By ROBERT GOLDRICH
The terrorist attacks on Sept.11 claimed innocent lives, innocence itself and the sense of security we somehow had taken for granted.
In this week’s lead story, SHOOT’s staff examines the impact on our industry. And also on page one, we pay tribute to William Weems, a veteran producer who was on United Airlines flight 175, which terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center.
But no matter how many stories we write now, with follow-ups in the weeks to come, words fall short of expressing the profound sorrow, anger and grief over the tragedy that has gripped this country and the entire world.
So consider not so much the words that are in this column—but rather the words that aren’t yet in it—as our way of trying to help the situation.
We’re leaving a portion of this column blank. On one level, the white space represents a moment of silence to honor the dead and to offer the entire SHOOT staff’s heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and friends. On another level, it’s a challenge—to you, our readers. We want you to fill in the blanks with ways our industry can rally to the cause and help to ease the pain and suffering.
At press time, several industry groups were in the process of doing just that—organizing fundraisers and other programs that could be of assistance. SHOOT will report on those in the weeks ahead. And each of those efforts will help fill the white space of this column.
As a prelude to those entries, we offer some phone numbers and e-mail addresses:
•The American Red Cross is seeking blood donations. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment at a venue near you. For money or food donations to the American Red Cross: 1-800-801-8092.
•Visit the New York Blood Center’s Web site, www. nybloodcentger.org, for information on how to help.
•Helping.org is another Web site providing suggested ways to get involved and help those in need.
•The Salvation Army hotline is 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
•The United Way of New York and the New York Community Trust have established The September 11th Fund to help the victims of the attacks—and their families. See SHOOT’s page one house ad for contact info.
•The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund is at (212) 227-3700.
The remaining blank space is for you and yours to fill in with other ways to help out. …
God Bless America.
Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. Explore Generations,ย Old School vs. New School, In “Poppa’s House”
Boundaries between work and family don't just blur in the new CBS sitcom "Poppa's House" starring father-and-son comedy duo Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. They shatter.
"It's wonderful to come to work every day and see him and some of his kids and my sister and my brother and nieces and nephews. They all work on this show. They all contribute," says the senior Wayans. "I don't think there are words to express how joyful I am."
Wayans plays the titular Poppa, a curmudgeonly radio DJ who's more than comfortable doing it his way, while Wayans Jr. plays his son, Damon, a budding filmmaker who's stuck in a job he hates.
"My character, Pop, is just an old school guy who's kind of stuck in his ways," says Wayans, who starred in "In Living Color" and "My Wife and Kids."
Pop yearns for the days when a handshake was a binding contract and Michael Jordan didn't complain if he got fouled on the court. Pop laughs at the younger generation's participation trophies.
"It's old school versus new school and them teaching each other lessons from both sides," says Wayans Jr., who played Coach in the Fox sitcom "New Girl."
"They (the characters) bring the best out in each other and they're resistant initially. But then throughout the episode they have revelations and these revelations help them become better people," he adds.
The two have worked together before โ dad made an appearance on son's "Happy Endings" and "Happy Together," while son was a writer and guest star on dad's "My Wife and Kids." But this is the first time they have headlined a series together.
The half-hour comedy โ premiering Monday and co-starring Essence Atkins and Tetona Jackson โ smartly leaves places in the script where father and son can let... Read More