Tonight at sister network Bravo's "Top Chef" star Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurant in Century City, USA Network invited some of their favorite advertisers and reporters to the upfront presentation.
Debra Messing - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
Craft is a stunning modernist restaurant that glowed in candlelight and featured the most amazing raw seafood bar with a myriad of delectable appetizers and desserts that flowed like the quality wine they poured all night. It was a great setting, with perfectly presented and prepared food and an ultra professional staff that attended to everyone.
Hammer
Surrounded by USA stars like Debra Messing, Tony Shaloub, Lesley Ann Warren, Fred Weller, Tim Omundson, Jeffrey Donovan and Gabrielle Anwar among many network luminaries, beautiful NBC Universal cable chief Bonnie Hammer enthusiastically talked up the "Brandwidth" of the ratings ass-kickers - the USA Network.
Shaloub
The NBCU cable wunderkind now boasts 27% original programming.
She noted that it was the company's devotion to finding unique "characters" and great stories and talent in front of and behind the cameras that defined the success USA Network offered, compared to the competition.
Donovan on "Burn Notice"
USA has much to look forward to, but the nights big news came from Hammer herself, as "The Starter Wife" producers confirm that Judy Davis, the Emmy award winning (twice Oscar nominated) actress will join Debra in the cast for ten new episodes. Hallelujah.
I was also looking for Gigi Levangie, it was her book that was the genesis for the series, but alas was out of luck. She wasn't there.
Judy Davis (L) and Messing for 'Starter Wife'
Messing is a lovely person and gorgeous in the classic yesteryear Hollywood way. She sat down to talk about the sudden news of Davis, and her over the moon joy that Judy would soon be back with her working.
"You know, it was never the intention for this to be a series initially, it wasn't in my gameplan," Messing shared.
"I couldn't imagine doing this series without Judy. The mini-series was like a summer vacation, but now, the writers can take Molly and really get into her new life as a single mom, getting her back into the workforce, and all the people that will be in her life now.
The scenes with Molly and Joan (Davis) were so well done, and funny too, but there was a poignancy; I am just so happy about this news."
What about Joe Mantegna? Messing gave me a very big smile.
"Well we are trying to get the entire original cast back, but yes I would love to tell you he is confirmed but so far, we are working on it."
"Psych"
Tomorrow we will talk "Burn Notice", "Psych," "Monk" and a new series for this summer "In Plain Sight" a dramedy that rocks with actors Mary McCormack and Fred Weller. Weller spoke to me at length about his new role and what cool crew position he would trade places with, if he could.
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