4545 replies to this topic

[jayseyfield]

The official description from the official ABC.com website.

Brothers & Sisters is a compelling, new one-hour primetime drama from executive producers Ken Olin, playwright Jon Robin Baitz and Marti Noxon about the California-based Walker family. In the series, we meet a collection of incredibly intertwined and somewhat damaged adult siblings who embrace one another unconditionally while striving to reflect the perceived perfection of their role model parents. In the days ahead, they will navigate waves of temptation, deception and grief.

It stars Calista Flockhart of Ally McBeal fame, it's taking the post-Desperate Housewives timeslot formerly held by Grey's Anatomy and it also stars Patricia Wettig (Prison Break) and Ron Rifkin (Alias).

[Rahul]

I'm really excited to see Rachel Griffiths in another TV series. She was fantastic in SFU, one of my all time favorite shows.

The B&S pilot hasn't leeked yet, has it? I know it was retooled when Sally Field joined ship.

[quentin312002]

They also replaced Jonathan LaPaglia with Matthew Rhys. Now I like LaPaglia, but I have hardly ever gotten to see M. Rhys in anything since 'Titus' and am really curious about seeing him in this.
That and I really enjoy Rachel Griffith as well.

Calista Flockhart I have very little interest in to be honest.

[Knots Landing]

This looks like it could be a new Knots Landing. Middle class with a touch of soap, I'm definitely tuning in! The cast is interesting, just like many primetime soaps. You have some heavy hitters like Rachel Griffiths and Sally Field and then others like Calista Flockhart who are reinventing themselves.

I hope all the changes are for the better. With most movies it generally means death, but a good retooling can be the best thing for a tv show.

[caia1970]

Just read that Marti Noxon has left due to 'creative differences'. More and more this show is turning into a train wreck.

[Blanky]

I'm going to watch if for no other reason than to entertain myself by fantacizing about when Eeeeeeevil Sloane will turn up to liquidate the entire family's assets to fund his new scheme for personal salvation.

Seriously.

[Ancient Nick]

Not a good sign to have this many changs so close to the premiere. September 24th, is the supposed start date.

[quentin312002]

Aw, poor Matthew!

[nicepebbles]

I'm done with soaps, daytime and primetime execpt for Grey's Anatomy. I'm checking out this show to see if it should be an exception. Even though I hated Ally McBeal the fact that Calists is in it is the draw for me. Go figure.

[jayseyfield]

There are a number of red flags for this show. Recasting, Marti Noxon quitting, the network not screening the pilot to critics.

It looks bad for this show.

[Rahul]

Actually, Noxi quitting may be a blessing in disguise. Her storylines and direction sucked on Buffy, and I've never seen much creative promise from that woman.

[Hightide]

This show behind the scenes looks like mayhem. All that's missing is Steven Bochco taking over.

[seffina]

I am going to tune in just for Ron Rifkin...

But if he isn't a double crossing evil madman then I just might have to watch SNF.

[possibilities]

Point Pleasant bombed, so Marti N's absence might be a good thing.

[humdrum]

This looks like it might be good. It's one of the very few shows I'm looking forward to this new season. I'm definitely going to watch it because of Sally Field; I'd watch anything she'd be in. And her hubby will be played by Tom Skerritt! Remember those two as husband and wife in Steel Magnolias?

[Rahul]

Tom Skeritt has creepy horse teeth. That is all.

[Jet Black]

Just saw the commercial for this show and I'm definitely watching for its stellar cast (Callista and Rachel Griffiths). I'm not sure if this show is going to be good but in terms of the casting, it's the drama equivalent of the MLB All-star Game.

[jayseyfield]

This show behind the scenes looks like mayhem. All that's missing is Steven Bochco taking over.

Ha!

Here's an article on the show's troubles.

But Noxon is said to have butted heads with creator Jon Robin Baitz, a well-known playwright who's also written for "Alias" and "The West Wing." Just last month, Noxon and Baitz appeared side-by-side with Flockhart and the rest of the principal cast at a Pasadena press junket promoting "Brothers."

Meanwhile, Flockhart's PR efforts may leave something to be desired. She became a star playing a conflicted young lawyer during "Ally McBeal's" 1997-2002 run. But her glum demeanor at the Pasadena junket had journalists buzzing (EW.com said she looked "utterly miserable").

I know a lot of people don't like Noxon, but any sort backstage drama seems to be just a distraction on trying to launch a show which is hard to do with everyone on the same page.

I really hate the title, it just seems to be devoid of any creativity. It's about the most generic title they could've come out with.

I for the most part like Calista Flockhart, never quite liked the character of Ally McBeal but I always felt like she would be really likeable on a new show playing a new character.

[Lila82]

Tom Skeritt has creepy horse teeth. That is all.

Oh, jeeze! After being bombarded during commercials while watching soaps, the show finally piqued my interest but I was totally convinced Kris Kristofferson had been cast as the father! Now it makes so much more sense. M'Lynn and Drum forever, right?

I'll join in the chorus of celebrating Noxon's resignation. I can't get behind a woman who thinks rape is foreplay.

[Rahul]

I'll join in the chorus of celebrating Noxon's resignation. I can't get behind a woman who thinks rape is foreplay.

Word. That woman has serious issues. I was horrified to hear her interview and commentary on the whole Spike/Buffy "romance" when I opted to watch the DVD extras.

[Grantos]

I posted this in the Everwood thread, but I figured this applied here as well.

According to Korbi, who was filling in for Kristin during her weekly chat, Greg Berlanti has joined Brothers & Sisters (which now wants to be known as Brothers AND Sisters...for some reason):

From Jen: Less than a month before the fall season starts. Woo hoo!
Yes, and I just heard this morning that Greg Berlanti, the mastermind behind our beloved Everwood, has jumped on board the new Calista Flockhart-Rachel Griffiths-Sally Field-Dave Annable (Aaron from Reunion) show. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah! I'm excited, because although we haven't yet seen the pilot and I hear there are some serious production issues going down, I think this show could have great potential. Family drama, amazing cast...With Berlanti aboard, beautiful things could happen.
Watch with Kristin: Television news, gossip and spoilers

From Bella: What about Greg Berlanti's other projects? Didn't Rina Mimoun tell you Greg was working on his own stuff?
Right you are. Yes! Actually, my good friend got his hands on Greg's pilot script, and he says it's amazing! I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but the log line is "Brilliant corporate attorney shuffles his priorities when he begins to experience bizarre hallucinations." But my friend said, "It's so much more than that. I can't wait to see this show, and based on that log line I would never ever watch it. It's brilliant--not to hype it up too much."

http://www.eonline.c...006/060814.html

I have no idea if Korbi is a good source or not, but if true, very interesting and cool (although, I'm a bit biased being such a huge fan of Everwood).

[alexj]

She is on this one. They've been courting him for a while. I hope he can raise the level of little bit - the early pilot was bitchy fluff with sugar on top.

[Synchronicity7]

Anybody know the name of the song that plays over the promo for Brother and Sisiters or who sings it? Thanks to anyone who has the info.

[Rahul]

bitchy fluff, huh? Could you please elaborate from what you've seen, alexj?

[possibilities]

Bitchy fluff sounds very recappable, but my real reason for taking an interest is Berlanti.

[alexj]

I hope he does something better dialogue wise. I saw parts of the pilot couple of months ago - the stuff that they put together for all the foreign tv stations and advertisers I think, so it's a very early draft of the pilot. No music, no transitions. What I remember is that the characters looked a little cartoonist and the dialogue was very contrived. They tried for snappy, but heartfelt, but to me was bitchy and sappy. I'll check out my dvd again this weekend and report with more spoilery details.
Calista looked healthier then I remembered her from Ally.

I'm kind of surprised that the finished pilot hasn't been leaked yet - everything else has. Maybe they are massively reshooting.

[amyroo]

Anybody know the name of the song that plays over the promo for Brother and Sisiters or who sings it? Thanks to anyone who has the info.

It's "We Live" by Superchick.

[quentin312002]

They have a new promo up. Well, some of it maybe from the old one, but some things are markedly different. Justin doesn't seem as angry (good, because considering what he was probably putting the family through it was going to be hard to sympathize with him IMO) and Rachel G. interaction with Flockhart seem a little different. Interesting that we don't get to see M. Rhys' face until the end of the promo. But they used LaPaglia's voice again and only show a man in a suit from the chest down when it's his voice. Why would they even bother? Couldn't they just use Rhys's voice in the quick shot that doesn't show a face?

http://abc.go.com/pr...6-07/index.html

ETA, just saw the new promo again, and it's definetly got footage from the old promo. And some scenes are the same content but shot with a different emotion (why I commented that Justin seemed less angry and defensive then in the old one.)

Edited by quentin312002, Aug 18, 2006 @ 2:31 PM.

[Genius]

I'm so bummed it's not being recapped. I'm going on record as stating that TWoP will change its mind after some other shows failed, and will pick this up like they did with Everwood, Supernatural, House and Grey's Anatomy. I'm hoping, anyway.

[jayseyfield]

I'm so bummed it's not being recapped. I'm going on record as stating that TWoP will change its mind after some other shows failed, and will pick this up like they did with Everwood, Supernatural, House and Grey's Anatomy. I'm hoping, anyway.

Yeah, I agree with that sentiment.

I think the pilot is going to be mediocre but I'm hoping the show will pick up once they're done setting up the characters and plots.

I just want this show to be watchable, and last the whole season.