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Meet the Cast of ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X’

August 17, 2016

“Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” (CBS)

It’ll be young people vs. slightly-less young people when the legendary reality competition “Survivor” returns for its 33rd (33rd?!) season this fall. The timely twist which pits people who grew up without the internet against people who inherited a rocky job market isn’t the first time the show has divided the tribes by age, but it is the first time the tribes will represent a specific generation.

I was able to chat with each of the 20 new contestants before they traveled to Fiji. So, follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) in the days leading up to the premiere for exclusive interviews.


	Name (Age): Adam Klein (25) Current Residence: San Francisco, CA Occupation: Homeless Shelter Manager Hobbies: Board games, poker, browsing the “Survivor” subreddit and travel. Pet Peeves: Bullies, long lines and smokers. Three Words to Describe You: Intelligent, confident and personable.
	Name (Age): Hannah Shapiro (24) Current Residence: West Hollywood, CA via Brookline, MA Occupation: Barista Hobbies: Skiing, scuba diving, eating. I can hula-hoop and walk at the same time. Pet Peeves: A pet peeve of mine is someone who likes to kill people. Not sure why, that’s just such a pet peeve of mine! Also people who stick their gum on public benches or fart in small elevators. Three Words to Describe You: Nerdy, competitive, and weird.
	Name (Age): Jessica “Figgy” Figueroa (23) Current Residence: Nashville, TN Occupation: Bartender Hobbies: Kayaking, videography, and watching football. Pet Peeves: When people are lazy and expect things to just happen. That’s not what life is about. Get up and fight. Three Words to Describe You: Adventurous, free spirit, and crowd pleaser.
	Name (Age): Justin “Jay” Starrett (27) Current Residence: Fort Lauderdale, FL. Occupation: Real Estate Agent Hobbies: Skimboarding, fishing, and pretty much any sport. Pet Peeves: I don’t like when people make plans or say they are going to do something and they don’t deliver. Three Words to Describe You: Determined, intelligent and funny.
	Name (Age): Mari Takahashi (31) Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA via San Francisco Occupation: Professional Gamer Hobbies: Video games, rock climbing, and traveling Pet Peeves: Stagnation and laziness Three Words to Describe You: Courageous, adaptable, and calculating
	Name (Age): Michaela Bradshaw (25) Current Residence: Fort Worth, TX Occupation: Vacation Club Sales Hobbies: Traveling, eating, and cuddling. Pet Peeves: When incompetent people try to instruct me. When people do things inefficiently or wrong. When I lose. When other people make me lose. Three Words to Describe You: Intelligent, fun, and competitive.
	Name (Age): Michelle Schubert (28) Current Residence: Yakima, WA Occupation: Missionary Recruiter Hobbies: I love learning and reading and dancing. I seek beauty, adventure and adrenaline. I like nature, exploring, rock climbing, slacklining, and CATAN expansions. I also study dragons and the stars. Pet Peeves: Windshield wipers on a dry window! Three Words to Describe You: Hungry, hungry, hippo.
	Name (Age): Taylor Lee Stocker (24) Current Residence: Postfalls, ID Occupation: Ski Instructor Hobbies: Playing music, brewing beer, and snowboarding. Pet Peeves: Wobbly tables, people not cleaning up their dog’s poop, loud chewing, slow walkers, selfies, forms without enough space for answers. Three Words to Describe You: Spontaneous, inventive, and thinker.
	Name (Age): Will Wahl (18) Current Residence: Long Valley, NJ Occupation: High School Student Hobbies: Watching TV (mostly “Survivor”), camping/fishing, and reading news articles. Pet Peeves: People who are fake and/or stuck-up. Three Words to Describe You: Cunning, adaptable, and dynamic.
	Name (Age): Zeke Smith (28) Current Residence: Brooklyn, NY Occupation: Asset Manager Hobbies: Writing, improv, gym and cooking. Pet Peeves: Sniffling. Chewing with one’s mouth open. Black shoes with brown belts. Children who don’t listen to their mothers. Three Words to Describe You: Sharp, devilish, and unstoppable.

	Name (Age): Bret LaBelle (42) Current Residence: Dedham, MA Occupation: Police Sergeant Hobbies: Going to the gym, golf, improve, and bicycling. Pet Peeves: Couples who sit on the same side of the booth, people who talk politics and religion at Thanksgiving dinner, and bullies. Three Words to Describe You: Gregarious, funny/hilarious and caring.
	Name (Age): Chris Hammons (38) Current Residence: Moore, OK Occupation: Trial Lawyer Hobbies: Working out to relive stress, strategizing to be successful, and challenging myself to be the best. Pet Peeves: Smacking gum. I hate it. I would do away with all gum on Earth if I could. Three Words to Describe You: Super competitive! I don’t lose. Tenacious; I never give up. Fighter; I don’t lose fights.
	Name (Age): Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor (39) Current Residence: Granada Hills, CA via Buffalo, NY Occupation: Insurance Adjuster Hobbies: Writing, hiking/working out, and watching reality shows. Pet Peeves: People who can’t drive in traffic and people who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths. Three Words to Describe You: Outgoing, strong minded, and goal setter.
	Name (Age): David Wright (42) Current Residence: Sherman Oaks, CA via Philadelphia, PA Occupation: Television Writer Hobbies: 3D printing puzzles. Pet Peeves: Sudden, loud noises; people who don’t use a turn signal; people who believe in ghosts and psychics; people who are late for dinner; people who incorrectly use the word “nonplussed;” people. Three Words to Describe You: OCD, nervous, and paranoid.
	Name (Age): Jessica Lewis (37) Current Residence: Voorheesville, NY Occupation: Assistant District Attorney Hobbies: Painting, baking, and photography. Pet Peeves: People who blame others for their own misery. Three Words to Describe You: Unique, unconventional, and intriguing.
	Name (Age): Ken McNickle (33) Current Residence: Denver, CO via Hana, Maui Occupation: Model Hobbies: Anything outdoors (hiking, camping and fishing), music (playing and watching) and dancing. Pet Peeves: Superficial connections and communication. Three Words to Describe You: Driven, mindful, and perceptive.
	Name (Age): Lucy Huang (42) Current Residence: Diamond Bar, CA Occupation: Dietician Hobbies: Lifting weights, cooking with my kids, and watching food shows to find new restaurants. Pet Peeves: Lazy people, people with no common sense, and whiners. Three Words to Describe You: Stubborn, hardworking, and controlling.
	Name (Age): Paul Wachter (52) Current Residence: Sugarloaf Key, FL via Long Island, NY Occupation: Boat Mechanic Hobbies: Singing in a rock band, treasure hunting, and spear fishing. Pet Peeves: Whiners and slackers. Three Words to Describe You: Intimidating, methodical, confident
	Name (Age): Rachel Ako (37) Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Recruiting Director Hobbies: Dancing, traveling and high ropes/high adventure activities. Pet Peeves: I guess I would say bad manners. Three Words to Describe You: Energetic, authentic, and fun!
	Name (Age): Sunday Burquest (45) Current Residence: Otsego, MN Occupation: Youth Pastor Hobbies: Repurposing and painting furniture. Interior design and thrift shopping (love the thrill of the hunt for a good deal). Pet Peeves: Arrogant people: those who think they are God’s gift to the human race. Catty women: the ones that make the snide comments, back-handed compliments and make other girls in the room feel like they don’t measure up. People that are late drive me nuts. Three Words to Describe You: Bossy, compassionate, and tenacious.

Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X,” Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8pm ET.

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TCA 2016: Mariah Carey Discusses ‘Mariah’s World,’ Calls ‘American Idol’ an ‘Abusive Experience’

August 3, 2016

Mariah Carey (AP)

Superstar singer Mariah Carey (and a throng of shirtless male dancers) paid a visit to E!’s Television Critics Association panel Wednesday afternoon to discuss her upcoming eight-part reality event, “Mariah’s World.”

During the 30-minute presentation, the legendary diva discussed her time on “American Idol,” her ex-husband Nick Cannon, and more…

The show will document Mariah’s first tour of Europe in ten years.
She doesn’t think “Mariah’s World” is a reality show because it’s more of a documentary.
Mariah’s children are featured in the series and she believes they should have their own show because they’re so funny.
Her goal was to make the show a lasting piece of work for her fans and eventually her kids to appreciate.
Mariah doesn’t know what Nick Cannon thinks of the project because they’re not together anymore. She said Nick was around during the filming but doesn’t know if he’ll make the final cut.
When asked for something that will be revealed that people don’t know about, Mariah admits to being a bit of “jokestress.”
Mariah referred to her time on “American Idol” as “the most abusive experience.”
When Mariah is traveling, she binge watches “Scandal.”
Mariah claimed that she doesn’t “throw shade.” But she does speak her mind.

“Mariah’s World” will premiere Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 9pm ET on E!.

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TCA 2016 – Starz: Lee Majors Joins ‘Ash vs. Evil Dead,’ 2 More Seasons of ‘Power’ & ‘American Gods’ Details

August 1, 2016

‘American Gods’ (Starz)

A highly anticipated title, a returning cult favorite, and one of today’s biggest hits were featured during Starz’s Monday morning presentation at the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour.

Batting first with a chainsaw mounted prosthetic arm was “Ash vs. Evil Dead”…

Executive Producer Rob Tapert thinks this season will give the audience everything they liked in the first season, just turned up a notch.
Star Bruce Campbell (Ash Williams) promises that the gore-dispersing machine has been updated to provide much more blood.
Dana DeLorenzo (Kelly) says you know it’s going to be a gross day when everything is covered in plastic. She then goes on to describe the “blood cannon” that covers them in grossness. She refers to this as a “typical day at the office.”
Campbell admits that he likes playing Ash because he’s such a “troublesome hero.”
Lucy Lawless (Ruby) thinks that Bruce can make a line 8-to-9-times funnier than when she reads it.
Campbell describes having Lee Majors (Brock) play his father as “perfect casting.”
Ray Santiago (Pablo) thinks that his character and Dana’s character are becoming members of Ash’s family.
Majors wasn’t very familiar with the movies, but he watched and enjoyed the series and found it very funny.
Michelle Hurd (Linda) thinks it’s difficult to balance between comedy and horror.
Campbell would not comment when asked if we would see a young Ash. He did say there would be two major Easter eggs for fans of the franchise.
“Ash vs. Evil Dead” will return October 2nd, 2016.

Next up, was the Starz smash “Power”…

Executive Producer Courtney A. Kemp says they have no choice but to ramp up the intensity. She asks her team, “What’s the craziest thing that can happen?” Her favorite thing is to read Twitter and to see that people are yelling at their screen.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Kanan) thought it was odd that people thought he was going to be the lead of the show due to the marketing, but it’s really Omari Hardwick’s show.
Hardwick (James) called the move to Sunday a step into the “Big Boys’ league.”
Lela Loren (Angela) doesn’t think the show was cast toward a demographic, but more to capture what New York is really like.
Kemp didn’t want the show to encompass one race because that’s not what the world is like. She’d like to incorporate other races into the cast.
Naturi Naughton (Tasha) says we can expect her character to become more independent and a businesswoman.
Joseph Sikora (Tommy) loves playing a character that has evolved into a boss and is facing a tragic ultimatum.
Hardwick thinks the show is great because it’s a “bromance gone wrong.” He’s been calling Kemp and begging her to put him back with Sikora. Kemp responded that the characters should be feeling the same way they do.
Kemp doesn’t think the show being renewed for two seasons spoils the “Ghost Must Die” angle.
“Power” airs Sunday nights at 9pm ET on Starz.

And finally, we heard about the adaption of Neil Gaiman’s book “American Gods.”

Bryan Fuller (Executive Producer) was very aware of race when casting because the book was so culturally specific.
Michael Green (Executive Producer) was warned not to “(expletive deleted) it up” because the source material is so beloved.
Fuller wanted to be sure to show how all of the gods came to America because it’d be a way to include more female characters.
Author Neil Gaiman was a big part of the adaptation process with Green and Fuller often going to him with questions.
Fuller quipped that it should be “North American Gods” because it was filmed in Toronto.
Fuller said that Gillian Anderson is welcome to do any production he works on and she jumped at the chance to be a part of “American Gods.”
Green said that the show focuses on forgotten mythology.
Green thinks when people discuss religion, it immediately seems divisive, but they hope their series will encourage discussion.
Fuller believes he and Green have a respect for religion.
“American Gods” will air in 2017 on Starz.

Tags:american gods, ash vs. evil dead, Power, tca2016
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TCA 2016: Louis XIV Comes to Life in Ovation’s Epic New ‘Versailles’

August 1, 2016

‘Versailles’ (Ovation)

The historical fiction drama “Versailles” was the star of the show at Ovation’s Monday morning presentation at the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour. Over the course of the event we learned…

Series creator David Wolstencroft was very happy with how accommodating the French government was in the filming of the ten-part series.
George Blagden, who stars as Louis XIV, wasn’t thrilled about wearing five layers of clothing in Paris over the summer. But it helped him get into character.
Alexander Vlahos, who plays Phillippe ‘Monsieur,’ wanted his character to be the opposite of Louis XIV, so when choosing costumes, he wanted the opposite colors.
Blagden admitted to not knowing much about Louis XIV when he accepted the role.
Wolstencroft pointed out that while there are elements of fiction in the series, that they are doing their best to tell the most honest version of what happened at the Palace of Versailles.
Vlahos discussed Phillippe being “bi-polar” and very challenging to play. He described how the character will make love to his boyfriend, kiss his wife, then get dressed and go off to battle.

“Versailles” will premiere Saturday, October 1st, 2016 on Ovation

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XFINITY Binge-Watching Guide: Summer TV > Summer Movies

July 29, 2016

Back in the dark days before the Internet, a local movie theater in West Lawn, PA would host an evening where they’d show all of the summer’s movie trailers. It was amazing. We’d buy popcorn and soda and just sit there and marvel at the exciting summer we had in front of us.

This summer? I don’t think we’d marvel so much.

Fortunately, the TV world has picked up the slack. So, grab your own popcorn and soda and enjoy some of these top picks…

Note: Yeah, these aren’t all Summer TV shows, but they’re still worth your time.


1. –“Game of Thrones”: For as long as I write this column, I will suggest you watch “Game of Thrones.” I love it that much.	2. – “Power”: “Power” has become the hottest show this summer. People are loving it.

3. – “The Simpsons” – Wow, this list is really dramatic. How about every episode of “The Simpsons” ever as a palate cleanser?	4. – “Ray Donovan”: Liev Schreiber’s Emmy nomination is very well deserved. He owns this enthralling drama.

5. – “Orphan Black”: Four season of amazing, mind-bending twists and turns await you if you decide to jump into this BBC America hit.	6. – “Animal Kingdom”: Ellen Barkin is great in TNT’s breakout summer drama.

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TV Tapas: Snoop Dogg Learns How to Make Hot Dogs

July 29, 2016

Snoop Dogg Learns How to Make Hot Dogs (‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’)

Random Thoughts…

Megan Fox is coming back to “New Girl”? I’m OK with that. She was funny as Reagan.
Hillary quoted “Hamilton” last night. That’s one way to get on my good side.
Entertainment Weekly has been releasing a lot of “Walking Dead” stuff. I’m officially excited.

Breaking News…

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What to Watch Tonight…

‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ (HBO: 10pm ET) – Bill welcomes some guy named Bernie Sanders. I’ve heard of him!

‘Outcast’ – (ABC: 8pm ET) – Kyle is stunned after Sidney’s revelation.

‘The Rap Game’ (Lifetime: 10pm) – The kids are helped out by Nelly. I’ve heard of him too!

Celebs on Twitter: ‘Big Brother’ Host Julie Chen

Lol #BBPaul when the Houseguests start asking him questions about the Paris room … #BB18 #CrackTheCode pic.twitter.com/MZ9htsF61A

— Julie Chen (@JulieChen) July 29, 2016

That’s all the TV Tapas for today. If you have any questions, please drop me a line on Twitter:[twitter_follow username=”gordonholmes” count=”false” language=”en” size=”large”]

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