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BY KATE O'HARE BY KATE O'HARE Inside a converted warehouse on land in Los Angeles where Howard Hughes once built aircraft, Fox's popular "MasterChef " franchise looks to create a new generation of culinary stars. Starting on Friday, Sept. 27, "MasterChef Junior" opens up the cooking competition to boys and girls ages 8 to 13. Like the adult amateur chefs, they will still be under the scrutiny and tutelage of chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich and chef Graham Elliot. Ramsay is known for his explosive temper, tough judgment and frequently salty language, especially on his other Fox culinary competition show, "Hell's Kitchen." But to listen to two of the kids involved, he's not the one who made them nervous. "The judges are very intimidating," says 12-year-old Molly from Pasadena, Calif. "Gordon is scary once you see him on TV, but he's very, very nice once you meet him, very nice, very sweet. Joe Bastianich is the scariest, most intimidating person on this entire planet. He is so scary. "I hope my station is in the back row, so he won't come. I hope so, because he's so scary. I'm just hoping he likes my food." As for Elliot, Molly says, "Graham is like a big, fluffy teddy bear. He's so nice. It's like there's a mean one, a nice one and a scary one." "I know the judges can be portrayed as kind of strict," says her friend Jewels, also 12, from Manalapan, N.J., "even mean in some cases. We have to remember that's for adults. Hopefully they're not going to talk to us like that. We are kids." Even though being judged on television can be scary, the young chefs discovered it can also be a lot of fun. "I'm just really excited to work with them," Jewels says. "Working with them is exciting, the thought of it. They're such prominent figures in the culinary arts, the fact that we can say, 'Oh, hey, Graham, how are you doing this morning? Hey, Joe ... Oh, Gordon!' You can have a conversation with them. "It's the coolest thing ever, to be able to hear feedback that they're giving to you. It's like a dream; somebody pinch me. But none of them were mean to me." "Joe just stares at you," says Molly, "and you don't want to look back." The show filmed back in the spring, and everyone knows it's hard to keep a secret, especially if you're a 12-year-old girl. But Molly has an answer all ready for her curious classmates. "I went to Hawaii ... duh!" Along the way, the contestants – whittled from 24 to 12 by Friday, Oct. 4 – face a cupcake challenge, a tag-team beef Wellington challenge and a downtown restaurant takeover featuring a three-course meal. The ultimate winner will take home $100,000. James Caan Movies "Brian's Song" "The Godfather" 8 "Honeymoon in Vegas" "Brian's Song" (TV, 1971) After years of reliable supporting work, Caan began to step into stardom as Brian Piccolo, the Chicago Bears running back whose illness cemented his friendship with teammate Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams). "The Godfather" (1972) Well, of course. What true movie fan can forget hotheaded mob son Sonny Corleone's exit? No spoilers here, but if you haven't seen it, do so. Now. "Cinderella Liberty" (1973) In his first teaming with Marsha Mason, Caan gives a wonderfully sensitive performance as a Navy man involved with a prostitute while he's on forced leave. "Rollerball" (1975) As a very physical athlete of few words, Caan is ideal casting for Jonathan E., the biggerthan-he-was-meant-to-be star of a futuristic sport. "The Killer Elite" (1975) Reteamed (by director Sam Peckinpah) with "Godfather" co-star Robert Duvall, Caan is terrific as a betrayed private-security man out for revenge. "Chapter Two" (1979) Reuniting with actress Mason, Caan has a tough job – playing morose, and also essentially The Goshen News • TV Spotlight • September 23-29, 2013 BY JAY BOBBIN playing Mason's husband at the time, playwright Neil Simon – and fulfills it extremely well. "Hide in Plain Sight" (1980) Caan works both sides of the camera effectively, directing as well as starring in the true story of a man trying to locate his ex-wife and children. "Thief" (1981) Helping director Michael Mann establish the style he's so known for now, Caan is top-notch as the title crook out for one last, giant score. "Misery" (1990) Kathy Bates may have the showier role (which her Oscar confirmed) as a novelist's obsessed fan, but without Caan's work as her victim, the Stephen King story wouldn't have the balance it needs. "Honeymoon in Vegas" (1992) Caan's personality is perfect for the gambler who orchestrates a weekend with an the fiancee (Sarah Jessica Parker) of an opponent (Nicolas Cage). "Flesh and Bone" (1993) A sensationally gritty Caan plays the still-dangerous father of a man (Dennis Quaid) who falls for the only survivor (Meg Ryan) of a family his dad had massacred decades earlier.

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