In movie news, The Wedding Ringer, cowritten by Jay Lavender, was released this winter. The film centers on Doug Harris (Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf in Frozen), a likable but socially awkward groom-to-be who has no best man for the big day. With less than two weeks to go until he marries his dream woman (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting of The Big Bang Theory), Doug is referred to Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart), owner and CEO of Best Man Inc., a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need. A wedding charade ensues as well as an unexpected bromance between Doug and his Jimmy.


In an interview with Showbiz Junkies, Jay discussed The Wedding Ringer’s long journey from script to screen. Jay cowrote the film 14 years ago with Jeremy Garelick, who directed the movie and who cowrote with Jay The Break-Up, the 2006 film starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. Check out Jay’s interview at www.showbizjunkies.com/movies/wedding-ringer-cast-interview.


In other news, Robbie Ashe, chairman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), has been spearheading the transformation of the transit system from one of the most troubled in the nation to one of the best. In November 2014 Robbie was heavily involved in winning a historic ballot referendum that will expand MARTA’s footprint for the first time in 40 years. Robbie is an attorney at the Atlanta law firm Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore, where he represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts in issues involving politics, governments and governmental authorities throughout Georgia, metropolitan Atlanta governments and the Georgia General Assembly.


Take care, everyone, and let me know what you’re up to.


—Jason Casell, 10106 Balmforth Lane, Houston, TX 77096; jhcasell@gmail.com