Tuesday, August 25, 2015

08/25 BRUCE BOXLEITNER, CEDAR COVE, TRON

ACTOR/PRODUCER/AUTHOR BRUCE BOXLEITNER TALKS ABOUT THE SERIES CEDAR COVE AND HIS UPCOMING WESTERN EVENTS

As one of Hollywood’s leading men, Bruce Boxleitner has starred in a major motion picture franchise (TRON), numerous feature films, several popular TV series, produced a major network film and TV series, performed on Broadway and authored two science fiction novels.

Bruce currently co-stars with Andie MacDowell on Hallmark Channel’s first-ever primetime series, “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove” the #1 rated series airing on Saturday evenings. Boxleitner’s character, Bob Beldon is the owner of the Cedar Cove Inn, Thyme and Tide. The series is based on the popular book series CEDAR COVE by #1 NY Times best-selling author Debbie Macomber. The popular series has been picked up for a third season. The show airs every Saturday at 8 pm Eastern.
In addition, Bruce recently co-starred in Hallmark’s “hit” TV movie “SO YOU SAID YES;” co-starred with Lindsay Wagner in Hallmark’s THE THANKSGIVING HOUSE special and co-starred in the Christmas TV movie SILVER BELLS  that aired on the UP Network. Boxleitner is a longtime favorite with sci-fi and western fans worldwide. He starred with Jeff Bridges in TRON:LEGACY, the popular motion picture sequel to Disney’s cult film TRON. The cast also included: Garret Hedlund and Olivia Wilde.

Bruce and Trevor Crafts are executive producers of “Bruce Boxleitner’s Lantern City” a new Steampunk-themed series in development that is an exciting foray into fan-inspired and fan-created television. It combines first-rate storytelling, innovative production design and a rich science fiction world with dynamic storylines. The series will allow viewers to be involved in the process – a first for any television show. On July 19, 2013, the series creators released the first-illustrated novel in the “Lantern City” saga Rise: A Lantern City Illustrated Novel  at Comic-Con International in San Diego.
The multi-talented actor reprised his role in TRON:UPRISING on Disney’s XD TV Network…his first animated TV series. The cast included: Elijah Wood, Mandy Moore, Lane Henriksen and Paul Reubens. The original TRON recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Boxleitner’s film credits include: “Gods and Generals” with Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang and Mira Sorvino; “The Babe” with John Goodman and Kelly McGillis; “Kuffs” with Christian Slater and “The Baltimore Bullet” with James Coburn. Numerous TV credits include: “The Secret with Kirk Douglas; “Perfect Family” with Jennifer O’Neal and Joanna Cassidy; “Double Jeopardy” with Rachel Ward, Sally Kirkland and Sela Ward; “Passion Flower” with Barbara Hershey and Nicol Williamson and Hallmark Channel movies “Love’s Resounding Courage,” “Falling In Love with the Girl Next Door,” etc. The veteran actor has appeared in numerous recurring roles on TV series including “GCB,” “Heroes,” “NCIS” and guest-starred on “Chuck.”

Boxleitner received his formal acting training on stage. A native mid-westerner, he is an alumnus of Chicago’s prestigious Goodman Theatre. In 1972, he starred in the Broadway production of “Status Quo Vadis” with Ted Danson. He then re-located to Los Angeles and quickly landed a guest spot on the legendary TV series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as well as numerous guest roles on series including “Hawaii 5-0,” “Beretta,” “Police Woman” and “Gunsmoke.” His big break occurred when he was cast opposite James Arness in the pilot for the epic TV series “How The West Was Won.” He went on to star in the CBS series “Bring ‘em Back Alive,” mini-series “East of Eden” and TV movie “The Last Convertible.”

In 1982 Boxleitner was cast in the title role in Disney’s cult film TRON which garnered him sci-fi fans nationally and internationally. However, it was his four-year run on CBS-TV’s popular series “Scarecrow and Mrs. King,” co-starring Kate Jackson, which endeared him to fans of all ages and made him a household name. In 1994, Boxleitner joined the cast of the “hit” TV series “Babylon 5” as John Sheridan, President of the Interstellar Alliance, a war hero-turned diplomat at the helm of Earth Alliance Space Station in the year 2259. The show aired for five seasons.

Boxleitner is also known as an actor and skilled horseman and costarred in numerous western TV series and films. He and Kenny Rogers filmed several “The Gambler” TV movies that aired on CBS and NBC. Other projects included; “Gunsmoke V:One Man’s Justice” with James Arness (Arness’ final film); CBS’ remake of “Red River” with Gregory Harrison, James Arness and Laura Johnson; “Wyatt Earp:Return to Tombstone” with Hugh O’Brian and “Down the Long Hills” based on legendary western author Louis L’Amour’s novel of the same name.

Bruce Boxleitner was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in April 2012. He was honored for his illustrious career in western films. He is also a two-time recipient of the “Wrangler Award.”

In 1999, Boxleitner authored FRONTIER EARTH and in 2001, its sequel FRONTIER EARTH:SEARCHER published by The Berkley Publishing Group. Bruce Boxleitner currently resides in Los Angeles and has three sons: Sam, Lee and Michael.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

AUGUST 27TH-29TH, 2015 - Western Legends Roundup

SEPTEMBER 25 - 27, 2015 - Wild West Fest featuring the 60th Anniversary of Gunsmoke
Activities include Q&A Panels, Meet & Greets, special screening of Gunsmoke episodes and a Anniversary Banquet.  Celebrities schedule to appear include Burt Reynolds, Buck Taylor, Bruce Boxleitner, Jess Walton, Lane Bradbury, Jim Byrnes - All events occur in Dodge City, Kansas

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

08/18 MIKE PISCIOTTA, THE MAGIC CASTLE, VODKA SAUCE

MAGICIAN AT THE WORLD FAMOUS MAGIC CASTLE MIKE PISCIOTTA JOINS THE SHOW WITH SOME MAGIC TRICKS!

Mike Pisciotta is an American magician, located in Los Angeles, CA. Pisciotta was born in Pueblo, CO. He became interested in magic as a teenager and in 2003 he moved to Hollywood to become a member of the world famous Magic Castle.  Specializing in close-up magic, Pisciotta has worked for an impressive list of celebrity and corporate clients. Since 2012, he has been the only resident bar magician for the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle. He is also a regular performer in the clubs showrooms.

Pisciotta lives in Hollywood with his wife Katie and son Charlie Danger. They are expecting their second child in December 2015.

WWW.MIKEPISCIOTTA.COM
TWITTER.COM/MIKE_PISCIOTTA



RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

VODKA SAUCE FOR PASTA

1/2 cup olive oil
1 onion chopped
6 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 carrots chopped
1 stalk celery chopped
1 tsp red pepper flake
1/2 cup vodka
3 cans San Marzano tomatoes
3/4 cup heavy cream
kosher salt
pepper
1 lb pasta
Parmesian cheese grated

Heat oive oil and add the onion, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook until translucent. Then add the red pepper flakes, Cook another few minutes. Add the Vodka and reduce by half. Add the cans of tomatoes and squeeze them in your hand to break them down. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper and stir.

Let the cook about 1 1/2 hours then add the cream and stir well if you like smooth sauce you can put into a blender and puree or keep it a bit chunky as is.

Cook your pasta al dente and serve with fresh Parmesiano cheese.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

08/11 Robert Forster

Robert Forster (born July 13, 1941) is an American actor, best known for his roles as John Cassellis in Haskell Wexler's Medium Cool, and as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, the latter of which gained him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He has recently appeared as George Clooney's father-in-law in Alexander Payne's The Descendants.

Forster was born Robert Wallace Foster, Jr. in Rochester, New York, the son of Grace Dorothy (née Montanarella) and Robert Wallace Foster, Sr., who worked as an elephant trainer for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and later as an executive for a baking supply company. His mother was Italian American and his father was of English and Irish ancestry. The two divorced in 1949. As a tribute to his father, Forster hung one of his father's Barnum & Bailey Circus posters in the office of his character "Max Cherry" in the Quentin Tarantino film Jackie Brown.

Forster completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in history at the University of Rochester, where he starred in student dramatic performances such as Bye Bye Birdie and, after initially intending to go on to study law, instead decided to forego his future legal career in favor of pursuing drama. He graduated with a B.A. in history in 1964.

After acclaimed supporting performances in two major Hollywood films, one as Private Williams in John Huston's Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), another as part-Indian Army scout Nick Tana in Robert Mulligan's The Stalking Moon (1968), Forster starred in the critically acclaimed 1969 film Medium Cool. After starring roles in the TV shows Banyon (1972) and Nakia (1974), he played mostly supporting roles in action and horror films including Disney's The Black Hole (1979). Forster had lead roles in cult B-movies in the 1980s like Alligator (1980), Vigilante (1983), The Delta Force (1986), and The Banker (1989). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for Jackie Brown, which he credits with reviving his career. He has since had consistent work in the film industry, appearing in Like Mike; Mulholland Drive; Me, Myself, & Irene; Lucky Number Slevin and Firewall, to name a few. He recently appeared in the made for television movie The Hunt for the BTK Killer, as the detective intent on capturing serial killer Dennis Rader. Forster also played the father of Van on the short-lived Fox series Fastlane.

Forster recorded a public service announcement for Deejay Ra's 'Hip-Hop Literacy' campaign, encouraging reading of books by Elmore Leonard (he starred in the movie adaption of Leonard's book Rum Punch, Jackie Brown, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor). Forster is also a motivational speaker.

He appeared in the hit NBC show Heroes as Arthur Petrelli, the father of Nathan and Peter Petrelli.

Twice divorced, Forster is a father of four children. His eldest child, Kate Forster (born 1969), has worked as an actress, also appearing in Mulholland Drive.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

08/04 FRANKIE AVALON, JAMES DARREN

FRANKIE AVALON – ACTOR, SINGER AND FORMER TEEN IDOL

Frankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.

Early life and music
Avalon was born in Philadelphia, the son of Mary and Nicholas Avallone.[3] He was on U.S. television playing his trumpet by the time he was 11, performing on such programs as The Jackie Gleason Show.[citation needed] Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued on RCA Victor's "X" sublabel in 1954.[4] As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints.[citation needed] In 1959, "Venus" (5 weeks #1) and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Why" was the last #1 of the 1950s. Avalon had 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. #7), "I'll Wait for You" (U.S. #15), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. #8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. #10). Most of his hits were written and/or produced by Bob Marcucci, head of Chancellor Records. He was less popular in the U.K., but did still manage four chart hits with "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops".

Movie and TV career
Teamed frequently with Annette Funicello, Avalon starred in a number of popular "beach party" comedy films during the mid-1960s. The wholesome and romantic coupling of "Frankie and Annette" in summer movies such as Beach Party and Beach Blanket Bingo became iconic figures in American films during that era. Avalon also had straight dramatic parts in the John Wayne historical western film The Alamo, as well as the science-fiction story Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) with Barbara Eden. Materializing as a character called Teen Angel, his performance of "Beauty School Dropout" in the hit 1978 film of the musical Grease introduced Avalon to a new generation of viewers. Avalon appeared in nearly two dozen TV episodes, including ABC's The Bing Crosby Show and The Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself. Later, he became a national television spokesperson for Sonic Drive-In. In 1965 he appeared in the Combat! episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood friend of Pfc.Kirby, played by Jack Hogan.

The 1980 film The Idolmaker, written by Ed Di Lorenzo and directed by Taylor Hackford, was a thinly-disguised biography of Avalon ("Tommy Dee" in the film) as well as 1950s teenage star Fabian Forte (called "Caesare" in the film), along with songwriter/producer Bob Marcucci (called "Vinnie Vacarri"). In the movie, Dee clashes with the record producer and younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his career. Eventually, Dee and Caesare quit the label, but their record careers collapse just as the British Invasion begins. The real Fabian threatened a lawsuit, despite the filmmakers' insistence that the film presented only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant). Avalon denied most of the movie's events.

Later career
In 1987, Avalon and Annette Funicello returned to movies with Back to the Beach. In 1989 they also appeared as themselves in cameo roles out jogging the streets in Troop Beverly Hills. Not long afterwards, Funicello was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and retired. Afterwards, Avalon turned to marketing and created Frankie Avalon Products, a line of health and cosmetic aids. Avalon promotes his products on the Home Shopping Network with host Bob Circosta.

He made a cameo appearance as himself with Robert De Niro in the 1995 film, Casino. In recent years, Avalon has starred in stage productions of Grease in the role of Teen Angel and Tony n' Tina's Wedding as a caricature of himself. Additionally, in 2007, he performed "Beauty School Dropout" with the four remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, and winner Laura Osnes) for the role of Sandy on the NBC television reality show Grease: You're the One that I Want! On April 8, 2009, he performed on American Idol. A cookbook with over 80 recipes is due out in 2015 from St. Martin's Press, Frankie Avalon's Italian Family Cookbook.

Personal life
Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on January 19, 1963. She was a former beauty pageant winner, and Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend's house. He told his friend that Kay was the girl he was going to marry. His agent warned Avalon that marriage would spoil his teen idol mystique. Still together, they have eight children - Frankie Jr., Tony, Dina, Laura, Joseph, Nicolas, Kathryn and Carla. They have 10 grandchildren. Frankie Avalon Jr. is a former actor who appeared in the original The Karate Kid and is now a musician, and Tony, the second oldest son, plays guitar and taught at the Rock Nation School. Both sons play on tour with their father.

Legacy
He was mentioned in the System of a Down song "Old School Hollywood". The song supposedly is about Daron Malakian's experience in a celebrity baseball game, where he and Avalon were both ignored. Avalon is also mentioned in "It Takes Two", a song from the hit musical Hairspray, sung by the character Link Larkin, and in a song by the Wu Tang Clan called "The City" which refers to his experiences of being a big part of the beach party film genre ("Ride the wave like Frankie Avalon").

One of numerous obscure cultural references present in Midway's video game Mortal Kombat 3 was a lo-res image of Frankie Avalon's face that would dart up in the lower right-hand corner of the screen when Goro killed his opponent by knocking him into the spike pit on the Bridge level. His song "Venus" was featured in Cranium Command (1989–2005), an attraction at Epcot's Wonders of Life Pavilion (now closed) at Walt Disney World. In the attraction, a 12-year-old boy named Bobby (Scott Curtis), tries to survive the pressures of life and falls in love with a beautiful girl named Annie (Natalie Gregory) at school. He and his song "Venus" are mentioned in Wendy Wasserstein's 2005 play Third. The main character, English professor Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS reunion show featuring Avalon singing the song, and sings a line of it to her daughter. In stage productions of the show, part of the song is played and a portion of the supposed PBS special is screened as part of the scenery.

He is also numerously referenced in the 1994 film, The Stöned Age, in which he makes an ending scene cameo appearance. His song "Venus" additionally appeared in season 4 of the TV series Dexter in which John Lithgow's character, Arthur Mitchell, plays it to remember his deceased sister. Avalon is also mentioned in The Vaccines' song Teenage Icon.


JAMES DARREN ACTOR, DIRECTOR & SINGER TALKS ABOUT HIS UPCOMING APPERANCES      

James Darren has enjoyed a successful, multi-faceted career, spanning six decades of motion picture, television, recording and live concert performances. With a notable career in films (“Gidget,” “The Guns of Navarone”) as well as television (“The Time Tunnel,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”), Darren has re-emerged on the recording scene with his latest CD, Because of You (Concord Records), an impressive collection of standards and big band swing. The album, a follow-up to his acclaimed 1999 release, This One’s From the Heart (Concord Records), reaffirms Darren’s incomparable talents as a singer.

Born in South Philly as James Ercolani, a second-generation American of Italian descent, Darren cites his beloved grandmother as the greatest guiding light of his life and his career. By the age of 14, Darren knew he wanted a show business career, and he embarked on the road to stardom by singing in nightclubs in Philadelphia and South Jersey. By age 18, he was in New York, studying acting for several years with the legendary drama teacher Stella Adler.It was a chance introduction to Hollywood movie producer Joyce Selznick (niece of the legendary David O. Selznick) that led to Darren’s seven-year contract with Columbia Pictures and his first big break: starring as the college student-surfer Moondoggie opposite Sandra Dee in the 1959 classic comedy hit, “Gidget.” Two sequels would follow, and Darren was soon on Hollywood’s short list of most sought-after young dramatic actors. He would make 20 films in all, including “The Guns of Navarone,” “The Lively Set,” “The Gene Krupa Story,” “The Brothers Rico,” “Gunman’s Walk,” “Let No Man Write My Epitaph,” and “Diamond Head.”

Darren’s singing career encompasses an impressive roster of musical credits including 14 albums and five Top 10 singles, including the 1961 Grammy- nominated “Goodbye Cruel World,” which held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts for six weeks. Throughout the early 60s, his recording career continued to skyrocket with subsequent Top 10 hits including “Her Royal Majesty,” “Conscience,” and “All.” In 1976, he landed still another hit with “You Take My Heart Away” from the Oscar-winning film “Rocky.”

Darren would also make his mark on the small screen, starring in several hit television series, including “The Time Tunnel,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Melrose Place.” In 1987, the versatile entertainer began another phase of his career, this time as a highly in-demand director for television whose credits include several “movies of the week,” and more than 50 television shows ranging from “Melrose Place” and “Beverly Hills 90210” to “Hunter” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

But it is James Darren’s love of music that finds him back in the spotlight. In 1999, he returned to the recording industry in a big way, releasing This One’s From the Heart, a collection of some of the greatest classics ever penned, including “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Come Fly With Me,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” which re-introduced the world to Darren’s lush vocals.

In his recordings, his concert appearances in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, as well as his concerts with world-renowned symphonies across the U.S., including the San Diego Symphony, the Dallas Symphony and the Iowa Symphony, the media has also taken notice of James Darren the singer. The San Diego Union-Tribune called him a “compendium of coolness, a wizard of with-it-ness.” The Chicago Sun-Times said “Darren is as smooth as silk.”

Actor, director, recording artist – James Darren has made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. And as the song says, the best is yet to come.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Aug 6-9, 2015  Creation Las Vegas
Jimmy will perform August 8 at the concert. Tickets are free for weekend pass holders or $40 otherwise
Las Vegas, NV

August 15 & 16, 2015  Southpoint Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, NV
Note NEW Dates

August 15 & 16, 2015  Creation Star Trek 50th Anniversary
DALLAS, TX
Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 8 - 10, 2016