The dark horse

From:SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Date:February 23, 2004
By D. PARVAZ

The dark horse: Who could match Mr. Big's (Chris Noth) enigmatic charm? Sure, he's flaky, unavailable and seriously sketchy when it comes to important issues (trust, commitment, etc.), but come on. It's not like you had to date him -- you watched poor Carrie put herself through that mill a few times.

Fill the void with: Nick Fallin (Simon Baker) on "The Guardian" and his on-and-off relationship with Lulu Archer (Wendy Moniz). He's complicated, yet compelling and he sure is nice to look at. Runner-up: Goran Visnjic as "E.R." Dr. Luka Kovac.

What is Lou Gehrig''s Disease ?

From:Alslinks.com

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease identified by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1869.

In the United States ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the famous baseball star of the 1930's whose diagnosis brought a new awareness of the disease. In other parts of the world, in particular Europe, ALS is often called Motor Neuron Disease or MND.

ALS has a degenerative effect on the nerve cells of the spinal cord and the brain that control voluntary muscles throughout the body. Nerve cells are referred to as neurons and neurons that control muscle are called motor neurons. Motor neurons extend from the brain to the brain stem (upper motor neurons) and from the spinal cord directly to the muscle fiber (lower motor
neurons).

While lower motor neurons control muscle movement, upper motor neurons translate the required force and direction for smooth muscle movement (coordination).

Degeneration is a result of excess glutamate in the nervous system. It is uncertain if excess glutamate is being produced or if the transporters that keep glutamate in check are inadequate or if the glutamate receptors are defective. In any case, excess glutamate is toxic to nerve cells and results in cell death.

As the motor neurons degenerates and eventually dies, it is unable to transmit the electrical signal required for muscle movement. Because the muscle receives no input, it becomes weak and begins waste away (atrophy) and eventually becomes paralyzed.

ALS affects only the motor neurons of voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are all those that we control with our thought process such as limb movement, swallowing and breathing. (Breathing is not automatic as you can hold your breath and hence control your diaphragm muscles.)

Heart and digestive muscles are of a different type and not directly affected by ALS. Heartbeat and gastrointestinal tract functions perform automatically without our thought process and are controlled by involuntary muscles.

There are two variants of ALS. The most common is sporadic. The other is familial.
Sporadic ALS is random in the population with no know specific risk factors for cause of onset. From 3 to 8 people out of 100,000 worldwide develop ALS. From 5 to 10 percent of ALS cases are hereditary or familial. A specific genetic defect (mutation) of the enzyme known as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is know to cause about 20 percent of familial cases. Genetic mutations for all other familial cases have yet to be identified.

Families members of a ALS patient that have no family history of ALS are not believed to be at risk of developing the disease.

ALS symptoms may develop with either limb onset, bulbar onset or both.

With limb onset, the extremities and torso are affected. A general weakness of one or more legs, arms and hands and fatigue may be the first sign of the disease. Muscle cramping and fasciculation's (muscle twitching) will begin to develop. As the disease progresses, the patient may stumble while walking or loose grip of objects. Breathing may become labored. Uncontrolled crying and/or laughing (pseudobulbar affect) can occur.

Bulbar onset affects the face, mouth and throat muscles. With bulbar onset, one's voice may begin to weaken and become slurred. Chewing and swallowing becomes difficult (dysphagia). Fasciculation's will develop in the tongue.

Limb onset cases will eventually develop bulbar symptoms.

Although symptoms and the order in which they manifest themselves will vary for each individual, the eventual outcome of overall muscle weakness and paralysis is consistent. Sensory nerves of touch, sight, smell, taste and hearing are not affected by the disease. ALS does not impair the patients mind, intelligence or memory. But the pre-occupation of the diagnosis and occasionally depression may impact ones ability to concentrate and/or think clearly.

Diagnosing ALS is very difficult. A series of clinical test are required to rule out other diseases and ailments that have similar symptoms. A diagnosis of ALS is often a process of elimination, but tests like electromyography (EMG) that measures electrical response in the muscle fiber can show results typical for ALS.

Only one drug has been FDA approved for the treatment of ALS. Riluzole (Rilutek) is believed to reduce the amount of glutamate released to the motor neurons and increase life expectancy by several months.

ALS is incurable and fatal. In most cases, death occurs within 2 to 5 years after diagnosis but many have survived 10 to 20+ years. Respiratory complication is the primary cause of death for ALS patients.

Cape May County native has stake in 'Guardian's' return

From:Press of Atlantic City
Date:February 17, 2004
By VINCENT JACKSON

No one wants the TV drama "The Guardian" to be renewed for a fourth season more than Jennifer Johnson. The 1986 Ocean City High School graduate became one of the show's writers last year and is anxiously awaiting the news as much as any of the series' fans or actors.

Johnson joined the seven-member writing team of the hourlong show this season, the series' third. The show revolves around a hot-shot, thirtysomething lawyer, who was arrested for using drugs and must now perform community service or risk being disbarred.

"It can be a little bit heavy," John-son said about the show. "There is serious subject matter."

The character of Nick Fallin, portrayed by Simon Baker, does his community service for a legal services office where he encounters those truly in need.

Johnson, 34, did a great deal of research in the areas of child abuse, orphaned children and foster care to help her write scripts for the show. She co-wrote a November episode titled "Believe" with the show's creator David Hollander. The Fallin character struggled to find a permanent home for two young children living with HIV during that hour.

When Johnson looked for a TV writing job in the spring, "The Guardian" was her first choice among the returning shows that had an opening. She was impressed by the show, which has gotten good reviews. The Detroit Free Press called it " ... CBS' underrated drama series." TV Guide said it was "one of CBS' more quiet success stories."

A graduate of Boston College, who majored in finance, Johnson never incorporated what she learned about the business world from her schooling into any of the TV series she has written for.

Now a Los Angeles resident, Johnson has written for the MTV soap opera "Undressed" during its first two seasons from 1997 to 1999. She also wrote for the one-hour, family drama "Providence" in its final two seasons from 2000 to 2002. She created the character of Owen Frank, who married the show's main character, Dr. Sydney Hansen, portrayed by Melina Kanakaredes, in the series' final episode.

"A wedding was a perfect end to the show. It was bittersweet," Johnson said.

Landing a job with the writing team at "The Guardian" was a good career move for the young writer. First, "The Guardian" is considered a "procedural" in the TV business. Once a writer has experience writing for one procedural show, the person becomes more qualified to write for others, including "Law & Order," "CSI," "The Practice" and "ER."

Second, "The Guardian" is the most serious show Johnson has ever written for. This series stretches her as a writer because each series she worked on used less humor than the one before it.

Johnson, who has been married for the past two years, uses input from her family life, travel and friends in scripts. She tried to use her friends' names as characters. People have told her they "could hear her voice" coming through at times even though she is one writer out of a half dozen on a show.

At the end of January, Johnson was coming up with episode ideas to finish off the third season of "The Guardian" while awaiting word whether it would be back for a fourth. The show features all new episodes from today to March 9.

In the last week of January, "The Guardian" was ranked 26th among prime time network offerings. The only show that beat it in the ratings during its time slot was the half-hour, ABC sitcom "According to Jim" with Jim Belushi at 9 p.m. "The Guardian" finished ahead of Fox's "24," the ABC sitcom "Less Than Perfect," UPN's "Next Top Model 2," a special broadcast of NBC's "Dateline" and the WB's "One Tree Hill."

"No show is a guarantee. ... Presumably, 'The Guardian' will be renewed," Johnson said.

'The Guardian' airs 9 p.m. Tuesdays on KYW-TV 3.

Simon Baker:New James Bond?

From:pressbox.co.uk
Date:February 16, 2004
By Jesse Hyde

Producers of the James Bond film franchise have decided to terminate their affiliation with actor Pierce Brosnan in lieu of pursuing a younger. Speculation focuses on Tom Cruise, Ewan McGregor, Rikki Lee Travolta, Christian Bale, or Adrian Paul.

LOS ANGELES (February 16, 2004) – As reported in the Chicago Sun Times, producers of the James Bond film franchise have terminated their affiliation with Pierce Brosnan as their leading man.

The Chicago Sun Times cites Brosnan’s age, 50, as the basis for the decision. Eon Productions are expected to name a younger actor to carry on the title role of the successful spy thriller franchise.

In 2000 during a Brosnan contract negotiation, E! Entertainment columnist Marilyn Beck reported on the leading candidates to take over the Bond roll. The short list of frontrunners included Tom Cruise, Ewan McGregor, Adrian Paul, and Rikki Lee Travolta.

An article by Chicago Sun Times columnist Bill Zwecker named Travolta as the frontrunner to take on the role in James Bond-fan popularity poles. Christian Bale and Adrian Paul were distant runners up.

Brosnan, however, settled his contract dispute agreeing to appear in “Die Another Day” (2002), and putting on hold the speculation of his successor.

With Bond producers’ public decision to move towards a younger leading man, speculation on the incumbent 007 is rekindled.

With chiseled features, a stellar English dialect, and a solid resume of work behind him, Christian Bale was a viable Bond candidate in 2000. However Bale has recently signed to take on the franchise role of the caped crusader in Warner Brother’s revived Batman film franchise. The move virtually eliminates the budding actor from Bond contention.

Although the most proven box office draw of those rumored as potential Bonds, Cruise commands in the range of $25 million per picture making him more of a dark horse candidate than a frontrunner.

McGregor is arguably the most solidly respected actor in the field, having turned in strong reviews in “Big Fish,” “Moulin Rouge,” and the Star Wars prequel franchise. The high profile nature of his success may be the biggest argument against McGregor, who has drawn comparisons to past Bond Roger Moore.

Like Cruise, McGregor’s box office name could count against him as that it potentially overshadows the identity of the Bond character itself.

Although likely to draw ticket sales for an initial movie appearance, the star power of a McGregor or Cruise could jeopardize the long-term viability of the franchise by decreasing the worth of the Bond name by putting it in the shadow of the star’s image.

The rising star of the “Highlander” television series, in 2000 Paul had at times drawn comparisons to legendary Bond actor Sean Connery. Since leaving the television series, the actor’s star may have peaked.

After one feature film revisiting of his “Highlander” television character, Paul has worked primarily in science fiction television guest rolls and straight to video features.

By contrast, Travolta remains a surprisingly strong contender to don the Bond tuxedo by virtue of being a budding star not yet linked with a film franchise. Named to the Who’s Who of classically trained actors at celebrity tracking Internet portal Centerstage.net, Travolta is a respected talent.

On stage, Travolta has proven to have the charisma to carry franchises including “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” establishing the later as the longest running stage comedy in history.

Yet a largely independent film career makes the sultry actor an appealing commodity to Bond producers because his name will add to the franchise rather than overshadow it.

Fellow Aussie star Simon Baker of the television series “The Guardian” has been mentioned as a plausible consideration by Film Force, likening his career to that of Roger Moore.

When announcing their separation from Brosnan as their star, the Bond franchise producers did not allude to which, if any, of the past candidates they would like to visit as their heir apparent.

Multiple Sources (Chicago Sun Times, CommanderBond.net, Film Force) report that a search for a new Bond is currently underway and that filming of the 21st Bond film will begin in early 2005.

According to Zwecker, fan support strongly favors the young member of the Travolta clan.

Although the producers will make the ultimate decision on their new franchise player, who the ticket-buying public favor and will support should be a principal consideration.

Brosnan appeared in a total of four 007 films (“Goldeneye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World is Not Enough,” and “Die Another Day”). Most notably, “Die Another Day” saw the theme song nominated for two Grammy Awards and featured an Academy Award-winning actress (Halle Berry) as the main Bond girl.

However, Brosnan's term was not without controversy. Brosnan was injured in each of the films he made.

Based on the novels of Ian Flemming, the James Bond film franchise is considered the most successful in history, spanning four decades. According to author James Chapman (License to Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films) it is estimated that a quarter of the world’s population has seen at least one Bond film.

Media Contact:
Jesse Hyde
(630) 415-3351 ext. 1

CBS Ventures Into New Territory

From:Hampton, VA,
Date:February 11th, 2004
Kathleen Carey Reporting

Remember when Hollywood wouldn't even show a pregnant woman on television? Now the more realistic, the better. And it would appear that producers are not shying away from tackling some tough subject matter.

On CBS's "The Guardian," they have introduced a new story line for the TV drama's lead characters. Simon Baker plays Nick Fallin and Wendy Moniz plays Louis "Lulu" Archer. The characters are going to have a baby. Tests show that the child will be born with Down Syndrome, a disease that causes mental retardation. For the Harrison family in Hampton, they are happy with the concept.

The Harrisons have a 16-year old, Nia, who is normal. And a 3-and-a-half year old, Yazmine, who has Downs Syndrome. Greta says, "It's always bothered me that in Hollywood, you don't see beautiful people having children with disabilities." But "The Guardian" is changing that. Monday night's episode introduced the story to its audience by having Lulu announce that she had some tests done. Greta continues, "I think it's a wonderful move to take characters and strong as nick and lulu and introduce a subject that not everyone knows about." Your NewsChannel 3's Kathleen Carey went to the Harrison home to watch the program with the family, arriving early enough to talk with them. Nia was on the living room floor playing with her sister.

They were stacking building blocks. Nia says, "For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to have a sister. I was happy when they said they were having Yazzie." When dad came through the back door, Yazzie got up and couldn't hug him soon enough. Jim Harrison says his child is a very happy, easy going little girl, "We've talked about dance. We want her to do things all "normal" kids do. It'll help her to learn more, also." And that's what producers of "The Guardian" hope to do. Through this new plot, they will be able to shed light on a disability that deserves more attention.

Part of the way in which they are addressing it is by hiring an actor who really has Down Syndrome. Blair Williamson portrays Mark Barlow. As Nick gets to know Mark as, he will better understand how he can welcome his own child into the world. The Harrisons say they will be sitting in front of the television every Tuesday as a family watching "The Guardian" and cheering on the new development.

Nick Fallin smiles -- really!

Nick Fallin (Simon Baker) and Louisa (Lulu) Archer (Wendy Moniz) discuss a difficult case on 'The Guardian.'

From:Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Date:February 10, 2004
By Rob Owen

Normally that wouldn't be a headline, but when we're talking about CBS's "The Guardian," it surely qualifies.

The corners of actor Simon Baker's mouth do turn up in tonight's episode, which marks, if not a lighter turn for the series, at least a warmer tone compared to some recent episodes.

Titled "All Is Mended," the episode begins with some bad news about the baby being carried by Lulu (Wendy Moniz), which prompts Nick (Baker), the father, to do some soul searching. Although the initial news is not positive, it leads Nick to a more human place. He even shows care and concern for others.

This turn takes the story of Lulu's pregnancy in an unexpected direction. Once again, "The Guardian" manages to find a new approach to a familiar plot.

Another story follows Jake (Raphael Sbarge), last seen having sex with guys, on a date with child advocate lawyer Kate Shaw, played by Courtney Stevens, wife of series creator David Hollander.

The episode, which airs at 9 p.m., also includes some images of Pittsburgh in the winter. Hollander said a "Guardian" second unit crew was not sent back to shoot those snow-filled establishing shots; rather, they were filmed by a Pittsburgher for use on the series.

From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette