Television

In June the Writers Guild Foundation held its 2002 Film and Television Writers Forum, called "Words into Pictures." The forum focused on the role of the writer in film and television. We feature highlights from the forum. Participants included David Milch of NYPD Blue, Stephen Gaghan of the film Traffic and Aaron Sorkin of The West Wing.

The HBO hit series Sex and the City, begins a new season July 21. We'll hear from two people involved with the show: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker was just nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She's been acting for most of her life, including playing Annie on Broadway, the young bimbo in L.A. Story, and a fed-up fiancee in Honeymoon in Vegas. This is her fifth season starring in Sex and the City, as Carrie, a columnist who writes about the sexual mores of New Yorkers.

Writer and executive producer of Sex and the City, Michael Patrick King. The show was just nominated for five Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series, and Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. He has also written for the television series, Murphy Brown and acted as a consultant for the hit series, Will and Grace.

Actor Tony Shalhoub plays the obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk in the USA Network series Monk. His films include, The Man Who Wasn't There, Spy Kids, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Men in Black and Men in Black II, Big Night, Barton Fink and Honeymoon in Vegas.

Writer/Executive producer Andy Breckman of the new USA Network series, Monk. The program is about a detective with an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and premieres Friday, July 12, 2002. Breckman was one of the original writers of Late Night with David Letterman and has worked with Saturday Night Live.

Musician and actor Steve Van Zandt is a guitarist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He's also recorded solo and has produced a number of records and written songs for other musicians. He plays hitman Silvio Dante in the hit HBO series The Sopranos. He's also now a radio DJ. His syndicated show, Hard Rock Cafe Presents Little Steven's Underground Garage plays Sunday nights on a number of classic rock stations across the United States.

TV critic David Bianculli discusses the phenomenon of entire seasons of TV shows on DVD, including Friends, The X-Files and Sex and the City.

TV critic David Bianculli wraps up May ratings sweeps. He talks about the season finales of the shows Survivor, The Practice and The X-Files, and discusses reunion specials such as The Cosby Show: A Look Back.

T.V. critic David Bianculli reviews L.A. Law: The Movie and considers the penchant of networks to look back instead of ahead.

Actor and comedian Denis Leary. He currently starring in the ABC comedy series, The Job. He also known for his work in films such as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Ref. Leary has completed over 20 feature films, several cable specials, a book, a CD, and he has an international hit song. He got his own production company, Apostle.

Actress, writer, comic Ellen Degeneres is soon to begin a stand-up tour. Her five-year sitcom Ellen won an Emmy for her much-anticipated coming-out episode. At the same time Degeneres' character realized she was gay, the entertainer revealed her own sexual orientation. Degeneres talks about coming out, her former relationship with actress Anne Heche, and why she resists becoming a lesbian role model. Degeneres is the author of the book, My Point... And I Do Have One.

Actor, writer, comedian Andy Richter. For seven years he was Conan O'Brien's sidekick on Late Night. Now he has his own sitcom on FOX, Andy Richter Controls the Universe. Richter could be seen in the movies, Scary Movie 2, Dr. T & The Women, Big Trouble and Run, Ronnie, Run.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the three-part mini series Almost Strangers starring Michael Gambon on the cable and satellite network BBC America.

He wrote and starred in his films which include the hipster comedy Swingers and Made (which he also directed). In each film he teamed up with fellow actor and friend Vince Vaughn. Recently he also starred in the romantic comedy Love and Sex. His latest project is a new talk show series Dinner For Five which he created and hosts for the Independent Film Channel

Singer, songwriter, and actor Chris Isaak. His new album is called Always Got Tonight. He's the star of the semi-autobiographical Showtime series The Chris Isaak Show, now in its second season. Isaak's 1991 hit Wicked Game still stands as his signature song.

Actor Michael C. Hall plays David Fisher, the gay brother who co-runs a funeral home on the HBO hit series Six Feet Under. The American Film Institute has nominated Hall for Best Male TV Actor-Drama for his role in the series. Hall comes to TV from the stage. Most recently, he was on Broadway as the emcee in Cabaret. Prior to that role, he was in a number of off-Broadway productions.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews two new Fox comedies: Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Greg the Bunny.

T.V. critic David Bianculli previews the CBS special 9/11,which airs Sunday at 9:00 ET/PT. Filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet captured footage of the collapse of the World Trade Center from the inside. Robert DeNiro narrates the special.

TV critic David Bianculli reviewsWatching Ellie, the new sitcom starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a Seinfeld alumna.

His TV series, Primetime Glick, is a spoof of celebrity talk shows. Short plays Jiminy Glick, the self-absorbed host of the fictitious talk show. He interviews A-list celebrity guests, but often gets information about these guests wrong. The new season of Primetime Glick premieres this weekend. Martin Short was a cast member on both Saturday Night Live and SCTV. His movies include Father of the Bride, The Three Amigos, and Innerspace.