When we wrote about In Plain Sight’s renewal a few days ago, we did note that the show’s creator and executive producer, David Maples, was getting pushed out of his job. Though in fairness, I did mostly gloss over that because I didn’t have any more details.
Natalie Abrams at E! Online’s Watch With Kristin has some more details on that as well as news that will definitely make Bill Gorman yelp with Glee so loudly I might be able to hear him from halfway around the world (which is where he is).
No more Jinx Shannon! Or at least less of her than what seemed like an already diminished role this year. I am a fan of Lesley Ann Warren, but I didn’t love her in the role of Mary Shannon’s mother, Jinx. Also out, or taking a lesser role is Detective Robert “Bobby D” Dershowitz played by Todd Williams. He was in the show even less than Jinx, so I doubt people will notice much. It seemed like in the pilot episode they planned bigger things for Bobby D, but they never panned out.
According to Natalie’s article they will have roles as recurring guest stars but not be series regulars. Again, it sort of seemed that way already.
Natalie’s article is interesting because it has comments both from the exiting Maples and USA Network president of original programming, David Wachtel. Given the circumstance of what seems to basically amount to Maples being fired – typically an ugly circumstance that is like the founder of a start-up being ousted from the company they founded, everyone is quite respectful and civil. If I read it correctly, the central issue was the USA Network wanted the show to be more procedural rather than focus so much on Mary’s personal life.
I’m not really sure how I feel about the changes. I know Bill will probably like them – the only thing that would’ve made him happier probably is to hear that the Brandi (Nichole Hiltz) character was out like Jinx and Bobby D. I like the Mary Shannon character, and didn't mind some of the exploration into her personal life. But, my favorite character on the show is Marshal Marshall Mann. Hopefully the changes will result in more screen time for Fred Weller who stars in the role of Mann.
Natalie also has scoop on the cliffhanger season finale, and why the season actually winds up getting cut short by one episode. There’s no Dollhouse-esque controversy there, it was more of a programming choice. They didn’t love the last episode as a season finale). Want all the details, head over to E Online and read Natalie’s story.
Thank God. I think everyone realized that this show was at its best when it focused on Mary, Marshall and Stan and the scenes with Mary’s family ruined it. If they could just kill off Raph in a car crash than things would be golden.
So does that mean there is an extra episode that won’t be shown on USA? (But will presumably be on any DVD set)
I’m totally with you on the changes for season three — I’m not sure how I feel about them, but I hope that they mean more screen time for Marshall/Fred Weller. He is (by far) my favorite character too.
I won’t miss Jinx, but I was kinda hoping that they would develop Bobby D more. Oh, well. Not a deal breaker. While I don’t necessarily want them to get rid of Raph (hey, if they’re keeping Brandi they need someone to keep her company), but I really hope that they end the engagement/relationship between him and Mary. It’s just been pointless and painful. I’d rather see what Marshall or Stan are up to.
I just wonder if Eleanor will stick around, considering she’s Maples’ wife and it isn’t like Maples is leaving under the best of circumstances. I hope she does. I think she’s been a nice addition.
I’m sorry to see the end of Bobby D, but I can honestly see the point. I would like to see more of Marshall. I just hope…and pray…that they don’t fall into the trap of hooking Mary and Marshall up. I think they work so much better as a “buddy” partnership.
Kara, it went right over my head that Holly Maples (Eleanor) was Maples wife, perhaps that’s part of the reason everyone is acting so civil. I agree, she’s a good foil for Mary.
0megapar!cle, I have no idea what the plans for the unaired episode are or whether it will be on the season 2 DVD.
Glad to see Jinx more or less gone as didnt really like any of Marys Family. This show is at its best when it concertrates on Mary/Marshall & Stan now if they would just get rid of brandi and rafael it would be happy days for me
i think change will be good i dont really like the mother
I watched this show when it first started but gave up because it was too depressing. The problem here is that the main crime related stories are always going to be depressing because they are about people who gave up their lives they knew to go underground, so having the lead characters personal life also be depressing was a one two punch that alienated viewers like me. These changes sound hopeful but I think it’s too late in the series run to rescue things much. I’d personally rather they just cancel it and move on.
While I strongly endorse dumping or fading Jinx, I don’t want to see the show become another rote procedural. I find it kind of ironic that USA bills itself as the network about characters yet wants to de-emphasize the personal elements that help flesh out Mary’s character.
1idPete, I’m guessing NCIS has become the gold standard method when it comes being very procedural, still having characters and de-emphasizing personal elements.
I hope they don’t turn it into a rote procedural either. I suppose the good news is that most of the USA originals are not really procedurals — they certainly have their formula, but there is more character stuff than say, CSI.
I can see the network’s desire to step away from Mary’s family and personal life a bit, because it often is a bit of a downer. Especially this season, where Mary has been so unhappy. It just makes me wonder why they felt they needed to ditch Maples. Did they think he was not capable of giving the show a lighter tone? Did Maples refuse to do what they wanted?
I hope USA takes a look at their most popular show, Burn Notice, and uses that as a model. It definitely has its formula with Michael’s “Client of the Week” and has an overall pretty light tone, but there is still plenty of room for character growth and some dark/dramatic moments. I think that model would best serve In Plain Sight rather than a procedural model or something too light like Monk or Psych.
Yay! Less Jinx!
Boo, less Bobby D
I’m excited about less Jinx, she is SO annoying! I never minded Brandi so much, so I don’t mind her staying. I am very sad that there is going to be less Bobby D. though. I think Bobby is a great character and would love to see more of him and less of Mary’s family and less of Raph.
I never cared about Mary with Raph at all and I hope they end that relationship for good at some point soon.
I’m always worried about change on a show that works but if the changes mean more screen-time for Fred Weller and Paul Ben-Victor and even Holly Maples as Eleanor than I am all for it! Marshall is my favorite character on the show and the relationship between Mary and her work family, especially with Marshall is the best part of the show. I don’t care much about her family or Raph. To me it just takes away from Marshall/Mary/Stan which is what makes the show so great!
So as long as everything stays the same with her work situation I’ll be completely fine with the changes and will be thrilled if we get even more for those characters! some Marshall back-story maybe? A girl can dream lol
Why wait a year for tthe next season, unless you plan aqnd have stated to revamp the entire show. I enjoy the character “Mary,” she’s strong, complex and fierce; traits we we admire. I’d hate to see a watered down version of this character,or worse, no Mary at all! It would be a big mistake! Mary, her family, and their history together are what make Mary who she is. This is a wonderful show, second only to the “Mentalist”, and tied with “Burn Notice.” Still there’s always the “Closer” and “Saving Grace,” just have to set my DVR so I have one good showon Sunday night should you decide butcher it. Maybe another network will come with aversion that will blow you out of the water. It’s Happened before!
Ironically, I just ran a review today of the show. I think Mary’s character was strong in contrast to her family. If you take them away, then you won’t have as much character growth on her part. Yes, Mary is the focus, but turning the show into a procedural will take away what’s best about the show: the characterization and interaction.
I totally agree about Fred Weller’s role. He’s a delight who needs more screen time and his own character arc.
Holly Maples is a delight and her character is perfect point/counterpoint to Mary.
David Maples created something really good. Time will tell whether his departure is the death of the show.