Barry Corbin

"Blindsided"

• Aug 14, 2007 02:06 AM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

Are we running out of superlatives yet to describe this season of The Closer? As I previewed in my earlier blog entry, this week's episode really wowed me. When Kevin Bacon (the director of the episode) told me that it opened with a shrink session and that Brenda was ordered to sit on the bench, I was a bit skeptical, fearing that it would be a very touchy-feely outing.I was wrong. (In ways.)Even though Bacon gave us fair warning, the rifle assault on Gabriel, Brenda and the news team totally caught me off guard. And then the blood... so much blood. Why everyone leaped to think it was a hit on Brenda and not the news weasel didn't make complete sense to me — I pegged him as the target instantly — but Flynn's tally of people who hate BL delivered a chuckle. ("We're gonna need a bigger board.")As always in a sitch like this, it was most enjoyable watching Brenda bob and weave her way into an investigation she has been cut off from, all culminating in that elevator face-off... read more

Casting About: Details on The Closer's Daddy

• Jun 8, 2007 01:46 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

Some new deets from The Closer regarding Brenda Leigh's soon-to-be-introduced papa. Clay Johnson, to be played by Barry Corbin (Northern Exposure), is "a retired military officer who owns auto-parts stores in the metro Atlanta area." Corbin and returning guest star Frances Sternhargen (as Brenda's mom) will both appear in Episodes 10 (airing Aug. 20), 11, 14 and 15.In other casting news, Peter Facinelli, whose credits include Six Feet Under and Fastlane, has joined FX's Glenn Close-fronted legal drama Damages, in a recurring role. read more

I really like the idea of ...

• Jun 6, 2007 04:00 AM ET
• by Michael Ausiello

Question: I really like the idea of Brenda getting with her boss on The Closer. Will we ever see some action?

Answer: Doubt it. They've been there, done each other. Brenda's only got eyes for Fritz — though they're going to have their share of ups and downs this season. I also hear that Brenda will start seeing a shrink after she kills someone in self-defense. And ooooh, this just in: Barry Corbin (One Tree Hill, Northern Exposure) has been cast as Brenda's dad. He'll appear in four episodes, as will Frances Sternhagen, who's returning as Brenda's mom.