Don Carlos - Rose Theatre, Kingston

                                                 
Don Carlos by Friedrich Schiller, is set in the Spanish Court during the 16th century, but to me it seemed no different than watching, say Shakespeare's Hamlet, in a tale involving so-called incest,
deceit, misunderstandings, manipulations and lies.  A tale most will hold synonymous to society today. 
The very first production staged by Tom Burke and director Gadi Roll's  theatrical company, Ara is a monumental production in itself. 
Don Carlos (Samuel Valentine) heir to the Spanish throne has feelings for his stepmother, Elizabeth (Kelly Gough) who share similarities in their free thinking of humanity and basic rights.  Carlos's long time friend, Posa (Tom Burke) who hopes to get Carlos to focus on the happenings within the Netherlands.  He's up in arms as Elizabeth I of England takes in the Dutch people and leaving the Netherlands to its own devices. 

The ending where King Philip (Darrell D'Silva) shoots the Marquis Posa as he takes on the responsibility and fault of being the one who wrote the letters to Elizabeth and not Carlos.  Carlos being distraught over his death, that of a great man and visionary.  Then the King is counselled by the Grand inquisitor (cue Tom again) wearing dark glasses and portraying a feeble man. 
[Of course the upshot of this is you can interpret this how you want, it doesn't necessarily follow you have to think along the same lines as everyone else.  But it was rather funny and perhaps my imagination playing on overtime; but I thought the Inquisitor was actually Posa in disguise and had been playing the king for all those years.  Especially since he came across as being rather full of himself, as if he did get one over him after all.]

Until Carlos decides he's leaving and says his farewells to Elizabeth.  A shot fires out and Elizabeth is dead!!  Of Course the Inquisitor is the direct opposite of Posa and regards religion in all its esteem, did he talk the king into actually ridding what he may deem "enemies of the state" of Spain (its Inquisition) and their thoughts of freedom.

But were they really in league with each other, Posa and the king, the king and the Inquisitor in getting his own way and disposing of the Queen, his wife, so he could now be free to marry the Princess, as was the implication there were letters passed between the two and perhaps they were having an illicit affair too.  Much deceit in the form of the courtiers too and the king's subjects and direct, loyal staff.

The costumes are very modern and dark and the stage is sparse; which is fine as the object is to focus on the dialogue at hand - of which there was plenty and not really the surroundings.  Tom Burke gives his usual performance of 100% and forgoes the role of Carlos for Posa which does do him justice in how he portrays the man trying to help his friend and steer him away from trouble when he could be so good for the Spanish throne in the future.

The rest of the ensemble cast includes Alexandra Dowling (Tom's co-star in The Musketeers - where she played royalty) as Princess Eboli. Jason Morell as Domingo, Vinta Morgan as Alba.

Many people I believe found it hard to stomach as quite a number left in their droves during the interval.  The play was long at about three hours, but I really don't know what they were expecting when they bought tickets, though granted some may have had trains to catch.  Others I suspect wanted the novelty to watch Tom (aka BBC's Strike) in person and didn't expect the heaviness of the script.  Though to be honest, yes there were loud moments, but I disagree it just all involved 'shouting' on the part of the cast, as some people have said.  If you put your mind to it, there was nothing difficult to follow or understand about it, still enjoyable viewing none-the-less!
Funny moment when Tom overstepped his mark on the stage at the end during the curtain call and applause!

Ghost Adventures 17.2 "Westerfeld House" Review

                                              
Ghost Adventures still embarking upon the darker episodes in season 17.  As Zak says in this ep, they were drawn to this location of the Westerfeld House, San Francisco, California, just like some form of synchronicity, signs or clues, called upon by the spirits themselves and strange occurrences.  More than just a coincidence, yet there were some 'coincidences' which occurred here which could be termed allusions from past investigations and episodes.  Such as Goatman's Bridge - the Route 666 (2016) episodes and Raseda House of Evil (April 2016).  Particularly dark and compelling reasons for this investigation as it focused on the founder of the Church of Satan, Anton LaVey.  The number of people who came to this house to perform rituals, including Bobby Boselie, the Helter Skelter Killer, and his connections with Charles Manson.  Bobby also lived in the house and left after fighting with Kenneth Anger and then associated with Manson.

Built in 1889, the house was home to a Hippy commune, Russian Tsarists.  A Russian colonel was assassinated when the house was a Russian Consulate.  Now owned by Jimmy.  Kenneth Anger, a filmmaker, who was associated with Anton also resided here.  His films showed Satanic rituals.  Zak explained to Jimmy about his museum and then noticing the seven foot tall model of the Westerfeld House in an antique store.  Cold spots around the house, the light switching on by itself were just some of the occurrences.  Including the table moving during an interviewing Kelly, whose girlfriend has nightmares.  He didn't talk about.  Also spoke with Lee, a tenant on the second floor.  Who told him about the influence of the house on people with drug addiction, or alcohol etc.  Zak is taken to the Tower where Anton kept his pet lion in the room, still visible are the claw marks.  The rituals took place there.

Zak also interviews Kevin via Skype.  Particularly about the ritualistic markings on the floor which were there before he arrived.  He did rituals where demons were called upon and felt them at the house.  Jay mentions the Thelema by Aleister Crowley.   He believed the theories Jay used at Goatman's Bridge and suggested they should do a ritual opening the Seven Gates.  Of course it's dangerous and Zak agrees to this but only opening a few gates.  Using a Sumerian book but not revealing its name.

Aaron feels he saw Anton, as a "white glow" in the same place where they felt the cold earlier on.  Billy's camera turns off.  Aaron also hears a deep man's voice, like a growl,"rarrr" that was creepy! Zak's walkie talkie goes off by itself.  Saw that orb/light anomaly when Jay turns around. Also there's a whisper, a disembodied voice it sounds female.  It comes through as soon as Zak stops saying, "light anomaly."  What's unusual is the voice is heard after the light anomaly goes in front of Jay and after he's already turned around.  Around the 23 minute mark, give or take ads.    Bummer but their loud music on that bit makes it alittle difficult to hear, will need enhancing!! Also the voice they hear downstairs says "'ope." After Zak tells it to make a noise.  Probably as in "nope" after Zak asks if someone is down in the hallway.

The ITC device in the Tower says:
"rage."
"living."  Billy also gets a reading in front of jay showing something was in front of him.  They carry out the ceremony.
"end."
"probably."
"around."
"passed" after Aaron says he can't go past it trying to go downstairs.Also capturing a light anomaly near Aaron.

Aaron's saying it to 'say your name'; "reply is "Sebastian."  You can hear the "tian" ending.
He asks: 'like what they're doing upstairs' when Aaron asks this, the EVP says "I don't..."  Not "it's over."  There's a clear 'd' and 'n' sound there.
One voice says, "what do you want?"
Second spirit replies "you" in a deep male voice.  The camera downstairs is knocked down.
Just before the camera moves, it appears there's something white that seems to obscure the doorway, see arrow, at around 33.5 minutes, but it could just be a camera frame as it's filming.

ITC shows opened gates: "2."
Zak: "this is the place where you will see will make us sick."  Zak says this like he's in a trance, almost subcomsciously.
SLS shows this figure on Jay:

ITC "spirit."  After Aaron and Jay see it on the rafters.
How was that anomaly shapeshifting into looking like a goat, it could've been a lion, or anything really.  I can't see it resembling  goat??

Zak's EVP sounds like: "I followed you up here..."  when he captures it on the digital recorder.

Jay is unable to leave the Tower along with Aaron, where Jay feels dizzy and something pulls his hair.
They close the three gates before leaving and get nothing further.  Though they did get psychologically influenced.

NB Aleister Crowley's Law of Thelema: spiritual philosophy with its roots in Western esotericism.  "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.  Love is the law, lover underwill."  Developed in the early 1900's by Crowley - English writer, magician and mystic.  As alluded to in Constantine 1.12 Angels and Ministers of Grace.

https://mila255.blogspot.com/2016/10/ghost-adventures-route-666-halloween.html

Doctor Who 11.6 "Demons of the Punjab" Review

                                               
Yaz (Mandip Gill) reminisces with her grandmother, "Nani" (Leena Dhringa) as she hands out some of her treasured belongings to them.  Giving Yaz a watch with a smashed face and Yaz thinks the man in the photo is her grandfather.  As her grandmother speaks of being the first woman to marry in Pakistan and also the first Muslim woman to be a textile worker in Sheffield.  She refuses to talk about the watch and Yaz shows it to the Doctor (Jodi Whittaker) and asks her to take her there.  She thinks it will be difficult but perhaps telepathically she can link it to the TARDIS and they can stay for an hour only.  Graham (Bradley Walsh) replying he didn't know it was telepathic.  The Doctor asks him not to call her an "it."

They arrive in India 1947 but are unaware of the year and its significance.  As the Doctor is almost run over by a cart, driven by Prem (Shane Zaza) who tells them their Punjabi isn't bad for them being English.  The TARDIS translator working now.  He offers to give them a ride as Yaz says they're here to see Umbreen (Amita Suman) as they're friends of her family.  On the way they pass a Holy Man who says he can walk and will meet him there as that's what his legs are for.  As Yaz meets her grandmother she is amazed and surprised as she talks about getting married tomorrow and Yaz comes up with some story about Uncle Almak some villages away.  Yaz realizes she's going to marry Prem and lives on a farm.  They've worked all their time on the land.  Although she wasn't too surprised at meeting her great grandmother, Kisan (Nathalie Kuzner).

Prem's brother, Manish (Hamza Jeetooa) isn't too thrilled about the wedding and says he should marry someone Indian and without being graphic, a Hindu.  As Yaz also thinks this too.  He talks about India being divided into a Pakistan by Lord Mountbatten and all the other 'leaders' of the time including Nehru, Gandi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah and shows them the border between the two countries saying they should leave for Pakistan as India is for them, for Hindus.  Prem disagrees as it's for all Indians, regardless of religion.  As they try to get back to the farm, the Doctor is hit by a loud sound and they see some masked creatures on the hill she calls demons, as does Prem who shoots at them.  As they also find the Holy Man dead.  There are purple specks radiating from his DB and she tries to analyze them but can't.  Prem tells them he's seen them before and the Doctor tells Yaz and Graham to tell the others of his death as she, Prem and Ryan (Tosin Cole)go with her.  She finds their lair and also says they're the Vajarians: deadly assassins.  She also sees a container with the same dust and takes it as they arrive.  They give chase and Ryan and Prem become separated from the Doctor through some form of travel displacement device on the trees.  As the Doctor finds two of the devices and takes them.

Graham and Yaz break the news and Umbreen's distressed as he was to perform their ceremony.  Prem and Ryan make it back following the advice of the Doctor as she tells them to get out of the forest.  As she finally turns up herself telling them to head for the barn.  Here she plants the device as the Vajarians appear again and they vanish for a few hours.  She can't hold them off longer than 12-18 hours, long enough for them to marry so history isn't changed.  As she warns Yaz she may talk herself out of existence if she interferes.  "Tread softly, you're treading on your own history."  Prem tells them he saw those creatures when he was fighting in Singapore with his brother Kunel.  Who died there and he didn't want to leave him behind.  He saw them standing over his body.  The Doctor wants to analyze the container and asks for some varied ingredients for them to collect, including chicken poo and ox spit, which Graham says he will never collect again.  Ryan explaining the ox took a shine to him.

The Doctor gets to talk with the Vajarians as they tell her they are no longer assassins as their planet was wiped out.  They now collect the lonely when they die, meaning their souls and go throughout the universe doing this.  Telling her Prem is next, which was apparent as he wasn't the man in the photo.  They didn't kill the Holy Man but they know who did, which wasn't really a mystery as it could only have been Manish.  But anyway we don't get to know that until the end unless you hadn't already worked it out.

Throughout this time they realize they're in India during the partition where millions died and Umbreen is determined to marry.  She says the Doctor can marry them cos that's a respectable title and she paints henna on their hands.  As the men play cards.  Manish is determined they shouldn't get married.  He is changed since the little boy Prem knew when he went away to the war and Manish says Kunel would've understood what he means when he shouldn't marry and India being only for them.  Somehow he really wouldn't have and he didn't give his life just so they could be enemies.

The Doctor performs the ceremony by the 'border' and Umbreen stands on the Pakistan side as she's now married in Pakistan, the first woman.  But she undoes the rope and then she ties it around their hands, a Hindu wedding tradition.  Which Yaz point out.  But Umbreen calls it their own tradition now.  When they return to the farm, they talk of not leaving here and Umbreen tells Manish how he fought for the land and helped them farm it. He's her brother now too but he denies any family ties with her.  Prem gives Umbreen his watch a symbol of a Muslim wedding and calls it her Mahal.  The watch falls and cracks, as Yaz has it now.  The Doctor talks of the men coming and goes after Manish but she comes back to warn them.  They gather their belongings to leave and Yaz notices the map of England with Sheffield marked on it.  Umbreen's father brought it back and she picked a point and said that's where she would end up.

Prem tells them to head for the border, as he tries to reason with Manish.  Who tells him Prem and Kunel fought for India, however Prem tells him he didn't fight for India to turn out like this, but for everyone.  Of course it was for freedom and for all.  He even recognizes one of the men on the horse and they fought together in Siam but he doesn't care.  Finally the man pulls the trigger and they hear the gunshot as they return to the TARDIS.

Yaz speaks with her grandmother and she doesn't want to talk about the watch and lets her save that for another time.  But she was happy in her marriage and now decides Yaz may be ready to hear the story.  Oh and Umbreen had a far more perfect English accent in India than she did in present day Sheffield, which may have seemed odd but probably cos of the TARDIS translation doing the same for her as it did for them, as pointed out by Prem and his speaking perfect Punjabi remark.  Though not everyone in India spoke Punjabi, they also had Hindi.

Another historic episode for the show and this time focusing on Yaz and the past.  But how different was it really to present day.  All the talk of borders and still having and keeping them to obsession.  Not just Brexit but also in the US with, "build the wall" and all that hysteria.  The same hysteria demonstrated in India where really no one needed to die.  The Radcliffe Line is where Umbreen got married and the radio broadcasts used were real.  This episode also being screened on one hundred years of Armistice Day.  No coincidence.  However very little was mentioned regarding British practice and action during this time of partition.

Some great moments with Yaz and Graham as they haven't had any alone time together where he tells her to go with it.  "I don't think any of us know the real truth about our own lives because we're too busy living it from the inside."

NB I didn't go into Partition here as seen through my family's history and experience. My mother was only a young girl then and her uncle brought them through to Pakistan safely.  Through all the turmoil and senseless killing that occurred.  Something that wouldn't have occurred if there was no British rule and colonization.  There were no divisions between the people of all religions and was something used as a form of rule: divide and conquer.  Which may appear all black and white to some and one-sided.
It was my great uncle, the same one who served in the army during World War II.
There is much to explore here including why Partition actually took place, it's true picture and heartbreaking losses.  As Prem said, "there's nothing worse than when normal people lose their minds.  We've lived together for decades..."

Jon-Erik Hexum: A Life

                                                         
I did write a biography about him, but this is a little more in-depth and perhaps a little more revealing.  On this that would have been Jon-Erik's 61st birthday!

Jon-Erik Hexum born 5 November 1957, Englewood New Jersey.
Jon-Erik was how he liked to be known - however as said in his biography I wrote, it was spelled Jon-Eric.
Of Norwegian descent. His parents mother was Gretha and father 'Thor' Thorleiff Hexum a cook.  Older brother Gunnar.
Interests included: music, enjoyed playing the piano; singing, working out in the gym.  Watching Rocky movies and Taxi.  As well as concerts, plays and reading.  He drove a '54 Chevy.

Jon-Erik was friendly, outgoing, active.  Much like he was a little bit of everything rolled into one
"I can be serious, but I have a lighter side.  I have a good, very dry sense of humour and I'm insightful.  Sometimes moody."
He read every letter he received from fans and hoped to respond to all too.  Whoever got replies back from him were extremely fortunate.  Not everyone takes their time out to do that; even those starting out; let lone the well known and established actors.
He didn't like conceited people; his own disorganization trait.  Hated how it took so long to get anywhere, especially in television.

Throughout his childhood, he had singing and dancing lessons which set him up for the world of acting.  Appearing in high school and college plays.  Which in turn lead to soaps and commercials such as Coca Cola; Chevy trucks.  Regional theatre was always a must.  The show Voyagers marked Jon-Erik's TV debut...
 On Voyagers his message to fans: "hope you're enjoying watching!  Voyagers and threatening all your friends to do the same.
We have some very exciting episodes coming up.  Meeno says 'hi!'
- I just saw how uncannily similar my writing is to his!  Especially similar 'y's, 'g's, 'p's - in short, most letters!  Wow.

My writing, keep in mind it's just rough and not meant to be neat or anything!

Jon-Erik Hexum was a popular actor in the making.  He studied, acted in plays; regional theatre and most things not everyone wanting to break into the competitive world of acting was able to do.  He didn't have roles thrown at him - he had to be discovered, the mundane job of waiting tables.  many do it, not all make it.
His was a story of discovery in the true sense of the word - earning to work (yearning) in an industry he was destined for.
His perseverance paid off and he was cast for his debut TV role in Voyagers.  Jon-Erik was charismatic, charming, kind and unique - unlike any star you would meet today and by that I mean those classed as 'A listers'.  He brought an old-fashioned persona, charm and personality to the screen and everything he did off screen too.

Jon-Erik was real.  An actor's actor and not a selfish bone in his body and had good looks to boot.  Yet he was never arrogant about that - never vain!  His gorgeous blue eyes - forlorn and in many ways, hiding many a magical thought and expression.  He was witty - with exceptional comedic timing and so dramatic a presence.  Enabling him to take on any role.  When most of them appeared to be those calling for looking hunky and nothing more:- with little dialogue.  But he refused to give up and be the object - to be objectified.  He took control of his career by refusing the parts he wasn't and wouldn't be happy with.  Not caring about how they may have driven his career and I say "may have" - they wouldn't have gotten him far if they were mundane or type cast or based solely on looks.

He knew how to play the industry and specifically Hollywood at its own game,  Demonstrating his intelligence and something much deeper than being a blond 'airhead' as some would see him.
He also played the paparazzi at their own game too.  Always keeping a firm hand on his life - public and private.

Jon-Erik's father left the family when he was only 4.  Leaving his mother to struggle to bring the two boys up alone.  Perhaps the bright lights of the New World went to his head in deserting his family.  Instead of being there.  When his father saw Jon-Erik on TV in a college football game he got in touch with him.  No doubt wanting the fame that his son was soon to acquire by treading the boards of his highly earned and hard earned struggle and labour.  Apparently Jon-Erik told his "father" in no uncertain terms to 'get lost', since he couldn't "reap seeds you haven't sown  You blew it guy.  Go to hell!"  Kinda reminds me of  The Grapes of Wrath there.  Though the other saying that comes to my mind is, "as you sow, so shall you reap."  - Relevant in many ways.

Michigan State University saw him excel in many ways.  Not only with his radio programme and he had the most lovely, sublime and deep voice so suited for radio and TV too.  The content on the radio was of his own creation.
After graduating, New York called where he did things "my way."  Finding work cleaning an apartment in New York which just happened to belong to Bob LeMond: John Travolta's manager.  So enamoured with Jon, he signed him up and Jon-Erik began to work modelling gigs in Manhattan.    Slowly and surely he was on his way, but still had to tend bar and clean.
He studied Bio-medical Engineering and wanted to act from the outset.  "There is a negative stereotype about models - wrongly or rightly it hurts you - so I got out of that and went to LA."

Eventually ending up in California and got an audition with Daryl Hannah in Summer Lovers.  However, Peter Gallagher got the part; leaving Jon to work as a busboy on Venice Beach.  This was thankfully for only a short time as he finally landed the pivotal role of Phineas Bogg in NBC's Voyagers.  A show that would well and truly propel him on the road to recognition and admiration from his fans.
Jon-Erik's first time in front of a camera meant his co-star on Voyagers,  Meeno Peluce had to tell him of the finer points of doing this.  However, only 20 episodes were filmed since ratings weren't so impressive and yet that showed the all-too fickle ratings system - still prevalent today.  Television (and film) is all about generating revenue at the end of the day - more so than the quality of the show and the acting.

Graduated 1980.  Drove taxis, washing rugs, floors.  Four months later he was on Voyagers.  "Kicked the butt out of this.'

He earned $30 a week as Johnny Browne on The Unsinkable Molly Brown in an Upstate New York stage production.  He didn't splurge out as most would do and was modest with his earnings.  Such is the price of a good show or acting job:- here today, gone tomorrow.  But being frugal didn't mean being stingy since Jon-Erik knew all to well the everyday struggles of making a buck.  Hollywood can chew you up and spit you out - as sooner watch you fall down that ladder you fought to climb!  Such is its indifference.

The Making of a Male Model (1983)  Joan Collins wanted him to appear in this.  One of those "smutty" films that are nothing but ogle worthy.  By smutty I mean its sheer objectifying and in many ways turning the tables on men who've done the same to women for decades and continue to do so even now.  Yet it was also the movie that would lead to Cover Up and playing a model again.  'Playing' being the operative word here since he would be undercover in that role.
Those model roles would become a bit of a guilty pleasure in so many ways.  Since Jon-Erick's magnetism and attractive personality drew you in - even if it was just to watch him and nothing else in that movie.

The role was no reflection on his real life.  In the film he, as Tyler Burnett, becomes famous practically overnight.  But rather than fame going to his head, it continues the other direction.  As he yearns for a quiet life on the farm.  Not so much the pressures of fame, but the boredom and monotony where everyone wants a piece of  'meat.'
                                                      

Strangely Jon-Erik had to film in such places as Times Square - where he must have experienced an uncanny sense of deja vu - as that's where he first started out; at least was attempting to.  However, in the film he also has to compete with another roommate.  He's discovered by Joan Collins after seeing him in a photoshoot in Nevada and she ensures he comes to New York.  Of course after taking up with him she dumps him for another nubile hunk.  Well sorry not as hunky or gorge as Jon-Erik!  Shallow for a show or film of sorts.  Causing Tyler to act out; booze it up and then gives it up when he finds his ODed roommate.  Joanie sees her loss, makes sure he fulfills his contract and even offers him a part in a TV series.  [Life imitating art or vice versa.]  She offered Jon a part in Dynasty alongside her too - but he refused.]  Do you even wonder sometimes how things would've turned out for him if he had taken that role?!  Cruel fate!

Tyler refuses the part in the film and opts for his trusty steed instead.  Waving goodbye to the major heartaches and anguish of an unfulfilling life - let alone way to earn a living.  Very little clothes and dignity in the sense of never being able to be seen as more than a plaything - having your mind and intelligence overlooked constantly for the body.
Tagline: with a naked Jon-Erik - "he's got it and he can get almost anything.  Anything he wants."

Jon-Erik bought a townhouse for his mother.
People magazine 1983: "I have no way to meet them [women] I'm alone when I go to bed at night.  gay, I ain't.  I don't want to be thought of as gay, although 80% of my friends are."  Some took this as a way of hiding his sexuality.  But he wanted to marry and have a family.  That's common knowledge.  He had dated; had a college sweetheart, dated Emma Samms and EG Daily: an actress, dancer and singer.  She sang the theme song to Cover Up, the cover of Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out For A Hero.

Playing quarterback Pat Trammell in The Bear who was terminally ill, alongside Gary Busey, who commented on Jon-Erik and working with him and how it was "like jumping on a new trampoline - there was a lot of bounce there.  He was what I hope I was like when I first came to Hollywood from Texas.  It takes some kind of blind courage to step forth in this business and he had that."

Did Jon-Erik Hexum accidentally shoot himself in 1983 with a .38 special when checking to see if it was loaded were numerous headlines that appeared over the press back then.

Cover Up ad for the series premiere: "Undercover!  Under Fire!  She's the world's sexiest photographer.  He's fashion's hottest model!  They go where the government can't, helping Americans in trouble."  (See later.)
                                                            

Jon Erik Hexum wanted to prove himself as a serious actor and not just the customary 'pretty face.'  The only film that allowed him to show some remote semblance of this was his role in The Bear.  He liked this role, even if it wasn't that big.  He wanted to be seen as an actor and not cos of his looks.  In an interview he said he wanted to "play the romantic lead who dies."  The rest is perhaps best left unsaid as far as this goes in real life.
Jon-Erik was a 'heavy bencher' - had three stuntmen for The Bear and didn't get to play a game.

Rome: magazine shoots and did photos for New York magazines too.  "I don't worry about it [the 'beefcake' image] very much it's just a label people put on you to categorize you in certain things."
"I'm not like the people I play."  (1983) Cover Up was in development.

More serious projects:
The Morning Show where Jon made The Alabama Banana Skinny Shake: milk, crem, raisins, walnuts, banana, nutmeg, cinnamon, honey, protein powder, ice cream and Southern Comfort.

Had an audition five times with Joan Collins for Male Model, last time with her - they decided on the third scene he was 'the one.'  Got on well, but not as reported in the press.  Saw Joan in Playboy calling it "old news."  The interviewer was trying to match make Joan and Jon-Erik and interrogate him on his love life.

Merv Griffin Show:  wonder he went back on it to sing on this?

Jon-Erik said Cover -Up was "great fun."  But he wasn't offered The Return of Indiana Jones jokingly.  "This character [Mac Harper] has a good time; a lot of fun."  Moved to Burbank - on foreclosure apartment and slept on the floor - furniture less and didn't cook either.  He had ketchup in the fridge - well everyone has one of those, not necessarily in the fridge.  "Trappings [of fame] doesn't interest me a whole lot."  He was "kinda saving to finance my own movie - you never know what's gonna happen."  More prophetic words.
A Male Model was a great time - "moody, didn't wanna leave the ranch."

"Girls think I'm cheap."
Saw a drunk driver driving on the 405, cut him off, driving into others, followed him, drove to LA.  Cut him off and opened his door to give him a ride home and headed up at the police station - can't let him drive and he felt a little guilty cos Jon was nice.

Jon-Erik interview 17 December 1984 Don Harron released it after his passing - kept it for that long.  It became a tribute to him .
Cover-Up aired Saturday 10pm on CBS in 1984.  That was late.  "It'll be a good show, very exciting; lots of action; lots of adventures, lots of mystery.  Jennifer O'Neill's in it - very good reason to watch...designer clothes."
Don: "somebody said the two most beautiful people in the business are in the same series together."
Jon-Erik: "it's a fun show, it should do well."
Don: "you're really grounded in reality - your eyes are not in the clouds - you've been through the mill."
Jon-Erik: "because it goes slow - we work everyday like 15 hours - still gotta drive to work, still gotta do your wash and all that sorta thing.  A lot of things change, but a lot don't really."

"60 Minutes trampled us."
National Coalition Against TV Violence said, Voyagers was good.  Running against 60 Minutes for a year.  "Things move slowly."
On press: "they often write what makes good print at the moment."  Magazines and papers and that hasn't changed at all especially with the 'gutter' press.

A friend lavished him with champagne for them and his show only lasted 13 weeks. [Voyagers.]  So he was hesitant with overdoing the "celeb" extravagance thing.  Believed had a good chance with the show.  "I used to worry about it a lot more but if it doesn't work; it's gone and can get something else."

Twentieth Century Fox poster: two posters for Cover Up: a marine poster to publicize the show.  (See above).

                                                           
 Armani, Versace, Jeffrey banks, GQ - for magazine layouts.  Vogue, Harper's Bizarre, Cover of playgirl in November, but he didn't do this one.
Burt Reynolds - Cosmo Corner shoot - not many serious roles for Burt after he appeared in this for a while.  Jon-Erik found it "amazing how conservative Hollywood really is and the guys up in the offices  - the executives are all dressed up in their grey suit and ties...their projections of what the audience wants are very conservative - very Midwest and the Bible Belt and Jerry Falwell and his followers."

Daytime soaps if he was 30 years younger.
"I carried a bedpan once in the background at the doctors that's all I really did."
Don: "you come on as the most glamorous figure and contemporary showbiz and you talk about - down to earth fellow - that's all you are Jon."
Jon-Erik: "that's because life is like that."
Don: "you're a breath of fresh air" and more meaningful words were never spoken!

From Jon's interviews, it was obvious how down to earth he was.  Modest and above all approached his success with caution.  Knowing full well the fecklessness and how short the brief stint in Hollywood could be.  Nothing's ever permanent and guaranteed to last and I'm not going to go into the cliche about life's too short and we should live it fully each day.  Expecting the unexpected anytime but not dwelling on it.  Yet since I have mentioned it, let me add this is what he did.  He was hesitant about getting too carried away with making it big on the back of one show or two.  Fame is fleeting.  People may bemoan his frugality but he did what he felt was right for him.  He bought a house and one for his mother too.  He was selfless.  Anything else didn't need to be rushed - no fancy cars or clothes.

Jon: "it's a handicap if you want to expand your horizons and become somewhat of a credible actor.  It's somewhat of a heap in the beginning when that sort of type is commercial at the moment, which it is or was or I think is evolving out of.  So it's becoming a little bit of a problem but no big deal.  I'll get out of it - just try and keep my shirt on and try and choose subsequent roles frequently."

A hunk?  "I suppose; they'd define hunk very loosely around here.  The magazines for the most part I think the word 'hunk' and 'beefcake' is an excuse to put a whole bunch of guys in a magazine and put 'em on a cover and get people to buy the magazine."
Ten thousand copies sold of his poster - the half-naked one, which has been said contradicted what he said and the idea of his 'image' and looks being used to sell magazines.  Yet he's already built like that.

His rise and stardom:
"It doesn't surprise me that much because I expected it - I wanted it to be like that...Everybody wants it to be like that.  I went at it very conventionally. I came out here or I went to start in New York for six months and went to a lot of auditions all the time and met a lot of people."
Read for Voyagers and producers didn't want him to because they wanted him to be 40 years old with a beard, moustache."
Jon-Erik liked the role of Phineas - a worldly pirate and they "cast me."

Joan Collins: "Jon-Erik is a credible actor with a bright future...I think that he could be [a major star] very easily.  He's very good, he's got a lot of charisma.  I know that everybody - young girls all think that he's terrific.  I certainly hope that he will be."  [People Magazine interview.]
"This talented 26 year old New Jersey native is someone you'll be hearing a lot about in the near future."

West 57th Interview:

Jon: "I like this character a lot, I'm having a fun time and I'm happy and they pay me a lot of money.  But that's not important [laughs] still described as a hunk.  America's latest hunk.  Beefcake and biceps beginning to achieve the fame that only Hollywood can bestow."

Of course the press hounded him even in death - as they followed his DB to the transplant hospital determined to find out who would receive his heart.  Which is quite frankly morbid and if not macabre, so very disrespectful to his memory, his family and that of the recipients.
Met 36 year old Michael Washington a Vietnam War hero.  Receiving Bronze Star for valour  Wounded twice in action.  He knew he had Jon-Erik's heart.  Jon's brother, Gunnar, "it's a hard thing to confront, to be asked to be giving away his body.  I think we have a lot of ritual about death."
Teaching emergency medical procedures at the University of Massachusetts.

Jon had the same eyes and was almost similar sounding to his younger brother.
Jon was on a respirator for 6 days.  They were there with him the entire time. "We have something to offer and let's give it without any other expectations."  When deciding what to do with Jon's organs.
Michael: "I'm alive because of him so now I wanna know about Jon-Erik Hexum.  I'm asking questions.
Gunnar: "spaghetti and ketchup was the norm."
Michael: "it brought tears to my eyes because of this man I'm alive today - it's real personal.  I feel like part of their family."
Gunnar: "he'd want to do the same thing...too painful for me" to know - "live his life and I want him to never forget Jon-Erik."

Jennifer O'Neill: "I don't think I ever met anyone that wanted stardom more than Jon-Erik and was willing to work for it."

"Jon-Erik was really living his dreams, people were really seeing him as the next big star."
Jennifer: "anybody who does a lead on a television series and were co-leads understands that you have no time and no life and you just work these ridiculous hours - 14-16 sometimes hours a day.  I believe that day he was very tired.  A lot of times accidents happen when you're not paying attention.  So I believe that Jon was overtired and overworked."

Actress/girlfriend, EG (Elizabeth) Daily felt something wasn't quite right that fateful day and felt she had to see him on the set.  He argued with someone and went home.  Two hours later she got that call.
Meeno: "the whole investigation shut down immediately.  Case closed - it's an accident.  I don't believe that."  Many didn't and still don't think it was accidental.
Jon met EG in a play and called her at 2am.  Said he'd fallen in love with her - dinner and coming to the show.  "He was like a kid in a grown man's body - he used his body like he could do backflips and he was this big man!

The late Richard Anderson: "sad - would be my best observation of it.  A mystery - maybe."

Jon-Erik Hexum archivist Alan J Carell thought it felt like "it was swept under the carpet."  Particularly as a replacement was sought so soon after.
It was reported: "Glen Larson Productions and Twentieth Century Fox are conducting ongoing auditions to fill the male lead in the CBS TV series Cover Up. following the death last Thursday of 26 year old Jon-Erik Hexum."
Allan: "this guy's gonna drop off the face of the earth, he deserves better."

Allan saw Jon as "quiet and personable."  One of three leads in Pippin.
Christie Jenkins - photographer and friend of Jon.  September 2 1981 California.  Eric Paulson cousin: he wouldn't make it in Hollywood: "Pushy a bit and idealistic and I cite a bit but not totally."

Live at Five 1 December 1982.
"I was the old timer on the set and Jon was brand new to it...he pulled him aside and said, ' how come you're on the other side of the camera.'  I [Meeno] said, 'Jon this is your close-up.'  He approached everything with single-mindedness."
Meeno said Jon had a good familiarity with weapons on set and were meant to be guarded by stunt co-ordinators.

[Mysteries and Scandals 10 July 1983]
Jon Erik: "I love tragic heroes.  I love Rocky, I love that kind of film - that kind of character.  That fights to win but doesn't."
Meeno: "great to watch his career take off."
Christie: he was not at all egotistical about his good looks!"
Richard Anderson: "hot new sensation...you had to deliver a full hour to go on the air every week.  No time for yourself and a great deal of stress involved."
Jennifer O'Neill: "Jon also had a bigger than life sense of himself.  It was not unusual to come to work on Monday and he would have tales of how he chased a drunk driver down and did a citizen's arrest.  I think he believed  his own press."
In my opinion better to have done something for someone else than to just let it pass and not even think about others.

EG Daily: "Jon acted like a ticking time bomb and I didn't know when he was going to go off."
Christie: "complained about the Cover Up set.  His were too late for them."
The role would use guns - Jennifer O'Neill would get angry if he waved them around.  "I was pretty tough about it because they scare me."
They were shooting episode 1.7.
Richard Anderson: "the procedure is always that the gun is empty.  There is never anything in the gun.  Before a shot that required any kind of gunfire.  The property master would come and say, 'I'm gonna load it.'
Jennifer: tinkering with gun and playing Russian roulette, kidding with crew on set.  But no one was around when it happened, so there wouldn't be anyone to kid around with.  It just doesn't make sense, unless that's not what happened and it was all hushed up.
EG: "was odd because Jon had used prop guns a million times."
Meeno: "supposedly no one saw him get hurt.  Why would he be playing around with a gun if no one was around to enjoy his playing.  He liked an audience."  Jennifer was in trailer.  Loading and unloading revolver.  Closed door - heard bang.  Property master explained to Frank what had happened. - Why would he be playing Russian roulette by himself?
Eric: "was a wad of paper in his skull."
Jennifer O'Neill: "couldn't see anything visibly wrong with him.  He looked just perfect - like get up - wake up.  It was such a waste, so sad."

EG: "agonizing week of 'is he gonna make it?'  Sleeping on floor.  Braindead."
Eric: "some part of Jon-Erik still alive."
Christie: "so silly when one of the tabloids said that he had a deathwish.  Jon-Erik was a lifewish.  I haven't cried about him in a long time."  Along with so many others.  Everyone said it was "stupid."
Eric: "a big goofy cousin who got to be a movie star."
Jennifer O'Neill: "I think that Jon would like to be remembered as a star and he was."

It's been said his ghost haunts Stage 17 on the Twentieth Century Fox set (1999.)
Whatever maybe a fanciful notion to some, but who knows.  Maybe a little of him does remain here, not just as a ghost but in all those he gave life too and consequently in their children too.  But he was a wonderful actor and a great human being.  A romantic notion if he is still around and somehow a little sweet.  Then again maybe he is at eternal peace and rest which is what I like to believe about anyone who has passed and sadly so young.
No matter your thoughts, it is true that the world lost someone very endearing!

Earlier biography here:
http://mila255.blogspot.com/2016/11/jon-erik-hexum-biography.html