COMING IN 2018: WE'RE ENTERTAINING NOURISHMENT FOR THE MIND, BODY & SOUL
We will return in 2018 with a new look, mission & direction. Stay tuned as we develop our online destination that celebrates contemporary & retro pop culture as well as body, mind & spirit!
Like the generations of women who’ve related to her struggles and successes, the effervescent Paula Abdul can’t believe she’s reaching 50 in June. But make no mistake: The celebrated, but recently dismissed, “X Factor” judge and “Drop Dead Diva” proclaims, “I’ve only scratched the surface!” Modest words from onetime L.A. Lakers head-cheerleader-turned-breakthrough dancer/choreographer/songwriter-turned-TV-star-and-businesswoman, whose past battles with bulimia and chronic pain have at times overshadowed her Grammy- and Emmy-decorated career highs. But she’s happy to wear the label “survivor.” “I’m no different than anyone else,” she says. “There are days I feel great about myself. And there are days I feel, Wow, I am getting older. When I do feel a little down on myself, I immediately say, ‘I am grateful.’ And I write down all the things I am grateful for.”
Legendary TV creator-writer-director-producer Kenny Johnson, in the first of an exclusive two-part interview, opens up about his iconic '70s series "The Bionic Woman" and "Incredible Hulk," sharing behind-the-scenes stories and offering candid insights into why others' small-screen and big-screen "reimaginings" of these two franchises failed. The acclaimed and forever-forward-thinking storyteller -- whose 1983 NBC miniseries "V" was also recently rebooted without his involvement and to less-than-steller results -- discusses why heart, humanity and humor were essential in his creations of Jaime Sommers (as embodied by Lindsay Wagner) and David Banner (as personified by the late Bill Bixby), and how all three components were missing in NBC's 2007 "Bionic Woman" reboot and recent CGI-driven "Hulk" motion pictures. Finally, Johnson shares how he got started in television as a director-producer for "The Mike Douglas Show" and game shows (!) and why he parted ways with "The Bionic Woman" when Wagner reached the pinnacle of her celebrity.
Also, "Reimagine That!" announcer and producer Linda Kay shares with Chris some of her fondest memories of late Monkees singer Davy Jones and iconic composer Robert Sherman.
Finally, our dream interpreter Yvonne Ryba analyzes a "mini-series" of prophetic dreams.
The ever-sharp and courageous Alison Arngrimspills on "Little House on the Prairie" titillation, triumphs and travails -- from Michael Landon going sans underwear in Wal-nut Grove (!) to Matthew Laborteaux's breakthrough experiences as a highly-functioning autistic child to pondering how challenging tragic Ingalls sister Mary to a free-spirited mudwrestling match might well have brought down an aloof, teenaged Melissa Sue Anderson's self-erected "wall." Alison also speaks out about Melissa Sue's memoir dish (diss?) on her TV Ma, Karen Grassle; offers fascinating insight into the colorful world of Miss Beadle's portrayer, Charlotte Stewart; reminisces on good times with TV's Half-Pint (and soon-to-be-"Dancing with the Stars" sweetheart), Melissa Gilbert; and, once and for all, answers the question that has plagued "Little House" lovers for years: Did Baby Carrie fall during the opening credits ... or was she PUSHED?!?
Alison also reveals how her late parents' Hollywood careers (Liberace and Casper and Sweet Polly Purebread, oh my!) influenced her reality at a young age that showbusiness was indeed a business. She then opens her heart about late TV husband Steve Tracy ("Percival") and how his struggle with and death from AIDS in 1986 propelled her to become a pioneer AIDS activist in an age of widespread fear and ignorance about the disease. And finally, the bicontinental bestselling "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" author previews her wordly tours in March through July from Europe to Walnut Grove and beyond.
In addition, Chris gives a roundup of retro TV star appearances this spring on "Dancing with the Stars" and "Celebrity Apprentice" and potentially next fall in a slew of hopeful new series (including Roseanne's proposed NBC sitcom "Downwardly Mobile"). He also touches on Nicollette Sheridan's wrongful termination and battery lawsuit against ABC and "Desperate Housewives" exec producer Marc Cherry. As her case finally goes to trial this week with rumors that her co-stars will testify against her, Chris compares Nicollete's fight with the storied battle that pitted Suzanne Somers against ABC and her "Three's Company" producers and co-stars -- and which led to Somers' decade-long industry blacklisting. (For the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Suzannegate, read Chris's acclaimed 1998 tell-all "Come and Knock on Our Door" -- and stay tuned this fall for his updated edition in connection with "Three's Company"'s 35th anniversary.)
Finally, our resident dream weaver, Yvonne Ryba, interprets a series of healing dreams.
Always-witty and outspoken "Little House on the Prairie" star Alison Arngrimspills on everything from hilariously surprising long-estranged co-star Melissa Sue Anderson at her "The Way I See It" book signing (!) to channeling her own inner bitch (in a good way!) through Nasty Nellie Oleson to finding her own voice as a childhood sexual abuse survivor-turned-victims rights advocate closely aligned with PROTECT.org. In the first half of her two-part "Reimagine That!" interview airing this month, Arngrim sounds off on pedophilia in Hollywood and recent disturbing reports of sexual abuse in the Los Angeles school district. The "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" bestselling author also dishes on turning 50, taking her one-woman show overseas this spring and teaming up with "Waltons" star Mary McDonough in a kick-ass "Good Girl vs. Bad Girl" joint book tour in late 2011 and 2012. (How you like them apples, Mary Ingalls?!)
Also, Chris shares his recollection of the late Whitney Houston's impact as the voice of a generation during her "Bodyguard" hey day ("And IIIIIIIIIII-eee-iii-eee-iiii will always love youuuuuuu...) while he was editor of his student newspaper in 1992-93 at The University of Tulsa. (RIP, Ms. Houston -- we'll always, we'll always, loooove youuuuuuu-ooooooh-oooooooooooooooh...)
Finally, our resident dream weaver, Yvonne Ryba, interprets one more "house" dream while introducing us to the concept of lucid dreaming.
Alexandra Breckenridge brings a scary etherealness to her role as the seductive dark side of spooky housekeeper Moira in FX’s new drama series “American Horror Story.” Off set, though, the Connecticut-born actress sustains a much earthier presence. The 29-year-old red-haired beauty, last seen on HBO’s vampire hit “True Blood,” cut her teeth on acting in local theater outside San Francisco at the tender age 12. During those formative, lean years, she also learned how to eat healthy on a budget, thanks to her resourceful mom’s penchant for health-food shopping. The family’s produce-minded frugality paid off: Breckenridge not only saves money and time having organic fruits and veggies delivered toher home, she smartly navigates the snack table on the set to find healthy selections in-between scenes.
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