Week of Jan. 29: Tributes and Questions

Sadly, three more wonderful performers have left us:

*James Mitchell: He had two careers. The first one was in dance, including the beautiful dream ballet in the 1954 film version of "Oklahoma." The second one was on television - particularly in the 30 years he spent on "All My Children" as the schemer-with-a-heart-of-well, some gold Palmer. Here he is with his original family - Gillian Spencer as first wife Daisy and Taylor Miller as daughter Nina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN4xBDz5sCY


*Jean Simmons: The main part of her career was in films, but she appeared on television from time to time, including a very entertaining episode from Season 10 of "Hawaii Five-O," "The Cop On the Cover."

*Pernell Roberts: He bookended a long and lucrative television career between two plum roles - Adam Cartwright on NBC's "Bonanza" (from 1958-65) and Trapper John McIntyre on "Trapper John, M.D." (CBS, 1979-86). Here's a look at the first moments of the pilot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ0zZP77aUU

Assorted curiosities (including current Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell as young Dr. Jackson).....And the biggest curiosity is the difference between the portrayal of the lead character by Roberts, as compared to Wayne Rogers on "M*A*S*H." Rogers played him as a tough-talking New Yorker, while Roberts played him as a far more urbane character.

They all leave behind wonderful performances for viewers to continue to enjoy.

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Besides Jean Simmons, Pernell Roberts also guest-starred on "Hawaii Five-O," in an excellent Season 3 two-parter called "The Grandstand Play."

"Five-O" is worth mentioning because CBS may put a new version on.

Movie writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who wrote last year's "Star Trek" movie, have been working on a pilot episode. If what's described here is the actual premise, let's hope this never sees air:

http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/01/hawaii-five-o-cbs-pilot-plotline-and.html

The worst season of the original Five-O was the last, Season 12, when James MacArthur (the original "Danno") left and William Smith played the much-reviled "Kimo" Carew. This plot premise (Kono as a WOMAN?) is worse than that.

Ah, well, we do have some good Five-O to look forward to.....Season 8, which includes the delightful "Retire In Sunny Hawaii....Forever" with the legendary Helen Hayes (MacArthur's mom), will be released in March. Later this year, Season 9, which includes one of the finest series episodes, "Nine Dragons," will also be released.

See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!