Wiseguy creator interview

[sholio]

alessandriana found this fantastic interview with Stephen J. Cannell, creator/showrunner for Wiseguy (as well as a ton of other action shows in the '80s). For those who are watching along, there are some brief clips from future storylines, but nothing spoilery beyond some fairly major spoilers for the Steelgrave arc.

"Stephen J Cannell on Wiseguy starring Ken Wahl" (Watch on YouTube)

He talks about how he was turned down by network after network when he pitched a show that would unfold its storylines as a mini-movie over several episodes, until finally CBS went for it. Other highlights include talking about how he cast all the principle actors and what he was looking for in that role. (One thing I found particularly of note was that he specifically wanted a disabled actor for Lifeguard rather than putting an able-bodied actor in a wheelchair. I really like how this show handles disability and it's interesting to find out that it comes down from the TPTB level rather than being something the actor pushed for.) Another interesting tidbit is that this was Jonathan Banks' first time playing a good-guy role rather than a villain. And as alessandriana pointed out, Cannell repeatedly uses the word "seduced" for Vinnie's attraction to the dark side, including Steelgrave - shippers take note. ;D

Comments

[scioscribe]

Cannell comes off as really charming and smart here, and I'm really glad he spent so much time fighting to do the show with the arc-timeline he wanted and that he held out for a disabled actor for Lifeguard. (A second way the show was ahead of its time!) And I like that Ray Sharkey apparently continued the fine tradition of "if they play mostly bad guys, they're probably actually cheerful sweethearts." :D

[sholio]

Yeah, I think I had always had an idea of him as kind of a ... well, a hack, I guess, even though I should know better because I write a lot of hack-type stuff myself. XD But yeah, he comes across very thoughtful and smart, with a really sharp eye for nuance and characterization. I mean, the guy had a ton of big hit shows in the 80s; obviously he knows what he's doing, and it was really interesting, watching this, to see how invested he still seems to be in it, and how much of a specific vision he had for the show, and fought to get it and stuck to it even if it meant the show didn't get made rather than turning it into something more conventional.

[timespirt]

Steelgrave treated Vinnie like a brother. I believe it hurt Vinnie in the end to betray him. That was one of the best arc's.

[sholio]

It was excellent!