Interview with Alexander Ludwig

TV Interview!

 

"Earth Abides" banner

Interview with Alexander Ludwig, Jessica Frances Dukes, Aaron Tveit, Todd Komarnicki and Kearie Peak of “Earth Abides” on MGM+ by Suzanne 11/20/24

This is a very exciting 6 part miniseries on MGM+. I hope you can watch it because it’s fascinating. Although it takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, it’s not too gross, gory or depressing. The acting is very good. Alexander Ludwig stars as “Ish,” a man who survives the pandemic that has destroyed most of the world’s population. Then he finds a wonderful woman, Emma (Jessica Frances Dukes), and they start their life together. Other people find them, and they start re-building the world. It’s got a very positive message about the future of the world, how people can adapt and get along, and about how the earth can heal. It was great to speak with the two stars, Ludwig and Dukes, as well as Aaron Tveit, who plays a pivotal character named Charlie, and the show’s creators and showrunners.  The series is based on an old scifi book but modernized. I think they did a great job.  NOTE: Tveit’s interview will be up a few later because there are spoilers in it.

Alexander Ludwig (Ish) and Jessica Frances Dukes (Emma)

Aaron Tveit

video will be here later

Showrunner/EP Todd Komarnicki and EP Kearie Peak

 

MORE INFO: Official Site Trailer

Key art for "Earth Abides" on MGM+

About ‘Earth Abides’ 

In “Earth Abides,” when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out. In the aftermath, as the great machine of civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction. The series is based on George R. Stewart’s classic sci-fi novel of the same name.

A Note from Todd Komarnicki (Executive Producer/Writer/Showrunner) 

Earth Abides was ahead of its time. George Stewart’s novel, despite being written in 1949, has cohered brilliantly with our current moment. Long before nature began to suffer at the hands of man’s inability to live in harmony with her, Stewart knew that the Earth never needed us. We are more of a pestilence she has survived. As the world within the novel starts over, the earth has a chance to reassert herself. It is now man who must be the survivor. But what if those chosen to be humanity’s second chance aren’t suited for each other or the task at hand. They are a mixed blend of personalities, the kind that might have never joined forces prior to the apocalypse. But the life altering thing that they all discover…is that their differences might become the only thing enabling them to persevere. The story is a stark reminder that our differences should not separate us but unite us. A lesson we could all pay closer attention to in these times so riven by strife.Alexander Ludwig (Ish) and Jessica Frances Duke (Emma) in "Earth Abides" - photo from MGM+ press site

When adapting this novel for television, it was Stewart’s brilliant story that remains the infrastructure for keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. We shed new light through a deeper level of intimacy introduced in our show. While the intent of the original remains untouched, the tenderness and vulnerability of its characters and their journey over the years has been heightened in a fundamental way. Showing that journey of over twenty years together without losing the narrative thread and the audience’s connection to the characters was one of the biggest challenges we faced in the adaptation. Letting the series be guided by Ish’s own voice and the characters sharing their story not only kept the narrative intact but made them relatable and deeply human. That human aspect is what I hope audiences connect with most. The show lives in the shadow of a society torn down to cobblestone, but that is just the stage for a thrill ride that is utterly human. It is full of perseverance but also doubt, rage, addiction, murder and rebirth. No matter how dark the road gets for these characters, there is always a sliver of light calling them forward…love. What I hope audiences take away from our show is that love…really does win.

Aaron Tveit (Charlie) in "Earth Abides" on MGM+ - photo from MGM+ press siteAbout MGM+

MGM+, an Amazon company, is a premium linear channel and streaming service delivering a broad lineup of exclusive original series and docuseries, current movie releases, and classic film franchises—all available in the U.S. on TV, on-demand, online, and across devices. MGM+ is a destination for premium content, with original series including sci-fi horror series FROM, Emmy-winning Godfather of Harlem, the Western adventure Billy the Kid, suspense thriller Emperor of Ocean Park, crime drama Hotel Cocaine, and upcoming sci-fi drama Earth Abides and horror thriller The Institute, along with limited series A Spy Among Friends and cinematic dramatic series Rogue Heroes, Belgravia and War of the Worlds. The network is also the home of acclaimed docuseries, including the critically acclaimed In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, Emmy-nominated Laurel CanyonMy Life as a Rolling Stone, and NFL Icons, as well as the anticipated docuseries Hollywood Black and The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood. Premium movies are also available, including ChallengersIFMission Impossible – Dead ReckoningThe Beekeeper, The Boys in the Boat, American Fiction and Mean Girls. 

MGM+ is available nationwide through cable, telco, satellite, digital distribution channels and the MGM+ app. For more information about the current MGM+ lineup, go to www.mgmplus.com or follow us on X, InstagramFacebookTikTok, and YouTube.

Alexander Ludwig (pic from MGM+ press site)Alexander Ludwig

Alexander Ludwig is a multi-talented performer who continues to make his mark in Hollywood and beyond.

Ludwig can next be seen in the leading role of the upcoming MGM+ limited series Earth Abides, premiering December 1. Helmed by acclaimed creator and showrunner Todd Komarnicki and based on George R. Stewart’s best-selling novel, the 6-episode limited series story follows Ish (Ludwig) through the aftermath of a global plague as he tries to set the survivors on the road back to civilization.

Additionally, on television, Ludwig starred as Ace Spade in the Starz series Heels, which ran for two seasons and was recently licensed to Netflix after popular demand for a third season. The show, set in the world of independent wrestling, focuses on two rival brothers battling over their late father’s legacy. He is also recognized for his portrayal of Bjorn in the History Channel’s popular series Vikings.

On the big screen, Ludwig most recently reprised his role in the box office hit franchise Bad Boys 4: Ride Or Die alongside Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, and Vanessa Hudgens.  Ludwig joined the franchise with Bad Boys for Life (2020), which stands as the most successful film in the franchise, breaking box office records.   Ludwig will next appear in Killing Castro, directed by Eif Rivera, alongside Al Pacino, and will soon begin production on the horror thriller Night Comes, marking the feature directorial debut of veteran actor Jay Hernandez, set for release next year.

His additional film credits include Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant with Jake Gyllenhaal, National Champions featuring Uzo Aduba and J.K. Simmons, and the war epic Midway alongside Woody Harrelson and Dennis Quaid. He also starred in Peter Berg’s acclaimed Lone Survivor, blockbuster hit The Hunger Games with Jennifer Lawrence, and the hugely succesful Race to Witch Mountain opposite Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Ludwig began his acting career at nine, landing his first major role as Will Stanton in the action-adventure film The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising in 2007. His earlier credits include Grown Ups 2 and When The Game Stands Tall.

Following his passions outside of acting and filmmaking; he is a gifted musician who recently released his debut full-length Country album Highway 99 via Broken Bow Records. A mixture of amplified guitars, climactic choruses, and heartfelt hooks, the 16-track collection offers universal stories about small towns, wild nights, broken hearts, and big dreams. A follow up to his 2021 self-titled EP and career-launching 2020 single “Let Me Be Your Whiskey,” Highway 99 was produced by Nashville heavy-hitters Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy and proves Ludwig is making a permanent mark on Country music.

Jessica Frances Duke, (pic from MGM+ press site)Jessica Frances Dukes

Jessica Frances Dukes is an accomplished actress set to star as the female lead in the upcoming MGM+ original limited series “Earth Abides,” alongside Alexander Ludwig. This imaginative adaptation of George R. Stewart’s classic sci-fi novel, created by showrunner Todd Komarnicki (Sully), explores a world ravaged by a deadly plague that nearly wipes out humanity. As civilization crumbles, a few survivors face the struggle for existence. In the series, Jessica plays Emma, a character who contrasts sharply with Ludwig’s character, Ish. The limited series, produced by Oscar winner Michael Phillips (The Sting) alongside Juliana Maio and Kearie Peak, is slated to premiere on December 1, 2024.

In addition to “Earth Abides,” Jessica is currently filming a recurring role in the third season of the Emmy-nominated series “The Gilded Age” on HBO.

Jessica is best known for her regular role as Special Agent Maya Miller in the multi-award-winning Netflix series “Ozark” (2020–2022). Her other notable credits include leading roles in HBO Max’s “Project Greenlight” (2023) and the award-winning film “Gray Matter” (2023).

A seasoned theater veteran, Jessica portrayed Millie Davis in the Tony Award-nominated “Trouble In Mind” on Broadway. She is an Obie Award winner for “Bootycandy” at Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway and received an Audelco Award and a Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance nomination for her role as Vera in “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark” at the Signature Theatre.

Aaron Tveit (pic from his Instagram)Aaron Tveit

Aaron Kyle Tveit, born October 21, 1983) is an American actor and tenor singer. Tveit originated the lead role of Christian in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge! on Broadway, a performance for which he won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and received a 2020 Grammy Award nomination. His other work on the Broadway stage includes originating the roles of Gabe in Next to Normal and Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, as well as performing the roles of Fiyero Tigelaar in Wicked, Link Larkin in Hairspray, and the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He also played John Wilkes Booth in an Off West End production of Assassins.

Tveit has also portrayed several musical theatre roles on screen, such as Enjolras in the film adaptation of Les Misérables (2012), as well as Danny Zuko in Fox’s Grease: Live (2016). Tveit is also known for his work in television, including the roles of Gareth Ritter on BrainDead, Tripp van der Bilt on Gossip Girl, Mike Warren on Graceland, and Danny Bailey/Topher in Schmigadoon!.

Todd Komarnicki (pic from MGM+ press site)Todd Komarnicki

Todd Komarnicki is a prolific writer, producer, and director of film and television aswell as an acclaimed novelist. Komarnicki’s screenplays include SULLY directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, which opened at #1 in the box office to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film went on to earn over $240 million worldwide, and was a 2016 AFI Top Ten Film. Komarnicki has also written an adaptation of the international bestseller, THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn; and he wrote, produced, and directed, BONHOEFFER, the WW2 true story of legendary pastor turned assassin, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which is being released theatrically worldwide November 22nd.

In television, Komarnicki has written EARTH ABIDES, for MGM+, an adaptation of the international sci-fi favorite, by George Stewart, the series premieres December 1st. In the literary world, his first novel, Free, was published by Doubleday in 1993 and his second novel, famine (Arcade 1997), received tremendous reviews and was subsequently translated into French, Italian, and German. His third novel, war, was published to exceptional reviews in July of 2008 by Arcade.Kearie Peak (pic from TMDB)

Komarnicki is the president & founder of the production company Guy Walks Into A Bar. Komarnicki and Guy Walks partner Jon Berg produced the Christmas blockbuster ELF, starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau. The film has become a worldwide perennial favorite every Christmas season. All told, Komarnicki’s films have accounted for well over half a billion dollars at the box office.

Komarnicki lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, their daughter, Remy, 14, and son, Dashiell, 11.

Kearie Peak

Kearie Peak is known for Flyboys (2006), Chaos Theory (2007) and American History X (1998).

  • Credits

    Based on the novel by
    George R. Stewart

    Executive Produced by
    Todd Komarnicki, Kearie Peak, Michael Phillips, Juliana Maio

    Directed by
    Bronwen Hughes (101, 102), Rachel Leiterman (103,104), Stephen Campanelli (105, 106)

    Written by
    Todd Komarnicki

    Showrunner

    Todd Komarnicki

    Cast
    Alexander Ludwig as “Ish”
    Jessica Frances Dukes as “Emma”
    Aaron Tveit as “Charlie”
    Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as “Jorge”
    Elyse Levesque as “Maurine”
    Hilary McCormack as “Jean”
    Luisa d’Oliveira as “Molly”
    Birkett Turton as “Ezra”
    Jenna Berman as “Evie”

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Interview with the cast of “Cruel Intentions”

TV Interview!

 

"Cruel Intentions" banner - photos from the Amazon press site.

Interview with actors Sara Silva, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Harlan Kim and Khobe Clarke; and writers/EP Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher of “Cruel Intentions” on Prime by Suzanne 11/13/24

I really enjoyed watching this show, and the actors I chatted with couldn’t have been nicer; it was the same with the two producers. You don’t want to miss this show! It’s not just any teen drama. The writing is top notch. Even if you never saw the movie(s) or book it’s based on, you should enjoy it; it dragged me into the drama!

Sara Silva (CeCe) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Hank)

John Harlan Kim (Blaise) and Khobe Clarke (Scott)

Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher (co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers)

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Key art for "Cruel Intentions" on PrimeABOUT THE SERIES

All eight episodes of Prime Video’s highly anticipated series, Cruel Intentions, will premiere November 21 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Twenty-five years after the iconic film captivated audiences with its provocative drama, sex, and scandal, this series introduces a new class of cruel characters who are ready to take their games and manipulation to a whole new level. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the film or new to the twisted tale, the series promises binge-worthy fun that audiences won’t want to miss.

In this new adaptation, Cruel Intentions follows the elite students of Manchester College, a Washington, D.C.-adjacent university, where reputation means everything, fraternities and sororities are the gold standard, and two ruthless step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont, will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Greek Life system, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if that means seducing Annie Grover, the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court that is Manchester College.

Cruel Intentions stars Sarah Catherine Hook as “Caroline Merteuil”, Zac Burgess as “Lucien Belmont”, Savannah Lee Smith as “Annie Grover”, Sara Silva as “Cece Carroway”, John Harlan Kim as “Blaise Powell”, Khobe Clarke as “Scott Russell”, Sean Patrick Thomas as “Professor Hank Chadwick”, and Brooke Lena Johnson as “Beatrice Worth”.

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film. Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher serve as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film also executive produce along with Roger Kumble. Moritz produced the original film, which was written and directed by Kumble. Bruce Mellon along with Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi of Iervolino & Bacardi Entertainment are producers.

Good Article About the Series

Sara Silva

CeCe Carroway

SARA SILVA is a Brazilian-American actress from the San Francisco Bay Area. She studied acting at UCLA’s School for Theater, Film and Television, where she starred as Medea in Euripides’ titular play and Maritza in Tanya Saracho’s Mala Hierba.

Sara will star as ‘CELESTE “CECE” CALLOWAY’ in the Prime Video SeriesCRUEL INTENTIONS written by Phoebe Fisher, and based on the 1999 film by the same name, which starred Selma Blair in the same role.

Sara also recently starred opposite Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly) in the feature TAURUS written and directed by Tim Sutton, which premiered domestically at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival.  You can also spot Sara in the recent season of FX’s anthology series AMERICAN HORROR STORIES in episode ‘Necro’.   Other recent television roles include the Freeform seriesGROWN-ISH, and Amazon’s THE BOYS.  Sara also recently played the Sorority leader ‘Hunter’ in the short ‘Scotty’s Vag’ written & directed by Chaconne Martin-Berkowicz, which was nominated for the Grand Jury Award at the 2023 SXSW film festival.

Sara is drawn to provocative stories and loves finding empathy for the twisted characters she plays. When she’s not acting, she’s writing plays, making music with her band “Dance Arts Center” and cuddling with her black cat, Pepita.

Sean Patrick Thomas

Professor Hank Chadwick

Respected actor/producer, Sean Patrick Thomas, is continuing his hot streak. Recently wrapping production on the TV version of “Cruel Intentions,” Thomas is the only member of the original film to appear in the series. He is currently in production on the second season of fan favorite, “Gen V.” Previously he was seen in the critically acclaimed, award-winning feature, “The Tragedy of Macbeth” with Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand and the MGM/UA film “Till,” which tells the heartbreaking story of Emmett Till. Other projects include the Hulu limited series, “Reasonable Doubt,” reuniting him with Kerry Washington, who executive produced the series and directed its pilot episode along with a recurring role in “For All Mankind” on Apple+.

Previous film credits include “The Curse of La Llorona,” the ensemble hit franchise “Barbershop,” Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain,” John Sayles’ “Honeydripper,” “Cruel Intentions,” “Halloween: Resurrection” and the box office smash “Save The Last Dance,” for which Thomas won two MTV Movie Awards. On the small screen, Thomas starred in Kenny Leon’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” for which he earned a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie. And on Broadway he conquered a different character, that of Nigerian suitor Joseph Asagai, in “A Raisin in the Sun” once again opposite Denzel Washington. He starred on the CBS series “The District” and recurred on “The Good Fight” as well as voicing the character of Professor Macalester on the animated series “Vixen.” Additional television credits include “Insecure,” “Madam Secretary,” “American Horror Story,” “NCIS: New Orleans” and “NCIS.”

John Harlan Kim

Blaise Powell

John Harlan Kim will next star in a series regular role as ‘Blaise Powell’ on Prime Video’s “Cruel Intentions,” the highly anticipated television adaptation of the 1999 feature cult classic. The series will be released globally on the streaming platform in November 2024. Previously, John appeared as ‘Bobby’ in the hit Apple TV+ series, “The Last Thing He Told Me,” opposite Jennifer Garner and Angourie Rice. Previous television credits include: the Ryan Murphy Fox series “9-1-1,” the CW series, “Nancy Drew,” and the TNT series “The Librarians.” His film credits include: Netflix’s “Purple Hearts” opposite Sofia Carson and the Warner Brothers’ thriller written and directed by John Lee Hancock,“The Little Things,” opposite Denzel Washington, Jared Leto and Rami Malek.

Khobe Clarke

Scott Russell

Khobe Clarke was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. His childhood was filled with incredible outdoor experiences, including a motorcycle trip across Mongolia, and a trek to the base camp of Mt. Everest. But despite his love for climbing the world’s tallest mountains and exploring the Canadian wilderness, acting was his true passion, and the only thing he wanted to do.

After graduating high school he picked up and moved to Vancouver, BC to pursue a career in film and television. Things started to move quickly for Khobe. Within 2 short years, after signing with his Vancouver agent, he landed a number of great roles. Most notably a major recurring guest star role on Netflix’s popular series Firefly Lane (S2), a lead role in a 4-part movie event series V.C. Andrews Cutler Series for Lifetime, and also recurred on the Emmy-Nominated Showtime series Yellowjackets. Khobe is so excited to be part of the Cruel Intentions cast, and can’t wait to see what type of adventure this brings.

Sara Goodman

She was born 1973, in Toronto, Canada. She’s known for her work in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Gossip Girl (2007), Preacher, Outsiders, The Detail, Rake.

Phoebe Fisher

  • Credits

    Produced by
    Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film

    Co-Showrunners, Writers, Executive Producers
    Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher

    Executive Producers
    Neal H. Moritz
    Pavun Shetty
    Roger Kumble

    Producers
    Bruce Mellon
    Andrea Iervolino
    Monika Bacardi

    Cast
    Caroline Merteuil played by Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill; The White Lotus S3)
    Lucien Belmont played by Zac Burgess (Boy Swallows Universe; Totally Completely Fine)
    Annie Grover played by Savannah Lee Smith (Gossip Girl)
    Cece Carroway played by Sara Silva (American Horror Stories)
    Blaise Powell played by John Harlan Kim (The Last Thing He Told Me; 9-1-1)
    Scott Russell played by Khobe Clarke (Firefly Lane; Yellowjackets)
    Professor Hank Chadwick played by Sean Patrick Thomas (Till)
    Beatrice Worth played by Brooke Lena Johnson (You)

Cruel Intentions Los Angeles Red Carpet Premiere Credit: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Prime Video Copyright: 2024 Getty Images Description: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: (L-R) Sean Patrick Thomas, Khobe Clarke, Savannah Lee Smith, Sara Silva, Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, Brooke Lena Johnson, and John Harlan Kim attend Cruel Intentions Los Angeles red carpet premiere at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for Prime Video)

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Interview with the cast of “Holidazed”

TV Interview!

 

Dennis Haysbert, John C. McGinley, Ser'darius Blain, Holland Roden, Noemi Gonzalez, Erin Cahill, Lindy Booth, Rachelle Lefevre and Osric Chau of "Holidazed" on Hallmark+

Interview with Dennis Haysbert, John C. McGinley, Ser’darius Blain, Holland Roden, Noemi Gonzalez, Erin Cahill, Lindy Booth, Rachelle Lefevre and Osric Chau of “Holidazed” on Hallmark+ by Suzanne 10/18/24

These were three very fun interviews in the Hallmark+ junket. I was especially happy to speak with Dennis Haysbert (“24“), Holland Roden (“Teen Wolf“), Lindy Booth (“The Librarians”) and Osric Chau (“Supernatural“) because I already knew them and admired their work. I hope you enjoy our videos, and the show is worth watching if you love family, holiday or Hallmark movies and shows. This is Hallmark’s first holiday or Christmas TV series.

🎄Dennis Haysbert, John C. McGinley and Ser’darius Blain

☃️Holland Roden, Noemi Gonzalez and Erin Cahill

🎅Lindy Booth, Rachelle Lefevre and Osric Chau

 

Holidazed key artMORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Brief description: New Episodes Thursdays. The series follows six families, all living on the same cul-de-sac, as they gather for the holidays when emotions are amplified and relationships tested. But in the end, all come together in heartwarming and funny celebrations that showcase what we do have in common: LOVE in all its different forms.

 

 

 

Hallmark+ logo

HOLIDAY REVELATIONS, FAMILY CONNECTIONS AND A BEVY OF STARS SHINE IN THE SERIES PREMIERE EPISODE OF HALLMARK MEDIA’S FIRST-EVER HOLIDAY SERIES HOLIDAZED PREMIERING NOVEMBER 14 ON HALLMARK+STUDIO CITY, CA – November 4, 2024 – Love, family and holiday surprises take center stage as introductions are made and secrets are unveiled in The Beginning, the first episode of Holidazed, a new Hallmark+ original limited series, premiering Thursday, November 14 (12 a.m. ET/PT) on Hallmark+. Loretta Devine (Grey’s Anatomy), Dennis Haysbert (24), Ser’Darius Blain (Jumanji), Virginia Madsen (Sideways), John C. McGinley (Scrubs), Holland Roden (Teen Wolf), Lucille Soong (Grandma Lin), Osric Chau (Supernatural), Noemi Gonzalez (East Los High), Lindy Booth (The Librarians), Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight), Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars) and Erin Cahill (Power Rangers Time Force) star. In The Beginning, as the holiday season begins, families around The Oaks cul-de-sac embark on their yearly traditions, hoping to create the perfect celebration filled with joy and connection. However, as the families gather, unexpected confrontations and secrets arise, leading to a whirlwind of laughter, tears and heartfelt moments. Amid the chaos, each family must navigate their unique dynamics, discovering that while the holidays may not unfold as planned, the true spirit of the season lies in love, connection and the joy of being together.

As the series kicks off, viewers will be introduced to a vibrant cast of characters:

  • Linda Johnson (Devine): Robert’s ex-wife, determined to embrace her independence and live her best life.
  • Robert Johnson (Haysbert): A retired attorney adjusting to life after divorce, slowly rediscovering the vibrant man he used to be.
  • Evan (Blain): Handsome and fit, Linda’s boyfriend, who exudes the exuberance of youth and is eager to embrace new experiences.
  • Connie Manetti-Hanahan (Madsen): The glamorous matriarch of the Manetti-Hanahan family, fiercely devoted to her loved ones.
  • Chuck Manetti-Hanahan (McGinley): Connie’s husband, a former marine with a tough exterior but a soft heart.
  • Katie Manetti-Hanahan (Roden): The youngest daughter of Chuck and Connie, dating Gaby’s brother Kevin, with a complex past of bullying Gaby.
  • Grandma Lin (Soong): The traditional family matriarch who brings a strong sense of family values.
  • Ted Lin (Chau): A focused and driven young man about to graduate with his MBA, navigating the pressures of family expectations.
  • Gaby Camarena (Gonzalez): A polished aspiring chef who confronts her past when she discovers her brother is dating her high school nemesis.
  • Lucy Woods (Booth): A dedicated single mom who runs a health-focused bakery and seeks balance in her life.
  • Sylvie Woods (Lefevre): Lucy’s adventurous sister, who brings a vibrant energy and spontaneity to the family dynamic.
  • Josh Hill (Harding): An accomplished architect re-evaluating what home means to him during the holiday season.
  • Nora Jacobs (Cahill): The local sheriff and widow, who juggles her responsibilities while seeking connection and love.

Holidazed is from Unity Pictures and Little Engine Productions. Executive producers are Ron French, Claudia Grazioso, Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo. Ilene Rosenzweig is co-executive producer, Ben Mallin is co-producer and French is producer. Stacey N. Harding directed from a script by Claudia Grazioso.

 

Dennis Dexter Haysbert (born June 2, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, Secret Service agent Tim Collin in the political thriller film Absolute Power, Sergeant Major Jonas Blane on the CBS military action drama series The Unit, God on the Netflix show Lucifer, and President David Palmer on the first five seasons of 24. He has also appeared in the films Love Field, Navy SEALS, Heat, Waiting to Exhale, and Far from Heaven, as well as the science fiction series Incorporated.

John Christopher McGinley (born August 3, 1959) is an American actor. His best known roles include Perry Cox in Scrubs, Bob Slydell in Office Space, Captain Hendrix in The Rock, Sergeant Red O’Neill in Oliver Stone‘s Platoon, Marv in Stone’s Wall Street, FBI agent Ben Harp in Point Break, and the serial killer Edgler Foreman Vess in the TV miniseries of Intensity, based on the novel by Dean Koontz.
Ser’Darius William Blain (born March 10, 1987) is a Haitian-American actor. He is best known for his role as Anthony “Fridge” Johnson in the Jumanji film series, appearing in the sequel entries Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. Blain is also recognized for his portrayal of Galvin Burdette in the first season of The CW series Charmed.

Holland Roden (born October 7, 1986)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Lydia Martin in MTV‘s teen drama series Teen Wolf, Zoe Woods in Syfy‘s horror anthology series Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block, Bridget Cleary in Amazon Prime Video‘s horror anthology documentary series Lore and as Erin Isaacs in the horror film No Escape.

Noemi Artemisa Gonzalez (born July 3, 1988) is an American actress. She portrayed Soli Gomez in the Hulu series East Los High and portrayed the character of Mia Rosales on CBS Daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019.

Erin Jessica Cahill (born January 4, 1980) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Jen Scotts in Power Rangers Time Force,[3] Ted Mosby’s sister Heather in How I Met Your Mother, and Kendra Burke in Saving Grace. She had a recurring role as Felicity in the ABC series Red Widow. She is also noted to be the first lead female character for the Call of Duty franchise, as Chloe ‘Karma’ Lynch in Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Rebecca Chambers in Resident Evil: Vendetta. Since 2016, Cahill has worked primarily in television movies for Lifetime and Hallmark.

Lindy Booth (born April 2, 1979) is a Canadian actress. She played Riley Grant on the Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson (and Agent Hawk in the show-within-a-show Silverstone), Claudia on Relic Hunter, and A.J. Butterfield on the NBC series The Philanthropist. She then played Cassandra Cillian on the TNT series The Librarians (2014–2018).

Rachelle Marie Lefèvre (/ləˈfɛv/ lə-FEV, French: [ʁaʃɛl maʁi ləfɛvʁ]; born February 1, 1979) is a Canadian actress. She has starred in the television series Big Wolf on Campus and had recurring roles in What About Brian, Boston Legal, and Swingtown. She played the vampire Victoria in the first two films of the Twilight saga. In 2011, she starred in the ABC medical drama Off the Map, followed by the CBS series A Gifted Man (2011–2012) and Under the Dome (2013–2015), in 2019 she starred in the FOX legal series Proven Innocent.

Osric Chau (Chinese: 周逸之; Jyutping: zau1 yat6 zi1) is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Kevin Tran in the CW series Supernatural, Vogel in the BBC America series Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, and Ryan Choi in the TV shows set in the Arrowverse.

Entire cast of "Holidazed" on Hallmark+ - photo from Hallmark

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Interview with Isaiah Mustafa and Ben Watkins

TV Interview!

Cross Global Premiere In Los Angeles Credit: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Prime Video Copyright: 2024 Getty Images Description: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Ben Watkins, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Aldis Hodge, Eloise Mumford, Isaiah Mustafa and Ryan Eggold attend the Cross Global Premiere at NYA WEST on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Prime Video)

Interview with Isaiah Mustafa and Ben Watkins  of “Cross” on Prime by Suzanne 10/29/24

I enjoyed speaking with one of the main actors, and the showrunner, of this great new series. I’ve spoken with the main star, Aldis Hodge, years ago (when he was in “Leverage”). Sadly, I did not get that chance this time.

Hodges stars as Alex Cross, the forensic psychiatrist and detective featured in James Patterson novels (and some movies). Aldis was one of my first one-on-one interviews, so it was memorable. He’s always very nice. I also spoke with him in 2011 and 2012.

Mustafa and Wakins, whom I interviewed recently, also were a joy to speak with. Mustafa is a former football player but has become quite a good actor. He plays John Sampson, Mustafa’s close friend and fellow detective. Ben Watkins created, wrote and executive produced the show. He’s worked on some of my favorites, including “Hand of God” and “Burn Notice”.

These are audio-only, even though I did speak with them on video. I didn’t realize that they were only going to send me the audio until yesterday (that was my mistake for not making sure). Oops!

You should definitely check out this series’ first season, which drops Nov. 14 and has already been renewed for season 2. It is a thrilling drama that everyone should enjoy. It also stars Ryan Eggold (“New Amsterdam”), Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill.

Isaiah Mustafa “John”

Ben Watkins (showrunner)

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Cross Key Art - Horizontal Copyright: Amazon MGM StudiosStarring Aldis Hodge, Cross is a crime thriller series that follows ALEX CROSS, a decorated D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist who faces a sadistic serial killer leaving a string of bodies strewn around the city. As Alex and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track this killer, a mysterious threat from Cross’ past appears, aiming to destroy what he’s done to keep his grieving family, career, and life together. Ryan Eggold, Alona Tal, and Johnny Ray Gill also star; Ben Watkins serves as showrunner.

  • Credits

    Produced by
    Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount Television Studios, Skydance Television

    Created by
    Ben Watkins

    Directed by
    Ben Watkins

    Executive Produced by
    Ben Watkins
    Sam Ernst
    Jim Dunn
    Craig Siebels
    James Patterson
    Bill Robinson
    Patrick Santa
    David Ellison
    Dana Goldberg
    Matt Thunell

    Cast
    Aldis Hodge
    Isaiah Mustafa
    Juanita Jennings
    Alona Tal
    Samantha Walkes
    Caleb Elijah
    Melody Hurd
    Jennifer Wigmore
    Eloise Mumford
    Ryan Eggold

Isaiah Amir Mustafa (born February 11, 1974)] is an American actor and former American football wide receiver. Mustafa is widely known as the main character in a series of Old Spice television commercials, “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like“. He is also known for portraying Luke Garroway on Freeform‘s fantasy series Shadowhunters and adult Mike Hanlon in It Chapter Two.

Ben Watkins was born on March 19, 1971 in San Francisco, California, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Cross (2024), Burn Notice (2007) and Quest to Ref (2002). He has been married to Kandi Ali since June 1992. They have four children.

Cross Global Premiere In Los Angeles Credit: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Prime Video Copyright: 2024 Getty Images Description: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Ben Watkins, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Aldis Hodge, Eloise Mumford, Isaiah Mustafa and Ryan Eggold attend the Cross Global Premiere at NYA WEST on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Prime Video)

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Interview with Molly Kunz

TV Interview!

 

Molly Kunz of "The Irrational," Tuesdays on NBC - photo from her Instagram

Interview with Molly Kunz of “The Irrational” on NBC by Suzanne 10/24/24

I really enjoyed speaking with Molly! I love her show, so it was very nice to speak with her about it, and about her character. Don’t miss the next episode, which airs Nov. 12!

 

THE IRRATIONAL-- Pictured: "The Irrational" Key Art -- (Photo by: NBCUniversal)The Irrational

Season 2 Premiering October 8 on NBC (10-11p.m. ET/PT)

“The Irrational” follows world-renowned professor of behavioral science Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin) as he lends his unique expertise to high-stakes cases and mysteries. His insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior lead him to work alongside varying clients ranging from the FBI to everyday people caught in perplexing situations desperate for answers. With the help of his trusted team and social-science experiments, Alec solves crimes and uncovers the truth to answer intriguing, and irrational, questions.

The cast also includes Maahra Hill, Travina Springer, Molly Kunz and Arash DeMaxi.

Arika Lisanne Mittman, Mark Goffman, Sam Baum, David Frankel and Robert Wolfe executive produce.

The show is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Next Episode: “Anatomy of a Fall” Simon’s mother asks Alec to help stop a suicide contagion when a third student death strikes the campus; Alec asks Marisa to help when he thinks there might be more to the case; Phoebe struggles with her next career move.

THE IRRATIONAL -- Season: 1 -- Pictured: Molly Kunz as Phoebe -- (Photo by: Brendan Meadows/NBC)Molly Kunz

Phoebe, “The Irrational”

Molly Kunz stars as Phoebe in the NBC drama “The Irrational.”

Kunz recurred on “Colony,” “Finding Carter” and Hulu’s original series “Battleground,” created by J.D. Walsh. She also co-starred in the Lifetime movie “The Marsh Sisters at Christmas.”

On the film side, Kunz will co-star in the thriller “Wild Eyed and Wicked” and was previously in “The Wolf and the Lion,” based on the French film “Mia and The White Lion.” Kunz also had a supporting role in Steve McQueen’s feature “Widows,” opposite Colin Farrell, as well as a role in the indie “The Wise Kids.”

Kunz is originally from Madison, Wisc., and began her career in regional theater. Productions include “The Nerd” (Memorial Theatre Company), “The Sound of Music” (Music Theater of Madison), “Carousel” (Madison Repertory Theater), “The Boxcar Children” (CTM Family Theater Company), “The Secret Garden” (University of Wisconsin Theater), “Annie” (Stagestruck Productions), “Tom Sawyer” (Madison Creative Arts Program), “Alice in Wonderland” (Shorewood Drama), “The Nutcracker Ballet” (Madison Ballet), and “Sleeping Beauty Ballet” (Performing Arts for Children).

THE IRRATIONAL -- "Formal Ties" Episode 204 -- Pictured: Molly Kunz as Phoebe -- (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

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Interview with Sarah Drew

TV Interview!

 

Sarah Drew, star of "Mistletoe Murders" on Hallmark+ - photo from her Instagram

Interview with Sarah Drew, star of “Mistletoe Murders” on Hallmark+ by Suzanne 10/18/24

It was a lot of fun to speak with Sarah about her new mystery series! We had a nice chat about the new show.  Check it out. It premieres Thursday, 10/31/24 on Hallmark+ .

 

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

"Mistletoe Murders" on Hallmark+ key artPremieres: Thursday, October 31 on Hallmark+

Stars: Sarah Drew, Peter Mooney, Sierra Marilyn Riley

Mistletoe Murders follows Emily Lane (Drew), the outwardly friendly, and optimistic shop owner of a charming year-round Christmas-themed store, Under the Mistletoe. However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss…because Emily has a big secret. Residing in the quaint tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, Emily finds herself compelled to investigate not-so-quaint local murders. And when Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Sam Wilner (Mooney), a smart local cop – with a crush on Emily that is not completely unrequited – begins to wonder if there’s more to Emily than meets the eye.

Executive Producer/Showrunner Ken Cuperus (Carter), Executive Producers Michelle Melanson (The Next Step), Jocelyn Hamilton (Burden of Truth), Drew and Co-Executive Producer Grant Harvey (The Way Home) and producer Robbie David (Dark Matter).

The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions.

Mistletoe Murders is adapted from the Audible Original series Mistletoe Murders starring Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack and a full ensemble cast. Two seasons are currently available and season 3 will premiere on November 7, only from Audible.

Mistletoe Murders Season 1

With time running out to prove her friend’s innocence, Emily puts her own secret past on the line to find the real tree farm killer, raising suspicion from Detective Sam Wilner.

Sarah Drew, star of "Mistletoe Murders" on Hallmark+ - photo from Hallmark press siteSarah Drew

Multi-hyphenate actor, producer, writer, and director, Sarah Drew is best known for playing ‘Dr. April Kepner’ for nine seasons on the hit ABC series “Grey’s Anatomy” and Hannah Rogers in Warner Bros’ “Everwood”.

Her recent TV credits include Freeform’s hit series “Cruel Summer” which was the recipient of the Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Cable Drama Series, and the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series “Amber Brown,” written, directed and produced by Bonnie Hunt. Sarah released four films in 2023, producing and starring in Lifetime’s “The Girl Who Caught a Killer”, Sony Affirm’s “Birthright Outlaw”, and starring in Hallmark’s “Guiding Emily”. “A Cowboy Christmas Romance” marks Sarah’s second feature film that she’s written and executive produced for Lifetime, in 2022, Sarah produced and starred in her writing debut “Reindeer Games Homecoming” as part of Lifetime’s holiday slate. Sarah made her directorial debut in “Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team the Webisodes” which was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Awards for an Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.

She recently directed a radio play for LA Theater Works called “Fever Syndrome” which is set to be released later this year. In film, some notable projects include her debut in Columbia Picture’s “Radio” alongside Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as the lead in the hit Sony comedy “Moms’ Night Out” alongside Patricia Heaton and Sean Astin. In 2022, she received a Canadian Screen Award Nomination for her lead role in Lifetime’s “Stolen By Their Father”. She began producing with Provident Films’ “Indivisible,” in which she starred alongside Tia Mowry.

Sarah got her start in the arts at a young age before booking the lead role of the critically acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet at McCarter Theatre Center, an award-winning regional theater, in her fourth year of university. The opportunity catapulted her career, opening doors thanks to rave reviews by critics. She went on to make her Broadway debut in Vincent and Brixton, a classic play based on Vincent van Gogh, at the Lincoln Center Theater, then London’s West End, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television and film. When she’s not working, Sarah spends time giving back to her community, donating to charities close to her heart such as Door of Hope in Pasadena and Lwala Community Alliance, an organization dedicated to improving health care in Africa.

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Interview with Tamera Mowry-Housley

TV Interview!

 

Tamera Mowry-Housley of "Scouting for Christmas" on Hallmark; photo from her Instagram

Interview with Tamera Mowry-Housley of “Scouting for Christmas” on Hallmark by Suzanne 10/18/24

Speaking with Tamera was a lot of fun! I hope you enjoy her new movie on Hallmark. It will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.

 

Premieres Sunday, October 20, 8/7c - A single mom tries to make her daughter’s Christmas special since her dad is working overseas for the holidays. She partners with her daughter’s favorite baker for the Holiday Ball.MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

About Scouting for Christmas

Angela has been a busy realtor since her amicable divorce a couple of years ago to Dakota, a paleontologist whose adventures kept him anywhere but home. Now, she is a devoted if often harried, single mom to a smart and loving 10-year-old girl, Brooklyn. Angela’s busy schedule makes it hard for her to find time for much of anything…or anyone…else. As it is, she can barely get Brooklyn to her scout meetings on time, much to the disapproval of the other mothers. When Brooklyn gets the idea to have William, the owner of her favorite bakery, cater her scout troop’s posh annual holiday event, she asks Angela to work with him on pitching the idea to the moms in charge. Despite sensing that her daughter might be trying to play cupid, she agrees to help and finds herself enjoying time with him, but is reluctant to open her heart and life to someone new. When Dakota returns, missing her, Angela must decide what is best for her daughter and best for her heart. Starring Tamera Mowry-Housley and Carlo Marks.

Tamera Mowry-Housley is an Emmy award-winning host, actress, producer, and entrepreneur who has captivated audiences for over 20 years.Tamera Mowry-Housley of "Scouting for Christmas" on Hallmark

She started her career in Hollywood alongside her sister, Tia, on the hit show “Sister, Sister,” which aired over 100 episodes from 1994-1999 and has gone on to see a cultural revival over the past few years since it was released on Netflix. Mowry-Housley’s work on the show gained praise and recognition; she received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series and Kid’s Choice Award for Favorite Television Actress. She returned to the screen with Tia on the hit Style Network reality TV series “Tia and Tamera,” which chronicled her life as she balanced her acting career along with major life transformations of marriage and motherhood.

Mowry-Housely co-hosted the groundbreaking and Emmy-winning talk show, “The Real,” for six seasons. “The Real is the first syndicated talk show in years to be renewed for a sixth season. She worked alongside co-hosts Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon and Jeannie Mai. Together, the ladies won the Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host Emmy at the 45th Daytime Emmy Awards in April 2018.

In November 2020, it was announced that Mowry-Housley would be expanding her relationship with Crown Media Family Networks, parent company to Hallmark, in a new overall deal to star in and executive produce original films for the network. Her credits include the television movies “A Christmas Miracle” for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, which she also executive produced, as well as “Christmas Angel,” “Something to Sing About,” and “Seventeen Again.” She was a series regular on “Strong Medicine,” “Roommates” (ABC Family) and “Melissa & Joey” (ABC Family). Mowry-Housley has voiced characters in the FOX hit “Family Guy” and Cartoon Network’s “Superhero Squad Show.” She also produced and starred in the Lifetime movie “Double Wedding.” On the big screen, Mowry-Housley co-starred in the Rob Schneider comedy The Hot Chick. Most recently, she starred in the Hallmark original movie “Christmas Comes Twice,” which premiered during the network’s annual “Countdown to Christmas” programming event in 2020.Scouting for Christmas A single mom tries to make her daughter’s Christmas special since her dad is working overseas for the holidays. She partners with her daughter’s favorite baker for the Holiday Ball. Photo: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Carlo Marks Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Syd Wong

In addition to co-hosting “The Real,” she hosted season one of Facebook Watch’s “Help Us Get Married, a 12-episode reality web television series that followed three couples trying to plan their weddings with the help of the Facebook community. Mowry-Housley was also a frequent guest host on Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family.” In 2021, she also competed in season five of “The Masked Singer” and wowed audiences nationwide with her singing abilities as the beloved Seashell.

In June 2021, Hulu announced its upcoming baking competition series “Baker’s Dozen” with Mowry-Housley and former White House pastry chef Bill Yosses. Set to premiere in October, together, they’ll host the unscripted series which pits passionate amateur bakers against seasoned culinary experts. Contestants will compete in head-to-head challenges for a chance to win the golden rolling pin and a cash prize. Additionally, she will serve as a judge alongside Martha Stewart and Chris Hessney on HGTV’s new design competition show, “Table Wars.” In each episode, the competitors must deliver the ultimate themed party environment, including stunning tablescapes, lighting and displays in order to impress the judges and avoid elimination. The finalist who delivers the most over-the-top event space will win the Table Wars title and a $50,000 cash prize.

Born in Germany and raised in Southern California, Mowry-Housley graduated with honors from Pepperdine University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Abnormal Childhood Development. After meeting at Pepperdine, she married FOX News correspondent Adam Housley in May 2011. They welcomed their first child, Aden John Tanner Housley, in November 2012, and their second child, Ariah Talea Housley, in July 2015. They live in Napa Valley, where they oversee Century Oak Winery. They also opened their own celebrated tasting room in the heart of Downtown Napa where they both can frequently be seen pouring their family wines for fans and visitors. They have also opened up their own coffeehouse and coffee line called Barnhouse Napa Brews in Downtown Napa. They have six brews of coffee at the shop, all of which are locally brewed and sourced and grown sustainably from all over the world. Additionally, 90% of the food and products they have for sale are women and minority owned.

 

Scouting for Christmas A single mom tries to make her daughter’s Christmas special since her dad is working overseas for the holidays. She partners with her daughter’s favorite baker for the Holiday Ball. Photo: Jaycie Dotin Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: David Strongman

 

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Interview with César Millán

TV Interview!

 

César Millán of "Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog" on Nat Geo Wild

Interview with César Millán of “Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog” on Nat Geo Wild and Disney+ by Suzanne 10/1/24

It was interesting speaking with Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer.” I think he’s more comfortable talking about training dogs than about himself. I hope you enjoy our interview and his latest show, which just finished season 5.  Check out this electronic dog fence that he’s passionate about, Halo Collar 4! If you can’t find his show on your cable or satellite dish, you can find some episodes on the Nat Geo Wild YouTube Channel, or on these streamers.

 

Cesar Millan: Better Human, Better Dog key artMORE INFO: Trailer Official Site

Renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan comes back not only to rehabilitate dogs, but to train pet parents as well. With empty shelters and dog adoptions at a record high, his return to television gives new pet parents the tools they need to teach their dogs good habits and shed the bad ones. In addition, he helps pet parents better understand the connection that dogs have with their humans, and how people’s actions can influence just how well, or poorly, their dogs behave. From the yards of the pet owners to his newly updated Dog Psychology Center, Cesar demonstrates the skills needed to create happy homes with furry best friends while equipped with a can-do attitude.

about cesar millan

César Millán of "Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog" on Nat Geo WildCesar Millan is one of the most sought-after authorities in the field of dog behavior and rehabilitation. With more than 25 years of experience and with his new TV show, “Better Human Better Dog” now on National Geographic and Disney+; Millan is a household name, a New York Times best-selling author and 3x Emmy nominated acclaimed star with hit TV series broadcasted and streamed in over 120 countries.  Cesar has grown into a pop culture phenomenon and a go to for many of today’s celebrities, athletes, world leaders, and entrepreneurs. His work has been highlighted in flattering parodies on “South Park” and “Saturday Night Live”; references on popular shows including “Jeopardy!” and “The Colbert Report”; and appearances on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Dr. Oz,” “The Today Show,” “The View,” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and others.

Cesar’s message continues to grow on his massive social media following of over 20 million people across the globe, adding new products under his belt, launching more content across various platforms, sharing his gift with The Cesar Millan Foundation and conducting trainings at his 43-acre paradise and Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita.  Earlier this year Cesar launched his new audio and visual Podcast “Better Humans Better Planet”.  In September 2023, Cesar was awarded the coveted Medal of Excellence from the Washington Hispanic Caucus in Washington D.C.  2024 will mark his anniversary of 20 consecutive years on U.S. television.

HALO COLLAR ANNOUNCES HALO COLLAR 4

The Safest and Most Advanced GPS Dog Fence Brings Your Backyard Everywhere

Now All Dogs 10 lbs and Up Can Experience the Safety of Halo Collar

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Halo, the most advanced GPS dog fence ever created, is launching the Halo Collar 4, the first collar designed to fit big and small dogs, giving pet parents the ability to create a “backyard” everywhere they go. It is the first and only dual-frequency GPS dog fence for unrivaled accuracy that combines data from L1 and L5 GPS bands for the most accurate location that is not impacted by obstacles even in urban or bad signal areas. Halo Collar 4 also offers the perfect fit for big and small dogs with a tailoring system that lets you custom fit the collar to your dog’s exact neck size from 8 inches to 30.5 inches. The updated rendition includes 25% more battery life for 30+ hours between charges, a smaller and lighter all-day fit and comes in a new Midnight Blue color, as well as updated Graphite, Orchid and Sunburst colors.

The Halo Collar 4

With the launch of Halo Collar 4, Halo Collar has quadrupled its sales, three years since inception, to become the leader of the fast-growing $16B dog containment category, with that number continuing to grow. Halo caters to pet parents who value travel and experiences, but will not sacrifice their dog’s safety.

“We are thrilled to announce Halo Collar 4, our most advanced GPS dog fence yet, for both big and small dogs,” said Halo co-founder Ken Ehrman. “We are committed to delivering the safest and most accurate technology to provide dogs everywhere with a safe life off leash.”

Co-founded by world renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan, Halo Collar allows you to instantly create and store unlimited wireless dog fence perimeters at the touch of a finger in the Halo app so you can keep your dog safely inside the boundaries that you set. You can use the built-in training designed by Cesar Millan to teach dogs to respond quickly and consistently to customizable prevention and encouragement feedback, including a variety of sounds and vibrations meant as a timely touch. All feedback is customizable, so pet parents can find what works best to keep their dog comfortable and safe.

“Halo Collar 4 allows pet parents to set rules, boundaries and limitations while creating a backyard everywhere they go,” said Halo co-founder Cesar Millan. “You can now provide trust, respect and love to your dog knowing they are safe wherever they go.”

Halo Collar retails for $599 and can now be found on halocollar.com, Amazon.com, Chewy.com and Walmart.com for purchase.

About Halo Collar
The AI driven Halo Collar™ is the most advanced GPS dog fence ever created. Co-founded by Cesar Millan, this patented system utilizes technology & dog psychology to provide a wireless smart fence, smart training, real-time GPS tracker, and activity tracker combined into one easy-to-use smart collar. The Halo Collar™ utilizes proprietary GPS and GNSS location technology – keeping them safe and easy to locate should they ever wander too far. Halo protects over 200,000 dogs across the United States each day. For further information and to purchase, please visit: www.halocollar.com.

Forbes Article About Cesar and Halo Collar 4

 

César Millán of "Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog" on Nat Geo Wild

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slot gacor 2024

Interview with Arlen Escarpeta

TV Interview!

 

Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke Wallace on "Found" on NBC -- (Photo from Arlen's Instagram)

Interview with Arlen Scarpeta of “Found” on NBC by Suzanne 9/10/24

This was such an enjoyable interview with Arlen, who plays Zeke on “Found” and seems like a great guy. If you aren’t that familiar with the show, Zeke is the one that has agoraphobia (is afraid to leave his place).  He has some great scenes at the beginning of this season. No spoilers here! I hope you enjoy our video. Don’t miss the season premiere October 3rd on NBC!

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Arlen Escarpeta

Zeke Wallace, “Found”

FOUND -- Season: 2 -- Pictured: Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke Wallace -- (Photo by: Kwaku Alston/NBC)

Arlen Escarpeta stars as Zeke on the NBC drama “Found.”

Escarpeta is best known for co-starring in the OWN series “David Makes Man,” from executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Michael B. Jordan. Previous TV credits include “Grimm,” “Extant,” “American Dreams,” “Boston Public,” “House,” “Law & Order: SVU” and the Lifetime film “Whitney.”

On the film side, Escarpeta earned critical acclaim for his breakout role in the IFC drama “American Gun,” making its premiere at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and starring Forest Whitaker, Marcia Gay Harden and Donald Sutherland. Earlier film roles include Carl Franklin’s courtroom thriller “High Crimes,” opposite Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd.

He has also appeared in “High Crimes,” “Brotherhood,” “Friday the 13th,” “We Are Marshall,” “Final Destination 5” and “The Ten.”

Escarpeta moved to Los Angeles from his native country of Belize.

FOUND -- Pictured: "Found" Key Art -- (Photo by: NBCUniversal)Found

Season 2 Premiering Oct 3 on NBC (10-11p.m. ET/PT)

In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (series star and producer Shanola Hampton), who was once herself one of those forgotten ones, and her crisis management team make sure there is always someone looking out for the missing. Gabi, however, has a chilling secret: In the midst of grief, she imprisoned her childhood kidnapper, Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). Now Sir has escaped and is on the loose, and her biggest secret is now her biggest threat.

The cast includes Shanola Hampton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kelli Williams, Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta and Karan Oberoi.

In addition to Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Sonay Hoffman serves as executive producer, along with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman and Lindsay Dunn.

The series is produced by Berlanti Productions and Rock My Soul Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

In any given year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. More than half that number are people of color that the country seems to forget about. Public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (series star and producer Shanola Hampton), who was once herself one of those forgotten ones, and her crisis management team make sure there is always someone looking out for the missing. Gabi, however, has a chilling secret: In the midst of grief, she imprisoned her childhood kidnapper, Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). Now Sir has escaped and is on the loose, and her biggest secret is now her biggest threat.

 

The cast includes Shanola Hampton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kelli Williams, Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta and Karan Oberoi.

In addition to Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Sonay Hoffman serves as executive producer, along with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman and Lindsay Dunn.

The series is produced by Berlanti Productions and Rock My Soul Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Arlen Escarpeta as Zeke Wallace -- (Photo by: Fernando Decillis/NBC)

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Interview with Bárbara Mori and Fernando Rovzar

TV Interview!

 

Bárbara Mori and Fernando Rovzar of "Women in Blue" on Apple TV+

Interview with Bárbara Mori and Fernando Rovzar of “Women in Blue” AKA “Las Azules” on Apple TV+ by Suzanne 9/18/24

This is such a wonderful series, and everyone should watch it. It takes places in 1970, when women were encouraged to join the police department in Mexico City, only to find that they’re being used for political reasons. The women then have to prove themselves in the search for a serial killer targeting young women. María, Valentina, Gabina and Ángeles are the focus of the show as we learn about each of them and how they work together. It’s intriguing both as a look back on how women were treated then, and as a riveting police drama.  Mori starts as María, so I was delighted to speak with her and Rovzar. He created and wrote the show, as well as directed some of the episodes. I didn’t know (until María mentioned it in this interview) that the two of them are married.  I was fascinated to learn more about the creation and filming of show after watching many of the episodes. I hope you enjoy our interview as well! Tomorrow is the series finale, so don’t miss it! It’s worth binge-watching.  If you don’t like to read subtitles, and you don’t know Spanish, you can watch it in English (dubbed). They have all of those options for you on Apple TV+, which is great. I prefer dubbed, myself.

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

"Women in Blue" key art

Apple TV+ shares first-look at “Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”), new Spanish-language crime drama from International Emmy Award winner Fernando Rovzar

Set to debut globally July 31, 2024 on Apple TV+, new series featuring Ariel Award nominee Bárbara Mori is inspired by the thrilling true stories of Mexico’s first female police force and stars Ximena Sariñana, Natalia Téllez and Amorita Rasgado 

Apple TV+ today unveiled the premiere date and a first-look at “Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”), its upcoming ten episode Spanish-language crime drama featuring an entirely Hispanic cast and crew led by Ariel Award nominee Bárbara Mori (“Perdidos en La Noche,” “La Negociadora,” “La Mujer De Mi Hermano”). Created by International Emmy Award-winning showrunner and director Fernando Rovzar (“Monarca,” “Sr. Ávila”) and Pablo Aramendi (“Tijuana,” “Los Elegidos”), “Women in Blue” will make its global debut with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 on Apple TV+, followed by one episode weekly through September 25.

Set in 1970 and inspired by true events, “Women in Blue” tells the story of four women who defy the ultra-conservative norms of the time and join Mexico’s first female police force, only to discover that their squad is a publicity stunt to distract the media from a brutal serial killer. As the body count grows, María (Mori), whose determination to catch the killer becomes an obsession, Gabina (Amorita Rasgado), whose father is a renowned cop, Ángeles (Ximena Sariñana), a brilliant fingerprint analyst, and Valentina (Natalia Téllez), a young rebel, set up a secret investigation to achieve what no male officer has been able to do and bring the serial killer to justice.

The series stars Mori, Sariñana, Téllez, Rasgado, Miguel Rodarte, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Christian Tappan, and Horacio García Rojas.

Rovzar, Emmy Award nominee Wendy Riss (“Yellowstone,” “Genius,” “The Killing”), Erica Sanchez Su (“Monarca,” “La Venganza de Las Juanas,” “Paramédicos”), Sandra Solares ( “Point Break,” “Y Tú Mamá También,” “Instructions Not Included”) and International Emmy Award winner Billy Rovzar (“Monarca,” “Control Z,” “Sr. Ávila”) serve as executive producers. The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Lemon Studios.

Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 488 wins and 2,143 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

Natalia Téllez, Amorita Rasgado, Ximena Sariñana and Bárbara Mori in "Women in Blue (Las Azules)," now streaming on Apple TV+.

About Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.*

*Special offer is good for three months after the first activation of the eligible device. One offer per Family Sharing group. Plans automatically renew until canceled. Other restrictions and terms apply; visit apple.com/promo for more information.

Cast & Crew

  • Bárbara Mori
  • Ximena Sariñana
  • Natalia Téllez
  • Amorita Rasgado
  • Miguel Rodarte
  • Leonardo Sbaraglia
  • Christian Tappán
  • Horacio García Rojas

Executive Producers

  • Fernando Rovzar
  • Wendy Riss
  • Erica Sánchez Su
  • Sandra Solares
  • Billy Rovzar

Natalia Téllez, Bárbara Mori, Fernando Rovzar, Amorita Rasgado and Ximena Sariñana at the premiere of "Women in Blue (Las Azules)," now streaming on Apple TV+.

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Interview with Tim Rozon, Melanie Scrofano and Emily Andras

TV Interview!

 

Tim Rozon, Melanie Scrofano and Emily Andras of "Wyatt Earp: Vengeance" on Tubi - San Diego Comic-Con 2024 (screengrab from Andras' video on Instagram)

Interview with Tim Rozon, Melanie Scrofano and Emily Andras of “Wyatt Earp: Vengeance” on Tubi by Suzanne 9/5 and 9/10/24

I just love chatting with these actors, which I’ve done several times now; it was great to also meet Emily (the creator/writer).  They’re all extremely nice and fun. Emily has an amazing enthusiasm that I’ve rarely seen in anyone I’ve talked to, let alone a writer, producer or showrunner.  Don’t miss Tim and Mel’s return to this delightful universe that Emily created. I hope this special is very successful, so that they can do another special, movie or TV series.  You should be able to enjoy it even if you’ve never seen it before, I’m told.  I apologize that the videos are on speaker mode and not gallery like usual… This was some glitch with the PR and not with me! I always prefer gallery mode. Enjoy!

Tim Rozon and Melanie Scrofano

Tim Rozon and Melanie Scrofano of "Wyatt Earp: Vengeance" on Tubi (photo from Scrofano's Instagram)

Emily Andras

Melanie Scrofano and Emily Andras of "Wynonna Earp: Vengeance" on Tubi (from Andras' Instagram)

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Wynonna Earp key art

Wynonna Earp – spicy, hard-living, demon-slaying anti-heroine and great-great-granddaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp – must return, once again, to her hometown of Purgatory to battle her greatest foe yet: a psychotic villainess hellbent on revenge against Wynonna… and everyone she loves.

VENGEANCE features original cast members, Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp), Tim Rozon (Doc Holliday), Dominique Provost-Chalkley (Waverly Earp) and Katherine Barrell (Nicole Haught).

WYNONNA EARP – VENGEANCE  is produced by SEVEN24 Films in association withCineflix Studios, written, created and executive produced by Emily Andras and directed by Paolo Barzman. SEVEN24’s Jordy Randall and Tom Cox with Cineflix’s Peter Emerson and Brett Burlock serve as Executive Producers along with Todd Berger and Rick Jacobs. “Wynonna Earp” is based on the IDW Tim Rozon and Melanie Scrofano of "Wyatt Earp: Vengeance" on Tubi (photo from Tubi press site)Publishing graphic novel created and written by Beau Smith.

Follow all WYNONNA EARP: VENGEANCE news on social here:

Twitter: @Tubi  

Instagram: @Tubi 

TikTok: @Tubi

Facebook: @TubiTV

#Vengeance

 

Tim Rozon and Melanie Scrofano of "Wyatt Earp: Vengeance" on Tubi (photo from Rozon's Instagram)

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Tim Rozon, Melanie Scrofano and Emily Andras of "Wyatt Earp: Vengeance" on Tubi (Fan Art)

Interview with Lea Thompson and Wendie Malick

TV Interview!

 

Lea Thompson, Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson and Wendie Malick (from Instagram)

Interview with Lea Thompson, Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson and Wendie Malick of “The Chicken Sisters” on Hallmark+ by Suzanne 8/19/24

These were two fun interviews! I was so glad to speak to the legendary actresses, Wendie and Lea, whose work I’ve enjoyed so much over the years. The other two young actresses also do a great job in the show.  Everyone was very nice. Fun fact: Schuyler Fisk is the daughter of movie star Sissy Spacek!  Anyway, the show is not only funny but heart-warming. However, it’s not sappy or saccharine. I enjoyed the episodes I’ve seen so far.  Hallmark is starting their first streaming channel, Hallmark+, and this is one of their first original series on it. You can only watch this series on Hallmark+. It begins Tuesday, Sept. 10, and new episodes will premiere every Thursday beginning on September 12. I hope you enjoy the series as much I do! It’s worth adding another streaming service for this. You can always try it with the free trial and see if you like it.

Schuyler Fisk & Lea Thompson

Genevieve Angelson & Wendie Malick

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

"The Chicken Sisters" key art - Sisters Amanda and Mae reunite when reality show “Kitchen Clash” comes to their town of Merinac, heating up the competition between their feuding fried chicken restaurants – and families. Based on the NY Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club selection of the same name.

Sisters Amanda and Mae are reunited when reality show KITCHEN CLASH comes to their town, and the competition between their two feuding restaurants heats up. Starring Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson and Wendie Malick.

Now Streaming Exclusively on Hallmark+

About THE CHICKEN SISTERS

The Chicken Sisters is a new original series based on the NY Times Bestseller of the same name and Reese’s Book Club selection penned by KJ Dell’Antonia. Coming home to roost on Hallmark in September, the eight-episode series from Showrunner and Executive Producer Annie Mebane stars Schuyler Fisk (Sam & Kate, Orange County), Genevieve Angelson (The Handmaid’s Tale, Good Girls Revolt), Lea Thompson (Switched at Birth, Back to the Future) and Wendie Malick (Young Sheldon, Shrinking, Just Shoot Me!).

The Chicken Sisters is a family drama dipped in southern charm and served up with a saucy side of romance. The setting is the fictional town of Merinac, where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants – Mimi’s and Frannie’s – has left the founders’ families fractured and the locals taking sides. When popular cooking competition show Kitchen Clash comes to town, this could be the recipe for ending this feud once and for all. But things are fixing to heat up both inside and outside of the kitchen as the reality show spotlight causes sparks to fly as secrets are spilled and feathers get ruffled.

The series will premiere in September on Hallmark’s recently announced streaming service and membership rewards program, Hallmark+.

THE CHICKEN SISTERS

Cast Bios

Schuyler Fisk of "The Chicken Sisters" on Hallmark+SCHUYLER FISK (Amanda Moore Hillier) – Schuyler Fisk’s long and respected acting career began at the age of 11 years old when she starred in (the now cult-favorite film) The Baby-sitter’s Club. Most recently, Fisk starred in the titular role of Kate in the well-received indie film (and Austin Film Festival audience award winner), Sam & Kate. Deadline film reviewer Pete Hammond said, “Fisk is just terrific here, and like her real-life mom seems incapable of a false note.” Other feature films of note include, include Orange County with Jack Black and Colin Hanks, I’m Reed Fish with Jay Baruchel, Gus Van Sant’s film Restless and The Best of Me.

With her vibrant voice and honest songwriting, Fisk also draws legions of fans to her music, both onstage and online, where she enjoys an active grassroots following as a top indie artist. After a decade of touring, songwriting and collaborating with other artists, she came onto the scene with a bang in 2009, when her first album The Good Stuff debuted on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart and at #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Chart. She then went on to release a number of records and singles under her own moniker as well as a few with side-projects, including her duo FM Radio, with whom she performed as a musical guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Fisk’s latest album, We Could Be Alright, produced by Colin Killalea, was released at the end of 2022. Fisk has performed and toured with artists including Sheryl Crow, Rachael Yamagata, Cary Brothers, Joshua Radin and Ben Taylor. She has numerous collaborations and a songwriter and a singer, including the immensely popular song “Paperweight,” written and performed with Joshua Radin for the film The Last Kiss. Fisk continues to contribute original songs to many other film and television projects, including, most recently, “Life After” in Sam & Kate.

Genevieve Angelson of "The Chicken Sisters" on Hallmark+ (photo from the Hallmark press site or Instagram)GENEVIEVE ANGELSON (Mae Moore) – Actress Genevieve Angelson has built a strong reputation for starring in a diverse array of memorable roles across film, television and theater.

Angelson is most-well known for her starring role as Patti Robinson on Amazon’s critically-acclaimed series Good Girls Revolt. The series followed a group of women at a 1960s magazine who pushed back against gender boundaries.

This past year, Angelson has starred in a number of memorable roles, and can currently be seen as Alanis Wheeler on the fifth season of Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Additionally, she starred as Indigo on Apple TV+’s The Afterparty with Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barenholtz, as well as Dr. Mia Castries on NBC’s New Amsterdam and Sally on This is Us.

Other past television roles include Anna Paquin’s sister Ruth on Flack, Detective Nicole Gravely, opposite Rainn Wilson on Backstrom, House of Lies, Titans, The Good Wife and Blue Bloods.

In film, Angelson recently co-starred in the romantic comedy, Which Brings Me to You opposite Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff, for BCDF Pictures.

Angelson originated the role of Nina in the Broadway production of NinaVanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike on Broadway opposite Sigourney Weaver, which won the Tony Award for Best Play. She also starred in the Off-Broadway production of The Cake at the Manhattan Theater Club.

Angelson is a published writer and has been featured in outlets including Elle, Town & Country and

Refinery29.

Angelson is a Graduate of the Tisch School Graduate Acting Program.

Lea Thompson in "The Chicken Sisters" on Hallmark+LEA THOMPSON (Nancy Hillier) – Lea Thompson has had a remarkable career as an artist of many colors over the last four decades. She is probably best known for Back to the Future and Switched at Birth, but her career has encompassed acting, directing, singing, dancing in ballet, theatre, films and television.

Thompson started in ballet at the Minnesota Dance Theater and the Pennsylvania Ballet. She moved into acting an has amassed more that 50 feature films to her credit such as Red Dawn, Back to the Future, Some Kind of Wonderful, Howard the Duck, Little Rascals, Dennis the Menace, Beverly Hillbillies, All the Right Moves, J Edgar, Little Women and The Trouble with the Truth. In television series, highlights are starring in Caroline in the City, Jane Doe and Switched at Birth along with many guest star spots in series such as Friends, Tales from the Crypt and Scorpion. Now a veteran director now in television, Thompson has helmed Jane Doe, Switched at Birth, The Goldbergs, Star Girl, Star Trek: Picard, Resident Alien and Will Trent. She made her feature film directorial debut with The Year of Spectacular Men on which she collaborated with her daughters Madelyn and Zoey Deutch. Stage singing and acting credits include I love My Wife and as Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway.

Lea often performs at events for the Alzheimer’s Association, Michael J Fox Foundation and breast cancer charities. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband of 35 years, Howard Deutch, and a menagerie of dogs, fish, horses and chickens.

Wendie Malick in "The Chicken Sisters" on Hallmark+WENDIE MALICK (Augusta “Gus” Moore) – Wendie Malick has graced screens with an illustrious film and television career for decades. She received four Cable Ace awards for her role in HBO’s groundbreaking comedy, Dream On and garnered a Golden Globe and two Emmy Nominations for her iconic role, Nina Van Horn, in Just Shoot Me! Malick also starred in Hot In Cleveland, for which she and her cast mates earned a People’s Choice Award, and a SAG nomination for Best Ensemble. Other series included Frasier, Big Day, Good Company, and Rush Hour, as well as recurring roles on The Ranch, American Housewife, This Is Us, Pitch, Darrow & Darrow and NYPD Blue.

Malick recently recurred on Physical, Young Sheldon, and opposite Harrison Ford on the Apple TV+ series, Shrinking and also appeared in the last season of Dear White People. She’s made guest appearances on Billions, Mom, Seinfeld, Grace and Frankie, CSI, L.A. Law, The X Files, and many

more. Animated television credits include “Jimmy Neutron,” SpongeBob SquarePants, Bojack Horseman (Annie nomination), Rugrats and the Peabody award winning show, The Owl House.

Big screen credits include: Endings, Beginnings, Adventureland, Fifty-Nothing, Jerome, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Waiting, Racing Stripes, The American President, Trojan Wars, Raising Genius, Mr. Mikes Mondo Video, A Little Sex, The Goods, Bugsy, The Emperor’s New Groove, Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel, The Surrogate, Mack and Rita, About Fate, The Re-Education of Molly Singer, 7000 Miles and Mother of All Shows.

On stage, Malick’s work included BURLEIGH GRIMES, NORTH SHORE FISH (Off-Broadway), Big Night (Kirk Douglas Theater),The Engagement Party and The Underpants (Geffen), Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For Helen Gahagan Douglas (Wooly Mammoth), Santaland Diaries (Coast Playhouse), Love Letters (Laguna Playhouse), The Guys (Studio Arena), Blithe Spirit and What is The Cause of Thunder (Williamstown) and Closure (New Jersey Rep).

Malick is on the Board of the Environmental Media Association, and the Advisory Board of Return To Freedom, a wild horse sanctuary and advocacy group. Through their charitable gift fund, A Drop in the Bucket, she and her husband, Richard Erickson, support a medical center in Congo. They live on a ranch in the Santa Monica mountains, with two dogs, three horses and a miniature donkey.

Lea Thompson, Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson and Wendie Malick of "The Chicken Sisters" on Hallmark+

Interview with Arkie Kandola of “How to Die Alone” and “Chicken Sisters” 8/27/24

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Interview with Doug Jones and Elias Toufexis

TV Interview!

 

Doug Jones and Elias Toufexis of "Star Trek: Discovery" on Paramount+

Interview with Doug Jones and Elias Toufexis of “Star Trek: Discovery” on Paramount+ by Suzanne 8/15 and 8/21/24

I’m a lifelong Trekkie, so I’m always happy to speak with anyone from the franchise. I’ve spoken with Doug (who played Saru) before, but he’s just such a nice and fun guy to chat with, that I was happy to speak with him again about the release of the show’s final season, as well as the complete series, on DVD, Blu-Ray™ and Limited Edition Blu-Ray™ Steelbook. We had a great chat. Then, the following week, I spoke at length with Elias, who played the last season’s villain, L’ak (along with Moll).  Both actors have been in many great scifi, fantasy and horror movies, TV shows and video games. They’re both amazing actors. Honestly, I could have spokne with them both for hours.  I hope you enjoy our video interviews!

Win a free copy of “Star Trek Discovery: The Final Season” Blu-ray (Season 5) – we have 2 to give away…
Email us with the subject line “Let’s Fly!” to enter! Ends 9/6/24.

Doug Jones

Elias Toufexis

 

"Star Trek: The Final Season" Blu-Ray Cover artMORE INFO: Trailer

Buy the Final Season DVD, Blu-Ray or Limited Edition Blu-Ray Steelbook or Complete Series DVD or Blu-Ray

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™ THE FINAL SEASON ARRIVES AUGUST 27
ON DVD, BLU-RAY™ AND LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY™ STEELBOOK

With Nearly 2 Hours of Special Features, Including Featurettes, Audio Commentary, a Gag Reel, and More!

LOS ANGELES – June 10, 2024 – Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery return when STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™ THE FINAL SEASON arrives with even more “incredible action sequences and truly breathtaking visuals” – Collider (Samantha Coley) August 27 on DVD, Blu-ray™ and Limited Edition Blu-ray™ Steelbook from Paramount Home Entertainment.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™ THE FINAL SEASON cast members include Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker), Blu del Barrio (Adira), and Callum Keith Rennie (Rayner). The final season also features recurring guest stars Elias Toufexis (L’ak) and Eve Harlow (Moll).

These 4-disc DVD and Blu-ray™ collections include every adventure-filled episode and nearly 2 hours of special features, including featurettes, audio commentary, a gag reel, and more!

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™ THE FINAL SEASON is also available on Digital August 26*

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™: THE COMPLETE SERIES will also be available on August 27 on Blu-ray and DVD, featuring all 65 episodes and over 15 hours of special features including a BONUS DISC that takes you on a never-before-seen journey through all five seasons with the cast and crew.

SYNOPSIS

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY™ follows the voyages of Starfleet on their missions to discover new worlds and new life forms. The fifth and final season will find Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery uncovering a mystery that will send them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been deliberately hidden for centuries. But there are others on the hunt as well… dangerous foes who are desperate to claim the prize for themselves and will stop at nothing to get it.

FINAL SEASON SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Audio Commentary (Exclusive to Home Entertainment)

  • Deleted Scene (Exclusive to Home Entertainment)

  • Being Michael Burnham (Exclusive to Home Entertainment)

  • Character Development (Exclusive to Home Entertainment)

  • Gag Reel (Exclusive to Home Entertainment)

  • Star Trek: Discovery™: The Voyage of Season 5

  • A Team Effort

  • Discovery‘s Creative Force

 

The series is produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Michelle Paradise, Heather Kadin, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Sonequa Martin-Green, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers. Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise serve as co-showrunners.

*Special features available at select digital retailers with the purchase of full season

About CBS Studios:

CBS Studios is one of the world’s leading suppliers of entertainment programming with development and production for broadcast, cable networks, streaming services, and other emerging platforms. The Studio’s expansive portfolio spans a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripted programming, which includes genre-defining franchises such as NCIS and the ever-growing Star Trek universe, award-winning late night and daytime talk shows, as well as an extensive library of iconic intellectual property. The Studio also develops and produces local language and international content originating outside of the US for viewers around the world.

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide.  The PHE division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios, Paramount Players, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles.  PHE additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

Final Season Specifications:

Blu-ray™ Specifications:

Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French (Parisian) 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, German 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, Italian 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, Japanese 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, Spanish (Castilian) 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3

Subtitles: English SDH, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French (Parisian), German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish (Castilian), Swedish

Blu-ray™ Steelbook:

Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French (Parisian) 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, German 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, Italian 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, Japanese 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, Spanish (Castilian) 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3

Subtitles: English SDH, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French (Parisian), German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish (Castilian), Swedish

DVD Specifications:

Audio: English 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3, French 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital AC3,

Subtitles:English SDH, French (Parisian)

U.S. Rating:

Not Rated

Canadian Rating:

PG – Violence, Mature Theme

Run Times:

9:36:40 (Final Season)

54:50:39 (Complete Series)

Actor Doug Jones (Saru) of "Star Trek: Discovery" on Paramount+Doug Jones

October 2020

While famous for working under prosthetics in iconic feature film roles, Doug Jones is also a versatile character actor who has performed as himself in guest star roles on shows like “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Teen Wolf,” “Z-Nation,” “The Neighbors,” “Criminal Minds,” “C.S.I.” and NBC’s horror anthology “Fear Itself.” A veteran of over 100 commercials, Doug was Mac Tonight, the moon-headed piano player in the long-running 1990s McDonald’s campaign. He also starred as the lead villain in “Hush,” an Emmy-winning episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” long considered a fan favorite. Doug was also a semi-regular guest judge on the hit SyFy Net reality series “Face Off.”

In 2005 he played the title role of Pan (as well as the nightmare character known as The Pale Man) in Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning Spanish language fantasy/horror feature “Pan’s Labyrinth.” But it was his sensitive and elegant performance as Abe Sapien in del Toro’s 2004 box office hit “Hellboy” that brought Doug’s unique work to a wider audience. He went on to voice that same character for the Emmy-nominated Cartoon Network animations “Hellboy: Sword of Storms” and “Hellboy: Blood and Iron.” In 2007 Doug’s title role performance in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” was hailed by fans and critics alike. 2008 saw Doug reprise his starring role (as well as two other characters) in “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” once more under the direction of del Toro. He also starred in “Gainsbourg,” a stylized biopic of the famous French poet/singer/composer Serge Gainsbourg, in which he plays Gainsbourg’s dark alter ego. The film has won three Cesar Awards. Doug has also had prominent creature roles in “Crimson Peak,” “The Watch,” “The Bye Bye Man,” “Legion,” “Hocus Pocus” and many others.

Jones was a series regular on three seasons of TNT’s Spielberg-produced sci-fi series “Falling Skies” and recurred on Guillermo del Toro’s FX series “The Strain.” Upcoming, Jones will star opposite Sally Hawkins in del Toro’s “The Shape of Water.

Follow him on Instagram!

Elias Toufexis (L'ak) of "Star Trek: Discovery" on Paramount+ Photo from Toufexis' Twitter/X accountElias Toufexis is a Canadian actor. He has played characters on television and in video games, mostly in science fiction and fantasy genres.

He has played dozens of major characters on television in shows like: Star Trek: Discovery, FBI, FBI Most Wanted, Shadowhunters, Criminal Minds, Bitten, Lost Girl, Alphas, Stargate: Atlantis and particularly memorable characters on: Supernatural and The Expanse.

He is one of the busiest Performance Capture actors in the world, with characters in video games, films, and television. Variety has called him “The Canadian Andy Serkis”

In the video-game world, he’s played leading characters in many multi-million dollar projects. The Assassin’s Creed Series, The Deus Ex Series, Gotham Knights, The Call Of Duty Series, The Fortnite Series, The Splinter Cell Series, The Far Cry Series, The Immortals Fenyx Rising series, and dozens more. He has a cult following around the world for his work in Performance Capture and Voice in Videogames.

Forbes Magazine called him a “voice-acting heavyweight”. In Animation, you can hear Elias is multiple animated series and films. Most recently in the Netflix Animated series Blood Of Zeus and in Adult Swim’s Blade Runner Black Lotus. You can also hear him as the voice of Yellow Pages, McDonald’s, Lexus Cars, Taco Bell, and many many more radio and TV voice-over commercials.

Visit his website

Doug Jones (Saru) and Elias Toufexis (L'ak) of "Star Trek: Discovery" on Paramount+ Photo from Toufexis' Instagram

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Interview with Tim Reid

TV Interview!

 

Actor/Director/Producer Tim Reid (from his Facebook page)

Interview with Tim Reid of “Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall” on Lifetime by Suzanne 8/6/24

This is my second one-on-one interview with actor/director/producer Tim Reid; he’s always so fun and interesting to speak with. He knows a lot about history, black history, and more, as well as the entertainment industry.  He directs this movie, so it was great to get his perspective on it, and on Miss Cleo herself. If you remember her, or even if you just like to watch biopics, you should definitely watch it because it’s fascinating, and you’ll probably learn a lot.

 

MORE INFO:  Official Site  Trailer

Key art for "Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall" on Lifetime

Lifetime Announces Biopic “Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall” Starring Robin “The Lady of Rage” Allen Premiering 8/10

LIFETIME CHANNELS ICONIC TELEVISION PSYCHIC IN NEW BIOPIC
MISS CLEO: HER RISE AND FALL
PREMIERING SATURDAY AUGUST 10

 STARRING ROBIN “THE LADY OF RAGE” ALLEN,
SHANE JOHNSON AND IAN BOHEN
DIRECTED BY TIM REID

WATCH TRAILER NOW

LIFETIME WILL ALSO AIR THE DOC CALL ME MISS CLEO
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MOVIE

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 15, 2024) – Lifetime expands the network’s summer movie slate with all-new biopic about beloved television personality and cult icon, Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall, premiering on Lifetime Saturday, August 10 at 8/7c, followed by the documentary Call Me Miss Cleo at 10/9c. Starring Robin “The Lady of Rage” Allen (On Ten, Tha Dogg Pound & Snoop Dogg: Who da Hardest) along with Shane Johnson (Power) and Ian Bohen (Yellowstone) and directed by Tim Reid (Sister, Sister) the epic journey picks up in the late 90s’ when, single mom Youree Dell Harris finds herself desperate to take care of her family and takes a job at the Psychic Readers Network — only to become one of the networks most beloved personalities, Miss Cleo. But her challenges don’t end there and when the network faces allegations of fraud and deception, they turn their sights on Miss Cleo.  For the first time ever, Miss Cleo’s side of the story will finally be told.

Known for her work during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s with the Psychic Readers Network, this professional telephone and television psychic Youree Dell Harris (Allen) was launched into the pop culture zeitgeist when the network’s infomercials took off, making her a cult icon as the TV persona Miss Cleo.  Fondly remembered for donning a colorful turban in a candlelit room, Miss Cleo dutifully listened to callers detailing the most intimate details of their lives. Miss Cleo ultimately became the face of the Psychic Readers Network, earning the trust and loyalty for those that called her.  Years later, Harris’ world was turned upside down with complaints that the Psychic Readers Network was fraudulent and spread false advertising. Facing angry fans, Harris was forced to defend her reputation to clear her name and escape financial devastation.

Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall also stars Daphne Maxwell Reid, Cocoa Brown, Dwayne Boyd, Towanda Braxton, Jaida Standberry, Marley Taylor, Amelia Young, Stevie Baggs Jr., and Leslie Black.  Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall is produced by Hillionaire Productions for Lifetime and produced by Jami McCoy-Lankford and Samone Norsworthy, Anthony Standberry, Ahmed Hussain and Jami McCoy-Lankford serve as executive producers and William J. Cone serves as consulting producer. Tim Reid directs a screenplay by Camara Davis.

Call Me Miss Cleo the documentary chronicles the icons rise, fall, and reinvention of the ’90s TV psychic Miss Cleo.  Known for her larger-than-life persona and memorable accent, Miss Cleo, born Youree Dell Harris, garnered a nationwide cult following on the Psychic Readers Network, a popular telephone hotline that later came under fire for its alleged deceptive practices. Featuring interviews with celebrities and those closest to the self-proclaimed voodoo priestess, the film explores the many layers behind a complicated and charismatic figure. Call Me Miss Actor/Director/Producer Tim Reid (from his Facebook page)Cleo was produced by Gunpowder & Sky for HBO Max.  Van Toffler, Floris Bauer, Barry Barclay, Anne Loder, Jennifer O’Connell, and Lizzie Fox serve as executive producers.  The documentary is directed by Celia Aniskovich and Jennifer Brea.

Timothy Lee Reid Sr. is an American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs, such as Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati, Marcel “Downtown” Brown on Simon & Simon, Ray Campbell on Sister, Sister and William Barnett on That ’70s Show.

Previous interview with Tim Reid

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Interview with Trent Dawson

TV Interview!

 

Trent Dawson of As The World Turns, Katonah Classic Stage and more!

Interview with Trent Dawson of “As The World Turns” on CBS by Suzanne 8/5/24

I really enjoyed this interview with Trent. I just loved his character on “As The World Turns,” where he played Henry Coleman. You may have also seen him in “The Marvelous Miss Maisel,” “General Hospital,” or in one of his guest-starring roles. He’s an amazing actor, and now he’s also a producer, director and so much more with his Katonah Classic Stage (NY regional theater). Besides producing two plays a year, his group also puts on a film festival in the summer; this year’s is tomorrow, August 10 in Katonah (in Westchester, near New York).  This season’s play, “A Case for the Existence of God” premieres in October.

If you can make it to his film festival or his plays, you can buy tickets here. Otherwise, if you can support the upcoming theater season by donating to his theater, please do so. I hope you enjoy our chat!

 

Trent Dawson (photo from IMDB)MORE INFO: Katonah Classic Stage  – Film Festival  – Donations

Trent Dawson is an actor, director and writer based in New York. His acting highlights include Broadway (The Herbal Bed), Off Broadway (Playwrights Horizons, Theatre Row) and at countless regional theatres across the country. He has also starred in film and television, including Homeland, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, NCIS, The Good Wife, NCIS: LA, Castle, and more. He received three Emmy Nominations for his 11-year run as Henry Coleman on As the World Turns.Trent Dawson (photo from IMDB)

Trent is the Founding Artistic Director of Katonah Classic Stage, a non profit, professional theatre company in Katonah, NY: https://www.katonahclassicstage.com

Trent’s plays have been performed at Manhattan Rep. and The Barrow Group. He has directed both plays and films in and around NYC.

See Trent’s Donations Appeal!

Trent’s Web Site  IMDB Wikipedia

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Interview with David Caspe, Matthew Libman and Daniel Libman

TV Interview!

 

David Caspe, Matthew Libman and Daniel Libman of "Mr. Throwback" on Peacock

Interview with David Caspe, Matthew Libman and Daniel Libman of “Mr. Throwback” on Peacock by Suzanne 8/5/24

It was great fun to speak to a few of the writers and producers for this show. It’s a very funny series that you should watch! Even though it involves Steph Curry, who plays himself, it’s not really about basketball.  Don’t miss it! We need a second season, for sure.

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Mr. Throwback

Streaming Thursday, August 8 on PEACOCK

“Mr. Throwback” follows a down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer who looks for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Stephen Curry.

SERIES DETAILS

Synopsis: A down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer looks for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Steph Curry.

Writer / Executive Producer: David Caspe (Happy Endings, Black Monday)

Writers / Executive Producers: Matthew Libman and Daniel Libman (Happy Endings, Champaign ILL)

Executive Producer / Star: Stephen Curry

Executive Producer / Star: Adam Pally (Knuckles, Happy Endings)

Executive Producer: Erick Peyton (Unanimous Media)

Executive Producer/ Director (101-106): David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer)

Series Regulars: Stephen Curry, Adam Pally, Ego Nwodim and Ayden Mayeri

Recurring Guest Stars: Tracy Letts, Layla Scalisi, Tien Tran and Rich Sommer

Production company: Unanimous Media

Studio: Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group

Format: Comedy, 6 x 30 min episodes

"Mr. Throwback" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Stephen Curry as himself, Ego Nwodim as Kimberly, Adam Pally as Danny -- (Photo by: David Moir/Peacock)

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Interview with Gloria Hampton

TV Interview!

 

Gloria Hampton of "Dance Moms: A New Era" on HULU.

Interview with Gloria Hampton of “Dance Moms: A New Era” on HULU by Suzanne 8/1/24

If you enjoyed episodes of the original “Dance Moms,” you should love this one as well.  Gloria seems very nice, and the kids are great to watch. It was great to speak with her! Don’t miss the show, premiering now on HULU.

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

"Dance Moms: a New Era" key artGloria Hampton is known for Dance Moms: A New Era (2024), Dance Moms (2011) and Tyler: A Real Hero (1994).

Glo has a long history in the dance world, and she currently leads the Bleu Junior Elites from Studio Bleu in Ashburn, Virginia. Over the course of her career, she has helped guide students to dance professionally on Broadway, in music videos, on tours and in movies.

Additionally, Glo has served as a national judge for Dance One.

PREMIERE DATE: August 7th, 2024

EPISODES: 10

SYNOPSIS: Dance Moms: A New Era is a reboot of the ever so popular Dance Moms. This time, with a new coach, new dancers and new mama drama. Introducing beloved dance coach, Glo Hampton, who wants to take her students and prestigious dance school Studio Bleu to the next level – competing nationally every week. But the road to glory won’t be an easy one. Coach Glo must juggle her tiny but mighty dancers, their scheming moms, and ensuing meltdowns, all while ruling with a tender but tough iron fist. Will Glo and her dance team persevere amidst the dramatics?

CREDITS: “Dance Moms: A New Era” is produced by the A+E Factual Studios™ group for Hulu and Lifetime. The project is helmed by original series Executive Producer Bryan Stinson, alongside Sharon Scott, Steve Ascher, Kristy Sabat, Allie Breslin and Natalie Feldman who serve as executive producers from A+E Factual Studios.™ Kimberly Chessler and Brie Miranda Bryant executive produce from Lifetime.

Social:

Twitter: @Hulu

Instagram: @Hulu

Facebook: @Hulu

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Gloria Hampton of "Dance Moms: A New Era" on HULU.

Interview with Gabriela Pessions and Dimitri Leonidas

TV Interview!

 

Gabriela Pessions and Dimitri Leonidas of "Those About to Die" on AMC and AMC+

Interview with Gabriela Pessions and Dimitri Leonidas of “Those About to Die” on Peacock by Suzanne 6/28/24

It was fun to speak to these two actors. You don’t want to miss this epic series, which stars Sir Anthony Hopkins (among many others). It has a huge cast. It’s filmed more like a movie than a TV show. If you loved “Spartacus” or “Gladiator,” you should love this one as well. I love the characters, the politics and the action. It starts 7/18!

 

MORE INFO: Official Site Trailer

All episodes premiering July 18 on Peacock, just in time for viewers to also watch the 2024 Paris Olympics (July 26 – Aug 11, 2024) 

THOSE ABOUT TO DIE is an epic drama set in the corrupt world of the spectacle-driven gladiatorial competition, exploring a side of ancient Rome never before told — the dirty business of entertaining the masses, giving the mob what they want most…blood and sport. The series introduces an ensemble of characters from all corners of the Roman Empire who collide at the explosive intersection of sports, politics, and dynasties.

Directors: Roland Emmerich (Ep 101, 102, 103, 109, 110), Marco Kreuzpaintner (Ep 104, 105, 106, 107, 108)

Created by: Robert Rodat (Wrote Ep 101, 102, 103, 109, 110)

Executive Producers: Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser, Gianni Nunnari, Robert Rodat, Stuart Ford, Lourdes Diaz, Miguel A. Palos Jr., Marco Kreuzpaintner, Herbert G. Kloiber, Martin Moszkowicz, Oliver Berben, Jonas Bauer, Charles Holland, Namit Malhotra.  THOSE ABOUT TO DIE -- Episode 104 -- Pictured: Dimitri Leonidas as Scorpus -- (Photo by: Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Tom Hughes, Jojo Macari, Moe Hashim, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Rupert Penry-Jones, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Emilio Sakraya, David Wurawa, Pepe Barroso, Gonçalo Almeida, Eneko Sagardoy, Romana Maggiora Vergano 

Studio: AGC Television   

Production Companies: Centropolis Entertainment, Hollywood Gang Productions, Street Entertainment    

THOSE ABOUT TO DIE -- Episode 105 -- Pictured: (l-r) Rupert Penry-Jones as Consul Marsus, Gabriella Pession as Antonia -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)Format: Drama Series, 10 x 60 min episodes

Gabriella Pession plays “Antonia”. An American-Italian actress born November 2, 1977 in Florida, she starred in the TV show Crossing Lines 2013 to 2015. She was also best known for Wilfred (2011) and The Red Door (2017). In 2015, she received the America Award from the Italy–USA Foundation. In 2014 she had a son, Giulio, with her Crossing Lines co-star Richard Flood. They got married in 2016.

Dimitri Leonidas plays “Scorpus”. He was born on November 14, 1987 in England, UK to an English woman and a Greek father. He is an actor, known for Centurion (2010), Rosewater (2014), The Monuments Men (2014) and Riviera (2017).

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Interview with stars and EPs of “The Ark”

TV Interview!

 

Actors Christie Burke, Stacey Read and Ryan Adams, and EPs Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner of "The Ark" on Syfy

Interview with actors Christie Burke, Stacey Read and Ryan Adams, and EPTHE ARK -- "Failed Experiment" Episode 201 -- Pictured: (l-r) Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet, Jelena Stupljanin as Evelyn Maddox -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)s Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner of “The Ark” on Syfy by Suzanne 6/26/24

It’s always enjoyable to speak with these actors and producers! They’re a good crew, both on- and off-screen. I’m a huge scifi fan, and I like how Devlin’s shows always have a lot of fun and action as well as good characters and drama. Season Two has even more going on than season one. It’s the TV equivalent of a popcorn movie. Sit back and enjoy! Season 2 starts tonight, 7/17,  10/9c on Syfy.

First video: Christie Burke, Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner

https://youtu.be/jH-y21zDo-E

Second video: Stacey Read and Ryan Adams

https://youtu.be/L6mhLQi-R0o

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

Key art for "The Ark" on Syfy

Season 2 Premieres Wednesday, July 17 on SYFY (10-11 p.m. ET/PT)

“The Ark” takes place 100 years in the future when planetary colonization missions have begun as a necessity to help secure the survival of the human race. In season two, after the brave crew of Ark One reaches their destination and finds it uninhabitable, they must survive long enough to locate a new home for themselves and all the ships that follow.

THE ARK -- “Everybody Wins” Episode 112 -- Pictured: (l-r) Stacey Michelle Read as Alicia Nevins, Ryan Adams as Angus Medford -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

The series stars Christie Burke, Richard Fleeshman, Reece Ritchie, Stacey Read and Ryan Adams.
Dean Devlin (“Independence Day,” “Stargate”) and Jonathan Glassner (“Stargate SG-1”) are co-showrunners and executive producers alongside Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan-Wilson of Electric Entertainment. Jonathan English of Balkanic Media and Mark Franco of Electric Entertainment serve as producers.

THE ARK -- Season:1 -- Pictured: Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)Christie Burke

Lt. Sharon Garnet, “The Ark”

Christie Burke plays Lt. Sharon Garnet in the new SYFY original series, “The Ark.”

Christie Burke’s recent television credits include recurring roles on Netflix’s “Maid,” Netflix’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and CBC’s “Strange Empire.” Guest star credits include the CW’s “Two Sentence Horror Stories” and “Supernatural.” Burke can be seen in the upcoming EPIX series “Billy the Kid.”

Ryan Adams THE ARK -- Season:1 -- Pictured: Ryan Adams as Angus Medford -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

Angus Medford, “The Ark”

Ryan Adams plays Angus Medford in the new SYFY original series, “The Ark.”

Ryan Adams graduated from ArtsEd in 2021 with a BA in acting. His theater credits include “All the Things” and “Dan in Totally Over You” at Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, and “Ren in Footloose” and “Billy Casper in Kes” at Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal.” He has had previous roles in short films, including “Orange Peel,” “Exposure” and “Asking Price.”

THE ARK -- Season:1 -- Pictured: Stacey Read as Alicia Nevins -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)Stacey Read

Alicia Nevins, “The Ark”

Stacey Read plays Alicia Nevins in the new SYFY original series, “The Ark.”

Stacey Read was born and grew up in Zimbabwe, the daughter of a Zimbabwean mother and British father. She first started acting in her Senior School drama club and it was there performing in school plays that she found passion. She soon came to the UK to train at Performance Preparation Academy.

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Interview with Demetrius Grosse, Nika King, and Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin

TV Interview!

 

Photo of Demetrius Grosse, Nika King, and Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin from Angel Studios' Instagram

Interview with Demetrius Grosse, Nika King, and Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin of the film “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” by Suzanne 6/28/24

This is a very powerful and uplifting story of a couple who changed the lives of many children, as well as the other people in their town. These are religious people, but the film is not too preachy, so if you’re not that into religion, it shouldn’t bother you. Faith is definitely the motivation for these people, in everything they do.  Demetrius Grosse and Nika King turn in powerful performances as the real-life people Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin, who lived in a small town in Eastern Texas.  After a tragedy in Donna’s life, she decides to adopt children.  She and her husband not only adopt many children, but they get all of the people in their parish to do so as well.

It was a really interesting set of interviews. I’ve only interviewed the “real life people” in movies a few times.  I was a foster child myself, and my mom was adopted as a baby, so this is an issue that hits home for me. Some scenes in the movie were hard to watch because some of the troubled children reminded me of other foster kids I knew. I told the actors and their counterparts about this, and how much the movie touched me. It was interesting to see how each paired group reacted completely differently! It was very unusual, to say the least. Let’s just say that the two ladies were much more relaxed and fun, and the two men were very serious.

The movie premieres today, July 4th. I hope you can go see it. Maybe it will inspire you to adopt children or foster a child who needs you.  The foster care situation was bad 50 years ago when I was a child. It’s much worse today. I know that the Martins and everyone connected with this movie hope that their film gets people thinking about the foster care crisis.

This film is from Angel Studios. They produce the hit TV show “The Chosen” and many good, uplifting movies.  They make great films with positive messages and outstanding acting, without being preachy or boring. They tell amazing stories.

Demetrius Grosse and Bishop Martin

Nika King and First Lady Donna Martin

MORE INFO: Official Site Trailer

"Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" key art

Synopsis:

The fight for kids begins July 4. Inspired by the powerful true story, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the hearts of their rural church to embrace kids in the foster system that nobody else would take. By doing the impossible–adopting 77 children–this East Texas community proved that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won.

Tagline:

The Fight for Kids Begins July 4

Rating:

PG-13 for thematic material involving child abuse, some violence, language and brief suggestive material

Run Time:

2 hours and 09 minutes

 

Fast Facts:

  • Inspired by the true story of Bishop and First Lady Donna Martin, and their tiny Bennett Chapel church, in the town of Possum Trot in the woods of East Texas.

  • Twenty two families linked arms and courageously adopted seventy seven of the most difficult-to-place children in the local foster care system

  • 76 kids were adopted between 1998-2000. Another was adopted in 2011. The Martins have 2 biological children and adopted 4 during this time period.

  • This act ignited a national movement for vulnerable children that continues today.

  • Executive produced by Letitia Wright (BLACK PANTHER)

  • Directed, written, and produced by Joshua Weigel (THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS) for Peacetree Productions.

additional "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" key art

Social Media Accounts:

About the Cast

Nika King

Nika King (Donna Martin)

King’s talents as a comedian and actor are versatile and dynamic. She is best known for her comedic abilities, but in her breakout role playing Leslie on the Emmy winning HBO series Euphoria opposite Zendaya and Storm Reid, King showcases a much more dramatic side of herself. Nika also had her directorial debut in the short film, which addresses grief and mental health in the life of a Black married couple.

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King’s comedy has landed her roles on Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black, the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada, the Netflix Is A Joke festival, and hosting Nika King & Friends, a monthly show at the Improv Lab in Hollywood CA. She has also acted, written and produced on award winning webseries Funny Married Stuff, which is currently streaming on KweliTV.

Beyond acting, directing, and stand up, King co owns Blue Tree Cafe, a vegan soul food restaurant with her mother in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. King was also compelled to establish a non profit that helps to improve the quality of life for individuals and families from underserved communities by compassionately serving their mental health and wellness through healthy eating.

Demetrius Grosse

Demetrius Grosse (Reverend Martin)

Demetrius Grosse is an award-winning actor and producer. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree from its School of Drama and completed a visiting student program at the Howard University College of Fine Arts in his home city of Washington DC, Grosse took his craft to the international arena, studying and performing both classical and contemporary drama with the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. Grosse also performed in Cape Town, South Africa with UCT. At Portland Center Stage in Oregon, Demetrtius starred as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee William’s American classic, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Off-Broadway, in 2010 performing Black Angels Over Tuskegee.

Grosse has appeared in the HBO series Westworld based on the 1973 film of the same name. He also appeared in Michael Bay’s feature film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016). Grosse is known for taking on many complex characters from various backgrounds and from all different genres. His range is unparalleled. He made his TV acting debut in The Wire (2001), Numbers (2005), and is well known for his film roles in, Saving Mr. Banks (2013), This Is Martin Bonner (2013). His other television credits include AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, ER, NCIS, Bones, Dexter, CSI: Miami, Frontier (Netflix), and Swagger for Apple+. Grosse also made appearances in The Inheritance (2011), and Hollywoo (2011).

Grosse has credits for producing Last Cry for Katrina (2013), Moonshiners, and A Quiet Fire (2009), and most recently, Survival. Demetrius stars as Clark Randall in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries romantic comedy Spring Breakthrough. The film was produced under Hallmark’s Mahogany banner and had its on-air debut in 2023. Grosse resides in the US with his wife, their children, and a bearded dragon named ‘Shang-Chi.’

Demetrius Grosse, Nika King, and Diaana Babnicova in "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" (photo from Angel Studios)

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Interview with Tahmoh Penikett

TV Interview!

 

Tahmoh Penikett, star of "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" on LIfetime. Photo from his Instagram.

Interview with Tahmoh Penikett of “The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story” on Lifetime by Suzanne 6/27/24

It was a lot of fun to speak with Tahmoh! He seems really nice and loves to chat. I’ve admired his work for a long time. He’s been in so many shows I’ve watched, so I’m a big fan.  Don’t miss this Lifetime movie tomorrow, Saturday, 6/29! It’s a good story, based on real life events that are pretty shocking.

MORE INFO:  Official Site  Trailer

Key art for "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" on Lifetime

The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story follows Ruth (Hatcher) and her husband, Ed’s (Tahmoh Penikett), tranquil life in Wichita, Kansas which is suddenly turned upside down when Ed suffers a heart attack.  As Ed fights for his life in the hospital, Ruth’s starts to receive mysterious threats, leaving her in a state of panic. With the city held hostage by the terror of the BTK killer, Ruth finds herself enveloped in paranoia, convinced that she will be the next victim, as the menacing phone calls escalate into chilling letters.  Amidst the frenzy of the police’s pursuit of BTK, Ruth is abducted, sending shockwaves through the community. Yet her sudden reappearance shortly after the kidnapping leaves investigators baffled and scrambling for answers. As suspicion mounts and new evidence comes to light, the authorities entertain the unsettling notion that the perpetrator may be someone intimately connected to Ruth.

The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story Images Search Icon Homepage A&E HISTORY Corporate Communications Lifetime LMN FYI, ViceTV A+E Studios A+E Factual Studios International Contacts Press Releases The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story Premieres Saturday, June 29 at 8p/7c Photos Tahmoh Penikett and Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Tahmoh Penikett and Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Tahmoh Penikett and Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" L to R: Teri Hatcher & Tahmoh Penikett in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" A+E Networks logo Our Family of Brands A+E Networks logo Follow A+E Networks aetv logo history logo lifetime logo lmn logo fyi logo viceland logo Biography History en Espanol Military History Crime and Investigation LRW Advertise With Us Copyright Policy Privacy Policy Corporate Information Employment Opportunities Terms Of Use © 2024, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story | A+E Networks Tahmoh Penikett and Teri Hatcher in "The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story" The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story is produced by Housewife Productions Inc. for Lifetime. Navid Soofi produces with Tim Johnson and Stacy Mandelberg serving as executive producers and Lisa Alford as co-executive producer. The film is written by Katie Gruel and directed by Greg Beeman.

Tahmoh Penikett is a Canadian actor. He is known for playing Karl “Helo” Agathon on SyFy’s 2004 television series Battlestar Galactica. He has appeared in TV series Supernatural, Dollhouse, the Showcase time travel show Continuum, and as the antagonist Darius in the 2006 racing video game Need for Speed: Carbon.

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Interview with John Fawcett

TV Interview!

 

John Fawcett, co-creator of "Orphan Black" and director/EP of the spinoff "Orphan Black: Echoes" on AMC/AMC+ and BBC America. Photo from Instagram.

Interview with John Fawcett, co-creator of “Orphan Black” and director/EP of the spinoff “Orphan Black: Echoes” on AMC/AMC+ and BBC America by Suzanne 6/26/24

It was really fun to speak with John. Of course the original show, “Orphan Black,” was a great scifi show.  This new one is also really good, from what I’ve seen so far. I can’t wait for more! It’s always fun to pick the brain of a writer or producer.  Make sure to watch the show – new episodes every Sunday!

MORE INFO:  Official Site Trailer

Key art for "Orphan Black: Echoes"John Fawcett (born March 5, 1968) is a Canadian director, writer, and producer of film and television. Alongside Graeme Manson, he co-created and is a director for the award-winning Temple Street Productions television series Orphan Black. 

Orphan Black: Echoes to Premiere Sunday, June 23 on AMC, AMC+ and BBC America

ANNOUNCED ON THE EVE OF THE 11th ANNIVERSARY OF ACCLAIMED DRAMA ORPHAN BLACK

NEW YORK – March 29, 2024 – AMC Networks today announced that the highly-anticipated drama Orphan Black: Echoes set in the world of Orphan Black and starring Krysten Ritter (Marvel’s Jessica JonesLove and Death), who also serves as executive producer, will premiere Sunday, June 23 on AMC, AMC+ and BBC AMERICA.  The announcement was made as part of the celebration of the groundbreaking series, Orphan Black’s 11th anniversary, tomorrow, Saturday, March 30.

 

Set in the near future, Orphan Black: Echoes takes a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence. It follows a group of women as they weave their way into each other’s lives and embark on a thrilling journey, unravelling the mystery of their identity and uncovering a wrenching story of love and betrayal. Ritter plays Lucy, a woman with an unimaginable origin story, trying to find her place in the world. The series also stars Keeley Hawes (BodyguardIt’s A SinLine of Duty), Amanda Fix (North of NormalHigh School), Avan Jogia (Now ApocalypseZombieland: Double Tap), Rya Kihlstedt (A TeacherOne Mississippi) and James Hiroyuki Liao (BarryThe Dropout).

Anna Fishko (Pieces of HerThe SocietyFear the Walking Dead) is creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer of Orphan Black: Echoes with John Fawcett, the co-creator of the original series who also directed 17 episodes across all five seasons, on as director and executive producer. David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, executive producers from Boat Rocker on the original Orphan Black series, return as executive producers on the new series. Boat Rocker’s Nick Nantell and Kerry Appleyard will also executive produce, in addition to Katie O’Connell Marsh. Boat Rocker manages the Orphan Black global franchise, including content distribution and consumer products.

 

Produced by Boat Rocker, and starring Emmy® winner Tatiana Maslany in multiple roles, Orphan Black, became a cult phenomenon with a passionate fanbase known as the “Clone Club.”  Superfans are invited to catch up on AMC+ where all five seasons of the original series are available with more fan-focused engagement slated on social channels over the weekend.

Clone Club members are encouraged to follow @OrphanBlack on Twitter and @OrphanBlackTV on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest official news on the Orphan Black universe.

Orphan Black received critical and award acclaim, earning a Peabody Award in 2014 and hailed as “thoroughly impressive, wildly entertaining” by The Hollywood Reporter, and as “a singular accomplishment in drama” by The Daily Beast. The series started on a train platform when a troubled woman, Beth Childs (Maslany), locked eyes with an unknown identical woman, Sarah Manning (Maslany), before jumping to her death. From that day on, they’ve been inextricably linked to a clone conspiracy that has come to rule Sarah’s life. Every twist and turn around the maze of this world has led to a new enemy, a new ally, a new clone and always, new questions. How many of us are out there? Who created us? Who is trying to kill us? The search for these answers have sent Sarah and her newly-found sisters Alison (Maslany), Cosima (Maslany) and Helena (Maslany) crashing head first into some of the most nefarious foes and life revelations they could’ve ever imagined.  The cast includes Jordan GavarisMaria Doyle KennedyKristian BruunEvelyne Brochu, Kevin HanchardAri MillenSkyler Wexler and Josh Vokey.

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 VampireAnne Rice’s Mayfair WitchesThe Walking Dead: Daryl DixonThe Walking Dead: Dead City, Dark Winds, and the forthcoming series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Monsieur Spade and Parish, 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 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 WitchesCreepshow, 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, Orphan Black 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, 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, and Spain and is available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners.

John Fawcett with Tatiana Maslany, star of "Orphan Black."

About BBC AMERICA

BBC AMERICA is a hub of innovative, culturally contagious programming including the Peabody Award-winning series Killing Eve starring Golden Globe® and SAG® Award-winner Sandra Oh and Emmy® Award-winner Jodie Comer. The network is the definitive television home and co-producer of the most iconic natural history series and franchises including Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Dynasties, Eden: Untamed Planet, Frozen Planet and Seven Worlds, One Planet. BBCA transforms every Saturday into Wonderstruck, a weekly destination for wildlife and wonder.  A joint venture between AMC Networks and BBC Studios (the commercial arm of the BBC), BBCA’s influential shows such as Doctor Who, Orphan BlackLuther and The Graham Norton Show have attracted critical acclaim and earned Emmy® Awards, Golden Globes®, Peabody Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, NAACP Image Awards, TCA Awards and more. BBC AMERICA is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. Find out more by visiting press.amcnetworks.com.  BBCA on social: YouTube – Twitter – Instagram – Facebook – Tumblr

About Boat Rocker

Boat Rocker (TSX: BRMI) is the home for creative visionaries. An independent, integrated global entertainment company, the Company’s purpose is to tell stories and build iconic brands across all genres and mediums. With offices around the world, Boat Rocker’s creative and commercial capabilities include Scripted, Unscripted, and Kids and Family television production, distribution, brand & franchise management, a world-class animation studio, and talent management through Untitled Entertainment. A selection of Boat Rocker’s projects include: Invasion (Apple TV+), Palm Royale (Apple TV+), American Rust: Broken Justice (Prime Video), Beacon 23 (MGM+), Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (Hulu), Downey’s Dream Cars (Max), BS High (HBO), Orphan Black (BBC AMERICA, CTV Sci-Fi Channel), Dear…(Apple TV+), Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry (Apple TV+), The Next Step (BBC, Corus, CBC), Daniel Spellbound (Netflix), and Dino Ranch(Disney+, Disney Junior, CBC).

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Interview with Hunter King

TV Interview!

 

Hunter King, star of "Two Scoops of Italy" on Hallmark (Photo from her Instagram)

Interview with Hunter King, star of “Two Scoops of Italy” on Hallmark by Krista 6/18/24

Speaking with Hunter was so much fun.  It’s probably my favorite interview I’ve ever done because I was really familiar with her and her work on “Young and the Restless.” Seeing her in a different role in this movie was great.

She was so friendly and so much fun to talk to.  I could have talked to her for an hour.  She loves to read like I do, and so we shared our favorite books.  She was so interesting, and I loved hearing about her experiences on this movie and her challenges she faced as well.
The movie airs Saturday, June 22 on Hallmark Channel, or  streaming on Peacock.

Transcript (not edited yet)

Hunter King: Thank you so much for having me.

Krista Chain: Okay. My 1st question is, how did you decide to accept the part in 2 scoops of Italy? What was the audition process, or were you approached by someone to to look at the script? How did that all come about?

Hunter King: Hallmark approached me with the script, and immediately I heard Italy, and I was like, I’m in. Count me in but then I obviously went and read the script, and it was just so charming and such a

Hunter King: like such a sweet feel! Good love story! I love a Romcom such a sucker for a Romcom. So anytime I get the opportunity to do a Romcom, I immediately take it.

Hunter King: But I love the story arc. I love the character arc and obviously getting to take place in Italy is not not a bad day.

Krista Chain: That’s right. And so that answered my next question. I know sometimes when they film movies, they don’t actually film where it’s being set. So it was filmed in Italy.

Hunter King: It was filmed in Italy. I don’t know how I got so lucky to get to film a movie that is based in Italy and actually takes place in Italy. But I somehow I don’t know. I I won the lottery with this one. I really did. It was

Hunter King: more magical than you could even imagine. It was just

Hunter King: a dream come true.

Krista Chain: Well, the movie was excellent.

Hunter King: Thank you. Thank you so much. I’m so happy that you liked it. It was so much fun to film. It was really so like just a blast.

Krista Chain: It looks like it would have been a really good time.

Hunter King: Thank you.

Krista Chain: So what was your favorite part of the movie.

Hunter King: Oh, my favorite part of the movie there I mean, there were so many

Hunter King: fun scenes that we film Nicolet, my co-star. He was great. He was very patient with me, teaching me many Italian words in between in between takes. I just would constantly ask him what different things mean, and then somehow would not remember any of it. 20 min later would have to ask him all over again. A great patient teacher and a great Co star. But getting to film just in all these different amazing locations was just

Hunter King: just I don’t even know how to describe it. And some of the things that we did like. Vespa scenes were so fun because we couldn’t really ride the vesque class they needed to like get us

Hunter King: like the certain camera angles, so we’d be up on the back of a truck with the vespas drafted kind of on a trailer behind. It was just so much fun getting to shoot these different things, and there was so many fun experiences like that on this one.

Krista Chain: So you had never worked with your co-star before.

Hunter King: No, no! This was the 1st time.

Krista Chain: Oh, okay, we all had really good chemistry together.

Hunter King: Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, no, he was. He was lovely. He was great. And I give him major props because filming

Hunter King: a movie in your second language. I luckily only had to say a couple of Italian words, and that was difficult for me. So I was like, I don’t know how you’re doing this. That is so hard. And he handled it like such a pro. And just was, Yeah, I was. I was very impressed.

Krista Chain: Okay? And what was your biggest challenge in filming this movie?

Krista Chain: Did you have any obstacles or challenges.

Hunter King: I’m trying to think of my biggest. I mean, honestly, that sounds again, Mika having to film a whole movie in your second language, when I only had to say a couple of words, but I somehow always would botch the words, and the director would tell me, I’m like, Okay, wait, wait. Remind me how to say that like right before we would start filming.

Hunter King: And he’d be like, this is how you say this is how you say it. I’m like, Okay, okay? And then we’d go to film. And I somehow go back to saying it the wrong way. And I would do that so many times. Oh, my God! I felt so bad! And Mika is over here just handling it all like it’s a breeze, and I’m like I can’t even say 2 words in Italian without having to do it 5 different times. So that was probably the most challenging, and the most takes that I had to do was on the Times, that I would have to stay

Hunter King: forwards in Italian, and I would screw it up every time.

Krista Chain: So the biggest challenge was the language. Then.

Hunter King: Yeah, luckily I only had a little bit, but somehow it was still challenging for me. Yeah.

Krista Chain: I can imagine it would have been for me as well.

Hunter King: It was hard it was hard. But I’m I’m determined to get my Italian down, so that the next time I go there I can say more than how to order an espresso at a cafe.

Krista Chain: Is it was that the 1st time you had ever been to Italy.

Hunter King: I’d been to Italy once before, like

Hunter King: 1011 years prior and so now I feel like I appreciated it even more, and getting to be there for work was just

Photo: Hunter King, Sara Mondello Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Moris Pucciosuch an incredible opportunity that I will never forget.

Krista Chain: Well, I have also watched you and young and the restless.

Krista Chain: And so I was just wondering what is the differences in filming a movie and filming a TV show.

Hunter King: Well, I’d say the number one difference between the 2 is just the pace

Hunter King: with the young wrestles. We had to

Hunter King: an hour’s worth of a show in one day, and sometimes more, because we would film like a episode and a quarter or something like that every single day. And

Hunter King: the pacing was just so fast, and you had to. Some days. I had, I think, the most dialogue I ever had in one day was like 55 pages for the young, the restless. When you film a movie, you have, like, you know, 4 5 pages of dialogue that day so definitely the pace. And you get a lot more time and a lot more takes when you film a movie which is nice.

Hunter King: and that one, it’s almost like doing a play every single day is you got to know your stuff? You get one, maybe 2 takes, and then you’re moving on.

Krista Chain: Wow!

Hunter King: Yeah.

 

Krista Chain: That. That’s 1 reason I really wanted to talk with you today, because I have watched you for so long, and the young and the restless and then saw this movie. And so I really wanted to to have a chance to talk with you today.

Hunter King: Oh, I’m so excited that we’re getting to talk. Then I mean, I feel like the soap opera fans. It’s like

Hunter King: the best kind of fans because you guys are dedicated. You’re watching

Hunter King: single day, like you know the story you? I always said that the fans of the show know the show better than I do, cause they’ve watched for years that they’re like. No, this person was with this person, but then they cheated on this person, and now they have a baby with this person I’m like, Oh, my God! I didn’t even know that. So.

Hunter King: Major Boss.

Krista Chain: My grandmother got me into watching the soap operas.

Hunter King: I love that that’s so sweet. I love that.

Krista Chain: Yeah. When I was when I was young I used to stay with her some during the summer and stuff, and when I was sick from school, and she always had to watch Young and the restless.

Hunter King: Love that, and then they then you get hooked. You watch one episode. You’re like, now I need to know what happens, and.

Hunter King: That’s how they do it. Yep.

Krista Chain: That’s right. And so you I noticed in the movie that you were a chef. Do you have

Krista Chain: passion for cooking and baking yourself, or.

Hunter King: I’m learning. I definitely don’t have the same skills as Danielle for sure. Nowhere close. I have many different battle wounds, as I call them from cooking different burn marks or different cuts on my fingers and scars from accidentally cutting myself.

Hunter King: So I’m definitely nowhere near her level. But I do enjoy it, and I’ve started cooking more and more within this last year, and I’m getting better. It’s edible. That’s for sure. It’s edible, questionable. But we’re getting there slowly.

Krista Chain: That’s the main thing.

Hunter King: I just want to be good enough to eat. I don’t need to be Michelin Star just good enough to eat. That’s it.

Krista Chain: And that I have some. I have some burn marks, too, so.

Hunter King: You get it? Yeah, it takes time.

Krista Chain: So what are you? Some of your hobbies that you do in your free time, when you’re not working.

Hunter King: Oh, my gosh! I always feel so boring when people ask me about my hobbies. I’m like, I like my dogs. I love to read. I’m a really big reader. My boyfriend. And I, we love TV and movies. And so we do watch a lot of TV. We have a whole list of different things that we’ve been watching this year. And it’s

Hunter King: it’s a substantial amount. I’m like, okay, we need to slow down on the TV. Cause this is this is getting out of control. But we do love to watch. We have our favorite shows together. But I I’m a big, big reader, and surprise surprise. Most of the books I read are wrong coms, so I just I keep away from them. I love them so much.If you are in the market for superclone, http://swisswatch.is/ Super Clone Rolex is the place to go! The largest collection of fake Rolex watches online!

Krista Chain: I love to read as well. What’s your favourite book?

Hunter King: Oh, I mean, I love Colleen Hoover. Just it starts with us. It ends with us, or it ends with us and starts with us. We’re both so good. Verity was incredible. Have you read any colleen Hoover books.

Krista Chain: I haven’t.

Hunter King: Oh, okay, you’re gonna be.

Hunter King: I’m telling you it’s gonna change your life. You’re gonna thank me. You’re gonna come back and you’d be like you were right. Go and read, it ends with us and then read, it’s it’s weird. It starts with it ends with us. Then it starts with us is the sequel, and then a totally different book. Verity.

Hunter King: another one of our books, which I think that that’s 1 of them is

Hunter King: oh, another good one but those are really good, so try those. But.

Krista Chain: Okay.

Hunter King: For you if you want some Romcom books. I got you.

Krista Chain: I I’ve been reading some freedom. Macfadden, have you read her.

Hunter King: No, I haven’t.

Krista Chain: The housemaid and the co-worker, the teacher.

Krista Chain: Those are. Those are the ones. I just finished the coworker, and it was really good. So I’m fixing about to start the teacher.

Hunter King: Ok, all right, I’ll put those on my list. I’ll definitely do that because I’m almost done with my book now, and I need a new one. Check out, Emily Henry, too.

Krista Chain: I’ve seen her, but I’ve never read any of hers either.

Hunter King: If you like. Hallmark, you’d love her books. They’re just so feel good and just make it just feels like you’re reading a warm hug it just they’re just delicious. You gotta read her books.

Krista Chain: I’ll definitely check her out.

Krista Chain: And have you ever worked with you said you had never worked with your co-star before.

Hunter King: No, I have not. This was our 1st movie together.

Krista Chain: Oh, wow! Well, who is someone that you would like to work with that? You’ve never worked with.

Hunter King: oh, my gosh! I mean there’s so many different

Hunter King: great people in Hallmark jonathan Bennett would be so fun. I’ve been a fan of his forever.

Hunter King: Tyler, big fan of his, would love to work with him. Well, I’ve said this before, and I’ve been so lucky with all of the people that I’ve worked with both men and women, just like some of the loveliest people. So if I ever got the opportunity to work with any of my co-stars again, and film either a sequel or another thing, I would jump at the opportunity, because I’ve been so fortunate to have made so many amazing friendships with the people that I’ve worked with, and they’re all not just like great actors, but great people as well.

Krista Chain: I I would think that would be one of the most fun parts of doing movies and stuff like that is getting to meet different people, and making friendships with different ones.

Hunter King: Yeah, no, that honestly, that’s probably my favorite part of getting to do movies and just meeting so many different people and people that you would never would have met, or that live in different places that live in Italy. Now.

Krista Chain: Rather.

Hunter King: In Canada. And so it does make you feel more connected to the.

Krista Chain: And go into different places.

Krista Chain: and I think I had one more question. Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

Hunter King: I have. Well, I don’t think I’m really allowed to say much about it. I haven’t filmed it yet, but I’m going to be filming a very fun homework movie soon that I cannot wait for. It’s like a dream job. I mean, all the ones that I’ve done have been amazing and just so much fun. And this one is gonna be no different. It’s just gonna be.

Hunter King: Oh, I can’t wait. I’m like bursting at the seams waiting to tell people about it, but it’s gonna be a good one, I promise.

Krista Chain: Oh, I can’t wait to see it!

Hunter King: Thank you.

Krista Chain: Well, thank you so much for talking with me today. And I really, I really did enjoy getting to meet you and talk to you today.

Hunter King: Thank you so much. Thank you for having me. I’m so glad that you got to watch the movie, and that you’ve watched the young the wrestlers for years, but it was so lovely to talk to you.

Krista Chain: Thank you so much. You take care of yourself and have a wonderful day.

Hunter King: Thank you. You, too. Have a good weekend.

Krista Chain: You too. Bye, bye.

 

MORE INFO:  Official Site  Trailer

"Two Scoops of Italy" key artHUNTER KING (Daniella) – Hunter King is best known for her work as a series regular on CBS’ Life in Pieces opposite Colin Hanks, Betsy Brandt and Thomas Sadoski. King can also be recognized as Summer Newman on The Young and the Restless, a role for which she earned two Daytime Emmys. In feature work, King starred in A Girl Like Her opposite Jimmy Bennett, which garnered incredible reviews for confronting bullying in schools. King was cast as the lead in ABC’s 2020 comedy pilot Prospect. Most recently, King wrapped shooting the lead in the indie feature Give Me Your Eyes. For Hallmark Channel she was last seen starring in The Santa Summit, as well as The Professional Bridesmaid, and A Royal Corgi Christmas. For Hallmark Mystery King also starred in Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths.

X: HunterHaleyKing Instagram: @hunterking

AN AMERICAN CHEF TRAVELS TO ITALY AND MEETS A HANDSOME GELATIERE HUNTER KING AND MICHELE ROSIELLO STAR IN TWO SCOOPS OF ITALY

A NEW, ORIGINAL MOVIE PREMIERING JUNE 22, ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Shot Entirely on Location in Italy As Part of the Network’s June 2024 Passport to Love Programming Event

Chef Danielle Turner (King) is facing a dilemma of gastronomic proportions and might lose her restaurant unless she can come up with a new menu that will wow her investor. Desperate for epicurean inspiration she travels to Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman village. Danielle soon meets Giancarlo Donati (Rosiello), a charming local gelatiere facing his own crisis of the gelato variety. Giancarlo introduces Danielle to the flavors, the culture, the gelato and other charms of the quaint town and together they motivate and encourage one another. As Danielle’s falls for Italy, she discovers it might not be the only thing to capture her heart.

Two Scoops of Italy is from MarVista Entertainment in association with Cattleya. Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew and Todd Y. Murata are executive producers. Roger M. Bobb is co-executive producer. The movie is produced by Christina Giubbeti. Roger M. Bobb directed from a script by Eric Brooks and Nicole Baxter, from a story by Abdi Nazemian

Executive Producers: Larry Grimaldi
Hannah Pillemer
Fernando Szew
Todd Y. Murata
Co-Executive Producer: Roger M. Bobb
Producer: Christina Giubbeti
Production Credit: A MarVista Entertainment Production in association with Cattleya
Directed by: Roger M. Bobb
Written by: Eric Brooks and Nicole Baxter
Story by: Abdi Nazemian
Director of Photography: Patrizio Patrizi
Production Designer: Tiziana Liberotti
Edited by: William Lynch
Music By: Jamie Coleman
Costume Designer: Claudette Lilly
Casting by: Teresa Razzauti

Cast: Hunter King (Danielle Turner)
Michele Rosiello (Giancarlo Donati)
Sara Mondello (Elida)
Simone Colombari (Aldo Donati)
Ruby Kammer (Sarah Turner)
Michele Augusto Magni (Bruno)
Serge Pirilli (La Rana)
Alessia Franchin (Marta)
Davy Eduard King (Owen Bridges)
Lorenzo Padalino (Nico)
James Tumminia (Mario Chiellini)

Photo: Hunter King, Michele Rosiello Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Moris Puccio

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Interview with Jennifer Esposito

TV Interview!

 

Stars Jennifer Esposito, Annabella Sciorra and Domenick Lombardozzi of "Fresh Kills," which premieres today 6/14/24

Interview with Stars Jennifer Esposito, Annabella Sciorra and Domenick Lombardozzi of “Fresh Kills,” by Suzanne 6/6/24

This is a truly great movie, and I was honored to see it and interview three of its stars. Jennifer wrote, directed and starred in the movie. Annabella plays one of her relatives (aunt?), and Domenick plays her husband. I hope you can see this wonderful film.

Interview with Jennifer

Interview with Annabella and Domenick

"Fresh Kills" key artMORE INFO: Official Site Trailer

In her writing & directing debut, veteran actress Jennifer Esposito (Crash, Summer of Sam, Samantha Who, Blue Bloods) brings the late 1980s/early 1990s Staten Island to vivid life through the lens of Rose Larusso (Emily Bader), an inquisitive young woman who discovers her father (Domenick Lombardozzi) is an emerging mafia kingpin. Rose’s growing desire to break free from the path set before her soon threatens her existence and alienates her from her closest allies: her mother (Esposito), aunt (Annabella Sciorra) and sister (Odessa A’zion). Smart, thrilling, and nuanced, FRESH KILLS turns the classic mob movie inside out, by taking audiences on a journey with two teenage girls, living in a mafia life filled with violence, fear, and rage. A closed off world that dictates who these young women are destined to become… unless they fight to break free.

 

JENNIFER ESPOSITO (Director, Writer, Producer, & Francine Larusso)

With a career spanning over 25 years, Jennifer Esposito is a Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice and Hollywood Foreign Press award recipient. She has appeared in over 60 films and television productions, most notably the Academy Award-Winning film CRASH by Paul Haggis, SUMMER OF SAM by Spike Lee and WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD, by The Russo Brothers. Some of her TV work includes SPIN CITY, SAMANTHA WHO, BLUE BLOODS, THE AFFAIR, THE BOYS. and NORA FROM QUEENS. Jennifer makes her writing and directing debut with FRESH KILLS, in which she also produced and plays a supporting role. She was also the first to incorporate NFTs as a fundraising tool for independent films.

Instagram: @jesposito
IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm0261170/
Website: www.arebelliousact.com

ANNABELLA SCIORRA (Christine)

Annabella Sciorra is best known for her powerful Emmy-nominated performance as ‘Gloria Trillo’ in HBO’s THE SOPRANOS. She can currently be seen opposite Sylvester Stallone in Taylor Sheridan’s recently renewed Paramount+ series, TULSA KING, as well as in the Apple limited series, TRUTH BE TOLD, opposite Octavia Spencer and Aaron Paul. Other television credits include GODFATHER OF HARLEM (Epix), GLOW (Netflix), Marvel’s DAREDEVIL (Netflix), NEW AMSTERDAM (NBC) Marvel’s LUKE CAGE (Netflix), THE L WORD (Showtime), and LAW & ORDER: CI (NBC), among others.

On the feature side, Annabella will next be seen opposite Jennifer Esposito in the indie feature FRESH KILLS, which is premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Annabella also starred in the indie feature, BEFORE I GO, directed by Eric Schaeffer, as well as Fiona and Sophia Robert’s A VIEW OF THE WORLD FROM FIFTH AVENUE, opposite Whit Stillman and Logan Miller.

Annabella achieved leading lady status starting with Spike Lee’s JUNGLE FEVER and Curtis Hanson’s THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE. Other feature credits include WHAT DREAMS MAY COME opposite Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr., among numerous others. She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead in Nancy Savoca’s TRUE LOVE.

Instagram: @iamannabellasciorra

"Fresh Kills" key art

DOMENICK LOMBARDOZZI (Joe Larusso)

Domenick Lombardozzi is an established actor known for his work on both the big and small screen alike with over sixty credits to his name, working with some of the world’s most talented filmmakers.

Lombardozzi starred as the head of the Genovese crime family, Anthony “Fat Tony” Salerno in Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed Netflix feature, THE IRISHMAN, opposite Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci about the rise and murder and subsequent disappearance of Teamsters president, Jimmy Hoffa. Lombardozzi completely transforms in the role from a man in his early 40s to a man in his late 60s. Lombardozzi credits De Niro and Chazz Palminteri for giving him his first acting role when he was just 15 years-old playing Nicky Zero in the classic 1993 film A Bronx Tale, which was De Niro’s directorial debut.

Of all his roles, Lombardozzi is perhaps most recognized for his role in the iconic HBO series, THE WIRE, where he portrayed ‘Detective Thomas ‘Herc’ Hauk,’ a loveably flawed Baltimore Police officer turned PI. Lombardozzi then took a comedic turn in HBO’s ENTOURAGE as ‘Dom’, one of the gang’s old friends who happens to be an ex-convict.

He also appeared in a season long arc on Showtime’s RAY DONOVAN as a troubled and damaged police officer, Courtney Kemp’s hit Starz series, POWER, as well as HBO/David

Simon’s WE OWN THIS CITY, and THE DEUCE where he plays legendary NY police detective ‘Jack Maple’. He most recently can be seen as Charles ‘Chickie’ Invernizzi on Taylor Sheridan’s TULSA KING for Paramount+, as Sylvester Stallone’s nemesis.

His other past television credits include: MAGNUM P.I., MRS. FLETCHER, MARVELOUS MS. MAISEL, YELLOWSTONE, MACGYVER, BILLIONS, SNEAKY PETE, THE GOOD WIFE, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, ROSEWOOD, and BREAKOUT KINGS. His other past film credits include: BRIDGE OF SPIES, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, FIND ME GUILTY, THE FAMILY, THE WANNABE, THE GAMBLER, BLOOD TIES, MIAMI VICE, and COLD PURSUIT.

He can next be seen in a season long arc in the second season of the hit Amazon series, JACK REACHER based on the Lee Child novels, and in Grant Singer’s Netflix feature crime thriller REPTILE opposite Benicio del Toro.

Instagram: @domenicklombardozzi

The women in "Fresh Kills"

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Interview with Jane Badler

TV Interview!

 

Jane Badler of horror film "Trim Season," which premieres June 7 in theaters and OnDemand.

Interview with Jane Badler of the film “Trim Season” by Suzanne 6/6/24

It was awesome to speak with Jane. She seems really nice and is an amazing actress. I admit that I did gush a little, since I’m a huge fan of her from her days back in the 80’s when she played “Diane” in the scifi movies and TV show “V.”  This is an entertaining horror film. Don’t miss it!

 

MORE INFO: Official Site  Trailer

 

TRIM SEASON | The Ultimate Nightmare Blunt Rotation | Directed by Ariel Vida & Starring Jane Badler, Bex Taylor-Klaus, & Alex Essoe | In Theaters 6/7

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Presents

TRIM SEASON

The Ultimate Nightmare Blunt Rotation…

From Award-Winning Filmmaker & Production Designer 
Ariel Vida

* In Theaters and On Demand June 7th, 2024 *

Presents

TRIM SEASON

The Ultimate Nightmare Blunt Rotation…

From Award-Winning Filmmaker & Production Designer 
Ariel Vida

* In Theaters and On Demand June 7th, 2024 *

Trim Season key art

Directed by Ariel Vida (“Vide Noir”)
Written by David BlairSean E. DeMott,
Cullen PoythressMegan Sutherland, & Ariel Vida
Produced by Aaron B. KoontzSean E. DeMottPaul Holbrook, & Jane Badler
Executive Produced by Leal Naim & Jake Hearns
Co-produced by Cameron Burns

Starring:
Jane Badler (“V”, Ricky Stanicky)
Bex Taylor-Klaus (“Scream”)
Alex Essoe (Starry Eyes, “Midnight Mass”)
Bethlehem Million (Sick, “And Just Like That…”)
Ally Ioannides (Synchronic)
Cory Hart (“Fear the Walking Dead”)

Jobless and searching for purpose, Emma and a group of young people from Los Angeles drive up the coast to make quick cash trimming marijuana on a secluded farm in Northern California. Cut off from the rest of the world, they soon realize that Mona – the seemingly amiable owner of the estate – is harboring secrets darker than any of them could imagine. It becomes a race against time for Emma and her friends to escape the dense woods with their lives.

RT: 100 Minutes


Jane Badler of horror film "Trim Season," which premieres June 7 in theaters and OnDemand.

“A suspenseful, uniquely crafted story highlighting pain and sacrifice that should spark some powerful conversation around women and gender. Mesmerizing performances, an innovative story, beautiful stylistic choices, and a little bit of witchy weed make Trim Season a must-see horror film.”
– BLOODY DISGUSTING/Michelle Swope

“From Badler’s commanding performance that contributes to the uneasy atmosphere Vida expertly curates to the stomach-churning sequences of body horror, there is undeniable greatness here that’s well worth seeking out.”
– SCREEN ANARCHY/Kyle Logan


About Ariel Vida
Ariel Vida is a director and writer of the strange and fantastical, who has also production designed over a hundred shorts, music videos, and feature films. Her design work has received high honors, including ‘Best Production Design’ at Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival for Moorhead & Benson’s THE ENDLESS. Her music video directorial debut -Lord Huron’s The World Ender-was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick and awarded ‘Best Music Video’ at several festivals. The videos for Lord Huron’s The Night We Met, which Ariel produced, and Childish Gambino’s Sober, which she art directed, have both been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.A frequent collaborator with Rustic Films, Ariel’s most recent design work includes Amy Seimetz’s Neon Release SHE DIES TOMORROW, Spectrevision and Adam Egypt Mortimer’s ARCHENEMY, Alma Har’el and Bob Dylan’s SHADOW KINGDOM, and Moorhead & Benson’s SYNCHRONIC as well as their Sundance 2022 premiere SOMETHING IN THE DIRT, which Ariel also second unit directed.

Ariel’s feature directorial debut, VIDE NOIR – written and scored by the band Lord Huron – released in November 2022 through 1091 Pictures. Her first published short fiction will be printed in the upcoming genre anthology HAUNTED REELS alongside fellow filmmakers C. Robert Cargill, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Brea Grant, Owen Egerton, Gary Sherman, and more. TRIM SEASON marks Ariel’s second feature as director, and she’s currently developing many of her own scripts imbuing stylized action within vivid, fantastical worlds from dystopian sea-faring tales to warped, surrealist westerns.

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