Former West Wing and Six Feet Under producer Rick Cleveland is on board to translate Christopher Buckley's best-selling book and recent film Thank You for Smoking into a single-camera television series for NBC. The television show will pick up where the film left off - with spin doctor Nick Naylor opening his own firm. It's a great idea for a series in that Naylor can have a never-ending array of clients. Nick will, of course, always be on the politically incorrect side of whatever big business or political issue is thrown his way. The producers have discussed Naylor repping fast food companies, environmental polluters and politicos in Mark Foley-esque situations.
We'll, of course, have to see Nick balancing his job with his life as a dad. I think that's a requirement on American television - giving otherwise unsympathetic characters the softer side of Sears. How else are we going to identify with Nick's nefarious spin doctor ways?
We won't hear about casting on this show for awhile, but casting Nick is going to require a James Wood for Shark or Hugh Laurie for House kind of coup to make the premise work. I doubt Aaron Eckhart, the film's Nick, would give up a successful film career for television. Too bad Michael C. Hall is tied up with Dexter. Oh well, I'm sure those crazy Hollywood kids will come up with something.
Giveaway Monday: How I Met Your Mother season three DVD
Oops! Newspapers around the world use SNL pic as official Palin one - VIDEO
The evolution of TV Squad
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-24-2006 @ 7:29PM
David4 said...
I didn't think NBC was THAT desperate, guess I was wrong. If it's anything like the movie then it will be average with a "no shit that was going to happen" ending.
Reply
11-24-2006 @ 8:43PM
J-Spot said...
Oh good, another NBC show that'll be too smart to find an audience.
Reply
11-24-2006 @ 9:34PM
Omar said...
this was a great book and a great movie. i think the show could end up being pretty funny.
Reply
11-24-2006 @ 11:14PM
skepnan said...
Eckhart was good, but as far as the small screen goes, I doubt that anyone can measure up to Stephen Fry's deliciously amoral PR guru in BBC's Absolute Power. Still, as long as they're not trying to americanize those series, I say best of luck to them.
Reply
11-25-2006 @ 12:36AM
Alex said...
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'd watch both movie and series with pleasure.
Reply
11-25-2006 @ 4:16AM
Geoffrey M. said...
The movie was pretty amusing.....this is desparation for NBC...seemly that the show, Friday Night Lights doing well....plus CBS and ABC killing them in the ratings.
Reply
11-25-2006 @ 7:52AM
tv junkie said...
I really can't see this as a TV series for NBC because I don't think a network television is willing to be that politically incorrect. Maybe the series would be better for cable television.
Reply
11-25-2006 @ 6:51PM
Chris W said...
How about Peter Krause as Nick? He can definitely handle the dialogue, as seen in Sports Night.
Reply
11-25-2006 @ 11:56PM
dwacon said...
I don't quite get the premise... but reminds me of the funny film in the 60's with Bob Newhart and Dick Van Dyke. That being said... since I didn't see THIS film, the series doesn't sound very interesting.
Now, Farenheit 9/11 the series... featuring Stephen Colbert... now you're onto something.
--
dwacon
http://dwacon.blogspot.com
Reply
11-26-2006 @ 11:28AM
stoykish said...
The film was fantastic in my opinion. Partly because it was clever for the director to develop a character with whom the audience should be connected with, on the "wrong" side of tobacco. The script was clever and witty and for those reasons this show has tremendous potential.
here is my take on it
(see)
http://mediafan.gobloggit.com/?p=12
Reply
11-26-2006 @ 3:33PM
Jake said...
I wonder who will they will get to replace the OSCAR -WORTHY and should be nominated Aaron Eckart
Reply