The Gaily Grind - 22/Aug/2013

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Is Recently Out ‘Prison Break’ Star Wentworth Miller Dating Actor Luke Macfarlane?

by Adrian Garcia | on August 22, 2013

After “Prison Break” star Wentworth Miller, age 41, came out as gay Wednesday in an open letter addressed to Russia declining an invitation over that nation’s anti-gay law, Luke Mcfarlane is now making headlines as his rumored boyfriend.

Miller and Macfarlane have been linked together since 2007 after Perez Hilton forcibly outed Wentworth and then said the two were dating according to a ‘reliable source.’ In this picture, the two are riding around in the car laughing. In October, Wentworth went on to deny any gay rumors in an interview with German In Style magazine, adding that he would like to have a girlfriend and a family, but for the time being he wanted to focus on acting.

According to the Perez Hilton June 24, 2007 article:

“Wentworth and Luke have been secretly dating for almost six months now,” says an impeccable source close to the pair. “They’ve been very quiet about their relationship, obviously, as Wentworth is not out of the closet.”
Things between the pair are so serious that the couple are talking about moving in together, we hear.
“They spend a lot of time at each other’s houses,” says our mole. “Wentworth has been pretty reclusive since he’s become famous and he’s been even more of a shut-in since he started dating Luke.”
The pair are so close that McFarlane has even accompanied Miller to Asia to film some recent commercials and adverts, our source tells us.

Luke Mcfarlane, a Canadian actor who played the character Scotty on Brothers & Sisters, bravely came out in a 2008 interview with the Canadian Globe and Mail. Regarding his decision to come out after years of speculation in the press regarding his sexuality, Macfarlane said:

I don’t know what will happen professionally … that is the fear, but I guess I can’t really be concerned about what will happen, because it’s my truth. … There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what’s been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself – so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way.

Miller has yet to reveal if he’s dating Macfarlane or anyone in particular at the moment. You can read his ‘coming out’ letter sent Wednesday to the St. Petersburg International Film Fest, declining to participate because of Russia’s anti-LGBT laws.

“I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government,” Miller wrote. “The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly.”

*Side Note:If you think you know someone that might be gay, lesbian or bisexual, do not force them out of the closet. Let them decide to come out on their own terms when they are ready. It is no one’s decision but their own to announce their sexuality to you or the world.

CTV - 12/Aug/2013

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Friendships and relationships are put to the test during an epic brunch-quest on 'Satisfaction'

L-R: Leah Renee as Maggie, Luke Macfarlane as Jason (Photo courtesy of CTV)

by: Nadia Maciel
Date: 8/12/2013 10:27:00 AM

During an epic quest to find a good brunch spot, tensions in friendships and relationships start to grow as Mark decides to have a bro-breakup with Jason and replace him with Simon on this week’s episode of “Satisfaction.”

Because of Jason’s (Luke Macfarlane) busy schedule between school and hanging out with Maggie (Leah Renee), Mark (Ryan Belleville) starts to think that Jason never has any time to hang out with him anymore, and becomes fed up with being on the back-burner of his life.

Check out the latest 'Satisfaction' episodes here

As a “trial separation,” Mark decides to temporarily move out of the apartment he shares with Maggie and Jason, and live with Simon (Pat Thornton), where they discuss the possibility of becoming roommates.

“You’re my R2D2 to my C-3PO,” Mark tells Simon excitedly in a preview for the episode.

Check out photos from the episode here

Meanwhile, Maggie (Leah Renee) also becomes increasingly irritated with Jason’s indecisiveness after he is indifferent when she tells him about a promotion she has been offered at work – leaving Maggie to wonder if Jason really does care about her future.

Still vying to get Mark’s attention after worrying he will be replaced by Simon as his best friend and wanting to prove that he does indeed care about Maggie’s life decisions, Jason divides his attention between Mark and Maggie throughout the day, as the gang looks for a good brunch spot in Toronto.

"Satisfaction" airs Mondays at 8pm ET on CTV. You can also watch full episodes online at CTV.ca.

CTV - 08/Jul/2013

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‘Satisfaction's' Luke Macfarlane says his new comedic role is a dream job

By Sheri Block
Date: 7/8/2013 10:11:00 AM

Luke Macfarlane has studied at Juilliard, starred in countless theatre productions and won acclaim for his dramatic acting in film and television, but the London, ON-native says he couldn’t imagine a better next step than playing a comedic role on “Satisfaction.”

“I really wanted to do a comedy. It was a goal of mine. I want to have a long career and I think the thing you need for that is to have diversity,” says Macfarlane, who previously played a leading role on “Brothers and Sisters” and guest roles on “Person of Interest” and “Smash.”

“It’s been a dream job in so many ways.”

In “Satisfaction” Macfarlane plays Jason, a PhD student in a long-term relationship with Maggie (Leah Renee). Together the couple navigates the challenges of being in a couple and being in their 20s, alongside their single friend and roommate, Mark (Ryan Belleville).

Macfarlane says the show – and the hilarious situations the characters find themselves in – offers a fresh perspective to this often tumultuous time.

“It’s a comedy that feels relevant – it’s a single camera, it’s not a multi-camera, and it doesn’t feel like a throwback to anything. I’m just grateful to try this thing on that I’ve always wanted to try and hopefully be moderately successful at it.”

Though his degree at Juilliard, theatre experience and dramatic roles didn’t train him for acting on a sitcom per se, Macfarlane says there are plenty of transferable skills.

“There’s a lot of comedy in theatre and ‘Brothers and Sisters’ certainly had comedic moments,” says Macfarlane.

Even though there has been comedic elements in everything he has done, “Satisfaction”  is the first time Macfarlane’s sole focus has been on making things funny and he says it’s all about not over-thinking things.

“That’s part of comedy. You kind of have to access the softer part of your brain and just look for the joke.

“I don’t do standup like Ryan (Belleville), but I am willing to embrace it.”

In addition to the challenge of working on a comedy series, Macfarlane also enjoys being back in his home country to film the show.

“It’s amazing. This is the first time I’ve lived back in Canada for more than a week in 15 years. I see all my high school buddies, which is helpful for this, too. I went to a bachelor party (recently) and I felt like I was in an episode of this show,” he says with a laugh.

He also likes that the show is not hiding the fact it films in Toronto.

“It’s not some generic ‘anywhere.’ It’s Toronto. We’re not making Don Valley Parkway jokes but we’re not hiding the fact we’re from Canada, which I think is important.”

“Satisfaction” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV. Full episodes are also available online at CTV.ca.

News1130 - 27/Jun/2013

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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tiffany Brown/AP
Images for Discovery Communications

School may be out, but TV’s still on with a bevy of summer offerings

Bill Brioux, The Canadian Press June 27, 2013 2:20 pm

School’s out, but is TV in? With television now a 52-weeks a year business, plenty of new offerings are available this summer. Some are the usual mindless distractions — witness Nik Wallenda’s tightrope stunt across the Grand Canyon last weekend — plus all those dumb guilty pleasures like “Big Brother” and “America’s Got Talent.”

Yet summer has also been the time of year when two of TV’s most intense dramas — “Breaking Bad” and “Dexter” — return, this year for the last time.

So something for everyone, just like the rest of the year. A look at what might lure you back indoors — or keep you close to your tablet:

NEW CANADIAN ORIGINALS

“The Amazing Race Canada” (CTV, July 15). Olympic hero Jon Montgomery will get to gulp beer from coast to coast as he hosts this all-Canadian version of the popular reality series. “Body Break” fitness couple Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod are among the competitors. The entire series stays within our borders, eliminating hundreds of hours of delays going through customs. Talk about a road block!

“Satisfaction” (CTV, Mondays). This made-in-Toronto comedy stars Luke Macfarlane (“Brothers & Sisters”), Leah Renee (“The Playboy Club”) and Ryan Belleville (“Almost Heroes”) as a couple and their buddy all crammed into the same downtown apartment. Hilarity ensues. Several guest stars are scheduled, including Jerry O’Connell, Jessica Pare (“Mad Men”) and Andy Kindler.

NEW SCRIPTED IMPORTS

“Ray Donovan” (The Movie Network/Movie Central, premieres Sunday). Liev Schreiber stars as Donovan, L.A.’s best professional fixer, the kind of guy who could get even Rob Ford or Paula Deen out of a jam. There are several big names among the cast, including Jon Voight as Donovan’s bad news dad and Elliott Gould as his mentor and partner. There is something ‘seen it before,’ however, to this slick antihero who helps others but can’t straighten out his own messed up family.

“The Bridge” (FX Canada, July 10). Two detectives, one American, one Mexican (Diane Kruger, Demian Bichir), team up to hunt down a cross-border serial killer. Based on a Danish/Swedish drama

“Camp” (NBC, premieres July 10). Rachel Griffiths (“Brothers & Sisters”) stars as a camp counsellor in this bit of summer fluff shot in Australia.

Starting Aug. 4, Showcase has the Brit hit “Broadchurch,” an 8-part murder mystery starring David Tennant (“Doctor Who”).

ALREADY STARTED

“Under The Dome” (CBS/Global, Mondays). Millions caught the series premiere last Monday and may now be trapped under this dome, which inexplicably landed with a thud over a small U.S. town. Canadian Rachelle Lefevre plays a newspaper editor and Dean Norris from “Breaking Bad” is suspicious sheriff “Big Jim” Rennie. From master of suspense Stephen King.

“Saving Hope” (CTV, Tuesdays). A show with perhaps the dumbest premise ever — a love triangle set in a hospital where one guy is in a coma — became last summer’s biggest scripted hit in Canada. Buddy has now woken up and he sees dead people. Guest stars Erin Karpluk, Peter Keleghan, Gregory Smith and Jason Priestley join regulars Michael Shanks, Erica Durance and Daniel Gillies.

Also already underway: Marc Cherry’s “Devious Maids” (Sundays on Lifetime) and the drug cop drama “Graceland” (Thursdays on Bravo).

RETURNING DRAMAS

“Dexter” (The Movie Network, premiering Sunday). The eighth and final season finds our hero (superbly played by Michael C. Hall) still trying to juggle life as a dad, brother and serial killer. A murder at the end of last season had tilted this stayed-too-long series towards what should be a bloody interesting conclusion.

“The Newsroom” (HBO Canada, returns July 14). If you like great characters and actors who all speak like Aaron Sorkin, this show’s for you. All that smartypants dialogue wears me down after a while.

“Breaking Bad” (AMC, returns Aug. 11). There can be no happy ending for Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as this edge-of-your-seat thriller heads to the big Meth bust in the sky. The same night “Bad” returns, AMC launches its new drama, “Low Winter Sun.” The corrupt cop caper is based on a British miniseries, with the setting shifted to Detroit.

Also back are “The Listener” (CTV), “Continuum” (Showcase), “Rookie Blue” (Global), “Rizzoli & Isles” (Bravo), “Suits” (Bravo), “True Blood” (HBO Canada), “Perception” (Bravo) and “Magic City” (Super Channel).

RETURNING COMEDIES

The countdown to the final episode of Winnipeg-produced “Less Than Kind” is on at HBO Canada (Sundays). “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” comes to FX Canada with a catch up airing of Season 8 beginning July 4. “Wilfred” is also back Thursdays on FX Canada. CTV has the new season of “Hot in Cleveland” Sundays.

NEW AND RETURNING REALITY SHOWS

“Supermarket Superstar,” kind of a “Dragons’ Den” for the food industry, launches July 22 on Lifetime. Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson pushes nine beefy contestants past their limits in “The Hero” (Thursdays on Slice). “Summer Camp” (July 19, Slice) is basically “Big Brother” at the beach.

Otherwise “Big Brother” is back for a 15th season (airing constantly on Global/CBS). Also back: “America’s Got Talent” (City), “The Bachelorette” (ABC/OMNI), “MasterChef” (CTV/Fox), “So You Think You Can Dance” (CTV/Fox) and “An Idiot Abroad” (Discovery).

Improv fans can rejoice July 16 when “Whose Line is it Anyway?” finally returns with all new episodes on The CW. Best news of all: Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles and Wayne Brady are all back.

___

Bill Brioux is a freelance TV columnist based in Brampton, Ont.

CTV - 24/Jun/2013

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Finding ‘Satisfaction’ in young adulthood the central theme to new CTV comedy

(L-R) Luke Macfarlane (Jason), Leah Renee (Maggie) and Ryan Belleville (Mark) in a scene from 'Satisfaction'

by: Sheri Block
Date: 6/24/2013 9:38:00 AM

In the new CTV comedy series “Satisfaction,” Canadian funnyman Ryan Belleville plays a perpetually single guy trying to figure out how to impress the ladies and wondering where the next party is, all the while trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life.

This tumultuous period of being in one’s 20s is something that Belleville, an award-winning stand-up comedian, says anyone can connect with.

“I think everyone can (relate) to a certain extent. There’s that, ‘What am I doing?’ The older you get you still feel like, ‘I’m still a kid, right?’ But you realize the rest of the world is saying, ‘No you’re supposed to be a grown up,’” says Belleville, who is also a writer on the show.

“When you’re 19 and partying there’s no consequences to it, but when you’re a little older and you go out and party, you have to go to work the next day, you still have to pay bills.”

The single camera show, now available to watch at CTV.ca, takes a humorous look at the challenges of young adulthood and modern relationships through the eyes of Mark (Belleville), and his friends and roommates Jason (Luke Macfarlane) and Maggie (Leah Renee), a couple in a long-term relationship.

See photos from the episode here

While Jason and Maggie are serious about their commitment to each other, they also see the appeal of Mark’s single lifestyle, and vice versa.

“It’s so easy to romanticize a couple. When we’re alone we want to be single, when we’re together we want to be alone so I think it’s a great contrast and that continues throughout the show,” says Macfarlane, who is also known for his role on the TV show “Brothers and Sisters.”

Renee, who has appeared in everything from “The Playboy Club” to “Degrassi,” says the “grass is always greener” mentality is a theme that comes up a lot on “Satisfaction.”

“Those (relationship questions) are all things you think about and deal with while you’re also trying to figure out what’s the job I’m going to do for the rest of my life, who am I going to be with, where’s my place in the world?”

In the premiere episode, titled “The Blackout Cometh,” a massive power outage sweeps over the city and has Jason and Maggie trying to settle an argument without the use of the Internet, while everyone else comes together to party.

“There’s something about the camaraderie that everyone experienced during the (2003 northeast) blackout, I’m sure a lot of Torontonians lived through . . . that brings out the best and worst in people. Their problems seem relatable and funny,” says Macfarlane.

Meanwhile, Mark tries to save six months worth of thawing frozen food and the financial hardship that would come with its expiry, something Belleville says he can also relate to all too well.

“I was so broke (when I first moved to Toronto) I was eating Minute Rice and I would steal from (my roommates), just condiments, just a little bit of salt or soya sauce to put on my rice, to a point where I got so emaciated that these friends of mine and this girl I was dating a little bit took sympathy on me and food just started showing up at my place.”

“Satisfaction” is based on the real-life experiences of executive producer and creator Tim McAuliffe, who has written for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,”“The Office” and “Corner Gas.”

When McAuliffe first moved to Toronto from Montreal several years ago, he lived with two friends who were a couple, and experienced many of the things Mark is going through on the show.

“We just had a lot of parties, we had a lot of fun but there also a lot of drama and a lot of very real relationship things. (The couple) was dealing with their things, and I was either in a long distance relationship or I was not, trying to date and stuff. It seems so relatable.”

Over the course of the season, Mark will find himself doing everything from working on his pick- up skills to trying not to get sucked into a relationship.

So is McAuliffe worried he might be revealing a little too much about his personal life?

“All the time,” he says with a laugh. “You’re always wondering, ‘I’m going to sell myself out for a joke,’ but it’s worth it. There’s so many different moments in this series where things that happened are super embarrassing.

“(But) you’ve got to mine those experiences or else it just doesn’t seem believable.”

lfpress.com - 24/Jun/2013

[Source]

London native Luke MacFarlane content landing role in new TV comedy series

By Joe Belanger, The London Free Press
Monday, June 24, 2013 9:23:49 EDT AM

Luke Macfarlane left London 15 years ago to pursue an acting career. (WENN)

It’s been 15 years since Luke Macfarlane left London to pursue an acting career.

But former friends and fans can grab a front row seat to see him in their own homes Monday.

The 33-year-old actor will inhabit the small screen as one of three stars in the new television comedy series, Satisfaction, premiering Monday at 8 p.m. on CTV.

Macfarlane’s already earned his TV stripes playing Scotty Wandell, gay husband of Kevin Walker, in the hit drama series, Brothers and Sisters, that aired on ABC for five seasons ending in 2011.

The new show is described as “a relationship comedy about three 20-somethings struggling with the next step and trying to figure out how to get satisfaction.”

Macfarlane plays the role of Jason Howell, whom he describes as a “nerd working on a PhD in plant genetics” who lives with his girlfriend, Maggie Bronson (Leah Renee), a bartender at a local sports bar, and best buddy, Mark Movenpick (Ryan Belleville), a computer programmer who prefers to be unemployed.

In the series opener, Jason questions his own life path and decides he wants to perform live music. Maggie books him into the open mic spot at the bar before realizing she’d made a mistake. Meanwhile, Mark is in a dry spell and can’t seem to meet women, so Maggie suggests he needs a new “wingman” and suggests a coffee shop owner, Simon.

Macfarlane is a graduate of Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts. He graduated from London Central and then went on to the Juilliard School for the arts in New York where he starred in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Richard III, The School of Night, Blue Window, The Grapes of Wrath, and As You Like It before graduating in 2003.

In 2010, Macfarlane landed a major role in the Tony Award-winning revival of The Normal Heart, in a cast that included Ellen Barkin and Jim Parsons, who famously plays Sheldon Cooper on the hit CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory. The Satisfaction premiere follows it on CTV Monday.

Besides his acting career, Macfarlane says his main passion is renovating his Los Angeles heritage home, designed by renowned architect Albert C. Martin, who built Los Angeles City Hall and many other significant buildings in southern California.

The actor, who is openly gay, says he’d love to have a family one day. He said the entertainment industry has made progress in its attitude toward gays and lesbians “but it’s something that still needs to be addressed in our business. A little more acceptance is necessary.”

London music fans may recall Macfarlane as the lead singer in the band, Slipnaught, that included guitarist Graeme Cornies, guitarist Nate Kreiswirth, bassist Dustin Harris, drummer Nick Richard and auxiliary percussionist Jim Lewis. The band broke up in 1999 as the members each pursued their post-secondary education and training.

Kreiswirth and Cornies now live in Toronto writing music for television and movies but keep in touch with their former bandmate.

Macfarlane’s been in Toronto for about four months shooting the new show, returning often to London to visit his mom and old friends.

“I just got a message from my mom (Penny, a retired nurse) asking me to fix a light fixture,” Macfarlane said with a chuckle.

“It’s been great being back. And I love Toronto and getting back to see my mom. She always encourages me and has really being excited about me being nearby.”

joe.belanger@sunmedia.ca

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MORE ABOUT SATISFACTION

Guest stars scheduled to appear throughout the season, include Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her), Jerry O’Connell (The Defenders), Tommy Chong (That 70s Show), Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas), stand-up comedian Andy Kindler (Just for Laughs), and former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark.

Satisfaction is written by creator Tim McAuliffe (The Office), Mark Critch (Just for Laughs), Jason Belleville (Little Mosque on the Prairie), Tim Polley (Dan for Mayor), Jenn Engels (Less Than Kind) and Ryan Belleville.

TV, eh? - 24/Jun/2013

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Jun
24
2013

Interview: Luke Macfarlane on comedy, sex and getting Satisfaction

Posted by Diane Wild

By Adam Langton for TV, eh?

Tonight, CTV's latest sitcom offering Satisfaction will be debuting at 8pm. The show stars Luke Macfarlane and Leah Renee as a loving couple, with comedian Ryan Belleville playing their best friend and roommate. As detailed in the breakdown, Satisfaction is about struggling with the next step. Whether it's committing to a career, a relationship, or living arrangements, it's not easy being a twenty-something when you're torn between your immature past and your potential future. Luke Macfarlane took a few minutes out of his busy press day to chat with me about the show.

First off, I read that you're from London, Ontario. I actually went to grad school there and I was curious: do you ever make it back for any London Knights games?

No, unfortunately not! I've learned a bit about hockey but was never a big hockey fan. My father worked at the University, however. He was actually the director of Student Health Services for almost twenty years.

Oh wow, good for him! Perhaps he and I crossed paths, who knows?

Well that depends, did you have any psychological counselling?

I think we'll save that for off the record. (laughs)

(Laughs) okay!

 So with your acting background through Over There and Brothers and Sisters and your recent appearance on Person of Interest, you're well known for your drama chops. I was wondering if switching to comedy came as a relief, or is it a challenge?

Oh it's definitely a challenge. It was something that I really, really wanted to do. I actually had a conversation with my agent after I finished Brothers and Sisters. I said you know, when I look at the actors that I really admire, they've all done their time in comedy. And I really, really, really wanted to do it, so I started reading comedy scripts. I got a lot of responses with people saying “I don't know if we think Luke is funny.” Then, it was a relief when I read this script. Not only did I think it was super, super funny, Tim (McAuliffe)'s script, but they also said “we think you're funny too!” So it's definitely something that is scary and a challenge and I'm learning so much. But if you're going to stay in the business for a long time you have to be willing to do everything.

Sounds like a perfect match. So how is the tone, on set? Is it a lighter and goofier tone than you're used to, even when you're not actually rolling? Or is it business as usual?

It's funny. We do laugh a lot, for sure?there's always laughs on set, no matter what. I will say of this show, the pace at which we film is so fast. We just get through so much material. I have never worked this hard in my life, ever; the hours that I've been keeping… when I was doing other shows in the past, I would come in and do a couple of days a week. This is every single day at the crack of dawn. So that's hard, but laughter is the way that we get through the day.

Tell us a little bit about Jason Howell.

Jason Howell is a PhD candidate in plant genetics … so something that's really exciting to a lot of people, I'm sure (laughs). Tim actually intentionally wanted Tim to have a job that sounded really boring. He kind of is the nerd of the group. I've got this beautiful, beautiful, intelligent, quick-witted girlfriend and I think that we wanted him to be smart on the page and maybe not as smart when it came to more practical matters.

Are you an academic type, like Jason?

I do think I am a bit of a nerd, although it's such a cliche for people to say that now. I think I am a nerd. When I was making my decision of what I wanted to do in life I had a very real interest in going into the sciences. And I applied to the Applied Sciences program at [the University of Toronto] and I also auditioned for Juilliard, and I instead went down the path of acting as I somehow got into Juilliard.

Well I was reading how during the development of Satisfaction there was a heavy emphasis on keeping Jason's relationship with Maggie very much about love ? they didn't want their relationship to be about fighting and bickering. Is that very clear in the script or did you guys have to sort of bring that love to life while shooting?

Leah (who plays Maggie) and I get along so well, so that was really easy. And, although love is not the same as sex, when the show actually starts you find Jason and Maggie goin' at it in a few inappropriate places in the house.

So it's part of the struggle of living with a roommate and how you try to have a private life in the company of somebody else. So that's definitely something present. We want to show that these guys are all really bonded in the problems that they face. It's really easy, Leah and I get along really, really well. And they certainly write us as a very affectionate couple.

Well I think I should post this interview as fast as possible ? tell people about the opening sex scene and make sure that all eyes are on CTV tonight!

I really hope so! I'm really, really optimistic and I have to say, honestly, I've been lucky to be a part of a lot of things but I feel so strongly about the quality of this. I'm really proud that it happens to be Canadian. I've always wanted to come back and work here. I am really, really proud of the show and I hope that everyone else likes it as much as I do.