Monday, February 28, 2005

Hart to Hart on DVD

H2H is coming to DVD. Season One (with extras) should be put together for release more than likely in October (perhaps sooner depending on the assembly) with the remaining seasons to follow in intervals of about four months apart, so the entire series should be completed and available by early 2007.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Update on JSJ

Jill St. John, recovering from her Aspen ski accident, where she'd averted her eyes briefly for a splitnannosecond, as someone whizzed down the slope beside her, is back home in Pacific Palisades. After an airlift to St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., she now has a new hip, steel rod up her back and pins holding her pelvis together. Jill's only comment to the surgeons? "Fix it so I can ski again."

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Romantic TV couples

Kevin Thompson's Valentine's Day picks for the TV couples that snagged our hearts.
Monday, February 14, 2005


Valentine's Day is a time for chocolate covered cherries, mushy cards, candlelight dinners and some really good lovin'.

For a TV critic, it's also a time to ponder which memorable TV couples have made our hearts skip a beat over the years.

No. 1: Mulder and Scully (The X-Files)

The truth is these two alien-chasing FBI agents exuded more sexual heat than most TV couples who fall into bed each week. Mulder and Scully did it with a knowing look. A quick embrace. A soft brush of the other's hair. A frantic cellphone call. The truth was out there: You knew their love was real. And you knew Mulder was the father of Scully's baby.

And the other 49 lovebirds . . .

2. Cliff and Clair Huxtable (The Cosby Show)

They slow danced with each other. They listened to John Coltrane together. They lovingly showed affection in front of their kids. Simply put, they had the kind of rock solid marriage everyone wants.

3. Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy)

If they weren't on this list, I'd have some 'splainin' to do.

4. Rick and Lily (Once and Again)

They showed that divorced parents over 40 could actually act like lustful teens.

5. Bobby and Pam Ewing (Dallas)

For being a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet. Aw, forget that. Remember, Bobby's six-pack abs? Pam's smokin' bod? That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

6. David and Maddie (Moonlighting)

They fought. They solved crimes. They flirted. They fought. They flirted some more.

7. Ralph and Alice Kramden (The Honeymooners)

For all his "bang, zoom, to the moon" theatrics, deep down blustery Ralph knew his stand-by-your-man Alice was "the greatest." So did we.

8. Diane and Bobby (NYPD Blue)

Ever see them getting it on in a steamy shower? If so, you'd understand.

9. Buffy and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

He was a brooding vampire. She was a sassy vampire killer. Which meant Buffy and Angel didn't go on many dreamy-eyed dates. But when they were together, their undying passion could raise the dead.

10. Barney and Betty Rubble (The Flintstones)

Because Barney can still make Betty giggle after all these years.

11. Sam and Diane (Cheers)

Their delightful verbal fencing, not all those barflies, made Cheers an instant TV classic.

12. Luke and Laura (General Hospital)

A couple who can survive sexual assaults, kidnappings and living life on the lam before getting hitched. That's love!

13. Doug and Carol (ER)

George Clooney. Juliana Marguilies. What else is there to say?

14. Ross and Rachel (Friends)

Because they were destined to be together. It just took forever.

15. Kevin and Winnie (The Wonder Years)

Ah, young love. So sweet. So innocent. Remember that first kiss in the very first show? 16. Blake and Krystle Carrington (Dynasty)

Sure, bling-blinging Blake sometimes treated his trophy wife like another pricey possession. But he loved Krystle and she loved him right back. Alexis who?

17. Rob and Laura Petrie (The Dick Van Dyke Show)

The way Laura fondly cried, "Ohhh, Robbbbb" oozed a deep-rooted passion that a '60s sitcom couldn't really explore. Rob and Laura slept in separate beds, for crying out loud!

18. Ward and June Cleaver (Leave It To Beaver)

There's something hopelessly romantic about two parents united in their parental duties. Who said every TV couple had to be all sexy?

19. Mike and Gloria Stivic (All in the Family)

They made out an awful lot, didn't they?

20. George and Gracie (The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show)

One of the all-time great show business couples. Say goodnight, Gracie.

21. Sydney and Vaughn (Alias)

Make love in the morning. Thwart a terrorist plot in the afternoon. Make love again at night.

22. Batman and Robin (Batman)

Holy close quarters! Let's face it: The Dynamic Duo spent way too much time alone in the Batcave. You do the math.

23. Martin and Gina (Martin)

Despite their off-screen problems, Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell boasted a sizzling on-screen comedic chemistry.

24. Herman and Lily Munster (The Munsters)

How often do you see Frankenstein whispering sweet nothings to his vampire squeeze? Never.

25. Mr. and Mrs. C (Happy Days)

They would excitedly rush upstairs for some afternoon delight whenever the kids weren't home. As a thumbs-up Fonz would say, "Aaayyh!"

26. Isabel and Leo (Relativity)

Kimberly Williams and David Conrad kissed like they meant it in this little-watched series that skillfully dealt with the complexities of twentysomething romance and relationships.

27. Joyce and Frank (Hill Street Blues)

No couple looked sexier in bed than those secret lovers played by the ruggedly handsome Daniel J. Travanti (Pizza Man!) and the fetching Veronica Hamel.

28. Niles and Daphne (Frasier)

Because sometimes nice, nerdy, opera-loving guys do get the girl of their dreams.

29. Jonathan and Jennifer Hart (Hart to Hart)

It's Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers, people! Hellooooooo!

30. Gomez and Morticia Addams (The Addams Family)

They did a mean tango. Only really passionate people can do a mean tango.

31. Latka and Simka (Taxi)

The funny accents made 'em so darn cute! Tank you berry much!

32. Kermit and Miss Piggy (The Muppet Show)

We needed a carefree frog and a showboating pig on the list. Seriously.

33. Paul and Jamie Buchman (Mad About You)

For showing that marriage can be hard work — and worth the effort.

34. Ozzie and Harriet (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)

See Ward and June Cleaver.

35. Lois and Clark (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)

Lois Lane and Clark Kent never looked that pretty in the D.C. Comics version. You can thank Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain for that.

36. Carrie and Big (Sex and the City)

OK, so Big was a first-class cad who often treated Carrie like crud on the bottom of his shoe. But they had chemistry. And all was forgotten when the big lug finally told Carrie, "You're the one."

37. Dharma and Greg (Dharma & Greg)

Dharma was a free-spirited yoga trainer. Greg was an uptight attorney. Yes, sometimes opposites do attract — and make you laugh.

38. Mike and Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch)

It's not easy looking chirpy and romantic when six kids are running your house. Go ahead, you try it!

39. Trista and Ryan (The Bachelorette)

Before America got sick of the attention-happy Trista, it actually loved this sweet, made-for-reality-TV couple. Well, they mostly loved the painfully shy, poetry-spouting Ryan.

40. James and Florida Evans (Good Times)

They lived with the buffoonish J.J. and still managed to keep their marriage strong. Big ups to James and Florida for that.

41. Turk and Carla (Scrubs)

They still have that newlywed glow.

42. Boston Rob and Amber (Survivor: All-Stars)

Any couple that can make living in the jungle with 16 smelly castaways look like a tropical vacation deserves a mention, don't ya think?

43. Ren and Stimpy (Ren & Stimpy)

If a scrawny, hot-headed Chihuahua (that's Ren) is gonna spend that much time with his kitty kat roomie (that's Stimpy), it must be love.

44. Remington and Laura (Remington Steele)

It's hard not to look all weak in the knees when you're standing next to the future 007.

45. Marge and Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)

Why not? At 16 years, The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom on TV. You know Homer and Marge have had some serious lovin' in at least half of those years. D'oh!

46. Pebbles and Bamm Bamm (The Flintstones)

OK, they're babies, but they played so well together. Besides, when they grew up and got their own show, we kinda figured that Pebbles and Bamm Bamm were doing more than goo-goo and gaa-gaa-ing together.

47. The Donald and . . . The Donald (The Apprentice)

No one loves himself — or his companies, hotels, casinos and TV shows — more than The Trumpster.

48. Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (The O.C.)

Sandy singing to his wife on their 20th wedding anniversary probably melted every woman's heart in America.

49. Stewart and Sally McMillan (McMillan and Wife)

Rock Hudson was a grizzled police commissioner. Susan St. James was the wife who just wanted to help. Isn't support in a marriage a beautiful thing?

50. Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen (Strange Love)

The cartoonish black rapper and the statuesque Danish actress are TV's oddest freak show couple since, well . . . give me a minute, I'll think of another one. Well, probably not.

Robert Wagner Becomes Spokesman for Senior Lending Network; Senior Lending Network To Embark on Nationwide Marketing Campaign

NEW YORK--Feb. 14, 2005--He's been called the nicest guy in Hollywood and today Senior Lending Network introduces Robert Wagner as its official spokesperson. "We are excited to report that the legendary actor, Robert Wagner, whose integrity and generous spirit make him an ideal role model and effective messenger for seniors on the benefits of reverse mortgages, has accepted the role as our spokesman," says David Peskin, president of Senior Lending Network.

Robert Wagner is one of the entertainment industry's most successful stars with an enduring career that includes three hit series and a long list of feature and television films. Perhaps best known for his early 80s hit TV series, Hart to Hart with co-star Stefanie Powers, Wagner continues to work as a Hollywood leading man and has toured the world performing A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" with Powers. Charitable with his time and talent, Wagner also stages the play at benefit events with his wife, actress Jill St. John.

"I am honored to lend my name and my efforts to improving the lives of seniors. Financial stability is a right earned from years of hard work and every senior should be aware of their options," says Wagner.

Peskin explained that production for a national television commercial will begin immediately and he expects it to start airing in February. Additionally, Wagner will be featured in print ads, educational videos and on the Senior Lending Network website http://www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.

About the Senior Lending Network:

Founded in 2003, the Senior Lending Network, a program by Mortgage Warehouse, was created to inform, educate and assist seniors aged 62 and older about the powerful benefits of reverse mortgages. By supplying interested seniors with an educational video and access to a qualified Reverse Mortgage expert in their area, the Senior Lending Network has to date helped thousands of seniors obtain the means to living a better life. For more information go to http://www.seniorlendingnetwork.com.

Contact:
Bennett & Company, Orlando, Fla.
Laura Bennett, 407-478-4040

Friday, February 11, 2005

Robert Wagner's Birthday

Mr. Wagner went to dinner last night with his daughters, their respective partners, his assistant, and one of his close friends.

When they returned from dinner, Natasha read to him the six-page fax of "Happy Birthday" wishes sent by a rep of his fans.

He was very touched and thanked everyone for their good wishes.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Jill St. John fractures hip in skiing accident

Former James Bond girl Jill St. John fractured her hip in a skiing accident.

St. John, 64, was hospitalized at Aspen Valley Hospital after the accident Saturday, then transferred Monday to an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles, family spokesman Alan Nierob said Thursday.

The actress, who appeared in numerous movies including the 1971 classic, "Diamonds are Forever," underwent successful surgery on Tuesday.

St. John is married to actor Robert Wagner.

JSJ's Surgery

The surgery went well. It lasted four hours. The surgeons were very pleased. She is in pain today though. It is not an easy thing to recover from, but she has a good attitude.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Army Archerd - February 9

Robert Wagner was with wife Jill St. John Wednesday afternoon as she was being moved from the hospital's Intensive Care Unit back to her room. She'd undergone extensive surgery Tuesday on the multiple fractures of her pelvis and right hip, the results of a skiing accident last weekend in Aspen. He said everyone (at the hospital) was wonderful to her. Wagner was to have been partied by Jill Friday at Jimmy's (he'll be 75) ...

Jill St. John injured on the slopes

Aspen Daily News

Former Hollywood star Jill St. John was sent to Aspen Valley Hospital over the weekend after sustaining injuries in a skiing accident.

A spokesman for the family said St. John was hurt while skiing in Aspen on Saturday, although he did not know the full extent of her injuries. Several
sources said St. John sustained a broken hip.

The hospital confirmed the actress was at the hospital Monday and was due to be moved to a different medical facility for further treatment.

"(St. John) is here, in good condition and is being transported to a different medical facility," said AVH spokesman Victoria Seyffert.

Due to Colorado's patient confidentiality laws, Seyffert would not comment further. St. John, 64, declined comment when reached at the hospital.

St. John and her husband Robert Wagner, who is also an actor, are long-time Aspen locals. St. John rose to fame as a wavy-haired starlet in the 60s. Her movie credits include playing Bond girl Tiffany Case alongside Sean Connery in 1971's "Diamonds are Forever."

Jill St. John's Injuries

Jill St. John fell while skiing in Aspen. Her hip came out of the socket and smashed her pelvis in two places.

She had surgery yesterday and has a long recovery in front of her.

Robert Wagner's 75th birthday party is cancelled. (His birthday is Thursday).

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Jill St. John Involved in Accident

Jill St. John was medevacked from Aspen to L.A. yesterday after what's said to have been a serious ski accident. A rep for the 64-year-old "Hart to Hart" actress had no immediate word on her condition. Friends are hoping she'll be well enough to join her husband, Robert Wagner, at his 75th birthday party on Thursday.