Interview with Dominic Monaghan, star of “Moriarty” on Audible by Suzanne 11/8/23
It was wonderful to speak with Dominic, who seems just as nice as you might imagine he’d be from his many great roles. As a fan of “Lost,” “Lord of the Rings” and his other work (especially “Moonhaven”), I could have honestly spoken to him for hours. Normally, we only cover TV, and the occasional movie, but this project is so well written and acted, and stars many of my favorite actors, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to cover it here. “Moriarty: The Devil’s Game” premiered last year and was a huge hit. “Moriarty: The Silent Order” premieres Thursday, Nov. 9. You won’t want to miss it. Helen Mirren joins the great cast. If you only listen to ONE audio drama this year, make it this one….especially if you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes stories.
MORE INFO:
Audible and Treefort Media Announce Season 2 of Sherlock Holmes Mystery-Thriller Moriarty
Helen Mirren to Star In Moriarty: The Silent Order Alongside Returning Cast Dominic Monaghan, Phil LaMarr and More
Newark, NJ – August 30, 2023 – Audible, Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, in collaboration with Treefort Media, announced today the return of the hit scripted audio seriesMoriarty.The second season of Audible’s bold take on the Sherlock Holmes universe continues with Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings, Lost) in the title role, leading the reimagining of literature’s most captivating rivalries, with Helen Mirren (The Queen, Golda), Anya Chalotra (The Witcher), Ross McCall (Green Street Hooligans) and Arielle Goldman (The Knick,The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) joining the sensational returning cast including Phil LaMarr (Mad Men) and more. Available exclusively on Audible, Moriarty: The Silent Order was directed by Elliot Blake and written by Charles Kindinger. Moriarty: The Silent Order will debut November 9.
In the latest Moriarty installment, six months after surviving near death at Reichenbach Falls, Professor James Moriarty tracks down the woman he loves in New York City, where she is trapped in the web of The Order – an evil organization that stretches beyond Britain and the Crown. When his attempts to break her free lead to tragedy, Moriarty returns home, determined to bring down the entire global organization. But before he can strike, he makes another shocking discovery: Sherlock Holmes is alive and shares his goal. Moriarty and Holmes must set their animosity aside and join forces to stop the assassination of the American president and a devastating world war.
Explore Tokyo’s Akihabara district for the https://www.swisswatch.is/product-category/richard-mille/rm-022/ latest gadgets and anime merchandise.
“Moriarty has always been such an enigmatic character to me and exploring his world through this medium fueled my imagination,” said Dominic Monaghan. “I’m delighted to continue telling his story with Treefort and Audible — and working with Helen Mirren, as his new nemesis in Season 2, was a treat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed working on it.”
“It was lovely to be part of the rich, beautifully realized world of MORIARTY,” said Helen Mirren. “It’s fun for me to take on a villainous role, and I particularly enjoyed delving into the different dimensions of Lady Milverton. This story was my first podcast drama and I couldn’t imagine a more exhilarating story as an entry into the format.”
Moriarty: The Silent Order is part of Audible and Treefort Media’s multi-project development deal to produce original scripted audio series. Season 2 of Moriarty joins Audible’s robust roster of Audible Original audio dramas, including Topic Studios’ The Space Within, Skybound’s Impact WinterSeason 1 and Season 2; Kerry Washington’s The Prophecy; Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving the World; The Miranda Obsession, Armored, from The New York Times bestselling author Mark Greaney; James Patterson’s The Coldest Case starring Aaron Paul; and Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, among many more.
Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 800,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.
ABOUT TREEFORT MEDIA
TREEFORT MEDIA is an award-winning podcast company specializing in premium audio storytelling. The first season of Moriarty won Best Fiction Podcast at Banff World Media Festival and Killing Hollywood: The Cotton Club Murder won the Webby for Best Scripted Fiction Podcast. Other notable Treefort series include: the weekly true crime series Killer Psyche, investigative series Collapse: Disaster in Surfside with the Miami Herald’s Pulitzer Prize winning team, and Paul Giamatti’s weekly esoteric talkfest Chinwag.
Interview with Stan Brooks, director of “Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story” on Lifetime by Suzanne 9/15/23
This is an interesting movie, although sad. What makes it stand out from many other TV movies is how accurate it is to the original story. From what the director says here, they went to great pains to make it as close to the original as possible. I believe it because it really does feel real. All the actors were outstanding in this, particularly the leads, Wendi McLendon-Covey (Vicky) and Rossif Sutherland (Casey). If you’ve only seen Wendi in comedies, you’ll be surprised at how great she is in this. I loved Rossif in last year’s “Three Pines” on Prime Video, so I was very happy to see him show up in this. He’s the son of Donald Sutherland and brother to Kiefer Sutherland. He’s definitely inherited the family’s talent and looks.
It was a joy to speak with director Stanley M. Brooks because he’s worked for years as a producer in movies and TV, such as “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC) and “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles” (Lifetime). He has some amazing stories that you’ll love. I wish I could have picked his brain for hours. Please watch this Lifetime movie because it’s worth watching. Enjoy our video interview!
Based on a true story, the movie follows Vicky White (Wendi McLendon-Covey), a lonely corrections officer who falls
for a prisoner (Rossif Sutherland), but before she can ensure their happily ever after, she must first break him out of
prison.
Every day for divorced prison corrections officer Vicky White (McLendon-Covey) is like the movie Groundhog Day – mundane, and every day just like the previous. But when new prisoner Casey White (Sutherland) is brought to her facility, the two develop a secret infatuation. Vicky gives Casey special attention, believing he’s the only man to see her the way she wants to be seen. But when Casey’s inevitable transfer to a lengthy prison sentence approaches, Vicky decides to take desperate action. Risking everything, Vicky manages to break Casey out of jail and takes him on the run, eluding authorities on an eleven-day dash for freedom. For Vicky, even the probable tragedy ahead of them is worth the chance to live life fully once more.
Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story is executive produced for Lifetime by Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tom Patricia, Gladys Gonzalez of John Carrabino Management and Howard Braunstein with Stan Brooks directing from a script by Gregory Small and Richard Blaney with Juliette Hagoplan producing the movie. Wendi is repped by UTA manager, Gladys Gonzalez, and attorney David Krintzman. Stanley M. Brooks is an American film and television producer. He has produced more than 60 productions for film and television as well as several critically acclaimed miniseries including Broken Trail and Prayers for Bobby.
Interview with director Josh Berman of the film “Full Circle” by Thane 10/17/23
It was great to interview Josh Berman, who directed this movie. Many people will find it inspirational. The film demonstrates how people can continue to thrive, even if their life turns out completely different than what they expect.
We apologize for any confusion during the interview…due to circumstances beyond our control, we were given some wrong information about Josh and his experiences (not his fault). Well, these things happen! We hope you can go see this movie, which comes out soon.
Opening in NY October 20th
Opening in LA, Canada & Additional US Cities Beginning October 27th*World Premiere – 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival*
*Feature Film Award Winner – 2023 Wasatch Mountain Film Festival*
*Official Selection – 2023 Telluride Mountainfilm*Directed by: Josh Berman
Featuring: Trevor Kennison and Barry Corbet
Produced by: Conor Smith and Roy Tuscany
Executive Produced by: Andrew Tiner, Kevin McNeely, and Rosemary NcNeely
Faced with a traumatic injury that renders you permanently disabled; how would you reinvent yourself? In 2014, Trevor Kennison’s life was forever altered by a broken back – for worse and for better, in equal measures. Barry Corbet, an intrepid skier, mountaineer, explorer, filmmaker, and Jackson Hole legend, broke his back in a helicopter crash in 1968. Frustrated by a pre-ADA culture that did not accept or support the disabled, Barry reinvented himself, becoming a seminal leader in the disability community. FullCircle follows Trevor on a path towards post-traumatic growth in parallel with Barry, 50 years later. Their stories mirror each other, connected through time and space by common locations and motifs; injuries in the Colorado backcountry, rehab at Craig Hospital, fame in Jackson Hole; but also, through their shared resiliency and refusal to let their passion for life be limited by their injuries. FullCircle is an unblinking examination of the challenges of Spinal Cord Injury, and a celebration of the growth that such tragedy can catalyze.
Bringing the ethos of the film into practice Primetime Emmy-nominated composer Mark Crawford (“The Social Dilemma”) chose to work with musicians living with disabilities for the live instrumentation of the score. Mark assembled an all-star team, including Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Howk of Portugal. The Man, world-renowned jazz pianist Justin Kauflin, percussionist Jason Barnes, trumpet player Patrick Henry Hughes, virtuoso violinist Brian Krinke, and members of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, with orchestrator Jeff Kryka preparing the score. Additionally, Eric Howk wrote and recorded a custom song for the credits of the film, titled “What I Am.” Very much autobiographical, the song brings Eric’s voice into the film in more ways than one, speaking directly to his life experience as a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair.
JOSH BERMAN
Director/DP – Josh Berman started his career in the New York City production scene while earning a degree in Film from Dartmouth College. Josh followed his passion for snow sports to Colorado and has been directing award winning outdoor and action sports films for the past two decades. His background in action sports uniquely equipped him to tackle the challenges of shooting with Trevor in complex and dangerous snow environments.
Interview with Showrunner/creator/writer/EP George R. Olson of “SurrealEstate” on Syfy by Suzanne 10/16/23
It was really fun to speak with George about such an entertaining show. I’ve enjoyed “SurrealEstate” since the first episode because it has interesting stories of drama and horror, with a lot of humor and a good cast. I tried hard to get him to tell me if a certain character dies this season, but he wouldn’t budge…not that I expected him to! But it was all in fun, anyway. You don’t want to miss this season, which started October 4th on Syfy. It airs Wednesdays on Syfy, but you can also watch it on their website for free and on HULU the next day. You can watch season one on HULU as well.
MORE INFO:
SurrealEstate
Wednesdays on SYFY(10-11pm ET/PT); Season Premiere: October 4
“SurrealEstate” follows real estate agent Luke Roman and an elite team of specialists that handle the cases no one else can: haunted and possessed houses that literally scare would-be buyers away. Researching, investigating and “fixing” the things that go bump in the night, the team works to create closure – and closings – even as they struggle with demons of their own.
201 “TRUST THE PROCESS” (Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. ET/PT)
Without his special powers, Luke struggles to handle an engaged property by instinct alone. Susan falls in love at first sight with a mysterious home that has a special power over her.
202 “TRUTH IN ADVERTISING” (Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT)
Luke deals with a TV ghost hunter and his crew filming at a client’s legendary property. Susan investigates a seaside B&B where strange, provocative noises are scaring guests away.
203 “THE BUTLER DIDN’T” (Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT)
When a client is taken hostage by a vengeful ghost, the Roman Agency must solve a decades-old murder mystery to save him before it’s too late.
204 “I PUT A SPELL ON YOU” (Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT)
Luke sparks with a charming homeowner while negotiating a land deal. Zooey goes out on her first sales call as a newly minted realestate agent.
“SurrealEstate” stars Tim Rozon, Sarah Levy, Adam Korson, Maurice Dean Wint, Savannah Basley and Elena Juatco.
The series was created by George R. Olson. Olson, Lance Samuels, Danishka Esterhazy, Armand Leo, Daniel Iron, Neil Tabatznik, Cosima Von Spreti and Kevin Anweiler executive produce.
George R. Olson
creator, showrunner, and executive producer
George Olson is a recovering advertising executive, having spent most of his career as creative director, partner and chief creative officer at one of Colorado’s largest advertising agencies. Several years ago, seeking the dangerous head rush of writing something longer than thirty seconds, George began writing for film.
One of his first efforts, a bio-pic of Nikola Tesla, won a screenwriting competition and attracted the attention of director Barry Sonnenfeld, who developed the script with him. He wrote a short film, KILLING KEVIN, which was an official selection at 18 international film festivals. Another one of his original screenplays, WHITEFISH, won another competition and he developed that script with actor/director John Turturro. Since then, George has written a number of features including MASTER RACE, the story of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, with Anthony Mackie attached to star.
Along the way, George began writing for television and has developed a number of original pilots including BITTERROOT, which he sold as a pitch to USA Network. Several of George’s original spec pilots are in various stages of development around town, including POISON COUNTY which he is developing with Mark Burnett and MGM Television. MGM also hired him to create and write the pilot for GODSPEED, a one-hour drama set in the world of NASCAR. He has adapted his one-hour pilot FIRST PERSON SHOOTER with e-One into a made-for-TV film for Crackle. George sold his original spec pilot THE NATURE OF YOUR EMERGENCY to Keshet Studios, and sold his pitch for RUTHLESS to CBS Studios and developed the pilot for the CW Network. Most recently, George’s original pilot SURREAL ESTATE was ordered to series by SYFY, with George serving as Showrunner and Executive Producer.
Splitting his time between Colorado, Los Angeles, Canada, features and television, George has no outside interests that he is aware of.
Interview with EP Jeff Astrof of “Shining Vale” on Starz by Suzanne 10/10/23
It was really fun to speak with Jeff. again. He wears a lot of hats as no only Co-Creator of the show, but also Writer, Showrunner and Executive Producer. He’s very passionate about the show, and who can blame him? It’s a great series, with an amazing mixture of comedy, drama and humor. It also has a wonderful cast: Courtney Cox, Greg Kinnear, Mira Sorvino, Merrin Dungey, Judith Light, Sherilyn Fenn, Allison Tolman, Gus Birney and Dylan Gage. I love it because it’s horror, but it’s not gross like so many horror movies or shows are.
If you missed the first season, you can stream it now on the Starz site, Amazon or ROKU. It’s definitely worth watching, and Jeff is justifiably proud of all of their efforts. You don’t want to miss season two, which premieres “October 13 at midnight ET on the Starz app, all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms and on Lionsgate+ streaming platform in the U.K. and Ireland; on linear at 9 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. New episodes will drop weekly on Fridays at midnight” (from Deadline).
JEFF ASTROF
Executive Producer; Co-Creator; Showrunner; Writer, Ep. 201, 208
Jeff Astrof is a writer/producer who has worked in television way longer than he ever
thought possible. Jeff came to prominence as one of the original writers of “Friends,”
where he co-wrote several notable episodes, including “The One After the Super Bowl”
which was seen by over 51 million viewers. Additionally, his background work on the
show as “hot guy at party”, “guy late for plane” and “disappointed hockey fan” remain
examples of overacting to this day. Jeff also wrote on all five seasons of “The New
Adventures of Old Christine,” where Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her first post-Seinfeld
Emmy, and he was co-creator of the critically-acclaimed “Trial & Error,” starring John
Lithgow and Kristin Chenoweth. “Shining Vale” reunites Jeff with fellow “Friends” alum
Courteney Cox. As EP/Showrunner of the show, Jeff has mandated that he is not
allowed to act in it.
About “Shining Vale”
Season one of “Shining Vale” introduced Pat and Terry Phelps, a dysfunctional family that tried to run from their problems by moving their kids into a Victorian mansion in small-town Connecticut. The only problem? It may be haunted. Once settled in, Pat encountered Rosemary, a demon who possessed her body and turned her life upside down. When the family steps in to “save” Pat, they commit her to a psychiatric hospital where she sees an old photo of a nurse who looks just like her demon Rosemary.
Season two kicks off four months later, when Pat’s insurance runs out and she is released from the psychiatric hospital early. Pat returns home, determined to pick up the pieces of her broken family, but she quickly finds out her children don’t need her, Terry doesn’t remember her and to make matters worse, Pat’s new neighbor Ruth looks exactly like Rosemary. Meanwhile, the house starts to reveal the shocking secrets of its dark past. Every mother feels like they live in an insane asylum, but Pat may be right!
“Shining Vale” Online
Twitter: @ShiningVale | @STARZ
Instagram: @ShiningValeSTARZ | @STARZ
Facebook: @ShiningValeSTARZ | @STARZ
Join the conversation with #ShiningVale and #STARZ
“Shining Vale” season two is set to premiere on Friday, October 13th, at midnight ET on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and on LIONSGATE+ streaming platform in the U.K. and Ireland. On linear, it will debut on STARZ on Friday, October 13th, at 9PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on Fridays at midnight on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and will air weekly on the STARZ linear platform.
Interview with creator/producer Joseph Kay of “Transplant” on NBC by Suzanne 10/10/23
It was great to speak with the creator/writer/executive producer of such a good show as “Transplant,” which returns for season 3 October 12th! It’s a Canadian show, and they’re watching season 4 right now (which, unfortunately, is the last season). You don’t want to miss this one! If you haven’t watched the first two seasons, go watch them now on Peacock! You’ll be glad you caught up on some a unique show with interesting characters.
New Season Premiering Thursday, October 12 on NBC (9 p.m. ET)
The new season of “Transplant” finds Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq, “My Salinger Year”) continuing his journey to start over, but with each new milestone comes a new challenge. While pursuing Canadian citizenship for himself and his younger sister, Amira (Sirena Gulamgaus, “Orphan Black), Bash closely examines who he’s becoming in his adopted country.
Bash, still being asked repeatedly to prove himself, works closely with his colleagues as they move forward following the dramatic conclusion of season two. Everyone continues to find themselves looking to adapt to change and understand how they fit in, both within and beyond the walls of York Memorial Hospital.
After Dr. Bishop’s shocking departure, the team gains a new boss with the forward-thinking Dr. Neeta Devi (Rekha Sharma, “Yellowjackets”). Dr. Devi has big ideas when it comes to overhauling the emergency department at York Memorial.
“Transplant” also stars Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie “Mags” LeBlanc, Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis, Jim Watson as Dr. Theo Hunter, Torri Higginson as head nurse Claire Malone, Gord Rand as Dr. Mark Novak and Sirena Gulamgaus as Amira.
Creator Joseph Kay serves as showrunner and executive producer. Rachel Langer, Josée Vallée, Jocelyn Deschênes, Bruno Dubé, and Stefan Pleszczynski also executive produce.
“Transplant” is produced by Sphere Media in association with CTV and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Joseph Kay is creator, showrunner and executive producer on the NBC drama “Transplant.” He has served as showrunner, writer and executive producer for each of its seasons, winning four Canadian Screen Awards in his roles as writer and producer.
Prior to “Transplant,” he adapted and served as executive producer on the CBC drama “This Life.” Previous credits include the World War II drama “Bomb Girls” for Global TV and the CBC hit action/comedy “Republic of Doyle.”
Kay also co-created the single-camera comedy “Living in your Car” for HBO Canada.
Before becoming a screenwriter, he worked as a transactional lawyer at one of Canada’s foremost securities law firms.
Interview with Sharon Case of “The Young and The Restless” on CBS by Suzanne 10/5/23
I so enjoyed speaking with Sharon! I’m a fan of hers, and of the show (which you’ll see below). It was great to meet her on Zoom, and it was really sweet of her to answer so many of our questions. We had a good time and laughed a lot.
Suzanne: Well, thanks for talking to me today.
Sharon: Yeah. Thanks for having me, Suzanne.
Suzanne: Yeah. You’ve been on Y&R next year for 30 years. How does that feel?
Sharon: It feels amazing. It’s wild. I guess you round off numbers when you speak about it. So for probably a few years now, I’d just round it off and say, Oh, you know, I’ve been here 30 years or, you know, so it’s not brand new, a brand new idea to me, but it will finally be official.
Suzanne: Yeah, that’s great. Do they give you a cake and things like that?
Sharon: I don’t know if they’re going to come up with a cake. Probably, they’ll offer a cake party. I think usually our anniversaries, we have a lot of anniversaries, a lot of casts have been here a long time. They usually do a cake party, yeah.
Suzanne: Okay, that’s cool. I’ve been watching “The Young and The Restless” since 1986, and “General Hospital” since 1984. So I saw you on there as Dawn before you [played] Sharon.
Sharon: Right. I played Dawn, Monica Quartermaine’s daughter.
Suzanne: Yeah, no, that was great. I really liked Dawn, even though there were like five different actresses that played her.
Sharon: There were a lot of actresses that played Dawn. There were three who played Sharon.
Suzanne: Yeah, that’s right. That’s right. I forgot about that. And I was so upset when they, when they killed Dawn off. She was such a great character. But I’m glad that you got to go on and become Sharon for so long.
Sharon: But you know, dead is never dead in the soap either.
Suzanne: Yeah, but it was a long time ago. I don’t think she’s coming back now.
Sharon: Who knows? You know, she could.
Suzanne: That would be great, but… Has Sharon — I was trying to remember — has Sharon ever been dead or thought to be dead?
Sharon: She, well, let’s see, she fell off the cliff with Drusilla and she almost died. They thought maybe she was going to make it, but she made it. Okay, now I don’t think…Oh, and then when Sharon broke out of prison and went on the run, and she stayed with, Sam on the farm. Everyone in Genoa City thought Sharon was dead, they even had a funeral for her. And so, right, Sharon was meanwhile, living on a farm with Sam.
Suzanne: Yeah.
Sharon: She was thought to be dead then, too. Yeah, that, but not, not in the way that we were talking about somehow. Some characters do die — “die” — and they come back. It’s always fun to have to play that scene when a character comes back to life and you’re shocked. Like Diane recently.
Suzanne: Yeah, that’s right.
Sharon: It’s the best scene when your character runs into them, and you’re like, “Oh, my God!” What expression do you have from back from the dead, what would be the right expression? What is that?
[Both laughing]
Suzanne: I’m not so dead after all! That’s funny. Yeah. Yeah.
Suzanne: Well, it seems like Sharon has been through a lot on those 30 years, and [done] just about everything that a soap heroine can possibly do. I mean…
Sharon: Yeah, I’ve done a lot of really fun stuff…
Suzanne: Burning down Victor’s house, marrying Victor….That was weird!
Sharon: That was, yeah. Marrying. Yeah. But you know, that turned into some very good things that, I’ve been seeing a lot of, recently, people are tweeting or whatever, scenes where Sharon was having Victor’s funeral.
Suzanne: Mm-Hmm. I remember that.
Sharon: It was the fake funeral. And that was just hilarious. And she was trying to marry Tucker at the same time. Those were some of the funniest scenes. And I had so much fun shooting them. And that was all part of the Sharon married Victor story.
Suzanne: Right.
Sharon: She then, you know, covered up his fake death, pretended he was dead, tried to take over Newman. It was a lot of fun.
Suzanne: Yeah, I’ll bet. And I remember a long time ago when Sharon was shoplifting.
Sharon: Yeah, that was great fun.
Suzanne: Yeah?
Sharon: That was the very beginning of her, kind of, her bipolar, I guess, is what they decided that was part of that, as well. I think her would-be behavior. yeah, it was really fun. And, I joke with Joshua Morrow sometimes when we’re just sitting in the Newman living room, doing scenes, you know, passing time when, you know, we have a lot of time sitting there in between scenes, and I say, I’m going to steal the coasters, Joshua. I’m going to have Sharon zip over first and steal the coasters. And I’ll just be doing that in the background while these people are talking. That would be hilarious. We always laugh about that. He laughs… He thinks, he’d like to start having his character only wear golf clothes all the time, to the office, everywhere, he’s just always in golf clothes.
Suzanne: He seems like he would be a lot of fun.
Sharon: He’s so much fun. I think that’s a genius idea.
Suzanne: Yeah, I remember, that was when, when, Sharon was stealing– shoplifting. That was when your character’s mom was still around.
Sharon: Yeah, we haven’t seen Sharon’s mom in a while. We still, we don’t know where her dad is yet. So, there’s still things we have to find out.
Suzanne: Yeah, that’s great that they still have that story out there they could pull out anytime. And I’m glad to see that you’re doing something again, other than just pouring coffee and being a sounding board for your children and anyone else.
Sharon: Yeah…
Suzanne: After Rey died, then they didn’t do anything with Sharon for a very long time, besides that.
Sharon: I know, she had a very long mourning period. She had a long mourning. She really loved him. So she was paused for a while… but now she’s got this Kirsten Company, thanks to Cameron Kirsten. And, now she’s gonna go out on her own and build it into a great company, and, you know, take over the world.
Suzanne: Mm-hmm. Yeah. That’s great. Judging from what I’ve seen on the show lately, it seems like Nick and Sharon may be headed back together. I know they don’t tell you much ahead of time, and you can’t really say spoilers, but would you be happy about that kind of reunion?
Sharon: Of course! I’m always happy when they reunite. I– I love working with Joshua. Good news is, though, even when we’re not reunited, I get to work with him a lot anyway. We share children together. So, I mean, we always are doing scenes together in any case, either way.
Suzanne: Yeah, yeah. And do you think that they’re the next Victor and Nikki?
Sharon: Well, it seems so. I can see how people can compare the two. They’ve been a couple on and off for, you know, like we just said, three decades now.
Suzanne: Yeah.
Sharon: And that does seem to parallel Victor and Nikki.
Suzanne: Right. And when you found out that Sharon was going to be running Cameron’s former company, what was your reaction to that?
Sharon: Oh, I was really happy. You know, to see Sharon back in the business world again is fun. She did worka t Jabot and Newman back in the day for a while. And that’s fun because, you know, she gets to interact with a lot of other people while she’s at work.
Suzanne: Mm-hmm.
Sharon: Brad work there then, you know
Suzanne: Mm-hmm. I remember…
Sharon: That’s just fun. So I– I hope that Sharon being back in the business world again… that will give her cause to be at Jabot, or Newman or maybe employ several people at her office space.
Suzanne: Right. She was a psychologist, but they’ve kind of dropped that now, or….?
Sharon: Yeah, I think we’re getting less and less…going less and less with the psychology. And we did that for a few years.
Suzanne: Yeah.
Sharon: Well, you know, she’s changing careers, and going back to what she used to do.
Suzanne: Right, right, right. And, is there anything that Sharon hasn’t done on the show that you wish she would do?
Sharon: Let’s see…um…I don’t know, let’s see… I would like her to, uh…I can’t really think of anything, but you know, it would be fun if she were like a… I’ll come up with something.
Suzanne: Okay. You could be a stripper like Nikki! I don’t know…
Sharon: Be a stripper like Nikki? No…. [Laughs]
Suzanne: Maybe she could get a split personality and become a stripper.
Sharon: Split personality would be phenomenal. I loved playing bipolar, that’s not quite the same, but a split personality would be a lot of fun, or a crazy twin sister.
Suzanne: I was gonna say evil twin would be the next thing.
Sharon: That would be great.
Suzanne: Well, and we know twins run in her family, so she had twins, so…
Sharon: That’s right, she did. She had Mariah and Cassie, and they were great.
Suzanne: Yeah, so she could have an evil twin out there she doesn’t even know about.
Sharon: That’s right.
Suzanne: And it would be a good way to bring her mom back, too.
Sharon: Yeah, or bring her mom back or her dad. Maybe she meets her dad, and her dad shows up in town with this child. This– well, not child anymore. You know. And Sharon is looking right at herself, she feels. It’s because it’s her twin sister.
Suzanne: Yeah, that would be great. You’d get to play evil for a while. That would be fun.
Sharon: Yeah, that would be good.
Suzanne: Yeah, or a vixen, what they used to call a vixen.
Sharon: Yeah, and she could be a real good vixen and real bad girl. She would do all kinds of bad things.
Suzanne: I could see– I could see that with Adam.
Sharon: Doing bad things?
Suzanne: Yeah. The twin– the evil twin with Adam.
Sharon: Oh, yeah, I see. Yeah. Yeah. I can see it, too.
Suzanne: So, I asked on Twitter and Facebook– Oh, (here’s a question I forgot to ask first) I know it’s not 2020 anymore, but are you still following a lot of COVID protocols on the set?
Sharon: You know, we do sometimes. Not, as regularly as we were… sometimes we’re masking, it’s sort of optional, and, the testing, we’re not doing it every single week, but we are still, at various intervals, doing testing.
Suzanne: Okay, did they ever have the thing that they had on GH for a while, where everyone had to get vaccinated?
Sharon: I think, no, I mean, they, they offered vaxxess here and they always have, not every year I guess, but there’s been a lot of years they’ve offered vaxxes here… flu vaxxess and things like that.
Suzanne: Right. But it wasn’t mandated or anything.
Sharon: Right.
Suzanne: Oh, okay. and so I went on Twitter and Facebook and asked fans if they had questions for you.
Sharon: Oh good! I hope they do!
Suzanne: They, oh yeah, there’s a lot. More than I can tell you in the time that we have. But, let’s see. Christine on Twitter, wanted to know who you would like to work with that you haven’t. A couple of other people asked the same thing.
Sharon: That I haven’t, um..
Suzanne: Or not much.
Sharon: You know, I haven’t a lot with, Trevor St. John, and we had a few coffee house scenes together. One day, that was it. It was so fun. I was hoping that we would– our characters would do more together.
Suzanne: Right, because you were kind of married for a while.
Sharon: We were kind of married for a while! Different actor, but I– you know, so it really works that this is someone from Sharon’s past. I find it, you know, interesting to play those scenes with that character because of that. And you know, working with Trevor is terrific.
Suzanne: I’m sure. Yeah. And, everybody hates him, so… his character (I mean), so that would be fun to see whether Sharon still didn’t like him, or liked him, felt that bad for him, or whatever. Yeah.
Sharon: You know, it’s a love-hate thing. I think, when you run into your ex-husband years ago, you get a zing from that.
Suzanne: Yeah. So, Heather wanted to know what your favorite storyline of all time was?
Sharon: Oh, my gosh. I have loved so many of ’em. You know, the one we just mentioned: Sharon, posting Victor’s funeral. That was a really fun, if you haven’t seen that, hold that up somewhere on Twitter or on, I don’t know where else you can get it, but it
Suzanne: YouTube? YouTube, maybe?
Sharon: maybe. Yeah. On YouTube. Yeah. I’ve seen it on Twitter recently. That’s why I said that. But on YouTube, that is a really fun. And, you know, I have a lot of others [that] I’ve said many times are my favorites, like going into the sewer with Nikki and the rats, and Cassie’s death story. But I really want to start adding to it. I think my favorite scene was Sharon hosting Victor’s funeral.
Suzanne: And a different person named Christine, this one on Facebook, wanted to know your funniest blooper, either one you did or somebody else did.
Sharon: Oh, my gosh, there’s bloopers every day. There’s so many [scene ones?]. I just had a funny, almost-blooper, with Brytni [Sarpy] today, who plays Elena. We were doing a funny scene. She was supposed to exit and be gone. And then there’s the tag on Sharon watching a different character. And we were joking that Elena would, at the end, peek around the corner as if she has her eye on Sharon. And we just did a riff on this ridiculous that, Sharon and Elena, you know, she’s got her eye on her for some reason. And, we joked about it in rehearsal, so we did that in rehearsal. It’s not a blooper, necessarily. But it kind of is because it started out with Brytni actually making a mistake in her blocking!
Suzanne: Oh!
Sharon: That got us all laughing about this. There’s so many bloopers every day, you know? Oh, I had one where I was– recently, I was in Society, and… I’m supposed to just put my purse, um, set it on my chair as I’m seated at Society, and the purse just kept falling.
Suzanne: Oh!
Sharon: Well, I’m trying to have a conversation in the scene, and I’m constantly fidgeting with my purse. I finally got that thing to stay. And, they didn’t have… they didn’t edit that into the show, so you won’t see that because it’s a blooper.
Suzanne: Ah.
Sharon: Another blooper is that when I finally got up to leave, I got up to grab the purse and go, and it was stuck. I couldn’t pull it out of the chair again. And I do wish that they would include these in the show.
Suzanne: Yeah, or [have] like a special blooper reel or something, or post it online… anything. Fans woul love to see those.
Sharon: Yeah, sure. I would love to see them, too. It’s fun.
Suzanne: Marilyn wants to know, what do you admire about your character? And what do you not admire about your character?
Sharon: You know what, I admire how brave she is, and what a go-getter she is now… You know, how positively she looks at life itself, and her life. After everything she’s been through, she just keeps going, and has this positive energy and attitude that tomorrow’s another day, and she’s going to reinvent herself and become a businesswoman now, again, and a great mom, or she’s going to go crazy, but that’s okay. She’ll recover. She’s just got a great attitude.
Suzanne: Well, yeah, what’s great about being on the soap, especially for so long, it seems like you get to experience all these different things you don’t necessarily do in your real life.
Sharon: Right.
Suzanne: You get to go wild and crazy. You get to have kids, you know, married many times, all these different…
Sharon: You get to do a lot of fun stuff, but you know, she’s, I like her.. I don’t know, her optimism.
Suzanne: And is there anything you don’t admire about Sharon? You wish that she didn’t do?
Sharon: Let’s see. Hmm. I don’t think so. I think I’ve, I’ve pretty much really liked everything she’s done. Yeah.
Suzanne: Okay. And Faith says, “I really love some of the clothes and accessories you wear. Do you get a chance to decide what to wear and do you get a chance to purchase the clothing or accessories?”
Sharon: Well, that’s a good question. Wardrobe is very fun and very important. This, what I’m wearing right now is, from Sharon’s closet. I love Sharon’s clothes. I do get a say-so, somewhat, in what she’s going to wear. The costume department will buy a bunch of clothes, or they take them out from the store on, you know, I don’t know, they get to take them out temporarily. Usually they give us the clothes for two or three days to try on so we have time to try these on. What they bring I try on, and I decide what I like, what I didn’t. And they do as well. They may have bought me some things from the store that once they see them on me, they don’t like them or anything. It’s just not right for the scene. So we both decide, but yes, I do have a say-so as well, and if everything we don’t like gets sent back, and the things that we decide to keep, then the costumers decide which show, which episode, each costume might be right for.
Suzanne: Okay, and she said, do you get a chance to buy any of the clothes or accessories?
Sharon: Oh, no, no, no, I don’t get to buy them. I get to borrow them.
Suzanne: Oh.
Sharon: Yeah, they are… I don’t know why we just don’t really have a thing where we buy the clothes.. [from] CBS on some… We all borrow them and wear them to a function, you know, the anniversary party or, you know, like today I’m doing this interview, so I’m wearing Sharon’s clothes.
Suzanne: Nice. And, Teresa wanted to know if you’ve ever vacationed in Nashville. I assume she lives there.
Sharon: Oh, my gosh, I don’t think I have. I’ve been so many places. I have so many friends going to Nashville all the time, so I see a lot of it in photos. I don’t think that I have been in Nashville, but I’m gonna make it there one day, for sure.
Suzanne: You should. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a lot of fun.
Sharon: Seems like it.
Suzanne: And, Lori wants to know if you’re still designing your POMP jewelry.
Sharon: It was called pump, p-u-m-p, pump.
Suzanne: Oh, okay. Pump.
Sharon: P-O-M-P. Now I forgot that. While it’s been a while, it’s been a very long time. When did we close that? We closed it. I don’t– years ago, so no, we’re not still doing that. It was me and my friend, Ella, who used to be the head of the costuming department here at Young and The Restless.
Suzanne: Okay.
Sharon: We’re good friends also in real life, so we designed and made this jewelry company together, but we closed it up quite a while ago. I’m not still doing it. I have some leftover spare pieces that I just kept that I like, that I wear. And, I think… you know, we have thought about bringing back just, not a whole line, but maybe like one or two pieces that were very popular. We’ll see.
Suzanne: Okay, and Marilyn again wants to know what made you want to be an actress.
Sharon: Gosh, I don’t think I did want to be one. I fell into it, and it ended up working out, and I eventually came to like it, so I stuck with it. But I didn’t really plan to be. I was a dancer… I was a ballerina when I was a little girl, and I just thought I was always going to be a ballerina. But I started booking jobs as an actress because of that.
Suzanne: Oh, okay.
Sharon: Once I started working as a dancer, you start working as a model. You start, you know, you just start branching out and getting… get offered a variety of things.
Suzanne: Mm-hmm.
Sharon: I’ve done hosting jobs for various shows in the past. You know, I guess it’s just as a performer, you do a lot of different kinds of things, but I never did plan to be an actor. When I was in school, I didn’t go to acting school. I wasn’t in the drama class. I was in the play production class. I liked learning how to produce. And, I kind of thought, well, maybe I would do something in that regard.
Suzanne: Interesting. Do you have any pictures of yourself as a ballerina? If so, you should post them on Instagram.
Sharon: I know, I should. I do. I think I have some really, really bad ones. I did say, I just saved the ones that are most embarrassing. I have to take those out. I left them at my parents house.
Suzanne: Oh, those would be fun to see, though. I think everybody would enjoy seeing those.
Sharon: I know, it would be a good laugh, right?
Suzanne: Aw, no, because you’re probably, you think they’re terrible, but we’d probably go, Oh, look how cute she looks.
Sharon: I’m probably universal, universally terrible. But we’ve all seen that before, you know, pictures of us when we’re young and in a silly costume. But that was fun. That’s what kids do.
Suzanne: So you didn’t like being an actress when you first started? Is that what you kind of said there?
Sharon: I didn’t really. You know, I wasn’t trained at first as an actress, so I didn’t really know what I was doing. I found it difficult and, you know, it’s hard to enjoy doing something that you don’t feel you’re good at or you’re nervous about. But then I eventually did go to acting school. I, you know, I thought, wow, if I’m going to keep doing this and booking jobs, doing this, I’m, I better go to school for this, get training. Maybe that’ll make a difference. And I think it did.
Suzanne: Okay, great. And, so, those are all my questions, but is there anything else… are you allowed to tell us anything, about the upcoming weeks or episodes?
Sharon: Well, I can’t give away story, you know, because I’m– I don’t know why they make us…
Suzanne: Spoilers.
Sharon: I wish we could. Yeah, that’s frowned on around here. Very unpopular.
Suzanne: Yeah.
Sharon: I can’t do that. But there is, you know, the stuff that’s aired already keeps going. We know that Sharon has this company, Kirsten, and that keeps rolling, as far as I know, for the time being. And Sharon and Chance and Summer are, you know, doing whatever they’re doing. I will see what direction that heads in. But that is something that Sharon has going. And then also, Sharon is helpful and supportive with Mariah and Tessa and their baby and her medical situation with her hearing. So that that’s coming up here and there, too.
Suzanne: Okay, and, you mentioned Chance. Now, your characters had random sex back in July.
Sharon: I know!
Suzanne: And then that was kind of the end of it, right?
Sharon: And now we don’t have sex anymore, I guess. Well, at least not on camera. Right?
Suzanne: Yeah. At least as far as we know.
Sharon: We assume they must be doing that.
Suzanne: Yeah, I thought maybe they were putting him and Summer together…?
Sharon: Maybe, I don’t know.
Suzanne: Slowly. But now I’m thinking you and Nick, so I don’t know. Maybe it’s a quadrangle. I don’t know. .
Sharon: Well, that would be interesting. But, you know, that would be going, out, you know, into the future too far where I don’t even know… I haven’t asked.
Suzanne: Ah.
Sharon: And so I don’t know ultimately what’s gonna happen. Sharon and Chance, Sharon and Nick, or Summer and Chance. I, I don’t know. But it’s been fun working with all of them.
Suzanne: Yeah, I’m sure.
Sharon: I’m having a nice time.
Suzanne: Yeah. Anything else you’d like to tell your fans?
Sharon: Let’s see. Well, thank you all so much for tuning in and staying with us all these years and for all of your comments, and thank you for asking me questions for this interview today.
Suzanne: Oh, my pleasure.
Sharon: The fans asked questions. You too, Suzanne. Thank you.
[Both laugh]
Suzanne: We’re all happy. We’re all fans, and we’re all happy to talk to you.
Sharon: I love when I get asked questions from the fans and they post a question for my interview. It means a lot to me that people were paying attention or wanted to participate or hear something from me. It means a lot. Thank you all.
Suzanne: All right. Well, thanks so much for talking to me today. I really appreciate it. And I look forward to seeing what else Sharon gets up to, and I hope they give you one of those special standalone episodes for your 30th anniversary, like they’ve done before with Michael. And I don’t remember who else… Victor.
Sharon: That’s a great idea. Yeah. We haven’t done one of those in a while. Yeah, that would be fun. That would be a lot of work, too.
Suzanne: Yeah. All right. Thank you so much.
Sharon: Thank you. All right. Bye.
Suzanne: Bye. Bye.
NOTE: This transcript was made by a program called Descript.
MORE INFO:
Sharon Case is an American actress and former model. At the age of 17, Case began working as a model, relocating briefly to Japan, before pursuing an acting career. She is best known for her roles on daytime television soap operas, scoring parts in the serials General Hospital and As the World Turns during the early stages of her career. In 1994, she stepped into the role of Sharon Newman on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless, which she still plays. Case, who is considered a leading actress in the series, won the 1999 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the #1 daytime drama for 32 consecutive years, is a continuing drama revolving around the loves, enmities, hopes and fears of the residents of the fictional Midwestern town of Genoa City.
The series’ 50th season premiered Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, on the CBS Television Network, and is available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.
I apologize if my questions during this interview made it sound like I expected her to be more involved with the movie itself. I really wasn’t told ahead of time about the extent of her involvement (I probably should have asked, so that’s on me). I’m very glad we spoke, though, as it was educational as well as entertaining.
At any rate, I enjoyed speaking with her. I hope you enjoy this interview. You should definitely check it out. It has a good story and an amazing cast! Luke Macfarlane , Kirsten Vangsness, Miranda MacDougall, Clare Filipow and the others do a really great job. When you watch this movie, you will learn things you probably didn’t know about the modern Amish community. The ending of the movie is chilling, since it is about a real case. Lovers of true crime will no doubt really enjoy this movie. If you’re a fan of Luke Macfarlane, you will be shocked by his performance (he’s also an EP). It’s a very different role than the others you’ve seen him play.
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Morris is a veteran journalist who worked in radio and television news in New York City; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington and was a free-lance writer for The Seattle Times, The Oregonian, People, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, and many other publications.
Her newest book, Boy Missing: The Search for Kyron Horman, is the only book about the
seven year old boy who vanished from his Portland, Oregon school on June 4, 2010. She spent three years interviewing his family and friends and trying to answer two questions: Where is Kyron, and why hasn’t the woman believed responsible for his disappearance been charged? The book helps make the case that no-body cases can be prosecuted.
Her first book, Ted and Ann, continues to be a bestseller on Amazon (and is also available as an e-book and audio book), and her e-book, Bad Apples – Inside the Teacher/Student Sex Scandal Epidemic, is the only book to look at the trend of female teachers having sex with underage students.
She is also the author of a true crime memoir, A Murder in My Hometown (2018), as well as A Killing in Amish Country – Sex Betrayal and a Cold-Blooded Murder (St. Martin’s, 2016) and If I Can’t Have You – Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance and the Murder of Her Children (St. Martin’s 2014). She and Gregg Olsen are the authors of the Notorious USA series, including The Boy Who Fired the First Shot, The Girl and the Horrors of Howard Avenue, and The Stranger and the World’s Bravest Little Girl.
Rebecca attended Oregon State University, received a B.A. in Journalism from Seattle
University, and has an M.F.A. in Playwriting from Brown University. She speaks about her work at libraries, schools, and writers’ conferences. She has taught writing, journalism, and playwriting at colleges and universities across the country. She currently teaches at Seattle’s Hugo House and at North Seattle College.
She appears frequently on network and cable television as a crime expert.
Lifetime Announces “Truly Unbelievable Movies” A Ripped From the Headlines Event – New Movies Every Saturday Beginning September 16
– 09/06/2023 –
LIFETIME ANNOUNCES “TRULY UNBELIEVABLE MOVIES” A RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES EVENT WITH NEW ORIGINALS EVERY SATURDAY BEGINNING THIS SEPTEMBER
BILL PULLMAN TO HEADLINE LIFETIME’S MILESTONE 500TH ORIGINAL MOVIE MURDAUGH MURDERS: THE MOVIE DEBUTING OCTOBER 14 AND 15 AS A TWO-NIGHT EVENT
SARAH DREW EXECUTIVE PRODUCES AND STARS ALONGSIDE DELILAH HAMLIN IN HOW SHE CAUGHT A KILLERON SEPTEMBER 16
EMILY OSMENT AND ANNA HOPKINS HEADLINE STOLEN BABY: THE MURDER OF HEIDI BROUSSARD PREMIERING SEPTEMBER 23
LUKE MACFARLANE EXECUTIVE PRODUCES AND STARS WITH KIRSTEN VANGSNESS IN AMISH STUD: THE ELI WEAVER STORYSET FOR SEPTEMBER 30
MEAGAN GOOD EXECUTIVE PRODUCES AND STARS ALONGSIDE ARIANA MADIX IN BUYING BACK MY DAUGHTERDEBUTING OCTOBER 7
WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY EXECUTIVE PRODUCES AND STARS IN BAD ROMANCE: THE VICKY WHITE STORY PREMIERING OCTOBER 21
MELISSA JOAN HART EXECUTIVE PRODUCES AND STARS IN WOULD YOU KILL FOR ME? THE MARY BAILEY STORY DEBUTING OCTOBER 28
LOS ANGELES, CA (September 6, 2023) – This fall, Lifetime unveils “Truly Unbelievable Movies,” a Ripped from the Headlines Event , a slate of seven new original movies featuring top talent. All produced earlier this year, the lineup includes Lifetime’s milestone 500th original movie, the two-night event Murdaugh Murders: The Movie starring Bill Pullman as Alex Murdaugh who, on the surface is a prominent and respected South Carolina lawyer, loving husband and father but behind closed doors, lived a drug-filled secret life that ultimately led to murder. The two-part movie will premiere as the tent-pole of fall slate, premiering on October 14th and 15th at 8p/7c. New original movies will all debut Saturdays at 8p/7c from September 16 – October 28.
AMISH STUD: THE ELI WEAVER STORY– Premieres September 30 Devoted to her husband, kids and faith, Barbara Weaver (Miranda MacDougall, The Flash) was content leading a traditional life in her conservative Ohio Amish community—with no modern conveniences. Her husband Eli (EP, Luke Macfarlane, Bros), however, wanted the things that were forbidden to him as an Amish man. He gave into the temptations of women and technology, leading a secret life with the online alias “Amish Stud” to meet with women outside of his marriage bed. Eli found his pick of curious women fascinated by the Amish lifestyle, and often spoke to his mistresses about his desire to kill his wife. When Barbara is found dead from a shotgun wound, all eyes turn to Eli. But with his rock solid alibi, investigators had nowhere to turn, until they discover Eli had a secret cell phone. Their investigations led them to Barb Raber (Kirsten Vangsness, Criminal Minds), a married Conservative Mennonite who had been having an affair with Eli and who was plotting with him to murder his wife. Ultimately, it is up to the detectives investigating the crime to find justice for Barbara Weaver. Amish Stud is based on the book, “A Killing in Amish Country: Sex, Betrayal and a Cold-Blooded Murder” by bestselling authors Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris.
Interview with Jamie Berard of “LEGO Masters” on FOX by Suzanne 9/27/23
This was a fun interview. I didn’t know what to expect when I agreed to this because I don’t normally watch any reality or game shows, and I’ve never played with LEGOs before. I watched the season 4 premiere and found that it really drew me in. It was entertaining. I hope you enjoy the new season and this chat with judge Jamie.
Hosted by actor and producer Will Arnett, LEGO® MASTERS brings imagination, design and creativity to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Once again, teams of two will compete against each other in even more ambitious brick-building challenges – including an earthquake tower challenge, a demolition derby, a LEGO fashion show and more – to be crowned the country’s most talented amateur LEGO builders. In each episode, Arnett, alongside expert Brickmasters and LEGO employees Amy Corbett and Jamie Berard, will encourage the builders, introduce incredible challenges and put their creativity and skills to the test. The competing pairs who impress the judges the most will progress to the next round, until the finale, during which the top teams will face off for a $100,000 cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGOMASTERS.
Endemol Shine North America, Tuesday’s Child and Plan B Entertainment produce LEGO Masters, under license from The LEGO Group. Showrunner Anthony Dominici executive-produces with Arnett; Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre and Michael Heyerman from Endemol Shine North America; Karen Smith and Steph Harris from Tuesday’s Child; Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Christina Oh from Plan B; and Jill Wilfert and Robert May from The LEGO Group.
Jamie Berard is Senior Design Manager and Creative Lead at The LEGO Company, where he is responsible for working on the LEGO Architecture and LEGO Ideas lines, as well as a variety of products for adults, teens and super fans. He is a life-long LEGO fan and has been an employee of The LEGO Company for more than 14 years.
Before joining LEGO, Berard was part of the local group New England LEGO Users Group (NELUG), where he worked on several larger-than-life projects, including a 100,000-piece LEGO mosaic of the Boston skyline. He served as a foreman on the Millyard Project, which, at its completion, was the largest permanent minifigure scale display in the world.
In 2004, Berard was a finalist to become the next Master Model Builder for LEGOLAND California and served as a Technical Judge for the FIRST LEGO League World Finals in Atlanta, GA. He was hired to work for the company in 2005, after displaying functional amusement park rides at a LEGO fan event in Washington, D.C.
Since joining LEGO, he has been responsible for designing dozens of complex LEGO models, including the 4,000+ piece Big Ben and the 4,000+ piece Assembly Square Modular Building sets, which are available for purchase to fans worldwide.
Interview with director Stephen Gyllenhaal of the film “Uncharitable” by Suzanne 9/20/23
This is a fascinating movie, and I enjoyed chatting with this master filmmaker. As you will see, he is very passionate about this movie and its subject. I don’t usually interview directors, nor do I usually cover movies. However, between the SAG and WGA strikes, and the fact that he’s directed many TV shows and movie, and the worthy subject of this documentary, I felt I had to do this. I’m very glad I did. Don’t miss this wonderful film because it really opens your eyes as to what charities can do and what nonprofit organizations have to go through to even exist. Here’s how you can get involved, too!
Opening In New York Theaters September 22
and Los Angeles Theaters September 29
Based on the book “Uncharitable” by DAN PALLOTTA
Directed and Produced by Stephen Gyllenhaal (Losing Isaiah, A Dangerous Woman)
Featuring Interviews with Dan Pallotta, Chris Anderson (CEO of TED), Steve Nardizzi (Former CEO and Co-Founder of Wounded Warrior Project), Darren Walker (President of the Ford Foundation), Edward Norton (Actor and Founder of Crowdrise) and more
Director Stephen Gyllenhaal and Subject Dan Pallotta Available for Select Interviews
After three of the most dynamic and successful U.S. charities were shut down by conservative charity watchdogs, destroying lives and cutting off precious resources, many of the top influencers in the field knew something had to be done to overhaul the nonprofit sector.
Beginning with Dan Pallotta, whose record-breaking Ted Talk on the subject has inspired top philanthropists and changemakers, this feature documentary exposes the dark side of philanthropy and introduces a radical new way of giving. In an emotional call to action, Uncharitable demands that charities be freed from the traditional sackcloth-and-ashes constraints, so that they can truly change the world.
No topic is more crucial and timelier as we confront an increasingly unstable world with the growing revelation that we are all interconnected and that our fate lies in how much we are willing to invest in positive change.
Film and television director, writer and producer. His feature directing credits include Paris Trout, for which he received a Director’s Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials, as well as the theatrical films Waterland, A Dangerous Woman, Losing Isaiah and Homegrown. In 2012, he received a DGA nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television for Girl Fight. He co-wrote and directed the indie film Grassroots, which made its theatrical debut in Summer 2012, and he recently directed the indie film So B. It, based on the best-selling young adult novel. He directed the Peabody award-winning dramatic series “Rectify” for the Sundance Channel, “Billions” for Showtime, and “Bosch” for Amazon. His producing credits include the TV movies Living with the Dead, The Patron Saint of Liars, A Shattered Mind, and the feature documentary IN UTERO. Stephen is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and Thrive Global.(From https://www.inuterofilm.com)
Interview with Karen Lam of the movie “The Curse of Willow Song” by Thane 9/9/23
It was great to talk to award-winning filmmaker Karen Lam about her upcoming horror movie, “The Curse Of Willow Song.” This movie won multiple awards, but I found her very humble about it. I can tell that she’s in it for the love of art, and she loves working with people. Make sure to check out the trailer because it’s really cool.
Canadian writer, director, and producer KARENLAM is promoting her upcoming film THE CURSE OF WILLOW SONG, on digital and DVD September 26.
Lam grew up in Brandon, Manitoba. Lam‘s father, a professor, would show his daughter horror films that she cites as an influence for her work. Lam also lists Gothic literature and Asian horror films as influences. After receiving a law degree from the University of British Columbia, Lam began working at BC Film.
Lam‘s first featured-length film was Stained (2010), a thriller starring Tinsel Korey. A year later the horror revenge short Doll Parts (2011) was released and distributed, which Lam credits for paving the way for Stained to get viewership in the United States. She landed on Hollywood’s map with the starry horror Evangeline in 2013.
KARENLAM‘S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED COMES TO DIGITAL SEPTEMBER 26
THE CURSE OF WILLOW SONG
STARRING VALERIE TIAN FROM “THE MAGICIANS”, “ARROW” AND JENNIFER’S BODY
KarenLam‘s highly-anticipated The Curse of Willow Song, starring Jennifer Body’s Valerie Tian, has been picked up by Uncork’d Entertainment. The horror pic, receiving great early buzz thanks to its strong special effects, will release on both digital and DVD formats in the fall.
“The Curse of Willow Song has so much to offer. It will appeal for the genre audience but also the Asian community – as represented in front of and behind camera”, said Keith Leopard, President Uncork’d Entertainment. “KarenLam is truly one of the most exceptional filmmakers out there, and The Curse of Willow Song reiterates that.”
Willow Song, a recovering addict and parolee, struggles to start over. Willow finds herself in a concrete wasteland. Facing isolation and displacement, shadows creep into Willow’s mind and her nightmares become too real.
The Curse of Willow Song will release on Digital and DVD September 26, 2023.
About Uncork’d Entertainment
Uncork’d Entertainment was founded in July, 2012 by Keith Leopard, a Home Entertainment industry veteran with more than 23 years of experience in purchasing, acquisitions, merchandising, marketing and analysis of major studio and independent supplier to the home entertainment market.
The Company focuses on distribution in six areas: Digital Media, Physical Home Entertainment, Aggregation, Theatrical and Television, Foreign Sales, and has secured relationships across all platforms to ensure your film reaches the widest audience possible.
Keith and his team are committed to maximizing revenue, controlling costs, and assuring their Content Partners the highest quality of service, a commitment to market and merchandise their film and a rewarding experience by partnering with Uncork’d Entertainment.
Interview with writer/co-director Jim Capobianco, co-director Pierrce-Luc Granjon and composer Alex Mandel of the movie “The Inventor” by Suzanne 8/10/23
This is a cute stop-motion animated movie about Leonardo da Vinci and his quest to find out the secret of life. It’s great for kids, families, or anyone. The music is very good, too.
The first interview was with the show’s directors, Jim Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon; Capobianco was also the writer. The second interview was with Alex Mandel, who wrote the music. Both interviews were very enjoyable. I hope you can go see this film, which comes out September 15.
Directed and written by Jim Capobianco (the Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter of “Ratatouille”) and co-directed by Pierre-Luc Granjon, THE INVENTOR is a stop-motion adventure film about the life of Leonardo da Vinci featuring the voices of Stephen Fry, Daisy Ridley, Marion Cotillard, Gauthier Battoue, and Matt Berry.
The insatiably curious and headstrong inventor/artist Leonardo da Vinci (Fry) leaves Italy to join the French court where he can freely experiment, invent flying contraptions and incredible machines, and study the human body. Joined in his adventure by the audacious Princess Marguerite (Ridley), Leonardo attempts to uncover the answer to the ultimate question: “What is the meaning of life?”
They just revealed that Susan Banks is alive. I’m not surprised – nobody dies in Salem! I doubted her death from day one. Some people hate her, but I find her hilarious. Some people also hate Leo, but I also find him hilarious. He has the funniest lines. I don’t care about the Dimitri triangle, but I guess he and Leo are well-suited. It’s obvious Dimitri will lose out on the money.
I don’t like Alex; he’s very annoying. I liked him much better when he was having casual flings – at least people don’t normally do that on the soaps. Perhaps Abby will return alive just before Chad and Stephanie get married…. that would be fun!
I am thankful the story line with Nurse Nuts and Abe is gone – that plot was tortuous. Speaking of tortuous, I liked the idea of Theresa coming back, but her character has been just annoying so far. It’s been a decade, so couldn’t she find someone else by now?
The residents of Salem have quite a few secrets. I’m not sure why they bother keeping them because they always come out. Salemites must have memories like goldfish.
I would hate to be Sloane when EJ finds out the baby isn’t his. Such a shame. I think Nichole and EJ are better suited. Wendy and Tripp are pretty boring, but it’s a good excuse for Lucas Adams to be shirtless. Xander and Chloes romance is obviously doomed – why are we even bothering with them?
Sonny is back, but what about Will? Oh, great, now I sound like some ridiculous fan whining about casting decisions…one of those who doesn’t realize that the showjust can’t afford lots of returnees.
People on social media were upset that Victor died in a plane crash instead of in his sleep. I don’t know what difference this makes, he’s dead either way. I did like Victor, though… he was funny and is already missed. RIP John.
The opinions in these articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TVMEG.COM or its other volunteers.
In March, the streaming service Peacock renewed “Days of Our Lives” for two more years, which means the show will make it to its 60th Anniversary. The question is, will it last beyond that? There are many factors that put the show in jeopardy. Mind you, we hope the show is around a good long time. We’re not optimistic, however.
The show has been on a small budget for a very long time. NBC canceled it a few years back, but they moved it to their streaming site. This was a calculated move to bring its aging audience into the world of streaming (and hopefully introduce it to younger fans). Peacock invested some money in it, I believe, at first, but I think it’s back to being low-budget now. One of the ways they save money is by rotating their huge cast. Certain characters come and go all the time (such as Will and Sonny) or are hardly seen (Tony and Anna). Fans are used to this by now, even though it can be frustrating when our favorites are not given much story.
The large cast has quite a number of senior actors (see above), from a relatively-young Judi Evans (Bonnie) at age 59, to Bill Hayes (Dough) at age 98, as well as a few in their 50’s (Eric Martsolf, Stacy Haiduk, Steve Burton, Galen Gering, Greg Vaughan, Tamara Braun, and the sometimes-seen Bryan Dattilo).This isn’t even to mention the myriad over-50 actors that occasionally come and go, such as Eileen Davidson (Susan/Kristen), Kassie DePaiva (Eve), Lisa Rinna (Billie), Kristen Alfonso (Hope), Alison Sweeney (Sami), Cady McClain (Jenn), Kyle Lowder (Rex) and others…
John Aniston (Victor), who was 89, passed away at the end of last year. We hope no one else leaves us any time soon, but it’s sort of inevitable that will probably happen in the next 5 years or so. If the actors on the show, and their fans, die out, then what will happen to the show? Sure, there are younger actors, but what is “Days of Our Lives” without Marlena (Deidre Hall, age 75) or Maggie (Suzanne Rogers, age 80)? Can actors like Robert Sean Wilson (Alex) and Abigail Klein (Stephanie) be the next John and Marlena or Steve and Kayla? We may find out.
The other age-related problem is that the show doesn’t seem to offer contracts to many of their younger cast members, which is probably why they lose so many of them, such as Kate Mansi, Marci Miller, Victoria Konefal, Freddie Smith, Lamon Archey, and Camila Banus. There are other reasons young people leave as well, such as wanting to try their hand in movies or primetime.
The show was originally a more serious soap, but in the 80’s (like many other daytime soaps), they had a lot of wild stories. Then they became a more serious soap for a while, and they’ve been up and down ever since. Since their move to Peacock, the stories have been pretty out there. I think this is part of the reason that it had lower ratings than the other soaps. It’s hard to take a show seriously when they have stories about demonic possession, people constantly coming back from the dead, psychic powers and more. I don’t think anyone would want the show to go back to when it was boring, but it would be nice if there were a little more realism. On the other hand, they have had some great groundbreaking stories dealing with mental illness and gay romance. Also, the show has added more three-dimensional characters of color with the addition of Li and Wendy, as well as Paulina’s family. And most importantly, they’ve given Abe a lot more to do.
Another thing they’ve improved over time is having more “love in the afternoon,” even if some people don’t approve of the more suggestive love-making scenes, as they had with the threesome between Allie, Alex and Chanel. They have many great kissing scenes (and suggestive bedroom scenes) among all of the cast, which is nice to see because it adds some realism and gives us a nice break from the outrageous or dramatic stories. There is also a lot of humor in the show, and that credit goes to head writer Ron Carlivati.
This week they brought on 97-year-old Dick Van Dyke as a character with amnesia, which is an interesting mystery storyline. He also did a little song-and-dance with Doug and Julie, which was very fun. I don’t think Van Dyke will be on the show for very long, which is too bad. I think he’s brought new life into the show, and it would be nice to see more. I don’t mind “stunt casting,” which soaps do a lot of, as long as they are fun to watch.
There are definitely positives to the show being on streaming, including the fact that they never have to show a re-run or be impacted by daytime news interruptions. However, they may have lost many fans who refuse to pay for Peacock Plus or Premium, or who don’t want to watch the show on their computer or phone.
One thing that’s disturbing is that the show recently got rid of its publicist and her publicity department. This was probably a cost-cutting measure, but it seems pretty extreme to me. None of the other soaps have done this. It makes me wonder what else they’re going to cut.
If you read about the show, you’ve no doubt heard about its recent scandal involving one of the producers. They fired him, but it sounds like they should have done that quite some time ago. Let’s hope it doesn’t have any further negative impact on the show.
Unfortunately, all TV networks are having problems financially now because there are just too many of them, and they not only have to compete with each other, but with video games, movies and other internet fun. There is a strike going on right now between the actors, writers and the big corporations that run the networks. What effect this will have on the daytime soaps and their future, we don’t know.
All we can do is keep watching and hope the show sticks around for many more years!
The opinions in these articles are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of TVMEG.COM or its other volunteers.
Interview with Monique T. Parent of “That’s a Wrap!” by Suzanne 8/9/23
It was nice to speak to Monique. We had a great chat. I even asked her about some makeup things after our “official” chat here. She’s had a long and interesting career. I’m not a big fan of horror movies…especially “slasher flicks” like this one, but it has quite a lot of comedy and art to it that was fascinating to see. Monique did a great job in it.
Known as ”The Thinking Man’s Sex Symbol”, the sci-fi and horror vet also runs a YouTube channel offering makeup and hair tips for women over 40 as well as sharing her life as an actress. She is an advocate for celebrating natural beauty and graceful aging. She lives in L.A with her two cats.
STARRING Cerina Vincent, Monique T.Parent, Sarah French, Gigi Gustin, Dave Sheridan
DIRECTED BY Marcel Walz
ON DIGITAL AUGUST 25
Award winning director Marcel Walz’s upcoming horror/thriller THAT’S A WRAP is scheduled to release on digital platforms on August 25th, 2023 from Quiver Distribution. Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever), Monique T. Parent (Jurassic City), Sarah French (Space Wars : The Quest for Deepstar), Gigi Gustin (The Retaliators) and Dave Sheridan (The Devil’s Rejects) star in a film written by Joe Knetter and Robert L. Lucas.
The cast of a film arrive to a wrap party, but someone has dressed up as the slasher in the film, and begins to stage their own kill scenes. One by one, the cast disappear until the true nature of the evening is revealed.
Joe Knetter, Marcel Walz and Sarah French produce, with BJ Mezek, Andreas Tremmel, Justus Heinz, Yazid Benfeghoul, Tina Limbeck , Robert L. Lucas and Kai E. Bogatzki executive producing.
Says director Walz (Blind, Pretty Boy), “I’m so excited to have a colorful Giallo slasher as the first movie from our own production company, Neon Noir. Everyone involved in this project brought so much love and talent to the table and made the whole process from start to finish something special. I know the audience will see the love in the end product. My favorite film of all time is Wes Craven’s Scream. That’s a Wrap is a fun meta slasher that showcases my love for that series of films combined with my love of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story. As a gay director I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to have LGBTQ characters represented in the film. One even plays a key part in a scene that will no doubt get people talking about how that kill is something they’ve never seen before. It’s so ridiculous. I love it.”
“Babylon 5: The Road Home” Review by Suzanne 8/23/23
I really enjoyed this animated movie that reunites most of the main characters and living actors of the original “Babylon 5” TV series. If I had a tiny quibble, it would be that I wish they had tried to make the characters of John, Delenn, Ivanova, Lochley and Sinclair look more like the actors (Garibaldi, and the aliens, look great!). This is not to say that the animation isn’t fantastic, because of course it is. I really enjoyed the DVD’s featurette as well as the main movie. It’s sad that so many of the actors have died since then, but they did an excellent job of recreating their characters with new actors.
“Babylon 5: The Road Home” is an awe-inspiring cinematic gem that marks a new and exciting chapter in the Babylon 5 franchise. This 2023 American animated film, produced by Warner Bros. Animation and directed by the talented Matt Peters, takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through time, space, and alternate realities. With a screenplay crafted by the visionary creator of the Babylon 5 universe, J. Michael Straczynski, the film captures the essence of the original series while pushing the boundaries of storytelling in an animated format.
The film’s release brings with it a wave of excitement for fans of the franchise, and it does not disappoint. Seamlessly incorporating cutting-edge CGI animation, “The Road Home” visually resurrects the iconic Babylon 5 universe with remarkable attention to detail. The characters, settings, and spaceships come to life in stunning fidelity, offering a feast for the eyes that pays homage to the series’ aesthetic while infusing it with new vitality.
At its core, the film introduces us to President Sheridan and Delenn at a pivotal moment in their journey, as they set out to develop the Interstellar Alliance after the Shadow War. However, it’s Sheridan’s unexpected encounter with tachyons that sets the stage for an exhilarating narrative. As he becomes unstuck in time and space, the audience is treated to an intricate web of alternate realities, each expertly woven to explore the consequences of different choices and actions.
The animation captures the emotional depth of the characters’ experiences, bringing to life the struggles, dilemmas, and triumphs they face across different timelines. Bruce Boxleitner delivers an outstanding performance as John Sheridan, infusing the character with a palpable sense of determination, vulnerability, and introspection that audiences have come to love.
The film’s strength lies not only in its captivating animation but also in its rich and thought-provoking narrative. As Sheridan navigates through various realities, encountering familiar faces like Susan Ivanova, Londo Mollari, and others, the film invites viewers to ponder profound questions about existence, love, and the interconnectedness of all things.
The exceptional voice cast, including Claudia Christian, Peter Jurasik, Bill Mumy, and more, brings a sense of authenticity and familiarity to the characters, fostering a genuine connection between the audience and the on-screen personas.
“Babylon 5: The Road Home” is a triumphant celebration of the franchise’s legacy, combining the beloved elements that fans adore with fresh and innovative storytelling. The film’s release as a direct-to-video installment makes it accessible to a wide audience, both long-time enthusiasts and newcomers eager to delve into the Babylon 5 universe.
In conclusion, “The Road Home” is a captivating cinematic experience that masterfully captures the essence of Babylon 5 while exploring uncharted territory in the animated format. Its rich storytelling, breathtaking animation, and thought-provoking themes make it a must-watch for anyone seeking a thrilling journey through time, space, and the boundless realms of imagination.
BURBANK, CA (June 15, 2023) –The highly anticipated continuation of the beloved series is finally here with an all-new original animated movie! Arriving on August 15, 2023, Babylon 5: The Road Home will be available to purchase Digitally and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray from Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. Series creator J. Michael Straczynski returns with a story about the iconic Babylon 5 space station and its inhabitants as they take a journey through the past to determine the future.
Babylon 5 celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and returning to voice their characters from the original series are Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan, Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari, Bill Mumy as Lennier, Tracy Scoggins as Elizabeth Lochley, and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander.
The film also stars Paul Guyet (World of Warcraft) as Zathras and Jeffery Sinclair, Anthony Hansen (God of War) as Michael Garibaldi, Mara Junot (Green Lantern: Beware My Power) as Reporter and Computer Voice, Phil LaMarr (Futurama) as Dr. Stephen Franklin, Piotr Michael (Hogwart’s Legacy) as David Sheridan, Andrew Morgado (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) as G’Kar, and Rebecca Riedy (Magic: The Gathering Arena) as Delenn. Babylon 5: The Road Home was written and Executive Produced by series creator J. Michael Straczynski. The film was directed by Matt Peters (Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons), Supervising Producer is Rick Morales (Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind) and Executive Producer is Sam Register.
Babylon 5: The Road Home will be available on August 15 to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray Discs will be available to purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.
SYNOPSIS:
Return to Babylon 5 as the epic interstellar saga continues with The Road Home. Travel across the galaxy with John Sheridan as he unexpectedly finds himself transported through multiple timelines and alternate realities in a quest to find his way back home. Along the way he reunites with some familiar faces, while discovering cosmic new revelations about the history, purpose, and meaning of the Universe.
SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
Babylon 5 Forever (New Featurette) – join the cast and filmmakers as they reveal the process behind creating the first state-of-the-art, animated adaption of Babylon 5.
Audio Commentary with creator/writer/executive producer J. Michael Straczynski, actor Bruce Boxleitner and supervising producer Rick Morales.
Pricing and film information:
PRODUCT SRP
Digital purchase $19.99
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack + Digital Version* $39.99 SRP USA
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack $44.98 SRP Canada
Blu-ray + Digital Version* $29.98 SRP USA
Blu-ray $39.99 SRP Canada
4K/Blu-ray Audio: English, Spanish
4K/Blu-ray Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Running Time: 78 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for some action/violence
*Digital version not available in Canada
About Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels. WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.
About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. WBA’s current series include Batman: Caped Crusader, Bat- Family, Batwheels, Bugs Bunny Builders, Creature Commandos, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, Harley Quinn, Jellystone!, Looney Tunes Cartoons, Merry Little Batman, My Adventures with Superman, Noonan’s, Teen Titans Go!, Tiny Toons Looniversity, and Velma. The studio is currently in production with New Line Cinema on the upcoming original anime feature film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. WBA’s full-length theatrical film, Teen Titans GO! to the Movies, was released in summer 2018. As home to the iconic animated characters from the DC, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Movies — for DVD, Blu-ray® and digital media. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 40 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA Children’s Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 21 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).
Interview with Jessica Matten and Kiowa Gordon of “Dark Winds” on AMC+ by Suzanne 7/10/23
This is such an excellent show, and was really nice to speak with these two. I spoke with Jessica on 7/10 and Kiowa on 7/11. Although they were both via Zoom video, it was requested that I only use the audio for Kiowa’s interview. I put both up on YouTube, so I made a slideshow for Kiowa’s audio. This new season is spectacular, with lots of action, drama, more developing story, and great guest stars.
First, the video with Jessica! I hope you enjoy it.
Here’s the audio interview with Kiowa, and my slideshow. I’m not great with video editing. I use a free program called Clideo.
MORE INFO:
Season 2 of the Noir Thriller Returns to AMC on Sunday, July 30. Available to Stream Early on AMC+ on Thursday, July 27.
“Perhaps the most ambitious Native-led TV show ever made.” – The Hollywood Reporter
NEW YORK – June 15, 2023 – The highly anticipated return of AMC’s lauded hit series, Dark Winds, starring Zahn McClarnon (The Son, Westworld, Fargo), Kiowa Gordon (The Red Road, Roswell, New Mexico) and Jessica Matten (Tribal, Burden of Truth), is set for Sunday, July 30 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays. Episodes will be available early on AMC+ starting Thursday, July 27, with new episodes every Thursday. Produced by AMC Studios, the second season is comprised of six episodes.
A Martinez (Longmire, Days of Our Lives) joins this season as Valencia County Sheriff Gordo Sena, while Joseph Runningfox (The Politician, Valley of the Gods) will portray Henry Leaphorn, Lt. Joe Leaphorn’s father. This season also sees the return of series regulars Deanna Allison (Accused, Edge of America) as Emma Leaphorn and Elva Guerra (Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls) as Sally Growing Thunder. All join previously announced Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Picard, Bosch) who plays Rosemary Vines, and Nicholas Logan (Dopesick, Creepshow), who plays Colton Wolf.
Season one premiered to glowing reviews, earning a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Ahead of the second season, viewers can get caught up on the captivating series on AMC+. Episode 101 is also available to watch for free on the AMC+ YouTube channel.
This season, Lt. Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon), reunites with Jim Chee (Gordon), his former deputy turned private eye, when their separate cases bring them together in pursuit of the same suspect. They find themselves in the high desert of Navajo Country chasing a killer who’s turned his sights on them to protect a secret that rips open old wounds and challenges Leaphorn’s moral and professional code. With the help of Sgt. Manuelito (Matten) and Valencia County Sheriff Gordo Sena (Martinez), Leaphorn and Chee must thwart their would-be assassin and restore balance not only to their own lives, but to the reservation that depends on them.
Based on the iconic Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman, Dark Windsis created by Graham Roland (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Returned, Almost Human, Fringe). John Wirth (Hell on Wheels, Hap and Leonard) serves as showrunner. The series is executive produced by Roland, Wirth, McClarnon, Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin, Anne Hillerman, Chris Eyre, Vince Gerardis and Tina Elmo.
NOTE TO EDITORS
If you have any questions or would like to arrange cast or crew interviews, please contact those listed below. We appreciate your support and coverage of Dark Winds.
About AMC
AMC is home to some of the most popular and acclaimed original programs on television. AMC was the first basic cable network to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series with Mad Men in 2008, which then went on to win the coveted award four years in a row, before Breaking Bad won it in 2013 and 2014, and the network’s series The Walking Dead is the highest-rated series in cable television history. AMC’s current original series include Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, Fear the Walking Dead, Dark Winds, Lucky Hank and the forthcoming series The Walking Dead: Dead City and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, among others. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand, mobile, and on AMC+, the company’s premium streaming bundle featuring content from across AMC and sister networks BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV as well as streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited.
About AMC+
AMC+ is the company’s new premium streaming bundle featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed original programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited, which feature content such as A Discovery of Witches, Creepshow, and Boyhood. The service features a continually refreshed library of commercial-free content, with iconic series from the AMC Networks portfolio including Mad Men, Halt & Catch Fire, Hell on Wheels, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Rectify, Portlandia, and series from The Walking Dead Universe, among many others. The service also offers a growing slate of original and exclusive series including Gangs of London, This is Going to Hurt, Dark Winds, and the first two series in a new Anne Rice universe, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. With new movies released every Friday, AMC+ is the newest destination for exclusive film premieres direct from theaters all year long. AMC+ is available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Korea, and Spain and is available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners.
Interview with Stephen Amell, Alexander Ludwig and Mary McCormack of “Heels” on Starz by Suzanne 6/21/23
This was a fun press day for the great family wrestling drama. First, there was a roundtable with Amell and Ludwig (and other members of the press). There’s a transcript below for that. Then I had a short, one-on-one video interview with Mary McCormack. I really love the actors in this show. They’re not only incredibly talented, and in great shape, but they couldn’t have been nicer. Check out the show because it’s worth watching.
Question: Both your characters go on quite emotional journeys this season, so can you sort of maybe tease where they’re at, relationship-wise, as brothers, what that’s like this season for the two of you?
Stephen: Okay, I think, I was gonna say this in a previous interview, and then I we ran out of time, but, for Jack, I think it’s become a little bit less about worrying about Ace or worrying about Staci or worrying about Thomas or the DWL. He’s more focusing on handling his own business and taking accountability for his actions and the way that he’s behaved since his father killed himself, which has been, I think, well intentioned, but misguided, and has hurt people. So, this is very much about him, just not trying to wave a magic wand and make everything better with everyone all at once, but just taking accountability for his actions, specifically with Ace and Staci, and just saying, “Look, this, this is me; this is what happened. Here I am, hat in hand. I’m sorry. What do I do?” which is a fun thing to play, humility. You know, who knew?
Alexander: Ace is trying to pick up the pieces, you know, he’s still a complete mess after what happened. There’s a huge rift between the brothers. This show has been so much about, it’s not just a wrestling show. It’s about family, and it’s about identity, and Ace is trying to find his identity in the ring and outside of the ring. What I love about this season so much is not only do the women lead the charge, and you get to see that on a whole other front, which is, I think, really exciting with this backdrop, but you get to see the inklings of what this could be with Jack and Ace. You know, how big this actually could be, and a road has finally caved to the kind of national sensation or promotion this actually could be, which it is exactly.
Question: Alexander, you kind of spoke on it a little bit, but Ace really goes through a real revelation this season. Can you talk about how his view and aspect on the situations pertaining to the DWL and the FWD change and lead him towards a different path, I think, one of clarity this season?
Alexander: Yeah, that’s a really well said. Thanks for the question. I think that, you know, again, this show has also been about mental health, and that’s becoming a big conversation in sports in general. And Ace is dealing with his own version of that. He’s been traumatized for years, and I think that his outlook needs to change on his life and on himself, because he feels abandoned by his father. And this is the first time you see Ace fully step into a role that he never, ever wanted to step into, both as a as a performer, but also as a human being, a role that he never thought that he could step into. I think towards the end of this season, you really start to see him, perhaps, become more of the man he was always destined to become. To me, what’s always been excited about this show is where it could go. In success, I think, I always had the feeling as an actor, that Ace and Jack have, you know, as these small town wrestling promotion guys, like, this could build out to something really beautiful, and that’s the hope for both of them.
Suzanne: I enjoyed the screeners I saw… I thought the show’s even better this season than last season. Everything’s all very exciting. Since you two are the stars of the show (if there’s such a thing as stars in an ensemble show), do you have any input into the writing of your characters or the show as it’s going on? Do they let you do that?
Stephen: I’d say that Mike O’Malley and Michael Waldron are both very, very collaborative, collaborative people. That being said, you know, Mike will come to me for some general questions about like, you know, what would be a cool idea, but it’s very much the macro of it all, the micro, all the details. Boy, when we get a script, and we sit down for a table read, what gets said at that table read or what ends up on television are pretty much the exact same thing.
Alexander: Which is quite rare. I’ve been lucky. I’ve only got to work with really collaborative people in general, and Mike is certainly one of those people, but there isn’t much that you would change. They, of course, they talk to you about your characters, but it’s like, it’s also beautifully on the page. I’m just like, this just seems the way it should be. Of course, when scenes come up, things happen, and you go, “I want to say this instead of that,” or whatever, of course. You know, that’s a day by day basis. But we have an incredible team with us on this show, and I’m grateful for it.
Question: It’s obvious that this is a labor of love from every cast member in this show. What does it mean, each of you personally, to be back for a second season?
Stephen: Second season is the toughest season to get. Well, I guess, like actually getting something off the ground and getting to shoot it in the first place, probably, technically is more challenging, but bridging that gap from a first to a second season. You know, I don’t know, it just it seems to always be where the show takes off, where you you have some time under your belt to see what works. You also have the real benefit of audience interaction and seeing what pops for people and what doesn’t. So, you know, I’ve been very fortunate. This is the second time I’ve gotten a second season, and I hope that very shortly [for] the second time that I get a third.
Alexander: Yeah, I mean, it’s very humbling. When I first read this script, and I think I speak for Stephen as well, like, there’s not a lot of shows like this, and there’s not a lot of shows that are made like this, and that’s what drew us to it. We’re like, “When will we ever get a chance to do something like this and tell this kind of a story,” for hopefully, you know, six years plus. And it’s so far and few between. You know, back in the day, this would have been the kind of movie that would have made me want to be an actor, and now it’s TV shows, right? And I just, I love everything about this. I love that it’s flawed characters. I love that it’s a world I’m not super familiar with and that I’ve fallen in love with simultaneously.
Question: I was wondering how Ace and Jack feel about Crystal this season, and how her actions in the finale move the story forward?
Stephen: Well, I mean, for Jack, we’re dealing with the immediate aftermath of this. And it’s like, is it a big sea-change? Or have we just, you know, do we just call an audible and we’re gonna put everything back to where it was the next day? I think what we discover for Jack, is that while you appreciate what Crystal did, he may not see it as the big sea-change that audience members or fans or she might have seen it as. So, that’s a point of contention in the early part of the season.
Alexander: I think, for Ace, it was the nail in his in his coffin of what used to be. So, for him, he’s just constantly taking punches, and he’s and he’s throwing them wildly, but kind of not really focusing on on what the next step should be. And I think that the second season, you see Ace kind of come to terms with who he’s always been destined to become.
Question: So, you mentioned that they’re flawed characters, and this is for both of you, but you made me think, what has your character taught you about yourself since you’ve been on this journey?
Alexander: I have to say, you know, I’ve gone through my own demons, and I think that’s probably why I loved Ace so much is that I wouldn’t say I’ve learned a lot from him, but I would say that I’ve had to go on my own journey that he’s had to go on before him. So, actually, I would say, Ace can probably learn a lot from me. So that, to me, was something I loved about that character, was that I’ve dealt with my own versions of substance abuse and whatnot. And, you know, when you go to rehab, for example, you’re doing three years of therapy in fifty days, right? And you get really, really into why there are certain things that are driving you to become the human being you’re becoming. So, it wasn’t that I’m learning from Ace, it’s that I’m understanding Ace, and that’s why I loved him, is that I understood that underneath these child like temper tantrums that he throws and these irrational outbursts, there is a child crying for help. And the saddest thing about it is that only he can save himself from it. There’s nobody else who can do it for him. He’s looking for all this external validation, when in actuality, the only thing that is ever going to save him is himself and coming to terms with himself and his father’s suicide. So, to me, I thought Ace was such a beautiful character, because you love to love him, and you love to hate him.
Question: What about you, Stephen?
Stephen: It’s really, really simple. Pride comes before the fall. I’m dealing with this situation in my own life personally, right now, where a good friend of mine that I trust a lot is saying to me, “You have to take the emotion out of it.” Like, that’s impossible. He’s like, “No, it’s not. You have to take the emotion out of it, because the goal should be the outcome.” And that’s something that, you know, Jack is put in this position right now, where throughout the course of this season, he has to eat shit, multiple times. Not get shit on, like, Alexander, but each shit. And it’s like, well, listen, you have to eat it one way or the other. So, do you want to do with a smile on your face, or do you want to kick and scream the entire way? And that’s just been because he lets his emotions get in the way, and he’s prideful. So, I’m trying to learn that lesson to just not be that way personally, and I’m learning a lot watching how how things mess up for Jack. Yeah, it’s proven to be the right way to go about things.
Question: For Stephen, so, I know we’ve kind of talked about Jack and Ace’s dynamic, but I want to talk about Jack and Staci’s relationship, because at the end of season one, it’s very strained, as Jack continues to put the DWL over his family. What can we expect throughout season two? Will we get to see Jack put the real work into that relationship and winning her back, or will that sort of fall on the back-burner and happen off scene?
Stephen: No, we come to a resolution with Jack and Staci in the early part of the season. Then, I think their relationship gets into a great place, which I was very happy about, because I think that the the troubled marriage or, you know, the conceit of like the nagging spouse, be the husband or the wife, it’s not tired – well, it’s a little tired, I think, personally. So, I thought it’d be fun, and I think Mike thought it’d be fun too, to examine, like, a relationship where, look, these guys love each other, but life isn’t perfect, but here’s what they’re gonna do. And this is the important thing, is they’re going to show up one another, and they’re going to be honest with one another about everything, about the big things, the little things, not just the Kleenex and trying to destroy Ace’s life, but like, you know, were you on time for work today? Or were you five minutes late? You could say you’re on time, but no, you say you’re five minutes late, honestly, about everything. And, in that sense, too, I’ve been learning from Jack, because that’s an important thing, being honest, just even about little things, especially about the little things.
Suzanne: I know that you guys were both really fit before you did this show, but did you have to add on extra workouts in order to play people who are basically running around in their underwear quite often?
Alexander: It wasn’t as much of an aesthetic thing, just like looking good and tight as opposed to literally being able to withstand what’s asked of us physically. So like, when we weren’t filming, we were literally in the gym with our stunt team, training specific ways to be able to withstand what we had to do. And I’m talking like, you know, it’s nothing compared to what these actual guys do in real life, but it is really, really tough on your body, and it’s something that Stephen and I can’t fake. It’s like, we have to do it. So, when you see somebody doing a backflip off the top turnbuckle that’s something I have to be able to do. Or you see Stephen doing a suplex it’s something he has to be able to do, and they don’t want us to get injured. So, that’s the most important thing.
Stephen: Yeah, like, there’s no way around it. It’s not like taking a flat back bump gets easier in the same way that like if you start weight training a bunch, the pads of your hands, like you’re gonna get all these blisters. The blisters don’t go away, they callus. And when you learning how to bump in the ring and stuff like that, it doesn’t get easier. You just get used to it. It’s like a cold plunge; it doesn’t get easier. You just get used to it. And I wouldn’t say that we added anything, but what we did and what the production did, which was very, very helpful, is we just said, “Listen, if we’re going to be playing wrestlers on TV, then we need to look like wrestlers on TV, and in order to do that, we need to be in wrestler shape and have wrestler bodies, which come in many shapes and forms and sizes.” But they did a great job of building us a gymnasium, building us a program, and then enforcing it and making it part of our schedules, so that it’s not our responsibility to find the motivation on a Thursday when we’re not working to get to the gym at 10 o’clock. No, it’s on the schedule. We have to go. We’re contractually obligated. But we just go.
STARZ RELEASES EMOTIONAL TRAILER FOR SEASON TWO OF CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED SPORTS DRAMA “HEELS” AIRING JULY 28
THE NEW TRAILER LEAPS FROM THE TOP ROPE ANDBEGS THE QUESTION:WHO’S IN YOUR CORNER?
Santa Monica, Calif. – June 29, 2023 –STARZ released today the trailer and key art for season two of the critically-acclaimed drama“Heels,” which returns to the ring for season two onFriday, July 28at midnight (ET) on the STARZ app. StarringStephen Amell (“Arrow”) andAlexander Ludwig(“Vikings”), the small-town sports drama series based on a wrestling league in rural Georgia will also debut via linear tv on STARZ at 10:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, July 28, 2023.
“Heels” is aptly named after the wrestling term for a villain or antagonist. Most stories center around heroes vs. villains, but in wrestling, it’s faces vs. heels. Season two brings fans back to the family-owned wrestling organization, Duffy Wrestling League (DWL), where brothers and rivals, Jack (Amell) and Ace Spade (Ludwig), continue to fightover their late father’s legacy and their individual versions of success, while also working to find their own identity as a “face” or a “heel.” The show invokes feelings of nostalgia akin to “Friday Night Lights,” while covering topics like the effects of trauma on communities, finding personal identity, and women taking the lead in every facet. It is centered around a small-town community where everyone knows each other and everyone in town follows the saga of the Heels and Faces in the DWL.
Season two also stars Alison Luff (“New Amsterdam”) as Staci Spade, Mary McCormack(“Deep Impact,” “The L Word”) as Willie Day, Kelli Berglund (“The Goldbergs,” “The Animal Kingdom”) as Crystal Tyler, Allen Maldonado (House Party, “The Wonder Years,” “The Last O.G.”) as Rooster Robbins, Chris Bauer (“Gaslit,” “Survivor’s Remorse,” “True Blood”) as Wild Bill Hancock, Trey Tucker (“The Outpost”) as Bobby Pin, Robby Ramos (“Chicago P.D.”) as Diego Cottonmouth,Alice Barrett Mitchell (“The Thing About Pam,” “Billions”) as Carol Spade, Roxton Garcia(“Reminensce”) as Thomas Spade, David James Elliott (Trumbo, “JAG”) as Tom Spade, Joel Murray(“Mad Men,” “Shameless”) as Eddie Earl, CM Punk(“Mayans,” “AEW Dynamite”) as Ricky Rabies, AJ Mendez (“Women of Wrestling,” “WWE”) as Elle Dorado, Josh Segarra (Scream VI,“Arrow,” “The Other Two”) as Brooks Rizzo, and Emmy Raver-Lampman as Jen Lussier.
“Heels” showrunner and executive producer Mike O’Malley (“Survivor’s Remorse,” “Shameless”) also portrays Charlie Gully on the series. Michael Waldron (“Loki,” Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, “Rick and Morty”) is the show creator.Christopher Donnelly(By Sidney Lumet),Pete Segal (Get Smart, 50 First Dates, Tommy Boy,“Shameless”), Patrick Walmsley(JT LeRoy), and Julie Yorn(Hell or High Water, White Boy Rick) also serve as executive producers on the series. “Heels” is produced through O’Malley Ink and LBI Entertainment in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ.
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About “Heels” Season Two
“Heels” is a drama that follows Jack (Stephen Amell) and Ace Spade (Alexander Ludwig), two brothers and rivals who war over their late father’s wrestling promotion, vying for national attention in small-town Georgia. In the ring, one is a villain, or “heel,”; the other a hero, or “face.” Season two begins after a spectacular showing at the South Georgia State Fair, the Duffy Wrestling League’s popularity is suddenly on the upswing. Hoping to seize the opportunity, Jack and his cohorts prepare for a possible business deal with a new streaming service that may propel them onto a national stage. But the past and its tragedies threaten to upset everything when Ace leaves Duffy and the Dome in his rearview, and rival promotion Florida Wrestling Dystopia’s vengeful frontman Gully comes calling.”
About STARZ
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its international premium streaming platform STARZPLAY, now LIONSGATE+, to provide subscribers access to bold, curated storytelling. LIONSGATE+, coupled with the STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture in MENA and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia, has a footprint that extends across the globe. STARZ and LIONSGATE+ are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by an 18,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
Adult Swim returns to the Tender Endings Funeral Home when season two of the adult animated comedy Teenage Euthanasia debuts Wednesday, July 26 at Midnight ET/PT and streams the next day on Max. Set in near-future inland Florida, this series follows the latest undead adventures of the Fantasy family voiced by Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite), Emmy® Award-winner Bebe Neuwirth (Cheers), Jo Firestone (Joe Pera Talks With You) and Emmy® Award-winner Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson).
Returning with ten all-new episodes, the second season of Teenage Euthanasia features a massive lineup of guest voices including:
Ann Dowd (Garden State, The Manchurian Candidate)
Chris Redd (Saturday Night Live)
H. Jon Benjamin (Archer, Bob’s Burgers)
J. Smith Cameron (Succession)
Janelle James (Abbott Elementary)
Jinkx Monsoon (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Joe Pera (Joe Pera Talks With You)
Kieran Culkin (Succession)
Lori Tan Chinn (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Orange is the New Black)
Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill)
Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Office Hours, Killing It)
Ziwe Fumudoh (Ziwe)
and more.
Teenage Euthanasia centers on the Fantasy Family: Grandma Baba, her adult children Uncle Pete and Trophy, and Trophy’s teenage daughter, Euthanasia (“Annie”), a name accidentally given to her during the time of Trophy’s own unbearable suffering. The half-hour animated series is co-created by Nutting, a novelist and screenwriter/showrunner (Made for Love), and Emmy® Award-nominated producer Levy (The Shivering Truth, Xavier Renegade Angel). Teenage Euthanasia is produced by PFFR and animated by Atomic Cartoons. Executive producers include creators Nutting and Levy as well as Lisa M. Thomas, Vernon Chatman, and John Lee, with Scott Adsit as co-executive producer and Jo Firestone as producer.
Interview with hosts of “Shark Week” on Discovery by Suzanne 7/17/23
This was very enjoyable! I don’t normally watch non-fiction shows, but they definitely make these shows fun as well as educational. “Shark Week” is celebrating it’s 35th year and the popular actor Jason Momoa is hosting it. Tune in starting today, 7/23/23. Here’s the schedule of shows. I watched quite a few of them. I was pleased to speak to these hosts, who all share a great love for the ocean, its creatures and for our planet (and for the future of all of those things). Below are the videos for my interviews. Enjoy!
Click on the names of the hosts to see more about them!
“Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
In a Shark Week first, researchers with cameras brave a great white shark feeding frenzy from inside a life-size whale decoy. Their findings could be the key to finding the biggest great white shark in South African history.
“Jaws vs The Meg” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
The MEG, a massive shark measuring 50 feet and weighing 60 tons, was once feared as the most fearsome predator. It could devour a killer whale effortlessly, but new evidence suggests that its cousin, the great white shark, may have caused its extinction.
“Serial Killer: Red Sea Attacks” premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
Shark attack investigator Brandon McMillan and cinematographer Fo Zayed travel to solve the mystery of what’s behind three recent deadly shark attacks off of the posh beaches of Egypt’s Red Sea.
“Shark Week: Off the Hook” premieres at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Dive into the biggest thrills and most terrifying moments from 35 years of Shark Week, celebrating behind the scenes of iconic moments and revealing never-before-seen footage of the fearless adventurers who get up close with the world’s scariest creatures.Thanks to our partners, you can find ties online to suit every preference and budget, from budget to top-of-the-range super stylish models.
Monday, July 24
“Great White Fight Club” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
A team of experts venture into the treacherous waters of New Zealand to provide groundbreaking evidence that female white sharks unequivocally dominate the ocean, reigning as the ultimate controllers of its fierce battlegrounds.
“Monster of Bermuda Triangle” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
A healthy, 10-foot pregnant Porbeagle shark vanishes in the Bermuda Triangle. The evidence suggests an unknown, monstrous predator could be to blame. Dr. James Sulikowski and a team of scientists dive into the most mysterious part of the ocean to uncover the truth behind the attack.
“Alien Sharks: Strange New Worlds” premieres at 10PM on Discovery
The tip of South Africa is a hotspot for unusual sharks that exhibit bizarre behaviors and unusual, otherworldly appearances. Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante explores stunning kelp forests and ocean depths never-before-seen by humans to study these extraordinary creatures.
Encoresrun at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Tuesday, July 25
“Mako Mania: Battle for California” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
Off the coast of Los Angeles, a new population of super makos challenge great whites for their hunting territories. Dr. Craig O’Connell, Fo Zayed, and Kendyl Berna deploy state-of-the-art technology to reveal their dominance and unveil the mysteries that have transformed these makos into some of the fiercest predators in the oceans.
“Raiders of the Lost Shark” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Shark expert Matt Dicken and Shark Week legend Dickie Chivell embark on a relentless quest to locate an elusive and colossal shark named Dutchess, who mysteriously vanished from Gansbaai, South Africa years ago.
“Monster Hammerheads: Killer Instinct” premieres 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
Dr. Tristan Guttridge believes Hammerhead sharks can reach monster sizes by hunting other species of sharks. The only way to prove his theory is to obtain tissue samples from some of the largest sharks on the planet.
Encores run at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Wednesday, July 26
“Air Jaws: Final Frontier” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
Shark filmmakers hunt for “Air Jaws” in New Zealand’s hidden launch pad. Andy Casagrande and Jeff Kurr seek the second-ever breaching great white in these waters to uncover history-making secrets.
“Florida Shark: Blood in the Water” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Paul de Gelder dives into the Shark Attack Capital of the World to conduct experiments that will confirm what makes up these dangerous waters and determine methods to mitigate the risk.
“Cocaine Sharks” premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
For decades, rumors of cocaine-fueled sharks have spread throughout the fishing community. Shark expert Tom Hird travels to the Florida Keys to investigate what happens when the sharks come in contact with the most notorious drug on the planet.
Encores run at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Thursday, July 27
“Jaws in the Shallows” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
Shark Week veteran Dr. Riley Elliott has traveled all over to study great whites, which are now terrorizing the beaches of New Zealand. He sets out alongside his wife Amber Jones to find answers to protect his loved ones from the apex predators before it’s too late.
“Monster Mako: Fresh Blood” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Twelve-foot-long monster mako sharks compete head-to-head with great whites for prey off the coast of California. Using a custom clear, acrylic diving bell, Dr. Austin Gallagher and legendary free diver Andre Musgrove get up close with both predators and track makos breaching eight feet out of the ocean.
“Shark vs Snake: Battle of the Bites” premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
Tiger sharks are washing up dead on the beaches of Western Australia with no sign of attack. Forrest Galante has a theory that deadly sea snakes are turning these apex predators to prey. In the battle of shark against snake, are snakes winning?
Encores run at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Friday, July 28
“Tropic Jaws” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
When a 16-foot great white invades Indonesia’s warm coast of Bali, it sparks fears that they are adapting to hunt the tropical beaches where millions of people swim every day. Dr. Craig O’Connell and Madison Stewart are on a mission to find Tropic Jaws and discover why they left the cold water environment that they have called home for thousands of years.
“Deadly Sharks of Paradise” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Scientists in South America are studying the shark species thought to be responsible for a spike in deadly attacks since 1990. Marine biologist Danni Washington and shark conservationist Paul de Gelder join a team tracking tiger sharks off a pristine tropical archipelago in Brazil.
“Haunting at Shark Tower” premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
News of a harrowing shark encounter at North Carolina’s Frying Pan Tower sends underwater cinematographer Andy Casagrande and shark expert Kori Burkhardt on a dangerous quest to discover whether great white sharks are moving into the state’s waters.
Encores run at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Saturday, July 29
“Dawn of the Monster Mako” premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
A 14-foot giant mako shark is spotted in the waters of Portugal’s Azores region. Underwater cinematographer Joe Romeiro and his marine biologist wife, Lauren, search the teeming depths around the ancient islands to capture the beast on film.
“Mega Sharks of Dangerous Reef” premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
The remote islands off the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia are believed to harbor some of the biggest white sharks on the planet. While local fishing reports suggest these giant sharks are still around, they are rarely seen.
Encoresrun at 10PM & 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
About Discovery:
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 88.3 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 224 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
Interview with Christian Kane of “Almost Paradise” on Freevee by Suzanne 6/28/23
It’s always nice to speak with Christian! Unfortunately, he was having technical difficulties, so we had to do an audio interview instead of a video one. He was very sweet about it and offered to do another one any time. I hope you enjoy the little slideshow video I made from the audio below! Don’t miss season 2 of “Almost Paradise.” It’s a really fun show on Freevee. That’s the Prime Video streaming service that’s free! Lots of other enjoyable shows on there.
Suzanne: My first zoom call ever was with you and Dean (Devlin) back in April 2020.
Christian: Oh my gosh, what were we doing – “Almost Paradise?”
Suzanne: Yeah. First season.
Christian: Yeah, that’s Right. Exactly. Oh my gosh. That’s so crazy.
Suzanne: It seems like a long time ago now.
Christian: That might have been my first Zoom call as well. I gotta be honest with you.
Suzanne: Yeah. And I think we had a few difficulties with the sound on that one. So, I guess now we’re even.
Christian: Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us and talk to me about this. I appreciate your help, man. I’m really proud of the show. So, the more people that can know about it, I just love it.
Suzanne: Oh, yeah. I love it, too. It’s great. I’ve only watched two episodes so far of the new one, but I’m enjoying it.
Christian: Oh, fantastic. That’s fantastic. Yeah.
Suzanne: So, what are some new challenges that Alex faces this season?
Christian: Well, the fun thing about Alex is that, you know, he always thinks he’s right. When the season opens up, you see that he’s pretty proud of himself. He’s walking around with a little pep in his step that he didn’t have first season, because he was sick, you know what I mean? And he thought it was physical. But when you actually think about it, it was more mental than anything else. So, now he feels like he’s overcome that. So, I mean, he’s back in business. He’s the Alex of old. And then, you know, it doesn’t take very long for him to get right back into trouble where he was. And that’s the funnest part about watching this show and more or less watching Alex Walker, is that he always thinks he’s got everything under control. He never has anything under control. And I’ve sort of said this before, but, you know, it’s really fun, and I think this makes good television. There aren’t a lot of shows out there like that. I’m very fortunate with the writing they give me, but it is so much fun to root for someone to do well, at the same time really rooting for the fact that he messes up so he’s in a pickle, you know? And that’s just the beauty of this show, that you want him to do well, because you’re a fan. But, man, isn’t it a better show when when everything goes wrong and he messed it up? It’s just so great.
Suzanne: Yeah, I think similar to Eliot, on the other show, is it. They’re both at their best when they’re fighting, because they have a little trouble handling everything else.
Christian: That’s exactly what it is. That’s exactly when they shine, is in situations like that. That’s funny that you picked that up. Yeah. And it’s really crazy, because I’ve tried to differentiate between both of those characters in the fights, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job. I mean, Alex is more of a bar brawler, and Eliot’s a precision fighter. But once I get into it, and these guys move fast, especially in the Philippines. They’re really good at what they do. And when they start moving so fast that I’ve just got to move fast, and I turn right back into Eliot, but I don’t think anybody cares about that as long as you can tell the difference between the two characters, which you can.
Suzanne: Right, right. And are you still doing your own stunts?
Christian: I’m still doing my own stunts. Yeah. I’m doing my own stunts. I’ve let a little bit of the choreography go. A guy I worked with for a long time on Leverage, Lex Damis, has come out as the stunt coordinator. I just didn’t have time on Leverage to really be involved that much. I’ll change some things, but he’s really good at what he does. And he’s one of my best friends and has been for over 10 years. He’s my golf partner. I trust him with what he’s doing, which is why I brought him in on Almost Paradise. I’ve got no time at all. I literally worked six months straight. I didn’t have one day off, and it’s not “Woe is me.” I prefer that. Idle hands are not good for me, and I love to work, because I really feel like I’m on vacation when I’m at work, no matter where I’m at. And I just did not have time to do it. So, we had Rodney – Rodney Cook came in, and Julian, and you know, these are ex military guys. They’re really good at what they do. And I’ve kind of realized at this point in my life, I’m still doing my own stunts, nobody fights for me. Nobody does stunts for me ever, but I just I don’t have time to fight anymore, and it just takes up too much of my soul. So, I would rather just go and learn the fight and fight and I think that helps out a lot as well, because I’m starting to listen to some other ideas other than stupid Christian Kane being Eliot Spencer.
Suzanne: And did you get injured at all this season?
Christian: Which season? Season of Leverage or season of – no not on Almost Paradise. I mean everything hurts. You know what I mean? This is bone to bone. I mean this is not jumping off a building onto a mat. This is going literally bone to bone with people. So, everything always hurts, but I don’t mind it. I don’t mind it. You know me, I’m a Steve McQueen fan and a big Tom Cruise fan, and as long as they let me keep doing my own stuff, man, it just is exhilarating for me. I love to say to people, “Slow it down, and see if you can catch me not on there,” because they can’t.
Suzanne: And you say it took six months to film the season?
Christian: Six months, yeah. It was six months in New Orleans for Leverage. And then I had one day in Los Angeles, literally one day to pack my bag and get on the plane for another six months in the Philippines. And like I said, I’m not complaining, I’m blessed. I would not trade it for the world.
Suzanne: So, overall on the show, are there any big changes in the second season? You know how sometimes on TV shows they they change things from season to season?
Christian: You know, some people do. I mean, there’s no big changes. We love the storylines. The storylines are all new. The stakes are a little bit higher, which is great. As long as your stakes get higher every season, that’s the show that you’re doing. That means you’ve got a successful show. And we did that this year. You know, I’m coming [from] Dean Devlin school, you know what I mean? Which is, you know, how many seasons did I do Leverage? How many seasons of The Librarians were [there]? We’re on season two of Almost Paradise. You know, if it’s not broke, he doesn’t try to fix it. The shows that we do, you know, it’s not a comedy; it’s not a drama; it’s not an action movie. It’s all three of them rolled into one. That’s why, you know, we’re never going to be up for an award where it’s the best drama or the best – you know what I mean? The only awards we win are when we win the People’s Choice Award, because people love the show, you know? So, he doesn’t change it that much, because there’s kids watching it. There’s adults watching it; there’s families that watch the show. So, he does a really good job of not changing it too much to where you’re just blown out of it.
Suzanne: Yeah. Okay. I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but can you name any of the fun guest stars this season?
Christian: Well, I’ll tell you what we did. We did an episode where Lisa Brenner, who is Dean Devlin’s wife, she comes into play my wife, my ex-wife, which was a lot of fun, because I’ve known her as long as I’ve known Dean, 2007. And all we do is argue, and then when they say cut, we start laughing at each other. And we didn’t have to shake hands and introduce ourselves and go, “Hey, I’m playing Alex Walker…[unintelligible] it was like, first scene up was in a car, we had a huge argument scene, and we did it, and then we started laughing. It was fun not to have to learn who somebody is. You already know who they are. So, that was a lot of fun coming in. Let’s see. I don’t know. I mean, I just don’t know when this is coming out. I’m not sure if I’m gonna get in trouble.
Suzanne: Well, I’m not gonna put it in until like the day before the show starts.
Christian: Okay. I mean, we’ve got a good guy coming in. I don’t see how it’s not going to be seen, but I mean, Dante Bosco comes in. He was on Hook, everybody’s favorite kid on Hook. It’s fun to see him in the light that he’s playing. That was a lot of fun to to have him coming in. And then the cat’s already out of the bag on this guy. John Story comes back and does such a spectacular job on a couple of episodes. And he played Lockhart first season and became a fan favorite. And so to have him back this year, was just tremendous.
Suzanne: Right? And I know Reese Richie is going to be in the first episode as the priest.
Christian: Yeah, Reese was so great, man. He did such a good job. My friend Maureen comes in as for a little role, who’s Asia’s Next Top Model. She did such a great job. Yeah. She was a friend that I invited in, and she said “yes,” which I thought was very nice. You know, it’s the usual suspects, man. Some of us are a little older, but we all still play just like a family, man. It’s been really incredible.
Suzanne: So nobody from Leverage.
Christian: Christian Kane comes in from Leverage.
Suzanne: Nobody else.
Christian: No, no, nobody else, man. But I tell you what, you know, after the time that we took off we had – Well, John Story was on Leverage, but it was awhile back, and Lisa Brenner was on Leverage. Pretty much Dean regurgitates people all the time. But it’s funny, because we had so much downtime because of COVID, because of the pandemic. And I love talking about this. When we went back to Leverage, it was like a second didn’t go by. I mean, Dean Devlin was very smart. He put all of us a huge scene with all of us in in the same room, and it just took two seconds to go back into character. We all knew our characters, and we all knew our dynamic with each other. And I didn’t know if that was gonna work on Almost Paradise, because I don’t know them as well, but it absolutely worked. We touched down. Everybody got into character. And we did the first scene and it was like, “Wow, we’re back.” And that, just normally, it takes a little bit on a television series, well, just entertainment in general, and it didn’t at all. I was so proud of these guys. It made job so much easier, and I think it comes off on screen too. You can see it.
Suzanne: Yeah, watching season two is just like… it just took off from season one, and there was no break at all. Are there a lot of differences between filming in the Philippines and in the US?
Christian: Oh, my God. It’s night and day. You know, we were filming “Leverage” through the pandemic. I mean, we filmed it through the pandemic, and you couldn’t even go back to the Philippines at that point. They would not let you in. Right before we were getting ready to shoot, a typhoon came in and leveled the Philippines. I feel bad about talking about us when it actually took lives and homes, but it completely took our stages out. So, we had to build stages miles away, just to be able to go. The heat is something that’s unlike anything. But I’ll tell you, half of the people that got stuck there during COVID, the first time they were there for three to four months after the first season. Not one of them didn’t come back. They all wanted to come back. We have such a good family. And I tell you, it seems easier to film in the United States, but there’s a family out there that I have that made it so incredibly easy to film in the Philippines, because we all just absolutely love each other. It’s a different vibe out there, man. These people have really become become part of my family. So, there’s a camaraderie there that that sometimes you don’t get in the United States. Everybody just wants to go home. These guys just want to hang out. And you know, we’re all giving each other hugs and celebrating and laughing and it’s so much fun.
Suzanne: That’s nice. And the food is great there.
Christian: Well, the food’s great. Not only that, but the fact is that we have breakfast together. We have lunch together; we have dinner together. We don’t go home; we all sit around. When we wrap, we all sit down and have another meal. We don’t do that in America. It just builds camaraderie like you’ve never seen. So, the food is great. The food is plentiful. There’s always a lot of food.
Suzanne: Yeah, I have a friend who’s married to a Filipino lady, and also I lived in Hawaii for a few years and there’s a lot of Philippine people. They throw great parties.
Christian: Yeah, I mean, it’s just it’s incredible. When we throw a party we – and the great thing about it is in the Philippines, when we film a party, we actually cater it, and as soon as we’re done filming that scene, we all go through and eat whatever we had onset, which is fantastic. So, we have parties once every two weeks.
Suzanne: That’s great you got to do all that, all those fights and all that training, because otherwise you’d be 200 pounds, right?
Christian: Listen, man, I gained 15 pounds in New Orleans just because, I mean, well with COVID you couldn’t go to the gym and everything there was fried. I went to the Philippines, I ate whatever I wanted, and I lost 10 pounds. I mean, pig, I’m eating rice. I’m you’re eating rice at every meal. It’s just crazy. You’re eating – it was spam. They call it something else, but it’s basically spam. You know? Hawaiin/Filipino, and I lost weight, man, because you’re just sweating all day. You’re doing fights. And so it was paradise for me – almost.
Suzanne: I see what you did there.
Christian: You like that? Yeah. It’s just been a blast, and I’m so excited about this season. And I really would encourage people – we come out on Freevee on the 21st of July. I really hope that even if you’ve seen it, you go back through and take a gander at it, the first seaso. Freevee’s also been nice enough that now Almost Paradise the first season’s on Freevee. So, you can watch that and then gear up for the show. And I just really don’t know if I’ve ever been this proud of something coming out. I really enjoy what we did on this thing.
Suzanne: I have two questions for you that you probably don’t know the answer, or if you do, you can’t say, but let me ask them anyway. One is, do you know anything about what’s going to happen on Friday as far as the actors?
Christian: I don’t know what’s going to happen with that. It’s a little discerning, because the writers strike is not over yet. So, I figured that if the writers sort of made some leeway there, that there might not be something that we have to do. So, I really honestly don’t know, and I don’t honestly know where I stand on it either. I wish that I was more informed of actually everything that the writers or the the actors are trying to shoot for. But I feel like now watching what the writers are going through, there’s a possibility that the actors could strike.
Suzanne: Okay, and the second question is, have you heard anything about Leverage: Redemption season three?
Christian: I have not, because of the writers strike. I mean, everybody, like everyone just had to hang everything up. You know what I mean? I’ve heard ideas. I’ve heard some really good ideas about a season three. Dean went over some storylines with me, and it’s just fantastic. It’s really honestly, like, fantastic. It’s where Leverage needs to go. And it’s very exciting to the point where it could be our best season yet, just because of where we’re starting and where we have to go. But you know, then of course, it’s over, and they can’t talk about it, and they can’t even get together. I mean, they can’t call each other and say, you know, “What about this?” So, we’re sort of in a holding pattern right now as well as everybody else.
Suzanne: Yeah. Okay. Well, thank you. Those are better answers than I thought you might have. Better than saying, “I don’t know.”
Christian: Yeah, exactly.
Suzanne: And you own a chain of sushi restaurants called Sunda?
Christian: Sunda, Sunday without the y. Yeah, there’s one in Chicago, which I don’t own. My buddy Billy Deck owns [it]. Billy was the security guard I fought. I gave him a little roll. He was a security guard I fought a couple of times. It was a brutal fight on Leverage last season. Billy owns it. He’s really good friends with David Schwimmer. He was on Friends, you know, stuff like that. But he owns the restaurant. I’m an investor, but I get to say that I own it, because I do own some of it. And it’s one. There’s a Sunda in the Gulch in Nashville. I just got back from there. It’s so beautiful. We just won number one restaurant there, number one in Chicago. We’re opening another one on Chicago. I’m not familiar with – I love Chicago. I’m not familiar where the A train [is], but it’s somewhere like A train ish, I don’t know. But next week one opens up in Tampa, Florida. So, we’re really, really excited about that. And I do have a piece in all those.
Suzanne: Oh, great. Yeah, I think I’ve been to Tampa once or twice. They have some great restaurants there.
Christian: They do. Look up Sunda when you get there, because I think you’ll be really, really impressed. I’m biased, but the food is incredible. And Billy’s half Filipino. So, it’s this Asian fusion. So, it’s really Japanese. There’s some Chinese, but it’s really Japanese. But there’re like six or seven things on the restaurant that are completely Filipino, and people don’t know what it is, because they’re not familiar with Filipino food. So, he snuck them in, and people are absolutely loving it now.
Suzanne: So, it’s not just sushi.
Christian: It’s Asian fusion.
Suzanne: Okay, good. Good.
Christian: You can get noodles. You can get – He brought in one of the best guys out of Japan for Chicago, and he came to Nashville for two years to instruct their guy. So, you can get straight up sushi, and you get your Filipino food.
Suzanne: Wonderful. Sounds wonderful. We’ll have to try it.
Christian: Please do.
Suzanne: If nothing else, next time we’re in Chicago… because we usually go there in April every year.
Christian: Yes, absolutely. I mean, he literally just won the number one restaurant in Chicago.
Suzanne: Oh, nice. Wow. Okay. Well, thank you. I appreciate you talking to me today. And I hope we get to where I can see your handsome face next time.
Christian: Let’s do that. Let me know when you need me.
Video clip from Episode 206 – Episode description: Ernesto tries to convince Alex that death is not the end.
Almost Paradise Season Two With Christian Kane Premieres July 21 on Amazon Freevee
Jun 12, 2023
Art Acuña and Samantha Richelle return as series regulars
REVIEWS AND SENTIMENT EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY, JULY 17
Watch the Official Trailer HERE
View Key Art HERE
Episodic Photos HERE
The Full Season Now Available on Screeners.com
CULVER CITY, California—June 12, 2023— Amazon Freevee has released the official trailer for the second season of Almost Paradise and announced itwill premiere July 21. All 10 episodes from the season will be available on premiere day exclusively on Freevee in the U.S. and UK. Christian Kane returns to star along with returning executive producers and co-showrunners, Dean Devlin and Gary Rosen.
Kane is Alex Walker, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent forced into early retirement. The combination of his partner’s betrayal and a life-threatening battle with hypertension has sent him as far from the madness as he can get—to a small tropical island in the Philippine archipelago. He now runs the gift shop in the island’s luxury resort hotel, which attracts the rich, powerful, and sometimes criminal elite from around the world. Despite his best efforts to transition from Jason Bourne to Jimmy Buffett, Alex is pulled back into a world of dangerous people and deadly situations—either through his friends in the local police, Kai Mendoza (Samantha Richelle) and Ernesto Alamares (Art Acuña), or encounters with people from his old life. And the problem is that he likes it.
Almost Paradise was shot entirely in the Philippines. Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan-Wilson of Electric Entertainment executive produce alongside co-showrunners Devlin and Rosen. Mark Franco co-produces.
The first season of Almost Paradise is available now on Freevee for viewers looking to catch up on Alex’s adventures.
About Electric Entertainment Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Electric Entertainment is an independent studio headed by veteran producer Dean Devlin along with his partners Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan-Wilson. Electric Entertainment also houses acquisitions and sales divisions, with domestic sales headed up by Steve Saltman and the international division headed by Sonia Mehandjiyska. Electric also has a satellite office located in Vancouver, Canada.
Among Electric’s hit television series are “Leverage: Redemption” the spin-off continuation of “Leverage,” which ran for five seasons on TNT. Both series are currently streaming in the U.S. and the U.K. on Amazon Freevee. “Leverage: Redemption” premiered its second season in November 2022. “Almost Paradise” is currently streaming on Amazon Freevee after having premiered on WGN America. Season 2 of “Almost Paradise” will premiere July 21 on Amazon Freevee in the U.S and UK. Electric’s new series “The Ark” premiered February 1, 2023 on SYFY and has been green-lit for a second season. Other Electric series include “The Librarians” which ran for four seasons on TNT, and “The Outpost,” which premiered its 4th season on The CW in 2021, and is now streaming on Amazon Freevee.
Electric’s Feature Films have included “Bad Samaritan”starring David Tennant and Robert Sheehan, the award-winning film “Say My Name”starring Lisa Brenner and Nick Blood, the critically acclaimed documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?,” and most recently “The Deal” starring Sumalee Montano and Emma Fischer. Electric also acquires, distributes and sells worldwide rights to Electric’s produced and acquired content, as well as theatrical films from around the world, including “Blood On The Crown,” starring Harvey Keitel and Malcolm McDowell, “Heavy,” starring Sophie Turner and Daniel Zovatto, Rob Reiner’s historical biopic “LBJ,” starring Woody Harrelson, and “Book Of Love,” starring Jessica Biel and Jason Sudeikis. The company’s domestic distribution division, headed by Steve Saltman, is a full-service operation serving all significant outlets with various rights to films and series including: TVOD, EST, AVOD, SVOD, PTV, Linear Basic Cable and Broadcast.
About Amazon Freevee
Amazon Freevee is a streaming video service with thousands of premium movies and TV shows, including Originals and free ad-supported (FAST) channels, available anytime, for free.
Expansive Catalog: Amazon Freevee offers viewers ambitious Originals, including Bosch: Legacy; Emmy-winning court program Judy Justice; coming-of-age drama High School; docu-comedy series Jury Duty; performance special Monumental: Ellie Goulding at Kew Gardens; reality design series Hollywood Houselift with Jeff Lewis; comedy series Sprung; music documentary Post Malone: Runaway; heist drama Leverage: Redemption; spy thriller Alex Rider; and the sports docu-series UNINTERRUPTED’s Top Class: The Life and Times of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers. Combined with an always updating library of broadly appealing hit movies and TV shows across a wide selection of genres, and a catalog of more than 250 FAST channels, including Judy Justice and Crime 360, Amazon Freevee delivers customers the content they would expect to see on a paid service.
The entire catalog of content on the service is free. No paid subscriptions necessary.
Instant Access: Amazon Freevee is available as an app on Fire TV, Fire Tablets, and within the Prime Video app. Amazon Freevee is available as an app on third party devices including Roku, Samsung smart TVs (2017-2021 models), Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Comcast’s Xfinity Flex, Xfinity X1, Chromecast with Google TV, NVIDIA SHIELD and other Android TV devices, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, as well as LG Smart TVs (2018-2021 models). The app is also available on iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices.
Interview with director Jordan Canning of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” on Paramount+ by Suzanne 7/14/23
This was a fun interview. Jordan directed the most recent episode of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” Charades, where Spock and Chapel are in a shuttle accident and rescued by some aliens. When they fix up Spock, they leave out his Vulcan DNA, so he’s suddenly human. He has to deal with all of the human emotions. Making it more difficult for him is that he has an important dinner with his fiancée, T’Pring, and her judgmental family. While Pike, Amanda (Spock’s mother) and the rest of the crew try to help Spock pretend to be Vulcan and get through the dinner, Chapel frantically searches for a way to reverse what the aliens did. It’s a fun episode and really showcases the talents of Ethan Peck (Spock) and Jess Bush (Chapel). I’ve been a Trekkie as long as I can remember, so it was awesome to speak to the episode’s director.
Suzanne: Were you a fan of the show, or of the Star Trek franchise, before you started on this?
Jordan: Yeah, I was a big “[Star Trek: The] Next Generation” fan when I was a kid, and I probably watched, “[Star Trek IV] The Voyage Home” movie two dozen times. I loved that movie so much. And then, when I got the job, season one hadn’t aired yet, but I got to watch cuts of it. I had [seen] the season of “[Star Trek] Discovery” that had Spock in it… I think it’s season two. And then I got to watch season one [of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” before it was fully finished, and I was like, “Oh my God, this show is so good!” I loved it because it really reminded me of NextGen. It had that same playfulness to it, and the episodic alien- or planet-of-the-week vibe. And yeah, I got even more excited about the job once I’d seen it.
Suzanne: Well, that’s cool. Now, please forgive my ignorant question here because I’ve mostly interviewed actors, but… as a director, how are you chosen, for a TV episode? Is there anything similar to an audition process?
Jordan: You know, often there’s an interview. Sometimes– usually, your agent would put you up for something. I think with this one, They had reached out to my agent about it. Because of my comedy work and because this was a comedic episode, they wanted a director who was good at comedy. And so, yeah, memory serves that when I got the call from Chris, I was like, “Okay, this is an interview.” And then he was like, “Yeah, you’re great. You got the job.” And I was like, “I did. Oh, okay. Great. Love it.”
Suzanne: It takes the pressure off.
Jordan: Yeah. I called my agent. I was like, “Oh, I think I got the job.”
Suzanne: So, when you direct an episode (I know it’s not like directing a movie), are you in charge, more or less, or is it more of a collaborative process with everybody?
Jordan: Well, I will say, always in TV… you’re sort of working towards the vision of the showrunner, who has the whole show in their head and knows how all the pieces fit together. And there’s usually already a style and tone of the show that’s been set since the pilot, or since at least the first first season that you’re trying to slot yourself into. But what’s really unique about “[Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is [in reference to what you just said]: It is more like directing a movie. This was more like doing a movie than any TV episode I’ve done before because the episodes are more standalone. They approach them kind of like standalone movies of the week in terms of the tone and the style. And they really work hard to match a director with a script that works with them in terms of the style of the director or their strengths. So I was overjoyed by how much creative freedom I had on this episode. They sort of say, “Okay, you do a big sort of tone download with Henry, the showrunner.” And he’s like, “Okay, here’s the tone meeting.” And then they’re like, “Okay, how do you want to shoot it? How do you want to block it?” There aren’t these rigid rules about, [for example] “This is the way we shoot the closeups, this is when we use handheld, we don’t use handheld at all…” Yada, yada. You can use all of the sort of creative tools in your toolbox that serve the script and serve the story. So it was a real joy to be able to work on this and shape it so much.
Suzanne: That’s great. And, did you encounter any problems or glitches, or was it all smooth sailing?
Jordan: Well, we did… Ethan and I were talking yesterday, and both of us remembered at the same time that we had a COVID shutdown in the middle of our episode… but both of us had forgotten this, but he and Jess both got COVID in the middle of us shooting it. So we had to. There were no other scenes we could shoot because they were in everything. So we had to go down for a couple of weeks. I think the episodes are around 12 days? We’d probably shot maybe seven days, and then they got covid, so we had to go down for a couple of weeks. I think they started shooting the [next] episode and then we picked it back up once they were clear again. So that was kind of the only real, you know, problem.
Suzanne: That’s a pretty major one!
Jordan: Yeah, it was… it was great timing. But, yeah, you know, it happens. It happens so much.
Suzanne: Well, they shoot them pretty far in advance though, right?
Jordan: Oh yeah. Well, it’s such a long VFX post-production process.
Suzanne: Yeah.
Jordan: We were shooting, over a year ago. I shot my episode last May and June. So it was more than a year of [post-production].
Suzanne: Were you worried at all about dealing with such an iconic part of Star Trek history (Spock and the Vulcans), and how fans might react to that?
Jordan: I wanted to treat it with real respect and reverence because I knew that Spock being human for an episode is something that I think has been daydreamed about for many, many years– and decades even. So I knew that this was a very important, iconic thing that we were delivering. I wasn’t nervous about it. No, I just really wanted to be prepared. Ethan and I had so many conversations about how to do it properly and exactly how to fine tune his performance, so that it never felt untethered to the real Spock (who was there, you know, still inside this human Spock). And, you know, making sure that it never went too kind of broad. With comedy, it’s just about anchoring it in reality and not hitting the jokes over the head… playing everything like it’s real. And I think that’s why I find it so fun in this episode is: everybody gets a moment or more to show how great they are at comedy, you know? Everybody gets a fun moment…some great lines, [and] some great reactions. It’s a real showpiece, I think, for just how versatile all of these actors are. And in particular, Ethan and Jess. They really worked so hard on this episode and did such a beautiful job.
Suzanne: And it had such a great ending for the fans, too.
Jordan: And for me! I mean, that’s the end. I was like, “I love it.” I love a big smooch, you know…
Suzanne: And the nice thing about this episode, is that it took you back. If you were a fan of the original show, it took you back all the episodes where they split Kirk into two characters –one good, one bad…things like that.
Jordan: Yeah. Nice. Yeah. I mean, the canon of this is so fun to play in, and there, they take such care and consideration in writing all of these scripts.
Suzanne: Well, I really appreciate you talking to me and I enjoyed it. It was a good episode. Thank you very much.
Jordan: Thank you.
MORE INFO:
ABOUT JORDAN CANNING
Jordan Canning has directed more than a dozen short films which have played at festivals all over the world, including the Tribeca Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival and Interfilm Berlin. Among them, COUNTDOWN won a number of awards including a Golden Sheaf for Best Director; NOT OVER EASY swept all three awards at the National Screen Institute Film Festival; and SECONDS won the 2012 TIFF RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition and the Shaw Media Fearless Female Director Award. Jordan directed all 23 episodes of the CTV digital series SPACE RIDERS: DIVISION EARTH. The show won the 2014 Canadian Screen Award for Best Digital Series and four Canadian Comedy Awards, including Best Director.
Her first feature, WE WERE WOLVES, premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. Her second feature, SUCK IT UP, premiered at Slamdance 2017 and won Best Feature Film at the B3 Frankfurt Biennale. Her third feature, an omnibus film called ORDINARY DAYS, won Best Director at the 2018 Canadian Film Festival.
Her television credits include two seasons of the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning SCHITT’S CREEK, as well as hour-long dramas – SAVING HOPE (CTV), PRETTY HARD CASES (CBC), BURDEN OF TRUTH (CW), FAMILY LAW (CW), ASTRID AND LILLY SAVE THE WORLD (SYFY) – and half-hour comedies – BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (IFC), THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (CBC), THE LAKE (Amazon) and FRAGGLE ROCK and THE BIG DOOR PRIZE for Apple TV. Most recently she directed for season 2 of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS for CBS and Paramount+. She has won two Canadian Screen Awards and a DGC Award for directing.
Jordan is a 2010 graduate of the Director’s Lab at the Canadian Film Centre and an alumnus of TIFF Talent Lab, TIFF Pitch This!, and Women in the Director’s Chair.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Episode 205: “Charades” – Available to stream Thursday, July 13
Directed by Jordan Canning
Written by Kathryn Lyn & Henry Alonso Myers
Logline: A shuttle accident leads to Spock’s Vulcan DNA being removed by aliens, making him fully human and completely unprepared to face T’Pring’s family during an important ceremonial dinner.
In season two of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, confronts increasingly dangerous stakes, explores uncharted territories and encounters new life and civilizations. The crew will embark on personal journeys that will continue to test their resolve and redefine their destinies. Facing friends and enemies both new and familiar, their adventures will unfold in surprising ways never seen before on any “Star Trek” series.
The series stars Anson Mount as Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una Chin-Riley, Ethan Peck as Spock, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Erica Ortegas and Babs Olusanmokun as Joseph M’Benga. Season two also features the return of special guest star Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk and new addition Carol Kane in a recurring role as Pelia.
Season two of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS is produced by CBS Studios, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers serve as co-showrunners. Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, Jenny Lumet, Henry Alonso Myers, Aaron Baiers, Heather Kadin, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers.
Season two of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It will also be available to stream on Paramount+ in South Korea, with the premiere date to be announced at a later time. In addition, season two will air on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and stream on Crave in Canada and on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern Europe.The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Season one is currently available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., the U.K., Latin America, Australia, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streams on Crave in Canada and on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Central and Eastern Europe. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
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– mundane, and every day just like the previous. But when new prisoner Casey White (Sutherland) is brought to her facility, the two develop a secret infatuation. Vicky gives Casey special attention, believing he’s the only man to see her the way she wants to be seen. But when Casey’s inevitable transfer to a lengthy prison sentence approaches, Vicky decides to take desperate action. Risking everything, Vicky manages to break Casey out of jail and takes him on the run, eluding authorities on an eleven-day dash for freedom. For Vicky, even the probable tragedy ahead of them is worth the chance to live life fully once more.
Sharon Case is an American actress and former model. At the age of 17, Case began working as a model, relocating briefly to Japan, before pursuing an acting career. She is best known for her roles on daytime television soap operas, scoring parts in the serials General Hospital and As the World Turns during the early stages of her career. In 1994, she stepped into the role of Sharon Newman on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless, which she still plays. Case, who is considered a leading actress in the series, won the 1999 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance.
Canadian writer, director, and producer 
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Christian: You know, some people do. I mean, there’s no big changes. We love the storylines. The storylines are all new. The stakes are a little bit higher, which is great. As long as your stakes get higher every season, that’s the show that you’re doing. That means you’ve got a successful show. And we did that this year. You know, I’m coming [from] Dean Devlin school, you know what I mean? Which is, you know, how many seasons did I do Leverage? How many seasons of The Librarians were [there]? We’re on season two of Almost Paradise. You know, if it’s not broke, he doesn’t try to fix it. The shows that we do, you know, it’s not a comedy; it’s not a drama; it’s not an action movie. It’s all three of them rolled into one. That’s why, you know, we’re never going to be up for an award where it’s the best drama or the best – you know what I mean? The only awards we win are when we win the People’s Choice Award, because people love the show, you know? So, he doesn’t change it that much, because there’s kids watching it. There’s adults watching it; there’s families that watch the show. So, he does a really good job of not changing it too much to where you’re just blown out of it.
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“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Episode 205: “Charades” – Available to stream Thursday, July 13