I’ve got mixed feelings about ABC developing a new version of its short-lived 1998 series Cupid. (True confession: Several years ago, I bought some obsessive fan’s VHS copy of the entire series run on eBay. Which I guess makes me an obsessive fan, too.) On the plus side, Cupid succeeded where the majority of romantic-comedies—on the big- and small-screen—have failed: Managing to provide plenty of genuine romantic goo, without forgetting a hard-coated comedic shell. And creator Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) promises that while he’s going to write a brand-new pilot for the brand-new Cupid, he’s not planning to reinvent his original concept. Woot!
That said, I always felt much of Cupid’s success relied on the flawless chemistry between series leads Jeremy Piven, as a man convinced he’d been banished from Mount Olympus and wouldn’t get to return till he’d united 100 couples, and Paula Marshall, as the prickly therapist assigned to his case. And I worry that any newfangled Cupid is merely going to remind me how much I miss the original flavor.
I guess, as with any potential pilot, it’ll come down to script and casting. With Thomas at the helm, I feel pretty good about the former; as for the latter, I think it’s time for a PopWatch brainstorming session. How about the dreamy, underutilized Jonny Lee Miller (so good on Smith) in the title role, and brainy beauty Aisha Tyler as his romantic counterpart? All in favor, say "Greenlit!" All opposed, suggest some alternatives in the comments section below.
Oh, and BTW, if you’ve never seen Cupid, check out a chunk of the pilot episode after the jump. (Thanks TV Tattle, for the link!) And for the scoop on how the original Cupid was supposed to end, click here for my colleague Mandi Bierly’s 2004 interview with Thomas!)
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Uh, 1998, not 1988.
Thanks!
I thought that Cupid was cute, but It’s a show that belongs on USA.
Btw: The show was in 1998, not ‘88. Piven would have been in his late teens-early twenties then.
I can’t imagine Aisha Tyler, though a wonderful actress, having enough chemistry with anyone to support a show.
Thanks for catching my typo!
I enjoyed this show when it was on, but it won’t be the same without Jeremy Piven. Why can they leave it be?
You are very welcome Michael.
I looooooooooved Cupid! Can’t Piven come back? Couldn’t he do this and Entourage? Please???
Oh god…I love that show…and I am very happy that Thomas is on board…but for me Jeremy Piven will always be Cupid!
i loved cupid! been busy today slezak, haven’t ya?
This is a bad idea on the surface. Jeremy Piven was the show. This is like trying to do a remake of Sanford and Son. It was the Redd Foxx show.
If they can get Johnny Lee Miller, they can have me!
I was a HUGE fan of Cupid when it was on, and saw all twelve episodes that aired here in the US (I was jealous of those in Europe who got to see the unaired-in-the-US episodes). *sigh* I’ve tried to find them on DVD or VHS ever since.
I miss the show even today, and mention it from time to time.
Wouldn’t it be great to get them back, and re-do the show, and SUPPORT it this time?
It won’t be the same without Piven and Marshall, though.
One can dream, can’t one?
-David in Maine
Why can’t they just ask Jeremy Piven if he will be interested? It sounds like they are assuming that he would choose the HBO show over this. Yeah, contracts, but with both shooting in LA, it is feasible he can pull off both shows.
They should definitely see whether Jeremy Piven would be willing, but get Carla Gugino to be his counterpart. They have awesome Chemistry.
If not, what about Matthew Perry and Sarah Paulson (I really loved them on West Wing). And i do like the idea of Jonny lee Miller and you could probably pair him with Paulson…or Kristen Bell…or what about Jason Dohring and Tina Majorino. Jonny Lee Miller and Holly Marie Combs?
Just some thoughts…
I meant that I loved MP & SP on Studio 60…duh…
Johnny Lee Miller is working on another ABC show, Greg Berlanti’s mid-season drama “Eli Stone,” which sounds promising, so he’s out.
I loved this show when it was on. You know what I remember the most about the show? They were able to slip the term “reach around” by the censors. Hey-o!
I would love to see Tom Cavanagh back on tv, so I would pick him. I would be happy with Jonny Lee Miller, but I am really hoping his show Eli Stone works out. I don’t know who I would pick as the counterpart to Tom Cavanagh, but he’s got great chemistry with basically anyone.
Rob Thomas + TV show = Ellipsian in front of his TV
I think one of the reasons Cupid failed to find an audience was that it was on Saturday nights (back when they showed origial first run eps on Saturdays) and it was followed (or proceeded – gimmie a break it was 9 years ago folks) a reboot of Fantasy Island starring Malcolm McDowal as Mr Roarke.
I loved “Cupid.” Jeremy Piven was fantastic on it. I just miss it more now. Although, a new version with Rob Thomas at the helm could be pretty great. I like the Aisha Tyler idea. I’m not sure about Johnny Lee Miller, but you never know.
I absolutely loved Cupid, but I know they can’t recreate the original. Not everything needs to be remade. There are other shows that I loved and had much too short a life too, like Sports Night and Relativity. But, I don’t want them remade either. How about coming up with some new ideas?
someone has put all the episodes of Cupid on YouTube. I’ve been barely able to get anything done because I’m glued to them…
Watching them made me realize that what I loved about Veronica Mars, was in Cupid as well…it’s not the concepts, it’s the casting, the chemistry, the banter. I think a remake of Cupid would be fab. I did think that part of the problem with Cupid was Paula Marshall: great chemistry with Piven, but she has a shrill, grating voice and is not very charismatic. Recasting would be a chance to fix that.
Watch the pilot episode on YouTube…one of the best moments is when the new black roommate does a speech about how, as an actor, he hates when he has to play the role of the obligatory black friend: just there to provide moments of wisdom, etc. I was impressed by how well utilised he was in Cupid…but how wrong, Thomas ended up getting it with Wallace in Veronica Mars, where he was reduced to a line or two every couple of episodes and we were supposed to be lieve that he was just VM’s happy, emasculated sob-sister.
Cupid was one of my favorite shows ever, but if you don’t have Jeremy Piven doing his maniac rants, the show sinks. Instead of remaking dreams lost, how about Thomas tries something new from that fertile brain of his.
I’ve never said this before on here, but I WANT TO BE… CUPID! I think Cupid should be an unknown actor who’s pounding the pavement and doing off-Broadway plays (i’m closing one tonight casting people, I’m sure we can get you in.) But this was a favorite show of mine when I was in high school, and well… there it is.
JLM I think would do good. I don’t know about Aisha but I would love to see someone like Lauren Graham fill the shoes of the lvoe interest. Can you imagine the rants? Okay, JLM is out if Jeremy Piven can revive the role. The two of them would be AWESOME!
i don’t know if it could survive without Piven. He was the heart of the show
I wish Piven was free to do it. Maybe they could choose a guy who looks like he’s bagged every girl in town and has to work hard to understand love. Someone like McSteamy or Dylan McDermott.