Truly good pictures are rarely seen on the screens, and if this happens, such a film is remembered for a long time.
In 2005, NBC launched the comedy series My Name is Earl, whose actors and roles will be the focus of our article today. This film is about responsibility, goodness and an attempt to make everything in life right. The series was well received by critics and went on for four seasons.
The story of the appearance of the series "My name is Earl"
The actors who starred in the film at the time of the release of the picture were not well known to anyone except for the performer of the role of Earl Jason Lee. But this did not prevent the film from becoming one of the best TV shows of 2005. The story of the sitcom is quite interesting. Its creator Greg Garcia wrote a script based on another series and offered it to Fox, but there he was asked to make changes to the text. Garcia did not do this and took a chance, asking to buy a script from him for NBC. Welcome to the shooting of a new sitcom was given. But another problem arose - in the role of a small swindler Earl Jay Hickey, the creator of the series saw only Jason Lee, and the actor categorically did not want to work on television. After two refusals and a personal meeting with Greg Garcia, Jason Lee nevertheless agreed to participate in the filming of the series “My Name is Earl”. Actors for the roles of the remaining characters were selected without such difficulties.
Plot
The petty swindler and rogue Earl Jay Hickey once won a huge amount in the instant lottery - 100 thousand dollars. He did not manage to become a happy owner of money - Earla was hit by a car, he ended up in the hospital, and the ticket disappeared without a trace. In a hospital bed, an inspiration comes to the protagonist - everything bad that he once did to others returns to him in double size. This is karma that he spoiled for himself. Earl decides to fight and compiles a list of 252 people whom he offended or deceived in his entire life. To clear karma, he needs to make amends to everyone on the list. It is extremely difficult to do this, but Earl is determined to correct the mistakes he made earlier. His younger brother, Randy Hickey, helps him cleanse his karma.
After the perfect first really good deed, Earl finds the coveted winning ticket for 100 thousand dollars. In this he sees a sign that he is on the right track to purify his karma. It remains to fix only 251 misconduct, but the protagonist is determined.
The antagonists of the series are Hickey's ex-wife Joy Turner and her new husband Darnell. Having found out about Earl's fabulous win, Joy tried several times to kill him in order to inherit the money.
Perception of the series by critics and viewers
The first series showed that the television movie was able to succeed. The audience of the series was wide - it was watched by young people, middle-aged people and elderly spectators. Critics reacted favorably to him - the sitcom My Name is Earl, whose actors quickly became popular, received several prestigious awards. The first episode of the series was watched by over 14 million viewers. The actors of the film “My Name is Earl”, the plot and the production of the sitcom were so liked by the audience that after the end of the first season they demanded the continuation of the adventures of their favorite characters.
Reasons for closing the series
Sitcom went on NBC for four seasons, until May 2009. By this time, the issue of extending the series for the next season has not been resolved. The creators of the film "My Name is Earl" repeatedly tried to bring their brainchild to life.
The television company believed that the sitcom needed an urgent revival, but there were also problems with the actors. Jason Lee was already involved in other projects, and the performer of the role of Randy Hickey lost a lot of weight and did not want to get better for the sake of filming in the series. The television companies could not agree on the issue of actor fees. They asked to increase their minimum by one and a half times, but NBC refused to increase. In 2012, the sitcom was finally closed, and the actors of the series “My Name is Earl” began working on other projects.
Sitcom spin-offs
As is often the case with successful paintings, they lead to the appearance of sequels. The spinoff of the sitcom was spoken by Eddie Steeples, the performer of the role of the Crabman. According to the plot, the action in it would have occurred before the events shown in the TV series “My Name is Earl”. Jason Lee and other actors said they wouldn’t refuse to appear in several episodes of the spin-off, but this project was never implemented.
Earl Jay Hickey
A local rogue, an egoist, prone to cruel and stupid jokes. Lives in the small provincial town of Camden County. Together with his younger brother, Randy rents a hotel room. He was married to Joy Turner. Once he wins in an instant lottery 100 thousand dollars and immediately loses a ticket, falling under the wheels of a car. At the hospital, Earl recalls the principle of karma and decides that all the misfortunes occurring in his life are the result of the mistakes he made, causing harm to others. He decides to change his fate by compiling a list of all those whom he offended in some way and begins to search for people who have offended him in order to compensate for the damage that was once done.
In the role of Earl starred Jason Lee, one of the favorite actors directed by Kevin Smith. Lee starred in almost all of his films. The most famous films with the participation of the actor are “Dogma”, “Heartbreakers”, “Dream Catcher”, “Alvin and the Chipmunks”.
Randy Hickey
Earl’s infantile, plump and very good-natured little brother. Also on his list. Selflessly helps him in correcting the harm that Earle has done to many people. For two seasons, he was hopelessly in love with the hotel maid Catalina. Panicky afraid of birds, allergic to cat hair. Randy has a talent - he has a beautiful voice.
This character is played by actor Ethan Sapley. The most famous films with his participation: “Evolution”, “The Butterfly Effect” and “The Wolf from Wall Street”.
Joy Turner
Earl's ex-wife, rude and selfish person. She tried several times to kill the main character, learning about the rich win, hoping to get money. Aggressive, often indecently expressed. He hates his exact opposite - the hotel maid, Catalina.
Joy played Jamie Pressly. She is best known to the viewer for her leading role in the TV series "The Fall of Jennifer."
Darnell (Crab) Turner
Second husband is Joy. Suspicious and strange person. Bartender at the Crab Shack Bar. He loves his turtles Mr. Turtle. As it turns out later, hiding from someone under the witness protection program. In fact, Darnell knows 7 languages, graduated with honors and college at age 14. To the touch can distinguish more than 50 varieties of cheese.
Darnella plays Eddie Steeples. This role became the most famous in the filmography of the actor. In addition, he became the producer of four films and made one film. Steeples tried to create a spin-off based on the popular sitcom.
Catalina Rana Aruka
An immigrant in the United States in a monkey box. He works as a maid in the hotel where the Hickey brothers live. In the evenings, moonlighting as a striptease at a local night club. Earl and Wanley are on good terms and sometimes give them valuable advice.
In the role of a maid of Catalina starred Nadine Velazquez. The sitcom about Earle's adventures became her most famous movie work. Before and after filming in it, she played minor characters in series and feature films.
Mr. Tortoise
One of the important characters in the series was the Darnell turtle. According to the latter, this species has been living for over 150 years.
The stars who took part in the filming of the sitcom
The actors and roles of the series “My Name is Earl” are an interesting topic. In addition to regular performers, other popular media personalities took part in the filming.
In one of the episodes of the fourth season, you can see actress Jane Seymour, who plays herself. Johnny Galecki, the star of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, played a golfer in season 1. Alyssa Milano in the third season became Earle's new wife. After a few episodes of the script, they parted. In season 1, viewers can see Chloe Moretz as a knife thrower. Christian Slater played in the sitcom in one of the episodes of the addict's second season. Danny Glover became the father of Darnell Turner in the series. Appears in one of the series 4 seasons. Sean Astin played the role of home appliance seller in season two. In one of the episodes of the third season, Paris Hilton appears, who plays herself.
Conclusion
The actors and roles of the series “My Name is Earl” will be interesting to those viewers who appreciate sitcoms and carry positive emotions. Let the leading performers not become stars of the first magnitude, but perfectly played in the series beloved by many viewers. The story that everyone can rethink their life and actions, and then try to change the situation, will always be relevant. Earl with his excellent sense of humor, infantile, but kind Randy and even jaunty Joy - all of them are nice and cute characters that cause only positive emotions.