American High makes hometown connection in L.A.

Back in 2018, while American High was shooting Pete Davidson’s “Big Time Adolescence” in LIverpool, they had a production assistant who had just graduated from Syracuse University. “Adolescence” was actually her second film with American HIgh, the first being “Looks That Kill.” Her name is Anjali Alwis.

“We were big fans of hers during her time at American High, where she became proficient in many aspects of film-making,” remembered American High’s head of production, Will Phelps. “And ultimately she decided to move to Los Angeles.” l’pool gal in l.A.

Fast forward to January 2023.

“Anjali was looped in with us on a business email and we all reconnected,” Phelps reported. “She’s now in a great position at Netflix, working in the unscripted docs-series department. The world gets even more smaller as we learned that her boss in that department, Jenna Anthony, grew up in Liverpool.”

Phelps and American High CEO Jeremy Garelick enjoyed a lunch meeting with both Anjali and Jenna in January.

“We discussed all things Liverpool – and docu-series.” Phelps said. “Jenna knows our school building well and takes the dogs on walks past it regularly, but it took Anjali to connect the dots and put us all together.”

Jenna Anthony is a multi-Emmy Award-winning entertainment executive and producer. As manager of Nonfiction Series at Netflix, she oversees a variety of global documentary content, including shows like “Untold,” “Last Chance U,” “Break Point” and “Full Swing.”

Docs in progress

Jenna previously worked at ESPN for whom she developed and produced films for the acclaimed “30 for 30” documentary series. Jenna graduated from Syracuse University and nowadays she resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.

Anjali Alwis is an assistant on the Documentary Series team at Netflix. She previously worked at a management company, 3 Arts Entertainment, and before that for American High where she worked on two films. Anjali is also a graduate of Syracuse University and while living in Syracuse she worked at WAERFM and WCNY-FM.

“Anyway we thought it was a nice slice of life that four folks with connections to Liverpool came together at the Netflix offices on the other side of the country,” Phelps said. “And hopefully we’ll create a docu-series. We’ll see!”

Hulu renews High

Last week American High announced that it renewed its first-look deal with the popular streaming service Hulu. Over the past four years, Jeremy Garelick’s film production company released seven original films via Hulu including “Big Time Adolescence,” “Plan B,” “Crush,” “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise,” “Sex Appeal” “The Binge” and “It’s a Wonderful Binge.” yet another Jack!

In last week’s column, I reported on three promising professional hockey players from the Syracuse Crunch who’re livin’ in Liverpool this season. But it turns out there’s a fourth.

He’s 20-year-old defenseman Jack Thompson, from Courtice, Ontario. The boyish blueliner has played several seasons with the Sudbury Wolves and one with Soo Greyhounds, both in the Major Junior Ontario Hockey Association.

This year in the American Hockey League, Thompson has netted five goals and passed for eight assists for the Crunch.

Jack joins teammates Jack Finley,

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20, Gage Goncalves, 22 and Declan Carlisle, 23, who are all rooming this winter here in the village.

Playoffs approaching

With another month left to play this season, the Crunch hope to make the playoffs again this year. The team currently tied for second place along with the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League’s North Division.

The Crunch play home games this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Upstate Medical University Arena at the War Memorial, in downtown Syracuse. They host the Laval Rocket on Friday, March 10 and the Rochester Amerks on Saturday, March 11.

Tickets for home games cost $32.05 and $34.10; syracusecrunch.com; 315473-4444.

Happy about Angry

Angry Smokehouse finally opened its doors Feb. 21 in Baldwinsville after more than two years of preparation and licensing. It’s located at the former site of the Lock 24 restaurant at 33 Water St. Owner Jeff Rogers also operates the Angry Garlic eatery in B’ville’s business district.

Besides the usual brisket, chicken, ribs and pulled pork, the Smokehouse’s menu offers hush puppies, Texas twinkies, smoked bologna and, for vegetarians, cauliflower steak.

The joint presents live music too: Mr, Monkey at 8 p.m. Friday, March 10, and Dam Dog playin’ the blues March 17. Dave Wolever will play for brunch 11 a.m. on March 12 and pianist Mark Nanni plays that gig on March 19.

You can call the Smokehouse at 315-800-6793, but they don’t take reservations; angrysmokehouse.com/ last word

“Our amazing true Southern barbecue and guest service enhances your time spent with us socializing, smiling, laughing. That’s what makes us happy. That’s why we do what we do.”

– Angry Smokehouse owner Jeff Rogers.