Bob Andelman Interviews

Award-winning producer/writer Al Jean has worked on THE SIMPSONS since it became a series in 1989. He has a credit on over 350 episodes and has been show-runner for over 200. In addition to seven Emmy Awards, he has won the coveted Peabody Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Currently he serves as executive producer and show-runner. He also served as writer and producer on “The Simpsons Movie,” working on the film throughout its entire four-year production. Jean co-created “The Critic” and “Teen Angel” and served as producer of “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” Other television credits include “The PJ’s,” “Alf” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” Episodes of THE SIMPSONS Jean has written or co-written include “Moaning Lisa,” “The Way We Was,” “Treehouse of Horror II & III,” “Stark Raving Dad,” “Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala (annoyed grunt) cious,” “Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder,” “Day of the Jackanapes,” and the Emmy-winning “HOMR.”

Patti Lupone filmed a guest appearance on "30 Rock" while she was starring on Broadway as Rose in "Gypsy" (a performance for which she won her second Tony Award). Here’s the summary for Lupone’s episode: Liz (Tina Fey) befriends a pregnant teenaged donut shop employee, in an attempt to adopt her baby. Back on set, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) vies for more attention from the ‘TGS’ staff as her birthday approaches, but Kenneth's (Jack McBrayer) plan to combine her party with one for Tracy (Tracy Morgan) derails her efforts. Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) agrees to go on a guys' night out to keep his mind off of his absent girlfriend, and bonds with Frank (Judah Friedlander) over their daddy issues. Although best known for her commanding presence on the Broadway stage—and particularly in musicals—Lupone is no stranger to film or television. She has appeared in movies such as City By The Sea, David Mamet's Heist, State and Main; Just Looking, Summer of Sam, The 24 Hour Woman, Family Prayers, Driving Miss Daisy and Witness. And her surprising TV appearances include: “Ugly Betty,” “Will & Grace” (as herself), “Oz”; “Frasier” (1998 Emmy nomination); “Law & Order”; and AMC's “Remember WENN.” Get really up-to-date on Patti Lupone online: www.pattilupone.net.

Actress Lea Thompson, perhaps best known for starring in the NBC sitcom “Caroline in the City”Back to the Future movies, will be the guest host at "ACME this Week" at ACME Comedy Theatre, 135 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036. To promote her appearance at ACME, she’s swallowing her pride and appearing on Mr. Media Interviews! Here’s the Evelyn Wood version of Lea’s career, courtesy of IMDB.comm.: Her first role was in the movie Jaws 3-D (1983) as a water ski bunny, although she couldn't swim or ski, which she still can't! Her next role was in All the Right Moves (1983) where she acted opposite Tom Cruise. Lea's biggest known accomplishment, and her big break, came from the first Back to the Future (1985). It was the biggest hit of 1985, and Lea was suddenly the most wanted actress. Director Howard Deutch offered Lea a part in his movie, Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), but she refused. Lea went on to film Back to the Future Part II (1989 but then married Deutch and starred in Back to the Future Part III (1990. From 1995-99, Lea starred in the NBC-TV sitcom, “Caroline in the City,” the saga of a popular cartoonist with wacky friends. She stars in the “Jane Doe” mystery series on the Hallmark Channel and is in pre-production on three new movies for 2009, including: Prettyface, Rock Slyde and Splinterheads.

Anyone seeking guidance on life’s difficult challenges will appreciate Eugene Mirman’s charmingly hysterical advice on everything from how to overcome social anxiety, start a band, or get cast on a reality TV show. The inspiration for Mirman’s new mock “self-help” guide The Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life originated from his career as a peer counselor at a teen-crisis hotline in high school. More recently, he has offered advice to thousands through his website, where people write in with all sorts of questions and problems (from the typical to the existential to the silly). Eugene turns to his own personal, and at times humiliating, awesome, and bizarre experiences — from his first real date to his last corporate temp job — to illustrate the trials and triumphs of modern life. No one understands the complexities of modern life better than Eugene Mirman--claims Eugene Mirman—and anyone seeking guidance from a man who has lived through everything (except the Great Depression, the Spanish-American War, and Jerry Lee Lewis's sex scandal) won't resist this charmingly hysterical guidebook. Become ultra-popular in high school (without "putting out" -- whatever that is) Discover somewhere between four and two thousand ways to overcome social anxiety (closer to four) Start a band, become an artist, or disappoint your parents by getting on a reality television show! Mirman is a New York City based comedian, writer and actor who has appeared on Comedy Central, HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” Conan O’Brien, Carson Daly, MTV, “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” Home Movies, Lucy, Daughter of the Devil and “Delocated.” He’s released two comedy albums: Suicide Squeeze Records’ The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Mirman and En Garde, Society!

Paul Dergarabedian is Hollywood.com’s box office guru as well as the president & founder of Hollywood.com-owned box office tracking firm, Media by Numbers. Paul is one of the most widely quoted & respected movie industry analysts and appears on hundreds of television and entertainment programs and news outlets like CNN, CNBC, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, NBC’s “Today Show,” “Access Hollywood” and countless others. Every week, Paul appears in print and online providing box office analysis for news outlets including the Associated Press, Box Office magazine, the magazine and more. Paul spent over 14 years as the chief box office analyst to the feature film industry for Exhibitor Relations. In 2006, he formed Media By Numbers with clients include major movie and television studios as well as prominent news services. In addition to providing box office figures and tracking, Paul is passionate about movies and entertainment. Whether providing insights from a filmmaker’s perspective or as a Hollywood insider, Paul’s unique ability to translate what studio deals and casting news means to the average movie consumer goes beyond the box office. For Paul, it’s about identifying key consumer trends in film, television, visual arts and more while applying it to the choices we make as consumers.

This week on “Hell’s Kitchen,” Chef Gordon Ramsay wanted to make sure the chefs knew their beef, so he sent them on a field trip to a meat locker to learn various cuts of beef. Upon returning to Hell’s Kitchen, the teams were asked to put their newfound knowledge to the test. That night, Hell’s Kitchen was turned into a steak house and the teams raced to impress Chef Ramsay when 14 chefs compete on “Hell’s Kitchen” airing Thursdays at 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. Following the elimination of Charlie, the third chef from the show, he will be my guest Friday morning on Mr. Media!

Monica Raymund is a St. Petersburg, Florida, native who is a co-star on Fox's newest crime drama, "Lie to Me." Also starring on the show are Tim Roth (The Incredible Hulk, Pulp Fiction) and Kelli Williams ("The Practice"). The show features Raymund as a gifted natural interpreter of non-verbal cues. Her character, Ria Torres, is the newest member of the agency, and one of the few "naturals" in the field of deception detection. She has a raw, untrained ability to read people that makes her a force to be reckoned with. Raymund is the daughter of Steve and Sonia Raymund and a graduate of Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg. Raymund is the chairman of the board of Tech Data, a one of the world's leading resellers of computers and software. Learn more about the show and watch whole episode of "Lie to Me" here!

Though Thomas Calabro is most recognized as the evil doctor Michael Mancini on the hit series, "Melrose Place," this series role was bracketed by two others. In 1991, he played Joey "Camaro" in the short-lived, but critically acclaimed drama, "Dreamstreet" on NBC. In 2000, it was the title role in "Hard Knox", a syndicated series best described as "Moonlighting" meets "Rush Hour." Calabro's more recent television credits include starring roles in the movies, "Till Lies Do Us Part," "The Perfect Husband," "Sleep, Baby, Sleep," "Best Actress" and "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus." His recent television guest spots include "Without A Trace," "Cold Case" and "Nip/Tuck. In the feature world, he's just finished shooting Locker 1" this year and previously completed three additional films: Detention, Safehouse and Total Eclipse. His performance in the horror film, Chill earned him best actor nomination at the Shocker International Film Festival. On the LA theatre scene, Calabro recently starred in the hit comedy It's Just Sex at the Zephry Theater. Previous to that, there was another comedy, Gravity Shoes at the Hudson Theater which also starred Richard Kind. Calabro also directed Thespians and Troglodytes at that same stage. His NY theater credits include the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Wild Blue, Sweet Basil and Open Admissions. He is a member of New York's Actor's Studio and Circle Repertory Lab.

Work's a Bitch and Then You Make It Work: 6 steps to go from pissed off to powerful Join the club if you feel stuck, unsatisfied, betrayed and angry. Nearly 85% of the workforce is fed up with giving more and getting less, working their butts off, enduring injustices and careers that suck the life out of you. In my new book, you have the chance to bitch about it in and explore what's wrong with the workplace today - but then I show you how to turn your anger into something more productive to get what you want. Whether you work for a company, are job-hunting or on your own, there's something here for you. Learn: * How to be prepared and ready to cope with the unpredictable * To sniff out clues that reveal whether or not a company is where you want to work * To define and get up the nerve to ask for the kind or work arrangement you want * To have more time with family and friends * To be appreciated at work

I get pitched on an awful lot of potential interviews. This one caught my attention and I hope you'll tune in for this show: "My name is David Spaltro and I'm an independent filmmaker and producer from NYC. Last year I completed my first feature film ...Around. It was a labor of love about a young man with a dual life "living" out of Penn and Grand Central Station while going to film school, based on my own personal experiences a few years ago in this city. 21 shooting days, 190 locations all over the city, self-financed and done for $175,000 or 40 credit cards... no, seriously. I may have caused the fiscal crisis. Sorry. "I'm writing you because I'd love to send you a screener DVD. I think, as someone who is an avid lover of film, the story will really hit home. We've also been getting a lot of positive buzz and reviews as we do the rounds on the festival circuit (a premiere at Tribeca Cinemas, NewFilmmakers NY, Big Apple Film Festival and awaiting selection into various festivals this Spring such as SXSW and abroad) and work on an upcoming DVD and digital distribution deal in the states and abroad with Cinetic Media Rights, a division of John Sloss's Cinetic Media. I think because of the struggle to make the film, the whole DIY approach with no previous experiences or resources, to fund, make, and distribute a feature film in 2 years and now to see it out there and in these rough economic times what the story stands for would make for an interesting and inspirational piece, especially concerning the two lead actors, current LA transplant Robert Evans and NYC actress Molly Ryman, two amazing talents who are on their way to breaking through. They also might make for a nice interview about their process of making their way through their personal journey..."

Former Miss USA Kelli McCarty, who starred as Beth Wallace on NBC's "Passions" and subsequently launched a career in adult film, will be Mr. Media's guest on Feb. 17 at 10 p.m. EST. McCarty won the title of Miss Kansas in 1990 and was named Miss USA in 1991. She appeared on various programs such Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place before landing the role of villainess Beth Wallace on the NBC daytime drama Passions [1999-2006]. The release of Vivid's adult feature Faithless on February 4th, 2009 marks the actress' debut in adult film. She recently discussed her new career on the Howard Stern Show.

I met Gene Simmons once. His band, KISS, was touring without the makeup for the first time and we were backstage before a show at the Lakeland Civic Center. Simmons was an imposing figure, even making casual conversation, but we didn’t talk long. Pretty soon, the late concert promoter John Stoll of Fantasma Productions walked up to Simmons. Each of his arms was around the waist of a beautiful, glammed out young lady whom he introduced to Simmons. The chit-chat was officially over. “Sorry, Bob. Gotta go,” Simmons said, trading places with Stoll between the girls. “Maybe we can talk later.” Never happened. Anyway, this telephone interview with Simmons from January 7, 1985, is one of my all-time favorites. This captures a moment in time when Simmons was funny, direct and fascinating. I hope you’ll enjoy this Mr. Media “Lost Tape.”

Clerkdogs.com is all about discovering new films that you wouldn't have known otherwise that you'll love. Since the nominations were just announced for 2009 Oscar Awards, Clerkdogs have announced a new feature on the site: "OscarMatch." So for people who want to see some good Oscar caliber movies, for nominees like Slumdog Millionaire, why not rent a similar themed movie, Salaam Bombay! (1988) or 400 others from nominees. As companies like Netflix focus on distribution to TVs, web etc...ClerkDogs is taking aim at discovery and becoming a front end to services like this or Amazon/Blockbuster. Clerkdogs is the film discovery system powered by humans instead of algorithms. It's designed to advise and interact with customers just like a good conversation with a knowledgeable video store clerk. That's no coincidence… most of Clerkdogs' 26 staff writers have spent years working as clerks in video stores. Clerkdogs' founder Stuart Skorman is best known for creating Reel.com and Empire Video. He has devoted most of his career to the art and science of movie matchmaking. In fact, Skorman came out of retirement because online movie advice doesn't compare with the experience of a great video store. Skorman is a serial entrepreneur who is best known for his innovative start-ups in the film and natural products industries. His brick and mortar chain, Empire Video, had the highest volume video stores in the country. He sold the company to Blockbuster in 1994 when he moved to San Francisco to found Reel.com. Reel was the precursor to Netflix and was sold to Hollywood Entertainment for $100 million dollars in 1998. Early in Skorman's career he helped to invent Whole Foods while he was a Senior Executive at Bread & Circus.

When The Last Vegas woke up the morning of Monday, November 10, 2009, they were one of six final unsigned bands left of nearly 8,000 original entrants in the Guitar Center On Stage contest. After a demanding performance later that evening at the world famous Whisky A-Go-Go, The Last Vegas claimed a victory that catapulted them into a dream sequence of writing, recording and producing their first single as a signed band and a gig opening for Motley Crue at the Hollywood Palladium four days later. It was that night at the Palladium when the announcement was made the band would also be going on tour with Motley in 2009. "The overall talent and energy of The Last Vegas surpassed our expectations," said Motley Crue's Vince Neil. "Motley Crue is excited to pass the torch on to these amazing musicians, just as Ozzy did for us over 25 years ago." A whirlwind musical journey shortly ensued for The Last Vegas. After they were hand picked as winners by the members of Motley Crue, the band immediately went into the studio to record their first single, "I'm Bad." The Last Vegas is: Adam Arling (guitar) Nathan Arling (drums) Johnny Wator (guitar) Danny Smash (bass) Chad Cherry (lead vocals)

Social Networks are fast becoming an influential tool for business people who are innovative and savvy enough to take advantage of them, with the Barack Obama Presidential campaign being a recent example of the power of social networking in creating a successful brand and inspiring passion and support from consumers. But in the vast social media landscape, how to do you successfully navigate and use social networks to create, grow and develop your business? In 33 Million People in the Room: How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social by Juliette Powell, readers will learn how to harness the power of social networks and drive real ROI. Powell also profiles dozens of companies that are doing just that in 33 Million People in the Room. Powell is a top media and social networking consultant to corporate, government and new media organizations including, Microsoft, Compaq, Nokia, the United Nations, the Department of Justice, Paltalk, Rocketboom and Neighborhood America. The book also includes a chapter which shows how the Barack Obama campaign utilized the Internet and Social Networking so successfully to raise money, spread their message and inspire passion and support from the American people. Powell explains how to apply those lessons to your own business and personal brand. Powell offers practical tools and advice for optimizing every stage of your own social networking initiative, from planning through measurement. Juliette Powell is a media expert with many years of experience in new media interactive content and formats. She is the founder of The Gathering Think Tank.