Some people are worth melting for — especially the hot ones.
In the new trailer for Netflix’s holiday rom-com “Hot Frosty,” Christmas movie queen Lacey Chabert stars as a widow named Kathy, who magically brings a sexy snowman (“Schitt’s Creek” alum Dustin Milligan) to life. Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Kathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays … and before he melts.
At the end of the trailer, Chabert’s character is seen watching Lindsay Lohan’s 2023 Netflix holiday film “Falling for Christmas.” In a nod to their beloved 2004 flick “Mean Girls,” she quips, “That’s so funny. That looks just like a girl I went to high school with.”
Joe Lo Truglio and Craig Robinson bring some comedic relief as a pair of police officers, while Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Sherry Miller, Dan Lett,...
In the new trailer for Netflix’s holiday rom-com “Hot Frosty,” Christmas movie queen Lacey Chabert stars as a widow named Kathy, who magically brings a sexy snowman (“Schitt’s Creek” alum Dustin Milligan) to life. Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Kathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays … and before he melts.
At the end of the trailer, Chabert’s character is seen watching Lindsay Lohan’s 2023 Netflix holiday film “Falling for Christmas.” In a nod to their beloved 2004 flick “Mean Girls,” she quips, “That’s so funny. That looks just like a girl I went to high school with.”
Joe Lo Truglio and Craig Robinson bring some comedic relief as a pair of police officers, while Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Sherry Miller, Dan Lett,...
- 10/23/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Thumpety, thump, thump, Frosty returns like you’ve never seen him before in the new Netflix original “Hot Frosty.”
Lacey Chabert (“Mean Girls”) and Dustin Milligan (“Schitt’s Creek”) teased their unlikely romance in the first trailer for their Netflix holiday movie Wednesday.
Two years after the loss of her husband, Kathy (Chabert) struggles to enjoy the holiday season. But with the help of a magical scarf, she brings a handsome snowman to life. His innocence and wonder teach her to fall in love again just in time for the holiday season.
The real life Frosty named Jack (Milligan) streaks through the park and steals some clothes before bumping into love interest Kathy. Craig Robinson puts Jack on the hot seat in the sheriff’s office before Katy saves him from melting away.
Chabert is no stranger to the holiday rom-com genre, starring in over 30 Hallmark Channel movies. The Queen of...
Lacey Chabert (“Mean Girls”) and Dustin Milligan (“Schitt’s Creek”) teased their unlikely romance in the first trailer for their Netflix holiday movie Wednesday.
Two years after the loss of her husband, Kathy (Chabert) struggles to enjoy the holiday season. But with the help of a magical scarf, she brings a handsome snowman to life. His innocence and wonder teach her to fall in love again just in time for the holiday season.
The real life Frosty named Jack (Milligan) streaks through the park and steals some clothes before bumping into love interest Kathy. Craig Robinson puts Jack on the hot seat in the sheriff’s office before Katy saves him from melting away.
Chabert is no stranger to the holiday rom-com genre, starring in over 30 Hallmark Channel movies. The Queen of...
- 10/23/2024
- by Tess Patton
- The Wrap
Photo: Jodie Sweetin, Stephen Huszar
Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Brain Power Studio
Hallmark+ has released details of the fourth exciting new installment in the ongoing mystery movie series, The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose.
The movie sees Jodie and Stephen playing a high-stakes game show where the winner goes missing. Read on for more details about this exciting movie, set to air on Thursday, September 26 on Hallmark+.
The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose on Hallmark+ Photo: Jodie Sweetin
Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Brain Power Studio
According to the official press release, singer-turned-detective Jane Da Silva (Sweetin) is preparing for the Children’s Hospital Gala Fundraiser alongside her Aunt Sadie (Paris Jefferson). She is approached by a reporter, Margret (Victoria Sawal), seeking help in locating her missing colleague, Irene (Sherry Miller). The seasoned journalist disappeared days after winning big on a popular game show, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Brain Power Studio
Hallmark+ has released details of the fourth exciting new installment in the ongoing mystery movie series, The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose.
The movie sees Jodie and Stephen playing a high-stakes game show where the winner goes missing. Read on for more details about this exciting movie, set to air on Thursday, September 26 on Hallmark+.
The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose on Hallmark+ Photo: Jodie Sweetin
Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Brain Power Studio
According to the official press release, singer-turned-detective Jane Da Silva (Sweetin) is preparing for the Children’s Hospital Gala Fundraiser alongside her Aunt Sadie (Paris Jefferson). She is approached by a reporter, Margret (Victoria Sawal), seeking help in locating her missing colleague, Irene (Sherry Miller). The seasoned journalist disappeared days after winning big on a popular game show, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
- 9/24/2024
- by Anne King
- Celebrating The Soaps
Vulture Watch
Is Harley heading back to Hollywood? Has the Carter TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on Wgn America? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Carter season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A Wgn America Canadian detective drama, which originated on Bravo Canada, Carter stars Jerry O’Connell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier (as Sydney Poitier Heartsong), Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller. The series centers on TV star Harley Carter (O'Connell), who forsakes L.A. for his hometown of Bishop, after a humiliating meltdown. Now he's serving as a consulting police detective and working cases with...
Is Harley heading back to Hollywood? Has the Carter TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on Wgn America? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Carter season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?
What's This TV Show About?
A Wgn America Canadian detective drama, which originated on Bravo Canada, Carter stars Jerry O’Connell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier (as Sydney Poitier Heartsong), Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller. The series centers on TV star Harley Carter (O'Connell), who forsakes L.A. for his hometown of Bishop, after a humiliating meltdown. Now he's serving as a consulting police detective and working cases with...
- 11/19/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
How does Harley Carter handle the culture shock of returning home, during the first season of the Carter TV show on Wgn America? As we all know, the Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like Carter is cancelled or renewed for season two. However, since this TV series originated in Canada, its Canadian ratings matter more. Because many viewers feel frustration when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we'd like to offer you the chance to rate all of the season one episodes of Carter below.
A Wgn America detective drama from Bravo Canada, Carter stars Jerry O’Connell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier (as Sydney Poitier Heartsong), Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller. The series centers on TV star Harley Carter (O’Connell), who forsakes L.A. for...
A Wgn America detective drama from Bravo Canada, Carter stars Jerry O’Connell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier (as Sydney Poitier Heartsong), Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller. The series centers on TV star Harley Carter (O’Connell), who forsakes L.A. for...
- 1/26/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
It looks like Carter is sticking around. Today, Wgn America announced they've picked up the TV show for a second season.
The Canadian crime drama centers on Harley (Jerry O'Connell), an actor who moves back to his hometown and begins work as a real detective despite only having played one TV. The cast also includes Sydney Poitier Heartsong, Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller.
Read More…...
The Canadian crime drama centers on Harley (Jerry O'Connell), an actor who moves back to his hometown and begins work as a real detective despite only having played one TV. The cast also includes Sydney Poitier Heartsong, Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller.
Read More…...
- 1/24/2019
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Network: Wgn America.
Episodes: Ongoing (hour).
Seasons: Ongoing.
TV show dates: August 7, 2018 — present.
Series status: Has not been cancelled.
Performers include: Jerry O'Connell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier (as Sydney Poitier Heartsong), Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller.
TV show description:
A comedic Canadian crime drama from creator Garry Campbell, the Carter TV show premiered on Bravo in Canada, prior to its Us debut. The series centers on Harley (O'Connell), a Canadian actor who enjoyed success as the lead of a hit American detective series, Call Carter, until indulging in a big, embarrassing meltdown. Now back in his quiet hometown of Bishop, Harley is putting his acting skills to work...
Episodes: Ongoing (hour).
Seasons: Ongoing.
TV show dates: August 7, 2018 — present.
Series status: Has not been cancelled.
Performers include: Jerry O'Connell, Sydney Tamiia Poitier (as Sydney Poitier Heartsong), Kristian Bruun, Varun Saranga, Matt Baram, Brenda Kamino, Denis Akiyama, John Bourgeois, Joanne Boland, and Sherry Miller.
TV show description:
A comedic Canadian crime drama from creator Garry Campbell, the Carter TV show premiered on Bravo in Canada, prior to its Us debut. The series centers on Harley (O'Connell), a Canadian actor who enjoyed success as the lead of a hit American detective series, Call Carter, until indulging in a big, embarrassing meltdown. Now back in his quiet hometown of Bishop, Harley is putting his acting skills to work...
- 8/8/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Are you a fan of Queer as Folk? Recently, the cast reunited and spoke with Entertainment Weekly about the groundbreaking Showtime TV show.Based on the UK series of the same name, the drama follows the lives of a group of young gay men and women living in the Philadelphia area. The Showtime series ran for five seasons before ending in 2005 and starred Gale Harold, Randy Harrison, Hal Sparks, Scott Lowell, Peter Paige, Sharon Gless, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie, Robert Gant, Jack Wetherall, and Sherry Miller.Read More…...
- 6/13/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Before there was Glee's Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), there was My So-Called Life's Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz) and Queer as Folk's Justin Taylor (Randy Harrison).
No, the three storylines weren't identical, and neither were the three characters. But however revolutionary the character of Kurt is — and he is [See companion article, Kurt Hummel's Perfect Storm] — Rickie and Justin broke quite a lot of ground for Kurt. Here is a look at how their stories are similar to Kurt's —and how they're not.
My So-Called Life's Rickie Vasquez
My So-Called Lifedebuted in 1994 on ABC, and ran for one critically-acclaimed season before being canceled. It starred 14-year-old Claire Danes as Angela Chase, and 19-year-old Wilson Cruz as her out gayfriend and classmate, Rickie Vasquez.
Like Glee:
My So-Called Life was aimed right at the teenage demographic, just like Glee. And it was set in a high school not very different from McKinley High, in...
No, the three storylines weren't identical, and neither were the three characters. But however revolutionary the character of Kurt is — and he is [See companion article, Kurt Hummel's Perfect Storm] — Rickie and Justin broke quite a lot of ground for Kurt. Here is a look at how their stories are similar to Kurt's —and how they're not.
My So-Called Life's Rickie Vasquez
My So-Called Lifedebuted in 1994 on ABC, and ran for one critically-acclaimed season before being canceled. It starred 14-year-old Claire Danes as Angela Chase, and 19-year-old Wilson Cruz as her out gayfriend and classmate, Rickie Vasquez.
Like Glee:
My So-Called Life was aimed right at the teenage demographic, just like Glee. And it was set in a high school not very different from McKinley High, in...
- 12/20/2010
- by Christie Keith
- The Backlot
Have you ever heard of the author Douglas Coupland? He writes novels with a comical nod to pop culture, though the main plot might be gravely serious. In the case of jPod, it was just another book about that generation of young professionals who graduated in an era when computer science was the hottest destination under the sun. Coupland wrote a few books about this generation (they’re all worth checking out), but only jPod found its way as a television show. Guess what? You probably never heard of it. But you really ought to seek it out.
The series’ single season aired in 2008, ran for 13 episodes and ended with a cliffhanger. Basically, Ethan (David Kopp) can’t keep his work life and his private life separate. It’s not his fault though. His mother Carol (Sherry Miller), has a pot farm in her basement (a damned good one too...
The series’ single season aired in 2008, ran for 13 episodes and ended with a cliffhanger. Basically, Ethan (David Kopp) can’t keep his work life and his private life separate. It’s not his fault though. His mother Carol (Sherry Miller), has a pot farm in her basement (a damned good one too...
- 1/21/2010
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Cast set for N's 'Best Years'
TORONTO -- Charity Shea, Athena Karkanis, Brendan Jay McLaren and Sherry Miller are set as the stars of The Best Years, a teen drama for The N from Toronto-based Blueprint Entertainment now shooting in Toronto.
The ensemble cast for the one-hour drama about first-year students at a Boston university also features Jennifer Miller and Alan Van Sprang.
Noreen Halpern, a Los Angeles-based executive producer with Blueprint Entertainment, said that Toronto-based Aaron Martin created the series for The N, which also airs Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Martin executive produced and served as head writer on that high school drama.
The ensemble cast for the one-hour drama about first-year students at a Boston university also features Jennifer Miller and Alan Van Sprang.
Noreen Halpern, a Los Angeles-based executive producer with Blueprint Entertainment, said that Toronto-based Aaron Martin created the series for The N, which also airs Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Martin executive produced and served as head writer on that high school drama.
- 11/14/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Laughter on 23rd Floor
Scheduled for airing on Showtime in the spring, Neil Simon's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" had its world premiere at the Nortel Networks Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. The film screened in a 35mm print Saturday at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. A crowd-pleaser no matter how big the crowd is, "Laughter" is delightfully salty from beginning to end, but younger audiences will be hard to woo.
Set in 1954-55 New York, the movie is a "Front Page"-paced comedy about a group of pioneer TV writers and their famous boss.
Based on his experiences working as a writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows", screenwriter Simon expands and fleshes out his 1993 play in key areas for this Paramount/Showtime production. Richard Benjamin deftly -- if unspectacularly -- calls the shots in another visit to the milieu he had much success with in his 1982 directorial debut, "My Favorite Year".
"Laughter" is surprisingly nimble about shifting emotional moods. The more serious moments -- dealing with the characters' personal and professional problems or the ongoing witch hunt of Sen. Joseph McCarthy -- are welcome respites from the otherwise frantic pace.
Nathan Lane reprises the role of supertalented TV star Max Prince, a role he first performed on Broadway. Lane is unstoppable as the charismatic lead funnyman, who in some ways is drowning and in other ways is surfing through the turbulent waves of change. The entire cast is wonderfully in the spirit, and the production values effortlessly evoke the period. Yet the project is far more than a nostalgic rerun of more hilarious times.
Popping pills, drinking like a fish and smoking big cigars, Prince is the dynamic but frazzled star of a hit weekly show on NBC that reflects his personality and the jokers he employs. While much of the action takes place in the writers' room on the titular 23rd story -- all of the play was set there -- the movie shows us Prince at home, Prince out in public with the writers, Prince at the graveyard with his older brother Harry Richard Portnow), Prince meeting with pompous network executives and so on.
Lest one thinks times have changed, Prince and his crew are fighting for the right to air the "urbane" show they want, without pressure from the network, but business is business. Prince goes on the warpath when the message comes down that ordinary American viewers aren't interested in satires of foreign movies and other inspired routines the show has tried in the past. The story more or less follows the decline of the show, including the intrusion of a network spy/censor, along with Prince's deteriorating physical and mental health. But we spend a good portion of the movie with the writers, who worriedly pass the time by verbally sparring or trying to help the proud, mercurial Prince behind his back.
The real writers Simon worked with included Mel Brooks, Larry Belbart and Mel Tolkin. The film's supporting cast of seven scribes has nary a weak link.
Always late and a wildly imaginative hypochondriac, Ira (Saul Rubinek) is the head writer, whom the others love to hate and bait. The rest of Prince's gag team is Russian emigre Val (Mark Linn-Baker, who also played the role on Broadway), lone female Carol (Peri Gilpin), newcomer Lucas (Mackenzie Astin), bemused Milt (Dan Castellaneta) and aggressive needlers Kenny (Victor Garber) and Brian (Zach Grenier).
Frank Proctor as real-life columnist Walter Winchell, Sherry Miller as Prince's wife and Colin Fox as network head Cal Weeb are nicely given their moments to play off Lane's dominating presence. Indeed, starting with Lane's generous and often superbly executed comedic and dramatic performance in a crowd, "Laughter" is classic material preserved for the ages.
LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR
Showtime Networks and Paramount Television
Director: Richard Benjamin
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Producer: Jeffrey Lampert
Executive producers: Emanuel Azenberg, Neil Simon
Director of photography: Danny Nowak
Production designer: Franco De Cotiis
Editor: Jacqueline Cambas
Costume designer: Tamara Winston
Music: Joseph Vitarelli
Color/stereo
Cast:
Max Prince: Nathan Lane
Val: Mark Linn-Baker
Kenny: Victor Garber
Ira: Saul Rubinek
Carol: Peri Gilpin
Milt: Dan Castellaneta
Harry: Richard Portnow
Brian: Zach Grenier
Lucas: Mackenzie Astin
Walter Winchell: Frank Proctor
Faye: Sherry Miller
Cal Weeb: Colin Fox
Running time --102 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
Set in 1954-55 New York, the movie is a "Front Page"-paced comedy about a group of pioneer TV writers and their famous boss.
Based on his experiences working as a writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows", screenwriter Simon expands and fleshes out his 1993 play in key areas for this Paramount/Showtime production. Richard Benjamin deftly -- if unspectacularly -- calls the shots in another visit to the milieu he had much success with in his 1982 directorial debut, "My Favorite Year".
"Laughter" is surprisingly nimble about shifting emotional moods. The more serious moments -- dealing with the characters' personal and professional problems or the ongoing witch hunt of Sen. Joseph McCarthy -- are welcome respites from the otherwise frantic pace.
Nathan Lane reprises the role of supertalented TV star Max Prince, a role he first performed on Broadway. Lane is unstoppable as the charismatic lead funnyman, who in some ways is drowning and in other ways is surfing through the turbulent waves of change. The entire cast is wonderfully in the spirit, and the production values effortlessly evoke the period. Yet the project is far more than a nostalgic rerun of more hilarious times.
Popping pills, drinking like a fish and smoking big cigars, Prince is the dynamic but frazzled star of a hit weekly show on NBC that reflects his personality and the jokers he employs. While much of the action takes place in the writers' room on the titular 23rd story -- all of the play was set there -- the movie shows us Prince at home, Prince out in public with the writers, Prince at the graveyard with his older brother Harry Richard Portnow), Prince meeting with pompous network executives and so on.
Lest one thinks times have changed, Prince and his crew are fighting for the right to air the "urbane" show they want, without pressure from the network, but business is business. Prince goes on the warpath when the message comes down that ordinary American viewers aren't interested in satires of foreign movies and other inspired routines the show has tried in the past. The story more or less follows the decline of the show, including the intrusion of a network spy/censor, along with Prince's deteriorating physical and mental health. But we spend a good portion of the movie with the writers, who worriedly pass the time by verbally sparring or trying to help the proud, mercurial Prince behind his back.
The real writers Simon worked with included Mel Brooks, Larry Belbart and Mel Tolkin. The film's supporting cast of seven scribes has nary a weak link.
Always late and a wildly imaginative hypochondriac, Ira (Saul Rubinek) is the head writer, whom the others love to hate and bait. The rest of Prince's gag team is Russian emigre Val (Mark Linn-Baker, who also played the role on Broadway), lone female Carol (Peri Gilpin), newcomer Lucas (Mackenzie Astin), bemused Milt (Dan Castellaneta) and aggressive needlers Kenny (Victor Garber) and Brian (Zach Grenier).
Frank Proctor as real-life columnist Walter Winchell, Sherry Miller as Prince's wife and Colin Fox as network head Cal Weeb are nicely given their moments to play off Lane's dominating presence. Indeed, starting with Lane's generous and often superbly executed comedic and dramatic performance in a crowd, "Laughter" is classic material preserved for the ages.
LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR
Showtime Networks and Paramount Television
Director: Richard Benjamin
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Producer: Jeffrey Lampert
Executive producers: Emanuel Azenberg, Neil Simon
Director of photography: Danny Nowak
Production designer: Franco De Cotiis
Editor: Jacqueline Cambas
Costume designer: Tamara Winston
Music: Joseph Vitarelli
Color/stereo
Cast:
Max Prince: Nathan Lane
Val: Mark Linn-Baker
Kenny: Victor Garber
Ira: Saul Rubinek
Carol: Peri Gilpin
Milt: Dan Castellaneta
Harry: Richard Portnow
Brian: Zach Grenier
Lucas: Mackenzie Astin
Walter Winchell: Frank Proctor
Faye: Sherry Miller
Cal Weeb: Colin Fox
Running time --102 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
- 7/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Laughter on 23rd Floor
Scheduled for airing on Showtime in the spring, Neil Simon's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" had its world premiere at the Nortel Networks Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. The film screened in a 35mm print Saturday at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. A crowd-pleaser no matter how big the crowd is, "Laughter" is delightfully salty from beginning to end, but younger audiences will be hard to woo.
Set in 1954-55 New York, the movie is a "Front Page"-paced comedy about a group of pioneer TV writers and their famous boss.
Based on his experiences working as a writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows", screenwriter Simon expands and fleshes out his 1993 play in key areas for this Paramount/Showtime production. Richard Benjamin deftly -- if unspectacularly -- calls the shots in another visit to the milieu he had much success with in his 1982 directorial debut, "My Favorite Year".
"Laughter" is surprisingly nimble about shifting emotional moods. The more serious moments -- dealing with the characters' personal and professional problems or the ongoing witch hunt of Sen. Joseph McCarthy -- are welcome respites from the otherwise frantic pace.
Nathan Lane reprises the role of supertalented TV star Max Prince, a role he first performed on Broadway. Lane is unstoppable as the charismatic lead funnyman, who in some ways is drowning and in other ways is surfing through the turbulent waves of change. The entire cast is wonderfully in the spirit, and the production values effortlessly evoke the period. Yet the project is far more than a nostalgic rerun of more hilarious times.
Popping pills, drinking like a fish and smoking big cigars, Prince is the dynamic but frazzled star of a hit weekly show on NBC that reflects his personality and the jokers he employs. While much of the action takes place in the writers' room on the titular 23rd story -- all of the play was set there -- the movie shows us Prince at home, Prince out in public with the writers, Prince at the graveyard with his older brother Harry Richard Portnow), Prince meeting with pompous network executives and so on.
Lest one thinks times have changed, Prince and his crew are fighting for the right to air the "urbane" show they want, without pressure from the network, but business is business. Prince goes on the warpath when the message comes down that ordinary American viewers aren't interested in satires of foreign movies and other inspired routines the show has tried in the past. The story more or less follows the decline of the show, including the intrusion of a network spy/censor, along with Prince's deteriorating physical and mental health. But we spend a good portion of the movie with the writers, who worriedly pass the time by verbally sparring or trying to help the proud, mercurial Prince behind his back.
The real writers Simon worked with included Mel Brooks, Larry Belbart and Mel Tolkin. The film's supporting cast of seven scribes has nary a weak link.
Always late and a wildly imaginative hypochondriac, Ira (Saul Rubinek) is the head writer, whom the others love to hate and bait. The rest of Prince's gag team is Russian emigre Val (Mark Linn-Baker, who also played the role on Broadway), lone female Carol (Peri Gilpin), newcomer Lucas (Mackenzie Astin), bemused Milt (Dan Castellaneta) and aggressive needlers Kenny (Victor Garber) and Brian (Zach Grenier).
Frank Proctor as real-life columnist Walter Winchell, Sherry Miller as Prince's wife and Colin Fox as network head Cal Weeb are nicely given their moments to play off Lane's dominating presence. Indeed, starting with Lane's generous and often superbly executed comedic and dramatic performance in a crowd, "Laughter" is classic material preserved for the ages.
LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR
Showtime Networks and Paramount Television
Director: Richard Benjamin
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Producer: Jeffrey Lampert
Executive producers: Emanuel Azenberg, Neil Simon
Director of photography: Danny Nowak
Production designer: Franco De Cotiis
Editor: Jacqueline Cambas
Costume designer: Tamara Winston
Music: Joseph Vitarelli
Color/stereo
Cast:
Max Prince: Nathan Lane
Val: Mark Linn-Baker
Kenny: Victor Garber
Ira: Saul Rubinek
Carol: Peri Gilpin
Milt: Dan Castellaneta
Harry: Richard Portnow
Brian: Zach Grenier
Lucas: Mackenzie Astin
Walter Winchell: Frank Proctor
Faye: Sherry Miller
Cal Weeb: Colin Fox
Running time --102 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
Set in 1954-55 New York, the movie is a "Front Page"-paced comedy about a group of pioneer TV writers and their famous boss.
Based on his experiences working as a writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows", screenwriter Simon expands and fleshes out his 1993 play in key areas for this Paramount/Showtime production. Richard Benjamin deftly -- if unspectacularly -- calls the shots in another visit to the milieu he had much success with in his 1982 directorial debut, "My Favorite Year".
"Laughter" is surprisingly nimble about shifting emotional moods. The more serious moments -- dealing with the characters' personal and professional problems or the ongoing witch hunt of Sen. Joseph McCarthy -- are welcome respites from the otherwise frantic pace.
Nathan Lane reprises the role of supertalented TV star Max Prince, a role he first performed on Broadway. Lane is unstoppable as the charismatic lead funnyman, who in some ways is drowning and in other ways is surfing through the turbulent waves of change. The entire cast is wonderfully in the spirit, and the production values effortlessly evoke the period. Yet the project is far more than a nostalgic rerun of more hilarious times.
Popping pills, drinking like a fish and smoking big cigars, Prince is the dynamic but frazzled star of a hit weekly show on NBC that reflects his personality and the jokers he employs. While much of the action takes place in the writers' room on the titular 23rd story -- all of the play was set there -- the movie shows us Prince at home, Prince out in public with the writers, Prince at the graveyard with his older brother Harry Richard Portnow), Prince meeting with pompous network executives and so on.
Lest one thinks times have changed, Prince and his crew are fighting for the right to air the "urbane" show they want, without pressure from the network, but business is business. Prince goes on the warpath when the message comes down that ordinary American viewers aren't interested in satires of foreign movies and other inspired routines the show has tried in the past. The story more or less follows the decline of the show, including the intrusion of a network spy/censor, along with Prince's deteriorating physical and mental health. But we spend a good portion of the movie with the writers, who worriedly pass the time by verbally sparring or trying to help the proud, mercurial Prince behind his back.
The real writers Simon worked with included Mel Brooks, Larry Belbart and Mel Tolkin. The film's supporting cast of seven scribes has nary a weak link.
Always late and a wildly imaginative hypochondriac, Ira (Saul Rubinek) is the head writer, whom the others love to hate and bait. The rest of Prince's gag team is Russian emigre Val (Mark Linn-Baker, who also played the role on Broadway), lone female Carol (Peri Gilpin), newcomer Lucas (Mackenzie Astin), bemused Milt (Dan Castellaneta) and aggressive needlers Kenny (Victor Garber) and Brian (Zach Grenier).
Frank Proctor as real-life columnist Walter Winchell, Sherry Miller as Prince's wife and Colin Fox as network head Cal Weeb are nicely given their moments to play off Lane's dominating presence. Indeed, starting with Lane's generous and often superbly executed comedic and dramatic performance in a crowd, "Laughter" is classic material preserved for the ages.
LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR
Showtime Networks and Paramount Television
Director: Richard Benjamin
Screenwriter: Neil Simon
Producer: Jeffrey Lampert
Executive producers: Emanuel Azenberg, Neil Simon
Director of photography: Danny Nowak
Production designer: Franco De Cotiis
Editor: Jacqueline Cambas
Costume designer: Tamara Winston
Music: Joseph Vitarelli
Color/stereo
Cast:
Max Prince: Nathan Lane
Val: Mark Linn-Baker
Kenny: Victor Garber
Ira: Saul Rubinek
Carol: Peri Gilpin
Milt: Dan Castellaneta
Harry: Richard Portnow
Brian: Zach Grenier
Lucas: Mackenzie Astin
Walter Winchell: Frank Proctor
Faye: Sherry Miller
Cal Weeb: Colin Fox
Running time --102 minutes
No MPAA Rating...
- 3/12/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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