Q and A: Week of Aug. 27

Q: I’ve really been looking forward to Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Great Gatsby” coming out for Christmas, but now I hear it’s been postponed. Why the delay, and when will it come out? — Cassandra W., via e-mail

A: The Baz Luhrmann 3-D adaptation of the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald — which also stars Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton — is now slated for a summer 2013 release. Warner Bros. president of distribution, Dan Fellman, reasoned: “We think moviegoers of all ages are going to embrace it, and it makes sense to ensure this unique film reaches the largest audience possible” [by giving it a summer release].

Q: I just watched the season finale of “Rizzoli & Isles,” and already I can’t wait for the next season. Please tell me it has been renewed for a fourth season! — Dottie R., Roanoke, Va.

A: I am happy to report that there will indeed be a fourth season of TNT’s hit drama, which stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. The summer’s No. 1 returning scripted drama will be back in summer 2013 for another 15 episodes of mystery-solving fun. TNT has proved to be a summer force to be reckoned with, with such original scripted hits as “R & I,” “Falling Skies,” “Perception,” “Dallas” and more shows that are smashing viewing records all over the place.

Q: Can you tell me what one of my favorite actors, Gabriel Byrne, has been up to since “In Treatment”? What can I see him in? — Roger T., via e-mail

A: The talented Irishman stars in the new History channel scripted series called “Vikings,” which is based upon a real-life Viking king named Ragnar Lothbrok — played by Travis Fimmel — who literally exploded out of Scandinavia and onto the world stage in the 8th century. A young Norwegian farmer with a wife and family, Lothbrok is deeply frustrated by the unadventurous policies of his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (played by Gabriel), who continues to send his Viking raiders east every summer, to the Baltic states and Russia, whose populations are as materially poor as themselves. Haraldson and Lothbrok become adversaries as Lothbrok’s ambitions threaten Haraldson’s rule. The series — now filming in Ireland — also stars Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Clive Standen and Katheryn Winnick. It is set for a 2013 release.

Readers: A few months back, I held a contest for one reader to win the great summer read “Eat, Drink, and Be Married” by Rebecca Bloom. After sifting through the entries, I have randomly chosen a winner: Dorine T. of Terryville, Conn. Be on the lookout for your book, and I hope you enjoy it! All others who’d like to get in one last summer pleasure, head to amazon.com and order a copy for yourself — and maybe one for a friend. And go to www.celebrityextraonline.com to read my full interview with the talented author, and to see what she has coming up next.

Q and A: Week of Aug. 20

Q: Who is the beautiful young woman who plays Lilith on my favorite show, “True Blood”? Can you tell me anything about her? — Bobby R., via email

A: Jessica Clark made quite an impression on “True Blood” viewers when she made her naked, bloody debut as the “mother of all vampires” back in July. Jessica herself is a “True Blood” fangirl and was thrilled to get the chance to be on one of her favorite shows.

She eventually got used to the show’s “naked rite of passage,” telling me recently: “After the first, second, third take, you just kind of go: 'OK, I’m naked. You’ve seen it.’ Most of the cast has been through it in some shape or form, so everyone is super supportive. The cast and crew are respectful and professional, but funny as well. Everyone was like: 'Welcome to “True Blood.” Here’s another Thursday.’”

It also was tough keeping her role as Lilith a secret from family and friends: “It was something the show wanted to keep under wraps, because it’s been building all season. Part of the fun and the mystery of 'True Blood’ is that you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen. So, I couldn’t tell anybody.”

Q: I am so bummed that “Unforgettable” was canceled. I love Poppy Montgomery in just about everything she’s in! Any chance we can convince CBS to bring it back? — Britney F., via email

A: In a rare turnabout, CBS recently decided to un-cancel the procedural drama, which stars Poppy and former “Nip/Tuck” star Dylan Walsh. After the May cancellation, the series was being shopped around to other networks, including TNT and Lifetime, when CBS decided to give it another go. “Unforgettable” will return with 13 all-new episodes in summer 2013.

Q: Earlier this year, I read about a man who allegedly killed his wife while scuba diving on their honeymoon in Australia. Then I believe I saw an interview with Harvey Keitel, and it was mentioned that he’s starring in a movie about the woman’s death. Is that true? If so, when will it come to theaters? — David W. in Alabama

A: Mr. Keitel is indeed starring as Tommy Thomas, the father of Tina Watson, whose suspicious scuba-diving fatality made headlines all over the world when her husband was accused of orchestrating her death for insurance money. But you don’t have to go out to a movie theater to see “Fatal Honeymoon”; the movie premieres on Lifetime Television Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (with re-airings throughout that weekend and the next — check your local listings).

Q: Since they wrapped up the Rosie Larsen murder on “The Killing,” will it be back for another season? — Ron A., Bangor, Maine

A: It saddens me to report that AMC has decided not to pick up “The Killing” for a third season. At least we found out who killed Rosie Larsen.

Interview: Connor Jessup Comes of Age

As the second season of "Falling Skies" comes to a close, I had the opportunity to talk with series star Connor Jessup, who plays Ben Mason, the son of Tom Mason (played by Noah Wylie), the co-head of the 2nd Mass rebellion against the alien invasion. Connor gave me some inside scoop as to what to expect for the second-season finale of the Steven Spielberg-produced sci-fi phenomenon (which airs Sunday night on TNT).

Celebrity Extra: Without divulging too much, what can you tell me about the season finale?

Connor Jessup: Let's see ... Some new people and some new characters come in and some interesting twists come up , and this is all very general and very vague, but I can’t really go into too much more. I can say that at the end of the season, there’s a tremendous cliffhanger that boggled me when I read it, so hopefully it will boggle every one else when they watch it. The final two minutes especially are not to be missed.

CE: This has been a great opportunity for you as an actor, to have a character that has grown so much, and who has a really great story arc to present. How did you prepare to play this character?

CJ: I feel really lucky. I had this character presented to me — pretty much a full season-long arc, with each episode itself being a little arc — on a silver platter, which is something you don’t expect to be as fleshed out as it was. So, a lot of my work was done for me before I even arrived, in terms of creating this character. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time in terms of his situation and his experiences and his past to work into these new plot lines that these writers came up with. So, I was just enjoying it because last season was totally different experience. I didn’t get to participate in any of the action. This season it ramped up a lot. I have scenes with all the characters. I was in almost every action sequence. I got to participate in a whole bunch of really, really fun challenging stuff that I never got to do before and that way it felt like a totally different job. Those characters interest me if they can be done well, and our writers can do them well. I’m just excited to see what they cook up for season three.

CE: Season two was a big difference for you, compared with season one ...

CJ: Yeah, definitely. In season one, there was a big difference in age. In season one, I was 16 and we’re shooting in Toronto, and the regulations are somewhat different, so the most I could work was 12 hours a day, and two of those hours had to be tutoring and then another hour for lunch. So, it’s really just nine hours a day, which is not that long on a film set. I didn’t participate in any of the action sequences, which take place almost exclusively at night, so I was shooting mostly during the day. So for me, it was relatively like a 9-to-5 job. But season two was an entirely different ballgame because I finally got a taste of the medicine of what everybody else had been going through for a year. I was 17, and the regulations there mean that when you turn 17 you can work as long as an adult. So suddenly I was working 16 to 17 hour days every day, doing night shoots every day. It became a totally different experience for me and suddenly I felt like I was with everybody else going through the most difficult times because there’s nothing quite like being on set at 6 o’clock in the morning when you’ve been shooting for 17 hours and looking around and everybody else seeing how exhausted everybody is and everyone is sort of hysterical by that point. It’s a real bonding moment.

CE: In what ways can you relate to Ben?

CJ: I felt like Ben last season was much more like I am in real life in terms of I am somewhat bookish and I wouldn’t be much good in a battle. He wasn’t exactly like me, but there are more similarities. This season Ben is cold, distant, angry, violent. I’m generally not an angry or violent or hateful person for the most part. So that part of Ben was foreign to me, which is fun because as an actor, that’s a little more challenging. What I do like about Ben, what I think everyone could relate to, is that he under all this coldness and hardness that he’s built up between the two seasons is also a kind of childlike innocence and optimism that still hasn’t quite been shattered by the horrors of war. It's because of that optimism and childlike quality that he grasps so quickly onto the idea of a skitter rebellion and skitter resistance. He’s so optimistic about this for very little reason. You do feel like there’s a conflict between the new and the old, the adult and the child, and that exemplifies that conflict. And that’s what I’ve found most interesting. I like to call it puberty on steroids.

CE: A few months back, I interviewed Will Patton, who plays Capt. Weaver, and he is nothing like you'd expect if you went only by his character ...

CJ: Isn’t he the best? I love that guy. He has a caramel core. He’s like the sweetest, kindest man I’ve ever met. I could sing Will Patton’s praises for a year because he’s the most down to earth man, but so unbelievably dedicated. He puts all of us to shame. I don’t want to go on and on and on about Will Patton, but he’s one of my favorite people in the world.

CE: Are you excited for the season finale? Will jaws be dropping?

CJ: I think so, because mine did. It’s always interesting because for me, reading the script is entirely different from watching it on TV, obviously because it’s not quite the same with the visuals and the special effects and acting. But my jaw dropped when I read the ending, so I imagine anyone’s will. It’s quite the ending and it’s quite unexpected, and it doesn’t feel like a lot of cliffhangers on a lot of shows. I feel like this one makes sense in the context of the show and also it expands the scope of the show unbelievably. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Interview: Rebecca Bloom, Jill of All Trades

For me, one of this year’s summer must-reads is Rebecca Bloom’s Eat, Drink, and Be Married. The book follows the story of four women, who’ve been friends since college, as they reunite for the wedding of one of them. And like most longtime friends, even if they haven’t seen one another in a while, they can pick up right where they left off. And this also means that old insecurities and slight animosities can also pick up where they left off. I spoke with Rebecca about this book, her previous books, and what she has coming up next. For info on getting your own copy of Eat, Drink, head here.

Celebrity Extra: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? Was it something you had just always known, or did other circumstances steer you in that direction?

Rebecca Bloom: Actually, after college I thought I wanted to be a chef, so I went to culinary school and was doing that for awhile. Between all the little scars and burns and cuts that I would give myself —being in a restaurant is very different than cooking for your friends and family — simultaneously I was doing a lot of writing. My first novel, Girl Anatomy, which is published by William Morrow, is sort of like a happy accident that came out of that time. I started writing it as a short story, but it evolved into 12 short stories with the same character in all of them. Through a series of wonderful events, my book got published.

So my writing took off, and I published my second book, Tangled Up in Daydreams, and after that I was offered a position of editor at LA Confidential magazine. I decided to do that because writing is very solitary, where you’re sitting alone a lot in your house, and I needed a different outlet. I was editor for about two years, and then I got to writing my third book, Eat, Drink, and Be Married.

CE: There is also a gorgeous poem in Eat, Drink — “A Scientist’s Paperweight” — did you write that?

RB: Yes, I did. Thank you. I had written that a while ago for someone. I always was writing poetry. My first book was the first thing I tried to write that wasn’t a poem, because I realized there’s really no market for poetry, even though I really liked writing it. I can’t sing, so it wasn’t like I was gonna become a singer-songwriter girl, so poetry was sort of my only option. A good poem can capture something in a way that nothing else can.

CE: I was reading that a certain celebrity has been seen reading Eat, Drink ….

RB:  It was Charlie Sheen. You can find the picture online. It is really kind of funny.

CE: What is your writing schedule? Do you have a set schedule, or do you write when inspiration hits?

RB: I used to be more disciplined; now it’s sort of gone out the window a little bit. I’m really still trying to figure out how to do it all, with my other big responsibilities — my kids — so it’s a bit challenging. But when I’m really writing, I definitely put in the time. I like to write when I’m inspired, like in the backseat when my son is asleep in my lap.

CE: Do your works border on the autobiographical side, with stories and situations you’ve been through with your friends and family, or do you try to keep your writing work separate from your real life?

RB: I definitely think that as I’ve written more, it’s gotten less about me and my friends. Now I feel more confident being able to be creative and not have it be so true to everything that I already know. No one character of mine is a literal representation of someone I know, but there are pieces here and there.

CE: How do you feel about the label “Chick Lit”?

RB: I think I was more offended by it before because, why does it have to be classified? But now I’m much more of a realist than when I started writing, and you have to do whatever you can to market your book. It’s a way to classify and sell, and ultimately that’s what any writer should want. I’m not as against it now. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating women’s accomplishments. The Help was awesome, and that was chick lit and a chick flick, so if my book is classified as chick lit, that’s fine.

CE: One of the things I really liked about Eat, Drink is that we get to see what’s happening from lots of perspectives — all the girls and even some of the guys. What made you decide to go that way with it?

RB: I’d been wanting to write a book from multiple perspectives, so I definitely did that on purpose. It’s interesting because one of the editing notes that I had gotten that I didn’t end up taking was, “This is from so many different points of view, does the reader get confused?” I felt it wouldn’t be confusing because each of those women has their own thing and own thought processes. I liked being able to explore each of them as a main character.

And because it’s a wedding, there is so much going on that I wanted to be able share all of that. I was thinking about the movie The Big Chill — you can’t do the story justice unless you hear from all of them.

CE: Have you got another book stirring around, just waiting to be written?

RB: Yeah, I think I finally figured out what I want to start writing about, so I’m starting to work on my outline. I think I’ve figured out my next book, which makes me feel better, but I’m also having another baby, so I have such a small window to try to get the bulk of it done.

CE: When you do have free time when you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

RB: I make jewelry, and I have a couple of reality projects that I’m working on with a friend producing, so I’ve always got some iron in the fire. I’m kind of a Jill of all trades, so to speak; anywhere that my creative side takes me, I tend to go. I like writing books, but it’s a tricky business right now, so I have to figure out a way to make it friendlier on my pocketbook. 

Readers: A few months back, I held a contest for one reader to win a copy of Eat, Drink, and Be Married. After sifting through the entries, I have randomly chosen a winner: Dorine T. of Terryville, Ct. Be on the lookout for your book, and I hope you enjoy it! 

Q and A: Week of Aug. 13

Beth Riesgraf
Q: I am so happy that “Leverage” has started a new season. Can you tell me what to look for this season? — Geoff F., via e-mail

A: I recently spoke with Beth Riesgraf, who plays Parker, the Leverage team’s resident thief, cat burglar, pickpocket and safecracker extraordinaire. Like you, Beth is excited for the action/dramedy’s fifth season, telling me: “All I can say is that there is a reason that we are in Portland, and there will be a payoff to that toward the end of the season.

“For Parker personally, she’s in a good place. Now she’s able to be a part of something bigger, and she’s able to socialize. No one’s going to (mess) with her because she’s still got her edge, and she’s smart as a whip. I think she’s opened up socially and emotionally. Some of those boundaries have been let down and she kind of understands how to get along in society.”

Q: I haven’t heard much about the upcoming movie “The Lone Ranger,” starring my favorite actor, Johnny Depp. Please tell me that the movie is still being made and will be released! — Pauli A., Colchester, Vt.

A: The big-screen version of the small-screen classic — starring Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger — is on track for a July 3, 2013, release. The movie, which also stars Johnny’s “Sweeney Todd” co-star Helena Bonham Carter, ran into some delays earlier on due to rewrites, and more recently because of budgetary concerns.

Connor Jessup
Q: I really like the actor who plays Ben on TNT’s “Falling Skies.” Can you tell me more about him? — Leanne W., Salem, Mass.

A: Toronto native Connor Jessup — who plays the middle son of Noah Wylie’s character, Tom Mason — started acting at the age of 11 and counts among his loves directing, writing and producing along with acting. The 18-year-old stars in the big-screen drama “Blackbird,” which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where he will be presented with the Toronto Rising Star Award (along with three or four other recipients).

Connor is thrilled to be chosen as a Rising Star, and he told me: “TIFF means a lot to me. It’s a big part of my life. It was probably a main factor in influencing my love of movies and my discovery of film. I’m very honored to be chosen, especially since it’s my hometown, home festival. I’m looking forward to it.”

Q: I love the new “Dallas” — it’s just what I’ve been missing from my regular TV lineup. Will it be back for another season? — Gail W., via e-mail

A: I wholeheartedly agree with you. I got chills as I watched the premiere episode and those familiar strains of the “Dallas” theme started up. TNT has indeed renewed the hit series. The network has ordered 15 episodes for its second season, which is scheduled to air in 2013.

Interview: Nicole Forester Shows Us Who's Boss

As Starz’s political drama “Boss” enters its second season, I spoke with series co-star Nicole Forester about the new season and her character, Maggie Zajac. She gave me a few hints as to what viewers can expect when the series returns to its Friday-night timeslot on Aug. 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with 13 all-new episodes of the Kelsey Grammer-starring political drama. She also told me what it was like working with Tom Cruise on his new movie, “Jack Reacher,” which is scheduled for a December premiere.

Celebrity Extra: When you were first approached about the role of Maggie on this gritty drama, what were your thoughts about the show?

Nicole Forester: My reaction was perhaps similar to a lot of people’s. I was really struck by the writing, and how smart it is and how intense it is. Every week — even though I’ve read the script and shot the episode — when I watch that episode on television, I’m blown away. It is so dark and it’s so intense. Kelsey’s character is written beautifully, and then the way he delivers it: He has such a presence, and his voice and his whole energy — there’s a weight and strength to it. The show is raw and really shocking.

CE: You and I know that Kelsey is a lot more than Frasier Crane, but I think a lot of people were blown away when they first got a glimpse of Mayor Tom Kane.

NF: It’s fun for me when people ask me about the show. It takes awhile for it to sink in. Even after I describe it, they ask, “Oh, it’s not a comedy?” I say: “No, it’s not a comedy. It’s a one-hour drama, and Kelsey’s really dark and really intense and really mean.” It takes awhile for people to wrap their brains around the fact that he’s not Frasier.

CE: Because the show is on cable, you get a lot more freedom and leeway as to what you can say and the subjects you can cover. That must be exciting for you as an actress.

NF: Yeah, it is exciting for me. All the series I’ve ever done before have been network television. I love them, too, but this was just a new frontier for me. I’m dropping the “F” bomb left and right. It allows the writers to be edgier and the scenes to be edgier. It feels like we’re shooting a one-hour movie every week.

CE: That’s what I think, too; like it feels bigger than a TV show.

NF: I like that. That’s a good way to put it. It does feel bigger than a TV show. I don’t understand how the writers have time to come up with this, because the schedule is very quick. But there are so many levels to the writing, and every character is complex — and there are so many intricacies and subtleties and details.

CE: What do you like about Maggie? She must be great fun to portray.

NF: I love Maggie because she’s smart. I think she’s smarter than I am. There’s the duality of her public face and her private face, which I suppose any political person could relate to, but in some way we all do. In season one, Maggie just appears to be the smiling, dutiful politician’s wife, but she’s a lot deeper than that. She has no problems stepping up and calling the shots with her husband. I think people were really surprised by Maggie at the end of the season. They did not see coming what her response was going to be when she discovered photos of her husband’s inappropriate behavior. My heart starts racing when I read these scripts, and I think: “I can’t believe I get to play that! I get to say all of those words!”

Nicole Forester

CE: Without getting yourself into trouble, can you give me any season two spoilers for “Boss”?

NF: I won’t get myself in trouble. No, I won’t do that. (Laughs.) I can just tell you that what you saw at the end of season one between Ben and Maggie is a good indicator of where they’re going, as far as Maggie taking the reins and doing whatever she has to do to keep her husband in a direction that will result in them going all the way to the Governor’s Mansion. She has no intention of stopping short of the Governor’s Mansion.

CE: As you read each episode’s script, does your mouth just drop by what happens each show?

NF: Absolutely! When I was at home watching season one, I’m thinking, “Holy crap, I can’t believe it.” And that’s only going to be more so in season two. Every episode is just loaded, and there are surprises, and it’s just intense all the way around — in a good way.

CE: Since Maggie is taking the reins, will you be in more episodes this season?

NF: Yes. There’s a lot more of Maggie in season two. You see her more frequently and — how do I say this? — a lot more of her as well. You see a lot more of Maggie. We’ll just put it simply like that.

CE: I won’t ask you to divulge any more, because as a fan of the show, I want to be surprised.

NF: I’m with you. I think you’ve got to watch and let it unfold. I think that’s the way you get the most out of it and enjoy it. When I was on the soaps, I never wanted to give away spoilers. People were always asking — not just the press, but family, too — and I’m thinking: “No, you’ve got to watch the show. If I tell you, then you ruin all the fun for yourself.” So, no, I wouldn’t want to give away any plotlines anyway, except to tell you that there’s certainly some surprises and some shocking moments. If you tune in, you’ll be entertained week after week.

CE: You’re in Tom Cruise’s movie, “Jack Reacher.” What was that experience like, and how was it to work with Tom?

NF: That was a thrill to do. To work with Tom Cruise was a blast, as you might imagine. He was an absolute gentleman. He went out of his way to be chivalrous toward me and everyone I saw him interact with on set. He was absolutely lovely. He tried to make everyone comfortable and was just an absolute pleasure on set. He did things like have the local doughnut shop come at 3 o’clock, when everybody’s ready for a nap, and here comes the local doughnut guy making freshly made doughnuts in front of you. Or he’d have the espresso guy come out. He was just very generous. It was directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who is an Academy Award winner for writing “The Usual Suspects,” which is a classic. The whole set was just tops.

Q and A: Week of Aug. 6

Nicole Forester
Q: Can you tell me when “Boss” will be back on the air? I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next! — Erin D., via e-mail

A: Kelsey Grammer’s political drama returns for its second sea¬son on Starz starting Friday, Aug. 17, for 13 all-new episodes. (In the week leading up to its premiere, Starz will be re-airing season one, so you can either get caught up on what you missed or refresh your memory.) I spoke with series co-star Nicole Forester, who plays Maggie, ambitious wife of Illinois State Senator Ben Zajac, and she gave me some teasers about what to expect this season.

“What you saw at the end of season one with Ben and Maggie is a good indicator of where they’re going, as far as Maggie taking the reins and doing whatever she has to do to keep her husband in a direction that will result in them going all the way to the Governor’s Mansion,” Nichole said. “This season is totally intense. Even though I’ve read the scripts and I know what’s coming, when I’m at home watching the episodes, I’m going: ‘Holy crap! I can‘t believe it!’ And there’s only going to be more of that in season two. Every episode is just loaded with surprises, and it’s just intense all the way around.”

Q: Can you tell me if “Justified” will be back for another sea¬son, and if so, when? Also, when will season three be out on video? This is my favorite show. — Peggy E., via e-mail

A: The Timothy Olyphant-starring Western crime drama will return to FX for a 13-episode fourth season in the beginning of 2013, although an exact date has not been given yet. If the release of the season three DVD follows in the pattern of the previous two, then it should be released in the weeks leading up to the season four premiere.

Q: I have not seen any information on Alex Trebek since the news of his heart attack in June. Is he out of the hospital? Is he back to taping “Jeopardy”? — Lori Engel, via e-mail 

A: Alex’s heart attack, which he suffered June 23 after doing some work around the house, was a mild one. He was released from the hospital after a few days and is doing very well. He even returned to work last month to tape new episodes of “Jeopardy.”

Q: My wife and I have enjoyed watching “Memphis Beat” on TNT for the past couple of years, but we haven’t heard anything about its return. Any news would be appreciated. — David D., via e-mail

A: The crime dramedy starring Jason Lee was canceled by TNT in October 2011 after the show’s second season. The series is not yet available on DVD.

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