Laura Linney in 'The Big C' (Photo credit: Showtime)
When I grow up* I want to be able to write as well as Ileane Rudolph does in her stellar TVGuide article on Showtime's The Big C. Writer Rudolph simply nails oh, everything I like about the show. The piece echos my sentiments about The Big C's ability to strike a chord with survivors of not only life-threatening conditions such as the protagonist, Cathy Jameson with stage 4 cancer, but of the great lot of us that have survived and often thrived in the aftermath of one of the many things that smack us HARD out of left field.
The Big C and Weeds are on tonight beginning at 10:00/9:00c on Showtime.
After coming home from the real-life fireworks I'm watching both shows which always have someone or some situation heating up, blowing up or causing massive cracking up. How about you?
*Chronologically-speaking this happened a few decades ago...but I'm still coming to grips with that.
(Photo Credit: Showtime)
With a mischievous smile, Laura Linney is gleefully ruining a take. During a tense scene between her character, Cathy Jamison, who has Stage 4 melanoma, and her bipolar brother, Sean, played by John Benjamin Hickey, she makes her costar break down in giggles.
Whoever says cancer is no laughing matter hasn't seen The Big C, Showtime's irreverent comedy about a Minneapolis teacher, wife and mom who's trying not only to beat death but to live as fully as possible in whatever time she has left. The smartly written, beautifully cast show has earned a devoted fan base and critical plaudits, and three-time Emmy winner Linney has already snared a Golden Globe for her deft portrayal of the strong-willed Cathy.
The oft-repeated mantra at The Big C is "It's not a show about dying; it's a show about living." And for sure, Cathy lives large. In the first season she kept her illness a secret, booted her immature husband, Paul (Oliver Platt), and had an affair. "Cathy doesn't behave in a safe, by-the-numbers fashion," says Hickey, during a break on the set in Stamford, Connecticut. "A lot of people who are living with cancer love the funny, outrageous, sometimes controversial way that character deals." Executive producer Jenny Bicks, a survivor herself, says, "The writers take the kid gloves off when we talk about cancer, because when you've gone through it, it's not all tragic and dramatic. It can also be super strange and funny."
BRING IT ON. Mondays are hotter than ever, on SHOWTIME ®.
After explaining why in a recent post that if you enjoy award-winning, edgy comedy television why you should be tuning in to Weeds on Monday, June 27 at 10 E/ 9pm Central on Showtime, I'm going to tell you a bit about The Big C, which is also an edgy half-hour comedy starring another award-winning stage and screen actor, Laura Linney, which is premiering on Monday night, too.
The Big C directly follows Weeds on Mondays at 10:30 E/ 9:30 Central on Showtime.
Full disclosure: I started watching The Big C last year as 1. Laura Linney is amazing and 2. It followed Weeds so it was easy to just spend an hour and see two complete shows, plus 3. More and more in recent years I find myself really intrigued by Showtime's off-beat offerings.
(To put it diplomatically, I'm finding most of the television that I enjoy best on the two major premium cable channels.)
I wanted to love The Big C but after nearly half it's run, I quit watching.
I didn't dislike it exactly. There were just aspects of it that sort of struck a weird chord with me. The show after all, is a very dark comedy about a woman in her 40's who is struggling to deal with a diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer. That is one heavy topic to take on in any context, never mind a comedic one.
Despite my not following through, Laura Linney struck gold--a Golden Globe to be specific, as best actress in a comedy which further validates that the show had and has huge potential. The people that make the show listened to some of the feedback--both positive & negative and they responded by segueing into season 2 with a bit of a different tone.
For one, and I think it was the primary thing that I wished was different, the character of 'Cathy' who was estranged from her husband last season will help him 'grow up' this season, as Linney puts it. I've embedded cast interviews in a Weeds /Big C mash-up video selection in this post.
Her husband is played by the very likable actor (I want to say 'lug') Oliver Platt. Cathy was just so mean to him last year and though I understood why--because he's a bit thick about certain subjects--I also felt sorry for him and I felt irritated with her.
Also, at times in season 1, Cathy's attitude seemed really over-the-top, with almost a slapstick feel to some scenes. Again, Linney addresses this in the interview that Cathy's 'relationship with her cancer' is now 'evolving'. I would like to see Kathy retain the fire in her belly but express it in a somewhat less expansive/destructive way and I'm pretty sure season 2 will move more in that direction.
Finally, Cathy's decision to not seek treatment for her cancer left me feeling really unsure about her future (and thus, the future of the show). I didn't know whether to commit to it or not plus I was a bit annoyed with her that she wouldn't even try to help herself medically. This too changes in the upcoming season 2.
It's looking like there are some really strong positives to this season. First, the excellent primary cast returns (sans of course, 'Marlene'). One of the relationships I got the most enjoyment from in The Big C, season 1, was that of Cathy and her brother Sean, a homeless manic-depressive who now lives on Marlene's front lawn, across the street from Kathy.
Actor Benjamin Hickey who plays Sean, is an especially good acting match-up with Ms. Linney so this is good news.
As I mentioned before, I really enjoy Oliver Platt in his believable denseness. Women have known, and many of us are in relationships with guys like Paul. The bottom line is that he seems like a really decent chap who is hard not to like despite his foibles and it would seem in Season 2 that Cathy comes to the same conclusion.
I stopped watching before I saw much of Cathy and Paul's teenage son, Sean (played by Oliver Basso). Tonight I watched a short fan clip from The Big C with the title 'The saddest scene in The Big C,' in which Basso was the only character. (cont.)
(Above is a bit longer version of it which gives it more context).
The scene lived up to it's title as tears were streaming down my face as Cathy's son discovers that she is so sure she's not gong to be there for him in the years to come that she's bought and wrapped a storage room full of birthday, Christmas, and graduation gifts as well as a pretty, red sports car. The kid just loses it--cue audience to do the same.
To sum up, I'm sold on taking another look at The Big C in season 2 as I like what I'm hearing about it. Also, I'm totally jazzed that guest actors include Alan Alda, Parker Posey, Cynthia Nixon & Hugh Dancy.
What do you think about watching these two show? Have you been watching them both. One? None? Would you consider giving them a shot?
Showtime describes The Big C thusly:
Laura Linney returns in her Golden Globe® winning role for a new season of The Big C, the hit Showtime Original Series about living… with cancer. After spending most of season one ignoring her illness, Cathy Jamison has decided to fight back. “Bring it on,” says Cathy, as she enters an experimental clinical trial while continuing to live life to the fullest in this heartfelt and surprising comedy.
HEY!:
Weeds/The Big C Poster Art Giveaway:
Of course, I'm giving away posters! Drop me an email: foreverafangirl@gmail.com. Be sure to put 'Weeds' in the subject line and if I pick your name out of a hat on July 13, you win the poster art for both Weeds and The Big C!
More Answers About What's Happened in WEEDS 3-Year Time Jump to Season 7:
You already know that Season 7 (debuting June 27) picks up three years after the events of Season 6. What you don’t know is what Doug has been up to during those lost three years, other than he was in Copenhagen. And that’s where the scoop comes in.
“Doug got a job working as an accountant for IKEA — if that is in Denmark,” reveals his portrayer, Kevin Nealon.
Bring it On! Promo for Weeds & The Big C (June 07, 2011) The Big C and Weeds return for all new seasons June 27th beginning at 10PM ET/PT.
Weeds/The Big C Poster Art Giveaway:
Of course, I'm giving away posters! Drop me an email: foreverafangirl@gmail.com. Be sure to put 'Weeds' in the subject line and if I pick your name out of a hat on July 13, you win the poster art for both Weeds and The Big C!
WEEDS : A PEEK A LIFE THREE YEARS LATER
When Weeds returns for its 7th season on June 27, there will be much for us to catch up on in the world of Nancy Botwin, who at the end of last season turned herself into police.
So, what’s waiting for her on the other side of the fence? A halfway house, for one. And also her family, which had been holding up in Copenhagen and went through some changes of their own, according to creator Jenji Kohan. Silas got into modeling, Shane kept busy doing puppet theater, Doug joined them overseas*(see 6.15.11 update above), and Andy “had a nice little thing going” with a woman. But, Kohan says, despite their new lives, Nancy’s release causes them to “quickly mobilize” and return.
“They had their relationships and their things, but there was a sense that they were always treading water because Nancy seems to be their True North. When you don’t have that star in the sky, you get a little lost,” Kohan says.
But while their dedication to Nancy has not changed, Kohan couldn’t say the same for their physical appearance.
“Shane has mutton chops and a Mohawk and he looks pretty cool, and Silas is very buff, and Andy’s a little grayer, but nothing radical.”
Unless you count Stevie.
“Oh, Stevie, yes! Stevie’s now almost 4 so he’s a little boy, and he talks. That’s a whole new ballgame — the toddler game. It’s not an infant anymore — not a little blob — it’s a person."
I think it is safe to say that Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) is never going to cop to having any regrets. Or if she does, she won't contemplate them long enough to use the new-found insights to change her perpetually self-destructive behaviour. For as long as we've known this character she's seemed to operate in a permanent state of 'emergency mode' plastered over with a veneer of zen-like calmness with a not insignificant amount of 'eff it' thrown into the mix. It is a hat trick that few actresses could pull off as convincingly as Parker does. Showtime certainly picked the right gal to get the job done.
SPOILERS BELOW:
I really, really like that Nancy was arrested and served 3 years time for the bludgeoning death of 'Pilar,' Nancy's now-ex's ex, a powerful Mexican gangster. Shane actually clubbed the woman, who was making serious death threats against the Botwin kids. Though Weeds is obviously not grounded in 'reality' reality and in fact Nancy has had to endure many consequences, jail time should appease those who felt she was getting off too easily.
Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Kevin Nealon and the boys, played by Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould, are all immensely likable and really know their way around these characters after 6 seasons of playing them. It's a fun show to watch and at one-half hour running time, there's very little time investment. (You already subscribe to Showtime, don't you? Need reasons? Try Dexter, Shameless & Californication, for starters.)
Martin Short and Aidan Quinn are the latest additions to the seventh season of Showtime’s Weeds, which is now confirmed to pack the one-two punch of a time jump and a major change in location--to New York City.
Sneak Peek Photos from Weeds Season 7, Episode 7.02 "From Trauma Cometh Something" (July 4)
Pretty sure that this is a shot of Andy (Justin Kirk) and Shane (Alexander Gould) attempting to see Nancy in the half-way house. Note that 'Shane' does not have 'a mohawk' as show creator Jenji Kohan interviewed (above). Shane has a 'fauxhawk,' which combed a different way, would look like his 'normal' hair. Really can't say much about the mutton chop sideburns other than they look really fake and I doubt if they'll last more than an episode or two...
WEEDS - Showtime Season 7 Synopsis SPOILERS (after the jump):
As if Nancy's life wasn't filled with enough odd characters, the producers are looking for a slightly odd, well-off New York City attorney (they're thinking of a John Waters type) who takes on pro-bono cases in exchange for juicy prison gossip. Does he sell the gossip to the tabloids? Nope, he writes the stories down in a book — which he reads when he's sad, horny, or both...
EDIT 5.27.11/ In re: the casting description above and the Showtime Press Release from 5.26 (below): they both describe the role that of the 'eccentric attorney' that went to Martin Short (Damages).
Fortunately, on Weeds 'icky' can be turned into something quite funny. If they can make 'Uncle Andy' having his toe bitten off by a dog, funny which they did, then...
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FRESCHETTA® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
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What do you think about a Giveaway of free FRESCHETTA® Simply Inspired pizza (coupon for 1 free FRESCHETTA® pizza) plus a beautiful and practical bamboo cutting board?
Starting NOW and ending May 31 at 12 midnight (Central Standard time) I invite you to enter my Giveaway. Just hop over to the comment section of this post and say that you'd like to be included in the FRESCHETTA Giveaway. Remember, I need a way to let you know if you've won so please leave an email address which of course, I'll keep private.
On June 1, 2011, I will announce who has won the Giveaway! Then you'll have seven (7) days to respond. Otherwise, I'll have to chose another person who entered. Please enter only one time per household.
I'll be sad to have Californication over for season 4 but I'm glad Hank Moody's trial will be over by season's end. Who knows where the plot line will pick up in season 5? Dare we even venture a guess?
I was fortunatee enough to have the entire season given to me for review purposes, not realizing that other websites doing the same thing were billing their posts as 'Advance Review,' which I will do next time** ---hopefully maybe, with Nurse Jackie or oooh, or Weeds :) ?! I so love Mary-Louise Parker and her 'family'!
I can't wait for 'Nurse Jackie' to start this month!
**This time I'm just reviewing each episode week by week.
UPDATE (3.25.11) Hey, Californication fans!
The Californication Giveaway is now closed. I'm choosing winners to be announced on Sunday prior to the start of episode 11 of Californication for both theCalifornication official poster art giveaway AND Season 4 Soundtrack to Californication giveaway! Again, Thanks! - Cyn
"Grown Up Talk"
Karen, Becca, and the Runkles throw a surprise party for Hank.
Californication Episode 11 - 'The Last Supper' Hank spends a last night with family and friends:
SPOILER: Hank is found guilty which further spins his world around. His ex and daughter and the Runkles throw Hank a 'going away' dinner with party favors. Hank buys a new ( used) Porsche and considers driving away and not looking back.
Guest Stars: Stephen Tobolowsky, Judy Greer, Melissa Stephens and Michele Nordin, with Carla Gugino
With best friends like Charlie Runkle testifying on the stand in your defense who needs...friends?:
Californication: Relationship Conversation
Hank and Abby discuss their relationship.
I don't know if it is because this little clip is (of necessity) out of context, but it seems an awkward scene to me. It could be that it is meant to be awkward as does Hank, besides having a relationship with his daughter and his ex (and bf, Charlie), even have real relationships?
Specifically with women he's 'dating,' Hank doesn't get that serious, does he? (I ask, as 1. it doesn't seem that he does and 2. this is my 1st season watching Californication.)
The thing that is throwing me a bit about Hank and Abby is that neither seem particularly in need of anything deeper than what they have, which let's face it (excluding the attorney-client thing), is that they are f**k buddies. Should be interesting to find out where they end up.
The Californication Giveaway is now closed. I'm choosing winners to be announced on Sunday prior to the start of episode 11 of Californication for both theCalifornication official poster art giveaway AND Season 4 Soundtrack to Californication giveaway! Again, Thanks!
I want to be fair and give everyone who digsCalifornication as much as I do a chance to win and I wish to apologize to anyone who may have tried to enter by leaving a comment and couldn't.
People who have already entered are already in the running and don't need to enter again BUT If you are concerned that your comment/entry didn't make it through previously--go ahead and leave another comment. Each person will still get just one entry for each Giveaway, OK?
Everyone can enter once for the Californication poster art and once for the Season 4 Soundtrack to Californication which featuresThe Queens of Dogtown (recurring on the show) as well as Warren Zevon, Shooter Jennings, Tommy Lee, Better Than Ezra and others!
HOW TO ENTER the Giveaways:
For the Californication poster art all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post or any other Californication posts after this one telling me one thing you like about the show Californication on Showtime and you are in the running.
You have to work a wee bit harder to win the soundtrack by dropping me a comment, telling me one thing you like about the music on Californication.
Alright then! ***Remember to include your email with your comment. It will only be visible to me, no one else and I promise I will virtually burn it at contest's end, using it only to tell you you've won!!***
I hope you are digging Californication season 4. The storyline has been very funny and California cool, there have been some BIG surprises--and there's plenty more to come as the season continues.
As always, thanks for stopping by and Good Luck!!!
Cyn
Sneak Peeks, Song List (Music), & Promo Photos for Next week on Californication after the jump!
Season 4 Soundtrack Giveaway Deadline Extended to Midnight February 27!!
Winner to be announced on this blog on February 28!
I hear over & over that people dig the music on Californication. I agree! It's awesome--and because its so I'm giving away the Season 4 Soundtrack to Californication! That's right! The Season 4 soundtrack--this season--stuff you have not heard yet but will want to hear again!
The soundtrack features The Queens of Dogtown (recurring on the show) as well as Warren Zevon, Shooter Jennings, Tommy Lee, Better Than Ezra and others!
It is yours for the asking, my friends. Just drop me a comment between now and February 27 @ midnight telling me one thing you like about the music on Californication.
Remember, I'm gonna need your contact info to mail you your CD! So either sign in with an email or respond to my announcement of the winner of the giveaway which I'll make here on this blog on February 28!! Good Luck!!
I'm giving them away! To be in the running for the giveaway just drop a comment here in this post telling me one reason why you enjoy Shameless! I'll announce the 2 lucky winners on this blog on Sunday, February 13th. Good Luck!
The title of Californication - episode 4.06 is "Lawyers, Guns & Money" :
...which of course, is the name of the song written and performed by the late, great Warren Zevon who also performs a track from the Season 4 Californication soundtrack that I'm giving away!
"Bring lawyers, guns, & money
The shit has hit the fan"
Yep. Sounds about right. ;)
Californication: 'Billy Goat'
Hank and Charlie have a meeting with Eddie Nero (Rob Lowe).
Hank's family rescues his career and his relationship with Abby.
Directed By: John Dahl
Guest Stars: Rob Lowe, Addison Timlin, Stephen Tobolowsky, Zoë Kravitz and Billy Morrison, with Carla Gugino
"Would" performed by Queens of Dogtown from the Showtime Series season 4 Californication soundtrack.
I've mentioned before that I just started watching Californication this year (my bad) though I watched David Duchovny in his previous non-cable network series, the X-Files, for it's entire run. One of the things that I'm really loving about this little 30 min. show is the soundtrack. It really enhances the vibe with music that without question, I'd want to hear again.
Fortunately for you, I'm able to give away the Season 4 Soundtrack to Californication! That's right! The Season 4 soundtrack--this season--stuff you have not heard yet but will want to hear again!
The soundtrack features The Queens of Dogtown (recurring on the show) as well as Warren Zevon, Shooter Jennings, Tommy Lee, Better Than Ezra and others!
It is yours for the asking, my friends. Just drop me a comment between now and February 26 telling me one thing you like about the music on Californication.
I'm giving it away! To be in the running for the giveaway just drop a comment here in this post telling me one reason why you enjoy Episodes! I'll announce the lucky winner on this blog on Sunday, February 20th. Good Luck!
Promo: Episodes #5 NEW EPISODES: Sundays at 9:30PM ET/PT, only on SHOWTIME.
Episodes: She's a librarian!
Episodes - Episode 5
Sean's infatuation with the lovely "Pucks!" actress Morning Randolph is given an opportunity to blossom when Matt invites the two of them to a charity benefit. Sean realizes that his attraction to her may in fact be mutual. Meanwhile, Beverly and Carol share a joint and commiserate about the men in their lives. At the end of the night, Sean has a difficult choice to make, and Beverly learns that she has more to worry about her husband and the actress than even she realized.
Music Producer Tree Adams and Music Supervisor Nora Felder chat about Becca's band, Queens of Dogtown.
I've mentioned before that I just started watching Californication this year (my bad) though I watched David Duchovny in his previous non-cable network series, the X-Files, for it's entire run. One of the things that I'm really loving about this little 30 min. show is the soundtrack. It really enhances the vibe with music that without question, I'd want to hear again.
Fortunately for you, I'm able to give away the Season 4 Soundtrack to Californication! That's right! The Season 4 soundtrack--this season--stuff you have not heard yet but will want to hear again!
The soundtrack features The Queens of Dogtown (recurring on the show) as well as Warren Zevon, Shooter Jennings, Tommy Lee, Better Than Ezra and others!
It is yours for the asking my friends. Just drop me a comment between now and February 26 telling me one thing you like about the music on Californication.
Learn more about The Queens of Dogtown:In other CALIFORNICATION-related news, you met the Queens of Dogtown when they stole Becca’s guitar. Check out the band’s Myspace page for photos, info and snippets of their music: http://www.myspace.com/queensofdogtown
Their singles are available on iTunes, and yes, that’s Lenny Kravitz’s and Lisa Bonet’s daughter on lead vocals. They’ll be featured more in the upcoming episodes, so tune in Sunday at 9pm ET/PT!
Hank learns from his lawyer (Carla Gugino) that he will be going to trial for statutory rape. After Hank finishes the F & P script, Charlie (Evan Handler) drags him to a meeting with the director (Jonathan Kasdan), the producer (Stephen Tobolowsky) and an eccentric financier (Fisher Stepens). A dead billionaire caps off the meeting.
How 'bout your very own, super-awesome, let's celebrate Californication getting-picked-up-for a-5th-season, Californication official poster art?
All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me one thing you like about the show Californication on Showtime and you are in the running. An announcement of the winners will be posted on Sunday, February 20th. Good Luck!
I'm giving it away! To be in the running for the giveaway just drop a comment here in this post telling me one reason why you enjoy Episodes! I'll announce the lucky winner on this blog on Sunday, February 20th. Good Luck!
Master of Subtext
SHOWTIME | Season 1 Ep. 3 | Added: January 18, 2011
Matt LeBlanc suggests some additional changes to Pucks.
Often it takes some time for a new series to build an audience, to find it's footing. That's how I feel after watching all seven episodes of 'Episodes' on Showtime. Because each episode is only about 30 minutes, the entirely of the series is about the length of a film. Yet, obviously, Episodes is not a film and so does not follow the structure of one. Although I felt that there were many funny moments and certainly great talent in the first 2 hours/ 6 episodes of 'Episodes,' it was not until the 7th episode that I felt that I'd gotten in the groove with the show. To me, that is totally OK as it is my habit to watch the first 7 or eight hour-long episodes of a show before I reach a conclusion about whether I wish to continue. Episode 7 of Episodes, which I realize is still weeks away, was the show hitting it stride, finding it's pitch, whatever metaphor you wish to use. When it reached it's conclusion I turned to my watching partner and said,' This show is going to be a hit," and he did not hesitate in agreeing with me. If you have been watching I urge you to 'hang in there' because there is a payoff, which I believe will set the tone for season 2--one of smart hilarity.
Episodes: Like a Third Arm
SHOWTIME | Season 1 Ep. 3 | Added: January 18, 2011
Matt LeBlanc reveals to Sean what he would do if he wasn't an actor.
Episodes 1.03 Synopsis
Beverly can't stand Matt and the feeling is mutual. As it's all she can do not to throttle the star of her show, Beverly tells her husband "he's yours". Sean and Matt end up spending the day together, including an extended adventure in Las Vegas. Soon the two guys have bonded, leaving Beverly feeling excluded by her husband's new bro-mance. Later, in a confrontation with Matt, Beverly learns just how "big" a star Matt Leblanc actually is.
I'm giving them away! To be in the running for the giveaway just drop a comment here in this post telling me one reason why you enjoy Shameless! I'll announce the 2 lucky winners on this blog on Sunday, February 13th. Good Luck!
All The Trouble: Cameron Monaghan
SHOWTIME | Season 1 Ep. 0 | Added: January 18, 2011
Cameron Monaghan discusses his role as Ian, his character's relationship with father Frank, and his relationship with his older brother, Lip.
I was going to touch on one specific scene from Shameless, Episode 2, Frank The Plank which IMO, encapsulates exactly why William H. Macy is perfect for the part. I will, but first I want to direct your attention to the interview (above) with Cameron Monaghan who plays the second oldest Gallagher brother, Ian. The interview is basically Cameron talking about the show, the characters, the interior workings of the family and finally, he's asked why he wanted to be on the show.
Cameron's guileless response is just so charming. You simply have to take a couple of minutes to listen to clip. Completely devoid of any pretension, he finishes with,"Any actor would kill to be on this show." And you know he means it.
I think that is a great part of why 'the kids' on Shameless have been mentioned so many times as perfectly cast. They are very real. They could be anyone's neighbour. They've charmed the pants off me and they've made it look effortless. Not a single actor on this show--child or adult seems to be 'acting.'
Showtime Official Promo for episode 1.03 - 'Aunt Ginger' (Airs: 1.23.11)
What Are Your Intentions? Sneak Peek episode 1.03 - 'Aunt Ginger' (Airs: 1.23.11)
SHOWTIME | Season 1 Ep. 3 | Added: January 18, 2011
Lip goes to pick up Karen but first has to deal with Frank.
So, what I was going to say about William H. Macy. I've read a lot of positive things about the kids on the show (including/especially Emmy Rossum) and I read good stuff about William H. Macy too, but some reviewers seem to be having trouble with liking the unkempt, irresponsible, drunken character, 'Frank Gallagher' that Macy portrays. My feeling is you don't need to like Frank Gallagher to be able to enjoy him.
In episode 2 where he had more let's say, 'awake moments,' Macy had a deliciously funny scene where he wakes up after yet another drunken night--on a picnic table in Toronto's lakefront. You'll have to watch the episode to find out the details but I wanted to point out where I think the casting people/showrunners agreed that Macy is perfect as Frank.
Shortly after realizing that he's in Canada, Frank is taken into custody 'to sleep it off.' His troubles go beyond that as he has no passport and so will not be able to get back into the US even when he's released--so he's pretty wound up. The scene that had me in stiches both times I watched it was when they set 'Frank' loose on a triade about everything that was wrong about Canada. Pacing back and forth in his cell, he angrily vented about anything that came to mind: The Canadians, who hosted last year's winter Olympics couldn't even keep (the flame of) the torch lit. In the mountains of Vancouver, in Canada! there was no snow for the competitions. On and on he ranted. IMO, this was Frank's funniest scene yet and Macy was as good as any scene in any medium I've watched him in. It was perfection. Can't wait for more. I love this show.
How 'bout your very own, super-awesome, let's celebrate Californication getting-picked-up-for a-5th-season, Californication official poster art?
All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me one thing you like about the show Californication on Showtime and you are in the running. An announcement of the winners will be posted on Sunday, February 20th. Good Luck!
Photo Credit: Jordin Althaus/Showtime
Showtime has picked up Californication for another round, and don’t expect producers to put the brakes on the show anytime soon. Asked by a critic at TCA if he’s tempted to set a series end date like Lost, executive producer Tom Kapinos said “no way.”
“I’m riding this to the bitter end,” he said. “I believe in sticking with something until we’ve squeezed every drop out of it.”
That said, the rather dramatic upcoming fourth season finale of the show was written as if, just in case, the show wasn’t renewed.
“If lightening strikes tomorrow,” he said, “I make an effort to make sure the end of every season … is a satisfying story.”
One critic asked if the show was taming down its sex scenes after last season, which he said resembled porn.
“That’s totally unfair,” David Duchovny said.
“I don’t feel like it’s ever gone too far,” Kapinos said. “Porn is people having sex on film. These are people pretending to have sex while naked. I have no regrets about the show at all.”
On Sunday, & Co. pulled in 848,000 viewers at 9 p.m. for its fourth season opener (and 1. 1 million viewers total if you include its repeat). Still no word on Shameless, but the new comedy performed slightly better out of the gate than Californication, so it’s off to a good start.
"I'd like to go six seasons," David says of Californication's fate destiny. "I always thought six would be a good number …72 episodes would be right."
That said, he's willing to do more—assuming Showtime can foot the bill. "I'd be open because the schedule is so wonderful for me," he told me. "It's only a 13 week schedule. It's like shooting a little movie for me. And I love working with the people. We all have a good time. I could continue on…I just say six years because in cable I think it becomes economically not feasible for them to go beyond because they're going to have to pay me so much money."
I'm giving them away! To be in the running for the giveaway just drop a comment here in this post telling me one reason why you enjoy Shameless! I'll announce the 2 lucky winners on this blog on Sunday, February 13th. Good Luck!
Shameless fans wondering about where the youngest Gallagher child came from will soon get an explanation. In the Showtime series, drunken patriarch Frank (William H. Macy) is so unreliable, his oldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum) has to manage the hectic household and her five siblings. Baby Liam (Blake and Brennan Johnson) is obviously of mixed parentage -- born from the same mother, but with an unknown father -- a fact that was glossed over in the show's premiere.***
*It may have been 'glossed over in the premiere' but it was repeatedly alluded to in the weeks running up to the Shameless premeire in 'Franks' introduction to his family. When he gets to Liam he says he's 'not sure' in regard to Liam's parentage though Liam looks a whole lot like (Frank's) first sponsor.
I've not wondered beyond the time frame about where Liam came from as the baby has thus far served as a prop more or less, albeit a very cute prop.
Shameless is biggest drama premiere in seven years "We've explained the inability to figure out his heritage," executive producer John Wells said at the Television Critics Association winter previews Friday. "But there are actually a couple episodes coming up -- [Episode] 9 and 10, somewhere in that area -- in which there's an attempt to figure that out." "The chaos in the family is such that they honestly don't know. Everyone has their own theory and they try to figure out which theory is correct."
And even though Liam's origins will be explored, don't expect the Gallaghers' treatment of him to change, regardless of what they discover. "I think it's really cool that nobody really cares," Rossum said. "They're just a family and love each other, and it doesn't really matter if they share 100 percent genetic material with each other. They're in it to live and love each other and take care of each other. A good person steps up to the plate and says, 'This is a child, I need to take care of this child' and does it." Shameless airs Sundays at 10/9 c on Showtime.
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The True Blood Blog (that would be me, Cyn) wants to thank everyone who entered The True Blood Blog 'Inspired by Sookie' Giveaway either by commenting or by sending email to thetruebloodblog@gmail.com.
Two lucky ladies, Molly & Tanni, were the winners of a "Sookie-Style" T-shirt and a "Sookie-Style" poster [wait for season 4--will it ever be Sookie's style! ;) ]
Congratulations, Molly & Tanni!
There will be more contests and or/giveaways, absolutely. In the meantime, if you do plan on making an HBO store purchase--any purchase-- I would be hugely grateful if you'd click through from any HBO button or banner on my website. Anything you purchase costs you the exact same as if you click through on the HBO site except HBO tips me a little bit. I'll be sure to post any coupon codes for the HBO store so make sure to check for coupon codes before you shop and use 'em when you check out!
