danny.spiegel

George Lopez's Big Latin Comeback

George Lopez has a big head. But it's not just because his ABC sitcom, George Lopez, is a hit for the network. Or that his recent autobiography, Why You Crying?, is a best-seller. Or even that he's hosting the Latin Grammys tonight for the second straight year. No, it's because, as the 43-year-old comedian would readily admit, his skull is just plain... big. So we thought we'd pick his oversized brain for answers to some nagging questions. TV Guide Online: The size of your head is the butt of many jokes on your show. What did the kids say about you back in school?George Lopez: How about: "One size fits all — except George." What was so sad is I wanted to play football in high school, and the day we get our pads, the helmet doesn't fit. So they couldn't find a helmet to fit my head and I had to quit playing football. TVGO: You started out doing stand-up. What's one of the worst memories from those early days?Lopez: I was at

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Alex Trebek Awaits Emmy's Verdict

We're used to seeing Alex Trebek in control. After all, for 20 years he has been the well-dressed man with all the answers on Jeopardy! But this week, the quizmaster's utterly clueless as to whether he'll beat fellow game-show hosts Bob Barker and Meredith Vieira to take home his fourth Daytime Emmy award. TV Guide Online: You're nominated with Bob Barker. How would you do on The Price Is Right? Do you know the price of Rice-A-Roni, for instance?Alex Trebek: No, and my wife keeps chastising me about that because she indicates to me, "You know, the prices have gone up a lot, Alex." I'm not sure I'd do all that well with the current prices of things like that. I tend not to pay all that much attention, although there are situations where I will drive around the block to find gasoline that's two cents less per gallon. TVGO: The celebrity-themed Jeopardy! tournaments are always so competitive. What's the worst trash talk

Tue, May 18, 2004

The End of Ed?

The NBC promos have not been subtle. "On the final episode of Ed, it's the moment you've waited four years for. America's favorite love story ends with a wedding finale." (Those nuptials are tonight at 9 pm/ET, by the way.) That seems pretty clear cut, and yet, there's been no official cancellation of the show. So on this last day of filming at Ed's Stuckeybowl set in New Jersey, it's a bittersweet moment. "I think we look at this as a series finale," says exec producer Rob Burnett. "The story began with Ed coming back to Stuckeyville and asking out this girl who didn't know him and today we're filming their wedding. It feels to me, and to all of us, this is the end of the story." To say that there have been a few obstacle-filled chapters along the way would be an understatement. For Carol (Julie Bowen), it began with an arrogant boyfriend, continued with a

Fri, Feb 6, 2004

Ed Star's Wedding Day

It's the last day of filming for Ed's fourth season and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell is needed on lane 11 at Stuckeybowl. He wheels over to be at costar Tom Cavanagh's side as his eponymous character, Ed Stevens, exchanges vows with the now-attainable Carol Vessey (Julie Bowen). While the show's deliriously happy couple are starting a new life together, Mitchell, who joined the offbeat NBC drama just a year and a half ago, realizes that this is probably a series — not season — finale. (For more on that, click here.) Mitchell has been at this juncture before with The John Larroquette Show and Veronica's Closet, but this time it's different. His role a

Thu, Feb 5, 2004

Mail Call Host Sounds Off!

No one gets in Hollywood's face like R. Lee Ermey. The former drill instructor and 11-year Marine Corps vet has made a nice second career for himself as the go-to actor to fill hard-edged military-man roles, including a much-lauded turn in Full Metal Jacket. For the past three seasons, he's been happily barking answers to viewer questions on Mail Call, the History Channel's combat technology show-and-tell series. "I get to drive tanks," Ermey says of the show that starts its fourth tour of duty on Jan. 11 (10 pm/ET). "I get to blow things up and shoot weapons." Fortunately, the only thing he's shooting today is the breeze with TV Guide. TV Guide Online: What's the coolest thing you've blown up on Mail Call?R. Lee Ermey: Some old ammunition over in Iraq. We worked with the explosive boys, and they had a dummy in a flight suit in the bottom of a pit. Its head was a watermelon. They cut Saddam Hussein's face out of a picture, pasted it

Wed, Jan 7, 2004

X2 Director Sounds Off

It's not easy being a mutant. There's the uncontrollable optic laser blasts. The unsightly blue skin. Or the girlfriend who sucks up your life essence if you kiss her for too long. The only one who's got it tougher is director Bryan Singer, who had to juggle about a dozen costumed characters in X2: X-Men United while clawing his way past the recent glut of comic book films. Nevertheless, he delivered what many considered a superior sequel. With its DVD release today, Singer looks back on his x-traordinary experience. TV Guide Online: Did you really consider reshooting some scenes because your mom said Famke Janssen's new hairstyle didn't look glamorous enough? Bryan Singer: I just think that was her way of saying it wasn't long enough. My mother always has something to say about everything. You should see the script notes sh

Tue, Nov 25, 2003

Seven Silly Questions with Lisa Simpson

Little, pointy-haired Lisa Simpson has been America's favorite eight-year-old for nearly 14 years. (Hey, wait a minute...) And this Sunday on The Simpsons (8 pm/ET), Homer's little girl gets political  and musical  when she runs for class president. Thankfully, like any media-savvy candidate, she's exceedingly gracious in the face of even the silliest questions.TV Guide Online: You seem to have recently found a knack for singing and musical theater. Kermit the Frog did "It's Not Easy Being Green." Would you consider a rendition of "It's Not Easy Being Yellow"? Lisa Simpson: I would never try to hop on Kermit's lily pad. Plus, I don't want to get Miss Piggy mad at me. TVGO: When you get older, if you had to date Bobby Hill, Elroy Jetson or Linus Van Pelt, which would it be? Simpson: They're all dorks. I've got a huge crush on SpongeBob SquarePants, but Mom wants me to marry Richie Ric

Fri, Nov 14, 2003

24's Kim Takes Her Potty Break

Last season on Fox's 24, it seemed Kiefer Sutherland's TV daughter, Elisha Cuthbert, did a lot of running. She ran into a psychotic child abuser, a stupid cop, a crazed loner in the woods, a homicidal convenience store shopper and even a thoroughly annoyed cougar. (You can follow Kim's ill-advised trail again on the just-released second season DVD.) But looking ahead, Cuthbert is relieved to find herself working at CTU in Season Three  which premieres Oct. 28 at 9 pm/ET  instead of racing along deserted roads. And now, just for us, the 20-year-old actress finally takes a breather. TV Guide Online: Your character was always getting into the most ridiculous situations last season, and you took a lot of potshots for it. Elisha Cuthbert: I understood where people were coming from. Whene

Tue, Oct 14, 2003

Meet WB's New "Mrs. Brady"

Diane Farr has the voice of an angel  well, maybe a very wry angel who got rid of her extra-thick New York accent. "I think somebody once called it 'whiskey-soaked,'" says Farr, 31, of her distinctive inflection. "It sorta sounds like I had a rough night." But, after well-received stints on MTV's Loveline and ABC's The Job, her days are pretty smooth now, as she lends that unique delivery to the new WB comedy Like Family (Fridays, 8:30 pm ET). She plays a single mother who, with her teenage son, moves into the crowded suburban home of her best friend (Holly Robinson Peete). Luckily, Farr made some space to talk with us.TV Guide Online: The actor who plays your son on Like Family, J. Mack Slaughter, is actually 20 years old. Um, have you ever read that book Growing Up Brady by Barry Williams? Diane Farr: (Laughs) No, but I make the jokes all the time that I'm gonna pull a "Mrs. Brady" on him.

Fri, Oct 10, 2003

Enterprise Plots Exposed!

You have to wonder which was more devastating: The attack on Earth by the Xindi &mdash; a race that believes 400 years in the future, humanity will destroy their homeworld &mdash; or the precipitous 32 percent ratings drop Enterprise (Wednesdays at 8 pm/ET on UPN) suffered last season. To stem that galactic tide, the producers wisely gave focus to the crew and Captain Archer (Scott Bakula) last May by sending them off into Xindi territory, a dangerous area of space known as the Delphic Expanse. "[Archer] is no longer indecisive in what he is doing," says executive producer Rick Berman. "He's on a vital mission, and he's become much more determined and tougher and stronger." Last week, we were introduced to the Xindi's five types of species: humanoid, reptilian, slothlike, insectoid and aquatic. And it also became apparent that the Xindi planet has already been destroyed. With that pesky groundwork all settled, get ready

Wed, Sep 17, 2003

Jamie Kennedy's Shocking New Experiment

The star of The Jamie Kennedy Experiment is a massive liar. He even says so on Page 2 of his new book, Wannabe: A Hollywood Experiment (Citadel Press), a candid account of his early, mostly humiliating days in Hollywood. Of course, things did turn around for the 33-year-old actor-comedian: His WB prankfest returns for a third season next month, the book is out on Aug. 25, and Malibu's Most Wanted, the film based on one of his outrageous characters, arrives on DVD in September. Not bad. Now, let's get to the truth.TV Guide Online: In the book, you're pretty blunt about your sexual experiences. Have your parents read it? Kennedy: I don't want them to. My dad could, but my mom... she's had six kids but somehow doesn't think sex happens. TVGO: She knows you lost your virginity at some point though, right? Kennedy: I don't even think she knows that. TVGO: You wrote that when you wo

Wed, Aug 13, 2003

Doogie Howser: The Next Spider-Man

Yes, Neil Patrick Harris was the boy genius on Doogie Howser, M.D for four seasons. But that was more than a decade ago. Since then, Harris, 30, has taken on an array of anti-Doogie roles, including parts in Starship Troopers and Undercover Brother, as well as the lecherous emcee in Broadway's Cabaret. Starting July 11 at 10 pm, he lends his wholesome vocal cords to Peter Parker in MTV's super-stylized animated version of Spider-Man. Here Harris happily spins a web for us.TV Guide Online: When superheroes fight, it seems like they're always crying out in pain: Ow! Umph! Does that get tedious to record? Harris: No, I enjoy that. That's when you get to use your imagination, because we don't see the animation. We just hear the director say, "

Wed, Jul 2, 2003

Lou Ferrigno: The Real Hulk Speaks

Back in 1977, when Lou Ferrigno first donned green make-up to star in The Hulk, he was just 25 years old, a two-time Mr. Universe with no real acting experience. But except for all the ripped shirts, his TV role turned out to be a perfect fit. He convincingly growled and flexed his way through five seasons and three subsequent TV movies, the last airing in 1990. (Those telefilms and the series pilot episode are now on DVD). Since then, Ferrigno, 51, has stayed in shape, written his autobiography (available at www.louferrigno.com) and landed a recurring role on The King of Queens. And this Friday, he can be seen making a cameo in Ang Lee's big-budget Hulk feature. Here, we catch up with the former (not-so-jolly) green giant.TV Guide Online: So how many times could you bench-press

Mon, Jun 16, 2003

Brooke Burke Feels The Heat

When Brooke Burke exited E!'s skin-driven Wild On travel series last year, the bikini industry and much of the male population softly wept. But thankfully, you can still catch her on Rank, E!'s pop culture countdown show, as well as Maxim's Hot 100, NBC's TV version of the men's mag's annual female revue (Saturday at 9 pm/ET). We asked Burke, 31, to reflect on this head-turning honor. TV Guide Online: Congratulations on your three-peat on the Hot 100. You've made the list for three years in a row now. Burke: Thank you. It's pretty cool. I didn't think of it that way. Suddenly [number] 82 doesn't look that bad! (Laughs) I think it's always great to be included, and 100 is a pretty small number when you look at all the women in the world.TVGO: So what did you think of the rest of the list? Burke: It's really bizarre this year. I'm absolutely shocked at the results. You're looking at some controversy.

Mon, Jun 9, 2003

Reality TV Cheat Sheet

Keeping track of all the reality shows currently on the air isn't easy. Who's still in the house? How many people are left on the island? What's Ryan Seacrest doing with his hair now? To simplify the process, we compiled this handy dandy reference guide to the most noteworthy unscripted events taking place over the next seven days. Post it on your fridge.SATURDAY Nashville Star (USA, 10 pm/ET): Belt buckles and microphones clash as country sensation Clint Black makes a guest appearance on this twangy-American Idol-Real World hybrid. SUNDAY The Anna Nicole Show (E!, 10 pm/ET): After presumably arguing with her lawyer again, Anna follows through on her date from the live premiere episod

Fri, Apr 11, 2003

The 10 Best Mary Tyler Moores Ever!

Mary Tyler Moore threw her hat high in the air in 1970, but it didn't "land" until seven successful seasons later. Now, 25 years after the last original episode aired, CBS presents The Mary Tyler Moore Reunion (tonight, 10 pm/ET), a retrospective which includes appearances by all cast members except the late Ted Knight. "We all got nice, warm feelings flooding through us [from reminiscing again]," says Cloris Leachman, who played high-maintenance Phyllis Lindstrom. "There are wonderful, favorite lines and moments. You warm to each one every time; it's new again." You can still catch the "original" Mary and Co. every day at 10 am/ET on TV Land. Here are our picks for the ten best episodes from one of the top comedies

Mon, May 13, 2002

John Turturro's No Slouch

John Turturro had a hunch. The actor was playing Howard Cosell in the TNT movie Monday Night Mayhem (airing tonight at 9 pm/ET), and it wasn't just the legendary sportscaster's nasally voice that he would use as a shorthand way of keying into the character  it was his hunched-over posture. "I had these jackets made a little too small to push my shoulders in, because if you buttoned them, it would just pull me right over," Turturro tells TV Guide Online. "I told the designer, 'Listen, this jacket's too small, but it's perfect for my shoulders because my shoulders are bigger than his.'" Mayhem chronicles the early years of ABC's Monday Night Football, including the fragile beginnings of Frank Gifford

Mon, Jan 14, 2002

Another Quantum Leap?

It's been nearly a decade since Quantum Leap went off the air, but fans of the show are still itching to vault into the body of its creator, Donald P. Bellisario, to figure out what really happened during that head-scratching final episode. When viewers last saw Scott Bakula's alter ego Sam Beckett, he was trapped in a small-town tavern in 1953 where an enigmatic bartender appeared to solve the mystery surrounding the time traveler's existence. While Bellisario has attempted to decode the ending to Leap loyalists before, he clarifies to TV Guide Online that the bartender was "God, or fate," as he wanted Sam to at last meet the one who had "created him." And the significance of the bar itself? It was a recreation of the pub once owned by Bellisario's late father. What audiences did

Tue, Jan 8, 2002

Larry Sanders Sidekick Returns

Onscreen, the murky set of The Practice doesn't seem the most welcoming atmosphere. Behind the scenes, however, it's a different story. "Can I just say that I fell in love with Michael Badalucco?" says Jeffrey Tambor, who guest starred on last night's episode, "Liar's Poker." "What a great actor and what a great guy. I can't say enough about him." Best known for his portrayal of needy, self-absorbed sidekick Hank on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, Tambor plays Jimmy's (Badalucco) menacing sports bookie, who collects on a gambling debt by enlisting his legal services. "This is not Hank Kingsley," insists the actor. "This is Hank Kingsley's exact opposite. The character is very different from how I usually play. We all have a dark side... so you draw on it." The dark side looks bright when you consider The Practice's track record of Emmy noms for guest-starring roles alone: That's 10 nominations sin

Mon, Oct 8, 2001

Larry Sanders Sidekick Returns

Onscreen, the murky set of The Practice doesn't seem the most welcoming atmosphere. Behind the scenes, however, it's a different story. "Can I just say that I fell in love with Michael Badalucco?" says Jeffrey Tambor, who guest starred on last night's episode, "Liar's Poker," airing at 10 pm/ET on ABC. "What a great actor and what a great guy. I can't say enough about him." Best known for his portrayal of needy, self-absorbed sidekick Hank on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, Tambor plays Jimmy's (Badalucco) menacing sports bookie, who collects on a gambling debt by enlisting his legal services. "This is not Hank Kingsley," insists the actor. "This is Hank Kingsley's exact opposite. The character is very different from how I usually play. We all have a dark side... so you draw on it." The dark side looks bright when you consider The Practice's track record of Emmy noms for guest-starring roles alone

Fri, Oct 5, 2001

Cover Me Star Uncovered

Cancellation can be a tough pill to swallow, even coming from a former teen idol who happens to be the program's creator. "Shaun Cassidy called me," says Melora Hardin, who co-starred as Barbara Arno, FBI wife and mother on USA's Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family. "Obviously I was shocked because the show was doing so well, and we had just taken all these new publicity photos and they had just changed the main titles; so they had put all this money into it." Citing low ratings, USA earlier this month announced that it wasn't renewing the critically acclaimed series, which chronicled the life of an FBI agent who would bring his family along with him on his undercover exploits. The final original episode will be broadcast March 4. "My honest thoughts are that it was a good show and that the network kind of abandoned us," says Hardin, noting that Cover Me aired in three different timeslots during its 11 months on the air. "We were a

Fri, Feb 16, 2001