Author Archives: robin
Before They Were Stars: U2’s First Television Appearance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVFolkBNwk In 1978, there was this Irish band of high school kids called The Hype, who made their television debut on an Irish children’s show called Youngline. Two weeks later, The Hype would change their name to U2 and the … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Music
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: U2’s First Television Appearance
Before They Were Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Jayne Mansfield Story”
Since we just recorded a Shouts from the Back Row podcast about the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger which will be posted on the site later today, I thought I’d dig up one of his more obscure efforts: a 1980 made-for-TV … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Movies, TV
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Jayne Mansfield Story”
Before They Were Stars: Marisa Tomei as Cinderella on “As the World Turns”
During the mid-1980s, As the World Turns was completely unaware they had struck gold by having two future Academy Award winners in their cast, as both Marisa Tomei and Julianne Moore started off their careers by playing recurring characters on … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, TV
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Marisa Tomei as Cinderella on “As the World Turns”
Before They Were Stars: Seth MacFarlane in a College Promotional Film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggcey6CU2vs I’ve already featured some of the projects Seth MacFarlane worked on when he was a student at the Rhode Island School of Design during the nineties. It seems that Seth was practically the poster child for the place, as … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Movies
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Seth MacFarlane in a College Promotional Film
Before They Were Stars: Billy Burke in “Daredreamer”
Billy Burke is your prototypical character actor who pops up in a lot of stuff and is best known for his role as Bella’s father in the Twilight series. He made his acting debut in an ultra-obscure 1990 film called … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Movies
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Billy Burke in “Daredreamer”
Before They Were Stars: Steve Coogan in a WHSmith Commercial
Maybe it’s just me, but there’s not much an advertiser can do to turn me off their product more than having an annoying comedian frantically go through a bunch of unfunny characters and impressions during a 30-second commercial. Such is … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, TV
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Steve Coogan in a WHSmith Commercial
Before They Were Stars: Emilia Clarke in “Triassic Attack”
This weekend, Terminator Genisys is competing with Jurassic World at the box office and features Emilia Clarke stepping into the role of Sarah Connor. I guess this means that everything’s come full circle because prior to Game of Thrones, Clarke … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Movies
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Emilia Clarke in “Triassic Attack”
Before They Were Stars: Michael Jai White in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbK4G91wfDc&t=40m14s Michael Jai White’s early filmography has some interesting uncredited bit parts, including brief fight scenes with Toxie in the Toxic Avenger sequels. You can also see him as one of the potential recruits into the Foot Clan in this … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Movies
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Michael Jai White in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
Before They Were Stars: Jai Courtney in “Boys Grammar”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8VXW4gALlc Terminator Genisys is currently playing in theatres, featuring one of The Back Row’s least favourite actors, Jai Courtney, who presumably delivers his usual bland performance in the role of Kyle Reese. However, if you want to see a darker … Continue reading
Posted in Before They Were Stars, Movies
Comments Off on Before They Were Stars: Jai Courtney in “Boys Grammar”
Robin’s Underrated Gems: Horror Express (1972)
A few weeks ago, one of cinema’s greatest icons, Christopher Lee, passed away at the age of 93 after having lived a more interesting and eventful life than any of us could ever dream of. Of course, after having amassed … Continue reading
Posted in Movies, Robin's Underrated Gems
Comments Off on Robin’s Underrated Gems: Horror Express (1972)