John Schneider - From Duke to Director

“I play a deliciously villainous guy. I like psychological drama, dark, complex characters whose life or choices have forced them into a position of doing things that they wouldn't do. And then they realize they enjoy it.” And with those words, I was hooked.

John Schneider, best known for starring as Bo Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard and Smallville's Jonathan Kent (Superman’s dad), was talking about his current dramatic role in Tyler Perry's weekly show The Haves and the Have Nots on OWN.

But there’s something even closer to Schneider’s heart: the first feature to be released by his Louisiana-based production company, Schneider’s new film, Smothered.

The genesis: “I was at a horror convention in Dusseldorf, Germany sitting at a bar with some horror icons who weren't having the best show,” said Schneider a few Fridays ago during our interview. “I said to one of them, 'If I gave you $1000 right now to haunt an RV park and blow off this convention, would you do it?' He said, 'Absolutely.' And that's precisely why a bunch of actors who play serial killers in movies get together and go camping during a weekend.” Spoiler alert: two people die at the hands – ahem – at the bosom of the busty ingénue.

An admitted horror fan, Schneider, who wrote and directed Smothered, was able to see fan reaction at a screening. “The audience went from laughing hysterically to holding hands with someone because they were scared. Well, it is a horror film and there’s gore,” he said. “But, it's not a typical horror film. It’s unique because the audience empathizes with the villain. It’s funny, but it’s not a spoof. We really show the heart and humanity of the characters. You end up caring for them.”

What’s also gotten Schneider so excited is his new year-old production company, Fairlight Films. The plan is to produce two films a year. When I asked him whether he’s a producer type or a director type, he told me he’s the writer-director guy. “I love to go from a blank screen to popcorn. In the creation process two plus two can equal six. Not so much in producing,” he said, smiling. “Ultimately, the team is where the efficiency lives.”

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Mayim Bialik - Interviewed for Luxury Report Magazine No.27

AUTHOR: REBA WILSON

Mayim Bialik’s résumé must read like an idealistic youth’s bucket list: earn a Ph.D. in neuroscience; become a famous actress, chef and teacher; and publish a book – or two. I spoke with Bialik during a recent trip to Los Angeles. The Big Bang Theory star, who plays neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler, was about to wrap season 7 of the hit CBS show.

Bialik is a true Renaissance woman, dabbling in music, acting, cooking, writing, and science. “My parents raised me to have a broad set of interests and I’m very grateful to them,” she explains. “Even though I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, they tried to make opportunities available to me.” When asked what she would most like to be remembered for, she jokes that she’d like to “bring about world peace.” Like me, you’re probably wondering how she has time to do so much and still engage in her many hobbies. She admits that she doesn’t do them all at once, but also says: “I don’t watch TV, which saves a lot of time. And I don’t sleep a lot so I get a lot done early in the morning and late at night.”

Bialik’s other role is mother of two. I ask her the best advice she could give to her sons and she says it’s “to repair the world. I tell them all the time that it’s broken and it’s their job to fix it.” This seems like a tall order but she breaks it into manageable pieces by explaining that “there are opportunities every single day to be compassionate, to be kind, to hone the skills on a small scale that, when they get older and have the resources, they can use on a big scale.” And while we’re on the topic of advice, does she have any for her onscreen persona, Amy Farrah Fowler? “Don’t mix stripes and plaids,” Bialik laughs. The actress has a charming laugh, which often punctuates her quick-witted speech.

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Life After HIMYM - Charlene Amoia Hurtles Ahead

With four movies due out this year, she’s batting a thousand. “I knew I wasn’t ‘the one,’ but they kept calling me.” It turns out How I Met Your Mother actress Charlene Amoia was not “the mother,” but fans loved her in the recurring role of Wendy, the naïve waitress, in the recently wrapped American TV hit show. “I’m very grateful for that role,” says Amoia. “It was fun to develop a character.”

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