Don Gets Married, Wraps Up the NB Season, Goes on Honeymoon (April 29, 1999)

The rumors of an imminent wedding were true - Don Johnson made it official with Kelley Phleger. The ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT show of Thursday, April 29th reported that the ceremony will take place Thursday night at the home of billionaires Ann and Gordon Getty. Actor Robert Wagner is Don's best man, with 75 guests in attendance, including actor Kevin Costner. The ceremony will be performed by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.

Tomorrow, Friday, April 30th is the wrap party for NASH BRIDGES. The party will be held at Ghirardelli Square, and marks the end of the fourth production season of NASH BRIDGES.

The newly weds Don and Kelley will then leave Sunday for their honeymoon. Don is 49 years old, Kelley is 30 years old. Kelley is a nursery school teacher at a Montessori school. This is Don Johnson's fifth marriage, Kelley Phleger's first.
 

Jay Leno Makes NASH BRIDGES Joke (April 29, 1999)

In what seems to be an annual re-cycling of his jokes, Jay Leno made a reference to NASH BRIDGES in his TONIGHT SHOW monologue of April 28th.

In a bit on season finales, in a manner parodying a TV Guide listing, Leno joked: "Nash puts Philip Michael Thomas' face on the side of milk cartons."

Leno made a similar joke referring to Philip Michael Thomas last year at about the same time with the upcoming May season finales. And it is true, Philip Michael Thomas has not been seen on TV a whole hell of a lot after MIAMI VICE.
 

Rumors Swirl On Impending Don and Kelley Marriage (April 24, 1999)

The Chronicle society columns are buzzing once again that Don Johnson and Kelley Phleger are about to marry. Kelley bought a gown (rumored to be for her wedding), but Kelley denied that rumor. An April 23rd item in Pat Steger's "The Scene" column with the headliner "Don and Kelley Together at Last?" quotes Kelley as nixing the rumor that she and Don were marrying next week at a dinner-dance given by Ann and Gordon Getty.

We'll add our two-cents worth of speculation. We don't speak for or represent Don in any way. But it's unlikely that Don will marry while NASH BRIDGES is in production (this production season being an extended one with 24 episodes). With the kind of work schedule series production demands, we don't know how Don finds the time.

If the couple does do the deed, look for it to tie in with the season finale of NASH BRIDGES. Don may milk the rumors to boost interest in the show, or he just might marry in the off-season when things are less hectic.
 

GOODBYE, LOVER Takes A Beating in Reviews, But Don Comes Out Unscathed (April 24, 1999)

The April 16th SF Chronicle review of the movie GOODBYE, LOVER by critic Mick LaSalle starts with the subtitle "Goodbye, Lover falls apart early on." The story centers around Patricia Arquette's character, but Don's character is described as "easily the best thing about the movie." Sounds like Don stole the movie.

We haven't seen the movie yet, but there's some kind of bad sex joke here with post-Romeo ladykiller Don Johnson murdered and well-known lesbian Ellen DeGeneres as a homicide detective investigating.
 

Kelly Hu (Remember Her as Michelle Chan?) On the Cover of FEMME FATALES Magazine (April 24, 1999)

Yes, they killed her off on NASH BRIDGES this year, and now Kelly Hu's on MARTIAL LAW (CBS, 9PM, Saturdays). But we're still fans of lovely Kelly. She's on the cover of the May 7th issue of FEMME FATALE, a cheesecake magazine which bills itself as covering "The Luscious Ladies of Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction." FEMME FATALE features occasional nudity, (Kelly is not nude, though there's lots of provocative shots of Kelly in different poses and costumes).

Yes, there is life after NASH BRIDGES. Kelly is one of the many who have surfaced, like the other NASH BRIDGES women. Paula Marshall was the first to leave NASH BRIDGES (she re-appeared as a regular in several sitcoms); Mary Mara (guest starred in many series); then Kristin Scott Thomas (appeared in a few movies?); and Annette O'Toole (she married some wacky guy).
 

New Kelly Hu Link on Our Links Page (April 24, 1999)

We're one of the many fans of Kelly Hu and we'd like to spread the word. There's a "Fans of Kelly Hu" Homepage at:

http://www.angelfire.com/mo/Chablis/HuKelly.html

which features lovely Kelly's biography, credits, and pictures. Check it out and find out more about this rising star.
 

NBC's HOMICIDE Murdered by NASH BRIDGES (April 17, 1999)

The NBC series HOMICIDE which runs opposite NASH BRIDGES is on the brink of being cancelled. HOMICIDE, currently in its sixth season, has been consistently beaten out in the ratings by NASH BRIDGES. HOMICIDE has never really been the same since the departure of powerhouse actor Andre Braugher from the cast last season. Its fate is uncertain, though cancellation seems imminent for this quality series.
 

The 100 Episode NASH BRIDGES Package (April 15, 1999)

What does the USA syndication deal mean for the current status of NB? As of April 2, 1999, current episode count is at number 73. NASH BRIDGES would end this season (if it is a 22 episode season) on number 76.

If next season is a regular 22 episode season, the next season would end on number 98, two episodes shy of 100 episode package. To reach that coveted 100th episode, two additional episodes must be included (either in this season and/or the next season). So either this season and/or the next, NB will have more than 22 episodes per season.
 

Y2K Syndication Deal for NASH BRIDGES (April 15, 1999)

NASH BRIDGES is set for syndication in the year 2000. As expected, various news sources have reported that the USA Network has picked up NB for $600,000 per episode for a 100 episode package. The ante is increased an additional $100,000 per episode (that's $700,000 per episode) if NB proves to be a ratings success on cable.

The NB syndication is scheduled for a daily Monday through Friday run on the USA Network, with additional weekend run on USA Broadcasting TV.
 

Don A Reported Terror on the NB Set (April 15, 1999)

That notorious March 28th LA Times piece on Don Johnson has lifted the lid off the carefully crafted image of Don the family man and consummate professional.

Reporter Paul Brownfield spent two days of quality golden time with Don Johnson. Brownfield said that he found Don the man likable, but Brownfield wasn't won over enough to overlook the darker side of Don the star.

Brownfield called Don an "on-screen idol and off-camera headache." Brownfield reported that NASH BRIDGES budgets have swelled to 2.5 million because of Don's excesses - what Don wants, he gets. This includes:

• A new barge set (SIU Headquarters);
• Don's unpredictable working hours - "on the set, the initials WFD stand for "Waiting for Don"; and surprisingly, Don often takes Friday off to go home to his Woody Creek Ranch in Colorado.
• Behind schedule production delays. Don is reportedly heavily fined by Rysher Entertainment (who owns the show) for every day he is missing from the set.

An un-named crew member described Don as an autocratic tyrant with dangerous mood swings. Don's behavior and the crew's attempts to deal with it are described as a TWILIGHT ZONE episode. In that episode, a boy with telepathic powers to read everyone's minds keeps everybody on edge and forces everybody to think positive thoughts.

Brownfield implies that Don's behavior is on the edge in terms of his drinking. Brownfield watched Don polish off two bottles of wine, despite Don's admitted alcohol problem.

Brownfield quotes another un-named crew source of Don's bus and the activities that go on within. "Going to the bus" means Don calls someone in and "Basically, you sit there and he yells at you." "Riding the bus" refers to crew euphemism for Don's "bedding of guest actresses."

Brownfield also reports that Carlton Cuse, credited with sole created-by credit for NASH BRIDGES, had to fight to get it. Because Don passed on so many writer-producers, Cuse was the only one left who would do it. Cuse had to go to three Writer's Guild arbitration hearings to gain his created-by credit.

And finally, the one image that Brownfield draws upon is of Don urinating into the Bay. Don's a Bad Boy that brings millions of dollars into San Francisco; Don's a virtual one-man industry. Brownfield implies that Don can do whatever he wants to in San Francisco. We wonder who's pissing on whom?
 

Jodi Lyn O'Keefe Superfan Visits SF (April 15, 1999)

Jonathan Steffens, creator of a website http://www.mythii.com/jodi/ dedicated to Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (she plays Cassidy Bridges), is in town for a week. He sent us several reports on April 13th:

I dropped by the set yesterday and it was rather vacant other then a few stragling construction workers doing odds n' ends, nothing major.

---

I went back today and was able to find them shooting. I didn't get to see alot, the shoot was short. I did get shoots of Cheech, Don, and Harvey (forgot actor's name), and Jaime. I got a few shots of the cuda, but not that great. Security would only let me get so close...

The barge ships out to Treasure Island at the end of the week. They won't stop filming until early May for the series.

Thanks and enjoy the other scenic sites of SF, Jonathan!
 

Jeff Perry (Who plays Harvey Leek on NB) Info and Changes (April 15, 1999)

Connie Flick reporting in:

Just wanted to let (everybody) know that the Jeff Perry site (not the fanclub) has changed locations. It has changed from http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dunes/8521/ to http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Booth/7814/jeffperry/jeffperry.html

It has a few new links and a chat site. I've also found a chat station/club for Nash Bridges at:

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/nashbridges

and Jeff Perry chat station/club at:

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/jeffperry

Thanks

Connie Flick

Muchas gracias, Connie!
 

Re-runs Are Coming, But Season Isn't Over Yet (April 3, 1999)

"Angel of Mercy" was the 19th episode of this season. NASH may be in re-runs for the next few weeks, but there are still 3 or 4 original episodes left (depending on if this is a 22 or 23 episode season). So enjoy the re-runs, but the season finale is still coming. Hang in there, NASH fans!
 

Don Finally Acquires SF Restaurant (April 3, 1999)

After a long search (ever since he moved to San Francisco, at the start of NASH BRIDGES), Don Johnson has finally acquired a controlling majority interest in a Ghirardelli Square restaurant. The restaurant is to be re-named Ana Mandara, and will most likely feature Asian style cuisine, possibly Vietnamese cuisine. This is due to the fact that Don's chief chef is Khai Duong, and his business partners are Hon-Tre Partners LLC.

Don is planning to feature his new restaurant regularly on NASH BRIDGES. This according to GraceAnn Walden's column "Inside Scoop" in the SF Chronicle of March 31st.
 

The State of Don Johnson (April 1, 1999)

The PR machine is rolling as articles and interviews with Don Johnson are beginning to surface to promote the film GOODBYE, LOVER. How's this for Internet reporting? We're quoting from a newspaper reporting about an article in another newspaper.

A major mention in the SF Chronicle column "Personals" by Leah Garchik of March 31st was quoted from a profile piece on Don Johnson in the Sunday LA Times of March 28th. The LA Times profile by Paul Brownfield has an assessment of Don's acting career as in a "peculiar state of limbo." That's true, Don's movie career has basically slowed down to second tier character roles, not starring roles. But, as Leah Garchik states: "Never mind: He's engaged, he's employed, he's edgy." The overall assessment of Don is that he may not be so hot anymore, but he's confident and self-assured.

Don sounded off on a variety of subjects in the LA Times:

• On acting: "There aren't any of those (expletive) actors that are better than me. None of them. Nobody. Not De Niro, not Brando, not Jack, not anybody. I have the goods. They have the material." Brando? Anybody seen a good Brando role lately?

• On alcoholism: "Life's too short not to enjoy a good bottle of wine..." Woooo, don't know about that one, Don...

Don is still engaged and very much in love with Kelley Phleger. There is still no announcement of a definite wedding date. It sounds like Don's a little frustrated in his movie career and getting in his acting chops, but television-wise, with the renewal and virtual guaranteed syndication of NASH BRIDGES, Don can't complain. Neither can we.
 

Don on ET to Hype GOODBYE, LOVER (April 1, 1999)

Don Johnson was interviewed by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT in a segment on the March 30th show. The publicity was for the soon-to-be released theatrical film GOODBYE, LOVER. In the film, Don had some hot love scenes with Patricia Arquette. A clip showed Patricia rubbing an ice cube on Don's chest. There was also a mention of NASH BRIDGES. The segment ended with a shot of Don laughing loudly.