The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, January 7, 2011 2 coverstory ’Grey’s’ creator returns with new drama Medical ‘Map’ Streep, in the movie “Heart- burn” (she was credited under a false name to avoid a furor in the press). She has found great success on stage but has also had a few small-screen roles, most notably on HBO’s “John Adams” and a recent arc in “The Good Wife” on CBS. These three doctors are the newest arrivals to the clinic, joining an established team in the remote wilderness of the South American jungle. Among them is Dr. Ben Kee- Mamie Gummer stars in “Off the Map” By Isabel Jarvo TV Media T elevision shows with ex- otic locales are nothing new to the small screen. Think back to the famous “Gilligan’s Island” or either version of “Hawaii Five-0.” Only recently have fans come out of their “Lost”-induced hazes, and shows such as “The Amazing Race” and “Survivor” continue to draw big numbers every season. There is no denying that there is something attractive about the lands beyond our shores that reels in viewers and leaves them wanting more. For them, ABC offers a brand new series titled “Off the Map,” airing Wednesday, Jan. 12. The drama-filled series fea- tures three brilliant young doctors who find themselves in a tiny South American vil- lage in an effort to run away from their diverse inner de- mons. There, they work in the undersupplied and under- staffed local clinic while ex- ploring the mysteries of the jungle. The show is co-produced by industry marvel Shonda Rhimes, the brains behind the smash-hit medical series “Grey’s Anatomy” and its popular spinoff, “Private Practice.” The award-winning writer and director shot to the forefront of American televi- sion after the multiple suc- cesses of “Grey’s” in 2005 and “Practice” in 2007. Last year, Rhimes filmed a pilot for another series that featured a female news pro- ducer struggling to chase ev- ery story in a Washington, D.C. newsroom. The series was not picked up, but many of its cast members were also featured in her already-estab- lished shows. This seems to be a habit of hers, as many of the actors and actresses she’s previously used seem to be making the transition to “Off the Map” as well. Dr. Tommy Fuller is played by Zach Gilford, who, apart from guesting on “Grey’s,” has appeared regularly as quarter- back-turned-receiver Matt Saracen in the hit NBC series “Friday Night Lights.” He also starred alongside “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks and rapper Ne-Yo in the 2008 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game (Gil- ford’s team won 51-50 against a team featuring Chris Tucker and James Kyson Lee). Caroline Dhavernas plays Dr. Lily Brenner. The French-Ca- nadian actress started her ca- reer dubbing the children’s cartoon “Babar” at the age of eight. Since then, she has had a central role in the 2008 flick “Passchendaele,” guested on both “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” and starred as the lead character in the now-defunct series “Won- derfalls.” Mamie Gummer is Dr. Mina Menard. Gummer had her act- ing debut at age three, starring alongside her mother, Meryl ton, played by skilled thespian Martin Henderson. Born in New Zealand, Henderson has had big-screen roles in 2002’s “Windtalkers” and “The Ring” as well as a lead in the 2004 musical comedy “Bride and Prejudice.” While he hasn’t ap- peared on either of Rhimes’ series, he has guested on an- other medical hit, Fox’s “House.” At his side is Dr. Otis Cole, played by Jason George. George has the benefit of hav- ing guested on “Grey’s,” “House” and NBC’s “ER,” eas- ily giving him a leg up when reading the often medical jar- gon-filled scripts. He also por- trayed Michael Bourne on the late ‘90s soap opera “Sunset Beach” and J.T. Hunter on the UPN sitcom “Eve.” Adding a bit more mystery to the mix is the close- mouthed Dr. Ryan Clark, por- trayed by Montreal-born ac- tress Rachelle Lefevre. Though she had her start playing Stac- ey Hanson on the children’s series “Big Wolf on Campus,” Lefevre is likely better known to youngsters these days as the dissident vampire Victoria in the “Twilight” and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” films. Unfortunately for Lefe- vre and her fans (though per- haps not for Rhimes and ABC), the studio cut her from the third flick because of schedul- ing conflicts. Chirstopher’s Coins 2 x 2 hollywoodQ&A By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: I saw the newest “Toy Story” movie and recognized the voice of Rex, the dinosaur. I waited for the credits and saw he’s played by Wallace Shawn, but I don’t know the name. Would I recognize him if I saw him? A: You almost certainly would. He falls solidly in the “that guy!” category of Hollywood stars, one whose face (and, in Shawn’s case, voice) is recognized instantly, but whose name goes mostly unremembered. For example, when confronted with Shawn’s balding, imp- ish visage on screen, you might say, “Hey, it’s that guy! The guy from ‘Manhattan’!” That classic 1979 Woody Allen film was Shawn’s first screen role, playing Diane Keaton’s ex-husband. A great many others may call him the guy from “The Prin- cess Bride” (1987), in which he played the brilliant and schem- ing Vizzini. TV fans may refer to him as “That guy! He lived next to the Huxtables on ‘The Cosby Show,’” which he did in a few episodes of the classic sitcom. But without doubt most of today’s younger folks (and their parents) would hear his voice and think of Rex, the anxious and insecure dinosaur from the three “Toy Story” films. Have a question? E-mail us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. 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