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Crash add of Carradine and Val Perrine a Smash

Starz shines with Original Programming as Crash now features a slew of top talent like Dennis Hopper

By Michelle Foody

HOLLYWOOD (RPRN/Hollywood Today) 8/5/2009—With network television neck-deep in reruns, and reality television continuously churning out endless amounts of viewing material throughout the dog-days of summer, its nice to look towards the Fall return of scripted programming.

The subscriber-only premium channel, Starz, eyeing the success of HBO and Showtime, brings us a second season of “Crash” (born from the eponymous Oscar-winning 2005 Paul Haggis film), slated to return Friday, September 10th at 10pm.

New cast members Keith Carradine and Valerie Perrine were revealed on July 29th at the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer press tour-both having signed on for multiple-episode arcs. Additionally, previously announced cast member Eric Roberts’ new role was fleshed out for the gathered critics. According to showrunner Ira Steven Behr (previously of USA’s long-running “The 4400″ and no stranger to the “intricate, multi-storied format” said Bill Hamm, Starz’s Executive VP of Creative Development), Roberts has signed on to play Seth Blanchard.

“Seth Blanchard is a billionaire. He has $28 billion, which probably puts him as the third or fourth-richest man in the country. Seth believes he’s going to bring a football team to L.A….but football is not his destiny, he’ll be bringing something else.”, explained Behr. “We’re building on the intricate storytelling and compelling characters from that first season, but brining in fresh new faces and introducing new plot lines.”
In addition to Crash’s sudden transfusion of new blood, silver-screen icon Dennis Hopper will resume his role as Ben Cendars, a nutso music-producer mogul with a penchant for weapon-play and kinky sex (sound familiar?) in the second season.

“It’s a really interesting character”, admits Hopper, “and the cast has been incredible. As long as I can direct a movie in my off time, it will be fine”.

For his part, Roberts (formerly of NBC’s “Heroes”) already seems a fan of his new co-star: “Easy Rider”… is one of those contemporary movies that was way ahead of its time and even now holds up. And Dennis kicked ass.” Let’s hope, for Starz’ sake, he continues to do so on the small screen.

Photo credit: Cast of Crash, Hollywood Today

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