More Tales of the City

More Tales find the characters just a few months after the last one left off. The characters stay pretty much the same, which really impressed me. In a lot follow ups the characters seem to change dramatically. Another aspect of the mini-series that I really liked was how the story expanded of of the first tales. Instead of creating a whole new circumstances, much of the story was just adding to what was all ready there.

The one main issue I had was with the cast changes. I realize that it has been almost five years since the first series ended and that it was hard to get everyone back to do another one. However, I feel that the actors they did replace the characters with did not come close to resembling those in the first one. I did however like the new Micheal (Paul Hopkins) better than the first one. It was mona and Brian that I had the problems with. I applaud Showtime for having the guts to air this mini-series and the cast and crew that were willing to take on a project that was considered to be controvsial.

This miniseries aired five years after the original TALES OF THE CITY mini. The first series aired on PBS; the second was shown on Showtime cable TV. Although filmed 5 years after the original, the story picks up one year after the first series. Only a few of the original actors have returned: Olympia Dukakis, Laura Linney, Barbara Garrick, William Campbell, and Thomas Gibson. The other returning characters are played by different actors and the the change is noticeable in a bad way.

Mouse is now played by Paul Hopkins, Mona by Nina Siemaszko, Brian by Whip Hubley, Frannie by Diana Leblanc, and Doro by Francoise Robertson.

Among the new characters are Jackie Burroughs as Mother Mucca, Colin Ferguson as Burke, and Swoosie Kurtz as Mona's mother.

Plot continues as Mouse and Mary Ann (Linney) look for love and Mrs. Madrigal (Dukakis) tells more of her backstory. DeDe continues the story of her pregnancy.

The loss of Chloe Webb as Mona and Marcus D'Amico as Mouse is felt. The new actors can't come close to filling out their quirky characters. But the second installment is saved by the fabulous Jackie Burroughs as the outrageous and foul-mouthed Mother Mucca, a character who ties together the story threads of Mona and Mrs. Madrigal.

Unfortunately, the new storylines for Mouse and Mary Ann aren't very interesting. And production values as a whole are a step down. This Canadian production seems skimpy and set-bound, compared to the original.

Far better casting than the original TV series. Looks like the cable aspect of the production (as opposed to American public TV) opened up the writing and performances. Paul Hopkins is a far superior choice to play Michael! That Marcus Whoever was way too nineties for the 70s look and sensibility of Maupin's gay San Francisco.

a pale shadow of the original Tales. the replacement actors are really lifeless. its really impossible to feel anything for Michael as he's repugnant. the new Mona is vapid and uninspiring. the new Brian is so uninteresting its almost offensive. and in the original series it was really Mona and Michael who held it all together...they both had energy and vitality. in this round it feels like Nina Siemaszko (Mona) is being forced to do the role...shes totally uninterested and robotic. Paul Hopkins, the new Michael, basically smirks and wiseasses before getting (thankfully) crippled and left speechless for most of the show.

beyond the horrible casting, the story is sordid and so over the top that its difficult to get involved. the first Tales series had spunk...it felt fresh and alive. this version is just a pathetic soap opera knockoff. (wow its cable...we can show ass and say bad words, who needs a decent director?) the story line revolving around Brian and his binocular-driven lust affair is weak and frankly gross.

pathetic...

When I first saw this sequel a couple of years ago I tried to hate it. So many of the characters had been re-cast with new actors that it was jarring at first. Since then I have watched it a couple more times and I have to admit that I just love More Tales. It has grown on me. The writing is excellent and it is very addictive. My favorite character in this was Anna Madrigal played by Olympia Dukakis. The scenes where she reunites with Mother Mucca are quite touching and brought a tear to my eye. Bravo to Bravo for dusting off these gems every once in a while and making some new fans of Armistead Maupin.