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TV CHEER FOR THE HOLIDAYS
December 16, 2005
Reruns, reruns, reruns. Yep, that's all we have to watch right now thanks to the holiday season. But just because we don't have any good shows to tune in for over the next few weeks doesn't mean we can't chat away about the not-to-distance future. A future, by the way, that's looking better and better for TV fans thanks to several recent announcements that fill me with holiday cheer. Let's spread the good news, shall we?
-- On Tuesday came an announcement that I'd been expecting for a while: Showtime has renewed their brilliant comedy "Weeds" - the first show ever that actually makes Showtime worth the monthly fee - for a second season. I had assumed Showtime would make this official immediately after the much-liked first season ended this fall, but I started to get nervous when months started passing by without any official word.
It turns out, the pay network was just waiting for an opportune moment, which came last Tuesday in the form of the Golden Globe nominations. "Weeds" earned three noms - one for Mary-Louise Parker's performance as a struggling widower who becomes her suburban community's pot dealer to make ends meet; one for Elizabeth Perkins' portrayal as an uptight, controlling neighbor who must rethink life when she's diagnosed with cancer; and one for the show itself. I know what you're thinking: "This is a comedy?" It is, and, believe it or not, it's hilarious.
Honestly, it should win in all three categories, although Parker finds herself up against a quartet of the "Desperate Housewives," who take up all the remaining comedy actress slots. So good luck to Mary-Louise. She's going to need it.
-- Speaking of the Golden Globes, let's give a shout-out to some other much-deserving nominees - Jason Lee from "My Name is Earl," Wentworth Miller from "Prison Break," and Jeremy Piven from "Entourage." Yeah, the Golden Globes are hardly an authority on anointing award-worthy entertainment. And the fact that some of these people are doing great work isn't exactly hot-off-the-presses news. But these folks are three of the best actors TV has to offer, and the more their names are spoken, the more new viewers will tune into their shows to see what all the fuss is about. (In case you didn't know, "Earl" is moving to Thursday nights after the holidays. So even though it's NBC's hot new comedy, it's still going to need the support.)
-- The wait continues for season five of "24," and each second that passes is excruciating! January is much too far away! Though the show hasn't started yet, we have been filled in on some of the new faces that will appear this year, including three cool, cultish actors who are joining to the cast. Sean Astin (most recently a Hobbit, but forever a Goonie to me) is CTU's newest hire. British thespian Julian Sands ("A Room With a View") will play this year's big villain. Nice casting there as Sands plays wicked like nobody's business. Also, old Robocop himself Peter Weller has been added to the mix, though details on his role are murkier.
Of course, many old favorites will be back, including Jack's buddy and fellow agent Tony Almeida and, somewhat surprisingly, Jack's old flame Audrey Raines. Surprising because Jack's women usually stick around for only a year before exiting the show and because "Spin City" alum Connie Britton has been also added to the cast as Jack's new girlfriend. Ladies, ladies, no need to fight. Very soon Jack will be too busy saving the world to worry about either of you.
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