I am still mad that NBC has canceled the Christian Slater vehicle My Own Worst Enemy. Any time I like a new show, it seems, it gets canceled before it ever has a chance. Some examples include: Daybreak, Journeyman, Moonlight, and The New Amsterdam. I refuse to believe that I am some kind of a bad luck charm, but Tim Roth in the upcoming FOX show Lie to Me? Better watch your back.
Even though I have been a Christian Slater fan since he and I were both teenagers, Slater is not the only reason I am angry about the cancellation of Enemy. Mike O’Malley is the best-kept secret on that show. O’Malley plays the dual role of the happy, dumb-looking Tom Grady and the cold-blooded Raymond Carter.
Even though I wouldn’t call O’Malley’s transitions from Tom to Raymond anything like subtle, I actually find O’Malley’s characterizations of both Tom and Raymond more fleshed out and more distinctive than Slater’s portrayal of Edward and Henry. It’s actually really unfair that O’Malley doesn’t get more attention and billing on the show, considering that he has just as much of a dual role as Slater does.
O’Malley’s career has included a long run as a playwright. He has had three plays published; the most recent, “Searching for Certainty” was produced in Los Angeles in 2003.
His television career has included stints on Life With Roger, The Rick, and Yes, Dear. I admit that this is the first time I’ve seen O’Malley. I think that because I had no pre-conceived notions of the actor, I found his portrayal of Tom Grady pretty convincing. And after I was introduced to Raymond, I was even more impressed with his portrayal of Grady. Grady always has a nervous smile about his lips, so it’s hard to imagine his placid face in a hardened expression. Well, it’s hard to imagine until Raymond is onscreen; at those moments, it’s equally hard to remember Tom Grady.
Slater’s portrayals of Edward and Henry seem murkier; I can usually tell Henry and Edward apart, but I don’t view them as nearly as distinctive as Tom and Raymond. And while I don’t have a problem with murky, for some reason, I really need the clear distinctions O’Malley provides. I think he’s a terrific actor, and I hope he finds work quickly after Enemy. Maybe Tim Roth can get him a job on Lie to Me….
But what do you think? Do you like O’Malley or Slater better on Enemy?
Clacked by Jen Creer
on Dec 08, 2008 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
I didn’t watch past the first episode, but I commend you on your recognition of O’Malley. I know everyone panned Yes Dear, but it was Mike O’Malley and the gal who played his wife that made the show. He had some great lines, and has the delivery to serve them well.
I hope something big is in his near future. He is not only deserving of it, but has the talent and range to back it up.
Isn’t that the guy from Nick GUTS?