Adam Gropman

Sara O'Donnell in her kitchen; Credit: Simone Paz

Sara O'Donnell and the Making of "Average Betty"

Adam Gropman
"You don't take perfectly awesome Oreo cookies, scrape out the cream filling and refill them with toothpaste," pontificates a well-lit Sara O'Donnell. She's looking into the camera, warning against the stupidity of food-related April Fools' pranks. "Here's a better idea -- why not refill them with cement? 'Oh! I broke......
popsicles at Suck It; Credit: Suck It Sweets' Facebook page

The Popsicle Queen: Kaileigh Brielle, Suck It + Popsicle Adventures

Adam Gropman
Kaileigh Brielle went to film school, dabbled in filmmaking and then, realizing that she needed a more concrete profession, became a licensed optician, working for someone else before opening her own optical shop in Toluca Lake. That should have been enough creative productivity for a lifetime, but an incidental turn......
Uggie; Credit: Courtesy Omar Von Muller

Uggie The Artist Dog's Trainer Omar Von Muller: The Man Behind the Dog

Adam Gropman
Stardom came late in life for Hollywood's Next Big Thing. Before he played opposite Reese Witherspoon and landed a scene-stealing role in an Academy Award-nominated film, he endured random parts in commercials, TV shows and films -- and even performed tricks on Third Street Promenade for pocket money.He didn't hit......
Credit: ILLUSTRATION BY JIMMY GIEGERICH

Stopping 2,000 Barking Dogs

Adam Gropman
Los Angeles residents who live within hearing distance of an estimated 2,000 chronically barking dogs go through a private hell, with City Hall policies allowin...