Random Casting & Other TV News
Yes, I watch shows other than Lost, although it may not seem like it at the moment.
I have been neglecting to write about both new and beloved series, so here are some updates.
FRINGE
This is a brand new FOX series that sounds suspiciously and deliciously like a cross between The X-Files and The Twilight Zone. Did I mention that it is being produced and written by Lost creator J.J. Abrams? So hell yes, I’m there. Casting thus far includes Joshua Jackson (Pacey from Dawson’s Creek), Lance Reddick (formerly of The Wire and currently freaking us out as the mysterious Matthew Abbadon on Lost), Kirk Acevedo (Miguel Alvarez from Oz), British import Charlotte Rampling (Swimming Pool), and Blair Brown (The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd). It is currently filming (because the pilot script was completed before the strike began), so I hope to see a release date for later this year.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
It pains me to report that one of the best shows on television is in danger of being canceled. Not only did NBC move the series to Friday nights (an insulting assumption that we’d forget when it’s on otherwise, and a huge mistake), the head of NBC Entertainment recently made the following statements about one of my favorite hours of TV:
“I love it. You love it. Unfortunately, no one watches it. That’s the
thing with shows. People have to watch them. We’re NBC, we have a
reputation to uphold. And, man, with this writers’ strike … well,
we’ll see what we can do.”
It would be a damn shame to discontinue FNL for many reasons, one of which is that Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton haven’t received their Emmys or Golden Globes yet (nominations and statues). Let’s just hope that another network picks up where NBC leaves off. ESPN, for instance…
BONES
Bones will return on April 14. Adjust your TiVO season pass – it will now air on Monday nights.
DIRT and THE RICHES
Both of their sophomore seasons on FX have been reduced to only 7 episodes each, which means that even when the Writers Strike is resolved, no additional episodes will be written or produced. And fans of both series might be disappointed to find that there won’t be any cliffhangers or even closure to the seasons of either show.
CASHMERE MAFIA v. LIPSTICK JUNGLE
I couldn’t get through the Lipstick Jungle premiere. Even if it had debuted before Cashmere Mafia, I wouldn’t have liked it; the characters are empty and the pace was ridiculous. Some might say that very thing about Cashmere Mafia, but I enjoy Lucy Liu and Bonnie Somerville in LJ ten times more than any of the women on CM.
KNIGHT RIDER
I had no intention of watching this rehash, because the original version wasn’t enticing either. However, I was more intrigued when I found out that the voice of the new KITT car was none other than Will Arnett (a.k.a. GOB Bluth from Arrested Development). And then it wasn’t. For some reason, Val Kilmer took over that responsibility. What, they wanted a cranky monotone delivery instead of a sarcastic one? Just who are they attempting to market this show to? This is strike 2 for NBC, in my book (see FNL above for strike 1).
SCRUBS
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you strike 3 for NBC. It is up in the air whether or not the show will even go back into production following resolution of the Writers Strike, but show runner Bill Lawrence is aiming to at least film the last 4 episodes ever of Scrubs for DVD distribution.
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Great news for one of the most underrated (at least among viewers, not critics) comedies of all time…there are rumblings about an Arrested Development movie, with full cast and crew involvement!
Have a nice weekend! Should there be major developments in the Writers Strike, I will be sure to post updates.