Showbiz UpFront

Season four of the Max series “Hacks” is now streaming and we learn the latest about the multi award winning show and whether there might be another season from  co-creator and co-star Paul W. Downs who returns to join me again “UpFront.”

Author and former New York Post Television Columnist Michael Seth Starr talks to 'Ross Crystal Upfront' about his latest biography on the life of the legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield.

Filmmaker Jon Bolerjack goes "UpFront" with Ross Crystal to talk about his latest documentary about Marvel Comics Legend Stan Lee.  It's a film that takes an in-depth look at how Lee, according to Bolerjack was exploited by his former business partners.

Sasson Gabay, an award winning Israeli actor who recently he starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Shtisel” joins Ross Crystal to talk about the prequel to that series titled "Kugel."  Sasson joins Ross "UpFront" from Tel Aviv.

He's been the mastermind behind 23 years of ‘Super Bowl Greatest Commercials!' Executive Producer Bob Horowitz joins ‘Ross Crystal UpFront' to give us the inside scoop on this year's CBS special. 

Filmmaker Adam Schomer is "UpFront" with Ross Crystal on his four part documentary series "Selling Superman."

His production company has been behind  a number memorable movies including “Wall Street” “The Crow” and “American Psycho.” Now he's offering the public a chance to invest in new productions.   Pressman Film CEO, Sam Pressman joins us on this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront'

He co-created and co-stars in the HBO Max Series "Hacks. "Emmy Winner Paul W. Downs joins Ross Crystal on the latest edition of "Showbiz UpFront"

It's a film about a small-town lawyer who's confronted with the reality of corporate fraud at the highest level.  Actress Rachel G. Whittle stars in a fascinating Whistle blower story "Protocol 7" and she.joins Ross Crystal on the next edition of “Showbiz Upfront” to talk about the film, her passions outside of the business, and much more.

Author Adam Nedeff grew up watching lots of TV…most of them, game shows.  And of course he wound up working behind the scenes for numerous game shows including "The Price is Right," "Wheel of Fortune," "College Bowl," and "Double Dare." Adam joins Ross Crystal on 'Showbiz UpFront' to talk about his latest book "Gong This Book! The Uncensored History of Televison's Wildest Talent.  They also discuss the latest trends in the game show world and what lies ahead.  

He grew up in a legendary showbiz family…and now he's starring in his first movie.  Actor Jake Reiner joins Ross Crystal 'UpFront' to talk about the film, his career and a whole lot more on the latest edition of 'Showbiz UpFront'

She helped pave the way for a new TV generation when she starred in the ground breaking series “Thirtysomething.”  Mel Harris joins Ross Crystal to talk about that, her latest film and a whole lot more on this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront.'

He's been making audiences laugh for years…and now he's back for season two on his NBC sitcom.   Comedian and actor George Lopez joins me UpFront to talk about the series…working with his daughter and a whole lot more.

Actor Ido Samuel joins Ross Crystal on 'Showbiz UpFront' to talk about his role in the Hulu Limited Series "We Were the Lucky Ones," a moving story of a Jewish family determined to survive and reunite after being separated in World War II.

Don Mischer , the Multiple Emmy Award Winning Television  Director & Producer and author who presided over some of the most memorable TV specials including the Oscars, Superbowl Halftime Shows and the Olympics Opening Ceremonies joins Ross Crystal to talk about the state of big tent television specials today and where the industry is headed.

Robert  Horowitz, Executive Producer of "Super Bowl Greatest Commercials XXIII"…The Ultimate Countdown" which airs on CBS joins Ross Crystal to talk about some of the best 'Super Bowl' commercials, and what we might exprect this year.

Celebrity chef,restaurateur and cookbook Author Susan Feniger…and Emmy Award winning filmmaker Liz Lachman who directed and co-produced the film "Susan Feniger: Forked" join Ross to talk about food, film and how their blind date wound up as a recepie for marriage. 

Sonia Satra, The Former Star of "Guiding Light & One Life to Live, joins Ross Crystal on "Showbiz UpFront" to talk about her latest ventures as a lifestyle expert and author of the book "What if it Were EASY"

Actor, Singer & Dancer Matthew Morrison talks to Ross Crystal on "Showbiz UpFront" about his latest film ‘A Paris Christmas Waltz' and he brings us back to the days that launched his career, when he starred on the Fox hit series "Glee."

He's a best-selling author of 38 novels including The 'Lincoln Lawyer' Series and the 'Harry Bosch' Series.  Michael Connelly joins Ross Crystal on this edition of "UpFront." 

Composer Arranger & Conductor Bruce Miller, the man behind the TV Theme Song from the series “Frasier” joins Ross Crystal on “Showbiz UpFront”

 Author Stephen Maitland-Lewis joins Ross Crystal on "UpFront" to talk about his new international thriller "Legacy of Atonement."  The award winning author also tells us how at 12 years old he became a pen-pal of the great Louis Armstrong that grew into a very special friendship for many years.

Steve Dildarian…creator, writer and lead voice for the  animated series  ‘Ten Year Old Tom.'…now in Season Two on Max, talks about how he created the series and a variety of topics including his thoughts on the Writers Guild Strike, as he joins Ross Crystal for this edition of 'Showbiz UpFront.'

Memorial Day is behind us…but the Writers Guild Strike against the studios continue. We get caught up on the latest efforts regarding those negotiations as well as a look at the current talks now happening with The Directors Guild and the looming possibility of a strike from SAG-AFTRA.  Entertainment attorney Jonathan Handel is back giving Ross Crystal his perspective and word of what's happening from his sources on this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront.'   

 As the Writers Guild Strike continues we take a deep dive into the causes and the effects of the walkout.  Veteran Hollywood Entertainment Attorney Jonathan Handel joins Ross Crystal on this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront.'

She's one of the brightest cartoonists in the country.  You see her work regularly in The New Yorker Magazine and you'll hear from the very talented Liza Donnelly when she  talks with Ross Crystal on this edition of Showbiz UpFront. 

Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis, are among the winners of the 95th Academy Awards and we hear from these extraordinary people in this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront: Backstage at Oscars 95'

Writer, podcaster and best selling author Toure' joins us on 'Showbiz UpFront' to talk about the new program, 'Masters of the Game that he hosts on Byron Allen's The Grio Television Network.   .

World-renowned Hollywood acting coach, business trainer and life coach Bernard Hiller joins Ross Crystal to talk about his latest book and how He has become a transformational leader in the field of artictic performance, dynamic public speaking and success strategies.  

Steven Spielberg on His New Film ‘The Fablemans'  

NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans joins Ross Crystal in this edition of 'Showbiz UpFront' as they discuss everything  from  the state of cable to streaming...award shows to  latenight talk and the impact news channels and broadcast networks are now having on all of us.  That, and  more on 'Showbiz UpFront.'  

Emmy Award Winning Investigative Journalist Scott Weinberger, joins Ross Crystal on ‘UpFront' to talk about the latest season of Discovery ID's ‘On the Case with Paula Zahn.' Weinberger, the executive producer and creator of the series explains why the show has been so successful and about his background which includes working in law enforcement.  They also discuss, among other things, why true crime stories have become so popular on television and in podcasts.

Renowned actor Michael O'Neill, joins Ross Crystal "UpFront" to talk about his latest project as co-star in the Netflix limited series "Echoes." Michael also looks back on some of the many series he's appeared in, including "The West Wing," "NCIS, "Grey's Anatomy," and many more. In addition he gives us his take on the entertainment world  today and the advice he has for those people trying to break into the business.

Matthew Del Negro, who co-stars with Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge in the Showtime Series "City on a Hill" joins Ross Crystal on "Showbiz UpFront" to talk about the  latest season of the gritty cop drama.  Matt also updates on his life and another series he's about to star in.

John Gray created the long running CBS series ‘Ghost Whisperer' that starred Jennifer Love Hewitt. Now the director, producer and author talks with Ross Crystal about his new  horror novel and other projects on 'Showbiz UpFront'.

Ray Richmond, entertianment journalist and author of the new coffee table biography "Betty White: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life" joins Ross to talk about the legendary actress and comedienne and where television is headed in the future.  

Ross talks with Panama Jackson, Author & Columnist at 'The Grio' and host of 'Dear Culture with Panama Jackson'

PODCAST DESCRIPTION Los Angeles Sportscaster and author Ted Sobel talks with Ross Crystal on ‘Showbiz UpFront' about his latest book ‘Touching Greatness' and about some of the legends in sports, music and showbiz that inspired him throughout his career in broadcasting.

Matthew Del Negro talks with Ross Crystal on "Showbiz UpFront' about his role as Detective Chris Caysen on Showtime's "City on a Hill" and about his podcast and book titled "10,000 NOs: How to Overcome Rejection on the Way to Your YES"

It’s the end of an amazing run for “Van Helsing” on SyFy.  After five seasons, we get a great perspective on what it’s been like from the stars, Jonathan Scarfe, Tricia Helfer and Nicole Munoz as they join Ross Crystal on this edition of “Showbiz UpFront” to talk about some of their memorable  moments and what they hope the show’s legacy will be.

Our guest on this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront’ is CCH Pounder, who stars as Dr Loretta Wade on the CBS series “NCIS New Orleans.”  The award winning actress talks with Ross Crystal about the premiere of season 7 and a story line that weaves the COVID-19 pandemic into the show.   Ms. Pounder also talks about her life in New Orleans, and her role in the two upcoming ‘Avatar’ movies.

In this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront’ we talk with Patrick Fischler, an actor you’ve seen many times before.  From his regular roles on “Mad Men” to Twin Peaks…From SyFy’s Happy! to his recurring role in the NatGeo-Disney Plus series ‘The Right Stuff’…the incredible story of America’s First Astronauts…known as the Mercury 7.

UpFront ….Ross Crystal talks about the legendary Grammy Award Winning singer, songwriter and activist Harry Chapin…with one of his children…Jason Chapin…and Rick Korn….the director of the documentary Harry Chapin: When in Doubt…Do Something…which follows the life of Chapin who died in 1981. 

In this edition ‘Showbiz UpFront’s’ Ross Crystal talks with Bertram van Munster, Executive Producer and Co-creator of “The Amazing Race” on CBS.  Now into its 32nd season, Bertram and Ross discuss the current episodes of the Emmy Award-winning series which were shot well before COVID-19.  He’ll also talk about how the reality competition series will move forward as we all deal with the current pandemic.

UpFront today….we talk with the multifaceted actress Jane Lynch. Best known for her starring role in the musical comedy series Glee…Jane has had recurring roles in shows that include everything from the sitcom Two and a Half Men…to the drama Criminal Minds.  Now the Emmy Award winner…is hosting another game show on NBC. This time it’s the revival of ‘Weakest Link,’ …and with that said…here’s my conversation with Jane Lynch.

We preview the ‘72nd Primetime Emmy Awards’ with NPR’s TV Critic Eric Deggans. We’ll give you our choices for who we think will win in the major categories and we’ll also take a look at the new TV season which is slowly rolling out.

From 'The Washington Post' to 'The New York Times,' 'The Wall Street Journal,' and 'The Boston Globe'…Wesley has distinguished himself as one of the country’s foremost journalists on race, law enforcement, and justice. He is now a correspondent for ’60 in 6’ which streams on Quibi. Most recently he covered the aftermath of the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and got the first on-camera interview with the man who captured the Blake shooting on video. He’s also the author of the book “They Can’t Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore and a New Era in America’s Racial Justice Movement." The book from 2016 describes the Black Lives Matter movement in the context of U.S. history as well as Lowery’s personal history.

Comscore Sr. Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian joins Ross Crystal on 'Showbiz UpFront' to discuss the financial fallout in the movie industry amid the COVID-19 crisis, and where the movies go from here.

An interview with Emmy Award-winning TV talk host, producer, and author Bill Boggs Ross and Bill talk about the state of talk shows, some highlights of Bill's career, and the pandemic, amongst other things.

John Savage is one of the great actors who’s appeared in so many iconic films like Deer Hunter, The Thin Red Line and Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. Most recently he’s had a recurring role on the CBS Series Seal Team and John Savage joins us UpFront.

Marlo Thomas & Phil Donahue join Ross Crystal to share some of the conversations they had with 40 celebrated couples as well as their own feelings regarding the secrets to a happy life on this edition of ‘Showbiz UpFront.'