Deal Point

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If I was Jon Hamm, I'd have it locked into my contract that for every film I do my hair has to be the exact same early '60s Mad Men coif every time out. Okay, I'd be amenable to longish '70s hair...fine. But I'd make it double clear that I'll never have to wear hair that looks like a raggedy wig based on Richard Burton's appearance in Becket.

Little Jaunt<< previous | next >>Repondez-moi honnetement

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 11, 2010 at 11:57 AM

comment #1

Eloi Manning says ...

It looks like he stuck his head in one of those face in the hole things you get at fairgrounds.

Posted by Eloi Manning at February 11, 2010 12:08 PM

comment #2

Circumvrent says ...

"A Film By Anders Anderson" is straight out of Tropic Thunder.

Posted by Circumvrent at February 11, 2010 12:11 PM

comment #3

BurmaShave says ...

yeah he looks like John McClane just broke his neck. I have a feeling this is something he shot before his Don Draper, or at least very early, and wishes it weren't being sold so heavily.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 12:14 PM

comment #4

lazarus says ...

Hamm has managed to be the coolest actor on television for a few years running now as well as the funniest SNL host in quite some time with his two appearances.

Quite a feat.

Posted by lazarus at February 11, 2010 12:25 PM

comment #5

George Prager says ...

They both look like they are auditioning for the lead in THE DON STROUD STORY.

Posted by George Prager at February 11, 2010 12:43 PM

comment #6

trimmer says ...

On a somewhat related note, Anders is one of the nicest and most genuine guys I've ever met in Los Angeles. He's worked really hard to get where he is. I'm happy for his success. (Oh, and I don't work for him)

Posted by trimmer at February 11, 2010 12:47 PM

comment #7

Geoff says ...

Hamm talks about how his hair is a problem, but Jeff's right, the Mad Men style is the only way to go.

Posted by Geoff at February 11, 2010 12:54 PM

comment #8

Phreaker says ...

There is nothing he could do to himself to make him UNcute.

Posted by Phreaker at February 11, 2010 12:57 PM

comment #9

DeeZee says ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLkIPt0VeYU

Posted by DeeZee at February 11, 2010 1:02 PM

comment #10

Josh Massey says ...

It really just looks like a bad, bad Photoshop job.

Posted by Josh Massey at February 11, 2010 1:06 PM

comment #11

DarthCorleone says ...

trimmer >> Agreed. Anders is a good guy.

Posted by DarthCorleone at February 11, 2010 1:09 PM

comment #12

Mark says ...

This sheet looks like a joke, and Hamm's presence is doing it no favors. His great work on SNL is in direct conflict with his effort to become a dramatic film actor. The same thing happened to Alec Baldwin, now basically a comedian on TV and supporting comic relief on film. People stopped taking him seriously.

Justin Timberlake similarly tainted his brand; how can someone take a new song at face value when it's so close to the feel of Dick in a Box?

Posted by Mark at February 11, 2010 1:14 PM

comment #13

DeeZee says ...

Mark: Justin Timberlake was always a shitty performer, and the only brand he had was ripping off New Kids on the Block and boinking Britney.

Posted by DeeZee at February 11, 2010 1:30 PM

comment #14

LexG says ...

I *always* think Hamm's hair looks like a toupee -- in this poster, in MAD MEN, on SNL, in interviews.

I have no evidence to prove this, but it never looks like natural hair in any form. Maybe it's a laser job... but something's off about it. Yes, even on MAD MEN.

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 1:34 PM

comment #15

Bill Bomp Whomper says ...

Supericial topic week continues unabated on Hollywood Elsewhere.

Does anyone really transition smoothly from hot-shit TV stardom to film roles?

Posted by Bill Bomp Whomper at February 11, 2010 1:39 PM

comment #16

longrunner says ...

Umm... glass houses... stones. Not a good idea, Jeffrey.

Posted by longrunner at February 11, 2010 1:39 PM

comment #17

lazarus says ...

Once again D.Z. chimes in on a subject where he clearly has no idea what the fuck he's talking about.

Go play in traffic, moron.

Posted by lazarus at February 11, 2010 1:39 PM

comment #18

LexG says ...

I'm still floored by DeeZee's contention that there are no post houses or non-memorabilia jobs in Hollywood or L.A. proper.

I could rattle off the names of at least six postproduction facilities and media companies within 6 miles of his house where he could apply for a dubbing bay or tape delivery job and probably get it, but he claims the only jobs in Hollywood are "tourist" related because he's never heard of anything else. Mystifying. Absolutely mind-boggling.

There's probably a dozen scripting and transcription houses within walking distance of his mom's basement.

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 1:44 PM

comment #19

DeeZee says ...

Lex: I didn't say there were none. They just aren't anywhere obvious. And by six miles within my house, you probably mean if I drive, since the only thing remotely related to the entertainment industry I've seen in Hollywood included an audio shop on Sunset, a building which plays country music or just advertises it, and the CBS studio which is mostly just there for tourists to catch various shows, without having to hoof it to the NBC place in Burbank, not hire would-be employers. BTW, I'm in WeHo, and the only establishments within walking distance from me are artsy-fartsy furniture places which are living off their fancy signs more than any actual patronage.

Posted by DeeZee at February 11, 2010 1:55 PM

comment #20

lipranzer says ...

Has anybody watched the trailer for this? The film is apparently rated R for "a scene of sexuality." Must be some scene.

Posted by lipranzer at February 11, 2010 1:57 PM

comment #21

George Prager says ...

There you go, DeeZee:

http://www.blockbuster.com/action/stores/storelocator/storeDetailMap?locationId=2672&positionNumber=1

Now do the right thing. We're rooting for you.

Posted by George Prager at February 11, 2010 2:01 PM

comment #22

Mark says ...

"Does anyone really transition smoothly from hot-shit TV stardom to film roles?"

Yes. Lots and lots and lots of people.

Posted by Mark at February 11, 2010 2:04 PM

comment #23

dinovelvet says ...

Hamm appears to have morphed into Jason Isaacs.

Posted by dinovelvet at February 11, 2010 2:04 PM

comment #24

Gordon27 says ...

"And by six miles within my house, you probably mean if I drive,"

Yes, if you walk, it's at least twelve miles.

Posted by Gordon27 at February 11, 2010 2:04 PM

comment #25

LexG says ...

Jason Isaacs: Another guy who was almost completely bald 10-12 years ago (Armageddon, Event Horizon) but now has a dubious head of Piven hair.

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 2:08 PM

comment #26

DeeZee says ...

George: Been there, already. Fuckers didn't call back. But at least I got my pay-back, now that Netflix is putting them out of business.

Posted by DeeZee at February 11, 2010 2:13 PM

comment #27

DeeZee says ...

Oh, wait, I might be confusing them with another business which didn't call back. There are so many.

Posted by DeeZee at February 11, 2010 2:15 PM

comment #28

Bill Bomp Whomper says ...

"Yes. Lots and lots and lots of people."

Ok...Examples? TV first, like Hamm. Then movies.

Posted by Bill Bomp Whomper at February 11, 2010 2:25 PM

comment #29

LexG says ...

Just two recent examples concurrent with Hamm:

Bradley Cooper was a TV-only hack for YEARS, and now through some magical miracle of agency prodding, is apparently some kind of huge international box-office superstar.

Also, it hasn't caught on yet, but that Alex O'Loughlin guy (from Moonlight, The Shield and Three Rivers on TV) seems to be getting some HUGE, out of nowhere push from someone on high to be a movie star.

I'd say it's worked out pretty well for Clooney, too.

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 2:31 PM

comment #30

televisiontears says ...

Guy #1: Blockbuster still hasn't called me.
Guy #2: Which one did you apply to?
Guy #1: The one that's six miles from my house if you drive.
Guy #2: Uhhh... that sucks. Sorry.
Guy #1: It's okay, I got my sweet payback on those jerks.
Guy #2: Really?! What'd you do?
Guy #1: Netflix is putting them out of business.
Guy #2: How is that your payback?
Guy #1: The only reason Avatar broke ten million domestic is because Cameron wore a blue tie to the premiere and the weather patterns in South Africa were fluctuating. Total fluke.

(Guy #1 throws a large stack of magazines into Guy #2's face.)

Posted by televisiontears at February 11, 2010 2:40 PM

comment #31

lazarus says ...

Bruce Willis.

Posted by lazarus at February 11, 2010 2:41 PM

comment #32

televisiontears says ...

Whomper, George Clooney has had a mildly successful film career.

Posted by televisiontears at February 11, 2010 2:42 PM

comment #33

BurmaShave says ...

yeah Hanks, Clooney... really weird question, Bill.

Mark, that is the weirdest interpretation of Alec Baldwin's career trajectory I've ever heard. That's a guy who blew off film stardom making poor choices and being a prick, but who had the saving grace of being extremely funny. Not to mention he got fat. None of those things is necessarily happening to Hamm.

Not to mention being perceived as a stone cold dramatic actor is probably a bit antithetical to stardom anyway, better to be a charmer like the aforementioned Clooney.

DZ, I'm not going to challenge you on Timberlake like I might some other things, but you're just as wrong. Good to know some of your hangups haven't been updated since 2001.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 2:44 PM

comment #34

Mark says ...

Clooney and Willis are the most apt comparisons but add-in Hanks, Di Caprio, Robin Williams, Denzel, Aniston, Eddie Murphy, Steve Carrell, Ben Stiller, Will Smith, Sandler, etc., etc., all the way down to Harrelson, Levitt, and the cutie from the 1st season of Survivor.

Posted by Mark at February 11, 2010 2:48 PM

comment #35

televisiontears says ...

Also, numerous SNL alum.

Posted by televisiontears at February 11, 2010 2:50 PM

comment #36

BurmaShave says ...

Don't forget surprising soap stars like Ray Liotta and Julianne Moore. Morgan Freeman. Pretty much everyone. Is Whomper a bot placed on here so we can all nerd out responding to such a dumb question?

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 2:51 PM

comment #37

Mark says ...

Burma, tell me that you don't look at this sheet, and say "c'mon, Hammy. you're putting me on, right? what's the joke?" the problem isn't just the hair.

Posted by Mark at February 11, 2010 2:52 PM

comment #38

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

It's somehow a little creepy that your internal monologue has the urge to call him "Hammy"...

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at February 11, 2010 2:57 PM

comment #39

BurmaShave says ...

not yet, no. SNL certainly showed me a different side of him but it also helped expand his image, which will help with the film career.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 2:58 PM

comment #40

adorian says ...

Clint Eastwood = Rawhide
Sally Field = Flying Nun/Gidget

Posted by adorian at February 11, 2010 3:00 PM

comment #41

Mark says ...

Jamie Foxx, Michael Douglas, and I'm just pulling from Best Actor winners..

Posted by Mark at February 11, 2010 3:05 PM

comment #42

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Johnny Depp technically got his start in film, but I don't think there's a person alive -- himself included -- that doesn't acknowledge the fact that if 21 Jump Street hadn't have broken him out, he may never have been the star he is today (or at least not as quickly, anyway...).

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at February 11, 2010 3:11 PM

comment #43

Gordon27 says ...

Jim Carrey!

Posted by Gordon27 at February 11, 2010 3:17 PM

comment #44

televisiontears says ...

Does Penny Marshall count?

Posted by televisiontears at February 11, 2010 3:24 PM

comment #45

dinovelvet says ...

David Caruso! Er, wait...

Posted by dinovelvet at February 11, 2010 3:43 PM

comment #46

MOGUL says ...

Does anyone really transition smoothly from hot-shit TV stardom to film roles?

Yes...Pee Wee Herman and The Rock.

Posted by MOGUL at February 11, 2010 3:59 PM

comment #47

trimmer says ...

John Travolta.

Posted by trimmer at February 11, 2010 4:08 PM

comment #48

kantcdick says ...

Little wonder that few women contribute to this circle jerks.

Posted by kantcdick at February 11, 2010 4:17 PM

comment #49

polarbear2 says ...

Julianne Moore and Morgan Freeman and Ray Liotta were never 'stars' when they were on TV. Nobody knew their names until they broke into film.

Posted by polarbear2 at February 11, 2010 4:34 PM

comment #50

MOGUL says ...

kantbdick, I'm sorry that you are frazzled by these comments. Being the gentleman that I am, I am offering one for you-

Dinah Shore.

Posted by MOGUL at February 11, 2010 4:36 PM

comment #51

dinovelvet says ...

Katherine Heigl, Mila Kunis, Jessica Biel.

Wait, that's a different list of mine, but coincidentally they all started on tv. Actually IIRC Heigl was in movies, then went to B-movies, then tv, and now is an A-list actress, so maybe she doesn't count.

Posted by dinovelvet at February 11, 2010 4:50 PM

comment #52

Eloi Manning says ...

It's funny how many movie stars are now coming back to TV. You can't blame them. Steve Buscemi is now the lead actor in a Scorsese-directed miniseries for HBO. I bet he gets paid nicely and doesn't have to play to kooky oddball in some Adam Sandler comedy for 15 minutes.

Posted by Eloi Manning at February 11, 2010 4:52 PM

comment #53

The InSneider says ...

"SECRETS FROM THE PAST DON'T STAY BURIED"

Honestly gang, how bad is that tagline? Secrets from the past... as opposed to secrets from the future? How many times are lazy marketers going to come up with some variation of "secrets don't stay buried." There must be dozens if not hundreds of movies that employ something alone those lines in their marketing materials. How can you accept payment for a hack job like that and keep a straight face?

Posted by The InSneider at February 11, 2010 5:10 PM

comment #54

Floyd Thursby says ...

You kiddies are too young to know that Steve McQueen was first to jump from TV.

With Hamm's resemblance to Clint Walker, he should do a western.

Posted by Floyd Thursby at February 11, 2010 5:23 PM

comment #55

kantcdick says ...

Senor Mogul, You are indeed a bonhomme! Thanks for the time'o'day...busy these days shovelling snow in the D.C. area. I get the drift though. A minnow swimming in a stream of shark fins. Show me the way to the next whiskey bar!

Posted by kantcdick at February 11, 2010 5:53 PM

comment #56

Josh Massey says ...

Warren Beatty.

Posted by Josh Massey at February 11, 2010 5:55 PM

comment #57

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Lee Marvin, James Garner, Pierce Brosnan, and whoever originally asked this question should be absolutely ashamed of himself by now.

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at February 11, 2010 6:23 PM

comment #58

orler says ...

Sorry but that poster makes this movie look like straight to video - and both guys really don't have anything unique about them - most people couldn't pick them out of a lineup. No reason to think Hamm is going to become a movie star. Some people are just better on TV - nothing wrong with that.

Posted by orler at February 11, 2010 7:01 PM

comment #59

KRush says ...

The TV-to-movie transitions were relatively quick--Mork from Ork was about 2 years old when Popeye came out, Hanks had 2 years with Bosom Buddies. Mad Men is superior television, and Hamm/Draper is going to be this decade's Frasier / Grammer. He'll make some movies, but he'll never make it.

Posted by KRush at February 11, 2010 7:49 PM

comment #60

90027 says ...

"Does anyone really transition smoothly from hot-shit TV stardom to film roles?"

practically the entire cast of Valentine's Day.

Posted by 90027 at February 11, 2010 8:20 PM

comment #61

LexG says ...

Pressing side issue: WHAT HAPPENED TO JOSH LUCAS for the last four years????

Guy went from a cool character actor and B-list McConaughey clone (American Psycho, Deep End, Undertow) to A-list leading man (Glory Road, Poseidon, Stealth)... Whether you liked him or not, those movies or not, his generally sleazy screen persona in his early stuff was distinctive, even if it made him probably an unlikely choice for square-jawed hero roles.

But at the very least if you look over his filmography, he had a stretch there were he was in movies that were consistently either interesting or high profile... I know Stealth and Poseidon kind of tanked, so has he been in Actor Jail for those two? They seem like the kind of thing that are star-proof so hard to believe he'd be held accountable for either... But how/why do you go from prolific multiple-movies-per-year A-lister to four years of wholesale obscurity and small-scale pics?

Did this guy piss someone off or did he just get sick of acting?

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 8:36 PM

comment #62

BurmaShave says ...

Those three movies were not A-list leading men work, and the second two tanked. That's pretty much what happened to him. Also he may have actually been lobotomized in SECTION 9

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 8:39 PM

comment #63

LexG says ...

I saw all three movies... You can argue that Kurt Russell is the "star" of Poseidon, fine... but he's very much the lead in Glory Road and Stealth.

He also RULES. But even when he was at his most prolific (Sweet Home Alabama, The Hulk, etc), I'd concede he's one of those guys who just happened to be in a lot of shit that did well, but nobody audience-wise ever knew who he was.

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 8:46 PM

comment #64

BurmaShave says ...

Those weren't A-list projects though, that was my point. Not to get too DZ. He's got great hair though.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 9:08 PM

comment #65

LexG says ...

Trust me, when you're LexG, movies don't GET anymore A-list/want-to-see than Stealth or Poseidon.

Posted by LexG at February 11, 2010 9:20 PM

comment #66

BurmaShave says ...

Haha gotcha.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 9:48 PM

comment #67

BurmaShave says ...

I forgot about The Biel in a jumpsuit.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 11, 2010 9:49 PM

comment #68

dinovelvet says ...

Josh Lucas did a pilot for Showtime last year, it didn't get picked up. I think he just got unlucky and picked the wrong big projects - when Poseidon and Stealth tanked, he lost that bit of heat and there were 10 other up and comers ready to take his place, e.g. Bradley Cooper, Patrick Wilson.

Posted by dinovelvet at February 12, 2010 1:50 AM

comment #69

BurmaShave says ...

I will say to his credit he was legit in his brief cameo in EMPIRE FALLS capturing something of a younger Paul Newman.

Posted by BurmaShave at February 12, 2010 2:36 AM

comment #70

Noiresque says ...

Jon Hamm is never going to be a dramatic leading man in the form of a cinematic A-Lister, just has January Jones will not be a leading lady. There is a reason both of them have been schlepping around Hollywood for at least a decade before breaking out in Mad Men. As appealing as they both are, the negative traits they possess as performers are turned around by their perfect casting in their defining roles. They are each a bit too sour, shrewd and edgy. Which are actually great attributes to play many characters, but not to become the next Tom or Julia.

Posted by Noiresque at February 12, 2010 3:25 AM

comment #71

Gordon27 says ...

If Hamm is lucky, maybe he can have Dominic West's career.

But I wish him all the best; I was recently in touch with a friend who Hamm helped get some fairly steady work based solely on a loose high school connection.

Posted by Gordon27 at February 12, 2010 4:01 AM

comment #72

medproof says ...

look at the masthead for HE. people who live in glass houses shouldn't talk about hair.

Posted by medproof at February 12, 2010 7:28 AM

comment #73

btwnproductions says ...

Lucas came across as vaguely oily and unpleasant in everything he did onscreen, which is fine for HULK but not so good for leading man roles. And he gave egomaniacal interviews, which are OK if you have the audience affection and boxoffice to back up the bloviating but a death kiss if you don't.

But--I've seen him onstage and he was fine. The stars may realign for him as a character actor.

Posted by btwnproductions at February 12, 2010 8:53 AM

comment #74

nemo says ...

"I forgot about The Biel in a jumpsuit."

Near the end of The Illusionist there was a scene of The Biel wearing some turn of the century riding pants that made it impossible for me to pay any attention to the dialog.

Posted by nemo at February 12, 2010 11:06 AM

comment #75