Holly Hunter in "Saving Grace"
courtesy of TNT
"The Closer" "Saving Grace" (TNT)

Just when you thought all of the news about the TV season was bad and badder, here's some good news. Despite the writers strike causing your favorite shows to start playing reruns, two of TV's most popular cable shows are coming back with a new show(s). Yes in December TNT will present a two-hour special edition of "The Closer" and four all new episodes of "Saving Grace." Now don't you feel better already?

The special "The Closer" episode will focus on a new case for Deputy Chief of Police Brenda Johnson involving the robbing of armored bank trucks. Even better news is that the case takes her back to her hometown of Atlanta where her parents (Barry Corbett and Frances Sternhagen) still live. Brenda's boyfriend/fiancée (Jon Tenney) goes with her.

The show is a combination of comedy and drama, as well as some romance and parental problems. It is all done in the inimitable style that "The Closer" has come to represent. The cast is great with Kyra Sedgewick once again being the best of the best.

The new episodes of "Saving Grace" will be shown throughout the month of December. Grace Hanadarko (Holly Hunter) is still just as foul-mouthed and immoral as can be. And Earl the angel (Leon Rippy) is still trying to save her.

The success of the show is primarily based on Hunter's strong performance but it is also attributable to her strong supporting cast. Laura San Giacomo is particularly effective as Grace's friend and co-worker Rhetta. These two women project just the right give and take of a true friendship.

Kenny Johnson and Bailey Chase are also outstanding as Ham and Ada, two of Grace's co-workers and lovers. These two men bring a strong masculine presence to a show that is basically dominated by the female lead.

That there will be new episodes of these two outstanding shows is good news indeed! The all new two-hour episode of "The Closer" will air December 3 at 8PM on TNT. New episodes of "Saving Grace will be shown on December 3, 10, 17 and 18 at 10PM on TNT.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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