Pity Casting

Since curmudgeons tend to live in the past, TV shows like Matlock, Murder, She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder appeal to us. They not only star "experienced" actors, i.e., actors that are well beyond the shows or movies that made them famous, but the guest stars are often equally beyond-their-prime sorts (just like curmudgeons - hence the appeal).

Let me prove my case: while catching up on a Diagnosis Murder one recent morning, the guest stars were Martin Milner (and his old "Adam 12" partner Kent McCord), James Darren (who will always be fondly remembered as Moondoggie in the Gidget movies), Fred Dryer (formerly "Hunter"), and Angie Dickinson! Five in one show! That has to be some kind of record.

And I enjoyed every minute of it. I spit on your modern day "actors."