“Getting older hits everyone, but we discovered the humor in it.” This is how Michael Douglas sums up the recipe for success of his Netflix show “The Kominsky Method”, which is celebrated by critics and fans – young and old. The 76-year-old plays the aging actor Sandy Kominsky in the comedy series, who does not offer any major roles in Hollywood, which is obsessed with youth. Therefore, as an acting teacher, he struggles with the problems of aging. Except that Douglas has to do this in season three without his previously perfect counterpart, his co-star Alan Arkin.
Oscar winner Arkin is no longer available for his role as Kominsky’s longtime friend and acting agent, Norman Newlander. The background: Star producer and shower finder Chuck Lorre (“Two And a Half Men”) initially hired the two world stars for only two seasons because no more was planned. Because of the huge success he built in a third season. But Arkin already had other commitments and could not be changed. Which is why – WARNING SPOILERS – the first episode begins with Sandy’s farewell speech at Norman’s grave.
–For this, Douglas receives permanent support from Kathleen Turner. This had already had a brief guest appearance as Kominsky’s ex-wife Roz Volander in the previous season. Now she shows up unannounced in Los Angeles to spend time with their daughter Mindy (Sarah Baker). The relationship with Sandy already explosive during the marriage and Roze’s sudden presence complicates Sandy’s life considerably.
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Turner is familiar with the role of Douglas’ ex-wife. The 66-year-old had a gruesome divorce argument with him in “The War of the Roses”. The chemistry between the two is still right today. In Turner’s words: “Michael and I have been friends for so long and it was just fun to get back to the old work rhythm.”
In “The Kominsky Method”, parallels between the life of Douglas and that of his series Alter Ego emerge again and again. Just like the previous season when Sandy Kominsky had to fight lung cancer. Douglas successfully defeated tongue cancer in 2015. Douglas himself feels most connected to Kominsky on another point. Neither he nor Sandy thinks it’s funny to get old: “The thought makes you feel depressed. I see it realistically that I might still have 15 years. ”Which is why he has decided to“ live every day fully and, above all, very consciously ”.
–Douglas can laugh about the fact that the writers are indirectly targeting his own marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Because his serial daughter Mindy laughed at a partner (played by Paul Reiser) who is decades older than her. Which means Douglas can understand how his father-in-law once felt: “I can still clearly remember the look Catherine’s father gave when I told him I wanted to marry his daughter. He is three years younger than me. “
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Lisa Edelstein (known from “Dr. House”) and the former child star Haley Joel Osment (“Sixth Sense”) also appear in supporting roles in the six episodes of the third season. Apart from the tried and tested formula “Always having trouble with your ex”, everything revolves around money, death, love, murder and dreams that come true. In other words, everything is the same.
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