Alexander To Brave the "Seinfeld Curse" Again
Jason Alexander is set to star in his second post-Seinfeld series, playing Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser in Shut Up and Listen, the Washington Post reported today (Thursday). Although the sitcom is reportedly based on Kornheiser's writings, the columnist side-stepped questions from fellow Post columnist Lisa De Moraes about whether he will also serve as a consultant on the series, saying that all he wants is one of those jackets with the leather sleeves and the name of the studio on the back. Alexander, meanwhile, told the Hollywood Reporter that the role "feels really right." He flopped last year in a sitcom called Bob Patterson, in which he played a self-help guru. He currently is starring on stage as Max Bialystock in the Los Angeles production of The Producers.
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---- Alexander to play 'Interruption' co-host in sitcom
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"Who am I?"
"You're Tony Kornheiser."
Then who's behind the mask?
It's Jason Alexander, who's going to play the Washington Post columnist and co-star of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" in a CBS sitcom pilot.
You've got to be kidding.
No, it's true. At least that's what the Post reports in a story published Thursday.
"Shut Up and Listen," to be based on Kornheiser's columns in the Post's Style section about his real life, was developed for CBS's fall lineup. However, it was delayed, perhaps until spring or next fall, according to the Post, because CBS and the production company couldn't find the right Kornheiser.
John Goodman was considered, but "is no Tony Kornheiser," notes the Post. "Jason Alexander, on the other hand, practically is Tony Kornheiser," according to the Post.
It's easy to picture Alexander behind the Kornheiser mask, sitting opposite Michael Wilbon, pulling off one of PTI's recurring shticks. True, Alexander's shorter, but who notices when they're sitting down?
What is noticeable is that they have "the same hair," as Kornheiser acknowledged to the Post. And, anybody who knows Kornheiser knows that he and the George Costanza character played by Alexander on "Seinfield" are similarly neurotic, too.
The Kornheiser character is named Tony Kleinman in the pilot script. He's a sports journalist with two teenagers who, according to DeKoven, "is very comfortable in the world of sports but uncomfortable in the world of parenting."
The show was developed by longtime Kornheiser friend and former NBC exec Lindy DeKoven, who will be executive producer. She wanted Alexander from the start. "He was among the first people we even thought of; he seems like he fits the role," DeKoven told the Post. "Tony, as you know, is not the easiest guy -- this is not tall, dark and handsome. Just say it wasn't an easy role to cast."