I love Monk on the USA Network. For one thing, Adrian Monk, the obsessive-compulsive, but lovable, detective played to Emmy-winning perfection by Tony Shaloub, reminds me of some of my own obsessive-compulsive, but lovable, family. For another thing, I’m fascinated by the thought processes that allow Monk to solve San Francisco’s most puzzling crimes.
I loved the series even more when his nurse-assistant was Sharona Fleming, played to perfection, if not Emmy-acknowledged, by Bitty Schram. Beginning in the second half of Season Three, Monk’s sidekick became Natalie Teeger, well-limned by Traylor Howard. The chemistry between Shaloub’s Monk and Howard’s Teeger is very good. The chemistry between Shaloub and Schram was Brangelina great.
In announcing Schram’s departure in the Summer of 2004, USA claimed producers were looking to take the series in a different direction. But rumor was Schram believed that she wasn’t getting enough screen time. I hope the rumor was untrue. With 99% of the Screen Actors Guild living below the national poverty line, mental cruelty, illness, family emergencies, and better roles, should be the only reasons for an actor to quit a hit, award-winning gig. As for screen time, how much has Bitty Schram grabbed in the two years since leaving the goose that laid her golden, award-winning egg?
Gallery: I Love “Monk”
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For those who know Liza Minnelli primarily as Lucille 2 on Arrested Development, Showtime is about to reveal why the now dissipated diva is a living legend: Just watch Liza With a “Z,” Showtime, premiering on Saturday, April 1. Today people think of Minnelli, the daughter of show business royalty Judy Garland and Vincent Minnelli, as an over-the-hill performer whose life is plagued by inconsistent performances, health catastrophes, and marital woes. Back in Spring 1972, when Liza With a “Z” was filmed at Broadway’s Lyceum Theater, Liza was young and glamorous, at the top of her game. Directed by another show business legend, Bob Fosse, the NBC-TV Special showed Minnelli at her best (and there was none better), singing and dancing to the music of Kander & Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago), as well as joking, and reminiscing her way to an Emmy Award. Liza also has an Oscar and multiple Tony Awards.
The program hasn’t been broadcast since NBC-TV’s re-airing in September, 1973. Throughout the 1980s, the false rumor persisted that the landmark special had been lost. Gratefully, it was not. For the Showtime airings, Liza With a “Z” has been restored, digitally re-mastered, and will include previously deleted scenes. If you’re not a Showtime subscriber, not to worry. The DVD will be released on April 4.
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Gallery: Showtime To Play Liza With a “Z”
Will & Grace: Cowboys and Iranians
Posted by Christopher Stone Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, Features,
“Cowboys and Iranians,” last night’s episode of Will & Grace (nicknamed “Brokeback Jack”) was a no-laugh mountain. In the “Cowboys” ‘A Story,’ Jack guilts Will into visiting Cowpokes, a gay country-western dance bar, to meet his new flame Travis. While dancing with Travis, Will learns that Jack’s new love has a cheating, self-centered heart.
In the “Iranians” ‘B Story,’ Grace aspires to culture sensitivity, hiring Pam, a prickly Iranian assistant who is all attitude. Grace tolerates the inefficient, insufferable woman until she learns that, like herself, Pam is Jewish. In the episode’s ‘Button,’ Grace laments, “Too bad I’m not Republican, then I wouldn’t have to worry about being sensitive to anyone. I’d just have to worry about being indicted.”
Overall, the script fell short of the series’ award-winning standards. But the laugh anemic “Cowboys” storyline benefited substantially from the appearance of Leslie Jordan in his recurring role as Munchkin closet queen Beverly Leslie. Beverly denies knowing that Cowpokes is a gay bar, then he once again tries to pass off his hot male companion as a “business associate.” In its eighth and final season, Will & Grace has delivered a few riotous episodes, most notably the one in which the cast attends a The Sound of Music Sing-a-long. “Cowboys and Iranians” is not among these gems. Ang Lee himself would have been hard-pressed to mold “Brokeback Jack” into a jewel in the Will & Grace crown.
Gallery: Will & Grace: Cowboys and Iranians
In case you were wondering how the creators of South Park would react to the recent departure of Isaac Hayes—make sure to tune in tonight. As we mentioned last week, Hayes left the show because he felt that the comedy’s affinity for religious bashing had gone too far. Those involved with the show felt that his displeasure really had to do with a specific episode about Scientology.
Although the Hayes announcement was only recently made, co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker were able to quickly crank out a response in time for tonight’s season opener. The episode, called ‘The Return of the Chef’, will feature Chef. Question is—who will be voicing him, if anyone? Stay tuned!
Read More | People
Gallery: Chef Returns To South Park
The Simpsons Extended For Two More Seasons
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Animation, Comedy, Prime Time, FOX,
Already the longest-running television comedy, Fox is announcing that The Simpsons will be extending its reign even further. Expect to be watching the antics of Homer and clan for another two years. The show, 400-episodes-old this May, will soon reach an unprecedented 18th and 19th seasons. D’oh! The second-longest running comedy ever, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, only made it through its 15th.
Read More | Variety
Gallery: The Simpsons Extended For Two More Seasons
Ed ‘Al Bundy’ O’Neill Returns To Television Comedy
Posted by Rhys Alexander Categories: Comedy, CBS, Talent,
The show doesn’t have a title yet, but it has already garnered plenty of buzz, thanks to its leading man. Beloved character actor Ed O’Neill, most famous for his portrayal of browbeaten slob Al Bundy on the long-running comedy Married With Children, will star in a family comedy pilot on CBS. The show will center on a newly married couple who must deal with the complications and trials of living near their families. We applaud the return of this talented actor. Will the show be as groundbreaking as the notoriously raunchy Married With Children? We can’t wait to find out.
Read More | TV.com
Gallery: Ed ‘Al Bundy’ O’Neill Returns To Television Comedy
Isaac Hayes Leaves South Park
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Animation, Comedy, Cable, Syndication, Talent,
After years of bashing everything under the sun, it looks like an episode about Scientology may have been the straw that finally broke Isaac Hayes’ back. The musician, best known in recent years as the voice of ‘Chef’ on South Park, has finally reached his satirical limit and quit the show. Apparently, he felt the show’s reputation for religious bashing had finally gone too far. In a statement given to People magazine, the 63-year-old Hayes states: “There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins.”
Given his willing participation in previous episodes, co-creater Matt Stone wonders if Hayes’ decision has something to do with Scientology specifically, and not religion overall. Turns out that ‘Chef’ is a Scientologist in real-life (who would have guessed?). As many faithful followers of the show know, a November episode of the show was devoted to bashing the often-criticized belief. According to Stone, it was only when that episode aired did Isaac’s opinions come forward. “(We) never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin.”
No word yet as to how the creators will do away with the character…
Read More | People
Gallery: Isaac Hayes Leaves South Park
Is The Reign Of ‘The King Of Queens’ Over?
Posted by Rhys Alexander Categories: Comedy, CBS, King of Queens, News,
You know the saying - it isn’t all about money. But sometimes, in television, it is. The popular comedy The King of Queens—which features the daily life of a sweet delivery driver and his somewhat shrewish wife—was glaringly absent from CBS’s renewal announcement, which left many viewers asking ‘Why?’ It seems a contract dispute is the reason. The show’s leads, who reportedly make $500,000 an episode, are asking for more money based on the show’s popularity.
The King of Queens has aired for eight seasons with decent ratings. So far the network isn’t budging. Does this signal the end of the popular comedy? What do you think? With individual salaries that add up to about $12 million dollars per season, are the actors just being greedy? Or does the network owe them some respect?
Read More | Monsters and Critics
Gallery: Is The Reign Of ‘The King Of Queens’ Over?
Comedy favorite and former Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter will soon star in a new comedy series on NBC. The show, Andy Barker, P.I., has Richter playing an accountant who can’t get any work. When he takes over the office of a former private investigator and starts getting phone calls meant for the former tenant, Andy embarks on a new career…as a P.I., of course. The talented Conan O’Brien is helping to produce and write the new sitcom, which is a positive sign of potential success.
Read More | TV Fodder
Gallery: Andy Richter Returns To Television
SNL Commercial Collection Coming To DVD
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Comedy, Commercials, Saturday Night Live, DVD,
You know those sometimes funny, sometimes not, but always overplayed Saturday Night Live commercial spoofs? Turns out that the SNL peeps will be releasing a “Best Of” collection of their funniest commercial spoofs to date on DVD. While a complete track listing has yet to be made available, the blurb on the release states that “Colon Blow” and “Little Chocolate Donuts” will be yours for the taking. Here’s to hoping that “Crystal Gravy” has earned it’s way into the set as well. For those who can’t wait, the disc is scheduled to hit retail on May 23rd.
Read More | TV Shows on DVD
Gallery: SNL Commercial Collection Coming To DVD
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