Richard Biggs

This remarkable 3 part series is so beautifully mounted and performed it screams the question: why can’t American-based producers & studios compare, match the original UK source material? Is it because our country hasn’t found its own Agatha Christie? Obviously, the answer is no! Has America devoted too much time to The Method style of acting and not enough of the famous British version of creating memorable characters in print and on the screen? The answer is jumbled up in there somewhere but why go to these lengths to find it? Start with the opening scene of this marvelous series and bathe yourself in the textures of language, acting and cinematic arts, you will fall in love with the answer.

Suits LA is our new found gem! The writing is superior and the cast is well above the standard for this genre. It was quite the surprise for the subject matter and the cast gives us a few levels of both heartfelt moments and characters you love to hate. In between are a few cameos of well known actors as well. It is quite a ride and it deserves another season.

Norah O’Donnell is too stiff and extremely unapproachable. She is professional but appears too stilted and programmable. I would rather watch another station in the evening, but NOT Fox!! Jeff Glor was my favorite and is the only reason I watch CBS on Saturday Morning. He and his two journalist female reporters are very real but not wooden. The three professionals on Saturday Morning have a naturalness that is much more satisfying when absorbing the news which may be serious or light.

Clarice is a confused mash of themes which do not connect. It is too melodramatic, too over produced and lacks cohesion. It obviously doesn’t know which direction it wants to go. I would give examples but instead I ask you to watch 10 minutes of any similar drama from the BBC or Aussie produced thriller. Just 10 minutes of any of those productions will be more enchanting & superior to any 60 minute episode of Clarice. Should no be renewed. It is unwatchable.

Intelligent, writing is above average but the acting is little rigid. I believe it requires more than a few episodes for evaluation.