|
Post by tracetracker on Jun 10, 2006 19:31:26 GMT -5
TV Guide has a quote from Eric in their section honoring TV Dads for Father's day. He says this about his 7 year old Katie and 5 year old Ella.
"My favorite part of being a dad is snuggling because eventually, it's going to be 'Dad, drop me off at the corner. I don't want my friends to see you.' "
|
|
|
Post by SeptemberBaby on Jun 10, 2006 19:48:22 GMT -5
Yes.. I read that too! Adorable! But, something tells me with a Dad looking like THAT.. they won't wanna be dropped off on any corner!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by SeptemberBaby on Jan 6, 2007 6:35:44 GMT -5
I definitely agree with the underused part! www.411mania.com/movies/columns/49296Ask The Local Gentry And They Will Say It's ElementaryABC has ordered a one hour pilot for a spin off of Mr. And Mrs. Smith, the 2005 feature film that starred Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and grossed over $180 million domestically. Written by Simon Kinberg, who also wrote the big screen version, the pilot picks up six months after the movie ends, as John and Jane Smith, paid assassins who pose as a regular married couple, have purchased a home in a new suburban neighborhood and are trying to blend in as they reestablish themselves. Doug Limon, the film's director, has signed on to shoot the pilot. I was set to use my standard, "sign me up" line for this story until I read a quite from Kinberg describing the show as being, "Married…With Children with guns." Now I am a pretty major Ed O'Neill fan (loved him as Popeye Doyle in the made for TV French ConnectionThe West Wing), and maybe history will be kind to the acting stylings of David Faustino, but MWC was not exactly sophisticated comedy, let along the type of writing I would think they would be trying to emulate with this series. All In The Family with guns could work, and I would sit down on the couch for Mad About You with guns, too. Hell, I'd even watch Dharma And Greg with guns. As far as casting goes, John Stamos would be an obvious but strong choice for Mr. Smith, and part of me thinks Tim Daly could pull it off as well, but I am assuming they might be going a bit younger, so that leaves me with a fourth straight week (excluding the year end special) of suggesting Dean Winters for a big TV role. Another thought might be the highly underrated Eric Close, whose talents are drastically underutilized on Without A Trace. Close has been a Two Tivos favorite since Now And Again, not too mention a small but pivotal role in Taken, and could be a break out star with the right vehicle. TVGuide.com writer Matt Webb Mitovich beat me to the Charisma Carpenter punch (that's the problem with writing a weekly column – people use your material before you go to press) so how about Indira Varma (3 LBs, Rome) as Mrs. Smith?
|
|
|
Post by tracetracker on Jan 6, 2007 9:05:12 GMT -5
Wouldn't that be an interesting twist! You manage to find these obscure but interesting articles all the time. It would be nice to see EC really catch a break and make it in his own show. ITA he is drastically underutilized in WAT. At least some people in the know are seeing his talent and taking it seriously.
|
|
|
Post by SeptemberBaby on Jan 6, 2007 9:13:00 GMT -5
This article came thru my Google Alert for EC. Believe it or not... there are a lot of Eric Close's in the world... I get a bunch of different articles about them when one of them does something newsworthy.
|
|
|
Post by maryjessica on Jan 6, 2007 9:35:41 GMT -5
Oh i'd lover to See Eric in a main role like that too. It'd be hot if they found the right Mrs Smith for him too!
|
|
|
Post by sandid on Jan 7, 2007 8:32:54 GMT -5
You guy's are so right. Not only would he be brilliant in a lead role but, he deserves it. Personally, I think EC is better looking and more talented than Brad Pitt.
|
|
|
Post by martinissohot on Jan 7, 2007 10:01:24 GMT -5
Exactly my opinion sandid! He looks waaaaay better than Brad and is a waaaay better actor...though I like Brad Pitt, hes is in my opinion not such a good actor as he is said to be!
|
|
|
Post by Jennifoofighter on Jan 7, 2007 10:31:13 GMT -5
Another thought might be the highly underrated Eric Close, whose talents are drastically underutilized on Without A Trace. Close has been a Two Tivos favorite since Now And Again, not too mention a small but pivotal role in Taken, and could be a break out star with the right vehicle. TVGuide.com writer Matt Webb Mitovich beat me to the Charisma Carpenter punch (that's the problem with writing a weekly column – people use your material before you go to press) so how about Indira Varma (3 LBs, Rome) as Mrs. Smith? It's nice to hear someone else beyond this board think that EC is underused on WaT. And it is too bad he is committed to WaT because he would be awesome in that role and *you know* that he would love to be able to do all those stunts required in the action sequences. As a side note, I also really like Indira Varma. Not only is she beautiful but very talented. Another good choice imho.
|
|
|
Post by bdoney on Jan 7, 2007 11:37:40 GMT -5
I agree its nice to hear someone else say how wonderful Eric is as an actor. I know that I loved him in Now and Again and The Magnificent Seven. He has such a range when it comes to his acting career. I wonder how Eric would feel about this article. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Post by beyonce1 on Jan 7, 2007 18:28:26 GMT -5
GREAT article SB!!!!!!! I TOTALLY agree, sometimes I think ALP gets all the acting kudos (he is a great actor, I will admit), but EC is just as talented and versatile, but doesn't get the recognition for it. While I would miss Martin Fitzgerald, I am a die hard EC fan and would follow him right into another series if he ever left WaT.
|
|
|
Post by SeptemberBaby on Jan 8, 2007 10:14:57 GMT -5
Got this today... from the same publication in response to last week's article: www.411mania.com/movies/columns/49359Q: Hello Friend. Hope 2007 is treating you well so far. I was looking up Eric Close on IMDB for something I was writing in this week's Two Tivos (I was suggesting him for the lead in the new Mr & Mrs. Smith TV spin off) and found a show listed on his bio called Dark Skies. It's rare that I have not heard of a show, but what little I could find made it seem like it had a cult following as well as interesting tale about the way it was pitched to the networks. Any idea what the story behind this show was and if it was any better than a X-Files rip off? Since Close also starred in Now and Again, it got me wondering about the record for most leads on cult shows, as in who are the James Garners and Michael Landons of the short lived series world? Also, Now And Again ranks just ahead of EZ Streets on my list of Best One Season shows ever. What's your list like? Looking forward to another year of my favorite 411Mania column! -Al A: I vaguely remember "Dark Skies." It ran one season on NBC in the '96-'97 season for twenty episodes and aired on Saturday nights at 8 pm est. The interesting pitch you mention is that ABC, CBS and NBC were sent confidential briefing books in a plain brown wrapper all the same day that profiled the series in a mock government classified way. The premise of the series is that the US has been in a secret war with alien invaders since the landing at Roswell, New Mexico in 1947 and these aliens can be directly related to most of the major events and historical figures since then. John Loengard (Eric Close) gets a job as an aide to a Congressman in the early sixties and is given the task of investigating a cost cutting government project that leads him to the secretive Majestic 12 ran by Navy Captain Frank Bach (JT Walsh). Majestic 12 is charged with counteracting the alien force known as the Hive who take over humans and use them as slaves. John hooks up with Kim (Megan Ward) who works for Jackie Kennedy and they go on the lam being chased by Majestic 12 and the Hive. Kim gets pregnant by John, but is taken by the aliens. John goes to Vietnam because it's a funding front for Majestic 12 and teams up with Soviet alien specialist Juliet (Jeri Ryan). They infiltrate the Hive ship and get John's baby. Bach is removed from the head of Majestic 12 and killed by his aide Phil Albano (Conor O'Farrell) who was a Hive plant. The show was defeated by a bad time slot, comparisons to "The X-Files" and NBC giving up on the series when early ratings weren't as good as hoped.
|
|
|
Post by Jennifoofighter on Jan 8, 2007 10:44:40 GMT -5
The show was defeated by a bad time slot, comparisons to "The X-Files" and NBC giving up on the series when early ratings weren't as good as hoped. Can I just take a minute to rant a little about how much I dislike the Networks, Studios and whatever other PTB that never give something a fair shot? This is something that has been bugging me for ages - if a show or movie isn't a slam dunk right from the get go they dump it. I know some of you are too young to remember but when I was a kid they would show a movie in the theatres for up to six months. That's right - six whole months, half a year! You could take your time to get to the theatre or you could watch it and then tell a friend you want to go see it again and not worry that it had already been pulled. Sometimes a show or movie needs a little time to resonate, for a buzz to get out. I know I always bring it back to The X-Files but that show wasn't a big hit right away but after a little bit of time it catapulted into a cultural phenomenon. It still kills me that I didn't discover Now and Again until it was already canceled. Even more so because it had such an amazing cliffhanger that was never resolved. But as always, thanks for the snippet SeptemberBaby. You rock.
|
|
|
Post by SeptemberBaby on Jan 8, 2007 12:28:58 GMT -5
Anyone remember the late Brandon Tartikoff? He was head of NBC programming in the early 80's. Some called him a whiz kid.. I don't think he was 35 when he got the job... he took NBC from last place all the way to first because he believed in giving good quality shows a chance. Family Ties is the first one that comes to mind. That show was close to last place when it debuted, but he stuck with it. Hill St. Blues.. St. Elsewhere are a couple of others that were el-stink-o rating wise. But, he stuck with them and they became hits. Of course, that was before the Internet, DVR's and high commercial rates... if a show isn't bringing in the numbers rating wise, the advertisers aren't going to cough up the big bucks for their already extremely expensive commercials... and now w/ Tivo's and DVR's and everyone FF'ing thru them.. the networks can't take any chances of the advertisers not paying up. In reference to the X-Files... I think FOX was a fairly new network back then.. and didn't have too much else to put in it's place if they pulled it... I think if it were to premiere today and they didn't come thru w/ the numbers.. it would be a goner. As for Now and Again and Dark Skies.. at least they gave it a full season.... I was in the middle of at least 3 series this season that's been pulled ... probably never to be seen again. If you watch EC's interviews while N&A was airing.. you'll see that they had great expectations for this show.. then something happened.. and it started tanking, I think it was a expenisve show to produce.. it was shot 100% in NYC (not cheap!) and they pulled it! WITH A MAJOR CLIFFHANGER!! Oh.. something else..Lately, Tv shows are getting the 'big guns' to star in their shows... Ray Loitta comes to mind... his show, (I can't remember the name?? Anyone??) didn't last more than what? 4 weeks? I think the reason why is first because of the ratings.. but also, he doesn't come cheap. If it had a 'cheaper' actor in his place they might have stuck it out a bit longer. Anyway... the bottom line is.. Jenn, you're right. They pull them too fast and don't give them a chance... it's not fair to the cast and it's really not fair to those of us that do their best to get people to watch (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!! PEOPLE.. YOU ARE NOT WATCHING THE BEST NEW SHOW OF THE SEASON!!!), get emotionally invested, and then they pull it right in the middle of a huge storyline.. Last season is was "Reunion"... this season, for me.. it was The Nine, 6º, Vanished and a couple of others. Reality shows ... there's a medium that the networks have been cashing in on BIG TIME! There's no cast to pay... all they have to do is come up w/ a million dollars or so at the end and the rest is gravy! Yes, they have to pay a crew.. but they would do that anyway if there were a real cast.. they are saving big bucks .. and if it's a ratings success... they hit the jackpot. I often wonder if they should reconsider the 'free tv' thing... charge people 10 bucks a month for all 4 networks.. and promise them that unless the ratings are really low.. they'll stick with it and give it chance. The Networks have to get with the program.. not many people are watching commercials anymore.. DVR's are taking over.. Bittorrents is another resource people are using. Anyway.. that's my take on all of it. Sorry for rambling.
|
|
|
Post by Jennifoofighter on Jan 8, 2007 12:58:13 GMT -5
Anyone remember the late Brandon Tartikoff? He was head of NBC programming in the early 80's. Some called him a whiz kid.. I don't think he was 35 when he got the job... he took NBC from last place all the way to first because he believed in giving good quality shows a chance. I loved him. Loved him. I miss him, may he rest in peace. Genius. Don't forget he was the guy who believed in Seinfeld, too. The thing is they don't consider that we don't watch or buy shows that we don't know or are vested in. The only shows I buy are the ones that I heart and are well done. Why would we buy what we don't know? Besides, with all that bottom screen pop up stuff you know we are just a hop-skip-and a jump away from seeing ads on the screen as the show plays. They will find a way.... Smith. And he wasn't the only 'big gun' - there was also Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker, Amy Smart. I bet they weren't working on standard wages either. But to be fair, it was a rather crappy show. And I love Simon Baker and would watch him in just about anything. For pete's sake, I saw Land of the Dead just because of him! I just bought the DVD set of an old series, "Miracles" with Skeet Ulrich that I liked so much. It was another really good show that was cut short at 13 eppys and unresolved storylines. And yes, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is an amazing show with a stellar cast! Watch it! Watch it!! Watch it!!! Ka-freaking-ching. Nuff said. Not a bad idea.
|
|