New Anthony Anderson video interview

[annabelleleigh]

Find it at

nbc.blog.seenon.com/2008/09/23/anthony-anderson-interview/

Personally I am finding Anderson, who's also a comedian, a very intriguing hire to replace Jesse Martin.

AL

[annabelleleigh]

For those still unfamiliar with Anderson's body of work, here's his (somewhat dated) official NBCU bio.

AL

P.S. Pehaps, with its gazillion-dollar operating budget, NBCU can afford to hire someone who will update bios and photos posted at nbcumv.com for a long list of neglected programs. The group shot of L&O's cast is still missing Anderson (just as Alicia Witt and Chris Noth continue to represent the cast of CI.)
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Anthony Anderson joins the cast of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning drama "Law & Order.” Anderson will play internal affairs Detective Kevin Bernard opposite Jeremy Sisto as Detective Cyrus Lupo, his new partner.

Anderson has appeared in over 20 films, and his recent performance as the star in the New Orleans-based drama “K-Ville” earned him a fourth NAACP Image Award nomination. Last summer his talent was on display again in the DreamWorks’ blockbuster “Transformers,” directed by Michael Bay; and last year the ambitious Anderson appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Oscar winning feature, “The Departed,” with a stellar cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson.

He first gained attention as one of Jim Carrey’s sons in “Me, Myself, and Irene,” and has subsequently appeared in such films as “Scary Movie 3,” “Barbershop,” “Kangaroo Jack,” “Exit Wounds,” “Cradle 2 the Grave,” “Two Can Play That Game,” and “Malibu’s Most Wanted.” Anderson also starred opposite Eddie Griffin and Michael Imperioli in “My Baby’s Daddy,” opposite Frankie Muniz in “Agent Cody Banks 2” and had a cameo in “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.” He brought his talent and humor to the small screen in his own WB sitcom “All About the Andersons” which was loosely based on his life. Anderson appeared in the police-drama television series, “The Shield,” opposite Michael Chiklis and Glenn Close.

Anderson grew up in Los Angeles. While pursuing his acting career, he continued his education by attending the High School for the Performing Arts, where he earned first place in the NAACP’s ACTSO Awards with his performance of the classic monologue from “The Great White Hope.” That performance, along with his dedication to his craft, earned him an arts scholarship to Howard University.

Anderson currently lives in Los Angeles. He is married to his college sweetheart, and they have two children.

Find this article at:
www.nbcumv.com/entertainment/bio_detail.nbc/laworder-18-anthony-anderson.html

[hansen21]

Hi,

I don't know about A.A. and if he fits into L & O. I got used to Martin and if I look back most of the L & O detectives tended to be somewhat easy on the eyes.

To me, last season, Bernard seemed sharper: intense with a bit of aggression. The actor seems built for undercover work. The (the actor) has a physical and verbal quickness that would work on the street and b. A.A. seems to shine when he's sharp-got something to prove.

This season opener, Bernard seems to be dulled or toned down. It's just the first episode so we'll see. I'd guess it's much more difficult as an actor to make one or two lines shine than having the long monologues.

Lowering the intensity seems to have happened to C.I.'s Ross last year. The first season of Ross, the actor has the intensity that can take over a scene-that's the actor's vibe. Last season, Ross seemed to speak in monotone; he seemed pulled back.

To me, the only successful(credible)transition from hothead/iritated to a more level head has been the bald guy-captain? in SVU-he played the captain(I think) in the original L& O. The actor who was replaced by VanBuren when L & O needed more women. I can't recall his name. Of course, he had years to mature that in that character.

I've seen A.A. in the Shield, and he played his part well there.

After watching the episodes of The Wire, I'd suggest that there are a number of good actors from that show that might add to the L & O world. But again, The Wire and The Shield offered the opportunity for some raw performances compared to L & O which tends to be stylized to a degree of predictability and sterility. Of course, L & O is network T.V. so that can't show some of the stuff that the other shows could, but take some of that out, and those two shows especially The Wire would still provide something fresh.

Hansen