Traditionally TV has been a stepping-stone for actors, a regular cheque and something for the CV, but what they really want to do is make movies. Now, though, that doesn't seem to be the case. With the obvious exception of George Clooney, and Jennifer Aniston's ongoing dodgy rom-com choices, nobody recently has moved from TV work to global film stardom. Instead, several have moved from global film stardom to TV work, in a trend that shows no sign of slowing.
Forest Whitaker is a great example. In the same year he wins an Oscar, he pops up in story arcs on both The Shield and ER, last night. By going on The Shield, Whitaker follows Glenn Close's example - and Close, in the meantime, stars in legal drama Damages. By going on ER, though, Whitaker follows Don Cheadle, Sally Field, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and John Leguizamo - among several others - who have reversed into TV from their decent Hollywood careers.
And Whitaker's clearly not alone. Steve Buscemi had a recurring role in The Sopranos. James Woods is now starring in Shark. Minnie Driver is in the recently launched "going straight" US comedy drama The Riches, alongside Eddie Izzard. Ray Liotta - plus Johnny Lee Miller, Amy Smart and Virginia Madsen - signed up for the short-lived Smith, while Jeff Goldblum is doing the eccentric, spirit-seeing cop thing in Raines, a show that sounds like a hybrid of House, Medium (with, of course, Patricia Arquette) and CSI. Kyra Sedgwick has The Closer. Holly Hunter is about to blend religion and police action in Saving Grace, while Christina Ricci follows her recurring role in Ally McBeal with a couple of episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Even Guy Ritchie is getting involved with the small screen and directing the Murder One-esque Suspect. Although, having seen Revolver, Ritchie's move probably wasn't out of choice.
Yes, yes, film stars have always been prone to the odd cameo (indeed, Will & Grace would have ground to a halt two years earlier if they weren't) but, since Rob Lowe and Martin Sheen signed on The West Wing's dotted line, the film stars have been jumping to the small screen at a very steady pace indeed.
So is it the money? Or is there something more to the decision? Looking from the perspective of the viewer, the obvious answer appears to be the quality. Of late, Hollywood has been grinding out remakes, sequels, generic thrillers, more sequels, teen comedies and original pieces such as, er, Norbit. TV, on the other hand, has produced exceptional shows such as The Sopranos, Oz, Deadwood, The Wire, 24, Weeds, Dexter, Heroes, Six Feet Under ... Is it any wonder that everyone from Woods to Whitaker has been willingly slumming it on TV?
