Dante's Cove: September 2007 Archives

I'm sure there are those who are assuming that Reichen Lehmkuhl, an "Amazing Race" champ, author, model and former boyfriend of Lance Bass, would not be able to tackle a real acting job when he was signed to the third season of "Dante's Cove."
Well, I've seen episode one and not only does he not embarrass himself, but he's quite natural and appealing.
We talked about the show and his participation in it at the 40th Anniversary gala for The Advocate this week.
"It's the most exciting thing since I can remember," he says. "I loved it, I loved every part of it. I loved being on set, meeting the other actors asnd the way here! Network has treated me. I loved the coaching I got and the support I got on set. It was an A-plus, plus, plus experience for me. It was amazing."
It now seems that the acting bug has gotten ahold of Reichen: "I want to do more and there are some things in the works and I'm so excited. I can't say yet."
I then asked Reichen to give "Dante's Cove" an old-fashioned plug: "It's a brand-new season and it's completely new. I want everyone to give it a shot whether you love it already or have seen it before, watch season three."

A few weeks back, I posted various interviews I had done over the summer with members of the cast of "Dante's Cove" but for some reason, neglected to post my chat with Jon Fleming who plays Adam on the show. Of course he's gorgeous, as you can see, but also a very nice guy.
Here is the interview:
GREG: OK, give it up. What's up with your character this season?
JON: Last season, my character came out at the end of the season and this year, he's trying to kick the last of his [drug] addiction. But he's basically sticking around the cove and fighting for Toby (Charlie David). He's not gonna give up. He's not going home empty-handed. He also loses his trust fund so Adam needs to get a job. My parents told me I have to come back home or I lose it. The fact that he's been spoiled his whole life and that he's willing to get a job to stick around to be with Toby really shows how much he's in it for Toby."
GREG: Was it different for you filming the third season than the second one?
JON: "There are some new actors but a lot of returning ones too so you have the same friendships. Like with Charlie, Charlie and I are really good friends - off screen we hang out and do [10K] races together and stuff like that. And in a sense, it's good for the characters because our characters were buddies in high school before the cove. But in another sense, when it comes to the make-out scenes, it's a little more difficult now that we know each other. We've found each other cracking up some on set."
GREG: It's gotta be kinda fun. I know you're straight but Charlie's pretty hot.
JON: [laughs] "It's good that it's Charlie. I lucked out."

Other Dante's Cove profiles:
- William Gregory Lee- Gregory Michael
- Gabriel Romero
- Jensen Atwood

Earlier this week, I was having dinner at Spanish Kitchen in West Hopllywood with an industry source and we were gabbing about everyrthing from the presidential race to, well, "Dante's Cove." He said he thought of it as soft-core porn and I found myself just sorta saying, "Well, I like it. I like all the supernatural stuff."
Then yesterday, I got a screener in the mail of the "Dante's Cove" season three opener and decided to watch it before heading out for yet another pre-Emmy party at the Pacific Design Center (more on that later). As I watched, it came back to me why I have enjoyed this show so much: yes, there is nudity and sex but it's also great fun with some funny lines, some corny lines, and all the Tresum stuff peppered in to give it some unpredictability. I think the whole thing is just delicious.

First off, I love that Kevin (Gregory Michael) and Ambrosious (William Gregory Lee) are now a hot couple and it's sad that Kevin and Toby aren't together but it is not at all unpleasant watching them interact. I'm sure they won't live happily ever after but they have a great sex scene that starts in a shower about five minutes in.

Then there is the fabulous Tracy Scoggins as Grace who is an old pro at this stuff dating way back to "Dynasty." Scoggins continues to look sensational and delivers her lines with bitchy gusto but I sense her softer side emerging a bit as well. Her character has been in limbo for six months by her sister Diana (Thea Gill) and when she finally returns to Dante's Cove, it is by landing in the dirt, face first. Her first lines: "Diana. Bloody cow! Bloody, pasty-faced shrew! She's gonna see suffering like no one ever has before."
A bit later in the episode, the two sisters have a Alexis-Krystal on "Dynasty" type fight where they throw stuff at each other, slap, kick, and wrestle to the ground. It's delicious.
Scoggins is a HOOT! And while Grace has been evil and ultra confident until now, her supernatural powers are out of whack and we see her softening a bit - which is a good thing since the residents of her hotel have all moved into her house in her absence because a tsunami has destroyed the hotel.

Among the residents are Toby (Charlie David) who is even more handsome than last season now that his hair is shorter and lighter; Adam (Jon Fleming), Toby's best friend who is in love with him; a female couple played by Michelle Wolff and Jenny Shimizu.

NOTE: The female love scenes is far better than any of the male scenes because they go for it, kiss like they mean it, devour each other. Some of the guys like Gregory Michael and newcomer Jensen Atwood are straight in real life and kiss boys like they would kiss their grandmother. I do not get it. If you are willing to play gay, willing to be naked with another guy, then kiss the guy like you would kiss a girl you were gonna have sex with. It's called ACTING. This closed-mouthed stuff rings false and undermines your believability. Charlie David, an out actor, lknows how to kiss, as does newcomer Reichen Lehmkuhl and William Gregory Lee usually gives it a good go.
OK, a few words about Reichen, who has a steamy quickie with Fleming's character in episode one that is kinda hot, he does a really good job! I was surprised in a way. But he was natural and believable and kinda charming as Trevor and I think is going to have some kind of professional partnership with Scoggins' Grace. He's a nice addition to the show and, as you can see from this photo, has a killer bod.
The other newcomer, Jensen Atwood, has a more substantial role as a member of the Tresum council who is already causing all kinds of troulbe. Atwood, best known from his role on "Noah's Arc," is as sexy as they come and his sex scene with Gabriel Romero is a sizzler.
But it would have had even more sizzle with a more convincing kiss.
As for other SPOLERS, I don't know if Van (the terrific Nadine Heimann) is really dead and her true love Michelle (Jill Bennett) looks very different because she's played by a different actress this season. She's changed in olther ways too, you're just gonna have to watch the show to find out how.
The first episode of the new season will begin airing in October on here! TV.

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."