The 411 Top 5: Week 59

Posted by Trevor Snyder on 05.04.2007

The Top 5 Actors Who Deserve a TV Show

In recent years, it's become commonplace for movie-stars (or, at least, former movie-stars) to make the transition to weekly TV – The Sheen's, Alec Baldwin, James Woods, James Caan, etc. It works out for everyone, giving these stars new opportunities and a new audience, and giving the network a higher profile star than they usually have with the typical newcomers that make up most television actors.

So who will be the next batch of actors to try their hand at TV? One things for sure – with the networks announcing their fall schedules any day now, and a number of shows not expected to return, they will certainly be looking for people to headline the next crop of weekly series. And, being the helpful folks we here at 411 are, we thought we'd give all those television producers out there a hand, and share our thoughts on:

THE TOP 5 ACTORS WHO DESERVE A TV SHOW



Trevor Snyder

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Stephen Root – A constant scene-stealer on both the big-screen (Office Space, Dodgeball, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?) and small (Newsradio); wouldn't you just love to see what he could do with his own comedy series?

Meg Ryan – This one's for the ladies. I'm sure a lot of the women (and yes, probably some of the guys) who really enjoyed Ryan's heyday as chick-flick queen would love to see her make a comeback. It's not their fault she picks piece of crap films like In the Land of Women to try to do so. Give her an ABC show in the vein of Brothers & Sisters or Desperate Housewives, and I could see America falling in love with Ryan all over again. Awww, just like in one of her old movies.

THE TOP 5

5. Cuba Gooding Jr.

You might not always know it from reading this column, but I can be a nice, charitable guy sometimes. For instance – this choice. I'm not even really a fan of Cuba Gooding Jr., but when I was trying to think of picks for the topic, he popped into mind and I realized he's a perfect example of someone who would benefit from weekly TV exposure. Let's face it, the guy has become pretty much a running punch-line ever since winning his Oscar for Jerry Maguire. But, like in the case of Ben Affleck, most of his critics appear to confuse bad scripts with bad acting. I don't care how good you are, you can't shine shit like Chill Factor or Boat Trip. Maybe a run on TV is exactly what he needs to re-introduce himself to the world, and get back in our good graces. However, if he does go that route, here's hoping he's smart enough to look for a hour-long with drama with comedy elements, and not some lame sitcom.

4. John Leguizamo

As regular readers of this column know, Leguizamo is one of my personal favorite actors, so I'm not even gonna try to deny my bias on this one – I'd just like to see Leguizamo act on a weekly basis. Beyond that, he is a perfect fit for the category: he's a recognizable star that most people know, but has never really become an A-list movie star. And his season-long run on ER showed that he has the charisma and energy to anchor a series. He'd be perfect for an edgy cable drama.

3. Andy Richter

OK, I know, he just had a TV show. But if the fine folks at NBC are too stupid to realize how great Andy Barker, P.I. was, then I say let's turn around and just give the guy another show. And let's keep on doing it until it works, because chances are Richter will never be a movie star. And that's fine, his goofy persona is perfectly suited for the small screen anyway, which explains why he's already headlined two great, gone-before-their-time shows (Barker and Andy Richter Controls the Universe), and, yes, one crap show (Quintuplets). Maybe a show on HBO, where he wouldn't have to worry so much about getting canceled every week, would be a better match for him.

2. Bruce Campbell

Campbell recently filmed a pilot for a series called Burn Notice for the USA Network. From what I've read, the show is about a former CIA agent whose identity is erased by the government, and must fight get to back his life. Well, that's all well and good (if maybe just a tad too Bourne Identity), but there's one problem: Campbell is playing the guy's sidekick! I have no doubt Campbell can make a great sidekick, but as anyone who has ever watched The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. or Jack of all Trades already knows, he's more than capable of helming his own show. His silly, self-effacing style of humor lends itself to all kinds of shows, and, really, the world could always use a little more Bruce Campbell screen-time, right?

1. Kevin Costner

Hey, remember when Costner was one of, if not the biggest movie-star in the world? Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Untouchables, Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood, JFK…the guy was, well, untouchable. And then came the string of flops like Waterworld and The Postman, and the reports that those films problems stemmed mostly from his inability to work with directors who don't see things his way. Still, no matter how much he fell off the radar, his talent in front of the camera never went away, and he's spent the last few years slowly slogging his way back up to the big leagues with nice little supporting turns here and there, not to mention what seemed to be a desperate attempt to win over a younger audience by co-starring with Ashton Kutcher in The Guardian. Now, I like Costner, but even I have to admit that if his goal is to reclaim his previous level of fame, he's probably out of luck. Sure, Mr. Brooks looks interesting enough, but it certainly isn't being done any favors by being put out in an already over-crowded summer movie season. If it fails, Costner might just have to accept that his days as a Hollywood leading man are at an end. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, because he's an absolutely ideal example of a star just waiting to be re-discovered on TV. I'm willing to bet America would have no problem getting behind Costner again if they could see him from the comfort of their own homes every week. And as long as it wasn't Waterworld: The Series or anything, I'd say the chances are pretty good that Costner would be able to enter a great second (or third, technically) stage of his career.



Bryan Kristopowitz

HONORABLE MENTIONS

- Steven Seagal – I think I read it somewhere on aint-it-cool that Seagal is unhappy with the current direction of his career, that he's annoyed that all he's doing is making cheapy, cheesy action movies in Europe that go direct to DVD. Seagal would much rather be involved in material that is "uplifting." In his case, I'm not exactly sure what that would entail since all the movie world has known him for is karate kung fu action movies. But a TV series could serve both sides of his persona, the butt kicking kung fu side and the uplifting spiritual side. Think of a show like Kung Fu or even The Incredible Hulk, where Seagal travels around America with his trusty .45 and his butt kicking cowboy boots, righting wrongs, finding God, and having adventures. It'd be a hoot.

- Mario Van Peebles – He did have a TV show called Sonny Spoons many moons ago, which I think I watched but I don't remember a dang thing about it. The only reason I knew about the show was I recognized Van Peebles from his role as Stitch Jones in Heartbreak Ridge. Anyway, Van Peebles would be a good fit on most any show besides a sitcom, unless it was one of those single camera no laugh track deals. I just can't see Van Peebles working in front of a live audience. I'm surprised he hasn't done a show where he plays a straight arrow gym teacher or something. He'd probably do well on a lawyer show, too.

- Tyne Daly – I was originally going to give this spot to Fred Williamson. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a show starring Fred Williamson? But then I realized that if, in this case, Fred did have a show it would probably end up being a cheesier version of Walker Texas Ranger, and the world really doesn't need Fred to do that. Instead, I've chosen Tyne Daly, who was the best part of the old CBS show Judging Amy. She had a great thing going with Richard Crenna until he died, and then she had great chemistry with Cheech Marin. Now, maybe Tyne's show shouldn't be a spin off of Judging Amy with Cheech, but they should be together. Perhaps they should run a drug rehabilitation clinic for at risk teens, or a bowling alley. You know, something that could be dramatic and funny at the same time.

THE TOP 5

5. Natasha Henstridge

When Lt. Melanie Ballard here was cast as Donald Sutherland's chief of staff on Commander-in-Chief I thought it was a mistake. I just couldn't see Henstridge in a serious role outside of a science fiction context. Species, Ghosts of Mars, etc. But then she made her character work and she was a welcome addition to the show (a show that should still be on, by the way). She's been the host of a show (she did a show on The Learning Channel about urban legends) so she'd be a good fit for that, and she did do that female secret agent show that was in syndication for a few seasons (it was called She Spies) so she'd be good on a secret agent spy action show. And her recent lawyer turn on Shark was good. So she'd be a good fit for pretty much any show. However, I think she shouldn't be forced into a show where she's just a pretty face. She needs something else, something more substantial.

4. Ed O'Neill

O'Neill has had a bit of a life after Married with Children and Al Bundy, but it hasn't been a very successful life. He's been stuck playing cops (Big Apple, LA Dragnet), and while he's excellent in those roles they haven't caught on. It would be a good idea for Ed to try that again. He can't be Al Bundy again, and he probably wouldn't want to do another full on sitcom, so why not have O'Neill involved in a one hour weekly comedy series? Maybe O'Neill could run a restaurant or be a wacky school principal. He's like Donal Logue in that you can trust him with a TV show, and while it may not burn up the ratings he's going to give it his all and make something artistically worthwhile. Or maybe O'Neill should become a regular on Boston Public. Captain James Tiberius Kirk and Al Bundy working at the same law firm? Who wouldn't want to watch that show?

3. Julianne Moore

I'm surprised that with the success of Kyra Sedgwick's The Closer that cable hasn't tried to snap up actresses like Julianne Moore for similar shows. Not cop shows, or even lawyer or government agent shows, but shows with that serious yet sometimes silly but not in a stupid way aura about themselves. I bet Moore would excel with a show like that. Or maybe something like Brothers & Sisters, where she's working with a large ensemble. You could build a show around her. And after her performance in Next, if the movie world isn't willing to give her a franchise, she should get a TV show.

2. Tim Thomerson

Oh, you all knew it was coming. Thomerson. Jack Deth. Trancers. It'd be the greatest science fiction TV show since the original Star Trek. But that's my ultimate dream, the one thing I'd love to see. I know, though, that's probably never going to happen. Ever. Thomerson, though, is a fine character actor, one of the best Hollywood has, one that just doesn't get the attention he deserves. He would rock in pretty much any kind of show, be it a serious action drama type show or a light sitcom type show. Really any show would work for Thomerson.

1. Richard Belzer/ Ice-T

I'm including these two at the same time because, and I've mentioned this a million times, they're getting screwed over on their current show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Instead of a cop ensemble show, SVU has become all about Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni, and quite frankly I couldn't care less about either of those two. Their story is played out, their whole sexual attraction thing is over. It's just not interesting anymore. Give Belz and Ice-T their own Law & Order show, sort of a cross between what SVU used to be and an office drama. Like if you took Homicide: Life on the Street and mixed it with pieces of Office Space. It'd be one of the most unique shows on television. It could move between high comedy, silly comedy, to harrowing drama to whatever else may work. NBC should look into it, or NBC can give Hargitay and Meloni their own show, away from SVU, and have SVU be all about Belz and Ice-T. Either way would work.



Owain J. Brimfield

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Ving Rhames, Christopher Eccleston, and Jack Black

THE TOP 5

5. Dylan Moran

Although more of a writer and stand-up than an actor per se, Moran has nevertheless appeared as the lead in a couple of British TV shows, namely the appallingly titled How Do You Want Me? and the surreally hilarious Black Books. Although probably best known for his supporting role in Shaun of the Dead, his shambolic Irish rants are perfectly suited to being the focus of another offbeat comedy. Teaming him up with another writer of a similar calibre (such as Graham Linehan before the IT Crowd debacle) would inevitably lead to quirky comedy gold.

4. Justin Theroux

This choice is, admittedly, a product of my wishing David Lynch had been allowed to turn Mulholland Drive into another Twin Peaks-esque epic series. Classic film, but it had much more potential. Still, I digress - Theroux is always likeable on screen, and would be a good fit for some sort of murder-mystery themed show. Of course, some sort of high concept would be involved… hey, don't look at me, I'm just a casting agent this week.

3. Samuel L. Jackson

Let's cut right to it: Sam Jackson would be the butt-kickingest cop in all of TV-land. You know it, he knows it, so let's make it happen.

2. John Turturro

If only the mainstream was ready for John Turturro, he would deservingly be a major star. Sadly, we live in a rather more prosaic world where the man has instead turned his hand to a series of memorable character performances in big-but-not-huge movies. There's some real potential with this choice, I feel. Going with the pattern of playing to the actor's talents, in an ideal world we'd see something as sinister and mysterious as the underrated Carnivale, tinged with the black humour of Six Feet Under, with the balance depending on how you prefer your Turturro. Only one thing could possibly result, and that thing is awesomeness.

1. Christopher Guest

An obvious choice really; the man is one of the most talented comedians still working. Given his filming methods, it would probably be possible to extract enough material for an entire series of TV from the 80 hours of unused footage from just one his films. Dare we dream of a weekly dose of Spinal Tap? That's probably wishful thinking, but there's no doubting the market for Guest's comedy stylings, nor his ability to deliver. This project could easily overtake Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office as the thinking man's comedy of the decade.



Chad Webb

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Warwick Davis, Macaulay Culkin, and Ralph Macchio

THE TOP 5

5. Kevin Smith

I'm totally serious about this. Kevin Smith talked a lot about how lazy he was during his An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder show, so I would guess a T.V. show is not in his mind, but I think it would work pleasantly if he decided to commit to a weekly series. He is a funny guy, and I think he and Jason Mewes could fair well in a show where the two of them are the stars. I do not mean as Jay and Silent Bob. The two of them together, just acting natural is funny enough. I can definitely envision a comedy sitcom with the two of them as comic nuts, or something along those lines. Smith is a great director, but if he is venturing towards an acting career, I think this would be a good step. He could easily get big name stars to contribute every now and then. This will not happen, but it would be cool in my opinion

4. Billy Crystal

I love the comedy of Billy Crystal, and deeply wish he would be in more movies, shows, etc. I watch the City Slickers movies all the time (in addition to other films of his), and if I can do that, I can damn sure watch him on a show every week. I usually don't get excited about any new shows, but if he was to surface, and choose to start some project up, I would watch. Crystal doesn't do much, and maybe there is a reason for that, but I would love to see him on some sort of series, possibly on HBO. He could do a comedy/drama with no limitations brilliantly there. Chances of this occurring are slim to none, but one can hope.

3. The Rock

This might surprise some of you also, but I think the Rock's potential as actor goes way beyond what we will ever see him accomplish in film. He has had a couple decent films under his belt, but the roles he chooses are never really special. If he were to do a television series, his versatile range could be seen more often. He is funny, charismatic, and obviously can pull off action/adventure stuff. I hate to say a cop show, because we all know too many of them exist, but some sort of premise which involved many genres such as that. I mean, we did watch him every week on Raw/Smackdown for a long time, so we know we won't get tired of him. I guess this is more of a "I would like to see him on a show", rather than "he deserves one." He has done guest spots on shows before, and the majority of the time, it results in positive feedback. Maybe I'm nuts, but this would neat.

2. Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell rocks, and you know what, he should be doing so much more than the amount he does currently. I know he has done shows in the past, which apparently have not turned out well, but he just needs to get the right one. I feel like more people need to know who Bruce Campbell is. He is mostly known for his B-movies, which are great, don't get me wrong, but the possibilities are endless for him elsewhere. Here again, I would suggest a show on HBO or Showtime for him because a regular sitcom would not do his style justice. He deserves more credit than what he receives now, and I think a show would increase his popularity in a good direction.

1. Lewis Black

For me, this was obvious. If any comedian needs to be heard, and seen, all the time, or on a weekly basis at least, it's Lewis Black. He is my favorite comedian at the moment, and I listen to his albums repeatedly in my car. His being so angry relieves some of my stress in a weird way. If you ask me, this guy could do many different things on television. His movie career is not going well, and his reputation does not need to be abused by such films as Unaccompanied Minors and Man of the Year. He is hilarious, and should be seen as simply that in a show where he is the lead. Look at how many comics got higher celebrity status by doing a show based on their stand up acts. Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, so on, and so forth. Lewis Black should be next in line. I am aware that he does The Daily Show on occasion, and appears regularly on Late Night with Conan O' Brien, but a sitcom, dealing with politics in some way, would be spectacular.



Jason Chamberlain

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Jack Black – Someone else mentioned him in their list and it's a good call; JB just strikes me as the kind of guy who would do well on television. Maybe a Tenacious D show?

Kal Penn and John Cho – This has more to do with my desire for a weekly Harold and Kumar series. Follow the adventures of these two crazy stoners as they try to get jobs, get laid, and get high. I'm in!

THE TOP 5

5. Victor Garber

An Alias alum (and fellow Canuck) Victor Garber is just a great actor. Words can't express how badass he was on Alias as Jack Bristow, and this season he tried his hand at something different with the short lived Justice playing hot shot lawyer Ron Trott. I watched the show a few times and it was pretty good, with the concept that Trott and his fellow lawyers would take on a case and fight to prove someone innocent, and at the end of the show through a flashback we would find out if the person truly was. Perhaps the show suffered from being just another one of many lawyer shows on TV, or maybe it was the fact that it had the absolute worst theme song I have ever heard in my life. Regardless, Victor deserves a show that lasts.

4. Seth Green

I've always been a fan of Seth. He's another guy who has been able to transcend the genres he's worked in. He didn't get stuck in teen films although he did a few, and his bits in Austin Powers haven't relegated him to a career as a funny man. You might say he technically already has TV shows (Family Guy and Robot Chicken) but I'd like to see him back on screen as a leading man or as part of an ensemble. I liked last year's short lived Four Kings, but apparently no one else did. I also think a show based on his character of Oz from Buffy would be great (he's a werewolf! AND a musician!) but he might be a little old for that role now, and he did walk away from it when he left the show. I'd give him something to do that would stretch him a little more than a sitcom. Put him in a really cool genre show with a great ensemble and watch the fireworks.

3. Alexis Denisof

This guy just has mad acting skills. Anyone who watched him on Angel knows the dude has serious range. He can go for comedy one minute and deep pathos the next, and he's as convincing bumbling over books and tripping over a shoelace as he is firing a sawed off shotgun and torturing someone for information. He was funny in his guest role on How I Met Your Mother last year, but he can do SO much more. It's probably wishful thinking to hope for a Wesley show (since he's dead and all). He'd make a good spy!

2. Michael Vartan

I don't think this guy got the credit he deserved for the success of Alias. Yes I'll admit, as a virile young man a lot of the reason I watched the show was to see what outfit Jennifer Garner was going to put on this week (that woman looks good in ANY style, preppy, goth, punk, catholic school girl, you name it... am I the only one who thinks Affleck traded up when he went from J Lo to Garner? Ok, I'm going off topic). But another one of my reasons was Michael Vartan's performance as CIA agent Michael Vaughn. Over five seasons the writers crafted a character that was at different times charismatic, funny, romantic, compassionate, angry, vengeful, violent, and all of it was believable thanks to Vartan's performance. This guy should be the lead of his own show. He's got the chops to do a sitcom, a drama, an action show, or like Alias a combination of genres. And, as he has noted himself in interviews, he's not one of those actors that has an uncontrollable thirst for exploring his artistic side. Translation? He's totally cool with a weekly gig. So give him one!

1. James Marsters

Here's another guy that is just too brilliant to not have his own show. I know I'm hitting on the Whedonverse a lot, but anyone who watched either Buffy or Angel knows this guy can do it all. He took a character that started out as a full-on villain and over the course of seven seasons turned him into a sympathetic character, a reformed and compassionate guy. Marsters has said in interviews that his job on Buffy changed every year, in one season playing a villain, than a washed up drunk loser, than the wacky neighbour, the lovelorn guy, the wrong boyfriend, and finally the redeemed man. Any actor with that kind of range needs to be headlining his own genre show, so that he can make use of all of his talents. Of course with my love of Spike I'd like that character to have a show, but Marsters is in his 40's now (though he doesn't look it) and probably a little old to be playing a vampire that's supposed to be perennially in his 20's. I'm sure there's another character he can play that will make use of his gifts.



Ron Martin

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Christina Applegate, Lewis Black, and Chris Jericho

THE TOP 5

5. Malcolm Jamal-Warner

I'm not going to fudge this. Malcolm only deserves a show if he reprises the roles of Theo Huxtible. It would be fun to see The Cosby Show translated into the new millennium with Theo at the head of his own family. I wouldn't expect the show to duplicate the ratings success of the original. With a whole generation that grew up on Cosby and the sorry state of the sitcom right now, it could be solid. Get some good writers, pepper in some old school cameos and you've got a recipe for…something interesting.

4. Charles Barkley

The round mound of rebound is consistently the most entertaining aspect of the NBA season. A lot of times, he's an entertaining aspect of the NBA offseason. You got to love a guy who admits he has a gambling problem that can cause him to lose a million dollars in a weekend, but also admits that he has the million dollars to lose so it's not that big of a problem. Barkley is the most outspoken analyst in sports. He's the only one who says what he thinks, not what the network told him to think. Sitting in with the Monday Night Football for half a game this year also proved his knowledge of sports psychology goes beyond basketball. Surely, ESPN can find a half an hour to devote to Sir Charles.

3. Jack Black

We've seen what he can do with a guitar. We've seen what he can do in the movies. Now let's see what he can do with a weekly television show. As disappointed as I was with The Pick of Destiny, I did like the show Tenacious D did on HBO. Given a weekly timeslot Jack could show off his acting chops as well as his musical prowess, should he desire to do so. With the energy this guy puts out, he could easily carry a show if given a chance. He always shines when hosting SNL.

2. Amy Poehler

Speaking of SNL. Amy has proven on many occasions to be very versatile in her comedy. Though she has perfected sketch comedy with runs on the very underrated Upright Citizens Brigade and the aforementioned SNL, in her movie career, Amy has proven she can do all kinds of comedy. Outrageous farce? Check. Subtle and dry? Check. Physical comedy? Check. Sarcasm and wit? Check. Amy can do it all and it's about time she had a show where she was at the forefront instead of playing second fiddle to less talented comedians. On top of all that, she doesn't exactly hurt the old eyeballs, if you know what I mean.

1. Joss Whedon

Okay, I think the whole ‘In Joss We Trust' crowd is just a bit overzealous, but there is no reason why this guy isn't making TV shows right now. Whether it be a Buffy or Angel spin-off or something completely new matters not. Whedon may not have an American Idol like following, but he has a strong enough one to garner decent ratings for any TV show he might be involved in. Witty writing is just the icing on the cake when you consider the deep metaphors present in his shows. Not too mention that his shows have ---what?!--- continuity. With few exceptions (I'm looking at you, Buffy Season Seven), the characters act like their character would act no matter how much is complicates the plot. They don't act like the writers want them to act so things will be nice and easy. That's why this guy needs to have his own show instead writing crappy at best comic book versions of his old shows.



Nick Wallander

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Matt Leblanc – A new character on a new show would work for him.

Mike Meyers – NBC could use someone who can be funny. All he does is make Shrek movies anyway.

Luke Wilson – He is almost too much of a movie star, but he has this level headed character thing down. Throw him on a show full of eccentric characters and we are on to something. (See #4 below)

THE TOP 5

5. Robin Williams

This would be a return to television for this veteran actor, but one that could seriously help him a bit. Look what the move back to television did for William Shatner. How about an Emmy or two? Williams should be put in a comedy where he is the sanest of the cast of characters. The lack of zany behavior on his part would create some irony that can only make things more interesting. So, I picture Williams as a big shot at a New York advertising agency who gets transferred to Milwaukee because of some huge mistake he makes. He is forced to work with the corporation's B team which consists of a pack of head-cases who have their jobs because of who they are and not their ability. Each week he has to keep that division of the company from being destroyed by someone's mistake.

4. Nick Swardson

You may know him as Terry from Reno 911 or as the creepy stalker in Blades of Glory. He also has done like a half dozen supporting roles in other movies and almost always brings forth a scene stealing performance. We will throw him on a sitcom with Luke Wilson (mentioned above) where they both work at a small town newspaper. Wilson would be the editor in chief who just moved to the area after getting married. Swardson would be the quirky intern from the community college who is familiar with Wilson's previous work and wants nothing more then to be his protégée. Swardson could easily play off his previous characters and seem completely incompetent for 80% of the episode, but will inevitably always have some moment of brilliance. Oh, and he has the option to wear those little shorts.

3. Paul Rudd

He probably won't leave movies, but is such a talented actor that he deserves his own starring vehicle. He is great in all the comedic performances, but also has the capacity to do more. I see him in a comedy or dramedy. An interesting idea would place him in a rehabilitation center for heroin, painkillers, or maybe just television friendly alcohol. The series run could be about his extended stay at the center with a flashback format that allows us to learn about his past and that of his various friends in rehab. To work in his comedic chops his character would have to be an aspiring stand-up comedian. Just for good measure there would have to be plenty of guest appearances by David Koechner as his inept brother-in-law.

2. Bruce Campbell

Why is he not on television? Brisco County Jr. was a great show that got the shaft and his guest appearances on Hercules and Xena were always gold. The man is genuinely funny and deserves a prime time showcase. I would greatly prefer that over all of the Sci-Fi Channel original movies he does. We haven't had a great comedy about a class of high school kids since Boy Meets World and that needs to change. I envision Campbell as a high school English teacher who doubles as the school's football coach. A classroom would be a great place for him to showcase his ability to make one-liners work. Exchange of witty banter with the students would be worth it coming from that man. Throw in some supporting characters as both students and teachers and you have something this man can make work where others have failed.

1. Nathan Fillion

It is unfortunate that this man is even on this list. Two weeks earlier would have made his name obsolete. Unfortunately Drive was cancelled. However, maybe it will give Fillion a chance to do something worthwhile. He generally seems to get cast as a dimwit (Slither or Two Guys and a Girl) or the anti-hero (Firefly and Drive). His appearance on Lost as Kate's husband got me thinking about his dramatic chops in a role completely different than he is usually cast. I would have Fillion play a slacker who manages a grocery store whose world is turned upside down when his sister and brother-in-law die in an accident of sorts. The catch is that Fillion would be the one given custody of his niece and nephew who would be about seven and three years old respectively. His daily routine would be thrown out of the window as he is forced to develop responsibility and humorously discover what it is to be a parent. I envision a charismatic and intelligent girl to play his foil as the niece. Fillion exchanging dialogue with a smartass little girl could be priceless.

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I'd just like to take this opportunity to really give it up for my fellow 411 writers. Every week I'm appreciative of those who contribute to this column, but this week I'm especially pleased because I have to admit that I agree with almost every single pick up there (although, Chad, Warwick Davis?? Really??). My personal favorite, I think, is Kristopowitz's call for Steven Seagal to get his own action show. I must say, it would be pretty hard not to tune in to the first episode of that and see what it's like – although I will say that, from what I've seen of Seagal lately, it seems less likely that Seagal would do an action show, and perhaps more appropriate for him to have a show on the Food Network, where he travels the world, eating different meals and napping a lot.

Next week, we pay tribute to the start of the summer movie season, with a look at The Top 5 Summer Blockbusters of All Time.