Enjoy these longform interviews done in an intimate, personal style reminiscent of The Dick Cavett Show or Inside the Actor's Studio. 

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Kevin Peter Carroll

Ralph Perfetto 

 

KEVIN PETER CARROLL &

RALPH PERFETTO

Candidates (listed alphabetically) for office of Democratic District Leader for New York Assembly District 60

We're kicking off our election season coverage with a pair of interviews with the candidates for Democratic District Leader for New York Assembly District 60.  These are unpaid positions, but very important because the District Leader is charged with recruiting candidates for their party, getting them on the ballot, and campaigning for them, among other duties.  In these interviews, conducted separately, you will gain an understanding of the position, the issues each candidate feels are important, as well as their political backgrounds and experience.

 

 

DAN KROLL

Creator and Owner of soapcentral.com

Dan Kroll started soapcentral.com 15 years ago as an online destination for soap fans from all walks of life to meet and chat about their favorite daytime shows and soap actors.  SoapCentral.com also breaks the latest news from all the soaps including spoilers to upcoming storylines and interviews with the hottest daytime actors.  It has remained one of the most popular web sites on the Internet for the last 15 years.  In this exclusive interview, we turn the tables on Dan as he becomes the subject of an in-depth look at the struggles he overcame to create soapcentral.com, and the surprising and terrifying journey his life took while he was in college that led him to change career paths from aspiring doctor to online entrepreneur.  A very honest and revealing interview that you won't soon forget.

 

 

DAN PARENT

Comic Book Writer and Artist for Archie Comics

Dan Parent joined Archie Comics over 20 years ago, and has since risen to be one of their most prolific creators.  He's created some of the more well-known Archie stories during his time there including the famous "Love Showdown" series that ran in the early 1990s.  Dan's current work is no less groundbreaking for the residents of Riverdale: Archie embarks on a romance with Valerie, the African-American character from Josie and the Pussycats beginning in May, and in September, the gang meets Kevin Keller, Archie Comics' first openly gay character.  We talk to creator Dan Parent about all this and much more of the new, innovative projects at Archie in this exclusive interview.

 

 

KAI SOREMEKUN

Creator and star of the web series, CHICK

Following the conclusion of the first season of her web series, CHICK, we invited Ms. Soremekun back for another interview -- this time on our Internet radio show.  Kai reflects back on the lessons she's learned in creating her own series, and we chat about the story and the larger mythology that has begun to form as events transpire in and around the life of the series' protagonist, Lisa, as she continues on her quest to become a superhero.

 

 

JERRY BECK

Animation historian and author

1st interview: A must-listen for animation fans and, in particular, Looney Tunes fans as we chat with Jerry for our Internet radio show.  Jerry shares his background and tells us how he developed an interest in animation and how he became one of the country's foremost authorities in the field.  We go in depth into the history of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies and discuss the different directors who created these characters and brought them to life.  Also, we talk about Jerry's new book, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons, and we get the inside scoop about Warner Home Video's upcoming plans for animation-on-DVD releases.

 

 

BENJAMIN SPIERMAN

Associate Artistic Director of the Bronx Opera

1st interview, January 2010: Ben Spierman talks to us about the origins of the Bronx Opera as well as its stated goals.  We then get an exclusive extended sneak peak at the opening performance of Gustav Mahler's Die drei Pintos, which will be performed by the Bronx Opera company of actors on January 9, 10, 16, 17, 2010.

2nd interview, May 2010: Ben Spierman talks to us about the latest production of the Bronx Opera, Don Pasquale by Italian composer, Gaetano Donizetti, which will have a four-performance engagement on May 7, 8, 14, 15, 2010.  This is an audio-only interview conducted for our US Townhall RealStories radio show.

 

JAMAL IGLE

Comic Book Artist for DC Comics

1st interview Part 1: Jamal talks about his background and how he got into comic books as a career.

 

1st interview Part 2: Jamal talks about his work on DC Comics' Supergirl title and gives spoilers to upcoming Supergirl storylines as well as the War of the Supermen crossover beginning May 2010.

1st interview Part 3: We talk about the fan reception to Superman: World of New Krypton and discover the hidden meaning of that series' title.  How much longer does Jamal plan on staying with Supergirl, and what are his future goals?  Also, Jamal opens up about his time on Firestorm, the racism he encountered on the messageboards about that character, and much, much more.

 

1st interview Part 4: We conclude this initial interview with Jamal and examine the differences between Superman and Supergirl vis-à-vis Krypton, fans rejecting a story even before it's printed, the new Earth-1 graphic novel series, why Jamal thinks Dan DiDio is so smart, what DC Entertainment means for the future of DC Comics, and what's this about Geoff Johns becoming DC's new Publisher?

2nd interview Part 1: We're back with our second visit with Supergirl artist, Jamal Igle.  In honor of both Black History Month and the arrival of Supergirl #50 on February 17, we wanted to visit again with one of our more popular interview subjects.  In this first part of our new interview, Jamal goes more in depth about his internship at DC Comics as a high school student, recalls how he became a comic book fan and which series he read, and why he never bought into the X-Men premise.

 

2nd interview Part 2: Jamal talks more about upcoming storylines in Supergirl and addresses the fan speculation regarding the meeting between Kara and Brainiac 5.  He also discusses what kind of boyfriend he'd like to see for Kara, Supergirl vs. Superboy, War of the Supermen, Brightest Day, Booster Gold, Justice League: Generation Lost, the weekly event set in the DC Online Game Universe and much more!

 

2nd interview Part 3: We enter an Elseworlds where Jamal Igle is the new Publisher of DC Comics.  What would he want to accomplish?  What titles would he cancel?  Back in the real world, Jamal responds to Marvel Comics' Siege Deadpool variant cover promotion.  Exactly what did he think of the idea of Marvel requiring DC Comics be ripped up in order to qualify for the cover.  What did Jamal think of that Deadpool cover, anyway?  He tells us and pulls no punches.

 
2nd interview Part 4: We finish off this latest chat with Mr. Igle where he tells us which characters at DC he'd like to work on in the future.  The answers are interesting and surprising.  What does he see as the key differences between DC and Marvel, and which Marvel titles would he want to draw and not want to draw.  Again, the answers surprise.  Finally, we talk Nightwing, and Jamal tells us how he'd handle the character if he were not only the artist on the character, but the writer as well.  What do you think of his ideas?
 

 

 

 

JAY MICHAELS & MARY MiCARI 

Genesis Repertory Producer & Artistic Director

Jay & Mary talk about the founding of the Genesis Repertory Theatrical Company and preview their current season of projects including their version of Romeo and Juliet where Romeo is Jewish and Juliet is Palestinean.  This brief interview with the heads of a Brooklyn-based theatrical company is a must-see for all those who wish to support live theater in their communities.

 

 

 

 

 

GENESIS REPERTORY

Meet the company of actors

Part 1: Spotlight vignette interviews with Mary & Francis Callahan, John Stillwaggon, Anna Frankl-Duval, and Lisa Tosti (top row, l-r).

Part 2: Spotlight vignette interviews with Kristin O'Blessin, Louis Tullo, Michelle Alexandra, and Theresa Chow (bottom row, l-r)

 

 

 

 

 

AGNES NIXON

Legendary creator of TV's One Life to Live and All My Children

Part 1: As part of our series of Guiding Light exit interviews, Ms. Nixon talks about her start in radio and television and being mentored by the creator of the soap opera format, Irna Phillips.  She also talks about the creation of her own soaps, One Life to Live and All My Children.

Part 2: As our chat continues, Ms. Nixon goes into more depth on writing her own soaps -- One Life to Live and All My Children -- and the issue-oriented storylines, such as interracial romance and abortion, that she was famous for pioneering in daytime.  She also shares her insights as to why Erica Kane, the lead character on All My Children holds such appeal to both women and men.  Finally, Ms. Nixon discusses some interesting fan encounters she's had over the years.

Part 3: At last, the final part of our conversation with Ms. Nixon as she reveals her all-time favorite storyline that she wrote for a soap.  Can you guess what it is?  Also, Agnes talks more about her mentor Irna Phillips and shares her thoughts and concerns over the recent relocation of her signature show, All My Children, to Los Angeles.  This is an extra-long installment, so brew a cup of coffee and settle in for Agnes Nixon at her most candid.  Although we filmed this in October 2009, we held back on posting this until February 2010 due to the sensitive nature of some of Ms. Nixon's statements.  We promise it was worth the wait.

 

 

 

 

 

TOM PELPHREY

Emmy-winning television actor

Part 1: A Guiding Light exit interview, Tom talks about his controversial incest storyline and shares his experiences on the show from his initial audition up until the show's recent cancellation.  Tom also talks about his time pursuing acting work in California and tells us who he'd like to work with in the future.

Part 2: Just a quick audio clip, taped in late September, 2009 where Tom previews his current stint on the daytime drama, As the World Turns.

 

 

 

 

THE APOTHECARY THEATRE COMPANY

NYC-based off-Broadway theatrical company

We sit with Dennis Flanagan (Executive Director, Founder), Shawn Renfro (Artistic Director, Founder), Kate Russell (Artistic Associate), Ryan O'Nan (Resident Playwright), and actor Tom Pelphrey as they discuss the formation of ATC, talk about their past projects, and preview their upcoming production of an original work, In God's Hat, premiering July 2010.

Note that due to a technical glitch that left much of the video we shot unusable, this episode switches to still pictures plus audio after five minutes.

 

 

 

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