Image Credit: Glenn Harris/PR PhotosIt’s pilot casting season, that Rorschach test of pop culture moments when the little bits of show/actor matchmaking news constantly trickling out of Hollywood excite each of us in patterns as individual as fingerprints. Me, I’ve been unnaturally thrilled upon hearing about the wonderfully versatile Jane Kaczmarek and always solid Adam Arkin pairing up in ABC’s Modern Family 2 comedy Who Gets the Parents?; Seinfeld‘s own Newman, Wayne Knight, joining the already-fun-sounding CBS pilot (directed by Borat‘s Larry Charles) about a British lowlife who moves to L.A. to reconnect with his teen-star daughter; and Autumn Reeser (the brilliant, show-saving Taylor from The O.C.!) joining Michael Chiklis and Weeds‘ sorely missed Romany Malco in the ABC clan-with-special-powers pilot No Ordinary Family. If I wanted to keep going on about ABC’s particular knack for casting, I’d mention Leah Remini (pictured) in Modern Family 3 comedy It Takes a Village. But enough already. Here are a few more tidbits out of the pilot casting factory lately:
* Attack of the Show‘s Olivia Munn in NBC romantic comedy pilot Perfect Couples
* Greek‘s philandering houseboy Andrew West, also in Who Gets the Parents?
* Jason Ritter in NBC’s assassination-plot thriller The Event
* Scrubs‘ Donald Faison in CBS’ buddy-cop comedy The Odds
Which ones are you excited about in a way no one else could possibly be, PopWatchers?
More:
Hollywood Insider: Lynette Rice’s full coverage of TV pilot season
These are the same old re-treads, most of whom just came off a series. Why not cast some lesser known people? I would love to see Will Friedle (Boy Meets World) or Matthew Lawrence (Brotherly Love)get back on the air, these two were hilarious on their shows.
I loved Will Friedle on Boy Meets World. His character Eric was by far the funniest character. Whatever happened to him?
Friedle and Lawrence, wow that’s random.
I’m excited about Caroline Dhavernas in the “docs on an island” show, but I know that many other Wonderfalls fans are, too. I’m also glad to see Jason Ritter back on TV–I still miss Joan of Arcadia.
I hope Autumn Reeser’s new show is a hit. She saved the last season of The OC.
Go Wayne Knight!
Caroline Dhavernas being cast in Off The Map actually made me scream with joy. Sure, it’s Shonda, but it’s CAROLINE.
Me too!!! My fingers are crossed and I’m pleading and begging that her character be snarky… God I miss Wonderfalls.
I third that one!!
David Tennant in ‘Rex’. Seriously.
Except I don’t think that’s getting picked up for a series.
I absolutely second that, but unfortunately I think Chris is right – so far it’s not been put on the fall roster.
Too sad. At least it’s giving him time to do films? I wish it weren’t too late to recast him in Burke & Hare.
If I can’t have good SCRUBS, then give me Donald Faison in something better than SCRUBS 2.0
So is “Scrubs” over for good now? It’s been off the schedule ever since “Lost” started back up and I haven’t heard anything about a re-start date.
Don’t get too excited about any ABC pilots. Don’t forget they’re the network of Ugly Betty, Pushing Daisies, The Nine, Eli Stone….
Olivia Munn has a show????? ummmm ok
One of the most confusing, disjointed, tv articles that I have ever read. How do you have a job? Absolutely horrible. Spend less time shaking the bushes in whatever state of flux you research in and spend more than 5 minutes on your writing craft. You are a slap in the face to anyone who has ever written a review.
Dude, take a pill! Talk about wasting time, how long did it take you to read the article and comment?
I’m always excited to see Marguerite Moreau (not really the same, but she’s in the upcoming Parenthood). As possibly the only fan alive of Life or Something Like It, I love to see her on TV again.
Nope, I loved that show. Still watch clips of it on YouTube.
Excited to see Lauren Graham & Autumn Reeser back on screen =)
James Murray on Chaos! Loved him since I saw the first series of Primeval but could not bear to watch him in Krod Mandoon.
Honestly it’s hard to get excited over anybody staring in these horrible sounding pilots. Are any of them playing anything other than a cop, doctor or “hot female”? If so, that’s who I’m excited about.
Zach Gilford in Matadors, obviously. I don’t even know what it’s about, but that’s really not necessary for my love of the ZG.