You Can't Be Filthy Rich without Getting Dirty

First, a few words from Dirty Sexy Money creator/executive producer Craig Wright:

"Hi.

Of all the myths about television, the biggest myth is that shows are created by individuals. Certainly ideas are born, sometimes, in a single brain. But in television, those ideas are almost immediately retooled in conversation with producers, studio and network executives, and, perhaps most fruitfully, actors, into new creations. By the time the show gets on the air, what you see is the product of literally thousands of people — including people just like you who watched the pilot in a shopping mall or test studio and registered an opinion.

This is a good thing.

I like this system because, like theater, another highly collaborative art form, it mimics so closely the way reality as we experience it is generated: a small plan, an immense multiplicity of voices, a generous helping of chaos — and then slowly but surely a new thing comes into being — something no single participant ever could have planned, something (hopefully) much, much greater than the sum of its parts.

So, as we launch into what will be the brief or very long life of this show, it's important to take a beat to thank a few people that made it possible. First and foremost, Greg Berlanti, executive-producer extraordinaire. I came to Greg with a family of characters and he said, "Why don't we put a lawyer at the center?" The show was born. Then, in conversation with Greg, his producing partner Melissa Berman and my assistant Sallie Patrick, the show gradually came into focus.

Then a host of very intelligent people from ABC Studios and ABC, the network itself, joined the conversation and helped us clarify the vision even further. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the studio and network both pushed us at every juncture to make the show more unique, less generic, more daring — DSM got stranger and stranger with every day.

And that was a good thing.

Enter Peter Horton, the amazing director who delivered Grey's Anatomy to the world, and the show changed again, finding a soul of relatable emotion and sincerity. Greg and I had always known the show needed to be real — not just a satire — but Peter made it happen. He cast the pilot and brought a spirit of humane passion to the process of putting the script on its feet. His work was a tremendous gift.

Then along came our truly amazing cast (you hear enough about them everywhere else), crack showrunner Josh Reims, who constructs the season-long arc and breaks stories, and a host of others - creative people like production designers Dan Leigh and Steven Wolff, costume divas Pat Fields and Roberta Haze, composer Peter Nashel...the list could go on for quite a while. Even this week, the family of co-creators continues to grow as my old friend Jill Soloway (an amazing writer I knew at Six Feet Under) has joined our staff to bring her inimitable blend of humor and heart to DSM. Long story short, if there is a creator of Dirty Sexy Money, it's not me.

And that's a good thing.

In this same spirit of cocreativity, here's more of the latest news on DSM from another important voice, our Writer's Assistant Dave Levin. Enjoy. And truly, thanks for checking in and watching the show. We don't take you for granted and your voices, as you register concerns and ideas on websites and blogs, will soon join the chorus as the creation of Dirty Sexy Money continues. Welcome.

Ladies and gentlemen... Dave Levin!"

OK, you all are probably wondering why the writer's assistant is helping write the "celebrity" blog about the show? I'm not sure. More importantly you might be asking, what is a writer's assistant? Good question. When the writers are outlining an episode, I'm the guy taking notes. Or at least I attempt to take notes; I'm a slow typist. Lately, there hasn't been a room because the producers have been so "busy," so my job has been reduced to checking MySpace 15 times a day and surfing Wikipedia. The random article function on that site is just stellar. Upon clicking the button just now, "Red-bellied Brucie" popped up.

Good times.

Anyway I'm here to tell you all about this little show I'm working on, which airs this Wednesday (at 10 pm/ET, on ABC), so lets get to it. Inspired by Wikipedia, I will also give you random facts about the characters and the actors who play them.

Dirty Sexy Money is a glimpse into the lives of the superrich. We see that even though they have this glamorous, glitzy lifestyle, they have problems just like us. Well... maybe not just like us.

Our premiere episode introduces us to the Darlings, the fifth-richest family in the world, told through the eyes of their lawyer, Nick George. Nick inherits the job from his father who dies in a mysterious plane crash. Nick's job is to keep those crazy Darlings out of trouble and out of the tabloids, while trying to keep his own family together. Nick is played by Peter Krause, and I'm telling you, not only can he act, but he owns an apple orchard and grows an outstandingly tasty apple.

Tripp Darling, played masterfully by Donald Sutherland, is the family patriarch, who sees Nick as the son he always wanted. Interesting fact about Donald: He's always donning Crocs, the odd-looking yet incredibly comfortable Swedish shoes. That's right people, I pay attention to footwear — real men do.

Letitia Darling, played by Jill Clayburgh, is the family matriarch, who has a big secret that she's kept for 40 years and it's bubbling up to the surface. I've introduced myself to her twice. She actually remembered that we had met already and I didn't. She probably thinks I'm an idiot and I'm not going to say she's wrong.

Moving on to the eldest son, Patrick Darling, the attorney general who is being groomed to be the next senator from New York. He's in love with a transsexual, played by the beautiful Candis Cayne. Candis, believe it or not, is more attractive than most of the women I've been with. Scratch that — all of the women I've been with. William Baldwin portrays Patrick Darling with perfect comedic timing. Billy is a huge fan of the Yankees and will talk your ear off about them, not that that's a bad thing — unless you're a Red Sox fan.

Glenn Fitzgerald plays the second-oldest, Brian Darling, a whiny, sour, Episcopal minister who has an illegitimate child. Even though he despises Nick, he needs his help. While Brian is one of my favorite characters on the show, I have yet to meet Glenn, so I have no interesting tidbits on him. Perhaps I need to work on that.

Next up is Karen Darling, a socialite, who is about to marry her fourth husband, even though she is still madly in love with Nick, her childhood sweetheart. Natalie Zea breathes life into Karen, making her one of the most colorful and multifaceted characters on the show. Natalie got her start on the soap Passions; that is the only tidbit I know.

Rounding out the cast are the twins, Juliet and Jeremy, played by Samaire Armstrong and Seth Gabel, respectively. Juliet Darling is a celebutante in the vein of Paris Hilton; the difference is that Juliet has a soul. What? It's a fact. Samaire knows how to wield a Samurai sword but I'm too scared to ask her about it. Jeremy Darling is a well-intentioned ne'er-do-well who, like his real-life counterpart, is obsessed with outer space.

And there you have it — you are now fully introduced to the Darling family. What I love most about the show is the dimensionality of the characters. All the characters are fully fleshed, developed and executed, making it, in my opinion, one of the finest shows on television. We hope that you tune in this Wednesday and every week to see what the Darlings are up to. This show will take you on a journey through interesting twists and turns, significant moments, genuine laughs, all the way to — you guessed it — the smoother-than-silk Blair Underwood. Watch for him in Episode 4.

Till then, remember: You can't be filthy rich without getting a little dirty.

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Posted by

Dave Levin, writer's assistant

Sep 26, 2007 12:22 PM

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Hi Dave, Welcome! I really enjoyed reading your blog! I can't wait to watch DSM tonight, it looks great. Thanks for all the tidbits on the Darling Family and the actors!
Posted by gumpykisy Sep 26, 2007 12:55 PM Report Abuse

Wow. Fantastic show Craig. Best new sow of the season by far. Funny, touching, smart and just overall wonderful. Telling everyone about this one.
Posted by coconutphone77 Sep 26, 2007 11:39 PM Report Abuse

LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! I have already started spreading the word to co-workers that THS is THE show to watch this fall! I haven't enjoyed a new show this much in ages nor have I laughed so much. Peter Krause is perfect in this role. I am hooked! BTW - LOVE the ringtones....HILARIOUS!
Posted by evlwnch Sep 27, 2007 9:16 AM Report Abuse

I SO enjoyed watching this last night, it was GREAT!! I particularly like how even though they're all in the same family, that each member is different from each other. The story line and the presentation was WELL DONE!! I found myself wakin' up throughout the night talking about Mr. Darling (not sure which one or why though)... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!
Posted by smotzy2 Sep 27, 2007 9:28 AM Report Abuse

Love the show! Such a wonderful guilty pleasure (between this show and "Gossip Girl" and the promise of "Pushing Daisies", Wednesday is looking to be my guilty pleasure night for television). And I have to say that I burst out laughing when Karen said to her husband-to-be about Nick (who was also there), "Nick deflowered me". How hilarious! This family is so wonderfully dysfunctional that they almost make the Walkers (from "Brothers & Sisters", another Berlanti show) look sane by comparison.

Posted by Shannonm93

Sep 27, 2007 9:37 AM

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I loved the show! Peter Krause is amazing. Loved him in Six Feet Under too. Can't wait for next episode.
Posted by vpcordova Sep 27, 2007 10:46 AM Report Abuse

I loved this show...Wednesday nights looks to be one of the best TV nights. I was hoping Nick would open the briefcase on the helicopter...and the part when Karen told him about the affair was priceless...can't wait for the next espisode...
Posted by pmartin Sep 27, 2007 1:11 PM Report Abuse

OMG, this is the best show i've seen on regular TV in quite a while!!! I'm sooooooo excited and can't WAIT until the next episode. Everybody's gotta spread the word!!! EVERYBODY was the bomb, but Peter Krause - he should be nominated for all kinds of awards next year!!! the look on his face when he found out about his father's affair - PRICELESS!!!!!!
Posted by n2bhere Sep 27, 2007 4:16 PM Report Abuse

hi. a viewer here. thanks for listening.

i've not read any of the other blogs yet but i guess it doesn't matter. after last night, i must submit my accolades. first, however, allow me to admit to being kind of a soap freak. the unfurling of a neverending carpet that you get to create as you go, go, go is me, Me, ME! i'll admit over dinner with friends & strangers that i tape & watch 'bold & beautiful' everyday. so whoever thinks i'm a loser for l_ving soaps can stop reading.

dirty sexy money is a soap, right?

don't you usually know in the first few seconds if a show or movie is going to intrigue you? at first i was shocked because i realized DSM was going to suck. i did not expect much juice from a network show anyway but thought at least it would be a little different. something weird. i was thinking 'you can tell exactly what this is supposed to be & where it is going.'

maybe this is supposed to be a good thing?

not for me. too clean & no surprises = might as well read unless nick is going to remove his shirt or something.

this is definitely a good thing.

but after the familiar wrapping paper that you could have seen & not heard, DSM started to simmer. donald sutherland is AMAZING. he takes a scene to pastures i'd never have thought of. i never knew that i loved him.

i rewound jill clayburgh's first line three times until i got my leg slapped. so hilarious. and glamorous!
"i want to die." LOVED IT.

billy baldwin is a nice surprise, buffoony & likeable, though i don't need to see that armpit again.

please.

your heroines are brunettes which rocks. in n.zea's scenes, i kept thinking how most cheeseneck execs would have wanted her to go whizburger blonde.

the unlikeable reverend is a terrific character, loved "unfun" & the twins seem silly but will surprise me, i'm sure.

your hero is the guy from 6 feet, though. relateable, handsome everyguy, SOLID.

the not-so-favorite moment? the i-took-the-job scene. it was unbelievable (in the bad way.) a wife won over right away = zero rooting value. the scene lacked layering of any kind. it was like being asked to swallow a lie in between sumptuous courses. if the wife's so easily led by the nose, drag her to acting class.

SO, i really really enjoyed the show! we plan on watching again. keep up the great jobs, thank you for the forum & your snappy column/blog/whatever, & best wishes to everyone @ DSM.

Posted by holabrian

Sep 27, 2007 11:54 PM

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Great blog - sorry I didn't discover it last week - but love having it and will check it out weekly from now on!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the show! I was hooked about 5 minutes after I tuned in the premiere - no maybe even less than 5 minutes.

Story - fantastic - cast - superfantastic - a win/win/WIN - and I'm in it for the long haul.

Check out the TV Show Blogs columns - DSM had LOTS of favorable blogs, including mine - for the very first episode. Long long long may the show remain on top. Entertainment personified. AND as a New Yorker man do I enjoy getting to see some of the NY scenery. Tell me, was that hotel (or was it supposed to be an apartment building) Tripp walked out of actually the Plaza Hotel??

Can't wait for the 3rd show, and the 4th, 5th, etc, etc. Doubt I'll ever be disappointed! But rest assured, I'll tell you if I ever am.

Posted by Dorjean

Oct 9, 2007 11:05 AM

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