Category Archives: Three Rivers

Dr Gonzo Gonzales-Stawinski keeps Alex O’Loughlin’s previous character alive!

With the all-important, never diminishing need for organ donors, I thought it appropriate to revisit a special TV series that was cancelled way too soon. I’m talking about Three Rivers and the doctor who was portrayed by actor Alex O’Loughlin (now starring in Hawaii Five-0). The character O’Loughlin portrayed in the 2009-2010 series, Dr. Andy Yablonski, was actually inspired by real-life heart transplant surgeon Dr. Gonzo Gonzales-Stawinski. In taking the opportunity to increase organ donation awareness, I recently had the

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TRUE BLOOD Werewolf / Horror Director says Yes to Organ Donation

The cast of Three Rivers continues to be an inspiration for organ donation. And Kelly Overton (Det. Rena Yablonski) is no exception. When I caught up with her, she was just starting her six-week role of a werewolf (Rikki) in True Blood. We managed to touch on both series and emphasize the importance of organ donation. Werewolf Role Unique Though she never played a werewolf prior to her role in True Blood, Overton told me, “It was one of those

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CBS’ THREE RIVERS Lives on Through Organ Donation

What would you change if you were “head writer for a day” on your favorite show? Would you “kill off” a character, or make a major storyline change? Would you be willing to make a change at all? Unsuspecting writers on the now-canceled CBS series Three Rivers had to be prepared to make big changes the moment Owiso Odera took the stage. Never Forgotten His portrayal of Kuol, the Sudanese refugee in need of a heart transplant, was so endearing

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The CBS Series That Changed a Generation

Three Rivers lasted less than a year as a series. It’s effects have continued to last a lifetime. If warning labels existed for television shows, the label for Three Rivers would read, “Warning: Life Changing Series.” And that’s what Three Rivers has remained, nearly three years after its exit from the airwaves. How It All Began I recently had the honor and privilege of speaking with someone I admire greatly, Creator/Executive Producer of the series (and fellow native North Carolinian)

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