Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, a blessed Eid, a bibulous Yule, a peaceful Solstice, a delirious Kwanzaa, and a wonderful New Year!
And enjoy whatever else you'll celebrate these coming days.



I would have loved to keep you better informed about life and new projects of Michael T. Weiss, but he turned into such a private person, that this was not possible.
It is about time that this very unpleasant year is going to end, with hopes that things will change back to the better and that damned virus returns to the hell where it came from! Until then - wear a nose and mouth covering mask, wash your hands regularly, keep your distance and stay safe! EFi, webmiss

- Patty Sawicki @patty_sawicki · 9. Nov.
@CraigVanSickle1 @PretenderSteve Quick question: Have you considered writing up the script for the last Pretender film and publishing it so we can know the ending? I need Pretender closure before I die. #ThePretenderLives
- scripTVisions @Craig Van Sickle · 10. Nov.
First, I hope you're not dying, okay? Second, there's been nothing about TP that Steve [Steven Long Mitchell] and I haven't riffed together with pure joy. As writers, it's being committed to the right story and feeling the strength to give it everything we have. We'll never give up.

Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a rewatch.
The Bitchy (in a good way): "Jeffrey"
So much has changed for queer people in just a few short years that we have a hard time remembering things weren’t always this great. For proof, look no further than the delightful romantic comedy Jeffrey from 1995. Penned by Paul Rudnick – a gay man known for his wicked humor – the film looks at dating in the age of AIDS.
That premise sounds far more depressing than it is. Steven Weber plays the title role, a man who has become terrified of sex and intimacy during the AIDS epidemic. For Jeffrey, the risk of HIV infection doesn’t scare him; falling in love with someone with the disease does. Naturally, then, things get complicated when he meets the hunky Steve (Michael T. Weiss), an HIV+ man for whom Jeffrey has an undeniable attraction.
We repeat: the premise sounds far more depressing than it is. Jeffrey benefits from the same searing humor that made Rudnick such a success with movies like The Addams Family and In & Out. Much of the levity also comes from Patrick Stewart as Jeffrey’s bitchy friend Sterling, who hems and haws over everything from sex to china patterns. It’s one of the actor’s best performances. With a supporting cast that includes Olympia Dukakis, Victor Garber, Nathan Lane, Camryn Manheim, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver and Christine Baranski, Jeffrey remains a chronicle of a bygone time, and something of a forgotten queer classic.
"Jeffrey" streams on Amazon, VUDU and iTunes. Official trailer

Michael T. Weiss and other former cast members of NBC's "The Pretender" took different paths after the show, which premiered series almost 25 years ago.
The show, which started in 1996, had a mixed genre of crime, drama, and mystery, according to IMDb. The series was about a man with an ability to master any skill instantly.
He escaped a secret testing facility and traveled the country, taking different jobs, and helping strangers while avoiding his kidnappers. The show, which has more than 80 episodes, ended in 2000.
— Picture of Michael T. Weiss
The show may have ended, but the former actors are presently thriving in the entertainment industry. Weiss, now 58, busied himself voicing the heroes of animated shows, including the "Justice League", as reported by Closer Weekly on 5/17/2020. Aside from lending his voice for animated shows, Weiss is also a visual artist in Los Angeles. He is also a playwright and theater director, according to IMDb. The actor is also known for being an environmental activist. He served as one of the board of directors for the Earth Communications Office.
— Picture of Andrea Parker
Andrea Parker, 50, landed several acting roles for herself. She starred in the "Less Than Perfect," "Pretty Little Liars," and recurring roles in the "Desperate Housewives" and "Red Band Society," The actress, who was once a ballerina, loves to ride horses. She also loves to spend time with family and friends, as revealed by IMDb. Aside from horseback riding, she also has interests in driving hot wheels. For her love of cars, she attended a stunt driving course in San Bernardino, California.
— Picture of Patrick Bauchau
Patrick Bauchau took supporting roles in movies, which he enjoyed all along. He appeared in "The Cell," "Secretary," "Panic Room," as well as in TV shows such as the "Carnivàle" and "The Affair," as reported by Closer Weekly. In 2022, the 81-year-old actor will be celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife, Majinou Bardot. She is the younger sister of actress Brigitte Bardot.
— Picture of Jon Gries
Jon Gries, on the other hand, appeared on TV shows, such as "24," "Lost to The Bridge," and "Dream Corp." The 62-year-old actor also starred in over 50 films, including the "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Taken."
Like in the article from Closer Weekly, other cast members are not mentioned. But the pictures are different.

Here’s What They’re Up to Now ...
The Pretender was an action drama television series created by Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle. It aired on NBC from 1996 to 2000 as part of the network’s action programming block, Thrillogy.
The series was about Jarod, a man who is on the run as a “Pretender,” which is an impostor who is able to master any skill necessary to impersonate a member of any profession including a doctor or a lawyer. “Pretenders” live at The Centre, a think tank that kidnapped Jarod when he was younger to exploit his abilities. The character was played by actor Michael T. Weiss.
After the show was canceled, TNT aired two TV movies that continued the storyline: The Pretender 2001 and The Pretender: Island of the Haunted, which were both released in 2001. In 2013, Mitchell and Sickle continued the storyline with a series of books and graphic novels.
— Michael T. Weiss: While Jarod became a hero by impersonating a member of any profession he chose, Michael, 58, made an impression as an actor by choosing to split time between theater and voicing heroes in a slew of animated shows including "Justice League" and "The Legend of Tarzan", where he got to portray the King of the Jungle. His most recent movie is "Sunset Park". Picture
— Andrea Parker: Though Miss Parker was determined to track down an escaped Jarod for the Centre, Andrea, 50, captured a number of roles for herself. Along with two TNT Pretender movies, she’s starred on TV’s "Less Than Perfect" and "Pretty Little Liars" and had recurring roles on "Desperate Housewives" and "Red Band Society". Picture
— Patrick Bauchau: Following his days as the Centre’s lead psychiatrist Sydney, Patrick, 81, didn’t mind taking supporting roles in movies such as "The Cell", "Secretary", "Panic Room" and "Ray", as well as TV’s "Carnivàle" and "The Affair". In 2022, he’ll be celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary with wife Mijanou Bardot, Brigitte Bardot’s younger sister. Picture
— Jon Gries: After playing the Centre’s resident computer genius Broots, Jon, 62, showed he could hack just about any role that came his way. He’s appeared on TV shows from "24" and "Lost to The Bridge" and "Dream Corp LLC", as well as in over 50 films - most notably, as Uncle Rico in "Napoleon Dynamite" and Casey in the "Taken" films. Picture
Other cast members are not mentioned in the article.

Blu-ray Review: "Bones"
Scream Factory presents ‘Bones’. Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. Screenplay by Adam Simon & Tim Metcalfe. Starring: Snoop Dogg, Pam Grier, Khalil Kain, Clifton Powell, Bianca Lawson & Michael T. Weiss. Rated: R. Running Time: 96 minutes. Blu-ray to be released: March 31, 2020.
The video is 2.35:1 anamorphic. The Blu-ray transfer brings out the darkness of the haunted Brownstone. The audio DTS-HD MA 5.1 so you can be scared from all corners of the room. The original mix can be found on the DTS-HD MA 2.0. The movie is subtitled.
Content: 4.0 Extras: 4.0 Replay: 4.0 Overall: 4.0
Back in 1979 Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) was the sweetest pimp in the neighborhood. He really wasn’t much of a pimp since he merely ran the local numbers game. He didn’t hustle drug or put ladies on the street as his whores. Only woman he has by his side is his girlfriend Pearl (Foxy Brown‘s Pam Grier). He looked out for the people around him. He was a local legend for being so upstanding. But some people weren’t having it. Those people happened to be crooked cop Lupovich (Jeffrey‘s Michael T. Weiss) and local drug kingpin Eddie Mack (Everybody Hates Chris‘s Ricky Harris). They want Bones to start dealing a narcotic to the children that play on the sidewalk. When Bones refuses the cop and the dealer shoot him. But they aren’t done. They force Bones’ two associates and Pearl to stab his body. Instead of burying, Bones’ bones are left to rot in the basement and the Brownstone home locked up. The neighborhood changes, but Bones’ place remains on the block. In 2001, four kids buy the Brownstone with the desire to turn it into the hottest nightclub in the city. They have no idea how hot things get although they do seem to make friends with the dog that lives in the house that has red eyes. Little do they know that the hairy four legged beast contains the damned soul of Bones. He’s ready to get revenge on those who killed him and dumped him in the basement to rot. Even Pearl has to fear for her life since Jimmy isn’t as sweet of a pimp in his undead state.
Snoop Dogg is a rather nightmarish figure in the film. Over the last few decades, Snoop has been able to strike himself as a cartoonish character who can sell cars and other products. He comes off as a friendly guy who just likes to smoke a little weed and watch little kids play football. People forget that Snoop had to hire Johnnie Cochran to get acquitted from a murder charge. Anyone who saw his recent video giving a warning to Gayle King got to see the not so warm and fuzzy side of Snoop. So he’s a bit horrific on the screen when he’s getting a piece of those that put him down. He really doesn’t ham it up in the scenes although part of that might be because he was stoned for most of the production. Which works out perfect for undead kinda pimp.
Director Ernest Dickerson and his visual effects crew bring out the scares in the Brownstone. There’s some bloody moments that earn the film an R-rating. The weird piece of art with people trapped inside is still a glory to behold. He also brings out the scares for Pam Grier. This film links up well with her other major horror film: Scream Blacula Scream. During the flashback to 1979 scenes, Pam looks like she had just wrapped making Coffy. Her performance helps make Snoop Dogg look better on the screen. Grier makes Bones an enjoyable experience so you’re eager to see what’s going on in the Brownstone.
Bonus material:
- Audio Commentary with Snoop Dogg, director Ernest Dickerson and screenwriter Adam Simon in the same room. Snoop sounds like he’s smoked up.
- Interview with Director Ernest Dickerson (20:21) has him talk about the one day he had to ask Snoop Dogg to not get high on the set. He speaks of his being thrilled to work with the eternal Pam Grier.
- Interview with Screenwriter Adam Simon (17:18) has him talk about the inspiration to a haunted house in the inner city. He speaks of working on Brain Dead and Carnosaur. He went to Corman University.
- Interview with Director of Photography Flavio Labiano (11:42) has him talk about how he likes horror movies since he gets to play with the light more to bring out the fear.
- Interview with Special Effects Artist Tony Gardner (15:19) gets into the fun they had with the pimptastic scares. There’s video of the wall of bodies. He enjoyed working with Dickerson who was into visual effects on the set.
- Digging Up Bones (23:48) appears to be the original making of featurette with Pam Grier and Snoop Dogg talking about scaring things up in the city. Snoop Dogg wanted to make a horror film and he didn’t want to be the good guy.
- Urban Gothic – Bones and It’s Influences (18:57) has talk of how the film wanted to be a throwback to the classic horror films. Ernest Dickerson scores big points by talking up the genius of Mario Bava. A lot of the Bava films referenced have been upgraded on Blu-ray.
- Deleted Scenes (24:35) includes a director’s commentary so Ernest Dickerson can tell you why he had to snip it. There’s an alternate opening that was shot Super 8mm anamorphic. There’s a flashback scene where Snoop Dogg and Pam Grier check out the melons at the market.
- Dogg Names Snoop Music Videos (7:24) features the Bishop Magic Don Juan from Pimps Up, Hoes Down. True story, I almost ran over the Bishop in a parking lot, but I hit my breaks just in time because of his super bright lime pimp suit.
- Theatrical Press Kit with Behind-The-Scenes Footage (10:45) has Snoop describe his Jimmy Bones character as just into the numbers scene and not into drugs or other things. They show off a few of the special effects with footage taken on the set.
- Theatrical Trailer (2:08) lets us know that kids shouldn’t go to discos in houses that have the body of dead pimps in the basement.
- Teaser Trailer (0:31) promises Bones will be the next franchise in horror like Freddie Kruger and Jason.

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray Release of Ernest R. Dickerson’s "Bones" Will Include Four New Interviews
Announced this past December, Ernest Dickerson‘s 2001 horror film Bones is headed to Scream Factory Blu-ray, and we’ve been provided with full release details today.
Scream Factory will release ‘Bones’ on March 31st, 2020.
The time is 1979. Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) is respected and loved as the neighborhood protector. When he is betrayed and brutally murdered by a corrupt cop (Michael T. Weiss), Bones’ elegant brownstone becomes his tomb. Twenty-two years later, the neighborhood has become a ghetto and his home a gothic ruin. Four teens renovate it as an after-hours nightclub, unknowingly releasing Jimmy’s tortured spirit. It’s thrills and chills when Jimmy’s ghost sets out to get his revenge.
Special Features:
- NEW 4K scan from the negative
- NEW Building Bones – an interview with director Ernest Dickerson
- NEW Bringing Out the Dead – an interview with co-screenwriter Adam Simon
- NEW Urban Underworld – an interview with director of photography Flavio Labiano
- NEW Blood N Bones – an interview with special makeup effects artist Tony Gardner
- Audio Commentary with actor Snoop Dogg, Ernest Dickerson and Adam Simon
- Digging Up Bones
- Urban Gothic: Bones and it’s influences
- Deleted Scenes with optional director’s commentary
- Dogg Named Snoop Music Video
- Theatrical Press Kit with behind the scenes footage
- Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer

I only recently rediscovered these two BTS pictures from Jason Sarrey’s film „Sunset Park“, taken by set photographer Chris Sorelle in May 2015: Pictures
Pictured with Michael T. Weiss is fellow actor John Bianco.
Apparently, the film is still only available on US amazon prime. Unfortunately I haven’t found other sources for other countries.

Craig W. Van Sickle (l.), Steven Long Mitchell (m.) AND ❤️ Michael T. Weiss ❤️ at lunch a few days ago: "We talked about personal stories viewers shared about our series and how blessed we are that our work positively changed people's lives. To writers and performers: what you create matters more than you can ever know! A great day, gents!"

Source: Craig W. Van Sickle on Twitter, Jan 26, 2020

Location: Patrick's Roadhouse, 106 Entrada Dr/Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Happy Birthday dear Michael! I wish you all the best, and lots of love and happiness. EFi on behalf of "Ask Dr. Mike"

Mike's - hard to believe - 58th birthday is coming up this Sunday, Feb 2nd.
If you want to send him greetings and best wishes, this is the address for it, as I haven't heard any different since we last asked back in fall:

Michael T. Weiss
c/o Progressive Artists Agency
9696 Culver Blvd. #110
Culver City, CA 90232
USA

Mike doesn't have any known public social media accounts - those running under his name are either fan made or fakes. So paper mail only.

From Liberty B. Mitchell about her play "The Pornographer's Daughter":
6 years ago this weekend "The Pornographer's Daughter" opened its 6-week run in San Francisco at Z Space in the Mission. Looking back it seems like a crazy dream that I can’t believe was indeed forced into real life.
Endless gratitude goes to my closest teammates: Skye Borgman (video director), Mathea Webb (producer), Michael T. Weiss (director), Sean Molloy (Producer), Kathy Smith (Office Mgr.), Kevin Harding (Musical Director), The Fluffers (Keith Stater, Kevin Swartz, Geoff Knoop), Chuck Sperry (Poster Artist ), the many friends & family who loaned or donated funds and those who volunteered time, and James Kennedy (Executive Producer) the angel investor who not only made it possible by paying the bills (and shaking down those who deserved it), but whose patience, protection & good humor kept me sane & thriving throughout the run and afterward. THANK YOU.
Since 2014, there have been a couple film options that fell apart (O! You fickle bitch, Hollywood), writer’s block and of course just plain LIFE as a divorced, then remarried, mother of two. As I approach 50 this summer, embark on grad school to pursue an MA in psychology, and heed the call to anchor into my professional role as a yogic guide & healer, The PD still beckons for its final realization (plus, my kids want a chance to see it!??).
Whether it manifests as a play or podcast or book or doc or film shall be revealed sooner than later. Thank you to all who’ve encourage this piece to continue to develop.