There certainly seems to be a "No Shrinking Violets" sign posted outside the TNT studios. During a conference call to tout the June 18 return of The Closer, series star Kyra Sedgwick — herself a Golden Globe winner — told TVGuide.com that in addition to meeting Brenda's father (a role as yet uncast), a doctor for the deputy chief will enter the mix, played by Law & Order vet S. Epatha Merkerson, who grabbed an Emmy for her turn in Lackawanna Blues. "She'll be around for a few episodes," Sedgwick told us. "So that's been really exciting."Having screened the new season's first episode, it's not revealing too much to say that when we revisit Brenda Leigh's world, she is under the gun to streamline her squad by at least one detective. But as for whether that has resulted in any cast changes among the PhDers, she said, "No, not yet."Which returning summer series do you most anxiously await? Vote here (bottom right).
read more
Currently in the pipeline here and there:ABC: Per Variety, the network is fast-tracking The Great American Dream Vote, an unscripted series in which a group of people share their dreams with a studio audience, and then square off in head-to-head competitions. At the end of each show, viewers vote for which person deserves to have their wish realized.HBO: Kanye West will star in a reality series directed by Borat's Larry Charles, which focuses on a day in the singer's hectic life. Also, Ruben Santiago-Hudson is penning a drama series based on his autobiographical play and film Lackawanna Blues. Per Reuters, Law & Order's S. Epatha Merkerson has not been approached to reprise her role as Nanny.Sci Fi Channel: A green light has been given to Destination Truth, a six-episode, globe-trotting adventure series out to prove or debunk supernatural legends.Disney Channel: A second season of Handy Manny has been ordered. The cabler is also seeking viewer input on High School Musical 2, via...
read more
S. Epatha Merkerson likely gave fans of NBC's Law & Order (Wednesdays at 10pm/ET) a jolt with her downright giddy acceptance speech at this year's Golden Globes. Far from the levelheaded sobriety of her TV alter ego, Lt. Anita Van Buren, Merkerson let it all hang out. "I feel like I'm 16!" gushed the 53-year-old stage and screen veteran as she accepted the best-actress award for her role in HBO's Lackawanna Blues TV-movie. "And if I wasn't in the middle of a hot flash, I'd believe that."
Merkerson's been feeling a lot of warmth lately. She's not only the longest-running cast member on Law & Order but the "longest-running African-American woman on a television drama." That makes her,
read more
Screen Actors Guild Awards The night actors pat each other on the back. Much like the Golden Globes, there wasn't a host. There were plenty of awkward moments of presenter chatter, and TelePrompTer problems out the Ziyi Zhang. Everyone was having issues reading the thing, except for the wonder known as Dakota Fanning. I mean, the 11-year-old was unflappable as she introduced Shirley Temple Black's life achievement portion of the evening. I seriously think she's genetically enhanced, like one of those Dark Angel characters. Some other highlights:
- I much appreciated the Peter Graves-Barbara Bain Mission: Impossible reunion, PrompTer issues and all.- I admit it: While I thought the beginning "I'm an actor" monologues were supremely cheesy, I fell for them. - Apparently, if your name's S. Epatha Merkers
read more
As long as Lost and Brokeback Mountain won the big awards, which they did, anything else that happened at the historically random (and often, randomly hilarious) Golden Globes was gravy to me.
What I love about the Golden Globes as a TV show is the rare opportunity to see movie and TV stars — or, in the case of Felicity Huffman, one and the same — share the spotlight. After all, where would a multinominated movie star and director like George Clooney be without TV having made him what he is? And then there's Geena Davis, resplendent in red and accepting her Commander in Chief Globe with a hilarious mock anecdote of how inspiring her presidential role is to some little girl she made up. She has gone from TV to movies (and an
read more
