Dent – or no Dent?
That’s what “Deal or No Deal” host Howie Mandel is thinking.
In last week’s Entertainment Weekly, a picture of Mandel at his desk includes a giant portrait of Albert Einstein behind him, painted by the late Colorado artist Denny Dent.
Dent died of kidney failure in 2004. He was just 55. His “Two Fisted Art Attack” had Dent throwing paint at giant canvases, creating likenesses of the famous (Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, even John Elway) as rock music blared. He first appeared in Denver at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in 1991 and came back six times, eventually moving to Colorado. Many locals own Dents, including Barry Fey, Jim Caruso, Bill Charney and Charles Biederman.
Add Mandel to the list. He told EW, “I bought the rights to his life. Hopefully (it’ll be a ) film.” Mandel doesn’t say that he’d star in the movie. He doesn’t act or look remotely like the artist. He wouldn’t make a Dent.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Denver’s Oscar-winning filmmaker Donna Dewey is at it again. She’s producing “Skills Like This,” a comedy from director Monty Miranda. You can see a trailer at skillslikethis.com – a story of a college slacker who starts a career of robbery with a holdup at Bank of Choice. “Armed robbery has never been so funny,” says the website.
They need a lot of extras for this Denver-based movie – about 300 of them. From 8 to 88, all shapes, sizes and colors. Open call for extras is 3-7 p.m. today at Denver Studio Complex, 241 S. Cherokee St., Stage 3, or call 720-341-7543.
You’re Joshing me
Boulder Outdoor Survival School boss and History Channel star Josh Bernstein is on the cover of the premiere issue of Success magazine. In the interview, he explains how he balances his duties at BOSS and hosting “Digging for the Truth.”
“I keep one calendar for the series production schedule and a second calendar for my personal schedule,” he says. “They’re both updated, synced, and posted to a secure server daily so that everyone knows where I am on any given day of the year. That gives me the ability to plan my free time.”
I gotta try that.
City spirit
The Dalai Lama speaks Sept. 17 at the Pepsi Center, Mayor Hick introduces His Holiness, tix at Ticketmaster … Actress Pam Grier hosts the Grand Prix Nights Galas June 16 and 23 at the Castle Rock Benefit Horse Show at Douglas County Fairgrounds, call 303-660-5564 … Hot places to watch the World Cup games live include Fado Irish Pub, ESPN Zone, British Bulldog, Angel’s Sports Bar, Aztec Sol, Sobo 151 … It’s good to be a taxi driver 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday – you get a free box lunch and a present from the Cherry Creek shopping center at its 17th Taxi Driver Appreciation Day … Comedian Steven Wright was in town filming a scene for a short film he made called “One Soldier.” The Oriental Theater put the title on its marquee and he was shot walking by it. “He was a real nice guy and he was very courteous to my staff,” says Scott Labarbera … Sez who: “True friends are those who really know you but love you anyway.” Edna Buchanan
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
