Bob Andelman Interviews

Chef Ramsay offers the final two chefs, Danny and Paula, some encouraging words of advice before they go head-to-head in the final dinner service. Creativity, consistency, determination and patience are key ingredients both chefs need in order to win HELL’S KITCHEN and receive a “Head Chef” position at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ. The competition that’s been simmering all season comes to a full boil on the season finale of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Thursday, May 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Danny, one of the last two chefs standing on the show, is my guest on this episode of Mr. Media! Catch up on Mr. Media’s earlier interviews with eliminated chefs: Andrea Giovanni Lacey LA J Charlie Colleen

STARTS @ 10:40 a.m. ET!Shawn Hatosy stars as gang detective Sammy Bryant in NBC's new drama series "Southland." One of the most versatile actors of his generation, Hatosy continues to expand upon his impressive resume by starring in two upcoming films that are generating Oscar buzz. He most recently portrayed attempted savior to Andy Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick (Sienna Miller) in George Hickenlooper's Factory Girl and also took a darker turn alongside the likes of Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake in Alpha Dog which reunited him with his John Q director Nick Cassavettes. Hatosy will star next in Michael Mann's Public Enemies with Christian Bale, which is intended for a July '09 release. He also filmed the remake of Werner Herzog's 1992 cult classic Bad Lieutenant, as Nicolas Cage's partner. More recently, Hatosy starred in the independent film Nobel Son in which it is revealed through various twists and turns that Hatosy's character is the illegitimate son of Nobel Prize-winning researcher Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman). He has also wrapped the drama Familiar Strangers, in which he stars opposite Nikki Reed and the music video to his single, "What Goes Around Comes Around," in which he stars with Scarlett Johansson. Hatosy most recently starred as presidential nominee John McCain in Faith of My Fathers.

STARTS @ 9:10 a.m.!Regina King plays Lydia Adams, a dedicated daughter and detective in NBC's new drama series "Southland." Thanks to roles in a number of prominent films, King's distinguished talents have not gone unnoticed by Hollywood. The skilled actress could be most recently seen in Living Proof, starring opposite Harry Connick, Jr. Her other projects include Year of the Dog and The Christmas. King also starred in the comedy Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous and she appeared in the Oscar-nominated film Ray. Her other feature credits also include Cinderella Story, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde and Daddy Day Care. Born and raised in Los Angeles, King made her television debut on the hit sitcom "227." After five seasons, King made the leap to the silver screen with a role in Boys n the Hood, Poetic Justice and Higher Learning. She bounces effortlessly from dramatic to comedic performances, as proven in the hit film Friday and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. But if there was a definite turning point in her career, it came in 1997 with her memorable role as Cuba Gooding Jr.'s wife, Marci, in the blockbuster film Jerry Maguire. This led to starring roles in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Enemy of the State, Mighty Joe Young and Down to Earth. She most recently worked on the animated series "The Boondocks" as the voice of both Huey and Riley.

Michele Balan was one of the four finalists on NBC’s 2006 “Last Comic Standing.” Voted one of the “Top 10 Comics” by Backstage in 2004, Michele Balan is a brash, New York stand-up comedian who has performed on Comedy Central as well as in top comedy clubs, theatres, festivals and on cruises all over the country. Often told she was naturally funny, the Brooklyn native left a high-paying executive position at a computer company to pursue comedy–even though comedy has never proved as lucrative–and she has been performing ever since. She got her start as a “female female-impersonator,” doing lip sync impressions of Bette Midler. Now people tell her she is like a “female George Burns.” Michele’s career hast taken her from The Improv in Los Angeles to Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City, and from the Montreal “Just For Laughs Festival” to the “Dinah Shore Women’s Weekend.” Michele recently recorded the critically acclaimed DVD entitled “LIVE, Just Barely” at the famed Joe’s Pub, home to the public theatre and performers like Joan Rivers, Eartha Kitt and Leslie Gore. Michele Balan website

For the casual armchair fan to the fan who dreams of a front row seat at the games, The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live, provides invaluable information about tickets and travel as well as the parties and the pageantry for the top games across the sporting landscape. A detailed travel guide from Robert Tuchman, founder and president of the global leader in sports and entertainment promotion, TSE Sports & Entertainment, the book is replete with insider knowledge and expert advice. We are a list-obsessed people and sports-obsessed to boot, so this is a book that quenches our insatiable appetites for both. From the obvious to the obscure, Tuchman’s list of must-see events is as thorough as it is controversial. What events made the top 100 and where did they rank? The book is sure to fire up sports fans everywhere. But more than a mere list, for each event the reader learns a detailed history of their favorite contests and all the background information to make a successful pilgrimage. Featuring also a list of honorable mentions that just missed the cut and a list of the top sports cities with arguments for what makes each city the perfect sports mecca, The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live, is a must for every sports fan’s library. Robert Tuchman is the founder and president of New York-based TSE Sports & Entertainment, a global leader in sports and entertainment promotion. He is a contributing writer for ESPN.com and has been featured in publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Entrepreneur and Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine.

Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster showcases rare and recently discovered erotic artwork by the most seminal artist in comics, Joe Shuster. Created in the early 1950s when Shuster was down on his luck after suing his publisher, DC Comics, over the copyright for Superman, he illustrated these images for an obscure series of magazines called Nights of Horror, published under the counter until they were banned by the U.S. Senate. Juvenile deliquency, Dr. Fredric Wertham, and the Brooklyn Thrill Killers gang all figure into this sensational story. The discovery of this artwork reveals the "secret identity" of this revered comics creator, and is sure to generate controversy and change the perception of the way we look at Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Jimmy Olsen forever. The book includes reproductions of these images, and an essay that provides a detailed account of the scandal and the murder trial that resulted from the publication of this racy material. Author Craig Yoe runs the New York design firm YOE! Studio with Clizia Gussoni, and is the author of over 30 books, including The Art of Mickey Mouse. Yoe has won the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, two Addys, the Mobius, and an Eisner Award. Craig Yoe website

Kelli Williams, the co-star of FOX TV’s new hit “Lie To Me,” portrays Dr. Gillian Foster, a gifted psychologist and Lightman's professional partner who brings balance to the partnership by looking at the bigger picture while Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) focuses on the details. He needs her guidance and insight into human behavior, whether he knows it or not. Williams is best known for her starring role opposite Dylan McDermott on the courtroom drama “The Practice.” After a successful seven-year run, Williams went on to star in the series “Medical Investigation.” She has starred in numerous television productions, including the made-for-television film “Flowers for Algernon” opposite Mathew Modine and the series “Men In Trees.” Listen to Mr. Media's radio interview with "Lie To Me" co-star Monica Raymund!

What would my mother say? How would she want me to handle this situation? How can I make this tough decision and stay true to myself? What would my mother say? Sam Haskell still asks himself these questions every day. When Haskell was young, his devoted mother, Mary, instilled in her son the values of character, faith, and honor by setting an example and asking him to promise to live his life according to her lessons. He did, and those promises have served Haskell consistently from his Mississippi boyhood to his long career at the venerable William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills. In Promises I Made My Mother, his inspiring memoir full of touching stories and amusing anecdotes, Haskell reveals how he kept his pledge to his mother to live a decent life–even in the shark-infested waters of Hollywood, where he handled the hottest stars and packaged the highest-rated shows–by refusing to become the cliché of an amoral agent. Years later, in Hollywood, Haskell would rely on his mother’s teachings–honesty, self-reliance, and belief in God–as he swiftly rose from the William Morris mailroom to eventually become the company’s Worldwide Head of Television. His capacity for friendship and his insistence on living his version of the Golden Rule (being “thoughtfully political”) allowed him to handle various client crises and the tense negotiations that nearly scuttled the last years of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and the entire existence of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Back in the day of the old American Dream, Solomon King lived in Detroit City and worked at the big automobile dream factory. But the promise of fulfilling that big dream quickly faded into the assembly line Blues. Mind-numbing monotonous hours, and a daily grind of soul-destroying work, eased only by lots of booze, broads, and the never-ending Friday night cocaine Blues. Reflecting on those times, he says, "There was a lot of hurting going on. It's too hazy to remember. But one thing was constant. I always had the Blues. Well, truth is the Blues always had me. We were joined at the hip." Then the layoffs hit. Out of work, Solomon tossed his trusty acoustic guitar into the trunk of a Ford Maverick and headed west. He managed to dodge some occasional scrapes with the law along the way and when he ran out of road found himself in L.A. Different town, different dream, same factory—the Hollywood Creedo of "Hurry up and wait". The endless hours of unemployment and nothing to do drove Solomon to playing his guitar and "writing songs about what I knew best—the Blues." "Jack Me Up" (currently sizzling on YouTube) and "Frankie & Johnny," both from his soon-to-be-released CD, was featured on two episodes of HBO's Golden Globe winning “True Blood” series. Currently in the studio to record his first full length CD, Solomon King has gathered together some of the musical legends of hometown Motown including: Ray Parker, Jr. (Ghostbusters), Ollie "Olliewood" Brown (Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder), and Reggie McBride (on the road with Keb'Mo). Solomon King website

Since his debut on season one of “Last Comic Standing,” audiences can’t get enough of larger than life comedian Ralphie May. His new DVD and 90-minute special for Comedy Central was shot in his home state of Texas to a sold-out crowd. Recorded live at the Paramount Theater, the new release titled Austin-Tatious is the first recording since the birth of his daughter, April June May. This marks his fourth recording in just a few short years, which has raised attention among Hollywood industry execs and led to Variety naming him one of “10 Comics to Watch” in 2008. His previous special, “Ralphie May: Prime Cut” premiered on Comedy Central in November 2007 to higher ratings than Larry the Cable Guy or Ron White during Comedy Central’s “Blue Collar Weekend” and continues to be played in rotation. Known for his hip-hop brand of comedy, Ralphie has his ebonics and quick wit down pat, which has earned him roles in such urban films as “For Da Love Of Money” and “Gas.” He was also the only white comedian to perform on “The Big Black Comedy Show,” along with Mo’Nique, Rodman, Sexy Marie and Vince Morris. Ralphie has a proven track record of selling out multiple shows in 1,500 to 3,000 seat venues. He has a no nonsense point of view and the ability to connect with a diverse audience by pointing out society’s hypocrisies. Ralphie doesn’t shy away from touchy topics or ethnic jokes, nor does he bite his tongue when society suggests, because he sincerely believes that as long as what he’s saying is true, people need to hear it.

Michael Cudlitz stars as patrol officer John Cooper, a 20-year veteran and training officer in NBC's new drama series "Southland." Born and raised on the East Coast, Cudlitz graduated from the California Institute of the Arts Theatre program and has established himself as a versatile character actor in both television and film. Although his first love was the stage, Cudlitz found early success working in front of the camera. Since then, Cudlitz has appeared in over 20 films, including A River Runs Through It, Grosse Point Blank, and The Negotiator. A few of his notable television credits include roles on NBC's "Life," "Standoff," "Lost," "Prison Break," "Vegas" and "24." Finally, the HBO Emmy Award-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers" continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. Cudlitz is excited for the release of three projects this year: Tenure, a film comedy with Luke Wilson; Crossing Over, with Harrison Ford; and the SCI FI thriller movie "Surrogates," starring Bruce Willis which is due out in the fall.

Isadore Sharp, chairman and founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, gives Mr. Media the business! How did a child of immigrants, starting with no background in the hotel business, create the world’s most admired and successful hotel chain? And how has Four Seasons grown dramatically, over nearly a half century, without losing its focus on exceptional quality and unparalleled service? Isadore Sharp answers these questions in his engaging memoir, Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy, which doubles as a powerful guide for leaders in any field. He recalls the surprising history of his company, starting with its roots in his father’s small construction business, which Sharp joined after getting a degree in architecture. Shifting into hotels wasn’t easy, and he learned by trial and error. His breakthrough was a vision for a new kind of hotel, featuring superior design, top-quality amenities, and, above all, a deep commitment to service. Sharp realized that customers would gladly pay extra for a “home away from home” experience. But that would be possible only if everyone—from managers and supervisors to bellmen, servers, and housekeepers—was fully engaged. The front-line staff, who have the most contact with guests, can make or break a five-star reputation. Readers will be fascinated to learn how Four Seasons does it, year after year, in more than thirty countries around the world. Follow the Four Seasons book on Twitter HERE!

You just can’t pigeonhole Billy Bob Thornton. Think about the movie roles he’s most famous for and see what, if any, connection there is: Carl in Sling Blade; Hank Grotowski in Monster’s Ball; Morris Buttermaker in Bad News Bears; Coach Gaines in Friday Night Lights, and my favorite, Willy in Bad Santa. Who would figure that the guy who portrayed so many varied and somewhat disturbed characters had a musical soul too? But, this month, Billy Bob Thornton’s fourth CD, Beautiful Door, will be released. It’s a collection of original, contemporary songs with a touch of country, all written and sung by Thornton. He also is the drummer on the album’s tracks. And just like his choices as an actor, no two songs on the album are easily matched and categorized. You’ll recognize his deep voice instantly on the somber opening ballad, “It’s Just Me,” but be surprised that it’s also him on the rockin’ “Hope for Glory.” (This interview originally aired on Mr. Media on June 29, 2007.)

The Dark Knight meets the Man of Steel. Internationally bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson has tackled the tale of the first meeting of two of the greatest heroes in comic history, Batman and Superman, in his new novel Enemies & Allies. Anderson follows up last year's bestseller, The Last Days of Krypton—the epic of the destruction of Superman's home planet-with an action-packed novel set in the 1950s, during the height of the Cold War and the flying saucer craze. As America and the Soviet Union race to build their nuclear stockpiles, two extraordinary heroes must form an uneasy alliance. These studies in opposites-shadow and light-must overcome their distrust of each other to battle evil and injustice. And the corrupt genius Lex Luthor plays both superpowers against each other, bringing the world to the brink of a nuclear holocaust that only Batman and Superman can stop. Kevin J. Anderson has published more than ninety novels, including 43 national and international bestsellers. He has been nominated for the Nebula Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the SFX Reader's Choice Award. His critically acclaimed original novels include Captain Nemo, Hopscotch, and Hidden Empire. He has also collaborated on numerous series novels, including those for Star Wars, the X-Files, and Dune. In his spare time, Anderson—who lives in Colorado—writes comic books.

A.J. Jacobs must have the best magazine job in America. As editor-at-large for Esquire, here are a few examples of recent stories appearing under his byline: • “My Outsourced Life,” detailing his effort to send his writing assignments to India, • “Googling A.J. Jacobs’s Brain,” about his proposed effort to catalogue his thoughts, dreams, and desires “The Sexiest Woman Alive 2005” and “2006,” in which he spent five months teasing readers as to the identities of Jessica Biel and Scarlett Johansson. And, yes, he was required by law to spend time with each of them, passing off flirtation as research. And then there was his equally painful interview with Eva Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” in which he described each of her body parts in languorous detail. Oh, I could go on and on about the women in his professional life. They also include Mary Louise Parker and Rosario Dawson. But then we’d never get to the reason for this interview, which is to celebrate his hysterical, yet thought-provoking new book, The Year of Living Biblically.