As the new season of The L Word focuses on the US military policy in relation to gays and lesbians, Rose Rollins reveals there’s much more to her character than attitude.
By KINNEY LITTLEFIELD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Attitude? There's a lot more to Tasha than her attitude," Rollins says of the smouldering yet reserved soldier she plays on The L Word.
Then Rollins laughs loudly. You know that deep, throaty laugh that would get any girl going...
It's a laugh that viewers rarely heard from Tasha Williams last season.
It's a laugh that may well be in short supply on the upcoming fifth season of the Showtime series, when Tasha is investigated for homosexual conduct under the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
"Tasha definitely comes to a crossroad," Rollins says during a location shoot at Venice Beach. "She will have to re-evaluate her life."
A captain in the Army National Guard and a decorated Iraqi war veteran, Tasha has remained in the closet throughout her military career.
"Her chances of staying in the military are not good," says executive producer Ilene Chaiken. "The only way someone like Tasha can stay in the military, under the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, is to be completely closeted and say, 'No, I am not gay. These are lies being told about me.' And once charges have been brought, it becomes harder and harder to prove that (they're lies)."
Tasha's troubles started last season, when she fell for out-and-proud Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey. As the relationship deepened, Tasha was cautioned by her commanding officer for openly engaging in homosexual conduct. Meanwhile, Alice and Tasha argued about their perceptions, understanding and experiences of the war in Iraq. Thrown in with some great makeup sex.
In the season premiere (Sunday 6 January) Tasha starts the process of being discharged from the military.
As the season progresses, Alice is used as evidence against Tasha in a two-episode arc featuring Kelly McGillis (Witness, Top Gun) as Colonel Gillian Davis, a by-the-book military lawyer.
"Alice ends up on the stand (at Tasha's hearing)," Hailey says. "That's when you see Alice in her full glory. She's not ashamed to speak out. She's not afraid to put her foot in her mouth. She's not afraid to be out of the closet."
Producer Chaiken says: "I do think of the show as political in many senses, but we endeavour to be true to the politics of our characters. And if you want to tell stories about big issues, you should tell them from the point of view of relationships."
As always, stormy relationships drive The L Word this season, from Bette and Jodi's contentious love connection (or is that triangle), to Shane's infamous hook-ups.
But of all the series' romances, Alice and Tasha's seems the most fragile.
"We have a different point of view on whether this relationship should last," Hailey says of herself and Rollins.
"Alice is very flighty, very pulled by her emotions," Hailey says. "And Tasha is such a solid, conventional, conservative person. The differences they see in each other - that's really beautiful. But sometimes they seem unhealthy. Sometimes it just doesn't fit."
Then again, "you enjoy working so much with each other that you want the characters to stay together," Hailey says. "We laugh hysterically all the time. Have you heard Rose laugh? It’s real infectious."
A former model, Rollins never had qualms about playing the tough girl on The L Word.
"It's my comfort zone. I hold a lot of things in. I'm careful with what I say, especially to people who don't know me well. I will seethe, I will boil, and then I will explode - if needed," she says. "And I think Tasha has a lot of that. But I am a pretty level-headed person overall and so is my character."
Ask Rollins what the future holds for Alice and Tasha and she laughs her signature lion-roar: "Does anyone not see the connection between the two of us?"
Perhaps blurring the lines between reality and fiction ever so slightly, Rollins says: "Alice gets me to loosen up. She aids me in realising what it is I'm fighting for - not the soldier but Tasha as a woman, first. When you don't think we stand a chance, maybe we do. It is a good relationship."
Dallas Roberts has just completed a run in Edward Albee’s one-act plays "Peter and Jerry" at the Second Stage Theatre in New York.
It pairs Albee’s first play, "The Zoo Story," written in 1958, with a new related piece, "Homelife," written in 2001; the famous story of the former — about a reserved middlebrow man who meets a charismatic crazy in the park — now has a contemporary context, when that same middlebrow hero is confronted by his wife in their posh apartment.
NY Times Critic Ben Brantley writes "what makes 'Peter and Jerry' such an essential and heartening experience — aside from the insightful interpretation of a cast made up of Johanna Day, Dallas Roberts and the superb Bill Pullman — is the chance it affords to compare the dramatist of then and now."
The Human Rights Campaign and Showtime present the Season 5
premiere of The L Word. If you live in the States, join thousands of women across the country at a party for equality near you.
Guests of the HRC premiere events will also be given advanced copies of episode 2 of Season 5.
The LA premiere party held at the Factory will feature appearances by the full cast of The L Word, as well as creator / executive producer Ilene Chaiken.
Unresolved romances and a long-simmering film project finally bear fruit in the fifth season of THE L WORD, returning January 2008 to SHOWTIME. Dreams come true and new life paths are forged for many of the show's beloved characters this year – but not without the The L Word's trademark provocative storylines, sizzling sexuality, and heart-rending emotion. The series stars Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Katherine Moennig, Daniela Sea, Rachel Shelley and Pam Grier. Season five's new guest stars include Kelly McGillis and Wallace Shawn, alongside returning special guest stars Cybill Shepherd, Marlee Matlin, Kristanna Loken, Jane Lynch and, returning to a role that earned the program acclaim and controversy, Rose Rollins as Tasha, an Iraq War veteran concealing her sexuality from the military.
Season five's major plot developments include a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" investigation of Tasha Williams (Rose Rollins), a closeted soldier whose moving romance last season with the out-and-proud Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) earned the show an award from the Service members Legal Defense Network.
Series creator and executive producer Ilene Chaiken is proud of the attention her series is bringing to the lingering but still-unresolved issue of gay military service. "I hope Tasha's story will shed light on the military's untenable policy of institutionalized discrimination again gay men and lesbians who sacrifice to serve their county," Chaiken says. "Tasha's experience with 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' only skims the surface of the battles gay service members face everyday. We're grateful to have had the opportunity to tell her story and hope that it sparks consensus, rather than controversy, on the need for policy reform."
Debuting as the tough veteran Colonel Gillian Davis, who is charged with prosecuting Tasha's case, is Kelly McGillis, star of such blockbuster motion pictures as Witness and Top Gun. McGillis brings grit and panache to a role that, like so many in The L Word, is less one-dimensional than it might be first assumed.
McGillis isn't the only exciting fifth season guest star. Chaiken reveals that, "In addition to Jane Lynch and Holland Taylor, we're delighted by the return of Cybill Shepherd and her real-life daughter, Clementine Ford, to play the mother-daughter duo of Phyllis and Molly Kroll." Molly, who insists that she is straight (in contrast to her recently out mother) proves an unexpectedly stalwart foil to legendary heart breaker Shane (Katherine Moennig). Chaiken hints, "As for Shane…let's just say she's back and better than ever, but also more self-aware and prepared to deal with the girl drama she invites.
"Also new to season five is the incredible Wallace Shawn as the wily financier of Jenny's movie," reveals Chaiken. When Jenny's undaunted persistence resurrects her autobiographical movie project Lez Girls with money from a hedge-fund billionaire (Shawn), the polarizing writer soon finds herself behind the camera directing the film, as well as wooing the hot new "It Girl" actress Nikki (Kate French) to star. "The production of Lez Girls is bringing a wealth of new talent to The L Word," says Chaiken, who also cites guest stars Malaya Rivera Drew, who plays Jenny's disturbingly devoted assistant Adele, and Patricia Velasquez as Begonia, a self-possessed actress appearing in Jenny's film. "We are having an absolute blast with Jenny this year as she takes on Hollywood with her movie and its 'fictional' account of the friends' lives," Chaiken laughs.
Another significant story line for season five is the arrival of Dawn Denbo (Elizabeth Keener) and her lover Cindi (Alicia Leigh Willis), a pair of Florida party-girl emigres who open a new establishment to rival longtime hangout The Planet, setting into motion a rivalry with The Planet's owner Kit (Pam Grier) that starts benignly but quickly turns bitter.
Then there are Bette and Tina, the former couple whose on-again, off-again romance remains, for many fans, the heart of The L Word. Despite Bette's continued serious involvement with artist and professor Jodi Lerner (Marlee Matlin), her feelings for Tina seem to be gradually simmering into "on-again" mode, and the feeling could be mutual. The characters' tortured passion will have viewers taking sides and glued to the screen.
When discussing the rollercoaster ride that is Bette and Tina, the executive producer chooses her words carefully. "I am certainly moved by how much the story of Bette and Tina resonates with viewers," Chaiken asserts. "I won't confirm or deny anything just yet but will say that everyone behind the show approached season five with a completely open mind. My personal hope is for Bette and Tina to find happiness, whether as friends and co-parents, or as a couple. We've seen them play both of those roles over the past four seasons and I believe they're ready for resolution. But you'll have to watch to find out which path they chose."
Chaiken has a few more twists and turns planned for the new season, but says that the return of The L Word's characters to the extended family vibe of the early years is the theme that really shapes the new episodes. "Some of our favorite scenes to write and shoot at The L Word have always been the big group scenes – those gatherings at The Planet, or get-togethers at Shane and Jenny's or one of our famous dinner parties," she relates. "If anything defines season five it's a return to the magical friendship among our ladies and the humor it brings to their lives and our stories. At the same time, our characters are growing up and their core relationships to each other and as a group are shifting. In season five, I wouldn't be surprised to see friendships take unexpected, dangerous, heartbreaking…or even romantic detours."
Mia Kirshner is to appear in the upcoming feature film Buy Borrow Steal alongside Heather Graham. The U.K. shoot wrapped earlier this year and the film is currently doing the rounds at film festivals with theatrical distribution to follow.
Graham (Boogie Nights, Austin Powers) portrays Georgina, an ambitious young London professional, who learns she has only one month left in which to conceive a child. After exhausting all possibilities with her baby-phobic boyfriend, Georgina turns to her wildly optimistic friend Clem, played by Mia Kirshner, with whom she sets out to identify and "land" the perfect father for her child.
Janina Gavankar is appearing in this music clip currently on rotation on MTV in India.
The producer and male rapper is Deep, the woman singing in Hindi is Patichee and old R&B Janina sings in English. The female rapper speaking in Punjabi is Navraaz.
Apparently, the loose translation is 'Back the fuck off'.
Sarah Shahi can’t keep her lips off the ladies. I mean come on, she created a whole industry of her own of lesbian therapy after departing The L Word after Shane unceremoniously leaves Carmen de la Pica Morales at the alter. As Detective Dani Reese on Channel Ten’s new series Life, Sarah’s character went looking for a suspect and happened upon a swinging sex party where a lingerie-clad hottie smooches our leather-jacketed pistol packing detective.
Sarah now joins an alumnus of women partaking in some girl-on-girl lip action airing on major US Network shows beginning with Roseanne and Mariel Hemingway on Roseanne, Lucy Liu and Calista Flockheart on Ally McBeal and Winona Ryder and Jennifer Aniston on Friends. But we all know how they ended, don’t we?
In the largest ever private donation to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, an anonymous donor in the UK has given nearly AUD$1.14 million (£490,000) in honour of Erin Daniels and Leisha Hailey for the realism and truth they brought to the breast cancer storyline that ended with the death Dana Fairbanks.
"The donor, who has chosen to remain anonymous, wanted to honour the actresses for their compelling portrayal of a couple dealing with the tragic consequence of breast cancer," said the Foundation's Executive Director Naz Sykes.
"Ultimately, she decided the best way to do that was to give a generous donation that would help us advance the work we are doing to end breast cancer in our lifetime."
The donation will be used to establish The Erin Daniels and Leisha Hailey Fund for Breast Cancer.
In addition to making this donation, the anonymous donor intends to match dollar for dollar every donation made to the fund.
"There are very few times in a woman's life where she feels she's been lucky enough to be part of something that will change lives," says Daniels.
"This is one of those times. I am overwhelmed that my portrayal of Dana's story has inspired such an act of kindness and generosity, and elated to be a part of it. I am thankful that so many women will be given hope due to Dr. Love's programme."
"It is an honour that our breast cancer story line touched someone in such a tremendous way that she so generously gave to such a tragic illness," says Hailey, who plays Alice, one of the shows most significant and best loved characters.
"I am awed by her gesture and it inspires me to act with my conscience and give of myself."
Dr. Susan Love guest-starred on The L Word after Dana was diagnosed with breast cancer.
OurChart.com to Host Online Premiere of the L Word®
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OurChart.com, the leading online social networking, entertainment and lifestyle site for lesbians, announced today that it will be hosting the online premiere of the fifth season of the phenomenally successful SHOWTIME original series The L Word one week before it is available on television. The online series premiere will take place on December 30, 2007 followed by the SHOWTIME premiere a week later on January 6, 2008. The episode and related behind-the-scenes footage will be available for free at www.OurChart.com.
“This is historic, marking the first time a gay or lesbian site has hosted the season debut of any television series,” said Hilary Rosen, founder and President of OurChart.com. “The lesbian community is internet savvy; and is twice as likely as heterosexual women to consider the internet their prime source of entertainment, making OurChart.com a perfect vehicle for The L Word season opener.”
The L Word is a groundbreaking, award-winning hit series on SHOWTIME created and produced by OurChart.com founder and CEO Ilene Chaiken. The television drama revolves around the lives and loves of a group of lesbian and bisexual women in Los Angeles and their friends, family and lovers.
“We think this is our best season of The L Word ever,” said Chaiken. “It’s the biggest, wildest party we’ve thrown, and we’re pretty sure that our fans will find that the fifth season is mindful of the demands and desires they’ve expressed on OurChart.com. We are thrilled to continue our successful relationship with SHOWTIME by hosting the national premiere on OurChart.com, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.”
Launched in January of 2007, OurChart.com has been riding a wave of recognition by major market advertisers seeking to target the increasingly consumer-oriented lesbian market. OurChart.com announced in June that it had reached a user base of over half a million users per month making it one of the largest sites exclusively targeting this important demographic.
“OurChart.com is successful because it expresses what Ilene created with the social and cultural phenomenon of The L Word - a place where gay women and their friends connect with one another around information and entertainment that speaks to their collective lives and lifestyles,” said Rosen. “We know what this community wants and we deliver it consistently. To have the season premiere of The L Word online is the start of another great year for the site.”
About OurChart.com
OurChart.com is the first leading social networking space built entirely to interconnect and engage the lesbian community. The site was inspired by one of the central story lines in The L Word and was founded by a group of prominent women from the entertainment and technology worlds, including The L Word cast members, Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey and Katherine Moennig. OurChart.com is a joint venture with CBS Operations Inc., the parent company of Showtime Networks Inc.
Sarah Shahi plays Detective Dani Reese in Life. A far cry from the smokin' hot dj in short shorts, but worth watching all the same.
In Life, Sarah Shahi plays Detective Dani Reese, a recovering alcoholic who is paired with Detective Charlie Crews, played by Damian Lewis. Crews has returned to the force after spending a dozen years in jail after being wrongfully convicted of murder. He's a millionaire, the result of a settlement with the city, and back to solving crimes and investigating the consipracy that put him behind bars.
Both Leisha Hailey and Jane Lynch lend their voices to the latest episode of American Dad, 20th Century Fox's animated comedy about an eccentric family full of radically different personalities and views.
The plot for the episode entitled Surro-Gate:
When Francine (Wendy Schaal) decides to be a surrogate for her gay neighbors Terry and Greg, Stan's (Seth MacFarlane) Republican blood boils. Although he pretends to be happy, when the baby is born, Stan kidnaps her and heads to the Nebraska boarder, where gay couples have no rights.
If only Bette knew about Nebraska she could have avoided being cooped up in that dingy motel/trailer park at the end of series 3!
Anyway, back with American Dad. Meanwhile Steve and Roger (also voiced by Seth McFarlane) pull a Howard Hughes and become recluses after they think Klaus (Dee Bradley Baker) is out to get them.
If you missed it on 2 December, you can download the episode on demand from it's official website.
Here's what American Dad is all about:
The series revolves around STAN SMITH (Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy), a CIA agent based in Langley Falls, VA, who is an undisputed weapons expert and proud family man. Stan's wife is the sweet, Edith Bunker-esque FRANCINE (Wendy Schaal), who has carefully hidden her party-girl personality for the sake of the conservative man she loves. Stan is constantly butting heads with his ultra-liberal 18-year-old daughter, HAYLEY (Rachael MacFarlane), who is forced to go through an airport-style security check every time she comes home from a day of Women’s Studies classes at the local community college. Hayley's 13-year-old brother is the hapless, geeky STEVE (Scott Grimes), a kid who seems to be on the verge of puberty, but can’t quite make it past the squeaky awkwardness. The Smith household is rounded out by two rather unconventional members. There's ROGER (Seth MacFarlane), the sarcastic space alien Stan rescued from Area 51 who lives in the Smiths' attic; and KLAUS (Dee Bradley Baker), a lascivious, German-speaking goldfish – the result of a CIA experiment gone seriously wrong.
This eccentric family full of radically different personalities is just trying to find a way to love and trust each other during these increasingly stressful times. And with a guy like Stan doing his best to make America safer, it's bound to be a hilarious ride.
Clementine Ford (Cybill Shepherd's real life daughter) will be back in Season 5 of The L Word with a meatier role.
You'll remember her as Phyllis' non-supportive daughter, who flanked the vice-chancellor's flailing husband. This year she returns and becomes entwined with Phyllis' new circle of friends, one of whom takes a liking. Without giving too much away, Phyllis is not happy, and not happy with a number of people. Should be a fun role for Clementine.
Patricia Velasquez (Arrested Development, The Mummy) has been cast in the fifth season of The L Word. Velasquez will play Begoña, a character whose story line deals with the subject of immigration. Begoña links into the world of the L Word ladies through Jenny - Begoña is cast to play Karina / Marina in Jenny's movie Lez Girls. In a recent interview, Patricia Velasquez indicated that her character will be introduced at the end of the upcoming season and is to be developed into a main character if The L Word is renewed for a sixth season.
Patricia Velasquez started her career as an international supermodel, and has since transitioned to film and television.
Outside of her acting work, Patricia Velasquez is a UNESCO artist for peace and has started her own charity, the Wayuu Taya Foundation. The foundation helps to improve the lives of indigenous Latin American groups while choosing to simultaneously respect their culture and beliefs. Because of her charitable spirit she has been a guest on Oprah and has been featured countless times in the Latin media. She is a welcome addition to The L Word and represents yet another reason to hope for a sixth season!
Finally, The L Word has a latino playing a latino.
Taking on the role of Resident Latino in Season 4 was Janina Gavankar who is an American of (East) Indian / Dutch descent. And before there was Papi, there was the much adored Carmen, played by Sarah Shahi. Also born in America, Sarah's family had been forced to leave their native Iran due to political and social unrest caused by the Islamic Revolution. Sarah Shahi is a descendant of the Fath Ali Shah of the Qajar Dynasty and grew up speaking both Farsi and English. Sarah has recently shown off her fluent Farsi in an episode of her new series Life.
Cybill Shepherd makes her Bay Area stage debut in the appropriately titled The Curvy Widow on February 3 at San Francisco’s Post Street Theatre. The iconic blonde will reprise her starring role in this new solo show about the dating and mating habits of a 50-something femme looking for love on the Internet. Written by Bobby Goldman and directed by Scott Schwartz (Bat Boy, Golda’s Balcony), the romantic comedy made its world premiere in Atlanta.
It's not until the final episode of season 4 that one realises just how much Erin Daniels is missed in the show. We say bring on Dana as Alice's conscience permanently - Alice is just wacky enough to pull it off! Failing that, we'll take whatever we can get. Here's a clip from Erin Daniel’s guest spot on CSI: NY. So hot.
Love and Pride jewelry designer Udi Behr has created an "Erase Hate" pendant to help raise funds for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. LoveandPride.com designs rings, watches, necklaces and bracelets for women and men. Ten percent of their revenue is donated to non-profit organizations that support gay and lesbian equality, including Lambda Legal, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The jewelry ranges in price from $30 to $7,000, including the bestselling The L Word and Queer as Folk collections and is available online and at select Saks Fifth Avenue locations.
We can only dream, right...? Wrong! We can hope too! And it apparently isn't such a long shot with talk about the possibilities of a movie length version among The L Word camp.
Leisha Hailey confirmed to her fans that Ilene Chaiken has mentioned the idea of a feature of The L Word, and innocently asked, "I don’t know, would people want that?". The answer was naturally a resounding "Yes".
Kate Moennig backed Leisha up, acknowledging that it has been discussed. But right now Kate is more interested in the immediate future - "I think we are more curious if there’s season 6 - but yes, Ilene has talked about a movie."
It is unprecedented for a series to last more than 5 seasons on Showtime, but Ilene Chaiken has assured fans that it is not a policy. While there is no news on whether there will be a sixth season Ilene Chaiken reitterates that it very much depends on the support of the fans.
Leisha Hailey has said, "I don’t know about season 6. I have a feeling about it, but that’s just me, which means nothing. But it could happen, for sure. Showtime has never had more than 5 seasons of any of their shows, so it would be a big deal. If this season does well, anything can happen. And I have to say, though I say it every year and I've meant it every time, but I think this season is the best season. I’m not kidding, this season is a lot like the first season, but better. Much better."
Another reason why there's a cloud over the potential for a sixth season is that Jennifer Beals was originally contracted for five seasons. Can you imagine? The L Word without Bette?! When asked if she would return for a sixth season, Jennifer Beals apparently flicked a devilish grin and with a twinkle in her eye cheerfully said "Probably".
It will be a long wait until we know the fate of either Season 6 or the feature.
Janina Gavankar has been a notable absence in promos for the up-coming season of The L Word forcing Papi fans to wonder - will she be back? While cast and crew have been tight-lipped about storylines for Season 5, Katherine Moennig recently confirmed that Papi has disappeared into oblivion.
Kate spoke to fans at the L Word Convention in LA about the character Papi and how she was meant to take on Shane in Season 4, a storyline that fell a little flat:
"I think that the idea was interesting in a theory, but I just think it didn’t work on film. The character was rushed because of time. I don’t know what it was but it didn’t work, it didn’t evolve as they planned. It happens. Just like some storylines don’t go, so Papi just disappeared." ~ Kate Moennig
Janina Gavankar has already moved on from The L Word, having already been cast in Dash 4 Cash, a CBS series executive produced by Kelsey Grammar. It's a scripted look behind the scenes of a reality show, which follows six teams who compete in a contest that tests their mettle and brings out the best and worst in each of them.
For a couple of months each year, Showtime opens up its official L Word site for fans all over the world. Usually it is restricted to US residents only, so make sure you take the chance now to check it out. No doubt they'll lock it back up just before the new season starts.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation, the GLBT Center of Colorado and the Denver Film Society will come together December 7-9 to host "Untitled: A Film Festival to Benefit Rainbow Alley." Denver's Rainbow Alley is a GLBT youth center offering counseling, activities and other programs.
The festival will showcase short films, feature films and documentaries about issues often dealt with by gay youth. There will be a meet-and-greet event with Kate Moennig.
Fellow The L Word cast mates attended including Katherine Moennig, Rose Rollins, Rachel Shelley, Mia Kirshner, along with creator Ilene Chaiken. The clip shows stage footage, interviews with the cast and Camilla and Leisha. It reveals a couple of other things – Leisha has had her arm band tattoo removed (almost), the band probably needs to work a little more on their vocals and that Leisha is apparently a "revelation" and "incredibly sexy" on stage!
On the eve of the 38th anniversary of Stonewall, Hillary for President announced the formation of "LGBT Americans for Hillary," a national steering committee of over 65 leaders in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Members of the steering committee include LGBT elected officials, activists from national LGBT and Democratic Party political groups as well as leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment and sports. This leadership committee will work with the campaign on several areas including political outreach, communications, policy advice and counsel, and fundraising.
The list of supporters on the steering committee demonstrates the history of friendship that Hillary Clinton has had with this community and the depth of her support among LGBT leaders. In addition to Ilene Chaiken, the list includes former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Eldie Acheson, sports legend and social pioneer Billie Jean King, film/TV writer and producer Greg Berlanti (Brothers and Sister), General Manager of Olivia Cruises Lisa Henderson, the President of OurChart.com and prominent LGBT activists who have been leaders on issues important to the community.
"I am proud to have the support of such distinguished leaders in the LGBT community," said Clinton. "Together, we can move our nation closer to the promise of fairness and equality that all Americans deserve."
Character actor Wallace Shawn is one of those actors whose face you know but maybe you don’t know his name. Shawn is probably best known as the guy who kept muttering the word "inconceivable" during The Princess Bride. He is best known for his work in comedy.
Wallace Shawn joins the 5th season of The L Word as the money man behind Jenny's "fictional" film, Lez Girls.
So I guess that means Jenny didn't wind up being eaten by sharks or stranded on some remote Pacific island when she set sail in an inflatable boat (sans Sounder the Pomeranian puppy) at the end of last season.
"Insightful, charming, and funny even at 7am, Leisha Hailey, 36, is one of the most affable women in show business. Here, Hailey shares her thoughts on her
musical metamorphosis from Murmurs’ alterna-pop singer to Uh Huh Her's electro-pop fusion. She opens up about her innocent youth in New York and Nebraska, her fateful first trip to a gay bar (the Village's stalwart, the old Cubby Hole), and what she really thinks about gay Hollywood's tacit Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy."
"Uh Huh Her's barely three-month-old EP has received rave reviews from fans and critics alike (expect a full-length LP around March), and the duo is selling out concerts in New York in less than a day. As the inevitable end of The L Word approaches (though we’re banking on a sixth season), Hailey’s branching out, producing documentaries, and making cameo appearances on some of network TV's most successful dramas, Grey's Anatomy and CSI. Let's all hail Hailey's comet as it rises."
Videos of Leisha Hailey's new electro pop band are surfacing across the web. While most are poor quality fan videos with an unsteady camera, less-than-impressive audio and fan chitter chatter, here's a series of clips that are not to be missed.
The L.A. duo Uh Huh Her bring their high heels, neon sign and indie electro-pop to Spinner's NYC studio.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation Honors is an evening of special performances and presentations recognising individuals and organisations for their longstanding leadership in replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance.
On October 27 Jennfer Beals joined T.R. Knight, Lisa Marie Presley and Lily Tomlin in presenting at the event. Among those receiving an award for making a difference were Cyndi Lauper and her sister Elen.
The foundation was established following the hate crime against Matthew Shepard in October 1998. More information is available at the Matthew Shepard Foundation website.
"For the past eight years, the legacy of this remarkable young man's life has challenged and inspired millions of individuals to erase hate in all forms. Although his life was short, it continues to have a great impact on both young and old alike... This tragedy helped the nation wake up to the fact that hate and discrimination still lives in our communities, our schools and our families. Although his life was cut short, the impact of his spirit is great." (Matthew Shepard Foundation)
Local NZ free-to-air TV channel Prime will show new episodes The L Word on Sunday nights from this weekend.
Prime played the first two series of the popular drama, then ended the show's local prime-time run back in May, with their spokesperson promising it would return later this year. The third season - never before transmitted in New Zealand - will begin at 9.40pm on Sunday 28th October.
Filming has commenced on our beloved Soup Chef Lauren Lee Smith's new indie film Helen, in which she co-stars with Ashley Judd.
Helen is a film about "a music professor and mother who suffers from a deep, debilitating depression. Her family tries to help her, but no one can relate to her pain other than a young female student who knows depression all too well."
As co-lead it appears that Lauren Lee Smith will play the young, female student who relates to the pain of Ashley Judd's character, presumably named "Helen".
The filming of Helen has just commenced. It is the English-language debut of Sandra Nettelbeck, writer and director of Mostly Martha.
I'm not sure what was happening at the "5th Annual Gala in the Garden" at the Hammer Museum on Sunday, October 14, 2007 in Westwood, California, but quite a number of The L Word girls were there to help celebrate. The Hammer Museum is well known for it’s assortment of contemporary art works on paper and for their extensive collection of works by French satirist Honore Daumier. The Hammer holds over 7500 pieces by Daumier, the largest collection outside of Paris. Perhaps life does imitate art... maybe Bette (or is that Beals) was after a new job?
The L Word Season 4 is officially released on October 23 - but Amazon.com has already started shipping them. Get your copy to own on DVD today!
It includea the new N technology so that people who buy the DVD can also sample the first two episodes of THE TUDORS and CALIFORNICATION starring David Duchovny.
Other special features on the disc and N technology include:
- The Sundance Diaries with Leisha and Kate
- The Fanlib Winners - a short featurette on the writers of the L Word Fanlib contest, in each of their hometowns.
- The L Word T-shirt design winners
- Our Charts BE SCENE at Dinah Shore
- Cynthia Summer & Udi Behr interview
- A Message from Pam and Leisha
Starting afresh?
You can get the All 4 Seasons with the L Word Awsome Foursome for your complete collection.
Sarah Shahi (Carmen) talks to Advocat.com about her new show Life, her own life after The L Word, type-casting, "dabbling" and THAT sex scene on the toilet with Mia.
Never one to reveal much of her personal life, Sarah once again admits to "dabbling" but elaborates no further. So how does she define "dabble"? She says "A dabble is what you think it is. You try something, and it’s fun and nice at the moment, and then you go, OK, I tried that." We love you anyway Sarah.
"My big thing when I was on the show was that I definitely felt I was representing a group of people who had very little representation on television. And I felt, Leave them the fuck alone. Gay, straight, who gives a fuck? [Gay couples] are no different than heterosexual couples—sometimes they even function better than heterosexual couples. That was the biggest revelation I had on The L Word. What is the big fucking deal? They’re just like everyone else; leave them alone."
... and did The L word make her question her own sexuality?
"Not really. It’s funny, because we were on location, and there were times when I definitely was feeling kind of lonely [giggles] and I was like, Maybe I could..."
The new indy film starring Leisha Hailey La Cucina will premiere tonight (19 October) at the Hollywood Film Festival.
On one warm summer evening, four very important meals are being made. The film follows Lily (Christina Hendrix) who is making a salad for the new man in her life, a much older photo journalist from Spain named Michael (Joaquim de Almeida). In the apartment across the courtyard, a very pregnant Shelly (Leisha Hailey) is making lasagne (or at least trying to) for her husband Chris (Oz Perkins). Shelly's close friend and neighbour Jude (Rachel Hunter) is lost in her passion for cooking as she prepares an elaborate meal for her lover Celia (Clare Carey). But Celia is held up at work on a film about food.
Over the course of the evening, all of the cooks and the guests in their kitchens experience "The heart of the house". They discuss relationships, truth and desire but no one is allowed off the hook when it comes to everything they aren’t saying in La Cucina.
The film is produced by Starlotte Smith, Jackie Olson, Zachary Kahn, Crystal Santos, and writer/producer A.W. Gryphon, and was directed by newcomers Allison Hebble and Zed Starkovich.
Jennifer Beals took a break from filming series 5 of The L Word to join a bevy of beautiful film and television stars at Elle magazine’s 14th annual Women in Hollywood tribute at the Four Season Hotel on Monday 15th October.
Lauren Bacall, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Bosworth were among the honorees.
"ELLE honors the trailblazing actresses and directors who not only represent the best of big-screen glamour but create the greatest American art form. These are the icons, legends, and up-and-comers that are preserving Hollywood’s grand tradition of sparkle and shine."
Kate Moennig will start shooting in March for the indie thriller Remorse, a film that centers on themes of love, death and the fragility of the mind. Kate will star opposite Eion Bailey (Band of Brothers, Almost Famous, And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself and Fight Club).
Remorse, will be directed by Quinn Saunders and produced by Feverpitch Pictures.
Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey take Uh Huh Her on the road, starting their first tour on October 26th in Hollywood and concluding their tour in the UK on December 4th in Cardiff, UK.
October 26th, The Knitting Factory, Hollywood, CA, Show Time: 8pm
November 14th, Media Club, Vancouver, BC
November 15th, Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA
November 16th, Dante's, Portland, OR
November 18th, Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco, CA
November 20th, The Casbah, San Diego, CA
November 21st, Soho Restaurant and Music Club, Santa Barbara, CA
November 30th, Norbreck Castle, Blackpool, UK
December 3rd, The Borderline, London, UK
December 4th, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, UK
And if Uh Huh Her isn't playing in your town... catch their performance on October 26 at your place!
Back in August when Uh Huh Her was in NY they recorded a session with spinner.com. You can watch that performance on spinner.com from the comfort of your own home.
Ok, so it's not the Emmy you're thinking. The L Word Island in Second Life has been nominated for the 59th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards for Advanced Media Technology.
It has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for Best Use Of Commercial Advertising on Stand-Alone Broadband Devices (Personal Computers). That's right, Showtime are nominated for getting commercial advertising onto your computer.
Make an online bid for a photo of Kate Moennig with a little doggy by critically acclaimed photographer Catherine Opie and support PAWS/LA.
PAWS/LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support/Los Angeles) announces "ROCK THE CATSBAH” its Ninth annual PET ART Auction featuring artwork by some of the most renowned contemporary artists in the US. PET ART 9 will include live and silent auctions, fashionable pet items, designer martinis and hors d’oeuvres.
Created in 1989, PAWS/LA assists individuals who have been physically and financially debilitated due to a life-threatening illness, to help keep and care for their companion animals. Currently PAWS/LA assists almost 2,000 Los Angeles residents and their 2,500 plus pets. The agency provides food, veterinary care, in-home care, grooming needs and other essentials. Pet Art has become the signature event of this highly respected organization.
The auction takes place at the Avalon Hollywood, online at www.PawsLA.org.
It has been reported that Katherine Moennig was desperate to carve out a career as a doorman - because she loved the smart uniforms. The 29-year-old actress spent her childhood living on the 12th floor of an apartment block in Philadelphia, and was impressed by the building's attendants so much she wanted to follow in their footsteps.
She says, "I always wanted to be a doorman when I grew up. They were my friends. I thought the uniform was cool and it seemed like an easy job."
Dutch boxer-turned-actress Lucia Rijker, who appeared briefly in The L Word's second season as Dana's trainer, has been cast in six episodes of the new season as Dusty, a potential love interest for Helena (Rachel Shelley), according to a new interview with Rijker in Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
The L Word's director Jamie Babbit's Itty Bitty Titty Committee opens in a single theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 28 — Laemmle's Sunset 5 on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood — and tickets are only available online.
"POWER UP's first feature film, the Jamie Babbit-directed Itty Bitty Titty Committee, is something of a rare gem: a genuinely funny and occasionally endearing look at grassroots-style feminist groups and the feisty young women who run them.
Shot on a shoestring budget, Itty Bitty is an entertaining crowd-pleaser that both celebrates and pokes gentle fun at the grungy, punk-rock world it depicts." - afterellen.com
The film stars Melonie Diaz, Nicole Vicius and Daniela Sea with appearances by Guinevere Turner (Go Fish, The L WordD.E.B.S.), Clea DuVall (But I'm A Cheerleader), Melanie Lynsky (But I'm A Cheerleader) and Joel Michaely (But I'm A Cheerleader).
The movie La Cucina with Leisha will have its World Premiere at the 11th Annual Hollywood Film Festival in October.
(Oct. 17 to 22, 2007).
"La Cucina is a small movie with a big impact that takes us through the love, lies, hopes and dreams of seven seemingly different, but very similar people over the course of one evening. They are two very different stories, "but in love there is always a common thread" says Gryphon, "whether it is supernatural or ordinary, it is ultimately what motivates all of us to do what we do." - MMD Newswire.com
The film also stars Joaquim de Almeida (Patriot Games), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Rachel Hunter, Oz Perkins, Kala Savage and Clare Carey and will World Premiere at the Hollywood Film Festival in October.
