Pop Culture Tonight with Patrick Phillips

All five of the Phase Five members join Patrick to discuss their music, choreography, and EP!

The group has released their new single/music video for ‘Upside Down on Sony/Parimore Records. The new single can be heard on radio stations across Europe and the US!  Their Debut EP “The Rise” is out now!

Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly)  stops by to chat about the 30th Anniversary of Back to the Future and takes us behind the scenes of his work on Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III.  We’ll also have updates on upcoming celebrations & events.

Patrick sits down with the star of the Hallmark Channel’s “A Country Wedding”, Autumn Reeser! Composer Craig Safan (“The Last Starfighter”) chats about his popular film scores and his upcoming project “Rough Magic”, and Author Boze Hadleigh explains why Animal epithets, words, and phrases like “Holy Cow!” are so widespread we often take them for granted or remain ignorant of the fascinating stories and facts behind them!

Autumn Reeser has established herself as a highly sought after young actress in film and television. Most recently, she starred in ABC’s drama series “Last Resort” opposite Andre Braugher and Scott Speedman and on ABC’s drama series “The Whispers.” Reeser was seen as the ambitious junior agent Lizzie Grant on the seventh season of HBO’s hit series, “Entourage.”

Craig Safan has scored the music for over twenty-five feature films, including The Last Starfighter, Stand and Deliver, Money for Nothing, Major Payne, and Mr. Wrong and has also composed the scores for five mini-series, including the acclaimed “Son of the Morning Star.” In television, he is probably best known for his work as the composer for the series Cheers, for his Emmy-nominated work on Life Goes On, as well as for his themes for Pearland Hope and Gloria.

Joe Toplyn has written and produced comedy/talk shows for over fifteen years.

He began his television career on the writing staff of Late Night with David Letterman, where he won four Emmy awards. He went on to become co-head writer of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and head writer ofLate Show with David Letterman.

His other TV writing credits include the sketch show In Living Color and the comedic detective show Monk.  He is the author of the book Comedy Writing for Late-Night TV , the first book ever written about the subject. Joe Toplyn reveals his proven methods of writing for late-night television in this one-of-a-kind insider’s guide.

Fil Eisler is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, known for his film noir-inspired compositions created for Fox’s hottest new show, “Empire,” ABC’s hit drama series, “Revenge,” and Showtime’s Emmy-winning “Shameless.”

Fil is also composing the music for Lifetime’s highly anticipated new scripted series, “UnReal” – (http://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/09/unreal-trailer).  Fil conducts a live orchestra each week for both “Empire” and “Revenge.” Variety described his music as “smoky, elaborate film noir-inspired compositions,” while Beatweek Magazine praised Fil for making “beautiful music” that “almost acts as another character further enveloping the audience in its grasp.”

While known for his work in TV and film, the Czech-born and English-raised composer started his career as a touring musician.  He has traveled, recorded and written with artists, producers and composers as diverse as Robbie Williams, Ryan Adams, Marco Beltrami, Dave Stewart, Imogen Heap, Jesse Malin, Kim Caldwell, Kylie Minogue, Brian May, Holly Johnson, and many others.  Fil’s song “Superblind” appears on Williams’ multi-platinum album – Reality Killed the Video Star, which was produced by Trevor Horn and based on Fil’s original production and orchestral arrangement.

Patrick sits down for a chat with “American Ninja Warrior” Lance Pekus, “Superboy” star Stacy Haiduk, and Guitarist/Songwriter Derry Grehan!

Lance Pekus is known as the ‘Ninja Cowboy’ in the extreme obstacle course competition American Ninja Warrior. The former University of Great Falls wrestler works on his father-in-law’s ranch, where he has built his own obstacle course to prepare for the competition each year.

Having qualified in Kansas City, Lance is currently still competing on American Ninja Warrior.

Stacy Haiduk began studying dance at the age of four. So accomplished were her skills at the age of fourteen, she toured nationally with a Michigan based Broadway/Vaudevillian dance company for a year.

In 1988, Ms. Haiduk landed the role of Lana Lang in the series “Superboy,” which ran from 1988-1992, relocating from New York City to Orlando, Florida. During her stint on “Superboy,” she continued to act outside of the show, performing in movies and a guest role on “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.” After the cancellation of “Superboy,” she portrayed FBI agent-in-training Rhea McPherson in the short-lived drama, “Round Table.”

In 1993, she landed the role of Lt. Katie Hitchcock on “Seaquest DSV.” However, due to lack-luster ratings, the show was retooled to be more sci-fi than science, and moved to Orlando, Florida for filming. Unhappy with the character’s lack of growth, Ms. Haiduk requested to be dropped from her contract. Further acting roles followed.

Mermaid Melissa is the only woman in the world legally named Mermaid!

This extraordinary one-of-a-kind dedication to her aquatic lifestyle is used for promoting ocean education through underwater entertainment.

Her slogan? “Let’s help save the oceans before all creatures become mythical.” She makes appearances around the world performing underwater breath hold showcases (her longest being 5 minutes) with a licensed Mermaid Entertainment Aquatic Company. This talented team includes trained professional mermaids, mermen, and pirates.

With hands on experience as a professional free diver, Melissa’s resume includes: live featured performances in aquariums, poolside parties, marketing promotions for companies, and VIP events for clients. Click on the “Hire A Mermaid” page and email for inquires and verified credentials since 2005!

Mike Suby is a composer for television and film, known for creating bold, rich scores that embody complex and evolving emotions and story lines.

Suby is accomplished in a multitude of genres and has composed for more than 300 television episodes, shorts and films. Mike composes the music for fan-favorite shows such as ABC Family’s mystery-thriller “Pretty Little Liars,” starring Lucy Hale, Troian Bellisario and Ian Harding, CW’s hit “Vampire Diaries,” starring Ian Somerholder and Nina Dobrev, and “The Originals,” starring Joseph Morgan. He has also scored reality shows such as Lifetime’s “Project Runway” and E!’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” and will be working on the upcoming ABC Family transgender docu-series, “Becoming Us.”

His breakout project was New Line Cinema’s “The Butterfly Effect,” starring Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart in 2004.  Since then, Mike went on to score for dramas, fantasy, horror, comedy and reality. A few of his credits include Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s Emmy Award-winning TV series “Robot Chicken,” as well as “The Scholar,”“The Zodiac,” New Line Cinema’s “The Butterfly Effect 2,”“The Courier,” E!’s “Living Lohan” and “Kourtney & Kim Take Miami,” and ABC Family’s “Kyle XY“ and “Make It or Break It.”

Jane Maas was a creative director at Ogilvy & Mather and Wells Rich Greene, and president of Earle Palmer Brown.

She was Advertising Woman of the Year, won 47 creative awards, wrote five books and raised two children. Today, Jane is a creative consultant, and known as a warm and witty keynote speaker.  Get the book!

Dennis Haskins has a wide variety of film, television, and stage credits.

Dennis is best known for his portrayal of the beloved ‘Mr. Belding’ on “Saved by the Bell” for it’s entire 11 year run on NBC’s Saturday morning lineup.

Haskins, dubbed “everyone’s favorite principal” by ESPN’s Todd Wright, developed ‘Mr. B’ into a part of American teen culture. Still in syndication, at it’s peak the show went to over 87 countries! Haskins has taken his “Mr. Belding on Campus” show to colleges across the U. S. and Canada playing to tens of thousands of college students. He also makes many charity appearances and has participated in two USO tours visiting our troops.

Despite his immortalization as schoolyard bully Scott Farkus in A Christmas Story (1983), Zack Ward has a resumé spanning much further than the long-standing holiday favorite.

The Canadian actor is well known for his role as Dave Scovil on the darkly humorous, Emmy-nominated sitcom Titus, and has participated in a number of prime-time dramas including Crossing Jordan, NCIS, and Lost. He has just completed work directing and producing several independent films.

Sandy Fries is a Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the College of DuPage. He was an NBC Fellow at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Fries has written over a hundred scripts for CBS, NBC, ABC and other television networks. About “Walter Cronkite’s Army” An exclusive, behind – the – scenes look at the most trusted and powerful newscast in the history of television: “The CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite.” Cronkite and his team changed history. This book tells how they did it.

The author had unlimited access to all the CBS players, access that was never granted before or again. There’s a Latin saying: ” who watches the watchers? ” This is the only time an outsider has been allowed inside a major news organization and given an “All Access Pass” to watch the watchers.

Two-time GRAMMY® and Emmy-nominated musician Jeff Russo has become a prominent composer, songwriter and arranger in the film and television industry.

Russo recently received an Emmy nomination for his music on FX’s award-winning hit series FARGO, one of the most Emmy-nominated shows of the year, and has already started writing for FARGO’s second season.

Jeff also composes the score for Starz’s original drama, POWER, from executive producer, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and just completed work on A&E’s horror series, THE RETURNED, as well as CBS’s newest CSI franchise, CSI: CYBER, starring Patricia Arquette. Later this year, he is slated to begin work on the upcoming Spike TV mini-series, TUT, starring Ben Kingsley. Russo’s work on FARGO recently garnered a nomination for the International Film Music Critics Association Award.

In addition to composing music for film and television, Russo still plays music with his rock band. He is a founding member, lead guitarist and co-songwriter of two-time GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum selling rock band, TONIC.

The Wizard of Oz FAQ is a fact-filled celebration of the beloved 1939 fantasy masterpiece starring Judy Garland.

It’s all here – from L. Frank Baum and his Oz novels to the complete background story of the movie’s conception, development, and shoot, with special attention given to the little-known parade of uncredited directors, casting difficulties, and on-set accidents and gaffes, as well as more than 75 sidebars devoted to key cast members, directors, and other behind-the-scenes personnel.

You’ll find a wealth of fun facts: How MGM overworked Judy Garland before, during, and after Oz; why director Victor Fleming had his hands full with the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy’s other friends; what it was about Toto that really bothered Judy; the physical horrors of filming in Technicolor; the racial Oz gag that was scripted but never shot; when the Wicked Witch was going to be beautiful; why The Wizard of Oz owes a lot to silent-screen star Mary Pickford; the story of deleted scenes, and a full two weeks of shooting that had to be scrapped; why MGM star Mickey Rooney was part of the movie’s traveling publicity blitz; how the Wicked Witch was literally blown off her broomstick one day; the place where lions, tigers, and bears really do live together; singers you hear but never see; the day MGM fired Judy Garland; and much more.

Just follow the yellow brick road!

Robby Johnson was born in Quebec, but this Canadian seems to have been born with cornbread in his veins!

His love of country music was with him from the time he learned how to speak, and although his true influences are more contemporary, his love and respect of it’s roots are obvious when you hear him sing.

Robby didn’t even realize he had any real prospect in the music business until he was already an adult earning a living as a salesman in his native country. He loved listening to Garth and one of his lifelong dreams was to meet the great Tony Arata, who’s song “The Dance” was one of Robby’s favorite songs to sing. Little did he know he would get to see that dream become a reality, when during his first trip to Nashville, he would hook up with Jimmy and Frank.

Jimmy was introduced to Robby through a friend, and immediately found his voice very unique, but Robby was writing songs on his own back home, and he was eager to work with some of Nashville’s best and most successful songwriters.

Zach Rance was a houseguest on Big Brother 16. He was a part of The Bomb Squad until Devin Shepherd put him on the block, leading Zach to blow up The Bomb Squad.

He was a member of The Detonators alliance that formed in the wake of The Bomb Squad, as well as Los Tres Amigos. He was successfully backdoored in Week 8 by a unanimous vote and placed 9th due to Nicole returning to the game. On finale night, Zach, along with Nicole and Donny, was revealed to be in the top three to win America’s Favorite Houseguest, but lost to the latter.

Zach became quite popular with fans for his zany behavior and seemingly romantic relationship with House Guest Frankie Grande. In week one, Zach began wearing a pink hat that was actually owned by Victoria Rafaeli. It soon became his trademark. When their friendship turned sour, Victoria took the hat while Zach was napping and cut it up. A self-described “con artist,” Zach recently earned his Economics Degree.  His best friend is his 10 year-old brother and someday he wants to be a professional caddy.

Source: http://bigbrother.wikia.com/wiki/Zach_Rance

Check out his new book “Ghetto Uprising”

Jordann Baker: After studying Architecture at Tufts University, Jordann began her career as an aerialist in 2006 in NYC, where she later co-founded The Sky Box aerial theater at the House of Yes in Brooklyn.

Jordann is passionate about creating dynamic works and genre-bending shows, including SHAPESHIFTER, which she wrote, directed and produced in 2014 for its inaugural year.

She in inspired by dramatic architecture, powerful music, and giant trees, and feels most happy when she is thirty feet up in the air!  When not training or teaching aerial classes, Jordann enjoys creating costumes and hosts aerial choreography retreats and produces other works with her company Banyan Aerial. THE SHAKERS: (Jodie Schell- vocals, Nick Woods- drums, John “Ro” Rogan- bass, Chris Lee- guitar) The Shakers saw their inception in 2009, and can be described as the missing link between soul and grit-rock – loud, unapologetic, and masters of the stage domain.

The band has opened for such acts as Everclear, Our Lady Peace, The Motels, and Semi Precious Weapons, while also headlining sold-out shows at seminal Los Angeles venues including The Roxy Theatre, The Troubadour, The Satellite, and The Viper Room.

Jason Graves is an Academy Award-winning (BAFTA) composer who has brought his passion for music to projects such as THE ORDER: 1886 (SONY), EVOLVE (2k GAMES), TOMB RAIDER (SQUARE ENIX) and DEAD SPACE (EA).

Rumer Glenn Willis is no stranger to Hollywood, growing up as the daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. She was recently featured on Dancing with the Stars.