> Two words: Paul Haggis.  When he was a TV writer, he was fine (he created 
> and produced a really charming Canadian series called DUE SOUTH, about a 
> Mountie working in Chicago, that I quite liked), but his movies are the 
> epitome of middlebrow self-importance.  CRASH has to be one of the most 
> overhyped films of recent years. Its supposedly deep, profound message is, 
> fundamentally, "uh...racism is bad, 'n stuff."  Well, I knew that.  Can I 
> have my six bucks back?

Haggis!

Loved DUE SOUTH. Loved EZ STREETS even more, but that got cancelled just 
when it was getting really good (of course). Killer cast - Joe Pantoliano, 
Mike Starr, Ken Olin, Richard Portnow, RD Call, John Finn, Jack McGee, Carl 
Lumbly...many more. I blame its demise on the presence of Jason Gedrick, the 
Ted McGinley of his era. At least they killed Rod Steiger early before he 
got his teeth into the scenery. Really tried to like THE BLACK DONNELLEYS 
earlier this year - good premise but really weak lead character that just 
made the whole thing a bit askew. Like EZS, died a quick death leaving 
viewers with many open-ended questions.

But props for having a hand in the Tracey Ullman Show, as well as the 
screenplay for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (also an Oscar win for P.H., which 
obviously doesn't impress the CBS network brass).

b