“I’ve been working since I was 6,” revealed Tyler Posey, star of the hit MTV monster drama series “Teen Wolf.” In a recent phone interview, Posey talked about nabbing the titular role and working on the show, loosely based on fantasy-comedy films that starred Michael J. Fox and Jason Bateman.
“I’ve been working my entire life. My dad is an actor and a writer. He used to take me to movie sets. It was odd for a 4-year-old to hang out for 12 hours at a time and not complain … My dad got me into auditioning when I was very young,” he said.
As a child actor, Posey played Jennifer Lopez’ son in the 2002 rom-com “Maid in Manhattan.” He eventually appeared in TV shows “Smallville” and “Brothers and Sisters.” He also co-founded, and is the vocalist and guitarist of a pop-punk band called Lost in Kostko. Now 19, Posey plays Scott McCall, the star lacrosse player hiding a savage, lycanthropic side.
“This is definitely the biggest role I have ever done,” he said. “I love it because the attention that I’m getting is just mind-blowing. I’m having so much fun; I’m happy all the time!”
The actor-musician believes that the new series stands out from the ongoing barrage of monster-fantasy programs. “Most of the other shows tend to focus on one genre, the horror or scary aspect or the drama. Even though our show is a one-hour drama, we focus on the romance, the action, the comedy, the scariness — we put all these different components into one mold and create a really cool show.”
Posey also finds playing a werewolf enjoyable, but admitted that being on the makeup chair for two hours is the most grueling part of the job. He hopes that the popularity of werewolves won’t wane, especially now that a second season is being planned. “Werewolves in our show are completely different than anything else that’s going on right now. I think they’ve always been pretty popular because it’s such an outrageous concept. You can do whatever you want with it, you have so much freedom. I really think that people cling to that because it’s so out of the ordinary. I think it’ll be around for a while, hopefully!”
His uneasiness during the makeup process aside, Posey disclosed that he’s very comfortable working with his costars, especially Crystal Reed, who plays Scott’s love interest Allison. “Crystal, she’s beautiful,” Posey enthused. “I get paid to make out with a hot girl all day!”
The werewolf character requires him to be shirtless a lot, so he sticks to a strict routine to stay in shape. “My fitness regimen is pretty extreme at some points,” Posey said. “When I’m back in LA, I go to the gym about three days a week. I have a trainer — he kicks my butt, he works me out like crazy! It always feels like I’m gonna throw up afterwards, but afterwards that feeling goes away, I feel really good. Without him, I wouldn’t be as fit as I am right now. The other part of my regimen is I eat a lot of pizza and unhealthy food. And for some reason, I just do a couple of sit-ups and the bad food goes away!”
“Teen Wolf” airs Mondays, 9 p.m. on AXN Beyond.
‘Glee Project’ finale
Down to its four finalists, “The Glee Project” chooses the grand winner in its finale episode airing via satellite Monday at 4 p.m., with a prime-time replay Monday night at 8 on Jack TV and ETC.
The final four are Alex Newell, Damian McGinty, Lindsay Pearce and Samuel Larsen. The winner will appear in a seven-episode guest starring role on the third season of “Glee.”
Judging are “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy, casting director Robert Ulrich and choreographer Zach Woodlee.
Dog’s best friend
Man’s best friends and their owners have found a friend in renowned dog behavior expert Cesar Millan, with his uncanny ability to rehabilitate problematic pooches and teach owners how to understand their canine companions.
Cesar hosts National Geographic Channel’s “Dog Whisperer” on August 28, with back-to-back episodes starting at 6 p.m.
In “Dasher, Riley and Fosse” (6 p.m.), Cesar gets an appointment with Italian greyhound Dasher who’s over-the-fence protective of his toys and bones; mastiff Riley who brings the dog-mailman rivalry to a whole new level; and Yorkshire terrier Fosse who has a peculiar grudge against home appliances.
In “Fondue, Chip, Hope, Joy-Joy and Elmer” (7 p.m.), Cesar works on French bulldog Fondue who flunked the Doggy Daycare Entrance Exam; Jack Russell terriers Chip, Hope and Joy-Joy who begin to fight each other when their owner becomes involved in a relationship; and beagle Elmer who incessantly howls on walks.
Birthday buzz
Nickelodeon presents two on-air activities — “I ? (Heart) Art” and “Birthday Buzz.”
“I ? (Heart) Art” invites kids to create artworks with paints, watercolor, scissors and pastel chalks and anything else they can think of.
Kids may send the picture of their artwork to nickster@nick-asia.com or the actual artwork to Nickelodeon, 3rd Floor Silver City Mall, Frontera Drive, Julia Vargas cor. E. Rodriguez Jr., Pasig City with their name, age, gender and contact number.
The chosen artwork will be showcased on the Orange Tube.
For birthday celebrators, Nick is bringing the best birthday greeting on air in Nickelodeon’s “Birthday Buzz,” open to kids up to 14 years old.
To join, kids should send in their name, age, birthday, e-mail address, contact number and picture four weeks before their birthday to nickster@nick-asia.com or to the Nickelodeon office address mentioned above. Chosen Nicksters will see their pictures and names on air or online on nick-asia.com.
All-new series
Cartoon Network presents the exploits of cult classic Dragon Ball in the all-new series “Dragon Ball Z Kai,” weeknights at 9.
More adventures are in store for kids with the all-new season of “Naruto (Season 3), weeknights at 9:30; “Winx Club,” Saturdays at 2 p.m.; and “Sugar Sugar Rune,” Saturdays at 3 p.m.
Ben 10 alien ArmoDrillo is also on the spotlight with “Ben 10: Alien of the Month” airing Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Weekends from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., “Toonilicious” serves laughs and wacky misadventures with Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc., Angelo Rules, Hero: 108 and The Smurfs.