A Very Good Lie - (Lie to Me)
Mar. 18th, 2009 | 02:45 pm
Guest-starring on a show is like jumping onto a moving train. You always hope there's someone on the train to help you up when your feet start dangling and it looks like you might get squashed on the tracks. A show that is up and running is like a big family. Everyone in the make-up trailer knows each other and all the camera guys and the grips and electricians know each other and have already decided which guys get kidded about what every day, and there are all kinds of inside jokes flying around and it's a bit like ... well, yeah, jumping onto a moving train. Sometimes it feels like everybody speaks Lithuanian and you don't!
The good news is that I've done this before and making one TV show is never usually that different from making another. That is, unless you're doing Friday Night Lights. (But that's a different story altogether as you know if you've read my previous blogs about that one). Chances are that I usually know one or two players on any given show. With everything I've been fortunate to do in my career, you usually know someone - camera, cast, crew, whatever. Just having that one connection can make all the difference in the world. Assuming your experience with that person was pleasant (don't burn bridges!) you now have someone to let people know that you are not going to make anyone's life miserable and might even do a decent job.
In this case, the one person I knew happened to have a little juice, seeing as it was the director of the show, Arvin Brown. Arvin had directed me in a play with Jason Robards a few years back in New Haven, and we had had a fantastic time working together.
So cut to the first day of work on Lie to Me. I'm trying to figure out where the orange juice is on the craft service wagon and I hear, "Hello, D.W. How nice to see you." I'm like, "Arvin?" And the rest was a breeze!
Arvin is one of those directors you pray that you get to work for. He comes from the stage, so he knows about rehearsal and character and motivation. You know, all the things that are supposed to go into a performance but sometimes don't when time is of the essence. A lot of directors are just worried about not getting the crew into overtime.
On another note, you would be shocked at the number of directors who are not very comfortable talking to actors. It's almost as if they're afraid if they do, the actor might break, like some kind of insane and fragile toy. Not Mr. Brown. He is a real pleasure to work with and that comes through in the quality of the program.
The other speed bump (or land mine!) that can occur when you guest on a show is that the cast of said show might be ... er ... a tad too busy? Yes, that's a good way to put it. They may be too busy to be concerned with, um, 'enhancing' your experience on said show. (Yes, I think I dodged all the appropriate bullets on that couple of sentences!) Now let me explain. This might include everything from out-and-out ignoring you to being unavailable for rehearsal to ... well, let your imagination run wild. I've got some real horror stories I could share, but we should leave those for another day.
On Lie To Me, I had the opposite experience. A welcoming cast with an extremely approachable and hard-working star (you all know Tim Roth, right?), combined with the excellent director, made for a rocking good time. Tim Roth is new to network television and I would imagine a bit cross-eyed from all the time he has to put in, but you could never tell it! He's always ready to go, enthusiastic, helpful ... you name it. He's an all-around excellent actor and scene partner. Where do I sign up? I want more gigs like this!
Well, we'll see what next comes my way. Maybe another fairy tale ... maybe a nightmare! Who knows?
Stay tuned and find out!
In the meantime, thanks for giving me a read and check out my TVGuide.com blog every week on Friday Night Lights.
D.W. Moffett
The good news is that I've done this before and making one TV show is never usually that different from making another. That is, unless you're doing Friday Night Lights. (But that's a different story altogether as you know if you've read my previous blogs about that one). Chances are that I usually know one or two players on any given show. With everything I've been fortunate to do in my career, you usually know someone - camera, cast, crew, whatever. Just having that one connection can make all the difference in the world. Assuming your experience with that person was pleasant (don't burn bridges!) you now have someone to let people know that you are not going to make anyone's life miserable and might even do a decent job.
In this case, the one person I knew happened to have a little juice, seeing as it was the director of the show, Arvin Brown. Arvin had directed me in a play with Jason Robards a few years back in New Haven, and we had had a fantastic time working together.
So cut to the first day of work on Lie to Me. I'm trying to figure out where the orange juice is on the craft service wagon and I hear, "Hello, D.W. How nice to see you." I'm like, "Arvin?" And the rest was a breeze!
Arvin is one of those directors you pray that you get to work for. He comes from the stage, so he knows about rehearsal and character and motivation. You know, all the things that are supposed to go into a performance but sometimes don't when time is of the essence. A lot of directors are just worried about not getting the crew into overtime.
On another note, you would be shocked at the number of directors who are not very comfortable talking to actors. It's almost as if they're afraid if they do, the actor might break, like some kind of insane and fragile toy. Not Mr. Brown. He is a real pleasure to work with and that comes through in the quality of the program.
The other speed bump (or land mine!) that can occur when you guest on a show is that the cast of said show might be ... er ... a tad too busy? Yes, that's a good way to put it. They may be too busy to be concerned with, um, 'enhancing' your experience on said show. (Yes, I think I dodged all the appropriate bullets on that couple of sentences!) Now let me explain. This might include everything from out-and-out ignoring you to being unavailable for rehearsal to ... well, let your imagination run wild. I've got some real horror stories I could share, but we should leave those for another day.
On Lie To Me, I had the opposite experience. A welcoming cast with an extremely approachable and hard-working star (you all know Tim Roth, right?), combined with the excellent director, made for a rocking good time. Tim Roth is new to network television and I would imagine a bit cross-eyed from all the time he has to put in, but you could never tell it! He's always ready to go, enthusiastic, helpful ... you name it. He's an all-around excellent actor and scene partner. Where do I sign up? I want more gigs like this!
Well, we'll see what next comes my way. Maybe another fairy tale ... maybe a nightmare! Who knows?
Stay tuned and find out!
In the meantime, thanks for giving me a read and check out my TVGuide.com blog every week on Friday Night Lights.
D.W. Moffett
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Game of the Week
Mar. 13th, 2009 | 04:29 pm
Hey FNL fans! Remember what I told you about those pregnant storylines getting ready to pop? Well brace yourself — more pops are on the way! When I got the script for this week's episode, "Game of the Week," I found out what my character was going to be up to for the final episodes of the season. I was so shocked that I think I walked around in a daze in during the filming of this episode. You will see that I'm not in it much, so I spent my time walking the streets of Austin and thanking my lucky stars for the storyline that had been placed in my lap. Are you intrigued?
All I can say is stay tuned for the next four episodes because things are about to get very interesting in the McCoy house!
Now about the rest of this week's stories....
Though we do have some nice juicy storylines, I think my favorite is what happens to Tyra and her rodeo-boy. May I just say that if Tyra was waiting for me (anywhere!), I wouldn't be hanging out with the losers that rodeo boy hangs with. 'Nuff said.
Questions to think about: Why does Landry crack me up so much? Why do Riggins and Lyla keep me interested even though they have the most ... well ... standard (if you could even call either of them standard) storyline. They're playing the "star-crossed lovers" and all, so why do they keep me so interested?
Because they're so damn good! Who doesn't love seeing that look on Landry's face when he's figuring something out. Yeah, you know the one.
And the way that Riggins and Lyla look at each other? Magic. Though honestly any of these actors — Jesse Plemons, Taylor Kitsch or Minka Kelly — could make anything magic that they put their minds on. They're all great actors.
There was an article in the New York Times recently in which the author mused about who the "future stars" of the entertainment business might be and where one would find them before they became stars. She went on in the article to ask some big names (like George Clooney) where she might find these future stars.
Clooney said ... on the TV set. (We all knew that, right?)
"Where?" she asked.
He repeated — on the TV.
So that brought out a little investigative reporting and guess where she found two of her top five future stars? No really. Guess.
Friday Night Lights. That's right.
Yeah, baby.
And that, my friend, is all she wrote. See you next week.
D.W. Moffett
All I can say is stay tuned for the next four episodes because things are about to get very interesting in the McCoy house!
Now about the rest of this week's stories....
Though we do have some nice juicy storylines, I think my favorite is what happens to Tyra and her rodeo-boy. May I just say that if Tyra was waiting for me (anywhere!), I wouldn't be hanging out with the losers that rodeo boy hangs with. 'Nuff said.
Questions to think about: Why does Landry crack me up so much? Why do Riggins and Lyla keep me interested even though they have the most ... well ... standard (if you could even call either of them standard) storyline. They're playing the "star-crossed lovers" and all, so why do they keep me so interested?
Because they're so damn good! Who doesn't love seeing that look on Landry's face when he's figuring something out. Yeah, you know the one.
And the way that Riggins and Lyla look at each other? Magic. Though honestly any of these actors — Jesse Plemons, Taylor Kitsch or Minka Kelly — could make anything magic that they put their minds on. They're all great actors.
There was an article in the New York Times recently in which the author mused about who the "future stars" of the entertainment business might be and where one would find them before they became stars. She went on in the article to ask some big names (like George Clooney) where she might find these future stars.
Clooney said ... on the TV set. (We all knew that, right?)
"Where?" she asked.
He repeated — on the TV.
So that brought out a little investigative reporting and guess where she found two of her top five future stars? No really. Guess.
Friday Night Lights. That's right.
Yeah, baby.
And that, my friend, is all she wrote. See you next week.
D.W. Moffett
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From Austin to New York
Mar. 5th, 2009 | 02:44 pm
Hello there all you FNL fans!!!
As I reviewed the episode slated for this coming Friday ("New York, New York"), I was reminded of a few things.
First of all, I didn't have to do too much on this episode, so that freed me up to finally get a chance to explore Austin a little more.
If you want a town with personality, Austin is definitely it. When you think of Texas, you probably don't think of a town full of diverse culture and some of the hottest music you'll ever hear, but that's Austin. Nestled in there like a jewel. I think we shot this episode while the Austin City Limits music festival was going on and I had a blast going to the final day of the show! It was a great time as I got out and really experienced not only Austin culture but some amazing music! I got to see (amongst others) Neko Case. Let me tell you, she's my pick for genius female vocalist of the new century.
I also remember that as we filmed this episode, I was very jealous that Riggins and Jason Street got to shoot a large part of their story in Manhattan. I've been really lucky in my career to be able to film in New York, and there is something very fun about shooting in that crazy city. You don't think it's ever going to work with all the traffic and all the people, yet somehow it does. When you're watching the scenes where Riggins and Street are cruising Times Square, people are checking them out, probably thinking, "What show are those guys on?" But you know it works because it looks like a bunch of New Yorkers thinking, "Who are those two hicks and why is one in a wheelchair?" Nice!
Now back in Dillon, I have to say that I am particularly fond of the Coach and Tami storyline in this episode. Some might think it's dorky and kind of pedestrian, but the way it's played and the way it's shot are amazing. The issues that it brings up for these characters is what makes it so wonderful. As we all know, it's the little things in life that provide the telescope through which we gain insight into who and what we are. This episode illustrates that perfectly with this simple storyline. I just love Kyle [Chandler] and Connie [Britton] in these scenes. Can you say fantastic acting? Too brilliant.
Finally, the words "Texas forever" are uttered in this episode. As a Chicago native now living in L.A., I can honestly say that I never thought those words could make me almost tear up. Surprise. See what happens to you when you hear them.
Till next week,
D.W. Moffett
As I reviewed the episode slated for this coming Friday ("New York, New York"), I was reminded of a few things.
First of all, I didn't have to do too much on this episode, so that freed me up to finally get a chance to explore Austin a little more.
If you want a town with personality, Austin is definitely it. When you think of Texas, you probably don't think of a town full of diverse culture and some of the hottest music you'll ever hear, but that's Austin. Nestled in there like a jewel. I think we shot this episode while the Austin City Limits music festival was going on and I had a blast going to the final day of the show! It was a great time as I got out and really experienced not only Austin culture but some amazing music! I got to see (amongst others) Neko Case. Let me tell you, she's my pick for genius female vocalist of the new century.
I also remember that as we filmed this episode, I was very jealous that Riggins and Jason Street got to shoot a large part of their story in Manhattan. I've been really lucky in my career to be able to film in New York, and there is something very fun about shooting in that crazy city. You don't think it's ever going to work with all the traffic and all the people, yet somehow it does. When you're watching the scenes where Riggins and Street are cruising Times Square, people are checking them out, probably thinking, "What show are those guys on?" But you know it works because it looks like a bunch of New Yorkers thinking, "Who are those two hicks and why is one in a wheelchair?" Nice!
Now back in Dillon, I have to say that I am particularly fond of the Coach and Tami storyline in this episode. Some might think it's dorky and kind of pedestrian, but the way it's played and the way it's shot are amazing. The issues that it brings up for these characters is what makes it so wonderful. As we all know, it's the little things in life that provide the telescope through which we gain insight into who and what we are. This episode illustrates that perfectly with this simple storyline. I just love Kyle [Chandler] and Connie [Britton] in these scenes. Can you say fantastic acting? Too brilliant.
Finally, the words "Texas forever" are uttered in this episode. As a Chicago native now living in L.A., I can honestly say that I never thought those words could make me almost tear up. Surprise. See what happens to you when you hear them.
Till next week,
D.W. Moffett
Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Run and Gun Baby!
Feb. 27th, 2009 | 08:18 am
Hello there, all you FNL fans!
This week's episode puts us square in the middle of the season and the storylines are starting to show signs of pregnancy. No, there's no pregnancy this week — but you get the sense that things are going to start to go 'pop pop pop' pretty soon. Take it from someone in the know, they do. They're going to be exploding pretty quickly here!
This week we're going to see that Coach has to continue to try to fend off the ever-present, ever-pressuring Joe McCoy again. I thought maybe it was time to talk a little about the experience of filming FNL.
I had a wild ride in Austin when we shot the show. I was initially expecting to play this character for a few episodes and ride off into the sunset, but lo and behold ... I wound up in every episode this season! That was unexpected, but I loved every minute of it. I enjoy this show and I did even before I was on. In fact, I think the show should go on and on.
The amazing thing about this show — besides what I believe to be one of the strongest casts in television — is how quickly and effortlessly it is shot. I talked a little bit about that in my blog on Dec. 2, 2008, if you'd like to know more. But one of the other aspects of the filming is that you need to be ready to move and move quickly!
Let me give you an example of how the actors are expected to jump onto a moving train. When I arrived in Austin, I was told that the assistant director wanted to talk to me and give me an 'orientation'. I was like, "What, does that mean he wants to warn me about all the Dens of Sin on 6th St. in Austin, and which cast members are grumpy in the morning?"
No sir.....what this particular orientation talk covers is just this.
We expect you to know your lines cold when you arrive on the set.
There will be no rehearsal and you will just start acting pretty much when you get to the set. (Say what?!)
What about all those focus measurements and all those camera moves we need to go over, and all those nuanced moments we want to massage and all that stuff you do in rehearsal so you don't waste the day stumbling all over the place all day long????
Doesn't happen that way on Friday Night lights. On FNL they don't rehearse — and it works!
I don't know if you remember all the way back to Episode 1 of this season, but it's the one where my character gets introduced (Joe McCoy Sr., the 'stud of suds'). There is a scene in that episode where I sort of barge in on Coach and offer him a bottle of Scotch and some Cuban cigars. It's a long scene and I had a lot of talking to do. That was my first day on the job! Imagine stepping into that character with no rehearsals and no set up — just walk in and go!
So needless to say, the nerves were firing, but I was doing OK. Until Kyle Chandler and I are in the middle of that scene and I just lost my place. I couldn't remember where we were at all. So that's when I stopped and said, 'I'm dry....I'm up.' That means I'm up the creek without a paddle. Nothing. And I'm waiting and Kyle is just standing there looking at me with that Coach look and the camera crews are just shooting away and so I say again, 'Hello.... I need a line here. I don't know where I am!!!' So that's when Kyle just looks at me and his face says, 'Welcome to our world, soldier.'
Then I hear this voice from where the director (the wonderful Jeffrey Reiner) was watching the monitors of all three cameras. It booms out something like, 'Just keep talking. You're doing great. Just talk. It'll come to you.'
And it did eventually come back to me. That's still one of my favorite scenes from the whole season!!!
Run and gun, baby. Run and gun. That's the way this show rolls.
I'm telling you, the way this show is produced and shot is the future of the medium. I would bet serious money that in the next 5 years I will be on a few sets that will remind me a lot of FNL. It really just makes sense!
Obviously, there are limitations to a schedule this fast. You can't do dangerous stunts fast. You can't do elaborate lighting set-ups. But that's about it. We use three cameras all the time, sometimes as many as seven when we shoot the football scenes. That way you get lots of coverage each take, but, hey, most TV shows are using two cameras all the time anyway.
I personally love the way our show looks. I like the vitality of the scenes in FNL. You always feel like you could literally walk into the frame and be a part of that reality. It has a very 'real' feel to it....and in the performances as well.
OK, then, that's all she wrote for this blog. Enjoy the episode and let me know what you think!! You can leave your comments at here or at my website, dwmoffett.com.
Thanx for watching!
D.W. Moffett
This week's episode puts us square in the middle of the season and the storylines are starting to show signs of pregnancy. No, there's no pregnancy this week — but you get the sense that things are going to start to go 'pop pop pop' pretty soon. Take it from someone in the know, they do. They're going to be exploding pretty quickly here!
This week we're going to see that Coach has to continue to try to fend off the ever-present, ever-pressuring Joe McCoy again. I thought maybe it was time to talk a little about the experience of filming FNL.
I had a wild ride in Austin when we shot the show. I was initially expecting to play this character for a few episodes and ride off into the sunset, but lo and behold ... I wound up in every episode this season! That was unexpected, but I loved every minute of it. I enjoy this show and I did even before I was on. In fact, I think the show should go on and on.
The amazing thing about this show — besides what I believe to be one of the strongest casts in television — is how quickly and effortlessly it is shot. I talked a little bit about that in my blog on Dec. 2, 2008, if you'd like to know more. But one of the other aspects of the filming is that you need to be ready to move and move quickly!
Let me give you an example of how the actors are expected to jump onto a moving train. When I arrived in Austin, I was told that the assistant director wanted to talk to me and give me an 'orientation'. I was like, "What, does that mean he wants to warn me about all the Dens of Sin on 6th St. in Austin, and which cast members are grumpy in the morning?"
No sir.....what this particular orientation talk covers is just this.
We expect you to know your lines cold when you arrive on the set.
There will be no rehearsal and you will just start acting pretty much when you get to the set. (Say what?!)
What about all those focus measurements and all those camera moves we need to go over, and all those nuanced moments we want to massage and all that stuff you do in rehearsal so you don't waste the day stumbling all over the place all day long????
Doesn't happen that way on Friday Night lights. On FNL they don't rehearse — and it works!
I don't know if you remember all the way back to Episode 1 of this season, but it's the one where my character gets introduced (Joe McCoy Sr., the 'stud of suds'). There is a scene in that episode where I sort of barge in on Coach and offer him a bottle of Scotch and some Cuban cigars. It's a long scene and I had a lot of talking to do. That was my first day on the job! Imagine stepping into that character with no rehearsals and no set up — just walk in and go!
So needless to say, the nerves were firing, but I was doing OK. Until Kyle Chandler and I are in the middle of that scene and I just lost my place. I couldn't remember where we were at all. So that's when I stopped and said, 'I'm dry....I'm up.' That means I'm up the creek without a paddle. Nothing. And I'm waiting and Kyle is just standing there looking at me with that Coach look and the camera crews are just shooting away and so I say again, 'Hello.... I need a line here. I don't know where I am!!!' So that's when Kyle just looks at me and his face says, 'Welcome to our world, soldier.'
Then I hear this voice from where the director (the wonderful Jeffrey Reiner) was watching the monitors of all three cameras. It booms out something like, 'Just keep talking. You're doing great. Just talk. It'll come to you.'
And it did eventually come back to me. That's still one of my favorite scenes from the whole season!!!
Run and gun, baby. Run and gun. That's the way this show rolls.
I'm telling you, the way this show is produced and shot is the future of the medium. I would bet serious money that in the next 5 years I will be on a few sets that will remind me a lot of FNL. It really just makes sense!
Obviously, there are limitations to a schedule this fast. You can't do dangerous stunts fast. You can't do elaborate lighting set-ups. But that's about it. We use three cameras all the time, sometimes as many as seven when we shoot the football scenes. That way you get lots of coverage each take, but, hey, most TV shows are using two cameras all the time anyway.
I personally love the way our show looks. I like the vitality of the scenes in FNL. You always feel like you could literally walk into the frame and be a part of that reality. It has a very 'real' feel to it....and in the performances as well.
OK, then, that's all she wrote for this blog. Enjoy the episode and let me know what you think!! You can leave your comments at here or at my website, dwmoffett.com.
Thanx for watching!
D.W. Moffett
Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
Riggins to the Rescue
Feb. 20th, 2009 | 02:41 pm
After last week's chaotic mess that put J.D. McCoy in starter position and made homeowners out of Jason Street and the Riggins boys, what adventure can we get into this week?
J.D. McCoy, boy wonder. Now a starter. Still an uncool freshman. How to fix that? Well, get Mr. Cool himself, Tim Riggins, talked into taking care of young McCoy. As the new freshman QB is being mercilessly razzed by his teammates, only the big man on the team, Mr. Riggins himself, can lend an aura of cool to the hopelessly dorky McCoy. I'm sure you can imagine Riggins does this with dispatch. In fact, he is so successful that young McCoy finds himself in a typical Riggins-type situation — and you can only guess what that does to McCoy's controlling old man, played by me. This is where I get to play some really dirty chops and with it, you can just feel the tension that's run between McCoy and Taylor escalate to an all new level.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Jason Street and the Riggins boys continue their rehabbing of the Buddy Garrity house. Can anyone see this being a smooth process? Really?
Saracen and Julie flirt and flirt and go to the lake — metaphorically speaking, of course! Let me just say that the dialogue-free scene where these two young lovers return from the lake may very well be one of my favorite sequences of the entire season. Amazing acting on both parts.
And of course we have Tyra and the cowboy continue their little dance with the devil. And ladies, let me just say this — when a guy says "I will never lie to you," run for the hills! Trust me on that one.
And watch for some new interests in Landry's life this week. More about that later!
And you know, every week when I watch this show (and I do watch with you) I am just so glad that I'm watching the best show on TV! Aren't you?
As always, enjoy! And tell me what you think here or at TVGuide.com or at dwmoffett.com!
Until next week,
D.W. Moffett
J.D. McCoy, boy wonder. Now a starter. Still an uncool freshman. How to fix that? Well, get Mr. Cool himself, Tim Riggins, talked into taking care of young McCoy. As the new freshman QB is being mercilessly razzed by his teammates, only the big man on the team, Mr. Riggins himself, can lend an aura of cool to the hopelessly dorky McCoy. I'm sure you can imagine Riggins does this with dispatch. In fact, he is so successful that young McCoy finds himself in a typical Riggins-type situation — and you can only guess what that does to McCoy's controlling old man, played by me. This is where I get to play some really dirty chops and with it, you can just feel the tension that's run between McCoy and Taylor escalate to an all new level.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Jason Street and the Riggins boys continue their rehabbing of the Buddy Garrity house. Can anyone see this being a smooth process? Really?
Saracen and Julie flirt and flirt and go to the lake — metaphorically speaking, of course! Let me just say that the dialogue-free scene where these two young lovers return from the lake may very well be one of my favorite sequences of the entire season. Amazing acting on both parts.
And of course we have Tyra and the cowboy continue their little dance with the devil. And ladies, let me just say this — when a guy says "I will never lie to you," run for the hills! Trust me on that one.
And watch for some new interests in Landry's life this week. More about that later!
And you know, every week when I watch this show (and I do watch with you) I am just so glad that I'm watching the best show on TV! Aren't you?
As always, enjoy! And tell me what you think here or at TVGuide.com or at dwmoffett.com!
Until next week,
D.W. Moffett
Link | Leave a comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
A New King in the Castle
Feb. 12th, 2009 | 01:12 pm
Hello there all you FNL fans!
"LET THE CORONATION BEGIN.....THERE'S A NEW KING IN THE CASTLE!"
This week's episode has some wonderful story developments for Jason Street, Matt Saracen, and of course, the Taylors.
Instead of going over plot points in these blogs, I'm going to be sharing what I thought really worked as an insider to the show. These are the things that I've found really compelling about this season and specifically, this episode.
One of my favorite parts of this week's episode is this one line by Buddy Garrity. It's easily one of the best lines of the whole season and it's effortlessly and relentlessly repeated by Tim Riggins, much to my delight. I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.
And I have to say right now — you know Tyra Collette is in real trouble when rodeo man takes her to see a new-born foal. What's that look on her face? Uh-oh. Here comes the cliff, baby ... watch out!
Also, this episode brings about one of the very best mother/daughter scenes that I have ever seen on network television. Aimee Teegarden and Connie Britton both make it look so effortless and true to life.
No soap opera here at all. This is realistic writing, acting and directing at its best.
And hey — just as a side note — does anyone else think Kyle Chandler is channeling Gary Cooper from the grave? Some of his looks and mannerisms ... he's too good.
Finally, the last 30 seconds of this episode is just stunning. Nothing is said at all. Yet it summarizes without a single word spoken and in an incredibly wrenching way exactly "where we're at" at this point in the season. Amazing work.
Last but not least, enjoy the episode and share your thoughts with me here at tvguide.com or at dwmoffett.com. I love to hear what you think about what's happening!
Until next week,
D.W. Moffett
"LET THE CORONATION BEGIN.....THERE'S A NEW KING IN THE CASTLE!"
This week's episode has some wonderful story developments for Jason Street, Matt Saracen, and of course, the Taylors.
Instead of going over plot points in these blogs, I'm going to be sharing what I thought really worked as an insider to the show. These are the things that I've found really compelling about this season and specifically, this episode.
One of my favorite parts of this week's episode is this one line by Buddy Garrity. It's easily one of the best lines of the whole season and it's effortlessly and relentlessly repeated by Tim Riggins, much to my delight. I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.
And I have to say right now — you know Tyra Collette is in real trouble when rodeo man takes her to see a new-born foal. What's that look on her face? Uh-oh. Here comes the cliff, baby ... watch out!
Also, this episode brings about one of the very best mother/daughter scenes that I have ever seen on network television. Aimee Teegarden and Connie Britton both make it look so effortless and true to life.
No soap opera here at all. This is realistic writing, acting and directing at its best.
And hey — just as a side note — does anyone else think Kyle Chandler is channeling Gary Cooper from the grave? Some of his looks and mannerisms ... he's too good.
Finally, the last 30 seconds of this episode is just stunning. Nothing is said at all. Yet it summarizes without a single word spoken and in an incredibly wrenching way exactly "where we're at" at this point in the season. Amazing work.
Last but not least, enjoy the episode and share your thoughts with me here at tvguide.com or at dwmoffett.com. I love to hear what you think about what's happening!
Until next week,
D.W. Moffett
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Friday Night Lights
Jan. 28th, 2009 | 02:38 pm
In this Friday's episode of Friday Night Lights (9 pm/ET, NBC), the heat turns up on the coach. Everybody in town seems to want to start young Joe McCoy at quarterback ... except Coach. It doesn't help that this week is the big game with Arnett Mead, one of Dillon's arch rivals.
Katie McCoy, the bubbly and irrepressible wife of Joe McCoy Sr. (yours truly) is introduced in this episode and she gets right into the game. Oh, did I mention that she is played by the bubbly and incomparable Janine Turner? No? OK then, I just did. Mrs. McCoy, you'll find, dives right into life as a Dillon Panther Mom with the passion of a football mom! This causes some strife in a local Dillon custom, when the coach and his wife end up on opposite sides of the "Panther tradition." Watch how many times Kyle Chandler blinks when he and Connie Britton are facing off. I can't count that high!
The young folk are hooking up. Or not, depending on who you're talking about. Riggins and Lila are on again. Or off again? Never can tell with those two. We'll go for 50/50 on which it is this week.
Saracen and Julie make some nice goo-goo eyes at each other, and I'm sitting there making goo-goo eyes at the screen watching them make goo-goo eyes. Why would I do that? I have only one answer:
How adorable is Aimee Teegarden?!
There's a scene in this episode that has Julie so ... so ... well, you'll have to see. It's great.
For those who love the Williams family, there's an amazing scene at the end of this episode that you'll never forget, between Smash and his Mom. Be ready for it. And that's all I'm going to say about that one.
I'll end with this: The threads are starting to weave the big tapestry of the season. There's a lot going on in Dillon these days. It's going to be very interesting to watch it all come together.
Let me know what you think and if you have any questions about the show. Leave your comments here or check out my website at www.dwmoffett.com.
Thanks for watching! See ya next week! Clear eyes ... full heart ... can't lose!
Katie McCoy, the bubbly and irrepressible wife of Joe McCoy Sr. (yours truly) is introduced in this episode and she gets right into the game. Oh, did I mention that she is played by the bubbly and incomparable Janine Turner? No? OK then, I just did. Mrs. McCoy, you'll find, dives right into life as a Dillon Panther Mom with the passion of a football mom! This causes some strife in a local Dillon custom, when the coach and his wife end up on opposite sides of the "Panther tradition." Watch how many times Kyle Chandler blinks when he and Connie Britton are facing off. I can't count that high!
The young folk are hooking up. Or not, depending on who you're talking about. Riggins and Lila are on again. Or off again? Never can tell with those two. We'll go for 50/50 on which it is this week.
Saracen and Julie make some nice goo-goo eyes at each other, and I'm sitting there making goo-goo eyes at the screen watching them make goo-goo eyes. Why would I do that? I have only one answer:
How adorable is Aimee Teegarden?!
There's a scene in this episode that has Julie so ... so ... well, you'll have to see. It's great.
For those who love the Williams family, there's an amazing scene at the end of this episode that you'll never forget, between Smash and his Mom. Be ready for it. And that's all I'm going to say about that one.
I'll end with this: The threads are starting to weave the big tapestry of the season. There's a lot going on in Dillon these days. It's going to be very interesting to watch it all come together.
Let me know what you think and if you have any questions about the show. Leave your comments here or check out my website at www.dwmoffett.com.
Thanks for watching! See ya next week! Clear eyes ... full heart ... can't lose!
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Friday Night Lights
Aug. 19th, 2008 | 07:26 am
Hello good people,
By now you've probably heard the news that I've been cast on Friday Night Lights and let me tell you...this is a great show that's got a lot going for it. Critics love it. Fans are right up there with the best fans in the world. (That would be Chicago Bears fans in case you weren't aware.) Throw in the fantastic writing, the brilliant cast and the next question is....why the hell aren't you watching this show?
I'm playing the new guy in town. I move to little Dillon Texas from the big city of Dallas just so my son (played by the fantastic Jeremy Sumpter of Peter Pan fame) can play football for the Dillon Panthers. That means I'm wealthy. I love playing the rich guy. And my wife is being played by the beautiful Janine Turner...most of you remember her from the Lifetime show, Strong Medicine.
With that build up, you know I'll be around for a few episodes. That's good. It gives me more of a chance to explore Austin. This is a great town with a lot of personality. Fits the show well.
That's all I have for now. Need to get to the set. But I'll be blogging more so keep watching.
Take care,
D.W.
By now you've probably heard the news that I've been cast on Friday Night Lights and let me tell you...this is a great show that's got a lot going for it. Critics love it. Fans are right up there with the best fans in the world. (That would be Chicago Bears fans in case you weren't aware.) Throw in the fantastic writing, the brilliant cast and the next question is....why the hell aren't you watching this show?
I'm playing the new guy in town. I move to little Dillon Texas from the big city of Dallas just so my son (played by the fantastic Jeremy Sumpter of Peter Pan fame) can play football for the Dillon Panthers. That means I'm wealthy. I love playing the rich guy. And my wife is being played by the beautiful Janine Turner...most of you remember her from the Lifetime show, Strong Medicine.
With that build up, you know I'll be around for a few episodes. That's good. It gives me more of a chance to explore Austin. This is a great town with a lot of personality. Fits the show well.
That's all I have for now. Need to get to the set. But I'll be blogging more so keep watching.
Take care,
D.W.
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The Visioneers....
Jun. 26th, 2008 | 06:44 am
Hello to everyone in internetland. It's been a while, but I haven't gone too far this time. No big trips to other countries - just getting used to life back here in the US again.
There are some things happening these days and they're pretty damned cool if I do say so myself. So let's talk...
I went to Cinevegas for the premiere of "The Visioneers". Met a lot of people. Took some pics. Did some talking about the movie. This one's a good one and buzz is really starting to pick up. We're starting to see it all over the internet and that's FANTASTIC! We even picked up the audience award at Cinevegas! Love that. It means the most important people are enjoying the movie. NICE!
Here's the movie website. Go check it out. Right now. Jeffers insists. http://www.visioneersthemovie.com/visio
I REALLY liked this project. The guys were great and they've got a really creative sense of EVERYTHING. I'm impressed - so of course you should be too. :)
So there it is - latest happenings. There's more going on in the background of course but if I told you I'd have to...well, that's lame so I just won't. But don't take it personally and I will tell you here as soon as I can so keep checking in. I'll do the same.
And hey - love the book recommendations you're sending through the website - keep em coming!
thx,
dw
There are some things happening these days and they're pretty damned cool if I do say so myself. So let's talk...
I went to Cinevegas for the premiere of "The Visioneers". Met a lot of people. Took some pics. Did some talking about the movie. This one's a good one and buzz is really starting to pick up. We're starting to see it all over the internet and that's FANTASTIC! We even picked up the audience award at Cinevegas! Love that. It means the most important people are enjoying the movie. NICE!
Here's the movie website. Go check it out. Right now. Jeffers insists. http://www.visioneersthemovie.com/visio
I REALLY liked this project. The guys were great and they've got a really creative sense of EVERYTHING. I'm impressed - so of course you should be too. :)
So there it is - latest happenings. There's more going on in the background of course but if I told you I'd have to...well, that's lame so I just won't. But don't take it personally and I will tell you here as soon as I can so keep checking in. I'll do the same.
And hey - love the book recommendations you're sending through the website - keep em coming!
thx,
dw
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Hello 2008 - and America!
Jan. 11th, 2008 | 12:46 pm
Hello good people!! Let me start out 2008 by asking your forgiveness. Please forgive me for not blogging about last weeks’ episode! I was busy moving a family of four back to the good old USA from South Africa and you can only imagine how much stuff you accumulate after 6 months on the southern tip of Africa! You don’t even WANT to know how many boxes of incredible, amazing STUFF we shipped back and you REALLY don’t want to EVER have the jet lag I have today.
Note: To go from Los Angeles to South Africa you are in the airplane for 24
hours. That’s just flying time folks. That doesn’t even count the getting off the plane, changing planes, going through customs and all that other FUN stuff that comes with traveling to the other side and other “hemisphere”.
Anyway, with all that going on I missed my blog-deadline and apologize to all of you who have been following along these last few weeks.
So let me get caught up.
This Sunday’s episode deals with some fairly heavy topics. For one, Katie gets an up close and personal look at an AIDS clinic that specializes in teen cases. This disease is wreaking havoc all over Africa and I was very glad that our producers had the guts to take on what is admittedly a tough topic to portray on network television. I think we deal with it fairly and openly.
In addition, Jesse and Mbali’s relationship takes a more serious turn as Mbali basically shows up and says ‘I need a place to stay, it’s not working out with my fiance’. Ooooppppssss! Glad I never got one of those! Especially since the fiance usually shows up and is not all too happy that his girlfriend is staying at YOUR PLACE. Needless to say some fireworks ensue.
As for yours truly, the good doctor is trying to get his giraffes to mate so we can have more animals on the farm. And what’s wrong with that??? Oh and an inspector is showing up to certify our lodge as “green” or not and it is driving my wife to a new form of madness!!! Watch Stephanie Niznik spin out as the pressure builds for her to have the “perfect” lodge....she’s great.
That’s it for Sunday....enjoy the show.
DW
Note: To go from Los Angeles to South Africa you are in the airplane for 24
hours. That’s just flying time folks. That doesn’t even count the getting off the plane, changing planes, going through customs and all that other FUN stuff that comes with traveling to the other side and other “hemisphere”.
Anyway, with all that going on I missed my blog-deadline and apologize to all of you who have been following along these last few weeks.
So let me get caught up.
This Sunday’s episode deals with some fairly heavy topics. For one, Katie gets an up close and personal look at an AIDS clinic that specializes in teen cases. This disease is wreaking havoc all over Africa and I was very glad that our producers had the guts to take on what is admittedly a tough topic to portray on network television. I think we deal with it fairly and openly.
In addition, Jesse and Mbali’s relationship takes a more serious turn as Mbali basically shows up and says ‘I need a place to stay, it’s not working out with my fiance’. Ooooppppssss! Glad I never got one of those! Especially since the fiance usually shows up and is not all too happy that his girlfriend is staying at YOUR PLACE. Needless to say some fireworks ensue.
As for yours truly, the good doctor is trying to get his giraffes to mate so we can have more animals on the farm. And what’s wrong with that??? Oh and an inspector is showing up to certify our lodge as “green” or not and it is driving my wife to a new form of madness!!! Watch Stephanie Niznik spin out as the pressure builds for her to have the “perfect” lodge....she’s great.
That’s it for Sunday....enjoy the show.
DW
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The Code....
Dec. 8th, 2007 | 08:51 am
Dear hard-core and much appreciated fans of LIFE IS WILD!,
How are you all? First of all, a big thank you from myself, the cast and crew of Life is Wild for continuing to support our show in such a consistent way. Our viewing numbers,
though small, are stunningly consistent, which means we have found our core audience – that’s you! We are looking for a few more to bolster the numbers but thank you!!! We appreciate your viewership and since all of you have such great taste in programming, feel free to tell your friends, your mom (if you want), your boss (he/she will think you are very insightful to have found such an interesting and beautiful new show) and everyone you know. We want to come back next year and make more tales from Africa for you.
Now, this Sunday’s episode is entitled “The Code” and deals with the issue of the honor
code and cheating. It also has perhaps the most beautiful lion you will ever see. He’s a
white lion so majestic that he will take your breath away. While Jesse is trying to convince anyone who will listen that he did NOT cheat on a test, I am trying to convince anyone who will listen that we cannot allow two hunters to shoot a white lion that was spotted in our area. I go on a mission to prevent them and put myself in harm’s way in the process and Jesse has to prove to one and all that he did NOT cheat. When all is said and done, the ending might surprise you.
Please let me know what you think and as always, enjoy the show!
All the best to you and yours
D.W. Moffett
How are you all? First of all, a big thank you from myself, the cast and crew of Life is Wild for continuing to support our show in such a consistent way. Our viewing numbers,
though small, are stunningly consistent, which means we have found our core audience – that’s you! We are looking for a few more to bolster the numbers but thank you!!! We appreciate your viewership and since all of you have such great taste in programming, feel free to tell your friends, your mom (if you want), your boss (he/she will think you are very insightful to have found such an interesting and beautiful new show) and everyone you know. We want to come back next year and make more tales from Africa for you.
Now, this Sunday’s episode is entitled “The Code” and deals with the issue of the honor
code and cheating. It also has perhaps the most beautiful lion you will ever see. He’s a
white lion so majestic that he will take your breath away. While Jesse is trying to convince anyone who will listen that he did NOT cheat on a test, I am trying to convince anyone who will listen that we cannot allow two hunters to shoot a white lion that was spotted in our area. I go on a mission to prevent them and put myself in harm’s way in the process and Jesse has to prove to one and all that he did NOT cheat. When all is said and done, the ending might surprise you.
Please let me know what you think and as always, enjoy the show!
All the best to you and yours
D.W. Moffett
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Plane Crashes, Hippos and Soccer Oh My!
Nov. 11th, 2007 | 06:58 pm
Hello all you fine people who continue to support the ONLY American broadcast television show currently shooting in the Republic of South Africa! Thanx for showing up
again last week, and please tell your friends to check us out as we still need to build our
audience and prove to our fearless network leaders that we are WORTHY of coming back next year....of continuing to provide you with stories and sights from this beautiful
corner of the world.
This week’s episode is chock-full of stuff. A magnificent plane crash...a cliff
dive....and in case you’ve never seen one..... A CO-ED SOCCER GAME.....whaaaattt???
Hey, it can’t all be wild animals and plane crashes! Our wonderful star, Leah Pipes,
gets to show off her soccer skills and is rumored to be days away from signing with the
L.A. Galaxy to fill in for the INCESSANTLY injured David Beckham. She’s got youth
and good looks on him...she just can’t compete in the tattoo department!
Oh, and did I mention that most of our cast gets chased up a tree by a hippo? I didn’t?
Well it’s true and I hope you enjoy that scene and much more and please feel free to
drop me a line at tvguide.com or on my own web-site (dwmoffett.com) and let me know
your thoughts about the show.
Till then,
D.W. Moffett
again last week, and please tell your friends to check us out as we still need to build our
audience and prove to our fearless network leaders that we are WORTHY of coming back next year....of continuing to provide you with stories and sights from this beautiful
corner of the world.
This week’s episode is chock-full of stuff. A magnificent plane crash...a cliff
dive....and in case you’ve never seen one..... A CO-ED SOCCER GAME.....whaaaattt???
Hey, it can’t all be wild animals and plane crashes! Our wonderful star, Leah Pipes,
gets to show off her soccer skills and is rumored to be days away from signing with the
L.A. Galaxy to fill in for the INCESSANTLY injured David Beckham. She’s got youth
and good looks on him...she just can’t compete in the tattoo department!
Oh, and did I mention that most of our cast gets chased up a tree by a hippo? I didn’t?
Well it’s true and I hope you enjoy that scene and much more and please feel free to
drop me a line at tvguide.com or on my own web-site (dwmoffett.com) and let me know
your thoughts about the show.
Till then,
D.W. Moffett
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Hat Tip to the Sox AND LIW fans...
Nov. 1st, 2007 | 10:07 am
Hello LIFE IS WILD fans! And while I’ve got you here, let me say thank you for tuning in opposite some vicious competition last week!! Can you say Boston Red Sox sweep the series??!? You’re helping us to keep our heads above water and our hopes for continuing our journey in Africa alive and well.
This week’s episode deals a lot with the young folk in the show figuring out a little about
“who they are” in life. It shows what it means to try to be something you’re not and what the consequences are for misrepresenting who and what you are. We have gunfire, our
first visit to a jail cell and a very funny dine and dash episode on the streets of Johannesburg.
Dr. Danny (that would be me) has to clean up the mess, LITERALLY, as a wounded
cheetah is dropped off at his doorstep and there is a little bit of a surprise at the
end. Let’s just say my primary scene partner in the final scene has four legs and spots.
I look forward to your thoughts and comments and hope you enjoy the show.
All my best,
D.W. Moffett
This week’s episode deals a lot with the young folk in the show figuring out a little about
“who they are” in life. It shows what it means to try to be something you’re not and what the consequences are for misrepresenting who and what you are. We have gunfire, our
first visit to a jail cell and a very funny dine and dash episode on the streets of Johannesburg.
Dr. Danny (that would be me) has to clean up the mess, LITERALLY, as a wounded
cheetah is dropped off at his doorstep and there is a little bit of a surprise at the
end. Let’s just say my primary scene partner in the final scene has four legs and spots.
I look forward to your thoughts and comments and hope you enjoy the show.
All my best,
D.W. Moffett
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This week's episode...
Oct. 29th, 2007 | 11:07 am
It is I, the absent-minded blogger returned from too much work and too little time to blog. You know, kids and animals...what are ya gonna do? They just take a LOT OF TIME TO SHOOT! Lucky for us and for you it is well worth the wait!
In this week’s episode, you will see a couple of things you have never seen before. (Operation on a vervet monkey anyone?) But my favorite scene is the last one. A wild party in a South African township that I know will be breathtakingly beautiful. When we were shooting the scene, we used a big crane for some overhead shots and from what I was able to see on the video monitors, it looked more like a high-budget feature film, rather than our humble little show. Made me proud. But then again, it’s hard not to be proud of this show.
Speaking of proud, let me take this moment to thank all of you who tuned in last week to give us our best ratings to date! I hope you enjoyed the show enough to tell your friends. WORD OF MOUTH is the best friend any new show has and that is particularly true when you are a new show on a new network so PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS. There is a place you can go every Sunday night that is different and beautiful and interesting.
It would mean a lot to all of us here in South Africa. We are doing the best to bring you stories that you can care about.
NOW ON TO THE SHOW. The premise of this week's episode revolves around the different ways our family responds to a national holiday in South Africa. It’s one that was revered by the now deceased mother of Katie and Chase and it means something different to almost everyone in the show. It is a wonderful way to get a little piece of African history and and to get a little more insight into our blended family.
I hope you enjoy this week's episode and I will be more ON IT in terms of keeping you up to date with our shoot.
All the best from the Northwest Province of South Africa
D.W. Moffett
In this week’s episode, you will see a couple of things you have never seen before. (Operation on a vervet monkey anyone?) But my favorite scene is the last one. A wild party in a South African township that I know will be breathtakingly beautiful. When we were shooting the scene, we used a big crane for some overhead shots and from what I was able to see on the video monitors, it looked more like a high-budget feature film, rather than our humble little show. Made me proud. But then again, it’s hard not to be proud of this show.
Speaking of proud, let me take this moment to thank all of you who tuned in last week to give us our best ratings to date! I hope you enjoyed the show enough to tell your friends. WORD OF MOUTH is the best friend any new show has and that is particularly true when you are a new show on a new network so PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS. There is a place you can go every Sunday night that is different and beautiful and interesting.
It would mean a lot to all of us here in South Africa. We are doing the best to bring you stories that you can care about.
NOW ON TO THE SHOW. The premise of this week's episode revolves around the different ways our family responds to a national holiday in South Africa. It’s one that was revered by the now deceased mother of Katie and Chase and it means something different to almost everyone in the show. It is a wonderful way to get a little piece of African history and and to get a little more insight into our blended family.
I hope you enjoy this week's episode and I will be more ON IT in terms of keeping you up to date with our shoot.
All the best from the Northwest Province of South Africa
D.W. Moffett
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More greetings from South Africa!
Oct. 4th, 2007 | 07:54 am
Greetings again from South Africa! I will be blogging weekly to introduce you to our upcoming show and to answer any questions that might have popped up during the intervening week. Thanks for checking in. So here goes!
Episode 1 of LIFE IS WILD is, in fact, the “pilot” of the show. As most of you know, many pilots are made each year, but few get the opportunity to continue and to make more episodes. In addition, in many instances, pilots get re-shot, sometimes extensively, in order to accommodate cast changes and script revisions. This was doubly true for our pilot. Both Stephanie Niznik and I were replacements for the original parents in the pilot AND extensive script changes were made to improve the show. I will touch on some of those script changes as I discuss the pilot and as far as the “re- casting” process goes, I have, in my career, been replaced and now I am the “re-placer”. Life goes on and good actors, like the ones no longer with this show, will continue to thrive.
The tough thing about a pilot is that you have to tell a really compelling story (one good enough for a network to want to continue telling) AND you have to introduce a whole army of new characters. I think our pilot does both quite well. It really helps when you have a strong and simple premise to operate from. WE’RE MOVING TO SOUTH AFRICA TO CHANGE OUR LIVES. Simple enough. Oh wait. WE’RE MOVING TO SOUTH AFRICA WITH TEENAGERS AND SO OUR CHANGED LIVES ARE STILL GOING TO BE MADDENINGLY AFFECTED BY THEIR TEEN-AGE PROBLEMS. Check.
The classic story of the “fish out of water” never grows old. In our case, it is made more interesting by the fact that the new “water” that our fish find themselves in is populated by the most amazing animals and people you have ever seen. There is simply nothing to be said
about the first time you walk up to and actually touch an elephant. Nothing can describe the feeling of awe and amazement. Nothing. Hopefully that is a sense that the audience will come away with from our first show. Not just how WEIRD everything is for us as we land in Africa, but also how stunned we all are by the sheer majesty of our surroundings. To that point, a scene was written for our “improved” pilot in which the family, just after arriving in Africa, stumbles upon a particularly large wild animal. Check out this scene when you watch the show and let me know what you think.
Just a final word on what to look for in the pilot and, in general, in our show. Look at the landscape, the people, and this world that most of you have never seen before on a network show or perhaps ever and ENJOY IT! And once you've seen it, let me know what you think. I love feedback!
I look forward to your comments and questions and will stay in touch with you throughout the broadcast season.
Cheers from the Northwest Province....South Africa
D.W. Moffett
Episode 1 of LIFE IS WILD is, in fact, the “pilot” of the show. As most of you know, many pilots are made each year, but few get the opportunity to continue and to make more episodes. In addition, in many instances, pilots get re-shot, sometimes extensively, in order to accommodate cast changes and script revisions. This was doubly true for our pilot. Both Stephanie Niznik and I were replacements for the original parents in the pilot AND extensive script changes were made to improve the show. I will touch on some of those script changes as I discuss the pilot and as far as the “re- casting” process goes, I have, in my career, been replaced and now I am the “re-placer”. Life goes on and good actors, like the ones no longer with this show, will continue to thrive.
The tough thing about a pilot is that you have to tell a really compelling story (one good enough for a network to want to continue telling) AND you have to introduce a whole army of new characters. I think our pilot does both quite well. It really helps when you have a strong and simple premise to operate from. WE’RE MOVING TO SOUTH AFRICA TO CHANGE OUR LIVES. Simple enough. Oh wait. WE’RE MOVING TO SOUTH AFRICA WITH TEENAGERS AND SO OUR CHANGED LIVES ARE STILL GOING TO BE MADDENINGLY AFFECTED BY THEIR TEEN-AGE PROBLEMS. Check.
The classic story of the “fish out of water” never grows old. In our case, it is made more interesting by the fact that the new “water” that our fish find themselves in is populated by the most amazing animals and people you have ever seen. There is simply nothing to be said
about the first time you walk up to and actually touch an elephant. Nothing can describe the feeling of awe and amazement. Nothing. Hopefully that is a sense that the audience will come away with from our first show. Not just how WEIRD everything is for us as we land in Africa, but also how stunned we all are by the sheer majesty of our surroundings. To that point, a scene was written for our “improved” pilot in which the family, just after arriving in Africa, stumbles upon a particularly large wild animal. Check out this scene when you watch the show and let me know what you think.
Just a final word on what to look for in the pilot and, in general, in our show. Look at the landscape, the people, and this world that most of you have never seen before on a network show or perhaps ever and ENJOY IT! And once you've seen it, let me know what you think. I love feedback!
I look forward to your comments and questions and will stay in touch with you throughout the broadcast season.
Cheers from the Northwest Province....South Africa
D.W. Moffett
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Life really IS Wild
Sep. 27th, 2007 | 07:54 pm
Hello good people
So, as you have probably noticed, my blogging has taken a real dip,
(what with me moving myself and the whole family to south african and
starting to shoot a tv show and all that stuff)....but I am here to
tell you....THAT’S OVER. No more Mr. lazy South Africa!!!! It’s
time to get back on it and tell you good folks what the heck is going
on half way around the globe. I will fill you in on the fun stuff
until we launch October 7 (at 8pm Eastern if you haven’t already
marked your calendars) and then after we launch I will fill you in on
a weekly basis as to what’s coming up in the show and answer any
questions you might have. The best place to ASK questions would be
either at may web-site dwmoffett.com or at my blog at
tvguide.com. Thanx for listening to all that and now here goes.
I thought I would share with you two little sequences we just shot
which represent the scale of what we’re doing here and how different
our show is going to be from most other things you see.
First of all, let’s get to SCALE. I can’t tell you when the last
time was that I stood on a ledge 80 feet above a river. (With no safety
harness....please don’t tell my wife.) Oh, wait. Yes I can. It was last
Friday. In the scene we shot, my step-son Jesse dares me to go cliff
diving with him and like any good step-father I AGREE!!!! (Oh
brother!) Anyway, there are actually good parenting reasons that
I do agree to such craziness, but that will become clear to you as
you watch the episode (number 5 I think). Sooooooo there I was
80 feet above the CROCODILE RIVER (no, I did not make that name up)
in the Northwest province of South Africa thinking, “This is so
cool, I mean you would think I was making some kind of Indiana Jones
movie here!” and then someone pushed me and then I was
flying .....no just kidding!! Then the director yelled cut and I
leapt weeping into the arms of the stunt coordinator and then the real
fun began.
I got into a canoe and paddled across the river to get a birds-eye
view of three South African stunt-men boldly leap where no man has
gone before (Can you hear William Shatner speaking those
lines?)...actually, they lept 80 feet down into the Crocodile River
but here is the scary part. Most of the Crocodile River is just 6
feet deep and if you are jumping 80 feet into 6 feet of water THAT IS
GOING TO HURT!! PEOPLE ARE YOU WITH ME ON THAT??? So, our stunt
coordinator, Nic, had got his scuba-diving equipment on (of course he
scuba dives) and scouted the river-bottom and determined that there
was this little circle of about 15 feet across where the river-bottom
actually went down to 18 feet and so, hey, now it’s easy. JUST
MAKE SURE YOU HIT THE CIRCLE OR YOU ARE GOING TO BECOME A HUMAN ARROW
STUCK FOREVER IN 6 FEET OF AFRICAN RIVER BOTTOM.
Hey, what can I say? My young South African stunt dudes nailed
it .....TWICE. You know, the Director always wants one more take.
But the sheer scope of this stunt was impressive to this veteran of
the tv world. And that was just the first half of the day. We
spent the second half climbing OUT of the river (my character
acutally makes the jump in the show) and SCALING THE CLIFF WE JUST
DIVED OFF OF. I sure hope the stunt of Jesse falling off the cliff
looks as good in the show as it did live. Unbelievable!!!!
Now let’s get to the difference. How LIFE IS WILD is going to look
unlike anything you have seen on your television set in quite a
while? Hmmmmmm.....shall I start with my sitting with my face 6
inches from a cheetah’s? How about giving a bull elephant a tooth exam?
Here’s a short side story. This is the same bull elephant that happens to
remember a certain veterinarian (not me) from this part of South
Africa who actually performed a tooth procedure on this elephant and
Bully, the elephant, did not take to the procedure kindly. I noticed
this vet, who happens to be our technical advisor for animal medical
procedures, kind of slinking around when Bully was nearby. He told
me simply that the elephant didn’t like him. Then I asked the animal
handler what the deal was and he said, after a good laugh, “Oh, that
elephant remembers that Paul (the vet in question) messed with his
tooth. He’ll kill him if he gets a hold of him.” I laughed and
said, “No really, what would the elephant do REALLY?” The handler
looked at me like I was stupid and said, “He’d kill him.”
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THIS IS THE SAME ELEPHANT THAT I AM NOW
SUPPOSED TO DO THE “PRETEND” TOOTH EXAMINATION ON AND THIS ELEPHANT
HAS HOMICIDE ON HIS MIND???!!!!
I just had to tell you that story. Now back to the difference. Let me
just say this. You will not be disappointed. Check our show out
just for the sheer beauty of what you will see. Our cinematographer
is a genius (Peter Sinclair) and you could turn off
the sound, dim the lights and have an African adventure with just the
images alone. I would recommend, however, that you keep the sound
on and enjoy the sights and sounds as well as a menagerie of animals
that will keep you amazed and amused.
That’s it for now. I will be checking back in with you in about a
week to tell you about our first episode. See you then!
Cheers,
DW
So, as you have probably noticed, my blogging has taken a real dip,
(what with me moving myself and the whole family to south african and
starting to shoot a tv show and all that stuff)....but I am here to
tell you....THAT’S OVER. No more Mr. lazy South Africa!!!! It’s
time to get back on it and tell you good folks what the heck is going
on half way around the globe. I will fill you in on the fun stuff
until we launch October 7 (at 8pm Eastern if you haven’t already
marked your calendars) and then after we launch I will fill you in on
a weekly basis as to what’s coming up in the show and answer any
questions you might have. The best place to ASK questions would be
either at may web-site dwmoffett.com or at my blog at
tvguide.com. Thanx for listening to all that and now here goes.
I thought I would share with you two little sequences we just shot
which represent the scale of what we’re doing here and how different
our show is going to be from most other things you see.
First of all, let’s get to SCALE. I can’t tell you when the last
time was that I stood on a ledge 80 feet above a river. (With no safety
harness....please don’t tell my wife.) Oh, wait. Yes I can. It was last
Friday. In the scene we shot, my step-son Jesse dares me to go cliff
diving with him and like any good step-father I AGREE!!!! (Oh
brother!) Anyway, there are actually good parenting reasons that
I do agree to such craziness, but that will become clear to you as
you watch the episode (number 5 I think). Sooooooo there I was
80 feet above the CROCODILE RIVER (no, I did not make that name up)
in the Northwest province of South Africa thinking, “This is so
cool, I mean you would think I was making some kind of Indiana Jones
movie here!” and then someone pushed me and then I was
flying .....no just kidding!! Then the director yelled cut and I
leapt weeping into the arms of the stunt coordinator and then the real
fun began.
I got into a canoe and paddled across the river to get a birds-eye
view of three South African stunt-men boldly leap where no man has
gone before (Can you hear William Shatner speaking those
lines?)...actually, they lept 80 feet down into the Crocodile River
but here is the scary part. Most of the Crocodile River is just 6
feet deep and if you are jumping 80 feet into 6 feet of water THAT IS
GOING TO HURT!! PEOPLE ARE YOU WITH ME ON THAT??? So, our stunt
coordinator, Nic, had got his scuba-diving equipment on (of course he
scuba dives) and scouted the river-bottom and determined that there
was this little circle of about 15 feet across where the river-bottom
actually went down to 18 feet and so, hey, now it’s easy. JUST
MAKE SURE YOU HIT THE CIRCLE OR YOU ARE GOING TO BECOME A HUMAN ARROW
STUCK FOREVER IN 6 FEET OF AFRICAN RIVER BOTTOM.
Hey, what can I say? My young South African stunt dudes nailed
it .....TWICE. You know, the Director always wants one more take.
But the sheer scope of this stunt was impressive to this veteran of
the tv world. And that was just the first half of the day. We
spent the second half climbing OUT of the river (my character
acutally makes the jump in the show) and SCALING THE CLIFF WE JUST
DIVED OFF OF. I sure hope the stunt of Jesse falling off the cliff
looks as good in the show as it did live. Unbelievable!!!!
Now let’s get to the difference. How LIFE IS WILD is going to look
unlike anything you have seen on your television set in quite a
while? Hmmmmmm.....shall I start with my sitting with my face 6
inches from a cheetah’s? How about giving a bull elephant a tooth exam?
Here’s a short side story. This is the same bull elephant that happens to
remember a certain veterinarian (not me) from this part of South
Africa who actually performed a tooth procedure on this elephant and
Bully, the elephant, did not take to the procedure kindly. I noticed
this vet, who happens to be our technical advisor for animal medical
procedures, kind of slinking around when Bully was nearby. He told
me simply that the elephant didn’t like him. Then I asked the animal
handler what the deal was and he said, after a good laugh, “Oh, that
elephant remembers that Paul (the vet in question) messed with his
tooth. He’ll kill him if he gets a hold of him.” I laughed and
said, “No really, what would the elephant do REALLY?” The handler
looked at me like I was stupid and said, “He’d kill him.”
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THIS IS THE SAME ELEPHANT THAT I AM NOW
SUPPOSED TO DO THE “PRETEND” TOOTH EXAMINATION ON AND THIS ELEPHANT
HAS HOMICIDE ON HIS MIND???!!!!
I just had to tell you that story. Now back to the difference. Let me
just say this. You will not be disappointed. Check our show out
just for the sheer beauty of what you will see. Our cinematographer
is a genius (Peter Sinclair) and you could turn off
the sound, dim the lights and have an African adventure with just the
images alone. I would recommend, however, that you keep the sound
on and enjoy the sights and sounds as well as a menagerie of animals
that will keep you amazed and amused.
That’s it for now. I will be checking back in with you in about a
week to tell you about our first episode. See you then!
Cheers,
DW
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South Africa is gorgeous!
Sep. 7th, 2007 | 05:54 am
Hey there
So here are a few thoughts for you folks out there concerning my present journey
This gig is what it's all about. I fell in love with acting because it gave me a creative outlet that I had never discovered before in my life. But I have to say it also became very clear to me that I have a little bit of gypsy in my soul as actors are often called on to wander. Sometimes very far afield…and people...SOUTH AFRICA IS FAR AFIELD! I mean that in the best possible way. To all of the people who told me to "be careful" and "wow, that's really dangerous down there" I ask this...have you ever gotten off the wrong bus stop in Chicago? Or New York? Or LA or you-name-it-ville???? Johannesburg is an amazingly vibrant city with incredible beauty and style and charm and just outside of the city, where I happen to work.....it's stunningly beautiful.
Go to your world atlases and look up South Africa. Now go to the Northwest Province and go to a place called Hartbeespoort Dam. That is a small lake and we shoot about a mile away. That is how far afield I am.
We are shooting at a place called Glen Afric. It’s an old hunting lodge that is now a rather benign game park. Or I should say WAS a game park, because now it is basically a film studio. Both the American and English versions of this show are shooting here simultaneously. Wait. Back up. Let me explain. There is an English version of this show too. It is actually the original version and it is call WILD AT HEART. The producers of that show came over to Hollywood and said "Anybody interested in creating a hit show based in Africa?" (the British show is immensely popular in England)...and presto....the CW network got interested and so we have LIFE IS WILD.
So where were we?
Oh yes. That’s right. Bottom line I love the gypsy element of being an actor. I am fortunate enough to have a family that likes it as well, so this long long journey is paying immense dividends already as a LIFE EXPERIENCE. Forget the fact that I think the show is going to be fantastic. No wait. Let's talk about the show....
Have you seen a good, high-quality family show on network television the past few seasons? Ok, 7th Heaven was on for a few weeks last year but what I am trying to say here is that this particular niche in television-world seems to have been neglected recently and I think we are going to come charging in and save the day. All kidding aside, I sat down and watched the pilot of this show with my two kids and it was a blast. We all responded to the show on different levels, but Dad, a 10 year old and a 5 year old all had a really good time watching this show. And I think shows that provide that kind of family-bonding opportunity are currently missing from most network television schedules. Life is Wild will fill that gap. And do it well.
Unfortunately, that's all I have time for now. Every time I look through the viewfinder at what the cameras are shooting I am stunned at how beautiful this country is. I hope that come October 7 you all feel the same way.
I will be sharing some on-set adventures/catastrophes when next we speak.
Til then,
DW
So here are a few thoughts for you folks out there concerning my present journey
This gig is what it's all about. I fell in love with acting because it gave me a creative outlet that I had never discovered before in my life. But I have to say it also became very clear to me that I have a little bit of gypsy in my soul as actors are often called on to wander. Sometimes very far afield…and people...SOUTH AFRICA IS FAR AFIELD! I mean that in the best possible way. To all of the people who told me to "be careful" and "wow, that's really dangerous down there" I ask this...have you ever gotten off the wrong bus stop in Chicago? Or New York? Or LA or you-name-it-ville???? Johannesburg is an amazingly vibrant city with incredible beauty and style and charm and just outside of the city, where I happen to work.....it's stunningly beautiful.
Go to your world atlases and look up South Africa. Now go to the Northwest Province and go to a place called Hartbeespoort Dam. That is a small lake and we shoot about a mile away. That is how far afield I am.
We are shooting at a place called Glen Afric. It’s an old hunting lodge that is now a rather benign game park. Or I should say WAS a game park, because now it is basically a film studio. Both the American and English versions of this show are shooting here simultaneously. Wait. Back up. Let me explain. There is an English version of this show too. It is actually the original version and it is call WILD AT HEART. The producers of that show came over to Hollywood and said "Anybody interested in creating a hit show based in Africa?" (the British show is immensely popular in England)...and presto....the CW network got interested and so we have LIFE IS WILD.
So where were we?
Oh yes. That’s right. Bottom line I love the gypsy element of being an actor. I am fortunate enough to have a family that likes it as well, so this long long journey is paying immense dividends already as a LIFE EXPERIENCE. Forget the fact that I think the show is going to be fantastic. No wait. Let's talk about the show....
Have you seen a good, high-quality family show on network television the past few seasons? Ok, 7th Heaven was on for a few weeks last year but what I am trying to say here is that this particular niche in television-world seems to have been neglected recently and I think we are going to come charging in and save the day. All kidding aside, I sat down and watched the pilot of this show with my two kids and it was a blast. We all responded to the show on different levels, but Dad, a 10 year old and a 5 year old all had a really good time watching this show. And I think shows that provide that kind of family-bonding opportunity are currently missing from most network television schedules. Life is Wild will fill that gap. And do it well.
Unfortunately, that's all I have time for now. Every time I look through the viewfinder at what the cameras are shooting I am stunned at how beautiful this country is. I hope that come October 7 you all feel the same way.
I will be sharing some on-set adventures/catastrophes when next we speak.
Til then,
DW
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greetings from south africa!
Aug. 1st, 2007 | 04:52 pm
hey everyone! hope you're all having a great summer. me? i'm in south africa. that's right. i'm filming a new program for the cw network called "Life is Wild" and i'm playing a dad who takes his family to a game preserve in africa. filming is a lot of fun. i'm working with a lot of different animals and...wait a minute! it's not that different from filming some of the other things i've worked on!
i hope you're all having a great summer. i have some pictures of my dressing room and some of the great sights that i'll post in my pictures here and on my website, so keep watching!
take care everyone!
dw
i hope you're all having a great summer. i have some pictures of my dressing room and some of the great sights that i'll post in my pictures here and on my website, so keep watching!
take care everyone!
dw
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The Time Has Come!
May. 21st, 2007 | 01:01 pm
HELLO GOOD PEOPLE!
Well, the time has come. The debut of Hidden Palms is upon us and starting May 30 at 8pm EST, you can start enjoying what I hope will be a long and entertaining run for the show. In case you’ve missed my previous self-promotional blasts, Hidden Palms is the new Kevin Williamson (creator of Dawson’s Creek and the Scream movies amongst others) show on the CW network (that would be the network with all the models and pussycat dolls). And now it’s time for another self promotional blast.....
In the show, I play a good wizard intent on destroying Hollywood for it’s evil, evil ways...although I am secretly in love with the Lizard-Goddess (played by Paris Hilton)!!!
HOLD EVERYTHING....
Just kidding! I play the father (step-father, actually, which means at some point my character will get really weird) of the talented and easy-on-the-eyes Taylor Handley (Of the OC), who plays the troubled and easy-on-the-eyes Johnny...
WAIT A SECOND! Why am I telling you the whole plot of the show when you can check out the CW network website and go to our show-link and you will be in business? Or better yet.....
CHECK OUT THE D.W. MOFFETT CELEBRITY BLOG AT TVGUIDE.COM....OH YEAH!!!!! How’s that for some self-promotion?! Are you tired yet? Go grab some caffeine and enjoy Hidden Palms!
Oh....by the way...I would love to hear what you all think of the show!!
till then
DW
Well, the time has come. The debut of Hidden Palms is upon us and starting May 30 at 8pm EST, you can start enjoying what I hope will be a long and entertaining run for the show. In case you’ve missed my previous self-promotional blasts, Hidden Palms is the new Kevin Williamson (creator of Dawson’s Creek and the Scream movies amongst others) show on the CW network (that would be the network with all the models and pussycat dolls). And now it’s time for another self promotional blast.....
In the show, I play a good wizard intent on destroying Hollywood for it’s evil, evil ways...although I am secretly in love with the Lizard-Goddess (played by Paris Hilton)!!!
HOLD EVERYTHING....
Just kidding! I play the father (step-father, actually, which means at some point my character will get really weird) of the talented and easy-on-the-eyes Taylor Handley (Of the OC), who plays the troubled and easy-on-the-eyes Johnny...
WAIT A SECOND! Why am I telling you the whole plot of the show when you can check out the CW network website and go to our show-link and you will be in business? Or better yet.....
CHECK OUT THE D.W. MOFFETT CELEBRITY BLOG AT TVGUIDE.COM....OH YEAH!!!!! How’s that for some self-promotion?! Are you tired yet? Go grab some caffeine and enjoy Hidden Palms!
Oh....by the way...I would love to hear what you all think of the show!!
till then
DW
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last minute change up!
Mar. 29th, 2007 | 03:23 pm
okay so cbs has made some changes to the schedule (as networks will do) so tomorrow night is not going to be a dw double feature. Instead you can catch my episode of NUMB3RS tomorrow (FRIDAY MARCH 30TH on CBS) and next week, you can catch THE GHOST WHISPERER on FRIDAY APRIL 6TH.
might want to make those changes in your recording devices. just look at it this way, instead of a double feature on friday night, you get to spend two friday nights in a row with me. that works!
take care,
dw
might want to make those changes in your recording devices. just look at it this way, instead of a double feature on friday night, you get to spend two friday nights in a row with me. that works!
take care,
dw