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Acclaimed actor makes his first foray into TV
By Mekeisha Madden Toby
Special to MSN TV
Movie star Kevin Costner never does anything half way. Just look at History’s three-part miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys,” Costner’s first foray into television. Not only is the 55-year-old actor (“Dances with Wolves” and “The Bodyguard”) starring in the flick as Devil Anse Hatfield – one of the two men who started this infamous and bloody family feud – but he’s one of the producers. And he and his band, Modern West, did the soundtrack.
Bing: More about More about 'Hatfields & McCoys' | More on the soundtrack
Costner, who dons a leathered visage and a frighteningly full beard, is in good company with an impressive cast that includes Bill Paxton (“Big Love”) as his former friend and rival Randall McCoy, as well as Tom Berenger and Emmy winners Powers Boothe and Mare Winningham.
MSN TV caught up with Costner as he promoted the film and talked about everything from why he’s working with director Kevin Reynolds (“Fandango,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and “Waterworld”) once more to why viewers should tune in.
“Hatfields & McCoys” airs in three parts Monday, May 28, at 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, May 30, 9 p.m. on History.
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MSN TV: What made you want to get involved with this project?
Kevin Costner: Well, I had been asked a variety of ways, how much do you know about this story? And the truth is I probably knew a little bit more than the average bear. I like American history. So I got involved with it the way I do all the projects that I get involved with, I liked the writing. And I felt the authenticity of the writing. I was surprised by the violence. I was interested in what was really going on culturally at that point and being able to kind of immerse myself in that era.
What made you want to work with director Kevin Reynolds again?
I asked for Kevin to direct this movie, and they looked at me and they could tell I was really serious about it. And they said okay. He has a very unusual eye, I think he’s an artist, and we had a really good document and a script. And I can’t emphasize that enough because that’s why I chose to do this. But then if you combine it with a very good cinematic style it can be an exciting offering. And I thought that Kevin would give us that.
How much research did you do for the role?
I started to go a little heavier into the socio-economic issues that were going on in that time. We had come out of this terrible Civil War, and the repercussions of that lasted 50, 60 years, or more. So when we came out of the Civil War there was incredible anger. And people who think of Hatfield and McCoy, think of Randall McCoy and Devil Anse Hatfield. But the more you study, you understand that the children and outside people were really the provocateurs of this – of this feud that endured. So I kind of try to go into actual human behavior instead of putting my own sensibilities on it, I try to go back to that time.
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What was it like to work with such an amazing cast?
They were all skilled and really, really dedicated. And I think all the actors, if you want to call them veteran actors, they all try to search out material like this and hope that it comes along. And the fact that we ended up shooting in Romania brought the cast even closer together because we were all a long way from home, the language was a barrier for us, and sometimes the food and everything else. And people really rallied around each other. This group has managed to stay fairly close and still is pretty much in contact with each other long after this movie has been over, and that’s quite unusual.
Were you a fan of Westerns on television like “Lonesome Dove” and do you feel the pressure to live up to something like “Lonesome Dove”?
You try to raise the bar on whatever you do because you’re trying to – in this day of having to deal with a lot of reality TV – you try to create something that can live in people’s minds long after they see it. And so I start with the idea that I don’t want to make something that can just be dismissed the next day. That it’s maybe something you want to revisit. Maybe it’s something you want to share just the same way when you hear a great song or read a great book you go, “I’m going to tell somebody about this.”
Do you think this is a good Memorial Day weekend option for men?
I don’t know. I can’t speak to that. But I have to say if people show up to see what I’m doing that I don’t believe they’re going to waste their time. I believe they’ll see the reason why I did it. You don’t want to waste people’s time. I mean you know it’s Memorial Day weekend. People are going to be drunk, right? So, you hope they find the Lay-Z Boy and they sit down and watch three nights of the “Hatfields & McCoys.”
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“Hatfields & McCoys” airs in three parts Monday, May 28, at 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, at 9 p.m. and Wednesday, May 30, 9 p.m. on History.
America's favorite shock jock to spend an hour in daytime
"Katie" will dedicate a full hour to Howard Stern on Tuesday, May 28. During his visit, the King of All Media previewed "America's Got Talent," got personal and managed to leave Katie Couric speechless. "Katie" has a new executive producer for Season 2.
Bing: More about Katie Couric | Howard Stern
In what "Katie" is calling "a no-holds-barred conversation," Stern opens up about his childhood, family and therapy, as well as his on-air persona and personal obsessions. His wife, Beth, chimes in to talk about what Stern is like at home and what he worries about the most.
Fans of Stern's radio show won't be surprised to hear he also turns the tables on Katie during the interview. Word is a few of his questions even left her speechless.
Plus: 'Bachelorette': Where are they now? | Celebrities playing celebrities | Summer shows we're excited about
For the special hour, the "Katie" audience was packed with Stern "superfans" and Couric chatted with Mariann from Brooklyn, a call-in fan who has achieved celebrity status of her own through Stern's radio show.
Stern will also tease the new season of "America's Got Talent" and will team up with Couric to judge a "Katie's Staff's Got Talent" competition.
In other "Katie" news, the show has tapped a new executive producer for Season 2. Rachel Miskowiec will replace Michael Morrison, who replaced Jeff Zucker when he left for CNN earlier this year. Miskowiec earned two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Informative Talk Show during her run as executive producer of "The Tyra Banks Show" and also worked on "Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers," "Your Best Life Now" and the original "Ricki Lake Show."
"Rachel Miskowiec is an incredibly passionate and experienced veteran of daytime TV," said Vicki Dummer, EVP, ABC Media Group. "She is creative, smart and a great leader. Rachel is fearless and competitive, and she truly loves making daytime television. We are very excited to have her join the 'Katie' team as we enter our second season.”
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"Katie" airs weekdays in syndication. "America's Got Talent" premieres Tuesday, June 4, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Soap opera performer nominee submission videos released
HLN is changing the Daytime Emmy game for fans this year by releasing the Daytime Emmy Nominees' submissions reels. In the past, clips submitted for consideration have been held tight to the vest. But with the awards less than a month away, HLN.com has released the reels for Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Younger Actress and Younger Actor categories -- with more sure to come.
Bing: More about the 40th Annual Daytime Emmys | HLN
Based on HLN's release schedule thus far, the week of May 27 should bring submission videos for Lead Actor contenders Peter Bergman ("The Young and the Restless"), Doug Davidson ("The Young and the Restless"), Michael Muhney ("The Young and the Restless") and Jason Thompson ("General Hospital"); as well as Lead Actress contenders Heather Tom ("Bold and the Beautiful"), Susan Flannery ("Bold and the Beautiful"), Peggy McCay ("Days of our Lives") and Michelle Stafford ("The Young and the Restless"). It's not clear whether the network will also release Outstanding Show reels or anything from the talk, game and children's TV races.
In the meantime, here's the rundown on the performer reels released thus far, with links to videos for each category.
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- Julie Marie Berman ("General Hospital") - Lulu Spencer reconnects with her estranged father, Luke, and faces her drinking problem.
- Melissa Claire Egan ("The Young and the Restless") - Chelsea Newman has just learned a shocking secret about her husband, Adam.
- Jessica Collins ("The Young and the Restless") - Avery Bailey has discovered her father is not who she thought he was.
- Arianne Zucker ("Days of Our Lives") - Nicole Walker is caught in a terrible lie.
- Katherine Kelly Lang ("The Bold and the Beautiful") - Brooke Logan says goodbye to Stephanie, one of the most important people in her life.
- Bradford Anderson ("General Hospital") - Damien Spinelli loses his patience with his ex, Maxie.
- Jeff Branson ("The Young and the Restless") - Ronan Malloy tries to get through to the woman he's falling in love with.
- Scott Clifton ("The Bold and the Beautiful") - Liam's love triangle has thrown a wrench into his wedding plans.
- Billy Miller ("The Young and the Restless") - Billy Abbott is at major odds with his brother, Jack.
- Kristen Alderson ("General Hospital") - Starr Manning struggles to come to terms with the deaths of her husband and young daughter.
- Lindsey Morgan ("General Hospital") - Kristina Corinthos Davis has been kidnapped by her husband's father.
- Hunter Haley King ("The Young and the Restless") - Summer Newman puts aside her machinations long enough to have a real moment with her mother, Phyllis.
- Jacqueline Macinnes Wood ("The Bold and the Beautiful") - Steffy Forrester's marriage is ending.
- Freddie Smith ("Days of our Lives") - Sonny Kiriakis reveals his feelings for Will, but puts them on the backburner so he can help his friend come out.
- Chandler Massey ("Days of our Lives") - Will Horton is just coming to terms with his homosexuality.
- Bryton James ("The Young and the Restless") - Devon Hamilton activates implants that may restore his hearing.
- Max Ehrich ("The Young and the Restless") - Fenmore Baldwin's dark side emerges in a rivalry with a troubled teen.
Keep your eye on HLN's Daytime Emmy page for Leading Actor and Actress reels and more Daytime Emmy content. Winners will be announced during the awards show.
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The Daytime Emmy Awards will air Sunday, June 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HLN
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes initially thought actress couldn't be pretty and smart
Kerry Washington is undeniably beautiful. But it's her beauty that almost cost her the starring and career-making role on ABC's hit political drama "Scandal."
Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer and brains behind the series, shamefully admits in the June issue of Elle that she nearly passed on casting Washington, 36, because she didn't expect the actress to be as smart as she is pretty.
Bing: More on 'Scandal' | Shonda Rhimes | Kerry Washington
"When we started talking, it took all of three seconds for me to realize that she's both incredibly beautiful and incredibly intelligent," Rhimes says. The Season 2 finale of "Scandal" drew an impressive 9.1. million viewers. "Kerry has toiled. That she's being noticed at this time -- that's exactly what she deserves. Sometimes good things happen to good people."
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But Washington bears no grudges against Rhimes or anyone who thinks she's just a pretty face. The George Washington University graduate says she never thought she'd be an actress gliding down red carpets or gracing the cover of magazines. "I was not that girl. I was a kooky theater kid, silly and goofy and academic," she says. "I imagined I'd be a clinical psychologist with a focus on how performance shapes identity."
Now Washington is garnering praise and attention not just for her portrayal as fixer Olivia Pope on "Scandal," but as a co-star in Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning flick, "Django Unchained." And she says she couldn't be happier. "I'm the luckiest broad in Hollywood now," Washington says. "To be the lead actor on 'Scandal' and to be in the highest-earning Tarantino movie -- I don't get to ask for more."
"Scandal" Season 3 kicks off this fall on ABC.
Report says co-host will announce her exit from daytime talk show in June
If you thought Barbara Walters' recent retirement announcement would put an end to rumors that Elisabeth Hasselbeck is also leaving "The View," think again.
Hasselbeck, 35, will announce her departure in June, reports Showbiz411.com. The story goes on to say a new season of "The View" will kick off after Labor Day with two new co-hosts. Back in March, Joy Behar announced her exit after co-hosting for 16 seasons. Behar, 70, will bow out when the current season ends in August.
Bing: More on 'The View' | Barbara Walters | Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Shortly after Behar said she was leaving "The View," rumors that producers were pushing Hasselbeck out the door grabbed headlines. According to Us Weekly, a viewers' poll deemed Hasselbeck "too extreme and right wing." Hasselbeck, a former "Survivor" contestant, joined "The View" in November 2003. Scuttlebutt that CNN's president, Jeff Zucker, was reportedly interested in Hasselbeck and her conservative views also surfaced around the same time. Although Walters has denied Hasselbeck's departure from "The View," Hasselbeck has been uncharacteristically mum on the subject.
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Possible replacements for Behar and Hasselbeck include Brooke Shields and Jenny McCarthy.
"The View" airs weekdays on ABC.
Jennifer Aniston hams it up with Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox and Portia de Rossi
In the new "Ellen" promo, Perry is put off when former co-star Anniston makes an unexpected, early morning visit to his home, but it's Aniston who's in for a surprise. Her pal Courteney Cox peeks her head out ... because the former on-screen couple is canoodling in real life! Cox angrily assumes Perry is also schtooping Aniston. Plus: Summer shows we're excited about | 'Felicity': Where are they now? | 'The Bachelorette' Season 9
Daytime doc renewed through 2017, Latifah premiere date uncovered
Fox has renewed "The Dr. Oz Show" through 2017 in 13 markets, while bringing Dr. Mehmet Oz to Fox owned stations in seven new markets. The shift will take effect in 2014. Plus, check out the newest buzz on Sony sister show "The Queen Latifah Show."
Bing: More about "Dr. Oz" | "The Queen Latifah Show"
Come next fall, "Dr. Oz" will switch to Fox-owned TV stations in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando and Charlotte. The Harpo and Sony Pictures Television syndicated talker will also remain on Fox stations in New York; Chicago; Boston; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C. and Austin, but has been dropped from Fox's Atlanta station.
Sony has no comment on the news.
Plus: Summer shows we're excited about | 'Felicity': Where are they now? | 'The Bachelorette' Season 9
In other Sony syndication news, Dr. Oz stepped out May 20 to celebrate Queen Latifah's upcoming talk show. Sony's "The Queen Latifah Show" will join CBS daytime this fall and is set to premiere Monday, Sept. 16.
The countdown on the show's website indicates the new talk show will air at 11 a.m., which would put the Queen in direct competition with "The View," but that time won't be accurate in all markets. Be sure to check your local listings.
Latifah's upcoming one-hour show promises celebrity interviews, inspiring human interest stories, musical performances and pop culture.
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"Dr. Oz" airs weekdays in syndication. "The Queen Latifa Show" will premiere Monday, Sept. 16.
Cast member Jay Pharoah's tweet suggests the veteran is leaving
Is Jason Sudeikis leaving "Saturday Night Live"?
That's what a tweet from his co-star, Jay Pharoah, suggests. Over the weekend, he took to Twitter and said, "Hader, Armisen & Sudekis the talent of those three and just them as people in general will be missed but we will be strong and carry on." Pharoah quickly removed the tweet, but it was archived on Favstar.
Bing: More on 'Saturday Night Live' | Jason Sudeikis | Jay Pharoah
Of the three names Pharoah mentioned, Sudeikis is the only unannounced departure. Last week, Bill Hader confirmed he was bowing out after eight seasons saying, "It was a hard decision, but it has to happen at some point. It got to a point where I said, 'Maybe it's just time to go.'"
Plus: 'Dancing With the Stars' finale preview | 'Felicity': Where are they now? | 'The Bachelorette' Season 9
Saturday was Hader's last day. Cast member Fred Armisen also used the Season 38 finale to say an emotional goodbye after 11 years on the show. But Sudeikis, who started on "SNL" as a sketch writer a decade ago, hasn't said whether he's leaving.
When asked by E!Online if this would be his last season, Sudeikis coyly said, "I'm not thinking about it yet." Meanwhile, Lorne Michaels recently talked to the New York Times about Sudeikis' potential exit. "You never keep anybody there who doesn't want to be there," Michaels said. "SNL" will bid farewell to Seth Meyers next season, when he succeeds Jimmy Fallon as the host of "Late Night" in February 2014.
"Saturday Night Live" returns for its 39th season this fall on NBC.
Get the latest on Michelle Stafford, Hunter Tylo, Rena Sofer and more familiar names
A flood of casting updates for "The Young and the Restless," "The Bold and the Beautiful," "Days of Our Lives" and "General Hospital" have soap opera fans buzzing about Michelle Stafford, Hunter Tylo, Chrishell Stause, Darin Brooks, Rena Sofer and other familiar daytimers. Here's a roundup on who's coming and going on each of the big four soap operas during the end of May and into summer.
Bing: More about "Young and the Restless" | 'Bold and the Beautiful' | "General Hospital" | "Days of Our Lives"
MSN TV has confirmation on Michelle Stafford's status with "The Young and the Restless," as well as news on which shows nabbed "General Hospital" alums Rena Sofer (ex-Lois), Jen Lilley (ex-Maxie) and Erin Chambers (ex-Siobhan); "Days of Our Lives" Emmy winner Darin Brooks (ex-Max); and "All My Children" ex-pat Chrishell Stause (ex-Amanda). Plus, what's going on with "Bold and the Beautiful" locals Hunter Tylo (Taylor), Zak Conroy (Oliver) and Ashley Jones (Bridget)?
NOTE: Airdates may be affected by preemptions caused by special news reports on events like the Oklahoma City tornado.
"The Young and the Restless"
The big news coming out of Genoa City is that fan favorite and Daytime Emmy nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) is exiting.
"I would like to personally confirm to the fans that yes, I have decided to leave 'The Young and the Restless,'" Stafford said. "It has been a glorious 16 years and one of the greatest rides of my life. The constant support and love from the fans is not lost on me. I think I'll miss you the most."
With Phyllis expected to exit the canvas mid-June, there are clearly no hard feeling between Stafford and her bosses, as she was out partying with Sony and CBS after the story broke.
This isn't Stafford's first exit from the show. She first signed on as Phyllis in 1994, exiting three years later. Sandra Nelson stepped in as a recast until 1998 and then Stafford returned to cause more trouble in 2000. She also spent a few months doing double duty when villainous Sheila returned looking like Phyllis. During Stafford's 16 years with the show, she's nabbed 10 Emmy Leading Actress nominations, taking home the win in 2004. She also won Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1997.
In other CBS news, "The Bold and the Beautiful" hunk Zack Conroy is taking his character Oliver to "The Young and the Restless" on business. The hot photographer will work with Jabot in crossover episodes airing Tuesday, May 21, and Friday, May 31.
"General Hospital" alum Erin Chambers (ex-Siobhan) is getting into the Genoa City legal scene. She's landed a recurring gig as paralegal Melanie, premiering Thursday, June 6.
A new woman may shake up the Cane/Lily/Tyler drama. Mishael Morgan ("Supernatural," "Total Recall") has joined the show as Hilary Curtis and will first air Friday, June 14, in scenes with Daniel Goddard (Cane) and Christel Khalil (Lily).
Plus: 'Dancing With the Stars' finale preview | 'Felicity': Where are they now? | 'The Bachelorette' Season 9
"The Bold and the Beautiful"
Lots of big moves are happening on "The Bold and the Beautiful." With two divas out, a brand new pair is joining the show and a fave returns for some drama.
On the heels of news that Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) is taking a break from "The Bold and the Beautiful" comes word that her onscreen mom Hunter Tylo (Taylor) is exiting the show.
"Contract talks ended 4 weeks ago," Tylo posted on her message board, though a show rep says they are still in negotiations. "I am moving forward and opening back up to the thousands of acting roles available, writing, and pursuing my skin care line. My friends and 'B&B' fans will be sorely missed. But don't worry! I'll keep you posted of my every new adventure!"
With the mother/daughter team on its way out, there's a new mother/son duo coming to town, and they're packing Daytime Emmys. "Days of Our Lives" alum Darin Brooks arrives on the scene June 21 as newcomer Wyatt and soap veteran Rena Stofer has been tapped to play his mother, Quinn Fuller, first airing Friday, July 12.
"I am so excited to be joining Bold and the Beautiful!! I have always loved daytime and I am so excited to be back!!!" tweeted Sofer, who also boasts a healthy list of primetime credits and was last seen on "Once Upon a Time."
There's not much dish on Sofer's character, yet, but word is this pair has some bombshell secrets. Wyatt, for his part, is set shake up the Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle and promises to be a "badass."
"My character, Wyatt, is first seen in the nude taking a solar shower out in the woods," Brooks teased. "Hope stumbles across him and takes his picture on her smartphone and Wyatt catches her… As the story unfolds, he moves into that whole fashion-industry world and you'll find out his connection to everything. It's all very mysterious for now."
Former cast regular Ashley Jones will bring her character Bridget back for a short visit, starting Wednesday, May 22.
"I'm only going in for three or four episodes, as of right now," Jones said. "But there's some fun stuff with Bridget's mom."
The timing makes sense: Brooke is once again pregnant with an in-law's child and trying to get another man to take credit for knocking her up - As fans recall, the last time this happened, it was Bridget's then-hubby Deacon who knocked Brooke up and Whip who took credit. It sounds like Jones (who has been dating former onscreen hubby Jack Wagner!) would be open to the idea of sticking around town, as long as there was a juicy story lined up for her.
"I feel like this is too cool a character to come back and just sit in the background," she explained.
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"Days of Our Lives"
Salem has quite a few soap hoppers coming to town.
"All My Children" alum Chrishell Stause has signed on for a mysterious new role and will show up in Salem mid-summer.
"I couldn't be happier!" Stause tweeted. "My bags are packed-moving to Salem!"
"General Hospital" alum Jen Lilley (ex-Maxie) will heat up "Days of Our Lives," starting in July. Lilley earned props from Port Charles fans during her stint covering for Kirsten Storms last year, but don't get ahead of yourselves "Days of Our Lives" fans. She is not a recast for Belle, the role that helped launch Storm's career years ago.
Nadia Bjorlin's Chloe will be back for a few episodes toward the ends of summer.
Meanwhile, with Casey Deidrick's (Chad) contract up in June, buzz suggests he could be on his way out. The show may even be recasting the role, but neither he nor the show have confirmed this rumor.
"General Hospital"
With summer approaching, Samantha Logan ("666 Park Avenue") has joined the "General Hospital" teen scene as Felix's younger sister, Taylor DuBois. The newcomer will shake up the Rafe, Molly and T.J. triangle.
"Not everything can be a triangle, so there will be another girl thrown into the mix," teased headwriter Ron Carlivati.
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.
