Mr. Media Interviews by Bob Andelman

From 2008: It’s Pirates of the Caribbean meets “Lost.” It’s a man with the skills of MacGyver shipwrecked on a lush, tropical island. It’s the new NBC adventure series “Crusoe,” and it may be the best new TV show you haven’t discovered yet. Joining me today is Philip Winchester, the star of “Crusoe.”

Today's Guest: Alex Ferrari, director, Broken Order 'Broken' by Alex Ferrari, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover above! Two years ago, Alex Ferrari wrote and directed a short action thriller called Broken. It cost a mere $8,000, looks like a million bucks, and includes more than 100 visual effects shots. The low budget film was a "proof of concept" -- Ferrari and his associates and investors wanted to demonstrate what they are capable of producing if given a larger budget and greater resources. I was skeptical of the short - until I watched it. It's pretty cool, especially considering its limitations. It's stylish and energetic and will leave you wanting more. Alex Ferrari Numb Robot Website • Facebook • Vimeo • IMDB • Ferrari Olive Oil • Order Broken from Amazon.com • Order Lipstick & Bullets Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life As A Stand-up in the 1980s Comedy Boom by Ritch Shydner. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!   The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Star Price, executive producer, “Penn & Teller: Bullsh-t!” Download 'Penn & Teller: Orgasms,' available from Amazon.com by clicking on the image above! Star Price -- a.k.a., Starling Price -- is the executive producer of the Showtime series, “Penn & Teller: Bullsh-t!” The TV BS show, now in its fifth season, chronicles the efforts of confirmed skeptics and pro-science atheists Penn Jillette and Teller to debunk, well, bullsh-t. Their mission is to expose the truth to an otherwise desperate and gullible public. Most people have seen Penn & Teller somewhere, usually on a talk show performing incredible feats of magic. On this show, they use all the tricks of their trade, including good old-fashioned hidden cameras, to reveal rip-off artists, scammers, and hoaxsters. Price is a writer, producer, director who has worked in television since 1978. In recent years, he’s made a career in reality television, including credits on programs such as “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol,” MTV’s “Celebrity Undercover,” TLC’s “How’d They Do That,” and “Confirmation: The Hard Evidence of Aliens Among Us” for NBC. He’s also recently co-executive-produced the reality series, “Exploring the Unknown” and “Scariest Places on Earth” for the Fox Family Channel, “Amazing Race II” for CBS, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” the pilot for ABC, and “Hotel Hell” for Fox. Penn & Teller Website • Facebook • Penn on Twitter • Teller on Twitter • Download Penn& Teller Bullsh-t!: Orgasms from Amazon.com Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life As A Stand-up in the 1980s Comedy Boom by Ritch Shydner. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!     The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Joshua Gomez co-stars as Morgan Grimes on "Chuck"   Today's Guest: Joshua Gomez, actor, "Chuck" I love “Chuck.” It’s not a gay thing—I’m referring to the NBC TV show that just returned for its second season on Monday nights. And it’s not just me; my wife and son are also huge fans of the goofy, sexy, spy action-comedy starring Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski—the hottest woman working in TV or film today— Adam Baldwin and my guest this morning, Joshua Gomez. Gomez is “Morgan,” Chuck’s best friend and co-worker at the Buy More Electronics superstore. Morgan has a 19-year-long crush on Chuck’s sister, dates a beautiful Asian co-worker who looks like she just stepped out of a Japanese manga story and, according to Chuck, “the man has a black belt in dumplings.” Josh Gomez Twitter • Order Chuck Season 5 Order Will Eisner: A Spirited Life (2nd Edition) by Bob Andelman, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above!     The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Adam Falcon, guitarist, Bohemian 959 Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience of Marvel Comics characters from Steve Rogers and Sam “Snap” Wilson to those colorful guys in KISS… in the NEW new media capital of the world, St. Petersburg, Florida!   Order Adam Falcon's CD 'Bohemian 959' by clicking the photo above! In my head, the introduction to today’s show with blues/rock/jazz guitarist Adam Falcon goes something like this: Blah, blah, blah – including live performances by Adam – blah, blah, blah! ADAM FALCON audio excerpt: "Just continue to practice and enjoy what you're doing." And then out loud I would say: The first time Adam Falcon was on the show was a lot of fun. I love his music, his guitar style and his general approach to life. He recently got in touch to say he’d be coming to Florida – Miami, to be exact, and he offered to play a few songs live for us to help promote his shows on January 13 and 14 as part of Art Deco Weekend 2012. How could I say no to that? Adam Falcon Website • Twitter • Facebook • MySpace • YouTube • Order Bohemian 959 LISTEN! Adam Falcon's first visit to Mr. Media (2010) WATCH! Adam Falcon returns to Mr. Media to perform live with Living Color's Doug Wimbish and Keith LeBlanc (2013) Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life As A Stand-up in the 1980s Comedy Boom by Ritch Shydner. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!     The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Jonathan Katz, comedian, "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience of long-suffering psychotherapy patients who really need to switch to doctors whose lobbies are not in Squigglevision… in the NEW new media capital of the world… St. Petersburg, Florida! Order from Amazon.com by clicking the DVD above! Jonathan Katz is neither a doctor nor a cartoon. But he has been known to be one entertaining funnyman. His old show on Comedy Central, “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist,” was perhaps best known for two elements during its six-year run: its squiggly animation and the remarkable list of guests who sat on Dr. Katz’s couch, including Ray Romano, Conan O’Brien, Jon Stewart and Louis C.K. Now Katz is back with a new animated show, “Explosion Bus.” Like “Dr. Katz,” “Explosion Bus” was created by Tom Snyder. The new show co-stars comedian Tom Leopold, whose writing credits including “Seinfeld” and “Cheers.” JONATHAN KATZ audio excerpt: "Louis C.K.'s act has changed so much. He got older; he got bolder. Some of my favorite stuff he does is about the Catholic church, which a young kid wouldn't do."  Order 'Caffeinated' by Jonathan Katz, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the CD cover above! So what is “Explosion Bus”? I have to admit I’m having a hard time figuring that out myself. I’ve watched several first season episodes and had a sneak peak at excerpts from season two. Like “Dr. Katz,” it is a model of subtlety and irony. “Explosion Bus” seems to satirizes the reality TV conceit of the moment found in “America’s Got Talent,” “The Voice” and “American Idol” that everyone has talent and could potentially be famous. But it goes in a lot of different directions from there, including being a reality show within a reality show—and one with real viewer submissions. And fans from season one will notice a change in animation style in season two. Check him out in animated form at ExplosionBus.com or on YouTube. Meanwhile, the doctor is in and I’m hoping he can make sense of it all for me. Jonathan Katz Website • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Order Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist from Amazon.com • 'Hey We're Back!' Podcast • Explosion Bus website • YouTube Order 'Dr. Katz Live' starring Jonathan Katz, available by clicking on the DVD cover above! Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life As A Stand-up in the 1980s Comedy Boom by Ritch Shydner. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!     The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Sarah Colonna, Brad Wollack, writers, comedians, "Chelsea Lately," "After Lately" Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience of standup comedians who would give their left punchline for a shot on the Chelsea Lately panel… in the NEW new media capital of the world… St. Petersburg, Florida!   Chelsea Handler is the star of 'Chelsea Lately' and 'After Lately' on E! A casual viewer of Chelsea Handler’s monologue’s on her nightly E! talk show, “Chelsea Lately” might come away with the suspicion that she has no respect at all for her staff. On the other hand, where would the careers of Heather McDonald, Chuy and my guests today, Sarah Colonna and Brad Wollack, be without those zingers? Comedian Sarah Colonna of 'After Lately' (Photo/E! Entertainment) BRAD WOLLACK audio excerpt: "Making fun of Chuy was easy from Day One... Chelsea really helps define our personalities.She gave me my voice in many respects." Comedian Brad Wollock, co-star of 'After Lately' (Photo/E! Entertainment) They certainly wouldn’t be starring in the second season of “After Lately,” a behind-the-scenes mockumentary that airs after Chelsea’s gabfest. It returns this Sunday, November 27 @ 11 p.m. just after “Chelsea Lately” on E! (Sarah Colonna, incidentally, is the great-niece of long-time Bob Hope sidekick and comedian Jerry Colonna, who sported one of show business’s all-time great mustaches.) Both Wollack and Colonna are established comedians in their own right, but you have to bet they relish almost every moment of national attention thrown their way by the boss. That, and the fact that Chelsea Handler just extended her E! deal another two years – or four Kardashian marriage-and-divorce cycles. Sarah Colonna Website • Twitter • Facebook • Order Life As I Blow It Brad Wollack Website • Twitter • Facebook • MySpace Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life As A Stand-up in the 1980s Comedy Boom by Ritch Shydner. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!     The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Jamie Malanowski, author, And The War Came, former writer, Spy magazine Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience that includes folks who still haven’t left my living room since the Tony Hendra interview… in the new new media capitol of the world… St. Petersburg, Florida! Part 1   Writer Jamie Malanowski knows Abraham Lincoln! (Interview; 1 of 2) "And The War Came" by Jamie Malanowski. Order your copy now by clicking on the book cover above! When I heard that Jamie Malanowski had penned a book about the days leading up to the American Civil War, I assumed it would be something along the lines of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. You know – something absurdist that could read, if well-crafted, as if it were true. Instead, the former SPY magazine writer and editor has produced something that is true and we can only wish it chronicled something absurdist instead of reminding us that Obama vs. the Tea Party is not unlike Lincoln vs. the Confederacy. JAMIE MALANOWSKI audio excerpt: "I was confronted more clearly than I ever expected with just how fiercely (Southerners) believed in slavery. And how strongly determined they were to keep their property."  And the War Came: The Six Months That Tore America Apart originally appeared online in serialized form in The New York Times “Opinionator” web pages. It is a mesmerizing, week-by-week account from the day of Abraham Lincoln’s election, through the secession of the Southern states, on up to the start of the Civil War. The book is currently available as an e-book, but a print-on-demand edition is in the works. As for Jamie Malanowski, he’s enjoyed one of those careers guys like me can only envy from afar. Writer and editor for SPY magazine, managing editor of Playboy – we could stop there – and he is also the author of a political novel, The Coup. More recently he’s been doing ghostwriting and private editorial consultation. It’s a real pleasure to welcome him to the show. Jamie Malanowski Website • Blog • Twitter • YouTube • Facebook Part 2   Writer Jamie Malanowski knows Abraham Lincoln! (Interview; 2 of 2)   Order 'The Book of Levon' by Jamie Malanowski, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above!   Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life As A Stand-up in the 1980s Comedy Boom by Ritch Shydner. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!     The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Dave Gibbons, comic book artist, co-creator, Watchmen Order 'Watching the Watchmen' by Dave Gibbons, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above! Frank Miller must have a guardian angel. How else to explain that, in the days before his latest movie, The Spirit, would premiere to horrendous reviews, it was announced that his next project would be a remake of Buck Rogers? Or, even wilder, that Dave Gibbons, co-creator of the greatest graphic novel ever, Watchmen, wanted to re-team with Miller to bring their comics creation, Martha Washington, to the silver screen. It was just the kind of distracting good news Miller’s career may need with The Spirit likely headed for an armload of Razzies come award time. Dave Gibbons is my guest today, and Frank Miller and Martha Washington are just the latest developments in a career that is set to go into warp drive this spring with the release of the film version of Watchmen likely to hit your local cinema. The coming attractions for Watchmen are causing the kind of buzz that the original Superman movie did. It looks that good. And then there’s Dave’s new coffee table size book, Watching the Watchmen, a collection of notes, sketches and scribblings he accumulated during the creation of Watchmen. They include contributions from Watchmen co-creator and writer Alan Moore, editors and others. If you loved Watchmen, you have to own this book. Dave Gibbons Website • Facebook • Twitter • Wikipedia • Madefire • Order Watching the Watchmen from Amazon.com   Order 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above!   Order 'Watchmen,' available from Amazon.com in DVD or Blu-Ray by clicking on the movie poster above! Order Will Eisner: A Spirited Life (2nd Edition) by Bob Andelman, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above!   The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!

Today's Guest: Val Valentino, The Masked Magician   Val Valentino is The Masked Magician Val Valentino starred in a series of Fox television specials as 'The Masked Magician' There are all kinds of magic. There is the classic Harry Houdini practice of pre-technology stunts that utterly baffled crowds. And there is the David Copperfield school of big stage, TV magic that leave crowds equally mystified but suspicious that they’ve been somehow conned. There are other branches of the modern art, of course, including Penn & Teller’s hip, Vegas style, or Criss Angel’s form of street theater magic. And then there is The Masked Magician, who tears it all down and reveals how the trick are done. The Masked Magician—who stars in the second season of MyNetworkTV’s “Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed”—is actually Val Valentino, who joins me today. Val Valentino The Masked Magician website • Facebook • YouTube • Vimeo • Wikipedia • Order Breaking the Magician's Code from Amazon.com   The Millionaire's Convenient Arrangementby Jane Peden. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!   The Party Authority in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland!