Vilandra
09-24-2007, 10:59 PM
Is FOX's 'New Amsterdam' a Knock-off?
September 8, 2007
FOX' s upcoming drama, New Amsterdam, might not be so new after all.
Recently, best-selling author Peter Hamill told the Associated Press that the series, which is scheduled to premiere midseason, bears a great resemblance to his 2002 novel, Forever. Hamill's fans have also taken notice of the apparent similarities, though the writer does not seem eager to pursue the matter legally.
"To try and prove anything about this would take thousands and thousands of dollars, which I'd rather spend on my grandson," Hamill said. "You've gotta laugh."
To compare, the book and the series are each led by a character that was killed centuries ago and then brought back to life as an immortal. Hamill's protagonist, Cormac O'Connor, bears a scar from the fatal wound he sustained, while New Amsterdam's John Amsterdam has “scars everywhere… all over his torso and body,” according to a script acquired by Hamill's agent.
Both characters learn to play the piano, with O'Connor growing to love the work of legendary jazz player, Art Tatum. Amsterdam plays the piano as well, and is an avid fan of legendary jazz player, Thelonious Monk.
O'Connor's chances of getting normal life depends on finding the right woman amidst many in Manhattan, while Amsterdam will not age until he finds his soulmate.
Given the similarities, Hamill is convinced New Amsterdam is, indeed, taken from his book.
"It is astonishing. The scars. The fact that he plays piano,” Hamill told the Associated Press. In reading the script, he found page 58 particularly interesting. The page details a scene where the main character hands an envelope “for Eva.” A note on the script says the words will “blur into one and almost spell- FOREVER,” after which music will be played.
"I said, 'Holy jeez, talk about Freudian typos,'" Hamill recounted. "Hey, maybe this will sell the novel: 'You've seen the knockoff, now try the book.' Who knows?"
New Amsterdam's executive producer, David Manson, told television critics during the summer press tour that he has not read the book, and did not know of its existence until after they finished production.
"I guess what I think about it is this - the subject of immortality has been compelling to, since the dawn of time, various cultures," Manson said. "I think that it's not - it's not surprising that there will be overlaps in this world. That's all I can say."
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Associated Press
Source: Is FOX's 'New Amsterdam' a Knock-off?
(http://www.buddytv.com/articles/new-amsterdam/is-foxs-new-amsterdam-a-knocko-10487.aspx)
September 8, 2007
FOX' s upcoming drama, New Amsterdam, might not be so new after all.
Recently, best-selling author Peter Hamill told the Associated Press that the series, which is scheduled to premiere midseason, bears a great resemblance to his 2002 novel, Forever. Hamill's fans have also taken notice of the apparent similarities, though the writer does not seem eager to pursue the matter legally.
"To try and prove anything about this would take thousands and thousands of dollars, which I'd rather spend on my grandson," Hamill said. "You've gotta laugh."
To compare, the book and the series are each led by a character that was killed centuries ago and then brought back to life as an immortal. Hamill's protagonist, Cormac O'Connor, bears a scar from the fatal wound he sustained, while New Amsterdam's John Amsterdam has “scars everywhere… all over his torso and body,” according to a script acquired by Hamill's agent.
Both characters learn to play the piano, with O'Connor growing to love the work of legendary jazz player, Art Tatum. Amsterdam plays the piano as well, and is an avid fan of legendary jazz player, Thelonious Monk.
O'Connor's chances of getting normal life depends on finding the right woman amidst many in Manhattan, while Amsterdam will not age until he finds his soulmate.
Given the similarities, Hamill is convinced New Amsterdam is, indeed, taken from his book.
"It is astonishing. The scars. The fact that he plays piano,” Hamill told the Associated Press. In reading the script, he found page 58 particularly interesting. The page details a scene where the main character hands an envelope “for Eva.” A note on the script says the words will “blur into one and almost spell- FOREVER,” after which music will be played.
"I said, 'Holy jeez, talk about Freudian typos,'" Hamill recounted. "Hey, maybe this will sell the novel: 'You've seen the knockoff, now try the book.' Who knows?"
New Amsterdam's executive producer, David Manson, told television critics during the summer press tour that he has not read the book, and did not know of its existence until after they finished production.
"I guess what I think about it is this - the subject of immortality has been compelling to, since the dawn of time, various cultures," Manson said. "I think that it's not - it's not surprising that there will be overlaps in this world. That's all I can say."
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Associated Press
Source: Is FOX's 'New Amsterdam' a Knock-off?
(http://www.buddytv.com/articles/new-amsterdam/is-foxs-new-amsterdam-a-knocko-10487.aspx)