Dear Friends,
This is a great time for television programming. There is some amazing quality out there on the networks, cable, and in syndication.
Science Fiction is at an all time high in both popularity and quality with such stellar series as "Stargate SG1," "Andromeda," and "Enterprise" leading the field, not to mention the entire work of network president Bonnie Hammer and her team at the Sci Fi Channel.
In the mainstream dramatic genre, "The Sopranos," "The Shield," all three incarnations of "Law and Order," and "Judging Amy" are all winners.
In comedy we have such treats to chose from as "The Simpsons," "That 70s Show," "Will and Grace," and "Friends."
Then, of course, there's the outside of an obvious category "WWE" wrestling shows; "Sponge Bob" and "Jimmy Neutron" children's cartoons; and the new animated incarnation of "Spiderman" on MTV featuring the vocal talents of Neil Patrick Harris, and Stan Lee's "Stripperella" on The New TNN featuring the vocal talents of Pamela Anderson.
(The only painful exception to the quality being produced for television right now is "Reality TV." Even my colleagues who produce reality programs openly confide a disdain for the genre.)
Of all the great programs being produced right now, far and away the best television on the air is a series called "Everwood," which airs Mondays on the WB network.
To say the series "stars" Treat Williams would not honor the purity of the appeal of "Everwood."
Watching the show is like having a conversation at a small town diner with a vivid storyteller. The storyteller can make you feel that you know the people he talks about, while his underplayed honesty makes normal events interesting.
Treat Williams has proven over and over again in his career to be an amazing actor with a subdued intensity and chameleon-like ability to adapt himself fully into different personas (One of his best performances ever is in a supporting role in the underrated movie "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead", I recommend you check it out). On a personal note, I consider it a complete honor that one of my recent performances was compared specifically to his when he performed the same role on Broadway.
Yet, despite Williams' tremendous talent and ability to take over a scene, what sets his approach to "Everwood" apart is that he somehow manages to hide his star quality and blend in as an interesting piece in a complex puzzle.
The brilliance of his understated approach means he will probably never win an Emmy for "Everwood," because there will always be someone chewing up the scenery on another show. But that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve an Emmy. I consider "Everwood" one the finest moments in his resume of work.
Sharing in the "Everwood" journey is teen actor Gregory Smith as Williams' son. Smith has a command of the subtleties of the angst-ridden character beyond his age, and that makes me fear for my title as the Crown Prince of Angst.
Performers Tom Amandes, John Beasley, Vivien Cardone, Mike Erwin, Debra Mooney, Stephanie Niznik, Chris Pratt, and Nora Zehetner all deserve applause in their distinct roles that mesh together to create the believable world of the series.
Emily VanCamp will break many teenaged boys' hearts, not just with her approachable beauty, but for the kindness she radiates in her character interpretation. I would be remiss in my role as an official spokesperson of National Dance Week if I did not point out that Ms. VanCamp is a trained ballerina who managed to convince the writers to work her dance affinity and Pointe talents into the scripts.
The writers are, of course, the talents who rarely receive credit, but who deserve it (ironically) more than words can express. I applaud the entire writing team for not only creating a captivating world of simplicity, but also for staying true to its spirit.
One thing that amazes me about "Everwood" is that after hypnotically captivating its audience with an underplayed honesty, it courageously addressed several controversial topics. Most amazing was that it addressed the controversy without forcing an opinion upon the public, showing human elements to all sides of the arguments. Wow, is an understatement.
At the forefront of any artistic endeavor is the producer, the person who grabs hold of the artistic vision and champions it into reality through sheer will and determination. Greg Berlanti is the engineer steering the train through "Everwood" each week as its creator and executive producer.
I recently sent a note to Mr. Berlanti expressing my support for all he, the crew, and the cast have accomplished in whittling out this little world called "Everwood."
When I first started writing commentaries for TravoltaNet.com, I basically wrote whatever was on my mind. I took it as an opportunity to provide a conversational connection with those who have made my career possible but who might be strangers on a day-to-day basis.
As is my nature, I occasionally hit upon some controversial issues in my writing. Fans really responded to that. Suddenly I felt a need to repeat that success. I felt I had created an expectation I had to live up to, and it turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more stands I took, the more controversial issues I addressed, the more it became expected of me.
In the note I wrote to Mr. Berlanti, I not only applauded him for his ability to deal with controversial subjects within "Everwood," I also suggested that he learn from my mistakes. Be true to the show, and if addressing a world issue is warranted, let it happen naturally; never feel compelled to have to address controversy. Part of the appeal of being approachable is to be just that - approachable. Never lose sight of what made you a success in the first place.
If you're free on Monday nights, I suggest you check out "Everwood." It truly is the best series on television right now. I wish I could say my plug was because I am a guest star, but it's not. I just appreciate the finer things, and "Everwood" is just that. It's good for the soul.
Thank you for being my family; for giving meaning to my life. Thank you for sharing in my dreams, sorrows, and successes. You give me the strength to try.
Peace Love Trust
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
It's All Relative
Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
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