Ashley Tisdale to release brand-new album June 16 on Warner Bros. Records!

Ashley Tisdale, singer and actress known to millions as the star of the blockbuster High School Musical series, will release her second album for Warner Bros. Records, entitled Guilty Pleasure on June 16, 2009.

With an edgy, guitar-driven pop-rock sound, Guilty Pleasure is a creative and mature leap forward for this appealing young singer and songwriter, who launched a career as a solo artist with her gold-certified Top 5 rhythmic-pop debut Headstrong in 2007. "Headstrong was a big learning experience, as it was my first album," Tisdale says. "This time I went in knowing exactly what I wanted to do and the message I wanted to put out there, which is that I'm 23 and I'm not just the cute, bubbly blonde girl you know from Disney. I have a tougher side and I love rock music, which are things people probably don't know about me. On each album you get to share with the world who you are as a person, and I wanted my fans to see another side to me. This album really reflects who I am at this point in my life."

Guilty Pleasure is indeed an authentic reflection of a girl growing up and speaking her mind on songs like the first single "It's Alright, It's OK" — a spunky break-up anthem about being single and in control of your life for the first time. "I love break-up songs," Tisdale admits. "On this album, I put to rest a lot of baggage from a previous relationship by venting about the frustration. Everyone can relate to those moments. That song is about how you need to stand up for yourself and not let someone walk all over you; it's a message I wanted to get across to other girls."

Working with a host of top-flight producers and songwriters, such as Kara DioGuardi (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood), Toby Gad (Beyoncé, Fergie), Billy Steinberg (Madonna), Emanuel Kiriakou (David Archuleta, Nick Lachey), and Swedish production team Twin (who co-wrote the Headstrong singles "Not Like That" and "Be Good To Me"), Tisdale co-wrote several tracks on Guilty Pleasure, including the feisty "Acting Out," whose lyrics could serve as the album's mission statement: "Let me out of this cage / I'm not gonna hold back / I'm gonna break these chains / I'm taking control now / Gonna give you something to talk about / It's another side of me I'm acting out." She also co- wrote the propulsive "Overrated," about not changing your personality for a guy, and two ballads "What If" and "Me Without You." Another album highlight is the slinky, confident "Masquerade," perhaps the most sophisticated song Tisdale has recorded to date.

"I'm growing up and this is music I would listen to," Tisdale says. "On this record, I'm not catering to anyone other than to who I am as a person. I think all of these songs have a message and a story that anyone can relate to. I couldn't sing them if I didn't connect with them myself."

Guilty Pleasure's first single, "It's Alright, It's OK," ships to Top 40 radio on April 14 — the same day it will be available for purchase via digital retailers.

Here is a sneak peek at the first single, "It's Alright, It's OK":



For more on Ashley Tisdale, please visit her official website: www.ashleytisdale.com.

New Black Eyed Peas Single 'Boom Boom Pow' Digital Release!

FIRST SINGLE FROM MULTI-PLATINUM GROUP'S FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM THE E.N.D. WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DIGITAL DOWNLOAD BEGINNING TODAY

"Boom Boom Pow" is the first single from The Black Eyed Peas' upcoming fifth studio album The E.N.D., which is due from Interscope Records on June 9th, 2009. The E.N.D. is the Peas' first album of new material since 2005's blockbuster Monkey Business, which sold more than nine million copies worldwide and spawned the Grammy Award-winning singles "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "My Humps."

For more information on The Black Eyed Peas visit the band's official website: www.blackeyedpeas.com.

CASIO Launches New Camera Line, CASIO EXILIM!

With the recent launch of the high-tech Casio Exilim camera series, Casio have paired their multi-faceted technology with a viral video series, created by iNDELIBLE. The video series illustrates a sense of humor, creativity and passion for the digital age.

The cameras boast a fan-coined “time travel” function and Casio’s patented “High-Speed Burst” technology breaking down frames per second to 1200 in one shot!

No other cameras are able to shoot video or stills at such high frame rates with the price points that they have. Continuing with the advanced frame-rate technology and the built-in green-screen functions rolled out in the EX-F1 and EX-FH20, the award-winning EXILIM line now offers the EX-FS10 and EX-FC100 with a more sleek and stylish body.

Check out Casio Viral Videos here:
http://exilim.casio.com/gallery.shtml

So many new ways to capture perfect images and video. See all features here: http://www.exilim.casio.com/features.shtml

Find out which Casio Exilim is right for you, compare up to 3 models at one time. Compare price, zoom, resolution, size and much more here:
http://exilim.casio.com/config.shtml

Beyonce's "DIVA" is America's #1 Dance Record!

Pop superstar Beyoncé has rocketed to the #1 slot on the Billboard Dance Single Club Play chart with "Diva," the latest single from her best-selling I AM...SASHA FIERCE album.

Released as a digital download and CD single on January 20, 2009, "Diva" has already been certified as a Gold ringtone by the RIAA.

Cowritten and produced by Beyoncé, the irresistibly hypnotic dance track provocatively redefine "Diva" as the "female version of a hustla."

After reaching #5 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, "Diva" shot up the Hot 100 to #19, earning Beyoncé her 16th Top 20 single. A genuine crossover success, "Diva" has reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, #3 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"If I Were A Boy," the first single from I AM...SASHA FIERCE, held down the #1 spot on the Billboard/iLike digital chart for 16 straight weeks, the longest run in the history of the chart.

Jim Jones News and Information!

March 24 - CD In-Stores - Pray IV Reign

Pray IV Reign features the GOLD #1 Urban single, "POP CHAMPAGNE" as well as "Na Na Nana Na Na," "Precious," and "Frienemies".


March 24-28 - Play dates begin - Hip-Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones

Hip Hop’s most talked about theatrical production is coming back to the stage by overwhelming demand. Produced by Sony Entertainment, Damon Dash, and J Kyle’s Korner Entertainment, Hip Hop Monologues: Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones, the critically acclaimed artistic listening set to stage, will open for the first time to the public at the 37 Arts Theater in New York City and will play for a limited edition run of six performances.

Starting at $40, tickets to Hip Hop Monologues are available beginning March 10, 2009 via ticketmaster.com. Performances run from Tuesday March 24th to Friday March 27th at 8 PM with two final performances on Saturday March 28th at 7 PM and 10 PM. The 37 Arts Theater is located at 450 West 37th Street in NYC.

Accompanied by a live band conducted by Om’Mas Kieth of SA-RA and an ensemble of professional actors, Jim performs songs from his new album in the context of a scripted story. The plot is straight-forward and peripherally autobiographical: rapper Jim Jones, having garnered worldwide fame, returns to Harlem to interact with characters from his past: a preacher, his son’s mother, a police detective, jealous enemies, even Jim himself as a younger man. After almost getting killed in an impromptu dice game, Jim is counseled by an old school elder on how to endure the stresses of being famous and the great responsibility of teaching the next generation. Later Jim finds himself having to make the decision of his life by either taking his elder’s wise advice or returning to his street ways and risk losing it all. Several roles will be portrayed by contributors to Pray IV Reign.

May 12 - DVD In-Store - This is Jim Jones

A documentary film chronicling his rise from the Bronx and the streets of Harlem as a founding member of the pioneering hip-hop collective the Diplomats to become one of the genre's most profoundly influential executives and important artists.

Here is the trailer:



For additional information on Jim Jones, Hip Hop Monologues or Pray IV Reign, please visit www.jimjonesofficial.com.

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Jim Jones In NYC!

Come to the Virgin Megastore Union Square Café & meet Jim Jones during the release of his latest CD “Pray IV Reign” on March 24, 2009 @ 4:00 PM. Jim will only be signing copies of “Pray IV Reign”.

Purchase a copy of Jim’s latest CD (regular or deluxe edition) beginning March 24 @ 9 AM and receive a wristband for this very special signing.

Time and space are limited so please arrive early.

The Penguins of Madagascar Premieres March 28 on Nickelodeon!

The Penguins of Madagascar Premieres Saturday, March 28 at 9:30 p.m. Following Nickelodeon’s 22nd Annual Kids’ Choice Awards!

About The Show:
The series features the all-new adventures of Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private, four penguins who take command at their Central Park Zoo home. While the brothers have their flippers full keeping their multi-species zoo neighborhood happy, at times their secret missions beckon them to venture out to New York City’s busy subways and sewer systems. Just as the team thinks it has its urban acreage under control, a new neighbor moves in next door: Julien, a party animal and self-proclaimed “King of the Lemurs,” with an entourage and overactive ego. Throughout the season, new animals will be introduced as well as old friends from the “Madagascar” theatrical films.

In the premiere episode, “Launchtime” (airing March 28) finds the penguins vacationing on the Moon after being completely frustrated by their pushy, loud and obnoxious lemur neighbors. As they arrive by homemade rocket, they meet a “moon cat” who has strange plans for Skipper and the penguins. Also in this episode, “Haunted Habitat” introduces viewers to Marlene, the otter, who is awakened by a spooky noise. She and Skipper then travel down to the sewer below the zoo and confront the mysterious “monster” to stop its creepy howling for good.


The network will then feature two weeks of primetime premieres weeknights at 8:00 – 8:30 PM (ET/PT) from Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 10. Andy Richter (Late Night with Conan O’ Brien) and Tom McGrath (co-created the penguins characters and directed both Madagascar films) reprise their roles as Mort and Skipper from the feature films, and Nicole Sullivan(MadTV) rounds out the ensemble voice-over cast.

In support of the launch, TurboNick, the network’s broadband player, will stream Instant Replays of episodes post premiere, as well as short form content. Nick.com will also roll out The Penguins of Madagascar-themed mini site (Nick.com/penguins) that will feature a personality quiz, e-cards, downloads, printables and messages boards. For three weeks prior to the premiere of The Penguins of Madagascar the mini site will launch a new mini-game each week. The games will enlist players to help the penguins create devices and vehicles that will get them to the Kids’ Choice Awards on time. The site will also feature several Games of the Week throughout 2009.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central Downloadable Content Now Available!

Rockstar Games is proud to announce that the Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central Map Expansion and South Central Premium Upgrade are now available for download on the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace and PlayStation®Network (PSN).

The South Central Map Expansion is free to all owners of Midnight Club: Los Angeles and adds four iconic neighborhoods equal to one third of the game’s original map. The South Central Premium Upgrade, which can be purchased for 800 MS points (Xbox LIVE) or $9.99 (PSN), gives players access to nine brand new cars ranging from SUVs to classic lowriders, complete with custom parts and body kits for each. Also included are 26 new races, 12 battle maps, 10 delivery missions, and over 100 red light races taking place in South Central. All of the races and events will expand the game’s story progression and are seamlessly integrated with the existing career elements.


Players can take to the streets of South Central during Rockstar’s “Game With Fame” weekend on March 22, and again with developers from Rockstar San Diego on Sunday, March 29. Jump on Xbox LIVE between 1pm and 5pm PST on March 22 and join Felli Fel, DJ Pooh, Glasses Malone and more from the Los Angeles Dub Show.

The South Central Map Expansion and South Central Premium Upgrade require players to have the full version of Midnight Club: Los Angeles for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Xbox LIVE membership or a full version for the Sony PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and a PSN account to download. The South Central Map Expansion and South Central Premium Upgrade for Midnight Club: Los Angeles are rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

Here is the game trailer:


For more information, log onto http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclubLA/southcentral/.

LIONSGATE FEASTS ON THE HUNGER GAMES!

LIONSGATE, the leading next generation studio, announced today that it has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the film version of Suzanne Collins’ best selling futuristic young adult novel THE HUNGER GAMES. Collins will adapt the screenplay from her novel, the first in a trilogy.

“The Hunger Games” was published by Scholastic last year, and has been singled out for raves by “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer. The trilogy’s eagerly anticipated second installment, “Catching Fire,” is due out September 1, 2009.

Lionsgate President of Motion Picture Production, Alli Shearmur, will oversee the production for the studio, along with Lionsgate Senior Vice President of Motion Picture Production, Jim Miller.

Said Shearmur, “THE HUNGER GAMES is an incredible property and it is a thrill to bring it home to Lionsgate. This is the exactly the kind of movie I came to Lionsgate to make: youthful, exciting, smart and edgy. We are looking forward to working with Nina and Suzanne to create a movie that satisfies audiences’ hunger for high-quality entertainment.

Said Jacobson, “I am thrilled to have Lionsgate as a partner in THE HUNGER GAMES. The suspense of THE HUNGER GAMES is heightened by its spirit of moral inquiry, and Suzanne has entrusted Lionsgate and me to bring that moral perspective to the adaptation – a charge we fully intend to honor.”

SYNOPSIS

A dystopic Capitol requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl who are forced to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. When Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen in the lottery, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Although persevering through hardship is commonplace for Katniss, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love in order to win the games and return home.

Since its publication in September 2008, Suzanne Collins's award-winning novel “The Hunger Games” has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for 25 consecutive weeks to date, and rights for 32 foreign-language editions have been licensed. “The Hunger Games” won the 2008-9 Cybils Award for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction. It was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2008; a 2008 Horn Book Fanfare Book; a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2008; a School Library Journal Best Book of 2008; a 2008 Booklist Editors' Choice; a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice; and a Kirkus Best Book of 2008.
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I am super excited about the movie, are you?

"The City" Season Finale Sneak Peek Clips!

On the season finale:
During NY Fashion Week, Whitney and Olivia compete for new responsibilities, and Whitney confronts Olivia about the Elle cover pull. Adam confronts Erin when she meddles in his relationship with Allie. Allie considers giving Adam another chance. Whitney gets advice from Diane von Furstenberg about her relationship with Jay ending with a moment no one saw coming... not even Whitney.

Here are some sneak peek clips from “The City” season finale:

Whitney & Lauren phone call:
Whitney starts to question her decision to move to NYC and turns to her old friend, Lauren, for encouragement and support:



Whitney & Diane von Furstenberg:
Whitney confides in Diane von Furstenberg her relationship woes with Jay and Diane offers advice:



The season finale will air this Monday, March 16 at 10pm ET/PT on MTV.

Gossip Girl Returns March 16!

March 16's episode: "The Age of Dissonance"

The Constance Billard and St. Jude seniors put on a production of "The Age of Innocence" and find their personal lives mirroring conflicts in the play. Serena (Blake Lively) develops a crush on the play's director, Julian (guest star Harmon Walsh), and enlists Vanessa's (Jessica Szohr) knowledge of theater to help her get the otherwise uninterested guy’s attention. Blair (Leighton Meester) receives devastating news about her future that leads her on a witch-hunt for the person responsible. Dan (Penn Badgley) and Rachel (guest star Laura Breckenridge) agree to stay away from each other in the aftermath of being discovered as more than teacher and student, but find it impossible to keep that promise. Chuck (Ed Westwick) enlists help from an unlikely source, his nemesis Carter Baizen (guest star Sebastian Stan). Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen and Matthew Settle also star. Norman Buckley directed the episode written by Jessica Queller.

Gossip Girl "The Age of Dissonance" Trailer:

DVD Review: Strawberry Shortcake “Happily Ever After”!

Studio: 20th Century Fox
Format: Animated, Color
DVD Release Date: February 3, 2009
Number of discs: 1
Rating: Not Rated
Run Time: 45 minutes

Review:
Get ready for some berry fun with Strawberry Shortcake and friends. In “Happily Ever After”, they put a twist on two beloved fairy tales.

In “Sleeping Beauty”, Branbleberry Fairy feels neglected so she casts a spell on baby Princess Strawberry Rose that makes her sleep. The Princesses fairy friends, Appleberry, Orangeberry, Rainbowberry, Gingerberry and Tangerinaberry try to wake her up and fail. Now it is up to Prince Huckleberry to save the day.

In “A Princess named Rap”, Princess Rapunzel’s (Rainbow Sherbet) teacher wants Rapunzel to be the perfect princess. That means Rapunzel isn’t suppose to cartwheel, climb or love ships and navigation. But when the teacher is in danger at sea, will Rapunzel’s knowledge of navigation pay off?

This movie is very cute. I love that Strawberry movies always give great lessons in friendship. This DVD’s lessons includes the importance of listening and being yourself. Aside from the two fairy tales, the DVD has downloadable coloring pages and a memory book about the characters.

The packaging of “Happily Ever After” is adorable. The DVD has two alternate front and back covers. Also the DVD includes three Valentine’s Day cards.

Strawberry Shortcake’s “Happily Ever After” is an enjoyable DVD and is sure to bring a berry good time!

Strawberry Shortcake’s “Happily Ever After” is available on Amazon.com!

Race to Witch Mountain - In Theaters Tomorrow!

Race to Witch Mountain is a thrilling action-adventure about a hard luck Las Vegas cab driver Jack Bruno (DWAYNE JOHNSON), whose life is thrown into chaos when apparent ‘runaway’ teenagers Sara (ANNASOPHIA ROBB) and Seth (ALEXANDER LUDWIG) jump into his taxi. He soon realizes his two fares are children with exceptional paranormal powers whom he must protect as they elude a collection of ruthless enemies.

Here are some stills from the movie:

Here is the official trailer:

WWE Legends of WrestleMania Playable Demo Available for Download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Network!

The WWE Legends of WrestleMania playable demo will allow players to participate in an exhibition match with Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Bobby “the Brain” Heenan using the WrestleMania III arena. Players can also watch a highlight reel of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock from WrestleMania XV before completing in-ring objectives to faithfully relive their historic match.


“Our playable demo for WWE Legends of WrestleMania will allow consumers to embrace the game’s unique look and feel in several ways prior to our scheduled launch on March 24,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, publishing, THQ. “We look forward to seeing how our fans will relive, rewrite, and redefine WWE history with this brand new videogame experience.”

“As we approach launch, we are pleased to offer a free downloadable demo for WWE Legends of WrestleMania,” said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “The game’s incredible roster and key features are certain to attract a wide audience.”

WWE Legends of WrestleMania is scheduled for release on March 24, 2009 for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3.

Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360/Capcom Event Photos!

Xbox 360 and Capcom held an exclusive preview event in Los Angeles with SA Studios and Mister Cartoon for “Resident Evil 5,” which has a new home on the Xbox 360.

Attendees from EXTRA! TV host and Sugar Ray front-man Mark McGrath and Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs to rock band Lostprophets and reality TV star Rob Kardashian teamed up to play “Resident Evil 5” together on the special edition red Xbox 360 consoles that will be available in limited numbers to consumers starting March 13. As the next blockbuster on Xbox 360, “RE5” will also allow players to meet up with two-player co-op on Xbox LIVE.

EXTRA! TV host and Sugar Ray front-man Mark McGrath tries to contain his excitement as he receives his exclusive “Resident Evil 5” Xbox 360 red console at a preview event for the game in Los Angeles.

Rock band Lostprophets playing “Resident Evil 5”.
Celebrity jeweler Ben Baller, EXTRA! host Mark McGrath and Cyprus Hill’s DJ Muggs at the “Resident Evil 5” preview event.


Reality TV star Rob Kardashian plays “Resident Evil 5” and takes a picture with the special edition red Xbox 360 console.


Special edition red Xbox 360 console that will be available in limited numbers to consumers starting March 13.

“Resident Evil 5” is scheduled for release on March 13, 2009.

"Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and "Candy Girls" Premieres This Sunday on E!

"Keeping Up with the Kardashians" Are Back!

E! brings viewers back into the glamorous and chaotic world of the Kardashian family when the third season of the hit series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" premieres Sunday, March 8 at 10:00 pm ET/PT.

Keeping Up With The Kardashians Season Three Trailer:

A New Series Premieres After The Premiere of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians"! This Series Is Called “CANDY GIRLS”!

"Candy Girls" takes viewers inside the sexy and explosive lives of the hottest hip hop video divas to reveal what their lives are really like. "Candy Girls" premieres Sunday, March 8 at 10:30pm ET/PT.

"Candy Girls" trailer:

So on Sunday March 8th, be sure to watch "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" at 10 pm ET/PT followed by "Candy Girls" at 10:30 pm ET/PT only on E!.

Burn Notice Season 2 Finale TONIGHT!

Tonight is the Season Finale!

Here is another Scene from Season 2 Finale:



Watch the Burn Notice Season 2 Finale TONIGHT at 10pm/9c on USA NETWORK! In the explosive season finale, Michael learns some surprising facts about Victor's past, and is forced to take on Carla in a final showdown.

Burn Notice Season 2 Finale Photos and Scene!

Season 2 Finale Photos:

Scene from Season 2 Finale:

NOTE: Stay tuned for another Scene from the Finale!

Watch the Season Finale on the USA Network, Thursday March 5th at 10pm/9c.

Burn Notice Promo and Season 2 Finale Photos!

Here are some photos from the finale:

Here is the Season 2 finale promo:

NOTE: Stay tuned for more photos and two scenes from the finale!

Watch the Season Finale on the USA Network, Thursday March 5th at 10pm/9c.

The Smurfs Volume 1 : On sale TODAY!

The Smurfs Volume 1 Features Five Super-Smurfy Episodes and Bonus Material!

Studio: Warner Bros.

Episodes:
S-Shivering S-Smurf
Turncoat Smurf
The Smurf Who Couldn't Say No
The Haunted Castle
The Black Hellebore

Synopsis:
The Smurfs are a group of over 100 bluish, three-apple tall creatures who live in the mushroom homes of Smurf Village. They are led by 543-year-old Papa Smurf (who doesn't look a day over 530). Their lives would be perfect were it not for the villainous Gargamel, a wizard who spends his days trying to capture them to eat, turn into gold, or for other evil reason. Gargamel's cat Azrael adds to the menace, always looking for a smurfalicious snack. It’s Smurfs Vol. 1: True Blue Friends, the Emmy-winning animated series [Outstanding Childrens Entertainment Series 1982-83] that delighted Saturday morning cartoon fans for nearly a decade.

Special Features:
Meet the Smurfs - an interactive menu page with four selectable items that launch videos of your favorite Smurfs moments.

Awards:
EMMY - OUTSTANDING ANIMATED PROGRAM

Here is a great video from the DVD:

Arizona Hosts WrestleMania® XXVI!

The University of Phoenix Stadium will host WrestleMania XXVI on Sunday, March 28, 2010.

WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza is a coveted event for any major city. The pay-per-view event will be televised to more than 100 countries. WrestleMania XXIV pumped $50 million into the local Orlando economy in 2008 and set the Citrus Bowl attendance record with 74,635 fans from all 50 states, five Canadian provinces and 21 countries.

This year’s 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania will take place in Houston’s Reliant Stadium on April 5th where it is expected to set the stadium attendance record.

Visitors from around the world are expected to travel to Arizona and participate in a week’s worth of activities that will culminate with WrestleMania XXVI. Among the activities will be WrestleMania Axxess, WWE Hall of Fame, WrestleManiArt™ exhibition, Monday Night Raw®, and WrestleMania “Rocks the Block” street party. The University of Phoenix stadium was chosen after a year long bid process. This marks the first time the Glendale/Phoenix area has hosted WrestleMania.

Burn Notice's Tricia Helfer Interview Transcript!

On Thursday, March 5, 2009, Burn Notice will air it's second season finale.
Tricia Helfer, who plays Carla, was nice enough to participate in conference call.

Here is the full Tricia Helfer conference call transcript:

Will there be a conclusion to the number six?

There definitely is, yes. For the first time I find out after five years of filming what that relationship is, so there will be a conclusion by the finale, yes.

When you joined the cast of Burn Notice, was there instant chemistry when everyone came together, or did it take some time to develop?

I’d say there was instant chemistry, but it was really only, I really only worked with Jeffrey Donovan. I met Gabrielle and I met Bruce and worked with him a little bit. Bruce is just such an easy going guy it’s impossible not to get along with him, and Gabrielle is really sweet. Jeffrey had actually emailed me prior to going down there the first time to welcome me and say he was excited that I was joining the show. So I went down knowing it was going to be a great cast to work with and they didn’t let me down, they were just really wonderful to work with.

What have you found the most challenging aspect of your role as Carla?

I think the most challenging aspect was actually similar to sort of the first question about Battlestar, it’s kind of not knowing the end. With Carla, I didn’t know who Carla worked for. I didn’t know who management was the entire time I filmed, so you’re just kind of filling in the blanks yourself, but at the same time you don’t really want to say, okay, this is who it is or make too strong of a back story yourself in case it is revealed. But that I’d say was the hardest thing is Carla being pretty much as elusive to me as the actor as she is to the audience.

Can you tell us, what is your involvement beyond the season finale next week? Are you on board for next season?

I’m not on board for next season, no. As I like to say, I was the baddie of the second season, so yes, my last two episodes are this week and the finale, March 5th.

Okay, so what can you tell us about those two episodes? What kind of resolution might we get?

I think the first two episodes back from the midseason hiatus definitely showed that Carla had been taken by surprise a bit, she’s been rattled, which she’s not used to. It definitely comes to a culmination in the finale where she’s been trying to get information from Michael Westen about who tried to kill him, who tried to blow up his apartment, and it really comes to a culmination with management breathing down her back. And she’s put her neck on the line in terms of vouching for Michael Westen and Michael hasn’t really fully come up with anything to help her out, so it comes to a culmination point in the finale.

Can you tell us a little bit about how you first got involved with Burn Notice?

I first got involved with the very rare, but very wonderful situation where you get offered a job. I was up in Vancouver filming Battlestar and I was approached by my agent or my manager about the job. I actually hadn’t seen it, the show, because being in Canada a lot in Vancouver filming Battlestar, Burn Notice doesn’t air up there yet, unfortunately. So they sent me DVDs and I was hooked from the first episode and gladly signed on to join in for the second season. But it came in as an offer and I was hooked from the first episode.

Carla, she’s quite mysterious and so is Vick on Battlestar and they both have this great power and you don’t want to cross them. But I was wondering do you prefer to play these types of characters, or have you found it a little hard to branch out and not be thought of this ass-kicking destroyer of the human race?

I’d rather play an ass-kicking destroyer or a super strong spy or agent than some meek, vulnerable character. But it’s definitely, I don’t want to get type cast as one thing, and that’s certainly some of the other things I’ve been doing in hiatus, doing other roles, although I have one coming up where I’m an ass-kicking spy, so I don’t know about that. I don’t know how well my not being type cast is going, but they’re great shows. I’m super happy to be part of them. I think it’s important as I go to some of my next jobs maybe are a different take, a different type of character, but they’re certainly fun characters to play. They’re smart. They’re strong. Who wouldn’t want to play a strong female character?

I heard you talking earlier that you’re not going to be in the third season. I’m sorry to hear about that. My question is more about Michael and Carla. I’ve noticed as the series has gone on and she tended to let her guard down and started to trust Michael more. Even though your character is not going to be in the third season, are we probably going to find out more about Carla’s character in that terms about how her and Michael are working together?

You’ll get to see a little bit. You do see her, Carla, soften a little bit. She’s been rattled and she needs to rely on Michael a little bit more and she puts some trust in him. So she’s hoping that he doesn’t let her down. And like I mentioned before, she has management breathing down her back, so she’s definitely putting some trust in Michael and hoping that he steps up to the bar. But you really don’t learn—Carla still stays pretty elusive to the audience even through the finale. She’s certainly not—her whole history is not going to be revealed.

Can you talk about how her organization breathing down her neck, are we going to find out more about what the organization is?

You’re definitely going to get a big clue, a big hint in the finale about who management is. I won’t say for sure if you’re going to find out who, what the organization is, but there will be another piece to the puzzle and you will definitely meet Carla’s higher ups, you will meet management, yes.

I actually want to get a little more higher level and have you talk about how you’ve managed your career from being discovered as a model in Alberta those many years ago and playing the role in Battlestar and having management and agents who are actually seeking roles on shows like Burn Notice and Chuck. So how have you managed that career path?

To be honest, it is the career path that I never thought I would be going down. When I was in high school I thought I was going to university into psychology. As you said, I was discovered by a model scout and I thought I’d give that a try. Cut to ten years later, eight years later, I had a great career, but feeling like I wanted more and definitely something more intriguing for the mind. So I started acting classes just on a whim, thinking it would help with commercial auditions while I modeled for another year or two. And then I figured I’d probably—I was in the finding out stage of what I was going to do and was I going to go back to university or what, and got into an acting class and absolutely fell in love with it from the first class.

I modeled for another two years and took night classes in New York City and then moved out of New York and moved to LA and a year later got Battlestar. So it’s building blocks and it’s a career, I started at the bottom again, a new career and just building your way up. I’m happy that I have agents and managers that believe in me. So it’s a normal process that anyone takes if you’re not born into it or have any kind of dealings with the business, you start out and you work hard and hopefully things fall your way.

So what are your aspirations for acting beyond this? You’re doing some guest starring roles and things here and there. What have you got your fingers in that you can look forward to in the future?

Well, I’m right in the middle of pilot season right now. It’s my first year in five years of being available because of Battlestar now being finished. I got Battlestar in my first year of acting, so definitely being on a show, it’s amazing to be on a show, you want to be on a show, but it also limits what you can do with your hiatus when you’re shooting 22 episodes a year of a show.

Now is really the first pilot season and I’m actually in negotiations right now with a pilot that I’m quite excited about, but it’s a little too early to stake my claim on it yet until everyone has signed on the dotted line. But yes, I’m looking, as one of the callers earlier asked about varying roles and I’m definitely looking for my next project to be something that’s a little bit different. First off, I’ll be playing a human and not a spy. But yes, I’ll be looking for something that varies the roles up.

We’re big, huge, Chuck fans. We would like to know, you have an episode coming up where you’re going to be in the spy field again. We wanted to know what the similarities and differences between Carla and your Chuck character will be.

I think the differences are really in the tone of the show. Burn Notice is a show that definitely has some levity to it and it’s a fun show, but it’s also, you fully believe, you’re fully invested that Michael Westen does this stuff. You want Michael Westen on your team. With Chuck, obviously it just takes it another step further into the comedy side and it’s definitely a little lighter and fun. So with Carla, obviously they’re both super strong intelligent agents, but I think with agent Alex Ford as my Chuck character, it’s just a little bit more tongue in cheek. She’s much more like Casey. She’s very by the book. She’s very no nonsense, kind of emotional, which sounds similar to Carla, but Carla—they’re both kind of bad asses, I guess, when you’re looking back at it. But Chuck just has a little bit more tongue in cheek.

You’re allowed to be a little bit more—you can be straighter on Chuck, …Alex Ford could be straighter and I worried less about showing dimensions to the character because that was the humor about the character. She is so one note emotionalist. With Carla, my concern with her was making sure that because you really never find out too much about her, making sure that she’s not just super agent bitch spy and that’s it, that you get glimpse into a bit of a vulnerability or a bit of a humanity, other than just being super strong.

After years of watching you manipulate Gaius Baltar, describe the different and the challenge in trying to manipulate Michael Westen, who resists a little more than Gaius did.

Yes, he does resist a little more than Gaius. They’re both incredibly intelligent characters, but with Gaius, Number Six never had to worry of him outsmarting her. Even though he’s obviously the genius scientist, he’s so genius he’s a little bit socially inept in some ways and Michael Westen isn’t. He’s so adept at becoming other people and other characters for his work that you want to be concerned that you’re not being taken advantage of or that he’s not pulling a fast one over on you, so to speak. Baltar is a little bit more, you see what you get.

What was it like when you shot your last episode for Battlestar Galactica?

Shooting the last episode is intense, not only do emotions run really high because obviously this is the last time you’re working with a lot of these people and you become like family over five years, but it’s also very intense because last episodes tend to come in very long. I think we had a four hour script in a two hour time frame to shoot that we were maybe given a couple of extra days. So we really shot incredibly long hours and everybody was kind of like zombies at the end of it. So it’s intense, emotions are really high, but it’s also a wonderful feeling, it’s a great feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie, too.

Professionally as an actor, you said that you made the jump from modeling to acting. What was the biggest challenge you faced in making that transition?

To be honest, to be taken seriously. Models have a stigma that they can’t act. You’re also, to be quite blunt, you’re tall and not a lot of actors are tall and when you are starting out you’re obviously not the first one cast, so you’re trying to fit into a mold. You’re quite often not cast as the quirky best friend, but you don’t have the experience to be cast as the lead. So it can be really tricky. One of the biggest things is just to get your people, so to speak, your agents and managers to take you seriously. That’s one of the issues I had when I came out to LA.

I was with an agency in New York, joined the agency out here and they just wanted to put me up for walk by in a bikini role kind of thing, and that’s certainly not me because I’m not built like Carmen Electra or Pamela Anderson, so I found I was in a weird spot of not getting sent out for the roles that I wanted. That’s when you have to just take charge and you walk into the agency and say, “I want to go on this.”

You just have to be persistent. I think that’s one of the biggest things about this industry and this career is being persistent and believing in yourself and also being ready when the timing is right. So much of it is about timing and luck, so to be ready when you get the opportunity.

I was going to ask you, you’re Canadian, which I didn’t realize, and I was wondering if you had to work hard to sound non-Canadian in some of your roles or it just came naturally from all your modeling and traveling around internationally.

I’ve been living, I’ve lived in New York since I was 18 years old and traveled pretty much all over the world. I guess my accent just disappeared on its own. I didn’t consciously do it, but by the time I had started acting, I sounded American. Most people actually guess me as a little bit Southern than Canadian. So I didn’t have to consciously lose it, no. Although when I do go back to Canada, I’m around the Canadian crews for a while or I go back to my parents’ farm for while, I come back sounding a little more Canadian, the out and about starts coming out. My general speaking now doesn’t have any Canadian accent in it.

Is there anything else you tell us about your last two episodes on Burn Notice without giving too much away?

It’s kind of hard without giving too much away. I will say I’m really excited to see the last episode. There’s a great stunt at the end that I’m just so excited to see. It’s not even my stunt, but I’m really excited to see it and I think it’s going to be a great finale. It really comes to a culmination point and Carla has kind of had it with Michael Westen and she realizes he’s just basically run her around in circles after she’s put some trust into him that he’s going to find the bomber and help give her the name, which essentially is a rogue agent, but she knows it is, and he disappoints her, so it comes to a culmination.

Basically as we still don’t know whether Chuck is going to be renewed for a third season or not, I did want to know if the role that you play, is it sort of open ended, so that if Chuck does come back for a third season you might consider doing another episode?

Oh, definitely, yes, if it does comes back, and I expect it to, it’s a great show, so I hope it comes back, yes, it’s definitely open ended in terms of I could come back. Agent Alex Forrest is alive at the end of the episode and she could always come back, but I don’t expect to come back, certainly not on a regular basis, but I’d certainly sign to coming on again and shaking things up. I think she may have a little thing for Casey at the end of the episode, so if she comes back, it would be fun to come back and explore that because Casey doesn’t get very much action.

Now that you’ve done Battlestar Galactica and Burn Notice, what was it like working with Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell on Battlestar? Were those experiences a little bit different than working with Jeffrey Donovan and Bruce Campbell?

Yes and no. I’d say they’re very similar because they’re all very talented and very professional people, there’s no diva attitudes, and it’s really about the work and the craft and they’re incredibly hard working. Starting, when I started Battlestar, Eddie and Mary had been in the business for a long time and Emmy nominated, Oscar nominated. It was just an incredible experience to be able to work with them. For all of the younger cast on Battlestar it was wonderful to have these two kind of helm the show and you got to really see what two people who are so talented, how their passion to the work goes and how much work they put into it and how much dedication.

It was very similar going down to Burn Notice and you have that same vibe with people that are just—they love the show they’re working on. They’re dedicated to it and they’re really hard workers. So there really wasn’t that much difference, aside from, obviously, the show itself and the type of show.

If Carla did come back on Burn Notice perhaps for next season or after, what are the ways you’d like to see her maybe develop and maybe even become an ally to Michael in the future?

Oh, that would be a lot of fun to become an ally of Michael. It would be great to have that. I’d obviously like to find out a little bit more about what makes her tick and find out a little bit more about her.

Could you ever see her as being a possible love interest for Michael?

Yes, sure. No, I think Fiona and the Michael relationship is too kind of complex. I think, my own opinion, is they’re made for each other and it’s only going to take them time to figure that out. I certainly wouldn’t turn down a relationship with Michael Westen. I don’t think any girl would.

With this finale of Battlestar Galactica fast approaching, do you think that there’d be any possibility of a spin-off of Battlestar further in the future? I know they’re working on the prequel, but would you see any possibility of a future spin-off, like for the series?

You know, I’ve never really thought about that. Without giving away the finale, I guess there sort of could be. It’s definitely a closing in one respect, but now that you mentioned it, there could possibly be a spin-off. I don’t expect there to be. I really don’t expect there to be and I don’t think that’s their intention, but I guess you can never say never in this business.

Just to follow up, what have you enjoyed the most about your work on Burn Notice and Battlestar? What are some things you’ve enjoyed the most?

I think really, to be honest, I think just getting to work with who I’ve gotten to work with, they’re really talented people and getting the kind of writing and direction and everything, the people involved, not just the cast. But you’re talking about Ron Moore and Matt Nix and just really great guys, incredible writers. I’m fascinated with how their minds work. It’s just beyond me how they can come up with all this stuff. I’d say getting to work with who I’ve gotten to work with and that kind of level of quality scripts and production that I got to work on.

Burn Notice seems to be doing just so well and your character, Carla, she’s mysterious and so empowering and everything. I just want to know what do you love the most about playing her?

I think that it is empowering and that she’s strong and smart and she’s gotten to where she is by her own gumption, her own dedication. I like the fact that she’s very similar to Michael. Although you don’t get to see her fun side like you do for Michael, but maybe she has a bit less of one. I like being on par with that level of agent, the fact that Michael Westen can pretty much do whatever he wants, as can Fiona and Sam, to some extent.

That’s how I feel that Carla is. Carla is not one to be taken advantage of, which I think is what’s interesting about coming up to the last two episodes is, she doesn’t trust anybody and she’s finally put a little bit of trust into Michael and I think that’s probably backfiring on her. I like the fact that she’s strong and she’s as good at her job as Michael is at his.

I know you’ve appeared in so many ad campaigns for so many different designers and you’ve been walking the runways all over the world and been on the covers of L and Vogue and all of that, do you ever think that maybe you’ll make a return to fashion? Or is that something that really inspired you or do you really think that in the future, you’ll probably keep focusing more on your acting and building that resume up?

Oh, definitely. I have no interest in going back into fashion, aside from doing some endorsements or something. I’m certainly going to be open to endorsements, but to me that’s not modeling. Technically I guess you’re modeling if you’re posing for a picture, but it’s a different thing. Besides, I’m getting too old to go back into modeling. But no, I’ve been there, done that. I had a great career at it, learned a lot, but moved on and I’m much more excited to be working on a character or getting into the psychology of a character, that sort of thing, than just posing for a picture.

Just a quick question regarding the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica, that was quite an emotional episode. How was that for you to play?

Obviously the episode was an emotional one for Caprica Six. It wasn’t anything I don’t think particularly difficult over just, it’s an emotional scene. I think actually I shot that episode right before I went down and did my first episode of Burn Notice. It’s just work and I was glad—I’ve been fairly light in a few episodes and I was glad to see a strong scene for my character. It was hard to see Caprica lose the baby because she’s wanted one and stemming from people …that she killed the baby in the miniseries and now she has her own baby lost. But throughout that with her relationship with Baltar and now Tigh, she’s really been and connected to Hera in a way, and she’s been really kind of striving for this, so it was hard to film that just in that respect of seeing the character lose that. But I didn’t go home and cry that night. It’s obviously not like you’re not losing your own baby, so it’s hard at work but you have great people around to work with you.

What has been your most memorable moment you’ve had from filming Burn Notice?

Most memorable moment, there’s quite a few. One of my moments that I disliked the most was, I’m not sure if it’s in the next episode coming up or the finale, but we’re shooting a limousine scene where Carla is trying to get a little information, offer a little and get a little from Michael Westen. I had stopped drinking coffee and I’ve been doing green tea, on a personal note I had stopped drinking coffee, but we started early and I just grabbed a cup of coffee off catering and we got inside this limo, which, of course, you can’t have air conditioning on because you’d hear it with the filming, and you’re in a limo with the camera, operator, the focus polar, a couple of other guys. Jeffery is in there. I’m in there. It’s Miami. It’s humid. It’s really hot. I’m in a pantsuit and I got the jitters from the coffee so bad that I could barely speak. I was sweating. Hair and makeup can’t fit in there, so I’m trying to do my own powder and my hair is matted to me and shaking. I had to hand Jeffrey something and I’m shaking in the scene.

And we finished it and I’m like, “Jeffrey, I don’t know what got into me. I had coffee and this is insane and I’ve not been drinking coffee.” And Jeffrey looked at me and he starts laughing. And he’s like, “Yes, you stop drinking coffee for a while and then you drink again and you realize why you shouldn’t be drinking it.” “Yes, Jeffrey, that makes sense.” But I was horrified by the scene while I was shooting it because I was so uncomfortable, but at the same time, I’ve seen it in ADR and it turned out fine. But Jeffrey stayed calm throughout even though I was a mess, so that’s definitely one of my memories from Burn Notice.

Moving forward professionally, what are your thoughts on breaking free of having been Cylon and do you have any concerns about being able to do that?

No, not really, because I have gone on and done a couple of other things. I think people within the business really respect Battlestar. If they’re fans of the show, if they watch the show, they’ve also seen that the Cylons aren’t just cold robotic creatures like maybe a Terminator. It’s not your typical robot. It’s much more like Blade Runner and the Replicants and things like that. So they have a lot more emotion and they’re a lot more human than—I think it would be harder if you were playing much more of a robotic creature than people might think, that you might not be able to do other type of roles. So I’m really not worried about it.

In 2002 I had heard that you had done, you had the opportunity to play Eva in that independent film, White Rush. After that, you did a few motion pictures. I just really want to know how you feel about working in film as opposed to working in television and if that’s maybe a medium that you’re hoping to break more into.

Certainly. I think in this day and age, film and TV, before I was in it, you were either film or you were TV and now the lines are so crossed, that I certainly hope to do more film. Again, it’s hard on a television schedule to fit that much in, especially when you’re starting out because you have to audition for things. So to actually fit into that hiatus is very difficult, so it’s certainly something I’m looking forward to doing. I auditioned for some and I have a couple in the pipeline that are possibilities an if financing comes together in this market in this economy, which is a challenge for independent film right now. So hopefully in this market, the independent film still keeps going and hopefully I land a couple of them.
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Watch the Burn Notice Season 2 Finale on Thursday, March 5th at 10pm/9c on USA NETWORK! In the explosive season finale, Michael learns some surprising facts about Victor's past, and is forced to take on Carla in a final showdown.

NOTE: Stay tuned for sneak peek scenes and photos from the finale!