Silverstone finds gold in television series
By Bruce R. Miller, Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, September 19, 2003
LOS ANGELES -- Alicia Silverstone has never been set up on a date, set anyone up on a date or dated anyone on a set.
But she can understand the fascination.
"Everybody wants to be with someone, right?" she asks. "We're so busy doing our lives...we don't think we have time to find someone."
Adds producer Darren Star: "People don't feel they need to get married at a young age the way they used to. They feel they have endless options...and the idea that there is sort of a right person out there for somebody is a nice fantasy."
As a result, the two have collaborated on a new drama, "Miss Match," that finds Silverstone as a divorce lawyer eager to find people mates. The NBC series is just an evolution in Americans' fascination with dating, Silverstone says. "Look at all of the dating shows," she offers. The mere idea that people would let someone else choose their mate says there's a desire for romance.
"This is a show about relationships," Star says. Conversely, his Emmy-winning HBO series "Sex and the City" was conceived as a show about sex -- "sex in a very R-rated way that could only be done on cable." With "Miss Match," "we don't need nudity and strong language to tell those stories."
Both caution, however, that "Miss Match" won't be a "Love Boat" for 2003. In addition to pairing up friends and acquaintances, Silverstone's character will have her own close encounters. She'll also spar with her father (played by Ryan O'Neal) who's also her boss.
"You don't have Alicia Silverstone and Ryan O'Neal on a show about other people," Star insists. "The idea is that it's about them."
For Silverstone, it's the perfect follow-up to her debut on Broadway. Cast as Kathleen Turner's daughter in "The Graduate," she found theater "an amazing experience. I loved the idea that you could focus on one character for a long period of time. I like the routine...and it got me excited to try something like a series."
When Star came with the "Miss Match" concept, she decided to end a self-imposed hiatus and take the long-term job.
"I had done something like nine films in two years from age 15 to 18 and I think I had to stop and go, 'I want to buy a house. I want to live a little bit, do some yoga, hang out and enjoy a little bit more.' And then, it just sort of happened. Darren gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Why wouldn't I want to work with him and on this amazing project? My intention was I sort of wanted to keep going slowly."
Silverstone, however, wasn't just another actress for hire. Since appearing as Fred Savage's "dream girl" on "The Wonder Years," she has done blockbuster films, critically acclaimed independent offerings, rock videos and television guest spots. Additionally, she has produced films ("Excess Baggage") and television series ("Braceface") in an attempt to "really be diverse." Learning how to produce television has been "a great gift. I've loved every producing experience I've had."
Now, she's on to another adventure. Naturally, folks think she's a born matchmaker. She's not so sure. "When there's a lot of chemistry up front, that means it's going to be a disaster. In the long run, most people who have really successful relationships end up turning to somebody they didn't think they would ever be with."
Currently in a relationship, the 26-year-old is eager to see what "Miss Match" might bring. "I'm so psyched about this material and about the character I'm playing. I'm very stimulated by that and, at the same time, there's that little voice that's like, 'Oh, my god, what are you getting into?' The excitement 'outwins' that voice."
"Miss Match" airs Fridays on NBC.
But she can understand the fascination.
"Everybody wants to be with someone, right?" she asks. "We're so busy doing our lives...we don't think we have time to find someone."
Adds producer Darren Star: "People don't feel they need to get married at a young age the way they used to. They feel they have endless options...and the idea that there is sort of a right person out there for somebody is a nice fantasy."
As a result, the two have collaborated on a new drama, "Miss Match," that finds Silverstone as a divorce lawyer eager to find people mates. The NBC series is just an evolution in Americans' fascination with dating, Silverstone says. "Look at all of the dating shows," she offers. The mere idea that people would let someone else choose their mate says there's a desire for romance.
"This is a show about relationships," Star says. Conversely, his Emmy-winning HBO series "Sex and the City" was conceived as a show about sex -- "sex in a very R-rated way that could only be done on cable." With "Miss Match," "we don't need nudity and strong language to tell those stories."
Both caution, however, that "Miss Match" won't be a "Love Boat" for 2003. In addition to pairing up friends and acquaintances, Silverstone's character will have her own close encounters. She'll also spar with her father (played by Ryan O'Neal) who's also her boss.
"You don't have Alicia Silverstone and Ryan O'Neal on a show about other people," Star insists. "The idea is that it's about them."
For Silverstone, it's the perfect follow-up to her debut on Broadway. Cast as Kathleen Turner's daughter in "The Graduate," she found theater "an amazing experience. I loved the idea that you could focus on one character for a long period of time. I like the routine...and it got me excited to try something like a series."
When Star came with the "Miss Match" concept, she decided to end a self-imposed hiatus and take the long-term job.
"I had done something like nine films in two years from age 15 to 18 and I think I had to stop and go, 'I want to buy a house. I want to live a little bit, do some yoga, hang out and enjoy a little bit more.' And then, it just sort of happened. Darren gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Why wouldn't I want to work with him and on this amazing project? My intention was I sort of wanted to keep going slowly."
Silverstone, however, wasn't just another actress for hire. Since appearing as Fred Savage's "dream girl" on "The Wonder Years," she has done blockbuster films, critically acclaimed independent offerings, rock videos and television guest spots. Additionally, she has produced films ("Excess Baggage") and television series ("Braceface") in an attempt to "really be diverse." Learning how to produce television has been "a great gift. I've loved every producing experience I've had."
Now, she's on to another adventure. Naturally, folks think she's a born matchmaker. She's not so sure. "When there's a lot of chemistry up front, that means it's going to be a disaster. In the long run, most people who have really successful relationships end up turning to somebody they didn't think they would ever be with."
Currently in a relationship, the 26-year-old is eager to see what "Miss Match" might bring. "I'm so psyched about this material and about the character I'm playing. I'm very stimulated by that and, at the same time, there's that little voice that's like, 'Oh, my god, what are you getting into?' The excitement 'outwins' that voice."
"Miss Match" airs Fridays on NBC.
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