Advertisement

arts entertainmentTV

Weekly watcher: Ennis native tries to make a big impression on new competition TV show

Frank Garcia-Hejl is disproving the adage that there's never a second chance to make a first impression.

The master of mimicry will get to pluck from his entire arsenal as he competes in USA Network's comedy competition show First Impressions on Tuesday (9:30 p.m. USA). Eighteen celebrity impressionists will go head-to-head to get the honor of being named favorite impressionist and a prize of $10,000.

"It's kind of like improv games as celebrities," Garcia-Hejl said.

Advertisement

Freddie Prinze Jr. hosts the series that features Dana Carvey, known for his impressions of Johnny Carson and George H.W. Bush during his time on Saturday Night Live. There are other celebrity guests, too, including Jon Lovitz on Tuesday. Garcia-Hejl (pronounced Garcia-Hail) entertained our questions before his big break airs.

News Roundups

Catch up on the day's news you need to know.

Or with:

Tell me about Ennis.

I was born in Houston and lived there for about four years. We got broken into a lot. My mom was like, ‘Let’s move back to my hometown.’ And that’s how I grew up in Ennis. ... It’s changed a lot since I grew up there, that’s for sure. There was really nothing to do when I grew up. That was part of the itchiness to be creative and get out, you know. Now there’s a lot of stuff there to do, to keep them occupied. When I go back, I just love seeing family.

Frank Garcia-Hejl
Frank Garcia-Hejl (JOSEPH VILES / USA NETWORK)

How did you get on the show?

I live in New York now and I was in LA for some other auditions for San Francisco Sketchfest and I had my reps contact them to see if I could audition since I was in town. I heard about it online and I'm such a huge Dana Carvey fan and I love doing impressions that I wanted to get in any way I could.

Advertisement

Your list of influences include '80s and '90s SNL. That’s vintage Dana Carvey. Meeting him must have been a highlight for you.

I just tried to be as respectful as possible because when you meet your heroes, you don’t want to push too much. I’ve had experiences in the past where I’ve met heroes of mine that didn’t turn out too great. But Dana was amazing. He was everything that I had hoped for and more. And he was super nice. During breaks … he would come over and talk to us … about anything, which was really nice. He was very helpful. He was incredibly generous and kind and he was everything that I could hope for. So, I was very, very happy.

Do you remember the first impression you did and the inkling that you could be good at it?

Advertisement

Imitating SNL characters that I really liked or characters that I really liked on SNL, SCTV, Kids in the Hall, stuff like that. And then just imitating cartoon characters and family and friends and teachers. I'd get, kind of, laughs from that from my peers … I wasn't the most popular, but whenever I'd do that stuff, they liked me. So I figured, 'Ah, there's something here.'

Any special plans on how you’ll watch your episode of the show?

I might have to work that night. ... When you’re in the moment … it goes by so fast that you don’t have time to really think about it. I’m looking forward to go back and watch it and take it in and hopefully not cringe.

Freddie Prinze Jr., Dana Carvey
Freddie Prinze Jr., Dana Carvey(Joseph Viles / USA Network)

SUNDAY

Once Upon a Time: Henry runs to New York City, with Mr. Gold and his mothers, The Evil Queen and Snow White's daughter, in hot pursuit in the season-ending episode. 7 p.m. ABC

Quantico: The trainees graduate in the season finale. 9 p.m. ABC

MONDAY

Dancing With the Stars: Nine weeks of performances and one more elimination. 7 p.m. ABC

Advertisement

Mike and Molly: The series comes to a close with a two-part finale. 7 and 7:30 p.m. CBS

Jane the Virgin: It's wedding bells for Jane in the season finale. 8 p.m. CW

Gotham: Fish Mooney, the best villain that the comic-book Gotham never had, returns! 7 p.m. Fox

Advertisement

Blindspot: Who does that? A baby is found with a tattoo that's just like one of Jane's. 9 p.m. NBC

Castle: The news Thursday was that the Season 8 finale is end of the series. Rumor has it that the show had two endings ready, just in case. 9 p.m. ABC

Bates Motel: Another season closes on this creepfest. 8 p.m. A&E

The Real Housewives of Dallas: Friend Marie may not be so friendly after LeeAnne and Tiffany turn their ire on her. 9 p.m. Bravo

Advertisement

TUESDAY

Megyn Kelly Presents: I'm not quite sure what to expect when the host interviews her nemesis, presidential hopeful Donald Trump. 7 p.m. Fox

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: In the two-hour season finale, Hive's plans are revealed and the department has to do something. Right? 8 p.m. ABC

Coupled: Twelve single women on an island. Men brought in by helicopter. And Terrence J is there to lay witness in this new series. 9 p.m. Fox

Advertisement

WEDNESDAY

Blackish: Dre has the wildest dream. The family morphs into another TV family, and finds some Good Times in the season finale. 8:30 p.m. ABC

"Good-ish Times"- Dre is left exhausted after wrestling with a lot of stress at work and...
"Good-ish Times"- Dre is left exhausted after wrestling with a lot of stress at work and while at home, he drifts to sleep watching a TV marathon of "Good Times" - cue the dream sequence. The Johnson family goes back in time to the 1970s transforming into the classic TV show's characters. The series stars (from left to right) LAURENCE FISHBURNE, MILES BROWN, JENIFER LEWIS, MARCUS SCRIBNER, ANTHONY ANDERSON, YARA SHAHIDI, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, DEON COLE, MARSAI MARTIN(Ron Tom / ABC)

Empire: Puh-leeeze. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He got shot. But in the season finale, Jamal decides that family really is the most important thing. And what's Mother's answer to "How are you kin to Lucious Lyon?" 8 p.m. Fox

Advertisement

Nashville: Elton John guest-performs. 9 p.m. ABC

THURSDAY

The 100: Things are about to get real in the conclusion. 8 p.m. CW

The Blacklist: The Season 3 finale. 8 p.m. NBC

Advertisement

FRIDAY

Grimm: Black Claw moves against Hank, and that sends Nick on a rampage in a two-hour event. Grimm is always a two-hour event for me; the episodes are like potato chips. I can't watch just one.

David Giuntoli as Nick Burkhardt, Russell Hornsby as Hank Griffin in "Grimm."
David Giuntoli as Nick Burkhardt, Russell Hornsby as Hank Griffin in "Grimm."(Scott Green / NBC)

The Originals: The Mikaelsons are always under siege, with each new threat slightly worse than the last. Tonight won't be any different. The fun is seeing how each one plays out, especially with once-allied Marcel on the enemies list again. 8 p.m. The CW

Advertisement

SATURDAY

All the Way: It's not Lemonade, but it's another event for the pay cable network when Bryan Cranston reprises his role as Lyndon B. Johnson in this look at his first year in office. 7 p.m. HBO

Roots: A New Vision: Go behind the scenes in this examination of the new miniseries. 9 p.m. History Channel

This week in home entertainment

Angie Tribeca, the series from Steve and Nancy Carell, debuted with a 25-hour marathon. They knew what they were doing. It's strangely addictive, with each episode just flowing into the next so much so that you feel like another character on this silly and irreverent show. Rashida Jones stars as the titular character, a jaded LAPD detective who carries a world-worn air. The parodies fly fast and furious around the precinct, my friend, and you might need to binge again -- and again -- just to get 50 percent of them. Get some Angie Tribeca: The Complete Season One in your life.

Advertisement

Also out this week: Airwolf: The Complete Series; All-Star: Superman/Superman Doomsday; Cop Rock: The Complete Series; Dirty Grandpa; Janis: Little Girl Blue; Mad About You: The Complete Series; Superman/Batman: Public Enemies/Superman/Batman: Apocalypse; The Witch; and Xena Warrior Princess: The Complete Series.

For more TV news, views and reviews, follow @DawnBurkes on Twitter.