Interview: Dana Davis — The Rewards of Perseverance
Celebrity Extra: Looking back at your body of work, you’ve done so much already, and you’re only in your 30s! It must be quite an acting education in itself to have such a varied and exciting resume to build off.
Dana Davis: It’s definitely rewarding, fun and a lot of hard work. There are times I look back at my resume and I do remember the struggle of it all, but there is a balance. You know, pleasure and pain. I realized that I had 300 auditions in one year. I had 300 auditions and I did three jobs. It’s pretty grueling, but definitely rewarding.
CE: Now that “Franklin and Bash” has been renewed for a fourth season, let’s talk about Carmen. When you first got the call about auditioning for this role, what did you think about her?
DD: I always like bringing a fresh prospective to a character. I remember when I first got the script for “Franklin and Bash,” I called my agent to say I didn’t think I’d be able to do this. I didn’t feel I was right for the part. But they knew I’d be missing out on a great opportunity. They told me, “Dana, we insist you go to this audition because we don’t think they know exactly what they want.”
The part was initially written — I don’t want it to come off wrong here — but Carmen was literally written as a super-tough and rough lesbian. I have no problems playing lesbians. That wasn’t the problem for me. The problem was the stereotype; I don’t like playing roles that are stereotypical. I like to invent something fresh and something new. So when I saw it, I was like, “This is not me.” But my agents encouraged me. They were like, “Go in there and make it your own.” And so I did just that.
CE: If I recall correctly, the show, as it is now, doesn’t really touch on her sexuality.
DD: Yeah, it’s not that she’s not a lesbian, it’s just something that was never talked about anymore. They ended up not going with that story line, that direction.
CE: Tell me about Carmen.
DD: She is the assistant to Franklin and Bash. She has kind of a shady past. They bailed her out of it and wanted to use her street smarts to their advantage. I always joke to our producers and say: “If we had the budget, I imagine Carmen would be jumping out of planes to get information. Or under a moving train.” She is able to get things that other people can’t get. She has a kind of brother/sister relationship with Franklin and Bash, which is so funny, because I feel like when you have someone as attractive as Mark-Paul Gosselaar, you think, “Why don’t they hook up? What’s going on?” But it’s not like that; they’re family.
CE: And in real life, it’s not like you date every person you find to be attractive.
DD: Exactly! Even in our own lives, we have guy friends, and we have girl friends. Some of our guy friends are extremely attractive, but we’re not attracted to them. So, I like that element of it that they have a family-type bond. And it’s just too fun working with Mark-Paul and Breckin Meyer, because they’re really, really funny, so I’m just dying laughing all day long on the set.
And I respect them so much. I’m such a big fan of Breckin. He’s so talented and so quick on his feet. I’ve never seen someone come up with such hilarity. It’s amazing to work with people like Breckin and Kumail Nanjiani, because they’re so hilarious — and they’re not even trying. It’s really nice working on that show.
CE: Tell me about “High Moon.” From what I’ve read, it sounds like a very interesting and fun new series.
DD: “High Moon” is Bryan Fuller’s new project. It was written by Bryan and another writer named Jim Danger Gray. And as you know, Bryan Fuller has done “Pushing Daisies” and he’s doing “Hannibal” right now.
CE: That right there tells me it’s gonna be a good one!
DD: Bryan’s amazing and so talented. “High Moon” is a pilot, which could go to series. The way Syfy does things is they shoot it as a movie of the week. It will be picked up in the next couple of months if it is going to series. If it doesn’t go to series and the network passes on it, it will still air as a movie of the week on the Syfy channel. The story is based on a book called “The Lotus Caves.” And it’s about colonizing the moon and mining it for its resources and discovering life on the moon.
CE: This sounds like it would be a really fun project to be a part of.
DD: Oh my gosh. When I first read the script, my heart kind of stopped, I was so excited. I called my people and was like: “This is it. This is the show. I love it.” I’m a huge sci-fi nerd. I was super excited about doing something like this because it goes back to my childhood of watching episodes of “Star Trek” with my mom and that sort of thing.
My character, Yama, is the daughter of the general of the American Army on the moon. She is the first and last kid ever born on the moon. What they discovered was her being born on the moon actually affected her skeleton and her ability to walk. She’s not functional anywhere else but the moon, which is why she’s the last kid born on the moon. She can’t actually leave the moon. She has this dream of going to Earth someday. It’s the thing she wants so bad, but she can never have it.
CE: Tell me about your children’s show, “The Wish i Mayz.”
DD: When my daughter was born, she was born with something called infant anxiety. It’s not very common. But I literally could not put her down. If I put her down she screamed and panicked. I found out that music was very, very soothing to her. I found she had favorites, even as an infant; she loved Chopin and Michael Jackson.
As she grew, I saw that music was so important to her and how it helped her overcome the anxiety. I realized that with the music that is currently in children’s programming, we are underestimating our kids a little bit. Children have a palette for more. I know that they enjoy the simple songs and the ABC’s, but I thought it would be wonderful to expose them to an evolution of music. And so I got the idea for “The Wish i Mayz.” It’s about three aliens from the Star Planet who speak only in song, and that’s how they teach the kids on Earth the fundamentals of music.
I started to shop the idea around town, and many people became interested. I’ve got a writer on board and producers, and we finished our script and our pitch packet. Right now we are pitching it around town. I’m really passionate about it, and so many people love the idea. But right now, it’s in the beginning stages.
Q and A: Week of Dec. 23
Q: The best concert of the summer by far, in my opinion, was the New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men extravaganza. Can you tell me what my favorite of the bunch, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, has in the works now, and where I can see him sing? — Janice W., Massillon, Ohio
A: Jeff is putting his singing talents and super-hot bod to good use by touring the country with Men of the Strip, a musical male-revue show. I spoke with Jeff recently about his latest project, and he told me how it all came about: “I was hosting the Chippendales a few years ago, and thought the formula of a boy-band-singer/emcee was perfect for the audience I was seeing. I felt there could be a more contemporary, younger, cooler, sexier and more mainstream type of male revue, so I got together with Glenn Douglas Packard and Mike Foland, and we put the plan in motion.”
I can safely say his plan has been a hit with the ladies around the country (especially those whose favorite movie is “Magic Mike”): “The reception has been incredible. We’re selling out venues. These guys are stars. I envisioned this type of growth with the fans, but not as fast as it’s happened. We’re blessed.”
Head to menofthestrip.com to see what all the hubbub is about, and to see if the show is coming to your area in the new year.
Q: Can you tell me when Jules, Grayson and the rest of the cul-de-sac crew will return with a new season of “Cougar Town”? It has been renewed, hasn’t it? — Linda P., Hanover, N.H.
A: “Cougar Town” will indeed be back for a fifth season for more fun and high jinks, which I am sure will also involve lots of wine. Season five of the TBS comedy premieres Jan. 7 at 10/9c. And if you haven’t already heard, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox will reunite when Matthew appears as a guest star in an upcoming episode. There’s no word yet on which episode, or who his character will be.
Q: When are the People’s Choice Awards? I seem to remember it airing around the holidays, but I haven’t seen anything about it yet. — Kellie F., via email
A: This coming People’s Choice Awards ceremony, which airs Jan. 8 at 9/8c on CBS, marks the 40th anniversary of the event. While voting for this year’s nominees ended on Dec. 5, you should still watch to see if your favorites made the cut.
Q: Can you tell me if “Call the Midwife” will be back on PBS soon? — Dorothy B., via email
A: The BBC period drama, which airs on BBC One before hopping the Pond to the U.S., will be back for a third season of eight episodes. Season three will air sometime in 2014, once it concludes its run in the U.K.
Q and A: Week of December 16
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| Heather Graham |
A: The 1987 feature film starring Kristy Swanson, Louise Fletcher and Victoria Tennant certainly was awash in awful-movie goodness. While I don’t think that can be replicated (at least I hope not), Lifetime Television is having a go at the cult favorite, based on the hit book by V.C. Andrews. On Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, we’ll get to see what Heather Graham, Kiernan Shipka and Ellen Burstyn do with this gothic tale. If you’re familiar with the book, I can tell you that the movie is faithful to it; they do indeed “go there.” If you don’t know what “there” is, you’ll have to tune in to find out.
Q: I really enjoyed the most recent “Mission: Impossible” movie, and I loved the addition of Jeremy Renner. Are there more of these movies in the works? — Patrick D. in West Virginia
A: The fifth installment in “Mission: Impossible” franchise will premiere Christmas Day 2015. “Mission: Impossible 5” — which doesn’t yet have a subtitle — will star Tom Cruise, and Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames are rumored to be returning as well. The story line, as well as mention of any villains, has been kept pretty hush-hush so far, but I’ll be sure to share what I find out as the news begins to leak.
Q: Can you tell me anything about Russell Crowe’s upcoming film “Noah”? — Jon W., Redding, Calif.
A: “Noah” — which stars Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and Logan Lerman — will flood theaters March 28. The story is about the biblical Noah (played by Russell), his family, and their quest to build the Ark to save human- and animal-kind from complete annihilation in the upcoming Great Flood. After watching the online trailers, I can tell you this is one you shouldn’t miss.
Q: My favorite show, “Rizzoli and Isles,” hasn’t been on in ages! Has season four ended already? — Pauline F., via email
A: Don’t worry, “Rizzoli and Isles” didn’t dump you; they were on a break. Your favorite show will return from its hiatus on Feb. 25 at 9/8c with the final four new shows of the season. And premiering right after it at 10/9c is “Perception,” which also returns from break with four new shows to round out its second season. Both shows were renewed for a fifth and third season, respectively, to begin airing summer 2014.
Speaking of hit TNT dramas, I’ve received lots of letters asking about the return of “Dallas,” and I am pleased to report that the sexy soapy drama will return for its third season Monday, Feb. 24 at 9/8c on TNT. This winter is gonna be scorching!
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| Mädchen Amick, Rachel Boston, Julia Ormond and Jenna Dewan Tatum of Witches of East End (photo by Joseph Viles) |
A: Lifetime recently announced that “Witches” will return for a second 13-episode season, to air some time in 2014 (an exact date has not been decided yet). The hit drama stars Julia Ormond, Mädchen Amick, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rachel Boston as a family of witches living in the secluded seaside town of East Haven. The show also stars Eric Winter, Daniel DiTomasso and Virginia Madsen. In the meantime, all of the show's cast is on Twitter, so if you need to get your WitchEE fix, head to twitter.com and search #WitchEE.
Q: Can you tell me why “King and Maxwell” wasn't renewed? My husband and I really liked that show. We like most of the TNT shows; we especially miss Brenda and “The Closer.” — Karen J. in Florida
A: The consensus for reason of the show’s demise is the ever-popular “low ratings.” And while the drama series — which centered on former Secret Service agents who become private detectives, played by Rebecca Romijn and Jon Tenney — didn’t have rock-bottom ratings, the show was enough on the bubble that TNT decided not to renew. On top of low ratings, “King and Maxwell” also lost one-third of its “Major Crimes” lead-in audience, which is usually a nail in the coffin for any struggling freshman series.
Q: We are huge fans of “Person of Interest.” We were not expecting Carter to be killed off! She, Reese and Finch are the program. Without her, it won't be the same. Why was Carter written out? — Laura K., via email
A: Taraji P. Henson, who played Officer Joss Carter for two-and-a-half seasons on the CBS drama, was just as surprised as you were that her character died. However, she knows it was time for her character to go, and it was a great way to surprise and stun the audience. She recently told “Entertainment Weekly”: “You portray a character for so long, you care about her and her life. But art imitates life — it comes to an end unexpectedly. It was bittersweet, because I enjoyed portraying Carter. What a strong, powerful woman on television.”
But don’t get too sad about Carter’s death because you could see her again someday — in a flashback. The show is known for using flashbacks to propel the story lines, and Taraji said she would definitely be up for returning to film flashback scenes.
Q: Can you please tell me if “Bunheads” will return to ABC Family anytime this year? — Frank W., via email
A: ABC Family canceled the ballerina dramedy after only one season, which many critics say was entirely too soon, and that the show was just finding its ground and still had a lot more to give. But fan and critical favor couldn’t save this Amy Sherman Palladino-created show (who’s most famous for “Gilmore Girls”), with “Bunheads” airing its last dance this past February.
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| E.G. Daily |
A: I too was excited to see E.G.’s great performances on “The Voice” a few weeks back, as I’m sure a lot of “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Rugrats” and “The Powerpuff Girls” fans were. E.G. was thrilled to get the chance to show off her singing chops, as she told me recently: “It was so much fun. All of these people where wondering who the heck E.G. Daily is. The same woman who does the theme song to ‘Two and a Half Men’? The same woman who was Dottie in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’? The same woman who sang on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in the ’80s? The same woman who guest-starred on ‘Friends’ as Phoebe’s next songwriting partner? It was like everything came together for me on that show the day I did my blind audition and sang ‘Breathe.’ That was the day for me where, as a 51-year-old woman, everything just popped together. It was magic.”
E.G. is excited for what the future will bring for her reawakened singing career: “I’d like to see myself doing things like singing something at the music awards with Keith Urban because he’s got an edge to him — a little country rock. As far as music, I like adult country. Like Faith Hill, she does adult women music. It’s age appropriate. It’s womanly — that’s the kind of music I’d like to do. My voice has a little bit of an edge to it; it’s a little bit rock. Bonnie Raitt does stuff like that: bluesy and soulful.”
To keep up on E.G.’s career, head over to egdaily.com and check out what she has in the works.
Q: Have they canceled the new “Ironside” with Blair Underwood? I thought it was a fresh and exciting new show. — Beverly T., Richmond, Va.
A: NBC has indeed canceled the “Ironside” remake after four episodes due to low ratings. Beginning Jan. 8, the “Chicago Fire” spinoff, “Chicago P.D.,” will take over the Wednesday 10 p.m. timeslot. Until then, NBC will air “Dateline,” repeats and specials.
Readers: Just a note to let you know the premiere dates of two shows that just happen to be two of my favorite series, both of which air on PBS. The first is “Downton Abbey,” which premieres its fourth series on Jan. 5 at 9 p.m., and concludes its eight-week run on Feb. 23. More great “Downton” news: After a successful series-four run in the U.K. this past fall, the show has been renewed for a fifth series, to premiere in January 2015. And “Masterpiece Mystery” fans rejoice: “Sherlock” returns (along with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman) from its shocking series-two cliffhanger for a third series of three 90-minute episodes beginning Jan. 19 at 10 p.m.
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