Spokane boy lands sitcom job
When the heavily promoted new sitcom “My Name is Earl” debuts on NBC on Sept. 20, keep an eye out for a young Spokane actor named Louis Moyle.
The 7-year-old Louis plays Dodge, Earl’s stepson, in this comedy about a ne’er-do-well who tries to make amends for his past transgressions. Jason Lee stars.
Louis was a first-grader at Pasadena Park Elementary last winter when his mom, Florence Moyle, took him down to L.A. to audition for various TV pilots.
“I just had him do it for something to do,” she says. “He just goes and has fun.”
He landed an audition for “Earl,” and apparently the producers liked what they saw.
“I asked Louis what they had him do and he said, ‘Run around and scream,’ ” says Florence. “He got the job for the pilot, and now they’re making more.”
The pilot was filmed earlier this year. On Thursday, Louis and his mom were driving back to Hollywood to film episodes two through five.
He doesn’t have a speaking role in the pilot, but he may in upcoming episodes.
Young Louis has had several other professional jobs besides this. He has filmed a regional cell phone ad, and he’ll be featured in a Quaker Oats ad in national magazines.
He already has a Hollywood agent, the same one used by Hilary Swank – another former Spokane resident turned actor.
Local ‘Forensic Files’
In other TV news of local interest, the “Cereal Killer” episode of “Forensic Files” on Court TV debuts on Wednesday at 9 p.m. (cable channel 49 in Spokane, 68 in Coeur d’Alene).
It recounts the 1999 case of Christopher Wood, the 11-year-old Spokane Valley boy who was reported missing after a house fire. His body was later found in a ditch in Stevens County.
Eventually, through sophisticated forensic techniques involving the contents of the boy’s stomach – including the cereal he ate that morning – his father was arrested and charged with murder and arson. The father eventually hanged himself in his jail cell.
The episode will be repeated on Thursday at 1 and 5 a.m.
A KUID birthday
On Sept. 23 and 24, KUID-TV will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Moscow, Idaho.
KUID is the PBS affiliate connected with the University of Idaho. It went on the air in 1965 and joined with stations in Boise and Pocatello in 1982 to form Idaho Public Television. It has been an important part of North Idaho’s TV scene ever since.
A number of special events will be held on the UI campus to commemorate the anniversary. Call (208) 885-6154 for details.
Kenny Garrett on the way
Kenny Garrett, an acclaimed alto saxman, has been announced as the guest artist at the annual Whitworth College Fall Jazz concert at the campus on Nov. 5.
Garrett has been a sideman for pop stars Sting and Peter Gabriel, among many others. But his reputation lies mainly on his serious credentials with jazz legends Art Blakey, Woody Shaw and Miles Davis.
Garrett played in Davis’ band for five years beginning in 1986. The Detroit native also has played in Mercer Ellington’s big band.
He has recorded a number of acclaimed albums on his own, including “Black Hope” and “African Exchange Student.”
Tickets for the show will go on sale Sept. 17.