The time has come to stop mourning the shows we’ve recently lost and start looking ahead to the new season. There are a bunch of new shows coming out this fall, and several of them have caught my attention. One in particular is Eastwick, coming to ABC this fall.
It’s based on The Witches of Eastwick, the novel by John Updike and the great movie starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Susan Sarandon. I’ve always loved the movie and recently read the book, shortly before Updike passed away.
I’m a little skeptical that the story can be successfully translated to the small screen. Let’s face it, there are very few people who can play a role that was once filled by Mr. Jack Nicholson, let alone the rest of the stellar cast from the movie.
Even more ominous than the shadow of the movie looming over the freshman series is the fact that this isn’t even the first time Eastwick had a chance on TV. A pilot was filmed for FOX back in 2002, this time starring Marcia Cross, Laurie Loughlin, Kelly Rutherford, and Jason O’Mara. It certainly could have had some potential with a cast like that. Even before that, another pilot was filmed in 1992. That, also, was not picked up. Seems like this story of witches has a bit of a curse on it.
Perhaps the newest incarnation will have better luck. This go-around stars Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price, and Jaime Ray Newman with Paul Gross (from Due South). After heading over to the ABC website and checking out the preview, I’m even more skeptical. Take a look for yourself, as I’ve embedded it below. It seems to be just a bit on the campy side, which could ultimately be fun, or could just end up cheesy and unwatchable. The big disappointment for me though, seems to be Gross as Darryl Van Horne. It’s hard to judge from a three minute clip of the pilot, but he’s no Jack Nicholson.
In any case, we all know how dangerous expectations can be, and mine are high when comparing it to the great movie and equally good (though very different) book.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jun 02, 2009 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
Love Lindsay Price, but this looks so painful