Ruckus August 25, 2023

‘A clown and a performer’

RACHEL HERGETT

For the Chronicle

Michael Lewis isn’t the only blacksmith in southwest Montana, but he may be the most visible.

When he started building a smithy at the intersection of U.S. Highway 89 and Merrill Lane just south of Livingston, the shell could have easily housed a co ee hut or a barbecue shack, Lewis said. So he’s been making sure people know what he’s about. Plywood signs painted sky blue are propped against and over a shipping container, proclaiming “knives,” “roses,” “knuckles” and “hearts”

in big white letters. e display is twice as tall as Lewis’ forge.

“People come to Montana to do unique things and meet interesting people,” Lewis told me when I stopped by last week. “I’ve been called ‘interesting’ and a couple other things.”

Lewis is clad in what appears to be his uniform, a pair of denim overalls and a heather gray shirt with spray painted logos for his business Badlands (sometimes stylized “Bad Lands”) Blacksmith. He was wearing the same thing when I rst met him last fall. I was leaving the Livingston Civic Center parking lot, when he passed by,

driving a sky blue motorcycle with matching sidecar painted like a shark. He was pulling a handmade trailer with an umbrella. I sped out of the parking lot after him, trying to get a picture of the sight I had just seen. He stopped to make it easier, then gestured for me to pull over before o ering a ride in the trailer. We spent hours driving around the town in search of the best overlooks, as Lewis smiled and waved at every person we came across (and a deer as well). He seemed very much in his element as both chau eur and entertainer.

PHOTOS BY BY RACHEL HERGETT, FOR THE CHRONICLE Michael Lewis, The Badlands Blacksmith, throws up a peace sign on Main Street in Livingston on Oct. 16.

More BLACKSMITH I 14

What’s Available NOW On

“Lost Treasures of Egypt”Complete Series (Aug. 28)

International teams of archaeologists hunt for and closely examine some of Egypt’s lost treasures in the Valley of the Kings in this immersive, action-packed and discovery-led series.

“Secrets of the Zoo”Complete Series (Aug. 28)

One of the largest and most popular zoos in the US, Ohio’s renowned Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and its conservation park, The Wilds, houses more than 10,000 animals on 12,000 acres. It’s also the part-time home of beloved wildlife guru Jack Hanna, the zoo’s director emeritus. Viewers get an exclusive look inside the grounds, allowing them to experience what visitors can’t: compelling, heartwarming stories, and behindthe-scenes moments and adventures.

celebrityscoop

BY JAY BOBBIN

Checking in with TERRY CREWS

“Movie: Belle” (Aug. 31)

Based on an inspiring true story, this 2014 biographical drama film follows the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the biracial daughter of Royal Navy Captain Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode), as she is raised by her aristocratic Great-uncle Lord William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) in 18th century England.

Terry Crews hasn’t always been the host of “America’s Got Talent,” but some fans of the contest might be hard-pressed to remember that.

The NFL veteran had built a career as a comedic actor when he was summoned to start presiding over the NBC competition in 2019, succeeding Tyra Banks (and her forerunners Nick Cannon, Jerry Springer and Regis Philbin), and he’s continuing that job in the contest’s 18th season on Tuesdays. Crews actually had hosted the spinoff “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” first, setting him up well to transfer to the mothership.

He also had a warmup of sorts by hosting the syndicated daytime version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” for one season (2014-15), since that helped him hone his skills in dealing with contestants and being his own personality. That was a big personality to begin with, which Crews had established by starting an acting career after his time in pro football. Performing on the series “Battle Dome” convinced him to continue that path, and he built his comedy cred in movies including “Friday After Next,” “White Chicks” and the 2005 remake of the football-themed

“The Longest Yard.”

Television had more in store for Crews, his next series stop being “Everybody Hates Chris,” on which he played the family patriarch. He was cast as another family man on “Are We There Yet?,” then came his run as Sgt. (and later Lt.) Terry Jeffords on the critically acclaimed police satire “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” He also starred in the reality show, “The Family Crews.”

For all the laughs he has generated, Crews also has managed to maintain an action image, thanks to such projects as the “Expendables” movies

“Movie: Finnick” (Aug. 31)

Not many people know that every house is inhabited by finns. They are furry creatures that appear in human world to take care of a house and keep the hearth. Finnick is a young Finn, who cares more about pranks than his responsibility to the house. But, everything changes when a new family moves into his house and inexplicable events begin to happen in the city. Finnick must team up with his new house-mate, Christine, to solve the mystery and save the city.

and “Deadpool 2.” Still, his ongoing presence on “America’s Got Talent” trumps all else for many fans … meaning that he’s still got that show for the foreseeable future.

FACTS:

Birthdate: July 30, 1968

Birthplace: Flint, Mich.

Current residence: Los Angeles

Marital status: Married; he has four children

Other television work includes: “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge,” “Lego Masters,” “American Dad!” (voice only), “Tales of the Walking Dead,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Hollywood Game Night,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Portlandia,” “Arrested Development,” “Terry Crews Saves Christmas,” “Are We There Yet?,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “The Newsroom,” “The Family Crews,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “All of Us,” “My Wife and Kids,” “CSI: Miami,” “The District,” “Battle Dome” Movie credits include: “Deadpool 2,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Aztec Warrior,” “Reach Me,” “Blended,” “Draft Day,” “The Single Moms Club,” “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2” (voice only), “Scary Movie V,” “The Expendables,” “The Expendables 2,” “Bridesmaids,” “Lottery Ticket,” “Gamer,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Get Smart,” “Street Kings,” “Norbit,” “Idiocracy,” “Click,” “The Benchwarmers,” “The Longest Yard,” “White Chicks,” “Soul Plane,” “Starsky & Hutch,” “Malibu’s Most Wanted,” “Deliver Us From Eva,” “Friday After Next,” “Serving Sara,” “The 6th Day”

1

8

41 Musical drama that starred

Taraji P. Henson

45 Light on Broadway

46 N.Y.C. airport

48 Kelly Clarkson is one

49 French clergyman

50 Drop the ball

51 “Luther: The Fallen Sun” (2023) star Idris

52 Soviet news agency

53 Costa del ___

54 “As ___ on TV!”

DOWN

1 “American Crime” and “The Conjuring” (2013) star Taylor

2 Auth. unknown

3 Sgts. and cpls.

4 HBO’s mega-hit fantasy franchise

5 Garden decoration

6 Spring mo.

7 Classic sitcom

“I ___ of Jeannie”

BY JAY BOBBIN

“Die Hard” remains an action classic

The debate over whether it’s a Christmas movie continues, but whatever any individual decides about that, “Die Hard” certainly is a milestone of the action genre.

The 1988 adventure – which Freeform shows Monday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Aug. 29 – cemented the big-screen stardom Bruce Willis had aspired to after gaining initial fame through the television series “Moonlighting.” His smart-aleck brand of humor and massively independent image surely help to inform the character of John McClane, a New York police officer who goes to Los Angeles for the holiday season, hoping to win back his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia).

Not crazy about the West Coast to begin with, McClane has even less to like after he arrives at his spouse’s elaborate office building (the skyscraper formerly known as Fox Plaza, doubling for the film’s Nakatomi Plaza). It turns out he isn’t the only visitor: Arriving at virtually the same time is a band of criminals led by the debonair and coolly lethal Hans (Alan Rickman), who’s intent on stealing a fortune in bearer bonds.

Little do the bad guys realize they’ll have the resourceful McClane to deal with, and not only does he have the larger picture of law and order to serve, he also wants to save his wife – who’s among the hostages taken by the unwelcome guests. He gets some help from the outside, thanks to a beat cop (“Family Matters” alum Reginald VelJohnson) who has a hard time believing the building is under siege at first, but McClane also has additional hurdles posed by overeager federal agents and a reporter (William Atherton) who isn’t above imperiling others to advance his career.

Skillfully directed by John McTiernan, who returned for the second of the four sequels (“Die Hard With a Vengeance”), “Die Hard” is everything that a movie of its sort should be …which is why there have been so many variations on the theme that have seen other pictures labeled as “Die Hard” on a train, on a boat, on a plane, etc.

The original still endures beautifully after 35 years (!), though, thanks also to perfect supporting performances by such other co-stars as Alexander Godunov, Hart Bochner, Paul Gleason, De’voreaux White and later “Walker, Texas Ranger” co-star Clarence Gilyard

Jr.

celebrity update

8 Animated preschoolers’ series that features talking fish

9 Concerning

10 Neither masc. nor fem.

11 Mgr.’s aide

19 Apallingly

21 Tedium

24 Air rifle ammo

25 Snitch

26 It makes men mean

28 Highlands negative

29 D.C. summer setting

30 Road curve

36 Shoe bottoms

37 Gem from the sea

38 Med. school class

39 Country name

40 Holds up

42 Monty Python member Eric

43 After-bath wear

44 Panache

47 Miracle-___ (gardening fertilizer)

BY ADAM THOMLISON

James Purefoy OF

THE PHILANTHROPIST ON NBC

Q: I know it didn’t last, but I loved the drama series “The Philanthropist.” What has its star been doing since then?

A: You’re right that it wasn’t a hit, and so “The Philanthropist” was really just a blip in star James Purefoy’s long and successful career.

It was, however, a great showcase for his combination of grit and refinement — a combination he displayed again as a villainous cult leader in the Fox drama “The Following” from 2013 to 2015.

More recently, he did lengthy arcs on TV dramas “Pennyworth” and “Malpractice” and appeared in the historical PBS miniseries “Marie Antoinette.”

But he’s not just a TV guy. Lately, he’s launched his own, unlikely film franchise: the “Fisherman’s Friends” movies.

It started as an independently made British comedy, “Fisherman’s Friends.” It was a runaway hit, based on a true story of a group of fishermen from the British region of Cornwall who sang sea shanties to pass the time but suddenly launched to fame after getting a global record deal.

The success of the first led soon to a sequel, “Fisherman’s Friends: One and All,” released last year. Purefoy stars in the films as one of the singers, and signed on as a producer of the sequel.

Bruce Willis in “Die Hard”

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29)

This Oscar-winning drama, inspired by true events, follows a group of women in an isolated religious colony as they figure out how they might move forward to build a better world for themselves and their children. They must decide to stay and fight or leave, but they will not do nothing. Rooney Mara, Clair Foy, Frances McDormand, Jessie Buckley and Ben Whishaw are among the cast.

in focus

“Star Trek: Lower Decks” - Season 4 (Paramount+ — Sept. 7, Season Premiere)

In Season 4 of this animated series set in the Star Trek universe, an unknown force is destroying starships and threatening galactic peace. Luckily, the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos isn’t important enough for stuff like that! Instead, Ensigns Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Boimler (Jack Quaid), Tendi (Noël Wells) and Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) are keeping up with their Starfleet duties, avoiding malevolent computers and getting stuck in a couple caves – all while encountering new and classic aliens along the way.

“Movie: Champions” (Aug.

29)

After an incident that leads to him losing his job, an assistant basketball coach, Marcus Marakovich (Woody Harrelson), is given a choice by a judge between serving time in prison or doing community service coaching a team of players with learning disabilities. Marcus initially struggles with coaching this new team, but as he gets to know the players personally, he comes to realize that they are more than just their skills on the court. Kaitlin Olson, Matt Cook, Enie Hudson and Cheech Marin also star.

“Movie: Honor Society” (Aug. 31)

Honor (Angourie Rice) is an ambitious high school senior whose sole focus is getting into an Ivy League college. Willing to do whatever it takes, she concocts plans to take down her competitors in order to secure a coveted recommendation from her guidance counselor. Gaten Matarazzo co-stars.

“God. Family. Football.”Season 1 (Sept. 1, Freevee)

This Freevee original docuseries follows Evangel Christian Academy, who dominated high school football in Louisiana for decades until the 2020 season where they didn’t win a single game. The creator of the football program, Pastor Denny Duron, returned to the head coaching position to lead this talented group of kids with dreams of playing in college and the NFL into prominence on the field, while molding them into future leaders off of it.

Solution on page 12

HISTORIC SUNSET HILLS CEMETERY WALKING TOUR

Sundays at 4pm now through September 3, 2023

BY CAROLINE COLLACUTT

Ready Jet go: Celebrity chef Jet Tila hosts new how-to show

As a renowned chef, entrepreneur, “culinary anthropologist” and Food Network star, Jet Tila has made quite the name for himself. His innovation, creativity and delicious, Asian-inspired dishes have inspired many to try something new, and Tila’s mission to spice things up in kitchens across America has only just begun, as he teaches chefs, cooking enthusiasts and kitchen newbies alike in his new show, “Ready Jet Cook,” airing Sundays on Food Network.

According to a biography of the chef, highlighted on the Food Network website: “Jet has roots deeply embedded in the industry and ones that significantly establish him firmly in the art form he is most passionate about: storytelling through food. Along with a host of accolades and achievements, Jet’s television career is vast and includes being the new floor reporter on ‘Iron Chef America,’ ‘Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain,’ ‘Chopped,’ ‘Cutthroat Kitchen,’ ‘Beat Bobby Flay,’ ‘Guy’s Grocery Games,’ and ‘The Today Show.’”

They continue: “Born from the first Thai food family of Los Angeles, California, a family which established the first Thai markets and restaurants in the U.S. — Jet brings innovation and artistry into the traditional Thai food fold to create a signature style that is at heart, his own.”

Now, Jet is sharing his expertise with us, the viewers at home. For the first time, the chef will be giving detailed tutorials on how to cook some of his best, most delicious dishes, each aimed to highlight Jet’s favorite flavors from all across Asia. Throughout the series, Jet turns up the heat (in more ways than one), dishing out Panang Chicken Curry, Sichuan Mapo Tofu, Hong Kong-style Chicken Chow Mein, Korean Short Rib Tacos, his own signature Pad Thai recipe and so much more, taking aspiring cooks (or hungry onlookers!) step-by-step through the process of making mouth-watering, Asian-inspired meals.

With two cookbooks to his name – the award-winning “101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die: Discover a New World of Flavors in Authentic Recipes” and, written with his wife, Allison: “101 Epic Dishes: Recipes That Teach You How to Make the Classics Even More Delicious” – Tila has endless recipes to share, and does so with enthusiasm, experience, and an easy-going, approachable attitude.

From his groundbreaking restaurant, Wazuzu, and straight to your television screen, Jet Tila brings yummy to you with “Ready Jet Cook,” airing Sundays on Food Network.

Jet Tila

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“Choose Love” (Aug. 31, Interactive Movie Premiere)

Cami Conway (Laura Marano) has it all until she comes face to face with a kaleidoscope of tempting but tough choices. What she chooses depends wholly on you, the viewer in this new interactive rom-com. But be careful! Things don’t always play out like you think!

celebrity quotes

“It [“Star Wars: Ahsoka”] is a new part of the journey, but you don’t need to know the previous part of it to get engaged. And that’s one of the things I’m excited for people to see and experience.” - Rosario Dawson , in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike

“One Piece” - Season 1

(Aug. 31, Series Premiere)

Eiichiro Oda’s “One Piece,” Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history, takes on a new seafaring adventure. The series stars Iñaki Godoy (“Who Killed Sara?”) as Monkey D. Luffy, a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom for as long as he can remember. Setting sale from his small village, Luffy embarks on a perilous journey to find One Piece, a legendary, fabled treasure that will help him to become the king of pirates, with the help of his intrepid crew — Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Romero), and Sanji (Taz Skylar).

“Disenchantment” - Season 5

(Sept. 1, Season Premiere)

Hear ye, hear ye! The end is near for “Disenchantment,” as this hit animated series premieres its fifth and final season. Back for one last grand misadventure, heavy-drinking Queen Bean (Abbi Jacobson), her feisty elf companion, Elfo (Nat Faxon), and her personal demon, Luci (Eric André), are out to save Dreamland from Queen Dagmar’s (Sharon Horgan) wicked rule. The stakes are higher for the trio (and the kingdom) as Bean, outrunning a prophecy that foretells she will kill someone she loves, must vanquish her mother, while facing down foes and her own destiny with Elfo and Luci.

“I hear sometimes in the house, ‘I wanna be in a movie’ and I say, ‘You are, you were in this, this and this’ and they [Sandler’s daughters] go, ‘Not yours.’ ... They wanna do their own thing one day.”

‘I wan in [Sandler’s daughters] go, ‘Not yours.’ ... appearance

- Adam Sandler , during a previous appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show”

“When you’re working together, you kind of riff off each other — you have a back and forth, a bit of yin and yang — and we work together really well like that.” - “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On” host Nick Lachey about co-hosting with wife Vanessa Lachey, in an interview with Newsweek earlier this year

a really well like that.” - “The Vanes

1.

15. Prayer before meals

17. Most impudent

23. Blocker or Rather

43. Quit and go home (4)

22. Afternoon, for short

23. Robert __ Niro

1. Tiny vegetable

2. Pointed tools

3. “__ who?”; skeptic’s query

4. Motel staple

5. Casual greeting

6. Margin

7. Blind as __ __

8. Facial twitch

9. Craving for candy (2)

12. Imprisoned (2)

14. Statute

16. File drawer, perhaps

19. Unwillingto-get-up-yet sound

20. Plato, for one

27. Eva Perón’s land: abbr.

28. One day __ __ time

30. Peruvian Indian

31. Item on a bread tray

32. Gillette razor

33. Watson or Samms

35. Eyebrow’s shape

37. Suffix for cream or mock

40. C ÷ L

41. __ least; minimally

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“LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest”

(Available Now)

In this all-new special, Tiana, Moana, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Ariel are off on an adventure as they are each unexpectedly transported to a mysterious castle. Shortly after arriving, they soon discover that Gaston has hatched an evil plan to take over all their kingdoms! The Princess characters must work together to solve challenges hidden deep within the castle walls and try to save their kingdoms from Gaston. Will bravery, quick-thinking, and teamwork prevail?

“Star Wars: Ahsoka” - Season 1

(Available Now)

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“Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life”Season 2, Part 2 (Aug. 30)

This children’s computer-animated series — presented in a classic, non-verbal cartoon comedy style — follows the lovably mischievous chipmunks Chip (Matthew Géczy) and Dale (Kaycie Chase) as they live the luxurious park life and go on sky-high adventures. As the duo take on bigger and wilder adventures than ever and face down larger-than-life bullies, they continue on their quest to increase their acorn stash to gargantuan proportions. All the while, Chip and Dale are joined in their mayhem by Disney favorite characters including Pluto (Bill Farmer), Donald Duck (Sylvain Caruso) and more.

“Pretty Freekin Scary” - Season 1, New Episodes (Aug. 30)

Revived from the popular kids’ book series by author Chris P. Flesh, the series follows the adventures of 14-year-old Frankie Ripp (Eliana Su’a), who once had a seemingly perfect life. When an unexpected accident upends her life, sending her straight to the Underworld and face-to-face with The Grim Reaper (Siobhan Murphy), Frankie begs to go back to “living” life. Grim agrees on one condition: Frankie must return alongside her new Underworld guardians, Pretty (Kyan Samuels) and Scary (Leah Mei Gold), who will keep an eye on her as she adjusts to her new life as a “once-dead” teenager.

“Virgin River” - Season 5, Part 1 (Netflix — Sept. 7, Season Premiere)

New relationships, a shocking break-up, a difficult court trial, a heartbreaking goodbye and a wildfire that threatens the town shake things up in the newest season of this romantic drama series, bringing some people of Virgin River together while tearing others apart. Issues of motherhood push Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) to make a big decision about her future at the clinic while her pregnancy unexpectedly sparks an emotional connection to her past. Then, to further prove himself to Mel, Jack (Martin Henderson) squares off with some long-overdue confrontations. Created by Sue Tenney, the series also stars Tim Matheson, Colin Lawrence, Annette O’Toole and Benjamin Hollingsworth.

trivia quiz

Questions:

Based on a book

BY STAFF WRITERS

1) Name the town that served as the setting for Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which was later adapted into the 1962 film starring Gregory Peck.

2) “The West Wing” and “House of Cards” — which of these TV political dramas is based on a book?

3) Which actor played Jay Gatsby in the 1974 film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”?

4) “Rocky,” “First Blood” and “The Expendables” — which of these Sylvester Stallone movies is based on a novel?

5) Who penned “The Godfather” and co-wrote the screenplay for the 1974 film?

5) Mario Puzo

4) “First Blood”

3) Robert Redford

2) “House of Cards”

1) Maycomb, Alabama

Answers:

Solution on page 12

BY JAY BOBBIN

“Working Girl” gets the comedic job done

Famous as the movie that made Melanie Griffith a star –and an Oscar-nominated one at that – “Working Girl” has much else to recommend, too. MGM+ presents the Mike Nichols-directed 1988 comedy Thursday, Aug. 31, with Griffith as a New York secretary who aspires to be more. Her candor frequently gets in the way of her aims, which she gets a fresh chance to attain when she goes to work for a self-involved boss (a wonderfully hilarious Sigourney Weaver). A skiing accident puts Boss Lady out of commission, giving Griffith’s character the opportunity to mount a deal involving a sale of radio stations – and also involving a down-on-his-luck broker (Harrison Ford) who provides Griffith with a new chance at romance beyond her philandering boyfriend (Alec Baldwin). Smart, tremendous fun throughout, the picture also boasts a Carly Simon music score that features the Oscar-winning “Let the River Run.”

Puzzle Solutions

Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver in “Working Girl”

BY ROBERTO JOZEF

Alcaraz looks to defend title at US Open

Carlos Alcaraz is looking to defend his title at the 2023 U.S. Open in New York City’s Flushing Meadows, airing live on ESPN [US] / TSN [CA] from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Aug. 28 to Sept. 10.

It’s the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year, and with a total of 128 players in the men’s and women’s singles categories, the competition looks to be fierce. Reigning champion Alcaraz will look to make a repeat performance after beating Casper Ruud (World No. 5, at press time) at last year’s U.S. Open, becoming the youngest player ever to reach world No. 1.

At just 20 years old, Alcaraz’s continued rise through the ranks in his short career has been nothing short of amazing. Coming out of Rafael Nadal’s tennis academy, the Spaniard has drawn many comparisons to his idol with his dedication, work ethic and confidence in his abilities.

Coming off a Wimbledon victory against the legendary Novak Djokovic (current World No. 2), Alcaraz holds a 430-point lead in the men’s ATP rankings over Djokovic, whom he beat in a six-set match to win the second Grand Slam title of his career. It also continued his epic rivalry against Djokovic as he was able to stop the Serbian from increasing his men’s record total of 23 major titles and ending “The Joker’s” 34-match win streak at Wimbledon.

With Djokovic confirming his participation at this year’s U.S. Open, he remains firmly in the hunt for his 24th Grand Slam major, but that won’t come without a fight from the sport’s brightest young star, Carlos Alcaraz.

Tune in to ESPN [US] / TSN [CA] Aug. 28 to Sept. 10 to catch all the live coverage from the U.S. Open.

Full Name: Carlos

Alcaraz Garfia

Birthdate: May 3, 2003

(20)

Birthplace: El Palmar, Murcia, Spain

Height/Weight: 6-1/163 pounds

Honours and achievements: U.S. Open winner (2022), Wimbledon winner (2023), French Open semifinals (2023), Australian Open third round (2022)

“Truthfully, deep down inside I’m a clown and performer,” he said.

Originally from California, Lewis spent eight years in the Army and Marine Corps before making his way to the oilfields and then Montana.

“I always wanted to be a mountain man, a guide,” Lewis said. “I came here. It didn’t work out and I became the village blacksmith.”

Lewis learned he could both be a clown and teach kids as a Marine combat instructor, where classes had topics like basic explosives and water survival. Now he has a mobile blacksmith rig to teach the basics to onlookers. It is also painted blue and pulled by a motorcycle and sidecar.

“Any way you could put in there that I’m straight and single, free to a good home, all tools and motorcycles included?” he asks, then decides that this article may make him famous — or get him killed.

Lewis, who sometimes goes by “Louie” or “Two Bit,” started as a farrier, fitting and shoeing horses. The job requires smithing knowledge, but only in service to the horses. Then Lewis met Brian and Ed Brazeal, “gypsy blacksmiths” who took him under their wing for a couple of years. The brothers, who also started out as farriers, “are just totally cool,” Lewis said. Blacksmithing around them was like hanging out with a little learning and a lot of laughing.

Lewis says he was drawn to blacksmithing because of the ability to make tools for “pennies on the dollar,” then changes his mind. “Scratch that. It wasn’t about the money. It was about the magic, the fun.”

As a blacksmith of 20 plus years, the metal talks to Lewis. Shaping the things named on his sign is now a matter of

muscle memory.

“It’s all repetition, repetition, repetition,” he said. “When I feel something go in, I push out. When I feel something bow up,

I turn it to the other side.”

Lewis sees a resurgence of interest in smithing directly attributed to The History Channel’s “Forged

in Fire,” which first aired in 2015. Filming for the show’s 10th season began in June, according to “Forged in Fire” judge David Baker.

“There are some people that will never strike iron, but they watch and love that show,” Lewis said before returning to his anvil and singing along to Gwen Stefani as No Doubt’s “I’m Just a Girl” blares from a speaker.

Television, Lewis continues when the song wind’s down, doesn’t tell the whole story. On YouTube, people can make a knife in 15 minutes. “Nooooo,” he said, making sound effects as his hands chop the air like he’s hacking at a film reel.

“I love doing knives for people that really see the grind, the forgework,” he said when I asked about the small, contradictory “no knives” sign on the outside of the smithy.

Lewis seems generally personable. The ribbing he gives his customers is part of the experience, Lewis tells me after I raise my eyebrows at his interaction with a couple who stops by the smithy.

“I’m picking on him, but I’m still gonna make his knife,” he says. “It’s good therapy for my soul and theirs.”

Lewis has been trying to lean into his inner goofball. He’s clean and sober, as it states on his business card — aside from cigarettes and weed.

“There was a time when I was drinking, and tweaking and fighting and raising hell in North Dakota and Wyoming,” Lewis said. “I lost everything.”

Now, hoping to reconnect and ride motorcycles with his 19-year-old daughter, he’s trying to change that image. The unpredictable nature has given way to a desire to spread joy as much as possible when “the world is so out of balance.”

If people are going to remember Lewis, he hopes they remember him as somebody happy.

“People ask me, ‘Why are you so happy?’ Hey,” he said, “I’m working. I got plenty to eat. Nobody’s shooting at me. I love what I do.”

PHOtOs By By raCHEL HErgE tt, FOr tHE CHrONiCLE

Michael Lewis, the Badlands Blacksmith, may be found at his hard-to-miss forge on Highway 89 south of Livingston.

Solution on page 12

in focus

“The Changeling” (Apple TV+ — Sept. 8, Miniseries Premiere)

Based on the acclaimed, bestselling fantasy horror novel from Victor LaValle, this new miniseries is a fairy tale for grownups. A horror story, a parenthood fable and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn’t know existed, the series stars LaKeith Stanfield, Clark Backo, Adina Porter, Samuel T. Herring, Alexis Louder, Jared Abrahamson and special guest star Malcolm Barrett.

U.S. Open (Tennis)

Questions:

1) This Wimbledon star returns to defend his 2022 U.S. Open title in the 2023 series, starting Aug. 28 - who is he?

2) Name the last American champion of the Men’s U.S. Open.

3) Who is the youngest player - male or female - to have won the U.S. Open?

4) The U.S. Open became the first Grand Slam event to introduce video review - what year did it debut?

5) Who is the only player to have won the U.S. Open on clay, grass and hard courts?

6) This stadium - the world’s largest tennis venuehosts the U.S. Open finals. What is it called?

7) Stefan Edberg won a marathon 5 hour, 26 minutes semi-final match at the 1992 U.S. Open defeating which American player?

8) A three-time winner - how many times has Novak Djokovic lost in the U.S. Open finals?

9) Winning all Grand Slam events in her career except the U.S. Open - name the player who made four consecutive finals without ever winning.

10) On the opposite end - who won the Women’s Singles U.S. Open four consecutive times?

Answers:

10) Chris Evert (1975-1978)

9) Evonne Goolagong (19731976)

8) Six (2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2021)

7) Michael Chang

6) Arthur Ashe Stadium

5) Jimmy Connors (grass 1974, clay 1976, hard court 1978, 1982 and 1983)

4) 2006

3) Tracy Austin (1979, 16 years, 8 months, 28 days)

2) Andy Roddick (2003)

1) Carlos Alcaraz

The Bay Bar and Grille

Have you had your shrimp wonton fix lately?