Ving Rhames in TNT’s new medical drama “Monday Mornings,” premiering Feb. 4 at 10 p.m.
*Ving Rhames gave a shout out to his new network home TNT on Friday for “doing something on a level a bit above the Tyler Perry shows.”
He was referring to his new medical drama “Monday Mornings,” based on the real life “morbidity and mortality” meetings where doctors gather with their peers each week for a confidential review of complications and errors in patient care.
The series, from David E. Kelley (“Chicago Hope,” “The Practice,” “Ally McBeal”), is based on the best-selling book written by CNN’s chief medical correspondent and practicing neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who also serves as an executive producer. The show is set in a fictional hospital in Portland and follows a group of surgeons as they deal with their own personal and professional failings. Alfred Molina plays the hospital’s chief of surgery, responsible for guiding his team through specific cases.
“When I was training, these are the most indelible experiences I’ve had in my life,” Gupta told reporters Friday at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour in Pasadena. “They’re so candid. They shut the doors: there are no administrators, no lawyers; it’s doctors holding each other accountable.”
“At the onset, I was wondering how viable the M&M meetings would be over the life of the series and they’re the staple of each episode,” said Kelley. “So much of the tension in those scenes is played with Alfred discussing what the scene is about. We never know where that character is going. As a result, the viewer can never know if they’re on safe footing. A lot of tension is established that way.”
Ving Rhames on the set of TNT’s “Monday Mornings” with executive producer Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Among the surgeons attending the M&M meetings is Dr. Jorge Villanueva, played by Rhames. During the show’s TCA panel on Friday, the 53-year-old film and TV veteran made a point to thank TNT and the show’s creative team for giving an African American actor a “well-written, well-rounded” character to play — then, “in a respectful way,” slips in the Tyler Perry jab. Listen below.
“Monday Mornings,” premieres Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. on TNT. Watch promos below.
Ok….Grey’s Anatomy’s, Private Practice, Hawthorne….Here is another example of White American in television. Another tv show that has more White characters and one token African American actor Ving needs to remember that at least Tyler has MORE African American actors and actresses in his tv shows and movies…give me a break!
It’s about ratings. Tyler Perry movies / tv shows are all the same and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Not one celebrity has elevated there career from working with him and if a show doesn’t reach a broader audience it’s simply doesn’t have staying power.
Apparently The ratings for Tyler Perry tv shows are doing wel enough for TBS to give him to more series after the first one. There was no need to inteject Tyler Perry’s name at all and Ving is going to say “in a repectful way”. That shyt he said wasn’t respectful because no one even asked about Tyler Perry. Ving brought him up why? Because he’s successful that’s why. Ving should do his thing and let Tyler do his. There was no cause for Tyler to be brought up and it wasn’t respectul.
Ving Rhames’ comment and jab at Tyler Perry was totally inappropriate, totally unncessary, and totally uncalled for. The writer/producer of “Monday Morning” has his niche (medical) and Tyle has his (comedy). I look at the number of black actors/actresses that Tyler have put work vs Monday Morning, and I say where is this Ving coming from? I have seen some of the drag roles that Ving has done and he can’t jab nobody. I proably wasn’t going to watch Monday Morning as a norm, now I know I am not going to watch it. Good luck Ving.
Well, we can add his name to the list of black actors who won’t be getting a Tyler Perry gig when Hollywood kick him to the curb.
Once again we have to put down are own. This is so unnecessary and it only prove’s that Ving is jealous because Tyler has been successful.
Alright Mr. Rhames I wouldn’t speak to soon. I predict your show will only last for a season, if that. Then you’d be praying for one of those Tyler Perry roles.
Ving how disrespectful!!! and I use to be a big fan of yours. Talk about
crabs in a barrel!….why try to tear Mr Perry down????? I agree with you
Tricie24 he’d be lucky if his show last a season., that jab at Mr Perry was
totally uncalled for and totally unprofessional!!!..Thumbs down on you Ving!!Ugh!!
Ving, I love ya bruh but, count you’re blessing with 2-words: Holiday . . . Heart
LOL!!!!! I was thinking of the same movie…LOL!!!!…Storyline was good with Alfrie Woodard’s character and the gal that played her daughter but Ving?……whew!!!
Too funny!