As a tribute to Freddie Mercury, the frontman of the rock band Queen who died on November 24, 1991, the Muppets recently released their own cover of Queen's 1975 hit, "Bohemian Rhapsody", which was the most-watched video on YouTube last week. As of today, the clip has received 7.8 million views. You just gotta love the Muppets--but if I had to choose a favorite, I'd probably go with Janice, the blonde lead guitar player of the Electric Mayhem band. She's so groovy. Monday, November 30, 2009
Groovy Music: Bohemian "Muppet" Rhapsody
As a tribute to Freddie Mercury, the frontman of the rock band Queen who died on November 24, 1991, the Muppets recently released their own cover of Queen's 1975 hit, "Bohemian Rhapsody", which was the most-watched video on YouTube last week. As of today, the clip has received 7.8 million views. You just gotta love the Muppets--but if I had to choose a favorite, I'd probably go with Janice, the blonde lead guitar player of the Electric Mayhem band. She's so groovy. 
Happy Holidays from The Supremes!
It's the most wonderful time of the year once again, so in the spirit of the season, I will be featuring more of my favorite holiday moments here on Deep Dish during the next month (you can check out the ones from last year in the Happy Holidays sidebar).Here is a video of The Supremes singing "Children's Christmas Song" on TV's Hullabaloo!, which was hosted by actor Robert Vaughn on December 13, 1965.
Dish of the Day #291: The Photography of Joem Bayawa
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Of 'Glee' I Sing: The Untold Story of Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobbie
Favorite character: For the second week in a row, I have to go with Rachel Berry, who deserves this high honor just for dressing up like slutty Sandy in Grease and singing "You're the One That I Want" with Finn. And I'm adding the wonderful Lea Michele to my long list of Glee actors who deserve Emmy nominations next year. She's absolutely fabulous as Rachel, whose two fathers need to make an appearance someday soon.
Best guest star: Michael Hitchcock (who has appeared in several Christopher Guest films) as Dalton Rumba, the hard-of-hearing glee club director at Haverbrook School for the Deaf. The talented actor can make anything funny.
Blandest guest star: Eve as Grace Hitchens, the glee club director at the Jane Addams Academy for girls. Apparently the singer was offered the role after Whitney Houston declined it, and she's contracted to appear in a second episode of the show. I was surprised that Eve didn't sing, and the boring Ms. Hitchens didn't really do much of anything.
Least favorite character: Terri's annoying sister, Kendra, returned, but she did have the following funny line after learning that Quinn got her three little mongrels/sons to take a bath--"What are you? An exorcist?"
Best new look: Rachel's, of course. Maybe Finn is gay because even I thought she was hot. She certainly didn't look like a "sad clown hooker", which was a very odd thing for Finn to say.
Best '70s look: Rachel's very Mary Richards blue pantsuit.
Best new word: Hairography--frequent, dramatic hair-tossing while performing in order to distract from the fact that the person is not really a good dancer and their vocals are just so-so.
Best magazine: Splits, in which Sue was named cheerleading coach of the decade.
Most unexpected plot twist: Puck and bitchy cheerleader Santana "sexting" (sexy texting) each other--but, baby, he's a dude who has needs.
Best non-musical scenes: When Rachel confronted Kurt about his devious makeover scheme and realized that he's also in love with Finn. I also liked when Puck gave Quinn a book called How to Raise a Baby on Five Dollars. That boy is so sweet.
Best musical performance: Even though I enjoyed Rachel and Finn's Grease tune, I loved the deaf glee club's beautiful duet with New Directions of John Lennon's "Imagine". It was quite moving.
Worst musical performance: The very disappointing mash-up of "Hair" and Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" just didn't work. And I was looking forward to a groovy rendition of the original "Hair". Quinn's version of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" didn't do much for me either, but maybe I just found it a strange song to sing to kids.
Best instrumental song: Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Don't Make Me Over", which was originally sung by Dionne Warwick. A cover of this tune by Amber Riley is featured on the Glee: The Music, Volume 2 CD, but she didn't sing it in the episode. Was it cut from the broadcast? Or will it be featured in an upcoming episode? Inquiring minds want to know because I've always loved the song.
Most politically incorrect line that was still amusing: "It's like cool epilepsy" - Brittany about hairography
Best line runners-up: "If you can't take Mohammed to the mountain, then you have to get Mohammed to bring the mountain down to his house, Mohammed's house...wherever he's staying" - Emma
"I'm starting to realize that what I need right now, even more than looser pants, is acceptance" and "Hey, Kurt, can I pick your pink brain for a second?" - Quinn
"Rachel somehow manages to dress like a grandmother and a toddler at the same time" - Kurt
Best line: "Most of the time I find it hard to be in the same room with you. Especially this one, which looks like where Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobbie come to hook up" - Kurt to Rachel about her bedroom
That's my Glee review for this week. Until next time, keep singing!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Happy Holidays from those Mean Girls!
It's the most wonderful time of the year once again, so in the spirit of the season, I will be featuring more of my favorite holiday moments here on Deep Dish during the next month (you can check out the ones from last year below).
First up is Gretchen Wieners, Regina George, Cady Heron and Karen Smith (Lacey Chabert, Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried) singing "Jingle Bell Rock" from the hysterically funny 2004 film, Mean Girls.
Happy Holiday favorites of 2008
The Carpenters
The Carringtons (Dynasty)
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dawn Davenport (Female Trouble)
Designing Women
Doris Day
The House Without a Christmas Tree
Judy (Garland) and the Kids
Knots Landing
Mariah Carey
Meet Me in St. Louis
Mitzi Gaynor
Nat King Cole
The Ricardos and Mertzes (I Love Lucy)
Samantha Stephens (Bewitched)
Sonny & Cher
Friday, November 27, 2009
Dish of the Day #290: Vote for your Favorite
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning today you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week in the sidebar poll.
Last week's big winner was #284 with 45.5% of the 112 votes cast. In second place was #283 with 20.5%, followed by #281 (18.8%), #285 (8%) and #282 (7.1%).
Last week's big winner was #284 with 45.5% of the 112 votes cast. In second place was #283 with 20.5%, followed by #281 (18.8%), #285 (8%) and #282 (7.1%).
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Dish of the Day #289: Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Broadway Bound: The Addams Family Singers
I highly recommend that everyone move toward the darkness and go see the new musical version of The Addams Family. For a show filled with creepy, kooky folks who enjoy anything ooky, it has a surprisingly sweet center that will leave you smiling. And having seen a preview performance last night, I predict that Gomez, Morticia and the rest of their ghoulish gang will be crooning some happy tunes for many years to come.
The Addams Family doesn't officially open in Chicago until December 9, but since I doubt I'll be invited that night, I'm going to tell you what I experienced in full SPOILER detail so please don't read any further if you prefer not to know. I'm sure the show will change between now and opening night (and before it opens on Broadway next April), but I hope composer Andrew Lippa, book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (who wrote Jersey Boys), and all the producers don't ruin a good thing. Most of what is currently on stage is working quite well, so--except for a few tweaks here and there and perhaps a couple of new songs--I would suggest that they just sit in the theater and listen to their audiences. Everyone seemed to love the show last night, and they couldn't wait to give the brilliantly talented cast a standing ovation--even the young man sitting in front of me who entertained his girlfriend during intermission by placing his bubblegum in the middle of his program in order to then pull the stuck pages apart. He had a great time--and so will you.
Now let's start at the very beginning and proceed from there:
Overture: Hey, any musical that has one of these nowadays earns brownie points from me.
"Clandango": This opening number isn't my favorite song, but it does effectively introduce the family and their ancestors (the latter are the 11 chorus members who appear quite frequently throughout the show). The scene takes place in the cemetery where the Addamses are celebrating the 18th birthday of their daughter, Wednesday, whom unexpectedly has fallen in love with a "normal" boy.
"Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love": The most repeated tune of the evening is this little ditty by Uncle Fester (Kevin Chamberlin), who also acts as an amusing narrator to the story. Chamberlin is a total delight who definitely deserves a Tony nomination come next June.
"Pulled": This is one of my favorite songs in the show, and it's sung by Wednesday, who's played by an amazing young actress named Krysta Rodriguez. She has appeared on Broadway in In the Heights, Spring Awakening and A Chorus Line, and despite being surrounded by so much overwhelming talent onstage, this girl is the main attraction. Her Wednesday is hilarious--and, boy, can she sing. Ms. Rodriguez better get a Tony nomination or I'm coming to the Big Apple to beat some asses. Anyway, in this scene Wednesday is trying to come to terms with her new feelings of love while torturing her little brother, Pugsley.
"Passionate and True": Here's a nice duet between Gomez and Morticia, who sing about their marriage. Initially Nathan Lane's Gomez is exactly how I expected him to be--The Producers' Max Bialystock with a mustache and accent. However, as the show progresses, a much more tender and gentle side of the character is revealed in his performance. But no one knows how to deliver a funny line better than Mr. Lane, who is a comic genius.
"One Normal Night": Morticia has insisted on inviting Wednesday's boyfriend, Lucas, and his parents, Mal and Alice, to dinner at their lovely home. Wednesday and her family all sing about having one normal night for this important meeting between the two families.
"Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love 2": Wednesday and Lucas join Uncle Fester and the Ancestors on this reprise, and I must sing the praises of the vocally talented--and very handsome--Wesley Taylor, who plays Lucas. He and Ms. Rodriguez make a cute and charismatic couple worth rooting for.
"At Seven": Lucas and his parents have already arrived for dinner by the time of this tune, in which Gomez and Mal become better acquainted in the former's basement of horrors, while Morticia and Alice have an enlightening chat. The four of them sing about their marriages, and "At Seven" refers to Gomez and Morticia's nightly ritual of dancing the tango.
"What If": Another terrific number that gives Adam Riegler a chance to shine in his role as Pugsley. You might remember this young actor from his hysterically funny YouTube videos about Cubby Bernstein's quest to win Xanadu the Best Musical Tony a few years ago. He's just as perfect in the role of Pugsley, who laments to his grandmother about missing his sister's torturous affection. Now I must also mention the fabulous Jackie Hoffman, who plays the pot-smoking Grandma and steals every scene she is in. Unfortunately, she's not in that many scenes. I wanted more Grandma! Give the old gal a show-stopping duet with Uncle Fester or even her own brief solo. Ms. Hoffman is another comic genius that deserves more than she's getting so far in the musical.
"Full Disclosure", "Waiting", and "Full Disclosure (Part 2)": These three connected songs end Act One as the family insists on playing "The Game" with their guests after dinner, despite Wednesday's protests. The game is called "Full Disclosure", in which everyone takes a drink of wine and then reveals something they've never told anyone before. It's a fun and catchy tune with the entire cast, but after Alice (Carolee Carmello) drinks some wine laced with one of Grandma's potions, she suddenly becomes a brand new person who tells the truth about her miserable marriage. In her wonderful solo number, "Waiting", Carmello makes us see another side to her silly poetry-spouting wife and mother. It's one of the best scenes in the entire show. And then the act comes to a close with Uncle Fester conjuring up a storm to keep their guests from leaving.
Act Two opens with a brief tune by the Ancestors, and then we finally get Morticia's big number, "Second Banana", in which she tells us how she feels about her own life and marriage. We all know and love actress Bebe Neuwirth, who plays Morticia. She won two Emmy Awards as Lilith on Cheers and a Tony as Velma in the musical, Chicago. The lady is brilliant, but in The Addams Family, she's got the most difficult and challenging role as Morticia, whose long, skintight dress almost seems to constrain her performance. It also doesn't allow her to show off her incredible dancing legs that were so prominently featured in Chicago. And both Rodriguez and Carmello have better songs to sing. I liked "Second Banana", but I wanted it to build into a more powerful tune. And her brief reprise of it just fades away as she walks off stage, which is a shame. Besides Grandma's unfortunate absence (especially in Act Two), I was most disappointed by the character of Morticia. Bebe deserves better, too, so hopefully Lippa can successfully tweak "Second Banana"--or just write her a brand new song.
"The Moon and Me": One of the most visually stunning numbers in the show as Uncle Fester gets to meet his true love, the moon. It's Chamberlin's best scene.
"Happy/Sad": And here's Nathan Lane's best scene as Gomez sings this ballad to his daughter. It's the sweetest moment in the musical.
"Crazier Than You": A great duet for Lucas and Wednesday.
"Let's Not Talk About Anything Else But Love 3": Gomez, Mal and Uncle Fester croon this reprise together, and the scene ends with the best special effects of the evening as Mal becomes better acquainted with Bernice, the giant squid who lives beneath the family's home. Bernice is the marvelous masterpiece of puppeteer Basil Twist and Special Effects Designer Gregory Meeh, who provide many eye-popping and jaw-dropping moments throughout the musical with their handiwork. I especially loved Morticia's flesh-eating plant, who makes an all-too-brief appearance early on. And once you add in directors/designers Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, who have collaborated together to create the dark but totally inviting onstage world of The Addams Family, you've got yourself a production that is a scrumptious feast for the eyes from start to finish. I hope all four men are richly rewarded next year for their impressive efforts.
"Teach Me How to Tango": An enjoyable duet between Gomez and Alice.
"The Swordfight/Tango!": The show's almost over, but at least we finally get to see Bebe's legs as Morticia and Gomez have a swordfight and a tango in order to resolve their marital problems (she was feeling really old--and she wasn't too pleased to catch her husband dancing with another woman). Neuwirth and Lane are at the top of their game in this rousing number, which the audience adored.
"In the Arms": This is the strangest number of the show as Mal (played by Terrence Mann) returns from his visit with Bernice a changed man, and he and Alice reconcile and sing a reprise of the song. Mann has to play the "bad guy" of the show--even though he isn't all that terrible--but I was glad to see him finally get his moment in the spotlight with this tune. However, a song about a life-altering experience with a giant squid is probably the first of its kind.
"Move Toward the Darkness": The grand finale with the full company and, of course, a happy ending (it's a musical comedy, folks). And I did leave the theater humming this tune, which is always a good sign.
Two final comments: Yes, the cast does briefly do the memorable finger-snapping theme song of the TV series, but they do not sing the words. Note to creators: Have the cast perform this tune during the curtain call--the audience will love it. Also, I was tickled that most of the audience enjoyed Gomez's obscure--but hilarious--reference to a 50-year-old television sitcom. I'm not sure if the bubblegum boy in front of me understood it, but I appreciated the pop culture reference.
Well, that's my review. As I said before, I'm sure there will be some changes before the show opens on Broadway next spring, but what's currently onstage here in Chicago is pretty damn good.
So get a witch's shawl on.
A broomstick you can crawl on.
And pay a call on
The Addams Family.
The Addams Family runs until January 10 in Chicago and begins its Broadway previews on March 3. For tickets and further information, go to www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com. You can also become a Facebook fan of the show by clicking here.
Dish of the Day #288
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Groovy Guy: Maxwell Caulfield
Grease 2 isn't a great movie, but I do have to thank it for introducing me to Maxwell Caulfield, who starred as geek-turned-hunk Michael Carrington in the 1982 film. And 27 years later the actor is still a handsome and talented hunk, who celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday. The guy is just too gorgeous for his own good, but I've greatly appreciated his frequent shirtless appearances over the years--especially as bad boy Miles Colby on the Dynasty spin-off, The Colbys. So here's to Mr. Caulfield, who will forever be my "Cool Rider"--and if Michelle Pfeiffer has a problem with this, she knows where to find me. Here are 10 Groovy Facts about Maxwell Caulfield:
1) He was born Maxwell Maclaine on November 23, 1959, in Derby, England.
2) His American stepfather, a Marine instructor, kicked him out of the house at the age of 15. Caulfield later became a go-go dancer at Raymond Revue Bar, a famous striptease club in London, before moving to the U.S. when he was 18.
3) He made a great impression on New York audiences in 1981 when he played the title role in the acclaimed off-Broadway revival of Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr. Sloane.
4) Caulfield was selected from thousands of applicants to star with another young newcomer, Michelle Pfeiffer, in Grease 2, but the film opened on June 11, 1982, opposite E.T. and was a critical and commercial disaster. He's been quoted as saying, "Before Grease 2, I was called the next Richard Gere, then after Grease 2, nobody would touch me."
5) He performed completely nude for 40 minutes with actress Jessica Tandy in the 1985 off-Broadway play, Salonika.
6) Caulfield appeared in Beverly Hills 90210's pilot episode in 1990 as lawyer Jason Croft, an older man interested in Shannen Doherty's Brenda Walsh until he discovered she was only 16.
7) The actor made his Broadway debut in 1995 in J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls.
8) He played Rafe Barrett on the 2000-01 Comedy Central series, Strip Mall, a spoof of prime time soap operas.
9) On December 2, 1980, Caulfield, who was then 21, became the third husband of actress Juliet Mills (Passions, Nanny and the Professor), who is 18 years his senior, after they met while starring together in a touring production of the play, The Elephant Man. They are still happily married today.
10) Caulfield will be leaving his role as bigamist Mark Wylde on the British soap opera, Emmerdale, in early January when his character's shady past finally catches up with him. He's been playing the part since January 2009.
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Morticia Addams
Every Tuesday I post five questions relating to television or film, and the first person who sends me the correct answers wins the highly coveted Auntie Mame Award (for excellence in trivia).Please send your answers for this week's questions to deepdishdrama@aol.com or via a private Facebook message (DO NOT post your answers on here where everyone can see them or they will be deleted). In honor of the new stage musical of The Addams Family that is currently having its pre-Broadway tryout in Chicago, this week's theme is the 1964-66 TV sitcom.
1) What was the name of the family's butler?
2) What was the name of the disembodied hand that usually appeared out of a small wooden box?
3) What was the middle name of Wednesday Addams?
4) What was the name of Gomez's short cousin who was completely hidden by his extremely long hair?
5) What actress played Morticia? And what daytime soap opera did she later appear on?
Last week Kenneth Stein answered the following questions about the film, Valley of the Dolls, correctly:
1) What role does author Jacqueline Susann play in the film? A reporter
2) Whose version of the film's theme song became a big hit in 1968? Dionne Warwick
3) What is the first and last name of Neely's second husband? Ted Casablanca
4) Fill in the blanks of the following quote: "They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you come crawling back to Broadway. But Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope. Now get out of my way, I've got a man waiting for me."
5) What character sings "It's Impossible"? And what character sings "I'll Plant My Own Tree"? Neely O'Hara, Helen Lawson
Dish of the Day #287
In honor of Thanksgiving, this week I'm featuring five dishes to be thankful for. Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Groovy Gay Comics: Manly Men Who Love The Nightlife
Lazarov's latest book is NIGHTLIFE, in which he has teamed up with Swedish illustrator Bastian Jonsson to provide us with three new wordless short stories about the intimate encounters between strangers in the night. The first one is "Hard Cases", in which two hunky guitar players meet during a bar's open mic night and soon take their "hard cases" home for some fine-tuning--if you get my drift. The second tale is called "Layover", in which we are introduced to two horny businessmen who get better acquainted after a storm cancels their flights. And last--but certainly not least--is "Closing Time" about a studly bar bouncer who spends the night at the messy apartment of a much younger customer. The combination of Lazarov's expert storytelling and Jonsson's exquisitely explicit artwork couldn't be better as there's something for everyone in NIGHTLIFE--hairy and smooth chests, bulging biceps and other appendages, a couple of Big Boy dildos and, of course, loads of hot, sticky sex.
So if you're looking for a quick, steamy read to give to your man this Christmas, look no further. He'll have a good time with the men of NIGHTLIFE--or maybe the two of you could look at it together--in bed--some cold and snowy evening in order to keep warm. Trust me, it will do the trick--even if you live in Florida.
To pre-order NIGHTLIFE on Amazon, please click here. You can also check out some images from the book on the publisher's website by clicking here.
OUTTAKE VOICES with Marc Harshbarger
Yes, it's true. I did my very first audio interview last Friday with the fabulous Charlotte Robinson, an Emmy Award-winning TV producer/director who currently hosts OUTTAKE VOICES, an innovative series that provides intimate interviews with LGBT leaders and their allies. I've always considered myself more of an "ally" than a "leader" in the gay community, but as Charlotte says, "we're all gay activists until we get equal rights." And I'm flattered that she asked me to be on her groovy show, where she's interviewed a diverse group of people, including activist Cleve Jones, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Alan Ball (American Beauty, True Blood), comedian Kate Clinton, openly gay Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Chicago's very own Tracy Baim (who recently produced the new lesbian drama, Hannah Free, starring Sharon Gless), and filmmakers John Waters, Guy Maddin and Robert Lee King. To be included among such an impressive crowd is a bit overwhelming to say the least. I'm quite pleased with my OUTTAKE segment--but if I'm ever interviewed again, I must remember to have a glass of water handy so I don't sound like actress Brenda Vaccaro by the end. OUTTAKE VOICES is produced by Boston-based OUTTAKE MEDIA, a site dedicated to freedom of speech, the pursuit of happiness and civil rights for all. You can check out their blog by clicking here, and for my interview, click on the OUTTAKE logo below.
Dish of the Day #286: Dishes To Be Thankful For
In honor of Thanksgiving, this week I'm featuring five dishes to be thankful for. Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Soap Dish: James Franco's 'Hospital' Visit
I'm never been a big fan of the daytime soap opera, General Hospital, not even during its Luke and Laura glory days in the early '80s. Back then I was watching Meg Ryan and Dana Delany on As the World Turns, which was a far more traditional drama (i.e. there weren't any bizarre sci-fi stories like GH's evil Mikkos Cassadine placing the town of Port Charles under a deep freeze in order to achieve world domination). And in the last ten years, General Hospital has pretty much become a cross between The Godfather and The Sopranos with the character of mobster Sonny Corinthos dominating the show. Although I like both the 1972 Oscar-winning film and the HBO series, I prefer my daytime soaps to be mob-free.However, I am a fan of actor James Franco, whom I enjoyed on TV's Freaks and Geeks and in the film, Milk. So when I heard the surprising news that he was going to appear on General Hospital for at least ten episodes over a two-month period, I, of course, had to tune in. His first show was on Friday, and here's my review of his performance and the soap:
Special Guest Star Franco plays "Franco", a mysterious but world-famous photographer/artist who, of course, has some sort of hidden agenda. He's also a killer as he crushed the windpipe of an injured mobster with his foot. Nice guy--and he's also involved with an equally mysterious woman played by Marsha Thomason (Naomi on TV's Lost). "Franco" apparently has some issues with mobster Jason (Steve Burton), which will come to light in his future appearances. As for the actor Franco, he's fine in the role, which so far doesn't stretch his thespian talents too much. But, unfortunately, the rest of the show didn't entice me enough to tune in again.
There is some nice eye candy on GH supplied by actors Tyler Christopher and Brandon Barash. The former plays Nikolas Cassadine (grandson of Mikkos), who is secretly fooling around with Liz, his half-brother Lucky's fiancée. I really can't blame the girl since the hunky Nikolas is hot and Lucky--as played by Jonathan Jackson--looks like a baby-faced teenager. I'm not sure why the show recently replaced actor Greg Vaughan, who played Lucky for almost seven years, with Jackson, who originated the role back in 1993. Maybe they wanted someone younger (Jackson is 27, Vaughan is 36), but Vaughan and Christopher (who's 37) were more evenly matched--making it much harder to choose between Lucky and Nikolas. Right now there's no contest, despite Liz's anguish.
As for Barash, he's stuck in a dreary storyline with the woman he loves, Olivia, whose son is an undercover cop hoping to put Sonny behind bars for all the crimes he's committed. On Friday's episode The Sonny Corinthos Story was still front and center with lots of boring gunfire, while the actual General Hospital was nowhere to be seen. And I was also disappointed by the absence of the fabulous Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) and the show's former star, Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary). Nothing against the talented Maurice Bernard, who has played Sonny since 1993 (and whom I liked as Nico on All My Children), but I do find it odd that the show now revolves around his character.
I think it's great for all soap operas that a popular young film actor like James Franco has taken an interest in the genre, and hopefully others might follow in the future. But I still can't help being a bit curious about Franco's unexpected decision. From what I've read, the idea of joining the soap came from his friend and artistic collaborator, filmmaker Carter, and that it's somehow connected to a feature film that they're working on together. As for how the actor chose GH over the other six daytime soaps, that's easier to answer--his manager also represents Steve Burton, so it makes perfect sense to go with the show of a fellow client. However, General Hospital's shoot-'em-up, bang-bang environment leaves this soap opera enthusiast longing for some good old-fashioned love in the afternoon.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Deeper Dish with Frances Sternhagen
In 1979 my parents took me to see the film, Starting Over, starring Burt Reynolds as a recently divorced man torn between his new girlfriend (Jill Clayburgh) and his ex-wife (Candice Bergen). I still adore this movie today, but I'm especially fond of it for introducing me to the wonderful Frances Sternhagen, who plays Burt's sister-in-law. She and her onscreen husband, Charles Durning, make a delightful couple and steal every scene they are in. And ever since the film, I've been a fan of Frannie's.The actress made her Broadway debut in 1955 as Miss T. Muse in The Skin of Our Teeth, and she went on to win two Tony awards for her performances in the 1974 production of Neil Simon's The Good Doctor and in the excellent 1995 revival of The Heiress. She has received five other Tony nominations for her roles in the original Broadway productions of Equus (1975) and On Golden Pond (1979) as well as for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (1972), the musical, Angel (1978), and the 2002 revival of Morning's at Seven. Her most recent Broadway role was as Clairee in the 2005 production of Steel Magnolias with Delta Burke and Christine Ebersole.
However, Sternhagen is probably best known for her memorable television roles as Cliff Clavin's mother on Cheers (for which she received two Emmy Award nominations), John Carter's grandmother on ER, and, of course, her Emmy-nominated performance as Bunny MacDougal, Charlotte's mother-in-law on Sex and the City. She has also appeared in many films over the years, including Up the Down Staircase (1967), Bright Lights, Big City (1988), See You in the Morning (1989), Misery (1990), The Laramie Project (2002), and The Mist (2007). And the fabulous lady has continued to entertain us this year with her recurring role as Kyra Sedgwick's mother on TV's The Closer and an amusing cameo as Irma Rombauer, author of The Joy of Cooking, in the film, Julie & Julia. I am so thrilled and honored to have Frances Sternhagen here on the Dish to discuss her amazing career and answer a few pop culture questions.
Let's begin with Julie & Julia. How did you get cast in the role of Irma?
Nora Ephron simply said to me that I was the first person she thought of for the role, offered it to me, and that was that.
How was your experience working on the film?
I loved working with Meryl and Helen and Linda, but I didn’t like that I didn’t get to go Paris--our scene was shot in New York.
What is the most memorable moment you have had while performing onstage?During The Heiress, Cherry Jones and I, both exhausted, lost our footing on the stairs; there was no wall, only a scrim, so we had nothing to grab onto and we both fell. We tumbled quite literally like tumbleweeds, or bad gymnasts, down the stairs. Now, we are supposed to be in the 19th century, but the stage manager came out in jeans and called a stop to the show. Cherry turned to the audience and said, "Please be patient. Give us a few minutes and we’ll start again. I did not try to kill Frannie." We resumed the show, but I didn't get a single laugh because everyone was concerned about the poor lady who took a tumble.
Out of all the Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater you've done, what stage role have you enjoyed performing the most?
I can't limit myself to just one role. I've been fortunate in the roles I've played, and among my favorites are Margery Pynchwife in The Country Wife, Flora in A Slight Ache, Dora in Equus, Nancy in Seascape, and Ethel in On Golden Pond.
You've appeared in many interesting films and television shows over the years. What's the first thing that pops into your mind about:
Up the Down Staircase?
I had very little to do, but I spent some time with Eileen Heckart and enjoyed it enormously because she was such a fabulous, entertaining person.
Starting Over?
Loved Charlie Durning and loved having the chance to play an interesting, somewhat witty character who really had little to do with the rest of the story. She was just fabulous for the sake of being fabulous. I also love that Tennessee Williams nearly wet himself from laughing at a line I had in the film.
See You in the Morning?
Well, it was director Alan Pakula's real-life story, and I played his mother-in-law, whom he liked. My part of the story was happy and pleasing to him, while the overall story is rather mournful.
Cheers?
Every single person was fun and wonderful, and Ted Danson was a real leader, and everyone relied on him for opinions and style. I was in one episode where I thought I was mean, rather than funny, and I must have muttered this to someone. And Ted came to my defense and had things changed. This show was a perfect package.
Sex and the City?
Clever writing, and I particularly enjoyed working with Kyle MacLachlan, who is such a nice man. And the girls! All wonderful, and all right here in NYC, close to home.
The Closer?
A good, strong company; a great detective story. James Duff, the show’s creator and producer, is a good and longtime friend.
You’ve also had a number of roles on daytime soap operas, including Toni Prentiss Davis on Love of Life, Phyllis Corrigan on The Doctors, Jane Overstreet on Another World, and Jessie Reddin on The Secret Storm. Which character was the most fun to play?
I would say Toni on Love of Life because I played her the longest and got to go through more changes than with the other characters.
In high school I was:
Happy, which is apparently rare among high-schoolers.
If I had to gain 30 pounds for a role, I would eat:
I wouldn’t take any role that demanded that I gain weight. You can look appropriately fat through costuming, padding and makeup.
The last good book I read was:
Tracy Kidder’s Strength In What Remains.
I never miss a television episode of:
MacNeil/Lehrer Report. I'm also fairly addicted to PBS.
Three of my favorite movies are:
Doesn't everyone mention Casablanca? So will I. I also love The Wizard of Oz, which I watched with all of my children. I have six. High Noon is also a favorite.
If I was stranded on a desert island for a year, I would want to listen to:
Bach.
If I could star on Broadway in any role in any musical or play, I would be:Nonplussed that anyone would offer this power to me.
My favorite Broadway show I’ve ever seen is:
South Pacific, which I saw with my parents on my very first trip to New York City. I loved it, and I wept buckets when I saw the revival. I also saw Kiss Me, Kate on that trip, so it comes in second.
The last good play or musical I saw was:
The Norman Conquests.
If I could have anyone in the world--living or dead--be a guest at my dinner party, I would invite the following three people:
Jack O’Brien, who is quite alive, thank God; Dean Acheson; and Gracie Allen.
What's next for Frances Sternhagen?
You tell me!
Thank you, Frannie, for getting Deeper with us here on the Dish.
Dish of the Day #285: Vote for your Favorite
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning today you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week in the sidebar poll.
Last week's big winner was #280 with 51.8% of the 137 votes cast. Far behind in second place was #276 with 19.7%, followed by #279 (11.7%), #277 (9.5%) and #278 (7.3%).
Last week's big winner was #280 with 51.8% of the 137 votes cast. Far behind in second place was #276 with 19.7%, followed by #279 (11.7%), #277 (9.5%) and #278 (7.3%).
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Of 'Glee' I Sing: The Endless Love of Suzy Pepper
Despite the absence of Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester, I really enjoyed last night's Glee. So many characters got a chance to shine in at least one scene--and I even liked Will's wife, Terri, who used Rachel's crush on her husband to get the girl to clean their bathroom. I thought it was funny. Here's what else I loved the most--and the least--about the show's tenth episode, "Ballad".
Favorite character: Although Kurt and Will were both terrific, I have to go with Rachel this week. Lea Michele is always fabulous every week, but she was especially delightful while mooning over Will. And I could certainly understand her feelings.
Best new character: Suzy Pepper, of course. Will's wonderfully bizarre story of Suzy's obsession with him, resulting in her hot pepper-induced coma, is what makes me adore this show. It's the weird little moments of dark comedy that tickle me pink. And actress Sarah Drew is perfect in the role. Hopefully we will be seeing more of her in the future.
Most welcome return: Finn's supportive mother, Carole Hudson (Romy Rosemont), whom we haven't seen since the second episode.
Least favorite characters and worst reaction: Quinn's parents, Russell and Judy Fabray, who threw their own daughter out on the street after learning of her pregnancy. But I did appreciate the twisted humor of Finn's line about Mr. Fabray setting the timer on the microwave in order to give Quinn a half an hour to pack. I've also always liked actors Gregg Henry (whom I fondly remember as Wesley Jordache in the 1976-77 drama, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II) and Charlotte Ross (who was wonderful as the scheming Lori Volpone on the 1999-2000 Showtime series, Beggars and Choosers).
Worst reaction runner-up: Mercedes telling off Puck after his confession that he's the father of Quinn's baby. Quinn is the one Miss Jones should be yelling at, since the girl is making a fool out of her friend, Finn.
Best facial expressions: Rachel noticing Emma's look of love during Will's song, Kurt's eyes lighting up when he was paired with Finn, and Puck's nod to Rachel after she excitedly revealed that her weekly letter to the Ohio Show Choir Committee finally paid off.
Best non-musical scenes: Kurt's confession to Finn about smelling his late mother's perfume. I loved all of their scenes together--even though Kurt will never get the man he loves.
Best musical performances: Will's mash-up of The Police's 1980 hit, "Don't Stand So Close to Me", with the 1968 song, "Young Girl", by Gary Puckett and The Union Gap. My second favorite was Will and Rachel's duet of the 1981 hit, "Endless Love", by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. Yes, I know it's a cheesy ballad from a Brooke Shields flop, but it's that campy pop culture aspect of the tune that makes me like it.
Weirdest musical performance: Voted the "Worst Song of All Time" in a 2006 CNN.com poll, Paul Anka's 1974 hit, "(You're) Having My Baby", isn't a favorite of mine. And Finn's inappropriate crooning of it in front of Quinn's parents ranks as one of the weirdest scenes so far on Glee. The sappy song helped put everyone in a bad mood--including this viewer. And unlike Kurt, I don’t find Finn's stupidity very charming.
Best line runners-up: "I love the days when I don't wear underwear. Full commando!" - Puck's private thoughts during Will and Rachel's duet
"Your lashing out at me is fantastically compelling and inappropriate" - Kurt to Finn
Best line: "I can totally sing this song with Finn. But screw him if he thinks he's taking the Diana Ross part from me" - Kurt's private thoughts about "Endless Love"
That's my Glee review for this week. Until next time, keep singing!
V: Hot Priests Make Me Horny
I never watched the original V, which aired on NBC as two mini-series and a 1984-85 TV series, but I do fondly remember hunky actor Mark Singer, who played the lead (he also starred as a stripper in the 1981 TV movie, For Ladies Only). In the new version, the lovely Elizabeth Mitchell is the main star as FBI agent Erica Evans -- and she's the reason I tuned in, having enjoyed her phenomenal performance as Juliet Burke on Lost for the past three seasons. Mitchell is equally good on V, and she and Gretsch make an attractive couple -- even though nothing sexual has occurred so far between their characters. I wasn't familiar with the handsome Mr. Gretsch, even though he did appear in a 1994 episode of Melrose Place as a guy Alison picks up at Shooters -- but that was 15 years ago!
I like the entire cast of V, including Morena Baccarin as the cool and manipulative Anna, the leader of the extra-terrestrial Visitors; Scott Wolf as Chad Decker, the ambitious news anchor; Logan Huffman as Erica's teenage son, Tyler; Laura Vandervoot as Lisa, Anna's pretty daughter who has Tyler wrapped around her little finger; Morris Chestnut as Ryan, a Visitor posing as a human who wants to stop his fellow aliens from taking over the world; Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Ryan's clueless girlfriend; and Alan Tudyk as Dale, Erica's psycho ex-FBI partner who is also a Visitor.
Now some folks believe that the new V is a thinly-disguised commentary on the Obama administration, comparing Anna to our president, which makes me roll my eyes and say, "Give me a break." One critic even went so far as to say that the "controversial" show would "infuriate the president's supporters and delight his detractors." Oh please, it doesn't upset this Obama supporter. V is just a silly TV show about aliens and their groovy spaceships and Phantasm killer balls. And I'm hopelessly addicted. I give the series an A -- and Mr. Gretsch and his white collar an A+.
Dish of the Day #284
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Melrose Place: The Bitch Is Back
I gave the new Melrose Place a B+ for its debut episode back in September, but since then the show's "B" rating has mainly been for "Bland" and "Boring" as I even stopped watching for a few weeks. The creators of the revamp seem to have forgotten that the original series became a hit once it stopped being a realistic drama about twentysomethings and evolved into a wild and campy hoot. Unfortunately, Melrose 2009 isn't wild, campy or a hoot. It's just deadly dull. The people are still pretty, but pretty can quickly become a real snooze if there's nothing juicy going on. And does anyone actually care who killed Sydney? I love actress Laura Leighton, so I'm hoping that her murdered character will rise up from the dead once again. Give the lady nine lives because she's been one of the few bright spots of the series so far. Even my beloved Michael Mancini isn't very amusing to watch anymore, since he seems to have lost his sense of humor and gained a dreary new wife.Okay, I'll stop bitching--but only because the biggest bitch in Melrose history has made a welcome return in order to save the struggling show. Can Heather Locklear's Amanda Woodward work her magic once again and transform a yawn-inducing series into must-see TV? Who knows, but I'm willing to give her a chance. It was great seeing Amanda on last night's episode, in which she arrived from New York to fire half the staff at the PR agency that she owns. Of course, she kept Ella around because actress Katie Cassidy--the 22-year-old daughter of David "Keith Partridge" Cassidy--has been giving the best performance on the show. And Ella likes to kiss boys and girls, which makes the character even more entertaining. I'm hoping that together Amanda and Ella can shift the series in a more fun direction. Here are a few of my ideas--as well as some upcoming SPOILERS--for making Melrose Place a popular TV destination again:
1) Get rid of most of the new characters. Thank God Ashlee Simpson-Wentz's Violet will soon be leaving the show. The only thing Violet has in common with her mother, Sydney, is her red hair as she obviously hasn't inherited her mother's natural flair for being a fun bitch. Violet is just pathetic and annoying, and I'll be so glad to see her go. On the other hand, I'm disappointed that Colin Egglesfield's Auggie will also be departing in the near future. His rippling biceps and amazing abs are worth keeping around--especially when they're dripping wet from a dip in the pool. I'll miss them, but hopefully new character, Dr. Drew Pragin (played by the hunky Nick Zano--that's him in the pic), will frequently be shirtless when he shows up. I kind of like Stephanie Jacobsen's Lauren, the med student/hooker, but Jonah and Riley (Michael Rady, Jessica Lucas) are one of the most boring couples currently on television. I keep hoping that they might become the new Michael and Jane Mancini, but so far their devoted love is just making my stomach turn. 2) Bring back some old favorites. Amanda will be moving into Sydney's old apartment while she tries to find whatever was missing from Sydney's wall safe. She also gets a rich boyfriend, billionaire Ben Brinkley (played by Billy Campbell, whose real name makes me smile for obvious reasons)--but I'm curious to know what happened to her husband, Peter. I have a feeling that Dr. Burns might appear one of these days, since actor Jack Wagner is Locklear's current boyfriend. In spoiler news, I'm happy to report that Amanda will soon be reunited with three of her former neighbors--Michael, Jane and Jo, who will all be attending the same party in a future episode. Now that's something to look forward to.
3) More sex please. The storylines desperately need to heat up. If we're going to be forced to continue to watch Jonah and Riley, let one of them have an affair and become a bad boy or girl. Maybe Ella could finally have her way with Jonah, but she could also become involved with a girl, which would make for a groovy bisexual love triangle. Just an idea. And since Ella seems more likely to become Amanda's protégé rather than her enemy, Ms. Woodward needs a formidable opponent to exchange insults with. Josie Bissett's Jane would be great to have around on a more regular basis, but what are Courtney Thorne-Smith and Lisa Rinna up to these days? I'd love to see Alison or Taylor come back to fight with Amanda. I guess my heart still longs for those bygone days of Krystle and Alexis.
So will Amanda help the show's ratings go up? We'll have to wait and see--but as long as she's sashaying around the place, I'll probably tune in. It's just nice to have the bitch back where she belongs.
Dish of the Day #283
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Helen Lawson
Every Tuesday I post five questions relating to television or film, and the first person who sends me the correct answers wins the highly coveted Auntie Mame Award (for excellence in trivia).Please send your answers for this week's questions to deepdishdrama@aol.com or via a private Facebook message (DO NOT post your answers on here where everyone can see them or they will be deleted). This week's theme is the 1967 camp classic, Valley of the Dolls.
1) What role does author Jacqueline Susann play in the film?
2) Whose version of the film's theme song became a big hit in 1968?
3) What is the first and last name of Neely's second husband?
4) Fill in the blanks of the following quote: "They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you come crawling back to Broadway. But Broadway doesn't go for ______ and ______. Now get out of my way, I've got a ______ waiting for me."
5) What character sings "It's Impossible"? And what character sings "I'll Plant My Own Tree"?
Last week Jeff Lassiter answered the following questions about the daytime soap opera, Days of our Lives, correctly:
1) Who are Hope Brady's biological parents? Doug and Addie Williams
2) What was the name of Marlena Evans' twin sister? Samantha
3) Who was The Salem Strangler? Jake Kositchek
4) Who did Vivian Alamain bury alive? Carly Manning
5) What did The Salem Stalker use to "kill" Alice Horton? A donut
Of 'Glee' I Sing: Dancing with Artie
Poor Kevin McHale. His paraplegic character, Artie Abrams, finally gets an episode centered around him, and suddenly all these people are outraged about him not really being disabled. I can understand the disappointment that disability advocates might feel over Glee casting an able-bodied actor in the role--but why has it taken SIX MONTHS for anyone to publicly complain about this? The pilot episode aired last May, folks. And it is hard to argue with Glee's executive producer Brad Falchuck, who responded to the criticism by saying that McHale had the singing, acting ability and charisma required for the role. The 21-year-old actor is damn good as Artie as he certainly proved in last week's terrific "Wheels" episode--and here's what else I loved the most--and the least--about it: Favorite character: Artie, of course, who was the star of the episode. I was beginning to wonder if the show was ever going to showcase the character, who has been stuck on the sidelines forever.
Best new characters: Instead of criticism, I think Glee deserves some kudos for introducing two new recurring characters with Down syndrome--Robin Trocki as Sue's older sister, Jean Sylvester, who lives in a residential home for disabled people, and Lauren Potter as student Becky Jackson, whom Sue selected as Quinn's cheerleading replacement. And I'm so happy to see a human side to our beloved Ms. Sylvester. As much as I enjoy her outrageous behavior, we need to occasionally see Sue as a real person who does care about something other than her precious Cheerios.
Most welcome return: Mike O'Malley as Kurt's cool father, Burt Hummel. He and Chris Colfer make a believable father and son, and their scenes together are always a treat.
Best cameo appearance: Stephen Tobolowsky as Sandy Ryerson, who provided Puck with some cannabis to put in his cupcakes.
Least favorite character: Quinn is an idiot for choosing the clueless Finn over the wonderful and hot Puck. I really don't understand Quinn and Rachel's attraction to Finn when there's such prime beefcake with a brain available.
Best non-musical scenes: Last week we also learned more about Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), who kissed Artie before ruining everything by confessing that she doesn't really have a speech impediment. It was a nice scene between these two characters, whom I'm sure will eventually get back together. I also liked Finn discovering Quinn and Puck in their compromising "baking" situation.
Best musical performance: As much as I enjoyed the "Proud Mary" number, I have to go with Artie's delightful solo number of Billy Idol's 1981 single, "Dancing with Myself." And please don't hate me, Wicked fans, but I wouldn't mind not hearing "Defying Gravity" again for the next five years. Sorry, I'm just tired of the song. However, I much preferred Rachel's version of the tune over Kurt's--it fit her voice better.
Best line runners-up: "I find. . .recipes confusing" - Cheerio Brittany
"You sing like a girl--in a good way" - Burt to Kurt
"You think this is hard. Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told that they’re going in another direction. That was hard" - Sue to Becky
Best line: "I'm full of ennui" - Kurt
That's my Glee review for last week. Until next time, keep singing!
Dish of the Day #282
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Groovy Gay Film Festival: Best of the Fest
Best Film: Fruit Fly directed by H.P. Mendoza
Runner-up: Hollywood, je t'aime directed by Jason Bushman
Honorable Mention: ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction directed by Kevin Hamedani
Best Documentary: Out in the Silence by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson
Runner-up: Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender Deviance in Music Performance by Madsen Minax
Honorable Mention: Fish Out of Water by Ky Dickens
Best Actor: Eric Debets, Hollywood, je t'aime
Runner-up: Wayne Virgo, Shank
Honorable Mention: Robert Mammana, Just Say Love
Best Actress: L.A. Renigen, Fruit Fly
Runner-up: Rebekah Kochan, Eating Out: All You Can Eat
Honorable Mention: Janette Armand, ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction
Best Supporting Actor: Rocky Marshall, Mr. Right
Runner-up: Adam Pascal, American Primitive
Honorable Mention: Michael Airington, Hollywood, je t'aime
Best Supporting Actress: Jill Marie Jones, Drool
Runner-up: Cornelia Duryée Moore, ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction
Honorable Mention: Susan Traylor, STUCK!
Best Gay Couple: Doug Fahl and Cooper Hopkins, ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction
Runner-up: Tate Donovan and Adam Pascal, American Primitive
Honorable Mention: Keith Jordan and Adamo Ruggiero, Make the Yuletide Gay
Best Lesbian Couple: Rox and Linda, Out in the Silence
Runner-up: E.S. Park and Theresa Navarro, Fruit Fly
Honorable Mention: Laura Harring and Jill Marie Jones, Drool
Hottest Hunks: Chris Salvatore and Michael E.R. Walker, Eating Out: All You Can Eat
Runner-up: Pete Scherer, Pornography: A Thriller
Honorable Mention: Benjamin Hart, Mr. Right
Most Evil Villains: Diane Gramley, Out in the Silence, and Rene Portland, Training Rules
Runner-up: Oded Fehr, Drool
Honorable Mentions: Stacy Cunningham, STUCK!, and Alice Payne, Shank
Best Short: Curious Thing by Alain Hain
Runner-up: Non-Love-Song by Erik Gernand
Honorable Mention: "The Lie" by Dylan Rice directed by Eric Normington
Best Songs: "Fag-Hag" and "We Are the Hag" by H.P. Mendoza (Fruit Fly)
Runner-up: "The Lie" by Dylan Rice (watch the short video below)
Honorable Mention: "It's You (The La La Song)" by Chris Salvatore and Glenn Gaylord (Eating Out: All You Can Eat)
I hope you will all check out some of these groovy movies whenever they come to a theater near you or are released on DVD. For further information on Chicago Filmmakers, the not-for-profit media arts organization that produces Reeling, go to www.chicagofilmmakers.org.
Dish of the Day #281: Wet Pool Boy Week
Every Monday through Friday a new Dish of the Day will be featured, and beginning on Friday you can vote for your favorite Dish of the week. If you haven't voted for last week's Dish yet, choose your man in the sidebar poll.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
