Introduction to Zap2it's Underrated of 2007 List
As 2007 moves toward its conclusion, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder and the amount of tangible entertainment news is dwindling. That can only mean one thing: It's time to present Zap2it's Second Annual List of TV's Most Underrated Performers.
We like to think it's a pretty eclectic list, containing actors, actresses and dogs, ranging from comedic foils to hated villains to reality TV hosts. There are familiar faces on new shows, fresh thespians on established shows and several people who are so darned good that they seem to pop up on every show, if you just keep your eyes open for long enough.
Of course, every list of this sort, by its very nature, ends up leaving people off. Some people were excluded due to space or just so we could spread the wealth among a variety of shows and networks. Some were just excluded to stir up debate and discussion. We're crazy like that.
There were, however, a couple ground rules that readers should keep in mind before complaining that we left your favor stars off the list.
Ground Rule #1: Don't talk about the ground rules for the Underrated list.
Ground Rule #2: NO REPEATS! Since this is only the second annual incarnation of this list, we decided not to repeat anybody. It isn't that we've fallen out of love with T-Bag on Prison Break or Yosserian on Meerkat Manor. And T.J. Thyne and Padget Brewster still have fans here. But there are so many different underrated performers on TV and if we keep doing this for five or 10 more years, eventually it'll be time for us to bring back some favorites. So if you're missing somebody, check out last year's list and maybe they'll be there.
Ground Rule #3: NO STARS! Yes, Supernatural fans, we agree that Jensen and Jared are wicked hot and wicked funny and they should, like, totally get more respect. But we decided that the Underrated honor best applies to people who aren't the stars of the shows they're on. We're trying to recognize the veteran character actors, the beloved second bananas, the valuable third fiddles. They may not get the big bucks, but they probably keep us watching the shows, week after week.
With those ground rules in mind, check out our humble list and please chime in, dear readers...
Who are you glad to see included? Who did we leave off?
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Chi McBride and Kristin Chenoweth have been all over the place in both film and TV. I think without them, Pushing Daisies would not be half the show it is. and yes, Of course Orbit but he is entered already... O think they should be on this list....
An actor who I think is very underrated is Hill Harper as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on CSI:NY. There are some episodes where he is virtually ignored in favor of a storyline for another character. He can definately hold his own a scene and even carry a storyline which we got glimses of last season. He has fifth billing of six stars so he probably wouldn't be considered the star.
I'm very impressed by a lot of the names on the list, and so happy you singled out Maulik Pancholy and CS Lee. The only names I'd add: Grace Zabriskie from Big Love and Cristine Rose from Heroes. Two fabulous older actresses who elevate every scene they're in.
You should have included Anne Dudek who plays Betty's friend Francine in the women of 'Mad Men'. Her breakdown at the end of the season when she showed up at Betty's house in her jammies was fabulous. She's also notable as the now fired 'Cutthroat B****' on 'House'.
Christine Rose from 'Heroes' is a great suggestion. She's absolutely perfect in that role.
Speaking of Big Love, Bruce Dern also deserves props as Bill's crazy-*** dad.
And John Slattery may be a leading man in Mad Men, but he's been one of TV's go-to character actors for years, from a union organizer on Home Front to a pervy politician on Sex and the City.
Finally, I'd like to add Madeline Martin, who plays the remarkably well-adjusted kid to Duchovny and McElhone's dysfunctional couple and, in many ways, ably serves as the show's emotional lynchpin.
Martin ***mins. He is always the bad guy and does it well. I hope he gets a chance to be a good guy soon.
Wow, a lot of strange choices on this list. (I agree, you can't be the star of your show and still be considered underrated. But also, even if you're not the star of you're show, you can't be the character that America is talking about the next morning around the water cooler and still be underrated too. Even if you're not famous, when every one gives you the credit you deserve, that doesn't qualify as being underrated...Michael Urie...Jack MacBrayer. (Don't get me wrong, I love them both, but have you ever talked to anyone who didn't?) Heck, even Orbit's gotten more buzz than the rest of the cast since Pushing Daises went on the air. (Oh, and Jay Manuel is just OBNOXIOUS. Not underrated!)
Great calls on Zelko Ivanek, Natalie Zea and Emily Rose.
THE INCREDIBLY GLARING OMISSION: Margo Martindale on The Riches. On a show all about lying and falsehoods, Martindale infuses her performance of Nina with more reality than the rest of that cast combined. And for a show all about identity, her utter lack of one is the most poignant drama The Riches has to offer.
Regarding Andrew Zimmern, doesn't that violate your own rule #3? Not to include people that are the stars of the shows they're on? His own name is actually IN the title of the show: "Bizarre Food with Andrew Zimmern"!These are the "rules" that you, yourself, have made up. So why violate them?
I can't argue with your point there, Robert.
I'm just gonna say that if you read the fine print (so fine it doesn't even come up with a magnifying gl***), it says that Rule #3 doesn't apply to stars of shows regularly watched by well under a million people.
Stars of barely watched cable shows can still be underrated. But I understand the concern!
-Daniel
Louanne Stephens, Grandma Saracen on Friday Night Lights gets my vote. 99.9% of actresses would so overplay the role, but she nails it perfectly.