Bob Andelman Interviews

Lisa Ann Walter is the creator and executive producer of the new Oxygen summer reality series “Dance Your Ass Off.” Miss Walter—as she insists on being called when producing/directing—is proud of the success of her creations, which include: the web-sensations “Gonzo Girlz,” now in pilot production, and “The Chick Show”; “Soul Survivor–The James Brown Documentary”; and “The Naughty Show.” Best known for her fan-favorite performances of “Chessy” in The Parent Trap and “Bobbie” (“Quit looking at my ass!”) in the Richard Gere/Jennifer Lopez starrer Shall We Dance, Walter also appeared in Bruce Almighty, War of the Worlds Drillbit Taylor. She also played a MILF-y, bitter divorcee in “Nip/Tuck.” She was a frequent guest on ABC’s “Politically Incorrect” and a judge on “The Next Best Thing.” She is most proud of her life as a working Hollywood Mom of four kids – and the fact that her stomach is still reasonably flat after being the clown-car they all came out of.

Mike Sacks has written for such publications as The Believer, Esquire, GQ, Maxim, McSweeney’s, The New Yorker, Premiere, Radar, Salon, Time, Time Out New York, Vanity Fair, Vice and Women’s Health. He has worked at The Washington Post, and is currently on the editorial staff of Vanity Fair. And Here’s the Kicker: Conversations with 21 Top Humor Writers on their Craft and the Industry includes: • Dick Cavett, who talks about nearly getting into a threesome with Marlon Brando • Paul Feig and Mitch Hurwitz, who talk about the making (and the demise) of "Freaks and Geeks" and "Arrested Development" • Harold Ramis, who talks about Animal House, Groundhog Day, Doug Kenney and Michael O’Donoghue • Allison Silverman, one of the few female head writers in TV (for The Colbert Report) • David Sedaris, who talks about the allegations that he fabricates or exaggerates facts • George Meyer who talks about The Simpsons and Army Man • Jack Handey, who talks about the origins of “Deep Thoughts” • Bob Odenkirk, who talks about the difference between the writing rooms at SNL and Mr. Show • Irv Brecher, a 94-year-old former writer for the Marx Brothers (this was his last interview before passing away last winter) • Dan Mazer, who talks about co-writing Ali G and Borat

Brigid Brannagh, one of the beautiful stars of the Lifetime series “Army Wives,” has been acting for more than 18 years. Season three of “Army Wives” opens with the Army wives banding together to support Claudia Joy (Kim Delaney) after her daughter, Emmalin (Katelyn Pippy), disappears on the eve of the family’s imminent overseas transfer. As Claudia Joy prepares to uproot her entire life for her husband’s new job (Brian McNamara), she struggles to remain strong for all of those around her. Roxy (Sally Pressman), fighting to hold onto her bar, is forced to reevaluate the business and the emotional toll it’s taking on her. Pamela (Brigid Brannagh), whose husband is often away on assignment, must be both mother and father to her children. New father Roland (Sterling K. Brown) wrestles with the news of Joan’s (Wendy Davis) deployment, and Denise (Catherine Bell) faces devastating consequences when her affair becomes the talk of the post. As all of these events unfold, Claudia Joy, Roxy, Pamela, Roland and Denise navigate their friendship while continuing to face the unique challenges of being Army wives. She will star in the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie “Acceptance” and her feature-film credits include the independent film Life Without Dick, starring Harry Connick Jr. and Sarah Jessica Parker. Mr. Media interviewed "Army Wives" creator Katherine Fugate, too! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

Picking up from where the international best-selling Erotic Comics: A Graphic History (Volume 1) left off, Volume 2 reveals how European, American and Asian artists have explored the possibility of the form in the years since the explosion of the Sixties’ underground comix. Erotic Comics: A Graphic History - Volume 2 examines how the form has become an international publishing phenomenon by showcasing artwork that has inflamed desires, incensed censors, and caused controversy.   Exclusive Hollywood, celebrity, pop culture podcast interviews by Mr. Media®, a.k.a., Bob Andelman, with newsmakers in TV, radio, movies, music, magazines, newspapers, books, websites, social media, politics, sports, graphic novels, and comics! Now in its 5th year! Subscribe FREE on iTunes or mobile devices via the Stitcher app and never miss a show! Watch or listen to more interviews like this one at http://www.mrmedia.com . Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/andelman Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MrMediaRadio Download the free Mr. Media app for Android phones: http://www.noticeorange.com/r/MrMediaInterviews Or listen on Stitcher via your iPhone, Blackberry or Palm Pre: http://www.stitcher.com/mrmedia

Terri Libenson became a budding cartoonist as a little girl in Wilkes-Barre, PA, when she began adding her own dialog bubbles to her brother's Archie comic book collection. From then on, her career skyrocketed. Terri studied illustration and art history at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. There, she organized the school's first cartoon independent study course. She graduated in 1992 and was hired in '93 by American Greetings as a humorous writer/illustrator. She has worked there since, creating many greeting cards as well as developing a highly successful card line, called “Skitch.” In 2000, Terri created her first professional comic strip, “Got a Life,” which was syndicated with King Features Weekly Service. It ran for two years until she decided to try her hand at a new daily cartoon. “The Pajama Diaries” was inspired by the cartoonist's current lifestyle of juggling several jobs, a marriage and kids, while still maintaining her sense of self (Terri who?). Also inspired by timely books like “Perfect Madness” and many related articles, Terri wanted to focus on the challenges of today's multi-tasking moms. Terri lives in Cleveland, OH, with her husband and two young daughters. She is extremely thankful for their love, support and endless fodder.

There are two actors that Mr. Media believes cannot work enough and Billy Campbell is one of them. (Bruce Campbell—no relation—is the other.) Campbell stars in NBC's new miniseries "Meteor" as Jack Crowe, a Los Angeles police officer, who tries to protect his family from his crazy and corrupt ex-partner, Calvin Stark (Michael Rooker, "JFK"), as well as from the meteorites falling from the sky. He recently appeared in Ghost Town, opposite Ricky Gervais. Campbell starred with Sela Ward in the critically acclaimed drama "Once and Again." During the series run, the show was nominated in 1999 for a Golden Globe for Best Drama Series and Campbell was recognized with a nomination for Best Performance By an Actor in a Television Series-Drama. He also won a People's Choice Award for Best Male Performer in a New Series. Campbell is still recognized for the cult classic The Rocketeer with Jennifer Connelly. His feature film credits also include Gettysburg, The Night We Never Met, Bram Stoker's Dracula and Enough opposite Jennifer Lopez

"Merlin" is a new drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience. It unveils the mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began – a fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious people as well as a dangerous world in which magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon. Starring Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Richard Wilson as Gaius, Katie McGrath as Morgana and Angel Coulby as Gwen, "Merlin" is an imaginative and enthralling new twist on a legend that is as old as time itself. Anthony Head enjoyed a successful acting career in his native England before coming to the attention of American audiences in the series "Love in a Cold Climate," which aired in the United States in 1982. He was a regular cast member on Fox' short-lived sci-fi series "VR.5" and also acted in an episode of critically-acclaimed "NYPD Blue" and the Showtime movie "Royce." However, Head increased his American profile considerably by landing the regular role of Rupert Giles, the school librarian who doubled as mentor to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Since "Buffy" finished, he has appeared in many United Kingdom-based television productions including "Doctor Who" and cult comedy series "Little Britain." Mr. Media interviewed Katie McGrath ("Lady Morgana" on "Merlin"), too! CLICK HERE!

John Hawkes, who plays “Dustin Powers” on the new HBO series “Eastbound and Down” and is best known for being “Sol Star” on “Deadwood,” continues building an impressive resume in both film and television. He was last seen on the big screen in Ridley Scott's American Gangster opposite Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington and also appeared in Michael Mann's Miami Vice with Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell. In addition he completed production on two independent features: The Pardon and Small Town Saturday Night.Prior film credits include Me and You and Everyone We Know, Wristcutters: A Love Story, The Amateurs, A Slipping Down Life, Identity, The Perfect Storm, Buttleman, Playing God, From Dusk 'till Dawn and Hardball.His other television credits include a leading role in Steven Spielberg's miniseries “Taken,” a recurring role on “The Practice” and guest-starring appearances on “The X-Files” and “24.”He currently writes, records and performs music with his band, King Straggler, which has performed at the Sundance Film Festival and SXSW Music Festival. Hawkes will also be the celebrity host of “ACME Saturday Night” at Acme Comedy Theatre in Los Angeles on July 11.

At their height, they were “living the dream, looking impeccable and flawless to a fault.” Yet they began as four girls from the projects of Detroit who just loved to sing—four girls who were desperate to get on the road. In The Supremes, Mark Ribowsky charts the rise of the most successful female singing group of all time—the first “girl-group” ever to make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—as well as the ruthlessness that fed their breakup. Ribowsky takes us back to the dawn of the Supremes, when they auditioned for Motown producer Berry Gordy in 1960. By 1962, the Supremes had cut down to three singers, signed with Motown Records, and played the Apollo. But while they were touring and living their dream, internal dissent raged. Diana Ross demanded top billing and Gordy, concerned that the big-voiced Flo Ballard wasn’t mainstream enough, anointed Ross as lead singer. Ribowsky doesn’t shy away from the blind ambition and unmitigated deception that ultimately split the Supremes. But neither does he soft-pedal their role as cultural icons—their rags-to-riches journey, their business savvy in an industry long dominated by men, and the way they transformed not just black music but all music. Mark Ribowsky is also the author of He’s a Rebel, a biography of producer Phil Spector; Don’t Look Back: Satchel Paige in the Shadows of the Game; A Complete History of the Negro Leagues: 1884-1955; and Slick: The Silver and Black Life of Al Davis.

STARTS @ 11:20 a.m.! Sunday night, September 14, 2008, became the longest ever in David Faber's 22-year career. Known to millions of CNBC viewers as "the Brain," Faber is television's foremost business reporter covering--and often uncovering--the biggest financial stories of the last two decades. He is no stranger to breaking news. But this night was unlike any other. The financial storm that had been brewing over the past year was about to explode. Lehman Brothers was on the verge of filing for bankruptcy, AIG was accelerating toward insolvency and Merrill Lynch was about to become a thing of the past. And that was just the beginning. As Faber called his sources and dug deeper for information - there was no turning back. AND THEN THE ROOF CAVED IN: How Wall Street's Greed and Stupidity Brought Capitalism to Its Knees is Faber's account of what really caused the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression. It offers a definitive, up-close and personal analysis of the roots of this stunning worldwide economic failure and unmasks the truth behind the crisis, whose defining theme at every turn has been greed. Based on the critically-acclaimed CNBC documentary “House of Cards,” which was reported and co-produced by Faber, AND THEN THE ROOF CAVED IN introduces readers to insiders from investment banks and mortgage lenders who fostered the boom and, in doing so, planted the seeds for an astonishing economic collapse.

STARTS @ 11:10 a.m.! “Warehouse 13” is a new summer drama series starring Eddie McClintock (“Bones,” “Desperate Housewives”) and Joanne Kelly (“Vanished,” “Jeremiah”). The 11-episode season premieres with a 2-hour pilot on July 7 from 9-11PM on SyFy. After saving the life of the President, two Secret Service agents, played by McClintock and Kelly, find themselves abruptly transferred to Warehouse 13 -- a massive, top-secret storage facility in windswept South Dakota which houses every strange artifact, mysterious relic, fantastical object and supernatural souvenir ever collected by the U.S. government. Warehouse 13's caretaker, long-time Secret Service Agent Artie Nielsen, played by Saul Rubinek (“Frasier,” “Nero Wolf”), charges Pete and Myka with chasing down reports of supernatural and paranormal activity involving new objects that "threaten to ruin the world's day" and safely bringing them back to the vaults of the Warehouse. Chat with Artie! Rubinek was born in a refugee camp in Germany after WW II where his father ran a Yiddish Repertory Theatre company. Since then he has been featured in such films including: I Love Trouble, The Singing Detective, The Contender, Family Man, Nixon, True Romance, Unforgiven, Man Trouble, Against All Odds, Bonfire of the Vanities and Wall Street. Some of his best television work includes two seasons as a semi-regular on “Frasier.”

Christian Finnegan is a stand up comedian. He appears frequently on the television and also writes things, for both money and for kicks. Christian is perhaps best known as one of the original cast members of VH1’s “Best Week Ever”, where he offered keen insight into the workings of popular culture and the ubiquity of celebrity genitalia. “Chappelle’s Show” fans will recognize him as ‘Chad’, the only white roommate in the infamous “Mad Real World” sketch. And pinko Communists know Christian from his regular appearances on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”. Christian Finnegan is a fixture (some might say ‘barnacle’) on Comedy Central, having starred in countless network interstitials, the shows “Premium Blend” and “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn” and in his own special, “Comedy Central Presents: Christian Finnegan”. Christian was also the host of TV Land’s “Game Time” and has appeared on “The Today Show” and “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”. Christian’s first CD, “Two for Flinching”, was released by in 2006 and his super-duper DVD extravaganza, “Au Contraire!” was released on May 12, 2009.

ABC Family premieres its new original series, “10 Things I Hate About You,” inspired by the 1999 hit movie of the same name, on Tuesday, July 7 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT). Kat, a feminist with a razor-sharp tongue, is portrayed by Lindsey Shaw (“Aliens In America”), and Bianca, a girl with a plan to climb the social ladder at her new school, portrayed by Meaghan Martin (“Camp Rock”). Ethan Peck (“Adopt A Sailor”) takes on the role of resident bad boy, Patrick Verona (originated by Heath Ledger in the 1999 film). Peck is the grandson of the legendary Gregory Peck.   Exclusive Hollywood, celebrity, pop culture podcast interviews by Mr. Media®, a.k.a., Bob Andelman, with newsmakers in TV, radio, movies, music, magazines, newspapers, books, websites, social media, politics, sports, graphic novels, and comics! Now in its 5th year! Subscribe FREE on iTunes or mobile devices via the Stitcher app and never miss a show! Watch or listen to more interviews like this one at http://www.mrmedia.com . Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/andelman Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MrMediaRadio Download the free Mr. Media app for Android phones: http://www.noticeorange.com/r/MrMediaInterviews Or listen on Stitcher via your iPhone, Blackberry or Palm Pre: http://www.stitcher.com/mrmedia

Captain Abu Raed was Jordan’s official selection in this year's competition for a Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. Written and directed by Amin Matalqa, and starring Nadim Sawalha, Captain Abu Raed is a powerful, deeply moving story of unexpected events and ordinary people we meet along life’s journey who shape our destiny. Beautifully shot, this Arab foreign language film is a compelling narrative that does not preach religion or politics – a true gem of a film that will linger in your heart long after the credits have stopped rolling. Captain Abu Raed was conceived from a challenge Emmy award-winning executive producer David Pritchard (The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy) presented to Matalqa: “Write an original Arab language feature film that Charlie Chaplin would want to be in.” Matalqa responded to the challenge by creating a universal story about dreams, friendship, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Captain Abu Raed touches on how someone’s wardrobe can define them in the eyes of others. An airline pilot’s hat takes center stage in the story, but instead of the “Little Tramps” bowler, it is an airport janitor’s hat that transforms him to a higher social status.

In these difficult economic times, with companies failing and mass employee lay-offs, the message of triumphing over failure is especially relevant. Also, businesses are becoming more and more entrepreneurial, under such circumstances failure is often inevitable. But what if you could not only learn from your failures, but also use them to help you achieve breakthrough success? It's how you respond to those failures emotionally that makes all the difference. When failure happens, the negativity of the given situation can defeat you, but there are techniques for managing the emotional trauma of failure, and objectively understanding what actually happened. In From Lemons to Lemonade: Squeeze Every Last Drop of Success Out of Your Mistakes author Dr. Dean A. Shepherd,—whose research focuses on the decision-making and cognition required to leverage entrepreneurial opportunities and learn from experimentation and failure—helps you to learn from your failures instead of letting them defeat you. Shepherd is the Randall L. Tobias Chair in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. He has also authored or edited eight research books on entrepreneurship and strategy.