Lester Holt caters an ‘NBC Nightly News’-cast to youngsters
Q: It’s very clever how there’s an edition of “NBC Nightly News” for kids. How long has that been running? — Evelyn Morse, via e-mail
A: It began as a venture for NBC News’ YouTube channel in the spring of 2020, and that fall, the network also started adding it to its on-air weekend lineup for young viewers. Weeknight anchor Lester Holt hosts the program, which uses the resources of the full news division; a recent edition had reports by Anne Thompson and Erin McLaughlin, also frequent contributors to the evening broadcasts.
Q: I know Steve McQueen and Robert Vaughn were both in “Bullitt” and “The Towering Inferno.” Were they both in any other movies together? — Jack Shawn, Grove City, Ohio
A: Yes, and it was a classic that did much for both of their careers. They were two of “The Magnificent Seven” in the 1960 Western that adapted the Japanese film “Seven Samurai,” about protectors hired by the residents of an oppressed village. One of the great movie trivia games is to ask someone to name all seven actors who played the “Seven.” So that you’re prepared for the next time that happens, the others were (in alphabetical order) Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Horst Buchholz, James Coburn and Brad Dexter. Bronson, Coburn and McQueen appeared together again for the same director — John Sturges — three years later in “The Great Escape.”
Q: Will “The $100,000 Pyramid” be back this summer? — Carol Anderson, Antioch, Calif.
A: It will. The seventh season of the ABC game-show revival premieres July 9, and host Michael Strahan tweeted several weeks ago that it has been taped fully already. That’s not a surprise, particularly with games that are hosted by people who have other full-time jobs … in Strahan’s case, that being “Good Morning America,” of course.
A block of time over several weeks is carved out for production of an entire season of the contest (which really is only a couple of months for “Pyramid”) to be accomplished. In fairness, though, the number of “Pyramid” games is twice the number of episodes, since two complete games are played over the course of any given hour of the program.
Q: As “Barry” wraps up its four-season run, how do you reflect on having had the job?
A: I was 27 when I came to Hollywood, and I got The Fonz (on “Happy Days”). And then, I was 72 when I got the call from (co-creators) and executive producers) Bill (Hader) and Alec (Berg) to be in “Barry.” I am overwhelmed that I work with these great people. I mean, every one of them. And I am overwhelmed that I continue to live my dream, actually.
Q: How have you approached your “Barry” character, acting coach Gene Cousineau?
A: Gene tries to be the best teacher he can be. And I have had the experience of holding master classes, and it is one of my favorite things. I’m not sure I know what I’m talking about, but whatever I’m feeling about what the actors in front of me are doing. It is my pleasure to try and get them to taste something different than they came into the room with … just by pushing them a little bit. So, it goes back and forth. I take Gene with me, and I bring Henry to Gene.
Q: How did it work for you at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in making “Barry” without being in the same physical space as most of the other talents on the show?
A: It seemed like, because of the way it worked out, we were all in our pods and none of us crossed over and met other characters except for Bill. Everybody’s thread went to Bill. I missed (those) guys.
Q: Early in the run of “Barry,” you were a major part of a promotional campaign for the series that showed Gene on New York subway posters pitching acting lessons by giving a phone number to call. Did you enjoy doing that?
A: I thought it might have been the best campaign I’ve ever been part of, and I did the voice for the phone number – so if you called the phone number, you literally heard me talk to you. I was so proud, because I took that subway for the greater part of my life before I came to Hollywood. I was so thrilled to be part of that campaign.