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HitFix Interview: Damon Wayans Jr. and Zachary Knighton talk 'Happy Endings'

ABC comedy stars talk about improv, improvement and Season 3 hopes

By Daniel Fienberg Wednesday, Mar 28, 2012 2:33 AM

HitFix Interview: Damon Wayans Jr. and Zachary Knighton talk 'Happy Endings'

Zachary Knighton and Damon Wayans Jr. from "Happy Endings"

Credit: ABC
It feels early, but "Happy Endings' is chugging along towards its second season finale on April 4.
 
I recently sat down with Zachary Knighton & Damon Wayans Jr. and then with Eliza Coupe & Casey Wilson to talk about the ABC comedy's transition from an up-and-down first season that included a late premiere and out-of-sequence airings into what is often the fastest paced, quickest witted comedy in a network block that also includes a little show called "Modern Family."
 
The two interviews have some common themes, including the increased consistency of the second season, that prodigious punchline pace and, of course, hopes for the third "Happy Endings" season.
 
I'll be posting Wayans/Knighton today and Coupe/Wilson before the finale next week. 
 
Click through for the first conversation...
 
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Interview: 'Killing' star Joel Kinnaman explains what drew him to 'RoboCop'

How will his RoboCop be different from Peter Weller's version?

By Daniel Fienberg Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012 9:07 PM

Interview: 'Killing' star Joel Kinnaman explains what drew him to 'RoboCop'

Joel Kinnaman of "The Killing"

Credit: AMC
I sat down with Joel Kinnaman on Monday (March 26) afternoon to discuss the Swedish actor's second season playing Stephen Holder, recovering addict and aspiring Seattle homicide detective on AMC's "The Killing."
 
When last we spotted the jittery, enigmatic Holder, he seemed to be heading into some morally questionable territory in what proved to be a wildly polarizing Season 1 finale. Things only get more complicated for Holder in Sunday's (April 1) "Killing" premiere and much of my conversation with Kinnaman relates to that two-hour episode, so the full Q&A will post after the episode has aired.
 
While most of the interview focuses on "The Killing," I'm only human and, towards the end, I inquired about how Kinnaman, well-respected, but still largely an unknown to mainstream American audiences, came to land the lead role in Jose Padilha's upcoming reboot/remake of Paul Verhoven's sci-fi landmark "RoboCop."
 
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HitFix Interview: Mykelti Williamson talks 'Justified'

Butchery, bad teeth and 'Boomtown' talks with Mr. Ellstin Limehouse

By Daniel Fienberg Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012 2:10 AM

HitFix Interview: Mykelti Williamson talks 'Justified'

Mykelti Williamson of "Justified"

Credit: FX
Apparently, Mykelti Williamson knows a few things about butchery. 
 
For the "Justified" co-star, that's not a threat. It just happens that he knows how to take apart a side of beef or a pig.
 
For Williamson's "Justified" character, however, culinary dexterity and the threat of violence have gone hand-in-hand this season.
 
Ellstin Limehouse is a butcher, BBQ master and unlicensed banker. He's also the seemingly avuncular protector of Noble's Holler and as we've already seen this season, it's a responsibility he takes very seriously, with very little tolerance for encroachment.
 
"Justified" has offered Williamson one of his best roles in years and it's probably no coincidence that the FX drama has been a reunion with writer-producer Graham Yost and fellow actor Neal McDonough, partners-in-crime from NBC's short-lived drama "Boomtown." 
 
In a recent conversation, Williamson told me that Limehouse just wants to be left alone, but we only have three episodes remaining this season to see what extremes he's willing to go to in order to keep his holler safe. 
 
Click through for the full interview, which covers the "Boomtown" reunion, Limehouse's peculiar fashion sense and orthodontia and what scares this scary character...
 
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Listen: Firewall & Iceberg Podcast No. 121

Dan and Alan talk 'Game of Thrones,' 'The Killing,' 'Luck,' 'The River' and more

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, Mar 26, 2012 7:15 PM

The

Happy Monday, Boys & Girls!
 
Time for another lengthy Firewall & Iceberg Podcast. It's 90+ minutes even without any sports filler, so if you were hoping for discussion of Tim Tebow, we didn't have time. Also, I can't deal with being battered by Kenny Britt fans again. 
 
We had lots of TV to talk about, including finales for "Luck" and "The River" and our discussion of the premiere of "Mad Men" (somewhat discombobulated and strained by some Skype issues). We also reviewed the start of the new seasons of "The Killing" and "Game of Thrones" (watch out for that segment if you haven't season S.1, since we spoil the heck out of that... no serious S.2 spoilers, though, so don't worry).
 
Plus, Alan apologizes to Dermot Mulroney!
 
Here's the breakdown:
Dermot Mulroney on "New Girl" (00:01:25 - 00:06:55)
"The Killing" (00:07:00 - 00:21:15)
"Game of Thrones" (00:21:15 - 00:33:40)
Listener Mail - CBS Sunday Delays (00:33:45 - 00:39:10)
"The River" finale (00:39:20 - 00:51:10)
"Luck" finale (00:51:10 - 01:08:30)
"Mad Men" premiere (01:08:30 - 01:34:40)

As always, you can subscribe to The Firewall & Iceberg Podcast over at the iTunes Store, where you can also rate us and comment on us. [Or you can always follow our RSS Feed.] 

And as always, feel free to e-mail us questions for the podcast.

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Recap: 'The Amazing Race' - 'This Is Wicked Strange'

Teams head to Azerbaijan for fun with oil and apples and hay

By Daniel Fienberg Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 10:44 PM

Recap: 'The Amazing Race' - 'This Is Wicked Strange'

A scene from Sunday's "The Amazing Race"

Credit: CBS
It was only two weeks ago that I mused on the problematic nature of the "Amazing Race" Fast-Forward.
 
"Fast-Forwards are almost never any good, are they? And the show has structured them so badly that you almost never have two teams competing for the Fast-Forward because everybody knows that the tasks are easy, so the Fast-Forward becomes a reward for the first team to the clue, which is an arbitrary thing to reward."
 
With Sunday (March 25) night's episode, I was proven both right and wrong, as "The Amazing Race" had its second Fast-Forward of the month.
 
On one hand, two teams competed for the Fast-Forward, which was exactly what I said didn't happen nearly enough.
 
On the other hand -- the more practical hand -- not only was it the first two teams to reach the clue who attempted the Fast-Forward, but the Fast-Forward proved to be an all-or-nothing proposition. It was a difficult task, in an episode without a difficult Detour or Roadblock, meaning that the team that completed the Fast-Forward ended up winning the Leg and the team that didn't complete the Fast-Forward ended up going home, because there was no opportunity to make up time by excelling at later challenges. 
 
That meant that we deviated from the Only One Team Attempts the Fast-Forward norm exactly long enough to convince future competing teams that the dice roll that comes from attempting a Fast-Forward you know another team is attempting just isn't worth it. Attempting the Fast-Forward led to a 50 percent chance of winning the Leg and a 50 percent chance of total elimination. Not attempting the Fast-Forward had a 100 percent success rate in terms of not-being-eliminated, which is kinda the goal when you're gunning for a million bucks and not just the week's sponsored prize package.
 
So when a silly recapper like me dares to question why multiple "Amazing Race" teams rarely go for the same Fast-Forward, we have our cautionary tale in place.
 
Full recap after the break...
 
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HitFix Interview: Colton Cumbie talks 'Survivor: One World'

What did this season's 'Survivor' super-villain have to say for himself?

By Daniel Fienberg Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 1:30 AM

HitFix Interview: Colton Cumbie talks 'Survivor: One World'

Colton of "Survivor: One World"

Credit: CBS
It would be easy to call Colton Cumbie the most polarizing castaway of the "Survivor: One World" season, but that would imply that there are multiple poles of opinion. 
 
"Survivor" fans love Villains, whether they've been miscategorized like Boston Rob was in the "Heroes vs. Villains" season, or even if their actions have seemingly been beyond the pale. Jonny Fairplay. Russell Hantz.  Even "Thailand" winner and puppy shooter Brian Heidik probably has defenders.
 
At least for now, Colton has very few people in his corner. That's what comes from calling an African-American contestant "ghetto," from dubbing a little person a Munchkin and an Oompa Loompa and from tormenting an Asian player with eye-based slurs. 
 
Colton was also the season's dominant player, orchestrating a slew of bold moves to eliminate threats, including the unprecedented decision to lead his clan to Tribal Council despite winning Immunity just to evict a castaway he disliked.
 
In the end, Colton's sway over his colleagues remained unabated and it was only a medical emergency that pulled him out of the game in a shocking twist this week. Even carted out on a stretcher, Colton got the last laugh, taking a coveted Immunity Idol with him.
 
In our exit conversation this week, I asked Colton to address as many of the unseemly aspects of his run as I could. To his credit, he never cut off a single line of questioning and it'll be up to readers to decide how sincere he comes off. 
 
We also discussed his hopes for winning a jury vote and his thoughts on playing "Survivor" again in the future. 
 
Click through...
 
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Recap: 'American Idol' Top 10 Results - Down to 9

Haley Reinhart performs and America's decision is announced

By Daniel Fienberg Thursday, Mar 22, 2012 7:59 PM

Recap: 'American Idol' Top 10 Results - Down to 9

Colton Dixon of "American Idol"

Credit: Michael Becker/FOX

Colton Dixon isn't going home tonight. That's why he's featured in the photo accompanying this recap of Thursday's (March 22) "American Idol."

I'd be hesitant to predict who *will* be going home, but America isn't about to vote off the guy who did an ultra-commercial version of Billy Joel's biggest hit on Billy Joel Night. I'm also reasonably sure Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips aren't going home, but it's important to have some photographic variety, doncha know!

Click through for the full recap of Thursday's results show, which will also feature a performance by my "Idol" favorite from last season, Ms. Haley Reinhart. Meow!

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Recap: 'Survivor: One World' - 'Thanks for the Souvenir'

The Fickle Finger of Fate gives the 'Survivor' season a good poking

By Daniel Fienberg Thursday, Mar 22, 2012 12:51 AM

Recap: 'Survivor: One World' - 'Thanks for the Souvenir'

Christina of "Survivor: One World"

Credit: CBS
Pre-credit sequence. We're back and Manono camp. Alicia finds a Tribal Council blindside nearly as funny as losing at a challenge. Christina's confused. Colton's an ass. "Good luck. You might could make an alliance with a hermit crab at this moment," Colton cackles, not caring if Christina knows that she's next. In fact, in addition to his normal conniving, Colton is also engaging in some psychological warfare, hoping the break Christina's spirits. "Honestly, Christina, you've been the human cockroach," Colton taunts her, telling her that if she makes it to the Merge, she'll be the first one going after the Merge. "Maybe I am an idiot and that's what it is," Christina says. And then things get worse. They won't even make room for Christina in the shelter (nor in Leif's tiny sleep-box). Alicia threatens to whack Christina if she tries pushing her way in. Christina's new goal: To get everybody to see that Colton's a jerk and that Alicia is playing without integrity. "All gloves are off and I'm ready to fight and I'm ready to fight hard," she says. And good luck with that!
 
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Recap: 'American Idol' Top 10 Performance - Billy Joel Night

P. Diddy mentors the Top 10 as they tackle the music of The Piano Man

By Daniel Fienberg Wednesday, Mar 21, 2012 7:59 PM

Recap: 'American Idol' Top 10 Performance - Billy Joel Night

The "American Idol" Top 10

Credit: FOX

Welcome to Wednesday (March 21) night's "American Idol."

If scuttlebutt is to be believed -- and I always believe scuttlebutt -- Wednesday's theme is The Music of Billy Joel. And if additional scuttlebutt is to be believed, mentoring the Top 10 will be Sean Combs, because if anybody is trained to help aspiring singers with the work of Billy Joel, it's P. Diddy. 

Click through to find out how a man who can't sing steered our "Idol" hopefuls in the fine art of singing...

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HitFix Interview: Kerri & Stacy talk 'The Amazing Race'

Latest bootees talk poor navigation, changing tires and fear of dolphins

By Daniel Fienberg Wednesday, Mar 21, 2012 3:13 PM

HitFix Interview: Kerri & Stacy talk 'The Amazing Race'

Kerri and Stacy of "The Amazing Race"

Credit: CBS
Stacy Bowers and Kerri Paul weathered four Legs of "The Amazing Race," including two Legs that hinged on Stacy conquering her fear of heights to jump from planes or rappel down buildings. 
 
What did the Mississippi Cousins in on Sunday's (March 18) "Amazing Race" episode was that old standard: Bad directions. The Cousins had completed a Roadblock ahead of struggling Jamie & Nary, but faulty navigation left them in last place just minutes later.
 
In our exit interview, Kerri discusses her confessed navigational difficulties, Stacy talks about her fear of heights, Kerri tries to explain why she's afraid of dolphins and the cousins explain how pre-Race training paid off in a moment we didn't see on TV. 
 
Click through for the full interview:
 
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Daniel Fienberg

About This Blog

At the dawn of the 21st Century, Daniel Fienberg came out to Los Angeles for grad school. He hasn't left. "The Fien Print" is a blog about television -- reviews, interviews, analysis -- but it's also about movies and the business of Hollywood. It probably won't be a blog about the Red Sox, though it might seem like that at times.

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