New Alex Blog - Three Rivers

[nutmegger911]

Any word on whether Alex is still tied to CBS in accordance with that talent agreement he signed? Just wondering what his options are looking like.

[VAsusieQ18]

Interesting question, nutmegger911. And I honestly don't have a clue. Could be that the "hiatus" and not out-and-out cancellation keeps him (and possibly the rest of the cast) under contract. Or it could be that they will all be cut loose by CBS. I've got to believe that in Alex's case, CBS is not going to cut the strings with him. They have him coming out with JLo in April with TBUP, a CBS production. They gave him he choice of picking a show (he chose Three Rivers, obviously ). So they are definitely investing time and money in him. I can't see CBS just throwing all of that away. But then what do I know. I'm just a heartsick fan that's sad that this great guy can't seem to find his niche in a successful show. And by "successful", I mean by industry standards. To me, Moonlight was more than a successful show, it was one of the best!

[HotMicks]

Okay, I guess I'm finally ready and able to comment on all this (as if anyone cares )...

First, I had to wait out all your "Alex is so classy" comments, which he is, but my new holiday banner is not exactly focusing on the classy part so I didn't think it would be appropriate for me to chime in with a "yeah, classy... and look at those abs," given the circumstances. And I'll save you the trouble, Alle : I love his brains too, but the bod is and banners are visual not verbal... well, except for Francis's current banner, which is both ( , Francis).

Anyhoo, you've all mostly said it already, but I want to say that although I didn't think the show was working, I didn't want it to be canceled... I wanted them to improve it. So once again, I will bemoan the fact that they don't give shows enough time to develop and find their sweet spot. We've all pointed out at various times examples of other TV shows that stunk at first and went on to become huge hits (Seinfeld, anyone?). There was a good show in 3R somewhere (the Mandy P. episode came closest for me)... why couldn't they find someone who could hone that? How is it "cheaper" to now go develop some other new show than to fix this one? They've already built the sets, paid the big stars and showrunner, sold the advertising, marketed the heck out of it, etc. I just don't understand the business of TV production, I guess.

From what I read on a ML writer's blog (not Jill, btw), there are a lot of talented (according to her, anyway) writers in LA desperately seeking steady employment. In my admittedly very ill-informed... well, I guess I should stop there, huh? Aw, what the heck, that's what fan forums are for, right? IMHO, they needed to get better writers and apply adult supervision to the showrunner. If there's all these writers looking for work, how is it that they can't get, for example, some of the previous ER writers? The guy who wrote the Mandy P. episode was one, and look how much better that episode was than the others. (I might be ill-informed, but I pay attention, at least.) And because he is a big fancypants former ER writer, he probably told Miss Showrunner where to get off when she insisted they'd need LOUD, OBVIOUS violins every time someone coughed. (JK, kinda)

I guess I just feel for Alex that he can't get a show that is a good vehicle for him AND succeeds in the ratings. However, as many others have said, I dooo think the Back-Up Plan is going to be VERY good for him in terms of upping his profile.I think it plays to his strengths, and even though it isn't a big, dramatic story, it will show his acting chops (and romantic appeal) to lots of HW types. It sounds like it turned out to be very good, from what we hear. Let's hope someone can find him a good TV show after that. I fall in with some others on the boards in that I'd like to see him end up as Bond someday, so it would be great if someone could give him a vehicle that helps move him toward that. The reason Pierce B. wound up as Bond is because his character on Remington Steele shared many similarities with the Bond character. If not that, then I'd also like to see him get a GREAT, unique dramatic character on one of the cable channels. And I don't think cable is the "B" league anymore. Especially in terms of drama and memorable characters, that's where it's at these days.

So, for Alex and his bad day and for us that we go back into drought mode.

But here's hoping that there's days ahead for Alex, the rest of the cast and and crew, and us. And hey, apparently now we can get some Jason time in... off to read more on that thread (well, later tonight anyway).

[allegrita]

HotMicks, have I told you that I love you? 'Cause I do. I know you love his mind. But hey--you've gotta live up to your name, right?

And on the subject of your post, and Alex's blog, and the general situation... I agree with pretty much everything you said. Especially about the showrunner. And the writing. And the tons of good, unemployed writers who would just die for a chance to get a juicy show like Three Rivers and show what they could do with it. Oh well.

I'm so proud of Alex for standing by his commitment to Donate Life. And I wish somebody would help him update his MySpace page to reflect that commitment! Sheesh--how hard is it?! (Love the guy, but he neeeeeeeeds people, as our lovely grace so aptly puts it from time to time... not often at all, really, considering the obvious need...)

[wpgrace]

I'm so proud of Alex for standing by his commitment to Donate Life. And I wish somebody would help him update his MySpace page to reflect that commitment! Sheesh--how hard is it?! (Love the guy, but he neeeeeeeeds people, as our lovely grace so aptly puts it from time to time... not often at all, really, considering the obvious need...

I agree with HotMicks too... including the banner part...

And unfortunately ALL of us BUT Alex agree on the peeps thing... sadly, his is the crucial veto...

DUDE... we could take care of allllll your hassles (save network executives and incompetent show runners, sorry; but we DO have access to some verrrrry good writers ), and I'm talking VOLUNTEERS here, Darlin'! PM any of us... we will HOOK you up! Leaving you far more time for reading scripts, rockin' the bike, searching for Ms. Right, and giving your all to the charity of your choice...

[wondergirl9847]

In regards to Alex having people, I'm not sure I want that. Yes, it would be great for him to have someone to advise him of things, update his page when he is super busy and everything, BUT...on the other hand, it could get to be too impersonal and I like that HE writes his blogs and doesn't have someone else do it. It makes him more "accessible" to me. Plus, there was that whole rigamarole when someone else wrote his blog in all caps or whatever. That's just my opinion on that. I know what y'all are saying though because it would be good for him to have some sort of assistant/advisor/PR person, but I'm the type that likes accessibility, whether it be full-on or indirect.

Showrunners really do screw things up, don't they? LOL

[lafluffy]

Okay, I guess I'm finally ready and able to comment on all this (as if anyone cares )...

First, I had to wait out all your "Alex is so classy" comments, which he is, but my new holiday banner

Hotmicks, I haven't gotten past reading this. Bwahahahahahhahahha!!!!!!! I love the banner beyond words!

YOU RULE!

[lafluffy]

Okay, I guess I'm finally ready and able to comment on all this (as if anyone cares )...

First, I had to wait out all your "Alex is so classy" comments, which he is, but my new holiday banner is not exactly focusing on the classy part so I didn't think it would be appropriate for me to chime in with a "yeah, classy... and look at those abs," given the circumstances. And I'll save you the trouble, Alle : I love his brains too, but the bod is and banners are visual not verbal... well, except for Francis's current banner, which is both ( , Francis).

Anyhoo, you've all mostly said it already, but I want to say that although I didn't think the show was working, I didn't want it to be canceled... I wanted them to improve it. So once again, I will bemoan the fact that they don't give shows enough time to develop and find their sweet spot. We've all pointed out at various times examples of other TV shows that stunk at first and went on to become huge hits (Seinfeld, anyone?). There was a good show in 3R somewhere (the Mandy P. episode came closest for me)... why couldn't they find someone who could hone that? How is it "cheaper" to now go develop some other new show than to fix this one? They've already built the sets, paid the big stars and showrunner, sold the advertising, marketed the heck out of it, etc. I just don't understand the business of TV production, I guess.

From what I read on a ML writer's blog (not Jill, btw), there are a lot of talented (according to her, anyway) writers in LA desperately seeking steady employment. In my admittedly very ill-informed... well, I guess I should stop there, huh? Aw, what the heck, that's what fan forums are for, right? IMHO, they needed to get better writers and apply adult supervision to the showrunner. If there's all these writers looking for work, how is it that they can't get, for example, some of the previous ER writers? The guy who wrote the Mandy P. episode was one, and look how much better that episode was than the others. (I might be ill-informed, but I pay attention, at least.) And because he is a big fancypants former ER writer, he probably told Miss Showrunner where to get off when she insisted they'd need LOUD, OBVIOUS violins every time someone coughed. (JK, kinda)

I guess I just feel for Alex that he can't get a show that is a good vehicle for him AND succeeds in the ratings. However, as many others have said, I dooo think the Back-Up Plan is going to be VERY good for him in terms of upping his profile.I think it plays to his strengths, and even though it isn't a big, dramatic story, it will show his acting chops (and romantic appeal) to lots of HW types. It sounds like it turned out to be very good, from what we hear. Let's hope someone can find him a good TV show after that. I fall in with some others on the boards in that I'd like to see him end up as Bond someday, so it would be great if someone could give him a vehicle that helps move him toward that. The reason Pierce B. wound up as Bond is because his character on Remington Steele shared many similarities with the Bond character. If not that, then I'd also like to see him get a GREAT, unique dramatic character on one of the cable channels. And I don't think cable is the "B" league anymore. Especially in terms of drama and memorable characters, that's where it's at these days.

So, for Alex and his bad day and for us that we go back into drought mode.

But here's hoping that there's days ahead for Alex, the rest of the cast and and crew, and us. And hey, apparently now we can get some Jason time in... off to read more on that thread (well, later tonight anyway).

Hotmicks,

You said it all for me. Articulately and most incisively. Thank you.

[allegrita]

In regards to Alex having people, I'm not sure I want that. Yes, it would be great for him to have someone to advise him of things, update his page when he is super busy and everything, BUT...on the other hand, it could get to be too impersonal and I like that HE writes his blogs and doesn't have someone else do it. It makes him more "accessible" to me. Plus, there was that whole rigamarole when someone else wrote his blog in all caps or whatever. That's just my opinion on that. I know what y'all are saying though because it would be good for him to have some sort of assistant/advisor/PR person, but I'm the type that likes accessibility, whether it be full-on or indirect.

Showrunners really do screw things up, don't they? LOL

Christy, my thought about "people" isn't to make Alex less personal. I love that he does his own blogs. But he doesn't have time or skill to redesign his MS page, for example. He hired somebody to do that for him in the first place, and he needs someone to do that kind of thing for him now, too. As far as I'm concerned, his "people" shouldn't be getting between him and the world, they should be helping him avoid the administrivia so that he has more time to relate to the world in the wonderful way he does. And they should be finding him really fabulous work while he waits to find the perfect TV show, such as narrating a PBS show on organ transplantation, or doing Moonlight audio plays, or reading the phone book out loud... things like that. And giving him advice about getting custom-made shirts that really fit. (Although I actually think it's endearing that he always unbuttons his collar button...)

(edited to fix a badly written sentence)

[wpgrace]

Yes, Alle... this is what we mean by people... you got it perfectly!

We don't want to depersonalize his very personal style, or even to "style" him when he steps out on the town, but it would be great if, say, he had people to tell announcers and Doogie Houser how to pronounce his name, and to do what Alle said...

That's all we mean.

[nutmegger911]

Administrivia? Alle, what a cool and fun word!

Administrivia, administrivia, administrivia... *NM practices cool new word.*

Here's hoping Alex gets past all the Hollywood administrivia ( ) and gets back in front of the camera soon.

[HotMicks]

ha, ha... I can hear 3R Kate practicing the pronunciation: "administrivia, administrivia..." and twittering about it .

I vote Alle and, of course, Grace as MS creative genius finders... you could scout some peepz out for the redesign, and Alle could send Alex the list via a MS message.

Just sayin'...

He's got BUP comin' up and needs to promote the crap outta that! 'Cause the JLo connection is gonna be enough to win him some new faces glued to AN HOUR AND A HALF (ish) of his skillz.

It's time for Operation MS REvamp! (couldn't resist)

And Alle, LUV your banner... can't stop staring. Of course, Lilly's avi is also mesmerizing (wind AND snow, Lilly? You're a hardy one). And lafluffy, you're welcome... I don't mind sharing at all!

[wondergirl9847]

Aahhhhhh, I see! So, someone else needs to do the "grunt work", while Alex is all fabulous for us when he blogs. Gotcha. I totally agree with that.

[wollstonecraft61]

Not the right place for this, but it is where I discovered it. Wow, aiyiiiyiiiiyiiiyiiiii!!! HotMicks, your banner is HOTMICKS!!!!!