In deepest San Fernando Valley not long ago, inside Webb Stage, a one-time factory remade into a TV studio, Brian Benben lay on top of Mimi Rogers under the covers.
They awaited director John Landis to instruct them what to do. Landis, whose normal energy is cyclonic, was summoned by an assistant. The couple was ready for him.
Landis darted onto the set, checked it over, scrutinized the lighting, measured the camera angle, wondered if everybody was comfortable (they were), then joyfully pronounced everything "Poi-fect!"
He called for the lovemaking to commence for an episode that will launch the second season of "Dream On." A cult of fans adore this adult-comedy series on HBO, which returns tonight for 14 new episodes.
Those fans will be pumped by the news that the first episode--an hour vs. the normal half-hour because there is so-o-o-o much to tell--is called "The Second Greatest Story Ever Told." As devoted viewers will know, the second greatest person is Richard, whom we have never seen but is perfection personified.
More on him later. For now, suffice it to say that the plot centers on the making of a movie of Richard's wonderful life, "The Richard Stone Story."
And to tell this incredible story, executive producers Landis (who directs on occasion) and Kevin Bright hired a starry cast in addition to regulars Brian Benben, who plays the perplexed New York book editor Martin Tupper, and Wendie Malick, his edgy, breakaway wife Judith, who moved on to marry this amazing Dr. Richard Stone.
So Tom Berenger is cast as obnoxious movie star Nick Spencer, who in turn plays Richard. Rogers (reunited with Berenger from their stylish hit film "Someone to Watch Over Me") is Julia Montana, a likewise obnoxious movie star who in turn plays Judith.
The even more likewise obnoxious TV director, the legendary Sir Roland, is performed by David Bowie. ("I've known him for years," Landis said, "and I told him it was a really funny part. David is a desperate closet comic.")
Landis inserts some cameo players, too, including Sylvester Stallone--who just did the lead in the director's comedy, "Oscar"--playing himself. He's jealous, he says, because \o7 he\f7 wanted to play Richard.
