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Niagara Frontier Publications, January 22, 2010
Pictured from “Psych” are John Cena and James Roday (USA Network photo by Alan Zenuk)
“Psych” creator and executive producer Steve Franks has mastered pop culture, brilliantly re-imagined cult ’80s lines, and marvelously merged action, comedy and romance into his hit USA Network series. So, to up the ante for the second half of season four, he’s set his sights on something much larger, stronger and even more theatrical: professional wrestling.
“We’re starting off doing a military episode, and we’ve landed our dream guest star: That’s John Cena from (World Wrestling Entertainment). We’ve been trying to do that since season one. We actually had a wrestling idea. We’re really excited,” he tells “BTS.”
In the mid-season premiere, titled “You Can’t Handle This Episode,” Santa Barbara Police Department psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) takes on the army when he discovers a private’s suicide was murder. In the process, he tangles with a military mercenary – the WWE’s Cena.
The episode airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, on USA.
A professional wrestler, part-time actor, and Gold Album-producing recording artist, Cena was, well, psyched about his guest-starring role.
“Just because of the relationship with (USA), I’ve seen bits and pieces (of ‘Psych’). I’ve never been involved and dedicated for the seasons and everything, but really kind of saw that it was my sense of humor. And definitely when I got on set I knew I would fit right in,” Cena tells “BTS.” “The show’s very well written and it’s very … those guys certainly (distinguish) themselves … with their personality. I love how it’s put together.
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Ricky Gervais hosts the Golden Globes.
(photo by Todd Antony) |
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Niagara Frontier Publications, January 12, 2010
If you’ve seen NBC’s promos for the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony, you know host Ricky Gervais isn’t too worried about whether he’ll succeed or fail as master of ceremonies. The funny man behind both The BBC and NBC versions of “The Office,” Gervais likes to joke about what could happen when he’s given the mic.
“You know, I don’t do well with anything that’s even close to hard work,” he tells “Behind the Screens.” “So it could go one of two ways, well go one of three ways. I could go up there and be pleasant, and do a wonderful job, and be professional about it.
“I could go up there, aim to do that, but then get a little bit annoyed and start berating everyone – including myself for ever thinking I could do this. That’s the other way.
“Or three, I decide to start drinking early. And then I’ll have a good time at least. |
“So, I sort of hope it’s just the first one. I hope I go out there and do a pretty good job. I mean, this doesn’t affect me either way. If I’m being honest, I’ve never done anything to further my career or up my profile or as a stepping-stone to something else. I’ll probably never do this again.
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Artpark shakes things up
Niagara Frontier Publications, January 7, 2010
Artpark will get “All Shook Up” this summer. (photo by RR Best)
With a reputation as a place that really knows how to rock, Artpark has announced a 2010 Broadway musical show that’s sure to bring the house down. The Lewiston venue will present the regional premiere of “All Shook Up,” a romantic comedy inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, in the Mainstage Theater Aug. 12- 22.
“This is the year of Elvis, as the nation celebrates and/or mourns what would have been his 75th birthday,” Artpark and Co. President George Osborne said. “I thought it was timely that the show became available for us and, when I listened to the score I was really taken by the craft arrangements of these Elvis ‘hits.’ The music is actually better in many cases than the original. We are excited to be able to present the first professional performances of this show in the Greater Buffalo market.”
Based on the book by Joe DiPietro, “All Shook Up” is a rom-com jukebox musical with the songs that made Elvis famous and an amusing, tangled-tale of mismatched lovers inspired by Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”
“All Shook Up” incorporates 24 Elvis classics, ranging from sweet ballads like “Love Me Tender” to the rollicking “Devil in Disguise.” Other hit songs include “Jailhouse Rock,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
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 Niagara Frontier Publications, January 5, 2010
Normally, when the prime time television season is coming to a close in late spring, fans and critics rally around a few shows on the brink of cancellation. But in 2009, it seemed as if every online blog and column (not to mention fast-food chain Subway) joined together to back one show: NBC’s action comedy “Chuck.”
With fewer programming hours available due to “The Jay Leno Show” taking over the 10 p.m. timeslot each weeknight, it was uncertain if “Chuck” would make the final cut. At a little past the eleventh hour, the Peacock Network executives ordered a third season of the show, which averaged about 7.5 million viewers each Monday in its sophomore run.
“We love the show. We were really proud of the show last year. We were hoping, you know, against hope, that the show would come back. We knew we were on the bubble,” “Chuck” co-creator and executive producer Josh Schwartz says. “We knew, I mean, look, the show has had some incredible challenges outside of itself. Just, you know, the writer’s strike in season one; five hours going away to ‘The Jay Leno Show.’ I mean, there have been some really unique obstacles that keep getting thrown our way, and yet here we are, which is exciting.
“But, you know, I think for all of us it was pins and needles and mixed with incredible pride in the sense that, like, well we’ve put our best foot out there. I mean, we left it … all out on the floor.
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Not a fan of cold weather or large crowds?
Watch New Year’s Eve parties from home!
Carson Daly, ‘American Idol’ stars ring in 2010
by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 22, 2009
Carson Daly is pictured interviewing Mary J. Blige in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
(NBC photo by Debra Rothenberg)
Everybody wants to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve – but not necessarily while standing outside.
For those who’d rather watch the revelers in New York’s Times Square or on the Las Vegas strip from the warmth and comfort of their own home, television has you covered.
At 10 p.m., NBC’s “New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly” kicks off live from New York City. Known for its lineup of mega music stars, this year’s special features performances by Green Day, Rihanna and Jay-Z.
“I feel like every year we step up our musical performances and we’re always thrilled. And this year, I mean, we like, literally, have hit the jackpot,” Executive Producer David Friedman says. “We have Green Day performing, which, you know, obviously there’s tons of buzz about Green Day, what they’ve been able to do in their long career and then their most recent album. So we have Green Day. And we just are about to add Rihanna … and we’re really excited about, you know, as far as I’m concerned, one of the hottest artists, like right now current.”
Rihanna will team with Jay-Z to perform “Umbrella” and “Run This Town.”
In addition, Friedman says his show will include a performance from the Broadway musical “Hair” and an array of special guest appearances.
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Rapids Theatre opens in downtown Niagara Falls
by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Frontier Publications, December 5, 2009
 If there is a recipe for failure, the Dome Theater had it.
That’s according to John Hutchins and Carl Labate, the owner and general manager/booker of the Rapids Theatre, the new multi-purpose entertainment venue situated in the former Dome, Dome II et al. building at 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls.
The former occupant brought in the wrong types of bands, which brought in the wrong types of crowds. Coupled with a fractured façade and an unsafe neighborhood (or at least the perception thereof), the new management team said it’s no wonder the business failed.
“They specialized in a certain type of concert, which, most of those concerts were starting at midnight or 1 in the morning. It did a lot of damage to the building,” Hutchins said at a news conference on Thursday.
However, after two years of work, the new product is “so far away from the Dome, I can’t even tell you,” Labate said.
“We’ve been working on this the last couple of years,” Hutchins said. “When we took ownership of the building, it was in real rough shape, and we spent a lot of money redoing it.
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Mayhem, merriment ... and maybe a message with NU’s ‘She Stoops to Conquer’
Review by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Frontier Publications, December 5, 2009
 Finally.
After years, nay millennia, of trying to explain to women that we, as men, are dumb, we now have moving pictures to do the job for us.
Thank you, “She Stoops to Conquer.”
Niagara University’s latest, perhaps funniest, theatrical presentation revolves around Young Marlow, a man who very much resembles the modern man (or at least this modern man). With his friends, he is self-assured. Some would even say he’s cool. And, it follows, that he’s every bit the ladies man.
That is until he meets someone he fancies.
Then it’s all sweating, rambling and praying for a re-do.
Sound familiar, guys?
Eighteenth century Anglo-Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer,” as directed by 21st century NU director Doug Zschiegner, would be a painstaking look into the male psyche were it not so darn funny.
If laughter is the best medicine or a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down (pick your cliché), then, likewise, the hilarious interaction between Marlow (Eric M. Walsh) and his could-be love, Kate (Jessica Bill), and her father, Mr. Hardcastle (Will Hicks), makes our two-hour journey of self-discovery much more palatable.
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