I'm sure I'm not the only one who assumed the HBO nightly series In Treatment, featuring Gabriel Byrne, Blair Underwood, Josh Charles and Dianne Wiest among others, was pretty much going to be a done in one. I really enjoyed the tension they managed to create with essentially two or three people sitting in a room and talking, and while critical acclaim pretty much affirmed that I am brilliant (like I needed their help), the ratings didn't follow.While official word on the show's fate still hasn't come, what is trickling around is that HBO is this close to signing Law & Order: Criminal Intent executive producer Warren Leight (see me holding my fingers really close together), with the intention of putting him on In Treatment should it get the pick-up, which ups the odds of said happening tremendously. I can't imagine the show costs a tremendous amount to produce, aside from paying the top-notch actors they brought on board. Aside from Byrne and Wiest, we'd likely be looking at a new cast of patients with all new conflicts.
Maybe they should cast Britney Spears as one of his patients. She wouldn't even have to act that hard to portray a trainwreck.
Paul: "So tell me how you're feeling right now, Britney."
Britney: "Oh my god, no one understands me. I just wanna see my kids, you know."
Paul: "You don't see your kids?"
Britney: "Oh sure, I see them when I'm at Kevin's house."
Paul: "Kevin's your ex-husband."
Britney: "Uh-huh."
Paul: "So he lets you see them."
Britney: "Oh, he don't know I'm there. See, I come by at night, all sneakily like. I have my people bring me a jumbo trampoline and I set it outside their window--"
Paul: "I'm sorry. Did you say a trampoline...?"
Britney: "Uh-huh. Are you even listening to me, Paul?"
Paul: Sorry, Britney. I am listening. Please, continue."
Britney: "Okay, so I'm jumping up and down on the trampoline so I can see the kids through the window, but it's hard for the camera crew to get any good shots because it's dark."
Paul: "The camera--"
Britney: (glares)
Paul: (waves hand) "Sorry. Go on."
Britney: "So I have Alex turn on the sprinkler system, but he has to do it quiet, and then we have to get the lighting set up but subtle you know. So there I am in my white negligee jumping with the water hitting me and the cameras are trying to get it because I had this great idea for a video--"
Paul: "Britney. Sorry. Are we still talking about your kids?"
Britney: "Mama's gotta get paid, Paul!"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-02-2008 @ 4:11PM
C C said...
I think this news pretty much guarantees there's going to be a second season. Hopefully HBO realizes In Treatment will never be a "hit", even in the world of cable tv. It's too cerebral. But that doesn't mean there isn't an audience for the show. I suspect everyone who has a psychology degree watched at least a week's worth of episodes. I would expect the typical In Treatment viewer to be a bit more upscale than the typical tv drama viewer-and tv execs like shows which attract that demo, even if the overall numbers aren't high.
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6-02-2008 @ 5:50PM
Eileen said...
I love In Treatment and, no, I'm not a psychologist or even a psych major--I've a novelist. It's a great show, although I realize it's only for a small audience. I hope they bring it back!
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6-02-2008 @ 6:09PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
I sure hope they bring this show back and play it year round, even if its repeats. I always put it on at midnight and I was always asleep in 5 minutes. I suffer from insomnia and this show is my cure. It works wonders for me. Anybody with insomnia should try this show.
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6-02-2008 @ 6:28PM
Stella said...
Oh, Merve. That IS perverted.
Although In Treatment is also my DOC because I am addicted to it!
Bring on Season 2. My shrink is tired of listening to me go on and on and on...
;-)
6-02-2008 @ 6:36PM
Susan said...
Oh, pleeeze, put us out of our misery and BRING BACK IT. I'm wearing grooves in our dvr replaying old episodes. I can almost to the dialogue myself.
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6-03-2008 @ 12:15AM
Argus said...
This show was indeed, fantabulous.
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6-03-2008 @ 12:34AM
anonymous said...
I know you think you are being funny when you make fun of Britney Spears, but really you are being rude and unkind. Do you get a kick out of belittling someone with a mental illness?? If she had a problem that was of her doing I would understand your attempt at humor. However, you are showing your complete lack of empathy for someone who is trying to get their life back together. I hope no one in your family ever struggles with an illness such as hers. Shame on you.
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6-03-2008 @ 1:28PM
Susan Richardson said...
i love In Treatment. I watched every single episode. The actors are fabulous. No, I am not a psycholgist, psychiatrist or a social worker. But I do recognize quality television.
Add my vote for its return!
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6-03-2008 @ 2:36PM
VDOVault said...
It's true...confirmed it with my Law & Order: Criminal Intent writer friends (whom I met and bonded with during the 2007-2008 writers strike) yesterday.
CI's loss is definitely In Treatment's gain...treat him kindly In Treatment fans and look forward to Warren's writing skills...I think he's a good fit for your show.
S.E. Olson aka vdovault online
Moderator & Law & Order Criminal Intent Fan Liason
http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters
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6-04-2008 @ 4:05PM
nattyff said...
that is great, i really loved the show, hope is back soon!!!
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6-04-2008 @ 10:43PM
AndAgain said...
One of the biggest problems with the show was the writing. Ham-handed diologue, stories that exposed a lack of understanding of pathologies, and weak character voices. Laura, who was the stinkiest of the characters, suffered from all three afflictions -- even the boring couple improved the last episode (sort of). Sophie was easily the best.
I hope Leight raises the tone in that department. A playwright seems like a move in the right direction, provided he has a better handle on these issues. And avoids the silly salaciousness that plagued the show. Out near the edge stuff is best left to authors like David Chase who was never gratuitous, because he infallibly knew exactly what he was talking about.
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