Just got back a little while ago from San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles where a party celebrating the release of the first season of "Brothers & Sisters" on DVD. Wanted to sit right down and share with you my conversation with Matthew Rhys, the handsome Welsh actor who plays Kevin Walker on what is my favorite show.
Greg: Which episode from the first season is your favorite?
Matthew: "To me, it's the road trip [Episode 9: "Mistakes Were Made, Part 2]. I don't know if it's because I watch it and look back and remember how much I laughed or how much I laugh when I actually watch it - especially Rachel Griffiths in the bar playing pool and laughing. That episode seems to be quite real in the relationships. It's a road trip and you're forced into certain situations and as a result of that you get some great conflict."
Greg: OK, now what about this season? Have you had any scenes with Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) yet?
Matthew: Yes I have. Dear Luke MacFarlane. It's fantastic having him back foir every reason. Primarily because he's such a good actor but everything else that goes with it."
Greg: So what's going on between Kevin and Scotty?
Matthew: Well that's the thing, we don't know. We are literally on a need to know basis. I'm still waiting to see. We've just met [up again] at the moment and are still very platonic - at the moment."
Greg: Have you had any scenes with the senator's brothers [xxx xxxx]?
Matthew: Yes, I have.
Greg: Have you locked lips with anyone yet?
Matthew: I have. Well, I did with the senator's brother at the end of last season. [Kevin] was drunk. The first time we actually shot that, Ken Olin yelled 'Cut! It's like you're wrestling.' So it wasn't the greatest of starts for me and Eric."
Greg: Scotty would never wrestle with you.
Matthew. Nooooo. He's very sensitive.
Greg: So is Kevin going to get a little smarter about relationships this season?
Matthew: "I think there are external influences that challenge that. It's not necessarily his immaturity but other reasons that are out of his power.
Greg: The show has a lot of fans, you have a lot of fans. A lot of the gay viewers love your portrayal of Kevin Walker who I think is the best-written gay character on television.
Matthew: "I have had a fantastic reaction from the gay community which is so heartening.The creative and writing team set out to make [Kevin's sexuality] an issue without making an issue out of it and I think they succeeded."
Greg: OK, last question. Are you gonna take Uncle Saul out to a gay bar or anything?
Matthew: [laughs] I sincerely hope so! I think the mileage that could be had from that experience would be too good to pass up."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Charlie David, who has already finished filming the third season of "Dante's Cove" which premieres next month, is busy filming a movie he wrote and stars in called "Mulligans" about a guy who becomes romantically involved with his best friend's father.
I came across a recent interview Charlie gave to the Victoria Times Colonist via AfterElton.com and wanted to share some excerpts with you:

On coming out professionally in 2005: "It was wonderfully freeing. I wouldn't turn that decision around for anything......"I won't deny it's been helpful for my career to this point. But we also get calls where we're told, 'Oh, no, he can't play the gritty or ugly character' or have the baseness, I guess, that they're looking for."

On "Mulligans: "It's about the family unit. How does family life go on? What decisions does each individual make? How does a wife deal with a husband who has cheated? How does an eight-year-old girl look at her parents and the potential they may be splitting up?"

Writing vs, acting: "I've discovered I get as much joy from writing as acting...We need more stories about love and acceptance, and part of that comes through TV shows and films that can show alternative lifestyles in a positive light."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did a little interview with Rex Lee last night at the pre-Emmy party for nominated producers and he told me he is ready for the big night: "I'm glad that the show is nominated and I'm glad to be part of it - I'm proud to be part of it. On the off chance that we win, I'll be rushing the stage like everyone else."
He'll be talking to Hugo Boss about lending him a tux but if they don't, "I've got my old stand-by at home."
His on-screen boss, Jeremy Piven, won the Emmy last year and is nominated again this year. Lee has split loyalties this time around though: "It's a very different year with ['Entourage] co-star Kevin Dillon also being nominated. Will they split the vote? I'm friends with [nominee] Neil Patrick Harris who I think is amazing so I wouldn't be upset if he won. It's kind of wide open"
Lee, of course, would not mind being nominated himself sometime but he knows that he will need more screen tiime:
"Like any actor I want to do good work and I want the work to be interesting. There are times when I get a script and I'm not really in it so much and that's disappointing. But the episodes where I do have a lot to do are fun and they make me happy."
The show will begin filming its new season in February. Lee says he hasn't booked any jobs between now and then but there are several possibilities floating around and he is open to the right offer. The actor says he's never been approached by either of the two major gay networks, Logo and here! TV with a script.
"I'm certainly not ruling it out, no one's made me any offers (laughs). Tell them!"

So, does Rex have a date to the Emmys?
"No, I don't have one yet (laughs). I'm still asking people. My dating life is a mess..."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This saga isn't gonna end!
The attorney for Sen. Larry Craig said Monday that his client should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea in a sex sting because he was under extreme stress after being hounded by journalists asking questions about his sexuality, according to the Associated Press.
The poor man. I don't see why a man who "has never been gay" would be stressed out by questions about his sexuality. Do you?
Attorney William Martin said he would file court documents today trying to undo the guilty plea so Craig can fight the charge. He said Craig did not "knowingly and intelligently enter a guilty plea."
Seems like a U.S. senator should proceed "knowingly and intelligently" in all that he does. In my opinion, Craig is a desperate man who was living a double life and is now trying to save face and salvage his reputation as an alleged "heterosexual" Republican politician.
Good luck with that Larry.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

T.R. Knight was the first celebrity I spoke with at last night's Television Academy party for the producers of shows nominated for an Emmy this year. T.R. is nominated for outstanding supporting actor for "Grey's Anatomy," a nod he got for his stellar work in the emotional episode where his father died.
"The writer of the episode had lost her father so it was a very personal script so it definitely took on a completely different feeling..."
He says they cast is currently filming episode six of the show's sixth season but wouldn't say whether his character, George, was still carrying on with best friend Izzie (Katherine Heigl) or if he was back with his wife (Sara Ramirez).
"I can't even give you a tease because I always let something out and then we get beat and that hurts," he said. "I can't say anything! You know that. ...But it's been great, it's been going really well."
One thing is for sure: George has certainly moved past Meredith who he spent two seasons pining over: "Completely. I think [George] has got his plate full right now."
T.R. looked pretty dapper last night (the picture above is from an other event, sorry!) and isn't worried about having to get gussied up for Sunday night's Emmys: "With guys, we got it really easy. We get the tux and put it on. There's nothing else we really gotta worry about. Hugo Boss, they lent me a tuxedo. Black socks is the only thing I need then we're done...I'm just hoping I won't have any zits. Which, I'm sure I will because that's the thing I don't want."
"I'm not nervous. I'm just thrilled to be invited."
Knight will be bringing a female friend from New York to the ceremonies.
"A lady," he says, then adds: "Platonic." [laughs].
T.R. seemed more relaxed last night than on red carpets I've seen him on in the past.
"I'm trying, I'm trying. It's not exactly in my comfort zone but anytime you do something, the more and more you do it, hopefully you get a little better at it. I'm staying home a lot less I think."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Well, what do we have here? Here's a guy who looks just like Andy Baldwin of "The Bachelor" getting cozy with Miss Iran Sepideah Gaftgoli. He and Tessa broke off their engagement just last month. Andy seems to be recovering very quickly.
I no longer believe in reality show love. My innocence is gone...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry for a lack of postings this morning. Had some interviews to do. But get ready for a steady flow. So, watched the first 20 minutes of "The View" this morning to see Sherri Shepherd announced as co-host in what Barbara Walters acknowledged as "the worst kept secret in history." Sherri came out all excited and bubbly and kept screaming for a minute or so before she could collect herself.
They showed a video of her life and we learn that her mother died when she was young and she and her three sisters sort of raised themselves. She is very honest: her dad got his girlfriend pregnant, she and her hubby split because he cheated on her etc." She described herself as the only black girl on a series of sitcoms with a buncha white people. ("Less than Perfect," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Suddenly Susan.") Then at one point during the hot topics, Elisabeth (miss goody two-shoes) Hasslebeck was speaking disapprovingly of young girls who get famous for making sex tapes (Paris et al) and Sherri pipes in with a story about how she once dated a guy who was in prison for arson and had sent him risque photos. She joked: "I HOPE they get out, I looked good!"
It's a new day on "The View."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)