The West Wing
Hill Street Blues
May 14, 2010
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Hill Street Blues began NBC’s tradition of quality drama in the Thursday night 10:00pm time slot. That tradition ended in 2009 when The Jay Leno Show took over 10:00pm time slot. Now The Marriage Ref owns the time slot.
Airing from 1981 to 1987, Hill Street Blues changed television.
The bad guys didn’t always get caught by the end of the hour.
The good guys weren’t always angels.
And story lines could last for multiple episodes, maybe even a season.
At the heart of Hill Street Blues was Captain Frank Furillo, a recovering alcoholic who guided the Hill Street precinct with compassion, toughness, and experience. He was trusted by his officers, detectives, and the gangs. Jesus Martinez, leader of the Diablos, often called him ‘Frankie’ out of affection, respect, and teasing. In later years, Jesus became a paralegal.
If Frank Furillo was the Hill Street precinct’s heart, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus was its soul. Played by Michael Conrad with a textbook definition of being avuncular, Esterhaus led off each episode in the middle of the morning Roll Call with the phrase Let’s be careful out there. Conrad died in 1983. Robert Prosky replaced him at the Roll Call as Sergeant Stan Jablonski with the less watchful and more bombastic Let’s do it to them before they do it to us.
Veronica Hamel played the sensitive, skilled, and sexy Joyce Davenport of the Public Defender’s office. The advocate shared a bed with Captain Furillo and later married him.
Despite the urban chaos surrounding them, the officers and detectives never stopped in their mission to clean up the streets.
And creators Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll set a standard for television producing. Multiple story arcs, scenes involving walking and talking, and three dimensional characters are hallmarks seen in St. Elsewhere, L.A. Law, thirtysomething, ER, The West Wing, and Friday Night Lights, to name a few.
david@davidkrell.com
Hill Street Blues began NBC’s tradition of quality drama in the Thursday night 10:00pm time slot. That tradition ended in 2009 when The Jay Leno Show took over 10:00pm time slot. Now The Marriage Ref owns the time slot.
Airing from 1981 to 1987, Hill Street Blues changed television.
The bad guys didn’t always get caught by the end of the hour.
The good guys weren’t always angels.
And story lines could last for multiple episodes, maybe even a season.
At the heart of Hill Street Blues was Captain Frank Furillo, a recovering alcoholic who guided the Hill Street precinct with compassion, toughness, and experience. He was trusted by his officers, detectives, and the gangs. Jesus Martinez, leader of the Diablos, often called him ‘Frankie’ out of affection, respect, and teasing. In later years, Jesus became a paralegal.
If Frank Furillo was the Hill Street precinct’s heart, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus was its soul. Played by Michael Conrad with a textbook definition of being avuncular, Esterhaus led off each episode in the middle of the morning Roll Call with the phrase Let’s be careful out there. Conrad died in 1983. Robert Prosky replaced him at the Roll Call as Sergeant Stan Jablonski with the less watchful and more bombastic Let’s do it to them before they do it to us.
Veronica Hamel played the sensitive, skilled, and sexy Joyce Davenport of the Public Defender’s office. The advocate shared a bed with Captain Furillo and later married him.
Despite the urban chaos surrounding them, the officers and detectives never stopped in their mission to clean up the streets.
And creators Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll set a standard for television producing. Multiple story arcs, scenes involving walking and talking, and three dimensional characters are hallmarks seen in St. Elsewhere, L.A. Law, thirtysomething, ER, The West Wing, and Friday Night Lights, to name a few.
Sorkin Similarities
January 27, 2010
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Before he became the architect of the fictional Bartlet presidency by creating The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin designed a slice of the fictional Shepherd presidency in The American President.
The American President shows us the end of the first term of democrat Andrew Shepherd, a widower whose wife died before the election that sent him to the White House.
The most notable link between The American President and The West Wing is Martin Sheen.
In The American President, Sheen plays Shepherd’s Chief of Staff, A.J. Macinerney.
In The West Wing, Sheen plays President Bartlet.
Anna Deavere Smith is another link between the two stories.
She plays Press Secretary Robin McCall in The American President.
She has a recurring role on The West Wing -- Dr. Nancy McNally, National Security Advisor.
Joshua Malina also has roles in both Sorkin stories.
In The American President, Malina has a minor role -- an associate of President Shepherd’s environmental activist girlfriend, Sydney Ellen Wade, played by Annette Bening.
Malina replaced Rob Lowe in The West Wing. When Lowe’s character of Sam Seaborn runs for Congress, Malina’s character of Will Bailey replaces Sam as Deputy Communications Director.
In West Wing canon, the last real president acknowledged in dialogue is President Nixon. However, one scene takes place outside the Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine at George Washington University Hospital. The West Wing does not directly reference Reagan as a U.S. president.
We also do not know whether President Shepherd is part of the post-Nixon history of The West Wing.
david@davidkrell.com
Before he became the architect of the fictional Bartlet presidency by creating The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin designed a slice of the fictional Shepherd presidency in The American President.
The American President shows us the end of the first term of democrat Andrew Shepherd, a widower whose wife died before the election that sent him to the White House.
The most notable link between The American President and The West Wing is Martin Sheen.
In The American President, Sheen plays Shepherd’s Chief of Staff, A.J. Macinerney.
In The West Wing, Sheen plays President Bartlet.
Anna Deavere Smith is another link between the two stories.
She plays Press Secretary Robin McCall in The American President.
She has a recurring role on The West Wing -- Dr. Nancy McNally, National Security Advisor.
Joshua Malina also has roles in both Sorkin stories.
In The American President, Malina has a minor role -- an associate of President Shepherd’s environmental activist girlfriend, Sydney Ellen Wade, played by Annette Bening.
Malina replaced Rob Lowe in The West Wing. When Lowe’s character of Sam Seaborn runs for Congress, Malina’s character of Will Bailey replaces Sam as Deputy Communications Director.
In West Wing canon, the last real president acknowledged in dialogue is President Nixon. However, one scene takes place outside the Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine at George Washington University Hospital. The West Wing does not directly reference Reagan as a U.S. president.
We also do not know whether President Shepherd is part of the post-Nixon history of The West Wing.
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.
Matthew Perry
October 22, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Before Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry teamed up in Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, they worked together in Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing.
During the seven season run of The West Wing, Whitford played the knowledgeable, savvy, and cynical but sensitive Josh Lyman -- White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Santos For President Campaign Manager, and White House Chief of Staff.
For three episodes, Perry played White House attorney Joe Quincy.
While interviewing Joe for a position in the White House Counsel’s office, Josh wonders why he has never heard of Joe Quincy, an eminently qualified attorney with experience including a stint in the Solicitor General’s Office.
Josh figures out the mystery -- Joe Quincy is a republican.
He wants to work in public service in a democratic White House because he is in the dog house with his own party. He wrote a memorandum contradictory to the party line on soft money political donations.
With the help of Donna Moss, Josh’s assistant, Joe convinces Josh to hire him.
The interview scene reveals a great chemistry between Whitford and Perry, likely the reason for Sorkin’s casting them in the starring roles of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
On his first day in the new job, Joe Quincy uncovers a massive scandal involving Vice President John Hoynes.
Hoynes told a socialite, Helen Baldwin, that he saw signs of life on Mars in classified reports when he was having an affair with her. He also bragged about a top secret deal involving a Justice Department antitrust settlement with a corporation that resulted in 100,000 computers being given go schools.
Quincy finds out that Baldwin has a book deal. He also discovers phone records that confirm several calls from Hoynes to Baldwin.
Hoynes admits that he likes to show off and Quincy’s investigation results in Hoynes’ resignation of the vice presidency.
And it all takes place on Joe Quincy’s first day at the White House.
Perry’s appearances on The West Wing took place concurrently with his starring role as sarcastic, lovelorn, and wise-cracking Chandler Bing on Friends.
Warner Brothers produced Friends and The West Wing.
david@davidkrell.com
Before Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry teamed up in Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, they worked together in Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing.
During the seven season run of The West Wing, Whitford played the knowledgeable, savvy, and cynical but sensitive Josh Lyman -- White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Santos For President Campaign Manager, and White House Chief of Staff.
For three episodes, Perry played White House attorney Joe Quincy.
While interviewing Joe for a position in the White House Counsel’s office, Josh wonders why he has never heard of Joe Quincy, an eminently qualified attorney with experience including a stint in the Solicitor General’s Office.
Josh figures out the mystery -- Joe Quincy is a republican.
He wants to work in public service in a democratic White House because he is in the dog house with his own party. He wrote a memorandum contradictory to the party line on soft money political donations.
With the help of Donna Moss, Josh’s assistant, Joe convinces Josh to hire him.
The interview scene reveals a great chemistry between Whitford and Perry, likely the reason for Sorkin’s casting them in the starring roles of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
On his first day in the new job, Joe Quincy uncovers a massive scandal involving Vice President John Hoynes.
Hoynes told a socialite, Helen Baldwin, that he saw signs of life on Mars in classified reports when he was having an affair with her. He also bragged about a top secret deal involving a Justice Department antitrust settlement with a corporation that resulted in 100,000 computers being given go schools.
Quincy finds out that Baldwin has a book deal. He also discovers phone records that confirm several calls from Hoynes to Baldwin.
Hoynes admits that he likes to show off and Quincy’s investigation results in Hoynes’ resignation of the vice presidency.
And it all takes place on Joe Quincy’s first day at the White House.
Perry’s appearances on The West Wing took place concurrently with his starring role as sarcastic, lovelorn, and wise-cracking Chandler Bing on Friends.
Warner Brothers produced Friends and The West Wing.
The West Wing
June 25, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Two presidential candidates.
A moderate, republican United States senator from a western state in his golden years with decades of political experience.
A fortysomething, ethnic, democratic congressman with just a few years on his national political resume.
John McCain and Barack Obama?
No.
Arnold Vinick and Matthew Santos.
The last years of The West Wing gave us a fictional presidential race featuring two television heavyweights. Senator Arnold Vinick from Santa Paula, California, played by Alan Alda. Congressman Matthew Santos from Houston, Texas, played by Jimmy Smits.
In this parallel political universe, Vinick and Santos want to succeed President Jed Bartlet, the liberal, Nobel Prize winning economist from New Hampshire who built a political life -- congressman, governor, President of the United States. Martin Sheen plays Bartlet.
Santos' team enjoyed the leadership of Bartlet's former Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, played by Bradley Whitford. Josh sees the congressman's incredible political intuition and convinces him not to retire from politics as originally planned.
A novice at presidential campaigns, Santos proves himself to be a quick learner.
But Vinick throws fear into the democratic side, particularly Bartlet's Chief of Staff Leo McGarry, played by John Spencer.
He knows that Vinick has the invaluable ability to connect with voters at the grass-roots level.
Combined with years of political experience, his brand-name quality in politics, and savvy campaign skills, Vinick will be a tough competitor.
For his running mate, Vinick chooses the conservative governor of West Virginia to shore up the conservative base -- Ray Sullivan, played by Brett Cullen.
Santos stays close to home and selects Leo McGarry, a terrific administrator with unparalleled political knowledge, wisdom, and instinct.
The presidential campaign arc of The West Wing features a live debate and a Democratic National Convention with ballots, unlike the scripted infomercials with which we've become familiar.
Santos wins the nomination of his party after a rousing, inspiring, and honest speech to the delegates encouraging them to vote for who the believe will do the best job as president.
John Spencer's death in December of 2005 left a void in The West Wing. The writers constructed a plot line where Leo McGarry dies of a heart attack on Election Night. The device is not a terrific stretch as McGarry had major heart problems in a previous story line.
Santos wins the election. Dialogue indicates the president-elect will replace McGarry with Pennsylvania Governor Eric Baker, a candidate during the democratic presidential primaries, because of Baker's executive experience.
In a show of bipartisan unity, Santos asks Vinick to be Secretary of State because of his strategic thinking and strong relationships with the democratic corps.
The last episode of The West Wing takes place on Inauguration Day. Appropriately, Martin Sheen has the last word in the series. When his wife asks him what he's thinking about, he replies, Tomorrow.
david@davidkrell.com
Two presidential candidates.
A moderate, republican United States senator from a western state in his golden years with decades of political experience.
A fortysomething, ethnic, democratic congressman with just a few years on his national political resume.
John McCain and Barack Obama?
No.
Arnold Vinick and Matthew Santos.
The last years of The West Wing gave us a fictional presidential race featuring two television heavyweights. Senator Arnold Vinick from Santa Paula, California, played by Alan Alda. Congressman Matthew Santos from Houston, Texas, played by Jimmy Smits.
In this parallel political universe, Vinick and Santos want to succeed President Jed Bartlet, the liberal, Nobel Prize winning economist from New Hampshire who built a political life -- congressman, governor, President of the United States. Martin Sheen plays Bartlet.
Santos' team enjoyed the leadership of Bartlet's former Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, played by Bradley Whitford. Josh sees the congressman's incredible political intuition and convinces him not to retire from politics as originally planned.
A novice at presidential campaigns, Santos proves himself to be a quick learner.
But Vinick throws fear into the democratic side, particularly Bartlet's Chief of Staff Leo McGarry, played by John Spencer.
He knows that Vinick has the invaluable ability to connect with voters at the grass-roots level.
Combined with years of political experience, his brand-name quality in politics, and savvy campaign skills, Vinick will be a tough competitor.
For his running mate, Vinick chooses the conservative governor of West Virginia to shore up the conservative base -- Ray Sullivan, played by Brett Cullen.
Santos stays close to home and selects Leo McGarry, a terrific administrator with unparalleled political knowledge, wisdom, and instinct.
The presidential campaign arc of The West Wing features a live debate and a Democratic National Convention with ballots, unlike the scripted infomercials with which we've become familiar.
Santos wins the nomination of his party after a rousing, inspiring, and honest speech to the delegates encouraging them to vote for who the believe will do the best job as president.
John Spencer's death in December of 2005 left a void in The West Wing. The writers constructed a plot line where Leo McGarry dies of a heart attack on Election Night. The device is not a terrific stretch as McGarry had major heart problems in a previous story line.
Santos wins the election. Dialogue indicates the president-elect will replace McGarry with Pennsylvania Governor Eric Baker, a candidate during the democratic presidential primaries, because of Baker's executive experience.
In a show of bipartisan unity, Santos asks Vinick to be Secretary of State because of his strategic thinking and strong relationships with the democratic corps.
The last episode of The West Wing takes place on Inauguration Day. Appropriately, Martin Sheen has the last word in the series. When his wife asks him what he's thinking about, he replies, Tomorrow.
Private Parts
June 15, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
The 1997 movie Private Parts, based on Howard Stern's autobiography of the same title, has fairly rich television connections.
The shock jock plays himself in Private Parts. His gang of Robin Quivers, Gary Dell'Abate, Fred Norris, and Jackie Martling also play themselves.
But Private Parts does more than merely take Howard Stern's storybook rise to fame from the page to the silver screen.
The movie features future stars of the small screen.
Mary McCormack plays Alison Stern, the wife of the self-proclaimed King of All Media. She steadfastly supports her husband as he finds his unique broadcasting voice.
In the final years of The West Wing, McCormack played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper.
Currently, she stars in the USA drama In Plain Sight where she plays Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon. Shannon is responsible for shepherding federal witnesses through the Witness Protection Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Allison Janney also shares a West Wing - Private Parts connection.
In Private Parts, she plays Dee Dee, a radio executive.
In The West Wing, she plays Press Secretary extraordinaire C.J. Cregg who later gets promoted to President Bartlet's Chief of Staff.
Kelly Bishop plays Howard Stern's mother in Private Parts.
We also know her as the matriarch on the poignant, successful, and thoughtful mother-daughter drama Gilmore Girls. Bishop played Emily Gilmore -- mother of Lorelai, grandmother of Rory, and wife of Richard.
Film is a director's medium. Private Parts benefits from a television veteran who draws on her experience to create a definite realism in her productions.
Betty Thomas got her big break as Officer (later Sergeant) Lucy Bates on Hill Street Blues, the highly acclaimed 1980's television drama. Thomas directed the HBO tv-movie The Late Shift based on the book of the same title by Bill Carter. The Late Shift recounts the controversy concerning who would ultimately succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show. Thomas has also directed other movies with roots in television -- I Spy, The Brady Bunch Movie.
And lastly, Paul Giamatti.
This fine character actor has starred in American Splendor, Sideways, and Cinderella Man.
In March - April 2008, Giamatti starred in the title role of the HBO miniseries John Adams based on the book of the same title by David McCullough. Giamatti won an Emmy for his portrayal of the unsung founding father.
In Private Parts, Giamatti plays Pig Vomit, Howard Stern's corporate nemesis during his days at WNBC-AM radio in New York City. Stern supplied the moniker.
david@davidkrell.com
The 1997 movie Private Parts, based on Howard Stern's autobiography of the same title, has fairly rich television connections.
The shock jock plays himself in Private Parts. His gang of Robin Quivers, Gary Dell'Abate, Fred Norris, and Jackie Martling also play themselves.
But Private Parts does more than merely take Howard Stern's storybook rise to fame from the page to the silver screen.
The movie features future stars of the small screen.
Mary McCormack plays Alison Stern, the wife of the self-proclaimed King of All Media. She steadfastly supports her husband as he finds his unique broadcasting voice.
In the final years of The West Wing, McCormack played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper.
Currently, she stars in the USA drama In Plain Sight where she plays Deputy US Marshal Mary Shannon. Shannon is responsible for shepherding federal witnesses through the Witness Protection Program in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Allison Janney also shares a West Wing - Private Parts connection.
In Private Parts, she plays Dee Dee, a radio executive.
In The West Wing, she plays Press Secretary extraordinaire C.J. Cregg who later gets promoted to President Bartlet's Chief of Staff.
Kelly Bishop plays Howard Stern's mother in Private Parts.
We also know her as the matriarch on the poignant, successful, and thoughtful mother-daughter drama Gilmore Girls. Bishop played Emily Gilmore -- mother of Lorelai, grandmother of Rory, and wife of Richard.
Film is a director's medium. Private Parts benefits from a television veteran who draws on her experience to create a definite realism in her productions.
Betty Thomas got her big break as Officer (later Sergeant) Lucy Bates on Hill Street Blues, the highly acclaimed 1980's television drama. Thomas directed the HBO tv-movie The Late Shift based on the book of the same title by Bill Carter. The Late Shift recounts the controversy concerning who would ultimately succeed Johnny Carson as host of The Tonight Show. Thomas has also directed other movies with roots in television -- I Spy, The Brady Bunch Movie.
And lastly, Paul Giamatti.
This fine character actor has starred in American Splendor, Sideways, and Cinderella Man.
In March - April 2008, Giamatti starred in the title role of the HBO miniseries John Adams based on the book of the same title by David McCullough. Giamatti won an Emmy for his portrayal of the unsung founding father.
In Private Parts, Giamatti plays Pig Vomit, Howard Stern's corporate nemesis during his days at WNBC-AM radio in New York City. Stern supplied the moniker.
Happy Birthday, Will!
April 23, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Today marks the birthday of one of the world’s greatest writers.
William Shakespeare.
The Bard.
His staying power is impressive to say the least.
38 plays.
154 sonnets.
And more than 400 years of performances, interpretations, and story fodder.
Romeo & Juliet inspired West Side Story.
Hamlet was a focal point of the 1993 movie Renaissance Man. Danny DeVito plays an out-of-work advertising executive who takes a job teaching Army recruits with subpar intelligence. Hamlet ignites their interest, education, and previously unexplored intelligence. Street smarts prove just as valuable in studying Shakespeare as book smarts.
In the Happy Days episode A Star Is Bored, Richie and his friends recruit Fonzie to star in the church’s performance of Hamlet. They need a star attraction to raise money for new uniforms for the church’s baseball team. In a dramatic moment elemental to the early Happy Days episodes, Richie explains to Fonzie the meaning of the line To be or not to be after the latter character inquires. Richie says that Hamlet is contemplating suicide. Fonzie reveals that he’s thought about whether to be or not to be.
The West Wing enjoyed an undercurrent of Shakespeare inspiration. Like the title character in King Lear, President Bartlet has three daughters, encounters deception within his ranks, and balances emotions with his duties as a leader.
Shakespeare gave us dialogue that we still quote today. For example, Julius Caesar dialogue includes:
Et tu, Brutus?
Experience is the teacher of all things.
Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion [beyond reproach].
Shakespeare gave us tragedy, farce, and romance. His themes are universal. His stories are timeless. His characters are unforgettable.
Happy Birthday, Will!
david@davidkrell.com
Today marks the birthday of one of the world’s greatest writers.
William Shakespeare.
The Bard.
His staying power is impressive to say the least.
38 plays.
154 sonnets.
And more than 400 years of performances, interpretations, and story fodder.
Romeo & Juliet inspired West Side Story.
Hamlet was a focal point of the 1993 movie Renaissance Man. Danny DeVito plays an out-of-work advertising executive who takes a job teaching Army recruits with subpar intelligence. Hamlet ignites their interest, education, and previously unexplored intelligence. Street smarts prove just as valuable in studying Shakespeare as book smarts.
In the Happy Days episode A Star Is Bored, Richie and his friends recruit Fonzie to star in the church’s performance of Hamlet. They need a star attraction to raise money for new uniforms for the church’s baseball team. In a dramatic moment elemental to the early Happy Days episodes, Richie explains to Fonzie the meaning of the line To be or not to be after the latter character inquires. Richie says that Hamlet is contemplating suicide. Fonzie reveals that he’s thought about whether to be or not to be.
The West Wing enjoyed an undercurrent of Shakespeare inspiration. Like the title character in King Lear, President Bartlet has three daughters, encounters deception within his ranks, and balances emotions with his duties as a leader.
Shakespeare gave us dialogue that we still quote today. For example, Julius Caesar dialogue includes:
Et tu, Brutus?
Experience is the teacher of all things.
Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion [beyond reproach].
Shakespeare gave us tragedy, farce, and romance. His themes are universal. His stories are timeless. His characters are unforgettable.
Happy Birthday, Will!