Now this is a real shame. Having only just discovered one of my favourite actors Paul Giamatti is bringing the exploits of detective Hoke to the small screen, I learn at the same time FX are taking a pass on the pilot. What are they thinking? This combination is lightning in a bottle – created by author Charles Willeford, Hoke Moseley is a washed-up, broken down cop with false teeth and more baggage than a royal elephant. He made his debut in MIAMI BLUES, which was adapted into a movie by GROSSE POINTE BLANK director George Armitage in 1990 with Fred Ward as Hoke. The series-not-to-be was going to be set in the Eighties.
The prospect of star/exec producer Giamatti bringing his hangdog charm to the role should have made this a shoo in, but it seems the studio just weren’t biting. Getting the formula for a pilot right is always a tricky business and there could have been teething problems, but it appears FX are focusing more on comedy. Aggravatingly Hoke was one of three productions developed and the only one not to have been picked up – Tyrant and The Strain made it out of the gate. Personally I’d rather they’d saved the money from the serviceable but somewhat overrated Fargo if it had gotten Willeford’s antihero one step closer to the green light, but that’s just me. Hopefully some other producer will see sense and pick up the reins of this high pedigree project.
Source: Deadline
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