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Cancer Is Never Funny, Unless It's a Clown With Cancer

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (21)

alg_laura_linney_glam.jpg

Below, see here, is the trailer for the upcoming Showtime series, “The C Word.” No. That can’t be right. “The Big C.” It’s about cancer, specifically, Cathy (Laura Linney’s cancer), and it’s played for laughs. Not the ha ha funny funny kind of laughs, but the poignant grab-life-by-the-vulva I’m about to die kind of laughs. And it looks fantastic. And if the goddamn cable channels — both basic and pay — keep churning out what looks like fantastic shows like this, and “Treme,” and “Justified,” and “The Pacific,” and “Breaking Bad,” I’m never going to have enough goddamn time to watch them all. So, cool it on the fantastic shows for a while. Spring is around the corner, and I have things to do: Like, leave Facebook updates suggesting I’m out enjoying the sunny weather when, in fact, I’m huddled in front of a television screen craving its warmth.

Oh yeah, and Gabourey Sidibe is in the show, as is Oliver Platt. And Oliver Platt is good in every fucking thing he does. It’s a proven fact. I saw it in a study for Reader’s Digest. And so is Laura Linney, except for Nanny Diaries and The Hottest State and maybe some other things that don’t really count.

Anyway, thank God this show doesn’t begin until August, otherwise I’d need to use time travel to watch all the quality drama on television right now.









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Comments

It took me YEARS after seeing "Congo" to accept Laura Linney as a good actress. Such is the mark of that horribly, HORRIBLY awful terrible very bad movie.

Posted by: TylerDFC at March 24, 2010 10:54 AM

I bet Laura Linney is great in the sack. Abagail Adams cosplay all day every day!

Posted by: the new transported man at March 24, 2010 10:54 AM

I know Congo is terrible but I will watch it whenever it is on TV.

'My name is Amy..AMY!' It's a gorilla that does sign language, what's not to love?!

OK, moving on, I do have the same problem with Linney sometimes because of that film.

Posted by: Carrie at March 24, 2010 10:59 AM

Good Lord, I saw that header pic and my heart dropped because I thought Laura Linney had cancer.

Thank God it's just a show. It's just a show. It's just a show.

That trailer was super-entertaining; I'm looking forward to the pilot! And I'm glad to see that Gabby Sibide is really shining in this role, too. I was so afraid she'd turn out to be a one-trick pony.

Also: clowns with cancer are NOT funny. That's really insensitive, Rowles, and I take umbrage.

For the last time: clowns with cancer are scary, people. SCARY. Don't EVER forget that again.

*cries in the corner*

Posted by: livience at March 24, 2010 11:02 AM

Do all terminal illnesses make people cuter, funnier and totally unlikely to lose their hair? Because if I get ill with something nasty, this show will totally inspire me to seize life by the balls instead of lying in a bed getting treatments from doctors. I mean, duh, this looks way more fun.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at March 24, 2010 11:07 AM

So Gabourey Sidibe is playing a fat angry girl in school who talks with a monotone voice?

How is that not a one-trick pony?

It also appears that she just has a minor part in the show. I can't imagine why she would have a large part if she is just only shown at the school. In other words they threw her into the "trailer" to get props.

Posted by: DeistBrawler at March 24, 2010 11:30 AM

Please don't let Gabby just be the butt of a ton of fat jokes. Please don't let Gabby just be the butt of a ton of fat jokes. Please don't let Gabby just be the butt of a ton of fat jokes.

Otherwise, I'm excited.

For the record, many fat people are horrible, miserable human beings that don't want or deserve sympathy or kindness. Fat and jolly applies to Santa and spinster librarians, not general high school populations.

Posted by: Robert at March 24, 2010 11:30 AM

"We have to get rid of the Seaward."
"I'll leave when I'm good and ready!"

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at March 24, 2010 11:40 AM

I LOVE "Congo". Not ironically, just as a B movie made 30 years too late. Tim Curry acting as the mad scientist (with an accent more Lugosi than Lugosi), a talking gorilla with a power glove, Solomon's mines, air conditioned tents, Ernie Hudson as the Great White Hunter, and a final escape by hot air balloon. If Bruce Campbell hadn't been cut from the movie, it may have been a perfect candidate for Hangover Theater. It may still be.

Posted by: Mrcreosote at March 24, 2010 12:03 PM

Maybe Platt's good in everything he does that's filmed, but I saw him in the (abysmal) revival of Guys and Dolls. He was just terrible.

Posted by: Kevin at March 24, 2010 12:38 PM

I WANT TO SEE THIS, BUT I DO NOT HAVE SHOWTIME! OH, THE UNFAIRNESS OF IT ALL!!! And yes, it did require yelling.

Posted by: tamatha at March 24, 2010 1:05 PM

What was that Emma Thompson cancer TV film? That was pretty humourous. I hope there'll be some pot scenes too, b/c Oliver Platt playing drunk or stoned is cherry.

Posted by: bananapanda at March 24, 2010 1:51 PM

The Emma Thompson TV movie was "Wit," and it was incredible.

I heart Laura Linney- maybe it's the dimples.

Posted by: Lurkey Turkey at March 24, 2010 2:11 PM

STOP EATING MY SESAME CAKE.

Fuck you, Congo is AWSE.

I love Laura Linney. I love Oliver Platt. I love Gabby Sibide.

I hate that I don't get Showtime.

Posted by: figgy at March 24, 2010 2:20 PM

Aww, Gabourey Sidibe is getting into a series?

I was hoping she'd keep her schedule cleared for Precious 2: The Mo'Niquel.

Posted by: ChristianH at March 24, 2010 2:39 PM

Figs - I just invited myself to Dustin's house to watch it, 'cause as I might have mentioned, I don't have Showtime either. I think you should invite yourself to Dustin's house too, for a The Big C marathon. He has a DVR, and can record it for us. Any good leader cares for his flock, you know.

Posted by: tamatha at March 24, 2010 3:06 PM

"I'll just be having desserts and liquor."

I love, love, LOVE Laura Linney. I'm so in.

Posted by: Even Stevens at March 24, 2010 3:15 PM

More Platt love here. Lake Placid? Three to Tango? Still love the man.

(ok, and I'll admit that I totally love Lake Placid in an un-ironic, full-out kind of way. it's bill pullman. he's my movie boyfriend.)
(I mean, the man was the president, and defended us from the aliens. how can you not love him??)

Posted by: badkittyuno at March 24, 2010 8:21 PM

Thanks for bringing back terrible memories of Congo, assholes.
Now, because of Linney, I'll probably never forget the fucking thing.


Posted by: Big Softie at March 25, 2010 2:18 AM

I think we just upgraded our cable to include Showtime!

Posted by: feramones at March 25, 2010 10:51 AM

WHOOPS, I meant "one-hit wonder." My bad, DB.

Posted by: Jelinas at March 26, 2010 6:15 AM