Former Miami Vice star Don Johnson is returning to NBC. After lengthy negotiations, Johnson just closed a deal to star in the network’s drama pilot from Michael Patrick King A Mann’s World. In the vein of Shampoo, the project, from Warner Bros. TV, centers on Allan Mann (Johnson), a 50something handsome and sexy straight Beverly Hills hairdresser who is struggling to stay young and relevant in a place where looks are everything. Not ready to give up his passion for what he does, he rolls the dice and risks it all to expand his beauty empire by purchasing the building next door to his salon to transform into a day spa. Johnson was the an early choice for the role and the first to get an offer for it.
Nash Bridges alum Johnson’s most recent regular TV gig was on the WB series Just Legal. Last year, the actor, repped by Gersh and Untitled, co-starred in the ABC pilot Southern Discomfort, did an arc on HBO’s Eastbound & Down and appeared in the movies Machete and When In Rome.
I read this pilot and thought it was a joke
honestly one of the worst pilots i have EVER read
i am stunned that anyone would pick this thing up
3 words for anyone who read this
Snip. Snap. Snur
unbelievable
read it and agree.
it’s so bad. I kept waiting for something, ANYTHING, to happen and it didn’t.
If this ever see the light of day, I will be stunned
I’m sure penalties were attached.
Agents sent this script around to clients because it was notoriously bad. Evidently it’s an old idea MPK tried to sell HBO and they passed. So he dusted it off for NBC.
Don Johnson playing a hairdresser? Ah, geez how lame. Why would he settle for such a crappy role?
He’ll always be Miami Vice’s Sonny who had sex with his real-life ex-wife, Melanie Griffith while investigating her character for operating a prostitution ring.
He will always be the sexiest man alive. I would not kick him out of my bed!!
Great casting choice.
Why would Bob Greenblatt pick this up if it was a bad script?
There was a big financial penalty attached if they passed on it.
Then why can’t Bob demand changes to the script?
Can’t polish a turd.
At least it’s a semi-original idea but this premise sounds dreadful.
Because Bob Greenblatt is not God and everything he touches doesn’t turn to gold. He’s a decent exec, but that doesn’t mean he has full proof taste in scripts. No one does. This script is ridiculously inane.
He tried to pass, but Warner Bros demanded that he pay the very stiff financial penalty so he relented. Same with Wonder Woman. It seems the only way Warner Bros got anything picked up by NBC this year is by enforcing big dollar penalties the previous administration agreed to.
I would watch him read the phone book. But he does seem to have trouble finding the right projects. Then they cancelled his last series after three shows. It was hard to watch him play a father figure. I guess they didn’t do much meet research.. But the show was well done and should have been given a chance. They almost cancelled Seinfeld the first year!
Opening up a day spa? How 1990’s.
Does he wear a cowboy hat like Jose Eber? If you’re going to use a bunch of tired cliches, might as well go for broke.
Actually, they approached both Dennis Quaid and Val Kilmer before D. Johnson.
The script should be about a hairdresser guy who meets a world famous singer, use her fame to his on advantage and later on becomes a movie producer and then fails as a corrupt studio head. So basically Jon Peters’ life.
And the truth shall be known.
The PR hacks don’t stand a chance against Deadline/Nikki and all of you who take the time to tell the truth behind the spin. THANK YOU!
Bitter table for 5.
Any of you sale a pilot this year?
Let’s see what happens maybe it will be great.
The Comeback was brilliant and Sex and the City a Worldwide success.
He must know something!
They say a story is written 3 times. 1st by the writer, then again by the actors, and then again by the editors. But I think a story is written a 4th time by the VIEWERS, which given this show’s come out on top: creator/writer/producer/director Michael Patrick King, it will indubitably have.
You are clearly an actor, only naive actors would put their names on these comments.
As I strongly disagree with you, this might still be one of the more well said comments I’ve seen on here from actors.
Hire Saundra Santiago.
Get the young and old audience.
There is no bigger hack in this business than Michael Patrick King. What a fraud.
Well, now that all the Nay Sayers have voiced their 2 cents what about someone that says something positive? When a show like this one comes along with the idea of a 50 something star in his 60s, you have to think WHO IS going to buy ad spots? Is this going to be sponsored by Sears Craftsman, or some Poofy Cologne for men?
Try to think positive. Just maybe the reason he held out so long is that he got approval rights???? Hopefully after all this time in the Biz this guy will know what stinks and wont settle for crap.
Hmm, don’t know about the premise but I LOVE Don Johnson, still after all these years. He was amazing on Miami Vice (still watch the repeats on late night cable TV) and very good on Nash Bridges. So I guess I’ll be watching. Can’t pass up a chance to watch DJ on TV again. I’m a fan.
I’m with Don on this too!
Love Sonny Crockett but premise sounds horrible. Maybe Philip Michael Thomas can man another stylist chair?
Are you kidding me?? Sounds like people
Are writing negatively to try and destroy
The project. Frankly, I have read the script and it’s great!!! I LOVE Michael Patrick King and
He’s a wonderful writer/ director…
I think this is going to be a huge hit!!
Sure beats all the crap out there on tv now..
Too bad it won’t be on HBO.. That would be a perfect network for this.. Now they gave to go G rated!!
My hats off to MPK… Good luck.. It’ll be a winner!
Cant wait to it .you go donny
Dont even start hating on James Sonny Crockett. DJ can pull off anything and you arent the first group of folks that thought something was gonna bomb. Here are just a few gems that the public thought would bomb
MASH –
Sopranos
Entourage
Lost
Sons Of Anarchy
Jersey Shore
Heroes
SO, keep your yaps shut and give Don his due. He can pull this off
I agree, very excited to have something fun to watch again. Go DJ!
Been waiting a long time for DJ to get back to TV. OMG a sexy straight hairdress/business owner, what the heck is wrong with that. He is fine and the women will go wild. Anything that takes the place of a reality show gets a thumbs up. I miss fun TV shows. A change will be welcome. There are a lot of creative stories that can come from a straight business owner trying to succeed in Hollywood, if they don’t lean on the gay thing to much, Tv is saturated with that already. Give us a mix of comedy and drama on this one. I will watch DJ, no matter what he does. BRING IT !
Iam with donna,mspal & liz! I will watch any show with Don Johnson
in it. He is very fine. Will always be .
I agree with Donna, I’m SICK of reality TV and look forward to being entertained again. Don Johnson was always a favorite and I hope this turns up to be another smash hit for him.
If given a chance DJ could make a hit out of Miami Vice, or Nash Bridges, oh thats right he did, glad he’s back.
Did a review of the pilot. Talk about stupid! Don’t think I would have made it to the first commercial before changing the channel
Sheesh. Anything new that is not a cop/lawyer/csi drama should be considered. They solve complicated cases in an hour! ‘Y all should not be surprised by a straight hair dresser in Hollywood.
Don Johnson could make any script come alive. I only watch shows or movies because he stars in them. I really liked Guilty as Sin. Don is a great actor. I’m glad to see he’ll be back on tv. I miss Nash Bridges too. I always look forward to seeing Don on tv.
Kim