Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Call it Covid Fever but the turnover in casts this year has been ... interesting (not to mention the plethora of pregnancies, but that's another story).  There have always been cast changes here and there, from "Bewitched" to "Roseanne" but this year feels different.  It is as if Covid made a lot of actors reconsider what they want out of life.  It also gave producers a chance to ditch some deadwood.  And so, some of the notables ...

"9-1-1 Lonestar".  SO much better after replacing lethargic Liv Tyler with the amazing, incredible Gina Torres.  And giving her character a husband and family?  Brilliant.  As if that weren't enough there is an Amuse Bouche for "West Wing" fans in the form of a Rob Lowe/Lisa Edelstein reunion.  More than a few Easter Eggs and nod-nod, wink-winks going on.  It's terrific.  And takes a very strong series into the stratosphere.  (And while we are on it, the addition of John Kim to "9-1-1" ain't bad either.  Loved him in "The Librarians").

"Mom".  Really didn't know how a show based on Anna Faris and Allison Janney's relationship continues without Anna Faris, but it does.  The show has already built a strong group of women who continue to carry the torch and do so with humor, struggles and a grounding in reality.  Ratings are down by almost half but all of network TV has suffered from the streaming revolution during Covid, so who knows?

"Chicago Fire" ... is changing paramedics again.  By my count this is the fourth woman to come and go in the job.  'Nuff said.

"DC's Legends of Tomorrow" has more cast changes.  Quelle surprise.  It's really news when they DON'T have cast changes.

Speaking of which, Brandon Routh has a multi-episode arc in "The Rookie".  As a bad cop.  Good guy Routh is truly terribly creepy playing a bad guy.  He's a great actor to make this shift but it makes me ache for his superhero charm complete with dopey smile.  I don't like it when I want to punch him.

Rosario Dawson and Katee Sackoff on "The Mandalorian".  SUPER COOL!

In the biggest news of the year, according to me, Javicia Leslie replaces Ruby Rose in "Batwoman".  Only a couple of eps in and there is a new energy to the show.  Ms. Rose's subtle performance may have worked in "Orange is the New Black" but seemed insufficient for the CW superheroes shows.  Ms. Leslie's character already has a fresh, mouthy, quirky style she brings to things.  Should make for good back-and-forth with Alice, Rachel Skarsten's impossible-to-take-your-eyes-off-villain.  Ms. Skarsten has had a busy dance card of projects over the past decade or so.  With good reason.  She inhabits her roles entirely.

UPCOMING:

Alan Arkin is not returning for the final season of "The Kominsky Method".  Huh?  How is that possible?  Makes the "Mom" departure seem simple in comparision.

Jensen Ackles (yum, yum) will join "The Boys".  But he likely won't be a good guy.  No kidding.  Is anyone a good guy on that show?

Jim Carrey didn't work out as the SNL Biden so there seems to be a bit of a revolving door on the role.  I'm thinking it isn't easy.  Even the late night hosts haven't really nailed the Biden thing yet.  After President Babypants I guess it's hard to get back to someone grounded in reality.

Last and not least, what's with giving female characters male names?  I bought into Michael Burnham in "Star Trek:  Discovery" but now we have a Ryan and a Jake and a Tommy.  I'm sure there is a point to it all but it hurts my brain trying to figure it out.