2 l November
27 - December 3, 2022
Northwest Oregon Screen Scene
BY JAY BOBBIN
Dolly Parton brings a ‘Mountain
Magic Christmas’ to NBC
Tom Everett Scott
is among the
stars of “Dolly
Parton’s Mountain
Magic Christmas”
Thursday on NBC.
Music has played a big part in Tom Everett Scott’s
acting career, and thanks to Dolly Parton, that’s
continuing.
Well-known for his first major role, as the drummer
for The Wonders, the fictional ‘60s pop group in
“That Thing You Do!” – the 1996 movie written and
directed by co-star Tom Hanks – Scott plays Parton’s
real-life producing partner Sam Haskell in NBC’s
new film “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”
Thursday, Dec. 1. Clearly inspired by Charles Dickens’
“A Christmas Carol,” the tale finds the country superstar
on a journey through her personal past (guided by
“Three Wise Mountain Men”) while making a holiday
television special at her Dollywood resort.
“I’ve never played someone who was right there on
the set watching me before,” the friendly Scott says,
reporting that it ultimately was “a totally positive thing.
(Haskell) is the greatest guy. He and I first got to know
each other over Zoom, and he could not have been
more supportive.”
Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmie
Allen, Zach Williams and Miley Cyrus make guest
appearances in the story, which also features “Saturday
Night Live” alum Ana Gasteyer. An executive producer
of the
the project as well, Parton keeps it a family affair by
also including her young grand-nephew Liam Rauhoff,
who portrays himself, in the cast.
“I have always loved and been a huge fan of Dolly
Parton,” Scott maintains, “and I was honored to be
able to work with her. She’s everything that everybody
wonders and hopes she is, and more. I just had a great
experience, and I miss it. I miss my Tennessee ‘family.’ ”
Scott also enjoyed the show-within-a-show concept
that “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”
follows. “The whole ‘putting on a show’ thing is such
a big part of being in show business,” he reasons.
“Learning the little things Sam goes through, his
mannerisms when he’s stressed out, I liked that. Also,
with this being about Christmas, you think of things
like ‘White Christmas’ (which also was, in large part,
about the making of a TV special).”
While “That Thing You Do!” would seem to be a
popular film among those in the music business, Scott
still isn’t positive she knew him from that: “It never
came up, but she probably knows it, if she knows me
and knows that was a big movie for me.”
Besides that picture’s Hanks, Scott has worked with
such other icons as Meryl Streep (in “One True Thing”)
and Diane Keaton (“Because I Said So”), and he also
was in the Oscar-winning “La La Land.” He reflects,
“It’s been a wonderful career, and I certainly hope to
keep it going, and to work with more of the greats.”
In Focus
“Fit for Christmas” (CBS — TV movie pre-
miere, Dec. 4)
An enthusiastic Christmas-obsessed fitness in-
structor named Audrey (Amanda Kloots) is teaching
classes at her beloved, but financially beleaguered,
community center in quaint Mistletoe, Mont. But
she suddenly begins a holiday romance with a
charming, mysterious businessman (Paul Greene),
complicating his plans to turn the center into a more
financially profitable resort property in this 2022 holi-
day romance. Kloots co-wrote the film and serves
as executive producer.
“Barmageddon” (USA Network — series pre-
miere, Dec. 5)
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella hosts as bud-
dies Carson Daly and Blake Shelton are featured
in this new celebrity game show you never knew
you needed. The superstar trio goes all in on good
times as they head to Blake’s bar, Ole Red in Nash-
ville, Tenn., for a front row seat as their celebrity
friends compete in over-the-top bar games. With
Carson behind the bar and Blake taking the stage
for live music sing-alongs, these icons show a new
side of themselves.
“The Real Housewives of Miami: Season 5”
(Peacock — season premiere, Dec. 8)
Lisa tries to mend her friendship with Larsa and
Guerdy’s husband urges her told to slow down.
Meanwhile, Julia struggles with being an empty
nester and Dr. Nicole is healing her old wounds with
her father and mulling over whether to give him a
second chance as this unscripted original series
returns for its fifth go-round.
Your
Adventure
Awaits!
Thousands of titles
Unlimited # of sessions at
’
2400 Resort Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Explore the ONLINE LIBRARY at www.bakerlib.org
541.523.6419
info@bakerlib.org
Are your
FEET
Same Great Team.
Same Exceptional
Service.
Ready for
Fall?
541-963-0265
888-843-9090
www.GVfoot.com
Travis T. Hampton, D.P.M.
Foot and Ankle Surgeon
La Grande
1408 N Hall Street
Enterprise
601 Medical Parkway
Baker
3175 Pocahontas Rd.