I know we’ve been talking about best-of and worst-of lists for the last couple weeks — the end of the year is always like that for all of us pop-culture hounds. But I was watching a backlogged episode of NBC’s sloppily written (and shoddily assembled) Bionic Woman the other night, and out of nowhere, Molly Price (pictured, left right, as Berkut Group psychiatrist Ruth) busted out a perfectly timed, hilarious zinger about how she’d once slept with Isaiah Washington’s late, not-so-great Antonio. If there’s anyone left on the planet still watching this show, isn’t Price priceless each week in her few minutes of screen time? Also, am I the only person who just realized she’s the same actress who starred on NBC’s Third Watch several seasons back? It took an IMDb check this afternoon before I came to this realization. Either way, get this woman her own series, pronto!
Similarly, while FX’s Damages got a lot of buzz this summer for Glenn Close’s riveting star turn, and Ted Danson’s dark, brilliant support, I felt like Zeljko Ivanek (pictured, left), playing conflicted, sexually ambiguous attorney Ray Fiske, was every bit as good (if not a fraction of a millimeter better) than his bold-faced co-stars. I sure hope Emmy doesn’t forget him when it comes time to hand out nominations.
So in the spirit of these two praise-starved thespians, let’s start a list here that probably won’t be found anywhere else, anytime soon: Who were the biggest unsung heroes of TV in 2007?
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Thank you for paying homage to Zeljko Ivanek (or as I call him, ASA Danvers from Homicide). I love this guy, and once you memorize his face, you come to realize he’s basically in every movie or TV show ever made.
If you’re talking about unsung heroes though, you must mention the entire cast and crew of BSG.
This year I’ve loved watching Michael Emerson on LOST and Kristin Chenoweth on Pushing Daisies – opposite ends of the spectrum, character-wise, but the pair inject the same kind of energy and enthusiasm into their roles. I’ve also loved the casts of The Office and Mad Men for working so fluidly as both groups and individual actors/actresses.
Rhys Darby is terrific as the rock band manager on Flight of the Conchords.
Unless Molly Price is a bald old guy, then she’s not pictured on the left…
Allison Mack, without a doubt. Someone needs to hand her an Emmy already.
Mcisluv: Ha! It should read “on the near-left” since it’s still left of the text.
Gabrielle Anwar (far better on this than her consumptive turn as Princess Margaret on The Tudors) and the great Bruce Campbell: both on Burn Notice.
Both Ivanek and Price are outstanding!
If you ever get the chance to catch up on old Law & Order episodes, both of them have popped up a few times are are always amazing.
to Pamela: you took the words outta my mouth! Loved Burn Notice. Bruce Campbell is one of the best supporting actors/scene stealers in the business.
Indeed, great work on highlighting ADA Danvers – finally. I cast my vote for pretty much any one on Mad Men, but especially Christina Hendricks and John Slattery. And who else is surprised by how funny Kevin Nealon is on Weeds?
allison mack- smallville.
shes a funny, smart, and a great character, but shes always overlooked by tom welling.
Allison Mack from Smallville!
Does anyone else remember Molly Price on Sex and the City as Susan Sharon, Carrie’s friend who had that verbally abusive husband? She was terrific in that, too.
Allison Mack….come on she’s awesome and gets over looked all the time, her character is always kicking major butt and she’s been known to save Superman a time or two..how many characters can claim that?????
Allsion Mack Rocks!~
Praise starved? This has Allison Mack’s name written all over it. I keep waiting for the CW to wake up and realize what a gem they have in her. Allison Mack consistently elevates the material she is given on Smallville. She creates moments out of very ordinary lines and scenes. Her character is smart, inquisitive, determined, funny, strong, compassionate and caring, but tough enough to kick behind to save the day when needed. On a show about young Superman, Allison Mack has created an equally compelling heroine to root for.
Kristin Bell was always lauded for her performance as Veronica- and she was fabulous, but the supporting cast was equally wonderful. Enrico Colantoni, Francis Capra, Jason Dohring, Ryan Hansen, Tina Majorino, and Micheal Muhney all deserve praise for a funny and intelligent show.
And then there’s the entire cast of Men in Trees. I can’t even name a favorite. Not one is out of place in this quirky dramedy.
I am not so sure about Molly’s new hair color but to me the unsung hero prize must go to Adam Beach of L&O SVU. He was the right fit.
I have to agree with the folks who mentioned Allison Mack. She’s amazingly talented.
My unsung heroes on TV are Chi McBride and Swoosie Kurtz on “Pushing Daisies,” injecting vinegar into all the sweetness at opportune moments. I also think Robert Sean Leonard and all the supporting actors on “The Office” deserve a mention, but it’s entirely possible that all these people are sung…
Allison Mack from Smallville. Consistently one of the most awesome characters/actresses on television and yet she gets ZERO media attention.
Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl. She took a character in Blair that could be one dimensionally bitchy and turned her into a fan favorite and a character to root for.
Sophia Bush- OTH. Literally the only reason to watch the show.
Donald Sutherland- DirtySexyMoney. Just because.
Definitely Allison Mack from Smallville. She’s such a whirlwind and has an awesome screen presence.
Rick Gonzalez as Ben on Reaper. All the preview articles talked about the actor, Tyler Labine, who plays sidekick Soc. But Rick has filled out the trio – most of the time as the conscience – and has many funny bits of his own. And its not a complete episode if Ben doesn’t get hurt (not seriously hurt), get kidnapped, or fall in love with the vessel.
Allison Mack of course!
Biggest unsung hero of TV without, without a doubt, is Allison Mack of Smallville. She’s not only beautiful but is a wonderful actress. For someone who is supposedly only playing a supporting role, Allison brings so much life into her character that she constantly outshines her co-stars who are playing the main characters.(with the exception of Michael Rosenbaum) Even though she’s pretty much overlooked by the CW, her fans adore her and realize that this highly underrated actress should be getting the props that she deserves.
Allison Mack of Smallville- that talented yet unsung lady is the only reason I watch SV nowadays.
Allison Mack, of course. The most underrated actress on TV.
So glad the Allison Mack fanclub of 10-year-old girls put out an APB on this popwatch item.
I’m much older than ten, and not in any fan club. I’d add Allison Mack to that list as well. Largely ignored by the press, she brings it every week. Gotta give a gal credit where credit is due. *Runs off to see if Allison has a fan club that accepts anyone over ten*
In agreement with everyone on her who mentioned Allison Mack, I would like to mention Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville. Michael plays the character of Lex Luthor perfectly. For a character who is supposed to be the villian of the story, you can’t help but feel for him and love to hate him all at the same time. Michael and Allison are seriously the highlights of Smallville.
For this to be a fan club of 10 year old girls it’s ironic that your comment Latish is as immature as one.
Great call on Ivanek. He was brilliant, but I sure won’t hold my breath for him to get an Emmy nom. If Forest Whitaker couldn’t get one for his work on “The Shield” I don’t see Ivanek getting one (especially over the more high-profile, but deserving Ted Danson)
Here are my picks for this year: Speaking of “The Shield”, I’ll go with Walton Goggins. Also, Brad Leland consistently makes me laugh and cringe as Buddy Garrity on Friday Night Lights. Robert Iler on The Sopranos, Peter Macnicol on 24 (one of the only good things about Season 6) Shawn Pyfrom on Desperate Housewives, and, last but certainly not least, Sonja Walger on Tell Me You Love Me.