RICO RODRIGUEZ IN TORONTO FOR 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

Rico Rodriguez in Toronto - June 2012

Everybody loves Manny! Rico Rodriguez, Star of ABC's Modern Family usually maintains a low profile but Fans got lucky today in front of his Yorkville Hotel as he stopped to pose for Photos with Fans after grabbing some McDonald's with his Mom. Although their intention originally was to take Photos with Fans - stating specifically "No Autographs", things got a little unruly and at last Rodriguez decided only to pose for Photos and wave to Fans.

The Actor is in-town for the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards and actually was just here last June for the CityTV Upfronts promoting his hit TV Series.

See more Snaps below:

CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY CAST IN "SCRUPLES": PILOT TO BE PRODUCED BY NATALIE PORTMAN

Chad Michael Murray in Toronto - December 2011

Finally, they've given a Boy some work! The wonderful Chad Michael Murray, former Star of One Tree Hill, has been cast in an upcoming ABC Pilot titled Scruples, based upon the Novel by Judith Krantz and 1980 Mini-Series. Oscar Winner Natalie Portman will be serving as Executive Producer, while former "It Girl" Claire Forlani will be playing the Lead Role of a powerful Fashion Designer drawn into a world of Fashion, Sex, Scandal and Revenge. Juice-it-up!

Murray has signed-on to play Spider, a Photographer-turned-Creative Director. Am actually rather excited for this and hope it actually gets picked-up!  Maybe Portman will do a Cameo?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"PARANORMAL ACTIVITY" DIRECTOR/WRITER OREN PELI IN TORONTO FOR "THE RIVER"

Oren Peli in Toronto - February 2012

Chances are you've seen at least one installment of the massively popular Paranormal Activity Franchise, but you might not know the face behind the success.  Israeli-American, Oren Peli has had a hand in either writing, producing or directing each of the four installments of Paramount Pictures Horror films and now is setting his sights to Television.  

Peli's new series The River (also co-produced by Steven Spielberg) premieres tomorrow - Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - as a two-hour episode on ABC and CTV in Canada, centering around Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), an Explorer with a Television Show, who ventures to the Amazon.  Him and his Crew never return.  His Son Lincoln (Joe Anderson) and Wife Tess (Leslie Hope) get a little help in their cause to be reunited with Emmet, but will they ever find him and his Crew?  Also, what mysteries will they unravel in the Amazon?

Now kicking into high gear for promotion, Peli made a special appearance doing a Q&A at TIFF Bell Lightbox this evening before an intimate group, later attending a post-screening Reception.  The v. towering Producer/Writer/Director was super-friendly, taking time to pose for Photos with Fans in the Lobby, pleased at the many positive reactions.  The President of Bell Media, Kevin Crull could be heard praising The River as his favourite TV series since 24.

Click here to learn more about The River.

Oren Peli & Mr. Will-W.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MADONNA INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS WITH CYNTHNIA MCFADDEN

Madonna & M.I.A.

Madonna's Interview with ABC's Cynthia McFadden has surfaced in chunks and here she is presenting some highlights of it on Good Morning America earlier today.  The Pop Icon talks about relationships, Lady Gaga, Cooking and her directorial debut W.E., among other pressing things.

On why she was so drawn to the story behind W.E., she reveals, "I wanted to know why King Edward gave up so much for her (Wallis Simpson) and what it must felt like to be loved so much.".  She admits to having been in relationships where the other was willing to sacrifice a lot for her in the past but also says, "I miss that feeling like being part of a Family unit and not having to make all the decisions on my own.".

McFadden asks Madonna why it is that she prefers younger Men and she answers, "I didn't choose to write it on a piece of paper 'I'm now going to have a relationship with a younger Man'", before stating the importance of being with someone her Children can look up to.

Madonna claims never to have cooked a full meal on her own, saying "I don't think I've ever cooked a meal entirely by myself... My Daughter likes to cook, my Son likes to cook.".  When questioned why this is the case by McFadden, she snaps back "Why do I have to do everything?".

Finally opening-up a bit more on the rumoured feud between herself and Lady Gaga, Madonna stated that the first time she heard Born this Way, her initial reaction was that "It feels reductive.". More will be revealed on tonight's airing of 20/20.

Watch the Highlights below:

MADONNA'S ABC INTERVIEW PREVIEW

Still from Madonna Interview on ABC

Whomever edited this Preview for Cynthia McFadden's upcoming Interview with Madonna did a brilliant job. McFadden goes for the jugular asking the Queen of Pop, "What do you think of Lady Gaga?". After a dramatic pause, we hear Madonna reply "Look it up.". 

I'm actually more excited to see what Madonna's Home looks like inside (where a majority of the Interview was filmed) and look forward to seeing more upcoming Interviews as she kicks into high-gear for her directorial debut, W.E. and that new Album!  First Single Gimme all Your Luvin featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. impacts Radio on February 7, 2012.

Bits of the McFadden Interview are being interspersed between ABC's Good Morning America, 20/20 and Nightline from Thursday, January 12 through Friday, January 13, 2012. Check your local listings for times.

Watch this Preview for the Interview:

60 MORE DAYS TIL "OSCARS"

Official 84th Academy Awards One-Sheet

60 more days to go, as per this brand-new Oscars One-Sheet!

(Photo credit: ABC)

CHRISTINA RICCI AT CTV'S 2011 FALL UPFRONTS FOR "PAN AM"

Christina Ricci & Mr. Will-W.

Acclaimed Actress Christina Ricci might be quiet of late, but you can expect that to change in the Fall. Ricci has landed the plum role of Maggie on upcoming ABC series Pan Am, set in the ‘60s. Based on the exciting stories of some Flight Attendants and Pilots for the then-thriving Airline, the Drama Series has been picked-up by CTV here in Canada, as announced yesterday at their 2011 Fall Upfronts.  Co-stars Karine Vanasse (from Quebec), Kelli Garner and Margot Robbie also made appearances.

The pint-sized Actress flew into Toronto from Los Angeles to promote the hotly-tipped Series before a group  of Advertising Executives and Media at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts yesterday. Known for being a bit Fan-shy, Ricci originally had denied me a Photo together, but then changed her mind quickly. “Oh, alright! You came all this way to meet me, but I came 5 hours to meet you!”, she said before giggling and signing my DVD of 2003’s Monster.

Ricci also can be seen this September alongside Robert Pattinson in Bel Ami, a French Historical Drama.

See a Preview of the Series below:

RICO RODRIGUEZ OF "MODERN FAMILY" IN TORONTO FOR CITYTV'S FALL 2011 UPFRONTS

Rico Rodriguez & Mr. Will-W.

In Toronto to promote CityTV's upcoming 2011 Fall Season, 12 year-old Star Rico Rodriguez is one of the few Cast members of ABC's Emmy Award-winning Series Modern Family to visit the City since it graced the airwaves in 2009. You could even say it was overdue. 

Rodriguez, made famous through his role as Manny Delgado, the Son of Jay (Ed O'Neill) and Gloria (Sofia Vergara) had a fantastic year in 2010, being named one of Entertainment Weekly's Entertainers of the Year and also a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

The adorable Actor was not only excited to visit to promote his hit Television Series, but also to spend time with good Friend Madison Pettis, who has been working on Television Series Life with Boys locally.

LADY GAGA ZIP-LINES HER WAY TO "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" CONCERT

Lady Gaga zip-lines her way to Good Morning America Concert

What an entrance! Lady Gaga kicked off ABC's Good Morning America Summer Concert Series earlier today at Central Park in New York City, performing a selection of hits for the Crowd which included some Fans who lined-up two days in advance to see her.  Gaga zip-lined her way to the stage from a cage, before breaking into a performance of Bad Romance, later telling Hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos that performing on Good Morning America is a "dream come true" for her.  

She revealed  being a true New Yorker, that she only grew-up five blocks from the site of the Concert, playing in the Fields of the Park much as a Child.  Commenting on her dramatic entrance, Gaga professed "I live half-way between Reality and Theatre at all times," before adding in her tagline "And I was Born this Way!".

Watch this ABC News Clip below recapping the appearance:

MEET KENDRA WILKINSON IN TORONTO

Kendra Wilkinson

Fresh off her appearance on this just-wrapped season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, Former Playboy Model and Reality Television Star Kendra Wilkinson will be visiting Toronto on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. She will be promoting AB CUTS at GNC - Toronto Eaton Centre. 

The Autograph Signing will take place between 6 to 7:30 PM and the first 200 people in line will get to meet her.  Good luck!

  To follow Wilkinson on Twitter, click here.

(Photo credit: ABC)

DEREK HOUGH IN TORONTO FOR "COBU 3-D" WITH BOA

Derek Hough & Mr. Will-W.

The amazingly-talented Derek Hough whom most of us know from ABC's Dancing with the Stars, is now making his official foray into Film.  And we Torontonians are luckiest to witness it first with his debut starring role in upcoming Dance Flick Cobu 3-D in which he stars alongside Asian Pop Queen BoA.  Hough explains that the word "Cobu" means essentially "dance like drumming, drum like dancing".

Hough arrived in Toronto mid-week and one Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven Reader Cindy was lucky enough to spot him out and about shopping at Eaton Centre's Sephora, stocking up on Beauty & Grooming supplies.  Looking as good as Hough does comes at a premium, you know.

LADY GAGA TO LAUNCH "BORN THIS WAY" TOUR

Lady Gaga in Toronto - March 2011

Although it may be a little ambitious launching yet another Tour while she currently is still touring, Lady Gaga announced that on Friday, May 27, 2011 she will be kicking off her Born this Way Tour on ABC's Good Morning America.  On that morning's broadcast, she will be performing a free Concert.  She will however be taking a few weeks off after The Monster Ball Tour ends in April to recuperate.  Legendary!

Although I've seen her live five times already, including just last month, I will definitely go out and support her again.  One cannot reason with a Monster.  I was Born this Way!

Enter to win a copy of Lady Gaga's Born this Way here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRITNEY SPEARS PERFORMS ON "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" - CONFIRMS TOUR DATES

Britney Spears on Good Morning America

Britney Spears made her big return to the Television this morning on ABC's Good Morning America, performing a few selections off her new Disc, Femme Fatale - in stores today.

Broadcast live from San Franciso's Bill Graham Auditorium, Spears told the audience, "I love Music. It's my World. It's my Everything". Okay, Michael Bublé needs to put in a Copyright Claim on that asap.

Spears also announced that she will be going on Tour with Enrique Iglesias this June.  A Toronto stop-off is slated for Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Air Canada Centre.  Despite original plans to co-headline with Enrique Iglesias, Billboard Magazine has confirmed that he has pulled-out of the Tour.  Details here.

Dates are listed below:

NICK ZANO & LAURA VANDERVOORT IN TORONTO FOR "THE UNTITLED SANTA PROJECT"

Nick Zano & Mr. Will-W.

And all the Girls go screaming.  Yes, that's hunky Nick Zano and he's now in Toronto filming an TV Movie known only as ABC Family's The Untitled Santa Project due later this year for the Holidays.  Although details are pretty nil right now on what the Movie is actually about, we know that Zano stars as a character named David Morretti, while his Toronto-based Co-Star Laura Vandervoort stars as Jennifer Walker.  This is one of two ABC Family Holiday TV Movies being filmed in the City right now alongside 12 Dates of Christmas, which stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Amy Smart. Click here to learn more about that Production.

Filming began just yesterday for The Untitled Santa Project in a Residential area and continued today in an Office setting around Eaton Centre.   And a group of Zano's Female Fan Base in Toronto were out in full force showing their support yesterday which touched him enough to Tweet today, "It was great meeting everyone yesterday, thanks for the love Toronto.".  Aww! 

WIN A SIGNED PHOTO FROM TABRETT BETHELL

I'm definitely feeling the love from you Tabrett Bethell Fans and v. quickly she is on her way to becoming the number one most searched topic on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven.  The beautiful Australian Actress and Model who is well on her way to becoming a familiar name in North America, was spotted in Toronto recently preparing for her role in ABC's new Series Pilot Poe.  

Kindly, she signed a few Photos for my Readers and I'm confident how many of you would just love to have one as a keepsake and testament to your Fandom for the Legend of the Seeker Star.  Of course, the Photo up for grabs isn't personalized "HI WILL....", as it reads only "TABRETT x".

To qualify for the win, please leave a Comment for me indicating what the name "Tabrett" translates to.  One Winner will be picked at random April 15, 2011 - all are welcome to enter.  Good luck, Mavenati!

CHRISTOPHER EGAN IN TORONTO FILMING ABC'S "POE"

Christopher Egan & Mr. Will-W.

At long last, I've found him!  The Cast and Crew of ABC's Poe have set-up camp in downtown Toronto after a couple days of filming out east at Whitby's Trafalgar Castle.  Earlier this evening, a bunch of savvy Fans caught  handsome Australian Actor Christopher Egan, known best for his work in Romantic-Comedy Letters to Juliet and NBC's Kings.  Egan was just finishing a Lunch Break during the late-night shoot with Co-Star Natalie Dormer of BBC's acclaimed The Tudors and upcoming Feature, Captain America: The First Avenger.

Dormer joked, "We're going to have to start charging for Photos you know!" as she posed happily with Fans and signed some Autographs.  Egan, who plays the lead role of Edgar Allen Poe in the Series Pilot, out of concern asked, "How long have you Guys been out here?".  Fortunately it wasn't too frigid out, although surely the rise in temperature and his arrival in the City seem to be a bit of a coincidence, no?

NATALIE DORMER & KEVIN MCNALLY OF ABC'S "POE" SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Natalie Dormer & Mr. Will-W.

ABC's eagerly-awaited Television Series Pilot Poe starts filming tomorrow and I've spotted a few more Cast members in and around town. No luck yet though in sighting its star Christopher Egan, who reportedly has transformed his appearance with darker hair.

I did have the pleasure of meeting lovely The Tudors star Natalie Dormer who will be playing the role of Celeste Chevalier, romantic partner of Edgar Allen Poe (Egan). Dormer who actually is a Blonde originally, was absolutely lovely taking the time to chat for a bit after a day of preparations, telling me that today was a bit hectic as final touches are being completed for tomorrow. She spotted my Hunter Wellingtons and thought brought her a big smile, being a Brit.

Kevin McNally & Mr. Will-W.

Veteran Actor Kevin McNally, a fellow Brit to Dormer, also was spotted today and many of us might remember him for his work more recently in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. He will be playing the role of Kyle Kilpatrick in Poe and he also was v. friendly, chuckling at my complaints of the cold weather in Toronto. "Come on now, you should be used to it by now!", he told me. Well, he does have a point.

I wish the Cast and Crew of Poe all the best with filming as the Series looks superb already in its perfect casting.  Cannot wait to see how it will turn out and I cannot wait to meet The Talented Mr. Egan!

AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS TABRETT BETHELL IN TORONTO FOR ABC'S "POE"

Tabrett Bethell & Mr. Will-W.

Although she might not be familiar now, Tabrett Bethell is a name you really need to keep on your radar.  The beautiful Australian Actress was spotted out and about in Toronto this weekend as she is amidst  Pre-production for ABC's hotly-tipped new Project, Poe.  The Pilot for the Series will be filming in Toronto over the next few weeks and stars handsome Letters to Juliet Star Christopher Egan, a fellow Aussie, as Detective Crime Writer Edgar Allen Poe.  The Tudors' Natalie Dormer also stars.

Bethell who is still getting familiarized with Toronto, crossed paths with me and  after spotting her, she confessed that all she wanted really was to find a proper Juice Shop, after wandering about unable to find one in the area.  In exchange for us taking a Photo together, I put my Blackberry to use helping her locate a Booster Juice in the area and she was thankful, enjoying her Carrot-blend Beverage needed to power her up for a day of work.

She also whispered to me that co-star Egan should be arriving v. soon.  Can't wait!

AMY SMART IN TORONTO FILMING "12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS"

Amy Smart & Mr. Will-W.

It's been a while since we've seen the radiant Amy Smart, but the Star of popular titles like Just Friends, Starsky & Hutch, Road Trip and Crank is now in Toronto filming an ABC Family Holiday Film 12 Dates of Christmas, scheduled to air later this year.

The Film also stars Saved by the Bell and Weeds Star Mark-Paul Gosselaar as a Hockey Coach and it is set to wrap at the end of the month.

I ran into Smart by chance out and about today alone on her day off and she was amazingly sweet to take a Photo together.  The Actress was spotted in Yorkville earlier this week where she was filming a scene on Cumberland Ave.

LADY GAGA ON "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" IN CONDOM OUTFIT

Lady Gaga on Good Morning America

Our beloved Lady Gaga visited ABC’s Good Morning America today, hawking her new LipGlass (not to be confused with Lip Gloss) for the M-A-C AIDS Fund for a second year in a row. Gaga arrived today dressed in a flesh-coloured Condom-inspired outfit to promote AIDS awareness and use of Protection. Fans came from as far as Australia to see her.

In her words, her unusually coloured LipGlass is for, “a Woman or Man of any skin colour to wear”. Check it out here.

On her new Single Born this Way, which already is a massive success, she indicated that the track is “more than about me. It was destined to reach so many people around the world”.

Watch Gaga's appearance below: