Q and A: Week of Dec. 26
Q: Like you, I am an avid fan of “New Girl” on Fox. I was wondering what happened to Coach, the character played by Damon Wayans Jr., who was in the first episode and then suddenly left? — Giselle F., via e-mailA: When “New Girl” filmed its pilot episode in spring 2011, the original roommates were Coach (played by Damon), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Nick (Jake Johnson), with Jess (Zooey Deschanel) taking Winston’s room, since he was off playing basketball in Latvia. However, Damon also was co-starring on the ABC show “Happy Endings,” which at the time “New Girl” began production was looking like it wasn’t going to get renewed for another season. So, when “Happy Endings” did indeed get renewed, the producers at “New Girl” had to find a new fourth roommate and opted for Winston (Lamorne Morris) to return from Latvia to reclaim his old room.
Q: I was super-bummed when I found out that “Cougar Town” wasn’t going to air on ABC until January as a midseason replacement, and now I am hearing that that might not even happen! Please tell me it hasn’t been canceled. — Bridget D. in North Carolina
A: I have good news and bad news: The goods news is that “Cougar Town” will be back this season; the bad news is its return has been pushed back until March. More bad news: Instead of its planned 22-episode season, the order has been cut to 15 episodes. This news makes me super-bummed too, as I have been going through some serious withdrawals, and have been forced to drink wine out of Big Joe while reading Laurie Keller’s hilarious Twitter feed (twitter.com/TheLarmy) and throwing pennies in my Bobby Cobb Official Competition Penny Can as I wait with bated breath for new episodes from my favorite Pinot-swilling gals and their awesome sidekick fellas.
Q: A while back you mentioned that Fox was going to make an animated version of “Napoleon Dynamite.” Are those plans still going forward? — Jeremy G., via e-mail
A: It’s full-steam ahead on the weekly cartoon adaption of “Napoleon Dynamite,” which will be voiced by the movie’s stars, including John Heder, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Aaron Ruell, John Gries and the gang. The 13-episode series premieres on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 8:30 ET, right in the middle of Fox’s super-successful “animation block.” Read what series star Efren Ramirez told me about the show in our interview last year.
Q: I was watching “Robocop” over the weekend and wondered what its star, Peter Weller, can be seen in now? He was so good in that movie! — George T., Omaha, Neb.
A: Peter Weller, who very recently was a regular on “Dexter” playing Stan Liddy, is the latest big-name star to be cast in the newest “Star Trek” movie, which is yet untitled. The film’s details are being kept under wraps, but I can tell you that Peter is playing a principal character in the May 2013 sequel to the 2009 megablockbuster.
Interview: Alina Adams Brings Soaps Into the Digital Age
While you might not know Alina Adams by name (yet), you do know her by her body of work. She’s worn many hats in the soap-opera community, including writer, host, content producer, developer, etc. She’s authored soap-opera tie-in books “Oakdale Confidential,” “The Man From Oakdale” and “Jonathan’s Story,” and is also the woman behind the “Another World” website, which has carried the show on into the 21st century even though the NBC version was canceled in 1999. Alina is also the writer of Mindy Lewis Bauer’s Twitter feed (twitter.com/MindyLewisBauer), the writings of the popular “Guiding Light” character, who chronicles the ongoing drama that’s still happening in Springfield, after “Guiding Light’s” 2009 cancellation.Perhaps most forward-looking of all Alina’s projects is the development of enhanced electronic books which, in addition to standard text, features video, music, graphics and links relevant to the story. An enhanced e-book can be experienced on tablets, iPads, smartphones and computers — all you need is an Internet connection and a free Kindle app. I spoke with Alina recently about electronic innovations and the future of soaps.
Celebrity Extra: One of your first interactive projects in the genre was to bring “Another World” back via storytelling on AnotherWorldToday.com. How did you decide on the format in which to bring it back?
Alina Adams: TeleNext had put up reruns of “Another World” on hulu.com. It was 2009, exactly 10 years after the show had gone off the air. I suggested we do some out-of-the-box thinking. Instead of just telling people: “Here are some reruns. Watch these episodes,” we’ll update the story. Let’s work with the characters that were in the episodes that they were showing and use the episodes on Hulu as flashbacks, and combine text and video in a completely new multimedia format.
CE: And then when you incorporated Mindy with that by having her refer to “AW” on her Twitter feed, that was a great tie-in.
AA: Everybody loves a crossover! You could either pick up new readers — or in this case, new followers — or you won’t. It’s highly unlikely you would lose anyone as a result of it. So it’s a win-win situation.
CE: Mindy’s “Guiding Light” Twitter started as a promotion for the 25th high-school reunion of the Four Musketeers (Phillip, Beth, Rick and Mindy), and you guys decided to keep it going. Back then, it was affiliated with “Guiding Light,” but you’ve decided to continue it on your own since the show’s cancellation.
AA: TeleNext knows this is going on. They can’t officially sanction it, but they are not taking it down. It says right there on the profile: “This is no longer affiliated with TeleNext.”
CE: I also love the interactive quality of Mindy’s Twitter, where she asks her followers for advice on what to do in certain situations.
AA: Twitter is terrific that way. It creates immediacy and intimacy. And believe me, the fans definitely have their opinions on how things should be handled, and they aren’t afraid to voice it.
CE: Tell me about your enhanced electronic book “Soap Opera 451: A Time Capsule of Daytime’s Greatest Moments.” AA: I reached out to the fans on transmedia — Facebook, Twitter, fan clubs, soap sites — and I asked them to tell me their favorite, most memorable moment from the beginning of soaps until now. I received a wonderful avalanche of responses. Once I compiled those lists, I went to either the actor, writer or producer who was involved in the scene, and I got the story of how the scene came together.
For example, after Linda Dano tells you about what it was like to shoot the intervention scenes on “Another World,” there the scene is — you can click a button on your tablet and watch it. I developed the idea as a fan and as a consumer. If you’re reading a book that’s telling you about something great that happened, you want to see it right then, and we now have the technology to make that happen.
Read more about Alina Adams and her innovations for the future of soaps at alinaadams.com. And if you need a belated gift for the soap lover in your family, go to amazon.com and order “Soap Opera 451” for immediate download.
Q and A: Week of Dec. 19
Q: I really miss seeing Donald Faison on “Scrubs.” Can you tell me what I can see him in now? — Jeanette F., via e-mailA: You can see Donald, along with Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”), Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock from the Sun”) and David Alan Basche (“The Starter Wife”) on TV Land’s latest original comedy, “The Exes.” The show, which airs Wednesday nights, is a comedy about three divorced men (Donald, Wayne and David) sharing an apartment across the hall from their female divorce attorney (Kristen), who also is their landlord. Donald plays charming ladies’ man Phil Chase, and the first season of the show is scheduled to air 10 original episodes. The show airs directly after the TV Land hit “Hot in Cleveland.”
Q: It seems like forever since there’s been a new “Army Wives.” When will the show be returning? — Justine D. in Wyoming
A: While there has not been an exact date announced as of this writing, season six of “Army Wives” will return this spring with a 23-episode season. The show was scheduled for 13 episodes, but then Lifetime Television upped its order for the record-breaking drama. Because of the 10 additional episodes, season six most likely will be broken up into two parts, like many of cable’s original dramas have done in the past.
Word has it that season six will probably (not definitely) be the show’s final season, so it is the general consensus that the higher-ups wanted to get the most out of this season — and their contractually obligated actors — that they could. This move is kind of crappy for the actors, however, because instead of the production of the season ending in February — leaving them open to audition for the fall 2012 pilot season — it looks like they won’t be available for casting calls for new shows.
Q: Is my mind playing tricks on me, or did I see an ad that “Fear Factor” is back on NBC? — Mike R., West Palm Beach, Fla.
A: You are of sound mind, Mike. “Fear Factor” has returned to NBC (shows began airing Dec. 12) on Monday nights. Original host, comedian Joe Rogan, also has returned, as have the strenuous — and gross — stunts. Back in July, Joe Rogan told “TV Guide Magazine”: “It seems like some sort of bizarro dream world, but I’m looking forward to it. The idea of sitting at home and watching someone else host it would have driven me crazy.”
Q: I really enjoyed the last “Super Bowl Halftime Show” performance by the Black-Eyed Peas. Any word on who is performing this time? — Denise M. via e-mail
A: Pop diva Madonna has been tapped to lend her superstar status to Super Bowl XLVI, which will air on Sunday, Feb. 5, on NBC. No word yet on what surprises she has in store, but I am counting her show to be a doozy!
Interview: Deidre Hall Knows Beauty
We all know Deidre Hall as the brilliant and gorgeous Dr. Marlena Evans on “Days of Our Lives,” who she’s played for the better part of 35 years (with a few years off here and there to work on different projects, including one of my favorite childhood shows, "Our House"). And in those 35 years, plus the time she spent as a model before that, you can bet she’s learned a trick or two about beauty. So she and longtime friend Lynne Parmiter Bowman have written all their beauty nuggets down for the masses in the book “How Does She Do It? A Beauty Book.” (Available at amazon.com. Or you can go to deidrehall.com for details on how you can order an autographed and/or personalized copy.)Celebrity Extra: What made you decide that now was the time to write a beauty book?
Deidre Hall: Lynne and I wrote “Kitchen Closeup,” and that was fun. But what I know is beauty. It seemed a little bit daunting at the time, writing up a beauty book, but then it just all really came together, and that was it. I figured, I’ve done 35 years in front of a camera, so, if I haven’t learned a thing or two about beauty, then I should just pack up my tent.
CE: You collaborated with Lynne to write this book — how did your partnership in writing come about?
DH: It doesn’t feel like working with her, and that’s the truth. We talked earlier about having spent so much time together [while working on “Kitchen Closeup”] sitting around the kitchen table and her stirring and me writing, or her writing and me stirring. We’ve shared these kinds of health issues and food issues for so long that it was natural to write that book.
And then it was natural to write the beauty book, because we also spent that amount of time in front of a mirror. “Oh, what’s that color? Where did you get that? I want one of those!” It’s what women do. Women share the wealth. And we’ve spent a lifetime doing that. And finally we thought, “You know what, we seem to know a lot about things that people don’t seem to really know about.” And so that’s what it was. It was fun, fun to put it down on paper, and it was a labor of love.
CE: One of the things I like about the book is that the advice and tips you give are good for twentysomethings, thirtysomethings, fortysomethings and beyond. Was that a goal of yours, to reach out to many age groups, or did you have a specific group in mind when you set out to write this book?
DH: Part of our conversation in writing the book was saying there’s nothing for women over 50 out there! They care! We all care! Why are there not beauty secrets for women who have sagging skin and lined skin and dry skin and that sort of thing? We wanted to make sure that that was also included in what we wrote.
CE: I know some people, myself not included, are critical of plastic surgery, saying that it’s “cheating” in some way. What are your thoughts on plastic surgery?
DH: I love it! I love that we have an option of changing the way we look if it makes us feel better. And it’s just as simple as that. There’s no judgment on it. There is no criticism of it. It’s a wonderful option for people who want to take it. The No. 1 surgery in this country is breast augmentation. Women spend more on that than any other surgery combined.
CE: While this is a beauty book, it’s also a good self-esteem booster for women, kind of empowering. Was that one of your intentions when you were writing it?
DH: We didn’t set out to change women. We just set out to sit down with them and say: “Honey, come here. I want to share something with you.” Wow, that’s a complicated question. We know that women at their very core like to share the neat stuff. So, that’s what we meant to do. Just share with women everywhere the things we’ve learned over many years.
69th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations
MOTION PICTURES
— Picture, Drama: "The Descendants," ''The Help," ''Hugo," ''The Ides of March," ''Moneyball," ''War Horse."
— Picture, Musical or Comedy: "50/50," ''The Artist," ''Bridesmaids," ''Midnight in Paris," ''My Week with Marilyn."
— Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Leonardo DiCaprio, "J. Edgar"; Michael Fassbender, "Shame"; Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March"; Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."
— Actress, Drama: Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"; Viola Davis, "The Help"; Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"; Tilda Swinton, "We Need to Talk About Kevin."
— Director: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; George Clooney, "The Ides of March"; Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"; Martin Scorsese, "Hugo."
— Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"; Brendan Gleeson, "The Guard"; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "50/50"; Ryan Gosling, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"; Owen Wilson, "Midnight in Paris."
— Actress, Musical or Comedy: Jodie Foster, "Carnage"; Charlize Theron, "Young Adult"; Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"; Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"; Kate Winslet, "Carnage."
— Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"; Albert Brooks, "Drive"; Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"; Viggo Mortensen, "A Dangerous Method"; Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."
— Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"; Jessica Chastain, "The Help"; Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"; Octavia Spencer, "The Help"; Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants."
— Foreign Language: "The Flowers of War," ''In the Land of Blood and Honey," ''The Kid with a Bike," ''A Separation," ''The Skin I Live In."
— Animated Film: "The Adventures of Tintin," ''Arthur Christmas," ''Cars 2," ''Puss in Boots," ''Rango."
— Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"; George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"; Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"; Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"; Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, "Moneyball."
— Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"; Abel Korzeniowski, "W.E."; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"; Howard Shore, "Hugo"; John Williams, "War Horse."
— Original Song: "Hello Hello" (music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin), "Gnomeo & Juliet"; "The Keeper" (music and lyrics by Chris Cornell), "Machine Gun Preacher"; "Lay Your Head Down" (music by Brian Byrne, lyrics by Glenn Close), "Albert Nobbs"; "The Living Proof" (music by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason Jr., lyrics by Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas), "The Help"; "Masterpiece" (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), "W.E."
TELEVISION
— Series, Drama: "American Horror Story," FX; "Boardwalk Empire," HBO; "Boss," Starz; "Game of Thrones," HBO; "Homeland," Showtime.
— Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"; Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"; Kelsey Grammer, "Boss"; Jeremy Irons, "The Borgias"; Damian Lewis, "Homeland."
— Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, "Homeland"; Mireille Enos, "The Killing"; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"; Madeleine Stowe, "Revenge"; Callie Thorne, "Necessary Roughness."
— Series, Musical or Comedy: "Enlightened," HBO; "Episodes," Showtime; "Glee," Fox; "Modern Family," ABC; "New Girl," Fox.
— Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, "Enlightened"; Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl"; Tina Fey, "30 Rock"; Laura Linney, "The Big C"; Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation."
— Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"; David Duchovny, "Californication"; Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory"; Thomas Jane, "Hung"; Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes."
— Miniseries or Movie: "Cinema Verite," HBO; "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," PBS; "The Hour," BBC America; "Mildred Pierce," HBO; "Too Big to Fail," HBO.
— Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Romola Garai, "The Hour"; Diane Lane, "Cinema Verite"; Elizabeth McGovern, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)," Emily Watson, "Appropriate Adult"; Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce."
— Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)"; Idris Elba, "Luther"; William Hurt, "Too Big to Fail"; Bill Nighy, "Page Eight (Masterpiece)"; Dominic West, "The Hour."
— Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story"; Kelly Macdonald, "Boardwalk Empire; Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey (Masterpiece)"; Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"; Evan Rachel Wood, "Mildred Pierce."
— Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"; Paul Giamatti, "Too Big to Fail"; Guy Pierce, "Mildred Pierce"; Tim Robbins, "Cinema Verite"; Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family."
Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Morgan Freeman.
Q and A: Week of Dec. 12
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| Lucy Hale |
A: I love to be the bearer of good news. Your favorite bad girls, led by Aria Montgomery (played by Lucy Hale), will be back with new episodes on ABC Family on its new night starting Monday, Jan. 2. Watch as Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer take matters into their own hands to try to finally put a stop to their tormentor, the mysterious “A.”
Also, I spoke with Annabeth Gish recently, who played/plays Dr. Sullivan on the show, and I asked her if she'd be back when the show returned. While she couldn't tell me much, she could say this: "I don’t know if I’m at liberty to say. You will see Dr. Sullivan again. In what way shape or form I cannot say." Don't miss Annabeth on A&E's "Bag of Bones," the second half of which airs tonight at 9/8c, and check out my interview with the talented actress here.
Q: I love watching one of my favorite “classic” TV shows, “Designing Women,” in reruns whenever I get the chance. I’ve decided to ask Santa for the boxed sets on DVD, but can only find seasons one through four. Will season five be out before the holidays? — Jeanne C., Conyers, Ga.
A: You, and the rest of us “Designing Women” fans, are in luck — season five was released on DVD Dec. 6, right in the nick of time for Jolly Ole St. Nick to place a copy in your stocking. Season five begins with Charlene enrolling in college, Suzanne accidentally bidding on a date with Anthony, Mary Jo deciding to want a baby, and Julia secretly moonlighting as a nightclub songstress. The four-disc set includes all 24 original episodes — with all the hairspray and shoulder pads that that entails. This season is also the last to include original cast members Jean Smart and Delta Burke, who left before season six to be replaced by Jan Hooks (who stayed for seasons six and seven) and Julia Duffy (who was in season six only).
Q: Can you tell me if one of my favorite shows on TV will return? “The Killing” on AMC was riveting, and the twist at the very end of the last show blindsided me! — Ann in Minnesota
A: I was just thinking about that show the other day, so thank you for reminding me. I too love “The Killing” and was glued to my seat for the entire 13-episode first season. The show will be back for a second season — thank goodness! — most likely in late spring, although an official date has not been set. If you’re not already following me on Twitter (twitter.com/celebrity_extra), you should, because I always post up-to-the-minute news on casting and returning series.
Q: “Downton Abbey” on PBS was one of my favorite shows of 2011. I remember reading in your column that it would be back for a second season. If so, when? — Donna B., Tulsa, Okla.
A: “Downton Abbey” season two returns to PBS’s Masterpiece Classic on Sunday nights beginning Jan. 9 and running through Feb. 19 at 9 p.m. ET. Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Dan Stevens headline the remarkable cast as World War I shakes Downton Abbey to its very foundations.
Interview: Annabeth Gish Gets Spooky
Annabeth Gish knows spooky. While she may have gotten her big break in the romantic comedy "Mystic Pizza," and has co-starred in "Wyatt Earp," "Double Jeopardy," "West Wing," "FlashForward" and "Pretty Little Liars," she also starred in the eighth and ninth seasons of "The X-Files" as Monica Reyes. So, yeah, Annabeth is familiar with strange and unexplained phenomena. This Sunday and Monday night at 9/8c on A&E, Annabeth is exploring the unknown again, this time starring in the television miniseries adaption of Stephen King's bestseller "Bag of Bones." This four-hour, two-day event stars Pierce Brosnan as bestselling novelist Mike Noonan, who is unable to stop grieving after the sudden death of his wife Jo (Annabeth). Suffering from writer’s block, a dream inspires him to return to the couple's lakeside retreat in western Maine. While there, Mike befriends an attractive young widow, Mattie (Melissa George) and her daughter Kyra (Caitlin Carmichael), and becomes involved in a custody battle with the child's enormously wealthy grandfather. Though his ability to write suddenly returns, Mike is plagued by ever-escalating nightmares and mysterious ghostly visitations from Sara Tidwell (Anika Rose), a blues singer whose spirit lingers in the house. As he is haunted by the many secrets at the lake, Mike comes to realize that his late wife still has something to tell him.
Celebrity Extra: I just watched the press screener, and I have to tell you, "Bag of Bones" scared the bejeezus out of me!
Annabeth Gish: That's great! It’s that good kind of spooky, isn't it? This is why Stephen King is so prolific and popular, because he gets at the root of horror where it’s not just horror for horror’s sake. It’s horror with heart. His work has real grit and feeling behind it, and particularly "Bag of Bones." That’s why it’s so scary, because there’s so much feeling invested.
My husband has said that he was a bit wary of watching it. He’s a stunt man, but he’s wary of watching horror films. He might be running in and out of the next room (as I watch it Sunday night).
CE: Had you read the book beforehand, or did you want to go into the movie without any preconceptions, since often things have to change from novel to screenplay?
AG: I had not read it and (director) Mick (Garris) said, “Don’t read it until afterward.” So when I finished my work on the movie, I met that tome of a novel.
CE: Did you get to meet Stephen King? Was he on the set at all during filming?
AG: No, and you know, I feel like he’s one of those people who — and I don’t have many — that I want to meet so badly that I almost don’t want to meet them. Do you know that paradox where you love their work so much and you respect them that it kind of exists in this other realm? I still would love to meet him, of course, but I also I kind of feel like I’m psychically linked to him because I’ve now worked in two of his projects (the other being "Desperation"), brought two of his characters to life. It’s been a pleasure to get involved in his universe.
CE: So you've got one degree of separation with Mr. King, his actual books!
AG: Right, exactly! And the best part was when we were shooting some of the promo stuff for "Bag of Bones," the fabulous Dark Score Stories website — oh my God, it’s a treat because it’s just so finely done. Part of the idea behind it was to lace a bunch of Stephen King clues from the entirety of his writings on this website. I got to do this photo shoot, and it’s just me and some crows, which I have a proclivity toward crows. I just respect them so much.
CE: Besides the fact that the material is just exceptional, what were some other reasons behind your wanting to take on the role of Jo Noonan?
AG: There are so many elements. The fact that Mick Garris was directing it — who I have worked with before and who I think is wonderful — he brings Stephen King’s books to the screen so well and so masterfully. He himself is a master of horror. So having known Mick and the chance to work with him again, that was an instant yes for me.
And Pierce Brosnan of course. The opportunity to work with Pierce, and also just the script. I felt like, especially with Jo — comprehensively it wasn’t that I just fell in love with Jo Noonan — I fell in love with the entire cast of characters. Sarah Tidwell and her mystery, and Mike Noonan and Mattie and Kyra — the script as a whole was one of the best things I’ve read in a long time.
To be honest, one of the highlights of this experience for me was working with Pierce, because he invested so much in this material that he raised it to an operatic level. He doesn’t play small, and he brought something new to every take. It was very inspiring. He might just be one of the most impeccable men I’ve ever worked with.
CE: He seems like he is such a gentleman as well.
AG: Yeah, a complete gentleman and yet this driven, hungry artist. It was definitely a highlight to work with and get to know him on a personal level.
CE: Have you been able to watch your character's death scene yet?
AG: What is so weird is that I couldn’t watch it. I don’t know what it is, I just, I’m afraid to watch that part. I think for Pierce that scene was really profound as well, because you’re dealing with death and loss and reliving all that, that scene was really emotional to shoot.
CE: Pierce dealing with your character's death was just so heart-wrenching to watch ...
AG: To be honest, those are the scenes that I watched. I don’t really like watching myself, so I kind of fast-forward through my stuff and watch everybody else’s scenes. But his scenes I definitely watched.
CE: Are you going to be watching on Sunday night with the rest of America?
AG: Yes, I will be. But I am also truly so very excited for people to watch this because I think they're going to be powerfully affected. It’s not just a horror movie; it’s not just a mystery. It’s like a horror show, a mystery and a deep love story, and that’s why I think it’s going to appeal to a lot of people.
CE: Another one of your roles that I really enjoyed watching was when you played Monica Reyes on "The X-Files," one of my all-time favorite television shows. What was that working experience like?
AG: It was superlative. I had such a great time on that show. I adore Robert Patrick, and Gillian (Anderson, Dana Scully), David (Duchovny, Fox Mulder), Chris (Carter) and Frank (Spotnitz), and the entire machinery that was "X-Files" was divine. I really look back with deep fondness on the entire experience, and with a bit of sadness too. Although we couldn’t ever reach the level of Mulder and Scully — they were legendary, so we couldn’t quite ascertain that level.
But I do miss Doggett and Reyes. I miss their storyline that I feel sort of had to abruptly end. But my gosh, I have nothing but deep fondness for that experience for two years. And I met my husband on that show, so I have wonderful, wonderful gratitude for that time. And for all the fans — no one was cruel toward me. I think there was just this loyalty to Mulder and Scully, which you could understand.
CE: What can you tell me about "Pretty Little Liars"? Will we be seeing Dr. Sullivan when the second part of the second season premieres on Jan. 2 on ABC Family?
AG: I don’t know if I’m at liberty to say ... You will see Dr. Sullivan again. In what way shape or form, I cannot say.
Q and A: Week of Dec. 5
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| Ricky Gervais |
A: That gig has gone to actor/comedian/writer/producer Ricky Gervais, who’s hosted the previous two Golden Globes ceremonies. Most of you know I wholeheartedly approve of this choice, as do many of the Hollywood royalty that Ricky teases. Liam Neeson has voiced his approval of Ricky, saying: “Hollywood needs a shake-up. He’ll be great.” Robert DeNiro showered Ricky with praise after last year’s controversial telecast, telling Ricky he’d be happy to set anyone straight who was offended. Johnny Depp guest-stars on Ricky’s new TV show, “Life’s Too Short,” poking fun of himself and Ricky in a hilarious sketch (Google it and see for yourself). The Golden Globes Awards telecast airs live Sunday, Jan. 15, on NBC.
Q: I really like “Grimm” on NBC. Can you tell me about the actress who plays the beautiful blond Reaper? — David S., via e-mail
A: Claire Coffee plays Reaper assassin Adalind Schade (who also happens to be a lawyer). Claire, 31, also is on TNT’s “Franklin and Bash,” playing Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s ex and James Van Der Beek’s current girlfriend. Claire and I joked about how she is living the fantasy of every girl who grew up watching James and Mark-Paul in the ’90s, including herself: “It’s too bad I didn’t get a job like this when I first came to town — or maybe it’s good thing, because I probably would have lost my mind.”
She’s thrilled about her role on “Grimm,” telling me: “I really wanted this one, because I’ve never gotten to play any sort of supernatural character before. I’ve never played an evil witch who has fight scenes and kills people. I got to put some new special skills on the resume through this job.”
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| Michael Cudlitz |
A: You don’t have to wait much longer for the season four premiere on Jan. 17. This season will feature returning stars Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie, and will guest-star Lucy Liu. This season will also reunite Regina King with her “227″ co-star Marla Gibbs, who guest-stars as a family member of a suspect that Detective Lydia Adams (Regina) is investigating for murder.
Q: How is Demi Moore doing? Will she divorce Ashton Kutcher for his alleged infidelity? — Renee R., Clearwater, Fla.
A: Demi recently announced her decision to file for divorce from Ashton, stating: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”
John Walsh: Making a Big Difference for 23 Years
Even if you don't watch the show America's Most Wanted, which I know everyone has at least once in his life, John Walsh is a household name. In 1981, his son Adam was kidnapped from a Sears at the Hollywood Mall in Hollywood, Florida, and murdered. His story became a two television movies, Adam and Adam: His Song Continues, and the Walshes' heartbreaking story became a life-saving message to children everywhere. Malls and stores across America adopted the Code Adam alert — a predecessor to the Amber Alert — where if a child were lost or missing, all doors to the store were locked and a store employee posted at every exit, while a description of the child was broadcast over the intercom system. In 1988, Fox secured a deal with John to begin the broadcast of America's Most Wanted, which became the longest-running crime-reality show in Fox's history and contributed to the capture of more than 1,100 fugitives. AMW stayed at Fox for 23 years, until June of this year, when the network announced it wanted to air four two-hour specials of the show throughout the year and forgo the weekly broadcast. John asked Fox if he could shop the show around to other networks, and Fox agreed. Although it might seem like a strange fit at first to some, Lifetime Television jumped at the chance to broadcast AMW, and tonight at 9/8c the show makes it's debut on its new night and network.
I am honored to have had the chance to speak with Mr. Walsh about the show, Lifetime Television, and the power of AMW.
Celebrity Extra: When you got the news that Fox wanted to not proceed with the weekly format of America's Most Wanted, you had to have been surprised. AMW had been a staple of Fox's Saturday night crime-show block for years, and its ratings were only getting better.
John Walsh: I was very surprised when Fox decided not to go forward. We had a really great year last year. We had our highest ratings in about 10 years; we were No. 1 in February sweeps, and you know how important February sweeps are. We had caught more guys last year in a single year than we’ve caught in any one of the previous years, and we’ve caught about 40 guys off the website (amw.com) in two years, so I was really kind of caught off-guard.
But, you know, it was 23 great years. Who would give the father of a murdered child a chance to host the first reality show? Fox told me they wanted to do four two-hour specials. I just did one a couple of weeks ago, which was very highly rated, but I thought that my job wasn’t finished. We needed to continue on a weekly basis. I thought as long as I can do it, as long as there is some interest, I asked Fox if I could try to shop it somewhere else. They were very gracious and agreed.
The ladies at Lifetime, Nancy Dubuc, the president of Lifetime said: “John, I get the show. I get the mission. I’m trying to make Lifetime a little bit edgier. We’re going toward more original programming, and we would love to have you. We would love to support the show and the website and everything that you do.” The website is so important. As a matter of fact, while we were off the air for July and August, we caught five guys from the website and the hotline. We never shut down the website or the hotline. I’m excited and very, very happy and very pleased to be working with the people at Lifetime. They get it, and I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for me.
CE: Back in 1996 when Fox canceled the show the first time, there was such an outcry from supporters and fans protesting the cancellation, including longtime viewers, law enforcement and government officials. That must have made you feel pretty darn good about what you are doing.
JW: It was so gratifying. That was humbling. If I remember right, 39 governors signed the petition — I mean, I don’t think 39 governors could agree on how many stars are on the flag. There was a big outcry this time as well, but Fox was right upfront in saying, “We’re going to continue with some specials, and John can go somewhere else with it is he wants.”
There were some wonderful editorials in The New York Times and in The Washington Post. Time Magazine had a big article saying that this is the show that needs to be on the air. This is quality television and people like you have been huge supporters. I just hope and pray that my solid, die-hard viewers go to Lifetime. I hope they will. I think they will.
CE: I've been watching since the show first started airing, and I've followed you when you changed nights from Friday to Tuesday to Saturday, etc. I really think your fans, the kind of people who watch this show and really want to help make a difference, will follow you to Lifetime.
JW: I couldn’t agree with you more. You know, one thing I could never understand was why Fox never reran the show. I would say, "You should rerun it on FX or Fox News," but they didn't. Lifetime will rerun it. After the season premiere airs (tonight), during the week they are going to air it before the original the following week, so I’ll have a two-hour block on Lifetime. It will put more eyeballs to these creeps. We’ve caught almost 1,200 guys all over the world in 35 countries, and I think the more they air them, our capture rate will go up.
CE: Will the show be the same format we are used to, or will you be changing things up a little for Lifetime?
JW: It’ll be the same format, same thing: fugitives who have chosen to run from the law, missing kids, etc. The people at Lifetime, in particularly Nancy, got AMW so well because we are a big forum for women and children. We’re often called the court of last resort, so Lifetime's philosophy is: The show isn’t broke, so don’t fix it.
We’ll have the same type of stories and we speak so loudly for people who can’t speak. What’s going on with all the Penn State stuff, it’s something I’ve been talking about for 30 years. Listen to children. Listen to women. A woman stopped me at the gas station last night and said, “I’ve watched you for years, and I was badly beaten and abused, and finally I had the courage to come forward.” That happens to me on a regular basis. With Lifetime, we’re not going to change things — we may do more cases involving women, but most of my cases already do involve children and women.
CE: Especially when you put it that way, AMW seems to be an excellent fit with Lifetime Television.
JW: I hope so. I think women are very sensitive to getting justice, and I do think it is a good fit. They want me to produce other television, which would be great. I’ve always had Walsh Productions, and I’ve produced lots of products for Fox. And now I’m going to do some things for Lifetime and expand. I’m working on the World’s Most Wanted with a production company in England. I’ve caught guys in 35 countries, caught the uncatchable.
I caught a guy in Brazil in July on our last show that everybody said, “You’ll never catch this guy.” He’s wanted for the molestation of boys in two states. He’s disappeared for 14 years. There were a few tips that he might be in one of the big ghettos, what they call favelas, above Rio de Janeiro. I went to Rio, teamed up with a local, very popular show called Fantastico, which has 60 million viewers in Brazil, and we caught the guy. He was in the ghetto, teaching kids English and molesting little boys. We live in this global society: Our garbage runs other places and other garbage comes to our country. So I’m working on expanding, and Lifetime’s going to help me do that. It’s very exciting for me.
CE: What can you tell me about some of the cases/fugitives you'll be highlighting this season?
JW: The first case, ironically, is a case of a woman from Texas who organized the murder of her husband. She hired a hit man, and he actually did kill her husband, and then she took off and left three children behind. It's a big case down there.
I’m going to profile a football star in Chicago. Wonderful, wonderful kid, award-winning kid. Great scholar, great athlete, he comes home and gets shot. Killed, senseless murder. Chicago has so many of those senseless murders. So much gun violence. And the ironic thing is when he died he was a kidney donor, and he donated his kidney, and it saved his grandmother’s life. It’s kind of a bitter, bittersweet story, but I’m going to find the guy that killed that boy. I know who he is, and I am going to find him.
CE: I am sure you have lots of fond memories of shooting the show, especially when it's a happy ending. What are some of your happiest memories from AMW?
JW: Several cases stick out. One that sticks out the most, for me, of course, is the recovery of Elizabeth Smart. We profiled Elizabeth Smart many times, and after eight months, I showed a composite that the police didn’t want me to show. They thought they had the guy that kidnapped her: the handyman that had died in the prison cell from an aneurysm before they charged him.
Elizabeth was found because people who watched the show recognized the guy from the composite we showed, and by wonderful fate and circumstance she was with him alive. The family said: "Come out. Fly out here and meet Elizabeth." I kept saying to her parents: “Don’t let her do any interviews. I don’t even have to meet her.” And they said: “No, no. She wants to meet you.” And that 14-year-old girl, after being brutalized for eight months, to see her walk down those stairs, I had tears in my eyes. I didn’t want to touch her — you don’t touch a victim — I just looked at her and I thought: “As hard as I tried to find Adam, I couldn’t do it. I failed.” But I’m going to tell you, this was the highlight. Every bit of torture we’ve been through, and as hard and long as the days are, here is this television show that gets a girl back alive. It was just unbelievable. There are so many rewarding aspects of hosting this show. It’s a life-changer and it’s a game-changer.
CE: Who's been at the top of your list of people you really wanted to capture?
JW: I’m just thinking off the top of my head ... Paul Marhige is a guy who murdered the family here last Thanksgiving. This is the one-year anniversary. He murdered five people in the house and murdered a 6-year-old girl who was close in age to my son. I caught him, but there are several guys who are on the top.
I have my own Dirty Dozen. Several of them are child killers and one of them is a guy that murdered a 5-year-old girl, raped her and burned her body. He was arrested several times, and his DNA never collected. He’s No. 2 on the FBI’s Top 10 list. There are three or four child killers. There’s a cop who murdered his wife and molested several children, and he’s on the run. I haven’t been able to catch him for years. I’m putting some of my dirty dozen on this show and on the successive shows, and try to focus in on the guys that I hate the most.
CE: Doing this show must bring you a kind of fulfillment that we viewers can only imagine ...
JW: Everybody says, “Aren’t you thrilled when you catch somebody?” and when we caught Paul Marhige — that horrible guy I was talking about — when we caught him I thought: “This is really the power of this show. This is incredible.” Catching these guys and getting some type of justice to end these people’s pain ...
You know, it took 27 years to solve Adam’s case. Twenty-seven long, painful years knowing that the Hollywood Police had made big mistakes, and when Chad Wagner — he’ll always be one of my heroes, the relatively new chief of Hollywood Police — opened the case back up, he said: “We’re going to admit we’ve made mistakes. John, all that you’ve done for law enforcement, we owe it to you.”
I know what families of victims go through, their pain — they don’t want vengeance. They’re not vigilantes. I’m not a vigilante. I don’t believe you take the law into your own hands, but you want to end that chapter of your life. There’s no closure. It’s a word that's been bantered about but doesn’t mean anything. It’s about justice.
CE: My husband and I watch the show every week, just hoping we'll know someone you are profiling so we can help bring him to justice, and we'll continue to do so now that the show is at Lifetime Television.
JW: People like you who watch the show, who make those calls, who call up and say, “John, we’re not only going to support you on the show, we’re going to support you in the legislation you’re working for.” The Adam Walsh Act would have never gotten passed if it weren’t for the American public. Nothing gets through Congress, but when citizens get mad and they call up, that’s how we got the Adam Walsh Act passed. When President Bush signed that in the Rose Garden several years ago — he signed it on the 25th anniversary of Adam’s abduction — it turned a horrible day into a great day. And that was because of the good people who support me and watch the show. It is good people like you who make a difference.
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