Casting Couch: Of Acorns and "Oaks"

Whither Gina McKee?

That's the question on my mind after learning of the latest two cast additions on FOX's supernatural drama The Oaks.

Michael Rispoli (The Black Donnellys) and Romy Rosemont (Prison Break) have been cast in The Oaks, which started production on its pilot last Monday in Pasadena. Neither creator David Schulner nor executive producer/showrunner Shawn Ryan, both not performing writing or producer duties as part of the WGA strike, have been involved with the shoot. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the final cast decisions were made by executive producer Gina Matthews.

Rispoli and Rosemont will play a married couple with two children in 1988 in the FOX series about three couples linked in time by a spirit that haunts the home they share in three different time periods.

Rosemont replaces British actress Gina McKee as Molly. Allegedly, the 1988 portion of the series will be taken "in more comedic, blue-collar direction."

Hmmm. That's really not at all apparent in the script draft that I read back in early August... and I am not too sure, just based on the description, that I want a comedic dimension to this gripping, unusual series. But we'll see how I feel once I get my greedy hands on the latest draft of The Oaks' pilot episode.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: How I Met Your Mother/The Big Bang Theory (CBS); Chuck (NBC); Everybody Hates Chris/Aliens in America (CW); Dancing with the Stars (ABC; 8-9:30 pm); Prison Break (FOX)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/Rules of Engagement (CBS); Heroes (NBC); Girlfriends/The Game (CW); Samantha Who (ABC; 9:30-10 pm); K-Ville (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Journeyman (NBC); The Bachelor (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Chuck.

On tonight's episode ("Chuck Versus the Truth"), Chuck finds himself falling for a new girl named Lou (guest star Rachel Bilson) who appears to be interested in the real him and they double-date with Ellie and Captain Awesome; Sarah wants to take her cover relationship with Chuck to the next level; a poison specialist attempts to uncover codes to nuclear facilities.

10 pm: Journeyman.

It's Kevin McKidd (Rome) as a time-traveling newspaper reporter in a drama that's more about human interactions and the nature of choice than, say, technicolored time machines. On tonight's episode ("Winterland"), Dan goes to a key party in the past where he meets a girl with ties to a murder, while Katie makes a shocking discovery about Livia.

10 pm: Weeds on Showtime.

The third season of Showtime's acclaimed comedy, Weeds continues. On tonight's episode ("Protection"), Nancy deals with her sons, Doug battles Sullivan, and Celia turns to Heylia for instruction from the master.