Q and A: Week of April 7

Katherine Heigl

Q: I haven’t seen my favorite actress, Katherine Heigl, in a while. Will she be back on TV soon, or is she a full-fledged movie star now? — Penny T., via email

A: While Katherine is still a big-screen draw — she has four movies coming out within a year of each other — she hasn’t forgotten her small-screen roots. Katherine — who got her big break on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” — is set to return to series television to star in NBC’s “State of Affairs,” a drama about a CIA attache (Katherine) who advises the president on “high-stakes incidents around the world” while trying to manage her complicated personal life. The pilot has been shot, and things are looking good for a series pickup.

Speaking of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Isaiah Washington is set to return to the series as Dr. Preston Burke for an episode in May. The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, told “The Wrap” that Isaiah’s character is vital to wrapping up the story of Sandra Oh’s character, Cristina Yang. Shonda revealed: “It's important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.”

Q: Please tell me that the rumors of a Journey reunion with Steve Perry are true! — Samuel D., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A: Not yet … but word is that they are closer than ever to working things out. In a recent interview, Steve said: “We're trying. It’s tough. I’m doing my best in that area, and I can only do so much. The older I get, the more I do realize how important what we all had together and how it worked. … I brought things out of them, and they certainly brought a lot of my vocal stuff out of me — just [lifting] each other to this place that you can’t get to alone. I think that’s probably the biggest chemistry thing I recognize now.”

And Journey’s founder, Neal Schon, wrote on his Facebook page recently: “I hope we can reach out to each other and connect once again. We had amazing chemistry together. I love him with all the love and admiration you could even have. Steve, let’s talk soon.” I have all of my fingers and toes crossed for a reunion!

Q: Can you tell me when “Falling Skies” will return? I can’t wait! — Jimmy F., via email

A: The fourth season of TNT’s hit series “Falling Skies,” which stars Noah Wylie and Will Patton, premieres Sunday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series is about life and survival in the wake of a catastrophic alien invasion. Before that at 9 p.m., check out the new action series “The Last Ship,” from executive producer Michael Bay and starring Eric Dane. The series is about a Navy vessel that may be humanity’s last hope in the wake of a worldwide catastrophe.

Q: With “Games of Thrones” returning for its fourth season this past Sunday, it got me wondering what Sean Bean is up to. Can you tell me what he’ll be in next? — Alicia W., via email

Sean Bean in TNT's Legends

A: Beginning in August, Sean stars in the new TNT action-thriller series called “Legends,” which is set to premiere Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The story centers on Sean’s character, Martin Odum, who plays a deep-undercover FBI agent who may be losing his grip on reality. Martin has the ability to transform himself into a completely different person for each job, but he begins to question his own identity when a mysterious stranger suggests that Martin isn’t the man he believes himself to be. The series comes from “Homeland” executive producers Howard Gordon and Alexander Cary, and “Fringe” co-executive producer David Wilcox, and co-stars Ali Carter, Morris Chestnut, Amber Valletta, Steve Harris, and Tina Majorino.

Q: I was happy to read in your column that Kiss will be inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame tonight. Will they be touring to support their induction? — Gary T., Cleveland, Ohio

A: Kiss will indeed be embarking on a joint project this summer, co-headlining with hard-rock superstars Def Leppard in a 42-city summer stadium tour, which will run from June 23 to Aug. 31. Def Leppard’s lead singer, Joe Elliott, said that he and Kiss bassist, Gene Simmons, first discussed the idea of the two bands touring together when he and Gene played some South American dates two years ago as part of a rock-and-roll all-stars tour. “It’s finally happened, which is fantastic,” Joe said. Also, a dollar from each ticket sold on the tour will go to the Wounded Warrior Project and other military nonprofits. (Go to livenation.com for ticket info.)

Q: Starz canceled “Magic City” just as season two ended. What a disappointment. The show was never given much publicity, but it was wonderfully done. I love it and miss it so much, and so do my friends. Is there any chance of “Magic City” going to another cable network? — Dale P., Fort Worth, Texas

A: While I never say never (see “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town” for examples), there hasn’t been much talk about the series continuing. Set in 1959 in Miami shortly after the Cuban Revolution, “Magic City” centered on the story of Ike Evans, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who owned Miami’s most glamorous hotel, the Miramar Playa. I do have slightly good news for you, though: The entire 16-episode “Magic City” series will be released by Starz and Anchor Bay on Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2014.

Q: Can you tell me if “Unforgettable” will be back? — Tom V., The Villages, Fla.

A: The CBS drama series starring Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, a woman with hyperthymesia — a rare medical condition that gives her the ability to visually remember everything — will return with a 13-episode third season beginning in June.

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Q and A: Week of Jan. 6

Q: It’s been only a few weeks, but I am going through some serious “Scandal” withdrawal! Please don’t tell me that it’s done for the year! I see that a new show has taken its place. — Nicole D., via email

A: Don’t worry, my little Gladiator, “Scandal” will be back with all-new episodes beginning Feb. 27. The show that’s been on in the meantime is an eight-part miniseries called “The Assets,” which is based on the real-life events of CIA counterintelligence officer Sandy Grimes (played by Jodie Whittaker). The miniseries is set in 1985 and takes a look inside the true, personal stories of the conclusion of the Cold War as told by the CIA.

Q: I know that KISS has been nominated again for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Did they make it this year? It’s long overdue, in my opinion.— Brad L., Pittsburgh, Pa.

A: The makeup-wearing hard-rock quartet did indeed make it into the Hall this go-’round. Kiss, along with Nirvana, Hall and Oates, Peter Gabriel, Linda Ronstadt and Cat Stevens will be the 29th class inducted into the Hall of Fame on April 10. The ceremony will air on HBO in May. And I think now is a good time for me to start a petition to get Def Leppard their HOF nomination. Having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, spawning numerous hits — as well as scores of copycats — the boys from Sheffield sell out arenas to this day.

Q: When I went to see “Catching Fire” at the theater, they showed a preview for a movie called “Divergent,” and it looked pretty good. What can you tell me about it? — Elizabeth F., via email

A: Like “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent” is also based on a trilogy of young-adult books (these are authored by Veronica Roth). The other two books, “Insurgent” and “Allegiant,” round out the “Divergent” trilogy. The sci-fi adventure film, which comes to theaters March 21, is set in Chicago sometime in the near future, when people are divided into factions according to their personality. If you don’t fit into any one faction, you are known as Divergent, which our heroine, Beatrice Prior is classified as. She soon discovers a sinister plot brewing in her seemingly perfect society. The movie stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Zoë Kravitz (and yes, she is the daughter of rocker Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet).

Q: I was sad to hear that Joan Fontaine had passed away. Did she and her sister, Olivia de Havilland, ever make up? — Paisley T., via email

A: The sisters had been feuding since 1941, when Joan won the Academy Award over sister Olivia (although sources say the animosity started all the way back to their childhood). They never did mend fences; however, Olivia issued a statement through her publicist that she was “shocked and saddened” by her sister’s death, and grateful for “the many kind expressions of sympathies.”

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Paul Stanley and Wife Erin Welcome Baby Girl

Paul, Erin, Evan, Colin and Sarah

PRESS RELEASE

August 9, 2011 – A star (child) has been born to Paul Stanley, the iconic front-man and founder of the legendary band KISS, and his wife Erin, a successful Los Angeles attorney. Emily Grace Stanley, who weighed 7lb. and 10 oz., was born August 9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

The new princess of the KISS Army will join sister Sarah Brianna, 2, and brothers Colin Michael, 4, and Evan Shane, 17.

“Erin and I are once again blessed with the addition of Emily Grace to our family,” Stanley said. “I’m not sure she can sing but her first screams let me know she’s definitely Daddy’s Girl.”

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Q and A: Week of May 9

Q: I read somewhere that my all-time favorite band, KISS, is back in the studio working on a new album. Is that true? If so, when can we expect some new material from them? — Rodney G., via e-mail

A: It’s true: KISS is working on a new studio album. The band began recording in April, and lead singer/songwriter Paul Stanley told me that they expect to release the album in late fall or early 2012, depending on how things go. He said: “So far, it sounds phenomenal. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.”


In the meantime, Paul also is working with the House Research Institute to help bring awareness to teen hearing loss. Having been born deaf in one ear as well as being a mega rock star, Paul knows all about protecting his hearing, and he wants to help spread the word any way he can. “Hearing loss affects kids, it affects teens, and it affects adults. I tell people, ‘If you won’t listen to somebody in a white coat, maybe you’ll listen to somebody in black leather.’”

For more info on how you can protect your hearing, go to earbud.org, and to learn more about Sound Rules! visit soundrules.org. Go here for my full interview with Paul.

Q: Will “Memphis Beat” and “Rizzoli and Isles” be back on TV? I’m already getting tired of all the summer reality shows! — Glenda F., via e-mail

A: “Memphis” and “Rizzoli” will be back this summer on TNT, starting June 14 and July 11, respectively. In fact, TNT recently announced its all-new summer programming slate, which includes two new series, “Franklin and Bash” with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer, and “Falling Skies” with Noah Wylie. Other returning series include “Men of a Certain Age” on June 1, “HawthoRNe” on June 14, “Leverage” on June 26 and “The Closer” on July 11. So get ready for some summertime drama, because TNT is filled to the brim with it!

Q: The Season 1 cliffhanger for Syfy’s “Being Human” had me on the edge of my seat. Please tell me it has been renewed for another season — I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! — Jackie H. in Montana

A: The vampire/werewolf/ghost fantasy-drama has been renewed for a second season by the Syfy network. In fact, the Season 1 finale shattered ratings records for the network. Although no official Season 2 premiere date has been given, I would assume to look for it come January 2012.

Q: I was happy to read in your column that “In Plain Sight” would be back on USA for a fourth and fifth season, but I read that star Mary McCormack is pregnant in real life. How will they handle it on the show? — Colleen V., Las Vegas

A: Mary and hubby Michael Morris are expecting their third child together. Mary told People magazine that her pregnancy will be written into the show, so it will be interesting to see what this means for her character, Mary Shannon.

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Interview: Paul Stanley's Sound Rules!

KISS frontman Paul Stanley wears many hats: that of singer, songwriter, guitarist, father, husband, painter ... and many more. Well, you can add one more hat to Paul's collection, that of spokesperson. Paul has teamed up with the nonprofit House Research Institute on a major initiative called “It's How You Listen That Counts” to educate millions of teens around the world on preventing noise-induced hearing loss.

Paul will be drawing the attention of teens in NYC and L.A. to hearing-health issues through an after-school event called Sound Rules! The event, free for teens, will take place at the Director’s Guilds in NYC on May 4 and Los Angeles on May 12. (For more information on these events, go to soundrules.org. For noise-induced hearing-loss education, go to earbud.org.)

I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul recently about this hearing-loss education initiative, as well as info about the progress of the latest KISS album and how he feels about his impending new-fatherhood.

Celebrity Extra: First, tell me how you got involved with the House Research Institute’s initiative?

Paul Stanley: It just seemed a natural progression, a natural fit. I’ve been deaf in one ear my whole life. I was born like that. Over the past 10 years or so some technology has come available that can help in a case like mine. I became associated, or at least familiar, with some of the people at House Research Institute. In the last year, they’ve really made me aware of some things that are pretty staggering. That’s the epidemic of hearing loss affecting people in this country. You have a 15 percent rise in hearing loss in the past 10 years. That’s more than 37 million people. As far as young people, teens, there is a 30 percent increase in just the past 15 years. But that is pretty staggering.

The problem with it is that once it happens, there is nothing you can do about it, and sometimes you don’t even realize it is happening. It’s very insidious, and the idea is to educate people that you can still listen to loud music and save your hearing. The problem with hearing loss is that it takes so many forms. You have people who can hear what you are saying but can’t understand what you are saying. That is they way you lose certain frequencies, which is very common. So, imagine being able to hear somebody talk but it sounds like they have a blanket in front of their face. Another situation is a condition called tinnitus. With that you can have anything from clicking to buzzing to ringing in your ears that never goes away.


When you listen to loud music, most people will hear ringing in their ears. That’s not to be taken lightly. That’s your ears telling you that you are assaulting them in a way that can cause permanent damage. I think it’s time that people are a little bit more aware of all of this and take it more seriously. I listen to loud music almost nightly, and my hearing is terrific. But I’ve always, always worn earplugs. Music is so loud in concerts and in clubs that even with earplugs in you’re still going to hear everything clearly. You’re still going to feel the vibrations through your body.

CE: It’s good that you’ve taken up this cause, because I am sure a lot of people don’t even realize what they are doing to their hearing.

PS: Understandably a lot of people aren’t aware of the damage that is caused, because many times it’s so gradual that you’re not even aware of it. That’s really how I got involved in it. Not to burst anyone’s bubble or ruin anybody’s party, but the fact is you can do both. You can have a great time, you can listen and have just as much fun and not even be aware of any difference accept you’re saving a hearing. It’s a small price for something very big.

CE: Well, I don’t think anyone will accuse Paul Stanley of ruining anybody’s party! What can you tell me about the May 4 events in NYC and the May 12 event in Los Angeles (both taking place at the Directors Guild)?

PS: I will be there. There will be some cool music. In New York, there’s a great band playing. There will be some education, but in a way that makes it fun. There’s no test, there’s nothing to memorize. It’s just a way to have a good time and also become more aware of a problem that you may be exposing yourself to. It will be fun. If it were a chore or anything like that, you’d have to count me out.

CE: Who are you hoping to reach with your message — obviously teens are a main target audience?

PS: How about everybody! It affects kids, it affects teens, it affects younger kids, and it affects adults. This hearing loss is across the board. It’s something that really does affect everybody. I’ve been telling people, “Look, if you won’t listen to somebody in a white coat, maybe you’ll listen to somebody in black leather.”

CE: How do you protect your hearing, and what advice can you give others?

PS: I’m a fan of over-the-ear headphones, which are kind of larger. But when I listen with those, I can put in an earplug and still blast music. What it does is it blocks out those really harmful frequencies but allows me to really experience the music, not only in an audio sense but also physically. Earbuds are great too. The problem with earbuds is that they really tend to go directly into your ear, blocking everything out. No matter which you are using, if you are not using some sort of device to block the sound, you really don’t want to turn it up more than 60 percent of what it is capable of, because most of these units now are capable of turning your brain to jelly.

CE: On a personal note, I understand congratulations are in order — you and your wife are expecting another child!

PS: Yeah, unbelievable. Unbelievable. It’s great. It’s certainly more than I expected, but so far I’m enjoying every minute of it. It’s just terrific. I’ve got great kids and an amazing wife. Can’t ask for much more.

CE: How do you protect your children’s hearing, especially when they come to see Daddy in a KISS concert?

PS: The little ones wear actual noise barriers that look like headphones. They can be used on a rifle range or they can be used for sound. You can get them in any large music chain, guitar center, etc. They have a kid’s version that goes over the top of the head, and goes over each ear. My older son, who is also a musician, — a guitar player — always wears earplugs and always has. He’s smart. He’ll be glad he did.

CE: Musically, what do you have in store for KISS fans?

PS: At the moment, I’m producing the next KISS album; we start[ed recording in April]. So, that is going to take a bit of time. But it just sounds phenomenal.

CE: Is it too early to say, but do you have an estimate for when the album will come out?

PS: We are too early into it, but I would imagine that it will definitely be out, oh I’d say, late fall or early 2012. It will be worth the wait, I promise.

CE: Lately, it seems a lot of rockers have been releasing tell-all autobiographies. Any chance there will be a Paul Stanley memoir I can upload to my Kindle?

PS: I’m a big believer in what the great author George Orwell said: “The autobiography is the most outrageous form of fiction.” I’m not a big fan of autobiographies, because I have yet to meet anybody who’s not in love with himself. Memoirs tend to be a bit biased. Actually we are in the process of — there will be a book. But the book is not one of those kinds of books. I’ll just leave those books to others. It always seems that whoever writes seems to be at the epicenter of everything great that ever happened. I really don’t have any drive to write those kinds.

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KISS and Guitar Center give 22 unsigned bands a chance to open for KISS

PRESS RELEASE:

(Westlake Village, CA) June 1, 2010 – Continuing its ongoing support of aspiring artists, Guitar Center (www.guitarcenter.com), the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, today announced that it has teamed up with rock and roll icons KISS (www.KISSonline.com), and leading digital media company for entertainment, Eventful, for a revolutionary music program: Guitar Center On-Stage, a competition that provides unsigned bands and artists the career-altering opportunity to open for KISS on their upcoming North American tour, The Hottest Show on Earth.

One band from each of twenty-two markets across the United States will be chosen to play at a KISS show. At the conclusion of the tour, KISS will choose the best of the twenty-two bands to receive the grand prize that includes a $10,000 Guitar Center shopping spree. Now through September 1, 2010, bands across the country are invited to register at GCOnstage.com.

"With Guitar Center On-Stage, we are giving bands across the country the mind-blowing chance to open for one of the greatest rock groups on the planet when KISS comes to their town,” said KISS. “A lot of rock's greatest bands got their start opening for KISS including AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Rush, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe among many others. Thirty-seven years ago someone gave KISS the opportunity to become the Hottest Band on Earth. Now, KISS and Guitar Center are returning the favor by offering unsigned bands the opportunity to open for KISS on The Hottest Show on Earth."

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Interview: Paul Stanley — Family Man, Rock Star and Painter

We all know Paul Stanley, lead singer of KISS. But you might not recognize him without his makeup (left, all photos and artwork courtesy and copyright Paul Stanley and paulstanley.com). What you might be surprised to know is that Paul is more than a musician: He is a prolific painter whose works are shown around the country and sell for big money. I was thrilled to get the chance to catch up with Paul, and he told me all about his artwork, KISS's latest album and their recent appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Celebrity Extra: Thank you so much for talking with me. I’ll get right into it so you can start your morning.

Paul Stanley: My morning starts when my 3-and-a-half-year-old walks in the room.

CE: That’s true. I’m thinking about the rock-star lifestyle, but you’re actually a family man as well.

PS: I am a family man and a rock star.

CE: I think it is going to come a surprise to a lot of your fans that you are such a great artist. You fairly recently started showing and selling your artwork to the public — what made you decide to share it with the masses?

 "Crossroads" by Paul Stanley

PS: I’ve been doing it for quite a few years now. I started painting 10 years ago really as a way of finding another creative outlet. I’m always looking for another way to express myself, and that’s how I attempted to find myself. So whether it was doing Phantom of the Opera or painting or doing what I do in KISS, they’re all ways for me to emote and stay creative. That’s who I am, that’s what’s in my blood. I originally painted with no expectations of ever doing a show or of ever showing anybody my art. It came about because I hung the piece in my house, and people kept saying, “Who did that painting?” And it's funny because I wasn’t very secure or confident in my ability, so I never signed it. To this day that piece isn’t signed, but it gave me food for thought, because people seem to connect so much with it that I got talked into doing a show. At this point I’ve been averaging probably anywhere from 12 to 15 shows a year around the county, and they’ve been amazingly successful in a way that quite honestly leaves me speechless.

CE: What do you like best about when you tour with your artwork and when you get to interact with the public?

PS: I think it’s terrific to connect with the people who have made you who you are, made your life possible. I never became famous to cut myself off from the people who made me famous. But, the great thing about art is that I think anybody who appreciates somebody’s work gets so much more out of meeting the person and getting a sense of what’s behind the piece. Ultimately, what’s most important is that you have your own sense of what a piece means because you’re taking it home.


Much in the same way that I believe that life and theater are, unfortunately, intimidating to people because there are critics whose livelihood depends upon convincing you that you need them to tell you what’s good. And I try to break through that, because whether or not someone else likes what you like is irrelevant. If you’re a vegetarian, what difference does it make that somebody else loves steak? So that being said, I guess I’m out there trying to not only show people who are collectors of serious pieces, I’m also trying to show people who have never been in a gallery how much art has to offer. I’m a big believer that whether you’re living in a van or a villa, art would look great on your wall. So, you don’t need a degree to have an opinion, and you don’t need an education to know what you like. You don’t need to justify your taste, and it’s enough that you like something. So, I try to get people to experience things that they wouldn’t necessarily experience and also enjoy it.

CE: I’ve checked out the websites and galleries, and I don’t know how to describe art other than I like it or I don’t, and I do like yours. I love the use of bold colors — many of the colors remind me of the sunset in the Southwest, like Utah and New Mexico. I think it's great that you are bringing your artwork to people for them to like, not to dissect, to declare: "This is good!" or "This is bad!"

"Purple Haze" by Paul Stanley

PS: Oh, it does people such a disservice ultimately. It may guarantee somebody a job, but the fact that there are people around who somehow convince you that you need them to tell you what’s good is unfortunate. I’m here to tell you that you know what’s good. Good is what you like. Nothing more and nothing less. You don’t need to justify, qualify or explain what you like. And if you love something and somebody else hates it, what good is it to them? So, it’s purely an individual like or dislike, and I try to make sure that people can enjoy something without feeling that it’s a test and that there is going to be a quiz.

CE: Do you get a lot of KISS fans coming to the openings or is it mostly serious art collectors, or a healthy mix of both?

PS: There is a very healthy mixture of both. Obviously there are a lot of KISS fans who come out of curiosity, and that’s terrific too because they're seeing something they perhaps they wouldn’t see otherwise. And then there are people clearly spending unsizable amounts of money for pieces to hang alongside other pieces by other artists that they may like. It’s been a great cross-section.

CE: Does your painting inspiration come from a different place than your songwriting inspiration, or is it interconnected?

PS: I think everything I write about or paint comes from my life. I tend to believe if you don’t wake up inspired everyday, you either should go back to sleep or turn your life around. Life on its worst day is a miracle. So, I tend to treat it as such. I celebrate life every day.

CE: You’re not just a “hobbiest” painter — you’ve sold millions of dollars worth of paintings. If you had to make a choice between being a painter for the rest of your life or a rock star, would you be able to choose?

PS: That would be a very, very tough, tough choice for me. Thankfully I don’t have to make it. I came to art later than music in the sense of really applying myself to it, and at this point I can’t imagine life without it.

CE: I was surprised to learn that you attended New York's High School of Music and Art, for art not music.

"Liberty" by Paul Stanley

PS: It’s funny, when I first saw Fame, and then I went to my school, I was expecting to see people dancing on the cars, but it wasn’t happening. For me, I put art aside at some point because I’m just not a fan of being told what I need to do by somebody else. Some people are cut out for listening to authority and some are just cut out for going their own way. I just soured on art, and I had people living their life through me or wanting to see me accomplish what they do. I’m the hardest worker you’ll ever meet, but it’s gotta be on my terms. So, I kind of got tired of art and put it aside. By the way, I also had the dubious distinction of probably being one of the few people to go to that school who ever failed art. That sets me in very lofty company.

I came back to painting and came back to art, because I needed another way to express myself. Whether it’s doing theater or whether it’s through Phantom of the Opera, I love challenge. I also have an innate sense of what I’m capable of doing, and I have to follow those inspirations and aspirations. Perhaps it serves in some way as a role model to others that if you have a true sense of what you are capable of, the only thing standing between you and success is you.

CE: I know late last year KISS was touring in the U.S., and you begin touring in Europe in May. Is there a noticeable difference between the American KISS Army and the European fans?

PS: Interesting question. I have to say, worldwide it’s very much the same. I really believe that KISS has transcended everything that is rock-and-roll in the sense that rock-and-roll tends to be music that’s owned by a specific age group and to think of it as purely their music, when in fact with KISS, it’s more of a tribal gathering. It’s all ages and everybody feels a part of it because everybody believes in the same lifestyle and the same values — or lack of values. KISS transcends everything that other fans have to live within, and rightfully so.

CE: KISS is such an iconic staple of anything in pop culture. You are referenced many, many times on TV shows, other music, movies — KISS was pretty much a main character in the movie Role Models.

PS: Yeah, we are a part of Americana, and we are part of everything that makes up the American lifestyle and the American dream.

CE: Fans were thrilled that you released Sonic Boom back in October. Am I jumping the gun, but can we expect another KISS album within the next few years?

PS: Making that album was so much fun, and it reinvigorated and restated everything that we are that yeah, I think that we’ll see another album.

CE: You are such a prolific songwriter. If possible, can you narrow down some of the favorite songs you've written?

PS: “Love Gun” is one of my favorite songs, because it’s simple and direct, and I love singing that every night. I love “God of Thunder,” because it’s always fun to know that Gene’s signature song was actually written by me.

CE: Can you tell me about the experience of appearing on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?

 "Scream" by Paul Stanley

PS: It was terrific, because basically a lot of schools and the school system in general are losing all their funding for music. It’s really criminal, because any scientific study has shown that programs in schools involving music only help with the academics and other forms of education. So the fact that they’re pulling the plug on so much of the music education is something that’s alarming. On that particular episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, there was a family who basically were losing their house and they were big champions of music and music education, and they gave lessons. They had their home rebuilt, and through the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, we gave a very, very handsome amount of instruments to a school that very much needed it.

CE: I am so glad you are helping to bringing awareness to this. As someone who was in band and choir all through high school, it really saddens me to see the arts programs going through so much neglect.

PS: Oh yeah, it’s a calamity — it’s way beyond a problem. I think it has far-reaching implications.

If you'd like to see Paul's artwork, or to check if he might be heading to an art gallery near you, head over to paulstanley.com.

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Q and A: Week of April 12

Q: I read somewhere that KISS frontman Paul Stanley went to the “Fame” high school majoring in art. Is that true? — Matt H., Akron, Ohio

A: Paul Stanley attend the High School of Music & Art in New York City. The “Fame” high school was the High School of Performing Arts, which later merged with the High School of Music & Art to form Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.

I spoke with Paul recently, and he told me about his high-school experience: “It’s funny, because when I first saw ‘Fame,’ and then I went to my school, I was expecting to see people dancing on the cars, but it wasn’t happening. But I ended up putting art aside at some point, because for me, I’m just not a fan of being told what to do by somebody else. Some people are cut out for listening to authority, and some people are cut out for going their own way. I just sort of soured on art.”

But now, Paul is back in the art scene, but on HIS terms. You can see Paul’s artwork at paulstanley.com, and also check to see if he is touring with his art in your area.

Q: This season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” is really good so far. I love the different personalities clashing as they try to work together on their challenges. I was wondering, who decides what the challenges will be? — Hank F., via e-mail

A: Ivanka Trump, wunderkind daughter of mogul Donald Trump, recently revealed on Twitter that they all — Ivanka, Donald and brother Donald Jr. — throw out ideas for all the different challenges and then decide collectively which ones they’ll do throughout the season. Next season “The Apprentice” is going back to its original format of casting regular people to compete for a job within the Trump empire. If you are interested in auditioning, go to nbc.com for all the details.

Q: “In Plain Sight” is one of our favorite shows. Will it be back for a third season? — Jackie D., via e-mail

A: The USA Network’s popular drama centering on a Deputy U.S. Marshall for the Federal Witness Protection program began its third season on March 31. The show has moved to Wednesday nights at 10/11 p.m. Central. Season Three will consist of 16 episodes — and if you need to catch up on any previous episodes, season one and two are available on DVD.

Q: Were Jordan and Jeff, teammates from “The Amazing Race,” on “Big Brother” together? — Lee R., via e-mail

A: Jordan Lloyd and Jeff Schroeder met while they both were contestants on “Big Brother 11″ in 2009. As you may know, Jordan won a half-million dollars on the show, and also walked away with Jeff’s heart. Jordan was unable to repeat her winning magic, as the pair was eliminated from “The Amazing Race” in March.

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