You know what time it is? I think you do. That’s right, it’s time for another one of my thrilling, super-exclusive casting roundups! Let’s get to it….
• When ER hired Angela Bassett to join the cast this season as County General’s newest attending, little did we know that her husband came with the deal! The soon-to-expire NBC drama has tapped Bassett’s real-life spouse, Courtney B. Vance, to play her hubby on the show. The former Law & Order: CI ADA is on board for a multi-episode arc, and based on what I’m hearing, it’s a safe bet that the couple’s actual marriage is a lot healthier than their pretend one.
• Emmy-winning suds vet Heather Tom, who’s currently giving her tear ducts a workout on The Bold and the Beautiful, will be moonlighting on Ugly Betty this fall. She’ll play a State Department liaison to Daniel’s long-lost son in at least three episodes. I’m going to venture a guess that Daniel Sr. will want to, ahem, liaise with her as well.
• My Own Worst Enemy is undergoing a minor face-lift. NBC execs have opted to recast the role of Christian Slater’s wife. That means Yara Martinez is out and some new, yet-to-be-announced actress is in. THIS JUST IN: Slater’s new wife is Twin Peaks‘ Madchen Amick!
• Talk about a dilemma: One of my favorite young actors, Aliens in America’s Adhir Kalyan, is joining the cast of one of my least favorite comedies, CBS’ Rules of Engagement.
He’ll be appearing in the recurring role of David Spade’s new
assistant, Timmy. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I may have to
give this show one more chance. God help me.
Want more casting scoop? Head over to the Hollywood Insider blog, where Lynette Rice is breaking news about Eli Stone‘s latest A-list get.
My Own Worst Enemy looks terrible. I cringe each time they show a promo during the Olympics. I doubt a new actress is going to help.
I like Rules of Engagement. David Spade is so hilarious and actually the whole cast is good. It may not be a “cool” show, but it’s pretty funny.
I disagree My Own Worst Enemy looks great and I have read the script and it was really good with a lot of potential. I’m excited!
Vance has already played 2 roles on ER. Very early on he played a transvestite who committed suicide by leaping from the roof of County General while Dr. Carter watched. Then he played the new boyfriend (or was it husband?) of the mother of Dr. Benton’s deaf son. (Got that?) ER has a history of replacing actors – Dr. Greene’s daughter Rachel, Nurse Sam’s son Alex, Alex’s father (whom Sam later killed), etc.
OK, scratch what I said about Vance in my earlier post. I was thinking of Vondie Curtis Hall, who has also directed eps of ER. My bad!
Ashame Angel Bassett can’t get more movie work. She is so amazing.
Talk about a double-edged sword. Loved, loved, loved Adhir Kalyan’s portrayal of Raja on Aliens, but I don’t think i can watch Rules of Engagement. I tried once, and cringed until I changed the channel halfway through the ep.
its a sad day when Angela Basset is in one of the actor graveyards which is called ER– please dont let her do Lifetime…
Her name is YARA Martinez, not Yari. Talk about rubbing salt in a wound, the girl can’t even get her name spelled right on a press release about her firing lol.
step…I’m with you on that too. Show looks terrible. Slater is going to run around half the time trying to figure out what he’s doing the other half? Yawn. And he’s eventually going to figure it out so why bother with the duel identity, why not just make a show about a family man with an undercover life? “High concept” idiots. And for the record, so I’m not Mr. Negative, Yara Martinez was excellent on The Unit…really loved her there.
Customarily an actor is let go before a series premier only because s/he has tested poorly with audiences, especially with the target demographic of young people.
It’s my understanding that My Own Worst Enemy is scheduled to premier the first week of September. It suggested that much refilming with the newly recast Lily has to take place very quickly indeed.
Recasting a main role so late in the process seems like a desperate measure, and bound to cause its own set of problems, so I am very curious why producers were so desperate to get rid of her.
Again, who is this Ausiello person and why should I care? He worked for tv guide? And then gets all this space online and in print? It’s just gossip people!!!
you people need to quit hating on ausiello, coming from someone who subscribes to both tv guide and ew, he was tv guide’s highlight, and he’s the only reason i’ve had to pay any attention to ew he has good info and is very funny, i never ever cracked a ew until he got here…no wonder the subscription only cost ten dollars, and i challenge you to find something he has told us that wasn’t true, miss it’s just gosssip.
I love Adhir Kalyan! Why is he on such a crappy show?!! Sigh.
Ignore the weirdos, Ausiello, you know we love you. You’re the best thing about ew.com. And am kind of intrigued by My Own Worst Enemy – I used to love Christian Slater back in the day, and I have a soft spot for Ms Amick even since Twin Peaks – so I’ll give the show a shot.