by Stacy Hutto
News editor
After eight seasons, Showtime pulled the plug on its hit series “Weeds,” with the series finale airing Sunday, Sept. 16.
Series creator Jenji Kohan used all of season eight to tie up many loose ends, hoping to make sure fans were satisfied with the show’s ending. As a fan I was happy with the way things ended.
Leading up to the last episode I was hoping there would not be a “Sopranos” type ending that would have me uttering language I can’t repeat here.
I’ve watched “Weeds” from the very first episode and have enjoyed watching the Botwin family get into trouble and work their way out of it.
Due to its subject matter some people might not feel it is appropriate for their family, and as a parent there were many scenes I would not let my children watch until they are older.
As much as I would love to go into detail about how the show ended I won’t. No spoilers here.
Now that “Weeds” has ended, creator Jenji Kohan has moved on. According to the Huffington Post, “Kohan is moving on to several other projects, including a Netflix prison-set series, ‘Orange is the New Black,’ based on the book of the same name by Piper Kerman.”
As for the cast, Mary Louise-Parker has a not yet titled movie that began shooting in July, according to thewrap.com.
Justin Kirk, who played Andy Botwin, has three movies coming out at the end of the year. According to tv.com, “he plays a Romanian vampire in ‘Vamp,’ portrays a prickly Hollywood screenwriter in ‘Nobody Walks,’ and appears in the ensemble drama ‘30 Beats.’” On Oct. 9, “30 Beats” will be available on DVD.
As many fans know, the theme song “Little Boxes” has been sung by many different artists.
In season eight, episode 10, Hunter Parrish, who played the show’s Silas Botwin, put his spin on the show’s opening song. He followed cast member Kevin Nealon, who sang the opening of the third episode of season eight with Steve Martin.
Many notable singers have lent their voices to the opening song over the seasons.
In the first season, the original version sung by Malvina Reynolds opened the show. For the second season, Elvis Costello sang the opening in the first episode, and Death Cab For Cutie followed in episode two.
Throughout the show “Little Boxes” has been sung in French, Spanish, and Russian.
Viewers have watched Parrish grow up on the show. In an interview with the website After Elton, Parrish talked about the last season of “Weeds” and the play “Godspell” he finished up in New York, along with his love of New York and theater.
After Elton asked him what his plans were after the end of “Weeds.”
“I’m also looking at a lot of plays, too,” said Parrish. “A lot of people didn’t know I did theater and the singing stuff, and I also do plays as well, and I kinda want to do one of those as my next move but we’ll see.”
While Alexander Gould, also known as Shane, may not have any upcoming projects, fans will have a chance to hear him on the big screen once again.
Before “Weeds,” Gould voiced Nemo in “Finding Nemo,” which has been rereleased in theaters in 3D. He also voiced Bambi in “Bambi II,” the sequel to the Disney classic.
Kevin Nealon, who portrayed Doug Wilson brilliantly, isn’t letting grass grow under his feet.
He told kansascity.com that he and his wife are co-writing a 30-minute sitcom pilot loosely based on their life with exaggerations. Nealson and his wife would be portraying the husband and wife of the sitcom.
“Weeds” was the beginning of so many television opportunities.
Before “Weeds,” any show dealing with marijuana was stoner joke after stoner joke. “Weeds” showed that the marijuana trade had a dark side.
“Weeds” is credited with making Showtime relevant in the black drama genre. It opened the door to series like “Dexter,” “Californication,” and “Nurse Jackie.”
If it wasn’t for “Weeds,” there may not have been “Breaking Bad” on AMC.
For those who have missed any episodes of “Weeds,” all hope is not lost.
According to The Wall Street Journal, TV Guide Network has bought the rights to “Weeds” and is currently airing episodes from season five. Show times vary, so check with cable or satellite providers for dates and times.