“24”: Impressive Talent Clocking In

By on Aug 23, 2009 in In Production |

Even though the countdown clock reminds us that we have 147 days yet to wait, I’m already excited for Season 8 of 24. Granted, it’s not often that I feel pumped about the eighth season of a show. But last season brought the goods, and next season might do the same. The casting department has eclectic and savvy choices that I find commendable. Starting with the actors pictured above, the new cast members for the upcoming season include: Anil Kapoor, a Bollywood star who is best known to American audiences for his portrayal of the smarmy game-show host in Slumdog Millionaire. Katee Sackhoff, the woman who made Kara “Starbuck” Thrace a fan-favorite character of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. Callum Keith Rennie, who (coincidentally) played the Starbuck-obsessed Leoben on Battlestar Galactica, as well as libidinous record-producer Lew Ashby on Californication....

The Everywhere Actors

By on Aug 15, 2009 in Tinseltown |

When you watch as much television as I do, you see familiar faces all the time, and then you have to ask yourself (or IMDb), “Where have I seen him/her before?” For example, I’m watching the first season of House, and I’ve recognized guest stars from elsewhere in thirteen of the first fifteen episodes. And then there are actors like Michelle Forbes and Željko Ivanek who show up on many of my favorite series. The phenomenon came to a head recently when I saw both of them on the same episode of True Blood. Pictured above is Forbes in the roles she’s played in some of my favorite shows. From left to right: presidential advisor Lynne Kresge on 24, Oceanic Airlines representative Karen Decker on Lost, tough-as-nails admiral Helena Cain on Battlestar Galactica, beleaguered wife Kate on In Treatment, “social worker”/maenad Maryann Forrester on True...

The Hierarchy of Obsessiveness

By on Aug 1, 2009 in Inner Monologues |

The following post was originally published on my old blog on February 4, 2009.  Updates to this post are noted below. Under some pretense of being an organized person (ha!), I keep a very meticulous list of the episodes I have yet to see for all the shows I follow. And I’ve noticed definite trends regarding my level of addiction to certain shows—or the lack thereof—as shown in the following categories. (I should point out that this is nowhere near a comprehensive list!) Must-See TV I want to see it, and I want to see it now. Battlestar Galactica Lost 30 Rock Grey’s Anatomy Chuck Will-See TV I love it, but I might be a few episodes behind. 24 Heroes (Update: Lo, how the mighty Heroes has fallen.) Mad Men Damages Californication Might-See TV I’ve liked what I’ve seen, but I have a serious backlog. Pushing Daisies Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles True Blood...