Emmy
From the Earth to the Moon
September 10, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
In 1994, Ron Howard brought the story of Apollo 13 to the big screen. Directed by Howard and starring Tom Hanks as astronaut Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 is the classic kid stuck in a well story line. Except it takes place in outer space.
Apollo 13 served as the basis for space buff Hanks to further explore NASA's Golden Age in the 1998 HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.
Co-produced by Hanks, Howard, Michael Bostick, and Brian Grazer, From the Earth to the Moon is a 12-part miniseries detailing the Apollo space program based on the book Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin.
Hanks introduces each episode with a brief monologue.
From the Earth to the Moon won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries.
It shows the intensity, creativity, and dedication of the Apollo engineers, managers, and astronauts.
It reveals stories that aren't likely known beyond space historians, space buffs, and NASA insiders.
We learn about the improvements in the Apollo spacecraft triggered by the investigation into Apollo 1 fire that killed astronauts Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White.
We learn about the engineers' trial and error that led to the creation of the lunar module used by the astronauts to land on the moon.
We learn about Alan Shepard's comeback from an inner ear problem that grounded him to groundbreaking surgery that allowed him to fly on Apollo 14 in 1971. At the time, he was the oldest astronaut to launch into space. He was 47.
The Greek chorus in From the Earth to the Moon Emmett Seaborne, the news anchor of the fictional National Television Company.
Character actor Lane Smith plays Seaborne, a journalist with deep knowledge about the space program.
From the Earth to the Moon also shows the behind-the-scenes drama of America's heroes.
How did NASA decide who would be the first astronaut to set foot on the moon and how did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin address that situation between themselves?
What impact did the astronauts' professional lives have on their families.
And how did the astronauts train for subjects beyond flying, for example, geology, to familiarize themselves with moon rocks that could unlock secrets of the universe?
From the Earth to the Moon is a terrific miniseries that intensifies a long faded spotlight and shines it on America's space pioneers.
During a decade of war, assassinations of political leaders, and riots in the streets, the brave men and women involved in America's space program gave something good to America and the world.
Something inspirational.
Something awesome.
david@davidkrell.com
In 1994, Ron Howard brought the story of Apollo 13 to the big screen. Directed by Howard and starring Tom Hanks as astronaut Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 is the classic kid stuck in a well story line. Except it takes place in outer space.
Apollo 13 served as the basis for space buff Hanks to further explore NASA's Golden Age in the 1998 HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.
Co-produced by Hanks, Howard, Michael Bostick, and Brian Grazer, From the Earth to the Moon is a 12-part miniseries detailing the Apollo space program based on the book Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin.
Hanks introduces each episode with a brief monologue.
From the Earth to the Moon won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries.
It shows the intensity, creativity, and dedication of the Apollo engineers, managers, and astronauts.
It reveals stories that aren't likely known beyond space historians, space buffs, and NASA insiders.
We learn about the improvements in the Apollo spacecraft triggered by the investigation into Apollo 1 fire that killed astronauts Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White.
We learn about the engineers' trial and error that led to the creation of the lunar module used by the astronauts to land on the moon.
We learn about Alan Shepard's comeback from an inner ear problem that grounded him to groundbreaking surgery that allowed him to fly on Apollo 14 in 1971. At the time, he was the oldest astronaut to launch into space. He was 47.
The Greek chorus in From the Earth to the Moon Emmett Seaborne, the news anchor of the fictional National Television Company.
Character actor Lane Smith plays Seaborne, a journalist with deep knowledge about the space program.
From the Earth to the Moon also shows the behind-the-scenes drama of America's heroes.
How did NASA decide who would be the first astronaut to set foot on the moon and how did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin address that situation between themselves?
What impact did the astronauts' professional lives have on their families.
And how did the astronauts train for subjects beyond flying, for example, geology, to familiarize themselves with moon rocks that could unlock secrets of the universe?
From the Earth to the Moon is a terrific miniseries that intensifies a long faded spotlight and shines it on America's space pioneers.
During a decade of war, assassinations of political leaders, and riots in the streets, the brave men and women involved in America's space program gave something good to America and the world.
Something inspirational.
Something awesome.
Private Parts
June 15, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
The 1997 movie Private Parts, based on Howard Stern's autobiography of the same title, has fairly rich television connections.
The shock jock plays himself in Private Parts. His gang of Robin Quivers, Gary Dell'Abate, Fred Norris, and Jackie Martling also play themselves.
But Private Parts does more than merely take Howard Stern's storybook rise to fame from the page to the silver screen.
The movie features future stars of the small screen.
Mary McCormack plays Alison Stern, the wife of the self-proclaimed King of All Media. She steadfastly supports her husband as he finds his unique broadcasting voice.
In the final years of The West Wing, McCormack played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper.
Currently, she stars in the USA drama In Plain Sight where she plays Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon. Shannon is responsible for shepherding federal witnesses through the Witness Protection Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Allison Janney also shares a West Wing - Private Parts connection.
In Private Parts, she plays Dee Dee, a radio executive.
In The West Wing, she plays Press Secretary extraordinaire C.J. Cregg who later gets promoted to President Bartlet's Chief of Staff.
Kelly Bishop plays Howard Stern's mother in Private Parts.
We also know her as the matriarch on the poignant, successful, and thoughtful mother-daughter drama Gilmore Girls. Bishop played Emily Gilmore -- mother of Lorelai, grandmother of Rory, and wife of Richard.
Film is a director's medium. Private Parts benefits from a television veteran who draws on her experience to create a definite realism in her productions.
Betty Thomas got her big break as Officer (later Sergeant) Lucy Bates on Hill Street Blues, the highly acclaimed 1980's television drama. Thomas directed the HBO tv-movie The Late Shift based on the book of the same title by Bill Carter. The Late Shift recounts the controversy concerning who would ultimately succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show. Thomas has also directed other movies with roots in television -- I Spy, The Brady Bunch Movie.
And lastly, Paul Giamatti.
This fine character actor has starred in American Splendor, Sideways, and Cinderella Man.
In March - April 2008, Giamatti starred in the title role of the HBO miniseries John Adams based on the book of the same title by David McCullough. Giamatti won an Emmy for his portrayal of the unsung founding father.
In Private Parts, Giamatti plays Pig Vomit, Howard Stern's corporate nemesis during his days at WNBC-AM radio in New York City. Stern supplied the moniker.
david@davidkrell.com
The 1997 movie Private Parts, based on Howard Stern's autobiography of the same title, has fairly rich television connections.
The shock jock plays himself in Private Parts. His gang of Robin Quivers, Gary Dell'Abate, Fred Norris, and Jackie Martling also play themselves.
But Private Parts does more than merely take Howard Stern's storybook rise to fame from the page to the silver screen.
The movie features future stars of the small screen.
Mary McCormack plays Alison Stern, the wife of the self-proclaimed King of All Media. She steadfastly supports her husband as he finds his unique broadcasting voice.
In the final years of The West Wing, McCormack played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper.
Currently, she stars in the USA drama In Plain Sight where she plays Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon. Shannon is responsible for shepherding federal witnesses through the Witness Protection Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Allison Janney also shares a West Wing - Private Parts connection.
In Private Parts, she plays Dee Dee, a radio executive.
In The West Wing, she plays Press Secretary extraordinaire C.J. Cregg who later gets promoted to President Bartlet's Chief of Staff.
Kelly Bishop plays Howard Stern's mother in Private Parts.
We also know her as the matriarch on the poignant, successful, and thoughtful mother-daughter drama Gilmore Girls. Bishop played Emily Gilmore -- mother of Lorelai, grandmother of Rory, and wife of Richard.
Film is a director's medium. Private Parts benefits from a television veteran who draws on her experience to create a definite realism in her productions.
Betty Thomas got her big break as Officer (later Sergeant) Lucy Bates on Hill Street Blues, the highly acclaimed 1980's television drama. Thomas directed the HBO tv-movie The Late Shift based on the book of the same title by Bill Carter. The Late Shift recounts the controversy concerning who would ultimately succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show. Thomas has also directed other movies with roots in television -- I Spy, The Brady Bunch Movie.
And lastly, Paul Giamatti.
This fine character actor has starred in American Splendor, Sideways, and Cinderella Man.
In March - April 2008, Giamatti starred in the title role of the HBO miniseries John Adams based on the book of the same title by David McCullough. Giamatti won an Emmy for his portrayal of the unsung founding father.
In Private Parts, Giamatti plays Pig Vomit, Howard Stern's corporate nemesis during his days at WNBC-AM radio in New York City. Stern supplied the moniker.