David Morse is an "Outsider"

DEMOCRATIC MAYORAL nominee Jim Kenney got a surprise phone call yesterday from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He was just as surprised as I was to hear the following:

"I just wanted to call and congratulate you, Jim, on your nomination to be Philadelphia's next mayor. The issues of diversity and economic inclusion are important for all of our working families. We want to tackle these issues throughout our country. Again, congratulations, and good luck!"

Production began recently for Philly actor David Morse's new original drama series, "Outsiders," which will launch on the Comcast Network early next year.

"Outsiders" centers on the Farrell family, a powerful and mysterious clan who struggle for power and control in the windy hills of Appalachia.

It's filmed in Pittsburgh, and Morse acts alongside Emmy winner Paul Giamatti in the series, which was created and written by New York playwright Peter Mattei.

The show tells the story of a family of renegades in the hills of Kentucky living off the grid and above the law on a mountaintop homestead. It runs for 13 episodes and is produced by Tribune Studios and Sony Pictures Television.

The "12 Monkeys" and "Treme" star has been a local resident since the mid-'90s. He moved here after his home was destroyed in the Northridge, Calif., earthquake.

Speaking of Pittsburgh, it seems our newly re-elected Councilman Kenyatta Johnson can't recognize his hometown skyline.

Johnson's face appears smiling bright in front in his 2nd Council District email header, which displays the seal of Philadelphia but a silhouette of the Pittsburgh skyline.

I mean, they look so much alike . . .

For those who like awesomely awful science-fiction movies, actress and journalist Kennedy Allen will be part of a panel of commentators tonight at Mega-Bad Movie Night at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

The all-female panel will review the 1986 horror film "The Fly" in what promises to be an evening of hilarity.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a 7 p.m. movie showing. Think "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

Feeling nostalgic? Miss the old-fashioned scuttlebutt of former gossip guru Dan Gross?

Well, it's a good week for him. First, a couple of people he reps - Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Councilman Bill Greenlee - won sweeping primary re-elections. Both are clients of his PR firm, Gross Communications. And tonight his brand-new band, Jackie Thousand, plays its first gig, with Gross on bass.

Band members from Jackie Thousand merged with ex-members of the Jersey-based punk-rock outfit None More Black and local bands Hey Angel and the Curse.

He'll appear with Josh Alvarez and the Cassavetes, who are breaking up and playing their farewell show at Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.).

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin and street artist Swoon will be honorees at this year's soiree of the Mural Arts Program's 2015 Wall Ball.

The Wall Ball, tonight at the Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.), celebrates street, sport and visionary art in Philadelphia.

Barwin is founder of the Make the World Better foundation, a nonprofit that connects young people with athletic programs otherwise out of their reach. Swoon, a/k/a Caledonia Curry, will receive this year's Tony Goldman Visionary Artist Award at this 11th-annual celebration.

The Wall Ball provides funding for the Mural Arts Program's continuing goals of beautifying neighborhoods and eliminating blight.

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a private VIP reception, but tickets to the main event are still available.

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