Nov 15 2008
New Cast and Cancellations
You’ve probably already heard that Lipstick Jungle and My Own Worst Enemy have been cancelled. I never watched Lipstick Jungle, because last year I erroneously chose Cashmere Mafia instead–though perhaps it was better to watch the show that got axed before I’d invested in it. It is a shame to see Andrew McCarthy get work, however, only to have the rug pulled out from under again.
My Own Worst Enemy had promise, and Christian Slater was doing a really incredible job of playing the super spy with a man-made split personality. The show did have some plot holes, but it was suspenseful and a change from your standard drama/cop/lawyer shows, but alas, it just couldn’t hold the ratings. It probably didn’t help that its lead-in, NBCs heavy-hitter Heroes, isn’t doing all that awesome either. I’m sure Christian Slater is hoping that the right people saw enough of the show to land him a job in something else. Based on his performance in My Own Worst Enemy, I’d say he deserves it.
As for other floundering shows, Saturday Night Live’s loss of Amy Poehler has led to the hiring of Michaela Watkins and Abby Elliot in featured roles. The show definitely does need more women, and critics thus far seem to approve of the choices. It remains to be seen how well they do–I still haven’t decided if SNL is faltering because of the writing or because their performers don’t have enough charisma. It may be a little of both, or may be just that these writers don’t mesh with these performers. Entertainment Weekly pointed out their disappointment that no black women were hired for the show, and it is a bit ridiculous when Kenan Thompson has to play all the black female characters (though I have to admit his Whoopi impression is pretty funny). You can’t tell me there aren’t any funny black women out there, but maybe they don’t want to do SNL!
