After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

Brolin in Community, Hind in Game of Thrones and more awesome casting

Josh Brolin cast as Jeff Winger's deadbeat dad in Community 

Each year around this time, networks announce some of their most high-profile castings. This year, they’re spoiling us. Below is a run-down of some highlights which ought to be especially exciting to fans of Little Brittain, Archer, Rome, Breaking Bad, or just all around awesomeness.

Community

So much uncertainty surrounds this show, with the departure of series creator Dan Harmon and NBC’s baffling decision to move the show to a Friday timeslot. However, despite all that, there are some truly great guest stars booked for the season. First, Jeff’s long-lost deadbeat dad will be played by the great James Brolin. Joel McHale tweeted a photo of the two on set recently, followed by another tweet wherein McHale gushes like a little fanboy. Speaking of fanboys, Battlestar Gallactica’s Tricia Helfer will play an Inspector Spacetime fan at a convention attended by, of course, Abed. Also attending the conference will be Little Britain’s Matt Lucas. However, the real news is that Greendale’s new History professor will be none other than A Clockwork Orange actor Malcolm McDowell. Let the awesomeness ensue.

In a related story, Joel McHale, who already stars in Community and The Soup, has booked a multi-episode guest-star arc on Sons of Anarchy. Claims McHale, his con-man is “probably the best character this show’s ever had.”

Game of Thrones

For the record, get used to exciting casting news around this series. The HBO series is probably going to run forever, or until the cable network can no longer afford to make it. That was the problem with Deadwood, that its production cost was too high. Hopefully GOT can escape that fate.

In the meantime, fans of HBO’s magnificent but short-lived series Rome will be thrilled to discover that Caesar himself will be playing the King Beyond the Wall. That’s right, the character will be played by veteran Irish actor Ciarán Hinds in GOT’s upcoming season three. Another veteran actor to join the series will be Diana Rigg of classic 1960s series The Avengers (no, not the superhero Avengers). Rigg will play Lady Olenna Redwyne.

The Office

More in Red Couch Report

Family Guy death sparks confusion and fan outcry

Since Sunday's bombshell, fans have flooded the internet with outrage, grief, hoaxes, and petitions. Is it a publicity stunt or the beginning of the end for MacFarlane's animated empire?

Apocalypse dinners begin with most neglected foods

When the world inevitably ends and society crumbles, you are going to need a plan. Part 1 of that plan is strategic looting.

Satire: CNN’s JFK coverage provides a lesson for the CBC

Late last week, a ridiculous bombshell dropped in the news. John Kerry announced that he has “doubts” that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Finally, an American who is willing to stand up and declare “...
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.