Already debating what to watch when TV’s already-hyped season kicks in? We’ll offer a full preview in September. For now, let the stars and creators sell their shows in their own words as they did during this month’s network dog-and-pony show in L.A.
Anything sound intriguing?
“I spent seven years being politically correct on “West Wing,” and now I get to just be completely wrong on all levels.” — Allison Janney on her ABC sitcom “Mr. Sunshine,” in which she plays the rich and clueless owner of a sports arena.
“Socially, cops and criminals come from similar backgrounds.” — Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”), talking about his new ABC series “Detroit 1-8-7.”
“This is not your father’s ‘Quincy.’ ” —Matthew Gross, executive producer of “Body of Proof” starring Dana Delany as a medical examiner. “ABC wanted a female-driven show and to have her super-intelligent,” Gross said.
“I sold it as ‘Dallas’ without the cheese.” — Kyle Killen, about his Texas oil drama on Fox’s “Lone Star.”
“I’m so sick of Betty White. Never liked her.” — Cloris Leachman, joking about her friend and colleague. Leachman plays the great-grandmother in the Fox sitcom “Raising Hope.”
“It’s about a crew of spacefarers who may not be much brighter than the cops on Reno 911.” — John Landgraf of FX, pitching “The USS Alabama,” a pilot from Thomas Lennon (Lt. Jim Dangle on “Reno 911”).
“We all had the same fear. We don’t want to end up on a show that drives people crazy.” — Laura Innes, who stars in NBC’s “The Event,” the convoluted conspiracy thriller reminiscent of “FlashForward” and other series that never resolved.
“If Sydney Bristow and Michael Vartan got married, this is what it would look like.”— Josh Reims, executive producer of “Undercovers.” He’s heard the comparison to the late spy-ish series “Alias” but says this new show, helmed by J.J. Abrams, will be different.
“It’s called ‘Chase,’ baby!”— Kelli Giddish, describing the action and stunts she performs in her NBC drama, playing a tough U.S. marshal. “If U.S. Marshals are after your butt, you did something really bad.”
“We live in a ‘CSI’ world, (but) Sherlock Holmes is still the cleverest man in the room.” — writer/producer Mark Gatiss on the updated “Sherlock” for PBS “Mystery” this season, starring rising British star Benedict Cumberbatch.
“The civil rights marches were going on, and here I was playing an astronaut in the 23rd century.” — Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on “Star Trek,” among those featured on PBS’ “Pioneers of Television” this season. When she tried to quit the show, Gene Roddenberry arranged for Martin Luther King Jr. to underscore the significance of her TV image. King told her: “Here you are on the command crew in the 23rd century, fourth in command, while we’re marching in the streets for equality.”
“When asked if I’m a Democrat or a Republican, I say I’m a photographer.”— David Kennerly, who chronicled Gerald Ford for three years, one of the subjects at the center of “The President’s Photographer,” on PBS in November.
“We grow the crops. We don’t have the truck that brings it to market.” — Chuck Lorre, creator of “The Big Bang Theory,” on his feelings about CBS moving the show to Thursdays amid formidable competition. He just writes it, he said, he doesn’t schedule it.
“There are whole swaths of the U.S. where people reject the facts of science and simply don’t believe in evolution. There’s no debating; one can only present the facts.”— Sir David Attenborough, talking about his Discovery Channel special, “First Life with David Attenborough,” a smart study of how the first animals laid the foundation for modern life.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
