The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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Michael C. Hall talks candidly about:

Dexter Morgan

"Dexter is relatively lovable as far as serial killers go.

"He is obviously flawed in ways that most people don't have to contend with. But, there is something about that which seems to resonate with people. "

Why people like watching shows like Dexter

"I think people have an inherent fascination with the darker side.

"But, I don't think the series glamorises the lifestyle of a serial killer.

"It looks pretty stressful from where I am sitting."

Getting funny looks on the street

"Sometimes, people recognise me and say, "Don't put me on your table" or something like that if they're like blocking me in traffic or something."

How the character Dexter has changed

"Dexter has morphed and changed in many ways that I'm grateful for as an actor because it has allowed me to explore different things.

"I think life is heavier for Dexter now than it was when we first met him.

"At the beginning, he was much lighter, much less burdened.

"But, as he has indulged in this notion of his humanity, life has weighed much more heavily on him."

Related story

Does Dexter have a killer ending in its final season?

'Adventure Time' is so weird and wonderful

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Creator Pendleton Ward talks about Cartoon Network's award-winning series.

AS a kid, Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward remembers being obsessed over "hidden secrets" in the background of long-running cartoon series The Simpsons.

"Like the barbershop called Hairy Shearers – based on one of The Simpsons cast member Harry Shearer – all those tiny things I obsessed over as a kid," he said in an interview transcript provided by Cartoon Network.

The Simpsons is one of Ward's main inspirations for his award-winning cartoon, Adventure Time. Set in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, the series revolves around the lives of Finn the human boy and his best friend Jake, the dog with magical stretchy powers.

"I based Jake on Bill Murray's character from the movie Meatballs. The kid (in the movie) is going through a really hard time so Bill's character Tripper Harrison gets real and gives him some heart-to-heart advice."

He added: "That scene represents Jake's character pretty well. He's a goofball but he'll get real with you if you need a heart-to-heart."

As for Finn, Ward said he's just a "maniacally noble knight".

"He never fails to jump into the fray as long as the fight is for justice. I, for one, am stoked that Finn got a Bill Murray-style super-powered dog pal to help him out."

Kid at heart: Despite his self-confessed simple approach, Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward says he tries to create characters that inspire real emotions.

Pendleton Ward, creator of Adventure Time, voices the character Lumpy Space Princess.

Together, Finn and Jake go on quests like helping the ruler of Candy Kingdom Princess Bubblegum fight zombies and travel to Lumpy Space to find a cure for ... lumpiness.

Oh, Finn and Jake also go on old school-style quests to rescue princesses from the notorious yet sometimes clueless Ice King (voiced by Mr SpongeBob SquarePants himself, Tom Kenny).

Since its debut on Cartoon Network in 2008, Adventure Time has spawned four seasons and even picked up various awards. At the 2013 Primetime Emmy, the series won an award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation. Adventure Time comic books have also picked up a nod for Best Publication for Kids at the 2013 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

The series has a cult following among older viewers for its unique retro element, too.

"The show's music and sound effects are inspired partly by low-fi 8-bit videogame noises. You'll see a lot of old, trashed 1980s-style computers stacked around Finn and Jake's tree house, which they use as light source."

Now in its fifth season, Ward said there's just more things to look forward to in the ever-expanding Adventure Time universe.

"I'm definitely going to be plugging in loads and loads of secrets and little things. In every episode there's going to be this little waving snail, you can search for it in every episode. There are also secret codes and things written in the background."

Just like The Simpsons, Adventure Time also boasts an impressive number of celebrity guest voices. Actor Andy Samberg voiced Party Pat (a zen hipster party-loving bear) while Scrubs' Daniel Faison had a stint as mentally unstable cookie named Baby Snaps.

Even Star Trek's George Takei had a go at voicing Ricardio (Ice King's smooth-talking heart).

In the latest season, viewers can look forward to Hellboy's Ron Perlman as Finn and Jake's long-time nemesis Lich (a powerful undead wizard) and Community's Donald Glover as Marshall Lee (a vampire boy).

Another stellar addition to the list of notable guest voices is How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris. He'll be voicing Prince Bubblegum, a male version of Princess Bubblegum as imagined by Ice King in his fanfiction.

Ward himself voices Lumpy Space Princess, a self-absorbed teenage character whose trademark lines include "whatever" and "don't lumpin' yell at me".

There is no telling for sure on what is going to happen next in Adventure Time. Ward said that that's his secret for keeping viewers entertained.

"There's no significance to anything I do. I could be totally and unintentionally putting in all sorts of meaning that people interpret, but I just try to make it really simple to watch. Characters can be thinking one thought and then go in a totally different direction the next minute."

Despite his self-confessed simple approach, Ward said ultimately he is trying to create "stuff that goes straight to kids' heart".

"The early seasons of The Simpsons had a great deal of heart. That's what I'm trying to create, to make characters feel so real that they inspire real emotion; you can feel attached to them and relate to what they're going through."

New episodes of Adventure Time air at 2pm every Monday to Saturday, while repeats are at 7pm (every Monday to Thursday) and 3pm/8pm (every Sunday) on Cartoon Network (Astro Ch 616).

Win some Adventure Time goodies!

Answer two simple questions based on the article above to win exclusive premiums from Cartoon Network!

1. Which Adventure Time episode does comedy actor Neil Patrick Harris star in?

2. Name three characters from the latest season of Adventure Time.

Also, complete the following slogan not more than 20 words:

"Buckle up as Finn and Jake are ............................................................................"

E-mail your entries to sharani.shanmugam@text100.com.my by 5pm on Sept 15, 2013 and don't forget to include your full name, MyKad or passport number, valid contact details and mailing address.

Prizes

1. The first winner with all-correct answers will receive an Adventure Time goodie bag inclusive of a backpack, watch, hat and plush toy.

2. Ten lucky winners will also receive an exclusive Cartoon Network goodie bag with exciting premiums.

Terms & Conditions

1. This contest is open to any living persons who are legal residents of Malaysia

2. Judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained

3. Prizes are not exchangeable for cash

4. One winner will receive one prize only

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 12 September 2013