anthony.layser

DJ Lance Rock on Yo Gabba Gabba!'s V-Day Special

If you don't have a small child or a small child's viewing habits, you may have missed Nick Jr.'s newest hit show, Yo Gabba Gabba! (weekdays at 11:30 am/ET, Nickelodeon). The show is not as popular as SpongeBob or Dora just yet, but its lively blend of indie-rock music and retro imagery has placed it right in the middle of a burgeoning hipster parenting movement. TVGuide.com scheduled a playdate with host DJ Lance Rock (aka Lance Robertson) to discuss the show's Valentine's Day special and find out what all the excitement is about. TVGuide.com: How would you describe the Yo Gabba Gabba! take on Valentine's Day?DJ Lance Rock: Well, it's trying to open up kids' perspectives on love. That's why it's called "Love" and not "Valentine's Day." So the kids and the creatures are just trying to figure o

Thu, Feb 14, 2008

DJ Lance Rock on Yo Gabba Gabba!'s V-Day Special

TV Writer Rick Cleveland's My Buddy Bill Lightens Up Presidential Race

Over the last few months, Bill Clinton has been doing his best to get back into the White House, albeit as the first husband. His actions on the campaign trail — stumping for his wife Hillary and attempting to stamp out her competition, Barack Obama — have been questioned and sometimes criticized by the media, but never ignored. Both puckish and personable, there's no doubt the larger-than-life former president continues to be a fascinating character still capable of capturing the public's interest. Rick Cleveland, a writer for The West Wing and Six Feet Under, uses the intrigue surrounding the onetime chief exec to his advantage in the stage show My Buddy Bill, airing tonight on Comedy Central (12 am/ET). Part travelogue, part insight into the strange world of adult male friendship, Clev

Thu, Feb 7, 2008

TV Writer Rick Cleveland's My Buddy Bill Lightens Up Presidential Race

Sarah Connor Chronicles: Why Richard T. Jones Is in the Doghouse

Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker and Summer Glau are the three leads that propel the action in Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles  (Mondays, 8 pm/ET, Fox). But there's one more regular cast member who's left trying to put the pieces together after the aforementioned trio battle it out with robot assassins from the future. That actor would be Richard T. Jones, who plays FBI agent James Ellison. TVGuide.com caught up with Jones, whom you may already know from his recent role as Mike in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married. TVGuide.com: Agent Ellison is the one character in the show, so far, who believes Sarah Connor is simply a dangerous psychotic on the run. Is it a challenge to keep your detective role intriguing when everyone knows the truth, except you?Richard T. Jones: Yeah, it's alway

Mon, Feb 4, 2008

Sarah Connor Chronicles: Why Richard T. Jones Is in the Doghouse

Super Sunday Preview: Bill Hemmer Talks Patriots and Politics

Just when you thought Fox couldn't put more super in their Super Bowl pre-game, they've gone and injected it with Fox News Channel coverage of the lead-up to the Super Tuesday primaries. What does this mean? Well, after a special edition of Fox News Sunday at 9am/ET, the network will officially begin Super Sunday programming that not only touches on the big game and its cultural significance but will also include live reports from the campaign trail. Fox News stalwart Shepard Smith will broadcast live from the game site in Arizona, while cohosts Bill Hemmer and Megyn Kelly hold down the fort at FNC's New York studio. TVGuide.com caught up with Hemmer right after he returned from Tuesday's primary in Florida to find out about this year's super pre-game coverage. TVGuide.com: Why did Fox feel like it would be a good idea to

Fri, Feb 1, 2008

Super Sunday Preview: Bill Hemmer Talks Patriots and Politics

John Cleese on Why Life of Brian Is His Favorite Monty Python Movie

Since Monty Python went their separate ways in the mid-1980s, founding member John Cleese has regularly garnered guffaws in everything from A Fish Called Wanda to Will & Grace. But no matter what projects the actor and comic takes on, he will forever be linked to Python's Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. For the DVD release of Life of Brian: The Immaculate Edition, the comedy troupe's 1979 farce about a man who spends his life being confused with the messiah, TVGuide.com spoke with the British funnyman and got an idea of why the Python legacy is so enduring. TVGuide.com: Monty Python made Life of Brian in 1979. Why is there still so much interest in the movie?John Cleese: I think along with the rest of the English nation that it's the best Python film

Tue, Jan 29, 2008

John Cleese on Why Life of Brian Is His Favorite Monty Python Movie

Reno 911!'s Thomas Lennon Makes Us Feel Dirty

It's been well over a decade since MTV's cult hit The State left the air, but the cast members have more than made good on the promise of the surreal sketch comedy. One of the many successful projects that followed The State is Comedy Central's Reno 911!, which begins its fifth season tonight (10:30 pm/ET). TVGuide.com recently looked back on Reno's run with star Thomas Lennon, who created the series with fellow State alums Robert Ben Garant and Kerri Kenney-Silver. TVGuide.com: What keeps the Reno deputies coming back for more?Thomas Lennon: Good lord, we all wonder that. Why on earth has this show lasted for five seasons? Your guess is as good as mine. TVGuide.com: Fine. I guess you guys are just doing it for the money at this point.Lennon: Exactly. It is just for the cold,

Wed, Jan 16, 2008

Reno 911!'s Thomas Lennon Makes Us Feel Dirty

Thomas Dekker Previews Terminator and Spills Shocking Heroes Secrets

Born into a family of musicians and performers, Thomas Dekker never considered a career outside the entertainment biz. He began acting at the age of 5 and has worked steadily ever since, including recently landing the coveted role of John Connor on Fox's highly anticipated Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. TVGuide.com spoke with Dekker about starring alongside Lena Headey and Summer Glau in the newest installment of the Terminator saga, premiering this Sunday (8pm/ET), and about leaving his recurring role on Heroes. TVGuide.com: How does it feel to be playing the eventual savior of the human race?Thomas Dekker: At first, terrifying, because we're stepping on some sacred ground here. But it's an honor and it's also actually not as difficult as I feared, because I feel pretty close to John.

Fri, Jan 11, 2008

Thomas Dekker Previews Terminator and Spills Shocking Heroes Secrets

Deborah Norville's Inside Look at 20 Years of Inside Edition

Inside Edition begins its 20th year on the air today. It's the 13th year for anchor Deborah Norville, who took over for Fox News' Bill O'Reilly back in 1995. TVGuide.com recently caught up with Norville to discuss the syndicated newsmagazine. We also got her recollections on spending time in the clink and what advice she'd give a younger self about how to deal with her acrimonious split from the Today show.  TVGuide.com: So Inside Edition has been around for 20 years now.Deborah Norville: What is the gift for 20 years? It's probably not very good. Wait, I know this, because I just had my 20th wedding anniversary. It's porcelain. So maybe we'll have celebratory china made in honor of our grand achievement here. TVGuide.com: That sort of longevity in the broa

Mon, Jan 7, 2008

Deborah Norville's Inside Look at 20 Years of Inside Edition

NFL QB Vince Young Gets Framed for TV

Over the last few weeks, the Independent Film Channel and Reebok have teamed up to present a nexus of actors and athletes called Framed. In each episode, a Hollywood personality goes behind the camera to direct a short film starring a larger-than-life figure from the world of sports. In tonight's episode (10:30 pm/ET), actress Regina King frames NFL quarterback Vince Young. TVGuide.com spoke with the heralded Tennessee Titans signal caller about his acting debut and letting cameras catch his off-the-field life in his hometown of Houston. TVGuide.com: What about the Framed series interested you?Vince Young: Basically, everybody knows the athlete Vince Young, but I want more people to understand me as a person. Reebok understands who I am and they also want fans to get to know the players a little bit more. Bu

Fri, Dec 21, 2007

My Name Is Earl's Catalina Lists the Show's Strengths

Now in its third season, My Name Is Earl (tonight at 8 pm/ET, NBC) continues to be a ratings stalwart as the lead-in to NBC's Thursday-night comedy lineup. Along with consistently funny writing, a big part of what keeps audiences tuned in to the misadventures of Earl J. Hickey is the casting, from the Golden Globe-nominated Jason Lee and the Emmy-winning Jaime Pressly to regulars Ethan Suplee (Randy), Nadine Velazquez (Catalina) and Eddie Steeples (Crab Man). TVGuide.com recently spoke with Velazquez about what she thinks elevates Earl. The beautiful Chicago native also gav

Thu, Nov 15, 2007

My Name Is Earl's Catalina Lists the Show's Strengths

Comedy Central's Kenny vs. Spenny: Canadian Humor Knows No Boundaries

A few years back, GSN tried to introduce American audiences to the hit Canadian comedy series Kenny vs. Spenny. But while knockoffs in England and Germany proved popular, nobody stateside tuned in for the real deal. Now Comedy Central is giving the outrageous reality show another shot thanks to an endorsement by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone (they've also signed on as executive producers). The network airs the first episode of the new season of extreme competitions undertaken by "best friends" Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice tonight (12:30 am/ET), before rolling out regular airings Sundays (11:30 pm/ET). TVGuide.com caught

Wed, Nov 14, 2007

Comedy Central's Kenny vs. Spenny: Canadian Humor Knows No Boundaries

Biography's Final 24 Brings Janis Joplin Bandmate to the Fore

Last week the Biography Channel premiered Final 24. Using a mix of reenactments, archival footage and interviews, each episode recounts the last day in the life of a celebrity who met an untimely demise. The final 24 hours of legendary songstress Janis Joplin are studied in tonight's show (11 pm/ET). One of the interviewees tapped for the program was Joplin's longtime bandmate Sam Andrew. TVGuide.com spoke with the guitarist about Joplin's legacy, her tragic death and how he remembers the talented vocalist. TVGuide.com: Why are people still fascinated with Janis Joplin's death?Sam Andrew: Because she was one of those iconic figures like Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Judy Garland. Ever since the Greeks and probably long before, people have wanted to worship this goddess who died or was sacrificed in some way. It's tied to that.

Wed, Nov 7, 2007

Biography's Final 24 Brings Janis Joplin Bandmate to the Fore

Phenomenon's "Mentalist" Offers Paranormal Powers in Halloween Special

Last Wednesday night, NBC premiered Phenomenon, a series touted as a "live search for the next great mentalist." Based on a similar Israeli show featuring controversial mentalist Uri Geller, Phenomenon returns tonight with a two-hour Halloween special (8 pm/ET). TVGuide.com recently spoke with Geller, who is a judge in the American version, along with magician/illusionist Criss Angel and a rotating slate of celebrity guests. Considering he still attests to having supernatural powers, we were also more than a little curious about how he’s survived years of being lambasted by critics. TVGuide.com: For people who don’t know, can you explain exactly what it means to be a mentalist?Uri Geller: My definition of a mentalist is someone who can play around with your mind psychologically. It’s different t

Wed, Oct 31, 2007

Phenomenon's "Mentalist" Offers Paranormal Powers in Halloween Special

Inside Fox's Search for The Next Great American Band

American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe will plug in the amps tonight for their new music-reality competition on Fox (8 pm/ET). Manifestly titled The Next Great American Band, the series features undiscovered groups of all genres performing tunes and vying for a record deal. Adjudicating the jams will be pop artist Sheila E., Australian Idol's Ian "Dicko" Dickson and Goo Goo Dolls frontman

Fri, Oct 19, 2007

Inside Fox's Search for The Next Great American Band

A Postseason Play-by-Play with MLB Sportscaster Joe Buck

Fox steps to the plate tonight for the first game of the American League Championship Series (7 pm/ET). As always, network staple Joe Buck will be the play-by-play voice, flanked by analyst Tim McCarver. It will be Buck’s 12th consecutive postseason, and when Fox’s coverage of the World Series starts up on Oct. 24, it’ll be his 10th consecutive turn in the booth handling that event. TVGuide.com checked in with the big-time broadcaster as he prepared for the impending diamond duel between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. And not only did we talk hardball, but Buck also filled us in on his late-night talk-show plans. TVGuide.com: What was the biggest surprise of the divisional series?Joe Buck: That I watched every minute of it. I was tuned in the whole time. Typically, I find myself doing

Fri, Oct 12, 2007

A Postseason Play-by-Play with MLB Sportscaster Joe Buck

Sarah Silverman Jokesters Like to (Role) Play Dirty

The first season of The Sarah Silverman Program proved to be just as big of a draw for Comedy Central as the network’s stalwart South Park. For its sophomore season, the series is looking to pick up right where it left off with more outlandishly so-wrong-they’re-right storylines. If you’ve never seen an episode, tonight’s second-season premiere (10:30 pm/ET) is a standard helping of outrageousness, with Sarah joining a community group for their lemon bars — only to find out that they are a collective of radical antiabortionists. TVGuide.com recently spoke with two actors that perfectly inhabit Silverman’s surreal world, regulars Brian Posehn a

Wed, Oct 3, 2007

Sarah Silverman Jokesters Like to (Role) Play Dirty

Garlin's Enthused About Curb — and the Cubs

HBO's hit comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm returned for its sixth-season premiere last Sunday, and if you had to name one person other than Larry David who's been responsible for the show's success, it would have to be Jeff Garlin. The big-bodied Chicago native has handled executive-producing duties while playing Jeff Greene, Larry's manager and mischievous confidant. In this week's episode, "The Anonymous Donor," Jeff once again proves that Larry is not the only one whose enthusiasms can get him into trouble. TVGuide.com spoke with Garlin about the new season — and what it's like to serenade a packed house at Wrigley Field. TVGuide.com: Jeff seems to behave just as badly as Larry, but for some reason it's more acceptable coming from Jeff. Why is that?Jeff

Fri, Sep 14, 2007

Garlin's Enthused About Curb — and the Cubs

Sunny's Rob McElhenney on Trannies and Danny DeVito

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia may sound like a pleasant enough show, but there's nothing saccharine about FX's cult-hit comedy. Following the deplorable behavior and self-absorbed shenanigans of a group of friends who operate a South Philly dive called Paddy's Pub, the series enters its third season on Thursday, Sept. 13 (10 pm/ET, FX), and the DVDs for Seasons 1 and 2 arrive in stores today. Creator, producer and star Rob McElhenney recently spoke with TVGuide.com about the new season and provided some insight on attractive transsexuals, the City of Brotherly Love and whether he plans to get loaded with costar Danny DeVito before their upcoming appearance on The View. TVGuide.com: In the beginning you,

Tue, Sep 4, 2007

Sunny's Rob McElhenney on Trannies and Danny DeVito

GameDay Is Here! A Preview of the College Football Season

The 2007 college football season kicks off this weekend, and College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit is ready to hit the ground running. Since joining ESPN in 1995, Herbstreit has become one of the network's foremost gridiron commentators thanks in large part to his work with GameDay cohorts Chris Fowler and Lee Corso. Adding to his playbook, Herbie also took over analyst duties last season for ABC's Saturday Night Football. TVGuide.com spoke with the Centerville, Ohio, native as he prepped for GameDay's opening broadcast, airing Saturday at 10am/ET, from Blacksburg, Virginia. TVGuide.com: Between GameDay and the ABC Saturday Night broadcasts, you're a pretty busy guy. Give me an idea of what your standard autumn weekend is like.Kirk Herbstreit: It really goes

Fri, Aug 31, 2007

GameDay Is Here! A Preview of the College Football Season

Adam Goldberg Goes from Paris to Entourage's Cannes

Since his breakthrough role as a nebbish teen in Dazed and Confused, Adam Goldberg has worked steadily in both television and movies, including memorable turns in Saving Private Ryan and A Beautiful Mind. Goldberg can currently be seen in theaters opposite Julie Delpy (Before Sunrise, Broken Flowers) in the relationship comedy 2 Days in Paris. Meanwhile, he's been hilariously slimy on the small screen as Entourage's wannabe movie producer Nick Rubenstein. The Los Angeles native gave TVGuide.com a bit of background on his Parisian production, as well as some insight on playing a Hollywood low-life. TVGuide.

Wed, Aug 29, 2007

Adam Goldberg Goes from Paris to Entourage's Cannes

VH1 Rock Doc Tunes In to the Tough Times of 1977 New York

Thirty years ago New York City was falling apart. Social services had been cut, people couldn't find jobs, a citywide blackout resulted in widespread looting and a serial killer was confounding the police. But in the midst of this decaying metropolis, the musical and artistic toiling of a group of very resourceful individuals planted the seed for creative movements that would go on to have a far-reaching effect on popular culture. The time period is fascinatingly captured in NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell, airing as part of VH1's Rock Docs series this Saturday (at 9 pm/ET). TVGuide.com spoke with Academy Award-nominated executive producer Nanette Burstein about the documentary. TVGuide.com: Right off the bat I have to say that the amount of detail that went into NY77 makes

Fri, Aug 10, 2007

VH1 Rock Doc Tunes In to the Tough Times of 1977 New York

Keith Olbermann is Ready to Referee a Presidential Debate

Sports and politics often converge. President Bush once owned the Texas Rangers. Former vice-presidential candidate Jack Kemp is also a former NFL quarterback. Conservative columnist George Will is a chronicler of baseball history. So it should come as no surprise that Keith Olbermann — host of the news program Countdown with Keith Olbermann and onetime ESPN SportsCenter anchor — has been tapped to moderate tonight's AFL-CIO Democratic Presidential Forum on MSNBC (starting at 7 pm/ET). TVGuide.com spoke with the dry-witted journalist about the event. TVGuide.com: What was your first reaction when they asked you to take the reins of this thing?Keith Olbermann: "Yes, I'll do it," was my first reaction. It's

Tue, Aug 7, 2007

Keith Olbermann is Ready to Referee a Presidential Debate