Confessions of a Couch Monkey

What Would Walt Say?

So the other night on FX’s The Americans former MMC cast member Keri Russell took down a bad guy almost twice her size and then beat the crap out of Margo Martindale. It was really quite ferocious. And it was meant to be, both fights were driven by some intense emotions.

Now I know enough about Hollywood to know director Dan Sackheim and stunt person Nikki Brower played a hand in the creation of the episode and some of the most dramatic moments. I think Russell did a lot of the first fight and Brower helped out on the second. That’s my guess anyway, there was a lot of hair flying around.

Of course credit almost must be given to Joe Weisberg, who created the show. He’s asked Russell and her on-screen partner to take on a lot, essentially playing twins but without a second “body.” To the world around them they are Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings - business owners, parents, happy American couple. But they are also Soviet-born KGB agents, trained  to be the Jennings and then planted in the Reagan-era US.

Now, there’s a third aspect to their roles in that, despite having had children together, they are finally starting to become attracted to one other. Maybe it’s not a third aspect as much as it keeps them straddling the fence between the two with which they’re already dealing.

And if that’s not enough an FBI agent has moved in across the street! I know. I was intrigued to find out, in checking names for this, Weisberg worked for the CIA in the early 90s and therefore has to have everything he writes approved by the agency.

Robin Williams and Crazy Ones

Color me officially excited for David E. Kelley’s new pilot. When they first announced Sarah Michelle Gellar was going to play Robin Williams’ daughter I must admit, for a moment, I thought he might run her ragged. I mean they are going to play father and daughter in a workplace comedy about an ad agency. That’s a lot of screen time together.

But look at Pam Dawber and all she accomplished side by side with the man. Today comes news Gellar’s getting help in the form of Hamish Linklater. This is a man with both comedy chops and co-star chemistry/management skills - he shared the screen with Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Clark Gregg and Wanda freaking Sykes!

I now think the wild card will be James Wolk who, aside from a few episodes of Happy Endings, has a mostly dramatic past. IMDB suggests the show will unfold from his viewpoint, making him the ultimate straight man I would guess. But then he could turn out to be Candice Bergen-style funny and this show could run for years.

Giddy at the thought

Holy cow is pilot season heating up. Today’s news? John Stamos might have a regular job. Okay, it’s on NBC, but still. John Stamos people. The pilot he signed on for is called I Am Victor. It’s billed as a drama but the character sounds like fun, like a less abrasive House maybe.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/john-stamos-to-star-in-nbc-pilot-i-am-victor/

In the comedy bracket, ABC’s Spy - headlined by Rob Corddry, the less funnier of the Corddry brothers in my opinion, but still funny - gained a female lead, Paget Brewster, and an on-screen boss - KEN JEONG! Now if NBC renews Community, the show is screwed, but he and Corddry could be the team of comedy teams.

Esai Morales will be working too, he’s signed on to the “other side” of the CBS drama The Advocates.

Tyler Labine, bless his heart, also has a gig. I really hope this is the one. He and Greg Garcia’s writing seem like a good fit. Look at how well it worked for reforming Garret Dillahunt’s stabby resume! Labine will play Rupert Gint’s brother in Super Clyde.

The dark cloud is seems is Andrea Anders has booked Divorce: A Love Story for ABC. As I’ve said before, it’s quite possible she’s a lovely person, but she has zero chemistry with her male leads and is, I feel, a show killer.

Unfortunately we can’t count on Jason Ritter returning to Parenthood. He’s going to do Friends & Family, the Americanization of a British show called Gavin and Stacey which, if picked up, will air on Fox.

In the well now I’ll probably have to watch it category Bruce Greenwood and Odette Annable are joining Jennifer Beals in the cast of Venice on ABC. Greenwood and Beals will head the show’s version of the Montagues and the Capulets which, thanks to Beal’s experience on The Chicago Code, could be deliciously tense.

Pie in the Sky

You know why pilot season is so much fun? It can give you hope. You can look forward to something when your favorite shows are tanking or you have to endurance yet another reality program. Please Mark Burnett, take a breath.

So, if you’ve been following along, cast of NCIS v.3 has had a lot of testosterone added to it. Today, it was announced Kim Raver’s got the big role. Now, I’ve watched her in a lot of stuff - plenty of Third Watch, a little of 24, Grey’s Anatomy of course and her recent turn in Revolution. She is a decent actress. In TVLine’s blurb they’ve described her as team leader, so maybe she doesn’t have to be a Ziva or Kenzie in terms of being able to handle herself or maybe she’s training now and is going to shock us all.

But when John Corbett was announced, I thought they said he’s been the team leader, so that will be an interesting dynamic right there. And there is another female in the cast, an Australian named Gillian Alexy, who most recently appeared in Damages. Which I still haven’t watched. But her character is described a military-minded, so maybe she’ll be the “and then take names” type.

Still loving pilot season

Soooo - big news today - more testosterone in the cast for NCIS v.3. The new guy is…Scott Grimes!!! So psyched for him to have regular work again. Looks like his guest role on the mothership paid off! Still no word on the lady or ladies.

The television version of About A Boy has found its man-child in David Walton - who probably got the job because of his recent arc on New Girl, but should have gotten it from Bent. Hopefully that character and this one will not be too similar.

And the other “good choice” move today goes to the producers of Girlfriend In A Coma, who landed Christina Ricci. This is such smart casting. She will knock this out of the park.

The other big choice today should be filed under only choice really as news comes Christina Applegate has left Up All Night, the sitcom in which she stars. Not really co-stars, although Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph might have something to say about that, but let’s face it, she was the star. But Emily Spivey, the creator left - over creative differences - and it’s starting to look like they got Firefly-ed.

I don’t hold it against her. It was a smart and the best move. It’s a shame NBC has gone from the home of comedy to unable to produce one that’s successful both critically and commercially.

The Great Eraser Strikes Again

This wasn’t a total dump, the pilot is still on my DVR. But tonight episode two of Do No Harm conflicted with, well a lot of things. There was no discussing Scandal, that had to stay, and I wanted to see The First 48: Missing Persons much more.

Have you seen this? In the opening of every episode they state every 30 minutes someone in Chicago disappears. I was shocked the first time I heard it and now that I’ve heard it over and over and over again, I find it haunting. I know 48 hours is important for any cop in solving a case, but you can really tell it matters when this missing person squad catches a case.

I sort of feel bad about the Do No Harm thing now that I know Lin-Manuel Miranda is in the cast. But he’s not the lead. If it lasts I can catch up.

ETA: Good grief, this got cancelled today. I don’t want to say I did it, but I have found that if I put something straight onto DVR and take a while getting around to watching it it usually dies. One hours though because Guys With Kids is still on the air.

NCIS x 3

NCIS is going there. Like CSI and Law and Order, the franchise is planning on adding to the family. Sometime during NCIS:LA’s regular season, they will introduce a mobile crime-fighting team, and use that introduction to hopefully launch “part three.”

So, whee, they’ve announced the lead of the team will be Northern Exposure’s John Corbett! I would have went with Sex and The City, but I don’t know that his character was as beloved there as was Chris In The Morning.

Edwin Hoge will be the team’s tech. He appeared recently on Cougar Town as Laurie’s military beau, but for me, it’s an “oh really?” type of thing, as his brother Aldis, recently finished playing a similar type role on Leverage (although that team had no connection to the military).

The other element the show will probably have going for it is it will feature Miguel Ferrer’s assistant director Granger character prominently.  I’m still waiting to hear about the female cast members but so far this sounds mighty appealing. I wonder if they’ll run all three back to back.

The Great Eraser

In 1993 all Keri Russell was to me was an MMC cast member. I didn’t really fall for Felicity, but I was intrigued when on the recent TCA panel for her new show The Americans she was asked how she liked being able to kick a stuntman in the face. Her answer is not important, it’s the fact “Felicity” has reached a point in her career where she is kicking stuntmen in the face.

So I discovered, to my shock, I get the Canadian version of FX and therefore I get to watch The Americans as it airs. However, this week, the new episode conflicts with Chicago Fire, which I had been piling on my DVR and planning to watch. Sort of. It was that lack of equipment and Keri’s commitment to “the motherland” (you should be watching The Americans. Really) which made me decide to delete every single episode of Chicago Fire. Sorry Jesse Spencer.

I also erased every episode of Guys With Kids. The sorry here should probably go to Anthony Anderson, for whom I probably would have eventually gotten around to watching. But I guess part of me still wants him and Jeremy Sisto running around the streets of NYC under the guidance of S. Epatha Merkerson.

Do They Give Marks for Effort?

The last entry in this series will focus on NBC, which I think has the most to prove if you don’t count the success of The Voice.

About a Boy (Comedy)
Based on the book and subsequent 2002 film starring Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult, the single-cam comedy centers on the relationship between a man-child and the young boy who moves in next door.

The next door aspect might be enough to set this apart. I like that Jason Katims is behind it as well.

After Hours (Drama)
Follows a team of doctors and nurses working the graveyard shift in the ER at San Antonio Medical Center.

It already has some interesting cast - Brigid Brannagh, Brendan Fehr and Freddy Rodriguez being the ones I would watch for, but not sure about the execs’ pedigree - the 90120 part (the Freaks and Geeks part is a plus, but long ago)

Assistance (Comedy)
A fast-moving comedy centered on an idealistic “working girl” assistant who is pulled between her colleague/work husband and her real life fiancé.

This is from partners Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. They must, must cast a strong woman in this or it won’t work.

The Blacklist (Drama)
The world’s most wanted criminal suddenly turns himself in and offers to give up anyone he’s ever worked with. The catch: He’ll only work with a new FBI agent, one with whom he has no known connection.

This will also depend on casting, but has a strong story element I think.

Donor Party (Comedy)
A New Normal-esque ensemble comedy about an irresponsible man forced to grow up when he discovers he has children resulting from his days as a sperm donor.

While a storyline in everything from Law and Order to ER, it’s almost surprising nobody had thought of making it the entire basis of the show yet.

The Gates (Comedy)
Based on the British series, the single-cam comedy is set at the front gates of an elementary school drop-off and revolves around the parents, school staff and the 15-minute social minefield they navigate at the beginning and end of each school day.

Again, I have never heard of or seen the British version. I suppose there really is a lot of material there. It will be interesting to see how they’ll keep it going.

Girlfriend in a Coma (Comedy)
Based on a Douglas Coupland novel, the single-cam comedy centers on a 34-year-old woman who wakes from a coma only to discover she has a 17-year-old daughter from a pregnancy she never knew about.

New from Dick Wolf (and others). More women on TV. And one in her 30s!

Hatfields & McCoys (Drama)
Set in present-day Pittsburgh. When a startling death re-ignites the two clans’ legendary battles, the blue collar McCoys will put the Hatfields’ wealth and power at risk as they go to war for control of the city.

But will it work without Kevin Costner? Oh my.

Holding Patterns (Comedy)
A multi-cam comedy about a group of friends whose lives are altered after surviving a plane crash.

Yep. Because nothing says comedy like a plane crash. I could be wrong, but to NBC I say - “Prove it!”

I Am Victor (Drama)
Based on the upcoming Jo Nesbo novel by the same name, the potential series features Victor Port, a high powered divorce attorney with a unique view of relationships.

This will make me laugh every time because of a story that has nothing to do with TV and maybe only four people know. But in terms of overall success, I would think it will all come down to casting.

Joe, Joe and Jane (Comedy)
An author is caught in an ongoing war between two needy, flawed people — his wife and his co-author/BFF — in the multi-cam project.

I have a hard time getting behind any project in which a female character is described as needy as it almost always weakens the character. This will go on my Prove It list.

ETA: Sally Pressman from Army Wives is, duh, the wife, and the BFF the adorable Dave Annable from Brothers and Sisters.

The Sixth Gun (Drama)
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the supernatural western examines six mythical guns that each have their own otherworldly powers.

Even if this is well made, I think there will be a problem scheduling it.

Undateable (Comedy)
The multi-cam project centers on a group of young friends dubbed the “Undateables” whose lives are altered when a more confident character enters their world.

More from Bill Lawrence. Should be enough for me. Again.

Untitled DJ Nash/Jason Bateman Project (Comedy)
The single-camera sitcom centers on a son who idolizes his blind father and enjoys his mom’s newfound adolescence after his folks divorce and ultimately grow closer.

Sounds like it has the potential to be delightfully wacky.

Untitled Greg Daniels/Owen Ellickson Project (Comedy)
A talented musician (Robinson) with rough edges adjusts to his new life as a music teacher in a big-city middle school, where he encounters teacher politics and the temptations of single moms.

Um. The Steve Harvey Show. Anyone?

Untitled Greg Daniels/Robert Padnick Project (Comedy)
Centers on a group of friends in their 20s navigating the trials and tribulations of dating. The pilot focuses on bright eyed and vulnerable Matthew, being pushed by his three best friends to get back on the dating horse.

Ugh. Twentysomethings and their dating trials and tribulations? Bored already.

Untitled J.J. Abrams/Alfonso Cuaron (Drama)
Follows an unlikely relationship between a gifted young girl and a man sprung from prison who has been tasked with protecting her from the evil elements that hunt her power.

I like the idea of a female lead and her protector being someone you’re expected to not trust or like. Unless of course he was falsely convicted.

Untitled Lorne Michaels/John Mulaney Project (Comedy)
The multi-camera project is based loosely on Mulaney’s life and will follow a group of young people and their hijinks.

I don’t know who he is and I don’t think many people will. They need to go the Seinfeld route and get him a strong supporting cast.

Untitled Rand Ravich Project (Drama)
Examines what happens when an unlikely puppeteer pulls Washington’s elite — including the President of the United States — into an international conspiracy.

Not enough info here, although the phrase “unlikely puppeteer” causes a slight wrinkle in my brow.

Untitled Jessica Simpson Project (Comedy)
The pilot presentation for the potential multi-cam series is inspired by the fashion magnate, pop singer, Weight Watchers spokeswoman and former Newlywed.

Again, this will require a solid, Seinfeld-esque cast to work.

Untitled Michael J. Fox Project (Comedy)
The single-cam comedy is inspired by Fox’s real life and stars him as Mike Burnaby, a husband and father of three in New York City juggling the challenges of family and career while dealing with Parkinson’s disease.

This is already fully cast which a 22 episode order, which makes me hungry to see it.

Untitled Victor Fresco Project (Comedy)
A multi-cam sitcom about a man attempting to both parent the teenage daughter who just moved in and appease a temperamental new boss.

Sean Hayes is cast in this, which makes me hope he’s the “man” and not the boss.

Welcome to the Family (Comedy)
In the single-cam comedy, cultures collide when a white family and a Latino family are bonded together by their children who fall in love followed quickly by an unplanned pregnancy.

Is this Rob Schneider’s show re-tooled? Casting and scheduling will be key in whether I watch this or not.

Anything in all this catch your eye?

But will you watch it?

This part will focus on the pilots Fox has ordered, many of which will die unmercifully in manners unbefitting. Yes, I am still bitter about the cancellation of Firefly.

2 Wrongs (Comedy)
A single-cam relationship comedy about a couple whose friends and family don’t think they are right for each other.

With the wrong cast, this could be a disaster. You have to believe the people who are not in favor of the relationship actually have the characters’ best interests at heart, otherwise they come off nasty.

Boomerang (Drama)
Focuses on the usual, everyday drama surrounding a family business — except this family is in the business of executing hits as assassins for the U.S. government.

John Wells is involved in this. That’s enough for me to both watch it and be fire of a thousand suns mad if Fox screws it up.

Dads (Comedy)
The live-action, multi-cam comedy, which has already earned a six-episode order, revolves around two successful guys in their 30s who find their lives turned upside-down when their nightmare fathers unexpectedly move in with them.

Seth MacFarlane’s behind this. I’d like to see him in front of the camera, too. But I think the key here will be casting a balance between the fathers and sons.

Delirium (Drama)
Based on a bestselling trilogy about a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. But with 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, lead character Lena Holoway does the unthinkable and falls in love.

This made me think of the book I think was called The Watcher and, oddly enough, Demolition Man. But I will probably be watching it. 

ETA: TVLine is reporting Emma Roberts has signed to do this. Very inneresting.

Enlisted (Comedy)
Based on Kevin Biegel’s (Cougar Town) relationship with his siblings, this single-cam comedy follows three very different brothers working together in the Army at a small base in Florida.

I love Cougar Town and follow Biegel on Twitter where he often retweets his siblings. This reminds me of a movie called Staying Together in which Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney and Tim Quinn played brothers. It wasn’t a comedy and had nothing to do with the military but the truth as siblings know it is always interesting.

Friends & Family (Comedy)
A single-camera adaptation of the UK series Gavin & Stacey, about two very different lovers who try to make a long-distance relationship work.

I know nothing about the original. I suppose interesting casting might make me try this out.

House Rules (Comedy)
The single-cam comedy follows an introverted, neurotic Wisconsin family that lives in a community of over-sharers.

This sounds like a large cast. But I wouldn’t want it to be too wacky. Then it could turn into The Neighbors, which I constantly DVR despite the reviews because I believe in Jami Gertz.

ETA: There’s already a title change and apparently Rob Riggle is sniffing around this. I would totally buy him on the over sharer side of things after his recent role on FX’s Wilfred.

The List (Drama)
When members of the Federal Witness Security Program start getting killed, US Marshal Dan Shaker leads the hunt for the person who stole a file with the identities of every member of the program.

Every member of the program. Possibly a new story every week. This makes me miss In Plain Sight. But if The Following succeeds, these guys might look like tagalongs.

Rake (Drama)
Centers around Keegan Joye, a brilliant but self-destructive criminal defense lawyer.

Greg Kinnear is going to do TV! It will be hard to cast people opposite him I think.

Sleepy Hollow (Drama)
A modern-day supernatural thriller based on the legend of the titular Westchester Country, N.Y. town.

Really? There was more than the Headless Horseman?

To My Assistant (Comedy)
Based on a blog and upcoming book of the same name by Lydia Whitlock, the project features the grumbling, oppressed assistants at a tony New York city law firm.

Hmm. Not sure. I would like at least one super strong female lead in this.

Untitled Bill Lawrence Project (Comedy)
An adaptation of Justin Halpern’s (the “genius” behind Shit My Dad Says - the Twitter feed, not the series) book I Suck at Girls, the single-cam comedy tells the story of “a boy becoming a man and a man becoming a father, in a time before ‘coming of age’ was something you could Google.”

Bill Lawrence from Cougar Town is behind this and that will get me started. What will keep me around is if they learned from the last Halpern adaptation and can hire a balanced cast. No offense to Jonathan Sadowski, but he was absolutely no match for Shatner.

Untitled J.J. Abrams/J.H. Wyman Project (Drama)
An action-packed buddy cop show set in the near future when all LAPD officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like androids.

Okay JJ Abrams, props for the whole android aspect. Now find someone who can play the crap out of the role.

Untitled Mike Schur/Dan Goor Project (Comedy)
The single-camera project revolves around a diverse group of detectives in a precinct at the very edge of New York City.

This is what Andy Samberg is doing post SNL. Terry Crews is also in the cast. So diverse is an apt adjective I guess. I would like to know more about any female roles in this. It makes me miss The Unusuals.