Emmy Award
Jimmy Smits
November 25, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Prime time soap operas dominated the 1980’s. In the 2000’s, not so much, except for the teenage version of the genre on the CW television network.
Jimmy Smits was part of an effort to reignite the genre with Cane, a short-lived offering on CBS in 2007. Cane revolved around a Cuban-American family and its power, wealth, and dynasty stemming from its rum and sugar business interests.
This is the third consecutive decade where Jimmy Smits has been a focal point of a prime time television series.
In the 1980’s, he played Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law. Sifuentes worked in the Public Defender’s office before Michael Kuzak recruited him to the private law firm sector.
While Victor began as the ‘cleanup’ attorney for McKenzie Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak, handling the firm’s pro bono cases and other matters that burdened the firm’s workload, he ventured into other legal territories.
In the episode Victor Sifuentes confronted legendary attorney August Redding, played by legendary actor Ralph Bellamy. Victor’s client sues Redding for legal malpractice. In the episode’s climactic scene, Victor puts Redding on the witness stand. He reveals Redding’s deep loss of memory when the aging lawyer cannot remember Victor’s name.
Victor confronted another legendary attorney in Hamilton Schuyler, a dwarf attorney who specializes in products liability cases.
Nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Actor six times during his L.A. Law tenure, Smits won once.
In the 1990’s, Smits took over the lead position in NYPD Blue after the sudden departure of David Caruso. Smits’ Bobby Simone character is suave, sophisticated, and strong. With quiet confidence, he gains the respect of his partner, Andy Sipowicz. He also wins the love of fellow detective Diane Russell.
NYPD Blue eased out Bobby Simone in a story arc centering on a terrific heart problem. In the episode where Bobby dies, the last scene shows him flatlining and then we see the Executive Producer credits in black against a white background. It’s a direct contrast to the usual format -- white lettering against a black background.
Smits returns as Bobby Simone in an episode near the show’s end. Andy has a waking dream where he talks to Bobby.
Smits also hosted the retrospective that aired near the end of the show’s successful twelve-year run.
Smits did not win an Emmy Award for his work on NYPD Blue, though he received five nominations.
In the 2000’s, Smits appeared on The West Wing as Matthew Santos, a three-term congressman from Texas and former Mayor of Houston who wants to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman convinces Santos that he has a legitimate shot at the presidency. Initially an also-ran candidate, Santos slowly gains recognition during the primaries. The Democratic National Convention occurs with the delegates still unsure of a nominee. Santos gives an inspiring speech concerning the voters’ freedom to choose a nominee without the pressure of power brokers making the decision for them.
The speech inspires many delegates to vote for Santos. He also gets a little help from President Bartlet who convinces an influential New York delegate to cast the Empire State’s delegate votes for Santos.
Santos’ choice for the VP nominee slot -- Leo McGarry, President Bartlet’s Chief of Staff.
In a narrow election, Santos beats a veteran politician, Senator Arnold Vinick from Santa Paula, California.
Jimmy Smits’ contributions to television have been significant, enjoyable, and challenging. Making a name for himself while part of an ensemble on L.A. Law. Taking over a lead position on a hit show from an actor who made a notorious exit from success on NYPD Blue. Joining a team that’s played together for several years while adding to the chemistry of the cast on The West Wing.
Bringing interest, enthusiasm, and novelty is a difficult challenge for any actor. Smits met the challenge directly.
By the way, Jimmy Smits also deserves a place in television trivia history. Smits plays Eddie Rivera, the partner of Detective Sonny Crockett in the pilot of Miami Vice. Rivera died in a car bomb explosion triggered by Crockett’s nemesis.
david@davidkrell.com
Prime time soap operas dominated the 1980’s. In the 2000’s, not so much, except for the teenage version of the genre on the CW television network.
Jimmy Smits was part of an effort to reignite the genre with Cane, a short-lived offering on CBS in 2007. Cane revolved around a Cuban-American family and its power, wealth, and dynasty stemming from its rum and sugar business interests.
This is the third consecutive decade where Jimmy Smits has been a focal point of a prime time television series.
In the 1980’s, he played Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law. Sifuentes worked in the Public Defender’s office before Michael Kuzak recruited him to the private law firm sector.
While Victor began as the ‘cleanup’ attorney for McKenzie Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak, handling the firm’s pro bono cases and other matters that burdened the firm’s workload, he ventured into other legal territories.
In the episode Victor Sifuentes confronted legendary attorney August Redding, played by legendary actor Ralph Bellamy. Victor’s client sues Redding for legal malpractice. In the episode’s climactic scene, Victor puts Redding on the witness stand. He reveals Redding’s deep loss of memory when the aging lawyer cannot remember Victor’s name.
Victor confronted another legendary attorney in Hamilton Schuyler, a dwarf attorney who specializes in products liability cases.
Nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Actor six times during his L.A. Law tenure, Smits won once.
In the 1990’s, Smits took over the lead position in NYPD Blue after the sudden departure of David Caruso. Smits’ Bobby Simone character is suave, sophisticated, and strong. With quiet confidence, he gains the respect of his partner, Andy Sipowicz. He also wins the love of fellow detective Diane Russell.
NYPD Blue eased out Bobby Simone in a story arc centering on a terrific heart problem. In the episode where Bobby dies, the last scene shows him flatlining and then we see the Executive Producer credits in black against a white background. It’s a direct contrast to the usual format -- white lettering against a black background.
Smits returns as Bobby Simone in an episode near the show’s end. Andy has a waking dream where he talks to Bobby.
Smits also hosted the retrospective that aired near the end of the show’s successful twelve-year run.
Smits did not win an Emmy Award for his work on NYPD Blue, though he received five nominations.
In the 2000’s, Smits appeared on The West Wing as Matthew Santos, a three-term congressman from Texas and former Mayor of Houston who wants to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman convinces Santos that he has a legitimate shot at the presidency. Initially an also-ran candidate, Santos slowly gains recognition during the primaries. The Democratic National Convention occurs with the delegates still unsure of a nominee. Santos gives an inspiring speech concerning the voters’ freedom to choose a nominee without the pressure of power brokers making the decision for them.
The speech inspires many delegates to vote for Santos. He also gets a little help from President Bartlet who convinces an influential New York delegate to cast the Empire State’s delegate votes for Santos.
Santos’ choice for the VP nominee slot -- Leo McGarry, President Bartlet’s Chief of Staff.
In a narrow election, Santos beats a veteran politician, Senator Arnold Vinick from Santa Paula, California.
Jimmy Smits’ contributions to television have been significant, enjoyable, and challenging. Making a name for himself while part of an ensemble on L.A. Law. Taking over a lead position on a hit show from an actor who made a notorious exit from success on NYPD Blue. Joining a team that’s played together for several years while adding to the chemistry of the cast on The West Wing.
Bringing interest, enthusiasm, and novelty is a difficult challenge for any actor. Smits met the challenge directly.
By the way, Jimmy Smits also deserves a place in television trivia history. Smits plays Eddie Rivera, the partner of Detective Sonny Crockett in the pilot of Miami Vice. Rivera died in a car bomb explosion triggered by Crockett’s nemesis.
From the Earth to the Moon
September 10, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
In 1994, Ron Howard brought the story of Apollo 13 to the big screen. Directed by Howard and starring Tom Hanks as astronaut Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 is the classic kid stuck in a well story line. Except it takes place in outer space.
Apollo 13 served as the basis for space buff Hanks to further explore NASA's Golden Age in the 1998 HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.
Co-produced by Hanks, Howard, Michael Bostick, and Brian Grazer, From the Earth to the Moon is a 12-part miniseries detailing the Apollo space program based on the book Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin.
Hanks introduces each episode with a brief monologue.
From the Earth to the Moon won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries.
It shows the intensity, creativity, and dedication of the Apollo engineers, managers, and astronauts.
It reveals stories that aren't likely known beyond space historians, space buffs, and NASA insiders.
We learn about the improvements in the Apollo spacecraft triggered by the investigation into Apollo 1 fire that killed astronauts Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White.
We learn about the engineers' trial and error that led to the creation of the lunar module used by the astronauts to land on the moon.
We learn about Alan Shepard's comeback from an inner ear problem that grounded him to groundbreaking surgery that allowed him to fly on Apollo 14 in 1971. At the time, he was the oldest astronaut to launch into space. He was 47.
The Greek chorus in From the Earth to the Moon Emmett Seaborne, the news anchor of the fictional National Television Company.
Character actor Lane Smith plays Seaborne, a journalist with deep knowledge about the space program.
From the Earth to the Moon also shows the behind-the-scenes drama of America's heroes.
How did NASA decide who would be the first astronaut to set foot on the moon and how did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin address that situation between themselves?
What impact did the astronauts' professional lives have on their families.
And how did the astronauts train for subjects beyond flying, for example, geology, to familiarize themselves with moon rocks that could unlock secrets of the universe?
From the Earth to the Moon is a terrific miniseries that intensifies a long faded spotlight and shines it on America's space pioneers.
During a decade of war, assassinations of political leaders, and riots in the streets, the brave men and women involved in America's space program gave something good to America and the world.
Something inspirational.
Something awesome.
david@davidkrell.com
In 1994, Ron Howard brought the story of Apollo 13 to the big screen. Directed by Howard and starring Tom Hanks as astronaut Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 is the classic kid stuck in a well story line. Except it takes place in outer space.
Apollo 13 served as the basis for space buff Hanks to further explore NASA's Golden Age in the 1998 HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.
Co-produced by Hanks, Howard, Michael Bostick, and Brian Grazer, From the Earth to the Moon is a 12-part miniseries detailing the Apollo space program based on the book Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin.
Hanks introduces each episode with a brief monologue.
From the Earth to the Moon won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries.
It shows the intensity, creativity, and dedication of the Apollo engineers, managers, and astronauts.
It reveals stories that aren't likely known beyond space historians, space buffs, and NASA insiders.
We learn about the improvements in the Apollo spacecraft triggered by the investigation into Apollo 1 fire that killed astronauts Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White.
We learn about the engineers' trial and error that led to the creation of the lunar module used by the astronauts to land on the moon.
We learn about Alan Shepard's comeback from an inner ear problem that grounded him to groundbreaking surgery that allowed him to fly on Apollo 14 in 1971. At the time, he was the oldest astronaut to launch into space. He was 47.
The Greek chorus in From the Earth to the Moon Emmett Seaborne, the news anchor of the fictional National Television Company.
Character actor Lane Smith plays Seaborne, a journalist with deep knowledge about the space program.
From the Earth to the Moon also shows the behind-the-scenes drama of America's heroes.
How did NASA decide who would be the first astronaut to set foot on the moon and how did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin address that situation between themselves?
What impact did the astronauts' professional lives have on their families.
And how did the astronauts train for subjects beyond flying, for example, geology, to familiarize themselves with moon rocks that could unlock secrets of the universe?
From the Earth to the Moon is a terrific miniseries that intensifies a long faded spotlight and shines it on America's space pioneers.
During a decade of war, assassinations of political leaders, and riots in the streets, the brave men and women involved in America's space program gave something good to America and the world.
Something inspirational.
Something awesome.