Strange Coincidence Dept.
I’m currently in the middle of watching the second season of 24 on DVD (breathlessly anticipating the fourth “day” starting in January).
I’m also in the middle of watching the third season of Gilmore Girls in reruns on ABC Family. And hopelessly trying to stave off the fourth season, which by most accounts is where it lost the plot, to use a charming British expression.
One of the subplots of 24 that season involved Jack Bauer’s daughter working as an au pair and trying to protect her little girl charge from an abusive husband and father. One of the subplots of Gilmore Girls in the third season involved Lorelai meeting a handsome, funny and quick new boyfriend.
I only realized this afternoon that the abusive father and handsome boyfriend are both played by the same actor, one Billy Burke by name.
Just more to feed my growing suspicion that from regular cast members to recurring guest stars, 24 had* the best ensemble dramatic cast working since The West Wing.**
*I say had because except for Kiefer Sutherland, none of the cast from the first three seasons are expected to return for the fourth. The newbies have some big shoes to fill.
**Gilmore Girls is no slouch in the casting department either, but it’s so much more of a comedy (or “dramedy” if you prefer) that you can’t really compare it to The West Wing or 24, in a sense.
