Spot the guest stars during Cozi TV weekend marathon
Sometimes it’s a kick to view favorite stars in roles before they became famous. Viewers will have that chance through Thanksgiving weekend during Cozi TV’s marathon of guest stars, all of whom appeared on some of the earlier TV series like “The Nanny” and “Will & Grace.”
It’s a kick spotting Ed Harris on “The Rockford Files,” and Richard Gere’s early appearance on “Kojak.” Madonna visited “Will & Grace,” and Elton John graced “The Nanny.”
Ray Romano, who was so great on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” showed up on “The Nanny” and later on “The Office,” while both Frank Sinatra and Carol Burnett landed on the original (and better) “Magnum, P.I.” Kevin Bacon — before “City on a Hill” and “The Following” — guested on “Will & Grace.”
Bacon, who originally was known as a film actor, says he avoided television like the bubonic plague.
“When I started out, the last thing I wanted to do was be on a television series,” he said. “There was a real difference between being a television actor and being a movie and stage actor. I did the soaps and then I was, like, done. I had no interest in television. I would NEVER audition for a television show.
“They did a television show of ‘Diner’ and of ‘Animal House,’ both of which I got offered, and both of which I turned down. It wasn’t like I had some other great gig. I was probably a waiter when they did the show of ‘Animal House’ for television. But I was a real snob about it.”
But after he saw his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, star in “The Closer,” he began to change his mind.
“Seeing how I was consuming television and the fact that so many of my friends would get together and that’s what we were talking about — television shows.
The History Channel has ratified a second season of its “Project Blue Book,” a semibiographical chronicle of early secret investigations into the UFO puzzle. The series, returning Jan. 21, is based on the real experiences of Dr. J. Allen
Hynek (played by Aidan Gillen), a college professor recruited by the Air Force to head the investigation into thousands of reports of UFO activity as well as incidents at Area 51 and Roswell.
Casting calls: Now through Dec. 31, parents may submit a video of their talented children to the Disney Channel at www.Disney.com/disney channelcasting.
Hopefuls must be able to play ages 8 to 16, and contestants may go to the site for tips on creating and submitting their video.
And for would-be talent of all ages, “America’s Got Talent” is holding auditions for next season’s series. Interested acts can visit www.AGTAuditions.com to register for an upcoming audition city or to submit a video online.