Jaime Paglia and Colin Ferguson on the Eureka Season 5 Switch Up

Photo by Evans Vestal

The stars and producers of Eureka entertained their fans last week at Comic-Con 2010 in San Diego. The re-vamped Season 4 is in full swing and Eureka has been turned upside down. A little time travel has changed the future and left the town with a whole new reality. We spoke with series creator Jaime Paglia and star Colin Ferguson about the switch up and what we can expect from Season 4.

This Week's Inspiring Pop Culture Moment—Tony Robbin's

Photo Courtesy of NBC

A new, truly inspiring reality show premiered this week on NBC. The first episode of Breakthrough starring self-help guru Tony Robbins aired on Tuesday. The premiere featured Frank who was paralyzed after diving into a pool during his wedding reception. In an instant, his new life with his young bride, Kristen, literally came crashing to a halt.

He has spent the past two years confined to their home with his wife playing the role of caretaker, while running the house and earning their sole income. They were both depressed and had reached their wits end with nowhere to turn.

In comes Tony Robbins the "Father of the Coaching Industry," to save the day. He helped the couple realize that to change their situation, they simply needed to change their belief system. If a quadriplegic can skydive or play a game of wheelchair rugby, anything is possible. And if as a viewer you feel your own problems are at times insurmountable, "Breakthrough" might help you put things in perspective.

If you want to see Frank and Kristen one year later, tune in to Larry King Live tonight at 9:00 PM on CNN. They are on with Robbins. And, be sure to watch the next five episodes of Breakthrough. If you're down on your luck and need a nudge to take the next step, or maybe just need a reality check, be sure to tune in. And keep some Kleenex nearby, you'll most definitely need it.

For more inspiring Pop Culture Moments visit Beliefnet.com.

Zach Gilford Predicts How Matt's Story Line Will Wrap-Up

Though diehard Friday Night Light's fans refuse to believe it to be true, Season 5 is set to be the last. Although Season 4 is still airing on NBC, Season 5 will start to be seen on DirectTV this coming Fall.

We recently spoke with Zach Gilford who plays Matt Saracen in the series and talked about the show's conclusion. We asked him how he'd like to see Matt's story line resolve. Here's what he had to say.

Alison Arngrim Discusses PROTECT

Part three of our four part interview with the Little House on the Prairie star

Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas, 2010

You know her as Nellie Oleson, the spoiled, angry, mean-spirited brat from “Little House on the Prairie.” But there’s a lot more to Alison Arngrim than meets the eye. And she talks all about it all in her new memoir "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated."

Arngrim grew up in an unusual household. Her father was a talent agent and her mother was a voice-over star—she gave life to Gumby, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Polly Purebread, among many others. And while her parents were off leading their busy lives, a young Alison was left at home with an abusive brother. As with many people in her situation, especially children, Arngrim suffered in silence.

Luckily for her, she was able to work through some of her frustration and anger through the no holds barred character—Nellie.

Without knowing about the secrets of Alison’s past, an organization called PROTECT approached her several years ago and asked her to get involved. Not long after, she went on Larry King Live, revealed the truth, and, as a result, helped PROTECT score a major victory on legislation in California.

In a recent interview, we asked Alison about getting involved with PROTECT, what they’ve accomplished so far, and what’s next on their agenda. Read what she had to say.

Tim Gunn Discusses Project Runway Season 8

 Courtesy of Lifetime

We’re happy to say it’s that time again—a whole new set of designers are gathering in New York City, guided by Tim Gunn, and ready to be judged by Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia. But when Season 8 of Project Runway premiers tonight at 9:00 PM on Lifetime there will be a couple of twists. The show will expand from 60 to 90 minutes and will start with 17 instead of 16 designers.

In a recent interview Gunn discussed this season’s contestants, the origin of his famous “make it work” catch phrase, and the three words that best describe Season 8 of the show.

The Television Academy Auctions Off Betty White and Aziz Ansari

Calling all television fans with a little extra dough to spend for a good cause. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation is holding an online auction of some really amazing TV memorabilia and experiences. If you love TV as much as we do, you'll want to check this out. The auction ends on August 1, 2010, so plan your bidding strategy now.

Proceeds from the auction, hosted by eBay Giving Works, will benefit the Archive of American Television. They are the fabulous wing of the TV Academy that conducts all the amazing interviews with TV legends that we often post right here. In addition, funds will go to the Foundation's educational programs, which include scholarships and seminars.

So far the big money items include A Family Guy table read experience for two (current bid $6,100), tickets to this year's Primetime Emmys and HBO Afterparty (current bid $2,025) and a fireman's helmet signed by Rescue Me's Denis Leary (current bid $1,775.15). Also raising big money is a set visit to The Young and the Restless with Kate Linder (current bid $2,025), tickets to the So You Think You Can Dance finale (current bid $1,725), and a set visit to Parks and Recreation with Aziz Ansari (current bid $910).

If those prices are too deep for your pockets, you might want to get in on the action for the signed, framed swatch of one of Tony Shalhoub's Monk suits (current bid $127.50) or a Men of a Certain Age script autographed by Ray Romano (current bid $100).

If we had more cash, we'd be bidding on the Hot in Cleveland VIP tickets and set tour with Betty White (current bid $$1,425). That item is sure to raise a lot of cash for the Foundation.

Here's an interview Betty did for the Academy, long before she became the latest "it girl." Here she talks about an early career choice that may have changed a lot of things.

Psych's James Roday and Steve Franks—Our Pop Culture Heroes

Photo by Alan Zenuk/USA Network

Psych is now three weeks into Season 5 and we've already seen a Kung Fu episode and a tap dancing episode. Pop culture junkies like us tune in to Psych just to see what obscure references they'll put in each week's episodes. And in an interview with series creator Steve Franks and star James Roday, our pop culture heroes, was no different. Right from the get go, they were spewing out pop culture tidbits from Clouseau to Tears for Fears. Read on to see what they had to say about Axe body spray, going boneless, Twin Peaks, and more, and tune in to Psych Wednesday nights on USA Network at 10:00 PM.

Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner Discuss the 2000 Year Old Man

Photos by Alan Light

When people recount the great comedy duos of all time, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner certainly top the list. Although they’ve each enjoyed hugely successful careers on their own, their 2000 Year Old Man comedy albums are among the funniest recordings of all time.

The two met while working for Sid Cesar on Your Show of Shows and pitched the idea for the show. It was rejected but became their go to bit when trying to fill lulls in conversation, entertain each other during a long day, or at dinner parties around town. They never intended to commit it to vinyl until a famous friend intervened.

This past weekend Mel and Carl  appeared together for screenings of Ten from Your Show of Shows and Carl film Enter Laughing. Read what they have to say about The 2000 Year Old Man and Sid’s short temper.

Andrea McArdle Returns to Annie (VIDEO)

If you were a girl in the ‘tween age range in 1976, then you not only knew who 14-year-old Andrea McArdle was, you most likely worshipped and wanted to be her. We did—wishing we could belt out tunes like “Tomorrow” and “Maybe” from the Annie soundtrack just like she did.

But after almost six years of being abused by Miss Hannigan, Andrea’s little orphan Annie grew up and hung up her red curly wig and dress.

McArdle has returned to the Great White Way several times since Annie—starring in shows like Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, and, most recently, the 2006 production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. But she’s never seen the success that she enjoyed in that very first show playing the lovable parentless little girl.

Who knows if she’s trying to recapture that spirit or just wants her own shot at torturing the adorable urchins in the orphanage. Either way, McArdle has signed on to play Miss Hannigan in the North Carolina Theatre’s production of the show that made her a star.

Andrea was on The Today Show yesterday talking about the pressure of playing the villain against a fresh faced actress in her iconic role. A daunting task but based on the footage, McArdle delivers once again.

Just wait until you see the video—she’s barely aged a bit in the last 34 years. She even sings “Tomorrow” in the new production. We defy any real Annie fans not to get chills.

Diehards who want to make the journey can visit the theater’s website for tickets and the rest of you will have to settle for snippets shown during the Today Show interview.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Free Books for a Year

Hey book lovers, have we got a contest for you. One of our favorite pop culture websites, Very Short List, has teamed up with Book Page, a reader's guide to new releases. They are giving away books... lots of books.

The grand prize is four free books every month for a year plus a $100 Amex gift card (to buy more books, of course). The second prize is ten free books and a $50 Amex card. They are also giving out 20 third prizes, a new thriller called Body Work by Sara Paretsky.

The contest ends on August 31, so be sure to enter today. Good luck, and if you win, can we borrow something to read?

A Project Runway Giveaway

Project Runway Season 8 starts this Thursday, July 29, at 9:00 PM (8:00PM Central) with a supersized 90-minute episode starring Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum. And to celebrate, Lifetime is giving away a Project Runway Season 8 Prizepack so you can sport your best fashion on the beach this summer.

The prizepack includes a beach tote, beach towel, water bottle, mister, keychain with charms, and sunscreen — a $60 retail value.

To win just send an email with your name and address to popculturepassionistas@gmail.com with the subject PROJECT RUNWAY GIVEAWAY. The contest ends on Friday, July 30 and a winner will be announced on our site on Monday, August 2. Read the complete contest rules here.

The Choir Is Filling Our Glee Void

Photo courtesy of BBCAmerica

If you're a Glee fan and you're looking for a fix during the long days of summer re-runs, we suggest checking out The Choir on BBCAmerica. It's sort of a real-life Glee.

The Will Schuester role is played by Gareth Malone. He's a young British choirmaster challenged with the task of creating choral groups under difficult circumstances.

First up is Northholt High School, where there is no music program. Gareth recruits some jocks and hip hop fans for the group. The kids don't sing and think it's uncool. Is all of this sounding familiar? But Gareth chooses 25 of them and gives them nine months to get ready to compete at the World Choir Games in China.

Last week's episode was the big singing Olympics. But don't fear, if you missed it, BBC replays them a lot. Catch up and then tune in for this week's reunion. Then start next week fresh as Gareth goes to Lancaster, an all boys, sports-dominated school where the students are convinced that boys don't sing.

Get a taste of the show in this video clip. It will have you saying "Rachel-who?" at least until September.

Emily Rose and Lucas Bryant Discuss Haven, Their Characters, and Nova Scotia

Photo by: Chris Reardon/Syfy

Ever since we were little kids and read our first Stephen King novel (yes, our older siblings let us do that   thing when our mom wasn’t watching), one of our greatest fears has been waking up in one of his backwoods towns. Luckily, that never happened to us.

But it has happened to Emily Rose and Lucas Bryant, who star in the new series Haven, which is based on the King short story “The Colorado Ki.” Now, they wake up every day during production in the remote town of Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, where the crew makes very King-like things happen.

In a recent interview they talked about their characters, Audrey Parker and Nathan Wournos, and how the town of Haven comes to life through Lunenberg. Series Creator and Executive Producer Sam Ernst chimed in. Read what they have to say and see it for yourself when Haven airs on Syfy every Friday at 10:00 PM.

Q: What would you say is the major blind spot for your character and how is that going to trip your character up as the story unfolds?

EMILY: That’s a great question. I would say I think the major blind spot for my character I think   happens initially in the first episode with this   confrontation that she   comes to grips with there might be some   link to her past and her family and her roots. And I think that as   those start unfolding in the story it will   start tripping Audrey out and tripping her up at times.

I think she’s so used to   having this   defense and that she knows how to operate and she knows how to do her world and her day-to-day but the personal and the emotional   things that she has to face, she’d rather not. So I think that’s going to be her   blind sight.

LUCAS: And I would say, this is Lucas Bryant playing the role of Nathan Wuornos and I just wanted to mention also that Emily didn’t mention, she has a really hard time walking. That will affect her forward momentum.

But for me, Nathan has a condition where he can’t feel pain so this has   alienated him from people and relationships recently and so I think that it’s intimacy that will   get in his way. But at the same time that’s something that when Audrey blows into town she   blows his world open. Don’t laugh, it’s true.

So we’ll see if he’s able to yeah, overcome those emotional deficiencies. In some ways we’re very similar that way.

Q: Emily, you’re playing a different character than in the book so would you talk about where the book ends and you begin? And also what cool super power creatures are you looking forward to facing?

EMILY: The unknown. Actually when I read “The Colorado Kid” initially I had a very strong reaction to it. I   threw it across the room and was like, “What? What the heck?” And then I picked it back up and Stephen King so wonderfully, in his afterward, nurses you through it and   helps you digest it.

And I honestly think yes… not being the Stephanie character specifically but Audrey Parker, I   feel like is   from this   reader’s point of view,   observing this town and this   quirkiness that’s existing. So in a lot of ways I think that’s super beneficial that the audience   observes Haven, this central character of this town through the eyes of her.

And while that character may not be completely written as a person in that story it’s   neat because you definitely as a reader are a character through the observation through   the quirkiness that’s going on and I think that’s   the part that Audrey Parker takes is the place of the audience observing and   having to cope with all the strange things that are getting thrown at her. 

Q: Have you noticed the X-Files role reversal on Haven—Emily’s character as the Mulder character and Nathan being a little more skeptical despite his own abilities?

LUCAS: Yeah, yeah, and I really fought to get Gillian Anderson’s hairstyle and color but no luck yet… I don’t know, I had.

EMILY: Yeah, you definitely think of it stepping into the genre. You definitely know it’s out there. I think you know that it’s there and you know that it’s   the gauntlet   laid before you but you also want to make it fresh and new and its own entity in and of itself. So I think we take those   archetypes and characteristics into mind but want to make sure that we’re staying true to the people that we’ve been written as and how that plays out.

LUCAS: Yeah and they’re great. I mean, they’re like a beautiful classic couple and I think we’re probably the next beautiful classic couple.

Q: Can you talk about working in Nova Scotia and what the town of Lunenburg gave the series creatively that Maine couldn’t?

EMILY: I always say that I think that Haven, Maine of course is the central character in this show and I think that Lunenburg and Chester and all these really cool places surrounding this area, it’s just eye candy.

It’s   like a lot of shows go out there and they’re filmed on the same lots in the same place and you see the same streets. And this is like I think you can agree from watching the screener it’s like stuff that you don’t see out there.

And doubled with the fact that we’re shooting on film and it’s very rare these days to be doing that to get the graininess of it. It really sets a tone and a place for us to play and to make these discoveries and it adds a certain weight. And Halifax, the people here and the crews here have been nice to us and really it’s a great place to be shooting.

I think the minute Sam and Jim they say they stepped out in Lunenburg they were like, “Yeah, this is awesome.” And the minute I stepped out there I was like, “Okay, yep. I can’t shoot anywhere else. This is perfect.”

SAM: It’s an absolutely beautiful part of the world and it is a character in the show and that’s what we’re so excited about. We always saw it that way.

Jim and I spent a fair amount of time in Minnesota, which… on the surface of it [has] very normal people as you would think, whatever normal means. When you get to know them you find out they’re just as freaky as everybody else and certainly that’s true in Maine and Nova Scotia.

And, of course, I actually took the ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia and you don’t really feel like you’re changing cultures. It feels like it’s just a natural continuation from one group of people to the other. So it looks just like Maine, of course, and feels just like it. But everybody speaks a little funny. That’s the only difference I have found—and that’s just Lucas, of course.

LUCAS: That’s mostly me and [Jerry] our sound guy. He’s from Newfoundland.

SAM: Yeah, and although the crew is all, of course, local and they’re fantastic, just unbelievable to work with.

LUCAS: Yeah.

Q: Well it is a short ferry ride for Stephen King so hopefully you guys get him.

SAM: We’re trying man. We are so trying.

Q: Could you tell us a little bit about your experiences shooting the first episode of the series and maybe some of the challenges stepping into your respective roles on the show?

LUCAS: Well first of all, I guess the first shock was that we were here on the edge of the earth. We’re shooting in a little town outside of Halifax on the edge of the coast of Nova Scotia looking off into the great wide rest of the world. So upon arrival… well I thought we were shooting in Halifax initially and I learned we were...

EMILY: Shooting way outside of Halifax.

LUCAS: Yeah, not quite in civilization but exactly where we wanted to be for this because… I don’t know if you’ve traveled the south shore of Nova Scotia but it’s stunning and… it’s a landscape that you don’t often see on television. So being able to capture that on film no less is a beautiful and exciting prospect and I think we were both   like strangers in a strange land for a little while when we started shooting which was a perfect place to be.

One of the immediate challenges is the weather. The pilot also deals with weather so it was all rather...

EMILY: Appropriate.

LUCAS: Yep, and I mean, we got here in April and we started shooting in April and so in the scene in the pilot where Emily and I first meet each other, shooting that scene we were outside. It started off on a beautiful day and then it was black clouds and then it was pouring rain. Then we had hail and two rainbows by the end of the day.

And it was all in the same scene and… I had very little faith that it would actually cut together but it does and it’s beautiful. And so we just quickly got used to that being the status quo. What you can expect during the day was everything to change every five minutes.

EMILY: I think for me one of the biggest challenges was Lucas and I have worked together before so immediately off the bat it’s one of those things where we get along and… we   have a camaraderie. And there is, that   checking each other out   observing each other that   happens in the first episode being like, “Okay, who are you and how do you run this town and who are you and who are you to come into this town and try to run it?”

And so that natural like   chemistry and familiarity I think works between the characters because in one way Audrey doesn’t want to feel anything   emotionally and then you have Nathan who can’t feel anything physically and how do those two   like interplay and how do they   walk that fine balance.

But in a way, us working together really before   helped because we have that natural   we can fall into place and finish each other’s sentences.

But I think for me it was also trying to I’ve been sitting with the pilot, sitting with the script for a little bit and so it’s to make each thing new and to make it oh my word, what is this new place and who is this person and what’s going on and all of that. So for me that was   like the fine little teeter-totter that I had to sit on.

This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Photo by: Matthias Clamer/FOX

    

This week a Glee star honors celebs who get out and Do Smething, a movie star gets a big honor from the TV Academy, and a famous chef goes meatless on Mondays. Here are this week's most inspirational pop culture moment

Young Adults and Celebs Do Something in Hollywood

On July 19, Glee's Jane Lynch hosted The 2010 Do Something Awards on VH1, honoring celebrities who are giving back as well as activists under the age of 25 who are making a difference in their own communities and around the world. The star-studded evening featured performances by Natasha Bedingfield and Lifehouse, as well as appearances by celebrity presenters like Megan Fox, Matt Bomer, Paula Abdul, and Demi Lovato.

Lynch kept the audience laughing from the opening photo montage that depicted her with Mother Teresa and "the other Jane," Goodall, to clips of her good deeds like reading aloud to construction workers.

Kathy Griffin was given the Do Something Comedian Award for her campaign to raise cervical cancer awareness with her televised public pap smear and for organizing a Washington rally against the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy."

Leonardo DiCaprio won the Do Something Move Star Award for his generosity in giving $1 million to the Haiti Relief Fund. While Glee was honored with the Do Something TV Show prize for its work with the Grammy in the Schools program.

Olympic snowboard champion Hannah Teeter received the Do Something Athlete Award, which makes sense given her recent work with Doctors Without Borders, Ben & Jerry's, Kirindon, and Children International.

Two stars were honored for founding charities. Christina Applegate took home the Do Something Kick Ass for Survival Award for starting Right Action for Women. While Snoop Dogg was awarded the Do Something for the Kids prize for his Snoop Youth Football League.

Jessica Posner, 23, who co-founded Shining Hope for Communities went home with the $100,000 grand prize award. Shining Hope fights against gender inequity in Kiberia, Africa, where only 8% of girls currently receive an education.

For more of this week's inspiring moments visit Beliefnet.com's Idol Chatter.

Zach Gilford Discusses Improvising on the Set of Friday Night Lights

One of the many things that makes Friday Night Lights unique is that the actors are not bound to completely pre-scripted dialog. Actors are given a breakdown of what’s meant to happen in a scene and then allowed to improvise–working off of their fellow actors’ words and actions with a freedom that is very uncommon in prime time drama.

In a recent interview, Zach Gilford spoke about the benefits of being allowed to go with his gut on set. See what he had to say in this exclusive video clip:

 

 Friday Night Lights airs on Fridays at 8:00 PM on NBC.

Igor Choromanski's 'nstaCharge Charges into the Future

Photo by Igor Choromanski

'nstaCharge is a charming animated short about Rusty, a rickety old droid, coveting the new batteries of Lola, a hot young fembot. The film is only two minutes long but it is packed with clever character design (Lola's body becomes her own motorcycle) and beautiful imagery.

It has recently been accepted into the Burbank International Film Festival, among many others. We expect you'll see and hear a lot more about Emmy-nominated filmmaker Igor Choromanski. He has big plans for his little robot including a feature film. And with credits like animator on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Cats and Dogs 2 under his belt, his vision could become a reality. As he says himself, "Fingers crossed."

We spoke with Igor about 'nstaCharge, his influences, and what's up next.

PASSIONISTAS: Please tell us your full name and where you are from and where you live now?

IGOR: My name is Igor Choromanski. I was born in Warsaw, Poland and now live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

PASSIONISTAS: When did you start making films?

IGOR: I’ve been making animated motion graphics since ‘97, but I guess I made my first ‘film’ in 2002.

PASSIONISTAS: Why did you start making films?

IGOR: I’ve always enjoyed telling stories. Prior to film making, I expressed myself through writing.

PASSIONISTAS: Do you do only animation or have you made other kinds of films?

IGOR: So far I’ve only done animated films, though I don’t rule out live action sometime in the future.

PASSIONISTAS: What got you interested in animation?

IGOR: I’ve always loved animation. CGI animation seduced me by its limitless possibilities.

PASSIONISTAS: Where did you learn your craft—at school or on the job?

IGOR: I’m mostly self-taught, though I did take a course in advanced character animation several years into my career.

PASSIONISTAS: Who are your biggest filmmaking influences?

IGOR: Not sure if you could identify their influences in my films, but I’m very much partial to the old masters such as Sergio Leone and Francis Ford Coppola. I’m also a big fan of [Quentin] Tarantino.

PASSIONISTAS: Tell us what 'nstaCharge is about?

IGOR: It’s a story of an outdated, quirky little robot who falls for his sexy friend's latest rechargeable batteries.

PASSIONISTAS: What was the inspiration for 'nstaCharge?

IGOR: Most of my creations come into being in a creative kitchen of sorts. I take a piece of paper and a pencil and start putting down whatever ingredients I have a craving for at the time. With 'nstaCharge, I was fascinated with the idea of a robot whose body would double as a frame of a motorcycle.

PASSIONISTAS: Can you tell us about the process of designing the characters?

IGOR: It’s a balancing act between flights of fancy and the need to satisfy the practical requirements of both the story and production. Rusty’s sphere belly, for instance, conveys an older man with a slight, sagging gut while at the same time enabling the animator to place his electrical cord wherever it best suits the character’s silhouette in a given scene.

PASSIONISTAS: How long did the film take to make?

IGOR: About three years, in my spare time.

PASSIONISTAS: How many film festivals has 'nstaCharge been selected for to date?

IGOR: So far, the film’s been selected by 21 festivals, winning seven awards.

PASSIONISTAS: Are you planning on attending The Burbank International Film Festival? If so, what do you hope to get out of it?

IGOR: I would like to and certainly will make the effort, but might be working on a project at that time.

PASSIONISTAS: Is 'nstaCharge a self-funded short?

IGOR: Yes.

PASSIONISTAS: Is IKARIA your studio?

IGOR: Yes. Ikaria is run by myself and my partner, Min Kang.

PASSIONISTAS: What clients do you work for?

IGOR: On the film side—independent film studios and Sony Imageworks. In the world of commercials—major international brands: Nike, Ford, Kellogg's, Bayer, PBS, Adidas, TNT, History Channel, HBO, Jeep, and Target.

PASSIONISTAS: What films have you worked on for your clients and what was your involvement?

IGOR: I’ve worked as an animator on a couple of feature films—Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Cats and Dogs 2. I’ve also been nominated for an Emmy for my work on an animated title sequence for Ridley’s Scott’s The Company.

PASSIONISTAS: What's up next?

IGOR: I just finished writing a script extending 'nstaCharge into a feature length film and we’ve already had some promising interest in it. Cross your fingers :).

To see a slideshow of 'nstaCharge images visit Examiner.com.

For other interviews with directors from the Burbank International Film Festival check out:
Pop Culture Passionistas: Want to Hire Matt Damon, But Can't Afford Him? Here's Your Guy
Is Alex Lamburini the Next Spielberg?

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Alison Arngrim Talks About Little House and Playing Nellie Olseon

Part two of a four part interview with the Little House on the Prairie star.

Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas

We were big Little House on the Prairie fans growing up. As members of a large, close-knit family, we prided ourselves on being very similar to the Ingalls girls. Amy, the one with the long braids was Half-Pint, and Nancy, the one with the glasses, by default was Blind Mary. But deep down inside we had fantasies of being mean girls, like Nellie Oleson, just for one day.

We recently got a chance to speak to Nellie Olseon (known in real life as Alison Arngrim) about her new memoir, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson And Learned To Love Being Hated. It wasn't until we read the book that we understood why mean girls are mean and why we, as children blessed with a happy childhood, were more suited to live out the Laura and Mary parts.

Unbeknownst to anyone around her, or anyone watching her on TV each week, Alison had suffered years of abuse at the hands of her own brother. We spoke with her recently about how cathartic the role was and how instrumental Little House was to her survival. Here's what she had to say about Nellie Olseon, punk rock safety pins, Carol Burnett, and of course, that damn wig.

Ron Howard on Getting Started in Directing

Photo by: Blue Serge

Ron Howard has over 20 feature film directing credits under his belt and twelve films in development. He’s currently directing the film What You Don’t Know starring Kevin James and Vince Vaughn. Until last week the movie, about a guy who finds out his best friend’s wife is having an affair and struggles to decide whether he should tell him or not, was known as Cheaters. Either it was too painful a title to make test audiences laugh or Howard feared comparison to the Johnny Greco “reality” show.

But will the buddy comedy earn Ron his second Oscar (he already has one for A Beautiful Mind)? It’s too early too tell. But one thing’s for sure. Howard’s come a long way from his early directing days. See what he has to say about getting his start behind the lens with the Archive of American Television.

The Fabulous Beekman Boys Talk About Their Relationship

Part four of our four part interview with The Fabulous Beekman Boys

Photo by Planet Green/Chris Ramirez

No kids like to watch mom and dad fight, but we can take it when Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell go at it on The Fabulous Beekman Boys, because we can tell how much they truly love each other.

Sure, they’ve got different personality types and ways of dealing with stress. But the real crux of their squabbles seems to rest in the fact that they’re separated as they pursue their ultimate dream–to be together at Beekman Mansion full-time.

We spoke with the bickering Beekman boys recently about how they met, whether or not they had trepidations about airing their dirty laundry on TV, and what they’ve learned about each other out on the farm.

Season Two Interview with White Collar's Matt Bomer & Tim DeKay

The second episode of Season 2 of White Collar airs tonight. Last week we found out Kate was dead, Neal was in jail and then out again, Mozzie and Peter are going to be working more closely together, and Tim Matheson is a great guest star.

We spoke with White Collar leads Matt Bomer and Tim Dekay about Season 2. Their camaraderie and mutual respect shows through in the interview through their playful banter and professional attitudes. Here's what they had to say on Neal and Peter's evolving relationship, Kate's untimely death, more Mozzie involvement, and some new cast members.

Piper Perabo Takes on Her First TV Role

You might know her as the girl who stops a bar brawl by singing "One Way or Another" on top of the bar in Coyote Ugly. Or you may think of her as the irresponsible girl who loses her aunt's dog in Beverly Hills Chihuahua. But whatever role you think of Piper Perabo playing, it's been in a film. Last week Piper made the switch to TV, and will now most likely be known for playing CIA officer Annie Walker in USA's Covert Affairs.

In our recent video interview Piper talked about why she jumped from films to television. And in a conference call, she also discussed the character of Annie Walker in depth—from her intense fight scenes to her Louis Vuitton shoes.

ON THIS DAY – Christa McAullife Got a Fateful Invite

http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/large/astronauts/mcauliffe_christa.htm

Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe was a Social Studies teacher at Concord High School in New Hampshire, when she received a fateful invitation 25 years ago on this very day. McAuliffe had applied to participate in the Teacher in Space project, and on July 19, 1985, she received word that she had been chosen. Out of over 11,000 applicants, and 114 semi-finalists, Christa would go into orbit on the Space Shuttle. As the first civilian in space, she would talk with students across America while on the mission.

 

President George H.W. Bush announced the selection and named Barbara Morgan, an elementary school teacher at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School in McCall, Idaho, as Christa’s back-up.

Sadly, McAuliffe died when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded upon lift off on January 28, 1986. But Morgan went on to have a more successful NASA career. In 1998, she became a full-time astronaut when she was chosen to become a Mission Specialist. Then in 2003, she was selected as a member of the crew on the STS-118 mission which flew the Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station. The Endeavor launched from Kennedy Space Center on August 8, 2007.

Morgan has since retired from NASA and teaches in the engineering and education colleges at Boise State in Idaho.  

The final Space Shuttle flight will launch early next year. For regular updates check out NASA’s official site.

Liz Hickok’s Works of J-E-L-L-O Art

Photo by ifindkarma

We were recently turned on to the unique (and, we assume) delicious artwork of Liz Hickok. The San-Francisco-based artist has worked in many disciplines, but her latest focus will definitely surprise you. Liz works in Jell-O.

When you see her San Fran cityscapes and White House recreation, you’ll understand why Liz was given the Food Network Award for “Best Use of Food as Art Medium.” Not only does she build wobbly, architectural masterpieces, she adds to their eerie quality with spectacular, Beetlejuice-like lighting effects.

The result is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Unlike Twinkies, Jell-O has a relatively short shelf life so Hickok’s masterpieces don’t last long, which is a shame. But she captures her work in photographs and videos. Check them out at her official site.

Kellie Martin and LeVar Burton Discuss The Jensen Project (VIDEO)

 Image and Footage Courtesy of NBC-Universal

As major fans of Life Goes On and Roots, we were thrilled to hear that Kellie Martin (aka, Bekka) and LeVar Burton (aka Kunta Kinte) had teamed up in a new NBC family movie called The Jensen Project.

We spoke with Kellie and LeVar about the being cast in the show, doing sci-fi, what world problem they’d most like to solve, and whether or not they’d like to see the pilot become a series.

See what they had to say on our YouTube channel.

 

Austin—The Forgotten Friday Night Lights Cast Member

Friday Night Lights got a big boost last week with four Emmy nominations. At long last the TV Academy has rewarded a show that fans and critics have been praising for four seasons.

It once again got a nod for Best Casting and Rolin Jones was also recognized for writing the episode called "The Son" featuring Zach Gilford. And although Zach did not get a nomination, both Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton did.

We spoke with Zach recently about the show and he mentioned another star player that deserves some love—Austin, Texas. Gilford calls the city "the uncredited cast member on the show."

See what he had to say about the hip Texas hub in this Pop Culture Passionistas interview with Zach Gilford.

Fighting AIDS through Soccer with Ethan Zohn

Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas

Ethan Zohn is a true inspiration. After a grueling battle fighting his own cancer (now in remission) the Survivor: Africa winner is even more dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS in Africa. Seven years ago the reality show winner took part of his winnings to start Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit company dedicated to educating African youth about AIDS with the help of professional soccer players. This month his work came full-circle at the World Cup in South Africa.

In his pre-Survivor life, Ethan was a pro soccer player. He spent two years in Africa competing in the sport. He also discovered the beauty of the country and the devastation of AIDS. When the reality show brought him back to Africa a few years later, he knew fate was telling him his mission.

And now after years of hard work, Zohn has been part of another fateful event. In 2004, FIFA announced that the 2010 World Cup would take place in South Africa. Finally a global platform to get the word out about Africa's natural riches and horrendous epidemic. Zohn told MSNBC, "In the same month that the World Cup is taking place nearly 23,000 South Africans will die of AIDS. Each day about 4,000 people are dying across Africa. What’s crazy is that they are dying of a preventable disease. AIDS is a preventable disease."

Grassroot Soccer teamed up with (RED) to create a youth camp, the Grassroot Soccer (RED) Holiday Skillz Program, giving the children of the area a safe, healthy, educational place to go while the schools were shut down for the tournament. During the week-long program kids learned about preventing and fighting AIDS, played some soccer, and watched the World Cup in a safe environment.

Zohn said the philosophy taught to the kids at GRS "is to find a great support system, to have a positive attitude, to stay healthy, and you can extend your life," a message he adopted in his own recent brave battle with cancer.

The ever-dedicated Zohn is also in the midst of writing a series of children's books. The first two are on bookstore shelves now Soccer World South Africa and Soccer World Mexico and the third is in the works.

For more of this week's inspiring moments visit Beliefnet.com's Idol Chatter.