It takes real cojones to call a powerful producer a fathead while auditioning for a TV series. That's just what Mary McCormack did to Steven Bochco when he was casting Murder One back in 1994. "Steven was making fun of my pretentious head shot, and I finally said to him, 'Shut up, you big fathead, I have to read now!'"
The room went dead silent — until Bochco laughed. McCormack won a leading role, as well as a nickname — "Fatty" — and a lifelong friend. "Steven's my hero for starting off my career," McCormack says, "and for paying off my college loans."
The actress has parlayed her gutsy, smart-mouthed persona into a successful career, with credits that include Howard Stern's Private Parts — her "favorite job ever" — The West Wing and ER. And she earned a Tony nomination for her uproarious turn as an overheated German stewardess with dominatrix
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Jun 22, 2008 05:11 PM ET
- by erinfox
Hey gang, today you're getting a special treat, two for one recaps! First up ("Never the Bride") is the episode that will go down as the one that was supposed to make Mary look "hot," but ended up making her look like a caricature of a Vegas stripper. I'm not quite sure if we're supposed to think she looks ridiculous... she's clearly out of her comfort zone in this Brandi-inspired getup, but suddenly every male in the episode loses the ability to speak once they sees Mary's magical boobs. Calling hair and makeup! Time for a do-over! She looked more like a hooker than someone who's had a "hot" makeover. She was more of a "hot mess." I'm sorry to go on about this, but it did bug me. On to the show! We start off in Hawaii, six months ago with a couple making out in a hammock. Missy Pyle (how awesome is she!) plays a newly married wife who begs her husband to stop his "deals" while on their honeymoon, and forever after. She says it's immoral and dangerous and she doesn't care about the ...
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Jun 16, 2008 05:28 AM ET
- by erinfox
Hi there, it's Erin Fox here... (insert Troy McClure voice)... You may know me from such blogs as, Battlestar Galactica, American Idol and Saturday Night Live. I thought I'd try out a brand new show for a change and maybe less people will rip on me for whatever is irking them that day. I know I'm deluding myself, but just let me hold on to the dream. So, I know tonight's episode is the third one of the season, but I wanted to post a recap of the pilot for those who may have some catching up to do. I'll be writing up the second and third episodes tomorrow, and much more succinctly than the first one outta the gate. The first one is all about getting you situated with Mary and her crazy sidekicks and cohorts. Let's get started.Meet Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack): She's tough, smart, funny, sexy and doesn't f--k around. She also packs some serious heat as a U.S. Marshal for the WITSEC program, or Witness Protection for all us non-Marshal speaking folk. She has a sarcastic partner named ...
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With its debut episode, USA network is already seeing results from In Plain Sight: The new series broke the 'net's premiere ratings record Sunday night with its opener. The show, which features Mary McCormack as a U.S. Marshal managing the Federal Witness Protection Program, saw 5.3 million viewers — 32 percent more than last summer's Burn Notice debut.The new drama also shattered a previous network record, becoming the most-watched series debut since 2004's The 4400, says the Reporter. The show had increased numbers across all key demos. Did you tune in? Maybe it's time to set your "sights" on a new show. — Anna DimondUse our Online Video Guide for more USA clips and videos.Related:• USA Declares Marshal Law With a Sight for Sore Eyes
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Mary Shannon is my favorite type of TV hero: funny, sexy, smart and smart-mouthed. As played to the sardonic hilt by Mary McCormack (The West Wing), she’s impatient with authority, as scrappy and tough as you’d expect from a U.S. Marshal assigned to the top-secret witness protection program, yet soft when it matters. Jim Rockford would have adored her.
Heart does matter on this job, when dealing with reluctant victims who’ve had their lives upended by encounters with a violent society and an overwhelmed justice system. Mary is part law enforcer, part babysitter. Guess which comes most naturally?
In Plain Sight is a worthy successor to last summer’s USA Network hit Burn Notice. Both are witty and suspenseful and benefit from vividly authentic locations—here, underused Albuquerque—acknowledging its natural beauty and its Native American and Latino populations. Mary is at home on this range, sharing snappy banter with her
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