Question: I have to say I am surprised that Gregory Itzin isn't getting more buzz for his Emmy-worthy portrayal of the inept President Logan on 24. When he's doing something stupid or indecisive, he has me yelling at the TV at least once an episode, and he fuels more discussion between my roommate and me than Jack ever does. He does an outstanding job. So, with The Sopranos back on, and with Lost nearly guaranteed at least one acting nomination, do you think Itzin has a chance to get an Emmy nomination in the supporting category? Same thing for Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. If Jack dies at the end of the season, does Sutherland get an Emmy for five years of amazing work?
Answer: Seriously, the Emmys is not the place to look for validation where 24 is concerned. Given the long list of terrific supporting performances on 24 that have gone unrecognized, from Xander Berkeley through Shohreh Aghdashloo, I would think Gregory Itzin, enjoyably maddening as he is, is a very, very long shot.
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Tom Cavanagh (Love Monkey, Ed) has landed a lead role in the CBS comedy pilot My Ex-Life.... Jeri Ryan will play the boss of James Woods' prosecutor in CBS' Shark.... Illeana Douglas is one of Heather Locklear's gal pals in the ABC comedy Women of a Certain Age.... 24 alum Xander Berkeley has joined ABC's Women in Law.
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Question: I thought that it was pretty obvious that Barb Wire (1996) was based on Casablanca, with Pamela Anderson in the Bogart role, but my brother says I'm crazy. I think he just couldn't see past Pam's assets to the plot details; is there some official word that it's a Casablanca takeoff?
Answer: Well, now, let's see. The year is 2017, Barb (Pamela Anderson) owns a nightclub in Steel Harbor, the last free zone in a futuristic American police state. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, Axel (Temura Morrison), Barb's ex, walks into hers with his wife, resistance leader Cora D (Victoria Rowell), in
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Question: Do the Emmys have some sort of mental block on 24? Don't get me wrong, it's great that it got nominated for best drama for the fourth time (as you can never take anything, even one as deserved as this, for granted at the Emmys). But why do the Emmys seem to snub the cast of 24 continuously, with the exception of Kiefer Sutherland? The show is so well-cast and performed and always gets raves for the acting, but the Emmys let so many great actors slip through the cracks. They've managed not to nominate Penny Johnson Jerald, Sarah Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Dennis Haysbert, Reiko Aylesworth and Carlos Bernard, and now they've decided to omit Shohreh Aghdashloo and Mary Lynn Rajskub among others. What are your thoughts?
Answer: My gut tells me it's more about genre than quality here. Sutherland gets his props each year for carrying the show with his quiet intensity, but the others somehow get lost, as if we're only watching this show for the thrill ride. This year in particular ...
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