TV Guide Author: matt.webb.mitovich

Lovespring's Tiffany Gives Good Phone

Perhaps you know her best as the big-screen Jan Brady, but Jennifer Elise Cox is rapidly eclipsing that memorable characterization with her current gig on Lovespring International, Lifetime's improv series (airing Mondays at 11 pm/ET) about a dating service staffed by people who really shouldn't be staffing a dating service. As Tiffany, Cox gives indifferent, gum-snapping receptionists a bad name — ironic, seeing as how her phone-interview manner is as friendly, if not frisky, as our own. TVGuide.com: So, are you ready for me?Jennifer Elise Cox: Yes, I'm completely ready! So excited! TVGuide.com: Oh, please.

Mon, Jul 3, 2006

What Has Director John Landis Done Now?

John Landis, the director who has brought you such seminal films as National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers and An American Werewolf in London, is ready to unveil his latest valentine to film lovers. Debuting Saturday, July 1, at the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, Universal 360 — A Cinesphere Spectacular

Fri, Jun 30, 2006

Prison Break's Stacy Keach Hunts Outlaws

Stacy Keach is in familiar territory — in a couple of ways — with the Hallmark Channel Western Desolation Canyon (premiering Saturday, July 1, at 9 pm/ET), as his retired bounty hunter, together with Patrick Duffy's town sheriff and a nerdy banker, hunt down the bandits who robbed a bank, killed the teller in the process and then galloped off with a local youth in tow. TVGuide.com spoke with Keach about getting back in the saddle, as he has done numerous times in his colorful career, as well as his outlook for

Fri, Jun 30, 2006

Prison Break's Stacy Keach Hunts Outlaws

What's the Secret to Blockbuster Success?

What is the formula for blockbuster-movie success? And how does it differ from the recipe for disaster? Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters, an HBO documentary premiering tonight at 9 pm/ET — and based on the new book Boffo! How I Learned to Love the Blockbuster and Fear the Bomb, by Variety editor-in-chief and former studio exec Peter Bart — explores those much-asked questions by way of A-list talking heads and fantastic clips from films both great and... so-so. Bart says that  — especially as cohost of AMC's Sunday Morn

Thu, Jun 29, 2006

What's the Secret to Blockbuster Success?

Prison Break's Stacy Keach Hunts Outlaws

Stacy Keach is in familiar territory — in a couple of ways — with the Hallmark Channel Western Desolation Canyon (premiering Saturday, July 1, at 9 pm/ET), as his retired bounty hunter, together with Patrick Duffy's town sheriff and a nerdy banker, hunt down the bandits who robbed a bank, killed the teller in the process and then galloped off with a local youth in tow. TVGuide.com spoke with Keach about getting back in the saddle, as he has done numerous times in his colorful career, as well as his outlook for

Thu, Jun 29, 2006

Amy Sedaris Sells Movie Candy

Fans of the Comedy Central cult hit that chronicled 47-year-old ex-con junkie-whore Jerri Blank's rematriculation into high school are in for a big-screen treat as Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert,  Paul Dinello and a veritable feast of famous faces bring

Wed, Jun 28, 2006

Who/What/From Where Is Kyle XY?

Who is Kyle XY? And where did he come from? Or is the question what is this strange young, innocent man? And perhaps the issue at hand is when did he originate? All such mysteries are raised in the series premiere of ABC Family's Kyle XY, airing tonight at 8 pm/ET, in which a lad with no belly button – and no clothes, for that matter – appears in the middle of nowhere, knowing nothing and saying nothing about who he might be. TVGuide.com hoped to have more luck fishing out answers from Kyle's portrayer, Matt Dallas. TVGuide.com: So, are you excited for the show's premiere?Matt Dallas: Oh, yeah... it's getting close, and we're getting all this crazy press! I’m excited! TVGuide.com: How long has it been, anyway, since you filmed the pilot?Dallas: We shot it, like, last summer, so it’s been almost a year. We did a few reshoots, but it’s been while. TVGuide.com: What sort of scenes did

Mon, Jun 26, 2006

Meet Food Network's Wild 'N' Crazy Guy!

On Sunday at 10 am/ET, Guy Fieri, the winner of Season 2 of The Next Food Network Star premieres his off-the-hook prize. Guy's Big Bite promises to cater to America's appetite for big, bold and broad flavors, whether it's a Philly Cheesesteak egg roll, a Bloody Mary steak or a pasta-stuffed calzone. Shortly after he won Food Network Star, but before his show had been officially named, TVGuide.com called Fieri to get a taste of what's to come. TVGuide.com: What was that music I just heard as your cell phone rang?Guy Fieri:

Fri, Jun 23, 2006

Taryn Manning Is One Badass Banshee

With her modest but pivotal role as Nola, pimp Terrence Howard's cornrowed pro in Hustle & Flow, Taryn Manning made folks sit up and notice. Now she's front and center in Oxygen's Banshee (premiering Saturday at 9:45 pm/ET), playing a tough-talkin' babe who steals cars with the greatest of ease. Alas, on one fateful night, she boosts the wrong ride, shifting into gear a deadly tale of revenge. TVGuide.com gave Manning a call — and caught this "tough gal" just as she was hollering down the hall to Mom.

Fri, Jun 23, 2006

Dead Zoner Puts Johnny on the Spot

As Congressman Greg Stillson on USA Network’s The Dead Zone (Sundays at 10 pm/ET), Sean Patrick Flanery has the none-too-popular task of getting in the face of Anthony Michael Hall’s superpsychic, and now, in light of this season’s opener, is even more in the pocket of the enigmatic Malcolm Janus. TVGuide.com spoke to Flanery about his current vice-presidential aspirations, as well as his past Indiana jones. TVGuide.com: This season’s premiere seemed to indicate new lows to which Stillson will go in his grab for power, as well as the lengths he’ll go on behalf of Janus’ agenda.Sean Patrick Flanery: It’s an interesting time when Janus is starting to kind of infiltrate Stillson

Fri, Jun 23, 2006

Clinton, Jon Stewart in Puzzling New Film

What's an eight-letter word for a star-studded new documentary? Wordplay, going into wide release this Friday, offers a compelling look at Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times' venerable grid, and the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Along the way, such famous faces as former President Bill Clinton, Daily Show host Jon Stewart, filmmaker

Thu, Jun 22, 2006

Clinton, Jon Stewart in Puzzling New Film

What's the Secret to Blockbuster Success?

What is the formula for blockbuster-movie success? And how does it differ from the recipe for disaster? The new book Boffo! How I Learned to Love the Blockbuster and Fear the Bomb, by Variety editor-in-chief and former studio exec Peter Bart, explores those much-asked questions, as does an accompanying HBO documentary, Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters, premiering June 29 and featuring almost as many A-list talking heads as fantastic clips from films both great and... so-so. Bart says that  — especially as cohost of AMC's Sunday

Tue, Jun 20, 2006

Girl's Power Wows Mercedes Ruehl

If Boys Don't Cry, what is it that wannabe girls aren't supposed to do? In Lifetime's A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story (premiering tonight at 9 pm/ET), Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl plays Sylvia, a single mother whose son, Eddie (J.D. Pardo), knows he is supposed to be a girl, and takes steps toward fulfilling that potential. TVGuide.co

Mon, Jun 19, 2006

How Josh Radnor Met TV Guide

Have you met Ted? TV Guide's New York City staffers did just that a few days ago when How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor paid a visit to our offices. What does the affable actor have going on this summer? And what lies ahead for Season 2 of his hit CBS sitcom? We asked Radnor those questions and more. TV Guide: Are you only visiting us because TV Guide has an office in Radnor, Pennsylvania?Josh Radnor: You do? You do.... TV Guide: Maybe your family founded it?Radnor: I wonder.... You guys have been so nice to our show. Thank you, on behalf of everyone. Really. TV Guide: Are you OK with the fact that you didn't make our "TV's Sexiest Men"

Mon, Jun 19, 2006

Jon Tenney Hails Closer's Big Opener

TNT's The Closer (Mondays at 9 pm/ET) is the hottest show on cable right now, and it has the numbers to prove it. On the day that the Season 2 premiere's record ratings came in, TVGuide.com got on the phone with Jon Tenney, who plays FBI agent Fritz Howard, beau to Kyra Sedgwick's crafty, if curt, police chief. TVGuide.com: So you're a star of TV's most-watched — what's the qualifier again? — ad-supported cable drama telecast ever?Jon Tenney: "Ad-supported, original scripted cabl

Mon, Jun 19, 2006

Da Vinci Code Meets Reality TV!

Mix equal parts The Da Vinci Code and The Amazing Race, then sprinkle in Nicolas Cage's National Treasure, and you'd get NBC's Treasure Hunter

Thu, Jun 15, 2006

Hills' Angel, Lauren Conrad, Tells All!

When Lauren Conrad, star of MTV's Laguna Beach spin-off The Hills (Wednesdays at 10 pm/ET), dropped by the TV Guide offices on Monday, the questions came fast and plenty, as staffers sought out the scoop on her reality series. What's the deal with Heidi? What's happening with Jason? And what's the 411 on the LC-Kristin rivalry? Although Lauren seemed to have heard this particular reporter's comment on her resemblance to big-screen funny girl

Wed, Jun 14, 2006

Jenna Elfman Has a Dharma Initiative

Hi-larious. That's the word coming out of Jenna Elfman's mouth, midconversation, as she picks up the phone for this TVGuide.com Q&A. What is the gifted comedienne in the midst of describing? That was the first topic at hand as we used the occasion of the DVD release of Dharma & Greg: Season One to chat up Elfman — fresh from Courting Alex's abbreviated run — about her sitcom hits, misses and lessons learned, the Dharma-

Wed, Jun 14, 2006

Jenna Elfman Has a Dharma Initiative

Hi-larious. That's the word coming out of Jenna Elfman's mouth, midconversation, as she picks up the phone for this TVGuide.com Q&A. What is the gifted comedienne in the midst of describing? That was the first topic at hand as we used the occasion of the DVD release of Dharma & Greg: Season One to chat up Elfman — fresh from Courting Alex's abbreviated run — about her sitcom hits, misses and lessons learned, the Dharma-

Tue, Jun 13, 2006

Tom Everett Scott's Life Is Saved

Described by some as "Rescue Me for the ambulance-driving set," TNT's Saved (Mondays at 10 pm/ET; the premiere rebroadcasts this Wednesday at 11 pm) stars Tom Everett Scott as Wyatt Cole, a paramedic dealing — or not — with a domineering father, a lady doc "ex," and the dilemma of whether to give med school that one last long-after-college try. Oh, and he also has a gambling problem, one so bad it puts his self-stitching expertise to good use. TVGuide.com

Tue, Jun 13, 2006

Tom Everett Scott's Life Is Saved

Described by some as "Rescue Me for the ambulance-driving set," TNT's Saved (premiering tonight at 10 pm/ET) stars Tom Everett Scott as Wyatt Cole, a paramedic dealing — or not — with a domineering father, a lady doc "ex," and the dilemma of whether to give med school that one last long-after-college try. Oh, and he also has a gambling problem, one so bad it puts his self-stitching expertise to good use. TVGuide.com talked to Scott about exploring such da

Mon, Jun 12, 2006

Can't Stand the Heat? Get Out of Hell's Kitchen!

Super-mean superchef Gordon Ramsay turns up the heat again as host of Fox's Hell's Kitchen (premiering tonight at 8 pm/ET), in which cafeteria cooks, prison chefs, pizza makers and deli workers toss their pots and pans into the ring, this time with their eyes on a bigger and better prize —an executive-chef gig at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. Seeing as, judging by the premiere episode, Ramsay is his same gruff self, what is new for this second helping? For one thing, the dozen would-be restaurateurs are split into men's and women's teams. "It's the most amazing sort of scenario," says Ramsay, "because it raised the bar in terms of competitiveness. The guys hate losing against girls in a way that m

Mon, Jun 12, 2006

Can't Stand the Heat? Get Out of Hell's Kitchen!