Paul Michael Glaser by Mike Guastella/ WireImage.com
And if he is, does Hutch know?Sources tell me exclusively that Paul Michael Glaser has been tapped to guest-star on TNT's The Closer this season, in the July 21 episode.The set-up: When a recently paroled murderer is found dead in an alley, the parents of the girl he previously killed wind up in Brenda Leigh's sights. Glaser plays the dad, while Amy Aquino (aka ER's Dr. Janet Coburn) is the mom.The Closer, of course, is known for enlisting some of the best (if not "garden variety") guest stars in the biz and giving them gold to work with. Not only am I anxious to see what PMG does here, but I can also see Aquino keeping us guessing every step of the way as well. The Season 4 premiere, on July 14, can't get here soon enough. — Matt Mitovich
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Now playing in this week's Mitovich Mega Minute:• As Season 4 arrives, isn't someone on the PHD overdue to bite the bullet? The Closer's James Duff teases what's ahead.• Will Tatum O'Neal appear in Rescue Me's next season?• The latest on how Ghost Whisperer was impacted by the Universal Studios fire.
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Question: I think it's really interesting how Psych became such a hit on USA. The same with Saved's success on TNT (although I find the show a dull Rescue Me knockoff). Some channels (both cable and network) have found certain formulas that really work, and then stick with that brand. Psych, for instance, fits seamlessly into the USA brand by being a cross between The Dead Zone and Monk. In fact, I want to further compliment USA on the best ad campaign I have seen in years. I actually stop fast-forwarding on my DVR to watch those hilarious USA ads featuring their wonderful array of characters. My wife and I love them! But my question goes back to the failure earlier this year of Love Monkey (also a wonderful show) on the stodgy, serious CBS network. CBS puts on this wonderful, sweet and quirky show and it fails; so they go back to their dull formula with the ridiculous The Unit, and it's a ratings smash. Do you feel that networks and cable channels (after a scenario like this for CBS) ...
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Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Question: Hey, Matt! I love your column and read it all the time. I fell in love with The Closer while watching its first season repeats on TNT. Do you think that a show like this will ever get a chance to run during the traditional season, or will it always be stuck in the summer season? Also, what's your opinion about the cast and its chances for a third season? Thanks!
Answer: Later this week I'll be sitting down to watch the first two episodes of The Closer's second season, and I'll be sharing my thoughts before the show's premiere on June 12. I thought the first season was solid, and that if it weren't for Edie Falco, Kyra Sedgwick would have a decent chance at an Emmy (she'll certainly get a nomination). For a show built around such a strong character, the bench strength of the supporting cast is exceptional (J.K. Simmons, Jon Tenney, Tony Denison, G.W. Bailey, to name just a few). It's one of the better crime dramas on TV, and given the glut in that genre, that's saying
...
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Question: Come on, tell me a little secret. Who's going to die on Lost? Just whisper it in my ear.
Answer: OK, come in a little closer. Closer. Closer. Jeez, I don't have cooties — closer. The person who dies is (inaudible). BTW, you have some serious wax buildup in your left ear.
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She's no Willow Rosenberg, but she'll do: Mariel Hemingway is suiting up to play a Sapphic Secret Service agent in gay-cabler Here!'s upcoming telepic, Her Line of Fire, says Variety. Hemingway previously proved what a good lesbian she'd make in Personal Best ,and proved what a good thespian she is by acting like she was attracted to Roseanne on Roseanne.... Also per Variety: Clive Owen will join Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush in a sequel to Elizabeth called The Golden Age. In the film (which had been titled Elizabeth 2: Electric Boogaloo), the Closer heartthrob will play Sir Walter Raleigh, which is almost enough to make me wish I'd stayed awake during more history classes. Or even the first Elizabeth.... Sam Shepard is strapping on a holster to play
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Question: When will the show The Closer end, and will it continue next summer? Great show; I wish it was a fall show, not a summer show.
Answer: Actually, I'm happy to have this and a handful of other cable shows to get me through the summer. A show like this might be in danger of getting buried in the fall, although there's no question it's a major hit. But yes, The Closer will be back next year — presumably in the summer, but it's a big enough draw that TNT might eventually have something else in mind for it. The first season ends, according to my calendar, on Sept. 5.
[Editor's Note: If you're new to Ask Matt's twice-a-week format and missed Friday's column, you'll find it here.]
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