When the guest star gets spun-off.

In this age of authenticity and accessibility, it's no wonder that it's hitting the stars. Take the FX show Nip/Tuck. I've been watching the show for all the years it's been on. Not for the gore (there are lots of surgeries and such) but for watching the show's Miami Plastic Surgeons work to improve themselves from the inside while their work involves improving everyone from the outside.

It was an edgy drama that did much for the F/X network. "Was" is underlined because, since Season 3, it's been a slippery slope from edgy into poor-form.

Still, from time to time, I tune in. The biggest score this season? A 2-part guest spot that's spun into a series all her own. Rosie O'Donnell had a 2-show guest spot where she played a white-trash, Montel-lovin' woman who won the Lottery.

Once she got monied up, she traded her trailor for a McMansion, tons of cellulite removal, diamonds and men. In gaining millions, she lost her family. Oh, she also lost an ear (she was sporting 5 karat earrings and got "ear-jacked"). But the thing is, through finding out what really matters--family and ears definitely; money and looks not so much--she not only moved viewers, she moved the network into a TV deal. You go, girl.

None of the program's others stars--including those 3 hotties up there who headline the show--have, to my knowledge, been offered any spin-offs, decent movie roles or ad spots. Why oh why on a show about beauty, money and sex does Rosie O'Donnell shine as the most bankable beauty of all? Because in two episodes she connected with viewers. She's given us steak not sizzle. Let's face it, we've been starving for meaningful dialog.

Marketers Listen Up: in this authentic era, start looking for more guest stars to steal the show. In TV and all other media. Now that's hot.

P.S.: Rosie's For All Kids Foundation has been doing tremendous work for the kids of Katrina. She's helped to move the kids out of the government-sanctioned trailors and give them more of a sense of permanency.  So Rosie has trumped both the Headliners...and FEMA. She'll be presenting her model to Congress to teach them how to be better prepared in the future. I'll say it again: You go, girl.

Comments

[Paul McEnany]

"Rosie O'Donnell had a 2-show guest spot where she played a white-trash, Montel-lovin' woman who won the Lottery."

Well, at least the role wasn't too much of a stretch!

So, damnit, sorry, I couldn't resist. :)

[CK]

This comin' from a blogger that goes by a Hee-Haw monikor? Move along, Paul. Leave my "the-nice-girl-gets-the lead" post alone. Damnit.

[V-+a%S(p#E*rsT=`hE..]gra_Te[]

[people need and enjoy authenticity more than beauty, celebrity, or authority]

[rise of walt whitman, decline of britney spears]

'""'the common person as more interesting than the showbiz person'""'

the end of glamor, the advent of glum realism and truth-radiating nihilism

[Paul McEnany]

what he said. :)

[gianandrea facchini]

wow