Kelsey Grammer Is The BOSSOctober 21, 2011
Starz
Kelsey Grammer Is The BOSS
The TV comic takes a very dark turn as the Mayor of Chicago
By Britt Bensen
Starz has begun producing new original series to keep up with the Joneses (HBO, Showtime) in the battle of premium networks. Ever since movies have become readily available digitally (Netflix, etc), TV networks have needed to create their own programming to differntiate themselves from competition and retain (if not attract) viewers.
Most people are probably drawn to the series due to Kelsey Grammer. BOSS opens with gritty urban footage of Chicago and promptly distances itself from any previous, tamer series Grammar has starred in (“Cheers,” “Fraiser”).
The premiere episode begins with Grammer’s mayoral character (Mayor Tom Kane) receiving some demoralizing medical news from a doctor in the even more depressing setting of an abandoned building. Grammer and the episode quickly changes gears as he is driven to a political rally to endorse Governor Mac Cullen. BOSS shows things are not always as they appear as the Governor privately questions Mayor Kane’s words of choice. Political loyalty is apparently about to change tracks.
The following exchange takes place after the Mayor and Governor speak on the phone. It sums up how BOSS will move from public display to behind-the-scenes action. Governor Cullen's one-sided conversation with his aide:
“I need to know exactly how he’s coming at me. When? How? What? Fuck!”
“Is this about O’Hare?” his eager, young aide asks.
“Don’t fucking ask a question,” Cullen menaces. “This isn’t some fucking learning moment. You fucking moron.”
On the other end of the call, Kane turns to his senior advisor, Exra Stone, the always solid Martin Donovan. Donovan plays him in a silent, yet authoritative manner, conveying which political office is currently in control.
At the epicenter of the episode is the raising of a local cemetery and Kane’s maneuvering in local powercircles as he contemplates his approaching mortality and legacy he hasn't fully determined yet.
When speaking to the State Treasurer, Ben Zajac (Jeff Hephner), Kane's hand picked candidate to run against the governor, he explains the only ingredient the young politician is missing is “heft.” “Here I am,“ Kane informs him confidently.
It will be interesting to see how Zajac’s role will develop as the promising, clean cut leader navigates the shark-infested political waters of Chicago. A conflict of interest rears its head as the Zajac and Mayor Kane’s right-hand-woman, Kitty O’Neil (Kathleen Robertson), have a steamy stairwell session. Other than XX/XY, I haven’t seen Robertson since “90210.” Looks like a juicy role for her.
Another pleasant surprise appearance is Connie Nielsen (GLADIATOR) as the Mayor’s wife (Meredith Kane). She’s currently playing the role of the publicly devoted politician’s wife, but you can see how disengaged the couple is privately when he says he will stay at home tonight and she replies he can do what he wants. He clearly doesn’t stay there often.
Britt is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder of On Demand Weekly. He is the former head of Affiliate Marketing and VOD for Sundance Channel. Prior to Sundance Chanel, Britt worked for Miramax Films and BMI. He also on the Advisory Board of the Palo Alto Intl Film Festival.
Look for BOSS (Starz On Demand) availability on your local cable provider.
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