Executive producer Allison Grodner spills some Big Brother 10 news - VIDEO
As Big Brother fans patiently await the press conferences and cast announcements for the new season, executive producer Allison Grodner has already been talking to the internet.
Now, what she has been saying interests me. As a long time fan of both the feeds and the show as well as being privy to the internet fan reaction, I’ve seen folks almost demanding a return of actual strangers in the house and more diversity in casting. Will this be our year? Read on past the jump for the video.
This sounds almost too good to be true. It sounds like we’ll see more than a token older person in the cast. Yikes! Perhaps last year’s sex strategy flopping made them realize that a good portion of the fan base doesn’t tune in just to see if 20-something sleazes have a showmance. Will we truly be back to the roots of the show? Strangers in the house? If so, I think we may have one of the best seasons ever!
Andrea Evans returning to One Life to Live
On July 15, 2008, One Life to Live will celebrate its fourth decade on the air. As part of the festivities, a long-time fan favorite is returning to the fold. Actress Andrea Evans is coming back to One Life to Live as Tina Lord Roberts, a role she’s played in two stints on the show, 1978 to 1981, and again from 1985 to 1990. Other actresses have played this part at other times, but for die-hard fans, Andrea Evans is the real Tina. She’s the one who survived a plunge down the Iguaza Falls in Argentina, the one who romanced Max and Cord, the one who drove Viki crazy. In short, this is a very welcomed return. She’ll begin appearing in early June.
The actress, who has been keeping busy with roles on The Bold and the Beautiful and most recently on Passions, told Soap Opera Digest last June that her all time favorite role was Tina. “In every actor’s life, you hope for a role that becomes bigger than yourself and for me, Tina was that role.” No argument here.
“Even though Andrea has not appeared on OLTL since 1990, she has remained among the most requested characters to return to the show,” said executive producer Frank Valentini. “I welcome her home to the role where she made an indelible mark on our audience.”
The return of Tina opens the door for other comebacks. When last seen in Llanview, Tina had divorced scoundrel David Vickers and left Pennsylvania to start over in Baltimore. According to ABC, “Tina has endured a life-altering experience and will have a mysterious connection to one of Llanview’s most powerful citizens. Also, upon her return, Tina will cross paths with her sister Viki and her brother Todd.”
Behind the scenes, there’s another story as well. When Andrea Evans left the show in 1990 it was because she had been unable to shake a stalker. The culprit had been so persistent that he’d even broken into the upper Manhattan studios where OLTL shoots. Shaken and disturbed, Andrea moved to Los Angeles and has worked there ever since. This marks her first employment at OLTL since the time of that stalker.
Terminator 4 Concept Art Revealed, McG Speaks
McG has posted the first update on the official website for Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, featuring our first look at concept art for post-judgment day Los Angeles. Click on the image below to enlarge. I think even the naysayers have to admit, it looks f’n cool.
But to play devil’s advocate: a lot of concept art for even bad movies looks cool. It’s also important to note that this is the first time McG has attempted to reach out to the fans to reassure them that his vision is not to ruin Terminator 4:
“Like you guys, I’ve been a long-time fan of the series and I understand your passion for the Terminator movies — and it’s my full intention to deliver a film that lives up to the previous three installments. I’ve spent time with James Cameron, spoken to Arnold Schwarzenegger, gone over the story with Jonah Nolan, and enlisted Stan Winston,” wrote McG. “Everything we’re shooting is designed to be tactile and real, you’ll be seeing a whole set of inspired designs you’ve never seen before, and best of all you’ll finally get to see some of the post-judgment day future that was only hinted at in the previous movies.”
McG also talks about the casting:
“John Connor will be pushed to the brink. And for me, Christian Bale embodies Connor’s strength and tenacity perfectly. And after visiting Sam Worthington on the set of Avatar, I know he’s perfect for his role,” writes the director. “As you know, Anton Yelchin is playing Kyle Reese, and his prep has been unbelievable. The guy’s been watching all three Terminators incessantly and he’s definitely going to capture the essence of the character Michael Biehn created in Cameron’s first film.”
The music video/commercial turned feature director says that he has already seen the first sequence they shot at Griffith Observatory cut together and claims “Anton and Sam are excellent.”
Discuss: C’mon guys, should we give McG a chance?
Rumor Killer: Natalie Portman not in Indiana Jones 4
It has been almost a ear since Raiders of the Lost Ark actress Karen Allen announced that Natalie Portman was cast as Indy’s daughter in Indiana Jones IV. It’s one of those persisting rumors that has overstayed its welcome, and became a fact in most people’s minds (even IMDb has Portman listed).
“No, Absolutely Not,” George Lucas confirmed to IESB.
So there you have it, we now know less about Indy 4 than we thought we did.
George also confirmed that there will be no more Star Wars movies:
“No, the Skywalkers are done.”
As a long-time fan I must say, thank god.
Indiana Jones IV will hit theaters on May 22nd 2008.