OKC Starring in TNT's "Grace"

[Kerry]

This is episode one, so give it some time. If this show runs for few years we will see how Hollywoods impression of Oklahoma changes. As for the charater Grace, she was a little ruffer than I like, but if you are going to save someone from the depths of disparity, they have to be in disparity. I actually like the show and I haven't watched a drama since ... well, actually I never have watched a drama series.

I did like the fact the little girl wasn't dead at the end. I think it might be a sign of things to come for Grace.

[bombermwc]

It would go a long way for me to see a skyline pan or flyover so people actually see the REAL okc. You see it on every other city-based series so why not ours?

[betts]

Looks like the show did well it's first night:

TNT Full of 'Grace' - Premiere draws big ratings behind 'Closer' - Zap2it

"TNT was on the side of the angels Monday night, drawing big ratings for the premiere of "Saving Grace."

The show, which stars Oscar winner Holly Hunter as a fast-living Oklahoma City cop, drew 6.4 million viewers for its premiere. That's the biggest audience for a cable series premiere this year, and in numbers of households, it's third all-time for a series debut on ad-supported cable, trailing only the premieres of "The Closer" in 2005 and USA's "The 4400" in 2004."

[Doug Loudenback]

My take on the 1st show (a mixed bag, for sure):

1. Any national TV about Okc is good TV. Publicity is publicity and it's good to get the city's name out.

2. I liked Holly Hunter's and Earl's performances ... good to see and clever, also.

3. I liked the "backup" ocpd crew ... esp. the Native American which lends an Oklahoma identity. The white guy was more or less "urban" even if not much of a "presence." The black ocpd captain was pretty cool, I thought.

4. The "stockyard" scenes struck me as authtentic ... not that many of from Okc pay that much attention to Stockyards City (even though it is most definately a very real part of our history and present) ... but it's genuine Okc whether you like it or not.

5. Some of the characters' names were "too cute." Kind of "high school," I thought.

6. Some, if not all, of the general stereotypes were, also.

7. The scenes at the Murrah Memorial brought tears to my eyes ... I'm still not over it. But ... most definitately ... part of Okc history, and it was handled well, I thought.

8. The scenes with the black convicted guy with Grace were good ... at the outset and then in the prison ... probably set the tone of much to come. And, I liked the inter-racial mix of Grace and the convict ... meaning, the lack of racial overtones in white-girl Grace trying to resussicate (sp?) the guy ... and their sharing of impressions at the prison. As far as I'm concerned, this is a "good" image to present for Okc.

9. Overall, everything struck me as somewhat "unjointed/disconnected" but maybe that will all come together. I was pretty sleepy, so I might revise this comment on "rewind."

10. Knock my socks off? No. I was certainly not "blown away." Perk my "story" interest? Yes. It may be taking a "slowly developing" approach, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I'd give it a "promising" but yet "unproved" storyline that may/may not be interesting to tell, and see.

[soonerborn]

The show was a lot racier than I imagined with its graphic sex scenes and language. However, I believe the audience was supposed to be disturbed by this woman and her behavior, thus making her salvation more satisfying. Very interesting twist with the inmate; almost X-Files-like in content.

I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more police work and OKC landmark shots, but this initial show was all about establishing the characters and direction of the series. Nice touch with the visit to the Memorial at the end.

I'll be watching next week.

[HOT ROD]

^ Me too.

For those that missed it, the first show will be on TNT again on Thursday.

I like how TNT will show it Mondays and Thursdays, so if you miss one day you can catch the other. I also like that it is on TNT HD at earlier times than regular TNT, at least out here in Seattle (dont know about in OKC tho).

[Drake]

The thing I found the funniest is the OKC police cars looked like they were taken straight from the set of TJ Hooker or Adam 12.

And the Louie's they went to during the show is little different from the Hal Smith Louie's.

[dismayed]

Cheesy like an episode of Walker Texas Ranger. At times I could have sworn I was watching a TBN-made-for-TV movie. I think I threw up a little bit in my mouth while watching the show just now.

On the positive side of things, at least they made the city seem like an okay, pretty place to live.

[jbrown84]

Yeah, the police station was shown in very urban area that looked like it could have been OKC.

[Shooterms]

Sorry, I tried to like this show, but just couldn't. The most realistic thing in the show is Earl's wings.
What's with the braid in Grace's hair, or the dye job on her partner? How about hunting deer with handguns, in the morning, getting paged to work, and then showing up with a buck strapped to the hood?

Nothing about this show looked or felt like OKC or Oklahoma.

[stereopro67]

If you are looking for some humor related to this show, check out this site:

Saving Grace » The Lost Ogle

I know a couple of the guys that run it. It's fun.

[stereopro67]

Saving Grace » The Lost Ogle

[metro]

Sorry, I tried to like this show, but just couldn't. The most realistic thing in the show is Earl's wings.
What's with the braid in Grace's hair, or the dye job on her partner? How about hunting deer with handguns, in the morning, getting paged to work, and then showing up with a buck strapped to the hood?

Nothing about this show looked or felt like OKC or Oklahoma.

Same here, I finally got to watch the first episode of this show. I tried to like it but it wasn't even cheesy at best. The acting was horrible and Holly Hunters (Grace) horrible Oklahoman accent kept coming and going. She seemed to be talking out the side of her mouth when she had the accent. Too much "cowtown" talk and people in cowboy hats. As shooterms said, the only realistic thing was Earls wings. I sure hope this show gets better. Perhaps an email campaign to the writer/producers is in order.

[okclee]

Holly Hunter's Oklahoman accent??

That is her natural accent, which is far worse then most Okies that live on the farm, and she always talks out of the side of her mouth. Although I haven't seen the show, and I won't be watching it either, Holly Hunter was on Jay Leno and her presence on that show was painful to watch. I am sure she is a nice person but her manerisms and the way that she talks , I had to change the channel.

[OU Adonis]

They had some nice skyline shots in the last episode. I thought it made OKC look nice.

[traxx]

The acting was horrible and Holly Hunters (Grace) horrible Oklahoman accent kept coming and going.

That's her real accent. She's talked like that ever since Raising Arizona.

[metro]

Shows how much tv I watch, especially Holly Hunter. Either way, I'm sure others like me who don't watch much tv or know Holly Hunter, will think it is her trying a hick Oklahoman accent.

[soonerborn]

^^

Not to jump on you, but I believe this is Hunter's first shot at TV, so she's recognized for her film work. In everything I've ever seen of her (I didn't watch "The Piano") she has spoken in her naturally strong southern accent. It's sort of what she's known for. So, I'd be really surprised if anyone thought she was hicking it up for her role as an Oklahoman. And, to be fair, I thought some of the characters on the show spoke without much of an accent at all.

[traxx]

^^

Not to jump on you, but I believe this is Hunter's first shot at TV, so she's recognized for her film work. In everything I've ever seen of her (I didn't watch "The Piano") she has spoken in her naturally strong southern accent. It's sort of what she's known for. So, I'd be really surprised if anyone thought she was hicking it up for her role as an Oklahoman. And, to be fair, I thought some of the characters on the show spoke without much of an accent at all.

I've never seen it either, but from what I understand, in The Piano she played a mute so I don't think she had much of an accent there.

[betts]

Cablers pick up more 'Burn,' 'Grace'By Nellie Andreeva

Cablers pick up more 'Burn,' 'Grace'

Aug 9, 2007

Two hot new cable series, USA Network's "Burn Notice" and TNT's "Saving Grace," have been picked up for a second season.

"Burn," starring Jeffrey Donovan, has been given a 13-episode order, while "Grace," toplined by Holly Hunter, has been picked up for 15 episodes.

Both shows hail from Fox TV Studios.

Following a solid premiere with 4 million total viewers (2.2 million in adults 25-52), "Burn" has showed growth, delivering its largest audience to date -- 4.4 million viewers (2.3 million in 25-54) -- last Thursday.

The series, which stars Donovan as a spy who suddenly finds himself blacklisted, is executive produced by creator Matt Nix and Mikkel Bondesen.


In its debut, "Grace" drew 6.4 million total viewers, making it the most-watched basic cable series premiere of the year. The drama, which stars Hunter as an Oklahoma City police detective who gets helps from an unconventional angel (Leon Rippy), held on to 86% of its lead-in, hit TNT series "The Closer."

To date, "Grace" has averaged 5.5 million viewers.

Nancy Miller created the series and is executive producing with Gary A. Randall and Artie Mandelburg.

[Karried]

I saw this last night on how You Tube has ruined this woman's career.

I wonder why?

She's interviewing Holly Hunter ..what a dork!


YouTube - TV Disaster

[metro]

Oklahoma City-set television series finishes season with top debut ratings

By Stefanie Brickman - 9/25/2007

Turner Network Television’s “Saving Grace” television series set in Oklahoma City completed its first season Sept. 17 outpacing other debuting primetime cable television series with nearly 5.3 million viewers.


Its closest competition, Lifetime Television’s “Army Wives” averaged 4.53 million viewers during its 13-episode season.


The new 15-episode second season will premiere in January, the Oklahoma Film and Music Office said in their August advisory report. The office says they “are working closely with producers to try and bring some of the filming to Oklahoma City.”


Series creator Nancy Miller is an Oklahoma City native and told OFMO that she hopes to film more Oklahoma locations in the second series. Throughout the first season, various cultural references to Oklahoma City crept onto the screen including Oklahoma Sooner football and various food items bearing Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler’s logo.


The first episode featured exterior shots of the Oklahoma National Memorial and a later episode featured an Oklahoma City mural.


“We continue to work toward bringing aspects of the Saving Grace production to Oklahoma," said Jill Simpson, Director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, in a statement. “However, that is a process requiring us to be able to match, dollar for dollar, what Fox Studios can achieve elsewhere. That translates to the state being able to offer competitive financial incentives and the possibility of product placement deals going forward. This show is important to us because a nationally broadcast episodic TV show set here presents an amazing opportunity for Oklahoma to showcase our attractions and update our image.”


Academy Award-winning actress Holly Hunter stars in the series as Oklahoma City Police Detective Grace Hanadarko.


Overall week-to-week ratings* for “Saving Grace:”

• July 23: 6.89 million

• July 30: 5.89 million

• Aug. 6: 5.37 million

• Aug.13: 5.18 million

• Aug. 20: 5.10 million

• Aug. 27: 4.91 million

• Sept. 3: 5.22 million

• Sept. 10: 5.22 million

• Sept. 17: 4.22 million


*Source: Turner Research from Nielsen Media Research data. Based on most current data available: Final Live + 7 (May 31 through Sept. 20) and preliminary Live + SD (Sept. 10 through 20). Premiere telecasts only.

[Karried]

Detective show's stars, creators to ‘Grace' the city with a visit

By Gene Triplett
Entertainment Editor

"The controversial cop drama "Saving Grace” may be shooting on the actual streets of Oklahoma City if a visit next week from the cast, key writers and producers is successful in raising $3 million to foot the bill.

Series star Holly Hunter, co-stars Leon Rippy, Laura San Giacomo and Bailey Chase, and the show's Oklahoma City-raised creator, Nancy Miller, will be part of a 22-member group arriving late Wednesday and early Thursday for a four-day tour of the metro area.

They are to meet with civic and business leaders aimed at raising money to finance location filming here.

"The primary reason for the trip is research, for the writers and the cast to really be on the ground here and get a feel for the place and get to know the place,” said Jill Simpson, director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office.

Fundraising is the secondary goal of the trip, Simpson said. Because of budget restrictions, the basic-cable show has used southern California and Canadian locations almost exclusively in its first season.

Producers are hoping to convince prospective corporate benefactors that putting the real Oklahoma City on the nation's home screens every week will work wonders for its image and economy.

"Basically, $3 million would secure a seven- to 10-day shoot in January, which would be to shoot enough footage of them on the streets of Oklahoma City to cut into the first six to eight episodes of season two,” Simpson said.

What's in it for the city?

Mayor Mick Cornett will present Hunter and Miller with keys to the city during a Thursday morning news conference at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel, said David Holt, the mayor's chief of staff. Afterward, Hunter and Miller will address a joint meeting of the board of directors and the advisory board of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.


"They're doing a lot for Oklahoma City, from an image perspective,” Holt said of the show and its producers. "I've seen all the episodes. The episode where Holly walked in front of a giant post card on a wall, and it said ‘Visit Oklahoma City,' six million eyeballs saw that ... So that's a great vehicle for us to have that kind of visibility.”

Chamber President Roy Williams said he would have to hear details of the production company's proposal before speculating on the business community's response.

"This is kind of unusual. It's not in the typical sense of sponsoring an event or sponsoring some athletic tournament because there's none of the ticket sales, retail sales, that kind of impact.

"That's not to say it's a bad idea. It's just to say, how does a business person go about thinking about this? I think it raises an opportunity potentially for some businesses, perhaps product placement within the show. Perhaps there are some companies or organizations or businesses who have a deep sense of interest in image promotion of Oklahoma City.

"So I think we have to tap into and share with the business community some very different opportunities that usually don't present themselves when you're dealing with these kinds of requests,” Williams said.

Miller, who grew up in Oklahoma City, said from Los Angeles she created the show as "my valentine to Oklahoma City.”

"To people who are offended, I understand that,” she said. "The show isn't for everybody. It's for adults, so you shouldn't watch it with your kids. I know why I'm doing the show, and I know I have nothing malicious in my heart and only good will for Oklahoma City.”

What's in it for the show?

Miller said she is proud of how Oklahoma City responded to the tragedy of the Murrah Building bombing in 1995, an event she feels has been almost forgotten by the rest of the country after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.


"I wanted to set something in Oklahoma City to show there's great people there,” she said.

"This is a great place to live, a great place to visit, there's a lot to us.”

Miller, who is also the show's executive producer, said shooting in Oklahoma City would also add more authenticity to the show and provide the city a chance to show off its most attractive landmarks, notable attractions and scenery.

"It's really hard to double Los Angeles for Oklahoma City,” she said. "Every street's got a ... palm tree on it with mountains in the background, and it's really difficult.

"We have some beautiful parts of Oklahoma City ... I want to see Grace rowing down the Oklahoma River.

"I want to see that Porsche going by the skyline downtown at Christmas time, how they light up the building with a cross. I want to see her Porsche driving past that,” Miller said."

Pretty cool! But a shoot in January??? NOOOOOO!! It's so cold and drab in January!

OH well, I'd take what we can get! Come on business leaders... pony up .. it can only help our tourism and business prospects if they do it correctly!

[jbrown84]

Yeah, it won't be very green, but the idea of her rowing by the Chesapeake Boathouse or walking with Laura San Giacomo through Bricktown are really appealing.

[Nixon7]

chase scene down the canal!