PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: MEDIA AS ENTERTAINMENT: INSIDE THE CREATIVE PROCESS: TOM SELLECK ON JESSE STONE {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's Media as Entertainment events. Held at The Paley Center in Los Angeles, this evening honors actor Tom Selleck and his role in the series of "Jesse Stone" films on CBS. Based on the novels of Robert B. Parker, the films concern an emotionally troubled police chief who deals with murder and corruption in a small Massachusetts town. Barbara Dixon (director of the Paley Center, L.A.) offers opening remarks before introducing moderator Brian Lowry (media critic, Variety).
Lowry tells of his mother's adoration of the evening's guest before bringing Selleck to the stage. The two then touch on such topics as: effects of the ongoing writers' strike on Selleck's work in the TV drama "Las Vegas"; how Selleck first heard about "Jesse Stone"; the productions being conceived as a throwback to "character-driven films that aren't made anymore"; why the movies, set in Massachusetts, are shot in Nova Scotia; Selleck's emulation of James Garner; why Selleck only worked once with Lee Majors on "Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law"; how Garner helped Selleck turn "Magnum P.I." into a character that he enjoyed; the current dearth of television movies; CBS executives being surprised by high ratings for "Stone Cold," the first "Jesse Stone" film; if CBS wanted to make "Jesse Stone" into a weekly series; Selleck's work as an executive producer and writer on the films; if the productions have been faithful to the books; consistently getting "top-notch actors" for the films' supporting roles; Selleck having been ribbed about "Jesse Stone" during a recent interview with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show"; Selleck's allegiance to westerns; how the character of Jesse becomes increasingly dark and complex in each successive film; Selleck's chemistry with frequent "Stone" co-star William Devane (Dr. Dix); and why the next film, "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice," isn't based on a Parker novel.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following: why Viola Davis (Molly Crane) stopped appearing in the films; characters that serve as Jesse's conscience; the films' unique visual style; if Jesse will get a romantic partner near his own age; how the 62-year-old Selleck is aging so well; Parker's involvement in the films; what made Selleck decide to become an actor; why television work has "far less room for excess" than work in feature films; and Selleck's ongoing hope to act with Michael Caine.
Throughout the program, clips are shown from the following: "Jesse Stone: Night Passage" (2006); "Jesse Stone: Stone Cold" (2005); "Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise" (2006); and "Jesse Stone: Sea Change" (2007).
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 6, 2007 Tuesday 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:36:58
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:91781
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Barbara Dixon … Host
- Brian Lowry … Moderator
- Tom Selleck … Guest
- Michael Caine
- William Devane
- James Garner
- Lee Majors
- Robert B. Parker