Paul Ben-Victor Sighting Tonight

This is very last minute, but those of us on the West Coast may still be able to catch this.  Elaine has informed me that Paul Ben-Victor has a role in tonight’s episode of Everybody Hates Chris.  It airs on the CW at 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.  Folks on Central Time might be able to catch it also, but do check your local listings for the correct channel and time. 

If you miss it, you can also watch it online at the official Everybody Hates Chris website.  It may take a day or so for it to get posted online.

Thanks, Elaine, for keeping your eyes open and helping to keep us informed!

And the Emmy Goes to…

Greg Yaitanes!  Yep, the former Invisible Man director has won an Emmy for best director of a drama series.  The series is House and the episode he directed is entitled “House’s Head.”

There are a couple of versions of a story going around that when it came time to go to the press tent after the awards ceremony, none of the reporters had a question for Greg.  Strange.  You would think the reporters would be better prepared, after all, this is the Emmy’s. 

Here’s the LA Times version of what happened:

Greg Yaitanes, one of the directors of “House,” won an Emmy for his work on the first part of last season’s finale. But when he walked into the press tent, no one jumped at a chance to ask him a question. Just as the director was going to leave, one reporter jumped up (out of pity?).

Before she asked her question, Yaitanes said, “Wouldn’t it have been better and more uncomfortable if I didn’t answer any questions?”

The reporter asked, anyway: “It seems House becomes more and more unlikable as the seasons go on. Do you think there’s going to be redemption for him this season?”

Yaitanes said, “I am not a writer. I’m a director.”

The reporter tried to ask the question again in a different way but then just gave up.

“It’s OK,” Yaitanes said. He left the stage.

Hollywood Today had a slightly different version of what happened:

Greg Yaitanes director of ‘House’ won for best director of a drama series. Unfortunately when Yaitanes came to the stage there were no questions until one clueless reporter asked him what it was like to win as the writer in the series. “I’m not the writer I’m the director,” Yaitanes said scolding the reporter. He abruptly walked out of the press tent.

Well, that was awkward.  Too bad none of the reporters asked him a question about the actual directing of the episode. 

Also, which version do you believe?  This reminds me of something I learned many years ago:  Don’t believe everything you read in the press.  You’d be amazed how frequently reporters get their facts wrong.  Now I’m not trying to paint reporters as evil or incompetent, although I’m sure there are some in the bunch.  But I’ve known a few reporters in my life and even briefly worked in an ABC newsroom many, many years ago; and I’ve got to say I really liked the reporters I’ve known.  But the nature of the job is so deadline driven that it is often difficult to find the time to make sure the facts are precise.  The above is a good example of this.  We have two different versions of the same event and, because of the way they are worded, we have one that paints Greg in a more flattering light than the other. 

Anyways, if you haven’t seen the House episode that won Greg the Emmy, you can watch it below.  It’s a complex episode filled with numerous flashbacks and dream sequences.  I can see why Greg won for this episode.  He definitely deserved it.

Paul Ben-Victor Video Interviews

Paul Ben-Victor Have any of you had a chance to look around the In Plain Sight official website?  If not, there are some great video interviews with Paul Ben-Victor that you should check out.  In the third video Paul talks about being an actor and I have to say I really admire his philosophy and attitude about what he does for a living.

To view the videos click on the link below and scroll down the page a bit until you get to Paul’s videos.  

Paul Ben-Victor Video Interviews

Vincent Ventresca Sighting Tonight!

Vincent VentrescaThis is very last minute and I realize that for those of you on the East coast this may be coming too late, but I just found out that Vincent Ventresca is a guest on tonight’s episode of In Plain Sight!  Yep, Vince and Paul in the same show again.  How cool is that?!  I wonder if they will have any interaction?

In Plain Sight is on tonight at 10:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. Central) on USA.  The episode is entitled “Hoosier Daddy” (how fitting).  If for some reason you missed it, do check the In Plain Sight website for air dates of repeats of this episode.

Last, but by all means not least, I want to give Elaine a big huge thanks for giving me the heads up on this.  

“In Plain Sight” Premieres Tomorrow

Paul Ben-VictorMy does time fly when you’re busy working on a film.  Tomorrow is the premier of Paul Ben-Victor’s new series In Plain Sight!  Not long ago it seemed so far off, and now it’s already here.  Funny how that happens. 

So I’ve been checking out the reviews and the critics run the range from like it to hate it.  Jonathan Storm from Philly.com describes the show as “formulaic, but it works” and manages to insult and compliment Paul all in one sentence:

Mary’s boss is Stan McQueen, which, I guess, is funny because he’s played by schlumpy, shrimpy Paul Ben-Victor, a great character actor last seen as henchman to The Greek, the all-powerful crime boss in The Wire.

Here are some more reviews to check out if you wish:

Blogcritics Magazine
Crime Spree Cinema
Entertainment Weekly
The San Francisco Chronicle
USA Today
LA Times

Here’s an interesting press release that talks about USA’s interactive marketing campaign for In Plain Sight.   

TV.com has a whole bunch of photos from the show that you can check out.

Fanbolt has a great interview with Paul about his new series and he does mention Invisible Man in it, more than once.

So be sure to check out Paul’s new series, In Plain Sight, tomorrow night, June 1, 2008, at 10:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. Central) on USA.

Official In Plain Sight Website