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TV Media Weekly | March 11 - 17, 2017 By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: Greg Jbara was listed in "Blue Bloods" as "guest star- ring," then as "starring," and is now listed as "guest starring" again. Can you please tell me why? A: Credits are a very complicat- ed business, and the credits we see on screen have a lot of significance off screen as well. Crediting someone as a "star" in a show instead of "guest star" (or "special guest star," as Greg Jbara is credited in "Blue Bloods") means changing their union-man- dated pay scale — it's a promotion in more than name. That gets complicated in a show like "Blue Bloods," which has a large ensemble cast. Donnie Wahl- berg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Es- tes, Len Cariou and Tom Selleck are all stars of the show. That's a lot of people at the top pay tier. And then there's the rest of "Blue Bloods'" sprawling cast list: Amy Carlson, Tony and Andrew Ter- raciano, Sami Gayle, Abigail Hawk and Jbara have all appeared in al- most every episode of the show as well, but they don't get their names in the opening sequence at the start. But of course, that's not all that separates the two groups; there's also actual screen time to consider. Though Jbara has appeared in nearly every episode of the show, he hasn't been in as many minutes of it as, say, Wahlberg or Moynah- an. There are certainly precedents of second-tier (generally called "recurring" because it's a little less insulting) cast members being pro- moted to star, even if it's only tem- porary. "The Walking Dead" does this a lot, for example, probably be- cause stars keep dying in that show. This was likely the case with Jbara. I say "likely" because, after digging around quite a bit, I couldn't find an instance of Jbara being credited above his usual "special guest star." I'm taking your word for it, because I couldn't go through all 149 episodes of the show. Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Hollywood Q&A By Andrew Warren TV Media T he ovens are preheating, there are several dozen eggs in the fridge and the pantry is packed with enough sugar to please even the biggest sweet tooth. With spring in the air, it can only mean one thing: it's time for Food Network's annual spring baking competition. "Spring Baking Champion- ship" premieres Sunday, March 12, with back-to-back episodes to launch the seven-episode se- ries. Host Jesse Palmer ("The Bachelor") welcomes back the three returning judges who oversee the competition. Duff Goldman ("Ace of Cakes"), Nancy Fuller ("Farmhouse Rules") and Lorraine Pascale ("Worst Bakers in America") can be an intimidating trio to bake for, but their tough-love approach to the sweet side of cooking just ensures that the cream always rises to the top. It's all about Easter in the pre- miere episode as nine of the best bakers in the country do their best to impress the judges. Of course, Easter means chocolate eggs, but these competitors need to up their games to make unique and unequaled Easter egg desserts. Then, with the flour barely settled from that little warmup, the bakers are tasked with putting together a classic bunny cake worthy of being served to the three judges — the worst of the bunch causes one baker to be sent home. And that's only half of the two-part premiere, but with only eight bakers left standing, the competition is already get- ting hotter. Spring is the perfect time of year for a vacation (spring break, anyone?), and the second episode calls for some tropical desserts and des- tination donuts. As the competition goes on through the coming weeks, the bakers make something nice for Mother's Day, celebrate the Kentucky Derby and work on some springtime renovations. In the end, only one baker emerges from the cloud of flour dust. Up for grabs for the win- ner is a sweet, sweet $50,000 — not to mention the bragging rights that come with beating out eight of the country's best bakers. "Spring Baking Champion- ship" gets underway with a two-episode premiere Sunday, March 12, on Food Network. Nancy Fuller, Jesse Palmer, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale as seen in "Spring Baking Championship" Food Network's baking competition is sweet on the season 10 | Cooking this week Friendship Haven 2 x 2.5" Noah's Ark 2 x 2" 2nd Shift Plumbing 2 x 1.5" 24/7 Complete Sewer & Plumbing Service Call Someone Who Gives a Shift! callsomeonewhogivesashift.com PC#10500764 (765) 863-8522 ! NO EMERGENCY FEES!

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