Person of the Week: Mary Jo Pehl

Miss Pehl as "Pearl Forrester"

Mike:
In the not too distant future
somewhere in time and space
Mike Nelson and his robot pals
are caught in a nasty place
They have to survive the wrath of Pearl
just an evil gal who wants to rule the world
From her castle below, she sets her sights above
Just to torture all the captives
on the Satellite of Love
(shouted) GET ME DOWN!!!


Pearl:
I'll send him cheesy movies,
The worst I can find (la-la-la).
He'll have to sit and watch them all,
And I'll monitor his mind (la-la-la).


Mike:
Now keep in mind Mike can't control
Where the movies begin or end (la-la-la)
He'll try to keep his sanity
With the help of his robot friends.


Robot Roll Call:
Cambot! (You're on!)
Gypsy! (Oh, my stars!)
Tom Servo! (Check me out!)
Croooow! (I'm different!)


If you're wondering how he eats and breathes
and other science facts (la-la-la),
Just repeat to yourself, "It's just a show,
I should really just relax..."
for Mystery Science Theater 3000!

On first sight, most people immediately recognize Mary Jo Pehl as “Pearl Forrester” from Mystery Science Theater 3000. Miss Pehl played “Pearl” (mother of Dr. Clayton Forrester) from 1996 until the show’s conclusion in 1999. As “Pearl,” Pehl would take the role as Lead Mad Scientist and nemesis of the show’s heroes for the last three years of the show. From 1992-1996, Miss Pehl played a variety of recurring characters on the program, and, furthermore, for the life of the show, she would serve as one of the creative geniuses on the writing team.

As unforgettable as Pehl was as Mrs. Forrester, “Pearl” is just one small part of the career of this talented Minnesota-native who now lives in Austin with her husband. Since MST3K’s conclusion, Pehl has offered a host of comedy segments through National Public Radio. In 2007, she joined former castmate Mike Nelson's RiffTrax and also joined the cast of Joel Hodgson's Cinematic Titanic. Miss Pehl holds the distinction of being one of only a few MST3K alumni to be involved with the later endeavors of the show’s two leads. Pehl also lends her talents to Austin’s Violet Crown Radio Players.

Pehl’s natural comedic instinct has led her to pen several books including: I Lived With My Parents and Other Tales of Terror published by Plan 9 Publishing, and Employee of The Month And Other Big Deals. To learn more about the delightful Mary Jo Pehl, visit her official Web site.

Person of the Week: Michael E. Knight

For the first time in forty-one years, our friends in Pine Valley will not be coming into our homes since All My Children aired its final broadcast television episode last Friday. But, we can still appreciate the many talented people who tirelessly brought the show to us through the best and worst of circumstances.

Of the exceptional cast, one of the first outstanding names which comes to mind is Michael E. Knight who is best known for playing “Tad Martin” from 1982–1986 and then from 1988–1990, and again from 1992 to 2011. Devoted fans of the show also know that Knight also played the role of Tad’s look-a-like, Ted Orsini from 1993–1994. That was rather odd, but somehow, Knight managed to pull it off with charm and cleverness.

During Knight’s brief absences from All My Children, he pursued other projects which would give him an opportunity to expand his experience and showcase his talent. He starred in the 1987 feature film Date with an Angel, and made numerous primetime television appearances which allowed him to spotlight both his dramatic and tremendous comedic abilities. In that spirit, Knight starred in the off-Broadway productions of Wrong Turn at Lungfish and Cakewalk with Linda Lavin.

Still, Pine Valley was always in Mr. Knight’s blood and he returned to his daytime home to the relief of his many fans who long appreciated his portrayal of “Tad.” The character developed from the rogue-ish “Tad the Cad” to being, in many ways, the show’s father figure. It was only fitting, then, that Knight was given the honor of delivering the final toast of the show as his character addressed a gathering of Pine Valley’s elite, reminding them of the importance of family and friends and reminding the audience of Agnes Nixon’s vision for the show.

This talented actor was honored with three Daytime Emmy Awards and, even more impressive, the unceasing loyalty of his fans.

Michael Fairman recently published an interesting interview with the intelligent Mr. Knight who addresses the show’s past and future and adds his thoughts about the cancellation of All My Children.

Person of the Week: David Canary

Born in Elwood, Indiana in 1938, David Canary first shined on the sports field as a high school football star, earning a football scholarship to the University of Cincinnati where he studied music and trained as a singer. His training served him well. Just days after being graduated from college, Mr. Canary was hired as part of a Broadway chorus.

Soon, he’d earned himself a semi-regular role on the nighttime serial Peyton Place as “Russ Gehring.” However, in 1967, Mr. Canary’s career really began to flourish when he won the role of “Candy Canaday” on Bonanza. David Canary’s love of the stage never faded despite his newfound small-screen stardom. He appeared on Broadway with Colleen Dewhurst in, "Great Day In The Morning", and with Geraldine Page in Tennessee William' "Clothes For A Summer Horse.” His other stage credits include: "Kismet,” "Man of La Mancha,” "The Fantastics,” "The Seagull", and "MacBeth.”

On the Set of Bonanza

Daytime TV fans became familiar with Mr. Canary’s work in 1981 when he assumed the role of "Steve Frame" on the Another World. Later that same year, Mr. Canary joined the cast of All My Children where he would play the dual roles of Adam and Stuart Chandler until 2010 and 2009 respectively.

With a host of other Primetime roles to his credit, Mr. Canary continues to make both comedic and dramatic performances in a variety of programs. The five time Emmy winner and his wife, Maureen, have a son and a daughter.

Look for Mr. Canary to return to Pine Valley for the final week of All My Children’s broadcast run this week. For the many decades of exceptional performances and entertainment that he has offered the world, David Canary is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Chrishell Stause

Chrishell Stause
ABC Daytime

With several film and television roles to her credit, Chrishell Stause is best known to audiences for her long-time role as Amanda Dillon Martin on All My Children. Miss Stause is among the many celebrated cast members who recently wrapped production on the program which, sadly, ends its historic forty-one year broadcast television run on September 23, 2011.

Miss Stause joined All My Children in April, 2006, taking over the role of “Amanda,” the daughter of Pine Valley mainstays Trevor Dillon (James Kiberd) and his wife, the local lunatic, Janet Green (Kate Collins). While Miss Stause never shared the screen with Mr. Kiberd, she was able to work with the talented Miss Collins who returned for several appearances throughout the last five years. Since joining the show, Chrishell’s “Amanda” has been front-and-center in a variety of storylines which have showcased the young actors talents for both comedy and drama.

Amanda and Janet (Kate Collins)
ABC Daytime

Prior to joining All My Children, Miss Stause, a Kentucky native, attended Murray University, where theatre was her primary focus. Miss Stause takes great pride not only in her acting work, but also her charity work. For three years, she has lent her talents as a performer to Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS, performing on stage for the benefit of AIDS Research.

To learn more about Chrishell Stause, visit her web site. While, the future of All My Children seems uncertain right now as the production looks toward a new life as an Internet-based show, we’re certain to see Miss Stause in a variety of new endeavors as her career continues.

Person of the Week: Julie Andrews

There’s more to Julie Andrews than Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp. Andrews has been delighting audiences since her early childhood and has dazzled people around the world with her amazing talent for almost her entire life.

Andrews was born October 1, 1935 to Barbara Wells. Barbara’s husband, Ted Wells, was not the child’s father. Young Julie’s mother was a driven woman with aspirations of becoming a big-time star. She was able to achieve some measure of stardom with her second husband, Ted Andrews. As Julie grew up, she was often allowed to perform with her parents. Soon, Julie was a big part of the act and was attracting a lot of attention.

Miss Andrews would soon study with voice instructor Madame Lilian Stiles-Allen who would proudly announce that the girl had perfect pitch—a claim which Andrews herself often modestly has refuted. However, Julie Andrews talent was unquestionable and she achieved her professional solo debut at the London Hippodrome, earning herself a Royal command performance for Kign George VI, Queen Elizabeth and his daughters Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.

A career on the London stage soon followed with a stand-out role in the London musical, “The Boy Friend.” As the run of “The Boy Friend” concluded, in 1955, Andrews was asked to audtion for the starring role in the American Broadway production of “My Fair Lady.” Andrews clearly won the part and was quickly celebrated as the new darling of Broadway. However, when Jack L. Warner launched the film version of the play, he found Andrews to not be popular enough to attract American movie goers and cast Audrey Hepburn (whose singing was dubbed in post production) as Eliza. Later, as she accepted the Golden Globe in 1962 for Mary Poppins (a role which also won her an Academy Award), Andrews thanked Warner for passing her over in favor of Hepburn, stating that had he not, she would not have had to opportunities to achieve the success on stage, film and television in the U.S. that she had.

Though, like most people in show business, Andrew’s career has had its highs and lows, she has continued to remain a favorite of both British and American audiences to this day. She continues to act and has recently begun to sing again following a long recovery from botched throat surgery.

Whenever I think of Julie Andrews, I think of her performance in the biopic of Gertrude Lawrence’s life, “Star!” in which she sings, “Burlington Bertie from Bow”—a favorite around our house for obvious reasons. Below, you’ll find two clips from “Star!” The first is “Burlington Bertie from Bow.” The second is “My Ship.”

For her many decades of brilliant performances and for the unending delight she’s brought many generations of audiences, Julie Andrews is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: James Cromwell

While we best know actor James Cromwell for his exceptional work in projects such as 1995’s Babe (for which he earned Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Green Mile (1999), The Sum of All Fears (2002), The Queen (2006), and in the television series Six Feet Under (2003–2005), there’s more to this talented gentleman than most people know. For all of the great impact he’s made on our collective world culture as an actor, Mr. Cromwell has made an even greater contribution on the world’s animal community.

The six foot, seven inch tall actor became a vegetarian in 1974 after touring a Texas stockyard and observing the terrible conditions therein--remarking on the "smell, terror and anxiety.” During the filming of Babe in 1995, Cromwell furthered this cause by becoming a vegan and frequently speaks on behalf of PERA on issues regarding animal cruelty. One of his predominant concerns is the ethical treatment of pigs. Furthermore, Cromwell narrated the short film Farm to Fridge--a documentary produced by Mercy for Animals—which supports his chosen cause.

However, it’s not just pigs which warrant the award-winning actor’s attention. Cromwell works to ensure the safety of all animals, both domestic and wild, through his continued research and service. For his devotion to the animal kingdom, James Cromwell is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Sir Mark Jones

Sir Mark Jones
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We spend a lot of time here at Stalking the Belle Epoque looking over the collection at Britain’s glorious Victoria & Albert Museum. The V&A houses one of the world’s most spectacular assortments of art and artifacts ranging from paintings and sculpture to jewelry and toys. It’s an exceptional collection which has been centuries in the making.
The V&A’s director, Sir Mark Jones manages the museum brilliantly. Jones, who has a particular expertise in medals, comes by his love of art history naturally as the son of writer and historian Ann Paludan. While attending Worcester College, Oxford, Jones read Politics, Philosophy and Economics, later taking an MA degree in art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art.

Mr. Jones’ next step was to work for eighteen years in the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum. There, he curated a celebrated exhibition entitled “FAKE? The Art of Deception,” In 1992, Jones furthered his career when he was appointed director of the National Museums of Scotland, through which he managed the 1998 founding of the prize-winning Museum of Scotland. In 2001, Jones was appointed director of the V&A.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

As part of his many duties, Jones is Chairman of the National Museum Directors’ Conference, a trustee of the National Trust, the Gilbert Collection, and the Pilgrim Trust, a member of the Court and Council of the Royal College of Art, Vice President of the British Art Medal Society and the Kensington & Chelsea Decorative & Fine Arts Society, and a patron of the Embroiderers' Guild and the Heritage Crafts Association.

For his services to the arts, in 2010, Jones was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen as Part of the New Year Honors. For all that he has done to encourage the stewardship and understanding of the brilliant arts of the past, Sir Mark Jones is our Person of the Week.

Person of the Week: Marsha Thomason

Marsha Thomason

Fan’s of USA’s White Collar know Marsha Thomason as Agent Diana Barrigan who adds a feminine touch to the ultra masculine team of Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) as well as Neal’s eccentric confidante, “Mozzie” (Willie Garson).

The Manchester, England-born Thomason attended Oldham Sixth Form College to study for her “A Levels” in Media Studies, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts. Later, Thomason attended the Manchester Metropolitan University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. But that wasn’t the start of her ambition to become a professional actor. Miss Thomason , from the age of thirteen, knew the path she wanted to take and, at that young age, attended Oldham Theatre Workshop. There, she was able to join in youth theatre productions both on stage and behind the scenes.

Thomason’s career began on British television in the series Playing the Field and Where The Heart Is. She also starred in the first series of the BBC Three drama Burn It. Miss Thomason’s U.S. career took off with her starring role in Disney's The Haunted Mansion. She also appeared in the films My Baby's Daddy, Black Knight and Pure. Her US television work included Las Vegas and Lost.

Miss Thomason with Matt Bomer

Miss Thomason first appeared in the pilot episode of White Collar, returning for the first season finale and joining the cast as a fulltime regular with the second season. Thomas married in 2009 and is an staunch supporter of the Machester City Football Club.

Person of the Week: Professor Glyn Edwards

Glyn Edwards
The Punch and Judy Fellowship

Matters of Mr. Punch have much been on my mind lately, especially as I await my new figure from the famous Bryan Clarke. I’ve been looking at my Punch-related materials, and, in addition to Mr. Clarke, a couple of other names continue to stand out. Among them is Professor Glyn Edwards.

Edwards offers the “world famous Brighton Punch & Judy Show,” and has been a mainstay of the Punch & Judy world for decades, delighting thousands of people, young and not-so-young with Mr. Punch’s continued antics.

Mr. Edwards comes from a theatrical family. His mother and father were seaside concert party artists in Brighton during the 1930s. Later, the elder Mr. Edwards would go on to produce pantomimes and summer variety shows. Glyn Edwards married a young woman named Mary who happened to be the niece of famed puppeteer John Wright—founder of London’s “Little Angel Theatre.” Mary Edwards is also a celebrated puppeteer and has lent her talents as both a performer and a maker of exceptional puppets to a wide range of television, film and theatre projects.

Since puppets run in the Edwards family, Glyn and Mary’s daughter, Katey, has joined the family business, now working as a Punch Professor herself with great success. They hope that Katey’s daughter, Roisin, will be the fourth generation of Edwards Family puppeteers.

For his many years of bringing joy to the English seaside and for being the standard bearer for another great dynastic performing family, Glyn Edwards is our “Person of the Week.

You can find more about the Edwards family here.

Person of the Week: Tress MacNeille

Tress MacNeille
New York Daily News

Throughout her childhood, Tress MacNeille enjoyed impersonating people and manipulating her voice into as many different characters as she could think of. By the age of eight, she had decided that she wanted to be a “voice actor,” but thought perhaps a more practical career would probably be in order. Little did she know that she would soon become one of the biggest stars in the world—just one whose face we never see.


Miss MacNeille decided that working as a disc jockey would ultimately be more profitable for her than adding her voice to the animated shows she so loved, but while working in radio, she had an opportunity to records a series of advertisements and spots which gave her a chance to showcase her remarkable range of voices and her talent for mimicry.

After working with the famed The Groundlings comedy troupe, MacNeille further explored acting lessons and by 1979 had landed her first cartoon voice-over gig on Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo.


After doing numerous music video appearances, MacNeille was cast as the voice of “Babs Bunny” in Tiny Toon Adventures, a part that gave her the chance to demonstrate her versatility as an artist as well as her ability to impersonate some of the greatest voices of all time like Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn and Billie Burke.

“Babs” led to MacNeille being offered the role of “Dot,” sister to “Yakko and Wakko,” in Steven Spielberg’s Animaniacs. From then on, the cartoon horizon was open to Miss MacNeille who has lent her vocal talents to every conceivable kind of animation. She’s most known for her roles on The Simpsons for which she voices Lindsey Naegle, Brandine Spuckler, and Agnes Skinner among many, many others. Miss MacNeille has starred in every episode of the program since 2001. A highly sought-after talent, MacNeille is also a regular cast member of Futurama, among other currently-running programs.

Interestingly enough, Tress MacNeille is also the official current voice of both Daisy Duck and Wilma Flintstone. Isn’t it amazing that this one person has given life and personality to so many characters which are embedded in our collective minds and culture, yet so few of us have ever seen her face?

And, so, for all she’s brought to the world of entertainment for these many years, Tress MacNeille is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Brad Garrett

Brad Garrett

Everybody knows Brad Garrett—or, at least they think they do. We’re more familiar with Robert Barone, the husky-voiced, self-loathing sibling of Ray on the long-running sit-com, Everybody Loves Raymond. Far more jovial and light-hearted than Robert, Brad Garrett doesn’t really speak in that deep baritone. He is, however, really that tall.


Garrett began his career in 1984 as a Grand Champion on Star Search, quickly achieving great success as a stand-up comedian and making appearances on late night programs. His appearance with Johnny Carson led to a series of important connections that allowed Garrett to perform as an opening act for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross and Liza Minelli.

Now, Garrett works many jobs as a comedian, actor, voice performer, and a professional poker player. Garrett founded the charity The Maximum Hope Foundation which was named in honor of his children, Maxwell and Hope. The foundation is dedicated to helping families of severely ill children manage through stressful financial and emotional times. To learn more about Brad Garrett, visit his official Web site.

For making us laugh for many years and for making the lives of people in need a little easier, Brad Garrett is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Jim Carter

BBC

We watch a lot of British period drama. Inevitably, we see the same few actors appearing in multiple things from the original Upstairs, Downstairs and its continuation to Cranford and Downton Abbey.



Jim Carter stars in both Cranford and Downton Abbey. As a young man, this Yorkshire native abandoned his studies in law to pursue a career in acting. He was one of the founding members of a Brighton theatre troop. Since 1984, he has performed in many films including: Top Secret! (1984), A Month in the Country (1987), The Madness of King George (1994), Richard III (1995), Brassed Off (1996), Shakespeare in Love (1998), The Little Vampire (2000), Ella Enchanted (2004), The Thief Lord (2006). The Golden Compass (2007), the first in the His Dark Materials trilogy, House Of 9 (2005) and Alice in Wonderland.

Mr. Carter, with imposing voice and stern expression, is best known as Mr. Carter, the loyal butler in Downton Abbey and for his enjoyable turn as a budding railway planner in Cranford. For his many years of exceptional performances, Jim Carter is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: White Collar’s Willie Garson

Willie Garson
USA Network

With the Season Three of USA’s White Collar beginning tomorrow, June 7, 2011, the perfect opportunity has arisen to revisit this talented ensemble of actors. Though Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay may take center stage as “Neal Caffrey” and “Peter Burke” respectively, they’d be quite lost without their quirky sidekick, “Mozzie,” played by Willie Garson.


USA Network uses the tagline, “Characters welcome.” Garson’s “Moz” is just the kind of character that can elevate a show to something much more than its original concept. Sure, Bomer’s got the looks and the playful charm, and DeKay offers the down-to-earth masculinity and authority needed in a crime drama, but without a character like “Mozzie,” it would really just be a program about two handsome guys running around with guns and stolen artwork.

Garson has been acting since 1986, mostly as a character actor in minor parts in films and television. He became quite a popular name during his longtime stint on Sex and the City, playing Stanford Blatch. With training from both Wesleyan and Yale, Garson brings a believability to roles which in the hands of a lesser actor would come off as cartoonish. “Mozzie,” for example, is a con-man with a photographic memory and a total paranoia regarding the government. Such an extreme character could easily become a buffoon, but Garson balances the role with a boyish naiveté and a fierce loyalty. Since Mozzie is Neal’s closest friend and confidant, he’s constantly in the middle of the action. Garson allows Bomer and DeKay to take center stage, all the while supporting their performances, and letting the audience love “Mozzie” in his own right.

Garson, Bomer, Dekay and Tiffani Thiessen
USA Network

Aside from acting, Mr. Garson is also a proud father to his son, Nathen, whom he adopted in 2009. After over a year of paperwork, screenings and interviews, Garson was allowed to adopt Nathen and the two share a wonderful home and family life.

For his understated brilliance as a performer and for appearing to be a very nice fellow, Willie Garson is our “Person of the Week.” For your viewing pleasure, here are some out-takes from White Collar. Warning: Adult Language. And, don’t forget to tune in to USA tomorrow at 9:00 PM Eastern, 8:00 Central for Season Three of White Collar!

Person of the Week: Lauren Bacall

Born to Jewish immigrant parents in 1924, Betty Joan Perske had always had an interest in the theater and in acting. When her parents divorced in 1929, Betty’s mother took an adapted form of her maiden name (changing Bascal to Bacall). Betty decided to distance herself from her father and changed her name to Bacall as well.


Always yearning to be around the theater, Betty took a job as an usher and enjoyed sneaking in to see the pictures that were playing. She especially idolized Bette Davis and studied the actress closely. Little did she realize that years later, she and Davis would become friends.

Near 1942, Bacall started working as a model and, finally, had her first appearance on Broadway in a small walk-on part. It was her modeling more so than her stage experience that caught the attention of Nancy Hawks, wife of director Howard Hawks. Nancy has spotted Bacall on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in 1943 and urged her husband to give the girl a screen test for his upcoming picture, To Have and Have Not. Hawks was impressed with Bacall despite her nervousness. During her screen test, she was shaking so badly from fear that, to steady her head, she pressed her chin against her chest and looked up at the camera through her lashes. This insecure gesture would become a trademark of Bacall’s acting style which would later be dubbed, “the look.”

Hawks cast Bacall alongside Humphrey Bogart in To Have an Have Not. The title of the picture was fitting in light of the events which would follow. The chemistry between Bogart and Bacall (whose name Hawks had changed to Lauren—a name he thought sounded sultrier than Betty) was undeniable and only increased as Nancy Hawks remade Betty Perske into the glamorous, stylish and desirable Lauren Bacall.

Within weeks of the start of filming, Bogart (who was already on his third wife at that time) and Bacall entered into a relationship which would change the course of film history forever. After a great deal of trouble and some divorce kerfuffle, Bogart and Bacall married in 1945. They had two children and remained married until Bogart’s death in 1957 from esophageal cancer. Theirs was considered one of the great loves of the era. Bogart’s affectionate nickname for his wife and frequent costar, “Baby,” summed up their relationship perfectly. Later, Bacall would marry Jason Robards, having a child with him, before they divorced.

Now considered one of Hollywood’s most legendary and talented actresses, Bacall continues to work in both dramatic and comedic roles, showing the wide range of talent that she displayed in her early film work in the 1940’s. Active in political causes and still very much a major player in Hollywood, Lauren Bacall is one of the few reminders we have of true Hollywood glamour.

For her exceptional body of work and her limitless talent, Lauren Bacall is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Carolyn Hennesy

Carolyn Hennesy

Multi-award-winning actor, writer, and budding trapeze artist, Carolyn Hennesy has been delighting audiences since 1992. Best known for her starring role on as Diane Miller on ABC Daytime’s (sadly—soon-to-be only remaining daytime drama) General Hospital and for her recurring role alongside Courtney Cox on Cougar Town, Hennesy shows that she is equally comfortable with comedy as she is with drama.


With a host of acting credits to her name, ranging from Dawson’s Creek to Reba, you wouldn’t think that the talented Miss Hennesy would have much time for anything else. However, she’s managed to foster her natural writing abilities into a series of popular children’s books based on the character of “Pandora.” Similarly, Miss Hennesy has made a mark on the adult fiction marketplace with The Secret Life of Damien Spinelli which features popular characters from General Hospital.

A former member of The Groundlings and The ACME Comedy Theater, Miss Hennesy’s prolific career has spanned stage, television and the silver screen. The theater is in her blood. Her father is art director Dale Hennesy and she’s the niece of acclaimed Hollywood legend, Barbara Rush. Representing a new generation of exceptional talent, Miss Hennesy’s career shows that true talent cannot be silenced.

For her many contributions to the world of the arts, Carolyn Hennesy is our “Person of the Week.” To learn more about Miss Hennesy, visit her official Web site.

Person of the Week: Mr. Punch

He has been known as many things: a loveable rascal, a rogue, a murderer, an adulterer, an innocent, a father, a husband, an abuser, a friend and foe of animals, a sausage-maker, an ornery neighbor, a scamp, an imp, a national icon and an international celebrity. He’s Mr. Punch. And, today is his 349th birthday.


No, he’s not technically a person, but he’s an enduring personality who has been repeatedly brought to life by thousands of artists all over the world for centuries. Throughout the past few months, we’ve explored Mr. Punch’s history—from his Italian roots, to his “birth” in England’s Covent Garden to his many cousins worldwide. This plucky puppet has inspired countless literary works (including Punch’s Cousin), a magazine named in his honor, grand works of art and humble folk arts. Interestingly enough, he’s risen above his origins to become something of a symbol of Britain and the people who inhabit it. He gets away with the things that we all wish we could do. He beats the devil! He triumphs over his problems! And, he does it all with a great amount of confidence and humor.

We shouldn’t really consider Mr. Punch to be a role model. Some of his behavior is quite questionable. But, we do have to admire his attitude and we can all adapt some of his unrelenting spirit into our own lives. He’s the best and the worst part of each of us—represented in figures of wood and felt. He encourages us to be the puppeteers of our own lives and to always be prepared to say, “Huzzah, I beat the Devil.”

For his 349 years of entertainment and enlightenment and for becoming more than the wooden-headed hunchback that first appeared in Covent Garden, Mr. Punch is our “Person of the Week.” Or, at the very least, “The Puppet of the Week.”

Happy Birthday, Mr. Punch.

Person of the Week: Astrud Gilberto

Astrud Gilberto

Known as the “Queen of Bossa Nova,” for over forty years, Astrud Gilberto’s music has delighted fans of pop and jazz music. Her musical sound is infused with the flavor of her home country of Brazil. When most people think of Miss Gilberto, their initial thought was her first international hit, “The Girl from Ipanema.” With this light, soothing song, Gilberto solidified her permanent place in the pantheon of popular music greats.


With dozens of top-selling albums to her credit, Gilberto toured for many years. At a point in 1982, her own son, Marcelo, joined her band, working as a bassist and, later, as a co-producer on his mother’s albums. Not only as Gilberto collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, she’s also influenced generations of musicians who continue to look to her work for inspiration.

In addition to her magical music, Gilberto also dedicates herself to a variety of causes. She has performed in benefits to raise money for AIDS research, and is a passionate supporter of animal rights.

For all of her many contributions, Astrud Gilberto is our “Person of the Week.” Enjoy these two clips. The first is her famous hit, “The Girl from Ipanema.” The other is a contemporary remix of her song, “The Gentle Rain,” which shows how deeply her influence on music continues. Pardon the obnoxious “Gossip Girl” logo. This was the only clip of this great song that I could find.

Person of the Week: Catherine Middleton

The eyes of the world are trained on Kate Middleton this week as she finally weds her longtime Royal boyfriend, Prince William of Wales. While many of the details about the Royal wedding have been kept secret, there are quite a few facts that we already know.

Known as much for her beauty and fashion-sense as she is for her relationship with the second-in-line to the throne of Britain, Catherine Middleton has long made the list of “best dressed” Britons as well as been a constant source of interest for publications ranging from the seediest tabloids to the most respected new firms. But, beautiful clothes and Royal beaux do not define Miss Middleton who has made no secret of her desire to follow in the footsteps of her fiancé’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, as a patron of numerous charities.

In lieu of gifts, the Royal couple has asked that their wedding guests make donations to any of the twenty-six charities that they’ve specified. These range from organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife to groups who seek to support bereaved and abused children.

Of particular importance to Miss Middleton is a charity which works to stop bullying in schools. Kate Middleton has shown her support for BeatBullying and admitted that she, herself, was bullied as a young teen in school. Clearly ready to show the world that she’s no longer a person who can be bullied, Miss Middleton hopes to share the joy of her special day to the people and animals whose lives are nowhere near as glamorous and comfortable as her own.

For this reason and for her future role in world history, Catherine Middleton is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Agnes Nixon

The Great and the Least,
The Rich and the Poor,
The Weak and the Strong,
In Sickness and in Health,
In Joy and Sorrow,
In Tragedy and Triumph,
You are All My Children.


Known as the “Queen of Modern Daytime Drama,” Agnes Nixon is responsible for shaping serialized storytelling for television. Nixon began her career working for the original “Queen of Soaps,” Irna Phillips who transitioned daytime drama from radio to television and pioneered new methods of storytelling. Nixon worked with Phillips on several Procter and Gamble soap operas in the capacity of writer and head writer. These include: As the World Turns, Search for Tomorrow, and Guiding Light. By the 1960’s Nixon dreamed of creating her own programs which would be able to not only entertain their audience, but enlighten them by exploring social issues and the real-life events that were shaping society.

In 1965, Nixon developed a new show which she entitled All My Children. With the “story bible” in her hand, she pitched the show to networks. For purely business reasons, ABC passed on All My Children, but asked Nixon to create a different cutting-edge show that would break the barriers of the traditional daytime drama. Nixon’s response to this request was to create One Life to Live. OLTL debuted in 1968 and gave Nixon the stage she needed to both entertain and educate.

One Life to Live was such a success that ABC asked Nixon for a second program. It was the perfect opportunity to dust off the “story bible” about her creations in Pine Valley. All My Children debuted on January 4, 1970 and broke ground with stories ripped from the headlines and thoughtful portrayals of people in true life situations. By combining the usual fantastical events which defined soap opera with important social issues, Nixon was able to create a world filled with interesting yet relatable characters.

One Life to Live and All My Children thrived on ABC and made the network’s daytime line-up one of the most successful in the industry. While Nixon’s involvement with One Life to Live became less hands-on, she did continue to counsel as well as write for All My Children well into this year.

2011 will be remembered by soap fans as the year that ABC (particularly Daytime President, Brian Frons) killed All My Children and One Life to Live in favor of cheaper, less-complicated talk shows. But, that doesn’t mean that Miss Nixon’s work will be forgotten. Through her decades of exceptional work, Agnes Nixon has impacted the world in a way few writers have an opportunity to do.

Last week, Miss Nixon said of the cancellations of her legendary programs:

“ABC’s decision to cancel All My Children and One Life to Live saddens me greatly. I treasure the decades that the worlds of Pine Valley and Llanview were brought to life by our talented casts and crews. I appreciate that the network allowed our teams to break new dramatic ground and always supported our commitment to the honest portrayal of social issues. We hope we have entertained our viewers and perhaps even educated them along the way. My deep gratitude goes to all the talented people who have contributed to All My Children and One Life To Live over these many years; we were always family, made up of writers, producers, directors, actors, crews. Equally important in that family are our loyal fans who shared this journey with us. Although ABC has concluded there is no longer a place for our shows on their network, I will do everything possible to keep them alive. God bless you all.”

--The Pine Valley Bulletin



Despite the tragic destruction of these two programs, Miss Nixon’s legacy will live on. At last year’s Daytime Emmy Awards, Nixon was honored for her tremendous body of work. And, for all that she’s done to shape our world, to educate and to entertain, Agnes Nixon is our “Person of the Week.”

Person of the Week: Victoria Rowell

Victoria Rowell

Actor, author and humanitarian Victoria Rowell, must have exceptionally good time management skills in order to accomplish everything that she does in a day. Her enviable work ethic is well-known to her many fans who recall her days of working on both a hit daytime drama, The Young and the Restless, while also filming for her Primetime show, Diagnosis Murder. What most people don’t realize is that not only was Rowell starring on both programs, she was also writing episodes of Diagnosis Murder as well as dedicating herself to her philanthropic efforts.


Rowell was born in Portland, Maine. At only sixteen days old, she and her two sisters were surrendered to Child Services and transferred into the care of a foster family. Miss Rowell thrived as a child, showing a great interest in artistic pursuits. At the age of eight she began ballet lessons and showed remarkable skill as a dancer. This led her to dance for American Ballet Theatre II and the Juilliard School of Music Dance Extension and ultimately toward teaching the art of dance for a time.

By the 1980’s, Miss Rowell’s grace and beauty caught the eye of directors and designers alike as she embarked on a new career as a model. Being in front of the camera agreed with Rowell who was soon cast in supporting roles on a variety of television programs. It wasn’t long before she was starring on The Young and the Restless as "Drucilla," a young lady with a troubled past and a bright future as a model.

The mother of two children, Rowell is often reminded of her own childhood and the time she spent with her foster family. In order to provide children in similar positions to her own, in 1990, Victoria Rowell introduced the Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan, a program designed to offer financial aid and counseling to foster children. Furthermore, the program helps to encourage children with artistic tendencies. With Rowell as a role-model, no doubt, many children will be inspired to pursue their dreams of working in the arts.

The University of Southern Maine, in 2006, awarded Rowell with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for her tireless work with foster children. For her tender spirit and artistic beauty, Victoria Rowell is our “Person of the Week.” To learn more about Miss Rowell, visit her official Web site.