"Code Black" Drops Raza Jaffrey and Bonnie Somerville as Series Heads for Reboot - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 06-03-2016, 09:45 PM

"Code Black" Parts Ways with 2 Regulars Amid Season 2 Reboot (Exclusive)
by Lesley Goldberg
6/3/16

CBS' "Code Black" is going under the knife for season two.

The medical drama has parted ways with series regulars Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey, while also promoting Boris Kodjoe to regular, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The move is part of a creative decision by producers to help relaunch the Marcia Gay Harden medical drama to reach a broader audience for what is said to be a 17-episode sophomore season. The series is also expected to add a few new series regular doctors and recurring interns.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...-ways-2-899564

Mr. Television · 06-03-2016, 10:02 PM

Talk about a dead show walking.

JamesG · 09-05-2016, 09:11 PM

"Code Black" Boss Reflects on Season 2's "Tough" Creative Decision
by Vlada Gelman
September 5, 2016

When "Code Black" returns with its second season later this month, it will be minus doctors Christa Lorenson and Neal Hudson. Also missing? Any explanation of where they went.

“We went back and forth on this a lot,” executive producer Michael Seitzman tells TVLine when asked how the CBS medical drama will address the departures of Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey. “We toyed with a lot of different versions of addressing it. But none of them seemed to have any real weight.”

Every scenario felt like it was “generated in a writers’ room and not in the real world,” he continues.

“We pride ourselves on the show on being as authentic as possible… By not mentioning it at all, it felt like the least offensive way to deal with it,” which, the EP recognizes is “also not realistic.”

Seitzman reasons that “having someone say, ‘Christa moved on to blank, and Neal moved on to blank,'” felt too much like “blatant exposition” and “not the way people talk.”

Ultimately, he confesses, “We just never found a good way to address it.”

On the bright side, the ambiguity does leave the door open for Christa and Neal to find their way back to Angels Memorial. Seitzman would “love” for both of their portrayers to make a guest appearance at some point.

Although the actors were let go, “You have to remember these are friends of ours,” Seitzman sighs. “This is tough. Raza and I became good friends. We’re still good friends. He lives right up the street from me, and my wife and I have dinner with him and his wife. We have a personal relationship.

That was the hardest phone call I ever made. It was awful for me. I hated making the phone call to Bonnie, too, but Raza and I are really tight.”

Season 2 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10/9c on CBS.

http://tvline.com/2016/09/05/code-bl...-neal-leaving/

06-03-2016, 09:45 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,072	"Code Black" Drops Raza Jaffrey and Bonnie Somerville as Series Heads for Reboot *"Code Black" Parts Ways with 2 Regulars Amid Season 2 Reboot (Exclusive)* by Lesley Goldberg 6/3/16 CBS' "Code Black" is going under the knife for season two. The medical drama has parted ways with series regulars Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey, while also promoting Boris Kodjoe to regular, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The move is part of a creative decision by producers to help relaunch the Marcia Gay Harden medical drama to reach a broader audience for what is said to be a 17-episode sophomore season. The series is also expected to add a few new series regular doctors and recurring interns. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...-ways-2-899564 Attached Images

06-03-2016, 10:02 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Talk about a dead show walking.
	__________________ Sonny

09-05-2016, 09:11 PM	#3
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,072	*"Code Black" Boss Reflects on Season 2's "Tough" Creative Decision* by Vlada Gelman September 5, 2016 When "Code Black" returns with its second season later this month, it will be minus doctors Christa Lorenson and Neal Hudson. Also missing? Any explanation of where they went. “We went back and forth on this a lot,” executive producer Michael Seitzman tells TVLine when asked how the CBS medical drama will address the departures of Bonnie Somerville and Raza Jaffrey. “We toyed with a lot of different versions of addressing it. But none of them seemed to have any real weight.” Every scenario felt like it was “generated in a writers’ room and not in the real world,” he continues. “We pride ourselves on the show on being as authentic as possible… By not mentioning it at all, it felt like the least offensive way to deal with it,” which, the EP recognizes is “also not realistic.” Seitzman reasons that “having someone say, ‘Christa moved on to blank, and Neal moved on to blank,'” felt too much like “blatant exposition” and “not the way people talk.” Ultimately, he confesses, “We just never found a good way to address it.” On the bright side, the ambiguity does leave the door open for Christa and Neal to find their way back to Angels Memorial. Seitzman would “love” for both of their portrayers to make a guest appearance at some point. Although the actors were let go, “You have to remember these are friends of ours,” Seitzman sighs. “This is tough. Raza and I became good friends. We’re still good friends. He lives right up the street from me, and my wife and I have dinner with him and his wife. We have a personal relationship. That was the hardest phone call I ever made. It was awful for me. I hated making the phone call to Bonnie, too, but Raza and I are really tight.” Season 2 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 10/9c on CBS. http://tvline.com/2016/09/05/code-bl...-neal-leaving/