Elon Gold Movies
A normal suburban mother poses as a famous soccer star in order to save her daughter's struggling soccer team in this affectionate sports comedy starring Missi Pyle and Emily Osment. Becca (Osment)'s soccer team is locked into a depressive losing streak, and without a new coach there's no chance they will ever make it to the regional finals. As luck would have it, Italian soccer legend "Lorenzo Vincenzo" is in town, and he's got a foolproof plan to get Becca's team back on the right track. What none of the players or parents realize, however, is that "Lorenzo Vincenzo" is actually Becca's mother Wendy (Pyle) in disguise. Will Wendy be able to maintain her elaborate ruse long enough to lead Becca's team to the regional finals, or will the stress of balancing family responsibility with maintaining her secret identity cause this well-meaning soccer mom to come completely unglued before the winning goal can be scored. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Missi Pyle, Emily Osment, (more)
- 2007
The premise of this ABC reality/competition series was implicit in its title (as it was to a lesser extent in its working title, The Impostor). In each episode, a collection of celebrity impersonators--both professional and amateur--showed off their gifts for mimickry (or lack of same) while vying for a grand prize of $100,000. The contestants were judged on "The Look, The Voice, and The Performance", and as a byproduct of these qualifications the viewers were treated to a seemingly endless parade of imitation Elvises, Tina Turners, Barbra Streisands, Dolly Partons, Jay Lenos, Johnny Carsons, Gloria Estefans, Howard Sterns, Paris Hiltons, and even one ersatz Dr. Phil. Of course, the worse the impersonation, the funnier it was for the audience, but some of these folks weren't bad at all. Model Michelle Merkin served as host, while the panel of judges included Jeffrey Ross, Lisa Ann Walker and Elon Gold. The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator? launched its initial eight-week run on May 30, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
- Add Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson to QueueAdd Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson to top of Queue
The Playboy playmate turned Baywatch bombshell proves that beauty is not above ridicule as Comedy Central brings together a who's who of top comedic talents to roast Pamela Anderson in a rousing night of insulting insight featuring the talents of Jimmy Kimmell, Tommy Lee, Eddie Griffin, Nick DiPaolo, Andy Dick, Courtney Love-Cobain, and many more. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pamela Anderson
- 2002
This NBC sitcom was rather blatantly inspired by the movie comedy hit Meet the Parents. According to network publicity, however, In-Laws was primarily based on the standup routines of comedian Elon Gold, who starred in the series as newlywed Max Landis. Quitting his job to enroll in culinary school, Max and his new bride Alice (Bonnie Somerville) reluctantly moved in with Alice's parents to save money. While Alice's mom Marlene (Jean Smart) pursued a real estate career and Alice herself worked two shifts, poor Max was left home alone with his supremely judgmental father-in-law Victor (Dennis Farina). Perhaps it goes without saying that the humor arose from the prickly relationship between the wisecracking Max and the growling, grumbling Victor. Co-produced by Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, In-Laws debuted September 24, 2002 and was cancelled in January 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Smart, Dennis Farina, (more)
Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) and Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) from The Mary Tyler Moore Show reunite in this made-for-TV movie. In this go around, both Mary and Rhoda find themselves alone after the death of Mary's husband and Rhoda's divorce. Both try to jumpstart their dormant careers and reconnect with their daughters. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, (more)
- 1998
- R
Eric Bross directed this drama of romantic roadblocks and racial issues between a group of waitresses and bartenders waiting for their "big breaks." Former alcoholic Chris (Adrien Brody) is a playwright who works as a bartender at the popular Hoboken, New Jersey, restaurant J.T. McClure's, a gathering spot for a variety of creative wannabes. At a local theater, rehearsals are underway for Chris' play, an autobiographical drama echoing his past relationship with Leslie (Lauryn Hill); for the fictional Leslie character, Chris has cast the vulnerable vocalist Jeanine (Elise Neal), and finds himself falling for her. Meanwhile, the actor playing the role of "Chris" has been sleeping with the real-life Leslie, adding to the real-life Chris' confusion. Providing philosophical guidance is the wise-guy best friend Reggae (Michael Stoyanov), a fellow "Newark boy" whose main creative energy goes into scoring drugs. Restaurant was one of the much-discussed stand-outs at the 1998 L.A. Independent Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrien Brody, Elise Neal, (more)
Six friends in their mid- to late twenties are forced to deal with the sticky business of adulthood in this independent comedy drama. For close to ten years, Paul (Elon Gold) has organized a weekend getaway for his college friends every summer at his folks' cottage in upstate New York. This year, the number of attendees has dwindled to six, which disappoints Paul, as he prefers to look back on his past rather than deal with his present. Paul and his wife, Julia (Amanda Peet), have been trying to have a child, but she has been mixed feelings about the notion of parenthood, which are aggravated when she learns she is indeed pregnant. Stan (Jonathan LaPaglia) is still reeling from a recent bout with testicular cancer, as well as a bad breakup with his girlfriend Kate (Sybil Temchen). As it happens, Kate's pal Laura (Jean Louisa Kelly) is attracted to Stan, but between his weakened physical state and his mixed feelings about his breakup, he's not sure if he should proceed. And ladies' man Fisher (Michael Kelly), disappointed by the dearth of single woman, decides to act on his feelings for Julia; while Julia is flattered, she's not sure if Fisher is worth throwing away her marriage. Origin of the Species was the first feature film from director Andres Heinz, and was adapted from the play of the same name by Robert Weston Ackerman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
