"Action" (1999) TV series 1999-2000

Creator:

Chris Thompson
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

16 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

In Hollywood you're only as good as your last flick, and Dragonfire Films exec Peter Dragon has hit...

Plot Keywords:

Critically Acclaimed | Black Comedy | Satire | Name Dropping | Limousine Driver

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jay Mohr	...	Peter Dragon (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Illeana Douglas	...	Wendy Ward (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jarrad Paul	...	Adam Rafkin (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jack Plotnick	...	Stuart Glazer (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Buddy Hackett	...	Uncle Lonnie (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lee Arenberg	...	Bobby G. (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Fab Filippo	...	Holden Van Dorn (6 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Directed by
John Fortenberry		(2 episodes, 1999)
John Whitesell		(2 episodes, 1999)

Series Writing credits
Chris Thompson		(13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Don Reo		(3 episodes, 1999)
Will Forte		(2 episodes, 1999)
Adam Hamburger		(2 episodes, 1999)
David Hamburger		(2 episodes, 1999)
Ron Zimmerman		(2 episodes, 1999)
James Vallely		(2 episodes)

Series Produced by
Barry Katz	....	executive producer (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Don Reo	....	executive producer (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Joel Silver	....	executive producer (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Chris Thompson	....	executive producer (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Vahan Moosekian	....	supervising producer (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Mark Nasser	....	associate producer (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
James Vallely	....	consulting producer (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Ron Zimmerman	....	co-executive producer (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brian Volk-Weiss	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Paul Buckley		(13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jonathan Wolff		(13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Cinematography by
Paul Maibaum		(12 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Film Editing by
Ivan Ladizinsky		(6 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jonathon Braun		(6 episodes, 1999)

Series Casting by
Brett Benner		(12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Debby Romano		(12 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Production Design by
Carlos Barbosa		(12 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Set Decoration by
Kristin Peterson		(13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Costume Design by
Jane Janiger		(13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Makeup Department
Susan J. Kelber	....	hair stylist (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Martha Preciado	....	makeup artist (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael Reitz	....	hair designer: Illeana Douglas (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Jeffrey M. Zeitlin	....	unit production manager (13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Scottie Gissel	....	second assistant director (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brad Michaelson	....	first assistant director (8 episodes, 1999)
Richard T. Schor	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1999-2000)
Steve Lonano	....	second second assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Thomas R. Cahill	....	property master (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Richard J. Bayard	....	construction coordinator (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
James Diggs	....	lead painter (unknown episodes)
Holiday Landa	....	art department coordinator (unknown episodes)
Jared Scardina	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Dennis Winters	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Robert Crozier	....	sound editor (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Yervant Hagopian	....	utility sound (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael Fowler	....	sound mixer (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bob Arons	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
Kami Asgar	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
Bryan M. Cahill	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Paul Drenning	....	adr mixer (unknown episodes)
Matt Temple	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
Tim Tuchrello	....	assistant sound editor (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Damian Fisher	....	technician: Steve Johnson's XFX (unknown episodes)
John R. McConnell	....	pre-visualization: XFX Inc. (unknown episodes)
Steve Newburn	....	technician: Steve Johnson's XFX (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Monty L. Simons	....	stunt coordinator (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Rick Avery	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Gloria O'Brien	....	stunt double: Reagan (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Ron Newburn	....	light board operator (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
David A. Santos	....	dolly grip / grip (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Don Duffield	....	key grip (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Gary Haselbusch	....	gaffer (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Charles Papert	....	camera operator (8 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael-Ryan Fletchall	....	crane operator (2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Russell McElhatton	....	camera operator (2 episodes)
Bonnie S. Blake	....	camera operator: "b" camera (unknown episodes)
Louie DeMarco	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (unknown episodes)
Rocky W. Ford	....	grip (unknown episodes)
John Waldo	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Robyn Owen	....	casting associate (1 episode)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Howard Sussman	....	costume supervisor (1 episode, 1999)

Series Editorial Department
Anthony J. Rivard	....	assistant editor (8 episodes, 1999-2000)
John Allen Ross	....	post-production assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Warren Zevon	....	performer: theme song (13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Transportation Department
Phil Balani	....	production driver (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
J. Wesley Adams	....	transportation captain (10 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Other crew
Esther Himbaugh	....	script supervisor (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Eric Allan Lev	....	production staff / assistant: Chris Thompson (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Ed Lippman	....	location manager (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lisa Resnick-Doty	....	production staff / assistant: Chris Thompson (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Oliver Barnett	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Will Forte	....	story editor (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jordan Graubard	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Adam Hamburger	....	executive story editor (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
David Hamburger	....	executive story editor (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Joshua Krist	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brittany Levin	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lisa Martley	....	production coordinator (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Diane Mercer	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Julie Miller	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Cynthia Mariela Muñoz Jugo	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Adam Ross	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Benjamin Scissors	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brian Volk-Weiss	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michelle Wilkerson	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Gary J. Charlton	....	production accountant (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Steve Lonano	....	production staff (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Anthony J. Rivard	....	production staff (8 episodes, 1999)
Andy Pancho	....	production staff (7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Evo Rondini	....	production staff (7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jamie McGuire	....	production staff (5 episodes, 1999)
Zoran Rakovic	....	production staff (4 episodes, 1999-2000)
Kelli Sample	....	assistant: Gil Junger (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Christopher Thompson Productions
• Columbia TriStar Television
• Silver Pictures Television

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox Television
• Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (2001)
• Fox Network (1999-2000) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (Canada) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Television (2002-)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Hollywood Caterers  catering

Also Known As:

Dragon (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (13 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:Not Rated (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Christopher Thompson Productions

Trivia:

The original plan was to do a season that showed the making of "Beverly Hills Gun Club" and then actually show the finished movie on Fox.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: North by North Quahog (#4.1)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Even a Dog Can Shake Hands

Ahead of its time

If you like the current FOX TV series "Arrested Development" (perhaps even "Dream On") you would have liked FOX's "Action." Set in the intensely high-stress environment of Hollywood, this show had the same tone, feel and cynicism of "Arrested Development", but with humour a touch more risque - perhaps too risque for a 9:00 pm timeslot.

Critically well-received with decent reviews, the show was also aired on Bravo's "Brilliant But Cancelled" showcase. "Action" was simply too edgy, too offensive, and too jaded for its time, with wickedly dark humour and remarkable wit. In time it would have found its audience, but the plug was pulled too soon.

Those involved in the entertainment industry would, in particular, enjoy the loathsome humour and cynicism.

Rumour has it, it may be released on DVD.