Guest stars

[Sakrysta]

I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has noticed this phenomenon. I can hardly watch a procedural show anymore without knowing in the teaser who the bad guy will be. The reason for this is that I recognize them. Not always their names, but their faces. The thought process goes something like, "Oh yeah, I've seen him all over the place. That guy wouldn't be in the episode for just a bit part. He'll end up being the killer." And sure enough, that familiar face is the guy.

I know there must be thousands of actors in LA looking for work. I don't want the good actors to be out of work necessarily, but it does tend to spoil the entertainment factor when the plot is ruined by an actor's notoriety. I'd like my mysteries to actually be hard to figure out for a change!

 

[paudemge]

I've noticed the same thing. It also amazes me how much money top actors can demand, but we the public like to see familiar faces i guess.

 

[Worf2DS9]

I've experienced this as well. I'm trying to think of some specific examples, but nothing's coming to mind.

 

[Sakrysta]

The example that finally pushed me to post this was last week's Medium. I'll have to look up the guy's name...

(Aside - can I just say how much I love the internet?!?!!!!! So much information just a few keystrokes and mouse clicks away!)

Okay, the guy's name is Fisher Stevens. I've seen him all over the place, and as soon as I saw his face, I knew he was more than the innocuous inspiring other-brain-injury-victim at Allison's physical therapy.

Another is Stephen Tobolowsky. He stands out. If you see him, you know he's more than just "Witness #2" in the credits.

This happens to me on shows like Bones, Medium, Lie to Me, Castle, even 24 and ESPECIALLY Monk. It's like the casting directors say, "Oooh, I saw this guy in an episode of my favorite show last week! I know he can act, so let's go with him for the key role."

It really gives truth to the idea that you have to work in order to get work in Hollywood. I imagine it must be a very frustrating for aspiring actors when the same bunch of people are constantly getting all the roles.

 

[Kirkman1987]

two words......Ray Wise

 

[John Clark]

Yes, I've noticed this

Another guy who seems to regularly turn up for roles like this is Kevin Kilner (or so it seems to me)

 

[mrcoaster]

It does happen quite a bit. A lot of the procedural dramas and detective type shows are pretty easy to figure out most of the time, as their focus is more on the characters and interactions more than a super puzzling mystery.

 

[Sakrysta]

Oh yeah, Ray Wise is another big one. Kevin Kilner less so - I haven't seen him near as much as I would like to.

 

[Worf2DS9]

Just happened last night on Castle, actually. Soon as I saw the actor towards the beginning, I thought He did it, and sure enough...

 

[Mistral]

I have always found this frustrating. The key is to mix up several familiar faces in one episode-but too many shows can't afford that. When its done like that the "mystery" is preserved, IMO.

 

[Sakrysta]

^Actually, for my money, the key seems to be giving Jayne a big stick and standing back... waitaminit ... *shakes head* Sorry, drifted off into quote land there. I would think the easier way to avoid this happening is to hire actors who haven't made the guest appearance circuit, or who didn't just lose their cult popular series to cancellation, etc., in whodunit roles. If you want the name or face for the draw, write them in as a two or three episode guest spot or something. I know you can't do that all the time, but I would think it wouldn't cost any more than hiring a different familiar actor every week.

Just happened last night on Castle, actually. Soon as I saw the actor towards the beginning, I thought He did it, and sure enough...

Wow, I just saw that episode, and came to this thread to add Reed Diamond to the list. At least he wasn't eeeeeeevil this time. That man does creepy more subtley than any other actor I can think of. Try his episode of Medium sometime - eep!

 

[Captaindemotion]

two words......Ray Wise

Though they seemed to be setting him up to be the villain when he was the Vice-President in Season 5 of 24 ... then it turned out, it was the President who was the villain after all.

But in general, the OP's observation is correct.

 

[davejames]

Yeah I don't watch a ton of procedurals, and even I've noticed that. You just KNOW they're going to call upon an actor who can handle a big emotional scene or confrontation at the end of the episode, and more than likely it'll be someone you've seen before.

Or sometimes you just have to look for the smarmiest or most arrogant guy in the episode-- because writers just can't resist having their heroes show those guys up at the end. lol