Five TV stars who’ve exceeded expectations
When I look at some of the people who have emerged as today’s biggest stars on TV, I scratch my head and wonder, “how did that happen?” There are a few stars who have completely exceeded my expectations — and I bet yours, too. In fact, after you read my five (no cell phone pun intended), I’m betting that you’ll have a few more overachievers to add to the list.
1) Ty Pennington
I’m not ashamed to admit that for a couple of years I was hooking on TLC’s Trading Spaces. It may have been the perky Paige Davis, the home improvement on a $1,000, the cool things that the designers did in just 24 hours — whatever it was, I was a regular viewer. Oh, yes, there was also a carpenter on the show named Ty Pennington.
He didn’t get a lot of air time. In fact, cute Ty was mostly comic relief. If I had to pick one person to parlay Trading Spaces into primetime stardom, I would have put my money on Paige. I would have lost, but bing-bang-boom, in November 2003, ABC presented Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and who’s hosting, none other than Ty Pennington.
Combining his eye for construction, his over-the-top enthusiasm, goofy personality and boyish good looks, he’s become a big-time TV star. The Sears commercials don’t hurt either. Ty is everywhere. I never saw it coming, not for a minute.
2) Kathy Griffin
I didn’t like Kathy Griffin on Suddenly Susan. It wasn’t the hard-edged, angry sidekick she played. It wasn’t anything as superficial as her pre-plastic surgery face and body. No, what bothered me about Kathy was simple: she wasn’t funny. It wasn’t just the character, either.
Back then, Kathy did show up occasionally on a talk show and when I caught her act, I wasn’t amused. Somewhere along the way, Ms. Griffin grew up and got better. She honed her comic instincts and found a way to turn that sharp, aggressive edge into funny material. When I see her on My Life on the D-List, I find her endearing and extremely funny. What’s changed?
I think Kathy learned that by making herself the butt of the joke, being self-deprecating and the first one to laugh at her insignificant status in show business, she became relateable. I’ve heard some write off her success to the potty mouth and coarse humor; believe me, that’s not it. Kathy Griffin has become a celebrity who’s funny and real. The highpoint of her Emmy-award winning Bravo reality show occurred last season.
In real life, Kathy’s father Johnny Griffin, who’d been featured on the show, died. It was included in the show and Kathy revealed her true emotions. It was heartbreaking, and it was also human. Amid the laughter, Kathy shared tears. I don’t think I’ll ever underestimate Kathy Griffin again. Her stardom has been earned.
3) Keith Olbermann
Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann were ESPN Sports Center. That’s right, they defined the show, more than any other hosts before or since. They were so inventive and interesting in the way they presented sports news that their partnership was the inspiration for Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night, a sitcom about two guys doing a sports show a lot like Sports Center.
Olbermann was on ESPN from 1992-1997, and everything about his career had been sports oriented. He’d been an anchorman, a sportscaster, and with Patrick he’d written a book about Sports Center. His switch to political news was stunning, especially because it seemed to come out of nowhere. He was doing a sort of news show at MSNBC — the topics of the day — but it morphed into Countdown and took a turn — some would say it’s a left turn — to become the most aggressive political show on MSNBC.
Keith Olbermann has morphed himself from sports guy to the ghost of Edward R. Murrow (at least in his own mind). His special commentaries are scathingly well-written and delivered with conviction. Is this really the same fellow who sat elbow to elbow with Dan Patrick? Whether you like Keith or not (I do), the bottom line is he’s a classic case of over-achievement.
4) Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray has never taken a cooking class in her life. She’s never gone to culinary school or learned the proper terminology, the correct methods, the science behind how food is cooked. Guess what? It doesn’t matter!
When 30-Minute Meals appeared on the Food Network, chirpy, personable Rachael Ray literally jumped off the screen. I remember watching her every night while making dinner. My husband would come home from work and ask me why I was watching her again. My answer, “I don’t know, there’s something about her.” Apparently, Oprah Winfrey was watching, too, because she plucked Rachael from the kitchen and her Harpo Productions set up Rachael in her own talk show.
I was skeptical, and I still don’t think much of Rachael beyond the food segments, but she’s proven me wrong. The Rachael Ray Show just won the Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Talk Show, beating The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The View. Go figure! Maybe Barbara Walters should have added Rachael Ray to The View instead of Rosie O’Donnell?
Rachael is not to be underestimated. She’s got star power; people like her and enjoy watching her. I should have seen it, after all, she had me tuning in day after day … at least on the Food Network.
5) Craig Ferguson
Like Kathy Griffin, Craig Ferguson started out on TV as a supporting player. On The Drew Carey Show, there were so many great, funny cast members — Kathy Kinney, Ryan Stiles, Diedrich Bader, Christa Miller — it wasn’t easy to stand out and make an impression. Still, as Nigel Wick, Craig Ferguson found a way to break through. He was playing a weird, twisted character, and he was damn funny.
I hadn’t seen his stand up comedy, but apparently he is hilarious. He made some independent films, including The Big Tease, but it was definitely “out of left field” when CBS named Craig Ferguson as Craig Kilborn’s replacement for The Late Late Show. Craig Ferguson was perhaps known because of The Drew Carey Show, but he has now become renown for his monologues and his work on The Late Late Show. He’s the heir apparent to David Letterman, and ten years from now, he could very well be a TV institution (like Letterman).
So, there you have my overachieving five pack. Who would you add to the list — and why?
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List: season premiere
Kathy Griffin is back, or as I choose to call her now Emmy Girl. Yes, the Emmy is on full display. In your face, everyone, Kathy’s got an Emmy! Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List won the Emmy last year and if this first episode is a sample of what season four has in store, that Emmy is going to get a companion. This show is riotous. And irreverent and a perfect blend of comedy and celebrity reality which is really unreality because how many of us interact with Anderson Cooper and Michael Moore?
Kathy Griffin has found the perfect genre for her particular brand of comedy. A sitcom wouldn’t capture her true character, strict stand-up is not her best venue (although she’s gotten very good at it), and a talk show would force her to chat with others and appear interested. The My Life on the D-List format works for her and she’s found a way to incorporate stand up, situation comedy and guests into a reality hour that highlights her being funny. She has supporting players — Team Griffin, Jessica, Tiffany, Tom and Kathy’s adorable mom, Maggie — as her comic foils and partners in crime.
She has stars popping in as guests. She portends that this is reality, but it’s her reality, so that means showing her naked ambition to become a big star. Kathy, I hate to tell you this, honey, but you’ve succeeded. Thanks to your self-deprecating, ribald and outrageous humor and humanity, My Life on the D-List is now an oxymoron. You ain’t a D-Lister no more.
The season premiere started off with a bang as Kathy gets a plum gig, co-hosting New Year’s Eve in Times Square for CNN with Anderson Cooper. In typical Griffin fashion, she worries that her team will spend New Year’s drinking and cavorting, leaving her to fen for herself. When they come up with a drinking game — every time Kathy calls Anderson “Andy,” they down a shot — you know someone’s going to wind up puking. What was really interesting about this segment was that we glimpsed briefly that Ms. Griffin actually works at her craft; she writes material and studies it. Those witty retorts come from not just a quick mind and sharp tongue, but planning. Kudos, K. Kudos, too, for Andy Cooper. He came off looking like a good sport — which I think he is, and not just because he was nice to me when I interviewed him for TV Week. Great line, Kathy told her mother that Jessica was “Hurling in the new year.”
Kathy’s life now includes a new man, and what a man he is. Oh, he may look like just another average Joe, but he’s not. Steve Wozniak, or Woz as we like to call him, simply created the Apple Computer with Steve Jobs. Depending on whose history you believe, Woz was the brains and Jobs knew how to make things happen (he still does). But Woz is very sweet and it was hilarious when Kathy talked about how he can talk about the most complex topics and she just answers, “I concur.”
They go to the Producers Guild Awards, where My Life on the D-List is pitted against Planet Earth, 60 Minutes, and Extreme Home Makeover. Knowing she’s bound to lose to Planet Earth because Oprah endorsed it. The producer pays here a house call, fearing that Kathy will say something wrong at the event — she promises him that she will. I love when she said, “Is Oprah the new Scientology where people are so afraid of her that they could lose their livelihoods?”
The Woz thing is really funny, because he’s more of a star to some people than Kathy. At the PGA event, Michael Moore gushed over Woz’s contribution to the world. Woz’s response, “The world did some good things and I was just there for the ride.” Overall, though my favorite Kathy-Woz moment was in the car. He hacks into her IPhone — completely in his element. Kathy looks on adoringly. Her line says it all: “You really have an aptitude for this. You’re a throbbing brain with a tie.”
Like every My Life on the D-List, Kathy has filled it with jokes and gags. This is the kind of show to watch again and again — which is a good thing since Bravo will run it ad infinitum. I’ll be watching and re-watching. Welcome back, KG.
Other points of interest
— Kathy’s new fashion look is sexy socialite. Can she be “Sexy socialite every day of the year?”
— Her opening line to Anderson Cooper: “It’s such a treat for you to be here with me, Anderson.” Before the broadcast, he warned her that if she said anything outrageous on New Year’s Eve, there was no seven second delay. “If you say Suck It Jesus, it’s going out there worldwide.”
— When Planet Earth won, Kathy shoots the bird — with both hands. She complained loudly, “Oprah fucked me again!”
— While presenting American Idol creator Simon Fuller as the visionary of the year, she riffs on Paula, saying she was propped up like a puppet. Kathy also wonders what vision Simon Fuller had, remaking Star Search?
— Hilarious moment at the podium, a loud noise like a gun shot goes off. Kathy goes down as if she were shot. As Woz bends over her, she jokes, “Don’t ever make an Oprah joke. Those are my dying words.”
Super Skank Wednesday: Dina, Denise, Byata, & Rece
Welcome to Super Skank Wednesday. This is where I celebrate the awesomely skanky people on the following shows: Miss Rap Supreme, I Love Money, Charm School, New York Goes to Hollywood, and The Surreal Life. Basically, I’ll discuss the skankalicious shows that make VH1 the network it is today.
Notice how I’ve changed my introduction? I almost added Living Lohan and Denise Richards: It’s Complicated but I realized that would compromise my integrity. I did, however, watch both of those shows Sunday night. I’ll tell you about them and the finale of Miss Rap Supreme after the jump.
Last week I said I had no interest in watching Denise Richards: It’s Complicated because Denise is too bland. Well, my suspicions were confirmed and Denise Richards is officially the most unexciting person on the planet. She’s not even interesting enough to hate (like Dina Lohan–but I’ll get to that later). She picked up dog poop, had a meeting with Joel Silver about changing her image, and posed for Self magazine. Oh, and she made her Dad get a spray tan (bless his heart but he’s not half as interesting as Kathy Griffin’s parents on My Life on the D-List). It’s like one of the producers said, “Do something interesting, Denise.” And her best idea was to torture her dad with a spray tan.
And, by the way, it’s still not complicated. They should make Denise do word problems. Now that would be complicated.
Living Lohan came on right after Denise Richards: It’s Complicated. And now I have confirmation that Dina Lohan is the dark lord Sauron. I got a half-hour of proof that she is working her evil on the Middle Earth that is Long Island, New York. The show is “supposed” to be about Ali’s music career–kind of like that stupid Ashlee Simpson Show a while back. Remember the theme song?
And now that song will haunt me all day. But back to Living Lohan on Long Island. While the show is meant to be about Ali, the real reason to tune in is obviously the Nana Dina Lohan. Last night, Ali was teased by some girls at school (”Hey Ali, you gonna go to rehab like Lindsay?” and “Hey Ali, you gonna get the Hep like Lindsay?” Just kidding. No one said that second one.) and Dina’s solution is take Ali to Harlem to Impact Repertory Theatre, “one of the oldest Black non-for-profit theatres in New York City” because Ali needs a place to work out her frustrations and express herself creatively. Kudos to Impact for using Dina’s big idea to their advantage and get a promo out of the visit. Clearly, they do important and positive work.
I was going to find a clip of Living Lohan but I stumbled upon this gem from Tracey Ullman:
Lastly, there’s the finale of Miss Rap Supreme. After hating Byata for the past four or five episodes, I really liked her last night. I always thought she had talent; I just found her completely annoying. And I found the drama between Byata and Chiba a little contrived. But last night when Byata sang off the top of her head in front of Will.i.am., I was blown away. I couldn’t believe she just made that up. Her performances at the end were good too.
But Byata’s singing and rapping wasn’t enough to beat Rece Steele (B-X, Holla!) Rece’s final performance was amazing. I’m glad they gave it to her. And she looked so grateful for the prize money and title.
In general, Miss Rap Supreme was not up to par with other VH1 skankalicious fare. If I had to rate it on a scale of one to ten (ten being the first season of Rock of Love or the second season of Flavor of Love and one being MTV’s Made), I’d give it a three. MRS left much to be desired in the drama department. And I probably wouldn’t have watched it after about episode four, but it’s the beginning of the summer and nothing else is on.
That’s all for this week. I think next time I’ll put together another list. I enjoy celebrating the trashtastic shows of yesteryear.
Summer Schedule: Stay Inside, Watch TV, Avoid the Sun's Damaging Rays!
Summer is here! May sweeps is over, Memorial Day is Monday and that can only mean one thing: Summer television is on the way! Want to find out when all your hot-season faves are premiering?
Click in for a list of the summer-TV premiere dates and check back over the next couple of weeks for previews of your faves and reviews of the new series set for your screen!
Thursday, May 22
So You Think You Can Dance, 8 p.m., Fox
Last Comic Standing, 9:30 p.m., NBC
Reno 911!, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
Monday, May 26
The Andromeda Strain, 9 p.m., A&E
Denise Richards: It’s Complicated, 10 p.m., E!
Living Lohan, 10:30 p.m., E!
Tuesday, May 27
The Moment of Truth, 8 p.m., Fox
Wednesday, May 28
Men in Trees, 10 p.m., ABC (final three episodes premiere)
Sunday, June 1
Million Dollar Password, 8 p.m., CBS
In Plain Sight, 10 p.m., USA
The Next Food Network Star, 10 p.m., Food Network
Monday, June 2
Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods, 10 p.m., MTV
The Mole, 10 p.m., ABC
Tuesday, June 3
30 Days, 10 p.m., FX
Wednesday, June 4
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, 9 p.m., TBS
She’s Got the Look, 10 p.m., TV Land
Thursday, June 5
Fear Itself, 10 p.m., NBC
Swingtown, 10 p.m., CBS
Friday, June 6
Meerkat Manor, 9 p.m., Animal Planet
Saturday, June 7
America’s Best Dance Crew, 10 p.m., MTV
Sunday, June 8
Design Star, 9 p.m., HGTV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent, 9 p.m., USA
Army Wives, 10 p.m., Lifetime
Monday, June 9
Nashville Star, 9:30 p.m., NBC
Wednesday, June 11
Celebrity Circus, 9:30 p.m., NBC
Thursday, June 12
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, 8 p.m., Fox
The Bill Engvall Show, 9 p.m., TBS
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, 9 p.m., Bravo
My Boys, 9:30 p.m., TBS
Monday, June 16
The Middleman, 8 p.m., ABC Family
Weeds, 10 p.m., Showtime
Secret Diary of a Call Girl, 10:30 p.m., Showtime
Tuesday, June 17
America’s Got Talent, 9 p.m., NBC
Flipping Out, 10 p.m., Bravo
Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, 10 p.m., Oxygen
Wednesday, June 18
Black Gold, 10 p.m., TruTV
Thursday, June 19
Penn & Teller: Bulls–t!, 9 p.m., Showtime
Tuesday, June 24
Wipeout, 8 p.m., ABC
America’s Got Talent, 9 p.m., NBC
Wednesday, June 25
The Baby Borrowers, 8 p.m., NBC
Shear Genius, 10 p.m., Bravo
Friday, June 27
Dance Machine, 8 p.m., ABC
Sunday, June 29
The Factory, 10 p.m., Spike
Tuesday, July 1
Celebrity Family Feud, 8 p.m., NBC
Secret Life of the American Teenager, 8 p.m., ABC Family
I Survived a Japanese Game Show, 9 p.m., ABC
Thursday, July 10
Greatest American Dog, 8 p.m., CBS
Burn Notice, 10 p.m., USE
Friday, July 11
Flashpoint, 10 p.m., CBS
Stargate: Atlantis, 10 p.m., Sci Fi
Sunday, July 13
Big Brother, 8 p.m., CBS
Generation Kill, 9 p.m., HBO
I Love Money: Challenge Show, 9 p.m., VH1
Monday, July 14
The Closer, 9 p.m., TNT
Saving Grace, 10 p.m., TNT
Thursday, July 17
Reality Bites Back, 10 p.m., Comedy Central
The Gong Show With Dave Attell, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
Friday, July 18
Monk, 9 p.m., USA
Psych, 10 p.m., USA
Sunday, July 20
High School Musical: Get in the Picture, 8 p.m., ABC
Monday, July 21
Wanna Bet?, 9 p.m., ABC
Sunday, July 27
Jingles, 9 p.m., CBS
Mad Men, 10 p.m., AMC
Tuesday, July 29
Eureka, 9 p.m., Sci Fi
Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central