The TV Addict 

Recently, the TV Addict got a chance to sit down and talk with PRISON BREAK star Robert Wisdom.Not wishing to ruin the roller-coaster ride responsible for the show’s success, Wisdom was pretty tight-lipped on what fans can expect from his self-appointed Sona Prison Boss Lechero. Yet was kind enough to talk about the differences between acting on HBO’s critically acclaimed series THE WIRE and FOX’s action-packed PRISON BREAK.

The TV Addict: As an actor do you prefer the gritty realism of THE WIRE or the blink-and-you’ll-miss excitement of PRISON BREAK?

Robert Wisdom: I really don’t have a preference. All I can say is that I’m extremely proud to have taken part in THE WIRE story. THE WIRE is one of the great experiences in my life and something that I never expected.

PRISON BREAK is an equally great opportunity, yet completely different. The show allows for a completely different type of acting. It’s a fantasy, hype-real almost graphic novel SIN CITY kind of thing. It’s great fun, but as an actor I take a completely different approach.

While I know you’re not about to spoil what happens next. Can you give us a hint as to what’s in store for the fans as the season progresses?

In order to get a third season, the PRISON BREAK writers really had to up the ante. This season is about to get a lot more intense and high risk. It’s a really great ride, truly a modern day television roller-coaster.

But that’s about all I know. I learn things as the fans learn things. I don’t read scripts until the day before we shoot them because I don’t want a future plot points to change how I’m acting in the current episode. PRISON BREAK is far more fun when you don’t know what’s going to happen next!

By: Amrie Cunningham

All this talk of striking writers is bringing me down; who’s with me?

That’s why, this week, I thought it might be nice to talk to someone who’s making a name for himself in many of our favorite shows, Cory Monteith. Some may know him as Charlie Tanner, from “Kyle XY” (you know, Amanda’s ex, the cheating jerk?); others, like me, are loving him as Gunnar, the totally awesome drummer from the band Crossing Coldwater on my newest guilty pleasure, MTV’s “Kaya.”

For those of you who haven’t caught the show yet, or who aren’t sure what the deal behind it is, here’s a few things you need to know.

Kaya is the lead singer of the band I mentioned – Crossing Coldwater. She and her band mates Gunnar, Taylor on guitar (Justin Wilczynski), and Manny on the bass (Joe MacLeod) went platinum with their first album, which was distributed on an indie label. They’ve since signed a major record deal with one of the biggest labels in the biz.

The record label is trying to turn Kaya into Gwen Stefani when Gwen Stefani went solo and her band isn’t too happy about it. They seem to forget the fun they used to have when they were just a new band, starting out.

Kaya and Gunnar used to go out. There’s still some unresolved tension there, but Kaya tends to set her sights on other guys, like Eric Benet’s character T and other band member Taylor.

Kaya’s dad manages the band, her mother left them a little while back, and her sister died in what appears to be (though it hasn’t really been shown fully yet) a horrific car accident. Dad is kind of a jerk. I’m interested to see the inevitable Mom returns episode, and the sister keeps coming back in hallucinations to talk some sense into Kaya.

It’s a nice way to pass the half hour on a Monday night – get caught up in a rock star life that we all would love to have!

And now, a little insight into Cory’s life, including why he’s playing Gunnar, why roofing is a good fall back career, and his recent purchase that makes driving on the freeway a piece of cake.

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The TV Addict [left] with Omar Epps at the Fox Fall Launch Party 2007

Recently the TV Addict had the opportunity to chat with HOUSE stars Omar Epps and Jennifer Morrison. Here’s what they had to say about a slightly lighter workload, what fans can expect this season, and the brilliance of Hugh Laurie.

The TV Addict: Let me start off by saying, [to Omar Epps]. The moment when your character died on ER…. WOW! One of the best moments ever.

Omar Epps: [Laughing] Thank you. It’s been a long time. Time flies.

Were you at all apprehensive to play another doctor on television?

Omar Epps: Not at all. When I signed on to do ER, it was only 10 episodes. But HOUSE is a completely different show. We built something from the ground up.

How different has the start of this season been for you as actors, as you give up screen time for an entire slew of interns?

Jennifer Morrison: It’s been kind of exciting. For 3 years we’ve been doing very similarly structured episodes, a very procedural show. But this season the writer’s have really mixed it up.

Omar Epps: Since we knew we were coming back to the show [and weren’t really fired], it’s been cool!

Has it been strange having the workload of say, co-star Robert Sean Leonard?

Jennifer Morrison: As much as I love working, it’s a nice balance this season. I get to sleep a bit more and have a little more of a life.

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Back in September, this TV Addict nervously waited outside a room in Los Angeles’ Intercontinental Hotel for my first EVER press junket interview. BONES star T.J. Thyne was to be my first. And luckily, turned out to be one of the nicest people around.

The TV Addict: Just so you know, you’re my first face-to-face interview ever!

T.J. Thyne: I’m so honored to be your first!

You’ve been on so many of my favorite shows — THE OC, FRIENDS, 24, NIP/TUCK, JACK & BOBBY. Is it hard to play the same character all year long after so many years of different characters?

That’s an amazing first question to ask! It’s actually really trippy for me because to be completely honest, I’ve always resisted the whole ’series regular’ thing. Over the years I’ve tested for so many shows and when I got to the studio test, I’d pull myself out thinking — I can’t spend 6 years on a show playing the same character, I can’t do it!

To me, the idea of playing different character in different genres was always what I wanted to do. But when BONES came along and the character of Jack Hodgins had so many different colours and opportunities, I took a risk for the first time. And I’m so glad I did. Jack’s got a lot of different layers, we’ve got an amazing cast, great writing and Hart Hanson is a genius in terms of being a showrunner.

That said, I do miss playing a lot of different characters, as well as film. I think cable guys have the best. Guys like Michael C. Hall get to play an amazing character [Dexter] and still have time to do film and everything like that. But if I had to be on a show on network television, I’m so thrilled that it’s this. I’m glad I never took anything before that would have prevented me from being on BONES.

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Since our favorite FOX shows are off tonight in leu of the MLB Playoffs [damn you baseball!!!], this TV Addict thought he’d help fans get their BONES fix by posting our recent interview with actor Eric Millegan.

But before we get to discussing BONES with the talented actor/singer, this TV Addict — who just so happens to be a huge theatre fan [see: theTHEATREaddict.com] couldn’t resist asking Millegan what it was like watching SPRING AWAKENING — the show he originally starred in — take home a TONY for Best Musical.

Eric Millegan: I’m glad the show did well, but truthfully it was a little bittersweet. SPRING AWAKENING was going to be my big break. We did a workshop of it back in 2001 at the Roundabout Theatre. I played Moritz. We were supposed to go to Broadway in 2002, but as shows tend to do, it got delayed. I got older and older and by the time the show was ready to go it was too late.

The TV Addict: Of course, you are now starring in a hit TV show on FOX, so I’d say things worked out.

Yeah, [laughs] I’m on BONES.

Did SPRING AWAKENING change a lot since you originated the role of Moritz?

There are definitely some new songs. But the whole idea of doing the play and pulling out the microphones — we discovered that.

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By Amrie Cunningham [My Take on TV]

“If hate laughing, you’re not going to like IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA”

What do you get when you combine three crazy self-absorbed bar owners, their insecure but self-absorbed bartender, and a man that they call Frank? You get the funniest thing on TV – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Coming back for its third season on F/X [Thursday September 13 at 10PM], they promise to bring you joy with their complete inability to care for others. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the first batch of episodes this season, and there are just a few things you need to know, which will sound insane out of context, and be even more insane when you watch – shoe polish is better than bronzer for making a baby look Latino, everyone needs a Green Monster suit, Stephen Collins is the man (would I, a devout 7th Heaven shunner ever have said that before this show?), and never trust sweaty friends in a hostage situation.

I had the incredible good fortune of getting to spend some time shooting the breeze with my favorite cast member (though out of the 5 main characters, it’s a hard one to call – I love them all so much), Kaitlin Olson, who plays Deandra “Sweet Dee” Reynolds. She is funny, relatable, and full of knowledge on Juicers, and the pains involved in too much vegetable juice.

Amrie: I was actually just telling someone a few days ago how you’re one of my favorite people on TV, and now I’m getting the opportunity to talk to you so this is thrilling.
Kaitlin: Thank you so much, I appreciate that!

Not a problem! First off, Dee is not the most likeable character in the world, but she’s my favorite character, of all things.
I know what that says about you…

I’m not sure I should know what that says about me…

[Kaitlin laughs]

What about her on paper made you want to be this character?
I really like her insecurity. She definitely is despicable, you can’t really argue with that. I don’t think she’s hate-able because it all stems from her raging insecurity and they’re so mean to her. I think there is just something really funny about that to me.

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TheTVaddict.com will go to almost any length to score an interview. So when we heard DEGRASSI star Nina Dobrev was in our neighbourhood filming a movie. We decided there was only one thing we could use to attract her attention in the hopes of scoring an interview.

Now I know what you’re thinking. Clearly you utilized your dashing Brad-Pittesque good looks? Thanks, but there’s where you’d be wrong. We utilized the only sure fire weapon at our disposal. The one weapon in our arsenal guaranteed to attract the opposite sex. Enter the TV Addict’s adorable dog MAC.

The moment we walked by, Nina was not surprisingly hooked. And lucky for us, kind enough to take a few minutes out of her busy shooting schedule to answer a few questions (As long as she got to play with Mac after!)

Were you a fan of DEGRASSI before you auditioned for the show?
Nina Dobrev: I was of course familiar with the show and heard all the hype, but I didn’t really watch it because I didn’t have the time. Actually I am not the biggest TV person, I’m really into school, sports and gymnastics.

When you were cast on the show, did you immediately go rent the DVD’s to catch up?
Yeah, when I got the role I literally borrowed seasons one through five and watched them all back-to-back within a month or two.

And your favorite character was?
Jake Epstein.

It must have been nerve-wracking joining such an established show. How nervous were you?
As nervous as you can get. Meeting new people, making a good first impression, seeing the studio. It was strange. Just realizing that this one studio has everything — the mall, houses, the school.

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Attention KYLE XY Fans. The TV Addict has just booked a last minute interview with Kyle himself Matt Dallas. Got a question you’ve been dying to ask Matt? Post away, before 2PM (eastern) today in the comments below. And just so you don’t waste any valuable bandwith, Matt’s already proven he’s got a belly button!

UPDATE: The interview was just rescheduled for later in the week, so feel free to continue to post your Matt Dallas Questions.

By: Amrie Cunningham (My Take on TV)

The summer of interviews continued this week as I got some time to chat with the disarmingly beautiful and incredibly down to earth Karen Cliche (pronounced CLEESH), who plays Baylin on Sci-Fi’s newest action adventure series, FLASH GORDON. She had so much great stuff to say about her cast, her character, her support for women’s issues, and her love for a certain classic TV show.

Amrie: Hey Karen – we’re so excited about the premiere of Flash Gordon!
Karen: There’s a lot of excitement buzzing. It’s so cool.

What about Flash Gordon made you want about to be a part of it? Had you seen a script?
Actually I knew nothing about it. I had heard about it through the years, but I didn’t know much about Flash Gordon in general. I wasn’t a huge fan but then my agent brought it up. I knew one of the head writers, James Thorpe, who had written on a couple of the series I had done. He had put in a good word for me so when the role came out, when I auditioned, I just loved it…a lot of the roles I’ve played, I’ve played a man, I’ve played a mutant, I’ve played a vampire….when the opportunity came to play the alien, the physicality to her, she was a tough girl, strong woman. That’s just ideal for me. I really wanted to play her. I thought, what a challenge to play an alien bounty hunter from Mongo. Who gets the opportunity to play this? I was very excited about it.

What does the viewer need to know about Baylin going in?
In the pilot, I come in the last 10-15 minutes. You’re introduced to Baylin in a very in your face, strong kind of way. She comes to Earth on an assignment from Ming to get Aura back to Mongo. She doesn’t care about Earth. She ends up stuck on Earth and befriends Flash and becomes part of their team and so she’s just a really strong independent, unapologetically strong woman. It’s how she is, not because it’s a put on or she tries to be. It’s just because that’s the way that she is. Her parents died when she was very young. She’s been on her own for a long time. She’s been self sufficient her whole life. When she is confident and strong and independent, she’s not trying to be. That’s the way she’s known how to survive all her live. When you’re introduced to Baylin, it’s like a kick ass tough girl and then throughout the episode, you get to feel a little more about her. She sort of has a sense of humor, I think. Maybe she’s funny because of her mannerisms. She doesn’t really know how to be politically correct. You learn more about her throughout. We just shot an episode, 8 or 9, you really find out what it is that happened to her in her life. I think people will really appreciate finding that out about her and it will give her a whole other level. She doesn’t breakdown. It doesn’t destroy her. You just understand her a little bit more. It just makes you love her even more. People are going to love her because she’s just this strong kick ass woman, but then once you learn a little more about her life story, it adds a whole other element to her.

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By Amrie Cunningham (My Take on TV)

There are a lot of shows on Thursday nights. Comedies, dramas, reality TV. My TiVo and downstairs DVR are in constant motion on Thursdays. But there is one show that I refuse to miss. That show? That show is The Office. The shenanigans of the Dunder Mifflin gang keep me coming back week after week, anticipating great new stories and comedy geniuses that keep me laughing. This past season, the writers and producers decided to add cast members to kind of change up our little gang. When it was first brought up in the media, a lot of people didn’t want it to happen. “It is perfect the way it is,” they were quoted as saying. Then, along came Rashida Jones as, gasp!, a truly likeable love interest for Pam’s Jim, and Ed Helms in a role that no one else but Ed Helms could play. And suddenly, life without Andy Bernard at Dunder Mifflin Scranton seems like lightyears away, and I can’t imagine the show without him. To my delight, I recently had the immense pleasure of speaking with Mr. Anger Management himself, Ed Helms, about the show (he’s a series regular folks, so he’s in it for the long haul), his fans, and his guilty obsession with a certain chrome-dome hosted NBC reality show.

We love you on the show. You fit in so wonderfully. I just love everything about you and your character!
That’s so nice. Thank you. I think the producers made a really wise decision to introduce Rashida [Jones, who will be back for a few episodes this season] and me in very small doses early on in the Stamford branch. It sort of gave us an opportunity to ease into the characters and it also gave the audience an opportunity to ease into us and not feel like we were intruding too much.

What’s your favorite thing about Andy? He’s definitely crazy, but we love him!
What’s my favorite thing? I think my favorite thing about Andy is his eagerness to break into song. Because that’s pretty close to me in real life. I’m really glad that that’s found its way into that character just because it’s fun and silly. But from an acting standpoint, I think the funnest part for me is Andy’s disconnect with how he’s really feeling. He seems like he’s always trying to give an outward appearance that’s not quite in sync with his real emotional status. That’s always fun.

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