“What fictional character would you like to interview?”http://popculturezoo.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=10406&action=edit

My first thought was Superman. Of course, there’s the obvious question we’d all like answered:

Isn’t it kind of incredible that after you took off your glasses no one recognized you as Clark Kent?

When I took off my glasses in front of the crowd at Pan American, they laughed. Hey, it’s plain to see, I’m still Larry.

Dick Tracy is another fictional character I’d like to have had on Larry King Live. I would’ve asked him:

• What made you so crazed about crime as to put all other things secondary? Did something happen in your childhood?
• Why? Why only yellow coats?
• Who gave you your watch?
• How come your hat never fell off?

Then there’s Hamlet.

• Ever think you’d become famous?
• Did you like what Bill wrote?
• A ghost comes to talk to you. You bought that?
• Did you ever just think it was your imagination?
• Do you really speak that way? C’mon, speak to me real?

Over the years, people have asked about the subjects I always wished I had a chance to interview. Off the top of my head, there are three.

The first is Cuba’s revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. I went to Havana to try to arrange an interview with him a few years ago. I was shocked to find out how many people in Cuba knew who I was. As I walked down the street, people ran over, screaming: Senor Larry! Senor Larry!

Unfortunately, the interview couldn’t be arranged. But here are a few of the questions I would’ve asked Fidel:

• Did you ever communicate with an American president?
• Was your revolution a success?
• How do you measure success?
• How does it feel when your daughter speaks out against you?
• What did you make of the fall of communism in the Soviet Union?
• How has the blockade hurt you the most?
• Did you ever think that the United States would change its policies?

Then there’s Prince Charles. To be quite honest, I’ve never been a big fan of our shows on British royalty. Certainly, the death of Princess Di was a major new story, and we covered it thoroughly. But it seemed to me we did way too many shows on the royals than were necessary. I understand the appetite among the public for all things royal. But Prince Charles is a figure of interest to me simply as a man. I’d like to ask him:

• How does it feel to have things given to you that others have to strive for?
• What’s the biggest burden of royalty?
• In British history, is Gandhi a hero?
• How do the British see Benedict Arnold?
• How do you view prime ministers? Do you want to speak out more politically?
• What are your thoughts on America?
• What can you tell us from the heart about Lady Di?

Then, there’s the Pope. I would’ve liked to have interviewed any Pope. Once, the producers at Larry King Live got a maybe from John Paul II, but it never worked out. If I could sit with Pope Benedict XVI, I’d like to know:

• Did you want the job?
• Did you lobby for the job?
• What are the biggest failings of the church?
• What was the most disturbing part of the priest/child molestation scandal in the United States?
• In truth, how difficult is celibacy?
• Will we have a black pope?

Ordinarily, at 78 years old, I might look upon these questions with sadness that they were never asked. But now that ORA.tv, my new Internet company, is about to get started, they just may. You never know . . .

© 2012 Larry King, author of Truth Be Told: Off the Record about Favorite Guests, Memorable Moments, Funniest Jokes, and a Half Century of Asking Questions

REVOLUTION
Our entire way of life depends on electricity. So what would happen if it just stopped working? Well, one day, like a switch turned off, the world is suddenly thrust back into the dark ages. Planes fall from the sky, hospitals shut down, and communication is impossible. And without any modern technology, who can tell us why? Now, 15 years later, life is back to what it once was long before the industrial revolution: families living in quiet cul-de-sacs, and when the sun goes down lanterns and candles are lit. Life is slower and sweeter. Or is it? On the fringes of small farming communities, danger lurks. And a young woman’s life is dramatically changed when a local militia arrives and kills her father, who mysteriously – and unbeknownst to her – had something to do with the blackout. This brutal encounter sets her and two unlikely companions off on a daring coming-of-age journey to find answers about the past in the hopes of reclaiming the future.

GO ON

Misery loves company. Unless you’re sportscaster Ryan King (Matthew Perry, “Friends,” “Mr. Sunshine”) who thinks misery should just be left alone. After taking some time off, Ryan – who recently lost his wife in a car accident – is now ready to get back to work. And while he seems like his same old charming, cocky self, his boss won’t set him back on the air until he seeks counseling. So, Ryan reluctantly joins a support group with one goal in mind: get in, get out and get back on the radio as quickly as possible. Played by the fast-talking, sarcastic, and charismatic Perry, Ryan gives grief a real run for its money. Within one day of group therapy, he hijacks the meeting and suddenly the downtrodden are cajoled into playing a game of “who’s got the best sob story?” And in no time all of them are battling it out, trying to one-up each other’s despair. Now, this is fun! Ryan’s total lack of interest in healing might be just what this group needs – and maybe, exactly what he needs to move on with his life. Also starring are Tony winner Laura Benanti (“The Playboy Club”), Julie White (“Transformers”), Suzy Nakamura (“Dodgeball”), Khary Payton (“General Hospital”) and Allison Miller (“Terra Nova”).

THE NEW NORMAL

These days, families come in all forms – single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors… It’s 2012 and anything goes. Bryan (Andrew Rannells, “Girls,” “The Book of Mormon”) and David (Justin Bartha, “The Hangover”) are a Beverly Hills couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed and loving partnership, the one thing missing is a baby. And just when they think the stars will never align, enter Goldie (Georgia King, “One Day”), an extraordinary young woman with a checkered past. A Midwestern waitress and single mother looking to escape her dead-end life and small-minded grandmother (Ellen Barkin, “Ocean’s Thirteen”), Goldie decides to change everything and move to L.A. with her precocious 8-year-old daughter. Desperate and broke – but also fertile – Goldie quickly becomes the guys’ surrogate and quite possibly the girl of their dreams. Surrogate mother, surrogate family.

ANIMAL PRACTICE

Meet Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk, “Weeds”), a top-dog New York veterinarian. With an unorthodox style of operating, George’s success comes from his undeniable gift with animals of all kinds. That is, all but the human kind. Dorothy Crane once held the key to George’s heart, but today she also holds the key to the family business as she takes over Crane Animal Hospital. Not only is she George’s new boss, but her romantic history with him and her lack of experience with animals is seriously cramping his style. Dorothy is whip-smart and ambitious, and she’s going to make George pay for the past. Needless to say, he’s determined not to make any changes in his (animal) kingdom – which includes poker games with a resident capuchin monkey. Also starring are Tyler Labine (“Reaper,” “Sons of Tucson”) as Dr. Doug Jackson, a vet who’s great with animals but hapless in matters of the heart, Bobby Lee (“Harold & Kumar”) as Dr. Yamamoto, and newcomer Betsy Sodaro as Angela.

GUYS WITH KIDS

From Emmy winner and executive producer Jimmy Fallon comes an absurdly funny new comedy about three thirty-something dads trying to hold on to their youth, while holding onto their new babies’ hands. Easy, right? Thankfully Chris (Jesse Bradford, “The West Wing”), Nick (Zach Cregger, “Friends with Benefits”) and Gary (Anthony Anderson, “Law & Order”) have each other to help navigate their survival as new dads, while still trying desperately to remain dudes. Balancing work or staying at home, painfully married or happily divorced, they know that taking care of the little ones while maintaining a social life is a daily challenge. Whether it’s hosing the little squirt down in the kitchen sink or hitting the bar strapped with a baby björn, these guys are on a roller-coaster adventure – parenting like you (and they) have never seen before. Also starring are Emily Jamie Lynn Sigler “The Sopranos”) and Tempestt Bledsoe “The Cosby Show”). Someone once said it is much easier to become a father than to be one. These three guys are about to find out just how true that is.

CHICAGO FIRE

No job is more stressful, dangerous or exhilarating than those of the Firefighters, Rescue Squad and Paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51. These are America’s everyday heroes — the courageous men and women who forge headfirst into danger when everyone else is running the other way. But the enormous responsibilities of the job also take a personal toll. Big reputations and hefty egos, coupled with the pressure to perform and make split-second decisions, are bound to put squad members at odds. When a tragedy claims one of their own, there’s plenty of guilt and blame to go around. In the middle of a divorce, Lt. Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer, “House M.D.”) tries to go about business as usual but can’t help butting heads with the brash Lt. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney, “The Vampire Diaries”) of the Rescue Squad – and each blames the other for their fallen team member. When it’s “go-time” though, they put aside their differences and put everything on the line for each other. “Chicago Fire” is a look inside one of America’s noblest professions. Also starring are Eamonn Walker (“The Messenger”), Charlie Barnett, (“Law & Order: SVU”), David Eigenberg (“Sex and the City”), Monica Raymund (“The Good Wife”), Lauren German (“Hawaii Five-O”) and Merle Dandridge (“Sons of Anarchy”).

DIRECTV announced today that it has ordered ten episodes of an original suspense-drama, ROGUE, starring award-winning actress Thandie Newton (Mission Impossible 2, Crash) from leading independent studio Entertainment One Television (eOne) and Greenroom Entertainment. ROGUE marks DIRECTV’s first foray into commissioning an original drama series exclusively for its customers. Production is slated to begin in August 2012 and the series will premiere next summer 2013 on DIRECTV’s Audience Network.

ROGUE revolves around a morally and emotionally conflicted cop, Grace (Newton), who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to her son’s death. Grace’s search for the truth is further complicated by her forbidden relationship with the crime boss who may have played a hand in the crime. With the addition of ROGUE, DIRECTV expands on its commitment to offer quality, exclusive programming to its customers after establishing great success in providing a home and new creative life to Emmy-winning series such as Damages and Friday Night Lights, and exclusive, first-run series like Underbelly, The Slap and the upcoming series, Hit & Miss.

“There’s an excitement in the hallways of DIRECTV as ROGUE will be the first original series on the Audience Network that will be built from the ground up with the specific goal to provide DIRECTV customers with a premium entertainment experience they can’t get anywhere else,” said Chris Long, senior vice president Entertainment and Production, DIRECTV. “The unique partnership that Patty Ishimoto, vice president and general manager of Audience Network, struck with eOne and Greenroom Entertainment and her relationship with Momentum Entertainment has helped realize that goal. Together they bring a wealth of expertise in the areas of production, global distribution, brand integration and sponsorship to our domestic distribution and marketing prowess.”

“ROGUE is a powerful drama which represents a new model for the entertainment industry by opening up maximum creative opportunities to assemble a stellar international cast led by Thandie Newton and topline writing and creative talent,” said Nick Hamm of Greenroom Entertainment. “Our launch of ROGUE in less than a year since I forged a partnership with Momentum Entertainment Group is a testament to the results-driven team behind this project. We are in the business of making premium contemporary dramas that have mass appeal. I’m thrilled to collaborate on ROGUE with such forward thinking partners as DIRECTV and eOne who see the potential of this new model to produce scripted television shows of the highest caliber.”

“eOne is thrilled to be collaborating with talented and creative executives like Nick and Matthew on ROGUE, the natural evolution of our excellent relationship with DIRECTV,” said Michael Rosenberg, executive vice president, U.S. Scripted for eOne Television. “Adding Thandie Newton to the mix confirms that we have all the right ingredients to make amazing television.”

Thankfully Fringe has been picked up for a 5th and final season of 13 episodes. But will that be enough to explain even half of what was thrown at us this season, especially last Friday night in the penultimate episode, “Brave New World: Part 1″?

Now we’ve got even madder, as in crazy, scientists, interacting observers, the possible death of a series regular, maybe two deaths, and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs! Plus we have the return of William Bell. Yes, Leonard Nimoy returns in the flesh, not a hologram, no old film or voice overs – in the flesh.

When the cast, along with Executive Producers J. H Wyman and Jeff Pinkner, were at Wonder Con they swore to the audience, and the press, that they tried to get Nimoy to come back, but he was retired. Well played. I believed every word.

Check out the epic trailer for “Brave New World: Part 2″. Beware — more surprises and spoilers.

Final episode of Fringe Season 4 airs Friday, May 11 at 9:00 PM

Each Marvel Comic used to contain an introductory dialogue box at the top of each first page that succinctly and dramatically introduced the characters you were about to read the adventures of. The above quote is from the introduction to each issue of The Avengers. It also happens to work beautifully as an introduction to The Avengers film. However, a more appropriate tagline might be to paraphrase it as “and there came a film, a film unlike any other…” for that is exactly what Marvel Studios has given us.

You will probably be told that Marvel has pulled off an amazing feat with their cinematic universe of films and they really have. Over the course of five previous films they have subtly built a cohesive, singular world all leading to this one, huge film. With the exception of one casting change, they’ve managed to shepherd the same actors to a point where they can all team up together for a singular purpose. And who better to manage such a large ensemble cast than Joss Whedon?

Although this is only the second feature film that Whedon has directed, he has written many, many scripts containing large casts of characters and here his talents shine brighter than ever. A film like this could have easily descended into madness, but Whedon not only tells a terrific story, he also manages to give every character a moment to shine along with his trademark witty dialogue all wrapped up in stunning visuals. Outstanding action and small character moments dance a perfect waltz throughout and Whedon deftly accomplishes it all in a taught two-hour running time.

As for the story, it begins with S.H.I.E.L.D. experimenting on the cosmic looking cube glimpsed in the bonus scene at the end of Thor. It seems it has the potential to be a source of unlimited power. However, another, space-faring party has the idea to use it to invade Earth and they send the trickster god himself, Loki, to pave the way. Nick Fury activates the “Avengers Initiative” and sets about recruiting those heroes he and his organization have been encountering and monitoring for the past four years. Can these disparate, powerful beings all learn to play well together and save the human race? What do you think?

Thankfully, you don’t have to have watched the previous five films (Iron Man, The incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger) in order to enjoy and understand this film. Whedon does an amazing job of introducing each character and giving the viewer enough information to follow along. You won’t be lost nor will you be weighed down by heavy exposition. Casual action movie fans will have plenty to love and those that like a great character narrative are in for a treat.

Now, for those of you that have been playing along since 2008′s Iron Man, you are in for a stunning treat. Watching ten hours of previous, tangentially connected story all fall into place for one big, grand adventure is pretty awesome. There will be moments where you will watch in giddy disbelief at what is unfolding on screen. This group of actors and characters has a undeniable chemistry and are so good together that I want Avengers 2 right now. However, we have a few sequels to go before then and that’s quite all right.

The Avengers is the culmination of a four year plan that is executed perfectly and sets the next stage for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There is an end credits tease that will make long-time comic book readers go insane and I really hope that it is where we are headed for the next team-up of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The Avengers is in theaters now and you should now go see it! Excelsior!

To officiate its return to monthly publishing this May, Valiant Entertainment is proud to unveil a new interpretation of the iconic Valiant compass logo by award-winning graphic designer Rian Hughes. The newly redesigned logo — along with Valiant’s new distinctive trade dress, also designed by Hughes — will first see print on May 2nd with the release of X-O Manowar #1 by New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti (The Surrogates) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan).

“It is always a challenging and interesting project to design the visual identity of a publisher from the ground up in every detail — logo, trade dress, title logos — and to cohesively pull all these elements together so one strong visual identity emerges. Rebooting the Valiant line’s design has been one such great project. The Valiant characters have a strong fanbase and heritage, and so the new logos are fresh and modern as befits a forward-looking publisher while still paying tribute to the originals, just as has been done with the characters themselves,” said Hughes, whose previously published work includes logos and design pieces for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, MTV Networks, Virgin Airlines, Penguin Books, Archaia Entertainment, and the BBC, among many others.

Originally founded in 1989, Valiant Comics is one of the most successful comic publishers of all time and has featured work by many of the industry’s top creative talents, including Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, Barry Windsor-Smith, Joe Quesada, David Lapham, Bryan Hitch, Steve Ditko and many more. Reincorporated as Valiant Entertainment in 2007 by CEO Jason Kothari and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani, the company is set to return to monthly comics publishing this summer with four new monthly titles featuring its most popular characters — X-O Manowar #1 in May, Harbinger #1 in June, Bloodshot #1 in July, and Archer & Armstrong #1 in August.

“Rian and our Executive Editor Warren Simons put an incredible amount of energy into making sure that the new logo and the look of the books themselves accurately reflect our perspective on what the Valiant Universe was and can be,” said Shamdasani.

“The day that Valiant titles return to the shelves of comics shops worldwide is one that fans have been eagerly awaiting for some time,” said Kothari. “This powerful, yet versatile new logo is the perfect way to signify a new era for Valiant both as a company and a premier creative brand.”

This is the just the latest in a series of creative endeavors Valiant has announced to coincide with its “Summer of Valiant” relaunch. Most recently, the publisher announced that it would be the first to produce animated, QR code-augmented covers for X-O Manowar #1 and Harbinger #1, as well as a series of “Pullbox Exclusive Variant” covers available only to comic shop customers who subscribe to Valiant’s new #1 issues.

For more information, visit ValiantUniverse.com.

The Summer of Valiant continues!

It’s the start of a new mission for one of comics’ all-time best-selling superheroes in Bloodshot #1 — the first issue of a new ongoing series from acclaimed writer Duane Swierczynski (Immortal Iron Fist, Birds of Prey) and the lethal artistic tag team of Manuel Garcia (Checkmate) and Arturo Lozzi (Immortal Weapons)!

Your name is Angelo Mortalli. Your brother is trapped behind enemy lines and on the verge of — no. That’s not right. Your name is Raymond Garrison. You’ve retired from the dangers of the field, but a desperate plea from your oldest friend plunges you into a vicious firefight that — no. That’s not right, either. You are Bloodshot. You are the shade of gray that freedom requires. The perfect confluence of military necessity and cutting-edge technology. A walking WikiLeaks that is a reservoir of dirty secrets that could set the world on fire. And you’ve just been captured.

On sale July 11 • $3.99

HARBINGER #2
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Khari Evans & Lewis LaRosa
Cover by Arturo Lozzi
Variant Cover by Doug Braithwaite

Outside the law. Inside your head. Welcome to the Harbinger Foundation.

The hunt for Peter Stanchek intensifies after an epic battle with Pittsburgh S.W.A.T forces him to use his powers out in the open. Now he faces the most difficult decision of his life. Continue to put his friends in harm’s way…or abandon them for the safety of Toyo Harada’s Harbinger Foundation?

On sale July 11• $3.99

X-O MANOWAR #3
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Cary Nord
Cover by Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic
Variant Cover by Mico Suayan

The smash hit series of the summer continues!

With the X-O Manowar armor now in his possession, all that stands between Aric and freedom is a legion of alien soldiers. When he at last comes face to face with Commander Trill — the man responsible for his capture — the enormous power of the Manowar armor reveals its potential in a new and electrifying way. Can Aric lead his band of fellow prisoners off the Vine colony ship and back to Earth, or will their revolt be put down? Who will live and who will die?

On sale July 18 • $3.99

Shooters is from the writing team of Eric Trautmann and Brandon Jerwa with art supplied by Steve Lieber. One of the most surprising things about this story is that it refuses to take a stance on war or take a firm political stance. Sure, the characters have their own opinions and the violence encountered is not watered down, but there is no agenda by the writers here and the story is the better for it. The reader is left formulate their own thoughts regarding the story and it is one that will be thought about long after the book is finished. While they are known for writing outlandish fictional super-heroes and larger than life soldiers who routinely triumph over the bad guys, Shooters is perhaps a career-defining book for both Trautmann and Jerwa and definitively proves the two are very worthy of many accolades and fistfuls of awards.

Artist Steve Lieber has a clean, realistic style that is perfectly suited to this story. Lieber’s attention to detail, particularly in the reactions the characters exhibit, is striking. While many comic book artists like to deal in flash and circumstance, Lieber is one of the few greats who still knows how to tell a story. If you can flip through a comic and understand the story based on the illustrations alone, then the artist has done his job. That is certainly the case here and when combined with the startlingly bold words the end result is an instant classic and a must-read book.

Perhaps more moving than the actually story is the forward by Trautmann. I actually recommend reading it after you’ve finished the graphic novel, mainly so you can read the main story in its purest form, but also because it might take you a few attempts to get all the way through it. For those of us who are either related to or acquainted with someone who has been deployed in the last decade, Trautmann’s words will particularly hit home.

This is not a graphic novel for collecting, this is for reading and doing so multiple times. It may be hyperbole to tout this as the most important graphic novel of 2012, but I think that is an honest assessment. Much like Ron Kovic’s autobiography Born on the Fourth of July or Stephen E. Ambrose’s Band of Brothers, Shooters gives us an unabridged look at not just war, but how it affects a person both internally and externally. Obviously, those previous works were non-fiction and, of course, immeasurably profound in depicting the human condition. But Shooters’ fictional examination of Terry Glass is arguably no less poignant or gripping and does an equally good job in educating the reader and perhaps allowing us to learn something about ourselves in the process. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone, whether you’re a soldier, family or friend of one, someone curious about the Iraq War or even a person looking for a great read.

Shooters is out from Vertigo on Wednesday, April 18 at all comic book stores and a week later at book sellers everywhere.

The premiere episode of Eureka’s fifth season gives no indication that it is also the beginning of the show’s final season. Indeed, the energy, writing and direction is such that it feels like a series still heading for its creative peak. If it is better to go out on a high mark, leaving the audience wanting more, then “Lost” certainly starts off this final run of fourteen episodes in grand style.

When last we visited our favorite little town of geniuses (and Sheriff Carter), the Astreaus mission to Jupiter’s moon Titan had gone horribly awry with the ship, and most of our main characters, disappearing without a trace. The premiere picks up moments after that as we see what fate has befallen the intrepid crew. It’s a doozy as they find themselves in the last place they expected and find their lives irrevocably altered. To say anymore would spoil the surprises that await the viewer, but suffice to say things are once again shaken up for our characters yet there is one final twist that sort of pokes fun at the “everything changes” trope. Again, you will have to see it for yourself.

This review is necessarily extremely brief, as to talk about the episode in depth would ruin several surprises. Next week I will be a bit more elaborate as the shock and awe of this week’s plot will be fully in play. I will have more to say about the developments from this episode and how they may affect things going forward. In the meantime, prepare for an awesome hour of television and enjoy the beginning of the end for one of the most refreshingly innovative series on television.