Mr. Media Interviews By Bob Andelman

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

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 c

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 cer

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

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 Watchm

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 Conve

Today's Guests: Ally Sheedy, actress, Steam, War Games, The Breakfast Club; Kate Siegel, Steam; Kyle Schickner, director, Steam Order Steam starring Ally Sheedy, Kate Siegel and Ruby Dee, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover above! War Games starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover above! Kyle Schickner’s new indie drama Steam had me at “it co-stars Ally Sheedy and Ruby Dee,” but made me a fan when Kate Siegel’s character says, “Mom, I’m a lesbian.” I know it doesn’t sound funny, being out of context and all, but it cracked me up. If you get the chance to see Steam at a film festival, please do. If you can’t find it there, take Mr. Media’s advice and request it in advance at Netflix or Blockbuster. It’s a sweet, satisfying little film with a great cast. Speaking of its great cast, I’m delighted to welcome two of lead actresses from Steam—Ally Sheedy and Kate Siegel—to today’s show, as well as writer/director Kyle Schickner. Ally She

Today's Guest: Dave Franco, Donald Faison, actors, "Scrubs" Picture this: I’m looking up to my left in a thoughtful pose, my right index finger gently tapping against my lower lip. Outwardly, I’m introducing my guests, a.k.a., "Christopher Turk"—and Dave Franco. Inwardly, I’m daydreaming, trying to imagine what their co-star, Zach Braff would be thinking about if he were me Order from Amazon.com by clicking the DVD cover above! How would Braff—who plays “J.D.” on the show—introduce his extremely close friend Faison in a way that would both warm your heart and reveal something unintentionally embarrassing about their relationship? DONALD FAISON audio excerpt: "(J.D. and Turk) are still crazy! They're just considered adults now. You remember how it was when you were all of a sudden considered an adult and you had all the responsibility in the world. But you felt you were as young as the people who look up to you or you were mentoring? That's how Turk and J.D. feel."  And what would he say about Franco, about w

Today's Guest: Andrea Kay, author, Life's a Bitch and Then You Change Careers: 9 Steps to Get You Out of Your Funk & on to Your Future Andrea Kay, author, Life's A Bitch, Work's A Bitch   Order from Amazon.com by clicking the book cover above! It sucks to be unemployed right now and, strangely, it’s not much more comforting to be employed, is it? This seems like an opportune time to talk to a career consultant and executive coach and, frankly, I’m surprised Andrea Kay has time to talk with us. Who ISN’T looking for job advice today? Andrea writes a syndicated weekly newspaper column called “At Work” and is the author of two books, Life’s a Bitch and then You Change Careers and her latest, Work’s a Bitch and then You Make It Work. The good news: I get to say the word “bitch” a lot and no one will be insulted! Andrea Kay Website • Twitter • Facebook • Order Life's A Bitch or Work's A Bitch from Amazon.com Order 'Work's A Bitch' or 'This is How You Get Your Next Job' both by Andrea Kay, available from Ama

Today's Guest: Steven Savile, novelist, Parallel Lines   Parallel Lines by Steven Saville. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above! Watch this exclusive Mr. Media interview with STEVEN SAVILE by clicking on the video player above!  Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience full of potential criminals who know why banks get robbed so often… in the NEW new media capital of the world… St. Petersburg, Florida! If you are geography-challenged, buckle in. My guest today, novelist Steven Savile, is a British writer, living in Sweden, whose latest novel is about a bank robbery gone ridiculously wrong… in Chicago. Got it? STEVEN SAVILE podcast excerpt: "Stephen Hawking has lived more than 30 years with his (ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease) diagnosis. But with others, it can be horribly quick. My uncle has got two kids and both of them suffer from ALS. It's actually a disease that's really close to home. I've seen the effect it has on people. I found it really hard when my father-in-law died of A

Today's Guest: Neal Baer, executive producer "Law & Order: SVU" Law & Order SVU Ultimate Collection Seasons 1-15, Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni. Order your copy today by clicking on the DVD set above! The Law & Order television franchise has passed through numerous stages over its two decades on the air at NBC. There was innovation, as in the split show format of the original; shock, as in the horrible nature of some of the crimes depicted; expansion, as in the addition of series such as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”; ubiquity, as in, “isn’t there anything on besides these doggone crime shows”; and, finally, respect, as in Mariska Hargitay winning the 2006 Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Neal Baer, showrunner, Law and Order: SVU Kill Switch by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene, Mr. Media Interviews NEAL BAER podcast excerpt: "The secret of the show's success? I think it's the teaming of Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni. I

Today's Guest: Wendy Pini, Richard Pini, co-creators, Elfquest Order 'Elfquest Archives Vol. 1' by Wendy and Richard Pini from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above! You know when you meet someone early in your life how that’s the person they will always be in your mind’s eye? That’s how I’ll always see Wendy Pini. I was a teenager with a comic book fixation, and she was a stunning redhead who dressed up at comic book conventions as Red Sonja, the chain-mail, bikini-wearing, female barbarian that emerged from Marvel’s Conan the Barbarian comics. She also participated in a nightclub show put together by comics artist Frank Thorne, with Thorne as “The Wizard.” My friend Bob Pinaha was a little older than me at the time. Well, I guess he’s still older than me, now that I think about it, and he had a real thing for Wendy, so I always saw his latest Polaroid snapshots of her. Wow! We were all doubly impressed over the years as Wendy re-emerged in comics as a successful artist, writer, and publisher and t

Today's Guest: Jeff Garlin, comedian, actor, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Goldbergs" Order 'I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With" from Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover above! Today is a great day to be Jeff Garlin. And for him, tomorrow will probably be an even better day. The sixth season of the hugely popular and hysterically funny HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” starring Larry David and co-starring Garlin, is now underway. But even better, I suspect, for Garlin is that his first movie as writer, director, and star, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, opened on September 5. The New York Times greeted Garlin’s Cheese this way: laid back and affectionate, Cheese is the movie version of a dear friend you could spend all day with. Not bad for a guy from Chicago. Jeff Garlin Website • Twitter • Facebook • Tumblr • By the Way, Jeff Garlin's Podcast • Order Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 1, from Amazon.com • Order I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With from Amazon.com • Order Curbing It by Jeff Garlin from Amazon.

Today's Guest: Ann David, novelist, Bought: A Novel, Party Girl Order 'Bought: A Novel' by Anna David, available from Amazon.com in print or ebook by clicking on the book cover above! I’m probably not the target market for chick lit books, so I approached Anna David’s second novel, Bought, a little skeptically. On the other hand, who doesn’t enjoy a little fiction about high-end prostitution and the sex trade in Hollywood? What I didn’t expect was getting drawn into a subplot about celebrity journalism ethics. That, and a really well told story that puts the reader right in the mind of the story’s lead character, Emma, who kind of drifts through life. Anna David Website • Twitter • Facebook • Byliner • YouTube • iTunes App • The After Party on Facebook • The After Party Group on Twitter •  Order Reality Matters from Amazon.com Order 'Party Girl: A Novel' by Anna David, available in print or ebook from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above! The Millionaire's Convenient Arrangementby Jane Peden. Ord

Today's Guest: Anna David, author, Reality Matters Order 'Reality Matters: 19 Writers Come Clean About the Shows We Can't Stop Watching' edited by Anna David, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover above!   Anna David, editor, Reality Matters Has your television viewing been subsumed by reality television in recent years? I know mine has. Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmare, Big Brother, Survivor, The Dog Whisperer, The Apprentice—original, not the extra-crispy celebrity edition--and even I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here have all enjoyed addictive viewing in the Mr. Media household. I’ve also enjoyed Shark Tank and Stan Lee’s Who Wants to be a Superhero? I’ve cooled on Survivor, now in its 20th season, and Big Brother, which is coming up on its 12th, but I’m surprisingly content to watch the cooking shows for hours on end—even though you’ll rarely catch me doing anything but raiding the refrigerator for leftovers. ANNA DAVID audio excerpt: "When I first came up

Today's Guest: Mark Schultz, comic book artist, creator, Xenozoic Tales, a.k.a., Cadillacs and Dinosaurs   Part 1 of 2 Detail from Xenozoic Tales by Mark Schultz Back in the mid-1980s, when serious comic book fans heard that artist and writer Mark Schultz had created a world that crossed dinosaurs and Cadillacs, their first reaction was: “Cool!” Some no doubt thought that it was too much of a gimmick to succeed. Again: dinosaurs? And Cadillacs? No doubt a big seller at the recently opened Creation Museum in Kentucky, but some couldn’t help but be a little dubious. Until you opened the pages of Xenozoic Tales, that is, and experienced first-hand the ingenious storytelling and rich tapestry of comic art. I remember seeing a couple random issues of the book, which was published for more than a decade, and finding it captivating. But I was outside the comics scene and it wasn’t easy to find. The stories later were published as “Cadillacs and Dinosaurs,” and even adapted into 13 episodes of a popular Saturday mo

Today's Guest: Kelli Williams, actress, "Lie To Me," "The Practice" Kelli Williams, star of 'Lie To Me' and 'The Practice'   Order 'Lie to Me' starring Tim Roth and Kelli Williams, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover above! Kelli Williams is the star of the new Fox drama, “Dollhouse.” Okay, that’s a lie. Kelli Williams is the star of the new Fox drama, “Lie To Me,” which co-stars Chef Gordon Ramsay. Okay, okay, that’s another lie. My upper lip quivered when I said it, my eyes are blinking more rapidly and my blood pressure is racing. But that’s not because I lied; it’s because Kelli Williams—a husband and three kids after rising to prominence as a star of “The Practice”—is just as lust-inducing as ever and she’s about to join us. Kelli Williams IMDB • Wikipedia • Facebook • Twitter BONUS! Listen to Mr. Media's radio interview with "Lie To Me" co-star Monica Raymund!   The Millionaire's Convenient Arrangementby Jane Peden. Order your copy today by clicking on the book cover above!     Th

Today's Guest: Miles O'Brien, TV journalist Miles O'Brien Miles O’Brien was a great guy with whom to start your day. Flip on CNN at breakfast and for years, there he was, a calm and reassuring presence on the news channel’s “American Mornings” program, alongside Soledad O’Brien, giving the headlines, keeping us centered and calm no matter how bad the overnight reports might be. Then, one day, he was gone. Oh, the new duo in the morning are fine and professional, but more than a few of us miss Miles. But after 17 years with CNN, he’s moved on. In fact, he’s constantly moving. Today, he’s in Lakeland Florida—that’s right, nearby the new media capital of the world, St. Petersburg, Florida, the headquarters of the Mr. Media empire—where he premiered a new movie, Over Africa. Tomorrow, who knows where he’ll be. O’Brien is pursuing all of his interests at once in a whirl of activity. Miles O'Brien Facebook • Twitter • Vimeo • Blog "Mean Business: How I Save Bad Companies and Make Good Companies Great" by Albert

Today's Guest: Jonathan Bennett, actor, Van Wilder: Freshman Year, Mean Girls Order 'Van Wilder: Freshman Year' starring Jonathan Bennett, available from Amazon.com by clicking on the DVD cover above! When I was a freshman at the University of Miami back in 1978, Animal House was all the rage and the coolest guys on campus wanted to be like “Otter,” played by Peter Riegert. He knew all the girls, glided through school and was envied by all the guys. Well, it’s 30 years later—damn, where did the time go—and now all the young college dudes want to be like another National Lampoon character: Van Wilder. There have been two Van Wilder movies and two talented actors who played the smooth, suave young dude: Ryan Reynolds—whatever happened to him?—and my guest tonight, Jonathan Bennett, who starred in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: Freshman Year. JONATHAN BENNETT podcast excerpt: "There are more Vans down in the pipeline... I will play Van Wilder until I'm 90, I love that character so much. We can do Van Wilder: Th