It's still a stare that could melt the tar off the New Jersey Turnpike. But now, James Gandolfini no longer plays Tony Soprano. His new gig for HBO is as executive producer and interviewer for a documentary about Iraq, titled "Alive Day Memories." He appeared at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., along with other cable stars, and accompanied by U.S. Army Pvt. Dexter Pitts.
He first became famous playing the wimp who triumphs over the shark in Steven Spielberg's "Jaws." Now Richard Dreyfus is back with sharks, on cable television. He'll be the host of The Discovery Channel's "Ocean of Fear: The Worst Shark Attack Ever," about the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis by two torpedoes during World War II, leaving 800 soldiers in shark-infested waters.
Some celebrated actors are actually, well, acting on cable (rather than just narrating). In FX's "Damages," Glenn Close plays manipulative but secretly vulnerable New York lawyer Patty Hewes, who decides to help a young prot
Also appearing in "Damages" are Tate Donovan, left, as one of Close's associates in the firm, and Ted Danson, as a corporate mogul whom Close's character is suing on behalf of his employees. One critic called Danson's performance one of surprisingly wide range, his character a combination of "repugnant, frightening and sympathetic."
Ashley Tisdale, best-known for starring in the Disney Channel original movie "High School Musical," and for her debut album "Headstrong" earlier this year, was at the press tour to talk about her role in "High School Musical 2," which debuts on the Disney Channel later this month.
Ernest Borgnine won an Oscar for his role in the film "Marty" in 1956 and is best-known among baby boomers for his role on "McHale's Navy" in the early 1960s. Borgnine turned 90 in January, but he's still working. At the press tour, he talked of his forthcoming role in the Hallmark Channel's "A Grandpa for Christmas," in which he plays a retired song-and-dance man who takes care of an estranged granddaughter.
Valerie Bertinelli is also in a movie on the Hallmark Channel, a mystery entitled "Claire" that premieres this weekend. She told reporters that she has lost 28 pounds since making the film. A teen star (in "One Day at a Time"), who's now 47, she also remarked on the stupidity of the current crop of young actresses. "I was stupid, too. I just didn't let a lot of people see."
The Hallmark Channel will present 30 original movies this season, including those featuring, from left to right, Ernest Borgnine, Dean Cain, Valerie Bertinelli and Tom Bosley. Cain ("Lois and Clark") will appear with Anthony Michael Hall in the thriller "Final Approach." Tom Bosley ("Happy Days") will star in "When You Listen," which also focuses on a grandfather, this one suffering a heart attack
Carl Reiner spoke "The Jewish Americans," a series that will run on PBS.