anthony.layser

Preview: Harvey Birdman Takes His Final Flight

Since September 2001, the titular avian lawyer of Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law has come to the aid of numerous animated defendants as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Voiced by Gary Cole, Birdman has provided counsel to mostly Hanna-Barbera-derived creations, from a Sopranos-esque mafia don Fred Flintstone to busted stoners Shaggy and Scooby Doo. The series will take flight for the last time on Sunday at 11:45 pm/ET with the episode "The Death of Harvey." TVGuide.com spoke about the not-so-somber passing with series creators Erik Richter and Michael Ouweleen. TVGuide.com: How are you guys coping with Harvey's death?Michael Ouweleen:

Fri, Jul 20, 2007

Preview: Harvey Birdman Takes His Final Flight

Controversial Series Invites You to Believe in Atheism

During the June 5 Republican presidential debate, CNN moderator Wolf Blitzer took various opportunities to grill the candidates about their faith. Jonathan Miller happened to be directing an opera in Tokyo at the time, and came across the debate while watching television in his hotel room. The knighted neurologist, humorist and scholar was more than a little surprised at the line of questioning. "I was astounded that anyone would have the impudence to ask people about their faith in a political context," Miller tells TVGuide.com. "It plays no part whatsoever in European politics." The fact that religious belief does play a larger role in American life makes it all the more interesting that Miller's essay on the genealogy of atheism is finally being aired in the States. Throughout the summer, PBS stations across the c

Fri, Jul 13, 2007

Controversial Series Invites You to Believe in Atheism

Shaq Attacks a Most Dangerous Epidemic Facing Kids

From winning NBA titles to rapping and starring in movies, Shaquille O'Neal has made himself one of the most recognizable names in the world. Now he's lending that name to the fight against childhood obesity in the new series Shaq's Big Challenge. Premiering tonight at 9 pm/ET, the ABC series follows O'Neal and his gang of physicians, physical trainers, nutritionists and health experts as they show six overweight Florida kids how to drop extra pounds. TVGuide.com checked in with The Diesel to learn more about his efforts to help these youngsters battle the bulge. TVGuide.com: Why is fighting childhood obesity a cause that you're so passionate about?Shaquille O'Neal: Because I saw some research that said if this epidemic isn't dealt with, children will have shorter lives than their parents. It's one of

Tue, Jun 26, 2007

Shaq Attacks a Most Dangerous Epidemic Facing Kids

Heroes Sneak Peek: Meet Claire's "Super" New Boyfriend

It was announced on June 18 that Nick D’Agosto will be joining the cast of NBC’s Heroes next season, playing the role of Claire’s (Hayden Panettiere) new boyfriend, West. Since moving to Hollywood in 2002, the Nebraska native has done numerous bit parts in television and movies, but his stint on Heroes will be his most high-profile role to date. TVGuide.com spoke with the perpetually youthful-looking actor hours after the news broke to find out what he thinks of landing the coveted gig. TVGuide.com: Were you nervous when you auditioned, knowing that Heroes is one of the more popular shows on TV?Nick D'Agosto: I guess there’s a little bit of that. I don’t want to portray it like

Mon, Jun 18, 2007

Heroes Sneak Peek: Meet Claire's "Super" New Boyfriend

The Monkees' Micky Dolenz Reveals a Music Milestone's Secrets

Forty years after the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, the cultural reverberations are still being felt. VH1 is celebrating the anniversary by looking back on the hippie high-water mark through the perspective of musicians, organizers and attendees of the three-day event. The Monkees' Micky Dolenz was one of the people interviewed for the aptly titled documentary Monterey 40, airing Saturday at 9 pm/ET, so TVGuide.com checked in to hear firsthand what that legendary weekend was all about. TVGuide.com: Do you consider the Monterey Pop Festival the defining moment of the Summer of Love?Micky Dolenz: I hate to put labels on things, but I guess you could say that. It didn't come out of the

Fri, Jun 15, 2007

The Monkees' Micky Dolenz Reveals a Music Milestone's Secrets

HBO Takes Flight with a Pair of Very Funny Musicians

In an upcoming episode of HBO's Flight of the Conchords (premiering Sunday at 9 pm/ET), series stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie spoof Crocodile Dundee's famous "That's not a knife" line. It's an interesting tip of the cap considering they're looking to bring their own brand of comedy to the United States from the Southern Hemisphere, just as Paul Hogan did two decades ago. TVGuide.com chatted with the New Zealand musical-comedy duo about their new show, which follows the misadventures of a Kiwi music duo transplanted in New York City. TVGuide.com: You guys have only done a few appearances on American television, and now you have your own series about to launch on HBO. Are either of you experiencing any nervousness &#821

Fri, Jun 15, 2007

HBO Takes Flight with a Pair of Very Funny Musicians

After 25 Years, Comic Brian Regan Gets His Big Break

Brian Regan recently landed the type of deal up-and-coming comedians only dream about. The veteran stand-up signed a multiplatform arrangement with Comedy Central that includes two specials, a tour and the development of his own series. The first special for the network, Brian Regan: Standing Up, airs this Sunday at 10 pm/ET. TVGuide.com got a chance to speak with Regan about his good fortunes and about his preoccupation with a certain city in the O.C.... TVGuide.com: You've been doing stand-up for 25 years. With the Comedy Central deal, is Brian Regan's career peaking, or is this only the beginning?Brian Regan: [Laughs] I'm going to go on the optimistic side and say it's only the beginning. When the Comedy Central thing came through, I must say I was pretty excited. Like you said, I'v

Fri, Jun 8, 2007

After 25 Years, Comic Brian Regan Gets His Big Break

We Grill George Foreman About American Inventor

ABC's American Inventor kicks off its second season tonight (at 9 pm/ET) with three new judges having been brought onboard to deliberate with executive producer/judge Peter Jones. One of those judges is the Olympic gold medalist, former heavyweight champion and bona fide grill master George Foreman. TVGuide.com spoke with Big George while he was in Las Vegas promoting his new book, God in My Corner. TVGuide.com: Why did you decide to sign on as a judge for American Inventor?George Foreman: It's strange, because I was a good boxer and I made some money. I had done good with Madison Avenue, doing commercials for McDonald's and Oscar Mayer. Then somebody approached me with a little machine nobody was interested in

Wed, Jun 6, 2007

We Grill George Foreman About American Inventor

Will a New HBO Documentary Keep You Up at Night?

The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. One of those people is filmmaker Alan Berliner. Having made the personal documentaries The Sweetest Sound and Nobody's Business, Berliner decided to turn the camera on himself and his family once again to follow his attempts to overcome sleeplessness in HBO's Wide Awake: Portrait of an Artist as Insomniac. TVGuide.com recently discussed the project, which premieres tonight at 8 pm/ET, with the New York City-based cineaste. TVGuide.com: How'd you sleep last night?Alan Berliner: Actually, last night, I had a terrible night's sleep. TVGuide.com: So it continues?Berliner: Yeah. It's gotten better, but every night is an adventure for me.

Wed, May 23, 2007

Will a New HBO Documentary Keep You Up at Night?

Oscar Nuñez "Accounts" for The Office's Success

In the hilarious third-season premiere of NBC's The Office (Thursdays at 8:30 pm/ET), Oscar Martinez was unceremoniously outed by Michael, and subsequently awarded paid leave by Dunder-Mifflin to curb any litigious thoughts. In reality, the accountant's portrayer, Oscar Nuñez, took a leave from the show to exec-produce and star in the Comedy Central series Halfway Home. But now that he has returned to his cubicle, TVGuide.com decided to check in on the Cuban-born funnyman. TVGuide.com: When did the Office writers officially tell you Oscar would be gay?Oscar Nuñez: It was toward the end of the first season. At first, it started as a rumor. The actors started saying, "Oscar might be gay" when we'd read the scripts,

Thu, May 10, 2007

Oscar Nuñez "Accounts" for The Office's Success

Six Feet Under's Peter Krause Is Ready to Play Dirty

For five critically acclaimed seasons, audiences knew Peter Krause as the troubled prodigal son who returned home to run his late father's mortuary on Six Feet Under. Since the HBO series concluded, the Minnesota native has been working on various projects, including Sci Fi's The Lost Room and the provocative thriller Civic Duty. Opening this weekend in limited release, the indie stars Krause as a recently laid-off accountant who begins to suspect that his new neighbor may be an Islamic extremist. TVGuide.com spoke with the actor about Civic Duty as well as Dirty Sexy Money, a "can't miss" pi

Fri, May 4, 2007

Six Feet Under's Peter Krause Is Ready to Play Dirty

How Saturday Night Live Hit a High in the '90s

Despite stumbling through much of the 1980s, NBC's Saturday Night Live returned to its place as a comedic touchstone in the 1990s. The ratings and critical response at the time didn't always show it, but in retrospect it's hard to argue with the results. Revisit the roster of talent that passed through the halls of 30 Rockefeller Plaza during the decade and names like Chris Rock, Tina Fey, David Spade, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell immediately jump out at you. And from "Wayne's World" to a request for "more cowbell," numerous sketches from the time still resonate in the cult

Fri, May 4, 2007

How Saturday Night Live Hit a High in the '90s

Expert Analysis: Bill Walton Previews the NBA Playoffs

The 2007 NBA playoffs kick off this weekend, and to prep for the upcoming two months of hoops action, TVGuide.com caught up with ESPN/ABC analyst and color commentator Bill Walton. The Hall of Fame big man was kind enough to not only break down the playoff picture, but also fill us in on why two-time MVP Steve Nash is comparable to... the Grateful Dead? TVGuide.com: What's the big story going into the playoffs this year?Walton: In the Eastern Conference, there are a lot of stories. Can Miami repeat? Is Dwayne Wade healthy? For Detroit, can Chris Webber be the one to put them over the top? This is a team who's been at the top knocking at the door for a long time, and they only have one championship to show for it. Is this a team for the a

Fri, Apr 20, 2007

Expert Analysis: Bill Walton Previews the NBA Playoffs

Joe Rogan: Thieving Comics Are No Laughing Matter

Not so long ago, Joe Rogan was talking people into eating bugs and jumping out of planes as the host of Fear Factor. Since then, he's returned to his stand-up comedy roots with the CD Shiny Happy Jihad (released April 10) and a new Showtime special airing tonight at 9 pm/ET. He's also been no stranger to confrontation — serving as a color commentator on Spike TV's broadcasts of UFC bouts and advocating a crackdown on comedians he believes plagiarize material. TVGuide.com spoke with the candid comic and, well, got an earful. TVGuide.com: Your Joe Rogan: Live special starts off with a microbiological metaphor for Los Angeles, and you deal with existential issues throughout. It's not quite what you'd expect from a guy who hosted

Thu, Apr 19, 2007

Joe Rogan: Thieving Comics Are No Laughing Matter

Tough-talker Henry Rollins Is Back, Keeping Things Israel

Talk shows have been around since the advent of television broadcasting, but there's never been one quite like The Henry Rollins Show. Provocative, confrontational and seemingly unable to pull his punches, Henry Rollins returns to the IFC this Friday, April 13 (at 11 pm/ET), to begin his second season, accompanied by guest Marilyn Manson. To mark the occasion, IFC is preceding the premiere at 9:30 with Henry Rollins: Uncut from Israel, a documentary chronicling the former rocker's trip to Tel Aviv for a spoken-word gig. Rollins recently gave TVGuide.com a piece of his mind. TVGuide.com: In Uncut from Israel, you say that Israel is "up against the real." Is that part

Fri, Apr 13, 2007

Tough-talker Henry Rollins Is Back, Keeping Things Israel

Inn-keeper Tori Spelling Fends Off Unwanted Guests

At the beginning of this month, Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott celebrated the opening of their bed-and-breakfast, the Chateau La Rue. Named after Spelling's pet pug, the establishment is not only a new business venture for the newlyweds, it's also the focus of Tori & Dean: Inn Love, a reality series premiering tonight at 10:30 pm/ET on the Oxygen Network. TVGuide.com caught up with the former Beverly Hills, 90210 star a few days after the Chateau's opening to chat about the series, awaiting her firstborn child, and the transition from Hollywood's glitz and glam to the fields and farms of Fallbrook, California. TVGuide.com: I heard the baby is due any day now. How are y

Tue, Mar 20, 2007

Inn-keeper Tori Spelling Fends Off Unwanted Guests

Dick Vitale Previews a New Round of March Madness!

The 2007 NCAA College Basketball tournament is officially under way, driving even the most casual hoops fan into a state of excitement known as March Madness. Yet when it comes to frenzied fandom, no one holds a candle to Dick Vitale. After leaving the coaching ranks in 1979, Dickie V began his college-basketball broadcasting career with a then-fledgling cable sports network known as ESPN. Since that time, the Passaic, New Jersey, native has become a household name with his signature brand of unbridled enthusiasm. To celebrate this athletic rite of spring, TVGuide.com recently spoke with Vitale about the tourney, endorsing Hooters, and his latest nomination to the Basketball Hall of Fame. TVGuide.com: Do I even need to ask if March is your favorite month?Dick Vitale: You know, March Madness to me is so unique in that it captivates fans of all ages and creates such an unbelievabl

Fri, Mar 16, 2007

Dick Vitale Previews a New Round of March Madness!

Prison Break's William Fichtner Awaits a First Snow

William Fichtner is that rare sort of actor who can move effortlessly between the television and film worlds without missing a beat. His current TV gig is playing conflicted FBI agent Alexander Mahone on Fox's Prison Break (Mondays at 8 pm/ET), and come March 23 he can be seen in the feature thriller First Snow, starring Guy Pearce. TVGuide.com spoke with the Long Island native as he prepared to shoot the second-season finale of Prison Break. TVGuide.com: You play Guy Pearce's buddy and business partner in First Snow.William Fichtner: Yeah, I'm the buddy. Everybody's got to have a buddy. Really, that's what he is. The first time I

Mon, Mar 12, 2007

Prison Break's William Fichtner Awaits a First Snow

Late Show's Paul Shaffer Orchestrates a Legendary Gig

Most people know Paul Shaffer as the bespectacled bandleader on Late Show with David Letterman. What they may not know is that Letterman's sounding board is also the music director for the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. In 1986, Shaffer's HoF gig got him noticed by HBO, and he was brought on board as music director for an episode of the Cinemax series Sessions. This, however, would be no ordinary concert. Piano legends Fats Domino, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis would be sharing the stage at New Orleans' vaunted Storyville Ni

Tue, Mar 6, 2007

Late Show's Paul Shaffer Orchestrates a Legendary Gig

Meet "Gary," the Knights of Prosperity's Master Schemer

Seven episodes into their first season, The Knights of Prosperity have yet to rob Mick Jagger. Fortunately, ABC's ensemble comedy has nabbed more than a few laughs. Maz Jobrani, who plays Gourishankar "Don't call me Gary" Subramaniam on the show, is a big part of that. TVGuide.com spoke with the actor and comic about being "knighted," and his part in Comedy Central's upcoming Axis of Evil Comedy Tour. TVGuide.com: What exactly is Gary's specialty in the Knights of Prosperity crew?Maz Jobrani: Well, there are a few things. Obviously, he's the driver of the getaway car. He's the womanizer whenever that comes in handy. He also comes up with ideas that are way out there. He thinks outside of the box. And though his ideas are pretty c

Wed, Feb 21, 2007

Meet "Gary," the Knights of Prosperity's Master Schemer

Man of the Year's Barry Levinson Shows Us the M.O.N.Y.

Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson has turned his focus to the world of politics. No, he hasn't started making trips to Iowa and New Hampshire. First he directed the Robin Williams-as-president comedy Man of the Year (arriving in stores today on DVD), then just last month NBC greenlit his and producing partner Tom Fontana's new series M.O.N.Y., which follows the trials and tribulations of an interim New York City mayor (played by Will & Grace Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale). TVGuide.com welcomed the chance to speak with the Baltimore native about his bend toward the b

Tue, Feb 20, 2007

Man of the Year's Barry Levinson Shows Us the M.O.N.Y.

Is Sarah Silverman's New Program Too Hot for TV?

Sarah Silverman is one of America's most popular comedians, despite never having had her own TV show or a starring turn in a big-budget Hollywood flick. That ends (well, at least the TV part) when The Sarah Silverman Program premieres on Comedy Central tonight at 10:30pm/ET. So why is the Bedford, New Hamphire, native so well known? The most obvious explanation seems to be that her good looks and dainty delivery serve as a surprising counterpoint to her caustic, sometimes controversial material, which deals with hot potatoes such as race, religion and sexuality. Never one to pull punches, she's gotten attention for offending Asians by using the word "chink" on Conan and by leveling a deadpan rape accusation against TV host

Thu, Feb 1, 2007

Is Sarah Silverman's New Program Too Hot for TV?