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TV Gal Plays Hollywood Agent
(Thursday, February 19 08:02 AM)
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LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - It's pilot season in the world of TV. Since the weather in Los Angeles is pretty consistent, this is the only way they know it's spring. This is the time of year that networks everywhere order and cast television shows that could potentially be part of their Fall 2004 line-up. And there are some people who I truly think need a series to call their own. You know their faces. You see them everywhere. They are working double-time in Hollywood. Here are the familiar faces I think deserve their own show: |
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Rick Hoffman: Yes the irascible Hoffman has been a regular on series. We first saw him as a ruthless trader on "The $treet." The next season he was fantastic as Kim Delaney's co-star on "Philly." Since then he's popped up as Bernie's agent on "The Bernie Mac Show" and as a devious brother on "Without a Trace." You can catch him now as the prosecuting attorney on "The Practice." With his razor sharp speaking voice and his wily demeanor, Hoffman is unlike any other actor on television. He has that rare ability to make you root for him -- even when he's playing a bad guy. We need to see Hoffman's name in the opening credits again. Tracy Middendorf: Well it would be easier to talk about the shows Middendorf hasn't been in. She first came to our attention when she played Laura Kingman, the student who accused Steve of rape on "90210." Since then she's been in the pilot episode of "Angel." She was the prostitute Jimmy helped on "The Practice." And Carla Matheson, the abused wife, last season on "24." She was Christian Slater's wife on "Alias" and has been on "Six Feet Under" and "The Guardian." She just played Amber in "The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story." She's a terrific actress, but mostly she deserves her own show because that would allow some of the other actresses in Hollywood to get some work.Paul Wasilewski: He's been Lex's brother on "Smallville," Ryan's trouble-making co-worker on "The O.C.," and Damien on "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." But it's as Amy's troubled boyfriend on "Everwood," that he's really demonstrated the depths of what he's capable of. Now you know I think the WB acts like the old Hollywood studio systems and takes care of their own. Right about now they should be cooking up a series for Wasilewski. Daniel Dae Kim: Kim was Agent Tom Baker last season on "24," Gavin on "Angel," and this season he's also been playing the new social worker on "ER." He also opposed Kate in court in "Miss Match." He's demonstrated a deft ability to play both the good guy and the evil lawyer. He has a commanding presence on screen that demands a viewer's attention. Let's give him a chance to wow viewers every week.Ever Carradine: She was Rosalie on "Party of Five" and Pepper on "Veronica's Closet." This season we saw her as the woman who had murdered her sister on "CSI" and the woman who thought her husband had died on September 11 on "Line of Fire." She's been a regular on "Once and Again" (Tiffany) and "Lucky" (Theresa) and now Carradine deserves to be on a show that isn't cancelled. Carradine always turns in a memorable performance and I support any one who doesn't fit the cookie-cutter mold. Carradine is unique in an industry that often forgets what that word means.What familiar faces do you think deserve their own show? Talk about it on the TV Gal message boards."Sex and the City" Series FinaleI have one thing to say to the show runners of "Sex and the City" -- are you kidding me? Last Sunday's penultimate episode was a slap in the face to loyal fans. We are actually supposed to believe that Big has undergone a big transformation and that just in time for the series finale, he's magically changed and finally ready to commit to Carrie. That he's suddenly Prince Charming? Prince Harming is more like it. Britney Spears' song "Toxic" was written for men like him. Last week it really felt like I was watching some generic sitcom, not the innovative, landmark television that is "Sex and the City." As I said a couple of weeks ago, Carrie does not need a man to be happy and she certainly doesn't need to go back to a man who has broken her heart several times over. Sure we all dream of an ex finally realizing the error of his ways, but that's not the way these things work. Remember Carrie and Big were so over they needed a new word for over. I agree that Big is sexy and that he and Carrie share a bond, but there are times when it is too late. The other thing I really objected to in this episode was the whole idea that Carrie had to be rescued from Paris. To have Miranda say, "Go get our girl" was the ultimate insult. Our girl can get herself out of Paris if she wants to and Miranda knows that better than any one. Carrie may have lost her trademark necklace, but did her friends lose their collective minds?Maybe they can hint at a Big and Carrie reunion but that's really all I can reasonably allow. The series is too savvy to have a simple conclusion. This isn't a Harlequin romance for Manolo Blahnik's sake.Now as you know the series has filmed three endings -- here's hoping they picked the right one. Don't forget to tune in at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday for a one hour retrospective, followed by the 45-minute series finale.What did you think of last Sunday's episode? Do you like the idea of a Big and Carrie reunion? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.Thoughts for a ThursdayWhy was Sloane injecting himself with kryptonite on "Alias"? Is he heading to "Smallville" to take on Clark Kent? Thank the television gods that "NYPD Blue" is coming back for one more season. With the "Friends," "Sex and the City," "Frasier" and "Angel" all disappearing this season, I'm desperately in need of my favorite boys in blue. By the way, lots of folks want me to remind you that you can go to www.renewangel.com for information on a campaign to save the show.I'm going to really miss Nina on "24." How great was Sarah Clarke in that role? Also I actually like Chloe (seriously haven't we all worked with someone like her), but I still hate the baby story line.Seth Cohen Quote of the Week"I was Nemo and I just wanted to go home."Highlights of the Week Ahead, Part 1
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Feb. 19 to 22Ever since the first season of "Survivor" when all the spoilers turned out to be red herrings, I've never believed or printed the "Survivor" spoilers. But something strange is happening this season, so far the spoiler circulating the Internet are three-for-three in its predictions. If the list correctly forecast who is going to be kicked off "Survivor: All-Stars" (Thursday, CBS, 9 p.m.) this week, I think we have a problem. I'm not going to tell you what the spoilers are saying, but I will tell you they are not that hard to find if you're curious.Catch Adam Brody before he was Seth Cohen or Dave Rygalsky on "Smallville: Beginnings" (Sunday, WB, 7 p.m.).Simon Cowell is a guest voice on "The Simpsons" (Sunday, FOX, 8 p.m.).The 10th annual "Screen Actors Guild Awards" air Sunday at 8 p.m. on TNT. But here's what's to love about TNT -- the awards repeat again at 10 p.m. So you can watch "Sex and the City" and then watch to see how "Sex and the City" fared at the ceremony. Also Karl Malden receives the Life Achievement Award presented by his good friend Michael Douglas.Regis Philbin is back with more life lines and more money in "Super Millionaire" (Sunday, ABC, 9 p.m.) or as I like to call it -- why "Alias" isn't on this week.Laurie Metcalf guest stars as Lois' sister Susan in the 100th episode and extremely funny episode of "Malcolm in the Middle" (Sunday, FOX, 9 p.m.) Even the Francis' storyline, which I think only intermittently works (I'm not a fan of Otto), is a riot. In a television season that brought us comedies like "Coupling," "The Mullets" and "Run of the House," we should be more appreciative than ever of a single-camera comedy like "Malcolm" that always strives to be unique, never patronizes its viewers, and has humor as sharp as Susan's insults. Seriously, does David Kelley never learn? Here I was just about to completely absolve him and accept that "The Practice" (Sunday, ABC, 10 p.m.) is a good show again and then he has to go have one of Alan's friends commit murder. One of the things that ruined the show was that everyone in the firm seemed to be best friends with criminals. And the whole priest might know the truth thing. I know we've seen that before. Of course, I'm always delighted to see Patrick Dempsey, but I wish it were under better circumstances.That's all for today. But because it's February sweeps, I'll be back next Monday and Thursday with my thoughts on "The OC," "Everwood," "West Wing," the premiere of the final season of "Soul Food" and much much more. Have question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column. |
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