Three Rivers - news, links, discussion - part 11 *SPOILERS*

[darkstarrising]

thanks, alle, the reference to 'It Takes a Thief' puts it in perspective for me....and yeah, he'd play that part well.

[lafluffy]

Feh. I think they should kick Chris O'Donnell to the curb and let Alex take his place. Among other things, the man knows how to move.

[lunalux]

Feh. I think they should kick Chris O'Donnell to the curb and let Alex take his place. Among other things, the man knows how to move.

I'm with you lafluffy. When I was at the preview event at the Paley, that was exactly my thought. And ITA with the rest that White Collar would also have been perfect...and BUP I hope will be a breakout role for him, and show him at his comedic best.

As for returning to primetime, I'm hesitant to say this at the risk of being - but if I could say one thing to Alex about his career, it would be this: ML notwithstanding, when it comes to American primetime TV, put your need for "interesting", "meaningful" roles aside, look for proven formats, and go for the commercial grand slam - at least for the time being. Save "interesting", "meaningful" for film, a discrete project for stretching your craft. JMO

[wpgrace]

Feh. I think they should kick Chris O'Donnell to the curb and let Alex take his place. Among other things, the man knows how to move.

I'm with you lafluffy. When I was at the preview event at the Paley, that was exactly my thought. And ITA with the rest that White Collar would also have been perfect...and BUP I hope will be a breakout role for him, and show him at his comedic best.

As for returning to primetime, I'm hesitant to say this at the risk of being - but if I could say one thing to Alex about his career, it would be this: ML notwithstanding, when it comes to American primetime TV, put your need for "interesting", "meaningful" roles aside, look for proven formats, and go for the commercial grand slam - at least for the time being. Save "interesting", "meaningful" for film, a discrete project for stretching your craft. JMO

Totally with you on that one, Luna... high-artistry in television never fails to be properly punished... except on PBS, which myself and only about 4 other people watch. I know their names.

Go for the formulaic hit, and he'll get offers to do interesting things... sad but true.

[nutmegger911]

Hmm, defining success is such a personal thing. How does one weigh the options?

[darkstarrising]

I agree with Luna, that perhaps Alex needs a TV role that gets him air time, to build his portfolio, as it were, and leave the 'meaningful' for special projects. As it is, the major broadcast networks aren't doing much in the way of developing television with socially redeeming values. They're driven by what gets the ratings, and hence the advertising revenue. While Three Rivers was a noble endeavor and an exception to the formula for success, the writing, the time slot and a myriad of other things didn't help it find its audience. I just hope the networks (not just CBS) don't use Three Rivers failure as justification for continuing to lower their standards.

I hope that Alex finds a role that suits him and his talent, yet one that doesn't do a number on his self-respect. Along with the rest of you, I want to see him on TV on a regular basis, but I don't want to cringe when I do.

[lunalux]

Totally with you on that one, Luna... high-artistry in television never fails to be properly punished... except on PBS, which myself and only about 4 other people watch. I know their names.

Go for the formulaic hit, and he'll get offers to do interesting things... sad but true.

Well if I'm not one of the four, that makes five.

And ITA dsr - 3Rs had a lot against it in terms of time slot, pre-emptions, but most of all, IMO, an ambitious, and noble but untried format of trying to tell a complicated story from three points of view in only 44 minutes.

[nutmegger911]

I agree with Luna, that perhaps Alex needs a TV role that gets him air time, to build his portfolio, as it were, and leave the 'meaningful' for special projects. As it is, the major broadcast networks aren't doing much in the way of developing television with socially redeeming values. They're driven by what gets the ratings, and hence the advertising revenue. While Three Rivers was a noble endeavor and an exception to the formula for success, the writing, the time slot and a myriad of other things didn't help it find its audience. I just hope the networks (not just CBS) don't use Three Rivers failure as justification for continuing to lower their standards.

I'm kind of hoping they'll use the Jay Leno experiment to realize there is a need for good television writers.(just my humble opinion)

I hope that Alex finds a role that suits him and his talent, yet one that doesn't do a number on his self-respect. Along with the rest of you, I want to see him on TV on a regular basis, but I don't want to cringe when I do.
ITA. Couldn't have said it better.

[redwinter101]

I'd been waiting to do this until we had some news about Alex's next job, so now seems like the right time.

With a little sniffle and a teary wave farewell, I am moving this into "Past Projects".

Goodbye, Dr. Andy - I'm sad for what could have been but enjoyed the brief time we spent together.

Red

[mwj01]

Me too.

[wpgrace]

Hmmmm... I am still holding out hope for those final four eps to show... I really don't see why they wouldn't show them...

[HotMicks]

Aw, Red, somehow I hear Dr. Andy over in the corner mumbling, "I could'a been a contender!"

And no matter what, I'll always him for wanting to do something good and meaningful. It speaks volumes about his character.

[darkstarrising]

Hmmmm... I am still holding out hope for those final four eps to show... I really don't see why they wouldn't show them...

I want to see them as well, grace, but with Alex taking on the role of Steve MCGarrett, and H50 gets picked up for the fall (hopefully), airing the last few episodes of 3R could be problemmatic for both CBS and Alex:

On the one hand, CBS might want viewers to forget Dr. Andy ever existed, so as to play up McGarrett, so they might just dump the whole series to DVD and hope for some revenue.

On the other hand, using the last four episodes as 'summer filler' might keep Alex in view.....Horrible thought I just had - a commercial where you see a while lab coat hit the ground and a Hawaiin shirt get picked up - gah - I need more tea!!!

My guess is that they'll go with the former.

*dsr heads off to the kitchen for a very strong cuppa*

[allegrita]

Sigh... I'm a little for what might have been... but very, very proud of Alex and the rest for what they attempted. And a little at DSR's image--thank goodness I have a cuppa to hand, because, yikes. I think they'll look forward, not back, but you never know, with ad people...

[Lilly]

On the other hand, using the last four episodes as 'summer filler' might keep Alex in view.....Horrible thought I just had - a commercial where you see a while lab coat hit the ground and a Hawaiin shirt get picked up - gah - I need more tea!!!

Holy transplant, dsr!! The really sad thing is that I can see CBS doing something like that.