“White Collar,” “Royal Pains” return this week
Matt Bomer of "White Collar" - USA Network Photo
♦♦♦♦ “White Collar,” which features Matt Bomer as Neal Caffrey, a con artist who teams up with FBI agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay), to catch other elusive criminals in exchange for his freedom, is back at 9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 on the USA Network.
A summary provided by USA on the return of “White Collar” is as follows:
FBI agent Peter Burke’s (DeKay) world crumbled to pieces in the summer finale of “White Collar” when he found out Neal Caffrey (Bomer) was in possession of the stolen Nazi treasure — and his wife Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) was kidnapped because of it. Now with an uncertain future and both his personal and professional life at stake, questions abound: what will Peter do? What has happened to Elizabeth? And will Neal choose a side? Season three of “White Collar” promises to return with six edge-of-your seat episodes starting in Winter 2012.
The upcoming episodes feature the directorial debut of series star DeKay and appearances of such guest stars as Joe Manganiello, Dylan Baker, Beau Bridges, Tom Skerritt, Hal Ozsan, Ross McCall, Diahann Carroll, Elizabeth Gillies, Graham Phillips, Lola Glaudini, Will Chase, Murphy Guyer, Tom Degnan, Bailey Chase and Debra Monk.
“White Collar” was created and is executive-produced by Jeff Eastin and comes from Fox Television Studios. Mark Goffman is an executive producer and Jeff F. King is a co-executive producer. The series, which averaged 5.7 million total viewers this summer, has already been greenlit for a fourth season to start production in New York in early 2012.
♦♦♦♦ “Royal Pains,” stars Mark Feuerstein as Hank Lawson, a doctor who was blacklisted from the medical community and has revived his career as a concierge doctor to the rich and famous in the Hamptons, returns at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18 on USA.
Dr. Lawson and physician’s assistant Divya Katdare (Reshma Shetty) tend to patients for the HankMed practice, which is financially run by Hank’s brother Evan (Paulo Costanzo), and the trio have found their niche serving the elite as well as the town’s less fortunate.
Hamptons Heritage hospital administrator Jill Casey (Jill Flint) also gets involved with the treatment of patients when necessary – and engages in an on again/off again relationship with Dr. Lawson.
Recurring stars are Campbell Scott as Boris, Brooke D’Orsay as Paige, Kyle Howard as Dr. Van Dyke, Joanna Garcia Swisher as Dr. Nina Greene and Tom Cavanaugh as Jack O’Malley.
A summary provided by USA on the return of “Royal Pains” is as follows:
When viewers last saw Dr. Lawson, he was attending to an unconscious Eric Kassabian (guest star Wilmer Valderrama) after he was apparently given the wrong type of medicine by Dr. Van Dyke (Howard) and Divya (Shetty). Things get tense in the summer escape of the Hamptons as Divya tries to juggle two jobs, Evan (Costanzo) tries to fit into his fiancée’s complicated family life and Jill (Flint) continues to hide Divya’s work secret. And most importantly, will “HankMed” lose its first patient as Kassabian’s life hangs in the balance?
Cavanagh returns in a multi-episode arc as Jack, a professional golfer and HankMed client. Jack’s sudden return to the Hamptons surprises everyone — especially Jill, who continues to find herself drawn to him. As Hank grows his friendship with the now healthy Jack, he will soon find himself facing a whole new set of challenges as his medical caregiver. Although Jack’s previous condition has healed, he will soon discover a new medical obstacle tougher than any golf course on the tour.
“Royal Pains” is executive-produced by Andrew Lenchewski and Michael Rauch, as well as Rich Frank, Paul Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz from Prospect Park. The series is filmed entirely in New York (Long Island and Brooklyn) and at various locations in and around the Hamptons, and has been renewed for a fourth season, which will begin production in the spring.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
From left, Jill Flint, Paulo Costanzo, Mark Feuerstein and Reshma Shetty of "Royal Pains" - USA Network Photo
“Covert Affairs”: Second season finale significant
Christopher Gorham and Piper Perabo of "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
The second season finale of “Covert Affairs,” which airs at 9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6 on the USA Network, is quite a momentous episode.
Annie (Piper Perabo) takes a well-deserved vacation to Stockholm, and at the last minute her sister Danielle (Anne Dudek) joins her.
Also at the last minute, Annie is asked to courier a package to a gala for the CIA, but what should have been a standard exchange ends up turning into a much more complicated assignment after Danielle is mistaken for Annie at the fete.
Annie seeks assistance from Auggie (Christopher Gorham), who is going through some personal decision-making issues as he helps her from their CIA home base.
Meanwhile, Jai (Sendhil Ramamurthy) makes a critical move in his new job and Joan (Kari Matchett) has a talk with Arthur’s (Peter Gallagher) ex-wife (Rena Sofer).
Bottom line: Annie and Danielle’s reliance on each other is put to the ultimate test and in a very stirring ending, Annie faces uncertainty in her future relationship with Auggie.
Can’t wait for next season!
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Actor Christopher Gorham discusses “Covert Affairs,” his role on the show, and more
Christopher Gorham of "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
(A version of this story was published in the Life section of The Oklahoman Nov. 14, 2011.)
Portraying a disabled veteran on the USA Network spy drama “Covert Affairs” is not only interesting and challenging for actor Christopher
Gorham, it’s an honor.
California native Gorham, 37, who has appeared in television shows such as “Popular,” “Ugly Betty” and “Harper’s Island,” plays Auggie Anderson, a former CIA special operative who was blinded during a mission and is now heading up the tech ops department with the Domestic Protection Division on “Covert Affairs.”
The series, which also stars Piper Perabo as CIA spy Annie Walker, airs at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on USA.
Gorham discussed “Covert Affairs,” a new romance for his character and more during a recent phone interview while he had some time off in Los
Angeles after the show wrapped production for its second season.
Q: What do you like most about playing Auggie and/or working on “Covert
Affairs”?
A: I think Auggie’s such an interesting, complicated, challenging
character to play, which are all things that you hope for when you do
what I do. It’s not always the case. You’re often asked to just kind of
play a carbon copy of yourself.
The nice thing about it, too, is playing a disabled veteran as a leading
man on a major television show on a major network is such an honor, and
a real opportunity to honor the sacrifices that are very real –
veterans are making every day, and the sacrifices that they make in
their lives, and honor the way in which they come home and stand up and
move forward, and their families that stand with them. It’s just an
extraordinary opportunity and I don’t take it lightly.
Q: Has playing a blind character affected your perspective in real life
in any way?
A: Oh, sure. I notice little things, like little things that help with
accessibility on the street. When we were shooting abroad, I couldn’t
help but notice in each country how they would modify their street
corners to make them more accessible to the disabled — you know, as
putting in like tactile pads down or tactile tiles, and so you can feel
when you’re on the corner, and the different beeping sounds that they
have in each country at the crosswalks. You know, those little things
that you don’t really pay attention to as a sighted person, but when
you’re in it like I am, thinking about it all the time, you notice
little details, and it’s kind of interesting.
Q: As this fall season of “Covert Affairs” has begun, Auggie has met the
younger sister of one of his fallen comrades from Iraq and they’ve begun
a relationship. What kind of future does Auggie have with Parker (Devin
Kelley)?
A: The unfortunate part, aside from the potential complications of
having such a tragic thing in common (her brother’s death), is that
she’s signed up to go into the Peace Corps and is gonna be leaving
within a few months
So we’re gonna see this kind of like concentrated relationship … it’s
a nice relationship. We get to see a bit of a different side of Auggie.
We get to see kind of a more vulnerable side, and see just exactly how
caring he can be as a boyfriend, and kind of see him in a very private
moment.
There’s a couple of very private moments between the two of them that I
think are nice reveals of his character and the type of man that he is.
And then, you know, of course, that relationship ends up affecting his
relationship between Annie and Auggie, and I think in a very unexpected,
interesting way as we head towards the finale of this fall season.
Q: Would you like to see Annie and Auggie’s friendship blossom into
romance at some point?
A: Well, I think, yeah, I mean, honestly, I think those two characters
would be great together. I think when the time is right. Right now,
they’re both dealing with their own stories and their own relationships
and learning life lessons that they need to learn, but I think those are
two stars that should be crossed at some point.
Q: They’re good together — the slow build that seems to be going on
with them is nice.
A: It’s a lot of fun, and it’s fun to play. And, it’s something that we
all respect, and the writers respect ,and it’s not something that we’re
just gonna spoil for no reason.
Q: Do you have any Oklahoma connections?
A: Yeah, actually my grandparents on my dad’s side are from Oklahoma.
They came out during the Dust Bowl when they were kids, I guess. I’ve
actually never been there, but, yeah, my family roots from the states
come from Oklahoma and Kansas.
Q: What do you like to do besides acting?
A: Tons of stuff. I love being active, I love playing with my kids, and
just being with my family right now. It’s funny, because I think people
generally take it for granted, but because I have to travel so much for
so much of the year, I really, really cherish the time when I get home
with my wife and my kids. You know, just the little things, just going
out to dinner, taking the kids to the beach, just taking my wife out on
a date. I love reading books. I love taking pictures.
I was able to go along on our recent European shooting tour for “Covert
Affairs.” We just got back from a trip we shot in Venice, Berlin and
Stockholm, and I wasn’t in any of those scenes. The network actually
hired me to go along and document the whole thing. They’re creating this
website that’ll have 20 to 30 of my stills, I think it’s about 30 of my
stills from each city, and a behind-the-scenes video for each city …
and it’ll include the stills and video that I took when I was in
Istanbul, as well.
It’s some really cool stuff and it’s nice too, ’cause it give the fans
kind of a way for them to come along with us and kind of see things
through our eyes. With my pictures, I really try and capture not just
what the place looks like, but kind of the feel of it and what it feels
like on set and see more of the real personalities of the cast and our
crew that you don’t really get to see on the show.
Q: How was working on “Harper’s Island” and playing a serial killer?
A: It was a blast. I didn’t know that I was playing the killer until we
were eight episodes in. That’s when they told me, and that was one
sleepless night. It was so challenging, and it made me so nervous,
because if you get to those last two episodes and you don’t buy the
turn, then the whole show falls apart. I felt a lot of pressure to get
that right and to make him believably crazy and broken, and you could
believe that he’s so broken that he could pull this off and go through
with it, but also keep the humanity of the character that you’ve seen in
the previous episodes so that you also felt badly for him. And, I think
we pulled it off.
There’s no crazy reveal like that with Auggie — I’ll just throw that
out there. Auggie is not a serial killer. (Laughs) I don’t think I’m
spoiling anything by revealing that.
To view the photos and videos Christopher Gorham discussed taking in this Q&A, go to www.usanetwork.com/series/covertaffairs/features/onlocation/index.html or visit the “Covert Affairs” main site at www.usanetwork.com/series/covertaffairs/.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham of "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
Christopher Gorham of "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
“Burn Notice” back Thursday
From left, Sharon Gless, Bruce Campbell, Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar of "Burn Notice" - USA Network Photo
“Burn Notice” returns for the fall launch of its fifth season at 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 on the USA Network.
In the first episode of this installment of the series titled “Damned If You Do…” Michael and Fi head to Puerto Rico to abduct a financial hacker whose software they need for Anson, while Sam and Jesse train Madeline to retrieve sensitive information from the police, according to a news release.
Jeffrey Donovan stars in “Burn Notice” as Michael Westen, a spy who has been blacklisted and banished to Miami.
Westen continues to work alongside his former agency as he looks for answers, with assistance from his on-again girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), retired Navy Seal Sam (Bruce Campbell) and counterintelligence expert Jesse Porter (Coby Bell).
Emmy Award-winner Sharon Gless returns as Westen’s mother Madeline, with guest stars making upcoming appearances that include Lauren Stamile, Jere Burns, Indigo, Andre Holland, Ian Anthony Dale, Carlo Gallo and Ptolemy Slocum.
The series, created, written and executive produced by Matt Nix (“The Good Guys,” “Chasing Vermeer”), is also executive produced by Mikkel Bondesen (“Catch That Kid”) and Alfredo Barrios Jr. (“Justice”).
“Burn Notice” comes from Fox Television Studios and Fuse Entertainment.
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Covert Affairs” returns Nov. 1
Santiago Cabrera and Piper Perabo in "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
“Covert Affairs” is back at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 on the USA Network for the premiere of the second half of its sophomore season.
In the episode titled, “The Wake-Up Bomb,” CIA operative Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) has no active operations on her schedule and is trying to make her new place feel like home after moving out of her sister’s guesthouse.
She’s not without an assignment for long, though, after she meets a chef with ties to the Basque separatist movement.
Jai Wilcox (Sendhil Ramamurthy) also has a change in his job position with the CIA.
In addition, Annie and her sister Danielle (Anne Dudek) seem to be trying to repair their relationship after Annie told Danielle the truth about being a spy at the end of the first half of this season.
The highlight of this episode is the performance of guest star Santiago Cabrera (“Heroes”) as the seductively sweet chef – he’s a character that would definitely be nice to see again!
Christopher Gorham, Kari Matchett and Peter Gallagher also star in “Covert Affairs.”
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
“Psych” returns for sixth season Wednesday
From left, James Roday and Dulé Hill in a scene from "Psych's" "The Episode Sucks" show. - USA Network Photo
“Psych,” starring James Roday and Dulé Hill will be back for its sixth season at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 on USA Network.
“Psych,” currently USA’s longest running series on the air, is set to feature vampires, superheroes, hippie communes and mental institutions in its sixth season, according to a news release,
Roday co-wrote and directed the vampire episode.
“Psych” follows the adventures of Santa Barbara police consultant, Shawn Spencer (Roday), who solves crimes with powers of observation so sharp that he attempts to persuade the precinct detectives to believe that he’s psychic.
Plot lines this season include Shawn making some grown up moves in his relationship with Juliet while his best friend and partner Gus (Hill) deals with being a third wheel, and whether or not Shawn is a “real” psychic is questioned.
Corbin Bernsen, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson and Kirsten Nelson also star in the series.
William Shatner, Danny Glover, Wade Boggs, Kristy Swanson, Corey Feldman, John Rhys Davis, Joey McIntyre, Malcolm McDowell, Jason Priestley and Molly Ringwald are among the guest stars appearing this season.
USA Network to host “Psych” Fan Appreciation Day
From left, James Roday and Dulé Hill of "Psych" - USA Network Photo
USA Network is hosting a Fan Appreciation Day to thank “Psych’s” most loyal fans by offering 500 devotees a pair of tickets to the New York City screening of the sixth season premiere on Oct. 6.
Q&A sessions before and after the screening will be attended by all cast members – James Roday, Dulé Hill, Corbin Bernsen, Timothy Omunson, Maggie Lawson, Kirsten Nelson – as well as series creator Steve Franks, according to a news release.
Beginning today, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m., fans can visit psych.usanetwork.com to sign up for a chance to win a pair of free tickets to the event at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
“Psych” aficionados who are unable to attend the Fan Appreciation Day can watch online as USA will stream live coverage of the event, including green carpet interviews and an exclusive cast Q&A.
“Psych” follows the adventures of a young police consultant who solves crimes with powers of observation so sharp that he attempts to persuade the precinct detectives to believe that he’s psychic.
The sixth season of the show premieres at 9 p.m. Oct. 12 on USA.
“The Space Between” delivers powerful story, performances
Anthony Keyvan and Melissa Leo star in "The Space Between" - USA Network Photo
USA Network is presenting the film “The Space Between” at 8 p.m. Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as part of its Characters Unite public service campaign to combat intolerance and discrimination.
And this movie certainly embodies the message of this campaign and tackles the difficult topic of the 9/11 attacks gracefully.
Academy Award winner and former Tulsa resident Melissa Leo plays lonely flight attendant Montine McLeod who has found herself responsible for a 10-year-old Pakistani-American boy, Omar Hassan (Anthony Keyvan), during a trip to Los Angeles.
When the plane is grounded in Longview, Texas on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Montine finds out Omar’s father (Phillip Rhys) works in the World Trade Center and she decides to drive him back home herself to his uncertain future in New York City.
Their journey together is rewarding for both of them as Montine has suffered loss in her past that she is still struggling to deal with as well as issues with her brother, mother and niece.
And Omar probably couldn’t have ended up with another person with more understanding of his situation than Montine.
Leo gives a very strong performance as Montine, a vulnerable character displaying a tough facade.
Keyvan is touching as Omar, showing wisdom and maturity while still coming across as a 10-year-old.
Overall, “The Space Between” produced, written and directed by Travis Fine (“The Others”), is a compelling and moving film that manages to sidestep being maudlin.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
“The Space Between”: Film starring Melissa Leo set to air Sept. 11 on USA Network
Melissa Leo - AP Photo
The USA Network will be commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks with the world television premiere of the film “The Space Between,” starring Academy Award-winning actress and former Tulsa resident Melissa Leo.
The movie is part of the network’s “Characters Unite” public service campaign to combat intolerance and discrimination, according to a news release.
The Academy Award-winning documentary short “Twin Towers,” produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Dick Wolf and Peter Jankowski of the “Law & Order” franchise will air immediately following “The Space Between.”
Both of these special “Characters Unite” films will be broadcast commercial free beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 on USA.
“The Space Between” from Inception Media Group, was produced, written and directed by Travis Fine (“The Others”).
The movie, which made its debut at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, centers on a lonely flight attendant, Montine McLeod (Leo), who befriends a 10-year-old Pakistani-American boy, Omar Hassan (Anthony Keyvan), on a plane grounded in Longview, Texas, on the morning of 9/11/01.
Montine commits to driving Omar back home after she learns that his father (Phillip Rhys) works in the World Trade Center in New York City.
As they make their journey across America’s heartland in the hours and days right after the terrorist attacks, the pair help each other discover the importance of tolerance, redemption, acceptance and hope.
Charactersunite.com has been created by USA to provide viewers with information and resources on the key issues covered in the film, including prejudice, religious intolerance and bullying.
For educators, a study guide also will be available to download and use in classrooms across the country.
In addition, USA will invite viewers to share their hopes for uniting America and to discuss the key issues in a special Character Chatter at chatter.usanetwork.com.
“Covert Affairs”: Christopher Gorham shines in “Half a World Away” episode Tuesday
Christopher Gorham, left, in "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
Fans of the “Covert Affairs” character Auggie Anderson, played by Christopher Gorham, are in for a treat as Tuesday’s episode of the USA Network spy drama centers on him.
While on vacation to attend the Istanbul Jazz Festival, Auggie hears the voice of the man who blinded him when he was on a mission as a CIA special operative.
Auggie enlists the assistance of a flight attendant he has met, played by former “Lost” regular Rebecca Mader, as well as Annie (Piper Perabo), to track him down.
Annie learns more about Auggie’s past in this intense episode and viewers will also see a flashback of his fateful mission.
Gorham’s performance is excellent in this well-deserved main story line as he gets to display more of the varied aspects of this role, especially as Auggie seems to learn something about himself by the end of the show.
It’s enjoyable to see Auggie and Annie’s relationship becoming more potent as well.
“Covert Affairs” airs at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on USA.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Christopher Gorham and Rebecca Mader in "Covert Affairs" - USA Network Photo
