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Begrudging Amy
by Lisa Johnson Mandell |
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9/18/2007 at 7:27:53 PM |
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It was just a simple little question. But it was followed by a fascinating, complex answer in which I learned volumes about the politics of television production and DVD release. I should know, by now, to expect the unexpected when conversing with Hollywood glitterati.
It happened while chatting with Amy Brenneman, who was paired with Jimmy Smits to talk about their new film The Jane Austen Book Club. “Are you ever going to do a Judging Amy movie?” I asked, diverting slightly from the subject of the film. “We need closure,” I told her, referring to the unresolved manner in which the series ended.
Suddenly, a spark flashed in Amy’s eye. “You know, I’m going to tell you a dirty little secret," she began. "I actually made a deal to do a two-hour movie literally when I was in labor with my son. The truth is, Judging Amy was a bad financial co-production between CBS Productions and 20th Century Fox, and neither one wants to see the other benefit.”
“Really?” I said, stunned that she would be so candid. Jimmy had turned to her at this point, looking a bit surprised as well. “Yes,” she continued. “And that is why there has never been a DVD set released. There are 138 episodes of this thing that they could make a lot of money on, yet they cannot get the financial...” Interrupted Jimmy: “Start that Internet campaign now!”
“Seriously,” she agreed. “Start the Internet campaign. Because that is what it comes down to. They made a deal and, specifically, it was not good for CBS. So I came out of labor and had my baby boy and I hired a writer, and it seemed like it was going to happen, but it just didn’t."
"So seriously, if there’s a groundswell…" she continued. "Especially with DVDs. That’s just ridiculous. I mean, I literally said to that guy at Fox, ‘I’ll do it. I’ll print it. I know I’m going to make money off it.’ Maybe that could happen. I don’t know – especially if there is a groundswell of interest.”
I mentioned that surely her new TV show about to launch, the Gray’s Anatomy spinoff Private Practice, would be some consolation. “Well, I’m not a creator on that, so I have no financial stake in it, so let’s talk more about the DVDs!” she laughed, taking on a more jovial note. “Just kidding! I’m really looking forward to Private Practice.
But if those DVDs would just come out, she wouldn’t have to worry about going into private practice. A made-for-TV, two-hour Judging Amy finale would make a killer package when combined with a series DVD set. Here’s hoping Fox and CBS Productions can kiss and make up so we can finally satisfy our penchant for judging Amy.
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- Amy said "start the internet campaign" t...
janwheels on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:17 AM
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Amy said "start the internet campaign" to get the movie going. Let it begin with me. Judging amy was one of the best TV dramas in a very long time, and to have it end so unceremoniously was unconscionable. A two-hour movie to wrap up the many loose ends, with a chance to see Amys character move into the new milieu of government & politics, as well as see Maxine marry Ignacio -- well, the faithfaul and devoted fans of this fine show deserve it! And SOMEONE please release the DVD series!! I miss this show so much now that it is no longer available on TNT. theres no limit to how many times I can watch an epidose -- theres always something good to take away. |
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