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'AGT' : Widowed 'Police Academy' Star Says Son Encouraged Him to Audition — 'This Is My Time'

The actor took to the stage to showcase his impressive catalog of noises on Tuesday's episode of America's Got Talent

A well-known actor from the 1980s made his America's Got Talent debut this week.

Michael Winslow, whom host Terry Crews called a "legend," is known for starring in the Police Academy film franchise, in addition to appearances in Spaceballs and Gremlins . But in 1993, Winslow stepped away from Hollywood to focus on raising his children after his first wife died.

"I ended up doing pretty well. But I stopped making movies because I quit the business for my children. I had to raise them because I became a widower. Now, after raising my two kids, I'm in a different phase. I think this is my time," Winslow, 62, said on Tuesday's episode. "And America's Got Talent is the place for me to show the world I still have something to offer, I still have some sounds to make. There's still room for a little more."

For his audition, the voice-trumentalist from Orlando, Florida, also nicknamed "The Man of 10,000 Voices," showcased his impressive catalog of noises. His range of sounds included different genres of music, as well as a spot-on impersonation of airplane chimes.

Judge Simon Cowell was quick to recognize Winslow from Police Academy , telling the actor: "I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that you're here."

Sharing his life story and how he learned how to mimic thousands of sound effects, Winslow told judges Cowell, Sofia Vergara , Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel , "When I was growing up, I didn't have a lot of friends. I was an Air Force brat, so every two or three years we had to move. That meant I had to make up my own friends, my own movies, my own soundtrack, my own soundscape. I just paint my own soundscape."

As for why this season was the right time to try out, Winslow said, "My son said this is America's Got Talent , you can come out here and be anything you want instead of being forced to be something you're doing. This is the show you come to be yourself."

After receiving four "gigantic" yes votes, Winslow stepped off the stage and told Crews that moving on to the next round "means my life has changed again for the better. I've gotten another blessing."

America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays (8 p.m. ET) on NBC.

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15 mind-blowing facts fans didn’t know about spaceballs.

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Spaceballs  celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2017, solidifying its role as a cult-classic parody for the ages. It’s not by chance that this Mel Brooks comedy spoof of a movie was a blockbuster hit, as he took the production seriously due to his love for the Star Wars original trilogy.

Spaceballs was released in 1987, being co-written, directed, and produced by Mel Brooks,, who also had multiple acting roles. Other notable cast members included Dom DeLuise as the voice of Pizza the Hut, Bill Pullman as Lonestar, John Candy as Barf, Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot, Daphne Zuniga as the Druish Princess Vespa, and Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet.

Star Wars was the main film which was made fun of the most, but Brooks also took stabs at Alien , Star Trek , Planet of the Apes , and Wizard of Oz . Ironically, the set in which most of the filming was done was also the old Wizard of Oz set where many of the old yellow bricks could still be found lying around in odd places.

With classic lines like “ She’s gone from suck to blow ” and “ My Schwartz is bigger than yours ,”  Spaceballs  was widely accepted by Star Wars fans and science fiction geeks around the world.

While many are still waiting for a sequel (there’s been rumors for over a decade now), we go behind-the-scenes regarding this classic parody with 15 Shocking Facts Fans Didn’t Know About Spaceballs .

15. Third Degree Burns Were Experienced By The Actor Playing Pizza The Hut

Mel Brooks wanted the Pizza the Hut suit to look as realistic as possible. In order for this to happen, hot artificial melted cheese was used for the costume. The plus side to this was that it looked extremely realistic, as well as slightly disturbing.

The downside side, however, was that it resulted in the actor wearing the suit receiving second and third degree burns from melted cheese bubbling and dripping around him.

Actor and effects worker Richard Karen was so fed up with the outfit, in fact, that he quit after Brooks insisted on taking reshoots of Pizza the Hut. You might recall that the voice for Pizza the Hut was none other than the famous Dom DeLuise, who adamantly refused to wear the ridiculous costume from the beginning.

After Karen quit, effects artist Rick Lazzarini stepped up to the plate and donned the hot costume.

14. It Was The Most Expensive Movie That Mel Brooks Ever Produced

Despite the hilarious stories concerning how Brooks cut corners on set to make his movie a reality, it was still the most expensive movie he has ever made to date. A large part of the budget went to post-productions costs, which allegedly costed approximately 5 million dollars.

Why the exorbitant high costs, you might wonder. Well, Brooks respected George Lucas so much that he hired Lucasfilm to do all of the post-production work on the movie.

It may have cost him an arm and a leg-- and another leg-- but many fans and critics believe that his decision to hand over post-production to Lucasfilm is what helped turn  Spaceballs  into the blockbuster hit that we know and love today.

13. Approval For Spaceballs Was Given By A Star Wars Master

Mel Brooks is a comedian who loves to make fun of the world, but he’s also a fan of Star Wars . Because of this, he sought after the approval of George Lucas himself before he he began producing Spaceballs .

Not only did Lucas give his consent to Brooks to make the film, but he also found the idea hilarious and applauded Mel Brooks for a job well done. While it may natural to assume that there may be some disagreements between the two artistic geniuses, there wasn't. In fact, the two highly respect one another and each other's creative works.

George Lucas even once told Mel Brooks (regarding Spaceballs the movie), “Take out the comedy and it really works as an adventure.” Maybe Lucasfilm and Disney should bring on Brooks to write the comedic parts for the new Star Wars trilogy under the helm of Rian Johnson.

12. Various A-List Actors Turned Down The Role Of Lonestar

Going after the biggest names in Hollywood won’t always guarantee the making of a blockbuster. However, the practice of doing so has been around for decades and doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. Mel Brooks originally asked Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks to play the role of Lonestar. However, both immediately turned him down.

Bill Pullman was next on the list, mostly due to the fact that he had yet to star in a movie that raked in the blockbuster money. However, this was also because he was willing to get paid an amount that Brooks could afford.

As fate would have it, Bill Pullman was the perfect fit for Lonestar. The interaction between him, John Candy, and Rick Moranis was priceless. No other actor-- let alone Cruise or Hanks-- could’ve pulled it off like Pullman did.

11. It was supposed to be called Planet Moron

Mel Brooks loves to title his movies in a simplistic manner. An example of this is his latest spoof, as well as  Blazing Saddles  and   History of the World Part 1 . Thankfully, his original title idea for the movie, which was Planet Moron, for this classic Star Wars spoof was spoiled from the very beginning. A British comedy film released in 1985 called Morons from Outer Space  temporarily took the wind out of his sails.

However, Mel Brooks has never been one to be outdone, and instead decided to call the movie Spaceballs . Brooks knew that the concept of “space” had to be in the title for the sake of marketing, but he needed something to gain attention. Eventually he came up with “balls” — a play on words, since he was known for making “screwball”-style movies. Hence, Spaceballs was born.

10. Star Wars Prequels Inspire Spaceballs: The Animated Series

When George Lucas digitally re-mastered the original trilogy and released the Star Wars prequels, a revival of all things Star Wars related took place. This included a whole new generation discovering Spaceballs . Brooks wanted to make another movie, but questioned whether or not he could pull it off with a “screwball” movie budget. So instead, he chose the animation route.

However, Spaceballs : The Animated Series unfortunately flew under the radar. Many missed out on Brooks spoofing the Star Wars prequels, The Lord of the Rings , Star Trek , and Grand Theft Auto .

The series was only picked up by G4 and Canada's Super Channel, since Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis did not return to reprise their roles. A replacement actor was also needed for Barf, due to John Candy’s passing in 1994. For many, having those major actors absent was a reason to avoid  Spaceballs: The Animated Series .

9. A Novelization Was Written By A Goosebumps Author

Every great movie gets a book adaptation, but Brooks wasn’t willing to settle for just any author. R. L. Stine wasn’t a household name yet since his Goosebumps books wouldn’t be released until 1995. However, his ghost writing name Jovial Bob Stine had just released a novelization to the first Ghostbusters movie.

Mel Brooks liked what he saw and had R. L. Stine write the novelization for Spaceballs.  Stine wrote it under his alter ego pen name Jovial Bob Stine. The book was written for a YA audience, removing some heavier language and innuendos, instead opting for a more child-friendly perspective.

The book naturally didn’t produce the same sales as the movie, but it is still available for purchase to this day to any die-hard  Spaceball  fans.

8. There Was No Merchandising

Per an agreement set between Mel Brooks and George Lucas, Brooks agreed not to sell any merchandise (the novel was the only exception). This was primarily set in place since Lucas was still raking in millions of dollars through mostly toy sales at the time. Yet, even though Mel Brooks agreed to the no selling of merchandise clause, he never agreed to not make fun of it.

This contract led to the infamous scene in Spaceballs where Yogurt (played by Mel Brooks) does his “Merchandising, Merchandising” monologue. However, making fun of lunch boxes and cereal containing 100 percent sugar with the Spaceballs name attached to it wasn’t enough. Brooks had to go to the extreme which led to “ Spaceballs the flame thrower.”

Ironically, George Lucas got a good laugh from the bit and even complimented Brooks on his creativity.

7. Cameo Actor Michael Winslow Helped Cut Production Costs

Michael Winslow’s cameo saved over a thousand dollars in production costs. He was able to help the team by doing what he does best: making weird noises while playing the role of a radar tech. Best known at the time for starring in all eight Police Academy  movies, Winslow created various radar sounds in a short beat with Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet.

“ Sir, I’ve lost the bleeps, the sweeps, and the creeps. ” Winslow then creates sounds for each item that the radar itself is supposed to be making. To this, Dark Helmet replies, “ That’s not all he’s lost .” Immediately following this line comes Winslow, who states “ We’ve been jammed ,” as actual jam (raspberry) drips down the radar screen.

Most recently Michael Winslow has lent his voice and amazing sound effects towards the mobile game Wizard Ops Tactics .

6. The Millennium Falcon Had A Cameo

Prior to the classic scene with a cameo from John Hurt, in which he does a parody skit on the film Alien (which he starred in), there’s a shot of the parking lot outside the space dinner.

Lonestar and Barf are pulling into the lot and directly across from where them and the dinner is the Millennium Falcon. Perhaps Han and Chewie had already finished their meal, or were quickly taking a break in the bathroom, but the classic fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy got its screen time in Spaceballs .

Mel Brooks added the spaceship in as an Easter egg, mostly because of his own personal love of the Star Wars movies. Taking a shot of it flying around space would have cut too much into his budget, so he settled for having it in the parking lot outside of the dinner, which only eagle-eyed fans could spot.

5. Colonel Sandurz Was Written For An A-List Actor

When Mel Brooks designed the character Colonel Sandurz, he specifically had Steve Martin in mind to play it. Sadly, Martin turned down the role. He likely had too much on his plate at the time (as he was starring in and producing multiple films a year), but it would’ve been neat to see his take on Colonel Sandurz.

Instead, George Wyner stepped up like a pro and nailed the part perfectly. He was even open to portraying iconic Steve Martin moments with a touch of his own personal take. The result was spot on, but for those who grew up in the '80s and '90s, it’s hard not to wonder what it would have been like with Martin acting next to Moranis.

The Big Bang Theory fans might recognize George Wyner as Dr. Zane.

4. The Trials And Tribulations Of Barf

John Candy was the perfect actor to play the role of Barf. The only problem was that Barf was supposed to have a mask, but with a star like Candy doing the role, the idea of wearing a mask was thrown out the window. After several failed attempts at creating a costume, a middle ground was finally found.

John Candy strapped a 30-pound battery pack onto his back, which allowed three technicians off screen to control his model ears and tail. John played along with the shenanigans like a pro, improving one of the opening scenes in which he keeps hitting Lonestar in the face with his tail every time he turns around.

Ironically, Rick Lazzarini (who later wore the Pizza the Hut suit) oversaw Barf’s ears. He was yelled at by Brooks frequently, who insisted that Lazzarini was moving the ears too much during takes.

3. Mel Brooks Was Allergic To His Body Paint

Call it karma if you want, but Mel Brooks also suffered while on set. Being the master that he is, Brooks played both President Skroob and Yogurt, while also directing, writing, and producing Spaceballs . While playing the part of Yogurt (a parody on Yoda), Brooks insisted that he be covered in a gold colored make-up.

The make-up and costume contained latex, however, which Brooks was highly allergic to. After a couple of hours in, his rash spread around his face and began to affect his eyes. The make-up team was under strict orders to not take more than an hour to get Brooks prepped for takes, which allowed him to get in the shots he wanted before he eventually got treatment for the spreading rash.

Brooks also abused his knees by taking on the Yogurt role as he was forced to walk around on his knees to make Yogurt the ideal height.

2. The Improv Scene Has Become A Classic

Rick Moranis contributed to his character Dark Helmet in a variety of different ways. In fact, it was his idea to use a different voice while having the mask down and to use his regular voice when it was up. (Perhaps you thought Kylo Ren was the first to do that.)

Moranis also let his acting chops flow by not being afraid to improvise when he felt it suited the scene. In one scene, what was supposed to be an in-house joke turned into one of the most remembered and loved moments in Spaceballs .

In it, Dark Helmet is in a corner room, playing with dolls from the movie (props that were used in the merchandising scene with Yogurt). The entire scene is one big improv monologue, depicting Dark Helmets' love for the Druish Princess and his hate for Lonestar.

1. New Technology Had The Crew Worried About Their Health

At the time of filming and producing Spaceballs , green screen technology was still a new concept. Because of this, many of the actors and crew were uncertain if it was healthy to work around it. A popular theory on set was that the green screen had the potential to damage one’s eyes if exposed to it for a long duration of time.

This led to many actors, such as Bill Pullman, wearing sunglasses in between takes. Yeah, you read that correctly-- the same Bill Pullman who starred in Independence Day was afraid that the green screen would hurt his eyes while filming Spaceballs .

Obviously, there weren’t any side-effects to working around a green screen, but looking back, it is pretty hilarious to know that most of the cast and crew believed the absurd rumors.

Can you think of any other crazy facts about  Spaceballs ? Sound off in the comments!

• Spaceballs (1987)

MICHAEL WINSLOW

The Man of  10,000 Sound Effects

Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag… all the rumors are true, today, my guest is Michael Winslow, the Man of 10,000 sound effects. You know him from Cheech and Chong movies, Police Academy, Space Balls and some  of his popular Youtube Videos. You’ve heard his voiceovers doing sound effects for tv shows such as Robot Chicken, commercials and video games. One of the first beat boxers and a title holder in the competitions.

I had the pleasure of working with Michael while he was still polishing his act in restaurants and smaller clubs. He was the host at Poppy’s Star in Encino, CA where as you probably know by now, I once worked as a singing waiter. Upon entering, you would often see him escorting a party to their table while impersonating a race car or making whizzing and spinning gear sounds like a robot. Or perhaps during dinner, see him on stage, performing his famous Jimi Hendrix impersonation on a miniature Fender Strat, wearing a Hendrix wig, and headband. He and I worked out a couple songs between us that we enjoyed performing, which you’ll hear more about during the conversation. And with that, let’s just get right into, shall we?

Talking Points:

Twitter handle   @Noizey_Man

Grew up on several Air Force bases

Moved around a lot as a kid.

Killed the boredom   by imitating the sounds of machinery around the military bases.

Including typewriters. Take this video for example…

32 Typewriters

32 Typewriters??? I couldn’t tell the difference between a Remington Noiseless Portable or a IBM Executive Model 42 or a Smith Corona Word processor

Whack to the Side of the Head

Kick to the Seat of the Pants

Lesson learned – there’s more than one right answer

Jimi Hendrix

Comics stealing jokes.

Robin Williams

Multiple languages

Cheech and Chong no longer PC?

But what makes your impressions so unique are the facial expressions. You seem to be listening to the headphones, where i imagine someone is feeding you the recording for reference

The afterwards, you look at the two mics as if you’re trying to decide which one to eat first.

Did your parents ever try to discourage you/ I mean, making all those sounds around the house s a little kid, didn’t yell, Hey Mikey, cut it out, I’m trying to watch Star Trek here, and you’d be making laser gun sounds.   At what point did your mom or dad say, Hey now — THERE’S a career! Looks like you won’t be needing college, son.

List of noises:

’Scuse me while I kiss this guy – attribution. Michael was the first that I know of to use that line.

Matre D’ at the Great American and Poppy’s Star (along with Alan “Walk This Way” Feinman as Groucho, and Billy Scudder as Charlie Chaplain)

Dupars after Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie

Sky Trails Open Mic

Just What I Needed by the Cars

Michael Winslow and folk pop-musician Odd Nordstoga performed Whole Lotta Love on the Norwegian talkshow Senkveld – with Thomas og Harald

The Russia Story

Slight incident while filming Police Academy: Mission to Moscow in Russia

  Killing Hasselhoff

Completely unexpected. It was a total delight seeing you pop up in a cameo! My rating went up a star.

Mention on THE GOLDBERGS…

Dana: I don’t get it. This is part 5. Shouldn’t they have graduated the Academy after the first one? Adam:  I think the problem is you’re focusing on logic, not the lovable cast of characters. Dana:  Okay, in what world would an officer of the law stop a jewel thief by making weird mouth noises? Adam:  That’s Michael Winslow. He’s a national treasure. Dana:  They’re LAPD. They wouldn’t have any jurisdiction in Miami.

Referenced on other shows: Ellen, Family Guy, Robot Chicken (Police Academy: X-Men)

You’ve done sound fx for many tv and movies. What are some of the things where we are actually hearing your voices? Do you have any favorites?

The very best of the 60s. 80s

Voice insured by Lloyd’s of London with Mary Hart’s legs

Eddie Van Halen and Michael jamming too loud at the Namm Show

Recently Live on Twitch

Sound Effects in Video games

Phasmaphoria

Nico Is – Brazilian Rapper – Agua

Michael Winslow Media

Michael Winslow Youtube Channel

Michael Winslow on Facebook

Michael Winslow on Instagram

Posted by Hal

Hello Hal. I remember you from Poppy’s. And you did wear a fedora (with hair under it) just like many of the rest of many of us. My son sent me the link to your pod cast. It was awesome to listen. I worked at Poppy’s also. I knew two songs and sang them loudly… Mariah was one. Those were great days. It was a great pleasure listening to you and Michael. Buddy Flint

Hey Buddy, I remember you well… particularly you belting “Mariah”! I’ve been racking my briai trying to remmeber the other blockbuster you did. Was it Oklahoma?

I remember when Rona Barret filmed an interview at Poppy’s Star.

Well, that 54 minutes was some good damn fun. Felt like we were just hanging out like the old days, clinking a couple Heinekens at Casa Vega! 😱 Great interview…… loved hearing some old tales and new ones. Play on…… BT

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Spokane native Michael Winslow, ‘man of 10,000 sound effects,’ to perform in Sandpoint

“Hi, I’m Mike. I make noises.”

So reads the header on the biography page on actor/comedian/beatboxer Michael Winslow’s website.

Sure, it’s accurate. But, boy, is it an understatement. Winslow doesn’t just make noises. He makes all of the noises.

Winslow is often called “the man of 10,000 sound effects.”

As Winslow tells it, his time growing up on Fairchild Air Force Base was a catalyst for him developing his imitation talent.

“When you’re up in these places, there’s nothing there, so you pretty much make it up for yourself,” Winslow recently told the Sandpoint Reader’s Ben Olson. “You pretty much make up your own friends.”

He’d mute the movies and TV shows he was watching and create soundtracks of his own and listen closely to the soundtracks of shows like “The Outer Limits,” “Twilight Zone” and “Star Trek.”

Winslow parlayed this talent into a career as an actor. He’s most known for his work as Cadet Larvell Jones, a role he played in all seven “Police Academy” films, and as the radar technician in “Spaceballs.”

He’s also lent his voice to “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” and has appeared in the SyFy films “Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!,” “Lavalantula” and “2 Lava 2 Lantula.”

He also incorporates his talent into his standup comedy, which brings him to the 219 Lounge in Sandpoint on Friday and Saturday.

Winslow told the Sandpoint Reader that audiences can expect to “forget about their rent for an hour” when watching his standup shows and that he doesn’t mention politics onstage.

“I’m a performing artist, and I’m not comfortable with alienating 50 percent of my audience,” he said. “Why would I want to offend the very people who need help, or a release (from comedy)?”

Winslow’s talent also put him at the forefront of the beatboxing scene, and he’s often credited as an innovator of the artform. He does a lot of soundtrack work and also performs incredible renditions of tunes like “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin and “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix.

Winslow has recently worked on projects with Run the Jewels, Jon Anderson of Yes and Grammy award-winning bassist Victor Wooten and told the Reader he plans on releasing three EPs in the near future – one featuring hip-hop, R&B and beatboxing, another featuring EDM and the third featuring death metal.

“I’ve figured out how to make death metal music,” he said. “The lead singer always sounds like he’s throwing up in a bucket.”

When asked to reflect on his career trajectory, Winslow can’t quite believe he managed to turn a childhood habit into a full-fledged career, but he’s grateful for the experiences it’s brought.

“It’s been quite an adventure,” he said. “I feel very, very fortunate. I just don’t know what to think of it half the time. I’m very grateful I’ve had these opportunities.”

You never know what will happen

Chances are you or someone you love has experienced what it’s like to be a caregiver while juggling life’s bills and responsibilities.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews
• Episode aired Feb 9, 1991

Effects of passing through a wormhole give the Enterprise crew a sense that they were unconscious for more than the thirty seconds they've been led to believe. Effects of passing through a wormhole give the Enterprise crew a sense that they were unconscious for more than the thirty seconds they've been led to believe. Effects of passing through a wormhole give the Enterprise crew a sense that they were unconscious for more than the thirty seconds they've been led to believe.

• Gene Roddenberry
• Bruce D. Arthurs
• Joe Menosky
• Patrick Stewart
• Jonathan Frakes
• LeVar Burton
• 20 User reviews
• 9 Critic reviews

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard

• Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

• Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

• Lieutenant Worf

• Doctor Beverly Crusher

• Counselor Deanna Troi

• Lieutenant Commander Data

• Chief Miles O'Brien
• Ensign McKnight
• (as Pamela Winslow)

• Nurse Alyssa Ogawa
• (as Thomas Knickerbocker)

• Ensign Gates
• (uncredited)

• Enterprise Computer
• Crewman Garvey
• Crewman Martinez
• Ensign Kellogg
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia Data references the USS Trieste, a ship he stated he was familiar with in 11001001 (1988) .
• Goofs After the surprise travel through the wormhole, Riker says the Enterprise is a day's travel from where they had been. A sensor probe is launched to the planet the Enterprise had been about to study and, somehow, in a short time (not even an hour's travel, as implied), the probe makes it not only into sensor range but into visual range.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Clues were left behind that suggested a mystery. And to many humans, a mystery is irresistible. It must be solved.

• Connections Featured in Star Trek: Science vs. Fiction: Wurmlöcher und Schwarze Löcher (2006)
• Soundtracks Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User reviews 20

• Apr 1, 2017
• February 9, 1991 (United States)
• United States
• Official site
• Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (Studio)
• Paramount Television
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 46 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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Michael winslow, read more about michael winslow.

Michael Winslow made one of his most memorable and early appearances on the silver screen with everbody’s favorite stoner duo of the era, Cheech and Chong (who taught me that sunglasses offer more than just protection from UV rays – nudge nudge, wink wink) – in their follow-up to their seminal work, “Up in Smoke”. Michael Winslow’s memorable scene as a deadbeat at the welfare office will definitely ring a bell for people who followed this series (if they haven’t fried too many brain cells on pot yet) – and remember it as one of the film’s highlights.

Cheech and Chong sure do love them some Michael Winslow – so much so that he appeared on the sequel to “Next Movie”, which was “Nice Dreams”. Guess what character he played? He played the ghost of Jimi Hendrix in a rendition of “Purple Haze”, accompanying only himself on vocals and a broomstick, surrounded in a smoky room flanked by midgets. I cannot make this up.

The whole Police Academy series, from its first installment to its very last, was where Michael Winslow really made his mark as an actor, and as a bonafide superstar playing the role of Sgt. Larvelle Jones in all 7 Police Academy films. Winslow was able to show just how talented and how far he could push his unique skill on the big screen, which parlayed into further film roles as on-screen talent, or as voiceover talent. This is where it really picked up for Michael Winslow, we’ll tell you that much!

Every 80s kid will remember Gremlins as one of the definitive films for children and adolescents the world over, from New York to Manila – and perhaps much less so, for Michael Winslow’s voiceovers of many of the Gremlins and their noises.

Another big-money flick Michael Winslow appeared in the 80s was Spaceballs, working with talents like John Candy, Bill Pullman, and Rick Moranis – and which turned out to be one of Mel Brooks’ most popular films.

If you are looking for something to do on your day off, why not watch some of Michael Winslow’s movies? After preparing some delicious and healthy snacks using a blender that shakes those foods and vegetables to your liking, take a seat in front of your television and have fun with the following Winslow films:

Made up of seven films, the Police Academy movie franchise is Michael Winslow’s most popular work. The first one, titled “Police Academy,” was released in 1984, followed by “Their First Assignment” in 1985, “Back in Training” in 1986, “Citizens on Patrol” in 1987, “Assignment Miami Beach” in 1988, “City Under Siege” in 1989, and “Mission to Moscow” in 1994.

Michael Winslow appeared in all installments, playing the character called Larvell Jones, who is a police officer and among the main protagonists. He was able to make good use of his vocal prowess, as the movie creators added this talent of his to Jones’ skill set. His character is best remembered for being able for his beatboxing, his ability to copy different kinds of sounds, including gunfire, a flat tire, a martial artist, video game sounds, and more.

Released in 1987, Spaceballs is a sci-fi film produced, co-written, and directed by Mel Brooks, who also appeared in it (as Yogurt and President Skroob), alongside Bill Pullman (as Captain Lone Starr), Rich Moranis (as Lord Dark Helmet), John Candy (as Barf/Bartholomew), Dick Van Patten (as King Roland), and Daphne Zuniga (as Princess Vespa).

Winslow, who was born on September 6, 1958 in Spokane, Washington, played the role of the Radar Operator, who was in charge of the radar and could imitate realistic sounds using his own voice.

Directed by Canadian-American filmmaker Tommy Chong, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie was released by Universal Studios in 1980. It follows the adventures of Cheech & Chong, who are out to siphon gas to a car they borrowed from their neighbor. The two main characters are played by Cheech Marin (as Cheech) and Tommy Chong (as Chong). Other cast members include Paul Reubens (as Pee-wee Herman), Evelyn Guerrero (as Donna), Sy Kramer (as Mr. Neatnik), Betty Kennedy (as Candy), and Rikki Marin (as Gloria). Winslow was cast for the role of Welfare Comedian.

The third installment in the Sharknado franchise, Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! is a comedy-disaster movie that featured Ian Ziering (as Fin Shephard), Tara Reid (as April Shepard), Bo Derek (as May Wexler), Cassie Scerbo (as Nove Clarke), Frankie Muniz (as Lucas Stevens), Mark McGrath (as Martin Brody), and Mark Cuban (as President Marcus Robbins). Winslow played Brian “Jonesy” Jones.

Michael Winslow debuted his own iPhone and iPod Touch apps in 2010, bringing his sound effects and comedy to a mobile platform. ThatsKungFu generates Winslow’s kung fu fighting sounds when the device is swung in a fighting motion. NoizeyMan, billed as the “World’s Noiziest App”, contains video, ringtones, sound effects, and mini games, all created by Michael Winslow.

In 2011 Michael worked with Orlando, Florida based game development studio Phyken Media[6] on a mobile game for iOS and Android platforms entitled Wizard Ops Chapter 1, providing all the sound effects for the game. He also lent his voice on Wizard Ops Tactics, a turn based tactical game and spiritual successor to the previous game.

Michael Winslow was also featured in a commercial for Geico Insurance during their “we hired a celebrity” ad campaign.

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Michael Zaslow

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Michael Joel Zaslow ( 1 November 1942 – 6 December 1998 ; age 56) was the actor who appeared as Darnell in the Star Trek: The Original Series first season episode " The Man Trap ", after which he played Jordan in the second season episode " I, Mudd ". His first Trek role, Darnell, was the first death ever seen on Star Trek . It was also for his death that Leonard McCoy almost first uttered his famous phrase, " He's dead, Jim. " (What he actually said was " Dead, Jim ".) Zaslow was also the godfather to Christian Slater , who made a cameo appearance in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country .

Zaslow filmed his scenes for "The Man Trap" on Tuesday 28 June 1966 and Wednesday 29 June 1966 at Desilu Stage 10 . He filmed his scenes for "I, Mudd" on Monday 21 August 1967 at Stage 9 .

Zaslow is perhaps best known for playing the villainous Roger Thorpe on the CBS soap Guiding Light for nearly twenty years, first from 1971 through 1980 and again from 1989 through 1997. He received four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for this role during the 1990s, winning the award with his third nomination in 1994. Zaslow has also starred in such soaps as Search for Tomorrow , Love is a Many Splendored Thing , and One Life to Live , and was even a writer on NBC 's Another World .

His additional television credits include guest appearances on Barnaby Jones (working with Jason Evers , Meg Foster , Lenore Kasdorf , and series regular Lee Meriwether ), Lou Grant (in an episode directed by Alexander Singer and co-starring Phillip Richard Allen and Bill Quinn ), Falcon Crest (working with Robert Foxworth and Fritz Weaver ), Spenser: For Hire (starring Avery Brooks ), and Law & Order . He had a recurring role on the latter series in 1997, during which time he worked with Jude Ciccolella and Keith Szarabajka .

Zaslow has only appeared in three feature films. His first was You Light Up My Life (1977), in which he had a lead role. This was followed with a supporting role in Meteor (1979, co-starring Bibi Besch , Brian Keith , and Clyde Kusatsu ). Zaslow's last credited film appearance was Seven Minutes in Heaven (1985).

In addition to his film and television roles, Zaslow has performed on stage, including a number of Broadway productions. These include the original run of the musical Fiddler on the Roof and a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof . It was while working on Fiddler on the Roof that Zaslow met Susan Hufford, whom he would marry in 1975. They adopted two children together, Marika and Helena.

In 1997, while working on Guiding Light , Zaslow began to have difficulty speaking, which interfered with his performance. He was given leave from the show, after which he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). He never returned to Guiding Light , but he was offered the chance to reprise his 1980s role as David Renaldi in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live , with his condition written into the storyline. He made several appearances on the show but became too ill to continue. His final episode aired on 1 December 1998, just five days before Zaslow succumbed to his disease.

After Zaslow's death , his widow and their adopted daughters founded ZazAngels to raise funds in order to find a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease. Hufford also released a book about Zaslow and his fight with ALS, entitled Not That Man Anymore . Their daughter, Helena, died in 2004. Two years later, Zaslow's widow, Susan, lost her battle with cancer. [1]

External links [ ]

• Michael Zaslow at the Internet Movie Database
• Michael Zaslow at Wikipedia
• Roger Thorpe biography  at YouTube
• 1 Daniels (Crewman)
• 3 Calypso (episode)

Why Star Trek: Discovery's Series Finale Mainly Focuses On Michael Burnham And Not The Crew, According To The Showrunner

Star Trek: Discovery is over and, unsurprisingly, there's been plenty of debate over how the series ultimately concluded. The coda scenes addressed what was happening with Michael Burnham and resolved the long-standing mystery of "Calypso." However, some fans wondered why the rest of the main cast didn't receve more of the spotlight. Well, wonder no longer, as Michelle Paradise shared with CinemaBlend just why the ending was so Michael-centric. 

Michelle Paradise was gracious enough to carve out some time to speak to me ahead of the finale. During our chat, we talked about the various ins and outs of the series capper, which is now available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription . When asked about the coda scenes and the heavy emphasis on Michael compared to moments that included Saru, Tilly, Stamets, Culber, Adira, or others, the showrunner had this to say: 

Burnham is the heart of our show, and it just felt so important to us that we find out what happened to her and that we know that she and Book are together. They have Leto, of course, named after Book's [nephew], and it’s just wrapping up their story by knowing where they went and what happened to them. She's an Admiral now, and they're happy, like It felt like the right way to end it, ending it on her.

The answer isn't entirely surprising, considering Michael Burnham is the central figure in Star Trek: Discovery . While it's true that many other characters had meaningful arcs, she's the lead, and it was important for the staff to give her a happy ending with Booker and show their son, Leto, who is now a Captain in Starfleet as well. 

While some might've liked to see Tilly in Starfleet Academy or maybe have seen how Adira's promising Starfleet career evolved, this has always been about Michael Burnham. Her journey from convicted mutineer to one of the most respected Starfleet Captains of the 32nd century is a arc, and she deserved a happy ending after experiencing so many personal and professional obstacles. 

While not every Star Trek fan may be a fan of how Discovery concluded, it's worth noting that the crew didn't really have a ton of time to film the finale. The series was cancelled after production wrapped , and Sonequa Martin-Green confirmed to CinemaBlend that it was a tenuous process to get the extra scenes filmed . We could've gotten no coda at all, which would've robbed fans of the confirmation that Michael went on to lead a happy life. 

Fortunately, the story in Star Trek is never really over for any crew. There will be plenty of opportunities for novels, spinoffs and comics that will revisit the stories of the Discovery crew. I would love to see any of the actors reprise their roles, playing substitute teachers at Starfleet Academy and helping the recently cast star Holly Hunter learn the finer details of starring in a Trek series behind the scenes. More immediately though, I'm just glad that Michael received the conclusion she deserved.

You can currently stream all five seasons of Star Trek: Discovery now on Paramount+. While it's sad the series is over, at least we now have yet another complete series of the new era to revisit and enjoy at any time.

‘Police Academy’ Star Michael Winslow Auditions For ‘America’s Got Talent’ (VIDEO)

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America’s Got Talent viewers received a fun surprise on Tuesday night when a familiar face (and voice) turned up to audition in front of the judges.

Famed “voicetramentalist” Michael Winslow, best known for playing officer Larvell Jones in all seven Police Academy movies, took to the stage to wow Simon Cowell , Heidi Klum , Sofia Vergara , and Howie Mandel with his impressive vocal sound effects. Winslow, who also starred in Gremlins and Mel Brooks’s Spaceballs , didn’t even have to open his mouth before the panel recognized him.

“We know you!” said an excited Cowell. “I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that you are here!” Mandel later told Winslow that he is a “trailblazer” and thanked him for coming on the show. The veteran actor performed several noises, including airplane and transistor radio sounds, as well as a beatboxing version of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” He received a standing ovation from the audience and four yeses from the judges.

Before taking to the stage, Winslow spoke to AGT host Terry Crews , who referred to the Police Academy star as a “legend.” Winslow told the Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor that he started making noises when he was a child and later hitchhiked to Hollywood with the hopes of finding an outlet for his unique talent.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just knew that I wanted to do this,” Winslow explained. “And then I ended up being part of this movie called Police Academy , and suddenly my life changed from there.”

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

However, his career would end up slowing down following the death of his first wife in 1993. “I ended up doing pretty well! But I stopped making movies because I quit the business for my children. I had to raise them, because I became a widower,” Winslow stated on the show.

Now, the popular star of the 1980s is hoping that AGT will be a career rejuvenation. “After raising my two kids, I’m in a different phase,” he said. “I think this is my time. America’s Got Talent is the place for me to show I still have something to offer. I’ve still got some sounds to make, and there’s still room for a little more.”

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Revenge of the 80's Comedy Tour w/ Michael Winslow & Marc Price

About The Event

MICHAEL WINSLOW - HEADLINER

MARC  "SKIPPY" PRICE - FEATURED COMEDIAN

MORGAN PRESTON - SPECIAL GUEST

About Michael Winslow:

His first television appearance was on The Gong Show in which he squeezed in sound-alikes of Benji the movie dog, Star Trek , and Jimi Hendrix 's " Purple Haze ". He is best known for his role as Larvell Jones in the Police Academy series of movies and TV shows. He was cast in the role after he was seen opening for Count Basie . In 1985, Island Records released a 12" of Michael Winslow entitled "I Am My Own Walkman". The song peaked at number 60 in Australia.

In 1986, Winslow presented the Best Sound Effects Editing Oscar to Charles L. Campbell and Robert Rutledge for their work on Back to the Future .

In 1987, Winslow appeared as a radar operator in the movie Spaceballs , in which he performs all the sound effects during his scene himself. Mel Brooks (who wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in the film), stated that by doing so, Winslow saved the film money. Winslow is also a motivational speaker. Since the fall of 2008, Winslow has hosted the motion-picture television series called "Way Back Wednesday with Winslow" on the cable superstation WGN America , which features movies mostly released in the 1980s. He continues to perform stand-up comedy around the globe.

Michael Winslow debuted his own iPhone and iPod Touch apps in 2010, bringing his sound effects and comedy to a mobile platform. ThatsKungFu generates Winslow's kung fu fighting sounds when the device is swung in a fighting motion. NoizeyMan, billed as the "World's Noiziest App", contains video, ringtones, sound effects, and mini games, all created by Winslow.

In 2011, Winslow worked with Orlando, Florida -based game development studio Phyken Media on a mobile game for iOS and Android platforms entitled Wizard Ops Chapter 1 , providing all the sound effects for the game. He also lent his voice on Wizard Ops Tactics , a turn-based tactical game and spiritual successor to the previous game.

He was also featured in a commercial for GEICO Insurance during their "we hired a celebrity" ad campaign.

In 2021, Winslow auditioned for the sixteenth season of America's Got Talent . Following the airing of his audition, he had a guest appearance on the Talent Recap Show where he showed viewers how to make some of his most signature noises. Winslow was eliminated during the semi-finals.

About Marc "Skippy" Price:

Loved by millions as Skippy from the hugely popular 80's sitcom Family Ties starring Michael J Fox

As a stand up comedian Marc has opened for Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld.

As an actor he’s starred in movies such as Trick Or Treat, with Ozzy Osborne and Gene Simmons as well as Killer Tomatoes Eat France.

As a host he helmed late night talk shows (The Midnight Hour- CBS) and TV game shows (Win, Lose Or Draw- Disney Channel).

In the 2000’s he was successful behind the cameras writing and producing for E! TBS, Disney Channel, Animal Planet, GSN, Showtime and more.

While 2020 shut down the live touring business, Marc kept busy hosting his own 80s radio show in Daytona Beach and currently has two new tv projects in development.

Heading back out on the road, check out his stand up comedy tour to find out why the Los Angeles Times calls him "refreshingly bright" and the Boston Globe says he's "wickedly funny."

About Morgan Preston:

Morgan Preston is a 35-year comedy veteran who holds the record for the fastest to do a comedy show in all 50 States. 50 Shows 50 States 48 days. Musician, Photographer, Renaissance Man.

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Star Trek: Discovery’s Michelle Paradise Explains How The Finale’s Big Enterprise Easter Egg Came To Be

The showrunnner spoke out.

Warning! The following contains SPOILERS for the Star Trek: Discovery finale "Life, Itself." Watch it now with a Paramount+ subscription , and read at your own risk!

Star Trek: Discovery is finished, but not before giving fans some big things to ponder as it bows. While upcoming Star Trek shows may eventually unravel the full story of the USS Discovery 's fate, CinemaBlend was able to get the details on that fun little connection between this beloved series and another great one, Enterprise . As we learned in the finale, Kovich was actually a character from the previous show; we just didn't know it.

The big moment came when Michael Burnham met with Kovich and finally felt brave enough to ask what his "real" name was. The mysterious Federation figurehead stated that he was Daniels, also known as the Temporal Agent who kept in contact with Captain Archer during Enterprise . It was a fun twist I didn't see coming, so I asked showrunner Michelle Paradise how it came to be. She told me:

It’s something that evolved. The way David [Cronenberg] plays Kovich is so interesting and mysterious, and we found ourselves any time he was on screen just leaning in and wondering like, what is this character? There is a mystery here and, and as writers, we wanted to figure out what is the most satisfying answer to that mystery?

The showrunner praised David Cronenberg 's portrayal of Kovich, and she's not the only one. Doug Jones confessed to CinemaBlend that he didn't recognize him the first time they worked together , but was so surprised by his performance. It turns out the acclaimed director behind so many great movies is also a great addition to Star Trek and a link between Enterprise and Discovery .

It's a fun connection and something I had to know more about. Michelle Paradise shared how the idea of Kovich playing Daniels came about, as well as the cool thing for Discovery fans to do now that it's over:

I don't remember if it was Season 4 or 5. It may have been Season 4. Two of our writers. I think it was Carlos [Cisco] and Eric [J. Robbins] pitched, ’What if it was Daniels?’ Because they both watched everything. The minute they said that, it just hit us. Yes. That is it. And so, if you watch Season 5 back through now knowing that, you can see the little easter eggs along the way. He's writing with pen and paper. Things like that ultimately will hint this is a guy who's kind of out of time if you will.

Kovich, being a well-known Temporal Agent, raises many questions, some of which I'd love to get answered in the spinoff Starfleet Academy if he appears. At this time, the only casting known for the series is award-winning actress Holly Hunter , and I happen to believe Mary Wiseman will be announced , especially after this nod in the finale that Tilly was the most tenured member of the Academy.

Ultimately, I would love to see more of David Cronenberg in Star Trek 's future, especially with this connection. At the same time, I know he's not primarily known as an actor, so if he's fine with Discovery being his sole contribution to the franchise, I'm ok with that too. Still, with all the crazy time-related stuff happening in Strange New Worlds , wouldn't Daniels' re-emergence clear up some misconceptions on whether the Temporal Wars are over?

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Unfortunately, we won't be getting those answers from Star Trek: Discovery because it's over. On the bright side, we have a satisfying ending to celebrate and the opportunity to binge all five seasons all over again whenever we choose to do so. For those who need a little time before that, our 2024 TV schedule should be the first stop for anyone who needs something new to watch.

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.

Bridgerton’s Showrunner Reveals The Difference Between Intimate Scenes In Season 3 And Previous Seasons: ‘I Love A Bit Of Torture, But…’

Why Star Trek: Discovery’s Calypso Resolution Played Out The Way It Did In The Finale, According To Michelle Paradise

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‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Paul Wesley & Ethan Peck on Season 2 and ‘TOS’ Homages

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'The Acolyte' Episode 2 Recap: And Then There Were Two 

'the acolyte': meet the new jedi and sith of the high republic, ‘pretty little liars: summer school’ just dropped a sinister easter egg for the original series.

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Str ange New Worlds Season 2

The Big Picture

• Paul Wesley is excited to return to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 and bring out some of the Kirk qualities that fans know and love.
• Ethan Peck found playing Spock as a full human to be incredibly challenging but also a blast, exploring Spock's new sensory perception.
• Both Wesley and Peck have favorite episodes from the season, with Wesley loving Episode 3 and Peck finding Episode 5 to be a joy to experience as an actor.

If you loved seeing that “alternate version” of Captain James Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1, you're going to be just as excited as Paul Wesley was to return to the set, but this time in an all-new way for Season 2. In an interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub ahead of the season premiere, we spoke with Wesley and Ethan Peck , who plays a younger Spock on Captain Christopher Pike’s ( Anson Mount ) USS Enterprise, about what they’re most looking forward to fans seeing and all the cool stuff they got to do.

Strange New Worlds takes Trek fans back nearly a decade before Star Trek: The Original Series , in episodic adventures that are a callback to what fans first fell in love with. Taking place in the not-so-distant past, the series still allows for many familiar faces, including Peck’s Spock, who’s attempting to navigate the line between his half-Vulcan logistics and half-human emotions, and even Captain Kirk. The series, which will explore even more new worlds, aliens, and some crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks this season, also stars Jess Bush , Christina Chon g, Celia Rose Gooding , Melissa Navia , and Babs Olusanmokun .

While talking with Collider, Wesley teases that in Season 2, he was able to “ bring out some of the Kirk qualities that we all know ,” and that he’ll get to pay homage to his favorite episode from the original series. Peck shares what aspect of his character was “incredibly challenging” for him this season, and how even after that tricky episode, “ Spock Amok ” in Season 1, the writers still managed to throw him “a lot of screwballs.” For their favorite episodes and more, check out the full interview in the video or transcript below.

This interview was conducted prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

COLLIDER: So I've seen the first six episodes of Season 2, and my big complaint is I have not seen seven through 10, so I need you guys to work on that. You both get to do cool stuff this season, what are you allowed to say?

ETHAN PECK: Oh, I guess not much, but since you've seen episodes one through six, I mean, playing Spock as a full human was really a blast and incredibly challenging, and that was a really great moment for me.

PAUL WESLEY: And I'll say that, you know, I'm just glad we got to see Kirk sort of in the timeline that we all know as canon. We sort of met him in this alternate version in Season 1, and I felt that in Season 2 I was able to sort of bring out some of the Kirk qualities that we all know.

Paul, I know that you guys are always trapped on set, and you can't wear costumes when you leave, so what was it like being in downtown Toronto, being able to fully walk around in costume, and you could walk into Starbucks and you can't get in any trouble?

WESLEY: I loved it, and it was a real homage to “The City on the Edge of Forever,” which is my favorite Trek episode. Although, if I recall, they did change clothes fairly quickly, but then again, so did Kirk… Kirk changed fairly quickly as well. I loved it. I love those kind of isolated, one-location-type episodes where we're on Earth, and it was our playground. I loved it and it was sort of a singular episode, and it was so much fun. I had such a good time filming it.

I've been to Toronto many times, I would have loved to have seen you guys filming. I knew exactly where you were, and for people that are fans, they must have been like, “Wow!” Because it's right there.

WESLEY: Yeah, absolutely.

Ethan, I definitely want to talk about you playing Spock as human because on the weekends obviously you're getting ready for the following week, and you have Spock down, but now all of a sudden they're throwing on, “Okay, Spock as a full human.” So, what was it like for you prepping for those scenes because it definitely is more rehearsal, more, “How am I gonna do this?”

PECK: Yeah, the writers definitely throw me a lot of screwballs, which is really fun. You know, what comes to mind for me in Season 1 is “Spock Amok” when I have to play Spock playing T’Pring playing Spock. In this season, yeah, he wakes up all screwed up, human only, but with the life experience and an inner world of Spock. And I imagined that it was sort of like being on some sort of drug trip, right? He's, like, in an altered state of mind and just trying to adapt to his new ability to perceive, his new sensory perception, right? Because suddenly you don't have that hyper-logical half of you sort of clamping down on your emotions, and I saw it as a great opportunity to be sort of childlike, like Spock as a human child, kind of discovering what it is like to be human fully.

For both of you, the season is obviously 10 episodes, do you have a favorite of the 10 episodes?

WESLEY: I mean, I'm biased; the ones I was in. [To Peck] You're in all of them [laughs]. No, all jokes aside, I did truly love working– Look, I love moments from all the episodes that I've done, but if I had to pick one I did really love Episode 3. Just driving fast cars and sort of giving Kirk this sort of, you know… he was like a kid in a candy store just running around Earth figuring it out for the first time. Again, this is an alternate timeline, so it was just a blast.

PECK: Yeah, for me, Episode 5 was just truly a joy to experience as an actor.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 is now streaming on Paramount+. Check out Collider's interview with Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn below.

• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022)

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Passion pictures signs head of features to discover next generation of female documentary directors in uk, mark ruffalo in talks to co-star opposite chris hemsworth in amazon mgm studios’ adaptation of don winslow’s ‘crime 101’.

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EXCLUSIVE: Mark Ruffalo is in talks to star in Amazon MGM Studios adaptation of Don Winslow’s novella Crime 101 . He will co-star with Chris Hemsworth , who also is in talks to star and produce alongside producing partner Ben Grayson. The film will be released in theaters next year.

Bart Layton is directing and wrote the script with contributions from Peter Straughan. Producers include Story Factory’s Shane Salerno, Working Title’s Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, RAW’s Layton and Dimitri Doganis and Derrin Schlesinger. RAW’s Joely Fether will executive produce. Pedro Pascal was linked to the project last year to star with Hemsworth, but wound up departing the project due to scheduling conflicts.

Ruffalo has already been on a roll this year after coming off his fourth Oscar nomination for his scene-stealing role in Searchlight’s Poor Things . He is currently filming HBO limited series Task from Mare Of East Town creator Brad Ingelsby.

He will next be seen in Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17 opposite Robert Pattinson and in Cooper Raif’s series Hal & Harper . Ruffalo is represented by UTA, Lighthouse Management & Media and Keith Klevan.

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James Patterson realized Michael Crichton’s vision for a volcano thriller 16 years after his death

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By Michael Crichton and James Patterson Little Brown and Company: 432 pages, $32 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org , whose fees support independent bookstores.

Michael Crichton, the mega-selling author and filmmaker best known for the novel “Jurassic Park,” died of lymphoma in 2008 . But a glance at his body of work suggests he has remained prolific even after his death, with a string of posthumously published novels (the last of which, “Dragon Teeth,” was released in 2017) and a sequel to his bio-thriller “The Andromeda Strain” arriving in 2019, written by Daniel H. Wilson but still bearing Crichton’s name, in big letters, on the front cover. His afterlife has been busy.

Now he’s collaborating — not with some young hotshot looking to make a name in publishing, but with an author whose books have sold hundreds of millions of copies and whose name might be a bigger brand than his. James Patterson, who has worked on books with everyone from Bill Clinton to Dolly Parton, has teamed up with Crichton as coauthor of “Eruption,” a volcano thriller set on the Big Island of Hawaii. The novel boasts traits familiar to any Crichton fan, including ample technical research, breakneck pacing and humans pushing the world toward extinction through scientific hubris.

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With two of publishing’s most popular (and wealthy) authors on the marquee, “Eruption” is this summer’s literary version of a blockbuster action movie.

“I needed the money,” Patterson quipped in a recent video interview, before pivoting to what really brought him to “Eruption.” “I was a big Michael Crichton fan. I think I’ve read everything that he’s written. And when he died, it’s one of those things where you just wish, ‘Oh, no, no, please. I want another book.’ Like you wanted one more Hitchcock movie after he died.”

The process actually began with Crichton’s widow, Sherri. Looking through his archives shortly after his death, she found a partial manuscript for a volcano novel set in Hawaii, a place Crichton first came to love when he moved to Los Angeles from the East Coast to pursue his filmmaking career. He had told her about his plans for “Eruption” during their long hikes on the trails of Kauai.

They had also visited Pompeii, the ancient Italian city buried under volcanic ash and pumice when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. When Sherri found the manuscript and other research including video Crichton shot near the top of Mauna Loa, Earth’s largest active volcano, she knew she had something — if she could find the right writer to carry out Crichton’s vision.

“I knew it required somebody of Michael’s magnitude, with his great storytelling skills and the ability to keep the pace up and keep the cliffhangers going,” she said alongside Patterson on the video call. “We needed somebody to really be able to finish the story, to take it from where it had stopped and to the finish line so we could live it and breathe it.”

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She and her business partner tossed some names around. Then she had an idea: “What about James Patterson? I mean, if we’re going to go big, let’s go really big. Let’s go to the top.” Patterson signed on and started doing his own research, with the help of a volcanologist. And he began writing, picking up where Crichton left off, trying to create a unified writing voice that didn’t show seams on the page.

This posed a challenge. Crichton and Patterson may have a lot in common, particularly the ability to weave a ripping yarn that keeps the pages turning fast, but they’re different writers. “I’m a little pacier, maybe,” Patterson said, “maybe a little more of a wisecracker, dialogue-wise.” And Crichton likes to get lost in the scientific weeds; “Eruption” offers details on everything from lava temperatures to a fly’s digestive system. But “Eruption” doesn’t read like a stitched-together Frankenbook, a science experiment out of, well, a Crichton novel. It hits its beats, shows off its research and retains Patterson’s sense of humor.

The premise is classic Crichton: cautionary, speculative, happy to walk the line between far-fetched and vaguely plausible. It’s 2025, and Mauna Loa is fixing to blow, something that can be very destructive: the 1868 eruption killed 77 Hawaiians and brought landslides and a tsunami. The good news is that the lava is projected to head toward an unpopulated region of the island. The bad news is that the military has used the mountain to store vast amounts of radioactive herbicide. Hey, it could happen. It’s up to caustic, can-do geologist John MacGregor and a team of scientists, soldiers and island residents to prevent a good old fashioned extinction-level event.

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The novel is laden with Hawaiian language, lingo and culture. Here we learn that if something makes you “ho’opailua,” you want to throw up. “Michael loved the people of Hawaii,” Sherri Crichton said. “He loved the culture of Hawaii. He loved the Aloha spirit. He was very respectful. It was really important to him because Hawaii is this gorgeous petri dish of nature.”

But in a Crichton novel, that petri dish must be messed with.

“If the human influence gets in there, it can absolutely be weaponized,” she said. “And that’s the story that Michael and Jim tell with this book.”

For Patterson, Crichton’s scientific bent was a major appeal — a frontier he hadn’t yet crossed.

“I liked the challenge of writing with science, which I hadn’t done before,” Patterson said. “I usually just make [stuff] up. So this was just very exciting for me.”

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