Phase two of casting the "Cupid" remake is complete, as Sarah Paulson has been cast to play Claire, the shrink whose job is to "cure" Bobby Cannavale's Trevor/Cupid.While I didn't enjoy Paulson on "Studio 60," I think that was much more a matter of an unplayable part than any reflection of her, and I've liked her in many other roles. Like Paula Marshall as the original Claire, she can come off as brittle and kind of a killjoy, but she also has some comic chops to offset that when the script calls for it. And I have to assume that she and Cannavale sparked well off each other, as I've always said that the most important aspect of finding a Claire was to see how well the actress played with Cupid.
Like all of ABC's pilots that aren't "Life on Mars," the new "Cupid" is on a delayed production schedule and is under consideration for midseason.
24 comments:
Oh, I love Sarah Paulson! I thought she was pretty great on Studio 60 for what she had to work with, actually. The character as written was completely unlikeable, yet I still managed to find her somewhat charming, due entirely to Sarah Paulson. So I'm definitely optimistic about this.
What does it matter? There isn't a shot in hell this is making it on the air anyway.
I think she is a good dramatic actress, but nothing I have seen suggests she has the ability to carry this romantic/comedy thing off.
I have to say, I have no complaints about Sarah Paulson. She played the part of the killjoy on Studio 60 well, and Claire Allen is a killjoy at times. But in the end, it's all about her chemistry with Bobby Cannavale.
Hopefully Rob Thomas won't force this project to work. I rather have the memory of the original than see this version ultimately suck...
I think that's a great choice. To add to the echo chamber, it's not her fault she had to play Sorkin's Bizarro world version of sweet, funny, talented Kristin Chenowith.
If you have doubts about her ability to sell romantic comedy, she does top-notch work in "Down With Love" as the second banana to Renee Zellwegger, and sparked nicely off David Hyde Pierce. She was also OK in short-lived SATC knock-off "Leap of Faith," which had script problems more than acting problems (also in the cast? Lisa Edelstein, Regina King, Ken Marino, and Jill Clayburgh). Also, will be interesting to see how much press the fact that she's openly (but quietly) gay gets.
That's great news. I wasn't fond of "Studio 60," but she was completely charming in The WB's short-lived "Jack & Jill" (the first place I saw her) and "Down With Love."
I didn't even think about her as a choice, but it actually makes sense. She showed signs of comedic chops in Studio 60, and I didn't hate that character as much as was warranted, which is solely due to her acting ability overcoming the horrible writing.
Here's hoping that she has great chemistry with Cannavale.
I loved Paula Marshall in the original, but I remember her being a lot less orange.
I loved Paula Marshall in the original, but I remember her being a lot less orange.
Heh. She was, in fact, quite porcelain in the original, but for some reason the publicity shot (one of the few I had of her in character) is tinted that way.
My first thought was "NOOOOO" after her role in Studio 60 but I did like her a lot on Jack & Jill, so if we ever get to see it, I think she will be a good "claire"
What, no love for Studio 60? Eh, well I guess that's about right for a show peaked with the pilot. After watching every maddening episode, I have a lot of respect for SP. She typically rose way, WAY above the material she was given. I agree with leezy though--it'll be all about the chemistry.
If this show makes it to air and goes down in flames like Studio 60, will Paulson become saddled with the "showkiller" designation?
dez,
Don't worry, if this show does go down in flames, Paulson can always find life in Thomas' 2014 remake of Veronica Mars
Ellie, no, no love from "Studio 60" for me, as Aaron Sorkin himself can attest. I didn't even like the pilot all that much.
She was TERRIBLE on Studio 60, but maybe that was her character. There's adding an additional hurdle with Paulson, given that this show is about chemistry & she, ah, brings baggage that will be written about. But maybe that's the point. There's no bad press, right?
I'm with dantehicks--my first reaction to Sarah Paulson was not positive. I absolutely hated her in Studio 60. Nevertheless, so many of you seem to think she was good in those other two shows that I haven't seen, so I'll keep an open mind. I don't know if I can erase that very annoying character she played on Studio 60.
@tc, just remember: Aaron Sorkin had an axe to grind over an ex. That actually explains about half of his female characters. The other half, I assume are all saints like his mom.
Wow. I used to love this guy, too.
^Usually, doing drugs turns one into a d-bag. Sorkin seemed to be more fun when he was on 'shrooms :-D
@dez: LOL!!!
What happened to the groundswell for Anne Dudek? I'm disappointed it's not AD.
What happened to the groundswell for Anne Dudek?
I don't know that that groundswell existed anywhere but in a post on this blog.
I was for Anne Dudek before I was against her...but really, it was more of a molehill than a groundswell.
I think she's a great choice. Here's my video evidence. This is her in "Jack & Jill" doing screwball romantic comedy.
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