Q and A: Week of Sept. 24
Q: I saw a video on CMT by Shooter Jennings, and he sounds and looks so familiar. Is he related to the late Waylon Jennings? — Travis R., via e-mail A: Shooter is the country-music star’s son with wife (and fellow country singer) Jessi Colter. Shooter grew up surrounded by legends: Waylon, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. You can catch Shooter beginning Sunday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. EST on Ovation, where he participates in the six-part documentary series, “Johnny Cash: Song by Song,” sharing his recollections of the Man in Black.
Shooter shared some memories of Cash with me when we spoke recently: “One of the first things I think that has not been documented very well about Johnny Cash is how funny and goofy and charming he was. He wasn’t a brooding, dark, stoic character. He’d play jokes on people and do things to make little kids laugh. He was like a big kid. My dad was like that too. That’s the way they were together too.”
If you want to read more about Shooter, Waylon and Cash, as well as how Shooter has carved his own niche in the country-music world, check back next week to read my extended interview with the lovely and personable singer.
Q: What can I see Jennifer Garner in next? — Vivianne A., via e-mail
A: Jennifer stars in a new movie called “Butter,” which hits theaters Oct. 7. I’m not only eager to see Jen, but check out this cast: Alicia Silverstone, Rob Corddry, Ty Burrell and Hugh Jackman. I can’t begin to explain the movie (which is about a butter-sculpting competition) — you’ll just have to see it for yourself. Or watch the trailer here to get an idea.
Q: I watched the “Price Is Right” 40th birthday show, and was dismayed to see that Bob Barker wasn’t there to celebrate. Was he not invited, or was he unable to attend? I can tell you his presence was definitely missed! — Ada E. in Arkansas
A: Bob Barker, the original emcee for the long-running game show, was not invited to the birthday bash, which came as a shock to many longtime viewers, and to the man himself. Bob told “TV Guide Magazine”: “I don’t know why I wasn’t asked to take part in some way. But I do know I am ashamed of the show and surprised at their complete disregard for the welfare of animals. (When I was there,) we never did anything that condoned animal cruelty. Apparently, things have changed.”
Q: What does Patrick Wilson have planned since CBS’s “A Gifted Man” was canceled? — Nicki C., via e-mail
A: Patrick’s next role is opposite Alec Baldwin in the big-screen thriller “Caught Stealing.” Alec plays a sadistic cop to Patrick’s down-on-his-luck former hot shot who gets caught up in a web of very bad things. The movie is based on a book of the same name by Charlie Huston, which is the first installment of the “Hank Thompson Trilogy.”
64th Annual Primetime Emmy Winners
Here's a list of winners at Sunday's 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences:— Drama Series: "Homeland," Showtime.
— Actress, Drama Series: Claire Danes, "Homeland," Showtime.
— Actor, Drama Series: Damian Lewis, "Homeland," Showtime.
— Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad," AMC.
— Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey," PBS.
— Writing, Drama Series: Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff, "Homeland," Showtime.
— Directing, Drama Series: Tim Van Patten, "Boardwalk Empire," HBO.
— Comedy Series: "Modern Family," ABC.
— Actor, Comedy Series: Jon Cryer, "Two and a Half Men," CBS.
— Actress, Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep," HBO.
— Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Julie Bowen, "Modern Family," ABC.
— Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family," ABC.
— Writing, Comedy Series: Louis C.K, "Louie," FX Networks.
— Directing, Comedy Series: Steven Levitan, "Modern Family," ABC.
— Miniseries or Movie: "Game Change," HBO.
— Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore, "Game Change," HBO.
— Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Costner, "Hatfields & McCoys," History.
— Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story," FX Networks.
— Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Berenger, "Hatfields & McCoys," History.
— Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Jay Roach, "Game Change," HBO.
— Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: Danny Strong, "Game Change," HBO.
— Reality-Competition Program: "The Amazing Race," CBS.
— Host, Reality-Competition Program: Tom Bergeron, "Dancing With the Stars," ABC.
— Variety, Music or Comedy Series: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central.
— Writing for a Variety Special: Louis C.K., "Louis C.K. Live at the Beacon Theatre," FX Networks.
— Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Special: Glenn Weiss, 65th Annual Tony Awards, CBS.
INTERVIEW: Trisha Goddard, Ready for the Challenge
Trisha Goddard is a (mostly) new voice entering the daytime-television arena; although she has served as a guest host and conflict-resolution expert for “The Maury Povich Show,” beginning today, Trisha has a show all her own. While hosting her own show isn’t a new thing for her — she’s hosted and won awards for several talk shows in Australia and the U.K. — for American audiences, it will be a new thing for us. I had the pleasure of speaking with this quick-witted, humble and lovely lady about her new show (which airs in syndication, so check your local listings), and she can’t wait for you to welcome her into your living room each weekday. Celebrity Extra: For those not familiar with your work, how did you get started in the business?
Trisha Goddard: Well, I actually started in news and current events. I’ve done a lot of other jobs, too — I was in a band; I was an air stewardess based in the Middle East; I worked in public relations. But as I worked other jobs, I took journalism courses, and I started in television in Australia. I started in news and current affairs, and quickly realized that health and social welfare areas — which were kind of new in those days — were where I wanted to be.
My first presenting job came about when the presenter of a show I reported for went on maternity leave, and they asked me to fill in. Apparently the viewers took to me, so I was offered my own show by another network. The press was very quick to point out that I was Australia’s first person of color ever to become an anchorwoman, which shocked me. I said, “Oh, it didn’t say that on the form when I was applying for the job.” But that was back in 1987.
CE: I know you also had your own talk shows in England, and then you came to the U.S. and started working with Maury Povich. What was that experience like?
TG: It was great. It was a really easy fit. Maury was very gracious. It was very lovely of him to have me on the show and hand over segments. That’s what I’ve been doing on and off for the past two years. Time flies when you’re having fun.
CE: And now you have your own daytime talk show, “Trisha Goddard.” Tell me about it.
TG: The topics will cover all of life’s dramas — happy, sad, humor — the whole gamut of relationships. It can be parent and child, relatives, what have you. What we did on my show in England was there are a lot of older people who want to know, as an adult: “Is this my sister; is this my cousin?” or “Is this really my parent?” Obviously, there’s a lot invested in that, if you’ve been brought up one way or to believe that somebody was your parent and isn’t. They’re more complex. A lot of these stories have layer upon layer, but they are the universal issues that everyone has: trust, betrayal, happiness, joy and identity. I’ll deal with all of those things, but in my very own way.
CE: Will you host celebrity guests, too?
TG: Yes, absolutely. A celebrity will be there for what they’re going through and what experience they can bring to the show rather than “I have a new book” or “I have a new movie” to promote for the celebrity’s sake. These celebrities will absolutely hold their own, and be willing to be honest and talk about whatever issue it is they went through that they have in common with the guest. It catches on with the celebrities who are interested in being real. We give them the opportunity to talk about something other than their new movie or their new book or what have you. But the focus of our show is on ordinary, everyday people.
CE: Since “Trisha Goddard” is a five-days-a-week show, covering most of the year, do you ever worry you’ll run out of topics to discuss?
TG: Oh no, no. That’s never a worry. You could do a show on divorce 300 times, and every single situation will be different. The ages, the people, different situations — you can never exhaust a subject, because there are different nuances in every single case. You never think, “Oh, I’ve done this story before.” You might have up until a point, and then it goes off on a completely different track.
CE: That’s true; you just read any newspaper, magazine or website, and there are human-interest stories galore out there.
TG: Oh, yes. And I read the newspapers all the time. Back home in England, I probably read four newspapers a day. Here I’m reading the websites and what have you. I’m always looking for ideas; I’m going to start getting local newspapers in different areas, because you start asking, what are the concerns on the ground? I want to get a feel for the issues at the local level and how I can bring that to the screen. It’s always exciting. There’s always a challenge.
CE: I know you are very involved in mental well-being issues and treatment — will you bring those topics to your show?
TG: Oh, yes. Collectively, mental health, mental well-being and mental illness is the entire spectrum. You’ll very rarely talk to people or about people without some part of that spectrum coming into it. It’s not always mental illness. It can be a lack of mental wellness, if you see what I mean. I can’t divorce myself from that; it’s what I’m passionate about. There are always people thinking that mad equals bad, and all those sorts of things. It’s one area that really needs to be de-stigmatized.
CE: I read that you’ve done your share of acting as well … I bet the “Doctor Who” fans are the most rabid.
TG: “Doctor Who” fans are very … everywhere I go, there’s some “Doctor Who” fan who jumps out and tells me exactly what episode I was in. That was fun. I did “Little Britain” as well, which is an English show. There was another show called “Fat Friends,” which was about a whole group of friends in a slimming club, and I filmed about three or four episodes with them. I was really, really flattered to be included. My one show that I’d like to be included in here in the U.S. — I will have died and gone to heaven if I did a cameo on “Modern Family.”
CE: How do you fit it all in: hosting your show here, your advocacy and charity work, maintaining a home here and across the Pond?
TG: When I was coming over to tape “Maury,” I would do the show and work intensely for a week, and then go home and do unpaid work as a mother, dog walker, wife, etc., so that was OK. At the moment people ask how it’s going to work out, and the answer is, I don’t know. It’ll be tough, but I don’t want to prescribe how things are going to work out, because part of life is just going with the flow and muddling through, and then when people ask you in hindsight, it sounds like you had this marvelous plan to make it all work. But it’s not like that. It’s interesting, but it’s scary.
Q and A: Week of Sept. 17
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| Adam Ant (photo by Hannah Domogala) |
A: Adam does indeed have a new album, “Adam Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter,” which is due to hit stores this January. For ardent fans like us, though, the big news is that he is touring the U.S. for the first time in 17 years. (Go to adam-ant.net to see when he’s playing near you.)
I spoke with Adam recently, and he is thrilled to play for American audiences again — this time, on HIS terms: “I think when you are able to do something that you’re getting paid for, it only becomes a job when it’s work, when you’re working on someone else’s terms, and you don’t enjoy it as much as you should. And you become exhausted, which sort of happened to me. But now I find I really appreciate the fact that there’s the opportunity to do it under my own terms. I do what is right for me and my work. You just want to do a great show and get that high off the audience. Fortunately, that’s the way (the tour’s) been going. But I just go for it. I don’t even think about it; I just get out there and do it.”
For a rare look into the musical genius, check back here later this week to read my full interview with Adam, where he talks about his past successes, his new album, his love of Katy Perry and Pink, and his friendship with Michael Jackson.
Q: I was wondering if the “John Carter” movie you mentioned this spring is based on the science-fiction books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I hope so, because I’ve read them all and believe they could be made into a great series of sci-fi movies. — Paul R., Marion, Indiana
A: The March release of Disney’s “John Carter” is indeed based on Burroughs’ Barsoom book series, which were published in various magazines as a serial from 1912 to 1943. Because of their popularity, they were then published as their own book series from 1917 to 1964. The film, however, didn’t prove to be quite so popular. It was received with mixed reviews and a dismal box-office take. The film was originally planned to be a trilogy, but that plan is on hold because of the film’s poor reception by moviegoers. “John Carter” is available on DVD and Bluray, so you can see for yourself whether it deserves a sequel.
Q: What was Emily VanCamp in before she was on “Revenge”? I recognized her as soon as I saw her, but I cannot remember from what! — Iris V., Suffolk, Va. A: The gorgeous Canadian actress has been in the business since she was 13, making her debut on Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” But before “Revenge,” she was best known for her role on “Everwood,” where she played Amy Abbott. She also had a co-starring role from 2007-2010, playing Rebecca Harper, who initially was thought to be William Walker’s (Tom Skerritt) daughter with longtime mistress Holly Harper (Patricia Wettig). Take note that the second season of “Revenge” begins Sept. 30 on ABC on its new night and time, Sundays at 9/8c.
Q: I am a die-hard “Young and the Restless” fan. I have a question about the actress who plays Katherine Chancellor in the series. I heard that she has sons who are also actors. Could it be the Baldwins? — Janet C., Battle Creek, Mich.
A: Jeanne Cooper, who’s played matriarch Katherine Chancellor on the series since 1973, does indeed have children (two sons, one daughter) who are actors: Corbin, Collin and Caren. The eldest is Corbin Bernsen, who is best known for playing Arnold Becker on “L.A. Law” and Roger Dorn in “Major League.” He plays the recurring role of Father Todd Williams on his mom’s show, and he also is a series regular on the USA’s “Psych.”
Q: When will Syfy’s “Merlin” be back for its fifth season? Please tell me it has not been canceled — Gregory D., via e-mail
A: The British sci-fi/fantasy series will indeed be back for a fifth season, which will consist of 13 all-new episodes. The series began filming in Wales and in France this spring, and if all follows according to previous seasons’ trends, season five should premiere in the U.K. in December, and in the U.S. in late spring/early summer (although no official dates have been released yet).
Q and A: Week of Sept. 10
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| Brian Austin Green |
A: Aside from pending fatherhood (as of this writing, his wife, actress Megan Fox, is due to give birth to the couples’ daughter any day now), Brian also has a new show to look forward to. He stars in TBS’s “Wedding Band” — along with Melora Hardin (Jan from “The Office”), Peter Cambor, Derek Miller and Harold Perrineau. The shows centers on the friendship of four young men in a band who, in a very “Wedding Crashers” way, play at weddings, reunions and bar mitzvahs, and use said celebrations to pick up women. “Wedding Band” premieres Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Q: One of my favorite shows was “Big Love,” and I especially loved Chloe Sevigny in it. What does she have coming up that I can catch her in? — Tallulah G., via e-mail
A: Beginning this January, you can see Chloe in a multiple-episode story arc on IFC’s hit comedy “Portlandia,” which stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. Season three is currently in production on 10 all-new episodes. Chloe will play Fred and Carrie’s roommate, Alexandra. And don’t you worry, Kyle MacLachlan fans: He will return as Portland’s mayor, and many more guest stars will make appearances throughout the season.
Q: When will “How the States Got Their Shapes” be back with a new season? It’s such an interesting show! — Greg D., Bangor, Maine
A: “How the States Got Their Shapes” will be return to H2 for a second season with back-to-back 30-minute episodes on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 10 p.m ET/PT. Hosted by journalist and former “Daily Show” correspondent Brian Unger, the show has an added twist this season: Brian will be quizzing Americans about what unites us and what really divides the states — and exposing some of our country’s most stubborn regional rivalries. Competitors can earn cash prizes and show their state pride by proving just how well they know their United States. This season, Brian will travel to Pittsburgh, Miami, Seattle, Chicago, St. Louis and Nashville, Tenn.
Q: I read that Alan Ball stepping down as show runner/head writer for season six of “True Blood.” What plans does he have post-”True Blood”? — Keith W., via e-mail
A: Alan, who also brought us the brilliant “Six Feet Under” and “American Beauty,” is hard at work on a new Cinemax show called “Banshee,” which is slated to begin airing sometime next year. His production company has several other projects in development at HBO — both series and movies — and he has three screenplays in various stages of development. Alan also says that he has not ruled out writing a season-six episode or two.
Q: I’ve been hearing rumors that Michael J. Fox is returning to series television. Is it true? — Jessica B., Miami
A: Rumors had been floating around for weeks, and NBC recently confirmed that Michael will coming back to series TV more than a decade after he left to concentrate on fighting Parkinson’s disease. His new comedy series, which will be loosely based on his life, will premiere in fall 2013 and has a 22-episode commitment from the network. Michael will play a husband and father of three from New York City who is dealing with family, career and challenges that include Parkinson’s.
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| Trisha Goddard |
A: I had the chance to speak with the lovely Brit recently, and she gave me the scoop on what her new show will be about.
“My topics are all of life’s dramas,” Trisha explained. “You know, happy, sad, humor too — the whole gamut of relationships. On my show in England, we had on older people who wanted to find out, ‘Is this my sister, my cousin?’ or ‘Is it really my parent?’ as an adult. And obviously there’s a lot invested in that if you’ve been brought up to believe that somebody was your parent and isn’t. We’ll also cover the universal issues that everyone has: trust, betrayal, happiness, joy and identity.”
And when celebrities appear on the show, it won’t be as window dressing, or to promote their new movie. “A celebrity will be there for what they’re going through and what experience they can bring to the show rather than for the celebrity’s sake. Again, that’s what I did on my show in England. It catches on with the celebrities who are interested in being real.”
Q: When will “Glee” be back? — Tommy H., Charlotte, N.C.
A: “Glee” returns to Fox for its 22-epsiode fourth season on Sept. 13 at 9/8c, and it promises some big-name guest stars to get the show rolling. Sarah Jessica Parker plays the kooky online editor for “Vogue” and mentor for Chris Colfer’s Kurt, and Kate Hudson will play a nemesis of sorts for Lea Michele’s Rachel.
Q: Will I ever get to see Amanda Bynes on anything other than a police blotter? It seems she’s always in the news for things other than acting. — Darren D., via e-mail
A: The young starlet is hopefully not following in the self-destructive footprints of Lindsay Lohan, but so far, it’s not looking good. Amanda was recently in her fourth car accident of the past six months — add that to her recent DUI and hit-and-runs, and her flight from a cop who pulled her over for talking on her cell phone. Here’s hoping the “Easy A” actress gets her head on straight soon.
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