One of my favorite TV shows is THE CLOSER starring Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, an Atlanta transplant with the LAPD. Brenda trained with the CIA and is known of "closing cases" by forcing confessions from nefarious subjects. Brenda Leigh made her debut on July 13, 2005 on TNT. 2011 is her seventh and final season (the cast minus Kyra Sedgwick returns in 2012 for a spin off series. MAJOR CRIMES).
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| Brenda in action with Sgt. Gabriel |
The show broadcasts on Monday night in the summer. TNT fans to a few episodes before Christmas. As soon as I wake up on Tuesday morning, I call Mary Gramlich, The Reading Reviewer, to discuss the previous night's episode. Mary suggested we share our thoughts with our readers as many of you are also fans.
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| Brenda and Fritz |
Kim: This show would be nothing without Kyra Sedgwick. I remember her bursting on the scene in 1995 in two movies - PHENOMENON with John Travolta and SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT with Julia Roberts. Despite her acting resume, she was known as "Kevin Bacon's wife" until THE CLOSER. Kyra has won several awards, including the 2010 Emmy. What do you remember of Kyra Sedgwick before THE CLOSER?
Mary: I remember some of her earlier movies but I adored her in Something to Talk About and Phenomenon because she showed how a strong woman was in real life.
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| Kyra Sedgwick with John Travolta in PHENOMENON |
Kim: I followed the show after its premiere so I had to back track to reruns to understand how Brenda came to the LAPD, encountered hostility from her new squad, and even met Fritz. How about you?
Mary: I think the reason I watched the show was because I thought it was going the follow the premise of Michael Connelly's book The Closer with his Harry Bosch character. I wanted to see Kyra but also watch her close "cold cases". Well to my surprise that is obviously not the show on but this turned out to be soooo amazing. Watching the shows from the beginning again has shown me how much the entire cast has grown as actors and police officers as well.
My one memory of an episode is in August of 2006 laying next to my husband in the hospital watching the show the day after he had his stroke. He was having some trouble speaking and I had to talk him through some of it but it was the first day of recovery.
Mary: I think the reason I watched the show was because I thought it was going the follow the premise of Michael Connelly's book The Closer with his Harry Bosch character. I wanted to see Kyra but also watch her close "cold cases". Well to my surprise that is obviously not the show on but this turned out to be soooo amazing. Watching the shows from the beginning again has shown me how much the entire cast has grown as actors and police officers as well.
My one memory of an episode is in August of 2006 laying next to my husband in the hospital watching the show the day after he had his stroke. He was having some trouble speaking and I had to talk him through some of it but it was the first day of recovery.
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| Prevenza, Flynn, and Buzz |
Kim: Although the show emphasizes Brenda's determination, I appreciate the comic relief of Flynn and Prevenza. When they are focused, they are great detectives. When they are not, they often find themselves in trouble and Brenda bails them out. What other characters do you like from THE CLOSER?
Mary: I am a HUGE fan of Tao because he is such a geek and I am married to one of those so all the non stop chatter is funny. Brenda never gets what he is saying and wants him to "pick it up" which is really difficult when you are so excited about something. I also love Buzz because he reminds me of one of my sons with their sweet nature and trying to fit in.
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| Brenda and Tao |
Mahalo, Mary, for chatting about THE CLOSER. I look forward to continuing our discussion in Part 2 on December 31.
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| Brenda reaching into her desk drawer for stress release - chocolate! |
Mary in St. Louis wishes you Merry Christmas!
Kim on Pearl Harbor wishes you Mele Kalikimaka!
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| Happy Holidays! |
They moved THE CLOSER to an odd time, so I have not watched it for ages.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Kim and Mary ;)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Kim and Mary!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I've never watched The Closer.
Merry Christmas! I do love the Closer but have not watched it for a while.
ReplyDeleteI never got to watch the show either but she's a wonderful actress. I saw her on a talk show and she is leaving so there is going to be a spinoff of the show.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to everyone!!
Have never watched the closer.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
I love Kyra Sedgwick and the Closer, although I haven't watched it in awhile. No worries, though, because my daughter buys the series as soon as it becomes available!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all!!
Merry Christmas, gals. Y'all have such good taste--The Closer is a wonderful show.
ReplyDeleteA very Merry Christmas to Kim and Mary.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you in the New Year.
I love your sites and it is like visiting
a friend everyday.
Thanks for a super year.
I like the Closer it is a good show.
Did not get to watch the first time around, but have been watching reruns of the show and am loving them. Have a Merry Christmas. Love this site and look forward to coming back again.
ReplyDeletechristinebails@yahoo.com
Just finished an old rerun of THE CLOSER (She decides to let Fritz move in) and loved it. Thanks for reminding me of more of the show.
ReplyDelete