Image Credit: FilmMagic.com; Brian Killian/WireImage.com; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Joe Kohen/WireImage.comEvery year, the broadcast nets compile a wish list of stars they hope will make their way (or in some cases, their way back) to the small screen. Now that drama and comedy development has already begun for the 2011-12 season, here are some potential headliners for next year. And for more on powerful entertainers, pick up the latest issue of EW.
Kevin Bacon. It’s been 20 years since he played a brilliant med student in Flatliners, but who says Kyra Sedgwick’s husband couldn’t slap on some scrubs in a hip new hospital drama?
Susan Sarandon. She teased the industry by appearing on Rescue Me and an episode of ER, but the Academy Award-winning actress has yet to find her happy place in prime time.
Elisabeth Shue. CBS wanted her for The Good Wife, but the Leaving Las Vegas star decided to spend more time at home with her kids. If hindsight’s 20/20, think she’d have chosen to wrestle with Chris Noth instead of a piranha in 3-D?
Ashley Judd. A perennial favorite, Judd hasn’t followed the lead of fellow fortysomething film stars, such as Mary-Louise Parker and Sedgwick, and snagged the next Emmy-worthy role.
Claire Danes. Armed with an Emmy for her role in HBO’s Temple Grandin, Danes is the perfect combination of beauty, talent and TV experience. (Remember My So-Called Life?) Too bad NBC’s attempt to remake Prime Suspect requires an older actress. Or does it?
Josh Duhamel. TV would gladly take the former star of Las Vegas back to catch crooks and/or walk around shirtless, no questions asked.
Tim Allen. The Home Improvement star has been taking meetings with choice writers to stage a TV comeback in fall 2011. Any network will have to bring a toolbox…full of money.
Alessandro Nivola. He’s not exactly a household name, but you’ll recognize him from Face/Off, Junebug, The Eye, and Laurel Canyon. He’s got the indie cred and the great looks — which is why everybody wants him.
Sarah Michelle Gellar. After slaying vampires for seven years on The WB and UPN, Gellar fell off the Hollywood radar to start a family. But if anyone deserves to inherit Heather Locklear’s throne as the go-to gal to play powerful beyotches, it’s Buffy.
Matthew Broderick. NBC tried to bring the film and Broadway star to prime time this year with a comedy called Beach Lane, but the project never made it out of development. Didn’t anyone think to give him a house on Wisteria Lane instead?
Maria Bello. The former ER doc enjoyed a superb run in film, but her grace is needed back on the small screen to headline the next drama from John Wells or Steven Bochco.
Kevin Bacon needs to consider it. I mean, isn’t he still trying to get his Bernie Madoff losses back? All that Footlose money, gone. Ashley Judd just needs to never be in anything else again, ever. One of the most annoying actresses out there.
Footloose, darn it.
You guys have it all wrong – we need James Garner to make a comeback – his charisma and smooth style and team him up with Josh Holloway = instant classic
Kevin and Kyra lost some money but not all of it. They’re still quite rich.
I have no real desire to see any of these people on tv. If they find the right project, that’s great, but I don’t need any of them.
I just hope that Tim Allen is NOT the new boss for ‘The Office’ because that would suck!!
Oh if SMG or Maria Bello were back on TV, my DVR Cup would be overflowing.
This totally made me lol.
I would be thrilled if Sarah Michelle Gellar returned to TV. She filmed a pilot last year for an HBO comedy/drama series, but it wasn’t picked up. I was really disappointed about that. I think she would be great in a dramedy type role on cable, so I hope she’ll get another chance.
That pilot sounded good too, and the cast was good
The Prime Suspect remake needs Angela Bassett, who has been underused in film for years.
I think Maria Bello is better suited for film, for now. She’s a breath of fresh air on the big screen.
Angela Bassett? That is inspired casting. Great idea.
Angela is just soooo underrated, period. Nothing against Tyler Perry but she should be able to find better roles than that.
I think Alfre Woodard would be great, too
Elisabeth Shue! Yes indeed!!! Always had a thing for her.
Please come back to TV ….SMG
Ashley Judd’s time has passed. She’s now become a full-time racing circuit loudmouth.
They should try and get that guy who taped his gay roommate having sex for a Punk’d-type show! Deadliest Pranks!
SMG FTW!!
I love the suggestion of Ashley Judd, who I always thought never lived up to the career she could have had. She is a brilliant actress and an incredibly beautiful woman. She just seems so empowering, so perhaps TNT can follow in its footsteps of creating her a new show.
I agree with u 100%. Im shocked at the turn her career took. I love her acting and wish shed come back.
What a lame list. You might just as well have said Anson Williams. How about Penny Marshall, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Sean Hayes or David Hyde Pierce?
I wouldn’t necessarily say those actors need it as badly. David Hyde Pierce won a Tony a couple years ago, Tom Hanks isn’t quite there yet, plus he’s always got producing, Sean Hayes has also been doing Broadway, Steve Martin has just been taking it easy but it isn’t like he doesn’t work. I’m not saying I wouldn’t want to see any of those people on TV, but I think EW had a better list. Sorry Templar.
Dude, seriously???
Penny Marshall only acts when she feels like it, she’s directing and producing for the most part.
Sean Hayes hasn’t been off screen for that long and David Hyde Pierce is still working, just not on TV.
Personally, DHP is the only person from either of the lists that I would like to see back on TV.
I would like to add Goldie Hawn to that list…she hasn’t acted in almost 10 years!
I really could care less if Tim Allen ever comes back to TV.
I believe you mean that you COULDN’T care less.
Sarah Michelle Gellar for sure! She can do anything.
Isn’t Ashley Judd getting a graduate degree at Harvard right now? Maybe she’s done already, but acting might not be on her mind right now.