Dear NBC:I heard that Alfre Woodard has been cast to play Christian Slater's boss on My Own Worst Enemy this fall, and I am writing to make sure that you treat her in a manner befitting her status as one of her generation's best actresses — unlike some other network who shall remain nameless. True, she got an Emmy nomination out of her much-derided stint on Desperate Housewives, but not because the material was extra special! Yes, her steely demeanor and exacting stare are perfect to play an undercover bigwig. But I'm nervous. I mean, I haven't liked anything Slater has done since Heathers, and that was 1989! So you can understand my concern. Please take care of my Alfre. She certainly deserves it. Go rent Passion Fish and you'll see what I mean.Thanks for listening.Sincerely,Mickey O'Connor
read more
ABC Family has greenlit the TV-movie The Circuit, starring The 4400's Billy Campbell as a stock-car racer whose career is on the decline — to the point that he's now competing on the track against his daughter (Michelle Trachtenberg).... Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard and Men in Trees' James Tupper will star in Hallmark Channel's Pictures of Hollis Woods, based on a novel about a 12-year-old girl bounced around the foster-care system.... Judge Lynn Toler and a panel of experts, including psychologist Tara Fields (Intervention), will help couples try to endure relationship rough patches in the reality program Decision House, debuting in September on MyNetworkTV.... CMT's Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team shakes its pom-poms for a second season starting Sept. 14.
read more
Question: Could you name for me some of Alfre Woodard's finest comedic moments on Desperate Housewives? Her nomination for best supporting actress in a comedy just goes to show how much of a scam it was for them to submit the show as a comedy last year, which they basically did only because they felt they could win more easily. I think it ultimately came back to bite them, because Season 2 had even less to laugh at than Season 1 did.
Answer: Good point. These hybrid hourlong comedies (with dramatic elements) are especially tough sells. Of all the questionable nominations, Alfre Woodard's for the most problematic element of Housewives last season is the biggest joke (and I'm a big fan of hers, just not in this poorly conceived and haplessly executed role) ...
read more
Question: I really need to voice my complete disgust at this year's Emmy nods. As a huge fan of Lost, you must also be repulsed by the fact that the show isn't nominated. The series experienced no real decline in quality, and it's as much favored by audiences and critics as ever. What is the motivation behind snubbing it this way? Also, I know your opinion of Desperate Housewives has soured this season, but even at its worse, its quality is far greater than the completely mediocre Two and a Half Men, yet for some reason Men got the nomination. Marcia Cross did the best work of her career this season. In fact, toward the end of the season, she was basically carrying the show on her shoulders, yet the nod went to Alfre Woodard! Woodard is a fine actress, but this is a mere sympathy vote. She barely had any Emmy-worthy moments during her run, and her performance wasn't even comedic! I'm sure you share my pain.
Answer: Do I ever. There's some feeling that Lost may be getting punished
...
read more
Question: There has been a lot of talk about the supposed drop in quality of Desperate Housewives this season. I still find it highly enjoyable to watch, and I would argue that a breakout first season is very difficult to match, although some shows do pull it off. (Lost comes to mind.) My question, though, is about the presence of mystery or suspense on the show. The Mary Alice story line was part of what made the first season great, with its mix of drama and comedy. However, the part I have least enjoyed about the show this season is the mystery involving Alfre Woodard's character (and what a shame that such a superb actress has been so underused). Do you think Desperate Housewives needs to have a mystery as part of its show, or can it get back to the appeal of the first season based on the lives of the five main women alone?
Answer: Excellent question. One also posed by Jenny, who put it this way: "I am a very inconsistent (at best) viewer of Desperate Housewives, but from what I have
...
read more
