“The River”: Thriller not so thrilling
Bruce Greenwood stars in "The River" - ABC Photo
After Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), wildlife expert and host of “The Undiscovered Country” television show, goes missing in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mission to find him in the new ABC thriller “The River.”
His wife Tess (Leslie Hope) and estranged son Lincoln (Joe Anderson) lead the group into unexplored territory on the Amazon River while the journey is filmed as a documentary by Dr. Cole’s ex-producer Clark (Paul Blackthorne) in order to fund the trip.
The crew includes family friend Lena (Eloise Mumford), mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa), his daughter Jahel (Paulina Gaitan) and bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).
“The River” has an impressive pedigree: It’s from Amblin’s Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, and showrunner/executive producer Michael Green (“Heroes, “Kings”) and is also executive produced by Oren Peli (creator of “Paranormal Activity”, Zack Estrin (“Prison Break”) – who also serves as showrunner – Jason Blum (“Paranormal Activity 1, 2 and 3″) and Steven Schneider.
“The River” was created by Oren Peli and Michael R. Perry, with a teleplay by Michael Green and Michael R. Perry and story by Oren Peli and Michael R.
Perry.
Unfortunately, the pedigree isn’t enough to help this show rise above being the corny, clichéd, unscary program that it is.
Although the actors seem to be giving it their best shot, scenes in the beginning of the series involving Dr. Cole’s spirit inhabiting one of the crew members, the “disappearance” of Tess and a teddy bear that doesn’t want to stay in the position that it’s been left in are much more humorous than frightening.
If you want to give this show a try, you’ve been forewarned to at least lower your expectations.
“The River” debuts with a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, on ABC.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“A Smile as Big as the Moon”: Hallmark Hall of Fame movie blasts off Sunday
"A Smile as Big as the Moon" - Hallmark Hall of Fame Photo
John Corbett stars in the latest Hallmark Hall of Fame movie “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” playing Michigan high school football coach and special-education teacher Mike Kersjes, who helps his special-ed students attend Space Camp in 1989.
Based on a true story, the movie follows the journey of Kersjes, fellow teacher Robynn McKinney (Jessy Schram) and their students as they pave the way for special-ed participants to attend the Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
When Kersjes realizes how attending the program would greatly enhance the self-esteem of his students, he faces opposition to his plan, which includes school administrators saying it’s too expensive and Space Camp officials, led by Dr. Deborah Barnhart (Cynthia Watros), being reluctant at first to change the way things have always been done and allow the special-ed students to participate.
Then there was the $50,000 that had to be raised to allow the students to attend as well, along with almost a year’s worth of training to prepare for the camp, including swimming and learning to work as a team.
Many of the special-ed students are portrayed by young actors who are special needs children themselves, with Down syndrome, ADD, autism, dyslexia, etc.
“Mike Kersjes changed a lot of lives,” Corbett said in a news release quote from an interview at the Space Camp. “As a teacher, he made a great impact on the special-ed kids he worked with. But he also broke down barriers for countless other kids. Once his class made that first ground-breaking visit to Space Camp, the doors were thrown wide open.
“Thanks to a foundation he set up, more than 3,000 special-ed kids have been able to come here and experience the wonder and magic of space exploration.”
If you’d like to enter the Hallmark Hall of Fame Space Camp Sweepstakes, in which one lucky family can win a weekend adventure at Space Camp in Alabama, visit www.hhofsweepstakes.com.
“A Smile as Big as the Moon” airs at 8 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29 on ABC.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
James Tupper: Actor hopes to reap sweet “Revenge”
James Tupper - Photo by Jeff Berlin
(This story was published in the Life section of The Oklahoman Jan. 17, 2012.)
Although Canadian actor James Tupper’s role as wronged father David Clarke is only seen in flashbacks, his character is still a pivotal part of the ABC drama “Revenge.”
His daughter, Amanda, seeks vengeance when Clarke dies in prison after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
About the show
This is the plot of “Revenge,” which airs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays and stars Emily VanCamp as Amanda Clarke, aka Emily Thorne, a daughter exacting an elaborate plan to avenge her father’s framing for a heinous crime. When Amanda was only 9 years old, her father was arrested after being set up by Clarke’s lover, Victoria Grayson, played by Madeleine Stowe, and her husband, Conrad, played by Henry Czerny.
Tupper’s credits include roles on “Grey’s Anatomy, “Men in Trees” and “Mercy.”
The 46-year-old actor, who has a son Atlas, 2, and stepson Homer, 9, with wife, actress Anne Heche, discussed the show, which also features Tulsa native Amber Valletta, in a recent phone interview.
Q: What’s ahead on “Revenge?”
A: Emily’s past begins to catch up with her and certain people find out secrets, and then I think the whole thing is just teetering. … The whole thing is gonna just come tumbling down, like any time you live in a lie.
Q: The plot of the show is something a lot of people probably relate to even though it’s questionable, of course, whether one should actually attempt to exact revenge.
A: Aren’t we just all dying to get revenge? Everybody wants revenge on somebody. I like to joke around like, yes, we don’t recommend revenge unless there’s no other choice.
Q: What’s it like working on the series?
A: The show feels like a little family. They’ve been really excellent to me and, of course, Madeleine Stowe has been nominated for a Golden Globe award, and she is one of my main scene partners, so I feel like I’m really blessed and lucky, just lucky to be on the show. I feel like I made my comeback as an actor, and it’s as a dead man (laughs).
Q: Is there any chance that David Clarke is actually still alive?
A: Well, the dead don’t tell.
Q: How is working with Madeleine Stowe, who plays the icy Victoria Grayson?
A: Well, it’s funny that you call her icy. I don’t really have that relationship with her. When she was with me, we were in love and a lot of what we’re going for is really hot, passionate, deep, connected love.
(In person) she’s sexy and doughy and sweet. When you look at her, you float in another world kind of. I feel like I’m in a movie. She’s very sweet, obviously, kind.
Q: Amber Valletta, who grew up in Tulsa, is also a cast member on “Revenge,” and although you’re in the flashback scenes, have you gotten to work with her at all?
A: I do. We have readings each week, so we all get together, and it turned out that a very close friend of my wife’s works for her, is a partner with her, and on top of that, every week since I started the show, I’ve bumped into her somewhere.
We were in a dentist’s office, she was there. We were at a clothing store, she was there. And I just bumped into her again at a costume fitting or something, and it was like, what, this is crazy. So, yeah, we’ve established a friendship.
Q: Any other Oklahoma connections?
A: I love Oklahoma. I drove my truck across the country, and I stayed in Tulsa. I’m a country boy. I grew up in a place that was really wild and open, so when I got to Oklahoma, I felt at home there. It was a real place with some great people.
Q: How long did you stay in Tulsa?
A: Just for a few weeks.
Q: And what was the purpose of this trip?
A: I was coming up to Hollywood in the year 2000. I lived in New York as an actor, and I packed my stuff in the back and I just drove across country. It was fun.
It’s good to hit the open road like that, especially after being in a city.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
James Tupper - Photo by Jeff Berlin
“Wipeout” casting for fifth season
Producers of ABC’s reality series “Wipeout” are currently casting participants for the show’s upcoming fifth season.
Potential contestants should be fun, strong-willed, outgoing and have a great sense of humor, according to the news release.
The producers are also looking to cast models, boss/employee teams, single men and women, father/daughter teams, mother/son teams and brother/sister teams, as well as other family teams.
To apply, you can visit www.mysticartpictures.com and fill out an online profile and Wipeout Season 5 application. A photo is also requested to be included with your profile.
You may also attend an open call event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21 at MysticArt Pictures, 1918 W Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA, 91506.
You will need to have with you a copy of your driver’s license and health insurance card (if you have it).
Tips given for the open casting call, for which not being afraid to think outside the box is encouraged, include: being creative in your interview and showing your personality, such as singing a song, showing off your battle cry for the start of the course, or demonstrating your victory dance.
Early arrival for the casting call is also promoted.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ cast members, music to be featured on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Nov. 7-18
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" - Summit Entertainment Photo
“Twilight” fans be sure to watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 18 to see interviews with the stars of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli and Jackson Rathbone, as well as musical performances by recording artists featured on the movie’s soundtrack, including The Belle Brigade (“I Didn’t Mean It”) and Christina Perri (“A Thousand Years”), according to a new release.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” airs at 11 p.m. Monday-Friday on ABC.
Follow me on Twitter @MelissaHayer
“Pan Am” stewardess Halloween costume tips offered
Has ABC’s new drama series “Pan Am” inspired your Halloween costume choice this year?
If so, ABC has provided some tips and tools on how to download patterns and create the uniform (which can also be found on “Pan Am’s” page on ABC’s website at beta.abc.go.com/shows/pan-am and the “Pan Am” Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PanAmABC).
You can even submit photos of yourself in the Pan Am stewardess costume at @PanAmABC.
The information on the outfit and the look, provided by ABC, is as follows:
UNIFORM:
· Blue Suit with a Jacket and Skirt – The “Pan Am Blue” is close to a Royal Blue. Suits can be found at your local thrift store. If you’re handy, you can tailor your jacket to make it fit your ladylike figure and shorten the sleeves. Similarly, the skirt length is acceptable just to your knee.
· White Collared Shirt - Spread the collar over the lapel of the suit jacket.
· White Gloves - Gloves should reach the middle of your arm. Opera length gloves are too long. In a pinch, use shorter gloves, not longer ones.
· Nylon Hosiery - In the ‘60s, hosiery was not as sheer as today. Emphasize that you’re wearing hosiery by wearing a less-sheer style.
· Short-Heeled Black Pumps – The stewardesses of Pan Am were on their feet all day, so find a sensible, lower heel.
· Pan Am Wings Lapel Pin – A pattern is available for you to download at //cdn.media.abc.go.com/m/pdf/shows/pan-am/PA_Hat_.pdf. Simply print it out, cut it carefully and attach it to a piece of heavy paper or thin cardboard (like that of a milk carton). Then, affix a safety pin to this and wear your wing on the left side of your jacket (over your heart).
· Pan Am Stewardess Cap - A pattern to create your own paper cap is available for download at cdn.media.abc.go.com/m/pdf/shows/pan-am/PA_Hat_.pdf . There’s a pattern for the Pan Am cap pin provided as well.
· Pan Am Flight Bag - If you haven’t yet ordered your own bag, you can create your own by modifying a bowling bag or other similar large bag.
HAIR & MAKE-UP:
· Hair is worn up in the style of the 1960s above the shoulders.
· Make-up is light, “daytime” make-up. Make it authentic by wearing the official shade, “Persian Melon” by Revlon (shade 585).
“Pan Am,” which is centered on the lifetstyle of Pan Am stewardesses in the 1960s and stars Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, Michael Mosley, Karine Vanasse, Mike Vogel and Kelli Garner, airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on ABC.
- Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Whitechapel,” “American Horror Story” and “The Walking Dead” among top choices for Halloween-related viewing
From left, Phil Davis, Rupert Penry-Jones and Steve Pemberton of "Whitechapel" - BBC America Photo
My three top choices to get the Halloween goosebumps going for the Halloween television viewing season are as follows:
- BBC America delivers some pre-Halloween chills with the U.S. premiere of the series “Whitechapel” at 9 p.m. Wed., Oct. 26.
“Whitechapel” is set in modern day East London where the police are trying to solve murders that echo cases from the past, including those involving Jack the Ripper and the 1960s crime twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray.
The six part series, from the producers of “Downton Abby,” stars Rupert Penry-Jones (“MI-5,” “Persuasion), Phil Davis (“Sherlock,” “Bleak House”) and Steve Pemberton (“The League of Gentleman).
- “American Horror Story” continues its bloodcurdling run at 9 p.m. Wed. Oct. 26 on FX, with the first of two “Halloween” episodes: Part 1 features the line between the living and the dead blurring on Halloween and two of the house’s previous residents giving the Harmons decorating advice. Part 2, airing at 9 p.m. Wed., Nov. 2, involves Tate coming face-to-face with his past and Ben and Vivien being haunted by one of the house’s newest guests.
Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton and Jessica Lange star in “American Horror Story.”
- “The Walking Dead,” which has just been renewed for a third season, airs its third spine-chiling episode of its second season at 8 p.m. Sun., Oct. 30 on AMC, in which the group desperately awaits Shane’s return as he finds himself trapped in a school surrounded by zombies, while Daryl and Andrea search for someone in the woods.
Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn and Steven Yeun star in “The Walking Dead.”
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Other various Halloween-related viewing options include:
- “Ghost Adventures” airs at 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28 on the Travel Channel – Zak, Nick and Aaron have come to Letchworth to unlock “The Village of Secrets.”
- “Iris Johansen’s The Killing Game,” based on the bestselling crime novel of the same name and starring Laura Prepon (“How I Met Your Mother”), airs at 7 p.m. Sun., Oct. 30 on Lifetime Movie Network.
- “Martha Stewart’s Haunted House” re-airs at 9 a.m. Mon., Oct. 31 on the Hallmark Channel, actor Justin Long is a guest.
- “The Sing-Off” airs at 7 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31 on NBC and features an opening medley of “This Is Halloween,” “Werewolves of London” and “Ghostbusters.”
- “Watch What Happens Live” airs at 10 p.m. Mon., Oct. 31 on Bravo – live Halloween party hosted by Andy Cohen in the Bravo Clubhouse.
- The Sundance Channel is offering some movies to whet your Halloween appetite, including “Dream Home,” airing at 10:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 28, which centers on the story of a newlywed couple who wanted the American dream but end up in the middle of a nightmare. Gary and Jessica have moved into a suburban home in the rural countryside when Jessica begins to have strange, haunting visions of a mysterious woman wandering the halls and the shady locals hint at a morbid and tragic back story to the house; and “One Missed Call,” which airs at 9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 29, and is about college student Beth Raymond, whose friends have all been dying in droves and the one connecting factor between all of the incidents is that just before their deaths, each of the victims received a message in which they heard themselves being killed. Beth receives her own terrifying phone call and has only three days to solve the mystery and cheat death.
- If you’d like some humor instead of horror, ABC’s Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 25 and 26) night comedies, including “Last Man Standing” (7 p.m. Tues.), “The Middle” (7 p.m. Wed.),” “Suburgatory” (7:30 p.m. Wed.), “Modern Family” (8 p.m., Wed.) and “Happy Endings” (8:30 p.m. Wed.) have Halloween themes.
- NBC’s Thursday (Oct. 27) night comedies featuring Halloween episodes include “Community” (7 p.m) “Parks & Recreation” (7:30 p.m.) and “The Office” (8 p.m.)
- Additionally, “The Simpsons’” 22nd annual installment of “Treehouse of Horror” airs at 7 p.m., Sun., Oct. 30, on Fox.
(Information on programs provided by BBC America, FX, AMC, Sundance, ABC, NBC, Fox, Travel Channel, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Channel and Bravo.)
From left, Atticus Shaffer, Patricia Heaton, Jake Netter, Devon Laos, Andrew J. Fishman, Mason Cook and Aidan Potter of "The Middle" - ABC Photo
Oklahoma company TRC Disaster Solutions participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
TRC Disaster Solutions, which has headquarters in Tulsa and offices in Oklahoma City, is participating in the 200th episode of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in Joplin, Mo.
From Oct. 19-25 “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is rebuilding seven homes destroyed by the May 22 tornado in Joplin in a “Seven Homes in Seven Days” project that marks the 200th episode of the series.
TRC is a full-service property restoration company providing a wide range of disaster solutions from cleanup to reconstruction, and as a Disaster Kleenup International (DKI) member company, TRC has access to technicians nationwide as well a one of the largest fleets of vehicles and equipment in the country, according to a news release.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” begins airing on Fridays at 7 tonight, Oct. 21, on ABC.
“Once Upon A Time” is an enchanting escape for TV fans
Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White in "Once Upon a Time" - ABC Photo
Who knew there was so much more to fairy tales than meets the eye?
There are two series getting ready to premiere soon – ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” which debuts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, and NBC’s “Grimm,” which debuts at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28.
A “Grimm” review will be forthcoming, but here’s a look at “Once Upon a Time”:
Writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (“Lost, “Tron: Legacy”) have put together a totally absorbing series in “Once Upon a Time,” which displays how fairy tales can be broadened, and with even more imagination and creativity added to them, their characters can breathe new life.
“Once Upon a Time” blends flashbacks of familiar characters such as Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin, “Big Love”), Prince Charming (Josh Dallas, “Thor”), the Evil Queen ( Lana Parrilla, “Boomtown”), Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle, “The Full Monty”) and Jiminy Cricket (Raphael Sbarge, “The Guardian”) with the modern world in a truly unique way that makes up a completely new story:
Snow White and Prince Charming’s daughter Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison, “House M.D.”) is grown up and in the real world of today and doesn’t know who she really is because of a curse the Evil Queen has imposed
This curse has also stopped time and erased the memories of the fairy tale characters’ former lives as they exist now in the real-life town of Storybrooke, Maine.
The son Emma gave up for adoption when he was born, Henry (Jared Gilmore, “Mad Men”), shows up on her doorstep with a book of fairy tales and seems to know about the curse and everything surrounding it, and persuades her to go to Storybrooke.
There are so many elements to enjoy about “Once Upon a Time” – the inventive writing, the precise acting, the delightful costumes, the beautiful sets – I’m so intrigued to follow the trail to see where this fairy tale of a show goes now that Emma has found Storybrooke – and Henry.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen in "Once Upon a Time" - ABC Photo
Kristin Chenoweth to sing on “Dancing With the Stars”
Kristin Chenoweth - AP Photo
Emmy and Tony Award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth, who’s also a Broken Arrow native, will be appearing on “Dancing With the Stars,” airing from 7 to 9:01 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 on ABC.
Chenoweth will be participating in the Broadway theme of the night by performing a medley of “Maybe This Time” and “I Could Have Danced All Night,” according to a news release.
On “Dancing With the Stars the Results Show,” airing from 8 to 9:01 p.m. the next night, Chenoweth will sing “Lessons Learned” from her new album from Sony Records titled “Some Lessons Learned.”
