‘CHRISTMAS WITH TUCKER’

PRODUCTION BIOS

JOEL S. RICE (Executive Producer) – Since the early 90s, Joel S. Rice has been producing films for television that do more than just tell a story – they make a difference. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Theater from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in the late 80s, Rice moved to Los Angeles and began acting in a variety of films before returning to school. He earned his Master’s degree in Social Work from UCLA and worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from 1988 to 1992.

In the early 90s, Rice decided to return to entertainment, forming a production company, WildRice Productions, which immediately began producing films for television which focused on social or personal issues that affect families, relationships or the public as a whole. His 1993 film for CBS, “Bonds of Love,” starred Treat Williams and Kelly McGillis in a love story between a man who is mentally ill and a woman who is not. WildRice’s “Cries From the Heart” (1994) starred Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert in a courtroom drama about a mother whose seven- year-old autistic son reveals he’s been abused by a guardian at his school, though it’s unclear if he’s telling the truth.

1998’s “About Sarah” for CBS starred Mary Steenburgen as a mentally ill mother of a teenage girl (Kellie Martin), which tackled the issues of role reversal between children and adult parents with physical or emotional handicaps. The film received a Christopher Award, as well as “Best of the Fest” at the Breckenridge Festival of Film and Steenburgen received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance.

In 2000, Rice exec-produced Showtime’s “One Kill,” starring Anne Heche, Sam Shepard and Eric Stoltz. Heche appeared as a female soldier who kills an officer in self defense, and then is brought up on charges of murder, dealing with both gun ethics and the treatment of women in a male world. Rice was also the executive producer for the 2007 Nickelodeon comedy “Shredderman Rules.” Rice has worked on numerous Hallmark Channel Original Movies including the “The Note” and “The Note II: Taking a Chance On Love” starring Genie Francis and Ted McGinley as well as “Old Fashioned Thanksgiving” and “An Old Fashioned Christmas” starring Jacqueline Bisset.

Rice is married to his wife of 19 years, Ronni. The couple live in Los Angeles with their two daughters, ages six and nine.

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MICHAEL PRUPAS (Executive Producer) – Michael Prupas, President and CEO of Muse Entertainment Enterprises, is a 28-year veteran of the film and television industries. He practiced entertainment law for 20 years, including 15 years as a senior partner at the law firm Heenan Blaikie. Prupas was the head of the firm’s entertainment law practice, which is the largest in Canada. (more)

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With his extensive experience in international production financing as well as legal and business affairs, Prupas launched Muse Entertainment Enterprises in June 1998, which has quickly become one of the major independent production companies in Canada. In 2000, he set up Muse Distribution International, which represents Muse Entertainment and other independent Canadian producers at major markets and brings Canadian programs to audiences worldwide.

In 2005, Prupas executive produced two award-winning television mini-series: “Human Trafficking,” about the global reach of sex slavery directed by Christian Duguay and starring Donald Sutherland, Mira Sorvino, Robert Carlyle and Rémy Girard, as well as “Answered by Fire,” about the violent creation of East Timor. Prupas also executive produced three seasons worth of episodes of the award-winning dramatic series “This is Wonderland,” which has been sold for broadcast in over 100 territories.

In 2007, he produced the feature film “The Deal,” starring William H. Macy and Meg Ryan, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Other TV movies he has produced or executive produced include “Too Young to Marry,” “I Me Wed,” “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” “Girl’s Best Friend,” “Swamp Devil” and “Infected.” He has worked with a myriad of successful actors, including Tom Skeritt, Erica Durance, Bruce Dern, Isabella Rossellini, Bill Pullman, Linda Hamilton and Bob Hoskins.

Prupas established the first entertainment law course at McGill University, which he taught from 1997-2002. He coached a minor league baseball team for five years, served on the Board of Trustees of the Banff Television Festival and sits on the Board of Advisors of the Just for Laughs comedy festival and on the finance committee of the Association des producteurs de film et de télévision du Québec.

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JONAS PRUPAS (Executive Producer) – Jonas Prupas is General Manager of Muse Entertainment’s Toronto office overseeing Muse’s TV movies, documentaries and unscripted character-based series developed or filmed in Ontario. His most recent executive producer credits include the television movies: “Home Again” (ABC Family) and “The Night Before The Night Before Christmas” (Hallmark Channel).

He is also responsible for helping Ann Harbron, Managing Director of the company’s Factual Division, to identify, develop and manage Muse Entertainment’s unscripted programming slate.

Jonas has worked at Muse since 2008. He has a BA in Economics from McGill University and an MBA in Arts and Media Management from the Schulich School of Business, York University.

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DAVE ALAN JOHNSON (Executive Producer/Writer)- In the two plus decades Dave Alan Johnson has worked in Hollywood. Johnson has created, produced, written, or directed nearly a half billion dollars worth of entertainment. He has collaborated with some of Hollywood’s top names (including teaming up with to Co-Create and Executive Produce DreamWorks’ premier television production - the ABC hit drama, “High Incident”). He has created product (in both television and movies) for virtually every major entertainment company including Disney, Paramount, Sony, Warner Brothers, DreamWorks, MGM, FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, and others. Last summer Johnson was Executive Producer of October Baby,” one of the most successful independent theatrical releases of 2012. Currently, “Christmas With Tucker,” a movie he scripted for Hallmark Movie Channel, is in production serving as Executive Producer. He is alsoin pre-production on three more movies for other distributors that will shoot in 2013 – for which he’ll serve in varying capacities (Writer, Producer and /or Director). ###

LARRY McLEAN (Director)- Larry Mclean is a diverse and passionate director with a dynamic vision. Starting his career as an actor, McLean’s experience offers a unique perspective on the other side of the camera, adding vital onset cohesiveness to his projects. From the subtle comedy “Republic of Doyle” to the prime time drama “XIII,” McLean has a wide range of experience to suit almost every production.

Previously, McLean directed two episodes of “Alien Mysteries,” a one hour sci-fi scripted drama produced for Discovery Network. The series is a big hit having premiered spring 2013 immediately gaining a huge audience. McLean’s episode aired opening night and got great reviews.

Last year, McLean immersed himself in Disney Boot Camp. He saw that mulit-camera was becoming more and more popular and he wanted to be ready for the onslaught of production. He has since directed the sitcom, “Pair of Kings” for the network and will be returning this season to do more shows.

McLean has a great deal of experience directing children’s programming. He worked on 12 episodes of Aaron Stone before being brought on mid-season as a creative consultant. McLean has work on several episodes of Cookie Jar Entertainment’s Mudpit, a much-anticipated live action/CGI hybrid due to be released September 2011.

Larry has done a substantial amount of dramatic and comedic television for prime time audience. He directed the pilot episode of “Love You to Death,’ a show about spousal murders hosted by John waters. After creating the initial visual style for this niche series, he was brought back to direct multiple episodes. McLean has also worked on episodes of the Canadian classic “Due South,’ the Gemini award-winning series “Blue Murder” and the action-adventure hit “Relic Hunter.”

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He directed the pilot episode of “Sue Thomas F.B.Eye,” extending his contract to direct and co- produce almost every second episode. Impressed with his work, the prodcuers hired McLean to direct and co-produce more than 20 episodes of “Doc,” work with Billy Ray Cyrus again in the television movie of the week, “Some Gave All.”

McLean has been nominated for two DGC Team awards for his work on “XIII: The Conspiracy” and the movie “Jett Jackson.” Being able to skillfully adapt to any genre or production, McLean is always looking for his next project.

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