Whoopi Goldberg is mostly known for her role on daytime talk show “The View”, which sometimes requires her to get down and dirty with the guests (see: Ann Coulter). But she’s only been on a few television shows in the past year, taking on small parts with “Glee”, “Suburgatory”, and “The Middle”. The producers of “666 Park Avenue” want that to change and say they wrote a role just for her.
“Whoopi’s an incredible actor, so when we heard that she was a horror fan, we wrote the role for her,” said executive producer David Wilcox. He added that she’ll play “a mysterious resident of the Drake who helps Jane unlock the secret of the building’s true evil origins,”
Goldberg has been suffering along with thousands of New Yorkers who dealt with massive flooding and power outages during Hurricane Sandy, telling TMZ recently that she’s trying to put her life back together.
“I’m just trying to get my s**t rebuilt,” she said.
666 Park Avenue, which is based on the popular novel by author Gabriella Pierce, is scheduled to debut on ABC this fall. The show explores what happens when a young couple moves into an apartment complex that may or may not be the home of nefarious demonic forces. Although I’m not the biggest fan of the shows “Pretty Little Liars” and “Gossip Girl”, the producers seem to be taking this program in a direction that appeals directly to my love of the supernatural. Sure, it might be just another sexed-up drama with some demons thrown in for good measure, but, sadly, that’s enough to ensnare my attention. I’m not ashamed of that.
Of course, the film’s impressive cast is another reason to give this particular show some attention. In addition to featuring “Lost” alumni Terry O’Quinn and the lovely Vanessa Williams, the program will feature Dave Annable, Rachael Taylor, Robert Buckley, Mercedes Masohn, Helena Mattsson, and Samantha Jade Logan. Although those names don’t mean anything to me, I’m sure someone out there is excited about their participation in the ABC production.
At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, several individuals got a chance to see a screening of the show’s pilot. If their reactions are any indication of the show’s actual worth, then this could be one of the dramas to watch this fall. Keep in mind, of course, that these opinions come straight from the folks in attendance, so their positive remarks may have something to do with the fact that they were at freaking Comic-Con. Excitement has a way of clouding one’s judgment. I’ve been there many times myself. However, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.
“his was a good concept. The cinematography looked cool and the play on history [with] the occult was cool. I’d recommend it [to fellow Lost fans] because [O’Quinn] still has that same style of acting,” one person said after the screening. Another added, “I liked Terry O’Quinn. It wasn’t really that frightening, [but] there were definitely things [in the pilot] that I want to find out more about, and hopefully I’ll watch the rest of it.”
Of course, not everyone was overly impressed with the show’s sexy supernatural offerings. “It’s a little slow for me. I’m not really engaged with the mysteries at all or the people. I kinda don’t care. [The acting] was fine. I mostly saw it for Terry O’ Quinn; he did okay. [The character] is no Locke, though,” one spectator commented.
“666 Park Avenue” will air Sundays at 10pm EST on ABC.