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WORDS: REBECCA FLETCHER, RICHARD MCCLURE. PHOTOS: NETFLIXEddie Murphy and
Jerry Seinfeld take
to the roadComedians in
Cars Getting Coffee
Eddie Murphy makes a rare appearance on our
screens this week when he joins Jerry Seinfeld
for a new series of his hit Netflix show Comedians
in Cars Getting Coffee.
The new 12-part run features a mix of A-listers
and upcoming comics shooting the breeze with
the legendary Seinfeld sitcom star, including Seth
Rogen and Ricky Gervais – but it’s Murphy who’s
set to attract the most attention.LOW PROFILE
Now aged 58, the New Yorker has gradually receded
from the public eye, making only a handful of
movies in the past decade.
It’s all a far cry from the 1980s, when roles in 48 Hrs,
Trading Places and three outings in the phenomenally
successful Beverly Hills Cop franchise made him one of
the world’s biggest stars. More recently, he won a new
generation of fans by voicing Donkey in the Shrek films.
But having once said, ‘I’ll make movies until I’m
50 and then be a professional gentleman of leisure,’
it looks like he has largely stuck to his promise. These
days, Murphy prefers to enjoy a rewarding home
life, becoming a father of 10 last year when current
partner Paige Butcher gave birth to their second child.
He hasn’t quite quit show business yet – he’s currently
making a sequel to Coming to America – but TVinterviews are incredibly rare, so it’s quite a coup
for Seinfeld to persuade him to appear on the series.
‘I love the coffee, I love the cars, I love the
comedians and, yes, doing the show with Eddie was
really special,’ tweeted Seinfeld recently. ‘But really,
every person on this show makes me laugh.’THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee started out as a
small web series, involving Seinfeld driving celebrity
pals in classic cars as they swapped stories over copious
amounts of coffee. It’s now acquired cult status, with
all 71 previous episodes available on Netflix.
‘The show’s got the talk, but I wanted it to have
colour, flavour and movement,’ explains Seinfeld,
who’s previously had the likes of Ellen DeGeneres,
Steve Martin, Jim Carrey and Amy Schumer in his
passenger seat. ‘Comedians always have more fun
when they move around!’Deadly
vows
Former child star Brenda Song
may have made her name as one
of Disney Channel’s most popular
talents, but the 31-year-old
has since clocked up a range of
characters in weightier dramas,
including parts in the TV series
Scandal and Oscar-nominated
movie The Social Network.
This week, she takes on one of
her darkest roles yet in Netflix’s
thriller film, Secret Obsession.
Song plays Jennifer, a newlywed
who’s brutally attacked, but
her injuries leave her unable to
recall anything from her past,
including the ordeal.
Her new husband, Russell
(Mike Vogel), is eager to get her
home to rest and recover. But
as he reintroduces her to their
secluded mountain estate, not
everything is what it seems.
Is Russell really as caring and
compassionate as he appears?
Trying to solve the mystery is
Detective Page (Dennis Haysbert),
who has set his sights on catching
Jennifer’s assailant. But he is
haunted by a personal tragedy- his own daughter went missing
and was never found.
Song – who is dating another
former child star, Macaulay Culkin –
says she’s enjoyed the opportunity
to take on more adult roles, like
that of Jennifer, in recent years.
‘Transitioning from child to
teenager to adult is a difficult
process for anyone – especially
in front of the camera,’ she says.
‘I’ve been fortunate to grow in
the right direction.’
NEW
Genre: Thriller
Available: Thu 18 July
Runs: 97min TVSW says: Edge-of-
the-seat suspenseSecret
Obsession
NEW
Genre: Comedy Available: Friday 19 July
Season: 11 Episodes: 12 Runs: 14-23min
TVSW says: A real joy rideEddie’s
new ride
Eddie Murphy buckles up for Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix comedy
Ricky Gervais
also appears