After months of speculation and rumors Warner Bros announced today that  Adrianne Palicki  (“Friday Night Lights,” “Red Dawn,” “Supernatural”) will star as the iconic superheroine Wonder Woman ( a.k.a. Diana Prince  )  in David E. Kelley’s (“Boston Legal,” “Ally McBeal”) upcoming reboot of the comic series scheduled to debut on NBC.  According to the announcement:

The series pilot is a reinvention of the iconic DC Comics title in which Wonder Woman – a/k/a Diana Prince – is a vigilante crime fighter in Los Angeles but also a successful corporate executive and a modern woman trying to balance all of the elements of her extraordinary life. Kelley and Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) are the executive producers. The pilot was written by Kelley and will be directed by Jeffrey Reiner (NBC’s “The Event”).  “Wonder Woman” is from David E Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Palicki, who appeared as Tyra Collete in NBC’s acclaimed “Friday Night Lights,” will star in the upcoming feature-film remake of “Red Dawn.”  She also starred in the horror film “Breaking the Girl” and in the recent series “Lone Star.”

Palicki may not be a household name yet, she has shown her weight in the genre in the pilot of another DC Comic classic “Aquaman.” She also showed some battle chops with terminator warlike angels in the  action film “Legion” proving apocalyptic circumstances can’t stop this girl from making it out alive.

So considering Ms. Palicki’s list of work, perhaps she will have what it takes to channel the classic Amazon heroine.

Early Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for Pete Postlethwaite confirmed that the British actor died on Sunday. He was 64.

Mr. Postlethwaite was recently seen in some of last year’s most critically acclaimed films: “Inception,” and “The Town,” but it was his emotional role as Giuseppe Conlon in the 1993 biographical film “In the Name of the Father” that earned him an Oscar nomination. He also had a memorable role as Father Laurence in the 1996 Leonardi DiCaprio/Claire Danes “Romeo + Juliet.”

Andrew Richardson, a journalist and friend of the actor, has described Mr. Postlethwaite’s death as peaceful despite a lengthy battle with cancer.

Although Mr. Postlethwaite wasn’t always the leading man onscreen, he remains as something undoubtedly better: the scene stealer. Some fans will remember him as Mr. Kobayashi  in the Bryan Singer classic “The Usual Suspects.” As a mysterious representative of the notorious Keyser Söze, Postlethwaite goes beyond playing the messenger. In a film where everything isn’t as it seems, Postlethwaite carries the role of Mr. Kobayashi with a certain allure starting with his composed demeanor right down to the shift in his accent.

Mr. Postlethwaite’s strength as an actor was his ability to hold your suspension of disbelief,     and play all his characters with an absolute truth to their reality; qualities which awarded him an Oscar nomination. As a member of the audience, you never doubted the array of personalities onscreen: a father who will fight for his son’s innocence in “In the Name of the Father,” a sympathetic priest who helps a pair of star-crossed teenagers risk everything for love, the foster father of a demi-god in “Clash of the Titans” and even a florist whose profession as a crime boss makes him a force to be reckoned with in “The Town.”  

No matter the length or demands his characters  onscreen, Mr. Postlethwaite always brought his best without compromise. This even included his own political views which were center stage during the 2009 premiere of  “The Age of Stupid,” a film which tackles the subject of climate change. Mr. Postlethwaite threatened to return his prestigious OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) medal if plans to develop new coal-fired units at Kingsnorth power station took place.

Mr. Postlethwaite’s legacy may be indelible onscreen, but he was more than a brilliant actor. He was a loving husband, father, activist, and a good friend to those who knew him.   He will be deeply missed by those who loved his films, and loved him best.

Mr. Postlethwaite leaves his wife, Jacqui, and two children, Will, 21, and Lily, 14.

BURBANK, Calif. — Whenever a new television series premieres in the mid-season (usually winter or sometimes spring) it’s a mix of good and bad. Good, because it offers something fresh for viewers at a time when most other shows are on repeat. Bad, because the shelf-life for such shows are notoriously short.

But there are silver-linings.

In the spring of 2009, ABC introduced viewers to a mystery writer turned sleuth with the series, “Castle.” The show stars Nathan Fillion as the charismatic Richard Castle and Stana Katic as Detective Kate Beckett – the muse for his literary character Nikki Heat. Set in New York City, “Castle” blends a good balance of witty dialogue, and humor; a product of spot-on chemistry amongst the entire cast. Although the show relies heavily on the dynamic and relationships between Beckett and Castle, the series’ creator Andrew W. Marlowe has developed a memorable ensemble of characters that are not mere props segueing major plot points. Instead, Marlowe has thoughtfully constructed supportive characters that bring out different elements to the personalities of Castle and Beckett from Castle’s daughter, Alexis (Molly Quinn) to Beckett’s close friend Dr. Lanie Parish (Tamala Jones). When a series like “Castle” is crafted with the kind of attention to character details it’s no surprise it has endured for three seasons in a television landscape riddled with criminal theme dramas.

Recently, Blast was invited to the set of “Castle.” We got a chance to chat with some of the cast (Seamus Dever “Det.Kevin Ryan,” Tamala Jones “Dr. Lanie Parish,” Jon Huertas “Det. Javier Esposito,” Ruben Santiago-Hudson “Captain Roy Montgomery,” and Nathan Fillion “Richard Castle”) as well as with executive producer/creator Andrew W. Marlowe. We got a behind-the-scenes look into the making of an episode, and a spent time lounging in Castle’s “loft” set between interviews.

The lovely Tamala Jones was the first to greet us on the set. Jones plays savvy medical examiner Dr. Lanie Parish, who during the recent San Diego Comic Con revealed that her character may have a budding romance. We followed up on that teaser, “When we last spoke, you mentioned your character might have a love interest storyline with (Detective Javier) Esposito…we’re a little into the season so far…how is that storyline developing?”

“Well the last episode which we just finished yesterday, ‘Close Encounters of the Murderous Kind’, there is a little surprise in there for the fans that like ‘Castle’ so much…a little exchange between Esposito and Lanie. Esposito kind of gives Lanie the ‘eye’ a little bit and that kind of throws her. You’ll see…” She says with a knowing smile, “But it starts there and begins to grow … In Episode 3.11, in terms of what people can expect … as far as Esposito and Lanie they’re going to see it…I heard a little birdie told me … it’s going down. ” For viewers who have wanted more development with supporting characters like Lanie, this comes as a long awaited treat. But that wasn’t all Jones revealed. “Terri Miller, a producer and writer suggested that anything we start — romance or Lanie’s back story – not happen all in one episode. She wants to gradually bring everyone in and move up which I think is great, and also very smart.”

But how much more are we going to see of Dr.Lanie Parish’s background? Jones admitted viewers will see more than romance this season. “You’re going to get it. And it’s going to lead up to an episode where it kind of finishes up what has been revealed to the audience.”

And as far as dream casting, Jones mentions the idea of Pam Grier playing Lanie’s mother — a comment she also made during the recent San Diego Comic Con in July, “ Oh my God, I’ve been putting it out there that I would love for Pam Grier to come and play my young mother because she’s very young to be a mother to someone my age. I would just love her; I’ve always been a huge fan of Pam Grier ever since I was a little girl.” Although Jones has her own thoughts on her character’s background story she comments, “You know Andrew (the show creator) and along with the rest of the producers and the writers; they are very very good at keeping secrets in not allowing us to have any idea on what we’re doing. The only thing they have done with me, about Lanie…they asked, ‘what do you think makes her this way? Why do you think she chose to be a medical examiner?’ Like Kate Beckett’s reasoning for being an officer; a serial killer killed her mom. So they were asking me these questions, and we were tossing out these ideas. So I don’t know what’s going to happen, but they were asking for small input. They’re very secretive. This is like a top secret scripted show, we never know what we’re getting until it’s in our hands.” This is somewhat of an understatement, for the episode being shot during our visit Jones explained, “Last night around 11:30 at night we got this episode, and I had to be here in the morning by 10 with my lines all memorized and ready.” Despite the rush of learning lines and coming to set Jones keeps a smile on her face. It seems to be the pattern with the entire cast. There’s a great sense of teamwork and love for the show which easily explains their onscreen chemistry and success.

But the visit would not be complete without talking to Andrew W. Marlowe the series creator who was more than happy to answer our questions, “So far the dynamic between Castle and Beckett has a bit of this old school feel about them with a bit of noir. We’ve seen the little moments but can we expect something bigger between them this season?”

“Yes, sometime this season but we like playing the subtlety. We like the rhythm of it. Right now we have both of them in relationships with other people. But I think that gives us a safety to drift them closer together, and out of it create great moments for fans to watch. But, yes, some time between mid to late season.” The pacing Marlowe expresses in the dynamic between Castle and Beckett is one of the major appeals about the series. In fact, it’s the suspense and romantic tension which draws your attention; despite the crimes within the storylines there is enough wit and lighthearted elements to balance the tone which is not easily achieved with most shows.

“It seems you’ve drawn inspiration from various classic films like that mirror scene from Orson Welles’ ‘Lady from Shanghai’ and in the upcoming episode ‘Last Call’ there’s a bit of ‘Casablanca’ thrown in. What other films have inspired you this season when making these episodes?”

“You know being from the feature world originally before coming to television, and working with Rob Bowman who is a feature fanatic, we always try to bring an element of theatrically to the show. And when we talked feature films were our short-hands… there was a moment in our two-parter where I was talking to our director, John Terlesky, and I’m like ‘Ok, we’re going to do a little bit of ‘The French Connection’ here and this scene here is the last scene of ‘The Godfather’ with the door closing. It’s kind of short-hand, and we like to honor cinematic history. And I think it’s no secret that ‘Castle’ and the central relationship evolve from things like ‘The Thin Man’ and all the screwball comedies like Tracy and Hepburn films. So there are times where we feel like we can do (an) homage like last year with the double-down was a bit of an homage to ‘Strangers on the Train.’”

And it’s the homage moments within “Castle” that Marlowe explains is the fun part; the references are familiar enough for the characters and viewers that to a certain extent they are in on the joke.

It’s the continued balance of humor, romance, and suspense which make “Castle” one of ABC’s must watch series on its schedule.

Detroit 1-8-7

LOS ANGELES — In a typical fall season where formulaic cop and crime shows dominate the network lineup, “Detroit 1-9-7″ is taking a different angle. Much like the series “Southland” and summer hit “Rookie Blue,” “Detroit 1-8-7″ is primarily a character drama that doesn’t lean on the shock-value of graphic forensic scenes or realistically horrifying crimes.

The series is lead by an impressive cast. Most notable are Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”) as Detective Louis Fitch and James McDaniel (“Taken”) as Sergeant Jesse Longford; their performances stand out, both characters both being, at times, poignant and witty.

Viewers are drawn to the show’s raw, emotional standpoint; critical, if you’re goal is to keep people tuning every week. Detroit 1-8-7 gets right into the nitty-gritty by beginning with a fatal shooting and ending with a surprising turnabout.

The first episode isn’t perfect. The character types are slightly cliche — Longford plays the lovable veteran to Finch’s gruff, no-nonsense character — but the cast’s chemistry helps. Some of the scenes are a bit of an info dump the viewer never suffers from lack of information. On the upside, the soundtrack throws a bone to Detroit, the home of Motown, with a blend of current songs and classic soul hits.

Blast previewed Detroit 1-8-7 and chatted with Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel about the show and their impressions of Detroit itself.

Michael Imperioli

BLAST: What attracted you both to your roles?

MICHAEL IMPERIOLI: I was attracted to the different eccentricities [of the character] and methods in being a detective. In a lot of the scripts that I read … the characters are not always defined. It’s more about catching the crook, and the procedure of catching them.

JAMES McDANIEL: I think the thing that hooked me is that … after reading so many scripts [over the years] you know after 10 pages if the writer hasn’t done it by then, then it ain’t going to be done. This was truly a page-turner for me. I knew by the second page that we were into something. The sensibilities, the humor … the intellect of the piece itself; there was no way I couldn’t have done this one.

BLAST: There are some cliffhanger moments in the show already; is that something we’ll come to expect with the show?

JM: Fact is stranger than fiction, and there is so much going on in this town that is unusual. If you follow the path, you’ll find that all the stories are…surprising as the city itself.

BLAST: Was this first time you guys worked in Detroit? And what was it like for you?

James McDaniel

MI: This is the first time I’ve been to Detroit is when I came up to do this.

JM: I had come years ago, when they opened up the African American museum here which was marvelous. But I didn’t get a chance to really see and get to know the city. So this is my first time really getting to know Detroit. It’s such a lovely town, I could easily spend the next seven years here.

BLAST: Speaking of Detroit, the music plays such a big part in the city’s history. They’ve been promoting the show with The Temptations song, "Ball of Confusion." What do you think of the music that’s on the show too? Will the music underscore it?

MI: The city has such a rich musical history. Motown is the obvious one, but punk had big influence here too with Iggy Pop, and The Stooges all the way up to today with White Stripes and Enimem.

JM: The city has such a songbook of music.

BLAST: Michael, your character Detective Louis Fitch is an intriguing character. What do you think makes him good at what he does?

MI: He genuinely cares about people, ultimately. I think he sees people as human beings first before labeling them criminal, gangster or thug. He sees them as a person; somebody’s father, somebody’s son. I think that makes all the difference.

BLAST: And what about your character, Sergeant Jesse Longford?

JM: He’s a guy who’s been on the force for 30 years, and this is a tough town to [be in] for that long. He’s the type of man who, at his core, wants the right thing to happen. He’s got the experience and the wily years to make that happen. And he’s got some secrets too.

You can catch "Detroit 1-8-7" Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

LOS ANGELES — The art of comedy is fairly simple: you’re either funny or you’re not. It’s not the type of genre that’s easy to fake, and with many new series this fall it’s a race for the next big hit. Last year, ABC struck gold with it’s unconventional and witty comedy, “Modern Family.”

This year, ABC hopes to add upon its success with “Better With You” written by “Friends” writer Shana Goldberg-Meehan. The pilot of “Better With You” is also directed by television veteran James Burrows whose previous work includes “Cheers” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

“Better With You” is a story about the Putney family told in three parts, exploring the dynamic of relationships at different stages. Mia Putney (Joanna Garcia) is the youngest of the Putney clan whose free-spirit lifestyle reflects the impulse of young love. Then there’s Maddie Putney (Jennifer Finnigan,) the reliable older sister who is happy in her secure relationship marriage or not. Finally there are the parents: Vicky and Joel Putney who after several decades of marriage show the humorous yet sturdy foundation through the good and bad. The series’ enthusiasm is contagious and the casting pitch perfect; the natural chemistry onscreen is what makes this new series hilarious.

Looking more into this series, Blast spoke to the “Better With You” leading ladies Joanna Garcia and Jennifer Finnigan.

Jennifer Finnigan

Joanna Garcia

BLAST: The chemistry between the two of you on the series “Better With You” is really great, how has it been working together?

JOANNA GARCIA: It’s been heavenly. We’ve known each other for years, actually. Always rooting each other on, and adoring each other. So it’s really nice to get this chance for the two of us to [work] together, of course it’s not just the two of us, there’s a lot of wonderful people on the show. At the heart of it, it’s nice to know you can go to work with someone you really trust and know.

JENNIFER FINNIGAN: And that’s it. Trust. Trust is such a big issue. We totally trust each other and we make each other laugh. We confide in each other too. This isn’t new for us either. We both have been doing this for a very long time. We’re old pros, and we know it comes down to good work and getting along. There’s no drama.

JG: Yeah! There’s no that [drama.]

JF: There’s not that all all.

JG: Thank goodness! (laughs) And it’s nice, it’s always nice to be able to go to work and be happy.

BLAST: Your characters deal with some issues in their lives, and their love lives. What were your thoughts on the script? It’s relevance on your life or maybe your friends’ lives? How appealing was the comedy for you?

JG: When we read the script there was that initial notion we were doing something that was very relevant. I think for me, after being in this business for so long, you want to do something that you feel is relatable, that you can connect to and grow with … And in this medium it’s so fun to let yourself go and have fun. And to know that it’s no so far out there that only a small percentage of the country will get … we’re doing something that people can understand at all different stages of their romantic relationships. It’s [about] sisters and family, and all different dynamics. I think that’s why it works and fits well with this night [Wednesday]. ABC is doing a great job of throwing comedy that’s out there. And I’m really humbled to be [ and have the show] sandwiched in-between “The Middle” and “Modern Family”

JF: Me too! Those are some of my favorite shows! We’re kind of grounded in reality with this show. It’s not like a high concept, crazy [show.] And for me personally, I’ve been in a relationship for six years and married for three. So when I read the script I thought, “Gosh, I can kind of relate to parts of this script … ” like that young, hot, and new relationship; then that comfortable, loving, very nurturing relationship. The parents on the show, there’s this deep love but who have been together for years but they drive each other nuts. There’s times where I’ve been with my husband, and yeah we kind of drive each other nuts too but for the most part it’s very grounded and very loving too. When I read the script, I felt like I get this … I really get this.

BLAST: You mention the cast, are there going to be any special any guest stars or appearances coming up?

JF: I don’t know … do you know (to Joanna?)

JG: I think with this first season of the show they’re kind of focusing on just us [the main cast] but we do have some guest starring roles … for instance this week I think you get to meet Maddie’s assistant.

JF: Who maybe has an unhealthy attachment, or crush on me (Maddie.)

JG: Or obsession

JF: It’s really funny.

JG: So it’s really interesting to see how people come in and out. There’s a lot happening in our small nucleus [of a family.]

JF: But we should really get some funny guest stars.

JG: Yes, we can start a list.

JF: A wishlist!

“Better With You” airs Wednesdays this fall at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.

SAN DIEGO — For Americans, Xavier Rudd is not a household name, but his latest album, "Koonyum Sun," might change that.

The Australian singer/songwriter has a worldwide following, and is exposing a generation of Beibers, Swifts, and Gagas to a totally different sound.

Rudd’s sound is eclectic and expertly layered with a wide variety of instruments, including the didgeridoo.

In "Koonyum Sun," Rudd collaborates with South African artists Tio Moloantoa (bass), and Andile Nquezelo (formerly of Lucky Dube’s band). Together Rudd, Moloantoa and Nquezelo create an organic fusion of music that is at the same time moving and energetic; the message within the album is equally as strong. Social issues, human rights and the environment are just a few things Rudd touches on in "Koonyum Sun."

Rudd has been in described by some as Sting meets Dave Matthews. But make no mistake, when Rudd and company take stage, he is in a class of his own.

Blast caught up with Xavier Rudd in California during his North American tour.

BLAST MAGAZINE: The title of your album is called "Koonyum Sun." For people who may not know what that means, could you explain it a bit?

XAVIER RUDD: Koonyum Sun. Well Koonyum is a range, a mountain range…in the area of New South Wales (Australia.) When I recording the record, I was up there, and I spent a lot of time sitting by the fire, writing and reflecting. The sun would light up the range in the morning then sink behind in the evenings. And I felt like the album was about the Koonyum sun.

BLAST: And that’s what’s so interesting about this album. As far as your last one, "Koonyum Sun" is different in tone. What inspired you as far as the concept with this album, especially after collaborating with Tio and Andile?

XR: I think it’s been more of a spiritual thing since we met. Our cultures are similar but very different. I draw a lot of inspiration from my [Australian] original culture, which has connections with the South African theme. It’s like our ancestors put us together, that’s how it felt. And it’s been like that with the music as well, so I draw a huge inspiration from them. I think that’s been the driving force of it.

BLAST: The interesting thing about the song, "Koonyum Sun" are the lyrics mentioning your 9-year-old son. In that song we hear a child’s voice. Was that your son singing in it?

XR: Yeah, that’s him.

BLAST: How was it working with your son in that song?

XR: It’s been cool. He actually was the instigator of that song. I was playing that riff over, and he started singing that line:

If you could see exactly what I could see/You see it’s a great mystery.

Then I started singing my verses around that actually. He’s a special one, that one.

BLAST: The environment and different social causes are clear in your songs, especially with "Koonyum Sun." When you work on an album where do you start from? Does it begin with a song, an idea, or maybe improvising on various instruments?

XR: Songs just come, I don’t try to sit and write them. Everything is a part of it. Everything is part of that process from life, emotions, and spirit to the instruments.

BLAST: In "Koonyum Sun" you’re listed as Xavier Rudd and Izintaba. What has the process been like collaborating with Tio and Andile? Have they helped inspire the style of this album too?

XR: I bring the songs, but the way they play is so heavy and so beautiful. There’s a lot of life that they bring to it.

BLAST: Do you feel you know yourself better now as an artist than before with your previous albums? Because sometimes the music industry likes to mold and categorize their artists to their tastes.

XR: I don’t think I ever have [been molded] and I think that’s why the industry hasn’t recognized me too much because I’m a live artist. I do my thing, I sort of have my cult following. I get played on the radio, but pretty rarely. I’m not commercial. I like it. I think people recognize that I’m real. I don’t do music because what I think people want to hear, or what songs people think others want to hear. It comes from my heart. It’s been that way ever since I’ve been a little boy. I’ve never changed that. Real people come to my shows, good people, and that’s a gift. It’s a good unit, it’s like a family unit; that’s how it feels everywhere I go. And that means more than anything I could get from a worldwide hit.

BLAST: Some have compared your sound to Jack Johnson and Sting. In your own words, how would you describe your music?

XR: I don’t know…I can’t stand outside my music because I’m so far in it, you know? I can’t look out it and compare it to anything. It’s spirit moving through heart…that’s how I feel about my music. It can’t be the same as everybody else’s…it’s a great compliment to be compared though.

BLAST: Your album, "Koonyum Sun" only came out early this year. Are you working on any songs now for future projects?

XR: I’m writing some interesting stuff now. Real bright, kind of bouncy; we’re going through some different places. I don’t know how others will think of it, but I’m excited about what I’m writing.

BLAST: You’re very environmentally and socially conscious — are there any groups or causes close to your heart right now?

XR: Yeah, it’s called Save the Kimberley. The Kimberley is a [wilderness] area in Australia which is under threat. The [group] works to bring awareness about the land, to preserve it from being [industrialized].

Boston fans can catch Xavier Rudd this Tuesday September 14th perform 8PM at Wilbur Theatre.

For more show information you can visit: http://www.thewilburtheatre.com/

Xavier Rudd’s Official Site: http://www.xavierrudd.com/

SAN DIEGO — The landscape of television serials is somewhat of a tight rope act. Between the strains of competitive time slot schedules, and pilot series pick ups, even the most critically acclaimed series can be dropped unexpectedly. NBC’s series, "Chuck" has managed to weather all the trappings of cancellation with its witty dialogue, fun cast of characters, and cult like following from both viewers and critics alike.

As season three wrapped up in May, the sobering finale left plenty of questions up in the air. One of them being the fate of Buy More (a parody of the Best Buy electronics store) and its tech support crew (the Nerd Herd). Vik Sahay plays Nerd Herd Lester Patel, a techie who specializes in Apple products. Lester’s storylines generally bring the more humorous side of the series between cage fights with his best friend Jeff to collaborating on their band conveniently named: Jeffster.

Blast recently sat down with Vik Sahay to talk about his work on "Chuck" and what it means to play a diverse character like Lester Patel during his visit to the San Diego Comic-Con 2010.

BLAST: Right now the Buy More is no more. And we love Lester–

VIK SAHAY: Do we?

BLAST: We do! (laughs) If you were hypothetically, in your opinion, envision your character coming back into the game, how would it happen?

VS: I think, this all hypothetical, and this is just me imagining it. I think Lester should come back into the game as a true, dark, and evil rival to Chuck. I think he should get recruited by The Ring, and planted back in to that world as a counterspy.

BLAST: No one would expect that, I think.

VS: Yeah, and he’s already got this thing about him where he doesn’t like Chuck. So I think he would be easily convinced and we could really bring out that dark side.

BLAST: There’s the music of Jeffster (Lester’s band with best friend Jeff,) they’re huge amongst fans of the show. There’s as much a cult following for them as much as the show.

VS: Really? Is that true?

BLAST: Actually, apart from fans of the show itself (who love Chuck and the spy world,) we got a lot of comments about Jeffster.

VS: That’s amazing.

BLAST: Did you ever expect the Jeffster moments to be as popular and go this far?

VS: No, not at all. I mean my goal was to get through the singing, but it was important for me…for Jeffster to be an extension of what Lester was (on the show.) I think maybe, it’s connecting (with fans) in a way because he’s such a train wreck. This is his outlet for his rage and anger; he sings the way he does because of that…he gets to pour all that madness into (Jeffster.) So it’s interesting to use Jeffster through the character of Lester in that way.

BLAST: So what about Lester in love? Anything romantic for him?

VS: Well, he’s on the lamb as it stands (right now.) So maybe out there…either his root chakra will open up (and we’ll see that evil side;) or his heart chakra…(laughs) I think what he wants most out of life is unconditional love. He’s a broken boy, so the way he goes about it is that he’s like a rattlesnake…but I wonder what would happen, and what that woman would be — who would love him.

BLAST: Lester plays in shades of grey on the show, he’s a complicated character.

VS: Yeah, I think one of the things I try and put out there about him is that he’s very complex; his emotions. It’s not just bad, good, bad, good…I think if what he wants is unconditional love, then who he is the scorpion…in the scorpion and the frog fable. He’s like please get me across this river, to the frog on the lily pad; (the frog) is like "no…you’re going to bite me." And (the scorpion) is like "no I promise." He can be very sweet. Then halfway through he (the scorpion) bites…and when you ask him why, (the scorpion) says, "Because it’s in my nature." So that’s how I see (Lester) as the scorpion, but it’s complicated.

BLAST: It’s also interesting that for Lester he comes from such a diverse background. How did you feel about the script and the Lester character when you first got the script? As an Asian actor, you’ve most likely have been offered a wide range of roles.

VS: What I loved about it is that the character is undefined; his name is Lester…so there was no forethought in casting. I think when I was cast they (didn’t consider it.) They were colorblind about it, which is great! Then they put part of his background in it…being Indian even though they’ve written some Jewish stuff which I love! I love it; I have no problem playing Indian or anything like that at all. I like it, I like exploring it; it’s actually good for me as an actor to think to my roots and connect that way.

I like that he’s (Lester) isn’t overly sweet, or obviously nerdy. I like that he kind of has that wild side.

BLAST: The Asian community can at times be sensitive to the way they’re represented onscreen, were there ever moments when you’ve gotten a script and felt uncomfortable about the direction?

VS: On the show "Chuck" it’s never been really a concern. There’s nothing that’s been on where I’ve said no. In fact, I am trying to; I want to add elements about his ethnicities (Indian and Jewish) to the show. Obviously, I’d be most protective of the Indian side of Lester. (The show) has played up his Jewish side, and they use it to their own discretion.

BLAST: Maybe they’ll bring it (his Indian side) up more?

VS: I hope so too. I want to explore that more. I don’t want to do anything that’s facile or thin. As long as it’s a full character that’s there? I’m very happy to play his ethnicity.

Fans of the series can find Vik Sahay along with castmates: Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Adam Baldwin, Joshua Gomez, Sarah Lancaster, Irving Bartowski, Ryan McPartlin, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Scott Krinsky, and Julia Ling return this fall at the usual Monday 8/7C on NBC with its fourth season premiere September 20th .

SAN DIEGO — When Summit Entertainment announced it was developing Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner’s "Red" into a movie, fans of the comic miniseries held their breath; it would not be the first time a series became lost in translation onscreen.

"Red," which is code for Retired Extremely Dangerous, revolves around a former black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) who is forced out of retirement. Along the way he reassembles his former colleagues: Joe (Morgan Freeman), Victoria (Helen Mirren), and Marvin (John Malkovich) in one last mission to clear their names.

"Red" stays true to the typical action-movie formula, but the selling point of this movie will undoubtedly be its cast. In what is simply unconventional within the action genre, "Red" contains a veritable “who’s-who” in Hollywood. With four Oscar winners (Helen Mirren, Richard Dreyfuss, Ernest Borgnine and Morgan Freeman) to its credit, the last thing one would associate them with is high power artillery and complex fight sequences. Yet, that’s what the film promises in the full trailer unveiled at the San Diego Comic Con last month.

There’s a guilty pleasure seeing Helen Mirren, whose career is most notable for playing royalty in "The Queen," gear up for a heavy shoot out. Without so much as a grimace at these explosive action scenes, Mirren clearly embraces the role. Then there is John Malkovich (as Marvin), whose films often reveal the darker and sobering side of human nature. Malkovich plays the eccentric loose-canon of the group who is going to easily steal the scene if Morgan Freeman’s knockout scenes as Joe don’t get people talking first. Then there’s Bruce Willis, who is no stranger to action films; the man is synonymous within the genre after his succession of "Die Hard" blockbusters in the ‘80s. From what has been shown, Willis will deliver another memorable performance.

With only a couple of months left until its nationwide release, the "Red" cast (Karl Urban, Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren) as well as writer Warren Ellis showed up to discuss the film at the San Diego Comic Con with Blast.

QUESTION: Why do you think comic book characters are such an interesting basis for film and television all over the world?

HELEN MIRREN: I’m wearing a shirt in respect of Harvey Pekar who was a great graphic artist and graphic novelist. He showed me that graphic work…which in my ignorance I didn’t understand before I was exposed to his work. Now I’m more open minded, but I thought it was about comic heroes and boys kind of stuff. He revealed that a graphic novel can be as deep, complex, personal, and psychological as any other work of art; art like a novel, movie, or painting. I think it’s really exciting to see it burgeoning and expanding into a real total art form.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on it, and the process?

BRUCE WILLIS: I think these guys wrote and illustrated a pretty well thought out story that already had drama in it…to take a 66 page (graphic series) and make it into a 90 page script is ambitious…there were moments even for us (the cast) where we wondered "Where are we?" in the script. And Robert (Schwentke, the director) always knew the answer, knew exactly where we were, what we were doing, and what the scene was about…I’d be lost. But I think the story was very dramatic. (It was) easy to play, and understand if someone shoves you a little too far, you’ll shove back.

QUESTION: Did you have fun working together? And Helen was it fun getting to play an action star? And did you learn anything from Bruce?

HM: Oh my God, it was great fun, this film! I had fun and enjoyed every minute of it. I always learn from great movie stars, and nothing happens by accident which means there’s a mystery about them, and expertise. A very high level of technique, plus an incredible instinct that they allow to sort of operate…and it’s always a dream to watch that and learn. I was doing that all the time on the set.

QUESTION: This film is different in depicting older characters as heroes. Can you go over how this film explores that people of a certain age (as in this film) can still be vital and relevant?

BW: It’s been mentioned time and time again it’s about Retired Extremely Dangerous (people.) If you see the film it’s very (current) and hip. Karl Urban and I went at it, in one of the toughest fights I’ve had in my life. And contact was made…I wasn’t going, "Ahh buddy, I’m a little too old…we can’t fight this hard." It was deliberately crafted on mix martial arts and how violent that is…we were literally throwing each other around. The things you see (from the people) reportedly to be retired within this film are sexy, hot, romantic, and funny. And it (being retired) is only one little bit of the title.

The movie "Red" is a Summit Entertainment film and showcases Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich, Julian McMahon, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss, James Remar and Ernest Borgnine. The film opens nationwide to theaters in October 15.

SAN DIEGO — Toby Whithouse met with reporters at the 2010 San Diego Comic-con about his series, “Being Human.”

We asked Whithouse about the series’ journey and what to expect from season three, which is currently in production. For those who have not stayed up-to-date with the series, the last question will include spoilers about the end of Season two and the beginning of Season three.

QUESTION: There have been a lot of questions and concerns about the upcoming American version of "Being Human." As the creator of the series, how was this presented to you, and what are your thoughts on it paralleling the original?

TOBY WHITHOUSE: The notion of an American version came up so long ago. The thing about television is that the process is so unbelievably slow. So it was mentioned, probably after season one in the U.K. …I felt (I would) believe it when I saw it because it’s the kind of thing that gets (mentioned) occasionally to a lot of different shows. So I was skeptical about it, but then gradually more and more over time it became assured.

My involvement with the (American) show is very minimal, but I can honestly say I’m not too bothered by that because as you know we’re halfway through filming season three…I’m still writing season three literally while I’m still here in San Diego. I’m getting up in the morning, and writing their deaths….that’s a bit of a spoiler, I suppose. (smiles) Consequently, that’s a 24/7 job getting the U.K. version right. Also, the other thing, the SyFy guys know the market better than I do, so I’m happy to let them get on with it.
Personally, I’m looking forward to sitting there, and watching it as a fan. I’m excited about it.

Q: For the people who have seen the second season, what can you hint out about season three? Will it pick up where it left off or will some time have passed?

TW: I think there are a couple of weeks between each season. Well, what I can say is in season one the threat was supernatural in the form of Herrick, season two the threat is human, season three the threat comes from within.

Q: How far ahead do you have plan for season three?

TW: Well the thing is it’s really difficult in the U.K. because I know in the U.S. you can option your actors for four or five seasons. In the U.K we just don’t have the finance to do that really. So it’s kind of a nail-biting, nerve-wracking moment as we get to the end of each season. We begin to think, "Who are we going to have?" We’ve got this extraordinary cast, and we’re very blessed they’ve come back for three seasons. It’s impossible to plan any further or advanced than that (per season.) And every time we start a new season, the negotiations begin again.

Q: Are there going to be more supernatural elements added to the series?

TW: I must admit over the years people have said to me, and I’ve got friends of mine saying it too, "Oh God, you know what you need on the show? A witch! Or a zombie! Or a fairy!" So we got witch, zombie, and fairy…we never had a policy decision there wouldn’t be any other creatures. We just really couldn’t think of one…

In season three, for one night only, there is another creature. And the reason we decided, and felt we could do it is because thought of the "Being Human" way of doing it.

Q: Any of the creatures you mentioned? How far into the season?

TW: Hmmm….maybe. It will be in episode three (of season three.)

Q: There’s also a little attraction there between Annie and Mitchell

TW: I can’t possibly comment…but yeah, I think so. Perhaps tragically, there’s an element in Mitchell that would fit into Annie’s relationship history. She has not exactly made good choices. So yeah, why not go for a 120 year old mass murderer? It’s the next logical step after dating the guy who killed you.

Q: On that topic, Mitchell can experience physical love. How far can Annie?

TW: Um…well, they kissed once. All I’m going to say is episode four, season three. All the answers are there or maybe you’ll be answered with more questions.

WARNING: *SPOILER* SEASON TWO and THREE — If you have not seen the entire second season the following answer may reveal some spoiler information.

Q: We asked the cast this question but it’s as appropriate for you since you’re the writer. There’s been much speculation that Annie and Mitchell’s relationship is closer because of their association with death. Is there some truth to that? In the season two finale, there was a very guttural reaction between them. What are your thoughts on it?

TW: Well…this isn’t much of a spoiler but there is a line in the first episode of season three. We end season two with Annie trapped on the other side and Mitchell declaring he’s going to go and get her. And there’s a moment in the beginning of season three where they’re discussing this … George is nervous about Mitchell doing this and he says, "This is death. This is life and death we’re talking about…these things shouldn’t be messed with." And Mitchell says, "Me and Annie are already dead. It doesn’t get more messed with than that." I think you’re right, I think there is a connection between them on the basis of that…and also it’s the fact that both of them are going to exist forever in the state that they are … I think the notion of eternity screaming in front of them, which is quite a terrifying prospect, unites them.

SAN DIEGO — Mitchell is a vampire with a bit of a feeding problem, George is a werewolf still learning to control his inner beast, and Annie is a spirited ghost waiting for death’s door. All three supernatural beings of BBC3 series "Being Human" live in an apartment in Bristol, England; unbeknown to the world which fears them. Although the premise description appears rather weak on paper, the script developed and written by its creator Toby Whithouse is brilliant onscreen.

Yes, it’s about three very common creatures within the horror genre but Whithouse’s creative aptitude for witty dialogue and complex stories makes it stand apart from the competition. Because underneath the surface, the heart of the series truly relates to very human, universal, themes: the need for companionship, love, and friendship as well as the fear of the unknown.

The first season aired in 2008 and set the foundation for its mythology. Viewers were led into the everyday world which mirrored itself to be more mundane than magical. George (Russell Tovey) and Mitchell (Aidan Turner) both work at a hospital as orderlies by day. While their latest flatmate Annie, a ghost, (Lenora Crichlow) keeps herself busy performing routine chores — one of which includes making plenty of tea. Of course, the flipside surfaces as George’s inability to accept his "beast" becomes further complicated when he falls in love with a doctor, Nina Pickering played by Sinead Keenan. In addition to Annie hunts for answers concerning her death, Mitchell’s conflict with the vampire council reaches critical mass especially with William Herrick. By the end of its first season "Being Human" established a set of boundaries, and reflected the important relationship Annie, George, and Mitchell have as a group.

This second season follows the aftermath of Herrick’s demise, and explores a more menacing, human, threat. The risks are greater, and the danger more harrowing with lots of surprises and challenges to keep viewers hooked for the next several weeks. Luckily, Blast was able to meet with series creator Toby Whithouse and the cast of "Being Human" (Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, and Sinead Keenan) during their visit at the annual San Diego Comic Con this July to discuss the show’s development and answer questions.

QUESTION: What did you guys first think of the script, considering it was about a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost who all live together?

RUSSELL TOVEY: I first thought it sounded like a kids show…it didn’t seem as it was going to work but then you read it and find out it’s much much more. The levels on the show are much more human than they are supernatural. It’s a big part of the selling point which is why so many people connect to it.

SINEAD KEENAN: The cross everyone has to bear is quite incidental. It’s about their relationships.

LENORA CRICHLOW: These characters were all originally written as very human characters. Toby had developed them to a (higher) degree as human beings. Then the supernatural air kind of just lent itself. All the supernatural elements in "Being Human" are deep rooted, and can be easily drawn back to human traits, human conditions. All of that is very evident in the script…

I thought either this (the script) is really clever because I drew all the parallels — they were there on the page – and you think "ah that’s such a different way of approaching all the relationships with the dynamic of the flatshare…" (or) maybe I had read too much into it. So when I went into my audition and asked (about the direction) and they said yes I thought it was really interesting.

AIDAN TURNER: It was such a novice idea but it came out so original. It’s the most basic supernatural idea possible. Toby has created this show which stands on its own which is really cool.

QUESTION: Speaking of that supernatural element, some of the show’s fans speculate that the connection between Annie and Mitchell has a lot to do with their associations with death. For viewers who have seen the entire second season, it’s suggests it even more. What do you think about that theory?

LC: Annie and Mitchell? Yeah, I suppose it is—

AT: Dunno, Annie’s hot that’s what it is (laughs) well from Mitchell’s point of view anyway.

LC: Well that helps (laughs) Annie’s beautifully, fantastically, wonderfully fit! Mitchell is…he’s alright under the right light. But I think their connection is deeper than that…I think they’re both very stuck, and they don’t age. They each got such individual and different fights.

AT: It’s a stability thing because she’s not going anywhere.

LC: And Annie sees the good in you (Mitchell.)

AT: And a lot of people don’t see the good in Mitchell. I think Mitchell needs just that (stability,) he’s been running for so long from this problem, this disease that he has, and suddenly he moves in with this wolf which is something he would have never done before. And I think Annie in a lot of ways is the anchor in the house because she doesn’t go anywhere. She’s such a nurturing person, and that’s exactly what Mitchell needs. He needs someone to look after him because he doesn’t have anybody else. So I think he’s naturally sort of drawn to the character of Annie, almost immediately.

LC: But I think that’s true of all of their relationships…because there really isn’t — if they check into it — anything to live for because they got these things (their supernatural qualities) forever. Annie could, quite understandably, not get out of bed in the morning. No matter how much she grows and develops she’s still stuck. Same with Mitchell, he’s always going to have the lust (for blood,) George is always going to have his once a month deal going on. So for them, I think they feel like it’s for each other. They have to end up, showing up, for each other.

RT: It’s kind of codependent—

LC: Yeah, a codependent nightmare.

RT: Like an endless dream.

LC: They get up for each other, they give each other reason to stay close together; close to humanity.

QUESTION: Speaking of codependent, the angst between Nina and George, the werewolves, is strong. At the start of the second season it’s dealt with head on. What has that been like working together?

SK: We were very lucky, from an acting point of view. Toby is a great writer, and literally it was just a gift of a scene; the scenes we had in the first episode (of the second season.) If the writing is good, you don’t even have to work on it. You work a little, but the job is reduced hugely. Thank God for Toby, he’s a great writer. Then working with that fella (looks over to Russell Tovey) is fantastic.

RT: I was thinking about this…and you got to know your lines, basically. By that I mean, you can know your lines, and then you can know your lines. If you’ve got big scenes like that, and you know your lines? You can explore. Because if you don’t? You’ll be in the moment and go "what’s my line?" I think that’s a lot harder of a job you give yourself as an actor; especially on this (show) because the dynamic can go anywhere.

LC: I love watching Nina and George scenes, and the thing that stood out for me in episode one (second season) is that they’re listening to each other. I think with actors, especially on tv, there’s such a turnover and you do know your lines; you know your character but then sometimes you forget to listen to each other and let that motivate and move you.

QUESTION: Some fans want to know about Annie and Mitchell’s relationship. With the end of the second season leaving many questions, how complicated will their relationship be in season three?

AT: In the second (season) Mitchell has a lot of things to deal with…love and relationships wouldn’t be at the top of his list. He’s got to sort some stuff out first. He’s got to make sure his mates don’t get killed…I don’t know, maybe by the third season, you never know…

LC: I think in the end (of season two) it really hits home for all of them, just how much they need each other…and just how much one without the other has no point. The idea of Annie passing over, George being killed, and losing Mitchell to the dark world of vampires…it’s gone, the house (household) is gone.

AT: I think the boys, especially, realize how much they need her.

LC: But it’s complicated but complicated doesn’t mean impossible.

AT: It could work.

LC: It could work.

AT: We could make it work.

LC: Totally!

SAN DIEGO — The cast and team for TheCW series "Supernatural" arrived to Comic-Con International fresh from filming their sixth season. Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Jim Beaver, Misha Collins, Eric Kripke, Ben Edlund and Sera Gamble met with press to shed light on what to expect this year. So for fans dying to know what is in store for the Winchester brothers, and the series’ direction? Here’s the basic rundown.

Season 6: Fresh Start

If there was anything made specifically clear by writers and producers Eric Kripke, Sera Gamble, and Ben Edlund, it’s that the show is starting from scratch. With a different angle but somewhat familiar playing field; when Blast asked about the tone of the series in Season 6 Eric Kripke described it as being more a noir feel about it. There are no fedoras, cloaks, or daggers instead it will have plenty of twists and turns throughout the season. "No one is who they seem…" writer and creator Eric Kripke explains, "Everyone’s got ulterior motives."

The new season promises to bring in more "monsters" similar to the types from the show’s earlier seasons. But angel and demon fans rest assure, there will still be trace elements from the mythology threaded into it from last season. In other words, no fear, Castiel (Misha Collins) will still be around and his development will be just as dynamic as ever. Overall, considering the new direction in tone for Season 6, expect the unexpected!

"Castle" creator/writer Andrew Marlowe and executive producer Laurie Zaks also shared their thoughts on the twists and turns for the new season during their press panel.

ANDREW MARLOWE (creator/writer) and LAURIE ZAKS (executive producer)

QUESTION: How did you come up with the idea of "Castle"?

ANDREW MARLOWE: Part of it being a writer myself, sitting in a ten by ten room, and thinking "Wouldn’t it be great if I could go out and live some of the adventures that I’m writing?" So to take a look at someone like James Patterson or Stephen King who have a wealth of creative knowledge; what would it be like to team them up with someone who is in a straight forward homicide detective. I love shows that have a romantic tension and chemistry to it like "The Frontpage" or "Nick and Nora". Tracey/Hepburn, Moonlighting feel to it. To be able to do a contemporary version of that was great. So that was the genesis for it. I was excited to dip my toe into the TV world a bit, having (done) a lot of features. And the thing about features is you write it in (2005) and shoot it in (2009). Best cast from idea to screen is two years. Then you kinda get a weekend and then you’re done. Whereas with TV you can have an extended conversation with the culture; it’s been really exciting to have more than one story with a set of different characters.

LAURIE ZAKS: And it’s really nice to have it written, and see your words (onscreen) instead of going into development for two or three years.

Q: What exciting stuff will we see coming up this season?

AM: We have some exciting stuff coming up. We’re going to try deepening the Beckett and Castle relationship, playing the romantic tension, but we do have twists and turns coming this season. We’re looking into doing another two parter like we did last season. We feel like we have such a great cast and we haven’t tapped into their potential.

Q: Will we find out Richard Castle’s REAL name? Is that episode 2 or 3 of the new season?

AM: That will be episode 2.

Q: You talk about the romantic tension between Castle and Beckett, it seems to be a big part of the show’s success. What are the boundaries that you have in writing because clearly you don’t want to give out too much too soon? When you create these scenes do you say, "This is what we’re going to do and what we’re not going to do?"

AM: It’s a real delicate dance, and we talk about it in the beginning of the season. We’re also cognizant that the fans are rooting for them to get together, but once they do get together? Everything changes. So we want to make sure we’re honoring the fans desires, and we’re also giving the fans what they really want which is that romantic tension. We’re trying really hard to not make promises we can’t keep. The challenge for us is the way in which we keep them. It’s something we talk about in the beginning of the season. And then we look into each episode and try to follow that progression. We know with all of the great romances there are always obstacles. If there weren’t obstacles it wouldn’t be interesting. So if you look back in Shakespeare with "Romeo and Juliet" and how the world conspired to keep them apart; partly by their own choices and partly by being star-crossed. I think we ended last season by Castle being hurt, seeing Beckett in a new relationship, but being a gentleman he steps back…but only in the moment when it looks like it really (could) hurt (Beckett.) There’s going to be a process of recovery from that…but we’re trying to do it in a way that’s really satisfying to the audience instead of really frustrating to the audience. And I think, the challenge having looked at shows like "Bones" is how to keep that spark there without it going into brother/sister territory because it’s not what we want…we want that friction and it’s so much fun to have that friction. The frustration of having feelings towards somebody, and seeing them in a relationship with somebody else you know they shouldn’t be in? We feel we can play with that territory for a little while longer.

Q: So they’re like Romeo and Juliet with guns, then? But they don’t die.

AM: That’s right (laughs)

LZ: Yes, they won’t be dead.

NATHAN FILLION (RICHARD CASTLE)

Q: The relationship with Kate (Beckett)

NATHAN FILLION: First season, obviously, Castle blew it. He’s got his own sense of logic, he kind of has a filter; he’s got a life that lacks the repercussions. He doesn’t have a lot of repercussions in his life. He thinks he’s doing the right thing and that he’ll be the hero. So he’s completely off base, and wrong. That was the first season. Second season, safe to say, Beckett blew it. So what we have in the third season are two people we know should be together, two people we know want to be together, two people we want to (see) be together but they are in other relationships. Instead of being chained together, they are chained apart.

Q: Do you look forward to being more of a detective than a writer while filming the show?

NF: No, I think because there are enough detectives on the show, there’s enough detectives on TV. What I like about our show is that these detectives are not dark and brooding; murder is killing them inside, eating them up and chewing them up. We met with some NYPD cops while we were shooting the pilot. We had them on set, we were hanging out with them, and they were great. I’ll tell you, It was a little better than hanging out with a comedian because you’re laughing just as much but everything they’re talking about is reality. They’re incredibly funny, they’re incredibly wonderful people, they have the most amazing stories that are incredibly entertaining! The only difference is their stories start off with, "So this guy gets killed…" So I think our show is based a lot more on real life. In that our detectives are real people who love their jobs, who like the people they work with, they’re actually having a good time. Yeah, they got worries, they get upset at times, but they’re not brooding with disdain for the city (laughs). And Castle is a different kind of guy all together, he’s not an investigator. He’s a writer, he doesn’t care about the facts. He wants the story.

Q: What is the secret in creating an epic hero?

NF: I think the secret to creating an epic hero…is allowing the hero to fail. The age of "I know just who to call! He’s the best man who ever lived…" That era of hero is over; the Rambo that cannot fail. The super, invulnerable, who can throw a knife at a hundred yards. We need a hero who is a real man who can actually fail. Indiana Jones was my first experience with that…now there’s a guy who got punched, and beat up and then wins in the end. That’s the guy that I like, and that’s what I think is the secret to an epic hero.

The ABC mystery/dramedy series "Castle" stars Nathan Fillion as the wealthy, best-selling author Richard Castle, along with Stana Katic as a hard-nosed detective, Kate Beckett. The success of the show has earned itself a third season starting this fall, and this is due to its cult fan following and charismatic characters. This year at the San Diego Comic Con the cast and team for "Castle" took a break to talk with fans and press. In attendance were cast members: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Tamala Jones, and Molly Quinn; Followed by creator/writer Andrew Marlowe and executive producer Laurie Zaks.

Blast got the chance to chat with them behind the scenes after their audience panel in the press room. In addition to the audio for some of the interviews, here are some of the highlights:

Tamala Jones (Dr. Lanie Parish)

QUESTION: How do you prepare for playing the character of Dr. Lanie Parish?

TAMALA JONES: I don’t do the medical training…what I do as far as training is I watch "The First 48" on A&E (channel), "Dr. G Medical Examiner", and I also watch a lot of forensic files; especially Dr. G because she talks about her patients as if she were still a live.

Q: Will Lanie be instrumental in solving more cases?

TJ: Yeah, we’re getting into that this season…there’s also going to be a full episode about Lanie. So you guys get to know me a little better…I can just tell that you will be getting the background story.
They were going to do something a little more dangerous, a kidnapping, but they’re not going to be doing it anymore. So they’re still teetering with the storyline for her, but it’s nice because you get to see her background. There’s also a little romance with (Detective Javier) Esposito too…a little bit down the road.

Q: Speaking of romance, Lanie seems to be a very good friend for Beckett in terms of giving advice on her love life. If there is this romance for Lanie, how will Beckett and Castle react to it? In other words, Lanie has dished it out to Beckett and Castle, how will they approach her?

TJ: Oh, no, I think Lanie is much more sneaky. You’ll have to catch her and Esposito (laughs) like "oh…we were just…um, talking in the room. We’re all good." I think that may be the case and Beckett may ask about it, and she’ll (Lanie) say "what are you talking about?" (dismiss it.) I think Lanie is more "I got this…" in the dating game. (She) doesn’t want to put it out there. She’s got to keep it a secret since it’s someone who works with Beckett. You can’t let it out too fast, you know?

Q: With the fallout in what has happened in the relationship between Castle and Beckett, in what direction will Lanie go this season? You already talked about the Lanie episode, but will they build up to it? Or will it be a stand alone episode?

TJ: Oh they’re definitely building up to it. And actually, in the episode we’re shooting now? I can’t really (say anything about it.) But they’re starting to get there, thank god! The fans have been writing in and they want to know what’s going on with Lanie. So it pressures (the show) to write about it, so it will build up. They’re not just going to throw it in there and take it away. (laughs) It will linger and they will come back to it.

Stana Katic (Detective Kate Beckett)

QUESTION: So we’re dying to know what happens next!

STANA KATIC: So we get back from the last episode, and Castle doesn’t let Beckett know he’s back in town. He’s doing a book signing, and she realizes he’s back in town…and then there’s a murder. Other than that I found out Beckett has a motorbike. (grins) Don’t ask me anymore about that bike. That’s all I can say.

Q: Do you two solve the murder together?

SK: I hope so! Actually, we have to make amends and decide if we’re going to be a working team together? Do you have a relationship? Do I have relationship? What’s the deal? And where do we stand?
And there’s a big fat case on the table.

Q: On the subject of Beckett and Castle, there’s that romantic tension between the two of them; a tightrope of will they? Or won’t they? How is that element going to factor in knowing where your character is right now and the rest of the season? Will that be addressed early on or work its way throughout the season?

SK: The piece of the information you’ll get early on is that he (Castle) is still with his ex-wife. (smiles) So…we got to work through that first. For Beckett, she says in season one "I’m the one and done type." So there’s a lot of integrity to her. She’s the type of girl who is like, " Well…you’ve had two marriages that didn’t work out, what happened?" So I think there’s a little bit of trust building, and sussing everything out…she doesn’t want to go out with a gigolo (smiles). So I think she wants to make sure all the waters are safe before diving in.

Q: Will we get more answers about Beckett’s past? Will we see more of her family’s story? For example, her mother?

SK: We do have an episode where…her (former) training officer is now a bounty hunter. So there’s this crime revolving around their relationship, and he reveals a lot about her past. And the two have this fabulous quality about them. And I think they’ll (eventually) delve into her mom’s murder. I hope they give her some time to be at home, be with friends, you know? Be the Beckett that she is when she’s not on the job.

Q: A lot of people came down Sunday morning just to see your show. How was that for you?

SK: It’s overwhelming; it’s just a very different experience. This is my first Comic Con and so people are always asking me "What’s it like working with Nathan?" And he’s like an older brother, he’s been doing this for a long time. He knows how it goes, and in the same vein he’s been to Comic Con a few times. It’s like old hat. I just sat up there and was like WOW. It’s touching in way to see people support and be there.

SAN DIEGO — When the name Sean Astin comes up, most people associate the actor with his roles in "Lord of the Rings" and "The Goonies" where he plays both leader and loyal friend. What may come as a surprise is Astin’s current project in Disney’s "Special Agent Oso."

Not well-known for his voice-over work, the veteran actor leads the children’s series as Special Agent Oso. The series celebrates the classic spy genre, centering on an adorable stuffed panda bear that works for U.N.I.Q.U.E (United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events). Special Agent Oso helps children problem solve matters from raising awareness about the environment to personal safety.

This series has since become a success and ranked No. 1 in its timeslot after its debut in April 2009, beating its competition by 12 percent among kids 2-5.

Blast Magazine talked with Astin about "Special Agent Oso," and its upcoming second season, which premieres Saturday July 10 at 8 a.m.

BLAST MAGAZINE: Special Agent Oso is a wonderful children’s show, how did you come across this project?

SEAN ASTIN: They offered it to me. I was doing a show in London and I got this package. Before I even read the cover letter there was this big fat color illustration of Oso (laughs). I was like "Oh yeah, that is me." In fact, the first show I did was over the phone from this studio in London and I was patched through. So I did the pilot episode before ever meeting the creator. It was pretty cool. I think they just knew from my other movies that I was Oso.

BLAST: Most people are not familiar with your voice-over work as much as your live action films. What’s the process been like for you? And how is it different than working on a live set?

SA: We’re into the second season and we’ve all developed the sort of friendships you would on a live-action show. We pretty much all work it out together, and the guys Ford (Riley), and Jamie (Mitchell), who I like to affectionately refer to as "the other side of the glass," are there so it’s like a radio play you put together.

BLAST: What does your family, especially your kids, think of the show? And hearing your voice as such an adorable character?

SA: They were incredibly excited when the first season premiered. They saw that Dad, the guy who hangs around the house all the time, does something. They got comfortable with it, you know? Their friends all knew that their dad was the voice, and that was cool for them. I would come in once and a while and read for them. Everybody wanted me to do the Oso voice and that kind of stuff, so that was really cool. Recently they just got to meet the Oso walk around — which is this life size cuddly Oso that walks around (and meets people). Something happened I don’t know, but they came home and were glued to the television. They were like, "we met this guy, and he’s awesome. We’re on the inside track now. We love Oso." I think my four year old who will be five in the coming weeks is the perfect target and demographic for us. She latched on to it the most. Recently the title song was nominated for an Emmy in Best Original Song, which we’re very proud of, and my oldest (daughter) knows all the lyrics.

BLAST: The visuals and design for the show is done wonderfully. It easily gains a child’s attention. There are a lot of fun elements to "Special Agent Oso."

SA: ("Special Agent Oso") is bright and colorful. The voices are up-toned, it’s very pleasing. The gadgets are all fun and the kids seem to know the spy universe pretty well. The way they do the discoveries and (set up) the organizational skills themselves are fun. (For example) Oso will come down from his helicopter to help solve a problem, but then he’ll make a mistake. So you’ll have these little kids teaching him, and showing him how to do it correctly.

BLAST: This doesn’t just make it engaging for the kids but for the adults as well.

SA: I think that’s because when you’re teaching a kid how to do something, like a puzzle, repetition is important. I think most parents are like me, you want to be deliberate and explain everything to them. You can tell when you’re losing them. They’re not really focused anymore; they’re bored with what you’re saying. Oso breaks things down with his "paw pilot" this little PDA he’s got (on the show) into these basic steps. You’re going to do this, then that, and (so forth). Then you’re going to know how to do it. As a parent watching my kid connect with that is pretty cool.

BLAST: And that’s the thing that’s great with this show, it also takes on subjects which generally are harder to perhaps conceptualize for a younger crowd.

SA: They really do this year. They push the envelope with that as far as I’m concerned. I saw the scripts come through and thought, "Wow we’re going to tackle this?" And one is about the importance of telling the truth. A little girl breaks a vase, her grandma’s vase, and their dog is around. She has to decide what to do: Is it important to tell grandma the truth? Or blame it on the dog? And when she learns it is important to tell the truth, she has to learn how to apologize about it. Modeling the importance of apologizing is so critical. And another one that’s big this season is about what to do if you get lost; cutting right to the core of issues for little kids. In terms of themes, there’s this big push within the administration and around the country about physical fitness. So (the show) made a concerted effort this year to put an element of physical fitness in there: playing catch, miniature golf, how to ride your scooter, and how to play football. I like that element in being part of this animated show, you’re contributing to people’s health and not just entertaining.

BLAST: You’re going to have some special guest appearances this season like Mel Brooks. How does it feel having them involved?

SA: It’s validation. You do an animated show for the Disney Channel, and you look at your peers like Jenna Elfman or Rita Morena and you sort of go, "So they probably have kids or nieces and nephews who watch the show. " These are people who like the Disney Channel and are cool enough to go out of their way to be in an episode or two. So it’s a validation to what we’ve been doing these past years.

BLAST: Your films, especially earlier the works, has been a big part of some people’s childhoods. How does it feel knowing the work you’re doing now is a part of your own children’s childhood?

SA: I’ll tell you how, they’re making toys! I brought home from work the other day the new Oso car set, and you would have thought I brought the Hope Diamond. Everyone in the house just gravitated to it!
I know there is "The Goonies" toy, and "The Lord of the Rings" toys. So you talk about going into the popular culture and finding a place in people’s hearts. But when it comes right down to it, I’m another toy (laughs).
___

Toy or not, Sean Astin certainly has an aptitude for embodying memorable characters for generations of kids, and "Special Agent Oso" is no exception.

"Special Agent Oso" premieres Saturday July 10th (8:00-8:30 A.M. ET/PT), and continues with new episodes at the same time every Saturday from July to August.

"Twilight Saga: Eclipse" has officially raked in $69 million with midnight premiere viewings and weekend sales. But the vampire series is more than just another summer hit; the series is a phenomenon impacting scores of fans from young teens to thirty-something moms.

Blast got a chance to talk to one of the "Twilight" experts on the subject of all things Team Vampire and Team Wolf. How does this latest film measure up to the books? And will it keep fans happy? Jen Yamato, formerly a Senior Editor for Rotten Tomatoes, and current film critic at Movies.Com, has followed the series from its beginnings. Yamato has written feature articles and essays on the subject and its fans. We spoke to her last week about her thoughts on the LA premiere, its fans, and the movie, "Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

BLAST: You were at the premiere of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" in LA, I heard people were lining up.

JEN YAMATO: It was insane. It was huge, and it was the biggest they’ve had yet for "Twilight."

BLAST: How was the experience with fans? Did you interact with any of them?

JY: First of all, there were 500 people who camped out on Sunday…and that number only grew for the premiere on Thursday. I have so much respect for the fans dedicated to "Twilight." I love they are so excited about it. I totally get it! I spoke with the fans who were at the head of the line, who camped out for four days. They were in such good spirits, and they were rewarded by their devotion with great spots along the red carpet, or rather the black carpet, which they had for the premiere. These fans were happy to be there. The great part is that every "Twilight" actor who walked the carpet took their time with the fans by taking pictures, hugging them, and signing autographs.

I think for fans it’s worth it. They even make signs, and (become) friends with one another. It’s a really fun atmosphere for them, and it’s kind of a once in a lifetime event for them.

BLAST: It’s amazing how devoted these fans are for the franchise and its books.
You’ve followed this from the beginning with the first film, so has the phenomenon has changed over the years? Because it seems as if it’s always been really big.

JY: You know what’s interesting to have followed this all along is that the franchise has grown with each film. I think a lot of it started with the first film because of its fans from the novels. (The success) came out of nowhere. I think Twilight was such a huge success because it parlays the fans from the novels and capitalized from that as a based and just grew and grew.

BLAST: How has it been with the actors too? When "Twilight" first came out and became such a huge success, it seems Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were caught in headlights. It seems as if they’ve grown into their own. How has that been for you? You’ve been on the red carpet and done interviews.

JY: I think the phenomenon that came with the first film "Twilight" caught them off guard as much as it did with everybody else. So with the press on the first film, they were still getting used to it while being the center of the world’s attention. (They) are the center of this ardent fan love. Over the years, you can tell by how they’ve presented themselves in public and in interviews both Kristen and Robert have really matured in many ways. Especially in how comfortable they seem by all the attention from it. Kristen was (particularly) nervous and shy when we talked to her on "Twilight", a little less so when "New Moon" came out, and now she’s completely confident. It’s really nice to see that with her. So there’s been a discernible maturity with all the stars of the film. I think they’re getting used to the game, I think they are now sort of owning it rather than getting carried away. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are very serious and protective of their private lives. So what you see now with them now is the confidence that wasn’t quite there from the beginning.

BLAST: When you were on the red carpet for "Twilight Saga: Eclipse", what did you hear from them about the film?

JY: By the time this film rolls around, the love triangle is the high point. It interplays the three of them: Kristen (Bella), Robert (Edward), and Taylor (Jacob). They all talk about how it was fun for them. There’s an infamous scene known as "the Tent Scene" by fans that’s actually really funny. They shot it for days. They talk about how much fun it was to make that scene.

BLAST: Did the movie "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" live up to what you expect? At least between the books and the film? Until now they (Edward and Bella) haven’t really done too much.

JY: I can definitely say the "Tent Scene" will definitely satisfy fans! It will be one of the favorite scenes fans will definitely want to see over and over again. It’s got Bella literally caught between Edward and Jacob. Jacob is shirtless. And it’s actually one of the film’s funniest scene. They did actually a good job of pulling (the scene) off. And it is one of the enjoyable scenes of the films.

BLAST: Well that’s going to make one of the more interesting scenes at next year’s MTV Movie Awards. Should it be nominated somehow for best kiss.

JY: Inside the tent scene there is no kiss, but you’re right it should be especially for Kristen. One for kissing Robert and one for kissing Taylor.

BLAST: So far, the hype has been this is the best in the series so far. Would you say that’s true?
Having watched it, and seen it all.

JY: I do think it fixes a lot of problems the first two films had, it definitely has more action ramped up considerably. I think it can pull in a whole new demographic. I think fans will be really be satisfied because what "Twilight" has done is remain faithful to the books. "Eclipse" does it as much as "New Moon" and "Twilight". I think David Slade (director) pulls it off in the film.

BLAST: We haven’t brought up the topic about one of the significant parts of the books which are the werewolves. How do you think the storyline evolves in this film?

JY: A lot of different forces come together. Edward and Jacob come together to work together. The Cullen vampires work with their sworn enemies, the werewolves. So it’s good to see them work towards a common good to protect Bella and the newborn vampires. The werewolves definitely have an important role, but what is somewhat disappointing is that you don’t see much of the werewolves in their human form as Wolf Pack fans would like…you more of the CG (computer graphic) wolves. There’s a tender scene with Jacob the Wolf and Bella…you get a sense for the size of the wolves.

BLAST: How is the graphics for the wolves this time around? In "Twilight Saga: New Moon," they are a bit softer than what you would expect from a werewolf. With "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" have they improved this time around ?

JY: The wolves are much the same, but I think they’ve fixed a couple of issues with the wolf CG and animation. It’s an issue with how weighty an animated figure appears to be in a real world setting.
The wolves are really well integrated into live action vampire fights. And I would say the most impressive effects in "Eclipse" are the vampire effects. You get to see in battle what it’s like when vampires limbs are being ripped off. David Slade, the director, spent a lot of time developing the look of the vampire physiology. The way he describes it is as if their muscles are made of crystalline substance. So when we see them in the heat of battle, and vampires take causalities, it’s not bloody because they don’t have blood exactly. It’s interesting to see.

BLAST: How much of the books’ mythos plays in the film? I know the subject of imprinting is important. Does that come into play here? Because "Breaking Dawn" is being split into two movies. So you have to wonder if they’ve saved some elements for that later on. Because films don’t always go in the order it should sometimes.

JY: Yes. Every "Twilight" film has stayed faithful to the books. Important conversations and events that happen in the book make it to the movie. In "Eclipse" we learn more about imprinting as Jacob explains to Bella. We learn more about the Quileute tribe and legends.

BLAST: As a critic you’ve seen a lot of films, of course, so what would you say makes "The Twilight Saga" a success? Most films based on successful books do not always translate well onscreen.
Would you say it has to do in part to the collective fanbase surrounding the films and books?

JY: The "Twilight" franchise is unlike any other franchise in terms of genre. "Twilight" is first and foremost a love story than a supernatural or even a horror film. I think it’s the romance that keeps fans hooked, I think that’s why they keep coming back to see the story continued through Bella’s eyes.

BLAST: It seems with the build up to the release of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse," the promotions have been a lot more aggressive than previously.

JY: Summit, the studio, have been very smart about its treatment for the saga from the beginning. The fandom has grown steadily over each film, and that’s because people love the books. Secondly, people love seeing those books come to life onscreen. Beyond that, they (the fans) enjoy projecting their love for the actors who play them: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. So now the fandom has become this larger than life entity of its own in terms of "Twilight." It’s fun for fans to celebrate it. Summit has done a really great job encouraging the fandom itself. They have Stephenie Meyer and the source material in mind throughout the franchise because they know that’s important to the fans. Summit has made the "Twilight" movies an experience for fans.

And an experience it has been this week as "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" continues to heat up ticket sales. The only disappointment for fans will be waiting for the last installment,"Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." Unfortunately, the final chapter of the "Twilight Saga" won’t start production until 2011. Until then fans will continue to swap stories, debate on which team they love best, and keep close to all the latest updates! For more details on Yamato’s review on "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and all her other work, check out http://www.movies.com/movie-reviews/jen-yamato .

"Twilight Saga: Eclipse" is currently playing nationwide in theaters and IMAX.

SAN DIEGO — This year’s San Diego Comic-Con International marks the second appearance for The CW smash series, "The Vampire Diaries." The event is less than a month away, but confirmation on specific cast members attending the panel have been left to speculation until now. Warner Bros. confirmed with Blast today that the program is set for Saturday, July 24th with a room and time TBD. It will include appearances from Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Michael Trevino, Matt Davis, Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson.

So fans, be prepared as it’s most likely the venue will be much larger than last year. Lines are extremely long especially during peak days like Saturday or Friday. It’s has also been known that fans will either camp out for days ahead or arrive as early as 3am just to secure a seat.

San Diego Comic-Con International is a four day event starting on Thursday July 22nd to Sunday July 25th . Those lucky enough to buy tickets early with the four day pass will start early with Preview Night on Wednesday the 21st . Last year’s Preview Night premiered episodes from the series "V," "Human Target," and "The Vampire Diaries."

SAN DIEGO — There is a small patch of green known as the “Park in the Park” that exists near San Diego’s Petco Park, where the city’s baseball team usually plays to a cheering crowd. Park in the Park is a designated area for attendees who want to catch a game without breaking their wallets; it’s a picturesque space with a wonderful city view. And during Saturday night’s lunar eclipse, San Diegans lined up to celebrate the upcoming movie "Twilight Saga: Eclipse," which hits theaters nationwide on Wednesday, June 30th.

San Diego is one of several cities (see our coverage in Phoenix and Denver) chosen nationwide to host Summit Entertainment’s "Twilight Night." It’s free event that includes a double feature of the first two movies ("Twilight" and "New Moon"), guest appearances from the cast, live music, and exclusive sneak peeks of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

Whether you’re a fan or not of Stephanie Meyer’s explosive vampiric series, there is little doubt as to the significant impact its followers have in pop culture right now. An event such as "Twilight Night" is proof positive the franchise is not slowing down any time soon. In San Diego, fans camped out the previous night just for the chance of being inches closer to a Cullen or to support the Quileute werewolf tribe known as "The Wolf Pack."

The Park closed its iron gates off to the public after reaching maximum capacity in less than an hour. Several families who arrived late stood (literally) on the outside looking in. Some pleaded by explaining, "I left work hours early for this…" or "I won’t get too close." Children cried; parents threw tantrums, but all were rejected admission.

Usually a fanaticism left for rock stars and concert tours, "Twilight" is one of the few pop phenomenons which continues to bring in droves of people and cause hysterics. Proper planning at events like "Twilight Night" is crucial in maintaining safe crowd control and ensuring a good time. The organization at Park in the Park from all parties involved was great, and easily could have turned into mayhem without their efforts. As for the fans, their energy added to the electric atmosphere as they waited for the cast appearances. Many walked around proudly in black shirts with the words "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" written across their chests in the trademark "Twilight" font face. Whispers and sighs from many of the younger fans could be heard as they debated over their favorite characters. Some even took it a step further and wore the "bite mark" prosthetics which showed more than the classic two, small dotted marks of a vampire; it looked as you would expect a real bite to appear: bloody, fleshy, and slightly gory.

Hosting the event was Jenna Busch from Moviefone and Quddus best known for his previous work in MTV’s "Total Request Live (TRL)." Fans even cheered them on as they set up for their live event, showing their love isn’t just left for the stars of the films. Local San Diego band War Stories set off festivities playing a live set to a frenzied crowd which could be heard easily within several city blocks, perking the curiosity of many locals who stepped over to the gates to catch a glimpse. The music of War Stories is reminiscent of band Interpol but with the lead singer, Evan Robinson, blasting out amazing vocals it feels as if he were channeling Michael Hutchence from INXS. Their song "Insecure Boyfriend" was a highlight, and judging by the audience reaction they’ve got themselves a whole slew of new fans.

As War Stories’ performance came to an end, the focus quickly shifted to the main stage area where Busch prepared to go live on air. Meanwhile Quddus connected with several select attendees whose questions were sent to Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

It was worth the wait as members of the cast made their way onto the red carpet, and fans reacted with a swirl of ardent screams. Edi Gathegi (vampire Laurent) was originally schedule to appear but could not attend at the last minute. In his place was the lovely Christian Serratos, who plays Forks’ human resident, Angela Weber. Joining her was none other than Dr. Carlisle Cullen himself: Peter Facinelli.

Serratos wore her long brown hair in a simple braid. Dressed in a white strapless gown, she looked exquisite despite the chilly weather.

Peter Facinelli followed shortly afterwards sporting a dark ‘do, a change from Dr. Cullen’s trademark blonde hair. He dressed casually in dark denim and leather jacket while carrying a smile for all the fans. When Facinelli was asked about making it to San Diego, the crowd burst into screams, and the actor couldn’t help but note the audience attendance was as enthusiastic as the "Twilight: Eclipse" LA premiere days ago.

As soon as their time on camera was finished, both Serratos and Facinelli took an extended amount of time to sign autographs, and chat briefly with some of the people at the front. It’s the cast’s patience and respect for fans that makes the film so successful. There was even a moment were Facinelli held a baby, making him appear more like a politician than actor.

Yet the most dramatic turn was about to unfold as a sudden stillness spread through the crowd, and a stretcher was brought in by some medics. Although it’s uncertain exactly the cause for the situation, it appeared one of the fans may have passed out while Facinelli came by to sign autographs. After the situation was resolved, and no serious injury caused, the crowd returned to its excited state, proving again that nothing holds back a good time at a "Twilight" event.

"Twilight Saga: Eclipse" will be the last film of the year as the final installment "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" won’t start production until 2011.

"Eclipse" hits theaters and IMAX June 30.

Summertime is starting to feel more like fall with the amount of new series’ debuting recently. Among them is ABC’s cop drama "Rookie Blue," a show that follows the lives of five rookie cops fresh out of the academy with big dreams and ambitions. Missy Peregrym ("Heroes," "Reaper") and Gregory Smith ("Everwood") are some of the cast members who spoke with Blast about this new series in a special video interview.

"Rookie Blue" also stars Charlotte Sullivan, Enuka Okuma, Travis Milne, Ben Bass and Eric Johnson. The series airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC and premieres June 24.

FOX announced this week it has picked up animated series, "The Cleveland Show"  for a  third season, proving that despite its harsh critics the series isn’t going anywhere.  As another Seth McFarlane project for FOX, "The Cleveland Show" is a spin-off to the more popular series, "Family Guy"; taking the Quahog citizen Cleveland Brown to his hometown of Stoolbend, Virginia where as its theme song explains, "there’s old friends, and new friends, and even a bear".

Yet despite McFarlance’s redundant formula of sassy babies, and talking animals, the series has the network’s approval. But will it be enough to keep viewers coming back for more? It’s a case of wait and see.

"The Cleveland Show" airs Sundays 8:30 p.m. Central on FOX

For many, the 1984 classic "The Karate Kid" signals a time in pop culture when coming of age films were fast reaching their pinnacle. Just to have an idea, other teenage classics, such as "Sixteen Candles" and "Footloose," also came out that year. It was such a phenomenon that Pat Morita was nominated for an Academy Award in his memorable role as the wise fly-catching Asian mentor Mr. Miyagi. It introduced to the world the famous "Crane Kick," a fictional karate move that for anyone at that time between the ages of eight years and older was at least attempted once in their backyard. Yet what made "The Karate Kid" so well-received by audiences has a lot to do with its underdog formula. It is a fish out of water story about Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) who moves to California, fights off attacking bullies, and finds love through the "art" of learning karate. It renewed America’s love affair with martial arts which had not been as popular since Bruce Lee came out with "Enter the Dragon," and is ranked amongst the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Inspiring Films. With so much significance, the news of "The Karate Kid" remake produced by Will Smith set off alarms for fans of the franchise. How would this story be revised? Was it even necessary? The answer comes this weekend as the film makes its way nationwide.

It’s been 26 years since the original film hit theaters, and the world is far less ideal onscreen. The daunting task of remaking this classic comes in the aftermath of a year already spent in an 80s reboot havoc from "Nightmare on Elm Street" to "The A-Team." So does "The Karate Kid" measure up to its predecessor? Here are some things you need to know first: The film is directed by Harald Zwart ("Pink Panther 2") and the scale for this production is grand, as in it’s actually shot in China. The fights are a lot more violent, and the film is 140 minutes. So parents, if you plan on bringing the kiddies, make an exit plan as it’s certain there will be fussing around. The film stars action hero Jackie Chan as Mr. Han, a maintenance man, who also happens to be a secret kung fu master, and Jaden Smith (yes, Will Smith’s son) as Dre Parker, a troubled young American who seeks his guidance.

As it turns out, Dre is in China because his mother Sherry (Taraji P. Henson) has been transferred from her job at an auto manufacturing factory in Detroit to Beijing. Much like the original film’s protagonist, Dre has a hard time adjusting to his new home. The stakes are raised because there’s the language barrier and cultural divide. This becomes apparent in Dre’s star-crossed love story with Mei Ying. While trying to impress Mei Ying in the park where they meet for the first time, Dre gets on the bad side of the local bully, Cheng. Cheng is described by Mei Ying as the son of a "close family friend." He’s someone who potentially has feelings for her which means this can’t end well. Cheng and his gang make Dre’s life hell, harassing him at every opportunity and beating the boy into a pulp. It’s a wonder Dre isn’t in a body cast at some point with the amount of kicks he takes to the chest. It isn’t until Mr. Han intervenes in the story that the film picks up speed. After defending Dre from Cheng, Mr. Han plans to remedy the situation by approaching Cheng’s kung fu instructor, Mr. Li (Yu Rongguang), whose take-no-prisoner mentality is a perfect counterpart to the John Kreese instructor in the original version. Things don’t end as planned, and Dre finds he must enroll in the city kung fu tournament if he plans on being left alone. If not, he’ll be harassed mercilessly. Mr. Han offers to be Dre’s teacher. We quickly find instead of waxing up a car like in the original, Dre practices putting on and taking off his jacket. Apparently, repetition is the key in being a kung fu master, especially if it relates to anything resembling a chore. The montage sequences of training are fun and satisfying, living up to the hype.

There will definitely be two camps of fans for this film: those who love it for its fun factor and action scenes, and those who find the flaws glaring and the length excessive. So what’s the verdict? If you’re determined to watch the film in theaters, make it a matinee: it definitely isn’t worth a regular ticket price. It’s enjoyable if you keep your expectations low, and don’t expect to see something entirely original. It’s a typical summer blockbuster film with all the elements you’d expect to find: big names, big production value, and lots of action — although most of the fight scenes happen very late in the film. If you’re on the fence, here’s a breakdown of the pro and cons.

Why it works

Casting — The actors chosen for each role are great. If anyone could flawlessly work those action scenes, it’s Jackie Chan. Chan flawlessly plays the mentor role, and makes it his own. Then there’s Taraji P. Henson, who deserves a lot of props for playing Dre’s strong mother, Sherry. She’s a very likable scene stealer. Zhenwei Wang plays Dre’s bully, Cheng. He’s remarkable in playing the villain, with his death-like dagger of a stare. Jaden Smith shines in showing his range. The film clearly pitches his range and marketability by showing his comedic and dramatic skills. The young actor handles the waterworks spot on in a calm and restrained style, reminiscent of his father’s brand of acting. He has a unique way of connecting with audiences in his more somber scenes, and when you see Jackie Chan cry alongside him, it’s moving. Smith has you genuinely rooting for him when the scene demands it.

Action — The action sequences live up to its dramatic promise, and in later parts of the film we’re shown a bit more of the origins to real "kung fu," the part where we understand the nature of it behind the violence shown by Cheng and the bullies.

Location — The landscape and cinematography are some of the film’s strengths as we view sequences of mountainsides and sleek city streets. One particular scene takes place in China’s Forbidden City: the beauty of the architecture is stunning. The camera sweeps through massive tall doors, and suddenly it’s a d©j -vu of Bernardo Bertolucci’s "The Last Emperor." China is its own character in the film, and the director spares no expense in reminding the audience.

Shout-Outs to the Original — It was nice to see little elements thrown out there, like Dre using his skateboard, and the Cobra references. For fans of the original, the film does acknowledge it despite being heavy-handed at times with the plot.

Why it doesn’t

Storyline/Plot – The main problem with the film is its attempt to bottle elements from both the original in with its new direction. It’s almost as if they fused the entire love story element from "The Karate Kid II" and mashed it up with the training from the original "The Karate Kid." When a remake goes to great lengths to stand out as "new and improved," it doesn’t need to entirely hold onto its original platform. The film could have been redeemed by simply taking out excessive chunks of the love story, like when Dre and Mei Ying sneak out of school and travel through the city. The next ten minutes feels forced, as if you’re watching a commercial spot for Beijing’s department of tourism. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just unnecessary and easily could have been saved for the film’s inevitable sequel.

East vs West — You can’t escape the clear line drawn between the "us vs them" mentality the film showcases. While kung fu may be a beloved art form, the film gives in to the stereotypes we’re used to associating with Asians: The disciplined parents, submissive daughter, the honor code, and even "ancient Chinese remedies" for healing the body. "The Karate Kid" isn’t an in-depth film by any means, but it doesn’t go out of its way to prevent further stereotypes. The only thing it lacked was the mathematically-gifted sidekick.

Another awkward moment happens when Cheng basically tells Dre in no uncertain terms to stick to his own kind. Now, what kind is that? On the one hand you can take it for face value and say it’s because he’s a foreigner and Westernized, so Cheng is acting territorial. On the other, some can see it as hinting towards the fact that Dre is black. It’s not unheard of in China, considering an article in last year’s UK Telegraph which exposed the racial stigma over blackness and interracial relationships.

As long as you suspend your disbelief and buy into the heart of the story, the film is enjoyable, but doesn’t surpass some of the more charismatic elements of the original.

In a time when most series are on hiatus, FOX’s drama "Lie to Me"  continues its second season with all new episodes this summer.

The crime drama stars Oscar-nominated actor Tim Roth as the gruff and unapologetic Dr. Cal Lightman, and award-nominated actress Kelli Williams ("The Practice") as his savvy partner, Dr. Gillian Foster. Together they lead a team at The Lightman Group, a company whose business is the art of finding truth through "microexpressions." In other words, being able to see when a person is lying or telling the truth based on body language. Inspired by the work of psychologist Dr. Paul Ekman, a man renowned for his studies in human emotions, "Lie to Me" digs not only into the underbelly of political scandal and federal crimes, it shows viewers how to spot lies from different points of view. It’s because of this mixture of deciphering lies mixed with a good share of action that "Lie to Me" remains exciting each week.

You never know what you’re going to see or learn from it. Yet at the same time, it’s not all about the science. The chemistry of its core characters is intriguing, and the ensemble is pitch perfect. Kelli Williams and Tim Roth have a wonderful onscreen rapport, as does the series’ supporting cast: Monica Raymund ("Law & Order: SVU"), Mekhi Phifer ("E.R"), and Brendan Hines ("The Middleman").

Raymund, in particular, shines despite having a few onscreen credits to her name. She holds her own remarkably well with the veteran cast as the character Ria Torres, a woman whose "natural," gifted abilities turn heads at The Lightman Group, making her Cal Lightman’s protege, which is hardly an easy task. It is the mentor relationship she has with Cal Lightman that adds to the show’s drama. Especially when the winter finale consisted of them fighting over information he withheld from her.

Now summer is here, and fans of the series will find themselves exploring Dr.Cal Lightman’s past once again. In this latest episode, titled "Beat the Devil," Jason Dohring ("Veronica Mars," "Moonlight") guest stars as Martin Walker, a grad student who captures Lightman’s attention for all the wrong reasons during a guest lecture, a favor he’s doing for his mentor Helen Dezekis (Rowena King). Convinced Martin is a psychopath, Lightman goes out of his way to prove he’s right, complicating matters with Helen, who as it turns out shares a romantic past with Lightman.

The entire episode is a cat and mouse game of outing Martin. Meanwhile, the secondary plot is far different, as Ria Torres and Eli Loker (Brendan Hines) work on a separate case concerning an unidentified flying object; yes, a UFO. While this episode isn’t exactly the best foot to set off the spring season, it can easily be broken down in highs and lows.

The Highlights

Jason Dohring vs Tim Roth — There was so much potential in this storyline. Dohring played Martin’s psychopatic tendencies with great restraint, leaving chills with a mere wisp of a smile or a cold stare. Roth’s interaction with Dohring was definitely exciting, and their scenes brought a lot of intensity to the screen, making it hard to look away. It also begs the question as to whether we’ll see Martin again. The fact that Martin was able to trick Ria Torres, create doubt in The Lightman Group, and nearly pull one over Cal Lightman, of all people, makes Martin Walker worthy of the title "Best Possible Recurring Villian".

The Many Loves of Cal Lightman — In seasons past, it has been revealed that Cal isn’t the best at handling intimate relationships, and he loves a good gamble. Learning that he had a fling with his mentor definitely sheds light on his issues. For a man who has lectured co-workers on loyalty and boundary lines, this will definitely shift the ongoing relationship he has with long time (possible love interest) Dr. Gillian Foster. It’s good to see their relationship taking a bit of the forefront, but hopefully Lightman’s indiscretions won’t sabotage a good thing.

The Lows

U.F.O. & Conspiracies — The concept isn’t exactly bad, it’s the timing of it all. In one corner we have a psychopath who likes to waterboard his victims, and on the other side we have two highly intelligent members of The Lightman Group chasing a U.F.O. It’s understandable if the darker tone of the main storyline is a downer, but this U.F.O element was out of place. The episode could have been strengthened by having Ria Torres and Eli Loker help validate Lightman, rather than proving conspiracy theories. And when the stories did overlap, like when Ria gets a visit from Martin, the idea of searching for U.F.Os pales in comparison. We as viewers want to examine how all these characters work collectively in high stakes circumstances, like the Martin Walker type cases, because it allows them to be at their best and grow. Previous episodes have done this well, like "Blinded" back in the first season, in which a serial killer forces the whole group to race against time. As recent as the first episode of this season, "The Core of It," Lightman uncovers the truth behind a woman who not only is a witness to a murder, but appears to have multiple personalities. It’s easily one of the best in the series, and if Roth gets nominated for an Emmy or Golden Globe, "The Core of It" will be part of the reason. So considering these previous episodes, "Beat the Devil" for the most part is good, but the series can push its storylines further, to a darker place.

Changing Directions — One of the more surprising, noticeable things about the new episode happened to be the new wardrobe Ria Torres is donning through the halls of the office. Typically, Eli Loker is the character who sports the casual Friday look. But when Ria Torres begins walking around in a jean mini-skirt and a cotton red top, something is wrong. Some will argue it’s just clothes, but it says a lot about her character. It has been established that Ria Torres is not like most people her age; she has a knack for reading ulterior motives and she fights to be taken seriously at times. So why is she suddenly walking around the office in a short skirt and knit top? Monica Raymund is undoubtedly a beautiful actress, but she doesn’t need short skirts to compensate for her talent. It makes Ria appear more like a young co-ed than a professional working for a major company. How will her character be taken seriously if she works a case with government officials and she’s sporting a mini jean skirt? Hopefully this is just temporary, and isn’t a sign of making her "sexy and young" for viewers.

Nevertheless, the series remains strong despite some minor flaws in continuity and plot. The actors continue to bring their best onscreen, and judging by next week’s promo, it looks like the show is going to get back to its signature drama.

"Lie to Me" airs Mondays at 8 pm on FOX this summer and returns in the fall for its third season.

In breaking news, People Magazine reported about Bret Michaels’ trip to the emergency room. In it the article describes Michaels’ critical condition:

"…the star was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where doctors discovered he suffered a massive sub-arachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding at the base of his brain stem), according to a source close to the situation…[It] will be touch and go for the next few days while he is under intense observation ."

Unfortunately this is the latest in a series of medical troubles for the rock star. Bret Michaels, who suffers from Type 1 Diabetes, also underwent an emergency appendectomy in San Antonio, Texas earlier this month. Currently a contestant on "The Apprentice", Bret Michaels is most known for his lead vocals with rock band Poison, and having starred on VH1′s reality series "Rock of Love".

Pop culture and 1980s icon Corey Haim has died at 38.

The actor was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center in Providence early Wednesday morning. The cause of death remains undetermined, despite speculations that drugs played a role.

Mr. Haim, who is best known for the vampiric film "Lost Boys," shared the screen with Corey Feldman, another child actor with a slew of films under his belt. The two actors continued a partnership through several films which later dubbed them as "The Coreys" to many fans. In recent years the

In recent years, Mr. Haim has slowly resurfaced in films such as “Lost Boys: The Tribe” and “Crank: High Voltage.”

This story is still developing.

Blast took part in a Q&A session with Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar, the stars of the hit USA series “Burn Notice.”

In this week’s season three finale, Michael’s worst fears come to life when a world class terrorist is unleashed on Miami, threatening to detonate a bomb if Michael doesn’t give him what he wants.

Here’s the interview:

REPORTER: Are you surprised at the success of this show? And I know at times, for USA, the show is either competitive with NBC or sometimes even passing it. Are you surprised with the following that it’s gotten over the years?

JEFFREY DONOVAN: Well, I think that all you can hope for is that you make something that people want to watch and then somehow keep integrity while doing that.

And so I think we’re very happy with the ratings definitely. I know we work really hard, so surprised, yes, we’re always surprised when anything succeeds in this day and age.

REPORTER: Can you talk about your characters and just kind of the evolution that we’ve seen in your characters, and are you happy with where you guys have ended up with your characters? And if you’re in charge of everything, where would you like to see them go I guess in the season or in the future?

GABRIELLE ANWAR: I don’t know where we’re going, where are we going, Jeffrey?

JD: Well, I think that, I’ll speak for Gabrielle, I mean I know from talking with all the other cast mates, we’re very happy with where it’s going. But sometimes Matt Nix and all the other writers keep us slightly in the character dark, not because they don’t trust us with the knowledge, but they’re just trying to figure it out as well along the way.

When you’re dealing with espionage and covert affairs, sometimes the secret is more exciting than the knowledge. If we were both in charge, I would love a deeper insight into Michael’s past, that’s for me. I don’t know about Gabrielle, what would you like?

GA: I’m quite happy with Fiona’s enigmatic state of being. I don’t think I need to know more about, I’d love to know more about where you’re from, absolutely, but I quite like not knowing. I don’t like to know who I am.

REPORTER: We read online that in an upcoming episode, Michael will be going somewhere other than Miami and that he won’t be alone. Can you tell us where your characters going and why, as well as who’s going with him?

JD: Well, obviously I can’t. It’s the season finale, and it’s really literally in the last five minutes of the show. It’s a bit of a cliffhanger. Michael’s been stuck in Miami for quite some time, and there’s a couple of psychopaths on his tail, and things come to a hilt. And by the end of the show, Michael is actually transported out of Miami, but I can’t tell you where, but it’s a bit of a cliffhanger.

REPORTER: For both of you, what first drew you to the show and to your characters?

GA: I was drawn to the character, Fiona, I just thought it was so brilliantly written. It was sparingly written, but so insightful. I couldn’t believe that a man had actually written the script, I mean at least her character. When I first met Matt Nix, who created and wrote the script, I actually said to him, you must have a remarkable relationship with your wife, because you have such incredible insight. So that was what intrigued me about playing a character.

When you sign up for a TV show, you don’t know if it’s going to be for a pilot or for the rest of your life, so I wanted to play a character that I enjoyed thoroughly, and there weren’t that many of them out there. So that’s why I clasped onto this script with great hope.

JD: I got hooked on the voiceover, the first page is a voiceover, it says, “You know what it’s like to be a spy?” I love the idea that not only do I get to play a spy, I get to play a burn spy, and on top of that, I can talk to the audience about what it’s like being a spy. I thought I had never seen anything like that on television, so that’s what hooked me.

REPORTER: Can you tell us anything about “Good Intentions?”

JD: It’s difficult, because a lot of it is, The Penultimate Episode and then the finale have a lot of cliffhangers and a lot of reveals.

So without giving too much away, Gilroy, who’s basically a psychopath controlling Michael’s actions, has to deliver a plane that has a secret piece of cargo in it and needs Michael’s help to do it. When that happens, you find out it actually is someone quite dangerous, and Michael unfortunately allows him to escape.

And then the finale is about trying to capture this psychopath that’s loose.

REPORTER: What was it like working with Carlos Bernard in the episode?

GA: Fantastic. He’s such a wonderful man and a fantastic actor, it was an absolute pleasure.

REPORTER: You both obviously had success in film, and a lot of times when that happens, people are less likely to want to do television. What do you like about this particular medium and why do you keep coming back to television? What do you like about this?

JD: I think that, especially with cable, it’s an avenue to be creative. I think why people are drawn more now to cable shows than ever is that they take more risks, they’re creatively pushing the envelope. I think that the networks have to answer to a bigger advertising calling, whereas the smaller cables have lower ceilings that they can bump their heads on. So I think that’s why I keep being drawn back to television, because I think it’s one of the most creative outlets.

And if you think about it, we make 16 one-hour movies a season. You don’t get any opportunity like that in movies. I mean, I can’t say I’ll be able to do 16 movies in the next year, and so that’s how I see it. How about you, Gabrielle?

GA: I like the stability, the continuity of having a lifestyle where I know I can pay my rent at the end of each month. And also I have these children that I am raising and it’s nice for all of us to sort of know that we’re going to be in a specific place for a certain amount of time. I’ve never known that in my career. So I’m really quite grateful at this point that I get to have the sort of double existence and I can rely on both.

REPORTER: Take us a little bit inside Fiona’s mind with regard to Michael’s pursuit of the truth of trying to erase the burn notice. What is her sort of threshold? How long can she wait for him to sort of fulfill this quest that he’s on?

GA: I don’t know. It’s really not up to me is it? I have my own personal threshold and it was at the end of season one.

JD: Wow, wow.

GA: I think it’s going to be a real testament to have patience and adoration of Michael, which I don’t think she would admit either.

REPORTER: We really enjoyed seeing Tim Matheson and you play off each other, and I’m wondering will we see Larry again?

JD: Yes, you will. Larry’s such a pivotal thorn in Michael’s … and that gives my character great ammunition to kind of fight with. He’s a terrific character and Tim’s such a wonderful man and an extraordinary actor. One, we were lucky to get him, and two, he’s actually happy to be on the show and wants to continually come back. He’ll be directing season four’s premiere.

JD: And also, he’ll return as Larry at some point in the season.

REPORTER: And Gabrielle, we love the unspoken communication, you guys say more in glances and looks than what’s delivered on the script, and that’s another wonderful thing about this series. And Gabrielle, we were wondering about you and Madeline, your relationship with each other, and obviously she and Michael are a tribe of two, but we think it’s growing bigger. Can you talk about that?

GA: Yes. I think that these two women have a tremendous amount of respect for one another. And you’re right, there’s so little spoken about what’s really being felt and really being witnessed with that connection to Michael, which I think is pretty accurate to real life, especially with the in-law figures. There’s so much that’s not spoken out loud, and yet there are so many physical undertones and it’s very apparent, and that’s thanks to Sharon. I mean, her performance is so beautifully nuanced and I find it terribly inspiring. She’s a wonderful woman and actress.

REPORTER: Who would be your dream guest stars you’d like to see appear on the show?

GA: Steve McQueen.

JD: Yes, he’s dead.

GA: He is?

JD: Gosh, you don’t read the papers.

GA: I didn’t realize it had to be somebody who could actually appear on the show, but I would say Steve McQueen.

JD: I would love Angelina Jolie.

REPORTER: Do you think there might be perhaps any other USA network show crossovers in the future or would you like to see that happen?

JD: I actually would like to do a crossover somehow with White Collar, I think that the show tonally is similar to ours. I don’t know how that would work, but I would like to see that. I don’t think we would work with any other show. I think Psych and Royal Pains doesn’t figure into our tone.

SAN DIEGO – In the early morning hours while most of the nation begins to wake up from their sleep, the award season in Hollywood continues on and this time with 2010′s Academy Award nominations. Leading the ceremony is last year’s nominee for leading actress, Anne Hathaway whose announcement could be viewed live on the internet  via LiveStream.com.     The one major difference this year will be the expansion of the Best Film category which now includes room for ten nominations.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Mo’Nique in Precious

Vera Farmiga in Up in the Air

Pen©lope Cruz in Nine

Anna Kendrick in Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds

Christopher Plummer in The Last Station

Matt Damon in Invictus

Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones

Woody Harrelson in The Messengers

Actor in a Leading Role

Morgan Freeman in Invictus

Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart

George Clooney in Up in the Air

Colin Firth in A Single Man

Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker

Actress in a Leading Role

Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia

Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side

Helen Mirren in The Last Station

Gabourey Sidibe in Precious

Carey Mulligan in An Education

Animated Feature Film

Up (Pete Docter and Bob Peterson)

The Princess and the Frog (Ron Clements and John Musker)

Coraline (Henry Selick)

Fantastic Mr Fox (Wes Anderson)

Secret of Kells

Foreign Language Film

Ajami (Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani, Israel)

A Prophet (Jacques Audiard, France)

The Secret of Her Eyes (Juan Jose Campanella, Argentina)

The White Ribbon (Michael Haneke, Germany)

The Milk of Sorrow (Claudia Llosa, Peru)

Directing

Avatar (James Cameron)

The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow)

Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)

Jason Reitman (Up in the Air)

Lee Daniels (Precious)

Writing (adapted screenplay)

District 9 (Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell)

An Education (Nick Hornby)

Precious (Geoffrey Fletcher)

Up in the Air (Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner)

In the Loop (Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Ian Martin and Tony Roche)

Writing (original screenplay)

The Hurt Locker (Mark Boal)

Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)

A Serious Man (Joel and Ethan Coen)

Up (Pete Docter and Bob Petersen)

The Messenger (Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman)

Best Picture

Avatar (James Cameron –  director; Brooke Breton , Laeta Kalogridis, Jon Landau, Josh McLaglen, Janace Tashjian, Peter M Tobyansen, Colin Wilson – producers)

District 9 (Neill Blomkamp – director, Bill Block, Philippa Boyens, Carolynne Cunningham, Elliot Ferwerda, Paul Hanson, Peter Jackson, Ken Kamins, Michael S Murphey – producers)

An Education (Lone Scherfig)

The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow)

Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)

Precious (Lee Daniels)

A Serious Man (Joel and Ethan Coen)

Up in the Air (Jason Reitman)

The Blind Side (John Lee Hancock)

Up

Art Direction

Avatar

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (art direction: Dan Hermansen and Denis Schnegg; set decoration: Caroline Smith and Shane Vieau)

Nine (art direction: Peter Findley, Phil Harvey, Simon Lamont; set decoration: Gordon Sim)

Sherlock Holmes (art direction: James Foster, Nick Gottschalk, Matthew Gray, Niall Moroney; set decoration: Katie Spencer)

The Young Victoria

Cinematography

Avatar (Mauro Fiore)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Hurt Locker (Barry Ackroyd)

Inglourious Basterds (Robert Richardson)

The White Ribbon (Christian Berger)

Costume Design

Bright Star

Coco Before Chanel (Catherine Leterrier)

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Monique Prudhomme)

Nine (Colleen Atwood)

The Young Victoria (Sandy Powell)

Documentary (Feature)

Burma VJ

The Cove (Louie Psihoyos)

Food, Inc (Robert Kenner)

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith)

Which Way Home?

Documentary (Short Subject)

China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province

The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner

The Last Track: Closing of a GM Plant

Music by Prudence

Rabbit a la Berlin

Film Editing

Avatar

District 9

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious

Makeup

Il Divo

The Young Victoria

Star Trek

Music (Original Score)

Avatar (James Horner)

Fantastic Mr Fox (Alexandre Desplat)

Up (Michael Giacchino)

The Hurt Locker (Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders)

Sherlock Holmes (Hans Zimmer)

Music (Original Song)

Almost There, from The Princess and the Frog by Randy Newman

Down in New Orleans, from The Princess and the Frog by Randy Newman

Loin de Paname, from Paris 36

Take it All, from Nine by Maury Yeston

The Weary Kind, from Crazy Heart by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

USA Network’s series "Psych" returns from its hiatus chock full of action, starting with a guest appearance by WWE’s John Cena. This marks the continuing fourth season for the show, and Shawn Spencer (James Roday) is a man whose unique observational skills has the Santa Barbara police mistaking him for a psychic. Along for the ride is one of the few people who knows the truth and continues the charade, Shawn’s best friend Burton "Gus" Guster (Dule Hill). Together they run the small business ironically named, Psych, as in a psychic detective agency.

Recently Blast was able to join John Cena and James Roday in a conference call prior to the premiere episode aptly titled, "You Can’t Handle This Episode." This latest chapter continues the show’s tradition of remarkable casting by introducing Detective Juliet O’Hara’s big brother Ewan O’Hara (John Cena), a military officer helping Shawn and Gus with a case situated on an army base.

When asked about his familiarity with "Psych" John Cena explained:

"Well, just because of the relationship with the network I’ve seen bits and pieces…[I] saw that it was my sense of humor and definitely when I got on set I knew I would fit right in. The show’s very well written…I love how it’s put together and I wasn’t a die hard fan, but have since become one. I really do like what they’re doing with the show and I’m happy that I can help kick off the new season, the new time slot…but it was it was an educational experience. I made some new friends and certainly had a newfound respect for what those guys."

As the character of Ewan O’Hara, Cena takes the familiar route of an action hero…at least, in the beginning:

"It was really cool, but at the same time, to have a bit of a mercenary type feel. It wasn’t the “Johnny-do-good” sort of baddest-man-on-the-planet style. This guy, the guy that I play, is a true mercenary. You know, he’s very good at what he does, but at the same time is certainly out to make money and knows he has to compromise some morality issues to get the job done sometimes, and I think that’s what leads up to a very interesting ending.

Speaking of the end, Cena answered questions about a possible return. Although uncertain, he did reveal his thoughts on the subject as well as the cast:

"I would certainly love to make another appearance. I’m so glad that they didn’t [end] my character…I would certainly love to come back if, let’s hope we get some good ratings for the premier episode. And if we do, then hopefully I’ll be seen again.

Those guys, you know…they take everything in stride. They got a great sense of humor, they’re willing to laugh at themselves and wink at the camera and that’s really what I like to do…we had a bunch of laughs, but those guys have a wonderful sense of humor."

Despite the ambiguous fate of his character, Cena won’t have problems filling up his schedule with work:

"I’m actually wrapping a film that’s tentatively titled ‘Brother’s Keeper,’ but the title will change. It most likely will be released in August. Patricia Clarkson is in it as mother of the boy [who stars in it]. Danny Glover is also in it. It’s going to pan out to be a really, really good movie. It’s a drama about a young man who uses amateur wrestling as a backdrop to kind of bring a family closer together."

For fans of WWE wondering if Cena will continue to bring it to the ring or transition out into other projects like "The Rock" (aka Dwayne Johnson) did, it would seem he’s not entirely Hollywood bound yet:

"I really love what I do for the WWE. All these opportunities have spawned from my success in the WWE. So that’s, I guess that’s where my allegiance lies, but everything I do is pretty much to promote the extension of our brand, all the movies, all the TV spots.

There really hasn’t been a game plan. It’s just, I’ve learned since the first day I came on board in the WWE to be ready for anything. You know, I’m a gold recording artist. We came out with an album and I sold over half a million copies of that. I’ve done a couple movies now, I’ve had some TV spots, and all of this is opportunity is literally developed out of nowhere but it’s all been from the WWE. You just have to be ready for your opportunity and just make the best of it when it comes."

James Roday, whose portrayal of the witty and high energized Shawn Spencer, wasted no time in reminding all of us why viewers love him. When asked about the show’s theme song, Roday had to take a moment. One of several ongoing themes with "Psych," apart from finding the pineapple hidden in each episode, revolves around the theme song. Every so often, it will be revised to fit an episode. In a previous season, Shawn and Gus solve a crime revolving around the set of a Spanish telenovela, so the intro was translated into Spanish. Intro title credits were even altered to a Hindi script in order to match the recent Bollywood episode.

"Yeah there’s actually a couple people I’d love to see take a turn,” said Roday. “I think the Chipmunks should do it. I think that maybe we could structure, like, a holiday episode or something where the Chipmunks just come in and blast it and do their thing. And then I think David. A David Bowie cover of our theme song would probably go over pretty, pretty nicely as well."

With the recent departure of the show "Monk," "Psych" is now one of the longest-lasting original series’ for its network, having started back in 2006. When asked about how it felt to have lasted this long, Roday replied:

"I feel older. It’s a testament, I think, to the sort of “Little Engine That Could” mentality that we’ve had from the very beginning with the show. We have sort of stuck around long enough to be anybody’s flagship. USA does such a great job of branding and packaging their shows and you know, they move and you’ve got to keep up. You’ve really got to keep up with the train. And we’ve managed to sort of kind of continuously reinvent ourselves and become this sort of hybrid show that can stick around hopefully no matter what else is going on around it. So it feels good for us. I’m not sure if it makes any difference to anyone else, but it feels good to have lasted this long and still be standing, for sure. "

The new episode takes viewers not only into the military base, it also pays an homage to the love of WWE-style wrestling the characters Gus and Shawn share onscreen. With a surprising guest like John Cena, it begs the question as to what new identities Gus and Shawn would create if in the ring:

"I’m going to go ahead and call us Black and Tan, me of course being Black and Gus being Tan,” said Roday. “And I’m going to say that we come to the ring in our Black and Tan, (in) male model attire, and that we are what is known in the WWE universe as ‘jobbers,’ meaning that it is our job to come in and get our asses beat by whatever tag team that they’re trying to push at the time. There it is, there’s my estimation of Shawn and Gus as wrestlers."

Besides wrestling, Roday got into more detail about the setting for the episode, which was new for them:

"It was interesting because there is no military base where we shoot in Vancouver. So we managed to transform an old asylum for the mentally and criminally insane into a military base, and when you watch the episode, like, I mean I’m sure military experts you know, will probably be cringing, but I’d buy it. And anytime you put on fatigues and you get yourself into that military mindset, especially in these times…you have to take a moment to reflect. I mean, we’re obviously silly and we don’t take ourselves very seriously and we’re a comedy. But you know the truth is there are…there are a lot of young men and women out there wearing those uniforms that put their lives on the line every day. So there was that, there was that element going on as well where we would just stop and look at each other and be like, ‘Wow. Here we are making jokes but there are other people that don’t get to make jokes.’ So it was interesting."

There’s a lot of subject matter the series has delved into from haunted houses, gunslingers, and even werewolves. But when asked about his dream episode, Roday had fun with it.

"Well, actually…okay, I have one and 1A. One is we do so much singing on our show and everybody sings. It just seems like we’re way overdue for a musical. We’ve just got to come up with a clever way to do it. And now that ‘Glee’ has sort of, captured the country’s attention and is in everyone’s subconscious, I think it’s probably the best time ever, because they do it so well that I think the expectation for us would be to just, just do it okay, and I know we can pull that off. So we should do a musical episode. Beyond that, I think an episode where Shawn and Gus agree to participate in some sort of dream therapy experiment where they could actually go into each other’s dreams. To me, that’s no boundaries. That’s like Shawn walking around Gus’ dream world, and everybody being able to see what Gus dreams about. I don’t know if we could top that."

Overall, "You Can’t Handle This Episode" proves that the new year looks good for the series; it’s a mixed bag of suspense, humor and drama. The most notable sequence is the departure of Shawn’s girlfriend Abby when she decides to follow her dream and work abroad for six months. This leaves the door open for a potential Shawn and Juliet union. And while it wasn’t amped up in its typical fare of hijinks, it did deliver memorable lines such as Gus’ refusal to meet up with Shawn on the docks: "You know how I feel about piers like this Shawn! They’re covered in pelican urine!" Despite its trend of "geek chic", the strength of show continues to be a product of witty dialogue and a phenomenal ensemble cast whose onscreen chemistry is easily one of the best on television.

Psych stars James Roday, Dul© Hill, Timothy Omundson, Maggie Lawson, Kirsten Nelson, Corbin Bernsen airs on its new schedule Wednesdays 10PM/9C on USA Network.

SAN DIEGO — Blast took part in a conference call interview session with Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay from USA’s freshman series “White Collar.”

REPORTER: It seems that both Neal and Peter seem to toe the line between right and wrong on the show, especially after seeing the cliffhanger in your fall finale. My question is what types of real life shenanigans have you gotten yourselves into that you can draw inspiration from?

T. DeKay I know we only have a little under an hour so I won’t be able to go through all of my real-life shenanigans. That’s a good question.

M. Bomer I snuck my brother’s car out of the driveway in the middle of the night and was trying to run over trash cans with it. I was 16 and I got a flat tire and literally tried to go to the gas station to put air back into it. It was nothing but shredded rubber and the rim. I came home and by the time I got home the rubber from the tire was literally slapping on the concrete so loud the entire neighborhood — my dad was waiting for me at the door and my license was revoked for quite some time. I wouldn’t say that I have the same kind of criminal savvy that Neal does.

T. DeKay Is that a shenanigan?

M. Bomer If that’s not a shenanigan I don’t know what is.

T. DeKay That’s an excellent shenanigan; I can’t top that one.

REPORTER: Tim, the show obviously took a large step, something that you don’t always see in a mid-season finale. What did you like about that last scene and what can you tell us about the ramifications as we move into the second half of the first season here?

T. DeKay: Jeff Eastin approached me with that last scene a couple weeks before he was going to put it on the script. I said, "You’re the writer; this sounds exciting, let’s go for it." I love the scene and I love the continuation of the scene as well. I think it’s some great writing and some great storytelling and very exciting and it’s a perfect cliffhanger. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

REPORTER: Natalie Morales and Jeff Eastin are both currently on Twitter. In order to get more followers, Jeff was putting out topless pictures of Matt and even offering naked pictures of Matt to get more followers. Are either of you planning to get on the Twitter wagon and, Matt, we want to see more topless pictures of you.

M. Bomer If you want to see more topless pictures you can tune into the season finale, as weird as that response was. But no, I will not be joining Twitter any time soon. I just don’t think that the day-to-day ramblings of my life would be interesting enough to hold an audience. Tim?

T. DeKay I’ve got quite a few pictures of Matt shirtless. No, I don’t have any. But if there is some Web site like, I don’t know, Hippie Shirtless or Shirtless Hippie or something like that I was told about as well. I don’t Twitter; I don’t think most people want to know about my daughter’s dance class or Little League baseball. I don’t think people would want to hear about where I’m headed or up to.

REPORTER: That last scene in the aired episode I don’t know if you can tell us this or not. Was it a coincidence or was it just a red herring or is there a reason, if you can tell us, that the actress that plays Kate looks an awful lot like with Tiffani-Amber Thiessen?

T. DeKay I’ve been asked that and I never realized that they look alike. Now that it was brought to my attention I do see the similarity, two beautiful women. I think it was, I don’t know, maybe the writers have something up their sleeves that I don’t know.

REPORTER: The season finale, everyone’s been saying, they had one hell of a twist that I really don’t think many people saw coming, if anyone saw it coming. How has this suspicion between the two characters changed the series, as it’s been the first half of the season to the last half of the season?

M. Bomer I think it actually comes to resolution pretty quickly. It’s not something that is as dire as it might seem; it’s something that resolves itself relatively quickly in the second half of the season. Ultimately it’s one of those things that ends up, I think, really bringing the two characters closer.

T. DeKay I couldn’t have said that better myself; I concur.

REPORTER: Matt, what’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned so far in the world of con men?

M. Bomer I think the most interesting thing I’ve learned is how much of it is about just like a good actor does his research on a role and does all the homework he needs to do to know a character inside and out, the amount of work that goes into a skilled con artist’s game, the amount of research, the knowledge of the mark and the amount of confidence it takes to pull it off are all really fascinating to me. The similarities to the craft of acting are actually fascinating as well.

REPORTER: You tend to have very distinct fashion styles. I know this sounds like a really wild question to ask especially because it’s guys and you’re not usually in charge of your wardrobe. Tim, as an FBI agent, you seem to be pretty black suit kind of person, FBI kind of guy. How does the fashion style suit what you actually dress in real life?

T. DeKay I think that Stephanie Maslansky, who’s the costume designer, and the rest of the wardrobe team do a great job. They put me in mostly Brooks Brothers suits, a couple Burberry suits. For the most part they certainly can’t be too flashy. We keep pushing the envelope with ties. That’s what Stephanie keeps saying. Every time we get too flashy of a tie we get a note from USA Network.

My immediate reaction to this question is the fact that I love wearing a suit because I hardly ever wear a suit in real life. And every time I put on a suit I think I should wear this more often. I like wearing a suit. It heightens wherever I’m headed to. That’s why I love putting on a suit for Peter because it puts me in a different world than my own. I used to dress up; my dad teases me. He says this show’s haunting me because when I was five years old and I wanted to buy a suit and a fedora and there’s a picture of me somewhere like that, I’m leaning up against the coffee table, but kind of in a cool way with my legs crossed and I’ve got the fedora on. I’m about ready to walk up the street and ask Julie Buchanan if she wanted to take a walk around the block. This all just came back to me right now. That’s where it all began, enjoying wearing a suit. Even then I was kind of playing this guy who was certainly not me at five. I don’t know if that answers your question.

M. Bomer I’m definitely more of a T-shirt and jeans kind of guy. For me, I’ve learned a lot from Neal’s wardrobe. The fun part for me is just that it helps me get into the character. When you dress a certain way especially something as specific as Neal’s fascination with the Rat Pack, sort of the Marcello Mastroianni nicely cut suits with the thin ties and stuff like that. It just helps me feel like I’m kind of slipping into the skin of the character and forms the way he moves and things like that.

I always like to try to make an effort if I have to dress up nice, but I’ve definitely learned that you get treated a little bit differently when you’re wearing a suit. I’m definitely trying to make the effort to dress up a little bit more.

T. DeKay You are trying to do that?

M. Bomer I’m trying. On any given day I’m probably in a T-shirt and jeans, but –.

T. DeKay I’m trying to do that, too. I think part of it is because when you’re in New York and the weather is a factor, you can kind of layer. Maybe I’ll wear this certain kind of overcoat or sweater. In L.A. it’s just what T-shirt, long sleeve or short sleeve.

The other thing that I’ve noticed with the wardrobe that they give Matt is just, I’ll be the first to say it, they’re going to trap themselves because he can only wear a certain kind of suit because it comes from June’s closet. I was so wrong with that. It’s unbelievable the variations of suits and ties and outfits that they’ve given Matt to wear.

M. Bomer I think it’s so cool.

REPORTER: You have such great chemistry onscreen we were wondering what your off screen relationship is like and if you spend a lot of time hanging out together.

M. Bomer We always have fun and I can’t remember a day we have not been laughing and having a good time. I’m going to go out on a limb and speak for both of us and say that we both have been in the business long enough to appreciate what we’ve got going on this show and the fact that we like to work with each other so much and the fact that we have a network behind us. Thankfully so far people have been watching so I think we realize; we’re grateful for every day we get to work together. That’s certainly how I feel. It’s just been easy and fun from day one for me. Tim is just a great guy, the kind of actor you feel really safe working with because he just sort of says yes to whatever you bring to the table and then goes with it.

T. DeKay That’s the way I feel about Matt, to be honest with you. I really do. It is true, but even more importantly, Matt told me that I’m a good singer. I haven’t heard that in a long time. Matt complimented me; he said that I can hold onto the melody while he harmonizes, which I never knew was a difficult thing to do. Now I feel like I’ve got that in my back pocket.

M. Bomer It’s true.

T. DeKay Here’s the thing. You can ask; I’ll speak for both of us on this one as well, which echoes what Matt is saying. In order to be able to work with somebody in acting, it’s going to sound judgmental and I hope it doesn’t, but you’ve first got to think that person’s a good actor before you can enjoy working with them. I guess that goes with the trust. I like this person, the way they work; I think they’re a good actor. Great, that is done now we can just go from there and see what happens and listen and play together.

M. Bomer Agreed.

REPORTER: As actors, when you go through the process of trying to determine what your character is like and trying to get the back story, could you explain a little bit about how script can inspire your performance?

M. Bomer I think your text is everything; it’s what informs you; it’s what gives you the given circumstances. Then you take that and you add your own creativity and your own spin on things and you make it personal. That’s what makes that character and that text unique to you, when you personalize it. I think that’s where your job as an actor comes in. The text is everything especially in TV, which is really a writer’s medium.

T. DeKay I agree. The text and the words simply have to inspire you. If they don’t it’s an awful, awful battle that is not fun. If they inspire you it’s great, you fly. If they don’t you spend much of your time justifying what has been written for you. Fortunately that’s not the case here. The words are great; we get to fly off of them.

REPORTER: I’ve seen the screener for the episode coming up and I just wanted to know what we can expect out of the rest of the season. Can you tell us?

M. Bomer Even more car accidents, lots of violence.

T. DeKay A lot of death scenes. I think the Martians come back.

M. Bomer They do. I think the intelligent procedurals continue, what I like to think of as intelligent procedurals as well as a lot of character development. In terms of my character, a lot of the stuff is coming to fruition that happened in the cliffhanger gets ironed out between me and Peter. Then my character really starts having to make the decision, is he going to operate for the law or is he going to do whatever it takes, against the law, operating outside of the legal system, to find Kate. That’s his struggle in the second half. He starts to push those boundaries a little bit more.

REPORTER: Do you have a favorite moment from shooting the episodes that are upcoming that you could share with us.

T. DeKay There are so many favorite moments. The scene that I did with Kate was exciting because it just was very different for Peter. I think there are some really fun, on the set and with the writers, we call them Peter/Neal moments where it’s just the two of them. Those are the ones I enjoy greatly. You’ll see Peter go undercover a couple times, a few times, I think, in the second half of the season. He’s good at it; not as good as Neal.

REPORTER: Can you give us a typical day on the set of White Collar, what you do and everything that goes on.

T. DeKay The typical day starts very early. You get there and you get your breakfast and then we shoot about anywhere from seven to ten pages a day. We try to, depending on where we are. Sometimes we’re on location; sometimes we’re on the set. For the stages we have the FBI offices, Neal’s apartment, Peter’s apartment, Peter’s home. Sometimes they’ll build something else as well then everything else is on location. So half the day we may be on the stages and then the other half we have to go to some location. Then you’re dealing with these New Yorkers who want to be part of the movie or some cabbie’s mad at you because you’re taking up his street that he’s supposed to be driving down and we’re not supposed to be shooting. It’s a good, exciting 12 to 14-hour day.

It’s gorgeous. It’s amazing how many wonderful locations we’ve been to and how many homes. Every time I walk into one of these homes I just think really, somebody lives here in what looks like a museum? It’s astounding how many gorgeous, six-story homes are right in Manhattan, just astounding.

BLAST’S CONCEPTION ALLEN: I just want to say first of all, as a fan of both White Collar and your former show, Carnivale, it’s really nice to see you back on network television. I think it’s really interesting what you said about protectiveness. Your character, Jonesy, in Carnivale, who coincidentally is very protective of his group, the relationship is kind of similar with Peter’s role with Neal.

Having said that, I think that would, with the cliffhanger that it has, is there going to be any sort of disruption with the supporting cast as far as their reaction to what happened, like Mozzie or Elizabeth? Will they be caught up in the fray?

T. DeKay That’s a good question. They will become part of that. They will become part of, let me say, not to get any spoilers out there, but they’ll become part of answering that cliffhanger, yes. That’s a good question. Everybody gets involved. It becomes a big family affair.

BLAST: That’s great because I think one of the things about the show that makes it good is that connection he has with the people in his life; he’s not just contained in his work. I think that it’s interesting how he has kind of a darker side, would you say?

T. DeKay Yes. You’ll see, but to that I think all four characters – Neal, Peter, Mozzie and Elizabeth — as the season progresses you see all four of them mingling together in a certain way. It’s great. I think it’s one of the reasons why the show’s so special; it’s about the characters. The writers always write some very smart procedural, but really, it’s about how these characters are going to solve that crime. Not so much about you want to see the crime solved; you want to see how they’re going to solve it.

SAN DIEGO — Jay Leno is going home.

Home, that is, to late night television.

In a statement from NBC Universal TV chairman Jeff Gaspin "The Jay Leno Show," currently in the primetime 10 p.m. slot will end after February. The network’s plans are to move the veteran host to a later 11:30 time slot.

Gaspin made his announcement during the Television Critic’s Association Press Tour held in Pasadena, Calif.

"My goal right now is to keep Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon as part of our late-night lineup,” Gaspin said. “As much as I’d like to tell you we have a done deal, we know that’s not true."

Gaspin’s response came during wide speculation from various media outlets and social networks that the cancellation of "The Jay Leno Show" was imminent.

In an opening monologue last week, Leno made light of the awkward situation and joked, saying: "There’s a rumor, I don’t know if you’ve heard, that we’re canceled. I heard it on the radio on my way down here…If we did get canceled it would give us some time to do some traveling. In fact I heard FOX is beautiful this time of year."

NBC’s plan also calls O’Brien to retain his job with “Tonight” but at the later hour of 12:05 a.m. Jimmy Fallon and “Late Night” would be pushed to 1:05 a.m.

SAN DIEGO — Reporters had the chance to teleconference and interview Natalie Morales about "White Collar,” shortly after we chatted up Tiffani Theissen.

QUESTION: They had a female costar, an FBI agent, in the pilot, Diane, and then she mysteriously disappears, and then you appear as Lauren Cruz. Do you happen to know the dynamics there?

NATALIE MORALES: Well, it’s not the same role. It’s a completely different role, and I actually don’t know what exactly went on because that was before I sort of… I think I’ve heard Jeff Eastin, the executive producer, sort of explain that there was a scheduling conflict with the actress. I’m not entirely sure what happened, but I know that Lauren Cruz was always intended to be a completely different role from the Diana character.

QUESTION: You have quite an ensemble of outfits in the first episode. Are we going to see more of your wardrobe?

NM: I know!

That particular episode was based around Fashion Week and that’s why there were the fancy dresses, but I believe that Lauren does a lot of undercover work, which is where the different outfits come from, because, basically, if you see her in the office she’s in her button-down shirt and jacket, all FBI gear, but yeah, I think that undercover stuff you’ll see more often. It’s very fun to do because you get to sort of play a different character playing a character so, yes, you know, you’ll see a lot more of that.

QUESTION: What about this particular role brought you to the show?

NM: Well, honestly, I read the pilot and it was one of the best pilots I’ve ever read in my entire life, and I just thought that it was just something I really wanted to be a part of, and I got lucky that I got the role, you know. Everybody behind the project is so completely all about it, and it’s really, really fun and refreshing to have a cast that really gets along, and everybody is great, and it’s just like I couldn’t be luckier, to be honest with you. It’s really, really fun.

QUESTION: You’re surrounded by a lot of handsome men. When you first started working with them did you find it was a bit of instant chemistry or did it take a bit of time for you all to gel?

NM: Absolutely, it’s just chemistry. Matt and Tim, who I spend most of my time with — unfortunately I don’t have any scenes with Willie — Matt, Tim and I just laugh all day long, and it’s pretty much happened since the first two seconds we met so we really get along very well, and it’s been a great time.

QUESTION: You do a lot of Twittering. Is that something that you find is really important to you so that you can stay connected with your fandom? And what is the significance of it that’s so important to you?

NM: I don’t know if there’s any significance, except that I’m bored a lot, I guess, and I like to talk a lot of crap. I don’t know. There’s no significance behind it, except that it’s fun and I guess it’s sort of a social experiment, you know?

QUESTION: Is there anything physical that you had to train for for your role on this show?

NM: Well, we’ve done a little bit of tactical training. We had a really cool guy that’s a SWAT team member come in and sort of show us the ropes on what you would do busting into a house and the searching for people and all that kind of stuff, which is cool. I love that stuff. It’s a little different holding a Glock than it is holding an alien zapper gun so it’s a cool bit of training. I think I can pretty much just make up what I was doing with “The Middleman” guns, that actual procedure, the stuff like this that I needed to learn.

QUESTION: Obviously we know that Neal has a girlfriend, and we know that he’s very much into her and finding her, but your character and his character, you’re getting quite chummy recently, so what’s the deal there?

NM: Yes, you picked up on something there. I think that Neal and Lauren definitely have some chemistry going on, and, you know, right now his head is all around Kate and what’s happening with Kate, but I think that Lauren, despite the fact that it’s someone that she should keep her eye on in not the “I like you” way, it’s hard for her not to, you know?

So I think, not that what I just said made any kind of sense, I hope you understood that; the oddest way to phrase something ever. God, I can’t believe this is being transcripted, but yes, I think that there is something there for sure, and I hope and believe that it will develop in the future.

QUESTION: Now how did your role on White Collar compare to your time with “The Middleman?”

NM: Well, I think Wendy was sort of a college-aged rebel artist who was sarcastic and funny, but yet rooted in this kind of pure love for the people around her; likely, seeing her mother and then her boyfriend, and even The Middleman, and I think it was a different character in essence, and I think Lauren is a little bit more mysterious. She’s a little more guarded and I think she’s more of an overachiever, whereas Wendy was just incredibly talented without knowing it. Lauren fought hard to get to where she is, and therefore is very guarded and very protective of what she has and who she is. I think that’s the difference I see. I don’t know the trend, like, to hold it. Maybe Lauren is just grown-up Wendy. I don’t know. That’s how I see it.

QUESTION: What’s the latest on Wall Street II?

NM: I just wrapped my stuff. I think they wrap the entire movie next week, and I’m told that it comes out in April so hopefully it’ll get cut out and you’ll see it. I am basically the office bitch. Fortunately the roles that I’ve gotten to play this year have all been completely different so they’ll be fun, yes, for you guys to watch, hopefully.

QUESTION: Where would you like to see your character go in terms of next season?

NM: That’s an interesting question. I don’t know. I think we have some incredible minds writing the show, and I definitely leave it up to them to create my character. Sometimes they don’t tell me everything in my character. For example, on the USA website it says that Lauren speaks eight languages, which I didn’t know until I read that so that might be interesting and hopefully coming in another episode in the future. I think I’d like to see her relationship with Neal, and maybe some of Lauren’s personal life and what she’s really like. We don’t really know a lot about her yet, where she comes from, who she is and what she does when she’s not at work so I think that would be interesting to see.

BLAST’S CONCEPTION ALLEN: The chemistry between Neal and Agent Cruz — I know we don’t know that much about her back history, but what would you say is her fascination with him? What you think draws her to him, other than work.

NM: Well, I think there’s something about how intelligent he is, which is completely on par with how intelligent she is. I don’t think that Lauren finds a lot of guys who can keep up with her, you know? And Neal not only can keep up with her, but can sort of keep her guessing, and that’s rare for her, I think. I mean she went to Quantico, she went to Cambridge, she’s up there in her class. She’s a smart girl so I think that’s what’s interesting, and also there’s a little bit of a smooth bad boy thing that every girl likes, you know?

BLAST: When you found out you had the role, did you draw any inspiration from previous films or television characters that kind of made you go, “Ohh, this is kind of like this character,” that drew you to the character?

NM: That’s interesting. No, actually I didn’t really base it on anything. Immediately when I read about the character, I just kind of really got a sense of it, and I really related to it very quickly. I almost felt like I knew exactly what I should do. I didn’t really think about basing it on anybody.

BLAST: We just recently talked with Tiffani Thiessen, and she talked about the great chemistry on the set. I know that you haven’t had that many scenes with her, but are we going to see much more of the female relationships? Like interactions among each other, even though it’s predominately mostly about the boys?

NM: Well, so far I’ve only had one scene with Tiffani in which I didn’t have any actual lines with her, but we just say hi to each other and then leave so at this point they know each other. The two characters know each other, but I don’t think that they hang out much because she’s just one of Peter’s coworkers. I’m not really a friend of Elizabeth’s. I think that you’ll probably see more interaction of each of us with the boys, but I don’t know that it’s that much with each other. We just are in different worlds, but who knows? Who knows what they’ll write the next couple episodes. I have no idea.

BLAST: And how far along do you think your character is going to get with — I know the ads between Neal and Agent Cruz romantically — but as far as story lines apart from the romance? Like how thick of a relationship are they going to build just as far as the dynamics? Any interesting plot lines?

NM: I really can’t answer that. I have no idea what they’re planning on doing. I know what they’ve told me so far and what you guys have seen so far. There is something there, but who knows what will happen?

QUESTION: It seems like even though you play a bad-ass character, you have humorous overtones to all of your characters. Do you like being cast in humorous roles?

NM: Absolutely. It’s so fun. It’s the best part of my job is to get to be funny, you know?

QUESTION: Do you feel that you’ve been recognized on the street?

NM: I have. You know, it’s also New York so when people look at me strangely I don’t know if they’re recognizing me or if they’re just looking at me strangely.

QUESTION: I’m not sure if you’re familiar with “Burn Notice,” but I see a lot of similarities with “White Collar” starting out. Just like I saw “Burn Notice” starting out with the two male leads, and then the female who becomes a stronger character as the seasons progress, and I almost see “White Collar” as taking that sort of bent, too, with a concentration of the two male leads, but I have a feeling over a period of time not only is your character going to be developed, but I think it’s going to be such that you probably will become the third actor on that show, and I think it works because of the comedy. In fact, a lot of shows on channels today work because of the comedy — “Burn Notice” on USA or “Chuck” on NBC. So I think the formula for success is there, so my question to you is this: As you’re going to get more popular, and it started with “The Middleman,” is it going to go to your head?

NM: Oh, can’t you tell? My head is so huge. I don’t know. To be honest with you there’s nobody that scares me more than fame, and I know that’s really a stupid thing to say in this career. I just really love what I do. Hopefully I just get to be that weird character in a bunch of stuff that works all the time; where people are like, “I know that girl from somewhere. Wasn’t she in that thing?” So that’s kind of my goal.

The latest episode of "The Vampire Diaries" proves one thing for certain: you don’t stand in the way of a ghost on a mission, especially if she can zap you with her witchy powers. Unfortunately for Damon, he didn’t take the latter part into consideration. The episode, titled "History Repeating," is where we finally reach the turning point of the season and find out Damon’s master plan; this not only packs a punch, but throws down a major game changer for the series — something not felt since Stefan revealed his vampire identity to Elena a few weeks ago.

"History Repeating" does three things exceptionally fine this time around. First, it balances the continuity by tying up loose ends from plot-points as far back as episode, "Night of the Comet." Secondly, the tone is spot-on with its chilling moments reminiscent of a good old horror film. Lastly, it’s all about the acting! There was definitely more of an ensemble feel, and stands out as some of the best of the series so far.

There was a bit of everything, from Caroline taking the initiative with Matt to Bonnie’s final scenes out in the woods. Truthfully, everyone was on their A-game, even Jeremy who manages to show a different side apart from his doldrums. Without the trappings of melodrama easily found in other vampire niche franchises, we not only found out more about the supporting characters, but also saw what they’re really made of in the face of danger. There was really a major underlying message about trust and loyalty in this episode.

We have witnessed the quaint Mystic Falls transform into a place of imminent danger after the arrival of vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. This all ties in with the romance angle between the Salvatores and Elena Gilbert — whose uncanny appearance to their "maker" attracts them to her. Yet beyond the vampire love story are a number of gripping subplots; mainly the development of Bonnie Bennett’s (Katerina Graham) magical powers, and the secret society of townsfolk hell-bent on taking down some vampires.

Without holding back, the episode begins as Bonnie sits in science class with an expression of complete boredom. This all changes as we see a figure passing along the dark hallway. Bonnie notices it, and we see it is her ancestor Emily — recognizable by the portrait shown previously to Bonnie by her grandmother. The atmosphere takes an eerie twist as Bonnie follows Emily out the classroom and into the hallway where she receives a haunting message. It becomes apparent this is a nightmare within a nightmare as Bonnie notices Emily sitting in class beside her.

But not everything is a dream. The reality of life in Mystic Falls hones in on a new face, Alaric Saltzman (Matt Davis), who, despite his charm and specifics on pronouncing his name, dons a "garish" ring like Stefan and Damon. Elena and Stefan are forced together by circumstance once more, and Damon makes his move for his "precious" — an amber crystal amulet.

The critical point hits its limit when Caroline suggests the idea of a s©ance to Bonnie and Elena. Because it’s always a great idea to conjure up spirits when your best friend tells you she sees dead people, right? Although the mayhem that ensues is quite predictable, the fear came off as real. Katerina Graham really shines in this episode and there’s nothing better than when we get a bit of paranormal activity by way of possession from dear old Emily. The direction of the scene where doors are slamming while Caroline and Elena desperately try to get Bonnie out of a trapped room is something to remember.

Coinciding with the s©ance, we get some brother bonding moments as Damon and Stefan meet up on the football field. It’s odd seeing these two actually get along, despite ulterior motives. The chemistry between Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as brothers onscreen gets stronger and stronger. It was nice to see a bit of a nod to their previous football play in the flashback episode "Lost Girls" reenacted in the present on a much larger playing field. But the moment is short-lived as we later discover Damon’s goal in returning to Mystic Falls.

It turns out that the literal alignment of the stars — the comet — along with the power of the crystal will allow Damon to bring Katherine back. The second shocker turns out to be that the 19th Century undead vixen was not killed after all in the notorious fire. In fact, she was protected by the magic of Bonnie’s ancestor, Emily. Damon is determined to bring Katherine back at all costs, declaring he knew their sire better than Stefan ever could while they were together.

But the best moment comes with the showdown between Damon and Bonnie — whose magic goes into overdrive with her possession by Emily. In one scene she throws the eager vampire into a tree staking him in the gut. She will not allow him to unleash Katherine despite their pact: Damon saves her children, and she protects Katherine. As Emily conjures up a fiery pentagram, Damon helplessly tries to stop the possessed Bonnie from destroying the amulet. Without a moment to spare, the crystal is sent into the air and shattered into pieces. Held back by Stefan, Damon is unable to control himself and lunges at a weakened Bonnie, who falls after Emily completes her mission.

Elena, who also arrives at the scene, is horrified by the turn of events. Damon nearly rips Bonnie’s throat out, but is stopped by Stefan who later feeds Bonnie his blood to heal her. When Elena asks Stefan if Bonnie will suffer the same fate as Vicki, he reminds us that only way to become a vampire is if you die shortly after being bitten and drinking a vampire’s blood. Something to remember, as the series continues to prove no one is entirely safe.

The final scenes of the episode move in a series of montages set to the music from The Bravery. Without dialogue we see a heartbroken Elena finally reveal the truth to Bonnie while dealing with her breakup with Stefan. We see Matt and Caroline make inroads with a bunch of snacks and laughs. Once again, appearances are deceiving as we end the night with the stunning cliffhanger. As Jenna Gilbert (Sara Canning) cleans out her items reminding her of Logan Fells (Chris J Johnson), her ex and recent victim of Damon, there is a knock at the door. Stand at the threshold is none other than a very undead Logan asking Jenna to invite him into the house.

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SAN DIEGO — Reporters had the chance to teleconference and chat with a happily pregnant Tiffani Theissen about her new hit show “White Collar.”

No, we weren’t allowed to ask about “Saved by the Bell.”

QUESTION: What made you want to be a part of this show?

Tiffani Thiessen: Ever since I read the script, which has been a little over a year ago now, I fell in love with it. I fell in love with the characters. I fell in love with the show, and more and more, when the cast was brought together, the more excitement I had for the show and wanting to be a part of it. This is really the first time I feel like in my whole entire career which has been over 25, 26 years of doing this that I finally feel like I’m kind of playing a role a little closer to home for me, which is kind of exciting.

QUESTION: Was there instant chemistry when everyone began working together? I know you’re very close working together with Tim and Matt as well.

TT: We are, from day one. I of course had met Tim through the testing process of us being put on screen and doing our scenes together, and we had chemistry from day one. I absolutely adore that man and then met Matt, actually, after we had already started shooting the pilot. We actually were on the same flight going to New York to shoot the pilot last year.

Then Willie Garson I actually had known just being in the business for so long. We had met prior, and I’ve always really enjoyed him and loved him, so I was really excited to know that it was actually really kind of a special cast that we were putting together. I couldn’t be more thrilled with everybody I’m working with. It’s really a nice group of people. Being away from home, it makes it so much nicer when you actually like the people you’re working with.

QUESTION: It feels like there’s more to your character than what we’ve seen. We almost feel like maybe she’s hiding something. What sort of background can we expect as we move along?

TT: I think you’ll start to see background on all of our characters, especially the guys. Surely, this show is definitely the guys’ show. It’s Matt and Tim’s show, and Willie and I definitely play more of a supporting role, but you will definitely see much more of me in the further episodes as you’re coming along. Last week or two weeks ago you saw a little bit more of what I really do for a living and kind of my career, which is really nice to kind of see because we really never saw that in the pilot, and it was something that we kind of came up with actually after we shot the pilot.

They’re definitely putting more of what I do outside of my relationship with Tim into the show a little bit, and that’ll continue on even, hopefully, in seasons from here on out, which hopefully there’ll be five to ten years of White Collar. In general, I can’t give you exact specifics, ideas of what’s going to be happening, but I can promise you you’ll see a lot more of her.

QUESTION: What about any sort of action scenes. Do you get involved in any of the sort of cops and robbers element of it?

TT: I don’t think so. It’s really not part of my character and my storyline in this show. Again, I’m definitely a supporting role, especially being that I’m the wife of Tim’s character, but you will see a lot of a triangle in a sense of what I can do and help with Matt’s character as well, especially, I think, when it involves the storyline of Kate. You’ll see that a lot as well.

QUESTION: As a first-time mother, how do you think that it will play out balancing your roles and responsibilities of motherhood and your part on White Collar?

TT: You know, that’s a very good question in the sense that I really don’t know being that I am a first-time mom, so it’ll be a very different kind of thing for me being that I’ll be working and being a mother at the same time. There are millions of people who do it. My mom did it herself, so I know I can handle it, but it’ll be a very new experience, so it’s hard to say what is going to be like. It’ll be all brand new for me.

QUESTION: Is the onscreen relationship between you and Tim’s character, Peter, seems to be loving, but also a bit strained by his professional commitments. Now, with the charming and charismatic Neal Caffrey entering the picture, how do you think this partnership will affect Elizabeth and Peter’s marriage as the show develops?

TT: I don’t know if I would actually use the word strained. I think in every marriage there’s always the challenge of making time and making priorities in their relationship when people have careers, and what you will start to see more and more is my career, being that it takes up a lot of my time as well. I think it’s going to give a lot of, not so much looking into Peter’s career and how it affects our marriage. There’s also my side of it as well.

I think she is very understanding to that. She’s been living with it for so long and knows what he does for a living, and she knows what she married. I don’t think there’s a strain to it. I think there’s a challenge. I think probably the challenge is the word I could use for that. I think what Neal brings into it is that I think my husband on the show is very kind of black and white in the way he thinks, and I think Neal is definitely much more colorful, and I think he will definitely teach my husband a little more of the colorful side of being romantic and all those things that you do need in a marriage as well.

QUESTION: I know you did a short film a couple years ago that you directed, and I wanted to know is that something you still want to be doing? Is there a chance maybe you could direct an episode of White Collar?

TT: I do. You’re so sweet. Yes, they definitely know directing is something that’s in my thinking of wanting to do more and more, and it all really just depends on time and all that. I wanted to make sure that when we started the show my focus was on my character and what I’m doing as an actress. Now with my new role coming as a mother, it’s going to be a little more challenging, but it’s definitely something I want to do more of, so yes.

QUESTION: You’ve been in the business for a long time since you were very young. If you weren’t in the entertainment business, what else would you want to be doing?

TT: It’s so funny. Last year when we did the pilot, we really didn’t know what Elizabeth’s character was going to do for a living. They had some ideas, and they kind of changed it, and then I had come to Jeff Eastin, our creator of the show and said, you know, it’s funny. I think it could work, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do if I wasn’t an actor. I’d always wanted to be an event planner, and I think it could work really well for Elizabeth’s character being that she’s in New York City. We could really show the city in a different light, and they loved it. I have to say funny enough, that was my idea, and that’s exactly what I would do if I wasn’t an actor.

QUESTION: What would you say to those that haven’t seen White Collar yet to convince them to watch?

TT: Oh gosh, well, besides having really cute guys on the show, it’s definitely the type of TV and movies that I like to see. I’m a huge fan of The “Thomas Crown Affair” and those kinds of feels of movies and shows and 48 Hours, which is so interesting, Catch Me If You Can, things like that. If people are really into those kinds of movies and those kind of story-telling, they have to watch this show. It is so absolutely entertaining. The characters are so rich and so fun to watch and follow.

As well as you see New York City in a completely different way. It’s shot in a beautiful way. It’s interesting, a lot of shows that are shot in New York City can be a little more dark and gray, and this show really, I think, kind of captures New York City in a really beautiful light, and it’s nice.

QUESTION: You’ve played a wide variety of characters. How do you think these roles have prepared you to play Elizabeth Burke?

TT: It’s funny. I think I’ve made this statement before a few times, but it is really true is that this is the first character in over 25 years of me doing this that I actually feel like it’s the closest to me that I’ve played in all the different shows and movies that I’ve done in my career. I think it’s more about myself and my own experience that I can bring to Elizabeth. She has this really solid wonderful marriage. I feel like I have that with my own husband. She’s career-driven, which I feel like I am. It’s all those things that you put towards a character like her that I feel that are definitely very much me.

QUESTION: USA Network has some big hits out there right now. How does it feel to be a part of the network?

TT: Absolutely exciting. I tell them this all the time that I feel blessed to be on such an amazing network. This is the first time I’ve ever done a cable show, and I’m utterly thrilled and over-the-moon with the fact that they’re so supportive and they’re so behind their shows, and they really do give such a great chance of us really trying to make it. It’s nice. It’s nice to feel like we’re really wanted in a sense and really have a lot of passion behind us. It’s a lovely, lovely feeling.

QUESTION: You mentioned that Elizabeth is the closest to your personality. Do you know if your pregnancy will be incorporated into the show?

TT: I don’t know. That’s actually going to be up to the writers and the executive producers and USA and Fox and everybody involved. I’m going to be still somewhat not too pregnant along when we’re finally coming to the end of the season. We really don’t have too much more left, so it’s really up to them if they want to. I’m open to whatever they feel. We tried to time it to a certain degree so I wouldn’t show too, too much.

QUESTION: We’ve also grown up watching you as you’ve grown up in front of the camera. What’re the challenges that you have if any in creating a new character knowing that you have a career behind you?

TT: Yes, well, it’s bittersweet at times. There’s good and bad. There are people who of course followed my career and who have loved the shows that I’ve done in the past and are always up to seeing something new of myself or any of my past co-stars, which is really wonderful. Then there’s always people who have opinions, and of course, that’s how the world works, and that’s A-OK.

Some people were really open and loving to the fact that I’m actually playing a role that’s quite different than what I’ve played in the past. Like I said, it’s definitely much more close to home for me, this character, but some people had a hard time with it. Some people didn’t believe the relationship between Tim and I, which is so funny to me because we had chemistry from day one, but that’s how the entertainment business works. That’s how people are, and that’s okay. Everybody has their opinions.

QUESTION: Well, we’ve seen on the show that Neal has escaped from prison for love. What’s the most romantic thing a guy’s ever done for you, and then maybe what is the cheesiest thing a guy’s ever ….

TT: Oh, gosh. Well, my husband himself is definitely romantic. I mean, he is romantic almost every day whether it’s leaving me cute little notes somewhere throughout the house or the way he proposed to just the day we got married. He was amazing and romantic in everything he did, so I’m blessed to have a husband like that. The cheesiest, God, that would be really hard. I wouldn’t want to out anybody because I feel like anybody who wants to put themselves and their heart out there is a wonderful thing, and we shouldn’t put them down for it, right?

QUESTION: You’ve been on a few shows that have been a little short lived in your career. What makes White Collar something you think can surpass a couple of seasons?

TT: Well, I think a few reasons. People are already enjoying it. We’ve had a lot of great feedback and a lot of great critics really loving the characters and the storylines and the show and us on it, which is exciting, the fact that we are on a network like USA. They are so behind us, and they really put us out there, and it’s nice to have the passion behind us because I think that helps a lot. These network shows, sometimes they don’t give it a chance, and it’s nice to know that we have somebody who’s really given us a chance. I think we, knock on wood, I think you’re going to see us for awhile.

QUESTION: On television, there tends to be a fine line between that perfect supportive spouse that’s believable and the one that is so over the top that you’re like, no one in this world exists quite like this, and you are actually doing a wonderful job being that supportive spouse that we definitely believe. How do you strike that balance, and how do you plan to keep it going?

TT: Thank you so much first of all. That’s very sweet of you to say. That means a lot to me because I really try, and Tim and I both have long talks about this as well as our creator, Jeff, that we really wanted this to be a relationship that does work on TV, not one that has a lot of problems, not one that you constantly see drama, which you see a lot on TV.

Funny enough, Tim and I come from marriages that work, that really do work like that, so I think we really take it from just our own experiences. Tim’s been married for quite some time to a wonderful woman and has two great kids. My husband and I have this wonderful relationship and humor has a lot to do with it, communication, all those things I feel that are so, so important. I take those just being from my parents who’ve been married for over 45 years. My grandparents were married for 67 years. It’s important, so I feel like I take from my own life and really try to bring what I can to the relationship and the characters.

QUESTION: Have you had a favorite moment so far, either one that’s coming up that we can keep an eye out for or one that’s already been aired?

TT: Wow, that’s hard. I think there are a couple episodes coming up that I’m definitely a little heavier in, which is kind of nice to really get to explore my character a little bit, but each episode is so exciting and so fun, and it’s such a ride that it’s hard for me to pick out one more than the other or one little bit more than the other. That’s a hard choice. I have to think about that a little longer, and I know we wouldn’t have time.

QUESTION: What kind of pressures do you think that women or you, yourself, still face as far as looks and beauty pressures and things like that?

TT: You’re right. It’s all there. It will never go away. I don’t think our business and the entertainment business in general will ever just be okay with how people are. I think we’re in a business that critiques everything we do, and you kind of just take it with a grain of salt. I look at my grandmother, and I think she’s aged beautifully, so I hope that I could be a smidgen of how she’s aged.

There’s nothing you can do. All you can do is take of yourself and do the things that make you feel good and make you healthy and age appropriately, but there’s always going to be people out there are going to say something, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Like I said, you have to take it with a grain of salt.

BLAST’S CONCEPTION ALLEN: You mentioned that you had some influence on the career of your character. That being said, are you going to be able to also provide future input into shaping and developing her as well? I know that the producers and writers have the job of carrying that out, but would you have a chance to put some input into that?

TT: It’s interesting. We are very lucky to be on a show (and that’s all of us across the board) that our executive producers and writers are very open to anything we have to say, which is so nice because not a lot of shows are like that. They believe a collaboration always works best, and not that we are there writing the show, nor is that what we’re supposed to be doing, but they’re always very open to any time we have a question or concern or have an idea, they’re always open. It’s nice to be able to get on the phone or sit down with them and talk with them about it, and we all feel that way, which is really great.

BLAST: Your character is one of the, obviously, highlights of this show. Will we have, I know you said that she won’t necessarily be doing the action.

TT: No, I don’t see that unless something changes, but who knows. I don’t see it, though.

BLAST: Will we see maybe a centered episode around her, perhaps, maybe?

TT: I don’t know. That’s a question that really I can’t answer. Again, I say the show really is Matt and Tim. It’s their show, and it was from day one. I knew that coming in. I came in knowing that this role was supportive, which I was completely happy with.

It’s funny. I’ve been doing this for so long that I was actually okay not having to work every day and having the weight of a new show on my shoulders. As well as I really just fell in love with this character, and I fell in love with the cast that they started to put together, but you’ll see definitely, there’s an episode coming up that I’m much more heavy in, and you’ll see that every now and then that I’ll be a little heavier in certain episodes. It’s not something you’re going to see every week because, again, it’s not my show. I’m a supportive role on the show.

The CW scored a proverbial touchdown with their latest episode of “The Vampire Diaries.” Apparently the series is not only making a killing out of live viewership but also on digital recorders (DVRs) as well.

In a press released today from the network, it revealed, “The freshman hit THE VAMPIRE DIARIES”¦saw the largest primetime viewership increases (on a percentage basis) of any network in target demographics of women 18-34 (52 percent), adults 18-34 (53 percent) and total viewers (38 percent).”

This is a huge upswing in light of the recent cancellation of another pilot series, “The Beautiful Life” which detailed the inner workings of the modeling world. But what adds to the appeal of “The Vampire Diaries”?

Despite the popular topic of vampires as seen in the upcoming movie “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” and spoofs from comedian Andy Samberg, the beautiful undead of “Diaries” has a lot more going for itself than a trend.

The awful truth is the fact the show had a lot to live up to in order to gain viewers, especially after the backlash of “Twilight” and “True Blood” comparisons.

Yet, a surprising thing has happened since the pilot of “Diaries,” and it might be the reason that the show is still “alive.”

The key to the series’ success has been its ability to build a good framework of storylines around the supernatural elements. Sure, it’s still a vampire love story, but it isn’t held down entirely by that. As viewers, we have been given insight to the town of Mystic Falls, and the close knit relationships between the locals. Then we have the more dramatic leading plot of Stefan and Damon’s conflict about the outcome concerning Catherine. And the continuity of the episodes has been very tight relying more on an overall arc rather than a stand alone episodes. So, yes, you have to watch the show to a degree to follow it, however, if you are a new fan, the episodes are entertaining enough to enjoy.

There is also a matter of the acting, which gets better and stronger with each episode. It’s refreshing to see the cast gain more confidence onscreen as they slide into their characters. Ian Somerhalder, whose performance in the latest episode “Friday Night Bites” did everything to solidify his dominance over the character of Damon Salvatore. There was a lot more subtlety in showing Damon’s decisive nature, and there was no remorse in his eyes as he tore at his latest victim in front of Stefan. Somerhalder hits his scenes spot on between being vicious, playful, and even sentimental. One of the highlights from last week was a scene between Damon and Elena where she apologizes about the deceased Catherine. They share a hypnotic, uncontrived, meaningful look.

It’s clear that the unspoken moments, where viewers can draw their own conclusion, will continue to draw in more viewers rather than some force-fed plot device. It’s all about suspense and how a show works the balance of plot and tone. What the producers of the series have done is take an objective look as to what works with the series. One of the best examples is in the musical soundtrack, something of an nuisance for viewers who have complained about its heavy-handed presence. The more recent episodes have shown a significant decline in lyrical songs, and more of a thematic instrumental tone.

Watching a show grow isn’t something that always happens with pilot series, but if done right, it’s a fun ride.

In tonight’s episode, “Family Ties”, the conflict between the Salvatore brothers continues as the Founder’s Dance takes center stage. So expect a lot of the same dark undertones with a bit of romance in-between.

“The Vampire Diaries” is easily one of the few new fall series’ that has done right by its viewers by giving us something worth looking forward to each week.

BURBANK, Calif. — In another new comedy series on ABC, Kelsey Grammer returns to primetime in the series “Hank” the story of self-made millionaire and entrepreneur Hank Pryor, and his unfortunate descent from New York’s elite to the blue-collar suburbs of River Bend, Virginia. At his side is the charismatic, and funny Melinda McGraw, whose portrayal of his wife, Tilly, stirs up the comedy early on. Their children, Maddie (Jordan Hinson) and Henry (Nathan Gamble) add to the chaos.

Finally, there is the issue of Tilly’s brother, Grady Funk, portrayed by David Koechner, who some fans may recognize from NBC’s “The Office” and most recently the film “Extract”

As one of the final sets Blast visited in Burbank recently, we caught glimpses of a few scenes being shot before we sat down with Grammer, McGraw and Koechner to discuss the show.

The first question we had to ask the cast was: What brought them all together for this project?

“For the last year or so I was thinking about returning to television again, and trying another shot after ‘Back to You,’” said Grammer. “I looked at television and thought to myself, the only thing missing in television these days is the traditional family show that has everyone living together, mother, father, and the kids, you know? Then I met Tucker (Cawley) and he had this loosely phrased idea about a guy who had fallen down from a big perch and was moving down to Virginia.”

Blast was able to see the final pilot episode shortly before our meeting, and we wondered if the physical comedy aside from the witty dialogue would be part of its style.

“Melinda’s stuff is high farce. This week we shot some things in the woods” Grammer laughed.

“I think a lot of the behavior just ends up physical” McGraw added. “So, a lot of times if it’s not written in, if it becomes physical because of how we are covering for ourselves and each other. I think there’s a lot fun stuff, and there’s some things that are a little broad.”

We may just see a bit more into Tilly’s side of the family, whose southern roots brought them to Virginia in the first place.

“Well we get (Grady’s wife) and a couple of kids. I don’t know how many.” Grammer said. He also explained more about the relationship Hank has with his brother-in-law, Grady, a man who has no problem reminding Hank of the reasons he’s in Virigina.

“This relationship will be to always antagonize one another,” Grammer said. “And she secretly is a party to it all because he and she are brother and sister. But the key relationships are here (in the pilot).”

“So far we’re exploring the world of the family, the extended family” said Koechner, “and then probably the town, and the state, and the nation.”

And what of the kids on the show? In the pilot, Maddie clearly has her issues with daddy, and a boyfriend of sorts. “Oh we’ll be dealing with the boyfriends, I mean she’s only 17″ said Grammer emphasizing the plural.

“What’s great is that it’s a modern father daughter relationship. It’s not one of the corny ones that doesn’t exist” Koechner added, saying that, these days, teenagers go through things much faster than a decade ago.

“There are real moments, and hopefully in the end everyone is going to grow up a little,” said Grammer. “They’ve had one life they thought was pretty well set, and it changed. That throws everyone into a tailspin.”

“And it was a rare existence that you don’t really have,” McGraw chimed in, “and I do think an interesting dynamic in the triangle (between Hank, Grady, and Tilly) is that in-between them, I might come back to her old ways. Throw back a couple of beers with Grady. Or I’ll push against them. Hank has that American (perspective) of starting from nothing and making something new, kind of pulling up by your bootstraps. And the realities of how those ‘bootstraps’ are different than twenty years ago.”

We closed by asking the trio to tell viewers why they should watch “Hank” this fall.

“I think the show has an identifiable character that everyone can relate to, that’s just like so and so,” said Koechner. “And it’ll definitely get people to laugh. It comes from a place of honesty and truth. It’s not just manufactured. The writing is good, and makes me laugh out loud. And finally, well, I just love Kelsey Grammer!”

“Oh, I can’t fight with that!” Grammer replied.

“I think it’s a relief to watch a show where you see people going through such changes because it makes you feel like you’re not the only ones” McGraw added.

“And this is a show, the whole family can watch it, and it’s not a kid’s kind of show.” said Koechner.

“For years, I’ve heard people tell me that Hollywood doesn’t make shows for (the family) anymore,” Grammer said, “and this year, Hollywood does.”

Catch Grammer, McGraw, Koechner and all of “Hank” every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

It wasn’t long ago that audiences fell in love with Kherington Payne’s performances on the hit dance series, “So You Think You Can Dance.” After an upsetting vote off toward the end of season four, many fans couldn’t help but wonder what would come next for the bright young dancer.

So perhaps it’s fitting that her emergence on the big screen would come in the remake of the classic film “Fame” a story of hard work and big dreams. Set in a New York school for performing arts, the original 80s musical gave audiences an eyeful into the competitive world of theater, dance and music.

In finding out more about the film, Blast spoke with Payne on her experience on the set as well as the dancer’s decision to take up acting.

BLAST: How did you land this chance in working on the film? What was the process?

KHERINGTON PAYNE: Being on the show, “So You Think You Can Dance” the filmmakers saw me on the show. They wanted dancers to audition, a bunch of dancers actually. So I ended up going for it, got a callback, and a week later I got the part. So it was very cool seeing how “So You Think You Can Dance” can open doors for you.

BLAST: What was the difference for you going from each week of “So You Think You Can Dance” to the film set of “Fame?”

KP: They were both stressful difference experiences, but both very relateable working with these great choreographers and then to these great actors.

BLAST: And were you familiar with the original movie “Fame” before doing this project?

KP: I’m familiar with the movie, but not a die hard fan because I wasn’t born in the 80s. I definitely love it. I went back and did my research once I got the part.

BLAST: You play the character of Alice on the film, she’s a bit of a firecracker, that one. What part of you connects with her?

KP: Yes, it was really fun playing Alice. She’s not completely stuck-up even though she’s very upper class. But it was easy playing her because her dreams and goals, the hard work she puts into dancing is exactly like mine.

BLAST: And what was it like working with the different cast members in the film because it’s very much divided between acting, singing, and dance? How was integrating your time with each of them, was the transition fluid?

KP: It was very fluid, and we worked off of each others talents. And to watch some of them sing was amazing because I can’t sing, it’s amazing. We’re all very supportive of each other. And worked off each other very well.

BLAST: It must seem surreal, like life reflecting art, considering “Fame” is about achieving your dreams, and you’re kind of at that place right now.

KP: Yeah it’s very surreal. And all of us are very much like our characters, and have the same dreams. And we (the cast) all have wanted to be these great dancers, singers, and actors. Our characters are very much the same way. And it’s very surreal for me that I’m in this position right because it’s exactly how I went through it.

BLAST: And amongst your cast members, who did you bond most with while filming? I know that not all the different talents’ storylines overlap.

KP: Yeah, you can’t film with everyone. It’s not a film about ten best friends. (laughs) You’re filming with certain people throughout the film. Most of my scenes are with (actor) Walter Perez (“Victor Taveras” in the film. And I got really close with him, and mainly because he’s my love interest in the film. We became really good friends, I spent most of my days on the set with him. But everyone else, we all got along well.

BLAST: With a lot of different high profile names like Debbie Allen, in the film, was there ever a moment where you felt starstruck?

KP: Starstruck for sure. And all these great actors in the film, we all aspire to be as great as them. They were approachable, and sweet and an honor to work with these people.

BLAST: What are your favorite moments in the film?

KP: I definitely think “Black and Gold” It’s a dance I perform in the film, it’s kind of Alice’s big senior dance number. And it was so much fun to work on and film. It’s a really entertaining moment in the film.

BLAST: You grew up in southern California, and California is known for arts and entertainment. Were you as competitive growing up as your character Alice?

KP: I grew up in Orange County. The competition (there) in the dance world, there are so many talented dancers. It’s kind of like a small community of dancers, and there’s so many studios. You grow up with these kids, going to the same competitions and it’s very competitive. So I can definitely relate to the characters in “Fame”, how competitive it was to get into that school.

BLAST: In the previews there have shown you doing different kinds of dance. What is your favorite kind of dance?

KP: On the film, I felt more connected as a Jazz dancer than a contemporary dancer. But my strong points are both contemporary and jazz. In the movie, I felt like I was more of a strong jazz dancer.

BLAST: This is the first time people will get to see you do some acting. It must be somewhat of a challenge since it’s still new for you.

KP: Dancing is like acting, but it’s on a whole different level. It was challenging for me, but it was a great learning experience for me. It made me realize I have this new passion for something.

BLAST: And so with acting, is that something you’re going to be doing more of?

KP: Definitely. I’m nowhere near where I want to be in my acting career, but it gave me a start. It opened my eyes to see what else is out there. I’m definitely going to be taking acting classes, and getting a coach then buckle down.

BLAST: Any particular area of acting you feel drawn to?

KP: Honestly, because this is so new to me, I want to try everything. And I haven’t found what works for me, or what my favorite (type) is right now. With genres, I don’t know, I like romantic comedies and actresses like Cameron Diaz and Reese Witherspoon. I love them.

BLAST: “Fame” is about big dreams, and there are a lot of people out there who will watch this movie and hope to be where you are right now. Any advice for them?

KP: Do not get discouraged, if this is something you really want to do whether it’s in the performing arts or not. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. You have to really work hard at it. If it’s your passion. You have to put the effort towards it, and hard work. It’ll better your chances in the future.

“Fame” is in theaters now. It and also stars Kay Panabaker, Walter Perez, Debbie Allen, Kelsey Grammer, Naturi Naughton, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Bebe Neuwirth, Charles S. Dutton, Asher Book, Collins Pennie and Megan Mullally.

BURBANK, Calif. — Easily one of the most anticipated shows of the season, ABC’s “FlashForward” promises not only thrills but an ensemble cast sheet that reads like a roster for some big budget Hollywood film.

The plot surrounds 2 minutes and 17 seconds, when people all over the world inexplicably experience a power blackout at once. As if things were not eerie enough, survivors of the event discover they have caught glimpses into their own futures, a flashforward. With such such a dramatic and mysterious start, it’s easy for someone to label it offhandedly as a sci-fi series, when in fact the only really surreal element is the blackout itself. After previewing the pilot earlier this summer, it became clear that the driving force will be how individual people take charge in shaping the future. Will some of them fulfill their futuristic visions? Or will some change it?

After the debut of the series, there is no doubt that most viewers will be asking the same questions.

After a series of set visits, our meet up with the cast of “FlashForward” took a different spin. Upon arrival we immediately crossed the threshold of what is the interior of the federal building. The set is impeccable and very see-through, as glass windows encircle the room leaving little room for hiding out.

We sat in a tucked away office on set with Courtney B. Vance (Stan Wedeck) and Christine Woods (Janis Hawk). Both actors said they were excited about the new series.

The cast also includes Dominic Monaghan (“Lost,” “The Lord of the Rings”), John Cho (Harold from the “Harold and Kumar” movies), Sonya Walger (“Lost”), Genevieve Cortese (“Wildfire”) and Jack Davenport (“Swingtown,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies). The series is produced by Marc Guggenheim, David Goyer, and Brannon Braga.

We wondered how each character’s “flash” would play out.

Courtney B. Vance stars in FlashForward (Blast staff photo/Conception Allen)

Woods added, “And it’s interesting because, as an audience, for some flashes, you know what’s going on. You’ve seen the flash, and it’s interesting to watch the way they are or are not forthcoming to other (characters). It’s like you get to watch some people lie about it, but as an audience you know.”

And while both actors may not always know what to expect for their characters, they conveyed to us their thoughts about it.

“Well, you can’t prepare for what you don’t know, really.” Vance said.

“For me, I kind of like not knowing because in that way you can be in the moment. To not have these (expectations)” said Woods.

When we asked further about working with an ensemble, and whether characters’ storylines overlap at some point, it was interesting to find that for their roles, they’re spread out a bit more.

“Are you in this episode?” Vance turned to ask his co-star.

“I’m in episode eight.” Woods replied.

“Yeah, see I’m in episode seven and eight. I was crazy in episode five, and a little in six.

So I relish the idea that there will be some times when we’ll be absolutely crazy. And since we’re doing two or three at a time (episodes), it’s especially crazy on all of us.” Vance concluded.

“And I think because it’s two episodes (filming) at once, I think it’s a lot easier for them to keep secrets from us,” Woods said. “Because it’s such a puzzle, the way that they shoot the series with so many people, you look at the schedule and it’s confusing. Even if you’ve read the script.”

Vance added, “On top of the fact we may be shooting one, and reshooting another one. So continuity wise, it’s hard trying to get a sense. On Thursday we were shooting four and five, then reshooting five and six. So it’s just crazy.”

Vance with Woods (Blast staff photo/Conception Allen)

For the cast of “FlashForward” it’s easy to see the friendly vibes among them are mutual, where big egos don’t seem prevalent. As a veteran on stage, and recently part of “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” we asked how Vance felt taking up the role of FBI handler Stan Wedeck, another character in law enforcement.

“For me it’s different because in ‘Law and Order’ there was no characterization. You’re just the facts man. This is refreshing because we’re all (together), and we’re all involved,” Vance said.

“And we are all so personal,” Woods said. “We take it to the personal side of things because it is really a mystery show, an investigative show. These people are what essentially make it.”

While the hype is still out there about the series and fans anticipate its premiere, Blast says the show is much more than a sci-fi series. FlashForward is more about the human elements that make you care about those characters onscreen.

This is the first of our two part feature covering “Flash Forward”. Coming up, more details about the series after the pilot from the series producers, plus more with Courtney B. Vance and Kristine Woods and our interview with Joseph Fiennes.

BURBANK, Calif. — Comparisons are unavoidable when a televised adaptation of the 80s film “The Witches of Eastwick” debuts this season. But if you’re expecting some carbon copy of the original film, you may be disappointed. While making our way through the Warner Bros. lot, touring through the different sets, it was easy to see how much the landscape and little details will play to the strength of the series.

Walking around the center of the town Eastwick may set off a series of deja -vu moments as the setting was once the famous Stars Hollow of “Gilmore Girls.” Yet, the little details that made Stars Hollow comfy and safe are the same elements that give Eastwick the small town feel necessary before all hell breaks loose.

The plot revolves around three women who become friends after a fated meeting at a wishing fountain. As each woman finds their desires being fulfilled, something wicked this way comes in the form of the mysterious stranger. Lindsay Price plays the slightly introverted Joanna Frankel (Susan Sarandon’s character type from the film), Jaime Ray Newman is the exhausted mother (Michelle Pfeiffer’s type), and Rebecca Romijn sets things off as the feisty Roxanne Torcoletti (Cher’s character type). Adding the finishing touch to the series is Paul Gross who plays the devilish character of Darryl van Horne (Jack Nicholson’s type).

Each main character on the show has fine detailed elements which accent their style. Joanna’s home is cozy with little touches of dragonfly motifs. It’s cozy, neat, and tidy.

Joanna's room in Eastwick (Blast staff photo/Conception Allen)

Then there’s the earthy design of Roxanne’s home where there are exotic accents which gives you the impression the girl has travelled to a lot of places; it’s very bohemian chic.

Finally there is Darryl van Horne’s demure home which seems like something out of a gothic novel with its dimly lit room and dark ambiance.

The magic on the series isn’t just in its triad of strong female leads. The landscape for the show does a great job in giving viewers somewhere fun to escape to each week.

“Eastwick” airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC.

BURBANK, Calif. — At a gym somewhere in Los Angeles, several cast members of “Modern Family” were rounding up for what was sure to be another hilarious moment for the new series. Amidst a slew of extras both young and old, the atmosphere was charged as Ed O’Neil cheered, captivating all those around him who were not part of the show. Perhaps it was being outside of the studio itself, and being on location for the scene that made our visit with the cast different than the others we saw recently.

Or it could have been the large number of children grouped together cheering that made the excitement infectious.

Whatever the case, “Modern Family” has the basic ingredients for immediate success, with its sharp dialogue and awkward comedic setups. Most importantly the series has several comedy veterans, the standout amongst them being Ed O’Neil.

Blast chatted with Nolan Gould (Luke Dunphy), Ariel Winter (Alex Dunphy), Sarah Hyland (Haley Dunphy), Rico Rodriguez (Manny Delgado) and Ed O’Neil (Jay Pritchett).

When asked about working on the series with such a large group, the overall feeling is mutual.

“Everybody’s nice,” Gould said.

“Ty (Burrell) is nice. The food is good, like craft services and stuff,” he added with a smile. “It’s just different working on a full time TV show.”

Asked whether the cast is as fun off the show as they appear onscreen, Gould smiled widely. “They’re always joking around, Eric (Stonestreet) and Ty (Burell),” he said. “They’re just goofy and fun to hang around. We even have our own secret handshakes.”

Meanwhile, Hyland reminded us she’s very new to this genre of work. “It’s my very first comedy. I usually do dramas and melodramatic stuff,” she said. “It’s a whole real new experience with the comedic timing.”

Despite being fresh to comedy, Hyland revealed, “We do a little bit of ad-libbing,’” she said. And as far as the tone, “I’d say the show is (a combination of) ‘The Office’ with a feel like ‘Arrested Development’. It’s great to be part of a show that incorporates the things you love on television into your work.”

Television isn’t Hyland’s only field. The young actress has Broadway singing experience. Blast wanted to know if we could find her showing off a bit of her vocal chops anytime soon. “Hmmm… maybe, I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Steve and Chris about that, the ‘boyfriend’ in the pilot,” she said. “He plays the guitar and sings a lot. So you never know.”

“It’s really exciting!” Winter jumped in. “It’s different. It doesn’t take that much time, everything is set, and everybody is like boom-boom-boom let’s get this done right now. It’s really different than dramatic stuff where it’s like “Ëœlet’s take it slow’.”

“I mean I have been on some comedy shows, but the first dramatic thing was on ‘NCIS.’ I thought it was cool because I get to play opposite myself,” Rodriguez said. “Then I got ‘Modern Family’ and I thought ‘hey, this is awesome!’ It’s not like anything else I’ve ever been on. And it’s opposite of my own character which is funny.”

And if you’re wondering how these two view their characters: “I’m the one to go off and follow the girls. I’m kinda serious,” said Rodriguez. “Sort of like a forty year old Antonio Banderas in an 11 year old body. If he decides something, that’s it.”

Winter sees her role slightly differently. “Well, she’s the more smart and cynical normal one. Everyone else is kind of crazy. On the show, my mom is about having everything done, my dad is a goofball. My sister is about boys and texting. Then my brother is just ‘slow,’” she said.

“Working with Ed O’Neil; it’s amazing. It’s like once we did the pilot we were like this family. I mean we’re only on our sixth episode, and I have secret handshakes with half of the cast already. And if you have problems with lines, he’ll go over it with you and Sofia (Vergara) too,” Rodriguez said.

“He’s really awesome, and since he’s already a comedy veteran he really understands what’s going on. He’s hysterical, and he’s so nice,” added Winter. “You don’t get that a lot with stars. You don’t get nice and really awesome.”

Finally, we capped off the visit to the set with a chat with O’Neil. What may surprise the public aside from his great skills in giving viewers a good laugh is his lack of ego. When talking about working with his TV family, particularly the kids, he had no problems expressing his admiration.

On the topic of being a mentor to his younger cast mates, O’Neil said “It’s really been great. First of all, the level of talent is awesome. I’m amazed by them. I keep going ËœOh my God, these kids are so good.’ As far as being a mentor, all I seem to do is try to keep up!”

If there’s any question to whether he prefers drama or comedies, the veteran actor commented, “It doesn’t matter. I have a theater background, and when you’re in theater you learn to take on anything.”

So what brought the veteran of “Married: With Children” back to primetime? “Timing,” O’Neil said. “I think I’m at a time in my life where I can relate, the things going on in his life.”

“Modern Family” is on ABC 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

BURBANK, Calif. — In a two part segment exploring the new series, “The Forgotten“ Blast takes you onto the set of this suspenseful drama, which explores unsolved crimes and missing person cases.

Who are “The Forgotten?” If you’re thinking about the latest Jerry Bruckheimer project starring Christian Slater, you’re partially correct. The latest ABC drama set in Chicago puts a unique spin in its method solving mysteries. You see, “The Forgotten” also refers to what the show calls the Forgotten Network, an organization made up of average citizens attempting to crack cases outside the realm of law enforcement. Similar to real-life groups like Project E.D.A.N (Everyone Deserves A Name), where cases are posted online to the public for new leads, the series doesn’t skimp on working out the details. In fact, the look and feel on the set with its dim lighting, and dark earth tones helps add to the atmosphere of the series.

The first stop at visiting the show took us to the police precinct area. All the details authenticating its Chicago locale are found in its classic interior design. Possibly, the most significant element had to be the temperature on the set. If there’s anything Chicago is known for, it’s the weather, cold weather, which is nothing like the temperatures in Los Angeles during the fall. It would seem the production department spared no expense in giving its actors the feel of the Windy City. This is just one element which adds to the show’s promise in being a success.

Although the character of Alex Donovan (Christian Slater) headlines the series, he shares the screen with great actors alike who will undoubtedly captivate audiences with its premiere this week. In our continuing coverage, we sit down with the cast and producers as they explain how all the characters connect, and what to expect with the series.