TV Actors You Are Not Watching (But Should Be)

The second article in my "But Should Be" series is a look at the character actors that toil away in TV shows with little recognition. While some of these actors have also starred on stage and the big screen, they currently reside on the small screen and hope you are watching.

Ray Wise:
Currently Mr. Wise can be found on "The Reaper" on CW playing none other than the Devil, himself. This performance is bitingly clever and very witty. I'm hoping the show makes it to a second season. It is currently on the bubble - and I'd miss Mr. Wise cracking wise if it is canceled. But Mr. Wise is not only known for playing the Devil and in fact has had a long career. The man has over 100 credits listed at the IMDb going back all the way to 1969.

While he recently had a stint on "24" in 2006 as Vice President Hal Gardner, arguably his best role in the past two decades was Leland Palmer on "Twin Peaks". As a man shocked by the sudden, violent death of his daughter, his hair turned white overnight, but Mr. Palmer held a lifetime of secrets. If you haven't seen "Twin Peaks" you can rent the entire series (two seasons) at netflix.com or buy it now at amazon.com.


Victor Garber:
Mr. Garber recently finished a stint on "Eli Stone" (which was a featured show in my previous blog - check it out). Eli Stone is also another show that has yet to get renewed for a second season, but I've got my fingers crossed. The man is has a career that I have long admired for its versatility. He is an accomplished stage actor and has appeared in a number of musicals on Broadway including "Sweeney Todd".

But my favorite role to date has been as Agent Jack Bristow on "Alias". The show (among others) is the brainchild of J.J. Abrams ("Lost") and helped launch Jennifer Garner's career. Victor Garber played a man that had spent so much of his life controlling his emotions, it was hard to tell what was going on inside this man - and yet, his voice and his actions would let you in to take a peek. I was riveted by this show for five seasons when it began in 2001. The story and characters were so complex. And yet, the show's writers never let down the viewing audience - the stories were always tight and tied together nicely. Sign-up for netflix.com to catch all five seasons or buy it now at amazon.com.

To view a musical number from "Eli Stone" featuring Victor Garber, please scroll to the bottom of my blog.

End.

TV Shows You Are Not Watching (But Should Be)

Now that the writer's strike is over and new TV episodes are about to start airing again, I thought I'd take a moment and write about a few TV shows that you are not watching - but should be. Some of these are off the air now (waiting to be renewed), some are airing now and some will be back on the air in a few weeks.

Eli Stone (Thursday on ABC):
This is show about a lawyer with a heart (and a brain aneurysm). The aneurysm causes Eli to have "visions" (some of which include '80s pop star George Michael singing in his living room) that direct him as to what cases he should take. Some folks think Eli is a prophet. I know from this description, it sounds like the show is a bit out there, but it definitely is a feel-good show that lifts the spirits and makes you laugh. It also has a great supporting cast including Victor Garber (previously from "Alias" - another good show that nobody watched). You can view full episodes of this show at ABC's website.

Pushing Daisies (Returning this Fall to ABC):
If you are interested in catching up with this series before it returns in the fall, you can view full episodes of the show at ABC's website. This is the story of a piemaker, his childhood sweetheart (whom he brought back from the dead - and can never touch again - without killing her), his dog (also can't touch him), the gal who loves him, and his greedy crime solving partner. Sound intriguing? Once again, the cast of this show shines with Lee Pace as the piemaker, Kristin Chenoweth as the gal who loves him and Chi McBride as his partner.

The stories all center around the piemaker's ability to bring people back from the dead with only one minute to tell him the facts surrounding their untimely demise. While all of this might sound a bit morbid, the show is set in a surreal world with bright colors, soft lighting & shading and unusually shaped-buildings. The sets look very similar to the world in which the movie "Babe" was set.

Battlestar Galactica (Begins April 4 on Sci Fi):
Before you tell me that you are not "into" science fiction, let me be clear about one thing. BSG is not your typical science fiction. In fact, I wouldn't call it science fiction at all - it is a political drama set in the future. The battle between good versus evil reigns supreme in this series through war, political figures with flawed morals, and everyday people trying to make a place for themselves in the universe. It definitely reflects our current times. Get caught up on the series by catching it on DVD (seasons 1-4).

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox):
While this series just went off the air for the season (and I'm not sure if there will be a Season 2), you can view episodes at Fox's website. This series begins after the second movie and renders the third installment null and void. For sci-fi fans, this is true sci-fi. A great back story is already in place for fans to reacquaint themselves with as well as refreshing new stories for fans and newcomers alike. The pieces of the puzzle are tied together very well. I'm sure if you've read this far, I really don't need to bring you up to speed re: what this series is about. Just know that it is one to watch.