Reddit “I Am A” Q&A with John Ratzenberger
John Ratzenberger himself took to the popular social news and entertainment website Reddit to engage fans in a one-on-one question and answer session. Some of the most popular questions include: What was your favorite random “fact” Cliff Clavin ever said? Did you ever get any kind of backlash from the Postal Service for your portrayal of Cliff? How did you prepare for your role in Empire Strikes Back? Find the answers to these questions and many more in the full Reddit thread...
John Ratzenberger to Appear in CSI Episode
On Wednesday, October 9, 2013, John Ratzenberger will appear in the Season 14, Episode 3 “Torch Song” episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The TV episode will run 60 minutes long and air at 10:00 pm on CBS. For more information, and to see videos and photos from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, click here.
Cars Land Now Open
Get Ready to be floored! Cars Land at Disney’s Adventure Land in LA is now open!
John Ratzenberger Returns to “Drop Dead Diva”
The Lifetime show is back for a 5th season starting in the summer of 2013. About Drop Dead Diva: Lifetime’s fan favorite and critically-acclaimed series “Drop Dead Diva,” which follows a shallow wannabe model that suddenly dies in an accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-sized recently deceased attorney, is back by popular demand for a fifth season with 13 all-new episodes set to debut on Sunday, June 23, at 9pm ET/PT. Immediately following “Drop Dead Diva’s” return, Lifetime will premiere its new drama “Devious Maids.” Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the one-hour, comedic drama stars Brooke Elliott (“Wicked,” “Taboo”), Margaret Cho (“Dancing with the Stars,” “Cho Dependent”), Jackson Hurst (“Living Proof”), Kate Levering (“Cashmere Mafia”), April Bowlby (“Two and a Half Men”) and Lex Medlin (“Southland”). Emmy® nominated actor John Ratzenberger returns to “Drop Dead Diva” this season to reprise his role as Kim’s father, while Jamie Ray Newman is back as Grayson’s ex-fiancée Vanessa, further complicating his heart. Other guest stars for season five will be announced in the coming...
How You Can Support American Products
Actor John Ratzenberger, perhaps best known as the barfly postman Cliff Clavin on TV’s Cheers, now plays an even more engaging role offscreen as an activist. He has spoken out for American manufacturers at congressional hearings, and in 2004, he created, produced, and hosted Made in America, a show for the Travel Channel, in which he visited 200 iconic U.S. companies to celebrate the men and women still making products on American soil. He is also completing an independent film about the current job crisis, Industrial Tsunami. Here, his recommendations for keeping jobs at home. Buy American. “Everyone who’s out shopping should just go into a store and say, ‘Where’s your made-in-America section?’ If they say they don’t have any, then say, ‘Thanks, I’ll find it somewhere else.’ They’ll get the message. Go to my website, ratzenberger.com, for updates about the shortage of skilled American laborers and more tips on what else you can do.” Support hands-on training. “We need to reinstate vocational training in skilled manual crafts. Ask about adding shop classes to your local school curriculum. If you’re experienced in a trade, offer an apprenticeship to students to learn your skill. It’s alarming that the average age of industrial workers today is 55, and the younger generation isn’t being equipped to take their place.” Change perceptions. “A lot of people think that manual labor is demeaning, that if you don’t have a college degree you’re a lesser human being. High school guidance counselors should be telling students that factories today are immaculate, and some people in manufacturing make good money. Within two years, there will be a need for over 500,000 welders in the United States. Look around at all the things that need welding: bridges, water systems, sewer systems, ships, railroads. One of the reasons the Roman Empire collapsed is that roads fell into disrepair and there weren’t enough stonemasons to repair them. The same thing could happen...