By Susan Guynn
News-Post Staff
Originally published November 27, 2009

Just a few days after veteran actor and Frederick native Shawn Hatosy got a sneak peek at the first episode of his show “Southland,” NBC canceled it. The second season was set to debut in October, but the network pulled the plug telling the Associated Press the police drama was being replaced in its Friday night time slot by “Dateline NBC.”

Executive director John Wells, of “ER” fame shopped “Southland” to other networks. To the rescue: Cable network TNT, who said it will bring the cop drama back next year, with plans to air all six episodes that were shot by NBC, as well as the seven episodes from the first season. “Southland” is scheduled to air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. beginning Jan. 12.

On “Southland,” Hatosy plays Detective Sammy Bryant, assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department’s gang activity division.

“I was very proud of the (season two first) episode,” Hatosy said when he learned NBC dropped it. “(The show) is what they told us it was going to be — an authentic LA cop show. The show was balanced. Every department was at their best.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC pulled the show citing its content was “too dark and gritty for broadcast TV, especially for 9 p.m.” The 10 p.m. weeknight slot is filled by “The Jay Leno Show.”

Continued at http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_ent.htm?StoryID=98341

Ben McKenzie hits the red carpet at the GQ “Men of the Year” Party at L.A.’s Chateau Marmont on Wednesday (November 18).

The 31-year-old actor, who wore John Varvatos to the soiree, rubbed elbows with Amanda Seyfried and Jessica Stroup and spoke to JustJared.com about how his character is evolving on the recently saved Southland.

“He actually gets more comfortable in the police force, but…he’s starting to go down a little bit of a rough path,” Ben shared. “Some of the things he’s seeing on the job are starting to affect him personally and affect his ability to handle that emotionally.”

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/11/23/ben-mckenzie-speaks-about-his-southland-role/#ixzz0XkTxR1jq

Thanks to @pinelou for the story tip!

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