Accent be damned, I first saw and loved Dick Van Dyke as Bert the chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins." As a kid, I caught the Nick at Nite reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and watched the early seasons of his long-running whodunit "Diagnosis...
[+] Read Full Review

Accent be damned, I first saw and loved Dick Van Dyke as Bert the chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins." As a kid, I caught the Nick at Nite reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and watched the early seasons of his long-running whodunit "Diagnosis Murder" and he was and is one of my favorite TV performers. No one else I can think of can so effortlessly combine physical comedy, wordplay and genuine dramatic chops and do it as well or for as long as Mr. Van Dyke has over his long career.

It's naive to assume that actors in reality display the traits of their characters, but from what I have seen of Dick Van Dyke in interviews and appearances, he looks to be the laid-back, funny guy that Bert, Rob Petrie and Mark Sloan were. He seems like he would be a great guy to visit with, an ideal "grandfather" figure if ever there was one.

Like many other performers of his generation, Dick Van Dyke occasionally seems to be in "retirement" until a new project pops up. Whether it was a sizable supporting role in "Night at the Museum" or his new regular "Murder 101" TV movie series, it's always nice to see Dick Van Dyke on screen. It's almost like catching up with a family member you haven't seen in a while.

It's sad to watch Robert Pastorelli in old movies and TV shows now, because you see his talent on display and the tragedy of his death really hits you. Here was a very talented guy who never really got the break-out success he deserved, and he...
[+] Read Full Review

It's sad to watch Robert Pastorelli in old movies and TV shows now, because you see his talent on display and the tragedy of his death really hits you. Here was a very talented guy who never really got the break-out success he deserved, and he died before it could happen.

Like many actors, Pastorelli had a history of substance abuse and hard living, and unfortunately he could never shake that. The timing of his death is really bitter - he had just finished a role in "Be Cool," a major movie and it may have led to more gigs. The role, though small, is goofy and funny and one of the few good parts of that film. Pastorelli could always be counted on to make the most of a "bit" or supporting part, whether it was as William Hurt's sidekick in Michael or as the ex-mob guy in Eraser. His characters stuck with you and he was always able to put a unique spin on them, just like Eldin on Murphy Brown.

It's a shame too that he didn't have more chances to show off his talents in dramas. As big a fan of the U.S. version of "Cracker" as I am, I realize it was not popular and did not get seen by many. I think people who only knew Pastorelli from "Murphy Brown" would have been pleasantly surprised by his performance.

My first exposure to Michael Kitchen was his role as Bill Tanner, the overworked and much-harangued Chief of Staff to Judi Dench's "M" in the later James Bond films. Even with just a few minutes of screen time in each, Kitchen was able to create...
[+] Read Full Review

My first exposure to Michael Kitchen was his role as Bill Tanner, the overworked and much-harangued Chief of Staff to Judi Dench's "M" in the later James Bond films. Even with just a few minutes of screen time in each, Kitchen was able to create a character who felt very real, a flesh-and-blood person that is so rarely seen in the 007 universe. Sadly, it seems his days in Bond are over, but I have recently begun watching his series "Foyle's War" and am thrilled to see him in a piece where he is the lead.

Kitchen is an actor who can still convey emotion without speaking - indeed, some of his expressions and asides in "Foyle's" are better than any spoken dialogue. He's not a traditional leading man, but does consistently deliver a nuanced performance. I want to track down more of his work and see more roles from this very talented actor.

James Garner is one of my favorite actors, and the star of one of my favorite shows ("The Rockford Files"). He's an effortless performer, a guy who looks incredibly natural on screen and always turns in a good performance. Of course, he's best...
[+] Read Full Review

James Garner is one of my favorite actors, and the star of one of my favorite shows ("The Rockford Files"). He's an effortless performer, a guy who looks incredibly natural on screen and always turns in a good performance. Of course, he's best known for his TV work, but his film work is always good too.

Maybe his success comes from the fact that he and his characters seem so relatable. Garner's men, whether they're Maverick or Rockford, are real people. He's not a he-man action star, but he's like a lot of us (or like a lot of us wish we'd be) - friendly, not the strongest or best looking guy but usually ready with a quip.

I'd recommend (to any Garner fans who haven't seen it) "Twilight." In it, he plays an ex-cop/PI who's involved in a case Paul Newman's character is investigating. Not only is it a great piece for James Garner, but it's a very well-made modern day "film noir" and mystery.

Not only was Mike Nelson one of the minds behind the fantastic "Mystery Science Theater 3000," but he's a very funny guy in his own right who continues to roll out new projects. While he wasn't the original host of "MST3K," Nelson's tenure as...
[+] Read Full Review

Not only was Mike Nelson one of the minds behind the fantastic "Mystery Science Theater 3000," but he's a very funny guy in his own right who continues to roll out new projects. While he wasn't the original host of "MST3K," Nelson's tenure as head writer and later as host helped to define the show. Much as I liked Joel Hodgson, I really think Nelson was the better host. He was much more comfortable on camera, had a more affable personality and his style of humor was a much better fit. Joel always seemed to be more of a passive riffer...Mike, Kevin Murphy (and later Bill Corbett) really turned up the heat and brought a new biting, acerbic edge to the comedy and the shows were great.

And unlike Joel, Mike has been steadily working in comedy since MST3K folded. Currently, he and some of his cohorts from the Satellite of Love have new movie-riffing ventures ("The Film Crew" DVDs and the web-based "Rifftrax.") These new projects show that time away from riffing has not dulled Nelson's wit...he's still as savagely funny as ever.

While not as big a star as some of his "SNL" contemporaries, Jon Lovitz is one of the best talents to come out of SNL from the 1980s/early 1990s and I hope he finds another vehicle to showcase his talents.

His film work is always...
[+] Read Full Review

While not as big a star as some of his "SNL" contemporaries, Jon Lovitz is one of the best talents to come out of SNL from the 1980s/early 1990s and I hope he finds another vehicle to showcase his talents.

His film work is always great, and sometimes he's the best thing about a mediocre movie ("Rat Race," "Benchwarmers"). He's also a terrific voice actor, playing parts on "The Simpsons" and starring in one of the greatest animated series of all time, "The Critic." This underrated classic certainly ranks among Lovitz' best work, and allowed him to showcase his pipes and his great voice acting talent.

In my opinion, Jon Lovitz gets a bum rap for his brief tenure on "NewsRadio," when he came on to the show after Phil Hartman's death. While nobody could top Hartman, I think Lovitz took the gig to honor his friend and to work through his grief. After a shaky start, he had really found his voice on the show, but it was canceled after his first season. Unfortunately, he has mostly been seen in commercials lately - here's hoping he's back on TV in a good series soon.

Most actors/performers are lucky to find a successful role on one major TV show or movie in their career. Phil Hartman proved to be the exception to the rule. He was a hit on SNL, he was a huge part of the "Simpsons" cast and he co-starred on...
[+] Read Full Review

Most actors/performers are lucky to find a successful role on one major TV show or movie in their career. Phil Hartman proved to be the exception to the rule. He was a hit on SNL, he was a huge part of the "Simpsons" cast and he co-starred on "Newsradio." Who knows what else he would have done if he had not died so young and so tragically?

I think the secret to his success was that Phil Hartman didn't put his ego ahead of being funny. He was never really the "star" of any of his projects, but he was always a crucial part of the cast and always brought his "A" game. Anytime he came on screen in "Newsradio" was comedy magic, and I still crack up when I hear him as Troy McClure or Lionel Hutz on "The Simpsons."

While his death is tragic, he has left us with a legacy of performances that continue to entertain audiences nearly 10 years after his death.

Not that he was bad as Al Bundy, but it's a crime to fence in Ed O'Neill as the crass dad from "Married With Children." Equally adept at comedy and drama, O'Neill hasn't had a star vehicle since his Bundy days ended, but his pop-up visits on TV...
[+] Read Full Review

Not that he was bad as Al Bundy, but it's a crime to fence in Ed O'Neill as the crass dad from "Married With Children." Equally adept at comedy and drama, O'Neill hasn't had a star vehicle since his Bundy days ended, but his pop-up visits on TV shows and in films are always worth a watch. He's found a special place as part of David Mamet's film and TV ensemble, and he's one of the few actors who can always make Mamet work. He's a go-to character actor and can always be counted on for some solid support in movies like "The Bone Collector" and "Spartan." I hope he finds a new recurring (or lead) role on TV, because he really is a great actor. Maybe once "The Unit" winds down, David Mamet can craft a series with O'Neill in the lead.

Powers Boothe is able to play a mixture of charm, menace, introspection and brutality in a wide variety of roles. Still, he's largely unappreciated, despite appearing in some of the best and most critically acclaimed films and TV shows in recent...
[+] Read Full Review

Powers Boothe is able to play a mixture of charm, menace, introspection and brutality in a wide variety of roles. Still, he's largely unappreciated, despite appearing in some of the best and most critically acclaimed films and TV shows in recent memory.

He steadily appears on film, but I think his meatiest parts have been on TV. I'm biased (I'm the editor of the show and I love it) but people curious about Mr. Boothe should check out "Philip Marlowe, Private Eye." Not only is it a terrific series in its own right, but it's a star turn for Mr. Boothe, who takes the role of the iconic detective and makes it his own (not easy when Humphrey Bogart has also played the character!)

More recently, he was the only good part of the awful sixth season of "24." And he was consistently strong on "Deadwood," the lamentably short-lived HBO drama. Whatever he's in, regardless of the quality of the piece itself, it's a sure-thing Powers Boothe is going to turn in a great performance.

"Twilight" is an underrated classic, a modern film noir that can stand proud alongside the timeless mysteries of the 40s and 50s. Paul Newman is Harry Ross, a former PI who now bums around the palatial mansion of his movie-star couple...
[+] Read Full Review

"Twilight" is an underrated classic, a modern film noir that can stand proud alongside the timeless mysteries of the 40s and 50s. Paul Newman is Harry Ross, a former PI who now bums around the palatial mansion of his movie-star couple friends, Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon. But Hackman is in some trouble and calls in a favor from Harry, which plunges the old detective into one last case of secrets, sadness and murder.

Newman is easily one of the greatest actors of our time, and giving him a meaty role like Ross and watching him run with it is one of the best things about "Twilight." He's a man who knows he is past his prime, but is also fully aware he's not in the grave yet. Give Newman and his supporting cast a crackerjack script by director Robert Benton and Richard Russo and you have an electrifying drama from start to finish.

For an actor to achieve the success that Raymond Burr did, anchoring two successful shows with close to decade-long runs for each is rare. And perhaps it is even more rare for an actor to do it with Burr's sense of generosity and philanthropy...
[+] Read Full Review

For an actor to achieve the success that Raymond Burr did, anchoring two successful shows with close to decade-long runs for each is rare. And perhaps it is even more rare for an actor to do it with Burr's sense of generosity and philanthropy among his fellow actors and fellow men.

As Perry Mason, Burr carried the series and defined the TV "defense attorney" for decades to come. He delivered a nuanced, hard-boiled performance and took his work seriously, often doing his own legal research to better understand the show and its concepts. That the character was so warmly received in the 1980s and 1990s reunion movies is a testament to the strength of the series and of Burr's performance. After a nine-year run of "Perry Mason" wrapped up, Burr immediately jumped into "Ironside," which itself ran for eight seasons. And it wasn't just a case of Perry Mason in a wheelchair. Robert Ironside was a distinctive character, crass and ill-tempered and miles away from Mason. But Burr made them both work. Even when illness struck him late in life, he kept working. He worked right up to his death, finishing one last "Perry Mason" movie before succumbing to cancer.

It's almost ironic that Raymond Burr would be remembered as the upstanding, heroic Perry Mason and Ironside after breaking into acting in villainous roles (most famously as Lars Thorwald in "Rear Window.") He is remembered today as a tremendous talent and a genuine, caring man who has given the world hundreds of hours of entertainment.

Fred MacMurray may be one of the few actors who could convincingly play both a Disney hero and a James M. Cain villain and be terrific as both. Best remembered today as the dad on "My Three Sons," MacMurray was a hard-working actor who had more...
[+] Read Full Review

Fred MacMurray may be one of the few actors who could convincingly play both a Disney hero and a James M. Cain villain and be terrific as both. Best remembered today as the dad on "My Three Sons," MacMurray was a hard-working actor who had more range and depth than he gets credit for. To me, he is a less earnest, more honest Jimmy Stewart type: MacMurray's characters feel very real, especially Walter Neff in "Double Indemnity." Equally adept at comedy and drama (he starred in "The Shaggy Dog" and was the first choice to play Perry Mason), I'm surprised MacMurray isn't remembered more for his acting chops. Twelve years on "My Three Sons" might have made viewers forget what a strong actor he was.

One of the greatest voices of the 20th century, Nat King Cole also found fame and acclaim as a jazz pianist. Cole made the transition from playing to singing effortlessly and stayed with both throughout his long career. Despite having a short...
[+] Read Full Review

One of the greatest voices of the 20th century, Nat King Cole also found fame and acclaim as a jazz pianist. Cole made the transition from playing to singing effortlessly and stayed with both throughout his long career. Despite having a short life, tragically cut short by lung cancer, he has left behind a body of work that is still enjoyed today. He has so many signature songs and his rich, velvety voice identifies him instantly - "Mona Lisa," "Unforgettable," "Straighten Up and Fly Right," and so many others. On a larger and more important scale, Cole also made great strides for civil rights, becoming one of the most popular African-American performers of the day and campaigning for civil rights with JFK and Lyndon Johnson. His catalogue of work may not be as deep as Sinatra or Martin, but he has left his mark as one of the best crooners of all time.

I guess it's unfair, but I judged Robert Patrick's acting ability solely on his turn as T-1000 in "Terminator 2." That was before I saw his story arc in Season 2 of "The Sopranos," as Tony's gambling addict childhood friend and before he stepped...
[+] Read Full Review

I guess it's unfair, but I judged Robert Patrick's acting ability solely on his turn as T-1000 in "Terminator 2." That was before I saw his story arc in Season 2 of "The Sopranos," as Tony's gambling addict childhood friend and before he stepped into the basement office on "The X-Files." As a fan of "X-Files" who had been losing interest in Seasons 6 and 7, Patrick brought me back to the fold. His John Doggett was everything Mulder was not, and Robert Patrick was a heck of a better actor than David Duchovny could ever hope to be. Not many people can play a man of action without looking like a brainless muscle man, but Robert Patrick regularly offers characters who are tough and smart.

I would have loved to see a few more seasons of "X-Files" with Robert Patrick in the lead (though I would have dropped Annabeth Gish). I'm glad he's back on TV, even though I'm not a fan of "The Unit," and very glad he keeps a steady flow of film appearances.

Despite writing in the "golden age" of TV drama, where formula reigned supreme, Roy Huggins managed to develop and create so many characters that were outside of the norm that they are still watched and appreciated today. I once read someone...
[+] Read Full Review

Despite writing in the "golden age" of TV drama, where formula reigned supreme, Roy Huggins managed to develop and create so many characters that were outside of the norm that they are still watched and appreciated today. I once read someone describe Huggins' Jim Rockford as a curveball in a world of fastballs, and I think that applies to Huggins as well. He turned the Western on its ear with "Maverick," giving viewers a con man, cheat and coward as their hero. "The Fugitive" painted law enforcement and the judicial system (up till then seen only as virtuous and heroic) as dark and jaded, pitting an innocent man against corruption and indifference. And Jim Rockford is still TV's best private eye, with a laid-back attitude and quips always at the ready. Roy Huggins not only created great stuff on his own, but he influenced a whole generation of producers and crime writers (including his protege, Stephen J. Cannell). I'm glad so much of his catalogue is coming to DVD, as it gives more generations the chance to see how talented this guy was.

Aside from seeing him in guest spots or in movies, my first real exposure to Daniel Benzali came in "Murder One," and he blew me away. He had a "calm in the storm" aspect at times that he could shed completely when he was in court. His was a...
[+] Read Full Review

Aside from seeing him in guest spots or in movies, my first real exposure to Daniel Benzali came in "Murder One," and he blew me away. He had a "calm in the storm" aspect at times that he could shed completely when he was in court. His was a nuanced performance that you don't often see on TV...usually actors are overreaching, overemoting, talking without saying anything. Benzali is so measured, so meticulous, every word out of his mouth is a gem and every movement seems natural. I loved hearing his thoughts on the Ted Hoffman character on the "Murder One" DVD, and how he saw Hoffman as a Philip Marlowe character in a modern-day film noir.

I saw that he made a few appearances on "Jerhico," but he needs to be back on TV on a more regular basis. I'd love to see him as a defense attorney on "Law & Order," or as a lead in a drama.

With his work on shows like "Hill Street Blues", "L.A. Law" and "NYPD Blue", Steven Bochco has really ushered in the idea of modern TV drama, and he has rightfully earned scores of awards and acclaim. Bochco introduced the ideas of...
[+] Read Full Review

With his work on shows like "Hill Street Blues", "L.A. Law" and "NYPD Blue", Steven Bochco has really ushered in the idea of modern TV drama, and he has rightfully earned scores of awards and acclaim. Bochco introduced the ideas of multiple-episode story arcs in prime time; he made shows with large ensemble casts successful (rare is the show today that focuses on only one character); and he brought new levels of content to prime-time. Where would TV be today if he had not pushed the envelope in 1993 with "NYPD Blue" and language and nudity? It's almost hard to imagine the brouhaha that erupted when "Blue" premiered, since it seems like every show under the sun carries a "Viewer Discretion Advised" tag at the outset. Getting his sea legs in the era of big prime-time mysteries (Bochco cut his teeth on "Columbo"), he brought that sensibility of character and plot to his own work and he broke new ground in series television.

Of course, Steven Bochco did more than just change TV standards: he also created some great shows and characters. Arnie Becker, Andy Sipowicz, and many others. Not everything he's touched has been a hit ("Cop Rock," "Blind Justice") but he never plays it safe and delivers something tired and stale. Bochco's shows feature real people with faults and foibles...gimmicks aren't his bag. Even with all of the excitement over naked butts on "Blue," what kept viewers around was the drama of the characters. In an age where comic-book concepts and cheap ploys are filling the networks, it's unfortunate that Steven Bochco seems to be done with TV. We could use a show with his voice again.

I first heard Phil Harris' voice in his Disney films and loved his folksy style. Later, as I got into collecting old-time radio shows, I heard him as Jack Benny's bandleader, with his Dean Martin-style loveable lush character. If you ever get...
[+] Read Full Review

I first heard Phil Harris' voice in his Disney films and loved his folksy style. Later, as I got into collecting old-time radio shows, I heard him as Jack Benny's bandleader, with his Dean Martin-style loveable lush character. If you ever get the chance to check out some of those old shows, you should...they hold up very well today and Harris provides some of the biggest laughs. Some people say Dean Martin lifted his "drunk" act from Phil Harris, and it was an essential part of Harris' "character" on Jack Benny and on his own show with Alice Faye. His legacy will live for as long as people love The Jungle Book, Robin Hood and The AristoCats.

William Link is a TV legend and (as an aspiring mystery writer) one of my idols. In a career that has spanned almost 50 years, he and writing/producing partner Richard Levinson have left a huge legacy of TV films and series, most of them iconic...
[+] Read Full Review

William Link is a TV legend and (as an aspiring mystery writer) one of my idols. In a career that has spanned almost 50 years, he and writing/producing partner Richard Levinson have left a huge legacy of TV films and series, most of them iconic mysteries.

Arguably, their most famous creations are Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote), Joe Mannix and Lt. Columbo, but they were among the first writers to tackle serious subjects like homosexuality and discrimination in TV. Their works addressed big issues that were (and are) difficult to talk about, and brought them to the forefront.

Mr. Link appears to have retired from writing, but his work will be remembered and enjoyed by mystery and drama fans for years to come.

Peter Falk remains the greatest TV Detective of them all as "Columbo." Watch any episode at random and you'll be frightened at how in-character and committed Falk is to the part. Watching him maneuver like a shark around a suspect, transforming...
[+] Read Full Review

Peter Falk remains the greatest TV Detective of them all as "Columbo." Watch any episode at random and you'll be frightened at how in-character and committed Falk is to the part. Watching him maneuver like a shark around a suspect, transforming from bumbling to brilliant is a joy to watch. No wonder he won four Emmys for his work as "Columbo."

It's not just "Columbo." Watch his films with Cassavettes, his recent film with Paul Reiser "The Thing About My Folks," and even "The Princess Bride" to see a truly gifted and phenomenally talented actor. This is a guy who was nominated for an Oscar for his first film role! The man can do comedy too - watch his decidedly off-kilter take on the Bogart-style private eye in Neil Simon's "Murder by Death" and "The Cheap Detective." Like Leslie Nielsen, Falk is a master of the deadpan, a character so serious he isn't aware of how funny he is.

I have recently read Mr. Falk's recently released autobiography. It is a collection of jokes, stories, memories and anecdotes, but it is a fantastic read. You get to see how he approaches his roles, how he interacts with other actors and what he has learned in a career that has spanned five decades. I hope Mr. Falk keeps acting and entertaining us until Lt. Columbo drives that beat-up Peuguot through the pearly gates.