It’s a rare event when mother and child can agree on a television show (at least in our home). I would never expect my 3-year-old to ask to watch Matt Damon’s appearance on Oprah. Likewise, I usually duck out when my daughter is watching “Arthur” on PBS so I can fold a few loads of laundry. But, come September 3rd my daughter and I have a date with the same television show.
Hottie Matt Damon (who is currently playing former assassin Jason Bourne in “The Bourne Ultimatum”) is tackling a new project next month—complete with bear ears and fur. The 36-year-old actor is playing himself (albeit a hairier version) on an upcoming episode of “Arthur” during the “Postcards From You” portion. Damon’s appearance is part of an initiative to encourage young viewers to make their own home videos.
So why was Damon chosen to voice a furry character on the show about a bespectacled aardvark? I wondered the same thing. Which is not to say that celebrities have never appeared on the animated show. My daughter is an avid fan of “Arthur” and we’ve watched episodes with guest appearances by Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan and Mister Rogers. According to the show’s creator, choosing Damon simply made sense since he is a father, a filmmaker, he’s from the Boston area (where the show is based), oh, and the head writer of the show was Damon’s classmate at Harvard.
So my daughter and I have a date to watch “Arthur” together on September 3rd. Sure, Damon’s good looks will be altered a bit… details, details…
In other TV news, Kathie Lee Gifford is returning to TV next month. She’ll be re-teaming with her former on screen partner Regis Philbin on “Live with Regis and Kelly” to help celebrate the daytime talk show’s 20th anniversary. You’ll recall Gifford left the show as co-host in 2000. But, it looks like show producers couldn’t get rid of her forever. Gifford is slated to appear on September 14th, when Philbin and Kelly Ripa take a look back at the show’s most memorable moments. (Ripa replaced Gifford in 2001.)
Gifford’s appearance will cap off a two-week celebration “Live” is planning for the 20th season. The festivities start on September 3rd and will include several shows dedicated to marking the milestone and looking back at the last two decades.
One of the show’s highlights for me: Matt Damon’s appearances.