According to reigning Hollywood queen of “In the know-dom”, Nikki Finke… Alex has left ICM for UTA.

Read what Nikki-in the know says HERE.

Not in the biz and without a clue to the identity of UTA, I went surfing for information.

At the United Talent Agency website I didn’t learn who they represent.  I wanted to know what company Alex would be keeping. However, I caught a wave to Wikipedia where I learned more. Some of the prestigious names represented by the approximately 100 agents at UTA are; Alex, and Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Kirsten Dunst, Seth Rogen, James McAvoy, Rachel McAdams, Tim Daly, and Paul Rudd.

UTA represents Jennifer Lopez and Alex recently co-starred with Jennifer. Coincidence?  Something tells me Jennifer spoke highly of UTA

Who will comprise “Team Alex” at UTA?  Will former ICM agent, Chris Hart, be on his team there too?

Nikki says about Chris Hart:

There were some snarky comments left at the above exclusive, but the general consensus from people who say they know him… Chris Hart is a class act.

Contributed by BRIT

Some video snippets of hosts Alex and JLo on CBS’s Comedy Lineup. Very cute! Also don’t forget to check out the Rachael Ray Show tomorrow (4-21) for Alex! Thanks for the tip JoJo.

Just a heads up folks, the promotion for The Back-up Plan is in FULL swing. Alex will be appearing in the following places:

Thursday 4-15, Alex will be on The Early Show at 7:00 AM. Following that he will be signing autographs at the Plaza in front of CBS The Early Show at 8:30am.

4-16 He will be on NBC for  The Today Show in the 10am hour.

On Monday, 4-19,  Alex will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)

Enjoy!!

Woohoo! I have been wanting to tell you about this and now I can! Online JLo Fan and Beyond-Beautiful.com did an interview with Alex after the recent press conference. Some people have all the luck!!!

It is a great interview that, obviously given the sites conducting the interview, focuses on how it was for Alex to work with JLo and how they got on together. We have heard quite a bit about this already but this interview has some real gems. We get very intimate filming details.

“Make it a hard day on the set,” I gather. “Yeah, make it a hard day on the set of a romantic comedy,” he agrees. “But it wasn’t. We had a laugh; we kind of [played around]. She [clocked] my balls a bit; I kind of teased her a bit about her hair or whatever. So that’s where it started and where we sort of set the tone for the [movie]. It’s great. We’ve been mates ever since. We’re pals now. So, it’s nice…”

They asked about how he liked working on a comedy after a science fiction role and then a drama…

Having worked mostly on dramas, what is the transition like from drama to comedy, I ask? “That’s a good question,” he says. “It’s quite a transition, you know. Comedy is difficult, [but so is] playing drama. You know, I’ve played a lot of characters; I’ve played characters that are similar to me as a person, but I’ve played a lot of characters that are very different to me as a person, as well. And the further I am away from who I am and what I’m like, the easier it is for me. You can dress me up as the devil, with a big mask and stuff and that’d be easy for me to play because I am hiding behind it. The closer you get to who I actually am, and ‘Stan’ has a lot of attributes that I have, the harder it is for me. The harder it is to put that on screen and to show my true self because as actors, a lot of us are very private with our true self. And [the reason] we’re so good and so comfortable on the job that we do, is because we can hide. So, the transition from drama to comedy…and also comedy is challenging. There’s a lot of things – there’s timing, You’ve got to understand what’s funny and why it’s funny and then you’ve got to forget about it and just do it. And often you mess it up. And you’ve got to be prepared to look like an idiot and fail completely…

You will have to visit the site for the rest, it is rather lengthy and juicy.

Did I already ask how the folks from OJF/BB got so lucky??!! Well, I guess I can’t complain because they took me along for the ride… sort of. I know one of the interviewers and was able to get a message to Alex! This was important to me after his fandom kind of split recently over his Hawaii Five-O role. Some nasty messages were left on his MySpace page even. As I have stated before they don’t speak for all of us… or even the majority of us and I wanted to let Alex know we love and support him. And lucky me, they mention part of my message in the interview!

Enjoy!

This little rumor has been put to bed. We knew he was “in talks” and now word has arrived from many reputable news sources including The Hollywood Reporter, and Ausiello, that Alex O’Loughlin will indeed play the starring role of Det. Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O.

O’Loughlin, who was an early favorite for the part, joins recently cast “Lost” co-star Daniel Dae Kim, who will play Detective Chin Ho Kelly.

The new “Hawaii Five-0″ hails from hot feature writers and “Fringe” co-creators Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and “CSI: NY” executive producer/co-showrunner Peter Lenkov. CBS Studios is producing.

“Hawaii Five-0″ marks O’Loughlin’s third starring vehicle at CBS, following “Moonlight” and this season’s medical drama “Three Rivers.”

CBS brass certainly hope that the third time will be the charm for O’Loughlin the way it was for another network favorite, Simon Baker, who starred in CBS’ short-lived drama series “The Guardian” and “Smith” before headlining hit “The Mentalist.”

I don’t like the fact that they keep mentioning this is a third test for Alex. If anything this is a third test for CBS to see if they can actually mine the “gold” they have in Alex or continue to give him a raw deal.

So what you do think? Love it or hate it?

I think there are a fair amount of both. I got an email from an original Hawaii Five-O fan yesterday that was absolutely scathing towards Alex and the fact that he accepted this role. Will fans of the original show be happy?

According to Spoiler TV this is the offical character synopsis:

[LT. COMMANDER STEVE MCGARRETT] Mid to late 30s… This craggy, tenacious Navy commander is a former Navy SEAL whose illustrious resume includes stints as a special investigator and a tenure with Naval Intelligence. McGarrett has been tracking the notorious Hesse brothers for years, but when his father is taken hostage and slain during his perilous investigation, he’s determined to have justice. To that end, he accepts Hawaiian governor Pat Jameson’s offer to run a federal task force centered in Hawaii, and imbued with latitude and special rights not granted to the police rank and file. McGarrett hand-picks an elite crew for his team, which stands as the first line of defense against encroaching terrorists and criminals in a strategically vital region. But in the meanwhile, he’s determined to trace the baffling clues his murdered father left behind — evidence that points to an unsolved mystery stretching all the way back to his mother’s death, years previously…

According to Michael Ausiello, CBS is considering Alex a starring role in their recently green-lighted project of Hawaii Five-O.

“Talks are ongoing,” says the insider. “CBS really wants to do another series with him.”

The original Five-O — which starred Jack Lord as Det. Steve McGarrett — ran on CBS from 1968-1980. The update is being shepherded by Fringe writer-producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, as well as CSI: NY e.p. Peter Lenkov.

At press tour last week, CBS president Nina Tassler reiterated her strong desire to stay in business with O’Loughlin. “We love him,” she said, “and want him to stay around a long time.”

Is it any wonder we have a hard time believing anything CBS says? Last week we have Nina Tassler whispering that Moonlight may return and now we have an insider saying they want him for another role entirely. Guess we just have to play the wait and see game.

Personally I kinda like the idea. I think a fresh HFO with a hunky, often shirtless – laid back most days but ready to turn his James Bond on – island police officer could have potential. If they do decide to go this route they need to hire me as an advisor – I’ve got some ideas, LOL.

Nina Tassler of CBS has finally confirmed what we already knew… that Three Rivers is cancelled. I liked how she said they have to “assume some responsibility” although it should have been MOST of the responsibility. They needed more character depth a heck of a lot faster than they did AND putting in on Sunday night when it was often an hour or more late was a death wish. It was a darn good show and they failed.

But then… perhaps in an effort to stave off the angry mob that went after her when she cancelled Moonlight she does something really awful… she teases fans with the idea that someday Moonlight will come back. One is left not knowing if she actually means what she says or if she is just trying to prevent fallout again. She could draw this out for years and then end up saying that the timing wasn’t right or some obstacle was in her way… all the while taking credit for “trying her best”.

One thing is clear already though. CBS is always willing to jerk us around and this may be no different. Since Alex has a major motion picture coming out soon I would think that any person with some sense would be locking these plans down NOW if they really intended to follow through. Tassler expressed a “desire to remain in business with Three Rivers star Alex O’Loughlin.” Hmmm, that sure doesn’t sound as though you are actively trying to resurrect Moonlight, that sounds like a carrot is being dangled in front of fans and it sounds as if your not even sure that Alex will stay contracted with CBS. She also mentioned that she is already selecting pilots for the 2010/2011 season so at best she is putting this off until almost 2012?? Is Alex supposed to wait in limbo until then?

We will have to play the same game that many fans have played for years…. hoping for a return of Moonlight based upon the little scraps that CBS is willing to toss out every now and again and “hope” they are being genuine. I have my doubts. But as always, I would love to wrong this time.

Source info: Rob Owen at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

From his MySpace blog:

Hey everyone…..

Well, like usual I have been meaning to write you all and, like usual, not getting around to it.  Before Thanksgiving….. during

Thanksgiving….after Thanksgiving!  But today, I thought I better get to it…..

A lot of you probably already know this, because you guys know what’s happening in my life before I do, but today I was informed that Three Rivers would soon draw to an end.

To be honest I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

After Moonlight was canceled I needed to go away and regroup for a while.  I was hesitant to engage in another show at all, even when Three Rivers was proposed, but I realized immediately how important this story was and would be. This, the story of so many different people all around the world who’s lives have somehow been affected by organ donation and transplant medicine.

I often catch myself saying things like “We’re actors! We’re not curing cancer or feeding the hungry.”  (Of course referring to the fact I don’t always feel that as an actor my job is that important or relevant.)  But I soon realized that Three Rivers would be a source of great comfort to those aforementioned people, providing perhaps for the first time an accurate and cathartic experience directly related to that which they all shared.

Already in this short time I have received so many beautiful letters of support and gratitude from so many of you who have lost loved ones, and also shared the gift of life with others as a result of those tragedies.  And this sudden cancellation has rocked me completely.

As most of you know, through Three Rivers I was blessed to have been afforded the chance to work with the organization Donate Life America. This potential opportunity was one of the main reasons I agreed to do the show, and having only recently finished my Ambassador training I had become an official spokesperson.  We have done a couple of events and some PSA’s and there has been growing excitement about the possibilities of exposure and support we at Three Rivers could provide as the show gained in numbers and strength.  Well, though the news of the show is heartbreaking I view it as nothing more than a temporary setback in the work I plan to do with Donate Life America.  For me this is just the beginning of what I hope to be a long relationship.

To be honest I don’t really know what else to say.  I am beginning my process of detachment and will be in touch soon.

All my love,….

Alex O’Loughlin   x

A message from Alex via his MySpace page:

Hello everybody.I thank you all for being so patient with me in this hectic time. I have been meaning to update you every other day, but am constantly inundated with requests, interviews, charity work… and of course Three Rivers.

We have had a rough start with the show as far as numbers are concerned.  Hopefully, this is due partly to East Coast football and baseball playoffs. But our wonderful cast and crew maintain an attitude of stoicism and commitment in the promise of more attention toward this show which I have come to love and believe in so much.

When I first read the pilot I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. If I could in fact breathe any life whatsoever into this surgeon guy, Andy Yablonski.

I have worked really hard and i continue to study everyday the medical text books and reference material I use for this show. I collaborate with everyone on the show to make it better for you on Sunday, and now we are on the air pushing through to what we hope will be a “back nine” pickup, meaning Three Rivers will live to see a full season.  I was kind of sad to read this letter from Alex today. Being the owner of this site I have the privilege and sometimes the unpleasant duty of reading every single comment made by fans here. In the past few weeks we have had many negative comments about the show and Alex’s role as Dr. Andy. Last week there were more comments made by fans that they “hoped” Three Rivers would be cancelled. The critics haven’t been kind and neither have many the fans. Here is to hoping that Alex gets that chance to create that show “we can all be proud of”.

I want you all to know that as always, I humbly appreciate all the support I constantly receive and that I am fighting hard to bring you a show I hope we can all be proud of.

Until we speak again, thank you and please tune in to Three Rivers!

All my love,

Alex. x

I was a bit sad to read this note actually. As the owner of this site I read every single comment made here and many of the fans have not been very kind to Three Rivers or the character of Dr. Andy. Just this week we had yet more comments made by his fans that they hope TR gets cancelled.

Alex…  many of your fans are already proud. Remember that…

In just a couple hours we will be blessed with the premiere of Three Rivers. Wahoo!!!

I took the weekend off to spend time with my family so here is what you may have missed:

Alex’s appearance with Dr. Gonzo Gonzalez-Stawinski on The Doctors:

Another CBS video: Three Rivers – You Ask They Tell

Also an interview with TVguide.com:

TVGuide.com: You’ve been an organ donor since your teens. Why did you decide to become one?
Alex O’Loughlin: Yeah, I sort of stamped it on my license way back when. That was more about kind of doing the right thing and having an open mind as a young person in the cool group. It wasn’t about what it is about for me now. I wasn’t sure before, but now I’ve been officially confirmed as a donor. I have the card saying I’m an organ and tissue donor. I’m like, “You take it all.” God forbid anything ever happens. When I first read the script, one of the initial things that came to me was the obvious potential for community service, and this sort of philanthropic idea of maybe being involved with Donate Life America or any company that would come onboard with us.

TVGuide.com: And you’ve become a spokesperson for Donate Life.
O’Loughlin: I am now officially a spokesperson and an ambassador. I’ve done my ambassador training, which is great. I’m very, very proud and I feel very privileged to be a part of an organization like Donate Life because it’s just so important. They save so many lives every day. The way they operate — they do it with such integrity on a mass scale. I’m only one person, but hopefully I’ll bring more awareness to more people.

TVGuide.com: Can you give us an idea of what you’ll be doing with them?
O’Loughlin: Before we even started shooting, I approached CBS and said, “Listen, this is my plan of attack. If we do this script, I want you guys to sign on with me now and be in agreement that you will help me get this up and running.” What I’ve been doing with Donate Life, in conjunction with the show, is PSAs for TV. I’ve gone to a couple charity events. I’ve written some testaments for them. I’ve done a lot of press about the organization on the red carpet and stuff like that. Every opportunity I get. I went on The Bonnie Hunt Show and I forgot to wear my pin. I was so mad at myself. I take my pin everywhere. People ask about it and I tell them about it. Whenever people ask me about it like you’re talking to me now, I will talk about Donate Life.

TVGuide.com: Do you get input from them? How accurate are the procedures and the storylines in the show?
O’Loughlin: They’re very accurate. We have an incredible writing staff, who are not only talented but very meticulous and professional. None of them will deliver, I can say in faith, something to be shot without all the possible research done. We have a large team of medical technicians and consultants. Donate Life, when I approached them, they were hesitant for very good reasons. Until this point, other people’s storytelling around these issues has been so inaccurate that they have not wanted any involvement. They found it made their lives more difficult. This is a non-profit organization that saves people’s lives everyday, so why would you not want to get it right? Forgive me for searching for the specifity here, but really, it’s so important.

TVGuide.com: How did you get them to come onboard?
O’Loughlin: At first, we convinced them the integrity of the organization was of utmost importance and that we wanted to tell the truth of how it is for everyone — donor, recipient and medical group. We wanted to tell real stories about what’s really happening to real people right now. Once they read some scripts, they’re like, “Oh my God, this is exactly how it is.” I met with one of the heads of the organization. He came down to set and I showed him around and we sat down and I said I really want to be involved. If enough people see the show and know my face and who I am, then hopefully we can make a difference, or at the very least get a few more people to realize the importance of being a donor and giving the gift of life.

TVGuide.com: What’s the most important thing people need to know about organ donation? What are the myths that need to be dispelled?
O’Loughlin: It’s not true that a doctor will not try to save you if you’re a donor. It’s not true that the medical staff of whatever medical institution you’re in will put less of an effort toward you if you’re going to allow your organs to be procured post-mortem. A lot of people I’ve spoken to have said they’re not an organ donor for that reason. That’s an absolute fallacy. Also, the hospital doesn’t have access to the records the procurement organization has to see if you’re a donor.

Read more…

Some other articles you may like:

Doctored Pittsburgh-set medical drama finally premieres

Cast of ‘Three Rivers’ is diverse - One of the apsects I love most about this show…

Organ donor advocates are fans of new series