John Adams

John Adams - HBO
a kate west review
















John Adams, one of our early founding fathers, is now back in vogue. HBO brings us his story (based on David McCullough's Pulitzer prize novel) in a seven-part mini series.

The versatile Paul Giamatti plays a very real and human John Adams, with a burning vision of uniting the former British colonies into a United States of America. Laura Linney is his loyal wife Abagail, supporting and advising him throughout all of his different stages of life. It is remarkable to watch this touching relationship play out just like any modern couple.

And of course the history is fascinating as well. We first get to know Adams as he defends some British soldiers in an unjust trial and then through his direct involvement in the birth of our fine nation. This includes making the great journey abroad to the Old World to plead assistance from France and Denmark, in spite of the impact on his family life. He then returns, adamant as always to principle, in spite of failing popularity.

The casting is great, all fine actors, and many of them done up to look like the historical characters they portray, complete with the bad teeth and powdered wigs. It's filmed with natural-looking light too, with an addicting original and classical soundtrack. Fans of the book are well pleased with this cinematic rendition and for those of us who haven't read the book yet, it's a good insight into what it might really have been like for these complicated and dimensional revolutionaries.

	Screenplay: Kirk Ellis Book: David McCullough
	Directed by Tom Hooper
	Produced by Tom Hanks David Coatsworth Kirk Ellis Gary Goetzman
	Starring Paul Giamatti - John Adams Laura Linney - Abigail Adams Mamie Gummer - Sally Adams David Morse - George Washington Clancy O'Connor - Edward Rutledge Sarah Polley - Abigail 'Nabby' Adams Rufus Sewell - Alexander Hamilton Justin Theroux - John Hancock Tom Wilkinson - Benjamin Franklin Danny Huston - Samuel Adams Stephen Dillane - Thomas Jefferson Zeljko Ivanek - John Dickinson Guy Henry - Jonathan Sewall Tom Hollander - King George III

If you enjoyed this, a recommended beautiful period piece is Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon".
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072684

Read the book:
John Adams Read more!

Legally Blonde The Musical

Legally Blonde The Musical
a kate west review
directed/choreographed by Jerry Mitchell
(Beth McCarthy Miller - Television)
music/lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin
book by Heather Hach; novel by Amanda Brown & MGM
MTV Broadcast at the Palace Theatre
1564 Broadway, New York, NY
contact 212-307-4100 or 800-755-4000
www.legallyblondethemusical.com

How often do you get a sneak peek at a currently running Broadway show? MTV offered viewers that very chance this weekend by broadcasting the full length "Legally Blonde The Musical" straight from the New York stage. It's a pretty cute show for free, considering top running Broadway shows can run you about a hundred bucks easy.

The show follows the Reese Witherspoon movie hit fairly closely, with Laura Bell Bundy in the lead as Elle Woods, the Malibu barbie doll who gets accepted into Harvard Law School, surprising everyone, even herself. She's there chasing her ex-finance Warner Huntington III (Richard H. Blake) who dumped her for being blonde ("Serious"). With the support of her faithful sorority sisters ("Omigod You Guys", "What You Want"), she decides to get serious and apply herself, completely trading coasts and attitudes. Challenges abound, including impressing the tough Professor Callahan (Michael Rupert) by managing to get into his exclusive intern program. The ultimate discovery is a profound belief in herself, of course, resulting in forgetting about her snobby ivy league ex, taking up with a new lawyer hottie, Emmett Forrest (Christian Borle) and finally earning the respect of her peers, even becoming class valedictorian. She even defies her Professor when he proves to be fallible. An inspiration to little blondes everywhere.

Bundy and Borle make a cute couple and have some nice numbers together ("Chip On My Shoulder", "Take It Like A Man" and "Legally Blonde"). Fun standouts include Elle's spacey hairdresser (Orfeh) who makes the part her own, in spite of the popularity of Jennifer Coolidge's crazy fun movie character. With Elle's help, she lands her sexy UPS man, Kyle (real life husband Andy Karl) and recovers her beloved bulldog Rufus from her evil ex boyfriend. Elle is highly sympathetic as she has her own beloved Bruiser, a stylish chihuahua, and dog loving romantics have to stick together. Completing the feminine circle of strength is the spunky Greek chorus, comprised of the Delta Nu sisters (the energetic trio of Annaleigh Ashford, Asmeret Ghebromichael and Tracy Jai Edwards) who appear occasionally to give Elle some helpful advice. Elle also meets a tired stereotypical Birkenstock lesbian Enid (the solid Natalie Joy Johnson) at Harvard.

Devoted fans of the movie will also notice certain deviations, such as some brilliant ideas coming from the man, Emmett, rather than Elle herself, or a bizarre courtroom scene where the Judge (Amber Efé ) orders everyone to the bathroom crime scene in order to rat out a suspicious hair perm, following the outing of the gay pool boy Nikos played by Manual Herrera ("There! Right There!"). Elle prevails in the end, and exonerates her fitness idol Brooke Wyndham (Nikki Snelson), on trial for allegedly killing her millionaire husband. Thank God for Greek sisterhood. The first act is stronger than the second act, which seems to get a little off track, especially in those odd moments.

Director Jerry Mitchell does a fine job choreographing the group numbers, especially Elle's Harvard "essay", a brassy drum majorette number ("The Harvard Variations"). David Rockwell's set designs are pink, colorful fun, as are Gregg Barnes' Malibu-inspired preppy costumes. Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin provide a punchy musical score, but it doesn't really stick in your head.

The overall show is harmless frothy fluff, cute if you like that sort of thing. Fun eye candy for free, but a bit of a steep price, unless your teenage daughter won't speak to you otherwise. Judging from the MTV audience, it's a hit with the young crowd, so you might want to brush up on your teen speak, or just send the babysitter. Or you can stay home and rent the movie again with some microwave popcorn. Oh, and special kudos to animal wrangler William Berloni - those dogs are adorable.

The Soundtrack:
Legally Blonde (2007 Original Broadway Cast)

The Movie:
Legally Blonde Read more!

Dexter

Dexter
a kate west favorite
Warning - Spoiler Alert!





Michael C. Hall has migrated from HBO to Showtime for a show wildly different from the family angst driven "Six Feet Under". In it's second season, the hit show "Dexter" still captivates audiences with it's intriguing glimpse into the mind of a serial killer. With such an innocuous name like Dexter, who would have thought that behind that angelic smile lurks the heart of a mad man.

Hall plays the unlikely anti-hero, who only murders murderers. Raised by foster parents after watching his mother torn apart by a chain saw, Dexter realized early on that he was very different from other little boys. His foster father tells him to direct his dark leanings toward bad men and to always say the opposite of what he actually wants to say, in order to pass undetected through society's radar. This works well, until the second season when the police find the remains of Dexter's victims dumped in the bay.

The fun part of the show is that Dexter works with his foster sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) for the Miami Police Department. He's the blood specialist, a medium in which he obviously excels. Erik King plays Sergeant Doakes, the suspicious police officer who swears there is something off about Dexter. All outward appearances are normal, however, even to the extent of Dexter having a girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz). Secretly though, he does things like kill off the elusive Ice Truck Killer, who just happens to be his real brother Rudy (Christian Camargo). Life's a bitch, sometimes.

It's a testament to Hall that although his character is a cold-blooded killer, we still have sympathy for him and don't want him to get caught. During "Six Feet Under" we never thought of him other than the sweet, gay funeral director son who just wants everyone to get along. Now he fully owns the character of the ultimate outsider, alienated from human feeling. The writing is strong, much of the dark story taken from the Jeff Lindsay novel (see below). Great stuff. But it's mostly Hall we keep tuning in to watch. Will Dexter be found out? Stay tuned.

Created by	James Manos, Jr.
	Starring Michael C. Hall Julie Benz Jennifer Carpenter Erik King Jaime Murray Lauren Vélez David Zayas James Remar C.S. Lee Devon Graye Dominic Janes Christian Camargo

The Series:
Dexter - The First Season

Where We Know Michael From:
Six Feet Under - The Complete First Two Seasons (2-Pack)

The Book:
Darkly Dreaming Dexter Read more!

Rescue Me

Rescue Me - FX channel
a kate west favorite









In it's fourth season, "Rescue Me" is still as hot as ever. Hot firefighters, hot action and hot dialogue.

Executive Producer, writer and star Denis Leary (pictured above) has created an intriguing look at tough men who live and play hard. His character, Tommy Gavin, is multi-dimensional, talks to dead people and tries to rise above his nature. As do they all. Facing death every other day, these volatile firefighters are in turn crude, offensive, charming, vulnerable and very real. The relationships are basic and everyone is deeply flawed. That's what makes it so fun to watch. Stereotypes are encouraged and often turned inside out until you come to understand the desensitization these guys are subject to. Fire purifies, annihilates, destroys and renews and no one understands that better than these brave men. Noble in battle, they are infuriatingly impossible in daily life. A great contrast. (The intervention scenes are fun family fodder.)

Kudos to Leary for daring to be edgy and for taking such a personal and active creative role. And this season's finale is a killer too, complete with a divine baseball scene. Ah!


Series Directed by
Jace Alexander (17 episodes, 2004-2007)
John Fortenberry (11 episodes, 2004-2006)
Peter Tolan (10 episodes, 2004-2007)
Ken Girotti (4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Adam Bernstein (2 episodes, 2004)
Jefery Levy (2 episodes, 2005)
Don Scardino (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Writing credits
Denis Leary (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Peter Tolan (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Evan T. Reilly (11 episodes, 2005-2007)
John Scurti (3 episodes, 2004-2006)
Salvatore Stabile (2 episodes, 2004)
Mike Martineau (2 episodes, 2005-2007)

Series Cast

Denis Leary ... Tommy Gavin (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Mike Lombardi ... Mike Silletti (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Steven Pasqual ... Sean Garrity (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Andrea Roth ... Janet Gavin (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Daniel Sunjata ... Franco Rivera (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
John Scurti ... Kenny Shea (48 episodes, 2004-2007)
Callie Thorne ... Sheila Keefe (45 episodes, 2004-2007)
Jack McGee ... Chief Jerry Reilly (44 episodes, 2004-2007)
James McCaffrey ... Jimmy Keefe (40 episodes, 2004-2007)
Natalie Distler ... Colleen Gavin (29 episodes, 2004-2007)
Tatum O'Neal ... Maggie (24 episodes, 2005-2007)
Dean Winters ... Johnny Gavin (23 episodes, 2004-2007)
Charles Durning ... Tommy's Dad (21 episodes, 2004-2006)
Trevor Heins ... Connor Gavin (21 episodes, 2004-2006)
Lenny Clarke ... Uncle Teddy (20 episodes, 2004-2007)
Olivia Crocicchia ... Katy Gavin (20 episodes, 2004-2007)
Diane Farr ... Laura Miles (19 episodes, 2004-2005)
Robert John Burke ... Father Mickey Gavin (19 episodes, 2004-2007)
Peggy Scott ... Jeannie / ... (14 episodes, 2004-2006)
Michael Zegen ... Damien / ... (13 episodes, 2004-2006)
Michael Mulheren ... Chief Perolli (13 episodes, 2004-2006)
Ed Sullivan ... Billy Warren / ... (11 episodes, 2004-2006)
Cailin Stollar ... Keela (11 episodes, 2004-2006)
Sherri Saum ... Natalie (11 episodes, 2006-2007)
Milena Govich ... Candy (8 episodes, 2005-2006)
Anthony Mangano ... Bobby Vincent / ... (8 episodes, 2004-2007)
Bernardo De Paula ... Jesus / ... (8 episodes, 2005)


Rescue Me - The Complete First Season Read more!

The Sopranos

The Sopranos - HBO
a kate west recommendation







In six seasons, Tony Soprano captured the imaginations and even the hearts of HBO (Home Box Office Cable television) viewers. He's a villain, an unscrupulous mafia boss, who orders the execution of anyone getting in the way of his business, including extended family members. It is a credit to the writers that he is made sympathetic and that we all root for him, in spite of that unseemly dark side. Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather" saga revolutionized the depiction of La Cosa Nostra* in film and, in a much less grand scale, "The Sopranos" does it in television, bringing everyday modern mob life right to your living room.

The Sopranos are a normal suburban well-off American family to all outward appearances. They just happen to have their basement bugged by the F.B.I. and most of their photos posted up in police headquarters. Tony (James Gandolfini), his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and their two kids, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and Anthony Jr. (Robert Iler) live, love, shop and eat all in the utopia of New Jersey. Right from the now well-known opening credits of Tony driving in from Manhattan with his big fat cigar to the tune of A3's "Woke Up This Morning", we get to know each of them intimately, especially Tony. For one thing, he's in therapy with Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) working through his emotions until she finally catches on that a sociopath will never live a real human life. Then there's his dealings with his family, from constantly cheating on his wife to trying to understand his troubled son. Not to mention his whole motely crew, doing his bidding, while sometimes covertly plotting against him. Is there honor among thieves?

The full experience can only come from watching the entire series. And in that amount of time, anyone you encounter may be capable of the most heinous acts - mothers, uncles, friends and fiances, alike. Please note - great characters abound, but don't get too attached, as they might not have the longest shelf life. Also, fans complained loudly about the series finale, but creator David Chase likes to keep it real, so, in ambiguity, he allows his characters a little life beyond. Theirs is not a tidy world.

Series Directed by
Timothy Van Patten		(20 episodes, 1999-2007)
John Patterson		(13 episodes, 1999-2004)
Allen Coulter		(12 episodes, 1999-2004)
Alan Taylor		(9 episodes, 1999-2007)
Henry Bronchtein		(4 episodes, 1999-2002)
Jack Bender		(4 episodes, 2001-2006)
Steve Buscemi		(4 episodes, 2001-2006)
Daniel Attias		(3 episodes, 1999-2002)
David Chase		(2 episodes, 1999-2007)

Series Writing credits
David Chase		(86 episodes, 1999-2007)
Terence Winter		(25 episodes, 2000-2007)
Mitchell Burgess		(22 episodes, 1999-2006)
Robin Green		(22 episodes, 1999-2006)
Matthew Weiner		(12 episodes, 2004-2007)
Frank Renzulli		(9 episodes, 1999-2001)
Michael Imperioli		(5 episodes, 2000-2004)
Todd A. Kessler		(4 episodes, 2000-2001)
Diane Frolov		(4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Andrew Schneider		(4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Jason Cahill		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lawrence Konner		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)

Cast:
James Gandolfini: Anthony Soprano
Lorraine Bracco: Dr. Jennifer Melfi
Edie Falco: Carmela Soprano
Michael Imperioli: Christopher Moltisanti
Nancy Marchand: Livia Soprano
Jamie-Lynn Sigler: Meadow Soprano
Dominic Chianese: Corrado `Uncle Junior' Soprano
Robert Iler: Anthony Soprano Jr.
Steven Van Zandt: Silvio Dante
Tony Sirico: Paulie `Walnuts' Gualtieri
John Ventimiglia: Artie Bucco
Vincent Curatola: Johnny `Johnny Sack' Sacramoni
Vincent Pastore: Salvatore `Big Pussy' Bonpensiero
Drea de Matteo: Adriana La Cerva
Joseph Badalucco Jr.: Jimmy Altieri
Aida Turturro: Janice Soprano
David Proval: Richie Aprile
Steven R. Schirripa: Bobby `Bacala' Baccalieri
Robert Patrick: David Scatino
Federico Castelluccio: Furio Giunta
Joe Pantoliano: Ralph Cifaretto
Steve Buscemi: Tony Blundetto
Robert Loggia: Michele `Feech' La Manna
Joe Gannascoli: Vito Spatafore
Jerry Adler: Herman `Hesh' Rabkin
Frank Vincent: Phil Leotardo
Julianna Margulies: Julianna Skiff
Sharon Angela: Rosalie Aprile
Kathrine Narducci: Charmaine Bucco
Maureen Van Zandt: Gabriella Dante
Max Casella: Benny Fazio
Tony Lip: Carmine Lupertazzi
Ray Abruzzo: Little Carmine Lupertazzi
Dan Grimaldi: Patsy Parisi
Peter Bogdanovich: Dr. Elliot Kupferberg



*The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a notorious Italian criminal secret society which first developed in the mid-19th century in Sicily. In North America, the Mafia often refers to Italian organized crime in general, rather than just traditional Sicilian organized crime.

The Original Classic Influence (and a Kate West Favorite):
The Godfather DVD Collection (The Godfather/ The Godfather - Part II/ The Godfather - Part III)


Sopranos First Season:

The Sopranos: The Complete First Season Read more!

The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone -
USA Network Television






Anthony Michael Hall is Johnny Smith (pictured above), a psychic who awoke from a deep coma with abilities he never had before. Based on the Stephen King novel, "The Dead Zone" is in its sixth season. The basic story is the same: Johnny helps people by predicting and averting their dire futures. And he's better than a police lie detector at reading people's past alibis too, so he's pretty helpful to Sheriff Walt Bannerman (Chris Bruno), at least in the first few seasons.

Hall is likeable and strong as Smith, finally shedding his earlier adolescent typecasting (remember "Sixteen Candles" and "Weird Science"? And then remember him buffing up for "Edward Scissorhands"? Please don't say you're too young!) Unfortunately though, the overall show is a little boring. The dialogue gets too maudlin sometimes and it just doesn't grab the attention the way the original book does. To be fair, the novel is one straight story and the series has to stretch out several episodes in several seasons. Still, the writers don't quite make it interesting enough, in spite of placing Johnny and gang in different and sometimes dangerous situations every week.

So you're not really missing much, although it's not terrible. It's more of a show you'll watch if it's on, but will be fine if it gets preempted for some reason.

Directors:
Jon Cassar
James A. Contner

Writers:
Joel Metzger (writer)
Katie Wech (staff writer) (2007)

Primary Cast:
Anthony Michael Hall ... Johnny Smith (75 episodes, 2002-2007)
Chris Bruno ... Sheriff Walt Bannerman (58 episodes, 2002-2007)
John L. Adams ... Bruce Lewis (53 episodes, 2002-2007)
Nicole de Boer ... Sarah Bracknell Bannerman (50 episodes, 2002-2007)
David Ogden Stiers ... Rev. Gene Purdy (37 episodes, 2002-2007)
Bill Mondy ... Deputy Roscoe (31 episodes, 2002-2006)


Read the original Stephen King book:
The Dead Zone (Signet) Read more!

Pysch

Psych - USA Network 

2020-21 Update: Well it looks like I might have to walk back some of what I said. Maybe even most of it. The pandemic and shelter-in-place changed all of our perspectives and our tastes. And this show seemed to fulfill a need for some mindless lightheartedness. But even that wouldn't have been enough without the delightful chemistry between the two leads. That friendship makes the show and helped me stay positive. So I binged. Go figure! #SorryNotSorry OK fine, I completely apologize. This was the exactly what I needed. Who knew? (Also now I'm in love with Timothy Omundson).

=========================================

Original Post:

I hate this show. Shawn Spencer (James Roday, pictured middle above), the pretend psychic, is obnoxiously cocky and every episode is the same exact scenario but with a different crime setting, kind of like a recurring Saturday Night Live character who does the same shtick but against different backgrounds. I just can't believe the other characters buy his act and I can't believe the viewers don't get tired of it. But then again, I detest arrogant smart-aleck men. Spencer was trained as an expert observer by his cop father, Henry Spencer (Corbin Bernsen, pictured above left). The oh-so-sly "wax-on-wax-off" wisdom passed down from father to son show up in flashbacks such as little Shawn wanting the toy prize in a box of cereal, but sadly resigning himself to eat the whole darn box. Lo and behold, the father flips the box upside down and now the prize is on top. That makes him smarter than the poor real-life cops Spencer tortures? Apparently it qualifies him to pretend to be a psychic private investigator, but he really just pays attention to obvious clues, like unbuttoned shirts or what have you, that anyone with two eyes can plainly see. Except for the bumbling police, that is. Tedious. Dulé Hill (pictured above right) plays Spencer's weary, stereotypically comic-relief partner Gus, who keeps saying this is the last time he'll put up with their extreme antics, but you know it's not true. They've got a show to sell. Just not to me. Great shows get axed ("Arrested Development"), but this one gets to stay. I even strongly prefer the universally panned "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", also nixed. Boo. Actors: James Roday - Shawn Spencer (21 episodes, 2006-2007) Dulé Hill ... Burton 'Gus' Guster Timothy Omundson ... Carlton Lassiter Corbin Bernsen ... Henry Spencer Maggie Lawson ... Juliet O'Hara Kirsten Nelson ... Karen Vick Liam James ... Young Shawn Sage Brocklebank ... Buzz McNab Directors: Mel Damski (3 episodes, 2006-2007) Michael Zinberg (3 episodes, 2006-2007) John Landis (2 episodes, 2007) Tim Matheson (2 episodes, 2007) Writers: Steve Franks (21 episodes, 2006-2007) Andy Berman (5 episodes, 2006-2007) Kerry Lenhart (2 episodes, 2006-2007) Anupam Nigam (2 episodes, 2006-2007) John J. Sakmar (2 episodes, 2006-2007) Douglas Steinberg (2 episodes, 2006-2007) James Roday (2 episodes, 2007) Classic SNL: Saturday Night Live - The Complete First Season

Read more!

Monk

Monk - USA Network





"Monk" is in its sixth and possibly weaker season, but Tony Shalhoub is still amazing as the multi-neurotic former Detective Adrian Monk. Never having recovered from his wife's murder, Monk lives in isolated fear of everything, venturing forth to brilliantly solve every crime and inspiring loyalty among his peeps, even while driving them all crazy.

Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) is Monk's current and very patient assistant ever since his previous employee, Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram from "There's-no-crying-in-baseball 'A League of Their Own'"), supposedly quit and moved away, though in real life there were rumors of a contract dispute. Ted Levine finally sheds his creepy serial killer from "Silence of the Lambs" as Captain Leland Stottlemeyer, Monk's loyal friend and supervisor and a man of integrity and dignity. His assistant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) is less dignified and often the bumbling comic relief. John Tuturro is Monk's brother Adrian, and is even more reclusive and odd than Adrian himself. Monk's father Jack (Dan Hedaya) even makes an appearance to bond briefly with his son in an especially touching episode. Of special note is guest star Tim Bagley as Harold Krenshaw, Monk's rival and nemesis as fellow neurosis patient. A delightful comedian from the famous Groundlings troupe and years on "Will and Grace", his facial expressions enhance all of his scenes with Shalhoub. Then there's Monk's quietly steadfast therapist Dr. Kroger (Stanley Kamel). It's a great cast overall.

Monk is an intriguing character and well worth watching. Hopefully, season seven will step up the pace a bit (the writers do seem a bit tired and less sharp this time around). Sometimes the murderer is painfully clear and you can see what's coming a mile away. But the show is not so much plot based as it is more character based. Shalhoub gives us a fresh look at dysfunction and while the show is mostly a comedy, his performance is still dimensional enough to make him quite vulnerably human and that's why we keep tuning in.


Created by:
Andy Breckman

Cast:
Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) Former police detective
Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard) Assistant to Adrian Monk
Julie Teeger (Emmy Clarke) Student, daughter of Natalie Teeger
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine) SFPD Police captain
Lieutenant Randy Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) SFPD Police lieutenant
Dr. Charles Kroger (Stanley Kamel) Adrian Monk's psychiatrist
Sharona Fleming (Bitty Schram) Former Assistant to Adrian Monk
Ambrose Monk (John Tuturro) Brother to Adrian Monk
Jack Monk (Dan Hedaya) Father to Adrian and Ambrose Monk

Series Directed by:
Randall Zisk (23 episodes, 2002-2007)
Jerry Levine (11 episodes, 2003-2006)
Andre Belgrader (6 episodes, 2004-2007)
Anthony R. Palmieri (3 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ron Underwood (2 episodes, 2003)
Stephen Surjik (2 episodes, 2006)
Wendey Stanzler (2 episodes, 2007)
Michael W. Watkins (2 episodes, 2007)
Adam Arkin (1 episode, 2002)
Jefery Levy (1 episode, 2006)

Writing Credits:
Andy Breckman (30 episodes, 2002-2007)
Daniel Dratch (10 episodes, 2003-2006)
Joe Toplyn (6 episodes, 2004-2007)
David Breckman (4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Tom Scharpling (4 episodes, 2006)
Lee Goldberg (3 episodes, 2003-2006)
Daniel Gaeta (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
Peter Wolk (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
Nell Scovell (2 episodes, 2005)
Jonathan Collier (2 episodes, 2006-2007)
Jack Bernstein (2 episodes, 2006)
Hy Conrad (2 episodes, 2006)
Michael Angeli (1 episode, 2003)
William Rabkin (1 episode, 2006)

The First One:
Monk - Season One Read more!

The Riches

The Riches - FX
a kate west favorite






This is a perplexingly overlooked show. "The Riches" deserves much more accolades, not only because it stars comedic genius Eddie Izzard (Executive Producer of the show and pictured above), but also because the rest of the cast, as well as the writing, is surprisingly good. The surprise comes in the form of a deceptively seemingly goofy premise actually turning into a show of drama and depth, not that it's surprising that any of these fine actors are fantastic.

Wayne (Izzard) and Dahlia (Minnie Driver) Malloy are bonafide Gypsies. After picking up Dahlia from her completed stint in jail, the family decides to skip town and get away from the poverty and prejudice of their extended Gypsy family. Absconding with family inheritance, they accidentally stumble across a dead couple in a car wreck (for details, watch the pilot) and take over their identities, becoming Doug and Charien Rich. Cael, Di Di and Sam (Shannon Woodward, Noel Fisher and Aidan Mitchell) are their wily children along for the ride, who also turn into Buffers (Gypsy term for normal suburbanites like us) in their ultimate grifter escapade. Will they pull it off? And for how long?

Wayne, or rather Doug Rich now, must convince new boss Hugh Panetta (Gregg Henry) that he is a lawyer capable of working for his big firm. They all need to learn how to fit into their new rich neighborhood and figure out how to "live on the grid". That proves challenging, not the least of which is because of idiosyncrasies like little Sam dressing as a girl. They may just be up the task, what with Dahlia making friends and fending off real Doug Rich contacts. However, their own past catches up with them when Dale (Todd Stashwick) tracks them down and threatens to expose them.

The cast is superb, especially Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver in many emotionally poignant moments, and the writing intriguing. It is much more than meets the eye and only the second season will tell if they get to keep their new life. It is well worth finding out. And if you're not yet familiar with Izzard's stand up routines, please do check him out. His esoteric brilliance and yes, confessions of being a trend-setting transvestite, are hysterical. He's what we call smart-funny.


Created by:
Dmitry Lipkin

Directors:
Peter O'Fallon (4 episodes, 2007)
Brian Kirk (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Writers:
Dmitry Lipkin (13 episodes, 2007)
Aaron Blitzstein (12 episodes, 2007)
Dawn Prestwich (4 episodes, 2007)
Nicole Yorkin (4 episodes, 2007)
Ellen Herman (3 episodes, 2007)
Lydia Woodward (2 episodes, 2007)

Starring:
Eddie Izzard
Minnie Driver
Shannon Woodward
Noel Fisher
Aidan Mitchell
Todd Stashwick
Gregg Henry
Margo Martindale


Eddie's "Dress to Kill"
Dress to Kill Read more!

Barefoot Contessa

Barefoot Contessa - Food Network
a kate west favorite



It's not the 1954 movie with Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. Food Gourmet Goddess Ina Garten is the new Barefoot Contessa, with her own cooking show on the Food Network since 2002. You can't visit her yummy Hampton store anymore (it's closed, alas), but you can still catch her entertaining and delightful show.

With an open and warm style she offers easy, non-intimidating recipes, croons over her adorable husband Jeffrey and tells us tales of her many adventures in France. She's pretty much an icon in the culinary world and her many books have sold wordwide. Tune in before your special dinner party.

www.barefootcontessa.com

At Home:
Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again

MORE Magazine: www.more.com Read more!

The Closer

The Closer - TNT Network
a kate west favorite




Krya Sedgwick is more than remarkable in this acclaimed television show about Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson who transfers from Atlanta, Georgia to a whole different world of crime in Los Angeles, California. Three seasons worth of investigative work have endeared her to audiences everywhere. She has the accent down perfectly and the subtle characterization is amazing. It is quite heartening to see an "older" (Hollywood older, not real people older) in such a gratifying role. She won the 20007 Golden Globe award for best actress and deserved ten more. Lord, what a dream come true for a working actor. The rest of the cast comprising her crew is wonderful as well.

Each week another crime is solved by Johnson's finesse at cornering her suspects into admitting the truth. She's brilliant at what she does, which makes her all the more human in her vulnerable moments outside the interrogation room. She has a rabid sweet tooth and hides all sorts of chocolate goodies in her desk drawers and purses, forever tempted into sin by the stresses of her job. She works with her ex (J.K. Simmons, Assistant Chief Pope), and is engaged to an F.B.I. agent (Jon Tenney as Fritz Howard) who loves both her strength and her neurosis, lucky, lucky her. In one recent episode, she puts off a visit to her doctor, assuming she's having a pregnancy scare, only to find her brave front is big, fat, facade when they discover she's actually going through early menopause. Her despairing cry that she will now get "all old and wrinkly" is hysterical.

The show was created by James Duff and the Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television. Check it out.


Series Directed by
Michael M. Robin (10 episodes, 2005-2007)
Arvin Brown (5 episodes, 2005-2007)
Elodie Keene (4 episodes, 2005-2007)
Rick Wallace (4 episodes, 2005-2007)
Gloria Muzio (3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kevin Bacon (2 episodes, 2006-2007)

Series Writing credits
James Duff (35 episodes, 2005-2007)
Hunt Baldwin (8 episodes, 2005-2007)
John Coveny (8 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ken Martin (7 episodes, 2007)
Wendy West (6 episodes, 2005-2006)
Mike Berchem (6 episodes, 2006-2007)
Adam Belanoff (4 episodes, 2006-2007)
Steven Kane (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
Rick Kellard (2 episodes, 2005)
Roger Wolfson (2 episodes, 2005)
Nancy Miller (1 episode, 2005)

Cast:
Kyra Sedgwick ... Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
J.K. Simmons ... Asst. Police Chief Will Pope / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Corey Reynolds ... Sgt. David Gabriel (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Robert Gossett ... Commander Taylor / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
G.W. Bailey ... Det. Lt. Provenza (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jon Tenney ... Agent Fritz Howard / ... (37 episodes, 2005-2007)
Anthony John Denison ... Det. Andy Flynn / ... (35 episodes, 2005-2007)
Michael Paul Chan ... Detective Mike Tao / ... (34 episodes, 2005-2007)
Phillip P. Keene ... Buzz / ... (34 episodes, 2005-2007)
Raymond Cruz ... Detective Sanchez / ... (33 episodes, 2005-2007)
Gina Ravera ... Detective Daniels


To Catch Up:
The Closer - The Complete First Season

Speaking of older women, check out the trendy over-40 magazine MORE at www.more.com. Read more!

The 4400

The 4400
USA Network Television
www.usanetwork.com/series/
the4400
a kate west favorite









Now in its fourth season, USA's prominent sci-fi show, "The 4400", is still a cool idea. 4400 people were abducted by aliens and inexplicably returned to earth. They were all frozen in their respective time periods, so as a result did not age until they came back and their eras of origin range from different decades in the 1900's through the present.

The Department of Homeland Security makes an ominous appearance, in the form of The National Threat Assessment Command (NTAC). Tom Baldwin and Diana Skouris (Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie, pictured above) are the main NTAC agents who keep track of the displaced 4400. They're supposed to be the bad guys, but are often torn in their compassion towards the returned Earthlings. The main reason they need to be so bureaucratic is due to the uncanny and amazing new abilities every 4400 seems to have developed. And that could well prove a national security risk. Diana actually adopts one of them, Maia (Conchita Campbell), who can foresee the future. Granted, some of the 4400 do go bad and that's why nothing is ever completely black and white, but things are more grey, or rather alien green, much like the Promicin injections that render regular non-abductees into superior beings. Every 4400 produces a fifth neurotransmitter called Promicin that enables him or her to use parts of his/her cerebellum that no human has used before and this has been cleverly distilled into a drug to use on the rest of us.

Adding to the difficulties is the emergence of a 4400 Messiah, Jordan Collier (Billy Campbell). He dies, is resurrected and comes back wanting the whole world to take Promicin so that everyone can experience 4400 abilities. Unfortunately, some civilians have bad reactions and end up dead. Tom and Diana can barely keep up with each new case. That, and Isabel Tyler, (Megalyn Echiunwoke) is a scary new kind of post- 4400 with destructive powers bent on thwarting both sides of the war. It all escalates throughout the seasons until surprising developments come to pass. Shawn Farrell's (Patrick Flueger) gift of healing is cool, as is Richard Tyler's (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali) telekinesis.

Season One and Two are the strongest so far, but for sci-fi nerds, it's still an intriguing show. This show works better than the wildly popular "Heroes" in that there is certain logic in the supernatural origins of its characters. We know why they are the way they are - they were made special by aliens.

The show was created and written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria and is set in Seattle (filmed in Vancouver). The opening credits explain the show pefectly and one of the few you might not want to fast forward through. The catchy theme song is "A Place in Time", written by Robert Phillips and Tim Paruskewitz, and performed by Amanda Abizaid. You won't be able to get it out of your head.


Tom Baldwin — Joel Gretsch
Diana Skouris — Jacqueline McKenzie
Richard Tyler — Mahershalalhashbaz Ali
Lily Moore Tyler — Laura Allen
Shawn Farrell — Patrick Flueger
Nikki Hudson — Brooke Nevin
Isabelle Tyler — Megalyn Echikunwoke
Danny Farrell — Kaj-Erik Eriksen
Maia Skouris — Conchita Campbell
Kyle Baldwin — Chad Faust
Nina Jarvis — Samantha Ferris
Alana Mareva — Karina Lombard
Dennis Ryland — Peter Coyote
Jordan Collier — Billy Campbell
Meghan Doyle — Jenni Baird
April Skouris — Natasha Gregson Wagner
Kevin Burkhoff — Jeffrey Combs
Matthew Ross — Garret Dillahunt
Marco Pacella — Richard Kahan
Tess Doerner — Summer Glau
Cassie Dunleavy — Tristen Leffler


The 4400 - The Complete First Season Read more!

AB FAB

Absolutely Fabulous
a kate west favorite






Jennifer Saunders, (of "French and Saunders" with Dawn French), and Joanna Lumley are Edina and Patsy, the ever-wasted exotically stylish duo of the British sit-com "Absolutely Fabulous". Hilariously wicked, these two saunter through life, wreaking havoc among friends and neighbors, especially with Eddie's perpetually mortified daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha). Swigging vodka and chain smoking their little hearts out, no topic is too PC.

We love them for their extremely outrageous behavior and Director Bob Spiers gives them ample creativity. Saunders' cohort in comedic crime, Dawn French, also has a creative hand in the writing, all of which is fantastically brilliant, as the Brits like to say. Jane Horrocks as the bewildered and baffled personal assistant Bubbles is as zany and talented as all the rest.

The precursor to New York's "Sex and the City", this is the show where the ladies really let it all hang out. So don't be afraid, tune in, and learn how to be absolutely fabulous.


Created by
Jennifer Saunders

Starring
Jennifer Saunders
Joanna Lumley
Julia Sawalha
June Whitfield
Jane Horrocks

Opening theme
"This Wheel's on Fire" by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko


Catching Up:
Absolutely Fabulous - Complete Series 1-3

MORE Magazine: www.more.com Read more!

TIVO (and Netflix)

a kate west reflection







TIVO is a wonderful technological gift. A gift and a curse. On the one hand, it gets rid of all those pesky commercials you'll never have to watch again, but on the other, it's extremely addictive. I thought I would end up spending less time in front of the t.v. but now I actually end up spending more, because you can watch a recorded program while you're taping another and then watch that one after. It never ends. And since my genes are prone to addiction, this is exactly the kind of modern escapism I would indeed succumb to.

For those cave dwellers amongst you, TIVO is a DVR system you hook up to your cable box allowing you to record programs which you can fast forward through later. It's a fun toy for sure. But are we now becoming even more disconnected, especially car dwelling Angelenos? Especially for certain people (who, me?) who subscribe to cable, TIVO and Netflix (a brilliant mail-in DVD rental program). Who ever needs to leave the house then?

Remember reading? Sigh. And we wonder why I'm still single ....

Change your life too!
www.tivo.com
www.netflix.com Read more!

Sex and the City

Sex and the City
a kate west favorite





From 1998 to 2004, American women everywhere were riveted to HBO's bold new ultra feminine series, "Sex and the City". Sexy Manolo Blahnik heels and cosmopolitans abound in this sensually fulfilling indulgence (better than a box of chocolates and a night of "Desperate Housewives"). American style indulgence, of course. We all know Europeans are more sophisticated. But then again, this is New York, our most suave city, so maybe we do have a leg up after all, so to speak. And we want to believe in the magic that helps those girls walk the Big Apple in those impossible shoes.

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) writes a column on sex and relationships. Her three friends are as single as she is and have apparently extravagant career and lifestyles enabling them to live in fabulous New York apartments. Miranda, the lawyer (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte, the graceful housewife (Kristin Davis), and Samantha, the sexy PR lady (Kim Cattrall). They all want love, pretend they don't, and then decide they do. We've all seen the show. And it's a fun fantasy. But is it one to emulate?

On the one hand, they were four fabulously single and carefree ladies in New York, but on the other, the series ended with everyone successfully paired up with a man. Does this mean they are only complete with a man in their lives or that they each finally grew up and were finally mature enough to handle a relationship? I choose to think it's the latter. And because while all the guys come and go in their lives, the friendship foursome remains intact. At least that's what the creators wanted to leave us with. That and the burning desire to recreate some of that mojo in our own lives. We all want to be Carrie, but we're probably more a Miranda or a Charlotte. Or maybe some of us are lucky enough to be the uninhibited Samantha. In spite of all the risqué talk, these girls were fairly standard for their generation - my generation. And much of that bold talk often made them quite uncomfortable (again, with the notable exception of no-holds-barred Samantha). I get them, unlike the brash twenty-somethings these days who really do want to talk about anything and everything. Ugh.

So there's nothing wrong with being any of those four stylish ladies, all different sides of a single gal. If only reality was so fab. Guess we'll all just have to keep being our boring old selves. Thank God for reruns, Netflix and Amazon.

Created by
Darren Star

Based on the book by
Candace Bushnell

Starring
Sarah Jessica Parker
Kristin Davis
Cynthia Nixon
Kim Cattrall
Chris Noth
David Eigenberg
Mikhail Baryshnikov

Who Could Resist?
Sex and the City - The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset)

Speaking of Indulgences:
Desperate Housewives - The Complete First Season
(Felicity Huffman being the one consistently elevating this show.)

And yet another modern twist on dating - men in the kitchen, cooking for women:
Cooking to Hook Up: The Bachelor's Date-Night Cookbook (Cookbooks)
Read more!