Q and A: Week of March 28
Q: I’ve seen a few previews for a new movie starring Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm in shark attack a few years back. What can you tell me about the movie? — Deanna F., Daytona Beach, Fla.A: I can tell you that you’d better bring some tissues to the theater with you when the movie, which is called “Soul Surfer,” opens nationwide on April 8. AnnaSophia Robb stars as the young Bethany Hamilton, who overcomes tragedy to achieve her dreams of becoming a champion surfer.
Ross Thomas (pictured with Dennis Quaid), who plays Bethany’s brother Noah in the film, told me: “There is a beautiful theme of hope and faith in the film. The Hamilton family is such a strong unit. They really all work as one; they have a deep set of family values. They are a Christian family who has a really deep faith that they rely heavily upon. They all exude a really high level of love and life. It’s truly inspiring.”
Q: I have been watching “Smallville” since it premiered back in 2001, so I am pretty bummed that the series will soon come to an end. Can you tell me anything about the show’s finale? — Jerry T., Madison, Wis.
A: Well, I can tell you that some bad guys from Clark’s past will return (as a few already have). And yes, that includes Lex Luthor: Michael Rosenbaum will be back for the series finale on May 13. You also will enjoy where the relationship of Lois and Clark goes, and producer Kelly Souders assures fans that “there is a very hopeful ending” to the series itself.
Q: I love ABC’s “No Ordinary Family.” Will it be back for a second season? — Trudy T., via e-mail
A: Things are not looking good for the freshman drama to make it to its sophomore year. Series star Michael Chiklis has signed on to star in Conan O’Brien’s pilot for CBS called “Vince Uncensored,” which focuses on a man (Michael) who decides to take a more honest approach to his life, work and family after a life-changing experience.
Q: Please tell me there will be a third season of HBO’s “Eastbound and Down.” I need more Kenny Powers! — Samuel D., via e-mail
A: You will get your wish, if only for one more season. Series star Danny McBride, who is also one of the show’s writers and executive producers, and writer, director and executive producer Jody Hill are said to be helming the third and final season in the Kenny Powers saga. Production on “Eastbound and Down” season three is tentatively scheduled for the end of this year for a 2012 premiere. I’ll be sure to let you know of any further developments, as I can’t wait to see how this hilarious and boundary-stomping series ends myself!
Interview: Things Heat Up for Adam on Being Erica
“Being Erica” is well into its third season on SOAPnet, with Erica getting acclimated to her new business as well as group therapy. Adam Fergus, who plays patient Adam Fitzpatrick on the show, stands out as a man whose been on the wrong path in life who’s trying to make amends and make it right. Beginning Wednesday (11 p.m. ET/PT), things for Adam really start heating up, as we learn more about his past, and where that will take him in the future. When I spoke with Adam recently, he shared with me his experiences of being the new guy on a hit show. Celebrity Extra: You were a new cast member coming into the third season. “Being Erica” was already established, with its vocal fan base in place. Were you ever nervous about fitting in or if your character would be embraced by the fans?
Adam Fergus: I’ve always been the kind of person who is pretty easygoing. The Canadians are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life — I was so welcomed. So, as a person, I had absolutely no problems fitting in. I got along with the cast and the crew and everybody involved. But in terms of my character, yeah, I was worried that my character was going to be pulled by the network after a couple of episodes because they didn’t like him. But after a couple of episodes, everyone was coming up to me and saying how happy they were with the character. But you don’t really know how it’s going to be perceived until the audience critiques the character, so, I was pretty nervous when we were filming it.
CE: How were you able to assimilate into the time-traveling world of “Being Erica”?
AF: You have to give credit to Erin (Karpluk, who plays Erica) first and foremost. She’s so good, and she’s such a technically brilliant and gifted actress. She remembers everything that’s happened in any of the episodes in any of the previous two seasons. She keeps us on our toes.
CE: When I spoke with Erin a few months back, she said you bring a kind of masculinity to the show that had been lacking before. What do YOU think you bring to the show?
AF: Well, that (masculinity) is first and foremost what the team of all four executive producers wanted to bring to the show. Initially, the part wasn’t for an Irish guy at all. It was sort of added to the story and changed as the season went on. But initially we hadn’t really decided whether I was going to play it in a Canadian or Irish accent. There was going to be a Canadian character and an Irish character. Everyone was of the opinion that they liked the Irish character better. Toronto is such a multicultural city, and Canada seems like a nation that embraces everybody.
CE: Aside from being the heart and soul of the show, what do you think Erin brings to “Being Erica”?
AF: You know, it’s funny — the character of Erica is such a wonderful character. I love the fact that she is such a flawed person and easy to relate to — and not just for women, but for anybody. Some of the situations that Erica has been in, I had been in during my life. And I think that’s the thing, that it transcends those kind of barriers, and the fact that she’s not the perfect supermodel. And then what Erin has brought to that character — she has amazes us.
CE: As we all know, Adam rejected Erica’s advances in episode six, which really could have put you in the doghouse with the female viewers. And yet we just can’t stay mad at you. How do you do it?
AF: That was obviously a worry I had. But it comes down to Jana’s (Sinyor) and Aaron’s (Martin) writing and the whole writing team. The whole show really creates such well-balanced characters and well-written dialogue. To be able to say the words they write and play the character that they’ve written is a great opportunity.
CE: I think it also has to do with the accent. I don’t know about Canadian women, but I know we American women are suckers for a man with an accent.
AF: Yes. I’m never losing it. I’m going to try to be like Sean Connery and always have it about me my entire career. He seems to have gotten away with it very easily. On second thought, I don’t know if I will. I’m no Sean Connery anyway.
CE: What do you enjoy about playing the character of Adam?
AF: Adam has a dark and dangerous past with an abusive family. Not that anybody craves that, but it’s an interesting thing to try to play, to get to these places where it’s believable for an audience and they embrace you as a character as well. And the fact that he has sort of detached emotionally from the real world, and as you find out later on in the season why that is, it’s a maternal issue he has. That is why people can relate to him. You can see that he struggles with it and he doesn’t know why he struggles with it. He doesn’t understand that you can actually be friends with and have a relationship with the girl that you are sleeping with. And it actually works better that way.
CE: Tell me about Adam’s journey as it relates to the next few episodes.
AF: It’s a subtle journey that he goes on. It’s all about the discoveries that he makes. I did some of the most emotional stuff I’ve ever played as an actor in some of the scenes in (the coming episode). If you can get to those emotional places and make it believable as an actor, you achieve your goal. Michael Riley (who plays Dr. Tom) sent me a text after reading the script for this episode that said: “This is a great one for you.” Michael was a great help and a great influence on all of us the entire season. He was very supportive, especially in those big scenes I have to do coming up.
CE: Adam wants so badly to be a good person. How much is that a driving force for him?
AF: I think he struggles. I think he wants to be this ideal person that doesn’t really exist. It’s because of Erica and group therapy and Dr. Tom that he discovers that it’s OK to be able to give yourself a second chance. You don’t have to beat yourself up for the rest of your life just because you made some bad choices. We see from the beginning that he’s already made some big steps with Dr. Tom, and he really is trying, but I don’t think he’s figured out how to do it yet. It’s through Erica and through Dr. Tom that he finds his path.
CE: We recently got word that “Being Erica” has been renewed for a fourth season. What do you hope for Adam’s future?
AF: I think there is going to be an interesting dynamic between Adam and Erica. I’d like to see him grow up a little bit more. I’d definitely like to learn a little bit more about his relationship with his brother and see if they can develop that in any way. Hopefully he continues to grow and achieve his goal. He is kind of halfway there already.
Interview: Jane Seymour's Inspiration
The beautiful and multitalented Jane Seymour needs no introduction. Aside from an impressive acting resume (“Somewhere in Time,” “Live and Let Die,” “War and Remembrance,” “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” “Smallville” and “Wedding Crashers”), Ms. Seymour is a gifted artist. Perhaps her best-known piece of art is Open Hearts, which was inspired by her mother. Fans can see Jane’s work, as well as the artist herself, this month in New York. I spoke with Jane recently about her artwork and what inspires her.Celebrity Extra: On March 26, you are participating in Artexpo New York, which is sponsored by Free Arts New York. What can you tell me about that art show?
Jane Seymour: I’ve been participating in it now for a number of years, and I love it. It’s a trade show with dealers from all over the world. The thing that I love about it is walking around to see all of the other exhibits, especially the emerging artists section, which is fantastic. You can discover some great new artists.
CE: Being such a well-known celebrity, you must attract quite a crowd.
JS: I do get quite a crowd, which is really nice. People see me paint the Open Hearts, which is all well and good, but I think they get very surprised when they come to my booth and see that I do figurative art, I do photo realism, I do impressionism, I do sculptures. I have a major range of styles.
CE: How does Free Arts New York figure into this? What does that organization do?
JS: They provide art programs for kids in New York, kids who don’t have means. When I go there, we usually paint a huge mural together. It’s really cool. These kids are just so much fun to paint with. They have great teachers who really inspire the kids to do their best. When I go there and I’m painting with them, it’s one of my favorite things. A child’s artwork is the most exciting, because it’s very free. It comes straight from his or her fantasy, with the child pouring it right out there for all to see.
CE: Tell me about Open Hearts.
JS: Open Hearts has become what my mother would have dreamt, which is a universal symbol uniting every belief system. It’s a universal symbol of hope and love. It’s helping people cope with change in their lives. It’s helping people understand relationships in a different way. You can open your heart and let go of things that are said and done, and be in the present moment and reach out to help someone else. By doing that, love comes into your life. Purpose comes into your life.
CE: You have a new art theme, Waves. Can you explain Waves to me?
JS: Years ago, I read a book called “Remarkable Changes,” and it explained that life is kind of like a wave. You are on this body of water that is just moving in the direction that you happen to join it wherever you are in life. You are moving forward — you go to school, you study and you become the kind of person that you are going to be. Then at some point, this wave, this body of water, just picks you up and takes you. There is this moment of crescendo where the sun and the wind and everything sparkles, and it’s just full of this magical energy.
And then that same wave crashes. There are highs and lows in life, a lot like the wave. When it reaches a high, it continues to move. It doesn’t stay there. And like in life, moments don’t stay. They’re part of a big cycle.
CE: Where do you find inspiration for your art?
JS: I find it anywhere and everywhere. I honestly do. And I think once you start painting or drawing, you focus so much on what it is you’re seeing and your response to it that even when you are not painting or drawing, you look at life differently. You look at the world differently. You start seeing amazing patterns and color combinations and textures. It can be clouds. It can be the way the weeds are growing in the middle of a perfect lawn. People go to a museum, look at a piece of artwork and ask themselves, “Is that art?” Art is what you see in it. I think people should give themselves the benefit of the doubt. They need to allow themselves to be transported and raptured by whatever it is they see, allow themselves to go, “Ooooh!” It’s all about the “ooooh!” factor.
Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
(From KTLA News)
Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79.
Taylor died early Wednesday morning of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to her publicist, Jamie Cadwell.
She was hospitalized in February for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, described at the time as "an ongoing condition" by Cadwell.
Taylor, a double Oscar winner famous for her eight marriages -- twice to actor Richard Burton -- underwent heart surgery in 2009 to replace a leaky valve.
Read the rest here.
While she will, of course, be remembered for her magnificent performances in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Giant" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," she will also be remembered by soap-opera lovers for her infamous appearance in 1981 on "General Hospital" as Helena Cassadine (she also made a cameo on "All My Children" in 1983). This was quite a coup for GH to acquire an actress of Elizabeth's caliber, and I remember the excitement around my house (and my grandmother's) as the story unfolded and Helena played a pivotal (and menacing) role in the wedding of Luke and Laura.
Elizabeth was married eight times, and she leaves behind four children and nine grandchildren.
Q and A: Week of March 21
Q: I am going stir crazy waiting for the new (and final) season of “Friday Night Lights” to begin on NBC. I’ve been doing my best to avoid spoilers, since the season already finished airing on DirecTV earlier this year. — Paul G. via e-mailA: It won’t be too much longer now, Paul. “Friday Night Lights” returns to NBC on Friday, April 15, for its fifth and final season, which consists of 13 episodes. However, if you really can’t wait to see how the series ends, the DVD of Season 5 will be released on April 5.
Q: On “CSI: NY,” what is the name of and who sings the title song at the beginning of the show? Can I get it on CD? — Madeline J., Gaines, Mich.
A: “CSI: NY” uses “Baba O’Riley” by The Who as its opening theme music. As you might already know, the original “CSI” uses The Who’s “Who Are You,” and “CSI: Miami” uses “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” again by The Who. If you are detecting a theme here, you are absolutely correct. All three songs are remixes of the original Who songs, and can be found on the official “CSI” soundtrack for each show. If you want all the theme songs, you can buy each show’s soundtrack, or you can purchase individual songs from amazon.com or iTunes.
Q: The other day, I watched Heather Locklear’s new movie on Lifetime, “He Loves Me.” While I love seeing Heather in these thriller-type movies, I miss seeing her in comedies. Any chance she’ll be doing any of those anytime soon? — Kellie M., via e-mail
A: I spoke with Heather recently and asked her just that, telling her that my favorite thing I have ever seen her on would have to be when she hosted “Saturday Night Live” back in the ’90s. She was thrilled that I singled out that performance, telling me: “‘Saturday Night Live’ was my most favorite thing I’ve done where you could see that I’m funny. I had such a good time doing it. And that ‘Melrose Place’ skit we did was so perfectly perfect. ‘I am an important advertising executive!’”
When I asked about her future comedic plans, Heather didn’t want to give too much away, responding: “I don’t know, but I do have a meeting for something soon, and it’s funny, so we’ll see!”
Q: Why is Julie Banderas no longer hosting the “Fox Report”? — Becky S., Clarksville, Tenn.
A: After returning from maternity leave, Julie was reassigned to reporter duties for the New York bureau of Fox News. The workdays are longer than when she was host for the “Fox Report,” but she gets to report on a broader range of topics, and can be seen on the news channel several times throughout the day (including doing reports for the “Fox Report” on occasion).
Q and A: Week of March 14
Q: While I like all these new reality-competition shows, I need to know when my favorite one, “Dancing With the Stars,” will return, and who will be the stars this season. – Gina R., via e-mail
A: “Dancing With the Stars” returns for its 12th season on Monday, March 21, at 8 p.m. ET. Eleven celebrities have been tapped to compete this season: Kirstie Alley, “Psycho” Mike Catherwood, Chris Jericho, Chelsea Kane, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ralph Macchio, Petra Nemcova, Romeo, Hines Ward, Kendra Wilkinson and Wendy Williams.
Q: My family loves “The Waltons.” It’s such a wonderful family show; they just don’t make them like this anymore. What is Richard Thomas (John-Boy) doing now, and does he ever see his old cast members anymore? — Patricia C., Altoona, Pa.
A: I spoke with Richard recently to talk about his latest movie, “Time After Time” for the Hallmark Channel (check your local listings for info), and he told me he does keep in touch with his fellow Waltons.
“Mary Elizabeth McDonough was just here a few weeks ago, and we had dinner. Michael Learned and I are very close friends. We all keep tabs on each other. I saw Kami (Cotler) not long ago. We don’t all see each other all the time, but there is a great deal of genuine fondness and familial feeling. We love each other a lot.”
He is counting on his “Waltons” fans embracing “Time After Time.” As he tells me, the movie is right up their alley. “This (movie appeals to) a segment of the old ‘Walton’ audience. I consider it a nice family movie and something that the family can enjoy together.”
Q: My husband told me that a crewmember from “Deadliest Catch” died. Is that true? If so, who was it? — Francine R., Rochester, N.Y.
A: Justin Tennison (some sources say he was 33, some 34), deckhand for the “Time Bandit” crab fishing boat, died in his sleep in late February. An autopsy is scheduled, and as of this writing, no cause of death has been announced. Beer, hard liquor and a small amount of marijuana were found in the Alaska hotel room where his body was found. Justin will appear posthumously in the seventh season of “Deadliest Catch,” whose premiere date has yet to be announced by Discovery Channel.
Q: I loved the movie “The Hangover.” I’ve heard rumors that there is going to be a sequel. Is there? — Dave F., via e-mail
A: Get ready for a roadtrip with the guys. “The Hangover: Part II” hits theaters May 26 (Memorial Day weekend), and the boys are headed to Thailand for Stu’s (Ed Helms) wedding. All the guys are back for the sequel (Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ken Jeong), with a cameo by Liam Neeson.
Interview: Richard Thomas, Time Traveler
Richard Thomas has been acting forever, or so it would seem. He was only 7 when he made his Broadway debut in “Sunrise at Campobello.” He’s appeared in numerous films and other television roles, including the iconic role of John-Boy on “The Waltons.” He recently wrapped a stint playing in Shakespeare’s “Timon of Athens” for New York Public Theater. Richard sheds all of those images to star in Hallmark Channel’s latest original movie, “Time After Time,” which premieres Saturday, March 19 (9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 CT). Richard plays Dick, a man who’s come home again by traveling back in time to rectify the mistakes he made as a youth — and hopefully to save the small town he came to love from corporate devastation.Celebrity Extra: First, I wanted to tell you that I loved the movie; it’s really sweet.
Richard Thomas: It is very sweet, isn’t it?
CE: What I also like is that it’s not sticky-sweet — but it’s a nice family movie with a good message.
RT: Yeah, it’s rare. One of the reasons why I was so attracted to it was because they don’t make very many pictures like this for television anymore that have a kind of lightness of touch, and it’s funny and touching and not a hard-sell movie, but it’s human. I liked the characters. I especially liked the character I played.
CE: What did you like about your character?
RT: At first, I liked the idea of playing somebody my own age — although they actually ended up making him younger, because of the age that Kaj (Kaj-Erik Eriksen, who plays the younger Richard) was and then how old I would have had to have been. I would have had to have been closer to like 50 rather than closer to 60.
CE: Looking too young is not too bad of a problem to have these days, especially in Hollywood.
RT: I know, and it’s actually always been that way with me, even when I started “The Waltons.” John-Boy was 16 and I was 21. I have this illusion of youthfulness about me. Actually, it should be delusion. With the movie, I liked the premise. I liked what it said about big, generic, big-box businesses and what they do to local cultures. They do dissipate the local culture frequently, and things become generic. I also loved the idea of meeting my younger self. You know, what would I say? Rarely can you go back in time in a movie and meet yourself. So, that was fun. It rang very true to me. It’s unpretentious, simple and lovely. I just hope people enjoy it.
CE: Did you enjoy working with the cast?
RT: Everybody was great. It was a very well-cast, very friendly, very happy picture. We had a great time making it. This is the third Hallmark picture I’ve made, and it’s nice to do stuff that the family can enjoy together.
CE: Would you like to go back in time to change or fix anything in your past?
RT: Well, you know, I’m of two minds about that because, of course, I would like to go back and erase all the times where I did anything that was hurtful to anybody. My life is not perfect; there are always things that could be better and things that could be worse, but nevertheless, it’s not something that I would trade. If you go back and you change a bunch of it, how do you know if you would still be where you are today?
CE: For you, what is the movie’s central message?
RT: The most important message in the movie is to be very aware of what the present moment is bringing you, because in real life, we can’t go back and change things. We can make certain amends; we can change only so much in retrospect of what we’ve done in the past. And it’s amazing how much we actually can heal from the past if we want to. But we can only do it in the present — we have to make our choices now.
CE: You've done a few movies for the Hallmark Channel throughout your career. What keeps you coming back?
RT: Well, I just like making movies for that audience that likes the family pictures. I do a lot of other stuff and that’s great too, but I have a feeling for those audiences who loved "The Waltons," who loved John-Boy and want to see family entertainment. We are in a very good time of television right now, but much of it is much harsher and more aggressive, and that’s not for everybody. There are other audiences out there who want something a little different from that, so it’s nice to be able to give them something.
CE: You have such a diverse career — television, feature films, theater — how do you decide what project to choose next?
RT: It all depends on what comes up. I never know. I worry. All actors worry, but I’ve been doing it for so many years that I’ve learned that the next thing eventually comes up. I’m starting the last week of this Shakespeare production, and sure enough I have a script to read that starts rehearsing the day after I finish here, so who knows. I don’t know if I’m going to do it yet. When I get off the phone with you I’ve got to read it and decide.
And then there’s an offer to do a Broadway play in the fall. We’ll see if that comes up. I just never know what it’s going to be. If two things come up together, it’s like every other career — I think it’s like every other career, I don’t know — sometimes you make the decision to do something because you need the money. Sometimes you make the decision because even though there’s no money involved, it’s something that’s going to feed your creative energies and be satisfying and exciting to do. Sometimes it’s the people you are going to be working with. There are all kinds of reasons.
Doing "Time After Time" was a combination of things. I hadn’t made a television movie in a couple of years. I like the relationship with Hallmark, and when this script came I thought: “Oh yeah. This is just right for me.” And it turned out to be that way.
CE: There is still a huge "Waltons" faction out there, with fan clubs and appearances and such. Do you ever participate in any of the fan club events?
RT: The fan club came once to Hartford to visit me when I was doing a show, but (for most of the other events) I always seem to be doing something else. I’m always doing a play or I'm off filming somewhere, and I haven’t been able to attend any of those. But I do stay in touch with Carol, the head of the fan club and "The Waltons" family. Mary Elizabeth McDonough was just here a few weeks ago and we had dinner. Michael Learned and I are very close friends. We all keep tabs on each other. I saw Kami not long ago. We love each other a lot. We don’t all see all of each other all the time of course but there is a great deal of genuine fondness and familial feeling.
Bid on Celebrity-Autographed Candles for Charity
WHAT: Enjoy Lighting® is auctioning off three individual celebrity autographed candles and will be donating all proceeds to Stand Up To Cancer (www.standup2cancer.org).
During this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah celebrities stopped by the House of Swagg Gift Lounge to check out Enjoy Lighting’s Flameless candles. Actors, DJ’s, TV Personalities, and Athletes not only took home candles, they also autographed them for the good cause.
Just like a real candle, Enjoy® Flameless Candles are made from wax but use LED technology to cast light. The use of LEDs allows consumers to continue to use flameless candles long after traditional candles have gone out. Enjoy’s patented Triple-LED technology provide consumers with the most realistic flicker in a flameless candle. Enjoy offers an array of different styles, colors, and fragrances that are sure to match any décor.
LIST OF CELEBRITIES:
LIST OF CELEBRITIES:
Candle 1, signed by celebrities including; Amanda Plummer – Pulp Fiction, America Ferrera – Ugly Betty, Esai Morales – Caprica, Heather Matarazzo – Manson Girls, Kerry Washington – A Thousand Words, Lea Thompson – Back to the Future, May Wang – Cougar Town, Monica Keena – Manson Girls, Taryn Manning – DJ.
Candle 2, signed by celebrities including; Adrienne Maloof – Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Andie MacDowell – Daydream Nation, Chase Masterson – Star Trek, Danielle Petty – House, M.D., Diplo- DJ, Erika Ringor – Law and Order: LA, Kay Panabaker – Little Birds, Krystal Marshall – Criminal Minds, Lauren Pennington – Little Birds, Ross Mathews – Comedian, Chelsea Lately, Scott Wolf – V, Shar Jackson – Steppin: The Movie.
Candle 3, signed by celebrities including; Chaz Bono – Becoming Chaz, Chris Hemsworth– Thor, Courtney Mazza– Saved by the Baby, Emile Hirsch– Taking Woodstock, Jayde Nicole–The Hills, Jesse Williams – Grey’s Anatomy, Kiptyn Locke – The Bachelor Pad, Laura Harring–Gossip Girl, Liam Hemsworth – The Last Song, Mario Lopez – EXTRA, Saved by the Baby, Stephen Jenkins – Third Eye Blind, Tenley Molzahn – The Bachelor Pad, Terrell Owens – NFL Player, Tinsley Mortimer – High Society.
The charity auction is being managed on eBay.com by Auction Cause, a premier online auction management agency specializing in high-profile design, strategy, and cause marketing for corporations and nonprofits worldwide. For more information, please visit www.auctioncause.com
WHEN: Thursday, March 10 - Sunday, March 20, 2011
7:00PM PST
WHERE: Go to WWW.AUCTIONCAUSE.COM to make a bid.
TNT Announces Its Summer Programming Schedule
New Series:Franklin & Bash – Series premiere Wednesday, June 1, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 1: 10 episodes
Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue) and Breckin Meyer (Road Trip) star in this light-hearted legal drama as two fly-by-the seat-of-their-pants lawyers working for a button-down law firm. Malcom McDowell (Heroes, Entourage) also stars as the head of their firm.
Falling Skies – Two-hour series premiere Sunday, June 19, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT); regular timeslot Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 1: 10 episodes
Noah Wyle (ER) stars in this gripping drama series from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg about the aftermath of an alien invasion and the resistance movement formed by the survivors.
Returning Series:
Men of a Certain Age – Premiere: Wednesday, June 1, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2 continues: Six summer episodes
Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap) and Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street) star in this acclaimed drama series about three men facing the challenges of midlife.
Memphis Beat – Premiere: Tuesday, June 14, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2: 10 episodes
Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) stars as a Memphis police detective with an intimate connection to the city, a passion for its music and a very demanding boss. Alfre Woodard (True Blood) and DJ Qualls (Hustle & Flow) also star.
HawthoRNe – Premiere: Tuesday, June 14, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 3: 10 episodes
This powerful drama series stars Jada Pinkett Smith (The Matrix trilogy) as Christina Hawthorne, the impassioned Chief Nursing Officer at James River Hospital, with Michael Vartan (Alias) and new cast member Marc Anthony (El Cantate) also starring.
Leverage – Premiere: Sunday, June 26, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 4: 10 summer episodes
Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People) stars as the head of television’s coolest gang of thieves, grifters and con artists out to help everyday people get even against the big shots who have destroyed their lives.
The Closer – Premiere: Monday, July 11, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 7: 10 summer episodes
TNT’s record-breaking series returns this summer with 2010 Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick as Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.
Rizzoli & Isles – Premiere: Monday, July 11, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2: 10 summer episodes
Last summer, Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander proved two heads are better than one in this drama series based on the crime novels by best-selling author Tess Gerritsen. As Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles, the pair share a quirky chemistry and put away some of Boston’s most notorious criminals.
Rent Movies Via Facebook
(PRESS RELEASE)
BURBANK, CALIF., March 8, 2011 – Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD), a market leader in video-on-demand and electronic sell-through, today announced it will begin testing an offering of selected movies for purchase or rental through Warner Bros. Entertainment’s Facebook movie Pages. Consumers will be able to use Facebook Credits to easily buy or rent a title, all while staying connected to Facebook.
Starting today, millions of fans who “Liked” Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film “The Dark Knight” can rent the title through its official Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/darkknight). Consumers simply click on the “rent” icon to apply their Facebook Credits, and within seconds they will begin enjoying the film. The cost per rental is 30 Facebook Credits or $3. This offering is presently available only to consumers in the United States . Additional titles will be made available for rental and purchase on a regular basis over the coming months.
“Facebook has become a daily destination for hundreds of millions of people,” said Thomas Gewecke, President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “Making our films available through Facebook is a natural extension of our digital distribution efforts. It gives consumers a simple, convenient way to access and enjoy our films through the world’s largest social network.”
Fans will have full control over the film while watching it through their Facebook account for up to 48 hours from purchase. They can choose to watch it in full screen, pause the movie, and resume playing it when they log back into Facebook. Consumers will also have full Facebook functionality including the ability to post comments on the movie, interact with friends and update their status.
Interview: Heather Locklear's Secret Affair
Lifetime Television’s new original movie “He Loves Me” (airing tonight 9 ET/PT), brings “Melrose Place” alum Heather Locklear back to the small screen with a bang. Heather plays Laura, who believes she leads the idyllic life: She’s a successful Seattle real estate agent, presumably happily married to one of the city’s leading cardiologists and mother to their darling 6-year-old daughter. When Laura begins to suspect her husband is cheating on her, she is devastated by his infidelity, despite having a torrid affair of her own. Desperately trying to save her marriage, Laura’s mysterious past begins to emerge. I spoke with Heather recently to learn more about her role in this dark, psychological thriller.Celebrity Extra: When you first read the script for “He Loves Me,” were you excited to play the dichotomy of a woman devastated by her cheating husband who is also an adulterer herself?
Heather Locklear: Absolutely. First of all, her idea, the idea that she knew what Sam (her lover) was about and what her affair was about — she knows it’s not an emotional connection. But now, knowing that her husband has been unfaithful, and not knowing what it’s about, you go: “Well, I know what I’m doing, but I don’t know what his is about. Is his even about love? Does he want to leave me, or is it just about the sex?”
CE: I like that even though your character is far from perfect, you are able to elicit sympathy from the viewer. How did you go about portraying that?
HL: I tried to make her, and her situation, as real as possible. It’s all happening to her, and she has to deal with it, especially when details of her past emerge. I just tried to make it as real as possible.
CE: You have quite a few sizzling scenes with co-star Max Martini (Sam). How was he to work with?
HL: He’s such a man. It’s so funny — just hearing his voice, I’m like, “Oh my god, he’s so masculine.” He’s also very sexy and adorable, and also very sweet and funny.
CE: The subject of this movie is pretty heavy. How did you lighten the mood on set?HL: Just by laughing a lot. We laughed at the absurdity of some of the things we had to do. It wasn’t absurd for the movie, but just for us in real life. His wife and kids were there. I met his wife. She’s really sweet. But it was also weird. You always trust an actor that they will take care of you when you feel so naked.
CE: I know that you are a mom yourself, so it was fun to see you playing a mom in this role. How was Megan Charpentier, who plays your daughter Emily, to work with?
HL: She was adorable. It is so easy now for me to squeeze and hug and kiss and be all over kids. I’m thinking, “Oh, I hope the mother doesn’t care.” Because my daughter is 13 now, and it’s harder to kiss her these days. It’s just not cool. But it’s really fun when they are little and sweet, and they talk to you, and they’re just really adorable.
CE: You’ve done a few movies for Lifetime now — what is it about the network that keeps you coming back?
HL: Lifetime always has good stories. They are trying not to call it a woman’s network, but women love this stuff, and I think if your man sits down with you, he would be interested too. The networks don’t make movies of the week so much anymore, so this gives us actors a chance to do something different rather than just a series or hoping to get a feature film. What comes to me from Lifetime is always good.
Q and A: Week of March 7
Q: I would like to know what my all-time favorite actress, the beautiful Jane Seymour, is doing nowadays. — Leann R., via e-mailA: If you are in the New York area, you can see the beautiful Brit in the flesh on March 26. She will have a booth at Artexpo New York, where she’ll be presenting her “Waves” theme. I spoke with Jane about her artwork, and she is always excited to share her love of art with her fans, especially her new theme, “Waves.”
“Life is kind of like a wave,” Seymour said. “You are on this body of water: You are moving forward, you go to school, you study, and you become the kind of person that you are going to be, and then at some point, this body of water has this moment of crescendo. The wave crashes. There are highs and lows in life, a lot like the wave. When it reaches a high, it continues to move. Like in life, moments don’t stay. They’re just part of a big cycle.”
Ms. Seymour also can be seen on the big screen in “Love, Wedding, Marriage” with James Brolin, Mandy Moore and Kellan Lutz, as well as on the small screen in “Castle” (at the end of March). Regarding her “Castle” episode, Jane said: “It was really fun to do. It was just a couple of scenes but really fun — it’s a fun little character.”
Q: I absolutely loved Jeremy Irons’ guest-starring appearance on “Law and Order: SVU.” Any chance he’ll return? — Kylie F., Baton Rouge, La.
A: Your wish (and mine) has been granted. Jeremy has been tapped to return to “SVU” as Dr. Cap Jackson, where he’ll help Benson and Stabler with a case. In this case, a piano teacher (played against type by “V”‘s Elizabeth Mitchell) is suspected of sexually assaulting and murdering one of her students. The episode is scheduled to air March 30.
Q: When is “Damages” coming back, and on what station? — C.H., via e-mail
A: “Damages,” which originated on FX, has been picked up for two more seasons by DirecTV to air on the 101 Network (like the beloved “Friday Night Lights”). The legal drama starring Glenn Close, Ted Danson and Rose Byrne is set to return for season four in July 2011.
Q: “Fame” is one of my favorite shows. Are there any plans for it to be shown again on any of the many networks that now exist? — Jerry D., Ocean City, Md.
A: You’re in luck! Starting March 21, Ovation television (check your local cable/satellite provider for channel number) will be airing a “Fame”-athon, featuring 48 episodes of the landmark dance and music drama. Viewers also can win some cool prizes for watching. Register at www.ovationtv.com/Fame.” Then watch every night for two secret clues from each episode, and enter them on the website. The sweepstakes runs from March 21 to April 1.
Interview: Tamala Jones Keeps the Castle Boys in Line
Tamala Jones is best known to TV audiences as medical examiner Dr. Lanie Parish on ABC's "Castle." So, what's it like to be a part of a show that not only has one of the most talented and fun casts on television, but is also a huge hit with every category of television viewer? I spoke with Tamala recently and asked her just that. Celebrity Extra: First off, let's talk Twitter. Was it Nathan Fillion who got all of you to join, or how did that happen? Because all of a sudden, everybody from "Castle" is on Twitter now.
Tamala Jones: Well, Nathan, he is a gadget man. He is very computer savvy, and when we first started the show, he was like, “You guys need to be on Twitter.” And I think he was a member before "Castle" started, from all of his Sci-Fi things. So he had a bunch of fans already on Twitter, and he’s the one who actually told us about it. He got us tweeting, and we’re all addicted now.
CE: It is so much fun. Also, this season I am happy, as I’m sure you are, that Lanie has been getting more air time. Especially because it’s something the fans have wanted for some time, from what I’ve been reading. I guess the higher-ups were listening.
TJ: They listen to everything that they see on Twitter. They hear everyone’s voice. That’s the one thing that our producers definitely pay attention to — to Twitter, and e-mails they receive about what people want to see. I’m always grateful and thankful to people for writing in and expressing how much they wanted to see more of Lanie. Because they heard them and they made it happen.
CE: That’s really good to hear, because a lot of times the fans feel kind of helpless. Especially when a favorite show gets canceled, unannounced. That’s really good to hear that ABC’s "Castle" was listening like that.
TJ: Even with the whole Lanie and Esposito relationship. Jon (Huertas) started campaigning for this last season. He got all of the Twitter fans to join him and get this thing going. And the producers decided: “Okay, let’s do it. If it’s what they want to see, let’s give it to them.”
CE: I didn’t realize that was his campaigning that got it. I just thought the writers took you there, so you just went.
TJ: Honey, Jon has been campaigning for this every day for the past season. “Let’s get Lanie and Esposito together. It’s gonna work. I’m telling you.” He knew what he was doing, because it drove the fans crazy.
CE: Now, when you finally saw it on paper that they were finally acquiescing, what were your and Jon's reactions to it?
TJ: Well, Jon brought it to me, because he reads everything before anyone else does. So he turns to the page and goes, "Now look at this, Tam." I look and my eyes just roll up into the top of my head, like, “Okay, you got your wish.” I love Jon and it was nice to hear we were getting ready to do it, and he told me even before that: “I hope you’re working out. Cause we’re probably be going to have to take some shirts off.” And I’m like, “No boo-boo. You’re gonna have to take your shirt off, not me!” But, it worked both ways.
CE: He is really good at keeping a secret though because I interviewed him right before the beginning of the season and he hinted a little but he did not tell me. I could not pry it out of him. Speaking of clothes, because it’s nice that we get to see Lanie in something other than her lab coat. And this is kind of a very superficial question, but is that now more fun for you too because you’re not always in lab mode? Your character gets to have more of a personal life now.
TJ: I love that they are digging into Lanie’s background, her personal life. But me, as Tamala, I love wearing the lab coats because I’m a sweats girl. I love jeans so I’m like: “This is a great job! I get to come to work and comfortable.” But that’s something also that viewers wrote in about. “We want to see her outside of that. We want to see her get dressed up and go somewhere and do something.” That’s the one thing about our writers and producers: They really, really pay attention to and listen to what everybody wants. And they try to make good on it as best they can.
CE: What is the atmosphere on the set? You guys always look like you are having so much fun!
TJ: We’re always laughing on set because of Nathan, and the fact that we’re allowed to play a little bit more onscreen is even better. Nathan does so many things when he’s doing his takes. And you’ve got to hold it in; you can’t crack a smile.
CE: Another aspect of your character that I really like is she’s a medical examiner, but she’s a young vibrant woman, not like a stuffy middle-aged person that other shows often get as their medical examiner. She’s a smart cookie, but she’s young and sexy. What do you like about playing Lanie?
TJ: I love all of what you just said. I love that Lanie is young and vibrant and is smart, but she gives you the sass when she can. But for the most part, to bring down what exactly has gone on with the deceased that’s laying on her slab, she’s down to business. There’s no holding back in what she’s seeing, what she saw and identified on the outside.
And I love the fact that she’s young, because now there are young doctors out there. There are young medical examiners out there. I had food poisoning after New Years, and I had to go to the hospital, and you know, I’m very flirty. And the doctor came in, and he was young and he was cute, and I’m sitting there looking like I’m about to die. I say, “Oh, I thought you were going to be old and crusty, but you’re sexy.” And he said: “Well, thank you. And how are you feeling?” And it’s true. There are younger doctors out there. I look at Lanie as the female Doogie Howser.
CE: And I like her quick wit, especially with Castle. She puts him in his place, a lot.
TJ: And Nathan was the one who campaigned for that. He was like, “You need to get me sometime.” So he talked to the writers and enhanced that part of my character. Which I love him for doing that, because it really does work.
CE: Now, during all the filming, it must start to feel like boys day on the set, because there are so many guys there. How do you and Stana release your womanhood on them, so to speak?
TJ: Well, Stana and I are usually on our own side sitting in our own chairs talking about the latest fashion or who’s cute. Girlie stuff. Now we’re on this new water kick, so we’ve got our water-testing strips, and we’re testing which one has the highest potency, and we’re trying to stay hydrated and keep these guys hydrated. So we’re like the moms on the set, keeping the boys in line.
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