TV Interview!
Interview with Adam Saunders, Tony Danza, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Kym Whitley, and Rizwan Manji of the film “Re-Election” by Suzanne 10/6/25
Although I only had a few minutes with them, I enjoyed speaking with these actors. Adam Saunders not only starred in the movie, but he also wrote, produced and directed it. This is a really fun, farcical comedy with a hint of political satire. It’s very entertaining. Saunders does a wonderful job playing the lead character, Jimmy, who tries to better his life by re-creating some of his high school glory as class president. It’s worth checking out!
First, I spoke with Bex Taylor-Klaus, Rizwan Manji and Kym Whitley. Bex has the largest part of the three, as a trans teen that tries to teach Jimmy how to win.  I’ve seen them in past projects, such as “Arrow,” “The Killing” and many other roles.  Rizwan Manji, who plays the Texas governor (and Jimmy’s rival) has a very familiar comedy face. I think I know him most from the 2019 sitcom “Perfect Harmony.” Kym Whitley has a slightly larger role as the school’s superintendent. She’s done stand-up and has appeared in many TV shows and movies, including the reason hit film, “Happy Gilmore 2.” Anyway, we had a fun chat. All three of us were cracking up!
I spoke with Adam and with Tony Danza after that. They had a lot to say. It was an honor to speak with Tony because I’m a fairly big fan of his. I used to watch his two big hit shows, “Taxi” and “Who’s the Boss.” I never missed an episode of either. He plays Jimmy’s dad in this. Check out his cookbook, “Don’t Fill Up on the Antipasto: Tony Danza’s Father-Son Cookbook.” It looks amazing – and funny, too! Don’t miss this funny, heartwarming and thought-provoking movie, either.
We did have a tiny glitch when the internet interrupted us, but it didn’t last very long.
Adam Saunders and Tony Danza
Bex Taylor-Klaus, Kym Whitley and Rizwan Manji
MORE INFO: Official Site Trailer
Written and Directed by ADAM SAUNDERS
Starring ADAM SAUNDERS, BEX TAYLOR-KLAUS,
NATHALIE KELLEY, PATTY GUGGENHEIM and KYM WHITLEY
with RIZWAN MANJI and TONY DANZA
October 10:
October 17:
Opens in New York, NY (Regal Union Square)
Opens in Dallas, TX (Angelika Film Center)
Opens in Atlanta, GA (The Springs Cinema & Taphouse)
Rating: PG-13 some strong language, suggestive material, and teen partying
Runtime: 84 mins (1 hr 24 mins)
presents
Written and Directed by ADAM SAUNDERS
Starring ADAM SAUNDERS, BEX TAYLOR-KLAUS,
NATHALIE KELLEY, PATTY GUGGENHEIM and KYM WHITLEY
with RIZWAN MANJI and TONY DANZA
October 10:
October 17:
Opens in New York, NY (Regal Union Square)
Opens in Dallas, TX (Angelika Film Center)
Opens in Atlanta, GA (The Springs Cinema & Taphouse)
Rating: PG-13 some strong language, suggestive material, and teen partying
Social Media: Website – reelectionmovie.com
Instagram – @reelectionmovie
Facebook – Re-Election Movie
TikTok – @reelectionmovie
A wry, warm, and witty coming of (middle) age comedy, RE-ELECTION follows a 40-something underdog who returns to high school to reboot his past and finally win the race for class president.
High school haunts everyone, in one way or another. For Jimmy Bauer (director-writer-producer ADAM SAUNDERS), it was losing the race for class president during his senior year back in 1995, which caused him to drop out. Now a 40-something underdog stuck working in a memorabilia store owned by his dad (TV comedy icon TONY DANZA), Jimmy decides to go back to school for his missing class credits — and win the election he’s sure will make his life right. But after 30 years, things have changed a bit, and with the help of his new Gen-Alpha friend Noa (BEX TAYLOR-KLAUS) and former classmate-turned-girlfriend Ama (NATHALIE KELLEY), Jimmy learns that it’s not how we start a journey that matters — it’s how we finish it.
ABOUT THE CAST
ADAM SAUNDERS (Jimmy) Multi-hyphenate Adam Saunders’ most recent film, DOTTY & SOUL, premiered in 2023 and sold to Showtime. The film was written, directed and produced by Saunders, who also stars in the film opposite Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Leslie Uggams. It was produced by Footprint Features, the production company Adam co-founded. With Footprint, he has produced DARBY AND THE DEAD (dir. Silas Howard, starring Auli’i Cravalho) for 20th Century Studios; WHEN WE FIRST MET (dir. Ari Sandel, starring Adam Devine) for Netflix; SHIMMER LAKE (dir. Oren Uziel, starring Rainn Wilson) for Netflix; ABOUT ALEX (dir. Jesse Zwick, starring Aubrey Plaza) for Sony; and FAMILY WEEKEND (dir. Benjamin Epps, starring Joey King) for Paramount. He holds a BA in Drama from Duke University and an MFA in Acting from the Yale School of Drama.
BEX TAYLOR-KLAUS (Noa) In 2011, Bex Taylor-Klaus was introduced as one of the first and most well-received transgender roles on cable TV on the critically acclaimed THE KILLING. They have been a catalyst and inspired more ideas for transgender, trans nonbinary, and non-conforming representation in Hollywood over the last decade. In the last couple of years Bex has been in leading roles such as CBS Films’ HELLFEST along with the Netflix hit, DUMPLIN’ where they played a supporting role opposite Jennifer Aniston. They can also be seen in Millennium’s BLACKBIRD opposite Kate Winslet and Susan Sarandon. They most recently wrapped on Adam Saunders’ feature film, RE-ELECTION, and last year, they finished filming for the indie film, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, written and directed by Tommy Dorfman.
RIZWAN MANJI (Manish) Rizwan Manji is an actor known for his work in television and film. He received a Best Guest Actor nomination at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards for playing Ray Butani on SCHITT’S CREEK. The CBC/Pop TV series became a cultural phenomenon and swept the 2020 Emmy Awards, including Best Comedy. Manji is also known for playing Rajiv Gidwani, the ambitious assistant manager in the NBC comedy OUTSOURCED. The show was part of the network’s Thursday night comedy lineup and was the first American sitcom set in India with a predominantly South Asian cast. He also appeared as Jamil in the DC Extended Universe series PEACEMAKER. His additional television credits include IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, THE MAGICIANS, MR. ROBOT, and BETTER OFF TED, as well as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION, a musical television special created by ABC in honor of the classic movie, starring Rita Moreno, Josh Groban, and H.E.R. In film, Manji has worked with directors like Martin Scorsese (THE WOLF OF WALL STREET), Mike Nichols (CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR), and Jim Jarmusch (PATERSON). He starred in MUSTACHE, a coming-of-age film that won the 2023 Audience Award in the Narrative Feature competition at SXSW. Film credits include THE DICTATOR, TRANSFORMERS, THE DONOR PARTY, SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS, and JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM. He recently wrapped PATEL, written and directed by Ravi Kapoor; the genre-defying film is described as a “deadpan gangster tragedy” set in the world of Indian-American–owned motels. He has several projects in development, including a new take on a well-known and beloved Sit-com and a fish-out-of-water comedy set in South Florida.
KYM WHITLEY (Donna) Kym Whitley is a multi-talented entertainer, rich with humor and heart. She is a Daytime Emmy-Nominated actress for her menacing role as Big Candi on THE BAY. In addition, Kym is a three-time NAACP Image Award-winner for her “Two Funny Mamas” podcast, alongside her partner-in-crime, Sherri Shepherd. As an actress, author, comedian, and multi-award-winning podcaster, namely the 2023 Signal Award winner for her Audible podcast, “Kym,” Whitley has proven her versatility and ability to captivate audiences across multiple mediums. Whitley is an HBCU Fisk graduate, where she pledged Alpha Beta Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Kym also holds an Honorary degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Kym Whitley serves as a board member for the Special Needs Network, in Los Angeles, CA, which focuses on Autism and other Developmental and Intellectual Challenges. Over the past two years, she’s appeared in several high-profile film projects including YOU PEOPLE (2023) as Aunt Nadine, OUTLAW JOHNNY BLACK (2023) as Sister Betty, and KILLING MARY SUE (2025), where she plays Anita Koch. She also stars as a part of the AA group alongside Adam Sandler in Netflix’s sequel HAPPY GILMORE 2 (2025), portraying the character of Bessie. In addition, Whitley is a producer of the animated short WALK IN THE LIGHT, a powerful true story about a blind man who helped rescue people during the Oklahoma City bombing. On the hosting front, Whitley brought her charm and humor to BET+ as co-host of the reality series I LOVE US alongside Kountry Wayne, celebrating Black culture and comedy. With her dynamic range and enduring appeal, Kym Whitley continues to be a beloved figure in film, television, and live entertainment. Her comedic imprint has been seen on TV series such as CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO), RAISING WHITLEY (OWN), ACT YOUR AGE (Netflix), and countless others. There is never a dull moment with Kym!
TONY DANZA (Stanislaw) Tony Danza has been one of the world’s most beloved and iconic entertainers for over 40 years. Perhaps best known for his starring roles on two of television’s most cherished and long-running series, TAXI and WHO’S THE BOSS, Danza has also starred in hit films such as ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD, SHE’S OUT OF CONTROL, HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS, and DON JON. Well-established as a song-and-dance man, Danza has also starred on Broadway in THE PRODUCERS, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and most recently received rave reviews for his performance in the Broadway musical comedy HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, with The New York Times calling his performance “sly genius” and a “career high.” He received an Emmy nomination for his guest spot on THE PRACTICE, and has recently made special appearances on hit shows like BLUE BLOODS, AND JUST LIKE THAT…, and BROAD CITY. Danza most recently starred in the animated feature RUMBLE for Paramount, the Hulu original film DARBY & THE DEAD, the Netflix series THE GOOD COP, the limited series THERE’S JOHNNY on Hulu, and the hit Starz series POWER BOOK III: RAISING KANAN.
Proofread and Edited by Brenda
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