Transcript
10E
LIVING
• SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2014
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
TV Q AND A BY RICH HELDENFELS THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL
T H E A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S
Kelsey Grammer plays a deliciously type-smashing part as the primary nonrobotic villain in “Transformers: Age of Extinction.”
Q: Are there any plans to make “Fargo” an ongoing series? A: Without getting too deep into spoilers, a second season of the FX drama would have to proceed without some major characters. But that’s not so unusual in TV these days. With “Fargo,” the writing and tone of the series were wellreceived, and Noah Hawley — working off the Coen brothers’ big-screen template — certainly showed he could do entertaining
Kelsey Grammer, from ‘Frasier’ to ... tough guy? corrupt Chicago mayor, and you’re the bad guy in “Transformers.” Why didn’t you start twirling your proverbial mustache earlier? A. I just ended up making money in the funny. “Boss” really changed the perception. I think it may have been a clip of the first season of “Boss” that convinced (“Transformers: Age of Extinction” director) Michael (Bay) I could handle this. Q. “Frasier” hangs over everything else you do. Was the idea to show people you have other dimensions? A. In England, they’re easier about performers going from movies to TV to theater. That’s the life I’ve always wanted. “Frasier” did cast a big shadow. Reasonably so. It was a great show, a good performance, I’m very proud of it. I live the way I live because of it. But I’m an actor. I observe the human experience and get to relate that observation through different characters. Q. You’ve filmed 10 episodes of your new series, “Partners,” under an agreement with FX to produce 90 more fairly quickly if the show takes off. Why take a 10/90 deal instead of going the usual series route? A. You’ve got to get to 100 shows to get to any kind of remuneration and have it be worth the time. So you get there sooner this way, in under two years. It’s more of a challenge. But I don’t want to play another character for five or six years. People will still think, “Oh, there’s that guy that played Frasier.” But he’s a little less principled. Q. Your character is a lawyer who’s been fired from his father’s firm and teams up with Martin Lawrence’s bleeding heart character on the show? A. The guy I play needs a new reputation. He’s known as a charlatan and a shark and a schmuck. The guy Martin plays has gone the way of least resistance as well. He wants to be a do-gooder, but he has no money. Together, they’re a pretty lethal team. Q. Where does theater fit into things? A. I did “La Cage Aux Folles” in New York four years ago. It’s when Kayte and I met and fell in love. It’s why we got married on the stage where I did the play. But it was really demanding. You want to lose weight, go do a stage play. You always lose 10 pounds. The next thing for me is a musical. I don’t know if it’s appropriate to talk about it yet. It’s something Harvey Weinstein is doing that’d be next year. There are two film scripts I’m trying to write. I know I said I’m not a writer. But maybe that’s my next thing. I don’t think you should ever quit trying. And that’s what it comes down to.
BY CHRIS LEE THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
With his stentorian voice and pompous whiff of erudition, Kelsey Grammer cemented a spot in TV history playing Dr. Frasier Crane for 20 years, first on “Cheers” and then on “Frasier.” But now, since Grammer’s 2011-12 Starz series “Boss” effectively pressed reset on his career, the performer is intent on leaving his comically bloated persona behind with a suite of new television and movie projects. Among them: co-star of the FX Network series “Partners” (set to begin airing in August), a supporting role in the ensemble action-thriller “The Expendables 3” (hitting multiplexes Aug. 15) and a deliciously type-smashing part as the primary non-robotic villain in “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” which just opened.
Q. You rode in a tank at the Cannes Film Festival with Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson. A. Yeah, promoting “The Expendables 3,” we rode a tank down the Croisette. It was the first time tanks have been allowed on the streets of France since World War II! “The Expendables” was an unexpected pleasure this year. Just as nice a guy as can be is Sylvester Stallone. Q. In the film, it’s him, Harrison Ford, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes and ... Kelsey Grammer. One of these things is not like the others. A. I had to campaign to get into Stallone’s movie. It was the start of a fantastic friendship. They’re talking about (“Expendables”) 4, and I’m doing it. I said, “Let’s get me fighting this time.” Q. I would have never guessed you wanted to kick butt on film. A. I have this theory about my career: I always keep people guessing. I’ve got the time to do it now. I’ve got a new life with my wife, Kayte, and a couple more kids. It’s really exciting. I need to be at home. Film makes it easier. I worked four days in Bulgaria for “Expendables.” Doing “Transformers,” I shot 30 days spread out over six months: Detroit, Chicago and Hong Kong. Hong Kong, took the family with me. It was really lovely. Q. Is that emphasis on family what distinguishes this time in your career? A. For 20 years, I was just doing a television show. But my life didn’t lend itself to being available for ’em. Some things were at home, and some were just my personal tastes at the time. I like this new phase of my life where I can try a whole bunch of things. Q. In “Boss,” you played a
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Bullington-Christenson Morgan Bullington and Kirk Christenson would like to announce their engagement and approaching marriage. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Brian and Barb Bullington of Lincoln. Great-grandmother of the bride is Irma Janicek; grandparents are Jack and Suzanne Bullington, Marlene and Ken Ebel, and the late Paul Brockhaus. The prospective groom is the son of Chris and Cheryl Christenson of Ord, Nebraska. Grandparents of the groom are Joyce and the late Dean Christenson, and John and Ruth Campbell. Morgan and Kirk graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln. Morgan is employed as a site supervisor at Family Service of Lincoln. Kirk is a group underwriter at Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. The couple plan an August 9, 2014, wedding at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lincoln.
Bohn-Krueger
Greg and Linda Bohn of Bennington would like to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Megan Bohn, to Sam Krueger, son of Paul and Barb Krueger of Blue Hill, Nebraska. Megan graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln. Sam graduated from Hastings College. The couple plan an August 9, 2014, wedding in Bennington.
BIRTHDAYS Nicolaisen, 80 years John E. Nicolaisen of Omaha will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 11, 2014. He was born in Perry, Iowa, but has lived most of his life in Omaha. His family consists of wife Betty; daughter Johna and sonin-law Justin Sullivan; daughter Jamie Sturges (now deceased); son Chris Nicolaisen and daughter-in-law Lisa; and grandsons Nathan and Brody Nicolaisen, Dakota Sullivan and Taylor Sturges. Cards may be sent to John at 4862 Valley St., Omaha, NE 68106. "Happy birthday Dad and Grandpa. We love you!" From your wife.
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BIRTHDAYS Dolan, 80 years
Robert "Bob" Dolan will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 11, 2014. He was born, and still lives, in Omaha. His family would like friends and other relatives to send cards to "welcome Bob to the 80s." They may be sent to 5066 Lockwood Lane, Omaha, NE 68152.
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Michael and Melissa Brown of the Elkhorn area would like to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Jennifer Paige Brown, to Daniel Patrick Hulsebus, son of Dan and Lori Hulsebus of Omaha. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Jane and the late Lyle C. Petersen. Jennifer graduated from Metropolitan Community College. She is a paraprofessional with Omaha Public Schools. The prospective groom is the grandson of Marlene and the late John Rybensky. Daniel graduated from Milford Community College. He is a mechanic for the City of Omaha. Daniel and Jennifer plan a 5:30 p.m. wedding on August 8, 2014, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Omaha.
Anderson, 90 years
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Mary "Betty" Anderson turned 90 years old on July 2, 2014. Cards may be sent to 12306 Bel Drive, Omaha, NE 68144. "Happy birthday. We love you." From your family and friends.
Congratulations. Now your first step is to decide on a place for your ceremony and reception. Next, you’ll need to book a consultant, caterer, baker, photographer, florist and disc jockey or band.
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1955. According to Ben Alba’s book “Inventing Late Night: Steve Allen and the Original Tonight Show,” musicals veteran Marshall left to replace Janis Paige in the Broadway production of “The Pajama Game.” She then went on to co-star onstage in “Mr. Wonderful” and in 1956 married writing legend Larry Gelbart; they remained together until Gelbart’s death in 2009. Succeeding Marshall was Pat Kirby, a winner on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” Kirby remained with “Tonight” through the end of Allen’s tenure in 1957.
ANNIVERSARIES Kempnich, 60 years
Worm, 60 years
Raymond and Elaine (Sudyka) Kempnich were united in marriage on July 3, 1954, at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in Omaha. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 6, 2014, during Mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, followed by breakfast with their family, which includes daughter Pam and son-in-law "Butch" Albert of Bellevue; daughter Linda and son-in-law John Heffernan of Omaha; son Steve Kempnich and daughterin-law Denise of Omaha; son Chuck Kempnich and daughterin-law Jody of Omaha; 10 grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren. Also attending the celebration was Elaine’s brother, Tom Sudyka, and his wife, Kay.
Lou and Nancy (Bartlett) Worm will celebrate their anniversary with an open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue. They were married on July 10, 1954, at St. Paul Methodist Church in Omaha. They have two daughters and one son-in-law: Jackie Riley, and Jean and David Thompson; and four grandsons, Robert and Brian Riley, and Austin and Garrett Thompson. Lou retired from Bellevue Public Schools; Nancy retired from the Omaha World-Herald.
Moore, 50 years
Lemmers, 65 years
Mike and Joanie Lemmers were united in marriage on June 27, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. The couple celebrated their 65th anniversary over the Fourth of July with their children and grandchildren. A highlight of the celebration was a parade around North Lake Park, with the honorees reigning as king and queen. Their children and spouses are Pat and Lori Lemmers, Michelle and Ken Drummond, Marie and Gary Wisher, Catherine Malottki, Kevin and Amy Lemmers, Tim and Shirley Lemmers, Bill and Christy Lemmers, Therese and Terry Duermyer, Frank and Tena Lemmers, and Mimi and Scott Wilson. Mike and Joanie’s family also includes 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The couple owned Import Auto Parts, where their children were employed.
Bennie and Jamesena (Grimes) Moore were united in marriage on July 9, 1964, during a civil ceremony in Orlando, Florida. The couple will celebrate their 50th anniversary on July 9, 2014, with family and friends in Greenville, N.C. They are blessed with one daughter Marcia, one son-inlaw Mattias Viklund, and one grandson Max Erik. Bennie retired from the U.S. Air Force after 26 years of service. Jamesena retired from United Way of the Midlands after 24 years of service.
Fey, 60 years
Pieper, 65 years
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each evening. Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme along with Andy Williams were three of the four. I have not been able to find the name of the other girl. She was a lovely young woman and was a regular for only a relatively short time. This probably would have been in the ’50s-’60s time frame. A: Besides Lawrence, Gorme and Williams, there were two women who served as the fourth singer on the show on Allen’s “Tonight.” Patricia Marshall appeared from the beginning of the network show in 1954 to
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things with the characters. “I think we would all be more than happy to take that ride again,” Hawley told Hitfix.com, “as long as we are confident that we can tell a story that’s as good or better. And that’s on me to come up with. I’m going to lay flat for a bit and recover from this first season whirlwind, and I’m going to think about that, definitely.” Q: In the very early years of “The Tonight Show,” when Steve Allen was host, there were four vocalists, two male and two female who appeared alternately
Norbert and Delma (Mendlik) Pieper will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with an open house for family and friends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on July 13, 2014, at Snyder Ballroom in Snyder, Nebraska. Cards may be sent to 2835 Porter Ridge Road, Lincoln, NE 68516.
Donald and Dena Marie (Kalkofen) Fey were united in marriage on July 7, 1954, in the rectory at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson, Nebraska. They moved to Omaha in 1971. The couple will celebrate their 60th anniversary with family and friends on July 18, 2014, at Champions Run in Omaha. Their family includes son-inlaw Doug Meier and granddaughter Natalia of Omaha; son Mark Fey, daughter-in-law Leslie, granddaughter Lisa and her husband Adam Eisenmenger, and grandchildren Chris and Lindsey Fey, all of Omaha; and daughter, the late Deanna (Fey) Meier.
