Actor, performer and singer/songwriter Levi Kreis is taking a break from his extremely busy schedule. Not for a well-deserved vacation to a sunny island, a weekend bed and breakfast getaway, or a trip to a family reunion. Instead,Kreis is recovering from surgery. He tore his ACL while executing a maneuver during an encore performance of “Million Dollar Quartet” that could best be described as half gymnast, half superhero. “It gets very physical,” says Kreis, “I was vaulting myself over a piano. I jumped really high and said, ‘this must look cool,’ came down and ended up on the floor.” This is the second time he has injured himself while performing a similar gold-medal worthy jump over a piano. But instead of feeling upset or down-trodden over this physical setback, Kreis feels blessed. “I’m recovering beautifully. I’m feeling blessed that I can walk around my apartment.”

Dave Darling stands next to the stove in the kitchen of his Valley Glen home, stirring the steamy contents of a large pot. Spicy aromas of roasting peppers and tomatoes waft through the Spanish-style kitchen. “I hope you like chili verde,” says the Grammy -nominated producer and musician as he peers through black rimmed glasses. “I don’t have any real hobbies because I work a lot, but I can cook and ride bikes. That’s about it.” Darling’s 30 year career encompasses forming a band, releasing three albums, and grabbing three Grammy nominations for producing music for acts like Tom Waits, Queen Latifah, Brian Setzer and Jack Johnson…

Recently, THE POP FIX crew was able to get together for a little photoshoot for the purpose of updating our staff page. Although the staff page is not quite ready yet, here’s a sneak peek at what happened behind the scenes. Check out some of the outtakes that were too funny, weird and awkward to be completely discarded! Keep checking back for more individual photos of your favorite POP FIX writers, photographers and editors.

All true gamers know that G4 is the premiere source for what’s now and what’s next in the world of electronic entertainment, so it’s no surprise they’re devoting a whole week of programming to covering the latest techonology exhibited at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Known by the hip as “E3″ this world-reknown expo is coming up to the LA Convention Center, June 2-4.

“Everybody’s got some kind of ice cream in the freezer,” says Ina Garten as she explains how to make gourmet sundaes, complete with triple raspberry sauce which she describes as very “easy” to prepare. This matronly Food Network host would probably be shocked if she took a look around my kitchen. A refrigerator with a bag of dry lettuce, cupboards stocked with canned tuna and a box of stale Wheat Thins, drawers stocked with Crystal Light, Oh, and (here comes the shocker) no ice cream. Sorry to prove your theory wrong, Ina.

Tim Disney wears jeans and a white button down shirt sliced by skinny, blue stripes. He sits down casually, no holds barred, to talk about his new film, American Violet. Without even a caramel-caffeinated-confection from Starbucks or a beeping Blackberry to distract him, Disney dissects the challenges that come with making an “issue” film. “The hardest thing abut this movie was trying to keep it from being melodramatic without being afraid of the drama that was in it,” said Disney, the great nephew of iconic cartoonist, Walt Disney…

In a last minute attempt to ditch unwanted pounds before the summer heat hits, some of us won’t hesitate to go to dramatic dieting measures. While some cut carbs or candy, others are attracted to the classic quick fix. One of the most popular quick fixes is The Master Cleanse, a diet so drastic it’s been said to help people shed ten pounds in just seven days….that is, if you can stick to it.

THE POP FIX doesn’t discriminate when it comes to swimsuits…too much, that is. After all, swimsuits are basically equivalent to summer, warm weather, long walks on the beach, and a golden tan. All things we aren’t opposed to. So whether you’re a girl or a guy, here are our favorite swimsuits for the summer. So dive right in!