Stephen J. Cannell - a Class Act Even in Death

Though I was never fortunate enough to work with Stephen J. Cannell, I did get to meet him at the WGA Foundation Tribute to him, which you can read about in an earlier posting. At that time I was able to tell him how much I admired him. I have watched most of TV shows he has written and produced. I've loved it whenever he stepped in front of the camera, whether the role was large or small. And I've read all his books. In fact, he remains one of my favorite novel writers.

Through the generosity of a good friend, I have signed hardcover editions of all Cannell's books. Since my friend knows how much I love SJC's novels, he has purchased every new publication as it came out, gone to SJC's book signings and gotten SJC's autograph. Then I'd get these precious books at my birthdays and Christmas.

When the availability of this latest book, the second to the last, The Prostitute's Ball, was announced, I knew I'd be getting it because I'd want to read it just like all the others. But I was terribly saddened by the thought that it would not be autographed, due to Cannell's untimely death. In fact, I wasn't sure that I'd be able to bear seeing it, knowing...

Well, as expected, I got the book for Christmas. To my surprise, it came with an adhesive label with Stephen's signature on it. Knowing that he might not be around for the publication date, Stephen had thought so much of his fans who consistently bought his books and came to his signings, that he had signed a batch of adhesive labels so that we could attach them ourselves when we got our books.

Words fail me to describe how touched I am for his caring and concern for us when he had so many more important things on his mind. I will cherish this book for the precious gift it is. And I will remain saddened for the finite number of books that I will have from him and all the stories not told. Like he has been from the beginning, Stephen J. Cannell remains a class act.

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Photo credit: courtesy of Phil Philkin Konstantin

Poster from Photo Shoot of The Family Crystal

Jim Metropole who is a great photographer shot our outdoor photo shoot for the one-sheet announcing The Family Crystal web series. Jim also did the attached mock up of the poster. Director Elaine Zicree hasn't signed off on it yet, nor has she said what she thinks of it, so it isn't official. But I think it's cool.

The pose is from a series where Elaine wanted a photo that would suggest what the web series was about. So I did various muggings for the camera. I guess this is the one that Jim liked.

Psych Cast & Twin Peaks Alumni Join Fans at Paley Center to view Psych's Twin Peaks Tribute Episode

Tonight USA Network's Psych will air a spectacular Twin Peaks tribute that should be a raucous good time for anyone who loved the ground-breaking 90s series. Not only is the script a humorous spoof and loving homage, but several Twin Peaks alumni were invited to join in the fun. Imagine, getting to see your old castmates and getting paid for it as well.

To celebrate this event, Psych held their very first screening of the episode Monday night at The Paley Center for Media, which had honored them back in April. And they opened the event up to fans to share this special screening with a Q&A afterwards.

I was fortunate to do press for this event which I wrote up for Suite101. And both Psych actors and Twin Peaks actors said that they were seeing the finished product for the first time with the rest of us.

All but one of the regular cast of Psych attended this screening: James Roday, who also co-wrote it, Dule Hill, Corbin Bernsen, Maggie Lawson and Timothy Omundson. From Twin Peaks were Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer/Madeleine 'Maddy' Ferguson), Catherine Coulson (The Log Lady), Robyn Lively (Lana Budding Milford), Lenny von Dohen (Harold Smith) and Ray Wise (Leland Palmer).

Since none of us in the press line had seen the episode either, we all had to wing it in terms of questions. Corbin was a surprise as we were under the impression only Shawn and Gus go to the Cinnamon Festival. Asked if he was in the episode, Corbin said naw, he was just there for the wine and cheese... obviously in the green room, since we didn't see any such layout.

As always, there isn't enough space for my articles to contain everything, so I will share a few tidbits here and on my WordPress blog. While Sheryl Lee was answering my question on behind-the-scenes Twin Peaks stories she might have shared with fan extraordinaire James Roday, which I reported on in my Suite101 article, I was reminded of all the viewing parties I had heard about where fans gathered to analyze what was going on.

I mentioned that to Sheryl and she chuckled and agreed. "I know," she said. "The other thing that's funny is that everybody was convinced that we knew the answers... Everybody thought I knew who killed Laura and I had no idea who killed Laura until the day that Maddy was killed. And before that scene, David called us (pointing to Ray Wise) into the office and said that Leland did it with Bob and now Maddy was gonna get it. So we were flying by the seat of our pants as well."

I asked Ray Wise what else he was doing and he told me, "I'm going to be doing the next X-Men movie. I'm going to London in another couple of weeks and I play the Secretary of State... of the United States."

I couldn't resist -- I asked him if he was going to dress up like Hilary?

Ray laughed and said, "No. Not like Hilary. I'll be the male version. I'll have a suit and tie. And I'll be properly diplomatic, too."

I very much enjoyed the evening so I encourage you to check out my article: "Psych Unveils Twin Peaks Tribute Episode at the Paley Center."
http://www.suite101.com/content/psych-unveils-twin-peaks-tribute-episode-at-the-paley-center-a315655.

Photo credit of the first lovely photo goes to Kevin Parry/The Paley Center for Media. The rest are my candid shots, showing that I'm not a good photographer, but a willing sport to let you share in the fun.