Karen Sisco

I've only seen the pilot of Karen Sisco, but I think that it's got real potential. TV shows today seem to be becoming more and more like movies, and while watching this I had trouble remembering that it was actually a TV show. Since TV shows generally have cliff hangers, I found myself eager for more of this great new show. Carla Gugino, Thomas Kretschmann, and Xander Berkeley were exceptionally good, and all I can say is that I can't wait for more! :)

What more could I ask for - not only is this show witty, exciting, and well directed, it also has a remarkably hot woman playing the lead role, pushing Enterprise's T'pol off to the side for the finest lady on network TV.

Every episode is really a gem, however two so far have stood out as really kickass (the second episode, the one with the two brothers who like Leonard Skinnard, and the one about the guy who keeps breaking out of prison to get back with his stripper girlfriend). Even though Elmore Leonard did little more for the series than invent the main character, the unique touches that are present in every Leonard book are present here. I pray to God this show makes it, because it beats the hell out of most everything else on TV today.

After having seen and greatly enjoyed Carla Gugino in various limited parts in relatively minor movies, I was overjoyed to see that she finally got some real recognition and was given her own TV show. And when I saw it, I wasn't disappointed. The show is smart, attractive and funny; clearly aimed at a fairly youthful, intelligent and predominantly male demographic. In short, it's everything a show should be in order to succeed. Only, for some inscrutable reason, it failed. What a great pity. What's wrong with audiences today? In a just world, this show would have rocketed Carla to true stardom.

For me, being a huge Carla Gugino fan, watching this show is pure joy. The writers and/or producers clearly adore Carla as much as I do, and put her squarely in the limelight, both in terms of loving camera angles, story and dialog. For someone of Carla's talents and charms, it's long overdue. At least with these 10 episodes, a devoted fan of Carla Gugino can get his fix, losing himself in a witty and charismatic action show captained by one of the dreamiest actresses currently working. What more can anyone ask?

Karen Sisco (Carla Gugino) is a US Marshal in Miami. Her father Marshall Sisco (Robert Forster) is the only one she unequivocally trusts. Amos Andrews (Bill Duke) is her boss.

Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard's Out of Sight, Karen Sisco is a smart, sexy, and tough character. Carla Gugino plays her with gusto. It never really took off and lasted only 7 episodes with 3 unaired remaining. I think there were two main problems.

The first is they shot this is L.A. If they could do it in Miami, it would add so much more local flavor. There is a difference and the audience can feel it. The second is the need for edginess. Seeing the successful 'Justified' (another Elmore Leonard adaptation), it seems obvious that Karen Sisco just doesn't have the grittiness in both style and substance. It just isn't Elmore Leonard enough.

I just CANNOT believe that they canceled this show *sigh* Just goes to show that television studios (and, just maybe, television audiences) do not know entertainment.... Instead of shows like this, we get stuck with yet more "reality TV" drivel like fear factor, American idol, survivor, etc etc ad nauseum... PLEASE make it stop! The executives don't know good television, the general public does not seem to recognize talented scripts, plots, excellent acting, etc. Does any one actually realize how many variations of CSI, or some take-off, spin-off what have you there are? Try to go 2 days without seeing it on the TV! Good luck! Everything is the same, same stories, same plots, we need something fresh, different, exciting....