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_67280_2009-10-28-10-44-47.055.JPG "Pittsburgh TV Examiner")
A wizard arrives, a Knight vanishes and a dog Triumphs at Bonnaroo
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NBC's "Merlin"
NBC's Sunday night entry begins tonight with a 13 episode run of Merlin, yet another take on the Arthurian legend, this time focusing on the adventures of the young wizard.
A critical and audience hit in England, NBC has partnered with BBC to air the series which twists the legend as we know it around. In this revamping, Merlin is the same age as Arthur, the evil Morgana Le Fay is ambiguously "good" and the age of Camelot takes place much earlier than it should. Relative newcomer Colin Morgan takes on the mantle of the sorcerer supreme and brings along familiar face Anthony Stewart Head (Giles on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer) as Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, and John Hurt voicing the dragon.
It remains to be seen if this version will connect with American audiences but I hope that it does. I've always been a sucker for "sword and sorcerer" fare (though I avoid those Renaissance fairs like the plague as that's just going a little too far for me) and Merlin just might be the breath of fresh air in the somewhat stale summer months.
While Merlin and Camelot rise, a Knight falls. T.R. Knight to be exact.
The Gray's Anatomy star had asked to be released from his contract and ABC obliged. Knight, who had come under fire for comments made in the past about co-stars, decided that it was time to part ways with the show and his character flatlined after being hit by a bus last season. No spoiler here...he's dead, Jim.
Katherine Heigl, in the meantime, will return to her role on the show even though it had been speculated she would leave to pursue other projects. Perhaps she noticed the "David Caruso rule" (which prohibits TV actors who bad mouth their shows and yearn to do movies when they don't have enough talent to carry feature films) and opted to not bite the hand that feeds her.
Let me note that I have nothing against Heigl, Caruso or any other actor who wants to broaden their horizons. Being in the same role for years becomes monotonous as does any job. However, it pays (literally) to be realistic about it and know where your limitations are. Heigl was great in Knocked Up and Caruso was superb in the highly underrated Session 9. Supporting actors...yes. Leads? Not by a long shot. Take the regular check, do other projects in your time off and enjoy the ride!
Finally, here's a laugh to begin your work week on Monday. Conan O'Brien brought the very funny and irreverent humor of Triumph, The Insult Comic Dog (voiced by the brilliant Robert Smigel) to the Tonight Show as Triumph pays a visit to the music festival Bonnaroo. Take a look.
That will never stop being funny.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.
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