Bob Andelman Interviews

This week on “Hell’s Kitchen”: Tensions run high as the remaining chefs join forces to form one team. During the individual challenge, each chef must use fourteen simple ingredients to create a phenomenal dish to impress Chef Ramsay. The winner receives the best reward seen in “Hell’s Kitchen” thus far, while the losers endure a painful physical punishment. In order to personally outshine the other competitors, chefs must work well as teammates during the heated dinner service that sends one chef to the medic. “Hell’s Kitchen” airs Thursdays at 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. Giovanni, the tenth eliminated chef from the show, is my guest on this episode of Mr. Media! Catch up on Mr. Media’s earlier interviews with eliminated chefs: Lacey LA J Charlie Colleen

Cristine Rose brings her knowledge of NBC’s ‘Heroes’ to Mr. Media’s rescue! Cristine Rose stars in NBC's ensemble drama series "Heroes" as the mysterious, calculating NY matriarch Angela Petrelli, who is willing to sacrifice anything, including her gifted sons Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) and Peter (Milo Ventimiglia), to change the world. She and her late husband were part of a core group of special individuals associated with The Company. "Heroes" follows the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. Rose has performed on stage, in film, and on television. Series roles include Mrs. Bueller in NBC's "Ferris Bueller" and Mrs. Barash in "Flying Blind." Recurring roles include Lydia Brock on "Picket Fences," Cynthia Blake on "Providence,” and Bitsy Hannigan on "Friends." Recently, she has been featured on "How I Met Your Mother" and "Big Love."

Charles Grodin has been called “a first-rate storyteller” by the New York Times and “a natural born raconteur” by Newsweek, and his new book will not disappoint. HOW I GOT TO BE WHOEVER IT IS I AM features behind-the-scenes tales of the many actors, directors, writers, producers, journalists, and politicians with whom Grodin has worked, including Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Johnny Carson, Orson Welles, and other colorful characters. There are hilarious and poignant anecdotes from his childhood in Pittsburgh, college adventures, romances, memorable moments in his entertainment career, his experiences as a CBS News commentator and his advocacy work on behalf of prisoners and the homeless. At turns funny, poignant, opinionated and always memorable, HOW I GOT TO BE WHOEVER IT IS I AM is a compelling look inside the mind of an always one-of-a-kind writer, activist, philanthropist and performer. Charles Grodin is best known for his starring roles in The Heartbreak Kid, Midnight Run, and the Beethoven movies, among dozens of others. He has written six books, including the bestseller It Would Be So Nice If You Weren’t Here. To read Grodin’s first interview with Mr. Media, go here! All of Charles Grodin’s proceeds from this book will go to Mentoring, USA.

M.D. Sweeney founded what would become the ACME Comedy Theatre in 1989. In 2004, ACME Comedy Theatre came under the direction of Travis Oates, a long-time ACME Main Company Member and the director of the ACME School for the previous two years. In 2007 he was joined by improv and sketch company member Dan Kane to oversee the operations and technology enhancements that continue to set ACME apart from any other theatre of its size. There are six main-stage companies: On the improv side, the ZEBRA COMPANY delights with their antics on Friday nights at 9:00 pm, with the YANKEE COMPANY following them at 10 and X-RAY COMPANY at 11 pm. All specialize in long-form narrative improv. On the sketch side, ACME Company performs a brand-new sketch show every week featuring a different celebrity guest star on Saturday nights at 8 pm. BRAVO Company brings a new sketch show every Friday at 8 pm, and junior company CHARLIE offers new material every month at 10 pm on Saturdays. The ACME COMEDY SCHOOL offers a very popular course in Stand-up Comedy. ACME Players have won nine Emmys, two Peabody awards and an ANNIE. In 1997, RITA WILSON & TOM HANKS discovered NIA VARDALOS performing her one-woman show MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING for a delighted ACME audience, and the rest is cinematic history. ACME shows have featured the talents of Wayne Brady, Adam Carolla, Bryan Cranston, Kel Mitchell, Sean Hayes, Ryan Stiles, Charlene Tilton, Fred Willard, Wil Wheaton, and many more. Visit Acme Comedy Theatre’s web site!

A multi-faceted woman, Cristina Perez is a successful lawyer, Emmy Award winning television personality, radio host, entrepreneur/business owner, national author and columnist, and devoted mother and wife. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Cristina was born in New York. Growing up, she lived in many areas ranging from one of the poorest neighborhoods of New York City, to the big city of Guadalajara, Mexico, to the border town of San Ysidro, California to Hartford, Connecticut, and then back to California, which she has now called home for more than 20 years. As a young girl, Cristina was exposed to all walks of life and cultures. She watched her parents struggle with racism, finances, and adapting to the U.S. culture with a foreign language. Cristina learned to speak English around the age of 10 and mastered both languages. She credits her family’s guidance and desire to remain close to their heritage and culture for her personal and professional achievements. In 2006, Cristina made her English-language television debut on Twentieth Television’s first-run syndicated and 2008 Emmy Award winning court show “Cristina’s Court” (Outstanding Legal/Court Show). “Cristina's Court” won the first ever Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Legal/Court Show. Cristina is also known as the enormously popular host of the Spanish language television program “La Corte de Familia” (Family Court) which aired nationally and internationally in fifteen countries on the Telemundo Television Network/NBC (2000-2005). This week, Judge Cristina Perez takes on a new court of public opinion: she's the guest host of Acme Comedy Theatre in Los Angeles on April 11, 2008 at 8 p.m.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER is a poignant story centering on the discovery of truth and a journey of restoration. It debuts on DVD April 21. Obie Award-winning actor Will Patton (A Mighty Heart, Remember the Titans) stars as Eli Cottonmouth, a stranger who captures the attention of two boys and leads them on a journey that soon begins to uncover the secrets of a quiet southern town. As Eli recreates the true essence of the community by building a miniature model of the city, the boys are shocked to discover their town isn’t as perfect as it seems. Shot entirely in historic Edenton, North Carolina, Dog Days of Summer was produced and directed by first-time helmer, Mark Freiburger, and was based on an original screenplay by Travis Beacham and Christopher J. Waild, all 2005 graduates of the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Starts @ 2:17 p.m.!Harold Perrineau is starring in the new ABC TV series “The Unusuals,” but he is perhaps best known as Michael Dawson in ABC’s hit series “Lost,” Perrineau is also renowned for his role as wheelchair-bound Augustus Hill on the HBO hit series “Oz.” Perrineau recently signed on to both executive-produce and star in the independent film Case 219, based on Walter Dean Myers’ novel, Shooter. In addition he filmed The Killing Jar, which he also executive-produced and starred in. Other film credits include 28 Weeks Later, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Smoke, with Harvey Keitel and William Hurt, Woman on Top, opposite Penelope Cruz, The Best Man, opposite Terrence Howard, Felon, with Val Kilmer, and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. He will next be seen in the upcoming Ball Don’t Lie, based on the Matt De La Pena novel, Your Name Here, with Bill Pullman, and Gardens of the Night, opposite John Malkovich. The Unusuals” stars Amber Tamblyn as Detective Casey Shraeger, Jeremy Renner as Detective Jason Walsh, Harold Perrineau as Detective Leo Banks, Josh Close as Detective Henry Cole, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Detective Allison Beaumont, Kai Lennox as Detective Eddie Alvarez, with Terry Kinney as Sergeant Harvey Brown and Adam Goldberg as Detective Eric Delahoy.

In The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget, Josh Dorfman takes you inside the latest developments in green living to demonstrate how you can easily and affordably have your designer jeans and your planet too. From raising eco-conscious kids to greening your daily commute, Dorfman provides insights into the next wave of green innovation and the products and services that will lighten your planetary impact and lower your expenses. Find bargain basement deals on stylish organic bedding and bamboo furnishings at the largest retailers in the world. Score instant rebates on everything from compact fluorescent light bulbs to energy-efficient air conditioners. And earn reward points for carpooling with friends. In a time when many people are feeling financially restricted, The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget is your guide to effortlessly saving the planet while keeping some extra cash in your pocket. Dorfman is also the author of The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living and host of “The Lazy Environmentalist” television series on the Sundance Channel. Dorfman is also the founder and CEO of Lazyenvironmentalist.com, a resource for consumers seeking the best green products and services, and of Vivavi, a retailer of modern, green furnishings.

Two producers from NBC's “TODAY Show,” Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo—along with the anchors and experts of America's number-one morning program—share their advice and anecdotes about baby's first year in... TODAY'S MOMS: ESSENTIALS FOR SURVIVING BABY'S FIRST YEAR. For any new mother the first year of her baby's life can be very exciting, but at the same time extremely nerve-wracking and exhausting. With all the emotions a new mother faces, it's no wonder so many aren't sure where to turn. Increasingly, they are finding the advice, comfort, and humor they need on “Today.” Today’s Moms is also chock-full of behind-the-scenes interviews with the “Today” family: * Matt Lauer on being a first-time father * Meredith Vieira on trusting your instincts * Al Roker on adopting his first daughter * Ann Curry on her husband's role * Kathie Lee Gifford on breastfeeding About the authors: Mary Ann Zoellner & Alicia Ybarbo are both Emmy award winners and producers for NBC's “Today.” For more information todaysmoms.tv or on Twitter!

Obsessed, starring Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba and Ali Larter premieres on April 24, 2009. Basically, it’s the story of a temp worker's obsession with a married professional. Joining me for a sneak preview of the film is producer Will Packer. He’ll talk about what we can expect from Obsessed and what it was like working with Beyonce on this project, her first film in which she does not sing. Watch the trailer! Visit the Obsessed website! Packer—who was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, home of Mr. Media—was named “a producer to watch” by Daily Variety magazine. He has also been acknowledged on several high profile lists including: Giant magazine's "The Giant 100"; Jet magazine's "Who's Hot To Watch in 2008"; and Black Enterprise's "Most Powerful Players Under 40." In March 2008, Packer and his business partner Rob Hardy were honored by Black Enterprise as being among the "Top 25 Money Makers in Hollywood." Other honorees included Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah, Chris Tucker and Tyler Perry.

Between MAD and Annie Fanny, Harvey Kurtzman’s biographical summaries will note that he created and edited three other magazines, Trump, Humbug, and Help!, but, whereas his MAD and Annie Fanny are readily available in reprint form, his major satirical work in the interim period is virtually unknown. Humbug, which had poor distribution, may be the least known, but to those who treasure the rare original copies, it equals or even exceeds MAD in displaying Kurtzman’s creative genius. Humbug was unique in that it was actually published by the artists who created it: Kurtzman and his cohorts from MAD Will Elder, Jack Davis, and Al Jaffee, were joined by universally acclaimed cartoonist Arnold Roth. With no publisher above them to rein them in, this little band of creators produced some of the most trenchant and engaging satire of American culture ever to appear on American newsstands. At last, the entire run of 11 issues of Humbug is being reprinted in a deluxe format, much of it reproduced from the original art. Join legendary artists Al Jaffee and Arnold Roth for this exclusive peak at Humbug!

Howard Stern has done an about-face in his feud with former underling John Melendez – or has he? While interviewing John April 6 on Mr. Media, host Bob Andelman asked John – who left Howard’s then-terrestrial radio show in 2003 to become Jay Leno’s announcer on The Tonight Show – “Is Jay taking you with him to 10 p.m.?” (Bob, whose interview was cited in the New York Post, was of course referring to Jay’s move to an earlier time slot on NBC this fall.) “I don’t know yet. I haven’t heard yet,” said John. “But I really do hope that I am.” The next morning, on Howard’s Sirius Satellite show, the King of All Media responded to Bob’s interview with John, saying: “I’m going to make an offer to John right now: If Jay doesn’t hire him back, he can stay in L.A. and ask questions, and we’ll hire him to go to some of those premieres and ask questions again. He can do that. It’s a dollar for every question.” In February 2008, John said on Adam Carolla’s since-axed radio show that Howard never paid him fairly and didn't fight to keep him when he quit. On his own show a few days later, Howard called John a “no-talent ingrate,” adding: “I didn't have a beef with him before, but I do now. He can go #$%! himself.”

"Castle" is a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who is bored with his own success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick's novels, Nick is teamed up with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett and the challenge gets his blood pumping as he steps in to help solve the crime. Nick and Beckett's styles instantly clash and sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance. Nick is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter and his long-suffering ex-wife... who happens to be his editor. "Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Capt. Montgomery. Fillion was recently a series regular on "Desperate Housewives," playing Dr. Adam Mayfair, the new neighbor on Wisteria Lane and much younger husband of Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany). On the big screen he was most recently seen in Waitress, a romantic comedy with Keri Russell. Fillion's other film credits include Slither, White Noise 2, Serenity, Saving Private Ryan, Water's Edge, Blast from the Past, Dracula 2000 and Doubting Reilly. On television, Fillion earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the daytime drama "One Life to Live." Other TV credits include the ABC movie-of-the-week "Ordeal in the Arctic," as well as roles in the series "Drive," "Two Guys and a Girl," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Pasadena" and "Miss Match."

Scott Krinsky portrays Jeff on NBC’s action-comedy series “Chuck” that chronicles the life of “a twenty-something computer geek who inadvertently downloads government secrets into his brain.” Among Krinsky’s additional television credits are appearances on “The O.C.” as Daryl, “Without a Trace,” “Mad TV” and a commercial with Lebron James for Vitamin Water. Other screen credits include the independent features Love Made Easy, ShameloveThe Dry Spell. As a stand-up comic, he performs regularly at The Comedy Store and Improv in Los Angeles as well as many of the cities alternative venues. In addition, Krinsky is a founding member of the critically acclaimed comedic theater group, The Bad Puppets, performing in the company’s wildly offbeat work. He is also a member of The SpyAnts theater company, in which he appeared in the play, “Kidnapped By Craigslist”. Krinsky is a graduate of Salisbury University in Maryland where he majored in communications and broadcast journalism and worked the trenches as a scrappy intern at CNN. A sometimes aspiring chef with a passion for cooking, he also attended The Epicurean School of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles to study breads and pastries. Krinsky is also the gust host at the Acme Comedy Theatre on Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m.

It’s the last night for fans of the long-running NBC-TV drama “ER” and joining me is one of the rising young stars of the series, Sam Jones III. Straight from the rugged streets of Roxbury, Massachusetts, Jones escaped the hard life and came to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actor. Those dreams were soon realized, as he landed guest star roles in “NYPD Blue,” “Judging Amy,” “CSI,” and “The Practice.” His star continued to shine on the big screen with his starring roles in the films Snipes, where he played opposite rapper Nelly, and in the film Zig Zag, where he played a critically acclaimed role as an autistic child, opposite Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo. Jones became a series regular on W.B.'s hit television show “Smallville,” where he played Pete Ross, Superman's best friend. After three years on “Smallville, “Jones left the show and played a militant basketball player in Jerry Bruckheimer's Glory Road. His role on “ER” developed from a paramedic—and Mekhi Phifer's younger brother—to a prominent and important role as a medical student working inside the hospital. Jones' role on “ER” included 17 episodes and many heart-wrenching moments, and powerful scenes opposite Angela Basset..