Document 6448461

10E
LIVING
• SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2014
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
TV Q AND A
BY RICH HELDENFELS
THE AKRON BEACON JOURNAL
T H E A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S
Kelsey Grammer plays a deliciously type-smashing part as the primary nonrobotic villain in “Transformers: Age of Extinction.”
Q: Are there any plans to make
“Fargo” an ongoing series?
A: Without getting too deep into
spoilers, a second season of the
FX drama would have to proceed
without some major characters.
But that’s not so unusual in TV
these days.
With “Fargo,” the writing and
tone of the series were wellreceived, and Noah Hawley —
working off the Coen brothers’
big-screen template — certainly
showed he could do entertaining
Kelsey Grammer,
from ‘Frasier’
to ... tough guy?
corrupt Chicago mayor, and you’re
the bad guy in “Transformers.”
Why didn’t you start twirling your
proverbial mustache earlier?
A. I just ended up making
money in the funny. “Boss” really
changed the perception. I think it
may have been a clip of the first
season of “Boss” that convinced
(“Transformers: Age of Extinction”
director) Michael (Bay) I could
handle this.
Q. “Frasier” hangs over
everything else you do. Was the
idea to show people you have
other dimensions?
A. In England, they’re easier
about performers going from
movies to TV to theater. That’s the
life I’ve always wanted. “Frasier”
did cast a big shadow. Reasonably
so. It was a great show, a good
performance, I’m very proud of
it. I live the way I live because
of it. But I’m an actor. I observe
the human experience and get to
relate that observation through
different characters.
Q. You’ve filmed 10 episodes
of your new series, “Partners,”
under an agreement with FX to
produce 90 more fairly quickly if
the show takes off. Why take a
10/90 deal instead of going the
usual series route?
A. You’ve got to get to 100
shows to get to any kind of
remuneration and have it be worth
the time. So you get there sooner
this way, in under two years. It’s
more of a challenge. But I don’t
want to play another character for
five or six years.
People will still think, “Oh, there’s
that guy that played Frasier.” But
he’s a little less principled.
Q. Your character is a lawyer
who’s been fired from his father’s
firm and teams up with Martin
Lawrence’s bleeding heart
character on the show?
A. The guy I play needs a
new reputation. He’s known as
a charlatan and a shark and
a schmuck. The guy Martin
plays has gone the way of least
resistance as well. He wants to be
a do-gooder, but he has no money.
Together, they’re a pretty lethal
team.
Q. Where does theater fit into
things?
A. I did “La Cage Aux Folles” in
New York four years ago. It’s when
Kayte and I met and fell in love.
It’s why we got married on the
stage where I did the play. But it
was really demanding. You want
to lose weight, go do a stage play.
You always lose 10 pounds.
The next thing for me is a
musical. I don’t know if it’s
appropriate to talk about it yet.
It’s something Harvey Weinstein
is doing that’d be next year. There
are two film scripts I’m trying to
write. I know I said I’m not a writer.
But maybe that’s my next thing.
I don’t think you should ever quit
trying. And that’s what it comes
down to.
BY CHRIS LEE
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
With his stentorian voice and
pompous whiff of erudition,
Kelsey Grammer cemented a
spot in TV history playing Dr.
Frasier Crane for 20 years, first
on “Cheers” and then on “Frasier.” But now, since Grammer’s
2011-12 Starz series “Boss”
effectively pressed reset on his
career, the performer is intent
on leaving his comically bloated
persona behind with a suite
of new television and movie
projects.
Among them: co-star of the
FX Network series “Partners”
(set to begin airing in August),
a supporting role in the ensemble action-thriller “The
Expendables 3” (hitting multiplexes Aug. 15) and a deliciously type-smashing part as the
primary non-robotic villain in
“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” which just opened.
Q. You rode in a tank at the
Cannes Film Festival with
Sylvester Stallone, Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson.
A. Yeah, promoting “The
Expendables 3,” we rode a tank
down the Croisette. It was the first
time tanks have been allowed on
the streets of France since World
War II! “The Expendables” was
an unexpected pleasure this year.
Just as nice a guy as can be is
Sylvester Stallone.
Q. In the film, it’s him, Harrison
Ford, Jet Li, Jason Statham,
Wesley Snipes and ... Kelsey
Grammer. One of these things is
not like the others.
A. I had to campaign to get into
Stallone’s movie. It was the start
of a fantastic friendship. They’re
talking about (“Expendables”) 4,
and I’m doing it. I said, “Let’s get
me fighting this time.”
Q. I would have never guessed
you wanted to kick butt on film.
A. I have this theory about my
career: I always keep people
guessing. I’ve got the time to do
it now. I’ve got a new life with my
wife, Kayte, and a couple more
kids. It’s really exciting. I need to
be at home. Film makes it easier.
I worked four days in Bulgaria
for “Expendables.” Doing
“Transformers,” I shot 30 days
spread out over six months:
Detroit, Chicago and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, took the family with
me. It was really lovely.
Q. Is that emphasis on family
what distinguishes this time in
your career?
A. For 20 years, I was just doing
a television show. But my life
didn’t lend itself to being available
for ’em. Some things were at
home, and some were just my
personal tastes at the time. I like
this new phase of my life where I
can try a whole bunch of things.
Q. In “Boss,” you played a
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Bullington-Christenson
Morgan Bullington and Kirk
Christenson
would
like
to
announce their engagement and
approaching marriage.
The bride-to-be is the daughter
of Brian and Barb Bullington of
Lincoln. Great-grandmother of
the bride is Irma Janicek;
grandparents
are Jack
and
Suzanne Bullington, Marlene and
Ken Ebel, and the late Paul
Brockhaus.
The prospective groom is the
son
of
Chris
and
Cheryl
Christenson of Ord, Nebraska.
Grandparents of the groom are
Joyce and the late Dean Christenson, and John and Ruth
Campbell.
Morgan and Kirk graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln. Morgan is employed as a site supervisor at Family
Service of Lincoln. Kirk is a group underwriter at Ameritas Life
Insurance Corp.
The couple plan an August 9, 2014, wedding at St. Joseph
Catholic Church in Lincoln.
Bohn-Krueger
Greg and Linda Bohn of
Bennington would like to
announce the engagement and
approaching marriage of their
daughter, Megan Bohn, to Sam
Krueger, son of Paul and Barb
Krueger
of
Blue
Hill,
Nebraska.
Megan graduated from the
University
of
NebraskaLincoln. Sam graduated from
Hastings College.
The couple plan an August 9,
2014, wedding in Bennington.
BIRTHDAYS
Nicolaisen, 80 years
John E. Nicolaisen of Omaha
will celebrate his 80th birthday
on July 11, 2014. He was born
in Perry, Iowa, but has lived
most of his life in Omaha.
His family consists of wife
Betty; daughter Johna and sonin-law
Justin
Sullivan;
daughter Jamie Sturges (now
deceased);
son
Chris
Nicolaisen and daughter-in-law
Lisa; and grandsons Nathan
and Brody Nicolaisen, Dakota
Sullivan and Taylor Sturges.
Cards may be sent to John at
4862 Valley St., Omaha, NE
68106.
"Happy birthday Dad and
Grandpa. We love you!" From
your wife.
1-800-806-7944
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BIRTHDAYS
Dolan, 80 years
Robert "Bob" Dolan will
celebrate his 80th birthday on
July 11, 2014. He was born, and
still lives, in Omaha.
His family would like friends
and other relatives to send
cards to "welcome Bob to the
80s." They may be sent to 5066
Lockwood Lane, Omaha, NE
68152.
SEATS LEFT • CALL 800-806-7944
1,649
Michael and Melissa Brown
of the Elkhorn area would like
to announce the engagement
and approaching marriage of
their daughter, Jennifer Paige
Brown, to Daniel Patrick
Hulsebus, son of Dan and Lori
Hulsebus of Omaha.
The
bride-to-be
is
the
granddaughter of Jane and the
late Lyle C. Petersen. Jennifer
graduated from Metropolitan
Community College. She is a
paraprofessional with Omaha
Public Schools.
The prospective groom is the
grandson of Marlene and the
late John Rybensky. Daniel
graduated
from
Milford
Community College. He is a
mechanic for the City of
Omaha.
Daniel and Jennifer plan a
5:30 p.m. wedding on August 8,
2014,
at
St.
Wenceslaus
Catholic Church in Omaha.
Anderson, 90 years
99
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Mary
"Betty"
Anderson
turned 90 years old on July 2,
2014.
Cards may be sent to 12306
Bel Drive, Omaha, NE 68144.
"Happy birthday. We love
you." From your family and
friends.
Congratulations.
Now your first step is to
decide on a place
for your ceremony
and reception.
Next, you’ll need to
book a consultant,
caterer, baker,
photographer, florist and
disc jockey or band.
www.mjtours.com
www.omaha.com
1955. According to Ben Alba’s
book “Inventing Late Night: Steve
Allen and the Original Tonight
Show,” musicals veteran Marshall
left to replace Janis Paige in the
Broadway production of “The
Pajama Game.” She then went
on to co-star onstage in “Mr.
Wonderful” and in 1956 married
writing legend Larry Gelbart; they
remained together until Gelbart’s
death in 2009.
Succeeding Marshall was
Pat Kirby, a winner on “Arthur
Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” Kirby
remained with “Tonight” through
the end of Allen’s tenure in 1957.
ANNIVERSARIES
Kempnich, 60 years
Worm, 60 years
Raymond
and
Elaine
(Sudyka)
Kempnich
were
united in marriage on July 3,
1954, at St. Adalbert Catholic
Church in Omaha.
The couple celebrated their
60th wedding anniversary on
July 6, 2014, during Mass at St.
Bernadette Catholic Church,
followed by breakfast with
their family, which includes
daughter Pam and son-in-law
"Butch" Albert of Bellevue;
daughter Linda and son-in-law
John Heffernan of Omaha; son
Steve Kempnich and daughterin-law Denise of Omaha; son
Chuck Kempnich and daughterin-law Jody of Omaha; 10
grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren.
Also
attending
the
celebration
was
Elaine’s
brother, Tom Sudyka, and his
wife, Kay.
Lou and Nancy (Bartlett)
Worm will celebrate their
anniversary with an open
house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on
Saturday, July 12, at the First
Presbyterian
Church
in
Bellevue.
They were married on July
10, 1954, at St. Paul Methodist
Church in Omaha.
They have two daughters
and one son-in-law: Jackie
Riley, and Jean and David
Thompson;
and
four
grandsons, Robert and Brian
Riley, and Austin and Garrett
Thompson.
Lou retired from Bellevue
Public Schools; Nancy retired
from the Omaha World-Herald.
Moore, 50 years
Lemmers, 65 years
Mike and Joanie Lemmers
were united in marriage on
June 27, 1949, in Cedar Rapids,
Nebraska.
The couple celebrated their
65th anniversary over the
Fourth of July with their
children and grandchildren. A
highlight of the celebration
was a parade around North
Lake Park, with the honorees
reigning as king and queen.
Their children and spouses
are Pat and Lori Lemmers,
Michelle and Ken Drummond,
Marie
and Gary Wisher,
Catherine Malottki, Kevin and
Amy Lemmers,
Tim and
Shirley Lemmers, Bill and
Christy Lemmers, Therese and
Terry Duermyer, Frank and
Tena Lemmers, and Mimi and
Scott Wilson.
Mike and Joanie’s family
also includes 22 grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren.
The couple owned Import
Auto
Parts,
where
their
children were employed.
Bennie
and
Jamesena
(Grimes) Moore were united in
marriage on July 9, 1964,
during a civil ceremony in
Orlando, Florida.
The couple will celebrate
their 50th anniversary on July
9, 2014, with family and
friends in Greenville, N.C.
They are blessed with one
daughter Marcia, one son-inlaw Mattias Viklund, and one
grandson Max Erik.
Bennie retired from the U.S.
Air Force after 26 years of
service.
Jamesena
retired
from United Way of the
Midlands after 24 years of
service.
Fey, 60 years
Pieper, 65 years
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each evening. Steve Lawrence
and Eydie Gorme along with
Andy Williams were three of the
four. I have not been able to find
the name of the other girl. She
was a lovely young woman and
was a regular for only a relatively
short time. This probably would
have been in the ’50s-’60s time
frame.
A: Besides Lawrence, Gorme
and Williams, there were two
women who served as the fourth
singer on the show on Allen’s
“Tonight.” Patricia Marshall
appeared from the beginning of
the network show in 1954 to
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things with the characters.
“I think we would all be more
than happy to take that ride
again,” Hawley told Hitfix.com,
“as long as we are confident that
we can tell a story that’s as good
or better. And that’s on me to
come up with. I’m going to lay flat
for a bit and recover from this first
season whirlwind, and I’m going
to think about that, definitely.”
Q: In the very early years of
“The Tonight Show,” when Steve
Allen was host, there were four
vocalists, two male and two
female who appeared alternately
Norbert
and
Delma
(Mendlik) Pieper will celebrate
their
65th
wedding
anniversary with an open
house for family and friends
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on July
13, 2014, at Snyder Ballroom in
Snyder, Nebraska.
Cards may be sent to 2835
Porter Ridge Road, Lincoln,
NE 68516.
Donald and Dena Marie
(Kalkofen) Fey were united in
marriage on July 7, 1954, in the
rectory
at
Sacred
Heart
Catholic Church in Emerson,
Nebraska.
They moved to Omaha in
1971.
The couple will celebrate
their 60th anniversary with
family and friends on July 18,
2014, at Champions Run in
Omaha.
Their family includes son-inlaw
Doug
Meier
and
granddaughter
Natalia
of
Omaha;
son
Mark
Fey,
daughter-in-law
Leslie,
granddaughter Lisa and her
husband Adam Eisenmenger,
and grandchildren Chris and
Lindsey Fey, all of Omaha; and
daughter, the late Deanna
(Fey) Meier.