Is ageism really over?

Deadline Hollywood published an article a few weeks ago titled "Pilot Season: The End of Ageism."  The gist of the article was that more and more pilots are casting "older" actors (Eric Roberts, Don Johnson, Christine Lahti, and Tim Allen all are doing pilots this year and all are 55+ years of age).  The article also points to the recent success of Blue Bloods and Harry's Law which both have leads that were made older (and in one case, female) when Tom Selleck and Kathy Bates were cast, respectively.  The article also mentions Body of Proof which actually just premiered to very good numbers this past Tuesday.  The lead on that show was supposed to be in her mid 30s-40, but they cast Dana Delany, who is 55.

Personally, I'm not sure I totally buy into the whole "end of ageism" idea.  I think Hollywood is still as obsessed with youth as it ever was (Justin Bieber, American Idol, Jersey Shore).  But, I do agree that there definitely seems to be a lot more "older" actors on TV, though I might suggest that this is because some really good "older" actors can't crossover to movies.  Let's face it, unless you're Meryl Streep, there aren't a whole heck of a lot of roles for you if you're a lady of a certain age (the same is true for guys, though I think to a slightly lesser extent).  I think because of their age/lack of availability of roles in films, lots of really good actors are available to star in their own shows (this ends up being a plus for a show who gets a bigger star, like Kathy Bates, to headline).  Whatever the real reasons are, I appreciate the age shift, and I'm sure every actor who hasn't found the fountain of youth (or a really great plastic surgeon) is also grateful.  It always bothered me when shows would try to sell cute young guys and gals as accomplished surgeons, lawyers, pretty much accomplished anything, so I appreciate a show that can say, this woman is a genius brain surgeon and yeah, she's 55 not 25.

Finally, on an only slightly related note...actors seem to be aging better and better all the time.  Maybe they truly have found that fountain of youth.  I mean...is Christine Lahti seriously turning 61?  The women on Golden Girls were in their 60s...I guess 60 is the new 30 and 90 is the new 60.  Speaking of, has Betty White even aged since Golden Girls?  It's been 26 years since the show premiered and I think she looks almost exactly the same...it's crazy.

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Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

I really enjoyed this tribute from another late great star, Paul Newman.  Watching this also reminded me that Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a really good movie.  If you haven't seen it yet, you should.

Won't move to LA, but still want to be a writer?

LA has heard my complaints about the weather and has responded with a beautiful sunny day.  Thanks!  In other cool news, some recent mail hijinks has confirmed a semi-famous actress lives in the apartment directly above mine (which is funny because I swore a tap dancer lived directly above me...maybe that's just the extra large cockroaches?).  

Looking back, I realize I've met the actress in passing in our elevator but I totally didn't notice because all actors and actresses are actually TINY in real life.  Or, GIANT.  There is no in between.  Anyway, I just had to mention this because despite living in LA for several years, I NEVER see celebrities or pseudo celebrities unless I'm at work and they're asking me for something (usually a beverage).  But now, one lives above me!  Yet another part of my sales pitch for moving to LA (Come to LA!  Land of famous neighbors and tap dancing cockroaches!).

Speaking of which...I was thinking about my last post, and I have a few revisions.  Yes, you wonderful LA hating babies, you don’t HAVE to move to LA (or NYC) if you don’t want to.  Even if Los Angeles isn't as dangerous as you might think, I get it.  LA is still expensive, big, occasionally soul sucking, tough for families, and writers can write anywhere, right?  So, what should you do if you want to be a writer but won’t move to LA? 

Well, the big exceptions I can think of to the LA rule are writers who write books.  I think authors can pretty much live anywhere and still find a way to sell their stuff.  Didn’t Stephanie Meyer write Twilight from her home in Utah in between changing baby diapers?  Yeah, those stories are one in a million and you shouldn't count on becoming the next Stephanie Meyer, but if you have your heart set on a career in writing and won’t live in LA, I’d suggest focusing on novels or nonfiction.

BUT,  let’s say that’s not what you want.  Noooo, you want to write screenplays and TV shows, but won't move.  Then what?  Well, you're screwed!  Just kidding.  I think you actually still have a few options.  More on that next time...