Warriors fans, come out to play-i-ay. Guest Contributor Val B. lists some Warriors trivia, info that comes straight from James Remar and info on a must-see documentary and another one in the works. Can you dig it? — Elaine F.

The Warriors are back and kickin’! The hugely successful reunion of The Warriors cast members in Coney Island and Atlantic City, brought worldwide fans and a resurgence in interest for the 1979 cult film, thanks to its organizer Eric Nyenhuis.  Eric is currently working on a documentary film covering the reunions.  

Though he was unable to attend the reunion, James Remar (Ajax) recently appeared at Wizard World Nashville and spoke about the iconic movie. So what was it like filming in Coney Island, which was a rough neighborhood back in the 1970s? “Remar says: “Oh, I loved it!! What was challenging was the physical demand of all-night walking, fighting, etc.” When he returned to NYC in 2001 to film Sex in the City he found the new New York to be “quite romantic until September 11th changed everything.”

Here are six things you may not know about The Warriors.

1. The movie was pulled from many theaters a week after its release, due to reported incidents of gang violence during showings.

2.  Robert De Niro and Tony Danza turned down offers to be Warriors in the film. 

3.   Director Walter Hill came up with the idea of The Furies because of his love of KISS and baseball.

4. Cyrus’ Bronx rally was filled with actual gang members. 

5.  Deborah Van Valkenburgh incurred stitches when Michael Beck accidentally hit while swinging a bat. 
6.  The film’s producer had to pay off some NYC gangs to use their turfs for filming and to protect their gear, and the film crew and cast were even harassed on set.

Coincidentally, a New York gangs documentary Rubble Kings has just premiered.  This is a must-see for New Yorkers and anyone curious about the harsh reality that “went down” in the ’70s.  Hip-hop is responsible for bringing about peace in “gangland” with commonalities and encouraging community outreach, making Bronx’s and New York’s streets in the ’80s much less bloody.

There have been rumors of a remake for awhile though hardcore Warriors fans scoff at the thought of touching something so iconic. It’s a real ’70s timepiece which can never be replaced or replicated.  Cult classics should be blacklisted from ever being remade, but only time will tell.  Fingers crossed that this beloved film is not get desecrated.

Get ready to get your geek on! Tickets for New York Comic Com go on sale online May 13 at 12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The pop culture festival takes place Oct. 8-11 at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

According to ReedPop, the 2014 event was attended by 151, 000 fans. The 2015 lineup has yet to be released, last year’s event included Sleepy Hollow’s Orlando Jones (Frank Irving) and Sakina Jaffrey (Sheriff Reyes) as Spotlight Entertainment Guests and Lyndie Greenwood (Jenny Mills) as a Featured Entertainment Guest. Please let Outlander cast and crew be there, too!  For further ticket information, visit the official tickets page.

New York Comic Con coincides with New York Super Week, which begins on October 5. Science superhero Neil deGrasse Tyson was part of the 2014 Super Week event.

How do I know that? Because I’m happy to announce that our own Elaine F. will be making her storytelling debut at the Cornelia Street Cafe in NYC this coming Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m. as part of the New York Story Exchange.

If you’re in the area, join us in Greenwich Village and cheer Elaine on as she tells a tale of derring do, or at least a tale of doing something.

Here’s the poster for details. See you there!

Davis is enmeshed in nefarious activities on “Murder,” but she’s going to get a change of pace in “Custody.” She plays Judge Martha Sherman, who presides over the custody case of a young woman (Catalina Sandino Moreno, Oscar nominee for “Maria Full of Grace”) trying to keep her children. Casting has begun to put together the large cast, including the judge’s husband

Red Band Society fans will recognize Moreno, who played Eva on the 2014 FOX series. The movie will be directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner James Lapine, who wrote the screenplay for the 2014 film version of musical Into the Woods.

We hope Davis has enough time for HTGAWM, she’s playing Amanda Waller in the 2016 film Suicide Squad about former supervillains. We wonder what the folks at Deadline think of this?

Life in Portland has taken a crazy turn for two of its residents. In the last few months, Sergeant Drew Wu believed he was going crazy after coming into contact with mysterious creatures. However, Nick and Hank finally let him in on the world of Wesen and now he’s part of the team. Meanwhile, Nick’s girlfriend, Dr. Juliette Silverton, has become a Hexenbiest as a side effect to a spell. Recappers’ Delight guest contributor Dorothy S. sits down with Wu and Silverton to discuss the wild happenings of GRIMM.

RD: So, can we talk about the Hexenbiest in the room?

Juliette Silverton: What Hexenbiest? There’s no Hexenbiest in here!

Drew Wu: I know all about Hexenbiests. I’ve been spending my nights in Nick’s trailer, reading up on all the Wesen.

RD: Okay, Sergeant Wu, let’s start with you. Tell us what’s been happening lately. Have you recovered from your stint in the psychiatric hospital?

DW: Yep. Turns out I wasn’t crazy after all. Nick and Hank finally let me in on the secret they’ve been keeping all these years. Nick is a Grimm and there’s a whole world of creatures out there – Wesen, they’re called.

RD: Sounds like you’re really into this.

DW: Oh I am. It explains so much about how shady Nick and Hank were on certain investigations.

RD: So now you’re studying up on the Wesen?

DW: Oh yeah, I’m in Nick’s trailers scanning the Grimm diaries all the time. I’m learning about every Wesen from Hundjägers to Hexenbiest.

RD: Speaking of Hexenbiests…

JS: Maybe you can finish up with Drew and then we can talk one on one?

RD: Sure… So Sergeant, how does it feel to be part of the Grimm team?

DW: It’s a bit of a challenge. I like to do things by the book, but now I have to bend the law sometimes to protect the Wesen of Portland. Nick and Hank are helping me feel my way around though.

RD: Well, good luck with all that, Sergeant. Mind if I talk to Juliette alone?

DW: Go for it. Gotta get back to the trailer anyway. I’m reading up on Dämonfeuer these days.

RD: So, Juliette, you’re the Grimm’s girlfriend and you’ve suddenly undergone a pretty crazy change.

JS: Keep your voice down. This is still pretty private information. But yes, I’ve recently become a Hexenbiest.

RD: Is that common? People can just become Wesen out of nowhere?

JS: Well… this wasn’t quite out of nowhere. To make a very long story short, Adelind Schade put a spell on Nick to take away his Grimm powers. To restore them, I literally needed to become Adelind just like she became me to put the spell on Nick.

RD: Sounds complicated.

JS: You have NO idea! Anyway, one of the side effects seems to be that I became a Hexenbiest, just like Adelind.

RD: How’s that working out for you?

JS: I’m still trying to get a handle on my powers. It isn’t easy when you aren’t just born knowing how to do all this.

RD: And rumor has it, you’re a particularly strong Hexenbiest.

JS: I guess. I mean, I was able to kick Adelind’s butt recently and she’s pretty strong. Plus, I’ve been able to use telekinesis. I can’t really control everything yet but I’m working on it.

RD: Does Nick know?

JS: I just told him. We’ll see how he takes it. I’m scared because Hexenbiests are a Grimm’s natural enemy but I know Nick loves me so we’ll all just have to tune in to find out how it all goes.

RD: Thanks, Juliette.

Make sure you all tune in to NBC when GRIMM returns Friday, March 20 at 8 PM.

Luther

Elba’s list of credits includes his role as practical drug lord Stringer Bell in The Wire, Dunder-Mifflin VIP Charles Miner on The Office and Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

There’s no word yet if we’ll see The Affair’s Ruth Wilson, who plays sexy sociopath and unlikely love interest, Alice Morgan.

FOX also has a U.S. version in the works. Series creator, Neil Cross, will write and serve as executive producer. Elba will also executive produce.

To catch up on Luther, check out the first three seasons on Netflix.

Shooting in London begins this month and the miniseries will air sometime in 2015.

Recappers’ Delight Sits Down with everyone’s favorite tiny blonde vampire slayer… erm, we mean detective, Veronica Mars.

 Recappers’ Delight: So, Veronica… can I call you Veronica?

 Veronica Mars: As Elvis Costello says, “her name was Veronica.”

 RD: Right. You’re having quite the moment in the spotlight. First you proved that Logan Echolls didn’t kill pop star Carrie Bishop and then you found a missing girl during Neptune’s Spring Break season. What have you been up to since then?

 VM: I’ve been living in Neptune, CA for the past few months, working as a private investigator with my father, Keith Mars.

 RD: You turned down a job at a major law firm in New York. Are you giving up that fancy law degree for good?

 VM: What can I say? Being a PI is in my blood. I need to expose the seedy underbelly of good old Neptune.

 RD: But as a lawyer, you could defend Eli “Weevil” Navarro in his upcoming trial.

 VM: And as a PI, I can help prove that the Balboa County Sheriff Department and Sheriff Dan Lamb is completely corrupt and planted a gun on Weevil when he tried to assist Celeste Kane. Besides, Cliff McCormack is the best public defender the county has.

 RD: If you say so. Speaking of Dan Lamb, he’s up for reelection as sheriff but there’s a surprise candidate who just threw her hat into the ring. Do you think Marcia Langdon has a chance?

 VM: The 09ers want to keep Lamb in office. Let’s just say he shouldn’t be able to afford that fancy condo of his. Langdon could win the votes of the rest of Neptune though. Let’s get the PCHers out in full force.

RD: Speaking of the wealthy of Neptune, I’ve heard whispers that the Newport Grand is hiring you to investigate an insurance claim.

 VM: A young woman was raped and left for dead. The last thing she remembers is walking down the stairs from the rooftop bar. I will find out what happened to her one way or another.

 RD:  Can we talk about your personal life? You’ve been seen around town with Logan Echolls, reportedly your boyfriend in high school and college. He’s a naval flyboy these days, right? Must be hard on your relationship.

 VM: No comment.

 RD: You two were seen at an animal shelter. Adopting a dog together?

 VM: Maybe. Everyone still misses Backup. Can we focus on my work?

 RD: You’re also spending a lot of time with Leo D’Amato, another former boyfriend.

 VM: We’re just working on a case together!

 RD: That’s what they all say. Good luck with your new case, Veronica. Your fans are eager to see what you’re up to next!

To keep following Veronica Mars, pick up Mr. Kiss and Tell today!

I feel quite guilty writing these words, but [small voice] I haven’t really gotten into the return of How to Get Away with Murder. During the winter break: I. Could. Not. Wait. Then the show finally returned and the whole thing left me feeling a little meh.

Maybe the series is more mature now, it’s less over-the-top. I really miss the sheer lunacy: the vertigo-inducing camera action, bits and pieces of that same damn conversation over and over and over again, the thump-thump-thump-THUMP score during the ridiculous bonfire scene, the confusing time travel. The show strikes me as a procedural right now. It’s just not the same.

I always rolled my eyes at the Scooby Gang, but now I sort of miss the fun of making fun of them. They are decidedly less fun. Of course the sole reason to watch has always been Viola Davis. Her Annalise Keating is an imperious badass in public, a vulnerable, boozy mess in private and Davis has the chops to make you change your mind about who Annalise is in every scene. Since Annalise is the only compelling regular character and Davis runs acting circles around the rest of the cast, it’s a snooze to watch any scene she’s not in.

What’s been lacking is a worthy opponent with whom she shares chemistry. Davis and Tom Verica, as the shady jackass Sam, sizzled when they were acting the hell out of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” I am thrilled that Marcia Gay Harden has joined the cast as Sam’s suspicious sister, she’s a top-notch actress who can keep up with Davis, no one else on the show can.

I guess I just know that I’ll never get the same thrill as when Annalise stomped into that classroom in her maroon leather jacket and the rapid-fire delivery of the line: “I don’t know what terrible things you’ve done in your life up to this point, but clearly your karma’s out of balance to get assigned my class.” How can the show ever top the way she said: “Howww to Get Awaaaay with Murderrrr?”

On the other hand, maybe by the time 10 p.m. rolls around, I’m just to mentally exhausted from the Scandal craziness. Maybe I just need a good binge-watch, when I’m fresh, to get my head in the game. There’s only a couple of episodes left and I want to fangirl again.

Updated February 20: Billy Brown can hold his own with Davis. The characters should have had more interaction.

Fast forward about 10 years — which included me writing a thesis paper about 90210 in college — and my couch potato tendencies landed me a job writing about TV for a soap opera magazine. There I spent my days critiquing every aspect of soaps from Lucky and Liz’s sweet teen romance on General Hospital to Sami and Lucas’s schemes on Days as they plotted to break up Austin and Carrie.

Much as I enjoyed my job, I wished I could get characters to do what I wanted. I then realized that, duh, I could; I could write a novel and have complete control over my creations. Fired up by the idea of becoming master of my domain (but not in the Seinfeld way), I completed “Revenge of a Band Geek Gone Bad.”  It chronicles the lives of vengeful musicians Melinda and Josh as they take down Mel’s nemesis, Kathy, “Band Geek” has love, hate, lust, blackmail, passion, and redemption; It was inspired by my many, many hours of watching and nitpicking soaps.

When creating Mel’s love interest, Josh, I looked to soaps’ classic antiheroes, those men and women who do the wrong things for the right reasons. Characters like GH’s Sonny or Buffy’s vampire Spike (Mmmm… Spike) often crossed the line and committed questionable acts in the name of love or justice. But you found yourself rooting for them because they cared so fiercely for their friends and family members, and showed signs of becoming redeemed (at least for a little while). Granted, Josh’s misdeeds are tamer (unlike Spike, J never sucks the blood of his victims, at least not in the literal sense), but he still considers himself to be above the law.

The rest of my main characters also have good and bad traits. The narrator, Mel, is our heroine, but Josh brings out her inner bad girl. Kathy is the book’s villainess but has moments of vulnerability and even kindness. Soaps’ most interesting characters fall into this gray area; All My Children’s Erica, Guiding Light’s Reva and Young and Restless’s Victor all committed praiseworthy and cringeworthy acts, but it was their flawed natures which made them so watchable.

As for Mel and Josh’s romance, I looked to AMC/One Life to Live creator Agnes Nixon, who advised: “Make ‘em laugh, make ‘em cry, make ‘em wait.”  At the magazine, we often lamented that soaps moved love stories along too quickly and I didn’t want to fall into that trap with my novel. Instead, I thought of my favorite soap teen couples, which included the aforementioned Lucky and Liz, as well as Days’ Shawn and Belle; the main reason I enjoyed following them was because every beat of their relationships was shown and it took forever for them to hook up.

That said, my teens take more than half the book to do anything romantic. There are plenty of teases and near-misses, but they slooowly go from being partners in crime to friends to something more. By the time they declare their feelings for one another (spoiler alert!), you’re cheering for Josh and Mel because you’ve been there for their entire relationship. You care about these kids getting together and you care about what happens to them as individuals.

Finally, as with soaps, I wanted my readers to keep “tuning in” with each chapter. I end almost every scene with a cliffhanger and drive the story forward throughout the entire novel. Since my book isn’t a serial, it does have an end, but I treated each section as an episode of a show.

Though I left the magazine several years ago, my interest in soaps has stuck with me even as I complete my second novel. I appreciate my parents pushing books, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without my love of television to guide me.

“Revenge of a Band Geek Gone Bad” is available at Amazon 

“Band Geek” is also part of the music-themed novel anthology “Love Notes,” which includes Kira Adam’s “Pieces of Me,” Shane Morgan’s “The Right Song,” and Breigh Forstner’s “Straight From the Heart” “Love Notes” can also be purchased from Amazon.

Do any TV shows make you want to try your hand at writing? Please leave a comment.

The State

Character: Louie

My Favorite Line: “I wanna dip my balls in it!”

Why he was so awesome: In a recurring sketch, Louie is the guy who always thinks his catchprase is appropriate. Jesus isn’t too amused when Judas invites Louie to the Last Supper. Louie whips everyone into a frenzy as they present him with food and drinks that he can — yes  — dip his balls into. Ping-Pong balls, that is. More than twenty years later and the sketch is still funny.

Wet Hot American Summer

Character: Victor Pulak, a camp counselor, is desperate to sleep with fellow counselor, Abby Bernstein.

My Favorite Line: “Wait for me, Abby Bernstein!”

Why he was so awesome: The hair. Need I say more? Well actually, yes. Marino’s awkward Victor delivers a heartfelt rendition of “Danny’s Song” at the wrong moment. Too bad Abby Bernstein is — well — free with her love and doesn’t even remember his name at the end. I’d wait for you any day, Victor Pulak.

Dawson’s Creek

Character: Professor David Wilder

My Favorite Line: “Bad news, you are obviously a writer, which means the torture has just begun.” (Okay, so I was an aspiring writer majoring in fiction writing in college and I really connected with this). “The problem with your story, Joey Potter, is that it ends at the very moment it should begin.”

Why he was so awesome: He gave Joey a C on her story. Imagine someone not fawning over Little Joey Potter the second they laid eyes on her. Sure he went on to be a quasi-romantic interest but he ended things to her dismay in order to protect his career. Marino easily played a dreamboat college professor. He escaped out the window from adoring female students à la Indiana Jones. Well played, sir.

Veronica Mars

Character: Vinnie Van Lowe

My Favorite Line: “Private eyes are watching you…Hall and Oates, Veronica. They wrote the song and now you are living it.”

Why he was so awesome: Marino portrayed Vinny, a shady private detective who passed on cases and occasionally worked with Keith and Veronica Mars. Van Lowe was smarter than he looked. Even Veronica gave him credit when she attempted to bug his office with a pen. He quickly found it and used it as a prop to mock Veronica with an ass-slapping Hall and Oates burn. Marino was taunting Veronica, but treating viewers.

Burning Love

Character: Mark Orlando

Best Line: “I’m looking for someone who can make me laugh, but isn’t afraid of robots.”

Why he was so awesome: Dim-witted, but handsome (like many Bachelor contestants), firefighter Mark Orlando was looking for love. Marino reveled in all the usual clichés, giving out a “hose” to the ladies he wanted to keep seeing, going on one-on-one dates, proposing at the end to one “lucky” lady. Marino perfectly played Orlando as obtuse. When asked if one of his dates made him feel like the only man in the world, he replied, “No, I don’t want to be the only man in the world. That would mean the human population is in danger and I don’t perform well under pressure.” He was also oblivious to Vivian’s pregnancy and didn’t figure out that “exotic” contestant Ken Jeong’s Ballerina wasn’t quite the lady he imagined. Burning Love in general is brilliant but Ken Marino was on fire as Mark Orlando.