PHOTOS: Emmy-winner Michael Chiklis and Oscar-winner Taylor Hackford on set in Sarasota

Emmy-winner Michael Chiklis (TV's "The Shield") with University of Tampa film students Lauren Holloway (left) and Vicki Delisle Thursday at Ringling Museum of Art's Ca' d'Zan Mansion in Sarasota. Photo provided. 

I spent about three hours observing Oscar-winning director Taylor Hackford at work last night on set of Jennifer Lopez, Jason Statham, Nick Nolte and Michael Chiklis film "Parker" for this front page story:

"Lights, camera, action at Ca' d'Zan"

I also contributed to this photo gallery.

Here are additional pics from Thursday's shoot:

Taylor Hackford (red shirt) filming at Ca' d'Zan Thursday. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Fire truck scene from "Parker" shoot Thursday at Ca' d'Zan. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

INTERVIEW: Brian Henson, chairman of The Jim Henson Company, on his naughty new creation 'Stuffed and Unstrung'

L-R: Michael Oosterom, Brian Henson and Tyler Bunch Photo: Carol Rosegg

My earliest, most cherished memories are watching "Sesame Street," "The Muppet Show," "The Muppet Movie" and everything else produced by The Jim Henson Company.

So it was wonderful interviewing current company chairman Brian Henson, who fondly recalled hours spent backstage during taping of the Muppet productions and discussed how those memories shaped his cool, adult-only production "Stuffed and Unstrung," which is playing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Oct. 5.

"Brian Henson on becoming ‘unstrung’"

PHOTOS: Oscar-winning director Taylor Hackford in Sarasota to shoot Jennifer Lopez, Jason Statham movie 'Parker'

Oscar-winning director Taylor Hackford is shooting part of Jennifer Lopez movie "Parker" in Sarasota.

Just received this pic of Oscar-winning director Taylor Hackford at Ringling Museum of Art's Ca’ d’Zan Mansion.

He's being welcomed by Sarasota Film Festival's Sharyn Weiner, vice president, and Kathy Jordan, managing Director at Ca'd'Zan.

Hackford, the president of the Directors Guild of America. is in Sarasota today through Friday to shoot "Parker."

The crime/thriller stars Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez as well as Nick Nolte and Michael Chiklis (TV’s “The Shield.”).

"Parker" is based on author Donald Westlake's namesake criminal protagonist in numerous novels.

Here's Hackford pictured above, whose resume includes directing “Ray,” “Devil’s Advocate” as well as “Officer and a Gentleman,” with Tom Garrett, who emailed me the pics tonight.

Garrett, pictured above with Chiklis, is film professor at the University of Tampa and director of special initiatives for the Sarasota Film Festival. Garrett told me SFF will be throwing a wrap party for the Ca’ d’Zan shoot.

He also said the stars of "Parker," namely Lopez and Statham, will be in town this week.

“Parker” screenwriter John McLaughlin, best known for contributing to the “Black Swan” script, wrote the screenplay for the 1988 movie “Death Collector,” which Garrett directed.

The Ringling Museum of Art has stated the the leads wouldn't be present.

Lopez performed Saturday at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. There are no other upcoming public events posted on her official website.

Get Guns N' Roses in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Guns 'N Roses back in the bad, old glory days.

My vote, like I have one, is for Guns N' Roses and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2012 class.

Especially G N' R.

Although the group's output wasn't much (a masterpiece and two great albums), there still hasn't been a better hard rock band to come along since the original lineup split in the mid-1990s.

And who knows?

Entrance into the hall could mean a real GNR reunion, which, face it, if you're a hard rock fan it only gets better if Led Zeppelin (with original members and Jason Bonham on drums) tours again.

Here's how I rank the new nominees:

1. Guns N' Roses
2. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
3. Eric B. & Rakim
4. Freddie King
5. The Small Faces/The Faces
6. The Cure
7. Rufus with Chaka Khan
8. Heart
9. The Spinners

Previous nominees up again are The Beastie Boys, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donna Summer, Laura Nyro, Donovan and War.

Beastie Boys, Chili Peppers and Nyro all probably deserve a place in the rock hall.

The act must have released its first single or album 25 years ago to qualify. More than 500 voters determine who enters the hall. New members will be inducted at a ceremony at the hall of fame in Cleveland on April 14.

—Undated/credited publicity photo.

Read more.

Headline of the day: 'Topless Rihanna shocks Northern Ireland farmer'

Pop star Rihanna during filming in the New Lodge area of North Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011. / AP PHOTO

End of the day and I'm perusing the Bradenton.com "Entertainment - Music" page looking for blog fodder when I stumbled across this gem courtesy of the Associated Press:

"Topless Rihanna shocks Northern Ireland farmer"

A bare-breasted beauty proved to be just too much for a fellow working his land outside North Belfast.

"The state of undress was becoming inappropriate," the farmer said. "I had a conversation with Rihanna. I hope she understands where I'm coming from. We shook hands."

Well, at least he got to shake her hand.

His neighbors behaved in a much more normal manner.

"Hordes of locals gathered to watch the pop star film the video," concludes the article.

Read more.

TONIGHT: Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Mondays with Damon Fowler Group and special guest Shar Baby

Shar Baby

This week's edition of Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Mondays at Aces Live in Bradenton features a full evening of Blind Pig recording artist the Damon Fowler Group plus special guest, singer/guitarist Shar Baby.

From the Alabama Blues site:

Often compared to Jessie Mae Hemphill, Alabama blues singer/guitar player Shar-Baby’s good-time soulful blues gets the house rocking and feet stomping.

Shar-Baby first fell in love with the blues aged 6, after hearing a recording of Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's legendary guitarist, and it became her dream to follow in his footsteps. She comes from a very musical family and her father was a gospel singer, who opened for many greats including Sam Cooke, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Music was in her bones from the beginning and she still plays the Harmony electric guitar her Dad bought her in the early 60's. She formed her first band as a teenager with her sister and they called themselves the Braylock Sisters. Over the years, Shar has traveled from North to South living and performing her upbeat blues.

See you at Aces or watch online. Both options free.

Damon Fowler's Sugar Shack Mondays

Showcasing the best in touring talent

8:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 26 with special guest:
Damon Fowler Group 
and Shar Baby

Ace's, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton

No cover

Click to watch the performances and my between sets interview with Fowler and Shar Baby:

8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26

Watch live streaming video from sugarshackmonday at livestream.com

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UPDATED 9/27: Jennifer Lopez movie being shot in Sarasota has been cast

Mario Anzuoni / Reuters / Los Angeles Times

UPDATED 9/27: "Manatee Players director cast in Jennifer Lopez movie shooting in Sarasota this week"

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The casting call for nearly 300 extras issued Friday by the Sarasota County Film & Entertainment Office has been filled.

The major motion picture “Parker” will be shot at Ca’ d’Zan Mansion at Ringling Museum of Art Wednesday through Friday.

Directed by Oscar-winner Taylor Hackford, the crime/thriller stars Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte and Michael Chiklis.

The taping, predominantly taking place at night, is closed to the public.

People interested in being an extra in “Parker” were asked to submit a head shot or current digital picture to rjscasting@aol.com or www.rjscasting.com along with contact information. The phone message and website for the Orlando-based company alerts interested parties that the "the movie 'Parker' has been cast."

www.rjscasting.com

Read Saturday's front page story:

"Jennifer Lopez movie coming to Sarasota: 300 extras needed for ‘final scene’ at Ca’ d’Zan"