CHICAGO – Society, or at least certain elements of society, are always looking for scapegoats to hide the sins of themselves and authority. In the so-called “great America” of the 1950s, the scapegoat target was comic books … specifically through a sociological study called “The Seduction of the Innocent.” City Lit Theater Company, in part two of a trilogy on comic culture by Mark Pracht, presents “The Innocence of Seduction … now through October 8th, 2023. For details and tickets, click COMIC BOOK.
2012
Flashback: A Screech Interview, Dustin Diamond Dies at 44
Submitted by PatrickMcD on February 2, 2021 - 11:57amCHICAGO – A man called Screech is gone. Dustin Diamond, who portrayed the Screech character for many years on the series “Saved by the Bell” and its various iterations, passed away on February 1st, 2021, in a Florida hospital after a bout with cancer. He was 44.
Podtalk: Verne Troyer in Memoriam, in Interview From 2012
Submitted by PatrickMcD on April 25, 2018 - 11:41amCHICAGO – Verne Troyer will always be one of the more intriguing breakout celebrities of the last 20 years. Always and forever known as “Mini Me” in the Austin Powers series of films, he also endured stereotyping and the health difficulties associated with his diminutive size. Troyer died on April 21st, 2018, at the age of 49. The cause of his death remains unknown.
Exclusive Portrait: Birthday Photo of Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas
Submitted by PatrickMcD on December 31, 2013 - 2:11pmCHICAGO – Happy 18th Birthday to Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas, who made history at the 2012 London Olympic Games by becoming the first U.S. Olympian to win gold in both the individual and team competitions at the same Olympics, and the first African American U.S. gymnast to become individual all-around champion.
Interviews: Backstage with ‘Chicago Fire’ at 2012 Best of the Midwest Awards
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 27, 2013 - 10:38pmCHICAGO – When putting on an awards show in Chicago, getting local talent to hand out awards was as easy as calling the production of “Chicago Fire,” currently filming here. The 2012 Best of the Midwest Awards in December had “CF” cast members David Eigenberg and Christian Stolte to present accolades, and comedy improvisor Susan Messing won Best Actress at the event.
Slideshow: Galaxy of Stars at 2012 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
Submitted by PatrickMcD on January 12, 2013 - 1:00pmCHICAGO – There are three characteristics that define the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, held annually in Rosemont, Illinois – costumed participants, aisles of comic-related vendors and celebrity appearances. HollywoodChicago.com and photographer Joe Arce was there in August to capture Exclusive Portraits of those stars.
Interview: Robert Zemeckis Red Carpet at Chicago International Film Festival Premiere of ‘Flight’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 28, 2012 - 8:34pmCHICAGO – One of the great American directors of audience favorite movies is Chicagoan Robert Zemeckis. Known primarily for his “Back to the Future” trilogy, Zemeckis has broken new ground with his recent motion capture animated films “Polar Express,” “Beowulf” and “A Christmas Carol.” His new film “Flight” premiered on the Closing Night of the Chicago International Film Festival on October 25th, 2012.
Interview: Viola Davis Red Carpet at Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 28, 2012 - 7:06pmCHICAGO – Consummate – in both performance style and manner – is a perfect descriptive for actor Viola Davis. The Oscar nominee for “Doubt” and “The Help” is in the hottest period of her career right now, and the Chicago International Film Festival honored her on October 22nd with their Career Achievement Award at the Black Perspectives Tribute.
Interviews: City, State Filmmakers Talk Short Films at Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 24, 2012 - 3:15pmCHICAGO – One of the great nights of the Chicago International Film Festival is the “City & State” Short Film program, as local filmmakers from Chicago and the State of Illinois present their work. Directors Nadav Kurtz (“Paradise”), Fawzia Mirza, Ryan Logan (“Queen of my Dreams”), Benjamin Kegan (“After Christmas”) and Brad Bischoff (“Where the Buffalo Roam”) were part of that program and spoke to HollywoodChicago.com.
Interview: Helen Hunt Red Carpet for ‘The Sessions’ at Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 23, 2012 - 1:29pmCHICAGO – Oscar winning actress Helen Hunt has emerged recently with the lead role in “The Sessions,” in which she portrays a sex therapist counseling a handicapped man played by John Hawkes. The Junior Board of the Chicago International Film Festival screened “The Sessions” and honored Helen Hunt with a Red Carpet appearance on October 20th, 2012.
Interview: Deon Cole Hosts ‘Conan’ Writers at Just for Laughs Chicago
Submitted by PatrickMcD on June 13, 2012 - 9:15amCHICAGO – While the “Conan” show spends a week in Chicago during the TBS “Just for Laughs” comedy festival, some of his writing staff are showcasing their talents around town in a couple venues. Comedian and “Conan” writer Deon Cole hosts and performs at these events.
