The Safe House - Expositions

Gateway Celebrity

December 2003

Top Ten Hottest of 2003

#10 Jennifer Garner

Hollywood's shapeliest action heroine, Jennifer Garner, had a huge year at the box office, on television, and on magazine covers in 2003. Early in the year, the "Alias" star hit the big screen with Ben Affleck for the action-thriller "Daredevil." Not only did the movie bring in big bucks, but it also earned Garner her own spin-off movie franchise based on the slinky character she played in the film. "Elektra" is just one of several movies Garner has in the works over the next year. She also inked a 5-year deal to continue "Alias," and will now make $150,000 an episode, up from her original $40,000. She earned both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her Sydney Bristow role in the TV series, and, after ending her 3-year marriage to actor Scott Foley earlier this year, she's now romancing her "Alias" co-star, Michael Vartan. Garner also beat out the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry to be named E!'s Sexiest Woman for 2003.

Fast Facts About Jennifer Garner
" Born in Houston, Texas.
" Is the middle of three sisters.
" Studied ballet for 9 years.
" Named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2002.
" Divorced from actor Scott Foley, whom she met on the TV show "Felicity."

Credits
" "Happy Endings" (2004)
" "13 Going On 30" (2004)
" "Daredevil" (2003)
" "Catch Me If You Can" (2002)
" "Alias" (TV; 2001-present)

© Gateway 2003

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Zap2it

December 15, 2003

TV Gal Narrows the Best TV Down to 10 Shows

by Amy Amatangelo

I'm sure this has happened to you.

You're at a party and someone somewhere announces that there is nothing good on television. And with the plethora of cable channels available today, there is plenty on television not to like. For every "Amazing Race," there's "Fear Factor." For every "Scrubs," there's "The Mullets." For every "Without a Trace," there's "Hack." But television is like any entertainment medium. There will always be good plays and bad plays. Good movies and bad movies. Good music and bad music. The difference is that television comes directly into your home and therefore the medium is ripe for the picking.

But we here at Team TV Gal know that there's plenty to watch on television. In fact there's so much to watch that for my Top 10 list I stuck to shows on network television (Cable shows don't have to play by the same rules so they will get their own separate list) that are still currently on the air (what's the point of recommending a show you can't watch anymore, why torture you?).

Here are my Top 10 shows for 2003:

1. "Alias": Oh, pipe down. You know I think this gripping series hasn't lost any of its oomph in its third season. Plus, who would have thought that Vaughn and Jack could become their own comedy act? Victor Garber is quietly hilariously (announcing that he only wears his glasses when he performs surgery) and fiercely protective ("I will not allow my daughter to become your mistress.") So take that sense of disbelief (sure Syd can come back from a two-year amnesia and get right back to work? Of course, Francie could be doubled. Why do you look so surprised?) and chuck it right out the window. "Alias" is the most fun, most deliciously entertaining, best escapist drama out there. How do I know? The Rambaldi document told me so.

© Zap2it 2003

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Zap2it

December 8, 2003

TV Gal Gives Out Character Recommendations

by Amy Amatangelo

They're simply the best. Better than all the rest.

Sometimes great writing fuses with a brilliant performance to form a perfect television character. The character pops off the screen and commands our attention. They can make a mediocre show good (witness Sexy Lexy on "Smallville"), a good show great (where would "The Shield" be without Vic Mackey?), and a great show exceptional (Anthony LaPaglia raises "Without a Trace" to a whole other level). All characters on my list are from television shows that have been on for at least a year. This season has offered up some terrific characters (a very special shout-out to Seth on "The O.C.," I promise we'll see you next year) but great characters evolve over time.

Here are the 10 best characters on television:

7. Sydney Bristow on "Alias": Seriously, could this woman do anything that we wouldn't believe? Skip ahead two years in time. No problem. Speak every language we've ever heard of and some we haven't -- sure, we believe it. Fly all over the world and never look jet lagged. Why not? Create a costume out of duck-tape and felt-tip marker? Of course she can. In this fantasy world of spy mommies and daddies, spies who love Sydney and spies who don't, Sydney is, like she said in this week's episode, "pretty normal." I've said it before and I'll say it again, if we didn't believe in Sydney, we wouldn't believe in the show. You go girl.

© Zap2it 2003

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USATODAY.com

November 17, 2003

Critic's Corner: Robert Bianco

by Robert Bianco

Las Vegas: How great is Alias this season!?! I'm awestruck by the ingenuity, and pure enjoyment of each episode we watch. After two stellar seasons, I keep priming myself for a potential letdown... and I just don't see one - for which I'm happy. Two questions - how have you enjoyed this season's episodes compared to Season's 1 and 2? And... has their been any resolution over Lena Olin's contract (i.e. will we see her on the show again???)

Robert Bianco: I'm very happy with "Alias," but I'm ready to find out what happened to Sydney - and to dump the drippy Mrs. Vaughn. As for Lena Olin, the show hasn't given up, but right now, it looks like she won't return.

Sacramento, CA: I know you must be as broken-hearted as I am that Lena Olin isn't returning to "Alias" as Irina Derevko. I wanted to know: What do you think the show should do? Recast Irina Derevko, kill her off, or keep referring to her as they have this year (with IMs and mentions) in the hopes Olin will someday change her mind? Although I adored Olin in the role, I have begun to wonder if a recast might not be the best option; if Irina plays a big part in the long-time story arc, then maybe it's worth the risk. (Also, instant messaging is fun once, but I think it could get gimmicky. Irina isn't Carlton the Doorman!) It's such a great part; maybe other great actresses are available. But -- such a risk! With the wrong person, the magic's gone. What do you hope J. J. Abrams will do? What do you THINK will happen?

Robert Bianco: I think the character will stay off stage until Olin decides to return. They wrote her into the plot; they can write her out without much difficulty. But recasting - that's the one risk they dare not take.

© USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. 2003

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USATODAY.com

November 3, 2003

Critic's Corner: Robert Bianco

by Robert Bianco

Manhasset, NY: Melissa George is a very attractive and sexy actress--unfortuntaley, she's not showing that va-va Voom in 'Alias'. She's very plain and bored and the chemistry between her and Vaughn is like comparing it to a family trip to Ohio. Not much there. WOuld you agree?

Robert Bianco: Yeah, but then most fans don't want her to have any chemistry with Vaughn, and the writers know that. He belongs to Sydney.

© USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. 2003

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Yahoo! News

November 1, 2003

Banderas Masks Up More "Zorro"

by Sarah Hall

Everyone's favorite masked crimefighter is due for a return to the big screen.

No, we're not talking Batman. Nope, not Spiderman, either. Get ready for...Zorro!

[...]

The script for Zorro 2 comes from Alias executive producers Roberto Orsi and Alex Kurtzman, and was reportedly strong enough to galvanize the studio into moving towards a production start.

© E! Online 2003 and Yahoo! Inc. 2003

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The Hollywood Exclusive

October 30, 2003

by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

GRRRRL FIGHT: It will be a "butt-kicking return" for Merrin Dungey Sunday (11-2), when she makes her first appearance on "Alias" since last season's finale. That's when viewers -- and Dungey's series roommate Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) -- learned that Dungey's character wasn't quite who she said she was.

Declares Dungey, "It's the big return, and the rematch between Sydney and Allison is no joke. Now that Allison is back, we'll see her in her full evil glory. It looks like Allison may be Sydney's only formidable rival. They go toe to toe when it comes to the battle scenes."

Dungey, who was a series regular last season, has become a recurring member of the cast this season but says that's a sacrifice she's willing to deal with in order to play such a meaty role. "J.J. Abrams (the series creator/writer) hired me to be the fun- loving best friend -- and for the part to turn physical like this is a dream come true for me," says the actress who has a background in stand-up comedy.

© Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith 2003

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Entertainment Weekly

October 31, 2003

Reality Check

by Ken Tucker

The space-time continuum is permanently warped when it comes to TV. Simplest proof? The eternally unchanged glow of Heather Locklear. But white-smocked researchers in the EW Dept. of Hmmmm... seek more proof. We gotta know: Will there be any acknowledgement that this season of Alias now takes place in 2005 (after the long nap of Jennifer Garner's Sydney) and 24 picks up in 2006 (presumably after Kiefer Sutherland's Jack has caught up on his sleep)?

Alias creator J.J. Abrams says, "Whether it's 2005, or the first two seasons existed two years earlier than you thought...I like to think that Alias exists in its own weird timeline." Okay, let's ask 24 exec producer Robert Cochran the same question: "Well, technically you're right, but we live in a parallel universe from Alias." All right, but then couldn't your President Palmer order Sydney to, like, go on a date with Jack Bauer?

Cochran laughs and says, "Hey, if J.J. wants to send Sydney our way..." Then his voice trails off into another dimension of the imagination.

© Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. 2003

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InStyle

November 2003

Special Delivery (Letters to InStyle)

Uncovering Vartan
While I was excited to see the scrumptious Michael Vartan in your "Sexy" issue, I was bummed that you had him all covered up! Since Michael himself is quoted saying he finds getting caught in the rain sexy, couldn't one of your photos shown him soaked and without the coat?
A reader from Phoenix

© InStyle Inc. 2003

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