Luck

HBO has added another original program to their already stacked lineup, again teaming up with a high profile director, this time in the form of grit aficionado Michael Mann. After vieiwing the pilot the network ordered the David Milch scripted series Luck that stars Dustin Hoffman and offers a glimpse in to the world of horse-racing, or more specifically "characters who are tied to the same horse-racing track".

“Michael Mann delivered a pilot from David Milch’s brilliant script that took our breath away,” said HBO's programming president Michael Lombardo.  “We are truly excited that these two artists, and our extraordinary cast headed by Dustin Hoffman, will be bringing Luck to life.”

The cast for the pilot, penned by Milch and directed by Mann, also includes Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Kevin Dunn, Richard Kind, Jason Gedrick, Ritchie Coster, Ian Hart, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon, Gary Stevens and Nick Nolte. Jill Hennessy guest stars. Milch, Mann and Carolyn Strauss execitive produce, with Henry Bronchtein co-executive producing and Hoffman producing.   [via deadline]

Can't find anything to fault here. Competent director, competent actors, freedom of HBO, and the endless array of entertainment that is "racetrack patrons". Nice to see Nick Nolte in the game, adding to that is IMDB listing his character as "The Old Man". I think that's a burn. Hoffman will play Chester 'Ace' Bernstein which sounds an awful lot like the guy that told me to bet on Cooper's Caboose in the third last weekend. Worst part is Margaret Cooper was with us so everyone got on board. I knew it was a bad idea, Margaret has a terrible caboose.