It was announced today that Lou Diamond Phillips would be joining the (intentionally bad?) cast of the upcoming I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! My initial reaction: "Wait, isn’t Lou Diamond Phillips too good for this?" When your resume includes La Bamba, Courage Under Fire, and a stint on 24, can you really join the ranks of the dreaded Speidi? But then I wondered: Am I giving LDP way too much credit? Maybe he has joined the Z-list ranks faster than I’d noticed. I mean, how on Earth did I miss cinematic gems like Bats or Route 666?!
While most of the other cast members on Celebrity (which is set to begin June 1 on NBC) have had prior reality-show experience, these are uncharted waters for Phillips, and I sorta wish he’d stayed out. What about you, PopWatchers? Does this casting surprise you? Or did Phillips have a date with reality-TV destiny all along?
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I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. Of the list you mentioned the last thing he did was on the first season of 24. He probably has bills to pay. Although I’m not sure why he wouldn’t do Dancing with the Stars or something else with more “clout.”
It surprises me. I still think he’s the best recurring guest star Numb3rs has ever had.
He is awesome on Numb3rs. He should get his own spin off and drop “IACGMTHOOH”.
This surprises me. Isn’t he on the new Stargate spinoff?
Lost has already given work to Jeff Fahey and Fisher Stevens, they definitely should give a role to someone as deserving as Lou Diamond Phillips
he should have been enlisted in the ncis spinoff.
Given that Germaine Greer went on Celebrity Big Brother and one of Britain’s most senior policeman, along with George Takei from Star Trek, appeared on the Uk version this year, I’d say if the money’s right, there’s no depths to which any apparently respectable public figure won’t stoop.
Very strange considering he’s one of the main cast now on Stargate Universe’.
I saw him on stage in Camelot and he was WONDERFUL! And didn’t he get nominated for a Tony for The King and I?? Maybe he thought it would be a
“hoot” to do the show and just decided to have fun with it.
It’s not surprising to me that credible actors would agree to do a reality show- I feel like LDP wouldn’t have an ego about what he does and most likely considers himself above all else, an entertainer. What I don’t get is why he would think opportunities like this would do anything but endanger his longevity. That’s the part I don’t get.
I just hope the program doesn’t make LDP look like a complete jerk. I’d always liked Bruce Jenner until I saw him in the earlier version (on another network) of this program. On the other hand, I didn’t think much, or no much, about Jennifer Lopez’s ex, Chris Judd, and liked the way he came off on the program and was glad when he won.
Don’t forget Stand and Deliver! “What’s calcoolus?” Love that movie!
He’s one of those guys who has been in some great stuff and some absolute crap.
Theres gotta be more to it. He can’t need the money that bad, he’s on a new series, areoccuring guest on a great show, awards and nominations up the whazoo…. he’s got a card up his sleeve..
ya gotta keep your face out there; period. He’s got to let the general publice know he still exists, i agree, it seems beneath him to me, I think he’s a damn good actor; who knows maybe he pissed somebody off, slept w/ the wrong person, didn’t sleep w/ the right person… who knows, let’s hope he bounces back.
NOT MY RITCHIE!!!
Oh, come on…he is so better than that. What about his stint as Ian Edgerton on “Numb3rs”? I love him on that show. I hate reality and really don’t think Mr. Phillips needs a paycheck that badly.
This can’t be real. Please!
Very strange decision, but then again his wife did marry Melissa Ethridge so he hangs out with a weird crowd. http://cutechristians.com
follow Lou on twitter
twitter@loudphillips
Maybe he just really wants to try his hand at surviving the elements…lots of people wish they could be on survivor and this may be as close as he can get! If he has fun with it, great. I always look forward to seeing him on TV or on the big screen and will continue to do so…but won’t be watching this one…that said, have fun with it Lou!!
When you see people like Donald Trump, Hugh Hefner, etc participating in these “reality” series, perhaps it is not too bizarre for LDP to join in. There was also Celebrity Poker for charity that had many popular series stars participating. However, I was surprised to see an actor of his credentials join this group. It does get “his face” out in the here & now – but I don’t think it enhances his image. I didn’t know it was for charity, perhaps that’s a saving grace.
I ABSOLUTELY love Lou Diamond Phiilips and after watching the NBC I’m A Celeb show, I admire him so much more. He’s a wonderful human with a good soul. I’m hoping to see LDP really soon starring his own show or movie again. Blessings to you LDP.
Ive met him before and hes an awesome and really down to earth guy. I hope this show doesnt ruin anything for him.