# Who is This Unflattering TV Guide Article About? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017 "2007-01-23T00:02:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/1 "2007-01-23T00:02:53Z")
In the current issue of TV Guide, Michael Ausiello writes: > [@TV Guide columnist Michael Ausiello](#): > > “It’s a scenario that fits the saying ‘the inmates are running the asylum.’ I can’t name names (as much as I might love to), but play along and guess which recurring guest star has, in essence, taken over the prime-time hit he’s visiting. This recent hire, apparently believing himself to be God’s gift to television, has thrown the writing process into turmoil, tossing out story lines and even entire scripts. \ The show-runner seems to [think that] he’s a genuine A-lister. He’s not. […] he’s no George Clooney. He doesn’t even have the marquee value of, say, George Jetson. So, any guesses?” I got nothin’. Any help here? TIA ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/2 "2007-01-23T00:15:15Z")
Complete stab in the dark, but could it be Chris O’Donnel on _Grey’s Anatomy_? I mean I don’t know anything about the guy as far as being a pain-in-the-ass, but Grey’s Anatomy is a hit prime time show, he is a occasionally recurring character on the show and he has some marquee value, but not George Clooney-esque. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/3 "2007-01-23T00:17:32Z")
My guess would be Shatner joining the cast of The Practice. ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/4 "2007-01-23T00:24:04Z")
How about David Morse from _House_? I hated, hated, hated the most recent storyline and would love to be able to blame that gawd-awful mess on someone. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/5 "2007-01-23T00:27:38Z")
[QUOTE=Dooku] My guess would be Shatner joining the cast of The Practice. [/QUOTE] Shatner is on the _The Practice_? ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/6 "2007-01-23T00:28:55Z")
I don’t think it’s Shatner. Boston Legal isn’t a prime time hit, and Shatner’s role is usually pretty small. Even though he’s why I tune in. 🙂 How about Kyle McLachlan on Desperate Housewives? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/7 "2007-01-23T00:47:10Z")
Seeing it’s a current article about (I’m guessing) a current series - that kind of leaves out Shatner (who’s a regular on "Boston Legal) and O’Donnell (who’s been off “Grey’s” for months) Rob Lowe is currently on “Brothers & Sisters,” maybe him? Or is anyone doing a stint on “Lost”? Or “CSI”? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/8 "2007-01-23T00:52:05Z")
Given the reference to “George Cloony … George Jetson” I’d say, look for a show with a guest star named… “George”. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/9 "2007-01-23T00:52:06Z")
Liev Shreiber is indeed doing an extended stint on **CSI** (subbing for William Peterson) so I believe this is about him. The fact that this is in the present tense rules out Morse, and Shatner is a regular. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/10 "2007-01-23T00:52:56Z")
[QUOTE=Lil’ Mahoney] How about David Morse from _House_? … [/QUOTE] Probably not – from what I’ve heard, he’s a genuinely nice guy. (Lives in Philly and supports local causes – including arranging to have his last series filmed here.) ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/11 "2007-01-23T01:05:57Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] Liev Shreiber is indeed doing an extended stint on **CSI** (subbing for William Peterson) so I believe this is about him. The fact that this is in the present tense rules out Morse, and Shatner is a regular. [/QUOTE] I always thought that “recurring” meant that the character wandered in and out over an extended number of episodes. Schreiber is going to be there for a handful of episodes, then leave. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/12 "2007-01-23T01:07:52Z")
[QUOTE=Snooooopy] I always thought that “recurring” meant that the character wandered in and out over an extended number of episodes. [/QUOTE] No, it just means “more than once.” ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/13 "2007-01-23T01:19:01Z")
It’s almost certainly **John Stamos**. He recently joined the cast of ER, where George Clooney (hint hint) used to be the resident hunk. It’s quite possible – given his character’s storyline – that he’s demanding rewrites. He was a recurring guest last season, and both then and now has been hyped as some sort of huge draw. ER is famous for overhyping everything, (ever seen an ER commercial?) but hyping John friggin’ Stamos? WTF? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/14 "2007-01-23T02:07:16Z")
[QUOTE=Ellis Dee] It’s almost certainly **John Stamos**. He recently joined the cast of ER, … [/QUOTE] But as a regular cast member, no? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/15 "2007-01-23T02:12:24Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] Shatner is on the _The Practice_? [/QUOTE] No, seeing as _The Practice_ is no longer on the air. As mentioned, the poster was probably confusing it with _Boston Legal_ (I believe they were both produced by David E. Kelley, so it isn’t unusual. You _stinka!_) ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/16 "2007-01-23T02:28:37Z")
I don’t think it’s John Stamos as he’s a regular. Some possibilities: \*\*Grey’s Anatomy \*\* - Eric Dane (McSteamy) **24** - Peter MacNicol (Lennox) - Could Biscuit be a real jerk? Someone on **Prison Break** because of the “inmates running the asylum” comment \*\*Desperate Housewives \*\* - Austin - though he’s so young I doubt he’d make waves Other “hits” that don’t fit the bill because I can’t think of a new character: Lost, Ugly Betty, The Office, Heroes ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/17 "2007-01-23T02:32:18Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] But as a regular cast member, no? [/QUOTE] It’s hard to tell because ER ditched the intro this season, so nobody is credited or labeled very clearly. But the ER press was that they were crushed when Jake 2.0 got picked up last season because they really wanted him, as if he were some giant star. The article from tv guide seemed to imply that the actor is currently a recurring guest, but I think it’s intentionally misleading. Stamos _was_ a recurring guest star, but when Ausiello refers to the mystery actor as a “recent hire”, that sounds to me like a recurring guest star that was recently hired to be part of the regular cast. (Guest stars are more like independent contractors; “recent hire” implies a fulltime employee.) Add that to the fact that Stamos is considered a big star by the producers (based on interviews I’ve read in tv guide) plus the George Clooney reference, I came away from that article with no doubt it was Stamos the first time I read it. (Before I even finished it; the George Clooney reference at the end was just the icing on the cake.) ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/18 "2007-01-23T02:34:01Z")
[QUOTE=Ellis Dee] It’s hard to tell because ER ditched the intro this season, so nobody is credited or labeled very clearly. But the ER press was that they were crushed when Jake 2.0 got picked up last season because they really wanted him, as if he were some giant star. [/QUOTE] That would be _Jake In Progress_. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/19 "2007-01-23T04:48:37Z")
I’m going to have to contribute the only TV show I’m qualified to speculate on: David Bowie on _The Venture Bros._ ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017/20 "2007-01-23T04:53:38Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] I’m going to have to contribute the only TV show I’m qualified to speculate on: David Bowie on _The Venture Bros._ [/QUOTE] That would be awesome if not for the fact that he didn’t do his own voice. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-this-unflattering-tv-guide-article-about/389017.md?page=2)