The Contender in Entertainment Weekly

Craig / / 2006, The Contender, TV

The June 9, 2006 issue of Entertainment Weekly looks at “67 Shows You Can’t Miss.” Here’s a few quotes about The Contender:

* NBC is a very wide audience; ESPN is a sports audience.

* It’s probably the correct home for The Contender.

* They are without the hosting skills of Sylvester Stallone, who was busy filming Rocky Balboa (the actor will stay on as exec producer).

* That emotion is, of course, compounded by observing the boxers’ parents, wives and children sit ringside as they they fight – a concept that comes from the master himself. “Stallone advised me correctly,” says (Mark) Burnett, “that Adrian was the key element in Rocky.”

* These kids are noble warriors.

The Contender returns July 18th at 10pm on ESPN – Craig

MGM is in the SZONE! An Update of Sorts…

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa, Sly Fan

Two weeks ago I received an e-mail from a representative from Sylvester Stallone‘s office. This led to some phone calls where I was told that Sly was very much aware of the dedication and job that I had done over the past ten years in creating and running the StalloneZone. I was also told that Sly appreciates the positive atmosphere, excitement and support shown by SZoners.

Those e-mails and phone calls led to discussions with a rep from MGM about how the SZ could become involved in the promotion of “Rocky Balboa“.

Longtime SZoners will remember the contests that we ran to help promote “Driven”and so I assumed that we could do some things along those lines… and maybe on an even bigger scale.

Interestingly enough, about the same time that all of this was going on, I received e-mails and photos from Sage Stallone.

This led some folks on the message boards to post or even e-mail me about “my connections” and how I could use them to benefit “us.” I started to receive business offers, people requesting autographs, money, asking that I forward scripts to Sly, that I try to get a private screening of Rocky Balboa with Sly for SZoners…

Whew! Someone, please stop the madness!

I’m not sure what role the SZ will play in the official promotion of “Rocky Balboa“. At the very least things will continue as they have for the last ten years — being the best fan site possible.

December 22, 2006 will be here before we know it. In the mean time, let’s continue to get the word out that Rocky is Back.

See you on the message boards!

– Craig Zablo

 

Sly’s Birthday Bash

Craig / / 2006, Celebs, Planet Hollywood

This photo provided by Planet Hollywood Resort & Casinoshows Planet Hollywood founders Bruce Willis, left, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, second left, and Sylvester Stallone, posing with John Travolta to celebrate Sly’s 60th birthday Sunday, June 4, 2006, at his soon-to-open property, the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Denise Truscello)
 

Jennifer Flavin-Stallone surprised Sly with an early birthday bash at the soon to open Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. In addition to Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Travolta, others in attendance included James Caan, David Spade, Tom Jones [who sang] and many others. Although Sly‘s birthday isn’t until next month, Jennifer wanted to surprise Sly! The celebration was covered on Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. You can read more about it here, here, here, here and just about anywhere you turn on the net.

Sly Movies Part of Encore Special

Craig / / 2006, Demolition Man, Judge Dredd, Nighthawks

Sly Movies Part of Encore Special

If you receive the Encore movie channel you may want to tune in to “Shooting the Police: Cops on Film,” premiering July 1st at 8:00 p.m. The original half-hour special takes a look at the cop film phenomena and how the heroes have changed over the years. The special was produced as part of Encore’s “Summer Heat: 31 Days of Cop Movies,” a month-long festival of cop films every night at 8:00 p.m., all month in July.

Clips from “Nighthawks”, “Die Hard”, “Heat”, and many other movies will appear as filmmakers such as Larry Cohen (“Phonebooth”), Carl Franklin (“Out of Time”), Steven de Sousa (“Die Hard”) and others discuss the popularity and changes the genre has experienced.

Sly films represented during the month arre “Nighthawks” [July 3rd and July 19], “Judge Dredd” [July 20], and “Demolition Man” [July 29th].

For more details click HERE.

– Craig Zablo

MGM is in the SZONE!

Craig / / 2006, Rocky Balboa, StalloneZone

Earlier this week I was contacted by representatives of MGM and Sylvester Stallone‘s office. I was informed that Sly is very much aware of the StalloneZone. In the course of the week I’ve exchanged several e-mails and phone calls with different individuals. Needless to say, it’s been an interesting week.

I’m sure that some of you new SZoners are skeptical. Long time SZoners know the care that I take to insure that I post only news and not speculation, rumors or lies.

Although it’s too early to say more, I can say that there could be some very exciting things in store for us between now and the “Rocky Balboa” release date of December 22, 2006.

I’m hoping that I can say more soon.

In the mean time, continue to get the word out that Rocky is Back. I’ve always said that Sly has the greatest fans in the world. Now we’ll get a chance to prove it.

See you on the message boards!

– Craig Zablo

Exclusive Photos from Sage Stallone

Craig / / 2006, Celebs, Family, Rocky, Sage

Sage Stallone, Sly‘s oldest son, and a talented actor, writer and director in his own right, recently checked in with some photos that he thought SZoners might enjoy. They were taken by his mother, Sasha Stallone.

Sasha, Sly‘s first wife, is an accomplished photographer. Many fans will know her from her photos of Sly which appeared in books, magazines and even posters back in the day.

This is a shot of Sly and Rocky producer, Irwin Winkler, taken in 1976.

Sage writes that this photo was taken by Sasha on the streets of New York City before Rocky!

Sage writes that this photo was taken “way before Rocky…  dad was writing “Poe”… and posing as Poe!”

Sage goes on to say, “Mom tells me this was taken at Bloomingdales in ‘71!

I want to thank Sasha Stallone for allowing us access to the rare photographs from her personal collection.  Most fans know that Sasha was Sly’s first wife and the mother of his two sons, Sage and Seargeoh.  Sasha and Sly were together years before “Rocky” made him an international superstar.

Sly has always credited Sasha with being totally supportive in his quest to make it as actor / writer / director. Not only did Sasha type his scripts, but when they were nearly broke and she was pregnant with Sage, Sasha totally supported Sly‘s decision to turn down hundreds of thousands of dollars to sell the “Rocky” script and let someone else take the starring role.

Sasha‘s photographs have appeared in national magazines, books, and posters. Sasha occasionally acts. She most recently took a role in Sage‘s film “Vic” where she also served as set photographer.

 

I want to thank Sage Stallone for allowing us access to the rare photographs from his family’s personal collection.

Most fans know Sage as Sly‘s real-life son or as Rocky‘s kid from “Rocky V.” What many people forget is “Rocky V” was released 16 years ago! Sage is now a young man,  about the age that Sly was when he made “Rocky.”

In addition to acting, Sage is also a writer, director and  co-founder of Grindhouse Releasing. His short film “Vic” will be on the festival circuit this year.

I’m hoping to interview Sage in the near future, so if you have any questions you’d like to throw his way, e-mail me  and you may get your answers!

I’ll also keep SZoners updated on which festivals Sage will be attending so that we can go out and support his efforts.

Thanks again to Sage and Sasha Stallone! – Craig