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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Friday 8 November 2019
Netflix serves up ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ with all-star cast
By LYNN ELBER used to read it to me all
Associated Press the time,'" Stern fondly re-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — When called. "I basically learned
screenwriter Jared Stern to read reading this book."
was approached about But he needed more than
developing Dr. Seuss' grandmom behind him.
"Green Eggs and Ham" The project required ap-
as an animated series, he proval from the widow of
sought advice from one Theodor Geisel, the singu-
important woman and the lar writer known as Dr. Se-
consent of another. uss. So Stern and fellow ex-
"I mentioned it to my grand- ecutive producer Jeff Klee-
mother and she said, 'That man made a pilgrimage to
was your favorite book her San Diego-area home
when you were little. You about five years ago. Au- voiced by Michael Douglas, right, and Sam-I-Am, voiced by
it and realized, 'Oh, it's an
odd couple.' There's the
grumpy guy who's closed
off to things and a playful
guy who's open to things.
And not only that, it's a
road trip because he won't
eat the eggs in a car, on
a train, on a boat — here,
there and everywhere,"
he said, allowing the origi-
nal story to be opened up
while staying true to its mes-
This image released by Netflix shows characters, Guy-Am-I, sage and spirit.
Devine, of the "Pitch Per-
Adam Devine in a scene from the animated series "Green Eggs fect" movies and TV's "The
and Ham," premiering Nov. 8. Righteous Gemstones" and
Associated Press "Modern Family," said he
drey Geisel died last year; leader. Other big-name focused on bringing "man-
her husband died in 1991. actors along for the ride in- ic little kid enthusiasm" to
"I had to pitch the story to clude Diane Keaton, Eddie Sam-I-Am.
her and it was incredibly Izzard, Tracy Morgan, John "I'm basically doing an im-
scary," said Stern. "Once it Turturro and Jeffrey Wright. pression of myself opening
was over, she said some- ("Having Ellen DeGeneres Christmas presents.... just
thing to the effect of, 'I as an executive producer how excited you would get
wondered what you were certainly helps," Stern said.) when you're a kid, and you
going to do with this. But I Stern understood Audrey want to explain all your toys
think you really captured Geisel's initial doubts, since and explain how you're
it, and you have our bless- he shared them when the going to play with them,"
ing.'" project was proposed by Devine said.
The result is a 13-episode se- Kleeman, president of De- The series lets him play with
ries debuting Friday on Net- Generes' production com- his lines. "The dialogue is
flix with a voice cast that in- pany. just so fun. When you ac-
cludes Michael Douglas as Stern's first reaction: Why tually get through a chunk
the character who turns up mess with perfection? Then where you're doing a lot
his nose at green eggs and he gave the 1960 book an- of Seussian-type dialogue,
ham and Adam Devine as other look. you feel so good about
Sam-I-am, the dish's cheer- "I started flipping through yourself."q
Joanna Connor takes her blues guitar
down new paths
By PABLO GORONDI turing cracking solos from
Associated Press everyone involved.
Joanna Connor, "Rise" Funky album opener "Flip"
(M.C. Records) is a steamy take on what
Joanna Connor takes her sounds like a May-Septem-
powerful guitar down new ber romance — "A woman
paths on "Rise," an album can't live on guitar alone"
featuring some jazzier hues, — while "Mutha" features
her considerable acous- rapper Alphonso BuggZ
tic skills and even a guest Dinero toasting Connor
rapper while also doubling with a dose of humor as This cover image released by
down on her reputation as she mercilessly shreds the M.C. Records shows "Rise," by
a blues stalwart. strings. Joanna Connor.
Connor, based in Chicago, "My Irish Father" is a gal- Associated Press
released 2016's "Six String loping, Rory Gallagher-like "When the Levee Breaks"
Stories" after a long break acoustic showcase with with a topical dissertation
from studio recording even poignancy added by Con- by Dinero as Connor's dra-
as she enhanced her status nor's discovery not long matic vocals and fiery fret
thanks to live performanc- ago of her birth father's work, along with powerful
es. "Rise" is also charac- identity. "Cherish and Wor- work from drummer Tyrone
terized by a new backing ship You" is probably the Mitchell, provide an alarm-
band, "a bunch of younger most rocking track on the ing soundtrack to a cata-
men" credited by Connor album and "Earthshaker" log of political ills and social
for an extra dose of power, is a glowing tribute to a challenges.
and several instrumentals, Windy City bass player with Connor describes herself
from the smooth tones of some very special skills. as "that middle-aged lady
the title track to a cover of Intense closer "Dear Amer- with the scorching guitar"
Sly and the Family Stone's "If ica" combines an homage and "Rise" is a monumental
You Want Me to Stay" fea- to Led Zeppelin's take on testament to her skills.q