Casting an American Shameless

I love Shameless. Or, rather, I love the first two series of Shameless up until the moment that Fiona and Steve climb in the car and skip town. I thought the third series was okay. And after that I don't really know how I feel about it because I didn't have anyone to illegally clandestinely download the other series for me. I have heard, though, that the show got pretty ridiculous (and not good ridiculous like it was in series 1 and 2). Overall though, I love the show: it's shocking, it's hilarious, and it's surprisingly sweet. Just thinking about it brings back fond memories of it scandalizing me when I was just a young college student studying abroad...

With my warm feelings toward the show in mind, here's a stream-of-consciousness recreation of my reaction when I checked my Twitter feed and saw the news pop up that Showtime has picked up to series the pilot of an American version of Shameless:

Shameless!!! YEAAAA! Are they're doing an American Shameless? They are! Yea! Wait, who's in it? William H. Macy?! What?! As Frank!? William H. Macy as Frank! Are you kidding me? Emmy Rossum is no Anne-Marie Duff. Allison Janney?! Oh noooooo. No, no, no.....

I realize I'm judging without having seen the actual product, and that we should refrain from doing that, but I can't help it. I don't like this cast. Partially because it just seems incorrect and smacks of respectable actors (Macy and Janney) trying to loosen up their images by taking on "fun," "shocking" roles. And partially because I have given a lot of thought to an American version of Shameless over the years, and I'm positive that my cast is better:

(Bear in mind that I picked this cast about three years ago (circa early 2007), so the ages of some of my actors now skew a little too old.)

Fiona: Amanda Seyfried
Steve: Ben McKenzie
Frank: John Corbett
Sheila: Merrin Dungey
Monica: Molly Ringwald (She'd be so much more awesome in this than in Secret Life.)
Lip: Ricky Ullman
Ian: Michael Cera (This role would force him to show a bit more range than usual.)
Debbie: Abigail Breslin
Liam: The kids who played Jamie on Malcolm in the Middle
Veronica: Busy Philipps
Kev: Enrique Murciano (Not sure about this one; Enrique might be too pretty for Shameless.)
Tony: Michael McMillian
Karen: Dana Davis
Craig: Adam Brody (It's stunt casting, but it's hilarious.)
Norma: Queen Latifah

And there you have it. Casting perfection.

I have some other ideas for the American version. Instead of going with an inter-city setting, I'd stage the American version in a trailer park in the South, creating a white trash version of the Gallaghers. Keeping with that theme, I'd change some of the Gallaghers' names to hearken back to the "glory days" of the Old South, as a display of the parents' ridiculous illusions of grandeur. Fiona becomes Scarlett, the boys get the names of Civil War leaders, etc.

My cast has some fairly big names in it, and I have a strategy for how to get them to sign onto a television project. Working off the assertion that the British version was great in the first two series and then fizzled out, I would set a finite number of episodes from the beginning, creating one massive season of about 24-27 episodes, broken into three parts. (A season that long is doable, as The O.C. did 27 episodes in its first year.) That way, the talent can sign onto the project knowing that they will devote only one year to it and won't get sucked into working on the same project for four or five years. New characters won't have to continuously be created to fill in the void left by departing actors. And the plot of the entire series can be mapped out from the beginning, creating a cohesive creative product.

(Would a network go for this model? I don't know. It would certainly cut down on the number of DVDs available to sell. It might make up for that though due to the popularity a well-know cast would likely garner.)

So, yes, I had big plans for an American Shameless. But what was I to do? Start a production company with capital I don't have and try to buy the rights to Shameless? Alas, it was not to be. I guess I can always console myself by watching vintage episodes of the original British version.

(photo: www.channel4.com/programmes/shameless)

Premiere Watch '08: Life on Mars

Life on Mars: "Out Here in the Fields"

I've never seen the original British version of Life on Mars, so I can't draw any comparisons between that and the new American remake (if they ever make an American Shameless, however, I will be all over that, trust me). But I can say that, as a stand-alone entity, I genuinely enjoyed the new American version.

The show's plot is intriguing (which, sadly, does not go without saying when talking about TV pilots), especially now that we know that Maya's safe in 2008, but Sam's still stuck in the past. Why's he still there, and how does he get home? Would getting shot in the past really wake him up in the future? Why's he even there in the first place? Is he really in a coma or did he time travel or is he crazy?

My understanding is that the British version left the show's whole concept as more of a mystery, where as in the American version seem to suggest that Sam is in a coma and the 1973 world is all in his mind. But, I guess it isn't all wrapped up in a box yet, because it seemed like his actions in the past did change the future, and how could that have happened if it was all in his mind? Unless Maya ending up save in 2008 and his exploits in 1973 were in no way connected. Plus, that is one extremely detailed world to have been conjured up in someone's brain. Yeah, now that I think about it, I guess there's plenty of mystery still left on the table here.

The show's cast is strong. Now that Men In Trees is defunct (whaaaaa!), it's nice to see Jason O'Mara (MIT's Stewart, the publisher) in a new vehicle. Hopefully, ABC will be kinder to this one and not jerk it around from time slot to time slot and force it into lengthy hiatuses. Also, as devotee of The Cosby Show and A Different World in my childhood, I find it just awesome to see Lisa Bonet back on television. And I remember Gretchen Mol being dubbed "the next 'it' girl" years back, but I've never seen her in anything, so it's nice to finally get that chance. (Plus I'll admit that I already like her just because she named her son Ptolemy.) Oh, and the bartender was Mike Starr, who played Kenny on Ed! I hope he gets in some more scenes in the future!

One thing I really liked about this show was that modern day detective Sam really cared about the 4th Amendment rights of criminal procedure and the standard rules of police conduct--and the lack of adherence to those things in 1973. I found his advocacy for getting people lawyers when they ask for them and procuring warrants to be downright refreshing, because a lot of the time on TV shows (even those set in the present), policeman don't give a crap about any of that stuff (Without a Trace used to drive me nuts with its rule-bending). Unfortunately, it looks like Sam is going to have to adjust to the standards of 1973, because he doesn't seem to be having any luck in getting 1973 to conform to his.

Also, the show has a really fun '70s soundtrack.

Other thoughts and highlights:

• Sam and Maya were having kind of a heavy conversation while in the midst of speeding to crime scene.
• Well, it would be convenient for alibi purposes to have an identical twin.
• If he'd been listening to another song when he was hit by the car, would he have gone back to another decade?
• Well, at least he already seems to have a life carved out for him here in the 1973.
• The police station looks kind of shady...and grimy.
• He is not making the best first impression here in 1973... He's coming off a little crazy and ornery.
• No wonder girl cops didn't get any serious cases; Annie looks pretty ridiculous in that outfit (esp. with the hat).
• Ha, I was going to say: they showed math on TV in the 70s? Boring.
• Sam: "Who dreams about being yelled at by a closet feminist in the 1973 Policewoman's Bureau?"
• Wow, in the 70s, when the cops were in a hurry, they jumped over desks!
• Really creepy scene where it looked like Sam might shoot the kid to keep him from abducting Maya in the future. Luckily, that entire bad situation seems to have been diverted since Sam could hear Maya tell him that she's okay. So, did Sam's talk with the kid keep him from growing up to become an abductor, and that's why Maya's safe now?

This pilot episode makes Life on Mars one of three new shows (with Fringe and Privileged) that I actually wanted to see more off after the first episode.

Premiere Rating: 8.0/10

(photo: ABC/Life on Mars)

Premiere Watch '08: Bones

Bones: "Yanks in the U.K."

So how excited was I when--for the first time in history--an episode of Bones aired that was not directly conflicting with the airings of one, two, or three of my favorite TV shows? Even better, the two-hour premiere of Bones was filmed on location in jolly old London.

There was a lot of like in this premiere episode, although I'll admit to tiring out a bit and losing some of my attention span during the second hour. These two-hour premieres are kind of exhausting. I guess I need to start getting back into prime TV-watching shape, because there will soon come a day when I'll be expected to plow through at least 3 hours of television a night. Petering out after 1.5 hours will not be an option.

Although I am an ardent London-lover, I think my favorite part of the episode was the goings on back at the Smithsonian. How adorable was that Clark guy, who--try as he might to avoid it--kept getting sucked into the personal sagas of the other lab workers? And then, of course, there was John Francis Daley, whom I love and adore. Who would have guessed that pathetic Sam Weir would now have two doctorates at such a young age?

Highlights and Funny Quotes:

• I'm calling BS: British tabloids wouldn't censor out the heiress' boobs in the picture. The British tabs do not have any qualms about printing pictures of boobs.
• Hodgins: "British slime--so much more proper than American slime."
• I thought the Jeffersonian had top-notch security; how did Grayson get in?
• Dr. Wexler: "But I shall check my diary to see if I killed her."
• Cam: "But he is some kind of god...the best kind."
• How come the ex-spouses never seem to want to sign the divorce papers?
• Uh oh, a British bad boy royal named Harry...this is trouble ;-)
• Why are they driving a car in London in the first place? Take a taxi or the tube. And, honestly, I don't remember ever seeing a London's street so uncrowded.
• Booth: "The royals hate bastards."
  Bones: "Only the ones who don't make king."
• Grayson throwing Hodgins into the garbage truck.
• Angela and Sweets' discussion about his anecdote about the Ninja Turtle toy and the neighbor boy. Sweets: "You're the gay neighbor boy."
• Hodgins: "Did Angela's ex get off okay?"
  Cam: "Whoa, sorry?"
• Booth getting headbutted. What is this, Shameless?
• They are spending an awful lot of time at pubs and cafes next to the Thames. How did I miss those when I was in London? (Well, I guess it was January...)
• Booth: "No, it doesn't make sense. People don't kill someone with a bone symbolically, even in England."
• Can't Angela and Hodgins stay together and work on trusting each other? Does this have to be a now or never thing? Slow the break up train down, people. (I hate it when TV shows rush a break up like this.)
• Grayson: "I heard you broke up with the small, angry man."
• Clark offering to take Grayson to the airport and saying, "I just want to work at a regular lab." (I liked Clark; he was funny.)

Premiere Rating: 6.5/10

100th Post! (And Happy Birthday!)

Happy 100th post to me. In honor of my own birthday a few weeks ago, I was planning to do a post on good birthday-themed TV episodes, but I never got around to it. However, I think it kind of applies to the blog's 100th post anniversary in that it's some sort of milestone, so I'll give it a whirl now. Plus, December birthdays always get overshadowed by the holiday season, so here's something a little special for all the people with December b-days. (And, yes, I realize that the chances of one of the 1.7 people who occasionally read this blog actually having a December birthday are not good, but oh well.)



Best Birthday TV Episodes:

• Rory turns 16, Gilmore Girls, season 1: Rory's b-day causes a stir among the Gilmore generations (what doesn't?) when she doesn't appreciate the snooty party Emily throws her. All is tenuously patched up though when Richard and Emily agree to attend Rory's Stars Hollow party...even thought Lorelai accidentally yells, "Get your ass in here!" at them.
• Michelle turns 3, Full House, season 3: It sure seemed like Michelle Tanner had a lot of birthdays (the sun sure seemed to shine on that child), especially since I can't remember Stephanie having any. Hmm. That's a topic for another time, I guess. Anyway, my favorite Michelle b-day was when she, Steph and Uncle Jesse accidentally get locked in a gas station on the day of her party. Things initially look dire, but Jesse and Steph dress like clowns, do a sock puppet routine and juggle, so everything turns out awesome.
• Caleb turns ??, The OC, season 1: Ok, I can't make a complication list without including something from The OC, but I sure wasn't going to include the season 3 ep where Ryan turns 18. Anything that seeped in (dead) Johnny, Sadie and Volchok will never find a place on any Best Of... list of mine. The season 1 ep where we meet Caleb for the first time, however, was great, even though it threw a big monkey wrench (in the form of Caleb's hot and very young girlfriend) into the blossoming Ryan/Marissa love affair. Episode highlights include some freaky foreshadowing about Sandy and Kirstin moving back to Berkeley, the obligatory witty banter, the first mention of the "I Wish I Was a Mermaid" poem and Seth and Summer's first kiss.
• Michael turns ??, The Office, season 2: Michael is never good at sharing the spotlight, especially on his birthday, so things go awry when Kevin has a skin cancer scare on Michael's big day. The episode features a trip to the skating rink, Dwight playing a Billy Joel song on a recorder (ugh), a Pam and Jim shopping trip and lots of funny quotes, including my favorite:

Michael: When I was seven, my mother hired a pony and a cart to come to my house for all the kids. And... I got a really bad rash. From the pony. And all the kids got to ride the pony. And I had to go inside, and my mother was rubbing cream on me, for probably three hours, and I never came outside. And by the time I came out, the pony was already in the truck and around the corner. So that was my worst birthday.

• George Michael turns 16, Arrested Development, season 3: I can't remember how much of GM's b-day is even really in the "Mr. F" episode, but I'm including it on the list because of this hilarious exchange:

Michael: Besides I already got George Michael the big present for his birthday...
George Michael: A suit! Dad, is it Jack Welch?
Michael: I want you to look under the pants.
George Michael: Quicken! Premiere! Dad, I hope you kept the receipt.
Michael: You want to return that?
George Michael: What? No, I want to deduct it!

• Fiona turns 21, Shameless, series 1: In the midst of a tearful scene in which he and Fiona profess their devotion to each other, Steve nearly gets carted away to prison when Tony busts him on his car thieving. Steve thankfully manages to talk his way out of the situation (as he usually can), and surprises birthday-girl Fiona by buying the house next door (and promptly blowing it up for the insurance money). Other highlights: Frank fakes his death, Monica and Norma make an appearance (until the kids kick them out) and Sheila's pregnant.

Well, this is definitely the cutest thing I've seen all day...

While this is not exactly a television topic (since here he's promoting the film Atonement), my love of James McAvoy is television related because I first fell in love with him while watching (bootleg) DVDs of the fantastic British series Shameless. So that's the justification, but the truth is that I just love James McAvoy and this picture. Anyway, here's James proving that boys can rock the over-the-shoulder red carpet pose too...

Ha ha ha. He's not just extremely hot, but also adorable!

To prove that I don't just love James, but also love his wife Anne-Marie Duff (Shameless's fantastic Fiona), here's a pic of the two of them later at opening night of the Venice Film Festival:

Anne-Marie is awesome and looking very cute with her Joan of Arc haircut. But, seriously: Luckiest. Girl. Ever.

photo source and source (and how much do I love that JustJared loves James too!)