Here’s my interview with Stephen Kramer Glickman.

HIH: Lyme Aid is the name of the comedy benefit for your sister who is suffering with Lyme disease. The most recent event was at The Comedy Store in Hollywood with Andy Dick, Jeffrey Ross, Bobby Lee, Mo Collins, John Caparulo, Ian Edwards, and Erin Foley. Any future dates and locations for Lyme Aid?

Stephen: We are currently talking with some very big comics in NYC and San Francisco. The benefits in San Diego and Los Angeles were amazing and my whole family really appreciates it, my sister especially. The benefit in L.A. was at the world famous comedy store on sunset and was one of the craziest nights I’ve ever had. This tux rental shop called “Friar Tux” gave me a free tux for the night. I feel weird in a tux; I look like I ate Hugh Hefner.

HIH: When I saw you perform at the La Jolla Comedy Store I remember your act giving much love to your mom. Are you a mama’s boy or is it all just an act?

Stephen: Naw, it’s real. I talk to my mom everyday and she is amazing. When I was growing up it was just her, my sister and me. My mom battled and beat cancer many years ago and it brought us much closer. I’ve been doing those mom jokes for 5 years now and I still love doing them.

HIH: You played the role of Shrek in the Broadway Staged Reading and the Broadway Workshop of Shrek the Musical in New York City. What was that experience like?

Stephen: It changed my whole life, in every way imaginable. I went from phone operator at the comedy store, to being the star of the biggest budget Broadway show in history, a 44 million dollar budget. I got signed by my manager, I got to live in a penthouse overlooking central park and I got to see any show I wanted to see on Broadway and for a kid that has been doing musical theatre since the 2nd grade it was a dream come true. Every few days I’d sit in the make-up chair for 8 to 10 hours being turned into “Shrek”. I was in rehearsal 6 days a week, 10 hours a day and I loved every minute. I got to work one on one with Jeffrey Katzenberg (CEO of DreamWorks), Sam Mendes (Oscar winning director of Revolutionary Road and American Beauty), Jason Moore (director of Avenue Q), Bill Dimashke (president of DreamWorks animation) as well as working with Tony winners Sutton Foster and Chris Seiber. My favorite person to work with was the actor that played donkey, Dean Edwards (former cast member of Saturday Night Live). He is like family to me and we still talk on a regular basis.

HIH: You were a recurring character on ABC’s Carpoolers starring Jerry O’Connell. Do you prefer being in a production on stage or on set?

Stephen: I love being on set just a bit more. The whole reason I started acting was to get cast some day on TV. TV is the funniest shit ever. Stage acting is very intense and a very joyful experience as well, but TV is fun as hell. I just shot a pilot with Nickelodeon and we got to improvise so much funny stuff. I’m hooked.

HIH: In the DVD/CD/comedy central special “Jeffrey Ross; No Offense- Live from New Jersey” you played Larry the Toll Booth Worker that plays the piano. What came first in your life, music or comedy?

Stephen: Well, music came 1st sort of. My grandmother taught me how to play the piano when I was two years old and I’ve been playing ever since, however the 1st song she taught me was called “c-c-c-catie” a song about a man that has a stuttering problem. Super funny.

HIH: What is the comedy scene like? It seems like many comedians create projects together and help promote one another. Is it one big happy family most of the time?

Stephen: Yeah, you could say that. We are like a big happy family that gets drunk and makes fun of each other. Comedians are probably some of the strangest most screwed up people on the planet, but you get enough of us together, like at a comedy club, and we level each other out. The only people more screwed up than comedians are musical theatre actors. Yikes.

HIH: If you could pick one comedian you admire the most, past or present, which one would it be? I know picking one is always tough but try it.

Stephen: Easy. Mel Brooks. He has been funny forever and I am a huge fan. I mean, the 2000 year old man. Fuck ya!

HIH: Your MySpace Comedy profile has a lot of great videos. You directed some of them and even created your own idea for a show about superheroes. Tell us about that.

Stephen: The show you speak of is “Super True Story” a pilot created by Comedian Nader Modarres and me. We also star in it along with super model, Fabio and Scott Thompson from kids in the hall. It’s the story about two lovable losers that happen to be superheroes and are struggling to find fame, fortune and pay the rent, in a world populated by tons of superheroes. Currently we are in talks with two major networks about it. The show is super funny.

HIH: Speaking of superheroes, are you more of a Marvel or DC kind of guy?

Stephen: I love DC for the costumes but Marvel has the coolest superheroes ever.

HIH: I noticed on your MySpace profile, under the Who I’d Like to Meet section, you wrote “Women that are looking for a young guy that looks old and is also fat.”

What sort of bachelor are you? Do you like your single life or are you looking for love in all the right places?

Stephen: I’m the worst with women. I have dated and hooked up with some of the craziest women in L.A. I am currently looking for a girl that won’t stab me while I’m sleeping. I like being single but I want to meet some cute girl and fall in love. I dated a girl for a while, she was very short and thin and as you know, I’m a huge big guy. We had to walk next to each other when we were walking down the street because if she walked in front of me, it looked like I was hunting her. For now though, I am still enjoying the single life and dating all kinds of women…even a few midgets. Did I say too much?

For Stephen Kramer Glickman’s upcoming gigs visit:

www.myspace.com/glickmancomedian

Stephen Glickman Stand-Up Comedy from Doug Beatty on Vimeo.

Jennifer Gimenez is an international model, actress, and producer. She is an inspirational woman in the entertainment industry with an exotic look, years of modeling experience, and a passion for life.

She has worked in films such as Blow, Vanilla Sky, and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.

Her television appearances have included The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, Karen Sisco, and VH1’s new reality series Sober House.

After watching the trailer for Sober House, I wanted to find out more about this talented and passionate woman. She is “quickly emerging as one of Hollywood’s brightest talents”. Here’s my interview with Jennifer Gimenez:

HIH: According to IMDb, you were discovered at age 14 and became the youngest model to be on the cover of American Elle. What was it like being so young in such a demanding industry?

Jennifer: You know I want to start by saying how blessed I’ve been to be given the life I have. Modeling taught me so much. Yes, it was demanding in every aspect. From weight to how I looked, it all mattered. It’s a fast life, so if you don’t have your head on right you can get lost quick. I had my mom with me at all times. I’m so lucky for her. The pressures can really get to anyone and when you just begin to develop as a young woman it’s a bit overwhelming. I had a great team behind me from my mom, dad and family to agents.

HIH: You’ve been in quite a few music videos for artists like Prince, 2Pac Shakur, and Mick Jagger. You’ve worked with big names in film like Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise. These are not only talented performers but very sexy men. Were you at all star-struck with any of them?

Jennifer: Working with mega famous, sexy and super talented men has been a stroke of good luck for me. I was definitely in awe. The one who I was very shy next to was Tom Cruise. All of them took me off guard for a minute, I mean wouldn’t you be? I do have to say they were all very generous and kind to me. They made me feel very comfortable around them.

HIH: How has your Argentinean heritage affected your career?

Jennifer: Well in the beginning it wasn’t common for “models to have the exotic look”. I believe I was part of the ethnic barrier being broken. Also I am a woman with curves. Hello I’m Latin! Before I used to be insecure about it, today I embrace it!

HIH: Was your experience on VH1’s new series Sober House the first time you had the title of House Manager?

Jennifer: Yes, I was given the opportunity to be a part of Dr. Drew’s team after having battled many of the same experiences that the house residents would have to endure. I’ve been where they’ve been. The only difference is that my early recovery was not put out there for the whole world to view. That just blows me away how courageous these people are.

I was brought on based on my recovery and I am and have been in the entertainment/fashion industry since the age of 14. I have gone to any lengths to get better. That also included not working for 3 years. I just focused on getting a foundation in my life. So Dr. Drew and the producers thought it would be great for me to help these guys. I get what it’s like.

HIH: On your MySpace page under the Interests section you mentioned surfing and being ONE with the universe. I think many people that wrestle with addictions are tricked into believing that their drug of choice can bring that feeling. Do you have any advice for viewers struggling with addiction?

Jennifer: The only message I have is “hope”, that there is a solution. If a girl like me can do it, I promise you, you can too. There are 12 Step programs, rehabs, therapy and doctors that can help. I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had to finally surrender.

Have you ever felt that you either couldn’t live and or couldn’t die, and was stuck in the middle (I call it…hell)? I’ve been there. This is a disease that not only kills your body and mind but your spirit. I am a member of a 12 Step program and I am in recovery today. I use to think that was for losers. But I had such a spiritual bottom that I was willing to try anything.

I had finally surrendered. It had been a process. Some days are better than others. I am a human being today instead of a human doing.

I have a wonderful woman that is my sponsor. Women for me have been my saving grace. Oh how much I love and honor you women. I am no longer alone in my journey of life. I have great relationships with my mom, brother, boyfriend, family and friends. I am a woman with integrity, grace, and dignity. I believe every human being has some loved one, relative, friend, or themselves that has to deal with the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction.

With hope comes faith and through faith comes the will to live… Please don’t give up.

HIH: The preview trailer for Sober House looks intense. I’m sure the task of managing celebs in recovery was difficult. Many moons ago I was a Squad Leader in Army boot camp so I can relate to the difficult part, but did you take any fun memories with you?

Jennifer: This show on recovery was intense, both emotionally and physically draining. I would do it all over again though. I have so many great memories. When I heard, after all the drama had just occurred, that Andy Dick was coming in the house I was like, “Hells no, I’m out!,” just because, I believed the media on him. Andy ended up becoming my angel and the person I identified the most with. We instantly hit it off. We just laughed and laughed, cried a bit, and laughed. He encouraged me to refocus on my acting career. Till this day he and I are super close. We talk 3 to 4 times a day. I love him.

We were being filmed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so there was a month full of memories that will last a lifetime with all the residents. I spent numerous intimate moments with Seth, Nikki, Mary, Rodney, Amber, Steven, and Andy. What you won’t see is that I developed friendships with the crew and production staff.

HIH: You mentioned you’ve lost weight since the taping of Sober House. Congratulations! How did you do it?

Jennifer: After The Sober House I realized I was in the next phase of my life. I must be clean in every area of life. I had been working so hard on the inside that it was time for me to have my outside meet my insides. I started walking then jogging/ running on the treadmill on my own. Now I’ve been working with Eric Pakel. He is a teacher and trainer. He’s taught me a new way to approach my mental and physical health and state of mind. I am learning that exercise has to be an introspective process, just like getting sober was. This weight battle thus far is the hardest thing I’ve overcome. Not eating or eating out of emotions is a no no for me today. Balance is the key. I’ve lost 50 pounds, image use to be everything to me. God is running the show not me.

HIH: What’s next for Jennifer Gimenez in 2009?

I am so excited for the future, the sky’s the limit. I hope to continue acting and modeling. I also look forward to producing as well., although my recovery always comes first.

Visit Jennifer’s official website http://www.jenngimenez.com/

Check out http://VH1.com for showtimes, and more information about Sober House.

After seeing what the celebs went through during treatment at the Pasadena Recovery Center, I’m interested in what happens next on their journey to continued sobriety.

Some of Dr. Drew’s patients from seasons 1 & 2 will be living together at a sober living house in the Hollywood Hills. Rodney King, Steven Adler, Nikki McKibben, Amber Smith, Mary Carey, and Seth Binzer are joined by Andy Dick  who wasn’t part of VH1’s Celebrity Rehab but signed up for “Sober Living” to battle his alcoholism.

Jennifer Gimenez  is the house manager, also referred to as the house mom. She has the challenging job of managing celebs while they balance their newfound freedom away from rehab and their goal of staying sober.

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