Falcon Crest Blog

Kim Novak Accuses Oscar-Contender 'The Artist' Of Rape

2012-01-11T07:46:00.003+01:00

Kim Novak has lashed out at the makers of the Oscar-tipped silent movie The Artist, Fox News has reported. The actress, 78, took out a full-page advert in Variety magazine, stating that Michael Hazanavicius had plagiarised the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo, in which she starred, by using sections of the movie's score within the score for his own film.

Novak began the advert with the words "I want to report a rape. I feel as if my body - or, at least my body of work - has been violated by the movie, The Artist." She went on to say that she felt that the joint efforts of Bernard Hermann (the original composer of the score) and Alfred Hitchcock, as well as herself and co-star James Stewart, had all been "violated."

In Novak's opinion, The Artist "could and should have been able to stand on its own without depending on Bernard Herrmann's score from Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo to provide it more drama."

The director of The Artist has responded by saying that his film was "inspired by the work of Hitchcock" as well as other directors and, in a statement, explained that the music in question had been re-used in several films since the release of Vertigo in 1958. He added "I respect Kim Novak greatly and I'm sorry to hear she disagrees." The Artist has been tipped as a likely nominee for an Oscar in 2012.

The film has already been nominated for several Golden Globes categories, including Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

30 years anniversary

2011-12-06T19:53:00.001+01:00

It's anniversary week!

On December 4, 1981 our favorite TV show premiered on CBS. So, it's time we celebrate!

I'd like to toast to all the fans, who are still helping keeping our memories of Falcon Crest alive. You're the best.

And for sure a thank you to all the people who made the show, who made us laugh and cry for so many years. They all have a special place in our hearts.

Falcon Crest was and still is something very special. Let's keep this legend alive.

Within a short period of time, our little facebook community grew faster and faster and now we have almost 500 fans from all over the world. It would be great to see this community continue growing. So, I'd be thankful if you would suggest this blog and this facebook site to your friends. 500 by the end of the year would be great! :-)

But for now, let's celebrate 30 years of passion, love, intrigues and wine. A toast to Falcon Crest. Legends never die!

Morgan Fairchild on "Bones"

2011-11-13T09:01:00.001+01:00

Morgan Fairchild will be on Bones (see our news dated 2011-08-23).

She will appear in episode 7.3 ("The Prince in the Plastic") which will air November 17 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Here are some stills from the episode:

Lorenzo Lamas is grandfather

2011-11-13T08:50:00.001+01:00

Lorenzo Lamas' daughter Shayne and her husband Nik Richie welcomed their first child on 11-11-11 as expected.

Sharing the happy news, Nik told E! News, "I feel blessed today." He revealed that he and Shayne named their newborn Press Dahl Lamas-Richie, and gushed that she "is the coolest baby in the history of female kind. She doesn't even cry and she has the prettiest eyelashes."

Shayne herself has previously said that she and her husband are thinking of naming their daughter Press. "Her name came to us at the beginning of my pregnancy, because she was getting so much press," she told E! at the time. "It started as a joke, her nickname was 'Press Baby,' but when we found out it was a girl, suddenly that was her name - her name was going to be Press!"

As for the baby's delivery, Nik recalled that it "was intense". The new father detailed that Shayne was "in labor for over 10 hours. Her contractions were a nightmare." On the current condition of Matt Grant's former fiancee, he said, "Shayne is glowing and I am truly proud of her."

Gregory Harrison to star in "Ringer"

2011-11-13T08:33:00.001+01:00

Gregory Harrison (61) has landed a recurring gig on The CW’s Ringer.

He has been cast in the role of Tim Arbogast, the wealthy father of Gemma (Tara Summers). Harrison will first appear in Episode 13 in 2012.

Ringer airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

Season 3 DVD: Remastered!

2011-11-08T23:45:00.004+01:00

According to the Warner Archive Collection, the delay in the season 3 DVD release is caused by the current remastering process! Season 3 will be the first release with remastered picture quality.

Warner Archive: "Awaiting remastering from fresh film elements....We believe the improvement was requisite, and the results will be (hopefully) impressive."

Source: www.falconcrest.org / www.facebook.com

Happy Halloween to all the Falcon Cresters out there! :-)

2011-10-31T17:35:00.000+01:00

Parker Stevenson Interview

2011-10-30T15:27:00.000+01:00

We haven't heard that much from Parker Stevenson lately. So it's nice to read a recent interview with him I found on www.family.lifegoesstrong.com. He talks about the break he took from acting, about his family and also about upcoming projects.

Parker Stevenson: Exclusive Interview with the Former Hardy Boy
Parker Stevenson (a.k.a. Frank Hardy) talks about balancing his career and fatherhood.

By: Karen Springen

Actor Parker Stevenson, now 59, chats about his family, his career, and his hobbies. (He's a surfer!)

At 59, Parker Stevenson still looks and sounds much the way he did when he played Frank Hardy in "The Hardy Boys" TV show 35 years ago. Today the former teen idol chats with FamilyGoesStrong.com about how he balances his family, his hobbies, and his career. Excerpts:
I posted a "Teen idols from Our Youth" slide show — and, from the beginning, have gotten more clicks on your photos than on anyone else's. Did you know you had so many fans?
No! I've kept a pretty low profile for awhile, so maybe people are just curious.

What do know now that you wish you had known when you were a teen idol (at age 24)?

As exciting as it all was to be working and to be in a series, it's not the be and end all. As extraordinary as it is to be in the middle of that excitement and activity, you're the same person before that happens as you are during it and as you are after. The other things in my life that meant a lot to me — I might have kept as active in them as i was in work.

Do you mean hobbies?

Yes, such as photography. I'm a photographer now. I wish I'd been more active with photography through those years because I love it. It would have filled up my life in a lot of ways.

What do you photograph?

I do different stuff. i do head shots and portraits, and I do editorial stuff, and I do stuff for exhibits.

When is your next exhibit?

I'll have one this winter in Los Angeles. I haven't set the gallery yet, but probably at Bergamot Station here in Los Angeles. It's a collection of galleries and artist spaces.

How did your Princeton education affect the path your life has taken?

Some of the firends I made have lasted my whole life. I studied architecture, and that sensibility is in everything i do. It's been in my directing. It's in my photography. It just broadens your interests and enriches your experiences going forward.

What are you busy doing these days, other than taking photographs?

It's a bunch of things now. My kids are on their way now. They're in their late teens [17 and 19]. I'm able to go back to work. I'm helping teach at Lewis Smith's acting academy on the west side of Los Angeles. It's an amazing gruop of students. I shoot a lot, and I'm back auditioning. I do voice-over stuff.

Any voice overs that people will recognize?

I did Callaway golf balls fairly recently. I did a National Geographic series for a year. I've done Apple. I've done Sylvania. I've done Blue Cross.

Do people know it's your voice?
I don't think so.

Your real name is Richard Stevenson Parker. You had to change it because other actors were registered under Richard Parker or Richard Stevenson. Do friends and family call you by your original name or by Parker?

They call me both.

You don't care which name they use?

I really don't. All through school, people knew me as Richard.

Do people also call you Frank Hardy after your character's name on "The Hardy Boys"?

Sometimes they do — especially kids who have seen your series.

Did you read the Hardy Boy books, and did you encourage your two kids to read them?

Yes. Both!

How much do you keep in touch with Shaun Cassidy (a.k.a. Joe Hardy), your brother on "The Hardy Boys" TV show?

I see Shaun about once a year. We have some friends in common. We have kept in touch. We don't talk a lot, but when we see each other, we catch up. I'm very fond of Shaun.

In "The Hardy Boys," you played a teenager when you were actually 24. Now you're 59 but look younger. What's your secret to always appearing more youthful than you are?

I have a friend who when I compliment him, he says, "I look great, but i have the insides of Elvis!"

But do you work out?

I surf a couple times a week. I live in Venice, so I can surf.

Do you ever watch the old shows — catch a "Baywatch" or a "Hardy Boys" episode?

I don't really! More with my kids when they were younger.

So are your kids at Princeton?!

They're not at Princeton. They're finishing up high school, and then I'm not sure what they'll do.

Do you go to your Princeton reunions?

Early on I did. But I took a year off while I was at school to do a movie called "Lifeguard," so that split me into different classes. I was supposed to graduate in '75, but I graduated in '76.

Are your kids still mostly with you?

Now they're with their mom [actress Kirstie Alley], or they're traveling. They were with me until just recently. That's why i stopped working. i wanted that time with them.

You were a full-time dad?

Parker Stevenson on
"Falcon Crest" in 1984

Until this past year, I was a full-time dad. They were with their mom, too. But I stayed here and didn't take work out of town because I wanted that time with them. It was great. It was wonderful for me. It was the greatest gift I ever had. Being a dad was by far the most challenging and interesting and rewarding I did. It connects you to your own family and your kids and their potential kids and your legacy and your values. It brings everything together, being a parent.

Any plans to have more kids?

No. It's fun to audition for things and get back into work. I miss work.

You've been divorced [from Alley, his wife from 1983 to 1997) for many years. Any plans to remarry?

No!

Why not?

My attention is just elsewhere now. My attention is more directed to things I haven't had the chance to do while I''ve been with my kids.

Any girlfriends?

I date.

Anything else you'd like your fans to know?

Just that I'm happy and well.

Parker Stevenson in a scene with Kate Vernon, Lorenzo Lamas
and Laura Johnson on "Falcon Crest" in 1984


Parker Stevenson with castmate Laura Johnson on "Falcon Crest" in 1984

Earl Hamner receives Lifetime Achievement Award

2011-10-30T14:49:00.001+01:00

Falcon Crest creator Earl Hamner was honored by the Library of Virginia on October 15, 2011. Here's an article, written by Woody Greenberg (from www.nelsoncountylife.com)

The 14th Annual Library of Virginia Literary Awards Celebration honored Earl Hamner with its Literary Lifetime Achievement Award Saturday, Oct. 15 held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond.

The event was hosted by noted Virginia author Adriana Trigiani, who said she grew up in Big Stone Gap with six brothers and sisters watching “The Waltons”, which was about a similarly sized Virginia family. She said she was inspired by Hamner to become a writer and said other Virginia writers learned a great deal from him.
“Earl taught us how to desribe something, how to tell a story, how to be truthful and was never ashamed to have a big heart,” Triginiani told the overflow crowd, which included best-selling authors David Baldacci and John Casey as well as former Gov. Linwood Holton. She read passages from “Spencer’s Mountain” which was the basis for “The Homecoming” and “The Waltons” tv series.

Schuyler Virginia's Earl Hamner with Adriana
Trigiani and Richard Thomas at awards event.

Triginiani introduced a surprise guest,l actor Richard Thomas, whose first great success was playing “John-Boy” on “The Waltons.”

“Earl is the one person in my life responsible for the success I’ve had,” said Thomas, who has appeared on Broadway numerous times, has directed a number of Shakespearian plays, and has starred in many movies. “With ‘The Waltons’ we got to do not just a tv series but American short stories,” he said, adding that Hamner’s stamp was on every show.

Earl Hamner speaks to guests this past Saturday
October 15th in Richmond as Richard Thomas
and Adriana Triginani look on.

Hamner thanked his brothers and sisters, three of whom were in the audience, Jane, his wife of 57 years as of Oct. 16, and his two children, Caroline and Scott, who also attended. He told several jokes about getting old and ended with a passage from “Spencer’s Mountain” as a teenage Clay-Boy leaves his family to go off to college.
See more pictures that Woody took at Friday night’s reception leading up to the award presentation by clicking here.
Congrats again Earl!

Jamie Rose Interview

2011-10-30T14:21:00.000+01:00

There's a great Jamie Rose article and interview on www.fresnobee.com. Jamie talks about her passion for dancing and about her latest book "Shut Up & Dance!: The Joy of Letting Go of the Lead – On the Dance Floor and Off" which was published this year.

Actress Jamie Rose's mom, Reta, always thought her daughter would grow up to be a writer.
She was right. Rose just released the self-help book, "Shut Up & Dance!: The Joy of Letting Go of the Lead – On the Dance Floor and Off" (Penguin, $16.95).

It took awhile for the prediction to come true because the Bullard High graduate has been busy with an acting career. Best known for playing Vickie Gioberti in the 1980s prime time soap opera "Falcon Crest," Rose also starred in her own TV series, "Lady Blue," and appeared in the cult film classic "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown" during her long career.

Jamie Rose as Vickie Gioberti with
her castmates on Falcon Crest (1981)

Rose's family moved to Fresno from Los Angeles in 1974 because of her father's job. She doesn't remember too much about the city and hasn't been back since the early '80s. After a year at Fresno State, Rose moved back to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

"I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I had been an actress when I was a child. My father had kept me on standby with the Screen Actors Guild, so I thought with my bright red hair I might be able to do commercials," Rose says.

She was right. She appeared in national commercials for Orbit Gum, M&M's and United Airlines.
In recent years, she's spent her time acting, teaching, taking dance lessons and writing the book. Her interest in dance came from a student who did a dance move as part of her class at California State University, Northridge. She traded private acting classes for dance lessons and has been dancing ever since.
The more dance she learned, the more she realized how the same principals could be used in life. Rose uses what she learned taking tango lessons to create her four-step system to better relationships: Listen, Open Your Heart, Voice Your Desires and Embrace.

"The tango is a very strict lead/follow partner dance. I started thinking how with relationships if two people are always battling to lead, there tend to be clashes and tension. Sometimes you have to let go and let the other person lead," says Rose. "I am a very strong person and all I wanted to do was lead. Once I learned how to share the lead, my relationship got better."

She stresses it's not a matter of always giving in but learning to be more pliable. And, if the person who takes the lead cares for their partner, they will be more aware of their partner's likes and dislikes.

Jamie Rose as Vickie Gioberti with
Billy R. Moses on Falcon Crest (1981)

Rose is a prolific reader and many of her friends are writers. It wasn't until author Samantha Dunn ("Faith in Carlos Gomez: A Memoir of Salsa, Sex and Salvation") told her there was a book in her ideas that she sat down to write. Rose split time between working on the movie "Route 30, Too!," writing and crying.

"I would write for awhile and then cry to my husband how I didn't think I could finish the book," Rose says.
Rose wrote the book to help those with troubled relationships. She hopes to get another job – that combines her passions of dance and acting – if the book is successful. She doesn't think her acting career will get her on "Dancing With the Stars," but a best-selling book might get her invited.
"The competition part is the least interesting to me. I just want to do it for all the free dance lessons," Rose says. "Private lessons are very expensive."

Jamie Rose will be at Words bookstore in Maplewood NJ on Saturday November 5th at 7:30pm!

More information about Jamie Rose, her book and her upcoming appearances can be found on her website: www.jamierosestudio.com

Jamie's book can be purchased on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shut-Up-Dance-Letting-Lead%C2%97/dp/1585428892/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

Carla Gugino on "Justified"

2011-10-30T13:57:00.000+01:00

Carla Gugino (40) has landed a recurring role on the third season of Justified, TVGuide.com has confirmed.

Gugino will play Karen Goodall, a Washington D.C.-based assistant director of the U.S. Marshals Service who previously worked with Raylan (Timothy Olyphant). According to TVLine.com, which first reported the news, Goodall heads to Kentucky to assist in protecting compromised witnesses whose identities may have leaked after the murder of a U.S. Marshal.

Gugino notably starred in the ABC series Karen Sisco, which, like Justified, was inspired by the work of Elmore Leonard. The 40-year-old actress' other credits include Watchmen and Suckerpunch as well as appearances on Entourage and Californication. One of her first tv appearance was the part of Sydney St. James on the ninth season of Falcon Crest.

Carla Gugino on "Falcon Crest" in 1990

with David Sheinkopf on "Falcon Crest" (1990)

Falcon Crest Forum

2011-10-16T14:30:00.000+02:00

If you haven't checked it out yet please have a look at the Falcon Crest Forum where fans are discussing our favorite TV show.
They're currently talking about merging together the Falcon Crest forum with Dynasty, Knots Landing and other shows (due to lack of posters). It would be great if we would support Falcon Crest and show them there are plenty of fans out there, still willing to discuss this great show.

Thanks for your support! :-)

Brett Cullen Radio Interview

2011-10-16T13:14:00.000+02:00

On October 3, 2011 Brett Cullen was a guest on the Matthew Aaron Show. Brett was discussing his career, his role in the upcoming Batman flick The Dark Knight Rises & co-starring with Chris Evans in the film Puncture which is currently in Theaters in NY, LA and Houston.

He also talked about his hobbies surfing and golfing and a bit about Falcon Crest and why he left the show. He also shared a wonderful story about a party he threw while he was on Falcon Crest and about Cesar Romero.

Listen to internet radio with The Matthew Aaron Show on Blog Talk Radio

Gina Lollobrigida at 'Mamma Mia' Rome Launch

2011-10-16T00:03:00.000+02:00

On October 13, 2011 Falcon Crest guest star Gina Lollobrigida (Francesca Gioberti, Season 4) was spotted at the 'Mamma Mia' Rome Launch at Teatro Brancaccio in Rome, Italy.

In 1968, she starred in the movie Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell with Shelley Winters, Phil Silvers, and Telly Savalas. The plot of this movie is the basis for the stage musical Mamma Mia!

For this role she was nominated for a Golden Globe and won her third David di Donatello award.

Gina Lollobrigida is now 84 and has retired from acting. She wasn't in a movie since 1997.

Lorenzo Lamas Interview

2011-10-15T23:22:00.000+02:00

Recently, Lorenzo Lamas was starring as King of Siam in the musical play "The King And I" at the North Shore Music Theatre and he received some good reviews.

In this Interview on Fox 25, he talks about his role and about an upcoming television series he will be starring in: "The C-Team".

Lorenzo Lamas on FOX 25: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Shannon Tweed finally married

2011-10-15T19:11:00.003+02:00

Shannon Tweed (Diana Hunter from Falcon Crest's season 2) tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend, KISS rocker Gene Simmons.

Attended by over 400 guests including Hugh Hefner, Bill Maher and the KISS band members, the affair, held outdoors at The Beverly Hills Hotel, was taped for the couple's A&E reality series, Gene Simmons' Family Jewels. A special wedding episode is expected to air later this month.

The bassist, 62, proposed to his Playboy Playmate girlfriend, 54, with a 24-carat diamond on the finale of the couple's reality series in July. The duo have been together for 28 years and have two children together: Nick, 22, and Sophie, 19, who served as Maid of Honor at her parents' wedding and sang Etta James' "At Last" for their first dance.

"It is time for me to grow up. I'm 62. I've been doing a lot of wacky stuff for an awfully long time…and there's nobody I've ever said 'I love you' to," Simmons reasoned to Entertainment Tonight before saying "I do." "I even find it difficult to say 'I love you' to my mother. But I love Shannon with all my heart and all my soul, and always will."

Gregory Harrison on "Body of Proof"

2011-10-15T18:57:00.001+02:00

Gregory Harrison will guest star on ABC's Body of Proof, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In episode five of this season, he will play anatomy professor Dr. Cameron Fischer who finds, during a class, that one of his cadavers has gone missing.

Harrison's Broadway credits include the 2001 revival of Follies, Steel Pier and Chicago. Among his most recent stage credits is Surf Report at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse.

Harrison's many television credits are Trapper John, M.D., Falcon Crest, Sisters, Dark Skies, Safe Harbor, Ed, and One Tree Hill.

Falcon Crest Reunion at Hollywood Show

2011-10-15T18:24:00.000+02:00

I think you will love this: Ana-Alicia, Jamie Rose, Abby Dalton, Sarah Douglas and Morgan Fairchild were attending the Hollywood Show on October 8, 2011.
They were signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.

Here are some great pictures and videos from the event (courtesy of Matthew Rettenmund)

Thanks a lot to Matthew Rettenmund who took these great pictures and videos.
Please have a look at his blog for more pictures and his wonderful stories from the event:
http://boyculture.typepad.com/boy_culture/2011/10/at-my-age-are-you-kidding-hollywood-show-tell.html

Season 3 DVD release postponed!

2011-10-09T19:09:00.001+02:00

Very bad news for German speaking Falcon Crest Fans: According to the Falcon Crest Fanclub, season 3 will not be released in 2012! So, we have to pray for 2013.

Right now, it seems that only the U.S. will release Season 3 in 2012 (as a "made on demand" release and only for people who live in the U.S.)

In an earlier statement, The WARNER BROS. headquarters in Burbank, CA suggested that all fans, who are interested in the continuation of the DVD release, leave an entry on the WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION's Facebook website: www.facebook.com/warnerarchive

For information and updates please visit the Falcon Crest Fanclub at www.falconcrest.org.

Here's the fanclub's press release:

According to WARNER BROS. Entertainment (Germany), contrary to previous expectations, the Burbank headquarters did not schedule the season 3 DVDs for the German speaking markets for 2012 - despite the German division's interest in the release.
In a conversation with DFCF President THOMAS J. PUCHER, WHV Marketing Director KAI UWE MARNER regretted this development; the reasons given by the Burbank headquarters are more important other projects and limited production capacity for older shows. It was discussed if this means the discontinuation of the release. WARNER HOME VIDEO, however, stated that this is not the case. The DVD release of "Falcon Crest" is still on the agenda. Contrary to other old shows, whose DVD release was completely abolished due to weak sales (e.g. "Knots Landing"), "Falcon Crest" has not been removed from WARNER HOME VIDEO's range of products.
An early 2013 release is now aimed for.

Dana Sparks: small part in new movie

2011-10-09T14:17:00.000+02:00

We haven't seen much of Dana Sparks (Vickie Gioberti, Falcon Crest's seasons 6 &- 8) lately. Nice to see her going back to work as an actress, even though she only has a small part as "Small Bar Patron #1" on the new movie "Burned Soul" by Chuck Walker, which was released on October 1, 2011.
These days, Dana mainly works as a real estate agent in Malibu, CA.

More information about "Burned Soul" can be found on imdb.

Anne Jeffreys in new movie

2011-10-09T13:42:00.001+02:00

Falcon Crest guest star Anne Jeffreys (Amanda Croft, Season 2), has signed to star in the upcoming movie "Le Grand Jete", a 1940's inspired musical fairytale feature film about the making of Cinderella: The Musical.

The movie, which is directed by Armand Mastroianni, will be filmed in Chicago and is scheduled to be released on February 14, 2013.

Even though the film is still in pre-production, you can already watch a first trailer. Anne Jeffreys is the narrator and can be seen in the end.

"Ma Cher", Le Grand Jete Teaser from A Sorta Fairytale Productions on Vimeo.

Cliff Robertson about Falcon Crest

2011-09-21T23:22:00.001+02:00

In this 2005 interview, the late Cliff Robertson talks about how he was approached by his daughter to work on Falcon Crest and about how it was working with the other cast members.

The interview was done by Stephen J. Abramson for the Archive of American Television.

David Selby in Tim Burton's "Dark Shadows" movie

2011-09-21T09:43:00.000+02:00

David Selby will appear in the new "Dark Shadows" movie which is currently filmed in the UK.

Following the current vampire hype, director Tim Burton ("Big Fish", "Alice in Wonderland") is doing an adaption of the original popular Dark Shadows series (1966-1971), a gothic-horror tale centering on the life of vampire Barnabas Collins and his run-ins with various monsters, witches, werewolves and ghosts.

As usual, Burton works with some of his favorite actors and actresses: Johnny Depp (who also co-produces the movie) will play Barnabas Collins, Burton's wife Helena Bonham Carter ("Harry Potter") stars as Dr. Julia Hoffman and Michele Pfeiffer will be Elizabeth Collins Stoddard.
The music will be composed by Danny Elfman, who scored most of Burton's films.

In the original series, David Selby played the role of Quentin Collins from 1968 until 1971.

Besides David Selby, some other cast members from the original series will appear in cameos: Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott.

The movie is scheduled to come to cinemas in May 2012.

David Selby with former Dark Shadows cast members at a convention

Falcon Crest meets Dallas

2011-09-20T15:14:00.000+02:00

A while ago, I was requested to do another Falcon Crest theme swap: Falcon Crest meets Dallas in style of the later Dallas seasons. Here you go.

If the Falcon Crest opening would have been created by the Dallas staff, maybe it would look like this one. :-))

Have fun with this new fictitious maintitle.

Ana-Alicia Interview 1989

2011-09-18T18:57:00.001+02:00

On March 30, 1989 Falcon Crest actress Ana-Alicia was a guest on the Pat Sajak Show. She talked about returning to Falcon Crest as different character Samantha Ross and about being paid twice for the same show.

Pat's other guests on this episode were actor David Leisure, TV host Kathleen Sullivan, former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, author John Irving and comic Ben Kurland.

Enjoy the video!

Kim Novak Interview 1986

2011-09-18T17:31:00.001+02:00

In this 1986 Interview with Gary Collins, Hollywood screen legend Kim Novak talks about leaving Hollywood, her life in Carmel in Northern California and her guest appearance on CBS' prime time soap Falcon Crest.

The interview was done on location in the Napa Valley while filming Falcon Crest.

Have fun with the interview.

Jane Wyman Interview

2011-09-18T16:10:00.000+02:00

I've found a wonderful interview with Jane Wyman from 1996 on youtube and wanted to share it with you.

Jane was interviewed by Carole Langer in her own home and talked about her career, about Rock Hudson and about her time on Warner Bros.

Enjoy!

Sarah Douglas in new film

2011-09-17T15:10:00.000+02:00

Sarah Douglas stars in a new British comedy-horror from Black & Blue Films titled "Strippers vs Werewolves".

When werewolf chief Jack Ferris is accidentally killed in a strip club the girls who work there have until the next full moon before his bloodthirsty wolfpack seek murderous retribution.

Sarah plays the Girl's boss, Jeanette, who is more than a match for the werewolves!

The film also stars Robert Englund, Steven Berkoff, Lysette Anthony and Adele Silva.

The film is due for release later this year.

Simon MacCorkindale's widow talks about his death

2011-09-17T15:00:00.000+02:00

There was an article about Susan George, Simon MacCorkindale's widow in the Saga Magazine. Susan talks about Simon's death and how she deals with it.

Susan George, who made her name as a sex siren in Straw Dogs, lost her husband, actor Simon MacCorkindale to cancer last year.
Words: Serena Allott. Photographs: Brian Aris

There is a notice stuck to the fridge door in the kitchen of Susan George’s rambling Exmoor farmhouse. From memory, it is the only thing on any surface in an otherwise immaculate room. Handwritten in capitals, it instructs: 'Drink a glass of water every hour. Essential.' I mention it and Susan’s huge, dark eyes fill with tears. 'I put that there to remind Simon,' she says. 'And I will never take it down.'

Simon is Simon MacCorkindale, her late husband. An internationally acclaimed actor, best known latterly for his long-standing role as consultant Harry Harper in BBC One’s Casualty, he died in her arms of cancer last year. He and Susan had been married for 26 years – he was admitted to the London Clinic for the last time straight from the luxury hotel room he had booked as a surprise for their wedding anniversary.

Theirs was an enduring love – a rare thing in showbusiness. They met at an Ella Fitzgerald concert in 1977, started dating in 1982 and married in 1984 when both were riding a wave of glamour and acclaim. He had been one of the first British actors to make it big in Hollywood. She starred as Amy Sumner in Sam Peckinpah’s astonishingly violent Straw Dogs. It made her name internationally as an actor and a sex siren, Britain’s own answer to Brigitte Bardot.

    Susan is now 60 and the siren is still there, masking at first glance the widow inside her. She is tiny: slim but curvaceous in her blue jeans, brown leather riding boots and white and grey T-shirts, tightly layered.
    In October it will be a year since Simon died and, although she no longer feels as if she is outside herself, looking in on her grief, she still struggles to express it, fiddling with her sleeves, playing with her signature long blonde hair as she searches for words.

   'We always believed we would beat this. A close friend said shortly after everything had happened, did you never think about things going wrong? And my answer was, when something like this happens in your life to someone you love, you never talk about anything but things going right and the future, hope and positivity, getting through it and out the other side. We believed we were going to win through.'

The couple told no one of Simon’s cancer, when he was diagnosed in 2006, not least because they were assured that once the diseased areas had been removed, he would be fine. Even when the cancer spread to his lungs and he was given five years to live, they kept believing. He continued working, even taking his first singing role as Captain von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sound of Music.

'Don’t think I don’t ask myself the question, "Was the work too stressful?" I think it was too stressful, but he loved to work. He wasn’t a workaholic, just adored his job and achievement. He worked harder than any other person I have ever met. He never took a day off sick, he thought illness was something you didn’t think about, you just got on with it.

   'I will never know why this cruel thing had to happen, but one thing I have to remind myself of constantly is that it would have been horrendous for Simon to live his life in any way as an invalid. He would have hated that and seeing his pain would have broken my heart into tiny pieces.'

    The end was mercifully quick. Simon was leading a full life until that night in the hotel. At the hospital they thought he had another infection. 'We had been here before and his doctors were confident and positive, assuming it was another blip, as we called it, and he would soon get better.'

    He insisted Susan do her duty and attend – as planned – the Horse of the Year Show, as its Honorary President. She journeyed between it and his bedside, then, on the Sunday night drove down to Exmoor to pack the clothes in which to bring him home.

   That night the clinic rang: her husband was asking for her. 'He was struggling to breathe... I drove like a maniac. He started to relax as soon as I got there, but unbelievably it just got worse, every day, for days, it just got worse.' Susan’s voice is a hoarse whisper. 'I stayed with him every minute and I never let him know we were in trouble. He was always the unselfish one, always putting me first. Now it was my turn.'

The full article can be read in the August 2011 issue of Saga Magazine.

Source: http://www.saga.co.uk/saga-Magazine/august-2011/susan-george-the-love-i-lost.asp

Mariska Hargitay: Emmy Nomination

2011-09-15T20:47:00.001+02:00

Mariska Hargitay with her Emmy in 2006

Mariska Hargitay was nominated for the Emmy 2011 in the category Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Detective Olivia Benson in "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit".

It's her 8th Emmy nomination in a row. She won the award once in 2006. So, let's hope she will win it again.

Other nominees are: Mireille Einos ("The Killing"), Julianna Margulies ("Good Wife"), Elisabeth Moss ("Mad Men"), Connie Britton ("Friday Night Lights") and Kathy Bates ("Harry's Law").

The Emmy Award will take place on September 18, 2011.

Susan Sullivan in "Castle" - Season Four

2011-09-15T19:57:00.000+02:00

Susan Sullivan will continue starring as Martha Rodgers in the upcoming season four of ABC's TV show "Castle" with Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic.

The new season of "Castle" will premiere next Monday in the United States.

In the first episode, Detective Beckett fights for her life as Castle, plagued by guilt over his role in the events, struggles to uncover who's behind her brutal shooting.

Here are some Cast Pictures from the new season:

and here's a short Sneak Peek:

Cliff Robertson dies aged 88

2011-09-11T18:30:00.000+02:00

Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Cliff Robertson has died at the age of 88 on September 10 from natural causes, one day after his 88th birthday.

He played a young John F Kennedy in the biographical 1963 film PT-109 and won an Academy Award in 1968 for his performance in Charly as a mentally disabled man.
Robertson remained a popular TV and film actor from the mid-1950s onwards. He later found a new generation of fans as Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man movies.

"My father was a loving father, devoted friend, dedicated professional and honourable man," his daughter Stephanie Saunders said in a statement quoted by Associated Press news agency.

"He stood by his family, friends, and colleagues through good times and bad. We will all miss him terribly."
Based on the award-winning book Flowers for Algernon, 1968's Charly saw Robertson play mentally disabled bakery worker Charlie Gordon - the subject of an experiment to increase human intelligence.
He starred in the film opposite the English actress Claire Bloom.
In 1972, Robertson made his debut as a director on J.W Coop, a film he co-wrote and starred in as an ageing rodeo cowboy.

Cliff Robertson in 2010

Robertson was blacklisted by Hollywood for several years after blowing the whistle on a studio chief who was subsequently accused of embezzlement.
Columbia Pictures head David Begelman pleaded no contest to charges of grand theft and was fined and sentenced to three years' probation, though he was hired to run MGM three years later.
In 2002, Robertson was cast as Peter Parker's kindly uncle Ben in Sam Raimi's adaptation of Spider-Man. Despite being killed in the first film, he appeared in flashback in the following two movies.

Source: BBC News

Brett Cullen in "Puncture"

2011-08-30T22:58:00.000+02:00

Brett Cullen's latest movie "Puncture" in which he has a major part as bad guy Nathaniel Price, comes to theaters on September 23 (see our news dated April 24, 2011).

Other well-known actors in this movie are Chris Evans, Michael Biehn, and Jesse L. Martin.

Here's the trailer:

Falcon Crest Director Reza Badiyi dies

2011-08-24T17:27:00.000+02:00

This is very sad news: Falcon Crest director Reza Badiyi who helmed hundreds of hours of episodic TV, died Saturday, Aug. 20, of natural causes in Los Angeles. He was 81.

I’ve had the great fortune to meet Reza in 2004 and it was wonderful to listen to the stories he shared with us about filming Falcon Crest and other TV Shows. I remember a very down-to-earth, kind and bright man, a wonderful storyteller.

Reza Badiyi in 2004, from left to right:
Thomas J. Pucher, Reza Badiyi,
Sascha Kurz, Marc Bradley

I think about all the TV shows I grew up with without knowing (by that time), that he was the one who was responsible for hours of fun and joy I’ve had. Hart to Hart, Knots Landing, Cagney and Lacey, Falcon Crest and many more, countless shows we all enjoyed.

Thank you, Reza. We will miss you.

From variety.com:

Director Reza Badiyi dies

Won DGA Award for helming the most TV

By Variety Staff

Film and television director Reza Badiyi, who helmed hundreds of hours of episodic TV, died Saturday, Aug. 20, of natural causes in Los Angeles. He was 81.

Badiyi began his American career as a cinematographer, working in New York, Kansas City and finally Los Angeles. He worked with directors including Sam Peckinpah and Robert Altman, who became a mentor and lifelong friend. (Badiyi was a.d. on Altman's feature film debut, 1957 low-budgeter "The Delinquents.")

He directed more than 430 episodes of television and several movies beginning in 1963.

By the late 1960s he was regularly directing series television, including multiple episodes of "Get Smart," "The Doris Day Show," "Mission: Impossible," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Mannix," "Baretta," "The Rockford Files," "Hawaii Five-O," "The Incredible Hulk," "T.J. Hooker," "Cagney and Lacey," "Falcon Crest," "Jake and the Fatman," "In the Heat of the Night," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Baywatch."

" 'Mission Impossible' came about at a time where we were using images differently than before," Badiyi told Iran Times Intl. in 2009. "We would use extreme focusing and closeups in order to accurately convey to the audience the actors' feelings, thoughts and actions. It was also a time of breakthrough visual effects, so I had the opportunity to do things I hadn't done before; it was great. I let my imagination run wild."

More recently he helmed episodes of "La Femme Nikita" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

He was also credited with the title visualization for "Get Smart," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Hawaii Five-O," among several other series. It was Badiyi who devised the notion of having Moore toss her tam o'shanter into the air for the famous opening sequence of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Badiyi also directed more than 60 documentaries.

In 2006 he directed the family drama "The Way Back Home," with Julie Harris and Ruby Dee.

His last screen credit was as technical adviser on the 2008 film "Lady of the Roses," directed by Mojtaba Mirtahmasb.

An article from the April/May 1998 issue of the DGA magazine, called "Reza Badiyi: 400 Episodic Hours and Counting," called Badiyi "one of the most prolific directors of episodic series television in the history of the medium." The article went on to call his "landmark 400th hour" "yet another career milestone."

Born in Arak, Iran, Reza Sayed Badiyi graduated from the Academy of Drama in Iran and received the prestigious golden medal of art from the Shah of Iran. In 1955 he was invited by the U.S. government to pursue a film career and subsequently graduated from Syracuse U. in Audiovisual Studies.

In 2010 the Iranian-American community and actors from some of the shows Badiyi directed honored him on his 80th birthday at UCLA's Royce Hall.

Badiyi was married three times, the second time to actress, writer and producer Barbara Turner. Survivors include his third wife, actress Tania Harley; three children, including actress Mina Badie; a stepdaughter, actress Jennifer Jason Leigh; two brothers and four sisters; and two grandchildren.

Morgan Fairchild to Guest Star on BONES

2011-08-23T17:14:00.000+02:00

Morgan Fairchild will be a guest star on the upcoming season of Bones.

She will appear in the third episode of the seventh season (mid-November) as a woman named Bianca, the intelligent, impeccably dressed CEO of Dillio Toys, who figures into Booth and Brennan’s investigation into the murder of a toy company employee.

The Season Premiere of Bones will air November 3, 2011 on FOX.

Cindy Morgan Interview

2011-08-18T22:44:00.001+02:00

There's a funny interview with Cindy Morgan online. She talks about Caddyshack, Tron and her time on Falcon Crest. Cindy shares some wonderful stories about Jane Wyman and Lorenzo Lamas at min 12:00.

Falcon Crest Reunion Celebration

2011-08-15T22:41:00.000+02:00

Hosted by Tom Tagliente, a reunion celebration to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the series première is scheduled to be held in Los Angeles on Dec 3, 2011.

If you're seeking for more information or if you want to register to be part of this event, just click here:
http://www.vintagetvreunions.com/falconcrest/index.html

Celeste Holm at Broadway Show

2011-04-24T09:54:00.001+02:00

On April 14, 2011 Celeste Holm was spotted at the Creative Coalition and Friends Celebration of Broadway Show 'Born Yesterday' at the Nat Sherman Flagship Store in New York City.

Next week on April 29, Celeste will turn 94 and she still looks great and healthy.

Here are some pictures:

Brett Cullen at 'Puncture' Premiere

2011-04-24T09:42:00.000+02:00

Brett Cullen attended the premiere of his new movie 'Puncture' which was held at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 21, 2011 in New York City.

It's a David and Goliath law drama about a drug-addicted lawyer who takes on a health supply corporation while battling his own personal demons. Brett plays the part of Nathaniel Price.
Other stars in this movie are Chris Evans. Michael Biehn, Jesse L. Martin and Vinessa Shaw.
The movie was shot in Houston, Texas where Brett was born and where he graduated from University.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Morgan Fairchild to star in new comedy pilot 'Workers Comp"

2011-03-13T11:18:00.000+01:00

Morgan Fairchild has been tapped to star in the comedy pilot presentation Workers Comp.

Charley Koontz, Robert Carradine, Castille Landon and Jennifer Lee Wiggins
also star in the independently produced project, which centers on a family insurance business owned by Joan (Fairchild) and the workers comp claims -- often extremely bizarre -- that they are forced to manage.

Workers Comp is produced by David Sauers (Taking Woodstock) and Mark Wooster, former senior vp legal affairs at Universal Studios.

Landon and Harrison Sanborn wrote the script. Filming will begin April 10 in Tampa, Fla.

source: www.hollywoodreporter.com

Gallery Season 1 ● EP #012 'Family Reunion'

2011-02-26T18:11:00.000+01:00

Gallery Season 1 ● EP #011 'For Love or Money'

2011-02-25T22:57:00.005+01:00

Kristian Alfonso Interviews

2011-02-25T21:26:00.000+01:00

Kristian Alfonso is very busy with being on TV these days, talking about starring in the daily soap "Days of our Lives", making promotion for the "Days 45 years book" and for sure for her jewelry line Hope Faith Miracles.

On Valentine's Day, she was on several local TV stations with Peter Reckell, e.g. NBC KMIR,on WPXI Pittsburgh,KSDK St. Louis, then on "Fox 26 Morning News"and today she was on the "Today Show".

Her next TV appearance will be on February 28 as a guest on the Wendy Williams Show.

Here are some of the videos. Make sure not to miss the last video. She was presenting the weather on Fox. Very funny:

Sarah Douglas in Superman movie: fan campaign

2011-02-25T18:48:00.001+01:00

There's a fan campaign on Facebook to help getting Sarah Douglas a part in the next Superman movie "Man of Steel" which is scheduled for 2012. Filming will begin this June, the part of Superman will be portrayed by Henry Cavill.

If you want to join this campaign you'll find the link here: www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_171308886248767

Official Description: Sarah Douglas made an immense contribution to the Superman movies with her iconic performance as "Ursa". In light of Smallville coming to an end and having NOT had Sarah on as a guest star, unlike other Superman alumni - and with previous Superman movies giving a nod to former Superman stars (Noel Neill etc), we feel that it's right that Sarah Douglas be rightfully acknowledged in the Superman universe with a suitable part in the new film!

Jane Badler's latest album and music video

2011-02-23T22:24:00.001+01:00

After her first album 'The devil has my Double', Jane Badler's second album 'Tears Again' will be officially launched in Melbourne, Australia at the Hi Fi Bar Thursday, 5th May 2011.
The event promises to be a spectacular show, with costumes and a true theatrical experience featuring 12 of the best musicians around including the Idol back up singers. Special guest Stephen Cummings is hoping to make a guest appearance.

Produced by Paul Grabowsky, the album was recorded at Melbourne's famous Sing Sing Studios.

Meanwhile, you may watch Jane Badler's first music video 'Four corners to my Bed' which was just released some days ago.

Some more tracks can be found on Jane Badler's myspace site.

Lorenzo Lamas Interview on the PM Show

2011-02-21T23:55:00.002+01:00

Some days ago, Lorenzo Lamas was a guest on the PM Show with Robert Conrad. For those of you who have missed it, here are some youtube videos from CRN Digital Talk.

Lorenzo talks about his dad Fernando Lamas, about Falcon Crest and working with Jane Wyman and also about his show Renegade.

FALCON CRESTers Tell It All! - Vol. 4

2011-02-21T20:40:00.000+01:00

The GERMAN FALCON CREST FAN CLUB (DFCF) will proudly present the 4th volume of the cast & crew interview newsletter series on April 4, 2011 - for the first time, also available as a downloadable e-newsletter - to be ordered by March 14, 2011.

As usual, there are some great interviews with many cast and crew members included, e.g. Academy Award winner Cliff Robertson, actors Harry Basch & Robin Greer, Jane Wyman's son Michael Reagan, composers Dana Kaproff & Peter Myers, associate / coordinating producer Victoria LaFortune and music editor Joanie Diener.

For more information, please visit www.falconcrest.org.

Morgan Fairchild & John Callahan in gay movie "eCupid"

2011-02-21T17:57:00.000+01:00

Soap veterans Morgan Fairchild and John Callahan will both star in the upcoming gay-themed romantic comedy movie "eCupid - Love on the download". The movie
was shot by the end of last year in West Hollywood, California and will be released in 2011.

Unfortunately, there's no official release date yet, but the movie will be shown at the Detroit Independent Film Festival on March 11, 2011.

If you want to be kept updated about this movie, please join their facebook site or visit the offical website.

Synopsis: Marshall (Houston Rhines) is a cocky young ad man working at a dead-end job for a boss (John Callahan) who overlooks his talents. After seven years with his boyfriend, Gabe (Noah Shuffman), Marshall's love life has become too comfortable. On top of that, he's turning 30!

He is desperate for a new life. He goes looking for it online, where he comes upon a mysterious app called “eCupid” that guarantees to find true love. From the moment he downloads it, “eCupid” scans every inch of Marshall’s online world and instantly turns his life upside down.

Marshall suddenly gets everything he thinks he wanted. Newly single and ready for adventure, "eCupid" overwhelms Marshall with sexy guys at every turn, each promising to be the man of his fantasies. But too much of a good thing may not be a good thing. Marshall soon finds that all the attention is more than he bargained for.

With the help of a wise and mysterious waitress (Morgan Fairchild), Marshall is given one last chance to listen to his heart and figure out what (and who) is really important.

Ana-Alicia singing on Falcon Crest

2011-02-20T09:08:00.001+01:00

Remember Ana-Alicia as Veronique, singing in a bar on Falcon Crest's 6th season? Some time ago, I've found a quote of her about singing on
Falcon Crest. She then worked with voice coach Bob Corff and left a message for his website.

“I’ll never forget when I came to Bob and said, ‘They want me to sing on FALCON CREST’ I told them I couldn’t sing and they said, ‘okay that’s even better – that will be funny’. I was a wreck and Bob said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get you to sound good’. We worked without stopping for a week, since that’s all the time we had. You know it came out pretty good – he saved my face.” Ana-Alicia sang two songs on Falcon Crest. The first one was "Goody Goody", which is a 1936 popular song composed by Matty Malneck, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was originally sung by Bob Crosby and was covered many times, e.g Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, Frank Sinatra and Chicao.

The second song was "Body and Soul". It was written in 1930 by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton and Johnny Green. Rising quickly to popularity, Libby Holman introduced it in the revue Three's a Crowd and it was used as the theme to the 1947 film, Body and Soul. Like many songs of the time, it became a jazz standard, with hundreds of versions performed and recorded by dozens of artists (Ella Fitzgerald, Annette Hanshaw, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.).

Jill Jacobson in "Cats dancing on Jupiter"

2011-02-19T21:11:00.001+01:00

Jill Jacobson is starring in the upcoming movie "Cats Dancing on Jupiter".
The movie is about two 20-something club hopping
women in LA who are at first glance living the good life of partying and casual sex, until they are revealed to be scarred by a childhood abduction and driven to take revenge on every man who crosses their path.
Jill Jacobson plays the part of Mrs. Katz. Other stars in this film are Richard Grieco, Jim Metzler and Jonathan Bennett.
"Dancing on Jupiter" will be released on May 24, 2011.

More information on the movie can be found on the official website.

John Saxon in new movie "The Extra"

2011-02-19T20:58:00.000+01:00

Recently, John Saxon (75) was working on the new movie "The Etxra".
Saxon plays Victor Valiant, a screen legend who stars in an upcoming film
which Joe Fierrereaux aka Derrick Stone (Tyrone Power Jr.) and his friends are working on as background actors or ‘extras’.
Bad boy movie star Derrick Stone books himself as an extra as a prank. When he arrives on set, no one recognizes him as Derrick Stone, they just think he looks like Derrick Stone. Finding new friends and a love interest in Mary, the wardrobe assistant, he begins living a double identity as Derrick and Joe, the extra. Events collide and comedy ensues as Derrick's stardom is put at risk, and Derrick is put to the test as Joe, begins to take over his life

There is no release date confirmed yet. More information on the movie can be found on the official page www.theextrathemovie.com or on their facebook site.

.

Foxworth deliciously hopeless in 'Donuts': Review

2011-02-19T19:06:00.000+01:00

with Anthony B. Phillips © Daren Scott

Another great review of Robert Foxworth's latest play "Superior Donuts".

The North County Times writes a very remarkable review on their website.

THEATER REVIEW: Foxworth deliciously hopeless in 'Donuts'

By PAM KRAGEN - pkragen@nctimes.com

According to Arthur Przybyszewski, the lead character in Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts," the root of the Polish character is hopelessness, and no one embodies that trait more than Arthur himself, played to delicious perfection by actor Robert Foxworth in a new San Diego Repertory Theatre production.
Seen last as the indomitable King Lear at the Old Globe, the Encinitas-based Foxworth is virtually unrecognizable under a grizzled beard and steel-gray ponytail, his voice pinched into a high, pathetic whine as the burned-out Arthur. Foxworth is the best thing about this frequently hilarious play, which shows the much-lighter and sweeter side of its playwright, Letts (who's better known for his bleak dramas "Bug," "Killer Joe" and "Man From Nebraska" and the Pulitzer- and Tony-winning black comedy "August: Osage County").
Arthur is the passionless proprietor of Superior Donuts, a shabby shop in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood that's been in his family for 60 years. The monosyllabic Arthur is so worn down by boredom, depression and loneliness, he can barely muster a sigh when he arrives one December morning to find his store vandalized.
Arthur, as we learn through his periodic soliloquies, was once a hippie firebrand in the '60s, but he hightailed it to Canada when his draft notice arrived and didn't return until President Carter's general pardon a decade later. Burdened with the weight of his father's disapproval (he died while Arthur was abroad), the failure of his marriage, his estrangement from his teenage daughter and the haunting guilt of his own cowardice, Arthur has retreated so deep into himself, he's blind to the needs of those around him.


with Keith Jefferson & DeAnna Driscoll	©Daren Scott

But the arrival of Franco Wicks ---- an optimistic young black man who thinks he's written the "great American novel" and dreams of helping Arthur turn his moribund shop into an artsy coffeehouse ---- gradually reinvigorates Arthur's joie de vivre.
Director Sam Woodhouse wrings every ounce of humor from the laugh-packed script, and his casting is expert, particularly in Foxworth (who's a joy to watch as he slowly peels away the layers of Arthur's dreariness to reveal his inner warrior), DeAnna Driscoll as smitten police officer Randy Osteen, and Dimiter D. Marinov, as Russian immigrant-turned-entrepreneur Max Tarasov.
The play treads a fine line between broad comedy and bittersweet sadness, and occasionally the actors' performances are calibrated a bit too high and cartoonish.
The delicate balance is achieved perfectly in Marinov's Max, a hard-working naturalized citizen whose American dream involves taking over Arthur's shop to expand his burgeoning electronics empire next door. Marinov's carefully crafted Max is a mix of fierce pride, protective friend, generous relation, and insensitive drunk. Likewise, Driscoll slowly builds her character, a socially awkward cop with anger-management issues who not-so-secretly pines for Arthur. Also exceptional in a small role is Brian Abraham as gentle giant Kiril Ivakin, Max's Russian nephew.
As Franco, Anthony B. Phillips is funny, irrepressible and quick-witted, but he doesn't have the world-weary, edgy street vibe of a kid who has hustled his way through life. Likewise, you don't know whether to laugh at or fear Stephen Morgan-MacKay as Luther Flynn, the bookie who arrives to collect Franco's gambling debts.
Rounding out the cast with good performances are Keith Jefferson as the "Star Trek"-loving Officer James Bailey; Tyler Herdlotz as the sinister hoodlum Kevin Magee; and Kathryn Herbruck as the doughnut-loving homeless Lady Boyle.
Scenic designer Robin Sanford Roberts' decrepit doughnut shop is highly realistic, and the production is brightened by M. Scott Grabau's lighting and Tom Jones' sound. Kate Stallons' costume are just right, particularly Max and Kiril's matching track suits. And fight director James Newcomb creates a wildly comic battle onstage between Arthur and Luther.
"Superior Donuts" doesn't have the dark edge or meatiness of other Letts plays, but it's fun to watch an actor like Foxworth at the height of his powers in this well-produced staging at the Rep.
"Superior Donuts"
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; also 7 p.m. Feb. 9, 23 and March 2; 2 p.m. Feb. 19; 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 6; runs through March 6
Where: San Diego Repertory Theatre at the Lyceum Space Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego
Tickets: $29-$47, general; $18, students
Info: 619-544-1000

Robert Foxworth shines in "Superior Donuts": Review

2011-02-19T18:56:00.000+01:00

Photo credit: Daren Scott

The San Diego Gay & Lesbian News (SDGLN) has a great review of Robert Foxworth's new play on their website.

THEATER REVIEW: Robert Foxworth shines in “Superior Donuts”

Jean Lowerison - SDGLN Theater Critic
February 18th, 2011

Arthur Przybyszewski (Robert Foxworth) is only 59, but seems to carry the weight of the world as he shuffles through his days in Superior Donuts, the Uptown Chicago shop his family has owned for 60 years.
Arthur still wears the ponytail and the unfashionable clothes of the unreconstructed hippie he is. As he tells us, evasion has been his lifestyle since he fled to Toronto to escape the draft all those years ago (and was called “coward” by his father).
This day Arthur arrives to find the results of vandalism: chairs and tables upended and an obscenity scrawled on one wall. This is not a unique occurrence; it’s just another in a string of annoyances he’s learned to deal with.

with Anthony B. Phillips © Daren Scott

Persistent knocking disturbs him while he sits behind his locked door, contemplating the most recent offense. When he finally opens, he’s nearly blinded by the thousand-watt smile of the relentlessly upbeat Franco Wicks (Anthony B. Phillips), a young African-American in search of a job.
The relationship between these two disparate personalities is at the heart of “Superior Donuts,” the latest play from the pen of Tracy Letts, which gets a superb production at San Diego Repertory Theatre through March 6, directed by Sam Woodhouse.
It’s a lovely pas de deux: the young whippersnapper trying to bring order and new possibilities to the shop and its owner while his own life is in danger of disintegration; Franco learning to his surprise that this old white guy knows a thing or two himself, even about African-American poets.
Along for the ride are a pair of cops – Randy (DeAnna Driscoll, who seems to be flirting with Arthur) and James (Keith Jefferson) who regularly patrol the beat, argue good-naturedly and stop in for a donut and a cuppa; Lady (Kathryn Herbruck), a homeless alcoholic freeloader, and Max (Dimiter D. Marinov), who wants to buy the shop in order to expand his next-door DVD business.
Conflict – and a heck of a fight scene – are brought by Stephen Morgan-MacKay and Tyler Herdklotz as enforcers who want the money the kid owes, and now.
Foxworth, the imperious but foolish King Lear of last year’s Old Globe Shakespeare Festival, is terrific as the shambling Polish-American stuck in the past, who has all but given up on himself. Will Franco be able to teach him how to go on?

with Anthony B. Phillips © Daren Scott

Phillips, a welcome newcomer to the local scene, easily goes toe-to-toe with the old veteran in a finely etched performance as Franco.
Driscoll, who always does as much with her face and body as with her lines, does not disappoint, and Jefferson provides amusing and convincing counterpoint as her partner.
Herbruck, Morgan-MacKay and Herdklotz round out the fine cast.
Kudos also to Robin Sanford Roberts and Kate Stallons for fine work with the ramshackle set and costumes.
“Superior Donuts” isn’t top-drawer Letts (I’ll take “Killer Joe” in that department, though “August: Osage County” is no slouch, and in fact won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize), but these characters are intriguing enough, and when Letts allows them to be funny, it’s a pleasant evening.

The details
“Superior Donuts” plays through March 6 at San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza.
Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 pm; Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
For tickets, call (619) 544-1000 or visit HERE.

Lorenzo Lamas vs. Mark Harmon

2011-02-17T16:49:00.003+01:00

I've found a nice video of Lorenzo Lamas competing against Mark Harmon
("Flamingo Road") at the Battle of the Network Stars in 1981.

Unfortunately, Lorenzo lost due to an injury of his knee.

Gallery Season 1 ● EP #010 'Victims'

2011-02-13T15:13:00.001+01:00

Kristian Alfonso joining book tour

2011-02-13T11:11:00.002+01:00

Kristian Alfonso and others cast members from NBC’s daytime drama “Days of our Lives” will embark on a fan-filled multi city book tour promoting the glossy photo companion book, Days of our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration in Photos, along with its authors Greg Meng and Eddie Campbell. In addition, A Secret in Salem and author (former DooL head writer) Sheri Anderson (who worked on Falcon Crest in its 9th season) will accompany the tour. The tour begins with a signing in Houston, Texas and will include Miami, NYC, Chicago and New Orleans.

Days of our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration in Photos is a rare glimpse of over 500 behind the scenes photographs of one of America's most beloved television shows. Using never-before-seen images of cast, crew, sets, and styling, the proverbial “4th wall” is broken for an extraordinary look inside the studio and into the lives of the stars of the longest-running scripted program in NBC’s history. Author Greg Meng comments on the tour, “We are thrilled to be traveling with our cast to various cities to meet our fans and get a chance to chat with them in person! We are so appreciative that they come out to see us and that they seem to be enjoying our new book.”

Kristian Alfonso, who plays Hope Brady on “Days of our Lives” as well as Drake Hogestyn who played John Black on “Days of our Lives” will be heading up the talent set to appear on Thursday, February 17th from 7:00-9:00PM at the River Oaks Shopping Center Barnes & Noble (2030 West Gray Street, Huston, TX 77019). “This is a fantastic opportunity for ‘Days of our Lives’ to be able to go and give a heartfelt thank you to all of the fans who have loved and supported us for 45 years, ” says Kristian. “Here’s to another 45 years.”

Robert Foxworth in play 'Superior Donuts'

2011-02-13T10:23:00.008+01:00

While San Diego theatergoers have come to know actor Robert Foxworth for his epic roles at the Old Globe Theatre
(like last summer's King Lear), the role he's taking on this month at San Diego Repertory Theatre is a far cry from that Shakespearean king.
Foxworth, an Encinitas resident, plays the lead role in the San Diego premiere of Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" (Letts won the Tony and the Pulitzer for his bleak family drama "August: Osage County").
"This is vastly different from the things I've done recently," Foxworth said. "This is more a kitchen sink drama. But I thought that would be a challenge, and I've always liked challenges."
Foxworth is playing Arthur Przybyszewski, the owner of a family-owned doughnut shop in a run-down section of Chicago. He's a hippie who went to Canada to avoid the Vietnam draft and has gradually lost all the energy and idealism of his youth. With his descent, the doughnut shop has decayed as well, especially as other doughnut chains have gained ground, and he's facing the prospect of shutting down.
"He's a guy in the rough, sort of unfinished," Foxworth said. "He's kind of a street person, but bright. He's struggling just to keep his business alive."
Then in walks Franco Wicks, a young black man who has written a novel and is full of ideas for saving the shop. He creates hip, youth-oriented events such as poetry slams and concerts, and he supplements the menu with flavored coffee drinks. Even though the two men are vastly different, a true friendship grows between them, and Arthur feels himself reawakening to life.
Although Foxworth remembers protesting the Vietnam War, he didn't take his personal stand quite as far as his character, Arthur.
"A lot of things in this play made me go back in my memory," he said. "I was similar to this guy, but I didn't cross over to another country. I had friends who did, though, and I had a lot of respect for them. That time was a terrible strain on this nation. A difficult, difficult time."
One of the other challenges for Foxworth was the Chicago accent. He worked with a dialect coach, aware that the accent is subtle.
"You could do the role without the dialect, but this play is so grounded in the setting and if we didn't do the accent, people would miss out on the texture and characters we're doing," he said. "Of course, you could kill it if you overdid it."
Foxworth sees this as not just a funny play, but a powerful one as well.
"It's a vehicle for redemption," he said. "There are few plays about how men feel. These guys are like a lot of men ---- they're not very communicative. That's why it's important that men see it. People are going to respond powerfully to this play."
Tickets and more information can be found on the official website: www.sdrep.org

All images © Daren Scott

Morgan Fairchild keynote speaker for Go Red luncheon

2011-02-13T10:15:00.003+01:00

Morgan Fairchild will headline this year's American Heart Association Go Red for Women luncheon Feb. 17 in Shreveport.

Fairchild's mom was diabetic, which increases a woman's risk of stroke and heart disease. Fairchild believes now her mom probably had some mini-strokes before the major one in 1996, although at the time she and others thought the forgetfulness and confusion were just signs of her mom getting older.
"Once you see what the symptoms are, you can intervene," Fairchild said.
The sold-out luncheon is one of the organization's major fundraisers. Money raised locally supports research at LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport and health centers around the United States. The heart association also uses the yearly event to encourage women to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke through regular checkups, exercise and healthier eating.
Fairchild, 61, has her blood sugar tested every time she gets a checkup. She watches what she eats and works out, although she noted that it's harder to keep off weight since going through menopause.
"I'm not talking about it as an intellectual concept, I'm talking about it as a day-to-day battle," she said, chuckling. "I say it's sort of carpe diem, seize that moment. I've got a few minutes, why don't I walk around the block. Why don't I walk around the office, just to keep the blood moving, to keep everything moving."

Celeste Holm at 'Road to Qatar' Opening Night

2011-02-13T09:58:00.006+01:00

Celeste Holm (becoming 94 in April) was one of the guests at the Off-Broadway opening night of 'The Road to Qatar'
at The York Theatre at Saint Peter?s on February 3, 2011 in New York City.

With book and lyrics by Stephen Cole and music by David Krane, the show is based on the true story of two American musical theatre writers commissioned to write a larger-than-life Broadway-style musical for the Emir of Qatar.

Brett Cullen in "Skateland"

2011-02-13T09:33:00.007+01:00

Brett Cullen will star in the upcoming independent movie "Skateland", a drama set in the 80s.

Synopsis: Skateland explores the rupture of charismatic Ritchie Wheeler, brother and sister Brent and Michelle Burkham, and wise-cracking lady-killer Kenny Crawford’s seemingly complacent existence as they struggle with the collapse of their tumultuous home lives, the alcohol-induced idling of reckless adolescence, and the wane of their hometown hangout, the local roller rink.

A story syncopated with moments of violent turbulence, of heartbreak and of new beginnings, Skateland immerses the audience in the brutal, but beautiful vastness of East Texas blue skies and the emotional claustrophobia of the bible belt. Enveloped by the brooding melodies and incendiary rock riffs of the early 80’s, Skateland is a place where aging values wrestle with contemporary pop culture to create a paradoxical balance between old and new.

Skateland comes to theatres on March, 25. More information can be found on the official website: www.freemanfilm.com/skateland

Check out the trailer below:

80's Prime Time Soaps Themes on the Violin

2011-02-13T09:19:00.003+01:00

this is fun... a young guy named Brad Gibson who plays the big four 80s soap themes on the violin.
Check it out on youtube:

Falcon Crest Reunion Opening

2011-01-24T23:28:00.004+01:00

It's time for a new opening :-)
I've created a new maintitle for the Falcon Crest Reunion which took place in October 12, 2010 at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles.

Many thanks to Jim Halterman who gave me permission to use his great footage of the stars. Please visit Jim's blog: www.JimHalterman.com

Enjoy the new Opening. Hope you like it.

Celebrating 3 Years

2011-01-22T15:58:00.007+01:00

Dear all,
it's been 3 years since I've started the blog.
I'd like to say thank you to the fans for contributing, for reading and for staying on the site. :-)

I hope the community will grow and I'm looking forward to some more discussions.
There will be more videos, more pictures and I'm going to continue this work with bringing the latest news about our favorite stars.

I'm glad, we have almost 300 fans on facebook and I'm sure there will be a lot more this year :-)

All the best and thanks,
Marc

"The Hunters" at Gérardmer Fantastic Film Festival

2011-01-19T10:07:00.008+01:00

Mark Snow's latest work was composing for the French movie "The Hunters" starring Steven Waddington and Tony Becker. It's a thriller about
a police detective who opens an investigation about missing persons. The trail leads him to an abandoned fort outside town, and he finds himself caught in a terrifying and surreal life and death game.

"The Hunters" is part of the official selection of the 18th Gérardmer Fantastic Film Festival in France. The movie will be screened on January 30 and will be presented by the director, the producers and some of the cast members who have been invited to the world premier.

More information on the movie and some behind the scenes clips can be found on the official website.

Morgan Fairchild at Charity Event

2011-01-18T11:28:00.006+01:00

Morgan Fairchild attended the Give Back Hollywood & Fashion Forms Giving Lounge to honor
the Golden Globes and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at the London Hotel in Hollywood, California on January 14, 2011.

Vote for Lorenzo

2011-01-18T10:49:00.002+01:00

Lorenzo Lamas talks about the possibility of being on "Dancing with the Stars". The cast is still not revealed and
everything is possible. Lorenzo is on a short list but it's not sure yet.
Viewers can go to ABC's website and type in Lorenzo's name so he has a chance to be on that show.

The link is http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/cast-season12/ThemeGallery/677709

David Selby about Gay rights and other issues

2011-01-08T08:38:00.007+01:00

David Selby has written some wonderful words on his website and I thought I'd share it with you. He talks about family, about same sex marriages and
about "Don't Ask Don't Tell".
David is truly a wonderful person with a big heart and I'm so glad he shares his thoughts with us and speaks out what should be said.

EDIT: "Sorry, I had to remove David's message due to his webmaster. If you wish to read it, you can only read it on his website: www.davidselby.com

Brothers & Sisters Opening

2011-01-08T08:14:00.005+01:00

I know, "Brothers & Sisters" has nothing to do with Falcon Crest (except the fact that it is produced by FC's Ken Olin and that "Dr. Lantry" Ron Rifkin is starring in it)
but I created an opening for that great series and wanted to share it with you. If you're not into "Brothers & Sisters" just ignore this thread. :-)
By the way, Susan Sullivan had a guest role in the first season ;-)

Jane Badler Interview

2011-01-07T22:44:00.006+01:00

Yesterday, a long interview with Jane Badler was published at readingeagle.com:

Jane Badler returns to signature role on 'V'
By Ian Spelling New York Times Syndicate

Jane Badler returns to her signature role, as the villainess Diana on the ABC reboot of "V," and fanboys around the world were counting down the minutes until her first episode aired Tuesday.

So where did she go?

Speaking by telephone from her home in Melbourne, Australia, she fills in the blanks of a 20-year absence from American television.

"I continued to work after 'V,' " said Badler, who played Diana in the television movie "V'' (1983), the miniseries "V: The Final Battle" (1984) and the weekly series "V'' (1984-1985). "Then, for 'Mission: Impossible' (1988-1990), I came to Australia and I met a man. So I left L.A., and I had two children very quickly. I raised them and, here in Australia, I became a theater actress, a cabaret artist and a jazz singer.

"So I went a different way for a while. Ultimately it was a journey I had to go on. Sometimes it was satisfying, sometimes it was frustrating. I hit walls, just as anyone does, but at the end you become better for it. You can call yourself an artist because you've got the experience behind you. It's what I had to do, and I'm so glad I did it.

"I'm still singing. I just did a music video, and I have a CD coming out in May (entitled "Tears Again") - but, coming back now to American television, I bring a stillness and gravity I might not have had without everything that's happened."

ABC's new version of "V'' kicked off last season, with Morena Baccarin playing the Diana-esque Anna, who leads an alien race that has arrived on Earth with supposedly benevolent intentions. The Vs soon showed their true colors, however, and human rebels put up a fight. Initial ratings for the series were strong, but trailed off. Still, the overall numbers made "V'' one of the season's highest-rated new shows, and ABC ordered a second season.

That second season debuted with the episode "Red Rain," which showcased Badler as Diana. Strange as it seems, Badler revealed, she was asked to audition for her old role.

"That was pretty bizarre," Badler said, "but it's an indication of how tough this industry is on actors. You constantly have to prove yourself, no matter who you are and no matter what you've done. You've got to be made of tough stuff. Auditioning for this was hard."

Badler obviously got over it and impressed the producers. Though she originally had been signed only for "Red Rain," after seeing her performance in that episode, ABC hired her to appear in most of the second season's 10 episodes - originally 13, but the network later reduced the season to 10 hourlong episodes in order to accommodate the March 29 premiere of "Dancing With the Stars."

"My goal was just to come in and do a cameo," Badler said. "That's all I'd hoped for and, really, at the time it's all I wanted.

"You get there and things change. The crew was magnificent, the special effects were top-notch, it was beautifully shoot, and the cast was wonderful. I was amazed by the excitement around the set and the respect everyone gave me. I went, 'Wow, this is a lot of fun. I'd love to do more.'

"Thank goodness, they liked what I was doing. That's what they needed to see, and they kept me for the season. It was fantastic. I loved it."

So what should fans look for? Badler is cautious about giving away plot twists, but doesn't mind setting up the basic situation.

"When we begin the new season, Diana is in a dungeon," the actress said. "She's been kept there for 15 years by Anna, who has told everyone I'm dead in order to take over. The first time I'm revealed is when Anna comes down into the bowels of the ship. It's great. It's chilling the first time you see me.

"I am developed beyond the basement. I do get out, and what happens is fabulous."

Badler waxes enthusiastic about Baccarin, calling her the real deal as an actress and noting that "I felt the sparks the minute we met."

As for her own acting, Bad-ler quickly realized that she needed to dial it down a notch if she were going to reprise Diana.

"The '80s was the decade of nighttime soaps, when you had 'Dynasty' and 'Falcon Crest' and 'Dallas,' " Badler said. "There was a campiness to the way people acted. We had that on 'V,' and it took me awhile to get out of that, playing Diana now.

"When I first arrived on set, the director (Bryan Spicer) worked with me to help me keep a certain stillness, to keep it small and natural. When you have the green screens and the lines these characters say, 'Such beauty within ,' you often want to make it bigger. You play it like it's Shakespearean. (Spicer) had me do it smaller, and that set the tone and helped me throughout the rest of my episodes."

If the second season clicks, "V'' - and Badler - may well return for more. The actress wants in, assuming that she's wanted in return.

"I think there's new excitement about this season, about the story lines, about old characters coming back," Badler said. "They've upped the ante a bit. So I think, if they can pull in those audiences again, they're going to stay this time.

"I'd love to see it be a huge hit. Something like this, a re-imagining, needs more than two seasons in order to stand in its own right.

"If it keeps going and it's a success in its own right, that would be a tremendous accomplishment, because everyone's worked so hard. And if there's more, I'd love to be a part of it.

"I have no idea if that will happen. They may feel that their use for me has come and gone. So I don't know, but it's been great. No matter what happens, it's been the most wonderful thing to me."

Susan Sullivan in a new play

2011-01-07T22:24:00.004+01:00

Susan Sullivan has joined the L.A. Theatre Works cast of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The School for Scandal, which will begin
classes Jan. 12 at the Skirball Cultural Center. The "Falcon Crest" and "Castle" star will play Lady Sneerwell in a cast that also features the previously announced Julian Sands as Joseph Surface, Jane Carr as Mrs. Candour and Tara Summers as Lady Teazle.

Michael Hackett will direct the production, which will run through Jan. 16.

All LATW productions are recorded and broadcast on LATW's nationally syndicated radio theatre series, "The Play's the Thing."

According to LATW, "The School For Scandal is a delightful, madcap and maliciously catty romp. Centuries before Jerry Springer, Ricki Lake and the National Enquirer appeared on the scene, Sheridan gave us such gossip-mongers as Lady Sneerwell, Widow Snake, Lady Candour and Benjamin Backbite in a comic story filled with complications, ironies, surprises and schemes that go horribly wrong - a prototype of situation comedy that reveals many of the same guilty pleasures and petty obsessions we know today. After all, slander and gossip never go out of style!"

For tickets to any of "The Play's the Thing" productions at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, call the L.A. Theatre Works box office at (310) 827-0889.

For more information visit latw.org.

Lorenzo Lamas at "Hair" Opening

2011-01-07T21:59:00.005+01:00

Yesterday, Lorenzo Lamas and his fiance Shawna Craig were spotted at the opening night of "HAIR" at the Pantages Theatre in
Hollywood, California.

Here are some pictures and a small interview with Lorenzo.

Kate Vernon at Fedcon XX in Germany

2011-01-04T23:18:00.006+01:00

Kate Vernon (Lorraine Prescott, Falcon Crest's season 4) will be a special guest at the FedCon XX in Düsseldorf, Germany.

FedCon XX will be held – due to the 20th anniversary
- for 4 days - from April 28 to May 1, 2011 in the Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf with special guests, Q & A sessions, lectures, discussions, autographs, photo sessions and parties.

It's the first time that Vernon will join a German convention. More information about the convention and ticket sales can be found here: www.fedcon.de

Brett Cullen in "Castle"

2011-01-04T23:00:00.004+01:00

Brett Cullen (Dan Fixx, Falcon Crest's season 6) will be a guest star in the upcoming episode of "Castle" in which Susan Sullivan stars as Martha Rodgers.
Cullen will play the part of Christian Dahl.

Last season, Billy R. Moses was a guest star on "Castle". Funny, that Brett Cullen was kind of replacement for Moses on "Falcon Crest" when he left the show in season 6 and they both worked with Susan on FC.
Maybe, we will be able to see "Richard" or "Chase" or even "Melissa" on that show? We'll see...

Castle episode "Poof! You're dead" (3.12) will air on January 10 on ABC.

Lorenzo Lamas ready to wed Shawna Craig

2011-01-04T22:42:00.003+01:00

US Weekly reports that Lorenzo Lamas is ready to wed his girlfriend Shawna Craig. The two are set to slip wedding rings on their fingers on April 30th of next year.

"It's going to be amazing. We found a beautiful hotel in Cabo and we're in touch with the general manager to make it really, really special," he told the news outlet.

Lamas' most recent trip to the altar was to ex-Playboy Playmate Shauna Sand in 1996. The couple has three daughters together.

"It's gonna be small - we're not inviting a lot of people. It will be just family and friends," he told the news source.

Lorenzo Lamas and the Renegade Milkshake

2011-01-04T22:07:00.006+01:00

Lorenzo Lamas was spotted getting some help from daughters Isabella, Victoria and Alexandra as he created his Renegade Milkshake at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood, CA. His fiance Shawna Craig was there to support.

There's a short interview with Lorenzo on youtube in which he talks about "Dancing with the Stars" and his latest project, the independent movie "Cathedral Canyon.

Jamie Rose in new movie "Route 30 Too!"

2011-01-02T11:40:00.005+01:00

Filming has just ended on December 21 for the second part of a trilogy featuring Route 30 and its untold stories in southcentral Pennsylvania.
"Route 30 Too!" involves interwoven
stories of residents along the Lincoln Highway. This time, their adventures include ghosts and aliens battling it out.
The cast and crew are a collection of Los Angeles-based veterans and local talents that Putch has gotten to know through the years.
Jamie Rose, who plays Dot the alien hunter in "Too!," grew up in Hollywood and appreciates the chance to work on a small, independent film.
"There isn't the feeling of camaraderie (on a bigger film), that say, (Putch's) father had. I think John Putch has created that sort of Totem Pole Playhouse repertory company, except in film. It makes it so nice to work," said Rose, who first worked with Putch on "ABC Afternoon Specials" nearly 30 years ago.
"I'd rather make less money and have more fun at this point in my life," said Rose, "I want to be happy at the end of the day and Putch has provided all of us with that."

For more information on Jamie' new movie, go to www.route30too.com.
And there's a nice video on youtube. While shooting "Route 30 Too" Jamie Rose interviews some ladies from Chambersberg PA about their thoughts on what they find sexy in a man.

Jane Badler about "V"

2011-01-02T10:50:00.005+01:00

V star Jane Badler has claimed that her character Diana is "not necessarily" a villain.

The actress previously revealed that Diana will be held captive by her daughter Anna (Morena Baccarin) when viewers first meet her.

"I definitely think that I have a totally different take on things than [Anna]," she told IGN. "There's a lot of conflict between her way of thinking and mine, definitely. My character is not necessarily a villain. She's strong, definitely. She would do things that might seem cold-blooded, but I think is probably more fair."

She added that Diana's fifteen year captivity had given her "a great control".

"The patience is beyond how long I could wait for my moment [to strike]," she said. "And I think that's really powerful, because no matter what Anna will do to me, I'm equally as powerful and strong."

Badler, who appeared in the original V in the 1980s, also revealed that she has received a positive reaction from fans since her return to the series was announced in August.

"It's amazing," she admitted. "I can't believe it. I don't know why that is and I'm so happy that I can create that excitement for them. I hope that they love seeing me on the television and they don't expect the same person and know I'm...different [now]."

The second season of V begins on January 4 on ABC.

Susan Sullivan at Hollywood Christmas Parade

2010-12-31T09:34:00.007+01:00

Susan Sullivan and her Castle co-star Molly Quinn joined the Hollywood Christmas Parade at Hollywood Boulevard on November 28 in Los Angeles.

Afterwards, some fans were waiting for her and she was totaly nice to them.

Merry X-Mas

2010-12-24T13:22:00.003+01:00

Wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2011!

Enjoy the holidays!
Marc

Falcon Crest vs. Golden Girls

2010-12-15T22:54:00.005+01:00

Just a little joke: Angela and Melissa with the voices of Sophia and Blanche... Sorry, I think this is only funny for German fans. I had to take the German voices... They're too funny...

Falcon Crest Theme: Chill Out Version

2010-12-12T11:05:00.003+01:00

This is a new version of the Falcon Crest Theme I've created. It's a kind of a Chill Out Version. So relax, sit back and have a good time.

This Theme is based on the Falcon Crest Theme originally composed by Bill Conti.

All images are from the first Falcon Crest episode "In his father's house".

Jane Wyman at the Golden Globes in 1984

2010-12-07T08:14:00.005+01:00

There's a great video on youtube! Jane Wyman receiving the Golden Globe Award for Falcon Crest in 1984.

"I'm such a bitch!" :-) Hilarious!

Ana-Alicia singing "Let it be"

2010-11-27T10:34:00.005+01:00

More from Ana-Alicia:
There's a great promo music video with the stars interviewed by the guys from Gylne Tider. They're all singing "Let it be". Watch for Ana at 3:05

Ana-Alicia: She's back!

2010-11-17T21:42:00.005+01:00

Yeah, so great to see Ana-Alicia returning to the public. She gave a nice interview and talks about her kids and her comeback to acting.
Let's keep fingers crossed we will see her again on screen in the near future!

Kristian Alfonso and John Callahan at Party

2010-10-27T22:14:00.008+02:00

So funny to see Eric and Pilar together: John Callahan (FC Seasons 5 - 7) and Kristian Alfonso (FC Seasons 8&9) attended the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Celebrates
45 Years of Days Of Our Lives at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre on September 28, 2010 in North Hollywood, California.

Kristian was also part of the panel discussion.

Celeste Holm as Special Guest at Arlene Dahl Gala

2010-10-27T21:53:00.005+02:00

Yesterday, Celeste Holm (93) was a special guest at the Broadway Salutes, Arts Horizons Annual Gala where Lorenzo Lamas' mother Arlene Dahl was honored (see our news dated 2010-09-22).

The gala took place in New York City.

Here are some pictures:

Cliff Robertson at Paley Center

2010-10-27T21:23:00.006+02:00

Cliff Robertson (85) attended the celebration of the historic television series 'General Electric Theater' at the Paley Center For Media on October 12, 2010 in New York City.

Here are some pictures with Piper Laurie ("Twin Peaks"):

Chao-Li Chi passed away

2010-10-25T22:34:00.007+02:00

Again, very sad news: Chao-Li Chi passed away on October 16, 2010.

The 83 year old actor was born in Shansi Province, China. His family arrived in New York City in 1939 as a result of the Japanese invasion of China.
Chao-Li received his B.A. from St. John's College, his first Masters degree from New York University, and his second Masters from The New School for Social Research. He passed on his learning throughout his life, both informally at his home and formally, teaching university extension courses in philosophy, the Tao te Ching, and the I Ching. He moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and established the Taoist Sanctuary. He is credited with being one of the first people to introduce Taoism to America. He practiced what he taught, and lived by the Daoist philosophy of modest behavior, humbleness in your heart, and an honorable career for the purpose of service, guidance and encouragement to others.
Chao-Li's performance career began with the East and West Association, under the direction of Pearl S. Buck. He was a featured performer in Maya Deren's 1948 avant-garde short film, Meditation on Violence. He was a regular member of Mara and her dance troupe, and it was while on an engagement in 1967 with Mara that he went to Dayton, OH, and subsequently became the Dance Director of the Living Arts Program and developed its' Dance Department. He was a practitioner of modern dance, Judo, Ai Ki Do, Tai Chi, Ballet, and fencing. His Broadway credits include the original Rogers and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song", travelling through 48 states with their National Tour.

As an actor, Chao-Li is perhaps best known for his role as "Chao Li" in the television show Falcon Crest (1981-1990), becoming one of the first native Chinese actors to break into Hollywood. He has appeared in over 51 movies or television programs, including Big Trouble in Little China, M*A*S*H*, The Joy Luck Club, The Nutty Professor, and, most recently, The Prestige, Wedding Crashers, and Pushing Daisies.
Every Saturday morning for almost 30 years he taught Tai Chi in the beautiful courtyard of the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, continuing his tradition of teaching Tai Chi that began back in New York in 1948. His students, many of whom studied with him for years, also learned Qi Gung and the Tao te Ching under his tutelage. He also taught Tai Chi at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute (LA) and Cal State LA.

He is survived by his widow, daughter, and step-son.

Chao-Li was a wonderful person, full of spirit and happiness. We will miss him very much.

There is a website where you can leave your condolences.
Thank you for everything, Chao-Li.

Kim Novak diagnosed with Breast Cancer

2010-10-21T22:37:00.002+02:00

Actress Kim Novak is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Novak's manager says the 77-year-old "Vertigo" actress will receive "minimal" treatment, as the cancer was caught early by a routine mammogram and that she is in "fantastic physical shape."

Manager Sue Cameron says Novak works out with a trainer three times a week and rides horses daily.

Cameron says Novak is expected to "be just fine."