What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T10 WHATS UP! December 31, 2017 - January 6, 2018 regulars. Actors Peter Stormare ("Fargo," 1996) and Weeks both appear to be potential repeat riders. In fact, Stormare's char- acter, Artem, an avid gambler, seems convinced that he'll only win at the tables if he sits in a particular seat during the flight. Meanwhile, Weeks's character, Colin, develops quite an attrac- tion to Ronnie, though it's cur- rently unclear whether this is just a one-time — or skybound — relationship. The hype for "L.A. to Vegas" stems not only from the stellar casting of the series, but from the comedic powerhouse that's producing it. Gary Sanchez Productions has joined forces with 20th Century Fox Televi- sion to develop this mashup of "The Love Boat" meets "An- chorman" (2004) on a plane. Gary Sanchez Productions is run by Will Ferrell ("Daddy's Home," 2015) and producer Adam McKay ("Step Brothers," 2008). The pair works with the company's head, the fictional Gary Sanchez, a Paraguayan in- vestor whose gifts to the globe most notably include comedic video website "Funny or Die." While this isn't the first foray into television for the produc- tion company, known also for "Drunk History" and "Com- mander Chet," the partnership with Fox will provide "L.A. to Vegas" with perhaps the com- pany's broadest small-screen reach ever, letting the laughs land in millions of living rooms across North America. As for the on-screen talent, McDermott is a seasoned pro- fessional, possessing a wealth of versatility within his CV. A har- rowing, tumultuous childhood like his may have stunted the de- velopment of others, but thanks to the encouragement of his stepmother (playwright Eve En- sler), McDermott took a gamble on himself, for which both the small and big screen alike are ever grateful. Iconic roles in television series such as Bobby Donnell in "The Practice" and both Dr. Ben Harmon and John- ny Morgan in "American Horror Story" have helped McDermott secure his presence as a skilled character actor, though often with a more dramatic and seri- ous lean. "L.A. to Vegas" allows McDermott to explore his quirkier, zanier side, playing a suave pilot with a penchant for sarcasm and a minimal filter. "L.A. to Vegas" also features soap opera star Matula, who brings with her a unique fan- base that is also more familiar with an actress swept up in the dramatic instead of the come- dic. This isn't the actress's first shot at comedy, as 2017 has seen Matula explore her more hu- morous side, with appearances in the series "Teachers" and the film "Maybe Someday" (2017). While discussing her character on Breakfast Television Toron- to, Matula explained that Ron- nie is someone with "big dreams ... a lot of hopes for her life, and she has not made the right decisions ... she's an in- credibly impulsive person." The relatability of Ronnie, and the humorous missteps of her life, give her an endearing quality that is entirely relatable to both Matula's soap opera fans and those sitcom lovers who have yet to see her per- form. Ultimately, the show's ap- peal stems from the fact that in such confined spaces, even through the duration of a short flight, people have a way of opening up and revealing themselves, their charms and annoyances in a way that elicits both sympathy and laughs. Prepare for a weekly week- end getaway, four days in ad- vance, as you board Flight 1610 with Captain Dave and his crew for a fun-filled trip from "L.A. to Vegas." Buckle up for some laughs when the series lifts off Tuesday, Jan. 2, on Fox. Kim Matula and Nathan Lee Graham as seen in "L.A. to Vegas" continued from page T2 High-flying hilarity: Winners abound in 'L.A. to Vegas' Leaf Guard 5 x 5 TV FEATURE LeafGuard is the ONLY one-piece seamless debris-shedding gutter 1-800-LEAFGUARD or 479-221-9516 leafguardandmore.com