New show: Rita Moreno, Jimmy Smits are raising 'Cane'
Posted: Thursday, July 19, 2007 5:09 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Jimmy Smits is technically the star of "Cane," but for me, Rita Moreno steals every scene she's in. She stole Wednesday's panel on the new show, too -- at 75, she's won an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy, one of only nine people to have done so. Energy still lights up her face and her voice, and it's hard not to hear her speak without thinking of one of her famous roles, from "West Side Story" to "Oz" to "The Electric Company." HEY YOU GUUUUUUUUUYS!"
But wait, this entry was supposed to be about "Cane," a new CBS drama focusing on a Cuban-American family in South Florida who are insanely wealthy thanks to sugar and rum interests. So, OK. "Cane" did not do a lot for me, except remind me that "Dallas" and "The Godfather" were a long time ago, and it's not easy to throw them in a blender, make the famliy Cuban for a twist, and have a great epic come out.
"Cane" covers three generations of the family, with Rita Moreno and Hector Elizondo as the grandparents, Jimmy Smits representing the generation now in power, and a bunch of young good-looking actors as the spoiled, Paris Hilton generation, described by producer Jonathan Prince as "born on third base, but think they've hit a triple."
WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW
Creator Cynthia Cidre said the original idea was about a Mexican family in the food business. But Cidre herself is Cuban-American, with a father who began in the U.S. working at a 7-Eleven and moved up to be a sugar chemist. (I didn't know there were "sugar chemists," but why not?) She drew from her own life, then, to create the background of the revamped show, which some are calling a "Latino 'Godfather'."
EAT YOUR HEART OUT, JOAN COLLINS
This direct quote is one example of why I love Rita Moreno: "As a Latina, it's so important for me to remind you of why this is important to many of us and particularly to the two older members of the cast. It's the first time, as far as I know, that you will ever see a successful, educated, beautifully dressed, articulate Latino family who don't necessarily talk
laik dis (said in heavy stereotypical Latino accent). Very important. I can't tell you what that means to me. I'm 75. I've been around a long time now. And if nothing else, I am pleased beyond belief that I actually am going to have gorgeous clothes. Joan Collins, ha-ha-ha-ha!"
'AMERICAN DREAMS' GETS A MENTION
"Cane" producer Jonathan Prince was also a producer of my beloved "American Dreams," a show I know many of you also still miss. He was asked about that canceled show's unseen finale. Prince seemed happy to talk about the acclaimed show, but didn't really have an answer. "I think we're going to do it online," he said. "I think that's the way to do it."
OFFER THEY CAN'T REFUSE
In answer to the many "Godfather" comparisons, Prince said "we often said that anything in "What iif Marlon Brando's character had given the business to Michael but Sonny was still alive and pissed and Fredo was not a moron. Maybe that's our show!"
DID HE GET 'LOST'?
Nestor Carbonell plays Dr. Richard Alpert, one of The Others on ABC's hit "Lost," but now has a fulltime role on "Cane." He was asked if this meant his "Lost" character would not be returning, but he hedged a bit, saying he was committed to "Cane," and any future "Lost" appearances would be "up to the powers that be."
GAEL'S GRADE: I give "Cane" a C-plus. But Rita Moreno always gets an "A."
