TV Guide Author: ileane.rudolph

Jack Coleman, Heroes: What's Going On Behind the Glasses?

How does a mild-mannered Dynasty vet come to be one of current pop culture's most enigmatic TV characters? What lured Jack Coleman to the role of Heroes' Mr. Bennett, aka Horn-rimmed Glasses/H.R.G.? And, for once and for all, what are this protective patriarch's ultimate intentions? TV Guide hit the actor with those hot topics and more. TV Guide: Congratulations on being made a series regular, promoted from guest star. Were you originally signed up only for a limited number of episodes?Jack Coleman: It was always open-ended. It was a one-page audition, but when I saw that this Horn-rimmed Glasses guy turned out to be the father of Hayden Panettiere (Claire), I thoug

Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Jack Coleman, Heroes: What's Going On Behind the Glasses?

Can a Hail Mary Save NBC's Outstanding Friday Night Lights?

NBC's Friday Night Lights (Tuesdays at 8 pm/ET) should have been a shoo-in for the ratings trophy. Not only did critics almost universally adore it, but the series is about small-town high-school football, for heaven's sake. Perhaps playing Friday on Tuesday was confusing, or people just can't get into sports-centered shows, but despite its fine acting and writing, the series hasn't scored big. TV Guide talked to executive producer/head writer Jason Katims about the show's future. TVGuide.com: There's some good news in that Friday Night Lights has been keeping its audience, right?Jason Katims: Yes. Obviously, the ratings have not been fantastic, but the audience that came to view the show has stayed, and that's really fantastic. Now we're hoping that people start to get&nbsp

Tue, Oct 31, 2006

Can a Hail Mary Save NBC's Outstanding Friday Night Lights?

America's Next Top Model: Inside Monique's Meltdown

In the season premiere, our favorite divafest, America's Next Top Model (Wednesdays at 8 pm/ET on the CW), staged a photo shoot lampooning the stereotypes of bad model behavior. You know, cell-phone flinging, bulimia, drug taking and the juicy unsavory like. Yet they seem to have forgotten dirty-panty smearing. That's right — for those who missed it, this season's überbitch, Monique Calhoun, who was eliminated after missing a photo shoot and not cutting it in previous pix, did that deed on arch rival Melrose Bickerstaff's bed. TV Guide caught up with Monique after her ousting and asked her, “Say what? Why?” First off, the 19-year-old Chicago marketing rep wants us to know that it's tough in that model mansion. Like, how could they expect her to get out of the shower after only 10 minutes?! "'I'm a lady,' I said, and I don’t know many ladies who take 10-minute showers!" she tells us with in

Tue, Oct 10, 2006

America's Next Top Model: Inside Monique's Meltdown

Idol's "Dawg" Discusses Cool Cats and Season 6

When we recently spied Randy Jackson at New York's Grand Central Station, he wasn't running for a train. No, American Idol's "Dawg" was hanging with Morris the Cat at a press conference for the Million Cat Rescue, 9Lives' campaign to help felines find homes. TV Guide chatted with Jackson about his love of cats, Celebrity Duets' shortcomings, and the upcoming season of Idol. TV Guide: What's up with the Dawg and cats? Are you a feline fancier?Randy Jackson: [Laughs] I have three dogs and now I have two cats, and they get along fabulously. I'm an animal lover in general. The Dawg is helping cats out, that's how I look at it. The Dawg is so large

Tue, Sep 26, 2006

Idol's "Dawg" Discusses Cool Cats and Season 6

Breaking News: The Stargate May Reopen

While Stargate SG-1 fans are already gathering signatures to petition Sci Fi Channel to pull a 7th Heaven move and un-cancel the veteran series, it probably ain't going to happen, folks. However, there are some signs of life in the show and it's not just the MMO (massive multiplayer online) game that is due out in the fourth quarter of 2007 and that MGM, which owns the Stargate franchise, is sinking $40-50 million into. While executive producer Brad Wright tells TV Guide his "dream is to take SG-1 back to the feature it began as," we are now hearing that MGM may produce a series of TV-movies based on the mother-ship series. "From MGM's perspective, we don't view SG-1 as a television series, we view it as a franchise, and one with a lot of vibrant life," says studio spokesman Jeff Pryor. "The fan base is fiercely loya

Wed, Aug 23, 2006

Christopher Meloni Preps for the Emmys

In his seventh year playing Elliot Stabler on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Christopher Meloni snagged his first Emmy nomination. We asked the 45-year-old newbie about finally getting recognized and what his costar (and three-time nominee) Mariska Hargitay had to say. TV Guide: How are you feeling about your first Emmy nomination?  Christopher Meloni: I'm feeling… quite honestly, the best part about it is the congratulatory calls I've gotten from friends, colleagues. I think, actually, they're a little happier than I am. [Laughs] So I pretty much

Tue, Aug 22, 2006

Richard Dean Anderson Marks SG-1's 200th

TV Guide caught up with Richard Dean Anderson on the Vancouver set of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate: SG-1, where he was making his first visit back since he left the show one and a half years ago to spend more time with his young daughter. Sitting in a mock wedding chapel, Anderson looked just fine in a tux, as he waited for a nuptial scene to begin. (SG-1 fans, you'll love it.) The occasion was special not only because of the former star's return — the first of two SG-1 and three Stargate Atlantis visits this season — but because the episode was the 200th of the decade-old show (airing Friday, Aug. 18, at 9 pm/ET). Anderson talked to us about the anniversary, why he returned and what he's been up t

Fri, Aug 18, 2006

Richard Dean Anderson Marks SG-1's 200th

Mars Star Believes in Girls Power

In Part 1 of our Q&A with Kristen Bell, the Veronica Mars star dished on her decision to dabble in big-screen horror (with Pulse, which opened at No. 5 this past weekend) as well as the (equally scary?) prospect of real-life marriage. Here in Part 2, the actress talks about Veronica Mars' own love life, hangin' out on the Gilmore Girls set, and making beautiful music. TV Guide: Let's talk about Veronica Mars. What have you heard about how [series creator] 

Tue, Aug 15, 2006

Kristen Bell Eyes a Scary-Good Gig

Although the third season of Veronica Mars doesn't premiere (on CW) until Oct. 3, Kristen Bell fans don't have to wait that long to catch up with their fave. In the horror film Pulse (opening Friday), Bell plays Mattie, a college student who discovers that the evil dead are coming, via the world's cell phones, computers and more. The actress called TV Guide from her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by her dogs and boyfriend — and using a land line, we have to hope.  TV Guide: Having filmed a lot of movies lately, did you want Veronica Mars to come back? Or would you be happy doing features? Kristen Bell: Whe

Thu, Aug 10, 2006

Stargate Crossover Q&A, Preview and More!

It's taken four years, but on Friday, July 28, at 9 pm/ET, the crew of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate SG-1 visits their Atlantis brethren for a crossover episode all about — what else? — saving the galaxy. SG-1's comely scientific genius, Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Atlantis' annoyingly brilliant Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) must destroy the Ori's Supergate or they'll all be prostrating before false gods before they can say, "O'Neill, help!" We talked to Tapping and Hewlett, combatively acerbic buddies in real life, about the shows and their roles. TV Guid

Sun, Jul 30, 2006

Stargate Crossover Q&A, Preview and More!

It's taken four years, but on Friday, July 28, at 9 pm/ET, the crew of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate SG-1 visits their Atlantis brethren for a crossover episode all about — what else? — saving the galaxy. SG-1's comely scientific genius, Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Atlantis' annoyingly brilliant Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) must destroy the Ori's Supergate or they'll all be prostrating before false gods before they can say, "O'Neill, help!" We talked to Tapping and Hewlett, combatively acerbic buddies in real life, about the shows and their roles. TV Guid

Sat, Jul 29, 2006

Stargate Crossover Q&A, Preview and More!

It's taken four years, but on Friday, July 28, at 9 pm/ET, the crew of Sci Fi Channel's Stargate SG-1 visits their Atlantis brethren for a crossover episode all about — what else? — saving the galaxy. SG-1's comely scientific genius, Lt. Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), and Atlantis' annoyingly brilliant Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett) must destroy the Ori's Supergate or they'll all be prostrating before false gods before they can say, "O'Neill, help!" We talked to Tapping and Hewlett, combatively acerbic buddies in real life, about the shows and their roles. TV Guid

Fri, Jul 28, 2006

Blade Scribe Eyes Batman's Return

In Part 1 of our Q&A with David S. Goyer, the producer/writer detailed the differences and similarities between Spike TV's Blade: The Series (Wednesdays at 10 pm/ET) and its big-screen begetter. Here he shares the scoop on which other Blade characters will surface on TV, status reports on The Flash, Nicolas Cage's Ghost Rider and the Batman Begins follow-up, and the sad truth about why shows such as

Wed, Jul 5, 2006

Will Cuddy Hook Up with House?

On TV, Lisa Edelstein has scored with everyone from George Costanza to Frasier Crane. Will Dr. House be next? TV Guide asked her about the Fox drama's second-season cliff-hanger, her party-girl past and more. TV Guide: Right to it: Dr. Lisa Cuddy, your character on House [Tuesdays at 8 and 9 pm/ET], is looking for a sperm donor to have a baby, and House (Hugh Laurie) has been nixing all the anonymous donors. Will she ask him to donate? Lisa Edelstein: She walked into House's office, clear

Wed, Jul 5, 2006

Will Cuddy Hook Up with House?

On TV, Lisa Edelstein has scored with everyone from George Costanza to Frasier Crane. Will Dr. House be next? TV Guide asked her about the Fox drama's second-season cliff-hanger, her party-girl past and more. TV Guide: Right to it: Dr. Lisa Cuddy, your character on House [Tuesdays at 8 and 9 pm/ET], is looking for a sperm donor to have a baby, and House (Hugh Laurie) has been nixing all the anonymous donors. Will she ask him to donate? Lisa Edelstein: She walked into House's office, clear

Tue, Jul 4, 2006

Blade Takes a Bite Out of TV

Producer/writer David S. Goyer is hotter than a solar flash on the big screen these days. While the veteran comic-book (Justice Society of America) and sci-fi/horror-film scribe (Batman Begins, Dark City) is currently working on, among other projects, big-screen takes on The Flash and Ghost Rider, it'

Wed, Jun 28, 2006

Big Changes Coming to Law & Order

For its 17th season, the aging legal drama Law & Order will undergo an extreme makeover. The NBC warhorse moves to Fridays at 10 pm/ET in the fall and will add two new cast members, including — for the first time — a female street detective. After owning Wednesdays at 10 for more than a decade, L&O finally met its match the past two seasons against CSI: NY. Now NBC is going to see if the show will fare any better against another CBS hit, Numbers, on a night with lower expectations. Notoriously brusque creator and executive producer

Thu, Jun 22, 2006

Big Changes Coming to Law & Order

For its 17th season, the aging legal drama Law & Order will undergo an extreme makeover. The NBC warhorse moves to Fridays at 10 pm/ET in the fall and will add two new cast members, including — for the first time — a female street detective. After owning Wednesdays at 10 for more than a decade, L&O finally met its match the past two seasons against CSI: NY. Now NBC is going to see if the show will fare any better against another CBS hit, Numbers, on a night with lower expectations. Notoriously brusque creator and executive producer

Wed, Jun 21, 2006

Last Comic Host Has the Last Laugh

NBC apparently didn't get the joke behind Last Comic Standing last season, relegating the contest to Comedy Central weeks before a winner was crowned. Now the Peacock is giving the American Idol-for-funny-people another shot, with the new season's episodes airing Tuesdays at 9 pm/ET. TV Guide asked new host Anthony Clark why Last Comic merited a second chance, as well as why his sitcom, CBS' Yes, Dear, didn't. TV Guide: Is

Tue, Jun 6, 2006

Sneak Peek: The Battlestar Comic Book!

The blogs are abuzz: A new comic based on television's Battlestar Galactica is about to be published. TV Guide, having been offered an exclusive first look at the project, talked to veteran comic-book writer Greg Pak ("The Incredible Hulk") about his creation based on the Sci Fi Channel hit. TVGuide.com: When is the Battlestar comic coming out?Greg Pak: The first issue, the specially priced 25-cent #0, hits comic-book stores on May 31, and issue #1 should hit stores in July. After that we'll be on a monthly schedule. For new readers who might not know where their local store is, the Diamond Book Shop Locator Service [at http://csls.diamondcomics.com/] is a great resource.

Thu, May 25, 2006

Anjelica Huston Puffs on Huff

From Maerose Prizzi to Morticia Addams, Anjelica Huston has made a career of playing women you don't want to mess with. After she appears on Showtime's Huff (Sundays at 10 pm/ET), striding down a hall in form-fitting clothes, stilettos and a fierce expression on her angular face, you'll add the name Dr. Lena Markova to her power-babe pantheon. "I don't like to think I'm scary," the 5-foot-10 actress says. "Maybe my size contributes to being cast in dominant roles. But then, I've never pictured myself as a wilting flower. So I'm drawn to strong women." In Huston's four-episode Huff stint, which kicked off last night, she plays an unorthodox psychiatrist w

Mon, Apr 24, 2006

Liza's Still Kickin' at 60

Ensconced in a huge New York hotel suite along with a small retinue and her adorably pesky miniature schnauzer, Liza Minnelli is perky despite a heavy schedule of interviews about the newly remastered Liza with a Z, her 1972 concert special. Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse and written by John Kander and Fred Ebb (Cabaret), the show, which debuts on Showtime on April 2, won four Emmys. On the cusp of her 60th birthday, the singer-dancer-actress reminisces about the making of the show, how it looks today and how her mother Judy Garland helped her conquer her stage fright. TVGuide.com: It's great to meet you. I go way back with you.Liza Minnelli: So you remember [my professional stage debut] Best Foot Forward? TVGuide.com: I remember when you were a kid and visited your mom's TV show! Minnelli: [Laughs] That's wo

Fri, Mar 31, 2006