May 10
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will and grace season 5 release
Will & Grace is a popular Emmy Award winning and Golden Globe nominated American television sitcom that was originally broadcast from 1998 to 2006. The show focused on Will Trum... More >Will & Grace is a popular Emmy Award winning and Golden Globe nominated American television sitcom that was originally broadcast from 1998 to 2006. The show focused on Will Truman, a gay lawyer and his best friend Grace Adler, a straight Jewish woman who runs her own interior design firm, as well as Karen Walker, a very rich socialite and Jack McFarland, an effeminate gay struggling actor. The show took place in New York City.
5 Movie Stars Who’d Benefit From A Small Screen Transfer
It’s the start of the summer movie season and I’m all set for three months of CGI, spectacle and silliness. I make it my mission to try and see all the big summer blockbusters, and though most are invariably disappointing there’s just something about the movie going experience that never lets me down…
But in this era of $200 million movies, dominated by effects and high concepts (a Battleship movie – come again?) – it seems the role of the ‘movie star’ just isn’t what it used to be. Sure the likes of Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt can all still carry movies – but for a multitude of lesser stars, their names just no longer have the pulling power they used to.
Which is why it’s time for some of today’s big screen talents to cross over to the TV world. Glenn Close did it with the triumphant Damages. 24 was the best thing that ever happened to Kiefer Sutherland’s career. And Laura Linney, Diane Keaton and Kate Winslet are all about to follow suit, in new HBO series. We all know that nowadays the material on offer on TV is hands down better than that of the movies – so what are some of today’s faded stars waiting for…?
Here are 5 well-known big screen talents I think could benefit from a small screen transfer – and some possible projects that could suit their skill sets. Start calling your agents now guys… and I’ll collect my 10% down the line…
1) WINONA RYDER: Back in the late 80’s / early 90’s Winona was one of the biggest stars in the world – hitting it big in movies like Beetlejuice, Dracula, Heathers and Edward Scissorhands. Her romance with Johnny Depp made headlines around the world and she had the pick of projects.
But nowadays Winona has become somewhat of a punch line after that infamous shoplifting arrest years back. And aside from a brief cameo as Spock’s mom in last year’s Star Trek movie we’ve barely seen her at the movies recently. She’s reported to be making a movie with Vince Vaughan and Kevin James – but honestly Winona needs more than one movie to put her back on top. She needs to make audiences fall in love with her again.
Ryder has already dipped her toe in the TV world, appearing in the CBS movie ‘When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story’. But Hallmark style movies are NOT what Winona should be doing these days. She’s better than that. I’d love to see Winona revisit her gothic roots – perhaps playing a mystic or sorcerer in the next season of True Blood. Or how about a kooky and quirky comedy – John Waters meets the small screen perhaps?
2) MEG RYAN: She used to be America’s Sweetheart – but now her cosmetic surgery makes Nicole Kidman’s work look subtle. Meg what were you thinking?
Let’s fact it – Ryan’s big screen career is on life support at the moment – since 1998’s You’ve Got Mail she hasn’t appeared in a single hit movie. So a well -chosen TV role could bring back some much needed heat to a decidedly cold career.
Meg’s already announced a guest-starring role in the next season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but since she’ll be playing herself, I doubt this will be a long-term part. But why not carry on down the comedy route. Ryan could light up Cougar Town for a season as a love rival to Courtney Cox’s Jules. Or why not join Desperate Housewives (a show where botox seems to be a requirement, not a liability) – playing the next mysterious resident of Wisteria Lane. Meg could show off her dramatic and comedic chops – and bring some big screen sizzle to the show.
3) KEANU REEVES: Whoa dude, like what happened? Keanu’s big screen career was hot, hot, hot after Speed and the Matrix movies – but recently – well let’s just say The Day The Earth Stood Still wasn’t exactly a crowd pleaser (and I have to add – Jaden Smith – most annoying kid actor in recent memory?)
Keanu’s been mocked his entire career for his surfer dude persona and lack of dramatic gravitas – but a well chosen TV role on a network like FX could allow Reeves to show hidden depths only hinted at by the movies.
Choosing the right role is key though – more Kiefer Sutherland and less Christian Slater (who’s made the film to TV transition in exactly the wrong way). An FX series would allow Keanu to stay cool – but also continue a film career. So how about an amnesiac struggling to reconnect the pieces of his forgotten past (but without the shrillness of the similar Samantha Who). Or a Lost style fantasy with Keanu in the Matthew Fox / Jack Shephard role. Totally, dude!
4) MICHELLE PFEIFFER: Three years ago in Hairspray, Pfeiffer reminded us of why she was a star in the first place – deliciously tucking into the diva-liciois Amber Von Tussle. In a movie of over the top moments, Michelle was in a league of her own.
But what seemed like a mid-career comeback didn’t yield the parts many of us were hoping. In large part that’s due to the state of Hollywood movies today – where any star over the age of 50 (Pfeiffer is 52) and NOT called Meryl Streep, has a criminally hard time of it.
So come over to TV Michelle – where more mature women are welcomed – and indeed celebrated. Pfeiffer would be terrific as the head of a feuding wealthy family in a Dynasty style soap opera. Or how about going gritty – as a Manhattan socialite suddenly brought down by an ill advised Ponzi scheme and realizing her friends are no longer there for her…
5) JENNIFER LOPEZ: She’s still trying to prove she’s a movie star – but after The Back Up Plan, Jenny from the block’s film career is definitely not so hot. And with her music career also less than stellar – Lopez should definitely start thinking about a Plan B.
Thankfully J. Lo still has a lot of options open to her. As a recognized singer and actress a role on Glee would be an easy transition – but why not anchor her own musical series rather than hitch a ride on an already hit show. How about a comedy about a washed up Vegas entertainer who has to try her hand at a less glamorous side of the industry? Or a Fame like series with Lopez as the head of a gritty performing arts school (think of it as Glee without the twee)
Jennifer has dipped her foot in the TV pool before – memorably appearing in 3 episodes of Will and Grace, and a recent How I Met Your Mother. She’d be a great star to build a sitcom around. And let’s not forget that Jennifer was pretty terrific in Out of Sight many years back – so could always anchor a police or FBI series (but please let’s have a big twist – I can’t bear another by the book procedural). Sounds a lot better than The Back Up Plan 2 doesn’t it?
So those are my thoughts on 5 movie stars from yesteryear – but what do you think? Do you agree with my choices – and who else do you think should make the leap from big to small screens – and what should they do… Looking forward to hearing your suggestions!
