04/16 What's Cookin' Today
BRIAN d'ARCY JAMES - "SMASH"
Brian d'Arcy James stars as Frank, husband of Julia
(Debra Messing), in NBC's musical drama "Smash." For his performance as
Shrek in "Shrek the Musical" on Broadway, James was nominated for a Tony
Award in 2009 and won the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk Awards. In
2010, he returned to Broadway as Dan Goodman in "Next To Normal," the role
he created off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theater. James began his
illustrious career on Broadway in 1993, appearing in "Blood Brothers" in the
lead role of Mickey before leaving to join Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed
production of "Carousel" at the Lincoln Center. He continued with "Titanic"
as Barrett the Stoker for which he received his first Drama League Award
nomination and a FANY Award. James originated the role of Brendan in Martin
McDonagh's Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominated play "The Lieutenant of
Inishmore." He also starred alongside Kristen Chenoweth in the Roundabout
Theatre Company's revival of "The Apple Tree" and in "Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels" with Keith Carradine as the scene-stealing, crude con-man Freddy
Benson. In 2002, James received nominations for the Tony Award, Drama Desk
Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as a Drama League Honor for
his star turn as Sidney Falco in "Sweet Smell of Success." Off-Broadway, he
received nominations for both the Drama Desk Awards and the Drama League
Awards for "The Wild Party" at Manhattan Theatre Club. For his solo
performance in Conor McPherson's "The Good Thief ," James was honored with
an Obie Award, a Backstage Garland Award and an LA Weekly Award, as well as
nominations for the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards. He
was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and a
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his
performance in Conor McPherson's "Port Authority." His other theater credits
include "The Pavilion," "Flight," "Ancestral Voices" at the Lincoln Center
and Kenneth Branagh's "Public Enemy." He starred in the Encores! Production
of "Pardon My English" and appeared in the original companies of "Floyd
Collins" for Playwrights' Horizons and Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" in
San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles. James has starred in numerous benefit
concerts and performances around the world, most recently performing for
President Barack Obama and the first family in "A Broadway Celebration at
the White House". Other highlights include the "NSO Pops: Sondheim at 80,"
the original benefit concert for "Children and Art," and the "Kennedy Center
Honors" to honor Charlton Heston and "Hamlisch on Hamlisch." He has appeared
at venues ranging from Los Angeles' Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall and Madison
Square Garden to the Boston Pops and Dortmund, Germany. Among his numerous
recordings are his 2004 debut solo album "From Christmas Eve to Christmas
Morn" (featuring his original popular holiday song "Michigan Christmas"),
"Shrek the Musical," Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," "Carousel," "Floyd
Collins," "The Wild Party," and "Sweet Smell of Success" to name a few.
Recent film credits include "Game Change" for HBO and Jennifer Westfeldt's
"Friends With Kids." He has appeared in the feature film "Ghost Town" with
Ricky Gervais, as well as in the television series "Person of Interest,"
"Cashmere Mafia" and "Rescue Me." He recently co-created, co-produced and
starred in an original made-for-television improvisational comedy pilot
"Shiny People." James' singing talents can be heard alongside other Broadway
performers in Disney's animated feature film "Enchanted." In his hometown of
Saginaw, Michigan, James supports and often performs for the Field
Neurosciences Institute, which aims to prevent, provide early diagnosis,
care and cure neurological diseases, disorders and injuries. James resides
in New York City with his wife and daughter SMASH - Mondays (10-11 p.m. ET)
on NBC
ANDREW ZIMMERN "BIZARRE FOODS WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN"
Andrew Zimmern is a James Beard Award-winning TV personality,
chef, food writer, teacher and is regarded as one of the most versatile and
knowledgeable personalities in the food world. As the creator, host and
co-executive producer of Travel Channel's hit series, Bizarre Foods with
Andrew Zimmern, he travels the globe, exploring food in its own terroir. He
also hosts Bizarre Foods America, every Monday, at 9|8c. In May 2010,
Zimmern won the prestigious James Beard Awardfor 'Outstanding Television
Food Personality.' Zimmern is also a contributing editor at Food & Wine
Magazine. Do you have the inside scoop on where to find the best burger in
town? What about that go-to food blog you visit whenever you need
inspiration for tonight's dinner? Now you have the chance to help promote
your favorite chefs, restaurants, cookbooks and culinary/media personalities
with the launch of "The Munchies" - the first ever People's Choice Food
Awards! The People's Choice Food Awards will give the public the opportunity
for the first time ever to vote online for their personal favorites in the
world of food. Based on popular vote, the most deserving chefs, restaurants,
cookbooks, culinary personalities and food media will win an inaugural
Munchie Award. The Munchies will spark a national conversation about food by
encouraging the people to express their opinions about the best food
experiences America has to offer. The nominees for the categories have been
selected by an expert panel of culinary tastemakers led by James Beard
Award-winning television personality and chef Andrew Zimmern, and will be
presented on General Mills' Tablespoon website for the people to cast their
votes.
TRACY HUTSON & TANYA McQUEEN "PICKER SISTERS"
Renowned interior designers and best friends Tracy
Hutson and Tanya McQueen star as the "Picker Sisters" on the hit show of the
same name. "Picker Sisters" epitomizes the classic saying "one person's
trash is another person's treasure" by following the interior design duo as
they crisscross America in search of rare relics and materials to create
stunning pieces for their new Los Angeles home décor pop-up shop. With keen
eyes for style and intuitive design instincts, the "Picker Sisters" travel
far and wide to find jaw-dropping bargains before driving back to California
and transforming them into home and office décor that will fetch top dollar.
Whether it is a tarnished fuel tank sitting in a junk yard, mangled barbed
wire, rusty tire wheels, or the weathered wood from an entire barn, Tracy
and Tanya meet and negotiate with some of the country's most interesting
people willing to part with their belongings...for the right price. Tracy
and Tanya will discuss how they draw their inspiration for design partially
from the broken-in remnants from life's biggest celebrations and wildest
moments and will also explain how your listeners can share the treasures
they have created from their family's most special memories. In addition,
the "Picker Sisters" will chat about their involvement with Keep America
Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest annual community
improvement program, and will discuss how they and junk artist Jason Messier
will create four unique works of art with the finds of the cleanup and
celebrity donations~all to be auctioned off to benefit Keep America
Beautiful. One of the designers on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", Tracy
Hutson can often be found shopping in antique and specialty stores or
tapping into her extensive network of experts to find that perfect piece of
furniture, fabric, or accessory. A native of Dallas, Texas, Tracy began as a
fashion model before moving to Los Angeles to broaden her career in the
entertainment industry and pursue her fascination with design concepts.
Tracy has also starred in such motion pictures as "Mixed Signals",
"Endsville", and "Rated X" opposite Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez and has
appeared on such sitcoms as "Less Than Perfect" and "Damaged Goods". The
author of the book "Feathering the Nest: Tracy Hutson's Earth-Friendly Guide
to Decorating Your Baby's Room", Tracy's home accessory line was also
introduced on QVC.
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