2008 Sublime Primetime

On September 17, 2008, the Writers Guild of America West hosted 2008 Sublime Primetime, a panel discussion of Emmy-nominated writers. A feeling of camaraderie and respect was in the air as writers in the areas on comedy and drama, miniseries and movie, came together on stage in Beverly Hills to discuss their craft, journey, and creative process.

Larry Wilmore (The Office, The Bernie Mac Show, creator) moderated the panel of Emmy-nominated writers: Mad Men's Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner (creator); Danny Strong, Recount; Kirk Ellis, John Adams; and Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies.

Kirk Ellis, John Adams, and Danny Strong, Recount, are both nominated for Emmys in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special.

Larry Wilmore with panelists Robin Veith and Matt Weiner of Mad Men. Robin and Matt, whose series was nominated for two writing Emmy's: Matt for the Mad Men pilot--"Smoke Gets in your Eyes" and Matt and Robin for "The Wheel." Mad Men was nominated for a total of 16 Emmy's, including Best Drama Series, Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (also for the pilot), and Lead Actor for Jon Hamm.

Bryan Fuller, creator of Pushing Daisies, with boyfriend Scott Roberts (left). Fuller's Pie-Lette for Pushing Daisies, about a pie-maker who brings people back to life with one touch and sends them back with another, is nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Lee Pace, who plays Ned (the main character who gave his childhood sweetheart the touch of life and kept her there) is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

WGA West President Patric M. Verrone with Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner.

The 60th Annual Emmy Awards will br broadcast on Sunday, September 21, on ABC. For more information, go to www.emmys.org

Old TV Friends in New Places

I am so relieved that my "friends" from other shows got new jobs. Just today it was announced that Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) was cast on Heroes. Guess I'm going to have to start watching that one.

Kristen is the third Veronica Mars cast member to secure work for the upcoming season--Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring) will be seen on CBS's Moonlight and we already got a sneak peak at Piz (Chris Lowell) on ABC's Private Practice.

The prize for the show with the most actor relocations goes to The Nine. Detective Nick Cavanaugh (Tim Daly) is joining Piz on Private Practice. Lizzie (Jessica Collins) and Felicia (Dana Davis) are joining Ronnie on Heroes. (Btw, Davis did a 2-ep stint on Mars in its second season). Bank manager Malcolm (Chi McBride) will be Pushing Daisies on ABC. And Franny (Camile Guaty) is moving to NBC's Las Vegas.

Come midseason, Lucas (Owain Yeoman) is in the pilot of Fox's The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Kathryn (Kim Raver) will joining NBC's Lipstick Jungle, while dearly departed Eva Rios (Lourdes Benedicto) will be on ABC's Cashmere Mafia.

Although Egan Foote (John Billingsley) doesn't have a permanent new home, we've seen him on a variety of TV guest spots, as well as the big screen. I'm not so concerned. Egan seems to always land on his feet.

The only other main character not jumping into a show for the new season is Dr. Jeremy Cates (Scott Wolf). But, dry those tears. Wolf signed a development deal with ABC over the summer. We'll be seeing him--and his dimples--again real soon.