on TLC.
Q: Is there a new “Mission: Impossible” movie in the works? — Jerry F., Annapolis, Md.
A: There is, indeed. “Mission: Impossible IV” is currently in production, with an anticipated release date of Dec. 16, 2011. Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt, with “The Hurt Locker”’s Jeremy Renner on board as a young operative learning from Ethan, and Paula Patton (real-life wife of singer Robin Thicke) as Ethan’s love interest. The movie also features Jonathan Rhys Myers, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames.
Q: A reader’s question in one of your previous columns made me want to rent “Witness,” with Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas. As I was watching it, I noticed an actor who played one of the young Amish men looked a lot like Viggo Mortensen. I couldn’t read the credits, the print was so small. — Trudy F., Hamilton, OhioA: That was indeed a young Viggo — his first role in a major Hollywood production. From there, he went on to land bit parts here and there, until he really made his presence known in a small but pivotal — and unforgettable — role as Lucifer in 1995’s “The Prophecy.” You know you’ve made your mark in a film when you share a scene with Christopher Walken, but all eyes are on you! He then went on to co-star in “G.I. Jane,” “28 Days” and “A Walk on the Moon” before hitting superstardom by landing the role of Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Up next for Viggo, 51, is the role of Sigmund Freud in “A Dangerous Method.” He’s currently filming “On the Road,” the movie adaptation of the book of the same name by Jack Kerouac.
Q: I really like “The Forgotten.” There is suspense without gore, and I like the actors and characters. Will it be back? — Michael M., via e-mail
A: ABC has decided not to renew the drama starring Christian Slater due to the ever-popular reason of “low ratings.” Which is a shame, because I really liked it too.
Q: I’m a big fan of “Ice Road Truckers” on the History Channel. I am especially fascinated by Lisa, the young female driver who manages to keep up with the “big guys” and do her job as well as any of them. What can you tell me about this gal? — Bernard B., Palm Springs, Calif.
A: Lisa Kelly, 29, is in her second year of traveling on the dangerous, icy roads of “Ice Road Truckers.” The former motocross champion and pizza-delivery driver certainly can hold her own within this “good-ole-boy” occupation, but she does have to constantly prove herself to her peers. The self-proclaimed tomboy was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., and attended one semester of college at Cornerstone University until circumstances led her to driving the big rigs. She has been married to husband Traves since September 2008.
Q: I am so excited for the fall movie season to begin, as I am getting a little tired of all these high-action, shoot-’em-up summer blockbusters. Which fall movies are you most looking forward to? — Renee G., via e-mail
A: Without a doubt, No. 1 on my list is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1,” which opens Nov. 19. I’m also looking forward to “Nowhere Boy” (Oct. 8), “RED” (Oct. 15), “The Company Men” (Oct. 22), “127 Hours” (Nov. 5), “Love and Other Drugs” (Nov. 24), “How Do You Know” (Dec. 17), “TRON: Legacy” (Dec. 17), “Somewhere” (Dec. 22) and “Blue Valentine” (Dec. 31). What movie(s) are you most looking forward to? Go to here and let your voice be heard!
Q: Has “Happy Town” been canceled on ABC? I got hooked on it with the first episode, but it has been replaced with “Castle” in the same time slot. — Josie H., via e-mail
A: Citing the reason of poor ratings, ABC canceled “Happy Town” at the beginning of the summer, despite a stellar cast that included Steven Webber and Sam Neill. ABC didn’t even let it stick around long enough to air all eight episodes on TV; the final two episodes can be watched online at ABC.com.
Q: My husband and I got hooked on “Criminal Minds” and have been watching the reruns all summer. Will the show be coming back in the fall? — Nancy G., Punta Gorda, Fla.
A: I love to be the bearer of good news, as so many of my readers’ favorite shows seem to be getting canceled these days. “Criminal Minds” is back on CBS on Wednesday nights. Also, if you just can’t get enough crime solving, midseason you can catch its spin-off, “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,” which is slated to star Forest Whitaker, Richard Schiff and Janeane Garofalo.
Q: I watched “The Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff” this past month on TV, and I was glad to see a lot of his old “Baywatch” co-stars there. I did notice a few absences, like David Charvet. Why didn’t he attend? — Mischa W. in OregonA: David and I talked about that when he was promoting his new movie, “The Perfect Teacher,” for the Lifetime Movie Network (check your local listings for days and times). He told me he was invited but chose not to attend. “I love David (Hasselhoff) and really respect him. I know these roasts can get pretty mean, and I just didn’t want to do that to him.” What a class act David is, huh?
Q: When will my favorite show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” be back? And can you give me any teasers as to what’s going to happen? — Ingrid F., via e-mail
A: “Grey’s Anatomy” is back for its seventh season on ABC. When I recently spoke with Kim Raver, who plays Teddy Altman on the medical drama, she told me that her character gets a new love interest.
“I’m pretty sure that the triangle with Teddy, Owen and Kristina is done,” Kim explains. “And while I’m sad for Teddy, because it’s really hard for her, I’m just happy as a fan because the Owen and Kristina story has so much more to explore. I’m glad not to continue it, because otherwise it would have become redundant. It was a great way to establish Teddy. And so in the first couple of episodes you might actually see Teddy kind of having something romantic with a new person. She’s gonna try!”
Q: I have always enjoyed watching Michael J. Fox, and I wondered if he’ll be in something else soon? — Debbie K., via e-mail
A: While the actor certainly has limited the number of roles he accepts due to his Parkinson’s disease, Michael still acts here and there. Most recently he was seen as Dwight on “Rescue Me,” and he can be seen this fall in a guest appearance on CBS’ “The Good Wife.” According to CBS, he’ll play a “shrewd and cynical” lawyer who tackles Julianna Margulies’ character in a class-action lawsuit.
Interview: You'll Love David Cross' Increasingly Poor Decisions
Hilariousman (I can't call him merely a "funnyman") David Cross has himself a new show on IFC, and it's called The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret. Heed my advice when I tell you: You must watch this show. It premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and follows the entertaining misadventures of an American pathological liar (David) as he bluffs his way into a senior marketing job in the London office for Thundermuscle, an "awesome new energy drink." Assigned by his blowhard boss (Will Arnett) to launch the new beverage line and sell several thousand units in just one week, Margaret's progress is significantly disadvantaged by his complete inexperience with sales and with British culture. Look for special guest appearances by Will Arnett, Spike Jonze, Janeane Garofalo and Amber Tamblyn.I was thrilled to get the chance to discuss this ingenious new show with David a few weeks ago. And now I publish it here, for you all to enjoy.
Celebrity Extra: First of all, I want to tell you that I absolutely love your work, so I was very excited to learn that IFC had picked up your new show.
David Cross: Oh, thanks. Did you see the show at all?
CE: I got to see the first three episodes — that’s all they had on the press screener, so I am excited to see the last three when they air.
DC: The first three? Interesting…
CE: Trying not to read any spoilers online, because I was reading that the showed aired first on Channel 4 in the U.K. Is that true? And how did it come about that IFC picked it up?
DC: Well, that’s not exactly true. It will air six weeks later to the date in the U.K., which was a contractual thing because IFC put in most of the money. It initially was going to go to Channel 4, but they passed on it. The pilot aired, and they passed on it. And then IFC became involved. And then they were like: “Oh, so we can have a show for 60,000 pounds and I get six episodes? Sounds good to me!”
CE: Now, can you convert pounds to dollars quicker than (your character) Todd Margaret can? Because as we see in the show, he gets into a bit of trouble because of it.
DC: Oh, good Lord. I am very well aware of it. And it fluxuates every hour on the hour. Having spent half a year in London when the dollar was at its lowest. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to stop doing it and try to train myself to not to automatically think like that, but I would walk out of a pharmacy or a Boots and say, “Holy Shit! I just spent 32 bucks on toothpaste, soap and toilet paper!” So, I’m hyperaware of the exchange rate.
CE: I didn’t realize you were over there that long.
DC: Yeah, half a year almost to the day — Hang on my dog just poo’ed unexpectedly. So I’m gonna have to get a bag out. It’s so fucking infuriating when people don’t pick up after their dogs in the city … it’s criminal!
CE: As another responsible dog owner, I completely agree with you! I was wondering about the show itself. How did the whole idea come about for you?
DC: Three years ago last summer, I was in London, doing some shows at 100 Club. After one of the shows these two women who were from REF Productions approached me about doing a show that I would write — where they would pair me a writer from the U.K. — and for me to star in for the U.K. that could then potentially be sold to the United States. That’s where the genesis of the whole thing came from. And then I had to figure out what the show was. That’s the first time I’ve ever created something with such specific parameters. I’ve usually just had an idea, came up with the idea and wrote it up, whether it was by myself or with somebody else, and then pitched that idea. But this was very much like, “Ok, let me figure out what this idea is going to be.”
Obviously I have to be in it. Obviously I’m an American, I can’t pass for British. How do I get myself over there? What’s my story? And then, one thing that was important that I discussed with the funny folks at REF was, we didn’t want it to be simply a fish out of water. And as you can see with only three episodes, each show literally takes place the next day. So, there’s a story being told. There’s definitely a fish out of water for sure but there’s a whole crazy involved story that exists.
CE: Well, I really liked the storytelling convention, like you mentioned, with it taking place one day at a time, beginning with the judge reading off the different crimes your character is accused of and then cutting to: Six Days Earlier …
DC: And that’s how it will be for the life of the show if I do any more series. Then that series will start with a different opening, and it will keep going to 12 days earlier. If I’m lucky enough and the show lasts for three seasons, the entire time that’s traveled will be about two weeks. So, that’s one thing I’m quite happy with, that I’m telling a story that has a beginning, a middle and an end. And I know what that end is. Not sure with the middle. But I know the beginning and the end.
CE: Just the character of Todd, he’s just so — please tell me that’s all from your imagination and you don’t know anybody like that!
DC: I don’t know anybody like that! And, I’m glad you’ve said that as opposed to what a number of people have said, “Is Todd based on you? Do you share any characteristics with Todd?” Which is not even remotely close but it’s almost unbelievable how ridiculous he is. Like the title. Everything is just … everything he fucking does its like, “What are you doing? Shut ip! Don’t say that! You had the perfect opportunity to tell the truth and get yourself out of this sticky situation.” But, he just makes everything worse every step of the way.
That’s one thing; he’s not a malicious guy at all. And I guess if anything is taken from real people or a person’s particular personality trait is that a couple of guys I know have is that they mistake kindness for romantic interest. Which Todd does every step of the way. He believes that, “Oh, she just smiled at me. She must like me!” I know guys like that and then they start flirting, and it’s just ugly and you’re just like, would you stop it!
CE: I don’t like to compare characters from different shows, because Todd is like no other character I know, but the only way I can describe him is: He makes me 10 times more uncomfortable that Michael Scott from The Office.
DC: Well good! I’m excited for you to see the rest of the show. Because he really does… the awkward moments really start ramping up. I mean, they get pretty crazy. I hope I’ve grounded it in enough of a reality that that makes sense.
CE: I love the supporting characters you have, like Sharon Horgan and Blake Harrison. Were you involved in the casting process? How was that to work with them?
DC: I was involved with all aspects of casting, and both of those guys I was not familiar with at the time I was casting. And I knew of the show, the In Betweeners, I think I’d seen it before. But I really was not that familiar with Blake. And Sharon was recommended to me by Channel 4 when we were getting the pilot together. I actually wrote it with someone else in mind. The Alice character was initially much more of a sweeter, ingénue with this kind of fantastic life. And she was sort of the opposite of Todd … and then I was given, for consideration, copies of Sharon’s show, Pulling, which I saw and was like, “Holy Shit! She phenomenally talented!” And then I thought, is she going to even want to do this because it’s not really at her talent level. And so then we really changed the character to suit her. Initially, she’s just way too sweet and — I don’t mean to say this in a mean way, but she has a tougher quality to her, which the character didn’t initially have. But I could not possibly be any happier with the cast. They are all so good. Everybody fucking nails it. Even the British cameos, people who are kind of big deals to get in Britain. Everybody nails is.
CE: I love to that we always see Arrested Development people in each other’s projects, so I was thrilled to see Will Arnett plays a supporting role. With Will, do you just roll the camera and say go?
DC: Yes and no. Every single actor we cast was, and we verbalized this to everyone, was cast with an eye toward improv. And I told everyone when we were auditioning and part of the auditioning process is that we do what was on page, and then I’d just start riffing. For me it’s like a form of Tourette’s where I cannot stop and I can’t shut myself up, and I keep riffing and stuff. So we encouraged that.
But like most things out there you have to get what’s on the page. Because there is information on there that may seem innocuous and meaningless but is actually kind of important. And we’d have to definitely have to get everything on the page and then when I was meeting with potential directors, I told all of them like, “I’m going to ask you to sacrifice that cool shot that directors like where you put the camera here and we move here and we do that — because that takes an hour to put up and shoot and break down. I’d rather sacrifice that shot and do an extra hour of just riffing.”
So it was encouraged then and as I said, everyone that was cast with an eye toward their ability to do that. But there’s a lot that doesn’t even make it in. Because unfortunately you only have 22 minutes, and you have to tell a story and sometimes you have to sacrifice laughs for the story or information that becomes important in episode five.
CE: And then maybe we can get all that extra stuff on the DVD.
DC: Oh yeah, it’s all there. Now wait till you see the stuff that was cut from the pilot of Will and Spike. I mean, it’s so goddamn funny. It’s like sidesplitting, cryingly funny and we just had to lose it cause of time.
CE: You were saying if all goes well you could possibly do a season two or season three … What can we do as fans to make that happen?
DC: I think part of the tradeoff of doing a show with a tiny budget, not making any money but having the creative autonomy to do what you want, doing it on a cable channel — the tradeoff for working that hard for not enough money, the bar is set so fantastically low for what success means. I’m not trying to be cute … it’s true. I think it would just have to be an endless failure for it to not be picked up. It doesn’t really cost them a whole lot and they are very happy with the show.
IFC has been great in promoting it and they are truly excited about it and so is Channel 4 in the U.K. And so far I have not read one review that has not been at least kind of above average. No one has had a negative review. And what is IFC for ratings? A few hundred people? So, just spread the word. Say there’s a show out there and it’s pretty cool. I appreciate your asking me that question but outside of saying, “Check it out; it’s pretty cool,” I don’t know what else to do.
CE: You have a recurring role in Will’s new show on Fox, Running Wilde — what can you tell me about your character?
DC: I play the annoying, sexless, self-described echo terrorist fiancé of Keri Russell’s character who is Will’s love interest in the show. Should be interesting …
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