We’ve been talking about NBC’s new version of “The Munsters”- to be called “Mockingbird Lane”- be an hour-long drama as opposed to its comedic roots- and star Jerry O’Connell as Herman, and Eddie Izzard as Grandpa. They had named an actress I was unfamiliar with, Mariana Klaveno as playing Lily- IF she could get out of a series commitment she had with ABC for a show called “Devious Maids”-which may go to the Lifetime network rather than the Alphabet network.
Well, she couldn’t get out of her “maid shift”- and, actually, that may be a good thing- because the actress they have now signed to play Mrs. Munster might just work out perfectly. Portia de Rossi, who’s been really fabulous on “Arrested Development” , “Ally Mac Beal” and “Nip/Tuck” will be playing the female lead in the new series- and I can see her playing Lily very fittingly. Her experience as part of the dysfunctional Bluth family on “Arrested Development” will probably serve her well as part of the Munster clan. However, I hope they do let her use her comedic skills for the show- since the producer is the guy who did “Pushing Daisies” which was a drama with a comedic bent, let’s hope they don’t get TOO serious with this…although I’m still a little leery of O’Connell as Herman…
In other news, the fate of Chicago’s Portage Theater may be sealed today- the Portage, where I have appeared several times in the last few years, is the subject of a battle between the neighborhood and a church that wants to buy it, turn it into their place of worship, take down the marquee, and make other changes to the historic theater. The local folks and community leaders don’t want to lose the theater, nor the storefronts the church will replace- and, if it becomes a church, it will restrict what kind of businesses can be established in its vicinity. A zoning board meeting will be held this morning at Chicago’s City Hall, and could decide whether the church can indeed purchase the Portage for $2.75 million plus property taxes. Will I appear at the Portage again in the future- or will I show up and be passed an offering basket?
Tonight we’ll bid a fond farewell to the “Conan” TBS crew, who have been doing their show from the Chicago Theater for the past few days, as well as launching various objects over the open State Street drawbridge of the Chicago River. A longtime fan of mine, Brian Stack, has been enjoying his time back home-and the whole crew has been enjoying the warm and enthusiastic reception they’ve gotten here. Let’s hope they make a return trip in the future!
I hadn’t heard this until now- that Warner Brothers is working on a new “Twilight Zone” movie- but it won’t be a remake of “Twilight Zone: the Movie” (so, no remake of Dan Ackroyd showing us something REALLY scary?!). Supposedly it will be one full-length story that incorporates elements from some of the classic Zone tales. Leonardo Di Caprio’s Appian Way production company is also involved. I just wonder if some youngsters will get confused and think it’s yet another “Twilight” sequel…wish them away to the cornfield, Anthony…
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