The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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coverstory A killer time The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, December 6, 2013 Bonnie and Clyde tear up the small screen By Shona Dustan TV Media O ne of history's most iconic couples is about to tear up the small screen in an unprecedented network event. The notorious and true tale of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow is one of love, adventure, murder and mayhem. It's a story so over the top that, as the 80th anniversary of their deaths approaches, the last days of their lives are still the stuff of legend. Now the dangerous duo is headed for prime time and, much like their lives, the broadcast will be of an unusual nature. For the first time, A&E Networks will air the two-part special on three of its networks at the same time. "Bonnie & Clyde" will be simulcast on A&E, History and Lifetime in two parts, Sunday and Monday, Dec. 8 and 9. The purpose of this simulcast, it seems, is to draw in a very broad demographic. While A&E and History both have a large male viewership, Lifetime's viewers are mostly women, and airing the special on all three networks will, the executives hope, ensure the best viewership possible. The story itself is chock-full of action, suspense, drama and romance, and is sure to appeal to a very wide audience. Both Bonnie and Clyde were quite young when they met their end, 23 and 25, respectively, which explains why the cast of this four-hour special is so fresh-faced. As Bonnie Parker, 25-year-old Holliday Grainger brings much more experience to the role than most other actors her age can boast. Grainger has been working regularly in her native Britain since 1994 and has appeared in many British television shows, such as "Waterloo Road," "Waking the Dead" Holliday Grainger and Holly Hunter star in "Bonnie and Clyde" age drama "The Emperor's and "Robin Hood." She's had parts in some major motion Club" (2002) saw him starring pictures as well, largely bigalongside some of today's hotscreen adaptations of classic test young stars, such as Jesse books — "Jane Eyre" (2011), Eisenberg and Paul Dano. After "Anna Karenina" (2012) and an uncharacteristic foray into "Great Expectations" (2012) the world of teen comedies in are all on her resume. More 2004's "The Girl Next Door," than likely, though, you'll recHirsch wowed critics and audiognize Grainger from Showences with his performances time's hit drama "The Borin films such as "Lords of Doggias," in which she stars town" (2005), "Into the Wild" alongside the likes of Colm Fe- (2007), "Milk" (2008) and ore and Jeremy Irons. "Savages" (2012). Having Grainger's serious acting played both the young lover experience is sure to help her and the troubled criminal on step into Parker's shoes. Before the big screen, Hirsch should Parker met Barrow, she had led be well equipped to embody a relatively quiet life. She marthe enigmatic Barrow. ried her high school sweetUnlike Parker, Barrow's early heart at 15 years old, and her life was tumultuous and full of young husband had frequent run-ins with the law. He was run-ins with the law, landing arrested once for stealing turhimself in prison multiple keys and once for failing to retimes. She must have develturn a rental car on time, beoped a taste for bad boys, before getting involved in more cause when Bonnie met Clyde serious crimes, such as stealin 1930, their connection was ing cars and cracking safes. His instant, electric and lasting. time in prison molded him into Such a connection is hard to a hardened criminal, and it recreate on camera, but if any- was this hardened criminal one is up to the task of playing Clyde Barrow, it's Emile Hirsch. Hirsch, 28, has been acting since the mid-'90s, too, and has some pretty impressive credits under his belt. He burst onto the movie scene in 2002's teen drama "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys," a film now considered a cult classic. Next, the coming-of- who stole Parker's heart. The best known version of this story is the 1967 Oscar-winning film "Bonnie and Clyde," infamous at the time for its portrayal of realistic gun violence on screen. The film was nominated for 10 Oscars and won two — it's widely considered one of the greatest movies ever made, and it's set a very high bar for this TV special. The special, however, has time on its side. With four hours in which the story can unfold, the tale of the thrillseeking couple is sure to be fleshed out in a way a major film could never accomplish. Add to this some excellent supporting actors, and you have a program that may give even the celebrated film a run for its money. Playing Parker's mother is Academy Award winner Holly Hunter ("The Piano," 1993), and as the lawman hot on the couple's tail is fellow Oscar winner William Hurt ("Kiss of the Spider Woman," 1985). Both have had long, exceptional careers in Hollywood, and both will lend a gravitas to the project that will balance the rest of the young cast nicely. This will mark a reunion of sorts for Hunter and Hurt, as they starred together in the Oscar-nominated film "Broadcast News" in 1987. Rounding out the supporting characters are two more young actors, Lane Garrison ("Shooter," 2007) as Clyde's brother, Buck Barrow, and TV star Sarah Hyland ("Modern Family") as Buck's wife, Blanche. Chirstopher's Coins 2x2 hollywoodQ&A By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: Does Piper Perabo do her own singing in "Coyote Ugly"? A: Though Piper Perabo reportedly has a fairly good set of pipes, the producers nonetheless brought in a ringer for her role in the 2000 sleeper hit, "Coyote Ugly." All of the songs Perabo's character performs in the film, about a shy young songwriter who moves to New York to chase her dream and finds it while working at a wild, womenrun bar, were performed by country-pop star LeAnn Rimes. "My real singing voice is low, and LeAnn has this kind of big, belter, soprano voice," Perabo said in an interview with popculture website Radio Free Entertainment. "When they finished the film, they felt like my voice isn't really the right type of voice for the character." The film helped to launch both young artists to stardom. Prior to getting the film's lead role, Perabo's biggest role was a supporting turn in the live-action "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" earlier in 2000, which would have provided a bigger boost to her career had anybody bothered to see it. Rimes had released a few albums by that point, but her success had been limited to the country-music scene. "Coyote Ugly," and its soundtrack album, were surprise hits, and helped turn Perabo and Rimes into stars. Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. A/Krazy Tom's B/State FarmMelisa Manikas 2x3