BBT is pretty amusing, if they'd tone down the laugh track/audience. Just too loud.
Burn Notice is pure crack candy yummy. It's funny, witty, snarky, and has The Bruce. High ratings, popular acclaim, and geek cred, what more do you want? Plus stuff blows up real good, and all the characters interact.
I think that most of you are missing the point of this article. All most of you see is "Graeme dissed my FAV TV show. I am so PISSED" When he's really talking about the fact that BSG actors are really underrated and not finding the right vehicles for their talent. Whether or not the shows he mentioned are "good" really isn't important. What's important is the fact that most of the people mentioned are barely warrant the title of "guest star" on each of those series. They're breaking away from what most people have dubbed a "TV classic" to shows that don't have the same...gravitas.
I think he's trying to point out that these guys aren't getting the respect they deserve. Chuck and BBT might be fav shows for some, but they certainly lack the umph that most people feel should be the next step for these alum.
I say this as a person who's watched Trek and seen it happen. Trek was a masterpiece (generally speaking) and although I love some of the shows that the alum have been on, it's in no way what I feel they deserve for their talent.
@swordfish2eva1: It's a crap sitcom built on the supposed hilarity of supposed geeks, the "funniest" (and I use that term loosely) of which is so because he lacks all social skills and nothing is more "hilarious" (and I use that term loosely) than when's being unknowningly rude and insensitive (except maybe a nail gun to your skull). It's followed by the equally crap sitcom How I Met Your Mother and about guy essentially telling his kids all the women he boned before their mother.
HEY HIMYM is awesome. A disjointed story about the antics of the main character and his friends. It has Alysson Hannigan, that guy from Forgetting Sarah Marshal AND NPH.
I will, of course, be watching the Law & Order: London. Freema-addict that I am.
I am not sure if I want it to do well so she has a steady job. Or if I want it to not do so well so I can have a freema-version of something like callgirl.
"Is There A BSG Curse?" No, but there appears to be an IO9 curse that makes its editors grumpy old coots, chastising kids for riding bikes on 'their' sidewalk and turning on the sprinklers when the carolers come by.
First Chuck is awesome despite it's nanotube-size connection to SF, then it's a haven for has-been actors? Complain about the lack of SF programming, and then hammer a show into the ground before it has a chance to air? Either pet it or kick it; doing both just confuses the poor thing.
Oh, and Stewart kicked all sorts of arse in I, Claudius, but that's not SF.
Simply put, there aren't that many good or great shows, much less incredibly-awesome shows. I submit that, unless they make a jump to the big screen, it takes a while for the actors to break out of their prior role, and make a new space for themselves.
-How many folks from "M*A*S*H" had a signficant career afterwords?
-Only Kelsey Grammer really survived "Cheers"
-Need I mention "Friends"?
-What's the cast of "Sex and the City" up to lately?
-Honestly, I'm shocked that any of the cast of "The West Wing" haven't gotten more traction.
-Aside from George Clooney, what have those departed from "ER" been up to (aside from visiting ER)?
I'm not saying it's impossible, but monumental, classic shows seem to define those involved for a while. I'll give you one more example of a come-back: Neil Patrick Harris had to wait a few years before returning to TV. He is, of course, legend--wait for it-dary.
Alan Alda did quite a few movies after M*A*S*H, and even joined Woody Allen's stable of actors, didn't he? Mike Farrel did a few years of Providence and a ton of TV movies. I don't know if David Ogden Stiers has had time off since the show.
Cheers
Last I saw, Ted Danson had a six-year stint on Becker, a year on Damages, and a semi-regular gig on Curb Your Enthusiasm playing himself. Woody Harrelson has had a pretty solid film career. Kirstie Alley has done all right in television as well. Even John Ratzenberger is all over the place.
Friends
Courtney Cox was a supporting/lead in three of the biggest horror films of all time. Jennifer Aniston has become a feature film lead. Most everyone else seems to find steady work.
Sex and the City
Umm... wasn't there a hugely successful movie?
The West Wing
Allison Janney is all over the place. John Spenser died. Martin Sheen's had a bit of a career. Whitford starred in Studio 60. I didn't watch the show much, but my wife watched the whole series, and it seems like every other television show has someone from that show on.
ER
I think the main actors from this show who left were so well-paid that they've really just relaxed and enjoyed the wealth. I saw something with Anthony Edwards when he mentioned that there wasn't a huge motivation to work again after ER.
@Whitworthian: Alda also did Scientific American Frontiers for a while, Farrell was the voice of Pa Kent in the DCAU (not a regular gig, but still worth mentioning), and Ratzenberger pretty much has one guaranteed voice role per year at this point, even if it's just one line at the end of the movie.
Big Bang Theory is fucking hilarious. Chuck is fairly well made. IO9.com is so much better when they stick to reporting the news without forcing personal biases into the announcements. News: two BSG cast members taking roles in other shows, Bias: these shows are not good. Is there really any need for the bias part?
@Evlsushi: Oh my god, this is not CNN? Holy fuck, I am glad you let me know, I was wondering what was up with all this sci-fi related material. Good looking out, buddy.
I love this web site very much but there seems to be a lot of bashing and negativity at times (The Spirit movie coverage) that is unfounded.
Let's be clear about something, The Big Bang Theory might be one of the funniest sitcoms ever to grace television, and don't tell anyone but it is smart and has a lot of geek cred.
I HATE sitcoms, but this show has proven that it is a fan of the stuff us fans love! If you are ripping on it, chances are you haven't been watching it. The actor that plays Sheldon is one of the funniest human beings I have ever seen!
@terry2070: I couldn't get past the first episode or two of this show. It didn't come off as geek cred it came off as mocking to me. Plus the laugh track and tired gags got to me. Has it gotten better?
I'm thinking you might be hurting for stuff to post about, because it seems you pulled this one out of your butt. Let's see:
- Helfer on Burn Notice....
- The fact that lots of people consider Big Bang Theory and Chuck to be good shows (you don't have to like them, but there's no need to state that they're not good as if that's a widely accepted fact)....
- The fact that entire Trek show casts have gone with little to no work after their shows ended, when a huge percentage of nuBSG actors already have a fair bit of other work in the can....
- In addition to The Day the Earth Stood Still, Aaron Douglas has a new Canadian series that has been picked up....
I'd really rather see io9 post less often, as opposed to making up nonsense stuff for the sake of posting a lot. And the sensationalistic post titles are pretty trashy; some of them (not this one) have been deliberately and irresponsibly misleading. Keep it up and io9 will be considered the National Enquirer of the SF field.
@reddingofish: I didn't mean any disrespect to Trek actors -- it just seemed to me that to bash BSG actors for not getting "good" follow-on work even before the show is off the air is pretty ridiculous, when (for instance) it took many a Trek actor a long time to overcome that typecasting. (Some Trek actors didn't take long at all: Patrick Stewart, Colm Meaney, and Alexander Siddig come to mind.)
@amysisson: That's cause Meaney and Stewart were serious actors before Star Trek. Sure Stewart was mostly known for sci fi/fantasy (Excalibur and Dune), but god man he can act! And Meaney just seams to be well liked UK type character actor.
Perhaps it is that these folks, once they step off of the Battlestar, aren't very notable in the sea of TV actors? What sets them apart from Christian Slater or any other high to mid profile TV series actor? I think you're just seeing the TV actor competitive market at play and there's just too many actors that are at least as competent as BSG'ers, that are willing to work cheaper.
@John: To be fair Stewart was mostly known as a Shakespearean stage actor. Meany is Irish, Ireland is not part of the U.K. Most of his recent roles have been in the states.
11/25/08
Burn Notice is pure crack candy yummy. It's funny, witty, snarky, and has The Bruce. High ratings, popular acclaim, and geek cred, what more do you want? Plus stuff blows up real good, and all the characters interact.
11/25/08
I think he's trying to point out that these guys aren't getting the respect they deserve. Chuck and BBT might be fav shows for some, but they certainly lack the umph that most people feel should be the next step for these alum.
I say this as a person who's watched Trek and seen it happen. Trek was a masterpiece (generally speaking) and although I love some of the shows that the alum have been on, it's in no way what I feel they deserve for their talent.
11/25/08
11/25/08
11/25/08
HEY HIMYM is awesome. A disjointed story about the antics of the main character and his friends. It has Alysson Hannigan, that guy from Forgetting Sarah Marshal AND NPH.
NP-mutherfucking-H.
Respec.
11/25/08
11/25/08
Although he's my favorite character, I actually like the others as well.
11/26/08
The Naked Lily.
11/25/08
11/25/08
Maybe don't present your OPINIONS as fact bro.
11/25/08
You just discredited your opinion with saying Chuck is better than BSG. (I don't care WHAT season it is)
11/25/08
Nabob.
11/25/08
I am not sure if I want it to do well so she has a steady job. Or if I want it to not do so well so I can have a freema-version of something like callgirl.
I am shallow. I know.
11/25/08
11/25/08
11/25/08
First Chuck is awesome despite it's nanotube-size connection to SF, then it's a haven for has-been actors? Complain about the lack of SF programming, and then hammer a show into the ground before it has a chance to air? Either pet it or kick it; doing both just confuses the poor thing.
Oh, and Stewart kicked all sorts of arse in I, Claudius, but that's not SF.
11/25/08
-How many folks from "M*A*S*H" had a signficant career afterwords?
-Only Kelsey Grammer really survived "Cheers"
-Need I mention "Friends"?
-What's the cast of "Sex and the City" up to lately?
-Honestly, I'm shocked that any of the cast of "The West Wing" haven't gotten more traction.
-Aside from George Clooney, what have those departed from "ER" been up to (aside from visiting ER)?
I'm not saying it's impossible, but monumental, classic shows seem to define those involved for a while. I'll give you one more example of a come-back: Neil Patrick Harris had to wait a few years before returning to TV. He is, of course, legend--wait for it-dary.
11/25/08
M*A*S*H
Alan Alda did quite a few movies after M*A*S*H, and even joined Woody Allen's stable of actors, didn't he? Mike Farrel did a few years of Providence and a ton of TV movies. I don't know if David Ogden Stiers has had time off since the show.
Cheers
Last I saw, Ted Danson had a six-year stint on Becker, a year on Damages, and a semi-regular gig on Curb Your Enthusiasm playing himself. Woody Harrelson has had a pretty solid film career. Kirstie Alley has done all right in television as well. Even John Ratzenberger is all over the place.
Friends
Courtney Cox was a supporting/lead in three of the biggest horror films of all time. Jennifer Aniston has become a feature film lead. Most everyone else seems to find steady work.
Sex and the City
Umm... wasn't there a hugely successful movie?
The West Wing
Allison Janney is all over the place. John Spenser died. Martin Sheen's had a bit of a career. Whitford starred in Studio 60. I didn't watch the show much, but my wife watched the whole series, and it seems like every other television show has someone from that show on.
ER
I think the main actors from this show who left were so well-paid that they've really just relaxed and enjoyed the wealth. I saw something with Anthony Edwards when he mentioned that there wasn't a huge motivation to work again after ER.
11/25/08
Alda also did Scientific American Frontiers for a while, Farrell was the voice of Pa Kent in the DCAU (not a regular gig, but still worth mentioning), and Ratzenberger pretty much has one guaranteed voice role per year at this point, even if it's just one line at the end of the movie.
11/25/08
11/25/08
11/25/08
It's a blog not cnn.
11/25/08
11/25/08
Well based on the fact that you seem to think that io9 is obligated to report unbiased news, you're welcome.
11/25/08
Let's be clear about something, The Big Bang Theory might be one of the funniest sitcoms ever to grace television, and don't tell anyone but it is smart and has a lot of geek cred.
I HATE sitcoms, but this show has proven that it is a fan of the stuff us fans love! If you are ripping on it, chances are you haven't been watching it. The actor that plays Sheldon is one of the funniest human beings I have ever seen!
11/25/08
11/25/08
11/25/08
Next, Col. Tigh in "L&O: Parking Meters"!
11/25/08
*cough*wishmaster 4*cough*
11/25/08
11/25/08
- Helfer on Burn Notice....
- The fact that lots of people consider Big Bang Theory and Chuck to be good shows (you don't have to like them, but there's no need to state that they're not good as if that's a widely accepted fact)....
- The fact that entire Trek show casts have gone with little to no work after their shows ended, when a huge percentage of nuBSG actors already have a fair bit of other work in the can....
- In addition to The Day the Earth Stood Still, Aaron Douglas has a new Canadian series that has been picked up....
I'd really rather see io9 post less often, as opposed to making up nonsense stuff for the sake of posting a lot. And the sensationalistic post titles are pretty trashy; some of them (not this one) have been deliberately and irresponsibly misleading. Keep it up and io9 will be considered the National Enquirer of the SF field.
11/25/08
11/25/08
11/25/08
11/25/08
Perhaps it is that these folks, once they step off of the Battlestar, aren't very notable in the sea of TV actors? What sets them apart from Christian Slater or any other high to mid profile TV series actor? I think you're just seeing the TV actor competitive market at play and there's just too many actors that are at least as competent as BSG'ers, that are willing to work cheaper.
11/25/08