Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Jeff Daniels is aware that his "The Answer Man" "is going to need reviews" to make it a success. "It stands a chance of being seen. What we want to do is get people above the age of 22 to go see it, and that audience doesn't always go to the movie theaters right away."

It's the wonderful performances that power the indie. Daniels stars as the reclusive, profanity-spewing, mean and neurotic author of a watershed spiritual best seller containing God's answers to questions — and Lauren Graham plays the chiropractor who helps him straighten out literally and figuratively. Jeff says he was drawn to the character because, "I didn't know how to play him, and after 50 movies, you look for things where you might fail miserably. That certainly keeps your attention throughout the shoot. It was a smart script with a lot of intelligence behind the characters, behind the story. It reminded me of something Woody [Allen] would have done, or Neil Simon, or early Jim Brooks," he adds of the John Hindman film. Indeed, some reviewers have taken issue with "Answer Man" for its abundance of parallels to Brooks' "As Good As It Gets."

Daniels also has the indies "Howl" and "Paper Man" on the way. But it's Broadway's "God of Carnage" that's taken over his life since the end of January, says the actor, who was Tony-nominated for the drama. "We have one more week on 'Carnage,' then they're going to give us August off, and we'll go back in September. It will be good to take a break," he says. Daniels will be heading home to his beloved Michigan — where he will certainly not be idle. The Purple Rose Theater company that he founded there "is going to do a play in the fall. I wrote it, I said, 'You direct it, and you act in it.' I've got some gigs I'm going to do." He does a one-man show consisting of storytelling and songs including original ditties such as one "about what it's like to get shot and killed by Clint Eastwood." He does the show as a labor of love in theaters and old opera houses, but it's grown so popular there's now talk of filming it as a special TV presentation "sooner rather than later."

DOING IT WITH STYLE: Merlin Castell has become a breakout star on Bravo's hit "The Fashion Show" thanks to his luxurious designs and eccentric personality, and now he's looking to take his pieces to the next level. "I haven't had the opportunity to dress the real, real celebrities that I want to dress, but I will.

I am on my way there," says the Latin designer. "I get thousands of calls from people who say, 'Oh, my name is on this show. Can you dress me for this event?' I'm sorry, but I don't do that. My pieces are one of a kind. If I'm going to be dressing somebody, it has to be an A-lister. My dream is to dress somebody like Nicole Kidman. I would love to dress her! It might not happen for 10 years, but I don't care. I'm patient," he adds with a laugh.

When asked if he was surprised about not winning the show, Merlin responds no. "I wasn't expecting it, because I know my market is not the market they are targeting. I was trying to stay in there as long as I could," says Merlin, who was asked back to the finale as a fashion expert. "It's been a really great experience. It's totally changed my life, so I'm glad I did it. Plus, it showcased who I really am. With the way I dress and the way I look, people think I just want to be a character for TV. No, no, no! That's Merlin! That's me," he claims. "With me, people either loved me or hated me — there was no in between. If they get to know me, though, they get to love me!

LOOKING AHEAD: Robert Rodriguez's latest family/kid comedy, "Shorts," isn't being released by Warner Bros. 'til the end of August, but already the film's tween-age bad girl Jolie Vanier is getting attention — from the vast play the film's trailer has been getting on the Internet. One Hollywood exec mentioned Jolie to his 10-year-old granddaughter, and she said, "Oh, I love her." "How do you love her?" he asked. 'The film doesn't come out for months." "I watch the trailer all the time," was the response. You can see it for yourself at http://shortsmovie.warnerbros.com/. Jolie's character not only is the terror of the boys in the film, but she dresses in black and punk and has her own evil theme music.

IT HAD TO HAPPEN: With the plethora of reality shows featuring guys and gals looking for love — from "The Bachelorette" all the way to "Real Chance at Love" — you have to figure someone would get around to doing a parody. (Yes, most of these shows seem like self-parody, but this is different.) Casting has been underway for a yet-untitled hybrid show, with eight episodes ordered for a major cable network, that will feature improv actors playing variations of those wannabe boyfriends and girlfriends that populate the tube these days. Types included are "the hunk," described as being in his twenties, attractive and charming, "seen as the ideal ladies' man. Only slowly do we realize he is much more than that," according to casting announcements. Then there's the party boy, the girl who always bursts into tears and the catty-remark-dropping "gay dater."

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM