On the Industry
This Week In Hollywoodland
By Tommy Garrett
Dec 6, 2009 - 5:57:56 PM

BEVERLY HILLS —This week Hollywoodland was filled with scandal and surprises, but also some good news as well. During the week when I found out that “True Blood” was in the process of filming season three, I had to speak with my longtime friend, prolific actor William Sanderson who portrays Sheriff Bud Dearborne on the HBO hit series. Sanderson is well-known and respected in Hollywood and has played some of the most fascinating and unforgettable roles throughout his career. Still well-known as E.B. Farnum from HBO’s previous popular drama “Deadwood,” the actor also played Larry on “The Bob Newhart Show,” and is remembered for having two brothers, both named Daryl. With over 100 credits and counting, Sanderson is right up there with the late Boris Karloff for being one of the most hard-working stars in entertainment history.

When asked what Sheriff Dearborne’s life will be like in season three, after being possessed as most of Bon Temps residents were by the evil maenad Maryann last season, Sanderson says, “He's determined but how effective he will be remains to be seen. There are a lot of unusual things happening in Bon Temps these days.” Bill was always positive about the chances of “True Blood” becoming such a hit even before fans and critics realized it would be. “I was certainly optimistic, given that Alan Ball was at the helm and Charlaine Harris’s books, which I loved reading, and were so popular,” said the actor.

When pressed about the long list of roles he’s portrayed over the decades, Sanderson was very modest about his effectiveness as an actor and simply said, “First, thank you for saying that Tommy, not everyone would agree with you of course. Second, I'm a journeyman actor just trying my best. I'm grateful to still be working as an actor after all these years.” Journeyman is one way of putting it. One of the best actors ever in Tinseltown history is what I call him. Bill assured Canyon News that he and his family are all doing fine and he’s excited about the future of “True Blood” and other projects which may come his way. When asked about the series [Deadwood] that most fans still remember him from, the star concluded, “Yes I do hear from fans about ‘Deadwood’ fairly often through e-mail from my Web site. And they still ask if there is any chance of doing a wrap-up movie for that series.”

Tiger Woods had quite a week. What started out as an accident outside of a neighbor’s estate has turned into one of the biggest sex-scandals in celebrity history. For a man who was once considered the epitome of squeaky clean and discretion, he’s turned into tabloid fodder making the covers of The National Enquirer, US Weekly and even People magazine, all speculating on how many mistresses he may or may not have been involved with. The score so far is tentatively at a possible three ladies and one of which, Rachel Uchitel, who initially told the media that she was not involved with the golfer, then planned a Thursday afternoon press-conference, which her attorney Ms. Gloria Allred abruptly canceled. Canyon News contacted Ms. Allred’s office and she stated there was no comment. Ms. Uchitel is surely in good hands with Ms. Allred, one of the nation’s most sought after legal advocates. Tiger Woods acknowledged Wednesday that he let his family down with unspecified “transgressions” that he regrets with “all of my heart.”

Grammy nominations were announced earlier in the week with Beyonce receiving a whopping 10 nominations and talented country star Taylor Swift receiving a record eight. Good luck to the ladies on their special night. “True Blood” also received a nomination under the category of Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media in the field of Film/TV/Visual Media. Good luck to all of the nominees. The 52^nd Annual Grammy Awards will be held on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

Everyone speculated about the breakup or not between Oscar winning actress Reese Witherspoon and actor Jake Gyllenhaal. The couple through their spokesmen vehemently denied the breakup, yet magazines are still printing stories stating the couple is now split. Jake and Reese are two of Brentwood’s nicest and thoughtful residents, so here’s hoping that the couple is solid and will work out any problems they may be having.

Happy birthday to Britney Spears who turned 28 on Wednesday. Britney didn’t have such a great concert tour in Australia, but we are told she’s happily spending time with her boys and new beau and she’s doing great and happier than she’s been in years. Good for her.

Jaime Pressly has announced that she’ll be guest-starring on “Rules of Engagement” in which she portrays a potential surrogate mother for Jeff [Patrick Warburton] and Audrey [Megyn Price] on the CBS sitcom. Everything seems to be working out for the beautiful star. She married entertainment lawyer Simran Singh just two months ago.

“The Bold and the Beautiful” hot ladies Lesley-Anne Down [Jackie], Jennifer Gareis [Donna] and Heather Tom [Katie] appeared in the 2009 Hollywood Christmas Parade on Sunday, November 29, at 6 p.m. The live parade was taped for a national two-hour primetime television event to air on MyNetworkTV on December 10, with an encore presentation airing on Christmas Eve, December 24.  Look for stars from ABC’s “All My Children” to appear on “The View” also on ABC this Friday, December 11. The show will be leaving it’s Manhattan home of four decades and moving to Hollywood during the Christmas break. 

Actress Tanna Frederick is celebrating again. The beautiful star of the acclaimed film “Irene in Time” is performing at the Edgemar Theater in Santa Monica in Henry Jaglom’s brilliant comedy “45 Minutes From Broadway.” Though this week was suppose to be the final show. The play is so popular it has been extended through February 2010. For holiday show times and tickets go toedgemarcenter.org.

More good news! Candy Spelling reports that she’s again talking to daughter Tori Spelling. The family has been dealing with many personal issues since the late Aaron Spelling died, but friends believe the two have a strong bond and want to work things out. We wish the Spelling family good luck.

Good luck with holiday shopping. I’m taking to the Internet and buying things online. Rodeo Drive shops are showing no signs of a sluggish economy and the Beverly Center is decked out in LA in glory and splendor. Whatever you do, please be safe and see you here next week.

XOXO

Thanks to HBO for the photograph of actor William Sanderson as Sheriff Bud Dearborne on “True Blood.”