KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
Before THE HANGOVER propels small screen star Bradley Cooper into the big screen leading man that he so richly deserves to be, why not be the quasi-obnoxious guy/gal who can say, “I remember him when!” by checking out his 13 episode stint as brilliant bad boy chef Jack Bourdain, in the short-lived FOX series that took us behind-the-scenes of the zany and unpredictable world of New York Eateries. A behind the scenes that we should also mention features an unforgettable supporting cast including Nicholas Brendon, John Francis Daley, Jaimie King, Bonnie Somerville, Owain Yeoman, John Cho, Frank Langella, Sam Pancake and guest appearances by John Larroquette and Michael Vartan. (Only $13.99 on Amazon)

GROSSE POINTE
Chronicling the on-screen and off-screen antics of a spoiled group of twenty-something actors that may bare a passing resemblance to the gangs from BEVERLY HILLS 90210 and DAWSON’S CREEK comes this wickedly funny and spot on satire from Darren Star, the man who practically invented the genre. Don’t believe us, see for yourself by checking out this hilarious opening scene. (Only $14.99 on Amazon)

KIDNAPPED
The best part of KIDNAPPED, aside from the well-paced story and all-star cast (including Jeremy Sisto, Timothy Hutton, Delroy Lindo and Dana Delaney to name a few) is that when NBC yanked it off the air after a mere three episodes, they did so with enough time to allow creator Jason Smilovic to craft a proper ending. Thus making this brilliant-but-cancelled series 13 episodes of suspenseful, high quality story-telling that best of all, won’t have fans pulling out their hair out and asking what happens next. (Only $14.99 on Amazon)

SPORTS NIGHT
Aaron Sorkin’s journey behind-the-scenes of an ESPN-style Sports Centre was not only the perfect guise to deal with polarizing issues like drug abuse, steroids and racism [both on the field and off], it featured an absolutely all-star cast and a will-the-or-won’t they between Casey and Dana [Peter Krause and Felicity Huffman] that still makes us smile. ($40.29 on Amazon)

EVERWOOD
And while this last pick may not exactly fall within our criteria of short-lived, now is the time to catch up on EVERWOOD’s first season, prior to the much-anticipated June 16 release of EVERWOOD season two. (Only $19.99 on Amazon)

Related:
Our Summer Survival Guide Day 1: TV

Tonight’s theme is “Brilliant But Cancelled” and features an eclectic mix shows we wish were still on the air.

Our evening kicks off at 8PM with FOX’s ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, followed by our behind-the-scenes Hollywood hour at 9PM courtesy of Jay Mohr’s ACTION and Darren Star’s GROSSE POINTE. 10PM brings us a double helping of Aaron Sorkin. As we press play on the under-appreciated gem that was SPORTS NIGHT, finishing off the hour with a condensed version of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. All the Sorkin greatness minus the parts where he gets too preachy and condescending.

Not one for the unemployment line, Somerville can now be seen playing Caitlin Dowd on ABC’s Wednesday night guilty pleasure CASHMERE MAFIA. And recently, was kind enough to take some time from her schedule to chat with reporters about her her role on MAFIA, being Darren Star’s unlucky charm and the inevitable comparisons to that other show about four beautiful New York women.

GROSSE POINTE and KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL were two of my favorite shows ever. It quite literally pains me to think that they had such short runs! What happened?
Bonnie Somerville: I’m still not over GROSSE POINTE. The show has such a fanatical fanbase. People just love that show. I’ll never be over it. It was one of the greatest written shows, but clearly ahead of it’s time. Before MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE and SCRUBS single camera half hour comedies were rare. And the WB which aired it, didn’t believe in it.

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL was also a blast. FOX only aired three episodes. No one got to see it, it was really hard. The cast was so close.

CASHMERE MAFIA is your third Darren Star show. Where are you hiding the incriminating photos?
I don’t know why he keeps hiring me. All of the shows keep getting cancelled! But he’s been very good to me. Most people in Hollywood say they like you, but he puts his money where his mouth is. I’m very lucky.

The success of the show really hinges on the chemistry between your co-stars. Did you know any of the actresses prior to shooting?
None of us knew each-other, but we did spend a lot of time together in New York shooting the pilot. A lot of lunches, dinners, we had so much fun on the set. We definitely had a lot of days where we got into trouble for laughing too much.

You play a high powered New York executive, how did you go about researching the role?
I’m from New York and my Mom is an investment banker, so I sort of grew up in that world. My character is loosely based on Sally Sussman, who heads up the Estee Lauder corporation and I met her and presented her with an award. She is an openly gay woman executive in the cosmetic industry. I got to know her a bit and she’s one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met.

What’s it like wearing costumes designed by Patricia Field?
I definitely love clothes, but not quite to the degree that this show has taken it to. It’s all new for me. Patricia Field (the award winning costume designer responsible for Carrie and the gang’s trend-setting ensembles on SEX IN THE CITY) she just puts these things on you and they work. In real life I’m a jeans girl. But the best part of the show is all the shoes that are sent to us. I’m a shoe addict for sure.

What are your thoughts on the inevitable comparisons to NBC’s LIPSTICK JUNGLE?
Most people want to pit us against LIPSTICK JUNGLE, but we never really talk about it. We knew we’d get the SEX AND THE CITY comparisons because of Darren Star, four woman and New York. But the longer you watch the show the more you realize it has nothing to do with the show. They couldn’t be more different.

Fans won’t want to miss tonight’s season finale of CASHMERE MAFIA (10PM, ABC, E! in Canada) as Somerville promises that, “there’s definitely a cliffhanger ending as far as the whole sex thing and what team my character’s choosing.”

Or for a more up close and personal experience, head on over to the Pebble Beach Invitational on February 9th, 2008. In her spare time (which thanks to the WGA strike, she’s had quite a bit of!) Somerville helps raise money for charity alongside Greg Grunberg, James Denton and Hugh Laurie as part of BAND FROM TV.

Introducing a TV Addict First — VIDEO! No not that kind of video, please people, get your head out of the gutter. This video is actually the first two minutes from one one of television’s one season wonders — Darren Star’s short-lived WB gem GROSSE POINTE. GROSSE POINTE is a phenomenal behind-the-scenes-satire that chronicles the on-screen and off-screen drama of five attractive ‘teens’ as they deal with all the trappings of being on a hit show. There’s dumb stud Johnny (ex-model Al Santos), terminally insecure Marcy (Lindsay Sloane, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch), fresh-faced Courtney (Bonnie Somerville, NYPD Blue), scheming Hunter (Irene Molloy, Andy Richter Controls the Universe), and 30-year-old teen Quentin (Kohl Sudduth channeling Luke Perry).

The series is currently available exclusively at Amazon.com for a mere $21.36 and is the perfect holiday gift for the TV Addict in your life.