New Kids on the Block

Greetings, Earthlings.

In case you are not in Southern California, the weather is warm and not (yet) brutal. Driving into work today, the world felt just a touch overexposed. The sky had wispy clouds and felt somehow muted, but the yellow wildflowers on the side of the freeway were absolutely vibrant. Driving over the hill from LA-proper to Burbank, the purple Jacaranda blossoms were oh-so-lovely. Maybe I'm just wearing my rose-colored sunglasses, or maybe I'm so happy because... production is back!

 
This is not something I see during my morning commute on the 101 north, but it felt appropriate.

The stages are open, and the plastic covers are being removed from the furniture in the Walker house. The giant Ojai Foods trucks are back (they're actually equipment trucks, we're sneaky), the lights and stands are back (I walked by a shiny row of them on my way in), and more importantly, all of the friendly faces are back.

You know what that means-- we are just days away from filming episode 401. I can't tell you much about our premiere episode, but I can say that multi-talented executive producer Ken Olin (you may also know him as Holly's baby-daddy, David Caplan) is at the helm (that's Hollywood-speak for directing).

"Okay, Elysse," you're thinking. "You keep telling me that you can't tell me anything. Isn't there anything you CAN tell me?"

"Yes there is," I say to you. "Allow me to introduce you to the newest members of the 4th floor."

First of all, some of you might wonder what ever happened to that rakish cad, Dan Silk. No, he did not decide to merge with his TV persona and start a blog dedicated to stalking Chad Barry. But yes, he did jump on his raft and paddle off into the sunset, upstream with the downstream salmon, etc etc. A darkness fell over the writers' office, and criminals ruled the night. We put out our bat-call for a new writers' assistant, and from the east a young man heard our cries, jumped in his car, and drove west until he couldn't drive no more (dramatic retelling). With no further ado, I introduce to you...

 
John knows where the party is.

John Kazlauskas! Until recently John was kicking it in the Big Apple, where he earned an MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU (and also herded dorms full of undergraduates, much like a shepherd herds alpacas). Now for a moment of kvelling... He has contributed jokes and other written material to Saturday Night Live and the [title of show] show on YouTube AND was a Production Assistant on Bowling for Columbine, an Archival Researcher for The Business of Being Born and wrote his own original educational documentary, Speak Up!, available nationally to high school and colleges.

...But what I really like about John is his tendency to make funny comments with hilarious voices (and our occasional lunch-fetching adventures). He will be contributing to this blog very, very soon. Get ready!

We are also welcoming several new writers to the show. We will give them the full interview treatment as the season continues, but for now here are their brief bios...

Co-executive producer Marjorie David comes to us from "Life" (the show, but also... confusing... and also, RIP "Life"). She was also the creator and showrunner of "Wildfire," an ABC Family series that ran for four seasons, which involved life on a horse farm. Marjorie has also worked on Queens Supreme, Dark Angel, Family Law, I'll Fly Away and Chicago Hope. She once took a very long road trip in search of a beached sea monster... and lived to tell the tale!

Co-executive producer Sarah Goldfinger comes to us from CSI, where she started as a staff writer at the show's inception and rocketed her way up to Co-Executive Producer during her 8 year tenure. Over the past three years, Sarah was under an overall deal with CBS/Paramount where she developed two pilots. She hails from Williamsport, Pennsylvania and attended Amherst College where she majored in playwriting. If you find a little gift in the writers' room-- anything from lavendar plants to squeezy toys-- it probably came from Sarah. Thanks, Sarah!

Staff writer Geoffrey Nauffts comes to us from a prestigious career in the theater. He's worked as an actor, both on and off Broadway, and extensively in film and television. He's directed short plays by Kenneth Lonnergan, Frank Pugliese, Theresa Rebeck, Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as our very own David Marshall Grant. Geoffrey has been the artistic director of Naked Angels Theater Company since 2007. His latest play, "Next Fall," recently opened to rave reviews at the Peter Jay Sharp theater in NYC.

The cast of "Next Fall" by Geoffrey Nauffts.

We're all very proud of Geoffrey! "Next Fall" was recently extended for another month, so if you're in the New York area, be sure to check it out. For more information, visit the Naked Angels website.

Staff writer Michael Cinquemani hails from Massapequa, NY. He brings a wealth of experience in daytime television, having written for Alison and Monica's favorite soap -- "General Hospital" -- where his work garnered him a daytime Emmy nomination.  He contributed freelance scripts for such series as "All My Children," and SOAPnet's "General Hospital:  Night Shift," and was also a writer on the Sci-Fi series, First Wave. He currently serves on the WGA's Gay and Lesbian Writers' Committee, and is a fellow in the prestigious Disney-ABC Television Writing program. If you know Italian, you'll understand why some people call him "Mickey Five-Hands."

 
"Mickey" with his "Five Hands."

We are also joined by three magnificent summer interns: Wei-Ning Yu, Sara Sugarman, and Clark Childers. Coincidentally (or not?), they are all AFI Writing Fellows.

So those are the newest members of the 4th floor. Already, they feel like family. Here at Brothers & Sisters, that's just how we roll.

Hearts and hugs,
Elysse

Comments

[Lucas]

Dear Elysse,

Thank you for the introduction and update. I am sure the NKOTB have the right stuff (heh!) and will bring new zeal and freshness to the show. I do worry a little about the addition of a daytime soap writer on the team (no offense, Mickey Five-Hands). The show does not need a greater level of 'soapiness'. Frankly, this element was excessive in S3 episodes. Lessen the soap, increase the realism, please.

All the very best with production and writing.

Yours truly,
Lucas

[Sylviane]

Thank you, Elysse, for the update. A lot of changes.

Sorry to read about Dan Silk, glad to see new additions.

I am curious to see what all this fresh blood will do the show.

[Kong Chang]

Welcome back after your long hiatus! Many of us can't wait to see what is in store for season 4. I pray the first episode is a good one. Do you have a breakdown so far of the writing teams for this season?

And what is the first episode of season 4 entitled?

Kong Chang
Maintainer of Luke Macfarlane Online

[Charlie]

Thanks for a update! This blog is my internets home page! I really enjoy it and i'm so excited to see what the new writers will bring with the show. I'm pumped!!

[Aron]

10x for the update and introductions, good luck to all of you. Now that we know about the crew... give us something about the cast!

I pray for a great season, hopefully it will not be the last one!

[Bella]

Interesting first photo; I didn't realize Ojai was an actual city in California. Sounds like a nice area (Nestled in the Ojai Valley, the town is surrounded by peaks that give off a glow in the evening light known as the pink moment).

Looking forward to the upcoming season. Thanks for the update :)

[AnaM]

i want tommy back :'(

[S.L.]

Lucas: "I do worry a little about the addition of a daytime soap writer on the team...The show does not need a greater level of 'soapiness'."

I had the same concern, Lucas. However, since 'optimism' is my new approach, I decided to focus on "currently serves on the WGA's Gay and Lesbian Writers' Committee." Could this perhaps bode well for an in-depth, character-driven plot for Kevin and Scotty, maybe even one lasting longer than a single episode???? Having seen spoiler-y casting sides, I've already given up on: appropriate timing AND creative and fresh. But I can still hold out hope for: an acknowledgment that they're more than just really close roomies.

See...optimism. :)

Side note - Elysse, I always love how you sign off your blog posts! You're always so cheery even when whiners like me are around!

[caritas!!]

elysse, thanks for the update. i do hope the first episode of season 4 rocks! Please, bring kitty and robert back together. I would like them sorting out there differences and providing Evan a happy home.

[Tuesday Intern]

What a great blog and exciting addition to my google search portfolio. Thanks for the mention.

The Tuesday Intern

[Sylviane]

*** Could this perhaps bode well for an in-depth, character-driven plot for Kevin and Scotty, maybe even one lasting longer than a single episode???? ***
Don't get your hopes up too high, S.L. The lower you keep them, the easier they can be met. :)

***Having seen spoiler-y casting sides, I've already given up on: appropriate timing AND creative and fresh.***
But it is kinda nice to know that Kevin still has his sense of humor.

He still considers himself an attorney, when we as viewers know he's only Robert's receptionist.

This however makes me hopeful that somewhere down the line, he will regain his senses and realize he's just in the WRONG job and he might just return to being this sexy attorney.

Let me day-dream about this for the two and half months we still have to wait. :)

[Ana]

***But it is kinda nice to know that Kevin still has his sense of humor.
He still considers himself an attorney, when we as viewers know he's only Robert's receptionist.***

LOL! So true and so sad....

FREE KEVIN!

[BC]

Wow. You guys just don't get it, do you? The majority of viewers don't like and/or don't care about Ryan. Why keep him on???

A huge mistake. HUGE.

[Ana]

Yes, indeed.

You've made a huge mistake. Best way to lose audiencie.

I don't care about Ryan but it's clear that everybody dislikes him.

[M.E.]

I cannot believe you're keeping that Ryan. What a fucked up decision.
OTOH, it seems to be what the viewers want, otherwise you wouldn't have signed him on. I've come to understand now that I'm the weird one here who hates the contrived mess you've done to Kevin last season (and most certainly will continue to do in s4) and horrendous, offensively stupid Everwood-triangle - Justin-R².
I've come to understand that it's useless to plea for more quality-writing and to wait for the show to get back to it's old shape of the glorious season 1.
Now, I'm just glad that the viewers will get the idiotic show it deserves.

I hope Matthew Rhys will get out of his contract as soon as he can and move on to better projects where he's not forced to save the poor writing by his far superior acting.

[S.L.]

Seriously? Ryan as a regular? That can't be true, can it? Did you miss the part where people hate him? Did you miss the part where more and more viewers are speaking out against him (as well as other misguided/disliked decisions this last season) online? Did you miss the part where many of your most loyal viewers are fast-forwarding or changing the channel during large chunks of each episode - or not even turning on the episode in the first place?

Do you WANT the show to be canceled?

I...don't get it. There's something to be said for saying true to what you want to do for your show, even in the face of criticism. But remember: to be able to do that, you have to have people who are willing to watch it. I'd like to see a little more concern (or at least more than vague acknowledgment) for viewers' opinions. There are things I can spend my time and money on other than this show, trust me.

[Sylviane]

I'm not sure that the writers are the ones to make that sort of a decision.

I guess congrats to Luke Grimes for getting this job, but I feel sorry for him, because he also has to deal with the backlash of being a very unpopular character.

And unpopular for the wrong reasons: Ryan is not disliked because he's a good 'bad guy' (Like a JR or an Alexis, yes, this shows my age).

Ryan is the product of an unwanted De-Walkering, his storyline just does NOT add up and it's unconvincing. He is just very annoying.

We lost Tommy and we get Ryan in return? Worst of all, he's probably going to get more airtime than Tommy EVER did.

Which is really too bad, because I would be more interested in by what is going on in Tommy's head, then I could ever be in Ryan.

The way I look at it: We lost a Walker and got a Nothing in return.

[Lucas]

Dear Elysse,

I now realise why you addressed us as 'Earthlings'. What planet are you folk on? Are there really lifeforms out there who find Ryan and his storyline appealing? The mind boggles.

Frankly, whoever created Ryan and his ludicrously contrived storyline should quit their dayjob. Okay, perhaps that is too severe a punishment in these harsh economic times. Why not get the perp(s) to fix this massive blunder instead? Don't let something like pride get in the way of a GOOD story.

The reaction to Ryan is almost universal, save for a smattering of teenyboppers and twink lovers. Affinity for the actor aside, even these Earthlings would have to admit that Ryan's storyline is preposterous. It's NOT doing this show and the Walkers ANY favours.

Loyal viewer input. It is there to be considered. Please get rid of Ryan. The little bastard was never needed or wanted.

Yours truly,
Lucas

P.S. Grimes has remarked that he wants to play Elvis so badly. Free him so that he can achieve this dream.

[S.L.]

Wait! Maybe they're tricking us! Maybe they just made him a regular for the one or two episodes it takes to write him off. (I keep mixing up optimism with delusion, apparently.)

Sylviane: "I'm not sure that the writers are the ones to make that sort of a decision."

You're right, Sylviane. We don't know who is behind this decision and shouldn't blame the writers only. I'm sure there is at least one or two people at the show who think this is a horrible idea as well. Unfortunately, they're not the ones in charge.

"And unpopular for the wrong reasons: Ryan is not disliked because he's a good 'bad guy'"

I get the impression that TPTB think we all hate Ryan because he got in the way of the "true love" of Justin and Rebecca (or even his Ojai dealings). Maybe they think that now that J & R are engaged, we'll be OK with Ryan. They're wrong, of course. Personally, I wanted the two non-Walkers to run off together, never to be heard from again. Maybe Justin could get a real storyline then.

I'm sure Grimes is an absolutely lovely person. I even promise to go to the theater or turn on the TV for any future role, as long as it means he's OFF THIS SHOW!

Also: "He still considers himself an attorney, when we as viewers know he's only Robert's receptionist."
Ha ha! So true. I feel the need to point out: there's nothing wrong with being a receptionist. I have worked as one. However, there IS something wrong with a person absolutely loving this job for no apparent reason despite their own personal politics and despite putting years of effort, time and money into becoming a lawyer. Come on B&S crew! If you're forcing Ryan on us, you have to at least give us this: FREE KEVIN!