Tag Archives: tv

Disney, Television, Travel

#TheMayor Gets My Vote! #ABCTVEvent

Meeting Marcel and Bernard from The Mayor

On October 9 – 11 I attended a Disney Press Event. My hotel and airfare and meals were taken care of while I was in L.A. Opinions and observations as well as recaps and such are all my own. This post may contain some affiliate links to Amazon.com.

On the second day of my trip I went to a few places including the ABC Studios. There we had a group interview and screening with two cast members of the new ABC comedy, The Mayor. We met with Bernard David Jones (“Jermaine Leforge”) and Marcel Spears (“T.K. Clifton”). Marcel is to my right and Bernard is to my left in the photo above. Immediately upon walking into the room these two guys put us all at ease. They were shaking hands and giving out hugs to everyone. They were as excited as we were to watch an episode of the show. I think that they were more excited. The Mayor is the only new Fall comedy that ABC picked up this year and that has to be a lot of pressure for a freshman show.

The Mayor on ABC
(Photo Credit: ABC)

We settled in to watch the Episode titled “The Filibuster”. That episode was airing that very night and so we were doing a lot of tweeting about the show. I had watched the pilot episode and it was funny enough. However, I really liked the second episode. I saw that the characters were beginning to change and develop a bit. These three young men were now in charge of the well being of their city and you could tell that they love the city and would do what they need to do to bring it the best that they could. Watching a show or a movie with the people who made it is always interesting. There is an energy that is hard to match. You could tell that these guys put so much hard work into their characters. When the episode was finished we were able to interview the guys and it was a fun one.

Marcel and Bernard talking about The Mayor
(Photo Credit: Allison Waken / AllForTheBoys.com)

Both of the guys went to a casting call. Marcel originally read for the part of the main character, Courtney Rose. That role went to Brandon Micheal Hall. The casting director liked Marcel so much that they needed to find a place for him on the show. That place was the role of T.K. Clifton, Courtney’s friend who is very enthusiastic but not all the way the smartest guy around. But he does have a lot of heart. Continue reading #TheMayor Gets My Vote! #ABCTVEvent →

Netflix Stream Team, Television

The Netflix Original ‘Atypical’ is a Sweet, Coming of Age Dramedy

Sam - Atypical - Netflix

As a Netflix #StreamTeam member I often get to view screeners for upcoming shows and movies. I was able to watch the first three episodes of the upcoming Netflix Original dramedy series that launches on August 11th, ‘Atypical’. This series stars Keir Gilchrist as Sam Gardner, Jennifer Jason Leigh as Elsa Gardner, Brigette Lundy-Paine as Casey Gardner and Michael Rapaport as Doug Gardner. The story centers around Sam, an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum searching for love and independence. While Sam is on his funny and emotional journey of self-discovery, the rest of his family must grapple with change in their own lives while exploring the question: what does it really mean to be “normal”?

For Sam’s mom, Elsa, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh this is a very difficult time. She has spent her life looking after Sam, protecting him from the world and taking care of his every need. Sam’s growing independence is almost a threat to who Elsa is as a person. Her whole identity has been a mother of an autistic boy. along the way she has forgotten her own identity. Sam’s journey and life-changing path is also a life-changing moment for everyone else in the family.

A Family Dinner - Atypical - Netflix

For Doug, Sam’s Dad, played by Michael Rappaport, this new change means the possibility for finally connecting to his son. This is something that Doug has tried to do all of Sam’s life. Doug desperately wants to find some common ground with Sam. I immediately identified with Doug. When Andrew was born things were clicking along like clockwork. Eva was out of diapers and was becoming more independent and easy to do more exciting things with. Then along comes Andrew. He will not sleep, he has a food allergy and he screams and cries constantly. At the same time I had taken a night job and my sleep rhythm was all out of whack. Andrew and I butted heads for most of his first few years. I worried about ever being able to connect with him and immediately saw that in Doug. Luckily , for me, I have been bonding really well with Andrew these past few years.

Rounding out the cast is Sam’s younger sister, Cassie, played by Brigette Lundy-Paine. Cassie is tough, focused and athletic. She and Doug have their bond. However, Sam’s actions also set things in motion for changes in Cassie’s life as well.

I watched the first three episodes of this 8 1/2 hour episode series. I really wanted more when my screeners were over. It is interesting to see how Sam interacts with the world around him and how his family dynamic works. I can’t say much more about the show without any spoilers to plot points but it was something I enjoyed and I think that more people will also enjoy it.

Sam and Cassie - Atypical - Netflix

With eight, half-hour episodes filmed in Los Angeles, Atypical was created and written by Robia Rashid and Academy-Award winning producer Seth Gordon. Together, Rashid and Gordon serve as executive producers alongside Mary Rohlich, with Jennifer Jason Leigh as producer. Michelle Dean, who received her PhD from UCLA and worked at the UCLA Center for Autism and Research and Treatment before joining the faculty of CSU Channel Island, was also brought into the production to help guide an accurate depiction of autism spectrum disorder. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television for Netflix.

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