STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY TALKS ABOUT GLEE (FOX)

On May 19 US network Fox will show a special preview of Glee, the new one-hour musical comedy series from Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), right after American Idol. Glee will start officially during the fall season, 13 episodes have been ordered (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/primetime-pilot-panic-new-fox-hot-list-sons-of-tucson-and-human-target-join-glee-on-sked/) .

Last november Stephen Tobolowsky, an actor and a person we appreciate and respect very much (http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2008/05/stephen-tobolowsky.html), told us that he just shot the pilot of Glee (http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2008/11/latest-news-from-stephen-tobolowsky.html). And now he has accepted very nicely to tell us a few words about his participation: « I am very excited about Glee. It is based in a high school Glee club and I play the old glee club teacher who is fired for touching the boys. I am replaced by Matthew Morrison (huge voice and Broadway star who was one of the leads on Broadway in the recent production of South Pacific).

The show is basically a comedy with great singing and dancing. Our choreographers did the movie Hairspray, major talents. Ryan Murphy, creator of Nip/Tuck is at the helm writing and producing and occasionally directing. All of the songs exist within the context of the plot so it is not like High School Musical where people are breaking into song. The music is great, edgy fun.

I end up blackmailing my way back into the school as Dean of the Arts and who knows what else... I am definitely one of the villains of the show with Jane Lynch. Very funny... Fingers crossed that it all works. I have heard that it does but I have not seen the show.»

Perhaps Simon Cowell will like it...

Extended trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNU0KoBIIdE

http://www.fox.com/glee/ (Official website of Glee)
http://www.stbpmovie.com/index.html (Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party)

(C) Thierry Attard

LATEST NEWS FROM STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY

Should you pick only one reason to like this business, it would be Mr Stephen Tobolowsky (http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2008/05/stephen-tobolowsky.html), one of these consumed professional actors who give sense to a movie with his single presence at the service of a character, a script and a director. Not to mention the fact that only his name can make your humble servant watch Heroes.

More, the man is one of the nicest persons in Hollywoodland and always have a generous anecdote about his career or about his life to offer to you like if it was a gift in your birthday party (http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2008/05/stephen-tobolowskys-birthday-party.html). And to have the privilege to discuss with him of Bob Darnell or Joseph Ruskin recalls you that movies mean not only B.O. or "franchises".

« I was in a big movie that should be released soon... The Time Traveller's Wife, starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. It was a lot of fun to shoot. It is a very interesting combination of a love story and science fiction... I hope it works » Stephen told us yesterday.

« I just shot a TV pilot called Glee, from Ryan Murphy, the creator of Nip/Tuck. If that show is successful it will be premiered after American Idol in January. Again it was a tremondously fun script and shoot and the cast is very talented... but I have learned that one can never take anything for granted. When I was shooting the movie Hero I thought it was a slam dunk. It was directed by Stephen Frears (one of the finest directors working today), it starred Dustin Hoffman, Andy Garcia, and Geena Davis, and it was written by David Webb Peoples (nominated for the Academy awards with Unforgiven)... But the movie really never quite worked as it should have. It's good, but it had the pieces to be great... You never know. »

Hollywood should do a TV series about Stephen Tobolowsky. He's a character in his own respect and adventure is never far when he's around, especially when he's on holidays. « Also this was the year I broke my neck in five places and have lived to tell the tale!!! » he adds. « Feeling better everyday! »

Thanks for all, Mr Tobolowsky.

(C) Thierry Attard