Interview: Patricia Richardson's Cause That's Close to Her Heart
To almost anyone you ask, Patricia Richardson is the mom we all wanted (no offense, real-life Mom): She played opposite Tim Allen for the entire decade of the ’90s on ABC’s “Home Improvement” as Jill Taylor — loving, smart, sassy and funny. She went on to star in “Strong Medicine” and guest-star on “The West Wing,” but it’s her lifetime role of loving daughter that brought Patricia to her latest project — that of celebrity spokesperson for Cure PSP (psp.org). In 2005, Patricia lost her father to progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurodegenerative brain disease that has no known cause, treatment or cure. Now, as Patricia told me when we spoke recently, she is doing all she can to raise awareness of the disease and money toward finding the cure. She has partnered with the National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) to help bring her cause to light.
Celebrity Extra: Tell me what you’ve learned about PSP in your research in trying to help your father, and now, in helping others who are trying to come to grips with this disease.
Patricia Richardson: All of these brain diseases — PSP, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, CBD, ALS — are what we are now calling prion disease, which stands for infectious protein. They are all caused by sort of like a bacteria or virus, but it’s proteins that are coming out of the cells and multiplying and spreading infectiously. These protein diseases are spreading slowly within the brain. In Alzheimer’s and PSP, it’s something called tau protein. That’s also the same protein that spreads in the football head injuries and in soldiers coming back from Afghanistan. Understanding this cause is a new development.
CE: Tell me about NORD and your involvement with them.
PR: NORD is sort of an umbrella group to not only help patient-advocacy organizations like Cure PSP, but they’re helping people suffering from all of these other diseases that don’t even have a support group. It’s a place for people to meet and talk and share their experience or maybe connect with a group. We’ve been asking people to go to rarediseaseday.us, which is a website that will not only tell them about the Rare Disease Day [which is today, Feb. 28], but it’ll help people find information they need about their own disease, how they can help NORD, and how they can help somebody with a rare disease.
CE: What are some of the things you’ve been involved with in helping NORD?
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| Patricia with her father, Laurence |
PR: I’ve hosted the NORD dinner for several years, and they’ll have patients there, legislators, doctors, scientists. The things you learn when you go to these: One time they talked about a girl across the country with symptoms no one had ever seen. It was a new disease. The doctors had never seen it. This poor family thought: “We’re the only people that have this. What could this be?” And then NORD connected them with another family on the other coast whose child had the same thing. And then they were able to connect those two doctors together so they could share information.
NORD connected us (at Cure PSP) to the government agency that helped us get the compassion and care allowance. We had to establish ourselves as a rare disease so we could get our people fast-tracked to get their Social Security disability payments faster. But first you have to get declared a rare disease. So, NORD helped us figure out how you write that protocol, how you get declared a rare disease and then get into that program.
What I tell people is, “My Dad had a rare disease, but our experience was not rare.” Thirty million people have a rare disease. We didn’t feel that at the time Dad was diagnosed. We felt like we were the only people going through this.
CE: Changing gears a bit, what do you have coming up for your fans actingwise?
PR: After “Home Improvement,” I quit pretty much for a year or two so I could go home and be with my kids. I’m the least ambitious actor you’ve heard of. Then I did “Strong Medicine” because I had a four-day workweek, and I could be with my kids. So, I did that for a couple of years. And then I tried to do “West Wing” because I thought, “Well, that won’t take me away from them too much.” And then I ended up doing way more than I thought I would — nine or 10 episodes over a couple of years. What I learned was that I just couldn’t be away from my teenagers without that being a problem, so that was when I just really stopped. I think I may have done one movie that was a couple of days, but mostly I just got them through high school.
I went back to work four years ago when the last one went off to college. It’s been slow going. I started doing theater again — I’ve been doing a play every year. I did a play off-Broadway last year. And then I’ve done like three Hallmark movies in the last year. There was one at Christmas, one just now on Valentine’s, and that’s been sort of good for me to have the chance to get in front of a camera and feel comfortable again. I’m the world’s worst auditioner, and I’m so bad at auditioning. It’s been hard to kind of get back to where I felt comfortable after all that time off.
So, by getting on stage again and slowly sort of getting in front of a camera, I’ve gradually gotten back to the place where I’m now once again starting to feel, “Oh yeah. That’s what this is. It’s not as terrifying as it was.” I’m kind of coming around to again and where I’m starting to feel like, “Oh yeah, now I remember why I liked this.” And my kids are doing really well, so I feel good about it. I feel really good about the people I made. I'm very lucky, and I’ve been really blessed.
Interview: Katie Boland's Long Story, Short
“LSS” consists of 11 five- to seven-minute episodes centering on 20-something Kristen Harvey as she tries to navigate through the summer after dropping out of art school in NYC. I spoke with Katie recently about the series, which she also wrote and stars in. Read on for more about “LSS,” as well as Katie’s work on the CW’s “Reign” and other projects she has in the pipeline.
Celebrity Extra: I see you’ve been acting professionally since you were 9 — was this pretty much something you’ve always wanted to do?
Katie Boland: Yes, it was something I’ve always wanted to do. I remember being 3 and telling my mom (Gail Harvey) that I wanted to be an actress. I was always around the film industry because my mom is in it. She was resistant at first in letting me try acting, and so was my dad, because they both knew the realities of the industry. They finally let me try when I was 9. And I haven’t stopped since.
CE: And your parents, both being creative types themselves — your mom a director and your dad and award-winning author and journalist — were they supportive of your decision?
KB: I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older that I was so lucky for how supportive they always were in any creative endeavor I wanted to try. I think when you grow up in a home where creativity is just a part of life, you don’t realize how lucky you are to be supported. So, it was a very supportive environment. And we were pretty normal. It wasn’t like a crazy, artistic household; it was just one where feelings were allowed, and we were encouraged to try anything we wanted to artistically.
CE: How did the idea for “Long Story, Short” come about?
KB: My mom and I were interested in Web content, and she asked me if I had any ideas for a Web series. I had written some personal essays on what I call “The Summer I Lost My Mind.” That was the material I used for “Long Story, Short.”
CE: Since the series is somewhat autobiographical, you really put yourself out there for the world to see. Were you nervous about opening yourself up like that?
KB: I was nervous about it, definitely, but I felt like I didn’t really have another option. This was the story that I wanted to tell. And I was excited to be able to make something positive about a period in my life that was confusing.
CE: I like the format of 11 episodes, each about five to seven minutes long. How’d you come up with that format?
KB: Originally we had 10 episodes, but one was too long, so we cut one episode into two. It’s the same as any other kind of writing, it’s just a shorter arc. So, you need to start and then get to the middle faster, and then get to the end. With a lot of Web stuff and things that are shorter, you do want to end on a cliffhanger. I do feel I had some parameters that helped me. We’re thinking about season two now and writing season two, and I think I learned a lot through writing season one. There are definitely things I’m going to take from the experience of the first season and put into the second one.
CE: Since “LSS” is based on experiences in your own life, are Kristen’s friends, Lucy and Carson, based on people you know in real life?
KB: They are sort of an imagination of a lot of my friends and a lot of my friends’ experiences. There was just so much happening emotionally at that time in our lives, so I felt like I really wanted to take it all and talk about it all, but I was limited with the amount of characters I could have. So that’s why there are only two friends.
KB: We shot in my childhood home, where my mom still lives. It was really a skeleton crew, and all the crew members were around my age, so it was a very young and excited crew. We would just shoot all day and take a break for lunch. We never shot more than 12 hours. But it was the most fun I’ve ever had being creative. It was an amazing experience, and I’m really excited to do it again. (Author’s note: Katie good-naturedly wanted me to make it clear that she directed her character’s love scenes, so as not to put her mother through that.)
CE: What’s great is because you’re using an alternative form of media to get your show out there, you have the freedom to be as creative as you want.
KB: Yeah, it has allowed me to have a lot of creative freedom that I would not have with a broadcaster, and also I would not be able to do this with a broadcaster because I don’t have enough experience. It’s allowed me to get my foot in the door as a writer and a creator, where otherwise I wouldn’t be able to hold those positions at all. It’s been cool.
CE: You spoke about season two ... can you give me any scoop as to what to expect?
KB: Well, all the girls are going to return. And I would say most of the boys would make a reappearance because, as in life, no one ever truly leaves. Everyone comes back. I like asking, Why are we attracted to the people we are attracted to? Why do certain lovers come into our life? And what does that teach us about ourselves? I find that very interesting as I get older. Maybe it would be good to keep exploring that in a fictional framework.
CE: And you get to go from a creative, smaller project like “LSS” to a big-budget CW show like “Reign.” What is it like playing Clarissa on that historical-fiction series?
KB: I feel very grateful that in my career I get to work on projects in both worlds — the very independent and then a huge show. It’s been a wonderful experience. The show has a really great fan base, and I think the show’s excellent. It’s pretty fun; the show’s pretty scandalous.
CE: It reminds me of Showtime’s “The Tudors.”
KB: Yeah, it’s definitely similar to “The Tudors.” I’m really lucky to be a part of it.
CE: What else do you have in the works?
KB: I have two films that are coming out. One is called “Gerontophilia,” and the other is called “Sex After Kids.” I’m developing a number of other shows for TV. My mom and I have started a production company called Straight Shooters, so we’re excited about that. And then I’m just working on another novel and season two of “Long Story, Short.”
CE: So, you’re not that busy, then?
KB: (Laughs) Yeah, I guess pretty I’m busy when you look at it that way.
Interview: 'Get on Up' with James DuMont
Celebrity Extra: Just a few months back you played a key role, D.J. Bobby Delmont, on one of my favorite prime-time shows, “Nashville.” What was it like working on that show?
James DuMont: That’s a great little character, and Hayden Panettiere is fantastic. She is such a wonderful actress. And she was so much fun and so good, and I was like, “Well, you know, I’m going to be manhandling you.” She goes, “Don’t be afraid, because the more you give it to me, the more I’m going to take care of you later on.” So we just had this little pact together, which worked out pretty well.
CE: You’ve also been busy with “American Horror Story” and “Treme,” but what I really want to talk about is “Dallas Buyers Club,” which was just nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, as well as Best Actor for Matthew McConaughey and Best Supporting Actor for Jared Leto. Tell me about the film and your role in it.
JD: It’s an amazing film. The director is Jean-Marc Vallée, who is a French-Canadian director who directed a movie called “C.R.A.Z.Y.” a few years back. He’s a brilliant director. I have this really wonderful, amazing role playing Jared Leto’s father — Jared plays the character of Rayon, who’s transgender and is dying of AIDS. Rayon becomes part of the Dallas Buyers Club with Matthew McConaughey, who plays the real-life Ron Woodroof, a pioneer in the creation of the cocktail that kept people alive and was much more effective in warding off the early HIV to AIDS than AZT. He becomes an unlikely kind of hero in this movie.
It’s a really powerful scene Jared and I share. He does powerful work in this; as soon as we finished our scene, I tweeted that Jared would get an Oscar nomination for this role. I’ve worked with Oscar winners, and I can see and identify Oscar-caliber work.
CE: Speaking of Oscar-caliber actors, you played opposite Robin Williams and Forest Whitaker in “Lee Daniel’s The Butler.” Tell me about that.
JD: That’s true. I’m working with Robin and Forrest, and I’m thinking: “Well, one of these things is not like the other. Who doesn’t have an Oscar in this scene? That would be me!” It’s interesting to be the guy who can hold his own with what’s recognized as the highest caliber of folks. I love being able to play a historical character in “The Butler” like Sherman Adams, who was the chief of staff under President Eisenhower (played by Robin). He was kind of like Dick Cheney to George W. Bush.
And then I get to play an estranged father who has a transgender son who now has AIDS. And how do you deal with that scenario? It’s kind of a powder-keg moment. I’m just plugging along. I’m doing the James Brown biopic next, which is called “Get on Up.” I play a USO envoy for when James Brown comes to perform in Vietnam; I welcome him to come perform for the troops, which is pretty fun.
Q and A: Week of Feb. 10
Q: Can you tell me if and when “Cedar Cove” will return for another season? — Richard O., Summerfield, Fla. A: The Hallmark Channel has renewed the phenomenally successful series, which is based on the book series of the same name by Debbie Macomber, for a second season. The show’s first season made Hallmark Channel the No. 1 cable channel for Saturday nights during the 8 to 9 time slot. With internationally renowned actress Andie MacDowell leading the cast — which includes Dylan Neal, Teryl Rothery, Bruce Boxleitner, Barbara Niven and Brennan Elliott — season two of “Cedar Cover” promises more of the same drama, romance and fun. Season two will premiere in July; I’ll let you know as soon as I have an exact date for its return.
Q: Would you happen to know anything about the fantastic TV series “24” with Kiefer Southerland? I thought they were bringing it back, or at least making a movie. — Dick W., via email
A: I did report on this about six months ago, but since this is such a hot subject — I get tons of letters from readers asking me the same question — I’ll write about it again, with some new information to pass along. Fox is indeed airing a new version of “24,” which is called “24: Live Another Day.” This go ’round, it will be a 12-part series but will still cover the requisite 24 hours. Kiefer will return, as will Mary Lynn Rajskub, William Devane and Kim Raver.
Kiefer recently told the press that the series will take place in London, stating: “‘24’ has always had such a global sensibility, but to be able to tell this intense ‘24’-style story with the beauty of Europe’s history and architecture as the backdrop is going to be fascinating.” Fox’s entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly teased reporters that the show’s pickup intrigued many industry stars. “A lot of who’s who in Hollywood wanted to participate in this,” he revealed. The two-hour season premiere of “24: Live Another Day” is May 5 at 9/8c on Fox.
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| ABC's "Mind Games" stars (L to R) Steve Zahn as Clark, Christian Slater as Ross, Cedric Sanders as Latrell, Jaime Ray Newman as Sam, Megalyn Echikunwoke as Megan and Gregory Marcel as Miles. (ABC/Bob D'Amico) |
A: You have only about a month to wait before you can see Christian again on a regular basis. On Feb. 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, ABC will premiere a new series called “Mind Games,” which stars Christian and Steve Zahn. They play brothers Ross (Christian) and Clark Edwards (Steve), who are partners in Edwards and Associates, an unusual business based on the belief that people’s decisions are influenced by their environment in ways they’re not aware. By using the hard science of psychological manipulation, the brothers commit to solving their clients’ problems. With Clark’s expertise and Ross’s con-artist ways, the brothers use psychology and science to offer clients an alternative to their fates.
Q: I don’t think I can wait much longer for season four of “Game of Thrones.” — Carlos F., via email
A: Just hold on a little longer. The highly anticipated premiere of the hit fantasy/drama series is set for April 6 at 9 pm ET/PT on HBO. The TV series, which is based on the books series by George R.R. Martin, shocked audiences at the end of last season with the infamous “Red Wedding,” and season four’s 10 episodes will prove to be just as exciting. It will roughly be based on the second half of “A Storm of Swords,” the third book in the “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels. According to showrunner David Benioff: “I think [season four] is going to surpass season three. There are so many scenes we’ve been waiting for so long to do, and it just gets more and more fun to write for these characters. We’re very excited for it.”
Q: Any news about “Devious Maids”? — Pamela G., via email
A: I have two exciting bits to tell you: First, season two will premiere on Lifetime on April 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Second, Mark Deklin (whom you all know I LOVED on “GCB”) has signed on as a regular cast member. As of this writing, I don’t know whom he’ll play or how he’ll impact the season, but I’ll let you know as soon as I can drag the information out of him.
Q: I am a fan of “NCIS” and have wondered why Cote Pablo left the series. — Judy D., via email
A: Cote left the series for personal reasons, which she chooses not to expand on. On the possibility of returning, she told “TV Guide Magazine”: “The greatest thing about this last episode is that Ziva doesn’t die. As long as a character doesn’t die, the character can always come back.” Cody recently signed on to co-star in the film “The 33,” which is based on the events of the 2010 Chilean mine collapse.
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