THE EARLY EDITION FAQ Version 1.0
by David Riches (samsimeon@hotmail.com)
Questions
1.0 What is Early Edition?
1.1 When is it on?
1.2 Where is it on?
1.3 Where is it produced or set?
1.31 Why Chicago? (Taken directly from The Sony Site)
1.4 Who is in it?
2.0 Who?
2.1 Gary Hobson as portrayed by Kyle Chandler
2.2 Chuck Fishman as portrayed by Fisher Stevens (Steven Fisher)
2.3 Marissa Clark as portrayed by Shanesia Davis
2.4 Spike as portrayed by Spike?
2.5 Cat (Merlin) as portrayed by Spin?
2.6 Meridith as portrayed by Leslie Hope
2.7 Marcia as portrayed by Rya Rihlstedt
2.8 Pritchard as portrayed by Marc Vann
2.9 The Mayor Mike Garfield as portrayed by Max Wright
2.10 Chuck's Uncle Phil as portrayed by Fyvush Finkel
2.11 The Doorman as portrayed by
2.12 The Newspaper editor Hawks as portrayed by Joe Grifasi
2.13 Pete the Bartender as portrayed by Mike Houlihan
2.14 The producers?
3.0 Episodes
3.1 Episode List
3.2 Episode Guide
3.3 Episode ideas
4.0 Misellaneous
4.1 Isn't that a real paper?
4.2 What is that darn cat's name?
4.3 Is there a list of Chuck's moral lessons for each episode?
4.4 Why doesn't he try to make real money?
4.5 Acronyms?
4.6 Any noticible quotes from the media?
4.7 What if....?
4.8 Isn't this Quantum Leap, MacGuyver, Strange Luck?
4.9 Merchandise?
4.10 The Blackstone?
4.11 Trivia?
4.12
4.13 Drinking Game? Earthquake!!!
5.0 Where to find it
5.1 Mailing List
5.2 Early Edition Websites
5.3 Related Items webs
5.4 Contacting the Show?
5.5 Contacting the Network?
5.6 Contacting your local station?
6.0 Credits
The Answers!
1.0 What is Early Edition?
A new hour-long drama about Gary Hobson, an
unassuming Chicago-based stock broker who becomes a
reluctant hero when his morning newspaper is dated for the
next day, reporting tomorrow's news.
1.1 When is it on?
Saturdays 9:00 (ET/PT)
1.2 Where is it on?
It's on CBS Television Network in the United States,
and the CanWest Global Television Network in the Canada
It might appear on BBC2 in the U.K. in the fall of 1997.
1.3 Where is it filmed or set?
It's filmed at The Culver Studios in Culver City, California,
and it's set in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois.
1.31 Why Chicago? (Taken directly from The Sony Site)
CHICAGO: FROM FUR-TRADING TOWN TO WORLD-RENOWNED CITY IN
LITTLE MORE THAN 200 YEARS
Since its earliest days, Chicago has maintained a
distinguished reputation for commerce, transportation,
culture and civic pride.
What started out in 1779 as a fur-trading settlement at the
mouth of the Chicago River quickly developed into the
thriving metropolis of Chicago less than 100 years later.
However, the prosperous city was nearly wiped out when
on October 8, 1871 a fire began in a cowbarn owned by
Patrick O'Leary. By the next morning, the Great Chicago
Fire had claimed 300 lives, left 90,000 Chicagoans
homeless and destroyed more than $200 million worth of
property. The disaster was turned into an opportunity as
architects from all over the world descended upon Chicago
to plan its restoration using modern engineering concepts.
Quickly rebuilt, the beautified Chicago was soon ready to
show itself to the world. In 1893 Chicago hosted the
World's Columbian Exposition, attracting more than 27
million visitors during its six-month run. In 1933 Chicago
hosted the World's Fair, dubbed A Century of Progress, to
show the technological achievements of civilization since the
city was incorporated. Attracting 39 million visitors in a
two-year period, A Century of Progress became the first
international fair in U.S. history to pay for itself.
Today Chicago is world-renowned for its amazing
collection of museums, whose diversity is striking. Visitors
can discover the expression of the African-American
experience through the visual arts at the DuSable Museum
of African-American History. They can view the origins of
man in lifelike dioramas at the Field Museum of Natural
History, or can watch the wonders of the ocean at the
Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium. The Adler Planetarium
offers heavenly skyshows, and the Museum of Science and
Industry, one of the city's most popular attractions, offers
tourists the chance to walk inside a spacecraft or inspect a
full-scale working coal mine. The Art Institute of Chicago,
one of the world's leading art museums, houses
departments of both American arts and European
decorative arts and sculpture and is particularly well-known
for its impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, in
which Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh are
represented.
The cultural diversity of Chicago delights the senses, as
visitors to the city have the chance to sample a variety of
ethnic foods, street fairs, art shows and more. The city's
neighborhoods reflect many waves of immigrants who
arrived over the years. With one of the largest Polish
populations outside of Warsaw, it is not surprising that
Chicago is home to the Polish Museum of America, which
includes art, archives, costumes and a 30,000-volume
library. Another example is the Mexican Fine Arts Center
Museum, the Midwest's first and the nation's largest
Mexican museum located in Chicago's Pilsen
neighborhood, which celebrates Mexican culture through a
variety of art exhibits, theater, music and dance events and
art classes.
Chicago is home to the award-winning Sun-Times
newspaper -- a result of Marshall Field III's merging of the
Chicago Sun and the Chicago Daily Times in 1948. In
1959, Chicago Sun-Times Publisher Marshall Field IV
purchased the Chicago Daily News, an afternoon
newspaper whose last edition was printed on March 4,
1978. Its rich journalistic tradition is considered part of the
Sun-Times heritage, which collectively includes a total of
23 Pulitzer Prizes amongst the three newspapers. Today,
the Chicago Sun-Times -- which boasts a daily circulation
well over 500,000, ranking it eighth among the nation's top
metropolitan dailies -- is owned by Hollinger International,
Inc.
The city also boasts three of the world's ten tallest
buildings. Opened in 1974, the Sears Tower is the world's
tallest building at 1,454 ft. Chicago's second tallest building
is the 80-story Amoco Building, which also opened in
1974. Three states -- Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin -- are
visible from the observatory on the 94th floor of the John
Hancock Building, which opened in 1969.
These are but some of Chicago's unique characteristics as
one of the U.S.'s most interesting cities. And it now has a
new role to play, as host to "Early Edition," the new
one-hour drama from Three Characters, Inc. and CBS
Productions in association with TriStar Television, that films
there on location.
This is taken directly from the Sony Web Site.
1.4 Who is in it?
Early Edition stars Kyle Chandler as Gary Hobson, Fisher Stevens
as Chuck Fishman, Shanesia Davis as Marissa Clark.
It's executive producers are Bob Brush, Ian Abrams, Lillah
McCarthy, and Michael Dinner. Early Edition was created by Pat
Page and Vic Rubenfeld and is produced by Three Characters, Inc.
and CBS Productions in association with TriStar Television, Inc.
2.0 Who?
There are the stars and the many fine people who make up the television
series "Early Edition".
2.1 Gary Hobson as portrayed by Kyle Chandler
Kyle Chandler stars as Gary Hobson, a Chicago-based stock
broker who is propelled into heroism when his morning newspaper
delivers the news of the future, in "Early Edition".
"While Gary wants to use his advance knowledge to help
others, he isn't an angel all the time," commented Chandler
on the character he undertakes for EARLY EDITION.
"Gary's just a normal guy...with a tremendous
responsibility. Throughout the season there will be times
when he's tentative, when he makes mistakes. But
ultimately he knows that he's been chosen to carry out this
mission, and in so doing affects people's lives."
Best known to television audiences for his role on the
critically acclaimed ABC series, "Homefront," Chandler has
starred in a number of made-for-television movies including
ABC's "Sleep Baby Sleep" and three telefilms for CBS,
"Quiet Victory: The Charlie Weidermeyer Story,"
"Unconquered" and "Home Fires Burning." In addition to
appearing in "Tour of Duty" in a recurring role, Chandler
made guest appearances in "China Beach" and starred in
the ABC mini-series "Heaven and Hell: North and South
Book Three," as well as in Showtime's "Convict Cowboy"
with Jon Voight.
On the feature film front, Chandler most recently appeared
with Nick Nolte in "Mulholland Falls." Other film credits
include "Pure Country," "The Color of Evening" and "No
Holds Barred."
Chandler, a graduate of the University of Georgia, received
a nomination for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his role
in the 1994 Broadway revival of William Inge's play,
"Picnic." He and his wife currently reside in Los Angeles.
Gary Hobson was Chuck Fishman's roommate in college and a
reason why Gary graduated a semester early.
Kyle Chandler Quick Facts
* His Birthday is September 17
* He is married
* He has a daughter
* Currently, his home is in Hollywood
* Chandler was born in Buffalo, NY
* He received a BA in theatre from the University of Georgia
TV Appearances
* "Home Fires Burning" on CBS saw Kyle's first TV appearance
* Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story"
* "Unconquered"
* The mini-series "Heaven and Hell: North and South, Book Three"
* "Homefront" (Lead Role)
* "Tour of Duty" (Guest Appearance)
* "China Beach" (Guest Appearance)
Film Appearances
* "Pure Country" (Supporting Role)
* "Mulholland Falls"
Theatre Appearances
* "Picnic"
2.2 Chuck Fishman as portrayed by Fisher Stevens
Fisher Stevens portrays Chuck Fishman, Gary's best friend,
who hopes to use the "early edition" of the newspaper as his
financial goldmine in "Early Edition".
"Chuck doesn't have all his priorities straight," said Stevens.
"If I had the inside information Chuck and Gary did, I'd
probably try to make some money initially, too. But after a
while, I would think you'd want to try to help others with
your knowledge -- personal gain only goes so far."
Stevens, who began taking acting lessons after renting his
New York loft to an acting school, boasts long lists of both
feature film and theatre credits to his name. His film roles
include "Hackers" with Lorraine Bracco, "Only You" with
Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, "Hero" with Geena
Davis, Dustin Hoffman and Andy Garcia and "Reversal of
Fortune," with renowned actors Glenn Close and Jeremy
Irons.
Stevens has performed in several Broadway productions,
including the revival production of "Carousel" at the Lincoln
Center Theatre, Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs"
and "Torch Song Trilogy" at The Little Theatre. He has also
performed in numerous Off-Broadway productions,
including "A Perfect Ganesh" at the Manhattan Theatre
Club, and "Twelfth Night" and "A Midsummer Night's
Dream" for the New York Shakespearean Festivals.
On the small screen, Stevens had the lead role in "Key
West" and has made several guest-starring appearances on
such primetime series as "Law & Order," "Friends," "The
Young Riders" and "Columbo," as well as the daytime
drama "Ryan's Hope."
Chuck was Gary Hobson's roommate in college and has (had)
a pet gold fish named "Sparky".
Fisher Stevens Quick Facts
* His birthday is November 27
* He is single
* Stevens was born in Chicago
* His home is currently in New York
* He was born Steven Fisher but changed his name to protect the innocent.
TV Appearances
* "Key West" (Lead Role)
* "Columbo" (Guest Appearance)
* "Friends" (Guest Appearance)
Film Apperances
* "Hackers" (The Bad Guy--- On a skateboard!)
* "Bloodhouds of Broadway"
* "Short Circuit"
* "My Science Project"
* "The Flamingo Kid"
Theatre Appearances
On Broadway
* "Carousel"
* "Brighton Beach Memoirs"
* "Torch Song Trilogy"
Off Broadway
* "The Perfect Gannesh"
* "Twelfth Night"
* "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
2.3 Marissa Clark as portrayed by Shanesia Davis
Shanesia Davis stars as Marissa Clark, a beautiful, blind
co-worker of Gary's, who encourages Gary to use his knowledge
of the future for the good of others in "Early Edition".
"I'm striving to bring integrity and independence to the
role," commented Davis regarding her portrayal of Gary's
blind co-worker, Marissa Clark. "Playing a blind woman is
a wonderful challange for me personally. I would like
viewers to come away from the show seeing Marissa as a
strong woman, a real person, with a life outside the realm
of the newspaper." To perfect her depiction of Marissa,
Davis has done research for her role with the Chicago
Guild of the Blind, and will continue to do so throughout the
season.
As the youngest of seven children growing up in Chicago,
Davis was the "ham" at home and dreamed of one day
becoming an actress. Davis aggressively pursued her dream
at DePaul University, where she graduated from The
Goodman School of Drama with a bachelor's degree in fine
arts.
Davis went on to become an established theatre performer
in Chicago in such plays as "Ties That Bind," "From
Mississippi Delta" and "Othello," among others. She has
also appeared in San Diego Repertory Theatre productions
of "Good Night Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet" and
"Hamlet."
On the big screen Davis has worked with such highly
respected directors as Ron Howard on the feature film
"Backdraft" and Alek Keshishian on the film "With Honors."
While the role of Marissa marks Davis' first role as a series
regular, she has made guest appearances on several
television shows including the ABC series "Gabriel's Fire"
with James Earl Jones, and appeared in the telefilms
"Making a Case for Murder" and "Missing Persons."
Shanesia Davis Quick Facts
* Her birthday is September 30
* She was born in Chicago
* She received a BFA in theatre from De Paul University
* She has a home in Chicago
TV Appearances
* "Missing Persons" TV Movie
* "Making a Case for Murder"
Film Appearances
* "With Honors"
* "Backdraft"
Theatre Appearances
* "Black Star Line"
* "From the Mississsippi Delta"
* "The Tie that Binds"
* "Othello"
* "Good Night Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet"
* "Hamlet"
2.4 Spike as portrayed by Spike?
Marissa Clark's seeing eye dog on the series "Early Edition"
is named Spike. Inquiries show that it's the real life name
as well for the German Shepard actor.
2.5 Cat (Merlin) as portrayed by Panther
The tabby cat has not been named in the series or commented on
from the production either. For the moment the newsgroup is
calling him (or her) Merlin. That could change.
2.6 Meredith Carson as portrayed by Leslie Hope
Newspaper reporter Meredith Carson is played by Leslie Hope.
She knows of the power of the paper from Gary and found it too
tempting to resist. She left to correspondence at the
Washington Post.
2.7 Marcia Hobson as portrayed by Rya Rihlstedt
Marcia Hobson, Gary's ex-wife is portrayed by Rya Rihlstedt.
Her character is a lawyer and comes from a rich family. She
found Gary uninteresting and threw him out (divorce) which
led to Gary at The Blackstone Hotel and his getting the paper.
2.8 Pritchard as portrayed by Marc Vann
Gary's boss, who tried to fire Gary before Gary quit, and tried
to marry Gary's ex-wife, and was generally a grounch, is Mr.
Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard is played with expert meaness and
grumpiness by Marc Vann.
2.9 The Mayor Mike Garfield as portrayed by Max Wright
Has a pet dog, and Max Wright is best known as the head of the
Tanner household on "ALF".
2.10 Chuck's Uncle Phil as portrayed by Fyvush Finkel
Chuck's Uncle Phil runs a Hot Dog cart down by the tracks and
is played by Fyvush Finkel. Uncle Phil susposedly sat nude on
top of a flagpole to protest a visit by Ronald Reagan to Chicago
and Reagan's trickle down economics. Fyvush Finkel is best know
for his lawyer role on Picket Fences.
2.11 The Doorman as portrayed by ?
2.12 The Newspaper editor Hawks as portrayed by Joe Grifasi
Hawks is the news editor for the Chicago Sun-Times for the
series is portrayed by Joe Grifasi.
2.13 Pete the Bartender as portrayed by Mike Houlihan
This background character occurs so often that he has
to be mentioned.
2.14 The producers?
"Early Edition" is executive produced by Michael Dinner
("Chicago Hope," "The Wonder Years"), Lillah McCarthy and
Ian Abrams.
Lillah McCarthy serves as executive producer of "Early
Edition".
McCarthy segued into production work after having spent
several years as an executive in network television. After
serving as program executive at ABC, McCarthy worked
with Stephen Cannell Productions as vice president of
development before moving over to Fox where she was
senior vice president, series programming. As the highest
ranking female executive at the network, she was
responsible for overseeing all comedy series development
as well as supervising current programming, comedy and
drama.
Hit series developed and produced under her auspices
while at Fox include "The Simpsons," "Married...With
Children," "Get A Life," "Herman's Head," "Parker Lewis
Can't Lose," "Alien Nation" and "21 Jump Street."
Brush and Dinner first teamed together on the highly
respected and successful drama "The Wonder Years," where
they served as executive producers with Dinner occasionally
directing episodes. In 1990, Brush was awarded an Emmy for
his work on the series, for "Outstanding Writing in a Comedy
Series (single episode)." In addition, the show garnered both
a Peabody Award (1989) and a Humanitas Award (1990).
Since "The Wonder Years," Dinner has served as the director
and co-executive producer for the critically acclaimed series
"Chicago Hope," where he earned nominations for Golden Globe
and Emmy Awards, as well as Humanitas and Producer's Guild of
America honors.
Abrams, a full-time screenwriter, is best known as the writer
of the action-comedy feature film "Undercover Blues," starring
Dennis Quaid, Kathleen Turner and Stanley Tucci.
End of Part 1/3
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